seven minutes in eternity

8/13/2019 Seven Minutes in Eternity

1/86

Seven Minutes in Eternity

A Play by Andy Boyd

Andy Boyd

3 Sacramento St., Cambridge MA 0213

2!3"2#"!2AndyBoyd$al%s&gmail.com


2/86

'Could a stage manager direct an eart(ly drama, and create an intelligent )er*ormance, i*

it +ere not arranged be*ore(and +it( all t(e actors, )recisely +(at eac( +as to say, and

(o+ and +(en t(ey +ere to say it, a*ter t(e curtain li*ted -o+ muc( more signi*icant ist(e reat Stage Play o* eart(/

illiam udley Pelley, The Door to Revelation

-istorical ote4 illiam udley Pelley +as a real )erson, and t(e events o* (is li*e

ins)ire t(is )lay. 5or dee)er (istorical analysis o* Pelley, )lease see 6ibu**o7s The Old

Christian Rightand Bee%man7s William Dudley Pelley: A Life in Right-Wing Extremism

and the Oult! Muc( o* t(e (istorical content o* t(e )lay is derived *rom t(e (istoricalrecord, t(oug( Mr. Pelley did not claim to be a su)er(ero. -e did claim to (ave t(e

)o+ers o* clairaudience, levitation, intangibility, and one +eird one (e stole *rom

S+edenbourg +(ere (e said t(at by touc(ing an ob8ect (e could tell you anyt(ing you

mig(t +ant to %no+ about its (istory. So t(e line bet+een t(at and 'su)er(ero is, to me,(a9y.

ouble casting is strongly recommended. 5rom my count, t(e )lay can be done +it( a

minimum o* si: actors. o not double cast t(e )olice o**icers. $(ey s(ould *eel li%e an

intrusion. Also, )lay t(e second act straig(t. Please, dear od, )lay t(e second actstraig(t. ;* you lean on t(e )arodic elements, t(ey +ill colla)se. $(is is meant to be a

note on t(e acting, rat(er t(an t(e design elements. $(ere s(ould be not(ing arc( or

ironic about it. $(e *ollo+ing casting +or%s, but i* you (ave anot(er arrangement t(at7s

*ine. Pelley7s )lay s(ould *eel a bit li%e it7s bursting at t(e seams, +it( im)ossibly

Mary Ann Pelley =Actress 1>

Pelley7s Mom =Actress 1>Pelley7s ad =Actor 2>

Stage Manager =Pre*erably t(e Actual Stage Manager>

Mr. $aylor =Actor 3>

American Solider =Actor 2>6ussian Peasant oman =Actress 2>

Mina =Actress 2>

Actor 2 =Actor 2>Penneba%er =Actor 3>

5ran%lin 6oosevelt =Actor 2>

Baron ?on 6ot(sc(ild@?oice 3 =Actor 3>-ig( Priest o* t(e e+s@?oice 1 =Actor 2>

?oice 2 =Actress 1>

esus C(rist =Actor 3>

Policeman =Actor >

2


3/86

A olem =Actor 2>

AC$ 14W"LL"A# D$DLE% PELLE% &ears glasses

and a shar' suit! The year is ()*+!

PELLE% has ,een in 'rison for eight years!e enters. and s'ea/s to the audiene!

PELLE% should have something of the

hu/ster. the used ar salesman. the loal

'olitiian. the magiian. and the fraud! eshould ,e as harming as he an ma/e

himself. ,ut the strain of the effort should

sho&!

PEED4

;* ; +ere to tell you t(at ; (ad t(e )o+er to )ro8ect t(e electronic im)ulses o* mybrain across un*at(omable distances o* s)ace and time, you +ould call me a madman.

$(e so)(isticates o* 1#!0 can see t(roug( suc( so)(istry. And yet i* ; +ere to tell a

similar grou) one (undred years ago t(at t(ere +ould come a time +(en t(e sound o* aman7s voice or t(e s(immering strains o* an orc(estra could be )roduced in e+ Dor%

City and (eard in living rooms across America, ; +ould also be called mad. e notice in

ourselves a ca)acity *or understanding unmatc(ed by )rior generations, and yet see no

*olly in t(in%ing our )icture o* t(e +orld com)lete.So +(en ; say t(at my story stretc(es credulity to t(e brea%ing )oint, %no+ t(at ;

tell t(e trut(. $(is is a story in +(ic( men *ly, bullets )ass t(roug( bodies as i* made o*

smo%e, and t(oug(ts travel t(ousands o* miles li%e radio +aves. Modern science (as noe:)lanation *or t(e t(ings ; +ill tell, but t(at *act only reveals t(e inade


4/86

American )eo)le to a condition o* absolute slavery. 5or ; am a )atriot. ; am t(e +(is)er

you cannot silence. ; am t(e itc( in t(e bac% o* your mind. ; came (ere +it( t(e Pilgrims,

and ; +ill leave in trium)( or in c(ains. ; am *reedom itsel*, and ; +ill be (eard.But let7s begin. Dou see be*ore you a (ouse, small but +arm, nestled in t(e

+oods o* ynn, Massac(usetts. $(e year is 1#03. ; am t(irteen years old.

PELLE% and his DAD enter the house! is

#O# is already sitting in a hair /nitting!

A4

;* ;7ve told you once ;7ve told you a million times, +e don7t (ave t(e money/

PEED4But ad, you al+ays said to ma%e money you gotta (ave money/

A4

(ic( is +(y )eo)le li%e you and me aren7t ever going to (ave any money.

PEED4But it7s only *ive dollars/

MM4ive (im t(e money, Bill.

A4

5or +(at So (e can *ool around +it( an even more e:)ensive toy t(is time (at +asit last, t(e c(emistry set And be*ore t(at, some %ind o* magic glasses.

PEED4$(ey7re called S)ectral S)ectacles, and t(ey only don7t +or% because you +on7t let me

go e:)loring in t(e rig(t sorts o* environments.

MM4

;* +e give you t(e money, +ill it %ee) you *rom snoo)ing around t(e graveyard at nig(t

PEED4Des ma7am/

MM4And *rom t(e old grey (ouse by t(e a))le orc(ard

PEED4Des ma7am/

A4

And +ill you sto) insisting on tal%ing to t(e drun%s by t(e (arbor

4


5/86

PEED4

( not t(em, ad/ ; need to, it7s *or t(e +or%.

MM4

$(e +or%

PEED4

;7m +riting a novel. ;t7s called 0alty 0ea Dogs! ;t7s about some dogs +(o snea% onto a+(aling s(i). ;t7s sort o* ac% ondon meets -erman Melville.

MM4

Bill, 8ust give (im t(e money.

A4

(, alrig(t.

PEED4

( t(an% you t(an% you t(an% you/ ;t7ll )ay *or itsel* in a mont(, ; s+ear it +ill/To the audiene!

$(e money +as *or a used (and )ress. ;7d read Mr. Elbert -ubbard7sPhilistine, a little

maga9ine o* (umor )ieces and s(ort *iction, and ;7d decided to try my (and at t(e +ritten+ord. -ubbard +as good, but ; %ne+ my classmates (ungered *or somet(ing t(at s)o%e

more directly to t(eir )articular concerns. ; soon learned t(e (a9ards attendant to

investigative 8ournalism.

PELLE% rosses to #O#. &ho 'uts a ,ag

of fro1en 'eas on his eye!

PEED4

+ o+ o+ o+/

MM4

oes t(at (urt, Billy

PEED4* course it (urts/

MM4o+ Bill, ;7m not t(e one +(o served you u) t(at +allo).

PEED4; %no+ it, Mom, ;7m sorry.

MM4

-o+ did t(at come about any(o+

5


6/86

PEED4

P(ili) $a*t said ; +rote a libelous article related to (is ol*actory a))endage.

MM4

id you

PEED4

o ma7am/ P(ili) $a*t (as a certi*iably large nose, ; +as sim)ly re)orting t(e trut(/

MM4

Bill, t(ere are some %ind o* trut(s )eo)le don7t +ant to (ear re)orted, even i* t(ey are

re)orted +it( com)lete (onesty. Dou see, you got your inside trut( and your outsidetrut(. Dou gotta )rotect t(at inside trut( +it( everyt(ing you7ve got, cause i* you lose

t(at you lose everyt(ing. But you also gotta %no+ +(en t(e outside trut( is t(e more

salient o* t(e t+o, and de*er to its )articular advantages. 5or e:am)le, you and ; bot(

%no+ in our (eart o* (earts t(at your *at(er doesn7t %no+ t(e *irst rotten t(ing aboutraising c(ic%ens, but (e7s got a mind to cut do+n on grocery bills by raising our o+n

c(ic%ens and t(at7s +(at +e7re gonna do. Sometimes you gotta allo+ *ol%s t(eirillusions. Dou understand

PEED4Des, ma7am.

MM4

o+ come (ere and let me (old my baby.

PELLE% lim,s into his mother2s arms!

DAD enters!

MM4

id you *ind t(e c(ic%en

A4

e7re going out *or dinner.

To the audiene!

PEED4

$(e more ; t(oug(t about +(at my mot(er (ad said, t(e more t(at inner trut( seemed toassert itsel* against t(e )lacid outside trut(s o* ynn, Massac(usetts. My *at(er (ad

trained as a minister. ; began to as% (im


7/86

+(ale, submerged, as surely (e must (ave been, in a small ocean o* stomac( acids And

(o+ did (e *ind (imsel* in t(e belly in t(e *irst )lace, as even some smaller varieties o*

*is( and octo)us *ind di**iculty navigating )ast t(e t(ic%ets o* baleen

A4

;t7s a large *is(, not a +(ale.

PEED4

o you imagine t(e logical )roblems )resented by t(e story to be mitigated by t(e beast7strans*iguration *rom +(ale to large *is(

A4

;t7s 8ust a story.

PEED4

So it7s not true

A4

o, it is, but it7s not meant to be ta%en literally. e oug(t to *ollo+ od7s )at( *or us,even i* it seems (ard. $(at is true.

PEED4iterally true

A4

Des. $(at )art.

PEED4

But i* +e don7t (e +on7t send any sort o* a


8/86

PEED4

ad, ;7m trying to t+ist u) my mind into t(e s(a)es suggested by your e:)lanations, butit sim)ly re*uses to budge. ;* our vision o* t(e divine is so mur%y, t(en +(y do +e de*er

to a )eo)le *or +(om suc( elementary conce)ts as t(e +ater cycle and t(e transmission

o* in*ectious diseases +ere im)regnable mysteries

A4

$(ese )eo)le +ere gi*ted +it( )ro)(esy, Bill.

PEED4

i*ted by a od +(o sa+ *it to steer t(em a+ay *rom t(e (orrid dangers o* s(ell*is(

consum)tion but *elt com)letely content to (ave t(em )u99le out cro) rotation single(anded

A4

Mysterious +ays, Bill. ; le*t t(e ministry because t(e only %inds o* )eo)le in t(e c(urc(+ere )eo)le +it(out any


9/86

Again. nothing! A stage manager &al/s on

stage. arrying a li' ,oard!

S$AE MAAE64

Mr. Pelley

PEED4

(at is it, Matt

S$AE MAAE64

$(e sound guy says (e


10/86

%ay.

S$AE MAAE64Cause ;t7s a di**erent )rocess to get in as a stage manager t(an as an actor. ;t7s a dues

issue.

PEED4

%ay.

S$AE MAAE64

e can run t(e cues +e already (ave entered, and ;7ll try to (oo% u) t(e mic, but ;7m not

ma%ing any )romises.

PEED4

%ay, t(at7s *ine. $(an%s.

The 0TA4E #A3A4ER exits!

PEED4Sorry about t(at, *ol%s. Any+ay. (at s(ould (ave (a))ened +as t(at a loud voice

s(ould (ave boomed 'Dours is an old soul/ ot t(at strictly s)ea%ing a voice actually

sounded t(at day, but t(e revelation +as as clear as i* it (ad. o, it +as clearer, t(e +aycertain vital trut(s seem to +riggle out o* t(e +ords +e %ee) t(em in. ; suddenly %ne+

t(at ; +as gi*ted, s)iritually and mentally, *ar beyond any o* t(e ostensibly older men in

t(e to+n because my soul +as literally older t(an t(eirs +ere. ; (ad )assed t(roug( more

incarnations, (ad lived more lives, and (ad con


11/86

Pardon

PEED4ust your sort o* general im)ressions.

MA6D A4ell, you seem very nice.

PEED4ood. $(at7s good. ; +orry ;7ll come o** as somet(ing o* a (ayseed.

MA6D A4

Pardon

PEED4

; understand t(at ;7ve not en8oyed t(e advantages o* urban li*e, but ;7ve endeavored in

everyt(ing ; do to better mysel*. ;7ve read e:tensively in a variety o* sub8ects. ill you)ass t(at on

MA6D A4

;7m sure you7ll (ave a c(ance to tell (im yoursel*.

PEED4

Des. Des, ; su))ose ; +ill. And +(at7s your name, miss

MA6D A4Mary Ann Stone.

PEED4$(at7s a lovely name, Mrs. Stone.

MA6D A4Miss Stone, i* you )lease.

PEED4

(/ ;7m sorry, miss, ;7d 8ust assumed someone +ould (ave snatc(ed you u) by no+.Pause!

MA6D A4$(an% you.

PEED4o+, Miss Stone, ; didn7t mean to be im)rudent. ; didn7t mean to im)ly t(at you +ere

some sort o* a s)inster.

MA6D A4

11


12/86

ot at all/

PEED4;t7s 8ust you7re a very (andsome +oman andG;7m ma%ing a *ool o* mysel*, aren7t ;

MA6D A4Mr. Pelley, you oug(t to calm you nerves a little.

PEED4; su))ose t(at7s true. Dou %no+ ; actually (ave my o+n )a)er, did you %no+ t(at

MA6D A4

Dou noted t(e *act in your a))lication.

PEED4

(. ;t didn7t occur to me you7d (ave read t(ose. ; +rite an advice column, you %no+. ;

tried to get someone else to +rite it, someone )er(a)s better ac


13/86

MA6D A4

;7m only %idding you, stranger, o* course ;7ll come.

To the audiene!

PEED4

; +as o* course o**ered t(e 8ob. ;* t(e )osition did not


14/86

PEED4

My mot(er *or one. 5at(er doesn7t see (er li%e ; do, but ; %no+ +it(out (er t(e t+o o* us

+ould be li%e little boats tossed about in a storm. Mary Ann, ; *eel ; don7t %no+ verymuc( about you.

MA6D A4; *eel t(e same +ay.

PEED4ould you mind sort o* telling me a cou)le t(ings about yoursel* ; +ouldn7t li%ely *igure

out on my o+n *or a *e+ mont(s

MA6D A4Personal t(ings

PEED4

ot secrets, 8ust sort o* little t(ings, t(ings t(at aren7t readily obvious.

MA6D A4Alrig(t. ell. My *avorite mont( is ctober, because t(at7s +(en t(e c(ill gets in t(e air

in Boston. Dou get a cou)le o* brilliant brig(t days in ctober, and you c(eris( t(em so

muc( more t(an you do brig(ter and better days in une. ctober sun comes +it( t(e)romise o* s)ring and t(e memory o* summer, so it7s a sort o* s+eet sadness rig(t be*ore

t(e cold sets in. o+ you.

PEED4$(at +as beauti*ul.

MA6D A4Dour turn.

PEED4%ay. ;7m allergic to (orses. ;t )robably +ouldn7t (ave come u) *or a +(ile because

you don7t encounter (orses muc( in t(e ne+s)a)er business, but it7s true t(at i* ;7m near

a (orse ; s+ell u) li%e a balloon.

MA6D A4

; tell )eo)le ; li%e blac% licorice but ; really don7t.

PEED4

ne o* my teet( isn7t real.

MA6D A4

; don7t (ave many *emale *riends.

PEED4

14


15/86

; don7t (ave many *riends at all.

MA6D A4Dou don7t %no+ anyone in t(e city, do you

PEED4;n Boston you mean

MA6D A4Des.

PEED4

o, not really.

MA6D A4

; +ant to s(o+ you somet(ing.

To the audiene!

PEED4Mary Ann led my to t(e catacombs o* t(e Boston train system, and ; tried in vain to ma%e

out (er intentions by catc(ing glim)ses o* t(e ma)s on t(e sub+ay +alls.

MA6D A4

Come on +e7ll miss t(e train/

PEED45inally, s(e led me into t(e c(ill dar%ness o* t(e +inter nig(t, and ; sa+ be*ore me t(e

tallest building ;7d ever seen.

MA6D A4

$(ere it is.

PEED4

-o+ (ig( is it

MA6D A45our (undred and ninety si: *eet.

PEED4$(at can7t be )ossible/

MA6D A4As ; live and breat(e. ;t7s called t(e Custom -ouse $o+er.

PEED4

Mary Ann, you +ere rig(t, t(is is truly remar%able. -o+ long (as t(is been (ere

15


16/86

MA6D A4

;t o)ens ne:t mont(.

PEED4

o+. #AR% A33 ,egins to exit!

MA6D A4Are you coming

PEED4

Dou meanG

MA6D A4

(at good is a )ress )ass i* you don7t *lagrantly abuse its )rivileges

To the audiene!

PEED4e rose at a *antastic rate, *ive, ten, t(en suddenly t+enty stories in t(e air. As +e rose,

t(e ground seemed to *ly a+ay *rom us, and t(e s(immering s(i)s o* Boston loo%ed li%e

*ire*lies against t(e blac%ness o* t(e (arbor.

To #ary Ann!;t7s incredible.

MA6D A4;t7s (ome. ;t7s been (ome *or somet(ing li%e t(ree (undred years. ;7m actually a

descendent o* o(n Stone, t(e Englis( smuggler +(ose murder set o** t(e Pe


17/86

MA6D A4

Dou7re a C(ristian Scientist as +ell

PEED4

ell, no, but ; consider mysel* rece)tive to certain ty)es o* s)iritual vibrations. 5or

e:am)le, ; %ne+ rig(t a+ay t(at yours +as an e:ce)tionally )ure soul.

MA6D A4

; don7t %no+ about t(at.

PEED4

o, ; %no+ it *or a *act. Dou see, od endo+s (is *ait(*ul +it( certain s)iritual gi*ts,

t(oug( not in e


18/86

PEED4

6ig(t. Any+ay. it( most )eo)le t(e reading is %ind o* *u99y, but +it( you ; can sense

clearly t(at you7re a very genuine and (onest )erson, and t(at you really %no+ (o+ to(old u) a man and %ind o* )ut t(e steel in (is s)ine.

MA6D A4-o+ e:actly do you %no+ t(is

PEED4;t7s slig(tly di**icult to elucidate using t(e terms o* every day intercourse. ;nterlocution.

;t7s (ard to )ut into +ords is +(at ; mean. $(at7s sort o* one o* t(e (allmar%s o* a

genuine mystical e:)erience. (at ; mean to tell you is t(at ; t(in% +e oug(t to be

married.

MA6D A4

Could you give me a +(ile to t(in% about it

To the audiene!

PEED4Mary Ann at *irst e:)ressed slig(t misgivings about my )ro)osal, but s(e agreed to see

more o* me in t(e coming mont(s.

MA6D A4

Dou still believe in C(rist, don7t you

PEED4( very muc( so. -e +as t(e *irst )ro)(et to ac(ieve t(e (ig(est )ossible level o* eart(ly

being, +(ic( is +(y a*ter (is resurrection (e +as able to ascend directly into (eaven.

MA6D A4

; see.

PEED4

All t(roug(out (istory t(ere (ave been religious a+a%enings t(at (ave bro%en out across

t(e entire +orld. $(e t(irteent( century sa+ t(e ascendance o* ante and Ec%(art in

Euro)e at t(e same time 6umi started to +rite in Persia. ell t(e same t(ing7s(a))ening no+, only t(is time it7s starting (ere, rig(t in America/ Ever Pro*essor

illiam ames believed in t(e validity o* )syc(ical and )aranormal researc(, and (e +as

a )ro*essor o* )(iloso)(y at -arvard College. Sensitive souls t(e +orld over arebeginning to notice )ro*ound s(i*ts in t(e s)iritual ma%eu) o* t(e universe.

MA6D A4$(en you truly believe t(ese visions

PEED4

it( all my (eart.

18


19/86

MA6D A4

Dou (ave to tell )eo)le/

PEED4

;7m a*raid nobody +ould listen.

MA6D A4

Dou can7t let t(at deter you/ Dou7re eit(er a )ro)(et or you7re cra9y, and ; %no+ you7renot cra9y. Dou %no+ your scri)ture, you %no+ +(at (a))ens to )ro)(ets +(o re*use t(e

call. od gets t(em s+allo+ed u) by +(ales, or sets t(eir bones a*ire, or ma%es t(eir toes

*all o**.

PEED4

; don7t t(in% t(at7s scri)ture.

MA6D A4Dou7re evading. Dou (ave to tell )eo)le. ; see every day t(e need *or t(e sort o* revival

you7ve been tal%ing about. Mary Ba%er Eddy started it, but a lot o* )eo)le +on7t acce)tt(at od s)ea%s t(roug( +omen too. $(is land used to tremble +it( t(e *ear o* od, but

no+ it7s gro+n silent. Peo)le need to %no+ t(at od yet lives, t(at (e s)ea%s, t(at (e7s

s)ea%ing rig(t no+/

PEED4

;7ve t(oug(t about it. ; really do believe t(ese visions are real, and t(at t(ey testi*y to a

s)iritual )o+er long since abandoned by t(e American )eo)le. But lately ; *ind ;7mdra+n to a (ig(er calling.

MA6D A4(at7s t(at

PEED4; used to t(in% t(e only +ay *or a man to live +as to *ollo+ every little im)ulse *or good

to its *ullest )ossible im)lication, but t(e more ; loo% at you t(e more ; *eel t(at certain

im)ulses mig(t be more essential t(an ot(ers. $(e im)ulse to care *or anot(er )erson, *or

e:am)le. $(e im)ulse to love.

MA6D A4

And ; do love you.

PEED4

ell t(at7s good. ; %no+ ; s)o%e too


20/86

Bill, sometimes ; loo% in t(ose eyes and ; get so scared.

PEED4(y7s t(at

MA6D A4Dou7re t(e %ind o* )erson ; could give u) everyt(ing *or.

PEED4;7d never let you. ; see your yearning, and it7s t(e same yearning ; *eel. ;t7s t(e yearning

o* a ne+ +orld +aiting to be born.

MA6D A4Sometimes ; *ear ; +on7t be t(ere to see it.

PEED4

* course you +ill. e7ll see it toget(er. e7ll (o)e a better +orld into being, and +e7llma%e t(at +orld our (ome. on7t you marry me

MA6D A4

* course ; +ill.

PEED4

To the audiene!

$(e ceremony +as small but beauti*ul. ur *irst year (ad all t(e s+eetness o* a summer

nig(t, lit by *ire*lies and candlelig(t, (umid and +(ole. ;n *all, +e (ad a c(ild.

#AR% A33 enters holding a ,lan/et &ith a

hild!PEED4

-arriet +as t(e most )er*ect s)ecimen o* (uman beauty ;7d ever seen. -e *ace +as

*lus(ed, (er eyes s)ar%led li%e ne+"*allen sno+ lit u) by a +inter moon, and (er *at little(ands grabbed u) at us as i* to say, '-old me, ;7m yours.

MA6D A4

S(e7s )er*ect. S(e7s absolutely )er*ect.

PEED4

S(e7s got my mot(er7s eyes.

MA6D A4

; (o)e s(e doesn7t ac


21/86

MA6D A4

;t7s a 8o%e. Hiss me.

e does! To the audiene!

PEED4But +or%ing late nig(t at t(e 4lo,e made it di**icult to attend to -arriet. Mary Ann

+or%ed days and +ould be too e:(austed to ta%e ade


22/86

;* you +ant to see a doctor +e can.

MA6D A4o. o, +e can7t do t(at. ;* ; broug(t (er t(ere ;7d be conceding my *ait(lessness. e

8ust (ave to believe.

To the audiene!

PEED4

e stayed u) all nig(t listening to -arriet7s (orrible cries. 5inally t(ey became too muc(to bear, and +e +ra))ed (er in linen and carried (er to t(e (os)ital. -arriet (ad

contracted cerebral meningitis, ; don7t %no+ *rom +(at. A +ee% a*ter s(e got bac% *rom

t(e doctor, -arriet )assed in (er slee).

#AR% A33 is rying into PELLE%2s arms!

PEED4

;t7s o%ay Mary Ann. $(ere7s a reason *or t(is.

MA6D A4(at

PEED4S(e7s in (eaven no+, at least until s(e7s reincarnated again. ; %no+ it7s (ard to reconcile

t(e +ay you *eel +it( t(e trut(s o* cosmic revelation, but t(ere7s a )lan be(ind all o* t(is.

MA6D A4; don7t +ant to (ear about )lans, Bill, not today.

PEED4; %no+ (o+ you *eel.

MA6D A4$(en +(y don7t you act li%e it *or one goddamn minute/ (y don7t you climb o** your

)u**y +(ite cloud and be a (uman *or once in your li*e/

Pause!

; didn7t mean to say t(at.

PEED4

Dou don7t believe me, do you

MA6D A4

; believe t(at you t(in% t(ese visions are real.

PEED4

But +(at do you t(in%

22


23/86

MA6D A4

; t(in% you7re a good man. ; t(in% you ta%e yoursel* a little too seriously sometimes.

PEED4

(at do you mean ; ta%e mysel* too seriously

MA6D A4

;t7s 8ust you can7t %no+/ ot everyt(ing, not t(is.

PEED4

Dou (ave to (ave *ait( t(at t(ere7s a )ur)ose be(ind all o* t(is.

MA6D A4(at )ur)ose, Bill (at )ur)ose is t(ere in t(e deat( o* a t(ree mont( old girl

PEED4

; don7t %no+/

MA6D A4$(en as% your od/ ;* (e7s so generous +it( )roclamations about t(e ultimate )ur)ose

and destiny o* all man%ind, t(en as% (im +(y (e %illed your goddamn daug(ter.

PEED4

Dou can7t turn against me li%e t(is, you 8ust can7t. Mary Ann, ; told you, ; told you t(at ;

*elt very strongly t(at you and ; +ere meant to be toget(er. e *orm a s)iritual union

t(at7s going to be very im)ortant in t(e +or% to come/

MA6D A4

(at +or%

PEED4

My )ro)(esy/

MA6D A4

Dou7re lying/ Dou7re lying. ;* you7re a )ro)(et, t(en +(ere7s your burning bus(

(ere7s your *laming c(ariot Dou can7t even (eal a c(ild.

PEED4

ord, *orgive my +i*e *or (er +ea%ness, *orgive (er lac% o* *ait(.

MA6D A4

oo% at me/ Please. oo% at me.

PEED4

eliver (er *rom t(e s(ado+ o* doubt and into your bounty, +(ere s(e +ill *ind ric(es

unrivaled in (er +ildest dreams.

23


24/86

MA6D A4

illiam Pelley, ; need you to loo% at me/

PEED4

-ear not (er (eresies, (ear not (er ravingsG

MA6D A4

oo% at me/ ;7m leaving. ;7m leaving.

PEED4

(at Mary Ann, don7t, you can7t/

MA6D A4

; (ate it (ere/ ; can7t stand t(is )lace. ;t7s not our (ouse anymore, it7s -arriet7s. So ;7m

leaving.

PEED4

o, )lease, don7t do t(at. e7ll leave, +e7ll *ind some+(ere else, some+(ere better. ;t7sgoing to get better.

To the audiene!PEED4

; called in every *avor ; (ad, and eventually an old sc(ool *riend told me t(at t(e

Met(odist relie* services +anted a +riter to travel t(roug(out Asia and A*rica and re)ort

on t(eir mission e**orts. ; got t(e 8ob, and +e de)arted t(e ne:t +ee% on an ocean linerbound *or $o%yo. $(e year +as 1#1I.

#AR% A33 enters &ith suitases!

PEED4

ell, t(is isn7t so dreary, is it

MA6D A4

;


25/86

-mm (, yes. Des.

PEED4Mary Ann, +e7re in a +(ole ne+ +orld out (ere. e7re gonna see t(e $a8 Ma(al, and

t(e all o* C(ina, and all t(e +(ile +e7ll be doing od7s +or%. Sure, not e:actly in t(e

+ay +e7d li%e, but bringing t(e lig(t o* C(rist to t(ese )eo)le is t(e *irst ste). And +it(t(e money coming in *rom my articles, ;7m gonna ma%e sure ; never (ave to leave you

alone. e got t(e +(ole orient stretc(ed be*ore us li%e some %ind o* beauti*ul ban


26/86

PEED4

But Mr. $aylor, ; don7t +or% *or t(e 4lo,eanymore.

$AD64

Dou do no+. 6evolution (as bro%en out in Mosco+, and t(e State e)artment isn7tgranting any emergency visas to cover t(e action. Dou7ve already got )a)ers into 6ussia,

(aven7t you

PEED4

ell, yes, but ;7m su))osed to be +riting about missionary +or%.

$AD64$(e un+as(ed (eat(en masses +ill be t(ere ne:t mont(, but no+ ; need you to get your

butt into Siberia and get me a story. (atever e(ova( C is )aying you, ;7ll tri)le it,

8ust %ee) t(e articles coming until ; cry uncle.

PELLE% hangs u' the 'hone!

PEED4

$(at +as Mr. $aylor.

MA6D A4

; %no+.

PEED4$(ey +ant me to re)ort on t(e revolution in 6ussia.

MA6D A4; %no+.

PEED4;7m scared.

MA6D A4

; %no+.

PEED4

Mary Ann, t(is could really be my brea%. ;7ve been loo%ing *or somet(ing li%e t(is *oryears, a real c(ance to see t(e +orld and a little bit o* adventure, maybe even ma%e a

di**erence *or once in my li*e.

MA6D A4

Dou7re going to do it, aren7t you

PEED4

26


27/86

ell, +(at else am ; su))osed to do oddammit Mary Ann, ;7m t+enty"seven years

old, and ; don7t (ave a t(ing to my name save a *e+ stories in t(e )a)ers. ;7ve never even

been out o* e+ England, and no+ ; get a call as%ing me to ta%e a leading role on t(estage o* -istory. Am ; su))osed to call u) Mr. $aylor and say ; can7t go

MA6D A4;* you +ant to go, go. od %no+s ; can7t sto) you.

To the audiene!PEED4

e arrived in a)an in ovember o* 1#1I, and as Mary Ann settled into a dormitory at

t(e Met(odist Centenary, ; )re)ared my bags *or Siberia. (en ; arrived in ?ladivosto%,

; met u) +it( t(e American regiment dis)atc(ed to )revent t(e Communist ta%eover o*6ussia.

PELLE% intervie&s a 0OLD"ER &hile he

'a/s his ,ags at a su''ly station!

S;E64; *igure, see t(e +orld, +(y not ;7m some %id *rom ersey, and a guy in a uni*orm says

t(ey7ll )ay me good money to suit u) and %ill reds, so ; *igure, s(oot, +(at do ; (ave to

lose

PEED4

-ad you %no+n Communists be*ore coming to 6ussia

S;E64

$(ey don7t +al% around +it( signs on t(eir c(ests saying as muc(, but yea(, ; *igure ;7ve

%no+n a *air number o* reds in my day. Dou 8ust gotta learn (o+ to s)ot em. ; read t(isgreat boo%, ; *orget +(at it7s called, Protocols o* somet(ing or ot(er, but you oug(t to

trac% it do+n, it e:)lains t(e +(ole t(ing.

PEED4

(at do you mean, t(e +(ole t(ing

S;E64$(is, t(e +ar, t(e revolution, t(e +(ole t(ing/ $(e story 8ust don7t add u). ; mean,

Serbian terrorists ive me a brea%. $(e +orld doesn7t go to +ar because a cou)le Serbs

o** a )rince in some tumble"do+n to+n in Austria. $(ey go to +ar because t(ey gotorders.

PEED4;7m sorry, ; can7t use any o* t(is i* you7re not more s)eci*ic.

S;E64

oo%, my dad *oug(t in Cuba, and it +as t(e same stu** t(en t(at it is no+. ;t7s )oor guys

27


28/86


29/86

S;E64

ady, +e no (ave"ee *ood, com)rende

PEED4

But, sir, surely +e could s)are somet(ing.

MA4

Des Des ittel *ood

S;E64

ady, ; said no, no+ scram/

The WO#A3 gra,s at the 0OLD"ER2s

arms!

MA4Please Please

The 0OLD"ER hits her!

S;E64

oddammit/ ; said get a+ay/

The WO#A3 sul/s a&ay. defeated!

PEED4(y did you do t(at Dou t(re+ (er aside li%e a )iece o* garbage/

S;E64(at %inda li*e is s(e gonna (ave Ans+er me t(at. e give (er *ood *or a day, maybe

t+o, and t(en +(at $(is city is a +asteland, and a *e+ )ac%ets o* combat rations isn7t

going to bring it bac%. eat( comes to everyone, Mr. Pelley, s+eet little old 6ussianladies too. e lost today. ;t7s over.

To the audiene!

PEED4But t(at +oman7s *ace stayed +it( me. ; %ne+ not(ing about (er. ; didn7t even (ave a

name to )in to t(e memory o* (er (orror"stric%en *ace. But (er eyes s(one li%e my

mot(er7s. Even surrounded by t(e c(arred remains o* all s(e (eld dear, t(at +omanburned +it( a (unger *or li*e, li*e +it( all its smiles and 8oys and tears, t(e mista%es and

tri*les and t(ousand ot(er t(ings t(at *orm t(e stu** o* living. ; sa+ t(en t(at t(e )easant

+omen o* 6ussia +ere no di**erent *rom t(e (ard"scrabble (ouse+ives or Massac(usettsor ?ermont. ; (ad travelled (al*+ay around t(e +orld to meet my mot(er.

Soon, su))ort *or American intervention in 6ussia +aned. $(e regiment ; +as

+it( +as recalled, and ; +as reunited +it( Mary Ann. S(e +as as sullen as ever. $ry as ;

mig(t, ; +as unable to c(eer (er leaden (eart. ; t(re+ mysel* into my +or%, a ne+ novel.

29


30/86

; +anted to give voice to t(e t(an%less struggles o* )eo)le li%e Mary Ann, li%e my

mot(er, li%e t(at +retc(ed 6ussian +oman. n our liner bac% to America, ; toiled a+ay

day and nig(t, +(ile Mary Ann convalesced in our small bert(. $(e +(ole time, ; (ad inmy mind t(e sig(t o* Mary Ann (olding our little -arriet in (er arms, touc(ing eac( o*

(er )er*ect *ingers and stro%ing t(e +is)y blond (airs t(at )o%ed out o* (er (ead li%e t(e

sil% around corn. $(e novel +as called The 4reater 4lory. t(at glory being o* course t(e*eminine virtues t(at ; %ne+ still burned dee) +it(in Mary Ann7s breast.

To #AR% A33!PEED4

;t7s *inis(ed.

MA6D A4ill you read it to me

PEED4

* course. 'F) (ere in t(e center o* ?ermont in a valley enclosed by t(e virile summitso* t(e reen Mountains, is t(e little e+ England to+n o* Paris.

To the audiene!

As ; read to (er, ; sa+ *or t(e *irst time in mont(s t(e *ire t(at (ad once danced in (er

o)alescent eyes. S(e +ould suggest a c(ange (ere and t(ere, but ; could tell s(e lovedt(e story.

MA6D A4

Dou7re reading too slo+, Bill/

PEED4

;7m reading as *ast as ; can/

MA6D A4

ell, give it (ere.

To the audiene!

PEED4

S(e t(re+ (ersel* into reading t(e novel +it( as muc( )assion as ; (ad t(ro+n mysel*into +riting it. Coming u) *or air t+o days later, s(e )roclaimed4

MA6D A4;t7s )er*ect. ; t(oug(t *or sure you +ere going to +rite about +ar, and %ings and generals.

; t(oug(t you +anted to come (ere to get a+ay *rom me.

PEED4

; never +ant to leave you, Mary Ann, not *or as long as ; live. All t(e battles in t(e +orld

don7t add u) to a *raction o* t(e guts and bravery you )ut into every single day (ere on

t(is *allen )lanet. Dou7re my (ero.

30


31/86

To the audiene!

Bac% in Massac(usetts, ; sent t(e novel to a *e+ o* my *riends in t(e )ublis(ing +orld,and not one +ee% later ; (eard a %noc% at my door.

TA%LOR enters!$AD64

Pelley, your articles +ere *antastic/ A*ter t(e one about t(e battle, +(at do you call t(at,

Blagosomet(ingorot(er, circulation 8um)ed rig(t t(roug( t(e roo*/

PEED4

But did you get t(e novel

$AD64

; did. 6eally and truly, it7s a master)iece. ;t7s t(e best t(ing you7ve ever +ritten. 5ar

better t(an t(ose stories you +rote *or us a *e+ years bac%. Dou7ve s(o+n a real eye *or

t(e +ay )eo)le act. Dou can ca)ture everyt(ing about a )erson in 8ust a *e+ +ords.(ic( is +(y ; t(in% you need to come +it( me.

PEED4

(ere

$AD64

-olly+ood. My *amily7s involved +it( t(e maga9ine business as +ell as t(e )a)ers, and

+e7ve sold tons o* scri)ts to t(ese guys. $(ey mangle em u) some +(en t(ey )ut em on

screen, but t(e )ay7s great *or not a lot o* +or%.

PEED4

(at +ould ; do in -olly+ood

$AD64

Any +riter +(o can string toget(er a (al*"decent sentence +i)es (is ass on C(inese sil%out t(ere. And you %no+ (o+ to +or% on a deadline. Dou can go into +riting radio

)lays, or screen)lays *or t(e movies. ; can introduce you to some very im)ortant )eo)le.

PEED4; don7t %no+ Mr. $aylor, ; 8ust got bac% *rom 6ussia.

$AD64$(in% about it. $(e *las( bulbs bursting around us li%e (and grenades. Smo%ing Cubans

in sil% )a8amas. ames dressed in *urs and diamonds and not a +(ole (ec% o* a lot more.

PEED4

Mr. $aylor, ;7m a married man.

$AD64

31


32/86

So +as eng(is H(an. oo%, i* you don7t +ant to do it t(at7s *ine, but ; t(oug(t ;7d ma%e

t(e o**er available.

A fifteen seond interlude someho&

im'lying olly&ood on the eve of the

roaring t&enties! 6lash,ul,s. 7a11. 'erha'sa feather ,oa ma/es a ,rief a''earane! At

the end. PELLE% hands TA%LOR a sri't!

PEED4

-o+7s t(is

$AD64Bill, ; li%e +(at you7re doing. Dou got a real *eel *or t(e common man, and you +rite

about e+ England li%e you7d +rite about your o+n mot(er. But nobody7s rus(ing out

to t(e cinema trying to see stu** t(ey can get *or *ree by )eering over t(e *ence. Peo)le

+ant action, t(ey +ant sus)ense.

PEED4Dou mean +esterns

$AD64Dea(, sure, give me some +esterns. ust ma%e sure t(ere7s a dame, a *ig(t, and t(at t(e

good guy +ins.

PEED4; tried to (ue to Mr. $aylor7s *ormula, but to no avail.

$AD64Again, you7re getting too bogged do+n in all t(is )syc(ology mumbo 8umbo. 5ilm7s a

visual medium, you got to tell t(e story +it( t(e eyes.

PEED4

; tried again, t(is time +it( a detective story.

$AD64oo% Bill, you7re getting better, but ; can also tell you7re e:(austed. ive it a rest. $a%e

a +ee%end to yoursel*. (en you *eel better, come bac% (ere and +e7ll tal% )ictures.

To the audiene!

PEED4

; too% Mr. $aylor7s advice and drove out to Santa Barbara. al%ing along t(e beac( t(atnig(t, ; t(oug(t over my li*e7s 8ourney. ; remembered t(e (umble little (ouse my mot(er

and *at(er (ad made into a (ome. ; remembered my *irst glim)se at divine )rovidence. ;

remembered t(ose *irst s+eet days +it( Mary Ann. ; remembered 6ussia, t(e bloating

cor)ses and t(e *ree9ing, Siberian +ind.

32


33/86

To TA%LOR!

Mr. $aylor/ ;7ve got it/ ;t7s )art Biblical e)ic, )art detective story, )art romance, )art)astoralG

$AD64ait +ait +ait, slo+ do+n, +(at7s t(is you7re tal%ing about

PEED4My idea. e7ll do it as a serial and run it be*ore t(e main )icture. ;t7s about a man +(o

*inds t(e -oly rail, and it grants (im su)ernatural )o+ers. Suddenly, (e can see

t(roug( +alls, *ly, and )ro8ect (is mind across vast distances o* time and s)ace. -e (as

all t(e )o+ers o* C(rist. ;t7s Cecil B. eMille meets The 0hado&!

$AD64

(at7s (e do

PEED4

-e *ig(ts Communists. Because o* (is tele)at(y, (e becomes t(e +orld7s greatestdetective. $(e %ic% is, you can only read t(e mind o* someone +(o7s t(in%ing, so (e

can7t actually get to t(e Communists directly.

$AD64

Cause Communists don7t t(in%

PEED4E:actly, t(ey 8ust re)eat t(eir brain +as(ing. So t(e (ero (as to read t(e minds o* all t(e

ordinary )eo)le +(o get tram)led by t(e Communist deat( mac(ine. ;t7s a *antastic, out

o* t(is +orld story, but it stars regular )eo)le li%e t(e ones +(o come see our )ictures.

$AD64

Dou got a name

PEED4

; call it4 The 0ilver 0hirt8

Pause!

$AD64

$(e silver s(irt

PEED4

Dea(/

$AD64

; don7t t(in% t(at7ll *ly. Dou got to (ave somet(ing *las(y t(at really dra+s t(e cro+d in.

33


34/86

PEED4

But t(ey7re t(ere to see t(e main )icture any+ay.

$AD64

Still t(oug(. Silver s(irt ;t ma%es me t(in% (e7s a sissy boy.

PEED4

;t7s (is armor. -e7s li%e a modern day %nig(t.

$AD64

; don7t %no+ about t(is.

PEED4; do. e7ll ma%e a million dollars.

$AD64

Alrig(t. -o+ about you try it as a radio serial *irst, and t(en i* it )ic%s u) steam +e7lltal% to t(e studios.

To the audiene!

PEED4

$(at nig(t ; +rote t(e scri)t, but it *elt as i* t(e +ords +ere *lo+ing t(roug( my (ands*rom some (ig(er, +iser *orce. My dialogue (ad never been tig(ter, my scenes stronger,

and my romance more )al)able. $aylor %ne+ genius +(en (e sa+ it, and +e began

re(earsing t(e ne:t mont(. My e:citement +aned +(en t(e )roduction cre+ sent t(e

scri)t bac% +it( notes.

$AD64

on7t *eel too bad, Bill, t(ey7re 8ust doing t(eir 8ob.

PEED4

;7m not +illing to c(ange t(e -oly rail to a magic ring. ;t7s stu)id.

$AD64

Dou don7t (ave a c(oice. ;t7s t(eir scri)t no+. Eit(er you )lay ball or t(ey get anot(er

+riter.

PEED4

$(at nig(t, ; set to +or% attem)ting to breat(e li*e into a scri)t t(at +as


35/86


36/86

M;A4

o+ listen, ; +ant you to +rite me a better )art, and ; %no+ 8ust (o+ to do it. ;nstead o*(aving me )lay t(e s+eet innocent girl +(ose un*ortunate treatment at t(e (ands o* t(e

dastardly communists brings our (ero into action, ma%e me t(eir ringleader. ; *a%e being

ca)tured, and t(en +(en t(e Silver S(irt least e:)ects it ; turn on (im and stab (im in t(ebac%. -e gas)s and loo%s u) at my tragic, malevolent *ace, as t(e narrator brings t(e *irst

e)isode to a close. ;* t(ey don7t sign you on *or anot(er installment, t(e )eo)le +ill riot.

$(ey love a cli**(anger.

PEED4

And +(o are you

M;A4

Mina. $(oug( in a )ast li*e ; +as a saloon girl. Be*ore t(at ; +as a maiden tra))ed in a

to+er. And be*ore t(at ; +as Cleo)atra, Kueen o* t(e ile.

PEED4

Dou believe in reincarnation

M;A4

* course, darling. e (ave to around (ere or +e 8ust couldn7t ma%e it.

PEED4

; +as actually t(e reci)ient o* a mystical revelation mysel*, +(en ; +as a young boy. ;

discovered t(at li*e consists o* one great s)iral, t(roug( +(ic( +e rise steadily (ig(er in+isdom and )urity.

M;A4(, you7re cra9y, aren7t you

PEED4(at

M;A4

; +as tal%ing about t(e )ictures, love. ;7ve )layed all t(ose )arts. And i* you don7t t(in%you7ll )lay more still, you sin% into de)ression and never return.

PEED4o+ ; *eel rat(er *oolis(.

M;A4(, don7t be. Dou7re in -olly+ood. ;* you don7t act cra9y nobody +ill t(in% you

belong.

PEED4

36


37/86

$(an%s *or t(e idea.

M;A4o trouble at all. And one t(ing. Ma%e t(e Communists 6ussians. ;t ma%es t(em more

believable. Dou can7t (ave Commies +(o tal% li%e your uncle bac% in Poug(%ee)sie.

And i* you need some 6ussian +ords to s)rin%le in t(ere, ; %no+ a bit *rom +(en ;served during t(e 6evolution.

PEED4Dou +ere t(ere

M;A4

American 6ed Cross, 8ust got bac% last year. A cou)le o* t(e girls *rom Mills Colleget(oug(t it +ould be a *un t(ing today be*ore settling do+n +it( t(e sons o* t(e tenured

*aculty.

PEED4; +as attac(ed to an American brigade as a 8ournalist. ; sa+ Blagovyes(c(enc% go do+n

in *lames.

M;A4

-orrible stu**, 8ust (orrible. But great *or *iction.

PEED4

Dou t(in% so

M;A4

Absolutely. uts, glory, lost causes. ;t7s )er*ect. ; t(in% t(is could be t(e start o* a very

*ruit*ul )artners(i).

PEED4

ell ;7d say so.

M;A4

5ace it Mr. Pelley. Dou 8ust (it t(e 8ac%)ot.

To the audiene!

PEED4

$(e ne:t day, +e set u) in a radio studio o+ned by t(e ational BroadcastingCor)oration.

TA%LOR and ACTOR 9 enter &ith 0TA4E

#A3A4ER! 0TA4E #A3A4ER has ata,le &ith o,7ets for foley effets! The

ators set u' miro'hones!

PEED4

37


38/86

id (e say +(en (e7d be (ere

$AD64-e +as called *orty"*ive minutes ago. isten, Bill, ; %no+ t(is is (ard to (ear, but i* t(e

ot(er actor doesn7t s(o+ u), +e7re 8ust going to (ave to run somet(ing else instead.

M;A4

(y don7t you do it

PEED4

Mina, ;7m no actor.

M;A4;t7s easy/ ust s)ea% clearly and say t(e +ords li%e you really mean t(em.

PEED4

o. Mina, ;7m sorry, but ; 8ust can7t/ ;7d be dead on arrival/

M;A4Bill, you %no+ t(is scri)t better t(an anyone else. Dou7re your o+n best s(ot.

$AD64ood/ o+ get to t(at micro)(one. e7re on in *ive, *ourG

TA%LOR mimes three. t&o. one!; 0ound

effets throughout!

$AD64

it( t(e )o+er to *ly at t(e s)eed o* a su)ersonic 8et, t(e ability to +al% t(roug( +alls,and t(e a+esome gi*t o* astral )ro8ection, (e isG$(e Silver S(irt/ e*ender o*

C(ristendom against t(e Communist -ordes/

AC$6 24

Silver S(irt/ $(ere7s a message *or you on t(e com"lin%/

PEED4(at does it say, soldier

AC$6 24Dou7d better (ear t(is yoursel*/

M;A4Please Silver S(irt/ Dou7ve 8ust got to (el) me/ My name is ;vana agronovit9, and ;

run a secret c(urc( in t(e (eart o* Siberia. ;7ve been ca)tured by enin7s malevolent

deat( s


39/86

PEED4

By t(e +ounds o* St. Ste)(en/ e7ve got to (el) (er/

AC$6 24

But Silver S(irt/ $(ey7re in t(e middle o* a +ar/ Dou could be %illed/

PEED4

And t(at7s a ris% ;7ll (ave to ta%e. $(ere is no greater glory t(an to give your li*e so t(at

ot(ers mig(t live.

$AD64

And so, disguised as one o* t(e Mongolian in(abitants o* t(e Asian ste))e, our (ero

in*iltrates *ar into t(e 6ussian (interland.

PEED4

o+ t(at ;7m +it(in range, ; s(ould be able to use my )o+ers o* astral )ro8ection to

locate ;vana/

$AD64But t(e Silver S(irt *inds (e is unable to locate any available minds/

PEED4By t(e sta** o* Moses/ ;t7s as i* t(e +(ole nation is deserted/ r else, t(ey7re so

brain+as(ed t(eir minds sim)ly (ave no t(oug(ts to read/ ;7ll (ave to *igure out (o+ to

*ind ;vana some ot(er +ay.

$AD64

$(en, suddenly, a s(out rings out/

AC$6 24

5ree9e/ Dou7re not aut(ori9ed to be (ere/ (ere is your identi*ication

PEED4

;7ll s(o+ you identi*ication, rig(t (ere/

The sound of a fight!


40/86

PEED4

(at is it

AC$6 24

Sir/ e7ve managed to trac% ;lana7s signal. ;7ll send t(e coordinates rig(t a+ay.

PEED4

ood +or%, soldier/

$AD64

A*ter receiving t(e coordinates, our (ero sets out racing across t(e tundra on (is Bible

Bi%e/ 5inally, (e comes to a cave, and begins (is descent.

PEED4

-mmmG ;t seems li%e t(ere7s not(ing but bats and stalactites in (ere. ;7d better )ut my

(and on t(is one to %ee) my balance.

$AD64

Suddenly, a tunnel o)ens u) in t(e roc% +all/

PEED4

By St. Augustine7s (air s(irt/ ;t must be some sort o* )rison. $(ese are all t(e +retc(edvictims o* t(e Communistic )urge/ C(ristians, believers in emocracy, and )eo)le +(o

sim)ly +anted to )rotect t(e )urity o* +oman/ $(ese brave souls no+ molder in a )rison

cell not *it *or t(e lo+liest o* criminals/ But +(ic( one is ;vana7s

M;A4

Silver S(irt/ -el) me/

PEED4

;vana/ $(ere you are/ But (o+ can ; get you out

M;A4

Call u)on t(e ord *or strengt(/ -e +ill give you all t(e mig(ty )o+ers o* Samson/

PEED4ear ord, grant me t(e strengt( to *ree ;vana *rom Bols(evi% slavery/

Punh. rash!

PEED4

; did it/ o+ +e7ll esca)e *rom t(e od"*orsa%en (ell"(ole/

M;A4

( Silver S(irt/ -old me and tell me it7s all going to turn out rig(t/

40


41/86

PEED4

* course, ;vana. e7ll esca)e to America, +(ere you7ll never %no+ *ear again.

M;A4

Actually, ; don7t t(in% anyone7s esca)ing today/

PEED4

(at (at (ave youG

M;A4

;t7s a nerve )oison so strong not even you can brea% its s)ell. e7ll cruci*y you li%e t(e

*alse od you serve, and t(ereby s(o+ t(e +orld t(e a+esome )o+er o* enin and (is

Soviet -orde/

PEED4

$(en you7reG

M;A4

$(at7s rig(t/ ; am secretly $(e 6ed ido+, *eared assassin o* t(e Socialist )aradise/

$AD64

ill t(e Silver S(irt ever esca)e t(e clutc(es o* $(e 6ed ido+ ill t(e Communistic(old on 6ussia never cease ill ;vana see t(e error in (er +ays Stay tuned *or t(e

ne:t installment o* $(e Silver S(irt/

Closing musi s&ells!

$AD64

And t(at7s it/ reat 8ob, Bill.

M;A4

Bill, you +ere terri*ic/

PEED4

Dou t(in% so

M;A4

Absolutely. Dou7re a natural.

$AD64

et7s go to C(arlie7s, my treat/

PEED4

(o7s C(arlie

M;A4

41


42/86

C(arlie7s is a little gin 8oint by t(e Santa Monica )ier. ;t7s )recious, you7ll love it.

All exe't 0TA4E #A3A4ER stum,le intothe ,ar! ot 7a11 ,lares from the s'ea/ers.

and the lights are dim! They sit at a ta,le!

$AD64

;7m telling you %id, +e could ma%e a million buc%s o** t(is Silver S(irt c(aracter. Dou

mig(t +ant to lay o** t(e Commie stu**, but +e7re gonna grab a demogra)(ic t(atnobody7s even t(oug(t o*/

PEED4

Dea(. Dea(.

$AD64

$(is is a radio story *or t(e )eo)le, *or t(e stum)"grubbing, c(urc("going, (ard"+or%ing,

country"living, baby"(aving goddamn Americans/

AC$6 24; 8ust (o)e +e can (ire more actors. ; can7t be doing t(ree di**erent voices every e)isode.

M;A4et7s not tal% business, alrig(t ; +ant to dance.

$AD64

ell, go a(ead, nobody7s sto))ing you.

M;A4

Mr. Pelley, +on7t you dance +it( me

PEED4

(, ;7m


43/86

o+ isn7t t(is nice, Mr. Pelley

PEED4( yes,


44/86

PEED4

; *eel ;7m being torn in t+o directions at once. ; do truly +ant to tell stories *or t(e real

Americans, *or t(e do+n"trodden (ard"time )eo)le t(at ma%e t(is nation (um. But +(en;7m out (ere +it( t(e glit9 and t(e lig(ts and all t(ese strange, *abulous )eo)le, ; can7t

(el) but t(in%ing ;7m being anest(eti9ed. Dou said ; acted +ell because ; sounded li%e ;

meant t(e t(ings ; said. ell, Mina, ; do. $(ere7s a vast net+or% o* Communistcons)irators +(o every day are trying to ri) a)art t(is country, and ; +onder i* by

+or%ing (ere ;7m not (el)ing t(em do it.

M;A4

Dou7re not. Dou7re doing +onder*ul, im)ortant +or%. ; believe t(ose t(ings too. ; sa+

all t(e destruction and (atred in 6ussia. A*ter ; sa+ t(at ; decided to come (ere. Maybe

it7s true t(at t(e Bols(evi%s (ave t(is country by t(e nec% and t(ey7re )um)ing in)ro)aganda every time +e turn on t(e radio. But i* it7s true, all it means is t(at +e (ave

to +or% t+ice as (ard to )us( t(em bac%.

PEED4; don7t %no+, Mina. o you t(in% anyone else in t(at gin 8oint +as +orried about

Communism $(ese days (ere (ave been incredible, and not 8ust *or me. $(e +(olenation seems to (ave s(uc%ed o** t(e (us% o* t(e )ast and s(o+n itsel* to be t(e beacon o*

lig(t *or )eo)le all around t(e dar% )arts o* t(e +orld. But ; can7t (el) *eeling uneasy

about t(e +(ole t(ing, as i* it7s all about to come cras(ing do+n.

M;A4

Dou don7t (ave to save t(e +orld, Mr. Pelley. At least not tonig(t.

PEED4

Dou7re s+eet.

M;A4

; believe in you.

PEED4

; really s(ould be getting (ome.

M;A4(at is it

PEED4;t7s not(ing, really.

M;A4(, don7t tell me you (ave a +i*e.

PEED4

; do.

44


45/86

M;A4

And a s+eet old mot(er and a beauti*ul little girl and t(ey all loo% 8ust li%e me, rig(t

PEED4

Actually, yes/

M;A4

( brot(er. And (ere ; t(oug(t you +ere ta%ing a real interest in me.

PEED4

; +as/ ; am, ; mean. ; love t(e conversations +e (ave, and ; t(in% you7re a real talented

actress.

M;A4

$(en don7t give me t(is garbage about (aving a +i*e bac% (ome you (ave to ta%e care o*.

;7m an actress, ; can ta%e re8ection, but +(en t(ey ma%e it so s+eet you *eel you7resu))osed to t(an% t(em is +(en ; gag.

PEED4

;t7s true. r at least )art o* it. ; (ad a beauti*ul little daug(ter.

M;A4

(at

PEED4S(e )assed, rig(t be*ore ; le*t *or 6ussia.

M;A4( my +ord, ;7m so sorry.

PEED4S(e +as my +orld. $(e -indus tell a story o* a od +(o too% t(e *orm o* a c(ild. (en

t(e c(ild7s mot(er loo%ed into its eyes, s(e sa+ t(e +(ole universe. -arriet +as li%e t(at.

M;A4(, no+ ; *eel li%e a ragged old +itc(.

PEED4o, it7s alrig(t. ;7m 8ust not sure ; can ta%e t(e lig(ts tonig(t i* s(e7s not (ere to see

t(em.

To the audiene!

PEED4

$(at nig(t, ; received a long distance call *rom Boston. Mary Ann (ad suddenly *allen

gravely ill. My mot(er told me t(e ne+s, and ; said ; +ould be on t(e *irst train in t(e

45


46/86

morning. S(e told me it +as no use. Mary Ann +as dead. $(e ne+s ri))ed into me li%e

s(ra)nel, lodging in every muscle and scra)ing every bone. 5or t(e ne:t +ee%, ; loc%ed

mysel* in my a)artment and c(urned out enoug( scri)ts *or a year o* Silver S(irt serials.;t +as as i* t(e Silver S(irt (imsel* +ere bec%oning me to *ollo+ (im, *las(ing li%e a

lig(t(ouse in t(e nig(t. ;n t(at (orrid +ee%, ; +as saved by my o+n creation. And t(en, ;

(eard a %noc% on t(e door. A /no/!

o a+ay/ ;7m +or%ing/

6rom ,ehind the door!

M;A4

Mr. Pelley ;t7s me.PELLE% o'ens the door!

PEED4

(at do you +ant

M;A4Mr. Pelley, you don7t loo% so good. ;n *act, you loo% a+*ul.

PEED4S(e7s gone, Mina.

M;A4

-arriet

PEED4

o, Mary Ann.

M;A4

(at (en

PEED4

; (eard t(e ne+s 8ust as ; came (ome *rom t(at bar. $(e doctors say t(ere7s no reason to

sus)ect anyt(ing *is(y, but ; +onder. ; +onder i* ; didn7t %ill (er mysel*.

M;A4

Mr. Pelley, you can7t say suc( a t(ing/

PEED4

;t7s true Mina/ on7t you understand Mary Ann +asn7t strong li%e you/ Ever since-arriet died s(e7d been (anging *rom a string, and my leaving must (ave sna))ed it.

M;A4

Everyt(ing you did you did *or (er, s(e must (ave %no+n t(at.

46


47/86

PEED4

;7m not so sure. $(ese mont(s (ave been toug( on (er. n bot( o* us. ; tried to tellmysel* t(at coming (ere +as t(e best t(ing ; could do *or (er, but ;7ve al+ays %no+n s(e

didn7t see it t(at +ay.

M;A4

S(e must (ave/ Even 8ust by t(e +ay you tal% about (er to me s(e must (ave. ; %no+

+e7ve only %no+n eac( ot(er *or a s(ort time, but ; *eel ; maybe (ave some o* your gi*ts.; (ave *elt your soul, and ; %no+ it to be +ise and good.

PEED4

$(en +(y did ; )ut a continent bet+een mysel* and t(e +oman ; love

M;A4

Dou did +(at you t(oug(t +as rig(t. -er deat( doesn7t (ave a t(ing to do +it( t(at. e

can7t %no+ +(y t(ese t(ings (a))en, +e 8ust (ave to trust it7s all *or a reason.

PEED4Dou7re rig(t. * course you7re rig(t. (at did you come in (ere *or

M;A4(, it seems so silly no+. $(e net+or% says t(ey7re not going to run any more e)isodes

o* t(e s(o+.

PEED4(at

M;A4A))arently it didn7t do too +ell in t(e urban mar%ets, +(ic( sort o* set t(e sc(edule *or

t(e rest o* t(e country.

PEED4

reat. $(at7s 8ust great. Per*ect, really.

M;A4Mr. Pelley, it (a))ens all t(e time (ere. Pro8ects are conceived, birt(ed, and buried in t(e

time it ta%es to tie your s(oe.

PEED4

; +onder i* t(ere7s not somet(ing else going on.

M;A4

(at do you mean

PEED4

47


48/86

oesn7t it seem a bit too convenient $o %ill a serial be*ore t(e second installment is

even +ritten o one could ma%e it +it( odds li%e t(at/

M;A4

;t7s 8ust luc%, Mr. Pelley. Sometimes ; t(in% i* it +eren7t *or bad luc% ; +ouldn7t (ave

any luc% at all.

PEED4

o. $(is isn7t luc%. $(is is a +arning. A +arning *or anyone +(o dares to )us( bac%.5or anyone +it( t(e guts to stic% u) *or real American values. $(ey7re saying loud and

clear t(at i* ; don7t ste) into line ;7m done *or.

M;A4Are you *eeling o%ay

PEED4

$(e e+s (ave us by t(e t(roat, Mina. And t(ey7re s


49/86

Be still/ Dou are under my )rotection/ Dou are o* t(e gi*ted ones, clairaudience su)reme

and vision unmatc(ed/ $(e lies +ill *all li%e scales *rom your eyes, and t(e +orld s(all

tremble at your )o+er/

4iant olumns desend from the eiling!

The srim falls. revealing a huge landsa'efeaturing a seven-tiered 1iggurat!

PELLE%2s ,ed is &heeled off stage!

Throughout. the sounds of a &orld ,eingri''ed a'art ,y its seams!

PEED4

od

The noises sto'. and the lights ,eome

,right li/e a s'ring day! PE33E5A


50/86

PEED4

$(e Silver S(irt/

PEEBAHE64

$(at7s rig(t, Mr. Pelley. idn7t you *eel as i* you +ere not(ing but a conduit, and t(at

t(e +ords sim)ly *lo+ed t(roug( your (ands *rom some (ig(er, +iser *orce

PEED4

Dou %no+, come to t(in% o* it ; did/

PEEBAHE64

Dou see, od de)loyed ultra"(ig( *re


51/86

PEEBAHE64

ear lord, in t(e )resence and glory o* your )o+er and mig(t, ; (ereby ba)ti9e in t(ename o* t(e true religion, t(e mystic *ait( o* od and t(e true )ro)(ets, t(is man,

clairaudient su)reme, visionary +it(out com)are, )ro)(et o* t(e ne+ A


52/86

PEEBAHE64

Des it +as. ;t +as t(e e+s t(at )lunged t(e +orld into a brutal +ar, it +as t(e e+s t(at

lit t(e *ires o* Communist revolution, it is t(e e+s +(o in a matter o* years +ill bring*inancial ruin onto t(e Fnited States itsel*/ ;t +as t(e ultimate act o* e+is( envy to %ill

C(rist, +(o +as t(e +orld7s greatest )syc(ic and Enlig(tened being. (en esus

)olis(ed o** t(e last trace o* sin, scri)ture tells us (e became +(ite as sno+, and t(es+art(y e+ 8ust couldn7t stand it.

PEED4But Mr. Penneba%er, i* t(ey7re so )o+er*ul, +(at c(ance (ave ; to sto) t(em

PEEBAHE64

-o+ever strong t(e e+s are, +e7re al+ays stronger. e7ve got od on our side.A ,ell sounds!

(/ oo%s li%e your time is almost u). ne more t(ing4 ta%e t(is bo:.

ands it to him!

on7t o)en it until you return. $(in% o* it as a %ind o* %ee)sa%e.

PEED4But (o+ do ; start (at do ; do

PEEBAHE64All in good time, Mr. Pelley. on7t call us, +e7ll call you.

eaven; disa''ears. leaving PELLE%

one again alone in his room!

PEED4

(at a dreamGe stu,s his toe on the ,ox!

(at ;t can7t be. ; must (aveGit can7t be.

e o'ens the ,ox and 'ulls out a silveryostume em,la1oned &ith a dou,le 0!;

;t is/ $(e reali9ation +as li%e being (it by a *reig(t train. $(e Silver S(irt +as not a

c(aracter, it +as a )remonition/ ; +as not (is creator. ; +as (e/ ; +as t(at great (ero o*

(o)e, t(at s(ining beacon o* C(rist7s love in a +orld o* dar%ness, ; +as, am, and s(all*orever be4

#usi ,ooms!

$(e Silver S(irt/ e*ender o* C(ristendom Against t(e e+is("Bols(evi% -ordes/

5la/out! End of At (!

52


53/86

AC$ 24

The olumns from the end of at ( remain!

The ,a/dro' has asended! PELLE% and#"3A enter. &earing their res'etive

ostumes! This at ta/es 'lae a,out ten

years after the last. ,ut it2s also /ind of thefever dream of a madman. so hronology is

sarified for the sa/e of narrative! $nli/e

the radio 'lay in the last at. this is fullystaged to the ,est of PELLE%20 a,ility!

A66A$64

it( mental )o+ers *ar beyond t(e understanding o* modern science, +it( s)iritual gi*ts

53


54/86

beyond t(e reac( o* man, and +it( a )assion *or 8ustice greater t(an any mere mortal, (e

is, $-E S;?E6 S-;6$/ E5EE6 5 C-6;S$EM AA;S$ $-E

E;S-"BS-E?;H -6ES/ e *ind our (ero and (is side%ic% $(e 6ed Egreten8oying a muc("deserved rest at Silver egion (ead


55/86

*armers o* America/

M;A4$(at7s +onder*ul/

PEED4ne day +e s(all *ree t(e +orld *rom -ebraic tyranny, and t(e )eo)le +ill %no+ debt

)eonage no more. ebt and usury +ill be abolis(ed, as od intended, and t(e e+ +ill

be contained in reservations muc( as our ;ndian brot(ers are today.

M;A4

And +on7t t(at be a glorious day

PEED4

Des, young one, it +ill, but t(at day is yet many years o**. 5or no+, +e (ave a lot o*

+or% to do be*ore tomorro+ +(en t(e gold s(i)ment crosses t(e )ass/

A66A$64

Mean+(ile, a secret cabal o* e+is( Communists and ban%ers meet in a mountain retreaton t(e ot(er side o* t(e globe, nestled in t(e icy valleys o* 6ussia/

The Elders of =ion are 'ortrayed as 'airs of

red glo&ing lights!

?;CE 14

-ere ye (ere ye/ ; no+ call to attention t(is meeting o* t(e Elders o* Lion/ Are all)resent

?;CE 24Comrade 6ot(sc(ild is late.

e enters!

?;CE 34

o, no, ;7m (ere/ Sorry about t(at, ; +as 8ust *inis(ing convincing t(e 5renc( to ado)t

Comrade Heynes7 recovery )lan. ; sold t(em on t(e +isdom t(at, in t(e long run, +e7re

all enslaved/A general round of unreasona,ly gleeful

a/ling!

?;CE 14

E:cellent +or%, Comrade 6ot(sc(ild. o+, can +e (ave an u)date on t(e )rogress o* t(e

movement internationally

?;CE 24

* course, Comrade. $(e ne+s is good/ ur agents are ma%ing inroads in all t(e ma8or

governments o* Euro)e. e (ave 5rance and England under our s+ay, and o* course

55


56/86

6ussia remains securely (eld. Progress in t(e states o* Eastern Euro)e is )rogressing

according to )lans. $(ere are some )roblems, (o+ever.

?;CE 14

S)ea% o* t(em/

?;CE 24

$(at damnable villain -itler continues to ma%e gains in ermany. e (ad once believed

t(e nation o* our great )ro)(et Comrade Mar: +ould naturally *all to our )o+er, but-itler (as )roven t(e resilience o* t(e $eutonic )eo)le.

?;CE 34

amn t(em/ ur control o* t(e +orld government s(ould be assured by no+/ And yett(is -itler c(aracter continues to ignore our eague o* ations/

?;CE 14

Silence Comrade/ ur victory is at (and, even i* some obstacles (ave not been *oreseen.Any ot(er di**iculties

?;CE 24

Des, one. $(e Silver S(irt and (is Silver egion continue to disru)t our e**orts in t(e

Fnited States. -e (as interce)ted our s(i)ments o* gold, and (is radio )rograms andboo%s are ravenously consumed by t(e American )eo)le.

?;CE 14

$(e Silver S(irt is sim)ly a t(orn in our )a+. e +ill be rid o* (im 8ust as +e ridourselves o* Abra(am incoln and esus C(rist t(e e+"(ater.

Laughter again. 7ust as loud. ,ut slightlymore unertain. given that nothing 7ust said

is in any &ay a 7o/e!

?;CE 34

But ; +ant (is (ead no+/ ; +ant (is Silver entrails delivered u)on a golden )latter/

?;CE 14Patience, Comrade 6ot(sc(ild. Soon t(e combined mig(t o* 6ussia and t(e Fnited States

+ill turn u)on t(e Silver S(irt, as Comrades Stalin and 6oosevelt 8oin *orces against t(e

*ascist menace/

?;CE 34

Stalin 6oosevelt ; do not %no+ t(ese names/

?;CE 14

My mista%e/ ; meant to say Comrades Steiglit9 and 6osenstein/

56


57/86

One again. laughter!

?;CE 14But +(at s(all +e do +(en +e ca)ture t(e Silver S(irt S(ould +e s(o+ (im mercy

A4o/

?;CE 14ell, +(at t(en (at s(ould +e do to t(is traitor

A4

Cruci*y (im/ Cruci*y (im/ Cruci*y (im/

A66A$64

$(e ne:t day, a *reig(t train careers t(roug( t(e mountains o* central as(ington.

A urtain rises. ex'osing a model train!

0enery srolls 'ast. 'erha's manuallyo'erated! This is ,ig-,udget s'etale as

done ,y a sixty-three year old fasist &ith

no money! T&o ation figures re'resenting

the 0ilver 0hirt and the Red Egret desendfrom the flies and land on the train!

PEED4Are you alrig(t, 6ed Egret

M;A4Sure t(ing, sir/

PEED4Hee) your eyes )eeled *or t(e enemy.

>ust then. t&o other ation figures seem to

emerge from the train!

M;A4Sir/ 6ig(t be(ind you/

PEED4By t(e beard o* St. 5rancis, you7re rig(t/ Battle *ormation, 6ed Egret/

The ation figures ,attle. ending &ith the

t&o ,ad guys; ,eing thro&n from the

57


58/86

train!

PEED4ood +or%, buddy/ ;* only de*eating t(e Lionist cons)iracy +ere as sim)le as besting

t(eir Bols(evi% lac%eys/ et7s go do+n belo+ and sei9e t(at gold/

The train disa''ears. and the ators 'laying

the 0ilver 0hirt and the Red Egret enter!

PEED4

reat Peter7s %eys, 6ed Egret/ $(e gold is gone/

6RA3


59/86

6ed Egret 6ed Egret

6SE?E$4S(e can7t (ear you, Silver S(irt, or s(ould ; say, illiam udley Pelley/

PEED4Dou %no+ myG

6SE?E$4Secret identity ( yes. Dou see, you7re not t(e only mind reader on t(is train.

PELLE% sreams in 'ain!

6SE?E$4

o you *eel t(at $(at7s +(at it *eels li%e +(en your mind is being erased/

PEED4oGmustG*ig(tGstrainGtooGmuc(G

6SE?E$4

;t7s no use resisting, Mr. Pelley. ust as% t(e citi9ens o* 6ussia/

0uddenly. #"3A ,rea/s from the s'ell!

M;A4

ot so *ast, President 6oosevelt/

6SE?E$4

(at

M;A4

(ile you +ere )aying attention to t(e Silver S(irt, ; bro%e *ree o* your control/

0he 'unhes him!

Dou may be able to )ull t(e +ool over t(eir eyes bac% in Communist 6ussia, but usAmericans are made o* sterner stu**/

0he 'unhes him again!

So i* you +ant to ta%e control o* t(e 6ed, (ite, and Blue, you7re gonna (ave to use

more t(an some Commie (y)notism/

0he gra,s his ollar and holds him outside

the train!;

59


60/86

o+ it7s time to send you bac% +(ere you came *rom, t(e )its o* (ell/

6SE?E$4Please, no/ -ave mercy/

M;A4Mercy id you s(o+ mercy on t(e )eo)le o* 6ussia id you s(o+ mercy to t(e

)eo)le o* America su**ering t(roug( a e)ression t(at you and your %ind caused

ould you (ave s(o+n mercy to t(e Silver S(irt/

6SE?E$4

Please, ; beg o* you/

M;A4

Beg to Satan, traitor/

0he thro&s; him out the &indo&!;

PEED4By t(e tattered rags o* o(n t(e Ba)tist, +(at +as t(at

M;A4Some %ind o* Communist mind control device. But +e7re sa*e no+/ it( Mr. 6oosevelt

dead, +e7ll be able to ta%e bac% t(e Fnited States government o* America/

PEED4(, 6ed Egret. ;t7s not t(at sim)le. ;t7s never t(at sim)le. $(ey7ll send anot(er o* t(eir

minions to ta%e (is )lace. Every one o* t(eir tyrannical des)ots (as a roster o* loo%"

ali%es )oised to sei9e control at any moment. e may never %no+ i* t(at +as t(e real5ran%lin elano 6oosevelt, i* t(ere even is suc( a )erson.

M;A4(, Silver S(irt/ ; can7t stand t(e strain o* t(ese missions/ ;7m so con*used/ All ; +ant

is a man ; can lean on +(o7ll tell me +(at to do, +(at to say, +(at to *eel/

PEED4ever *ear, 6ed Egret. Dou 8ust do as ; say and everyt(ing +ill turn out.

A66A$64Bac% at t(eir secret mountain (idea+ay, $(e 6ed Egret and $(e Silver S(irt debrie*.

M;A4So +(at you7re saying is t(at President 6oosevelt +as +or%ing *or t(e e+s t(e +(ole

time

PEED4

60


61/86

;t sure seems t(at +ay. ; can7t say ;7m sur)rised. At *irst ; t(oug(t (e (ad merely been

brain +as(ed by (is e+is( advisor Bernard Baruc(, but no+ ; %no+ t(ey are bot( agents

o* t(e Bols(evi%"Lionist cons)iracy. ;t seems (e7s descended *rom a line o* utc( e+s+(o (ave been trying to ta%e over t(e government *or years t(roug( t(eir connections in

t(e Masons.

M;A4

;t all ma%es sense no+/

PEED4

;t loo%s li%e only S)ain, ;taly, and ermany are sa*e *rom t(eir clutc(es. e7ll %ee)

)ressing on in America, but it a))ears t(e *ate o* t(e +orld is in t(e (ands o* -itler,

Mussolini, and 5ranco.

M;A4

$(an% od *or t(ose de*enders o* *reedom. it(out t(em, t(e +(ole +orld +ould be

overrun by e+is( tyranny.

PEED4$(ey7ve certainly tried be*ore. ;* ilson (ad been able to convince Congress to agree to

t(e Lionist eague o* ations, t(ey +ould li%ely (ave already ta%en all o* Euro)e.

M;A4

So +(at do +e do no+, SS

PEED4(at do +e do no+ e in*iltrate t(e (ead


62/86

t(at +e can only guess at. e7re li%e moles imagining sig(t.

?;CE 34id +e at least recover Comrade 6osenstein

?;CE 24;t seems Comrade 6osenstein +as lost in battle. A loo%"ali%e (as been installed in

as(ington, but nonet(eless t(is is a tragic loss.

?;CE 14

$(e only loss ; care about is t(e loss o* t(e u))er (and/ o+ t(e Silver S(irt +ill be

sus)icious o* messages (e receives about our +(ereabouts/ e +on7t be able to ta%e

(im una+ares/

?;CE 34

FnlessG

?;CE 14

(at is it, Comrade 6ot(sc(ild

?;CE 34

(at i* +e don7t try to (ide $(at is, +(at i* +e sim)ly tell t(e Silver S(irt +(ere +eare -e +ants to de*eat us as badly as +e +ant to de*eat (im, and (is damned altruism

+ill ma%e an o**er o* battle im)ossible to resist/

?;CE 14Are you saying +e sim)ly give (im our +(ereabouts and do battle on an even )laying

*ield

?;CE 34

$(at7s e:actly +(at ;7m saying.

?;CE 24

;t7s so devious it7s com)letely candid/ -e7ll never see it coming/

?;CE 14$(ose in *avor o* Comrade 6ot(sc(ild7s )lan, say aye7/

A horus of aye!;

?;CE 14

$(e ayes7 (ave it/ And +(at s(all +e do +(en +e de*eat (im

A4

Cruci*y (im/ Cruci*y (im/ Cruci*y (im/

62


63/86

A66A$64

$(at nig(t, our (ero is a+a%ened *rom *it*ul dreams by a blinding +(ite lig(t/

A flash. and ROT0C"LD emerges. lad

head to foot in ,la/! is fae is o,sured!

PEED4

(a od

6$-SC-;4

o, Mr. Pelley, od is dead. All (ail t(e Elders o* Lion/

A66A$64

Suddenly, our (ero s)rings into action/

e 'ulls out a gun and shoots atROT0C"LD!

PEED4

$a%e t(at, you at(eistic scum/

6$-SC-;4

-a (a (a/ Dour +ea)ons are no use against t(e +is)y *abric o* an e:trasensory

)ro8ection/

PEED4

ButG(o+ nly od can *ree t(e (uman soul *rom its bodily con*ines/

6$-SC-;4

Soul (, you mean t(at ta+dry reco"C(ristian absurdity/ ur scientists (ave

concluded t(at (uman consciousness is no more a mystery t(an t(e )ulsations o* radar.e sim)ly am)li*y our brain+aves and travel as +e )lease/

PEED4

But t(at7s im)ossible/ $(ere (as to be, t(ere must be somet(ing ot(er t(an matter, some(idden +orld o* )er*ection undergirding t(is *allen s)(ere/

6$-SC-;4o, Mr. Pelley. $(ere is only t(is. $(ere is only t(e des)erate s


64/86

6$-SC-;4

; tire o* your evasions. ; (ave come to o**er you a sim)le bargain. e +ill reveal toyou t(e secret location o* our (ead


65/86

A66A$64

$(e ne:t day, our (ero sli)s be(ind enemy lines, determined to de*eat t(e Communist

menace once and *or all/

3othing ha''ens!

nce and *or all/

We hear the 0TA4E #A3A4ER from off

stage!

S$AE MAAE64

;t7s not +or%ing.

6rom off stage!

PEED4

(at do you mean it7s not +or%ing

S$AE MAAE64

$(e +ires are tangled or somet(ing, ; can7t get it to +or%.

PEED4

ell, *igure somet(ing out/

S$AE MAAE64

%ay, o%ay.

A66A$64

$o de*eat t(e Communist menace once and *or all/

An ation figure dro's from the flies and

hits the stage! PELLE% enters!

PEED4

$(ere/ $(at must be t(e cloc% to+er, +(ic( means ;7m in t(e rig(t )lace. But +(ere are

t(e Elders o* Lion

A66A$64

Suddenly, t(e ground begins to s(a%e beneat( our (ero7s *eet/

PEED4

(aG+(at7s (a))ening

A66A$64

$(e ground gives +ay, and our (ero *alls into a dee) cavern/

This ha''ens! ROT0C"LD enters!

65


66/86

6$-SC-;4

ell +ell +ell, Mr. Pelley. e7re glad you could ma%e it/

PEED4

Baron 6ot(sc(ild/ ; s(ould (ave %no+n you +ere be(ind t(is/ ; su))ose it +asn7tenoug( to destroy t(e +orld economy and enslave t(e good )eo)le o* America in your

socialistic tyranny

6$-SC-;4

ever/ ot until every (ead bo+s, not until every %nee bends, and not until every tongue

con*esses t(at +e, t(e e+ry o* Euro)e, are t(e true master race, and t(at t(e Anglo"

Sa:on is merely a usur)er o* t(e true %ingdom/

PEED4

$(en you7ll (ave to +ait a long time/

PELLE% rushes at ROT0C"LD. &ho

disa''ears in a ,urst of smo/e andrea''ears on the other side of the stage!

6$-SC-;4id you really t(in% ; +ould allo+ you to come +it(in stri%ing distance o* t(e real Baron

6ot(sc(ild

PEED4But you )romised/

6$-SC-;4(, t(e e+ lied (at a sur)rise/

PEED4$(en, i* you7re not t(e su)er soldierG

6$-SC-;4

e call (imG

A huge monster a''ears. 'erha's made to

a''ear larger ,y a footlight 'ro7eting hisshado& against the srim!

$-E EM/ ust as t(e olem o* our legends +as )o+ered by dar% magic, our ne+su)er soldier dra+s (is energy *rom t(e de)ressed (o)es and de*lected dreams o* our

million victims/ ;n *actories t(e +orld over, our slaves toil at great mac(ines t(at *eed

electricity to our olem army/ All t(e c(urning energies t(at +ould (ave created

bridges, statues, c(urc(es, monuments to od and to Man, great advances in art and

66


67/86

science, no+ go to *eed our deadly +ar mac(ine/

PEED4;7m sure ; can de*eat any creature your )eo)le can t(in% u)/ Come get me, olem/ ;7m

not a*raid o* you/

PELLE% lunges at the 4olem. and stri/es its

fae!

PEED4

By Saint Barbara7s lig(tning, my (and/ o matter, ;7ll use my )o+ers o* astral

)ro8ection to sedate t(e beast/

The 4olem does not move!

PEED4

$(e beast +on7t yield/ ;t7s as i* it (as no mind at all/

6$-SC-;4o+ you7re catc(ing on/ $(is beast is more t(an a sim)le creation, it is t(e )rototy)e o*

t(e ne+ man, t(e Soviet Man o* brute strengt( and blind obedience/ o+ olem, attac%/

The golem lum,ers to&ards PELLE%!

PEED4

At last, my c(ance/

PELLE% gra,s one of the golem2s legs and

unsteadies him! The golem falls!

PEED4

Des/ ; %ne+ t(e olem +ould be no matc( *or me/

6$-SC-;4

ell done, Mr. Pelley/ But (o+ +ill you *are against *ive suc( monsters

6ive silhouettes a''ear!

r ten

Ten silhouettes a''ear!r one (undred

One hundred silhouettes a''ear!

Dou see, Mr. Pelley, +e7ve come )re)ared. Dou may as +ell *ace t(e *acts, you (ave noc(ance o* getting out o* 6ussia alive.

The lights narro& around PELLE%!

67


68/86

PEED4

But ; mustG; (ave toGmust %ee) *ig(ting against t(e Communist (o////

5la/out! When the lights ome ,a/ u'.

PELLE% is tied to a ross and overed ,y a

sheet! ROT0C"LD stands ,efore him!

6$-SC-;4

(en last +e met, many o* you +ere s%e)tical o* my )lan. Dou said t(at a direct attac%on t(e Silver S(irt +as *oolis(, t(at (e re)resented t(e best (o)es o* t(e Anglo"Sa:on

)eo)le. And yet ; )ersevered, sa*e in t(e %no+ledge t(at it is t(e e+ +(o is meant to

rule, t(e e+ +(o (as ruled in t(e )ast, and t(e e+ +(o +ill rule again/ entlemen, ;

)resent to youG$-E S;?E6 S-;6$/

e tears ,a/ the sheet. revealing a ,adly

,eaten PELLE%!

6$-SC-;4

-o+ do you *eel, Silver Snot

PEED4

(aG (ere am ;

6$-SC-;4

$(e (ero +is(es to %no+ +(ere (e is/ S(all +e tell (im

A4

o/

6$-SC-;4

Mr. Pelley, it7s called a secret lair *or one very s)eci*ic reason. ;7m sure you can

understand t(at. ust as you can understand t(at your )resence (ere means only one t(ing*or you4 certain deat(/ So ; as% you, most )o+er*ul and learned Elders o* Lion, s(all +e

s(o+ mercy to t(e Silver S(irt

A4o/

6$-SC-;4(at s(all +e do

A4Cruci*y (im/ Cruci*y (im/ Cruci*y (im/

?;CE 14

Silence/

68


69/86

6$-SC-;4

(at is it, master

The "4 PR"E0T enters!

-;- P6;ES$4

;* +e %ill t(e Silver S(irt, +e rid ourselves o* one o* our most bitter enemies. ;n doing

so, +e +in a victory, but a )rivate one. it( t(e Silver S(irt at our dis)osal, +e couldsend a message t(e +orld +ill truly never *orget/ e could bring Mr. Pelley to trial

be*ore t(e Congress o* t(e Fnited States o* America, and in doing so )rove once and *or

all t(at our gras) on t(e government o* t(at nation is un


70/86

-;- P6;ES$4

o. $(ose more obvious dis)lays o* )o+er are sim)ly an accessory to our greatest asset.

$ell me, do you recogni9e my *ace

PEED4

; don7t t(in% ;7ve ever seen you be*ore.

-;- P6;ES$4

And yet ; seem strangely *amiliar, as i* you (ave seen me in a dream, do ; not

PEED4

o+ t(at you mention it, you do/ ; *eel ;7ve %no+n you all my li*e.

-;- P6;ES$4

Dou see, t(at is +(y t(e Communists +ill +in. e +ill +in not because o* t(e

Communists you %no+ but because o* t(e Communists you don7t. ; loo% li%e someone

you7ve seen because ; am. ; am t(e s(o)%ee)er do+n t(e street, t(e )oliceman at t(ecorner, t(e 8ustice on t(e benc(. ; am your best *riend and ; am t(e stranger on a )assing

train. $(e Communist surrounds you li%e t(e trees, li%e t(e air, li%e t(e s+eat on yourbro+. Dou s(all never de*eat us. Dou +ouldn7t %no+ +(ere to start.

PELLE% stares at the "4 PR"E0T!

-;- P6;ES$4

Are youGare you trying to read my mind

PEED4

; told you ;7d never surrender/

-;- P6;ES$4

id you t(in% ; (adn7t accounted *or t(at Dour )o+ers are useless no+. Microsco)ic

robots in your bloodstream (ave neutrali9ed t(e e**ects o* your )uny )o+ers.

PEED4

But my )o+ers are given by od/

-;- P6;ES$4

od is dead/ As dead as *ree enter)rise, as dead as democracy, as dead as t(e land o*

your birt(/ All t(at e:ists is t(e +orld, our +orld, our e+is( +orld"state.

PEED4

ot +(ile man yet breat(es. ot +(ile men li%e Adol* -itler and eneralisimo 5rancostill live/

-;- P6;ES$4

Dou sad, silly man. $(ey +ill be dismantled as easily as you +ere. $a%e (im a+ay

70


71/86

6ot(sc(ild, ; tire o* t(is.

A66A$64(en our (ero a+a%es, (e is dragged into t(e c(ambers o* Congress and made to stand

be*ore (is beloved *lag as everyt(ing it stands *or is ri))ed a)art be*ore (is very eyes.

6or this next setion. PELLE%2s ans&ers on

the left are ahieved through sound ues.

&hile his ans&ers on the right are s'o/en!The ?O"CE0 are no& seen. ,ut dressed in

ivilian lothes

?;CE 14

Mr. Pelley, your *inancial recordsindicate t(at you used t(e )ages o* one

o* your )ublications to advertise stoc% in

anot(er o* your business ventures t(at

+as at t(e time *inancially insolvent. ;st(is true

PEED4ell, your (onor, ;7m not entirely sure.

Dou see, ;7m more o* t(e visionary

be(ind t(e +(ole o)eration, ; don7t dealmuc( in t(e day to day o)erations o* t(e

maga9ine and t(e attendant, um,

o)erations.

?;CE 24So you mean to say it is entirely )ossible

t(at your cor)oration violated *ederal

la+s related to t(e et(ical advertising o*

*inancial )roducts

PEED4

Again, ;7m not entirely sure ;7m in t(e)ro)er )osition to ans+er


72/86


73/86


74/86

o. Mig(t *ig(tGstrainGtooGmuc(/

PEED4

$(at +ould be a sa*e assum)tion.

?;CE 34

Mr. Pelley, your e:)ense accounts

indicate t(at you s)ent a total o* *ivet(ousand dollars travelling around t(e

country during t(e )ast several years. ;

%no+ you claim to be unable to

comment on t(e s)eci*ic nature o* your*inancial o)erations, but does t(is seem

to be a reasonable statistic

PEED4Des, ; +ould say so.

?;CE 14

Mr. Pelley, +(y didn7t you sim)ly

)ro8ect yoursel* around t(e country

oGodG-el) me/

At this 'oint. the dou,le voiing sto's!

PEED4My od, My od, +(y (ave you *orsa%en me

Pause!

?;CE 14

E:cuse me sir (at +as t(at

PEED4

ot(ing, not(ing, ;7m 8ust *eeling slig(tlyG*atigued.

?;CE 14

Eit(er +ay. e (ereby recommend t(at you be (eld in t(e Ma:imum Security ing o*

t(e 5ederal Correctional Com)le: at $erre -aute, ;ndiana, *or c(arges including mail

*raud, securities *raud, sedition, and t(e distribution o* subversive materials during

74


75/86

+artime. e recommend t(e ma:imum )ossible sentence o* t+enty years +it( no

)ossibility o* )arole.

PEED4

Could you )leaseG

?;CE 14

(at7s t(at, Mr. Pelley

PEED4

o you t(in% you could 8ustGre)eatGt(at

PELLE% olla'ses to the floor! When hea&a/es the olumns have a''eared! e is

in heaven!

PEED4;G;7ve died.

>E0$0 enters!

ESFS4

o, you (aven7t. At least not yet. ; 8ust t(oug(t it mig(t be a good time to s(ore u) yourresolve a little.

PEED4

Are youG

ESFS4

esus (y yes, ; am. 5riend to *reedom"lovers any+(ere and eternal enemy o* t(e e+.Dou7re doing some great +or% do+n t(ere.

PEED4; sure don7t *eel li%e it/ ; *eel li%e ;7m getting %ic%ed u) and do+n t(e *ield/

ESFS4

Dou %no+ +(o else *elt li%e t(at

PEED4

(o, t(e Broo%lyn odgers

ESFS4

o, Mr. Pelley, not t(e odgers. Me. $(at7s rig(t/ Dou mig(t not %no+ it loo%ing atme no+, but ; (ad a )retty roug( go do+n t(ere on t(e material )lane.

PEED4

But +(y ;* you7re in control, +(y couldn7t you 8ust round u) your enemies and send

75


76/86

em bac% +(ere t(ey came *rom

ESFS4;t +ouldn7t (ave been rig(t. Dou see, t(roug(out (istory od (as )rovided adversaries

*or (is c(osen )eo)le to sort o* cut t(eir teet( on. it(out dar%ness, t(e lig(t s(ines

+it(out )ur)ose.

PEED4

$o (ell +it( )ur)ose/ ; 8ust +ant to live *ree, *ree o* +ant and desire, *ree o* t(e clutc(eso* t(e e+/

ESFS4

Be )atient/ ;n time, ; +ill descend again and bring a millennium o* )eace andbrot(er(ood to t(e eart(ly realm, but *irst man must recogni9e t(e error o* (is +ays and

submit to t(e one true *ait(.

PEED4But (o+ +ill t(ey %no+ +(at t(at means ; don7t mean to


77/86

ESFS4

;t (ad to be done.

PEED4

o/ ;t doesn7t +or% t(at +ay, it 8ust can7t/

ESFS4

;7m sorry.

PEED4

Dou too% (er/ Dou stole a+ay t(e only +oman ; ever loved/ id you ta%e -arriet too

ESFS4

Bill/ Calm do+n/

PEED4;* you7re in t(e business o* %illing men7s +ives and c(ildren t(en ; t(in% ; mig(t 8ust

s+itc( sides/

ESFS4

Bill/ Sto) t(is/ Eit(er t(eir deat(s +ere according to od7s )lan or od isn7t in c(arge.$(ose are t(e only o)tions. o+. Are you +illing to listen to me or s(ould ; loo% *or

anot(er )ro)(et

PEED4on7t tal% to me.

ESFS4ould you li%e to meet (er

PEED4Mary Ann S(e7s (ere

ESFS4

* course s(e7s (ere. o+, s(ould ; bring (er in or are you going to %ee) blas)(emingt(e one true od

PEED4;G* course/ * course/ Bring (er in/

ESFS4ellG

#AR% A33 enters!

MA6D A4

-ey stranger.

77


78/86

PEED4

Mary Ann/e runs over to her and em,raes her!

PEED4

Dou7re (ere/ ;t7s really you, isn7t it

MA6D A4

;7m *airly certain, yes.

PEED4

-o+ is it

MA6D A4

-eaven ;t7s alrig(t.

PEED4ust alrig(t

MA6D A4

;7m %idding/ ;t7s (eavenly. ;t7s )er*ect. ell, almost. ;t couldn7t


79/86

MA6D A4

e (ear concerts by Beet(oven. ;7ve tal%ed )oetry +it( (itman.

PEED4

(at7s (e li%e

MA6D A4

-e7s a mean old letc(, but ; li%e (im.

PEED4

$ell me more/

MA6D A4obody (ungers (ere. obody +or%s (imsel* into a *it trying to decode t(e mysteries o*

t(e universe. e %no+ order. e %no+ )eace.

PEED4And -arriet

MA6D A4

* course s(e7s (ere. A s)irit as )ure as (ers could never be %e)t in t(e grave.

PEED4

-o+ is s(e

MA6D A4S(e misses you. * course. But s(e7s good. Dou7re going to be so )roud.

PEED4Can7t ; see (er no+

MA6D A4;7m a*raid not. $(ere7s still +or% to be done. Bring lig(t to t(e dar%ness. Bring release

to t(e ca)tives. 5ree America *rom e+is( tyranny.

ESFS4$(e story began be*ore you +ere born, and it +ill continue a*ter your deat(. But you7re

alive no+, and it7s yours to tell.

PEED4

Dou7re sending me bac%

ESFS4

;7m a*raid so.

MA6D A4

79


80/86

Sa*e travels, stranger.

PEED4; love you.

MA6D A4; love you. ; love you. ; love you.

ESFS4Dou mig(t +ant to brace yoursel*, Bill. ;t7s a long dro) *rom (eaven.

The stage returns to the total ,lan/ness of

the ,eginning of the 'lay!

PEED4

$(is is (o+ ; came to a))ear be*ore you today. ust as C(rist submitted to t(e un8ust

)unis(ment in*licted by t(e San(edrin, so ; allo+ed mysel* to be im)risoned *or eig(tlong years, )atiently a+aiting my release. ; (ave s)ent t(is time in


81/86

P;CEMA4

Mr. Pelley, you claimed t(at 5ran%lin 6oosevelt +as an agent o* t(e Communists, t(at

t(e e)ression +as a e+is( cons)iracy to destroy America, and t(at Congress +asactually a *ront *or somet(ing called t(e Elders o* Lion.

PEED4Des, but not in )rint/ Dou see so it doesn7t


82/86

PEED4

(y o you (ave somet(ing to (ide o you Dou +ill see, o**icer, t(at ; (avenot(ing to (ide. ot(ing. ; (ave laid it bare *or all to see, t(e +(ole story *rom

beginning to end, so t(at t(e good )eo)le o* t(e Fnited States o* America %no+ t(e trut(

about (o+ t(is country is run/ -eat(er Armstrong, on t(e ot(er (and, +as until lastmont( em)loyed dancing on tables in a bar in Santa Monica/

P;CEMA4;7m not going to give you anot(er c(ance.

PEED4

$(e t(eatre is not(ing more t(an t(e casto** re*use o* cinema, and is )o)ulated by t(esame *aggots, )im)s, and do)e *iends t(at (aunt -olly+ood and )oison t(e minds o*

good, (ard"+or%ing Americans. ; (ave done my best to instruct t(em in t(e one true

*ait(, but even ; can7t overcome years o* lying, *raud, and deceit. $(ese )eo)le can7t be

trusted.

P;CEMA4Bill, s(o+7s over.

PEED4on7t any o* you de*end me -as t(e lig(t o* trut( illuminated even one o* your minds

Mary Ann, surely you7ll stic% u) *or me 5or you (usband 5or your love

MA6D A4$(at7s not my name.

PEED4Please, darling

TE POL"CE#A3 drags PELLE% offstage!

P;CEMA4

%ay, Mr. Pelley, t(at7s enoug(.

Pause! The ator &ho 'layed >E0$0 s'ea/s

u'!

ESFS4

5ol%s, t(at7s it. et on (ome, ;7m sure +e can re*und your tic%et. ;t7s over, so, um. etgone.

MA6D A4

; (ave somet(ing to say.

82


83/86

ESFS4

esus, Hate, +(at is it

MA6D A4

; s(ouldn7t (ave died.

ESFS4

%ay, +e don7t need to tal% about t(at no+.

MA6D A4

o, +e do/ e do need to tal% about it/ My name is Hate Easton, and ;7m *rom e+

Bed*ord, Massac(usetts. ;7ve +anted to be an actress all my li*e so ; (o)e you7ll *orgiveme +(en ; say ; don7t muc( care +(at t(e role is as long as ; get to be on stage. As actors

+e )ut on disguises to tell t(e trut(, but lately ; *eel ;7m lying.

ESFS4ive it a rest, it7s over.

MA6D A4

o, it7s not/ ;t7s not over/ ot until ; (ave my say. $onig(t ; )layed a c(aracter named

Mary Ann Pelley. Dou sa+ (o+ s(e loved Mr. Pelley, (o+ t(ey toget(er (ad a c(ild, and(o+ t(e c(ild7s deat( drove (er to e:(austion. $(ere7s a trut( (ere, an emotional trut(,

and ; believe in t(at. My little brot(er died, and ; sa+ +(at it did to my mot(er. ;t7s t(e

+orst t(ing in t(e +orld, losing a c(ild. ; told mysel* t(at by ta%ing t(is role ; could (el)

give voice to t(at silent torture. ;t7s li%e Mrs. Pelley said, t(ere7s an inside trut( and anoutside one, and it7s t(e inside trut( t(at matters. ; don7t %no+ i* ; believe t(at anymore.

Dou see, *or Mr. Pe

seven minutes in eternity

Documents