Propucrion History Eurydice received its first workshop production in January 2. in Providence, Rl at Brown University's New Play Festal (tes ‘Wellman, producer). Fatal ae Eurydice received a workshop production at The Children’s Theatre Company (Peter C. Brosius, Artistic Director; Teresa Eyring, Managing Director) in Minneapolis in September 2001. It was directed by Darron L. West and Rebecca Brown, Eurydice received its world premiere at Madison Repertory “Theatre (Richard Corley, Artistic Director; Tony Forman, Manag- {ng Director) in September 2003. The production was directed by Richard Corley; the set design was by Narelle Sissons, the ight ing design was by Rand Ryan, the costume design was by Murell Horton, the sound design was by Darron L. West and movement ‘was by Karen Hoyer; the stage manager was Lynn “Cubby” Terry, Jr. The cast was as follows: BURYDICE Laura Heisler HER FATHER, John Lenertz, onPHEUs David Andrew McMahon A.NASTY INTERESTING MAN/ ‘THE LORD OF THE UNDERWORLD Scot Morton GRANDMOTHER/OLD WOMAN Diane Dorsey A CHORUS OF STONES: BIG STONE Jody Reiss irre sroxe Polly Noonan LOUD STONE Karlie NurseNotes Eurydice and Orpheus should be played as though they are a it {de too young and alittle too in love. They should resist the temp- tation to be “clasica.” ‘The underworld should resemble the world of Alice in Wonderland ‘more than it resembles Hades. ‘The Stones might be played as though they are nasty children ata birthday party. ‘When people compose letters in this play they needn't actually seribble them—they can speak diretly to the audience. ‘The set should allow for fluid transitions from moment to ‘moment—from underworld to overworld and back again, ‘The play should be performed without an intermission, First Movement rm Scene 1 A young man—Orpheus—and a young woman —Eurydice. They wear swimming outfit fom the 1950s. Orpheus makes a sweeping gesture with his arm, indicating the shy. rurvoice Ail those birds? Thank you. He nods. They make a quarter turn and he make a sweeping gesture, indicating an invisible sea. ‘And—the seal For me? When? Orpheus opens his hands. ‘Now? It's mine already? Orpheus nods. Wow. a3Saran Rust They kis: He indicates che sy. Sarely not—surely not the sky and the stars too?! Orpheus nods. ‘That's very generous. Orpheus nods. Pethaps too generous? Orpheus shakes his head no ‘Thank you. Now—walk over there. Orpheus walks tn straight line onan unseen boardwalk. Don't look at me “He tens his foe amy fom hers and walls Now—stop. He stops ‘She rans and jumps into his arms He does’t quite catch her and they fall down together. ‘She crawls on top of him and hisses his ees ‘What are you thinking about? Music. How can you think about music? You either hear it or you don’t. a Eunyoice xing en oneueus on runrDr Pause. read a book today, onrueus Did you? SURYDICE ‘Yes. It was very interesting. That's good. Don’t you want to know what it was about? onpneus Ofcourse. BURYDICE ‘There were—stories—about people's lives—how some come ‘out well—and others come out badly. Do you love the book? Yes think so. Why? asSaran Rune Tecan be interesting to see if other people—like dead people who wrote books—agree or disagree with what you think: Why? Because it makes you—a larger part of the human community. It had very interesting arguments Oh, And arguments that are interesting are good arguments? Well—yes, onpxeus 1 didn't know an argument should be interesting. I thought it should be right or wrong Well, these particular arguments were very interesting Maybe you should make up your own thoughts. Instead of read- Jing them in a book, Ido. Ido think up my own thoughts Tknow you do. Hove how you love books. Don't be mad, Pause, made up a song for you today. Euryoter Did you! Yup. It’s not interesing or not interesting. It just—is. Will you sing it for me? thas too many parts. Let’s go in the water. They stare walking, arm in orm, ‘on extensive unsern boardwalk, toward the water, Wait—remember this melody. He hums a bao melody. 1'm bad at rememiering melodies. Why don’t you remember it? Thave eleven other ones in my head, making for a total of twelve. You have it? ‘Yes. I think so, Let’s hear it. ‘She sings the melody. ‘She misses a few nots She's noe the best singer in the woldSaran Rum Pretty good, The rhythm’s a little off. Here—clap it out, She claps He clops the rhythmic sequence for he. ‘She tries to imitate She is still off Is that right? We'll practice. | don’t need to know about rhythm, I have my books. Don't books have rhythm? Kind of. Let's go in the water. Will you remember my melody under the water? Yes! [WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER YOUR MELODY! It will be imprinted on my heart like wax Thank you. You're welcome. When are you going to play me the whole song? ‘When I get twelve instruments, 38 Eunypres Where are you going to get twelve instruments? 1m going to make each strand of your hair into an instrument. ‘Your hair will stand on end ast plays my music and become a hair orchestra. It will fly you up into the sky. 1 don’t know ifI want to be an instrument, Why? ‘Won't I fall down when the song ends? ‘That's truc. But the clouds will be so moved by your music that they will fll up with water until they become heavy and you'll sit ‘on one and fall gently down to earth, How about that? Oly, They stop wolking for ¢ moment. They gaze at each other It’s settled then, What is? Your hair will be my orchestra and—I love you. Powe, aeSanaw Rum Itcan be interesting to see ff other peopl if other people—like dead people wrote books—agree or disagree with what you thine Pe ™BO Why? Because it makes you larger part ofthe human community. had very interesting arguments. me Oh And arguments that are interesting ae good arguments? Wel yex | did't know an argument sho! be interes Shou be right or wong ne evel Well these particular arguments were very interesting Maybe you should make up y ‘€ up your own thoughts. Instead of rea ing them in a book, eietasead fread 1 do, Ido think up my own thoughts, Tknow you do. Ilove how you love books. Don’t be mad. Pause {made up a song for you today. Eunynice. Did you?! ‘Yup. It’s not interesting oF not intresting. It just—is. ‘Will you sing it for me? Ithas too many parts. Let's goin the water. They stare walking, arm in arm, ‘on extensive unseen boardwalk, roward che wate. ‘Waitzemember this melody. He hums a bor of melody. V'm bad at remembering melodies. Why don't you remember it? Thave eleven other ones in my head, making for a total of twelve. You have it? Yes. I think so. ‘She misses a fow notes. ‘She's not the best singer in the world,Saran Ruste Pretty good. The rhythin’s alittle off. Here—clap it out She claps. “He clops the rhythmle sequence for her She tiesto imitate She is sll off Is that right? We'll practice, | don’t need to know about rhythm. Ihave my books. Don’t books have rhythm? Kind of. Let's go in the water, ‘Will you remember my melody under the water? Yes! WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER YOUR MELODY! It will be imprinted on my heart ike wax. ‘Thank you. You're welcome. When are you going to play me the whole song? When I get twelve instruments. Eurrpicr ‘Where are you going to get twelve instruments? ’m going to make each strand of your hair lays my music ly you up into the sky. 1 don't know if want to be an instrument, Why? Won't fall down when the song ends? That's true, But the clouds will be so moved by your music that they will fill up with water until they become heavy and you'll sit ‘on one and fall gently down to earth. How about that? Okay. They stop walking for a moment. They gaze a each other, ted then. What is? Your hair will be my orchestra and—I love you. Pause.Sanau Runs, Furvorce, Hove you, too, That's avery particular finger. How will you remember? Yes, That [love you? You're aware ofthat? Yes Yes, ‘That's easy. Lean’t help it How aware? You never know. I'd better tie a string around your finger to oneness remind you. Very aware, Is there string atthe ocean? Orpheus—are we? [always have string. In case I come upon a broken instrument, | You tell me. He takes outa string from his pocket Eunyoice He takes her lft hand. Yes. 1 think so This hand. | He wraps string deliberately around her fourth finger | Yu think so? Is this too tight? ree rurvpicr | 1 wasn’t thinking No—it’s fine Tmean—yes. Just Yes. ‘There—now you'll remember. j Yest so | aanSanam Rua Eurypice Eurvorer She puts on her swimming goggles. Yes, onrutrus Place you! Yes! Burvpice EURYDICE Pl race you! Yes! orrazus lh race you! May our lives be full of music! Masi: lace you! He picks her up and throws her into the ek " ° * ‘They race toward the water. Maybe you could also get me another ring—a gold one—to put Scene 2 over the string one. You know? onpueus ‘The Father, deesed in a gray suit, reads from a leter. ‘Whatever makes you happy. Do you still hve my melody? FATHER Dear Eurydice, A letter for you on your wedding day It's right here, ‘There is no choice of any importance in life but the choos ing of a beloved. I haven't met Orpheus, but he seems like « serious young man. I understand he’s'a musician, ‘Se points to her temple They look at each other. A silence. If were to givea speech at your wedding I would start with What are you thinking about? ‘one or two funny jokes, and then I might offer some words onpueus of advice. I would say: tia Cultivate the arts of dancing and small talk. He face al Everything in moderation, Court the companionship and respect of dogs. Grilling a fish or toasting bread without burning requires singleness of purpose, vigilance and steadfast watching, Keep quiet about politics, but vote for the right man, ‘Take care to change the light bulbs, just kidding. I was thinking about you. And music. 8 ig about y‘ Let's go in the water. Ill ace you!Sana Ruste Continue to give yourself to others because that’s the ultimate satisfaction in life—to love, accept, honor and help others. ‘As for me, this is what it’s like being dead: the atmosphere smells. And there are strange high-pitched nojses—Lke a tea kettle always boiling over. Butt doesn't seem to bother anyone. And, for the most part, there is a pleasant atmosphere and you can work and socialize, much ike at home 1m working inthe business world and it seems that, here, you ‘an better see the far-reaching consequences of your actions, Also, Tam one of the few dead people who still remembers how to read and write. That's a secret. If anyone finds out, they might dip me in the River again write you letters. I don’t know how to get them to you. Love, Your Father He drops the letter as though into 0 matl slot {falls on the ground. Wedding music. In the underworld, the Father walks in a straight line as though he is walking his daughter down the aisle He is ofecionate, then solemn, then glad, then solemn, then amused, then solemn, He looks at his imaginary daughter; he looks straight abead; he acknowledges the guests at the wedding; he gets choked-up: he looks at his daughter and smiles an embarrased smile for getting choked-up. He looks straight ahead, calm. He walks. Suddenly, he checks his watch, He exits, in @ hurry. Scene 3 Eurydice, by 2 water pump. The noise of « party, from far off. Eunypice Thate partes ‘And a wedding party is the biggest party of al All the guests arrived and Orpheus is taking a shower. He's always taking a shower when the guests arrive so he doesn’t have to greet them. ‘Then Ihave to greet them. ‘A wedding is for daughters and fathers. The mothers al dress up, ‘trying to ook like young women, But a wedding is for a father and a daughter. They stop being married to each other on that day. T always thought there would be more interesting people at my wedding. She drinks a cup of wor fiom the water pump. A Nasty Interesting Man, wearing a trench coat, appears. Are you a homeless person? No. Cb. on my wo to pry whee te ely er ite cog people Would you hoo ne? Nowtpateemy om pry You wre ging arta yu jst? seam a You must be a very interesting person, to leave your own party like that,Saran Rum ‘Thank you. You mustn’t care a all what other people think of you. 1 hays ‘ay that's a mark ofa reall interesting person, don’t you? I guess. So would you like to accompany me to interesting affair? No, thank you. Ijust got married, you see. Oh—lots of people do that. That's true—lots of people do. ‘What's your name? mm se sunnier to at he hang. a seas etiam Good-bye. ms Eurvpier. ‘She exits, He sits by the water pump. He notices a leer on the ground. He picks it up ond reads it To himself Dear Eurydice « Musy delpping sounds. Scene 4 ‘The Father tries to remember how to do the jitterbug in the underworld He does the jtterbug with an imaginary partner. He has fun Orpheus and Eurydice dance gether a their wedding. They are hoppy They have had some champagne. They sing together: Don’t sit under the apple tree ‘Anyone else but me ‘Anyone else but me Nono no. Don't sit under the apple tree With anyone else but me ‘come marching home . . (nthe other side ofthe stage, the Father checks his watch, He sops doing the teary. Hees ino bury. Don't go walking down lover’ lane With anyone else but meSaran Rust Anyone else but me Anyone else but me Nono no. Don't go walking down lover's lane thanyone else but me Till come marching home 'm warm, Are you warm? Yes! {Pm going to get a drink of water Don't go. be right back. Promise? Yes. Tean’t stand to let y f my sight today, goose, They kis Eurvorce Scene 5 Eurydice atthe water pump, _getting 0 glass of waver ‘The Nasty Interesting Man appears. Oh—you're still here. you something. Ihave a letter. Addressed to ou—from your father. ‘That's not possible He wrote down some thoughts—for your wedding day. Let me see Heft itat home. It got delivered to my elegant high-rise apartment by mistake, Why didn’t you say 0 before? You left in such a hurry. From my father?Saran Rumi You're sure? Yes. BURYDICE knew he'd send something! Te'll just take a moment. I live around the block. What an inter. esting dress you're wearing, eurypice ‘Thank you. Scene 6 Orpheus from the water pump. Eurydice? Eurydice! Scene 7 The sound of a door closing ‘The Interesting Apartment—a giant lf space with no furniture Eurydice and the Man enter panting. Voila You're very high up. Eurypice Yes. Lam: I feel a litle faint. el pass. runyoice Have you ever thought about installing an elevator? No. I prefer stairs. 1 think architecture is so interesting, don’t yout eurrDice ‘Oh, yes. So, where’s the letter? But isn’t this an interesting building? It’s so—high up. Yes. ‘There's no one here. I thought you were having a party like to celebrate things quietly: With a few other interesting peo- ple. Don’t you? ‘She tts her head tothe side and stares at hie Would you like some champagne? astSaran Rust Maybe some water. ‘Water it is! Make yourself comfortable, He switches on Brazilian mood music. He exits. Eurydice looks around. can't tay long! ‘She looks out the window: She ie very igh up. I can see my wedding from here! ‘The people are so small—they’re dancing! ‘There's Orpheus! He's not dancing. (Shouting from oftage) So, who's this guy you're marrying? (Shouting) His name is Orpheus. ‘Ashe attempts to open champagne ofiage: Orpheus. Not a very interesting name, I've heard it before. Maybe you've heard of him. He’s kind of famous. He plays the ‘most beautiful music in the world, actually. can’t hear you! Eurypice. So the letter was delivered—here—today? ‘Thats right. sunvoice “Through the post? Teas mysterious The sound of champagne popping. He enters with one glas of champagne. Vill He drinks the champagne So, Eurydice, Tell me one thing. Name me one person you find interesting. EuRYDICE Why? Just making conversation, He sways a little to the music. URYDICE Right. Um—all the interesting people I know are dead or speak French, n't speak French, Eurydice.Sanam Runt He takes one sep toward her. ‘She takes one step back. T'm sorry, Ihave to go. There’s no letter, is there? Of course there’s a letter. It’s right here. (He pats his breast pocket) Eurydice. I’m not interesting, but to be interesting, I would listen, his own thoughts. There’s music in hishead. Try to pluck the music out and it bites you. I'll bet you had an interesting thought today, for instance. She tiles her head to the side, quizzical. I bet you're always having them, the way you tlt your head to the side and stare . She jerks her head back up. Musty dripping sounds. | feel dizzy all of a sudden. want my husband. I think I'd better go now. You're free to go, whenever you like. know. | think Pll go now, in fact. just take my letter first, if you don’t mind. ‘She holds out her hand forthe leer He takes her hand. Relax. Eunrorer She cakes her hand away. Good-bye. She turns to exit. He blocks the doorway. Wait. Eurydice, Don’t go. love you. Obno. ‘You need to get yourself a real man. A man with broad shoulders like me. Orpheus has long fingers that would tremble to pet a bull or pluck a bee from a hive How do you know about my husband's fingers? ‘A man who can put is big arm around your lite shoulders as he leads you through the crowd, a man who answers the door at par- Aman withbig hands, wth bg stupid hands like potatoes, aman who can carry a cow in labor. The Man backs Eurydice against the wall, My lips were meant to kiss your eyelids, that's obvious! Close your eyes, then! expecting a is. er from his breast pocket.Sanan Ruste ‘She sips by him ond opens the door to the stairwell He opens his eyes ‘She looks atthe letter, 'shis handwriting! Of course itis! He reaches for her. Good-bye. She runs forthe She waver, of balance, atthe op of the stairwell Don't do that, you'll trip! There are six hundred stairs! Orpheus! From the woter pump: ‘She follows the Jeter down, down down . . Blackout. A clatter. Strange sounds —xylephones, bros hands, sounds of falling, sounds of vertigo. Sounds of breathing. ass ‘and pitches down the stairs, holding her letter. SECOND MOVEMENT The underworld There is no set change. Strange watory noises. Drip, drip, drip. The morement to the underworld is marked by the entrance of stones. Scene 1 ‘We are a chorus of stones. Pma litle stone. Pmabig stone. T'ma loud stone.Sanaw Ruse We are all three stones. ‘We live with the dead people in the land of the dead, Eurydice was a great musician. Orpheus was his wife. (Correcting Big Stone) Orpheus was a great musician. Eurydice was is wife. She died. ‘Then he played the saddest music Even we— the stones. ‘ried when we heard it. The sound of three drop of mater hitting « pond. Ob, look, coming into the land of the dead now, Ont Oh LITTLE STONE Oh! We might say: “Poor Eurydice” Eunypice. bbut stones don’t feel bad for dead people. ‘The sound of an elevator ding ‘An elevator door opens Inside the elevator, raining Eurydice gets rained on inside the elevator. She carries a suitcase and an umbrele She i drested inthe hind of 1930s suit that women wore when they eloped. She Tooks Bewildered. The sound of an elevator ding Eurydiceseps out of the elevator. The elevator door loss. ‘She walks toward the audience and opens her mouth, trying to speak There isa great humming noise She closes her mouth The humming noise stops. ‘She opens her mouth for the socond ‘attempting t tell her story tothe i There i great humming noise. She closes her mouth—the humming noise stops ‘She has o tontram of despair. The Stones, 0 the audience: Eurydice wants to speak to you. But she can’t speak your language anymore. ‘She talks in the language of dead people now. It’s a very quiet language. ike if the pores in your face opened up and talked,Saran Runt 16 stone Like potatoes sleeping in the dirt. LLitle Stone and Loud Stone look at Big Stone as though that were @ cdomb thing to say Pretend that you understand her or she'll be embarrassed. Yes—pretend for a moment that you understand, the language of stones. Loup stone Listen to her the way you would listen to your own daughter if she died too young and tried to speak to you across long distances. Eurydice shakes out her umbrella ‘She approaches the audience. This time, she con speak. ‘There was a roar, and a coldness— | think my husband was with me. What was my husband’s name? urydice torn othe Stones ‘My husband's name? Do you know it? The Stones shrug their shoulders How strange. I It was horrible "tremember. his face Euryorer when I died, His eyes were ‘two black birds and they flew tome. I said: no—stay where you are— he needs you in order to see! ‘When I got through the cold they made me swim in a river and I forgot his name. 1 forgot al the names, now his name starts with my mouth shaped like a ball of twine— Oar—oar. forget. ‘They took me toa tiny boat Tonly just fit inside. Hooked at the oars and wanted to cry I tried to cry but Ijust drooled alittle Fl try now. She tres to cry but finds that she con ‘What happiness it would be to ery. She takes a breath was not lonely only alone with myself ‘begging myself not to leave my own body but I nas leaving, Good-bye, head said— it inclined itself alittle, as though to nod to me in a solemn kind of way. She teas tothe Stone. Hoow do you say good-bye to yourself?Sanam Runt They shake ther heads. A teain whistle Eurydic steps onto a plasform, surveying a large crowd. Avtzain! ‘The station is like a train but there is no train ‘The train has wheels that are not wheels. Loup stone ‘There is the opposite of a wheel and the opposite of smoke and the opposite ofa train. A taain pulls away. ruryDice ‘Ohi I’m waitin for someone to meet me, I think. Eurydice's Father approaches and takes her baggage. Eurydice, At las, a porter to meet mel ‘Do you happen to know where the bank is? I need just arrived. I need to exchange my money at the Bureau de Change. I didn't bring taveler’s checks because I left 4n such a hurty. They didn’t even let me pack my suitcase. There's nothing init! That's funny, right? Funny—bha hal 1 suppose I can buy new clothes here. ! would really love a bath. — Pari Euryoice ‘What isthat language you're speaking? It gives me tingles, Say itagan, Eurydice! ‘ooh—it’s like a fruit! Again! Eurydice—I'm your father. (Sirangely imitating) Eurydice—I'm your father! How funny! You remind me of something but [can’t understand a word you're say- ing Say it again! Your father, (othe Father) Shut up, shut up! ‘She doesn’t understand you. She's dead now, too. You have to speak in the language of stones. (To Eurydice) You're dead now. I'm dead, too. eunypice Yes, that’s right. Ineed a reservation. For the fancy hotel. ‘When you were alive, I was your father. Father is not a word that dead people understand, 36Saran Ruse He is what we call subversive. When you were alive, Iwas your tree. My tree! Yes, the its shade! yne in the backyard! I used to sit all day in ‘She sits atthe fect of her father. ‘Ah—there—shade! ‘There isa p em here. Is there any entertainment a the h swith the great big fans? iny dancing ladies? Like named you Eurydice. Your mother named all the other children, But Eurydice I chose for you. Be careful, sir Eurydice. I wanted to remember your asked the Stones. They ssid: forget the names— the names make you remember. We told you how it works! One day it would not stop raining. Euayoice J heard your name inside the rain—somewhere between the drops—I saw falling letters. Each letter of your name—I begs to transhate. EJ remembered elephants. UI remembered ulcers and under. R—I remembered reindeers. I saw them putting their black noses into snow: Y-—youth and yellow. D—dog, dig, daugh- ‘ter, day. Time poured into my head, The days of the week. Hours, months ‘The tree talks so beautifully. Don't listen! | feel suddenly hungry! Where is the porter who met me at the Here Lam, | would like a continental breakiast, please. Maybe some rolls and butter, Oh—and jam. Please take my suitcase to my room, if you would. I'm sorry, miss, but there are no rooms here. ‘What? No rooms? Where do people sleep? People don't sleep here. Thave to say I'm very disappointed. It's been such a tiring day. I've been traveling al first on a river, then on an elevator thatSaran Ruste rained, then on a train .. . thought someone would meet me at the station . Eanydice i onthe verge of tears Don't ery! Don't ery! I don’t know where Iam and there ae all these stones and I hate them! They're horrible! I want a bath! I thought someone would -meet me at the station! FATHER Don’t be sad. I'll take your luggage to your room. ‘THERE ARE NO ROOMS! He picks up her laggage. He give the Stones a dirty look The sound of water in rasty pipes Scene 2 Orpheus write a ever to Bury onrieus Dear Eurydice, mis you. No—thit’s not enough. He crumples up the leer He writes o new letter. He thinks. He writes: Euarpice Dear Eurydice, Symphony for twelve instruments. A pause “He bears the music i his head. He conduets Love, Orpheus He drops the leteras though into a mail slot. Scene 3 The Father creates a room out of string for Eurydic. He makes four walls anda door out of string. Time pases. Ic takes time o build a room out of string. Eurydice observes the underworld. There is’e much o observe She plays hop-scotch without chal. Every soften, the Father looks at her, happy to see ber, stile he makes her room out of string. She looks Back at him, polit. Scene 4 ‘The Father has completed the sting room, He geseures for Eurydice to enter. ‘She enters with her suitcase, Thank you. That will do,Saran Runt ‘She nods to her Father. He doesn’t leave. Oh. I suppose you want a tip. He shes his bead no Would you run a bath for me? Yes, miss He exits the string rom. Eunice opens ber suitcase She s surprised to find noching inside. She sts down inside ber svtcae. Scene 5 oneueus Dear Eurydice, ove you. I'm going to find you. I play the saddest now that you're gone. You know I hate writing lett give this letter toa worm. Ihope he finds you. Love, Orpheus He drops the leter as though into @ mail slot. Scene 6 The Father enters the string room with a leter on a silver tray. ‘There is a letter for you, miss. 38 Eurypice Alletter? He nods Alletter, He hands her the leter. Its addressed to you, EURYDICE ‘There's dirt on it She seratinizes it She doe not know how to read it: ‘She pus it on the ground, takes off her shoes, stands on rand shuts heres. She thinks, anguage for the thought, the melody: Theres no place like home... FATHER Miss. What is it? FATHER Would you like me to read you the letter? Read me the letter? You can't do it with your feet.Sanan Rus The Father guides her off the lett ie up and begin to read. It’s addressed to Eurydice. That's you, That's you. You. Teaays: Hove you love you? Ws like your tee Tale The Father considers Green? sitting in the shade W's like sitting inthe shade with no clothes on. Oht—yes. (Reading) I'm going to find you. 1 play the saddest rmasie— Eunvpice. Music? He whistles @ note like that. She smiles. Goon, You know Ihate writing letters. 'l give this letter toa worm. !hope he finds you. Love, Orpheus Orpheus? Orpheus. A pause That word! Its ike I can’t breathe. Orpheus! My husband, Scene 7 Dear Eurydice, Last night I dreamed that we climbed Mount Olympus and ‘we started to make love andall the strands of your hait wereSaran Ruxt litle faucets and water was streaming out of your head and | said, why is water coming out of your hair? And you said, gravity is very compelling ‘And then we jumped off Mount Olympus and flew through the clouds and you held your knee to your chest because you skinned it ona sharp cloud and then we fell nto a salty lake. mouth and I thought: who am I? It scares me, Eurydice. Please come back. Love, Orpheus Scene 8 Eurydice and her ath Did you get my letters? NolYou wrote me letters? Every day. What did they say? FATHER (Oh—nothing much, The usual suff ‘ell me the names of my mother and brothers and sisters a Eurvoice 1 don’t think that's a good idea. Itwill make you sad, I want to know. It's long time to be sad. FURYDICE Td rather be sad. Being sad is not allowed! Act like a stone. Scene 9 Time sf Eurydce and her father inthe string room “Teach me another. Ostracize. eunyoice ‘What does it mean? To exclude. The Greeks decided who to banish. They wrote the name of the banished person on a white piece of pottery called ostrakon, Ostrakon, Another.Saman Rani Peripatetic. From the Greek. It means to walk slowly, speaking of weighty matters, in bare feet. Peripatetic: a learned fruit, wandering through the snow. Another. Defunct Defunct, Iemeans dead ina very abrupt way. Not the way I died, which was wwly, But all at once, in cowboy boots Tell me a story of when you were little. Well, there was the time your uncle shot at me with a BB gun and 1 was mad at him so I swallowed Then there was the time I went to a dude ranch and I was riding ‘horse and I lassoed a car. The lady driving the car got out and spanked me. And your grandmother spanked me, too. | Remember the Christmas when she gave me a doll and I sai see one more 'm going to throw up”? I think Grammy was a little surprised when Tell me a story about your mother: Euaypice ‘The most vivid recollection I have of Mother was seeing her at parties and in the house playing piano. When she was younger she was extremely animated. She could really play the piano, She ‘could play everything by ear. They called her Flaming Sally. Inever saw Grammy play the piano. ‘She was never the same after my father died, My father was avery gentle man. Tell me story about your father. My father and J used to duck hunt. He would call up old Frank the night before and ask, "Where are the ducks moving tonight?” Frank ‘was a guide and a farmer. Old Frank, he could really call the ducks. It was hard for me to kill the poor litle ducks, but you get caught up in the fervor of it. You'd get as many as ten ducks, ‘you went over the limit—there were only so many ducks per person—Father would throw the ducks to the side of the creek ‘we were paddling on and make sure there was no game warden. Ifthe warden was gone, he'd run back/and get the extra ducks and throw them in the back of the car. My father was never a great conversationalist, but he loved to thapsodize about hunting, He ‘would always say if ever have to die, i's in a duck pond. And he did. There was something I always wanted to ask you. It was—how to do something—or—a story—or someone's name—I forget. Don't worry. You'll remember. There's plenty of time,Saran Runt Scene 10 Orpheus writes a leer Dear Eurydice, I wonder if you miss reading books in the underworld. Orpheus holds the Collected Works of Shakespeare Scene 11 Eurydice holds the Collected Works of Shakespeare. What is this? ‘She opens it. She doesn't understand i. ‘She throws the book on the ground. What are you? She is wary of t,o: though i She tres to understand 7 ‘She tries to make the book do something, Euaypice Damn you! ‘She throws the book at the Sones. They duck ‘That is not allowed! Drops of water Time pase. The Father pick up the book He Brushes off The Father teaches Eu ‘She loks ove his shoulder as he read outloud from King Lear how to read, ‘We two alone will sing like birds inthe cage. When thou dost ask my blessing, I'll kneel down [And ask of thee forgiveness; so we'll ive, ‘And pray and sing Scene 12 Orpheus, with o telephone, For Eurydico—F, U, R,Y—that’s right, No, there’s no last name, To the book It’s not like that. What? No, I don’e know the country. I don’t know the city either. I don’t know the street. I don’t know—it What do you do? probably starts with a vowel. Could you just—would you mind ‘What do you DO checking please—I would really appreciate it. You can't enter a ‘Are you. thing or a person? rname without a city? Why not?Well, thank you for trying, Wait— Say something! ‘miss—it's a special case. She’s dead. Well, thank you for trying Thate you! ‘You have a nice day, too, She sands on the book, trying read i He hangs up a6 377Saran Rune \d you, Don’t move! He fingers a glow-in-the-dark glabe, looking for Eure. Scene 13 urydice ond her father in the string room Tell me another story of when you were litle Let's see ‘There was my frst pi aying “I Got Rhythm.” layed the first few chords and I couldn't remember the rest. Iran out of the room and locked myself in the bathroom, Then what happened? sd me out of the bathroom and made me the auditorium. I never played piano snow the first four chords—le Your grandmother p apologize to eve) after that, But Ist He plays the chow air with his hands. Da Da Dee Da DaDa Dee Da DaDa Dee Da .. What are the words? Eunrpree Da Da Dee Da DaDaDeeda They both sare singing tothe tune of “I Got Rhythm’ Da da Dee Da Da da Dee Da Da da Dee Da Da dee da da doo dee dee da. Dada Da da DadaDa da Da Dada Da Da dada Dada Dee Da Da da dee da WHAT ISTHAT NOISE? Stop singing! STOP SINGING! Neither of you can carry a tune, I's awful, DEAD PEOPLE CAN'T SING! V'm not a very good singer.Sawant Rect Neither am I (Te the Father) Stop singing and go to work! Scene 14. The Father leaves for work Hl tokes his briefeae. He waves to Eurydice. She mares back She is alone in the string room, She touches the string A child, the Lord of the Underworld, enters om his ed tricycle Music from a heary metal bond accompanies his entrance. His clothes and his hat are too small for him ‘He stops pedaling at che entrance tothe string room. Knock, knock. Who's there? Tam Lord of the Underworld. Very funny, Lam, Prove it Eunypier I can do chin-ups inside your bones, Close your eyes. ste dasha ge see What do you want? “em You're pretty. om ses vonoiee You're pretty. ™ You're little. “om I grow downward. Like a turnip. What do you want? I wanted to see if you were comfortable. Comfortable? 3Sanau Rus You're not itchy? No. That's good. Sometimes our residents get itchy. Then I scratch them. Y'm not itchy. ‘What's allthis string? Its my room, Rooms are not allowed! (To the Stones) Tell her. Rooms are not allowed! ‘Who made your room? My father. Fathers are not allowed! Where is he? He's at work, Eurypice. We'll have to dip you in the river again and make sure you're good and dunked. Please, don’t. ‘Qooh—say that again. It's nice. Please don't Say it in my ear (Toward bis ear) Please, don't. ike that, (A seduction) Ul huff and U'l puff and I'l blow your house down! He blows on her face. | mean that in the nicest possible way. Ihave a husband. Husbands are for children. You need a lover. I'l be back. To the Stones: See that she’s. . comfortable,Saran Rus We wall soate eum Good-bye sont sux stows P'm growing. Can you tell? I'm growing! He laughs his hysterical laugh and speeds away on his rd tricycle. Scene 15 A big storm. The sound of rain on a roof Orpheus in a rain slicker ‘Shouting above the storm: If a drop of water enters the soil at a particular angle, with a particular pitch, what's to say a man can't ride one note cea fireman’s pole? into the eart He puts a bucket on the ground to catch rain falling. He looks atthe ran flling into the bucket, He tunes his guitar, ying to make the pitch of each note correspond with the pitch ofeach water drop. Orpheus wonde ‘might Iead bi he is searching for might a Euxypice correspond t of ain, a Apitch chof a drop. centers the sil Eurydice—did you hear that? Another pitch Eurydice? That's the note. That one, right there. Scene 16 Eurydice and her father in the sting room. Orpheus never liked words. He had his music, He would get a funny look on his face and I would say what are you thinking about and he would always be thinking about music. Id get embarrassed ‘because Orpheus looked sullen and wouldn't talk to me and I thought people felt sorry for me. Ishould have realized that women envied ‘me. Their husbands talked too much, But | wanted to talk to him about my n new philosophical system. It involved hats. | was working on a This is what it is to love an artist:"The moon is always rising above ‘your house. The houses of your neighbors look dull and lacking in ‘moonlight. But he is always going away from you. Inside his head there is always something more beautifil (Orpheus said the mind is a slide ruler. Itean it around anything. ‘Words can mean anything, Show me your bod) only ‘means one thing She looks at her father, embarrassed for revealing too much. (Or maybe two or three things. But only one thing ata time.Saman Rum Scene 17 Ewrydice! Before 1 go down there, I won't practice my music. Some say practice. But practice is a word invented by cowards, ‘The animals don’t have a word for practice. A gazelle does not run for practice. He runs because he is scared or he is hungry. A bird doesn’t sing for practice. She sings because she’s happy or sad. So I say: store it up. The music sounds better in my head than it does in the world. When songs are pressing against my throat, then, only then, I will go down, and sing for the devils and they parched throats, Eurydice, don’t kiss a dead man. Th ‘tempting but put your tongue in their mouths and it tastes| like oatmeal. [know how rauch you hate oatmeal. I’m going the way of death. Heres my plan: tonight, when Igo to bed, { will turnoff the light and put a straw in my mouth. When I fill as crawl through the straw and my breath will push me like a great wind into the darkness and I will sing your name and Twill arrive. Ihave consulted the almanacs, the footstools, and the architects, and everyone agrees. Wait for me. Love, Orpheus Scene 18 I gota letter. From Orpheus, ‘You sound serious, Nothing wrong I hope. Euryorer No. What did he say? He says he’s going to come find me. How? He's going to sing, Scene 19 Darkness ‘An unearthly ight surrounds Orpheus. He holds a straw up to his lips in slow motion. He blows into the straw. ‘The sound of breath He disappears Scene 20 The sound of knock. Someone is knocking! Who is it? ooSanau Rust ‘Who is it? The sound of thee loud knocks, niet NO ONE KNOCKS ATTHE DOOR OFTHE DEAD! 388 Tuirp MovEMENT ge Scene 1 Orpheus sands atthe gates of hell. He opens his mouth He looks like he’s singing, but he's silent. Music surrounds bim, The melody Orpheus bummed inthe first scene, repeated over and orer again Raspberries, peaches and plums drop from the ceiling into the River. Oxpheus keps singing The Stones weep. They look at heir tears, bewildered. Orpheus keeps singing ‘The child comes out of a trapdoor. Who are you? Tam Orpheus.Saran Runt But you're so young! | Don't be rude: Did you like my music? No. I prefer happy music with a nice beat. on. You've come for Eurydice. Yes! And you thought singing would get you through the gates of hell. See here. I want my wife, What do Ihave to do? You'll have to do more than sing Tm not sure what you mean, sir Eurvpice start walking home. Your wife just might be on the road behind you. We make it real nice here. So people want to stick around, ‘As you walk, keep your eyes facing front. If you look back at hher—poofl She's gone. Tean't look at No. Why? Because. Because? Because, Do you understand me? Mook straight ahead. That's all? Yes. ‘That's easy: Good. The child smiles, He exits aonSaran Rowe Scene 2 Eurydice and her father. I hear him at the gates! That’ his music! He's come to save me! Do you want to go with Yes, of course! (Ob—you'll be lonel won't you? No, no. You should go to your husband. You should have grand- children, You'll all come down and meet me one day. BURYDICE Are you sure? You should love your family until the grapes grow dust on their purple faces. take you to him, Now? Is for the best. He takes her arm. They process, orm in arm, as at a wedding, Wedding musi Eunypice They are solemn and glod. Thy walk They see Orpheus up ahead. Is that him? Yes—I think so His shoulders aren’t very broad. Can he take care of you? Burydice nods Are you sure? Yes. ‘There's one thing you need to know: Ifhe turns around and sees ‘you, you'll die a second death, Those are the rules. So step quietly. And don't ery out, Iwon't, Good-bye. They embrace ll come back to you. I seem to keep dying. Don't let them dip you in the River too long, the second time. Hold your breath.Sanau Ruste look for a tree. Til write you letters Where will I find them? don’t know yet. kof something. Good-bye, Eurydice. Good-bye, They move away. The Father waves ‘She waves back, 4s though on an old steamer ship. The Father exits, Eurydice takes a desp breath. ‘She takes a big step forward toward the audience, ‘on an unseen gengplank She i brave ‘She takes another step forward. ‘She hesitates ‘Shei all ofa sudden not so brave. She is afta. She Tooks back ‘She warns inthe direction of her father, her back 0 the audience He's out of sight. Wait, come back! ‘You can’t go back now, Eurydice. Eunypice Face forward Keep walking V'm afraid! Your husband is waiting for you, Eurydice. I don’t recognize him! "That's a stranger! Go on. I’shim, I want to go home! I want my father! You're all grown-up now. You have a husband. ‘TURN AROUND! Why? BECAUSE! ‘That's a stupid reason. ‘Orpheus braved the gates of hell to find you. asSaran Rust He played the saddest music. Even we— i The stones— cried when we heard it. Eurydice turns slowly, facing from ‘That's Orpheus? Yes, that ‘Where's his music? in your head Orpheus walks slowly m a straight line, with the focus of a tightrope walker, Eurydice moves to follow him, She follows him, THEY WALK. Eurydice follows him with precision, one step for every step he takes ‘She makes adecision. She increases her pace. She takes two steps for every step that Orpheus takes. ‘She catches up to him. eral steps behind, Orpheus? Eunypice Burydice looks at Orpheus. ‘The world falls amay. ‘You startled me. A small sound —ping They eurn their faces away from each other, matter-of fact, compelled, The Lights tor Be. — runypice sow oneusus vuovinee runvoice Syneopate: You always clapped your hands I could never spell the word con the third beat rhythm— you couldn't wait for the fourth, itis such a difficult Remember— word to spell— I tried to teach you~ r—y—no—there’s an H in it you were always one step ahead somewhere—a breath— of the music thy—rhy— your sense of rhythm— thy — it was—off | would say clap on the downbeat— no, the downbeatSanaw Rune It’s dangerous not to havea sense of rhythm. You lose things when you can’t keep a simple beat— why'd you have to say my name— Eurydice— I'm sorry. 1 know we used to fight — itseems so silly now—if Ififs and ands were pots and pans there'd be no need for tinkers Why? Thay begin walking away from each other ‘on extensive unseen boardivalks, igures long shadons, looking straight ahead, ifs and ands were pots and pans there'd be no need for tinkers— Burydico— I think I see the gates, The stones—the boat — it looks familiar— the stones look happy to see me~ p08 Eurvoice. Don’t look— ‘Wow! That’ the happiest I've ever seen them! Syncopated: Think of things we did Everything is so gray— it looks familiar like home— ‘our house was— ‘we went ice-skating — Iwore a red sweater— ‘gray —witha red door— ‘we had two cats and two dogs and that died— Will you talk to me! “The train looks like ‘the opposite of a train— Eurydice! WE'VE KNOWN EACH OTHER FOR CENTURIES! want to reminisce! Remember when you wanted your name in a song s0 I put your name in a song— ‘When I played my music at the gates of hell Iwas singing your name over and over and over again. Eurydice,Sanaw Ruste He grows quiet. They walk away fiom each other on extended lines Scene 3 Finally Some peace And quiet. Like the old days, No music. No conversation. How about that. A pou. ‘With Eurydice gone it will be a second death for me. Oh, please, sir— We're tired. Do you understand the love a father has for his Love is a big, funny word. Eurvores, Dead people should be seen and not heard. matter of fact. He sits down in what used to be the string room. How does a person remember to forget. ficult, It’s not difficult, We told you how it works. Dip yourself in the river. Dip yourself in the river. Dip yourself in the river. That's ridiculous.Sanan Rust ‘There are no directions. A pause The Father thinks remember, “Take Tri-State South 294— to Route 88 West. Take Route 88 West to Route 8 You'll go over a bridge. Go three miles and you'll come to the exit for Middle Road. Proceed three to four miles. Duck Creek Park will be on the right. Takea Continue straight on Fernwood past on Fernwood Avent, Go straight. Fernwood will curve tothe right leading you to Forest Road. Take a left on Forest Road. Go two blocks. Pass the first entrance tothe alley on ther “Take the second entrance. You'll go about a hundred yards. Ared brick house will be on the right Look for Illinois license plates. Go inside the house. Inthe You'l see the lights on the Mississippi River. Take off your shoes. Walk down the bill Furypicr You'll pass a tree good for climbing on the right. Cross the road. Watch for traffic. Cross the train tracks, Catfish are sleeping in the mud, on your left Roll up your jeans. He dips himself in the river. A small metalic sound of forgetfulness ping. The sound of water Hie les down on the ground, curled up asleep. Eurydice returns and see that he ing room ie gone, Where's my room? The Stones are silent. (To the Stones) WHERE IS MY ROOM? Answer me! It’s none of our business. What are you doing here? ‘You should be with your husband. Loup stone Up there.Saran Rust Where's my father? The Stone point to the Father, (athe Stones) Why ise sleeping? The Stones shrug ther shoulders. (ober fthe) ve come back! He can! Ie’s too late. hat are you talking about? He dipped himself in the River. My father did not dip himself in the River, He did! We saw ira! He wanted some peace and quiet. (othe Stones) HE DID NOT! 7 Eunyoice He can’t hear you. He can’t see you. He can’t remember you. (Tb the Stones) Lhate you! I've always hated you! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! (Io her frher) Listen. U jow.a story He can’t hear you He can’t see you. He can't remember you. Is a very quiet language. Like if the pores in your face opened up and wanted to talk. Stone. Rock. Tree. Rock. Stone. Ie doesn’t work ‘She holds her fatherSaran Rut Didn't you already mourn for your father, young lady? ‘Some things should be left well enough alone ‘To mourn twice is excessive To mourn three times asin, Life is like @ good meal. Only gluttons want more food when they finish their helping. Learn to be more moderate. It’s weird for a dead per morbid. We don’t like to watch itl We don’t like to see It makes me uncomfortable. Bunydice cries Don’ ery! Eunyeree Learn the art of keeping busy! IT’S HARD TO KEEP BUSY WHENYOU’RE DEAD! It is not hard! We keep busy And we like it We're busy busy busy stones Watch us work Keeping still Keeping quiet Te’s hard work To be astone No time for erying, No nono! I HATEYOUI I'VE ALWAYS HATED YOU! She runs toward the Stones and tie to it them. Go ahead. Try to hit us. You'll hurt your fist. You'll break your hand. Haha halSanam Rune Enter the child He has grown He is now ot least ten fet tall His voice sounds suspiciously like the Nasty Inceresting Man's Is there problem here? No, sir (To Eurydee) You chose to stay with us, hh? Good. He looks her over Peshaps to be my bride? Ttold you. You're too young, I'm ready to be a man now. I’m ready—to be—a man. Please. Leave me alone. the satins and silks, You can’t refuse ready to be a man now. re them start prep: I've made my choice. 4s Eunvoice. Can Ihave a moment to prepare myself? Don't be long, The wedding songs are already being written. They're very quiet. I you might say. A dirt-filled orches- tra for my bride, Don't trouble the songs with your music, I say, A song is two dead bodies rubbing under the covers to keep warm. He exits. ‘You had better prepare yourself. There is nothing to prepare. You had better comb your hair. You had better find a veil. Idon't need a veil. Ineed a pen! Pens are forbidden here, need a pencil then. Pencils, too,Saran Rum dip you in the River! Too k ‘There must be a pen. There are, There must be. ‘She remembers the pen and paper in te breast pocket of her father's coat ‘She takes them out. ibe pen up to show the Stones. She writes a letter: Dear Orpheus, I'm sorry. I don’t know what came over me. I was afraid, T'mnot worthy of you. But | still love you, I think, Don’t try to find me again. You would be lonely for music. I want you to be happy. I want you to marry again. Lam going to write out instructions for your next wife, ‘To My Husband’s Next Wife: Be gentle, Be sure to comb his hair when it’s wet. Do not fail to notice that his face Rushes pink like a bride’s ‘when you kiss him, Give him lots to eat. He forgets to eat and he gets cranky. When he’s sad, kiss his forehead and I will thank you. Eunvoiee Because he isa young prince and his robes are too heavy on him His crown falls down, around his ears Love, Eurydice She puts che She dips herself in the River. A small sound of forgesfulness—ping. The round of water She lies down next to her father as though asleep. The sound of an elevator —ding Orpheus appears in the elevator. Ho ses Eurydice He i hoppy. The el tor starts raining on Orpheus. He forgets. He saps out ofthe elevator. He ses the letter onthe ground. He picks 1 up. He closes bis eyes. The sound of woter, Then silence.