THE HERO TWINS: BLOOD RACE

__________________________

A Play for Young Audiences

By Ramón Esquivel

November 17, 2018

Contact:
[email protected]
(206) 661-6681

(c) 2016 Ramón Esquivel

 ii.

CHARACTERS

The Middleworld
MOTH - 16-18, female, Cricket's twin, a Freed person
CRICKET - 16-18, male, Moth's twin, a Freed person
IGUANA - 30-50s, female, the High Priest, a Privileged person
JAGUAR - 20-30s, male, the King, a Privileged person
GECKO - 20-40s, gender neutral, a priest, a Privileged person

HAMMER - A brash yet optimistic hammer

CHISEL - A graceful yet pessimistic chisel
WARRIOR 1 and WARRIOR 2 - voices only (can be recorded)

The Underworld and the Overworld

AQILI - Spirit of Wind ("ah-KEE-lee")
MAQAB - Spirit of Water ("mah-KAB")
The RAZOR WARRIOR - Guardian of the Stone Cavern

SETTINGS

The Middleworld
- A CAVE outside a village of the Freed tribe
- TEMPLE of the Blood Steps in the capital of the Privileged tribe

The Underworld
- ENTRANCE to the Underworld / Bottom of the Blood Steps
- STONE CAVERN
- ICE CAVERN
- FIRE CAVERN
- VICTOR'S CHAMBER

The Overworld
- HOUSE

SCRIPT NOTE

For overlapping text, dialogue with // indicates where the next line
should begin. Text in [brackets] are to clarify intention of the
line, and should not be spoken aloud by the performer.
 iii.

CASTING

The play is designed for four, five, or six performers:

Four-Person Cast
* Performer 1 plays MOTH and also voices HAMMER and CHISEL
* Performer 2 plays CRICKET and AQILI
* Performer 3 plays IGUANA, MAQAB
* Performer 4 plays JAGUAR, GECKO, and the RAZOR WARRIOR

Five-Person Cast
* Performer 1 plays MOTH and also voices HAMMER and CHISEL
* Performer 2 plays CRICKET and AQILI
* Performer 3 plays IGUANA
* Performer 4 plays JAGUAR
* Performer 5 plays GECKO, MAQAB, and the RAZOR WARRIOR

Six-Person Cast
* Performer 1 plays MOTH and also voices HAMMER and CHISEL
* Performer 2 plays CRICKET and AQILI
* Performer 3 plays IGUANA
* Performer 4 plays JAGUAR
* Performer 5 plays GECKO and RAZOR WARRIOR
* Performer 6 plays MAQAB

INSPIRATION FOR THE PLAY

This is an original story imagined by the playwright. It does not

represent any specific Mesoamerican mythology, and it would be
misleading to promote the play as such. That said, the world of the
play is inspired by the politics and culture of Classic Mayan
society, and influenced by Mayan mythology recorded in the Popol Vuh.

Also, the Hero Twins of this play, Moth and Cricket, are homages to
two pairs of Hero Twins in indigenous mythologies: Hunahpu and
Xbalanque (Maya), who outsmarted the Lords of Death in the underworld
of Xibalba; and also Nayainazgana and Tobadzaschaina (Navajo), who
rid the world of evil monsters.

NOTE ON SET DESIGN

THE HERO TWINS: BLOOD RACE should feature the performers playing
Cricket and Moth. It was written with parkour, capoeira, freerunning,
gymnastics, and other martial, dance, and movement arts in mind.
 (An old storyteller, GECKO, enters)

GECKO
Have you heard stories about the Hero Twins? The Maya people
tell the story of the Hero Twins who defeated the Lords of
Death in a sacred ball game. The Navajo people tell the story
of the Hero Twins who fought evil monsters and beasts. But
have you heard the story of the Hero Twins who turned the
circle of the world upside down?

(Light up on MOTH, age 16, in a

Cave. She is chiseling a stone
training course that is obscured in
dim light. Also visible are a
curtain made of vines and leaves)

GECKO (CONT’D)
This story of the Hero Twins begins in a cave, a long time
ago, or maybe not so long ago.

(Gecko exits. Moth inspects the

course with her hammer and chisel)

MOTH
It’s finished. And it looks good, fit for a champion runner.
What do you think, Hammer?

(Moth pounds course with HAMMER.

She voices and moves Hammer and
Chisel like puppets)

HAMMER
Strong. Made for a warrior. What do you think, Chisel?

(Moth taps course with Chisel)

CHISEL
Beautiful. Made by an artist. What do you think, Moth?

MOTH
Smells good. Tastes good, too. Now for Cricket to test it. I
just hope he’s careful.

HAMMER
Cricket?
 2.

CHISEL
Careful?

(Hammer and Chisel both laugh)

MOTH
I know, I know. But we can hope, can’t we?

CRICKET
(offstage)
Moth? Moth, are you in there?

MOTH
He’s here.
(calls offstage)
We’re in the —— I mean, I’m in the cave!

(CRICKET, 16, enters)

CRICKET
Why do you come in here? We have a hut in the village now.

MOTH
You never come to the cave anymore, so this was the perfect
place to hide my gift. Can I show you?

CRICKET
I want to show you something first.

(Cricket holds up a jade amulet)

MOTH
Is that ... ?

CRICKET
——A windstone. The elders chose me to run the Blood Race!

MOTH
I knew they would! This windstone is made out of jade. Real
jade. So beautiful.

CRICKET
The elders said the Freed runner needs a Windstone to enter
the Underworld. Want to try it on?
 3.

MOTH
No! Wearing jade is forbidden for our people.

CRICKET
Who’s going to know? I won’t tell.

MOTH
Don’t anger the spirits. We don’t want to do anything that
will make it harder for you to win the Blood Race.

CRICKET
You really think I can win?

MOTH
I believe in you, Cricket. The elders believe in you. All the
Freed people in our village believe in you.

CRICKET
Moth, what if ... what if I lose? I could lose, you know.

MOTH
You’re the best runner // we’ve ever had.

CRICKET
——No, I’m not! You know who was the best? Ox Beetle.

MOTH
Our last runner.

CRICKET
Ox Beetle was bigger than me, stronger // than me ...

MOTH
You’re faster. More // graceful ...

CRICKET
But Ox Beetle lost! He was a born runner, a natural runner.
We believed we could finally win with Ox Beetle. He lost!

MOTH
(overlapping)
He spent more time bragging about the race than training.

CRICKET
(overlapping)
I’m going to lose, Moth. I’ll be trapped in the Underworld.
 4.

CRICKET (CONT’D)
I’m going to lose and I’ll never see you again, or anyone
else, and it’ll be dark forever, // and ...

MOTH
Hey! Hey. Who are you? I want my brother back.

CRICKET
Why am I even doing this? I should have never accepted the
honor. Maybe I can go talk to // the elders ...

MOTH
You can win! I know you can. But you will need to work harder
than Ox Beetle ever did, more than any runner ever has. And
the spirits gave you a twin sister who will help you train.

CRICKET
I need your help more than ever.

MOTH
Don’t lose hope. Not after all the hopelessness we’ve faced.

CRICKET
Maybe you’re right. Thank you, Moth.

MOTH
Always. Now stop babbling and let me show you my gift!

(Moth reveals training course)

CRICKET
You cut all this stone? For me?

MOTH
All for you. A training course fit for a champion runner. Go
on, test it. But Cricket, please, be careful.

(Cricket hands Moth the Windstone)

CRICKET
Careful? You know me.

(Cricket tests out Moth’s training

course. He is awesome. When done,
he embraces Moth)
 5.

CRICKET
I love it! Moth, you’re the best sister in the world.

MOTH
And you’re the best brother. And the best runner.

CRICKET
You really believe I can win, huh?

MOTH
You run as if the winds are carrying you. You will be the
first Freed person to ever win the Blood Race.

CRICKET
I’m proud to represent our Freed people. But when I run, I
will be running for you. I might even win.

MOTH
If Mamá and Papá were still alive, they would be proud too.

(They look at curtain of vines)

CRICKET
I want to make them proud. I do.
(Beat/redirect)
Are Hammer and Chisel proud of me, too?

MOTH
Uhh ... what? What are you talking about?

CRICKET
I heard you talking to Hammer and Chisel.

MOTH
No, you must have heard an echo. You know how // the cave ...

CRICKET
Don’t deny it.

MOTH
You caught me. Talking to my tools is a childish habit. I
won’t do it anymore, I promise.

CRICKET
Why stop now? You’ve been talking to Hammer and Chisel ever
since Papá put them in our crib.
 6.

MOTH
Papá wanted you to have Hammer and Chisel. He gave me that
ugly corn cob doll.

CRICKET
I loved that ugly corn cob doll! She had a name, you know.

MOTH
“Maizie?”

CRICKET
“Maizie.” What a great name for a corn cob doll. Better than
“Hammer” and “Chisel” for a hammer and chisel.

(Moth takes out Hammer and Chisel)

MOTH
They like their names.

(Cricket takes Hammer and Chisel)

CRICKET
We got lonely in this cave. It was only you and me. We needed
friends to talk to. I had Maizie, until I lost her in the
jungle. You had Hammer and Chisel.
(hands them to Moth)
Look what you made. I thank the spirits that my twin sister
is the most brilliant stone-cutter in all the Freed villages.
With Hammer and Chisel’s help.

HAMMER
Shut up, Cricket.

CHISEL
Thank you, Cricket.

CRICKET
Thank you.

MOTH
Now get going! I built this thing. Time to use it.

CRICKET
Priests from the capital said the Blood Race is in 180 days.
 7.

MOTH
180 days. Look, I made a calendar for us.

(Moth reveals a hidden stone with

nine squares, and beside them a
rectangle with twenty holes)

CRICKET
Numbers? Forbidden numbers? Won’t these anger the gods?

MOTH
Who’s going to know? I won’t tell. They’re safe here in the
cave. Now look: twenty holes for twenty days in each month.
Nine squares for nine months. Nine squares of twenty days add
up to 180. Remove the stones and start again for a new month.

CRICKET
Too many numbers. My head hurts. I feel dizzy.

(Moth throws a stone at Cricket)

CRICKET
Ow.

MOTH
Is the work already too hard for you, Ox Beetle?

CRICKET
Ox Beetle?!

MOTH
You said you would work harder than Ox Beetle.

CRICKET
And I will.

MOTH
Good. But you can’t just train your body for the Blood Race.
You have to train your mind too.

CRICKET
What do words and numbers have to do with the Blood Race?

(Moth throws another stone)

 8.

CRICKET (CONT’D)
Ow!

MOTH
Speed, rate, momentum, angles. Logic. Strategy!

CRICKET
Run faster, jump higher, win the race.
(Moth throws a third stone)
OW! Stop that!

MOTH
Why did Papá steal scrolls from the temple he helped build?

CRICKET
... To teach himself how to read.

MOTH
And why did Papá learn how to read?

CRICKET
To teach Mamá how to read.

MOTH
And why did Mamá learn how to read?

CRICKET
To teach you how to read.

MOTH
Me and you how to read. Words and numbers could help us help
ourselves. Remember what they used to always say? We free us.

CRICKET
I remember. Know what else I remember? The Privileged tribes
killed Mamá and Papá for knowing words and numbers.

MOTH
They died to give us this forbidden knowledge. To free us.

CRICKET
They died and left us alone! We were children! Words didn’t
help us when winter hit and we were hungry. Numbers didn’t
help us when you got that fever and almost died. Mamá and
Papá said if we learned words and numbers, our lives would be
better. They were wrong. So wrong.
 9.

(Cricket shows off on the course)

MOTH
What are you doing?

CRICKET
See what my body can do? My body will win this race for me.

MOTH
Your body and mind together will win it.

CRICKET
I don’t have your mind. Words and numbers are easy for you.

MOTH
I’ve worked hard. Haven’t you worked hard to be a runner?

CRICKET
It’s natural talent. Don’t you see? Me learning to think like
you would be like ... you learning to run like me.

(Beat)

MOTH
If you trained me, I could run like you. With time and
practice, I might even run better than you.

CRICKET
Ha! You are amazing, sister, but even you have your limits.

MOTH
That sounds like a challenge. Shall we begin?

CRICKET
You prove you can run?

MOTH
And you prove you can think. We teach each other.

CRICKET
Like we always have.

MOTH
Like Mamá and Papá wanted us to. We start with this.

(Moth reveals hidden memory stones)

 10.

CRICKET
Your memory stones for Mamá and Papá.

MOTH
You never visit them anymore, but you know they’re here.

(Cricket touches memory stones)

CRICKET
When I win the Blood Race, Moth, I promise everything will
change for us. We’ll leave this cave far behind. Forever.

MOTH
You can change everything for all our people. But it will
take your body and your mind. Read these words. You remember?

(Cricket reads with difficulty)

CRICKET
“Mosquito, Mamá. Cutter Ant, Papá.”

MOTH
We speak their names.

CRICKET
“Mother and father of ... ” Is that word “Moth?”

MOTH
Yes. And that word is you.

CRICKET
“Cricket.” I remember.

(Moth and Cricket exit.

Two priests enter: IGUANA and a

younger GECKO. They address unseen
Freed villagers)

IGUANA
People of this Freed village, listen to us. We are priests of
the capital city of the Privileged tribe. I am called Iguana.
 11.

GECKO
I am called Gecko. We journey from Freed village to Freed
village to remind you of the role you play in the great and
ancient tradition that will soon be run. We give you:

IGUANA/GECKO
The Story of the Blood Race. A Beginning.

(Iguana and Gecko tell the story

with the help of masks, puppetry,
music, etc. We also see moments of
Moth and Cricket training)

MOTH
Ahh! My legs are burning.

CRICKET
Burning is good! Can you feel your legs getting stronger?

(Moth marks a month on calendar)

IGUANA
From time unmemorable we have been told: On that morning in
the Overworld, Moon grew tired from shining in the sky for
too long. Moon was waiting for Sun to awaken.

GECKO
But Sun lay in a deep, unnatural sleep. Poisoned!

IGUANA
Poisoned!

(Cricket and Moth study a diagram)

MOTH
When we move fast, our bodies want to keep moving forward.
That is momentum. We can use momentum to bounce off surfaces
and carry us farther. Let’s try it?

(They mark more months on calendar)

GECKO
Sun had been poisoned! Moon saw a trail of strange liquid
from Sun’s mountain bed leading to caverns of the Underworld.
Moon called down to its ruler.
 12.

MOON (IGUANA)
Lord Volta of the Underworld! Why have you poisoned Sun?
Without Sun, morning cannot rise in the Middleworld.

GECKO
Lord Volta answered.

VOLTA (GECKO)
Our creation, the First We People, have forgotten me. By day,
they praise Sun. By night, they dream of Moon. What about me,
Lord Volta? Send the First We People to me, so that they may
praise me. I will give them remedy to the sleep poison.

(Cricket and Moth continue to

train, improvising encouragement)

MOTH
Try again. What can I do better? Show me? (etc.)

CRICKET
We can do it. Good, now keep going! What do you think? (etc.)

GECKO
Moon spoke to the First We People in the Middleworld.

MOON (IGUANA)
First We People, Lord Volta has poisoned Sun. Choose two of
your strongest and bravest men.

GECKO
Men!

MOON (IGUANA)
The two men will descend into the Underworld to praise Lord
Volta, who will give you remedy to wake Sun. Then morning
will return to the Middleworld.

GECKO
The First We People chose two men, Radá [rah-DAH] and Kinzé
[keen-ZAY]. Moon gave them a Windstone, which granted them
passage to the Underworld.

IGUANA
Lord Volta was waiting for them.
 13.

VOLTA (GECKO)
First We People! Stay in my caverns until you learn to praise
me and dream of me as you do Sun and Moon.

IGUANA
Radá and Kinzé spoke to each other.

RADÁ (GECKO)
Kinzé, we have been given minds to think and bodies to act.

KINZÉ (IGUANA)
Radá, we have been given what we need to free ourselves.

RADÁ (GECKO)
Let us both search for a way out of the Underworld.

KINZÉ (IGUANA)
May the strongest and wisest man find the way out first.

GECKO
Radá and Kinzé raced through the caverns of the Underworld.
They faced great challenges and terrible dangers. The first
one through the caverns was ... Radá!

IGUANA
Radá!

(Cricket and Moth finish training.

Moth chisels out the final month)

MOTH
Are you ready for the Blood Race, brother?

CRICKET
I’m ready, sister.

MOTH
You’re going to win. All the Freed people believe in you.

CRICKET
I am going to win.

(Moth and Cricket exit)

 14.

IGUANA
Radá entered Lord Volta’s throne room, called the Victor’s
Chamber. There Radá found the Band of Blood.

BAND OF BLOOD (GECKO)

Radá, I am the Band of Blood. You have proven yourself most
worthy. Place me on your head and I will cut you. Your blood
will become the remedy for the sleep poison.

IGUANA
Radá did as he was told. He placed the Band of Blood on his
head, and it cut him. Radá offered his blood, now a remedy,
to the sleeping Sun. Sun woke to light!

GECKO
Light! Sun spoke to Radá.

SUN (IGUANA)
I, Sun, thank you, Radá of the First We People. Keep this
Band of Blood. You and your tribe will have the privilege of
wearing it today and tomorrow and tomorrow’s tomorrow, or
until another proves more worthy.

GECKO
But what happened to Kinzé? Freed people, I see the worry on
your faces. What happened to your ancestor, Kinzé? Was he
trapped in the Underworld? Radá could have left Kinzé behind,
but the noble and perfect Radá had mercy.

IGUANA
Mercy! Wearing the Band of Blood, and risking the anger of
Lord Volta, Radá returned to the Underworld. He freed Kinze.

RADÁ (GECKO)
I, Radá, the wise and perfect, have bravely returned to the
Underworld to free you, Kinzé.

KINZE (IGUANA)
Radá! Thank you for freeing me! In gratitude, I will serve
you in the Middleworld for the rest of my life. Not only
that, but my children and my children’s children will serve
you and your children and your children’s children. This we
owe you, Radá, for freeing us. This is the Sacred Circle.

GECKO
This is how it was. How it is. How it ever will be.
 15.

IGUANA
Spirits in the Overworld remind us of this beginning. When
they wish it, they command us to summon two men: a runner
from your Freed tribe and a runner from our Privileged tribe.

GECKO
The two runners will descend into the Underworld, where they
will race to find a new Band of Blood. We call this:

IGUANA/GECKO
The Blood Race!

(Iguana and Gecko exit.

The Cave, two years later. MOTH,

now 18, stands before memory
stones. She has added a third one,
for Cricket. The course is covered)

MOTH
Mamá and Papá, ten years gone. I cry as much today as the day
the warriors took you away.

(Moth uses Hammer and Chisel to

adjust stones. She is about to
speak to tools but stops herself)

MOTH (CONT’D)
Cricket, dear brother, gone almost two years now. Look!

(Moth unwraps bark paper and takes

out a freshly made corn cob doll)

MOTH (CONT’D)
Maizie! I found Maizie in the jungle! Doesn’t Maizie look so
pretty? I gave her a bath and ...
(beat)
It’s not true, Cricket. I made this doll to fool you. This
Maizie is nothing like the one you loved. This one keeps
falling apart, no matter how hard I try to fix her. Why is
she so fragile? I wish she was made out of stone.

(Moth tosses the corn doll aside.

She picks up Hammer and Chisel and
is about to speak when ... )
 16.

IGUANA (OFFSTAGE)
Moth? Moth, are you there?
(to unseen Warriors)
You two stand guard outside. I won’t be long.

(Moth covers memory stones and

hides as IGUANA enters)

IGUANA (CONT’D)
Ahh. So this is the “legendary” cave. Doesn’t look like much.

(Iguana inspects training course)

IGUANA (CONT’D)
Extraordinary. The stone work is masterful.
(beat)
Where has she hidden them?

(Iguana sees curtain of vines)

IGUANA
There.

(Iguana crosses. Moth blocks her

path, striking a weak defensive
pose with Hammer and Chisel)

MOTH
Stop. Please?

IGUANA
Oh! You scared me, girl.

MOTH
What do you want?

WARRIOR 1 (OFFSTAGE)
High Priest?

WARRIOR 2 (OFFSTAGE)
You alright in there?

IGUANA
Yes, I am safe. Stay at your posts.
 17.

MOTH
Warriors? You’re here to arrest me.

IGUANA
No, no arrests. You must be Moth.

MOTH
Who are you?

IGUANA
I have been given the name Iguana. I like it well enough. I
am the High Priest of the capital city.

MOTH
I remember you. You were one of the priests who came to the
village. You told us the Story of the Blood Race.

IGUANA
I was quite a storyteller, yes?

MOTH
And you came to the village to perform my brother’s cleansing
ceremony before he ran ... before he ...

IGUANA
That was me too. Now, I am the High Priest. The spirits in
the Overworld have called for another Blood Race, and it is
my duty to prepare it. It is soon, very soon. Yet your Freed
people are not sending a runner. This has never happened.

MOTH
Why do you come to me?

IGUANA
Desperation, mostly. If there is no Blood Race, the spirits
will blame me. Do you know that I am the first woman to hold
this position? I am proud of that.

MOTH
It must be a great honor.

IGUANA
An honor that requires flawlessness. If I do not find a Freed
runner, I will be executed, first woman or not. Ohh, I can
hear the priests below me gossiping behind my back.
 18.

IGUANA (CONT’D)
“Iguana’s first Blood Race, and she is already failing. I
knew she would fail.” I hear them sharpening their blades ...

MOTH
... Iguana?

IGUANA
Moth. I need a runner. So I’m here for you.

MOTH
Me?!

IGUANA
You trained with your brother, yes?

MOTH
How do you know that?

IGUANA
Cricket told me about training with his twin sister. He was
quite chatty before the race. I think he was nervous.

MOTH
Yeah, he would blabber like that.

IGUANA
He said how proud he was of his stone-cutting, stone-running,
stone-jumping sister. “Moth.” How could I forget that name?

MOTH
Cricket spoke about me?

IGUANA
Only about you. He was so nervous up until the moment he
stood at the top of the temple. Then he looked so proud. So
glorious. Dare I say ... so kingly. Do you remember?

MOTH
I couldn’t see. I was standing outside the wall. The Freed
people are forbidden inside the city wall.

IGUANA
That’s such a stupid city law. Cowardly and cruel. But it
keeps the hard-liners happy, so I must allow it. Moth, your
brother was by far the best runner the Freed tribe ever had.
 19.

MOTH
Cricket lost! He was our very best and he lost! If Cricket
couldn’t win, what chance does any Freed runner have?

IGUANA
You have a better chance than anyone.

MOTH
Aren’t you forgetting something? Only men can be runners. I’m
proud to be a woman, and I will not dishonor myself by lying.

IGUANA
Your honor is noted, and respected, even admired. I want you
to run as a woman. Just as I am the first woman to be High
Priest, you will be the first woman runner.

MOTH
Only now do you care about the women of the Freed tribes.

IGUANA
Watch your tone, girl. Remember: I am the High Priest.
(beat)
I have been waiting for the right time to lift your people
up. The time is now. The spirits would rather see a woman run
than see no race at all. The Privileged tribe feels the same.

MOTH
I could be trapped in the Underworld.

IGUANA
If you lose. If you win, you can visit the spirits in the
Overworld. And you would rule the capital city.
(beat)
Imagine that: a queen instead of a king. Our tribes would
switch places. The Privileged people would have to labor for
the Freed people. The Freed people would eat meat, dress in
cotton, and wear the finest stone. Like jade.

(Iguana gives Moth a jade amulet)

MOTH
This is a Windstone.

IGUANA
You saw your brother’s, yes? Freed laborers can keep only
enough jade to make one Windstone for each Blood Race.
 20.

MOTH
Our laborers quarry the jade, but we’re forbidden to wear it.

IGUANA
Want to change that? Run. Want to see Privileged people
sweating in those jade quarries? Run. Win. Win for your
people! Take the Sacred Circle and turn it upside down!

MOTH
I trained with Cricket, but that was almost two years ago.
And if he couldn’t win ...
(she hands Windstone back)
I am a stone-cutter, not a runner.

IGUANA
So the Freed people are finally giving up? Accepting their
place serving the Privileged people? Forever?

MOTH
If you need a stone table or altar or bowl, then I’m your
woman. You can find me here.

IGUANA
I’m disappointed. You’re brother would be too, after all he
said about you. It’s better he’s trapped in the Underworld.

(Iguana uncovers the memory stones.

Moth grabs Hammer and Chisel and
strikes a strong defensive pose)

MOTH
Get away! Don’t you touch those.

IGUANA
That! That is the sister of Cricket I wanted to see! Your
brother told me about these stones: forbidden knowledge. I
can order you executed, like your mother and father.

(Moth raises Hammer and Chisel)

MOTH
What if I killed you right now?

IGUANA
I would scream first. The warriors outside would enter, with
their blades ready. Let’s not get messy.
 21.

(Iguana lays Windstone down)

IGUANA
Bring this Windstone to the capital in ten days. Here is a
map. I know you can read it.

MOTH
If I refuse, you have no Blood Race. You will be executed.

IGUANA
Clever. That is true. I promise you this: with my dying
breath I will tell the warriors about a Freed woman in a cave
who possesses forbidden knowledge.

MOTH
I’ll lose the race.

IGUANA
Yes, you will lose. No point in flattering you now. But take
heart. You’ll be reunited with your family in the Underworld.

MOTH
I’ll see my family again in the Underworld?

IGUANA
If the Spirits guide them to you. It is written that the
Underworld is a vast and dark place, easy to get lost.

MOTH
If I win the Blood Race——

IGUANA
Ha! If you win?

MOTH
If I win the Band of Blood, I can free my family from the
Underworld. Just like Radá freed Kinzé.

IGUANA
How dare you compare yourself to Radá! Radá proved himself
worthy of the Band of Blood. You have proved nothing, girl,
besides cutting rocks and breaking the law.

MOTH
Anything is possible. High Priest, you are proof of that.
 22.

IGUANA
Ahh, you people and your hope. Freed people are marvelous.
You have ten days to prepare. Make those memory stones proud.

(Iguana exits. Moth uncovers

course, then memory stones. She
picks up HAMMER and CHISEL)

MOTH
Hammer and Chisel? Hello?

CHISEL
Moth, is that you?

MOTH
Yes, Chisel. Sorry I haven’t talked to you in a long time.

HAMMER
A very long time! She must need something, Chisel. She only
talks to us when she needs something.

CHISEL
She’s here now, Hammer. Let’s listen to her.

HAMMER
Nobody ever listens to me!

CHISEL
What do you need, Moth?

MOTH
What do you think? Should I run the Blood Race?

HAMMER
Do it! Fight them! Make them suffer! Pound everyone you see!

CHISEL
Don’t do it. Run away before they kill you. You can live.

HAMMER
You can rule! Turn it all upside down. Make them serve us.

CHISEL
You can get away. What do you know about ruling anyone?
You’re better on your own.
 23.

HAMMER
You don’t have to be alone! You can find Cricket and Mamá and
Papá and bust them out of the Underworld! You can win!

CHISEL
You can lose. You would be lost in the Underworld forever.

HAMMER
Doooooooo it!

CHISEL
Noooooooo!

(Iguana enters)

IGUANA
Moth!

MOTH
... Yes?

IGUANA
Forgive me for interrupting your “praying” on the matter. I
did say the Blood Race is in ten days, yes?
(Moth nods)
Good. Carry on.

(Iguana exits)

MOTH
I don’t care about ruling or living well. Or even losing my
life. But I must try to save my family.

(Moth retrieves the corn cob doll

and places her next to Cricket’s
stone. She begins to cover stones,
but decides to leave them exposed)

MOTH (CONT’D)
No more hiding. Mamá, Papá, Cricket: I’m coming for you.

(Moth exits with Hammer and Chisel)

HAMMER
I won!
 24.

CHISEL
I’m not talking to you.

(ALL exit.

The Temple of the Blood Steps in

the capital city. The sun’s disk of
light shines brightly in the sky.

IGUANA, now in High Priest regalia,

enters. She speaks to unseen crowd)

IGUANA
Under the eye of Sun, we gather for the Blood Days. The tribe
of Radá!
(Crowd cheers)
And the tribe of Kinzé!
(Silence)
We honor the tradition of the Blood Race! O, my Privileged
people, walking among us is a great champion.
(Crowd cheers)
He braved the Underworld and returned!
(Crowd cheers)
He earned the Band of Blood for us!
(Crowd cheers)
He will brave the Underworld once again to prove that he --
that we, descendants of Radá! -- deserve the Band of Blood!
(Crowd cheers loudest)
Citizens, I give you, from the Privileged tribe of Radá, your
champion, King Jaguar!

(JAGUAR enters, dressed garishly.

He basks in crowd’s applause)

JAGUAR
Our Privileged people, it is an honor for us to carry your
hopes and dreams on our back as we run the race for a second
time. But tell us: where is our competition?

(Crowd boos)

IGUANA
King Jaguar, your defeat of Cricket in the last Blood Race
shamed the Freed people. This time, they send only silence.

(Crowd boos)
 25.

JAGUAR
They’re not going for it.

IGUANA
Make them go for it. You’re the king.

(MOTH enters away from stage, with

map and a knapsack for Hammer and
Chisel. Working her way to the
temple, she becomes more obvious)

JAGUAR
(to Crowd)
Why are the Freed people ashamed? Cricket ran valiantly!

MOTH
Wait! I’m here!

JAGUAR
(to Crowd)
Ashamed? The Freed people work our land for us. Quarry stone
for our city. Care for our children. Their work allows us,
the Privileged people, to heal Sun with our blood!

MOTH
I will race you! Just help me ... figure out how to ...

(Iguana notices Moth disturbing the

Crowd, but Jaguar is rolling now)

JAGUAR
There is no shame in the Freed tribe finally accepting their
natural place in service to us! We accept their surrender.

(Crowd cheers)

IGUANA
You there! Tell us who you are.

(Moth runs on stage, stumbles,

maybe falls, and is winded)

MOTH
I! Am Moth!

(Crowd laughs at Moth)

 26.

IGUANA
Welcome, Moth.

JAGUAR
(aside to Iguana)
You said she wouldn’t show up. You made me memorize that
whole speech.

IGUANA
(aside to Jaguar)
I was wrong. Such a pleasant surprise.

(Rest of dialogue played to Crowd)

JAGUAR
What do you want, “Moth?”

MOTH
I challenge you to the Blood Race!

(Crowd laughs at Moth)

IGUANA
We were told the Freed tribe were sending nobody.

MOTH
I am Nobody. You can ask anybody.

(Crowd laughs with Moth)

IGUANA
Are you sure you want to do this?

MOTH
Not really. But I’m here of my own free will. And I challenge
that man in the funny clothes.

(Crowd laughs at Jaguar)

JAGUAR
What gives you the right to run against the king?

MOTH
Behold, a Windstone!
 27.

(Moth shows Windstone to ALL. Crowd

“OOHs.” Jaguar squawks)

IGUANA
This is indeed a Windstone. This gives her the right to race.

JAGUAR
But she is a woman!

MOTH
I am a woman. I was a daughter. And I was a sister. My twin
brother was Cricket!

(Crowd “AHHs”)

JAGUAR
Cricket lost, we won, and that’s the way it is. Two runners
can’t come from the same family. Sorry!

IGUANA
That’s not true.

JAGUAR
It is true.

IGUANA
It’s not. Your own family has been producing Privileged
runners for a thousand years. I will allow her to race!

(Crowd cheers)

JAGUAR
We are the ruler and we say what goes.

IGUANA
With respect, Jaguar, your rule ended when the Blood Days
began this morning. Until you win this Blood Race ...

MOTH
——If you win this Blood Race.

IGUANA
Until this Blood Race has a victor, the High Priest is the
steward of the capital. And that is me. With respect.
 28.

MOTH
She’s right, Jaguar.

JAGUAR
Be silent, Freed woman!

IGUANA
The Blood Race is on!

(Crowd cheers)

JAGUAR
We will allow it.

IGUANA
We must hurry. Sun and Moon are ready now.
(aside to Moth)
Good to see you. Thank you for saving the High Priest’s life.
King Jaguar and I have to do a little ceremony first. You get
to sit back, relax, and watch it up close. Enjoy yourself!

(Iguana lights fire pit. A solar

eclipse begins)

IGUANA
Behold! Once again, Lord Volta has poisoned Sun. Sun is
falling asleep, and darkness comes to the Middleworld.

(Solar eclipse is total)

MOTH
It feels so cold.

IGUANA
King Jaguar, show us the Band of Blood!

(Jaguar takes Band of Blood from

his head, shows ALL its circle)

JAGUAR
The Band of Blood represents the Sacred Circle between those
who rule and those who serve.

(Jaguar throws Band of Blood into a

fire pit)
 29.

IGUANA
Lord Volta of the Underworld has reclaimed the Band of Blood!
We must send two men ... uh, two runners into the Underworld.
Guide them, spirits, as they race through the caverns. May
the most worthy runner find the Band of Blood and return it
to the Middleworld, so that we may heal Sun.

(Two stone doors behind altar open)

MOTH
Awesome!

IGUANA
Behold the Blood Steps!

JAGUAR
I will brave the Underworld once again on behalf of the tribe
of Radá. I choose to enter alone! May the spirits find me
worthy of wearing the Band of Blood once again.

(Jaguar bows to Iguana, scowls at

Moth, and exits one gateway. That
gateway closes behind Jaguar)

IGUANA
Now we must summon the spirit that will lead the Freed runner
into the Underworld. Hold up your Windstone, runner, and
repeat after me: I, Moth of the Freed People.

(Moth holds up the Windstone)

MOTH
I, Moth of the Freed People.

IGUANA
Request entry into the Underworld and guidance through it.

MOTH
Request entry into the Underworld and guidance through it.

IGUANA
Send an elemental spirit to lead me.

MOTH
Send an elemental spirit to lead me.
 30.

(Music/drums from the Underworld)

IGUANA
Behold, an elemental spirit comes!

MOTH
A spirit comes?

(AQILI, Spirit of Wind, enters via

gateway. Aqili’s face is obscured
by a mask, make-up, etc. Aqili
dances or moves, a glorious show)

IGUANA
Behold! It is Aqili, Spirit of Wind!

AQILI
The Middleworld calls to the Overworld, and the Overworld has
answered. Who summons Aqili?

(Iguana pushes Moth forward)

MOTH
Oh, uhh ... I do!

AQILI
Who are you?!

MOTH
Me? I’m Moth?

AQILI
Moth! By what right do you summon Aqili?

IGUANA
Give him the Windstone.

MOTH
Here, I have a windstone! You want it?

(Aqili takes the Windstone. A

powerful leap or dance of joy)
 31.

AQILI
Freed runner, this Windstone grants you passage to the
Underworld. Before you descend with Aqili, look once more
upon the Middleworld. It may be the last time you see it.

MOTH
Thanks for the encouragement. But I’m going to win this race.

AQILI
Win? Aqili likes your spirit. Shall we begin?

(Moth and Aqili enter the second

gateway. It closes behind them)

IGUANA
And now, Privileged people, we fast and pray as the race is
underway. The person who returns through the gateway will be
our champion. Will it be our perfect, glorious King Jaguar?
Or will it be Moth? Privileged tribe or Freed tribe? Who will
the spirits favor in the Blood Race?

(ALL exit.

Entrance to the Underworld. Visible

is a mural. MOTH and AQILI enter)

AQILI
Welcome to the Underworld. Do you see? It is not so bad.

MOTH
A little gloomy, but I love all the stone. And caves always
remind me of home.

AQILI
As your guide, Freed runner, Aqili may offer guidance in the
caverns, but Aqili may not touch you. Do you understand?

MOTH
You cannot touch me. I understand.
(sees the wall mural)
Aqili, what’s that?

AQILI
That’s just a story written in words. It isn’t important.

(Moth reads mural)

 32.

MOTH
It’s the story of the Blood Race!

AQILI
How do you know that? Do you know words and numbers?

MOTH
My Mamá and Papá learned words and numbers, and they taught
them to my brother Cricket and me.

AQILI
That is forbidden knowledge for the Freed tribes.

MOTH
Mamá and Papá were executed for it. They hid us in a cave
outside the village. Cricket and I raised ourselves. When I
win the race, I will free my family from the Underworld.

AQILI
You will free them?

MOTH
Just like Radá freed Kinzé. See?

(Moth references the mural)

AQILI
Why are you reading? You don’t have time for this.

MOTH
Here, it says: “Sun. Moon. First We People.” Uhh ... this
word must be “Kinzé,” and that “Radá.” “Underworld. Blood
Band. Heal Sun.” But then it stops. Where is the rest of the
story? Are there more words in other caverns?

AQILI
You still need to get through the first cavern. Now let’s go.

MOTH
King Jaguar’s not here yet. How can we start without him?

AQILI
King Jaguar already started! As the champion, he gets to
start before you.
 33.

MOTH
But that’s not fair!

AQILI
There’s more. You must enter three caverns. Jaguar only two.

MOTH
His race is shorter than mine?!

AQILI
Jaguar also has several elemental spirits helping him, while
you have only one. Jaguar has been given many advantages in
the Blood Race, though he will never admit that.

MOTH
Jaguar cheats! No wonder Cricket lost. I’ll lose too.

AQILI
You can win, Moth. But you must better than the best.

MOTH
Take me to the first cavern, Aqili. I’m ready to run.

(Moth and Aqili enter Stone Cavern.

RAZOR WARRIOR dominates the space)

AQILI
Careful now. This is Razor Cavern, your first challenge.

MOTH
My first of three challenges. Jaguar only has two. So unfair.

AQILI
Listen carefully to Aqili. See that doorway over there?

(Points to doorway across cavern)

MOTH
On other side of that terrifying statue?

AQILI
Yes. Get there.

MOTH
Seems easy. But what about that thing?
 34.

AQILI
That is the Razor Warrior. It is there to slice you to pieces
with its obsidian razors. Very sharp. Very deadly.

(Moth approaches Razor Warrior. It

activates, swinging its razors)

MOTH
Whoa!

(Moth moves back. Warrior resets)

AQILI
We call the area around it the Kill Circle. You know why?

MOTH
Because the Razor Warrior kills everything in the circle?

AQILI
Very. Good.

(Laughter from above)

MOTH
Where’s that laughing coming from? I see movement up there.
Are those bats?

AQILI
We’re not alone. In the Caverns of the Underworld, elemental
spirits are always watching. They love the Blood Race.

MOTH
The spirits are watching me?

AQILI
Yes. No pressure. Just focus on the Razor Warrior.

MOTH
How do I get past it?

AQILI
Just do what Aqili does.

(Aqili engages Razor Warrior in

style of capoeira dance-fighting.
Aqili crosses. Warrior resets)
 35.

MOTH
Oh. Is that all?

AQILI
What did you observe?

MOTH
It looked like the warrior sliced the same way both times.

AQILI
Which means?

MOTH
It moves in a pattern. A rhythm.

AQILI
So what can you do?

MOTH
Find the rhythm. Does it respond to any movement?

(Moth throws a stone across Kill

Zone. Razor Warrior activates)

AQILI
Very good. But don’t just study with your mind. Study with
your body too. Think and act.

(Moth activates Razor Warrior)

MOTH
Over. Under. High. Low.

(NOTE: Words are suggestion only.

Adjust as choreography dictates)

AQILI
Keep watching.

(Moth gets too close and is cut)

MOTH
Ah! This is impossible! I’ll be sliced up.

AQILI
Patience, Moth.
 36.

MOTH
I don’t have to time to be patient. Jaguar has a head start,
and I’m already behind. What’s the point? I’m going to lose.
Why can’t I just fight the warrior?

(Moth takes out Hammer and Chisel)

HAMMER
Yes! Violence! Pound him, Moth! Smash him!

CHISEL
No! Take a moment to think about this ...

AQILI
You brought Hammer and ... a hammer and a chisel?

(Moth strikes warrior pose)

MOTH
They’ve helped me get out of tough situations before.

AQILI
Aqili recommends a different // approach ...

HAMMER
Attack!

(Moth dodges blades but retreats)

MOTH
Bad! Bad idea.

AQILI
(calls up to Spirits)
Give her a chance, spirits! She will do better.

CHISEL
Hammer’s blunt way didn’t work. Try mine: Be precise.

MOTH
Show me again, Aqili?

(Moth studies Aqili crossing back)

AQILI
Put the rhythm into your body. Feel it in your muscles.
 37.

MOTH
The rhythm is strange. Four and four? No. Two and four?

(Aqili crosses back to Moth)

AQILI
Use your body ...

MOTH
Three and four? Six and four?

(Aqili crosses again. Moth follows

right after him and crosses safely)

AQILI
It’s all in your body.

MOTH
Got! Three and eight!

AQILI
Are you ready?

(Moth crosses and engages with

Razor Warrior in a kind of waltz)

MOTH
Thank you, Razor Warrior. Nice to dance with you.

(Applause from spirits above)

AQILI
Numbers? Really?

MOTH
Mind and body. What’s next?

AQILI
Not bad, huh, spirits? This Freed woman may have a chance.

(Moth and Aqili exit.

Moth and Aqili enter a passageway

between caverns. Another mural)
 38.

AQILI
This next cavern will test your skills to the extreme.

MOTH
Look, more of the story!

(Moth begins reading)

AQILI
You were panicking before about being behind.

MOTH
“Underworld. Angry Lord Volta. Capture Radá Kinze.” I wish
Mamá and Papá could see this beautiful mural. Come on, let’s
hurry up to the next one.

AQILI
We have to cross another deadly cavern but, yes, let’s get to
that next mural.

(Moth and Aqili enter Ice Cavern -

ice and wind everywhere)

AQILI
Welcome to your second challenge: the Ice Cavern. Cross it.

MOTH
Ice on the floor, ice on the walls, ice everywhere. Freezing
winds too. Painfully cold, but everything looks very pretty.

AQILI
Most importantly, beyond that edge is a bottomless crevasse.
Do not slide into the bottomless crevasse.

MOTH
Thanks for that. Cricket and I never practiced on ice.

(Moth steps on ice, slips, and

falls. Serious clowning here)

AQILI
Moth, this isn’t a good look.

MOTH
Why are they laughing?
 39.

(Moth slides towards crevasse)

AQILI
Watch out for the crevasse!

MOTH
Help! Aqili!

AQILI
Aqili can’t touch —- never mind! Here, take my hand. Stretch!

(Spirits boo. Moth reaches but ...)

MOTH
I can’t reach!

AQILI
Moth! No!

(Moth takes out Hammer and Chisel.

She uses tools to arrest her slide)

AQILI
You’re okay. You’re okay.
(to spirits above, booing)
Aqili didn’t touch her! You saw. She saved herself.

MOTH
A little help, Aqili?

AQILI
Change your perspective. Think of the ice as stone.

MOTH
The ice floor is a plane. Imagine the plane is vertical, made
of stone. I’ll climb it like a wall of stone.

(Moth uses tools to cut hand and

footholds. She returns to Aqili)

AQILI
Glad you’re safe, but why didn’t you crawl to the other side?

MOTH
I needed to come get you.
 40.

AQILI
You’re the one running the race.

MOTH
We’re in this together. I have a plan to get us both across.

(Moth pounds hand-holds across the

wall. Aqili follows her path)

AQILI
(to himself)
Why didn’t I think of this?

MOTH
What was that?

AQILI
Aqili was just marveling at your creativity.

MOTH
You said to change my perspective.

AQILI
Aqili meant break up the ice to make a path of snow, so you
can walk across. Your way is faster and safer.

(Moth reaches the other side of the

room, but she still has to climb up
an ice wall to the doorway above)

MOTH
This wall of ice will be tough to climb.

AQILI
There’s no rope here. Aqili wasn’t expecting that.

MOTH
If I had more chisels I could —— oh! Be right back.

AQILI
Where are you going?

MOTH
Stay here. I know what I’m doing.
 41.

(Moth crosses back to entrance of

Ice Cavern and exits)

AQILI
Good, because I don’t know how you’ll get up without rope.

(Jaguar appears in doorway above.

He wears all kinds of ropes,
spikes, claws, and other tools)

JAGUAR
Where’s Moth? Did she fall?

AQILI
Aqili is here, Jaguar.

JAGUAR
You! Why are you here?

AQILI
The Freed runner is given an elemental spirit as a guide.

JAGUAR
(to the spirits above)
Spirits, you chose Aqili? Why would you do this to me? To
humiliate me? All I’ve ever been is loyal to you.

AQILI
Remember your place, King Jaguar. You serve us.

JAGUAR
Where’s Moth?

AQILI
... Aqili isn’t sure. We think she went back to Stone Cavern.

JAGUAR
Going backwards? She’s doing worse than I thought she would.
Aqili, did you notice something missing from the Ice Cavern?

AQILI
No rope.

(Jaguar holds up his many ropes)

 42.

JAGUAR
No rope! I remembered to bring them all with me. This one
belonged to my father, a great Privileged runner. He passed
it on to me. This rope was my grandfather’s, another great
runner. These spikes belonged to my great uncle, probably the
best runner of all. This set of claws // belonged to my ...

MOTH (OFFSTAGE)
——Aqili! Are you ready?

(Moth enters. She glides across ice

floor. Jaguar squawks and exits.
Moth waves to chattering Spirits)

AQILI
You’re back! And even faster than before.

MOTH
Momentum! Ice has little friction, so if I had good momentum,
the ice wouldn’t change my direction as I slid across it.

AQILI
Clever. Did you find a rope to climb the ice wall?

MOTH
Rope? We don’t need rope. I got these.

(Moth takes out stone wedges)

AQILI
Wedges from Stone Cavern. To make steps?

MOTH
Think like stone, you said. Watch me work.

(Moth drives wedges into ice wall)

AQILI
That’s ... that’s a good idea.
(to himself)
And it doesn’t require any luck.

MOTH
What was that?
 43.

AQILI
Nothing. Aqili is right behind you.

(They climb wedges up to door)

MOTH
Two caverns down, one to go. Even if I lose, I’m proud.

AQILI
Aqili is proud of you too.

MOTH
I wonder if Cricket made it this far. What am I saying? Of
course he did. If I’ve made it, then he must have too.

AQILI
Hurry now. You still have a chance to win.

(Moth and Aqili enter passageway

between caverns. Another mural)

AQILI
This last cavern is the most dangerous of all.

MOTH
Look. More of the Blood Race story.

(Moth reads mural)

AQILI
Moth, you’re so close! Don’t stop now.

MOTH
“Kinze. Learning. We free us.” We free us?

AQILI
You’re about to catch up to Jaguar!

MOTH
That’s what Mamá and Papá used to always say. We free us. And
here it is again. “Radá. Learning. We free us.”

AQILI
Those words won’t help you win.
 44.

MOTH
“Kinze. Radá. Run together.” Run together? They ran together?
The priests never taught us that in their story.

JAGUAR (OFFSTAGE)
Help! Help me!

AQILI
Oh, not again.

MOTH
Was that Jaguar? Come on!

(MOTH and AQILI run to enter the

Fire Cavern. Bright colors. Glowing
hot stones. Lava!)

AQILI
Last challenge. Fire Cavern.

MOTH
Right. Lots of fire and hot things. Where is ... [Jaguar]?

JAGUAR
——Help!

(JAGUAR dangles from a rope)

MOTH
Jaguar!

JAGUAR
Help me, Moth! I’ll fall in the lava.

(Spirits above and Aqili laugh)

AQILI
Jaguar, even with all of your family’s ropes and claws and
tools, you got stuck again?

MOTH
He has ropes? Where did he find ropes? Help him Aqili.

AQILI
Spirits aren’t allowed to touch the runners.
 45.

MOTH
If he lets go of the rope, he’ll fall into the lava.

AQILI
He has only himself to blame.

MOTH
He’ll die!

AQILI
If you died, do you think Jaguar would care? He would say,
“It was Moth’s fault. She must have done something wrong. She
should have worked harder. The spirits judged her.”

(Jaguar slips down)

JAGUAR
Ahh!

MOTH
Jaguar, throw me your ropes. We can help each other. Like
Kinzé and Radá. They helped each other.

JAGUAR
You won’t help me. You only want revenge.

MOTH
Why won’t he listen to me?

AQILI
He can only see what he would do.

JAGUAR
I would help me, if I saw me struggling like this.
(slips again)
No! Please help me.

MOTH
Jaguar, your rope, hurry!

JAGUAR
I can’t! I’m afraid to let go.

MOTH
Hold on!
 46.

(Moth exits back through doorway)

JAGUAR
Come back! I knew I couldn’t trust her. She wants revenge,
like all Freed people do. All they know is jealousy and hate.

AQILI
Will you shut up, Jaguar? Moth is helping you.

JAGUAR
I will not be silenced! How dare you silence me! If I can’t
win the race, then nobody will win the race. I’ll block her
way. I’ll knock her down. Pull her into the lava with me!

(Moth enters with knapsack full)

MOTH
Listen to me, Jaguar. I’ll run across the stones and push
you. You can swing onto the stones. The rest is up to you.

(Moth takes snow and clay from her

knapsack and mixes them)

AQILI
Snow and dust from Ice Cavern and Stone Cavern?

MOTH
I’m mixing them to make a clay for my feet and hands. If I
touch the stones for only a moment, the clay will protect me.

AQILI
It won’t work. Just take Jaguar’s rope. It’s easier.

MOTH
Are you coming, Aqili, or do I leave you here?

(Aqili covers his hands and feet

with the clay mixture Moth made)

AQILI
Show me the way. I will follow.

MOTH
We have one chance. Are you ready, Jaguar?

(Jaguar squawks)
 47.

AQILI
He’s ready. Go, Moth!

(Moth runs across stones [free-

running]. She pushes Jaguar, who
swings and drops to a stone. Moth
and Aqili cross, but Jaguar slips.
Moth pulls him to safety)

JAGUAR
Aqili gave you the clay, didn’t he? Or some other spirit?
That’s cheating. It’s not fair.

AQILI
Why did you save him, Moth? He would have let you burn.

(The spirits above boo)

MOTH
Kinzé and Radá helped each other escape. We will too. You’re
safe now, Jaguar. Stay here and rest your burns.

JAGUAR
You can’t keep running while I’m lying here, injured and
helpless. It’s not fair. You did this to me on purpose.

MOTH
We’ll be back, Jaguar.

(Moth exits)

AQILI
She is better than I ever was, Jaguar. Be grateful for that.

(Aqili exits. Jaguar moans in pain.

The spirits continue to boo.

MOTH and AQILI enter the Victor’s

Chamber. The Band of Blood is on a
throne. A mural is on the wall.
Moth goes to the mural)

AQILI
The Victor’s Chamber. There’s the Band of Blood. Go take it.
 48.

MOTH
Come here, look. It’s the rest of the story.

AQILI
Moth, just take the band!

MOTH
See? “Kinze. Radá. Learning. We free us.” Mamá and Papá must
have known this story! “We free us.”

AQILI
I give up.

(Aqili joins Moth at mural)

MOTH
“We run together.” Now here: “Kinze. Radá. Blood Band. Heal
Sun.” They both healed the Sun!

AQILI
(reading mural)
They both did? “Sun. Sacred Blood. First We People. Give
learning. Run together.”

MOTH
“Run together! Sacred Circle. We free us.”

AQILI
End of story.

MOTH
There is no race. No tribes. This is our story. Why didn’t
they teach us our story?

MAQAB (OFFSTAGE)
Ahh, there she is!

(MAQAB [Mah-KAHB], Spirit of Water,

enters in grand robes and jewelry.
Aqili bows before her, and Maqab
bows back. Moth bows too)

AQILI
Moth, Aqili now introduces you to Maqab, Spirit of Water.
 49.

MAQAB
Spirit of Water, Mother of All Life, Master of Rivers, and
Sculptor of Mountains. We prefer you use our full title,
Aqili, Spirit of Wind.

MOTH
It’s an honor to meet you, Maqab, Spirit of Water, and ...
all the rest of it.

(Maqab admires Moth, feeling her

muscles and touching her hair)

MAQAB
We are pleasantly surprised to meet you. We watched you run
the Blood Race. Terrible start but strong finish. Mostly. We
don’t understand that silly bit of mercy at the end there.
Where did you leave Jaguar?

AQILI
He’s still in the Fire Cavern.

MOTH
He’s burned badly. Can you and the spirits help him?

MAQAB
Ugh, some people never learn. Go retrieve him for us, Aqili.
We would like to have a word with Moth. Alone.

AQILI
Moth, listen to Maqab. Listen well.

(Aqili exits)

MOTH
I won the Blood Race. Right?

MAQAB
It appears so. Unexpected, and rather interesting.

MOTH
I want to see Mamá and Papá and my brother now.

MAQAB
Hmm. We want to show you something first. You have won
passage into the Overworld.
 50.

MOTH
The Overworld!

MAQAB
Would you like to see it? Bring the Band of Blood. You’ll
need it to enter the Victor’s Path.

(They approach a door with a large

circular knob on it)

MOTH
The circle seems to be the same size as ...

(She fits band around the nob and

turns. A door opens)

MAQAB
Very good. Most people don’t guess that. The Victor’s Path
connects the Middleworld and the Overworld. If we go left,
we’ll end up at the Temple of the Blood Steps.

MOTH
If we go right, we’ll end up in the Overworld?

MAQAB
You may be too smart for your own good, you know that? Follow
us closely, Moth, and be amazed.

(ALL exit.

A House in the Overworld. Bright

and warm. MOTH and MAQAB enter.
Jade, onyx, gold, meats, fruits.
MAQAB and MOTH enter)

MAQAB
What do you think of the Overworld so far, Moth?

MOTH
It’s so beautiful. So green! And the roads of white sandstone
felt cool and smooth beneath my aching feet.

MAQAB
The roads? You’re impressed by the roads?
 51.

MOTH
The sandstone is beautiful.

MAQAB
Delightful. Yes, here in the Overworld, we have only the
finest roads. Only the finest everything.

(Maqab offers fruit to Moth)

MOTH
This is the most delicious thing I’ve ever tasted.

MAQAB
We have all this and more. And if you ever crave something
from the Middleworld, just ask and it will be delivered.

MOTH
Is this your home, Maqab?

MAQAB
This? No. Our home is across the valley. See it?

(Maqab points in the distance)

MOTH
That’s a palace!

MAQAB
We have big tastes. What do you think of this house? It’s
much smaller, much more humble, but charming in its way.

MOTH
This house is perfect.

MAQAB
That’s good, because this house is yours.

MOTH
Mine? For winning the Blood Race?

MAQAB
Yes. And no.

MOTH
What do you mean?
 52.

MAQAB
The house is yours, but only if you choose to stay with us
here in the Overworld. Forever.

MOTH
How will I rule the capital if I spend all my time here?

MAQAB
You won’t have to. Instead, you shall become an elemental
spirit. The Spirit of Stone? You like stone.

MOTH
A spirit? But I have no power.

MAQAB
Doesn’t matter! To be honest, you can do more than any of us
around here. We saw you work that hammer and chisel, mmm!

MOTH
Who would rule the city?

MAQAB
King Jaguar, of course. Be honest, Moth: Do you know how to
rule a city? You’re a great runner and skilled stone-cutter.
But you’re no queen. Forfeit your victory in the Blood Race.
Jaguar will be declared the victor once more.

MOTH
Nothing would change for my people.

MAQAB
Reward yourself! You earned this life. Why would you want to
govern that city? It’s dirty and loud, and the people are so
stuck up and always complaining.

MOTH
But my Freed tribe will move into the city // and they ...

MAQAB
——Do you really think the Privileged tribe would let them in?
They would kill you first.

MOTH
They have to. It’s the Sacred Circle. The story said so.
 53.

MAQAB
The story can be changed by the storytellers.

MOTH
Enough! I want to see my family.

MAQAB
You can see your brother. Maybe Cricket can illuminate your
choice better than we can.

(Moth and Maqab exit.

The Victor’s Chamber. AQILI and

JAGUAR wait. Jaguar is bandaged)

JAGUAR
I’m a good king. The best king. The people all love me.

AQILI
Even the Freed people?

JAGUAR
The Freed people have never had it better!

AQILI
How do you know? Do you ever visit Freed villages yourself?

JAGUAR
I have people for that. Moth seems fine. Can’t be that bad.

AQILI
Try living in the villages, or working in the corn fields or
jade quarries. Try building something yourself.

JAGUAR
I prefer the easier life, and I know you do, too.

AQILI
You’re walking a dangerous line, Jaguar.

JAGUAR
What will you do, Spirit of Wind? Bring a hurricane?

AQILI
I’m warning you.
 54.

(Aqili advances on Jaguar, who

squawks. MOTH and MAQAB enter)

MAQAB
Aqili, I was hoping you’d be here. Moth would like to see her
brother, Cricket.

MOTH
Yes, please.

MAQAB
Don’t you think it’s time, Jaguar?

JAGUAR
I do. Oh, this will be good.

AQILI
Yes. It’s time.

(Aqili removes his mask/paint and

stands before Moth as CRICKET)

MOTH
Cricket? Brother?

(Moth and Cricket embrace)

CRICKET
You did it, Moth! I knew you would. Forgive me for deceiving
you, but it’s the only way they would let me help you.

MOTH
When you lost the Blood Race, // I thought you ...

CRICKET
——I won! I won the Blood Race! Just like you did.

(Maqab nods. Jaguar rolls eyes)

MOTH
I don’t understand. If you won, why aren’t you King Cricket?

CRICKET
Moth, think about it. Me ruling the capital? I’m a great
runner and a good farmer. But I’m no king.
 55.

MAQAB
We offered your brother the same deal we offered you. He
accepted. Cricket forfeit his victory and joined us.

CRICKET
Living is so easy in the Overworld, Moth. Come join us.

MOTH
... How could you?

CRICKET
Aren’t you tired of struggling? We left the cave and that
tiny village behind. We got out!

MOTH
I mourned you for two years. I was all alone.

CRICKET
But I came back for you. It was my idea to send Iguana to the
cave. I wanted you with me in the Overworld. I knew you would
win the Blood Race, with my help. But you didn’t even need my
help. You ran the race even better than I did.

MOTH
King Jaguar, you knew this whole time? You ruled the capital
as if you were the rightful champion.

JAGUAR
We are the rightful champion. The race doesn’t matter. Some
are meant to rule and some are meant to serve.

MOTH
The race isn’t real. It was invented to make people like you
feel superior. You broke the true Sacred Circle.

JAGUAR
The Sacred Circle is what we say it is.

(Moth charges Jaguar with Hammer

and Chisel. Jaguar squawks, runs)

MOTH
Ha! Such a brave king.

MAQAB
You refuse our offer, Moth?
 56.

MOTH
I refuse. My people need me.

CRICKET
Moth, be smart. The Privileged people will never follow you.
They will ignore you. They will hate you.

MOTH
Let’s go, Cricket. We’ll find Mamá and Papá and return to the
Middleworld. We can show everyone the truth, the true meaning
of the Sacred Circle. We will help the Privileged tribe share
with the Freed tribe.

(Moth lifts Chisel)

CRICKET
They will kill you.

(Moth lifts Hammer)

MOTH
If they don’t accept me, I will tear down the walls. Then our
Freed people can take the city by force. We will wage war.

(Maqab crosses to a rope/lever)

MAQAB
We’ve heard enough. You can’t change the order of things.

CRICKET
Don’t hurt her, Maqab.

MOTH
You hurt me more than anyone, Cricket.

MAQAB
So be it, victor of the Blood Race.

MOTH
I am the victor!

(Moth places the Band of Blood on

her head. It cuts her. Blood runs
down her face. Moth touches the
blood and shows to ALL)
 57.

MOTH (CONT’D)
See? We all bleed just the same.

MAQAB
The Band of Blood has no power. You have no power.

(Maqab triggers a trap door. Moth

vanishes through it)

CRICKET
Moth! No!

(Cricket jumps through trap door)

JAGUAR
Wow! That was pretty wild, huh?

MAQAB
Jaguar?

JAGUAR
Yes, auntie?

MAQAB
You had one job! Why can’t you just win the race? For once?

JAGUAR
Sorry, auntie. I’ll do better next time, I promise.

MAQAB
Ridiculous. Now let’s go find you another Band of Blood.

(ALL exit.

The Entrance to the Underworld.

MOTH and CRICKET rouse from fall)

CRICKET
Moth? Moth! Wake up. Are you alright?

MOTH
Are we back in the Underworld? Can’t you get us out of here,
o mighty Spirit of Wind?
 58.

CRICKET
It’s only a title. Elemental spirits are ordinary people who
think they’re extraordinary. I believed I was extraordinary.
You showed me the truth, sister. I’m ashamed of my decision.
Now we’re trapped here, and it’s all my fault. I ruined
everything. I’ve always // ruined everything!

MOTH
Stop your blabbering, Cricket. There’s still hope for us. We
can find Mamá and Papá! Have you seen them in the Underworld?

CRICKET
Moth.

MOTH
We find Mamá and Papá and walk back up the Blood Steps to the
temple. I have the Band of Blood!

CRICKET
Moth?

MOTH
When the people see us with Mamá and Papá ...

CRICKET
——Moth! They’re not here.

MOTH
Are they in the Overworld? We have to get back there.

CRICKET
The Overworld you saw is just a beautiful valley in the
Middleworld. This Underworld? It’s just a big cave.

MOTH
Where are Mamá and Papá?

CRICKET
I want to believe there in a real Overworld somewhere. And I
want to believe Mamá and Papá are there.

MOTH
I want to see Mamá and Papá.

(Moth and Cricket grieve)

 59.

CRICKET
I miss our village. Remember the village?

MOTH
We all looked out for each other. We shared what little food
we had, even when there was a famine. We opened our homes. We
took care of each other when we got sick.

CRICKET
When you were sick, the whole village prayed with me. I
always thought we were alone, but we had the village too.

MOTH
We shared our blankets. We laughed and mourned together.

CRICKET
I miss laughing with other people.

MOTH
We welcomed visitors. We built no walls.

CRICKET
I want to go back.

MOTH
Then let’s go back. Just the two of us. Let’s just walk up
the Blood Steps. Do we need Iguana to perform the Blood
Ceremony to open it?

CRICKET
No ceremony. She just has to lift a latch. They keep it
locked so runners don’t turn around and reveal all the
secrets, like you want to do. We’re trapped down here.

MOTH
No, not trapped. How will Jaguar return to the city? He’ll
take the Victor’s Path.

CRICKET
But the Victor’s Path is locked. The key to open it is——

(Moth points to crown on her head)

MOTH
——The Band of Blood.
 60.

CRICKET
If we get to the Victor’s Chamber, we can escape through the
Victor’s Path! We’ll have to go through the caverns again.

MOTH
We run together.

CRICKET
Like we always have.

MOTH
Like Mamá and Papá taught us. We free us.

(”The Awesome Ballet” — In tandem,

Moth and Cricket re-run the Blood
Race. Suggest the Stone, Ice, and
Fire Caverns —— no sets, maybe some
light and sound. They are awesome.

As the ballet concludes, MOTH and

CRICKET enter: The Victor’s
Chamber. Cricket crosses to door,
but Moth stops at the mural)

CRICKET
There! The door to the Victor’s Path.
(sees Moth reading)
Moth, come on!

MOTH
Just a moment. We need to remember our story.

JAGUAR (OFF-STAGE)
Won’t people see that this Band of Blood looks different?

MAQAB (OFF-STAGE)
How many people have seen the Band of Blood up close?

MOTH
Let’s go.

(Moth uses Band of Blood to open

the Victor’s Path. They exit.

The Temple of the Blood Steps.

IGUANA looks off in the distance)
 61.

IGUANA
(to Crowds)
There! Outside the city walls. The Freed people have come!
They must have heard that Moth entered the Blood Race.
(to self)
What is taking so long? The race should be over by now.
(hears someone coming)
Voices? Someone’s coming? Someone’s coming!
(to Crowds)
My people, listen to me. Someone is coming down the Victor’s
Path! We have a new champion! A new ruler! The victor is ...

(MOTH, with Band of Blood, enters

through gateway with CRICKET)

IGUANA
Moth?! And Cricket?!

MOTH
I am the victor!

CRICKET
Moth is the true victor!

IGUANA
The Freed woman must have cheated. Where is King Jaguar?

(Crowd boos)

MOTH
I have defeated Jaguar, honestly and fairly.

CRICKET
I witnessed this.

IGUANA
Lies!

MOTH
——Iguana, everyone, believe your own eyes!

IGUANA
My people, do not believe your own eyes. Believe me!

(Playing to each other only)

 62.

MOTH
Iguana, what are you doing? You are the High Priest. Show
your people the way. Will you follow me?

(Beat. Iguana hears booing crowd)

IGUANA
(to Crowd)
She is no queen!

CRICKET
Why am I not surprised?

(Moth reveals Band of Blood)

MOTH
Here is the Band of Blood. I pass it to Iguana, so that she
may enter the Overworld and speak to the spirits herself.

IGUANA
Me? You would grant me access to the Overworld?

MOTH
The Band of Blood is yours.

IGUANA
My people! The High Priest will speak to the elemental
spirits. She will bring back your rightful champion.

(Iguana enters gateway and exits)

MOTH
Look! Outside the city walls. The Freed people have come.

CRICKET
Speak to the people, Moth. Speak to all of them.
(to Crowd)
People! People of all tribes! Listen to the victor.

MOTH
This is a time of great change. The Sacred Circle has turned,
but it is always turning. Hear me now, and let my words
spread from this temple, throughout the capital, beyond the
walls, out to the villages, and into the fields and quarries
where men and women labor and sweat. There are no Freed
people, no Privileged people, only We People.
 63.

MOTH (CONT’D)
We learn together. Struggle together. We free us! Those with
knowledge of growing food, harvesting fields, building homes,
caring for children——we will share our knowledge with those
who know words and numbers. They will share their knowledge
with us in return. All will teach. All will learn. None will
rule. None will serve. This I decree as Victor of the Blood
Race.

(Crowd is silent)

CRICKET
So it is spoken, so it is done.

(Distant crowd cheers)

MOTH
It’s playing well outside the walls.

(Nearby crowd boos)

CRICKET
Inside the walls, not so much.

(Moth takes out Hammer and Chisel

and addresses Crowds)

MOTH
The Middleworld is our domain. We must care for it ourselves,
and allow the spirits to care for the Overworld. I will close
the gateway linking our worlds, so that we in the Middleworld
will rely on each other, not the spirits.

(Moth feels along stone gateway)

CRICKET
I’m with you, Moth.

MOTH
What do you think, Hammer and Chisel?

HAMMER AND CHISEL

Doooooo it!

(Moth hammers a vulnerable spot

that collapses gateway. Silence)
 64.

MOTH
Should we run now?

CRICKET
We should run!

(They exit as the Crowd roars.

GECKO, an older priest now, enters)

GECKO
Have you heard stories about the Hero Twins? The Maya people
tell the story of the Hero Twins who defeated the Lords of
Death in a sacred ball game. The Navajo people tell the story
of the Hero Twins who fought evil monsters and beasts. But
have you heard the story of the Hero Twins who turned the
circle of the world upside down?

(MOTH and CRICKET are in the Cave.

Moth watches Cricket chisel stone)

GECKO (CONT’D)
The story of these Hero Twins begins —— and begins again ——
in a cave, a long time ago, or maybe not so long ago.

(Gecko exits. Cricket finishes)

MOTH
Beautiful words, Cricket. Now we teach others, like Mamá and
Papá taught us. Shall we read together?

CRICKET
“A beginning. Sacred Blood. First We People. Give learning.”

MOTH
“Run together. Sacred Circle. We free us.”

END OF PLAY