Brother Bill	You don't say like a lightning bolt hitting you in the head!   1.     You have grey hair-old-death man. 2.     You have large lines on your fox head old death dude. 3.     You have wrinkled skin old death guy. 4.     You truly are older death fellow. 5.     What about the collar? If you take it off won't you be just like a dude one head two hands no collar.
Father Goose	Yes, Granted I'm older and that doesn't always mean wiser- yet godly is always wiser regardless of age and the spirit doesn't live in clothing and death is natural nothing to fear.
Brother Bill	The collar. Let me wear it.
Father Goose	What?
Brother Bill	The collar, take it off and give it to me...I want [orbiting the priest and tapping the podium] to feel its great power. [Tries to grab the collar then gently pushes him away.]
Father Goose	God can come to you at any age, son that's the real power, that's what the collar stands for. It's a gift, a symbol...

 

While delivering these lines he should be in a great pain like if you had a sudden loss of breath, a sea sickness.

 

Brother Bill	Look God Damn it; I have been beaten, messed with, had to watch my ass donkey -style like when I was caged...Dig...like a dog in heat. All I need man is bread, a little cabbage, some meat, drink and a woman to keep the doctor away babe. Which do you have? Are you going to let me wear the collar?
Father Goose	You still haven't told me what can I do for you? What can I do to help? Help me to help you- Please?
Brother Bill	This church has a lot of money. A single silver cup could bring some serious coinage.

 

Grabs the collar and tries to jerk it off.

 

Father Goose	Father Goose: For whom?
Brother Bill	All God's children- just give me one, and I'll turn the trick or the collar.
Father Goose	When the money runs dry as it must, when the river of green turns brown, when the weak cover the earth, when the sky glows red, when the corn won't sit up, when babies are born adults, when adults are kids then just money will no longer correct the problem...
Brother Bill	But will a collar help the problem? But presently Priest give me a golden cup ...with the up...that's got to be worth a few bills.
Father Goose	The collar or some money?
Brother Bill	I would be happy to pass the tray about and among the poor...the streetwise, the blue, The po' that we serve. The cup could act like a symbol moving about the church white collar man when converted into coinage...not courage.
Father Goose	Courage has nothing to do with Money; it comes from the soul.
Brother Bill	Oh yeah? That's what you say but you keep collecting money.
Father Goose	What?
Brother Bill	Why don't you give to poor instead of collecting? To give is godly.
Father Goose	Indeed, son a depraved individual.
Brother Bill	I know...for you are too pure of mind and good spirit to smell the odor humanity laying on the street.
Father Goose	I'll have you know that church money goes to good; every single collected penny is in God's hands then turned to God's golden good deeds.
Brother Bill	Yeah like that brand new light blue long lean car you drive. That was real good for you. Yeah like that fresh coat of paint on the building called your house -- double two-story, I hear. Yeah like beautiful new carpet, what 300,000?
Father Goose	Child -- when you gain a little age on those youthful bones then you will come to understand. In God's glory there is enough for all that truly believe in his power. The work of God gyres from palpable Elysium.
Brother Bill	Is that something that can be drank, Reverend? Like a dark beer?
Father Goose	Looking into the soul consumes, son.
Brother Bill	I rather look around the streets and roads and see the bums at least they're honest. Let's pretend it's Saturday. Talking man, do you keep a little bottle in the church -- a little hell water for cleansing purposes? Just to clear the throat?
Father Goose	[Father Goose raises his hand as if in a holy attempt to drive the devil spirits away.] You mustn't be frightened, scared, shaken of Sunday morning. For, after the roar of Saturday, the night turns and there is the glorious star which brightens all and turns away demons.
Brother Bill	[cool and calm] I didn't say I was afraid of dark, any thing -- I just wanted a drink, just another bum from the "underland".

 

Shadows are cast over all the audience.

 

Father Goose	Perhaps you can come by my chamber later.
Brother Bill	[Perhaps tomorrow.
Father Goose	I'm busy tomorrow.
Brother Bill	How's the middle of the week -- for you Father? I'm a poor soul looking for fatherly guidance.
Father Goose	I'm busy in the middle of the week.
Brother Bill	When...then...how about right...this second...
Father Goose	I don't think we need to converse any further; it could only get worse unless...
Brother Bill	I am to burn in Hell then -- Hopeless, Homeless, Fatherless.
Father Goose	There is always hope as long as one breathes God's air.
Brother Bill	Oh! Help me good father for I am a sin, and I don't want to burn in hopelessness!
Father Goose	Have sinned. You are not a sin. You have sinned.
Brother Bill	Whatever. We can talk now, right?
Father Goose	Thursday, Noon in the park at the picnic site...we will chat.
Brother Bill	Great -- Good Father -- Bless you for you are sin...less.

 

Lights go down as they look each over...staring. They are two faces on opposite sides of some strange beam of light.

 

ACT I Scene II

 

This scene opens in the dark with Brother Bill raging on.

 

Brother Bill	Bless you for your goodness the mightly light and the everlasting flame of you internal/external power on a line straight to Big Daddy himself.   Thank you for the freezing of the stormy tempest turning the weathery insides of this disgruntled youth to a mild catty purring like tiny baby tiger.   Great Good God of Glory who has released the thundering father upon me, He is the son of Thor with his golden rods harpooning the earth spouting the flowery joy fumes of peace with each thud...   Reflect upon your friends, He cries, strike them if you must extend your feathers around and about them until you convert the sinner...praise to you.   Cut into the skin to heal; knife out cancer spots; make muscles work from just one wiggle of you little pinky; hardening bones that were broken.   A power coming from one eye in the middle of the forehead replacing fear with courage throughout the land Yes! the soul is full and dove-like even the goose thinks he's a swan!
Father Goose	A wind glazing in the distance all sounds, clang flood all smells, odor roar and the thundering war-gods are at odd on the hill. Hell sleeps in un-pleasant snores...Always blanketed with warm lightning. Earth whirls in and out of time leaving all to drown in an ocean of stars above the cloudy gentle giants who extend a hand with all four fingers down from the heavens attempting to dissolve and melt away earthy arguments to butter on hot popcorn like rolling snow falls on a July day like the last shot in the big war leaving a blazing trail through the universe of green hope. And the planets pulsate, vibrate whenever there is some sense. From star to star cracks raise around angelic surfaces and Saturn knows there has been some truth so takes a bow.
Brother Bill	Whatever. We can talk now, right?
Father Goose	Thursday, Noon in the park at the picnic site...we will chat.
Brother Bill	Great -- Good Father -- Bless you for you are sin...less.

 

Lights to a prism of color

 

The Saturn Dance: A young woman dressed like a planet called Saturn with large earrings appears. She dances about a brightly lighted stage area moving from left-center-right. She pulls and spins hoop-like objects from her costume even if possible jumping through the rings. She whirls and twirls them toward the audience. It is a beautiful blend of grace and war.

 

ACT I, Scene III

 

Father Goose in shadows, at the picnic, on his knees.

 

Father Goose:  If you would prepare your heart and stretch out your hands toward him;

If iniquity were in your hand, and you put it far away, and would not let wickedness dwell in your tents; then surely you cold lift up your face without spot.

 

Yes, you could be steadfast, and not fear; because you would forget your misery,

and remember it as waters that have passed away,

and your life would be brighter than noonday.

Though you were dark you would be like the morning.

And you would be secure, because there is hope"

(Job 12:5)

 

(from offstage)

 

Rogers:  Father, may I interrupt your prayer

for a second -- I believe you

sent for me. If this is not a good

time I can come back some other time.

The park is so peaceful.

 

Father Goose:  No my son come right over.

I need you to do the church a special service.

 

(Rogers approaches slowly with head down)

 

Father Goose:  You know what I am concerned about?

 

Rogers:  yes, father, Brother Bill was really crazy Sunday morning

 

Father Goose:  Yes! the good brother is in deep pain

 

Rogers:  He's the devil's child

 

Father Goose:  No, they are everywhere...people like him

but you know he could be a leader if we show him

perhaps it will show the others by example

the true pathway

 

Rogers:  He's dangerous

 

Father Goose:  these are dangerous times

 

Rogers:  that one given a public platform could prove...

Father Goose:  So, it requires more than individual bravery -- it requires

godly courage and you have the power my son...to turn

him around.

 

Rogers:  It could prove extremely challenging

 

(Father Goose moves slowly forward

pointing his finger in the face of Rogers)

 

Father Goose:  You see that; he's on fire

We are going to try

everything on planet earth to reach this kid

and some things not on the planet

 

Rogers:  Why help that pain in the...

 

Father Goose:  I'm talking a higher source

 

Rogers:  Voodoo, Black magic!

Zee zado ring and burning stone

ring of heat filled turn fire orange

rub the zee zado ring -- twice that's only thing turn him about

add a healthy piece of Orleans twig from a hissing tree

then the mixture stir to on-eyed pirate kettle pot black  --

turn and twist until coal-looking lumps disappear in soup

wait for the North star to blaze Glory

upon the nose of the spinning rod

then quickly start the everlasting chang

owl, bush, sky

Indian, street, and wise

blend in Zap Yoo Zu rise

 

(Father Goose points his finger at Rogers hard across the face,

and Rogers falls to the floor)

 

Father Goose:  Stop this nonsense! No more games

 

Rogers:  Look, we have tried

to help the little master in many ways. Once,

you bailed him out of jail; you lent him

money; you paid his rent and took his offenses, in church.

Got him job after job. But what has he done

with his opportunities? Time after time he's

done nothing but drag your holy name and

church's reputation through the mud

like every Sunday morning

Father Goose:  Unhand your hate

Let it go to another target

We must reach beyond our simple human thinking

 

(Grabs Rogers)

 

You gotta -- must understand that the mission

Of the Lord is of the larger eye

Not of the small vision

 

(Father Goose is shaking Rogers about)

 

Rogers:  I'm beginning to get the point

 

Father Goose:  See the vision, we must try other stratagems

 

Rogers:  Pray

 

Father Goose:  Yes it does involve a prayer or two;

Indeed, but prayer without action as a boat without

a paddle; a job without pay; love without sex.

(knocking Rogers to his knees)

 

(Rogers finally getting to his feet rubbing his knee)

 

(the priest still has a very physical grasp on Rogers nearly pushing him back to his knees)

 

Rogers:  My knees hurt, Father Goose

 

Father Goose:  Damn right they hurt in the blood of Jesus.

We got -- must return him to the fold

(slaps him across the back)

We -- you must help me to help him

(slaps across the back)

 

(shaking him heavily with each word)

 

 You are going to help!

 

Rogers:  Yes! Yes! Whatever it takes to serve the lord

 

(Father Goose lets go and Rogers drops to the floor as

if he were on the cross)

 

Father Goose:  Yes my son I know you will...you must...there is no choice

 

(lights down)

 

ACT I, Scene IV

 

(a picnic area with a bush and a pond)

 

(Brother Bill wanders onto stage and moves about in exploration)

 

(Brother Bill hears someone approaching and ducks behind a bush)

 

Enter Rogers:  This is a sweet park, yes indeed

For a man to do a dramatic deed.

The bushes are so dark and forest green

Good to the taste

The pathway wooden like a giant maze.

Brown and tannish ground -- amazing.

Reverend speaks the truth; this is a holy place.

It expands the nostrils  --

Constant air moving, circulating

Through a wonderful pair of happy healthy lungs.

I shall do it

 

(exits)

 

Brother Bill: 

(from behind the bush)

I'm going sick -- a ton

 

(Brother Bill moves to center stage and for 15 - 30 seconds stands pondering)

 

(exits)

 

(Rainbows flood the stage)

 

(Brother Bill re-enters)

 

Brother Bill:  Are we to drop to our knees

Because of a light show from the heavens

 

(enter Father Goose)

 

Father Goose:  Look North  --

The wind casts a breeze which started from the East.

There is the Earth smell everywhere.

It is both liquid and gas. It hangs just above

The nose just waiting for understanding.

Brother Bill:  Perhaps it's because someone has not

Bathed in days...that's the earth smell

 

Father Goose:  the sky grows dark with doom and gloom

In the clouds. Even the geese seem to frown

 

Brother Bill:  even the pond that has been

Polluted with talk and trash

of and unclean the mess of the day from their rears.

I always enjoy a good old goose for

Christmas and Easter.

 

Father Goose:  Oh, Brother Bill, Peace be with you.

 

Brother Bill:  And may you rest in peace

 

(silence for 20 - 40 seconds)

 

Father Goose:  Roger has been really trying to help you...

you know...I think he wants to offer

real friendship

 

Brother Bill:  You two are like rodents...robots

 

Father Goose:  What?

 

Brother Bill:  rats, you're his little spy...do the

Feeling up and out...you damn well know I was

Back there...you mouse...do you know

What happens to mice in the pen...

Well, do you, mouse?

 

Father Goose:  I heard enough

 

(he grabs Brother Bill pushing in the floor)

 

(drives him into the stage floor)

you will not blaspheme anymore

 

(pulls a large long metal cross from his clothing)

Now, I got something for you...

 

(He is beating Brother Bill about the stage as Bill

attempts to escape)

 

(with red lights flashing accenting each blow and

sound effects in terms of a drum beat

further heightening the conflict)

 

Brother Bill:  Please

 

Father Goose:  Forgive me oh, old Lord and loyal friend,

For it is not I who beats him is the almighty, Holy Ghost power

Powerful hands...I'm just an instrument

Of the light merely a tool.

 

(continues the attack)

 

(Brother Bill throws himself at the weapon

holding on with all his strength)

 

Brother Bill:  please, stop, have mercy (in a whisper)

Don't kill me!

 

Father Goose:  release the goblins

before they have the blood of this sinner

To restore order

 

(he continues the attack as the lights go down)

 

(during a black out the play is continuing with the

music leading the way. There should be at least two

drum beats with one representing an impact on Brother Bill)

 

ACT I, Scene V

 

(A pond - of plastic ducks, geese

on the hard stage floor)

 

(The pond changes color

Glowing in bright silver like the mighty ocean on a

Sunny day in July.)

 

(The pond sits upstage in darkness apparently;

However, the lights are ready to come alive into a

Multi-colored prism with objects (geese)

Gliding like shadows and ghosts about its surface

Following one leader accompanied by a golden

Flute or recorder.)

(Rogers in dress as a goose rises.)

 

(The leader -- Mother Goose -- moves from the pond

slowly downstage finally being noticed by the warriors.)

(Brother Bill onstage face down)

 

Mother Goose:  Good morning

Has not God created a fine morning for a fight?

The leaf, the tree weep for thee!

But go on do your thing, young gentlemen

 

Brother Bill:  What the F...

 

(turning over)

What do I see!

 

Mother Goose:  Hey, come on

Get on get with the flow

 

(the goose orbits Brother Bill)

 

Brother Bill:  My god just don't stand there...

Looking

 

(softly touches Brother Bill)

 

GM:  now that's better

 

(Brother Bill looks toward the audience -- rubs his ears ad eyes)

 

Brother Bill:  Ok, Okay, I'll play...probably

One of the Father's games

But it's cool...I'll drive her straight back to Hell

 

(they orbit around each other for a few beats)

 

Brother Bill:  Ok, Goose from Hell

How about going back to the pond

And swimming around head first

Since you're a goose

 

(two stage hands bring on a "pool" containing water)

 

(Bill and Goose look back and forth as if to

acknowledge the reality of the pool)

 

Mother Goose:  Ok, fine

Let's go back to the pool

That would be just cool

Brother Bill:  But you must go all the way down

head first

 

Mother Goose:  You want me in the pool of water?

 

Brother Bill:  It's not too warm or too cold or frozen or

Chilly...it is just righteous.

 

Brother Bill:  In fact,

Why didn't you invite a friend or two

To Bring some of your chicks out of the pond

Or a few robins or even a dove of two.

Then we would really have a party. We could do

Some cruising, dancing, drinking

Then we for fun could invite hunters

During duck season to have a blast --

Then hang low under tables and chairs

Covered with greenery

Waiting to send their projectiles airborne --

Dive bombing into the hearts and souls marching soldiers.

Marching from head to toe

spread wings and all towards

The heavens --

Invaders from the ground, crashing

Into the holy sky

With bottles of booze

 

Mother Goose:  Is that all? just a bottle of beer;

just a head in the poo -- How about a miracle!

 

Brother Bill:  Guess what...goose!

Your people shall fall from the sky in buckets

Of red blood

Like innocent babes helplessly pleading

For milk

Only to have the ground smash their hopes

In the dirt upon, hitting the earth

 

Mother Goose:  Is that all?

 

Brother Bill:  No!

Their blood shall form a pool of blood

In time becoming circular like a pond

 

Mother Goose:  There must be more

 

Brother Bill:  There's always more; cancer is hard to control...

They are floating in their white dresses and three piece suits

Rolling, smelling, sweating, licking, ticking

 

Mother Goose:  more

 

Brother Bill:  geese had better watch their rears

Before leaving the pond

Better check under the tree, look behind the trash can,

Beneath the bush

Geese like fish are good

To eat by men

 

Mother Goose:  Is that all you see?

 

(moving towards the pond)

 

(Brother Bill is moving toward the pond)

 

Brother Bill:  tell me more

Then you tell me something

 

Goose:  show you

 

Brother Bill:  What

 

(the Goose returns to the water)

 

Brother Bill:  Hey! Get the Hell out that water.

 

Goose:  Why

 

Brother Bill:  We were talking! Head first!

 

Goose:  Come in and we can continue to talk, to feel...eye to eye

 

(Brother Bill tries to reach and pull the goose out of the pond)

 

Brother Bill:  I want you to get out of the pool

 

Goose:  We love you

 

Brother Bill:  I'm not coming into the water

But we can talk from here

 

(silence)

Mother Goose:  You will not come into the ocean -- are you scared

 

Brother Bill:  the kid, scared

Are you kidding?

 

Goose:  Better stay on your turf, frightened kid  --

Little, small kiddy

 

(silence)

 

(Brother Bill rolls up his pants)

 

Brother Bill:  I'm only coming in there cause "the kid ain't"

fearful of nothing and

You will be some powerfully good eating.

 

(Brother Bill starts moving closer towards the pond in slow motion)

 

Mother Goose:  The earth wakes

And begins to smell.

It quakes one morning

And takes a big yawn

And the universal cry

With the initial slap of ivory hand on blue bottom

Causing lungs to expand until breath

Then with time

Smiles become frowns

And must be beaten back down.

Beginning the new breath again

 

(Brother enters the Water)

(Enter father Goose and Rogers)

 

(silence)

 

Goose + Brother Bill:  The earth smell that connects gas and

Liquid. The earth smell which links the raven

And the dove.

The smell joining thief and rich man,

Doctor and sickman, priest and geese

And little gentle men

Receiving the morning sun even when it's dark and icy.

 

(lights slowly drop)

 

The smell is coming from the Earth:  The Earth smell which helps you to zig zag your way through the pond

All the way home

 

(The lights go down)