Act II
Scene One: Somewhere near the Camp Canteen (As the audience is settling for Act II, Gloria comes through the auditorium carrying a satchel and blowing a whistle, shouting, “Okay! Okay everybody! Take a seat!” She adlibs a bit with the crowd, calling people by name. “Let’s go! Let’s go! I’ve got a schedule to keep here!” “________, are those the same shorts you wore yesterday? Did your mother send more than one pair of underwear? And you change them every day? __________, she didn’t mean to change them with . Okay, let’s get seated!” Blows her whistle again. “! “Hands to yourself! Your parents didn’t send you here for that! ___________ this is what, your fifth year at Camp Sunshine? And still no progress. You’ve still got that perverted grin on your face. Speaking of which, _______, come see me after vespers. There’s a little something I found under your pillow.” She holds up a copy of a girly magazine. “You know we have a class in remedial spirituality.” GLORIA: (as she takes her stage position and the lights narrow to a single spot. To the audience..) I’ve got to be honest…You’re not the sharpest group of campers we’ve had here this summer. I’ve got to keep reminding myself that Jesus loves each of you. But of course he loves everybody. And we did a little bunkhouse search while you were gone. I’m afraid I’ve had to confiscate a few items of clothing from your bedrolls. (she reaches into her satchel) (a lady’s name from the audience as she pulls out a bikini) ___________, this is a one-piece camp. What church do you attend? (the lady answers) I think that answers everything. (pulls out a T-Shirt) This came from your knapsack, __________. “My church is better than yours.” I assume you know that pride is one of the seven deadly sins. I’d say you’re up to about number six. And then this one..(pulls out another) “I worship better than you do!” Let’s see what else I’ve found…in the suitcase of little ____________ I found this. (reading the shirt) “I Heard You Got Into that Christian College. Bummer.” Very funny, __________. And then there was this from _________’s bunk. (reading) “I love Cheeses.” A little spelling problem, _______? Oh, and here’s my favorite from _________’s parents. (holding up the shirt and reading) “Homeschooled and Wild.” Amen to that. And finally from __________’s cabin. (holding and reading) “You’re a jerk..which is why you need Jesus.” That is just so precious. You know, I think what this group needs is a little singing. Oh come on..I heard you in the hallway at intermission..God knows you know how to make noise. Let’s see if you can put a little melody to it. Okay, now this is an old camp song you’ve heard all your life, but if didn’t pay any closer attention than ______ did, you may need a reminder. _________! Pay attention! Or you’ll be singing this as a solo at tonight’s campfire! A little help out here! (a couple campers run out to sing with Gloria) Michael row your boat ashore..Halleluiah! Michael row your boat ashore..Halleluiah! Jordan’s River is deep and wide..Halleluiah! Meet my mother on the other side..Halleluiah! Michael row your boat ashore..Halleluiah! Michael row your boat ashore..Halleluiah! Now everybody stand up! Come on, stand up! This a camp, not a Lutheran board meeting. We can have fun! The words are right there in your program…A little light please? (the house lights come up) (to the orchestra) Hit it, Roger. (She sings the song, joining arms with the campers onstage and swaying) (at the end of the song) I’m glad He’s a God of forgiveness. That was just…unbelievably…mediocre! Sit down! Sit down! (the campers exit the stage) Okay my fellow sunbeams! Just to get your little taste buds drooling, here’s the lunch menu in the Bread of Life mess hall… “Sunrise Surprise Tossed Salad!” It’s a surprise ‘cause we’re never sure what leftovers the Bread of Love truck is gonna drop off until about 10 every morning and then sometimes all he’s got left is Pop Tarts. The fish dish is “Holy Mackerel” …actually its catfish, but I just love that name. … and then there’s “Three Layer Salad!” This was formerly listed as five-layer salad but as many of you know, Sister Lagasi, our camp cook, has severe astigmatism and her cat tends to sleep in front of the refrigerator and ..well…by the time she got it all swept up she was down to three layers… She now calls it “The Tasty Trinity!” And our main course… Can I have a drum roll? (a genuinely horrid drum roll) Keep practicing, Myron. Today’s main course will be… a surprise! Those of you who were on Uncle Ernie’s hunting trip last night may know, but we’ll just call it “Catch of the Day!” And remember, if you’re vegetarian, Repent! Jesus at meat. Whoever heard of a potluck with tofu? And of course for those of you less health-conscious campers whose tummies won’t tolerate today’s lunch, the camp Canteen will be open for only ten minutes. Bon Ap-a-tee-tee! (The lights go down on Gloria and every cast member comes rushing in to the Canteen in front of the act curtain.) (Chorus) Cast: gimme, gimme, junk food, gimme, junk, junk, food, gimme, junk, gimme, food, gimme, gimme, junk food (drums come in…repeat) JESSICA LOTZ: put away your silverware Where you put it I don’t even care Hide from me that vegetable It don’t look digestible
Cast: Just gi’me, gi’me junk food, gi’me junk food, gi’me junk. CHORUS: Just give me junk food Cast: Just gi’me, gi’me, junk food, gi’me junk food, gi’me junk
LAURA ROTH: Give me cake, give me pies Give me stuff to grow my thighs I don’t need no chicken wing All I need are Ju-Ju-beans (Chorus) (TED: Over the top: Junk Food…etc.) (Bridge) Cast: Don’t try to save us No need to make a fuss We can’t deny That it’s all in the sugar high LOGAN: Don't need no nasty carrot sticks! I just want my sugar fix! Don't need protein, don't need carbs.. Just stuff my mouth with Snicker’s bars! (chorus) (Vocals only-chorus) (Chorus with drums) (Bridge out) UNCLE ERNIE: (entering with arms full of maps, neck full of binoculars, pockets full of various other supplies and wearing a pith helmet) Attention! (they quickly cram their junk food treats into their mouths and snap to a chewing, fast-swallowing attention) All camp activities are hereby suspended for the day! I have broken down the camp into eight sectors which I have color-coded and dissected according to your individual abilities to survive in snake-infested swamps and tick-filled forest areas. GLORIA: (running in) Uncle Ernie! What are you doing? UNCLE ERNIE: Organizing a search party for Micah! GLORIA: But you can’t ignore the camp activity schedule! It’s ordained by our National Council of Bible Camps! UNCLE ERNIE: Did I ever tell you about the time I single-handedly led a battalion of green-horned Milwaukee cadets through the Mall of America in search of an anorexic French poodle escaped from the Westminster Kennel Show? GLORIA: But the talent show is tonight! My campers have to rehearse! UNCLE ERNIE: Gloria, we are missing a camper! GLORIA: Micah wasn’t even scheduled to perform. UNCLE ERNIE: Gloria! GLORIA: Oh, I’m not insensitive to the fact that there may be a camper out there dying of dehydration and in a state of total mental collapse, but remember when we lost the asthmatic boy a few years ago? He eventually came back. UNCLE ERNIE: Gloria, by the time we found him he was married and had children of his own. GLORIA: An entire family dressed in elderberry leaves and with those cute little tattoos. UNCLE ERNIE: Those were snakebites, Gloria. (to the campers) Okay! Let’s find Micah! (as he gives each pair a slip of paper, they take off) You two..That way! You guys..over there! Ready!!!! (singing) “Onward Christian soldiers…marching as to war!....” (Blackout..music up) Scene Two: Lucille’s cabin & Several sites in the woods {Frantic music under the following short scenes} (a series of frenzied blackouts) LUCILLE: (coming forward as the others hurry off, writing) Dear Mom and Dad…gotta write fast…big crisis… camper lost in woods …may be dead by now…lots of snakes… maybe typhoid…but don't worry. Lucille. (Blackout..music up) MARK: (running in, breathless, followed closely by Skip) It’s gettin’ dark! He can’t stand the dark! He gets hives just watchin’ the sun go down. SKIP: (looking around fearfully) Geesh, what a wimp. MARK: Hey, that’s my brother you’re talkin’ about! SKIP: Sorry. …but to be afraid of the dark at his age…sometimes we’ve just gotta let go of stuff. MARK: Like my hand? (Skip looks down and realizes he’s grabbed Mark’s hand) SKIP: I was kidding! I was just kidding! MARK: I’m checkin’ out the swamp…You go that way.. (Mark runs off, leaving Skip alone) SKIP: (a long, fearful beat, then) Yeah..I’ll go that way.. (a step) No I won’t. (a beat) I’ll stay here. (a beat) No, I can’t. (meekly) Mark? (with a bit of whine added) Mark? (really crying out now) Anybody??? (Blackout..music up) (The lights come up just briefly as the form of Sister Lagasi is seen hurrying across the stage, an umbrella covering her face…then (Blackout..music up) NADINE: (entering) “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I shall fear no evil…Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.” MARGO: (entering) Oh give it up, Nadine. We’re lost. NADINE: I am never lost as long as the Lord is on my side. MARGO: Then God needs a GPS system. You got a cigarette? NADINE: Margo! MARGO: Oh, cool it, Nadine. I don't smoke, but if we’re gonna die I thought I’d at least try it once. Which direction is God pointing now? NADINE: God shall not be mocked! MARGO: I am not mocking God, Nadine! I really wanna know which way to go! NADINE: (pointing off and up) “I shall lift up mine eyes to the hills from whence cometh my help!” (and she marches off) MARGO: (stands there) Nadine, that’s not a hill. It’s the waste treatment plant. (looks after her a moment, then) And I’m really not mocking! I’m lost! (takes out a Bible) Okay, I’ll try it your way, Nadine. (reading) “The Holy Bible.” (closes her eyes, flips through the pages, slaps a finger to a page, then opens her eyes and reads) “Property of the Gideons. Do not remove from the hotel.” (Blackout..music up) (Lights up on Uncle Ernie, still in his cabin, preparing to join the hunt. He can barely move due to the mountain of backpack, portable tent, pick ax, miner’s hat, and other paraphernalia he’s loaded onto his body. As the lights come up we see him desperately trying to add yet another item to his huge stash.) GLORIA: (running in) You’re still in your cabin? UNCLE ERNIE: A man of God is prepared, Gloria! We could be out there for months lookin’ for that kid. You seen my talcum powder? I’m starting to chafe. GLORIA: He’s only been gone an hour! We’ll find him before you get ready! UNCLE ERNIE: Sure…then I find you out wandering in the Forbidden Forest of Tribulation with the parched skin pealing off your dehydrated nose and you’ll beg me for a squeeze of my Coppertone. (turning so she can see the back of his pack) Is my George Foreman grill back there? GLORIA: I’m going to check the baseball field. (she runs off) UNCLE ERNIE: This is no time for sports! (looks at his gear) Well Joshua…blow the trumpet. (takes a step, then looks up) Rain. Startin’ to rain. (beginning to take off his equipment) Regroup! Regroup! (blackout) (Lights up on Skip, on his hands and knees, head covered, shaking with fear) TED: (running in) What’re you doin’? SKIP: (standing quickly) Prayin’! Just prayin’! TED: You were shakin’, man! SKIP: I’m Pentecostal. We do that. TED: You seen him? SKIP: Who? TED: Micah! We’re supposed to be lookin’ for Micah!...Not blubberin’ on the ground like… SKIP: I wasn’t blubberin’! Look! (suddenly dropping to his belly) It’s an old Indian trick…you can her footsteps. Come on! Try it! TED: You listen, Crazy Horse. I gotta find that kid! (begins to run off) SKIP: (grabbing him desperately) Don't leave me!..(sees that he’s now embracing him) ..I mean.. without the secret Indian parting hug! (suddenly snapping attention, hand in air) Hiawatha! TED: Mazel Tov. (Ted runs off) SKIP: (now alone) God, I wish I was Jewish. (Blackout..music up) MARGO: (Lights up on her standing alone, eyes closed) Come on! Come on! I gotta remember at least one prayer! “God is great and God is good. Now we thank him for our…” No. I’m not even hungry. “Now I lay me down to sleep. I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should die before I…” (opens her eyes) Whoa. Screw that! (Blackout..music up) LUCILLE: (standing alone, writing) Dear Mom and Dad. This may be the last letter you ever get from me. I’m writing in ink so it will last until the funeral. I can hear screaming in the distance and I think that means the others are dead. ..except for Skip. I think I heard him crying. But don't worry, I brushed my teeth this morning and I’m wearing new underwear. (Blackout..music up)
(Lights up very dimly as we see Sister Lagasi with a large flashlight, making her way through the woods. She’s carrying a sack. The light is too dim to see her face..Then.. (Blackout..music up) GLORIA: (running in to Uncle Ernie’s cabin as he continues to ready himself, this time in a full-length yellow raincoat and nor’easter rain hat) (breathless) He’s not out there. What’re you doing? UNCLE ERNIE: Rain. Gotta prepare for rain. 40 days and 40 nights of this and I’ll be the only one alive. Where is my…..ah-ha! (picks up a duck-shaped pair of child’s water wings) Holy flotation! GLORIA: That kid’s out there alone in the storm! Move it! (she runs out) UNCLE ERNIE: Part the Red Sea, Lord! Uncle Ernie’s coming through! (begins to leave and as he does the lights dim out and up and we hear a clap of thunder..Uncle Ernie stops in his tracks) Thunder! Sinners in the hands of an angry God! Where’s my lightning rod? (begins searching) (Blackout..music up) MARK: (entering, breathless…he falls to his knees in exhaustion) Oh Micah…man, why’d you do it? Storms comin’ and you know how you hate storms. I’ll bet you’re scared to death… God, I never been sure about makin’ deals with you… I don't know if that’s the way you work, but God, here’s my offer…I’ll do anything…anything to get my brother back safe. (beginning to cry) He’s my brother, God. You gotta…you gotta save him…I’m serious about this…..please..(he gets up, dries a tear and runs off) NADINE: (backing into the same scene after Mark has exited) The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil.. (Ted enters another part of the same area, unseen by Nadine) He shall preserve by soul..The Lord shall preserve thy going out and…(but in backing, she trips and falls) Damn. TED: Nadine! (Nadine screams) NADINE: I didn’t say that! Whatever you heard me say, I didn’t say it! TED: You just said… NADINE: It was a reflex! A throwback to my wicked nature. Haven’t you heard of original sin? TED: Original? No..all mine came from my old man. You seen Micah? NADINE: I was busy praying. TED: Nadine, sometimes you gotta quit prayin’ and just do somethin’. Come on. Take my hand… NADINE: (looking at his hand) I’ve never taken a boy’s hand. ..except in prayer. And then I used a tissue. TED: You’re lost, right? NADINE: Physically speaking. TED: You want me to help you get out of here? NADINE: Well…yes…. Technically speaking. TED: Then you gotta take my hand. It’s a requirement. NADINE: (begins to take his hand, then) Is it true you’re Jewish? TED: Yeah. Don't worry…it’s not infectious. NADINE: I mean… TED: We’ve had lots of experience wondering around the wilderness and we always find our way home. Nadine, it’s dark and you’ve got to grab onto something… And don't worry. I don't mean anything by it…just that I care about you, okay? Look…it’s just a hand… Sometimes, a look is just a look The touch of a hand is just the touch of a hand It’s not hard to understand, that sometimes A look is just a look
Sometimes, a smile is just a smile A friendly face is just a friendly face That’s not always be the case, still sometimes A smile is just a smile Nadine: Yeah but… Sometimes, can a look be more than just a look? Can the touch of a hand lead to something grand? I’m trying to understand, so Sometimes, can a look mean something more?
Cause’ sometimes a smile can make my heart dance A friendly face could make me want to take a chance Sometimes, just a gentle touch Can move my heart too much And I’m wonderin’, if this time… Both: Sometimes, a look is just a look A touch of a hand is just a touch of a hand It’s hard to understand But sometimes, it can mean much more Sometimes…sometimes (Blackout..music up) {Scrambling Music back in under..} (The figure of Sister Lagasi is seen in the dim light, this time wearing a yellow rain hat and day-glo raincoat that covers only the top half of her habit. She carries a large sack of something…Then.. (Blackout..music up) (Lights up on Uncle Ernie’s cabin. In addition to his rain garb, he now has a convoluted series of lightning rods tied to his back. He continues to huff and puff around the area, getting his equipment in order.) GLORIA: (running in, soaked) You’re still here? We’ve been searching all night! UNCLE ERNIE: Be prepared, Gloria! Look at you! You’re a mess and I’m dry as a bone! GLORIA: That’s because you haven’t stepped foot out of your cabin! And what’s that contraption? UNCLE ERNIE: My lightning deflector! Lightning hits my little rod which is attached to a piece of copper wire that runs inside my boxer shorts and it’s grounded to my army boots. GLORIA: You’re crazy. UNCLE ERNIE: Oh ye of little protection! Watch this! (and he storms out into the storm) GLORIA: (screaming) Ernie, stop! (And bango! Uncle Ernie receives a heavenly bolt of lightning that lights up both the stage and his lightning deflector. He’s stopped…almost…dead in his tracks as his body splays spread eagle and Gloria screams. It’s shocking. The lights go out as we hear Gloria shout…) GLORIA: (in the darkness) Ernie! Ernie! (eerie, angelic music in under) Ernie, can you hear me? Ernie, wake up! Wake up, Ernie! Oh please Ernie, you’ve got to wake up…You’ve got to wake up…(other lines adlibbed to give Ernie and Gloria time to change) (The lights come up to reveal Gloria, now playing Ernie’s mother, and a very young Ernie asleep in his car seat. He’s a youngster again, dressed in camp garb, and has just arrived at his first summer camp. She gently shakes him. Bubbles inexplicably drift down onto the set. Why? Because bubbles are cool.) MAMA GLORIA: Ernie, we’re at camp. You’ve got to wake up, honey. YOUNG ERNIE: Where am I? MAMA GLORIA: Your first summer camp! Oh, I’m so proud of my little boy! YOUNG ERNIE: I’m scared, Mommy. I’ve never been to camp. Are there bears? MAMA GLORIA: No, just Baptists. God will be with you. YOUNG ERNIE: What if he’s busy? What if He’s at another bible camp? MAMA GLORIA: Don't be silly. God is a Baptist. (as they get out of their “car” and she takes his hand) Here we are! YOUNG ERNIE: I hope it’s peaceful. Noise upsets my stomach. MAMA GLORIA: Oh, don't worry, Ernie… (reading from a pamphlet) “A peaceful summer camp set in the quiet valleys of the Ozarks beside gently murmuring streams…” (a beat as Little Ernie and Mama Gloria look at each other, then…) NADINE, SKIP, TED, MARGO, MARK, LUCILLE: (suddenly jumping out from every nook and cranny, dressed as camp counselors) Hellll-ooooo! {Camp Music in under and continues throughout the dream scene} YOUNG ERNIE: (crying in fright) Ahhhhhhh!!!!! MAMA GLORIA: (beginning to leave) Bye-bye, sweetheart! YOUNG ERNIE: Mommy! NADINE, SKIP, TED, MARGO, MARK, LUCILLE: Yip-eeeeeeeee! MAMA GLORIA: Don't forget to write! YOUNG ERNIE: Mommy! NADINE, SKIP, TED, MARGO, MARK, LUCILLE: Halleluiah! MAMA GLORIA: Amen! (she leaves) YOUNG ERNIE: Mommy! THE COUNSELORS: (singing) Good morning! Good morning! Let’s sing out Hall-le-loo! If your soul is full of hell we’ll scare it out of you! SKIP: (music under) Rise and shine, camper! Time to shower! YOUNG ERNIE: With other people? I showered last week. SHOWER COUNSELORS: (imitate several shower heads spraying Young Ernie with the appropriate “Whisssssh” sounds) YOUNG ERNIE: The water is freezing! TED: That’s nothing! Time for a swim! YOUNG ERNIE: (as several counselors grab him) But I can’t… (and they toss him into “the lake”)… I …can’t…..swim! THE COUNSELORS: (singing as Young Ernie flops around in the water) He’s frowning! He’s drowning! Let’s sing out Hall-le-loo!
If your soul is full of hell we’ll scare it out of you! MARK: (pulling Ernie out by his collar) Look what I found in the pond! YOUNG ERNIE: (sputtering) Th…thank you. MARK: You almost drowned. You need faith! YOUNG ERNIE: I need a good backstroke. LUCILLE: (blows a whistle, then) Lunch time! ALL COUNSELORS: Wheeee! (as they run around to form a lunch line holding imaginary trays) YOUNG ERNIE: I’m starving. MARGO: (the cook, sloppy, coughing, twirling a spatula and smoking a cigarette) Okay kid, we got your basic wienee salad, wienee casserole, wienee soufflé, Wienee ala King, Wienee-licious wienee-helper and Oscar Meyer parfait for dessert. What’ll it be? YOUNG ERNIE: You got ala carte? MARGO: Sure. (flops a wiener in his face) Have a wiener. YOUNG ERNIE: I don't like wieners. (A collective intake of breath as the music stops and all the counselors freeze in their tracks) ALL COUNSELORS: Ahhhhh! YOUNG ERNIE: What’d I do? NADINE: You don't like wieners? YOUNG ERNIE: I just…. NADINE: A bible camp camper who refuses his hot dogs? YOUNG ERNIE: All I said was… NADINE: (as schmaltzy martial music comes in under, ala “Stout Hearted Men”) 1480! MARK: The frankfurter first appeared in Vienna! NADINE: 1870! LUCILLE: German immigrant Charles Feltman sells the first hot dog at Coney Island! NADINE: 1893! SKIP: The first hotdog to get its bun! Chicago World’s Fair! NADINE: 1936! TED: Oscar Meyer’s first Wienermobile! NADINE: (ala Gestapo) An anti-wiener-ite, huh? A hotdog hater? A frank-o-phobe? You got a problem, kid? YOUNG ERNIE: I just… NADINE: You got any idea what wieners mean to Christianity, kid? You know how many church socials, soup kitchens, potlucks, and perfect attendance banquets are built upon the slippery skins of the great American hotdog? LUCILLE: (ala Grandma) Thousands of children starve every day in China and you won’t eat your hotdog! MARGO: (ala Aunt Maude) You sit too close to a wiener it’ll hurt your eyes and you’ll go blind! SKIP: You make that face while you’re eating a wiener and it’ll freeze that way! NADINE: If you keep playing with that hotdog it’ll fall off! NADINE: Face it, Ernie…. ALL COUNSELORS: God bless our hotdogs! YOUNG ERNIE: I’ll eat it! I’ll eat it! (he chows down then begins to choke as the happy camp music begins again) THE COUNSELORS: (singing) He’s choking! Not joking! Let’s sing out Hall-le-loo! If your soul is full of hell we’ll scare it out of you! TED: Talent Night! THE COUNSELORS: Yippee! (they all sit around Ernie as he stands there alone and frightened) YOUNG ERNIE: What…uh…what am I supposed to do? SKIP: Show your talent, kid! NADINE: Show us what you got, Ernie! YOUNG ERNIE: I don't have any talent. MARGO: You’re tellin’ me! SKIP: (jumping up) Watch this! The William Tell Overture on my gut! (he raises his shirt and beats out Rossini’s rhythm) NADINE: Hey! We can belch Jingle Bells! (several counselors…those who can belch.. do a short but disgusting gaseous rendition of Jingle Bells) TED: Come on, Ernie! Geesh! Do somethin’, kid! Ain’t you got no talent at all? YOUNG ERNIE: (crying) I just wanna go home! THE COUNSELORS: (singing) Ain’t lying! He’s crying! Let’s sing out Hall-le-loo! If your soul is full of hell we’ll scare it out of you! LUCILLE: Bed time! THE COUNSELORS: Yippee! (they all scurry around to their imaginary beds as Ernie stands there, then…) YOUNG ERNIE: Where am I supposed to sleep? MARK: Top bunk, geek! YOUNG ERNIE: I’m scared of heights. NADINE: Don't worry. They always fall out of that bunk. (Ernie climbs into his bunk) SKIP: Cool underwear, kid. Your grandpa’s? MARGO: Hey, you guys hear about the guy with the hook for an arm? This couple was makin’ out at Lover’s Leap when… YOUNG ERNIE: You’re scaring me! TED: Did’ja know ticks head right for your crotch? YOUNG ERNIE: Stop it! MARK: These two guys were headed across at cemetery at midnight and… YOUNG ERNIE: I’m not listening! LUCILLE: There was this guy sucking on a lollipop while he was driving and his airbag went off and drove it right down his… YOUNG ERNIE: Please stop! SKIP: Did you know that snakes can crawl right up through a toilet? YOUNG ERNIE: (sitting up) I’m going crazy! THE COUNSELORS: (singing) He’s cuckoo! He’s cuckoo! Let’s sing out Hall-le-loo! If your soul is full of hell we’ll scare it out of you! TED: (as the counselors flurry around Ernie) Craft Hall! Ten minutes! LUCILLE: (handing him a mop) You got the dirtiest cabin, kid! You clean the mess hall! NADINE: (handing him a bag) Snipe hunt! Ten o’clock! MARK: Kid, you smell! (sprays him) MARGO: He’s the one! He pinched my butt at the altar! YOUNG ERNIE: No! SKIP: Repent! YOUNG ERNIE: I did! TED: Do it again! YOUNG ERNIE: I repent! I repent! I wanna go home!!!!!!! I wanna go home! I wanna go… (and the lights dim out as poor Young Ernie goes to his knees in this flurry of evangelism…) THE COUNSELORS: (singing) Demented! Repented! Let’s sing out Hall-le-loo! If your soul is full of hell we’ll scare ----it -----out -----of ----- (ala Wagnerian Opera) Dah---dah---dah—Dah! Dah, dah, dah, dah… Dah----dah----dah---Dah! Dah, dah, dah, dah Dah—Dah! Dah-Dah! Dah! Dah-dah-dah-Dah!!!!! (The lights come up in a secluded place in the woods of the campground. Gloria rushes in, breathless.) GLORIA: Oh darn it. (shouting off) Micah! Micah, please! Micah, it’s okay! You didn’t do anything wrong! Micah, just be yourself…that’s enough.…! Really! Oh, please come back, Micah! [Music in under} Who am I kidding? Lord, I know you’ve chosen me for this work, but you wanna know the truth? I stink. (a long beat as she looks up to the heavens) You’re supposed to say, “No Gloria, you don't stink. You had big dreams for yourself, but I had other plans.” Miss Arkansas…1974….Fourth runner up… Five girls in the contest…. (looks up) It’s okay to interrupt me and tell me I’m wrong. Look at me, the belle of the ball If someone could just see the truth of it all I can laugh, I can smile… I can make them feel worthwhile But that's all it is….. I remember a child, looked something like me…. She would dance away the night, so care-free. But the night grew so long, now I dance alone Won't someone play a song for me? When in the world did my life start to slip away? I was the shining star, forever burning bright I only need one more chance, to try to get right And I can't believe it turned out this way I can't seem to find the girl I used to be The one who had the whole world at her feet She had hope, I had dreams How did the girl with it all turn into me? Lord, I really don't mean to cry and complain But if you could let someone care enough to look in my heart I think I could find myself, or at least a little part All I need is one little sign Why can't I find the girl I used to be I had the whole world at my feet But hope found someone new …The dreams left me too Now all that's left is just me …………….It's just me (Gloria stands a moment during the instrumental playoff, then exits. After a beat, Skip comes running into the area…no blackout. He falls to the ground, huffing and puffing. ) SKIP: (finally catching his breath) Okay… I give up. I’m lost. (looks up… looks around to see if anyone’s watching him looking up) Uh…God? This is sort of…you know…awkward. I haven’t really talked to you since Grandpa’s funeral and that was a long time ago. I don't even remember how to start.. …Our father who art…. Wait a minute. (crosses himself) I forgot that part. Wait a minute. It was a Catholic funeral.(Lucille appears upstage of him. Skip isn’t aware of her presence.) Should I..(begins to undo the cross)..undo that if I’m Presbyterian? (stops) Man, I’m all confused. …and I’m out of practice with this prayer stuff. How about…. Uh… Sir? You listening? Can we just talk? LUCILLE: Yes. (a long beat as Skip is startled) SKIP: (finally) Say that again. LUCILLE: Yes, you can just talk. SKIP: Oh my gosh. God’s a woman. My Uncle Raymond is gonna die. He left the church when they got a female preacher. LUCILLE: I’m not God. SKIP: (still not aware of Lucille’s presence) You’re not? God’s not God? Then who are you? LUCILLE: (coming behind him and putting her hands on his shoulder) I’m Lucille. SKIP: (startled at the touch) God’s named Lucille? LUCILLE: (moving to where he can see her) It’s me, Skip. I’m lost, too. SKIP: (jumping up and hugging her) Lucille! (realizing the fear he’s showing, backs away a step) I mean…I’m glad I found you. You look like you need help. LUCILLE: We both need help, Skip. We’re lost. SKIP: Did I say I was lost? Oh heck, I can find my way out of here in a minute. I’m just looking for Micah. LUCILLE: You’re lost. SKIP: I’m lost. LUCILLE: What were you doing? SKIP: Uh…praying… sort of. I’m out of practice. (looks around, then) You got any tips? LUCILLE: Want me to pray with you? SKIP: Can we do that? I mean do ….Can we do that without a preacher or a Christmas tree? LUCILLE: (smiles, then) Yes. (guiding him to his knees along with her) Come on… it’s pretty simple. (Lucille goes to her knees gently, folds her hands, closes her eyes, and is silent. Skip looks at her, clenches his hands together tightly, squeezes his eyes shut, and grimaces a bit. After a long beat Skip sneaks a peek at Lucille.) SKIP: Have we started yet? LUCILLE: I’m nearly done. SKIP: Could you…you know…do it out loud so I could hear? I mean, I just want to check to make sure you’re doin’ it right. LUCILLE: (smiles, then) Sure. (they both close their eyes) Daddy…we’re… SKIP: What’re you doing? LUCILlE: I’m praying. SKIP: Did you just call God, “Daddy?” LUCILLE: I always do. That’s a silly question. SKIP: What’s he call you? LUCILLE: (a beat, then) Lucille. SKIP: Oh. And he …you know…answers you and stuff? LUCILLE: Why not? I’m his little girl. SKIP: That seems awful …personal. LUCILLE: Repeat after me. (they both close their eyes) Daddy… SKIP: (a beat then) Daddy? (sneaks a peek and looks upward, a bit afraid of divine retribution) LUCILLE: We’re lost and we need help. SKIP: We’re lost and we need help. LUCILLE: Amen. SKIP: That’s it? LUCILLE: Amen. SKIP: Amen! That’s it? What about all the long stuff like they do in church? LUCILLE: I just know God. I haven’t learned church yet. SKIP: Wow. God for Dummies. So now whatta we do? LUCILLE: We get up. SKIP: You mean He told you where to go? LUCILLE: Not yet. You gotta get up before you can go. Come on…(she puts her hands on the ground to lift herself to standing, Skip does the same, then both stop and look down in disgust) SKIP & LUCILLE: ooooooo….. SKIP: What’s this gook? LUCILLE: It’s all over my hands. SKIP: Lots of animals out here. I don't even want to know. LUCILLE: Wait a minute. (licks her hand) SKIP: Ahhhh! What’re you doin’? LUCILLE: Try it! SKIP: Are you……….? LUCILLE: Try it! (and she sticks Skip’s hand in his face) SKIP: Marshmallow. LUCILLE: Marshmallow. SKIP: Bears poop marshmallows? LUCILLE: (looking around) There’s a whole row of ‘em. (standing) Let’s go. SKIP: Go where? LUCILLE: Follow the marshmallows. (beginning to go) SKIP: (stopping her) Right toward the bear? LUCILLE: Skip, someBODY had to leave these..and that someBODY went someWHERE. We follow the trail, we’ll find someBODY. SKIP: But what about the prayer? Shouldn’t we wait for….(Lucille points to the marshmallow trail) .. God uses marshmallows? LUCILLE: God for Dummies. Follow that trail, Tonto! (she grabs his hand and they are gone down the Marshmallow trail…and… blackout and Indian-drums up) (Lights up to reveal Ted and Nadine, entering hand in hand.) TED: There’s gotta be way out of here. I don't suppose you’ve got a compass? NADINE: God is my… TED: ..God is your compass. I know, I know. Hold it! You hear something? NADINE: Yeah. Silence. TED: No, it’s like…bomp-bomp…bomp-bomp…bomp-bomp… NADINE: (lets go of her hand and grabs her heart, turning away a bit) I’m sorry. I didn’t know you could hear it. TED: That was your heart? NADINE: This is embarrassing. TED: Hey Nadine, don't be embarrassed. NADINE: It uh…it started when you grabbed my hand. I’ve ..uh…I’ve never had this happen before. TED: You ain’t got a condition or something? NADINE: No…I mean nothing medical. Ted, if I asked you a question would you be honest with me? TED: Heck yes. We might be dead by morning. I’m really honest when I’m about to die. NADINE: Do you…I mean…let’s say you didn’t know me and everything…would you…you know..find me….attractive? TED: (a long beat, then) Nadine, I… NADINE: I’m sorry I mentioned it. Just forget it. TED: No, Nadine, I…. NADINE: (beginning to leave) I wonder if Micah went back to the camp… TED: (touching her to stop her) Nadine, I want to answer your…(she stops…she looks at his hand on her shoulder) (he realizes she’s noticed the touch, he removes his hand) I’m sorry. NADINE: No. TED: (beginning to leave) It’s getting dark. We better.. NADINE: (and this time she reaches out and touches him) Ted. (he looks at her hand on his arm, he turns to her) People think I’m….well…peculiar… self-righteous? A prude… TED: Well…yes. But I think you’re a very sweet girl, Nadine. And yes, you are very attractive. I think you’re a real babe. NADINE: A babe? TED: Cool. You’re cute, Nadine. Come on, you’ve got a mirror. NADINE: I know. But I seldom look in it. TED: (taking her by the shoulders ..gently) Nadine… sorry to be so quick about this, but …have you ever been kissed by a boy? NADINE: (turning away) Ted! TED: (turning away) Sorry! I’m really sorry. NADINE: (grabbing him by the shoulders and turning him quickly as they end up face to face) No. No, I’ve never been kissed by a boy. TED: (momentarily speechless, then) Well…then… NADINE: (quickly) Yes? TED: Just for the sake of experience… NADINE: Yes..yes…experience is good. TED: Would you want to….you know… kiss or something? NADINE: Just for the experience.. TED: Just for the experience… NADINE: (a very long beat as they look into each other’s eyes, not sure how to proceed) (finally) So…what do we do next? TED: Do? NADINE: Don't we…you know…prepare somehow. TED: I think we just did. You sure this is okay with God? NADINE: (looks up a very brief moment, then grabs him with real passion) Yes! TED: Wow. Okay…(both are on the verge of…well…they’re ready)…so people just sort of look into each other’s eyes…(their lips get nearer and nearer) …and they smile a little bit….then they say something really romantic and… NADINE: (as their lips are about to touch, seeing something out of the corner of her eye) Marshmallows! TED: Huh? NADINE: Marshmallows. TED: That’s not very romantic, Nadine. NADINE: I know. But there’s a line of marshmallows going right down that trail…(she breaks away from him to look) TED: Nadine! NADINE: Isn’t that amazing? Somebody’s strung marshmallows all the way through woods. Ted, it’s our way out! TED: Who wants to leave? NADINE: We’re saved! TED: No. I mean…we were just about to… NADINE: (running to him) It’s a sign from God, Ted. I true sign from God…like when Abraham was about to sacrifice Isaac on the rock, a sheep showed up in the thicket! That’s just what happened, Ted! Just as I was about to….Oh, thank you, Lord! Thank you! (to Ted) Come on! (she runs off) TED: I hate sheep. (he exits…blackout and music up) (Micah enters..alone. He stops..listens..in the distance he hears cries of “Micah!” “Micah, where are you?” He turns to run in a different direction but is stopped by voices from that direction as well. Confused, depressed, and very, very tired, he simply stops and sits on the ground. Margo enters, backing into the scene…stops when she sees Micah sitting there. He does not see her. Is it him? She moves to get a better look.)
Micah: Lord, it’s me again Alone and wondering who I am I’m sorry that I’m not the man that you had planned I hope You understand I’ve done all that I can I have worn so many faces Tried not to disgrace us But in the end I lost the one I was…
I have tried to fit into this world I have denied the one I am inside I have cried this world is so cold
I would love to see Your Heaven But I doubt that I would fit in So I promise I won’t bother You again
Margo: Lord, it’s me again Alone and wondering who I am Sometimes it’s hard for some of us to see your plan I hope You understand That we do all we can (music under) (to Micah) Sort of misfits, aren’t we? I’m with a guy…I know what he’s thinking. I know what he’s in love with and it’s not my personality, Micah. Margo the flirt…Margo the party girl… Sometimes you hear something so often..well…you start to believe what other people think of you. You think…you think maybe He looks at us that way? MICAH: I wish I knew. MARGO: Know what, kid? I think He knows us better than we know ourselves… But we thank You for believing That we are still worth keeping Even when the world turns us aside Both: No more tears We can make it if we try No more fears Of who we are inside Too many years We’ve tried to run and hide
But we’re His children… And He is by our side (Blackout..Who I Am theme up) Scene Three: Camp Rec Hall (The lights come up on an empty stage then we hear a commotion offstage. All the campers, in a frightened line enter holding hands and following the trail of marshmallows. At the front of the line is Gloria picking up the marshmallows as she counts then handing them off to the others whose hands are full of marshmallows.) THE GROUP: (in a whining whimpering sing-song) Oh sweet Camp Sunshine I missed you The joy you bring, our hearts you'll fill With love, we know you will GLORIA: Six thousand four hundred and ninety one, six thousand four hundred and ninety two, Six thousand four hundred and ninety three, six thousand… LUCILLE: Hey! We’re here! We found the camp. (the group looks around in surprise and gratitude) SKIP: I never thought this place’d look good. GLORIA: You still okay, Micah? MICAH: Where’s Mark? NADINE: He went to phone your folks…tell ‘em you’re okay. GLORIA: Oh praise the Lord for marshmallows! TED: But who did it? Somebody strung marshmallows down the trails and right back to the camp. GLORIA: It had to be Uncle Ernie…that’s why we never saw him out there. UNCLE ERNIE: (rushing in wearing a very scorched and tattered uniform) Search party! Line up right here! GLORIA: We found the boy, Ernie. UNCLE ERNIE: Without me? How could you? SKIP: Holy cow. Somebody fried Uncle Ernie. MARGO: But if it wasn’t for your trail of marshmallows we’d never made it back. TED: Yeah. Thanks, Uncle Ernie. UNCLE ERNIE: Ah, it was nothing. (to Gloria) What are they talking about? GLORIA: The trail of marshmallows through the woods! We followed right here to the Rec Hall. UNCLE ERNIE: You did? What marshmallows? MARGO: You didn’t leave marshmallows? UNCLE ERNIE: I was busy becoming a human S’more. The Lord gave me a wake-up call. NADINE: Cool! Like Paul on the road to Damascus! UNCLE ERNIE: More like The Human Torch in Marvel comics. You know, I had a similar spiritual experience during the Peace March in ’71 and… GLORIA: Ernie! I love you dearly, but how about you just shut up before God slaps you silly? But the question remains..who..…(but she is stopped by the sight of Sister Lagasi backing into the room, carefully dropping a trail of marshmallows behind her..she’s unaware of the group’s presence) (as she’s about to back into the group) Sister Lagasi! LAGASI: (startled, throwing her remaining marshmallows into the air) Ahhhh! GLORIA: Please, sister! It’s just us! LAGASI: (And for the first time we see the sister’s face. She wears very thick glasses.) Who’s us? GLORIA: Gloria and the campers. SKIP: (indicating Uncle Ernie) And The Human Torch. LAGASI: (feeling Gloria’s face) Ah…Gloria! You made it back! MICAH: You…you were the one dropping the marshmallows? LAGASI: You mean it worked? GLORIA: Yes, sister. We followed them all the way back to camp! LAGASI: Oh, praise the Lord! (laughs uproariously) SKIP: Wow. A laughing nun. LAGASI: (laughs) GLORIA: Sister laughs a lot. LAGASI: (laughs) MARGO: Uh…look. I’ve never wanted to ask, but what exactly is a nun doing at a Baptist Summer Camp? Isn’t that kind of …you know…weird. LAGASI: Yes.. and it’s sad story, really. (laughs) LUCILLE: Then why are you laughing? LAGASI: Because I’m here.(laughs) NADINE: But why are you here? LAGASI: Because I’m laughing. (laughs) TED: I’m confused. LAGASI: Oh God bless you, you naïve little protestant. Let me tell you all about it… When I was just a novice… NADINE: Novice? GLORIA: It’s like nuns in spring training, Nadine. LAGASI: (laughs) When I was just a little girl…You know some music would be nice. (the orchestra begins under) Thank you. (laughs) My parents were Catholic missionaries to Africa. I had a hyena for a pet. NADINE: And that’s why you laugh? LAGASI: No. I hated the damned thing. But my daddy would bounce me on his knee and tickle me. MARGO: So you grew up laughing? LAGASI: No. I despised it. He was always drunk. And ever since I was born, whenever anyone would touch me around the ribs I’d just shriek. LUCILLE: So you’ve been laughing ever since! LAGASI: Are you crazy? It was leprosy! So one day I left home to become a nun… GLORIA: Oh, that’s wonderful. God whispered in your ear and… LAGASI: … Huh? I was a leper with a drunken old man and a stupid hyena for a pet. I needed a change of scenery..so I entered the convent. NADINE: Convent? GLORIA: Where they store nuns. NADINE: Oh. MARGO: But the laughing part? LAGASI: Patience, my child. I’ve been waiting backstage for two hours. This is my scene. You see… I’m happy. I can’t help it! I love the Lord and he loves me and we’re as happy as we can be. Sis-boom-bah, and Ya-da, ya-da, ya-da! Yo-ho-ho and a bottle… you get the idea. Father Emeril put the wafer on my tongue and I just busted out laughing! I giggled all through evening vespers and when it came time to take a vow of silence I busted a gut. Hey! God makes me happy, okay? I can’t help it! It’s holy laughter. (she laughs and the group laughs along with her) Sure…easy for you to laugh. You’re protestant. No one expects you to take anything seriously. So they sent me here…to a Baptist church camp for penance and rehabilitation. (easy, stop-time) Oh gather ‘round my little dears.. A Catholic tale for your Protestant ears… It isn’t pretty…And so I’m warning you… I was born beneath a curse…became a nun who laughs in church… That’s why I call it the Ha-ha-happiness Blues.. (a tempo) I learned to laugh before I learned to talk… I go off like a cuckoo clock! The way God made me….Well that’s my excuse… You mention God and if I’m half awake.. I’ll jump with joy ‘cause for heaven’s sake I’ve got the ha-ha-Happiness Blues! (CHORUS) It’s my obsession..when in confession… To laugh out loud… I choke…I squirm..I twist, I wiggle… Forgive me father for I have giggled.. Oh Jesus loves me, yes, I know… It’s just that I get tickled so! I’ve got the Ha-ha, ha-ha-happiness Blues! (vamp under 2 verses) Hey, did you hear the one about the smiling bishop? I didn’t either. First official communion … the bishop handed me the bread, I thought of God.. I smiled…I laughed with joy! And the wafer flew out of my mouth and down the front of his vestment. For punishment I had to lead the supper prayer. I said, “Okay! Everybody put their hands in the air and shout, “Yo, God! You rock!” I went from making rosary beads for overseas missions to cooking beans for Baptists. (Chorus) I’ll tell ya honey, it isn’t funny… To laugh out loud… I try…I cry..I sigh…I die But thinking of God just gets me high! To talk with God is such a joy to me I skipped Vatican II and went straight to three! I’ve got the Ha-ha, ha-ha-happiness Blues! (spoken) Time for the world-famous Nun Dance! (She begins to dance,{2 Verses} inviting the others to join in with her, and they do) Wowsers! Not bad for a bunch of Protestants. GLORIA: (dancing) Oh we can dance, Sister. We just can act like we’re enjoying it. LAGASI: Shake it, you little apostates! Come on a join the celebration! I’ll forgive you all for the reformation! Solo time! (she does a solo turn on the dance floor and the others join in at the end) (Bridge) I wish that I could simply stop it! ALL: Don't stop it! LAGASI: Happiness is what I’m guilty of… (spoken) MARGO: Don't confess! LAGASI: Bite your tongue! LAGASI: (singing) But I am so afraid I’ll never ever drop it! ALL: Don't drop it! LAGASI: To me my laughter’s just the sound of love! (drag down) Some day in heaven if I get it right I’ll look into God’s holy light. He’ll say, “Well, sister… Is it really you?” He’ll take me up into the clouds… And then I know He’ll laugh out loud! “You got the ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-happiness ..!” (tag) I tell you even God’s got the happiness….! The ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-Happiness Blues!” GLORIA: Glory, glory Halleluiah, his nun is marching on! Well, according to my schedule, it’s time for crafts in the Hall of Leather and.. UNCLE ERNIE: Uh..Gloria. That was yesterday. GLORIA: Uncle Ernie, I have been doing the same camp schedule for the past 14 summers. Friday is always… UNCLE ERNIE: This is Saturday. GLORIA: What happened to Friday? UNCLE ERNIE: You were in the woods. We lost a day. GLORIA: Then this…..? LUCILLE: It’s the last day of camp, Gloria. GLORIA: Oh no! We’ve lost Bonding Day! SKIP: Bonding Day? GLORIA: Oh my dear Lord! After getting sick of each other for six days of griping, hard beds, mosquito infestations and Salmonella-tainted potato salad, we always gather on the last day of camp to bond in Christian Fellowship! SKIP: Huh? GLORIA: It’s beautiful! We sit in circles on the ground, share our innermost fears and joys, complain about how our parents don't understand us and how we have no real friends. Then we cry a lot, we hug each other, we promise to be friends forever, and join hands while Uncle Ernie sings his rendition of John Lennon’s “Give Peace a Chance”. It’s like the Second Coming and the opening of a new Wal-Mart all rolled into one! And now your parents will be here any minute and we don’t have time to bond! I am a miserable failure! (a long beat as Gloria dissolves into tears and the others stare at her in wonder) LAGASI: (not being able to see Gloria well) Is she done? UNCLE ERNIE: You never know. LAGASI: Can I say something? GLORIA: (crying) Go ahead, Sister. Life as we know it at Camp Sunshine is now over. I have failed God. LAGASI: Not quite. UNCLE ERNIE: Huh? LAGASI: I can’t see very well, but when you spend the night spreading marshmallows through six miles trails in the woods, you hear a lot. NADINE: Oh no. UNCLE ERNIE: Quiet, girl. Let the blind nun speak. LAGASI: (gentle music under) So I spent the night in the woods stumbling around with my little marshmallows ….but I stumbled onto something else..I heard things… SKIP: (beginning to leave) I gotta go…. UNCLE ERNIE: Stay, boy! (Skip stops) LAGASI: ….Let’s see….I heard a young girl who didn’t know how brave she was and a young man who didn’t know how scared he could be…And I heard her teach him to pray the first honest prayer of his life… (Skip and Lucille look at each other and it’s obvious to the others whom Lagasi is talking about) .. What was it? “Dear Daddy….We’re lost and we need help. Amen.” (Lucille slowly moves to Skip) TED: (to Skip) You called God “Daddy?” SKIP: I always do. That’s a silly question. LAGASI: And then I heard a young man…all alone… He’d never taken God seriously until last night when he said, “I’ll do anything…anything to get my brother back safe.” (all eyes turn to Mark..he is embarrassed and edges himself offstage) Then there was this girl… she thought that maybe God had made her a bit strange… well, she was…sort of a prude...(all eyes turn to Nadine…she is mortified ala “What?!”) …And somewhere between my fifth and sixth bag of Kraft Jet-Puffed marshmallows I heard her say something like… NADINE: May I be excused? UNCLE ERNIE: No.. LAGASI: Something like… “…it started when you grabbed my hand. I’ve ..uh…I’ve never had this happen before.” And then this boy…..he said… TED: Can I go the bathroom? LAGASI: No, he didn’t mention that. He said, “ … so people just sort of look into each other’s eyes…and they smile a little bit….then they say something really romantic and…” (Micah returns, unnoticed by the others) And then there was this beautiful moment…I’d gone through fourteen bags and was headed back to the kitchen when I heard the most beautiful prayer in my life…two children.. a bit confused.. a little scared…but singing their hearts out to God.. (singing) No more tears We can make it if we try No more fears Of who we are inside (Micah is very embarrassed, but Margo moves to him and takes his hand) Too many years We’ve tried to run and hide (Margo and Micah join in the song) But we’re His children… And He is by our side (as the music continues under) GLORIA: ….but this isn’t the way we usually … UNCLE ERNIE: Gloria, on the great football of life, you just got clothes-lined by God. Suck it up, girl. GLORIA: But there’s so much I…(reaches for a packet of letters) Lucille. I’m so sorry, sweetheart. I meant to mail your letters home, but with all the confusion…(Lucille takes the letters) … Look, I want to apologize to all of you for… MARGO: Gloria? (hugs her) How about you just shut up before God slaps you silly? (the music seques to Song of Hope intro) NADINE: (Xing to Ernie’s R) I’m so sorry, Uncle Ernie. Everything’s a mess. MICAH: How did we get so lost? SOLO CAMPER: (to another camper) There are times we feel alone, When the world seems much too close And we can loose our faith In everyone we know Afraid to let it show Let it show…Let it show…Let it show…! (And other campers join in, a few at a time, until the entire group is singing and dancing) We should know by now That life's too long To live in doubt (During the following, Lucille takes her packet of letters and tears them in half in one swift move, then tosses the pieces into the air… Nadine boldly crosses to Ted and takes his hand. Margo takes Gloria’s hand. Lucille X’s to Skip and hugs him. Micah boldly crosses up to Uncle Ernie…Ernie stares at him a moment then gives him a “playful” punch to the shoulder. Micah stands his ground although it hurt a bit, then socks Ernie right back, knocking him off balance. Ernie looks at Micah in surprise, smiles, then the two hug.)
There's no need to look around, The answers won't be found In such a desperate place We must open up our heart, raise our hands up to the clouds Listen for the song of hope, ……………..give it voice, sing it loud! Sing! Sing a song of hope! Sing! Sing a song of hope. You've got to sing out loud Sing so all the world can hear
People everywhere Living in despair Never knowing why
Walking in a world of fear Nothing coming clear Yet knowing there is more We must open up their hearts, Raise their hands up to the clouds Let them hear the song of hope, sing for them, sing it loud Sing..sing a song of hope. Sing!
They will learn to sing along Bringing harmony to Heaven's song Letting all in this world see They only need believe, in the song they sing.. Sing it loud, sing it proud
Song of hope, sing it loud Sing..sing a song of hope…
Sing is loud…Sing it loud… A song of Hope! (Blackout)
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