cheryme

-- JENNY **
 * HI !! I AM WRITING SOME FEEDBACK ON YOUR FIRST DRAFT BELOW. I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING MORE NEXT TIME. AFTER YOU READ THIS, GOT TO HISTORY AND YOU CAN CONTINUE WORKING ON THE DRAFT YOU HAD ALREADY DONE IF YOU WANT TO.

TITTLE? Page to Stage: Ms.Ferhani & Mr.Batt

SETTING:

1945 in the south of the United States. A medium sized classroom with rows of desks in the center. There are piles of Bibles in one small table in the corner of the classroom.It’s a cloudy and cold day. A scientist with casual clothes and a priest are standing in front of the class talking; there are no students inside the classroom yet.
 * HMMMM. IT'S A LITTLE HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THE POPE WOULD BE IN THIS CLASSROOM TALKING WITH A SCIENTIST AND A STUDENT. WHY IS THE POPE THERE? WHAT WOULD BRING SUCH AN IMPORTANT LEADER INTO THIS SETTING? I WONDER IF YOU MEANT TO SAY "PRIEST?" **

CHARACTERS: 1.Christian- very famous and religious scientist ** -- IS THIS THE TEACHER OF THE CLASS? IF NOT, WHERE IS THE TEACHER? ** 2.priest Joseph- Leader of a catholic church and teaches religion in school. Makes sure that everyone in town beliefs and follows the Bible 3.Mary- A high school student that likes to learn new things and ideas. 4.Elizabeth- Mary’s mother and is very religious 5.Anthony- yung police officer

(A scientist holding a case is walking back and forth. We can see he is very excited. He stops walking as the door of the classroom opens. A pope holding a Bible enters and takes a sit then he starts to talk with the scientist)

PRIEST: (with a smile in his face) Hi there Christian, how are you doing? I see you got my message asking you to come over. You know the girl you are going to tutor admires you a lot. The people here are very excited someone so talented like you could come over and teach your ideas.
 * DO THESE CHARACTERS KNOW EACH OTHER? IF SO, HOW? IF NOT, HOW DOES THE POPE KNOW HIS NAME? **

CHRISTIAN: (very excited) Hi. I’m doing well. I coulnd't say no to such a great leader like you. Im honored you chose me to be the one to tutor the girl. It's a pleasure to think that the people here are happy to have me in town. But anyways how are you doing?

PRIEST: (in a simple tone) Very well. Very well. Well I was talking to a friend of mines that loves science. He told me about you and I was very interested in what he was telling me. So I decided to choose you. If you could come over to the town plaza this afternoon after your done tutoring, you know the people wanted to do something special for you. Bu I was wondering what are you going to teach Mary today?

CHRISTIAN: Well as you may see I am very excited. I’m going to teach her about evolution, and I have proof with me too! I recently was doing research about it these past month and I thought it was a great idea to come and teach it here.

(Suddenly the Pope stands up. We see that the smile on his face wipes off. He looks offended and mad.)

PRIEST: (almost yelling) How dare you say that! You are not going to teach that to my student. Mary loves science but she cannot learn that! Listen here we teach science, but science that does not contradict the holy Bible. And you are not going to be the first one to break the rules of this school. You understand? Here we are very religious and this people here work very hard to keep their kids on the right path. The kids here are not sinners and the only thing they love the most is the holy Bible not stupid new ideas. **IS THIS CHARACTER THE TEACHER? IS THIS A CATHOLIC CHURCH? WHY HAS THE SCIENTIST BEEN INVITED TO TEACH HERE? DID "POPE" INVITE HIM?**

(Christian looks surprised by the reaction the Pope had)

CHRISTIAN: (In a simple tone) But why not? Way back where I live people find it very interesting, and it helps students keep an open mind about whats going on in the world, about the different ways of thinking. The parents are okay with letting their kids learn evolution because they know that if their kids know about different ideas they are going to have more opportunities.

PRIEST: (yelling, very offended) Well here in Tennesse we don't. You know God created everything in 7 days. Only God is right and He is the only one that created everything! So don't come here trying to brainwash my students and the people about things that are not even true!

CHRISTIAN: (almost yelling back) We have proof evolution is right! Do you have proof the Bible is right? You… (suddenly there’s a knock on the door. We see a young girl in her 17’s tucking her head in)

PRIEST: (in a calm tone, forcing a smile) Well come in Mary. (Mary comes in timidly with a small smile in her face) Mary this is Christian the scientists I told you about. Christian this is Mary. (Christian extends his hand to shake Mary’s hand)

MARY: It’s a pleasure meeting you.

CHRISTIAN: The pleasure is mine.

PRIEST: (looking at Christian) Can you come over here Christian. (They move to a corner of the classroom. Mary takes a sit in one of the desks)

CHRISTIAN: (almost in a whisper) Yes?

PRIEST: (whispering, but at the same time he has a harsh tone in his voice) You better not tell her about your ridiculous idea, or else you are out of the church and I’ll make sure you end up in jail. And remember to come to the plaza afterwards.(Turning to look at Mary and Christian, with a smile and a sweet tone) I’ll leave you too alone so you can start your tutoring. (Turns to Christian and shots him a look. Then opens the door and shuts it slowly behind him) **OH! I THINK I GET IT. SO, CHRISTIAN HAS BEEN INVITED TO TUTOR MARY? WHY? IS THIS FOR HER SCIENCE CLASS?**

CHRISTIAN: (turns to look at Mary) Do you enjoy learning?

MARY: (shy and confused) um, I guess I do.

CHRISTIN: What’s your favorite subject?

MARY: (still shy) I don’t have one. They’re all so great.

CHRISTIAN: (moving towards Mary. Taking a sit on the desk next to her) Do you enjoy learning new ideas?

MARY: (less shy) Yes I do.

CHRISTIAN: (almost in a whisper) Well that's going to be great for your science project.you could do your project based on evolution.

MARY: (curiously) what’s evolution?

CHRISTIAN: (excited) That’s a great question. Evolution is a theory that says that humans descended from apes. It says that the human race decended fron a lower class of animals. The Earth started about billions of years ago and the only lives in existance was bacteria. It took a long time untill animals started to develop. I have been researching this theory for a long time and we have found proof that this theory is right.** THIS IS A VERY SIMPLE EXPLANATION. IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS ALL THAT A SCIENTIST WOULD SAY ABOUT EVOLUTION. **(Starts to open a case, but the doorknob starts turning)Listen don’t tell anyone what I told you.

MARY: (confused) but why? (The Pope enters with a smile. Theres a woman in her mid 40’s standing next to him)

PRIEST: Mary your mother came. She wanted to meet the scientist. Christian this is Elizabeth. ( They shake hands)

ELIZABETH: it’s a pleasure meeting you.

CHRISTIAN: The pleasure is mine.

ELIZABETH: (turning to Mary) So what is this young man teaching you, sweetie?

MARY: (looks at Christian. Christian looks at Mary bringing his finger to his lip like saying shhh. ) Nothing that’s really interesting.

PRIEST: Why do you say that Mary? (Turns to Mary then to Elizabeth and Christian) Can you please leave Mary and me alone? (Mary looks nervous as everyone starts to leave) What did he teach you?

MARY: Nothing interesting.

PRIEST: You know lying is bad, Mary? Tell me did he teach you about something called evolution? please don’t lie.

MARY: (looking upset with a soft voice) Yes he did. But don’t do anything to him, please!

(The Pope is so mad he starts turning bright red. He goes to the door and opens it. Looks at Christian and Elizabeth.) Can you please come in? (They start to go in the cold room)

ELIZABETH: Um, what’s going on?

PRIEST: (furiously) Why did you teach her about evolution? You sinner! I told you not to!

CHRISTIAN: I…

ELIZABETH: (Interrupting Christian) What? How dare you? (Turns to look at Mary) Sweetie that thing about evolution is fake! Do not listen to him.

MARY: I don't see anything wrong mother. It's just a theory a different way to view the world. He was about to show me something. Why can't he get a chance?

PRIEST: I warned you! You are no longer part of the church! (Yelling) Come in. (A young police officer comes in going directly to Christian. The police officer puts handcuffs on Christian)

PRIEST: I knew you were going to teach her about that ridiculous idea. Take him away! (Mary looks at Christian she looks upset but confused at the same time)

ELIZABETH: (Hugging Mary) Sweetie don't listen to all those ridiculous things. You know that only God is right.

MARY: (in a low voice) Sorry…

CHRISTIAN: Its okay just remember to keep you mind open and don’t let anyone control your thinking for you. Always do what you think is right. (The curtains close)

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

McGowen, Tom. The Great Monkey Trial Science vs. Fundamentalism in America. New York:Franklin Watts, 1990

Giberson, Karl W, and Donald A. Yerxa. "Inherit the Monkey Trial." Christianity today 22 May 2000: 50 student edition. Web. 6 Nov 2009. [].

Adams, Noah. "Timeline: Remembering the Scopes Monkey Trial". [|www.npr.org] July 5, 2005. [].

THIS IS A GOOD START. I CAN TELL WHO HAS THE POWER IN THIS SITUATION. YOUR PLAY TELLS ME THAT THE POPE (OR THE PRIEST?) DOES NOT WANT HIS STUDENT, MARY, TO KNOW ABOUT EVOLUTION.
 * J,

HERE ARE SOME IDEAS I HAVE: 1) I'M CONFUSED ABOUT WHY MARY'S MOTHER IS PART OF THIS PLAY. WHY DO YOU WANT HER THERE? 2) I WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THESE CHARACTERS. WHAT IS MARY FEELING? WHAT DOES CHRISTIAN WANT? HOW DID HE GET THIS JOB AS A TUTOR IN A RELIGIOUS SCHOOL? 3) HOW CAN YOU COMMUNICATE THESE IDEAS TO YOUR AUDIENCE?

THANKS FOR YOUR HARD WORK! I CAN'T WAIT TO READ MORE. JENNY **