HOW TO BE A GOOD RADIO ACTOR
The play in this book has actually been produced on the radio. Possibly you have listened to this one when you tuned in at home. The persons whose voices you heard as you listened, looked just as they did when they left their homes to go to the studio, although they were taking the parts of men and women who lived long ago and who wore costumes very different from the ones we wear today.
The persons whose voices you heard stood close together around the microphone, each one reading from a copy of the play in his hand. Since they could not be seen, they did not act parts as in other plays, but tried to make their voices show how they felt.
When you give these plays you will not need costumes and you will not need scenery, although you can easily arrange a broadcasting studio if you wish. You will not need to memorize your parts; in fact, it will not be like a real radio broadcast if you do so, and, furthermore, you will not want to, since you will each have a copy of the book in your hands. All you will need to do is to remember that you are taking the part of a radio actor, that you are to read your speeches very distinctly, and that by your voice you will make your audience understand how you feel. In this way you will have the fun of living through some of the great moments of history.
HOW TO FOLLOW DIRECTIONS IN THE PLAY
There are some directions in this play which may be new to you, but these are necessary, for you are now in a radio broadcasting studio, talking in front of a microphone. The word [ in ] means that the character is standing close to the microphone, while [ off ] indicates that he is farther away, so that his voice sounds faint. When the directions [ off, coming in ] are given, the person speaking is away from the microphone at first but gradually comes closer. The words [ mob ] or [ crowd noise ] you will understand mean the sound of many people talking in the distance.
Both the English and the dialect used help make the characters live, so the speeches have been written in the way in which these men and women would talk. This means that sometimes the character may use what seems to you unusual English. The punctuation helps, too, to make the speeches sound like real conversation; for example, you will find that a dash is often used to show that a character is talking very excitedly.
The Landing of the Pilgrims
CAST
PASTOR ROBINSON
ELDER CARVER
WILHELM KIEFT
VOICE
THOMAS WESTON
CAPTAIN JONES
PETER BROWN
MOB
ANNOUNCER
It was in the month of December in 1620 that the Pilgrim Fathers landed on Plymouth Rock and proceeded to establish the first permanent white settlement in New England. But the Pilgrims had not set out for America to establish their new home in New England—far from it—they had a charter permitting their settlement in the northern portion of the Virginia plantation, and it was toward Virginia that the little band of passengers aboard the Mayflower thought they were heading. The story of how they happened to come to the stern and rockbound coast of New England and of how they happened to stay there and carve out of the wilderness a great commonwealth is told here.
Let us begin our story in Leyden, Holland, where for some eleven years the Pilgrims have lived in exile from England, driven out because of their religious faith. It is early in the year 1620, and John Robinson, who is the pastor and leader of the Pilgrims, is talking to John Carver, who is one of the elders of the church.
ROBINSON
No word yet from Elder Brewster?
CARVER
Nay, not a word. I fear me that he and Master Cushman have found it impossible to raise such a large sum of money.
ROBINSON
If we delay much longer King James may repent himself of his generosity in allowing us to settle in Virginia.
CARVER
I begin to fear that we are doomed to spend the rest of our days in Holland.
ROBINSON
Nay, nay, do not lose heart. Jehovah will find a way for his children. Remember, the Children of Israel wandered for forty years in the wilderness before they found rest in the Promised Land.
CARVER
I'll not lose faith, Pastor Robinson. I know a way will be found for us. [ knock ]
ROBINSON
Will you see who's at the door?
CARVER
Of course, Pastor. [ sound of opening door ] Good day to you, sir.
KIEFT
Does Master John Robinson dwell here?
CARVER
Aye. Will you enter?
KIEFT
Thank you.
CARVER
Pastor Robinson, this gentleman would speak with you.
ROBINSON
Good morrow to you, sir.
KIEFT
Are you Pastor Robinson, then?
ROBINSON
I am. And to what do I owe the honor of this visit, Master—ah—?
KIEFT
My name is Kieft, Wilhelm Kieft, at your service.
ROBINSON
I am honored, Master Kieft. Allow me to present Master Carver. [ they greet each other ]
KIEFT
And now to the business that brought me here—it is rumored about Leyden that you and your company are about to leave Leyden. Is that true?
ROBINSON
There is, as yet, nothing certain, Master Kieft.
KIEFT
But you are planning an emigration to the New World, are you not?
ROBINSON
It has been talked of, certainly, but thus far we have not found the means.
KIEFT
Well, Master Robinson, perhaps I can find them for you.
ROBINSON
Indeed!
CARVER
Tell us, Master Kieft!
KIEFT
I am a member of the Dutch West India Company, which possesses a large tract of land in the New World.
ROBINSON
Indeed, I did not know that.
KIEFT
Ah, yes, through the discovery of a countryman of yours, Henry Hudson, who sailed under our flag, we own the country from the Great South River to the Great North River, where, I am told, the climate is healthful and pleasant, and the land rich and bountiful.
CARVER
And what do you propose to us?
KIEFT
My company is prepared to furnish you land upon which to found a colony, and capital to carry you and your people there and support you until you have made yourselves self-supporting.
ROBINSON
And for this you would expect of us—what?
KIEFT
Some small share of your profits.
CARVER
Yes, and what else?
KIEFT
Nothing, except that you should live under the Dutch flag and make our claim to the land secure.
CARVER
Your offer is generous, Master Kieft.
ROBINSON
And you make no other conditions than those you mention?
KIEFT
None, I assure you.
ROBINSON
Can you offer them in writing so that our people may consider them?
KIEFT
Indeed, yes, if you are interested, my company will make you a written offer within a fortnight.
ROBINSON
We are interested, Master Kieft, very much so.
KIEFT
Good. You shall receive our conditions as soon as I can arrange it. Good day!
ROBINSON
Good day, sir, and thank you.
CARVER
Jehovah has heard our prayer. The way is open. Mayhap—
ROBINSON
Is it not a generous offer?
CARVER
Generous? Aye, but still—
ROBINSON
Well?
CARVER
I like it not.
ROBINSON
Indeed, and why not?
CARVER
Why should the Dutch West India Company make us such a generous offer?
ROBINSON
Why indeed, but that we may establish for them a colony in the New World?
CARVER
Aye, a colony that will give them a stronger hold upon disputed land.
ROBINSON
Do you think the land is disputed?
CARVER
I know but little of the New World. I know not even where the Great North River or the Great South River may be, but only this I know: King James and his Virginia Company would take it much amiss, that having a patent to lands in Virginia, we turned to the Dutch and settled under their flag.
ROBINSON
And what has King James ever done for us but persecute us, drive us from our homes, and make of us pilgrims upon the face of the earth?
CARVER
Aye, but I am an Englishman. I had looked with joy upon our emigration to America, because I had hoped we could once again live under British rule.
ROBINSON
Many of our company have felt the same; but if we cannot go except under the Dutch flag, still we must go.
CARVER
Aye.
ROBINSON
The hand of Jehovah leads us; we must follow.
ANNOUNCER
So the offer of the Dutch West India Company was received and in due course of time the provisions were put into writing. The Pilgrim company discussed the offer from every angle. All of them would have preferred to settle under the British flag, if it could have been arranged, but because more than six months had passed and they had not found anyone who could finance them, they felt that the Dutch offer should be accepted.
Therefore, near the end of February, 1620, Pastor Robinson and Elder Carver meet with Wilhelm Kieft to settle finally the matter of the emigration. Let us listen as they talk together.
KIEFT
Two ships and one thousand pounds, which you can repay in ten years.
ROBINSON
And all your company demands is a monopoly in the fur trade?
KIEFT
That is all. Otherwise you shall do what pleases you; but all of the fur must belong to the Dutch West India Company.
ROBINSON
That seems just. What think you, Elder Carver?
CARVER
Who shall govern us, Master Kieft?
KIEFT
You shall say that yourself. Who governs you now?
ROBINSON
We have no governor except the Elders of the Church.
KIEFT
It shall be the same in the New World.
CARVER
Do the terms satisfy you, Pastor Robinson?
ROBINSON
Indeed, I am more than satisfied.
KIEFT
Then shall we sign the articles? [ rattle of paper ]
ROBINSON
I can think of nothing more we should consider, can you, Elder?
CARVER
Nothing.
KIEFT
Then, if you have a quill, we can sign now. [ knock ]
ROBINSON
Your pardon, someone knocks.
CARVER [ going ]
I'll see who it is.
ROBINSON
Thank you, Elder. Ah, here is the quill. Now, where is the inkhorn? Ah, yes, here.
KIEFT
Sign here. [ rattle of paper ]
ROBINSON
Let us wait for Elder Carver.
CARVER [ off ]
Oh, Pastor Robinson?
ROBINSON
Yes?
CARVER
Your pardon, sir, will you come here at once?
ROBINSON
What is it?
CARVER [ off ]
Thomas Weston of London desires to see you.
KIEFT
Can we not finish our business first?
ROBINSON
Tell him to come in and sit down while we get this business finished.
CARVER [ off ]
Will you come in, Master Weston?
WESTON [ coming in ]
Thank you. Have I the honor of addressing Master Robinson?
ROBINSON
I'm Robinson.
WESTON
I'm Thomas Weston, and I have come on behalf of a company of London merchants—
KIEFT [ sharply ]
Master Robinson, your pardon, but may we not finish this business in hand?
ROBINSON
Certainly! Elder Carver, Master Kieft is waiting for us to sign the Articles of Emigration.
WESTON
Your pardon, Master Robinson, did you say "Articles of Emigration"?
ROBINSON
Why, yes.
WESTON
I have an offer to make you for the emigration of your company.
CARVER
What?
ROBINSON
Indeed!
KIEFT
I must insist, sir—
ROBINSON
One moment, Master Kieft.
KIEFT
Are you going to sign or not?
ROBINSON
Master Kieft, this may cause us to change our plans; we must consider. What is your offer, Master Weston?
WESTON
A company of seven London merchants has agreed to furnish ships and capital to carry you and your people to America.
KIEFT
You have already agreed with me —
ROBINSON
We have signed nothing yet. Where, Master Weston, does your company propose that we settle?
WESTON
In northern Virginia—between the Great South River and the Great North River.
KIEFT
That, sir, is the land of the Dutch West India Company.
WESTON
Your pardon, but King James has decreed—
KIEFT [ getting angrier ]
I care not what your sovereign may have decreed—he has no claim to that land. My company discovered and explored it!
WESTON
Has your company established any plantations there?
KIEFT
That makes no difference.
WESTON
Until you have established plantations, you cannot claim it.
KIEFT
I do not wish to argue with you, sir. I am here to close this business with you, Master Robinson. I am waiting—
ROBINSON
We must have time to consider—
KIEFT
I had your word.
CARVER
Master Kieft, the situation has changed. We are Englishmen, and if we can emigrate under our own flag, you cannot blame us for preferring it to another.
KIEFT
You have tricked us—you are not treating me fairly!
ROBINSON
Now, sir—
KIEFT [ louder ]
And I warn you if you go to our land under the British flag, you shall regret it, sir, you shall regret it. Good day! [ sound of door slamming ]
ANNOUNCER
Thus the Pilgrims incurred the enmity of the Dutch West India Company, and though the terms of the London merchants were not so generous as those offered by the Dutch company, the Pilgrims accepted them and set about making their preparations for the great adventure.
They secured for their voyage two ships, the Speedwell and the Mayflower.
Our next scene is early in July of 1620. The Mayflower has been engaged for the voyage, and is lying at anchor in the Thames River off London, where it is undergoing some repairs preparatory to taking on cargo, which is to come to the New World. Aboard the ship is only the master, Captain Jones, when he is disturbed by—
KIEFT [ off ]
Ahoy, the Mayflower!
JONES
Ahoy! Who's hailing the Mayflower?
KIEFT
Here—alongside! May I come aboard?
JONES
What do you want?
KIEFT
I want to talk to the master of the ship.
JONES
I'm master. What do you want?
KIEFT
May I come aboard?
JONES
Come aboard. The ladder's over the side.
KIEFT
All right, I'm coming. [ lower ] Keep the boat alongside!
VOICE
Aye, aye, sir!
KIEFT [ low ]
Stay here till I'm ready to leave!
VOICE
Aye, aye, sir!
JONES
Here you are—right up here, sir. Give me your hand! Ah, there you are, sir!
KIEFT [ in ]
Thank you, sir. Are you the master of the ship?
JONES
I am, sir.
KIEFT
I understand you are engaged for the voyage.
JONES
That we are, sir, to America.
KIEFT
Aye, yes—by a company of London merchants.
JONES
And what's that to you, sir, begging your pardon?
KIEFT
No matter, I know well enough you are. And now, sir, I want to know if you'd like to put yourself in the way of earning a hundred pounds?
JONES
A hundred! Law, sir, and who wouldn't?
KIEFT
Exactly! I hoped I'd find you a man of sense.
JONES
What do you want me to do?
KIEFT
You are sailing for northern Virginia, are you not?
JONES
That's the orders.
KIEFT
Where do you expect to make land?
JONES
I was looking to make it in the mouth of the Great North River.
KIEFT
Hm—you know, I suppose, that the Dutch West India Company claims all the land bordering on the Great North River.
JONES [ laughing ]
Why, sir, everybody claims it. That's no matter. King James has proclaimed that all the land that has been settled belongs to them that has settled it; the rest is anybody's. When the company I'm taking gets their plantation settled, the Dutch can't claim the land any longer.
KIEFT
Perhaps not, but your company is not going to land on Dutch territory.
JONES
Eh?
KIEFT
You are going to lose your bearings—
JONES
Me—a sailor—lose my bearings?
KIEFT
Certainly—for one hundred pounds.
JONES
Well—
KIEFT
And you will make land far to the north of the Great North River.
JONES
I'll have to see the color of the money.
KIEFT
Is it a bargain?
JONES
Have you got the money with you?
KIEFT
I have, and on your promise, I'll pay it.
JONES
All right. I'll see that the company is landed where you wish.
KIEFT
Good!
ANNOUNCER
And so Captain Jones of the Mayflower was bribed by Dutch gold to play false with the band of Pilgrims. You know the story of the long and difficult job the Pilgrims had in getting fairly started on their voyage. The Speedwell sprang a leak, and they had to put back to Plymouth harbor where the ship was repaired. They made a second start, and again the Speedwell became unseaworthy and the captain refused to go on, so a second time the little flotilla put back to Plymouth. This time, since the season was far advanced and the Pilgrims feared that winter would be upon them before they could get established in their new home, the Speedwell was left behind, and on September 16, 1620, the Mayflower left alone for the New World. Halfway across the ocean the ship was beset by a long series of storms, so severe that it took more than two months for the ship to make the trip across the Atlantic. At last, on the morning of November 20, 1620, the ship's company were awakened by the electric cry of—
VOICE
Land—ho! Land—land—ho!
JONES [ calling ]
Where away?
VOICE
Two points off the starboard bow!
MOB [ voices swelling up ]
Land! Land! Is it really land? Captain, Captain! Have we really made land? Land? [ etc. ]
JONES
Aye, we've made land! Helmsman, bring the ship to bear on land, dead ahead!
VOICE
Aye, aye, sir, land dead ahead.
CARVER [ coming up ]
Ah, Captain Jones, at last!
JONES
Aye, at last—land ahead!
CARVER
Praise Jehovah!
ALL
Praise Jehovah! Amen! [ etc. ]
CARVER
Captain, tell us, is this Virginia that lies before us?
JONES
I know not; I've not yet taken our bearings.
CARVER
Do you not know where we are?
JONES
How should I? We've been tossed about in storms for a month, with no sun for days on end.
CARVER
There is sun this morning. Can you not take your bearings now?
JONES
The mate is figuring our position even now.
CARVER
Good!
VOICE
Captain Jones?
JONES
Aye, mate, have you the position?
VOICE
I made it, sir, about seventy west by forty-two north.
CARVER
Forty-two north—but, Captain, we are bound for forty north—we're out of our course.
JONES
What do you expect—with the storms we've had?
CARVER
Put your ship about—make for the south—this is not Virginia!
JONES
We'll land here.
CARVER
We have no right to land here. Our charter grants us land in Virginia, not here!
JONES
I can't help that. The ship is in bad shape—I won't risk sailing her any farther without repairs.
CARVER
Very well, you may stop here for repairs, but we must go on as soon as they are made.
JONES
It will take some time.
CARVER
My people will help you. We must speed the work.
JONES
Of course, I'll speed it all I can, but a man can't do any more than he can do.
CARVER
Well, get to it at once—this very day! We must get away from here within a fortnight or winter will be upon us.
JONES
Aye, so it will—and the winters in this country are bad.
CARVER
Then we must start south without delay.
JONES
Look you, Master Carver—
CARVER
Well, Captain?
JONES
Belikes 'twill be a month or more before I can make the Mayflower seaworthy—
CARVER
A month? Surely you can do better than that?
JONES
Perhaps not so well—why don't you land here?
CARVER
Here?
JONES
Aye. 'Tis a goodly country—full as rich as Virginia.
CARVER
Nay, nay, 'tis not to be thought on. We have a patent to lands in Virginia—a charter to establish and rule a plantation there; but here—why, the land is not ours—
JONES
It is if you take it—it belongs to no one else.
CARVER
But our Council would have no rights under the King—nay, nay. We go on to Virginia—as soon as you have made your repairs.
JONES
So be it, Master Carver.
ANNOUNCER
So the Mayflower brought up to anchor just inside Cape Cod, near the present village of Provincetown. The voyage had been long and arduous. There had been much sickness aboard, and Captain Jones knew that most of the passengers longed to set foot on solid ground and begin the task of building their homes. So he determined to create further dissatisfaction among them.
For our next scene we are going into Captain Jones's cabin just as one of the five men of the company, Peter Brown, has come into the cabin on the captain's invitation.
JONES
Sit you down, Master Brown, and find what comfort you can in my poor quarters.
PETER
Poor! If this cabin is poor, Captain, what do ye call what us folks has to put up with, all crowded into the common cabin like sheep er worse?
JONES
Aye, 'tis too bad the cabin is not a better place for your goodly company.
PETER
Aye, well, we'll soon be out of it.
JONES
I fear me, not so soon.
PETER
Indeed, why?
JONES
The ship must be repaired before we can go on.
PETER
How long will that take ye?
JONES
Mayhap two months or more, I know not.
PETER
Two months? Two months more in the cabin of this ship and half of our company will be dead.
JONES
Aye, belikes they will—and winter will be upon us hard and heavy. The winters in this country are worse than any you have ever seen in England or Holland.
PETER
Indeed!
JONES
The snow lies so deep it would cover a man's head—the land is blotted out, and even the sea freezes—
PETER
Then how could we get ashore?
JONES
I know not.
PETER
And once ashore, how could we find a fair place to build our homes?
JONES
'Tis not for me to say.
PETER
Why can't we land right here, Captain?
JONES
Because your Elder, Master Carver, says fix the ship and go on.
PETER
If Elder Carver says that, then there be naught that we kin do.
JONES
You'd stay packed in the ship's cabin, facing sickness and death, rather than rise up like men and tell the Elder what you will and what you won't do, eh?
PETER
Elder Carver and the twelve masters have the voice; we have naught to do but to obey.
JONES
Can it be that forty English freemen can't vote down twelve masters?
PETER
Under our charter the freemen have no voice.
JONES
Under the charter, eh?
PETER
Aye, so there's naught to do but what the masters say.
JONES
Have you never heard of mutiny?
PETER
Mutiny? Nay, we be lawful men, bound together in the love of Jehovah; we'll not mutiny! We must abide by our charter.
JONES
The charter, aye.
PETER
So there's naught to do—
JONES
Hold—have you thought on this—the charter binds you under the King's grant in Virginia Plantation—
PETER
Aye.
JONES
And you are not in Virginia—
PETER
Nay, not yet.
JONES
So you are not bound by the Virginia charter in these waters.
PETER
Forsooth, Captain, I'd not thought on that.
JONES
You have here all the rights of free-born Englishmen. And if you rise like men and demand that your Elders hearken to your voice, who shall gainsay you?
PETER
Aye—who—who, indeed? If we vote to land here, 'tis not mutiny.
JONES
Nay, 'tis but your right, if you want to land here.
PETER
We do—we do! Not a man in the company but would stay here if he had his way.
JONES
Then have your way—like Englishmen! Go to your cabin. Talk to the men of your company, tell them what I have told you.
PETER
Aye, Captain, I will! At once. [ going ]
JONES
Good! [ sound of door closing ] [ to himself ] Well, Elder Carver, we shall see whose voice is stronger—yours, or the voice of forty English freemen!
ANNOUNCER
Thus Captain Jones planted in the mind of one of the freemen of the Pilgrim company an idea which he was sure would bear fruit before many hours. He watched the company as first one man and then another fell in with Peter Brown. He felt the temper of the company changing, but he still did not feel that mutiny was likely against the strong religious authority of the Elders. And so to bring the matter to a head, he asked Carver to come to his cabin. As the door closes, the captain begins—
JONES
I fear me, Master Carver, we are in a bad way.
CARVER
Indeed—why?
JONES
The carpenter has gone over the ship timber by timber —
CARVER
Well?
JONES
It is a long, hard job we have before us.
CARVER
Oh, too bad, too bad! How long?
JONES
What with finding the proper timbers ashore, and hewing them to fit our needs, I fear it may well be two months or more before we can leave these waters.
CARVER
Surely you can make what repairs are necessary in less time—you need not rebuild the ship.
JONES
Nay—but the ship is sprung at every seam; 'tis nothing but good fortune that has kept it afloat so long.
CARVER
The seams sprung?
JONES
Aye—all of them.
CARVER
Then our stores are in danger of being ruined.
JONES
Aye, they are even now in such danger they should be unshipped.
CARVER
Then we must do it—set your crew to the work at once.
JONES
The crew has more than it can do to repair the ship and make it ready to sail on to Virginia, since you insist on going on.
CARVER
Then I'll set our company to work on the stores—we must not let them be ruined.
JONES
Nay, or you'll all face starvation, for you can count on nothing from the land at this late date.
CARVER
I'll gather the company together at once and set them to work!
JONES
Aye, do, Master Carver.
CARVER
We must unship the stores; [ going ] we'll begin at once. [ sound of door opening ]
JONES [ to himself ]
Mayhap your company will have something to say to that, Master Carver.
ANNOUNCER
So Carver gathered together his company in the common cabin, and standing before the stern-faced, storm-weary gathering, the Elder spoke:
CARVER
Men of the Pilgrim company, as no doubt you are all well aware by now, the land we made this morning with such joy and thanksgiving in our hearts is not the land of the Virginia Plantation.
ALL
Aye, we know as much! So we have heard. [ etc. ]
CARVER
But our ship is sore distressed from the buffeting of the storms, and Captain Jones must needs make repairs before we can sail on to our destination. [ protests and grumblings ]
I would it were not so, for I know how weary you find yourselves after the many days upon the sea. But there's naught else to do.
PETER [ calling ]
Why can't we land here? [ mob assents ]
CARVER
Nay, nay, it cannot be. This is not Virginia; we have no patent to these lands. We must sail on. The captain and his crew will make their repairs as soon as they can, but our stores in the hold are all of them in danger of spoiling—so we must needs unship them ourselves until such time as we may sail away from here. So let every man prepare himself for work.
PETER
Master Carver—we are not able to work. [ mob assents ]
CARVER
I know, but—
PETER
And more—'tis not our wish to stay aboard this ship longer—[ mob assents ]
CARVER
But we can do naught else—
PETER
Aye, we kin land here, and find a goodly place to build our homes and prepare against the winter that will be down upon us long before we kin get to Virginia. [ mob agrees heartily ]
CARVER
Men—men—quiet—hark to me! We've no right under our charter to settle here!
PETER
Then tear up the charter. [ mob agrees ]
CARVER
Tear up the charter? Have no government? Nay, we can't do that!
PETER
We be freemen, Master Carver; we have a right to a voice in what we'll do, and what we won't do—and we all want to land here, don't we, men? [ all agree ]
CARVER
But if we make our home here, we are outside the King's rule.
PETER
We'll rule ourselves—we be free-born Englishmen! [ all agree ]
CARVER
Mayhap—if that is your wish—
ALL
It is!
Aye, aye! [ etc. ]
CARVER
It may be for the best interest of the company and for the glory of Jehovah. I consent to your wishes. [ cheers ] But it behooves us to enter into a compact, one with the other—that no man may say, once we have landed in New England, that we have no law and cannot punish the disobedient.
PETER
May it please ye, sir, we be more than willing for the masters to write a compact that all can sign to be governed like any free-born Englishmen by the will o' the majority—[ all agree ]
CARVER
So be it—let the masters of the company join me in my cabin, and we shall make a compact joining all the company of freemen into a body politic. [ cheers ]
ANNOUNCER
And so in the cabin of the Mayflower the masters of the company, twelve in number, met in the first American legislative assembly and drew up one of the most famous documents in American history—the Mayflower Compact—which organized the first self-governing community in the New World.