The Basketmaker by David Baughan

This Play is the copyright of the Author and may not be performed, copied or sold without the Author's prior consent

Cast

Elizabeth Sayer A widow in her 30s or 40s
Rachel Sayer Elizabeth's daughter, aged 12-14
Ezra Sayer Elizabeth's husband, Rachel's father, aged 60.
Molly An itinerant Northeast woodland Native American, aged 50 or older

Staging

The single set is the front porch of a settler's house on the frontier in New Hampshire in
the year 1723. The house and porch are modest but well made. There is a stump in the
front yard and trees visible behind the house.

ACT I

SCENE I-1

Before the lights come up like early dawn, there is Native American
flute music, such as Stephen Standing Owl's "First Light" from
Night Flight.

It is early on a sunny morning in the autumn. Ezra is sitting on the
stump. Rachel comes out of the front door of the house and greets the
day with youthful enthusiasm. She takes a deep breath of the clean
country air. The temperature is chilly, and she rubs her arms.


RACHEL: Good morning, sun! Good morning, Father.

EZRA: Good morning, Rachel.

RACHEL: Isn't it a beautiful morning?

EZRA: You make it so, child.

RACHEL: Such a morning must mean this is a special day. Will this
be a special day?

EZRA: Never can tell what a day might bring.

RACHEL: What can we do to make this day special?

EZRA: Well, just might be a gathering in the village today to
celebrate the harvest. People cooking up some pies to share around.
Might even be a visitor.

RACHEL: Really!

EZRA: Could be.

RACHEL: How do you know?

EZRA: Oh, I hear things in the wind.

RACHEL: I would surely like to go into the village just to see some
people. Do you think Mother would ever agree to go?

EZRA: Your mother might surprise you some day.

RACHEL: The raccoon told me there might be a surprise coming soon.

EZRA: Sometimes raccoon knows a lot. Sometimes he likes to spread
rumors.

RACHEL: Yes, but the owl said the same thing.

EZRA: Well, if raccoon and owl both said the same thing, then you
might just count on it.

RACHEL: I had best get the wood for the stove before she stirs.

EZRA: You're a good child, Rachel.

She feels the sun on her face for a few moments before going around
the side of the house. When she goes out of view, EZRA gets up and
exits a different direction. She returns momentarily with firewood in
her arms. She goes in the house with it. She returns to the porch
with an apple and some bread and sits on the edge of the porch to eat
her breakfast. ELIZABETH comes out the front door. She stills looks
sleepy. She reacts to the morning chill.

ELIZABETH: Early winter coming. Did you stoke the fire?

RACHEL: Yes, mother. Good morning, mother.

ELIZABETH: Good morning, child. Water for tea?

RACHEL: On the stove.

ELIZABETH goes back in the house. She soon returns with a mug of tea
and sits on a chair on the porch.

RACHEL: Mother, can we go into the village today? Please? It's
such a pretty day, and when the trees are glowing with their colors, I
swear I can hear them singing to me. And I haven't seen anyone in
over a week!

ELIZABETH: There's a lot to be done here. We've got plenty of
trees here.

RACHEL: All we do is work. Can't we take a day without work?

ELIZABETH: That's what the Sabbath is for. Besides the animals,
we've got the corn to get in. We've got to put the cider up today
or the apples'll go bad. Snow be falling soon enough.

RACHEL: I heard there might be a harvest festival in the village
today, with pies and maybe even visitors.

ELIZABETH: Where'd you hear that?

RACHEL: Oh, I just heard it on the wind.

ELIZABETH: Rachel?

RACHEL: (reluctantly) Father told me.

ELIZABETH: Rachel, how many

RACHEL: He was just sitting on the stump right there talking to me
like you are!

ELIZABETH: How many times do I have to tell you not to let your mind
run loose? No good will come of it.

RACHEL: (After a pause) Father used to take us into the village.

ELIZABETH: Well, two adults could manage better than a woman and a
child. There was once and again a snatch of time for walking in the
sunshine. Pneumonia changed that. You remember last winter. I'll
not run low on food again. I'll not . . . There's nothing in the
village we need today.

RACHEL: Lot's of people ran low last winter, Mother. I heard
Goody Martin say it was the worst winter she could remember.

ELIZABETH: People feel good about helping an old widow woman.
People look cold at a widow who's not so old, even if she's just
walking in the sunshine with her child.

RACHEL: Oh, Mother, that's just the Purcells. They think
they're better than everybody just cause they've got more.
They're heads are as pointy as their noses.

ELIZABETH: (suppressing a smile) Don't go talking disrespect to
your elders. Now you get on with the animals. I'll need your help
with the cider in a bit.

RACHEL: If I work real, real hard, and we get work done, can't we
walk into the village. Please, please, please? A walk be good for
your back. And I'll rub your feet when we get back. Please,
Momma?

ELIZABETH: (starting to soften a little) So my child will only rub
her poor mother's feet if she gets her way?

RACHEL: No, I'll just give an extra special rub tonight and
tomorrow.

ELIZABETH: We'll see what time it be when the work be done.

RACHEL: Oh, thank you, Mother! Thank you! Thank you! I'll work
so fast! That cow will think there's ten hands on her teats!

ELIZABETH: Rachel!

RACHEL: (grabbing the milk pail and heading off behind the house)
I'm gonna make that milk pail whistle! Have your walking shoes
ready, Momma!

ELIZABETH: Don't you spill any in your hurryin'! (Shakes her
head with a smile. Takes a sip of her tea. Pauses to look at the sky
for a moment and feel the sun on her face. Then her countenance
falls, and she turns and goes inside)

There are some sounds of ELIZABETH putting pots on the stove for a
few seconds before RACHEL comes running back excitedly.

RACHEL: Mother! Mother! Come quick!

ELIZABETH: (quickly out the door) What's wrong? Are you all
right?

RACHEL: There's something in the woods out behind the barn!
Something big!

ELIZABETH: Probably a bear. Did it get the pigs? (She reaches
inside the front door and pulls out a rifle with a powder and
ammunition pouch)

RACHEL: This is no bear. I know the smell of bear. This is bigger
than a bear!

ELIZABETH: Moose, then. Did it trample the garden?

RACHEL: It's not a moose, either. It's something different!
Something strange!

ELIZABETH: Rachel, I told you not two minutes ago not to make up
stories! You're just trying to get out of your chores?

RACHEL: Mother, there's something out there! I saw it,
shadowy-like, and it was coming this way! (There is a noise out back)
There! Hear that! It's coming!

ELIZABETH: Get over here! (She fumbles to load the rifle and raise
it to her shoulder) Hey! Hey! Get on out of here! I've got a
gun!

MOLLY'S VOICE OFF-STAGE: Don't shoot! Don't shoot old Molly!

ELIZABETH: Who are you?

MOLLY: Just old Molly.

ELIZABETH: Come on over here where I can see you. Come on out slow.
This gun's loaded.

Slowly MOLLY enters. Before she steps into the light, we see a huge
irregular silhouette, like a leafy tree on two legs. When she steps
into the light, we see an older Native American woman wearing
mismatched, poorly fitting clothes with an odd hat. On her back she
carries about 10-15 baskets of different shapes and sizes all lashed
together. The assortment of baskets looms up above her, making for
the enormous silhouette. She steps onto the stage. ELIZABETH still
aims the rifle at her.

MOLLY: Peace be with you, Goodwoman. It's just Basket Molly.

ELIZABETH: Anyone else with you? You people don't travel alone.

MOLLY: Not much of my people left to travel anywheres.

ELIZABETH: How do I know you're not trickin' us?

MOLLY: Ma'am, when I go hunt, I no carry a herd of baskets on my
back. It slow me down and scare away the animals.

RACHEL: My mother knows how to shoot! She shot a deer last winter.

MOLLY: I believe she can shoot me and many trees with that big gun.

ELIZABETH: What do you want around here?

MOLLY: Molly walks about and trades her baskets with white people.
I come to trade at the village. Can I show? They get heavy.

ELIZABETH: (lowering the rifle from her shoulder, but keeping it at
the ready) Slow. And keep your distance.

MOLLY slowly removes the head strap and back board to which the
baskets are lashed. She swings the load onto the ground in front of
her. The baskets are of many different shapes, sizes and styles.
RACHEL is intrigued and wants to take a look.

ELIZABETH: (to RACHEL) Stay back, Rachel.

RACHEL: I just want to look.

ELIZABETH: Stay back, I say. Why did you pick this place?

MOLLY: No pick. Most times, white people not want me stay in
village, so I try to find some place to stay a day or two close by
while I trade, someplace on the edge of woods and edge of white folks.
Maybe help out for some food and a place to make my shelter. I not
be no bother.

ELIZABETH: Well, we don't need any baskets, and we don't need
any help.

RACHEL looks at her as though to ask a question, but ELIZABETH gives
her a look to silence her.

MOLLY: Always lot of work on farm, especially for two women with no
man.

ELIZABETH: What do you mean?

MOLLY: The girl's father?

RACHEL: He's . . .

ELIZABETH: . . . not here. (Her suspicion up again, she tightens
her grip on the gun)

MOLLY: Oh. I see stone in field. Ezra Sayer. 1661-1721. But he
be older. Maybe he be your Poppa.

ELIZABETH: How do you come to read and figure?

MOLLY: Well, a time back, I think, "White people just not go away.
More and more keep coming. More and more my people gone. If I not
freeze in winter, I try learn white people's ways. Learn white
people's stories. But white people not tell stories. They put them
in books, like I put stories in baskets. So if I want to know stories
I need to learn marks in books."

RACHEL: Each basket has a story?

MOLLY: (gesturing to the baskets on the ground) Many stories.

RACHEL: Would you . . .?

ELIZABETH: If you can read and figure, why do you live like this?

MOLLY: Molly's spirit start to die without the woods. So I live
on edge of white people, edge of woods.

ELIZABETH: Well, our property goes to that creek over there. I
suppose I have no say on someone staying on the other side of the
creek.

RACHEL: Could she . . .?

ELIZABETH: Hush!

MOLLY: I thank you, missus. You have a good house and a pretty
daughter. Good day, then.

MOLLY gathers up her baskets and exits. When she has left, RACHEL
whispers to her mother.

RACHEL: Why wouldn't you let her help us? There's so much to
do!

ELIZABETH: I don't trust her. We still don't know if there's
any others around. Too many Indians are thieves and drunks. She
doesn't wander alone without some knives hidden somewhere. And
she's used them in her day, I'm sure. I've had enough misery in
my life from heathens who like to tell stories. I don't need any
more.

RACHEL: Shall I go tend the animals now?

ELIZABETH: No, I want you where I can see you. You help me in the
kitchen. We'll do the animals later.

They both go inside. We hear their voices from inside the house.

ELIZABETH: Oh Lord, the pot's boiling over! Help me quick! Grab
that pad! Now you get that side!

RACHEL: It's too heavy! I can't hold it!

There is a loud clattering noise.

ELIZABETH: (screaming in pain) Aaaah!

RACHEL: Mother! Mother! I'm sorry! I couldn't hold it!

ELIZABETH: My shoe! Get my shoe off! It's burning! Ow! Ow!

RACHEL: What should I do?

ELIZABETH: My stocking! Get it off! Aaaah! No! It's pulling
the skin off! Cold water!

RACHEL: The bucket's empty! I'll go get some! I'll go get
help!

RACHEL runs out the door with water buckets on a yoke. She runs in
the direction MOLLY went.

RACHEL: Molly! Molly! Help! Momma's hurt!

ELIZABETH: (dragging herself to the door, then pulling herself up
and limping out the door while calling after RACHEL) Rachel! No!
Rachel! Come back here! (She eases herself onto the chair on the
porch. She is grimacing with pain.)

RACHEL returns with MOLLY. RACHEL is carrying a water bucket.
MOLLY has left her baskets behind. RACHEL is speaking off-stage as
they approach.

RACHEL: It's my fault! Momma's hurt bad! It was too heavy! It
was boiling, and it got all over her leg! I've never heard Mother
scream like that! (Now on stage) Mother, we've got water. Are you
all right?

They place the buckets on the porch. ELIZABETH carefully places her
burned foot in a bucket, but it is not deep enough to cover all her
stocking. MOLLY splashes some water on the rest of her leg.

ELIZABETH: Be careful!

MOLLY: Missus. We need get leggings off.

RACHEL: We tried, but it pulled on the skin.

MOLLY: Lift foot.

ELIZABETH gingerly lifts her foot up. MOLLY reaches behind her and
pulls out a sizeable and intimidating knife. ELIZABETH and RACHEL
regard it with alarm. Quickly and skillfully, like skinning an
animal, MOLLY cuts the stocking from toe to below the knee, then
circumferentially around the calf. She indicates to RACHEL to pick up
the other bucket.

MOLLY: Pour.

RACHEL pours the water on ELIZABETH's leg, now back in the bucket,
while MOLLY carefully peels away the stocking. The leg is exposed red
and raw. ELIZABETH winces.

ELIZABETH: (To RACHEL) Get some lard.

MOLLY: No lard!

MOLLY reaches into a pouch for herbs she has on a belt or strap
around her shoulder. RACHEL stands indecisively.

ELIZABETH: I said get me some lard!

RACHEL slowly moves toward the door, then more slowly stands with the
door open, stalling for time.

ELIZABETH: Move, child!

RACHEL goes inside. ELIZABETH inspects her leg. MOLLY crushes up
the leaves with her hands while muttering to herself. She puts the
leaves in the water in the bucket. She hands ELIZABETH some bark.

MOLLY: Chew. (ELIZABETH looks at the bark with disdain) For pain.

ELIZABETH: I can tolerate pain.

MOLLY shrugs and shakes her head. RACHEL returns with a container of
lard. MOLLY takes the container and puts it behind her.

ELIZABETH: I told her to get that!

MOLLY: Lard for cooking. Leg already cooked.

ELIZABETH: My people use it!

MOLLY: Make burn fester. (To RACHEL) Clean cloth. Like this.
(Indicates ELIZABETH's dress material. RACHEL immediately goes
inside.)

ELIZABETH: Don't you try to humiliate me in front of my child!

MOLLY: Child want mother with two legs!

They duel with their eyes. MOLLY relents.

MOLLY: Molly wrong. I apologize.

MOLLY retrieves the container of lard. RACHEL comes out the front
door with material in her hands. MOLLY sets the lard by the water
bucket, making a slightly exaggerated gesture to bring it to
RACHEL's attention. MOLLY takes the material from RACHEL. She
makes a gesture to tear it, then stops to ask ELIZABETH's
permission.

MOLLY: Tear?

ELIZABETH nods permission. MOLLY tears the material into strips and
soaks them in the bucket with herbs and leaves. She wrings them out,
then carefully wraps them around ELIZABETH's leg. The initial touch
is painful. ELIZABETH stiffens in pain, then starts chewing on the
bark. When she has wrapped the leg, she takes some strips of material
to tie the dressing in place. Then she takes the container of lard
and holds it up to the sky while she chants.

RACHEL: What are you doing?

MOLLY: No medicine without prayer. Lard strong medicine. Need
strong prayer.

MOLLY dabs small amounts on the surface of the dressing and
ELIZABETH's toes. RACHEL is watching closely and intently. When
she has finished the ceremonial dabbing of the lard on ELIZABETH, she
dabs a little on RACHEL's nose. RACHEL is startled, then giggles.
MOLLY smiles. ELIZABETH frowns.

SCENE I-2

Later the same day. ELIZABETH is inside the house, sleeping. RACHEL
and MOLLY come from behind the house carrying a large open weave
basket full of corn. They put the corn in a barrel on the end of the
porch. A pile of MOLLY's baskets is on the ground in the area in
front of the porch. MOLLY and RACHEL sit on the edge of the porch
with the large open weave basket in front of them. There is basket
weaving material in the bottom of the basket.

RACHEL: Mother will be so pleased that we took care of the animals
and even got the corn done. I glad she was able to sleep. Will her
leg be all right?

MOLLY: It will heal.

RACHEL: What did you give her to chew that helped her sleep?

MOLLY: Medicine bark.

RACHEL: But what is its name?

MOLLY: Medicine bark.

There is a pause.

RACHEL: Does each basket really have a story?

MOLLY: Yes.

[end of extract]

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