Scene 1-4: Prologue/Journey On

(sung) The people call it Ragtime

Father was well off. Very well off. His considerable income was derived from the manufacture of fireworks and bunting and other accoutrements of patriotism. Father was also something of an amateur explorer.

(sung) There were gazebos, and…

There were no Negroes.

*prologue ends*

Everything will be fine, Mother. You’d think the world was coming to an end every time a man sailed off to the North Pole with Admiral Perry.

[MOTHER] I shall miss you.

Of course you will. But it’s only a year. Nothing much happens in a year. The world will not spin off its axis. Nothing will change, Mother. We will miss each other but the world will stay the same.

[LITTLE BOY] Me too!

Edgar, stay here.

[LITTLE BOY] I want to see her, too.

You’re the man of the house now. You have to keep an eye on Mother for both of us. Will you do that?

[LITTLE BOY] Yes, sir.

That’s my little soldier.

[GRANDFATHER] Everyone say goodbye.

I’ll miss you, sir.

[MOTHER] Come back soon and safe to us.

That is my intension.

[MOTHER] And not too many polar bear skins

I promise. Now, unless you want to be the only woman on a ship full of men, you’d better get ashore. I’m sorry. That was coarse. Goodbye. Stay well. God bless you. And remember to cancel our subscription to the Philharmonic. I left money for an emergency under the library rug. Don’t smile. You can never have enough money. And you’ll remember to bring in the dahlias? Goodbye. Say a prayer for us. God bless America. God bless each and every one of us.

[MOTHER] (sung) Journey on!

It’s an honor to go on expedition with you, Admiral Perry. It’s men like you who’ve made this country great.

[PEARY] This is my First Officer, Mr. Matthew Henson.

Good evening.

[HENSON] Welcome aboard.

What’s that? In the distance? Such a ghostly glow.

[PEARY] Good watch, Henson.

You’re a brave man, whoever you are. coming so far, expecting so much.