The Frontier Trilogy by Jethro Compton

Author:Jethro Compton
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2015-07-25T00:00:00+00:00

The Frontier Trilogy:

Volume III

The Rattlesnake’s Kiss

CHARACTERS

1866

FATHER MANOAH – The priest at The Chapel of Emmanuel. 30-40. A noble and religious man, to be respected and feared.

US MARSHAL – A lawman from Texas. 25-30. A young gunslinger, theatrical in his demeanour, steady and confident.

1851

ELENA – Leon’s former concubine, Mason’s wife. 20-25. She is brave, fearless and kind-hearted.

SILAS – A Veneno Gang member. 25-40. He is cruel, poorly educated, and disturbing to watch.

JACK MASON – Former right hand man in the Veneno Gang. 20-25. He is the epitome of the dangerous yet remorseful gunslinger.

THEODORE LEON – Head of the Veneno Gang. 40-50. He is violent and bloodthirsty, but constantly level-headed. He is theatrical, deceitful and takes great pleasure in other’s pain.

SETTING

The Chapel of Emmanuel, North of Canyon Falls, America

Summer 1866

&

Granja de Cerdos and La Meurte Negro, Northern Mexico

Summer 1851

NOTE ON DOUBLING

THEODORE LEON and SILAS can be performed by the same actor.

FATHER MANOAH and JACK MASON must be performed by the same actor.

ACT ONE – 1866

Scene One – Santo Emmanuel

A hot summer’s morning in the Chapel of Emmanuel where FATHER MANOAH is preparing for a service. A black cloth covers his eyes – he is blind. A fierce wind blows across the desert outside.

Through the doors steps a young man, he is dressed in a smart black suit and the star on his chest indicates he’s a law official – US MARSHAL.

The MARSHAL steps in and surveys the chapel in silence. Under one arm he carries a small wooden crate. He observes MANOAH who is aware of his presence, but neither man speaks.

The silence is broken only by the wind outside.

After some time.

MARSHAL Ain’t you gonna say nothin’.

MANOAH I assumed if you wanted to speak you would have done so already.

Silence.

MARSHAL The wind’s hot. Comin’ right off the dirt.

MANOAH It’s often that way in summer.

Silence.

MARSHAL What’s your name, padre?

MANOAH Father Manoah.

MARSHAL You baptised ‘Father’ or you got a Christian name?

Pause.

MANOAH Peter.

Silence.

MARSHAL Ain’t you wonderin’ who I am?

MANOAH You’re here for the service? You’re early – it doesn’t start ‘til ten.

MARSHAL I’m here to speak with you.

MANOAH Yes?

MARSHAL I need your assistance.

MANOAH How may I assist you?

MARSHAL I’m lookin’ for a man. Member of your church.

MANOAH What do you want with him?

MARSHAL I’m here to arrest him.

MANOAH You’re a lawman?

MARSHAL I’m a United States Marshal.

MANOAH This man must have done something serious. Who is he?

MARSHAL He’s a killer.

MANOAH There are no murderers among this community.

MARSHAL There is one – I’m sure of it. My guess is he ain’t killed no one for many years. But he’s a killer all the same.

MANOAH What’s his name?

MARSHAL I know the name he went by some years back. I been told I’ll find him here at your service this mornin’. When the man arrives, I’m gonna need you to identify him to me.

MANOAH You don’t know what he looks like?

MARSHAL Last time anyone saw him was fifteen years ago. I was only a boy at the time. So I’m gonna need you to point him out.

MANOAH Will you

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.