Little Women Jo lines

Lights up

In the beginning, you're just a young thing, just another young creature of the  universe and you hardly know you're a girl. You're so busy learning to walk and run, and ride if there's a horse handy...or if not, the limb of an apple tree. You want what you have. You want more! (scene change) Christmas won't be Christmas without any presents-

MEG. We don't have Father and won't for a long time.

Well, there's a war on, and I think it splendid of Father to go as chaplain. I wish I was a soldier!

AMY. I suppose we have to humor her.

We don't have Father, but we have me and what we're going to do is to make our own kind of Christmas.

AMY. You aren't Father.

No, but I'm to take his place. 

AMY. You pretend you're Father because you wish you were a boy-

So what if I do?

AMY. - and you want any excuse to boss us.

The play we've been rehearsing, why don't we present it to Mother for Christmas?

BETH. Yes!

It's almost ready. If you know your lines, Amy.

AMY. Well, I do know my lines.

All right, we'll have the play...and that's not all.

MEG. Well, I won't be going to parties. My white muslin dress is worn out and Jo spilled tea on my tarlatan.

Jo spilled tea. Jo spilled tea.

MEG. It's not just the tea stain, the dress is torn. Torn and mended in three places, with a seam giving out at the back-

Well, pretend you're a poor foreigner just blown in from a storm or a spy under orders to attend parties!

MEG. Don't get her started, Amy.

People ask you to dance, is what. And you're hurt if they don't, disgusted if they do and then you step on their feet. Unless you're a boy yourself. Then you can stand with your back to the wall and frown down on everything.

MEG. Well, if you won't dance, Jo, at least you could flirt.

Flirt! If you're going to flirt, Meg, I'll have to stop you. Because, before you know it, some young man comes calling. 

AMY. Some young man comes calling? And then?

Comes calling to try and marry you. The worst thing.

MEG. (To herself:) I don't see why it's the very worst thing.

They marry you and then you cook and sew and take care to be sweet and pretty and your adventures are over and you may as well be dead.

AMY. Marmee married Papa.

That's different. They are our Mother and Father.

MEG. Don't worry, Jo. If I have to look ragged at a party, I'd really rather stay at home.

Well, we're meant to go out and see the world.

BETH. Nobody sits at home but me.

Well, you're bashful, Beth. But you work very hard at home and your piano takes you to other places, doesn't it? I'm writing you a storybook, by the way. (Presents box.) Now, how's this?

BETH. A Christmas present! Where did you get it, Jo?

I bought it with my Christmas dollar.

AMY. You were supposed to spend that on yourself.

I did. I spent it to please myself.

AMY. It's not for that new boy, is it? Old Mr. Laurence's grandson?

 I would like to meet him, but I'd hardly give a present to a boy I haven't met. It's for Marmee! I thought that would make me happiest. There's the play and carols to sing, and there's one present for Marmee -

AMY. It's just I haven't decided how to spend it yet. If I'm to be an artist, I must have pencils.

Rehearsal! Rehearsal, everybody! (Sings trumpet fanfare.) "The Witches Curse, a Christmas Opera"!

MEG. What has Christmas to do with it?

I'm working that in.

MEG.  Not 'til evening.

You stand here, Amy. Put your mind to fainting.

MEG. She sounds like someone is sticking her with pins.

Amy, are you even trying?

AMY. Yes, I'm trying-and you're not so brilliant, You don't look like any Hugo the villain.

Well, wait til I put on my big, red boots.

AMY. I don't want to rehearse this stupid old play. I'm bored to tears with it.

Is that so?

MEG. Amy, a play can't be any good without rehearsal.

It's too late. When the audience laughs, don't blame me.

AMY. They won't laugh. They'll say I'm pretty!

Marmee will say you're pretty. And that's all you want out of life. Christopher Columbus!

AMY. Is not. And don't swear.

I'll swear if I like, and what's more -

AMY. Don't, Jo —it's boyish! I detest rude, unladylike girls!

Where are you going?

AMY. I have an errand.

Come back directly.

MEG. It's time you left off boyish tricks, Josephine.

Josephine!

MEG. Now that you're tall, Jo, now that you're tall and turn up your hair, you must remember that you are a lady.

I'm not! And if turning up my hair makes me one- there! In the beginning, you’re just a young creature and you hardly know you’re a girl you're so busy learning to walk and run-And suddenly they tell you, not that you're grown, but that you're a lady and you'd best be still so someone will pick you out and claim you, like a doll from a toy shop shelf.

MEG. Well, perhaps. But what else can you do?

Make my own living.

MEG. You'll work dreadfully hard.

Well, I look forward to it! I'll do just as much as I'm allowed... I wonder what that Laurence boy is doing now?

BETH. Preparing for Christmas with his grandfather.

How I wish we could meet him.

MEG. Well, you can't. He's rich and we're poor.

Here's Marmee! Strike up! Stoke the fire. She's home!

MARMEE. Glad to find you so merry, my girls!

Sit here.

MARMEE. Merry Christmas!

Now! Open this first.

MARMEE. Slippers! New slippers?!?

First rate army issue!

AMY. (Presents bottle.) It's the large bottle of cologne, not the small one, though I was terribly tempted by drawing pencils, but instead — see? It's the prettiest present of all —

Oh, really?

MARMEE. You've all been so very generous, girls

Now Meg and I must set up for the play.

MARMEE. The play? What play?

It's a new play, Marmee.

MARMEE. It's about to begin. Beth is playing the overture.

The time of year was Christmas! There is a lady named Beautiful Zara, I love her so much I would kill or I'd die. She loves a fellow who's called Roderigo. The witches curse on Roderigo I cry: Curse Roderigo! Curse Roderigo!

HAGAR (MEG). Who is invoking the witches' curse?

I, Hugo. The villain. Give me a poison to kill Roderigo. And a potion, a love potion to make Zara love me.

HAGAR (MEG). I hate wicked Hugo, I spit in his eye. Hugo shall take his own poison and die.

They call me Roderigo! And may I present the beautiful Zara?

ZARA (AMY). (Sings:) Roderigo! Roderigo!

Don't sing, Amy. You know you can't sing!

MARMEE. Why, Isn't Amy pretty? (JO groans.) (Loud enough for MARMEE to overhear.) And Jo is so good in both parts, you hardly know she's the same person.

Carry on, Amy.

MARMEE. Someone's coming to the door.

What's the matter out there in the audience?

MARMEE. Sorry, Jo. Please proceed.

My word! Look who's here.

LAURIE. I do admire your boots, Miss March.

Call me Jo. You climb trees, don't you, Mr. Laurence?

BROOKE. Margaret. So pleased to meet you, Margaret!

Call her Meg-Just plain Meg. I did so hope we'd have an excuse to meet you.

AMY. Don't answer that!

Hush, Amy.

OLD MR. LAURENCE. You must sing for your supper! Beth is playing piano for us. 

(BETH plays. All sing "Pat a Pan.") Willie, bring your pipe and come, Robin, bring your fife and drum. We'll have music as we play, Tu-ra-lu-ra-lu. Pat-a-pat-a-pan. We'll have music as we play For a Christmas should be gay! SCENE CHANGE

And the genie said, I grant you no money, nor pretty dresses, but instead, the spirit to trust your own efforts. There! That'll show Meg! Oh, drat - can't show her 'til tomorrow. She's off overnight to one of her parties! The End. Signed, Josephine March. All done! A whole book of stories! Bethy's going to love it. (piano plays) Well, my word. Laurie said his grandfather might... and they've gone and done it! Marmee! Bethy!

MARMEE. Why don't you go and find out?

There's a note here, Bethy. It's to you.

LAURIE. Oh, now, Meg. I can't believe that. Do you realize that Meg knows all the dances? She kicks her heels, she bats her eyes, she fans her low-cut gown.

Wait a minute. Meg doesn't own a low-cut gown.

MEG. Be quiet, Laurie. What would you have me do? Stand with my back to the wall in my dowdy frock-Meg the Freak from the poor, eccentric, bookish family?!?

Oh! Are you ashamed of us, Meg?

MARMEE. Listen, Meg, You are a fine young girl, the daughter of a family not rich nor inclined to follow fashion. And, as it happens, I do have plans for my girls. I want my daughters to be accomplished and good... to have a happy youth, to be well and wisely married -

Or to be splendid old maids!

MARMEE. That's right, Jo. And either way, to be ready for duty and capable of joy. Beth and Amy, shall we fetch tea?

Meg? Did you really flirt?

MEG. I tried. I don't know if I succeeded.

You won't get silly on me, will you Meg? You won't turn all stupid and blank, and pine after young men?

MEG. Hmmm.

Because Laurie's invited us to the theater this very afternoon!

MEG. What do we have to wear?

Wear whatever. We aren't the show, we're the audience. ( BETH and MARMEE enter) Laurie's invited me and Meg to the theater this very afternoon. To see The Hall of the Mountain King.

AMY. You must let me come, too, Meg. I've got nothing to do and am so bored. I'll ask Laurie. He'll say yes.

You can't go, Amy, so don't be a baby about it.

MEG. Suppose we take her. Mother won't mind

It's rude, after he invited only us, to go and drag Amy in.

LAURIE. What ho, girls?!

Here's Laurie!

AMY. (Bursts into tears.) I shall go!

We don't have time for this. We're coming, Laurie!

AMY. You'll be sorry, Jo March, see if you aren't.

Fiddlesticks, Amy! Just drink your tea.

AMY. Goodbye.

That was glorious! The swordplay and the fire effect!

BROOKE. John. Please call me John.

Good-bye, Laurie. Goodbye, Mr. Brooke.

LAURIE. See you in a bit, Jo? Skating?

Right! Good-bye!

MEG. Of course, dear. Hello.

Amy, you've done something. I can see it in your face.

BETH. Tell us about the play. We're dying to know.

You've dumped my drawers out, haven't you? You've messed with my pen and papers?

MEG. Well, first the prince comes on in satin robes. And then some little elves, all in green...

Drawers are fine. Nothing wrong with my writing stuff...

BETH. (To MEG:) A prince and elves, and what else?

Beth, where's your book? The storybook that I just finished writing for you? You've got it, haven't you? You know where it is, then?

AMY. No, I don't.

That's a lie! Where is it?

AMY. I don't know where it is because it isn't anywhere.

What? You've burnt it? You've burnt it up? You wicked, wicked girl! I finished that book. I can't write it again and I'll never forgive you as long as I live!

AMY. Well, all right, I am sorry.

It doesn't matter if she's sorry!

AMY. I am sorry. I'm truly, terribly sorry. (Crosses to JO, stands in front of her.) Please forgive me, Jo.

I'll never forgive you. She doesn't deserve it.

MEG. Laurie's at the door. Come to take you skating, Jo.

I can't. Tell him what happened. I can't see anyone.

MEG. Is that our Beth?

Mother! Meg!

LAURIE. She'll be fine, I think. Let's get her straight to bed.

She fell through the ice.

AMY. I'm fine! I'm fine!

She was following us and Laurie pulled her out and - I skated far ahead though I knew she was behind us and if she did die, it would be my fault!

AMY. I'm so, so sorry Jo.

Shh, Amy. I'm sorry, too.

MEG. Really. Cold as Antarctica!

I believe she's recovered.

BROOKE. Good evening, all. Good evening, Margaret!

Margaret?

BROOKE. I hate to interrupt. I'm to deliver this telegram.

Father!?!

MARMEE. Dear God! Father is very sick at the front. I must go to him. My traveling bag!

I'll fetch it! Let me go with you!

BETH. But Marmee, you won't be here. You are always here and we- I will miss you.

You mustn't give us a thought, Marmee. We'll carry on.

MARMEE. Girls? You'll be well? You'll be good to each other?

We'll be gilded angels.

MEG. "And this afternoon, he sat up in bed." Marmee says Father is sitting up in bed, Jo. The danger's almost past, she says. Stop sweeping, Jo. You've swept twice today already.

You're right. We've been gilded angels for more than a month! Scrubbed, dusted, swept, darned a million socks -

MEG. " - and I miss you all, but thank God, and John Brooke for his constant assistance." John Brooke...

The chores really are all done, aren't they? I'm going to the garret to work on my war story. Hello, Beth!

BETH. Don't tell her I'm sick.

We won't. You're just tired.

MEG. Laurie! Don't eavesdrop!

Sshh! Beth's not feeling well.

BETH. No.

You might have a fever.

BETH. Good-bye, Amy.

Scarlet fever, Beth?

BETH. The Hummel baby is so sick, but I won't get the fever, I can't get the fever, not with Mother away.

Let's get you to bed.

MEG. We won't worry mother, Bethy, we'll nurse you.

Any better?

BETH. Hello, Jo.

Didn't mean to wake you. Would you like me to read to you?

LAURIE. (To JO and BETH:) And I've got a funny secret.

Tell us the secret. We could use a laugh.

LAURIE. Oh, I don't know

Laurie! Actually, I've got a secret, myself.