ACT I

Scene 4

SETTING:  The 8th grade classroom of St. James the Lesser Catholic School.  The old desks are arranged in a neat pattern of columns and rows.  The teacher's desk is at the "front" of the class and is elevated.

AT RISE:  SISTER RAPHAEL takes her place in front of the unruly class smacks HER desk with a ruler several times.  The pupils quietly sit down at their desks.  When all seems settled, class begins.

SISTER RAPHAEL

Children, please stand for prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

ALL

(Standing, hands together, facing the statue of Mary)

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.

Blessed art thou amongst women, and

Blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners,

Now and at the hour of our death.  Amen.

SISTER RAPHAEL

Ellen Kramer, will you lead us in the Pledge?

                             ELLEN

              (With a nod)

Yes, Sister.

(Putting their right hand over their heart, ALL face the American flag)

I pledge allegiance…

ALL

(On the word "flag", the right hand motions to the flag and remains in that gesture)

…to the flag of the United States of America. 

And to the republic for which it stands.

One nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice…

(MUSIC starts)

7    "TRAPPED"

ELBOWS

LIBERY AND JUSTICE? YOU’VE GOT TO BE KIDDING.

NOT WHEN YOU’RE TRAPPED IN A ROOM WITH SISTER RAPHAEL.

KITES

YOU CAN NOT IMAGINE A SPOT SO FORBIDDING.

NOT ‘TIL YOU’RE TRAPPED IN A ROOM WITH SISTER RAPHAEL.

BOTH

EV’RY DAY IS LIKE THE DAY WAS

YESTERDAY AND THE DAY BEFORE.

ELBOWS

NOW I KNOW WHAT PURGATORY MUST BE LIKE;

BOTH

IT’S A GREAT BIG BORE.

MULE

SURE, WE MAKE SOME MISCHIEF. IT’S THAT OR GO CRAZY.

NOW THAT WE’RE TRAPPED IN A ROOM WITH SISTER RAPHAEL.

TOMMY

SISTER ALWAYS SAYS I’M A BRAT AND I’M LAZY.

THAT’S ‘CAUSE I’M TRAPPED IN A ROOM WITH SISTER COMMANDANT.

BOYS

EV’RY DAY IS LIKE THE DAY WAS

YESTERDAY AND THE DAY BEFORE.

TOMMY

IF THE ARMY USED HER METHODS

FIGHTIN’ KRAUTS WE WOULD WIN THE WAR.

GIRLS

SISTER RAPHAEL HAS A HARD AND LONELY LIFE.

SHE CAN NEVER BE A WIFE.

SHE GIVES EVERYTHING SHE’S GOT TO GIVE TO GOD.

SISTER RAPHAEL, IF YOU’RE CROSS, WE UNDERSTAND.

WE DESERVE A REPRIMAND.

BUT FOR ONCE, PLEASE, SPARE THE CHILD AND SPOIL THE ROD.

(SPARE THE CHILD AND SPOIL THE ROD.)

SISTER RAPHAEL

I WAS TOLD THAT TEACHING

WAS FUN AND FULFILLING.

NOT WHEN YOU’RE TRAPPED IN A ROOM WITH LITTLE HOOLIGANS.

ELBOWS

I CAN MAKE HER HOLLER. LIKE THUNDER, IT’S THRILLING.

LIFE’S TOUGH WHEN TRAPPED IN A ROOM WITH SISTER RAPHAEL.

SISTER RAPHAEL

IF I TELL MY BLIZZARD STORY,

THEN I KNOW THEY’LL BELIEVE IN GOD.

BOYS AND GIRLS

IF SHE SKIPS THAT BLIZZARD STORY,

THEN WE KNOW THAT THERE IS A GOD.

LIBERTY AND JUSTICE?

BOYS

LIBERTY AND JUSTICE?

ELBOWS

LIBERTY AND JUSTICE?

(MUSIC ends)

ALL

(Spoken)

…for all.

SISTER RAPHAEL

Class, be seated.

(After they’re quiet)

Before we turn to today’s civics lesson, I want to tell you of an incident that happened to me as a girl that proves the tremendous power of prayer.

(MUSIC starts.  SISTER RAPHAEL pantomimes the following: walking with HER brother, how small they were, holding a rosary, praying, putting on many layers of clothing, etc.)

8    "THE DAKOTA BLIZZARD TALE"

BOYS AND GIRLS

HERE IT COMES AGAIN; “THE DAKOTA BLIZZARD TALE”

BIGGER THAN OL’ JONAH’S WHALE.

WE COULD ALL RECITE IT BACKWARDS IN OUR SLEEP.

(Spoken, eyes closed)

Prayer of power tremendous the proves…

SISTER RAPHAEL, THIS COULD BE THE HUNDREDTH TIME.

THIS SHOULD CONSTITUTE A CRIME.

IF I DIE, I PRAY THE LORD MY SOUL TO KEEP.

(PRAY THE LORD MY SOUL TO KEEP)

(MUSIC ends)

SISTER RAPHAEL

That’s how cold it was.  Now imagine yourself in our position.  A young girl and her little brother.  What would you do?  There was no indication that the cold but calm weather was going to change dramatically.  We started walking home from the Novena, feeling the love of God within us. 

(MUSIC starts)

9    "BLIZZARD"

The wind suddenly started to pick up and quickly became so powerful that it tossed us around like a couple of rag dolls.  Then the snow fell thick and heavy.  Blown by the fierce wind, it stung us like a freezing swarm of bees.  As we peered through the storm, nothing looked at all familiar.  We were lost.  But

© Copyright Resnick 2005.  All rights reserved.