LADY SHAKESPEARE
Four corners, four winds, bad luck tonight, the beast from the sewers, the red hot iron, close it, close it, the garbage can lid, can in the river, wind blows the river, river carries the can, death in the memory, memory chills the heart, heart makes the dogs bark, the dogs ring the bells, the bells shake the brain, the wind rings the bells, the trash man laughs, ha, ha, ha, the laughter kills the baby, the trash man gets the baby, we live, we dream, the trash man gets the dream, the trash man takes the life.
The dog’s bark ate the cat’s meow, mousie. Bury you on a hill with the night. The sun goes down, the moon comes up, the wind blows in.
(She laughs like she’s possessed. Ben exits with the bear. To the Supremes’ melody)
Baby, baby, where did your love go . . .
(Beat.)
You gone now, beastie? I’m feelin’ the crazies comin’ on, so you’d best stay gone.
(She shakes fervently.)
Holy, holy, holy.
(She laughs loudly.)
Hallelujah. Ain’t nobody can reckon with me when the crazies are on.
(As if she sees something on the ground:)
Ooh. It’s a penny for the population, ain’t it. Pretty, shiny thing. Keep a baby warm tonight.
(She walks over to what she saw but cannot find it. She gets on her knees to look for it.)
Oh. It’s the moon.
(Shakes her fist:)
What I done to the moon? I killed the moon. A baby can’t believe in no trash can. Who’s it gonna’ believe in now?
(Tears stream down her face.)
Baby killer.