SCOTLAND

START OF SHOW- SCENE 1

We haven't put a single dollar away in weeks, we have to change something.

What do you suggest, remember they consider us the lucky ones.

Maybe we could let Ida find work, she's been mentioning it for weeks. More like she's campaigning.

She's a child, certainly normal to want to grow up faster but that doesn't mean we're supposed to just send her into the workforce, father would be disgraced.

Well he'd certainly want us to work as hard as we can to build a good life here, and that means growing up. Besides, she's hardly a child anymore.

When she's older, of course she'd join us but it's our responsibility to give her a good life here. Father said-

Father isn't here right now. Use your judgement. Surely there's something of substance here.

Well then this is my choice

Dmitry she has a point. It might be best if she had somewhere to be with other people to keep her company. We need that money.

We came here for a better life, I'm not sacrificing that.

We work for a better life, it only comes with bitter work. Ida, where do you want to work? I'm assuming you've had this grand idea for at least a week if not longer.

I'm going to get that job and work until we can escape this place. I'm going to be of value.

Working hard will reward us if we're patient.

SCENE 4- Ida should be home by now, right?

She's probably walking up the stairs right now, the factory hours are just as long as ours and she has a longer walk home.

I'm worried about her.

She can take care of herself. She's grown up just as much as we have since coming here. you have to learn to trust her.

See, there she is! I told you so. Sooooo how was it?

It's a job, a good one, the other workers are kind. It'll be good for me and for us.

I'm glad to hear that.

She's still our little sister, and I can't shake the feeling that we should be taking better care of her.

You worry too much. Ida chose this, it's what the three of us need right now, she's smart enough to see that and J know you see it too.

I don't want to see her work her life away for a dollar a day.

This is normal, every factory has a 12 hour day, everyone works a full week.

But she shouldn't have to, America was supposed to have a better work week, be kinder to people like us.

MONOLOGUE:

News flash, the working class suffers everywhere. Moving here was never going to get us good jobs easily, or more rights, or more money. We went from living in fear of being raided and living in a dirty one room apartment working hard, to barely making it to the same living conditions; but hey, at least the government isn't corrupt. I guarantee there's factory girls younger than Ida. I promise you, literal children, barely old enough to count on their fingers, are working those lines. Ida is going to earn her dollars a day and we are going to claw our way out of here.

I don't know how to keep our family safe here. I just want to protect her.

See it through her eyes, she understands more than you give her credit for. She knows exactly what's happening and she is gonna do whatever it takes to help. She's stubborn and I'm proud of her for leering to do this and going to apply herself, and you should be too, even though you didn't want it. You know, I'm starting to think she's being more intuitive than you.

She's not some big shot genius, she's a bored kid who thinks working is going to be more exciting.

I understand her, I'd go stir crazy here. Hey, even mom worked back him, she has a job and Ida watched her. She was a good role model, which is good because Ida is trying to follow in her footsteps.

I think this is a good thing, the factory. It's good for me.

Why?

I actually have a place there. I'm earning my own money for the first time ever.

You're right, this is good for you. Now you don't have to be alone all day.

Yes, now you're all grown up.

The question is, are you too grown up for games?

SCENE SIX START

Once we've made it to the upper side of New York, what's the first thing we should do there?

No, the story is comforting so we can experience it through new characters' eyes. Every time it's a little different.

Ida, have you seen any show other than Chekhov's work? Just because Dad worked in the playhouse and snuck us in to see a few shows doesn't mean you know everything about all theatre.

Well no

Ah, I got you, you don't know ANYTHING about American plays. Stop focusing on one guy and learn to love and explore all sorts of things. I'm sure they have stuff here that's good.

Then Mom would come collect me, apologizing for my intrusion and they always told her the same thing, "Oh she's a pleasure to talk to, best pep talk ever."

What would you say?

I miss her. I tried recreating it here but it's not the same.

Without her?

The clothes are less interesting anyways.

True. You know, my favorite was actually when no one was there. I would go in the theater when Mom and Dad were cleaning it and go through the props, set pieces, and costumes. They just had the most beautiful things.

It was the perfect place.

I don't think Broadway will be as good.

Good night. I'll meet you at the bank after work then.

Have you calmed down in the last few months? Are you okay now?

I don't know what you're talking about.

Your anxiety? About the factory? Every time jt was brought up you started going, "It's too dangerous no no no.". Not that it's wrong to be anxious, I've just noticed it less recently.

It just hasn't come up in conversation, but yeah I guess I feel better about everything.

That's good.

SCENE 9: We're just pulling out everyone so they can be identified, or they can try.

(can be whatever reaction I feel like saying)Are you okay?? What happened?? Has a doctor seen you??

They all died

Yes, we know, but YOU made it out (also can be flexible with these lines)

Some girls jumped, but only the ones that fit into the one elevator escaped and it never came back for the rest of us. They died!!

It's okay now (more adlib)

No it's not, they're all dead and I was so sure I was going to be too.

It's okay, you'll live; You got burned really bad waiting for them to come.

I'm not ready to die!!

(add whatever) No, you'll be okay!! The doctors are coming!

Ida?? Dammit Ida you can't do this!

Come back, please. It's all going to be okay; You're gonna have a good life! Ida please, come back, I need you, I can't leave you here!! (repeat lines if needed while being dragged off)

You deserve prison, you deserve to lose everything just like everyone else in that factory.

Our sister died in that fire. Because the doors were locked, because the 9th floor had no indication of any fire until there were flames under the door and smoke filled the room. Did you stay in the building to make sure everyone got out? It's a yes or no question. Did you stay to get everyone out.

No

So sad, to know that New York City is ruled by the most corrupt of people, people who sacrificed 146 lives for money. People who locked all the doors to prevent "theft" and "unauthorized breaks," which is in fact ILLEGAL and against New York fire code. So not only did you break written labor laws, you also broke every moral code of not being responsible for over 100 deaths, proving just how soulless you are.

She had so much potential. Of all of us, it should've never been her.

(i hate this line) Go burn for eternity, so you can finally feel sorry for what you did.

I don't even know what I wanted, I just want some justice, some indication that they cared about her at all.

You want her back.

Don't you?

Of course I do, I'd give anything to save her. Holding her, knowing there was nothing to be done, it was the worst feeling I've ever experienced.

I can't believe we lost her, less than a year in the land of golden streets and we see it's true ugly nature.

We shouldn't drown in grief forever, this can truly be a beautiful place, and we have a whole life ahead of us. We can remember her but also remember that she wanted to explore the beautiful part of America.

She would want us to.

But more importantly, I want to and I know you want to. Hey, we could give Rockefeller a run for his money if we try hard enough.

EPILOGUE

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