The Power and the Glory
The setting: a glass elevator, the present
Inez has talked Wanda into taking a ride in an elevator for some much needed therapy. As the
glassed-in lift rises higher and higher, Inez reveals her true intent.
Inez: Look down there.
Wanda: I can’t
Inez: Yes, you can. Just take your time. We’ll just push the hold button. Now, look down there
Wanda. It’s important. Look. There you go.
Wanda: It’s so far down.
Inez: Yes, so far down. See all those little insect people down there.
Wanda: So small.
Inez: Hundreds of men down there. Men of all races. Men from all over. Hundreds of men.
Wanda: There are women there, too.
Inez: We don’t care about the women. Just the men. And there’s hundreds of them.
Wanda: And not one wants me.
Inez: Wrong. Look again, Wanda.
Wanda: I see them, Inez.
Inez: Now did you do like I told you.
Wanda: Yes
Inez: You’re not wearing any underwear and no pantyhose, right?
Wanda: No, I’m not, but I think that’s the craziest thing I ever heard of. I was afraid to sit down
on the subway.
Inez: I’m not wearing any, either.
Wanda: Maybe you are and maybe you aren’t.
Inez: I’ll show you.
Wanda: I believe you, Inez . Goodness
Inez: Now look close at those men down there, Wanda. What are they doing?
Wanda: I don’t know what they’re doing. . . Just walking around I guess.
Inez: No, Wanda.
Wanda: What are they doing?
Inez: They’re slowing down, Wanda. They’re barely moving. They’re almost at a standstill. Do
you know why?
Wanda: They’re waiting for the light to change?
Inez: No Wanda. They’re looking up our dresses.
Wanda: They’re what?
Inez: They’re looking up our dresses. That’s why we didn’t wear any underwear.
Wanda: That’s dirty, Inez
Inez: It’s life, Wanda
Wanda: They can’t see anything this far up
Inez; Wrong, Wanda. When men are looking up women’s dresses, their eyes are like those of an
eagle.
Wanda: Oh, for goodness sake
Inez: They are. Stand a little closer to the glass Wanda. Lift your skirt a little, spread your legs,
let them see all the way up your dress.
Wanda: I most certainly will not!! Lord knows what kind of men are down there.
Inez: All kinds of men. All kinds from all over the world. (She stands and tilts her dress) and
they are all looking up my dress.
Wanda: You’ll get us arrested!
Inez: By the police? They’re looking, too! They’re all looking up my dress, adoring me!! Tilt
your skirt, Wanda, let them see your power.
Wanda: I don’t think of my na na as power.
Inez: That’s a big mistake, Wanda, cause it is. It’s the most powerful thing in the world. Come
on, Wanda, let them see your power.
Wanda: I feel like a fool.
Inez: You’ll learn to love it. It’s just the two of us, Wanda.
Wanda: (Weakening) InezInez: Step up, tilt your skirt. Try it, Wanda. Please, you won’t regret it.
Wanda: Alright. (Very gingerly does so.) I’m feeling very warm, Inez.
Inez: It’s the power. The power. The energy. Wars have been fought over us. All things that exist
come form us. The power is surging. Let it fill your body. Feel it, Wanda. You are the power.
They adore you. Say it, Wanda. Say, “ I am my power.” Come on, Wanda
Wanda: I am the power
Inez: Humankind springs from me.
Wanda: Humankind springs from me.
Inez: Creation occurs inside me.
Wanda; Creation occurs inside me.
Inez: I am woman!! All powerful.
Wanda: I am all powerful woman. You’re right, Inez. They are looking I can feel it. They want
me. They want me BAD. AND I LOVE IT. DID YOU HEAR ME, INEZ, I LOVE IT. LOVE,
LOVE, LOVE IT. LOOK AT ME, ALL YOU PUNY LITTLE MEN. LOOK AT ME AND
LOVE ME. SEE MY NA NA. SEE MY NA NA AND SHAKE WITH DESIRE. YES. YES.
YES. YES.
Inez: You don’t want to overdo, Wanda.
Wanda: Love me. LOVE ME. DO YOU HEAR ME? LOVE ME. I AM THE POWER. I AM
THE GLORY. FALL ON YOUR KNEES AND WORSHIP ME. I AM WANDA THE
WONDERFUL!!!
Inez: (Frightened.) Wanda, the elevator’s beginning to shake.
Wanda: CAN’T YOU FELL IT, INEZ? CAN’T YOU FEEL THEIR DESIRE? FEEL IT
PENETRATE!!!
Inez: WANDA!! WANDA!! YOU’VE GOT TO GET A HOLD OF YOURSELF?
Wanda: oh, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. YES, YES, YES, YES. OHHHHHHHHH!!!
Inez: WANDA!!
Wanda: It’s better than any shrink, Inez!!
Inez: And it won’t go away for a long time. You’re going to feel great for the next week or more.
Wanda: You think so?
Inez: I know it. Every time I come here and get recharged, men won’t leave me alone for days.
Wanda: I’m ready.
Inez: We’d better get going, Wanda.
Wanda: Inez, do you think we could do one more charge up as the elevator goes down?
Inez: Couldn’t do any harm, but don’t get too carried away, Wanda.
Wanda: I won’t. Inez, I want to thank you for this.
Inez: Don’t mention it, Wanda.
(They hold their dresses out as they descend)
~scene~