Floyd, Carlisle

Susannah

Full Libretto

Source

ACT ONE

SCENE 1

CHAPTER 1 – OVERTURE

Melissaməˈlɪsə

Misener

Mezzo-sopranoˌmɛtsoʊsəˈpɹænoʊ

Robynˈɹɒ.bɪn

Rocklein

Mezzo-sopranoˌmɛtsoʊsəˈpɹænoʊ

.........

Stefanieˈstɛfəni

Izzo

Sopranosəpɹˈɑːnəʊ

...

Aleksandra

Ritums

Sopranosəpɹˈɑːnəʊ

Scene: New Hope Valley in the mountains of Tennessee. It is a Monday night in mid-July, and a square dance is in progress in the yard of New Hope Church. A fiddler and caller are in the background, and downstage are the participants in the dance, the people of the community as on-lookers, the Elders and their wives. At the curtain's rise, the dance is underway. Susannah, a young girl of uncommon beauty, is conspicuous in the group by virtue of a brightly-colored dress and the gravitation of men to her square. Her face is flushed with high spirits and excitement, and she is unaware of the eyes upon her. It is early evening, and oil lanterns, hanging from trees, have been lit.

CHAPTER 2 –

MRSˈmɪsɪz
.
GLEATON
:
It's
a
hothˈɒt
nightnˈaɪt
forfˈɔː
dancin'
,
Ain't
nonəʊ
breezebɹˈiːz
a-stirrin'
.
Themðˈɛm
treestɹˈiːz
ain't
movedmˈuːvd
allˈɔːl
daydˈeɪ
.
MRSˈmɪsɪz
.
HAYESheɪz
,
MRSˈmɪsɪz
.
MCLEANməˈkleɪn
,
MRSˈmɪsɪz
.
OTToʊ tiː ˈtiː
:
Itˈɪt
shoreʃˈɔː
bebˈiː
stillstˈɪl
.
Itˈɪt
shoreʃˈɔː
bebˈiː
stillstˈɪl
.
MRSˈmɪsɪz
.
OTToʊ tiː ˈtiː
:
It's
justdʒˈʌst
likelˈaɪk
beforebɪfˈɔː
a
cloud-burstˈklaʊdˌbɝst
,
Whenwˈɛn
itˈɪt
smellssmˈɛlz
likelˈaɪk
rainɹˈeɪn
an'
theðə
airˈeə
be's
heavyhˈɛvi
,
Butbˈʌt
itˈɪt
ain't
likelˈaɪk
thatðˈæt
tonighttənˈaɪt
.
It's
justdʒˈʌst
drydɹˈaɪ
andˈænd
hothˈɒt
andˈænd
stillstˈɪl
.
MRSˈmɪsɪz
.
HAYESheɪz
,
MRSˈmɪsɪz
.
GLEATON
,
MRSˈmɪsɪz
.
OTToʊ tiː ˈtiː
:
Itˈɪt
shoreʃˈɔː
isˈɪz
,
itˈɪt
shoreʃˈɔː
isˈɪz
.
MRSˈmɪsɪz
.
HAYESheɪz
:
Seemssˈiːmz
likelˈaɪk
it's
alwaysˈɔːlweɪz
thisðˈɪs
waywˈeɪ
atˈæt
meetin'
timetˈaɪm
.
MRSˈmɪsɪz
.
GLEATON
ANDˈænd
MRSˈmɪsɪz
.
OTToʊ tiː ˈtiː
:
Don't
itˈɪt
nownˈaʊ
.
MRSˈmɪsɪz
.
MCLEANməˈkleɪn
:
Seemssˈiːmz
likelˈaɪk
theðə
Lordlˈɔːd
isˈɪz
bendin'
Sinnerssˈɪnəz
totˈuː
hishˈɪz
willwˈɪl
,
Likelˈaɪk
smokin'
a
foxfˈɒks
out'n
hishˈɪz
holehˈəʊl
.
Theðə
Lordlˈɔːd
sendssˈɛndz
theðə
rainɹˈeɪn
Onˈɒn
theðə
justdʒˈʌst
an'
unjustʌndʒˈʌst
,
Jes'
likelˈaɪk
theðə
Goodɡˈʊd
Bookbˈʊk
sayssˈɛz
.

MRS. HAYES

Andˈænd
usˈʌs
asəz
isˈɪz
savedsˈeɪvd
hashˈæz
gotɡˈɒt
totˈuː
suffersˈʌfɐ
.
MRSˈmɪsɪz
.
McLEANməˈkleɪn
Hearhˈiə
telltˈɛl
theðə
preacherpɹˈiːtʃɐ
what's
comin'
Isˈɪz
onewˈɒn
whatwˈɒt
cankˈæn
dodə
justdʒˈʌst
thatðˈæt
:
Cankˈæn
bringbɹˈɪŋ
sinnerssˈɪnəz
totˈuː
repentanceɹɪpˈɛntəns
Likelˈaɪk
nonenʌn
wewˈiː
everˈɛvɐ
hadhˈæd
.
MRsˈmɪsɪz
.
HAYESheɪz
,
MRSˈmɪsɪz
.
GLEATON
,
MRSˈmɪsɪz
.
OTToʊ tiː ˈtiː
Theyðˈeɪ
saysˈeɪ
heˈhiː
shoreʃˈɔː
hateshˈeɪts
sinsɪn
.

MRS. MCLEAN

They's
plentyplˈɛnti
inˈɪn
thisðˈɪs
valleyvˈæli
Andˈænd
I'm
prayin'
ferfˈɜː
a
richɹˈɪtʃ
harvesthˈɑːvɪst
.
They's
manymˈɛni
a
lostlˈɒst
andˈænd
wand'rin'
soulsˈəʊl
That's
gottaɡˈɒtɐ
bebˈiː
broughtbɹˈɔːt
totˈuː
theðə
lightlˈaɪt
.
I
hopehˈəʊp
Olin
Blitch
cankˈæn
smokesmˈəʊk
'em
outˈaʊt
.
I
aimˈeɪm
totˈuː
dodə
mymˈaɪ
partpˈɑːt
.

MRS. OTT

Let's

praypɹˈeɪ

ferfˈɜː

realɹiːl

goodɡˈʊd

meetin'

Wherewˈeə

lotslˈɒts

ofˈɒv

lostlˈɒst

soulssˈəʊlz

shallʃˈæl

bebˈiː

foundfˈaʊnd

A moment's pause while the women watch the dance. By this time, Gleaton, Hayes and Ott have attempted unsuccessfully to get into Susannah 's square. Seeing the efforts of the others, McLean can resist no longer.

ELDER MCLEAN

thinkθˈɪŋk

I'll

stepstˈɛp

fewfjˈuː

Looking up sharply

MRS. MCLEAN

gotɡˈɒt

punypjˈuːni

hearthˈɑːt

Batbˈæt

ELDER MCLEAN

won't

bebˈiː

goneɡˈɒn

butbˈʌt

minuteˈmɪnɪt

After a moment

MRS. HAYES

Susannah

lookslˈʊks

mightymˈaɪti

prettypɹˈɪti

tonighttənˈaɪt

It's

shameʃˈeɪm

herhˈɜː

mamˈɑː

cain't

seesˈiː

herhˈɜː

MRS. MCLEAN

It's

blessin'

youjˈuː

meanmˈiːn

The three wives look at Mrs. McLean in sudden surprise. Then slowly they turn to observe Susannah. By the end of Mrs. McLean's outburst, they are nodding their heads in assent.

MRS. MCLEAN

She's

shamelessʃˈeɪmləs

girlɡˈɜːl

sheʃˈiː

isˈɪz

Showin'

herselfhɜːsˈɛlf

totˈuː

allˈɔːl

theðə

menmˈɛn

Look at her throwin' her head back

And look at the cut of her dress,

MRS. MCLEAN

Butbˈʌt

whatwˈɒt

couldkˈʊd

youjˈuː

expectɛkspˈɛkt

butbˈʌt

wenchwˈɛntʃ

ofˈɒv

girlɡˈɜːl

Whohˈuː

waswˈɒz

raisedɹˈeɪzd

bybˈaɪ

drunkendɹˈʌŋkən

brotherbɹˈʌðɐ

That pretty a face must hide some evil.

MRS. MCLEAN

They's
evilˈiːvəl
inˈɪn
thatðˈæt
onewˈɒn
,
you'll
seesˈiː
.
She's
a
shamelessʃˈeɪmləs
wenchwˈɛntʃ
,
Susannah
isˈɪz
,
Andˈænd
it's
a
blessin'
herhˈɜː
mamˈɑː
cain't
seesˈiː
herhˈɜː
.

MRS. HAYES

It's

blessin'

herhˈɜː

mamˈɑː

cain't

seesˈiː

herhˈɜː

There enters upstage, at first unobserved by the dancers, a tall, powerfully built man in a plaid shirt and ten-gallon hat. The people become aware of his presence gradually, the music dies out, and the dancers cease dancing. The Elders group together and move to the stranger stiffly.

MCLEAN

Howhˈaʊ

areə(ɹ)

calledkˈɔːld

strangerstɹˈeɪndʒɐ

BLITCH

aməm

theðə

Reverendɹˈɛvəɹˌɛnd

Olin

Blitch

At Blitch 's announcement of his identity, there is a general stir of voices "Olin Blitch, the meetin' preacher. Well, I do know," etc.

BLITCH

Andˈænd
I've
comekˈʌm
totˈuː
Newnjˈuː
Hopehˈəʊp
Valleyvˈæli
Totˈuː
castkˈɑːst
outˈaʊt
devilsdˈɛvəlz
andˈænd
conquerkˈɒnkɐ
sinsɪn
Andˈænd
bringbɹˈɪŋ
sinnerssˈɪnəz
totˈuː
repentanceɹɪpˈɛntəns
.
Totˈuː
bringbɹˈɪŋ
theðə
Wordwˈɜːd
ofˈɒv
theðə
Lordlˈɔːd
Andˈænd
theðə
powerpˈaʊɐ
ofˈɒv
Hishˈɪz
judgmentsdʒˈʌdʒmənts
.
O
,
I
aməm
theðə
Reverendɹˈɛvəɹˌɛnd
Olin
Blitch
Andˈænd
I've
comekˈʌm
totˈuː
Newnjˈuː
Hopehˈəʊp
Valleyvˈæli
.
MCLEANməˈkleɪn

Speaking

BLITCH

Butbˈʌt

wewˈiː

expectedɛkspˈɛktɪd

y'here

tomorrowtəmˈɒɹəʊ

BLITCH

Speaking

BLITCH

I
alwaysˈɔːlweɪz
comekˈʌm
a
daydˈeɪ
earlyˈɜːli
Ferfˈɜː
thinkin'
,
an'
prayin'
,
an'
fastin'
.
McLEANməˈkleɪn
We're
gladɡlˈæd
totˈuː
havehəv
y'
,
brotherbɹˈʌðɐ
,
An'
you've
comekˈʌm
inˈɪn
theðə
namenˈeɪm
ofˈɒv
theðə
Lordlˈɔːd
.
Thisðˈɪs
here's
Brotherbɹˈʌðɐ
Hayesheɪz
,
Brotherbɹˈʌðɐ
Gleaton
an'
Brotherbɹˈʌðɐ
Ottoʊ tiː ˈtiː
.
We're
theðə
Eldersˈɛldəz
ofˈɒv
thisðˈɪs
churchtʃˈɜːtʃ
.

Blitch shakes hands with each in turn.

BLITCH

HAYESheɪz
You're
welcomewˈɛlkʌm
amongɐmˈʌŋ
usˈʌs
.
BLITCH
Amenˌɑːmˈɛn
.
OTToʊ tiː ˈtiː
Let's
praypɹˈeɪ
yerjˈə
visit's
gonnaɡˈənɐ
blessblˈɛs
usˈʌs
.
BLITCH
Amenˌɑːmˈɛn
.
GLEATON
We're
prayin'
ferfˈɜː
a
richɹˈɪtʃ
harvesthˈɑːvɪst
ofˈɒv
soulssˈəʊlz
.
Amenˌɑːmˈɛn
.
Andˈænd
I'm
proudpɹˈaʊd
totˈuː
bebˈiː
inˈɪn
yourjˈɔː
midstmˈɪdst
,
mymˈaɪ
friendsfɹˈɛndz
,
Andˈænd
let's
praypɹˈeɪ
thatðˈæt
theðə
lostlˈɒst
shallʃˈæl
bebˈiː
foundfˈaʊnd
,
Totˈuː
bebˈiː
washedwˈɒʃt
inˈɪn
theðə
bloodblˈʌd
,
thatðˈæt
cleansin'
streamstɹˈiːm
,
O
,
let's
praypɹˈeɪ
thatðˈæt
theðə
lostlˈɒst
shallʃˈæl
bebˈiː
foundfˈaʊnd
.

Overlapping

WOMEN

Heˈhiː
isˈɪz
theðə
Reverendɹˈɛvəɹˌɛnd
Olin
Blitch
Andˈænd
he's
comekˈʌm
totˈuː
Newnjˈuː
Hopehˈəʊp
Valleyvˈæli
Totˈuː
castkˈɑːst
outˈaʊt
devilsdˈɛvəlz
andˈænd
conquerkˈɒnkɐ
sinsɪn
Andˈænd
bringbɹˈɪŋ
sinnerssˈɪnəz
totˈuː
repentanceɹɪpˈɛntəns
.
Totˈuː
bringbɹˈɪŋ
theðə
Wordwˈɜːd
ofˈɒv
theðə
Lordlˈɔːd
Andˈænd
theðə
powerpˈaʊɐ
ofˈɒv
Hishˈɪz
judgmentsdʒˈʌdʒmənts
.
O
,
heˈhiː
isˈɪz
theðə
Reverendɹˈɛvəɹˌɛnd
Olin
Blitch
Andˈænd
he's
comekˈʌm
totˈuː
Newnjˈuː
Hopehˈəʊp
Valleyvˈæli
.

MEN

Olin
Blitch
hashˈæz
comekˈʌm
totˈuː
Newnjˈuː
Hopehˈəʊp
Valleyvˈæli
,
Lordlˈɔːd
bebˈiː
praisedpɹˈeɪzd
!
Ohˈəʊ
yesjˈɛs
,
Olin
Blitch
hashˈæz
comekˈʌm
totˈuː
Newnjˈuː
Hopehˈəʊp
Valleyvˈæli
,
Lordlˈɔːd
bebˈiː
praisedpɹˈeɪzd
!

BLITCH

I
aməm
theðə
Reverendɹˈɛvəɹˌɛnd
Olin
Blitch
Andˈænd
I've
comekˈʌm
totˈuː
Newnjˈuː
Hopehˈəʊp
Valleyvˈæli
Totˈuː
castkˈɑːst
outˈaʊt
devilsdˈɛvəlz
andˈænd
conquerkˈɒnkɐ
sinsɪn
Andˈænd
bringbɹˈɪŋ
sinnerssˈɪnəz
totˈuː
repentanceɹɪpˈɛntəns
,
Totˈuː
bringbɹˈɪŋ
theðə
Wordwˈɜːd
ofˈɒv
theðə
Lordlˈɔːd
Andˈænd
theðə
powerpˈaʊɐ
ofˈɒv
Hishˈɪz
judgmentsdʒˈʌdʒmənts
.
O
,
I
aməm
theðə
Reverendɹˈɛvəɹˌɛnd
Olin
Blitch
Andˈænd
I've
comekˈʌm
totˈuː
Newnjˈuː
Hopehˈəʊp
Valleyvˈæli
.

To dancers, immediately assuming role of moral arbiter for the community

BLITCH

Nownˈaʊ
resumeɹɪˈzjuːm
yourjˈɔː
steppin'
Underˈʌndɐ
theðə
eyeˈaɪ
ofˈɒv
theðə
Lordlˈɔːd
Andˈænd
letlˈɛt
nothin'
passpˈɑːs
betweenbɪtwˈiːn
y'
,
Whatwˈɒt
y'
wouldn't
wantwˈɒnt
Himhˈɪm
totˈuː
seesˈiː
,
Forfˈɔː
theðə
Lordlˈɔːd
seethˈsiː
allˈɔːl
.

The music and the dancing begin again. The Elders bring Blitch down stage to the wives, and there are pantomimed introductions and handshakings after which they all turn to watch the dancing. Susannah is once more the center of attention.

After a moment in which he has watched Susannah intently

BLITCH

Who's
theðə
prettypɹˈɪti
onewˈɒn
thereðˈeə
inˈɪn
theðə
middlemˈɪdəl
That's
gittin'
allˈɔːl
theðə
boysbˈɔɪz
?
McLEANməˈkleɪn
Susannah
Polk
,
whohˈuː
waswˈɒz
raisedɹˈeɪzd
bybˈaɪ
herhˈɜː
brotherbɹˈʌðɐ

What don't draw a sober breath.

BLITCH

He's

triflin'

onewˈɒn

thatðˈæt

Samˈsæm

isˈɪz

Sam Polk, that's the name he was give.

BLITCH

Heˈhiː
justdʒˈʌst
huntshˈʌnts
an'
trapstɹˈæps
an'
fishesfˈɪʃɪz
allˈɔːl
daydˈeɪ
An'
isˈɪz
allers
drunkdɹˈʌŋk
atˈæt
nightnˈaɪt
.
Let's
praypɹˈeɪ
forfˈɔː
hishˈɪz
soulsˈəʊl
an'
hishˈɪz
sister's
.
I'll
praypɹˈeɪ
forfˈɔː
'em
bothbˈəʊθ
tonighttənˈaɪt
.
GLEATON
They're
porepˈɔː
asəz
chitlinstʃˈɪtlɪnz
,
themðˈɛm
twotˈuː
,
Barebˈeə
ableˈeɪbəl
totˈuː
livelɪv
,
that's
allˈɔːl
.
MRSˈmɪsɪz
.
McLEANməˈkleɪn

Sharply, to counteract any sympathy

BLITCH

Susannah
an'
Samˈsæm
isˈɪz
evilˈiːvəl
,
I
saysˈeɪ
.
They's
badbˈæd
bloodblˈʌd
inˈɪn
thatðˈæt
familyfˈæmɪli
.
It's
tootˈuː
prettypɹˈɪti
a
facefˈeɪs
an'
wickedˈwɪkɪd
themðˈɛm
eyesˈaɪz
,
She'll
comekˈʌm
totˈuː
nonəʊ
goodɡˈʊd
,
markmˈɑːk
mymˈaɪ
wordswˈɜːdz
.
I'll
praypɹˈeɪ
ferfˈɜː
herhˈɜː
soulsˈəʊl
tonighttənˈaɪt
,

After watching a while longer

BLITCH

Thinkθˈɪŋk

I'll

joindʒˈɔɪn

theðə

youngjˈʌŋ

folksfˈəʊks

Ain't

danceddˈɑːnst

inˈɪn

quitekwaɪt

spellspˈɛl

OTT

They'd

bebˈiː

pleasedplˈiːzd

totˈuː

havehəv

I'm

sureʃˈɔː

Blitch goes into the group and eventually makes his way to Susannah 's square. The dancers in her square stop, stare, and Susannah 's partner eagerly gives his place to Blitch. Susannah is shy, then as Blitch extends his hand, she smiles, and the square begins dancing again.

Ruefully

MRS. MCLEAN

She'll

comekˈʌm

totˈuː

nonəʊ

goodɡˈʊd

;

markmˈɑːk

mymˈaɪ

wordswˈɜːdz

SCENE TWO

Scene: Later the same evening.

The scene is the front of the Polk farm house which possesses a rickety porch and steps. There are unpainted porch boxes of geraniums and petunias and tattered curtains in the windows. There are also an old rocker and a rusty plow point on the porch. The stage is dimly lit and quietness should pervade the scene.

Susannah and Little Bat enter. Susannah is still radiant with excitement. Little Bat is a shifty-eyed youth, not too strong mentally. He possesses instead a litheness and feline quality of movement which, coupled with his eyes, gives him a constantly expectant and alert air. He looks about him furtively upon entering. It should be apparent from the beginning of the scene that he worships Susannah.

SUSANNAH

CHAPTERtʃˈæptɐ
3
–
Waswˈɒz
y'
everˈɛvɐ
atˈæt
suchsˈʌtʃ
a
nicenaɪs
squareskwˈeə
dancedˈɑːns
,
Littlelˈɪtəl
Batbˈæt
?
I
ain't
nevernˈɛvɐ
hadhˈæd
suchsˈʌtʃ
funfˈʌn
,
havehəv
youjˈuː
?
I
danceddˈɑːnst
an'
danceddˈɑːnst
'til
I
waswˈɒz
plum'
worewˈɔː
outˈaʊt
.
I
couldn'a'
danceddˈɑːnst
anotherɐnˈʌðɐ
stepstˈɛp
.

LITTLE BAT

(

Suddenlysˈʌdənli

afterˈɑːftɐ

silentlysˈaɪləntli

agreeingɐɡɹˈiːɪŋ

withwˈɪð

Susannah's

enthusiasmɛnθjˈuːzɪˌæzəm

)

Where's

Samˈsæm

SUSANNAH

Heˈhiː

ain't

homehˈəʊm

yetjˈɛt

orˈɔː

he's

goneɡˈɒn

totˈuː

bedbˈɛd

LITTLE BAT

I'm

scaredskˈeəd

Samˈsæm

Puzzled but kindly

SUSANNAH

Whywˈaɪ

youjˈuː

scaredskˈeəd

himhˈɪm

LITTLE BAT

Heˈhiː

gitsɡˈɪts

drunkdɹˈʌŋk

That's

whatwˈɒt

mymˈaɪ

folksfˈəʊks

saysˈeɪ

SUSANNAH

Heˈhiː

don't

nevernˈɛvɐ

hurthˈɜːt

nobodynˈəʊbɒdˌi

An'

he's

awfulˈɔːfəl

goodɡˈʊd

totˈuː

memˈiː

LITTLE BAT

I'm
scaredskˈeəd
o'
himhˈɪm
allˈɔːl
theðə
samesˈeɪm
.
Mymˈaɪ
folksfˈəʊks
don't
likelˈaɪk
memˈiː
comin'
herehˈiə
.
Theyðˈeɪ
scaredskˈeəd
o'
whatwˈɒt
Samˈsæm
mightmˈaɪt
dodə
.
Mymˈaɪ
mamˈɑː
sayssˈɛz
they's
badbˈæd
bloodblˈʌd
inˈɪn
yo'
familyfˈæmɪli

But I like to look at you.

SUSANNAH

Nonəʊ

neednˈiːd

totˈuː

bebˈiː

afraidɐfɹˈeɪd

Littlelˈɪtəl

Batbˈæt

Nonəʊ

harm's

gonnaɡˈənɐ

comekˈʌm

totˈuː

herehˈiə

Brightening

LITTLE BAT

You're
awfulˈɔːfəl
prettypɹˈɪti
tonighttənˈaɪt
,
Susannah
.
Youjˈuː
waswˈɒz
prettypɹˈɪti
atˈæt
theðə
squareskwˈeə
dancedˈɑːns
tonighttənˈaɪt
.
Allˈɔːl
themðˈɛm
menmˈɛn
waswˈɒz
shoreʃˈɔː
a-courtin'
youjˈuː
;
I
seedsˈiːd
'em
,
ev'ry
onewˈɒn
.

Pleased

SUSANNAH

Pshawpˈiːʃˈɔː

Won't

nothin'

ofˈɒv

theðə

kindkˈaɪnd

You're

storyin'

aginəˈɡɪn

that's

whatwˈɒt

LITTLE BAT

Theðə

preacherpɹˈiːtʃɐ

heˈhiː

comekˈʌm

totˈuː

yerjˈə

squareskwˈeə

seedsˈiːd

An'

you's

mitemˈaɪt

pleasedplˈiːzd

;

I'd

saysˈeɪ

;

SUSANNAH

Heˈhiː
seemssˈiːmz
likelˈaɪk
a
realɹiːl
nicenaɪs
fellerfˈɛlɐ
,
'Though
heˈhiː
ain't
muchmˈʌtʃ
atˈæt
dancin'
ferfˈɜː
truetɹˈuː
Heˈhiː
steppedstˈɛpt
onˈɒn
mymˈaɪ
feetfˈiːt
sosˈəʊ
muchmˈʌtʃ
o'
theðə
timetˈaɪm
,

They're bound to turn black an' blue.

(They both laugh, and then there is a pause while Susannah looks up into the

SUSANNAH

nightnˈaɪt
.)
Ain't
itˈɪt
a
prettypɹˈɪti
nightnˈaɪt
!
Theðə
sky's
sosˈəʊ
darkdˈɑːk
andˈænd
velvet-like
Andˈænd
it's
allˈɔːl
litlˈɪt
upˈʌp
withwˈɪð
starsstˈɑːz
.

It's like a great big mirror Reflectin' fireflies over a pond. Look at all them stars, Little Bat.

SUSANNAH

Theðə

longerlˈɒŋɡɐ

looklˈʊk

theðə

moremˈɔː

seesˈiː

Theðə

skyskˈaɪ

seemssˈiːmz

sosˈəʊ

heavyhˈɛvi

withwˈɪð

starsstˈɑːz

That it might fall right down out of heaven And cover us all up in one big blanket

SUSANNAH

Ofˈɒv
velvetvˈɛlvɪt
stitchedstˈɪtʃt
withwˈɪð
diamon's
.
Ain't
itˈɪt
a
prettypɹˈɪti
nightnˈaɪt
.
Justdʒˈʌst
thinkθˈɪŋk
,
thoseðˈəʊz
starsstˈɑːz
cankˈæn
allˈɔːl
peeppˈiːp
downdˈaʊn
An'
seesˈiː
waywˈeɪ
beyondbɪjˈɒnd
wherewˈeə
wewˈiː
cankˈæn
Theyðˈeɪ
cankˈæn
seesˈiː
waywˈeɪ
beyondbɪjˈɒnd
themðˈɛm
mountainsmˈaʊntɪnz
Totˈuː
Nashvilleˈnæʃˌvɪl
andˈænd
Asheville
an'
Knoxvilleˈnɒksˌvɪl
.
I
wonderwˈʌndɐ
whatwˈɒt
it's
likelˈaɪk
outˈaʊt
thereðˈeə
,
Outˈaʊt
thereðˈeə
beyondbɪjˈɒnd
themðˈɛm
mountainsmˈaʊntɪnz
Wherewˈeə
theðə
folksfˈəʊks
talktˈɔːk
nicenaɪs
,
an'
theðə
folksfˈəʊks
dressdɹˈɛs
nicenaɪs
Likelˈaɪk
y'
seesˈiː
inˈɪn
theðə
mail-order
catalogs
.

I aim to leave this valley some day An' find out fer myself

SUSANNAH

Totˈuː
seesˈiː
allˈɔːl
theðə
talltˈɔːl
buildin's
Andˈænd
allˈɔːl
theðə
streetstɹˈiːt
lightslˈaɪts
An'
totˈuː
bebˈiː
onewˈɒn
o'
themðˈɛm
folksfˈəʊks
myselfmaɪsˈɛlf
.
I
wonderwˈʌndɐ
ifˈɪf
I'd
getɡˈɛt
lonesomelˈəʊnsʌm
ferfˈɜː
theðə
valleyvˈæli
thoughðˈəʊ
,
Ferfˈɜː
theðə
soundsˈaʊnd
ofˈɒv
cricketskɹˈɪkɪts
An'
theðə
smellsmˈɛl
ofˈɒv
pinepˈaɪn
strawstɹˈɔː
Ferfˈɜː
softsˈɒft
littlelˈɪtəl
rabbitsɹˈæbɪts
an'
bloomin'
thingsθˈɪŋz

An' the mountains turnin' gold in the fall.

SUSANNAH

Butbˈʌt

couldkˈʊd

alwaysˈɔːlweɪz

comekˈʌm

backbˈæk

Ifˈɪf

gotɡˈɒt

homesickhˈəʊmsɪk

ferfˈɜː

theðə

valleyvˈæli

So I'll leave it someday an' see fer myself. Someday I'll leave an' then I'll come back

SUSANNAH

Whenwˈɛn

I've

seensˈiːn

what's

beyondbɪjˈɒnd

themðˈɛm

mountainsmˈaʊntɪnz

Ain't

itˈɪt

prettypɹˈɪti

nightnˈaɪt

The sky's so heavy with stars tonight That it could fall right down out of heaven An' cover us up, and cover us up,

SUSANNAH

Inˈɪn

onewˈɒn

bigbˈɪɡ

blanketblˈæŋkɪt

ofˈɒv

velvetvˈɛlvɪt

andˈænd

diamon's

Sam has come on unobserved during Susannah 's aria. At the end of it, he says in echo to announce himself, "Ain't it a pretty night?" At the sound of his voice Susannah looks up, surprised, while Little Bat leaps to his feet, ready for instant departure. It should be immediately apparent that the bond between the brother and sister is one of loyalty, warmth and tenderness. Sam, the uncomprehended poet and recluse, is gentle by nature and tragically passive, until the one thing of beauty left in his life is attacked. He has the same dark good looks as his sister and is in his thirties.

SAM

Ain't

itˈɪt

prettypɹˈɪti

nightnˈaɪt

SUSANNAH

Samˈsæm

Whenwˈɛn

diddˈɪd

comekˈʌm

To Little Bat who is edging off-stage

SUSANNAH

Seesˈiː

tomorrowtəmˈɒɹəʊ

nightnˈaɪt

atˈæt

theðə

picnicpˈɪknɪk

suppersˈʌpɐ

Thanksθˈæŋks

ferfˈɜː

walkin'

memˈiː

homehˈəʊm

Littlelˈɪtəl

Batbˈæt

Little Bat nods quickly and runs off.

SAM

Howhˈaʊ

waswˈɒz

theðə

squareskwˈeə

dancedˈɑːns

littlelˈɪtəl

robinɹˈɒbɪn

In a rush of excitement

SUSANNAH

I
hadhˈæd
a
realɹiːl
goodɡˈʊd
timetˈaɪm
,
Samˈsæm
,
a
realɹiːl
goodɡˈʊd
timetˈaɪm
.
I
danceddˈɑːnst
an'
danceddˈɑːnst
'til
I
waswˈɒz
plum'
worewˈɔː
outˈaʊt
.
I
couldn'a'
danceddˈɑːnst
anotherɐnˈʌðɐ
stepstˈɛp
.
An'
theðə
meetin'
preacherpɹˈiːtʃɐ
waswˈɒz
thereðˈeə
An'
heˈhiː
comekˈʌm
an'
danceddˈɑːnst
withwˈɪð
memˈiː
An'
sosˈəʊ
diddˈɪd
theðə
Eldersˈɛldəz
.
An'
theðə
Elders'
wiveswˈaɪvz
allˈɔːl
giveɡˈɪv
memˈiː
hardhˈɑːd
lookslˈʊks
,
Butbˈʌt
I
hadhˈæd
a
goodɡˈʊd
timetˈaɪm
allˈɔːl
theðə
samesˈeɪm
.

Teasing

SAM

Anyˈɛni

ofˈɒv

'em

courtkˈɔːt

SUSANNAH

Coursekˈɔːs

notnˈɒt

Samˈsæm

ain't

oldˈəʊld

enoughɪnˈʌf

ferfˈɜː

thatðˈæt

yetjˈɛt

SAM

Sureʃˈɔː
youjˈuː
areə(ɹ)
,
littlelˈɪtəl
robinɹˈɒbɪn
,
You're
goin'
onˈɒn
nineteennaɪntˈiːn
.
Prettypɹˈɪti
soonsˈuːn
you'll
bebˈiː
anˈɐn
oldˈəʊld
maidmˈeɪd
.

SUSANNAH

ain't

a-gone

gitɡˈɪt

marriedmˈæɹɪd

ferfˈɜː

longlˈɒŋ

timetˈaɪm

yetjˈɛt

I'm

gonnaɡˈənɐ

staystˈeɪ

herehˈiə

an'

cookkˈʊk

ferfˈɜː

youjˈuː

SAM

You're
a
prettypɹˈɪti
wenchwˈɛntʃ
An'
I'm
proudpɹˈaʊd
totˈuː
havehəv
y'
herehˈiə
,
An'
I'm
rightɹˈaɪt
proudpɹˈaʊd
totˈuː
eatˈiːt
yourjˈɔː
cookin'
.

Sam rises and stretches.

SUSANNAH

Don't
goɡˈəʊ
totˈuː
bedbˈɛd
rightɹˈaɪt
yetjˈɛt
,
Samˈsæm
.
Singsˈɪŋ
memˈiː
theðə
"
Jaybirddʒˈeɪbɜːd
"
songsˈɒŋ
firstfˈɜːst
.
Rememberɹɪmˈɛmbɐ
howhˈaʊ
Papˈɑː
usedjuːzd
totˈuː
alwaysˈɔːlweɪz
singsˈɪŋ
memˈiː
"
Jaybirddʒˈeɪbɜːd
"
Aforeɐfˈɔː
I'd
goɡˈəʊ
totˈuː
bedbˈɛd
.
Youjˈuː
ain't
sungsˈʌŋ
itˈɪt
ferfˈɜː
memˈiː
inˈɪn
a
longlˈɒŋ
timetˈaɪm
nownˈaʊ
,
An'
itˈɪt
alwaysˈɔːlweɪz
makesmˈeɪks
memˈiː
feelfˈiːl
realɹiːl
happyhˈæpi
.

(Sam sits down and puts his arm around her shoulders.) SAM

SUSANNAH

Allˈɔːl
rightɹˈaɪt
,
I'll
singsˈɪŋ
y'
"
Jaybirddʒˈeɪbɜːd
",
An'
thenðˈɛn
wewˈiː
gottaɡˈɒtɐ
gitɡˈɪt
totˈuː
bedbˈɛd
.
"
Ohˈəʊ
,
jaybirddʒˈeɪbɜːd
sittin'
onˈɒn
a
hick'ry
limblˈɪm
,
Heˈhiː
winkedwˈɪŋkt
atˈæt
memˈiː
andˈænd
I
winkedwˈɪŋkt
atˈæt
himhˈɪm
.
I
pickedpˈɪkt
upˈʌp
a
brickbatbɹˈɪkbæt
An'
hithˈɪt
himhˈɪm
onˈɒn
theðə
chintʃˈɪn
.
'Looka
herehˈiə
,
littlelˈɪtəl
boybˈɔɪ
,
don't
youjˈuː
dodə
thatðˈæt
aginəˈɡɪn
!'
"
SUSANNAH
ANDˈænd
SAMˈsæm
"
Ohˈəʊ
,
jaybirddʒˈeɪbɜːd
sittin'
onˈɒn
a
hick'ry
limblˈɪm
,
Heˈhiː
winkedwˈɪŋkt
atˈæt
memˈiː
-and
I
winkedwˈɪŋkt
atˈæt
himhˈɪm
.
I
pickedpˈɪkt
upˈʌp
a
brickbatbɹˈɪkbæt
An'
hithˈɪt
himhˈɪm
onˈɒn
theðə
chintʃˈɪn
.
'Looka
herehˈiə
,
littlelˈɪtəl
boybˈɔɪ
,
don't
youjˈuː
dodə
thatðˈæt
aginəˈɡɪn
!'
"

Susannah and Sam leap to their feet and, holding each other by the hands, dance around the yard together, laughing and shrieking happily as they do so. Then laughing and breathing heavily from their exertion, they stagger to the steps and sit down. Their breathing is easier, and there is silence while they look up at the sky.

Sighing deeply

SUSANNAH

Ain't

itˈɪt

prettypɹˈɪti

nightnˈaɪt

SCENE THREE

Scene: A woods close to the Polk place. It is the following morning. (As the curtain rises, Susannah 's voice is heard off-stage, humming the "Jaybird" song. There is also the less pronounced sound of water rushing over rocks. After some time, the Elders appear. They walk hesitantly, peering about them, obviously in search of something.) HAYES

SUSANNAH

CHAPTERtʃˈæptɐ

–

Thatðˈæt

crickkɹˈɪk

oughta'

bebˈiː

rightɹˈaɪt

aboutɐbˈaʊt

herehˈiə

OTToʊ tiː ˈtiː

ain't

see'd

itˈɪt

ferfˈɜː

somesˈʌm

yearsjˈiəz

nownˈaʊ

GLEATON

recollectɹɛkəˈlɛkt

itˈɪt

waswˈɒz

onˈɒn

theðə

oldˈəʊld

Polk

placeplˈeɪs

Itˈɪt

maymˈeɪ

bebˈiː

drieddɹˈaɪd

upˈʌp

bybˈaɪ

nownˈaʊ

Likelˈaɪk

theðə

onewˈɒn

wewˈiː

usedjuːzd

ferfˈɜː

baptismsbˈæptɪzəmz

lastlˈɑːst

summersˈʌmɐ

OTT

Wewˈiː
gotɡˈɒt
totˈuː
findfˈaɪnd
itˈɪt
.
Brotherbɹˈʌðɐ
Blitch'll
bebˈiː
needin'
a
baptismbˈæptɪzəm
crickkɹˈɪk
bybˈaɪ
sundownsˈʌndaʊn
comekˈʌm
tomorrowtəmˈɒɹəʊ
.
I
markmˈɑːk
himhˈɪm
asəz
a
manmˈæn
whatwˈɒt
cankˈæn
bringbɹˈɪŋ
inˈɪn
sinnerssˈɪnəz
.
An'
there's
gotɡˈɒt
totˈuː
bebˈiː
a
crickkɹˈɪk
allˈɔːl
readyɹˈɛdi
.
McLEANməˈkleɪn
It'll
bebˈiː
sum'mers
aroundɐɹˈaʊnd
herehˈiə
.
(
Theðə
Eldersˈɛldəz
continuekəntˈɪnjuː
theirðˈeə
searchsˈɜːtʃ
untilʌntˈɪl
Hayesheɪz
suddenlysˈʌdənli
lookinglˈʊkɪŋ
upˈʌp
,
shoutsʃˈaʊts
,
"
Thereðˈeə
itˈɪt
isˈɪz
!"
Hishˈɪz
voicevˈɔɪs
breaksbɹˈeɪks
offˈɒf
abruptlyɐbɹˈʌptli
,
andˈænd
theðə
otherˈʌðɐ
Eldersˈɛldəz
looklˈʊk
upˈʌp
andˈænd
followfˈɒləʊ
theðə
directiondaɪɹˈɛkʃən
ofˈɒv
hishˈɪz
raisedɹˈeɪzd
armˈɑːm
.
Theyðˈeɪ
allˈɔːl
standstˈænd
footedfˈʊtɪd
inˈɪn
theirðˈeə
trackstɹˈæks
forfˈɔː
somesˈʌm
timetˈaɪm
,
expressionsɛkspɹˈɛʃənz
ofˈɒv
shockʃˈɒk
onˈɒn
theirðˈeə
facesfˈeɪsɪz
beingbˈiːɪŋ
graduallyɡɹˈædʒuːəli
supplantedsəplˈæntɪd
bybˈaɪ
thoseðˈəʊz
ofˈɒv
lustlˈʌst
.
Eventuallyɪvˈɛntʃuːəli
McLeanməˈkleɪn
shuttersʃˈʌtəz
theðə
momentmˈəʊmənt
whenwˈɛn
heˈhiː
realizesˈɹɪə.laɪz
whatwˈɒt
heˈhiː
isˈɪz
feelingfˈiːlɪŋ
andˈænd
doingdˈuːɪŋ
,
andˈænd
drawsdɹˈɔːz
himselfhɪmsˈɛlf
upˈʌp
indignantlyɪndˈɪɡnəntli
.
Atˈæt
theðə
soundsˈaʊnd
ofˈɒv
hishˈɪz
voicevˈɔɪs
,
theðə
otherˈʌðɐ
Eldersˈɛldəz
,
horrifiedhˈɒɹɪfˌaɪd
andˈænd
deeplydˈiːpli
disturbeddɪstˈɜːbd
,
tootˈuː
,
atˈæt
whatwˈɒt
theyðˈeɪ
havehəv
feltfˈɛlt
,
quicklykwˈɪkli
adoptɐdˈɒpt
hishˈɪz
outragedˈaʊtɹeɪdʒd
tonetˈəʊn
andˈænd
stancestˈɑːns
.
Theyðˈeɪ
continuekəntˈɪnjuː
totˈuː
looklˈʊk
,
howeverhaʊˈɛvɐ
.)
McLEANməˈkleɪn
It's
anˈɐn
outrageˈaʊtɹeɪdʒ
!
It's
a
blasphemousblˈɑːsfəməs
outrageˈaʊtɹeɪdʒ
!
Nakednˈeɪkɪd
asəz
fromfɹˈɒm
herhˈɜː
deaddˈɛd
ma's
wombwˈuːm
!

GLEATON

It's
a
shamefulʃˈeɪmfəl
sightsˈaɪt
totˈuː
beholdbɪhˈəʊld
!
McLEANməˈkleɪn
She's
a
shamelessʃˈeɪmləs
wenchwˈɛntʃ
,
thisðˈɪs
Susannah
isˈɪz
.
Mymˈaɪ
wifewˈaɪf
allers
saidsˈɛd
sheʃˈiː
waswˈɒz
evilˈiːvəl
.
An'
sheʃˈiː
waswˈɒz
rightɹˈaɪt
,
mymˈaɪ
brethrenbɹˈɛðɹən
,
Sheʃˈiː
waswˈɒz
mightymˈaɪti
rightɹˈaɪt
.
Thisðˈɪs
girlɡˈɜːl
,
sheʃˈiː
belongsbɪlˈɒŋz
totˈuː
theðə
devildˈɛvəl
!

HAYES

Exposin'

herselfhɜːsˈɛlf

inˈɪn

plainplˈeɪn

viewvjˈuː

ofˈɒv

allˈɔːl

whohˈuː

carekˈeə

totˈuː

seesˈiː

OTT

Theðə

churchtʃˈɜːtʃ

won't

standstˈænd

ferfˈɜː

thingθˈɪŋ

likelˈaɪk

thisðˈɪs

Ourˈaʊə

peoplepˈiːpəl

theyðˈeɪ

mustmˈʌst

bebˈiː

toldtˈəʊld

GLEATON

Sheʃˈiː
mustmˈʌst
bebˈiː
broughtbɹˈɔːt
totˈuː
punishmentpˈʌnɪʃmənt
.
Brotherbɹˈʌðɐ
Blitch
,
heˈhiː
mustmˈʌst
bebˈiː
toldtˈəʊld
.
McLEANməˈkleɪn
Thisðˈɪs
womanwˈʊmən
isˈɪz
ofˈɒv
theðə
devildˈɛvəl
.
Sheʃˈiː
isˈɪz
withoutwɪðˈaʊt
theðə
savingsˈeɪvɪŋ
graceɡɹˈeɪs
.
Sheʃˈiː
mustmˈʌst
bebˈiː
broughtbɹˈɔːt
totˈuː
repentanceɹɪpˈɛntəns
Aforeɐfˈɔː
sheʃˈiː
meetsmˈiːts
Godɡˈɒd
facefˈeɪs
totˈuː
facefˈeɪs
.
Thisðˈɪs
womanwˈʊmən
isˈɪz
ofˈɒv
theðə
devildˈɛvəl
.
'Tis
a
shamefulʃˈeɪmfəl
sightsˈaɪt
totˈuː
beholdbɪhˈəʊld
.
Sheʃˈiː
mustmˈʌst
bebˈiː
broughtbɹˈɔːt
totˈuː
repentanceɹɪpˈɛntəns
.
Allˈɔːl
theðə
valleyvˈæli
mustmˈʌst
bebˈiː
toldtˈəʊld
.

The Elders begin retreating slowly, casting furtive glances in the direction of the pond. They chant as they leave the stage, their voices gradually fading into the distance until they are gone. When the stage is silent, we hear again the unsuspecting Susannah singing merrily to herself.

offstage

SUSANNAH

Looklˈʊk

a-here

littlelˈɪtəl

boybˈɔɪ

don't

youjˈuː

dodə

thatðˈæt

againɐɡˈɛn

!'"

She laughs.

SCENE FOUR

Scene: The time is the same evening: The scene the same as in Scene 1. Now, however, there is a long crude table upstage laden with food. (Several women are at the table languidly keeping the flies away with fans made of paper streamers tacked to broom handles. There are people in knots of twos and threes pantomiming intense gossiping at the curtain's rise. There is a frail attempt at conviviality on the part of the young people who are oppressed by the hushed and foreboding atmosphere of the church ground.)

SUSANNAH

MRSˈmɪsɪz

McLEANməˈkleɪn

Smug and gloating

SUSANNAH

CHAPTERtʃˈæptɐ
5
–
I
ain't
surprisedsəpɹˈaɪzd
.
I
ain't
a
bitbˈɪt
surprisedsəpɹˈaɪzd
.
It's
jestdʒˈɛst
asəz
I
waswˈɒz
sayin'
lastlˈɑːst
nightnˈaɪt
.
'Cept
sheʃˈiː
waswˈɒz
caughtkˈɔːt
aforeɐfˈɔː
I'd
a-thought
.
Itˈɪt
jes'
goesɡˈəʊz
totˈuː
provepɹˈuːv
I
waswˈɒz
rightɹˈaɪt
.

MRS. HAYES

Youjˈuː
waswˈɒz
righterɹˈaɪtɐ
thanðˈɐn
rightɹˈaɪt
,
that's
certainsˈɜːtən
.
'Twas
a
scandalousskˈændələs
thingθˈɪŋ
totˈuː
dodə
.
She's
a
wickedˈwɪkɪd
girlɡˈɜːl
an'
a
threatθɹˈɛt
totˈuː
theðə
valleyvˈæli
.
I'll
boundbˈaʊnd
she's
evilˈiːvəl
throughθɹˈuː
andˈænd
throughθɹˈuː
.

MRS. OTT

Sheʃˈiː
shoreʃˈɔː
cain't
tendtˈɛnd
totˈuː
mymˈaɪ
young-uns
nonəʊ
moremˈɔː
.
Sheʃˈiː
ain't
fittin'
ferfˈɜː
theðə
jobdʒɒb
Anyˈɛni
girlɡˈɜːl
what'll
dodə
whatwˈɒt
sheʃˈiː
donedˈʌn
,
Wellwˈɛl
,
it's
a
sadsˈæd
thingθˈɪŋ
totˈuː
thinkθˈɪŋk
uponəpˈɒn
.

MRS. GLEATON

Sheʃˈiː
alwaysˈɔːlweɪz
seemedsˈiːmd
suchsˈʌtʃ
a
sweetswˈiːt
girlɡˈɜːl
An'
pleasin'
totˈuː
havehəv
aroundɐɹˈaʊnd
.
It's
a
hardhˈɑːd
,
hardhˈɑːd
thingθˈɪŋ
totˈuː
realizeˈɹɪə.laɪz
howhˈaʊ
nakednˈeɪkɪd
sheʃˈiː
waswˈɒz
foundfˈaʊnd
.
MRSˈmɪsɪz
.
McLEANməˈkleɪn

Sharply

MRS. GLEATON

That's
theðə
cloakklˈəʊk
ofˈɒv
theðə
devildˈɛvəl
,
thatðˈæt
isˈɪz
,
thatðˈæt
sweetnessswˈiːtnəs
andˈænd
prettypɹˈɪti
facefˈeɪs
.
Don't
letlˈɛt
thatðˈæt
foolfˈuːl
youjˈuː
,
sistern
.
It's
justdʒˈʌst
theðə
devil's
waywˈeɪ
.
(
Theðə
scenesˈiːn
shiftsʃˈɪfts
totˈuː
theðə
Eldersˈɛldəz
whilewˈaɪl
theðə
wiveswˈaɪvz
continuekəntˈɪnjuː
totˈuː
pantomimepˈɑːntəmˌaɪm
theirðˈeə
talkingtˈɔːkɪŋ
.
Severalsˈɛvɹəl
menmˈɛn
fromfɹˈɒm
theðə
crowdkɹˈaʊd
havehəv
gatheredɡˈæðəd
aroundɐɹˈaʊnd
themðˈɛm
.)
FIRSTfˈɜːst
MANmˈæn
Ain't
theðə
preacherpɹˈiːtʃɐ
comin'
tonighttənˈaɪt
?
McLEANməˈkleɪn
He's
a-prayin'
an'
a-fastin'
.
Preachin'
startsstˈɑːts
tonighttənˈaɪt

SECOND MAN

What's

heˈhiː

saysˈeɪ

'bout

theðə

Polk

galɡˈæl

HAYES

Theðə
samesˈeɪm
asəz
whatwˈɒt
wewˈiː
saidsˈɛd
.
She's
gottaɡˈɒtɐ
makemˈeɪk
a
publicpˈʌblɪk
confessionkənfˈɛʃən
orˈɔː
outˈaʊt
o'
theðə
churchtʃˈɜːtʃ
sheʃˈiː
goesɡˈəʊz
.
OTToʊ tiː ˈtiː
An'
outn
theðə
valleyvˈæli
,
tootˈuː
,
maybemˈeɪbiː
.
She's
a
schemin'
onewˈɒn
,
sheʃˈiː
isˈɪz
.
Youngjˈʌŋ
menmˈɛn
ain't
safesˈeɪf
withwˈɪð
herhˈɜː
aroundɐɹˈaʊnd
.
She's
anˈɐn
instrumentˈɪnstɹəmənt
ofˈɒv
theðə
devildˈɛvəl
.

GLEATON

Theðə

preacher's

atˈæt

Brotherbɹˈʌðɐ

McLean's

househaʊs

nownˈaʊ

a-prayin'

thatðˈæt

herhˈɜː

soulsˈəʊl

mightmˈaɪt

bebˈiː

savedsˈeɪvd

That she'll turn aside from her evil ways

GLEATON

An'

bebˈiː

washedwˈɒʃt

inˈɪn

theðə

cleansin'

streamstɹˈiːm

During McLean's lines, Susannah comes in quietly upstage carrying a covered dish. She is unobserved at first, and then as she starts downstage, the conversation dies out as the various groups become aware of her presence.

GLEATON

McLEANməˈkleɪn
She's
a
pow'rful
onewˈɒn
,
thisðˈɪs
Susannah
Polk
,
Mymˈaɪ
sonsˈʌn
she's
luredlˈɔːd
awayɐwˈeɪ
.
Fromfɹˈɒm
allˈɔːl
theðə
thingsθˈɪŋz
thatðˈæt
he's
beenbˈiːn
teached
.
Ferfˈɜː
thatðˈæt
she's
gonnaɡˈənɐ
havehəv
totˈuː
paypˈeɪ
.
(
Bybˈaɪ
thisðˈɪs
timetˈaɪm
,
Susannah
hashˈæz
comekˈʌm
downstagedˈaʊnsteɪdʒ
abreastɐbɹˈɛst
ofˈɒv
theðə
Elders'
wiveswˈaɪvz
,
noddingnˈɒdɪŋ
"
goodɡˈʊd
eveningˈiːvnɪŋ
"
onˈɒn
herhˈɜː
waywˈeɪ
.
Theðə
peoplepˈiːpəl
havehəv
returnedɹɪtˈɜːnd
herhˈɜː
greetingsɡɹˈiːtɪŋz
inˈɪn
somesˈʌm
caseskˈeɪsɪz
withwˈɪð
fearfˈiə
andˈænd
distrustdɪstɹˈʌst
andˈænd
inˈɪn
othersˈʌðəz
withwˈɪð
loftylˈɒfti
disdaindɪsdˈeɪn
.
Susannah's
expressionɛkspɹˈɛʃən
hashˈæz
changedtʃˈeɪndʒd
fromfɹˈɒm
onewˈɒn
ofˈɒv
easyˈiːzi
cordialitykˌɔːdɪˈælɪti
totˈuː
alertɐlˈɜːt
questioningkwˈɛstʃənɪŋ
.
Superficiallysˈuːpəfˈɪʃəlˌi
,
howeverhaʊˈɛvɐ
,
sheʃˈiː
remainsɹɪmˈeɪnz
warmwˈɔːm
andˈænd
friendlyfɹˈɛndli
).

SUSANNAH

Howdyhˈaʊdi
.
I'm
sorrysˈɒɹi
totˈuː
bebˈiː
latelˈeɪt
Butbˈʌt
Samˈsæm
camekˈeɪm
homehˈəʊm
fromfɹˈɒm
huntin
’
awfulˈɔːfəl
latelˈeɪt
An'
I
jes'
couldn't
gitɡˈɪt
awayɐwˈeɪ
nonəʊ
soonersˈuːnɐ
.

The women nod stiffly without looking up. There is total silence on the stage with all eyes on Susannah. Susannah, embarrassed, attempts more conversation, constantly growing more uneasy under the steady scrutiny of the circle of eyes.

SUSANNAH

I
broughtbɹˈɔːt
a
dishdˈɪʃ
o'
fieldfˈiːld
peaspˈiːz
.
I
pickedpˈɪkt
an'
shelledʃˈɛld
emˈɛm
thisðˈɪs
evenin'
An'
cookedkˈʊkt
'em
jestdʒˈɛst
a
bitbˈɪt
agoɐɡˈəʊ
.

Still no response. She smiles only with her mouth now, faint flickers of smiles that hardly move her lips. Her eyes show only bewilderment and intense discomfort.

SUSANNAH

I'll

jes'

sitsˈɪt

'em

downdˈaʊn

overˈəʊvɐ

herehˈiə

ifˈɪf

that's

allˈɔːl

rightɹˈaɪt

hopehˈəʊp

enjoyɛndʒˈɔɪ

'em

She sets the dish down on the table, and as she turns around she is caught in her motion by the stern voice of McLean.

MCLEAN

Susannah

youjˈuː

ain't

welcomewˈɛlkʌm

herehˈiə

Susannah turns around slowly, looking hopefully from face to face, and in seeing no warmth in any of them, she brings her hand lightly up to her throat, and smiling weakly begins backing upstage. She says "excuse me" several times as she backs away, and then at the edge of the stage she clamps her fist over her mouth and runs. When she is gone, there is a long moment of strained silence, finally shattered by the clipped, strident voice of Mrs. McLean.

MCLEAN

MRSˈmɪsɪz

McLEANməˈkleɪn

wouldn't

techtɛk

themðˈɛm

peaspˈiːz

her'n

SCENE FIVE

Scene: A half hour later.

Susannah is seated on the front steps of the Polk house as in Scene Two, her face in her hands. After a moment, Little Bat stealthily creeps in from stage right, craning his neck to see if Susannah is alone. She becomes aware of him suddenly and when she does, she leaps to her feet.

SUSANNAH

CHAPTERtʃˈæptɐ

–

Littlelˈɪtəl

Batbˈæt

whatwˈɒt

youjˈuː

doin'

herehˈiə

LITTLE BAT

Isˈɪz

Samˈsæm

herehˈiə

SUSANNAH

He's

insideˈɪnsaɪd

asleepɐslˈiːp

Trembling with excitement

LITTLE BAT

hadhˈæd

totˈuː

comekˈʌm

telltˈɛl

Susannah

SUSANNAH

Telltˈɛl

memˈiː

whatwˈɒt

LITTLE BAT

jes'

hadhˈæd

totˈuː

comekˈʌm

telltˈɛl

SUSANNAH

Telltˈɛl
memˈiː
whatwˈɒt
?
Ohˈəʊ
,
youjˈuː
waswˈɒz
thereðˈeə
tonighttənˈaɪt
.
(
Heˈhiː
nodsnˈɒdz
.
Sheʃˈiː
goesɡˈəʊz
totˈuː
himhˈɪm
quicklykwˈɪkli
andˈænd
takestˈeɪks
himhˈɪm
bybˈaɪ
theðə
shouldersʃˈəʊldəz
.)
Whatwˈɒt
isˈɪz
itˈɪt
,
Littlelˈɪtəl
Batbˈæt
?
Whatwˈɒt
havehəv
I
donedˈʌn
?

With a certain mysterious relish.

LITTLE BAT

Mymˈaɪ
papˈɑː
an'
theðə
otherˈʌðɐ
Eldersˈɛldəz
,
Theyðˈeɪ
seensˈiːn
youjˈuː
bathin'
thisðˈɪs
mornin'
,
A-bathin'
withoutwɪðˈaʊt
a
stitchstˈɪtʃ
onˈɒn
An'
exposin'
y'-self
withoutwɪðˈaʊt
nonəʊ
shameʃˈeɪm
.
Theyðˈeɪ
gonnaɡˈənɐ
gitɡˈɪt
y'
ferfˈɜː
doin'
thatðˈæt
.
An'
they're
goneɡˈɒn
runɹˈʌn
youjˈuː
out'n
theðə
churchtʃˈɜːtʃ
An'
maybemˈeɪbiː
theðə
valleyvˈæli
,
tootˈuː
.
Theyðˈeɪ
saysˈeɪ
the--

SUSANNAH

Whatwˈɒt

dodə

youjˈuː

meanmˈiːn

theyðˈeɪ

seensˈiːn

memˈiː

bathin'

LITTLE BAT

Theyðˈeɪ
waswˈɒz
lookin'
ferfˈɜː
a
baptismbˈæptɪzəm
crickkɹˈɪk
An'
theyðˈeɪ
foundfˈaʊnd
itˈɪt
,
onlyˈəʊnli
youjˈuː
waswˈɒz
inˈɪn
itˈɪt
,
A-bathin'
,
nakednˈeɪkɪd
asəz
a
jay-bird
.
Theyðˈeɪ
saysˈeɪ
itˈɪt
werewˈɜː
a
shamefulʃˈeɪmfəl
sightsˈaɪt
.

SUSANNAH

Butbˈʌt
I
beenbˈiːn
bathin'
thereðˈeə
allˈɔːl
springspɹˈɪŋ
.
Theyðˈeɪ
ain't
hadhˈæd
a
rightɹˈaɪt
totˈuː
comekˈʌm
aspyin'
.
'Twon't
nonəʊ
harmhˈɑːm
inˈɪn
whatwˈɒt
I
donedˈʌn
.
I
beenbˈiːn
bathin'
thereðˈeə
allˈɔːl
springspɹˈɪŋ
,
Littlelˈɪtəl
Batbˈæt
.

Unheeding

LITTLE BAT

Theyðˈeɪ
toldtˈəʊld
theðə
meetin'
preacherpɹˈiːtʃɐ
An'
he's
prayedpɹˈeɪd
ferfˈɜː
yerjˈə
soulsˈəʊl
allˈɔːl
daydˈeɪ
.
Theyðˈeɪ
toldtˈəʊld
allˈɔːl
theðə
churchtʃˈɜːtʃ
folksfˈəʊks
,
I
reckonɹˈɛkən
,
An'
theðə
wholehˈəʊl
valleyvˈæli
knownˈəʊ
,
sosˈəʊ
theyðˈeɪ
saysˈeɪ
.

SUSANNAH

Whywˈaɪ

Littlelˈɪtəl

Batbˈæt

Whywˈaɪ

ain't

donedˈʌn

nothin'

ain't

LITTLE BAT

Theyðˈeɪ
saysˈeɪ
theyðˈeɪ
ain't
a
fellerfˈɛlɐ
inˈɪn
theseðˈiːz
partspˈɑːts
What's
safesˈeɪf
withwˈɪð
youjˈuː
aroundɐɹˈaʊnd
.
Theyðˈeɪ
saysˈeɪ
y'
letlˈɛt
'em
lovelˈʌv
youjˈuː
upˈʌp
allˈɔːl
theyðˈeɪ
wantwˈɒnt
,
An'
thenðˈɛn
sendsˈɛnd
theirðˈeə
soulssˈəʊlz
totˈuː
hellhˈɛl
.
Theyðˈeɪ
saysˈeɪ
you've
gotɡˈɒt
theðə
devildˈɛvəl
inˈɪn
ya'
Theyðˈeɪ
saysˈeɪ
they've
knownnˈəʊn
itˈɪt
ferfˈɜː
a
longlˈɒŋ
timetˈaɪm
nownˈaʊ
.
Theyðˈeɪ
saysˈeɪ
thatðˈæt
you're
anˈɐn
evilˈiːvəl
galɡˈæl
,
youjˈuː
areə(ɹ)
,
An'
thatðˈæt
you're
boun'
totˈuː
getɡˈɛt
yerjˈə
duedjˈuː
.

SUSANNAH

Theyðˈeɪ

saysˈeɪ

Theyðˈeɪ

saysˈeɪ

Who's

theyðˈeɪ

LITTLE BAT

Everybodyˈɛvɹɪbˌɒdi

(Susannah turns her back to Little Bat, and putting her hands over her face, she shudders visibly. Little Bat who has been wildly gesticulating and boring in, suddenly slinks away, watching Susannah carefully.) They's more what you don't know.

Susannah has raised her head at the ominous sound of his words, and turning, she looks at him squarely. He cowers, and his entire attitude suggests duplicity and guilt. He moves away from her, and she stalks him.

SUSANNAH

Whatwˈɒt

isˈɪz

itˈɪt

Littlelˈɪtəl

Batbˈæt

Whatwˈɒt

don't

knownˈəʊ

Terror covers his face. Susannah continues to move toward him, and then Little Bat breaks, screaming and wringing his hands.

LITTLE BAT

Theyðˈeɪ
mademˈeɪd
memˈiː
saysˈeɪ
itˈɪt
!
I
swearswˈeə
theyðˈeɪ
diddˈɪd
!
Mymˈaɪ
mamˈɑː
sheʃˈiː
scairt
memˈiː
an'
papˈɑː
diddˈɪd
,
tootˈuː
,
An'
itˈɪt
waswˈɒz
rightɹˈaɪt
inˈɪn
frontfɹˈʌnt
o'
theðə
preacherpɹˈiːtʃɐ
An'
I
waswˈɒz
scairt
,
plum'
scairt
totˈuː
deathdˈɛθ
!

Shouting and still moving toward him

SUSANNAH

Whatwˈɒt

diddˈɪd

theyðˈeɪ

makemˈeɪk

youjˈuː

saysˈeɪ

Littlelˈɪtəl

Batbˈæt

Telltˈɛl

memˈiː

whatwˈɒt

diddˈɪd

youjˈuː

saysˈeɪ

LITTLE BAT

Theyðˈeɪ

mademˈeɪd

memˈiː

saysˈeɪ

itˈɪt

swearswˈeə

theyðˈeɪ

diddˈɪd

waswˈɒz

plum'

scairt

totˈuː

deathdˈɛθ

She lunges at him and shakes him fiercely by the shoulders.

SUSANNAH

Telltˈɛl

memˈiː

whatwˈɒt

diddˈɪd

youjˈuː

saysˈeɪ

Telltˈɛl

memˈiː

Telltˈɛl

memˈiː

With an almost luxurious abandon

LITTLE BAT

saidsˈɛd

you'd

letlˈɛt

memˈiː

lovelˈʌv

youjˈuː

upˈʌp

That's

whatwˈɒt

theyðˈeɪ

mademˈeɪd

memˈiː

saysˈeɪ

I said you'd let me love you up an' in the worse sort o' way.

Incredulously

SUSANNAH

Youjˈuː

didn't

Youjˈuː

didn't

Youjˈuː

couldn't

havehəv

It's

lielˈaɪ

It's

lielˈaɪ

Youjˈuː

knownˈəʊ

itˈɪt

isˈɪz

Completely beside himself

LITTLE BAT

I
diddˈɪd
!
I
diddˈɪd
an'
I
knownˈəʊ
it's
a
lielˈaɪ
.
Youjˈuː
waswˈɒz
allers
goodɡˈʊd
totˈuː
memˈiː
.
Butbˈʌt
theyðˈeɪ
mademˈeɪd
memˈiː
saysˈeɪ
itˈɪt
,
I
swearswˈeə
theyðˈeɪ
diddˈɪd
,
An'
I
waswˈɒz
scairt
,
Ohˈəʊ
,
Lordlˈɔːd
,
I
waswˈɒz
scairt
!

SUSANNAH

Gitɡˈɪt
awayɐwˈeɪ
fromfɹˈɒm
herehˈiə
An'
don'
nevernˈɛvɐ
comekˈʌm
backbˈæk
.
Don't
nevernˈɛvɐ
comekˈʌm
backbˈæk
totˈuː
thisðˈɪs
househaʊs
!
Gitɡˈɪt
awayɐwˈeɪ
,
youjˈuː
lyin'
varmintvˈɑːmɪnt
,
An'
don't
y'
nevernˈɛvɐ
comekˈʌm
backbˈæk
!
Gitɡˈɪt
outˈaʊt
.
Gitɡˈɪt
outˈaʊt
.
Gitɡˈɪt
outˈaʊt
.
Gitɡˈɪt
outˈaʊt
.

(Little Bat runs off wailing and blubbering loudly. Susannah stands midstage with clenched fists and eyes tightly shut against tears. She continues to mutter to herself, as if in some way the continued sound of her voice would postpone the acceptance of all that has been told her. Sam, who has been standing in the door, is suddenly seen.) SAM

SUSANNAH

Feeblefˈiːbəl

mindedmˈaɪndɪd

idjet

(Susannah turns sharply at the sound of his voice, and running to him, she throws her arms around him. Her tone is altered now. She is spent temporarily, and her voice has a sound of quiet desperation about it.) SUSANNAH

SUSANNAH

Ohˈəʊ

Samˈsæm

somethin'

awfulˈɔːfəl

hashˈæz

happenedhˈæpənd

SAMˈsæm

knownˈəʊ

heardhˈɜːd

itˈɪt

allˈɔːl

Looking intently into his face

SUSANNAH

What's

itˈɪt

allˈɔːl

aboutɐbˈaʊt

Samˈsæm

What's

itˈɪt

allˈɔːl

aboutɐbˈaʊt

SAMˈsæm

Very gently

SUSANNAH

It's
aboutɐbˈaʊt
theðə
waywˈeɪ
peoplepˈiːpəl
isˈɪz
mademˈeɪd
,
I
reckonɹˈɛkən
,
an'
howhˈaʊ
theyðˈeɪ
likelˈaɪk
totˈuː
believebɪlˈiːv
what's
badbˈæd
.
Howhˈaʊ
shortʃˈɔːt
theyðˈeɪ
areə(ɹ)
onˈɒn
lovin'
kindnesskˈaɪndnəs
.
Itˈɪt
mustmˈʌst
makemˈeɪk
theðə
goodɡˈʊd
Lordlˈɔːd
sadsˈæd
.
Theyðˈeɪ
don't
knownˈəʊ
itˈɪt
ain't
whatwˈɒt
youjˈuː
feelfˈiːl
thatðˈæt
countskˈaʊnts
Butbˈʌt
whatwˈɒt
youjˈuː
dodə
aboutɐbˈaʊt
itˈɪt
.
Sosˈəʊ
insteadɪnstˈɛd
theyðˈeɪ
taketˈeɪk
itˈɪt
outˈaʊt
onˈɒn
youjˈuː
.
Itˈɪt
mustmˈʌst
makemˈeɪk
theðə
goodɡˈʊd
Lordlˈɔːd
sadsˈæd
.
'Way
outˈaʊt
yonderjˈɒndɐ
somewheresˈsʌm.wɛɹ
,
Theðə
Lord's
greatɡɹˈeɪt
hearthˈɑːt
mustmˈʌst
breakbɹˈeɪk
Atˈæt
seein'
howhˈaʊ
menmˈɛn
treattɹˈiːt
onewˈɒn
anotherɐnˈʌðɐ
An'
saysˈeɪ
they're
doin'
itˈɪt
allˈɔːl
ferfˈɜː
Hishˈɪz
sakeˈseɪk
.
It's
a
hardhˈɑːd
,
hardhˈɑːd
thingθˈɪŋ
forfˈɔː
youjˈuː
totˈuː
realizeˈɹɪə.laɪz
,
I
knownˈəʊ
,
thatðˈæt
peoplepˈiːpəl
wantwˈɒnt
totˈuː
believebɪlˈiːv
what's
badbˈæd
An'
howhˈaʊ
shortʃˈɔːt
theyðˈeɪ
areə(ɹ)
onˈɒn
lovin'
kindnesskˈaɪndnəs
.
Itˈɪt
mustmˈʌst
makemˈeɪk
theðə
goodɡˈʊd
.
Lordlˈɔːd
sadsˈæd
.

Searching his face hopefully

SUSANNAH

Butbˈʌt

whatwˈɒt

aməm

gonnaɡˈənɐ

dodə

Samˈsæm

Whatwˈɒt

aməm

gonnaɡˈənɐ

dodə

SAM

Youjˈuː
cain't
dodə
nothin'
,
littlelˈɪtəl
sparrowspˈæɹəʊ
.
Itˈɪt
’
s
timetˈaɪm
aloneɐlˈəʊn
what'll
telltˈɛl
.
Inˈɪn
theðə
meantimemˈiːntaɪm
,
there'll
bebˈiː
a
lottaˈlɒtə
badbˈæd
thingsθˈɪŋz
.

They'll turn this valley into hell.

(Susannah continues to look deeply into Sam's eyes and gradually the realization comes to her that he has ceased talking and that there is nothing more he can say to mitigate her plight. She begins to cry, at first noiselessly, only her shoulders revealing her inner effort to control her tears. Eventually her face begins to break up, and finally, throwing

SAM

herhˈɜː

armsˈɑːmz

aroundɐɹˈaʊnd

Sam's

necknˈɛk

sobbingsˈɒbɪŋ

sheʃˈiː

crieskɹˈaɪz

withwˈɪð

desperatedˈɛspəɹət

intensityɪntˈɛnsɪti

SUSANNAH

Singsˈɪŋ

memˈiː

theðə

Jay-bird

songsˈɒŋ

aginəˈɡɪn

Pleaseplˈiːz

singsˈɪŋ

memˈiː

Jay-bird

Samˈsæm

(

CURTAINkˈɜːtən

)

ACT TWO

SCENE ONE

SCENE: It is Friday morning.

At the rise of the curtain, Sam is discovered leaning in the doorway of the Polk house with Susannah seated on the steps. She is sitting abstractedly as if she might have been in the same position for days. Sam watches her sadly while he smokes his pipe. There is a long silence in which an atmosphere of static helplessness must be established.

Without turning to him

SUSANNAH

CHAPTERtʃˈæptɐ

–

Howhˈaʊ

long's

itˈɪt

gonna'

lastlˈɑːst

Samˈsæm

SAM

Youjˈuː

knownˈəʊ

thatðˈæt

goodɡˈʊd

asəz

dodə

honhˈɒn

SUSANNAH

Howhˈaʊ

longlˈɒŋ

reckonɹˈɛkən

it'll

taketˈeɪk

Samˈsæm

SAM

Whatchaˈwɒtʃə

meanmˈiːn

taketˈeɪk

Littlelˈɪtəl

Sparrowspˈæɹəʊ

SUSANNAH

Aforeɐfˈɔː

somethin'

happenshˈæpənz

onewˈɒn

waywˈeɪ

orˈɔː

'nother

don't

muchmˈʌtʃ

carekˈeə

whichwˈɪtʃ

waywˈeɪ

SAM

Youjˈuː

knownˈəʊ

whatwˈɒt

they's

waitin'

ferfˈɜː

They's

waitin'

ferfˈɜː

publicpˈʌblɪk

confessionkənfˈɛʃən

Turning to him

SUSANNAH

Butbˈʌt
theyðˈeɪ
ain't
nothin
ferfˈɜː
memˈiː
totˈuː
confesskənfˈɛs
,
Samˈsæm
.
Thereðˈeə
ain't
nothin'
ferfˈɜː
memˈiː
totˈuː
confesskənfˈɛs
.
I've
prayedpɹˈeɪd
an'
prayedpɹˈeɪd
totˈuː
seesˈiː
theðə
lightlˈaɪt
.
Ifˈɪf
somethin'
I've
done's
beenbˈiːn
wrongɹˈɒŋ
,
Butbˈʌt
I
stillstˈɪl
don't
feelfˈiːl
nonəʊ
sinsɪn
inˈɪn
memˈiː
An'
I
cain't
lielˈaɪ
jes'
ferfˈɜː
themðˈɛm
.

patiently

SAM

I
knownˈəʊ
thatðˈæt
,
Littlelˈɪtəl
Robinɹˈɒbɪn
.
Wewˈiː
beenbˈiːn
throughθɹˈuː
allˈɔːl
thatðˈæt
beforebɪfˈɔː
.
Theðə
Lordlˈɔːd
,
heˈhiː
knowsnˈəʊz
what's
inˈɪn
yerjˈə
hearthˈɑːt
,
Sosˈəʊ
jes'
don't
fretfɹˈɛt
nonəʊ
moremˈɔː
.

SUSANNAH

Mebbeˈmeɪ.bi
I'm
allˈɔːl
theyðˈeɪ
saysˈeɪ
I
aməm
.
Mebbeˈmeɪ.bi
theðə
devildˈɛvəl
isˈɪz
inˈɪn
memˈiː
.
Mebbeˈmeɪ.bi
he's
hidin'
theðə
sinsɪn
I
shouldʃˈʊd
feelfˈiːl
.
I
jes'
don't
knownˈəʊ
nonəʊ
moremˈɔː
.

Sharply

SAM

Shutʃˈʌt
upˈʌp
talkin'
likelˈaɪk
thatðˈæt
,
Susannah
,
An'
don't
y'
thinkθˈɪŋk
thatðˈæt
waywˈeɪ
.
That's
jes'
whatwˈɒt
they're
hopin'
you'll
feelfˈiːl
,
y'
knownˈəʊ
.
Yourjˈɔː
mindmˈaɪnd
soundssˈaʊndz
addledˈædəld
,
I'd
saysˈeɪ
.

Bitterly

I ain't gonna leave this place no more.

SUSANNAH

That's
onewˈɒn
thingθˈɪŋ
I
knownˈəʊ
ferfˈɜː
sureʃˈɔː
.
I
ain't
a-gone
letlˈɛt
themðˈɛm
menmˈɛn
atˈæt
theðə
storestˈɔː
talktˈɔːk
totˈuː
memˈiː
theðə
waywˈeɪ
theyðˈeɪ
dodə
.
I
ain't
nevernˈɛvɐ
takentˈeɪkən
asəz
muchmˈʌtʃ
inˈɪn
mymˈaɪ
lifelˈaɪf
asəz
I've
takentˈeɪkən
sincesˈɪns
lastlˈɑːst
Tuesdayˈtjuːz.deɪ
Menmˈɛn
pawin'
atˈæt
memˈiː
an'
jokin'
'bout
memˈiː
An'
boysbˈɔɪz
makin'
dirty'
signssˈaɪnz
.

SAM

I'd

killkˈɪl

'em

allˈɔːl

ifˈɪf

it'd

dodə

anyˈɛni

goodɡˈʊd

I'd'

killkˈɪl

'em

allˈɔːl

wouldwˈʊd

With sudden intensity

SUSANNAH

Whatwˈɒt

havehəv

donedˈʌn

totˈuː

deservedɪzˈɜːv

itˈɪt

Samˈsæm

Why's

theðə

goodɡˈʊd

Lordlˈɔːd

punishin'

memˈiː

sosˈəʊ

nevernˈɛvɐ

beenbˈiːn

inˈɪn

nonəʊ

meannessmˈiːnnəs

beforebɪfˈɔː

nevernˈɛvɐ

evenˈiːvən

killedkˈɪld

birdbˈɜːd

SAM

Wewˈiː

gottaɡˈɒtɐ

havehəv

faithfˈeɪθ

Littlelˈɪtəl

Robinɹˈɒbɪn

Wewˈiː

jestdʒˈɛst

gonnaɡˈənɐ

havehəv

totˈuː

havehəv

faithfˈeɪθ

After a long, helpless pause

SAM

Thatðˈæt

meetin'

preacherpɹˈiːtʃɐ

mustmˈʌst

bebˈiː

pow'rful

onewˈɒn

nevernˈɛvɐ

seedsˈiːd

sosˈəʊ

manymˈɛni

peoplepˈiːpəl

gittin'

baptizedˈbæptaɪzd

SUSANNAH

Musing sadly

SAM

I
hearhˈiə
'em
singin'
ev'ry
evenin'
.
Theðə
crickkɹˈɪk
mustmˈʌst
bebˈiː
plum'
spoiltspˈɔɪlt
nownˈaʊ
Withwˈɪð
allˈɔːl
themðˈɛm
peoplepˈiːpəl
bein'
baptizedˈbæptaɪzd
.
Itˈɪt
waswˈɒz
sichsiːt͡ʃ
a
prettypɹˈɪti
placeplˈeɪs
,
tootˈuː
.
I
nevernˈɛvɐ
thoughtθˈɔːt
it'd
bringbɹˈɪŋ
memˈiː
nonəʊ
shameʃˈeɪm
.
I
seedsˈiːd
theðə
preacherpɹˈiːtʃɐ
atˈæt
theðə
storestˈɔː
yesterdayjˈɛstədˌeɪ
An'
heˈhiː
spokespˈəʊk
totˈuː
memˈiː
realɹiːl
nicenaɪs
.
Heˈhiː
saidsˈɛd
I'd
oughtaˈɔːtə
comekˈʌm
totˈuː
theðə
meetin'
tonighttənˈaɪt
Totˈuː
findfˈaɪnd
restɹˈɛst
ferfˈɜː
mymˈaɪ
sin-sick
soulsˈəʊl
.
That's
whatwˈɒt
heˈhiː
saidsˈɛd
.

Decisively

SAM

thinkθˈɪŋk

youjˈuː

oughtaˈɔːtə

goɡˈəʊ

totˈuː

theðə

meetin'

tonighttənˈaɪt

Totˈuː

showʃˈəʊ

'em

youjˈuː

ain't

afraidɐfɹˈeɪd

Protesting immediately

SUSANNAH

Ohˈəʊ
nonəʊ
,
Samˈsæm
,
I
couldn't
dodə
thatðˈæt
.
Pleaseplˈiːz
don't
askˈɑːsk
memˈiː
totˈuː
.
I'd
dodə
'bout
anythingˈɛnɪθˌɪŋ
youjˈuː
saysˈeɪ
,
y'
knownˈəʊ
,
Butbˈʌt
I
couldn't
dodə
thatðˈæt
,
I
couldn't
!

SAM

Youjˈuː

gottaɡˈɒtɐ

showʃˈəʊ

'em

youjˈuː

ain't

afraidɐfɹˈeɪd

An'

nonəʊ

harmhˈɑːm

wouldwˈʊd

comekˈʌm

totˈuː

youjˈuː

thereðˈeə

Besides, I gotta go 'way tonight An' I don't wanta leave y' alone. SUSANNAH

Alarmed

SAM

Youjˈuː
ain't
gonnaɡˈənɐ
leavelˈiːv
memˈiː
,
areə(ɹ)
y'
,
Samˈsæm
?
Pleaseplˈiːz
don't
leavelˈiːv
memˈiː
.
Pleaseplˈiːz
don't
!
I'd
bebˈiː
terribletˈɛɹəbəl
lonesomelˈəʊnsʌm
an'
scaredskˈeəd
withoutwɪðˈaʊt
youjˈuː
.
Sosˈəʊ
pleaseplˈiːz
,
don't
leavelˈiːv
memˈiː
.
Pleaseplˈiːz
don't
!
I
gottaɡˈɒtɐ
goɡˈəʊ
'cross
theðə
mountainmˈaʊntɪn
Totˈuː
getɡˈɛt
usˈʌs
somesˈʌm
meatmˈiːt
fromfɹˈɒm
mymˈaɪ
trapstɹˈæps
Butbˈʌt
I'll
bebˈiː
backbˈæk
tomorrowtəmˈɒɹəʊ
'fore
sun-down
.

An' I'll leave you a gun to boot.

SUSANNAH

Youjˈuː
ain't
gonnaɡˈənɐ
goɡˈəʊ
gitɡˈɪt
drunkdɹˈʌŋk
,
areə(ɹ)
y'
,
Samˈsæm
?
SAMˈsæm
'Course
notnˈɒt
,
littlelˈɪtəl
robinɹˈɒbɪn
.
'Course
notnˈɒt
.
SUSANNAH
Willwˈɪl
y'
comekˈʌm
backbˈæk
asəz
soonsˈuːn
asəz
y'
cankˈæn
?
Asəz
soonsˈuːn
asəz
you've
emptiedˈɛmptɪd
theðə
trapstɹˈæps
?

SAM

Sureʃˈɔː
I
willwˈɪl
,
an'
don't
youjˈuː
fretfɹˈɛt
.
I'll
bebˈiː
backbˈæk
aforeɐfˈɔː
y've
missedmˈɪst
memˈiː
.
I'll
bebˈiː
backbˈæk
withwˈɪð
a
sacksˈæk
fullfˈʊl
o'
critterskɹˈɪtəz
An'
we'll
havehəv
foodfˈuːd
ferfˈɜː
allˈɔːl
nextnˈɛkst
weekwˈiːk
.

After a moment

SAM

An'
willwˈɪl
yajˈɐ
goɡˈəʊ
totˈuː
theðə
meetin'
tonighttənˈaɪt
?
SUSANNAH
Pleaseplˈiːz
don't
askˈɑːsk
memˈiː
totˈuː
dodə
thatðˈæt
,
Samˈsæm
.
I
cain't
.
I
plum'
jes'
cain't
!
Youjˈuː
gottaɡˈɒtɐ
showʃˈəʊ
'em
youjˈuː
ain't
afraidɐfɹˈeɪd
An'
nonəʊ
harmhˈɑːm
wouldwˈʊd
comekˈʌm
totˈuː
y'
thereðˈeə
.
An'
I'd
feelfˈiːl
a
wholehˈəʊl
lotlˈɒt
betterbˈɛtɐ
Totˈuː
knownˈəʊ
youjˈuː
waswˈɒz
thereðˈeə
'stead
o'
herehˈiə
.

Susannah turns away, and there is a long, anguished moment in which she struggles with herself. Finally, without turning around, she says in a low tired voice

SUSANNAH

Allˈɔːl

rightɹˈaɪt

Samˈsæm

I'll

trytɹˈaɪ

But if things gits bad, I'm gonna leave

SUSANNAH

Cain't

nobodynˈəʊbɒdˌi

makemˈeɪk

memˈiː

staystˈeɪ

SAM

Allˈɔːl
rightɹˈaɪt
,
Littlelˈɪtəl
Robinɹˈɒbɪn
,
An'
I'll
bebˈiː
muchmˈʌtʃ
obligedəblˈaɪdʒd
Ifˈɪf
y'll
jes'
goɡˈəʊ
ferfˈɜː
a
littlelˈɪtəl
whilewˈaɪl
thisðˈɪs
evenin'
.
An'
I'll
bebˈiː
backbˈæk
tomorrowtəmˈɒɹəʊ
bybˈaɪ
sun-down
.

Susannah looks around the yard sadly.

SUSANNAH

cain't

waitwˈeɪt

'til

prettypɹˈɪti

thingsθˈɪŋz

Lookslˈʊks

prettypɹˈɪti

aginəˈɡɪn

They return to the attitudes in which they were found at the beginning of the scene.

SCENE TWO

Scene: The same evening.

SUSANNAH

Theðə
scenesˈiːn
isˈɪz
theðə
interiorɪntˈiəɹɪɐ
ofˈɒv
Newnjˈuː
Hopehˈəʊp
churchtʃˈɜːtʃ
.
Thereðˈeə
areə(ɹ)
rough-hewn
benchesbˈɛntʃɪz
andˈænd
oilˈɔɪl
lampslˈæmps
suspendedsəspˈɛndɪd
fromfɹˈɒm
theðə
ceilingsˈiːlɪŋ
.
Thereðˈeə
isˈɪz
alsoˈɒlsəʊ
a
crudekɹˈuːd
pulpitpˈʌlpɪt
whichwˈɪtʃ
isˈɪz
slightlyslˈaɪtli
elevatedˈɛlɪvˌeɪtɪd
,
andˈænd
anˈɐn
altarˈɒltɐ
railɹˈeɪl
.
Thereðˈeə
isˈɪz
a
benchbˈɛntʃ
behindbɪhˈaɪnd
theðə
pulpitpˈʌlpɪt
whichwˈɪtʃ
seatssˈiːts
theðə
choirkwˈaɪə
.
Inˈɪn
theðə
congregationkˌɒŋɡɹɪɡˈeɪʃən
areə(ɹ)
theðə
Eldersˈɛldəz
andˈænd
theirðˈeə
wiveswˈaɪvz
,
seatedsˈiːtɪd
conspicuouslykənspˈɪkjuːəsli
Littlelˈɪtəl
Batbˈæt
withwˈɪð
hishˈɪz
parentspˈeəɹənts
.
Alsoˈɒlsəʊ
presentˈpɹɛzənt
areə(ɹ)
mothersmˈʌðəz
,
straddle-legged
,
rockingɹˈɒkɪŋ
babiesbˈeɪbɪz
onˈɒn
theirðˈeə
kneesnˈiːz
,
youngjˈʌŋ
childrentʃˈɪldɹən
movingmˈuːvɪŋ
aboutɐbˈaʊt
,
andˈænd
generallydʒˈɛnəɹəli
anˈɐn
airˈeə
ofˈɒv
somesˈʌm
confusionkənfjˈuːʒən
.
Inˈɪn
evidenceˈɛvɪdəns
everywhereˈɛvɹɪwˌeə
areə(ɹ)
theðə
paste-board
fansfˈænz
,
slowlyslˈəʊli
inˈɪn
motionmˈəʊʃən
againstɐɡˈɛnst
theðə
hothˈɒt
,
stillstˈɪl
,
Julyd͡ʒʊˈlaɪ
nightnˈaɪt
airˈeə
.
Menmˈɛn
areə(ɹ)
constantlykˈɒnstəntli
removingɹɪmˈuːvɪŋ
bandanasbændˈɑːnəz
andˈænd
soggysˈɒɡi
handkerchiefshˈændkətʃˌiːfs
fromfɹˈɒm
hip-pockets
totˈuː
mopmˈɒp
sweatswˈɛt
fromfɹˈɒm
theirðˈeə
facesfˈeɪsɪz
.
Allˈɔːl
thisðˈɪs
activityæktˈɪvɪti
shouldʃˈʊd
bebˈiː
presentˈpɹɛzənt
,
moremˈɔː
orˈɔː
lesslˈɛs
,
duringdjˈɔːɹɪŋ
theðə
entireɛntˈaɪə
scenesˈiːn
,
increasingɪnkɹˈiːsɪŋ
inˈɪn
speedspˈiːd
andˈænd
agitationˌædʒɪtˈeɪʃən
asəz
theðə
scenesˈiːn
buildsbˈɪldz
intoˈɪntʊ
itsˈɪts
climaxesklˈaɪmæksɪz
.

(As the curtain rises, the action has already begun. The choir is singing lustily, and the preacher's voice is heard shouting over them. Two of the Elders are moving about the congregation with white, scarred dishpans, taking up the collection. Susannah, a small, huddled figure, sits alone on the last bench. The scene in no way should be a parody but, instead, at all times should aim at projecting the tension, effrontery and above all the terror implicit in the revival meeting of this nature.) CONGREGATION

SUSANNAH

CHAPTERtʃˈæptɐ
8
–
Areə(ɹ)
youjˈuː
savedsˈeɪvd
fromfɹˈɒm
sinsɪn
,
Readyɹˈɛdi
totˈuː
meetmˈiːt
yourjˈɔː
Lordlˈɔːd
?
Hashˈæz
Hishˈɪz
bloodblˈʌd
mademˈeɪd
youjˈuː
freefɹˈiː
Fromfɹˈɒm
theðə
avengingɐvˈɛndʒɪŋ
swordsˈɔːd
?

overlapping with Blitch

SUSANNAH

Getɡˈɛt
downdˈaʊn
uponəpˈɒn
yourjˈɔː
kneesnˈiːz
,
Acceptɐksˈɛpt
theðə
savingsˈeɪvɪŋ
graceɡɹˈeɪs
.
Areə(ɹ)
youjˈuː
readyɹˈɛdi
totˈuː
meetmˈiːt
Yourjˈɔː
Saviorˈseɪvjɚ
facefˈeɪs
totˈuː
facefˈeɪs
?
Freefɹˈiː
fromfɹˈɒm
sinsɪn
,
yesjˈɛs
Lordlˈɔːd
!
Freefɹˈiː
fromfɹˈɒm
sinsɪn
,
aməm
I
Andˈænd
I'm
goingɡˈəʊɪŋ
totˈuː
meetmˈiːt
Himhˈɪm
Withwˈɪð
theðə
saintssˈeɪnts
onˈɒn
highhˈaɪ
.
Areə(ɹ)
youjˈuː
savedsˈeɪvd
fromfɹˈɒm
sinsɪn
,
Readyɹˈɛdi
totˈuː
meetmˈiːt
yourjˈɔː
Lordlˈɔːd
?
Hashˈæz
Hishˈɪz
bloodblˈʌd
mademˈeɪd
youjˈuː
freefɹˈiː
Fromfɹˈɒm
theðə
avengingɐvˈɛndʒɪŋ
swordsˈɔːd
?
Getɡˈɛt
downdˈaʊn
uponəpˈɒn
yourjˈɔː
kneesnˈiːz
,
Acceptɐksˈɛpt
theðə
savingsˈeɪvɪŋ
graceɡɹˈeɪs
.
Areə(ɹ)
youjˈuː
readyɹˈɛdi
totˈuː
meetmˈiːt
Yourjˈɔː
Saviorˈseɪvjɚ
facefˈeɪs
totˈuː
facefˈeɪs
?
Freefɹˈiː
fromfɹˈɒm
sinsɪn
,
yesjˈɛs
Lordlˈɔːd
!
Freefɹˈiː
fromfɹˈɒm
sinsɪn
aməm
I
.
Andˈænd
I'm
goingɡˈəʊɪŋ
totˈuː
meetmˈiːt
Himhˈɪm
Withwˈɪð
theðə
saintssˈeɪnts
onˈɒn
highhˈaɪ
.
(
Theðə
Congregationkˌɒŋɡɹɪɡˈeɪʃən
humshˈʌmz
)
BLITCH

Spoken

SUSANNAH

don't

wantwˈɒnt

totˈuː

hearhˈiə

nonəʊ

soundsˈaʊnd

ofˈɒv

pocketpˈɒkɪt

changetʃˈeɪndʒ

inˈɪn

themðˈɛm

dishpans

Let's

praisepɹˈeɪz

theðə

Lordlˈɔːd

withwˈɪð

whatwˈɒt

wewˈiː

giveɡˈɪv

totˈuː

Hishˈɪz

servantssˈɜːvənts

Rememberɹɪmˈɛmbɐ

theðə

widder's

mitemˈaɪt

brethrenbɹˈɛðɹən

Rememberɹɪmˈɛmbɐ

theðə

widder's

mitemˈaɪt

Sheʃˈiː

giveɡˈɪv

allˈɔːl

sheʃˈiː

hadhˈæd

'Twarn't

muchmˈʌtʃ

butbˈʌt

itˈɪt

waswˈɒz

allˈɔːl

sheʃˈiː

hadhˈæd

Theðə

Lordlˈɔːd

knowsnˈəʊz

whatwˈɒt

youjˈuː

mademˈeɪd

onˈɒn

lastlˈɑːst

year's

cottonkˈɒtən

cropskɹˈɒps

Sosˈəʊ

don't

trytɹˈaɪ

totˈuː

shortʃˈɔːt

changetʃˈeɪndʒ

theðə

Lordlˈɔːd

Blessblˈɛs

Himhˈɪm

nownˈaʊ

withwˈɪð

yourjˈɔː

benefitsbˈɛnɪfˌɪts

Joining the singing

SUSANNAH

Freefɹˈiː
fromfɹˈɒm
sinsɪn
,
yesjˈɛs
Lordlˈɔːd
!
Freefɹˈiː
fromfɹˈɒm
sinsɪn
aməm
I
.
Andˈænd
I'm
goingɡˈəʊɪŋ
totˈuː
meetmˈiːt
Himhˈɪm
Withwˈɪð
theðə
saintssˈeɪnts
onˈɒn
highhˈaɪ
.

The Elders have come down to the front and put the dishpans on the table in front of the pulpit. Blitch raises his hand as soon as the Elders have returned to their seats, and, lifting his head, he closes his eyes tightly to pray. The choir hums in the background.

BLITCH

Wewˈiː
thankθˈæŋk
Theeðˈiː
,
O
Lordlˈɔːd
,
Forfˈɔː
theseðˈiːz
goodɡˈʊd
peoplepˈiːpəl
An'
theirðˈeə
off'rin'
Totˈuː
Thyðˈaɪ
servantsˈɜːvənt
.
Blessblˈɛs
themðˈɛm
an'
letlˈɛt
thisðˈɪs
meetin'
tonighttənˈaɪt
Bringbɹˈɪŋ
allˈɔːl
theðə
lostlˈɒst
an'
wand'rin'
Homehˈəʊm
totˈuː
theðə
foldfˈəʊld
.
Sendsˈɛnd
downdˈaʊn
theðə
tonguetˈʌŋ
ofˈɒv
firefˈaɪə
Uponəpˈɒn
theðə
headshˈɛdz
ofˈɒv
theðə
damneddˈæmd
'Til
theyðˈeɪ
won't
findfˈaɪnd
nonəʊ
peacepˈiːs
'Cept
inˈɪn
Thyðˈaɪ
cleansin'
bloodblˈʌd
.

MCLEAN

Amenˌɑːmˈɛn

The choir becomes silent, and Blitch faces the congregation with a stern look for a moment before he begins his sermon. When he starts speaking, his voice is low and ominous.

Speaking

BLITCH

I
ain't
gonnaɡˈənɐ
taketˈeɪk
nonəʊ
texttˈɛkst
tonighttənˈaɪt
,
an'
I
ain't
gonnaɡˈənɐ
preachpɹˈiːtʃ
nonəʊ
reg'lar
sermonsˈɜːmən
.
Theðə
Lordlˈɔːd
,
Heˈhiː
spokespˈəʊk
totˈuː
memˈiː
thisðˈɪs
afternoonˌɑːf.təˈnuːn
,
an'
Heˈhiː
saidsˈɛd
"
Blitch
,
there's
gonnaɡˈənɐ
bebˈiː
lostlˈɒst
soulssˈəʊlz
atˈæt
thatðˈæt
meetin'
tonighttənˈaɪt
.
Don't
taketˈeɪk
nonəʊ
texttˈɛkst
I'll
putpʊt
theðə
wordswˈɜːdz
inˈɪn
yerjˈə
mouthmaʊθ
.
Thisðˈɪs
week's
drawin'
totˈuː
a
closekləʊz
,
andˈænd
there's
stillstˈɪl
somesˈʌm
totˈuː
bebˈiː
broughtbɹˈɔːt
totˈuː
salvationsælvˈeɪʃən
.
Sosˈəʊ
closekləʊz
yerjˈə
Biblebˈaɪbəl
an'
speakspˈiːk
throughθɹˈuː
memˈiː
."
Sosˈəʊ
theðə
Lordlˈɔːd
spokespˈəʊk
totˈuː
memˈiː
thisðˈɪs
afternoonˌɑːf.təˈnuːn
,
an'
that's
whatwˈɒt
I
aimˈeɪm
totˈuː
dodə
.
I
wannawˈɒnɐ
seesˈiː
theðə
biggestbˈɪɡəst
baptismbˈæptɪzəm
yetjˈɛt
tomorrowtəmˈɒɹəʊ
evenin'
whenwˈɛn
wewˈiː
gatherɡˈæðɐ
atˈæt
theðə
usualjˈuːʒuːəl
placeplˈeɪs
atˈæt
sundownsˈʌndaʊn
.
HAYESheɪz
,
GLEATON
,
McLEANməˈkleɪn
,
OTToʊ tiː ˈtiː
Amenˌɑːmˈɛn
.
Grantɡɹˈɑːnt
itˈɪt
,
Lordlˈɔːd
,
Grantɡɹˈɑːnt
itˈɪt
,
Lordlˈɔːd
.

The following narrative should be begun half-spoken, half-sung, gradually using more vibrato, working into full singing voice.

BLITCH

I'm
fixin'
totˈuː
telltˈɛl
y'
'bout
a
fellerfˈɛlɐ
I
knowednəʊ
Whatwˈɒt
waswˈɒz
youngjˈʌŋ
an'
smartsmˈɑːt
an'
richɹˈɪtʃ
.
'Cept
heˈhiː
nevernˈɛvɐ
putpʊt
muchmˈʌtʃ
thoughtθˈɔːt
Onˈɒn
hishˈɪz
poorpˈɔː
,
lostlˈɒst
soulsˈəʊl
Orˈɔː
wherewˈeə
he'd
spendspˈɛnd
eternityɪtˈɜːnɪti
.
Onewˈɒn
timetˈaɪm
whenwˈɛn
I
waswˈɒz
preachin'
inˈɪn
Texasˈtɛk.səs
I
waswˈɒz
calledkˈɔːld
totˈuː
hishˈɪz
homehˈəʊm
onewˈɒn
nightnˈaɪt
.
An'
thereðˈeə
heˈhiː
laylˈeɪ
allˈɔːl
sweatin'
Withwˈɪð
hishˈɪz
eyesˈaɪz
allˈɔːl
starin'
withwˈɪð
frightfɹˈaɪt
.
Heˈhiː
grabbedɡɹˈæbd
memˈiː
bybˈaɪ
theðə
handhˈænd
andˈænd
saidsˈɛd
"
Theyðˈeɪ
telltˈɛl
memˈiː
I'm
a
dyin'
manmˈæn
An'
I
mightmˈaɪt
notnˈɒt
gitɡˈɪt
throughθɹˈuː
theðə
nightnˈaɪt
.

OTT

Seemssˈiːmz
likelˈaɪk
mymˈaɪ
porepˈɔː
heart's
donedˈʌn
runɹˈʌn
downdˈaʊn
tootˈuː
soonsˈuːn
An'
I
wanta
makemˈeɪk
ev'rything
rightɹˈaɪt
.
I
ain't
livedlˈɪvd
sichsiːt͡ʃ
a
badbˈæd
lifelˈaɪf
.
I
ain't
drankdɹˈæŋk
,
nornˈɔː
smokedsmˈəʊkt
,
nornˈɔː
sworeswˈɔː
,
Butbˈʌt
I'm
allˈɔːl
a-feared
o'
dyin'
.
I'm
sureʃˈɔː
they's
somethin'
moremˈɔː
."
Wellwˈɛl
,
theyðˈeɪ
waswˈɒz
,
brethrenbɹˈɛðɹən
andˈænd
sister'n
,
theyðˈeɪ
waswˈɒz
.
Heˈhiː
won't
savedsˈeɪvd
.
Thatðˈæt
waswˈɒz
itˈɪt
.
An'
heˈhiː
dieddˈaɪd
thatðˈæt
nightnˈaɪt
plum'
scaredskˈeəd
totˈuː
deathdˈɛθ
An'
hishˈɪz
soulsˈəʊl
wentwˈɛnt
totˈuː
eternalɪtˈɜːnəl
firefˈaɪə
.
An'
there's
manymˈɛni
o'
youjˈuː
thisðˈɪs
veryvˈɛɹi
nightnˈaɪt
What's
inˈɪn
theðə
samesˈeɪm
fixfˈɪks
asəz
thisðˈɪs
poorpˈɔː
manmˈæn
.
Wherewˈeə
wouldwˈʊd
yourjˈɔː
soulsˈəʊl
bebˈiː
tonighttənˈaɪt
Ifˈɪf
youjˈuː
waswˈɒz
suddenlysˈʌdənli
tooktˈʊk
awayɐwˈeɪ
?
Wherewˈeə
willwˈɪl
youjˈuː
spendspˈɛnd
eternityɪtˈɜːnɪti
?
Withwˈɪð
theðə
savedsˈeɪvd
ofˈɒv
theðə
Lordlˈɔːd
whatwˈɒt
surroundsəɹˈaʊnd
hishˈɪz
throneθɹˈəʊn
Orˈɔː
downdˈaʊn
belowbɪlˈəʊ
wherewˈeə
they's
screamin'
An'
wailin'
an'
gnashin'
ofˈɒv
teethtˈiːθ
.
Downdˈaʊn
inˈɪn
theðə
bottomlessbˈɒtəmləs
pitpˈɪt
Wherewˈeə
theyðˈeɪ
hollerhˈɒlɐ
ferfˈɜː
waterwˈɔːtɐ
Totˈuː
easeˈiːz
parchedpˈɑːtʃt
tonguestˈʌŋz
An'
theyðˈeɪ
ain't
nonenʌn
totˈuː
bebˈiː
hadhˈæd
.
(
Screamingskɹˈiːmɪŋ
)
Isˈɪz
thatðˈæt
wherewˈeə
y'd
bebˈiː
?
Isˈɪz
thatðˈæt
wherewˈeə
y'd
bebˈiː
?

Blitch pauses a moment, breathing heavily, and mops his forehead. His eyes gleam with excitement. The congregation is hushed. When he begins again, his voice is husky and low but still menacing.

OTT

Yesjˈɛs
,
mymˈaɪ
brethrenbɹˈɛðɹən
,
y'd
betterbˈɛtɐ
thinkθˈɪŋk
onˈɒn
itˈɪt
.
Theyðˈeɪ
ain't
a
onewˈɒn
ofˈɒv
usˈʌs
Whatwˈɒt
couldn't
bebˈiː
tooktˈʊk
atˈæt
anyˈɛni
timetˈaɪm
.
Notnˈɒt
onewˈɒn
ofˈɒv
usˈʌs
an'
I'm
includin'
myselfmaɪsˈɛlf
.
Areə(ɹ)
youjˈuː
preparedpɹɪpˈeəd
?
Whenwˈɛn
theyðˈeɪ
openˈəʊpən
themðˈɛm
judgmentdʒˈʌdʒmənt
booksbˈʊks
upˈʌp
thereðˈeə
Whichwˈɪtʃ
sidesˈaɪd
ofˈɒv
theðə
pagepˈeɪdʒ
willwˈɪl
youjˈuː
bebˈiː
onˈɒn
?
Tonighttənˈaɪt
ain't
tootˈuː
soonsˈuːn
An'
tomorrowtəmˈɒɹəʊ
mightmˈaɪt
bebˈiː
tootˈuː
latelˈeɪt
.
Tomorrowtəmˈɒɹəʊ
mightmˈaɪt
bebˈiː
tootˈuː
latelˈeɪt
.

Spoken

OTT

Sosˈəʊ
whilewˈaɪl
theðə
congregationkˌɒŋɡɹɪɡˈeɪʃən
singssˈɪŋz
a
hymnhˈɪm
,
I
wanta
seesˈiː
allˈɔːl
thoseðˈəʊz
whosehˈuːz
soulssˈəʊlz
wantswˈɒnts
savin'
an'
whatwˈɒt
wantswˈɒnts
totˈuː
becomebɪkˈʌm
freefɹˈiː
ofˈɒv
theðə
heavyhˈɛvi
burdenbˈɜːdən
ofˈɒv
sinsɪn
comekˈʌm
downdˈaʊn
andˈænd
meetmˈiːt
theðə
Lordlˈɔːd
an'
I
herehˈiə
atˈæt
theðə
altarˈɒltɐ
.
(
Blitch
nodsnˈɒdz
totˈuː
theðə
choirkwˈaɪə
,
andˈænd
theyðˈeɪ
beginbɪɡˈɪn
theðə
hymnhˈɪm
.
Oncewˈɒns
againɐɡˈɛn
Blitch
intermittentlyˌɪntəmˈɪtəntli
shoutsʃˈaʊts
overˈəʊvɐ
themðˈɛm
.
Wherewˈeə
beforebɪfˈɔː
thereðˈeə
waswˈɒz
a
strongstɹˈɒŋ
elementˈɛlɪmənt
ofˈɒv
theðə
showmanʃˈəʊmən
aboutɐbˈaʊt
himhˈɪm
,
nownˈaʊ
theðə
showmanʃˈəʊmən
hashˈæz
beenbˈiːn
temperedtˈɛmpəd
somewhatsˈʌmwɒt
bybˈaɪ
anˈɐn
unexpectedˌʌnɛkspˈɛktɪd
earnestnessˈɜːnəstnəs
.
Immediatelyɪmˈiːdɪətli
afterˈɑːftɐ
theðə
"
callkˈɔːl
",
onewˈɒn
orˈɔː
twotˈuː
boysbˈɔɪz
andˈænd
girlsɡˈɜːlz
inˈɪn
theirðˈeə
earlyˈɜːli
teenstˈiːnz
shylyʃˈaɪli
,
withwˈɪð
terrifiedtˈɛɹɪfˌaɪd
eyesˈaɪz
,
leavelˈiːv
theirðˈeə
seatssˈiːts
andˈænd
trance-like
walkwˈɔːk
downdˈaʊn
theðə
aisleˈaɪəl
andˈænd
kneelnˈiːl
atˈæt
theðə
altarˈɒltɐ
.
Blitch
layslˈeɪz
hishˈɪz
handshˈændz
onˈɒn
theirðˈeə
headshˈɛdz
,
throwsθɹˈəʊz
hishˈɪz
ownˈəʊn
backbˈæk
,
andˈænd
withwˈɪð
closedklˈəʊzd
eyesˈaɪz
,
speaksspˈiːks
withwˈɪð
theðə
Almightyɒlmˈaɪti
.)
CONGREGATIONkˌɒŋɡɹɪɡˈeɪʃən
Comekˈʌm
,
sinnersˈɪnɐ
,
tonight's
theðə
nightnˈaɪt

To take a stand for God and the right. Cast Satan out, regain your sight. Come, sinner, tonight's the night. (Overlapping with Blitch)

OTT

Comekˈʌm
,
sinnersˈɪnɐ
,
salvationsælvˈeɪʃən
isˈɪz
freefɹˈiː
,
A
giftɡˈɪft
fromfɹˈɒm
Godɡˈɒd
onˈɒn
Calvarykˈælvəɹi
.
Thatðˈæt
crosskɹˈɒs
itˈɪt
shedsʃˈɛdz
redeemingɹɪdˈiːmɪŋ
lightlˈaɪt
Don't
tarryˈtæ.ɹi
,
sinnersˈɪnɐ
,
tonight's
theðə
nightnˈaɪt
.
Comekˈʌm
,
yesjˈɛs
,
comekˈʌm
andˈænd
meetmˈiːt
Himhˈɪm
herehˈiə
.

Be washed in the blood that was bought so dear. Don't wait till darkness turns into light.

OTT

Comekˈʌm

sinnersˈɪnɐ

tonight's

theðə

nightnˈaɪt

Speaking over the congregation

Come an' fall on yer knees and ask the Lord fer forgiveness. It's a humblin' thing to do but you won't never be sorry fer humblin' yerself this way. I plead with y', friends. Put aside yer swearin', yer drunken ways, yer fornication, an' meet God here. Hallelujah. Praise the Lord... (The choir drones its plea again and again. The more intense their voices become, the more impassioned is the sound of Blitch's. Several more people come down to the altar with varying degrees of eagerness and hesitation. After a while the exodus to the altar ceases in spite of the continued protestations and urging of Blitch.)

Overlapping with Blitch

CONGREGATION

Comekˈʌm

sinnersˈɪnɐ

tonight's

theðə

nightnˈaɪt

To take a stand for God and the right. Cast Satan out, regain your sight. Come, sinner, tonight's the night.

CONGREGATION

Comekˈʌm

yesjˈɛs

comekˈʌm

andˈænd

meetmˈiːt

Himhˈɪm

herehˈiə

Be washed in the blood that was bought so dear. Don't wait till darkness turns into light.

CONGREGATION

Comekˈʌm

sinnersˈɪnɐ

Comekˈʌm

sinnersˈɪnɐ

Comekˈʌm

sinnersˈɪnɐ

Comekˈʌm

Spoken

BLITCH

I
pleadplˈiːd
withwˈɪð
youjˈuː
,
friendsfɹˈɛndz
,
acceptɐksˈɛpt
theðə
savin'
graceɡɹˈeɪs
ofˈɒv
theðə
Lordlˈɔːd
Almightyɒlmˈaɪti
an'
rightɹˈaɪt
nownˈaʊ
.
Tomorrowtəmˈɒɹəʊ
maymˈeɪ
bebˈiː
tootˈuː
latelˈeɪt
!
Tomorrowtəmˈɒɹəʊ
maymˈeɪ
bebˈiː
tootˈuː
latelˈeɪt
!
Areə(ɹ)
thereðˈeə
othersˈʌðəz
?
Don't
passpˈɑːs
thisðˈɪs
opportunityɒpətjˈuːnɪti
bybˈaɪ
!
Areə(ɹ)
thereðˈeə
othersˈʌðəz
?
Thisðˈɪs
maymˈeɪ
bebˈiː
yerjˈə
lastlˈɑːst
chancetʃˈɑːns
.
Tomorrowtəmˈɒɹəʊ
mightmˈaɪt
bebˈiː
tootˈuː
latelˈeɪt
!
Tomorrowtəmˈɒɹəʊ
mightmˈaɪt
bebˈiː
tootˈuː
latelˈeɪt
!

Blitch suddenly turns to the choir and holding out his hand orders them to stop. He turns back around slowly to the congregation, breathing hard from his emotion.

BLITCH

There's

onewˈɒn

inˈɪn

ourˈaʊə

midstmˈɪdst

tonighttənˈaɪt

whohˈuː

payspˈeɪz

nonəʊ

mindmˈaɪnd

totˈuː

theðə

wooin'

Godɡˈɒd

inˈɪn

herhˈɜː

hearthˈɑːt

The congregation, as a body, slowly turns around and stares at Susannah while Blitch continues to speak. There is no pity or concern in their looks; only the hard, cold stare of silent coercion. Susannah is immediately in great discomfort and looks straight ahead of her at the figure of Blitch.

BLITCH

I've
wrestledɹˈɛsəld
withwˈɪð
theðə
devildˈɛvəl
Ferfˈɜː
herhˈɜː
soulsˈəʊl
andˈænd
prayedpɹˈeɪd
Thatðˈæt
she'd
acceptɐksˈɛpt
theðə
savin'
graceɡɹˈeɪs
O'
theðə
Lamblˈæm
.

An' put aside her sinful an' shameful ways

BLITCH

An'

stillstˈɪl

sheʃˈiː

don't

heedhˈiːd

mymˈaɪ

pleadin'

Speaking

BLITCH

Giveɡˈɪv

overˈəʊvɐ

sistersˈɪstɐ

whilewˈaɪl

theðə

choirkwˈaɪə

singssˈɪŋz

onewˈɒn

moremˈɔː

versevˈɜːs

Publiclypˈʌblɪkli

confesskənfˈɛs

yerjˈə

sinssˈɪnz

an'

askˈɑːsk

forgivenessfəɡˈɪvnəs

theðə

Lordlˈɔːd

an'

theseðˈiːz

folksfˈəʊks

presentˈpɹɛzənt

tonighttənˈaɪt

The choir begins to sing its "invitation" hymn once again, and Blitch fixes his gaze upon Susannah. Slowly into his eyes and face comes an expression of intense desire bordering on lust. His voice also reflects what is happening inside him instead of its heretofore peremptory and commanding quality, it now possesses a distinctly cajoling, almost caressing sound. Susannah watches him, transfixed.

Overlapping with Blitch

CONGREGATION

Comekˈʌm
,
sinnersˈɪnɐ
,
salvationsælvˈeɪʃən
isˈɪz
freefɹˈiː
.
A
giftɡˈɪft
fromfɹˈɒm
Godɡˈɒd
onˈɒn
Calvarykˈælvəɹi
.
Thatðˈæt
crosskɹˈɒs
itˈɪt
shedsʃˈɛdz
redeemingɹɪdˈiːmɪŋ
lightlˈaɪt
.
Don't
tarryˈtæ.ɹi
,
sinnersˈɪnɐ
,
Tonight's
theðə
nightnˈaɪt
.
Comekˈʌm
,
yesjˈɛs
,
comekˈʌm
andˈænd
meetmˈiːt
Himhˈɪm
herehˈiə
.
Bebˈiː
washedwˈɒʃt
inˈɪn
theðə
bloodblˈʌd
thatðˈæt
waswˈɒz
boughtbˈɔːt
sosˈəʊ
deardˈiə
.

Don't wait till darkness turns into light. Come, sinner, tonight's the night.

BLITCH

Comekˈʌm
,
deardˈiə
sistersˈɪstɐ
,
it's
a
shortʃˈɔːt
piecepˈiːs
totˈuː
walkwˈɔːk
Totˈuː
findfˈaɪnd
restɹˈɛst
ferfˈɜː
yerjˈə
wearywˈiəɹi
soulsˈəʊl
.
Theðə
Lordlˈɔːd
willwˈɪl
receiveɹɪsˈiːv
youjˈuː
withwˈɪð
openˈəʊpən
armsˈɑːmz
An'
holdhˈəʊld
y'
fastfˈɑːst
,
fastfˈɑːst
inˈɪn
Hishˈɪz
graceɡɹˈeɪs
.
It's
onlyˈəʊnli
a
shortʃˈɔːt
,
shortʃˈɔːt
piecepˈiːs
totˈuː
walkwˈɔːk
Totˈuː
findfˈaɪnd
restɹˈɛst
ferfˈɜː
yerjˈə
storm-tossed
,
sin-sick
soulsˈəʊl
.
Comekˈʌm
,
deardˈiə
sistersˈɪstɐ
,
an'
jes'
letlˈɛt
goɡˈəʊ
.
Meetmˈiːt
Godɡˈɒd
andˈænd
I
rightɹˈaɪt
herehˈiə
.

Susannah moves slowly into the aisle and trance-like walks toward Blitch, a confusion of fear, bewilderment and protest on her face. The only sign of life about her is the periodic shaking of her head from side to side in weak dissent. The congregation is hushed and tense. A smile of triumph comes over Blitch's face as Susannah comes abreast of him and the change of expression in an instant shatters the spell for Susannah. She immediately comes to life and looks around her as if trapped. Suddenly she screams "no" and runs down the aisle and out into the night.

CONGREGATION

Comekˈʌm

yesjˈɛs

comekˈʌm

andˈænd

meetmˈiːt

Himhˈɪm

herehˈiə

Bebˈiː

washedwˈɒʃt

inˈɪn

theðə

bloodblˈʌd

thatðˈæt

waswˈɒz

boughtbˈɔːt

sosˈəʊ

deardˈiə

Don't wait till darkness turns into light.

Overlapping with Susannah

CONGREGATION

Comekˈʌm

sinnersˈɪnɐ

Comekˈʌm

sinnersˈɪnɐ

Comekˈʌm

sinnersˈɪnɐ

Comekˈʌm

SUSANNAH

Nonəʊ

Blitch's initial reaction is one of shock. He immediately regains control of himself, however, and the situation. Raising his hand and with a new note of anger, born of frustration, in his voice, he pronounces the benediction.

Shouting

BLITCH

Receiveɹɪsˈiːv

theðə

benedictionbˌɛnɪdˈɪkʃən

Theðə

Lordlˈɔːd

blessblˈɛs

an'

keepkˈiːp

youjˈuː

Theðə

Lordlˈɔːd

makemˈeɪk

hishˈɪz

facefˈeɪs

totˈuː

shineʃˈaɪn

onˈɒn

youjˈuː

etcˌɛt ˈsɛt(ə)ɹə

SCENE THREE

Scene: About an hour later. The scene is once more the front porch of the Polk house.

Susannah is singing to herself as the curtain rises.

SUSANNAH

CHAPTERtʃˈæptɐ
9
–
Theðə
treestɹˈiːz
onˈɒn
theðə
mountainsmˈaʊntɪnz
areə(ɹ)
coldkˈəʊld
andˈænd
barebˈeə
.
Theðə
summersˈʌmɐ
justdʒˈʌst
vanishedvˈænɪʃt
an'
leftlˈɛft
themðˈɛm
thereðˈeə
Likelˈaɪk
a
false-hearted
loverlˈʌvɐ
jes'
likelˈaɪk
mymˈaɪ
ownˈəʊn
Whohˈuː
mademˈeɪd
memˈiː
lovelˈʌv
himhˈɪm
,
thenðˈɛn
leftlˈɛft
memˈiː
aloneɐlˈəʊn
.
Theðə
coalskˈəʊlz
ofˈɒv
theðə
hearthhˈɑːθ
havehəv
turnedtˈɜːnd
grayɡɹˈeɪ
andˈænd
seresˈiə
Theðə
blueblˈuː
flameflˈeɪm
jes'
vanishedvˈænɪʃt
an'
leftlˈɛft
themðˈɛm
thereðˈeə
,
Likelˈaɪk
a
false-hearted
loverlˈʌvɐ
jes'
likelˈaɪk
mymˈaɪ
ownˈəʊn
Whohˈuː
mademˈeɪd
memˈiː
lovelˈʌv
himhˈɪm
,
thenðˈɛn
leftlˈɛft
memˈiː
aloneɐlˈəʊn
.
Comekˈʌm
backbˈæk
,
O
summersˈʌmɐ
,
comekˈʌm
backbˈæk
,
blueblˈuː
flameflˈeɪm
.
Mymˈaɪ
hearthˈɑːt
wantswˈɒnts
warmin'
,
Mymˈaɪ
babybˈeɪbi
a
namenˈeɪm
.
Comekˈʌm
backbˈæk
,
O
loverlˈʌvɐ
,
ifˈɪf
jes'
ferfˈɜː
a
daydˈeɪ
.

Turn bleak December once more into May.

SUSANNAH

Theðə
roadɹˈəʊd
upˈʌp
aheadɐhˈɛd
lieslˈaɪz
lonelylˈəʊnli
an'
farfˈɑː
.
There's
darknessdˈɑːknəs
aroundɐɹˈaʊnd
memˈiː
anˈɐn
notnˈɒt
evenˈiːvən
a
starstˈɑː
Totˈuː
showʃˈəʊ
memˈiː
theðə
waywˈeɪ
orˈɔː
lightenlˈaɪtən
mymˈaɪ
hearthˈɑːt
.
Comekˈʌm
backbˈæk
,
mymˈaɪ
loverlˈʌvɐ
,
I
fainfˈeɪn
wouldwˈʊd
startstˈɑːt
.
Theðə
porepˈɔː
babybˈeɪbi
foxfˈɒks
lieslˈaɪz
allˈɔːl
coldkˈəʊld
inˈɪn
hishˈɪz
lairlˈeə
.
Hishˈɪz
mamamˈɑːmɐ
jes'
vanishedvˈænɪʃt
an'
leftlˈɛft
himhˈɪm
thereðˈeə
,
Likelˈaɪk
a
false-hearted
loverlˈʌvɐ
,
jes'
likelˈaɪk
mymˈaɪ
ownˈəʊn
,
Whohˈuː
mademˈeɪd
memˈiː
lovelˈʌv
himhˈɪm
,
thenðˈɛn
leftlˈɛft
memˈiː
aloneɐlˈəʊn
;
Comekˈʌm
backbˈæk
,
O
summersˈʌmɐ
,
comekˈʌm
backbˈæk
,
blueblˈuː
flameflˈeɪm
!
Mymˈaɪ
hearthˈɑːt
wantswˈɒnts
warmin'
,
mymˈaɪ
babybˈeɪbi
a
namenˈeɪm
.
Comekˈʌm
backbˈæk
,
O
loverlˈʌvɐ
,
ifˈɪf
jes'
ferfˈɜː
a
daydˈeɪ
.

Turn bleak December once more into May.

SUSANNAH

Comekˈʌm

backbˈæk

summersˈʌmɐ

Comekˈʌm

backbˈæk

blueblˈuː

flameflˈeɪm

Mymˈaɪ

hearthˈɑːt

wantswˈɒnts

warmin'

mymˈaɪ

babybˈeɪbi

namenˈeɪm

Comekˈʌm

backbˈæk

loverlˈʌvɐ

ifˈɪf

jes'

ferfˈɜː

daydˈeɪ

Turn bleak December once more into May.

SUSANNAH

Comekˈʌm

backbˈæk

Comekˈʌm

backbˈæk

Comekˈʌm

backbˈæk

Who has come onstage and stood listening

BLITCH

That's

mightymˈaɪti

prettypɹˈɪti

singin'

Susannah

;

Turning, startled

SUSANNAH

Whohˈuː

isˈɪz

itˈɪt

Agreeably

BLITCH

It's

yerjˈə

frien'

theðə

preacherpɹˈiːtʃɐ

Dodə

youjˈuː

allers

singsˈɪŋ

sosˈəʊ

prettypɹˈɪti

SUSANNAH

singsˈɪŋ

totˈuː

myselfmaɪsˈɛlf

whenwˈɛn

I'm

sadsˈæd

orˈɔː

lonesomelˈəʊnsʌm

Itˈɪt

keepskˈiːps

memˈiː

companykˈʌmpəni

BLITCH

That's

rightɹˈaɪt

sadsˈæd

songsˈɒŋ

Don't

looklˈʊk

likelˈaɪk

it'd

dodə

muchmˈʌtʃ

goodɡˈʊd

SUSANNAH

Mymˈaɪ

mamamˈɑːmɐ

taughttˈɔːt

itˈɪt

totˈuː

memˈiː

longlˈɒŋ

timetˈaɪm

agoɐɡˈəʊ

Susannah takes a firm stance with her back against the post and eyes Blitch suspiciously.

SUSANNAH

Whatwˈɒt

dodə

wantwˈɒnt

herehˈiə

Preacherpɹˈiːtʃɐ

Blitch

BLITCH

Thisðˈɪs
isˈɪz
whatwˈɒt
y'
mightmˈaɪt
callkˈɔːl
a
socialsˈəʊʃəl
visitvˈɪzɪt
.
I
wanta
talktˈɔːk
totˈuː
y'
'bout
yerjˈə
soulsˈəʊl
.
SUSANNAH
Thereðˈeə
ain't
nothin'
totˈuː
saysˈeɪ
Sosˈəʊ
you're
wastin'
yerjˈə
timetˈaɪm
.

Beginning to exhort

BLITCH

You're
a
hard-headed
onewˈɒn
,
Susannah
.
Theðə
devil's
inˈɪn
youjˈuː
.
"
Pridepɹˈaɪd
goethɡoʊ
beforebɪfˈɔː
destructiondɪstɹˈʌkʃən
,''
sistersˈɪstɐ
.

Let's kneel an' pray to God fer yer soul.

SUSANNAH

Nonəʊ
neednˈiːd
totˈuː
praypɹˈeɪ
.
I've
donedˈʌn
prayedpɹˈeɪd
enoughɪnˈʌf
ferfˈɜː
usˈʌs
bothbˈəʊθ
.
Theðə
Lordlˈɔːd
would'a
toldtˈəʊld
memˈiː
Ifˈɪf
I'd
donedˈʌn
somethin'
wrongɹˈɒŋ
.

BLITCH

Youjˈuː

stillstˈɪl

saysˈeɪ

exposin'

yerselfjəˈsɛlf

Won't

nonəʊ

sinsɪn

againstɐɡˈɛnst

theðə

Lordlˈɔːd

Belligerently

SUSANNAH

I
beenbˈiːn
bathin'
inˈɪn
thatðˈæt
crickkɹˈɪk
allˈɔːl
springspɹˈɪŋ
An'
won't
nonəʊ
harmhˈɑːm
inˈɪn
itˈɪt
atˈæt
allˈɔːl
'Til
themðˈɛm
Eldersˈɛldəz
seensˈiːn
memˈiː
thereðˈeə
An'
startedstˈɑːtɪd
makin'
upˈʌp
theirðˈeə
talesteɪlz
.

BLITCH

Theyðˈeɪ

didn't

makemˈeɪk

upˈʌp

nonəʊ

talesteɪlz

Susannah

Protesting vehemently, near tears

SUSANNAH

Littlelˈɪtəl
Batbˈæt
comekˈʌm
overˈəʊvɐ
herehˈiə
Theðə
veryvˈɛɹi
nightnˈaɪt
afterˈɑːftɐ
itˈɪt
happenedhˈæpənd
An'
tol'
memˈiː
thatðˈæt
heˈhiː
liedliːd
aboutɐbˈaʊt
memˈiː
.
Toldtˈəʊld
memˈiː
thatðˈæt
heˈhiː
liedliːd
,
A-screamin'
anˈɐn
hollerin'
Allˈɔːl
overˈəʊvɐ
theðə
yardjˈɑːd
.
Heˈhiː
ain't
nevernˈɛvɐ
setsˈɛt
a
handhˈænd
onˈɒn
memˈiː
.
Samˈsæm
would'a
killedkˈɪld
himhˈɪm
ifˈɪf
heˈhiː
hadhˈæd
.

Genuinely

BLITCH

wishwˈɪʃ

couldkˈʊd

believebɪlˈiːv

SUSANNAH

Don't
believebɪlˈiːv
itˈɪt
!
Don't
believebɪlˈiːv
itˈɪt
!
Butbˈʌt
it's
theðə
truthtɹˈuːθ
!
(
Beginningbɪɡˈɪnɪŋ
totˈuː
breakbɹˈeɪk
andˈænd
lashinglˈæʃɪŋ
outˈaʊt
bitterlybˈɪtəli
)
Andˈænd
I'll
telltˈɛl
y'
somethin'
elseˈɛls
.
I
ain't
nevernˈɛvɐ
spentspˈɛnt
suchsˈʌtʃ
a
weekwˈiːk
asəz
thisðˈɪs
.
Notnˈɒt
nevernˈɛvɐ
inˈɪn
allˈɔːl
mymˈaɪ
lifelˈaɪf
.
I
don't
knownˈəʊ
whatwˈɒt
it'd
bebˈiː
likelˈaɪk
Totˈuː
feelfˈiːl
happyhˈæpi
aginəˈɡɪn
,
Orˈɔː
totˈuː
wakewˈeɪk
upˈʌp
inˈɪn
theðə
mornin'
Withoutwɪðˈaʊt
thisðˈɪs
awfulˈɔːfəl
thingθˈɪŋ
Weighin'
downdˈaʊn
onˈɒn
memˈiː
So's
I
don't
evenˈiːvən
wanta
gitɡˈɪt
upˈʌp
An'
seesˈiː
whatwˈɒt
theðə
day's
likelˈaɪk
.
An'
allˈɔːl
theðə
thingsθˈɪŋz
people's
saidsˈɛd
aboutɐbˈaʊt
memˈiː
An'
theðə
lookslˈʊks
people's
giveɡˈɪv
memˈiː
An'
theðə
waywˈeɪ
theyðˈeɪ
treatedtɹˈiːtɪd
memˈiː
Atˈæt
theðə
picnicpˈɪknɪk
suppersˈʌpɐ
,
An'
theðə
waywˈeɪ
youjˈuː
treatedtɹˈiːtɪd
memˈiː
tonighttənˈaɪt
.
I
don't
knownˈəʊ
whatwˈɒt
it'd
bebˈiː
likelˈaɪk
Totˈuː
bebˈiː
happyhˈæpi
aginəˈɡɪn
.
Andˈænd
ifˈɪf
I
thoughtθˈɔːt
thisðˈɪs
waswˈɒz
theðə
waywˈeɪ
Theðə
restɹˈɛst
o'
mymˈaɪ
lifelˈaɪf
waswˈɒz
gonnaɡˈənɐ
bebˈiː
,
I'd
killkˈɪl
myselfmaɪsˈɛlf
rightɹˈaɪt
nownˈaʊ
!

Seeing her anguish as an opening

BLITCH

It's
theðə
sinsɪn
inˈɪn
yerjˈə
hearthˈɑːt
,
Thatðˈæt
weightwˈeɪt
youjˈuː
speakspˈiːk
ofˈɒv
,
It's
theðə
sinsɪn
inˈɪn
yerjˈə
hearthˈɑːt
!
Theðə
sinsɪn
inˈɪn
yerjˈə
hearthˈɑːt
!

SUSANNAH

Itˈɪt

ain't

Itˈɪt

ain't

Itˈɪt

ain't

She breaks and sobs, fully released now for the first time, her face turned away from Blitch. He watches her and is momentarily defeated. Something akin to pity comes over his face, and when he speaks finally, his voice is heavy with weariness.

BLITCH

I've

wrestledɹˈɛsəld

ferfˈɜː

yerjˈə

soulsˈəʊl

nightnˈaɪt

afterˈɑːftɐ

nightnˈaɪt

Maybemˈeɪbiː

tomorrowtəmˈɒɹəʊ

you'll

comekˈʌm

totˈuː

theðə

lightlˈaɪt

Susannah has covered her face with her hands, and although her body is still shaken with sobbing, she is quieter, a pathetic figure silhouetted against the post, crumpled, helpless and alone. Blitch looks at her sadly a long time. Finally with weary hesitance and obviously fighting himself, he walks up the steps to her and puts his hands cautiously on her shoulders. Susannah stands inert and spent and in no way reacts to his closeness. The remainder of the scene should be weighted with exhaustion and defeat.

BLITCH

I'm
a
lonelylˈəʊnli
manmˈæn
,
Susannah
,
An'
everˈɛvɐ
nownˈaʊ
an'
thenðˈɛn
itˈɪt
seemssˈiːmz
I
gottaɡˈɒtɐ
havehəv
somebodysˈʌmbɒdi
,
Somebodysˈʌmbɒdi
I
cankˈæn
lovelˈʌv
Likelˈaɪk
otherˈʌðɐ
folksfˈəʊks
dodə
,
'Cause
it's
a
lonesomelˈəʊnsʌm
workwˈɜːk
I
dodə
.
Mymˈaɪ
rewardɹɪwˈɔːd
itˈɪt
be's
inˈɪn
heavenhˈɛvən
An'
there's
littlelˈɪtəl
rewardɹɪwˈɔːd
herehˈiə
belowbɪlˈəʊ
.
Butbˈʌt
everˈɛvɐ
nownˈaʊ
andˈænd
thenðˈɛn
I
nearnˈiə
goɡˈəʊ
madmˈæd
,
I
neednˈiːd
a
womanwˈʊmən
sosˈəʊ
.
I'm
a
lonelylˈəʊnli
manmˈæn
,
Susannah
,
An'
mademˈeɪd
outˈaʊt
o'
fleshflˈɛʃ
an'
bloodblˈʌd
an'
bonebˈəʊn
An'
I
neednˈiːd
somebodysˈʌmbɒdi
I
cankˈæn
lovelˈʌv
Likelˈaɪk
otherˈʌðɐ
folksfˈəʊks
'Cause
it's
a
lonesomelˈəʊnsʌm
workwˈɜːk
I
dodə
.

He brings her hand to rest on his shoulder and puts an arm around her. Susannah 's arms hang slackly at her side. There is little sign of life about her, only the slow, weary shaking of her head while her eyes remain closed.

BLITCH

Willwˈɪl

yerjˈə

brotherbɹˈʌðɐ

bebˈiː

homehˈəʊm

tonighttənˈaɪt

SUSANNAH

Nonəʊ

Almost a whisper

BLITCH

Let's

goɡˈəʊ

insideˈɪnsaɪd

SUSANNAH

(

Totˈuː

herselfhɜːsˈɛlf

)

I'm

sosˈəʊ

tiredtˈaɪəd

jes'

cain't

fightfˈaɪt

nonəʊ

moremˈɔː

Blitch with his arm around her and her head on his shoulder moves her slowly to the door and into the shadows of the house.

SCENE FOUR

Scene: Saturday morning. It is once again the interior of New Hope church.

As the curtain rises, Blitch is found kneeling. He is praying, and there is a terrible earnestness and anguish in the sound of his voice as well as an element of fear. His hands are clasped tightly together and they from time to time emphasize his desperate sincerity. It should be immediately apparent that here is Blitch for the first time stripped of his bravado and evangelical trappings, a man terrified by his own image of a vengeful God.

BLITCH

CHAPTERtʃˈæptɐ
10
–
Hearhˈiə
memˈiː
,
O
Lordlˈɔːd
,
I
beseechbɪsˈiːtʃ
Theeðˈiː
.
I
havehəv
calledkˈɔːld
uponəpˈɒn
Theeðˈiː
allˈɔːl
nightnˈaɪt
inˈɪn
vainvˈeɪn
.
Thouðaʊ
hasthˈeɪst
goneɡˈɒn
fromfɹˈɒm
memˈiː
Andˈænd
mymˈaɪ
spiritspˈɪɹɪt
hashˈæz
wiltedwˈɪltɪd
Likelˈaɪk
a
mornin'
gloryɡlˈɔːɹi
whenwˈɛn
theðə
sunsˈʌn
comeskˈʌmz
.
Returnɹɪˈtɜːn
,
O
Lordlˈɔːd
,
andˈænd
harkenhˈɑːkən
totˈuː
mymˈaɪ
pleaplˈiː
ferfˈɜː
fergiveness
.
Receiveɹɪsˈiːv
mymˈaɪ
confessionkənfˈɛʃən
,
O
Lordlˈɔːd
,
an'
hearhˈiə
theðə
wordswˈɜːdz
o'
mymˈaɪ
repentanceɹɪpˈɛntəns
.
It's
a
horriblehˈɒɹɪbəl
thingθˈɪŋ
I
havehəv
donedˈʌn
.
Fergive
theðə
weaknesswˈiːknəs
o'
mymˈaɪ
fleshflˈɛʃ
,
O
Lordlˈɔːd
,
An'
condemnkəndˈɛm
memˈiː
notnˈɒt
totˈuː
theðə
eternalɪtˈɜːnəl
firefˈaɪə
Ferfˈɜː
mymˈaɪ
sinsɪn
againstɐɡˈɛnst
Theeðˈiː
an'
theðə
womanwˈʊmən
.
Sheʃˈiː
waswˈɒz
untouchedʌntˈʌtʃt
,
O
Lordlˈɔːd
!
Sheʃˈiː
waswˈɒz
untouchedʌntˈʌtʃt
beforebɪfˈɔː
herhˈɜː
youngjˈʌŋ
bodybˈɒdi
Waswˈɒz
defileddɪfˈaɪld
bybˈaɪ
mymˈaɪ
handshˈændz
,
defileddɪfˈaɪld
bybˈaɪ
mymˈaɪ
lustlˈʌst
.
Fergive
memˈiː
,
O
Lordlˈɔːd
,
an'
grantɡɹˈɑːnt
herhˈɜː
Thyðˈaɪ
peacepˈiːs
.
O
,
fergive
memˈiː
;
deardˈiə
Lordlˈɔːd
,
an'
returnɹɪˈtɜːn
untoˈʌntʊ
memˈiː
.
Thouðaʊ
hasthˈeɪst
goneɡˈɒn
farfˈɑː
awayɐwˈeɪ
Beyondbɪjˈɒnd
theðə
soundsˈaʊnd
ofˈɒv
mymˈaɪ
callin'
.
Returnɹɪˈtɜːn
andˈænd
grantɡɹˈɑːnt
mymˈaɪ
torturedtˈɔːtʃəd
soulsˈəʊl
Theðə
balmbˈɑːm
ofˈɒv
Thyðˈaɪ
forgivenessfəɡˈɪvnəs
.
Whatwˈɒt
shallʃˈæl
I
dodə
ifˈɪf
Thouðaʊ
desertˈdɛz.ət
memˈiː
?

Leave me not with this weight

BLITCH

Ofˈɒv
sinsɪn
oppressin'
memˈiː
an'
condemnkəndˈɛm
memˈiː
notnˈɒt
Totˈuː
theðə
firesfˈaɪəz
ofˈɒv
hellhˈɛl
.
Returnɹɪˈtɜːn
,
O
Lordlˈɔːd
,
I
praypɹˈeɪ
Theeðˈiː
,
O
returnɹɪˈtɜːn
!
Andˈænd
letlˈɛt
thisðˈɪs
cupkˈʌp
,
ifˈɪf
itˈɪt
bebˈiː
Thyðˈaɪ
willwˈɪl
,
Passpˈɑːs
fromfɹˈɒm
memˈiː
.

Blitch continues to kneel, his hands clasped, when the Elders and their wives come in the back door of the church, and watching Blitch, with a puzzled look, they slowly walk down the aisle. Susannah comes in quietly behind them, unobserved, seating herself as before on the back bench. She sits stiffly, her face expressionless, and there is nothing about her to suggest the youthfulness and softness that has been apparent previously. As the Elders and their wives seat themselves, Blitch looks up, startled and immediately gets to his feet. He sees Susannah, and she returns his look evenly, without disdain or embarrassment. Blitch comes around in front of the altar and stands in front of the group.

BLITCH

Brethrenbɹˈɛðɹən
an'
sister'n
,
I
askedˈɑːskt
youjˈuː
totˈuː
comekˈʌm
herehˈiə
Thisðˈɪs
morningmˈɔːnɪŋ
ferfˈɜː
theðə
purposepˈɜːpəs
Ofˈɒv
rightin'
a
terribletˈɛɹəbəl
wrongɹˈɒŋ
.
It's
a
blessedˈblɛsɪd
privilegepɹˈɪvɪlɪdʒ
ferfˈɜː
theðə
Lordlˈɔːd
Totˈuː
letlˈɛt
usˈʌs
makemˈeɪk
restitutionɹɪstɪtjˈuːʃən
ferfˈɜː
ourˈaʊə
errorsˈɛɹəz
Whilewˈaɪl
wewˈiː
areə(ɹ)
aliveɐlˈaɪv
.

The group looks at him curiously, some immediately bridling.

BLITCH

An'
wewˈiː
havehəv
allˈɔːl
beenbˈiːn
inˈɪn
errorˈɛɹɐ
,
Brethrenbɹˈɛðɹən
an'
sister'n
,
badbˈæd
errorˈɛɹɐ
.
Theðə
youngjˈʌŋ
womanwˈʊmən
whatwˈɒt
sitssˈɪts
inˈɪn
theðə
rearɹˈiə
Hashˈæz
beenbˈiːn
theðə
victimvˈɪktɪm
ofˈɒv
ourˈaʊə
errorˈɛɹɐ
.

All heads turn in shock toward Susannah. She returns their look unflinchingly. The heads return to Blitch and regard him with disbelief and some antagonism.

BLITCH

Sheʃˈiː
isˈɪz
innocentˈɪnəsənt
ofˈɒv
theðə
chargesˈt͡ʃɑɹd͡ʒɪz
againstɐɡˈɛnst
herhˈɜː
An'
grievousɡɹˈiːvəs
areə(ɹ)
theðə
thingsθˈɪŋz
she's
enduredɛndjˈɔːd
I
askˈɑːsk
y'
totˈuː
beseechbɪsˈiːtʃ
herhˈɜː
fergiveness
An'
humblyhˈʌmbli
askˈɑːsk
herhˈɜː
pardonpˈɑːdən
ferfˈɜː
yourjˈɔː
misjudgmentmɪsdʒˈʌdʒmənt
.
(
Thereðˈeə
isˈɪz
genuinedʒˈɛnjuːɪn
shockʃˈɒk
atˈæt
thisðˈɪs
andˈænd
murmursmˈɜːməz
ofˈɒv
severesɪvˈiə
disapprovaldˌɪsɐpɹˈuːvəl
.)
McLEANməˈkleɪn
Howhˈaʊ
youjˈuː
knownˈəʊ
she's
innocentˈɪnəsənt
,
preacherpɹˈiːtʃɐ
?

Without hesitation

BLITCH

Theðə

Lordlˈɔːd

spokespˈəʊk

totˈuː

memˈiː

inˈɪn

theðə

nightnˈaɪt

Whilewˈaɪl

waswˈɒz

a-prayin'

ferfˈɜː

herhˈɜː

soulsˈəʊl

The group stares at him, completely unconvinced and shake their heads in pity for his credulity.

BLITCH

MRSˈmɪsɪz

McLEANməˈkleɪn

Theðə

devildˈɛvəl

workswˈɜːks

inˈɪn

queerkwˈiə

wayswˈeɪz

As a body they rise and begin walking out of the church.

Calling after them

BLITCH

Butbˈʌt
I
swearswˈeə
totˈuː
youjˈuː
she's
innocentˈɪnəsənt
!
She's
innocentˈɪnəsənt
ofˈɒv
theðə
chargesˈt͡ʃɑɹd͡ʒɪz
you've
mademˈeɪd
.
Makemˈeɪk
restitutionɹɪstɪtjˈuːʃən
nownˈaʊ
,
brethrenbɹˈɛðɹən
!
McLEANməˈkleɪn

Turning at the door

BLITCH

We'll

seesˈiː

youjˈuː

atˈæt

theðə

baptismbˈæptɪzəm

preacherpɹˈiːtʃɐ

They leave haughtily ignoring Susannah who stares straight ahead. Blitch watches them go, his body taut and his face bewildered; unable to believe that he has failed to convince them. After a moment, Susannah begins laughing to herself, short laughs that hardly rise out of her throat and do nothing to alter the immobility of her face. Blitch, hearing the strange laughter, looks at her and brokenly walks down the aisle, gesturing helplessly. Susannah looks straight ahead.

BLITCH

triedtɹˈaɪd

Susannah

;

heardhˈɜːd

memˈiː

Flatly, without looking at him

SUSANNAH

Yeahjˈɛh

heardhˈɜːd

BLITCH

I'll

makemˈeɪk

itˈɪt

upˈʌp

totˈuː

swearswˈeə

willwˈɪl

Speaking

SUSANNAH

Howhˈaʊ

Blitch starts to answer, then realizes that there is nothing to say. Susannah stands up and moves into the aisle. Blitch puts his hand on her shoulder as if to detain her, and she jerks away from him with a shudder.

Venomously

SUSANNAH

Don't

techtɛk

memˈiː

She starts out, and Blitch calls after her in a broken voice

BLITCH

Fergive

memˈiː

Susannah

Pleaseplˈiːz

trytɹˈaɪ

an'

fergive

memˈiː

Turning to Blitch, speaking

SUSANNAH

Fergive

I've

forgotfəɡˈɒt

whatwˈɒt

thatðˈæt

wordwˈɜːd

meansmˈiːnz

Susannah exits, and Blitch watches her go. Falling on his knees, sobbing, he grasps the arm of the pew for support and cries out in an anguished voice

SUSANNAH

BLITCH

Lordlˈɔːd

ifˈɪf

itˈɪt

bebˈiː

Thyðˈaɪ

willwˈɪl

Letlˈɛt

thisðˈɪs

cupkˈʌp

passpˈɑːs

fromfɹˈɒm

memˈiː

SCENE FIVE

Scene: The front porch of the Polk house. It is sundown of the same day.

Susannah is discovered standing stiffly against one of the porch posts, staring vacantly ahead of her. There is a time of silence in contrast to her singing in Scene Three and this, coupled with the rather rigid, in-grown stance, suggests something of the change which has taken place in her since the previous scene. After a moment, Sam comes on-stage with a bulging croker sack slung over one shoulder and a shotgun carried under the other arm. He is slightly drunk, and his spirits are high.

SAM

CHAPTERtʃˈæptɐ

–

Heyhˈeɪ

thereðˈeə

littlelˈɪtəl

robinɹˈɒbɪn

I'm

backbˈæk

aginəˈɡɪn

With a bag full o' hides and food;

SAM

Howhˈaʊ
y'
beenbˈiːn
whilewˈaɪl
I
waswˈɒz
goneɡˈɒn
?
Diddˈɪd
y'
missmˈɪs
memˈiː
?
Diddˈɪd
y'
missmˈɪs
memˈiː
a
lotlˈɒt
?

He goes up the steps clumsily and leaning towards her, kisses her on the cheek. Susannah stares ahead.

Flatly, without turning to him

SUSANNAH

You're

drunkdɹˈʌŋk

Samˈsæm

Sam looks at her curiously, immediately aware that something is the matter but continues speaking in his jovial fashion. He goes into the house and leaves his sack, then reappears on the porch.

SAM

Jestdʒˈɛst
a
mitemˈaɪt
,
honhˈɒn
,
justdʒˈʌst
a
mitemˈaɪt
,
Butbˈʌt
notnˈɒt
enoughɪnˈʌf
ferfˈɜː
youjˈuː
Totˈuː
fretfɹˈɛt
yourjˈɔː
prettypɹˈɪti
headhˈɛd
aboutɐbˈaʊt
.

Lightly, walking over and putting gun in rack on porch

SAM

Anythingˈɛnɪθˌɪŋ

happenhˈæpən

whilewˈaɪl

waswˈɒz

goneɡˈɒn

Susannah doesn't answer and Sam turns slowly and looks at her, puzzled. He crosses and puts his hand on her shoulder.

SAM

What's

wrongɹˈɒŋ

littlelˈɪtəl

robinɹˈɒbɪn

Susannah shudders, drawing away. Sam, stunned, shouts

SAM

What's

wrongɹˈɒŋ

Susannah

What's

happenedhˈæpənd

Turning to him, vehemently

SUSANNAH

Ev'rything

That's

whatwˈɒt

Abruptly sobered, his voice low

SAM

Whatwˈɒt

dodə

meanmˈiːn

Susannah

Whatwˈɒt

dodə

meanmˈiːn

Her voice charged with accusation, fury and hurt

SUSANNAH

I
wentwˈɛnt
totˈuː
preachin'
likelˈaɪk
youjˈuː
askedˈɑːskt
memˈiː
totˈuː
,
An'
heˈhiː
calledkˈɔːld
memˈiː
downdˈaʊn
totˈuː
theðə
altarˈɒltɐ
Withwˈɪð
allˈɔːl
themðˈɛm
eyesˈaɪz
starin'
atˈæt
memˈiː
,
An'
thenðˈɛn
heˈhiː
followedfˈɒləʊd
memˈiː
herehˈiə
Soonsˈuːn
afterˈɑːftɐ
I
comekˈʌm
backbˈæk
.

SAM

Whohˈuː

SUSANNAH

Theðə

preacherpɹˈiːtʃɐ

SAM

Whywˈaɪ

SUSANNAH

Totˈuː

makemˈeɪk

memˈiː

repentɹɪˈpɛnt

SAM

Ohˈəʊ

SUSANNAH

Onlyˈəʊnli
heˈhiː
stayedstˈeɪd
onˈɒn
.
Heˈhiː
stayedstˈeɪd
nearnˈiə
allˈɔːl
nightnˈaɪt
,
An'
wherewˈeə
waswˈɒz
youjˈuː
?
Youjˈuː
waswˈɒz
outˈaʊt
gittin'
drunkdɹˈʌŋk
!

Fiercely

SAM

Whatwˈɒt
diddˈɪd
heˈhiː
dodə
?
Diddˈɪd
heˈhiː
laylˈeɪ
a
handhˈænd
onˈɒn
y'
?
SUSANNAH
Sureʃˈɔː
heˈhiː
diddˈɪd
!
Heˈhiː
stayedstˈeɪd
nearnˈiə
allˈɔːl
nightnˈaɪt
An'
theðə
worstwˈɜːst
you're
thinkin'
isˈɪz
truetɹˈuː
!
SAMˈsæm

Shaking her and shouting

SAM

Whywˈaɪ
,
Susannah
?
Whywˈaɪ
,
Susannah
?
Whywˈaɪ
diddˈɪd
youjˈuː
letlˈɛt
himhˈɪm
dodə
itˈɪt
?
SUSANNAH
Whywˈaɪ
?
Whywˈaɪ
?
'Cause
I
waswˈɒz
tiredtˈaɪəd
!
That's
whywˈaɪ
!
Tiredtˈaɪəd
o'
fightin'
anˈɐn
tiredtˈaɪəd
o'
livin'
Inˈɪn
a
worldwˈɜːld
wherewˈeə
theðə
truthtɹˈuːθ
hashˈæz
totˈuː
fightfˈaɪt
Sosˈəʊ
hardhˈɑːd
totˈuː
gitɡˈɪt
itselfɪtsˈɛlf
believedbɪlˈiːvd
-
An'
onˈɒn
toptˈɒp
o'
thatðˈæt
,
I
plum'
didn't
carekˈeə
.
Ifˈɪf
peoplepˈiːpəl
werewˈɜː
gonnaɡˈənɐ
believebɪlˈiːv
Theðə
worstwˈɜːst
anywayˈɛnɪwˌeɪ
,
thenðˈɛn
I
didn't
seesˈiː
Whatwˈɒt
diff'rence
itˈɪt
mademˈeɪd
.
Butbˈʌt
mostmˈəʊst
ofˈɒv
allˈɔːl
,
I
waswˈɒz
tiredtˈaɪəd
.

Turning away

SAM

Theðə

bastardbˈɑːstəd

Theðə

filthyfˈɪlθi

bastardbˈɑːstəd

SUSANNAH

An'
wherewˈeə
waswˈɒz
youjˈuː
,
Samˈsæm
?
Wherewˈeə
waswˈɒz
youjˈuː
?
A
gunɡˈʌn
ain't
muchmˈʌtʃ
protectionpɹətˈɛkʃən
somesˈʌm
timetˈaɪm
.

Susannah starts towards the door

SAM

Theðə
sneakin'
hypocritehˈɪpəkɹˌɪt
.
Downdˈaʊn
thereðˈeə
baptizin'
peoplepˈiːpəl
rightɹˈaɪt
nownˈaʊ
Afterˈɑːftɐ
whatwˈɒt
he's
donedˈʌn
totˈuː
youjˈuː
.

Wildly

SAM

I'll

killkˈɪl

himhˈɪm

That's

whatwˈɒt

l'll

dodə

I'll

killkˈɪl

himhˈɪm

aforeɐfˈɔː

theðə

day's

throughθɹˈuː

Sarcastically over her shoulder as she goes into the house

SUSANNAH

That'd

dodə

lotlˈɒt

goodɡˈʊd

(Sam is left standing tensely on the porch, his face a study of cold fury and hate, his mind obviously working with machine-like precision. Suddenly and decisively he turns, walks over to the rack and takes the shotgun down. He

SUSANNAH

thenðˈɛn
walkswˈɔːks
steadilystˈɛdɪli
downdˈaʊn
theðə
stepsstˈɛps
andˈænd
increasingɪnkɹˈiːsɪŋ
hishˈɪz
pacepeɪs
totˈuː
a
runɹˈʌn
,
heˈhiː
disappearsdˌɪsɐpˈiəz
offstageˈɒfsteɪdʒ
.
Theðə
stagestˈeɪdʒ
isˈɪz
leftlˈɛft
emptyˈɛmpti
forfˈɔː
somesˈʌm
timetˈaɪm
,
andˈænd
theðə
distantdˈɪstənt
soundsˈaʊnd
ofˈɒv
"
Comekˈʌm
,
sinnersˈɪnɐ
"
isˈɪz
heardhˈɜːd
.
Susannah
callskˈɔːlz
fromfɹˈɒm
insideˈɪnsaɪd
.)
SUSANNAH
Comekˈʌm
onˈɒn
inˈɪn
,
Samˈsæm
,
an'
washwˈɒʃ
upˈʌp
.
Supper's
readyɹˈɛdi
.

Again from the inside

SUSANNAH

Samˈsæm

supper's

readyɹˈɛdi

More insistently

SUSANNAH

Samˈsæm

With no response, she walks to the front of the house and appears in the door. It should be apparent that she senses something. Tentatively, as if not expecting to be answered

SUSANNAH

Samˈsæm

...

Samˈsæm

...

Susannah walks slowly onto the porch, trance-like, her whole attitude revealing growing terror. She pauses at the steps and screams.

SUSANNAH

Samˈsæm

Her body stiffens, and her face becomes mask-like. She stands immobilized and rooted, awaiting with a terrible certainty the inevitable.

(A shot blasts the night air in the distance and Susannah stands transfixed for a moment. Then slowly moving only her head, she turns toward the rack where the gun had lain. Seeing it gone, she arrests her

motion and once again stands rigid. Slowly her hands rise and cover her face. Suddenly, she breaks, falling to her knees and crying out)

SUSANNAH

O
Lordlˈɔːd
,
I
nevernˈɛvɐ
meantmˈɛnt
himhˈɪm
totˈuː
dodə
itˈɪt
!
O
Lordlˈɔːd
,
I
nevernˈɛvɐ
meantmˈɛnt
himhˈɪm
totˈuː
dodə
itˈɪt
!
Ifˈɪf
I'd
a-thought
he'd
a-done
itˈɪt
,
I'd
a-killed
himhˈɪm
firstfˈɜːst
.
Fergive
memˈiː
,
O
Lordlˈɔːd
,
fergive
memˈiː
Forfˈɔː
whateverwɒtˈɛvɐ
I've
donedˈʌn
totˈuː
bringbɹˈɪŋ
Thisðˈɪs
miserymˈɪzəɹˌi
onˈɒn
usˈʌs
allˈɔːl
.
O
Lordlˈɔːd
,
I
nevernˈɛvɐ
meantmˈɛnt
totˈuː
harmhˈɑːm
nobodynˈəʊbɒdˌi
.

Little Bat is heard shrieking "Susannah" offstage. He runs on stage wildly, talking and gesticulating as he does so. There is an ominous hush in the distance. Susannah rises immediately and stands facing Little Bat. Her former hardness returns.

LITTLE BAT

Susannah
!
Susannah
!
Susannah
!
Susannah
,
Samˈsæm
killedkˈɪld
himhˈɪm
!
Samˈsæm
shotʃˈɒt
theðə
preacherpɹˈiːtʃɐ
Whilewˈaɪl
heˈhiː
waswˈɒz
inˈɪn
theðə
crickkɹˈɪk
baptizin'
.
Heˈhiː
snucksnˈʌk
upˈʌp
behindbɪhˈaɪnd
somesˈʌm
bushesbˈʊʃɪz
Andˈænd
nobodynˈəʊbɒdˌi
seedsˈiːd
himhˈɪm

But we all seed him when he run away.

LITTLE BAT

An'
theðə
preacherpɹˈiːtʃɐ
sanksˈæŋk
rightɹˈaɪt
downdˈaʊn
inˈɪn
theðə
crickkɹˈɪk
Withwˈɪð
a
poolpˈuːl
ofˈɒv
bloodblˈʌd
aroundɐɹˈaʊnd
himhˈɪm
.
An'
beforebɪfˈɔː
theyðˈeɪ
couldkˈʊd
dragdɹˈæɡ
himhˈɪm
outˈaʊt
,
Heˈhiː
waswˈɒz
deaddˈɛd
.
An'
heˈhiː
waswˈɒz
prayin'
realɹiːl
hardhˈɑːd
aforeɐfˈɔː
heˈhiː
dieddˈaɪd
,
Askin'
fergiveness
ferfˈɜː
hishˈɪz
sinssˈɪnz
,
An'
askin'
theðə
Lordlˈɔːd
totˈuː
blessblˈɛs
youjˈuː
.
Itˈɪt
waswˈɒz
a
terribletˈɛɹəbəl
thingθˈɪŋ
totˈuː
hearhˈiə
.
(
CONGREGATIONkˌɒŋɡɹɪɡˈeɪʃən
humshˈʌmz
offˈɒf
stagestˈeɪdʒ
)
LITTLElˈɪtəl
BATbˈæt
An'
theðə
folksfˈəʊks
isˈɪz
comin'
herehˈiə
totˈuː
gitɡˈɪt
y'
.
Theyðˈeɪ
saysˈeɪ
youjˈuː
putpʊt
Samˈsæm
upˈʌp
totˈuː
itˈɪt
,
An'
theyðˈeɪ
saysˈeɪ
they're
gonnaɡˈənɐ
runɹˈʌn
youjˈuː
Out'n
theðə
valleyvˈæli
,
an'
hanghˈæŋ
Samˈsæm
,
tootˈuː
,
Ifˈɪf
theyðˈeɪ
catchkˈætʃ
himhˈɪm
.
They're
a-comin'
,
Susannah
.
Don't
youjˈuː
hearhˈiə
'em
?
Whatwˈɒt
y'
gonnaɡˈənɐ
dodə
,
Susannah
,
Whatwˈɒt
y'
gonnaɡˈənɐ
dodə
?

The sound of voices is heard in the distance. Susannah stands rigidly against the porch post, her face becoming stern and set.

LITTLE BAT

betterbˈɛtɐ

runɹˈʌn

Susannah

They're

gittin'

closekləʊz

They're

gittin'

closekləʊz

betterbˈɛtɐ

runɹˈʌn

Susannah

betterbˈɛtɐ

runɹˈʌn

(Little Bat runs off stage, and Susannah stands immobile against the post. The voices are close and are heard chanting as they enter.) CONGREGATION

LITTLE BAT

Gitɡˈɪt
out'n
theðə
valleyvˈæli
,
Susannah
.
Gitɡˈɪt
outˈaʊt
!
Gitɡˈɪt
outˈaʊt
tonighttənˈaɪt
!
Y've
causedkˈɔːzd
usˈʌs
tootˈuː
muchmˈʌtʃ
bloodshedblˈʌdʃɛd
.
Y've
causedkˈɔːzd
usˈʌs
tootˈuː
muchmˈʌtʃ
strifestɹˈaɪf
.
Gitɡˈɪt
out'n
theðə
valleyvˈæli
,
Susannah
!
Gitɡˈɪt
outˈaʊt
!
Gitɡˈɪt
outˈaʊt
tonighttənˈaɪt
!
Y'd
betterbˈɛtɐ
bebˈiː
a-leavin'
A-fore
they's
daylightdˈeɪlaɪt
.
MCLEANməˈkleɪn
Ofˈɒv
allˈɔːl
theðə
sinssˈɪnz
whichwˈɪtʃ
laylˈeɪ
onˈɒn
yerjˈə
soulsˈəʊl
Thisðˈɪs
waswˈɒz
theðə
worstwˈɜːst
ofˈɒv
allˈɔːl
totˈuː
beholdbɪhˈəʊld
.

OTT

Theðə

preacherpɹˈiːtʃɐ

waswˈɒz

yerjˈə

friendfɹˈɛnd

heˈhiː

waswˈɒz

ferfˈɜː

truetɹˈuː

Yerjˈə

namenˈeɪm

heˈhiː

calledkˈɔːld

withwˈɪð

theðə

lastlˈɑːst

breathbɹˈɛθ

heˈhiː

drewdɹˈuː

Susannah begins to laugh mockingly and the laughter continues through the succeeding lines.

HAYES

Y'd
mightmˈaɪt
asəz
wellwˈɛl
o'
killedkˈɪld
himhˈɪm
yerselfjəˈsɛlf
Asəz
hadhˈæd
himhˈɪm
killedkˈɪld
,
Jes'
sosˈəʊ
hishˈɪz
voicevˈɔɪs
againstɐɡˈɛnst
you'd
bebˈiː
Foreverfəɹˈɛvɐ
stilledstˈɪld
.

GLEATON

You're
mockin'
usˈʌs
withwˈɪð
yerjˈə
laughterlˈɑːftɐ
.
Y'll
regretɹɪɡɹˈɛt
itˈɪt
,
y'll
seesˈiː
,
Whenwˈɛn
yerjˈə
brother's
caughtkˈɔːt
An'
strungstɹˈʌŋ
onˈɒn
a
treetɹˈiː
.

The mob begins to move toward Susannah who is shrieking with laughter. Their mood becomes angrier. As they close in on her, she abruptly stops laughing and shouts.

SUSANNAH

Gitɡˈɪt

outˈaʊt

Gitɡˈɪt

outˈaʊt

Youjˈuː

cain't

runɹˈʌn

memˈiː

offˈɒf

mymˈaɪ

placeplˈeɪs

Till I'm ready to leave,

SUSANNAH

An'

that'll

bebˈiː

somesˈʌm

timetˈaɪm

totˈuː

comekˈʌm

Sosˈəʊ

gitɡˈɪt

outˈaʊt

Gitɡˈɪt

outˈaʊt

The mob stops suddenly, surprised at her vehemence, and then begins coming towards her again. She whirls, runs into the house and is immediately out again with the gun Sam left her. She points it menacingly at the mob.

SUSANNAH

Gitɡˈɪt
awayɐwˈeɪ
fromfɹˈɒm
herehˈiə
aforeɐfˈɔː
I
blastblˈɑːst
youjˈuː
allˈɔːl
Totˈuː
kingdomkˈɪŋdəm
comekˈʌm
!
An'
don't
comekˈʌm
'round
herehˈiə
aginəˈɡɪn
Lesslˈɛs
y'
don't
carekˈeə
nothin'
'bout
livin'
.
McLEANməˈkleɪn
Youjˈuː
cain't
settlesˈɛtəl
ev'rything
withwˈɪð
a
gunɡˈʌn
,
wenchwˈɛntʃ
.
There's
a
higherhˈaɪɐ
courtkˈɔːt
o'
justicedʒˈʌstɪs
!

The mob takes up McLean's threat, and with raised fists, they slowly begin retreating, backing offstage. When Susannah sees them leaving, she once more begins her derisive laughter and continues it, rocking back and forth, until they have disappeared.

CONGREGATION

There'll
comekˈʌm
a
reckonin'
timetˈaɪm
.
There's
a
higherhˈaɪɐ
courtkˈɔːt
ofˈɒv
justicedʒˈʌstɪs
.
There'll
comekˈʌm
a
reckonin'
timetˈaɪm
,
There's
a
higherhˈaɪɐ
courtkˈɔːt
ofˈɒv
justicedʒˈʌstɪs
.

As the crowd disappears, Susannah walks over and puts the gun on the rack. As she does so, she notices Little Bat who has sneaked upstage, and her laughing stops. Little Bat looks at her wide-eyed and frightened. Slowly Susannah walks to the post and leans against it, seductively. Her tone of voice now completely changes, and her manner is spuriously soft and helpless, obscuring only for Little Bat, her fierce contempt for him.

SUSANNAH

Comekˈʌm
onˈɒn
overˈəʊvɐ
,
Littlelˈɪtəl
Batbˈæt
.
Don't
bebˈiː
scaredskˈeəd
.
I
won't
hurthˈɜːt
y'
.
I'm
lonesomelˈəʊnsʌm
.
Comekˈʌm
an'
lovelˈʌv
memˈiː
upˈʌp
somesˈʌm
.

He comes over to her tentatively.

SUSANNAH

Comekˈʌm
onˈɒn
,
Don't
bebˈiː
afraidɐfɹˈeɪd
.
I'm
allˈɔːl
bybˈaɪ
myselfmaɪsˈɛlf
nownˈaʊ
An'
y'
knownˈəʊ
I
waswˈɒz
allers
goodɡˈʊd
totˈuː
y'
.

Little Bat walks hesitantly up the steps and stops momentarily. As he comes nearer to her, Susannah fights a loathing and revulsion to his closeness.

SUSANNAH

saidsˈɛd

sosˈəʊ

yerselfjəˈsɛlf

Sosˈəʊ

comekˈʌm

onˈɒn

Comekˈʌm

onˈɒn

(He goes to her and puts his arms around her, and as he does so, Susannah slaps him viciously across the face. Little Bat, holding his cheek, runs yelping down the steps and across the yard. Susannah once again reels with laughter and holding her sides moves to the door, watching Little Bat as she does so. When he is gone, her strident laughter vanishes as quickly as it began. She turns around, straightens

SUSANNAH

herhˈɜː

bodybˈɒdi

inˈɪn

theðə

doorwaydˈɔːweɪ

andˈænd

remainsɹɪmˈeɪnz

standingstˈændɪŋ

thereðˈeə

anˈɐn

inviolably

strongstɹˈɒŋ

andˈænd

inexorablyɪnˈɛksəɹəbli

lonelylˈəʊnli

prisonerpɹˈɪzənɐ

ofˈɒv

self-imposed

exileˈɛɡzaɪl

CHAPTERtʃˈæptɐ

12twɛlv

–

CURTAINkˈɜːtən

CHAPTERtʃˈæptɐ

–

Creditskɹˈɛdɪts

Susannah

Susannah

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