TIME BETWEEN TIMES
(A Halloween Play)
by Lee Widener
Characters:
FEN - A Faerie
GRUFF - A Female Troll
VARIAN - A Magician
COLWIN NAZAR - A Wizard
RIMA - A Witch
AN APPARITION
(This one is for Mr. Moundshroud,
Lantry, and of course, Ray.)
(SETTING: A cave beneath Stonehenge. The upstage center back wall of the
cave is carved into a fireplace. Above the fireplace is a wide mantle. The
wall above the mantle is smooth and flat. Upstage right is a worn tunnel
carved out of the wall, leading up and off. Upstage left is another tunnel,
this one leading off and down. Downstage right is a crude wooden table and
three wooden chairs with backs. The only light comes from a blue glow in
the fireplace. Pause. A shuffling is heard. After a moment a green glow
appears in the stage right tunnel. It grows brighter, and then FEN enters,
carrying a golden lantern. His clothing is roughly made, out of crude
materials, yet it is beautiful. He wears light brown trousers, a dull red
shirt, a long green overcoat with a hood, and green slippers. Three ornate
golden rings adorn his slim fingers. His form, his features, his
proportions, his blond hair, are all perfect. He studies the cave below
with an attitude of stoic enjoyment. His voice is melodic as he descends to
the table and recites.)
FEN
This is my night.
A night of unknown creatures
Lurking in the shadows,
And darkness the monarch.
For one night at least.
This is my time.
The time between times.
And those who journey forth
See things others cannot.
For a while, at least.
Dark figures do battle
In the eternal war
Greater than humankind
Would ever dare to dream.
I am one who fights.
Awake to the war
Most have no inkling of.
These are my friends.
The few who feel the same as I.
Alive for a night,
And merely watching other nights pass by.
This is my feeling
On the Hallowed Eve.
Each time it touches Earth,
I live again.
(He leaves the lantern on the table and works on he fire. Instead of
putting wood on it- in fact there is none- he bends over the fireplace,
makes a few passes with his hands, and it grows brighter, somewhat
illuminating the cave. It is not yet bright. We hear a steady plodding from
the stage left tunnel. Soon a dark, squat figure appears in the entrance.
This is GRUFF- a female troll. She is a little over five feet tall, and
nearly that wide. She is not really covered with fur, but is indeed very
hairy, a coarse brown hair in great abundance. The hair on her head is
tangled and matted. Her features are coarse, like her hair. She could be
chiselled from stone. She is barefoot and filthy- though it is hard to
tell, as both her skin and clothes are brown. She wears two items of
clothing- a ragged and ripped pair of pants, and a ragged shirt. She has a
primitive iron sword and leather pouch strapped to her waist. Her voice
is low and guttural.)
GRUFF
(Shielding her eyes.) Aww, it's bright in here! Is anyone there, then?
FEN
Yes, malodorous Gruff, I am here.
GRUFF
Ho! I might have knowed it was you lightin' this place up like a dragon's
den! (She comes down into the cave.)
FEN
It is hardly bright enough for decent folk to see their way. It is not my
fault you choose to spend all your time hiding underground.
GRUFF
I ain't hidin'. And you got no call to be talkin' like that. You 'n' me is
in the same boat.
FEN
The day you and I are seated in the same vessel will be momentous indeed.
Fortunately, I suspect it will never occur.
GRUFF
C'mon, Good Neighbor. I harbor no ill will agin' you. Why make it tough?
Let's have a truce. (She holds her hand out to FEN.)
FEN
While you are thankfully only a distant relation of the dwarves, and I hold
no animosity toward you as an individual, our blood keeps us apart as
unmistakably as that iron sword you wear.
GRUFF
Sorry, I fergot. (She unstraps the sword and leaves it up by the
fireplace.) But don't you think the day of the old hatreds is over?
FEN
I seem harsh. The choice, my friend, is not mine to make. The blood of my
line has been kept purposely and incontestably pure since before the dawn
of humankind. I have many sensitivities and perceptions you do not. I
cannot control the feelings I have for you. They flow in my veins.
GRUFF
Couldn't you at least pretend to like me? I may be a hulk, but I ain't no
brute.
FEN
Gruff, I do not hate you. For a troll you are quite acceptable. At times
you are even amusing. But we are not here for a social engagement.
GRUFF
(Smiling and pleased.) Sure, Fen.
FEN
(Suddenly alert.) Wait one second. Someone comes.
GRUFF
Huh? How do you know?
FEN
Can you not feel your hair standing on end?
GRUFF
My hair don't stand up.
(Suddenly there is a loud KABOOM, a flash of light, and a puff of smoke in
the stage right tunnel. There now stands a figure dressed as we would
expect in a high fantasy- long blue robes decorated with alchemical and
astrological symbols. The figure carries a large dog-eared book with papers
and markers sticking out of it. The figure's head is a candle-lit
jack-o-lantern with a maniacal grin carved on its face. The figure lurches
down toward FEN and GRUFF, then cannot hold back any longer and bursts into
laughter. It removes the jack-o-lantern and pops its real head into sight.
It is VARIAN. His greying hair is short cropped and he wears extremely
thick rimless glasses. VARIAN heads for the table, still laughing.)
GRUFF
Har, har, har! Best darn show I seen in a long time!
FEN
Really, Varian, I appreciate good theatrics as much as the next, but all
that smoke down here-
VARIAN
(Depositing the book on the table.) Hoo hoo hoo! Howdy, m' friends! Ready
for our annual nocturnal tryst? I hear this one's supposed to be
particularly formidable. I can hardly wait! Aught to be a bit of fun!
(VARIAN turns to take the pumpkin to the mantle and discovers COLWIN NAZAR
lurking in the shadows. COLWIN NAZAR is very tall and thin, dressed in all
black, including a black cloak. He has long black hair, pale skin, and eyes
sunk deep into their sockets. His voice is low and ominous.)
COLWIN NAZAR
I hardly think so, Varian of the powders, and philtres, and eternal
fidgeting.
VARIAN
Er, eh, hello, er, Nazar. (He nervously puts the pumpkin on the mantle,
hurries to the table, and sits.)
GRUFF
It figgers you would show up.
FEN
Welcome, greetings, and good tidings, prestigious Colwin Nazar.
COLWIN NAZAR
Enough civilities. Have we the complete circle?
VARIAN
Hard to tell, it's so blasted dark down here. I'm sorry Gruff- would you
mind, Nazar?
COLWIN NAZAR
Very well. (He makes a flourish with his hand and the lights come up. GRUFF
blinks and puts her hand over her eyes for a few seconds.)
VARIAN
Er, well, actually, there seems to be one missing. Are we to have the same
group?
COLWIN NAZAR
Only death brings replacement. You know that.
(A head peeks around corner of stage right tunnel. It is RIMA.)
RIMA
Sorry I'm late. Hope I haven't missed anything.
GRUFF
Rima! Good ta see ya!
(RIMA steps in. She is dressed in modern gypsy garb- long flowing skirt,
scarves, jewelry, sandles, head band. Her hair is very long, straight. She
carries a basket of fruit and there is a cloth satchel slung over her
shoulder. She comes down, sets the basket on the table, takes the satchel
off, sets it on the floor by the table, and gives GRUFF as big a hug as she
can manage.)
RIMA
Gruff- my favorite troll! You need a permanent, sister.
GRUFF
Aw, Rima- how ya been?
(RIMA crosses to FEN.)
FEN
Please- not after you've been in such close proximity to... THAT.
RIMA
Have it your way blond, gorgeous, and arrogant. You don't know what you're
missing. (She pulls a lock of FEN's hair. Behind her back VARIAN is
reaching out toward her. As if sensing this RIMA spins around and confronts
him.) Don't even think about it, you old coot! (She spies COLWIN NAZAR and
crosses to him.) How are you, Colly? Still tall, dark, and sour?
COLWIN NAZAR
Irresponsible. Something could have happened. Why are you late?
RIMA
(Taking the basket of fruit and placing it on the mantle.) Lighten up.
Everything's FINE. I was healing an old lady's quatratus plantae. Okay?
COLWIN NAZAR
You put an old woman's FOOT above... this?
RIMA
I enter all my endeavors with exactly the same amount of involvement-
total. I just lost track of the time. Sor - ry!
GRUFF
Aw, Rima, it's okay. Nazar's just bein' a grouch.
(RIMA makes a ritualistic gesture toward the basket of fruit, bows, and
mumbles a hurried prayer.)
RIMA
(Noticing the jack-o-lantern.) Nice jack. Yours, Varian?
VARIAN
Er, ah, yes.
COLWIN NAZAR
A child's amusement.
RIMA
(Mock surprise.) Nazar! Really! You aught to know that with the proper
incantations a jack-o-lantern is an excellent protective talisman.
COLWIN NAZAR
As I said, a child's amusement. That third rate puffer is undergoing his
fourth childhood.
RIMA
Would that we all could.
GRUFF
Yer just jealous 'cuz that pun'kin is better lookin' than you.
FEN
I hardly think you are one to comment in the category of attractiveness.
GRUFF
Why you smart mouthed little faerie!
FEN
At least there's something smart about me.
GRUFF
I aughta skwarsh you under my big toe!
RIMA
(Coming between them.) C'mon, c'mon, you two. We're all buddies here. I
hope.
FEN
Bah. Is even saving a world worth tolerating this subterranean simpleton
for?
COLWIN NAZAR
Please. We go through this every year.
RIMA
For once, Nazar is right.
FEN
In ages long past one could go for a century and never lay eyes on a troll,
let alone a dwarf or goblin. Tell me what I did to deserve being confined
in this dark and dank cavern ONCE A YEAR with this uncouth, boorish,
barbaric, bungling, bloated, banal, APE!
GRUFF
(Throws her hands in the air, eyes bug out, and she launches herself at
FEN.) Arrrrrrrrgh!
RIMA
(Holding GRUFF back.) Wait a minute! COOL IT!
VARIAN
(Scrambling through his pockets.) Nose of newt and mole,
Smell what attacks.
Stop this mountain troll
Dead in her tracks.
(He blows a bluish powder on GRUFF, who stops, frozen, her arms in the
air.)
RIMA
Whew! Thanks, Varian!
FEN
(Standing face to face with the frozen GRUFF.) At last your volume of
activity coincides with your mental capacity- none! This is quite
enjoyable. All right, you stuffed baboon- (He puts his thumbs in his ears,
sticks out his tongue, and does a little dance around GRUFF.) Who is your
tailor, the Wild Man of Borneo? When was the last time you took a bath- the
turn of the millennium? Ever hear the one about the three trolls who were
challenged to a battle of wits by a moron? It seems the moron was too smart
for them-
RIMA
Varian?
VARIAN
Er, yes, very well-
Let's have unheard of
Blissful quiet hence-
A little bit of faerie silence!
(He clamps his hand over his mouth and points at FEN, who falls silent, and
is furious. As long as this spell lasts, VARIAN must remain pointing at
FEN, with his hand over his mouth.)
RIMA
Listen, you two. You're both acting like a couple of brownies. We've got
important business to take care of tonight, and we need all the good karma
we can get. Try not to let your bloodstreams get out of hand. Gruff, I
thought you didn't care for the old hatreds. I know this little faerie is a
smart-ass, but you aught to know enough not to let him get to you. Fen, if
you're of such superior breeding you aught to be above all this. Why don't
you use your brains to avoid childish confrontations instead of causing
them? Is the Time Between the Times addling both your brains? Watch it. Or
I'll have Varian change you both into cows- and Fen, you're much cuter this
way.
(With a flourish, VARIAN changes position, nullifying the silence spell.
FEN breathes easier. VARIAN snaps his fingers in GRUFF's ear, freeing her.)
FEN
Gruff, poor lout, I must apologize. I am sorry. I do not mean to be so
spiteful, but I too have learned that this year's struggle is to be
especially formidable. In these times the veil grows particularly thin.
VARIAN
My visions were correct?
FEN
For many ages our annual watch on the eve of Samhain has been merely
routine. The veil between the worlds has been steady, and held firm. This
year is different. I feel it already. Things look bleak. The growing
forces of evil in this world call to the dead who have passed into Tir nan
Og. Something calls to them, or something leads them. I sense some circles
have already met defeat. Their failure not only worries me, but joined to
the Earth as I am, it weakens me. I am sorry. I am quite edgy. Gruff, my
hand...
GRUFF
Hrumph. (She takes it anyway.)
VARIAN
Now I'M worried. (He sits at table.)
RIMA
(With less than full conviction.) No need to worry. (She sits at table.)
Got anything in those pockets for a nervous witch?
VARIAN
(A smile and a twinkle in his eye.) Just the thing. (He produces a paper
packet that contains several small greenish cakes. He pops one in his
mouth.) My latest concoction. Have one.
RIMA
What is it?
(GRUFF joins them at the table.)
VARIAN
(A chuckle.) That's a secret. It's the proportions, really. A combination
of common garden herbs-
COLWIN NAZAR
Common is correct. Should you be ingesting substances like that at a time
like this? So much is at stake.
VARIAN
What? Eh? Oh- eh... It's herbs, just herbs. Organic even. No effect on the
motor senses, reactions, vision. Does nothing harmful at all. All it does
is center you. Focus. I considered marketing it- the world certainly needs
it. If only it weren't for the Magician's Oath- never divulge your
secrets.
COLWIN NAZAR
Bah- the only law one should follow is the quest for knowledge.
RIMA
(Mock amazement.) Really, Nazar? How does protecting the world from hoards
of the dead qualify as "the quest for knowledge?"
COLWIN NAZAR
Insolent. If there were no world, how would I learn from it?
RIMA
Well, I love the Earth. She is my mother. I defend her out of love.
GRUFF
Haw! Yer both soft. I'm in the circle 'cuz I don't wanna die.
RIMA
What's your angle on being here, Fen? For all you talk, you never say much
about yourself.
FEN
I AM the Earth you love. Each blow against her harms me. All of Earth's
true creatures are already weakened in this day and age. This invasion on
Samhain could mean extinction. For everything.
(Pause.)
VARIAN
Er, ah, uh... I certainly don't wish to die... The quest for knowledge
leads me, that's true... And I dearly love this globe...
COLWIN NAZAR
Confused, as always.
RIMA
Well, it's about time we got started. (She picks up her cloth satchel and
crosses to the fireplace. She turns her back on the others and kneels
before the fire. Slowly, deliberately, carefully, she takes objects out of
the satchel and lays them in a semi-circle before the fire. There are white
stones, carved figurines, crystals, sprigs of oak, ash, and thorn trees,
dried sage, white and red roses, amulets, pouches.)
VARIAN
Um, it's the waiting I hate. I can't stand it when nothing happens.
COLWIN NAZAR
You are a fool. Be thankful for the calm while we have it.
(Quietly RIMA begins to chant, her back still turned. When the others join
the chant, they do not look at her, or at each other. It is as if they are
each in their own world, even though they are chanting in unison.)
RIMA
We sing to you
Oh Mother Of All
Come join us here
Dear Goddess, dear Earth
GRUFF, VARIAN, COLWIN NAZAR, FEN
Come join us here.
RIMA
Help us this night
Our Mother Of Love
Send us your strength
Our Mother, Our Earth
GRUFF, VARIAN, COLWIN NAZAR, FEN
Send us your strength.
RIMA
Protect us this night
Oh Goddess, Oh Earth
Let love be our power
Dear Goddess, help us
GRUFF, VARIAN, COLWIN NAZAR, FEN
Let love be our power.
Dear Goddess, help us.
(As if to punctuate, a large chunk of the mantle falls, nearly hitting
RIMA. She stares at it in astonishment. GRUFF goes to the piece of stone
and feels it.)
GRUFF
Eow! It's hot!
VARIAN
(Shaking his head.) Ohhh... I don't like this!
COLWIN NAZAR
An ill omen. This cave has remained unchanged for eons.
FEN
Longer than I can recall...
COLWIN NAZAR
This is the First Manifestation - and it's a serious one. The veil must
indeed be thin this year.
RIMA
Wait a sec. Don't get all freaked out. This is an old cave. Something's
bound to happen to it, sooner or later.
FEN
Shining one- you know as well as the rest of us- this year's watch is to be
particularly momentous. We must be prepared. The Shield of Skathach has
lowered. We must be prepared for anything.
(A rock falls from the ceiling and hits GRUFF.)
GRUFF
Ow! Why you takin' it out on me, Evil One? Watch it, ya old nix!
(Another rock falls from the ceiling.)
COLWIN NAZAR
This is not good. It's happening too fast. Someone to the fire.
RIMA
I'll take first watch.
(She crosses back to fire, kneels down and begins mumbling incantations.
More rocks fall from the ceiling, coming faster and faster.)
COLWIN NAZAR
It is beginning. Quick, Rima, the toast.
RIMA
(Distracted.) Oh, I'm sorry, Colwin. I forgot.
(She digs in her satchel and pulls out a goblet and a bottle of homemade
wine. Hurriedly, she pours wine into the goblet.)
RIMA
Good stuff this year. I was lucky. (More rocks falling. Some are hitting
their marks. RIMA, holding the goblet in her left hand, raises it for a
toast.) We pray to you, oh Great Goddess. (She drinks and then passes the
goblet to GRUFF.)
GRUFF
(Raising the goblet.) Let the forces of Samhain beware! (She drinks, and
then passes the goblet to VARIAN, who takes it with his left hand.)
VARIAN
Um... Um... Protect us all this night. (He drinks, passes to FEN, who takes
it with his left hand.)
FEN
Allow us to serve you, Our Mother Goddess. We love you with heart and soul.
(He drinks and passes goblet to COLWIN NAZAR, who takes it with his left
hand.)
COLWIN NAZAR
Help us drive our enemies away. (He drinks and passes goblet back to RIMA,
who takes it with both hands.)
(RIMA holds the goblet in her right hand, pours the leftover wine over her
left hand, and sprinkles the drops over the fire. Immediately the fire
grows much brighter, and abruptly the rocks quit falling. The cave is
littered with golf ball sized rocks.)
RIMA
(With relief.) Thank you, Goddess.
VARIAN
Er... What i saw was right - this year's conflict is to be ... um...
(Picking up a rock.) HARDER than usual.
GRUFF
Har! Har! Har! That's a good one, Varian!
FEN
I fear that was nothing, compared to what is in store. They were merely
testing us.
COLWIN NAZAR
You are correct.
VARIAN
Well, anyway, let's get these rocks picked up. (VARIAN, GRUFF, and FEN
gather up the rocks and put them in a pile by the wall. RIMA kneels again
by the fire- back on watch again.)
COLWIN NAZAR
(To RIMA.) Are you all right, young one?
RIMA
What? Oh- yah. Don't worry about me, gruesome. Just caught off guard.
COLWIN NAZAR
That could well be a fatal mistake this eve. Keep that well in mind.
RIMA
Okay, okay - I'm all right. It won't happen again. Now YOU'RE distracting
me.
(FEN, GRUFF, and VARIAN have piled all the rocks, and the chunk from the
mantle, against the upstage right wall.)
FEN
I smell something burning. Old leather.
VARIAN
Old leather? (His eyes immediately go to the table, and his book. The book
is smoldering.) My grimoire! (He runs and snatches it from the table.)
Ouch! (He drops it.) It's magic! It's magic! That's too hot for normal
fire. Besides - it's supposed to be protected! Somebody put it out!
(GRUFF crosses to book and touches it.)
GRUFF
Eow! That's just what that chunk from th' mantle felt like.
FEN
(Coming forward.) I can help. (He takes off his coat and wraps it around
the book.) I will not elaborate on the genealogy of this raiment - it is
far older than you would believe. The one who made it was well nigh a god
himself. Even Samhain magic could not harm it. (He unwraps the book.) There
- it has stopped burning. (He hands the book to VARIAN. Its back has been
singed. There is a hole burnt partways through the book. Gingerly, VARIAN
takes the book and examines it.)
VARIAN
(Clutching the book in his arms and rocking back and forth on his knees,
almost in tears.) This book is old, too. Maybe not in your terms, but to a
mortal... Copied by a Roman scholar from the... from the... well, I can't
tell you-
FEN
(Putting his hand on VARIAN's shoulder.) I know friend, I know.
VARIAN
It's the last of the original grimoires- not many know that. I worked hard
to earn it... The secrets it holds... I was TRUSTED... trusted...
(COLWIN NAZAR comes forward.)
COLWIN NAZAR
Varian- control. You can't afford to show weakness at this moment. We're
trusting you NOW. Don't let the dead enter through you.
VARIAN
Euh... right. Of course. I, um, apologize. (He gets up, still holding the
book.) I'll be okay. Even those who have passed over would not do this. The
denizens of Tir nan Og are not, uh, malicious. Even on this night, when the
shield is lowered, they only want to, eh, talk to relatives, play a few
pranks. Nothing this harmful. Someone is organising them,leading them.
Whoever that is will pay for this.
GRUFF
That's the spirit - we'll lick 'im yet!
FEN
What is that noise?
GRUFF
I don't hear nothin'.
(A high pitched, eerie chattering comes from the stage left tunnel. Seconds
later it is followed by the appearance of a strange creature. It looks
vaguely like a squirrel- except it is three and a half feet tall and has a
bizarre, ghostly quality to it. It remains in the tunnel entrance, bobbing
and weaving as it chatters, making beckoning gestures at FEN.)
RIMA
How cute! What is it?
FEN
I have not seen one in eons. It is a faerie creature - the magical ancestor
of your modern day squirrels. They have been extinct for thousands of
years. (He takes an apple from the basket of fruit on the mantle and
approaches the creature. It makes happy, excited motions and chatters
louder.)
COLWIN NAZAR
Fen- have sense. Stay back.
FEN
Nonsense, Colwin. My father kept scores of these creatures as pets. (He
reaches the creature. It takes the apple and lets FEN pet it. FEN scratches
it above the eyes. He looks at he creature longingly, lovingly.) My dear,
you fill me with joy. You remind me of the old days - when ones such as us
could openly trod upon the Earth. Whatever happened? How did it change?
Where did all the magic go? (Suddenly the creature shrieks and bites FEN on
the shoulder, drawing blood. FEN cries out and falls to the tunnel floor.
The creature tugs at his arm, attempting to drag FEN down the tunnel.)
COLWIN NAZAR
Back, you nix! (He makes a powerful gesture at the creature, which produces
an explosion in the tunnel behind it, but has no effect on the creature.
The creature looks at COLWIN NAZAR and snarls. It lowers its head and bites
FEN on the wrist, again drawing blood. FEN, who seems to be in a coma,
cries out.)
GRUFF
Lay off, ya piece o' demon crap! (She picks up a couple of rocks and throws
them at the creature. They have no effect.) I said ta leave 'im alone! (She
grabs her sword and rushes at the creature. The creature sees GRUFF and
attempts to run, but it is too late. It retreats down the tunnel, but GRUFF
is upon it. She stabs the thing and carries the limp corpse back into the
cave. It now seems flimsy and devoid of substance. GRUFF shakes the corpse
and roars with outrage.) Ya low-life bogie! Join yer master! (In disgust
she throws it in the fireplace.)
RIMA
Varian- to the fire. I'll see what I can do for Fen.
(VARIAN, still clutching his book, seats himself by the fire and starts
performing his own rituals of protection. COLWIN NAZAR and GRUFF bring FEN
down center, laying him on the floor. RIMA brings down her satchel and
attends to him.)
RIMA
(Wiping FEN's forehead with a cloth, cleaning the blood off.) It's bad. His
body's in such a precarious balance anyway- and he was in a weakened state.
If we weren't beneath such a vital spot I don't know if he would have any
power at all. The poor dear. If he dies... How many of the Good Folk are
left? The world will be much poorer without his magic. (She has wrapped his
wrist and bandaged his shoulder. She takes a crystal out of her satchel and
kisses it, presses it to her forehead, then to her heart.) Varian, I need
you.
VARIAN
Er, uh, um- yes, uh- Gruff?
(GRUFF strides to the fireplace, slaps her hand on the mantle, and stares
into the fire. VARIAN crosses to RIMA, fumbling in his pockets. He pulls
forth a handful of powdered herbs and a vial of liquid. He uncorks the vial
and pours the liquid inside over the herbs. He stands at FEN's head.)
VARIAN
Uh... ready.
RIMA
(Pressing the crystal to FEN's stomach.) Spirit of the Earth, remember.
(VARIAN begins walking in a circle around FEN, counterclockwise, sprinkling
the herbs in the air. All told, VARIAN makes three circles around FEN. RIMA
now presses the crystal to FEN's forehead.) Rhea, Erda, Hertha, Hulda, I
call to you. (She presses the crystal to FEN's heart.) Open wide the gate
of life. (She presses the crystal to FEN's lips.) Secret of the Earth,
remember. Rhea, Erda, Hertha, Hulda, I call to you. (VARIAN has completed
the circles and once more stands at FEN's head. He sprinkles the rest of
the herbs in FEN's hair. RIMA removes the crystal from FEN's lips, bends
over him, and gently kisses him. A long, soft, desperate kiss. It is not
sensual at all. Slowly, slowly, FEN's hand rises to take RIMA's. As soon as
she feels FEN's touch, she grabs his hand and kisses it, desperately,
passionately.)
VARIAN
Er, uh... Oh, Goddess, thank you.
(FEN opens his eyes and smiles. RIMA grabs him and hugs him.)
RIMA
Fen!
FEN
(Barely audible.) Thank you, lady.
WOMAN'S VOICE
(On tape.) Well done, daughter.
RIMA
What?
WOMAN'S VOICE
I said, well done.
RIMA
M-mother?
WOMAN'S VOICE
Yes, Susan dear, you've done the Craft proud.
RIMA
M-mom?
WOMAN'S VOICE
YES DEAR- why is it so hard to believe?
RIMA
You're dead...
WOMAN'S VOICE
We both know there is no death.
RIMA
You know what I mean.
WOMAN'S VOICE
In years past you often heard me converse with souls that others would call
dead.
RIMA
Why now? Why do you come now? Why haven't you contacted me before? I've
tried-
WOMAN'S VOICE
I have an important message for you.
RIMA
What?
WOMAN'S VOICE
Give up the watch.
RIMA
WHAT?
WOMAN'S VOICE
Give up the watch.
RIMA
Mom! I can't believe you're saying this. You took part in the watch since
before I was born.
WOMAN'S VOICE
It's over. There is no more use for it.
RIMA
No- I can't believe this.
WOMAN'S VOICE
Believe it, daughter dear. Susan. The times are changing.
RIMA
I know that, but-
WOMAN'S VOICE
There is no evil. The dead rest in peace. I wouldn't lie to you. You know
that, don't you?
RIMA
Yes, but-
WOMAN'S VOICE
Fill your heart with love. Listen to your mother. Didn't I always steer you
right?
RIMA
But-
WOMAN'S VOICE
(Angry.) Listen to me! Do I have to give you a spanking?
RIMA
(So distraught she can no longer fight.) No, mom. Don't yell.
WOMAN'S VOICE
Good girl. Forget the watch. Leave these misguided souls behind. Don't you
have anything better to do with your life?
COLWIN NAZAR
(Coming to RIMA's side.) Fight back, Rima. That's not your mother.
WOMAN'S VOICE
Don't fight. Don't be so negative. Love one another. Isn't that right?
RIMA
Yes, that's right.
WOMAN'S VOICE
Love is all you need.
RIMA
Love is all you need.
WOMAN'S VOICE
You love me, don't you, dear?
RIMA
Yes, I love-
COLWIN NAZAR
(Shaking RIMA and putting his hand over her mouth.) Don't say it! That's
not your mother!
WOMAN'S VOICE
Who do you trust, Susan? Your own mother, or some practitioner of the black
arts? He doesn't even worship the Goddess!
RIMA
(Sobbing.) I don't know. I don't know...
WOMAN'S VOICE
Forget the watch. Leave. Go above. You don't need these fools-
COLWIN NAZAR
Rima! Your mother is dead! She's been dead for five years! She never spoke
to you before! It's a trick!
WOMAN'S VOICE
Would I trick you, darling? I love you. Tell me you love me.
COLWIN NAZAR
(Putting his hand over RIMA's mouth and screaming at her.) This is not your
mother! Pull yourself together!
RIMA
It's because the veil is thin! She can reach me now because we're between
times.
WOMAN'S VOICE
Don't you love me?
COLWIN NAZAR
(Softer, pleading.) Rima- remember your mother. She was one of us. She
wouldn't tell you to abandon the watch. She knew. She knew what it meant.
Ask her. Ask her.
RIMA
That's right. Tell me, mom. Tell me what the watch meant.
WOMAN'S VOICE
Tell me you love me. Tell me you love me.
COLWIN NAZAR
Persist.
RIMA
Mother, please answer me.
WOMAN'S VOICE
Susan, I love you. Don't you love me?
RIMA
Why won't you answer me?
WOMAN'S VOICE
Tell me you love me!
RIMA
(Quietly.) We need the watch now, more than ever. You're not my mother.
WOMAN'S VOICE
But I love you, Su-
RIMA
(Bursting into tears.) Stop using her voice! Stop it... Stop it... you
bastard!
(Now five different voices break in. They overlap, repeating over and over,
non-stop, producing a cacophony. Each of the characters recognizes one of
the voices, picks that voice out, and responds to it.)
VOICES
You reject me, Susan? But I love you! ... Aw, my little hob- I misses ya
so... Varian- careful- you'll break your neck!... Fen, you must always,
always, maintain the dignity of the Good Folk... My friend, never lose
sight of your purpose... You reject me,-
GRUFF
Is that you, Furd?
VOICES
Susan? But I love you!... Aw, my little hob, I misses ya so... Varian-
careful- you'll break your neck!... Fen, you must always, always, maintain
the dignity of the Good Folk... My friend, ne-
FEN
Father?
VOICES
ver lose sight of your purpose... You reject me, Susan? But I love you!...
Aw, my little hob, I misses ya so... Varian- careful- you'll break your
neck!... Fen, you must always-
VARIAN
My... my... nanny?
VOICES
always, maintain the dignity of the Good Folk... My friend, never lose
sight of your purpose... You reject me, Susan? But I love you!... Aw, my
little hob, I misses ya so... Varian- careful- you'll break your neck!...
COLWIN NAZAR
All of you! Listen to me! You know what's happening! Tell them! Tell them
you see through their subterfuge!
(All of them, more or less simultaneously-)
FEN
Forsake this holy spot, misguided spirits, and take your phantoms with you!
Fly! Away! Etc...
GRUFF
Get lost, ya fakes! Go back ta yer own realm! This one heerz fer
respectable folk! Etc...
VARIAN
Oh... Oh... By all that's holy and true, leave the dead lie where they
may! Profane not their memories with your deceitful ruses! Etc...
RIMA
Get lost! Jerk! Creep! Asshole! Etc...
COLWIN NAZAR
Away! Begone! You are discovered! Etc...
(The voices fade out and all is blissfully silent. Pause.)
FEN
I must rest. (He stumbles over to the table and collapses into one of the
chairs.)
VARIAN
Me too. (He sits on the floor, leaning against the wall.)
COLWIN NAZAR
Everyone remain alert. This is not over yet.
RIMA
Will you cool it? Who made you boss, anyway?
COLWIN NAZAR
If we slip now, it could be our downfall.
FEN
(Raising his head.) I hear it. Something is coming.
(Without warning, the cave fills with a terrible high-pitched undulating
noise, and shadowy figures flit across the cave. FEN and VARIAN cover their
ears and wince at the sound. The shadowy figures continue to dart back and
forth, bringing great pain to whoever they touch.)
FEN
The shadows!
VARIAN
Oh no!
FEN
I cannot take much more of this. (He attempts to hide under the table.)
RIMA
Nazar, what do we do?
COLWIN NAZAR
Shadows? Well-
VARIAN
Wait- I know! (Fumbling through his book.) It's right here... Yes!
(Hurriedly reading to himself.) Of course. Em, light! Light, to chase away
shadows. Everyone, to the, ah, fire. Fen, bring your lantern. (They all
rush to the fire. FEN brings his lantern, and gives it to VARIAN, who
places it on the center of the mantle.) Everyone form a line. Clasp hands.
(They form a line in front of the fire, facing downstage, VARIAN in the
middle.) Now, everyone close your eyes and call the light. (All this time,
the undulating noise, loud. Shadows still darting about, hurting those they
touch.)
To chase away the shadow
We need to fight!
To set things all aglow-
We call the light!
Now!
(They all slowly raise their clasped hands in the air- bringing the level
of the light up with them as they go. The fire also glows brighter. As
their hands reach the highest point the cave is bathed in a bright yellow
light, wiping away the shadows. The noise fades away. They open their eyes
and smile.)
RIMA
We did it! Far out!
(But there is no calm. Without intermission the stage begins to buckle and
shake, to the accompaniment of the sound of huge rocks breaking and
crashing. The lights flicker and become dimmer.)
GRUFF
Don't these spirits ever stop?
(The noise and the buckling become more violent. FEN is now the fire's
guardian.)
VARIAN
How- how- how- can we ever get out of this? He'll bring the cave crashing
down around us!
FEN
Buried alive- so far from the sun...
COLWIN NAZAR
This is dark magic indeed
GRUFF
This one's easy. I know 'bout caves. I need m' sword. (She begins to cross
to the table, where she left her sword, but halfway there discovers she is
rooted to the ground.) Wait a darn minnit! I'm stuck! Aww, c'mon! Really- I
can't move!
VARIAN
We're lost.
COLWIN NAZAR
No.
(Slowly, as if pushing against a great force, and battling the floor
buckling below him, COLWIN NAZAR crosses to GRUFF. He puts his shoulder to
GRUFF's back, and with all his might, pushes. As he pushes, we hear a
scream in the air. Finally he pushes GRUFF from the spot, releasing the
spell, and collapses on the floor. GRUFF crosses the rest of the way to her
sword, grabs it and brandishes it above her head.)
GRUFF
By the mystery and the secret and the power of the dwellers within the
Earth, I defy the powers of the dead! (She plunges the sword into the stone
floor. A scream is heard and a section of the cave stops buckling. The
sound of rending stone decreases. Confidently, GRUFF strides to another
part of the cave.) Let's try it agin! (She plunges the sword into the stone
floor again, with the same results- another scream, decreased noise,
another section of the cave becomes still. Only the middle of the cave is
left buckling and shaking. GRUFF plants herself directly center stage and
raises her sword high overhead with both hands.) To all ya dead spirits,
an' whoever's makin' ya do this tonight- you ain't never been no match fer
life an' ya never will be! (Triumphantly, she plunges the sword into the
floor. A long scream and the whole stage is still. GRUFF laughs with
exhilaration. I knew that sword would come in handy agin someday.
(There are simultaneous explosions in both tunnels and the fireplace. A
large, bizarre, distorted face appears on the flat wall above the
fireplace. It speaks in a loud, booming, distorted, voice.)
RIMA
Who-
(RIMA, FEN, GRUFF, and VARIAN back away from the fire, which is now left
unattended.)
APPARITION
SO! YOU HAVE FORCED ME TO APPEAR! REGRET IT YOU WILL! WHAT? ARE YOU AL
AFRAID? WILL IT BE THAT EASY?
COLWIN NAZAR
(Advancing on the image.) No, it will not be easy. I'll stand against you.
RIMA
Nazar- what is that?
COLWIN NAZAR
Gwynn ap Nudd. A god. Of the dead.
APPARITION
SO YOU KNOW ME, BRAVE COLWIN NAZAR. AND HOW DO I THREATEN YOU? WHAT IS YOUR
FATAL FLAW? YOU ALWAYS KNOW WHAT TO DO, DON'T YOU? WELL, LET'S SEE HOW YOU
DO ON YOUR OWN! (A hand joins the face on the wall. One by one it points at
FEN, GRUFF, VARIAN, and RIMA, rendering them unconscious.) ALONE NOW,
COLWIN NAZAR! YOU HAVE MY COMPLETE ATTENTION! OF ALL THE CIRCLES ON THE
EARTH THAT STAND AGAINST ME TONIGHT, YOU ALONE COMMAND THE ATTENTION OF THE
GOD OF THE DEAD.
COLWIN NAZAR
I am worthy.
APPARITION
I LIKE YOU. WE ARE ALIKE. WOULDN'T YOU RATHER JOIN ME THAN FIGHT? THINK OF
THE POWER!
COLWIN NAZAR
I have power. (He raises his hand to cast a spell, but with a mere gesture,
the APPARITION freezes the arm in mid-motion. COLWIN NAZAR struggles
against the spell mightily.)
APPARITION
DO YOU? AND WHAT IS THIS? (The APPARITION raises his hand and makes a
pushing mothin. COLWIN NAZAR is forced farther and farther downstage.) LOOK
AT YOUR LITTLE FIRE NOW! (He gestures toward the fire below him. It
noticeably fades.)
COLWIN NAZAR
No.
(Abruptly, COLWIN NAZAR spins about, facing downstage. He forms a cup with
his hands, closes his eyes, and turns his face upward. A blue glow appears
in his hands. Slowly, against a great force, he backs upstage, toward the
fireplace.)
APPARITION
WHAT'S THIS? YOU SEEK TO REPLENISH YOUR FEEBLE FLAME? TO NO AVAIL, I FEAR.
(COLWIN NAZAR has stopped. He is trembling. An intense red light is
covering him, forcing him to the floor. The others are awakening.)
FEN
Nazar- we must help him...
RIMA
No, there is nothing we can do.
APPARITION
AND NOW RISE, PROUD COLWIN NAZAR! (Painfully, COLWIN NAZAR rises. His blue
glow is gone.) TURN AND FACE ME! (He does so. An eerie, discordant music
begins to play.) DO YOU HEAR THE MUSIC, COLWIN NAZAR? I WANT YOU TO DANCE!
DANCE! (COLWIN NAZAR dances a stiff dance, controlled by the APPARITION.)
LOOK AT YOU! WHERE IS YOUR PRIDE NOW? YOU'RE JUST AS BIG A FOOL AS THEY
ARE, NAZAR! AND THEY CAN ALL SEE! (The APPARITION laughs maniacally. COLWIN
NAZAR dances over to GRUFF's sword. He grabs it and stabs himself- first in
the left lower leg, then in the right lower leg. Blood flows. Sobbing
uncontrollably, he falls to the floor. Music stops.)
COLWIN NAZAR
I'll... not be... controlled... Even by... you.
APPARITION
(He laughs again.) BUT WHAT HAVE YOU DONE? LOOK AT YOUR FIRE NOW! YOUR FIRE
THAT HASN'T STOPPED BURNING IN EONS! THE FIRE THAT KEEPS THE DEAD AT BAY!
(All eyes turn to the fire. It goes down another two notches. The
APPARITION laughs again.)
GRUFF
Ya wretched-hearted wraith! Ya might've used up our magic, but we still got
our lives! (She runs across the stage and jumps into the fireplace.)
COLWIN NAZAR
Gruff... no... no... we are beaten...
APPARITION
NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
(All the lights on stage go out, including the fire.)
VARIAN
The fire has gone out!
(The face on the wall changes to a scene of GRUFF grappling with the
APPARITION. We hear their voices from offstage or on tape.)
GRUFF
Now I've got ya, ya stuck-up spectre!
APPARITION
YOU IDIOT BUMPKIN! YOU'VE SEALED YOUR OWN FATE!
(Sound effects come in- the sounds of a mystic battle. The image of the two
wrestling flits about the wall, growing and shrinking in size. Lights flash
about them, etc.)
GRUFF
If I take ya down with me, it's worth it!
APPARITION
YOUUUUUUUUUUUU! YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING!
GRUFF
I know 'zactly what I'm doin'! (She bashes the APPARITION a mighty bash on
the head. The two of them grow smaller and sink off the bottom of the
wall.) My friends- Goddess be with ya!
APPARITION
Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
(All sound effects fade out. It is pitch black onstage. Silence. Pause.
Suddenly, the fire begins to glow again. A good, steady, bright blue glow.
We can see GRUFF's figure in the fireplace. She seems to be sleeping.)
RIMA
Nazar, some light.
COLWIN NAZAR
What? ... Oh, yes. (He makes a feeble gesture and brings the light up about
half. RIMA creeps to the fireplace and peers in.)
RIMA
Gruff? Gruff? (Stricken.) Oh, Goddess, help me...
VARIAN
What, um is it? (He crosses to fireplace.) Oh... um... she's... she's
turned to stone.
FEN
What?
(FEN crosses to fireplace. COLWIN NAZAR struggles up to the table and sits
in one of the chairs, his head in his hands.)
RIMA
Here, let's get her out.
(They tug and pull, and manage to get the stone GRUFF out of the
fireplace.) They stand her up like a statue.)
VARIAN
The bravest one of us all.
RIMA
How could it be? How could it be? She lived so long? It's like the Earth
dying.
FEN
The Earth IS dying.
COLWIN NAZAR
Get me out of here.
RIMA
Oh- Nazar! Let me see to those wounds! (She rushes to him.)
COLWIN NAZAR
Leave them be. They are healing already. Just get me out of here. Did we
win anything today? Are we the victors?
RIMA
(She stands, takes his face in her hands, looks in his eyes.) We won. The
fire is burning. We won. (She kisses him on the forehead.) Wait right
there. (She runs to her cloth satchel and takes out some roses.) I didn't
know why I wanted to bring these. (She crosses to the statue and places the
roses in GRUFF's arms. She then returns to COLWIN NAZAR, helps him up, puts
his arm around her shoulder, her arm around his waist.) Let's go. The sun
should be coming up by now. (To the rest.) See you next year. (She and
COLWIN NAZAR exit through the stage right tunnel.)
VARIAN
Oh, er, um... (Fumbling, he finds GRUFF's sword and places it at her feet.
He starts to exit, remembers something, shuffles back down into the cave,
gets his book, looks at FEN.) Er, ah... yes, well, ah... (He exits.)
FEN
The Earth IS dying. Gruff, you and I, we ARE the Earth. With your death, a
part of the Earth has died, and a part of ME has died. (Tears in his eyes.)
My dear friend. I never told you. I love you... (He touches the statue.)
How will we survive? We did not win. Year after year, slowly, we are
losing- you and I. Soon I will follow you.
(FEN collects his lantern and exits. Slow fade out, leaving only the blue
glow from the fireplace illuminating GRUFF.)
THANK YOU FOR READING
DON'T LET THIS BE THE
END
WARNING: THE ENTIRE CONTENTS OF THE SCRIPT "Time Between Times" IS
COPYRIGHT (c)1997 BY LEE WIDENER, AND MAY
NOT BE REPRODUCED, EITHER IN
PRINT, OR ELECTRONICALLY,
IN ANY MANNER, OR IN ANY FORM, WITHOUT
THE
WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE AUTHOR. LEE WIDENER MAY BE CONTACTED AT:
xperrymental@hotmail.com