Authors note- The following is the rough draft of a play I wrote at the beginning of eighth grade. The actions are loosely based on the life of John Brown, but the play is not historically accurate. Some of the dialogue is actually quoted by John Brown. Maybe this will help you and give you another reason to believe.
Thank you
THE REAPER
BELIEVE
Act I, I
Antebellum Virginia
(Maddox steps in front of the curtain and the spotlight hits him)
Maddox: There are certain things in this world for which science cannot explain. We call these things the paranormal, the occult, or commonly named, the unknown. But I like to refer to some of these things as...heavenly. Throughout my life I have seen many signs, yet proving to me the existence of God, miracles some would say, but yet the phrase miracle would not suit this situation. Miracles happen every day. You just have to open your eyes. But on the contrary, the story for which I am prepared to tell you today is more than a miracle. It is the story of one of God's angels, sent to earth, to do our lord's work. This is the story of one of my good friend's, John Brown. In my younger days, I was the pasture of a small church in Virginia; it was there that I met John. From his birth to his execution, he was a devoted Christian. He followed the narrow path and always followed the teachings of Christ. He would stay everyday after the sermon and pray. But one day, as I watched upon his silent conduction of this holy act, everything changed.
(Curtains open revealing the ending of church, people are walking out)
Person: A fabulous sermon preacher Maddox, absolutely wonderful.
Maddox: Why thank you kindly, sister.
Person: Are you coming to dinner with us preacher Maddox. I'm cooking up some chicken and dumplings.
Maddox: I don't mean to impose now sister.
Person: Isn't no trouble at 'all.
Maddox: Well I'd be much obliged. Are you coming John?
John: Oh, pardon me?
Maddox: Are you coming to dinner with us son?
John: Yes sir, but uh just wait one second. Would you do that preacher Maddox?
Maddox: Of course, I'll be right outside.
(Maddox kneels down and starts to pray)
John: God, I wish you to help me along life's road. Help me so I may choose the right path. Help me so I will do what is meant for me to do. In the lord's name, A-Men.
(Suddenly sound of children's laughter is heard)
John: What? What was that?
(It continues but this time is joined by a woman's voice)
Voice: John. Hello John.
(John stands up)
John: Who's there?
(A light hits John)
John: What? What's that?
(A heavenly singing is heard, John is going through a heavenly experience, when the voice stops John falls to the ground, Maddox rushes out)
Maddox: John, John are you all right!
(Curtain closes)
Act I, II
(Maddox steps out, spotlight hits him)
Maddox: I don't exactly know what happened that day. But I do know that somehow, God touched John. After he gained consciousness he explained to me about what he had heard. The woman's talking, the children laughing, and the singing. He said that it all had a special message. John had been chosen. Chosen for what, he did not know. At first I thought it was absurd. I had heard nothing. But after all of this time, I look back and realize he was telling the truth. He quickly rushed home, to his parent's house.
(Curtain opens revealing his mother cooking at home, John rushes in)
John: Ma! Ma! Are you in there?! Oh there you are! You will never guess what happened to me today!
Mother: Why are you so late?
John: I was at the church, but guess what happened!
Mother: And why were you at the church?
John: I was with Brother Maddox, but guess what happened! I was kneeling at the altar...
Mother: What were you doing with Brother Maddox?
John: He had to revive me. But, anyway, I was kneeling at the altar praying, like I usually do...
Mother: What did he have to revive you from?
John: Well, Ma, if you would let me FINISH, I COULD TELL YOU!
Mother: Boy, don't raise your voice to me.
John: I'm sorry mom, I was just saying...
(John's father walks in)
John: Hi Pa.
Father: What did you call me? What did you call me boy? Did you call me, pa?
John: I'm sorry sir. I'm sorry father.
Father: Yeah, you're right, you are sorry. And did I hear you call your mother, ma?
John: Yes sir. I'm sorry. It won't happen again.
Father: Damn right it won't happen again. You show her more respect. You will address her as mother. Do you understand me?
John: Yes sir.
(Mother hugs John while father isn't watching)
Father: And while I'm at it, did I hear that you were with that preacher Maddox?
John: Yes father.
Father: Is that why you were late dinner. Oh wait a second you weren't late for dinner you missed it completely!
John: But Father, it wasn't preacher Maddox's fault.
Father: How many times have you been late cause you were talking to the preacher?
John: Father.
Father: You are supposed to come to church, come home, eat dinner, and do your chores.
John: Father…
Father: But no. You miss dinner, come home late, sit up all night trying to get your chores done, and interfere with our sleep by singing those damned hymns!
John: But Father…
Father: I never want you to see that crazy cook again, you will only socialize with him during church. He puts to many crazy ideas in your head, he keeps you out all the time, and you are picking up bad habits.
John: But Father you don't understand, it can't be like that...
(Father slaps John)
Father: Never, ever contradict me!
(Father storms out, John is left there crying, mother hugs him, lights fade, curtains close)
Act I, III
(Maddox steps in front of the curtain and is hit by spotlight)
Maddox: It is true that John's home life was not the best. His father was a serious alcoholic and abuser. Yet his mother was always kind. While his father would stay at home and not come to services and his mother could not make it sometimes, due to health, John always made it to church. It was his favorite place to be. He would always sit in the second row, I have no idea why, but that was John's spot. Everyone in the church knew that, including God. No matter what would happen he was always there. He might come in during the singing but he always there. Now, singing, that boy could sing the gospel. He could tell it too. If things hadn't turned out like they did, I'd imagine he'd been preaching. That boy knew the gospel.
(Curtain opens revealing church in session with John sitting in his seat)
Maddox: And did God not part the waters for Moses, did God not give David the strength to defeat Golayith, did God not give his own son for us, did God not give all of these wonders? Did God not give these miracles unto us? And if you have true faith in he who sees all, then a miracle shall be placed upon you. And you shall feel the power and glory of the almighty. Our lord works in mysterious ways and always in reason. Each of us are blessed and miracles in our own ways.
(Singing starts, john rises to his feet in another heavenly state)
Maddox: John, John, are you all right?
(Spotlight hits john, after the singing stops again the spotlight fades, john falls down hard, everyone rushes to him, and lights fade, and curtain closes)
Act I, IV
(Maddox steps in front of the curtain, spotlight hits him)
Maddox: Again, I was confused. But this time, doubt was not an issue. As I had said before, I had known John for all of his life, and he was not the kind to make up a story. And with what I beheld with my own eyes, I could tell that something supernatural was occurring. Something out of the ordinary had happened. Something neither I, nor anyone else at service could explain. No one who had witnessed what occurred had any doubt. At first they might have. There was the conversation and idea that he could have been faking it. But I believed that God had some plans for John, what, I did not know. John was immediately taken to a medical facility.
(Curtains open revealing John lying on a hospital bed with a doctor examining him, John is at the moment unconscious, the doctor leaves, in steps a nurse, she messes around with some information, suddenly John wakes up)
John: Where am I?
Mary (The nurse): Oh! You're awake! Hi, my name's Mary.
John: Mary. Hi Mary. Mary (John thinks about the name)...The Virgin Mary. Oh my God I'm dead!
Mary: No, not that Mary. You're not dead. Silly.
John: That's a comforting thought.
Mary: You feel okay?
John: Well my head hurts.
Mary: You must have taken a hard hit. You've been out of it for a while now. So your name is John right?
John: Yes ma'am. That's my name. John Brown. How long have I been here?
Mary: All night, and most of the day. It's allready noon. What happened to you?
John: I don't know exactly. (There's a moment of silence) There was all of a sudden this big flash of light, and I don't remember what happened afterwards.
Mary: Really, well that sounds like something the doctor was talking about, this new medical problem. You get black outs and white outs and all dizzy. Called Vertigo or something.
John: Heard this woman's voice to.
Mary: Oh yeah?
John: Yes ma'am. She sounded really pretty too, must have been you.
Mary: Oh how sweet. Now lay back down. Does your head still hurt?
John: Well a little ma'am.
Mary: Well you don't have to call me ma'am.
John: Yeah I do, you're older than me.
Mary: No I ain't.
John: Yeah you are.
Mary: I bet you I ain't.
John: Bet you are.
Mary: Okay, how old are you?
John: Twenty two.
Mary: Ha, I'm twenty. I told you.
John: Gosh you're only twenty! You must be really smart!
Mary: Well I'm not that smart.
John: Well gosh you're twenty and you are already a nurse. You must gonna be a doctor.
Mary: Well no, I ain't planning on being no doctor.
John: Well what cha planning on being?
Mary: A nurse.
John: Your whole life?
Mary: Well sure. I just wanna help people and talk to them.
John: My dad always says that nurses are people who can't make it as doctors.
Mary: Well!
John: Well don't worry. I don't believe that.
Mary: And that's all that matters.
John: That's all that matters. What we think is all that matters.
Mary: Uh hu. (silent moment of a romantic stare) Well what do you plan on being?
John: I don't know. Whatever God tells me to do I guess. Do you believe in God?
Mary: Well that is most definitely a prudent question. Well…Not really. I know I should. But it's not like I don't believe in anything. I do. I know there's something greater. But I don't think it's a God.
John: You know what?
Mary: What?
John: I think I like you.
Mary: What?
John: You're honest. You're nice. And you seem sweet.
Mary: No, John. I think you're the sweet one.
(Curtain closes)
Act I, V
(Maddox walks out, spotlight hits him)
Maddox: John's parents were never given an explanation of the events that took place. He explained to no one. Not even Mary. Regarding Mary and John, this was a match made, in heaven. And heaven showed its glory upon the couple. They took fondly of each other. And they were never separated. At first their parents weren't aware of it. Thus they could not be upset. Well, John's mother knew, and she had no arguments. John's father, now that was a different story. But eventually John's father found out.
John: (Humming as he enters)
Mother: Oh John, did you have a nice evening with Mary?
John: Wonderful, I'm telling you Mother. She is the nicest girl...oh and beautiful. She's like an angel. And when I'm with her. We don't talk about any of the normal stuff. It's not religion, politics, or anything like that. She's different from any girl than I've ever known.
Mother: Really?
John: I'm telling you. This girl... I can picture myself with her. Ma, I think I want to marry...Mary.
Mother: Oh my God! Bless this household Jesus! My little boy's in love!
(They hug, they laugh, they cry, eventually Father comes in)
Father: What's that noise?! What's going on down here?!
Mother: Go ahead and tell him.
John: Father. I have news.
Father: What is it?
John: I'm gonna ask Marry to be my wife.
Father: The nurse? Mary? That is news. News that I won't tolerate! No son of mine will wed a nurse! It's not practical! You come from a higher class than that!
John: But Father I'm in love!
(Father slaps John)
Father: Don't raise your voice!
Mother: Charles, I just think that...
(Father slaps Mother)
Father: Don't you dare defy me! I will never be foresworn! You shall not marry that wench! To be more specific you shall never see her again!
(Father storms off, John and Mother cry, curtains close)
Act I, VI
(Maddox walks out, spotlight hits him)
Maddox: This one act of cruelty travestied John. Not only then, but for the rest of his life. His father forbid him from seeing me. He listened. Yet, we still had friendship. His father forbid him from seeing Mary. He wanted to listen. But love wouldn't let him. There are two things that control this world. Faith and love. And if you have faith in love, then you are truly a powerful man. Well John had faith in love, and he would do anything for it. They continued to see each other. But only at night. He would sneak out at night and meet her. One day things changed and he realized he wanted to be with her, forever.
(Curtains open revealing John and Mary together at a picnic in the middle of the night)
John: Gosh! This is a great sandwich!
Mary: It's only a sandwich.
John: But it's a good sandwich.
Mary: It's a sandwich.
John: But it's a good one. Trust me, I know. I'm an expert on sandwiches. You have bad sandwiches, okay sandwiches, sandwiches, all right sandwiches, pretty good sandwiches, and then there are good sandwiches. There are many different types.
Mary: Really?
John: Trust me, I'm an expert.
Mary: Oh yeah. You certainly are.
John: I love you.
Mary: What?
John: I've never said that to you before. I've never said that to anyone other than my parents. And that's because I've never felt that way. I've had something... that I've been supposed to give to you for some time now.
Mary: What is that?
John: If I could show God, would you believe?
Mary: What?
John: Answer the question.
Mary: Well what do you mean?
John: If I could show the wonders, the splendors, and the joy of God, if I could show the pain Christ felt, the sadness he wept, and the love he had, would it make you believe in God?
Mary: I suppose, but let's be practical John.
John: Forget practicality. I'm talking about faith.
Mary: Well…
John: Well then close your eyes.
Mary: All right.
(Mary closes her eyes, John slowly puts his hands upon her face, a heavenly light hits Mary, children laughing and a heavenly singing are heard, John takes his hands away, it all stops, Mary is crying)
Mary: Oh my god!
John: Exactly.
Mary: I believe! Oh I believe! I believe! There is a God after all! That's what happened to you! You saw that!
(John nods)
Mary: Oh my God! That was amazing! John you've given me a gift! Just like that! You've given me faith! How can I ever repay you?!
John: I have an idea.
(John raised her to her feet)
Mary: What?
John: Make me the happiest man alive.
Mary: What?
(John gets on one knee)
John: Will you marry me?
Mary: Yes! Yes!
John: You will?!
Mary: Yes!
(John stands up, they embrace, they kiss, and lights
fade, and curtain closes)
Act I, VII
(Maddox walks out, spotlight hits him)
Maddox: They were a beautiful couple and the heavens smiled upon them. Yet they still had to hide to conceal their marriage. They married in secret, and I was the preacher.
(Maddox walks off, curtains open; John and Maddox are talking as they come on stage)
John: I appreciate this brother Maddox. You have no idea how much this means to me.
Maddox: John, I would be honored to do this holy act for you. I just wish your parents wouldn't denounce it as they do.
John: Well, my parents don't denounce it. My mother's here. She's with Mary. But father, well he doesn't approve. I don't understand what he has against me.
Maddox: John, come here. (Maddox give John a fatherly hug) Your father does not always show kindness, but deep inside he loves you. You know he does. And you know, that if ever times get hard, or the road is blurred, there is always a heavenly father you can turn to. You just have to believe son.
John: Thank you. There is another thing I would like to talk to you about.
Maddox: That's what I'm here for.
John: The visions, the experiences, the uh...thing that happened to me.
Maddox: Yes, I've wanted to talk to you for some time now.
John: Well....
(Mother runs in)
Mother: She's ready! She's ready!
(Mary calmly walks in)
John: Oh God she's beautiful.
(the couple stares at each other while smiling)
Mary: Hi.
John: Hi.
Maddox: Are we ready?
Mother: I think we are ready.
Maddox: Let us start then.
(Mary and John come to each other and it starts)
Maddox: Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the union of these two in holy matrimony. Any who have any reason why these two should not be wed, speak now, or forever hold your peace.
Now you may state your vows.
Mary: John, our time together has been short. Yet I already feel for you a love that I have never felt for anyone. I will be your faithful wife forever, and I will love you longer than that. There will never be a better man. My eyes will never stray, I will always be true, and my fire of love shall always burn. You have given me so many things. Faith, confidence, courage, and most importantly...love. John, I will always love you.
John: Mary, I've loved you from the first moment I saw you. God told me I would fall in love, but I never imagined it would be with an angel. I don't have money; I don't have land, no worldly possession that I could possibly give you. But I have myself, and my love. And I will gladly give both to you. I will always be faithful. I will always be true. Heaven as my witness, I will give my soul to you. I pledge to you my love forever. Look into my eyes, and you will see that it's true. You will see a fire that's flames are laced with a love no one on this earth has ever seen. And that fire burns for you. Mary, I will always love you.
Maddox: Then we shall continue. Mary, do you take John to be your lawfully wedded husband to love and to cherish, through sickness and through health, for richer or for poorer, as long as you both shall live, till death depart you?
Mary: I do.
Maddox: John, do you take Mary to be your lawfully wedded wife to love and to cherish, through sickness and through health, for richer or for poorer, as long as you both shall live, till death depart you?
(John kisses Mary's hand)
John: I do.
Maddox: Then I pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride...
(They kiss, lights fade, curtains close)
Act I, VIII
(Maddox steps out, spotlight hits him)
Maddox: It was a beautiful service. And I swear that there was something else there. Someone else. Something wondrous. Something heavenly. I swear on the bible that there were angels there. And they were smiling. A couple of weeks passed and John's father still had no idea, but one day at church things changed.
(Curtains open revealing a scene at church, everyone is standing they are all singing, song suggested IF I COULD HEAR MY MOTHER PRAY AGAIN, Mary and John are sitting on the second row left side, John's mother is first row right side, all of a sudden John starts hyperventilating)
John: Oh my God!
Mother: Are you all right honey?!
(Lights change to a red tone, everyone is frozen except for John, he ponders this for a while, all of a sudden a dark mysterious character equipped with a staff steps in)
John: Who are you?
(No answer, the character keeps walking)
John: I said who are you and what do you want?
(The figure stops and points at John's mother)
John: Oh my God no! NO!
(The figure nods)
John: NO!!!!!!
(John attacks the figure, the figure throws him back to his seat, John is frantically crying)
John: NO!!!
(John witnesses the figure take his mother's soul, she does not move, but the point is laid upon by lights and sounds, the figure leaves John resumes his original position, lights come back on, his mother falls)
John: Mother no!!
Mary: Ms. Brown?!!
Maddox: What?!!
(Everyone rushes to Mother, John is right at her holding her, and she is barley alive)
John: Mother, please. Please don't leave me. Don't die. I need you. Don't go. Please don't go. I love you.
Mother: Son.... I will always. Love you.
John: I love you mom. Please don't leave me.
Mother: John...God has blessed you. You are going to do his work...and wondrous things. We shall be reunited my love...don't fear this. Don't fear death. Love will keep us all together. Me... you...Mary...all of us. I love you.
(John holds her and cries, a spotlight hits her, an angelic sound is heard, and a woman's voice is heard)
Voice: Come, God wishes for you to come.
(The light fades as she dies, John is still crying, he lifts his head toward the sky)
John: NO!!!!!!!!
(John lowers his head back down)
John: No mother. No. I love you.
(Lights fade, curtains close, Act I ends)
Act II, I
(Maddox steps out, spotlight hits him)
Maddox: They say that what doesn't kill you, only makes you stronger. But yet there are certain things that can nearly kill you, and take away all of your strength at the same time. This is what happened to John. His mother, his strength, and part of his life had been taken away. All in one moment. And he had known that it was going to happen. But the death of his beloved mother did give him something. A kind of courage.
(Maddox exits, curtains open revealing John kneeling at his mother's coffin, he's crying)
John: Mother! Why?!
(Father slowly walks up; he grabs John by the arm and tries to lift him up)
Father: Get up boy, and stop that crying! You are making me look bad! You are embarrassing me in front of everyone!
(John doesn't budge)
John: No.
Father: What?!
(John stands up)
John: I said no.
Father: You never tell me no!
(Father tries to hit John, John catches his fist, many sounds are heard, Mary rushes to John's side, and a strange light hits them)
John: No. I am tired of this. You have beat me, hurt me, and did all you could to destroy me for twenty-two years. I am tired of it. No more. You've driven me crazy. And you drove one of God's angels to death.
(He signifies his mother's coffin; he throws his father's fist back)
John: There will be no more. And father I have something to tell you.
(He holds Mary's hand and she steps forward)
John: Mary and myself are married. We were married in secret. Mother attended. Within her grows a child of my blood. And once it is born we shall have a family. And I will show my child the kind of father's love that I never had.
(They start to walk away, but John turns back and goes to his mother's coffin)
John: I love you.
(He starts to walk out again but stops at his father)
John: And I love you too.
(Hugs father, John exits, lights fade, curtains close)
Act II, II
(Maddox steps out, spotlight hits him)
Maddox: It may not of seemed like an act worthy of notation. But trust, this was a turning point in John's life. Some people may not believe that this was not a kind act. But it was an act that had to happen. It shaped the future. At her funeral there was something else there. The angels were mourning with John. Shortly after, John and Mary, still expecting child, bought a small house a couple of miles outside of Harper's Ferry, Virginia. It was there they resided for the rest of their years.
(Maddox exits; curtains open, revealing John and Mary unpacking at their new home)
Mary: I'm going to have to get a new job down here. Have you found any work?
John: Not yet. Still looking. I met this nice black man, Fredrick Douglas, he runs a newspaper up north, and says that he thinks I could be a writer.
Mary: Really?
John: Yeah.
Mary: Well I was going to talk to the doctor after church tomorrow.
John: I don't think I'm gonna go tomorrow.
Mary: What? John that's not like you.
John: I know, it's just I have a lot of stuff on my mind. I don't know if it was right just walking out on dad like that.
Mary: Honey.
(Mary hugs John)
Mary: Honey, I am here for you. And I want you to know that I support you in anything you choose to do. If you don't want to go to church tomorrow, that's fine. We're new here, so no one will miss us anyway.
John: Thanks honey.
Mary: By the way, I invited brother Maddox to dinner tomorrow night. Is that okay?
John: That'd be great.
(John slowly unbundles a cloth revealing a necklace)
Mary: Honey, what's that?
John: A cross. It was mothers.
(He puts it on, he slowly starts to cry, and Mary runs and hugs him)
John: I miss her. I miss her so much.
Mary: I know you do honey, I know.
(Lights fade while Mary is hugging John, curtains close)
Act II, III
(Maddox steps out, spotlight hits him)
Maddox: It would be hard for any child to loose a mother. But for John, it was devastation. I felt so sorry for John. Our holy father works in mysterious ways, and always in reason. Though the reasons are hard to see and hard to understand. They are always there. I ate dinner frequently with the couple. John's going to church did not slack, it ceased completely. I don't know at this point, if he believed in God or not. Yet, he always wore that cross. Always.
(Maddox exits, curtain opens revealing a table with John, Mary, and Maddox gathered eating dinner, suddenly laughter is heard, and Maddox has just told a joke)
John: That was..that was an odd joke brother Maddox.
Maddox: Well, I do like to boast about being odd.
Mary: I see that.
Maddox: A toast to the odd.
John: A toast to the odd.
(Toast is held, laugher is heard)
Maddox: But on a more serious tone. John I am concerned.
John: About what brother Maddox?
Maddox: Your decline in attending church.
John: (John buries his head in his hands) Oh brother Maddox not you too.
(A strange light hits the stage while his head is buried in his hands, when he lifts his eyes everything is frozen except for him, this is all familiar)
John: What? No! Not this!!! Not again!!
(The dark mysterious figure steps out of the darkness)
John: No!!!!!
(John rushes trying to attack the figure, the figure catches him by the throat and holds him, the figure throws him back)
John: No!!!!!!!!
(The figure nods, John repeats No, over and over, while John tries to get back to his chair the dark figure vanishes, John sits at the chair with his head in his hands, the lights resume normal tone, everything is unfrozen, John stands up he is crying, Maddox and Mary rush to him)
Mary: Honey?
Maddox: John what's wrong?
John: My father's dead.
(Lights fade, curtain closes)
Act II, IV
(Maddox steps out, spotlight hits him)
Maddox: I don't know exactly how John was aware of the fact that his father died. No one knows how he knew. But somehow, he knew.
(Maddox exits, curtain opens revealing John standing alone at his father's "Charles Brown" grave)
John: Father, I'm so sorry. You know I loved you. You know I will always love you. You were my father, my only father. Now I'm alone. I have no one. I've lost both of you.
(John slowly looks toward the sky)
John: Why did you do this to me? Why?!! Did I not believe in you?! Was this trying to get me to go to church again?! Some almighty plan! You showed me your wonders and then you do this to me! Why?! Don't you love me?!
(John falls to his knees and begins to cry, while he cries a little black boy steps out from behind his father's grave, he touches him on the shoulder)
Boy: It's all right. I lost my daddy too.
(John looks up)
Boy: I don't remember him though. He was shot when I was little. Here I'll help you up.
John: You'll help me.
Boy: Here you go.
(Boy offers his hand, John is reluctant about taking it, he finally does, a weird light hits him)
Boy: Bye.
( the little boy runs off, john stands there staring at the sky, lights fade, curtains close)
Act II, V
(Maddox steps out, spotlight hits him)
Maddox: John was given a glimpse of his purpose. Everyone has a purpose on this earth and you usually don't discover it until your last days, yet John was given a glimpse of what was to come. He quickly ran to the nearby church.
(Maddox exits, the curtains open, Maddox runs into the church, he has a huge smile on his face, he mumbles some stuff, he kneels in the middle of the church)
John: God, I understand. I should have never doubted you. I am so sorry. You have shown me so much, but I pray, show me more.
(Children laugh; spotlight hits John, woman's voice returns)
Voice: Hello John.
(The experience stops, John is smiling)
John: A-men.
(John stands up)
John: Freedom.
(Lights fade, curtains close)
Act II, VI
(Maddox walks out, spotlight hits him)
Maddox: This was the turning point in our story. John received all of his father's estates in result of his father's passing away. He gave it all up. And his father was a very wealthy man. But with the money, he helped to achieve his goal. At first Mary was opposed to the idea, but I suppose she got used to it.
(Maddox exits, curtain opens revealing slave quarters at night, all the slaves are asleep, and Master and John walk in)
Master: Up! Up! You are all outta here!
Slave: But master! It's only da middle of da night!
Master: I know what time it is, don't talk back ta me!
(Master slaps a belt at him, John catches the belt and takes it out of his hand, he throws the master down, all the slaves pay attention)
John: No more. No more. There will be no more whippings, no more beatings, none of that. You are now mine. And my first act is to set you all free. You all deserve freedom. And now that you have it, you have a choice. You can venture on your own. Or you come with me. Where we will help others gain freedom. I want no slaves. I am no master. I am a messenger. And the message I am bearing is a message that plainly reads, Freedom for all. Now onward my Christian soldiers.
(They march out, lights fade, and curtain closes)
Act II, VII
(Maddox steps out, spotlight hits him)
Maddox: This was an amazing feat. A feat of courage. And every single slave who witnessed it followed John home. Mary and I were astonished when John came home. John's home became a stop for runaway slaves, who became known as "the underground railroad", and John's house was a "station". Mary worked at the doctor's office, John worked on the railroad, and with the money they bought slaves. And everything was wonderful in this sanctuary of a home. But then, finally, they were blessed with another surprise.
(Maddox exits; curtains open revealing John singing to a couple of the slaves)
Boy: Will you sing another song John?
John: Well...
(Another slave runs up)
Slave: Mr. John, Mr. John! Ms. Brown's having the baby!
John: What?!
(John gets up and runs out, lights fade, and curtain closes)
Act II, VIII
(Maddox comes out, spotlight hits him)
Maddox: And so it happened. In six hours and thirty-five minutes John became a father.
(Maddox exits, curtain opens revealing a bed with Mary resting, John is in the room, and he is holding his son)
Mary: Oh honey, he's ours.
John: He most certainly is. He's beautiful.
Mary: He is, we are parents.
John: I'm a daddy.
Mary: And I'm a mamma. What are we going to name him?
John: I don't know. I love you. You're my son. Jonathon Charles Brown. You are my son. I'm a father. I'm a father.
(Lights fade, curtains close, Act II ends, intermission)
Act III, I
(Maddox comes out, spotlight hits him)
Maddox: The child was named Jonathon Charles Brown. After his father and his grandfather. And John was the perfect father. He loved his son with all of his heart. He was always with him. He would take him to church, bathe him, feed him, and when the boy could not go to sleep John would rock him to sleep in his arms. This was the showing of John's love for his son. This was his affection. This was his emotion. John's love was unconditional, and unstoppable. He would always love and protect his newfound family. And his newfound family was huge. He considered all of the former slaves to be his brothers, and the feelings were mutual.
(Maddox exits, curtains open revealing John's home and a black boy and Jonathon are playing a loud cry of laughter is heard)
John: Ha ha!
(Black man (Thomas) comes in)
Thomas: I think there's some trouble, John.
John: Where?
Thomas: Outside.
(John stands up)
John: Okay, Thomas you look after the children. Alex and Mark, you come with me.
(Alex and Mark get up, all three start to leave but then Jonathon runs up to John)
Jonathon: Daddy! Daddy!
John: What is it son?
Jonathon: I want to go.
John: But it might be dangerous.
Jonathon: I want to go.
John: Look, you stay in here, and then the next time I go out, you can come with me, all right?
Jonathon: I guess.
John: Now you behave for Thomas. I love you.
Jonathon: I love you too daddy.
(They hug, John, Alex, and Mark leave, lights fade, curtains close)
Act III, II
(Maddox comes out, spotlight hits him)
Maddox: With a father's spirit and a strange and heavenly courage John went to examine the situation.
(Maddox exits, curtains open revealing outside of John's house, a white man is beating one of John's 'brothers')
John: Hey! Hey what are you doing?!
Man: I caught this here Negro wandering around. I thought he deserved a good whipping, don't worry I gave him one for you.
Don't worry you can still get a couple of good ones in.
(Man hands John the belt, John throws it down)
John: It sounds to me you're the one that needs a whipping. Help him in.
Alex: Yes sir.
(Alex and Mark help the hurt one in)
John: Now you, leave. And if you ever touch another one of my men again I swear I'll kill you, now leave.
Man: What?
John: NOW!
(Man leaves, lights fade, curtains close)
Act III, III
(Maddox steps out, spotlight hits him)
Maddox: John showed a streak of spirit. And everything was quiet for a while. Yet it was only, for a while.
(Maddox exits, curtains open revealing outside John's house, many white men with guns are outside chanting, John steps out with a couple of his brothers)
John: What's going on out here?
Man: Remember me.
John: You.
Man: Well we've heard that you've been housing coloreds. And we don't take kindly to Negro lovers.
John: Is that what you are here for? Well march in there, you barbarians. And you will see that every single man in there has his own freedom papers. I am not a lover of any particular race, but I am a lover of freedom. I am a lover of liberty. This is what I live and breathe and stand for. Put your guns down. Throw your weapons down. I am a peaceful man. And this is a peaceful house. Now in God's name, and for your own well being, leave. Please leave.
(John exits, lights fade, curtains close)
Act III, IV
(Maddox steps out, spotlight hits him)
Maddox: This was an amazing example of pure courage. John was a brave man, a very brave man. These pro-slavery men did not come back and were not heard of for about a month. John continued his normal schedule. Church, work, buying slaves, and spending time with his family.
(Maddox exits, curtains open revealing scene at church, the preacher is preaching)
Preacher: God loves us all. For we are all God's children. No matter our previous crimes, color of skin, origin, servitude. We are all children of God.
John: A men.
(Suddenly a strange light hits the stage, everyone except for John is frozen, the dark figure comes out, and he has a rose in his hand)
John: What do you want?! What do you want from me?!
(The figure drops the rose, John is left there speechless, he doesn't understand, the figure disappears, the lights resume normal)
Jonathon: Daddy? Are you all right?
John: I'm fine son. I'm fine.
(Lights fade, curtains close)
Act III, V
(Maddox steps out, spotlight hits him)
Maddox: Not even John knew what this strange experience meant. But he knew that no good could come of it. None at all.
(Maddox exits, curtains open revealing John and Jonathon and John's brothers marching onto John's house singing "A Rose Among the Thorns", suddenly right in front of the house a strange light hits the stage, everyone is frozen except John, John realizes he is the only one singing, he turns to realize everyone else is frozen)
John: What?
(A dark music is heard, John turns frantically, he searches everywhere for the dark figure when at last he sees him)
John: What? What is happening?
(The figure nods, John realizes what is happening)
John: No!!!!!!
(The figure disappears, the lights resume, John is already crying)
Alex: John! Is everything all right!
(John stares at the house for a moment)
John: Everyone stay here!
Jonathon: Daddy!
John: Stay!
(John rushes in, a couple of minutes pass, a scream is heard, John marches out of the house with Mary lifeless in his arms, the brothers rush in)
John: No!!
(He sits her down and kneels by her; Jonathon is left their motionless)
John: God no! Mary, please, I love you! I love you! Please don't
die! God! Save her!
Mary: I love you...
(Mary dies)
John: No... no....NO!!!!!!!!!
(Lights fade, curtains close, Act III ends)
Act IV, I
(Maddox walks out, spotlight hits him)
Maddox: Twenty eight of John's brothers and the love of his life, Mary, had been killed. It was a tragic day for John. Although little Jonathon was far too young to comprehend what was going on, he was deeply hurt. John discovered that the men who had come to his house with guns were the perpetrators of this vile act. John didn't sleep, John didn't eat, and John didn't do anything. Church and his son were the only things keeping him alive.
(Maddox exits; curtains open revealing John at Mary's grave)
John: Mary. You know that I will always love you. I always have.
It's so hard living without you. You were my soul. I am lost without you.
(John starts to cry, suddenly he stands up)
John: Mary, with God as my witness, I swear I shall avenge you. I shall fight. Freedom shall be achieved. And you will not have died in vain. If it's a fight they want, then a fight they will get.
(John exits; lights fade, and curtain closes)
Act IV, II
(Maddox comes out, spotlight hits him)
Maddox: John was determined to avenge the death of his beloved.
He immediately sought for help. He set up a meeting with Mr. Fredrick Douglas.
(Maddox exits; curtains open revealing Douglas and John sitting at a table)
John: I know it's been a long time sense we spoke last, and I thank you for meeting with me.
Douglas: Well to tell you the truth Mr. Brown, I am quite fond of you. But do tell, what is the purpose of this little meeting?
John: Well, sir, I have a plan.
Douglas: Which concerns?
John: It concerns only one thing. Freedom.
Douglas: Again with the abolition. Boy, I swear, you fight as if you had been imprisoned.
John: Well, God has shown me their pains. And I have grown stronger. Now my friend, I am planning on holding a raid.
Douglas: What?
John: I, and as it stands, twenty-one other men will hold a raid upon the Harper's Ferry arsenal.
Douglas: You are insane.
John: That I may be. Would a sane man march in there unarmed?
Douglas: Unarmed?! You will surely die.
John: And I will die for a cause.
Douglas: So what does this have to do with me?
John: I need you to look after something for me?
Douglas: And what is that?
John: My son. I want you to give me your word you will watch after my son.
Douglas: I give you my word.
(They shake hands)
Douglas: John, maybe God has shown you something.
(Lights dim, curtains close)
Act IV, III
(Maddox steps out, spotlight hits him)
Maddox: And John intended to do exactly what he said. Jonathon stayed in Mr. Douglas' protection while his father battled on for freedom. Twenty-two men including John marched onto Harper's Ferry, unarmed.
(Maddox exits, curtains open revealing John's "army" marching, John's "army" unarmed takes over the arsenal, no real violence takes place, while John is not looking one of the men shoot the governor)
John: What? What?!! No!!! You fool!! This is not what we want!!
(John shoves the man and takes the gun out of his hand)
Man: What?
John: We don't want this!
Man: Then what do we want?
John: What?! Do you not know what this is all about?! This isn't a war. This is a message. A message from our God. I am trying to give you, what none of you ever had. Freedom. Do you understand? God has shown me many wonders. Many. We shall not succeed. But this is the spark of the fire. Years after this, more and more will fight. They will give their souls, just as you do now, for a dream. A dream that we all share. Freedom is not a privilege. Freedom is a right. A God given right. And as long as I live, as long as I breathe, I will not rest, until that dream becomes a reality. My fellow men, you shall have your FREEDOM!!
(Everyone cheers, Mark rushes out)
Mark: John! John! John! General Lee is here!
(Lights fade, curtains close)
Act IV, IV
(Maddox steps out, spotlight hits him)
Maddox: In yet another act of courage, or insanity, or fate, John went out there to confront Lee and his army, who had came to apprehend John. John went out there, alone.
(Maddox exits, curtains open revealing a battlefield, and John wanders on)
John: General Lee! I am John Brown! Lower your weapons! I do not wish to harm you. I come in peace.
Lee: Peace is the way of a coward.
(John is shot and brutally apprehended, "brothers" are taken away as well, lights fade, curtains close, Act IV ends)
Act V, I
(Maddox steps out, spotlight hits him)
Maddox: John was immediately put on trial for three charges. Insurrection of slaves, treason against the state of Virginia, and murder.
(Maddox exits; curtains open revealing a courtroom)
Bailiff: Would you all rise.
(Everyone stands)
Judge: If no one else has anything to say then I propose we...
John: Your honor. I have, may it please the court, a few words to say.
Judge: I suppose.
(Everyone sits; John walks to the front of the courtroom)
John: In the first place, I deny everything but what I have all along admitted. The design on my part to free slaves. I intended certainly to have made a clean thing of that matter, as I usually do. I designed to do that, only on a larger scale. I never did intend murder, or treason, or the destruction of property, or to excite or incite slaves to rebellion, or to make insurrection, or whatever I am charged with. I am a peaceful man. I have another objection; and that is, it is unjust that I should suffer such a penalty. Had I interfered in the manner which I admit, and which I admit has been fairly proved, for I admire the truthfulness and candor of the greater portion of the witnesses who have testified in this case, had I so interfered in behalf of the rich, the powerful, the intelligent, the so-called great, or in behalf of any of their friends--either father, mother, sister, wife, or children, or any of that class-- and suffered and sacrificed what I have in this interference, it would have been all right; and every man in this court would have deemed it an act worthy of reward rather than punishment. Do you punish those that hold others in bondage? No. On the contrary, you award them. None of you have seen the pain I have. And God has shown me the wonders of his heaven. And we can have that. Here. On earth. The court acknowledges, as I suppose, the standings of the law of God. I see a book kissed here which I suppose to be the Bible, or at least the New Testament. That teaches me that all things whatsoever I would that men should do to me, I should do even so to them. How many of you believe in this book that I speak of? Raise your hands; don't be ashamed of your God. Well does the Bible not tell us that we are all brothers? To love one another? We are all kin. It teaches me further to "remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them." I endeavored to act up to that instruction. I say, I am too young to understand that God is any respecter of persons. I believe to have interfered as I have done-as I have always freely admitted I have done- in behalf of His despised poor, was not wrong, but right. How can you put a price upon a life? No one owns a person except for God and himself. I fight, so that every man can walk the earth and not be persecuted. That every woman can take a breath of air and not be scared. That every child, every boy and girl, can feel the sun beat down on their face, and know that they are free. That is what I fight for. Now if it is deemed necessary that I should forfeit my life for the furtherance of the ends of justice, and mingle my blood further with the blood of my brothers and my wife and the blood of millions in this slave country whose rights are disregarded by wicked, cruel, and unjust enactments,---I submit; so let it be done! Let me say one word further. I feel entirely satisfied with the treatment I have received on my trial. Considering all the circumstances, it has been more generous than I expected. I feel no consciousness of my guilt. I have stated from the first what was my intention, and what was not. I never had any design against the life of any person, nor any disposition to commit treason, or excite slaves to rebel, or make any general insurrection. I never encouraged any man to do so, but always discouraged any idea of any kind. Let me say also, a word in regard to the statements made by some to those connected with me. I hear it has been said by some of them that I have induced them to join me. But the contrary is true. I do not say this to injure them, but as regretting their weakness. There is not one of them but joined me of his own accord, and the greater part of them at their own expense. A number of them I never saw, and never had a word of conversation with, till the day they came to me; and that was for the purpose I have stated. Now onto you. I think you are all guilty of a great wrong against man, and against God!
Judge: Enough! Silence!
John: You will not silence me! And you will not silence God! Through me, his angels speak. I am not one of them. I am no hero, no martyr, and no saint. But I am not a murderer. And together in one voice they cry out one word. Freedom. Close your eyes. You can feel them. They are in this room, as I speak. And their eyes are laid upon you. You may kill me. Let your executioner come, hang me if you wish. I may die. But one thing will never die. Freedom will never die. Come; let your justices do what they will. For now, I have done.
(John sits, lights fade, curtains close)
Act V, II
(Maddox steps out, spotlight hits him)
Maddox: The verdict was delayed, delayed, and delayed. And in
this time, John was kept in a prison cell.
(Maddox exits; curtains open revealing a cell with John in it)
John: When will it come?
(Suddenly the lights change, the figure appears)
John: You? What do you want?
(In a dark voice the figure speaks)
Death: Yes.
John: Oh my God!
(John sits humbelized, the figure disappears, lights
resume, guard rushes in)
Guard: It's been decided. You are going...
John: I know. I am to be executed.
Guard: Correct. You are to hang tomorrow morn.
(Lights fade, curtains close)
Act V, III
(Maddox steps out, spotlight hits him)
Maddox: What a painful thing. Knowing you have to die. It was both the worst, and best day in my life. The bad part was seeing my best friend hang, but then again my faith was renewed.
(Maddox exits, curtains open revealing the hanging site, John is brought out, everything is silent, John is brought to the platform, and John beckons for Maddox)
John: Maddox.
Maddox: Yes John.
John: I want you to make me a couple of promises.
Maddox: Anything.
(John pulls out a familiar necklace)
John: Give this to my son. And promise you'll take care of him.
Maddox: I promise.
John: I also want you to promise me that you'll never give up the fight. That you'll help those in need.
Maddox: I won't give up.
John: And finally, I want you to promise me, that you will always believe.
Maddox: I will always believe.
(John nods, Maddox walks away crying, John looks to the sky)
John: I'm coming home Mary. I'm coming home.
(They put the rope around his neck)
John: No one could have asked for a better day for a hanging.
(Curtains close, the sound of the hanging is heard, screams, shrieks, cries, crying, and a loud cry of Daddy follow, Maddox steps out, spotlight hits him)
Maddox: And so I watched as my best friend was executed. It was the hardest thing in my life. And there, there was something else there. Angels were there. And they were crying. They cried for John. They cried because they lost one of their own. John was surely a gift sent from God. It's been a long time since John died. Yet, I still go to that same spot every year. And I always plant a flower. And the angels still weep. And when I go there, the sun will beat down, and the wind will start to blow. Then I realize that John isn't gone. John's still there. His spirit still lingers, and his dream has never died. Every time I go there, and feel those wondrous things, I remember why. I remember why I believe.
The End
THE REAPER