Salem Story Act II Lines

(Putnam) Get off the girl/you savage

Thomas, be careful!

(Rebecca) Goody Putnam, what

G’day, Goody Nurse

(Rebecca) I…?

Though I suppose ‘tis better for some of us than for others.

(Rebecca) What…what are you doing here-

Well, I thought this would be a nice place to take my evening constitutional, Goody Nurse.

(Rebecca) Pardon?

I need to talk with you, Rebecca

(Rebecca) I cannot see what would come of us speaking, Goody Putnam

*get bread*

I figured you might be peckish

it’s most curious

(Rebecca) Excuse me

What he sees in you

(Rebecca) Not that my husbands love for me is your concern but -

I meant my husband…

oh don’t pretend, Goody Nurse

(Rebecca) Goody Putnam, I am a woman of faith and I take my vows seriously. I would never-

I know.

(Rebecca) Good.

Tomorrow at dawn. They’ll decide your fate

You will be hanged if you’re convicted.

Nothing to say about it?

(Rebecca) What, pray tell, is there to say?

Hm. Nothing I suppose.

(Rebecca) Why did you come?

I came as a mother. Before all things, Goody Nurse, I am that.

(Rebecca) How good of you, Goody Putnam.

You know if you’re convicted. Your family…they will be tried as well.

(Rebecca) Yes

Would be a pity

(Rebecca) I am innocent. I have nothing to fear. I am right with God and he shall ensure the truth will protect me.

Spoken as a true woman of the cross…

I see the way he looks at you. Men think their wives are foolish, but we know.

(Rebecca) Aye

I’ve borne him four children. I’ve sat by his sick bed. I’ve struggled through winters and droughts and deaths and-

(Rebecca) So I am to be punished because your husband cast his eyes my way?

No. You are to be punished because your husband is a fool who cared not for the politics of Salem, and now you too shall pay the price…

Don’t cast me as the villain here, Goody Nurse. I am as you are…we are the spoils of men’s battles. We have no say here. We do what we can. We get what we can. We love our children. We carry on. There is nothing more we can do.

(Rebecca) That may be for you Goody Putnam, but to Francis, I am no spoil.

And yet, here you are…

I cannot help you Rebeccca

(Rebecca)Then why did you come?

To offer some advice to you, my good woman

(Rebecca) Forgive me if I am not at the ready for that, Goody Putnam

If you confess to being a witch, I will make sure no harm comes to your husband or your children…

While my husband may have…other interests, I still have his ear in partnership. Your Francis. Elizabeth. Little Sarah. They will remain untouched by this…plague of black spirits. ‘Tis all I can promise you. But promise you I can.

(Rebecca) No.

Goody Nurse, I think you know not how dire your situation.

(Rebecca) My circumstances will never be so dire that I shall turn my back on what is right, Goody Putnam. When I do that, I might as well be dead.

Ha, well. Your commitment is admirable, Goody Nurse. Childish. Foolish. But admirable.

(Rebecca) The only foolish thing is to be so proud, you find yourself above God’s truth.

What good is God’s truth to you in here, Rebecca?

(Rebecca) If you were asking that, then I already know ‘tis not for you to understand.

I suppose I shall take my leave now, Rebecca. I only came to help. I’m sorry we could not understand/each other better…

And anyway, I must get back to young Ann. She’s had the fever again today.

(Rebecca) Most upsetting

It is. Because, after all. Who knows what visions she might have next? ‘Tis always such a shock to me whom she sees fraternizing with the devil. The cobbler, the Shepard. Men, women…and even children.

(Rebecca) What does that mean?

Just that no one is safe, Rebecca

(Rebecca) Leave my children out of this

I’m afraid that’s not up to me, my dear. It’s up to you.

(Rebecca) What do you want from me?

Confess your sins, Rebecca

(Rebecca) I’ve done nothing wrong

You’ve caught the eye of a man who isn’t your own

(Rebecca) ‘Tis not my doing, Goody Putnam!

I know, Rebecca. ‘Tis not a fair world. But all the same. I think you’ll…feel better…if you confess to your sins…your witchcraft, your black magic. I think everyone would sleep most peacefully. I know I would. And, it might spare you the fate of Sarah Good.

(Rebecca) What do you know of Sarah?

Only that her husband and children are to stand trial tomorrow. And she is nowhere to be found. Pity.

(Rebecca) All because of you and your husband and your web of lies and greed.

No. All because, like you, she did not particularly care to see reason.

(Rebecca) I will never bend to your demands. You’re a wicked, wicked woman.

Hm. Wicked. I’m not sure what that means anymore…

*Gives her more bread*

See you at dawn. I’ll be sure and tell Francis and the children that you’re well.

(Parris) Is this true Goody?

Aye Reverend.

(Parris) And what did you see upon your entrance into Young Ann’s chamber?

Hm. It happened so quickly…

I suppose I remember seeing shadows. Yes. And spirits-like the ghosts of flying beasts…

(Parris) Let the women speak Francis.

It was most frightful. I’m afraid to speak of it more -

(Putnam) Ann, don’t be afraid. Tell us what you saw. You’re safe here. We are men of God.

One of the beasts-it had hooves for hands, a great fur covered head…but with the body of…Goody Nurse

(Abigail) Yes. And Mary Warren as much as told me ‘twas true. He bought her the silver necklace she is wearing right now.

‘Tis awfully convenient she’s only speaking up now. After her friend Goody Nurse hath been accused.

(Abigail) Everyone will be swinging from the gallows. And then, I suppose you’ll have your wish. You will own all of Salem.

Scream

I see spirits-I see the devil! The devil comes to the Hobbs family! There is a beast with the face of Deliverance Hobbs! SHE IS A WITCH!

(Sarah) This is a trick! There is nothing to this madness!

SARAH NURSE-she is possessed! She caught the plague of demons from her parents-SHE IS A WITCH!

(Putnam) Hang them all! Hang them all! They are for the devil, Reverend Parris!

The devil! I see their red eyes-the pits of Hell are inside their souls! THE DEVIL HAS COME TO SALEM!

(Beggar Woman) Come with me, child. Now. It’s not safe here.

(Abigail) …My mother, Sarah, I-

ABIGAIL HOBBBBBSSSSS! ABIGAIL HOBBS IS SISTER TO THE DEVIL! SHE’S A WITCH!