[ Featuring Dreamers ]
Black stage. Instrumental starts. There is the sound of a pile-driver within the music, rhythmic, driving, striking again and again. Then the whistling shriek of broken high-pressure fittings, followed by twisting and tearing metal. Whatever it is crashes down and a deep rumble builds louder and louder. It sounds like a rockslide and the running feet of thousands of men and horses.
And then it stops, replaced by the sound of water. A trickle at first, then more, rushing through caves deep in the earth. It fades and becomes the sound of a faucet filling a glass.
Lights up on a girl filling a glass of water. projected: A simple apartment kitchen surrounds her with a closed door center and a doorway SR. There are two windows.
(both voices Christine Hull)
Young Sophia
(off stage) C'mon, Kara. Hurry up!
Kara
(filling glass) Just a minute!
Young Sophia
Enjoy that water because I landed on your utility and I'm going to take it over!
Kara
No fair! (raises glass to lips)
Young Sophia
Yes, fair. I have to roll again to find out how much you have to pay me to run it for you. Where are the dice?
Kara
I have them so you can't cheat. (raises glass again)
Young Sophia
Just because I don't let you win doesn't mean I cheat!
Kara
Oh, this is so not fair. I was winning! (raises glass again)
Young Sophia
(laughing) Things can change in an instant. (Kara hesitates) That's life. Suck it up!
Kara
I'll get you for this. I'll lobby to kill your funding! Fear my lobbists! (laughs, drinks)
Young Sophia
(off stage) Lobby all you want. The dice decide.
Kara
A peculiar look passes across Kara's face. She tries to cry out, clutching at her stomach and falling to her knees. As she doubles over she manages one small:
Mommy!
Young Sophia
Kara? Kara!! (rushes into kitchen and scoops the convulsing child in her arms) Oh, my God! Hang on, Mommy's here. (dials phone) What?? All circuits are busy?? (Seeing the glass, she picks it up, smells it and drops it) Help! Somebody help! Please! My baby! NO!!
She picks up the stricken child and races to the window, crying for help. She rushes to the door and does the same with no results. She returns to center stage, collapsing with the stricken child in her arms. As Kara's life drains away, the dice roll out of her hand onto the stage. Spot shrinks on Young Sophia as she rocks Kara's lifeless body. Between sobs, she tries to sing a lullaby.
Music: The Breath of Sighs Part 1
Sleep, child.
May dreams be mild.
Spread wings and ride
The breath of sighs.
Safe be 'til night
Becomes dawn.
