Scene 2 - The Bullcourt --15 mins.
Scene Summary :
The large Olympic-like training facility in the city of Knossos, on the
island-nation of Crete itself. Introduction to the world of the "The Bulldancers," most of them peasants -- "tax payments" from mainland Greece-- with their leader,
Maicedonia -- and his tight-knit peer group, ‘the Free-Thinkers’.
Conflict, and beginning romance between "Maice" and an outcast Omazon girl, Sinjah. Announcement that the Athenians and the King's heir, Theseus, are coming --- and reaction by peasant-athletes in Maice's anti-nobility speech. Arrival of 'the Courtmaster,' representing the new Expansionist Party of Knossos -- and the news that Sinjah will join the Athenians as a team in the Bulldance.
Setting : The main practice court -- vaulted ceiling-- stone pillars, back wall to
perimeter-- athletes arranged on wide practice floor, and on steps
leading up to huge stone doors --- ‘ practice’ bull at center-- deep color
lights and costume-- lights open on ‘martial arts drill’....
Scene Opening : Chorus music in darkness--- then lights up on “The Bullcourt” --
symphonic dance music as Maice orchestrates practice session around huge, life-like practice bull -- baton in hand -- sometimes kneeling, appraising –
Instrumental – The Bullcourt -Track 3 - CD
SEGMENT 1 [ Music builds with CHORUS : ah-ah-ah-ah--- HAH !! ]
Maice: [as music continues) No, no, No -- you’re too tight . . . you’ve got to be loose -- loose! Remember --Viega -- fear is your energy -- but you make it work for YOU!.... and center balance -- Center balance -- Everything is with the flow of action --- Try it again --
Maice: Alright everyone -- Break it down -- Let’s break it down --
Reeba: Next class vaulters only, Maice-- [disdainful, exiting]
Perius: Vaulters only !
Maice: Alright, next class vaulters only - -- Break it down..
(2 girls now passing near him-- as music concludes --all others exit)
Maice: Well ---you’re showing good potential -- come back everyday this week –
Girl 1: [flirting) .. Really ?
Girl 2: ... and how about ‘every night ?-- (giggles)
Maice: Well... (charming stance) . . . even more potential there --
Clarisse : Until tomorrow then-- [ both leaving, excited ]
Maice: And who knows what tomorrow brings -- (sweeping hand/eye gesture)
BULLCOURT MUSIC NOW FADED OUT
(Sinjah clearly visible now at center-- statuesque, unhappy looking-- seeing his interaction with the girls -- stage empty now -- just her and Maice ]
SEGMENT 2 – [ 4 MINS. ] --- MAICE & SINJAH
[ LIGHTING CHANGE – GENTLE, LONELY THEME MUSIC - from later song -- “SCARED OF ME” ]
Maice: Well, my solitary friend -- and where have we been hiding this time?
Sinjah: I come early like before -- but I see you are busy -- and so I have to wait --
Maice: But I wanted you to join in -- your vaulting is superb, but you need work on
your escapes -- that was the whole point of the drill --
Sinjah: I do not wish to practice with the others -- I am already just as good --
Maice: Now listen, Vade --
Sinjah: I am not a baby, so do not call me one!
Maice: The word is Va-de, “Va-de-dore “ -- it means ‘those who must survive’ -- what do you think I’m here for ?
Sinjah: You only train for the commeeshin --
Maice: The comeesh ---The commission ? -- Well, it only adds up when I train a whole class -- Not just one, single person!
Sinjah: Then why do you do it!?
Maice: Well maybe I’m starting to wonder myself . . . Maybe something in those big “valley-blue” eyes - my very stubborn friend, ‘Sinjoe ‘-- (gazing)
Sinjah: It is not Sinjoe ----- but Sinjah --!!
Maice: ‘ Sin-jah’.... I see …[poetic, charming look]-- named for her spirit - ?
Sinjah: (relenting) . . . “ Mm-Maicedonia” --{ holds out hand shyly, properly }-
um – [ awkwardly] .. named for a land ..?
Maice: {laughs, takes hand } Ha-ha -- Just a place I’d like to go – a land of horses -- and it’s ‘Maice’ –all my friends just-- call me “Maice” –
[makes sweeping hand/eye gesture--as to the girls before—Sinjah / reaction ]
Sinjah: And I do not wish to be one of these -- “friends”! -- (pulls hand away)
Maice: Alright then, I’ll make you a deal -- show me one good escape - and you can practice alone -- away from the others -- and ..[dramatic]..... away from me --
Sinjah: Well --[ off-guard ].. well then good! -- What is the move?
Maice: “Hornspin”, close-up, Right to Left --
{ Other dancers now enter -- Sinjah notices }
Sinjah: But I do not want the looking . . . or the laughing -- You must promise!
Maice: Alright I promise -- no laughing -- just want to see the move -- Right to Left -- (waves off others)
Sinjah: Right to Left -- (sets up and does move quickly) . . “ And So “--
Maice: ‘And so’-- -- very graceful . . . very pretty --
Sinjah: (toss of head) Thank-you --
Maice: But you should’ve gone outside-- with the flow -- fear is your energy --
Sinjah: And what if I am not scared!
Maice: Well, you damn well better be scared! -- What if you’re caught
between the horns?!
[others noticing – Sinjah reacts]
Sinjah: I do not get caught! My way is better --
Maice: Better !?
Sinjah: Because is faster! -- Why don’t you try it and see!?
Maice: (pause, then) Alright I think I will -- Right to left?
Sinjah: Right to Left --
Maice: Hmm . . . they keep these horns pretty sharp --
Sinjah: This I know - (pointing) . . . -- and not to go slow on purpose --
Maice: Don’t worry -- this is gonna be “real-time” and (goes now) Full speed all the way -In—sah [at the horns now] ...ah….[cough]...side---m -m-m!
(recoiling dramatically -- Big, breathless gasp---- back is to Sinjah )
Music – deep, tragic chords to later song / oboe --“Maice”
Sinjah: Maicedonia?!!
Maice: Must . . . (gasp) have gone too fast -- (collapsing realistic— rib wound ]
Sinjah: M--Maicedonia! -- [bending close] It is all my fault! (stands up) Everyone! Come quick! Sinjah need help!
Maice: Everything . . . getting dark . . . now
Sinjah: No -- please -- You have to hold on --[ kneeling to help again ]
Maice: . . . Need... bandage --
{ SINJAH TEARS CLOTH FROM HER PANTS }
Sinjah: Yes -- we will stop it -- [to others:] Why do you just stand there?! -- Somebody have to get help!
[others shuffle one or two steps -- knowing glances -- half-hearted calls for help --
“Help- Help, please-- Um, someone?" “Help! Help wanted-- “
Boca: It’s too late--- [ very harsh ]
Reeba: He shouldn’t have gone to the inside-- [ very disapproving ]
Maice: Think I . . . can see something now --
Sinjah: What-- what Maicedonia -- what do you see?
Maice: Pa . . . Paradise! [ enjoying this close attention from her]
(CROWD REACT stifled laughter from others)
Sinjah: No Maicedonia -- don’t look -- you have to believe! [ very close now ]
Maice: If . . . (gasp) you would take my hand . . in friendship.... I could - believe . .
Sinjah: Yes, I take your hand -- please, I have to fix --
Maice: I believe . . .
Sinjah: But . . . Where is the blood? . . .
Maice: I believe . . .
Sinjah: There is no . . . wound -- (drawing back)
Maice: (now looking also in surprise at ‘ wound’) I believe .. uh...
I believe you have cured me !
[ now quickly standing up ]
Sinjah: Cured you !!?. . .
Maice: By faith! -[amazed] .. and friendship. ….. it was a wound of the Heart ---
[big smile now]-- I knew you really liked me!
(Big laughter from everybody)
Sinjah: It . . . It is a joke --
(Even More Laughter)
Sinjah: Stop it!
Maice: I still give you my hand --
Sinjah: [ slaps hand away ] Shut Up -- I do not take your hand -- You are a cruel,
selfish little boy --and I do not like your friends --
{ Crowd Reaction: O-o-o-oo }
Reeba: Well, maybe nobody likes you either!
Perius: What’s wrong with her eyes? [ Blue streaks can be seen under her eyes ]
Boca: Using berry juice on her eyes, Maice --
Slade: Trying to look pretty...!!
Reeba: Trying to get attention!
Maice: [scolding] Reeba --!
[ more laughter ]
Slade: How... .. .... FAKE !! { then checks her own mascara }
Sinjah: Stop your evil words !
Perius: She looks crazy!
Chandrika: Outlander !! [Sinjah turns right]
Joti:: Horse Woman! [Sinjah turns left]
Clarisse: Barn raider!
Reeba: Witch! Witch! Witch! Witch! [like a conductor-- advancing with others)
Maice: Wait a minute !! [trying to get control]
CROWD: Witch..Witch.. Witch.. [ from both sides ]
Maice: HEY !! [others stop now]
Sinjah: { cross-gesture --whirling around } E- VHAN -- da - zae-- Ge-- ZHOE !!
[ her language --- like a horse turning to face the wolves -- Stamps foot --
throws something from small herb pouch on shoulder- then martial position }
Reeba : [ backed up by this-- banging into Boca and Slade) Whoa -- Oh !!
Sinjah: [turns to other side, martial position] ZHOE !!
{ turning to Maice, very upset} You break your promise -- !!
(running off stage right, cross-gesture again) You break your Promise ! --
Reeba: { semi-panicked } What did she throw !? What did she throw ??
Boca: { brushing her off } Nothing --it was nothing --
Maice: [ calling to Sinjah offstage ] Wait a minute -- I …..I’m sorry ! --
Boca : [ to Reeba ] It’s okay-- you’re alright – you look good !—
Reeba: [very concerned] Are you sure ??
Boca: Y-a-a – come on, girl -
Perius: It was only a joke -- (calling after Sinjah)
Boca / Slade: Just trying to make a point .! . (sweet snicker, moving toward Maice)
Maice:[to Sinjah, off] I’m never giving up on you -- You’re gonna need me here!
Boca, Slade: [ looking offstage, to Sinjah] .. Um ... well ... Goo-bye now......
[ artificial waves ] … um ...Goo-bye...
[ Maice and friends now to ‘location lighting’ ]
SEGMENT - 3 --[ 1 min. ] Maice & Friends
Perius: Can’t teach ‘em if they don’t want to learn, Maice –
Maice: (overruling) She’ll come around -- you’ll see --
Reeba: But she’s different -- Maice --
Slade: She keeps to herself --
Boca: She’s an Amazon --
Maice: That’s Oma-- zon ... --
Slade: What’s the difference -- they’re strange --
Reeba: One of those cults, Maice --
Maice: (emphatic) No -- just a little misunderstood -- she’ll get used to things --
Boca: [ resentful) We understand her---
Reeba: She just thinks she’s so much---
Slade: “Everyone -- come quick” “Sinjah need help! -- “ { tragically, imitating }
(laughter from all ) ... Sinjah need help !
Maice: Slade -- that’s enough --
Perius: Really had her going, Maice –
Maice: Perius ---
Tarku: { imitation } “ Zhocka-Zhocka--Zhoe !!!
Maice: { very stern } TARKU !!
Tarku: Well I didn’t mean anything, Maice ....Geez --.[ sheepish , backing off ]
[ Perius toussles his hair]
Boca: (chiding, pouting) Maice -- what do we always say?
Slade: When you are lonely --
Reeba: You can come to Reeba --[on his arm]
Boca: Or Boca --
Slade: Or Slade -- [ striking poses ]
Tarku: What do you think, Maice? --
Perius: Can you find three rich ladies like this?
Maice: Ah -- they’d kill me sooner than the bulls -- [ laughter ]
Perius: Well, Maice -- if you gotta die, you gotta die ....(behind Reeba, tickling -- she turns to slap)
Reeba: Watch your sneaking hands! --
(Boca and Slade toussling Tarku now)
Tarku: Hey, watch your hands !! Bloody Hell -- [others laugh, he’s the youngest]
Maice: Come on, you’ll see -- I’ll make her one of the best -- just like us --
Others: “Right, Maice”, “Sure”, “Whatever you say”
Maice : Hey -- are we the Best or Not ?? Best ??
Others : [automatic shout/answer] BEST !!! [ hi-5’s to center ]
Maice : Damn right !!
Others: Damn Right !!
Tarku: Damn well Right !!
Maice : That's more like it -- Supper Hall tonight ?!
Perius: First table, Maice -- Iberian wine !
Maice ; Watered ?
Tarku: Hey --Un-watered, if we get there first!
Maice : A-ah -- you're still too young !! [toussling] Tarku: Hey! Not likely!
Reeba: Maice -- it's 3 months tonite !!
Maice: You think I forgot !!? [leaning in for another group hi-5 ]
[all together] Half-way -- all the way -- 6 months GOLD !!!
RBS : Yeah BOYz !! Perius/Tarku: Yeah Girlz!! RBS : Yeah BOYz !! ha-ha-ha-ha-ha [tickling again]
Maice: Hey, settle down now -!!
[Now loud tapping is heard from platform steps in back, up by large water pipes]
SEGMENT 4 -- 2 1/2 mins
NOTE: ‘the talking pipes’ are the large Cretan water conduits used as a communication system between prisoners and/or servants in different parts of the city. tap –tap-
Perius: Maice --- got somethin’ -- over the pipes -- [up on top steps now]
RBS: Talking pipes ! Talking pipes !
Maice: What is it, Perius -- ? [all join up on steps]
Perius: From the port auction--six new dancers from -- they’re from Athens !!-
Maice: Athens --The proud city --!!
Reeba: Tax finally came to them, too, Maice --
(more tapping is heard)
Perius: And wait -- one of them is -- the Prince --
Reeba: Maice, the nobility -- here --
Maice: Hm-m, too ambitious for his own good --
Perius: Wait -- there’s something else -- they told the ship’s captain they wanna stay together -- one group -- they want to dance as a group --
Maice: Typical noble -- wants to keep his own little circle of power --
Perius: The usual treatment, Maice ? --
Maice: Ha -- Even more so -- Let’s have a council meeting -- --
(THEME MUSIC NOW -all go to top step-- Maice turns away--hand to chin)
Boca and Slade now calling out front : “ Come on everybody” “Everybody”- “gather round” --- kids start arriving quickly]
Reeba: Listen up ! Listen up!
Tarku: We’ve got news -- Got News --
Reeba: [ striking pose on very top step ] GONG shimmers ...
[Brash ‘Liverpool’ accent:]
“HEREBY CALLING to ‘Council Meeting’ --- all due Crahfts-men -- and Practition-ers of ....the BULL-DAHNCE !!!
[ athletes 20-30 now assembling below Maice, up on the top step -- hub-bub ]
Maice: Alright everybody-- ....... 6 new conscripts... but this time a little different....... from the Proud City of Athens” --
(others --general buzz and reacting to each statement)
Crowd: BOO! Hah! The rich city!
Maice: The city that would rule the whole mainland, if it could --
Reeba: And bring more wars than all the nobles put together ! --
Crowd: BOO!
Maice: “Those who would be ‘Lords -- of your Lords’” --
Crowd: BOO! Uh-uh! Think again! Wrong, Maice!
Maice: And maybe they think it’s like the mainland here -- Where they got one class to own everything [high gesture]---- and another class to work their fields --and build their castles --[low gesture/
Crowd: BOO! Not here! Wrong! No Way!
Maice: And the workers get to fight the wars and pay the taxes too --
Crowd: BOO! (No way, Maice -- ) (Uh-uh) (Hell no) isolated: Bull**it! (laughter)
Maice: [big gesture] For those who control the Doors-- of Opportunity !
......and they didn’t even think we were worth that --[ makes small gesture ]
..... so they send us here.......
Crowd: (low, sullen reaction)
Maice: Well we might be prisoners here for now -- But if we live 6 months -- ALL the gold we get is ours -- to make our own life -- wherever we want --
CROWD REACT: That’s right! --
Maice: And we don’t owe NOTHING -- to NOBODY -- ANY MORE !!
Crowd: OOHs, YEAs --
Maice: (Maice and friends pointing to one side) Am I right -- ?
CROWD REACT: That’s right!
Maice: Am I right?
CROWD REACT: That’s right!
Reeba: (hands up) You . . . are . . .Right! .. ....right...right ... [ like a conductor ]
Crowd: Right, right, right, right!
{ MUSIC COMES WAY UP----- LIGHTS CHANGE ]
CROWD REACT: Right, right, right, right . . . (chanting) . . . Right, right--
Trumpeter off-stage: "Courtmaster, make way for the Courtmaster! "