Invierno
José Cruz González
[print edition page number: 169]
Invierno was commissioned by Mark Booher, Artistic Director, and Michael Black, Managing Director, for the Pacific Conservatory Theatre (PCPA). Nakia Zavalla, Richard Applegate, and Domnita Dumitrescu served as linguistic consultants and collaborators. English translations of Samala words and phrases are provided in parentheses.
Characters
PAULINA — Our storyteller. A healer woman and restless spirit. Older half-sister of Hermonia. Wife of Alejandro. Speaks Samala.
YOUNG WOMAN — Contemporary teenager named Aly. Latina. Also plays Maximino and Perdida, the son and daughter of Don León and Hermonia.
YOUNG MAN — Contemporary teenager named A.J. Also plays Florentino, son of Don Patricio, and a servant.
DON LEÓN — A prominent nineteenth-century Californio. Husband of Hermonia. Father of Maximino and Perdida.
DON PATRICIO — A nineteenth-century Irish American transplant. A Californio and widower. Father of Florentino.
CASPIAN — Don León’s counselor. Russian.
HERMONIA — Wife of Don León. Mother of Maximino and Perdida.
ALEJANDRO — A trusted family friend. Husband of Paulina.
PADRE — A priest from México.
VAQUERO — An old ranch hand. Perdida’s adoptive father. [170]
AFILADO — A bandido.
CALIFORNIO LANCER — A member of a battalion defending California.
BEAR FLAGGER — An American insurgent attempting to seize part of California.
JAILER
SHEEP SHEARERS
A sad tale’s best for winter. I have one of sprites and goblins.
— William Shakespeare, The Winter’s Tale
Like a flower of this earth is our Samala language.
— Maria Solares, Chumash elder
Let our blood flow within our veins keeping us strong like the branches of the mighty oaks that shade us from the sun while we share the coolness of its shadows in harmony with mother earth.
— Paul Pommier, Sr., an elder of the Barbareño Chumash
Our inheritance is turned to strangers — our houses to aliens. We have drunken our water for money — our wood is sold unto us. Our necks are under persecution — we labor and have no rest.
— Juan Bandini, a Californio[171]
Prelude
A winter night. A low fog hovers over the ground. A giant oak tree is present on stage. This is a sacred site. Carved into the tree is the shape of a woman. Old bottles hang from the tree’s branches. On one branch hangs a long red rope. Crumbling adobe walls rest nearby. Lights fade as an offstage voice is heard singing in Samala.
PAULINA (singing)
Weʼ weʼ kiceʼ (Sleep, sleep little one)
Ksuyuwanin (I love you)
Ma kʼayapis i piʼ (You are my heart)
Weʼn a čʰoho (Sleep well)
Weʼ weʼ kiceʼ (Sleep, sleep little one)
Ksuyuwanin (I love you)
Ma kʼayapis i piʼ (You are my heart)
Weʼn a čʰoho (Sleep well)
Lights rise on a YOUNG WOMAN who is wrapping the rope around her neck.
YOUNG WOMAN
I can’t —
Stop —
Breathe —
A YOUNG MAN enters.
YOUNG MAN
Hey!
YOUNG WOMAN
Go away!
YOUNG MAN
No!
He pulls her down.
YOUNG MAN
You could’ve killed yourself! [172]
YOUNG WOMAN
Who cares?
Beat.
I think I’m pregnant.
YOUNG MAN
Okay …
YOUNG WOMAN
It’s not okay.
YOUNG MAN
We can get married.
YOUNG WOMAN
What? No!
YOUNG MAN
Why not?
Beat.
You’ve been with somebody else, right?
YOUNG WOMAN
What?
YOUNG MAN
I knew it! So, whose is it?
YOUNG WOMAN
I can’t believe you!
The YOUNG MAN opens a knife, striking the tree.
YOUNG WOMAN
What are you doing?
YOUNG MAN
Why do you care?
YOUNG WOMAN
Stop it! [173]
YOUNG MAN
Tree’s dead! Like us. FUCK!!
The YOUNG WOMAN starts to cry. The wind is heard. A mysterious figure passes along the adobe walls.
YOUNG MAN
What was that?
YOUNG WOMAN
I don’t know …
YOUNG MAN
Who’s there?
PAULINA appears directly behind the YOUNG MAN.
YOUNG MAN (frightened)
Aaggghhh!!
The YOUNG MAN drops the knife and runs off.
PAULINA
Noʼ ka ʼeneq a saxtakʰɨt. (I am Wind Woman.)
YOUNG WOMAN
Who are you?
PAULINA
I am Wind Woman.
YOUNG WOMAN
Where did you come from?
PAULINA
You stand on sacred ground. Blood has been spilled here.
YOUNG WOMAN
Whose blood?
PAULINA
The blood of the true and innocent.
PAULINA moves towards the YOUNG WOMAN. The YOUNG WOMAN holds up the knife. [174]
YOUNG WOMAN
Stay back!
PAULINA
Connecting us through sacrifice.
YOUNG WOMAN
I’m warning you!
PAULINA
You have sacrificed.
YOUNG WOMAN
Stop!
PAULINA
Sometimes there are tiny cracks, small openings, allowing the past to live differently in the present and the present to become truthful because of the past, joining us together in ways we never thought possible.
YOUNG WOMAN
What does this have to do with me?
PAULINA
I see you in your silence.
YOUNG WOMAN
What?
PAULINA
Don’t be afraid.
YOUNG WOMAN
Who’s afraid?
PAULINA
You must have courage.
YOUNG WOMAN
I don’t have it.
PAULINA
Then you can’t heal yourself or change our future. [175]
YOUNG WOMAN
Is that even possible?
PAULINA
We can only find out together.
The wind begins to stir.
PAULINA
Nox aleqwel, seqeniyu’w a kiyaxsumuʼ na qilikʼ e’n a čʼič’iʼ. (Creator, take from us our suffering and watch over this child.)
YOUNG WOMAN
What are you saying?
PAULINA
I speak a prayer for us, and a blessing upon you.
The YOUNG MAN rushes in.
YOUNG MAN
Aly!
YOUNG WOMAN
I’m okay, A.J.
YOUNG MAN
Come on, let’s go!
YOUNG WOMAN
No.
YOUNG MAN
What?
YOUNG WOMAN
I’m staying.
YOUNG MAN
Are you out of your friggin’ mind!?!
YOUNG WOMAN
Just go! [176]
YOUNG MAN
I’m not leaving you!
PAULINA
He must come, too.
YOUNG WOMAN
No way.
YOUNG MAN
Who’s she?
PAULINA
His path is the same as yours.
YOUNG MAN
Aly, what’s going on?
YOUNG WOMAN
A.J., will you just shut up and listen!?! Stop being such a boy!
The wind stirs.
PAULINA
There was a girl like you.
YOUNG WOMAN
Me?
PAULINA
She was lost.
YOUNG WOMAN
What happened to her?
PAULINA
She had to awaken her faith.
YOUNG WOMAN
How did she do that?
PAULINA
Through courage. And by holding on to what is most sacred. Before there is light, there comes darkness. [177]
The earth rumbles.
DON LEÓN (offstage)
¡HERMONIA!
PAULINA
Brace yourselves.
DON LEÓN (offstage)
¡HERMONIA!
PAULINA
The madness begins.
YOUNG MAN
Oh, hell. [178]
ACT 1
Scene 1
Adobe doors swing open as DON LEÓN enters. CASPIAN follows with a wheelchair.
DON LEÓN
Maximino. Where is your mother?
DON LEÓN lifts the YOUNG WOMAN in his arms, placing her into the wheelchair.
YOUNG WOMAN
Hey!?!
DON LEÓN
Are you my son?
PAULINA
Answer him.
The YOUNG WOMAN nods her head. HERMONIA and DON PATRICIO enter. HERMONIA is pregnant.
DON LEÓN
You are my blood. De sangre de conquistadores. A proud lineage going back to Spain!
HERMONIA
Husband, you boast too much.
DON LEÓN
And why shouldn’t I, my dear, sweet wife? I am the luckiest man alive. I have you, our good son, and another soon to arrive.
He places his hand on her stomach.
Hello? Show me a sign you’re there. Otra vez, nada.
CASPIAN (with a Russian accent)
We should toast to your good luck, Don León.
DON LEÓN
Excellent idea, Caspian! [179]
CASPIAN (to the YOUNG MAN)
Go, muchacho, bring wine!
YOUNG MAN
Me?
DON LEÓN
Yes, you!
PAULINA
Hurry! That way!
The YOUNG MAN exits.
DON LEÓN
Caspian, you’ve got to prepare these mestizos better. It’s 1831, but they still come from the campos unskilled, barely speaking a word of Spanish. How do I even know they’re faithful to me?
HERMONIA
They’re of my blood, mi amor. There’s no need for worry.
DON LEÓN
As my grandfather said, “Amistad con todos, confianza con pocos.”
HERMONIA
“Be friendly with everyone, but trust only a few,” mi amor?
DON LEÓN
My grandfather was a shrewd man who served the Spanish crown proudly.
PAULINA
K-iš-popoč’ (our grandfather) was a chief and he served no king.
The YOUNG MAN enters with wine.
CASPIAN
Ah, just in time.
DON LEÓN
Pick up a glass. We toast.
DON PATRICIO (with an Irish brogue)
What are we toasting to, León? [180]
DON LEÓN
To my handsome son Maximino, to my trusted counselor Caspian, to my closest friend Patricio, and to my lovely wife Hermonia. Blessings and good fortune to all! Let no one steal what is rightfully ours. ¡Salud!
ALL
¡Salud!
ALEJANDRO enters balancing too many bags and suitcases in his arms. He moves very carefully so as not to drop them.
ALEJANDRO (struggling)
Your bags are packed, Don Patricio.
DON PATRICIO
Then it’s time.
DON LEÓN
What? I won’t hear it!
DON PATRICIO
I’ve got a long journey back to Los Molinos.
DON LEÓN
Alejandro, unpack his bags. He’s not leaving.
ALEJANDRO
He’s not?
DON PATRICIO
I’ve got business and family to attend to. Come, Alejandro, this way.
DON LEÓN
You should’ve brought your son Florentino with you. Send for him and stay longer.
DON PATRICIO
It’s been nine months.
ALEJANDRO (to DON LEÓN)
But it took me all morning to pack his bags. [181]
DON PATRICIO
Come!
DON LEÓN
Stay!
ALEJANDRO
You want me to unpack them?
DON PATRICIO
No, I will not stay.
DON LEÓN
Yes, you must.
ALEJANDRO
Why does one man need so many bags?
DON LEÓN
Alejandro, don’t stand there mumbling. Do as I say.
ALEJANDRO (to himself)
Alejandro, do this! Alejandro, do that!
He exits. We hear the bags drop.
¡Comemierda!
DON LEÓN
Stay and see the birth of my son.
HERMONIA
Son?
DON LEÓN
Oh, so you still insist it’s a girl?
HERMONIA
I do most certainly.
She touches her stomach.
Oh.
DON PATRICIO
What is it? [182]
HERMONIA
She kicked.
She takes DON PATRICIO’s hand and places it on her stomach. HERMONIA and DON PATRICIO enjoy the moment together.
DON LEÓN (darkly)
What a vision.
HERMONIA (to DON LEÓN)
¿Cariño?
DON LEÓN
The two people I love most standing together arm and arm. Why is it so hot in here?
CASPIAN (to the YOUNG MAN)
Go, muchacho, and open all the windows and doors. Hurry!
The YOUNG MAN exits.
DON LEÓN (to himself)
I must be wrong.
DON PATRICIO (to DON LEÓN)
Is everything alright?
DON LEÓN
Yes, of course.
PAULINA
Ah, now I remember. Here your transformation begins.
DON PATRICIO
My dear friend, you and your lovely wife have helped restore my spirit.
DON LEÓN
No, please —
DON PATRICIO
And your Rancho Las Mariposas is paradise.
DON LEÓN
The Garden of Eden? [183]
DON PATRICIO
And there is no other place I’d rather be, but it’s the anniversary of my wife Elena’s death.
HERMONIA
Patricio …
DON PATRICIO
Your good wife Hermonia has embraced me with kindness —
HERMONIA
What do you say, querido? Shall I convince him to stay? You’ll have to help me.
DON LEÓN
If you insist.
DON PATRICIO
No, I will not stay, señora.
HERMONIA
Yes, you will, señor. I tell you that your Rancho Los Molinos is well off.
(to DON LEÓN) ¿Cariño?
DON LEÓN
Tell him he’s got good ranch hands, and there’s nothing for him to do but enjoy our hospitality.
HERMONIA
Ándale.
DON LEÓN
Let him swear he longs to return home, and he goes free. But if not, then he stays.
HERMONIA (to DON PATRICIO)
¿Qué dices?
DON PATRICIO
No, señora.
HERMONIA
Sí. Te quedas, ¿no? [184]
DON PATRICIO
No puedo.
HERMONIA
Sí, puede. Como mi prisionero o mi invitado.
She takes his hand.
DON PATRICIO
Then what can I say, señora? I will be your guest and not your prisoner.
HERMONIA
Good!
DON LEÓN
¿Se queda?
HERMONIA
Sí.
She kisses DON PATRICIO on the hand. The YOUNG MAN enters.
DON LEÓN
I’m hot. Too hot.
CASPIAN (to the YOUNG MAN)
¿Muchacho?
YOUNG MAN
I opened everything.
DON LEÓN
You see, Caspian, I ask him to stay and he says “no,” but with her it’s “sí.”
CASPIAN
There is a lesson here.
DON LEÓN
And what’s that?
CASPIAN
Send a woman to do a man’s job.
DON LEÓN
Bah! [185]
HERMONIA
If women ran things, the world would be far better.
DON LEÓN
Bah!
HERMONIA
Come, Patricio, and tell me of León’s misdeeds as a young man.
DON PATRICIO
Ese es mi cuate. We were troublemakers.
DON LEÓN
Not me!
DON PATRICIO
We were young coyotes always looking for adventure. We’d howl at the moon and spit at the sun.
HERMONIA
No me digas.
DON PATRICIO
We could outride, outdrink anybody, and we preyed on the little fillies that came by our corral.
HERMONIA
Mentiras.
DON PATRICIO
But it all changed when we met our future wives. My love, Elena, had her eye on me from the moment I rode onto her father’s rancho.
HERMONIA
So, we’re guilty for making you respectable and responsible?
DON PATRICIO
Yes, but where there’s smoke, there’s fire, señora.
HERMONIA
Meaning? [186]
DON PATRICIO
Women are temptresses. It’s not our fault. Our coyote days may be long gone, but not the fire inside.
HERMONIA
Then we’re “guilty” as charged!
She holds out her hand and he kisses it. They laugh.
PAULINA
Your fear ignites into flames.
DON LEÓN (to himself)
My skin is on fire. Look how she smiles and caresses him. He touches her as if she were his. ¡Estoy en el infierno!
(to MAXIMINO) Ay, que niño lindo. People say you have my eyes.
(to himself) ¡Míralos!
(to MAXIMINO) Las mujeres say that you are the spitting image of me when I was young.
(to himself) But women say anything to get what they want.
(to DON PATRICIO) ¡Ay, qué lindo! You see, Patricio, he is truly mine. Do you love your son as much as I do mine?
DON PATRICIO
¿Florentino? Sí, con todo mi corazón, hermano.
DON LEÓN (darkly, to himself)
¿Hermano?
HERMONIA
¿Está todo bien, mi amor?
DON LEÓN
¡Todo bien, mi amor!
DON PATRICIO
¿Qué le pasa, León? [187]
DON LEÓN
¡A mí no me pasa nada! Why don’t you two go out to the veranda and enjoy the view?
HERMONIA
If you insist.
DON LEÓN
I do! Go!
DON PATRICIO and HERMONIA exit.
DON LEÓN (to MAXIMINO)
Muchacho, vete a tu cuarto a jugar.
(to the YOUNG MAN) Take him. Now!
The YOUNG MAN wheels MAXIMINO away.
(to PAULINA) ¿Qué?
PAULINA
Nada, I said nothing.
PAULINA exits. She joins the YOUNG MAN and YOUNG WOMAN standing at a distance watching and listening.
DON LEÓN
He’s staying, Caspian.
CASPIAN
Isn’t that what you wanted?
DON LEÓN
No.
PAULINA
A firestorm rages inside you.
DON LEÓN
It didn’t take much to convince him, did it?
CASPIAN
Doña Hermonia did what you asked. [188]
DON LEÓN
Because I asked? You’re an ass!
CASPIAN
¿Señor?
DON LEÓN
It’s so obvious. It all makes sense now. How long has this been going on?
CASPIAN
I don’t understand?
DON LEÓN
She flutters her eyes at him, and he glows like the sun. They’re thieves stealing glances and whispering little love secrets to one another.
CASPIAN
Who?
DON LEÓN
Hermonia and Patricio!
CASPIAN
What?
DON LEÓN
They’re having relations!
CASPIAN
No, this is not possible!
DON LEÓN
They’ve been inseparable since he first arrived!
CASPIAN
You must be mistaken.
DON LEÓN
I offered him my home, and this is the gratitude I receive? How could I have been so blind?
CASPIAN
What proof have you? [189]
DON LEÓN
Proof!?! Look at her swollen belly, man!
CASPIAN
Bohze moi! (Oh my God!)
DON LEÓN
They carry on together, and my heart is torn out!
CASPIAN
No.
DON LEÓN
It’s true I tell you! I shouldn’t have brought that Yanqui into my home! I asked her to help him mourn. I trusted them. And they played me like a pendejo!
CASPIAN
Señor, this cannot be true!
DON LEÓN
Their bodies coiled together like snakes haunts me!
CASPIAN
Go talk to them!
DON LEÓN
I will not!
CASPIAN
Then let me!
DON LEÓN
No!
He reveals a pistol.
CASPIAN
Don León, this is madness!
DON LEÓN
How could they betray me?
CASPIAN
You’ll have blood on your soul! [190]
DON LEÓN
It’s all over.
He puts the pistol to his head.
CASPIAN
¡No, señor!
CASPIAN and DON LEÓN struggle.
CASPIAN
Don León, you must pull yourself together!
DON LEÓN
I am lost!
CASPIAN
Surely there must be another way out of this madness!
DON LEÓN
No.
CASPIAN
Yes, we can find a solution together.
Beat.
I’ll do anything.
DON LEÓN
Anything?
CASPIAN
Yes.
DON LEÓN
Swear it.
CASPIAN
I swear it.
PAULINA
And now comes your vengeance. [191]
CASPIAN
¿Señor?
DON LEÓN
There is a basket kept hidden by Paulina.
CASPIAN
What basket?
DON LEÓN
It’s where she keeps her witch’s secrets.
DON LEÓN removes a small vial from a basket.
CASPIAN
What’s in it?
DON LEÓN (pouring it into the wine glass)
One of nature’s deadly little offerings. It can help one sleep or never wake up, depending on the amount.
CASPIAN
What?
DON LEÓN
You’re the only one I trust.
CASPIAN
But, señor, it is murder!
DON LEÓN
And does not my murdered heart count? Who seeks justice for it?
CASPIAN
No!
DON LEÓN
There are costs, of course, but can’t you see the opportunities?
CASPIAN
Opportunities?
DON LEÓN
The future is unwritten. [192]
CASPIAN
Future?
DON LEÓN
This land is abundant. Riches we can’t even imagine. All you have to do is seize it, and it is yours. It takes vision, and the will to act upon it.
CASPIAN
What you ask is not possible.
DON LEÓN
You left your country because you were persecuted for being a Jew. You came far from the other side of the world in search of a new home. Was that “not possible”? Now is your chance to be rooted and belong. Everything you ever wanted is here at your feet.
CASPIAN
The road you ask me to take has no return.
DON LEÓN
You believe what I’m saying, don’t you?
CASPIAN
I believe that you believe it.
DON LEÓN
I believed in you when you didn’t believe in yourself. Do you remember? You were a drunk, a sinvergüenza living on the streets, a man without a penny in his pocket. I took you into my family. We are not blood, but we are family. Prove that I wasn’t wrong about you. You swore you would.
DON LEÓN holds out the glass to CASPIAN.
CASPIAN
Yes, you did save me, and for that I am forever grateful. I escaped my fate. I thought this land and its people would be different. But there is no difference. It is all the same: greed, misery, and death. Everything is for the taking, no questions asked. I understand its costs deeply.
DON LEÓN
Then you understand that sometimes sacrifices must be made. [193]
CASPIAN
If I do this for you, you must spare your wife and child.
DON LEÓN
Agreed.
CASPIAN takes it.
YOUNG WOMAN
Is Caspian really going to go through with it?
PAULINA
What can he do?
DON LEÓN points the pistol at him.
DON LEÓN
Don’t fail me.
YOUNG MAN
This is insane!
PAULINA
Don León’s desperate, poisoned with fear. Like you, he can’t see his way out.
YOUNG WOMAN
I’m not like him.
Enter DON PATRICIO. DON LEÓN exits.
DON PATRICIO
Caspian, I think I’ve overstayed my welcome. León is behaving so strangely.
CASPIAN
No sé qué le pasa.
DON PATRICIO
Did I do something to offend him?
YOUNG WOMAN (to PAULINA)
Don’t let him do it!
DON PATRICIO (taking the wine)
Dime. [194]
CASPIAN
Don’t you know?
DON PATRICIO
I haven’t a clue. I could never hurt a hair on that good man’s head. You know that. He brought me here after my son was born and my Elena died. León is more a brother to me than my own back in Ireland.
YOUNG WOMAN (to PAULINA)
You’ve got to stop this!
YOUNG MAN
Aly!
The YOUNG WOMAN crosses to CASPIAN and DON PATRICIO.
YOUNG WOMAN
Don Patricio —
DON PATRICIO
¿Maximino?
YOUNG WOMAN
Your wine is poisoned!
DON PATRICIO
My God in heaven!
CASPIAN
Please forgive me, Don Patricio!
DON PATRICIO
Why!?!
CASPIAN
I had to make sure that Don León was not watching!
DON PATRICIO
What’s he got to do with this?
CASPIAN
He believes you’ve had relations with Doña Hermonia. [195]
DON PATRICIO
What madness is this? How could he think that? I’ve got to go speak to him!
CASPIAN
No, he’s carrying a loaded pistol.
DON PATRICIO
Dear God!
CASPIAN
You’ve got to go while there’s still time.
DON PATRICIO
I don’t understand. How could this happen?
CASPIAN
Please, you must go now!
DON PATRICIO
And you? You can’t stay.
CASPIAN
Yes, I know.
DON PATRICIO
He’ll want your head, too.
CASPIAN
What I’ve done is unforgivable.
DON PATRICIO
This isn’t the time or place. We’ve got to take Hermonia with us until he comes to his senses.
CASPIAN
No, she won’t go, and she’s the only one that can convince him of the truth.
DON PATRICIO
May God help him!
CASPIAN
¡De prisa, Don Patricio! [196]
DON PATRICIO exits.
(to the YOUNG WOMAN) How did you know?
YOUNG WOMAN
The eyes of men never lie.
CASPIAN
Do svidaniya. (Goodbye.)
He exits.
Scene 2
YOUNG WOMAN
Why do you show me this?
PAULINA
So that you can see his madness.
YOUNG WOMAN
You didn’t do a thing to stop him.
PAULINA
Fear becomes his lover and he births demons.
YOUNG WOMAN
What’s this got to do with me?
PAULINA
Everything.
YOUNG WOMAN
You don’t know anything about me!
PAULINA
I know enough … we live in a world where men take what they want without asking.
YOUNG WOMAN
What?
PAULINA
Yes. [197]
YOUNG WOMAN
Please … leave me alone.
YOUNG MAN
What about me, Aly?
YOUNG WOMAN
What about you?
PAULINA
My little sister Hermonia never lost her faith.
YOUNG WOMAN
Who cares?
HERMONIA enters.
PAULINA
Ven. Siéntate, hermanita.
They sit. PAULINA touches HERMONIA’s stomach.
Your child is going to grow strong and healthy.
HERMONIA
You see this?
PAULINA
Yes.
HERMONIA
You’ve always had the curandera’s touch and the vision of a shaman.
PAULINA
I’m sorry I wasn’t there when Maximino was born.
HERMONIA
You’re with me now, sister. ¿Maximino?
PAULINA
Answer her.
YOUNG WOMAN
She’s not my mother. [198]
PAULINA
She needs you … and so do I.
HERMONIA
Maximino, ven, cuéntame un cuento.
YOUNG WOMAN
¿Un cuento?
HERMONIA
Sí, por favor. Por favor, ’mino.
YOUNG WOMAN
¿Triste o alegre?
HERMONIA
Alegre.
YOUNG WOMAN
No, triste. Sad tales are best for invierno. Tengo un cuento de hadas o de duendes.
HERMONIA
Ándale, a scary story then. Come and frighten us with it!
YOUNG WOMAN
Once there was a malvado —
HERMONIA
Oh, an evil man!
YOUNG WOMAN
Do you want to comment or listen?
HERMONIA
I’m sorry. Go on.
YOUNG WOMAN
This malvado lived in a graveyard among the dead. At night he would sneak into people’s houses and eat them alive. He liked girls most because they tasted the sweetest.
DON LEÓN, ALEJANDRO, and the JAILER enter. [199]
DON LEÓN
¡Sinvergüenzas! Betrayers! Thieves! I should have seen it! My life could be at stake!
HERMONIA
¿Cariño?
DON LEÓN
Take the boy away now! He will not see her again!
The YOUNG MAN wheels out the YOUNG WOMAN. They stand off in the distance watching.
HERMONIA
¿Qué te pasa?
DON LEÓN
Don’t pretend you don’t know! You helped them escape, didn’t you!?!
HERMONIA
What are you talking about?
DON LEÓN
That seed you carry isn’t mine. It’s that Irish dog’s!
HERMONIA
No, that isn’t true!
DON LEÓN
You’re not an adulteress?
HERMONIA
No!
DON LEÓN
You chose a bed that was not mine!
HERMONIA
I’ve kept my vows!
DON LEÓN
Lies, lies, lies! I can’t stand the sight of her! Take her away! [200]
PAULINA
Alejandro, don’t you dare!
ALEJANDRO
I have no choice! I must do as he says!
DON LEÓN
Imprison her!
PAULINA
’Inipaxmayus a suk’u! (You don’t owe him anything!)
DON LEÓN (to PAULINA)
¡Cállese bruja india!
He grabs HERMONIA by her hair.
¡Y tú, vete a la chingada, puta! ¡Fuera!
HERMONIA and PAULINA exit.
ALEJANDRO
¡Don León, por favor, llame a su señora!
DON LEÓN
Did you have something to do with this, too?
ALEJANDRO
No, we are blood.
DON LEÓN
We are not blood! I’ve never trusted that witch wife of yours or you for that matter! We are not blood!
ALEJANDRO
The natives who are her blood will ask what proof you have.
DON LEÓN
Proof? I’ve sent for a bishop from México. He will get a confession out of her, and when everyone learns the truth, she will hang. See that no one visits her!
They exit. [201]
Scene 3
A storm rages. The JAILER and PAULINA stand outside a cell where HERMONIA is being held.
HERMONIA (offstage)
¡Ay!
PAULINA
She needs me!
JAILER
No!
PAULINA
She’s having Don León’s child!
JAILER
I’ve got my orders!
HERMONIA (offstage)
¡Ay!
PAULINA
Move out of my way!
JAILER
I’m warning you!
PAULINA
I’ll put a curse on you!
JAILER
A curse?
PAULINA
I can make things fall off!
JAILER
Fall off?
PAULINA
Or I can make them bigger! [202]
JAILER
Bigger?
PAULINA
You could be desirable for las señoritas.
JAILER
Are you bribing or threatening me?
PAULINA
I’m making you a deal. You choose.
HERMONIA (offstage)
¡Ay!
PAULINA
¡Muévete!
JAILER
Crazy india. My grandfather served the Spanish crown. Your ways mean nothing to me!
It thunders, then lightning strikes.
Okay, you can go in.
PAULINA, the YOUNG MAN, and the YOUNG WOMAN enter a cell and cross to HERMONIA, who is in labor.
PAULINA
Hermanita.
HERMONIA
¡AY!
PAULINA
I can see the baby!
HERMONIA
¡AY!
PAULINA
Bite down! [203]
HERMONIA
¡AY!
PAULINA
Push!
HERMONIA
¡AY!
PAULINA
Again!
HERMONIA
¡AY!
PAULINA
Once more!
HERMONIA
¡AY!
An infant cry. PAULINA wraps the newborn.
PAULINA
It’s a baby girl!
HERMONIA
A girl?
PAULINA
Yes.
HERMONIA
Her legs, can she move them?
PAULINA
Yes.
HERMONIA
Gracias a Dios.
PAULINA
Nox aleqwel, ‘iškɨhɨ’n a šʰumawɨš na ščʰo ha satɨk. (Creator, keep she is healthy and she is happy.) [204]
(looking at the infant) She has his eyes.
PAULINA turns to the YOUNG WOMAN and YOUNG MAN, who leave the cell and stand off to the side, watching.
HERMONIA
Let me see her. She’s so beautiful.
PAULINA
Look at you. I warned you not to marry him. That crazy fool.
HERMONIA
He’s a good man.
PAULINA
You’re blind.
HERMONIA
I love him.
PAULINA
You’re in a cell with a baby. Your son isn’t allowed to see you.
HERMONIA
Don’t start.
PAULINA
You abandoned your people and your family for him.
HERMONIA
I’m tired.
PAULINA
Look how these Spaniards treat us! They’re burying us alive!
HERMONIA
Enough, I will not be buried nor will my children be!
PAULINA
Then they will become just like him!
HERMONIA
No, I’ll teach them what’s important. [205]
PAULINA
And what’s that?
HERMONIA
That we survive! The old ways are broken. The pieces that remain are what we are.
PAULINA
No!
HERMONIA
It’s true! We are connected by blood or love. You cling to the past, but I look toward the future!
PAULINA
K-iš-popoč’ (our grandfather) said we could never trust these thieves and butchers!
HERMONIA
You hate them. And if you do, you hate me!
PAULINA
Your father murdered my father and raped our mother! You are their child!
HERMONIA
Stop blaming me!
PAULINA
They descend upon us like locusts!
HERMONIA
We are family —
PAULINA
Taking everything from us!
HERMONIA
— that’s all that matters!
PAULINA
Your husband deserves to die! [206]
HERMONIA
Swear to me you will not hurt him!
PAULINA
I will not!
HERMONIA
Swear it!
PAULINA
No!
HERMONIA
I must go to him!
PAULINA
You’re in no condition to go anywhere.
HERMONIA
I am innocent. I have my family and my faith.
YOUNG WOMAN & PAULINA
Faith?
PAULINA
You pray to their white god to save you?
HERMONIA
I have my own ways. My family is my faith. My husband will see.
PAULINA
You’re as crazy as he is. You’ve been in this cell for weeks. He hasn’t seen you or uttered your name. He had your portrait taken down and burned all your things in the courtyard.
HERMONIA begins to exit.
HERMONIA
What do I care for possessions?
PAULINA
Stop it! Stop it! You don’t know what you’re saying! [207]
HERMONIA
You’re blind with hate.
PAULINA
It feeds me.
PAULINA escorts her back.
He won’t let you out.
HERMONIA cries.
Sit down. Please … please.
HERMONIA sits. PAULINA wraps the infant in a rabbit pelt.
PAULINA
I’ll go. Who else will speak for you? I’m your sister. I’ll show him his child. That will be proof of your innocence. I want to see him beg you for mercy.
HERMONIA removes her seashell necklace.
HERMONIA
Send this with her, so my husband will know that she is our child.
PAULINA
You have never taken it off.
HERMONIA
He’ll know I speak with truth.
PAULINA takes the necklace and places it around the infant.
PAULINA
K-iš-popoč’ (our grandfather) made this seashell necklace for you when you were born. I remember bathing you by the river and carrying you home in my arms.
HERMONIA
She’s so little.
PAULINA
What’s her name?
HERMONIA
Her name? [208]
PAULINA
She must have one.
HERMONIA
Alegría
YOUNG WOMAN & PAULINA
Alegría
HERMONIA
My little joyful one will help us find our way. Bring my family back to me.
PAULINA
I’ll do it for you.
HERMONIA
Swear it.
PAULINA
I swear.
HERMONIA
He. (Yes.)
PAULINA
He. (Yes.)
PAULINA exits with the infant.
HERMONIA (singing)
Duerme, mi linda niña,
Tu vida adoro,
Eres mi corazón,
Te cuido, mi tesoro.
Scene 4
DON LEÓN drinks and talks to himself.
DON LEÓN
Talk to her. No, I can’t. Tell her you love her. No, I won’t. Ask for her forgiveness. Never. [209]
“Papá” is heard.
Who laughs at me? Those bastards in Los Molinos!
“Papá” is heard.
I hear you! Go ahead, cabrones, but I’ll have the last laugh! ¡Desgraciados! Descansa. Cierra los ojos. Cierra los ojos.
As DON LEÓN closes his eyes, ALEJANDRO enters.
ALEJANDRO
¿Don León?
DON LEÓN
Huh.
ALEJANDRO
Maximino is deathly ill.
DON LEÓN
¿Cómo? He’s taken his mother’s shame into himself.
ALEJANDRO
The boy has stopped eating and even drinking water.
DON LEÓN
I don’t want your witch wife near him.
ALEJANDRO
El médico is with him now.
JAILER (offstage)
Hey, you can’t go in there!
PAULINA
Let me through! ¡Muévete!
DON LEÓN
Who’s making all that racket!?!
The JAILER and PAULINA enter. She carries the infant.
JAILER
I’m sorry, Don León, but she — [210]
ALEJANDRO
Mujer, ¿qué haces?
PAULINA
Kaktasɨwus i kay! (I come to speak him!)
ALEJANDRO
He hasn’t slept!
PAULINA
I have something to show him!
ALEJANDRO
Are you crazy?
PAULINA
’Inikaxunušpi! (I’m not afraid!)
ALEJANDRO
He hasn’t slept!
PAULINA
I bring you sleep with this medicine!
DON LEÓN
Enough!
PAULINA
I have something to show you!
DON LEÓN
Alejandro, control your woman!
ALEJANDRO
I will not.
PAULINA
He’s my husband, not my judge or ruler!
DON LEÓN
What do you want, bruja india? My heart? It no longer exists.
PAULINA
I’ve come to speak to you on behalf of my sister, your wife. [211]
DON LEÓN
No, I will not listen to you! Go away!
PAULINA
She has delivered your child! Here is proof!
DON LEÓN
¡Alejandro!
ALEJANDRO
¡Paulina, por favor!
PAULINA
Look at her eyes!
DON LEÓN
No!
ALEJANDRO
¡Paulina!
PAULINA
Touch her! Smell her! She is yours!
DON LEÓN
Stop!
PAULINA
Bless her and welcome her into the world!
She lays the infant down at his feet.
DON LEÓN
NO!
PAULINA
How can you deny your own blood?
DON LEÓN
TAKE THAT BASTARD AWAY!
He appears ready to strike the infant.
SHE IS NOT MINE! [212]
PAULINA and ALEJANDRO intercede. The JAILER ushers PAULINA out.
STOP HAUNTING ME!
PAULINA
¡Alejandro!
DON LEÓN
Did you send her to me!?!
ALEJANDRO
No!
DON LEÓN
Do you want to save this bastard, too!?!
ALEJANDRO
She is my blood.
DON LEÓN
But not mine! Take this diseased thing away now!
ALEJANDRO
To where?
DON LEÓN
To Los Molinos. To this bastard’s father’s land. Leave her there to die. I want her bones to rot there.
ALEJANDRO
But señor —
DON LEÓN picks up the infant, raising it over his head.
DON LEÓN
If you refuse, I’ll bash its brains out right now and your wife and children will hang!
ALEJANDRO
Very well. I have no choice. I’ll do as you ask.
DON LEÓN
Then see to it. [213]
ALEJANDRO exits with the infant. Enter the JAILER.
JAILER
Don León, the priest has arrived from Mexico City.
DON LEÓN
A priest? I requested a bishop!
JAILER
That’s who they sent.
DON LEÓN
This is how we Californios matter to Mexico City? Is this what my grandfather fought and died for? He curses them from the grave!
JAILER
What do you want him to do?
DON LEÓN
I want her confession quickly. Gather all the people on the rancho. We’ll say a mass, and then he’ll prove that I have been wronged.
JAILER
Yes, señor.
DON LEÓN
Cierra los ojos. Cierra los ojos.
DON LEÓN exits.
Scene 5
ALEJANDRO and PAULINA enter. He holds the infant in his arms as PAULINA places the seashell necklace in a red pouch. The YOUNG WOMAN and YOUNG MAN look on.
PAULINA
Alejandro, you can’t do this!
ALEJANDRO
I have my orders! [214]
PAULINA
But she’s our blood!
ALEJANDRO
Woman, don’t you think I know that!?! If I don’t do what he asks, he will hang you and our children!
PAULINA
Then go to Los Molinos, but leave her with our people in the mountains. Don León will never know.
ALEJANDRO
Do you think he’s that stupid?
The JAILER appears.
I’m being watched!
PAULINA
Wild bears roam where you take her! They’ll eat her alive!
ALEJANDRO
I’ve made my decision. Let her go.
PAULINA
No!
ALEJANDRO
I won’t ask you again!
PAULINA
I made a promise to my sister!
ALEJANDRO
I do this for us!
ALEJANDRO holds a small sword over the infant. PAULINA lets go of the infant. He exits.
PAULINA
Alejandro.
The JAILER exits. [215]
Scene 6
The church bell tolls.
YOUNG MAN
Don León’s going to find Hermonia guilty and hang her.
YOUNG WOMAN
Why not? She’s a “whore,” right?
YOUNG MAN
What the hell does that mean?
YOUNG WOMAN
You’ve already judged and condemned me!
YOUNG MAN
That’s ’cause you gave it up to somebody else!
YOUNG WOMAN
Fuck you!
(to PAULINA) I can’t take this shit anymore!
YOUNG MAN
Me, neither!
PAULINA
My family has sacrificed greatly.
YOUNG WOMAN
What about what I’ve sacrificed!?! My blood is soaked in this earth, too!
YOUNG MAN
What’re you talking about?
YOUNG WOMAN
Everyone’s stolen things from me, so why not you!?! Shame on you! Shame on all of you!
YOUNG MAN
Aly, what’s wrong with you? [216]
YOUNG WOMAN
Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!
The Earth rumbles.
PAULINA
He’s here.
DON LEÓN enters. He is dressed for church but carries his pistol.
DON LEÓN
Prayers have been offered. Confessions have been heard. Mass has been given. We stand together … juntos … en nuestra fe en Dios y la ley del hombre. Our hearts are filled with sadness for the daughter of a great man who conquered this land long ago. A padre from México has arrived to uncover the truth. Let it be said that I am fair and just … fair and just …
Bring the prisoner in.
The JAILER leads in a disheveled HERMONIA. DON LEÓN looks away.
HERMONIA (to PAULINA)
¿Alegría?
PAULINA shakes her head “no.”
DON LEÓN
Read the charge.
JAILER
Hermonia, esposa de Don León Cervantes Mejía, el gran don del Rancho Las Mariposas, is accused of conspiring to murder her husband, of committing adultery, and of helping Don Patricio of Los Molinos and Caspian Brusilov to escape.
DON LEÓN
How do you plead?
HERMONIA
These matters are between you and —
DON LEÓN
I have nothing to say to you! Bring the priest! [217]
The PADRE enters. He is dressed humbly.
DON LEÓN
Have you taken her confession?
PADRE
I have, and I have listened to others as well.
DON LEÓN
What others?
PADRE
Those who speak on her behalf.
DON LEÓN
Sinners, drunkards, and Indians you mean?
PADRE
The poor, those without hope, and the original caretakers of the land, yes.
DON LEÓN
They know they’ll burn in Hell if they lied during confession?
PADRE
They do.
DON LEÓN
Then let them stand before me! Show your faces!
HERMONIA
Padre.
PADRE
She asks to speak.
DON LEÓN
I don’t need to hear anything she has to say!
HERMONIA
You will hear me, husband. I am no threat. I come from a proud people. My grandfather was chief. Long ago when your people first came here, he reached out to help them. If he hadn’t, they would have perished. K-popoč’ (my grandfather) believed that we are all children of the Great Spirit. When I was born, [218] I was unwanted by my mother’s people, but K-popoč’ accepted me and raised me as his own. He taught me to have compassion and respect for all of God’s creations. I was baptized in the holy church, but K-popoč’ taught me that God’s church is the natural world. I am forever bound to the land and its people. That is where I find my truth. That is why you chose me. And loved me. Husband, I have never loved a man as I love you. I tell you I am innocent. You of all people should know me best. I have been your loving wife, true only to you. I stand here before you, stripped of everything. My children cry for their mother. My son’s tears go unanswered. My infant’s milk untouched. Look at me. Where is the man who called me “wife”? Where is the man who honored and vowed to care for me? Where is —
DON LEÓN (coldly)
Is that everything?
HERMONIA
Your good friend Patricio is innocent, as is honorable Caspian. They could not have done —
DON LEÓN
Are you through?
HERMONIA
I am not afraid of your threats. You have stolen what I hold most sacred. My children and my honor are taken from me, and I am disgraced. Tell me, my love, what power could death hold over me? My faith is my family and my innocence. God, the land, and the people are my judge. Let my confession reveal the truth. Padre, I give you permission to share what I confessed before God. Tell them.
DON LEÓN
What is your finding, Padre?
PADRE
Hermonia est incultatis —
DON LEÓN
I don’t speak Latin!
YOUNG MAN
I know some. [219]
(to the YOUNG WOMAN) Altar boy.
PADRE
Hermonia est inculatis —
YOUNG MAN (to DON LEÓN)
Hermonia is innocent —
PADRE
Don Patricio est innocens —
YOUNG MAN
Don Patricio is blameless —
PADRE
Caspian est fidelis, quod vestri liberi es vestry.
YOUNG MAN
Caspian is loyal, and your children are yours.
HERMONIA
¡Gracias a Dios!
DON LEÓN
No, he’s wrong!
PADRE
Vos ago vacuus heres insquequo ut quod est depueo instituo.
YOUNG MAN
You shall be without an heir if that which is lost is not found.
DON LEÓN
This cura lies!
PADRE
God has spoken!
DON LEÓN
Nooo!
YOUNG WOMAN
¡Mamá! [220]
The YOUNG WOMAN falls to the ground.
DON LEÓN
¡¿¡Maximino!?!
DON LEÓN lifts the YOUNG WOMAN into his arms.
Wake up! Wake up!
HERMONIA
¡Maximino!
DON LEÓN
Breathe! Breathe!
HERMONIA
¡Mi hijo se ha muerto!
DON LEÓN
Nooo!
HERMONIA faints.
PAULINA
¡Hermonia!
(to the YOUNG MAN and the JAILER) Help her! Hurry!
They exit.
DON LEÓN
What have I done? I take it back! I can fix this! Let me fix what I’ve done! Just give me back my son!
HERMONIA cries out.
PAULINA (offstage)
¡Ay, no!
DON LEÓN
What is it!?!
PAULINA enters.
¿Paulina? [221]
PAULINA
Hermonia is dead!
DON LEÓN
God strikes at me!
PAULINA (striking him)
You broke her heart, and then you murdered her! ¡Asesino!
DON LEÓN
No!
PAULINA
This can never be undone! ¡Hijo de diablo!
DON LEÓN
No!
PAULINA
Maximino adored you! Hermonia loved you! And your newborn is cast out! You don’t deserve their love! You don’t deserve sympathy! You deserve nothing!
DON LEÓN
¡Soy un desgraciado!
PAULINA
You’re nothing! Nothing! Nothing!!!
DON LEÓN wraps the red rope around his neck.
Yes, hang yourself and be done with it! Take your sins and your ancestors’ sins with you!
The YOUNG WOMAN crosses to him. She unwinds the rope around his neck. DON LEÓN falls to the ground. He weeps.
YOUNG WOMAN (to PAULINA)
Is this what you wanted to show me!?! Is this my lesson!?! Remember your promise to your sister! Prove to me that her sacrifice was worth what she believed in! You owe her that!
PAULINA (to DON LEÓN)
¡Levántate! Rise and bury your dead. [222]
DON LEÓN
Hermonia.
PAULINA
Stand up!
DON LEÓN
I can’t!
PAULINA
Be the man your woman wanted you to be.
DON LEÓN
I can’t do it!
PAULINA
You will and you will remember what you did!
DON LEÓN
El padre spoke truthfully. I’ll bury them beneath the great oak tree.
PAULINA
And I’ll be there so you never forget the cost of your madness.
DON LEÓN
Yes, I will build a shrine and pray for forgiveness. Come with me. Please.
PAULINA exits. DON LEÓN follows.
YOUNG MAN
My God, I thought you were dead.
YOUNG WOMAN
It would be easier if I were.
YOUNG MAN
Aly, did something happen to you?
YOUNG WOMAN
A monster slipped into my room.
YOUNG MAN
Talk to me! [223]
YOUNG WOMAN
Or was it you?
YOUNG MAN
You’re not making sense.
YOUNG WOMAN
Why are you even with me?
YOUNG MAN
Don’t you know?
YOUNG WOMAN
No.
YOUNG MAN
I love you.
YOUNG WOMAN
You don’t love me.
YOUNG MAN
What are you saying?
YOUNG WOMAN
You’re a güero who can’t hang out with his own kind!
YOUNG MAN
You don’t mean that.
YOUNG WOMAN
Everyone’s laughing at you and you don’t even know it!
YOUNG MAN
Shut up!
Thunder and lightning. [224]
Scene 7
YOUNG WOMAN
Where are we?
YOUNG MAN
I don’t know.
YOUNG WOMAN
Why is it so cold?
YOUNG MAN
Let’s get out of here.
YOUNG WOMAN
And go where?
Thunder and lightning. HERMONIA appears.
YOUNG MAN
Aagghhh!!!
He runs off.
YOUNG WOMAN
¿Hermonia?
HERMONIA
Fate has chosen you.
YOUNG WOMAN
Me?
HERMONIA
My sweet Alegría is lost forever.
YOUNG WOMAN
No.
HERMONIA
Never will you know love. [225]
YOUNG WOMAN
That’s not true!
HERMONIA
Never will you see tomorrow.
YOUNG WOMAN
The future’s not decided!
ALEJANDRO enters carrying the infant.
ALEJANDRO (to HERMONIA)
Don’t say any more, dear vision!
He kneels before HERMONIA.
I know my fate. I will never see my wife Paulina or our children again. I’m damned for what I do.
Thunder and lightning. HERMONIA disappears.
Courage, Alejandro.
The growl of a wild bear is heard.
Can this get any worse?
ALEJANDRO kisses the infant. She cries.
YOUNG WOMAN
What are you doing?
ALEJANDRO
Forgive me, little one.
YOUNG WOMAN
You can’t leave her!
ALEJANDRO
I can’t protect you.
YOUNG WOMAN
But she’s your family!
ALEJANDRO
Shh, sleep my little one. It will be over soon. Sleep and you’ll join your ancestors. [226]
He lays the infant down along with a pouch. The YOUNG WOMAN takes her. The roar of a bear is heard. The oak tree transforms into a bear.
AAGHHH!!!
ALEJANDRO charges into the bear.
YOUNG WOMAN
Shh, Alegría, I’m here. I’m here.
Sheep are heard bleating and a dog barking. In silhouette, VAQUERO appears, carrying a shepherd’s cane. The lights fade. [227]
ACT 2
Scene 1
Darkness surrounds the YOUNG WOMAN. She stands alone onstage holding the crying infant. She now wears Hermonia’s seashell necklace.
YOUNG WOMAN (frightened, singing)
Sleep, my lovely lass,
Your life is adored,
You’re my very heart,
Sleep safe, my jewel.
Sleep, my lovely lass,
Your life is adored,
You’re my very heart,
Sleep safe, my jewel.
The wind howls. The YOUNG WOMAN opens her arms, discovering the infant is gone. PAULINA appears.
YOUNG WOMAN
¡¿¡Alegría!?!
PAULINA
¿Alegría? What are you talking about?
YOUNG WOMAN
I was holding her in my arms!
PAULINA
What? How?
YOUNG WOMAN
I, I … she was in my arms, and then —
PAULINA
Did someone take her? Where’s Alejandro?
YOUNG WOMAN
I don’t know! [228]
PAULINA
I’ve got to find them!
Beat.
Where are we?
YOUNG WOMAN
Don’t you know?
PAULINA
No, I’ve never been here before. Where did you get that necklace?
YOUNG WOMAN
How did this get on me?
PAULINA
It’s happening. We move forward. The past and the present become one.
The YOUNG MAN enters.
YOUNG MAN
Aly, I’m sorry. I’m sorry I ran out. I’m such an ass.
YOUNG WOMAN
Why do you keep doing that?
YOUNG MAN
I don’t know. I got this thing about ghosts and monsters since I was a kid. I freak out.
YOUNG WOMAN
Ghosts and monsters.
VAQUERO appears holding the infant.
VAQUERO
I’ll name you Perdida, my little lost one.
PAULINA
Who’s he? [229]
VAQUERO (to the infant)
Call me Vaquero. I’m sorry to say that there isn’t much left of your papá. He was a brave man to charge into that wild bear to protect you. Too bad he was torn to pedazos. That bear cracked his skull like an acorn.
He makes a squashing sound, then discovers the red pouch.
What’s this? A necklace?
He holds up some gold.
¡Ah, hijo! Gold! ¡Soy rico!
PAULINA
My Alejandro.
YOUNG WOMAN (to PAULINA)
I’m so sorry.
PAULINA
I’ll never see him again.
VAQUERO (to the infant)
You’ve brought me good luck, Perdida! You must be a duende! My lips are sealed! Springtime blooms with wild flowers and orphaned babies!
PAULINA
Spring?
VAQUERO (looking off in the distance)
Come on, Lucky! Come here, boy!
A dog is heard barking.
Well, we better go and bury what’s left of your papá. Pesado, bien pesado.
VAQUERO exits. DON PATRICIO and CASPIAN appear. They are now older.
YOUNG MAN
Look, it’s Don Patricio and Caspian.
YOUNG WOMAN
They’re older. [230]
CASPIAN (to DON PATRICIO)
A revolt has broken out. Californios are mustering a militia.
DON PATRICIO
This means war.
CASPIAN
Yes.
DON PATRICIO
The United States invades México.
CASPIAN
We must be vigilant, for this will land at our doorstep.
DON PATRICIO
I don’t want to choose a side. That would cost me dearly.
CASPIAN
Your rancho has done well these past sixteen years.
PAULINA
Sixteen?
DON PATRICIO
Thanks to you, old friend. We must protect it at all costs.
(to the YOUNG MAN) ¿Florentino?
YOUNG MAN
What? Me?
DON PATRICIO
You stay close.
(to CASPIAN) Come. We have much to do.
DON PATRICIO and CASPIAN exit. DON LEÓN enters. He is dressed humbly. His hair is long.
He wheels in Maximino’s wheelchair, placing it near the tree.
YOUNG WOMAN
It’s Don León. [231]
He kneels down to pray.
DON LEÓN
Can you ever forgive me?
PAULINA
You pray at a shrine where your good wife and son are buried.
DON LEÓN
I don’t deserve it.
DON LEÓN picks up a mallet and a chisel.
YOUNG WOMAN
What’s he doing?
PAULINA
He’s carving something.
DON LEÓN
I honor you.
PAULINA
His madness has turned to sorrow. Un dolor fuerte. I must return to him.
YOUNG WOMAN
What?
PAULINA
I need to go back.
YOUNG WOMAN
Back? Why? What are you talking about?
PAULINA
Kshunushkuy. (I promise.) My promise to my sister.
YOUNG WOMAN
But you’re asking for a miracle.
PAULINA
I have to believe what is lost can be found. [232]
YOUNG WOMAN
Please don’t leave me alone.
PAULINA
You must have courage.
She touches the YOUNG WOMAN’s heart.
The future remains unwritten. Follow your hearts.
PAULINA exits singing.
PAULINA (singing)
Weʼ weʼ kiceʼ (Sleep, sleep little one)
Ksuyuwanin (I love you)
Ma kʼayapis i piʼ (You are my heart)
Weʼn a čʰoho (Sleep well)
Weʼ weʼ kiceʼ (Sleep, sleep little one)
Ksuyuwanin (I love you)
Ma kʼayapis i piʼ (You are my heart)
Weʼn a čʰoho (Sleep well)
The YOUNG WOMAN’s mood changes. The YOUNG MAN notices this.
YOUNG MAN
Aly, what is it?
YOUNG WOMAN
A monster slipped into my room.
YOUNG MAN
What?
YOUNG WOMAN
It was my uncle.
YOUNG MAN
What’d he do?
YOUNG WOMAN
He touched me when I was in bed. [233]
YOUNG MAN
Jesus!
YOUNG WOMAN
I ran out and locked myself in the bathroom all night.
YOUNG MAN
Where were your parents?
YOUNG WOMAN
They were out. He whispered through the door that it would be our secret.
YOUNG MAN
Did you tell your mother and father?
YOUNG WOMAN
They didn’t believe me!
YOUNG MAN
How could they not believe you!?!
YOUNG WOMAN
I wish he’d die! He can go to hell! And you, too!
YOUNG MAN
Me?
YOUNG WOMAN
I tried telling you!
YOUNG MAN
That’s ’cause I thought you were cheating on me!
YOUNG WOMAN
Well I wasn’t! My whole life has been with losers.
YOUNG MAN
Aly, I didn’t know! I’m so sorry!
YOUNG WOMAN
Oh God, I feel sick!
YOUNG MAN
You’ve got to tell somebody! [234]
YOUNG WOMAN
I can’t!
YOUNG MAN
Yes, you can!
YOUNG WOMAN
It’s so easy for you to say! No one was there to protect me!
Scene 2
Gunfire is heard. A CALIFORNIO LANCER enters pointing a pike at the YOUNG WOMAN and YOUNG MAN.
CALIFORNIO LANCER
¿Son amigos o enemigos?
YOUNG WOMAN
¡Somos amigos!
CALIFORNIO LANCER
You’ve got to go. War has broken out.
YOUNG MAN
What war?
CALIFORNIO LANCER
California is under attack. American immigrants called the Bear Flaggers are marching against our homeland.
YOUNG WOMAN
My God.
CALIFORNIO LANCER
We’re outnumbered. Save yourselves.
More gunfire is heard. The CALIFORNIO LANCER charges into the battle.
¡Viva la República de México! [235]
YOUNG MAN
Come on!
YOUNG WOMAN
What are you doing?
YOUNG MAN
I’m trying to save us.
More gunfire is heard. A BEAR FLAGGER enters swirling a Bear Flag.
BEAR FLAGGER (pointing a pistol at the YOUNG WOMAN and YOUNG MAN)
Are you friend or foe?
YOUNG MAN
We’re friends!
BEAR FLAGGER
We got them Californios on the run. We captured San Francisco and Monterey. Los Angeles is next.
YOUNG MAN
But why are you fighting?
BEAR FLAGGER
For our freedom and our right to live. Come with me. You’ll be citizens of the U.S.
YOUNG MAN
We don’t want to choose sides.
BEAR FLAGGER
Then you’ve made your choice.
Cannons are heard.
BEAR FLAGGER (charging offstage)
Long live the Republic of California!
VAQUERO (offstage)
¡¿¡Perdida!?! ¡¿¡Perdida!?!
(entering) There you are! Thank goodness, you’re safe! [236]
(to the YOUNG MAN) ’Tino, are you all right?
YOUNG MAN
Me?
VAQUERO
Yes, you! Who do you think I’m talking to!?! We’ve got to get back to my rancho now! Those Yanqui rebels are everywhere! They’re even waving a stupid flag with a bear on it!
YOUNG WOMAN
What about Paulina?
VAQUERO
Paulina? Who’s Paulina? Why are you asking these crazy questions!?! Don’t lose your heads now! ¡Vámonos! ¡Pesado, bien pesado!
They exit.
Scene 3
DON PATRICIO and CASPIAN enter.
DON PATRICIO
Caspian, it’s madness to even think of returning to Rancho Las Mariposas.
CASPIAN
Don León needs my help.
DON PATRICIO
Have you forgotten the man wanted you strung up and me poisoned?
CASPIAN
He wasn’t in his right mind. He’s changed.
DON PATRICIO
How do you know this?
CASPIAN
Because of these.
CASPIAN reveals a small stack of letters. [237]
DON PATRICIO
They’re from Paulina. You stayed in touch?
CASPIAN
I find comfort in her letters.
DON PATRICIO
I wasn’t aware she could read or write.
CASPIAN
She is a remarkable woman.
DON PATRICIO
I see.
CASPIAN
And I miss the old place. Sometimes I think I hear the wind whisper my name. It’s strange, I know.
DON PATRICIO
When it’s late I think I can feel my Elena resting beside me. We grow sentimental with age, my friend. What does your Paulina write?
CASPIAN
Don León asks for our forgiveness.
DON PATRICIO
I can never go back there. I trusted him like a brother.
CASPIAN
But he needs my help.
DON PATRICIO
Caspian, I can’t replace you. With the war now raging, we’ve got to be cautious. You must stay. This is your home now.
CASPIAN
But what home will we have when this conflict is through? The world of the Californios is changing forever. Men like Don León are on the verge of losing everything.
DON PATRICIO
How so? [238]
CASPIAN
If the United States wins this war, California will be its prize. Land grants won’t mean a thing. This way of life will disappear like the natives and the animals we slaughtered for pelts.
DON PATRICIO
I came from Ireland with nothing but my wits and hands to work. No one will take my land from me.
CASPIAN
These Bear Flaggers are itching to take everything.
DON PATRICIO
That’s why I need you here.
CASPIAN
I’ve made up my mind, Don Patricio. I’m going.
DON PATRICIO
Your counsel and friendship have been invaluable to me, my friend.
CASPIAN
Why don’t you come with me? We can go together.
DON PATRICIO
No, I can’t.
CASPIAN
Very well. If this is any comfort, both the Californios and the Yanquis see you as one of their own. That is your advantage. You will survive because of it.
CASPIAN hands him a pistol.
DON PATRICIO
What’s this for?
CASPIAN
For insurance. You don’t know what will come down El Camino Real, but you must be ready to bring the fight if necessary.
DON PATRICIO takes the pistol.
DON PATRICIO
I have one last request of you. [239]
CASPIAN
¿Señor?
DON PATRICIO
I’m embarrassed to ask.
CASPIAN
Is it Florentino again?
DON PATRICIO
He’s missing.
CASPIAN
I know where he’s gone.
DON PATRICIO
Where?
CASPIAN
With Vaquero.
DON PATRICIO
My father-in-law’s old cattle boss?
CASPIAN
Yes.
DON PATRICIO
What’s he doing there?
CASPIAN
Your son has become handy with a dog and a shepherd’s cane.
DON PATRICIO
He’s a sheepherder!?!
CASPIAN
I’m told one of Vaquero’s best.
DON PATRICIO
That boy never cared about rancho business.
CASPIAN
Love does strange things to people. [240]
DON PATRICIO
Love? God help me! Who?
CASPIAN
Perdida, Vaquero’s daughter.
DON PATRICIO
He’s got a daughter?
CASPIAN
I hear she’s beautiful. Looks nothing like the old man they say.
DON PATRICIO
What does my son know about love? Sheepherding? He’s irresponsible and carefree.
CASPIAN
You push him too hard.
DON PATRICIO
I don’t push him hard enough.
CASPIAN
He feels he can’t live up to your expectations.
DON PATRICIO
He knows what I expect. I promised his dying mother that I’d raise him to be a gentleman.
CASPIAN
And what’s become of him?
DON PATRICIO
He’s a sheepherder! Working for Vaquero! What a pair of odd ducks!
CASPIAN
Well, that odd duck Vaquero is very successful.
DON PATRICIO
How did he get so wealthy anyway?
CASPIAN
Some say he discovered a duende. [241]
DON PATRICIO
Oh, please, I don’t believe in leprechauns! I’m Irish, not stupid! He probably stole money.
CASPIAN
Regardless, your son is drawn to Vaquero’s daughter.
DON PATRICIO
I want to see for myself.
CASPIAN
You’re in luck. Vaquero is hosting a fandango. They’re celebrating their sheep shearing.
DON PATRICIO
We’ll go in disguise. Don’t you have a trunk of old clothes?
CASPIAN
Yes, but they are for winter.
DON PATRICIO
We’ll pretend we’re Russian fur traders on business. I’ll do the talking.
CASPIAN
Are you sure?
DON PATRICIO
What could go wrong?
CASPIAN
Bohze moi. (Oh my God.)
They exit.
DON LEÓN sits holding a chisel and mallet. HERMONIA appears. He stands up, turning to the tree. He doesn’t see her. She exits.
Scene 4
A sombrero slowly rises from behind the adobe wall, revealing AFILADO. VAQUERO, with his rifle outstretched, enters. AFILADO disappears behind the wall. [242]
VAQUERO (relieved)
¡Ay, bien pesado! ¡Bien pesado! All clear, Lucky!
VAQUERO exits. AFILADO pops up and climbs over the adobe wall dressed only in long johns and wearing a frayed noose around his neck. VAQUERO enters pulling a two-wheeled cart with supplies. Sitting on the cart is a stuffed dog. Suddenly realizing something, VAQUERO stops and crosses to the back of the cart.
Uno, dos, tres, cuatro, cinco … cinco … cinco —
(to the stuffed dog) I knew it, boy! That potato-stealing merchant cheated me out of my papas! I knew I couldn’t trust a man with only one good eye!
The sombrero slowly rises from behind the adobe wall, revealing AFILADO again.
What else could be missing, boy?
VAQUERO reaches between the dog’s legs, removing a pouch of money. AFILADO pops his head up to see.
Keep an eye out for those Bear Flag waving bandidos, boy. I’ve got to look over my list.
VAQUERO grabs a sack and looks over his grocery list. AFILADO enters, not sure whether the dog is alive. He waves his hand in front of the dog’s face. He steals a couple of sacks, tossing them over the adobe wall. He returns for more and pets the dog, sneezing loudly.
VAQUERO (nonchalantly)
Salud.
AFILADO (nonchalantly)
Gracias.
VAQUERO and AFILADO make eye contact.
VAQUERO (frightened)
Aahhh!!!
AFILADO (frightened)
Aahhh!!! [243]
VAQUERO & AFILADO
AAHHH!!!
VAQUERO throws the money and list into the air, running off. AFILADO turns around, holding his hands up. He realizes that VAQUERO has run off. He sees the sack, money, and list and picks them up. VAQUERO enters pointing his rifle at him.
VAQUERO
Hey, that dinero belongs to me!
AFILADO
You?
VAQUERO
¡Manos arriba! Move and I’ll drop you like a sack of potatoes!
AFILADO drops the sack. VAQUERO takes his pouch back.
Turn around and close your eyes.
VAQUERO quickly places the pouch into his dog’s hiding place.
AFILADO
Señor, you’ve been robbed.
VAQUERO
Robbed?
AFILADO
Yeah, you got no “beans.”
VAQUERO
No beans?
AFILADO
No beans! Look for yourself!
Holding up the list. VAQUERO searches the cart.
VAQUERO
That one-eyed merchant thief!
AFILADO
That scoundrel! What else did he steal?
VAQUERO
You mean there could be more? [244]
AFILADO
I wouldn’t put it past him!
VAQUERO squints looking at the list while AFILADO quickly grabs another sack.
VAQUERO
What’s it say?
AFILADO
“Bacon.”
VAQUERO
Bacon?
AFILADO
That man took your bacon, too!
VAQUERO
That slimy bastard!
AFILADO
Slimy bastard, indeed! He must think you’re a fool!
VAQUERO
A fool!?!
AFILADO
A pendejo!
VAQUERO
¡¿¡Pendejo!?!
AFILADO
A cowpoke with his head up his nalgas!
VAQUERO
How dare he! No one speaks about my nalgas!
(to the stuffed dog) Right, boy?
AFILADO throws a sack over the wall.
AFILADO
What a magnificent dog! [245]
VAQUERO
He’s dead, you know? Killed in a sheep stampede. I had Lucky stuffed. He keeps me company.
(to the stuffed dog, lovingly) Isn’t that right, boy? Papa loves you! Give us a kiss! Good boy!
AFILADO quickly hoists a heavy case from the cart, just barely getting it over the wall.
VAQUERO
I’m going back to the merchant and giving him a piece of my mind!
AFILADO (out of breath)
Yeah, but before you go, you should see what else is missing. You’re going to need ammunition!
VAQUERO
You’re right! Ammunition!
AFILADO
No, you’re going to need more ammunition. That’s missing, too!
VAQUERO
That one-eyed, slimy, bean-stealing, bacon-hoarding, ammunition-thieving bastard!
(suddenly noticing the noose) Say, why do you have a noose around your neck?
AFILADO
Oh, that?
VAQUERO
Yes, that.
AFILADO
I was hung.
VAQUERO
Hung?
AFILADO
And robbed, too! [246]
VAQUERO
Robbed? By whom? Was it that no-good merchant!?!
AFILADO
No, it was those Bear Flag-waving crazies!
VAQUERO (frightened)
No!
AFILADO
¡Sí!
VAQUERO
Hasn’t the battle moved to Los Angeles?
AFILADO
Yeah, but nobody told those guys! They’re out riding across the countryside, and they’re hoarding everything for themselves! They stole my clothes, my horse, and my saddle!
VAQUERO
¡Bandidos!
AFILADO
I told them I had a grieving wife and six children. I even said they were illegally in this country and they should go back to their own.
VAQUERO
What did they say?
AFILADO
They burst out laughing and then spit on me! All ten of them!
VAQUERO
¡Desperados!
AFILADO
But I got my revenge!
VAQUERO
How? [247]
AFILADO
I poked a couple of them in the eyes. They never saw it coming!
VAQUERO
You’re a patriot of la patria!
AFILADO
Patriot of la what?
VAQUERO
A hero!
AFILADO
Yeah?
VAQUERO
A man who stands up to foreign invaders!
AFILADO
Yeah!
VAQUERO
But how did you escape?
AFILADO
The noose broke while I was choking to death!
He holds up the end of the noose.
Made in China!
VAQUERO
Praise the Lord!
AFILADO sneezes.
VAQUERO
Salud.
AFILADO
Gracias.
VAQUERO
You don’t look well. [248]
AFILADO
It’s probably ’cause I got pneumonia while defending my country.
VAQUERO (taking off his coat)
Here, put this on.
AFILADO
No, I couldn’t.
VAQUERO
Please. I insist.
AFILADO takes the coat and puts it on.
Better?
AFILADO
Much better. Thank you.
AFILADO’s legs start trembling.
VAQUERO
Your legs? They’re trembling.
AFILADO
It’s nothing. Really.
VAQUERO
Here, take my pantalones!
AFILADO
No, I couldn’t.
VAQUERO
Please. I insist! I’ve got another pair at home!
He gives his pants to AFILADO.
AFILADO
You’re so generous. Those bastards took my new boots, too.
VAQUERO
Have they no shame? [249]
AFILADO
None whatsoever, but I’m happy to have given them up defending my country.
VAQUERO
I’d be honored if you wore my boots!
AFILADO
No, I couldn’t, really!
VAQUERO
Please. I insist!
AFILADO
Okay.
VAQUERO takes off his boots. He is now only wearing long johns and a sombrero.
VAQUERO
You’re a brave man for what you’ve done for our country!
AFILADO
Señor, you’ll be rewarded in heaven. Praise the Lord.
VAQUERO
Call me Vaquero.
AFILADO
Afilado Fulano de Tal Veracruz, but you can call me … Joaquín.
VAQUERO
¡Joaquín!
They shake hands.
Well, I should be on my way. Joaquín.
AFILADO
Where are you going with all these supplies?
VAQUERO
To my little Rancho Grande.
AFILADO
You own a rancho? [250]
VAQUERO
Sí, I’m the sheep king in these parts, but I don’t like to brag. Today my crew finishes shearing sheep, which means I get to sell the wool and make un montón de feria. I throw a big fandango for everyone.
AFILADO
¿Una fiesta?
VAQUERO
Sí, the biggest little one in these parts.
AFILADO
Then what are we waiting for!?!
VAQUERO
You would grace us with your presence?
AFILADO
It’s the least I can do. I can sing a tune or two for los muchachos.
VAQUERO
You’re a cantante, too!?! It’ll be an honor to have you sing at my fiesta! ¡Vámonos!
AFILADO
Achoo!
VAQUERO
¡Salud!
AFILADO
It must be my pneumonia. I can feel my lungs filling up with water.
VAQUERO
I won’t allow you to pull this cart. Hop on.
AFILADO
Oh, I couldn’t really.
AFILADO climbs onto the cart.
VAQUERO
Please. I insist! [251]
AFILADO
Oh, all right
He pets the stuffed dog.
Good boy!
VAQUERO lifts the cart and starts to wheel it out. AFILADO sneezes loudly.
VAQUERO
¡Salud!
AFILADO
¡Gracias!
They exit.
DON LEÓN enters pushing Maximino’s wheelchair. HERMONIA appears. He doesn’t see her.
Scene 5
Lively music is heard. The YOUNG WOMAN and YOUNG MAN are now dressed in nineteenth-century clothing. The YOUNG MAN carries a bottle of liquor while the YOUNG WOMAN carries a basket of flowers. The YOUNG WOMAN is laughing.
YOUNG MAN
Stop laughing at me!
YOUNG WOMAN
I can’t help it!
YOUNG MAN
You look stupid, too!
YOUNG WOMAN
Can this get any weirder?
YOUNG MAN
I hope not. [252]
YOUNG WOMAN
You are a hot mess.
YOUNG MAN
I don’t care as long as I’m with you.
YOUNG WOMAN
Yeah, right.
YOUNG MAN
I’m serious about that.
YOUNG WOMAN
No, you’re not.
YOUNG MAN
Stop telling me what I should think or feel! My mom does that. It’s not easy knowing what happened to you and then how badly I treated you. When you needed me most, I wasn’t there for you.
YOUNG WOMAN
I didn’t know you felt that way.
YOUNG MAN
Yeah, well, there’s a lot you don’t know.
YOUNG WOMAN
Like what?
YOUNG MAN
Like until I met you my life sucked. Winter was the only season I knew. Then you came along and the sun busted out.
YOUNG WOMAN
Just call me sunshine.
YOUNG MAN
You’re making fun of me.
YOUNG WOMAN
Sorry.
YOUNG MAN
Look, I’m no Romeo — [253]
YOUNG WOMAN
Stop.
YOUNG MAN
— but you’re my Juliet.
YOUNG WOMAN
That’s so corny.
YOUNG MAN
I know, it’s stupid.
YOUNG WOMAN
Their story ends badly.
YOUNG MAN
Yeah, well, ours won’t.
YOUNG WOMAN
What makes you so sure?
YOUNG MAN
’Cause when I’m with you, I don’t feel so hopeless.
YOUNG WOMAN
What?
YOUNG MAN
Perfect.
They kiss. VAQUERO enters with his stuffed dog on wheels. One wheel is lopsided, causing the dog to move up and down. DON PATRICIO and CASPIAN follow, in disguise. Several SHEEP SHEARERS enter.
VAQUERO
Look at them. They can’t keep their lips off of each other. Ah, el amor, crazy, loco, and divine! Perdida, tu pobre mamá would be ashamed. She was hostess, cocinera, bartender, y cantante. Now, it’s your turn to play that role and greet our compañeros a nuestra casa.
YOUNG WOMAN (sweetly)
Sí, papá. [254]
(to everyone) ¡Aquí están sus invitaciones! ¡Bienvenidos a todos!
She hands out a flower to each guest while the YOUNG MAN serves drinks.
DON PATRICIO (to CASPIAN)
There’s a certain grace to her, but she’s too classy for this bunch.
YOUNG WOMAN (to DON PATRICIO, handing him a flower)
Señor.
DON PATRICIO
What beautiful flowers.
YOUNG WOMAN
They only bloom in spring.
The YOUNG MAN pours them a drink.
CASPIAN
Ah, your son, Florentino.
VAQUERO (to the stuffed dog)
I would be proud to call that young man “son.” What do you think, boy? That’s what I thought. Here. Give us a kiss. Good boy!
DON PATRICIO (in a poor Russian accent)
You must be Vaquero.
VAQUERO
Do I know you, señores?
DON PATRICIO
We are fur traders from the north.
CASPIAN
Fur traders.
DON PATRICIO
From the north.
(to CASPIAN) Da.
VAQUERO
What kind of accent is that? [255]
CASPIAN (to himself)
A terrible one.
DON PATRICIO
It’s Russian.
(to CASPIAN) Da.
CASPIAN
Da.
VAQUERO
What can I do for you, señores?
DON PATRICIO
We’ve come to talk business.
VAQUERO
Sheep business?
DON PATRICIO
Da … sheep business.
VAQUERO
You want wool, skins, or manure?
DON PATRICIO
Ah … ?
CASPIAN
Forgive our intrusion on your celebration. I am Boris Petro and —
He turns to DON PATRICIO.
DON PATRICIO (searching)
And …
CASPIAN
He is …
DON PATRICIO
I am?
CASPIAN
Nikolai! [256]
DON PATRICIO
Yes, Nikolai!
CASPIAN
… Vitaly.
DON PATRICIO
Vitaly …
CASPIAN
… Alexandrov.
DON PATRICIO
Nikolai Vitaly Alexandrov! Da!
CASPIAN (to VAQUERO)
Dobriy den’! (Good afternoon!)
VAQUERO
Welcome to my little Rancho Grande! ¡Mi casa es su casa!
DON PATRICIO
I see your daughter is graceful and passionate.
VAQUERO
Sí, gracias, but she can be a little strong willed at times. I blame my late wife. Que descanse en paz.
DON PATRICIO
Who is that young man?
VAQUERO
Ah, that’s ’Tino.
DON PATRICIO
¿’Tino?
VAQUERO
He’s the best sheepherder I got.
DON PATRICIO (aside to CASPIAN)
I doubt that. [257]
CASPIAN
He’s got an eye for your daughter.
VAQUERO
Yes, he’s in love with her.
DON PATRICIO
Oh, please!
VAQUERO and CASPIAN look at him strangely.
I mean, please, go on.
VAQUERO
I think they make a great couple, don’t you think? She’s sixteen and should be married by now.
DON PATRICIO
Where does this young man come from? Who are his parents?
VAQUERO
His mother’s dead, and he never speaks of his father.
DON PATRICIO
Never!?!
CASPIAN
I think Nikolai could use another drink.
VAQUERO
¡Hija, ándale! Serve our guests! They’re very thirsty!
YOUNG WOMAN
Sí, papá.
The YOUNG WOMAN pours them a drink.
VAQUERO
Let’s toast.
DON PATRICIO
To what?
VAQUERO
To a good year of sheep, to our young lovers, and to my dear departed boy. [258]
(sadly) He died thirteen years ago today.
DON PATRICIO (aside to CASPIAN)
I’m afraid to ask.
(to VAQUERO) How did your unfortunate dog pass?
VAQUERO
It was a sheep stampede. He never saw it coming.
(to the stuffed dog) Isn’t that right, Lucky?
He pets his stuffed dog’s head.
DON PATRICIO
You named your dog “Lucky”?
VAQUERO
That’s ’cause he brought me good luck, but Lucky was never lucky in life.
He wipes a tear from his eye and raises his glass.
To Lucky!
ALL
To Lucky!
AFILADO enters, dragging a sack full of treasure and a guitar.
VAQUERO
There you are! We have a patriot of la patria in our presence!
AFILADO (humbly)
No, please.
VAQUERO
He faced those outlaw Bear Flaggers all by himself.
AFILADO
It was only ten against one.
VAQUERO
They took everything from him, but not the love of his country.
AFILADO
Mother México! [259]
VAQUERO
They even tried to hang him, but he survived.
AFILADO
I still have the rope burns. See?
VAQUERO
We are privileged to have him at our humble fiesta. I present to you Joaquín!
DON PATRICIO (to CASPIAN)
Does our hero have a last name?
CASPIAN
Let us find out.
(to AFILADO) For a man who has proven such bravery, and to honor him, what is your last name, señor?
AFILADO
My last name?
DON PATRICIO
Da.
AFILADO
Ah, it’s … it’s … Murrieta.
DON PATRICIO
¿Joaquín Murrieta?
AFILADO
¡Para servirle!
DON PATRICIO (aside to CASPIAN)
Never heard of him. Have you?
CASPIAN
No.
AFILADO
Señores y señorita, I would like to sing for you a little corrido for this special occasion. With a little help from my new amigos.
He gestures towards the YOUNG WOMAN and YOUNG MAN. [260]
If you find it worthy, please show your gratitude with a little donation for my … poor, sick wife … and our thirteen children.
DON PATRICIO (aside to CASPIAN)
Watch out for this one. He’s a trickster.
AFILADO
I named this song “The Man Who Faced Death and Lived.”
(singing)
He’s a man,
Just one man,
All alone,
Fightin’ for his land.
Ten to one,
Unjustly hung,
Without hope,
He spoke these words:
“I’m a patriot of la patria,
Never can you take that from me,
Though I go to meet my maker,
I’ll go to heaven, you’ll see.”
They hanged him high,
On the branch of a tree,
With buzzards circling
The sky with glee.
Dust in nostrils,
Burrs in his butt,
He choked out a prayer
From within his gut.
And God heard him,
From high above,
Snapped that rope in two,
He landed like a dove. [261]
He’s a man,
Just one man,
All alone,
Fightin’ for his land.
Ten to one,
Unjustly hung,
Without hope,
He spoke these words:
AFILADO & YOUNG WOMAN (singing)
“I’m a patriot of la patria,
Never can you take that from me,
Though I go to meet my maker,
I’ll go to heaven, you’ll see.”
AFILADO
¡Con ganas!
ALL (singing)
“I’m a patriot of la patria,
Never can you take that from me,
Though I go to meet my maker,
I’ll go to heaven, you’ll see.”
Applause. AFILADO passes his sombrero among the crowd.
DON PATRICIO (to the YOUNG MAN)
So, ’Tino, do you care for this young lady?
YOUNG MAN
Who wants to know?
CASPIAN
His name is Nikolai Vitaly Alexandrov!
VAQUERO
He’s a Russkie. Come to talk sheep business with me —
(speaking under his breath) — but he talks real funny.
DON PATRICIO
We are fur traders from the north. [262]
YOUNG MAN
Yeah, I care for her, but she doesn’t make it easy.
DON PATRICIO
She isn’t of your class.
YOUNG MAN
She’s got more class than I do.
DON PATRICIO
What does your father think of her?
YOUNG MAN
My old man?
DON PATRICIO
Da.
YOUNG MAN
He doesn’t know her, and he’s not around anyway. He bailed on us years ago. Moved to Florida with his secretary and now my mom hates men.
Confused, DON PATRICIO turns to CASPIAN who shrugs his shoulders.
DON PATRICIO
Don’t you think your father would want to know about the two of you?
YOUNG MAN (annoyed)
Not really. Hey, don’t you, like, have sheep business to do with Vaquero?
DON PATRICIO removes his disguise.
DON PATRICIO
You and me have business, boy!
VAQUERO
¿Don Patricio?
DON PATRICIO
You betrayed my trust!
YOUNG MAN
I don’t even know you! [263]
DON PATRICIO
You favor a stranger more than your own blood?
YOUNG MAN
He welcomed me into his home!
DON PATRICIO
You forget who you are!
YOUNG MAN
I know who I am!
DON PATRICIO
I have had enough of this nonsense! You’re coming back to Los Molinos now!
YOUNG MAN
You can’t tell me what to do!
DON PATRICIO
Dún do bheal! (Shut your mouth!)
YOUNG MAN
You’re not my father!
DON PATRICIO
If you won’t come with me, right now, I will make their lives miserable!
VAQUERO
¡Dios mío!
YOUNG MAN
I’m not going with you!
DON PATRICIO
Vaquero is to blame for all this! I could have him and his daughter jailed or hanged for any reason!
YOUNG MAN
Hey, you can’t do that!
DON PATRICIO (to the YOUNG MAN)
I will do as I please! I am the law here!
(to CASPIAN, exiting) Talk some sense into that young man. [264]
CASPIAN follows DON PATRICIO out.
VAQUERO
¡Pesado, bien pesado!
YOUNG WOMAN
Why’d you do that?
YOUNG MAN
He got in my face.
VAQUERO
I always thought I’d die from a bucking horse or a sheep stampede, but this, a hanging?
YOUNG WOMAN
What are we going to do now?
YOUNG MAN
I don’t know.
VAQUERO
Your name is Florentino? Don Patricio’s son? Chingao, we’re all going to die!
He exits wheeling his stuffed dog behind him.
Come on, boy!
YOUNG WOMAN
Let’s get out of here!
YOUNG MAN
And go where?
CASPIAN enters.
CASPIAN (removing his disguise)
Patience, Perdida, Florentino —
YOUNG MAN
Caspian?
CASPIAN
— I know your father’s temper. Give him time to cool off. He’ll come to his senses. [265]
YOUNG MAN (to himself)
He’s psycho like Don León.
CASPIAN
Your mother’s death touched him deeply. When he looks at you, he sees her. He’s never known how to speak to you. I think that you and Perdida must leave.
YOUNG WOMAN
And go where?
CASPIAN
To Rancho Las Mariposas.
YOUNG WOMAN
No way!
CASPIAN
It’s your only option.
YOUNG WOMAN (to herself)
We can’t go there!
CASPIAN
Don León will receive you with an open heart.
YOUNG MAN
How do you know for sure?
CASPIAN
You’ve got to trust me. Listen closely: you must leave while I speak to Don Patricio on your behalf. When you arrive at Rancho Las Mariposas, present yourselves to Don León. He will welcome you since you are your father’s son.
YOUNG MAN
But what can I say to him?
CASPIAN
Tell him that Don Patricio sent you. I’ll tell you exactly what to say. [266]
YOUNG MAN
You’re right.
YOUNG WOMAN
No, you’re both crazy!
YOUNG MAN
It’s our only chance.
YOUNG WOMAN
Is there no other way?
CASPIAN
I am afraid not.
YOUNG MAN (to the YOUNG WOMAN)
We got to have a little faith.
YOUNG WOMAN
I don’t know.
YOUNG MAN
I trust him. Can you trust me?
YOUNG WOMAN
… okay.
YOUNG MAN (to CASPIAN)
Okay.
CASPIAN (giving his fur coat and hat to the YOUNG WOMAN)
Good. You’ve got to disguise yourselves for the journey. There’s no telling who you will meet. These are dangerous times. You must travel by night and hide by day. One’s name or the color of one’s skin is a liability. Californios are the hunted.
YOUNG MAN
Where am I going to get a change of clothes?
AFILADO enters with his loot, trying to sneak away.
AFILADO
What payasos these guys are! Sheep buckaroos!
CASPIAN (to AFILADO)
You! [266]
AFILADO
Oh, shit!
CASPIAN
“Cantante,” we need your help. We’ve got to switch places with you. Please give the boy your clothes.
AFILADO (humbly)
Sí, soy un hombre pobre, desgraciado, y huerfanito.
He holds out his hat. CASPIAN places coins in it.
CASPIAN
This is for your suffering. Undress!
The YOUNG MAN and AFILADO exchange clothes.
YOUNG WOMAN (disgusted)
Aagghhh, gross!
YOUNG MAN
Adiós, Caspian!
CASPIAN
Do svidaniya.
All exit except for AFILADO.
AFILADO
Did I hear them correctly? I should tell Don Patricio about Caspian’s plan, but I won’t. That is undignified for a thief. Besides, what’s in it for me?
VAQUERO enters wheeling in his stuffed dog. He carries a red pouch in his hand.
Ah, fresh meat!
AFILADO places himself on the ground pretending to have been robbed.
VAQUERO (worried, to the stuffed dog)
Boy, I’ve got to tell Don Patricio that I found Perdida as an infant on his property. And that her father tried to protect her from being eaten by a bear. [268]
AFILADO
Ay.
VAQUERO
And since she isn’t my blood, though she is my daughter, then I haven’t done anything wrong.
AFILADO
Ay.
VAQUERO
Oh God, I’m doomed!
AFILADO (sitting up)
Oye, Vaquero, ¿Adónde vas?
VAQUERO
To see Don Patricio.
(noticing that AFILADO has no clothes) What happened to your clothes?
AFILADO
I was robbed.
VAQUERO (frightened)
Again!?! Was it Bear Flaggers!?!
AFILADO
No. Gente de razón.
VAQUERO
Gentlemen?
AFILADO
Yes, the worst kind with — attitude and money!
VAQUERO
¡Son malditos!
AFILADO
I know. I should have known better. I’m just too trusting.
VAQUERO removes the red pouch from the stuffed dog’s behind.
So what’s in the pouch? [269]
VAQUERO
Very important proof.
AFILADO
I see you’re a man who needs my help. I was a lawyer once.
VAQUERO
A lawyer, a cantante, and a hero of la patria? Is there nothing you can’t do?
AFILADO
Not really.
VAQUERO
You’re so humble and modest, too!
AFILADO
Well … I’m sure that once Don Patricio learns the truth, you will not be hung and I will have been of service to him.
VAQUERO
¡O, muchas gracias! You’ll be rewarded in heaven! I’ll ready the cart! Come on, boy!
He exits with his stuffed dog.
AFILADO
This could be my big payday! Don Patricio could reward me. Who says a cheat, liar, and thief can’t get ahead? Maybe one day I’ll run for office!
Scene 6
Rancho Las Mariposas is consumed in fire. A Bear Flag is embedded in the wheelchair. DON LEÓN and PAULINA look on.
PAULINA
Your rancho is in ruins.
DON LEÓN
It was never truly mine.
PAULINA crosses to the flag, picking it up. [270]
My grandfather was deeded this grant by the Spanish crown. And that piece of paper determined the fate of thousands. Now, I am witness to the destruction that has come to this place and its people.
DON LEÓN takes the flag from her, tossing it offstage.
I am ashamed.
PAULINA
Someone very wise once said to me, “the pieces that remain are what we are.” We must pick those pieces up and rebuild our lives again.
DON LEÓN
I don’t know how. What more must I do?
PAULINA
We’ll bury our dead. Heal the wounded, and never forget what happened here.
Beat.
Repentance, like art, takes great patience.
He touches the tree.
PAULINA
What is it?
DON LEÓN
I carved her into this tree as I remember her. If I could take it all back, I would give my life for my wife and children.
PAULINA
You can’t.
DON LEÓN
No, I know. I have kept all my promises.
PAULINA
Yes, you have.
DON LEÓN
I never remarried. [271]
PAULINA
And won’t. Unless a woman like Hermonia appears. Then, I would agree to release you.
The wind is heard.
DON LEÓN
What is it?
PAULINA
It’s Florentino and a young woman.
DON LEÓN
Florentino? Here? Now? God, give me strength to hold myself together.
PAULINA
They arrive.
The YOUNG MAN and YOUNG WOMAN enter.
YOUNG WOMAN (to PAULINA)
It’s you!
PAULINA
We’ve been expecting you.
YOUNG MAN
¿Don León?
DON LEÓN
Florentino, you resemble your mother and father so much. You’re safe. Gracias a Dios.
YOUNG MAN
What happened here?
DON LEÓN
Los Osos. We were attacked. People were killed. They took our cattle and set our buildings on fire. We were no military threat.
YOUNG MAN
We came for your help, but it’s you who need ours. [272]
DON LEÓN
Oh, how happy I am to see you!
PAULINA
Had your son Maximino survived, he would be here standing with you now.
DON LEÓN
I beg you, Paulina, not to speak of him. Each time I think of him, he dies again.
He kneels before the YOUNG MAN.
I have done terrible things.
YOUNG MAN
Please, there’s no need, señor. My father sends you this message.
The YOUNG MAN helps DON LEÓN up and embraces him.
DON LEÓN
Oh, my …
YOUNG MAN (turning to the YOUNG WOMAN)
This is Perdida, my bride.
YOUNG WOMAN (to the YOUNG MAN)
Bride?
YOUNG MAN (to DON LEÓN)
Okay, we’re seeing each other exclusively.
DON LEÓN
My God, you are beautiful.
YOUNG WOMAN
Really?
YOUNG MAN
I need to explain our situation. We haven’t much time.
DON LEÓN
We never turn anyone in need away. We aren’t what we used to be, but what is ours is yours. Bienvenidos.
The wind is heard. [273]
PAULINA (to DON LEÓN)
He comes for them.
YOUNG WOMAN
What?
PAULINA (to DON LEÓN)
Don Patricio arrives.
YOUNG MAN (to the YOUNG WOMAN)
Caspian has betrayed us!
DON LEÓN
Caspian’s here?
YOUNG WOMAN
We’ve got to go!
PAULINA
There is nowhere to go.
YOUNG WOMAN
Nowhere?
PAULINA
You must finish your journey
YOUNG WOMAN
Here?
PAULINA
Yes.
DON LEÓN (recognizing the necklace)
That necklace. It belonged to my wife, Hermonia.
PAULINA
It was with your child when she was left to die in the wilderness.
DON LEÓN
Is it possible?
(to the YOUNG WOMAN) What are you called, child? [274]
YOUNG WOMAN
My name? My real name?
DON LEÓN
Yes.
YOUNG WOMAN
It’s Aly. I mean, Alegría.
DON LEÓN
Oh, heaven!
He falls to the ground.
You survived and returned to me!
YOUNG WOMAN
I am not who you think I am.
DON LEÓN
Could you ever accept me as your father?
YOUNG WOMAN
Sί, papá.
They embrace.
CASPIAN (offstage)
Is everyone alright?
DON PATRICIO (offstage)
Those bastards will pay! I swear it!
DON PATRICIO and CASPIAN enter. They carry weapons.
DON LEÓN
Caspian?
CASPIAN
Don León.
DON LEÓN
At last, you’re home. [275]
CASPIAN
I am.
He places his hand on his shoulder.
DON LEÓN
Patricio, I am so sorry — I can never repair —
DON PATRICIO
It is all right, hermano.
They embrace.
DON LEÓN (proudly)
This is your son, Florentino!
DON PATRICIO (proudly)
Yes, this is my son.
DON LEÓN
This is my daughter, Alegría.
DON PATRICIO
¿Alegría? I took her for a shepherd’s daughter.
DON LEÓN
Vamos.
They exit as PAULINA and CASPIAN follow.
Scene 7
AFILADO enters with a cart. VAQUERO wheels in his stuffed dog on wheels. The stuffed dog wears a handkerchief around his neck. VAQUERO is now dressed as an elegant Californio.
AFILADO
Didn’t I tell you it would all work out?
VAQUERO
Yes, you did. Don Patricio called me “brother.” Do you know what that means? [276]
AFILADO
No.
VAQUERO
Lucky is his nephew!
AFILADO
That’s incredible.
VAQUERO
I know! And if Florentino marries Perdida … Alegría … Lucky is his brother!
AFILADO
¡Qué maravilloso!
VAQUERO (to the stuffed dog)
That’s my boy! Give us a kiss! Good boy!
(to AFILADO) You sir, are a patriot of la patria and a genius.
AFILADO drags a sack of spoils to the cart.
Let me help you with that saco.
AFILADO
No, there’s no need.
VAQUERO
It’s so heavy. What’s in it?
A lamb bleats. AFILADO hits the sack.
AFILADO
Just socks, long johns, shirts, and gifts for my dying wife and sixteen children.
VAQUERO
You’ll be rewarded in heaven.
AFILADO starts to take the cart away.
AFILADO (to himself)
It’s not heaven I’m thinking about.
AFILADO stops and places the cart down.
You’re a good man. There’s goodness everywhere. I got to go. [277]
VAQUERO
No, stay with us!
AFILADO
No, thank you!
VAQUERO
But Lucky and I are gentlemen now.
AFILADO
Don Vaquero and Don Lucky!
VAQUERO
Oh, you embarrass us! Now we’ll have to behave like gente de razón and do gentlemanly things, but we haven’t a clue how. You can show us!
AFILADO
I’m sure you and Lucky will figure it out. You’ll have plenty of time.
VAQUERO
What do you mean?
AFILADO
You haven’t heard?
VAQUERO
No.
AFILADO
The war has ended.
VAQUERO
Who won?
AFILADO
Los Americanos. They’ve taken half of México’s land, including California. They made out like bandits.
VAQUERO
¡Dios mío!
AFILADO
Yeah, well, that ain’t the half of it. [278]
VAQUERO
There’s more?
AFILADO
México signed a treaty making us citizens of the United States.
VAQUERO
We’re “Yanquis”?
AFILADO
Sure looks that way, compadre. Better learn English. Besides that, gold’s been discovered up north at Sutter’s Mill. Once the word spreads, everyone and his cousin will be coming to California. Competition is going to be fierce.
VAQUERO
Pesado, bien pesado.
AFILADO
You can say that again.
VAQUERO
Pesado, bien pesado.
AFILADO
Well, goodbye old friend. Tú también, Lucky!
(taking the cart offstage) I’m going to pan for gold! Next time we meet, I’ll have one of those titles like you!
VAQUERO
¡Adiós, compadre!
VAQUERO exits. PAULINA enters and blesses the tree.
PAULINA
Nox aleqwel seqeniyu’w a kiyaxsumu’ na qilik’ e’n a č’ič’i’. (Creator, take from us our suffering and watch over this child.)
DON LEÓN and the YOUNG WOMAN enter.
DON LEÓN
Oh, hermana … [279]
PAULINA
Your work is finished.
DON LEÓN
Gracias a Dios
YOUNG WOMAN (to DON LEÓN)
May I see her?
DON LEÓN
Let my daughter look upon her mother.
PAULINA
Very well.
(to the YOUNG WOMAN) Your father spent many years carving the very likeness of your mother into this grand tree. She lived. Without peer. He captured her true essence.
She reveals HERMONIA.
PAULINA
Not a word? Can no one speak?
CASPIAN
It is she.
DON PATRICIO
It’s as if she never aged.
YOUNG WOMAN
May I touch her?
PAULINA
No, the paint is still fresh.
DON LEÓN
Your mother was an angel.
He weeps.
CASPIAN
Don León, ya no llores. [280]
DON PATRICIO
Sixteen winters is too long, hermano.
PAULINA
Enough.
She begins to cover the image.
DON LEÓN
Don’t. ʼEneq a saxtakʰɨt (Wind Woman), please.
(to the carving) Respira, mi bendita.
YOUNG WOMAN
What is lost can be found. She never wavered in her courage. She kept her faith.
PAULINA
It was her way.
The wind is heard. The bottles begin to chime.
YOUNG WOMAN
What is it?
PAULINA
Do you hear it?
YOUNG WOMAN
Yes.
PAULINA (singing)
We’ we kice’
Ksuyuwanin
Ma k’ayapis i pi’
Weʼn a čʰoho
PAULINA invites the YOUNG WOMAN to come forward. The YOUNG WOMAN kneels.
YOUNG WOMAN (singing)
Sleep, my lovely lass,
Your life is adored,
You’re my heart,
Sleep safe, my jewel. [281]
The tree begins to glow from inside, illuminating HERMONIA.
HERMONIA (singing)
Duerme, mi linda niña,
Tu vida adoro,
Eres mi corazón,
Te cuido, mi tesoro.
HERMONIA stirs to life.
DON PATRICIO
My God, she moves!
YOUNG MAN
Is it possible?
CASPIAN
If this is magic, then it is the truest of all the arts!
DON LEÓN (reaching out, touching her)
She’s warm!
She embraces him.
PAULINA (to HERMONIA)
Hermanita, esta es su hija.
HERMONIA steps out of the tree. She places her hand on the YOUNG WOMAN’s head.
HERMONIA
Alegría. You are my faith. You have found us and you complete us. Que Dios te bendiga y te acompañe mi hija.
HERMONIA embraces the YOUNG WOMAN.
HERMONIA (to PAULINA)
Thank you, sister.
PAULINA
Kʰumili. My promise is fulfilled.
HERMONIA
He. (Yes.) [282]
PAULINA
He. (Yes.)
HERMONIA looks towards the YOUNG MAN.
HERMONIA
Who is this young man?
YOUNG WOMAN
That’s my boyfriend, A —
YOUNG MAN
— ’Tino. They call me ’Tino.
DON PATRICIO (to HERMONIA, proudly)
That’s my son!
DON LEÓN
A miracle. Paulina and Caspian, I know of your letters to one another. Take hands and join our familia.
CASPIAN (to PAULINA)
Ma k’aqsha, ma k’ayapis. (My love, dear one, my heart.)
PAULINA (to CASPIAN)
Ma k’aqsha, ma k’ayapis. (My love, dear one, my heart.)
DON LEÓN (to VAQUERO)
Vaquero, hermano.
VAQUERO
Pesado, bien pesado.
The wind rises and the bottles on the tree chime. VAQUERO, CASPIAN, and PAULINA cross to the other side, waiting. DON LEÓN takes HERMONIA’s hand and reaches out for DON PATRICIO. He joins their hands together. He wheels the empty wheelchair, and they join VAQUERO, CASPIAN, and PAULINA. They stand looking at the young couple for a few moments. They exit. [283]
Epilogue
YOUNG WOMAN (to the YOUNG MAN)
I’m sorry I treated you like —
YOUNG MAN
I deserved it. That’s okay.
YOUNG WOMAN
No, it’s not.
YOUNG MAN
What about … you know?
YOUNG WOMAN
I don’t know about the future, but I’m going to walk through it knowing I can.
YOUNG MAN
You want some company?
YOUNG WOMAN
Okay.
YOUNG MAN
Okay.
She looks at the necklace. The tree blooms with light.
END OF PLAY
