red house lines

CORA: why do you have to run like that Hannah, I couldn't keep your pace

it is a fake! did you see him shoving it under the nose of anyone who would stop to listen? it is quite pathetic if you ask me!

CORA: shes cross because Billy-

billy lewis has produced a fake token and is parading around town as we speak, boasting about how his family far surpasses us golds.

MOTHER GOLD: the manners of that boy are shameful. I would bring the matter up with his mother if she wasn't the one in the same… I plan on making pie tonight, perhaps that will lift your sour mood?

will it be ready for after dinner?

CORA: oh isle of erthiea have you seen all her glory, from shore to shore-

he is a filthy liar!

CORA: yes. you have made your point quite clear

he has offered no proof!

CORA: except the tile itself of course

mark my words Cora, if you were to move the stove that sits in his kitchen, you would find a tile missing from the floor. I know it.

CORA: but you cannot prove that

have you seen it? there was a grease to it, a texture that cannot be explained except if it sat under his mother’s awful cooking

CORA: well the red house itself cannot be very clean, perhaps-

why do you so easily believe everything? he is a liar and a cheat.

CORA: and you are green with jealousy that Billy lewis ventured deeper into the red house than anyone has ever dared before

me? jealous of that newt.

CORA: they call him a hero

who

CORA: everyone. you must have heard them! it is all everyone is talking about. he went farther in, even than father. you have to admit that!

i will not have the gold name tarnished because one of the dirty Lewis clan can tell a good tale. and more to the point, we do not know how far in father went. this could very well be from the heart of the beast’s lair

CORA: in town, they say it may only be from the front door

how dare you make that suggestion!

CORA: you take all of this far too seriously sister. what matter is it really?

why do you think the town stepped in so graciously when father died? we are an honorable family because of this doorknob, without it we would be destitute.

CORA: they help us because it is the right thing to do. when father took ill-

it is not out of pity, it is respect

CORA: it has been a long year without him. for all of us. would you care to visit his grave with me the day after the next? I plan to lay lilies over his tombstone

lilies? I cannot think of a worse way to honor him. he found flowers so completely worthless

CORA: well if you ever want to join me, I would apprieciate the company. oh the isle of erythia-

must you sing?

CORA: mother instructed us both to practice

that song dulls my mind

CORA: all right, what would you have me sing? a song for the season? spring is almost upon us

no Cora, that is perhaps the one thing more tiresome than our island’s ballad. no. sing something… somethingg.. something to chill the blood! sing-

CORA: I will not sing that song

will it not be fun? we can scare each other silly, and laugh about it all afternoon long

CORA; I only know church hyms and songs of erythia

do not lie to me everyone knows this song

CORA: everyone except me

you do not wish for me to be happy. you wish for me to pass away from boredom, to starve, needing only a little fun for nourishment…

CORA: you are ever so dramatic sister

i am passing as we speak, please dearest Cora, pleaseee….

CORA: oh fine…

I knew you would not disappoint

CORA: I will- I will sing you the song of icabod crane

that is not the song i want and you know it!

CORA: it is scary enough for me

that is because you are merely and infant dear girl

CORA: I AM NOT

then prove it to me, sing me the only song with a truly murderous history, a song so dark, so wicked, that it is only sung in shadow.

CORA; when will your obsession with the red house wane? it seems your talk is used to hide how frightened you actually are. if Billy Lewis has shown up our family, sister, why do you not make the trek, find a weakness in one of those chained doors or windows and take something for yourself

how can you be so sure I haven't already crossed its threshold?

CORA: hannah you are the biggest braggart in town, the chickens would know if you had actually step foot in the red house

perhaps I wanted to keep it private

CORA: then where is your token? or is that something else you chose to keep private too?

i took no token

CORA: oh yes of course that makes perfect sense

watch your tounge

CORA: you think me such a fool? at least Billy lewis has a peice of the house to back up his mouth

the honor belonged to father, it was not going to be me to take it away. I am not fearful or jealous or a LIAR! here in this room, you are the only one dancing around the challenge at hand. too frightened to sing a simple childrens rhyme.

CORA: it is more than a childrens rhyme, and you know it… they say the song is a means of summoning… her.

geryon?

CORA: not so loud

geryon geryon geryon geryon geryon GERYON!! see nothing terrible has come to pass

CORA: it is not the name that does the summoning, it is the song. and you know that very well.

and what better way to pass the afternoon that for us to discover if that story is fact or fairytale.

CORA: no

sing

CORA: there is not enough silver on this island to convince me

are you not curious in the slightest

CORA: not in the least!

do not lie to me! our house has a direct view of the red house, your room in fact, has the most direct view of any of the rooms in the village. do not tell me that it has not drawn your attention

CORA: I pretend it isn't there

it sits larger than town hall

CORA: I look the other way

well I do not, I burn to know the treasures hidden withing those red walls

CORA: I will not sing that song

fine. I will then. it will not be as pretty with my voice but it will suffice.

CORA: Hannah wait!- what if—-

if you are too scared than go run to mother… leave the doll I gave you, please.

CORA: but shes mine now

i will not have my old doll with such a frightened feeble babe such as yourself.

CORA: you wouldn't dare taking her from me

there is nothing I would not dare

CORA: fine. sing it then, go on.

no vermin large or small, lives within the red house walls, stalking slinking day and night, the monster gives me quite a fright! Geryon is her name-

CORA: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

what has come over you?

CORA: did you not see it?

see what?

CORA: geryon!

i saw nothing

CORA: she was rightther, right there, I saw her!

did you?

CORA: I swear that I did

oh to actually see her. what was her look? was she great? and terrible? did her body have the ectra limbs we were told of?

CORA: she was gone so fast-

was her skin blood red sister? and what of her wings?

CORA: well yes, she did have wings. great terrible wings. and and and cold black eyes!

you looked into her eyes?

CORA: yes but only for a moment! it was not on purpose! I had nowhere else to look!

well you are in trouble then

CORA: but those stories have to be false, she has been locked away for ages, for years and years, since before we were born. since before mother was born, she could not still-

stalk and hunt, waiting for the ideal moment to attack a new victim

CORA: she cannot still live

and yet you saw her

CORA: I did…

perhaps she is now a spirit free, to travel through walls whenever she pleases

CORA: that is not possible

very well explain to me what you saw dearest sister

CORA; I cannot

best of luck to you then, we all know that happens to those that see her eyes

CORQ: do you have no concern that you have just sentenced your sister to death?

you do not believe in geryon, cora you've made that quite clear

CORA; I didnt believe before but now—

now that your life is on the line?

CORA; perhaps you were right, is that what you needed to hear??

and of Billy lewis?

CORA: I must admit now that I have seen geryon, well I do not think he would have the courage to breach her walls

thank you sister I am glad that you have finally given reason on this matter

CORA: and what of me? is it true that she… does she really—

eat her prey? sadly yes.. she comes upon them in the scilence of night, while they sleep, they say her first victims were her very own children

CORA: then I really am done for

not if I have anything to say about it

CORA: but what can you do

i will get to her before she can get to you

CORA:but hannah—

did father ever tell you what sent him into the red house, Cora dear?

CORA: no never

in his day, the youth found it their duty to discourage the monster’s appetite. They would raid the property, shouting, cursing— they were keeping her at bay. the taking of the doorknob so deep in its den, it was a message for the monster: we will get to you,no matter where you hide. a message that they would not tolerate her treachery any longer. that is why the tokens have such value, they tell the monster simply; you are not as safe as you think. and if she feels so bold as to leave her nest and hunt again, then the time has come at long last to stop her for good.

CORA: how can you hope, what can you do?

i will take something that no one has ever dared to take before. a token that father regretted not taking when he had the chance. I will take the monsters heart.

CORA: no Hannah you cannot hope to—

for you, my dearest sister. I will do it to save your life. I will go tonight —before the monster has a chance to come for you…. do not speak of this to mother, do you promise? … then it is settled these hours are geryons last.

GERYON: I could find a better dog, orthrus. think on that before you ignore my command again

mixed for Cora no doubt. it seems I arrived in the Nick of time… God in heaven! it-it must be one of her victims. is this what you'll do to me if I'm discovered? pull yourself together hannah! you're a gold remember? you came here for the monster’s heart and nothing less will suffice!… a place to hide, that Is just what I need, it will never see me coming!… perhaps- perhaps the heart isn't such a good token after all. I could always pick anything up before me and be done with it… yes! it is so obvious! billy’s tile will be nothing compared to the skeletal hand of one of the children she stole… be quick! who knows when the monster will return… do not fear what is already dead hannah. the bones cannot hurt you!

GERYON: what are you doing out of bed?

GERYON!! you you? where are your boild? your wings? and your skin, your skin is not red at all!

GERYON: I am red on the indside. as we are all red on the outside my dear. I will teach you this.

do not try and trick me with a devilish riddle or your old lady disguise! NO! I am- I am Hannah gold and- and you will torture this isle no more! yes, I have come to at long last rid our village of your- your evil ways! I am here to take your life! keep still now! now is the time of your demise!

SHERIFF: we need to keep calm. i will venture to the red house and-

no vermin large or small, live within the red house walls

MOTHER GOLD: thank the good Lord! it is Hannah! he has brought my Hannah back to me!

stalking slinking day and night the monster gives me quite a fright. GERYON is her name, blood and gore her favorite game

MOTHER GOLD: its its blood!

do not dare get to close my dear, or you will live your greatest fear, eaten alive by a red beast, too late to run, you are her feast

MOTHER GOLD: Hannah dearest are you well?

i apologize for my disappearance, I hope you did not worry too much mother.

SHERIFF: I cannot see a mark on her, where is you injury girl?

I have no injury. the blood doesn't belong to me…

SHERIFF: then wherever… no Hannah, please say you did not—

i present my token. the heart of geryon.

GERYON: Mary dear, you must not scream again. will you promise? I do hate when I have to be stern with you… but be warned, my spoon is at the ready. no screeching now..

HELLPPPP PLEASEEEE HELPPPPPPPPPP

GERYON: I have had enough of that. I do not wish to turn you blue now mary

for the last time my name is not Mary!

GERYON: all down now? good girl. good Mary.

what was that

GERYON: you know what it was Mary. mothers medicine. you must fight it you know. this terrible illness. and I know just the way how

it tasted of old tea and and mint? it was cold and stale but not foul, was It not poison?

GERYON: the doctor said you needed medicine not poison. poison indeed… where do those wild thoughts come from Mary?

who was Mary?

start of scene six (last line said was GERYON; another dose)

no one will ever question our family’s rank again

MOTHER GOLD: are you listening to me Hannah?

no vermin large or small

MOTHER GOLD: and wash the blood from your hand and face, it is not becoming of a young lady

yes mother. of course mother

GERYON: and the sea was large, and dangerous, but the fishermen would not abate. and their courage beat the storm. and thus were rewarded with a bounty of fish. and no one on the island was hungry again

my father always told me that story

GERYON: not a day in your life! father does a great many things. but not his. this is ours. surely you remember

how long has it been since your dog moved

GERYON: orthrus is a good dog just a bit lazy now an then he will watch more closely with you moving about. twice daily you know. always twice a day.

do you think the heart of a dog is very different from the heart of a human?

GERYON: you always wore your hair in braid my girll, could I braid it for you now?

i am too old for braids

GERYON: oh. ofc mary dear

father loved my hair braided but since he… was your Mary very sick?

GERYON: NONESENSE I HAVE TOLD YOU-

of course I mean was i very sick?

before, yes. but now, mother has you fit again. just as I promised I would

father was very sick. and weak. scarcely able to breathe! it was vile how quickly he let the illness take him. in a snap. a blink. and, and then it was and the it was forever. with him just laying there. in bed.

GERYON: no mary no no that is not so! I told you dear, father is—

off getting medicine. yes, of course…

GERYON: give me a smil Mary. will you please? even if it is very faint… I have waited so very long to see you smile.

you are not what I expected you to be

GERYON: please Mary? be good to mother now. let me see you smile ( i smile) and the doves erupted from the heavens and every last angel did cheer. thank you dear girl thank you

you know, if you still wanted it might be to have my hair in braids again

GERYON: you will not run. promise me. promise me my Mary dear

i will not run you have my word

GERYON: perfect. just perfect. you are just what I needed. a strong daughter. a strong daughter again.

thank you… I really must be going now the sun has already risen.

GERYON: no Mary no no no no no no no Mary!!!!!!!

do not despair I will return

GERYON: no Mary! no no no!

there is no doorknob on this door… deep inside the monster’s layer… fathers token. but you are not a monster… you are not a monster

GERYON: no no no no no no no Mary no!

is father not a hero? and what are we? the gold family… are the golds then like everybofy