 |
 |
|
||||
Scene 6: Church & Home of the Relatives-
Cousin Kevin and his parents; 1950
Christmas
With a giant stained-glass eye projected behind them,
the extended family goes to church at Christmas,
where the minister presides over a choir.)
Mr. Walker
Did you ever see the faces of the children?
They get so excited,
Waking up on Christmas morning.
Hours before the winter's sun's ignited.
They believe in dreams and all they mean,
Including Heaven's generosity.
Peeping 'round the door
To see what parcels are in store.
In curiosity.
Mr & Mrs Walker:
And Tommy doesn't know what day it is.
He doesn't know who Jesus was or what praying is.
All:
How can he be saved
From the eternal grave?
(The family shakes hands with the Minister and they all proceed to Cousin Kevin's house
for Christmas dinner. Ten-year-old Tommy sits rocking on the floor, oblivious to his
present, a model of an RAF bomber, which Cousin Kevin opens and plays with for him)
Mr. Walker:
Surrounded by us all, he sits so silently
And unaware of anything…
Playing dumb, he cries, he smiles,
He picks his nose, he pokes his tongue at
everything.
Minister:
I believe in love.
But how can men who've never seen
Light be enlightened?
Only if he's cured
Will his spirit's future level ever heighten.
Mr & Mrs Walker:
And Tommy doesn't know what day it is.
He doesn't know who Jesus was or what praying is.
All:
How can he be saved
From the eternal grave?
(Uncle Ernie plays the French horn to amuse the family;
to their amazement, Tommy seems to respond. Mr Walker
notices and crosses to Tommy in amazement)
Mr. Walker:
Tommy can you hear me?
Tommy can you hear me?
Tommy can you hear me?
Tommy can you hear me?
Tommy can you hear me?
Can you hear me?
(There is no response from Tommy)
All:
How can he be saved?
See Me, Feel Me - real audio
(Unseen by the others the older Tommy appears and
reaches out to his younger self.)
Tommy
See me, feel me,
Touch me, heal me.
See me, feel me...
Touch me, heal me.
(the Ten year old Tommy rises and moves
from the table. The Narrator exits as Mr. Walker
noticing that Tommy has moved on his own, goes to him)
Mr. Walker:
Tommy can you hear me?
Tommy can you hear me?
Tommy can you hear me?
Tommy can you hear me?
Tommy can you hear me?
Can you hear me?
All:
How can he be saved?
( A group of carollers appear at the door, the older
members of the family pair off to dance and young
Tommy is grabbed by Cousin Kevin and waltzed around the room.)
All:
Did you ever see the faces of the children?
They get so excited,
Waking up on Christmas morning.
Hours before the winter's sun's ignited.
They believe in dreams and all they mean,
Including Heaven's generosity.
Peeping 'round the door
To see what parcels are in store.
In curiosity.
And Tommy doesn't know what day it is.
He doesn't know who Jesus was or what praying is.
How can he be saved
From the eternal grave?
(Uncle Ernie is left on stage alone with a pint of beer
in his hand. He downs it in one long gulp. He lets out
a thunderous belch and head for his baby-sitting appointment.)
