Opening Scene

Scene begins in a rush. A paramedic brings in a patient on a table of sorts, something that can roll. Patient is wrapped in the American flag. Doors bang open, hospital sounds are playing in the background. We hear beeping. “Doctor King” is paged over the intercom.

Medic: Oh God…(enters carrying Andrew draped in American flag. Heaves the body onto the table.)

Nurse: (concerned, excited) What’s the problem? What’s the problem?

Doctor: What happened?

Medic: she’s sick…her heart isn’t responding. We’ve been trying but…

Nurse: (interrupting) Is it a suicide? It looks like it might…

Doctor: Nurse, let’s start another IV. Get me 50cc’s of …(nurse nods and rushes out)

Medic: (doctor is taking pulse) …50ccs…that’s not enough. Will that be enough?

Doctor: It’s more complicated than that, I know…We may need to operate…

Nurse: (returning, preparing IV) How is she?

Doctor: I’m checking her vitals…she’s not responding well…

Medic: Doctor, she’s fading…

Trial 1: Hung Jury

The body representing America rolls off of the gurney and into a seat on the other side of the gurney (now a judge’s bench) and the nurses and doctors are taking their seats and positions for court (Lawyers with open briefcases talking over papers, etc) two reporters (standing in the center of the room among the students, holding notepads, and one with a camera around his neck) start this dialogue:

Reporter 1: (greeting reporter two) Well, well, well. Look who’s here. How’ve you been?

Reporter 2: I’m well, thanks (the two take their seats). You still work at the Sentinel?

Reporter 1: Yeah, still there. Do you know what’s going on today? They just sent me down here as soon as I got in this morning.

Reporter 2: Sure do. Chief Leschi is on trial for the murder of A.B. Moses, back in 1856.

Reporter 1: During the Indian War?

Reporter 2: Yeah.

Reporter 1: Hmm. But a lot of people died, why’s he here?

Reporter 2: He’s here because of the medicine creek treaty. Remember? Few years back, right after Christmas, the Indians and Governor Stevens signed a treaty that forfeited two and a half million acres of land to the US government, while leaving a few thousand to the Indians.

Reporter 1: Oh, right, I remember him now. Didn’t he try to make peace and get more land for his people? (Remembering, realizing) And when no one listened, he led his tribesmen into war?

Reporter 2: Right, the Indian War of ’56. And now the chief might be headed for the gallows. His nephew even turned him in!

Reporter 1: So where’s the trial at now?

Reporter 2: The jury’s about to decide…

Reporter 1: Shhhh, they’re getting started…

Court proceeds.

Judge: Now that I’ve heard your closing arguments and the jury has had a chance to deliberate; Jury? How do you find?

Jury shrugs collectively. Court adjourns; people start moving around, packing up briefcases, talking to one another, Leschi being taken back to jail, etc. Enter interrupter (he has been playing a juror).

Interruption 1

Interrupter: (hard to see among the people, whispering) Hey! (Person 1 (P1) looks around, no one else appears to hear anything) Over here!

Person 1: (looks over) what?

Interrupter: (whispering) I’ve got something to show you! (Gesturing) come closer! (Person 1 approaches Interrupter) Could everyone please FREEZE? (Everyone onstage freezes except the Interrupter and Person 1) Ok, now it’s safe.

Person 1: (confounded) safe…?

Interrupter: Take a good look at these folks. Can you tell me anything in particular about them?

Person 1: (thinking) Well…they’re all people.

Interrupter: (excited) Perfect! Now listen. Suppose each of these people is an historical event. Got it? This one is the Alamo, this one is the Vietnam War, this one’s the Internment of Japanese Americans, and that’s the Second Crusade.

Person 1: Well, from here they all seem about the same.

Interrupter: Ok. Stay here. (Goes into the audience, speaks loudly) Now, since I’m closer to them, I can tell you they’re not the same at all. (Moving from person to person) This one was fuelled by a struggle for territory, Vietnam by the fear of Communism. They’re different, you see? The Japanese Americans were forced into concentration camps, and the crusades sought to wipe out Islam. Are you getting it?

Person 1: (sounding confused and a little annoyed) I guess, but I’m all the way back here and it’s hard to see.

Interrupter: Hang in there, you’re doing splendid. (Gestures) Now come over here and have a look for yourself. (Person 1 joins the Interrupter among the students) Now tell me what you notice.

Person 1: Well, I still see people. They still look about the same, even up close. They’ve all got two eyes, two arms and legs…

Interrupter: Good. They do look quite similar, don’t they? Most people only have an eye for difference. But forget about that. They’re events, remember? Think. Why are they here? Did these events even need to happen in the first place?

Person 1: I’m not quite sure…

Interrupter: Aren’t these events entirely different? Aren’t they so completely unrelated that we may as well erase them from our memories and look only to the future?

Person 1: (slowly) well…no. They ARE very similar. They all originate in the fear of an unknown, fear of another. They appear distinct and separate, but in reality are very closely connected; they’re part of the same story, like actors. They’re all individuals; like you and I, but in the end, they’re all making the same play! They’re only different if they REACT to the script.

Interrupter: (skeptically) Interesting conclusion. Roll that around for a bit ok? I’ll come back later. (To frozen actors) Carry on!

Trial 2: Appeal

Nick is now playing the defending lawyer, Todd is the prosecution, and Becky is the jury. Andrew is still the judge.

Judge: As you know, this case has been reconvened after the orginal jury was unable to reach a verdict. Hopefully, this time they’ll have resolved their uncertainty. Now that we’ve heard the arguments a second time, I’ll ask the question again: Jury, how do you find?

Court proceeds. After deliberation,the jury finds Leschi guilty. This is represented by holding up a hangman’s noose. “Appeal/guilty” chorus commences. Gavel bangs to silence chorus.

Judge: Chief Leschi, you have been found guilty to the charge of murder in the first degree. You are sentenced to death by hanging. Court is adjourned!

Andrew, Todd, Becky exit stage left. Nick exits stage right. Leschi is left in jail and alone onstage. Leschi sits alone for a short time. A song plays.

Arrest Scene

A sheriff (Todd) and a deputy (Becky) walk up to the jail, lead Leschi to the gallows. They are intercepted by US Marshall Fred Kautz.

Sheriff: (to Leschi) Alright, Leschi. Time to go.

Kautz: Sheriff Williams! (Sheriff looks back) Just a minute Sheriff.

Sheriff: (confused) What do you want? We’re to hang this man immediately!

Kautz: There’ll be no execution today. By mandate of the US Army, YOU both are being placed under arrest. Now, let’s see those hands.

Sheriff: (offers hands) This is outrageous! You can’t arrest me! I’m the Sheriff! (They all exit stage right. Leschi is put back in jail. Citizen (Andrew) who has been watching the scene unfold steps to the front of the stage)

Citizen: It is QUUUUUITE disturbing: when there’s an execution on you can’t just go’n cancel it! (He is joined by Becky and Nick, forming a small mob) We was all set to see a hangin’ and now what can we do?! (Here he is elbowed/prodded and handed a bunch of papers, from which he begins to read with grandeur) The people of Steilacoom have prepared a statement!

We believe an arrest was made of Sheriff Williams for the purpose of preventing the execution of Leschi, who had been tried, convicted of murder, and sentenced to death. (grumbles from Mob)

Therefore, we, as citizens of Pierce County, denounce the act as being unworthy of honorable men. That the aiders, abettors, and sympathizers in this high-handed outrage deserve the unqualified condemnation of all lovers of good order, and are no longer entitled to our confidence. (agreeing grumbles from Mob)

Resolved, the action of those officers of the US Army at Fort Steilacoom, who committed this crime, deserve at our hands the severest condemnation; that we consider it an act unworthy of the officers of the US Army, it being clearly their duty to assist in enforcing the laws instead of throwing obstacles in the way of its mandates! (excited grumbled agreement from Mob)

Interruption 2

Interrupter: (annoyed and fed up) OHHHHH, come ON!

Citizen: What?

Interrupter: (mockingly) what?

Citizen: Excuse me?

Interrupter: Excuse you? Do you mind telling me what the hell is going on here?

Citizen: (taken aback) The people had something to say! I've just been trying to give voice to that! (Indignantly, Becky exits stage right, Nick stage left) That is, until YOU came charging in here, making all this noise and I must say I don't really apprec...

Interrupter: (interrupts) What the devil are you talking about?! I've been here the whole time and I've had about all I can take of this hogwash! It causes me actual physical pain to watch you thoughtlessly following the script of this historical tragedy! You're completely missing the…

Citizen: (interrupts, getting excited) How dare you! I am a lover of justice and good order! You mean to tell me that you don’t think this murderer, found guilty in a court of law, should be murdered?! You MUST be a few cards short of a deck...

Interrupter: And I am at that. But you're playing blackjack, and I'M playing pinochle. (pauses, continues carefully) This man is to be hung not long from now, and his death becomes a part of history. How will his death be understood, simply as an execution? (pause) Now, in the grand scheme of things, you should only investigate an event as an example of the principles and methods that caused the event to occur. Otherwise, what have you learned?

Citizen: (calming down) alright, pinochle man. If you'll pipe down a bit, I’ll give you the floor.

Interrupter: You will do no such thing!! I have no intention of (mockingly) piping down, or assuming your place at the head of such a mob as this! (Gestures disgustedly at Mob)! I’m going to leave promptly and return at precisely the most inopportune time. I bid you farewell! (exits right, Andrew exits left)

Betrayal Scene

Leschi is daydreaming. Becky enters as deputy.

Deputy: When is this damn Indian gonna show up? Its cold, and I want to go home!

Leschi and his nephew Sluggia (Andrew) are in the woods. They are standing facing each other squarely. Another man (Nick) comes from behind Leschi and ties his hands. Leschi is walked over to the deputy.

Deputy: So, the great Chief Leschi. You don’t look so mighty. Well, the governor will be pleased. (takes Leschi) Here is your reward as promised. (hands Sluggia a bundle of blankets) Take heart, you’ve done a great service to your country. (Nick exits left. Becky and Andrew exit right. Lights fade)

Interruption 3

A child cries from offstage. Lights come up as Becky and Andrew cross stage and return consoling the child.

Child: Wahhhhhhh! (Or general noise of discontent [i.e. Tusken raider])

Mother: (entering) Oh, honey! What’s the matter?

Child: (whimpering) Bad dream!

Mother: Oh, darling, I’m so sorry; do you want a glass of warm milk to help you get back to sleep?

Child: No!

Mother: A story?

Child: No!

Mother: A song?

Child: (nods vigorously, sniffling) uh huh.

Mother: How about puff the magic dragon? (Begins to sing “Puff the Magic Dragon”) Puff the Magic Dragon

Lived by the sea

And frolicked in the autumn mist

In a land called Honalee

Child: (pouting) Good song!

Interrupter: Places everyone! (strums a G chord)

A captain and a general stood in front of a panel

C1 C6 M7

Filled with buttons that performed a hundred different operations

M7 slide M M

The captain asked, “Is it happening? Are we ready? Is it time?”

L L5 L7

The general said, “It is, my boy. Aren’t you glad you wore your finest?”

C Am F Fsus2

The soldier at the panel, turned around and faced the two,

G1 M7 s M8 s M7

“With all respect, sir, don’t you care what you’re about to do?”

[Nick says as he plays with toys]

The captain yelled “How dare you, son!” but the soldier kept his calm

G1 upstrumG1 Harmonic 7G & 7D

“We’re not quite revolutionary in dropping one more bomb.

Harmonic 7B & 5G back and forth w/ occasional 7D

“It’s all been done before, and even THIS tactic has been tried.

Harmonic 7B & 5G back and forth w/ occasional 7D

And all that’s ever come from it has been a list of those who died.”

Harmonic 7B & 5G back and forth w/ occasional 7D

The general smiled and said, “My boy, I’m sorry but you’re wrong,

Bar on 14 – 10 – 13 - 11

This time, the war is different we play mp3 songs in our helmets

[Todd, Andrew, Becky in unison] M slide M7 slide M5

“All those other conflicts were the same, and I agree

Marching tempo – C1

That all those other bombs weren’t setting anybody free

Marching tempo – Am1

But now we have advanced! We’ve got the internet in our tanks!

Marching tempo – G1

Our fighter jets have DVDs! There’s a cell phone on my M-16

Marching tempo – Fsus2(1)

“And without further pause, my boy, let’s execute this task,

C1 upstrum C6

And thus with a single missile, we will beat the bastards back.

Palm muted Am1

Its not the same, remember?” the general softly whispered down.

Slow pick/strum C9 Em C9

The soldier nodded, threw the switch, and reveled in the sound of launching

Harmonic 7B & 5G back and forth w/ occasional 7D

For last stanza, Andrew and Becky are calming Nick down and putting him back to sleep. The scene is peaceful and cozy.

Together on a monitor they watched the weapon tearing

Through the air towards the target, towards the enemy, the foe

The screen goes red, they cheer, light up cigars to toast their fame

While behind them, from the fax machine, comes another list of names.

Harmonic 7B & 5G back and forth w/ occasional 7D

Becky and Andrew exit left. After songs ends, Todd exits right. Printer noises. Nick wakes up, disoriented; goes to the fax machine, tears off the “fax”.

Nick: Leschi.

Execution Scene

Sheriff Mitchell leads Leschi to the gallows. They wait for Grainger, the executioner (Andrew). Grainger waits at the gallows, as Leschi and Mitchell approach the gallows.

Becky: “I felt like I was executing an innocent man. I had charge of Leschi two weeks before he was taken to Steilacoom. On the scaffold, he thanked me for my kindness to him. He said that he was not guilty. He said that he was miles away when Moses was killed. (I saw Leschi in 1853 at McAllister’s on the Nisqually. George McAllister and Joe Bunton both told me that Leschi met them on the way and helped them.) On the day he died he did not seem to be the least bit excited at all – nothing of the kind, and that is more than I could say for myself. He had a firm step and mounted the scaffold without any assistance, and as well as I did myself. I felt then I was hanging an innocent man, and I believe it yet.”

As Grainger finishes, he hands an already tied noose to Leschi and the lights go out. Audio collage plays, stops with the ding of a microwave.

Final Multi-sensual Scene

TV (stage right, facing away from audience), microwave (stage left), comfy chair (stage right)