St. Joan of Now
Act 2
5 Acts:- Prison, Office, Train, Rouen market square , Murder
Cast
St Joan
Gilles de Rais
A Newsperson
Three Prophets
Chorus of Men and Women
Forward to Act Two
I’m not so sure I’m completely in love with these introductions. I called the first one Introduction to Act One without realising the implication that Act Two would also deserve an introduction.
Act Two takes place in an, ordinary, impeccably furnished, office on the Quai d’Orsay. The French and the British secret services have become notable for their sanguine attitude towards their agents. The Soviet state apparatus sharply distinguished itself by manifesting a timeless commitment to its agents. (The murderer of Trotsky, when released from long imprisonment, was honoured in the Soviet Union and awarded the consumer privileges reserved for the Celebrities of the Party.)
If people habitually made a contious choice, the exquisite office of the French Secret Service would not be able to exist. No one will be fooled.
What happens next, happens next. That’s showbiz.
St. Joan of Now
Act 2
Chorus M+W This is the time.
This is the space.
This is the inside of your face.
M) This is the time
W) Place {looses sync. as it fades to silence}
Prophet 1 I’m sure the Marishal sees the snag.
Gilles I’m sure he does not.
But I’m sure you know best.
You do don’t you?
Prophet 2 Giles you promised you would not be difficult.
You promised.
Gilles You do know best
Don’t you?
Prophet 1 Are you declaring a special interest?
Gilles What do you mean?
Prophet 2 Will the bloody army mutiny?
Gilles Yes I am declaring a special interest:
His Majesty gave me the Maid to guard.
No the army will not mutiny.
Prophet 1 Unless it’s ordered too.
Gilles Just in case you,
Inadvertently perhaps,
Cast doubts upon my loyalty
You will apologise.
Prophet 2 Giles!
Prophet 1 No! If I cast doubts on the Marshal’s loyalty
I should apologise.
In fact I will in case I did,
Inadvertently.
Gilles When?
Prophet 1 When would be convient?
Gilles Oh, when you will, perhaps now?
Prophet 1 Perhaps.
Marshal, I apologise.
Prophet 3 If we send her she may stabilise the front line.
Prophet 1 If.
Prophet 3 She never fails.
Gilles If she fails
You will lose two powerful friends
Prophet 2 Giles!
Gilles Not me.
Her…
And God.
Prophet 1 If she succeeds the cost will be living with her.
Gilles Abominable!
Prophet 1 You say that to me.
Gilles Yes. I say that to you.
Prophet 1 You…
Gilles Say on.
Prophet 3 Enough.
Gilles Say on.
Prophet 2 Enough
Prophet 1 Say on.
Prophet 3 I say it is enough.
Gilles Then ends your abominable scheme?
Prophet 1 And your abominable ways?
Gilles (stands)
Prophet 2 Gilles!
Prophet 1 Gilles, it makes perfect sense.
Gilles Hadn’t occurred to me.
And my abominable ways.
Prophet 2 Gilles how many friends have you lost.
Gilles Pardon?
Prophet 2 Good friends. True friends.
Gilles Too many.
Prophet 2 Sometimes for a yard of ground?
Sometimes for nothing?
Yes?
Gilles In battle…
Prophet 3 It will stabilise the front…
It’s a compromise..
Gilles It’s murder to send her. (exits)
Prophet 1 Overwrought
Prophet 3 Brilliant mind.
Prophet 1 We had better watch our backs,
Prophet 2 Drive with an eye on our rear mirrors.
Prophet 3 Guard yourselves from terrors,
Previously overcome.
Prophet 1 Drive in each other’s tracks.
Prophet 3 A rest?
Gilles 2 Yes… a rest
Would be best.
Prophet 1 For the Martial.
Prophet 3 And her goose cooked
Prophet 1 Her ticket booked
Prophet 2 To Persia or Shanghigh.
Prophet 1 She’s not witty.
Prophet 2 She’s not pretty.
Prophet 3 She’s unkind.
Prophet 1 Such a horror
Prophet 2 As you hope you’rl never find
Prophet 3 Between Tyre and the Straits
Or amongst the Triple Fates
P 1+ P 2 That Time and misty legend left behind,
Prophet 3 That Time and misty legend left behind
Prophet 2 She is mordant
And she simply does not know
The decent moment to let go.
So she’d tramp along the street
With so much victim in her teeth
That she’d splatter you whilst trying to say, “Hello”.
Prophet 1 You were cursed the moment that you crossed her path
Nor could charm or incantation ward the spell.
Prophet 2 The best you can do
Prophet 3 Is to make out that you knew
Prophet 1 And were planning all the time to get the shaft.
P1+P2+P3 And were planning all the time to get the shaft.
Prophet 1 Him too.
Prophet 3 Vile pair.