"TOPSY AND EVA"

ACT I.

Place..........Outside Uncle Tom's Cabin on the Shelby plantation, Kentucky

Time..........Late afternoon in October, in the 50's.

..........

SCENE..........Cabin sitting at an angle, and only a part of it shown, juts out about three feet L., with door facing downstage, windows upstairs and down. A grassy space covers stage, with hedge extending from extreme U.L. to U.R. and from U.R. to D.R., with exits U.L., U.R. and D.R. Trees behind hedge, boxing in the Scene.

  Also exit D.L. in open space below cabin, with perhaps a tree or shrub to frame picture. Smoke is coming out of cabin-chimney. The place is immaculate...blooming plants are in lower window.

  A worn caneseat with arms, and another chair or two are near cottage, and bench stands D.R.C., just above exit D.R.

..........

  BEFORE RISE OF CURTAIN banjo music is heard, with gay singing of negro voices.

..........

  AT RISE OF CURTAIN we discover eight or more colored boys, barefooted, and clean but patched, sitting on the ground in a semi-circle twanging banjoes, L. At R. sits UNCLE TOM on bench, playing his fiddle. And on the steps of the cabin sits his wife, "CHLOE", smoking a pipe. LITTLE HARRY, a beautiful light mulatto child of five, sits at Uncle Tom's feet. He is very nicely dressed in clean linen child's costume of the period. One "pick" after another darts into the center of the stage and does his specialty, dance, amid laughter, clapping, shouts, and general gayety, with no pause in the music. Uncle Tom and all sing an old negro melody. Little Harry also plays a little fiddle.

.....THIS OPENING NUMBER AND DANCING is No. 1.....

(Number Over)

(During the number Chloe rises and enters cabin, coming excitedly out again AT END OF NUMBER, and rushing among them)

  Shooshoo!

(Players and dancers languidly pull themselves up)

  What fo' yo' go shooshoo, Mammy?

(Mimics her "shooshoo")

  'Coze de sale ob niggahs nearly obah, an' de traders'll be roun' heah nex' to put yo'all on de block!

(Rising quickly and exclaiming cautiously, not loudly)

  Lawdamassey!

  Glory be!

  LawDEE!

  Ise skeered, I is!

  Etc. Etc. Etc.

(On his feet instantly at her threat)

  Ooh...Ise gwineter hide!

(Runs off D.R.)

  Me, too!

  Me, too!

  Quick!

  Run!

(Exeunt all. Banjo boys go, shimmying off U.R. leisurely. Harry and others race pell mell off D.R. TOM lays aside fiddle and takes up his pipe and lights it)

(Sitting beside Tom, still smoking her pipe)

  Ah hopes if we's sol', we goes togeddah!

  US? We won't be sol'! It's only fiel'-hands de slave traders want now!

  Dey might buy de chilluns tho'!

  No, de chilluns too young an' we'se too ole! So ou' li'l cabin won't hab no vacant chai'!

(Sighs happily, putting his hand over hers)

  Ah, we'se a lot to be thankful fo', honey. De Lo'd suttinly watchin' obah us wid his hebbenly eye.

  Ise not so suah 'bout dat hebbenly orb!

  Chloey! Don't de Good Book say He watchin' obah ebbah sparrow what it fall'?

  Well, if He done pay mo' attention to us brackbirds an' stop foolin' wid dem damn li' sparrows, niggahs wouldn't be sol' on de auction block today.

  Stop it, woman! Dat' sacramentious! Why, He counts ebbah hai' ob ou' haids!

  Mebbe dat what He' putterin' at when He let po' Marse Shelby go bankrupted an' go fall off his horse an' get kill'!

  Shame on yo', woman...critimacizin' de Almighty!

  Ah ain't crickamacizin...Ah jes' plain speakin' mah minds!

(Childish squeals within cabin)

  Now what dem young'n's up to at?

(Calls)

  Obadiah?

  Yass, Mammy?

  Get outen dat jampot!

  Yaas, Mammy!

  Zachariah?

  Yaas, Mammy?

  Stop teasin' de cat!

  Yaas, Mammy!

  Mordecaiah?

  Yaas, Mammy!

  Leave dem matches alone!

  Yaas, Mammy!

(As Baby cries off H.R...Chloe peers at it)

  Poll-Maria?

(Head out lower window)

  Yaas, Mammy?

(Pointing off D.R.)

  Go to Hell's fiah!

  Yaas, Mammm!

(Runs out and off D.R...returning with a half-naked pickaninny in her arms (a dummy), goes back to the cabin)

  De nex' chile Ah has Ah wants him to be a deef mute!

.....WHIP cracks off U.L......

  LEGREE!

  Get into the pen, niggah!

(Exit Poll Maria)

(Tom and Chloe rise quickly)

  Ah hopes dat demon don't buy any ob us!

  Let's go pray he won't!

(Tom takes up fiddle...both start toward cabin)

  After a kind marster like Marse Selby, it would be a tur'ble thing to be sold to a cruel 'un.

(Glances somewhat U.L.)

  He's coming! RUN!

(Exeunt Chloe and Tom indoors, closing door)

..........

(Enter Mrs. Shelby and her son, young George, strolling in D.R. She is in mourning)

  Please come to the house, dear.

  Pass through that rabble?

  But you must rest!

  I'll rest here - away from curious eyes!

(Sits on bench - He sits beside her)

  Ah, how wonderful to have my boy at my side...it was terrible to go through all this sorrow with the ocean between us!

  Poor little mother!

  Going......

(Mrs. Shelby and George stop and stare in direction with pained glances)

  going......GONE!

(Gavel Falls)

  Quimbo sol' to Marse Haley for fifty dollars! Next!

(Covering face with hands and murmering)

  "Quimbo!" And sold to that beast! Oh, dear God!

(Leans against George's shoulder)

  There, there, dear!

..........

("Quimbo", a young slave passes quickly from U.L. across to U.R., followed by the "clerk." Quimbo wears an arm band of white, about five inches wide and marked with an "H" for Haley, the purchaser. They exit U.R.)

  Oh, it's too terrible! Is it possible we've come to this? Our plantation sold...our slaves...I can' realize it! It seems only yesterday we were rich...

(Leans against her son)

  Oh, Sonny! Sonny!

  If only I'd known father's finances were in bad shape! There I was, gallivanting all over Europe...spending money like hot cakes! God! Why didn't you write me, mother? Why didn't I know it?

(Rises and paces about)

  I didn't know it, myself, till after your father's death. I don't believe even he knew it. Like all Southern gentlemen, he knew nothing of business. Then, thrown from his horse and killed...

(Impatiently)

  But he should have known it! Every man should! Men in the North do, as Mariette says.

  No'thern men are different from Southern!

  Is everything to go?

  Everything, they tell me, except enough slaves to run the plantation. And I'm permitted to live on, in the house six months.

(With scorn)

  "Permitted!" The home you came to as a bride...where I was born...it's unbelievable! Who's bought the place...do you know?

  Some lawyer from New Orleans...Marks is his name...has bought it for a client...the man who bought the mortgages.

  I wonder if it could be St. Clare? Of New Orleans?

(Surprised)

  St. Clare? You mean AUGUSTINE St. Clare?

  Yes. The snob!

  But he's a Louisianian! What would he buy it for?

  For meanness. He's Mariette's guardian, you know...

  No, I didn't know. So it was he who refused my son the hand of his ward? How dared he? It's spite! Pure spite!

(Rises)

  After twenty-five years one would think he'd forget his hate!

  Twenty-five years? Mother! What do you mean?

  I mean he refused you Mariette, and has thrown me out of my home because twenty-five years ago my guardian refused him my hand!

  Why, mother!

  The brute! To hurt you because of me! And he knew it wasn't my fault!

  Not your fault? You mean you loved him?

(With shrug)

  What does a girl of seventeen know about love? But whatever my sentiments were then, now I hate him!

  But he loved you!

(She says nothing)

  Tell me! Did he love you, mother?

  Love! Humph! It's a strange love that could rob a widow of her home and a boy of his sweetheart, out of pique!

  Now I am sure he's the purchaser of the plantation; he's here today.

  Here?

  So Mariette told me!

  Well, I hope I don't meet him. If I do, he'll not find

  What am I asked for Uncle Tom?

  Uncle Tom to be sold? Oh, dear God!

(Weeps--George caresses her)

  Five hundred--give me six! Five hundred--give me six!

  I can't bear it!

(The gavel pounds--They pause to hear name of purchaser)

  And sold to Mistah Marks o' Noo Orleans!

  MARKS! St. Clare's agent!

  And for St. Clare! Beast! Oh, Sonny, take me in to Chloey's cabin! Take me in!

(Weeps)

  Don't cry, mother. I swear I'll buy them all back one of these days!

(Rushing in U.L. excitedly)

  Uncle Tom's sold...Uncle Tom's sold...Uncle Tom's sold!

(Then, in tears, buries his face in Mrs. Shelby's skirts and cries)

  Oh, Mis' Shelby, he's gone an' sold my ole Uncle Tom!

(Choking back the tears and caressing him)

  I know, dear. Come and we'll break the news to poor Chloey!

(George opens door wide, and his mother and Harry enter cabin as George pauses a moment, dazedly on step)

..........

(A whip is heard to crack off U.L.)

  LEGREE!

  Get into mah pen, you runaway!

(And unable to bear more, George throws up hands hopelessly and exits D.L...just as Geegee is thrust roughly in by the monster...and falls, sprawling U.C.R., followed by Legree who cracks the whip, then, sneering down at the fellow)

  You don't belong heah. Yo's Harris's niggah, tryin' to 'scape from his plantation!

(Getting to sitting position...a handsome young light mulatto of unusual refinement and charm)

  No, Marse Legree...Marse Harris done gib me a message to delibber to Marse Simmons on de nex' plantation. See? Heah's mah pass!

(Exhibits same...Legree takes it and tries to decipher it, but he is too drunk)

  An Ah jes' stopped on mah way to see mah wife n' li'l boy!

(Throwing pass in his face)

  Bah! Lies! All Lies! I'm goin' to buy yo' from Haley jus' fo' de fun o' floggin' yuh!

(Starts off...then turns and glares at him)

  An' lay there! Yo' heah me, you' houn'-dawg?

(Cracks whip and reels off D.R.)

(Peering in U.L. to make sure Legree's out of hearing and rushing to Geegee)

  Oh, Geegee, he musn' buy yo' 'nelse he buys me, too, an' li'l Harry! We mus' go togeddah!

(They clasp each other in their arms)

  De only way we go' stay togeddah is to escape!

  Yes, but how?

  I could get away but you couldn't! I got a pass to Simmons, on the river front...an after dark I could swim across to the Quakers...but yo' can't swim...nor Harry...^*

.....A whip cracks off D.R.....

  Legree! Go!!!!! Go!!!!!!!

(Reeling in...stops short on seeing the beautiful mulatto woman kissing Geegee)

  W..h..e..w!!!!

(Cracks whip)

(Still on her knees...her hands out to him)

  Oh, Marse Legree, please don't separate us! He's mah man! But if yo' do buy him, buy me, too...an' ou' baby!

(Rushing out from cabin, a toy whip in his hand which he cracks delightedly)

  See, muddie? I can crack mah whip jus' like Marse Legree! Watch!

(Cracks whip repeatedly and laughs)

  Ha...ha...ha...ha!!!!! Yo' li'l cuss!

(Harry beams and continues to crack whip proudly)

(Legree sits on bench)

  Fine! Fine! Think I'll buy yo', yo' li'l halfbreed! G'wan! How'd yo' like to be my niggah' an' larn to crack a big whip?

(Cracks big whip magnificently)

(Popping up and down with joy)

  Oh, buy me! buy me! Please buy me, Marse Legree!

  Firs' show me what else yo' can do!

  I can do lots o' t'ings! Stan' on mah head...an' sing an' dance...an' speak pieces. Lis'n!

(Then cockily recites)

  Ha...ha...ha...ha!!!

(Cracks whip)

  Ha...ha...ha...ha!!!!

(Cracks whip)

  Ha...ha...ha...ha!!!!

(Cracks whip)

  And SOLD to Simon Legree! Come heah, Shakespeah!

(Harry runs to him and Legree slips arm-band on him, marked "L.")

  Then please buy me, too, Marse Legree! I cain't be separated from mah baby!

(Rises and holds arms out)

  BABY? Is he yo' li'l papoose? WALL...get up an' let me look yo' obah, gal?

(Harry runs into Geegee's arms)

  Open yo' dress

(She opens neck of dress to modest depth, disclosing a beautiful throat - He peers closely, evidently pleased)

  Um...not so bad! How's yo' feet?

(She lifts skirts a few inches, disclosing lovely feet and ankles, neatly clad in white hose and broad, flat-heeled black slippers)

  U...m! So fah, so good! No yo' teeth!

(She takes steps nearer, opens mouth, and displays two rows of dazzling white teeth. He grows more and more pleased)

  Fine! Can yo' shake down?

(Patters his feet and shakes shoulders)

  Widout a breakdown!

  Wall...go to it!

(Cracks whip - then calls)

  Niggahs, twang yo' cat-gut!

(Opens flask and empties it)

  Wait! My man n' me'll dance it togaddah! An' Harry'll fiddle! Come, Geegee!

(Geegee glances at Legree who does not dissent, rises quickly...and she beckons to boys off U.L.)

  Boys, gib us "Hill Billy Bill!"

(Music of banjoes begin, Geegee and Eliza sing and dance with spirit, always keeping an eye on Legree)

.....NUMBER 2.....

"Hill Billy Bill"

..........

(Eliza and Geegee)

(As Number is nearly over, Legree snores loudly...they both glance at him...and, still dancing, exchange whispers, dance back to Harry...Geegee picks him up in his arms without losing a step...and exeunt, still dancing, and Harry still fiddling just as music ends, D.L.)

.....NUMBER OVER.....

(Waking drowsily)

  Fine! Fine!

(Cracks whip)

(Then stares, seeing his entertainers have left. Glances about and scowls, getting to his feet unsteadily)

  Damn dem niggahs!

(The banjo boys peep in, impishly U.L., amused at the trick played on him, and laugh their raucous "haw...haw...haw!" then vanish)

  Hi, yo' houn' dawgs!

(Cracks whip and starts unsteadily U.L., but his EMPTY flask drops noisily...he picks it up...then holding it upside down, decides to refill it)

  Humph! Whah dat moonshiner?

(Turns and exits lumberingly D.R.)

  Damn dat wench! Ah'll make her dance!

(Cracks whip)

  Yo' wait, mah purty...yo' wait! Yo' wait!

(He exits D.R...whip cracks, off)

(Mariette, a beautiful young Northern girl of seventeen summers, charmingly frocked, with George Shelby, D.L.)

  No, Marie, no!

  Yes, George, yes!

  We Southerners can't and don't!

  Well, we Northerners can and do!

(Pause somewhat L.C. to finish their spat)

  But you don't understand!

  I do understand! I won't allow any guardian to rule me! And I'd marry you this minute if I were of age.

  Oh, no, you wouldn't! I wouldn't let you! and me, broke!

  Pouf! What's money?

  That's all very fine but we Southern men have pride...

  And we Northern girls have pluck! And I intend to marry you, George Shelby, rich or poor, dead or alive, drunk or sober, the very minute that old calendar ticks off another year, whether you want me or not! So there!

(Jabs her parasol into the turf)

  WANT you? Oh, Mariette, if you only...

(About to embrace her...then turns away)

  Go on! I dare you!

  No, we must wait!

(Looks away from her)

(Drawing him around facing her, with the crook handle of her parasol)

  For what? The Resurrection Morn?

  No, till I've earned back my fortune!

  Then its...

(Rises on toes and comically imitates an operatic tenor, sings next line)

  "Goodbye, forever!"

(Angrily whirling about)

  What do you mean...that I can't work?

  Not "can't"..."won't"!

(Bitterly)

  I'm plum lazy, you think?

  Um...lazy, maybe, but not "plumb!" You're out of plumb, that's just it!

(He starts to defend himself)

  Please! The lady from "Noo Yawk" has de flo'!

(Then sensibly)

  George, your trouble is the trouble of the sons of most rich fathers. You've never been taught to stand on your own feet...then when your prop falls, you wobble!

(He kicks the turf angrily)

  Oh, I'm not blaming you or them...I blame the fathers! They employ people to wash you and dress you and wait on you and even think for you! Why, you told me, yourself, you couldn't balance

  Well...

  No, it isn't well! It's ghastly! Why, look at you! You've no more idea of life than little Eva or that nigger Topsy out there showing everybody her sore toe. Yet here you are, mooning over the fortune your father lost simply because his father didn't teach him to take care of it...and cursing a cruel fate that's made you penniless instead of ferreting out the mortgage shark that gouged him and going after the scoundrel and gouging it back!

  I never thought of that!

  Well, now that I've given your thinking apparatus a push, get going!

(Facing her and seizing her hands)

  I'll do it!

  Hooray! We're off!

  I'll start tomorrow!

(Releasing her hands)

  No, not tomorrow...today! This minute! NOW!

  But the man lives in New Orleans! And the boat doesn't start till eight.

  BOAT? Oh, George, you mean you'll come back to Orleans on our boat?

  YOUR boat? Does St. Clare own the packet line, too?

  Too? Why, the "too?"

  Oh, nothing.

  That's an enlightening answer. But let's forget "guardy"!

(Happily)

  Think of having you in New Orleans! Seeing you! Talking with you...

(He stares absentmindedly off--she smiles implishly)

  I mean, at you!

(Draws him around again with the parasol crook-handle)

  I'm still over here, darling! Sorry to trouble you, but...

(Rubbing his hand across his brow)

  I'm sorry. I'was thinking!

  Hooray! The wheels have started to whirl!!!

(Whirls her parasol over her head)

  I'm going after that mortgage-shark and get my fortune back-then carry you off some moonlight night in spite of St. Clare!

  BRAVO!!!!!!!

(Puts out hands)

(Seizing them)

  You'll wait for me and marry me then...even if you're not of age?

  Of age? I'd marry you if I were just born and the doctor was announcing to the waiting world..."IT'S A GIRL!"

(George and Mariette laugh gaily)

.....NUMBER 3.....

"MOON AM SHININ'.....MEET ME AT THE GATE."

(George and Marie)

.....DANCE.....

.....NUMBER OVER.....

(Enter St. Clare, D.R. a handsome, well-dressed man in the early 40's, gazing languidly about, sipping a blade of grass daintily with his stick...LITTLE HARRY darts in excitedly D.L. and collides with St. Clare)

  Whoa, my lad, whoa!

  ...Don't stop me, sah. I don't want to be catched. Mudder's gwine to turn me into a gal!

  Turn you into a girl?

  Yes, so we can 'scape. But I don't want to 'scape! I wants to be buyed by Marse Legree an' crack whips! Lemme go! Lemme go!

(Breaks away and exits D.L. - Enter Marks, a low, squat, small down person U.L.)

  Bless this heart!

  Ah, here you are, sah! I've been looking for you!

(Hurries comically to St. Clare)

(Smiling after the child----turns to Marks)

  Yes? Well, how's the sale going, Marks?

  Mighty good, sah! Chaw me up into sausage meat an' feed me to th' hawgs if these Shelby niggahs ain't as fine a set ob possums as yo'd want to see.

  You think so?

  Don't you? Clean...happy...well-fed...well-clothed... well-housed...and the way they love the missis is a crime!

(Coming from the cabin, and speaking to Eliza within)

  Don't worry, Eliza. I'll find your baby. Wait!

(Whispers a word or two to Eliza)

  Sh! Here she comes now!

(St. Clare stands erect and gently forces Marks back a step, out of her way has she approaches them. She doesn't appear conscious of their presence, however, and hurries as if to pass by.)

(Lifting his hat and bowing low)

  Ah...Mrs. Shelby, I believe?

(Stopping short...glancing up at him...)

  I haven't the honor of your acquaintance, sir!

(and sweeps past him and off D.R.)

(St. Clare replaces hat and stares after her)

(Gazing after her)

  Whew! Chaw me up into sausagemeat an' feed me to the hawgs!!! You'd think she's the Queen of Heaven, with them airs, now wouldn't you?

(Replaces hat)

  Well, I calkilate she wouldn't act quite so sassy if she knew the man she's snubbin' was lettin' her live in his house for six months, rent free!

  Sh! My name's not to be mentioned in the transaction, remember!

(Enter Ophelia, swiftly and exasperatedly U.L. She wears a rich but eccentric costume, prim bonnet, and a skirt with many bows of plaid ribbon...and carries a tiny parasol over her head)

  Ah, Ophelia!

  Augustine, if you permit that spoilt child of yours to buy every nigger she takes a fancy to, I'll stop managin' your home this instant and take the first train back to New England!

  Please don't go 'way, Miss Ophelia!

  I mean it! You've got so many niggers there now, you can't take a step without falling over half a dozen. Now is she to have them or not?

  I did try to persuade her about old Tom, but she was about to faint...

  Faint Fiddlesticks! That's only a trick to make you give in!

  Oh, no, my dear, it's her heart! And I'd give her the moon rather than cause her a pang!

  WELL, pang or no pang, if you let her annex this black imp called "TOPSY" I'll pitch the little devil overboard tonight. I will! I mean it!

  Topsy?

  Yes, TOPSY!

(Topsy heard to laugh her haw...haw...haw off - Ophelia points in her direction U.L.)

  There she is now...on the auction block, turing flip-flops and advertising a sore toe!

  Good lord!

  Now, friends, last but not least, comes Topsy!

(Topsy's haw...haw...haw heard off U.L.)

  Who'll bid a hundred?...Fifty...Twenty? A Dime?...A Nickel? A Cent?

(Topsy's laugh heard again)

  Who'll take her fo' nuthin'?

(Topsy laughs again)

  Then can I pay to haul her away

  1. No, sah!

  2. Not me, sah!

  3. Not fo' a gift! Etc.

  Aw...don't nobody want poor Topsy?

  I do, sir! I want her!

(Laughter of traders off)

(Brings down gavel)

  And SOLD to an angel from hebben...an' may de Lo'd have mercy on her soul!

(Laughter!!!)

  My God! She's got her! AND HERE THEY COME!

(And EVA, dressed like a fairy in silk and lace, enters, dragging along a half-naked, bare-footed, wild haired, hawhawing black smudge of humanity, proudly sporting EVA'S dainty little sunshade----and a thickly-bound sore toe, causing her to sort of "hop" in.)

(Beaming and rushing as fast as the heavy cargo will permit)

  Papa! Papa! Papa!

  1...Good Lord!

  2...Chaw me up inter sausage meat an' feed me...

(Men burst out laughing)

(Facing her father)

  See what I bought for nothing with my own money!

(Topsy drops lazily to ground, proud of parasol, and laughs her "Haw...haw...haw!")

  Isn't it beautiful?

(Ophelia swoops near and glares down at the creature. Topsy glances up and laughs again)

  How shiftless!

(Flaunts about, her back now to Topsy--Topsy steals a ribbon from Ophelia's dress and tucks in front of ragged waist)

  She can make the most funniest faces...make one, Topsy!

(Topsy draws back her cheeks, making a horrible grimace)

  Is't that won'erful? And do things with her eyes--Do 'em, Topsy!

(Topsy rolls eyes comically, winding up with them crossed)

  1...Heavens!

  2...Help!

  3...Kill it!

(Topsy laughs her haw...haw...haw... and steals another ribbon from Ophelia's skirt and hides it)

  And she can walk on her hands and stand on her head and turn

(Topsy laughs first...then rolls over...stands on her head...and winds up with a cart-wheel, finally dropping flat, making an awful grimace...crossing eyes...and ending with a haw-haw-haw finale, as she seizes again the parasol and holds it over her head)

(Clapping her hands and popping up and down with delight)

  Oh, you darling!

(Runs and hugs her)

  I love you! I love you! I love you!

(With squeal at this, covers face)

  Augustine! Stop her! She'll catch something! Ow! She's kissing her!

(Dashes over to them!)

  Eva! Come with me!

(Topsy steals another ribbon-bow from her flounce...Eva tugs to stay----Topsy takes another bow and still another)

(Struggling with Ophelia)

  No! I want Topsy! I want Topsy! I want Topsy!

(Picking ribbon bows as if they were berries from a bush)

  Ebbahbody fightin' obah me, seem like'! Haw--haw--haw!

(Stuffs ribbons inside, giving her a most unusual appearance)

  I...I...Ise 'bout de fight-oberise chile they is! Haw...haw...haw!

(Ophelia drags the unhappy Eva to her father)

  Papa! May NOT I keep her? Papa! Papa! Papa!

(Caressing her)

  I'm sorry, darling, but Aunt Ophelia...

  I must have her! I'll die without her!

  Papa's sorry, darling----

(Heartbrokenly)

  Oh, papa! Pa...pa! Pa...pa!

(And goes down in a little heap at his feet)

(Frightened...lifting her in his arms and sitting on bench)

  She's fainted! Oh, I might have known! Some camphor...smelling salts... anything! Oh, my darling, wake up!

  I'll bring Doc Jensen obah...

(Runs off D.R., as Ophelia stoops and rubs Eva's hand)

  Hurry! Quick! Oh, my precious! My baby! Don't die! Eva! Come to! Oh, why did I cross her? I might have known! Eva! EVA!

(At her side now, and peering into Eva's face)

  De witches done done it an' nothing' dribe witches away buta cha'm! I'll do it wid dah mah assafetety-bag!

(Draws funny little bag attached to a string hanging around her neck and waving it, making funny passes as she chants)

(Blows in Eva's face)

  Wake up, li'l Missy! De witches 'gone!

(Opening her eyes and smiling at Topsy)

  Topsy!

  Haw...haw...haw!!!

  You darling!

(Presses Eva to his heart--Then to Ophelia)

  Look, Aunt! She's come to! She's well! Great Scott! The imp's bewitched!

  De assfettety done done it!

(Proudly exhibits the charms)

  How shiftless!

  Ha-ha! Well, something done done it! That's sure! Look at my darling, bright as a dollar! And she's usually weak for hours after these heart attacks.

  And I may have her, papa?

  Till death do you part! There now...sit down and play.

(Disgustedly...rising...Topsy steals another bow)

  How shiftless!

(Throwing her arms around Topsy's neck)

  Oh, Topsy, you're mine! You're mine! You're mine!

  Haw...haw...haw!!!

(Then, as Eva squeezes her, her eyes travel to Eva's lace handkerchief which she instantly appropriates)

  Oh!

(Conscious of the bulge caused by the ribbons)

  How soft you feel, Topsy!

(Then glances at her)

  An' how fat you've growed!

(Then frightened)

(Taking a survey of her unusual embonpoint)

  LawdEE! Ise gwineter to bus' open in a minnit! Haw...haw...haw!

(Sprawls back and permits them to gaze on her puffiness)

  Good heavens!

(Peers at the grinning girl)

(Peering closely through her glasses and spying a bit of plaid ribbon)

  Ow!!!

(Then glances down at flounce and notices that nearly all the bows she had pinned on that morning had disappeared)

  My ribbons! She's stolen them!

(Darts to Topsy and pulls out a handful of bows)

  Lawdee! Ise moultin!

  How did my ribbons get on you, little devil?

  Ah dunno. 'Nelse dey growed on me! Haw...haw...haw!

  How shiftless! Augustine...surely you're not going to take this little thief home with you. She'll steal the gold out of your teeth!

  Haw...haw...haw!

  She's welcome to it if only it will make my darling happy!

  Dear papa!

(Throws arms about his neck and kisses him)

  Then take her...take all Africa! Where's Marks? I'M GOING BACK TO CIVILIZED NEW ENGLAND!

(Exits angrily U.R.)

(Waving a bow Oph. misses)

  Heah's one yo' miss', Miss Shif'les! Haw...haw...haw...

(Running in U.R., hearing his name)

  Don't leave us, Miss Opheely...don't leave us, Miss Opheely...

(Exits U.L.)

(Flat on her stomach, gazing after him)

  Sic her, man! Haw...haw...haw!

  Darling, stay with your new encumbrance while papa goes to placate Cousin 'Phelia!

  Yas, papa!

(Exit St. Clare U.L.)

(Topsy, now safe from the gimlet eyes, now draws forth several more bows which Ophelia has overlooked, and adorns herself grandly...pinning Eva's little lace "hanky" to her dress, and other odds and ends she purloined from others at the sale...then as St. Clare vanishes, she swings her shoulder...and, to the music of the banjoes that strike up off, she hums "UM, UM, DA, DA"...)

  Follow me, Missy...whatebbah ah dooze, yo dooze...den we'll be twinses.

  Oh, Topsy. I'd rather be your twin than anything in the world.

  Den heah's whah yo' rea-ma-lize yo' life's ambishun!

(Eva watches and imitates her, and the two sing and dance...)

.....NUMBER 4.....

"UM, UM, DA, DA"

(Topsy and Eva)

.....DANCE.....

(exit U.R.)

ENCORE...REFRAIN...Eva and Topsy with pickaninnies.

(Exit)

.....BOAT WHISTLES IN DISTANCE.....

  De boat! De boat!

(Picaninnies and banjo players rush in D.R....U.R....D...L, shouting)

  De boat! De boat!

(All exit excitedly U.L.)

(Little nigger faces peer out of cabin windows, and CHLOE, a bundle tied with a bandana, appears in doorway drying her eyes)

  Line up, niggahs!

(Cracks whip)

(Hurrying in U.L., fiddle under arm)

  Ise sold, Chloey! Ise sold, Chloey!

  TOM!

(Rushes into his arms, weeping)

  Chloe!

(Presses her to his heart)

(Smilingly)

  Don't cry, honey. Massa Gawgie buyin' me back fo' yo' in six months.

  I knows. An' I'll hab de bigges' 'chicken fo' yo' in de coop!

(Running and hugging him)

  Goo'bye, pappy!

(Hugging them)

  Goo'bye, mah lammies. Be wash' an' waitin' fo' 'Pappy Tom by cotton time!

  We will, pappy!

  I'll be waitin', pappy!

  Goo'bye, pappy!

(Running in U.L.)

  Uncle Tom! Uncle Tom!

  Heah's Uncle Tom, Missy.

(Takes up his bundle, chucks fiddle securely under arm...and takes her proffered hand! The little darkies stand back and stare at the beauty)

  Papa's waiting!

  Ise ready!

(They start U.L....Tom waving back to Chloe and children)

  Goo'bye! Goo'bye!

(Smiling back and waving to them)

  Goodbye!

  Goodbye, Missy!

(Exit Eva and Tom)

  Dat's a sho'nuff angel...takin' pappy up to hebben!

(Bursts into tears)

(Drying her eyes)

  Aw, g'long Pol' Maria! Pappy soon camin' back!

(Calls to pickaninny hammering his brother on ground)

  Stop dat, Obadiah...let go ob Zachariah!

(Calls to another child playing with matches)

  Get in, Amariah...

(Then looks about for another offspring)

  Whah li'l Hell's Fiah?

(Eating a huge slice of bread and sugar)

  Heah I is, Mammy!

  Line up, yo' hown' dawgs!

(Cracks whip)

  Legree! Quick, Mammy!

(All tear madly into cabin, followed by Chloe and bang door shut)

  I do' wanta be a girl! I do' wanta be a girl!

(Enter Mrs. Shelby, leading Harry now dressed prettily in girl's clothes, and carrying a dollbaby awkwardly by one leg. Mrs. Shelby wears a full length cape and a bonnet with flying veils)

  Hush, dear!

(He throws dollbaby down and pulls back)

  I don't wanta be a girl. I wanta stay a boy!

  Sh! Pick up your doll!

  I don' wanta doll...I wanta crack whips!

(Not harshly. Picks up doll)

  Well, I'll crack a whip in a minute if you don't behave! Here! Take it! And if you'll be real quiet I'll give you money to buy a dozen whips!

(Beaming)

  Ooh! I'll be deef an' dumb fo' a dozen whips!

(Takes doll)

(Taking coins from pocket)

  There! Now not another peep till you're off the plantation!

(Dropping to grass and playing with coins, puts fingers on lips and makes funny noises, indicating he won't peep)

  Um...um...um!

(Eliza runs out from cabin)

  Quick, 'Liza...take the bonnet...

(Eliza takes bonnet from Mrs. S's head and puts it on quickly)

  Now the cloak!

(Same bus.)

  Now the veil!

(She, herself arranges Eliza's veil)

  There! No one would ever dream you weren't a white woman!

(Geegee steals out from cabin)

  Geegee, deliver your master's note to Simmons...then after dark, swim the river...hide at the Quaker's...and as soon as you can, get to New Orleans...to this address...where my son will have rooms.

(Gives him a card)

  But 'Liza and Harry? They've been sold to Legree! They'll be shot if they're caught!

  They'll not be caught! Go to this address, 'Liza...here's a letter to a friend...and when the boats stop running, give a fisherman this money to row you across the river.

  But he may be a spy!

  Then I'll cross on a log jam...or on the ice if it freezes.

  Then join me at Master George's?

  Yes, in New Orleans.

(Eliza and Geegee exchange happy smiles)

  And don't forget...you're white folks.

(Dropping on one knee and pressing a kiss on Mrs. Shelby's hand)

  God bless you, Mis' Shelby.

  And God help you, Geegee!

(Lays hand on his head)

  Now say goodbye to 'Liza and Harry!

(Looking up at his father and shakes head "No", putting finger on his lips and indicating that he is "not to peep!")

...

(Geegee and Eliza embrace...Mrs. Shelby peers off D.R. to make sure the coast is clear)

(Peering D.R.)

  Quick! Someone's coming through the arbor!

  Oh, go, Geegee! Go!

(Geegee dashes to Harry, presses him to his heart...then runs off D.R. pausing only long enough to glance back, whisper "goodbye", blow her a kiss, then vanish)

  Now, 'Liza! Here's your purse...

(Presses a handsome purse upon her)

  And be brave! We'll all be back together in six months!

(Embraces Eliza)

  Dear Mis' Shelby...I can't tell you what's in my heart...there's no words...but if a lifetime of love and service mean anything, they're yours!

  Dear Eliza. Come, darling! Kiss yo' Mis' Shelby bye-bye!

(Lifts him to his feet...he snatches up his coins and accepts the doll, still holding it awkwardly by one leg. She presses him close to her heart...he returns caress affectionately but pantomiming his inability to "peep".)

.....BOAT WHISTLE.....

  Now go, 'Liza, while the crowd lines up for the boat.

(Eliza takes Harry's hand and they hurry U.R....turning for a wave to Mrs. Shelby...who glances quickly D.R. again, and motions Eliza to rush. Exit Eliza and Harry U.R.)

...

(At same moment GEORGE enters D.R. followed by a little pickaninny in a suit far too large for him, laboriously lugging a heavy traveling bag.)

  Ah! Here you are! Goodbye, mother mine!

  Darling Sonny!

(Embraces him while Pick sits on bag and yawns)

  And don't you worry! I'll be back in six months with the deed for our home in one hand, and leading our beloved blacks by the other.

  My brave little boy!

  My brave little mother!

(Mariette enters D.R.)

  Don't delay, Mariette!

  Goodbye, Mrs. Shelby. I'll take good care of Uncle Tom.

(Seizing her extended hands)

  And of Sonny?

  No, SONNY'S going to learn to take care of himself.

(Smiles back at him)

  N'est de pas, Southern boy?

(Smiling back)

  Tres bien Northern girl.

  And you won't forget him during these months apart?

  Why, mother! What do you mean?

(With wistful smile)

  Well...one never knows, you know. One...never...knows!

(Then, turning quickly to cabin)

  Goodbye, my beloveds!

  Goodbye, mother!

.....NUMBER 5.....

"REMEMBERIN'"

(Mariette, George, and Mrs. Shelby)

..........

(REFRAIN is hummed off by negro voices)

..........

(Exit)

(Number Over)

.....BOAT WHISTLE.....

(Confusion)

  The boat! The boat!

("Goodbyes are called...Legree's whip cracks...Shouts of "Line up dere!" Etc.)

.....Banjoes play.....

(NEGRO voices sing either "Rememberin'" or a negro melody)

(Then, from D.L. enter first--Banjo-boys, marching straight to D.R., but turning and grouping around bench. They are followed immediately by a dozen or more slaves in single file...in groups of three or four...each with his ARMBAND designating his purchaser...LEGREE and another trader or two stride alongside, on upper side of the slaves, Legree cracking his whip...then, in order named come--all going off D.R.--St. Clare and Mariette--Marks and Ophelia--George with pick lugging the bag--Eva and Uncle Tom...and, last but not least, TOPSY arrayed in same costume but decorated,

and as BOAT WHISTLE BLOWS

THE CURTAIN FALLS.