# Mr. Bunt/Act 2

​ACT II
SCENE 1
THE CIRCUS
The stained and spotted canvas of the big tent hangs silent in the night.
On the right is the great gilded wagon in which the lions are drawn when on parade. On the left a light burns within the tent, throwing on the canvas the gigantic shadowed forms of those who pass. It is evidently the rear of the circus where the circus folk live.
Straw litters the ground.
In the light of a lantern, right, sits the ragged figure of an old man, studying some cards laid out before him on the ground. A clown enters, carrying a bundle of torn hoops. He deposits them and stops at a basin near the opening of the tent to wash the make-up from his face.
A bare-back rider crosses the stage. She pauses for a moment in the flood of light that fills the entrance of the tent and streams across the stage.
It is Lu, in all the glitter of her ring costume. From the shadows the clown speaks to her. ​MR. BUNT
JIM
Looking up from the basin. How did the act go tonight, Lu?
LU
Fine, Jim. I nearly fell off Midnight laughing at you - you are such aa fool.
JIM
I wish I felt that way.
LU
Jim, you've got it, that's all I got to say.
JIM
Aw, ferget it.
LU
Goodnight, Jim. She passes into the tent. Jim slips on a coat and, having fished out a pipe from his pocket, stands idly watching the old man and his cards.
JIM
What do you see in' em, Danny? You're starin' at 'em so.
DANNY
I'm minded no tae tell ye, man.
JIM
Kin you read 'em?
DANNY
If it were but the cairds, I wouldna' be starin' so, Jim.
JIM
Well, I never could understand 'em, ​67
MR . BUNT
He crosses over to Danny. DANNY
It's na for ye tae understand; it's for ye tae hearken , man, for there be word for ye here. But I wouldna' hae turned thon laist caird if I'd ha' known . JIM
Sitting on wagon shaft and bending toward cards. You mean that
queen
of diamonds ?
DANNY
Aye, Jim . JIM
What's that ? DANNY
It's Lu.
JIM
Lu ? DANNY
It's
aye
her when it comes atween th ' ace and th '
twa .
JIM
What makes you so sure of that, Danny? DANNY
Sure, man, didna' it come that way the nicht afore she fell frae the horse, she that they ca’ the Queen o' the Ring, and isna' it aye a dimond croon she
wears, around an' around the ring on
the back o' the white horse ? I wouldna' hae turned thon laist caird - for man, it micht mean
onything. ​68
MR . BUNT
JIM
I hope there ain't no trouble fer her, Danny . DANNY
I dinna' ken, Jim. It's her heart I'm starin' at noo .
JIM
You mean whatever is comin to me is goin' to hurt Lu ? DANNY
Aye, man , it looks that way. JIM
Well, how much can you see, Danny ? DANNY
I see a wee lad and lassie, Jim, playin' somewhaur by a wee hoose. JIM
Rising
How kin you read that, Danny ? DANNY
They're in the cards, man. JIM
And can you read if they're happy ? DANNY
Aye, Jim. JIM
Walks slowly across to tent. They're mine, Danny, and it's five years since I seen 'em .
Sometimes it comes over me hard.
It's when you're tired you can't shake things ​MR . BUNT
69
off. Annie'll be ten this fall and Dabs eight. But you say they're happy ? DANNY
Aye, man, they be happy. JIM
Turning.
And what's this about Lu, Danny. How did she get mixed into this ? DANNY
I dinna ken, Jim, till the word comes tae ye.
Wait, man, till I lay them oot aince mair. Jim fills a dipper from a pail beside the tent and drinks, while Danny turns the cards. Suddenly he starts.
It be Lu again,, Jim. Man, there be trouble somewhaur ! JIM
Trouble !
The dipper slips from his hand, there is a clank of metal and he crosses to Danny. What does it say, Danny ? DANNY
It says a word be a-comin' tae ye, Jim. Rises in fear. But I canna' read what it micht be and I'm nae
hand at hearin' voices as some of them be. Troubled.
Man, will ye no turn in ? ​70
MR. BUNT
JIM Seating himself again on the wagon shaft. No, Danny, I'll set here aa bit. Exit Danny.
SCENE 2
From the tents, in the silence, comes the rest less sound of the animalsa short growl, the chatter of a monkey. The shadow of a woman appears on the can vas. She passes across the tent and steps out softly. It is Lu, who has slipped into her wrapper. In her hand is a tinsel crown. She approaches Jim.
LU I heard your voice - can't you sleep, Jim?
JIM Oh, it's that way some nights, Lu ! Seems as though I'd rather set here. Again there is a disturbance among the animals.
LU I wish I could do something fer you , Jim. I hate to see you grieving, you who can make 'em laugh so. Why, Jim, you're the whole show. When you come in there ain't anything else. They jest foller you around and holler their heads off, laughing. Seems like you didn't have ​MR . BUNT
71
to do anything, jest look at 'em and they begins to scream at once. Where do you get it, Jim ? JIM
It's jest watching 'em , Lu . LU
Jest watching 'em ? Why, people ain't funny. JIM
No, but I studies ' em . What the professors in the schools calls psychology, Lu. All the little things they do - things that they're ashamed of, or afraid of - they got them all tied up inside of
' em in a hard bundle, and when they see me do these things right out, it sort of unties the bundles and they begin to laugh soon as they see someone else being aa fool. There's nothing like company, Lu. It's funny, I can show 'em what fools they are, but when it comes to myself He stops. LU
Gently. Jim, you ain't never told me or anyone the trouble, since you joined us.
A harsh scream of a parrot breaks the still. ness .
JIM
No.
Rising.
And I ain't telling. a thing
What's the use of spreading ​72
MR . BUNT
A roar from the animals, then a horse neighs shrilly. Them animals is restless tonight. LU
Seems like something was bothering 'em, Jim. Excuse me fer asking, it were jest to help you if I could. You don't mind my coming and setting with you, Jim ? JIM
No, Lu, but I ain't good company , fer I'm tired , awful tired , Lu . Seems sometimes as if I'd He stops and his whole body grows tense. LU
Sitting down on the ground. Let me stay, Jim. I'll work a bit. It's a crown I'm making from the old one.
new
JIM
You've had it long, Lu ? LU
Ever since I got my riding job in the show, Jim. And I've got to feeling there is something lucky
about it, so I always makes the new one out of the old. It's only the band wears out. I don't know how many new ones I've had by this time. Most every year I've made it over in the spring, when the show starts out. JIM
It's a long time, Lu. Was you with the show afore you became the ' Diamond Queen ’ ? ​MR . BUNT
73
LU
Laughing 'Way back, Jim, I come. It's so far back we'll
forget about it, boy — but after they found I .
could manage the horses, they trained me in for an act, and I've spent my life going round that ring ever since. JIM
Won't it get you somewhere, Lu ? LU
Smiling
What ? Jest going round the ring ? JIM
I mean - don't you want something else ? LU
Why, Jim, that's all life is fer most of us. Jest going around the ring, doing the same act. They feeds us fer that. JIM
I know, but LU
Softly. I know, Jim.
You told me your dreams when
you first came and they be true, boy. You'll find 'em some day. JIM
I'm all right here, Lu. I don't ask for nothing
more as long as you and Danny is here. LU
But, Jim, you know what I told you. You've got it ​MR . BUNT
74
in you , Jim, boy, only you never got it out right yet. You'll see a way some day and you're go ing to do it. JIM
All of us are, you mean , Lu . LU
Never you mind the rest of us, Jim, but I've set my heart on your going on. JIM
Smiling.
Yes- you set your heart on everything around here, Lu . LU
Enthusiastically.
And it all comes true, Jim. It's the wishing that works it. It's when you don't see your way clear, if you keep on wishing, finally -- whatever it was breaks, and they call it luck. Jim smokes in silence. JIM
It's funny, Lu. LU
Everything's funny, Jim - almost. JIM
Turning to look at her, slowly. You said the word, Lu - almost LU
Well, don't let that worry you. That's the word
that lets us see how funny things has to be. ​MR . BUNT
75
JIM
Nodding slowly. I reckon I get it, Lu . LU
Not quite, Jim, because you're different, and that's what makes it so hard. I know, there isn't much a woman don't know about these things.
A man jest sees what he wants and fights fer it; he don't feel or think of anything else, he jest fights. But with a woman it's different. If you
could only understand, Jim . A woman's got to give. She can't live without giving, and when it ain't children it's everything else. And even if it ain't quite the same - it's almost, Jim-almost. JIM
Some of us wake up too late, Lu! LU
Why, that's life, Jim.. It begins then. It ain't
anything like we think it's going to be. It's only when the fairies come back that we understand. JIM
The what, Lu ? LU
Why, Jim, ain't you ever seen the children talking
and playing with the little things that no one else can see ? It's the fairies, Jim. Even the babies when they can't talk - have you ever noticed
how all of a sudden they change and their big ​MR . BUNT
76
eyes are a - looking through you and a - peering out
JIM
With a smothered groan . Don't, Lu ! LU
Softly. I guessed it, Jim - can't you go back ? JIM
Firmly. I'm here, Lu. LU
Quickly. Then it's almost time for the fairies, Jim.
When
you can't stand anything more, they come back, and I can tell they be coming soon, Jim, for you can't get on without 'em. What was Danny reading in the cards ? JIM
What do you mean, Lu ? LU
Oh, there's ways of reading things besides the cards . JIM
He sets a heap of store by what they say. LU
And what was he telling you, Jim ? JIM
I can't make it out.
He said there was some ​MR . BUNT
77
thing going to happen ; something like " word " was coming to me. And then it seemed that you got mixed up in it. LU
Rising . Me, Jim ?-me ? JIM
Yes, and he got afraid for you, and he couldn't read no more . LU
Turning away .
He needn't be afraid for me, Jim. Now I under stand .
Holding up the crown . There, it's most done. Look at it, Jim. Jim does not look. Lu, reaching out her hand, touches his shoulder.
Goodnight, Jim. JIM
Quietly.
Thank you, Lu. Lu crosses to the tent slowly. For a moment
she stops and turns towards Jim as if about to speak. The words do not come, but her hands are pressed tightly over her heart as she turns again and slowly enters the tent. Jim sinks down on the wagon shaft, staring at the cards that have warned him . ​78
MR . BUNT SCENE 3
In the silence, high up among the gilded orna ments of the circus wagon , a little figure with a gun is seen , peering cautiously over the top. JIM
Looking up and watching it. What you doing up there, sonny ? BOY
I'm afraid . JIM
Where did you come from ? BOY
I don't know . JIM
Well, I guess you're skeered out of your wits, ain't you ? Come down here; I want to see you . BOY
You won't bite me ? JIM
Say BOY
Nor you won't let the tiger get me? JIM You come down here.
The boy descends and walks over into the
light. It is the absurd figure of Mr. Bunt. Why, bless my heart, what's this ? Where did
you get them clothes ? Be you out hunting ani mals in the menagerie ? ​MR . BUNT
79
MR. BUNT
They're all I got. JIM
Say, I'm the clown in this circus. What do you think you are ? MR. BUNT
I'm aa lost fairy. JIM
Still astonished . Er- ?
Changing quietly. That's right, come right out with it.
Now that
we know each other, don't try and be funny any I'm more. That's my business around here. the clown. MR. BUNT
But I'm not trying to be funny. JIM
What's your name ? MR. BUNT
She calls me Mr. Bunt. JIM
She ? You mean your mother ? MR. BUNT
No, I haven't got any mother. The little girl who used to play with me before I got lost. JIM
Where did you play ? MR. BUNT
With her.
She just made me up. ​80
MR . BUNT JIM
Well, she made you up fine, I'll say that. But
look here, sonny, let's get down to business. We're not doing an act, remember that. MR. BUNT
I'll do anything you say, sir. JIM
Forgetting. You know we could do an act.
I can be an
awfully funny bear and you could hunt me around with that gun of yours until they laughed their heads off. MR. BUNT
I would'nt have to kill you, would I ? Because I don't like killing things. JIM
No, you wouldn't have to kill me, and what's more you won't have the chance, because you
got to run along home now as fast as you can, before they find you out. MR. BUNT
Honestly, I haven't got any home. JIM
Say, young 'un, what do you think you're hand ing me ? MR. BUNT
Won't anyone in the world believe me ? JIM
Looking at him . Look here, kid. You're not crying, be you ? ​MR . BUNT
81
MR . BUNT
Sobbing What if I am
I can't help it. JIM
Um -m - right you are. Go ahead and spill. It's the only thing that shows anybody's worth while. But look here, now, if you're lost, I'll take care
of you till somebody comes , and you can stay with me . MR. BUNT
And hunt you as a bear ? JIM
Yes, and hunt me as a bear. I'll teach you all the tricks. MR. BUNT
Do you think I could learn to be a little clown ? JIM
Sure. I'll learn you to make people laugh till well, like me- they almost ferget. MR. BUNT
Almost forget what ? JIM
That you've got to go on living - on and on. Some day you'll understand, son. I hope it won't be like me. Changing.
That's funny. How did I come to talk to you ? MR. BUNT
That's what I'm for - for people to talk to, like ​MR . BUNT
82
the little girl said. Things she could tell nobody else she could talk with me about. JIM
Amused .
You're aa funny one. MR. BUNT
Then I can stay ? JIM
Sure, of course you can stay till somebody comes fer you. Roll in under the wagon and in the
morning tell them you belong to me, do you hear ? MR. BUNT
Yes, Mr. Clown. Mr. Bunt rolls under the wagon . Jim stands staring at the moon . Slowly his head sinks down as he leans despondently on the wheel.
The figure of Lu is seen stealing toward him softly. LU
Jim. Jim looks up at her slowly. JIM
Lu , if you couldn't cry you couldn't make 'em laugh, you know. LU
Pitifully. Don't, Jim-don't-it's killing you. Lu turns away in agony. The bit of starlit
sky which shows above the big tent begins ​MR . BUNT
83
slowly to glow . Lu's widening eyes stare out upon the fire and a whisper of dumb terror comes :
Jim, what's that ! JIM
Turning slowly, in the moment before the out break.
Lu, it's the- show
SCENE 4
We are back at the Maple Tree again .
The stage is dark and empty. Away off, where the little tents of the traveling circus stood, is seen the red glow of the fire. Slowly it increases. A sinister stillness fills the stage. Suddenly the quivering silence of the woods is broken - a
twig snaps; something unseen is crossing the stage. One follows simply the weird rustling of the leaves. Again the sound occurs. It is
as though strange animals were fleeing through the woods before the oncoming fire. Jim's voice is heard. He is mounting the hillock carrying a lantern. For a moment his figure is silhouetted against the red sky. With him
are Lu and Danny. Their clothes are tom and burned.
Lu still carries the spangled
crown held aimlessly in her hand . ​84
MR . BUNT JIM
Looking back. Danny, I don't like the looks of things. Descending the hill. Lu, you'd better rest here; I don't think the fire will get up this far. LU
Jim , I can't rest with the cries of them poor burning brutes in my ears. DANNY
Calm yirself, lassie, calm yirself. a wee bit.
There, rest
It's aa black nicht for use
Lu seats herself on the ground, Danny stand ing by her. JIM
Danny, I'm going back again for that kid. DANNY
He'll nae be there, I tell ye. through the woods.
I saw him running
JIM
Then we'll start on the hunt now.
I tell you
he's the one that has the word for me; I could feel it the minute I laid eyes on him. DANNY
It micht be true, Jim, and the trouble I saw come too .
JIM
Aye, Danny, it has come. But that kid At this moment the huge form of aa bear rises in silhouette against the red sky. ​MR . BUNT
85
LU
Jim ! JIM
Danny, give me that knife of yourn . The ani mals is loose !
Taking knife from Danny. Look after Lu .
He advances to meet the bear. LU
Resisting Danny.
Jim, let me stay with you ! The bear is coming on now, with Jim watch
ing him, when suddenly a shot rings out. The bear totters for a moment and then falls be fore the astonished eyes of Jim. JIM
Who shot that bear ? DANNY
In wonderment.
Man, it was a grand shot. JIM
But who shot him, Danny ? DANNY
but for aught I ken it was a Ye can ask me bricht and shining angel of the Lord . JIM
Danny, where is that kid ? There's something queer here. What was his name ? ​MR . BUNT
86
DANNY
How should I ken ?
I had nae word wi' him. JIM
Well, we got to find him, Danny. He's got that word for me you saw in the cards. I know it now .
LU
Jim, I want to help. I'm strong enough . JIM
You lay there, Lu, you hear. You ain't fit to move after all we've been through this night. LU
Please let me hunt, Jim. JIM
No, Lu. It may be all night. Danny and I will
find him. And don't you worry, Lu, 'cause the show is gone ; I can take care of you and Danny, Danny, take that canyon we
whatever comes .
just crossed and I'll go back along the creek. Exit Jim. DANNY
It's nae guid tae gang back, Lu; it's a' burned o'er.
I'll bide here wi ' ye. LU
No, Danny, Jim's counting on you. Go back through that brush ; the kid might be there. Exit Danny . ​MR . BUNT
87
SCENE 5
Lu rises and slowly walks among the low bushes, peering into the darkness. She stops for a moment, looking at the dead bear. A tiny cry, as of a child , is heard . She turns suddenly and listens, then tushes off in the direction of the sound, across the hillock to ward the fire. SCENE 6
The red glow is increasing, illuminating the
whole scene, painting with fantastic lights the trees that seem to flicker in the leaping flames. The frightened figure of Mr. Bunt appears. He rushes wildly onto the stage. A mysteri
ous sound of voices seems to follow him like some weird, barbaric chant.
It rises and
falls with the oncoming flames, sweeping in the air above him, striking terror into his little trembling form . FIRE VOICES
Un - yan - yan - yanUn - yan - yan - yan-
-un - yan - yan - yan .
un - yan - yan - yan .
1
With unrelenting cries it pursues him. swells and dies away and then is taken up more strongly, sweeping through the air. 1 Anyone who has been among the Arizona Indians can give the correct intonation of the weird monotony and terror of this chant. ​88
MR . BUNT
Transfixed with terror, Mr. Bunt is staring wildly at the empty sky above him. The ris
ing and falling reflections of the flames play around him in a fantastic dance. He sees the Maple Tree and is now beating frantically on the trunk. MR. BUNT
Let me in !
Let me in ! A VOICE
Who comes ?
Who comes ? MR. BUNT
Turning and running out to meet the voice, calling : It is 1-1-1 - Mr. Bunt- the lost fairy. FAIRY VOICE
Fairies should be heard, not seen. MR. BUNT
Please let me in !
Please let me in !
Other voices begin to mingle with the rhythmic chant. FIRE VOICES
Un - yan - yan - yan-
-un - yan - yan - yan .
Un - yan - yan - yan Un — yan - yan - yan-
-un - yan - yan - yan .
un - yan - yan - yan .
FAIRY VOICES
Fairies should be heard, not seen. Fairies should be heard, not seen. ​MR . BUNT
89
MR. BUNT
Screaming. Let me in !
Let me in ! VOICES
As if in answer.
Key - key - key - key - key - key - key. Mr. Bunt, panic -stricken , rushes about the stage , finally throwing his arms about the Maple Tree.
Gyem springs on the scene, waving his arms to the flames. GYEM
Fire, fire, burning bright, No fairies leave the tree tonight. VOICES
Key - key - key - key - key - key - key. Let him in !
Let him in !
Let him in !
SANDMAN
Entering.
Gyem, will you then let him burn ? MR. BUNT
Running to Gyem.
Gyem - Gyem - save me ! Let me in ! GYEM
Forgotten fairies, lost and found, Seek their shelter in the ground. You must make your way again, Share the sorrow and the pain ​90
MR . BUNT
Of some mortal until he,
By forgetting, sets you free. FAIRY VOICES
It's the lost fairy !
It's the lost fairy ! Let him in - he'll burn. GYEM
Too late, too late To enter here !
Nor have I the magic key
To open wide the Maple Tree. He disappears. The Sandman stands silently
by, for the long last sleep belongs to him. Mr. Bunt drops in terror. As if in mocking comes the answer. FIRE VOICES
Un - yan - yan - yan-
un - yan - yan - yan . NEW VOICES
In a rush, as though driven before the fire. Un - nene- na Un - ne - ne na Un - ne - ne- na-
un - ne - ne - na . unnene
na .
-un - ne - nena .
Gyem - Gyem - Gyem - Gyem ! Yen - ne - nema
yen - ne - ne -
a.
Above the ominous chanting the deep voice of the Sandman is now heard as he moves to ward the figure of Mr. Bunt. ​MR . BUNT
91
SANDMAN
Baby fairy of the tree Will be burnt and never be But the food for fire and flame.
Gyem - I call you once again ! Enter Gyem . The Sandman calls to him :
Quickly set this fairy free, 'Ere he perish by the tree. GYEM
Wildly.
The key is lost. FIRE VOICES
Un - yen - yen - yen-
un - yen - yen - yen .
Un - yen - yen - yen-
-un - yen - yen - yen .
The terrifying chant rouses Gyem to action . He rushes madly to the hillock. Climbing to the top he cups his little hands to call : GYEM
West Wind - ho !
Silence again . Then way off in the distant hills is heard a long cry : “ West Wind blow - o - o - o ! ”
Gyem jumps to the ground. The red fire now fills the stage and through the smoke he is seen, standing rigidly, watching the Maple Tree. The leaves move slightly. Gyem dances
in delight. ​MR . BUNT
92
Oh, for the West Wind, West Wind, ho ! Maple leaves a -dancing go, Dance and turn
To the red, red glow . Gyem climbs again to the top of the hillock, crying to the flames : Come on, O flames, And burn your way
Through the crackling brush And the tinder hay :
With spark and flame You'll eat your way ; Then stop ! For the Wind Is on its way.
Slowly the sound of the Wind rises. It grows in volume until the chanting of the fire voices is lost in the rush of the oncoming storm . The
flames dance wildly. Then comes the Battle Song of the Wind. Black figures in stream ing silver capes rush in, dancing madly about the stage, chanting: Blow 'em down, West Wind, Blow 'em down flat!
Scatter 'em hither and thither and back ;
Beating 'em down on their blackened knees, Pick off the flames from the burning trees. ​MR . BUNT
93
The Wind - the Wind - the Wind ,
Ho, for the battle of Wind and Flame, Blowing 'em back and back again. Oh, ho ! Oh, ho ! The red glow of the fire has gone, the stage is black , the wind has died and the figures have departed . Vaguely the figure of the Sand
man is seen rising from the prostrate form of Mr. Bunt. He moves away slowly, singing : SANDMAN
Dream, baby, dream A spirit voice from another world breaks in upon the song. VOICE OF SPIRIT
Sandman, do you bring him to us ? SANDMAN
Not yet, О Spirit of the Air - he lives. VOICE OF SPIRIT
Sandman, do they not understand on Earth ? SANDMAN
Not yet, О Spirit, are we clearly seen. VOICE OF SPIRIT
Pass on, O Sandman, with thy sack of dreams, O’ershadow by thy visions earthly Fate ; Guard one who asked but for a tinsel crown ;
Make sweet her dreams , her voyage to our gate. Pass on, O Sandman , All is well. ​94
MR . BUNT
Through the smoke the figure of the Sandman is seen moving slowly on his way. Again comes the song. SANDMAN
Dream, baby, dream, All
your
dreams come true.
SCENE 7
The gray dawn comes softly through the woods.
The huddled figure of Mr. Bunt is seen sleep ing on the ground close to the dead bear. Danny's voice is heard calling : “Lu ! ” He enters and calls again.
Lu's bedraggled figure appears on the hillock. DANNY
Lu - are ye there, dear ? VOICE OF LU
I'm coming, Danny. Did you find the boy ? DANNY
No ' me .
Hae ye no seen Jim ? LU
Entering. No, Danny, I could find no one and the woods were strange and fearful with the fire. DANNY
We'll bide our time here, lassie. Jim'll be back
soon noo daylicht has come. ​95
MR . BUNT LU
I'm frightened , Danny. I kept following the cry of a child through the woods all night and here I am back where I started. It might all be fancy — but I don't understand. DANNY
Rising and peering about the stage , then walk ing right.
It was a strange wild nicht, lassie, and strange fancies come tae me, too, as if mair trouble was coming. LU
Is everything gone, Danny ? DANNY
A' the show , lassie, ilka stick is gone, burnt up. Aye, lassie , there isna' muckle left for us noo but
the spangled croon ye’re carryin' in yir hand. LU
Why, Danny, I must have carried it all night - it brought me luck, once. DANNY
Keep it, Lu. Ye'll need it, lassie, in the black days that has come upon us all. He sees Mr. Bunt and the bear. After star ing for a moment, puzzled, he turns towards Lu, and in a whisper calls : Lu ! ​96
MR . BUNT LU
Rising.
Danny, what is it ? Tell me ! What have you seen ? DANNY
What hae I no' seen, lassie. I gie ye my word , there's a wee hunter no bigger nor my thumb
that shot and kilt the biggest bear i' the whole show . LU
Crossing.
Have you lost your mind, Danny ? What are you talking about ? DANNY
Noo can ye believe yir een. LU
Rising and drawing Danny away. It's him, Danny—the strange kid that Jim is
hunting. Call Jim ! Wait - Danny, wait. DANNY
What is it, Lassie ? LU
Jim thinks maybe he brought the word Pause.
"the word ,” that's it. DANNY
The word
Going up to Lu. Ye mean what I was readin' i' the cairds ? ​97
MR . BUNT LU
Yes, Danny. He thinks the kid has it. it's queer things the kid says.
He says
DANNY
If it's the word, Lu, send him awa', for he brings nae luck tae ye.
Tak
my
word .
LU
Turns and walks away slowly. Then, turning towards Danny again .
No, Danny, we'll not send him away. He must have come for Jim. I know, and oh, Danny, listen before you call Jim -- there's something I wants you to do fer me.
She stops and Danny walks over to her. DANNY
And I'm listenin', lassie, I am. LU
Sitting down.
Danny, mind when Jim come to us five years back now ? How terrible bad he was that night, and how straight he run when you and me took hold of him ? Never a drop -- and then when he found he could act and he wouldn't leave us ? DANNY
It was no the show. Shaking his head . And no memit was ye, Lu . LU
Listen , Danny, you don't understand .
He's got ​MR . BUNT
98
to go on, and it ain't for the likes of us to stand in his way. DANNY
And what dae ye mean by a' this, lassie ? LU
Danny, Jim and me was together last night when the fire broke out. I ain't sayin' I ain't blind mad in love with him . I can't - can't help it. It's just the mother in me, Danny. Last night - it seems years ago Pause .
Last night, Danny - I found out he had a home and kids somewhere, and-well, you see, I'm
out, Danny, that's all, and-well, you got to help me, Danny. DANNY
And hoo can I help, Lu ? LU
Why , Danny Pause .
I'm going to say ~ I'm going home. DANNY
Hameye hae no any hame, Lu. LU
I have if I say I have, Danny, and you under stand that ? DANNY
Why, lassie, a' ye've got i’ the world is that fool spangled croon. Yir nae goin' ta stop him helpin' ye , are ye ? ​MR . BUNT
99
LU
Yes, Danny. You don't understand - you couldn't, you're only a man. If I don't leave him now I got a chance , I'll never have the strength to do it again ; and you'll back me up,
Danny , when he comes ? It's for his sake, Danny, and oh ! he's a man now, I know it ! Danny is silent. Lu continues. Call him, Danny. Tell him we found the queer kid .
Danny starts to go . Lu puts out her hand. Wait, Danny, just a minute - till I get hold of myself again. Just a minute now - I'll be all right.
There is a crackling of underbrush .
Oh, Danny, listen - it's him a-coming. Mind you
do as I
say.
SCENE 8
Jim enters, carrying a lantern . DANNY
I was just for gi'en ye a cry. JIM Have you
found the queer kid ? DANNY
He's here , man .
Jim goes quickly to Mr. Bunt and stoops over him . ​100
MR . BUNT JIM
Drawing away softly. He's sleeping, Lu. LU
Yes, Jim. JIM
Well, somebody gave that damn bear what was coming to him. You don't suppose that kid shot him DANNY
Man, it was a grand shot. Jim stoops and blows out the lantern . JIM It's queer
about that kid, Danny ; he came run
ning in on me just after your telling me that word would come . It seems like maybe he brought it. LU
It's him, Jim - I know.
He brought you luck. JIM
Well, we'll need it, Lu, we'll need a-plenty. Turning out his pockets. Two bits, a jack -knife and a dead bear. Why, that's quite a collection when you think about it. Danny and Lu remain silent. Jim, unheed ing, repeats :
That's quite a collection, takin' it all in all now, ain't it, Lu ?-to start another circus on. And, Lu, there's the kid. Why, he's a regular ​.
MR . BUNT
102
little fairy, darned if he ain't. Of course, of Listen , Lu Crossing to her.
course .
He was going to hunt me round as a bear, him and me .
A sort of act, you know ; and now I reckon that bear ain't got much use fer that skin of his'n. Why, we'll get us a wagon and start
right back across country, him and me doing the act, and you with LU
Jim - you mustn't count on me. JIM
Looking up. Not count on you, Lu ? LU
Painfully. No , Jim, I ain't going.
Jim
She gasps .
I know it's hard fer you to understand JIM
Hard fer to understand ?
Why , Lu, what you
thinking - giving up the business - and LU
Jim, listen.
Set down here by me and listen.
Jim kneels beside her.
Lu continues.
Jim, dear - you got to go - you and the kid. JIM
Why — where are you going, Lu ?
. ​102
MR . BUNT LU
Home, Jim . JIM
Home ? LU
Yes, Jim. Ain't I never told you about my little home up in the - the hills ? You see, I've been
thinking about quitting it all some time and go ing back. I've been in the business years longer than you ever have, and I wants a rest, Jim, I wants it bad. And up in my little house on the hill it's so nice, so silent and peaceful. Danny here is going to take me-- ain't you, Danny ? But you, Jim boy, you got to go on . JIM
Why, Lu ! I can't go on without you and Danny -I can't ! I can't leave you, you know that. LU
Listen, Jim. You got to remember how you been studying for to make something for yourself, and you know more than Danny and me. JIM
Lu, I don't want nothing, you know that. I wants to come with you.
What will I do with
out you and Danny ? You're everything to me. LU
Jim, you're strong enough now, and if you love
us, you'll show what we done for you . ​MR . BUNT
103
JIM
But where am I going, Lu? What for? I ain't got no home. LU
You're going on, Jim, I'm telling you - to make your
dreams come true.
JIM
But I need you, Lu; indeed I do. LU
No, Jim. You're going on. Maybe there's some one that needs you now, Jim. JIM
Someone ?
Rising.
Lu, there ain't anybody, for Brokenly.
Lu, she said she hoped she'd never see me again -and she never will. LU
Going to him .
Jim boy, don't ! Don't you know you've paid ? I don't care what you done - you've paid, Jim paid in full.
Putting her hands on his shoulders.
Oh, Jim, listen
the queer kid, he brought word.
I know he has.
Eagerly. Danny, it were in the cards, weren't it ? DANNY
Aye, lass. ​MR . BUNT
104
LU
Listen to him telling you, Jim. Them things means something_and Jim, I'm tired. I want ter
rest up in my little home and dream of you going on and making a great actor of yourself. The people need you , Jim. It ain't everybody that can make people laugh the way you can, and you got it, Jim. Ain't he, Danny ? DANNY
Who has been sitting near the hillock, rises. I'm tellin' ye, lassie. But if ye're goin', Lu , it's time we started . LU
Steadying herself.
I'm coming, Danny. Jim boy, goodbye. JIM
Shocked .
Goodbye ! LU
Yes, Jim; now
They stand staring at each other. Then Lu, with her soft, firm voice, speaks : Jim, I've made up my mind, so don't ask again.
My little voyage is over and I got a quiet harbor waiting for me, but you — you got to go on understand - for my sake. JIM
Lu, you can't go like this ! LU
Yes, Jim - 1 - Oh, Jim, understand ! Exit Danny and Lu. ​MR . BUNT
105
SCENE 9
Dumbly Jim stands watching them depart ;
then he follows, haltingly, to the hill. Behind his back, Mr. Bunt wakes slowly and rubs his eyes. Jim has drawn the knife from his belt and is feeling the edge with his fingers.
Mr. Bunt is timidly watching him. MR. BUNT
Please, sir, couldn't you take me as your fairy ? JIM
Say, you're a queer kid. MR. BUNT
I'm a fairy. JIM
What you say your name was ? MR. BUNT
Mr. Bunt.
JIM
Well, Mr. Bunt, you just happened along at the right time. MR. BUNT
Coming up smiling and taking Jim's hand. And what are you going to do with that knife, now, Mr. Clown ? JIM
Mr. Bunt, you and me are going to skin that bear.