Jake
A radio play
by
Ed Creely
Copyright © by Edwin Creely 1994
Scene One--Jake’s Life
Narrator: Soon you will hear loud noise, or should I say music, coming from Jake’s bedroom. Jake is a spritely but sad 12 year old, with an unnerving fascination for heavy metal
music. His mother hates it of course, and his dad would but he’s never around much. In
his bedroom, in his world, he can turn up the amplifier and drown in the dark tones of the
music. He sings in very flat tones the words of the lyrics. It grows louder...louder...and
louder...and louder! I must scream over the top of the music! Over the top of Jake’s
mother!
Mrs Hart: (Knocking loudly at the door) Turn it off! Turn it off! I’m trying to finish this
form.
Jake: Yeah! And I suppose you’re going to make me?
Mrs Hart: (Entering the room with considerable anger) Turn that crap off! Off! (The music dies.) What the hell is that stuff?
Jake: Megadeath.
Mrs Hart: Mega...what?
Jake: Oh...derrrr mum...haven’t you even heard of them. Top band.
Mrs Hart: Where did you get the money for that?
Jake: Dad slipped me thirty bucks.
Mrs Hart: What, on one of his brief visits home?
Jake: Look, lay off him mum! No wonder he never comes home.
Mrs Hart: All you give me is cheek, Jake. You skip school and stay in your room listening to that...that noise. Probably have to fork out for treatment on your hearing. And you
know how difficult things have been financially. Then you defend that creep you call your
father.
Jake: He is not!
Mrs Hart: He is! Left me, didn’t he. Not long after she died. When you were eleven. Left
me with nothing. Only comes back when he wants something.
Jake: You’ve just driven him away! Why don’t you both get a divorce or something...get
it over with. Then I could live with Dad.
2
Mrs Hart: Why you ungrateful little....
The sound of slap across the face is heard. And then there is silence for a moment. Jake
then responds in a cold calculating voice.
Jake: You’ll pay for this. My father is right about you. (Building in intensity) Get out!
Get out! Get out!
Again there is silence for a short time, except for the muted click of the bedroom door
closing, then the blast of the heavy metal music is heard once again. After a short time it
stops and is replaced by the sound of sobbing, as Jake recalls what has happened to his
family.
Jake: (Through his sobs) I miss you dad. What happened to you and mum?...what? You
both used to tuck me into bed and read me a story...and I didn’t mind...I didn’t feel too
old. I had you both there. What happened? Was it me? Did I do something? How I wish
things could be undone...all those things you and mum said to each other. But I know
there’s no changing it now. That’s the way things are. There’s no magic left. None of the
magic I used to know. Just blackness...blackness...blackness....
As Jake says the words ‘blackness’ the sounds of Megadeath gradually grow in intensity
and blast out the sobs of Jake for a short moment until, with a surprising suddenness, the
music stops and the voice of the narrator is heard.
Scene Two--The Visitor
Narrator: And so Jake’s mind become engrossed in the music again. It helped him to
forget his mother and father. It helped him to focus his anger, for he was angry. It was
not his fault that things changed, but he couldn’t stop blaming himself. He cried and
shouted as the music blasted him away, and in the other room his mother heard his cries
but she was not able to help him...it seemed too late now. Suddenly, as the music stops
without a reason, Jake becomes aware of another presence in the room with him. (The
fear is given audible form through some creepy music) His fear grows as he hears the
sound of his own voice being called.
The Visitor: (Starting softly in a child’s voice but growing in volume) Jake. Jake. Jake.
Jake! Jake! Jake! I want to help you Jake!
Jake: Who...what are you what do you want? What the hell are you? What?
The Visitor: (Speaking with a far-away quality) I am visiting you because you called me.
Jake: Called you? This can’t be happening. No. (Laughing to him self with disbelief)
Can’t be happening. Mum warned me about too much loud music...must be that. I’d better lie down or something. Never thought I’d become a psycho case.
3
The Visitor: You’re not. I’m as real as that deafening music you listen to. And I have
come to help you.
Narrator: Jake just stared at his strange visitor for some time in shocked silence. His visitor was dressed all in white, earthly but not really earthly. He looked at the clock and it
was three minutes past four in the afternoon. His mind raced as he thought about who this
person could be...or what it could be. The more he thought the more terrified he became.
Jake: I don’t believe you. You’re just one of mum’s many friends...or something strange
out of my mind...aren’t you?
The Visitor: I am neither of these things...but I am here to help you...and you do need
my help. You are to come with me on a little trip...beyond even your imagination...to find
yourself...and someone that will help you.
Jake: (Rather sarcastically) You’re joking! What’s this: Alice in Wonderland or something. And I suppose you’re going to take me down the rabbit hole.
The Visitor: In a manner of speaking...yes, yes I am. But this will be no Wonderland. Are
you ready?
Away we go to a place unknown,
To find our fears,
To find our soul.
And there among the painted scenes,
A face will come that’s pure and clean.
Jake: What’s all this crap? You touch me and you’ll have to go to the loo to brush your
teeth.
The Visitor: There is no need to be afraid. I am here to help you. I want you to help you
rediscover magic.
Jake: Magic? You’re some sort of weirdo...aren’t you?
The Visitor: Yes...I suppose I am. Because I believe in magic, Jake. (A tingling magic
sound is heard) And I want you to believe in magic again. The magic of a boy’s mind as
he reads a book with his father. The magic of pictures that take you into another world.
The magic of a girl’s love, of unexpected tenderness.
Jake: All crap! What do you think I am, a baby or something?
There is no reply for a short time, but the sound of wind sucking like a vacuum cleaner is
heard. It grows in intensity and power.
4
Jake: What’s happening? (Shouting across the sound of the wind) This can’t be for real!
Stop it! Stop it! Stop it! Where are you taking me?
The Visitor: We are going to fiiiinnnnd....sommmme....magggggicccccc.
There is a huge roar of wind as the two are sucked into a vortex, followed by shouts and
cries from Jake, as his body is thrust and whirled.
Narrator: Jake found himself in a massive vortex, one like he had only read about in his
favourite science fiction stories. As his body was ripped and whirled his fear was only
matched by his fascination. For inside the vortex the atmosphere swirled and sparked
with the most brilliant blues and whites. Everything seemed out of control, like his life.
But then it stopped, suddenly, and he found himself in a strange place. It was dark and
eerie with garbage strewn around in tiny alleyways.
Scene Three--The Ally
The soft cold noise of wind blowing through an ally can be heard.
Jake: Where are we? It’s damn cold here...and it stinks. Why would you bring me to a
god-forsaken place like this?
The Visitor: To learn? To be thankful.
Jake: You’re out of your mind. What could I possible learn here?
The Visitor: I must leave you now. (More and more softly till The Visitor’s voice fades to
nothing) Leave you...leave you...leave you...leave you...be brave....
Jake: Hey! You can’t just leave me here. How the hell am I going to get back. Come
back! Come back! Come back!
Jake is silenced by a familiar sound that is faint at first but quickly grows in volume. As it
comes nearer it becomes recognisable. It is the sound of Megadeath.
Narrator: The heavy metal sounds that Jake had grown to love now put fear in him. He
looked down the ally with its steamy darkness and could just make out the figures of five
young teenagers approaching him. They could be no more than 12 or 13 years old. They
all wore dirty tattered clothing and a red scarf around their heads. One was carrying a
large ghetto-blaster that was all speakers and noise. Jake, realising that this was a gang,
quickly hid. His terror increased as the gang approached and began to look around.
Sid: Hey, man. I’m not full of crap! I saw the sucker...right here...at the end of the ally.
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Jane: Yeah, right! Too much of that stuff. Real man, ain’t we Sid! Seein’ things.
Sid: But I’m sure I saw ‘im. He was this straight dude with some whacko stranger.
Baz: The only one whacko here is you, mate. Come on, yah sleaze...
Sid: Hang on, I’m not goin’ to we find ‘im.
Baz: Well...you can stay ‘ere right on your own then...can’t you. I’m sick of you tryin’ to
run this group.
Sid: You wanna make somethin’ of it. Hey! Hey!(The sound of body contact is heard as
Sid begins to shove Baz) Or are yah too gutless? Come on, I’ll ‘ave ya right ‘ere.
The sound of fighting is heard for a short time, but this is upstaged by the calls of Jane
who has found a victim.
Jane: Hey! Look what I’ve found, guys! Wanna ‘ave some fun?
Narrator: (Laughing is heard as the narrator speaks) Yes, they had found someone,
someone to play with like a toy. A dirty, tired street kid, who used to be called Mary. She
was just 12 years old and she lay asleep on a bunch of newspapers and she didn’t notice
the gang at first. But that changed very quickly.
Jane: Look! I told ya didn’t I.
Sid: Hey guys! Let’s party!
Baz: Might be the only fun we get all night.
They all begin to laugh and taunt the only just waking street kid.
Jane: Come on sleeping beauty! Wake up! Wake up, it’s time to play. (Singing)
Ring a ring a rosie,
A pocket full of posies.
A tissue, a tissue,
We all fall down.
All the gang begin to sing now, several times, growing in intensity and volume with each
repeat.
Mary: (In a shaking terrified voice) What? What do you want? (They all laugh) Please
leave me alone. Please! I’ve done nothing to you. (The sound of please starts loudly but
gradually dies away with an echo) Please! Please! Please...please...please....
6
Narrator: Jake watched powerless and terrified as the gang teased and then bashed the
helpless girl. It all happened too quickly for her to even utter a cry. The gang quickly left,
and Jake, still scared, approached the girl to see if she was still alive.
Jake: Are you alright? Oh God, no! There’s blood everywhere. What the hell am I supposed to do? I’ve never really helped anyone before. Helen! Helen! (Thinking aloud to
himself) Think. Think! Stop the bleeding! Stop the bleeding. Some clothe. Apply with
pressure to the wound. Ah! There! Seems to be working. Thank God for St.John’s Ambulance. Never thought I’d need those lessons.
Mary: (Coming around with moans and sighs) What happened? Who are you? (Realising
her head is painful) Ouch!
Jake: You were bashed by that gang and you have a nasty gash on your head. I think I’ve
stopped the bleeding. Looks bad, though. Probably needs some stitches.
Mary: Stitches? No. There’s no point. They’ll ask all these questions...and I don’t want
to be found.
Jake: Why?
Mary: (Weakly) Because I live...or I used to live...in a family where...where (She begins
to cry) ...it was harder to survive there than on the streets. That’s why I’m here.
Jake: But nothing could be as bad as this.
Mary: Not with a step-father like mine. My real father died and he was replaced with...a
monster. I’ve been bashed before, many times. Nothing new. See my scars.
Jake: But I must help you. You can’t live like this. I never realised. Please...I want to try.
Mary: You really are sweet. (There is the sound of Mary kissing Jake) Really sweet. If
only I was normal, I could almost go for you. What’s your name?
Jake: Jake.
Mary: Jake. Lovely name. There’s something about you, Jake. Like my little brother.
Anyway, what are you doing here?
Jake: Well...I came with this guy...oh never mind...you wouldn’t believe me. Look, I
must help you.
The sound of the heavy metal music is heard once again. As the two speak the sound
grows louder and louder.
7
Mary: They’re coming again. We’ve got to get out of here.
Jake: I’ll go with you...get you some help.
Mary: You can’t come with me. No one can. I am alone. I must go. Goodbye Jake. It
would have been nice in another time, in another place. Goodbye Jake.
Jake: Goodbye...what’s your name?
Mary: Mary. (The sound grows fainter as she leaves) Goodbye.
Jake: Goodbye Mary. Will I see you again?
Mary: (Calling from some way off) No. You wouldn’t want to know me.
The sound of the music now becomes very loud and the echo of laughing can be heard.
Narrator: Jake was totally fascinated with Mary, this poor street kid. There was something in her eyes that really touched him and he felt an urge to see her again. But the
sound of the music quickly brought him back to reality and he became really scared. He
remembered the mysterious stranger who had brought him here.
Jake: Where are you? You can’t just leave me here? I don’t even know where I am.
Please! That gang will do the same to me.
The Visitor: You don’t need to worry...I’ve been here watching all the time. And the
gang is not coming this way.
Jake: Oh, there you are. Thank God. This place really gives me the creeps. Can we get
out of here?
The Visitor: Yes...but in a moment. But first we must talk.
Jake: Talk? You really are screwy. Can’t we do it some other place.
The Visitor: Mary is not unique you know. There are thousands of kids like her. Even
younger than her. But you have a home and a mother.
Jake: Yes, but no father...well not all the time anyway.
The Visitor: But you have a father. You have so many things. Even the money to buy
CDs. And you have love in your heart, don't you? It’s hard to admit it but we all have it.
Even those gang members, if you were to dig deep enough under the hurt. So young and
so hardened. (A slight pause) Mary affected you, didn’t she?
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Jake: Bull! She just needed a hand, that’s all. Nothing wrong with that is there?
The Visitor: No. Not at all. But you will see her again. I think you want to see her again.
Don’t you?
Jake: What do you mean, she was from the gutter. Come on, let’s get out of here. I want
to get home.
The Visitor: We are getting out of here, but not home.
Jake: (Growing quite annoyed by now) What are you talking about? I’ve had enough of
this.
The Visitor: Not enough yet. I am taking you to another place very different from this
one.
Away we go to a place of style,
That’s full of fashion,
That’s loaded with taste,
But short on compassion,
And peace,
And peace.
Jake: (Shouting, in echoes) Where? Where? Oh, no! Not again!
The sound of rushing wind is heard again.
Scene Four--The Beautiful House
Narrator: Jake and the visitor were once again sucked into the roaring vortex and Jake
was angry at the visitor and frustrated at having no control over where he was going. But
the vortex lasted only a short time and Jake found himself in a large, beautiful house with
the most expensive furniture money could buy. He was really impressed and dazzled with
the wonder of the place, for his home was nothing in comparison.
Jake: Hey! This is fantastic. More like it! Talk about filthy rich. (The music of Chopin’s
Nocturne No.2 in E flat major is heard) What’s that?
The Visitor: Chopin, I believe. So, you like this place?
Jake: Don’t like the music much but beats the ally. And look at all this stuff. Mum would
freak over all this.
9
The sound of footsteps is heard and then the well educated voice of a woman is heard.
Mrs Haynesford: Is anyone there? (With some surprise) Who are you? What are you doing here?
Jake: I’m sorry to have frightened you. My name is Jake and this is my friend...my
friend....
Mrs Haynesford: Who? There is no one else here. What do you want? And why have
you been snooping around?
Jake: (Tentatively) I...I...I came about the...the job...yes...the job.
Mrs Haynesford: The job? Oh yes. For a maintenance man...but you’re awfully young.
Jake: I’ve had lots of experience and I need the job at the moment. I’m a hard worker and
I do what I’m told.
Mrs Haynesford: Well...never let it be said that I didn’t look after the unemployed...you’re hired...on a weeks trial though. You can start with that window...it’s sticking! I’ll be back later. Mind you do a good job. We expect a lot of our hired help.
Jake: This is unbelievable. I come here and land a job in a posh house. Unbelievable. I
wouldn’t have the faintest about maintenance...whatever that is. Well, I’d better at least
try to unstick this window.
The sound of a sticking window being worked is heard, and as Jake opens the window,
the angry voice of Mr Haynesford is heard.
Mr Haynesford: (With extreme anger) Don’t you ever speak to me like that? (The crisp
sound of a slap is heard, followed by the crying voice of boy) That’s what you get when
you don’t know your place. That’s what all naughty children get. Just like your sister.
Now, be off with you. Off with you!
Narrator: Jake was stunned by the cruelty of the way this man, the master of the house,
hit the little boy’s face. It was done without thought as if it was practised. This was a
beautiful house, for sure, but Jake felt that something was wrong here. He stared at the
man for some time and there was something horrible, something not normal, about the
man. He didn’t hold his gaze for too long out of fear that the man might see him. Finally,
Jake’s stare was broken by the cries of the little boy behind him. Jake felt angry at what
had happened. He wanted to speak to the boy.
Jake: Excuse me, but why did he hit you like that?
Jack: (Through his tears) Who are you?
10
Jake: My name’s Jake. Your mother just gave me a job here.
Jack: You’re another one. You won’t last long. Not in this house.
The angry sound of Mr Haynesford’s voice is heard again.
Mr Haynesford: Jack, you little idiot, get down here right now! Right now! You have
not done what you are told!
Jack: Yes, Mr Haynesford.
Jake: Why did he hit you?
Jack: (Through a weepy and nervous voice) Please, I can’t talk to you, I’ve got to go.
Jake: Please tell me. I want to help you.
Jack: Well...it was because I didn’t come right away when he called me. I didn’t hear him
Jake. But that’s just what he’s like. That’s why no one wants to stay here. Not even my
sister.
Mr Haynesford: (Shouting, with a violent tone) Jack, get down here immediately! Now!
Jake: Sister? Who?
Jack: I’ve got to go...got to go....
The sound of Jack running quickly away and down the stairs is heard. Then the voice of
Mr Haynesford again, in a very mean mood.
Mr Haynesford: I told you straight away! (The sound of a slap) Straight away! (Another
slap) Straight away!
Jack: (Whimpering) Yessss...sir....yes.
Narrator: All this was too much for Jake. He ran down the stairs and confronted the totally surprised Mr Haynesford.
Jake: Leave him alone! He’s done nothing to you! What sort of father are you?
Mr Haynesford: (Quite sarcastically) So, you are the new maintenance man. Not even a
man. What right have you got to leave your job and stick your nose in family business.
What right, eh?
Jake: He’s only a little boy, against someone like you. Please...leave him alone.
11
Jack: It’s alright, Jake. There’s nothing you can do. He’s not even my real father. He just
pretends to be a father.
Mr Haynesford: Why you ungrateful little piece of rubbish.
Jack: It’s true. You only married mum because she had lots of money. My real father was
nothing like you. (In a softer, sadder tone) I wish he was here.
Mr Haynesford: Mark my words, you’ll pay for this, Jack, when this stranger’s gone
away. Mark my words.
Jake: Are you threatening him, Mr Haynesford? A little boy.
Mr Haynesford: I think I told you that none of this was you business. Do you want your
job here?
Jake: I’m not going to stand here and watch you beat on a little boy.
Jack: He’s always done it, even to my sister. That’s why she left.
Mr Haynesford: Will you shut up, Jack! This is none of his business. Now if you don’t
mind, I would like to talk to my son and you have work to do.
Jake: Who was your sister?
Mr Haynesford: I think that will be enough, Jake. You can go now.
Jake: But who is she?
Mr Haynesford: You can go now, Jake!
Jack: Mary. Her name was Mary. And I loved my sister. She’s gone like dad went.
Jake: Mary? Mary! You’re joking! This can’t be right. Mary? (Remembering her words)
Yes. She said that she had a little brother. It all fits now.
Mr Haynesford: I would like you leave right now. Your services are no longer need!
Jake: Do you know what you’ve done to her? Do you?
Mr Haynesford: Mary couldn’t accept the rules of this house.
Jake: She’s living on the streets. She was bashed by a gang of young thugs. I saw her Mr
Haynesford! I saw her!
12
Mr Haynesford: It’s her own fault. She made her choice.
Jack: (Starting to cry again) Is she okay? Jake?
Jake: I think so. I don’t know.
Mr Haynesford: Can you get out of my house now! Now! (The sound of pushing is
heard) Now!
The thud of Jake falling outside the front door of the house is heard, followed by the
crash of the door slamming shut, and then the small solitary cry of a little boy behind the
door.
Jake: Mary? This is actually her house.
Narrator: Jake was totally overcome with the news about Mary’s family. He stood at the
door, with its lead-light panels, for some time, not believing what he had just heard. He
began to understand what Mary must have been through and he became more eager that
ever to see her again and to tell her that he understood.
Jake: My visitor, where are you? I must go! I must find Mary. She is a victim. A victim.
The Visitor: I have told you before, I am right here. So, your little visit to this beautiful
house was not quite what you expected.
Jake: Please, we must go. Can you take me to Mary. I must talk to her.
The Visitor: All in good time. Be patient. We must talk a little first. Now, what have you
learnt?
Jake: (A little sarcastically) That this is Mary’s home. That her step father is a cruel man
who drove her away and onto the streets. That this man is also cruel to Mary’s little
brother.
The Visitor: Very good! But that’s not the answer that I want. What have you learnt?
You?
Jake: Come off it, how am I supposed to know?
The Visitor: You do know. So tell me.
Jake: Alright! Alright! That what you see is not always the way things are. This house
was beautiful but there was ugliness inside it. That I care more about that little boy, about
Mary than I thought I was capable of. That I have a lot to be thankful for.
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The Visitor:
See the beautiful, see the grey,
See the scars that colours hide.
See the anger, see that hate,
See the walls that hide the eyes.
And now we go to a place of mystery, charm, riddles and dreams. There you will find the
expected and the unexpected. So....
Away we go to a place of flowers,
Blue as the tinted sky,
Blue as the soul’s eye.
Heaven with a hint of hell,
To meet there with the smell
Of flowers and love,
Fear and dread.
The sound of the rushing wind is heard again.
Scene Five--The Field of Flowers
Narrator: Jake was very happy about hearing the sound of the wind and about being
caught up into the vortex. This time he enjoyed the trip, observing the colours inside the
swirling mass with the innocent thrill of a five year old boy reading a book on his father’s
lap. Presently the vortex stopped and Jake, with the visitor, were in a grassy field, covered
with masses of blue flowers. Jake was struck dumb with the beauty of the scene, with the
soft noise of the breeze and the gentle tweet of the birds.
In the background, noticed yet not heard, is the sound of the Prelude to Bach’s Suite
No.1in G major, played by guitar.
Jake: I can’t believe this place. So free.
The Visitor: Much more than your stuffy old room?
Jake: Yes.
The Visitor: But this is no ordinary place, Jake. As you will see.
Jake: Please, don’t leave. This is such a beautiful place. At least share this with me.
The Visitor: But I must go...you will understand why you are here...see you in a little
while....
Jake: What did he mean ‘no ordinary place’?
14
Narrator: Jake began searching the huge grassy flowered field, but no matter how far he
walked there didn’t seem to be any end. The flowers appeared to surround him and the
scent of the flowers was as unique as the most expensive perfume. Presently, Jake came
to what looked like a bare patch in the sea of grass and flowers. He walked into the patch
with a little uncertainty, as he stood in the middle, he thought he heard a voice, a familiar
voice, the voice of a little girl.
Helen: (In an uncertain whisper) Jake. Jake. Jake.
Jake: (Unsure and a little afraid) Who is it? What do you want? Tell me who you are!
Narrator: Out of the glass came a strange little girl, about 8 or 9 years old, who looked a
little like Jake himself. She paused and looked intently at Jake, as if she knew him. Jake
was equally fascinated by the girl, for in her eyes he could see something familiar, something about her he had seen before but couldn’t remember.
Helen: I’m glad you have come here, Jake. I was looking forward to seeing you again,
after so long.
Jake: Who are you? I don’t get this?
Helen: Can you see my eyes, Jake? They are like yours: blue and large. Don’t you see,
don’t you remember?
Jake: No. No. Stop staring at me. I am trying to find out what this place is.
Helen: This place is here but it is not here. It is simple but it is a riddle. And you do know
me Jake. You cried over me. You...
Held my hand,
But I couldn’t feel it.
You ran for help,
But we were too far away.
You shouted to the heavens
But nobody heard you.
You gave me your breath
But it was all too late.
...All too late...all too late...all too late.
Jake: (With terror and happiness at the same time) Helen. It’s you...really you.
Helen: It’s me but it isn’t me, Jake.
15
Jake: (Starting to cry now) But you drowned...I tried...tried to save you. We shouldn’t
have been playing in the creek. Mum blamed me...and dad blamed mum. Helen...why did
you have to leave us...why?
Helen: No one is to blame, Jake...no one. You are among the living Jake...do something
about yourself...about yourself...find Mary, for she has the secret. Goodbye Jake. Goodbye...I still love you. Goodbye, Jake!
Jake: Don’t go! I want you back...we all want you back. Please! Please!
Narrator: Jake lay in a heap on the ground sobbing for some time. (The ominous noise of
thunder is heard but there is no rain) A dark cloud passed overhead and Jake felt cold. He
huddled on the ground, not willing to face the world again. You see, Jake was as close to
his sister as anyone could be. He hadn’t even cried at her funeral. He just stood, stunned
and numb. And that’s the way he had remained since his sister’s death. Jake lay on the
ground for some time, until some strange girlish laughter broke the silence. Two small
girls came into the enclosure and began laughing and singing.
The background sound of children’s nursery rhyme music is heard.
Girls: Wake up now Jake! Wake up now Jake! Wake up now Jake! (Singing, childlike)
Ring a ring a rosie,
A pocket full of posies.
A tissue, a tissue,
We all fall down.
Ring a ring a rosie,
A pocket full of posies.
A tissue, a tissue,
We all fall down.
Wake up and hear our riddle Jake. (Singing) Where is Mary? Where is Mary?
Jake: What? Who are you two? What is this riddle?
Sky: We are Sky....
Air: And Air.
Sky: We are the lost children whose parents grieve. And we are to lead you to Mary.
Air: To Mary.
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Jake: Well, let me have it then. (In a demanding tone) Where is she? Where? I must see
her!
Sky: Then listen....
Air: Listen....
Sky: Listen to the riddle.
Air: You will find your love....
Sky: Not here, not there...
Air: But in the special place...
Sky: That is most dear.
Jake: What do you mean? Give me more. How can I find such a place?
Air: Look to your heart....
Sky: Look to your soul. Look to the place...
Air: Of sadness and pain.
There is a tingling sound, like magic, as the two girls fade into the air and the sky.
Jake: Where are you going? That is not enough! Not enough. Come back. Come back!
Narrator: The two little girls faded into the sky and the air. Jake was left puzzled and
troubled. What could the riddle mean? His thoughts were confused. He began to walk and
walk looking for something in the place that would at least give him a clue. After trudging for many miles, Jake collapsed on the ground, exhausted. He was very depressed and
sad.
Jake: This is stupid. Those little girls were really devils trying to fool me. What the hell
did they mean? “Look to the place of sadness and pain”. But there is nothing but fields of
blue flowers here. Nothing. Not even a tree. “The special place that is most dear”. (The
music of Elvis’ “Love me Tender” is heard in the background. Jake begins to sing as if
by instinct.)
Love me tender,
Love me sweet,
Never let me go.
For you’ve made my life complete,
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And I love you so.
(Speaking the lyrics) “Love me tender, love me sweet”. That’s it. That’s it! The creek.
The creek! Where Helen and I used to play all the time. That’s it. We used to sing that
song all the time. Helen loved it. “The special place that is most dear”. That’s it.
Scene Six--The Woods
The sweet noise of a bubbling stream is heard.
Narrator: Suddenly, a grand area of woodlands appeared before Jake. At its centre there
was a clear flowing stream, that was all too familiar to Jake. Jake eagerly walked into the
woods and straight towards the stream. It had the huge gum tree and the rope, the fatal
rope, off which they used to dive into the deep cold water beneath. Jake sat down beside
the stream and drank deeply of the water, being very thirsty from his walk. He then
looked around for some indication of where Mary might be. But there was nothing, and in
the soft warmth of the afternoon, Jake fell asleep. But his sleep was troubled: he dreamt
of the two little girls, about his sister, Helen, about his father and about his Mary. Then,
Jake thought he heard a voice: it sounded like a voice he had heard in the ally. Yes, it was
the voice of Mary. She was beside him, whispering into his ear.
Mary: Jake. Jake! Wake up! Wake up!
Jake: It’s you. I knew I was right. Your face. The cut. It’s gone.
Mary: Of course it’s gone. I’m in this place. And I must talk to you. But first I must
thank you for the ally.
Jake: But where did you go when you left the ally? Where?
Mary: I cannot answer any of your questions for the time is short. So, listen.
Jake: I missed you, Mary. I’m so glad to see you again. I want to stay with you...here. We
can play in the stream. Like I used to play with....
Mary: Helen.
Jake: Yes. Helen. Please stay here with me.
Mary: I cannot, Jake. You must be still and listen. I want to help you this time.
Jake: How?
Mary: this is a place of terror and pleasure for you...isn’t it Jake?
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Jake: Yes, I suppose so.
Mary: We both have had a loss but you have walled yourself away to hide from it. You
see, I lost my father in a stream like this. I fell in and would have drowned, but he saved
me. Unfortunately, the cold water was too much. He slipped under the water and no one
could find him. And I saw it all. I was frozen, stunned. Just like you were. You tried to
save her, didn’t you?
Jake: (With tears) Yes...yes I did. But I couldn’t.
Mary: And no one could save my father either. I just stood and watched and time seemed
to move like the second hand on a clock. But nothing. No body even. That’s the hardest
part. It was no accident that you found me in the ally. It was meant to be.
Jake: I miss her, Mary. I miss her. Why can’t I have her back? Why?
Mary: I asked the same questions, Jake. But they aren’t important any longer. But you
have life, Jake. And you have a mother...and a father. Be a son to them to help them with
their loss. And don’t ever forget her. Do you understand me?
Jake: Yes...yes... I understand. Will you ever go home?
Mary: That is not important any more, Jake. But I too think of my brother.
Jake: Yes, I know.
Mary: (Voice begins to fade) I must go, Jake. Don’t forget, will you Jake. And be a son
again. Be a son again. Goodbye.
Jake: Please don’t leave again. Please. Please.
Mary: (Faintly) You may see me again.
Jake: Mary. Mary! Mary!
The Visitor: She has gone, Jake. She had to go.
Jake: Oh, it’s you. Can I leave here now. I can’t stand this place any longer. Please.
The Visitor: You have found yourself again, Jake. You have no need for those horrible
walls any more.
The sound of rushing wind is heard again, overlayed with the strains of heavy metal rock
music.
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Scene Seven--Home Coming
Narrator: The swirl of the vortex conveyed Jake and the visitor back to his home in what
seemed an instant. Jake landed on his bed among the CDs laying loosely on his bed. The
visitor was beside him. The time on the clock was three minutes past four.
Jake: (Switching off the heavy metal rock music just before he speaks) It seems almost
like a dream, except that you are here. But who are you? Why did you select me?
The Visitor: All I will say is that you have rediscovered magic. The magic of a boy reading a story on his father’s knee. Never lose that magic, Jake. Take heed of the words of
Mary.
Narrator: The visitor disappeared before Jake’s eyes and Jake stared at the wall in disbelief. But he had not forgotten his trip. He had remembered. He gathered all his CDs and
threw them in the rubbish bin. Then he called to his mother.
Jake: Mum! Mum!
Mrs Hart: (Opening the door and coming in) What is it, Jake? I don’t want another fight
with you.
Jake: Sit here mum. I want to tell you something.
Mrs Hart: This has nothing to do with your father has it?
Jake: No, with you. Ah...mum...I’m sorry. I love you. And I miss Helen. I just needed to
tell you that.
Mrs Hart: (Crying) Jake. I love you too. And I need you.
Jake: (Giving her a hanky) Here mum, blow your nose.
Mrs Hart: (Blowing) Thank you.
Jake: Mum, can I ask you something?
Mrs Hart: yes, darling.
Jake: Can we make peace with dad? Can we?
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Mrs Hart: Yes. Alright. We’ll try. But I can’t promise anything. I have something to tell
you though, Jake. I have arranged something. We are going to have a foster child. A street
kid. It’s my way of getting over Helen. She should be here at any moment.
Jake: She? Who?
Mrs Hart: I can’t remember her name. It’s on the form in the kitchen. (At this exact time,
the door bell rings.) That must be her. Come with me.
Jake: Mum.
Mrs Hart: Yes dear.
Jake: Do you believe in magic?
Mrs Hart: Yes, yes I do. Come with me.
There are footsteps and the sound of the front door opening.
Jake: Mary! It’s you.
Narrator: This is the end but it is also the beginning.
The music of Love Me Tender is heard for a short time and ends when the front door
slams shut.
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