Alice in War

by Steven Bogart

1

CHARACTERS:

ALICE is a courageous and loquacious ten-year old with disarming charm and

persistence.

BIANCA is a rebellious, cynical seventeen-year old with a strong sense of justice.

She lost her father to the war at the age of seven, still grieves his loss, hates the

war and wants to save an angel shot down by the military. If not for this

opportunity she would waste away in the haze of drugs and alcohol.

THE ANGEL, ageless, androgynous, she speaks a made up language, requires a

strong physicality. She is fierce.

Can be played by the same actor:

RABBIT is Bianca’s nineteen-year old stoner boyfriend. He is laid back-lost and

philosophical about his dysfunction. He would prefer to remain stoned and ‘cool’

about everything.

HENRI, fifty-one years old, French Philosopher worn and bleached from the hot

desert sun and sands. He is obsessive about his search for the patterns of war,

which prevents him from believing that his search is futile. In the marrow of his

bleached body is a deep compassion for humanity.

SWURP 1, warring birdlike creature. They are the scavengers of war, the

absurdity of life in an endless desert war zone. (Debargo Sanyal)

Can be played by the same actor:

MOTHER(Alice and Bianca’s) , thirty-six years old, tender, nurturing, but

distracted.

WHITE QUEEN, same qualities as the mother x ten.

SWURP 2, warring birdlike creature. They are the scavengers of war, the

absurdity of life in an endless desert war zone.

2

Can be played by the same actor:

GENERAL WARREN ALBERT RUFUS THE 1ST, seventy-year old tyrannical

general, blustery and overblown.

FATHER-SOLDIER, thirty-six years old foot soldier, both gentle and ruthless,

charming and austere.

GAS MASK SOLDIER-ruthless

SWURP 3, warring birdlike creature. They are the scavengers of war, the

absurdity of life in an endless desert war zone.

Can be played by the same actor:

SOLDIER with FLOWER growing in his mouth, twenty-years old, shellshocked

and ridden with desperate guilt.

RABBIT HEAD SOLDIER, ruthless

SWURP 4, a leader of warring birdlike creatures. They are the scavengers of war,

the absurdity of life in an endless desert war zone.

Settings: Bianca’s basement

The desert

Time: Now

Suggestion on the desert setting: The landscape for each scene in the desert is the

same. Only simple set pieces are brought on.

3

SCENES

1. A HOLE IN THE WALL

2. POOL OF TEARS

3. ALICE’S DREAM

4. ADVICE FROM A PHILOSOPHER

5. THE SWURPS

6. SISTERS

7. THE ANGEL AND THE SOLDIER

8. THE SOUNDS OF WAR

9. THE WHITE QUEEN

10. THE MESSAGE

11. FINDING HOME

4

1. A HOLE IN THE WALL

[A basement of a middle class suburban house. The

space has been turned into a teenager’s hang out.

The wall has rock posters, maybe Radio Head, P. J.

Harvey, and a poster that says, “ART IS DEAD,

LET’S KILL” Rabbit sits in a small sofa chair

finishing off a joint. Bianca sits on a stool. A

magazine lies on the floor in front of her.]

BIANCA

What do you want to do?

RABBIT

I’m doing it.

BIANCA

That’s all we ever do.

RABBIT

There’s nothing else to do.

BIANCA

Lots of people do things. I’m bored to death.

RABBIT

All that’s temporary. Eventually they come to this...in their own way.

BIANCA

Well, then I want to be temporary for a change.

[She walks over to a guitar in the corner, takes it

and returns to the stool. She collapses over the

guitar. She opens the magazine on the floor in front

of her. She reads for moment, then turns the page.]

Shit.

RABBIT

What’s up?

5

BIANCA

They shot an angel.

RABBIT

Who did?

BIANCA

The military. It says, they shot an angel out of the sky. A missile tore through her

mid-section and both her wings are broken.

RABBIT

Shit.

[Fade out lights. Beat. Lights up. Rabbit still

smoking in the chair. Bianca paces the room.]

BIANCA

It was probably the only angel left in the world.

RABBIT

When I was a kid I believed in angels. Then my parents divorced and my mother

married a great white hunter who happened to be a drunk. He took me out when I

was thirteen. That’s when I experienced my first kill. I winged a small bird. A

robin. It writhed and flopped around for a while. Then it stopped. I must have

stared at that robin for hours.

[Bianca stares at Rabbit.

Fade out lights.

Beat.

Lights up.

Bianca is sitting on the floor. Rabbits is lying

down resting his head in Bianca’s lap, She

tenderly runs her hand through his hair. They

smoke together.]

BIANCA

We should do something.

6

RABBIT

I’m cool like this.

BIANCA

She’s not dead...The angel. The military has her.

(pause)

We should do something, Rabbit.

RABBIT

What?

BIANCA

I don’t know.

[Fade out lights.

Beat.

Lights up.

Bianca, collapsed over the guitar, staring at the

article. Rabbit is standing staring out.

Alice stands on the stairs, listening and eating

from a pint of strawberries.]

RABBIT

He forced me to hunt with him until I was fifteen. I killed some chipmunks,

maybe four in total, and a couple of squirrels. I skinned them and kept the pelts

for a while. After the first kill, it’s easier. The loneliness is gone. Then you don’t

think about it...You know, the fact that you killed something for the sport.

BIANCA

We should save it.

RABBIT

Maybe I’m just numb to life.

[Takes a drag.]

7

BIANCA

Rabbit.

RABBIT

Why was I so proud of the pelts?

BIANCA

We should save the angel.

RABBIT

What?

BIANCA

We should save the angel from the military before they do more terrible things to

it.

RABBIT

You think they’ll hurt it?

BIANCA

What do you think?

(pause)

RABBIT

Okay, where is it?

BIANCA

The desert.

RABBIT

Which one?

[Bianca reading.]

BIANCA

It doesn’t say.

RABBIT

Can you really kill an angel?

[Alice runs down the stairs and into the room.]

8

ALICE

Hi.

RABBIT

T’sup, Ali?

ALICE

My name is Alice, not Ali. There’s a girl at school named Ali. She’s a creepo.

RABBIT

A creepo.

(making monster roar)

Ahhhh!

[He tickles her. Alice screams. He grabs the

strawberries from her.]

ALICE

Those are mine.

RABBIT

So?

ALICE

So don’t eat my strawberries.

RABBIT

I will if I want to.

ALICE

No, you can’t.

RABBIT

Why not?

ALICE

Cause you didn’t ask.

RABBIT

Who’s the creepo, now?

9

[He pops a strawberry in his mouth and offers the

pint back.]

ALICE

(feigning apathy)

You can have them.

[Alice sits.]

BIANCA

What the hell are you doing?

RABBIT

She’s gonna smoke up eventually anyway.

BIANCA

She’s ten.

ALICE

No thank you. I don’t need drugs. I want to keep my brain cells. I have my

imagination.

BIANCA

What are you doing down here? I told you to knock.

ALICE

I know.

BIANCA

Well, then knock before you come into my room.

[Bianca puts the guitar on the ground and walks

to a mirror, fixes her hair and applies make-up.

Alice picks up the guitar and straps it on her

shoulder. She strums aggressively and sings.]

10

ALICE

My sister is a loser, yeah, yeah

Her boyfriend is a tweaker, yeah, yeah

I’m gonna have a good time, Ah, huh

I’m gonna be a rock star, up yours

[Rabbit stands and offers a high-five.]

RABBIT

AWESOME.

[Alice high-fives Rabbit.]

BIANCA

Alice, I think I hear Mom calling.

ALICE

Mom’s at work. Mom’s always at work. But she’d rather be a rock star.

[Alice strums aggressively.]

My mother is a rock star, yeah, yeah

She went and got some implants, oh, oh

Now she’s in the bathtub, Ah, huh

BIANCA

Alice!

[Alice stops for a beat and looks Bianca.]

ALICE

Floating like a duckie, ooh, ooh

[Bianca laughs.]

BIANCA

You think you’re funny.

ALICE

I am.

[She walks to Alice and kisses her on the head.]

11

BIANCA

My little sister is so cool. Come on, Rabbit. We don’t have much time.

ALICE

Where are we going?

BIANCA

You’re not going anywhere.

(to Rabbit)

Are you coming with me?

RABBIT

Sure.

BIANCA

I hope we’re not too late.

ALICE

Late for what?

RABBIT

To save an angel.

ALICE

Whoa! Awesome! An angel. You’re going to save an angel. Where? I want to

come. What’s wrong with it? What happened to the angel?

RABBIT

The military shot it down.

ALICE

I want to come.

BIANCA

It’s too dangerous for a ten year old.

ALICE

I’m not afraid.

[Bianca heads for the stairs. Rabbit jumps up,

takes strawberries with him and follows Bianca.]

12

RABBIT

Sorry, kid...I like the song, it’s, uhm, psychedelic.

[Rabbit follows Bianca up the stairs. Alice

watches for a moment, then makes a frustrated

strum on the guitar, takes it off, and plops on

the armchair.]

ALICE

I want to save the angel too.

[Alice finds the ‘roach’ from Rabbit’s joint.

She pretends to smoke it and plays at being

high.]

Dude...I’m so wasted my brain is leaking out of my ears...oh, man...it won’t stop,

Dude...what a mess....I’m seein’ angels and stuff. I gotta stop smokin’ this shit.

(laughing)

Dude....

[She collapses on the floor. Then abruptly let’s

go of the game. She sees the magazine on the

ground and crawls to it. She looks at the article.]

Wow!

(beat)

Wow!!

(beat)

WOW!!!

[Suddenly, a rumbling sound which grows louder

and louder until a large crash.

Alice screams and runs behind the chair as a

soldier crashes through the wall. The soldier is

covered in earth and plaster. A large rose has

blossomed in his mouth. He stands terrified, not

wanting to move in any direction. Blood drips

from a gash in his leg.

13

Slowly the soldier takes in where he is. He gains

more courage to turn his head and look around.

Finally, he takes a few steps. He sees the

chair and moves to it cautiously. He sits, but

remains stiff, staring out with the flower in his

mouth.

Alice peeks out from behind the chair. She

disappears again, and then, trying not to be

heard, carefully crawls on the floor toward the

stairs.

The soldier turns his head and on seeing her

jumps up with a start. Alice screams and runs

upstairs.

The soldier remains still, like a deer caught in

headlights. ]

ALICE (CONT’D)

Don’t come up here. I have a gun. I know how to use it....HELLO!

[The Soldier makes a muffled sigh. He sits in

the chair. He notices his wounded leg.

I’m calling the police if you don’t leave. I know how to dial 911....HELLO!

[The soldier sobs.]

I know that trick. I’m a little girl. I use that trick all the time. You can’t fool me.

[Soldier still sobbing.]

I’m coming down. You better not try anything. I’m a cornered ten-year old and

I’m dangerous.

[Alice appears on the stairs, she has a toy gun

painted in fluorescent colors. She steps into the

room, holding the gun on the soldier.]

This may look like a toy, but I wouldn’t test it if I were you, Mister.

14

[She looks at the rubble.

Note: Because of the flower in his mouth, the

Soldier’s attempts at speaking are muffled and

barely intelligible]

SOLDIER

I’m suffocating. I can’t breath very well. I’m not getting enough oxygen.

ALICE

What?

SOLDIER

I think I’m dying.

ALICE

I don’t know what you’re saying. Is that a flower in your mouth?

[He looks confused. He touches his mouth, feels

the flower and reacts with terror. He tries to

take it out of his mouth but it is painful. He

struggles with his breathing and passes out.]

Hey, what are you doing? Hey, Mister Soldier. Are you okay?

[She puts the gun down and kneels next to him.

She listens to his chest. ]

Phew, you’re alive.

[She notices his leg wound.]

Ow! That looks bad. Really bad. I saw a frog squished in the road once and it

looked just like your leg. Wait. My Mom keeps a first aid kit in our bathroom.

[She runs upstairs. Light from a flashlight appears

from behind the hole in the wall. Another soldier

sticks his head into the room. He wears a gas mask

and has a gun. He sees the Soldier on the floor and

cautiously enters, looks around, then kneels

down and checks the Soldier’s vital signs.

15

He notices Alice’s toy gun. He picks it up, inspects

it.

Alice runs down the stairs with the first aid kit

and the bandages. The Soldier turns his gun on

her.

ALICE

I found the first aid- Oh!

SOLDIER TWO

Drop it.

ALICE

What?

[He gestures with his gun. Alice looks at the kit

and drops it.]

I’m trying to help. His leg’s bleeding.

SOLDIER TWO

You’re just a kid. What do you know?

ALICE

I know a lot. I know that guns are not toys, except mine, that only honey bees

make honey, except the nectar from honeysuckle, although some man-eating

plants like the Venus Fly Trap attracts greedy little flies with its juicy sweet stuff

in the middle. I know that my Dad died when I was in my mother’s womb. I

know that Bianca is still sad. I know that you can’t trust what you know, that

stories come from imagination, that I could be dreaming, that Bianca and Rabbit

are saving an angel. AND, I KNOW THAT I’M GOING TO GET THE BLAME

FOR THIS MESS.

SOLDIER TWO

That’s not very much.

[Alice shrugs.]

ALICE

You can put the gun down. You’re not going to shoot a ten-year old girl.

16

SOLDIER TWO

Don’t underestimate me. If you were a suicide bomber, I’d have to take you out.

[ She inspects the flower in Soldier One’s

mouth.]

What are you doing?

ALICE

I never heard of a flower growing in a person’s mouth before. I didn’t know that

could happen.

[She tries to pull it out. ]

SOLDIER TWO

Don’t touch him.

[Ignoring him, she pulls harder. The Soldier

jumps up screaming, startling Alice and Soldier

Two. Soldier One finally calms down.]

What did I tell you?

ALICE

Wow, that flower really is growing in his mouth.

SOLDIER TWO

Yeah, it’ll probably kill him.

(to Soldier One)

Is your leg, okay?

[Soldier One looks at his wound, then nods.

Alice runs to the first aid kit and brings it to

him. He takes it and wraps his wound.]

ALICE

I’m not afraid. I know what war is. I know because my Daddy died in a war. My

Dad died a hero. I have his medals. You want to see them?

[She runs upstairs.]

17

SOLDIER TWO

How’s the leg?

[Soldier One stares out.]

Can you walk out of here?

[Soldier One looks at him, but doesn’t signal an

answer.]

SOLDIER TWO

Hey, don’t worry about it. I would’ve done the same. Orders are orders. I have to

take you back. It’s for your own good, right?

[Soldier One looks away and stares out.]

Let’s go.

[Alice runs down the stairs with a small wooden

box.]

ALICE

I got ’em. See.

[She opens the box and pulls out a dog tag and

puts it around her neck.]

This is my Dad’s dog tag, and these are his medals.

[She pulls out a handful of medals and ribbons.]

SOLDIER TWO

I don’t care much about medals. They’re a dime a dozen in any neighborhood

garage sale.

ALICE

These are real. I didn’t get them in a garage sale. They’re my father’s medals.

SOLDIER TWO

Whatever you say. We gotta get back.

18

ALICE

Get back where?

SOLDIER TWO

To the war.

ALICE

But you can’t. Look what you did to the wall. You destroyed the infrastructure of

my sister’s room.

SOLDIER TWO

Sorry. Let’s go.

[Soldier One shakes his head.]

You don’t have a choice.

[He points his gun at Soldier One.]

ALICE

Hey, you’re on the same team.

SOLDIER TWO

Listen little girl-

ALICE

My name is Alice.

SOLDIER TWO

Listen, Alice. You weren’t supposed to see this. Something went wrong back

there. A terrible thing happened. This soldier is meta-morphi--meta-morph...This

soldier is changing.

ALICE

You mean Metamorphosis.

SOLDIER

You’re not real. This isn’t real. You’re in a dream. My dream. His dream. It

doesn’t matter. Now, I’ve got to go. Someone will stop by to fix the wall before

your mother comes home.

19

ALICE

I’m real. I’m more real then you. I’m the real thing. I’m a real little girl.

[Soldier Two pulls Soldier One through the hole in

the wall. Alice walks to the hole and watches them.]

MAYBE YOU’RE IN MY DREAM.

(looking at the room)

What am I going to do?

[She walks to the guitar, straps it on and strums.]

My Daddy was a soldier, yeah , yeah

I never got to meet him, ooh, ooh

Bianca still misses him, Oh, Oh

Mom’s still unhappy Uh, Uh

Cause Dad’s just fertilizer, uh, huh

For lots of pretty flowers, ooh, ooh

I’m gonna be a rock star--

[She stops abruptly gets an idea, puts down

the guitar, picks up her gun, first aid kit and

disappears through the hole in the wall still

wearing the dog tags. Fade out.]

2. POOL OF TEARS

[The sound of war in the distance. Lights up on a

barren landscape, smoke dissipating.

Bianca struggles on pulling a cart with a wounded

Angel ying on it, half conscious, bleeding from her

mid-section, wings broken or clipped by the

military.]

Bianca stops, tries to catch her breath. She moves

about the landscape.]

20

BIANCA

(calling)

Rabbit...Where are you?...Rabbit.

[She returns to the cart, kneels next to the

Angel.]

I don’t know which way to go.

[The Angel tries to speak, but no words

come out of her mouth.]

It’s okay. Don’t try to say anything.

(calling)

Rabbit. I need your help.

[She looks at the Angel and cries.]

Which way?

[She sits on the ground, defeated. Alice, with her

gun and first aid kit, appears trying to make her

way. Bianca hears her and turns, startled. At

first Alice doesn’t recognize her.]

ALICE

I’m a cornered ten-year old girl, and I’m dangerous.

BIANCA

Alice.

ALICE

Bianca?

[Alice comes closer.]

BIANCA

Alice, what are you doing? I told you to stay home.

[Alice runs to her and hugs her.]

21

ALICE(Cont’d)

There was an explosion and a soldier came through the wall. He had a flower in his

mouth and fainted. He couldn’t breathe cause the flower was in his mouth. I mean

it was really in there. It was growing. Then another soldier came in through the

hole. He had an elephant trunk and terrible bug eyes. It was buggy. He took the

soldier with the flower away. I followed through the hole and then I got lost.

BIANCA

Slow down.

[Alice notices the Angel]

ALICE

Whoa! Is that the angel?

BIANCA

Alice, how did you get here?

ALICE

I told you, there was this explosion and a soldier came through the wall. He had a

flower in his mouth--

[Bianca feels faint and bends over.]

ALICE

What’s wrong?

BIANCA

Nothing....Where’s the hole?

[She pulls herself together.]

ALICE

Over there somewhere.

[Alice kneels next to the Angel.]

BIANCA

I don’t see any hole.

22

ALICE

She’s bleeding. Is she dead?

BIANCA

No. Stay here for a minute.

ALICE

Where are you going?

BIANCA

To look for the hole.

[Bianca disappears upstage. Alice to Angel.]

ALICE

I watched a soldier wrap his wound. It was bad, really bad, like a squished frog.

Maybe I can wrap your wound. I’m smart. I learn things fast. My mother says

I’m too smart for my own good. But I don’t think that’s true. How can being

smart be no good for me.

[Alice wraps the Angel’s wound.]

If I wasn’t smart, I wouldn’t remember how to wrap a wound....Please don’t die.

You’re the first and only angel I’ve ever seen. Maybe you’re the only angel left in

the whole world. I bet that’s true. You know, you can make a lot of money as an

angel.

[Bianca returns.]

BIANCA

There’s no hole, Alice.

ALICE

There was a hole. That’s how I got here.

BIANCA

Well, it’s not there now. I need to rest for a minute.

ALICE

Are we going to die like Dad?

23

BIANCA

We have to get out of this war zone.

ALICE

Is the angel going to die?

BIANCA

I don’t know.

ALICE

Can angels die?

BIANCA

I don’t know, Alice. If she can bleed, she can probably die.

ALICE

I bet flowers will grow where her blood touches the ground.

BIANCA

Maybe.

ALICE

Maybe.

BIANCA

What are you doing with Dad’s dog tags?

ALICE

I put them on to show the soldier.

BIANCA

You better not lose them.

ALICE

I won’t cause I know that would make you sadder about Dad.

BIANCA

(calling)

Rabbit.

24

ALICE

Where’s Rabbit?

BIANCA

If I knew that, I wouldn’t be calling him.

ALICE

Where’d he go?

BIANCA

I don’t know. We got separated when we took the angel. Stay here! Don’t move

from this spot. I’m going to look for a way out of this place.

ALICE

I won’t. Someone should stay and take care of the angel.

BIANCA

I’ll be back soon. Then we can find some place safe so the military won’t kill her.

ALICE

Why do they want to kill her?

BIANCA

Because they’re idiots.

ALICE

My Dad was a soldier. He wouldn’t kill an angel.

BIANCA

You didn’t know Dad.

ALICE

Yes I did. We had lots of conversations. Like one conversation about the instincts

of sea turtle babies to run to the sea before getting eaten by seagulls. And another

conversation was about how to grow up as a fatherless child.

BIANCA

Okay, just promise you’ll stay here.

ALICE

I promise.

25

BIANCA

Stay with the angel.

[Bianca exits. Alice watches Bianca walk off. ]

ALICE

Mom’s going to kill us.

[Alice sits next to the Angel.]

My mother hates it when we’re late for supper. Actually, it’s Bianca who’s late,

mostly. I always help my mother cook dinner. I’m a good cook. I learned to cook

snow peas, and snapdragons, sliced melons and peaches. I can make chocolate

chip pancakes and corn-on-the-cob. But my favorite is belly laughs with salad

dressing.

[ A Soldier with a rabbit head appears on the

landscape behind her. He stares out past her and

remains still. She doesn’t notice him.]

Ranch dressing on top of a belly laugh is messy but it’s really funny. I’m also

going to be a rock star when I grow up. My sister plays the guitar, but she stinks

at it. I’m the one with the rock talent in the family.

[She picks up her gun and holds it as a guitar. She

strums and a rock chord plays.]

(surprised)

Whoa!

[She looks at the gun.]

How’d I do that?

[She strums again. Another chord.]

Awesome.

[She plays a rock riff. She really gets into it, falls to

the ground and plays ala Hendrix. As she plays, the

Rabbit Head Soldier walks over to her.

26

Alice is startled and stops playing. She stares at

him. He reaches down and takes the gun from her.]

RABBIT SOLDIER

Guns are for killing.

[He points the gun at the Angel.]

ALICE

No!

[Alice jumps on the Rabbit Soldier and covers his

eyes.]

Don’t shoot the angel. Stop. Help. Bianca. Help. They’re trying to kill the angel.

Stop!

[The Soldier struggles. Alice falls off him. He

points the gun at the Angel. Alice runs to the Angel

and protects it with her body. Alice closes her eyes.

The Soldier pulls the trigger.

Nothing. Alice flinches, opens her eyes. Checks

herself and the Angel as the Soldier checks the gun.]

You missed.

[He takes aim again, and pulls the trigger. Nothing.]

It’s a guitar not a gun.

[The soldier checks the gun, pulls the trigger.

Nothing. He points the gun at his head, pulls

trigger. Rock guitar riff. Soldier drops the gun grabs

his head, writhes, pulls at his head. Suddenly the

Rabbit head pops off revealing a headless soldier.

The Guitar riff stops. The headless soldier gropes

off stage.

The Rabbit head lies on the ground.

27

Alice checks in on the Angel who is conscious but

still immobile. Alice checks the landscape.]

ALICE(Cont’d)

That was weird.

[The Angel groans. Alice runs to her. The Angel

holds up a clenched fist. Alice inspects it and pulls

paper from the Angel’s fist. She tries to read it.]

I’m afraid I don’t know this language. I only know English.

[The Angel struggles trying to say something.]

ANGEL

Ya...ya ta....tak. Shm sof sof ta ta sumppre. Paro soo shhim see. Sim say shum sa

sodo slow sspron na ta ta tak. Kliss sintther sem soo sha mod. Sa sa sa sa

sempraaaa.

[She collapses.]

ALICE

Those were the most beautiful sounds I’ve ever heard. Is that angel language?

[She sits next to the Angel and strokes the Angel’s

head.]

I don’t know what it means. I wish I knew how to help you.

[Alice checks the Angel’s wound. Then sits quietly.

She studies the Angel’s message.]

I bet you were on your way to deliver this to someone. Angels are messengers,

right? And you’re an angel.

[Silence.]

28

ALICE(Cont’d)

I wish Bianca would come back. I’m hungry. I don’t mind not eating. I can go for a

long time without food. If I have to. My mother has low blood sugar and she

needs to eat when she’s hungry or she gets cranky. Once I went for twelve hours

without food. Do Angels need to eat? I wonder what you eat. Probably not

animals or anything. That doesn’t seem right. Unless you eat human brains. Like

zombies. Did you know that Zombies eat human brains to relieve their suffering

souls? I don’t really know what a suffering soul is. I don’t even know what a soul

is. I’m going to try to be quiet now. Sometimes my mind won’t shut-up. Bianca

says I have diarrhea of the mouth.

[Silence. Alice looks around. Her eyes fall on the

rabbit head. She moves to it. Picks it up. Tries it

on. ]

Cool! Everything’s green. My hands are green. You’re green...The desert is green.

[She tries to take the head off. ]

It’s stuck.

[She struggles: pulling, collapsing to the ground,

groaning and grunting from pulling so hard.]

WON’T BUDGE....I’M NOT HAVING FUN RIGHT NOW.

[She gives up. Lights Fade out.

Lights shift. The Rabbit head is still stuck on her.

3. ALICE’S DREAM:

Alice’s Mom, Bianca, sit on the other side of the

stage. ]

ALICE’S MOM

Alice, time for dinner.

[Alice wakes in her dream. She tries to get to the

table, but she is moving at an excruciatingly slow

pace and can’t seem to move any faster.]

29

ALICE’S MOM

Bianca, where’s your sister?

BIANCA

I’m not her keeper.

ALICE

I’m right here. I’m not late. Look I’m right here. I can’t seem to move very fast.

Something has happened to my legs.

ALICE’S MOM

I wish you wouldn’t talk to me that way, Bianca. I’m your mother.

BIANCA

She’s your kid.

ALICE’S MOM

I need your help. It’s not easy raising two children alone.

BIANCA

I’m tired of watching her all the time. I have my own things to do.

ALICE’S MOM

She looks up to you.

BIANCA

She’s a big pain.

ALICE’S MOM

I know, Sweetheart. But we’ll just have to endure.

BIANCA

Why’d you bring her into this world. I was happy being the only child.

ALICE’S MOM

It’s something your father wanted.

[Soldier enters.]

BIANCA

That worked out, didn’t it?

30

ALICE

I’m not a pain. I’m very helpful. Dad wanted you to have me as a sister. AND

HERE I AM. If only I could move my legs.

BIANCA

You’re a pain, Alice. You don’t even know how to take care of an Angel.

ALICE’S MOM

I’m afraid Bianca’s right, Alice. Most people, by the time they’re your age, know

how to care for Angels.

ALICE

I’m in a war zone, Mom. This isn’t easy for me. There are explosions, and rabbit

heads, soldiers with flowers growing out of their mouths, and--

ALICE’S MOM

Alice, please. This imagination of yours is going to get all of us in trouble.

ALICE

How can my imagination get you in trouble. Maybe it can get me in trouble, but

that’s because it’s my imagination.

BIANCA

Don’t talk back to Mom.

ALICE

I wish Dad were here. He’d understand what’s going on for me.

ALICE’S MOM

Your father’s not coming home.

[Alice’s mother cries.]

BIANCA

Look what you did. Mom doesn’t need to be reminded about Dad.

ALICE

I didn’t do anything. I just want to help Mom feel better.

[The Soldier takes Mom by the hand, stands, gently

pulls her up, lifts her and carries her off stage.]

31

BIANCA

Great. Another meal ruined by my bratty, insensitive sister.

ALICE

No. I didn’t do anything.

BIANCA

Then why did she leave the table crying? Again. Mom and I grieved Dad’s death

ten years ago. We don’t need to experience it again.

ALICE

Mom. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean what I said. I’m a good girl.

BIANCA

Right. You’re not even real.

ALICE

Yes, I am.

BIANCA

Not to Dad.

ALICE

Yes, I talked to Dad when I was in Mom’s womb.

BIANCA

No you didn’t, Alice. Dad never knew you!

[Alice is still trying to move forward.]

And take that stupid rabbit head off.

[Bianca leaves. End Dream.]

ALICE

Bianca, come back. I didn’t mean it. Mom. Bianca. Please come back.

[She cries, still trying to move forward.]

I have a message from an Angel.

32

[Lights in. Touches her head.]

ALICE(Cont’d)

I think my head’s evaporating.

[Bianca comes on, out of breath, weaker then

before.]

BIANCA

Come on, I found a way...

(desert sickness)

but we have to hurry.

[She sees Alice with the Rabbit head, but doesn’t

recognize her.]

Oh!

ALICE

I didn’t do it.

BIANCA

What?

ALICE

I was just trying it on. Now it won’t come off.

BIANCA

Alice?

ALICE

A soldier was wearing it before me. Now he doesn’t have a head at all. But it’s

better to keep one’s head even if it’s a rabbit head...Bianca....I think my real head

is evaporating....I’m scared.

BIANCA

Alice, we don’t have time for these stupid games. Now, help me with the Angel.

33

ALICE

(holding up message)

Look.

BIANCA

We don’t have time.

ALICE

But--

BIANCA

Alice, listen to me. We have to get out of here or we’ll die.

[Alice puts the message away in her first aid kit.]

I’ll look at this later. I promise.

[Bianca struggles, picks up the end of the cart

and pulls the Angel off stage.]

Come on, Alice.

[Alice picks up her gun, she looks around.]

ALICE

I’ve got our backs, Bianca. No one’s gonna sneak up on us. Don’t worry.

[She backs out of the scene. Explosions in the

distance. Two Soldiers walk on carrying a chair and

a barrel filled with flower petals. They stop and

peruse the landscape.

Then one soldier places the chair while the other

empties the barrel filled with flower petals in front

of the chair. They exit.

4. ADVICE FROM A PHILOSOPHER

Lights change. Henri walks on and sits in the chair,

submerging his feet into the pile of flower petals.

34

He closes his eyes and listens to the war sounds in

the distance, sometimes with a small ear horn,

sometimes with his entire body.

Alice struggles on pulling the cart. Bianca and

the Angel lie on it. She sees the man and stops.

She walks over to him.]

ALICE

Hello....Hello....My name is Alice and I’m lost. My sister is ill and an angel is

dying. We need water....Hello...

[Henri opens his eyes.]

HENRI

Can’t you see that I am ruminating on the war?

ALICE

I’m sorry.

HENRI

There’s nothing I can do for you.

ALICE

You don’t have any water?

HENRI

This is a desert. Now let me go back to my work.

ALICE

Please help us.

HENRI

Listen, do you hear those explosions and gunfire? Those are the sounds of war.

There’s a pattern to war. To all war. To all human endeavors. I’m not sure the

word endeavor is a suitable description. It’s too soft for the motivations behind

war.

ALICE

I don’t know what an endeavor is.

35

HENRI

Did you hear what I said? I’m trying to find a pattern. The human race depends

on it. And if you keep bothering me, I’ll never figure it out.

[He closes his eyes and listens. Bombs explode in

the distance.]

There’s something about all this....It’s on the tip of my tongue. The very edge of

my brain...an epiphany about to run amuck.

[Alice takes the message from her kit. She taps the

man on the shoulder.]

If only some people would stop bothering me.

ALICE

I have a message from an Angel. She was carrying it over the war zone and was

shot down by the military.

HENRI

Which side?

ALICE

Uhm...

(She double checks)

Her left side.

HENRI

No, no, no. Who shot the angel down, which side of the war?

ALICE

I don’t know. Why does that matter?

HENRI

Why does that matter? WHY DOES THAT MATTER! Are you a rabbit, or a

little girl? Or are you both?

ALICE

Both?

36

HENRI

Yes both. You can be both.

ALICE

Oh, but I’m a girl. And I’m not little.

HENRI

You have a rabbit face.

ALICE

I know....it was an accident.

HENRI

So you are both. Not all together impossible in the desert. I’ve seen stranger

things. Like child armies and the kamikaze bombers of forgotten wars....Good.

Now that you are both, which military shot the angel?

ALICE

I don’t know.

HENRI

Then I can’t take the chance. You could be on the wrong side.

ALICE

But I’m trying to save the angel.

HENRI

That’s not obvious to me.

ALICE

But I am!

HENRI

Listen uhm... What is your name?

ALICE

Alice.

HENRI

I am Henri, the philosopher. How do you do?

37

ALICE

Not very well, thank you.

HENRI

Yes, yes. I know all this. Now, listen Alice. I’m a historian and-

ALICE

You just said you were a philosopher. But I thought you might be a gardener from

all these flower petals.

HENRI

Damn it! Didn’t we just prove you can be both. Gardeners are historians.

Historians are Philosophers. Got it?

ALICE

Does that mean Gardeners are Philosophers?

HENRI

Not necessarily.

ALICE

Oh.

HENRI

Yes, Oh! Humph! Now, if I’m going to help you I must document this happening

for history, and if you don’t know which side shot the angel then I can’t

accurately record the facts. And if I can’t accurately record the facts then there is

no chance to discover the patterns of war.

[Alice looks confused.]

See these petals. Each petal is a different place and time in history--a different

war.

ALICE

That’s impossible. A flower petal can’t be a history.

HENRI

Why can’t it?

38

ALICE

Because it’s just a flower petal.

HENRI

If I show you how a flower petal is a[n] history will you leave me to my work?

ALICE

I don’t have time for a history.

HENRI

That’s the problem with this world. People like you. No time for a history. Now,

that’s a pattern, isn’t it?

ALICE

But my sister and the angel...

[He lifts up a petal.]

HENRI

This petal holds the history of the universe after human beings have destroyed

themselves and the earth...If you don’t believe me, see for yourself. I wrote it

here in the veins of this petal. It took a very long time and I used a very tiny

pencil.

ALICE

A history cannot be about the future.

HENRI

Oh yes it can. Would you like me to read a chapter out loud? I used to have a

beautiful speaking voice. Before it dried out in this desert.

ALICE

If you would tell me where to find water, then I might be able to listen to you. But

right now I have too many bugs in my stomach.

HENRI

I told you. We are in the desert. There is no water.

ALICE

I won’t go until you help us.

39

[Bianca groans.]

HENRI

Is that your sister or your angel?

ALICE

That’s my sister, Bianca.

HENRI

She’s not just sick, you know. She’s stopping. It happens in the desert. Time is

stopping inside her body and she is unable to move in any direction on her own.

It’s a desert sickness. It’s the sickness of war.

[He tries to listen.]

ALICE

Is stopping the same as dying?

HENRI

The only way to help her is to find water.

ALICE

But you said--

HENRI

If you don’t find water soon she will go blind and turn into a desert flower. She

will love for a short time, her petals will fall off and collect at my feet. Then they

will become a history--another casualty of war.

ALICE

Oh, man. I’ve never had so many problems before in my life. My head is

evaporating under this stupid rabbit head that won’t come off, my sister is

stopping, and an angel trying to deliver a message was shot and is dying. To make

matters worse, by now our supper is cold and my mother is very angry. Plus you

are no help at all.

HENRI

Are all little girls as bothersome as you?

ALICE

If there’s no water, how come you haven’t stopped?

40

HENRI

I’m acclimated.

ALICE

Acclimated?

HENRI

Yes, I have slowed down but I haven’t stopped. But when I stop, I will become

three petals resting in this chair until the universe itself finally stops.

ALICE

Then you’ll be a casualty of war.

HENRI

Will I? Yes I will, won’t I? We all will!

ALICE

Maybe Bianca can get acclimated.

HENRI

If she eats sand until her ears are full, then meditates on the memory of her

father...maybe. That’s what I did. It took several years.

ALICE

This sounds like a bad idea.

HENRI

(pointing to the dog tags)

Are you a soldier?

ALICE

Oh, these are my father’s. He was a soldier.

HENRI

Yes, you are. Bellatrix, audetque viris concurrere virgo.

ALICE

I only speak English.

41

HENRI

That’s unfortunate. I said, Bellatrix, audetque viris concurrere virgo, a warrior-girl

who dares to fight against men.

ALICE

I’m not a warrior, I’m a ten year-old girl, and I don’t think it’s a good idea to fill

Bianca with sand.

HENRI

Sometimes what seems like the wrong thing to do is the right thing, but then again,

it is often still wrong. I think you’re better off leaving the desert and finding water.

ALICE

I would if I could find my way out.

HENRI

The desert is in the eye of the beholder. If you stop beholding it, you might find

your way.

ALICE

How do I do that?

HENRI

Questions, questions, questions. You wouldn’t ask the question if you didn’t

know the answer.

ALICE

But I don’t know the answer.

HENRI

Then why did you ask the question?

ALICE

Because--

HENRI

I’ve told you what you have to do. Now please let me go back to my reflections.

This has been an exhausting conversation. I only spent this time talking to you

because you seem to be an earnest person. Sincerity is hard to come by. You’d

better try to leave this place if you want to find water for them. Why don’t you

start with your head?

42

[He closes his eyes and listens. Gunfire in the

distance.]

ALICE

Why don’t I start with my head?

[She taps Henri on the shoulder.]

What do you mean?

[He ignores her.]

Hey, listen to me. Henri.

BIANCA

(weakly)

Alice, where are you?

ALICE

I’m here, Bianca.

BIANCA

Did you find any water?

ALICE

Not yet.

[Bianca collapses again. Alice lifts her hands to her

head and tries to pull the rabbit head off.]

ALICE

Start with my head! Umph! Errrr! Ahhhhhhh!

HENRI

What is all this racket?

ALICE

I’m starting with my head, like you said.

HENRI

Are you sure you have another head under your rabbit face?

43

ALICE

I must....I can’t go through life like this.

HENRI

Well you could, but why would you?

[Alice pulls at her head.]

ALICE

Ahhhhhhhhh!

HENRI

All right. Stop. STOP!

[Alice stops, and panting, she stares at Henri.]

Come over here, please.

[Alice crosses to him. Henri gestures for her to

kneel which she does. He leans forward in his chair

and takes her by the head.]

How difficult could this be?

[He pulls.]

ALICE

Ow!

HENRI

Hold still.

ALICE

Don’t pull so hard!

HENRI

Do you want this off or not?

ALICE

Yes. But I’d like to keep at least one of my heads.

44

HENRI

Shush now.

[He pulls again.]

ALICE/HENRI

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

[He stops. He thinks for a moment.]

Wait.

[He stands.]

Sit in my chair....Watch the petals.

ALICE

How do I sit without stepping on the petals?

HENRI

Just step carefully.

[She sits.]

Now hold onto the bottom and lean towards me.

[She does so. He grabs her head.]

Ready.

ALICE

Okay.

[He pulls.]

ALICE/HENRI

Ahhhurrrrrrerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

[The rabbit head pops off sending Henri into a

backward somersault where the Rabbit head ends

up on his head.]

45

ALICE

We did it!

[She checks her head.]

Phew. Thank you.

[Henri stands up. Alice looks at him.]

Oh!

HENRI

That wasn’t difficult...

[Looking around.]

Where is it?

ALICE

What?

HENRI

The head. The rabbit head.

ALICE

I don’t know. It must have rolled away.

HENRI

Yes, well you’re better off now. How’s your head? Everything working all right?

ALICE

Yes, thank you.

HENRI

Good. Good.

HENRI

Watch out. Watch out for the petals.

[Alice steps out of the way.]

Good. Now we can say goodbye. Goodbye.

46

[He sits, closes his eyes and listens to the war. He

opens his eyes and picks up the ear horn.]

You’re still here. You better get going and help your sister. I have my own work

to do.

ALICE

Good bye.

HENRI

Yes, yes. Of course.

[Alice pulls Bianca and the Angel off stage. Lights

fade on Henri listening to explosions in the

distance.]

5. THE SWURPS

[Lights up. Three dusty Swurps sit around playing

a game using empty bullet shells and sand. A large

birdcage with a camouflage cover over it is off to the

side of them. The camouflage doesn’t cover the

bottom of the cage, and legs can be seen pacing,

sitting, etc. The Swurps wear some army gear,

helmets, canteens, etc. There is also a large pint of

strawberries near them.]

SWURP ONE

Slant file. First in charge. Throw away.

[He throws a shell at Swurp Two’s feet.]

SWURP TWO

Throw away. No. I barge you. File safe.

[He throws a shell at Swurp Three’s feet.]

SWURP THREE

That’s mine and tally for me. I win the escape hand.

47

SWURP ONE

No. You threw ingrate off to follow suit. In other words, you’re a cheat.

SWURP THREE

I’m a what?

SWURP ONE

You’re a snarkpussel pillflipper cheat.

SWURP TWO

That’s not in the rules.

SWURP ONE

We agreed. No rules. Every Swurp for himself.

SWURP THREE

No rules, no cheats.

[All three Swurps pick up sand, throw it in the air

and explode into a frenzy of Swurp calls and

screams. Stop abruptly and eat strawberries.

Alice walks on.]

SWURP ONE

That’s a rule.

ALICE

Excuse me.

SWURP TWO

No rules. That’s a rule.

SWURP THREE

I’m a what?

SWURP TWO

Snarkpussel.

SWURP ONE

Pillflanger.

48

SWURP THREE

Flock squitter desert baked turd ball.

[They pick up their shells.]

ALICE

HEY! I SAID EXCUSE ME!

[They stop and look at her. They grab some more

strawberries.]

Are those strawberries?

SWURP ONE

Who’s who identifiable your face who?

ALICE

My name is Alice. I’m ten years old and I’m....I need water for my sister before

she stops. I’m trying to save an angel, and I’ve had enough of this place.

[They suddenly raise their guns.]

SWURP ONE

You’re a crock. Find sulphur made rip hole.

SWURP TWO

Stand a luck. Not in your future.

SWURP THREE

Place weapon away or else certain death imposed for sure.

ALL THREE SWURPS

Alice!

ALICE

What?

ALL THREE

Weapon.

[They point to her gun.]

49

ALICE

Oh, this. This isn’t really a gun. It’s a guitar. See.

[She plays the gun. Rock chords sound, which

surprise the Swurps who jump and squawk. As

Alice plays they listen fascinated.]

(singing)

I’m gonna be a rock star, oh, yeah

But first I need some water, ooh, ooh

I’d love to get an answer, oh, oh

Before I lose my sister, uh, huh

[Alice stops. The Swurps lower their guns and

inspect Alice’s gun. She let’s them take it.]

Be careful, don’t point that at your head or you might loose it.

[While the Swurps argue about the gun, Alice walks

off and drags Bianca and the Angel on.]

SWURP TWO

Makes me Swurp and swoon with lllluvin’

SWURP ONE

Give me, Give me.

SWURP THREE

No. Give it to me.

SWURP TWO

I’m strummin’ the yooko!

[They struggle over the gun. Sounds of a guitar

banging around.]

ALICE

You can have it for some water.

50

SWURP ONE

No water here, now.

[Swurp Two tries to play, but no sounds come

out.]

Give it over. Makes me Swurp and swoon with llluvin.’

[He grabs it and strums. Nothing Happens.

Inspecting it, he looks down the barrel.]

ALICE

No. Don’t do that.

[She tries to take it from him.]

SWURP ONE

Hands off, Crock.

[He looks down the barrel again. Swurp Two walks

over pulls the trigger. A screaming rock riff plays.

Swurp One drops the gun holding his head in

agony, writhing about the stage. The other two

Swurps laugh. Finally Swurp Two’s head pops off.

He holds his head.]

ALICE

Uh, Oh.

[The other two Swurps stand in shock. Alice picks

up the gun.]

Don’t say I didn’t warn you. I’ve had some experience with this sort of thing.

SWURP TWO

Wear your head straight.

[Swurp One holds his head up, and puts it on.]

ALICE

I wouldn’t if I were you. It won’t come off so easily.

51

SWURP THREE

We want this riff ill.

ALICE

You can have it for some water...and some strawberries.

SWURP ONE

Strawberries. STRAWBERRIES!

[He laughs hysterically and can’t seem to stop.

Swurp Two hits him on the head. He stops

abruptly.]

Thank you.

SWURP TWO

Not to mention it.

SWURP ONE

No strawberries, no deal. Only water.

ALICE

Okay, it’s a deal.

SWURP TWO

Uh, uh, uh. Not so silly. Lose head game again first.

ALICE

I’m not going to lose my head. Once was enough.

SWURP THREE

You ploy with us.

ALICE

I don’t know what you mean.

SWURP THREE

A game. Ploy a game.

52

SWURP ONE

Play No Rules with rip shells and sand. If you win, you give us the guit and we

give you the water. No shots fried or questions filed.

ALICE

That’s not fair. I never heard of that game.

SWURP TWO

Simple simple.

ALICE

What if I lose?

SWURP ONE

Loose loose. We get the guit, you go on your way. Leave us to our festers.

ALICE

But either way you get the guit.

SWURP THREE

But you loose. No water. You all die here.

ALL THREE SWURPS

Mmm Hmmm.

ALICE

How do I play?

[They lick their fingers then Swurp three hands

Alice a handful of shells.]

SWURP ONE

No rules.

[He picks up a handful of sand, throws it in the air

then tosses a shell at Alice’s feet.]

ALICE

Why can’t I just give you the guit and you give me the water?

53

SWURP ONE

Flanger frier.

[He tosses a shell at Alice’s feet.]

SWURP TWO

Liar liar.

[He tosses a shell at Alice’s feet.]

SWURP THREE

No, no. No custard. Only Vanilla.

[A shell at Alice’s feet.]

ALICE

Wait, is this the game? I don’t know what to do.

SWURP ONE

Round ichiban stop, stop. Over.

ALICE

What just happened?

SWURP TWO

Duo duo round repeat.

[They pick up their shells. And take three away

from Alice.]

SWURP THREE

No rule on rules sheep bend.

[ Sand in the air. A shell at Alice’s feet.]

SWURP ONE

Not, not find the fat.

[A shell at Alice’s feet.]

54

ALICE

Fat the friar. Tuck tuck drive away.

[Alice throws a shell at each of their feet. The three

Swurps look surprised.]

Was that right?

SWURP TWO

Right right letter opener find flight and running feet.

[A shell at Alice’s feet.]

ALICE

Running gag, feats of fancy fly, fly.

SWURP THREE

Lucky lucky sinner’s truck.

SWURP ONE

No wheels spare tire and flatulent reward.

SWURP TWO

Change change gage and rotate.

[The Swurps switch position.]

ALICE

Rubber duck duckie stuck in muck. I change the game. No rules for fools.

[Alice picks up the shells at her feet and throws

them down at each of their feet.]

SWURP ONE

Foothill--

ALICE

(interrupting)

Foothill flangers flow ink finger write. Duo round over Alice winks.

[Sand in the air. Alice gets rid of all her shells.]

55

SWURP ONE

That’s....

ALICE

A win. No rules on rules. I win. Where’s my water?

[The Swurps throw down the rest of their shells in

frustration. Swurp one walks behind the cage and

returns with a canteen of water. He hands it to

Alice.]

Thank you. That was easier then it looked.

SWURP ONE

Not easy. Cheesy. Cheesy cheater.

SWURP TWO

Blew the no rule rule.

SWURP THREE

Impossible rule. Alice at wins.

[They watch as Alice walks over to Bianca and

makes her drink.]

ALICE

You can have my guit. But don’t point it at your head.

[As Alice tends to Bianca.

The Swurps take turns shooting their heads off and

putting it back on. Alice steals the strawberries

and pulls the cart off stage as the Swurps play

their new game with Alice’s gun.

After Alice is gone, a fourth Swurp enters. He

appears more official. He walks on with a limp, a

patch over one eye and a bandage on his head.]

SWURP FOUR

HALLLLLLLLLLLLT the insignificance.

56

[They stop and stand a little unnerved. Swurp One

holds his head. Uncontrollable yelps pop out for a

few moments.]

SWURP FOUR(Cont’d)

Are we through?

ALL THREE SWURPS

Yes, yes. Certainly. Of course.

[Swurp One puts his head on.]

SWURP FOUR

The point is now. A message has filtered from the front and we have been charged

to carry out the sentence of the prisoner. Is the prisoner here?

[The Swurps look at the cage. They bend down to

see the legs.]

ALL THREE SWURPS

Here.

SWURP FOUR

Sound it.

[Swurp One and Two take up strange musical

instruments- a percussion type instrument made of

tin, and a strange looking wind instrument.

Swurp Three moves to the cage.

One and Two play the instruments as Three pulls

the cover off the cage revealing Bianca’s boyfriend,

Rabbit. His hands are tied, he is blindfolded, and his

mouth is gagged.

Three opens the cage and leads Rabbit out. One

and Two follow behind playing until Four signals

them to stop. Four opens a scroll.]

57

SWURP FOUR

Here festers before us the despised and hunted criminal, Stuart K. Abode, aka

Rabbit, for numerous acts of murder and maiming. Decry that we, The Elected

Body of Tortured Creatures Small and Large, feathered, furred and scaled, not

excluding and recently including road slaughter such as peepers, turtles and slugs

who also need to cross the road, have found him guilty for the cruel murder of

Raymond Red Robin, cherished father, husband and friend, where by Mister

Stuart K. Abode, hiding under the surname Rabbit, did willingly and unflinchingly

shoot, maim and kill our dear friend, Ray. And despite remorse at having pulled

the trigger on his unsuspecting victim, ignored the warnings of the heart and

continued many more murderous acts on the innocent.

[Rabbit makes noises through his gag.]

What’s the squealing?

SWURP ONE

What’s the squealing?

[Rabbit makes more noise.]

SWURP FOUR

De-gag the Crock.

[Swurp Three takes the gag from Rabbit’s mouth.]

Spill.

RABBIT

I was unaware. I didn’t know.

SWURP FOUR

You ignored your heart. That was your only chance.

RABBIT

I was afraid. I wanted to be loved. I wanted him to love me.

SWURP FOUR

Who?

ALL THREE SWURPS

Who, who, who?

58

SWURP FOUR

Seize it, Swurps.

[They shut up.]

Spit yourself out.

RABBIT

I only wanted my father to love me.

SWURP FOUR

So you KILLED for love.

RABBIT

Yes.

SWURP FOUR

Not unheard of but....Why should you get away with murder?

RABBIT

I didn’t know, I tell you. I was only a boy.

SWURP FOUR

HIS EXCUSE IS IGNORANCE.

ALL THREE SWURPS

IGNORANCE.

SWURP FOUR

As if the past and the present have nothing to do with each other.

SWURP ONE

Ignite his pants.

SWURP TWO

With fire-ants.

SWURP THREE

Put him in an igloo. Cold and hollow.

59

SWURP ONE

Make him dance and prance, and dig for water.

SWURP TWO

Until he drops and flops and writhes about like the bird he slaughtered.

SWURP THREE

or flees to France and joins the circus.

SWURP ONE

With no arms or legs, only berries under his eyeballs.

SWURP TWO

The way Ray looked when his family found him

SWURP THREE

and the skinned carcasses of his other victims.

SWURP TWO

Blue and black and red and yellow.

SWURP ONE

The way the earth appeases sorrow.

SWURP THREE

The way our bruises appear as swallows.

RABBIT

I don’t understand.

SWURP FOUR

And after having pulled the trigger on your unsuspecting victim, you ignored the

warnings of the heart and continued your murderous acts on the innocent. Mister

Stuart K. Abode aka, Rabbit, the decree demands that the desert sands dry you

and evaporate you and destroy all memory of your life and body.

RABBIT

You can’t do this to me.

[One throws him in the cage.

60

Two steps to One. They sound their instruments,

Three picks up the rope from the cage. They pull

the cage off stage. Four Follows behind.]

RABBIT

I was a boy. I was a different person. I wouldn’t kill anything now. I wouldn’t

even kill a mosquito.

(calling)

Bianca....Bianca....Bianca

[Lights Fade. End Act I]

61

ACT II

6. SISTERS

[Lights up on Alice, Bianca and the Angel. Bianca is

feeling better. Alice is exhausted. The Angel is still

immobile.]

BIANCA

(inspecting the Angel’s wound)

This looks like it’s healing. You did a good job, Alice.

ALICE

She doesn’t look better.

BIANCA

Maybe Angels heal slower.

ALICE

Maybe she’s stopping, like you were. She won’t take any water.

BIANCA

Why don’t you try again?

ALICE

I’ve been wetting her lips.

BIANCA

I’m sure it’s helping. You just can’t tell.

ALICE

(more to herself)

I’ll try this.

[She feeds the Angel a strawberry.]

ALICE

At least she’s not bleeding anymore.

[Distant explosion and gun fire.]

62

ALICE(Cont’d)

The bombs sound closer.

[Silence.]

BIANCA

Alice.

[Alice looks at Bianca.]

Thanks.

ALICE

For what?

BIANCA

For saving my life.

ALICE

I had to give my gun to those crazy birds. It played like a real guitar. I wish you

heard me.

BIANCA

I did.

ALICE

You did?

BIANCA

Yup. I wasn’t unconscious. I just couldn’t move and words seemed to get stuck in

my throat. It was too hard to speak. But I heard you play.

ALICE

Was I good?

BIANCA

You were awesome.

[Bianca sits next to Alice and the Angel. Bianca

strokes Alice’s hair. Another explosion. They look

at each other.]

63

BIANCA(Cont’d)

Don’t worry.

ALICE

I wish I could read the Angel’s message. No speaka da angel....What do you think

it says?

BIANCA

I don’t know. Maybe it says, “Dear Alice, don’t give your sister a hard time. Do

what she says, because she’s older and knows better.”

ALICE

That would be a stupid message for an Angel to deliver. I bet it’s a message to a

little girl whose father is fighting in the war. And it says, “Dear little girl, your

father will be okay. He’s coming home soon.

(beat)

If that were the message, I’d deliver it for her.

BIANCA

That’s not the message Mom and I got when Dad died. The military came to the

house and said, “We’re sorry to inform you that...” never mind.

ALICE

I know. I remember that day.

BIANCA

You don’t remember. You weren’t born.

ALICE

I felt Mom crying. I was in her stomach, remember? Technically I wasn’t in her

stomach, that would be dangerous. I would have died from her digestive juices.

That was ten years ago, but I remember it like yesterday.

BIANCA

You don’t remember me crying, do you?

ALICE

No.

BIANCA

No.

64

ALICE

Tell me what Dad was like again.

BIANCA

He was handsome and funny and smart and...he loved us.

ALICE

Me too?

BIANCA

Yeah, of course you too.

ALICE

Even though I wasn’t born yet.

BIANCA

He was really excited about you. We all were....I thought you talked to Dad from

Mom’s stomach.

ALICE

I did...but...I don’t remember his voice. When I remember our conversations, I

only hear my voice in my head. I wish I heard his. I wish I knew what it really

sounded like.

BIANCA

It was deep and warm and comforting.

ALICE

Deep and warm and comforting....Bianca? Promise you won’t leave me alone

again.

[Silence.]

Bianca...

BIANCA

I think I should try and find Rabbit. I can’t leave him out there.

ALICE

No, Bianca. I don’t want you to leave me.

65

BIANCA

He’s my boyfriend, Alice.

ALICE

Maybe he left you out there.

BIANCA

He put himself in danger, and created a distraction while I dragged the Angel

away. You know how he did it? He went into the camp singing, like he was just

taking a walk down the street. We planned to meet at a certain spot, but he never

showed.

ALICE

What did he sing?

BIANCA

He sang, Alice is a rock star, ooh, ooh...

ALICE

No he didn’t. I bet he’s getting high somewhere and doesn’t want to do anything

but lie around.

BIANCA

You can keep insulting him if you like, but I’m going to find Rabbit.

ALICE

We can look for him together.

BIANCA

You have to stay with the Angel.

ALICE

Why?

BIANCA

Because you have to.

ALICE

But-.

66

BIANCA

I have to see if Rabbit’s okay.

ALICE

What should I do?

BIANCA

Wait for me here.

ALICE

I’ve already done that trick. Every time you go, something strange happens.

BIANCA

I won’t go far. You can take care of yourself.

ALICE

I don’t want to take care of myself. I want you to take care of me, and me take

care of you, and Mom take care of us.

BIANCA

I know. But we decided to save this Angel and now we have to deal with the

situation.

ALICE

I want to go home.

BIANCA

I want to go home, too.

ALICE

I hope this Angel realizes what we’re doing for her.

BIANCA

It doesn’t matter if she does.

ALICE

Maybe I can think better after a nap. I can’t keep my eyes open anymore.

[Bianca strokes Alice’s head. Alice falls asleep,

Bianca runs off.]

67

7. THE ANGEL AND THE SOLDIER

[Lights up. Night. Alice is still sleeping. Bianca is

gone. The Angel is standing and watching something

in the distance. A loud explosion and gun fire. Alice

wakes with a start. She sees the Angel. The Angel

remains fixed on the landscape.]

ALICE

Oh! You must be feeling better....Bianca, look the Angel is better...Bianca?

(realizing)

....Now what?....She better not die...I don’t know what to do....What am I

supposed to do?

[She looks at the Angel.]

You’re beautiful.

[Silence.]

I guess if you’re feeling better, I can try to find my way home. Bianca said I

should wait for her here, but the last time I did that I lost my head for a while. I

mean, I didn’t lose my head, I gained a second head. I mean I had two heads in

one, but I don’t think that was better. Two heads are not necessarily better than

one.

(beat)

I sure wish I knew how to speak Angel.

[Alice reachesinto her first aid kit and gives the

Angel the message.]

You can deliver this now.

[The Angel remains fixed.]

Don’t you want it? It’s better that you deliver it because I can’t read your

language. No Speaka da Angel. I don’t think I’ll wait for Bianca. The War is

getting louder and I had to give up my guit. I was gonna be a rock star, you know?

But it’s not working out.

68

[Suddenly the Soldier with a Flower in his mouth

enters. He is distraught, exhausted and disassociated

from any sense of reality. When he sees the Angel

he falls to his knees and weeps.]

ALICE(Cont’d)

That’s him. That’s the soldier who crashed into my sister’s room and broke her

wall. He sure cries a lot. Maybe that’s what war does to soldiers. He must be

hungry, because it would be hard to eat with that flower in the way.

[The Angel walks to the Soldier. She places her

hand under his chin and lifts his head up. He looks

at her.]

ANGEL

Shhh sim sei sim sup saaaa.

[He stops crying. She kneels next to him and

strokes his cheek. She touches the flower in his

mouth. His face shows fear.]

ALICE

I don’t think that’s a good idea.

[The Angel looks at Alice.]

ANGEL

Shon nee somp ta tak.

ALICE

Shon nee somp ta tak.

[The Angel nods.]

What did I just say?

ANGEL

Shhhh.

[The Angel takes her hand and slowly pulls on the

flower in the soldier’s mouth.

69

The soldier and Alice cringe as they anticipate the

pain of pulling the flower coming out. But it comes

out smoothly. The Soldier gasps for breath and

Alice breathes with him. During the Soldier’s

speech, explosions and gun fire are getting louder.]

SOLDIER

I-I...saw...Angel...fire....missile...went right through...the Angel...then

falling...forever falling...dream...mouth on fire...thirsty...tongue, roof of

mouth...agony...something...dead. Me.

(stuttering)

I am f-fertilizer. Body is f-fertilizer...f-flower in m-mouth. V-vines are in-n-n-

testines... heart is bulb...tulip...l-liver is...spores--green v-veins and n-n-n-nerves

are b-buds and thorns. Ears are d-d-dandelion f-fluff....Keep a-a-rt and c-culture, l-

love and b-b-b-arbecues, softb-b-b-all, soccer and Sunday picn-n-n-ics, church

weddings and f-f-il-ling taxes, golf and air-conditioning safe...b-b-boom! I-I shot an

Angel...

[He collapses. The Angel comforts him in her

arms.]

ALICE

Oh, man. If this were a dream, I’d never believe it.

ANGEL

Ya...ya ta....tak. Shm sof sof ta ta sumppre. Paro soo shhim see. Sim say shum sa

sodo slow sspron na ta ta tak. Kliss sintther sem soo sha mod. Sa sa sa sa

sempraaaa.

[The Angel lifts the soldier up and carries him off.]

ALICE

Wait, you forgot your message. Don’t you have to deliver your message?

ANGEL

Ahd sam sa.

SOLDIER

I have.

70

ANGEL

Ahd sam sa, Alice.

SOLDIER

The message is for you.

[The Angel carries the Soldier off.]

ALICE

But, who’s it from? I don’t know what it says. I can’t read Angel.

8. THE SOUNDS OF WAR

[Guns and explosions sound. This time they are

almost deafening. Alice hides.

An Old General rolls a sound system on stage with

strange speakers made of bull horns, sound bells,

etc. The system is dusty and bleached from the sun.

The General wears ear protection headphones.

He rolls it to a spot. Turns the speakers to face a

certain direction. Then takes a chair from the wagon

and sits down. He takes out a pipe and smokes it.

The sound of war explodes out of the sound

system.

Alice watches the Old General for a bit then gains

courage and comes out from under. The general is

too absorbed in his pipe to notice Alice.

Alice walks to the sound system, holding her ears.

She searches the system until she finds a volume

button. She turns the volume way down.

ALICE

That’s better.

[The General notices Alice and jumps up from his

chair.]

71

GENERAL

What the...You get away from there.

[Alice looks at him.]

Did you hear what I said?

[He listens, and suddenly panics. He pulls off his

earphones and listens.]

What the...Did you do that?

ALICE

Yes, Sir. It was very loud and hurting my ears.

GENERAL

Of course it’s loud, you little fool. There’s a war going on. This is war!

[He walks over to the volume button.]

Now get out of my way.

[Alice steps aside. The General turns up the

volume.]

Go home before you get hurt. Wars are no place for children.

[He puts his earphones back on and sits in the

chair. Alice hold her ears and watches him.]

GENERAL (CONT’D)

Didn’t you hear me? Go home.

ALICE

What?

GENERAL

What?

ALICE

I can’t hear you.

72

GENERAL

Oh, for bad apples worse.

[He gets up and turns down the volume. Alice takes

her hands from her ears.]

Don’t you have a home?

ALICE

Yes.

GENERAL

What? Speak up.

ALICE

YES, I HAVE A HOME BUT I’M WAITING FOR MY SISTER.

GENERAL

Use your vocal chords child, not just your mouth. Project. Project.

[Alice gestures to the General’s earphones. He

realizes he can’t hear, and annoyed, fumbles taking

the headphones off.]

Oh...now...Don’t get smart with me. I asked you if you had a home.

ALICE

Yes.

GENERAL

Then why don’t you skedaddle back to it?

ALICE

I’m waiting for my sister.

GENERAL

I’ve never heard of such a thing. Do you know who I am?

ALICE

No.

73

GENERAL

Of course you don’t. Not many do. And those who do know are in the highest

positions-the upper echelon of the military. That means I’m important and you

should listen to me.

ALICE

I don’t listen to strangers.

GENERAL

Did your mother teach you that?

ALICE

No, I learned that out on my own.

GENERAL

If I tell you my name, then we’re no longer strangers and you can listen to me.

ALICE

No.

GENERAL

No. No. Why not?

ALICE

Because you could be lying.

GENERAL

Don’t you want to know my name?

ALICE

Okay.

GENERAL

(sarcastic)

Okay....

GENERAL (Cont’d)

I am General Warren Albert Rufus the First, of the world council for prolonged

proliferation of warring nations, states and other hostile parties. I work for them.

74

ALICE

Nice to meet you, General Warren Albert Rufus the First. My name is Alice.

[They shake hands.]

GENERAL

Nice to meet you, Alice. No, not nice. What am I saying? You have to go. I have

to turn up the volume or people will think the war is ending.

ALICE

Does the war come out of those things?

GENERAL

I can’t tell you that. That’s a military secret.

ALICE

You mean the war isn’t real. You just play the sounds of war.

GENERAL

I didn’t say that.

ALICE

But, if you make the sounds, how can the war be real?

GENERAL

Oh don’t let this fool you. The war is real. People die, don’t they?

ALICE

Yes.

GENERAL

Then the war is real. No further discussion is necessary.

ALICE

But you’re making it sound like war, so people think we are at war. Then they

want to fight.

GENERAL

You’re a little too smart for your own good.

ALICE

No I’m not.

75

GENERAL

I’m afraid you are. You shouldn’t know these things. This is high security top

secret military intelligence.

ALICE

You’re making up the war. The war’s not real. People are dying and the war’s not

real. That’s bad. That’s mean. You’re a bad man.

GENERAL

I’m not a bad man.

ALICE

Yes, you are. People are dying and it’s all your fault.

GENERAL

I’m only following orders. I do what I’m told. That’s what a soldier does.

ALICE

I’m going to tell Henri, the philosopher, historian, gardener about this. He’s

listening for the patterns of war. He’s been keeping a history, and he’s going to

figure you out!

GENERAL

You can tell anyone you want. It won’t matter. People generally believe what

they are told. History means nothing.

ALICE

My father was a soldier and he didn’t make up lies and let people die for

something that isn’t real.

GENERAL

Didn’t you hear me? History means nothing....Ah! You’re too young to

understand. Life is complicated. War is complex and sophisticated, and a little girl

like you has no business questioning the motivations of those who know better

then she.

[The General turns up the volume and sits in his

chair ignoring, Alice. Alice turns off the sound

system.]

76

ALICE

The war is over.

GENERAL

You are a spoiled little brat. You better learn to respect your elders. Now turn

that back on.

ALICE

No.

GENERAL

Then I’ll just do it myself. And if you touch this war machine again, I will have

you thrown in prison for the rest of your life and you’ll never see your family

again.

[He gets up and tries to turn the Sound Machine

back on but nothing happens.]

Now you’ve done it.

[He fumbles with the machine.]

This damn knob.

[He fumbles some more, and finally the sounds

come on.]

You stay away now.

ALICE

I’m not afraid of you. I saved an angel, and she delivered a message to me. The

military shot her down because they believed they were at war because of your

stupid machine.

GENERAL

If that’s true and the war isn’t real then how could they shoot the angel down?

ALICE

Because you made them think it was real, so now they use real guns.

77

GENERAL

Exactly. The war is real. I win. You lose. You’re just a dumb little girl.

ALICE

I am not.

GENERAL

Yes you are. You know what’s not real? YOU. You’re not real.

ALICE

I’m real. I’m a real little girl and I’m dangerous.

GENERAL

You’re not real and neither is your angel. Nothing is real but me and my war.

ALICE

That’s not true.

GENERAL

Ha! I thought I heard something. It must have been the wind. Or maybe it was

just a shadow in my dream. It certainly wasn’t a little girl named Alice. And if it

was, I must have dreamt it.

[He puts his ear phones on. Throws his chair on the

wagon and turns up the volume. Explosions and

guns. He pushes it off stage.]

ALICE

(throwing a tantrum)

I’m real. I’m real. I’m real. I’m not the wind, and I’m not some shadow in some

stupid General’s dream. I’m a real person.

[Two Soldiers walk on carrying a large roll of thick

white tape and a plinth. The soldiers roll the white

line across the stage floor and place the plinth.

They exit.

The sound of war fades as the White Queen

appears on the plinth.]

78

9. THE WHITE QUEEN, FINDING BALANCE

[For the first time in the play the war is silent.

The White Queen stands frozen on a plinth. She is

all white, all exposed skin is white. She holds a

spoon in one hand and an egg in the other hand.

Alice doesn’t notice the White Queen and sits on

the ground defeated.]

WHITE QUEEN

Pinch me.

[Alice jumps, looks around, sees the White Queen.]

ALICE

Did you say something?

WQ

Yes, I did.

ALICE

Oh...I didn’t hear you.

WQ

You might listen more carefully.

ALICE

I’m sorry, what did you say?

WQ

I said, pinch me.

ALICE

Why should I do that?

WQ

Because I asked you to.

ALICE

But I don’t want to.

79

WQ

If you do not pinch me you might not find out if you are real.

ALICE

I’m real. I know I’m real. I’ll pinch myself and prove it.

(She pinches herself.)

Ow! See! That hurt.

WQ

No, it did not. I did not feel a thing.

ALICE

I didn’t pinch you. I pinched myself.

WQ

Why did you do that?

ALICE

To prove that I’m real.

WQ

So you weren’t sure?

ALICE

Yes I was. I was proving it to you.

WQ

But I did not feel anything. I did not feel your pinch.

ALICE

Because I didn’t pinch you.

WQ

You will have to pinch me or you will never know for sure whether you are a real

girl or just a silly shadow.

ALICE

This is exasperating.

WQ

Yes it is. You are an exasperating little girl.

80

ALICE

And you’re an exasperating White Queen.

WQ

I am not white. I am all color.

ALICE

I only see white.

WQ

Well, if you knew anything at all, you would know that all color comes from

white.

ALICE

I knew that. And black is the absence of color.

WQ

Or white comes from all colors mixed together...Either way, eyes are deceiving...so

are words.

ALICE

Maybe you’re not real.

WQ

What did you say?

ALICE

Maybe you’re not real and you’re in my dream.

WQ

Maybe you’re in mine.

ALICE

Maybe you are.

WQ

Maybe you are.

ALICE

Maybe you are.

81

WQ

And maybe you are.

[Silence. Frustrated, Alice plops down on the white

line. Then she lies on her back and makes snow

angels. Suddenly WQ sits on the plinth sobbing.]

It is true. I’m not real.

[Alice sits up.]

I am just a character in a story.

ALICE

But I see you.

WQ

Eyes are deceiving, so are words.

[She cries.]

ALICE

No, don’t cry. I hate it when people cry. It makes me want to cry.

WQ

I am sorry, I cannot help it. Being unreal hurts deep in my heart.

[Alice walks over to her and pinches her. WQ

hardly reacts.]

Thank you...would you do it again. Harder.

ALICE

Harder?

82

WQ

Yes, please.

[Alice pinches her again. No reaction from the

Queen.]

See...nothing. I did not feel your pinch.

[Alice pinches herself.]

ALICE

Ow...but how can it be that I’m real and you’re not?

[The Queen shrugs.]

WQ

I was in love once. I felt real then, but then the King became interested in

someone else and I stopped existing.

ALICE

You were in love with a king.

WQ

Oh, do not get so excited, they all think they’re kings. Anyway, he was not a king

when we fell in love. He was a frog.

ALICE

No, he wasn’t.

WQ

Yes, he was a slimy frog with a charming croak. It was the croak that did it to me.

ALICE

Frogs are cool, but you have to be careful cause they can give you warts.

WQ

Oh, don’t I know it.

ALICE

You shouldn’t let some yuckie man do that to you, King or not.

83

WQ

You are very sweet. You are a sweet little girl, aren’t you?

ALICE

You remind me of my mother.

WQ

I do. Is that a good thing?

ALICE

Sure.

WQ

Oh. But you don’t remind me of anyone.

ALICE

That’s okay.

WQ

I never had a daughter. But if I did, I think she would be very much like you.

[Silence.]

ALICE

I know. Maybe if you pinch me, and it hurts me, it means that you’re real too.

WQ

You think so.

ALICE

We can try.

WQ

All right.

ALICE

All right... not too hard.

[Alice offers her cheek. WQ reaches toward Alice’s

cheek, then stops.]

84

WQ

I cannot do it.

ALICE

Why?

WQ

I could be arrested for child abuse.

ALICE

Oh.

(beat)

I wouldn’t tell anyone.

WQ

That does not make it okay.

ALICE

Oh.

[Silence]

What if you kiss me on the cheek?

WQ

Would that work?

ALICE

If I feel your kiss then we’d know you were real.

WQ

I am afraid....What if you do not feel my kiss?

ALICE

Then you’re no worse then before.

WQ

Yes, but it would hurt not to have my kiss felt. I do not kiss many people, and

my kisses are very special.

[Alice kneels before her.]

85

ALICE

I would be honored to be kissed by your highness the White Queen.

WQ

What if you turn white?

ALICE

Then I’ll be as beautiful as you.

WQ

You know, I am feeling a little better. I think I will kiss your cheek.

[Alice offers her cheek.]

Would you stand on this pedestal, so I do not have to bend down.

ALICE

Okay.

[Alice stands on the plinth. WQ walks to her and

kisses her on the cheek.]

WQ

Did you feel that?

ALICE

Yes.

WQ

You did? You felt my kiss.

ALICE

Yes.

[Alice is sad. She sits on the plinth. The Queen

dances around singing, “I’m real. I’m a real Queen.”

She notices Alice and stops.]

WQ

What is wrong?

86

ALICE

I’m sad.

WQ

Are you not happy for me?

ALICE

Yes. But I’m still sad.

WQ

Why?

ALICE

I don’t know.

WQ

But you have to know why you are sad. I know why I am happy.

ALICE

But I don’t.

WQ

Is this not the strangest thing? I kiss you, I am happy, but you are sad.

ALICE

Being real is complicated.

WQ

I guess it is, isn’t it?

[Silence]

Do you think it has something to do with missing your mother?

ALICE

Maybe.

WQ

Yes, I think it does.

[Alice fights back tears.]

87

WQ

Let’s play a game.

ALICE

What?

WQ

A game. Let’s play a game.

ALICE

I’m tired of games.

WQ

Oh, but you will like this one.

ALICE

I haven’t liked games lately. Especially in this place.

WQ

Now, now. Give it a chance....Sure?

ALICE

Sure.

WQ

How exciting. Now you see that white line? That white line is the top of a great

wall, the ground of which is hundreds of feet below.

(She holds up the egg.)

Now you see this egg? This egg is Humpty Dumpty. Humpty Dumpty had a

broken heart, so he sat by himself on top of a great wall.

ALICE

I know about Humpty Dumpty.

WQ

Good. This game is called, TAKING CARE OF HUMPTY DUMPTY’S

BROKEN HEART. I will go first.

[WQ walks to the line, puts the spoon in her

mouth, places the egg on the spoon and walks along

the white line.

88

She almost loses her balance but in the end succeeds

to walk the length of the line.]

WQ

Your turn.

ALICE

What kind of game is that?

WQ

It is a real game.

ALICE

I don’t get it.

WQ

The rules are simple. You have to walk the wall without dropping Humpty

Dumpty or losing your balance. It is not so easy.

ALICE

But what if I drop him?

WQ

Well, you know how the story goes, right?

ALICE

Yes. That’s a lot of responsibility.

WQ

One thing I have learned about being real is that you have to take the risk to care

about something.

ALICE

But you’ve only known you were real for the last few minutes.

WQ

Not even. But that is the effect of living backwards. It makes me dizzy with

delight. I suddenly remember all things I never knew.

ALICE

But--

89

WQ

You know, sometimes talk is cheap. Oh, I never knew I knew that. See!

[Alice takes the spoon and the egg and walks to the

line. She puts the spoon in her mouth and places

the egg on the spoon.]

Just a moment.

[WQ rips a strip of her dress off.]

You will need a blindfold.

[Alice takes the egg and spoon in her hands.]

ALICE

A blindfold?

WQ

Oh, yes. The heart is not always easy to see. Oh, my that was good! I think I

might have to write a book.

[WQ puts blindfold on Alice.]

ALICE

But this game is impossible.

WQ

I did it.

ALICE

You weren’t blindfolded.

WQ

True. We will do it together.

ALICE

I’m frightened.

WQ

I know. So am I.

90

[WQ place spoon in Alice’s mouth and the egg on

the spoon.]

WQ(Cont’d)

Okay. Count slowly to three while putting the spoon and egg in your mouth and

take the first step after you reach ten. Ready, Go!

[The WQ exits as Alice walks along the line

across the stage as the lights slowly fade out. The

sound of an egg smashing on the ground.]

ALICE’S VOICE

Oh, no!

10. THE MESSAGE

The sound of war fades in and remains softly in the

distance.

ALICE

(in blackout)

I’m sorry....I’m sorry. I’m not delicate like her majesty. I’m a klutz.

Lights up. Alice sits alone. She’s crying and trying

to pick up the broken pieces of the egg.

The same soldier that carried Alice’s mother off

stage in her dream walks on wearing a back pack

and carrying the carcass of a Swurp over his

shoulders. He stands next to her. Dog tags hang

from his neck.]

SOLDIER

Hi.

ALICE

(without looking)

Hi.

SOLDIER

What are you doing?

91

ALICE

Trying to fix this egg.

[He puts the Swurp down and kneels next to her.]

SOLDIER

Looks difficult.

ALICE

I’m going to collect all the pieces and glue them back together.

SOLDIER

What about the inside, the yoke and other stuff?

ALICE

The sand sucked it up. Like spilled blood.

SOLDIER

I’ve spilled blood.

ALICE

You have?

SOLDIER

I’m a soldier. I have no choice. In war, it’s spill or be spilled.

ALICE

You mean, kill or be killed.

SOLDIER

Yeah, I was trying to be funny.

ALICE

I don’t feel like laughing.

SOLDIER

I see.

ALICE

I see.

92

SOLDIER

May I help you?

ALICE

If you want.

SOLDIER

I do.

[He helps her collect the pieces.]

ALICE

Do you have any glue?

SOLDIER

No. I’m sorry.

ALICE

I guess I can fix it when I get home.

[He takes out a small handkerchief.]

SOLDIER

Here, we can wrap them in this.

[They put the pieces in the handkerchief and the

soldier folds it carefully and gives it to Alice.]

ALICE

Thanks.

SOLDIER

No problem....Are you a soldier?

ALICE

No.

SOLDIER

You’re not? You certainly look like a soldier.

93

ALICE

I do?

SOLDIER

Sure.

ALICE

Sure. But I’m still a child. I’m only ten.

SOLDIER

You have dog tags.

ALICE

Oh, yeah, they’re my father’s. He was a soldier, but he died when I was still in

my mother’s stomach. I remember talking to him a lot. I have prenatal memories. I

think that’s very unusual.

SOLDIER

I bet it is.

ALICE

Yeah.

SOLDIER

You know, you have to be careful out here. You could get hurt.

ALICE

I’m not afraid of war.

SOLDIER

No?

ALICE

No.

SOLDIER

What are you afraid of?

ALICE

Being alone.

94

SOLDIER

You see, you have a soldier’s heart. But you still need to be careful. Don’t be

foolish.

[Alice sees the Swurp carcass.]

ALICE

Is that dead?

SOLDIER

Yes.

ALICE

Did you kill it?

SOLDIER

I did.

ALICE

Why?

SOLDIER

These creatures are a nuisance. They can’t be trusted.

ALICE

But they helped me. They gave me water for Bianca. She was stopping and--

SOLDIER

You’re Alice, aren’t you?

ALICE

How do you know my name?

SOLDIER

I heard about you.

ALICE

How?

SOLDIER

When someone special is in the desert, the sand whispers their name.

95

ALICE

The desert is a weird place.

[The Soldier smiles.]

What are you going to do with it?

SOLDIER

They’re one of the few things in the desert that are edible.

[Alice stares at the Swurp.]

ALICE

You’re going to eat that? Yuck!

SOLDIER

Eat or be eaten...that’s another joke.

ALICE

Oh.

SOLDIER

Not funny?

ALICE

Not much.

SOLDIER

Never mind this creature. What are you doing in the middle of the desert by

yourself?

ALICE

That’s a long story. But my sister and I saved an Angel from the military. They

shot her down, but Bianca and her boyfriend, Rabbit stole the Angel. The Angel

had a message, but I can’t read Angel. No Speaka da Angel.

SOLDIER

Where’s the Angel now?

ALICE

I don’t know. Hey, you’re trying to kill the Angel, too.

96

SOLDIER

Me? No. I wouldn’t do that. I speak Angel.

ALICE

No way.

SOLDIER

It’s true. Do you have the message?

[Alice reaches into her pocket and pulls out the

message. She hands it to him. He reads it silently.]

Hmm.

ALICE

What does it say?

SOLDIER

It says, “Dear Alice, No matter what happens I will always love you, and if you

ever want to talk to me, I promise we’ll have wonderful conversations together. I

may not have all the answers for you, but I will hear your voice, and I will tell you

how proud I am that you are my daughter....The world is a sad place and life is

difficult, but if you open your heart to it....wonderful things will happen to you.

ALICE

Wow. Wow! WOW!!! It really says that?

SOLDIER

It sure does.

ALICE

Wow.

[Alice lies on the ground and looks up. The Soldier

turns away from her and signs the bottom of the

message.]

My Dad sent me a message by Angel. That’s so cool.

97

[The Soldier folds the message up and returns it to

Alice. Then he pulls an explosive vest from his

pack and places it on the ground.]

What’s that?

SOLDIER

It’s something I’d like you to have.

ALICE

It looks like a jacket.

SOLDIER

It’s very, very special and very dangerous. Only the most special soldiers are

allowed to wear it. The one who wears it holds the responsibility of all life in her

hands.

ALICE

Is it a bomb?

SOLDIER

You are very smart.

ALICE

I don’t want a bomb. I don’t want to bomb anyone.

SOLDIER

You don’t have to wear it if you don’t want.

ALICE

I don’t.

SOLDIER

I’m giving it to you anyway. If you ever change your mind, you could help win

the war. When you wear it, you just push this button...here, and it will explode.

ALICE

But I’ll die too.

SOLDIER

It’s a great honor to die for your country.

98

ALICE

This war is a lie. It isn’t real.

SOLDIER

Your father would be very proud of you. Don’t you want to please your father?

ALICE

Yes. But he’s dead.

SOLDIER

Alice....Your father sent you a message. He’s watching over you....I have to tell

you something. I knew your father.

ALICE

You did?

SOLDIER

I don’t have time to make up stories. Your father sacrificed his life for his country.

He wore one of these vests.

ALICE

He exploded himself?

SOLDIER

He did it for you. He did it for your Mom and Bianca and the whole country. And

he did it for God.

ALICE

Oh.

[The Soldier nods. Alice stares at the vest in awe.]

SOLDIER

You know, not every one has messages delivered for them by an Angel. God chose

your father. You should be very proud.

ALICE

Is this the same kind that he wore?

SOLDIER

Yes....Will you take it?

99

ALICE

I don’t know what to do. I don’t even know what the enemy looks like.

SOLDIER

They look like us, but they’re skin is different. They are barbarians who behave

like animals. They are sneaky, violent and dirty. They eat children and kill their

parents. Their eyes are empty and white and filled with a terrible anger. They will

never stop until we are all dead.

ALICE

Oh.

SOLDIER

You’re father killed hundreds of the enemy....I’ll tell you what. I’ll leave this here,

and if you change your mind, you can take it with you.

[Silence.]

You look a lot like your Dad.

[Silence]

I better get back to the war.

[He starts to leave.]

ALICE

No, wait.

SOLDIER

I really have to go.

ALICE

I’m not sure what to do.

SOLDIER

You’ll know when the time comes.

ALICE

But....Will you read the message again?

100

SOLDIER

You’ll think about wearing the vest?

ALICE

Yeah, I’ll think about it.

SOLDIER

I guess I can sit here for a little while.

ALICE

Okay. We can sit here for a little while.

SOLDIER

Okay.

ALICE

I wish Bianca were here. I really like your voice and the way you read it.

SOLDIER

Is she coming back soon?

ALICE

I don’t know. She’s looking for her boyfriend.

[She hands him the message. He looks at her. She

smiles. He rubs her head and opens the message.

Lights fade.]

11. FINDING HOME

[The Swurp’s cage. Rabbit is dead and half buried in

sand. Henri’s chair rests in the sand with three large

flower petals. The White Queen’s plinth is also

visible, slightly buried. Bianca is crying, struggling

to force the cage door open.]

BIANCA

Rabbit....Rabbit....

[She pulls at the lock, shakes the cage, etc.]

101

BIANCA(Cont’d)

No. What did they do to you? Rabbit, say something. Please. Please, Rabbit....No,

no...

[She gives up and sits on the ground by the side of

the cage.]

I can’t do this anymore.

[Alice walks on holding the flower from the

soldier’s mouth and the vest. She sees Bianca,

drops the vest and runs to her.]

ALICE

Bianca. I found you.

[Bianca looks at Alice.]

BIANCA

Rabbit’s dead. They killed him.

[Alice looks at rabbit.]

ALICE

(softly)

Rabbit...

(louder)

Rabbit.

(shouting)

RABBIT!

(she cries)

BIANCA

Come here, Alice.

ALICE

Why’d they kill Rabbit?

BIANCA

I don’t know. Maybe ‘cause he tried to do something right.

102

ALICE

You mean, save the Angel?

BIANCA

Yeah.

ALICE

Rabbit was brave like Dad was brave, right?

BIANCA

Sure.

ALICE

Sure.

BIANCA

What are you doing here? I told you to wait for me.

ALICE

I couldn’t. I got frightened. I thought you weren’t coming back.

BIANCA

I wouldn’t leave you in the desert.

ALICE

But something could have happened to you. And I couldn’t wait any more.

BIANCA

Where’s the Angel?

ALICE

She’s gone.

BIANCA

She died too.

ALICE

No, she got better. She helped a sick soldier. The one that shot her. The one with

the flower in his mouth. She helped him. He was dying, but she helped him.

103

BIANCA

You never stop, do you?

ALICE

No.

(beat)

Bianca?

BIANCA

What is it?

ALICE

I saw Dad.

BIANCA

Not now, Alice.

ALICE

But it’s true. I was talking to him.

BIANCA

I know. Your prenatal memories. But it doesn’t help me to hear them all the time.

ALICE

But it wasn’t a memory. It was really him. You were right. His voice is deep and

warm and comforting. I was really cold and his voice was like a blanket. We sat

together for a long time and I told him everything....I told him about you and

Rabbit and the Angel. He knew about the Angel because the message was from

him.

[Bianca studies the landscape. She looks

at Rabbit.]

BIANCA

Alice help me with this.

[They take the cage cover.]

Take this corner.

104

[Alice takes the corner and they cover Rabbit’s

cage. They look at the covered cage for a moment.

Alice takes the flower and places it on the ground in

front of the cage.]

BIANCA

That’s a beautiful flower.

ALICE

I know.

BIANCA

Where’d you get it?

ALICE

From the soldier...

[Silence.]

(singing softly)

Rabbit was a hero yeah, yeah

He helped us save an angel ooh, ooh

[Bianca puts her arm around Alice.]

It was to both of us.

BIANCA

What?

ALICE

Dad’s message. Here, see.

[She gives the message to Bianca.]

I know it’s in Angel talk, but Dad can read Angel and he read it for me. It said,

“Dear Bianca and Alice, I will always love you. And, uhm, we will have

wonderful conversations together....I am very proud that you are my daughters.

And wonderful things will happen to you....I don’t remember it exactly right.

105

[Bianca hands the message back to Alice. Alice

looks at it.]

ALICE(Cont’d)

See! That’s Dad’s signature.

BIANCA

Alice, it’s just scribble.

ALICE

But he signed it...Oh!

[She reaches into her pocket and pulls out the

handkerchief with the egg shells and hands it to

Bianca.]

Look.

[Bianca opens the handkerchief.]

Be careful.

BIANCA

They look like eggs shells.

ALICE

They are. I was playing a game called, “Taking Care of Humpty Dumpty’s

Broken Heart” with a White Queen who looked like Mom. I dropped my egg and

Dad came and helped me pick up the pieces. We didn’t have any glue, so I’ll have

to wait till we get home. He gave me his handkerchief to keep the pieces in.

BIANCA

Here.

[Alice takes the handkerchief from Bianca.]

ALICE

It was so cool. I saw Dad.

BIANCA

I wish I could see him.

106

ALICE

And you know what else?

[She looks toward the vest, then changes her mind.]

BIANCA

What?

ALICE

Nothing.

(pause)

Bianca?

BIANCA

What?

ALICE

Will you help me glue the pieces when we get home?

BIANCA

Sure.

ALICE

Sure.

[Alice folds the handkerchief and puts it in her

pocket. A soldier appears on the landscape. Bianca

sees him.]

BIANCA

(frightened whisper)

Don’t move.

[They stand frozen. Then Bianca slowly pulls Alice

behind the cage.]

He’ll go away in a minute.

ALICE

Who is it?

107

BIANCA

The military. They’re still looking for the Angel.

[Suddenly Alice jumps out from behind the cage.]

ALICE

You’re too late. We saved the Angel!

BIANCA

Alice.

ALICE

Leave us alone.

[The Soldier turns and faces Alice. Bianca comes

out from behind the cage and stands next to her.]

BIANCA

Now you’ve done it.

ALICE

Oh.

[The Soldier doesn’t move.]

That’s him.

BIANCA

Who?

ALICE

Dad.

BIANCA

Alice, Dad’s dead.

ALICE

No, look.

108

[Bianca looks carefully and cautiously approaches

the Soldier. They look at each other, then Bianca

embraces him for a moment. Alice watches as

Bianca and the soldier stand together upstage

talking. The image of Bianca and the Soldier

becomes a silhouette.

Alice picks up the vest and looks at it. She sits with

the vest in front of her. The Soldier walks off.

Bianca remains staring off.]

ALICE(Cont’d)

(calling)

Dad.

[She jumps up and runs to Bianca.]

BIANCA

He’s gone.

ALICE

No.

[She starts to run after him, but Bianca holds her.]

Bianca let me go. Dad! Come back. Bianca!

BIANCA

That’s not him.

ALICE

Yes it is. It is. Dad I don’t want this. What do I do with it?

[She holds up the vest. Gunfire.]

Come back, please. Bianca, let go. Dad. Wait. You need it, not me.

[Alice breaks free and runs off stage with the vest.]

BIANCA

Alice! No!

109

[Gunfire.Huge Explosion and Flash. Bianca freezes

in terror. Lights shift, the Angel appears(outside the

event of the moment-Bianca does not see her.)

ANGEL

Ya...ya ta....tak. I...Ya ta tak...I...shcleh son sa shu I swifound sheento slin. Sky.

Sky Shm missile I sof sof shoot shoot ta ta ra-tat-tat-rat-tat-tat sumppre paro

soo. Down down. I I I. Shoot down the Paro soo too too tombs. Shoot down too

too tombs. See soo. Tombs of men. Ra-tat-tat. Restricted. Simsay die air space die

for nothing. Ra-tat-tat. Men men men ra tat and their causes. Do do do...the thing.

Ya...the right cause. Hum sa sodo fushhh. Keep soft...soft babies safe. That a job.

Keep lofty...safe. That’s a job. Keep fees. Keep culture, keep barbecues, som

softball to slow, soccer to fast, Sunday sabbath sspoon happiness rat-tat-tat...rat-

tat-tat ta ta tak. Shuk kliss sintther sem soo sha made. Toon tow slip shinnnnee

tooo. Sa...Take aim...BOOM!

[The Angel disappears. Silence. Alice reenters with

the vest.]

BIANCA

(embracing Alice)

Oh my God. Oh my God.

[Alice pulls away.]

ALICE

He’s gone. There was an explosion and he was gone.

(beat)

Bianca, Dad’s dead.

[Alice sobs. Bianca embraces her.]

BIANCA

I know. It’s okay. It’s okay, Alice.

ALICE

They killed him.

BIANCA

I know, it’s okay....Shhhh....Dad’s been dead all your life. He died in the war.

110

[Bianca comforts her for a moment, then Alice pulls

away.]

ALICE

No. They killed him. They killed him, Bianca. And they killed Rabbit.

[Alice puts on the vest.]

BIANCA

What are you doing?

ALICE

He gave me this. I’m going to war.

BIANCA

What?

ALICE

I’m going to kill the enemy.

BIANCA

What are you talking about?

ALICE

I’m going to wear this and go kill the enemy.

BIANCA

Is that a bomb, Alice? Alice, that wasn’t Dad.

ALICE

Yes he was. I talked to him. You talked to him. He sacrificed his life for us.

BIANCA

I wouldn’t lie to you. I know ke looked like Dad. He was a soldier like Dad, but he

wasn’t him...Please take that thing off.

ALICE

No.

BIANCA

You’re not a suicide bomber.

111

[Alice struggles.]

BIANCA(Cont’d)

I wish he was still alive more then anything in the world. I wanted to believe he

was Dad, but he wasn’t.

ALICE

What about the Angel and the message?

BIANCA

I don’t know....It was a nice message, wasn’t it?

ALICE

Yeah.

BIANCA

Yeah...I want you around for a while. Mom and I need you. Not the war.

ALICE

I don’t believe you. That was my father. You just don’t want me to be a soldier

like him.

BIANCA

No. I don’t want you to die.

ALICE

I’m not afraid.

BIANCA

Listen to me....What’s that around your neck?

ALICE

Dad’s dog tags.

BIANCA

Didn’t that soldier have dog tags of his own.

ALICE

Yeah.

112

BIANCA

So whose dog tags are these?

[Silence.]

That wasn’t our father.

(pause)

Please take it off...

[Alice takes the vest off.]

BIANCA

Okay.

ALICE

Okay.

[Bianca sits on the ground.]

His voice was nice.

BIANCA

I know.

ALICE

Why’d you hug him?

BIANCA

I wanted to believe he was Dad.

[Silence]

ALICE

You know what Dad told me once?

BIANCA

No, what did he tell you?

ALICE

He said, “Dear Alice, I want you to be born so that you and Bianca can be sisters.

I just remembered that.

113

BIANCA

He said that?

ALICE

Yeah. And he said, I want you tell Bianca whenever she is sad that I love her.

[Bianca cries.]

BIANCA

Thank you, Alice.

[Silence.]

ALICE

Bell tricks...No, uhm...Bell tricks audio germs.

BIANCA

What?

ALICE

I can’t remember what Henri said.

BIANCA

Who’s Henri?

ALICE

Someone I met. He said that I was a girl warrior who dares to fight against men.

BIANCA

He said that?

ALICE

Uh huh. Bell tricks audio germs concord vermin. That’s how you say it in another

language.

BIANCA

What language is that?

ALICE

Philosophy.

114

BIANCA

Philosophy?

ALICE

Yeah. Henri is a philosopher and he speaks philosophy.

BIANCA

I see.

ALICE

And he’s also a gardener.

(mimicking Henri’s accent)

You can be both, you know?

BIANCA

Does he speak gardening, too?

ALICE

Uh, huh.

BIANCA

My little sister is so cool.

[Gunfire in the distance. An explosion lights the

sky behind them.]

ALICE

Bianca?

BIANCA

Yeah.

ALICE

When will the war be over?

BIANCA

I don’t know.

ALICE

I think it’ll be over when all the human beings kill each other, then the universe

will stop and we will turn into beautiful flower petals.

115

BIANCA

Flower petals?

ALICE

Yeah, but it won’t matter ‘cause nobody will be around to look at them.

[Silence.]

Bianca?

BIANCA

Hmm.

ALICE

Are we going home soon?

BIANCA

Very soon.

ALICE

I miss Mom.

BIANCA

Me too.

ALICE

Me too....We don’t know which way to go, do we?

BIANCA

No.

[Alice looks around.]

ALICE

I have an idea.

BIANCA

What’s that?

ALICE

What if we stand on that white line and stop beholding the desert.

116

BIANCA

What do you mean?

ALICE

Henri said the desert is in the eye of the beholder and if we stop beholding it, we

might find our way.

BIANCA

How do we do that?

ALICE

I don’t know.

[Alice sits defeated.]

Questions, questions, questions.

[Silence.]

BIANCA

Why don’t we try anyway.

ALICE

But how?

BIANCA

Let’s stand on the white line and try closing our eyes.

ALICE

That’s all. Just close our eyes.

BIANCA

I guess.

ALICE

Oh, we could picture not this place.

BIANCA

Yeah, we could try that.

117

ALICE

Okay.

BIANCA

Okay.

[The stand and walk to the white line.]

ALICE

Do you think Mom will be mad that we went to the war.

BIANCA

Maybe. But she’ll be happy to see us.

ALICE

She’ll be happy to see us.

BIANCA

Yeah.

ALICE

Yeah.

BIANCA

Ready. On the count of three close your eyes.

ALICE

And unbehold the desert.

BIANCA

And unbehold the desert.

[They close their eyes.]

ALICE/BIANCA

One, two, three...

[Intense concentration shows on their faces.

Flower petals fall from the sky on top of them.

The Angel appears.]

118

ANGEL

(whispers)

Ya...ya ta....tak. Shm sof sof ta ta sumppre. Slow sspron na ta ta tak. Kliss

sintther sem soo sha mod. Sa sa sa sa sempraaaa.

[ Lights fade on with a light lingering on the vest

left behind in the sand.

The End.]

119