The Play

A modern girl, ELLA, runs in with tiny plastic dolls. Stands them up.

ANTHONY:

            She gladly sings a noxious, mortal song.

ELLA:  (singing)

            Ring-a-ring of roses

            A pocket full of posies

            A-tishoo, A-tishoo!

            They all fall down.

 

The Woman is carried in by the Innkeeper.

 

INNKEEPER:

            Here, rest. Drink a little. What is your name?

 

WOMAN:

            I – don’t know.

 

INNKEEPER:

            Do you know how you got here?

 

WOMAN:

            No.

 

INNKEEPER:

            You were unconscious, in the gutter. Stay here. Don’t try to move. (Exits)

 

Ella stands opposite the Woman, stares at her.

ELLA:

            This is where it starts.    This is where it starts.

 

WOMAN:

            Who are… what’s starting?

 

ELLA: (singing)                                  ANTHONY:

            Ring a ring of roses…           The woman thinks she’s going mad.

           A-tishoo! A-tishoo!              CLOE:

                                                                  The people at the door seem sad.      

   

ELLA:

         They all fall down. (Laughs)

 

The Innkeeper and his wife carry in a boy, their son. Ella continues to laugh.

 

INNKEEPER’S WIFE:

            Lay him down! He’s still alive! Save him, husband! Save our son!

 

LARI:

            The woman’s son -

 

CLOE:

                                                     Poor boy, I’ll hold his hand.

 

LARI:

            For greater good I say his life is damn’d. (The child dies)

 

INNKEEPER’S WIFE:

           (to ‘God’) Why would you take him from us?

 

ELLA:

            One by one…

 

WOMAN:

            My dear Ella – (holds her tightly)

 

CLOE:

            With unconditional love to Ella she’s beguiled,

 

ANTHONY:

            Though questions the morality in the child.

 

WOMAN:

            What have you done? Ella, you knew about the boy? You knew. What did you do?

Ella breaks free, like it’s a game. Others exit. The Woman is alone, centre.

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