(Somewhere within a dense shadow, possibly a magnolia backlit by a
tall fire, or just pines in the wind before a streetlamp; others
around, passing hurriedly; some standing aimlessly; dusty, barren
ground; blood-red tint; pike with something scratched along its
length; sound of turgid, clotted water; passing railrooad. A man
strides across lines scratched on the red ground intently; his name
is Raber. According to his memory the greenhouse recently burnt down
but he admits it may have occurred up to seven decades ago. Indeed,
he admits he possibly never owned a greenhouse, only assigned one to
an unknown father at an unknown date, possibly yesterday. He is
obsessed with his ancestors. Town of Oresteia)
Raber: This is an awful development. I just never, God I just never
thought (extends arm)-- look at this sprout!
Clain: Ye-ap. its done for. This patch won't grow. What about there?
anyluck over there?
Raber: No seeds, no soil. No sun, no seeds. Who the hell are you?
completely unnoticed by others>
Stranger: Fuck!
[woman closes her cellphone throws it to the ground, and starts
jumping on it, imprinted in soft barren soil. She stops startled and
embarrassed, noticing she is being watched.]
[Raber and Clain come closer, Clain studies the length of the woman's
simple but flattering dress. Raber studies the ground where the cell
phone is/was.
She's a richer color than they are. They seem pale, sickly almost. They move slower]
Raber: Just swallowed it whole, like it was hungry for it, [looking up
at her] you know, like it, like it was ready.
Stranger: (sighing) It's useless. I guess it won't be long now
before it swallows us. (She collapses to her knees and begins to
sob.) It's useless.
Raber: (removing his tattered hat) Ma'am, are you alright? (she
continues crying) Come on, let's get you off the ground. (Raber
extends his hand to help her up and Clain approaches and helps too.)
Shouldn't you be celebrating with the others?
Stranger (raises head and stares intently off, speaks quickly):
What they're doing down at the river is the snake's own form. That
crude woman statue with the rags? I mean, it's like they've lost all
claim on the past and turned over their own children, you know?
(stands and brushes off her woman's slacks) Does that make any sense?
Clain: None as far as I can tell, Raber?
[Raber with hands on hips shakes his head looking at Clain as if to
say "I hate you"]
Clain: Raber's right though miss. You probably should be down at the
river with the others. Gunna be the best time since we burnt the ole
greenhouse down.
Woman: That cell phone was my ride out of here,..I dont suppose either
one of you have any means of transportation?
{Clain and Raber look at each other]
Clain:..mam..you see we...
Woman: ...I could make it worth your while.
Raber: Its not that ma'am. I mean, well, to put it frankly, there ain't nowhere to go. There ain't no way out of here.
(Soundless flashes in the west. The bare outline of hills.)
(Woman stands stone still; alone. Raber and Clain seem weary, as if they're sick of seeing this revelation in others)
Woman (trying to stay the tremor in her voice, the fear): Just tell me where the road is.
(Raber and Clain look at each other, look at the ground.)
(Woman continues, weakly laughs): O I see, a little fun with the visitor.
(Soundless flash in the distance. Nobody moves.)
Raber (tenderly, after pause): Why don't you move on to the river. They.....They'll help you. They'll tell you things in the way of explaining. We're no good. They'll help.
Clain: It's a good thing, this place you're in. You'll never-
Raber (interrupting): That' s enough. (To the woman) You have a good day, ma'am.
(She doesn't move)
(Woman regards them with wide, seering eyes. She's tense.)
Woman: I'm not going anywhere (she produces a small packet from inside her sock) so you might as well let him talk.
Clain: I shouldnt say anymore anyhow ma'am, just shouldn't.
Raber: Lets just go, we need to move.
[Woman holds up the packet]: speaking of things that you just shouldn't.
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