Mother Hicks By Suzan L. Zeder ‘et Ove ‘The et consis ofa large open area on a gently raked sie. Downsiage {tere are two tal lephone pos with erin apd cables. Tee wire aten ingnaly upstage and comect with another mall poe. Thee is feeling of ‘chorus | ncluered vasness reaching loward a dieppearingherison, Opening musi is fo song ofthe Depression: an upbeat kind of song ‘ot oo city, mot too coun; that els the esion and tate oF he tine ose igh fae withthe music nd nding bells heard in he snes of the ‘darkness. A roey hued eclorama foods the sap ‘aos as end ove the acon fom sens oan. TUC pul he sage io | 8 spot cee sed spin abigh polo igh. The CHORUS oor Sehndtin UC sinter ro. en CHORUS pis A en | ‘CHORUS: a aerate a ee Scieeata ee SIcaAmasaractl Peennrinaiite pesos aoeFORUS members come format. peak afew clothing From the wagon and ext. TUC continues (A sine CHORUS member remains: comes forward and shares th edge sequent ransations of sign langucge wil be hndied this wy: the Iterpeer hares he light bt pve ees o ‘he sign Honus | eit Te dct Sra car pee tmp aes a toechesny tartan Cae ice ye throbbing elecrical hum plstesin the pierced bythe sil sound of wise Lights 109 ofthe eleplone pole) GIRL: A daria dare and done. Dare and dbl ar, o snes ove the fence a and (ech the quarter hat Ricky trew Ihre. Up and then dop down ino the cool wet gras ms.) stinging, singing sound cing tough them wires, ‘ad roud hem coils ane cables ike the elect wanted Be ot He lghing bls. 1's ve fac, that Ido dares of moral ange. ‘Tongs tat 0.0 esein town would dare 1, ode tel hey" done "on ‘dae ia dar and dane! * | GURL (evasive) Unt Ricky, you know how you alae wan | Your Mama woul’ et ou have a dog case id bbe Yea, IRL: Wel, 1 decide to set you my fogs. Yous made nen ess ‘GIRL: You should have subse Ricky, sear mroceteau eng RICKY: My quar, GIRL: Nope, my quarer,/ ICKY: foo yw osc, Wy cont a / GIRL: Case 1 need the money now! wefan RICKY: Your frogs?‘Tet shows how mach you know! This here's ie embroiery on ‘ee ‘ats: 1S. fine embroiery, by someone's own hand! ICICY: Le’ go see those fogs maybe I'l buy ‘em fra pena piece. 0. (GIRL enters arn he GIRL: 1 gots. Jaket, Now, Lol you, leet be in Ciro by tis 0 vil se you safely to the Wards. ‘GURL: Sidown, Jake JAKE: Ellen and Becca packed up all your things, ll hey cou in. OWL: Si downJAKE: No, Gir, This on ime you're wo going to get me bulfloed I've otto set ezing GIRL: No, you don't JAKE: Git, io you, GIRL: 1 oti for you, 1 got he mone, i JAKE: Whar GIRL: 1 been collecting bos at pean apiece; run groceries fr Mr. Eu, alle weeds fr Mi. Snipes, ands! some sf. [gt six das and fonytvee ces, (GIRL hands him the sock prowl, JAKE sts on a stump) ‘AXE: Gin that’s ral ine; and Ela and me, wt grateful, batt med abit more forthe mortage. JAKE: Hutt ‘OWRL: Tkimeam i. 1 kin get me area ob JAKE: I'sove. They took the farm and they'll it for back payments. 1 ‘any where cat work. ‘GIRL: Bob Ricks digs ditches on the county road, Ricky told me. JAKE: That'sa WPA jb. WPA san for“we die arund!” {woulde's take a handout fom those croks in Wathingtonifmy lle depend on, "Tere ae obs in Calo, el fobs (ORL: (Pleading) Take me with you, JAKE: ‘IRL: cou get jb in Caio. you Ellen ll he money JAKE: I wish we could tte you. Hel ke you tetera some of my own, ‘ids, But you'r notin and can‘ take responsiblity for another living, change hs mind. He hands her (There isa pawe. GIRL brows. back her money) ) 1 £0 used 0 your family, Jake SAKE: Hus now, GIRL: 1 never got used oanyhing before (UAKE pulls ou a plug of Red Man chewing tobacco, GIRL olds ow her hand jor some to.) {IAKE: Chewing tobacco ion bad habit you'll have to break, Ama Ward will ‘probably ave sea tack fist ie you spit. GIRL: (Suddenly angry) Ua’ going olive with no grave digger. JAKE: Monica. (IRL: He digs raves. do' he? JAKE: Al east, Hoh Ward will ever be out of work. GIRL: 1 won't goo the Wards. He smells ike chemical and she's gts face le somebody's foo, JAKE: Alma Ward ia nce woman and they can afford to give you good home. “GIRL: 1 won't go!‘JAKE: They're ony o's in town who'l take you, You ju abou used up everbody else. (IRL: 1 unaway. VU Wich mea rid to Caio and FN find ny people. JAKE: {old you, Gi we Comet: 1 mean my ral people! {AKCE: (He has heard his before) Oh, Gi. beter rl pt tired od ream and pat it away. Your people arcong gone. ornever were, (GIRL: (Very upset) That's you know hey gt ruck bigern yous: ay Maybe they gobs and as ich Jaket Maybe iy beter yours! JAKE: IF theyre sorich, how come hey never found you? GURL: “Cause rm bart nt (She tows the money hi ad rans of. He her JAKE: Youcume tack, (Ligh retro TUC asd CHORUS mentber. TUC gs) ‘CHORUS: cena kindof spel everywhere he homes andthe fame and thei pls. they seemed so ey Seed "hiding frm TUC. who busies Phoas as HOWE emers looking for GIRL, hind he HOWE: Ricky! You just abou adda ot RICKY: Sony. awn HOWE: Yous Git. myst’ eyesore. RICKY: Lthoweht you wer faving ty HOWE: That's wh runing? got Rey ck. Hoa go You remember tat sme you deed fon the electric fan while‘The dae was o touch hi, not to hart him. iat torts toward them 0s JAKE enters a a wr and pals them pars) ‘Now, Gil, you ae coming wih me tothe Wards, upd going 10 Caro and you cat ‘Wie'te going. f We're going to \122: Wel Jake Hammond | tought you and al those ds were ong gone to Ca, JAKE: We're tying ay, We're tying! "ZY: Well ood lck to you. JAKE: figure Ym due ae good ck, IZZY: 1 expet youre (YAKE mods and eis with GIRL, practice dragging er of) sient. A CHORUS member speaks for ph And these eres here. move them over there. Here to thet Understand? Comprendee) Cou (TUC nods. WILSON WALKER enters. just as hom s heard off sae. WILSON: (Fo CLOVIS) Excuse me, could you tell me fis plac is called Wire! ‘CLOVIS: This place is called Clovis P. Body's General Mercantile the town's Ware (torn honk ait.) (TUC continues 0 work, unaware $m collecting tes and legends and sois and sayings, that kindof thing, fora book shoot thi epon (TUC novices i and hands him card which Wilson reads) “My names UC. 1m deat and mute.” 1.‘WALSON: On, My God, 'm sony! (TUC wns the card over and hands i bac him. Wilson eas) “Please donot shout you speak slowly can read your ps = (Clovis emers) ‘CLOVIS: Leave him alone e's working. ‘WILSON: I'm ony it reais. CLOVIS: Whatdo you wae? WLSON: information CLOVIS: Figures: information’ fe. WILSON: My name is Wilson Walker and I'm from the Federal Writer's Propet (CLOVIS: From te government? WILSON: Soro, fore WILSOW can respond, GIRL bus ino the GIRL: Me. Eady, Me dy, tenon mal heey? CLOVIS: Sutin he bag “OMRLs Anything forme? CLOVIS: Youthink | gu X-ray eyes? ‘GURL: Hm expecting a ‘romised wo send CLOVIS: Git, you ten the fst of that dir farmer ta his family. Now. the “20. Wards is nie people and you've gota good home. GIRL: than’ my home! CLOVIS: Wed, you 30 along thre anyway, GIRL: team's CLOVIS: Why not (GIRL: They semi meor groceries! Here's he ist from the sti house! ctovs: Gi. GIRL: And one mor thing tis shoud be on (CLOVIS: Gi. Lean ce you chewing obo (CLOVIS touches TUC and hands hs wisow) Gm: Hy WILSON: ¥ GIRL: You're new around here. WILSON: Jus passing hough GIRL: Youchew? WILSON: He? GIRL: (Meaning tobarco) "suppose you chew, do you? WILSON: Oh yeah, sr... Havea stk of Wriggeys (QVILSON hands her atic of gm, she taker bat is obviously isappoined ) ‘GIRL: Thanks. What's your name? ‘WILSON: watson Water. 2GIRL: Twolast names? That's dumb. WILSON: (Amused by her) Oh yeah? Whats yours) sae, you know, ik hese inital hereon his Cherokee Tm practall ce quarers Cherokee WILSON: Sofow’d you get over ere to lois, Cherokee? ORL; Inatmunk WILSON: A eunk? COIRL: My people was Vaedevie and they was always having babes in trunks ad, WILSON: | ought you sid hey were Cherokee Indian GIRL: They was Cherokee vandevile. ‘On... 50, whee iseverytoy today. o ite town usally tis IRL: They're ll tthe funeral. Zolli Phelps ot himelf witches WILSON: Witcea? ORL: Tats what everybody says WILSON: Loos tke came the right pace. ‘IRL: 0 yeah. WILSON: {hunt witches (OMRL: 9, yeah WILSON: Yep, 1 gure I've hunted down ften, maybe twenty witches ‘between Canhage and Karak. GIRL: What do you use to hun them with? Cross ‘ibe? let, holy wate, WILSON: {wap ‘em herein this noebook and hold “rm Ugh in these pages, so people can rea about em forever GIRL: You lk tite oo, WILSON: 1m with be WPA (IRL: WPA? 1 wouldn't tke a handout fom those cxooks in Washingtonit iny We depended on \WELSON: Handout? This (wmsoN ae CLOVIS: Hey Gin GIRL: He wrote! new he would! RICKY: Aftemoon, Mit. Evy, is my Mahee yet I'm supposed io meet het ‘ere altr the Fer ‘CLOVIS: Shee along. 1 expect he’ just geting fo the Amens and Halle. (CLOVIS ens hs back 10 RICKY who seal licorice whip, CLOVIS urs justin tne tse hr.) erousenieyorpran irom pe?RICKY: (GIRL: Neihes RICKY: (Teasing) They make you seep in coffin? (OML: Shut wp. Ricky. RICKY: Youever sco any.. bodies? (GIRL: 1m waming you, (RICKY bows it again just ras her) Hey. Ricky, how aboot i ome ove at your house fora while? RICKY: You give me bck my quar? ‘RL: Yeah. (GIRL tosses him he quarer RICKY test} RICKY: Youkin sleep with he baby. She don't do nothing but ery and make (GIRL: Ric, going to bust you one if you don't CLOVIS: How was the funeral? (GIRL ps and nfs herself) IZZY: Poor old Zale, he sure di wtchvork, Clovis, wich wor don't know... dead, IwasCLOVIS: You think? IZZY: Lino? Las ime he came o town, Zolli cursed he or making is ‘ows go dry. Fro that sy on, he was a deed man COIRL: Zotie Phelps wat a drunk ZY: You watch your mouth Gis, He was my cousin GIRL: Jake Hammond always sid, witches was bunk, 1Z2Y: Well ake Harmon it’s evening, yun ly. Tes in his town would make ight of wiches, atin witch weather, {IZZY When cold ike tis ong pst ine fr summer; when the thunder ouds rollin andthe hal comes Ike frozen pcces fighting. ten i's Mother Hicks, up o her old cs. CLOVIS: Witcher you sy. ter look upon Dug Hl. You won't find er down herein WILSON: People say this Mother Hicks i wit % “VILSON: People say she used to boa midwife ZY: Until she stopped binhing babies and started witching them, ‘CLOVIS: Babes go sek IZZY: Babies ica! ‘CLOVIS: People sy she used to have acid herself once. ZY: A ite gil, ba ‘GIRL: Gawt (RICKY ana G1 IE2V: (Tweoking RICK'S car.) Now, don't hese lite pitchers have the ages cas? RICKY: Cutout Ma ‘CLOVIS: Mother Hicks wiched him, when se came co nurse him though the fever. a.(A hooded figure witha waiting sick slowly approaches the STORE. The er, wrapped up in TZ2YS try dono 122: Fest she nursed him, then se witbed him. When ry, she touched his throat and caught ta ry: en {be evil eye and sucked wp his sounds ino sence Ma sli (OWRL: Moter Hicks IS a wich AESOP 4p. stared. is and bands Hi shells. IZZY and RICKY tr [GL efgend om cons. NUSON cone fi hands fr afall, (Tran ott he UZ2Y grabs harm) {W2Y: Then you gop Dug Hil allby yourself. Don't you see, she's down are because he funeral. Ste mt have smelled Ill he way wp wich (When TUC fishes he touches GIRL whois tated and yell) ‘om: Atm (They al jong) ‘GIRL: You just made me jump io Jesust ‘CLOVIS: Your orders eady. Gif. You tke the sk and I'l sind TUC along Tater with the heavy things. Now go siright home! (CLOWS exis WILSON: How do getto Dug Hal? “find her. unless she wants be ound. Ceme on, Ricky. Wilson. ing) Wale. Waker. ..Wison...whaewer! Goodbye. WILSON: Thank yoo, you've been mos helpful (WILSON sorts ou GIRL a ene of is notebooks) “GIRL: Wait WALSON: Whar? (GtRL makes decision 1 hap the book and ides it) “GIRL: Ui, p00 luck, Two Names. WILSON: Solong Cherkes! (WILSON ests. GIRL son out) ‘RICKY: Hey, Gil Liow the dre of dares, he dare of dares! ‘ORL: Whee? [RICKY Go othe graveyad ne fnight and loch Mother Hicks if she comes. 2.(GIRL: Shut wp, Ricky! RICKY: Dare and double dare? (He spon his nd. Pause) GIRL: Dare and Goble dare! (She spits om her hand and they shake. They ei) ‘ALMA: Just five more mints, Hosah. I'm sue seb slong. HHOSIAI: I've got be therefor the memorial serve by 6:5 nally. Gt 1 was geting word GURL: (Heading sraigh forthe table) On, good! Sapper’ ready I'm starved! (ALIA takes the pacage fom her.) Sorry about the package it got lie nipped up en the baitywite over to the quam, 0 (ALMA ext in stage) chen wih the groceries, she leaves the package o HOSIAH: Do you have any idea what ine tie? ORL: (Ste does’) Une HOSIAK: t's 608 om: LOSIAHE: tn his house dimer is servedenat GIRL: Way? HOSIAH: Because thas dane time. GIRL: Jake's, dinner was whenever Jou got the gra, (ALIA enters with pte of fod.) [ALMA Do you want to change for supe’? ‘GURL: Change what? ‘ALMA: (A bitamused.) Never mind. You can wash up inthe kitchen (GIRL: Don't need to. 1 been swimming ove to the quar. 10 ALMA.) Remember that memorial service. Alma. year getaane io Rs Thais HOSiANALisabuiacs MRT,‘obit ewe SIppORT TTT erpepledecompose wherever they (ALMA enters with biscuits nd hears this.) Abie Thatedpuing, Aesth ascii. fad wth ering fork) ALMA: (Heading of am argument.) Shall we say ablesing? (ALL toh bonds, exept GIRL whe reaches over HOSIAN'S hand to hs wns. They bow heads) HOSIAH: Bless ws, Oh Lord (GIR. stars for food again) Which we ae about io receive trough Thy mercy. RRL: Now? (GIRL: (Talking with her moh ll) Wheat bow 2. [HOSIAK: DON'T TALK WITH YOUR MOUTH FULL, 2. GIRL spi her ood i he hand ad finishes her HOSIAH: Notat any tine and earing up he pot ‘wah had (GIRL pushes nay from the able ad pout) ALMA: Can give youanoter biscuit, Git? GIRL: No, (To break the tension ALMA honds GIRL the packare ) ALMA: 1 was going to wai unl lter supper, ul you might as welt nave ts COMRL: Tas package was forme?[ALMA Ifyou going othe big school yout have 0 hae a proper name ‘ORL: Wy ae you awayo ying to changes? ‘ALMA: saying a change you. (Cte ses side ‘GIRL: | We my old things beter. HOSIAE: (To GIRL) Pick it wp, ALMA: (Fctng op the dress herself) just wast you tobe comfortable ee. IRL: How can be comt Time. Hel ikea bird OSTA: Young Lady that it enought ALMA: Its aight, Hosiah HOSIAH: [tino slright! She comes into ourhouse lite a tomado and sc ike abooigan when you are js trying tg her someting. ALMA: It wll work, we just have toe patent, HOSIAH: Weare just to old tobe stating wgain wih cise, (ALAA nurs away tng by his remark.) ALMA: Joan ty HHOSIAH: give it another week, but then she goes ALMA: There's no where else for er po. HOSIAH: The’sthe Ste Home ALMA: Not while HOSIAE: The Stale Home i whee that hd belongs. ALMA: Not ve beat (igh change and TUC steps aot. CHORUS member speaks.) 35‘Bu ten Tei ike a match, Mare up inside he eyes, sme these knew me forever. And then her ees go dep a well {ip wi atid of sadnessDay One, Moots. (GIRL reals from he notebook.) ‘CHORUS: Early ene morning jst before dawn up my ca and come down the fong road [fir the various ics and pr throug business. TUC signs. CHORUS member speaks) 2 20.GIRL: (GIRL pours the water ver her head again in the rit ‘Toke wayeof withers (ALMA erossest0 CLOVIS) ALMA: When [woke the Git this moring, se was buming up with fever her Tir wasll wot and she was cold and clammy. (CLOVIS: Whatdoes Doe Gunnersay? ALMA: He's fai it's pneumonia, CLOVIS; Pucasiver bulletin a bog and te it round her nec, ALMA: Whatever for? CLOVIS: To protect her from witches. ALMA: Doe Gunner says t's poeamonia he aaerng [chorus (For TUC) Day Five, itay fo CLOVIS. A aso be Mother Hicks, Cloris. We've all ben hexed by Mother 2: bai SE ering ese A. ce OSTA) lcHonUS: (For 11) Day Six, Suara AL CL ge i nd ae pn Ltn! ost Bun Der Gomera iaL AE 4ALMA: She's delious! This momiag sh woke up teaming someting stout ritehraf AL in at aco ae i oe i J CHORUS: (For TUC) Day Seven the second Sabbath (GIRL is eremely il as she bnels bythe stream and forces herself through be vial. Throughout the ner felines, TUC sigs the mabers 117. one ler another, athe scene buds in ieasiy) om: aweas that do give veryting. ZY" W'sawitchbalt ‘GIRL: Evening, FOSIAH: 1 go these headaches! ‘GIRL: Everything ALMA: It's pneumonia ‘IRL: Everything! ‘CLOVIS: They all dest om Everything betwixt my wo hands ‘Toihe waysotwitcherah (Chang bts a crescendo.) ‘And swear t do anything “The with power ask of me! ALMA: (Voice rising above the others) THIS HAS GOT TO STOPI (Silence. GIRL picks up the notebook and reads, he i ames 10 Uo see the words) arr: “Take aru aie ‘Ardea th ead of ving sing ‘Where the ood falls ‘The Devil vill appear ‘And welcome you 2s. wich.” (She 1s exhassed. She wraps he arms around her legs and lds herseif together) But don’t want fo be that Rnd of with, the kindof wich (She spies lower growing nearby) ‘Aflower is ativing thing! (She pluck: the lower and holds it in fon of eras she brondlishes the Ife abow her head) {swear thao give Everything btw my evo hands ‘Tothe wajsof witcher. ‘And swerto do anything. (Serine essing do. mses eleadesh erions wound nd blood flows down her eg. She in shock) GIRL: leat mse .tod! cut myset..BAD! (CTUC uses rom the shadows where he has been wotckng her. She sees ‘im and sear. She faints, he catches her and ifs hr wp in hs arms “Tut as heturs upstage, a spot comes np onthe shrouded figure from the Iraveyard MOTHER HICKS holds her arms ou a5 TUC rns tomerd fer. BLACKOUT) End of ActMOTHER HICK'S cabin on Du Hil Wit the addition of poles and canvas panes, TUC'S wagon istansformed ‘ito the cabin. All around are ceramic pots, bask, jugs and sal cages. Atop ‘one ofthe pokes isa wren ros. The ae iby fii fom alge permanent campfie an seer Kerosene lamps ‘smoking cauldon hans above the campie ping a silent (GIRL. srs ond moans ond begins to cough deeply, TUC rises and fetches IER HICKS from be cabin. MOTHER HICKS: Dug Hi. ‘IRL: Tknow who yowae! You're... MOTHER HICKS: (Cutting her of) Drink! ‘MOTHER HICKS: Drink to yout seange on your own fe, (MOTHER HICKS mates a sharp sign to TUC; together they make GIRL ‘tink the brew. MOTHER HICKS sok GIRL'S tron the way she might lp ‘an injured animal to swallow ) IRE: Whetisie? [MOTHER HICKS: Brew of saley bask, pokeweed, and salesnake ya, ‘GIRL: Tastes tei MOTHER HICKS: Bet loosens the Bankes) GIRL: Tie ait ny sir 1 sels fo. [MOTHER HICKS: Greased i god with hog fat nd nutmeg. ORL: Why? MOTHER HICKS: Reasons. fire and reaches iio @ all [MOTHER HICKS: Hot yellow mad and vinepar.to draw the poison, (MOTHER HICKS sapsGIRL: Owwwwnnt MOTHER HICKS: Hesh up. you're ot har. You're oth ak you? (Porte fist tne GIRL realizes tht she i ‘ott: Some, MOTHER HICKS: I can't sop the festering, have tocuitot. GIRL: The mos? MOTHER HICKS: The eg, GRRL: Wo! (GIRL srgates again. MOTHER HICKS sens to TUC hold her) [MOTHER HICKS: Now gee down and eth poultice dey. have to te you down if you don't (GIRL sos srmeting and TUC ond MOTHER HICKS wrap her up in the ‘blankets. MOTHER HICKS rises and checks the sky. Aa she speak UC she sens) ‘Well leave her out ee while the wenher olds: insie mes lite skunk, CTRL: What re you going 1. wih me? MOTHER HICKS: (Witha crated grin.) Git! am doing with you now. HICKS esis im the cabin. GIRL inks back down, ch, Lights dim) tuck. Thee it 0 el 46. (GIRL woke and sts up. MOTHER H fad fis he chine, she passes the inside the box. MOTHER HICKS returns MOTHER HICKS: Tee ft (OTHER HICKS fn hee to and ets her atetion tothe em off, Clip ‘em clean! Swipes her hands they MOTHER HICKS: Rabbis ao"never heard rabbit make sch sound before, AR HICKS: They oaty do when hey’te moral the fever GIRL pulls away) v's broke. Gd, But ge bark 1 bed before down and hands her the quilt pce ncked wer her ‘Sheis very pleased tse It) (MOTHER HICKS: Gove sept (GIRL goes back seep light di.) eanse) [None ofthat splashing, you hea? [MOTHER KICKS: You call me nothing?” (IRL: 1 id’ ee noting [MOTHER HICKS: And if es was food, tere“ be no hanger in the world! “6(MOTHER HICKS ifs om another ance and wings soapy water out of ww ‘GIRL: {know what our doing! MOTHER HICKS: Wha? ‘ORL: You're mikiegacow by mage! (MOTHER HICKS pours a asin of soapy water ina buck.) [MOTHER HICKS: (Graf) Tie hess unde! I save the omy water for my yrs! GIRL: On. As neney Team el. inns oe to MOTHER HICKS ond travel takesan aril ond 1 can ae hese lane pives and ue “em to wring the wate ou... These istaby cles MOTHER HICKS: They is ‘GIRL: Thee wa al kinds of babies ovr a aes. J Stay, and wd toove to play with ‘em. lumped wp ke doogh before is baked: sf (She works ashe peas “Tis sure is ie nen, Lean se ight hough it [MOTHER HICKS: Youbecarefl, mind? ‘at happened od ge? MOTHER HCKS: Gone, taken with he reat GIRL: Gone wher? MOTHER HICKS: Jost gone! (GIRL: Takeaby who? Where was she taken? MOTHER HICKS: This here foo Gm: ae svaytld met woe sco lah tim ju ec he's alfticted. nae MOTHER HICKS: He old mea ride, IRL: What {MOTHER HICKS: He just make it up. (GIRL: Whar si*k f | orien wexs: (Ar 7 sgn) Te ober bal |” - (They both laugh, GIRL. is mystified ) Com: Het yout omUER DCKS: He Go: tow (MOTHER HICKS: With bem ar pictures. {), ura: You mean, at hat fingering around means things? TR] nora rOCKS: (ign as she speks) They tached him hat over othe Ste School where he lard top lk. After he eft the schoo. GIRL: Whats he doing 06? (MOTHER HICKS: He's waking 0 you. (RL: Tome? MOTHER HICKS: He's uyig ol you something, bt you're 10 ignorant to ndereand a GIRL: On[MOTHER HICKS: te sppess tha vay (GIRL: What's be saying? MOTHER HICKS: 1aleady ld you that once! You gol the memery ofa pss (MRL: (Understands) OU femonnen [ervc sens“) MOTHER HICKS: Look, Lea's round he jaw jacking wit you two. 1 got work tod, GIRL: (Curiosity peaked) Ae yougsing todo. ..scret hings? FHER HICKS: Ifyou want make youself some use you can its and se if you can ind thee names, could remember ying there and all YU Se this biol mi npple coming towards you and WHAM. suppe! (She squirts the est of the ilk im her mm mouth) Sometimes an remember bck tat far, rely can (She puts the buy back in the box) "can js barely see haircolor hair and ey colored eyes. (GURL turns directly © TUC) S| Femi eg YouPorn oa [res sp Beet F fercae ys")(GIRL notees TUC staring ther) (MOTHER HICKS does no respond) “Teach me scr things? [MOTHER HICKS: Don't know any sere ings. CMR: Some peopl cal space witch mountain MOTHER HICKS: Some pope ae soi CTRL: wanto show you something something spec (GIRL fetches her ail pec and holds tout to ht. MOTHER HICKS focuses on her tik) ave you ever seen his pec before? MOTHER HICKS: Yep. ‘GIRL: Youbave? MOTHER HICKS: When you fist cme pracy fad 0 By tout of your hand. $6 {GTRL: I mean tor tat, have you ever seen this be MOTHER HICKS: (Uncomfortable) | don't knw, maybe maybe no. * [Bese ree ony = Comesoo. ‘Watch het cst ant seremening mach i laborte; st(TUC does the sign for “tanh” GIRL doesnot understand. so he sves her Pints it geste.) Di (He coninues wih diferent hints wn GIRL gueses correct) Din, roan, ol ert (UC repeats “other Mics” ond earth") Mother Hicks. arth (TOC mods and signs “and*) And. (TOC nods and signs “ar Wind, blow, all over, ABR? (ETUC nods and repeat ee signs) Mother Hick... earthand at (UC nods an sens “and nds (TUC signs “ire™ ond pons campfire.) ‘OL: FRE! ye (OM: And (CTU signs “water” ond gesies) Water 10 copy but es 10 40 100 (UC signs “oni nea (UC signs “blood.” GIRL finally guessesit) Out bod! (1UC signs “amd") (1UC signs “ears: check) teardown his check and then down GIRLS Tear (TUC and GIRL repeat the whol sequence. as they do, the words and signs take on meaning ond deep sgncance for he.) (GIRL: Mother Hicks 1S eath, and ir, and re, and wate, and blood, and ers, Mother Hicks i (TUC signs “everhing” GIRL does 01 wndersiand unt he makes ‘nore sweeping pestire}) Evening (TUC signs "yes" os he lights din) (Panse) (A spot comes up on TUC ashe moves ino Wand signs. A CHORUS ‘member enters and peaks) 0.(ALMA joins CLOVIS: (To TUC) | gota week's won of stock piled up, gt wid it, Boy! (Lights upon 22Y and ALMA) {22Y: So, where's Hosiah off tin ALMA: He's going Caio, he igus that’s where Git went looking fr the Hammons. IZZY: The whol tie she was wit those kids rn wl Juste her an wild tal (H4OSIAL emers, ALMA rashes him.) Did you find er? ALMA: Not hard enought (LCs tect and LOU cesses thi sep him) SLU tor boyy Whete do youshink you gone? Bie wiensiascnatis) Dow tans amestn sou gen tne, ‘6c Spee Cf REIN REAP OPO MSI'S sop pocket of toes Gore Bos? _saveparerenet[MOTHER HICKS: He's jus go the jumps, (To TUC)|Now come ad eat, you part black beans. Now, sit an GIRL'Statr We hea the sound of ree tods) sand grabs GIRLS Blanket and rans ‘GRRL: What's going on? MOTHER HICKS: 1 don't now, but sim find oat! (MOTHER HICKS crosses 10 GIRL and holds ow her hand for the rbacco. GIRL give 10 her.) GIRL: And afer? What happens afr they's well? ByoTucy MOTHER HICKS: Now you ring back that bing 50 his ide chicken cn [MOTHER HICKS: Sooner or ltr hey do they al do, (1UC eners with Blanks end ersse back int the cabin) MOTHER HICKS: Why? (GIRL: | ena fe ike I'm ie diny worm, al wrapped up MOTHER HICKS: Wellin golng tobe expecting no bates at break, Clemeretha shang MOTHER HICKS Aro wHar Soyoil your doing vith that? ap me uptight i them blankets, ike when fst came hee? MOTHER HICKS: Who'sthere? CLOVIS: Soitis you, andy (TUC sees CLOVIS and shoot the shotgun rans) thea. CLOVIS rns and MOTHER HICKS: Toc, you damned fot! (TUC stars to run fer Kin an she snatches the gun avay. TUC follows cows.) “Tee tat no wet (Ls im and come my irmetiny ote en, CLOMS enters ing over and ove. HOSIAH and we only use it for emergencies CLOVIS: Thisisanemergeney. Hound her 1 found the Gi ALMA: Where? CLOVIS: Up oa Dug Hl ALMA: [am calling the State Pie. HOSIAH: Them sate woopers dn’ take too kindly to wich soe or 10 wespasing! CLOVIS: Trespasing? We are talking shout Kdnopping. |ZZY: We ae talking abou wtcheraf, Covi. (CLOVIS ses ino a poo of gh. He leo har apone receiver $5‘CLOVIS: And hen se sai to Hosish nd me You can sit around het jaw Jacking, bt I'm going up tha hil.” ‘eong up there oigh? ALMA: And don‘ ou dr ty top me, Hosah Word! (HHOSIAH turns around) LHOSIAH: How do we now she wat taken up there? How do we know she ‘i's 30. ALMA: We won't unless ve go up that il (ALMA and HOSIAH wen heb backs) crows hesated she sid. ALMA: (Turning ont) Clovis, Ldotive you're seared. {ZLY: (Into the phone.) And miss everthing? (Lighs ou on CLOVS and IZZY, There i tension berween ALMA and Mostar) |ALMA: You dont wat eto come back. do you? 6. fat the phone ten abe ake me show her he way. When HOSIAH: 08, Alma ALMA: Do you? Not e's jst going to eave again, | dont want he to hat you He nods) HOSIAH: 1'U need my climbing boot ‘ALMA: Beter bring min fo... And Hos (He nods and exis a lights chonge back pone pale MOTHER HICKS paces. THC enero of th and signing wildly.) * But they ain got no case, they ain't ot noi, (GIRL woke and st 4p) GIRL: (Alarmed) What's going oo? MOTHER HICKS: (To UC) And they've got gens? Damned fos! eo(MOTHER HICKS: Toe says some folks frm own is on heir way up here he say they're ied and they gt guns. ‘GIRL: Ba why? |MOTHER HICKS: Something todo with you. ‘GIRL: Lete wich ‘em. Allof'em. Lets you an witch ‘em al (MOTHER HICKS: What you say? COIRL: Leth them a spel ot the roa sie and lel em slide al be MOTHER HICKS: (Tans on her) Don't you EVER call me that! SRL: Why no MOTHER HICKS: Don’t youever say thal tome agai, st (She urs nay from GIRL.) ‘GARL: (Simply) Itnow tha | am your cil. MOTHER HICKS: My chil was (GIRL shoves the piece into her hands. MOTHER HICKS loks other ewarely) MOTHER HICKS: 1 stands for Home. ORL: Wha? [MOTHER HICKS: Minis Sute Home. (Tere a pane) 1 see this pice before. | wrapped you init safer you was bom. You Moe eame hee fom the Sat Home, cared and al love hcl moe ‘hana child herself. helped her with the bathing. ORL: (In disbetep “MOTHER HICKS: She stayed a spel, but hen one day se anand ook you wither. She most hve lef Yu inthe tomm on er way to somewhere hse, ‘GIRL: And so am,[MOTHER HICKS: The onan chit o nop chi (ORL: That's wot te (MOTHER HICKS: Yes iis, Lite Rabbi. GIRL: Witches is powerful, ches can make igs happen, witches is never aio ty pom Lom orc ms (MOTHER HICKS: Tam nt witch! COIRL: Then what ae you? [MOTHER HICKS: I'm just et over pen (TIC emers wih an empy box of shogin sels) COIRL: Tats wo te! MOTHER HICKS: (Fo TUC) lew sway te sells, was atid someone Twoul geht (To GIRL) Now ey are coming fr you and youl 0 ack to tow with hem, because hats where you Belong! mL: Ko {GIRL run io the darkest, TUC starts cer her. MOTHER HI grab the gun from hi) rocker ards with (CLOVIS, ALMA, NOSIAH, ZZ end RICKY enter clothing flashlights) 1, ALMA: Oh my God, Hoiah tee tit (MOTHER HICKS stands ot her doorway holding the shot g forms) MOTHER HICKS: Stop sight there, One mow step and you'e on private propery ciows: ‘Unto 7 our pardon, Miz Hicks. MOTHER HICKS: You got exsclly thee seconds to ge you basis down is il |ALMA: We verstnd tat you'r holding a chld here agaist er wil. MOTHER HICKS: Thats a0 concem of mine ‘CLOVIS: We just want to loo around. MOTHER HICKS: You gota warant? Pease need see for mysel Alma She'll wich you! ‘You never change, do you? What id I ever do [MOTHER HICKS: (Shouing) Be quiet CLOVIS: Can’ stand to hear he word of God? MOTHER HICKS: Prayer sed dat way i blasphemy! ZY: You ery blasphemy after wicing our cilren?MOTHER HICKS: I never hart CLOVIS: But hey died, you toched hose abies and ey diet. ALMA We js wn the Gi. [MOTHER HICKS: She's not ere! ALMA: Let me look, Please, care forher, CLOVIS: We don't want any woube. [MOTHER HICKS: (Afier long momen!) Then ok, btjustone. T won't have all of you taming trough my use. MOTHER HICKS: Then get off my propery! (HOSIAM sats) tent. HOSIAH als and tn. She faces hoe Note one withthe gu, (ALMA sits, and HOSIAM pul ALMA: Who hen? MOTHER HICKS: Te ei RICKY: MAMAT 1Z2Y; Lord 0, Hoctild of mie ‘Dare and double dar. 5 (022 ond RICKY bolt nd oh) Ricky: set find te Gis, you goa smear you'll er Ha isMOTHER HICKS: TWO! CLOVIS: We don't want any woule. MOTHER HICKS: THREE! (cLowis exis) HOSIAH: Come oa, Alma MOTHER HICKS: FOUR! ALMA: Fllbe ght thee (HOSIAM aps side bt remains in shadows.) (MOTHER HICKS: FIVE. ALMA: She wasill. She had preumona (MOTHER HICKS: Not anymore. ALMA: (Reid) Se was here! When did se leave? (MOTHER HICKS: Not long go. ALMA: Where MOTHER HICKS: 1 don't snow. ‘ALM: Hse comes bac, you sr er. . please el her want ero come wk, [MOTHER HICKS: 1know...20, 80 “potigh A CHORUS MEMBER inerpr £ now, ease Ive looked everywhere ‘And Tm sed 1 shadows, but he's not there ‘Wy ai you rai? \ eet ms Naesk ow island iy fr ou. Las das se aya werpean oben ag gb or a your bothers and Sisters, for Ea. OWI: Come on (GIRL: What are you doing HOWEE: ive here. MRL: Here? All of you? a6 JAKE: Git (GIRL rant Wand hugs hi hard, He barely responds) GIRL: Tnew dod you. just knew it JAKE: (To GIRL) Yous ei: you lok ie gat tyne tae JAKE: Howie eit we cin: (Sy tm (Aste wns vay nse: G Gone? Gone where? Linx: Ditfere places, ‘OmRL: ita?(IRL: What about the WPA?‘CHORUS: Tas just before midnight 1 vas passing the praveyard (On my way home, ont the ground. Shei cuddly aware of GIRL and (MRL: {was aad you woul’ be here MOTHER HICKS: (Without loting at hr) 1 dit come looking for you. 1 ad athe reasons. SRL: 1m sory for what sa 0 yo. sponte rom MOTHER HICKS.) ected ito be ae from MOTHER HICKS.) (OTHER HICKS ios other.) She'sthere ant she? What washer name? MOTHER HICKS: May-y. GIRL: Mary MOTHER HICK: Mary and itn Mare. 1s ayy. GURL: Maye (There isa pause) sony Iran away. MOTHER HICKS: They always go when they’ healed. GIRL: Aname. Ineeda name. So, 1 wonder could have her name? Could belay? [MOTHER HICKS: That's her name, ain't yours (OURL: Ra wih it wereMOTHER HICKS: Sepp) Web, oa can wih nos tan od pin te ‘CHORUS | ‘Mother Hicks i wich people say ‘And he Hives ll alone ate top of Dog Hl ‘And she works her magic onthe town below. ‘Wen child fate sce ENDOF PLAY oe