ELBOWS OFF THE TABLE 
By Rebecca VerNooy
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PRELUDE:

Dim lights rise on LG and G.  They are on the ground, and begin a beautiful, sustained duet.  H enters with a cigarette or drink.  There is an “H” sound cue whenever she enters.  She watches them with indifference or disdain, then weaves around them.

1stMOVEMENT:

Ensemble enters.  Projections of faces.  They weave through the space and disperse evenly across the stage in stillness. They do a series of contractions and gestures.  LG, G and H move around and through the ensemble.  Ensemble then weaves and lands in a clump upstage.  G is part of clump, and most downstage.

G         careful
M         careful
C          careful
M         she’s inside
G         I am being ripped out

Ensemble moves down and around G during the following.  They break to either side when they get downstage and move into a clump upstage.  As they pass G, she moves down left.

C          sh-h-h-h-h-
M         I am being ripped apart
G         I am coming
C          this way
M         heavy breathing
G         NO
M         God
C          yes
G         NO
M         Oh my god  
G         let me go back inside
C          No turning back
G         then release me
M         Release her
G         Oh god
C          a beautiful girl

Ensemble stays in clump up right. They stay in tableaux, or do slow, sustained movements.   M, G and LG are down left.  M cradles G.  LG watches.

G         who’s there?
M         who’s this?
E          anger                           D          angel
C          what an angel
G         a warm breath, a soft body
C          comfort
M         so warm and soft
C          precious child
G         is this mine?
C          you are me
M         are you mine?
C          you are mine.
G         I am being held gently
C          gentle now
M         oh my.  Beautiful soul
G         don’t let me go
C          hold loosely
M         god’s gift
G         where am I?
M         this is your mommy
G         mother
M         yes
C          hold her head
G         it is cold and light
M         welcome to the world 
C          welcome
D          strong little thing
G         I see only shadows of figures
M         can you see me?
G         no                                            C          yes

Ensemble begins to move downstage

G         this warm body.  Heaven
M         you feel me
C          I am every part of you
M         sweet angel 
C          my gift.
G         I am safe 
C          you are safe here
M         I will protect you always
C          careful
G         strange hands lift me from my home
M         time to rest
D          yes.  Let her alone