Dead White Writer on the Floor Page 3
You crazy! Do I look fake?
BILLY JACK
Let’s not go down that road. But everything in this room tells me it’s true. This thing … (holds up a DVD case) … I read the back. It’s my life story. In ninety minutes. In something called Blu-ray.
OLD LODGE SKINS
If what you say is true, and my heart has not yet told me so, why are we here? I know of no legends or teachings to explain this to me.
BILLY JACK starts going through the books on the desk, and tossing them to each of the individual characters. They catch them and look through them.
BILLY JACK
This is you. This is me. This is all of us.
KILLS MANY ENEMIES
I do not know these symbols.
INJUN JOE
I can’t read either. You’re making this up.
BILLY JACK
Kills Many Enemies, look at the cover.
He does and he sees himself.
KILLS MANY ENEMIES
That is me, though I do not think my nose can be that big.
TONTO
Kemosabe and me … it is true.
POCAHONTAS
He’s writing more … You mean, I have to swim in more streams? Save more white men? Spend more cold winters in this tiny dress?!
BILLY JACK
It looks that way.
INJUN JOE
No more, please. It has to end. I can’t go back to that cave. I’ll die, I know it.
POCAHONTAS
What should we do?
OLD LODGE SKINS
When travelling in strange lands with strange gods, it is best to give such places a wide berth. This machine and what this man writes are not our responsibility. We are all but a web strand in his stories. If we break one, we might break all. I have spoken.
INJUN JOE
Screw that. You are all forgetting one minor detail. Those strands you were talking about … they’re already a little shaky. The guy who wove those precious strands is dead on the floor. Those stories are half-finished. He’s not going to finish them ’cause one of you killed him. Right or wrong, he’s dead. Meaning nobody’s going to finish it. We’re stuck here. Any of this sinking in?
POCAHONTAS
Is he right?
Everybody looks momentarily confused and worried. POCAHONTAS goes to the study door. She tries to open it.
POCAHONTAS
There must be a way out. I want to go back to my stream! I was wrong. It’s not so bad. I want my animals. Where is John? He’s white. He knows these things. He should be here to protect us!
OLD LODGE SKINS
Do not fear unnecessarily, little one. This man speaks only to frighten us like children in a thunderstorm.
TONTO
You think you have all answers. What yours?
INJUN JOE
If what muscle boy over there says is true … finish it ourselves.
KILLS MANY ENEMIES
Finish what ourselves, little man?
INJUN JOE
The short stories. Write them the way we want. Be who we want.
There is awed silence.
POCAHONTAS
Noooo …
OLD LODGE SKINS
That is an evil thought … isn’t it?
TONTO
How?
OLD LODGE SKINS
(holding up hand) How.
BILLY JACK
But none of us know how to work that thing. We could do more damage than good.
INJUN JOE
Don’t care. My whole life has been one of damage. Once you’ve lived in hell, even purgatory looks good. Take a chance, muscle boy. I say we spit God in the eye.
TONTO
Me no think life can be this easy. Can’t be … can it?
INJUN JOE
Why not? This is our chance to do something. Be somebody.
OLD LODGE SKINS
Perhaps, but maybe this was all meant to be. The Creator works in mysterious ways. Death is not so horrible. It is fear of death that terrifies us.
INJUN JOE
But I haven’t lived a real life. I’ve lived a travesty of a real life. I can’t be anything other than what is in this book. I reject it. Old man, I don’t fear my death, I fear my life. I am going to find an answer. Who’s with me?
Everybody looks awkward, unsure.
INJUN JOE
Cowards. You’re all cowards.
OLD LODGE SKINS
I am not a coward. It is true that the story and the storyteller are one and the same. The storyteller may die, but if the story is strong, it will live forever. And stories can change, and be changed. Like a man.
INJUN JOE
Yeah. Changed.
OLD LODGE SKINS
But you are not a storyteller.
KILLS MANY ENEMIES
And while you and this machine do not frighten me, only a fool battles in the dark. And I am not a fool. I will not help you.
INJUN JOE
Fine, you and the old man suit yourself. I ain’t hanging around to be treated like shit.
Everybody looks uncomfortable. INJUN JOE examines the computer.
BILLY JACK
What are you doing?
INJUN JOE
Finding a better world. You can all stay here and debate the mysteries of the universe if you want. Me, I want something better and I have the means right here to find it. You can all go to hell, except you (to POCAHONTAS) of course.
POCAHONTAS
Please be careful.
INJUN JOE
You can come with me, you know. Could be fun. Me and you, against the world. What do you say, sweet thing?
POCAHONTAS
Sorry, but I don’t date Indian men.
INJUN JOE
I’m half white …
POCAHONTAS
Sorry. Not enough.
INJUN JOE
Then the hell with you too.
OLD LODGE SKINS
Do not dwell on the …
INJUN JOE pushes the old man away harshly.
INJUN JOE
Keep your wise-Elder stuff to yourself. It don’t impress me. All of you. Be cartoons, be happy running through the woods like the noble savage. I want more. More than he would give me. And whichever one of you killed him, thanks. He deserved it. And I’ll be better off for it.
KILLS MANY ENEMIES
This is a waste of time. This man will listen to none of us. I say we destroy this box and be done with it. And then kill him.
KILLS MANY ENEMIES picks up the computer. INJUN JOE grabs KILLS MANY ENEMIES’ knife and threatens him with it.
INJUN JOE
Listen here, boy. Put that there thing down. Or I’ll string you up by your entrails.
KILLS MANY ENEMIES
You would kill me for this humming box?
INJUN JOE
I’ve killed better men for less. Now put it down nice and slow.
BILLY JACK
Perhaps you’d better put it down.
KILLS MANY ENEMIES
Then may I kill him? You can help. It’ll be fun!
KILLS MANY ENEMIES slowly puts the computer down.
INJUN JOE
Don’t you people see? I’m trying to save your lives or at least change them, as well as mine.
OLD LODGE SKINS
You know nothing of that machine or what it can do. Is your life so horrible that you would risk endangering all of us?
INJUN JOE
Is yours so perfect it couldn’t be better?
OLD LODGE SKINS
I am happy with how I will spend my final days. Prairie as far as my old eyes can see. Enough buffalo robes to keep my cold body warm. It is truly the way the Creator meant us to live. It is a good life.
INJUN JOE
Uh-huh. (to POCAHONTAS) You. Do you enjoy your life?
POCAHONTAS
Me? Um … yes … yes, I do. Uh … wouldn’t you?
INJUN JOE
I’ve been playin’
poker long enough to know a bluff when I hear one. (to TONTO) And you, I suppose you’re happy riding the range, being the hero’s sidekick?
TONTO
Me seen worse ways of living. A lot worse.
INJUN JOE
You one bad liar too. Kills Many Enemies …
KILLS MANY ENEMIES
Yes?
INJUN JOE
I take it where you come from, you’re very brave? Well respected? Lots to eat. Warm place to sleep? Just fight, be noble, hunt buffalo. Stand tall and regal. Pose for postcards. You’re a happy savage?
KILLS MANY ENEMIES
Yes.
INJUN JOE
No regrets?
KILLS MANY ENEMIES
No …
INJUN JOE
Sure. (to BILLY JACK) What about you?
BILLY JACK
Since the day I was born, there have been precious few things that have brought serenity to my heart. Living each day is enough. Every night when I close my eyes, and I know I have done something to make the reservation a safer place, then I allow myself the luxury of peace. For me, that is as close to happiness as I can get.
INJUN JOE
Nice speech. Too bad it’s a crock of shit.
BILLY JACK
I’m trying really hard not to get angry at you. But sometimes you make it really difficult …
INJUN JOE
You wanna hit me, muscle boy? Huh, do ya? Then hit me if it’ll make you feel so …
Suddenly, like lightning, BILLY JACK lashes out. INJUN JOE collapses, struck down. He is both in pain and surprised. He crawls to his feet.
INJUN JOE
He hit me! You hit me!
INJUN JOE takes out his knife.
INJUN JOE
Stay away from me. All of you. Stay away from me, you crazy bastards.
BILLY JACK easily disarms him. POCAHONTAS rushes between them.
POCAHONTAS
Both of you, stop it!
BILLY JACK
This doesn’t concern you.
POCAHONTAS
It concerns all of us. Please don’t hurt him. I know he’s not my brave and handsome John Smith. In fact, he’s kind of repugnant. But hurting him won’t help.
OLD LODGE SKINS
Listen to the girl. She is small but her words are big.
INJUN JOE
I ain’t afraid of you.
TONTO
Do not lie. Him big, strong. You weak and repugnant.
INJUN JOE
I am not repugnant.
TONTO
Is him repugnant?
Everybody nods and answers in agreement.
KILLS MANY ENEMIES/OLD LODGE SKINS/ POCAHONTAS/BILLY JACK
Yep. Very. Extremely. Where to begin? Definitely. Don’t get me started.
INJUN JOE
I see. So I’m repugnant. Let’s see you not be repugnant when you have to make money by digging up graves for medical schools. Let’s see you be sophisticated when you sleep in barns and caves. Yeah, I’m repugnant while people think their happy thoughts about you people. But I’m also the one in this room that wants to get out of here the most. I’m the one who’s had enough. I have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Being repugnant, being unwanted, maybe it gives me the strength to walk away from what I was. It’s made me want something better. I want to be real. Better!
POCAHONTAS
Better …
TONTO
So much anger.
INJUN JOE
Yes. So much anger. Because you are all liars. All of you. I may be a worthless old drunk, but at least I’m honest about it. And I think—no, I know for sure—all of you, deep down inside, are as pissed off as I am. You’re all just afraid to admit it. I hate this world and what I am in it. Did you all hear that? I want something more.
TONTO
Like what?
INJUN JOE
I don’t know. Maybe go off to one of those fancy schools they have and learn stuff. Be smarter and more educated than I am. Than he made me. I deserve better. I deserve a shot at being as good as any of those white bastards!
POCAHONTAS
I don’t like this game. It’s scaring me. There must be some other game we can play. I know one where we all try to run through the tree branches like squirrels. It’s great fun.
INJUN JOE
Games! You want to play games? Maybe you are who you are supposed to be. Fine. Play your silly games. No more for me. I want out.
INJUN JOE picks up the keyboard.
POCAHONTAS
Wait! (pause) Is it really possible? I mean about changing.
INJUN JOE
I don’t know nothin’ for sure, but I aim to find out. Why? You interested?
POCAHONTAS
Maybe.
BILLY JACK
Why?
POCAHONTAS
I have my reasons. Do you think it hurts?
OLD LODGE SKINS
Little one, this is not a small stream to be crossed so easily. This is a big decision for a girl as small as you.
TONTO
Once you do this thing, you might not be able to get back.
KILLS MANY ENEMIES
Do not trust this man. Come with me. We shall ride across Mother Earth together. I will take you as my wife. You will bear me many strong children. I will call you … Stands With Short Skirt.
INJUN JOE
Hey, don’t go tryin’ to scare her now. She’s a grown girl.
POCAHONTAS
Exactly. I am a grown girl. And it’s about what he said. About doing the same thing, being trapped. I’m tired of playing in the forest. There’s only so many times I can swim those stupid streams. I’m an Indian princess with no power. I mean raccoons and hummingbirds are fine, but there’s got to be more to life than that. I haven’t done anything substantial with my life. All I do is squeal and play like a child. It would be nice to be somebody who …
BILLY JACK
Who what …?
POCAHONTAS
Who is respected.
TONTO
Me thought you plenty respected.
POCAHONTAS
By children maybe, but realistically, what have I got to be proud of? Do you know I’m actually twelve years old?
There is a pause as this information sinks in.
KILLS MANY ENEMIES
You carry it well.
POCAHONTAS
I’m a twelve-year-old running around with a thirty-year-old sailor. No wonder my father wanted to kill him.
INJUN JOE
She’s twelve years old? Wow. What kind of corn do your people eat?
POCAHONTAS
And let’s not forget I have been with the same man for what seems like forever.
BILLY JACK
Actually more like four hundred years, if everything I suspect is true.
There is silence.
POCAHONTAS
I’m four hundred years old?!
TONTO
Me don’t usually run into many four-hundred-year-old twelve-year-olds.
POCAHONTAS
Four hundred years old … no wonder we have nothing left to talk about. And after all that time I invest in John, he leaves me to go back to England. Forget the little girl that gave him her heart. Typical of a man, isn’t it? It’s all so pointless. I have been stared at, fantasized about, romanticized, lusted after, and I have to face it all with a smile, open arms, and even open legs. The novelty has worn off. I want out!
TONTO
Now you sound plenty angry.
POCAHONTAS
All you men are alike.
TONTO
Hey, you barking up wrong tree.
POCAHONTAS
(indicating the dead white writer) And that son of a bitch was going to start it all over again. Another goddamn story about the little lovesick Indian princess … Damn it, you’d think these male writers would come up with an original idea once in a while instead of constantly putting me through t
his garbage. And you just reach a point where there have been too many broken hearts, too many sailors giving me the eye, too many conversations with raccoons, that finally something snaps. And you say no more. No more. The next writer who has me in buckskin mini-skirt, running through all those damned bushes knee-high in poison ivy, will be in deep fucking shit.
There is a pause of silence. POCAHONTAS realizes she’s gone out of character and becomes embarrassed. She reverts to “Indian princess” mode again.
POCAHONTAS
Oh, I’m sorry. Must have been something I ate.
OLD LODGE SKINS
Little one, did you kill the white man?
POCAHONTAS
Me? No, I could never kill anybody. It just isn’t in me. Really!
Everybody just stares at her. Silence.
POCAHONTAS
Oh, come on. I was just teasing, playing. I play a lot of games where I come from.
OLD LODGE SKINS
There can be strong currents under placid waters.
INJUN JOE
So you want respect.
POCAHONTAS
Yes. I am tired of being a woman in a child’s body. It might be good to bear a child, instead of being one. Can you understand?
INJUN JOE
Yes I can. The respect part, I mean.
POCAHONTAS turns to the other characters.
POCAHONTAS
It’s not too much to ask for, is it? If that thing can do what you say.
INJUN JOE
No.
TONTO
You are right. That is not too much to ask.
INJUN JOE
You coming too?
TONTO thinks for a moment.
TONTO
Yes.
OLD LODGE SKINS
Another child leaves the nest.
BILLY JACK
And you, what do you hope to find?
TONTO
Just like young girl say, you save one white man’s life, you stuck looking after him forever. Me like good things we do, but me tired of being second banana. Me want to wear the mask, just once. Maybe me want be … The Lone Indian, and he be loyal sidekick Ranger. Me like that. Like that a lot! Equality and freedom. That what me want. Dead man write more stories about more fights and more being faithful Indian companion. Make me sound like dog. Tired of same old story. No more hiding. No more “what we do now, Kemosabe?” Me want to be in charge for once. Me want to tell him and other people what to do. Me want be boss for once. Me cook for him, me do his laundry, mend bullet holes in his shirt. Everything. Me give him everything. And what me have to show for it? Nothing. And what he do for me? Also nothing. “Tonto, you stay here.” “Tonto, you cover me.” “Tonto, I want you to go into that redneck bar and start asking some questions.” If me hear that one more time, me shoot self. If only he tell me he cared. Is that too much ask for? Some communication? After all we been through together … that all me ask.