E. Salvador Chapman » beyond and before: where you will be?

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Script Type: Ceremonial Theater – 45 to 60 minutes

Editing

Synopsis:

The Spirit of the Eagle and Azeban the Trickster tell the story of Simon, A mute teen-age boy in an abusive home, who is trying to escape his situation. After an episode with his step-father, Simon reaches out to his girlfriend, Lily, an exuberant teenager who hosts a Native American music podcast in hopes that people will be uplifted. Lily, her mother, Helen and Simon take a final stand against Simon’s abuser in hopes to change Simon’s destiny.

Setting:

A small town in New Hampshire on Route 28

Simon’s house and Simon’s bedroom
Lily’s house and Lily’s bedroom
a hospital room
a space outside underneath the stars of New Hampshire

Themes:

Escaping Abusive Situations
Strength of Women
Reclaiming One’s Power
Reclaiming One’s Culture

Cast of Characters: 4 Females, 2 Males, 3 Any Gender

Lily – 16 to 17 year-old – Native American – Lily is an exuberant 16-17 year old girl who loves life. She has started a podcast showcasing Native American music and puts it on regardless if people are listening. She is optimistic though she understands the reality of life as well. Lily absolutely adores Simon and wants to protect him whenever possible.

Simon – 16 to 17 year-old – Native American – Simon is a mute 16-17 year old. He feels people have trouble expressing himself due to not being able to speak. He loves his mother, Angel, though doesn’t understand why she allows his step-father to abuse them both. Simon has inner-strength, but has not found it yet.

Helen – 35 to 45 year-old – Native American – Helen is Lily’s mother who is an old friend of Angel, Simon’s mother. Lily knows about Simon’s home situation but is helpless to do anything. Helen is discovering more about her Native American heritage and finds solace within the ceremonies and teachings.

Angel – 35 to 45 year-old – Native American – Angel is Simon’s mother. Angel is addicted to drugs and alcohol trying to subdue the pain of abuse from her husband. Angel cares for Simon, but is too high to do anything for him.

Andrew – 40 to 50 year-old – Native American – Andrew is Simon’s step-father and Angels’ husband. To feel superior, Andrews physically abuses his son because he thinks Simon can’t talk.

Officer 1 – Any age adult – Any Race – Officer 1 is a competent police officer but understands very little about Native American life.

Officer 2 – Any age adult – Any Race – Officer 2 is a competent police officer, but understands very little about Native American life.

Spirit of the Eagle (Dancer) – 20 to 40 year-old – Native American – The Spirit of the Eagle is a dancer who interludes between the action on the stage. She represents balance, flow and unity among the people on the stage.

Azeban (Raccoon Puppet) – Any Age – Any Race – Azeban (Raccoon) is a trickster animal. He is portrayed by a puppet but has a wily personality. Azeban teaches lessons and portends things to come which may be dangerous.

Inspiration:

This was an original idea created from a writing prompt about Ceremonial Theater, a Native American art form.

Excerpt:

EXT. UNDER THE STARS
LIGHTS UP!
A drum beat sounds as the 1st and 3rd beat of a four count. A lone female dancer, SPIRIT OF THE EAGLE, draped in a shawl reminiscent of eagle wings should be resting center stage. A guitar slowly plays a simple chord progression: bm – D – G- em or another simple 4 chord progression created by the cast. The ANGEL and HELEN come on stage and sing a simple vocable created by the cast. This song should be easily understood and teachable. ANGEL and HELEN teach the audience the song while the following takes place.
As the music continues the SPIRIT OF THE EAGLE should begin her “ascent” and dances around the stage. This should feel flowing and ethereal as well as make a connection to the audience.
After the SPIRIT OF THE EAGLE has created a moment of connection with the audience AZEBAN, the puppet, scurries on the stage. AZEBAN stares at the SPIRIT OF THE EAGLE in awe. As SPIRIT OF THE EAGLE moves around the stage AZEBAN changes position and stops and stares.
SPIRIT OF THE EAGLE and AZEBAN should look at each other in various spots around the stage. While this is happening ANGEL and HELEN should motion to the audience to stop the singing. After the audience stops singing ANGEL and HELEN exits the stage.
AZEBAN takes a bow and arrow and fires it at the SPIRIT OF THE EAGLE. LIGHTS OUT out as the arrow hits the SPIRIT OF THE EAGLE. The guitar continues to play during the blackout. After a moment the LIGHTS UP and AZEBAN is dancing on the body of the SPIRIT OF THE EAGLE.
The guitar stops as AZEBAN takes a bow. After AZEBAN bows he scurries off the stage.
LIGHTS OUT!
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INT. INSIDE LILY’S BEDROOM
LIGHTS UP!
LILY, a girl of 16, is at her desk. LILY is sitting in front of her computer, a camera, a ring light and a microphone. There is a projection of LILY from the POV of the camera. The song “Foot Prints” by Yes is playing on the radio and slowly fades away as LILY talks to herself. LILY is preparing to video herself for a podcast.
LILY:

Gotta check the levels. One, Two, One, Two. Things look good.
LILY makes some adjustments on the computer.
Testing. Testing. Bitter butter better butter beauty butter better batter. Test the tight tongue twister towards the tuna turner.
(singing)
“I believe the children are the future. Treat them well and let them see the way. Show them all the beauty they possess inside.”
LILY bends over to pick up a pen from the floor. After she picks up the pen she sets herself to start filming. 
Here we go. And a one. And a two. And a three, two …
LILY nods her head for the next two counts. After she does her second head nod she hits the space bar on the keyboard.
Welcome back to Lily’s Eyes the only indigenous POV program recorded in my parents house in DerryView, New Hampshire, home of the jumbo popcorn shrimp from Helen’s Clam Haven on route 28. Today, like always, we are talkin’ music. Not just any music, but the music of “Native Roots.” You like indigenous music? You like reggae? You’re gonna love “Native Roots.” They are indigenous reggae. Let’s play a little “Frybread” before we take some phone calls … 
(a beat)
Hold on a second. Our phone boards are blowin’ up. We need to release the floodgates and let the people talk.
page 2
(picking up a pretend phone)
Hello caller, You’ve got Lily. What good words can I say to you today?
(making a fake voice)
Hello, Lily! Long time listener first time caller. Just wanted to know about your homework. You keeping up on your grades?
(normal voice)
I’m glad you asked caller. Right now I’m behind on everything, but that’s OK. There is nothing in this world that can bring me down. I’ve got “Native Roots” coming up with a little “Frybread.” Hold the line as we raise the tunes and make everyone feel good about themselves.

LILY hits a button on her keyboard and “Frybread” by “Native Roots” starts playing. LILY gets up and starts to shuffle dance around her desk. LILY is visibly lost in the music. As the lyric “All I’m asking for is one more frybread” plays LILY stops dancing and looks out a window that is close to her desk. LILY returns quickly to her chair in front of the computer. The music lowers and LILY talks into the microphone in front of her camera.
Sorry for interrupting, dear listeners, but I just saw Azaban outside.

The AZEBAN puppet appears on stage right dancing to the music.
And when you see Azaban you know that means trouble is a brewin’. But don’t you worry, sweet listeners… there is nothin’ in this world that can bring us down when we have good native grooves.

The music swells and LILY starts dancing again. The lights fade out as the song continues. The AZEBAN dances in a solo spotlight. As the music fades away LILY’s desk is removed from the stage. On stage a representation of the front of a house appears. The AZEBAN scampers off the same side of the stage as SIMON walks on.
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