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The Legend of
Pocahontas
Book and Lyrics by:
JOHN LORENZ
Music performed and Orchestrated by:
JON LORENZ All Rights Reserved Copyright © 1996 and 2003 by Paul Russell and Jon Lorenz (Christian Community Theater). This script is the property of RUSSELL HOUSE PUBLISHING COMPANY and may not be copied or reproduced in any form without written permission of the publishers.
Pocahontas
Cast of Characters
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AHONE RAGING THUNDER SHINING MOONAH YOUNG POCAHONTAS MIDDLE POCAHONTAS - 12 POCAHONTAS CHIEF POWHATAN YOUNG KEOKUM CAPTAIN JOHN SMITH QUEEN ANNE CAPTAIN SAMUEL ARGALL WA-HUN-SEN KEOKUM FLYING EAGLE POCAHONTAS’ FRIENDS: ELANI IONA CHIOMA LUNA JOHN ROLFE THOMAS BELLOWS SMITHERS TOMMY INDIAN TRIBE (15-18 MEMBERS) INCLUDING: EAGLE DANCERS WARRIORS WOMEN CHILDREN JAMESTOWN MEN (6 - 10) ENGLISH ENSEMBLE (10-15 MEMBERS) ROYAL COURT (8-12 MEMBERS)
Pocahontas
Act 1 TOMMY
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MOM! MOM! MOOOOOOOOOOOOM!
AHONE Tommy! Do not call me mom! I told you, out here you must call me the indian name “Ahone”
TOMMY AH-HON-NAY: I hate this! You said we were going to be Indians, you said we were going to fight and have fun! And all we’ve done so far is learn a dumb language and dance, Ugh!
AHONE It’s Native American tribal verbal communication Tommy, and dancing is an essential way of storytelling to the Indians of America.
TOMMY Like I care. And now, I’m stuck in the woods with bunch of little kids! I wanna go home!
AHONE And what would you do at home Tommy?
TOMMY Paintball, PS 4, , or….NOT THIS!
AHONE Tommy, I promise you won’t be disappointed.
CROW Ahone!!!! They’re coming!!!! The young tribe of indian is coming. Push play push play!
AHONE
Tommy push play! (She motions to TOMMY, who presses play on the boom box.) (MUSIC CUE: KOMBATT DRUMS) (As Tommy reaches over to push play, the music begins and a group of wild campers come running in screaming and dancing like indians. Once the music stop…)
MOONAH Attention Red Feathers!
RED FEATHERS Yes Miss Shining Moonah!
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MOONAH Did you learn the Native American tongue?
RED FEATHERS Yes Miss Shining Moonah!
MOONAH Did you get your patches?
RED FEATHERS Yes Miss Shining Moonah!
MOONAH Red Feathers, at ease.
THUNDER Show off!
MOONAH You’re just jealous (insert name here)
THUNDER It’s Raging Thunder, Shining Moonah!
MOONAH Oh sorry Raging Thunder.
AHONE Girls girls girls, you told me you would get along out here!
CROW They haven’t been civil all day! In fact, when I was teaching the Indian Feathers “Be bani bani gani bani” they were arguing the entire time. (Thunder and Moonah give Crow a dirty look)
AHONE Is this true girls?
MOONAH Yah but she always starts it!!!!
THUNDER It’s not my fault she wants to be me!
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AHONE
Moonah, Thunder, please set an example for these young red feathers. We came up here to the mountains of Virginia to learn about Native American history. And if Native American history is about anything, it’s about sisterhood, family, and passing on friendship from one life to the next!
TOMMY And how do you know mon? - er I mean Ahone. None of us are indian.
CROW I’m 1/8th Cherokee. Really!
AHONE Tommy, I’m glad you asked because it can all be found in one story, in the life of Pocahontas.
TOMMY Oh Barf!!! isn’t that about some girl who like thinks every rock and tree has a spirit or something?
SCOUT No, she can paint with all the colors of the wind!
TOMMY Eeeew
CROW Oh no! You’ve never heard the real story of the true Pocahontas? Red Feathers, don’t you all want to hear it? I think I remember how it goes.
MOONAH Okay, I get to tell the beginning part because I’m the best at that part.
THUNDER Well I was going to do the beginning because I remember it from when I was a little Red Feather.
MOONAH Whatever, basically it all starts with like this tribe called the Algonquin Indians in sii...seev...eight….okay. Like a really long time ago, think like Christopher Columbus….and…
THUNDER But instead of Christopher Columbus, there is this man called John Smith and another man named John Rolfe, and Poca like, liked both…
CROW
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No You are ruining everything!
MOONAH Oh and once she didn’t want this bird to die...and the dad, the chief was so mad cause she was like “don’t kill the bird…”
TOMMY Booooring
RED FEATHERS BOOORING!
AHONE Girls girls girls, do you mind? (the girls shrug) Gather around. Now, I know you all are saying “boooring,” and I know sometime we might think history is boring, (MUSIC CUE #3 - IN EVERY LIFE) but when we really look into the past, we often find ourselves. So as we tell you the legend of Pocahontas, I ask each of you, tonight, look deep within and find yourself in this story...you see, IN EVERY LIFE LOVE IS SHARED PASSES ON, TOUCHES US INSIDE WE MEET CONNECT IN GROUPS IN PAIRS EFFECTIVELY CHANGING THE PATH OF OUR LIVES
MOONAH SOMETIMES IT’S HARD TO SEE THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE DARKEST NIGHT
THUNDER BUT WE GO ON AND WE SURVIVE
MOONAH
THAT’S HOW LOVE CHANGES THE PATH OF OUR LIVES (The girls take hands and form a chain that weaves in and around each other.)
AHONE IN EVERY LIFE THERE’S SOMEONE THAT NEEDS YOU
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THUNDER
IN EVERY LIFE A SPIRIT YOU MOVE
MOONAH AND CROW EVERY HEART IS A PART OF THE PUZZLE
AHONE AND THUNDER EVERY TEST IS A LESSON YOU LEARN (The GIRLS form a line across the front of the stage.)
ALL THE HIGHER YOU REACH FOR THE SKY, THE BRIGHTER YOU BURN! THERE IS A TALE THAT CAN BE TOLD AND IT COMES FROM A PART OF YOU
AHONE A HISTORY OF ONE (Young camper is pulled up and transformed into young
THUNDER, MOONAH CROW WHO TOUCHED THE WORLD CHANGED FUTURE NATIONS HEALED BROKEN DOWN RELATIONS EFFECTIVELY CHANGING THE PATH OF OUR LIVES
AHONE & SCOUTS AAAAAHHHHHH---------
THUNDER, MOONAH &CROW IMAGINE LIFE THE DIFFERENCE WITHOUT HER WITHOUT THOSE WHO KNEW ALL ABOUT HER
ALL ALL HOW DIFFERENT WOULD HER LIFE BE WITHOUT THE PEOPLE ON HER JOURNEY?
AHONE
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IMAGINE A STORY REMEMBER YOUR HISTORY IT’S PART OF THE LEGEND
CROW THUNDER & MOONAH ECHO: (IMAGINE A LIFE) (IMAGINE A PEOPLE)
ALL THE PATH OF YOUR LIFE (AHONE stands high on a rock, holding the Dreamcatcher over her head. Girls stand in a circle around her. They are bathed in light a la TRON.) MUSIC CUE #4 - CELEBRATE THE LEGEND
SCENE 2 (Ahone raises the Dreamcatcher into the air above her.)
AHONE BE 'BANI GANI’ ‘BANI GANI’ BE ‘BANI GANI’ ‘BANI GANI’ NIN'DI-GO' AH ANDEG NIN-DI-GO’ AH ANDEG NIN-DI-GO’ (A TRIBE of Algonquin magically appear behind her. They move in accordance to her will.) BE 'BANI GANI' TRANSLATION: NIN’DI-GO (ECHO) I AM THE 1ST TO COME NIN'DIGOG' BINE-SIW UG (ECHO) I AM CALLED AMONG THE BIRDS NIN 'WEN-DI-GI 'MI-WU N' ANDEG 'NINDIGO EAGLE IS MY NAME ANDEG ‘NINDIGO ANDEG 'NINDIGO ANDEG ‘NINDIGO OHHHHHHHH WAH! (The tribe dances in wild celebration. Narrators are transformed into members of the tribe. They can hardly believe what is happening.)
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TRIBE
HAWMMMM HAWWWMMMM HAWWMMMM HAWWMMMMM
THUNDER WHEN THE THUNDER ROARS WHEN THE EAGLE SOARS WHEN THE SUN BURNS HOT WITH EACH BATTLE WE HAVE FOUGHT WE REMEMBER THE LEGENDS THAT LIVE INSIDE OF US THEY CAN TEACH, THEY CAN GUIDE AND BIND US (MOONAH enters in a flush of smoke. She has been transformed into a member of the tribe.)
TRIBE HAWMMMM HAWWWMMMM
MOONAH WHEN THE DARK CLOUDS RAIN THROUGH THE JOY AND PAIN WHEN THE STARS GLOW BRIGHT WE CAN CATCH A RAY OF LIGHT AND REMEMBER A LEGEND THAT LIVES INSIDE OF US
MOONAH & CROW LIKE THE LEGEND OF POCAHONTAS
TRIBE LET’S CELEBRATE A LEGEND THAT LIVES INSIDE OF US (The shadow / silhouette of older POCAHONTAS appears. The TRIBE turns to see her, but, she has disappeared.) THE LEGEND OF POCAHONTAS (CHIEF POWHATAN, his WIFE and TWO SONS are revealed upstage, lording joyfully over the proceedings.)
AHONE Chief Powhatan was chief over 70 Algonquin tribes. He had two sons, but his special joy was in his one daughter, MATOAKA, a girl we know as Pocahontas.
POWHATAN
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My people, today we celebrate the seventh birthday of my only daughter, Matoaka. To establish her place in our history, we remember our ancestors; we remember the great leaders of the past, whose name we now claim as our own. ( YOUNG POCAHONTAS runs and jumps into his arms. The CHIEF takes his place as center of his people. The song continues...)
TRIBE CELEBRATE THE PRINCESS CELEBRATE OUR TRIBE CELEBRATE, CELEBRATE CELEBRATE OUR LIFE CELEBRATE THE SPIRIT THAT LIVES IN EACH SUN BEAM CELEBRATE, CELEBRATE CELEBRATE THE DREAM CELEBRATE THE LOVE CELEBRATE THE LIGHT CELEBRATE THE LIFE (YOUNG POCAHONTAS leads the tribe in a dance.) (YOUNG POCAHONTAS sings the call. TRIBE echos her. The TRIBE responds.)
YOUNG POCAHONTAS BE 'BANI GANI' NIN'DIGOG' (echo) BINE-SIW UG (echo) NIN 'WENDIGI 'MIWU N' ANDEG 'NINDIGO (echo) ANDEG NINDIGO HAWMMM HAWMMM
CHIEF POWHATAN WHEN THE SNOWFLAKES FALL WHEN THE COLD WIND CALLS WHEN THE GREAT OWL FLIES WHEN A BABY CRIES (YOUNG POCAHONTAS is placed into her canoe. She sits upon a platform on the shoulders of two tribe members as the rest of the tribe represent water.)
TRIBE CELEBRATE, CELEBRATE CELEBRATE OUR LIVES
CROW WHEN THE BLACK BEAR PROWLS WHEN THE WHITE WOLF HOWLS WHEN THE RIVER FLOWS AS THE HARVEST GROWS WE REMEMBER A LEGEND THAT’S ALIVE INSIDE OF US
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(POCAHONTAS exits the canoe and joins her Father on a rock overlooking the celebration.)
ALL 4 THE LEGEND OF POCAHONTAS
TRIBE LET’S CELEBRATE THE LEGEND THAT LIVES INSIDE OF US IT LIVES THERE AND BREATHS THERE INSIDE OF OUR SOUL IT TELLS WHERE WE COME FROM IT TELLS WHERE WE’LL GO IT HOLDS US, SURROUNDS US AND GUIDES TO THE PATH WE’LL FOLLOW LET’S CELEBRATE THE LEGEND THAT LIVES INSIDE OF US THE LEGEND OF POCAHONTAS THE LEGEND OF POCAHONTAS CELEBRATE THE LIFE! BLACKOUT MUSIC CUE # 5 - SC - 2 TO 3 - CELEBRATE PLAYOFF & LITTLE GIRL UNDERSCORE SCENE 3 (YOUNG POCAHONTAS and her LITTLE FRIENDS cavort and frolic about the stage. The FRIENDS exit, but POCAHONTAS is curious when she sees WA HUN SEN and KEOKUM near a small dwelling.)
AHONE Chief Powhatan’s daughter was only a small child when she took her place as Princess among his tribe. Her birth name was Matoaka, which meant “Father’s Favorite,” but it would not be very long before she received the name Pocahontas, (Young boy and Wa-Hun-Sen are sharpening arrows to go hunting.)
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YOUNG POCAHONTAS What are you doing?
YOUNG KEOKUM Sharpening arrows. Father is taking me hunting.
YOUNG POCAHONTAS I want to go! I want to learn how to hunt.
YOUNG KEOKUM You’re too loud. You would scare away all the animals.
YOUNG POCAHONTAS I am not loud! You are too clumsy. Please, Wa-Hun-Sen. Let me go with you.
WA-HUN-SEN Matoaka, it is a girl's place to learn how to clean the skin of the animals, and a warrior’s place to kill them.
YOUNG POCAHONTAS To hunt means you kill the animals?
YOUNG KEOKUM No, it means we invite them over to smoke a peace pipe! How do you expect us to hunt without killing anything?
YOUNG POCAHONTAS I could do it! I think. Why do we have to kill the animals?
YOUNG KEOKUM So that we can have food to eat. So that we may use their skin to make clothes and stay warm. Best of all, so that I can learn to use my bow and arrow in battle.
YOUNG POCAHONTAS Wa-Hun-Sen, please. We have plenty of food. And the season will not turn cold for 4 more full moons. You are only hunting because you are bored and you want to kill something! (She picks up an arrow and breaks it)
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WA-HUN-SEN Matoaka! You must not do that! You must not question your place in the world. Our people live the way they live because we have done so for centuries . It is our way.
YOUNG POCAHONTAS Killing and death is our way? Doesn’t the bravest bear have much to pass on to his cubs and to all who fear him. The fastest elk can teach us to run with the wind. We learn from them. Even the fish are wise enough to travel up-stream each year...
YOUNG KEOKUM Wise Fish? You must be crazy?
YOUNG POCAHONTAS I am not crazy!
WAH-HUN-SEN She is just being playful, young Keokum. Ahhh Matoaka, you are the playful one aren’t you. A little Pocahontas. Come, Keokum. It is time.
YOUNG KEOKUM Goodbye, Pocahontas: The playful one.
YOUNG POCAHONTAS Goodbye Keokum: Smells like a skunk! (The BOY exits.) (An EAGLE appears and dances about. Young Pocahontas is amazed.) An eagle....! YOUNG POCAHONTAS (The EAGLE “lands” near Pocahontas, who cowers in fear then, amazement. She bows in humility before the beast. The EAGLE “takes Pocahontas under her wing.” They dance together, weaving in and out of other BIRDS)
AHONE Seasons passed: summer, winter, and fall.... Matoaka, now known to her people as Pocahontas the playful one, grew older. She loved life. And her desire for a life fulfilled to its utmost inspired even the coldest of hearts. Even her father, the powerful Chief Powhatan, was not immune to her abundant spirit.
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SCENE 4 (The BIRDS surround Pocahontas, swirling around and outward to reveal a 12 YEAR- OLD POCAHONTAS. The other BIRDS fly away. As the EAGLE is almost out of view, two WARRIORS enter and down it with an arrow. THE WARRIORS carry the captured bird before CHIEF POWHATAN as a gift. A few TRIBE MEMBERS watch the scene. 12 YEAR-OLD POCAHONTAS approaches her father.)
POCAHONTAS-12 Father, why must the eagle be killed?
POWHATAN Pocahontas, the creature was captured for my benefit and honor by my brothers' tribe. To refuse the gift would not be right. Besides with the news of the white man coming, I must do all I can to keep tribal relations sacred and good.
POCAHONTAS-12 He is a living creature. He will not provide food, or warmth from his skin. To take his life is taking a part of our lives. He was made to provide beauty.
POWHATAN Yes, he will make a beautiful head-dress!
POCAHONTAS-12 Father - !
POWHATAN My daughter, why must you cause so much mischief? Go to the fields with the rest of the women.
POCAHONTAS-12 I serve this tribe, don't I? (Powhatan nods). Yes . . . and I honor the traditions of our ancestors and obey the laws of the tribe.
POWHATAN Yes. You are a worthy and special member of our tribe.
POCAHONTAS-12 Well, then under tribal law, I may claim the captured prisoner as my own.
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POWHATAN
Pocahontas?... MUSIC CUE #6 - SOMETHING BETTER
POCAHONTAS-12 Under tribal law I may claim any captured prisoner and spare their life, as long as I become their ward. That prisoner then belongs solely to me. Therefore, I claim the captured eagle for my own. THERE HAS GOT TO BE SOMETHING BETTER THAN THIS I HAVE COME TO SEE SOMETHING BETTER IN YOU DON'T TAKE THE LIFE OF THIS BEAUTIFUL BIRD I EXPECT MORE FROM YOU
POWHATAN You don't understand.
POCAHONTAS-12 YOU SAY YOU STAND FOR FREEDOM WITH THEIR TRUST YOU LEAD THEM AS THE CHIEF OF ALL OUR TRIBES YOU KEEP US ALL PROTECTED ALWAYS I RESPECTED YOU AND LOVED YOU ALL MY LIFE AND LIFE IS WHAT WE PRESERVE THIS EAGLE SURELY DESERVES. . . (POCAHONTAS frees the EAGLE, and it dances, ‘taking’ off and soaring into the heavens.) TO FIND HIS PLACE IN THE SKY FIND A PLACE TO BELONG WHERE WINDS OF FREEDOM GIVE YOU THE WILL TO BE STRONG (The EAGLE is joined by 2 other EAGLES.) LIFTED HIGH ABOVE THE TREES DANCING ON A GENTLE BREEZE (3 more EAGLES join the flock.) SOMEHOW HE'S GONNA FLY, BECAUSE I SET HIM FREE
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(And more birds join still.) A FLIGHT OF PURE EXHILARATION TOWARDS DESTINY (All the birds come together to form one giant EAGLE, with POCAHONTAS - 12 riding on its back.) A PLACE IN THE SKY TO SOAR AMONG THE STARS SOMETHING BETTER, SOMEWHERE, TO LIVE FREE (The birds scatter and surround POCAHONTAS. When they scatter, POCAHONTAS- 12 has become..... POCAHONTAS!! The original EAGLE bows in humility and thanks at the princess’ feet.) BLACKOUT MUSIC CUE #7 - SC - 4 TO 5 - SOMETHING BETTER PLAYOFF / CROSSOVER
SCENE 5 (Elsewhere, KEOKUM and POWHATAN walk through the woods.)
KEOKUM Your daughter has a fire in her spirit. (Behind him the Indian girls take their places for the next scene. They are laying clothes out to be dried, weaving and cleaning skins).
POWHATAN Yes. The fire is bright. I worry though, one day she might get burned.
KEOKUM Chief Powhatan, may I ask you something?
POWHATAN What is it, Keokum?
KEOKUM The men here in the village.... even the men across the river in our neighboring tribes... they speak of strangers in our land - newcomers.... men with white skin who carry deadly weapons.
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POWHATAN
I have heard these wild tales, Keokum. Visions and dreams, they are. Spirits, maybe. But nothing more.
KEOKUM But, if they were real.... Is the tribe prepared to protect itself? What if they have come to claim our land?
POWHATAN Keokum, even if the tales are true, I do not worry about this white man. The Algonquin are a powerful people, strong and eternal.
KEOKUM But I hear they have strange and powerful weapons: exploding sticks that will kill a deer in an instant!
POWHATAN Do not be afraid. Our tribe is strong and our numbers will always be more than the white man. They cannot ignore the power of over 70 tribes. Any that oppose our tribe shall lay their weapons down, or suffer the wrath of the great War God, Okewas! (They exit). MUSIC CUE #8 - SC - 5 TO 6 - CROSSOVER & NARRATION UNDERSCORE
SCENE 6
AHONE The white men were more real than Powhatan could have ever imagined. Sent by the King of England and the Virginia Company to settle the new and savage land, the English settlers set up a base camp and began building a fort, calling it Jamestown, after their Sovereign, King James of England. (POCAHONTAS is revealed in isolated light.)
POCAHONTAS Several nights ago, I had a vision. Or perhaps it was a dream. In it, the Creator God, the Dream Giver, Ahone visited me and showed me that a new purpose in my life’s journey would begin soon. I believe that the Visitors are going to be a part of that journey. Last night, in the woods, the wispy traces of my dreams became as tangible as a cold stone. (LIGHTS UP. ELANI, IONA, CHIOMA, are working on several projects. COURTNEY, CASSIE, and AMY become part of POCAHONTAS’ group of friends. SAWA is watching over several LITTLE INDIAN GIRLS. POCAHONTAS is in something of a trance.)
ELANI
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She’s seen one!
POCAHONTAS Perhaps. (Attracting more interest among the other girls).
IONA You HAVE, haven’t you?
ELANI She’s seen one!
CHIOMA I hear they never bathe!
IONA
I hear they smell like skunks! LUNA
And they look like sagebrush with gnarled, scraggly whiskers!
CHIOMA I hear they are just stories made up to scare us and keep us from our work. (The OTHERS go back to their work. Chioma gathers the LITTLE ONES.)
AHONE Come little ones. There will be no more talk of visions today. (Exits. When she is gone, the girls sneak back to POCAHONTAS.) MUSIC CUE # 9 - SAPPHIRE EYES
LUNA Pocahontas, what do they look like?
ELANI Are they truly as smelly as they say?
OTHERS Oh, tell us! Tell us!
POCAHONTAS All right, but you’ve got to catch me first!
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(As the song begins, we are transported back into the shadows of the evening.) LATE LAST NIGHT, AS THE VILLAGE LAY COCOONED BY THE BLACKENED NIGHT OF THE BRAND NEW MOON I STOLE AWAY AND SWALLOWED BY THE WOODS I FOUND MY WAY AS WELL AS I COULD BY THE LIGHT OF THE STARS IN THE SKY I FINALLY SAW A MAN WITH SAPPHIRE EYES AND THERE ‘NEATH THE DARKNESS OF THE EVER-GREENS AT THE CENTER OF THE CIRCLE OF SYCAMORE TREES ‘GAINST THE SHADOW OF THE MOON IN THE SKY I FINALLY SAW A MAN WITH SAPPHIRE EYES I SAW A MAN WITH SAPPHIRE EYES IT FELT LIKE A DREAM BUT I WASN’T ASLEEP THE STARS FEEBLE TWINKLE COULD NEVER COMPETE WITH THE SPARKLE EMANATING FROM HIS EYES GIRLS YOU WERE ONLY DREAMING - FAST ASLEEP WE KNOW VERY WELL THAT YOU WOULD NEVER LEAVE YOU SHOULD NEVER TAKE FLIGHT, IN THE NIGHT NEAR THE MEN OF WHITE MY PRINCESS KEEP YOUR HEAD OUT OF THE SKY IT WOULD NEVER BE SAFE ALL ALONE, FAR FROM HOME WHAT A CRAZY PACK OF LIES!
CHIOMA YOU EXPECT US TO BELIEVE YOU BRAVED THE FOREST LATE AT NIGHT?
ELANI WHAT IF KEOKUM FINDS OUT?
POCAHONTAS KEOKUM? WHO CARES!
IONA WHAT WOULD YOUR FATHER THINK?
POCAHONTAS HE MUST NEVER KNOW!
IONA ALL LIES.
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STORIES AND LIES
ALL POCAHONTAS!
ELANI I THINK SHE SMOKED THE PEACE PIPE
CHIOMA MAYBE SHE ATE SOME BAD CORN!
ALL POCAHONTAS, IS THIS NOT A LIE?
POCAHONTAS BELIEVE WHAT YOU WANT TO BELIEVE BUT BELIEVE THAT I SAW A MAN WITH SAPPHIRE EYES HIS FACE SHONE WITH KINDNESS HIS COUNTENANCE PURE I THOUGHT, FOR A MOMENT, HE’D SEEN ME FOR SURE WHEN HIS EYES BURNED AS BRIGHT AS THE TALE OF A FALLING STAR! GIRLS COULD THIS TALE BE TRUE AND NOT A DREAM FOR HIS EYES MAY DISGUISE WATCH OUT FOR HIS DANGEROUS EYES! POCAHONTAS I’D BRAVE ANY NIGHT FACE ANY FEAR SAY MY GOODBYE’S FOR ONE MORE LOOK FROM THOSE SAPPHIRE EYES! GIRLS LOOKS LIKE YOU FELL UNDER HIS SPELL RUN AWAY FROM THOSE ENCHANTING EYES KEEP AWAY FROM THOSE ENCHANTING EYES. DEEP INSIDE THOSE SAPPHIRE EYES! (The girls giggle out of their final pose, and turn to see JOHN SMITH and SEVERAL MEN with him.
SMITH Hello.
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(With a frightened shriek, they recoil.) Do not be alarmed. We mean you no harm.
POCAHONTAS It’s him! The one with Sapphire eyes.
GIRLS Oooooo.... (JOHN SMITH steps forward and bows. POCAHONTAS approaches him. Suddenly, KEOKUM, 2 archers and POWHATAN arrive.)
KEOKUM Pocahontas! Do not move any closer! (The ARCHERS stand poised to fire. SMITH’s MEN aim to fire. SMITH stops them with a strong gesture. The MEN lower their guns.)
POWHATAN We’ve been expecting their arrival, but not for another three days. (John Smith steps forward and bows.)
POCAHONTAS Why doesn't he speak, father?
POWHATAN He does not speak because he does not know our language.
KEOKUM You have no business here! Be gone! Go! (Once again, SMITH steps forward and bows. POCAHONTAS returns the gesture awkwardly. SMITH and his MEN back away slowly and leave.)
POWHATAN
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Keokum! You should not have driven them away.
POCAHONTAS What do they want? Why are they here?
POWHATAN I am not certain. I would like very much to trust that one...
POCAHONTAS I believe you can. I have looked into his eyes, and seen a heart that burns bright with kind and pure intention.
POWHATAN Have you?
POCAHONTAS Yes, Father.
POWHATAN Be careful, my curious one, how deeply you look into the eyes of a stranger, lest he bewitch you.
POCAHONTAS Yes.
POWHATAN Run along. (POCAHONTAS exits. Her FRIENDS follow.) Keokum, the true nature of the pale strangers will reveal itself in time, for better or worse. Follow him. (KEOKUM motions for two WARRIORS to accompany him, and they exit after SMITH.) BLACKOUT MUSIC CUE # 10 - BATTLE SEQUENCE
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SCENE 7 BATTLE SEQUENCE This sequence is told through dance and pantomime with the Indians and Settlers, through choreography showing the battles and pillaging of both sides . . . Here is an outline of what needs to happen: 1 count of 8 - during BLACKOUT 4 counts of 8- Indians exploring the woods-hear English horn, go and hide 4 counts of 8- John Smith and his men enter with guns. Hunting. One stays behind 2 counts of 8- confrontation of Indian and English man. 4 big drum beats- more Indians enter 4 counts of 8- chasing white men to fort Heavy drum beats- JAMESTOWN MEN enter. Indians discover they are out numbered The MEN throw the captured Indians to the ground. 1 count of 8 - Other INDIANS spot the prisoners from behind the scrim. 1 count of 8 - The MEN disarm and bind the INDIANS 2 counts of 8- The INDIANS ambush the MEN and free the prisoners. Battle. 2 JAMESTOWN MEN are killed. The conflict ends when 1 WARRIOR is shot by a MUSKETEER. The other INDIANS head for the brush, while 2 remain behind, wounded.
MAN #1 (underscore continues under dialogue.) Captain Smith! There are two of them still alive here! What should we do?
MAN #2 Look how many men we have lost.
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MAN #3
I say we kill these savages! (The other men agree)
JOHN SMITH No! Do not let petty revenge distract us from the task at hand! We will spare their lives and return them to their village.
MAN #4 You can’t mean it!
JOHN SMITH Our mission is to trade with the Indian Village for food and supplies, and that is what we will do. We will trade them to their Chief Powhatan in exchange for food. Tie them up. (Approximately 8 counts of 8 - Travel music. SMITH uses a Telescope and Compass to navigate the party around the stage. A WARRIOR stumbles. One of the MEN beats him with his gun. SMITH comes to his rescue and offers him water. They journey on.) Lights out... (Lights up on the Village. John Smith confronts Powhatan. Dialog begins)
JOHN SMITH I am Captain John Smith, leader of the English settlement of Jamestown. (underscore continues under dialogue.) (Gestures to himself) John Smith. We have returned your warriors to you, unharmed. We will give them to you in exchange for food. We do not want anyone else to die. Let them go. (The warriors are returned.) (He pantomimes as he talks) We need help. Our supplies . . . our food is gone. Many are dying.
POCAHONTAS They need our help Papa. They need food.
KEOKUM No food unless he puts down his weapons.
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POCAHONTAS They have returned our warriors!
KEOKUM After slaughtering how many more?!
POWHATAN Enough!! Keokum is right. How can we hope to protect ourselves against such weapons! Firesticks that end the life of a man in the time it takes to blink! (POWHATAN approaches one of the MEN.) We offer food in exchange for your fire sticks! Approx. 6 counts of 8 - MUSIC BUILDS: BATTLE. (POWHATAN reaches for a MAN’s gun. The MAN reacts suddenly. An ARCHER shoots the GUNMAN with an arrow. Another GUNMAN shoots the ARCHER. A WARRIOR throws a knife and it hits a MAN in the chest. WAR ensues. POWHATAN is escorted off by POCAHONTAS. At the end of the skirmish, only KEOKUM and SMITH survive. Music settles. KEOKUM is unconscious. SMITH staggers to his feet and escapes. POCAHONTAS rushes on and helps KEOKUM to his feet. KEOKUM rushes after SMITH and POCAHONTAS finds SMITH’s compass. A BLACKOUT here can clear dead bodies off the stage.) away. 2 count of 8 (music is from ‘Sapphire Eyes’) - John Smith running through forest. Possibly running through audience. 2 count of 8 - Keokum hot on his trail. Pocahontas searches for them elsewhere. 2 count of 8 - John Smith finally collapses from exhaustion. KEOKUM appears as music hits dramatically Approx 8 counts of 8...Keokum and John Smith fight. He is wounded and carried Heavy Drum beats start quietly and build to Indian Execution Ceremony. Approx 10 counts of 8. Music BUILDS John Smith is brought in. His head is put on a rock.
KEOKUM We will offer him as a human sacrifice to the great war god, Okewas!
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(Powhatan raises club. Screaming from Indians. And Pocahontas enters and yells after the last beat of the music....)
POCAHONTAS Stop !!! (Everyone freezes, and the music ceases. She puts her head on John Smith's.) Must one more man be murdered? I claim him . . . (she stands). I claim him as my own. By tribal law, I claim the life of Captain John Smith.
KEOKUM She's gone mad! Chief Powhatan, must we put up with this nonsense?
POWHATAN Silence, Keokum.
KEOKUM You did not listen to me before and we have paid with lives of our warriors!
POWHATAN I will allow this! On one condition: He will remain a prisoner of this tribe...
POCAHONTAS Father - !
POWHATAN Until you convince him to make a trade with his people for some of their fire-sticks. We have no chance of protecting ourselves from these weapons. We will need some of our own if we are to survive. If his fort...this James Town, is in such desperate need of food...we will trade food for weapons..., not for pots or skins...but for fire-sticks...or his James Town can starve through the remainder of the winter.
POCAHONTAS I’ll do my best, Father. Anything so he can live.... (Everyone backs away as Powhatan exits. Keokum motions for the remaining villagers to leave.) It's all right. You’re mine, now.
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(She speaks in Algonquin) Ate heye lo...Ate heye lo... (“father says so, father says so”) (They look at each other and he obviously doesn't understand her. She removes from her sack his compass that she retrieved from the battle. She gives it to him)
JOHN (Still weak) My compass. You have my compass.
POCAHONTAS (Trying to sound it out) Com-pass.
JOHN Yes...compass...
POCAHONTAS (pointing at him) Smeth.
JOHN Yes! John Smith.
POCAHONTAS Jawn Smeth. (Points to herself) Pocahontas.
JOHN Poca... hontas? That’s your name. (She nods.) Well, Pocahontas, I owe you a great debt. I thought I was going to lose my head, but you saved my life. I must get back to the fort. (he tries to get up but is too weak.)
POCAHONTAS Ani na ji ane? (what are you saying to me?)
JOHN You don't understand a word, do you?
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POCAHONTAS (With pride in her new mastery of his tongue) Compass!
JOHN Yes...(defeated but charmed) compass. (She helps SMITH to his feet and takes him off stage.)
KEOKUM We will watch this Smith closely. Something must be done. (MUSIC begins for DEMON IN OUR MIDST. The villagers gather around a large drum.) MUSIC CUE #11 - DEMON IN OUR MIDST
SCENE 8 SONG: DEMON IN OUR MIDST (KEOKUM riles up the villagers.)
KEOKUM SHE MUST BE STOPPED SHE MUST BE TOLD SHE MUST BEHAVE AND BE CONTROLLED HOW CAN SHE TRUST... HOW CAN SHE HEAL...
KEOKUM (POCAHONTAS is seen caring for SMITH on a sickbed.) HOW CAN SHE TRUST? HOW CAN SHE HEAL AND EVEN FEEL THINGS FOR THIS DEMON IN OUR MIST" ONE OF THE WHITE MEN WE RESIST WHO DESTROY AND STEAL... SPENDING EVERY DAY AMONG US LIVING HOW LONG MUST HE STAY? HER SPIRIT IS CORRUPTED BY HIS EVIL WAYS
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LUNA
I AM SCARED FOR YOU
POCAHONTAS THERE’S NO NEED TO BE FRIGHTENED, LUNA
LUNA WHILE YOU NURSE THE WHITE MAN BACK TO HEALTH
IONA EVEN FOR A SILLY DREAMER LIKE YOU YOU’RE NOT ACTING LIKE YOURSELF
POCAHONTAS He teaches me English.
ELANI SO HE TEACHES YOU ENGLISH BUT WHAT ARE YOUR LEARNING? WHAT EVIL LURKS BEHIND THOSE EYES?
ALL THREE CAREFUL POCAHONTAS I’M FRIGHTENED POCAHONTAS CAREFUL FOR I FEAR THAT HE’S TELL- ING YOU LIES
POCAHONTAS DO NOT BE AFRAID IT’S BETTER THAT HE STAYED HIS HEART IS PURE HE WOULDN’T LIE
INDIANS HE BLINDS HER WITH HIS LIES AND LEADS HER DOWN HIS PATH LOOK HOW SHE HOLDS HIS HEAD AND KEEPS HIM WARM AND FED SHE MUST BE STOPPED SHE MUST BE TOLD SHE MUST BEHAVE AND BE CONTROLLED HOW CAN SHE TRUST HOW CAN SHE HEAL AND EVEN FEEL THINGS FOR THIS DEMON IN OUR MIST ONE OF THE WHITE MEN WE RESIST WHO DESTROY AND STEAL
CHIOMA WHEN HE’S WELL, HE WILL TURN ON YOU.
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POCAHONTAS
(With John Smith) YOU’RE GETTING STRONGER
SMITH & POCAHONTAS AND I CAN UNDERSTAND YOUR WORDS ARE MUCH CLEARER NOW WHEN YOU HOLD MY HAND EACH TIME YOU HOLD MY HAND EACH TIME YOU HOLD MY HAND
JOHN Your English is improving.
POCAHONTAS Yes. And father is learning, too. He Is beginning to understand WKDW your people have QRW come here to destroy.
JOHN One day, Pocahontas, your people will thank our people for coming here; for bringing the Old World to the New.
POCAHONTAS We will... “thank?” What is “thank?”
JOHN Thank...It's a phrase that means “I am grateful for what you have done for me.”
POCAHONTAS My people think all you have done for us, is kill and go back on your word. You should "thank" me for saving your life.
JOHN I am grateful. One day, perhaps you will understand just how much. (SMITH touches her cheek. AMY & COURTNEY speak to the audience.)
AMY Powhatan kept his word and gave Jamestown food, such as corn, greens, and meal, and in return John Smith promised to give the Algonquin tribe guns and ammunition, when he was well enough to return home.
AHONE Word from the fort was that the settlement had begun to thrive, and john longed to return there, but he was torn between his desire to return home and the joy of his blossoming friendship with
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the Princess of the Algonquin tribe. As he grew closer to her, the tribe began to dislike John Smith even more...
INDIANS WHY SHOULD YOU HELP THEM? WHY SHOULD THEY SURVIVE WHAT HAS THE WHITE MAN BROUGHT TO THE TRIBE?
POWHATAN YOU MUST PUT YOUR FEARS ASIDE I WOULD NOT TAKE HIS SIDE IF HE WERE NOT THE MAN HE CLAIMS TO BE I’M THE LEADER OF OUR DESTINY I AM SHOCKED THAT YOU WOULD QUESTION ME I’VE SEEN IT IN THE EARTH AND IN THE CLOUDS THERE'S A HIGHER PLAN THAT'S MEANT TO BE (POCAHONTAS and SMITH watch village life: kids playing, women and men working...)
POCAHONTAS DAYS GO BY AND I KNOW THAT OUR TIME TOGETHER CAN NOT LAST FOREVER STILL, THE DAYS GO BY
JOHN SMITH AND I LEARNED OF THE LIFE IN THIS LAND YOU HOLD SO DEAR A HOUSE - A HOME- A FAMILY A LOVED ONE ALWAYS NEAR AS THE DAYS GO BY
POCAHONTAS THEN YOU CAME NOW SUDDENLY I REALIZE OUR DREAMS ARE ONE AND THE SAME A MAN-A WIFE-A HOME BENEATH THE MIDNIGHT SKIES AS THE DAYS GO BY (Sung Simultaneously from this point on)
POCAHONTAS DAYS GO BY, AND BY AND BY DAYS GO BY, AND BY, AND BY
JOHN SMITH I MUST RETURN BACK TO MY HOME THERE IS SO MUCH LEFT TO DO AND FAST
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BOTH AND I KNOW I’D RATHER STAY HERE WITH YOU AS THE DAYS GO BY
POCAHONTAS’ FRIENDS CAREFUL POCAHONTAS I’M AFRAID
POCAHONTAS’ FRIENDS CAREFUL POCAHONTAS
POWHATAN & POCAHONTAS’ FRIENDS WE MUST STAND TOGETHER
POCAHONTAS’ FRIENDS I SHARE YOU WISH FOR SOMETHING BETTER AS THE DAYS GO BY
TRIBE SHE MUST BE STOPPED SHE MUST BE TOLD SHE MUST BEHAVE AND BE CONTROLLED AND CAN SHE TRUST HOW CAN SHE HEAL WE MUST EXORCIZE THIS DEMON FROM OUR MIDST! (At the end, POCAHONTAS and JOHN SMITH stand at opposite sides of the stage, with their arms outstretched, to each other. POCAHONTAS’ FRIENDS are together, imploring her to be careful. The VILLAGERS remain angry. POWHATAN lords over it all.) BLACKOUT
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SCENE 9 (Pocahontas runs to SMITH, who tells her something. POCAHONTAS looks upset and runs to POWHATAN. SMITH packs his things.) CUE MUSIC TRACK # 12 - MY LOVE HAS DEPARTED (BA WIN TIN)
POCAHONTAS Father, John Smith is leaving for Jamestown.
POWHATAN Yes. I believe it is time for him to go. Will he will return?
POCAHONTAS I believe he would stay longer now if he could, but the people of Jamestown have been without a leader for too long now.
POWHATAN May Ahone, the Dreamgiver guide his steps down a path of safety. Tell the Eagle he is free to fly where his spirit leads. (The women of the village sing as their WARRIORS slowly leave.)
TRIBE WOMEN BA-WIN TIN GI NI MADJA NINIMUCE A NIN MADJA KA WININAWAS KA WININAWAS NIN DA WA BA MA SI.
JOHN SMITH That song. It’s beautiful. What does it mean?
POCAHONTAS
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It's a song of mourning. Algonquin women sing it when their warriors leave to travel on the warpath. It means they feel as if a part of themselves has been removed.
JOHN Jamestown will never keep me from you.
POCAHONTAS What if your men are not happy to see you? They may think you have deserted them...it has been so long.
JOHN Then I must go back - if only to keep peace between our two peoples. Goodbye. (He starts to walk away, turns and embraces her, and then kisses her forehead.) I will return. (SMITH bows before POWHATAN and exits. POCAHONTAS sits on the bed.)
INDIAN GIRLS BA-WIN TIN GIN NI MADJA NINIMUCE A NIN MADJA KA WININ NA WAS KA WINNIN NA WAS NIN DA WA BA MA SI (as Pocahontas interprets)
POCAHONTAS HE HAS DEPARTED MY LOVE HAS GONE ON BEFORE ME NEVER AGAIN CAN I SEE HIM BLACKOUT
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SCENE 10 JAMESTOWN
AHONE
And so, John Smith. . .left the Algonquin village, and returned to the fort at Jamestown. When he got there, he was greeted by his old friend, John Rolfe.
SMITH John Rolf!
ROLFE Smith? John?
MAN #1 Hey, it’s Captain Smith!
MAN #2 Back from the dead! (The MEN gather around.)
ROLFE John Smith, my old friend! Is it really you?
SMITH In the flesh, and fit as a fiddle; ready to lead the fort once more, if you’ll have me, of course! (ROLFE and the MEN are quiet.) Well, don’t everyone welcome me back at once. What? What is it?
ROLFE It’s just that...well, we all thought you surely dead for ages now. I’d given up all hope, myself.
SMITH But I’m back now, friend, alive as I’ve ever been!
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ROLFE The colony was in shambles after your capture. A tribe of Cherokee raided us every month. The supplies and food from you helped us certainly, but with no one in command, the men of the fort here ran wild. Remember, these are not men of peace the King has sent here, but outcasts of the Kingdom: rogues, criminals and thieves given freedom only through exile from England. Without a strong hand to guide them, their behavior soon became...unspeakable! (The MEN jeer.) When news of your disappearance reached the homeland, the Virginia Company sent a man to take your place, a Captain Samuel Argall. The men are loyal to him.
SMITH I see. Then I am not needed here. I can return to the tribe if need be. The food the Algonquin supplied you; it was given to you under an agreement.... (Appearing through the crowd)
ARGALL What sort of agreement, Captain Smith?)
JONESY Cap’m Argall!
ALL MEN Evenin’ Cap’um!
CAPTAIN ARGALL Good Evening, gentlemen. Jonesy, get away from that keg! How many times do I have to tell you idiots not to smoke next to a keg of explosive gunpowder?! (JONESY jumps away.)
ROLFE Captain Argall, this is Captain John Smith, former leader and founder of the Jamestown Colony.
ARGALL I am quite aware of his credentials, dear John Rolfe. Again: What sort of agreement, Captain Smith?
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SMITH They spared my life, and the life of everyone in this fort by supplying them with food and goods until I was well enough to come, and in return, I promised... I promised to give them guns.
ARGALL Guns?!
SMITH Yes, guns, so that they may defend themselves fairly against the itchy trigger fingers of the men in the settlement!
CAPTAIN ARGALL You must be crazy..! Give the heathens weapons? What have they done to you?
JOHN SMITH Captain Argall , I gave them my word...they spared my life. I owe them.
CAPTAIN ARGALL You owe them nothing. They will turn on us and raid the fort, just like the Cherokee did... Those savages slaughtered fifty men! They do not know or understand the meaning of a promise. (The MEN agree.)
JOHN SMITH But they do... I’ve taught some of them to speak English... especially the daughter of their leader, the Princess Pocahontas.
JOHN ROLFE You taught Powhatan’s daughter English?
JOHN SMITH Yes.... she speaks it almost as well as you or I and certainly better than most of the men here!
MAN #3 Whot you thoink ee mease boy dat, Jonesy?
MAN #4 Dow no Guv’nah!
SMITH She’s all for the English! She even told me once she wished she could live here in the fort. (The MEN react with excitement and general catcalls, etc.)
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CAPTAIN ARGALL Well, by all means, bring her here. I’m sure the Parson would love to witness to a heathen.
JOHN SMITH No...I would fear for her amongst these rapscallions. (The MEN jeer.)
CAPTAIN ARGALL I don’t know, I think she may be on to something. Living here, she could be of great advantage to us.
JOHN SMITH No! I will not allow you to spoil her innocence by using her as some sort of pawn.
CAPTAIN ARGALL Ahh John Smith.... I think you’ve fallen in love with this savage. (He looks at the charm around his neck) John Rolfe, this is a perfect example of what the savages are capable of...turning a strong willed fighter....into a weak minded lover. (The MEN chortle.)
MAN #5 Oi wanna be a luvah!
MAN #6 Me tow!
JOHN SMITH Enough!
CAPTAIN ARGALL We will not sign our death warrants by giving them weapons. Do not stand in our way, John...the fort is under my leadership now.
SMITH John Rolfe, surely you won’t stand for this!
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ROLFE The Cherokee murdered my wife in her sleep, John. I do not wish anyone else to suffer the same heartbreak.
SMITH Men! You were loyal to me once....!
CAPTAIN ARGALL The men prefer a leader who does not abandon his position. Jonesy, Williams, show Captain Smith to his new quarters.. (he signals and men take John away)
ROLFE I’m sorry, my friend. MUSIC CUE #13 - APPROACH OF THE STORM CROSSOVER (Music. The scene begins to change. Elsewhere, ALGONQUIN WOMEN are gathered, singing softly. POWHATAN & POCAHONTAS stand over them) SONG: THE APPROACH OF THE STORM
ALGONQUIN WOMEN ABI TU GIE I GUN ABI TU GIE I GUN EBI GWEN KA BI DE BWE WI DUN ABI TU GIE I GUN ABI TU GIE I GUN....
POCAHONTAS Why do the women of our village sing this song?
POWHATAN I know this song too well. It means that a terrible storm is coming.
POCAHONTAS But John Smith has gone to ensure peace.
POWHATAN I hope he will, young one. But if a storm is in our future, let us hope that we hear its thunder before the lightning strikes.
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(The women’s song grows louder. Suddenly, the music is cut short by a loud explosion. Smoke pours from off stage. Men are running in and out of the smoke. Shouting. JOHN ROLFE runs to ARGALL.)
ROLFE Captain Argall! What has happened?
CAPTAIN ARGALL Those bloody idiots! Smoking near the gunpowder again!
JOHN ROLFE I’ll see if I can help!
CAPTAIN ARGALL John! I’m afraid I have some bad news. It’s Smith. (BLACKOUT.) MUSIC CUE #14 - SC - 10 TO 11- POST EXPLOSION CROSSOVER
SCENE 11 (LIGHTS UP in the Algonquin village. POCAHONTAS, POWHATAN, and other villagers are gathered. Some small children are playing nearby. KEOKUM and another warrior bring JOHN ROLFE into the scene.)
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KEOKUM
Chief Powhatan! This man claims to know John Smith. He has asked to speak to the Princess Pocahontas.
POCAHONTAS I am POCAHONTAS.
ROLFE It is an honor to meet you, Princess. I am John Rolfe, of Jamestown. I bring you news -
POCAHONTAS Of John? Why has he not come himself?
ROLFE There was an accident..... an explosion. John Smith was very badly hurt. I beg you to come see him, while there is still life in him.
POCAHONTAS Father, I must go to him.
POWHATAN Nonsense! I will not have you walk like a defenseless bird into the fox’s lair!
POCAHONTAS I am not afraid. Neither should you be. Keokum will come as well, to protect me.
POWHATAN Very well. Keokum, you will accompany her and bring back some of those weapons we have been promised.
KEOKUM Yes, Mighty Powhatan.
POWHATAN
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But bring your leader a message, John Rolfe of Jamestown: John Smith was the only man I trusted from your fort. If he dies, then all promises are dead. I pray he recovers, for his sake and yours.
ROLFE I understand.
POCAHONTAS We must hurry, John Rolfe.
KEOKUM Lead the way. MUSIC CUE #15 - SC - 11 TO 12 - SAPPHIRE JOURNEY CROSSOVER (TRANSITION.)
SCENE 12 (KEOKUM, ROLFE, and POCAHONTAS journey back to Jamestown. Captain Argall is waiting for them.)
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CAPTAIN ARGALL
Princess Pocahontas. What an honor it is to finally meet you. We have heard so much about you.
POCAHONTAS Captain Argall, I thank you for your warm welcome, but if you please, we have come to see John Smith.
KEOKUM And we have come to claim the fire sticks that were promised to us by Captain Smith. “Fire sticks?” (he and the MEN laugh)
CAPTAIN ARGALL Foolish savage. We will not give you weapons only to have you raid our fort and kill our men. (stilted English)
KEOKUM But John Smith promised. He gave his word. The Algonquin people take a man’s word as truth.
CAPTAIN ARGALL John Smith is....! John Smith is dead.
POCAHONTAS NO! (She falls to her knees and weeps)
ROLFE John! When? So soon?
CAPTAIN ARGALL Late last night. We burned his body only this morning. Can’t be too cautious about disease. A terrible tragedy, yes, but for the best.
ROLFE Captain, do you know what this means to the fort?
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KEOKUM
If Smith is dead, then all trade talks are dead! From this day forward, your fort will never be accepted by our tribe or any other surrounding tribe. If you come near our village again, we will fight and not give up, until once again the Algonquin tribe claims back all of the land which is rightfully ours! Come, Princess! (KEOKUM moves to leave, but suddenly, they are surrounded by MEN with guns.)
CAPTAIN ARGALL I’m afraid that Powhatan’s daughter will not be leaving the fort. She will remain our guest until I see fit to release her.
ROLFE Guest? Captain, this is kidnapping!
CAPTAIN ARGALL I only seek to bring peace.
ROLFE But at what price?
KEOKUM You have deceived us! You planned this all along!
CAPTAIN ARGALL Go, stupid savage. Tell your King, your Chief that he will not harm Jamestown. If one man here is threatened with so much as a dirty look, then the life of Powhatan’s daughter will be cut painfully short.
KEOKUM Pocahontas - !
CAPTAIN ARGALL Do not shorten her life by lingering here.
POCAHONTAS Keokum. Return to the village. Go!
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(After a quick hesitation, KEOKUM sprints.)
ROLFE Captain! This action is unnecessary!
CAPTAIN ARGALL You heard the words of the savage! They declared war!
ROLFE You planned this from the moment I left! John Smith would never have stooped to such deception!
CAPTAIN ARGALL John Smith is a pile of ashes at the bottom of a dustbin! You would do well, John Rolfe, to watch your tone from now on, lest you be suspected of the same treason that plagued Captain Smith. You shall be her ward. Until the boat of new settlers arrives from the Old World, she is the only woman in the fort. I trust she will be safe under your watchful eye
ROLFE Yes, Captain. Come, Princess. (POCAHONTAS looks deep into John Rolfe’s eyes, searching for his character. After a moment, she is satisfied, and goes with him. Transition.) MUSIC CUE #16 - SC - 12 TO 13 - FORT TO BEDROOM
SCENE 13 (JOHN ROLFE leads her into a small room. POCAHONTAS stands with her back turned to him.)
JOHN ROLFE
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You ought to be comfortable here. I am sorry about your loss. Our loss. John Smith was my friend. I know you meant very much to him. Princess, you must believe me. I had no knowledge of the Captain’s plans to hold you hostage. Honestly, I -
POCAHONTAS I believe you, John Rolfe. Your eyes - they are the same as John Smith’s: sapphire blue, and full of truth. And kindness. (He catches himself gazing at her.)
JOHN ROLFE Forgive me. It’s just that you are so much more beautiful than he described. (He changes the subject.) We must stop this. I can find a way to sneak you out of here - return you to your village. Perhaps create a distraction so that you can leave unnoticed.
POCAHONTAS No!
ROLFE What?
POCAHONTAS No. I will not leave, John Rolfe. Not yet.
ROLFE I don’t understand.
POCAHONTAS I fear that if I leave here, war will break out and spread across the land. Your people and my people, they will all die. I don’t know what is right, or what to do...... I must be alone now. I must pray to Ahone, the creator, the Dreamgiver. He will show me what to do.
JOHN ROLFE I will see you in the morning, then. Goodnight, Princess. I will pray to my creator, as well.
TRIBE
A bi tu Gie I Gun, A bi tu Gie I Gun
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(Rolfe exits. POCAHONTAS slumps to the floor. YOUNG POCAHONTAS and POCAHONTAS-12 appear behind her. The YOUNGER ONES speak their lines simultaneously. POCAHONTAS looks up at them with a gasp.)
YOUNGER ONES The storm has come Pocahontas.
POCAHONTAS I know.
YOUNGER ONES You are the eye, the calm. You will make the peace; the still. MUSIC CUE #17 - DREAM GIVER
POCAHONTAS What do I do?
YOUNGER ONES
Pray to Ahone, the creator; the Dream Giver.
POCAHONTAS Pray to Ahone, the Dream Giver. (POCAHONTAS prays.) SONG: DREAM GIVER I LAY HERE, BROKEN, ON THE FLOOR LOCKED BEHIND A PRISON DOOR AND WHAT IT’S FOR I DON’T UNDERSTAND BUT IF IT'S JUST A PART IN YOUR BIG PLAN IF THIS LAND’S TO BE MY HOME I CAN’T MAKE IT ON MY OWN (The YOUNGER ONES put their hands on her shoulders and sing.) POCAHONTAS & YOUNGER ONES AHONE, DREAM GIVER GIVE ME A HEART THAT’S PURE HELP ME TO ENDURE AS I JOURNEY FORWARD CLASP YOUR HAND IN MINE HELP ME TO SEE THE SIGNS AS WE CROSS THE LINE DREAM GIVER
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(POCAHONTAS’ friends appear. They are praying to AHONE for the safety of their friend.) OOOO OOOOO FRIENDS (The DANCERS enter with Dreamcatchers and relate the setting of the sun, and the dawning of a new day, a new beginning. POCAHONTAS & the YOUNGER ONES sing in their midst. The FRIENDS echo her sentiments in their prayers.)
POCAHONTAS I WATCH THE DUSK DEVOUR THE LIGHT
OTHERS WATCH THE DUSK DEVOUR THE LIGHT
POCAHONTAS ENGULF THE WORLD IN DEEPEST NIGHT HERE, THE VOID SEEMS DARK AND COLD AND LONG
OTHERS HERE IT’S DARK AND COLD AND LONG
POCAHONTAS & YOUNGER ONES BUT STILL, I KNOW I’LL CARRY ON
OTHERS STILL, I KNOW I’LL CARRY ON
POCAHONTAS & YOUNGER ONES THE SUN WILL RISE, WHEN COMES THE DAWN AND SOON, A BRAND NEW SEASON HAS BEGUN.
OTHERS SOON A SEASON HAS BEGUN
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(POCAHONTAS is surrounded by her friends. They touch her and embrace her, the invisible arms of AHONE, the DREAM GIVER. NOTE: POCAHONTAS cannot see her friends, but she does feel the comfort of AHONE.) POCAHONTAS & YOUNGER ONES OTHERS OH, DREAM GIVER DREAM GIVER SHOW ME THAT YOU ARE THERE YOU ARE THERE RUN YOUR FINGERS THROUGH MY HAIR THROUGH MY HAIR PUT YOUR ARMS AROUND ME WON’T YOU TOUCH MY FACE TOUCH MY FACE HOLD ME IN YOUR WARM EMBRACE WARM EMBRACE IN THIS FOREIGN PLACE
ALL DREAM GIVER (The DANCERS form a giant DREAMCATCHER, with POCAHONTAS, the YOUNGER ONES, and the FRIENDS in its center.)
POCAHONTAS NOW, AS I STAND HERE ON THE GROUND THOUGH IT SHIFTS BENEATH MY FEET I AM COMPLETE WHEN YOU LIGHT THE WAY I KNOW I DON’T HAVE TO RUN AWAY ‘CAUSE I WILL NEVER BE ALONE
POCAHONTAS & YOUNGER ONES WHERE YOU ARE BECOMES MY HOME
OTHERS YES, WHERE YOU ARE BECOMES MY HOME (The DREAMCATCHER comes “to life” as the DANCERS whirl and dance about. POCAHONTAS & her FRIENDS clasp their arms tightly together, bracing themselves for an unknown future, determined to rely on the DREAMGIVER to light their way.)
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OH, DREAM GIVER GIVE ME A HEART THAT’S PURE HELP ME TO ENDURE AS I LOOK TO HEAVEN THERE’S A LIGHT I SEE SHINING DOWN ON ME THIS WAS MEANT TO BE DREAM GIVER! (As the music climaxes, POCAHONTAS sees first her father POWHATAN, then JOHN SMITH, then CAPTAIN ARGALL, and finally, JOHN ROLFE. They all reach out to her; beckoning her. JOHN ROLFE is gazing upward. Not knowing where to turn, she reaches out instead to the heavens.) BLACKOUT END OF ACT ONE
ACT TWO
SCENE 1
RAGING THUNDER Attention Red Feathers
RF Yes Miss Shining Moonah
RAGING THUNDER Did you eat your snacks?
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RF Yes Miss Shining Moonah
RAGING THUNDER Red Feathers at ease
Scout Okay so I wanna know what happened next.
Scout Yah does Pocahontas fall in love with the other John?
All Scouts Yah!!!
RAGING THUNDER It's really difficult to know the true history.
MOONAH No it's not, you just have to follow the legend
RAGING THUNDER The legend? Those are never true. History is always written by the winners.
MOONAH Then what happens to the losers?
RAGING THUNDER The losers remain silent
MOONAH Humph
RAGING THUNDER Humph
CROW
Actually, in my book it says that Pocahontas was a 13-year-old bald headed little girl
AHONE But that book wasn't written by Indians my little papoose. The Indians never write anything down. They always told their stories through song, dance, and the beating of the tom tom.
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MOONAH Alright red feathers, we didn't come here for nothing. I'm gonna tell you the rest of the story on my own.
RAGING THUNDER Not without me you aren't
AHONE Girls girls girls. Both of you are going to tell it, well I mean we are going to sing and dance it like the Indians.
RAGING THUNDER Can I go first?
MOONAH You always go first
RAGING THUNDER Just because you're older .......
AHONE Girls girls...Ahona says count to 10 ... (girls start to count and walk away from each other)
THUNDER
Do you want to hear the rest of the story?
SCOUTS Yah!!
MOONAH What's she doing?
RAGING THUNDER I said do you want to hear it?
SCOUTS Yah!!!
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MUSIC CUE #18 - THE MAKING OF A LEGEND SONG: THE MAKING OF A LEGEND
THUNDER
SOME SAY THAT THE WAY THAT A LEGEND GOES IS A LOT LIKE THE WAY THAT THE RIVER FLOWS IT DIVIDES INTO MANY OTHER SEPARATE STREAMS THAT COME FROM ONE AND ON AND ON THEY RUN THAT’S THE MAKING OF A LEGEND
CROW
WE KNOW SHE WAS KIDNAPED (The INDIAN DANCERS dance depicting the sneakiness and deception of the settlers. One of the dancers, who represents Pocahontas, is caught and carried over the others heads.) SHE GOT DOWN ON HER KNEES AND PRAYED (POCAHONTAS and JOHN ROLFE appear on their knees in prayer. The DANCERS reprise a bit of the DREAMCATCHER dance around them.)
POCAHONTAS DREAM GIVER, DREAM GIVER
DANCERS DREAM GIVER, DREAM GIVER (Two tribe members extend 2 EAGLE POLES over the audience and whirl the eagles around.)
MOONAH SOME SAY THAT THE WAY THAT A LEGEND LIES IS A LOT LIKE THE WAY THAT THE EAGLE FLIES HE CAN ONLY EVER GO WHERE THE GREAT WINDS BLOW THE CURRENTS FLOW BUT YOU NEVER KNOW WHICH WAY THEY’LL BLOW AND THAT’S THE MAKING OF A LEGEND
AHONE
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Months passed, and although many women arrived along with the rest of the new settlers, John Rolfe remained Pocahontas’ truest and dearest friend.
ALL 4 SHE GREW TO LOVE HER PLACE WITHIN THIS STRANGE NEW LAND WHEN SHE BECAME A PART OF GOD'S IMMORTAL PLAN (During the next speech, KEOKUM and POWHATAN appear, surrounded by Pocahontas’ FRIENDS, together, they journey into the fort.)
AHONE Then, the following Spring, Chief Powhatan received some startling news from one of the settlers and traveled quickly to Jamestown to see for himself. (The GROUP arrives to find POCAHONTAS AND JOHN ROLFE in tight embrace. POCAHONTAS brings ROLFE to meet her father.)
POCAHONTAS I WED A MAN WITH SAPPHIRE EYES WE SEEK TO TRANSCEND WITH OUR UNION OF LOVE THIS CONFLICT THAT’S GRIPPED US FOR LONG ENOUGH EVERY TOUCH EVERY GAZE IS A PRAISE TO THE ONE ABOVE Father, say something.
POWHATAN You have turned your back on your people, both of you. In doing so, (softening) you set example for us all. From this day forward, Algonquin and Jamestown are brothers! Today is beginning of new season of peace! (ALL cheer. The INDIAN tribe pours into the fort for a celebration. POCAHONTAS & JOHN ROLFE are overjoyed that their dream of peace has been realized. They hug. POWHATAN embraces JOHN ROLFE as a son. The SETTLERS and the TRIBE greet one another. KEOKUM shakes hands with ROLFE. JOHN ROLFE offers POWHATAN the gift of a pipe, and teaches him to smoke it. POWHATAN then presents ROLFE with a giant PEACE PIPE, which makes ROLFE a bit sick. POWHATAN claps him on the back and all are in good spirits)
INDIAN TRIBE & SETTLERS THE SEASON MOVES ON
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THE STORY GOES ON THE LEGEND AND HISTORY BLEND HOW WILL IT, HOW WILL IT END? (The Indians gather in the center of the fort to present a dance ritual for the settlers, who watch from the sides with interest.)
INDIAN TRIBE SOME SAY THAT THE WAY THAT THE LEGEND GOES IS A LOT LIKE THE WAY THAT THE RIVER FLOWS IT DIVIDES INTO MANY OTHER SEPARATE STREAMS THAT COME FROM ONE YET THE TIDES CHANGES WHERE THEY RUN AND THAT’S THE MAKING OF A LEGEND
CROW SHE LOVED AND SHE MARRIED AND SHE RAISED A FAMILY (The WOMEN SETTLERS surround POCAHONTAS, coddling the baby. The MEN of the fort show the WARRIORS their axes and together they chop logs on the side in choreographed unison.)
TRIBE & SETTLERS SOME SAY THAT THE WAY THAT THE LEGEND LIES IS A LOT LIKE THE WAY THAT THE EAGLE FLIES HE CAN ONLY EVER GO WHERE THE GREAT WINDS BLOW (The women surround the baby with a big blanket. When they whip the blanket away, THOMAS emerges, laughing and playing with a small INDIAN BOY.) THE CURRENTS FLOW BUT YOU NEVER KNOW WHICH WAY THEY’LL BLOW AND THAT’S THE MAKING OF A LEGEND (The INDIANS and SETTLERS do a final dance weaving in and out of each other.)
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THE SEASONS MOVE ON THE STORY GOES ON (The INDIANS leave the fort and can be seen waving in the distance behind the forest scrim. The SETTLERS help scene transition to the DOCK at JAMESTOWN.) THE LEGEND AND HISTORY BLEND HOW WILL IT HOW WILL IT HOW WILL IT END! (POCAHONTAS and JOHN ROLFE are center stage and in an embrace at the end of the song. Standing beside them is their son, THOMAS.)
SCENE 2 MUSIC CUE #19 - LONDON TOWN
JOHN ROLFE It's time to leave. Are you ready? The boat for London will not wait, my love...not even for a princess! Put it over there, men! (JAMESTOWN MEN pile luggage on the dock.) SONG: LONDON TOWN LONDON TOWN LONDON TOWN OH, TO BE HOME, AT LAST!
JAMESTOWN MEN REACH HIGH WAVE GOODBYE
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TO YOUR JAMESTOWN PAST!
JOHN ROLFE LONDON TOWN LONDON TOWN LAND WHOSE GLORY IS UNSURPASSED!
JAMESTOWN MEN LOOK! TAKE A LOOK! IT MIGHT BE YOUR LAST! (ROLFE scales the mountain of luggage.)
JOHN ROLFE AND THOUGH I’VE BEEN GONE FOR MANY A DAY, SHED FOUNTAINS OF TEARS WHEN I WENT AWAY, I’LL FINALLY BE HOME WITH MY SON AND MY WIFE AND WRITE THE GREATEST CHAPTER IN THE STORY OF OUR LIVES (BEGIN THE MAIDEN VOYAGE OF THE ADVENTURE OF OUR LIFE)
THOMAS Mama, why is Father acting so strange?
POCAHONTAS Strange? He’s just excited, darling, as you should be. Finally, you will be able to experience English culture as much as you have experienced the Algonquin side of your background. We’ll be living in the King’s land!
THOMAS You mean Heaven?!
JOHN ROLFE Ah hah! Heaven’s no, lad! Not yet, anyway!
POCAHONTAS King James, darling! We’re going to England, remember!
THOMAS But what if I’m scared? What if no kids will play with me? What if they don’t even speak our language?!
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JOHN ROLFE
You mean English? (JAMESTOWN MEN bring on more crates to create a BOAT configuration.)
MAN All aboard! (Box down.)
MAN Last call for His Majesty’s Ship the Albacore! (Box down.) Next stop, London! (All boxes down. ROLFE, THOMAS, and POCAHONTAS stand on the “bow” of the ship. FOUR SAILORS have tall blue flags. As the singing begins, the sailors fly the flags back and forth, “Les Mis- style,” signifying the movement of the waves in the ocean.)
POCAHONTAS LONDON TOWN LONDON TOWN LAND WE WILL SOON CALL HOME
JOHN ROLFE SOON! VERY SOON! THERE! IT’S STRAIGHT AHEAD!
POCAHONTAS LONDON TOWN LONDON TOWN LAND LIKE NONE THAT YOU’VE EVER KNOWN SO MANY PEOPLE SO MUCH TO SEE TRY TO BE BRAVE
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TRY TO STAY STRONG OUR JOURNEY ISN’T OVER
SCENE 3 (The sailors remove the crates and trunks. Behind them the stage transforms to the streets of London.) THE JOURNEY CAN’T BE WRONG
JOHN ROLFE BREATHE IT IN! LOOK AROUND YOU! VIBRANT STREETS ARE TEEMING WITH LIFE! TOMORROW WILL TAKE YOU ON THE RIDE OF YOUR LIFE! LET’S HOPE FOR WARM WELCOMES LET’S HOPE AND LET’S PRAY OUR JOURNEY HAS ONLY BEGUN IN LONDON TOWN WITH MY SON AND WIFE (The THREE of THEM explore the streets of LONDON. THOMAS chases after a group of small children, eventually, they chase after him, and he winds up back with his parents)
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POCAHONTAS & THOMAS LONDON TOWN, LONDON TOWN FINALLY HERE AT LAST LONDON TOWN, LONDON TOWN FRIENDLY FACES ON ALL WHO PASS SO MANY PEOPLE SO MUCH TO SEE SO MANY FACES STARING AT ME TRY TO BE BRAVE TRY TO STAY STRONG
JOHN ROLFE BREATHE IT IN! LOOK AROUND YOU! VIBRANT STREETS ARE TEEMING WITH LIFE! TOMORROW WILL TAKE YOU ON THE RIDE OF YOUR LIFE! LET’S HOPE FOR WARM WELCOMES LET’S HOPE AND LET’S PRAY THE JOURNEY HAS ONLY BEGUN
BOTH THE JOURNEY ISN’T OVER (The LONDONERS celebrate the hustle and bustle of their city, surrounding the family. At the end, they stand together as they face the city.) THE JOURNEY OF MY LIFE! (Applause. BLACKOUT) MUSIC CUE #20 - SC - 3 TO 4 - LONDON TOWN PLAYOFF
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SCENE 4
AHONE Pocahontas, her husband, John Rolfe, and her son, Thomas, arrived in London in June of 1616. The Virginia Company had quickly realized Pocahontas’ enormous value as an example of Anglo-Indian harmony. To attract English settlers and fresh investments to the New World, the company had arranged for the family to have a tour of London and meet the leading English citizens. (The ROLFE’s are met by BELLOWS, a small cockney fellow.)
BELLOWS Hallo, squire! You moss be da Foks fwom da new land! Bly me, Miss, ain’t you a beu-i- foo sight! Yoowl ‘ave to excuse my gawkin’ at yeh, buh’ I figgured you’d be foamin’ at da’ mouf oh som-fin, wif wild, crazy eyes, and carryin’ a knife drippin’ wif fresh blood! Dat’s how everyone’s been goin’ on about you, anyways! Coo, bly me! Bea-u-i-ful! I’ll get Mistah Smithahs, right off! (BELLOWS bounds off to fetch SMITHERS.)
THOMAS Father, I thought you said they spoke English!
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(As the FAMILY follows BELLOWS, POCAHONTAS coughs and staggers dizzily for a moment. ROLFE catches her.)
JOHN ROLFE Darling, what is it?
POCAHONTAS I felt so dizzy again for a moment, like I was still on the boat. I’ll be alright. (SMITHERS explodes on to the scene. He is an eccentric little man, who’s had way too much tea today, and gets very excited by just about everything.)
SMITHERS Ahhh, yes! She’s here! The Princess Pocahontas! I am Smithers, here to escort you and your family to the Royal Ballroom. Look at you! You are no savage! ! It is my deepest honor to meet such a jewel from the New World. MUSIC CUE #21 - TEA 1 The party in your honor is already in progress...We merely await the arrival of the Queen herself! (Striking a royal pose) Citizens of England. I introduce you to Princess Pocahontas! (LIGHTS reveal a grand ballroom, filled with dancing affluents. In the center of it all sits the QUEEN on a large throne.) SONG: LOOK WHO’S COMING TO TEA
ROYAL COURT LOOK AND SEE! IT’S THE QUEEN OF THE SAVAGES!
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HE WHO CAN MANAGE HIS WITS SHOULD COME AND SEE ENGLAND’S NEWEST GREATEST DIVERSION: A HOLY CONVERSION FROM FAR ACROSS THE SEA!
SMITHERS Princess, Pocahontas, may I introduce you to Lady Margaret and Lady Gabriel. (She curtsies and takes their hands.)
POCAHONTAS I am pleased to meet you. How do you do?
MARGARET Oooo, isn’t she proper!
GABRIEL And speaking in the King’s tongue, no less!
MARGARET Yes! I heard that these Indians communicated by grunting and squealing like a wild boar!
POCAHONTAS (To ROLFE) John, what is a “wild boar?”
JOHN ROLFE Spend an evening with these upper class people, and I guarantee you’ll find out. Good evening, ladies! (SMITHERS walks POCAHONTAS around to meet all ENGLISH CITIZENS in the ballroom)
LADY MARGARET AND LADY GABRIEL ISN’T SHE THE CUTEST THING YOU EV-VAH- SEEN? A PRINCESS FROM A FAR OFF LAND WHO’S HERE TO MEET THE QUEEN ROLL OUT THE CARPET BLOW THE TRUMPETS
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SMITHERS
GET THE GIRL SOME TEA AND CRUMPETS
ALL WATCH HER TRY TO BE LIKE US, SPEAK LIKE US, BELONG WITH US SO BOW AND GREET AND GAZE UPON HER BEAUTY SHE’S CALM AND SWEET AND IT’S OUR ROYAL DUTY TO SMILE UPON THE SAVAGE GIRL THE TOKEN FROM THE BRAND NEW WORLD ALL HAIL IT IS OUR MAJESTY! (The QUEEN enters. The crowd parts, and Pocahontas steps forward and curtsies. JOHN ROLFE bows. The QUEEN takes her place on the THRONE. )
QUEEN You have come far to meet me my child.
POCAHONTAS Yes, Your Majesty. We sailed for many months.
QUEEN You can talk?
POCAHONTAS Yes, Your Majesty.
QUEEN And you are clothed. You don’t run about naked?
POCAHONTAS Not since I was two years old, Your Majesty.
QUEEN I see. Let me see your teeth. (POCAHONTAS shoots ROLFE a quizzical look. He nods approvingly. She approaches the throne and bares her teeth. The QUEEN examines them closely. After a moment, ROLFE steps forward.)
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ROLFE
Your Majesty?
QUEEN Come, Princess. Have some tea. (The ROLFE’s follow the QUEEN to a lengthy tea table and sit. STEWARDS bring a tea cart and serve them.) Some sailors returning from the New World, told the King that Indians like yourself had sharp, fanged teeth, that you use to drink the blood of freshly killed animals.
ROLFE Your Majesty, the Algonquin people do not drink blood.
QUEEN Well, that’s lovely. Because all we have is tea. The sailors also claimed you were wild- eyed, rambunctious, and big-bottomed, like baboons. (The QUEEN looks her up and down.) I can see the sailors are prone to exaggeration. MUSIC CUE #22 - Tea 2 How would you describe your people, Princess?
POCAHONTAS TRY TO UNDERSTAND MY PEOPLE ARE NOT TO BE FEARED WE LIVE AND DIE, JUST LIKE YOU WE LOVE AND CRY, JUST LIKE YOU SEE HOW YOU AND I ARE REALLY NOT DIFFERENT AT ALL I’VE LEARNED TO TALK JUST LIKE YOU BUT ALWAYS RUN AND WALKED JUST LIKE YOU
POCAHONTAS & QUEEN YES, IT’S PLAIN TO SEE YOU ARE JUST LIKE ME. (Having shared a moment together, the QUEEN stands and walks the length of the room.)
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QUEEN
Are you enjoying your stay in London, dear?
POCAHONTAS Yes, dear Queen. Never have I felt so excited and overwhelmed overwhelming.
QUEEN Do you know what they are calling you, dear?
POCAHONTAS I have been given new names all my life.
QUEEN They call you “La Belle Savauge.” Do you know what that means?
JOHN ROLFE It’s French. It means, “The Pretty Savage.”
QUEEN Leave it to the French to donate the more colorful phrases to our vocabulary. Tell me, how do your people refer to us when we are not within earshot?
POCAHONTAS They refer to the men of Jamestown as tassen-tassees. It means, “smells like a skunk.” The men rarely bathe.
QUEEN Hm. “They,” say a lot of things within the cruel safety of ignorance. Pay them no mind, dear. Remain as you are. You have trained her well, John Rolfe.
JOHN ROLFE But it was her who trained me, Majesty. As I believe she can train us all.
QUEEN You maybe right, John Rolfe. (The QUEEN rises to leave.) My husband, King James, is preparing to send over more supplies and men to Jamestown. It was an honor to meet you, Princess Pocahontas. CUE MUSIC TRACK# 23 - TEA 3
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(The FAMILY rise and bow/curtsy. The QUEEN exits. ALL bow. The FAMILY joins hands and slowly walks through the crowd.)
SMITHERS Brilliant! Beautiful. A lovely tea as ever there was! Farewell, La Belle Savauge.!
POCAHONTAS Fare thee well, tassen-tassee! (SMITHERS blows her a kiss. The ROLFE’s exit. SMITHERS gossips with the other guests.)
SMITHERS I thought they’d never leave. You can dress a pig like a princess, but it’s still a pig. SMITHERS & ENGLISH COURT WHAT’S HAPPENED TO SOCIETY WHEN LITTLE NATIVES COME TO TEA AND MASQUERADE COMPLETELY LIKE SHE WAS ONE OF WE? BUT SMILE UPON THE SAVAGE ONE SHAKE HER HAND THEN EAT AND RUN TO MONSTERS SHE IS ROYALTY!
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SCENE 5 (The Royal scrim raises and we transition to the Streets of London. The ROLFES enter.)
JOHN ROLFE Darling, you were wonderful in there! A true princess.
POCAHONTAS Your Queen seems a very kind woman.
JOHN ROLFE Yes, if only the king was as understanding as... (POCAHONTAS begins to stagger a bit.) Darling, are you alright?
POCAHONTAS Yes, I’m just a bit dizzy again...
JOHN ROLFE Again. This has been happening too often. I’ll run get our carriage. Will you be alright out here?
POCAHONTAS Of course. It’s only London Town, right?
JOHN ROLFE That’s what I’m afraid of. I will be swift. Take care of your mother, Thomas.
THOMAS
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Yes, Father. (John Rolfe runs off.)
CONSTABLE Well, wot ‘ave we got here?
MAN I’ve been wondering that myself.
OLDER WOMAN Hey, I read about ‘ere. In the newspaper. She’s one of them Injuns from the colony! Dressed up like a proper person.
THOMAS My mother is a princess!
POCAHONTAS Hush Thomas. Come this way.
CONSTABLE Now wait a minute there missy. I wouldn’t want you walking the streets like some common street vendor. If you take my meaning...
POCAHONTAS Please, My husband will be back any second. (He takes her arm) Please - I - (She collapses.)
THOMAS Momma!
JOHN ROLFE (entering through crowd) Pocahontas! Pocahontas.
POCAHONTAS I want to go home, John. Please, take me home.
JOHN ROLFE Yes, of course.
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(JOHN ROLFE picks her up and carries her to a room in their home.) MUSIC CUE # 24 - SC - 5 TO 6 - CROSSOVER & DOCTOR UNDERSCORE BLACKOUT
SCENE 6 (A room in the ROLFE’s home. JOHN lays POCAHONTAS on a small sofa. A DOCTOR kneels beside her and checks her pulse and feels her forehead for a moment, then rises to leave. JOHN sends THOMAS off to bed. He whispers with JOHN ROLFE momentarily. After shaking hands, he leaves.)
POCAHONTAS What did the Medicine Man say? (Chuckles half-heartedly)
JOHN ROLFE Medicine man? Well, the doctor said that he thinks the reason you have had spells of dizziness and fits of coughing for the last month, is because you have a disease called the consumption..
POCAHONTAS Will I.... Will I get better?
JOHN ROLFE He does not think so.
POCAHONTAS What? Does he not have medicine to cure me?
JOHN ROLFE I wish it were that simple. He believes that since you were born and raised your whole life in another country, on another continent, that your body has built up no resistance this disease.
POCAHONTAS
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What? Then I am to die?
JOHN ROLFE I don’t know.
POCAHONTAS I never should have come here.
JOHN ROLFE Shhh... You’ve been through alot in one night.
POCAHONTAS This was a mistake. This was all a mistake. All my life, the paths I have followed I chose because I was led to by the Dream Giver Ahone, or my instincts, or my heart. But why did we come here, John? To help the Virginia Company sell land?!
JOHN ROLFE You came to promote peace between our peoples.
POCAHONTAS I came here to die! Hmph. “London town.” (ROLFE paces for a moment.)
JOHN ROLFE Are you well enough to travel?
POCAHONTAS At this hour? (He nods.) I think so.
JOHN ROLFE Come. I have something to show you. CUE MUSIC TRACK# 25 - SC - 6 TO 7 - TRAVELING TO JOHN
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SCENE 7 Home of John Smith (Music begins. Lights change as John Rolfe and Pocahontas cross stage left. John Smith’s silhouette is seen. Music fades)
POCAHONTAS John? (He emerges from the shadows) John Smith! (She runs to him and they embrace. She is overcome.) They told me you were dead. I thought I’d never see you again...!
JOHN ROLFE He contacted me a few months ago.
POCAHONTAS But what happened to you? How did you...
JOHN SMITH Soon after I returned to the fort they were preparing for battle. I tried to convince them to stop the bloodshed, but Captain Argall would not hear of it. As I was taken prisoner, a carelessly thrown match caused a keg of gunpowder to explode and take a piece out of my side. I was put on a boat and sent back to England that very day. (She turns to JOHN ROLFE.)
POCAHONTAS You told me he was dead.
JOHN SMITH He did not know. He grieved for me as well, Pocahontas.
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(To ROLFE) It’s good to see you, old friend. (They clasp hands and then embrace.) I wish I could have spared you two the grief. When I heard you had brought peace to the New World; that you had married John Rolfe.... (He chooses his words carefully.) I knew you had begun a new chapter in your life. (He smiles.) Who knew it would bring you here?
POCAHONTAS I knew. Somehow, I knew you were still alive.
JOHN SMITH And somehow, I knew I would see you again. I was so glad when I heard the Virginia Company was bringing you here, so I wrote John, and asked permission to see you once more. (POCAHONTAS has a fit of coughing. JOHN ROLFE goes to help her, but she refuses it.)
POCAHONTAS Do not be so glad, brother. The Virginia Company has signed my death warrant.
ROLFE It seems that England is home to diseases against which Algonquin blood bears no defense.
JOHN SMITH I’m sorry.
POCAHONTAS They told me I was to be the bridge between the tribe and your world. To complete what you and I had started.
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JOHN SMITH It’s not too late. You still can. You already have.
POCAHONTAS What good have I brought to my tribe? To anyone?
JOHN SMITH Your family, standing in the Royal Court with the Queen, has proved that the union of our peoples is possible. No longer is it a folk tale to be twisted and altered as it makes its way across the Atlantic.
POCAHONTAS That doesn’t matter! People will believe what they want. MUSIC CUE #26 - IF I NEVER MET YOU Whatever makes the most exciting story.
JOHN SMITH They fear what they don't understand. Just like Jamestown did. Just like I did. But they can unlearn. SONG: IF I NEVER MET YOU IF I NEVER MET YOU IF I NEVER KNEW THE LIFE YOU LED IF I NEVER STOOD BESIDE YOU EVEN IF I TRIED TO I CAN'T IMAGINE MY LIFE IF WE NEVER MET
JOHN ROLFE IF I NEVER MET YOU IF I NEVER SAW THE WORLD YOU SHARED YOU WOULD NOT HAVE MADE MINE BETTER OR BROUGHT TWO WORLDS TOGETHER I CAN'T IMAGINE MY LIFE IF WE NEVER MET
ALL THREE WHEN YOU BEGAN TO TEACH WHO KNEW HOW MANY WE WOULD REACH? FOR WHEN YOU HAVE THE SEED TO SOW THE PLANTED SEED BEGINS TO GROW DON’T YOU SEE
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YOU CHANGED ONE LIFE THE WORLD WILL NEVER BE THE SAME
POCAHONTAS IF I NEVER MET YOU
JOHN SMITH IF I NEVER KNEW YOU
JOHN ROLFE IF I NEVER LOVED YOU
POCAHONTAS IF I NEVER KNEW THE LIFE YOU LED
JOHN SMITH LEARNED WHAT YOU SAID
JOHN ROLFE SAID OUR VOWS TO WED
POCAHONTAS IF I NEVER STOOD BESIDE YOU ALWAYS HERE BESIDE YOU
JOHN SMITH TRIED SO HARD TO FIND YOU
JOHN ROLFE I AM HERE BESIDE YOU
JOHN SMITH IF I NEVER
POCAHONTAS IF I NEVER
JOHN ROLFE
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IF I NEVER ALL THREE
MET YOU
JOHN ROLFE KNEW YOU
POCAHONTAS LOVED YOU
ALL THREE CARED FOR YOU
ALL THREE I CAN’T IMAGINE MY LIFE NO I CAN’T IMAGINE MY LIFE IF WE NEVER MET (At the end of the applause, POCAHONTAS sways dizzily. ROLFE supports her. She composes herself.)
POCAHONTAS Thank you. Both of you. You have shown me that I am not alone in our fight. This victory will live beyond all of us.
JOHN SMITH Yes. Someday. (SMITH hands her the compass.) Whenever it happens, the world will look to you as the one who pointed them in the right direction. (They embrace. He takes a step back holding her hands.) Goodbye, Your Majesty, Matoaka, Princess Pocahontas of the Algonquin Tribe. (She looks at the compass)
POCAHONTAS Thank you, Captain John Smith. (Touches ROLFE’s face)
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It seems you’ve helped me find my way. (Music. The ROLFE’s kiss, and then travel to their home. JOHN SMITH leaves. AHONE appears.) MUSIC CUE # 27 - SC - 7 TO 8 - GOING HOME UNDERSCORE & DIALOGUE
SCENE 8
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AHONE John Rolfe prepared to return his family back to Jamestown. After several months he had finally secured a ship. But by this time, Pocahontas’ illness had progressed so far, that she was not able to make the journey home. (The YOUNGER ONES appear in a special.)
YOUNGER ONES Pocahontas. Matoaka. Lady Rebecca. It is time. It is time to go home. (They disappear. LIGHTS UP. Pocahontas is laying in bed with John Rolfe and Thomas by her side. She coughs terribly.)
JOHN ROLFE I do not want to leave without you.
POCAHONTAS Be strong, my love. All must die, John. It is enough for us that the child lives.
THOMAS Please, mama. Just get better.
POCAHONTAS I wish I had the power to choose, Thomas. But you must go with your father. Go see Grandfather Powhatan. Carry on my dream for our family to return home...
THOMAS But wherever you are, momma: that’s my home. I don’t want you to die.
POCAHONTAS Then don’t let me. Pass my story on. You are my legacy. You are my memory.
THOMAS But I don’t know how...
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POCAHONTAS Then your Father and I will teach you... you are why my life was worth living. You can pass on my story. The story of your tribe.
THOMAS I don’t want to go without you. CUE MUSIC TRACK #28 - FINALE
POCAHONTAS Thomas, you will never go anywhere without me. (POCAHONTAS is isolated in a tight special. In the silence she takes a big breath, and exhales loudly.) NOW AS I TURN AND CLOSE THE DOOR I LOOK BACK ON LIFE BEFORE AND WONDER WHERE MY LIFE MIGHT HAVE LED IF I NEVER KNEW WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO BE WITH YOU FOR I CAN’T IMAGINE MY LIFE (In another special, the YOUNGER ONES appear near the end of the lounge.) NO I CAN’T IMAGINE MY LIFE IF WE NEVER MET (The YOUNGER ONES take POCAHONTAS’ hand and lead her away from the bed. JOHN ROLFE and THOMAS continue to gaze at the spot where her body was. She gives one last look back, before the YOUNGER ONES lead her back to a rocky structure. John Rolfe and Thomas continue sitting by the bed as the lights fade on them.)
AHONE IN EVERY LIFE LOVE IS SHARED PASSES ON TOUCHES US INSIDE WE GO ON
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AND WE SURVIVE THAT’S HOW LOVE CHANGES THE PATH OF OUR LIVES (The TRIBE appears behind the scrim.)
TRIBE THERE IS A TALE THAT CAN BE TOLD AND IT COMES FROM A PART OF YOU THE LEGACY GOES ON (The scrim rises and the TRIBE moves forward. The ENGLISH move in behind them. POCAHONTAS stands high on a rock. The EAGLE surrounds her with its wings. The DANCERS circle the rock.) TO TOUCH THE WORLD.
NARRATORS HOW DIFFERENT WOULD YOUR LIFE BE WITHOUT THE PEOPLE ON YOUR JOURNEY? (JOHN SMITH and JOHN ROLFE appear on opposite sides of the stage. ROLFE holds THOMAS’ hand. POWHATAN and KEOKUM appear.)
COMPANY PASS ON YOUR STORY (IMAGINE A LIFE) REMEMBER YOUR HISTORY (IMAGINE A PEOPLE) IT’S PART OF THE LEGEND: THE PATH OF YOUR LIFE BLACKOUT CUE TRACK# 29 - CURTAIN CALL BOWS LET’S CELEBRATE THE LEGEND THAT LIVES INSIDE OF US THE LEGEND OF POCAHONTAS
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THE LEGEND OF POCAHONTAS!
