America Finding Her Way

ACT II

  Lights rise on Jawea coming to, disoriented. Her herbs are scattered around her. Struggling to rise, she hears Matu’s voice instructing for her woman rite.

  Matu:

  A girl becoming woman

  runs the run of her life

  racing four ways,

  to each point of the winds,

  proving she’s fast and strong enough

  to lead her tribe

  She bears the wealth,

  she carries the health

  of her people.

  So run girl, run!!

  _____________________

  Lena’s Home

  A bedsheet has shifting shapes as a playful romp goes on under it. Chuckles; an occasional shriek.

  Lena: Let me go.

  Brad: Who's gonna make me?

  Lena: Stop it. Don't you dare.

  Brad: Ready or not...(Laughter and shrieking, as rolling uncovers them, Brad in pajama bottoms, Lena in nightie. She straddles him)

  Lena: Oo, here's another bear scratch. Now you'll get what's good for you.

  (She bends sultrily to him. As he holds her they sigh deeply, together)

  Brad: Oh baby, having you alive again, I can't tell you what it does.

  Lena: But I can tell.

  Brad: My mind keeps racing, couldn't even sleep. If Sally's really better, we're gonna have it all back, Lena. I know it. Maybe because I got so close to death, I see now I'm a mess; I've lost hold of everything I love. But I'm getting it back. I just have to stop expecting the old life to still work, just stop bitching, and use what we have. Cause it's so much, Lena.

  Lena: (Looks at him, tender; then– ) Bet you could use some good old coffee. And I want to tell you about Sally's doctor.

  Brad: No, stay, don't move. I gotta tell you the idea I have. I can market your pottery.

  Lena: What?

  Brad: Your pottery. That's what we've got to sell. It's the only income we've had all winter, ain't it? I can hook up the same marketing system I worked out for contracting– just go looking for venues, let them know your quality, might even set up some shops. You can stay with Sally, turning out product – I spread it around. Art is good business now, people want it, especially when it's got use, when it's practical.

  Lena: (Astonished, moved, joyful) My god, listen to you.

  Brad: It's all coming out of the same earth, ain't it?

  (She embraces him)

  Brad: But today all day we’re staying in bed. (They start another laughing roll)

  Sally: Daddy?

  (Lena and Brad lie still, hearing her. Sally is pulling herself to her feet)

  Brad: (Gasp) Sally?

  Lena: I told you.

  Sally: Daddy? Are you home from hunting?

  Brad: It's really her.

  Lena: Answer.

  Brad: (Frightened, near tears) It can't be.

  Sally: (Standing) Daddy?

  Brad: (Stumbling up) Yes, I'm home. (Scoops Sally into his arms, barely daring to trust she is so alive) I'm here, baby. But I didn't get you a bear skin.

  Sally: Bears need their skin. Don't shoot bears, Daddy.

  Brad: (Kisses her) Oh you love. (Carries her to their bed)

  Lena: Go on, crawl back in, and everybody gets lazy breakfast. How's that?

  (Lena scurries to make them breakfast)

  Sally: That's good.

  Brad: (Snuggling next to Sally) You like your new doctor?

  Sally: Yes! I can hear Jawea, Mommy.

  Lena: (Hesitates) No, she's not here yet.

  Brad: Who's Jawea?

  Sally: My best best friend. She's taking me up the mountain today.

  Brad: She is?

  Lena: Not today, darling. Soon.

  Sally: Jawea knows everything about bears.

  (Knock at the door. Lena starts, worried about Brad's reaction)

  Sally: That's her, that's her! Open it, Mommy.

  (Lena takes a breath, moves to door. Not Jawea, but Matu is there)

  Lena: Matu. Come in.

  Matu: Is she here?

  Lena: Jawea?

  Matu: Not here. Don’t tell me this.

  Lena: Not since yesterday. What's wrong?

  Matu: What’d you do to her?

  Lena: Please come in. You’re scaring me.

  (Brad’s pulling on pants and a T-shirt)

  Matu: No. I have to find her.

  Lena: Just for a minute; sit. I'll give you coffee. You look terrible. You know my husband Brad? You remember Matu, Brad. She makes those magnificent baskets, and she’s promised to teach me how.

  Brad: (Wary) Sure. Hello.

  (Matu nods, clutching her arms, and sits. It's awkward. Brad would not normally speak to Matu, and she wants nothing to do with him. Lena pours her coffee)

  Lena: Matu and I are talking about a combined product line – her basket holder with my baking pots.

  Brad: That so.

  Lena: Matu's father was chief, you know.

  Sally: Where's Jawea?

  Lena: On her way, honey.

  Brad: (Looks from Lena to Matu) This Jawea is from the reservation?

  Lena: That's right.

  Brad: Ah.

  (Angry, Brad moves to his gun, breaks it down to clean it, while they talk. Lena’s more worried about Jawea, than about Brad's anger)

  Matu: She was here yesterday?

  Lena: Yes, and then went up after herbs.

  Matu: Ach! I shouldn’t have let her near you.

  Lena: Please don’t say that.

  Matu: She doesn't know the mountain. She's a child who found a gift and thinks she's an eagle.

  Lena: She seemed so sure.

  Matu: Hah. Just a starved city sparrow.

  Lena: But you gave her woman rites.

  Matu: So she'd feel at home; all girls can heal that day.

  Lena: She has power, Matu.

  Matu: (On her way, ironic- ) Right. The lost one came bearing gifts. I’ve got to go.

  Lena: And she didn't come home last night? What can I do?

  Matu: I think you’ve done enough. (And she’s gone)

  Lena: (Following) She's all right, Matu; she has to be. When you find her...

  (Matu’s gone; Lena turns back, utterly beaten, moves to fix breakfast tray for Sally. Brad watches, trying to control himself)

  Brad: So. This best best friend is an Indian?

  Sally: Jawea is more than my best best friend, Daddy. She's my doctor.

  Brad: (Stunned, carefully– ) What?

  Sally: She makes me well.

  Brad: Don't tease, Sally.

  Sally: She comes every day.

  (Brad is staring at Lena. Lena looks at him unable to speak)

  Brad: You haven't brought in one of those Indians.

  Lena: Brad, I was desperate. You saw me. Crazy with fear. I know there's no way you can accept this, easily. But try. Please. For us.

  Brad: Lena, you know how I feel.

  (She runs to him, holds him, using all her heart to will him to listen)

  Lena: Baby, baby, please. Look at Sally. Remember how she was, how she barely knew you, how she couldn't raise her head. And now she's smiling, her eyes are alive. Oh god, remember, baby, and believe me – Jawea is the only reason for this change.

  Brad: I can't listen.

  Sally: Mama?

  Lena: Yes, darling. Your breakfast is right here.

  (She moves to Sally, sits her up, ready for tray. Brad picks up his rifle, starts out)

  Sally: Daddy?

  (Brad stops without turning back. Pain grips him, like his wounds grown cold)

  Sally: You promised to play with me.

  Brad: (Putting down rifle, moves to her) Sure, baby.

  Sally: See how I make mountains with my knees? Then my people can live there.

  Lena: (Coming with tra
y) Here's hot muffins.

  Brad: (Puts his hand on Lena's) Smells great.

  (She leans to kiss him)

  Sally: Why isn't Jawea here, Mommy?

  Lena: I don't know, darling.

  Sally: I feel sleepy.

  Lena: (Fear begins) Eat your muffins.

  Brad: Here. I'll line all your people up for breakfast.

  Sally: (Fading to sleep) I just...feel...

  (Sally slides back to pillow, falling asleep. Lena stares at her, blinking back terror)

  Brad: It's probably the excitement. My coming home.

  Lena: No. I haven't seen her fade like that since Jawea came.

  Brad: Or since I left? Sally's better when I'm gone. That's what you want to say. Maybe our fighting poisoned her.

  Lena: (Holds him) No no my love, you're back safe. And a miracle happened. We just have to trust it. We just have to hold on to each other. Please, please try.

  (Brad buries his head against Lena, holding her tight, until she hears something– )

  Lena: (Joyful) She's here!

  (Brad confused, but releases Lena, smiling, wanting happiness as much as she. She runs to door. There stands Jawea. She's torn, bedraggled, in shock, but holds out the herbs. Brad sees the squaw from the mountain. His fear turns him to stone)

  Lena: (Alarmed) You're hurt! I'm so glad you're here. You found the herbs?

  Jawea: Herbs...

  Lena: Sally missed you. And Matu came looking. What happened to you?

  Jawea: (Seeing Brad) Aah...

  (Her herbs slide to the floor, and, as Lena swoops after them, Jawea pulls her knife, and holds it toward Brad. He doesn't move)

  Jawea: (Gasping) I’m going home.

  Lena: No! You're hurt. And Sally needs you. (Seeing the knife) Jawea, no! (Grabs Jawea’s knife arm) Don't be afraid. This is Brad. This is my husband. Brad...?

  (Lena's urging Brad to ease Jawea's fears, but he's stone)

  Jawea: He’s...Sally's father?

  Lena: That's right. (Arm around Jawea) This is Jawea, Brad. The young woman who's made Sally well.

  Brad: (Numb) She's filthy.

  Lena: She's had an accident. She's been on the mountain. He won't hurt you, Jawea. Brad, please try.

  Brad: You expect me to let her touch my daughter?

  Lena: She's saving your daughter!

  Brad: (Pause) Send her away, Lena.

  Lena: What's wrong with you.

  Brad: Send her away.

  Lena: (Panicked, in despair) No.

  Brad: If you don't, I'm gone.

  (Lena's mouth opens with only a slight sound. She clings to Jawea. Brad watches them, grabs his pack, his rifle, and leaves. Then Lena crumples, weeping. Jawea stands numb)

  Lena: I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. So much has happened.

  Jawea: I’m gone.

  Lena: No. Please. I'll take care of you. Please just wait. Sally wants to see you. We'll wake her.

  Jawea: I can't see Sally.

  Lena: Why? Oh, please. Please don't say that.

  Jawea: Her father...

  Lena: Don't listen to her father. He's gone. Sally loves you. You found the herbs, didn't you? You had a terrible time. But now you're back, you're safe, everything's all right. God helped you.

  Jawea: (Looks at Lena) God?

  Lena: Let me wash you.

  (Lena brings basin, soaps rag, gently cleans Jawea's face, neck, arms, as tavern is set)

  Lena: Tell me what happened.

  ______________________________

  Tavern

  Brad bursts in, holding his rifle. Kat is lunching. Benny and Dove at work.

  Brad: Where's the guys?

  Kat: Hey, hot shot!

  Brad: I'm going back up!

  Kat: Must've been some homecoming.

  Ben: What'll it be, Brad?

  Brad: Where's Jimbo?

  Kat: Roared himself into a stupor. Since, he's done nothing but sleep. Take a load off.

  Brad: We got to get back up there. Today.

  Dove: You're crazed, big boy. This'll quiet you.

  (She puts down his customary drink. He drinks. Kat eyes him apprehensively)

  Kat: Listen, Brad...I keep thinking about my mother, and you know, my brother that died...and I gotta tell you, there's some stuff coming down. I know how you're gonna feel. And I'm with you 500%...

  Brad: What you trying to say, Kat? I thought you wanted to forget that brother.

  Kat: There's a squaw been visiting Sally, named Jawea...

  Brad: (Bolting out of his chair) Gotta get the guys together.

  Kat: (Grabbing him by the arm) Now don't get riled, I'm with you! But for some reason Sally seems to...respond to this Jawea. I don't believe in what she's doing, but I figure, if Sally's getting better, maybe we just have to set quiet about it, for the time being, you know what I mean?

  (Brad's stressed to bursting)

  Kat: And if Lena's getting some hope out of it, then...

  Brad: Hey Kat, Jimbo tell you about the little brown doe we came across?

  Jimbo: (Entering) Here you are.

  Kat: Hey. The