A kiss upon a brown Act 1, Scene 1&2

A KISS UPON A BROW1

Main Characters: 2

Jonathan – A priest leading the Convent3

Esther- An elderly nun4

Mary- Esther’s cousin, also a nun5

Elizabeth- middle aged Nun6

Josephine- Nun in training, newest addition to the Convent7

Mark- High Priest of the Coven8

Cayden (spirit of battle)- Son of Mark9

Diana- High Priestess of the Coven; Wife of Mark10

Nerina (Water element)– Sister of Matthew, Daughter of Mark & Diana11

ACT ONE – SCENE ONE12

Chorus: 13

Four hundred years have past since this story has danced upon the stage.14

In a time no longer past, two lovers are imprisoned by the stars.15

A future stuck within conflicts glory, dark and deep and filled with gory irony.16

Yet love has past through thin cotton clouds.17

Two lovers unite through a countries strife.18

Deep not within the day’s night but inside night’s day,19

Our story doth commence.20

[Enters convent of holy nuns, accompanied by one priest]21

Jonathan: Come, nuns of god we shall pray!22

Esther: Whom do we pray for priest?23

Jonathan: Bite thy tongue! We pray for everyone!24

Mary: Even for those heartless swine? Who dance by fires, and worship not holy god [falls to knees and throws hands up to the sky] but multiple demons from hell? Those who claw at holy flesh and chant to a defiled moon?25

Jonathan: Stop this foolish banter, or lashings you soon shall receive. For it is well known that we do not pray for those destined to hell’s flames. Yet go we must seek these beasts out and lift their souls to gods embrace!26

[Nuns begin to pray; enters Elizabeth with Josephine]27

Elizabeth: Forgive me; I come to bear a message for all to hear. Our newest member has arrived without fear. She is only but of the age of fifteen. So young yet so ready to be broken in. Let us all set her free!28

Josephine: With my head bowed, I ask of thee to accept the waste they call Josephine. Tis true the waste is I. O – can you save a filthy girl such as I?29

Jonathan: Young child, your eyes reflect wisdom beyond their years. What is the cause of your suffering? What makes you covered is such filth?30

Josephine: The answer is hidden behind the night’s dark clouds, buried beneath layers of dried blood. Dear priest can you help to peal each of these grotesque layers away? May God uncover my eyes and wash my soul of its sins? Or am I destined to a life in flames only due to one nights meander through shame’s intestines.31

Jonathan: Has thou been blessed with the water of God?32

Josephine: The water of God has forsaken me, and left me to fester like an open wound. Dress me in a nuns garb and spray me down with light. I ask this of all who are here to witness [removes clothes] I lay myself bear. Do with me what you will.33

Elizabeth: Lets drown out her sorrow and wash away the grimy sin!34

Mary: Let the child fetch the water clad as she is now before us! Let her feel the sting of a ripe blister as she scrambles up, and down hill, with water holding the power of life!35

[Exits everyone except Josephine]36

SCENE TWO37

[Josephine is left with the chore of fetching water. Night starts to fall around her in an unfamiliar forest.]38

Josephine: Tis there not but a shed of light to guide thee? Damnation has thus begun already, with no fair warning thou shall soon be dead. Oh, what is life without the hope of such an end?39

[Enters Nerina surrounded by men with weapons.]40

Nerina: Men hold still! Such a girl is not worth the kill! Let us move forward, and cut ourselves a path once more. We must banish these killers from our sacred shores.41

Josephine: Whom do you wish to banish? 42

Nerina: Mind yourself or you shall find that you rip apart quiet easily. Unless this is not idiocy but only bravery under mask. Speak your name or forever hold thy tongue.43

Josephine: To call me but a name would mean too much. But under gray stars, my name emerged: Josephine. Speak not of it any longer, for I deserve no such respect.44

Nerina: You remind me of the forgotten past, for this you shall surely live. Tell those present, for we are all one, why so young you speak of such sorrow. Then may we share our quest with you.45

Josephine: Such sorrow is spoken to enhance truth. Tis true I am not of Holy Spirit! Such a shame it is to express this before all present at this moment.46

Nerina: Lies have been instilled inside your mind. Come with us and we shall show you the truth you so seek. Be mindful as to your actions, or from guest to prisoner you shall transfer. [To the men] Go seek out our pathetic enemy for each soul taken from us we shall take a life. This fighting must end only through fighting’s might. Remember no mercy shall be expressed, for where was there mercy only but a night ago?47

[The group of warriors exit, as silent as the moons embrace.] 48

Josephine: Who are these beast you speak of? I have left some holy people in that same direction is their fate so cruel?49

Nerina: We look for those who praise one figure and those who allow that figure to defile our people. If those are the people you have left behind, then so be it. Come now, let us show what we are made of.50

[Exits Nerina holding Josephine under the arm]51