Preview #1: (ACT I, Scene i)

Here is the first look at what I have for the Musical. This is the opening scene to the play and marks the formal introduction of Kidd, Paddy, Brianna, and Lukey. I hope you enjoy! Remember to let me know what you think! Thanks!

ACT I
Scene i

(The CURTAIN opens on JACK, JAKEY, LUKEY, BILLY, and other members of KIDD’s crew working in a chemical field. They are in chains and are wearing ragged cloth shirts and pants for clothes. There are sentries watching the crew, making sure they do not stop their work. The barrels and marshes of chemicals are hindering their progress to work, and many of the crew is suffering severely. JACK is leading KIDD’s crew in his absence. They are lifting buckets of chemicals and sifting through the marshes. The music matches the rhythm of their work as the song THE CHEMICAL WORKER’S SONG (PROCESS MAN) begins to play.)

JACK/ ALL:
And it's go, boys, go
They'll time your every breath
And every day you're in this place you’re two days nearer death

LUKEY:
But you go...

JACK:
Well, a process man am I and I'm tellin' you no lie
I work and breathe among the fumes that tread across the sky

JACK/ ALL:
There's thunder all around me and there's poison in the air
There's a lousy smell that smacks of hell
And dust all in me hair

And it's go, boys, go
They'll time your every breath
And every day you're in this place you’re two days nearer death

LUKEY:
But you go...

JAKEY:
Well I've worked among the spitters and I

JAKEY/ ALL:
Breathe the oily smoke
I've shoveled up the gypsum and it neigh 'on makes you choke
I've stood knee deep in cyanide, got sick with a caustic burn
Been working rough, I've seen enough, to make your stomach turn
And it's go, boys, go
They'll time your every breath
And every day you're in this place you’re two days nearer death

LUKEY:
But you go...

BILLY:
There's overtime and bonus opportunities galore

BILLY/ ALL:
The young men like their money and they all come back for more
But soon you’re knocking on and you look older than you should
For every bob made on the job, you pay with flesh and blood

And it's go, boys, go
They'll time your every breath
And every day you're in this place you’re two days nearer death

LUKEY:
But you go...

JACK:
Well a process man am I and I'm telling you no lie
I work and breathe among the fumes that tread across the sky
There's

JACK/ ALL:
Thunder all around me and there's poison in the air
There's a lousy smell that smacks of hell
And dust all in me hair

And it's go, boys, go
They'll time your every breath
And every day you're in this place you’re two days nearer death
And it's go, boys, go
They'll time your every breath
And every day you're in this place you’re two days nearer death

LUKEY:
But you go...

(BLACKOUT. The scene changes quickly to a small port town. There are stalls crammed tightly together and short buildings stacked side by side. One stall in particular seems somewhat more quaint and inviting. It is a flower stall and is neat and tidy. This is the stall of BRIANNA, PADDY’s wife. BRIANNA is busy selling flowers to the many men that crowd her stall. JACK is hidden among them. She is extremely shy, but makes it clear that she is not interested. The other merchants are getting irritated that BRIANNA is taking away all of their customers. ENTER SALLY L. She CROSSES DR and passes BRIANNA’s stall, getting the men’s attention to follow her as she EXITS R. They follow her, calling her name and whistling. She rolls her eyes, and then after EXITING R, re-ENTERS R and leans over to BRIANNA.)

SALLY
You owe me, Brianna. (EXITS R.)

(ENTER PADDY and KIDD L. PADDY is wearing a black coat of fur, and boasts a big black belt as well as a black bandanna across his head. The only other things he has on him other than his black boots and linen shirt is a sword and scabbard. KIDD is wearing more traditional pirate clothes. His brown leather pirate hat, boots, and trench coat as well as his brown leggings and shirt give him an almost royal presence. PADDY opens his arms upon seeing BRIANNA and smiles. BRIANNA is wearing a brown skirt and white linen top with brown and pink floral decorations. She rushes to PADDY quickly and they embrace. Meanwhile, KIDD is looking around as if searching for someone. BRIANNA and PADDY break away from each other and PADDY smiles as the pushes back BRIANNA’s hair from her face.)

KIDD
(Clears his throat.) Paddy? What we came here for, please?

PADDY
(Turning away from BRIANNA. Chuckling.) You’d deprive me from enjoying me own woman, Kidd?

KIDD
(Looking somewhat distracted and still searching around for someone.) Aye; if it means finding us ‘nother ship. We’ve been landlocked for three days now. You know what that does to a crew of no-good pirates? (Taps his head.) Makes ‘em think. I can’t afford me crew to think. Thinking makes men cowards.

PADDY
Aye, I suppose you’re right then. (Turns to BRIANNA and holds her by the shoulders.) Brianna, we need a favor. Our boat’s taken too much a beatin’ to hold out on sea no more. We need us a new ship and I ‘member you tellin’ me about a carpenter dealin’ trade in boats. We was hoping that you’d be able to talk him up for us and get us a nice ship.

BRIANNA
(Smiling.) It shouldn’t be a problem. The only thing will be getting him to listen long enough to say yes. And even then he might not remember what I asked him later.

KIDD
Is he, a drunk?

BRIANNA
Luke Kelly? Oh, yes! Always drinking himself till his own mother can’t recognize him. But not one soul can match his skill.

KIDD
Those are things I look for in a man of trade.

PADDY
Do you mind takin’ us to ‘im Brianna?

(She gives a sideways nod to a heap of sack-flour and wheat UR. PADDY and KIDD raise their brows in question and BRIANNA nods.)

KIDD
(Leans forward towards the pile of sacks and calls out.) Mr. Kelly?

(No reply.)

KIDD
Luke Kelly?

(No reply.)

BRIANNA
(Leans towards the pile. Timidly.) Mr. Kelly?

LUKEY
(From the pile of sacks. Muffled.) Is that an angel I ‘ear callin’ me name? (LUKEY emerges from the pile and is holding a bottle of black rum in one hand. He is young and is wearing a long-sleeved white linen shirt that is covered by a grey jacket-vest. His loose brown pants are tucked into his black boots. His blonde hair is shaggy and messy, and despite his drunken state he still has an air of charm about him.) Mrs. Murphy, I always love ‘earin’ your voice in the mornin’ air! There’s nothin’ more lovely and nothin’ better to soothe me achin’ head.

BRIANNA
It’s past noon Mr. Kelly.

LUKEY
And still your voice is full of heaven’s light.

BRIANNA
Mr. Kelly, I’d like you to meet my dear friend Maxwell Kidd and my lovely husband Patrick.

LUKEY
(Looking up at PADDY, who is considerably larger than himself.) You don’t look so tough.

PADDY
(Laughs and ruffles LUKEY’s hair as he turns to KIDD.) I like ‘im. Fiery, ain’t he?

KIDD
Aye, indeed. But it ain’t why we’re here. We still need a boat.

LUKEY
(Drunkenly.) Boat? I’ve got boats.

BRIANNA
Yes, Kelly. They need a ship so as to leave town tomorrow. They’ve been searching everywhere and I told them you were the man to go to.

LUKEY
But I like me boats. I don’t intend to sells them as soon as I sees somebody.

PADDY
(Chuckling.) We just need one. Don’t be so greedy now, eh?

LUKEY
And what do I get? Got to make sure it’s worth me time. A ship’s not worth little now, is she?

KIDD
We’re prepared to offer two hundred and thirty pounds.

LUKEY
(Eyes wide. Beat.) Blimey. Where’d you get money like that?

KIDD
Let’s just say we found it.

LUKEY
(With slow realization.) You’re pirates?

PADDY
(Cautiously.) Aye.

LUKEY
(Quickly.) I won’t take your money. (Beat.) It’s not worth two hundred an’ thirty pounds when dealin’ with pirates, got to ask for somethin’ more.

PADDY
We got ourselves an opportunist, Kidd.

KIDD
(Pulling his coat back and reaching for something in his pocket. BRIANNA runs back to her stall, and the other merchants turn to watch.) I wouldn’t do this if I were you. We really need us a ship.

LUKEY
(Laughing drunkenly.) I’m no fool! I don’t want your money because I want to board ship with ye.

KIDD
What?

LUKEY
I want to leave town with ye. Always did wonder how it would be to venture ou’ on the sea with a couple of scoundrels.

KIDD
(Confused by the sudden turn of events.) Are you out of your bleeding mind?

LUKEY
Always have been.

PADDY
I say we take ‘im. It’s better than losing over two hundred pounds; the men would be happy to have more money for drink. And a free ship on top of that.

KIDD
(Pulling his coat back down.) It’s not so simple.

PADDY
Now you’re just soundin’ like ye father.

KIDD
(Haughtily.) And you’d take a drunk aboard me ship?

PADDY
Since when ‘ave ye been so stiff about drink?

KIDD
That’s not what I meant.

PADDY
So you’d put aside the dreams of one man because of a little rum?

LUKEY
(Drunkenly.) The man does bring up a good point.

KIDD
(Looking at PADDY, who gives him a stern face.) I suppose you’re right. What's another dunk among me crew?

LUKEY
So it’s a yes?

KIDD
(Sighing.) Aye. But I don’t want you causin’ trouble with me crew.

PADDY
(Smiling.) Welcome to the crew, mate!

KIDD
Paddy, take ‘im to Nancy’s tavern where the rest of the boys are. Introduce ‘im. Tell ‘em we leave tomorrow mornin’.

PADDY
Aye, cap’n. Come now, Lukey. We’re off to drink!

LUKEY
I don’t min’ that at all!

(PADDY takes LUKEY and they EXIT L. KIDD waits for them to leave and then turns quickly to BRIANNA. BRIANNA gives him a knowing smile and sits down on the edge of her stall.)

BRIANNA
You’re not as difficult a man as you’d like Maxwell.

KIDD
What do you mean?

BRIANNA
I mean that you’re an easy read, looking around for Sally Ann as you were.

KIDD
(Smiling.) Am I that obvious?

KIDD
Only to a woman.

KIDD
And how do you know I’m not just lookin’ for a member of me crew?

BRIANNA
Because not even you, as close to your crew as you are, would be so distracted when saying hello to an old friend.

KIDD
Sorry, Brianna. And even if I was distracted, I actually am looking for one of me men.

BRIANNA
And who might that be?

KIDD
Jack.

BRIANNA
Ah, Jack Hinks. Wonderful, charming man.

KIDD
Aye, and a rotten thief and gambler as well. Do you know where he might be off to? He has more than ‘alf me money, and I need to buy food for the crew before we sett off tomorrow.

BRIANNA
(Swinging her legs back and forth in a mischievous way.) I might have seen him.

KIDD
Well then?

BRIANNA
I might have seen him with the group of men that chased off your Sally Ann just a few minutes ago.

KIDD
That dirty fink. Can’t he keep to ‘imself for more than one day? Where did they go?

BRIANNA
Promise me something first and I’ll tell you.

KIDD
(Impatiently.) Yes’m?

BRIANNA
Promise me that you won’t let my Patrick leave without saying goodbye?

KIDD
He always does.

BRIANNA
Maxwell…

KIDD
I promise!

(BRIANNA smiles and points R. KIDD nods his thanks and EXITS R fast. BRIANNA sighs and begins cleaning up her stall as we go to BLACKOUT.)