Saturday, April 08, 2006

Scene 7

Tuco’s Lament: A Spaghetti Western Play

Draft: 06/04/08

Scene 7: Showdown At Samara

Setting the Scene:

Everyman, Knowledge and Good Deeds set off to Samara to confront death. They decide to travel by wagon together.

When they arrive in Samara, they come down the empty main street. Death has not yet arrived. Suddenly Death appears.

There is a GBU like showdown where the two characters stand opposite each other for a long time. Then the climax with a draw and shot. Everyman is lying on the ground. His companions come to his side as he is dying of his wound. They care for him as he dies in their arms as the lights fade and the curtain closes, appearing to signal the end of the show.

Technical

Everyman is making his transition with his friends to Samara. As the curtain closes on the Sand Hill scene the transition between the cemetery and the town is done by using the shadow screen. The group heads to Samarra in a wagon, riding strong and tall to meet their fate.

Props: The curtain closes on the Sad Hill scene. The cemetery scene is removed and Everyman is moved into the (SR) wing. Good Deeds and Knowledge are also waiting in (SR) wing for their entry after the gun battle. Death is being housed in the (SL) wing waiting for his entrance.

As the Sad Hill ends and the movement of props is completed, the shadow relief of Sand Hill (SR) and the town of Samarra (SL) are placed. Then the lights come up on the shadow screen. The group makes its way across the stage. The lights dim on the shadow screen and the relief are replaced by the ones that represent the lonely main street of the town. Everyman and his two buddies make their way down the lonely street to where EM is confronted by death. As this confrontation occurs, the curtains begin to open to review EM and Death facing off. The light then dims on the shadow screen.

Action:

As the lights on the shadow screen rise, the wagon begins it journey from behind the Sad Hill relief, across the stage going from (SR to SL). When they reach the town of Samarra, the lights dim and then we see the lonely street. Everyman goes with his friends down the street, is confronted by Death, a standoff ensues and EM is shot. His friends then come to his side to kneel by his dying body as the lights dim and the curtain begins to close.


Lighting:
As the Sad Hill scene closes the lights have gone down to show that night has fallen and they are getting some shuteye. The lights on the shadow screen rise to illuminate the transition. The group makes its way to Samarra. The lights dim on the shadow screen dim to make way for the new props of the street scene. The lights return back up for the progression down the street. EM confronts death. The curtain opens to show EM and Death locked in their stare and the shot. The lights start to fade as EM is lying dying with his friends close by. It slowly fades to black as the curtain closes. The curtain will open again after a prop change and the lights return.


Sound:
The possibilities are:

1. We use the GBU title #1 for the transition. The long version is from 00:4602:21. The short version is 01:15 - 02:20. This brief one may be better for the flow of the transition. The music comes up as the lights come up on the shadow screen. The music will fade and then return with GBU title # 11 as the lights come back up to show the lonely street. This version goes from 00:0001:39, followed by an insertion of the Death theme from 00:0000:00. Then as the two are standing there we return to the GBU title # 13 at 02:27 – 03:46 and then to 04:49. When EM is hit and falls to the grown we start the dying portion of the scene and move to OATITW title # 1 from 00:50 – 01:54 and then to 03:40.

Unedited Text:

Everyman: My friends, come hither and be present

Discretion, Strength, my Five-wits and Beauty.

Beauty: Here at you will we be all ready.

What will ye that we should do?

Good-Deeds: That ye would with Everyman go,

And help him in his pilgrimage,

Advise you, will ye with him or not in that voyage?

Strength: We will bring him all thither,

To his help and comfort, ye may believe me.

Discretion: So will we go with him all together.

Everyman:

Almighty God, loved thou be,

I give thee laud that I have hither brought

Strength, Discretion, Beauty, and Five-wits; lack I nought;

And my Good-Deeds, with Knowledge clear,

I desire no more to my business.

Strength: And I, Strength, will by you stand in distress,

Though thou would be battle fight on the ground

Five-Wits: And though it were through the world round,

We will not depart for sweet nor sour.

Beauty: No more will I unto death’s hour,

Whatsoever thereof befall.

Discretion: Everyman, advise you first of all;

Go with a good advisement and deliberation;

We all give you virtuous monition

That all shall be well.

Everyman: My friends, harken what I will tell:

I pray God reward you in his heavenly sphere.

Now harken, all that be here,

For I will make my testament

Here before you all present.

In alms half good I will give with my hands twain

In the way of charity with good intent,

And the other half still shall remain

In quiet to be returned there it ought to be.

This I do in despite of the fiend of hell

To go quite out if his peril.

Even after and this day.

Knowledge: Everyman, hearken what I say;

Go to priesthood, I you advise,

And receive of him in any wise

The holy sacrament and ointment together;

Then shortly see ye turn again hither;

We will all abide you here.

Five-Wits: Yea, Everyman, hie you that ye ready were,

There is no emperor, king, duke, ne baron,

That of God hath commission,

As hath the least priest in the world being;

He beareth the keys and thereof hath the cure

For man’s redemption, it is ever sure;

Which God for our soul’s medicine

Gave us out of his heart with great pine;

Here in this transitory life, for thee and me

The blessed sacraments seven there be,

Baptism, confirmation, with priesthood good,

And the sacrament of God’s precious flesh and blood,

Marriage, the holy extreme unction, and penance;

Gracious sacraments of high divinity.

Everyman:

Fain would I receive that holy body

And meek to my ghostly father I will go.

Five-wits: Everyman, that is the best that ye can do:

God will you to salvation bring,

For priesthood exceedeth all other things;

To us Holy Scripture they do teach.

And converteth man from sin heaven to reach;

God hath to them more power given,

Than to any angel that is in heaven;

With five words he may consecrate

God’s body in flesh and blood to male,

And handleth his maker between his hands;

The priest bindeth and unbindeth all bands,

Both in earth and in heaven;

Thou ministers all the sacraments seven;

Though we kissed thy feet thou were worthy;

Thou art surgeon that cureth sin deadly;

No remedy we find under God

But all only priesthood.

Everyman, God gave priests that dignity,

And setteth them in his stead amount us to be;

Thus be they above angels in degree

Knowledge: If priests be good it is so surely;

But when Jesus hanged on the cross with great smart

There he gave, out of his blessed heart,

The same sacrament in great torment:

He sold them not to us, that Lord Omnipotent.

Therefore Saint Peter the apostle doth say

That Jesu’s curse hath all they

Which God their Savior do buy or sell,

Or they for any money do take or tell.

Sinful priests giveth the sinners example bad;

Their children sitteth by other men’s fires, I have heard;

And some haunteth women’s company,

With unclean life, as lusts of lechery:

These be with sin made blind.

Five-wits: I trust to God no such may we find;

Therefore let us priesthood honour,

And follow their doctrine for our souls’ succour;

We be their sheep, and they shepherds be

By whom we all be kept in surety.

Peace, for yonder I see Everyman come,

Which hath made true satisfaction.

Good-Deeds: Methinketh it is he indeed.

Everyman:

Now Jesu be our alder speed*. * speed in help of all

I have received the sacrament for my redemption,

And then mine extreme unction:

Blessed be all they that counsell me to take it!

And now, friends, let us go without longer respite;

I thank God that ye have tarried so long.

Now set each of you on this rod your hand,

And shortly follow me:

I go before, there I would be; God be our guide.

Strength: Everyman, we will not from you go,

Till ye have done this voyage long.

Discretion: I, Discretion, will bide by you also.

Knowledge: And though this pilgrimage be never so strong,

I will never part you fro:

Everyman, I will be as sure by the

As ever I did by Judas Maccabee.

Everyman: Alas, I am so faint I may not stand,

My limbs under me do fold;

Friends, let us not turn again to this land,

Not for all the world’s gold,

For into this cave must I creep

And turn to the earth and there to sleep.

Beauty: What into this grave? Alas!

Everyman:

Yea, there shall you consume more and less.

Beauty: And what, should I smother here?

Everyman: Yea, by my faith, and never more appear.

In this world live no more we shall,

But in heaven before the highest Lord of all.

Beauty: I cross out all this; adieu by Saint John;

I take my cap in my lap and am gone.

Everyman:

What, Beauty, whither will ye?

Beauty: Peace, I am deaf; I look not behind me,

Not and thou would give me all the gold in thy chest.

Everyman: Alas, whereto may I trust?

Beauty goeth fast away hie;

She promised with me to live and die.

Strength: Everyman, I will thee also forsake and deny;

Thy game liketh me not at all.

Everyman:

Why, then ye will forsake me all.

Sweet Strength, tarry a little space.

Strength: Nay, sir, by thy rood of grace

I will hie me from thee fast,

Though thou weep till thy heart brast.

Everyman:

Ye would ever bide by me, ye said.

Strength: Yea, I have you far enough conveyed;

Ye be old enough, I understand,

Your pilgrimage to take on hand;

I repent me that I hither came.

Everyman:

Strength, you to displease I am to blame;

Will you break promise that is debt?

Strength: In faith, I care not;

Thou art but a fool to complain,

You spend your speech and waste your brain;

Go thrust thee into the ground.

Everyman:

I had went surer I should you have found.

He that trustest in his Strength

She him deceiveth at the length.

Both Strength and Beauty forsaketh me,

Yet they promise me fair and lovingly.

Discretion: Everyman, I will after Strength be gone,

As for me I will leave you alone.

Everyman:

Why, Discretion, will ye forsake me?

Discretion: Yea, in faith, I will go from thee,

For when Strength goeth before

I follow after evermore.

Everyman: Yet, I pray thee, for the love of the Trinity,

Look in my grave once piteously.

Discretion: Nay, so nigh will I not come.

Farewell, every one!

Everyman: O all thing faileth, save God alone;

Beauty, Strength, and Discretion;

For when Death bloweth his blast,

They all run from me full fast.

Five-wits: Everyman, my leave now of thee I take;

I will follow the other, for here I thee forsake.

Everyman: O Jesu, help, all hath forsaken me!

Good-Deeds: Nay, Everyman, I will bide with thee,

I will not forsake thee indeed;

Thou shalt find me a good friend at need.

Everyman: Gramercy, Good-Deeds; now may I true friends see;

They have forsaken me every one;

I loved them better than my Good-Deeds alone.

Knowledge, will ye forsake me also?

Knowledge: Yea, Everyman, when ye to death do go;

But not yet for no manner of danger.

Everyman: Gramercy, Knowledge, with all me heart.

Knowledge: Nay, yet I will not depart from hence depart,

Till I see where ye shall be come.

Everyman: Methinketh, alas, that I must be gone,

To make my reckoning and my debts pay,

For I see my time is nigh spent away.

Take example, all ye that do hear or see,

How they that I loved best do forsake me,

Except my Good-Deeds that bideth truly.

Good-Deeds: All earthly things is but vanity:

Beauty, Strength, and Discretion, do man forsake,

Foolish friends and kinsmen, that fair spake,

All fleeth save Good-Deeds, and that am I.

Everyman: Have mercy on me, God, most mighty;

And stand by me, thou Mother and Maid, holy Mary.

Good-Deeds: Fear not, I will speak for thee.

Everyman: Here I cry God mercy.

Good-Deeds: Short our end, and minish our pain;

Let us go and never come again.

Everyman: Into thy hands, Lord, my soul I commend;

Receive it, Lord, that it be not lost;

As thou me boughtest, so me defend,

And save me from the fiend’s boast,

That I may appear with that blessed host

That shall be saved at the day of doom.

In manus tuas- of might’s most

For ever- commendo spiritum meum.

Knowledge: Now hath he suffered that we all shall endure;

The Good-Deeds shall make all sure.

Now hath he made ending;

Methinketh that I hear angels sing

And make great joy and melody,

Where Everyman’s soul received shall be.

Angel: Come, excellent elect spouse to Jesu:

Hereabove thou shalt go

Because of thy singular virtue:

Now the soul is taken the body fro;

Thy reckoning is crystal-clear.

Now shalt thou into the heavenly sphere,

Unto the which all ye shall come

That liveth well before the day of doom.

Doctor: This moral men may have in mind;

Ye hearers, take it of worth, old and young,

And forsake pride, for he deceiveth you in the end,

And remember Beauty, Five-wits, Strength, and Discretion,

They all at last do Everyman forsake,

Save his Good-Deeds, there doth he take.

But beware, and they be small

Before God, he hath no help at all.

None excuse may be there for Everyman:

Alas, how shall he do then?

For after death amends may no man make,

For then mercy and pity do him forsake.

If his reckoning be not clear when he do come,

God will say- ite maledicti in ignem aeternum.

And he that hath his account whole and sound,

High in heaven he shall be crowned;

Unto which place God bring us all thither

That we may live body and soul together.

Thereto help the Trinity,

Amen, say ye, for saint Charity.

Scene 6

Tuco’s Lament:

A Spaghetti Western Morality Play

Draft 06/04/07

Scene 6: Ascent to Boot Hill

Setting the Scene:

Everyman is crushed by the refusal of Goods to accompany him to his reckoning. He thought that the riches of the world would not fail him. He is pretty bummed at this point and wanders out of town and ascents up to Boot Hill where he laments his situation. There are several graves, a sign saying Sad Hill and a ragged leafless tree. He decides that he will call upon his Good Deeds, whom it turns out is lying in a open grave and is near death due to his neglect. Everyman is looking at this cemetery and thinking about his sundown with Death in Samara the next day.

He begins to talk with Good Deeds and it introduces him to Knowledge and Confession (perhaps a combined character because of the pagan nature of our play) and Good Deeds is resurrected and able to accompany Everyman and Knowledge? Somewhere in this story, they call forth Beauty, Discretion and Strength (all represented in a manly strong wrestler like cowboy). Only to have them desert them when they prepare to ride for Samara on a wagon.

Technical

Sad Hill is the name of the cemetery, in reference to the one in the GBU. The above ground grave will block the open grave that contains Good Deeds, who is lying there waiting for the arrival of Everyman. The grave that he is in has a wooden marker with the name of Arch Stanton, another GBU reference.


Props:
As the curtains close, the Salon Prop is removed and it is replaced by the Sad Hill prop. Then the shadow relief of the outside of the salon (SR) and Sand Hill (SL) are placed to allow for the beginning of the transition of EM. The shadow relief lights rise. At the completion of the transition, the lights go down and EM is waiting (SR) for his entrance. Goods Deeds is sitting in the graveyard prop and the puppeteer pick up the control before the curtain is opened.


Action:
Everyman Shadow Puppet (EMSP) makes his way out of the salon, down the several steps, across the open area and slowly ascends up the hill to the top.

The music for this transition starts as the curtain is closing on the salon scene and the lights come up on the shadow screen. EMSP is standing on the porch of the salon, pausing before he steps off the porch of the salon and continues moving (SL) until he arrives at the top of the hill.

Everyman enters the scene from (SR) position. He is standing. As he faces the house he laments his situation and his realization that he has been deserted by his friends. He calls out to his Good Deeds to come and rescue him. Good Deeds calls out from his grave. Everyman is startled by the voice coming from the tombs.

Good Deeds talks for awhile and then introduces Knowledge to the conversation. She is waiting (SR) in the wings and enters into the scene. The three converse for awhile. When it is decided that they will all go to Samarra together the light begins to brighten to show the coming of day. The curtain starts to close. The shadow screen becomes illuminated for the start of the Sad Hill/Samarra transition.


Lighting:
The lights dim as the salon scene ends and the curtain closes. The shadow screen lights come up to reveal the transition scene. After EMSP completes his journey to the top of the hill the lights slowly dim on the shadow screen and the curtains open to reveal the Sad Hill scene. The lighting is low and eerie and simulates the evening hours as it makes it’s transition to night, as it is the night before he rides to Samarra.


Sound:
The salon music fades with the closing of the curtains and the illumination of the shadow screen. A lamenting and haunting music, TBA, fills the air. It plays throughout the slow transition across and up to

music does as well. This is replaced by the next clip as the curtains open up on the Sand Hill scene.

As the shadow screen begins to fade the scene is meant to take place over the many hours until daylight comes when EM starts his journey with his two companions.


Unedited Text:

Everyman:

But alas, she is so weak,

That she can neither go nor speak;

Yet I will venture on her now.-

My Good-Deeds, where be you?

Good-Deeds:

Here I lie cold in the ground;

Thy sins hath me sore bound,

That I cannot stir.

Everyman:

O, Good-Deeds, I stand in fear;

I must you pray counsel,

For help now should come right well.

Good-Deeds:

Everyman, I have understanding

That ye be summoned account to make

Before Messias, of Jerusalem King;

And if you do by me that journey what you will I take.


Everyman:

Therefore I come to you, my moan to make;

I pray you, that ye will go with me.

Good-Deeds:

I would full fain, but I cannot stand verily.

Everyman:

Why, is there anything on you fall?

Good-Deeds:

Yea, sir, I may thank you of all;

If ye had perfectly cheered me,

Your book of account now full ready had be.

Look, the books of your works and deeds eke;

Oh, see how they lie under the feet,

To your soul’s heaviness.

Everyman:

Our Lord Jesus, help me!

For one letter here I can not see.

Good-Deeds: There is a blind reckoning in time of distress!

Everyman:

Good-Deeds, I pray you, help me in this need,

Or else I am forever damned indeed;

Therefore help me to make reckoning

Before the redeemer of all thing,

That king is, and was, and ever shall.

Good-Deeds:

Everyman, I am sorry for your fall,

And fain would I help you, and I were able.

Everyman:

Good-Deeds, you counsel I pray you give me.

Good-Deeds: That shall I do verily;

Though that on my feet I may not go,

I have a sister, that shall with you also,

Called Knowledge, which shall you abide,

To help you make that dreadful reckoning.

Knowledge: (enter Knowledge)

Everyman, I will go with thee, and be thy guide,

In thy most need to go by thy side.

Everyman:

In good condition I am now in every thing,

And am wholly content with this good thing;

Thanked be God my creator.

Good-Deeds:

And when he hath brought thee there,

Where thou shalt heal thee of thy smart,

Then go with your reckoning and your Good-Deeds together

For to make you joyful at heart

Before the blessed Trinity.

Everyman:

My Good-Deeds, gramercy;

I am well content, certainly,

With your words sweet.

Knowledge:

Now we go together lovingly,

To Confession, that cleansing river.

Everyman:

For joy I weep; I would we were there;

But, I pray you, give me cognition

Where dwelleth that holy man, Confession.

Knowledge:

in the house of salvation:

We shall find him in that place,

That shall us comfort by God’s grace.

Lo, this is

Confession: kneel down and ask mercy,

For he is in good conceit with God almighty.

Everyman:

O glorious fountain that all uncleanness doth clarify,

That on me no sin may be seen;

I come with Knowledge for my redemption,

Repent with hearty and full contrition;

For I am commanded a pilgrimage to take,

And great accounts before God to make.

Now, I pray you, Shrift, mother of salvation,

Help my good deeds for my piteous exclamation.

Confession: I know your sorrow well, Everyman;

Because with Knowledge ye come to me,

I will you comfort as well as I can,

And a precious jewel I will give thee,

Called penance, wise voider of adversity;

Therewith shall your body chastised be,

With abstinence and perseverance in God’s service:

Here shall you receive that scourge of me,

Which is penance strong, that ye must endure,

To remember thy Saviour was scourged for thee

With sharp scourges, and suffered it patiently;

So must thou, or thou scape that that painful pilgrimage; Knowledge, keep him in this voyage,

And by that time Good-Deeds will be with thee.

But in any wise, be sure of mercy,

For your time draweth fast, and ye will saved be;

Ask God mercy, and He will grant truly,

When with the scourge of penance man doth him bind,

The oil of forgiveness then shall he find.

Everyman:

Thanked be God for his gracious work!

For now I will my penance begin;

This hath rejoiced and lighted my heart,

Though the knots be painful and within.

Knowledge: Everyman, look your penance that ye fulfil,

What pain that ever it to you be,

And Knowledge shall give you counsel at will,

How your accounts you shall make clearly

Everyman:

O eternal God, O heavenly figure,

O way of rightwiseness, O goodly vision,

Which descended down in a virgin pure

Because he would Everyman redeem,

Which Adam forfeited by his disobedience:

O blessed Godhead, elect and high-divine,

Forgive my grievous offence;

Here I cry thee mercy in this presence.

O ghostly treasure, O ransomer and redeemer

Of all the world, hope and conductor,

Mirror of joy, and founder of mercy,

Which illumineth heaven and earth thereby,

Hear my clamorous complain, though it late be;

Receive my prayers; unworthy in this heavy life,

Though I be, a sinner most abominable,

Yet let my name be written in Moses’ table;

O Mary, pray to the Maker of all thing,

Me for to help at my ending,

And same me from the power of my enemy,

For Death assaileth me strongly,

And, Lady, that I may by means of they prayer

Of your Son’s glory to be partaker,

By the means of h is passion I it crave,

I beseech you, help my soul to save.

Knowledge, give me the scourge of penance;

My flesh therewith shall give a quittance;

I will now begin, if God give me grace.

Knowledge: Everyman, God give you time and space:

Thus I bequeath you in the hands of our Savior,

Thus may you make your reckoning sure.

Everyman:

In the name of the Holy Trinity,

My body sore punished shall be:

Take this body for the sin of the flesh;

Also though delightest to go gay and fresh;

And in the way of damnation thou did me brine;

Therefore suffer now strokes and punishing.

Now of penance I will wade the water clear,

To save me from purgatory, that sharp fire.

Good-Deeds:

I thank God, now I can walk and go;

And am delivered of my sickness and woe.

Therefore with Everyman I will go, and not spare;

His good works I will help him to declare.

Knowledge:

Now, Everyman, be merry and glad;

Your Good-Deeds cometh now;

Now is your Good-Deeds whole and sound,

Going upright upon the ground.

Everyman:

My heart is light, and shall be evermore;

Now will I smite faster than I did before.

Good-Deeds: Everyman, pilgrim, my special friend,

Blessed by thou without end;

For thee is prepared the eternal glory,

Ye gave me made whole and sound,

Therefore I will bid by thee in every season

Everyman:

Welcome, my Good-Deeds; now I hear thy voice,

I weep for very sweetness of love.

Knowledge:

Be no more sad, but ever rejoice,

God seeth they living in this throne above;

Put on his garment to thy behove,

Which is wet with your tears,

Or else before god you may it miss,

When you to your journey’s end come shall.

Everyman:

Gentle Knowledge, what do you it call?

Knowledge:

It is a garment of sorrow:

From pain it will you borrow;

Contrition it is,

That getteth forgiveness;

It pleaseth God passing well.

Good-Deeds:

Everyman, will you wear it for your heal?

Everyman:

Now blessed by Jesu. Mary’s Son!

From now have I on true contrition.

And let us go now without tarrying;

Good-Deeds, have we clear our reckoning?

Good-Deeds:

Yea, indeed I have it here.

Everyman:

Then I trust we need not fear;

Now friends, let us not part in twain.

Knowledge:

Nay, Everyman, that will we not, certain.

Good-Deeds:

Yet must thou lead with thee

Three persons of great might.

Everyman:

Who should they be?

Good-Deeds:

Discretion and Strength, they hight,

And thy Beauty may not abide behind.

Knowledge:

Also ye must call to mind.

Your Five-wits as for your counsellors.

Good-Deeds:

You must have them ready at all hours

Everyman:

How shall I get them hinder?

Knowledge:

You must call them all together,

And they will hear you incontient.

Scene 5

Tuco’s Lament: A Spaghetti Western Morality Play

Draft: 06/04/07

Scene 5: A Salon Full of Friends

Setting the Scene:

Everyman is of course pretty upset having met Death and being asked to come and do a reckoning with God. So he of course decides that he needs some company on this trip to Samarra to meet Death in a gun battle for his soul. So he gets on his horse and makes his way to White Rock, to the Virtue Salon, to see his friends and relatives. They are of course Fellowship, Kindred and Cousin. Perhaps we will combine Kindred and Cousin into one character to save us time in marionette construction. The scene takes place in the salon. To the right is a bar with a mirror and a cowpoke standing at the bar. He is actually a doll and not a puppet so save us some more time. To house left is a table with two cowpokes, Fellowship and Kindred sitting at the table. They are attached to the prop with strings attached to manipulate the upper torso.

A conversation starts between the three men. Eventually is it clear that Everyman is screwed when these guys decide to desert him in his hour of need. Everyman is crushed and makes his way to Boothill?, where he meets Good Deeds and Knowledge?

Text:

Everyman:

Alas, I may well weep with sighs deep;

Now have I no manner of company

To help me in my journey, and me to keep;

And also my writing is full unready.

How shall I do now for to excuse me?

I would to God I had never be gete*! *been born

To my soul a great profit it had be;

For now I fear pains huge and great.

The time passeth; Lord, help that all wrought;

For though I mourn it availeth nought.

The day passeth, and is almost a-go;

I wot not well what for to do.

To whom were I best my complaint do make?

What, and I to Fellowship thereof spake,

And show him of this sudden chance?

For in him is all my affiance;

We have in the world so many a day

Be on good friends in sport and play.

I see him yonder, certainly;

I trust that he will bear me company;

Therefore to him will I speak to ease my sorrow.

Well met, good Fellowship, and good morrow!

Fellowship:

Everyman, good morrow by this day.

Sir, why lookest thou so piteously?

If anything be amiss, I pray thee, me say,

That I may help to remedy.

Everyman:

Yea, good Fellowship, yea,

I am in great jeopardy.

Fellowship:

My true friend, show me your mind;

I will not forsake thee, unto my life’s end,

In the way of good company.

Everyman:

That was well spoken, and lovingly.

Fellowship:

Sir, I must needs know your heaviness;

I have pity to see you in any distress;

If any have you wronged ye shall revenged be,

Though I on the ground be slain for thee,-

Though that I know before that I should die.

Everyman:

Verily, Fellowship, gramercy.

Fellowship:

Tush! by thy thanks I set not a straw.

Show me your grief, and say no more.

Everyman:

If I my heart should to you break,

And then you to turn your mind from me,

And would not me comfort, when you here me speak,

Then should I ten times sorrier be.

Fellowship:

Sir, I say as I will do in deed.

Everyman:

Then be you a good friend at need;

I have found you true here before.

Fellowship:

And so ye shall evermore;

For, in faith, and thou go to Hell

I will not forsake thee by the way!

Everyman:

Ye speak like a good friend; I believe you well;

I shall deserve it, and I may.

Fellowship:

I speak of no deserving, by this day.

For he that will say and nothing do

Is not worthy with good company to go;

Therefore show me the grief of your mind,

As to your friend most loving and kind.

Everyman:

I shall show you how it is;

Commanded I am to go on a journey,

A long way, hard and dangerous,

And give a strait count without delay

Before the high judge Adonai*. *God

Wherefore I pray you bear me company,

As ye have promised, in this journey.

Fellowship:

That is a matter indeed! Promise is duty,

But, and I should take such a voyage on me,

I know it well, it should be to my pain:

Also it make me afeard, certain.

But let us take counsel here as well we can,

For your words would fear a strong man.

Everyman:

Why, ye said, If I had need,

Ye would me never forsake, quick nor dead,

Though it were to hell truly.

Fellowship:

So I said, certainly,

But such pleasures be set aside, thee sooth to say:

And also, if we took such a journey,

When should we come again?

Everyman:

Nay, never again till the day of doom.

Fellowship:

In faith, then will not I come there!

Who hath you these tidings brought?

Everyman:

Indeed, Death was with me here

Fellowship:

Now, by God that all hath brought,

If Death were the messenger,

For no man that is living to-day

I will not go that loath journey-

Not for the father that begat me!

Everyman:

Ye promised other wise, pardie.

Fellowship:

I wot well I say so truly;

And yet if thou wilt eat, and drink, and make good cheer,

Or haunt to women, the lusty companion,

I would not forsake you, while the day is clear,

Trust me verily!

Everyman:

Yea, thereto ye would be ready;

To go to mirth, solace, and play,

Your mind will sooner apply

Than to bear me company in my long journey.

Fellowship:

Now, in good faith, I will not that way.

But and thou wilt murder, or any man kill,

In that I will help thee with a good will!

Everyman:

O that is a simple advice indeed!

Gentle fellow, help me in my necessity;

We have loved long, and now I need,

And now, gentle Fellowship, remember me.

Fellowship:

Whether ye have loved me or no,

By Saint John, I will not with thee go.

Everyman:

Yet I pray thee, take the labour, and do so much for me

To bring me forward, for saint charity,

And comfort me till I come without the town.

Fellowship:

Nay, and thou would give me a new gown,

I will not a foot with thee go;

But and you had tarried I would not have left thee so.

And as now, God speed thee in thy journey,

For from thee I will depart as fast as I may.

Everyman:

Whither away, Fellowship? Will you forsake me?

Fellowship:

Yea, by my fay, to God I betake thee.

Everyman:

Farewell, good Fellowship; for this my heart is sore;

Adieu for ever, I shall see thee no more.

Fellowship:

In faith, Everyman, farewell now at the end;

For you I will remember that parting is mourning.

Everyman:

Alack! Shall we thus depart indeed?

Our Lady, help, without any more comfort,

Lo, Fellowship forsaketh me in my most need:

For help in this world whither shall I resort?

Fellowship here before with me would merry make;

And now little sorrow for me doth he take.

It is said, in prosperity men friends may find,

Which in adversity be fully unkind.

Now whither for succour shall I flee,

Sith that Fellowship hath forsaken me?

To my kinsmen I will truly,

Praying them to help me in my necessity;

I believe that they will do so,

For kind will creep where it may not go.

I will go say, for yonder I see them go.

Where be ye now, my friends and kinsmen?

Kindred:

Here be we now at your commandment.

Cousin:

I pray you show us your intent

In any wise, and not spare.

Cousin:

Yea, Everyman, and to us declare

If ye be disposed to go any whither,

For wete you well, we will live and die together.

Fellowship:

In wealth and woe we will with you hold,

For over his kin a man may be bold.

Everyman:

Gramercy, my friends and kinsmen kind.

Now shall I show you the grief of my mind:

I was commanded by a messenger,

That is a high king’s chief officer;

He bade me go on a pilgrimage to my pain,

And I know well I shall never come again;

Also I must give a reckoning straight,

For I have a great enemy, that hath me in wait,

Which intendeth me for to hinder.

Fellowship:

What account is that which ye must render?

That would I know.

Everyman:

Of all my works I must show

How I have lived and my days spent;

Also of ill deeds, that I have used

In my time, sith life was me lent;

And of all virtues that I have refused.

Therefore I pray you thither with me,

To help to make account, for saint charity.

Cousin:

What, to go thither? Is that the matter?

Nay, Everyman, I had liefer fast bread and water

All this five year and more.

Everyman:

Alas, that ever I was bore!

For now shall I never be merry

If that you forsake me.

Kindred:

Ah, sir; what, ye be a merry man!

Take good heart to you, and make no moan.

But as one thing I warn you, by Saint Anne,

As for me, ye shall go alone.

Everyman:

My Cousin, will you not with me go.

Cousin:

No by our Lady; I have the cramp in my toe.

Trust not to me, for, so God me speed,

I will deceive you in your most need.

Kindred:

It availeth not us to tice.

Ye shall have my maid with all my heart;

She loveth to go to feasts, there to be nice,

And to dance, and abroad to start:

I will give her leave to help you in that journey,

If that you and she may agree.

Everyman:

Now show me the very effect of your mind.

Will you go with me, or abide behind?

Kindred:

Abide behind? Yea, that I will and I may!

Therefore farewell until another day.

Everyman:

How should I be mary or glad?

For fair promises to me make,

But when I have most need, they me forsake.

I am deceived; that maketh me sad

Cousin:

Cousin Everyman, farewell now,

For varily I will not go with you;

Also of mine an unready reckoning

I have to account; therefore I make tarrying.

Now, God keep thee, for now I go

Scene 4

Tuco’s Lament: A Spaghetti Western Morality Play

Draft: 06/04/07

Scene 4: Death Meets Everyman

Setting The Scene:

We are now with EM and Death in the desert campfire scene. They are faced off and talking about God’s request that he come with a reckoning. EM tries and convinces Death to give him one more day to try to get some company and get his accounts in order.

Unedited Text:

Death:

Everyman stand still, where are you going?

Have you your Maker forgot?

Everyman:

Who are you?

Death:

Sir, I have come

In great haste, sent to you

From God out of his great majesty.

Everyman:

What, sent to me?

Death:

Yes, certainly.

Though you have forgotten him here,

He thinks on you in the heavenly sphere,

As we depart, I will tell you why.

Everyman:

What does God want of me, stranger?

Death:

That shall I show you

A reckoning he will need have

Without any longer respite.

Everyman:

A reckoning?

Hold on partner, a longer leisure I crave

This blind matter troubles my wit.

Death:

Everyman, you must take this long journey

And your book of accounting with you bring

For to turn back there is no way

For before God you shall answer for

Your many bad deeds and good but few

How you have spent your life and in what wise ways

Before the chief lord of paradise.

Everyman:

Full unready I am for such a reckoning to give

And I know you not stranger: what kind of messenger are you anyway?

Death:

I am Death, that all men dread

For every man I rest and no man spare

For it is God’s commandment

That all to me shall be obedient.

Everyman:

Tarnation Death,

You come and disturb my sleep, now as I awake

But my good will I give you, if you will be so kind

To take these thousand greenbacks

And defer this matter till another day.

Death:

Everyman, it may not be this way

I am not influenced by gold, silver or worldly riches

No by priest, sheriff, mayor nor senator

For if I chose, I would receive gifts great

All the world I might get

But my custom is clean and contrary

I will give you no respite: come hence, and not tarry.

Everyman:

Alas, Death, shall you give me no longer respite?

I may say Death gives no warning:

But ponder it partner, it makes my heart sick

Not to mention, but the fact is that

My book of reckoning is all unready

Give me twelve years and I might have abiding

My accounting book I would make so clear

Then this here reckoning I should not need to fear.

Wherefore, Death, I pray thee, for tarnation sake

Spare me till I provided the remedy.

Death:

Everyman, don’t cry, weep, and pray

Take it like a man

Come along and be gone on the journey

The tide abides no man,

And in the world each living creature

Must die of nature.

Everyman:

Death, but if I should this pilgrimage take,

And my reckoning surely make,

Show me, for saint charity,

Should I not return again shortly?

Death:

No, Everyman; and you be once there

You may never more come here

Trust me on this.

Everyman:

Dang it Death

Have mercy on me in my most need

Shall I have no company from this earth

Can I at least have some company?

Death:

Well, yes, if any be so hardy

That would go with you and bear your company

Knowing that you were going to God’s magnificence

And a reckoning to give before his presence.

But I doubt that your friends in this worldly life

Would accompany you so

Everyman:

Well, I would like to give it a try

Death:

Nay, nay, it is just stalling

For as soon as you go

Soon after I shall have your life anyway

Everyman, you are mad

And more time on earth will not amend your life

Let us go.

Everyman:

Oh Death, I wish I could flee

That I might escape this constant sorrow

Now, gentle Death

Spare me till tomorrow at high noon

That I may amend myself

Death:

Well alright, I will consent

But at high noon tomorrow, in Samarra

To the heart suddenly I shall smite you

Without any warning

And now out of thy sight I with you

Make yourself ready

For you may say this is your last day

And that no man living may escape away.

Scene 3

Tuco’s Lament: A Spaghetti Western Morality Play

Draft: 06/04/07

Scene 3: Dream State

Setting The Scene:

Everyman is out in the desert having come from somewhere or going somewhere. The fire is glowing at his feet. He is sitting with his back against a large log and his bed roll stretched out underneath him. His trusty horse is tethered close by among the cacti. There is a magnificent view of the distant mountains and a rising sun. He appears to be sleeping but is restless, as he appears to be having some disturbing dreams.

What we understand is that he is dreaming, not of his worldly riches as God supposed. He is beginning to dream of war, as if he had been exposed to it recently and it haunts his dreams.

Note:

Death stops speaking. The light on the God Prop is extinguished. The music rises.

There is no dialogue in this scene. There is just soft music from the GBU.

There is a new prop in place of the God prop. It is a wheel that exposes picture as it rotates. These pictures are illuminated as the light rises to expose it.

These pictures are taken from the war scenes of TGBU and have been shaded brown to show the ravishes of war. As Everyman appears to experience more fitful sleep, the picture cycle slowly through to their conclusion.

As this happens, the lights illuminating this prop decreases along with the timing of the music. When the music has faded out completely and the light is now extinguished, the light on Everyman begins to lighten to show that the dream state is completed and day break it happening.

At this moment, Death slowly enters stage right so that he is facing Everyman, who is then startled form his restless sleep.

The Wheel of Dreams prop is removed during this transition but the light is left for later?