Anne of Green Gables....a new folk rock musical. Book & Lyrics by Matte O'Brien. Music by Matt Vinson

Transcription

1 Anne of Green Gables...a new folk rock musical Book & Lyrics by Matte O'Brien Music by Matt Vinson Contact: Max Grossman Abrams Artists Agency 275 Seventh Ave, 26th Floor New York, NY P: E:

2 ii. PLACE The Town of Avonlea, on Prince Edward Island TIME The start of a new century

3 iii. CAST SHIRLEY (12-21) Intensely imaginative and verbose orphan in search of a family and driven by a desperate desire to belong. Feisty, passionate, stubborn, and insecure, Anne journeys from awkward little girl to a young lady teetering on the brink of adulthood and a new, hardwon confidence. Strong belt/mix. BARRY / ENSEMBLE (12-21) Classmate and neighbor of Anne's and her eventual best friend. Beautiful, elegant, with a simple/naive nature that belies a keen intuition. On paper she is Anne s opposite, but clearly her soul mate. Strong belt/mix. CUTHBERT / ENSEMBLE (40 s-60 s) A hard, stolid spinster and the proprietress of Green Gables - the farm she shares with her younger brother, Matthew. She begrudgingly agrees to adopt Anne but struggles in warming to her. Her stubbornness and chilly demeanor - cover a good heart buried deep beneath years of pain. Powerhouse belt/mix. LYNDE / ENSEMBLE (50 s-60's) The overly opinionated town gossip. Pious and outspoken, she prides herself on being a good Christian woman and the pillar of the community. Though she and Anne clash at first, she eventually becomes one of her fiercest advocates. Powerhouse belt/mix. RUBY GILLIS / ENSEMBLE (12-21) Boy-crazy classmate of Anne. Uncouth, melodramatic, smart-ass. Excellent singer/dancer. PRISSY ANDREWS / ENSEMBLE (12-21) Boy-crazy classmate of Anne s, mousy and sweet. Excellent singer/dancer. JOSIE PYE / LUCILLA HARRIS / ENSEMBLE (12-21) Josie: Pretty, mean, competitive classmate of Anne s. Lucilla: kind and courteous store clerk. Excellent singer/dancer. MRS. BARRY / ENSEMBLE (40 s) Diana s mother, a haughty, pious woman who detests Anne for her orphan upbringing and over-attachment to Diana. Excellent singer/dancer. MISS STACY / ENSEMBLE (30 s-40 s) Anne's teacher. An independent, smart, driven, single woman. Excellent singer/dancer.

4 iv. BLYTHE / ENSEMBLE (12-21) Classmate and neighbor of Anne s. Magnetic, handsome, warm, and perhaps a little too sure of himself. Gilbert s world is upended when he meets his match in the headstrong, Anne. Strong pop/folk sensibility. CUTHBERT / ENSEMBLE (50 s-60 s) Marilla s quiet and hard-working younger brother, and the cooccupant of their family farm, Green Gables. As warm and gentle as his sister is not, he is immediately taken by Anne s unique and vibrant personality and successfully lobbies to give her a home. Strong singer. MOODY MCPHERSON / ENSEMBLE (12-21) Classmate of Anne s, soft-spoken, geeky, outsider. Best friends with Ruby and Prissy. Excellent singer/dancer. CHARLIE SLOAN / ENSEMBLE (12-21) Girl-crazy classmate of Anne s, a boy's boy, not very bright. Excellent singer/dancer. JUDE ANDREWS / MR. EDWARDS / ENSEMBLE (12-21) Jude: Classmate of Anne's, and Prissy Andrew's brother. A boy's boy, not very bright. Mr. Edwards: a kindly real estate agent. Excellent singer/dancer FRED WRIGHT / ENSEMBLE (12-21) Diana Barry s intended, handsome, upright guy. Excellent singer/dancer. MR. PHILLIPS / MR. BLYTHE / ENSEMBLE (50's - 60's) Mr. Philips: Anne s stern teacher; Mr. Blythe: Gilbert Blythe s father and the former beau of Marilla. Excellent singer/dancer.

5 v. A NOTE FROM THE AUTHORS Anne of Green Gables is intended to be performed on a unit set with no break in momentum between one scene and the next. Like growing up, the show should progress far quicker than we are aware. The chapter numbers and titles written in the script should be projected onto the set to mark transitions and provide the audience with necessary context. Exits and entrances should be parcelled out judiciously; the majority of the ensemble should be ever present. There is a strong sense of community in the original L.M. Montgomery stories, and it is imperative to recreate this feeling amongst the cast and audience. Most importantly, the show is intended to give a glimpse into Anne's imagination. The actors should move fluidly between their duties as characters in the story and narrators of the story. The company is aware of the tale they are telling and the show they are performing. They should constantly be finding ways to directly engage the audience in the process. In short, destroy the fourth wall! - M&M

6 Preset: An empty space. The following quote is visible... "It is never quite safe to think we have done with life. When we imagine we have finished our story fate has a trick of turning the page and showing us yet another chapter." ~ L.M. Montgomery At Rise: the quote fades and CHAPTER 21: THE BEND IN THE ROAD is seen as Anne, in a beautiful pastel green gown, holding a small bouquet of flowers, watches a wedding. Distant voices... I... I... I MAKE A VOW... I MAKE A VOW... (OFF) FRED (OFF) (OFF) FRED (OFF) (OFF) IT S ONLY YOU AND I FOREVER NOW... FRED (OFF) (CONT'D) IT S ONLY EVER YOU AND I FOREVER HERE AND NOW... (OFF) MY LIFE, MY LOVE, MY BOSOM FRIEND... FRED (OFF) MY LOVE AND MY BEST FRIEND... BOTH (OFF) I PROMISE TO RESPECT YOU, TO DEFEND YOU, AND PROTECT YOU... THIS I SWEAR... THIS I SWEAR... THIS I SWEAR... (OFF) FRED (OFF) BOTH (OFF) UNTIL THE BITTER END... Anne s bouquet of flowers slips from her fingers and tumbles to the ground - drums are heard. Time slowly begins to reverse. Characters swirl around Anne as she transforms from a young woman back into the little girl who first arrived in Avonlea.

7 3/6/18 2. CHAPTER 21: THE BEND IN THE ROAD vanishes as CHAPTER 20: THE REAPER WHOSE NAME IS DEATH replaces it, then CHAPTER 19, CHAPTER 18, etc - as people from her past flood the stage... ENSEMBLE QUIET, QUIET, QUIET LITTLE TOWN......you shouldn t waste time concerning yourself with what people say, Anne... ENSEMBLE SLEEPY, SILENT, QUIET LITTLE TOWN......she s terribly homely... MR. PHILLIPS...Anne Shirley has a very bad temper... ENSEMBLE NOTHING SPECIAL, A TINY LITTLE PLACE OF NO RENOWN... MRS. BARRY...a rotten orphan like her doesn t belong among decent people... MISS STACEY...Women like us - like you and I - we are the disobedient! We are the discontent... ENSEMBLE THIS PEACEFUL, PLEASANT, PERFECT, LITTLE QUIET LITTLE TOWN......you didn t have a foot in the door here before I knew you were just passing through......anne, let me help you. Please......you re a queer girl, Anne Shirley. But, I believe I m going to like you very much... ENSEMBLE A TOWN ON AN ISLAND ON A PLANET LOST IN SPACE... THIS PEACEFUL, PLEASANT, PERFECT, LITTLE QUIET LITTLE PLACE... QUIET, QUIET, QUIET LITTLE TOWN MY SILENT, SLEEPY, QUIET LITTLE TOWN WHERE I RISE TO GREET THE DAWN EACH DAY

8 3/6/18 3. AND AT NIGHT I LAY ME DOWN IN THIS... SLEEPY... SILENT... PEACEFUL... PERFECT... QUIET, LITTLE... & ENSEMBLE & ENSEMBLE & A train whistle is heard. It is many years earlier, Anne sits on a bench in the Carmody train station, waiting for Matthew Cuthbert. As we arrive at... CHAPTER 1: LYNDE IS SURPRISED In another time and place, Rachel Lynde appears... I SAW CUTHBERT, DRESSED LIKE SUNDAY, HEADING UP TOWARD CARMODY... HIS BUGGY HITCHED TO THE SORREL MARE, WHICH MAKES A PERSON THINK HE S TRAVELIN SOMEWHERE OUT AWAY FROM AVONLEA... BUT GOSSIP IS A SIN... YES, GOSSIP IS A SIN... SO, LET S BE CLEAR YOU DIDN T HEAR IT FROM ME... Mrs. Barry, having heard Rachel s story, rushes to tell others. MRS. BARRY LYNDE SAW CUTHBERT, RACING DOWN THE ROAD, QUICK AS COULD BE... NOW, RARELY LEAVES- GREEN GABLES- MRS. BARRY & ENSEMBLE MRS. BARRY BARELY STEPS BEYOND HIS STABLES, LET ALONE THE LINES OF AVONLEA... SOMETHING S COMING ROUND THE BEND - JUST WAIT AND SEE! BUT GOSSIP IS A SIN...

9 3/6/18 4. GOSSIP IS A SIN... MRS. BARRY & ENSEMBLE YES, GOSSIP IS A SIN... GOSSIP IS A SIN... SO, LET S BE CLEAR... MRS. BARRY & ENSEMBLE MRS. BARRY & ENSEMBLE SO, IF YOU CHOOSE TO SHARE... YOU DIDN T HEAR... PLEASE BE AWARE... MRS. BARRY & ENSEMBLE ALL YOU NEVER HEARD A WORD OF IT FROM ME! Diana and Gilbert watch as Rachel s news ricochets around town. & QUIET, QUIET, QUIET LITTLE TOWN SLEEPY, SILENT, QUIET LITTLE TOWN OH, NOTHING EVER HAPPENS HERE OF ANY GREAT RENOWN IN THIS - CHARMING! CHATTY... GORGEOUS! GABBY... QUIET LITTLE TOWN! ENSEMBLE & ENSEMBLE & ALL Rachel s news begins to spread like wild fire... MR. PHILLIPS LYNDE TOLD MRS. BARRY SHE SAW CUTHBERT, IN A PANIC, HEADING OFF THIS MORNING,

10 3/6/18 5. NO WORD WHERE HE WAS GOING, ONLY DOWN THE ROAD... MR. PHILLIPS (CONT'D) TOWARD CARMODY... LOOKING SNEAKY AND SUSPICIOUS, SUBVERSIVE, SURREPTITIOUS! WELL, I HATE TO SAY WHAT I HEARD TODAY, BUT THE WORD TODAY, AS HE SPED AWAY, IS A TRAGEDY, A DEPRAVITY, BUT BE DISCREET, CAUSE I MUST REPEAT THAT - GOSSIP IS A SIN! PRISSY & RUBY & MOODY MR. PHILLIPS SAID MRS. BARRY HEARD FROM LYNDE THAT CUTHBERT, LOOKING MANIC, IN A STATE OF PANIC, RACED AWAY AT A PACE THAT WAS ABSURD. HE WAS DRIVING LIKE A LUNATIC I HEARD, BUT GOSSIP IS A SIN - The gossipers, Diana and Gilbert all blend together... & OH, MY QUIET LITTLE TOWN OH, MY QUIET LITTLE TOWN ALL GOSSIP IS A SIN YES, GOSSIP IS A SIN! SO, LET S BE CLEAR YOU DIDN T HEAR IT FROM - Lighting shift - sudden silence - as Matthew Cuthbert appears on the train platform. He is looking for someone - not Anne. CHAPTER 2: CUTHBERT IS SURPRISED? CUTHBERT? IS IT YOU? IS IT REALLY YOU? YOU RE WHAT I VE BEEN WAITING FOR. FOR HOURS, SITTING, WAITING FOR... I WAITED TILL I DIDN T THINK THAT I COULD WAIT ONE MINUTE MORE. I HOPE THAT YOU KNOW THAT. OH, I HOPE THAT YOU DO. ALL OF MY LIFE I HAVE BEEN WAITING... I VE BEEN WAITING FOR YOU. I VE BEEN WAITING SINCE HALF PAST TEN, I DIDN T THINK YOU D COME, BUT THEN I SAW YOU STANDING THERE WITH YOUR SUNDAY SUIT AND SILVER HAIR - AND I DON T KNOW HOW I KNEW, BUT I KNEW AT ONCE THAT IT WAS YOU! OH! MY NAME S SHIRLEY - THAT S SPELLED WITH AN E. SO, IF YOU RE CUTHBERT,

11 3/6/18 6. YOU ARE CUTHBERT, THAT S YOUR NAME, RIGHT, CUTHBERT? Um. Yes? THEN I M WHO YOU SENT FOR, I M THE ORPHAN YOU SENT FOR, THE ORPHAN GIRL THAT YOU SENT FOR, AND YOU VE COME TO TAKE ME HOME TO AVONLEA! I m sorry, but - Oh, no! I m sorry, Mr. Cuthbert! I have to apologize in advance for my inability to contain my joy and comport myself in a perfectly respectable manner, but you have to understand I am positively euphoric. Euphoric? Yes! See - I NEVER RODE A TRAIN BEFORE TODAY AND, LET ME SAY, BEFORE YOU ASK ME HOW IT WAS - I KNOW YOU LL ASK ME THAT BECAUSE - WHO WOULD EXPECT SOMEONE LIKE ME TO ARRIVE IN AVONLEA ON A WEEKEND TRAIN LOOKING MEEK AND PLAIN? BUT IT WAS AMAZING, GAZING OUT THE WINDOW BLAZING THROUGH THE COUNTRY SIDE... AND IT WAS ASTOUNDING BOUNDING PAST THE SURROUNDING AND POUNDING OCEAN TIDE... IT S WHAT I WISHED FOR, I LL NEVER WANT MORE THAN WHAT I HAVE RIGHT NOW, I M EXACTLY WHERE AND WHO I WANT TO BE... WITH AN E IN A LAND CALLED AVONLEA! Oh, Mr. Cuthbert! Is this your carriage and stallion? No, it s just my wagon and horse. It s exquisite, isn t it? Exquisite?

12 3/6/18 7. Oh, people laugh at me because I use big words. But if you have big ideas, you have to use big words to express them, haven't you? Well, now, I suppose. (re: her bag) Oh, let me help you with that. I can carry it. It isn t heavy. Besides, I think having luggage is the most exciting thing ever! I NEVER PACKED A BAG BEFORE TODAY, AND LET ME SAY, TO MY DISMAY, IT S RATHER SMALL, BUT IT S GOT EVERYTHING AND ALL I VE EVER OWNED OR WORN, BUT SEE THE HANDLE S TORN UP IN THE CORNER A BIT, SO I VE LEARNED TO MANAGE IT... ANY WAY YOU CONVEY IT MAY FRAY IT. ON ACCOUNT OF DECAY IT PULLS AWAY IF YOU SWAY IT RIGHT. BUT, HOLD IT TIGHT AND IT MIGHT JUST PROVIDE A PLACE FOR YOU TO HIDE YOUR PAST, AT LAST, HELD FAST INSIDE... AS YOU RIDE THE TRAIN YOU RIDE... INTO A FUTURE VAST AND WIDE... OH, I VE BEEN WAITING SINCE I DON T KNOW - CERTAIN YOU WOULDN'T SHOW, BUT HERE WE ARE NOW ME AND YOU, AND AIN T IT FUNNY HOW DREAMS COME TRUE? I TOLD THE ORPHANS NOT TO CRY THIS MORNING WHEN I SAID, BUH-BYE! I WASN T GONNA HANG ABOUT, OR LET THE DOOR HIT ME ON MY WAY OUT! I M FINALLY WHERE I M MEANT TO BE... PINCH ME NOW! (pinches herself:) LOOK - OW! SEE, IT S NOT A DREAM SOMEHOW! I M IN A LAND CALLED AVONLEA! Oh! Mr. Cuthbert! What is this place? Folks call it The Avenue. No, no! A place this divinely beautiful needs a name to match! We shall call it The White Way of Delight! What do you think? Pretty good, right? Um-

13 3/6/18 8. I know! I know! I ve always had a talent for naming things - Oh! And what s that over there -? Barry s pond? Ugh! No! All wrong! That glimmering sapphire lagoon shall from henceforth be known to us as The Lake of Shining Waters! Ta-da! Oh, Prince Edward Island is just the most beautiful place in the world, isn t it? For years I imagined what it would be like to live here, but I never really expected I would! It's delightful when your imaginations come true, isn't it? Um, well, yes? OH, YOU DON T LIKE TO TALK! I CAN SEE THAT... WELL, YOU DON T HAVE TO TALK... I CAN TALK ENOUGH FOR TWO... ANYTHING YOU WANT... I CAN BE THAT... ANYTHING YOU ASK ME... I WILL DO... BUT, I LL NEVER BE BEAUTIFUL... WON T EVER BE BEAUTIFUL... NOT EVEN SORT OF BEAUTIFUL - NO, NOT ME! I COULD BE SMART OR STRONG - OR STAY SILENT THE WHOLE DAY LONG... WELL, THAT MIGHT BE HARD, I LL ADMIT, BUT I D DO IT - JUST ASK IT OF ME! I LL BE WHAT YOU WANT ME TO BE... WHOEVER YOU WANT ME TO BE! I NEVER REALLY THOUGHT BEFORE TODAY THERE WAS A WAY THAT I COULD PLAY THE INGENUE- I MEAN, BETWEEN ME AND YOU, I M A HOMELY ADOLESCENT, MY HAIR IS PHOSPHORESCENT, I M PALLID, PALE, AND THIN, WITH FRECKLES SPECKLING MY SKIN... BUT I M HERE AND I MUST SAY- IT S LIKE THE STORIES THAT I VE READ, THE HERO WAKES AND SHAKES THE DREAMS OUT OF HER HEAD! SHE TAKES A CHANCE! SHE MAKES A STANCE! SHE FAKES THE MOVES TILL SHE LEARNS TO DANCE! YOU GOTTA FAKE IT TILL YOU MAKE IT!

14 3/6/18 9. THIS CHANCE - I M GONNA TAKE IT! YOUR INGENUE WILL BREAK IT DOWN FOR YOU! THERE AIN T NOTHIN I CAN T DO! Oh! That! That it, isn t it?! That s Green Gables. We re almost home. I CAN BARELY TALK... I MEAN, I CAN, BUT ONLY BARELY... AND, BELIEVE IT OR NOT, I M RARELY AT A LOSS FOR WORDS. Are you all right? Little girl? Matthew and the world of Avonlea melts away for a moment... HOME... ALL I EVER WANTED WAS HOME... ALL I EVER DREAMED OF WAS HOME... A PLACE TO CALL MY OWN... AND NOW I M STANDING HERE... HOME... NOT A MILLION MILES AWAY, HOME... I CAN REACH OUT TOUCH IT NOW, HOME... I NEVER THOUGHT I D COME HOME... BUT NOW YOU RE TAKING ME HOME... NOW YOU RE TAKING ME HOME... (CONT D) OH! I VE BEEN WAITING YEAR AFTER YEAR, NOW THE MOMENT S FINALLY HERE! AND, IT S BETTER THAN MY WILDEST DREAMS - THE WAIT PAID OFF, OR SO IT SEEMS! HOW COULD I KNOW? HOW COULD I SEE? WHILE I WAS HOPELESSLY WAITING MY WHOLE LIFE AWAY GREEN GABLES WAS WAITING HERE FOR ME! ENSEMBLE OH! WAITING... WAITING... OH... OH... AH... WITH AN E... WITH AN E... WITH AN E... IN A LAND CALLED AVONLEA! CHAPTER 3: CUTHBERT IS SURPRISED Anne and Matthew have reached Green Gables. Marilla Cuthbert stands in the doorway.

15 3/6/ What. Is. That? IT S A GIRL I CAN SEE THAT IT S A GIRL, BUT WHY IS IT A GIRL? I DON T KNOW? THEY SENT A GIRL. RUBY AND, QUICKLY REALIZED THIS WASN T GOOD. I COULDN T JUST LEAVE HER THERE... I WAS SURE THEY UNDERSTOOD... PRISSY & MOODY DIDN T WANT FOR THEM TO SEND HER AWAY- RUBY BUT, SHE DIDN T KNOW WHAT SHE HAD TO DO TO MAKE THEM LET HER STAY. STOOD THERE STARING AT THE GIRL, UNSURE OF WHAT TO DO. AND, STOOD THERE TOO. You don t want me? You don't want me because I'm not a boy? I might have expected it. There's no need to cry about it. Yes there is! I ve never belonged anywhere or to anyone. This is the most tragical thing that s ever happened to me! Stop crying. We're not going to throw you out tonight. What s your name?

16 3/6/ My name? You have one, don t you? IF YOU COULD CALL ME CORDELIA - CALL YOU CORDELIA? WHAT ON EARTH DO YOU MEAN... CALL YOU CORDELIA? CORDELIA S A NAME FOR SOMEONE LOVELY AND FAIR... SOMEONE WITH ALABASTER SKIN, AND COBALT EYES, AND GOLDEN HAIR, AND - That s all fine, but is that your name? It's not exactly my name. If Cordelia is not your name, what is? Anne Shirley. But, oh, please - CALL ME CORDELIA No. CALL ME CORDELIA I will not. IF I M ONLY MEANT TO BE HERE FOR ONE NIGHT, CALL ME CORDELIA... AFTER ALL: A ROSE BY ANY OTHER NAME WOULD SMELL EXACTLY THE SAME. I read that in a book once. Although, I ll admit, I ve never been able to believe it entirely. I don't believe a rose would smell as nice if it was called a thistle or a skunk cabbage. And, Anne is such an unromantic name - Nonsense. Anne is a good, plain, sensible name. There s no need to be ashamed of it.

17 3/6/ I m not ashamed of it. I just like Cordelia better. But if you must call me Anne, please call me Anne spelled with an e. What difference does it make how it's spelled? It makes such a difference! When you hear a name pronounced, can t you always see it in your mind?! No. As if it was printed out? No. Well, I can. And, A-n-n looks dreadful, but A-n-n-e looks so much more distinguished. If you'll call me Anne spelled with an e I shall try to reconcile myself to not being called Cordelia. Fine, Anne spelled with an e, can you tell us how this mistake was made? We wrote to Mrs. Spencer asking for a boy. Were there no boys at the asylum? You want to know about the asylum? I want to know if there were any boys there. The asylum was a terrible place - like a dungeon. A dungeon? With ghastly ghostly creatures running loose, everywhere. That s fine, but were there any boy children there? The asylum slowly comes to life around Matthew and Marilla. There are children running amok, evil caretakers, dragons, trolls, etc. Marilla is not amused - Matthew is enraptured.

18 3/6/ CHAPTER 4: S HISTORY THE ASYLUM WALLS WERE DARK AND SCARY, NO ONE CAME TO VISIT, AND YOU D ASK YOURSELF- & RUBY HOW IS IT - THAT I CAME TO BE CONFINED WITHIN THESE HALLS? & RUBY & PRISSY MY ENTIRE LIFE RESIGNED BEHIND THESE WALLS? ENSEMBLE NO ONE CARES, NO ONE COMFORTS, NO ONE CALLS! It sounds terrible. Don t encourage her. (to Anne:) Were there boys at the asylum? Boys? Yes. Oh, yes - THE ASYLUM WALLS WERE OVERFLOWING, BOYS AND GIRLS APLENTY. & RUBY & PRISSY & MOODY EVERY BED SLEPT TEN OR TWENTY OF US! ENSEMBLE AND EVERY SLICE OF BREAD THAT THEY D PROVIDE... & RUBY & PRISSY & MOODY WE KNEW WE D BE REQUIRED TO DIVIDE... AMONG THE THIRTEEN THOUSAND ORPHANS TRAPPED INSIDE! Thirteen thousand?! Oh, for heaven s sake! AND THERE WERE DRAGONS IN THE CELLAR... & ENSEMBLE HUNGRY DRAGONS SET TO FEED... ON THEIR FAVORITE DISH -

19 3/6/ ORPHAN PIE! FRIED! OR FRICASSEED! ENSEMBLE ENSEMBLE She s an imaginative little thing, isn t she? The asylum of Anne s imagination has consumed Green Gables. She disappears into the chaos as Matthew and Marilla take it all in. ENSEMBLE THE ASYLUM WALLS WERE MADE OF BLOOD AND BONES FROM ORPHAN CHILDREN... THEY WERE BUILT AND THEN REFILLED WHEN ANY WILD CHILD TRIED TO RUN AWAY! THEY WOULD SHOOT THEM DOWN, AND GRIND THEM INTO CLAY! TO BUILD THE WALLS UP, DAY BY DAY, AND MAKE THEM STAY! ENSEMBLE MAKE YOU STAY - YOU LL NEVER GET AWAY! The asylum is now in high-relief. Anne slices through the chaos. AND THERE WAS NOTHING YOU COULD TURN TO... JUST THE CORNERS OF YOUR MIND. IF YOU CAN T DREAM... YOU D BETTER LEARN TO... IT S YOUR ONLY HOPE TO LEAVE IT ALL BEHIND- Marilla brings the fantasy crashing back down to Green Gables... Enough! Enough! I m certain the asylum was a perfectly lovely asylum. And, I m even more certain they have boys there who can provide a simple answer when asked a simple question. I can - You can have your supper and go to bed. I ll reach out to Mrs. Spencer first thing tomorrow and she will take you back to the asylum. That s final.

20 3/6/ I can t eat. Why not? I m in the depths of despair. Can you eat when you re in the depths of despair? I ve never been in the depths of despair. Well, did you ever try to imagine you were in the depths of despair? No, I have not. Then I don t think you can possibly understand what it s like. It's very uncomfortable. I m certain whatever you prepare would be perfectly lovely, but still I couldn t eat. Not even if it were an entire dinner of chocolate caramels. I had a chocolate caramel once and it was the most delectable- Fine. Then, you will go to bed hungry. Yes. I will go to bed hungry. Hungry for the life that might have been. I will starve. I will suffer. I will - You will go to bed. Yes, Ms. Cuthbert. Anne picks up her bag and follows Marilla. Marilla s thoughts... DADDY WANTED A BOY... SO, MAMA PRAYED FOR A SON... BUT ALL THEIR PRAYING ONLY BROUGHT THEM ME... THEY LOVED ME BEST AS THEY COULD, WHILE THEY WAITED FOR TO COME, AND BE THAT SOMETHING I COULD NEVER BE... WAS THEIR PRIDE, HE WAS THEIR JOY... I WAS NEVER THE PRINCESS OR THE PEARL...

21 3/6/ THE GREATEST DISAPPOINTMENT MY PARENTS EVER KNEW... WAS THE DAY THE DOCTOR TOLD THEM... IT S A GIRL (entering the guest room:) This will be your room. My room! For the night. Get changed, say your prayers, and go to bed. Oh, I never say any prayers. What do you mean? Mrs. Spencer, at the orphanage, told me that God made my hair red on purpose, so I've never cared for him since. Marilla pulls a Bible out of a drawer and hands it to Anne. The Bible. Read it. While you are under my roof you will say your prayers - whether you care for God or not. Meanwhile, Matthew sits at the kitchen table... THIRTY YEARS ON OUR OWN... TOGETHER, ALONE... THIRTY YEARS OF NOTHING NEW TO SAY... AT HER STOVE, ME IN MY STABLES... OUR QUIET LITTLE LIVES SLOWLY UNFURL... SO, WHAT, IN AN AFTERNOON, COULD END THIRTY YEARS OF QUIET? WHO COULD GUESS? Marilla enters the kitchen, their inner-monologues continue... WHO WOULD GUESS? IT S A GIRL IT S A MESS! BUT, A BOY COULD HELP IN THE FIELDS...

22 3/6/ NEEDS HELP IN THE FIELDS... HE CAN PLOW, PLANT, AND HOE... THAT S THE ONLY THING I KNOW... A BOY CAN ADD SOME YEARS TO YOUR LIFE... S GETTING SLOWER NOW, AND A GIRL S NO USE AT ALL... BUT SHE S SUCH A SWEET LITTLE THING... AND THIS ONE S BAD AS THEY COME... MARCHING TO HER OWN LITTLE DRUM... A BOY BECOMES A MAN... A GIRL BECOMES A SPINSTER OR A WIFE... TOMORROW SHE LL GO BACK TO WHERE SHE CAME FROM... MAYBE SHE COULD STAY - TOMORROW WE LL GO BACK TO WHAT WE KNOW. MAYBE WE SHOULD GIVE IT A WHIRL? WHAT S THE MOST USELESS THING THAT ANYONE COULD BRING TO GREEN GABLES? IT S A GIRL... IT S A GIRL... IT S A - BOTH (CONT'D) WHAT S THE MOST USEFUL THING THAT ANYONE COULD BRING TO GREEN GABLES? Lighting shift.

23 3/6/ CHAPTER FIVE: THE BLYTHE BOY RUBY GILLIS, MOODY MCPHERSON, and PRISSY ANDREWS are seen. Girl! A girl? RUBY PRISSY RUBY A ratty ragamuffin orphan girl. PRISSY And they re adopting her?! RUBY Mother always said Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert were crazy. I like the Cuthberts. MOODY RUBY You would. A couple of old unmarried siblings living together all these years - I m not saying it s weird, but I m not not saying it s weird. Gilbert enters carrying a valise. What s all the commotion? Oh, hello, Gilbert. RUBY (smitten:) PRISSY (equally smitten:) Hello, Gilbert. What are you all up to? MOODY (equally smitten:) Hi. MOODY We were just gonna go look at the orphan some more. Oh, right, the orphan. Sounds fun. Wanna come? PRISSY I can t. I m leaving today.

24 3/6/ PRISSY Oh, right! You must be so excited. It s not a big deal. RUBY Not a big deal?! An honors course in Carmody?! Stop. PRISSY You re the only student from Avolnea School to be selected! Stop. MOODY One of only ten students in all of Prince Edward Island! One of eight. But, who s counting? RUBY & PRISSY You re too humble! MOODY Wow, only eight - you are, you re really humble. Well, when you re as handsome and smart as I am, you have to be humble, or people think you re a jerk. ALL MY LIFE I VE BEEN TOLD I WAS PERFECT- YOU RE PERFECT, THEY SAY - WHAT CAN I DO? IF EVERYBODY THINKS I M PERFECT, WHO AM I TO TELL THEM IT S NOT TRUE? ANY TEAM, ANY PICK, ANY PARTY, ANY QUESTION AT ALL - THE ANSWER S ALWAYS ME! AND, I M EMBARRASSED TO ADMIT IT, BUT, PERFECTION FITS ME PERFECTLY OH, I KNOW, IT S EASY TO SEE... HOW IT COULD BE EASY FOR ME... NO ONE EVER TAKES A SPOT ABOVE ME! NO ONE S EVER DONE A THING BUT LOVE ME! NO ONE EVER STOPS THINKING OF ME! YEAH! YEAH! YEAH! YEAH! IF THERE S A CHALLENGE, I M PREPARED TO TAKE IT! ANY RECORD, YOU CAN BET I LL BREAK IT! EVERYBODY KNOWS I M GONNA MAKE IT! YEAH! YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!

25 3/6/ OH, YOU KNOW, I M HUMBLE AS CAN BE... EVEN THOUGH IT COMES SO EASILY TO ME! PRISSY Aren t you the tiniest bit nervous about going to Carmody? It s a huge metropolis! RUBY MOODY Yeah! Almost a thousand people live there! SOME PEOPLE LIVE TO WORK AND WORRY, WASTING AWAY WHILE THEY WAIT FOR THEIR WISH TO COME TRUE- BUT ME?! I M IN NO HURRY! I VE DONE WHAT I VE DONE, SO I KNOW I CAN DO WHAT I LL DO! OH, IT S EASY TO SEE... IT LL BE EASY FOR ME... NO ONE S GONNA TAKE A SPOT ABOVE ME! WAIT AND SEE, CARMODY WILL LOVE ME! AND, AVONLEA IS GONNA BE PROUD OF ME! YEAH! YEAH! YEAH! YEAH! IF THERE S A CHALLENGE, I M PREPARED TO TAKE IT! ANY RECORD, YOU CAN BET I LL BREAK IT! EVERYBODY KNOWS I M GONNA MAKE IT! YEAH! YEAH! YEAH! YEAH! YOU GET IT ALL WHEN YOU VE GOT IT ALL.. SO, I LL HAVE IT ALL... CAUSE I VE HAD IT ALL... NO ONE S GONNA TAKE A SPOT ABOVE ME! CARMODY, WAIT AND SEE - YOU LL LOVE ME! AND AVONLEA LL BE SO, SO PROUD OF ME! YEAH! YEAH! YEAH! YEAH! IF THERE S A CHALLENGE - WATCH ME TAKE IT! ANY RECORD, YOU KNOW I LL BREAK IT! EVERYBODY GONNA SEE ME MAKE IT! YEAH! YEAH! YEAH! YEAH! OH, YOU KNOW, I M HUMBLE AS CAN BE... EVEN THOUGH IT ALL COMES EASILY TO ME! Gilbert grabs his valise and exits.

26 3/6/ CHAPTER 6: LYNDE IS PROPERLY HORRIFIED Morning. There is a violent knocking at the screen door. (OFF) Marilla! Marilla! Marilla Cuthbert, I know you re in there! Marilla! Matthew sits reading and smoking his pipe, ignoring the knocking. Marilla answers the door. Rachel Lynde enters. Good morning, Rachel- Marilla Cuthbert! I ve been hearing some pretty surprising things about you and Matthew. I don t suppose you re any more surprised than I am myself. I saw Matthew the other day... Did you? Driving up toward Carmody... I had supposed you might. In a suit... Yes? His wagon hitched to the sorrel mare. The sorrel mare, Marilla! I mean, the sorrel mare! There s no need to get hysterical, Rachel. There is a perfectly good need to get hysterical. You know I m not the type to stick my nose in other people s business. I figured you d tell me your news in your own time. But, it has been nearly three days, Marilla. Three days! And, not a peep. Then, this morning, who comes waddling by my house?

27 3/6/ Mrs. Spencer and Matilda Blewett, I d suspect. And do you know what they said to me?! Do you?! That we re considering keeping the orphan girl. Oh, Marilla! Then it s true?! Oh, Marilla! Oh, dear, sweet, deluded Marilla! Yes, well, when I told Mrs. Spencer we wanted to send the girl back to the orphanage, she suggested Matilda Blewett take her instead - to look after her twins. Yes! Yes! Yes! And?! And, I wouldn t give a dog I liked to that Blewett woman. Marilla Cuthbert! I m surprised at you speaking so! Gossiping! I mean, there s no denying Matilda Blewett is an unfortunate looking woman. Cold. Pasty. Downright cadaverous. And, with a personality to match. But, far be it from me to sit around talking ill of anyone. Tea, Rachel? No, no! I m far too distraught for tea. I couldn t possibly - are those ginger cookies? Made fresh this morning. Well then, I might have just a splash of tea - to wash down the cookies. No sugar though. No sugar. I m far too distraught for sug- Hello. Rachel and Marilla turn to see Anne standing in the doorway.

28 3/6/ Well, they didn t pick you for your looks. Oh, she s terribly homely, Marilla. Did anyone ever see such freckles? And hair as red as carrots! I hate you! I hate you! How dare you call me ugly?! How dare you say I m freckled and redheaded? Anne! How would you like to have such things said about you?! How would you like to be told you re just a wrinkled, nasty, old shrew. Well, I never -! She hadn t any right to call me ugly and redheaded! Anne Shirley! You go to your room! (CONT'D) I m sorry, Rachel. Anne doesn t know any better - Good luck bringing up that one, Marilla! Her temper matches her hair! Rachel exits. Rachel -! Anne Shirley, you go tell Mrs. Lynde you re sorry this instant. I'm not sorry! I'm glad I told her just what I did! It was a great satisfaction! You will apologize. I will not! Then you will pack your bags! Marilla -! Anne, in tears, runs from the kitchen to her bedroom.

29 3/6/ (CONT D) Anne was only - Marilla- I don t need any help- Yes, you do. Don t you go putting your oar in, Matthew Cuthbert! I can see you want to keep her. I should have left her to Mrs. Blewett! We sent for a boy, we need a boy- I know what I need and what I don t, and - You re failing! (an awkward moment) I only mean, you re not as young as you used to be. Neither of us is. And this girl - Anne. With an e. What use can she be to us? We might be some use to her. Matthew sits with his pipe and paper, actively ignoring Marilla. Matthew. Matthew! CUTHBERT NEVER LIKED TO TALK. MRS. BARRY CUTHBERT NEVER LIKED TO TALK. SO, HE DIDN T- NO, HE DIDN T MRS. BARRY CUTHBERT RARELY EVER - & MRS. BARRY BARELY EVER EVEN MADE A SOUND

30 3/6/ Matthew, really... WAS SO USED TO ALL HIS QUIETNESS TIMIDITY SHE BARELY EVER - RARELY EVER NOTICED - SHE FAILED TO NOTICE MRS. BARRY MRS. BARRY BOTH BUT EVERY SO OFTEN... EVERY SO OFTEN... YES, EVERY SO OFTEN... HIS SILENCE WAS PROFOUND. & MRS. BARRY Marilla exits. Matthew sneaks to Anne s room... CHAPTER 7: CUTHBERT PUTS HIS OAR IN Anne? Mr. Cuthbert? What are you doing here? Well now, Anne, don't you think you'd better apologize to Mrs. Lynde and have it over with? You ll have to do it sooner or later. Marilla's a dreadful determined woman - dreadful determined. Oh, Mr. Cuthbert - she called me ugly - and carrots. I ve never hurt so bad. Anne cries into her pillow. Matthew is lost, then... WHAT DO I KNOW ABOUT BEAUTY? NOTHIN MUCH AT ALL. 'CEPT THE KNOBBIEST LITTLE TREE WILL STILL CHANGE COLORS COME THE FALL...

31 3/6/ AND, THE SCARIEST HAIRIEST CATERPILLARS BECOME THE PRETTIEST BUTTERFLIES... SO, MAYBE, SOMETIMES, BEAUTY LIKE TO TAKE US BY SURPRISE. WHAT DO I KNOW ABOUT PEOPLE? NOT MUCH - IT SEEMS. 'CEPT NO MATTER SHAPE OR COLOR, WE ALL GOT THE SAME OLE DREAMS... WE LAUGH WHEN WE LAUGH, AND WHEN WE HURT IT S OUR HEART THAT ACHES... BUT THE BIG GUY MADE US JUST AS HE WANTED... AND THE BIG GUY MAKES NO MISTAKES. SO, YOU'RE HAIR'S A LITTLE RED? LIKE CARROTS - SO THEY SAY... WELL, I'M A FARMER, I LOVE CARROTS. I'D EAT'EM EVERY DAY. IT'S JUST THE WAY YOU LOOK AT THINGS DETERMINES WHAT YOU SEE... CARROTS, CATERPILLARS, SOME KNOBBY LITTLE TREE... YEAH, I GUESS I DON T KNOW MUCH ABOUT BEAUTY... 'CAUSE THEY'RE ALL BEAUTIFUL TO ME. WHAT DO I KNOW OF FORGIVIN'? A LITTLE - IF I'M BEIN' TRUE. FORGIVIN' AIN'T DONE FOR NOBODY ELSE... FORGIVIN' IS ALL FOR YOU. HATE MAKES THE WORLD SO UGLY, ANGER WIPES BEAUTY AWAY... SO, WHY NOT APOLOGIZE TO THAT WRINKLED OLD SHREW? 'CAUSE I'D SURE LOVE FOR YOU TO STAY. You want me to stay? Sure. Marilla and I both do. No, she doesn t. Yes, she does. She s just - well - you know - shy. Shy?! Well, she wants you here, same as me. She just don t know it yet. So, you have to apologize. Even if Mrs. Lynde is mean, and nosy, and what-have-you. All right, Mr. Cuthbert.

32 3/6/ Matthew. I ll tell Ms. Cuthbert that I ve repented. Good. Oh! But don t tell her I said anything about it. Wild horses couldn t drag it from me, Matthew. Anne throws her arms around Matthew. He is stunned but relaxes into the embrace. Marilla is heard downstairs. Matthew tucks Anne into bed and runs down to the kitchen - almost caught. Where were you? I was - just - there s a heifer - A heifer? In the pond. A heifer in the pond? That s right. I was washing - it got loose - so I was in the barn. Good night. Matthew exits. Marilla is confused - then suspicious. She goes to Anne s room. Anne sits in bed reading her Bible. Ms. Cuthbert! I m sorry - I hope my light didn t bother you. I was just catching up on my Bible. This Leviticus is quite a page turner! Well, it seems you ve successfully loosed yourself from the depths of despair? Yes, I ve seen the error of my ways. I was wrong to speak to Mrs. Lynde how I did, and I m ready to apologize. Are you now? I don t suppose Matthew had anything to do with this sudden change of heart?

33 3/6/ Matthew? Cuthbert. You know him, don t you? White hair, short, wrinkled, and meddlesome. I can t imagine what you re talking about. Very well then, I ll take you to see Mrs. Lynde in the morning. Good night. Good night. Oh, and Anne, if you wouldn t mind extinguishing your pipe before you go to bed... My pipe? Marilla gestures to Matthew s pipe, resting on the night stand, where he d forgotten it. Anne, caught, hands it to Marilla. (CONT D) It s a disgusting habit, I know. I ve been trying to quit. Lying is a sin. Even if the old fool put you up to it. Now, say your prayers and go to sleep. (she exits the room:) Matthew Cuthbert. Lighting shift - the next day. Rachel Lynde stands on her porch. Marilla and Anne enter. CHAPTER 8: S APOLOGY Hello, Marilla. Oh, and who do we have here? Why, if it s not the little orphan girl who tried to kill me with her venomous tongue, not but a day ago! Come back to finish the job, have you? Good morning, Rachel. Anne has something she d like to say to you. Anne? OH, MRS. LYNDE I M SO EXTREMELY SORRY. I HOPE THAT YOU LL FORGIVE ME

34 3/6/ FOR THE THINGS I SAID TO YOU. EVERY WORD YOU SAID, WHEN YOU SAID MY HAIR IS RED, AND THAT I M FRECKLED, UGLY, SKINNY - IT S ALL TRUE. I KNOW IT S TRUE... SO, I HOPE YOU LL BELIEVE ME... WHEN I APOLOGIZE TO YOU. That was very good of you, Anne. Wasn t that good of her Rachel -? OOOOOOH, MRS. LYNDE I M SOOOO EXTREMELY SORRY. I M SORRIER THAN NEARLY ANYONE HAS EVER BEEN! That s good - EVEN IF YOU RE FAT AND OLD, THERE S NO REASON YOU SHOULD BE TOLD... Anne - MOST OF ALL, NOT BY ME... AND SO I HOPE THAT YOU CAN SEE... THAT I M SORRY... I M SO SORRY... I M SO, SO, SO, SO, SO, SO, SO, SO, SO, SO SORRY! Yes, Anne, I think Mrs. Lynde understands - I CAST MY BODY AT YOUR FEET. LET YOUR JUSTICE BE COMPLETE. I LL ENDURE WHATEVER TORTURE YOU DEVISE. OH, SWEET, MERCIFUL MRS. LYNDE, FOR ALL THE SINS THAT I HAVE EVER SINNED... I APOLOGIZE. Anne has prostrated herself in front of Rachel Lynde. Marilla is genuinely horrified; Rachel is genuinely moved. Oh, for heaven-sake-

35 3/6/ There, there, dear sweet child. Of course I forgive you. I guess I was a little too hard on you. But I'm such an outspoken person. You mustn't mind me. It can't be denied your hair is awfully red, but I knew a girl once whose hair was every bit as red as yours, when she was young, but when she grew up it darkened to a real handsome auburn. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if yours did too. Oh, Mrs. Lynde! You have given me a hope. I could endure anything if I only thought my hair would be a handsome auburn when I grew up. It would be so much easier to be good if one's hair was a handsome auburn, don't you think? The sound of girls at play is heard, catching Anne s attention. That s Diana Barry. You ll be in school together, I suppose. That is, if you re meant to stay at Green Gables. Diana Barry. What a beautiful name. Why don t you go introduce yourself? Can I? Absolutely n- (to Marilla:) Of course! Of course - run along, dear child! Anne departs. Marilla calls after her. Stay close! I have to be getting back to make Matthew s lunch! (to Rachel:) Dear child?! Yesterday she was a demon. A demon?! Oh, Marilla, honestly! Must you always be so melodramatic? Rachel and Marilla exit. Lighting shift. Diana floats in. Anne watches in awe. Diana is effortlessly beautiful, elegant, sweet.

36 3/6/ CHAPTER 9: A SOLEMN VOW AND PROMISE RUBY BARRY WAS VERY, VERY SHY. PRISSY SHE WAS VERY, VERY GOOD. SHE WAS VERY, VERY... VERY BEAUTIFUL. RUBY & PRISSY & MOODY RUBY & PRISSY & MOODY SHE HAD RAVEN HAIR AND SKIN OF IVORY. SHE WAS EVERYTHING THAT COULD WISH TO BE... SHE WAS BEAUTIFUL. RUBY & PRISSY & MOODY BARRY WAS VERY, VERY KIND. SHE WAS VERY, VERY GOOD. BUT, MOST OF ALL, BARRY... WAS VERY, VERY MISUNDERSTOOD. I ve never met a real live orphan before. How did you know I was an orphan? Everyone knows. The whole town is talking about it - it has upset Mrs. Lynde s entire week. You wouldn t know by looking at her, but Mrs. Lynde is a kindred spirit of sorts. Diana is such a pretty name. Do you know what it means? Yes. Me. No, I mean the name. It means divine. What does Anne mean? It means favor - God favors me.

37 3/6/ What did he favor you with? I don t know. But, if it s red hair and freckles- (skyward:) Favor me less! You re bizarre. Have you ever had a bosom friend? What s that? A best friend. Like a sister. I don t think so. We could be bosom friends. Sisters. But, I have a sister. And you re an orphan. Diana, honestly. What? I m not speaking literally. Oh, good. I only speak English. HAVE YOU EVER HEARD OF FATE? No. HAVE YOU HEARD OF DESTINY? No.

38 3/6/ WELL, IT MEANS SOMETHING WAS MEANT TO OCCUR, THAT THE UNIVERSE PLOTTED IT OUT... SEE, I WAS DESTINED TO MEET YOU... AND YOU WERE FATED TO KNOW ME... WE WERE INTENDED TO BE THE BEST OF FRIENDS, CAN T YOU SEE THAT? DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT I M TALKING ABOUT? Not really. But it sounds lovely. A bosom friend. I can hardly imagine. You can imagine almost anything if you try hard enough. Well, how do we do it? We swear to be best friends forever and ever. Isn t it wicked to swear? No - it just means vowing and promising solemnly. Oh, well, I don t mind doing that! Okay then, we must join hands... What s wrong? (re: Anne s expression:) It s supposed to be done over running water. Oh. Well... WE LL JUST IMAGINE THAT THIS PATH IS A RIVER... A GIANT RIVER LEADING OUT INTO THE SEA... AND WE RE STANDING ON ADJACENT SHORES. As Diana begins to sing, the path becomes a river and we follow the two girls on their imagined journeys... YOUR HAND IN MINE-

39 3/6/ AND MINE IN YOURS... JUST AS IT WAS ALWAYS MEANT TO BE. WE LL IMAGINE THAT THE MIST IS ALL AROUND US... AS THE SUN BEGINS TO SET OUT IN THE WEST. I LL WHISPER A SOLEMN VOW... AND I LL REPEAT IT BACK - SOMEHOW. BOTH AND, THE RIVER WILL DELIVER US A FRIENDSHIP THAT IS BLESSED. JUST CLOSE YOUR EYES AND YOU CAN HEAR IT... A KINDRED SPIRIT OF YOUR OWN... THAT MISSING PART- PART OF YOUR HEART- THE PART YOU KNEW RIGHT FROM THE START WAS MISSING- FROM THE START A PART OF YOUR OWN HEART HAS ALWAYS KNOWN... YOU ARE NOT ALONE! BOTH Diana! What adventures we ll have together! Conquer mountains! Brave primeval forests! Meet handsome princes and fall in love! Think bigger, Diana! What s bigger than princes?! Kings! Diana, honestly!

40 3/6/ What?! JUST IMAGINE OUR LIVES ARE LIKE A RIVER, EVER FLOWING TOWARD SOME DARK AND DISTANT SHORE! WE SINK BELOW! WE FLOAT ABOVE! WE GROW! WE LEARN! WE FALL IN LOVE! AND EVERY DAY - BOTH THERE S SOMETHING NEW IN STORE... IN EVERY WAY - IT S YOU I VE BEEN WAITING FOR! BOTH JUST CLOSE YOUR EYES - YOU CAN HEAR IT! A KINDRED SPIRIT ALL YOUR OWN... THE BEST OF YOU- THE REST OF YOU- THE BEST OF WHAT S SUPPRESSED INSIDE YOU- THE BEST THAT YOU VE REPRESSED CAN BE EXPRESSED ONCE YOU ARE SHOWN... YOU ARE NOT ALONE! NO, YOU ARE NOT ALONE... They stand on opposite sides of a raging river, holding hands...

41 3/6/ CAUSE I - I - I MAKE A VOW - I MAKE A VOW - IT S ONLY YOU AND I FOREVER NOW. IT S ONLY EVER YOU AND I FOREVER HERE AND NOW. AND I SWEAR TO BE TRUE... LIKE I SAID, I NEVER SWEAR - BOTH BUT JUST THIS ONCE I LL SWEAR TO YOU... THAT I WILL ALWAYS BE... WHAT YOU WOULD HAVE ME BE. A CONFIDANT - A what? A BOSOM FRIEND. Oh, right! BOTH I PROMISE TO RESPECT YOU, TO DEFEND YOU AND PROTECT YOU, THIS I SWEAR... THIS I SWEAR... BOTH THIS I SWEAR UNTIL THE BITTER END!

42 3/6/ Anne Shirley! (OFF) The river has disappeared and they stand back where they started, on opposite sides of the path, holding hands. Oh, that s Ms. Cuthbert! I must be late! Marilla enters. Didn t I tell you to stay close? Hello, Ms. Cuthbert. Hello, Diana. It s time for Anne to go. Mrs. Barry enters. MRS. BARRY Diana- Oh... Ms. Cuthbert, hello. Mrs. Barry. Mrs. Barry stares at Anne, struggling to hide her displeasure. Mother, this is Anne Shirley. She s my kindred spirit. Your what? MRS. BARRY Kindred spirit. It s like a sister. But, not. Because she s an orphan. And, I have a sister. But, it s very similar. But, different too. Isn t that nice. MRS. BARRY We should be going, Anne. MRS. BARRY Yes. Diana, too. There s housework to be done. I ll see you at school then, Anne?

43 3/6/ Yes. Now, come along- (to Anne:) Yes?! Yes? You mean... I can stay? Then, I apologized well enough to Mrs. Lynde? You liked my apology? I can honestly say I have never witnessed an apology quite like it. Oh, Ms. Cuthbert! I haven t made any decision. Do you understand? So, you will remain at Green Gables, on a trial basis, until I do. But, any more outbursts, or such nonsense, and you ll be on the first train back to the asylum- Anne hugs her. Marilla is extremely uncomfortable... (CONT D) Yes, well. All right then. Yes. All right, enough of that. That s good. All right. Anne! Anne releases Marilla. Thank you so much- Just say your good-byes and be quick about it. Good-bye Mrs. Barry, Diana. Marilla exits. Yes, good-bye. I ll see you at school - which is very exciting for me, because I ve never been to a proper school. I always used to imagine that I was- Anne! Coming! (OFFSTAGE) Anne kisses Diana on the cheek and exits.

44 3/6/ Come along, Diana. MRS. BARRY (displeased:) Mrs. Barry exits. You re a queer girl, Anne Shirley. But, I believe I m going to like you very much. Lighting shift. Marilla and Anne walk home as the Avonlea Schoolhouse takes shape around them. What am I to call you now? Call me? Can I call you Aunt Marilla? No, you can call me just plain Marilla. I d love to call you Aunt Marilla - I ve never had an aunt or any relation at all - it would make me feel as if I really belonged to you- You do not belong to us. This is a trial, nothing more. Do you understand me? Besides, I m not your aunt. But, we could imagine you were my aunt. No, we could not. When the Lord puts us in certain circumstances He doesn t intend for us to imagine them away. So you never imagine things different from how they really are? No. Oh, Marilla, how much you miss. Marilla exits.

45 3/6/ CHAPTER 10: A TEMPEST IN A SCHOOL TEAPOT The Avonlea Schoolhouse. Students enter, mayhem ensues... WENT TO SCHOOL! ENSEMBLE STUDIED POETRY AND GEOMETRY... LITERATURE AND MATH. HATED MATH. HATED MATH! PRISSY & RUBY MOODY ENSEMBLE MR. PHILLIPS BUT SHE LEARNED IT JUST THE SAME. MADE FRIENDS - ENSEMBLE WITH ALL THE OTHER KIDS... MOODY! PRISSY! RUBY GILLIS TOO! MOODY PRISSY RUBY EVERYONE EXCEPT FOR JOSIE PYE! ENSEMBLE NOBODY AT ALL LIKED JOSIE PYE! ONLY JOSIE PYE LIKED JOSIE PYE! JOSIE JOSIE PYE WAS BEAUTIFUL- ARROGANT! SMART! RUBY JOSIE

46 3/6/ TERRIBLY VAIN. JOSIE AND JOSIE PYE WAS VERY GOOD AT MATH... UNLIKE! BUT EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT ONLY PEOPLE WITH NO IMAGINATION TAKE PRIDE IN BEING GOOD AT ADDITION, DIVISION, AND SUBTRACTION- AND MULTIPLICATION! JOSIE ENSEMBLE THE WEEKS WENT BY... STUDIED HARD - UNLIKE THE OTHER GIRLS - JUDE WHO ONLY STUDIED BOYS! CHARLIE SHE STUDIED BOOKS. I MEAN, SHE ACTUALLY SEEMED TO READ THE BOOKS! JUDE SHE WAS WEIRD, CONFUSING, A BIT... OBTUSE? MOODY CHARLIE SHE DIDN T SEEM TO FLIRT WITH US! MALE ENSEMBLE SHE BARELY EVER LOOKED AT US! RUBY TO BE FRANK - SHE COULDN T FIND THE USE! PRISSY NO, TO, BOYS PRESENTED NO PRACTICAL USE. THAT IS UNTIL... ENSEMBLE THE DAY THAT MET GIL... Gilbert Blythe enters. The students rush him, ad libs, then: Gil! How was Carmody?! CHARLIE

47 3/6/ Incredible! I dominated! With both grades and girls! Across the room, the excitement catches Anne s eye... Who is he? That s Gilbert Blythe. He's been doing an honors course in Carmody all summer, for smart people. He only came home this Saturday. He's awfully handsome, isn t he, Anne? He teases us girls something terrible. He just torments our lives out. You sound as if you rather like being tormented. Gilbert notices Anne and winks at her. Anne he winked at you! He winked at you! Right at you! Did you see that?! Did you? Anne! Oh, Anne, could you just die?! Couldn t you just die?! I mean, could you?! I could! Couldn t you?! I could just fall down dead right now, Anne! He winked! He winked at you! I mean, Anne, he winked at you! Diana, please! Control yourself! I think your Gilbert Blythe is very handsome, but I think he s also very bold. It isn t polite to wink at a strange girl. Perhaps he doesn t know you re strange yet! The school bell rings. Again, mayhem ensues... THE SEMESTER FLEW! ENSEMBLE PRISSY WAS PLEASED WITH ALL THE THINGS SHE LEARNED. RUBY SHE DEVOURED EVERY SUBJECT... MOODY SHE GOT STRAIGHT A S IN EVERY SUBJECT... JOSIE WHO GETS STRAIGHT A S IN EVERY SUBJECT?

48 3/6/ RUBY DID! AND, ALL OF WHICH SHE EARNED! WHILE BARRY WAS GRATEFUL JUST TO PASS... SHE PASSED?! SHE BARELY PASSED! ENSEMBLE RUBY OH, WAS TOP OF THE CLASS! BUT, IT WASN T LONG UNTIL... THAT HANDSOME BOY NAMED GIL... WAS NIPPING AT HER HEELS... AND STILL WINKING AT HER AS HE STEALS... Mr. Phillips reads the end of semester placements. MR. PHILLIPS I m pleased to report that first place goes to Anne Shirley. And, Gilbert Blythe. A FIRST PLACE SPOT! Lighting shift. Recess... PRISSY First place, Anne! Congratulations! Tied for first. Tied is still first. Not really. Hey! Hey! Anne, I think Gilbert is calling for you. Hey!

49 3/6/ (to Diana, loudly:) If Mr. Blythe wants my attention he can call me by name - like any other civilized person. I don t answer to Hey! So, you re ignoring me then? Really? Come along, Diana. But, Anne - Hey! Carrots! Gilbert tugs one of Anne s braids. Anne whirls around, enraged. Carrots?! You mean, hateful - how dare you! She brings her slate down over his head, cracking it in half. Gilbert falls to the ground. Anne Shirley! MR. PHILLIPS It was my fault, Mr. Phillips. I teased her. MR. PHILLIPS Do not forget your place, Ms. Shirley! Top of the class or not, your primary goal at this school is to learn to behave like a good girl. I have no interest in being a good girl if it means I have to tolerate bad boys! MR. PHILLIPS Ms. Shirley, if you intend on competing with the boys - I don t intend on competing with them; I intend on beating them. Not physically, I hope! MR. PHILLIPS Only when absolutely necessary.

50 3/6/ MR. PHILLIPS Apologize to Mr. Blythe! Apologize to Mr. Blythe! I m sorry. That s more like it- MR. PHILLIPS I m sorry that you were raised to believe that every female on this planet should be flattered by your attention. I m sorry that society has taught you that it s your right to grab a girl who doesn t immediately respond to your advances. But, most of all, I m sorry that you are constantly having these antiquated beliefs reinforced by small-minded, chicken-livered, backward-thinking men like him! Mr. Phillips takes Anne to the black board, stands her in front of the class, and writes above her head... MR. PHILLIPS Ann Shirley has a very bad temper. Ann Shirley must learn to control her temper. (positioning her below it) Now, you will stand there for the rest of the afternoon and think of an appropriate apology. AND SO STOOD! STOOD FOR HOURS THERE, UNMOVING... SHE DIDN T MOVE! SHE DIDN T CRY! DIDN T LOOK ASHAMED! CONTRITE! MOODY RUBY PRISSY TO BE HONEST IT WAS QUITE A SIGHT... JOSIE I M NOT SURE WHAT SHE THOUGHT THAT SHE WAS PROVING?

51 3/6/ AND FELT ASHAMED OF WHAT HE SAID... HE DIDN T KNOW SHE HATED THAT HER HAIR WAS RED... HE COULDN T FOCUS ON THE LECTURE... MR. PHILLIPS LED THAT DAY... HE COULD ONLY STARE AT... HE COULD ONLY STARE AT... AND WONDER WHAT WAS GOING THROUGH HER HEAD...? Anne glares at Gilbert, as she summons an apocalyptic thunderstorm of rage in her imagination... FOREVER... I WILL HATE YOU FOREVER... FOREVER, AND EVER, AND EVER... AND BEYOND! BEYOND FOREVER... FOR SO MUCH LONGER THAN FOREVER... MR. BLYTHE, IF YOU EVER ATTEMPT TO ENGAGE ME, I NEVER WILL RESPOND. IF YOU CAN HEAR WHAT I M THINKING RIGHT NOW- LET ME SAY... YOU DO NOT EXIST IN MY WORLD BEYOND TODAY! NOTHING YOU SAY AND NOTHING YOU DO... CAN ERASE WHAT YOU VE DONE- SO LET ME SAY THIS TO YOU- I LL HATE YOU FOREVER... I WILL HATE YOU UNTIL THE END OF TIME... HATE! HATE! HATE YOU FOREVER! AND, EVER! AND, EVER! FOR YOUR ABHORRENT CRIME. IF I STAND HERE DISGRACED, THEN I STAND HERE AS A MARTYR, AND MY ONLY REGRET, THE ONLY SORROW I FEEL... IS THAT I DIDN T HIT YOU HARDER. MR. PHILLIPS Well, Ms. Shirley? You can end this public humiliation right now with a simple apology, or we can continue on like this all afternoon. It s entirely your choice. So? Do you have anything to say? Get comfortable. MR. PHILLIPS Very, well. Then, from now on, instead of sitting beside Diana Barry, you will share a desk with Mr. Blythe. Perhaps this will teach you to behave. Did you hear what I said, Ms. Shirley?

52 3/6/ Yes. But I didn t suppose you really meant it. MR. PHILLIPS I assure you, I did. (pointing to the desk) Go on. Get comfortable. FOREVER... I WILL HATE YOU FOREVER FOREVER, AND EVER, AND EVER... UNTIL THE END OF DAYS NOTHING AND NO ONE NO WAY, NO HOW, NO NEVER I WILL NEVER FORGIVE YOU I WILL HATE YOU FOREVER! FELT ASHAMED OF WHAT HE SAID HE DIDN T KNOW SHE HATED THAT HER HAIR WAS RED HE COULDN T FOCUS ON THE LECTURE MR. PHILLIPS LED THAT DAY HE COULD ONLY STARE AT HE COULD ONLY STARE AT AND WONDER WHAT WAS GOING THROUGH HER HEAD... FOREVER! Lighting shift. That evening, the kitchen of Green Gables... CHAPTER 11: VANITY AND VEXATION OF SPIRIT What do you mean she broke her slate over his head? Rachel said she cracked the slate right in half. I had expected a bit of turmoil, but violence? Well, that Blythe boy shouldn t have twitted her about her looks. (a moment) She really broke the slate over his head? Positively shattered it. (Matthew starts to laugh) Stop that. It s not funny. Stop that now. She ll have to be punished. This vanity of hers! I should go check on her. She s been up there since she got home from school. Lighting shift - Gilbert enters the kitchen of his house. JOHN (re: the bump on his head) What in the...? What happened to you? I got into a fight. At school.