The final installment of Act One in James Olm’s Mulberry.
Scene 6. A mile from the farm. The railroad tracks. The tracks are on a mound above them. A windmill is to the side. Enter Mick, Bean, June, and Thomas.
Mick
C’mon. It’s right up here.
Bean
This is gonna be so cool.
June
My goodness, I’m glad you told me to put on my sneakers. This has been quite the hike. So what is the big surprise?
Mick
Got your penny, Bean?
Bean – checking his pants pockets
It’s in one of my pockets. I just can’t remember which one.
June
What are you boys up to? Do you know, Thomas?
Thomas
I’ll let them do the explaining.
Mick
C’mon, c’mon. Get the penny out.
Bean – rummaging through old candy wrappers
I’m lookin’. Here it is.
He hands it to Mick.
Mick
See this penny? It’s nice and shiny and small, right?
June
Yes…
Mick
We’re goin’ to put it on the railroad track.
June
Couldn’t that derail the train?
Mick
Heck. Look at it this way, mom. Branches and rocks and stuff fall over the tracks all the time, and that never derails ‘em.
June
Smart boy.
Mick
That’s right! I’m goin’ to college someday.
Mick climbs up the mound to the railroad tracks and places the penny on the tracks.
Mick
There. Now we wait for the Soo Line freight train.
Bean
With the yellow caboose!
June
That’s time enough for a sit. You two tuckered me out.
June sits down to the side as Mick climbs onto the railroad rail and starts balancing on it.
Mick
Hey mom. Look at me!
June
Now don’t go and break a leg on me. That wouldn’t be a very nice birthday present.
Mick
Don’t worry.
At that moment, Mick stumbles and almost falls off the rail. He regains his balance and continues to walk.
Bean
Let’s have a contest!
He runs up the mound and gets on the other rail.
You go first, Mick.
June – standing
The rules: Whoever goes furthest wins. One foot balance is okay. A foot grazing on the ground stops you where you’re at. I’ll be the judge.
Thomas goes way to the end of the rail. Mick starts first. He walks slowly, but steadily. Mid-way he almost loses his balance, but regains it, and makes it almost all the way to Thomas.
Thomas
Very well done!
June
Nice job, Mick.
Mick – standing at his point of fall
Beat that, Bean.
Bean gets on his rail and gathers confidence and concentration. He really is determined to beat his brother.
June
That’s it, Bean. Keep plugging away.
He starts off very carefully, a little uneasy in his steps. About three-quarters of the way there, he starts getting excited and goes faster. This however, gets him to be unsteady, and he eventually falls off the rail, right on his butt.
June
Ouch! Get up and rub it!
Thomas
And the winner is, with a length of twenty feet, eight and one half inches…Mr. Mick Miller, Age 14.
Mick
Almost 15!
June – checking on Bean
Are you all right, Sweetheart?
Bean – brushing himself off
Sure! That’s a part of the hazards.
June – sitting back down
So why are we watching a train run over a penny, anyways?
Mick
Good luck – for your birthday.
June
You two are the only luck I need.
Mick
Did you ever balance on a railroad track?
June
Sure, but most of the time though, I’d just sit up on Blackridge Hill and wait for the trains to pass.
Mick
We do that!
June
Jumping on one of those boxcars was always my big dream.
Bean
Did ‘ya ever do it?
June – smiles
Why don’t you kids have a rematch?
Bean
Yeah! C’mon Mick!
Mick
Okay.
Bean
I’m first this time, though.
The kids fade into the distance.
Thomas
So did you try it – jumping onto a boxcar?
June – closing her eyes and breathing in
It smelled just like today.
Lights change. June is young, walking along the tracks.
Rolling:
June:
Rolling,
Rolling.
Clanking down the tracks.
The boxcars bounce and sway as if they’re enticing me to say,
“Okay.”
You can take me where you want to.
I’m in no hurry.
I don’t care where I go.
I’ll just follow you,
Knowing
That you’ll take me to a big, wide-open
World.
A train starts passing her, boxcar after boxcar.
Rolling.
Rolling.
Oh, how I love that power,
That rolling.
Rolling.
Tugging, pulling, tugging,
Rolling.
The freight car is right there to hold my hand,
To sweep and drive me away.
AWAY!
June grabs hold of the sidebar of the boxcar and jumps onto the train! The wind blows through her hair. An amazing feeling!
The wind blows in my face and hair!
I don’t know where I’m going!
But I’m flying through the air
So I really don’t care!
Just new places to see,
And hear,
And touch!
Wuooooooooo
June calls Thomas over to join her.
Wuooooooooo
Thomas joins the dream, and jumps on with her. Wind, freedom, exhilaration for the both of them!
June and Thomas:
Wuo wuoooooooooooooo
Wuooooooo
Thomas
I’m freeeeeeeee!
June
Weeeeeeeeee! Soak it in, Thomas!
Thomas
I’m a bird flying!
June
I’m a wild running horse!
Thomas
No worries!
June
No cares!
Both
We’re free!
June
Last one off is a rotten egg!
June jumps off the moving train. Thomas hesitates, then jumps. The train continues off into the distance.
June:
Rolling.
Rolling.
Clanking down the tracks.
Where it goes is not so clear.
But I know this girl belongs right here
With all of you,
Listening and singing with the whistle!
Wuooooooo
Wuoo wuooooooo
Wuooooooooooooooooo.
The lights change back. June’s last singing “Wuooo” blends in with the actual train whistle in the distance. The kids come back into the scene. Mick and Bean are up by the tracks.
Mick
It’s comin’!
June
Everybody away from the tracks.
Mick
Follow us, mom.
They run over to the windmill and start climbing.
Climb up, mom!
June
Oh, my goodness. I don’t think I can – I have my dress on!
Bean
C’mon mom. For us. Please?
June looks to Thomas, and he shrugs.
Thomas
How do you say no to that?
June laughs at that, as Thomas helps her up. All four find a spot as we hear the freight train get closer.
Bean
Watch this, mom!
The train is very close now. Mick, Bean, and Thomas raise their hands and wave to the engineer as the train starts to pass. The engineer blows the horn in hello as it passes by.
June
Well, look at that!
June starts to wave also, and the engineer blows his horn one more time for her. They all laugh and cheer. The train slowly disappears in the distance.
And a big hello to you too, Mr. Engineer!
Rolling – Reprise 1:
June:
I know this girl belongs right here
With all of you,
Listening and singing to the whistle!
Mick
Stay right here mom.
Mick and Bean get off the windmill and run to where they had left the penny. We see them grabbing a rock and pulling a nail out of Mick’s pocket. They start banging on the railroad tie.
June
I wonder what they are up to.
Thomas
You’ll see.
June
I can’t remember such a wonderful birthday.
Thomas
Me either. Mick always has said that this windmill is his favorite spot in the whole world.
June
Oh?
Thomas
Yeah. He’s a windmill himself in many ways. He’s driven by the wind.
June
There’s a wind in both of you.
Thomas
We get it from you, Mom.
June smiles. Mick and Bean put something behind their back and walk up to the windmill.
Mick
Mom, c’mon down.
June
Dare I trust you?
Bean
Just come here. Please?
June makes it down and stands next to the two kids. Mick pulls out something from behind his back.
Mick and Bean
Surprise!
It’s a necklace made of shoelace and the copper penny, flattened by the train. June is speechless.
Mick
Don’t you like it?
Bean-assuringly
It could bring ya good luck…
June
It’s the most beautiful present I’ve ever received. Thank you. Thank you so much.
She starts to hug them both. She puts on her new necklace and they head for home. Thomas watches on, still up in the windmill, feeling and listening to the wind hit his face.
Rolling – Reprise 2:
Thomas:
Rolling.
Rolling.
Clanking down the tracks.
Where it goes is not so clear,
And I’ve got to find out what’s bringing me here…
Fade to black.
♦◊♦
Scene 7. That evening. Outside of the Miller house. Gus is grilling bratwurst on an open grill. June is setting the picnic table for dinner. The boys and Thomas are on the porch step, shucking corn.
Bean – singing
Happy birthday to you.
Happy birthday to you…
Mick
Not now, Bean. You halfta’ wait until after dinner when we light the candles on the birthday cake.
Bean
I’m just singin’…
June
You can sing as much as you like, Bean. I love to hear you boys sing.
Mick
I don’t like singin’.
June
You have a beautiful voice, Mick. You just need to let it out.
Gus
That’s ok. Singin’ ain’t necessary when you’re a farmer, but the animals sure love it. They don’t care how you sound. (Sings to My Country Tis of Thee) Moo moo moo moooooooo moo moo.
Bean – joining in
Moo moo moo moooooooo moo moo,
All join in, including Mick
Moo moo moo moooooooo.
They all laugh. June exits back into the house to get more items for the table.
Bean
I think it sounds like fun, bein’ a farmer.
Gus
It’s a great life, Bean. Your great grandpa Muller was a farmer in Mittenwald, right in the heart of the Bavarian Alps. He plowed fields by the pull of his horse and the sweat of his brow.
Bean
How ‘bout grandpa?
Gus
Your grandpa left the homeland and came over here. He settled and farmed this area when he was in his twenties. Hard work.
Thomas
Did he come in through Ellis Island?
Gus
He did. That’s when he changed our name from Muller to Miller – right underneath the eyes of the Statue of Liberty – wanted to fit in right away.
Bean
Did he meet grandma here? Where were you born? Did Grandpa speak German to you? Where did…
Gus
Whoa. Hold your horses Bean. Give your brother a chance to ask a question too. What do you want to know, Mick?
Mick
Nothin’ really.
Gus
How about something about the farm or grandpa?
Mick
Well, did grandpa go to school, to college?
Gus
Not many folks went to college in his day. He didn’t have the money. But he had the guts and determination to start over and build a new life here. You can be pretty proud of this place. It’s been a good life for me, and it’ll be a good one for you, too.
Mick
I’m thinking of maybe going college, maybe being a teacher. Mr. Goessling says I’ve got a knack for history.
Gus
Oh?
Mick
Yeah. He says I can do anything if I put my mind to it.
Gus
What about the farm?
Mick
I don’t know. I guess, I don’t think farming is for me.
Gus – turning the brats
Give it time.
Thomas
I think that sounds great, Mick. It’s a big world out there.
Gus
He didn’t ask you.
June
Now Gus, it’s my birthday. Thomas, help me get the roaster from the top shelf in the kitchen, will you?
Thomas
Sure.
They exit.
Gus
So, why don’t you want to be a farmer?
Mick
I don’t know. I guess I’m just not interested in it.
Gus
There’s quite a bit of tradition planted below our feet here.
Mick
I want to be a teacher.
Gus
You’ll come around when you grow up a bit more.
Mick
You keep sayin’ that. I’m tired of never being heard!
Walk The Line:
Mick:
Why don’t you ever listen to me?
I have an opinion,
Perhaps even three.
But whenever I give one
It’s plain to see,
You’ve already made up your mind.
Gus:
You watch your tongue and you listen to me.
You’re still pretty young
To set down a decree.
Mick:
I’m fourteen years old!
Gus:
Then show some maturity,
And don’t walk around like you’re blind.
Mick:
Why is it so hard to see me going to school,
To be a good teacher?
Bean:
I think that’s cool!
Mick:
Not being a farmer
Isn’t breaking a rule.
It’s leaving your expectations behind.
Gus:
Who are you to make these proclamations?
This from a boy who’s only fourteen years old?
I am through with these silly frustrations.
You do as you’re told
And we’ll be just fine.
You work on the farm.
It’s in our bloodline.
Gus, suddenly angry, slaps the side of the grill with his tongs.
It’s tradition!
There’s a moment of uncomfortable silence. The lights change. Enter Grandpa. He walks over to Gus.
Grandpa Miller
Vhat are you doin’ dere, Gustav?
Gus
Of all the people to be asking that question. You should know better than anybody, pop.
Grandpa
I’ll ask you again. Vhat are you doin’ dere?
Gus
Pop, what does it look like? I’m grilling brats. How can you forget? We would grill brats every week in the summer.
Grandpa
Jah. Mit hot kartoffel-salat.
Gus – smiling
Stirred with bacon grease.
Grandpa
Jah, das vas gute. But not enough onions. Grandma vas always skimpin’ on da onions.
Gus
She didn’t like onions.
Grandpa
Jah, dis I know, unt I still married her.
We hear the brats sizzling.
Gus
So what are you getting at, pop?
Grandpa
You say you are grillin’ da bratwurst, and I say you aren’t.
Gus
Huh?
Grandpa
Look at dem. See how you’re grilling dem? All wrong.
Gus
What do you mean?
Grandpa
You never grill da bratwurst perpendicular on da grill. See, da brats git dose burnt rings arount dem. Always…
Gus finally gets it. He remembers.
Grandpa and Gus
“…grill da/the brats parallel with da/the lines of da/the grill.”
Gus
Yeah, yeah, I remember now.
Grandpa takes the tongs from Gus and hits the grill, just like Gus did, to make a point.
Grandpa
It’s tradition!
Gus
You’re right. Sorry.
With the tongs, Grandpa tries to throw the brat on the ground. Gus intercepts.
Gus
Hey, wait a minute. What are you doing? Are you crazy?
Grandpa
But it’s grilled wrong. Da lines are goin’ da wrong way.
Gus
It still tastes good.
Grandpa
Yah, unt sometimes the lines of our children aren’t followed, unt they are still gute…
This angers Gus. He takes the tongs away from Grandpa, and puts the brat back on the grill.
Gus
That’s different.
Grandpa
Gustav, da Bible says, “Beholt, I show you da’ mystery; Ve shall not all sleep, but ve shall all be changedt.”
Grandpa starts to walk away as Gus continues to focus on his brats. He exits. Lights change back. Mick is back shucking corn with Bean.
Bean – shouting to her
We’re done shuckin, the corn, mom.
June enters with dinnerware.
June
Carry them inside and put ‘em in the big roaster pot. The water is boiling. Bring the napkins with you when you come back out.
Bean carries the corn inside.
June
(To Gus)
We’ll be ready to eat in about five minutes, hon.
Gus – still irritated
Um hum.
June
Let it go, Gus.
There’s an uncomfortable silence again. June continues to set the table. Mick is picking up the rest of the shucks and putting them in a brown bag.
No Respect:
Gus: (to Mick)
So,
For all you care,
Tradition doesn’t matter
To you.
Mick:
I didn’t say that.
Gus:
For all you care,
The family line can shatter
In two.
Mick:
I just don’t want to be a farmer.
Gus:
Be a student scholar.
Wear a suit to make a dollar.
For all you care
Our heritage can splatter,
To you.
June:
Gus, drop it.
Mick:
You just don’t listen to what I’m sayin’.
Thomas enters. He stays up on the porch, observing, holding the napkins.
Gus:
There’s no respect
It’s now a thing of the past.
There’s no respect
It should be made to last.
Who are you to say you’re no farmer-
Instead an intellectual charmer?
A one knight stand in shining white armour
Leaving the farm to die once I’ve passed?
This die’s not cast!
This farm will last.
There will be respect!
June
Gus, that’s enough.
Gus – glancing at June
You stay out of this.
June
I most certainly will not. This is my birthday dinner. Don’t spoil it.
Enter Bean with plates.
Gus: to Mick
Throw your whines in the garbage can.
Why can’t you just stand up like a man?
There’s only respect
Where the man sets the law.
There’s no respect now,
It’s all blah blah blah blah.
Throw away a life of tradition,
Without a thought of the human condition.
Lead your life in total ambition.
Let your cause be your ammunition.
Make yourself the number one mission.
Well boy, in the end, this is MY decision.
Gus – Pointing to June’s birthday necklace
This present – a tradition, right? Well let me tell you something, boy. Tradition and family are all or nothing!
Gus, in a fit of rage, violently pulls the necklace off of June’s neck and throws it into the grill.
Gus: June Mick
There’s no respect! GUS!
No respect! NOOO!
No
RESPECT.
Mick, furious, runs off. Bean stands frozen, in shock. There’s a moment of dead silence.
June – glaring furiously at Gus
Are you finished?
June exits into the house. Bean starts to cry and runs to the Mulberry tree. Gus sets down the tongs, realizing what he’s done.
Thomas
What the hell have you done?
Gus
I’ve done what is necessary for our family. I’ve made the tough choices. How about you?
Thomas is silent.
You can’t do it, can you? That’s what I thought. You haven’t changed a bit.
Gus exits. Thomas walks to the grill, takes the tongs, and pulls out all that is left of the necklace – a burnt penny. He drops the penny in a cold drink, pulls it out, and dries it off. He looks at the coin.
Mulberry – Reprise #1:
Thomas:
Damn it, Mulberry.
Am I going insane?
There are too many unanswered thoughts that remain
Silent.
All I need is a sign
That will give me some hope,
That when it’s time
I’ll do the right thing.
He walks to the tree.
Mulberry!
My tall and fearless Mulberry tree.
The strength of your limbs lift us high,
But the depth of your roots feed our souls.
He sadly stares at the coin one more time, looking for inspiration, but finally gives up, the question unanswered. He drops it into his pocket, sighing. Black. End of Act 1.
♦◊♦
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