2043...(A Merman I Should Turn to Be) (Black Stars) by Nisi Shawl

Author:Nisi Shawl [Shawl, Nisi]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-08-31T04:00:00+00:00

EXCERPT AND FINALE FROM PRETZLES’ “CAVES OF ALTAMIRA” SCRIPT

SANDRA crosses stage looking lost.

GLENN (off): Be back by daylight! I’m the one who has to make everything right . . . talk it out, keep it from a fight . . . Don’t you care anymore?

BAND REPRISES “BLACK COW.”

SCENE V

Lights off except foots as dim frieze. SANDRA enters from audience, still looking lost. Band begins “Caves” as instrumental ballad while she “searches” stage by flickering handheld light, then accompanies her singing for both verses and joins in chorus. End song on SANDRA vanishing behind scrim.

Scrim rises (or sinks?) to reveal cave interior: SANDRA seated at fire between ERCILLA and HENRY.

SANDRA: It was women did this?

HENRY: All this art is by women.

SANDRA: How? How do you know?

ERCILLA: We’re not just guessin.

HENRY: Touch it.

SANDRA: What?

ERCILLA: Look at the paint strokes, the handprints, how small they are.

HENRY (more urgently): Touch it!

SANDRA: Why? (Standing) What’s wrong with you? What do you want?

ERCILLA: No! Nothing! We’re only sayin—if you want to understand—

HENRY: Here—touch it with your own hand.

BAND STARTS “CHAIN LIGHTNING” INTRO.

ERCILLA: Don’t trouble to ask a man—

HENRY: Not east of the Rio Grande—

ERCILLA: Not west either, that’s no good.

(SANDRA rises slowly, palms out)

HENRY: We’re standin just where she stood, and it’s—

SANDRA: (Palms flat against invisible barrier) CHAIN LIGHTNING! OUR OTHERHOOD!

BAND PERFORMS “CHAIN LIGHTNING.”

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