Mr. Bunt/Act 2

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4047895Mr. Bunt — Act IIIra Mallory Remsen

ACT II

SCENE 1

THE CIRCUS

The stained and spotted canvas of the big tent hangs silent in the night.

On the right is the great gilded wagon in which the lions are drawn when on parade. On the left a light burns within the tent, throwing on the canvas the gigantic shadowed forms of those who pass. It is evidently the rear of the circus where the circus folk live.

Straw litters the ground.

In the light of a lantern, right, sits the ragged figure of an old man, studying some cards laid out before him on the ground. A clown enters, carrying a bundle of torn hoops. He deposits them and stops at a basin near the opening of the tent to wash the make-up from his face.

A bare-back rider crosses the stage. She pauses for a moment in the flood of light that fills the entrance of the tent and streams across the stage.

It is Lu, in all the glitter of her ring costume. From the shadows the clown speaks to her. MR. BUNT

JIM

Looking up from the basin. How did the act go tonight, Lu?

LU

Fine, Jim. I nearly fell off Midnight laughing at you - you are such aa fool.

JIM

I wish I felt that way.

LU

Jim, you've got it, that's all I got to say.

JIM

Aw, ferget it.

LU

Goodnight, Jim. She passes into the tent. Jim slips on a coat and, having fished out a pipe from his pocket, stands idly watching the old man and his cards.

JIM

What do you see in' em, Danny? You're starin' at 'em so.

DANNY

I'm minded no tae tell ye, man.

JIM

Kin you read 'em?

DANNY

If it were but the cairds, I wouldna' be starin' so, Jim.

JIM

Well, I never could understand 'em, 67

MR . BUNT

He crosses over to Danny. DANNY

It's na for ye tae understand; it's for ye tae hearken , man, for there be word for ye here. But I wouldna' hae turned thon laist caird if I'd ha' known . JIM

Sitting on wagon shaft and bending toward cards. You mean that

queen

of diamonds ?

DANNY

Aye, Jim . JIM

What's that ? DANNY

It's Lu.

JIM

Lu ? DANNY

It's

aye

her when it comes atween th ' ace and th '

twa .

JIM

What makes you so sure of that, Danny? DANNY

Sure, man, didna' it come that way the nicht afore she fell frae the horse, she that they ca’ the Queen o' the Ring, and isna' it aye a dimond croon she

wears, around an' around the ring on

the back o' the white horse ? I wouldna' hae turned thon laist caird - for man, it micht mean

onything. 68

MR . BUNT

JIM

I hope there ain't no trouble fer her, Danny . DANNY

I dinna' ken, Jim. It's her heart I'm starin' at noo .

JIM

You mean whatever is comin to me is goin' to hurt Lu ? DANNY

Aye, man , it looks that way. JIM

Well, how much can you see, Danny ? DANNY

I see a wee lad and lassie, Jim, playin' somewhaur by a wee hoose. JIM

Rising

How kin you read that, Danny ? DANNY

They're in the cards, man. JIM

And can you read if they're happy ? DANNY

Aye, Jim. JIM

Walks slowly across to tent. They're mine, Danny, and it's five years since I seen 'em .

Sometimes it comes over me hard.

It's when you're tired you can't shake things MR . BUNT

69

off. Annie'll be ten this fall and Dabs eight. But you say they're happy ? DANNY

Aye, man, they be happy. JIM

Turning.

And what's this about Lu, Danny. How did she get mixed into this ? DANNY

I dinna ken, Jim, till the word comes tae ye.

Wait, man, till I lay them oot aince mair. Jim fills a dipper from a pail beside the tent and drinks, while Danny turns the cards. Suddenly he starts.

It be Lu again,, Jim. Man, there be trouble somewhaur ! JIM

Trouble !

The dipper slips from his hand, there is a clank of metal and he crosses to Danny. What does it say, Danny ? DANNY

It says a word be a-comin' tae ye, Jim. Rises in fear. But I canna' read what it micht be and I'm nae

hand at hearin' voices as some of them be. Troubled.

Man, will ye no turn in ? 70

MR. BUNT

JIM Seating himself again on the wagon shaft. No, Danny, I'll set here aa bit. Exit Danny.

SCENE 2

From the tents, in the silence, comes the rest less sound of the animalsa short growl, the chatter of a monkey. The shadow of a woman appears on the can vas. She passes across the tent and steps out softly. It is Lu, who has slipped into her wrapper. In her hand is a tinsel crown. She approaches Jim.

LU I heard your voice - can't you sleep, Jim?

JIM Oh, it's that way some nights, Lu ! Seems as though I'd rather set here. Again there is a disturbance among the animals.

LU I wish I could do something fer you , Jim. I hate to see you grieving, you who can make 'em laugh so. Why, Jim, you're the whole show. When you come in there ain't anything else. They jest foller you around and holler their heads off, laughing. Seems like you didn't have MR . BUNT

71

to do anything, jest look at 'em and they begins to scream at once. Where do you get it, Jim ? JIM

It's jest watching 'em , Lu . LU

Jest watching 'em ? Why, people ain't funny. JIM

No, but I studies ' em . What the professors in the schools calls psychology, Lu. All the little things they do - things that they're ashamed of, or afraid of - they got them all tied up inside of

' em in a hard bundle, and when they see me do these things right out, it sort of unties the bundles and they begin to laugh soon as they see someone else being aa fool. There's nothing like company, Lu. It's funny, I can show 'em what fools they are, but when it comes to myself He stops. LU

Gently. Jim, you ain't never told me or anyone the trouble, since you joined us.

A harsh scream of a parrot breaks the still. ness .

JIM

No.

Rising.

And I ain't telling. a thing

What's the use of spreading 72

MR . BUNT

A roar from the animals, then a horse neighs shrilly. Them animals is restless tonight. LU

Seems like something was bothering 'em, Jim. Excuse me fer asking, it were jest to help you if I could. You don't mind my coming and setting with you, Jim ? JIM

No, Lu, but I ain't good company , fer I'm tired , awful tired , Lu . Seems sometimes as if I'd He stops and his whole body grows tense. LU

Sitting down on the ground. Let me stay, Jim. I'll work a bit. It's a crown I'm making from the old one.

new

JIM

You've had it long, Lu ? LU

Ever since I got my riding job in the show, Jim. And I've got to feeling there is something lucky

about it, so I always makes the new one out of the old. It's only the band wears out. I don't know how many new ones I've had by this time. Most every year I've made it over in the spring, when the show starts out. JIM

It's a long time, Lu. Was you with the show afore you became the ' Diamond Queen ’ ? MR . BUNT

73

LU

Laughing 'Way back, Jim, I come. It's so far back we'll

forget about it, boy — but after they found I .

could manage the horses, they trained me in for an act, and I've spent my life going round that ring ever since. JIM

Won't it get you somewhere, Lu ? LU

Smiling

What ? Jest going round the ring ? JIM

I mean - don't you want something else ? LU

Why, Jim, that's all life is fer most of us. Jest going around the ring, doing the same act. They feeds us fer that. JIM

I know, but LU

Softly. I know, Jim.

You told me your dreams when

you first came and they be true, boy. You'll find 'em some day. JIM

I'm all right here, Lu. I don't ask for nothing

more as long as you and Danny is here. LU

But, Jim, you know what I told you. You've got it MR . BUNT

74

in you , Jim, boy, only you never got it out right yet. You'll see a way some day and you're go ing to do it. JIM

All of us are, you mean , Lu . LU

Never you mind the rest of us, Jim, but I've set my heart on your going on. JIM

Smiling.

Yes- you set your heart on everything around here, Lu . LU

Enthusiastically.

And it all comes true, Jim. It's the wishing that works it. It's when you don't see your way clear, if you keep on wishing, finally -- whatever it was breaks, and they call it luck. Jim smokes in silence. JIM

It's funny, Lu. LU

Everything's funny, Jim - almost. JIM

Turning to look at her, slowly. You said the word, Lu - almost LU

Well, don't let that worry you. That's the word

that lets us see how funny things has to be. MR . BUNT

75

JIM

Nodding slowly. I reckon I get it, Lu . LU

Not quite, Jim, because you're different, and that's what makes it so hard. I know, there isn't much a woman don't know about these things.

A man jest sees what he wants and fights fer it; he don't feel or think of anything else, he jest fights. But with a woman it's different. If you

could only understand, Jim . A woman's got to give. She can't live without giving, and when it ain't children it's everything else. And even if it ain't quite the same - it's almost, Jim-almost. JIM

Some of us wake up too late, Lu! LU

Why, that's life, Jim.. It begins then. It ain't

anything like we think it's going to be. It's only when the fairies come back that we understand. JIM

The what, Lu ? LU

Why, Jim, ain't you ever seen the children talking

and playing with the little things that no one else can see ? It's the fairies, Jim. Even the babies when they can't talk - have you ever noticed

how all of a sudden they change and their big MR . BUNT

76

eyes are a - looking through you and a - peering out

JIM

With a smothered groan . Don't, Lu ! LU

Softly. I guessed it, Jim - can't you go back ? JIM

Firmly. I'm here, Lu. LU

Quickly. Then it's almost time for the fairies, Jim.

When

you can't stand anything more, they come back, and I can tell they be coming soon, Jim, for you can't get on without 'em. What was Danny reading in the cards ? JIM

What do you mean, Lu ? LU

Oh, there's ways of reading things besides the cards . JIM

He sets a heap of store by what they say. LU

And what was he telling you, Jim ? JIM

I can't make it out.

He said there was some MR . BUNT

77

thing going to happen ; something like " word " was coming to me. And then it seemed that you got mixed up in it. LU

Rising . Me, Jim ?-me ? JIM

Yes, and he got afraid for you, and he couldn't read no more . LU

Turning away .

He needn't be afraid for me, Jim. Now I under stand .

Holding up the crown . There, it's most done. Look at it, Jim. Jim does not look. Lu, reaching out her hand, touches his shoulder.

Goodnight, Jim. JIM

Quietly.

Thank you, Lu. Lu crosses to the tent slowly. For a moment

she stops and turns towards Jim as if about to speak. The words do not come, but her hands are pressed tightly over her heart as she turns again and slowly enters the tent. Jim sinks down on the wagon shaft, staring at the cards that have warned him . 78

MR . BUNT SCENE 3

In the silence, high up among the gilded orna ments of the circus wagon , a little figure with a gun is seen , peering cautiously over the top. JIM

Looking up and watching it. What you doing up there, sonny ? BOY

I'm afraid . JIM

Where did you come from ? BOY

I don't know . JIM

Well, I guess you're skeered out of your wits, ain't you ? Come down here; I want to see you . BOY

You won't bite me ? JIM

Say BOY

Nor you won't let the tiger get me? JIM You come down here.

The boy descends and walks over into the

light. It is the absurd figure of Mr. Bunt. Why, bless my heart, what's this ? Where did

you get them clothes ? Be you out hunting ani mals in the menagerie ? MR . BUNT

79

MR. BUNT

They're all I got. JIM

Say, I'm the clown in this circus. What do you think you are ? MR. BUNT

I'm aa lost fairy. JIM

Still astonished . Er- ?

Changing quietly. That's right, come right out with it.

Now that

we know each other, don't try and be funny any I'm more. That's my business around here. the clown. MR. BUNT

But I'm not trying to be funny. JIM

What's your name ? MR. BUNT

She calls me Mr. Bunt. JIM

She ? You mean your mother ? MR. BUNT

No, I haven't got any mother. The little girl who used to play with me before I got lost. JIM

Where did you play ? MR. BUNT

With her.

She just made me up. 80

MR . BUNT JIM

Well, she made you up fine, I'll say that. But

look here, sonny, let's get down to business. We're not doing an act, remember that. MR. BUNT

I'll do anything you say, sir. JIM

Forgetting. You know we could do an act.

I can be an

awfully funny bear and you could hunt me around with that gun of yours until they laughed their heads off. MR. BUNT

I would'nt have to kill you, would I ? Because I don't like killing things. JIM

No, you wouldn't have to kill me, and what's more you won't have the chance, because you

got to run along home now as fast as you can, before they find you out. MR. BUNT

Honestly, I haven't got any home. JIM

Say, young 'un, what do you think you're hand ing me ? MR. BUNT

Won't anyone in the world believe me ? JIM

Looking at him . Look here, kid. You're not crying, be you ? MR . BUNT

81

MR . BUNT

Sobbing What if I am

I can't help it. JIM

Um -m - right you are. Go ahead and spill. It's the only thing that shows anybody's worth while. But look here, now, if you're lost, I'll take care

of you till somebody comes , and you can stay with me . MR. BUNT

And hunt you as a bear ? JIM

Yes, and hunt me as a bear. I'll teach you all the tricks. MR. BUNT

Do you think I could learn to be a little clown ? JIM

Sure. I'll learn you to make people laugh till well, like me- they almost ferget. MR. BUNT

Almost forget what ? JIM

That you've got to go on living - on and on. Some day you'll understand, son. I hope it won't be like me. Changing.

That's funny. How did I come to talk to you ? MR. BUNT

That's what I'm for - for people to talk to, like MR . BUNT

82

the little girl said. Things she could tell nobody else she could talk with me about. JIM

Amused .

You're aa funny one. MR. BUNT

Then I can stay ? JIM

Sure, of course you can stay till somebody comes fer you. Roll in under the wagon and in the

morning tell them you belong to me, do you hear ? MR. BUNT

Yes, Mr. Clown. Mr. Bunt rolls under the wagon . Jim stands staring at the moon . Slowly his head sinks down as he leans despondently on the wheel.

The figure of Lu is seen stealing toward him softly. LU

Jim. Jim looks up at her slowly. JIM

Lu , if you couldn't cry you couldn't make 'em laugh, you know. LU

Pitifully. Don't, Jim-don't-it's killing you. Lu turns away in agony. The bit of starlit

sky which shows above the big tent begins MR . BUNT

83

slowly to glow . Lu's widening eyes stare out upon the fire and a whisper of dumb terror comes :

Jim, what's that ! JIM

Turning slowly, in the moment before the out break.

Lu, it's the- show

SCENE 4

We are back at the Maple Tree again .

The stage is dark and empty. Away off, where the little tents of the traveling circus stood, is seen the red glow of the fire. Slowly it increases. A sinister stillness fills the stage. Suddenly the quivering silence of the woods is broken - a

twig snaps; something unseen is crossing the stage. One follows simply the weird rustling of the leaves. Again the sound occurs. It is

as though strange animals were fleeing through the woods before the oncoming fire. Jim's voice is heard. He is mounting the hillock carrying a lantern. For a moment his figure is silhouetted against the red sky. With him

are Lu and Danny. Their clothes are tom and burned.

Lu still carries the spangled

crown held aimlessly in her hand . 84

MR . BUNT JIM

Looking back. Danny, I don't like the looks of things. Descending the hill. Lu, you'd better rest here; I don't think the fire will get up this far. LU

Jim , I can't rest with the cries of them poor burning brutes in my ears. DANNY

Calm yirself, lassie, calm yirself. a wee bit.

There, rest

It's aa black nicht for use

Lu seats herself on the ground, Danny stand ing by her. JIM

Danny, I'm going back again for that kid. DANNY

He'll nae be there, I tell ye. through the woods.

I saw him running

JIM

Then we'll start on the hunt now.

I tell you

he's the one that has the word for me; I could feel it the minute I laid eyes on him. DANNY

It micht be true, Jim, and the trouble I saw come too .

JIM

Aye, Danny, it has come. But that kid At this moment the huge form of aa bear rises in silhouette against the red sky. MR . BUNT

85

LU

Jim ! JIM

Danny, give me that knife of yourn . The ani mals is loose !

Taking knife from Danny. Look after Lu .

He advances to meet the bear. LU

Resisting Danny.

Jim, let me stay with you ! The bear is coming on now, with Jim watch

ing him, when suddenly a shot rings out. The bear totters for a moment and then falls be fore the astonished eyes of Jim. JIM

Who shot that bear ? DANNY

In wonderment.

Man, it was a grand shot. JIM

But who shot him, Danny ? DANNY

but for aught I ken it was a Ye can ask me bricht and shining angel of the Lord . JIM

Danny, where is that kid ? There's something queer here. What was his name ? MR . BUNT

86

DANNY

How should I ken ?

I had nae word wi' him. JIM

Well, we got to find him, Danny. He's got that word for me you saw in the cards. I know it now .

LU

Jim, I want to help. I'm strong enough . JIM

You lay there, Lu, you hear. You ain't fit to move after all we've been through this night. LU

Please let me hunt, Jim. JIM

No, Lu. It may be all night. Danny and I will

find him. And don't you worry, Lu, 'cause the show is gone ; I can take care of you and Danny, Danny, take that canyon we

whatever comes .

just crossed and I'll go back along the creek. Exit Jim. DANNY

It's nae guid tae gang back, Lu; it's a' burned o'er.

I'll bide here wi ' ye. LU

No, Danny, Jim's counting on you. Go back through that brush ; the kid might be there. Exit Danny . MR . BUNT

87

SCENE 5

Lu rises and slowly walks among the low bushes, peering into the darkness. She stops for a moment, looking at the dead bear. A tiny cry, as of a child , is heard . She turns suddenly and listens, then tushes off in the direction of the sound, across the hillock to ward the fire. SCENE 6

The red glow is increasing, illuminating the

whole scene, painting with fantastic lights the trees that seem to flicker in the leaping flames. The frightened figure of Mr. Bunt appears. He rushes wildly onto the stage. A mysteri

ous sound of voices seems to follow him like some weird, barbaric chant.

It rises and

falls with the oncoming flames, sweeping in the air above him, striking terror into his little trembling form . FIRE VOICES

Un - yan - yan - yanUn - yan - yan - yan-

-un - yan - yan - yan .

un - yan - yan - yan .

1

With unrelenting cries it pursues him. swells and dies away and then is taken up more strongly, sweeping through the air. 1 Anyone who has been among the Arizona Indians can give the correct intonation of the weird monotony and terror of this chant. 88

MR . BUNT

Transfixed with terror, Mr. Bunt is staring wildly at the empty sky above him. The ris

ing and falling reflections of the flames play around him in a fantastic dance. He sees the Maple Tree and is now beating frantically on the trunk. MR. BUNT

Let me in !

Let me in ! A VOICE

Who comes ?

Who comes ? MR. BUNT

Turning and running out to meet the voice, calling : It is 1-1-1 - Mr. Bunt- the lost fairy. FAIRY VOICE

Fairies should be heard, not seen. MR. BUNT

Please let me in !

Please let me in !

Other voices begin to mingle with the rhythmic chant. FIRE VOICES

Un - yan - yan - yan-

-un - yan - yan - yan .

Un - yan - yan - yan Un — yan - yan - yan-

-un - yan - yan - yan .

un - yan - yan - yan .

FAIRY VOICES

Fairies should be heard, not seen. Fairies should be heard, not seen. MR . BUNT

89

MR. BUNT

Screaming. Let me in !

Let me in ! VOICES

As if in answer.

Key - key - key - key - key - key - key. Mr. Bunt, panic -stricken , rushes about the stage , finally throwing his arms about the Maple Tree.

Gyem springs on the scene, waving his arms to the flames. GYEM

Fire, fire, burning bright, No fairies leave the tree tonight. VOICES

Key - key - key - key - key - key - key. Let him in !

Let him in !

Let him in !

SANDMAN

Entering.

Gyem, will you then let him burn ? MR. BUNT

Running to Gyem.

Gyem - Gyem - save me ! Let me in ! GYEM

Forgotten fairies, lost and found, Seek their shelter in the ground. You must make your way again, Share the sorrow and the pain 90

MR . BUNT

Of some mortal until he,

By forgetting, sets you free. FAIRY VOICES

It's the lost fairy !

It's the lost fairy ! Let him in - he'll burn. GYEM

Too late, too late To enter here !

Nor have I the magic key

To open wide the Maple Tree. He disappears. The Sandman stands silently

by, for the long last sleep belongs to him. Mr. Bunt drops in terror. As if in mocking comes the answer. FIRE VOICES

Un - yan - yan - yan-

un - yan - yan - yan . NEW VOICES

In a rush, as though driven before the fire. Un - nene- na Un - ne - ne na Un - ne - ne- na-

un - ne - ne - na . unnene

na .

-un - ne - nena .

Gyem - Gyem - Gyem - Gyem ! Yen - ne - nema

yen - ne - ne -

a.

Above the ominous chanting the deep voice of the Sandman is now heard as he moves to ward the figure of Mr. Bunt. MR . BUNT

91

SANDMAN

Baby fairy of the tree Will be burnt and never be But the food for fire and flame.

Gyem - I call you once again ! Enter Gyem . The Sandman calls to him :

Quickly set this fairy free, 'Ere he perish by the tree. GYEM

Wildly.

The key is lost. FIRE VOICES

Un - yen - yen - yen-

un - yen - yen - yen .

Un - yen - yen - yen-

-un - yen - yen - yen .

The terrifying chant rouses Gyem to action . He rushes madly to the hillock. Climbing to the top he cups his little hands to call : GYEM

West Wind - ho !

Silence again . Then way off in the distant hills is heard a long cry : “ West Wind blow - o - o - o ! ”

Gyem jumps to the ground. The red fire now fills the stage and through the smoke he is seen, standing rigidly, watching the Maple Tree. The leaves move slightly. Gyem dances

in delight. MR . BUNT

92

Oh, for the West Wind, West Wind, ho ! Maple leaves a -dancing go, Dance and turn

To the red, red glow . Gyem climbs again to the top of the hillock, crying to the flames : Come on, O flames, And burn your way

Through the crackling brush And the tinder hay :

With spark and flame You'll eat your way ; Then stop ! For the Wind Is on its way.

Slowly the sound of the Wind rises. It grows in volume until the chanting of the fire voices is lost in the rush of the oncoming storm . The

flames dance wildly. Then comes the Battle Song of the Wind. Black figures in stream ing silver capes rush in, dancing madly about the stage, chanting: Blow 'em down, West Wind, Blow 'em down flat!

Scatter 'em hither and thither and back ;

Beating 'em down on their blackened knees, Pick off the flames from the burning trees. MR . BUNT

93

The Wind - the Wind - the Wind ,

Ho, for the battle of Wind and Flame, Blowing 'em back and back again. Oh, ho ! Oh, ho ! The red glow of the fire has gone, the stage is black , the wind has died and the figures have departed . Vaguely the figure of the Sand

man is seen rising from the prostrate form of Mr. Bunt. He moves away slowly, singing : SANDMAN

Dream, baby, dream A spirit voice from another world breaks in upon the song. VOICE OF SPIRIT

Sandman, do you bring him to us ? SANDMAN

Not yet, О Spirit of the Air - he lives. VOICE OF SPIRIT

Sandman, do they not understand on Earth ? SANDMAN

Not yet, О Spirit, are we clearly seen. VOICE OF SPIRIT

Pass on, O Sandman, with thy sack of dreams, O’ershadow by thy visions earthly Fate ; Guard one who asked but for a tinsel crown ;

Make sweet her dreams , her voyage to our gate. Pass on, O Sandman , All is well. 94

MR . BUNT

Through the smoke the figure of the Sandman is seen moving slowly on his way. Again comes the song. SANDMAN

Dream, baby, dream, All

your

dreams come true.

SCENE 7

The gray dawn comes softly through the woods.

The huddled figure of Mr. Bunt is seen sleep ing on the ground close to the dead bear. Danny's voice is heard calling : “Lu ! ” He enters and calls again.

Lu's bedraggled figure appears on the hillock. DANNY

Lu - are ye there, dear ? VOICE OF LU

I'm coming, Danny. Did you find the boy ? DANNY

No ' me .

Hae ye no seen Jim ? LU

Entering. No, Danny, I could find no one and the woods were strange and fearful with the fire. DANNY

We'll bide our time here, lassie. Jim'll be back

soon noo daylicht has come. 95

MR . BUNT LU

I'm frightened , Danny. I kept following the cry of a child through the woods all night and here I am back where I started. It might all be fancy — but I don't understand. DANNY

Rising and peering about the stage , then walk ing right.

It was a strange wild nicht, lassie, and strange fancies come tae me, too, as if mair trouble was coming. LU

Is everything gone, Danny ? DANNY

A' the show , lassie, ilka stick is gone, burnt up. Aye, lassie , there isna' muckle left for us noo but

the spangled croon ye’re carryin' in yir hand. LU

Why, Danny, I must have carried it all night - it brought me luck, once. DANNY

Keep it, Lu. Ye'll need it, lassie, in the black days that has come upon us all. He sees Mr. Bunt and the bear. After star ing for a moment, puzzled, he turns towards Lu, and in a whisper calls : Lu ! 96

MR . BUNT LU

Rising.

Danny, what is it ? Tell me ! What have you seen ? DANNY

What hae I no' seen, lassie. I gie ye my word , there's a wee hunter no bigger nor my thumb

that shot and kilt the biggest bear i' the whole show . LU

Crossing.

Have you lost your mind, Danny ? What are you talking about ? DANNY

Noo can ye believe yir een. LU

Rising and drawing Danny away. It's him, Danny—the strange kid that Jim is

hunting. Call Jim ! Wait - Danny, wait. DANNY

What is it, Lassie ? LU

Jim thinks maybe he brought the word Pause.

"the word ,” that's it. DANNY

The word

Going up to Lu. Ye mean what I was readin' i' the cairds ? 97

MR . BUNT LU

Yes, Danny. He thinks the kid has it. it's queer things the kid says.

He says

DANNY

If it's the word, Lu, send him awa', for he brings nae luck tae ye.

Tak

my

word .

LU

Turns and walks away slowly. Then, turning towards Danny again .

No, Danny, we'll not send him away. He must have come for Jim. I know, and oh, Danny, listen before you call Jim -- there's something I wants you to do fer me.

She stops and Danny walks over to her. DANNY

And I'm listenin', lassie, I am. LU

Sitting down.

Danny, mind when Jim come to us five years back now ? How terrible bad he was that night, and how straight he run when you and me took hold of him ? Never a drop -- and then when he found he could act and he wouldn't leave us ? DANNY

It was no the show. Shaking his head . And no memit was ye, Lu . LU

Listen , Danny, you don't understand .

He's got MR . BUNT

98

to go on, and it ain't for the likes of us to stand in his way. DANNY

And what dae ye mean by a' this, lassie ? LU

Danny, Jim and me was together last night when the fire broke out. I ain't sayin' I ain't blind mad in love with him . I can't - can't help it. It's just the mother in me, Danny. Last night - it seems years ago Pause .

Last night, Danny - I found out he had a home and kids somewhere, and-well, you see, I'm

out, Danny, that's all, and-well, you got to help me, Danny. DANNY

And hoo can I help, Lu ? LU

Why , Danny Pause .

I'm going to say ~ I'm going home. DANNY

Hameye hae no any hame, Lu. LU

I have if I say I have, Danny, and you under stand that ? DANNY

Why, lassie, a' ye've got i’ the world is that fool spangled croon. Yir nae goin' ta stop him helpin' ye , are ye ? MR . BUNT

99

LU

Yes, Danny. You don't understand - you couldn't, you're only a man. If I don't leave him now I got a chance , I'll never have the strength to do it again ; and you'll back me up,

Danny , when he comes ? It's for his sake, Danny, and oh ! he's a man now, I know it ! Danny is silent. Lu continues. Call him, Danny. Tell him we found the queer kid .

Danny starts to go . Lu puts out her hand. Wait, Danny, just a minute - till I get hold of myself again. Just a minute now - I'll be all right.

There is a crackling of underbrush .

Oh, Danny, listen - it's him a-coming. Mind you

do as I

say.

SCENE 8

Jim enters, carrying a lantern . DANNY

I was just for gi'en ye a cry. JIM Have you

found the queer kid ? DANNY

He's here , man .

Jim goes quickly to Mr. Bunt and stoops over him . 100

MR . BUNT JIM

Drawing away softly. He's sleeping, Lu. LU

Yes, Jim. JIM

Well, somebody gave that damn bear what was coming to him. You don't suppose that kid shot him DANNY

Man, it was a grand shot. Jim stoops and blows out the lantern . JIM It's queer

about that kid, Danny ; he came run

ning in on me just after your telling me that word would come . It seems like maybe he brought it. LU

It's him, Jim - I know.

He brought you luck. JIM

Well, we'll need it, Lu, we'll need a-plenty. Turning out his pockets. Two bits, a jack -knife and a dead bear. Why, that's quite a collection when you think about it. Danny and Lu remain silent. Jim, unheed ing, repeats :

That's quite a collection, takin' it all in all now, ain't it, Lu ?-to start another circus on. And, Lu, there's the kid. Why, he's a regular .

MR . BUNT

102

little fairy, darned if he ain't. Of course, of Listen , Lu Crossing to her.

course .

He was going to hunt me round as a bear, him and me .

A sort of act, you know ; and now I reckon that bear ain't got much use fer that skin of his'n. Why, we'll get us a wagon and start

right back across country, him and me doing the act, and you with LU

Jim - you mustn't count on me. JIM

Looking up. Not count on you, Lu ? LU

Painfully. No , Jim, I ain't going.

Jim

She gasps .

I know it's hard fer you to understand JIM

Hard fer to understand ?

Why , Lu, what you

thinking - giving up the business - and LU

Jim, listen.

Set down here by me and listen.

Jim kneels beside her.

Lu continues.

Jim, dear - you got to go - you and the kid. JIM

Why — where are you going, Lu ?

. 102

MR . BUNT LU

Home, Jim . JIM

Home ? LU

Yes, Jim. Ain't I never told you about my little home up in the - the hills ? You see, I've been

thinking about quitting it all some time and go ing back. I've been in the business years longer than you ever have, and I wants a rest, Jim, I wants it bad. And up in my little house on the hill it's so nice, so silent and peaceful. Danny here is going to take me-- ain't you, Danny ? But you, Jim boy, you got to go on . JIM

Why, Lu ! I can't go on without you and Danny -I can't ! I can't leave you, you know that. LU

Listen, Jim. You got to remember how you been studying for to make something for yourself, and you know more than Danny and me. JIM

Lu, I don't want nothing, you know that. I wants to come with you.

What will I do with

out you and Danny ? You're everything to me. LU

Jim, you're strong enough now, and if you love

us, you'll show what we done for you . MR . BUNT

103

JIM

But where am I going, Lu? What for? I ain't got no home. LU

You're going on, Jim, I'm telling you - to make your

dreams come true.

JIM

But I need you, Lu; indeed I do. LU

No, Jim. You're going on. Maybe there's some one that needs you now, Jim. JIM

Someone ?

Rising.

Lu, there ain't anybody, for Brokenly.

Lu, she said she hoped she'd never see me again -and she never will. LU

Going to him .

Jim boy, don't ! Don't you know you've paid ? I don't care what you done - you've paid, Jim paid in full.

Putting her hands on his shoulders.

Oh, Jim, listen

the queer kid, he brought word.

I know he has.

Eagerly. Danny, it were in the cards, weren't it ? DANNY

Aye, lass. MR . BUNT

104

LU

Listen to him telling you, Jim. Them things means something_and Jim, I'm tired. I want ter

rest up in my little home and dream of you going on and making a great actor of yourself. The people need you , Jim. It ain't everybody that can make people laugh the way you can, and you got it, Jim. Ain't he, Danny ? DANNY

Who has been sitting near the hillock, rises. I'm tellin' ye, lassie. But if ye're goin', Lu , it's time we started . LU

Steadying herself.

I'm coming, Danny. Jim boy, goodbye. JIM

Shocked .

Goodbye ! LU

Yes, Jim; now

They stand staring at each other. Then Lu, with her soft, firm voice, speaks : Jim, I've made up my mind, so don't ask again.

My little voyage is over and I got a quiet harbor waiting for me, but you — you got to go on understand - for my sake. JIM

Lu, you can't go like this ! LU

Yes, Jim - 1 - Oh, Jim, understand ! Exit Danny and Lu. MR . BUNT

105

SCENE 9

Dumbly Jim stands watching them depart ;

then he follows, haltingly, to the hill. Behind his back, Mr. Bunt wakes slowly and rubs his eyes. Jim has drawn the knife from his belt and is feeling the edge with his fingers.

Mr. Bunt is timidly watching him. MR. BUNT

Please, sir, couldn't you take me as your fairy ? JIM

Say, you're a queer kid. MR. BUNT

I'm a fairy. JIM

What you say your name was ? MR. BUNT

Mr. Bunt.

JIM

Well, Mr. Bunt, you just happened along at the right time. MR. BUNT

Coming up smiling and taking Jim's hand. And what are you going to do with that knife, now, Mr. Clown ? JIM

Mr. Bunt, you and me are going to skin that bear.