Ode to the Man who Kneels                 by Richard Maxwell ©2007

 

And the light. Half Light. And the chemistry behind that light.

 

Two men are 15 feet apart. The man on the left is standing. The man on the right is kneeling. The standing man, (whom we'll call S), is pointing a revolver at the kneeling man. He gives the Kneeling Man a drink from his canteen.

 

The Standing Man speaks:

 

Hello, man. You look stoopid.

 

While under the earth there is a labyrinth of cave passages where albino fishes swim with no eyes in a sea beneath the sea of dirt. The Standing Man whom we'll call S speaks:

 

Say your prayers.

 

The Kneeling man prays:

 

I'm an actor. Everything I experience in my life, everything I feel, is saying this. You know? It adds a layer to my life that I wish weren't never there. A voice in my head that says you don't count for shit, because you, what you're experiencing, you're thinking, you're counting, you're not in the real world. You're recording. You're storing up for a moment where you can use this for later. I've been plagued most of my life by this. It's not a real way to live. And you get used to it. But I feel. That's plain. In any case. I FEEL.

 

I gave myself 3 days to get over her. The maiden hardens after being burned a few times. It was comforting, moving around with the taste of whiskey, tobacco, and the weight of a rifle in my hands. Shooting at anything. I felt like life might be bearable again. But then the ghost of time crept on me and I was hit hard with the sudden realization that Time Kills Us. I was sitting on my sister's swing with the ghost of so many memories that seem endless trying to fix my gaze so that I could match the picture in my head. Which made it only worse. I was thinking what a perfect time and place for me to go. So I took the rifle, pull the trigger but with the gun away from my face. My arms start to shake. I cock the gun again and this time I put the barrel in my mouth. I pull the trigger. Click. Nothing changed. But all these tears come and I fall back off the swing.

 

But pain and death are not the same! The caliber of this shotgun is small. You go into shock. A black hum and blood and shredded tissue in the mouth and hot buckshot heat up the back of the head and shortly, you lose consciousness, on your back with the foot stuck in the swing, blood still coming out. Silence. Drops of rain fall on your face. The wind picks up again and continues to blow calmly, rhythmically. A hawk will fly past and other birds are heard rustling in the woods behind. Along with the ghosts watching in silence, these are your death companions. They seem to understand. After a couple hours, the life has all but drained out and the body gets colder and hardens by the hour till it locks into this position like wood. The blood dries in the ground. The hair gets blown and I imagine the face looking, apart from the gore, serene and nap-like. The body lies like this for 2 days without being discovered, when the horse lady rides through.

 

***

 

Yeah...empty cries. more of it. Gropers. That's what we are. Looking for an empty space. at night. While you sleep. I come into your room and weep. And touch you while you sleep. Or even watch you from the street. Put a message on a wire. "You Mean a great deal to me." The feeling exists right above the keys and I can't turn the keys around. Still groping. Do you hear me? Revolve and last. Forget her. Look. Out of all this it will emerge. I'm mad. Empty cries, man. Empty cries. Here they come...(cries) Time is all that separates us?? That's it!...onnnh. Everything I say is an empty cry to a place I don't know and should not go. To u. Beautiful you. If there was a way, I would take it. Meanwhile, try to be over her if you can. I couldn't hide my yearning. Mighty mighty. So naked. She was like nature. You don't commune with nature. She doesn't give a shit about you. She would much rather you left her alone. She might like her man a certain way but she'd like the rest of us to be goofy and neutered. I'm telling you. She could make nice people ugly and solid people dull, dull as dull can be. And then just as easily turn it around. The chance of a lifetime, passing... After telling her not days before that I felt no time in her presence, she became dull and ordinary and I slept again.

 

Day 3, right? No! A year later and I'm still stuck on day two. You have this knowledge. You own this information. It was given to you. And you operate in blandness. You leave it alone. You look back on it later. And you feel like a dope. You missed it. You try to get past the platitudes but that's impossible...And you gotta be true. It's the opportunity. There it sits. You're cautious. The opportunity passes. It slips by. And you watch it go. Most times, actually. It happens. You let it go. Whatever. You don't pay no mind. You think you did the right thing. But you let it go.

 

When the dream stops, the reality begins. I was kissing her face in the dream. And in the dream, I was thinking, there was this looming dread, because each piece of the dream was eaten by a piece of reality, perfect eaten by imperfect. Fantasy trading for pleasure nonetheless, and that's the bargain. Expectation losing to achievement. Achievement looking for spoils, finding nothing.

 

But there it is, right? Here we are. 3 days, bud. And now your time is up, up, up, up...

 

The Standing Man speaks:

 

Tell me where to find the riders. 

 

You fool. They are loyal to none.

 

I will trace them. They will be my warriors. They won't turn on me... Tell me...

 

There's nothing you can do that hasn't been done to me already.

 

The Standing Man pulls the trigger of his revolver. The hammer eases back and snaps forward smashing the cap. The explosion pushes the bullet out of the chamber, through the barrel, into the light, breaking air as it travels; past cloth, past hair, skin, the flesh of the kneeling man. The kneeling man is left with no strength and caves to the earth.

 

Sing:

 

We don't become older

Only more aware

Older means stronger

In any case

You decide when to care

Allow things to be

There is no more time

Arise free with hope

Time no more

There is no more time!

Then No More Division

Between life and death

You go where you will!

This we ode to the kneeling man

 

 

The men are singing and present that song. Inside the mind of the S man, synapses fire repeatedly and registering. The ears are warm and ringing.

 

All of the sensors which go into placing a step. The electro-physiological process in lifting a leg in order to find locomotion. The gyroscope balancing of weight, initiating forth the sequence of muscular firing of fibers, the dialogue between neural and tactile is engaged. The standing man whom we'll call S is leaving...

 

***

 

In the town called Grid, eyes see. Feet fall. Nostrils breathe. Skin feels and dusk by breezes cools thicker air. Tears fall from the face of the Standing man!

 

In the town. A balladeer serenades the Waiting Woman. The balladeer known as Pablo, a Dashing Man. The Waiting Woman looks down at him from a window while he sings from the street. (as S walks by, the lovers argue)

 

Well, I disagree with you!

 

You do? Then you're an idiot!

 

I hate that place! I don't want to go in there. It's depressing. Very depressing, dear!

 

Well, you've spent enough time in there yourself!

 

Stayin out late at nite! While I sit by the fire....?!

 

Good night!

 

And sweet dreams to you, my dear!...

 

S enters the main street and finds the General Store. The store is entered and inside found food and stuffs. Proceed.

 

       ...Yes, sir, how can I help you.

 

There is the Dashing Man, running the General Store. He has a pencil and must order goods that will meet the demand. The goods will be delivered via stagecoach. Example: paper collars, paper, linens, guns, ammunition, clothing, tools. This dashing man is a strong dork. His name is Pablo. But it is really Paul. Paul is no longer speaking Spanish. He stopped a long time ago but he thinks he is, but he isn't. He only speaks in the same animated way he used to.

 

The Standing Man speaks:

 

I want to see the proprietor.

 

We don't take credit. I have cash flow problems right now! Once a year! Stagecoach comes once a year! We get REACHED once a year! I cannot get the flow down with that kind of schedule!

 

The Standing Man puts the box of gold on the counter, speaks:

 

I want you to take my picture.

 

Your picture? Well, I have that machine.

 

Does it work?

 

The picture. It's for family or?

 

I bashed my face in. Look at it. Who would have thought vanity a bashed face.

 

The Standing man looks in the mirror. He fixes his face. He speaks to himself:

 

Are you ready Mr?

 

They proceed with the taking of the picture. The Dashing Man makes sure Daniel is comfortable and finishes setting up the daguerreotype machine. The Dashing Man, known as Pablo, lost in thought, speaks:

 

...um...your eyes...

 

The Dashing Man wipes tears from the face of the Standing Man. The Dashing Man chooses when to push the button and then he pushes the button. The Dashing Man gives the "forever friends" piccy to S. S looks at it. Hands it to the Dashing Man. S:

 

This is really me?

 

Indeed. Remarkable isn't it?

 

I need riders.

 

Riders?...mmm.

 

Yes, sir.

 

I know of riders.

 

Tell me sir about the riders. Are they warriors?

 

They are soldiers sir, without allegiance. This makes them true warriors.

 

And are they reliable?

 

That is absolute. I contract them, apparently...do you understand?

 

And what do you think a fair price for these men might be, sir?

 

25 dollars a day.

 

For all?

 

For each man.

 

I only take men with broken hearts. Makes 'em brave, i reckon. You just don't care whether you live or whether you die. The broken hearts makes the pain tolerable. These are men for me and I'm for them, Pablo. Do you know?

 

He gives the money.

 

Ay yay yay yay! That's my man! Come back tomorrow.

 

What's the name of the pretty lady in the window as you enter?

 

Her name? Why?

 

Give the picture to her. Make sure you see her face when you give it to her. I'm coming back tomorrow. You have my men.

 

The lady from before. She waits. There is a man and she talks endlessly about the man who never will arrive. Waits and remembers. No one in town is good enough. The Waiting woman and The Dashing Man walk together. Sing:

 

Deep down I heard the poem and wept

Deep down where all the jewels are kept

 

Under water my neighborhood

I heard the poem and understood

I find I'm crying for my kin

Their lives end where fishes swim

 

I lie down on an ocean bed

I lie, dark water o'er my head

 

The Dashing Man speaks;

 

When did you meet him? Because you've been together forever right?

 

30 years.

 

30 years. Right. And you were how old?

 

19.

 

Ok, that's what i thought. So you had your fun. And you grew up in town?

 

Yes.

 

Right. So you had your fun.

 

Yes.

 

You had your fun.

 

She invites him into her bedchambers. He is alone with her. She asks:

 

       Is something wrong?

 

Oh! What difference does it make? Why do you care? Oh! I have to be in your dreams. Oh! woman! I wanna get in your soul.


       Thank you.

 

You ...

 

What?

 

...I'm helpless. I'm sorry....But you.

 

Yes.

 

It isn't these things that I've done which causes me shame.

 

No.

 

No...It's that I've tried to hide these things for so long which causes me to hold myself...I-- cannot go on. Please ma'am. Ah. I no longer produce fluid from sex acts. Ejaculate with nothing. Nothing is there! O God! It's dry. Curse this drought. Curse it. Curses. Damn you drought! Oh, MO! I love you!

 

The Dashing Man throws himself onto the lap of the Waiting Woman, whispers:

 

(I love opera. I love Tosca especially. I love the singers. I would love to be an opera singer. You can read about them in here! Imagine that life. Dressing up in fine clothes day or night! Black tie and tails. Long gorgeous hair, clean by bathing every day, trim beards...mm ..taking strawberries and champagne. Ejaculating all day and singing all night! Oh!)

 

I'm going to tell you the truth that it is me that suffers. How many times have I died? The Missing Man always comes back in order to let me die again. But there it goes. And the Missing Man knows.

 

S enters GS again. Waiting. The special Woden soldiers have yet to show up. The Dashing Man enters. S collars The Dashing Man, aka Paul, aka Pablo. S speaks:

 

Where's my men. You said today.

 

The coach is 6, 7 miles out. The wagon blew up on a stump. They're coming on foot. It happens...You`re gonna have to wait!

 

I did wait. I gave you money and you gave me your word. Fuck you, fuck you. You should be strung up by your balls, I'll piss on you, you can suck the shit out of my ass when I can't shit. I shit on you. Fuck you you you piece of shit. I'm gonna kill you.

 

Mr. wait... Wait! A word sir...

 

What is it?

 

You saw a man?

 

A man?

 

Singing to the woman.

 

Well, I did.

 

That man is me.

 

You?

 

Yes.

 

That was you?

 

Yes. I must tell you. I am first in line for her attentions. I sing for her and her alone. The woman here reads your mind. That woman is the woman you saw in the window. Every man who lives or even passes through is ready to give everything, his life in order to have her! You see? Imagine- she can read your mind. What a relief that is.

 

Did you show her the picture.

 

Would you?

 

I don't know....I don't know what I'd do. I don't know what I did....Can you help me? I'm not sure I'm who I say I am. You seen me? The picture doesn't lie. But maybe I was not in my right mind. Don't ever remember, don't ever remember.

 

Well, I wish I could help you.

 

Do me a favor. Let me see that old rifle. You got bullets?

 

I do indeed! Que calor! No?

 

Mmm...

 

...I never thought about using a gun. But if the Dashing Man is pushed over the edge, he or anyone would, effortlessly, naturally. Sometimes you have to shoot. They were created that way.

 

The Standing Man purchases the rifle from the Dashing Man and exits the General Store. The Dashing man speaks:

 

I'm pretty relaxed about your flirtation with my wife. I guess she's pretty happy with me. ...You know...I think it should be fine. It's gonna be fine.

 

The Dashing Man, kneeling, is serenading the Waiting Woman again. Sing:

 

Can we have

The old time

Stretching into evening

No, it's not possible

It's over...

 

Mo, I love you

You're my favorite

I love holding you

You, please, soft

 

When I had my way with you

I loved you, you

It's true

I only wanted time with you

 

I go against myself, for you, dear

As I feel your answer come

Don't say yes or no

I want, only to-

 

(all sing)

 

Endure, dear, endure, endure, endure...

 

The Standing man fires into the back of the Dashing Man. The Dashing Man falls. He turns to speak:

 

They may turn on you. If they come, and they will come. Trust me...It's in the contract....

 

The Dashing Man dies in the dirt. The Waiting Woman sings:

 

There was no

quiet time

But I cannot lie to you

I'm not sad for that

Only for...

 

Your lack of words, it seems

You would not find them here...

Floating down streams

In dreams with my missing man

 

Now it's only sad, that's all

That you could not express yourself

Now it's over, over, o-v, gone

Forever to -

 

(all sing)

 

Endure, dear, endure, endure, endure...

 

The Standing Man speaks:

 

I found you - your menace-  I felt you, operating on the 6 sense. Looking for music-eyes to connect to. You were strong and desperate, streets behind you. But I beat you any way. Well, it became clear I had the advantage. I did not plan to win. You got winded and your weakness turned on you. And...I win you. But here, victory turns on itself, for what looked like and felt like victory was only the awakening of a monster inside myself. Haunted. I worry and lie awake at night wondering if you will

find me. Only when my body is spent can I sleep. Only to wake again with that sickening dread. Now, I drink.

 

The Standing Man takes the Dashing Man's canteen and tries to take a drink but it is empty. The Standing Man walks into Mo's house. Mo speaks:

 

I see you

In a town

When I find I split apart

 

But the have-to-halves

Did not know ...

 

That these Eyes of mine, so dry

They cry, tears of blissful fire

And see that I won't die

In this town split by desire

Faithful only to my sins I, friar

And, Devoted to -

 

(all sing)

 

Endure, dear, endure, endure, endure...

(Endure, dear, endure, dear,

Darling don't be sure about it

Endure, dear, endure dear, etc...)

 

The Waiting Woman speaks:

 

I am Memory. You don't exist until I say you do. I of course have many questions but they aren't important. Why ask questions that you know the answer to? I know my weakness. But I make up for my weaknesses with awareness. There are no surprises here. I don't know how else to determine the validity of a man without these questions. The questions themselves aren't so important, but your answers are. You see what I'm observing? Is your behavior? I'm watching you? Your face and limbs? How you react to the sentence? You're already shifty? You won't look me in the eyes? What have you truly done? Meanwhile, your shame is running out head to toe. Why work to avoid it, still it runs. That's the missing man. I have been waiting for many years, and I don't give up the hope in waiting. Am I at odds with that?? Well, not so much that or him, but with you and him, and him, and anyone else who has come through here and all of that. It's true. Because he will return. I tend to rule out events before they can manifest. I tend to be cooler than you might expect, now a simple country woman, simplifying the rapport God wrought. It's not that simple, I know. (for I know my part)....but it's the only way I can deal. You know? Come here. Let me look at you. Are you thirsty?

 

Yes.

 

She gives him water. S:

 

I want to touch you.

 

You always stink.

 

Mostly yes.

 

And your shit stinks doesn't it.

 

Yes.

 

And your breath stinks. And you still think you're a man?

 

I do ma'am.

 

A man worthy of my attention?....Have you ever taken a female!

 

Yes.

 

Of course. Who wasn't ready!

 

Yes.

 

Have you ever taken a woman against her will!

 

Yes.

 

You have raped!

 

Yes.

 

And you've been taken by men haven't you.

 

No. I have raped men. And boys.

 

And do you still think you're a man!

 

I do.

 

Did you kill a man?

 

I can't even remember. I can't even remember. Tell me. I tell you I will love you.

 

1. Choice. If I want to I could choose something else. But I didn't. I chose this. By choosing this, which is my choice, it is my favorite. I give up all other? 2. Sight. Where am I supposed to look? What am I supposed to see? What do I do with these eyes. Take my sight away. 3. To be desired. It feels  good to at least be desired. You want to be desired, -if just for a little while. No answer?

 

the gun

and

one bullet. it only takes one...

 

Kiss and holding and stuff.

 

S Sings:

 

Underneath the blue tonite

Underneath the fading light

 

W sings:

 

Crying for my kin it seems

Lying down to endless dreams

 

S sings:

 

Tears come out without a trace

Pull the water o'er my face

 

Sing:

 

I lie down on an ocean bed

I lie, dark water o'er my head

Deep down I heard the poem and wept

Deep down where all the jewels are kept

 

The Standing Man says:

 

I like this life. You did the right thing.

 

What did i do?

 

Like this.

 

I didn't do anything for you.

      

I like our life. Do you like it? The Standing Man is convinced that he is not a killer. ("He cannot lie. He simply cannot. If he was to lie, he would become undone. So he simply does not")  That he never killed. The half-life and the sickness. A constant half-life. The Standing Man wants to be close to you. He does. 

 

Well, there is a girl now. And the girl is coming into town right now. She is younger than the other girl, She is arriving now. Toma nota, hombres. Her name, is Juny. She talks about animals. And stutters. stumbles, she has a remarkable gift for not saying anything. But today is a different day.

 

She speaks:

 

Twas an unnecessary act! Twas! Twas, o it twas!!! You did all that for...?  

 

The men/man stand(s) in stunned silence. The Waiting woman takes Juny into her arms and brings her to her house. She says:

 

There there. Take care. We'll be alright. No matter what we will be alright. There there. She walks. Take a moment to get out of the sun and dust. If you can just rest...

 

My father has died on the stagecoach. I've run from there. He was ill but still wanted to accompany me-Ohhh!

 

Now, now. I assure you, it will be handled. There's nothing you can do about that now.

 

Ohh...

 

It's alright. What's your name girl?

 

My name is Juny.

 

Welcome, Juny. Can I offer you something?

 

Water... please.

 

Atta girl. Rest. 

 

Thank you.

 

Oh, don't thank me. I'm happy to have company. When you're alone, you do everything. When you do everything for a long time, it takes a toll. Even if you do nothing all day long, it carries its own cost too. Everything and nothing. But alone, you get away with things for a lot longer. You're alone, now too.

 

Mm.

 

Having company, it makes the day go by faster. Don't you think?

 

Yes, yes...

 

The Waiting Woman provides her with water.

 

You and I, we will not be pitched into binary assignations.

Resting there, there. People are sleeping, people are always sleeping. I will rest too. There...What brings you here?

 

My father had land here.

 

Oh? You're claiming land? I think that's very respectable. That's not something you will see everyday. At one time, Grid was a private paradise mysterious and unknown with gardens and street lamps entered full of possibility. Now, you might find 4 souls in totality. It's all dried up I'm afraid. This drought that doesn't end. Thirst. Water dancing. The protest of a starving drought town: throw the water away. throw it in the dirt. Other nationtowns cry "No!" but their neighbors say "Let them flush the whole town away." Cats and people poking through trash and mud for soggy remains to suck. Juny is there. She speaks to the Waiting woman. I rush when I see trouble to start and I will watch out for you.

 

It's too much trouble.

 

I want to do it. It's no trouble. It's a pleasure. I'm so grateful for your company. If it makes you feel better, I know you would do it for me. Am I right there?

 

Of course. I like helping people too.

 

Yes, it's a routine. There's no partial control here, no control at all in fact. I'm sure you're aware...

 

Yes.

 

There are some charming aspects here which still remain....The dogs....Do you love the little dogs you see here in the street.

 

They are quite thin I think.

 

The Waiting Woman smiles. Juny asks:

 

Are you joking? It's a joke?

 

It's not!

 

Who is he?

 

I don't know what you'd call it. These are all men driven, driven by need.

 

Are they?

 

You're not surprised? You must know, there is something particular to them. Their focus. They have their projects and pursuits and as it's been that way since they were children. This one has it, that one had it. They  - It's only kind to say it...

 

Yes.

 

Oh, woman. I've gotten used to being alone. Am I lonely? It gets so tiresome. You know?

 

You know, I don't have that problem. At least the time alone doesn't bother me. And I enjoy time with my girlfriends. We will go out. It's fun.

 

What a word...

 

Of course. Yes. And all the young men in the township are crazy. Silly, really. Some now have horseless carriages! How vain. And what fun it is. To ride around, in all that silliness?

 

I know.

 

Oh, but-- I'm sorry. Forgive me, but how could you know?

 

What?

 

Oh, but you don't know. How could you know what it's like to ride around with boys in auto-mobiles?

 

I know what it's like.

 

I'm sorry. Of course. I only wanted to tell you that it's fun to be seen.

 

Am I giving you the right to tell me who I am? O, no. No, Juny. It doesn't work like that. No! I won't let you do that to me. It's not always bad.

 

I'm sorry. It's not my place. Please....

 

You cannot give in woman. My man died long ago but can I tell these hounds? That would be giving in. I stay inside and make them believe I still have someone- OH!! I miss him so. you'll never know. But we were truly made for each other. I miss him. My heart....If I've seen the other side, I don't remember it. I know myself riding up to the edge again only to shrink away. The myth of existence. It's a subtle shift in your imagination. Imagine you witness it. The most profound and touching thing, you say "my life has changed forever", forever, and by dawn, it is forgotten. If you cut everything, dear, there will be nothing left but the glittering mind.

      

The Waiting Woman sings:

 

Come to the key of evening

With dusk deepening

Come up, come leavening

Past the parapet

(The key to everything)

 

Here between the earth and sky

A void exists 

A crack up high

Unknown to anyone

The place where lost lies lie

 

All but Juny sing:

 

Come Up Here !!

Into this void

In the sky

With blue and blackness rolling by...

 

The men sing:

 

Say it over and over

You never will know her

Here's the reason why:

Look, it was not you

It was her father

This son who had a daughter

She would not tell you why

She kept this lie inside

 

She held out the balance

By the way of work

Unaware and lost

And inside the sea

Of anonymity

All the creatures do

Circle and twist

With small dignity

 

W sings:

Here see the untaken road

A trail deemed cold

Those you thought bold

Those you can't fold

Like Silver and gold

O, the lies untold!

 

Sing:

See earth reared,

See hea'en coiled

Come Up Here !!

See the effort and the spoils

 

Come to the key of evening

With dusk deepening

Come up, come leavening

Past the parapet

(The key to everything)

 

Juny speaks:

 

I'm sure it isn't easy.

 

Where are you going?

 

I must be boring, I feel.

 

No! Please stay inside. Stay a little longer. Thank you for visiting with me.

 

Madam. The eyes have died. Though not old. Can you feel your self disappear? Can you feel your self disappear in the eyes of others? What did doubt do? It gave a clear attitude no matter how mundane. I want you to- to give up. I watched my mother.  waited, for my mother to give up. She had dreams of achieving, too. But. She's no good. Please, give up, I say. Give up now.

 

      I actually don't want too many things.

 

All but the Waiting Woman sing:

 

And the wall

By the sea

And where you touched my hand

Thru the hole

I could see

It stands for keeps, I heard you speak, I understand your hand for me by the sea

 

And I dream for 600 years

And I sing as the darkness nears

For myself

But my father hears

Crying happy tears

 

And time goes by

Your sea is dried

And the Earth cracks apart

 

The town it falls

All roofs and walls

In caves darkest parts

 

All streams and things

White fishes bring

No eyes and they're old

 

Still further down

(You're falling down)

The water gets cold

 

Great Passage here

Let's persevere

Like our Father did before

 

The pressure builds

The science killed

And now nothing more

 

What fantasy?

Where does this lead

To your heart I suppose

 

But it doesn't end

This time my friend

And the time, still it goes

      

Juny takes a walk. The Standing Man is waiting for her.

 

Hello. I guess you know it was me that was looking at you before. You have a problem?

 

Do I have a problem?

 

What are you doing here?

 

This land is mine.

 

This is yours?

 

Yes.

 

You can claim it, eh?

 

Yes, I can.

 

Well....go ahead. (laughing) You can have it, I would think, and no one would know the difference!

 

Juny climbs into his arms.

 

No.

 

But- Ah, I don't care. She's like those kind of women. They're so nice, you take advantage of them. They have no principles. You cannot offend them because they have no principles. No principle other than their own pleasure. You can say anything you want about her 'cause eventually it will be true!

 

There is a moment where it appears as though the couple are making love. ..I tore open the pleasure. And I didn't even need to. You said as much, I guess. From a dream, I was commanded, "Go West." I don't want to hurt you, I only want to pretend hurt you, convincingly. This is reality. I can't bear the thought of actually hurting anyone! I woke up in a shout. b/c I couldn't find a way out...And now I'm here. This is my handout to you!

 

The Waiting woman sits calmly in her chair. She speaks softly to the Younger Woman known as Juny.

 

Do you see color?

 

Color. Colors?

 

Do you see colors or black and white?

 

I don't know. I never thought about it. What does colors mean?

 

Not just in contrast. Black and white.

 

I don't see the difference. Well, which is better?

 

I like colors. Colors comfort me. If I could I would have all of them. If I had- The color wheel would be mine. And I- You could. Take it. And we would have it and I would share it with you and we would love it and we would care and we would take each day and say this is this color or this is that. And the colors would not end and the colors would be called different names and the colors wouldn't mind and the colors would survive and...And one color smooth without texture or quality is something to long for.

 

...Is it?

 

You wouldn't know. I'm tired, I'm tired dear. I'm leaving now.

 

Come back for me.

 

Of course.

 

You will. I know you will.

 

My heart. Broken now too. On my knees, apparently. Breaking. Collapsing. Crumbling. I am here. On the floor with you.  My child. MY precious child. Look at me. My face was once like yours. Your skin. Your eyes. Like infinite and vast lands scooped up and brought close. Like that now. and oh! once inside the woe child you will recognise it every time and forever. For it's my time now. Now is the time. Look me in the eyes. With comfort. Don't look away. I said it's alright. I always say that.

 

Uhm...Ok. We have to get you inside. You. Daniel. Take the dead.

 

The Standing Man known as Daniel says:

 

Oh.

The Waiting Woman:

 

Oh God, you're actually helping. Praise God. Now there's three.

 

The Waiting Woman is impressed. For the briefest moment, there are three. A universe for the most forgotten page in an eon. Sing:

 

Broken

Ladies

Covered ones

 

You thought it

Over

And done

 

Stand and step into the sun

 

You're needed

To tempt me

Again

 

Tempt me

Take me

Again

 

We'll be bliss-filled til the end!

 

Take me to beyond

Take me to beyond

 

I'll show you

My hand and

The town

 

Strolling

Pleasure

Abound

 

Hope-filled hearts pacing the ground

 

Gabriel don't be long

Gabriel don't be long

 

S and Juny have some kind of life together, rapid and unanticipating. S is busy building a fortress for her. He hopes with wood he will protect her from Woden's soldiers. Juny speaks:

 

Coming to this town has given me the opportunity to explore my moral fiber! For this, I am grateful! You people here are subjects of pleasure and you know no higher authority. When I say you know of no higher authority, I mean just that. You don't know. And you never will know. Your sphere of awareness is physically limited to your pleasure. Your dreams of receiving will be and this will forever satisfy you. Your belief will always be rewarded. Your expectations will always be met. You are too understanding and too kind to stop the progress of mankind and its selfish elements! I am not happy and I am proud. You have too much respect for that to make any change. And so I proclaim here that I officially laugh at you. And give you all my disrespect. And you must take it. You will take it.

 

I was a slave....

 

On the other hand. To be fair. This place is like no other - a place to explore and recognise what we as humans are capable of --so much more. I know no other place like this place...I will miss you.

 

The Standing Man:

 

The men are gathering for the hunt. Woden sounds behind the horizon over the lip. A sharp cliff cuts the earth and below registers sound to swallow you whole. It is the great hunt begun and someone is caught and brought up. And they will come for you. But we won't let them. Don't look into the sky. Avoid their eyes. When they see you see them, their music - eyes, alive. O! Do not be frightened my child. The landscape of woe swallows you and takes the town and the next. They are men and their women who never reached beyond good and evil and they want you for their trade. Don't be their slave. I'm warning you. Their world of woe awaits.

 

Mo enters with the Wild Hunt... Sing:

 

A love...

 

The Great Hunt takes Juny into the sky to ride wild and forever. The song enters, too, everybody. The Standing Man is left alone in the town once known as Grid. All but the Standing Man sing:

 

Look how the frozen cowboy stands

Sings the song in his head

Look how the frozen cowboy stands watching the sunset

 

Covered in snow

On the fork of two roads

All his dreams filled

As his body gets cold

 

Keep the melody in your head son

Keep it just in your head

 

Our frozen cowboy stands still as his body gets cold

Do you think he gets stronger on the fork of two roads

 

Keep the melody in your head, son

Keep it just in your head

 

AH, AH!

AH, AH!

 

End.