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Scene 11 - Village Children --- 6 mins.

Scene Summary --

The three close friends -- Reeba, Boca and Slade -- now realize that even if they are given their freedom after a period of service in the Cretan Bulldance -- there will be no life for them in the villages of their homeland --- and that their friend and mentor, Maicedonia --- will probably choose to stay with the Omazon girl, Sinjah -- and not with them.

 

[ ‘Free-thinkers’ theme music plays as lights go up on Perius and Tarku -- in conversation with Boca and Slade-- as Reeba stands alone to the side, unhappy]

 

Perius: In less than a month we’ll have our gold -- and freedom !--

Tarku: Then we’re gonna run a ship-- off the Levantine coast--

Boca: But we already told you -- we’re gonna have a silk shop in Babylon --

Tarku: Right -- that’s all part of the plan – we’ll be your suppliers !--

Slade: O-o-h -- suppliers

Perius: Sometimes we stay with you [outward gesture]

Tarku: Sometimes you come with us [sincere, inclusive gesture]

Boca: [quickly conferring to Slade] Well – that could be acceptable --

Slade: Yes, and we’d get to travel as well --[cut off]

 

Reeba: [harsh, breaking in] You don’t know anything about running a ship --!!

Perius: Doesn’t matter, we can learn -- Maice says if you believe in yourself, you can do almost any -- [cut-off]

Reeba: You only believe in yourselves when he’s around -- Same as us !!

Tarku: He said he would wait for us --

Reeba: He’ll be waiting alright -- for Her -- not us !

Perius: He never said that, Reeba --

Reeba: He doesn’t have to --

Tarku: [flustered at this] You --You’re wrong, Reeba --!

Perius: [ to Boca and Slade] We have to go -- something in the catacombs --

the Athenians -- Maice said to keep an eye out --

Slade: [subdued] See you at kurfew -- [all four touch hands here]

Perius: Kurfew ---

Tarku: [ exiting, still upset, jaw clenched]   I said you’re wrong, Reeba !

 

[ Perius and Tarku now gone ]

Boca: [scolding] Why do you talk like that Reeba ?!

Slade: You know how it’s been for them .... and us --

Reeba: [regretful now, looks down] ....… I know .......

 

[ instrumental opening to Song starts here / oboe/strings –mood ]

Boca: If we were home -- we would have been betrothed this year ---

Slade: .... Late summer .... just before the village harvest ---

Boca: ..... ‘ Demeter's Moon ' ....

Slade: .... ‘ Dancing with the leaves  ..... [nostalgic]

     Boca :    The time to be looking --  [posing as if at a dance ]

     Slade:   And a time to be found --  [ takes several 'pretty' steps and looks back sexy, cute ]

     Boca:    Look, Reeba -- look !  ---  [now kneels gallantly before Slade, offering 'a ring' ? ]

Reeba waves off as silliness -- says : " A-a-a-a "

      Boca: [ both spinning to Reeba as if holding a basket and 'sowing' ]  Then the Time for Planting ….

      Slade:  And the Time for Growing !! [ both do rise and spin move, arms out -- balletic ]

 

Reba: ..I know ..  but you know we can never go back there ..... after they sent us here ....

Boca: Then where, Reeba --- ?

Slade: Where do we go ??

Reeba: Don’t you see ... everything would have been different if not for Her ...

.... I mean ..... if ..... if he were mine ...

Boca: .... Or even -- if he were mine --- [insistent]

Slade: [more insistent] Or  even --mine !

Reeba: [quietly] ......... I know ...

[ the three touch hands -- heads bowed -- then Reeba steps forward-- song]

SONG -- “ If You Were Mine” Track 11 - CD

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