
##1010861 In spring , 2001 , the Femspec intern class at Cleveland State University organized a writing competition through English high schools , entitled " Xena comes to your high school for a day . " As the Girl Power guest editors we are pleased to have been able to select from those entries , Justin Scott 's story for inclusion in this issue . <p> Acknowledgment : The author wishes to thank Joann Houser of West Geauga High School for her guidance in the writing of this paper . <p> Xena hurled her mighty Chakram at her adversary to cleave the fiend in two ! But her aim was a little bit high and the beast dodged the projectile . The creature began to run , and Xena gave chase . " I must n't miss this time , " she thought to herself , " this time I must slice off his head . " Xena quickly caught up to the foul creature . The beast turned to face Xena -- a brave act to say the least . Xena saluted him and attacked , striking him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were not affecting the creature in the least ; it just stood there , not moving . Then suddenly : " Hey Xena ! Wake up ! " <p> Xena awoke to find herself standing atop Alicia 's desk in her third period study hall waving a banana in the air . She realized that she was not fending off the forces of evil , but merely challenging a fellow classmate . " I 'm very sorry , " Xena attempted to apologize . <p> " Yeah , whatever . Just do n't do it again , " replied her disgruntled classmate . <p> Xena went back to her seat , but on the way the bell rang , and she had to go to her next class . Xena had never really fit in at her school : she was what her other classmates had termed an " outcast . " She was different , somehow . She was n't quite sure how , she just knew that she was . <p> As she entered her fourth-period gym class , she saw all of the glaring stares telling her that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thought that it was real this time . She had been sure that she was truly fighting that ugly black beast . Xena mindlessly went through gym class without even really thinking about their game of Lacrosse . She finished the rest of the day without event and got ready to go home . <p> The day was lovely . Xena walked slowly , admiring all of the new fall scenery . This was one of her favorite times of the year because of all the beautiful changing leaves . She came to the intersection that led to her street and paused . Normally , she would hurry home , but today she decided that she would go for a walk . " This is really beautiful , " she thought to herself . She was so busy admiring the trees that she did n't realize that she had wandered a little too far . " Where am I ? " she asked herself . Suddenly , a bright light shone around her and knocked her unconscious . <p> When Xena came to , she was lying down in the middle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that she could not see the top of its massive peaks . Xena pulled herself to her feet and discovered that she was extremely weak . With this in mind , she settled on only sitting down instead of standing , " I wonder where I am . " <p> What seemed like several hours later , Xena was still sitting on the floor mulling over what to do . Suddenly , a bright light shone all about her , and an angelic voice spoke . " I see you are as strong as they say you are . " <p> " Who are you ? " Xena demanded . <p> " All in due time , my child . All in due time . " <p> " At least tell me where I am , " suggested Xena . <p> " You are in the sanctuary of souls , " replied the voice . <p> This puzzled Xena , and she did not speak anymore . " Why am I here ? Where exactly is here ? " These questions and many more flooded through her brain . Something about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place it . The light suddenly grew and manifested itself into the form of a man . Presently Xena had the strength to move , and she stood up . " I 'm sorry about that , " apologized the being . <p> " Sorry for what ? " <p> " Never mind , it is of little consequence , " was the mysterious reply . " You may call me Rune . " <p> Rune ... that name seemed familiar as well . But again she could not place it . Why could n't she remember ? The memories seemed almost there . Infuriated , Xena fell silent . <p> " Now , to the business at hand , " started Rune . " You have been summoned here for a purpose . I , and several others , need your help . " <p> " .... " Xena was speechless . <p> " There is corruption in your place of education . This corruption is so vast that it endangers the very balance of the universe . We , the others and I , humbly request that you help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That 's crazy ! What can I possibly do ? I may dream occasionally about fighting , but those are only dreams . I ca n't fight ! Trust me , you have the wrong person , " angrily replied Xena , admittedly more than a little scared . <p> " I can assure you that I have found the right person . Are you not Xena ? " <p> " Well , yes , I am . But I do n't see what that has to do with ... " <p> " It has everything to do with our situation . You merely do n't understand ... yet . Trust me , it will all return to you . All of it . " <p> There was obviously something that Rune was hiding from her , but Xena , again , just could n't figure it out . She decided that she would now play his little game . She would ask him questions : she would find out what was going on : " So , let 's assume that I do have the power to pull this off @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to look for . Is it one of the teachers ? Is that where the corruption is ? " <p> " I 'm afraid I can not fully answer that . I can tell you that the evil did not start with the faculty . It began elsewhere , but some of the teachers have been swayed to the evil side . They are weak of heart , but are not entirely evil , so you must not harm them . What the evil truly is , I do n't even know . That is what you must find out . But now I 'm afraid our time has run out , and I must bid you adieu . " <p> Sudden bursts of light filled Xena 's eyes , almost like when she would stare at the sun too long and look away . Then she was gone . <p> " Beep ! Beep ! Beep ! " Xena 's alarm clock rang the next morning . Xena awoke to find herself lying in her bed , still in her clothes . " It must have been a dream . @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ! " <p> Xena ambled downstairs and got ready to go to school . She ate breakfast , showered , and changed into new clothes . Xena 's mother , as usual , gave disapproving looks to her goofy eating habits . Her eating was a constant topic of " discussion " between her and her mother . Xena 's mother often accused her of eating like a " medieval woman . " " Oh , well , let her think what she will , " thought Xena . <p> Xena tried to not think about Rune and the odd encounter during the course of the day , but she could n't help it . She did n't look at all of her teachers the same way ; she found herself wondering if this teacher , or that teacher , was her enemy . " Stop it , " she ordered herself . " The whole experience was n't even an experience , it never happened ! " But she could n't stop herself ; she just kept on wondering . <p> The beast came again . It was its normal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scales somewhat like a dragon . Also , it had large spikes covering almost its entire body . However , the worst aspect of the monster was its atrocious odor . But this time it acted different : the beast actually spoke . " I am the great beast Geo , and you 'll never defeat me ! It matters not if you receive your former powers , you will never be enough ! " <p> Xena woke with a start . This time she was not attacking a fellow student , rather she was just sitting in class . " What was that all about ? " she asked herself . That had never happened before , and this time the dream felt even more real . " Could this be related to what happened yesterday ? No , yesterday did n't happen ... it could n't have , " she frantically told herself . But she could n't even convince herself . This was real and it was happening , and she could n't think of what to do . <p> Xena went through the rest of the day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just could n't concentrate on anything besides Rune and this beast Geo , and the fact that even if this is real she did n't know where to start . " This is all so confusing ! Why is this happening to me ? What do you want from me ? Why ... " she started to ask herself . " Oh , this is useless . " She realized that she could n't answer these questions without a little snooping . " I 'll come back tonight when it 's dark . I should be able to find answers then . " <p> That night , Xena was at home putting on a thin layer of black nylon over her clothing so that she could hide better . " I do n't really know what I 'm doing , but I have to do it , " she bravely said . She finished her preparations and crept downstairs . Her mother was asleep on the couch with Jay Leno playing on the TV . " Good-bye more , " Xena whispered . It was then time to go . Xena @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had run the whole way . She decided to sit down right in front of the huge fluorescent school sign so she could catch her breath . With that done , she went inside . <p> The school was dark as midnight , which the time actually approached . Xena gave her eyes time to adjust to the dark , and went forward . She was scared , yes , but she knew she had a job to do . She had never been this brave before and this courage surprised her . " Oh , well , I must go on with no distractions , " she commanded herself . <p> As she slunk along the empty hallways she thought of all the years that she had spent here . She thought of how she had changed and how she would go on changing . Suddenly , a noise disturbed her , distracting her thoughts . " What was that ? " she asked herself . " I do n't know , but I should probably hide . " She ducked inside of an old broom closet just in time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through a crack in the door and recognized the woman as her French teacher , Madame Canzone . She knew that she could probably knock her out before she knew what hit her . But then Rune 's warning of not harming the teachers came back to her , and she decided not to attack . <p> Xena decided that her first target should be the principal 's office . In movies , this was always where the important stuff was . So she headed down the hall towards it , passing all of her teacher 's classrooms , wondering if they were corrupted . She reached the office and hesitated . " What if I 'm not prepared ? What if I ca n't take what I meet on the other side of this door ? No , I ca n't think like that , if I could n't handle it then Rune would n't have sent me , " she resolved . And with that she opened the door . <p> What Xena saw on the other side of the door astonished her . It was only the principal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lurking about to attack unwary students . This was disappointing , but she decided to investigate the room anyway . Again , her own bravery surprised her . Before this whole ordeal she would n't have been able even to open the door , much less investigate a dark room . She swept through the room , rummaging . All she found were folders containing grades and some old suspension point forms . This was really no help to her at all , and she was about to lose hope when she noticed an indentation in the floor . " That 's funny , " she said to herself . She walked over to the indentation to investigate and discovered that it was really a trap door ! " Well , only one way to find out what 's down there , " Xena said to herself as she opened the door and descended . <p> The ladder that led down from the trap door seemed to go on forever . Xena could n't even begin to see the bottom when her arms became tired . " I 'm never going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rather than stop , her body kept going until she finally hit the bottom . Sweat was streaming down her face as she set her foot down ; she wanted to collapse , but her body would n't let her . " Ugh , that was hard , but I must continue . I must persevere . " <p> Xena began the journey down through the tunnel that was ahead of her slowly at first , but then picked up speed . She knew that the evil that she sought must be just ahead ; it had to be ! Suddenly , she heard voices just ahead of her , and stopped . " I heard that a student is down here with us , " exclaimed the first voice . <p> " How can you know that ? " inquired the second . <p> " The leader told me , " explained the first . <p> " Oh , so that 's how it is . Well how does it know ? You ever think of that ? How can it know ? " <p> " It 's psychic , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this time Xena had recognized the voices of two of her favourite teachers . Not wanting to hurt them , she merely crept around them . " That was close , if I had n't stopped they would have caught me , " Xena thought . " Well I have to keep moving . " <p> She soon came to a wide-open area that seemed like it could house a giant . Unfortunately for Xena , she was exactly right ! There appeared to be a gigantic hulking mass in the opposite corner of the arena . She walked closer to see what this could be , and instantly recognized it . " This is the beast from my dreams ! " <p> " That is correct , little one , " came a " voice " in her head . <p> " What 's going on ? Who 's there ? How can you hear my thoughts ? " <p> " Oh , I thought you were the all-powerful Xena . I thought that my minions that I placed in your path would have allowed you to find out . @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actual voice . <p> Suddenly , Xena understood . The teachers that she had escaped from before had let her go ! Then she realized that this was the creature that the teachers had called " the leader . " And also remembered that this creature was psychic . " So , you 're the one that I am supposed to defeat ? I see . We 've met before , so this should not be too difficult , " replied Xena cockily . <p> " I would n't celebrate so early if I were you ! In your dreams I was going easy on you . This time I will not . Hehehehe this should be fun ! " replied Geo , the great beast . <p> With that Geo ran at Xena . Xena , unsure what to do , ran as fast as she could in the other direction . A voice called out from above , " Xena ! " <p> With that a sword came hurtling through the air towards Xena , and she caught it with ease . " How did I possibly catch that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think , Geo , now a little less confident , charged at her . This time , rather than running , she sidestepped the advance , and cut Geo 's side as he went by . " What 's going on ? This feels so familiar . Have I fought before ? " Xena asked herself . <p> Squealing , Geo charged again . This time Xena met it head on and stuck her sword into the beast 's side . The great beast Geo then fell to the ground , never to get back up . Xena ran to its side and pulled her sword out of the beast 's flesh . And with a final squeal of defeat , Geo closed his eyes for the last time . The realization of what she had just done hit Xena like a brick , and she fell to her knees weeping with joy . Suddenly , she heard clapping . She turned to see Rune in his human form applauding her , " I could n't have done it better myself . " <p> " Why , thank you . It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . <p> " Why , what do you mean ? " he jested . <p> " You know what I mean ! The sword , it was you , was n't it ? " <p> " Of course it was . Do you finally understand ? Do you know what it is that I 've been trying to teach you ? " <p> " I do n't think so . I only know that I was supposed to defeat this demon , " replied Xena . <p> " Here , maybe this will jog your memory , " as he tossed a circular object towards Xena . <p> It hit the ground at Xena 's feet . She hesitated for an instant , then knelt down to pick it up . She was at first confused , then the memories came searing back . She recalled this object from her dream , but had previously thought that she had merely imagined it . Then she remembered it all ! Remembered adventuring with her ally Gabrielle and fighting evil . Remembered that she was not just Xena . She was Xena , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back to you , " said Rune . <p> " Yes , I 'm beginning to remember . But one thing puzzles me . How did I get here , in this young body ? Because I am me , only about five years younger , " asked Xena . <p> " I 'm afraid that I 'm guilty there . You see , back in your time in your body you were injured . But someone brought you to my sanctuary , and naturally , I healed you . But then I saw who you are , and I knew that these people needed a heroine like you . So I turned back your internal clock , and sent you here , " replied Rune . <p> " So that 's why the sanctuary and you seemed familiar earlier , and that 's why I was able to fight ! I understand now ! Why did n't you just tell me earlier ? " <p> " That would have been way too dangerous . If I had just changed you back you might have rejected it . However , if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , then you could n't reject it . Understand ? " <p> " I believe so , but I would like to go back to my own time now , can you send me ? " <p> " Yes , I can . But are you ready ? " <p> " Yes , I am . I suppose that I always have been . " <p> " Then I will open a portal of time and space now . Stand back , " said Rune . <p> There was the sound of cloth being torn , and next thing that Xena knew there was a doorway in front of her . Through this doorway she saw her time and her old body sleeping . " Do I really want to go back ? " she asked herself . " Yes , I must . Good-bye , Rune . I will not forget you ! " <p> " Nor , I you . Farewell and godspeed ! " <p> And thus Xena , Warrior Princess , saved a small town school and the rest of the universe . She never forgot Rune @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And with a broad smile on her face Xena entered the portal , and returned to her own time and body . <p> Article copyright Batya Weinbaum . <p> 
##1010866 " LOVE YOU , " she said . Cameras looked into her face and I looked into her eyes . For a moment I could really believe it . Anne never was that good at lying . A woman behind us started to cry , in the restrained way that some people do in public . <p> Now it was my turn . <p> We had n't rehearsed this . It was n't the kind ofthing one could rehearse . " I 've always loved you , " I said . It was the closest I 've come in my life to an apology . <p> Maybe that was why Anne looked so shocked . <p> The idea of matter so dense that even light can not escape from its surface goes back to the i8th century and the obscure English geologist John Michell . For seven years , Anne and I had survived a marriage like that . <p> Apparently children take on the attributes of their parents . Anne 's parents were natural observers , seeing everything from a single point . Mine were different . @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ atmosphere . My father was the polar opposite . As if he 'd collapsed in on himself to create a black hole around which his five children continued to circle in a cold dark orbit . <p> " I 'm sorry , " Anne said . <p> It must have been obvious to the organisers that the situation was disintegrating around them , because someone pushed Lisa and Sammy forward , fresh-faced , slightly dishevelled and embarrassed in that pre-teen way . <p> " Bye , Dad , " they chorused , about as convincing as Joseph and Mary in a nativity play . <p> I kissed them both and ruffled their hair , a second before remembering they hated that . It said something for their best behaviour that neither even pulled a face . <p> " I 'll call , " I promised . <p> Wide eyes looked puzzled . <p> " That was a joke , " I wanted to say . Luckily Lisa got it in time to prevent me looking an even bigger fool than I felt . My father stepped forward , threw his arms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was n't as if we often saw eye to eye , then he surprised me . <p> " Good luck ... " He thought about what he 'd just said , in that dry mathematical way of his , and shrugged . " Not that luck comes into it , of course ... " <p> The launch passed in a blur after that . Everyone passes beyond the point of no return . We go from one lover to another , switch jobs or abandon friends when circumstance or necessity demands . Christmas is always bad . The year might change but the feelings do n't . <p> It began with an argument . <p> At least I think it did . <p> The fault was mine . <p> I kissed a girl at an office party , or she might have kissed me . The Norwegian Wood Defence beats Stockholm Syndrome any day . If in doubt , claim someone changed the parameters . <p> ( That was an obscure joke about music no one now remembers . Although I do : I remember everything . The only problem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and by the time I find the piece to fit , the jigsaw has changed and I can no longer remember the picture . ) <p> I kissed a girl , someone told my wife and I returned from a pre-Christmas shop to find my marriage being counted out on a carpet in the middle of the living room . The fight was over before I even knew it had begun . Oh , she took me back , media attention saw to that . Media attention , an increased pension and the fact I was about to leave her life altogether . <p> The Earth 's escape velocity is more than n kilometres per second ( roughly 40,000 kilometres per hour ) , that of the sun more than 600 kilometres per second . Where I was going had no escape velocity . At least , none within the bounds of physics as we understand it . A dozen people had died . The official total had been three , until the Chinese admitted they lost nine in the first year of trying . Beijing offered this information the day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . Personally , I think they were just trying to put us off . <p> I ate the turkey , pulled crackers , drank enough brandy to make my head hurt . The sex was clumsy and Anne cried , telling me she did n't know how we came to this . So I lied and said these things happen and it did n't matter , but of course it did . We woke with hangovers , still wrapped in each other 's arms . <p> In one of those ironies of life . the sex improved and 1 found myself not minding the children 's questions , their endless mess . We ate meals together , I came back early from the laboratory . All right , I 'll admit it , the cameras following me probably helped . At night , alone together , Anne and I repaired what we had . It was like painting the rooms in a house you intend to abandon . Pointless , but the instinct was strong . <p> Our brief separation became a plus point . So difficult had been the decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it . Anne 's bravery was mentioned ; my selflessness . Pundits in the middlebrow rags worried about the effect my decision would have on Lisa and Sammy . Since they barely saw me I assumed this would be rather less than most people imagined , although the two of them grew quite clingy once they realised I was going on a long journey . <p> If I 've got this right , a black hole holds in place a spherical surface that marks its boundary . Depending on how one looks at this , the event horizon is either entirely static , locked in place around a singularity , or hurtling outwards at the speed of light . Whichever , consider the Schwarzschild radius an irrevocable decision . Once reached , you really ca n't back out . <p> The launch was simple . I was put into a capsule and the capsule was put somewhere else . There were no flames , nada smoke , zero mirrors . Someone in Public Relations decided we needed a countdown . The same person probably came up with the silver aircraft hangar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did n't call it that , of course . In fact , we spent a lot of time telling other people they should n't call it that , but the name stuck . <p> I 've always preferred the older term , " frozen star " , for that state of seeming to exist while not actually existing , which describes the sphere around a singularity . Only once " black hole " got used instead , the original term never stood a chance . So it was with our gate . <p> We counted down from 120 , this being the number chosen by a focus group as representing the exact mix of excitement and suspense required . Anything less would not stretch the nerves of the world ; anything more and we risked boring them . One hundred and twenty seconds . The transference of a single human halfway across a galaxy and we had suits worrying that we might bore our audience . <p> Budget rounds can do strange things to people . <p> In fact , what happened inside the hangar was infinitely more complex than most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ audience , who considered that paying taxes gave them a moral veto over what we did with our share of the money , we fudged things a little around the edges . Partly this kept the suits happy and partly it meant Anne and the children never really had to face what was about to happen . <p> I stepped into a shell , the door was shut and the shell swung towards the gate as countdown hit zero . It is not my job to decide if what happened next was dishonest , but radiation blue-shifts to very high frequencies . Not wanting me to get fried , the director had the shell reappear instantly in a hangar behind the one we used . Three weeks later , when the media had moved onto something else , what was left of me was reloaded into the shell and shifted to the real exit gate , a transient white hole near the centre of the galaxy . To complete the Schwarzschild geometry set one needs a black hole , a white hole and two universes linked at their horizons by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is sufficiently large , the tidal forces are not really noticeable until after you cross the horizon . A smaller black hole , say one made from our sun , should such a thing be possible , would rip you apart long before you reached this . Hence the choice of my destination . A million solar masses gives a radius of roughly 3 million kilometres , about four times the radius of the sun and large enough to let me surf j ust above the horizon . ( Even with a hole exceeding 30,000 solar masses the tide at the horizon would be less than ig . ) <p> You will already know the mathematics behind the incredible expenditure of energy needed to keep me in position . At least I assume you do . If not , I should probably be talking to somebody else . <p> Everyone passes beyond the point of no return . We go from one job to another , change lovers or abandon families when selfishness or need demands . Leaving home is always bad . Thebundleofclothesinthe cardboard box , the half bottle of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Anne does n't drink it anyway . The refusal to look back as the taxi draws away . Even after I returned home , what we had felt illicit . Something temporary that the coming year would fracture . <p> As it did . <p> I signed the original forms in anger sometime in late December , only to spend most of January explaining to Human Resources that " Yes I meant it ... IfI had n't meant it then I would n't have suggested it , would I ? " Looking back , I 'm pretty certain they knew the person I needed to convince was myself . <p> I signed waiver forms in early February , had two medicals and underwent psychiatric testing . Though how one can test the sanity of any man who volunteers to watch the ageing of the universe in fast forward , before dying himself , is beyond me . As I said , so much is absurdity . <p> By Valentine 's Day the launch was ready , and 10 days later I was passing 1.5 Schwarzschild radii , the last point at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everything in free-fall orbit is drawn towards the singularity . Obviously enough , I kept the engine constantly on burn . <p> So now I dream and watch , sleep , wake and wonder what the difference is between these states . I work at slow speeds over long lengths of time , and always the sky above me changes while the horizon remains . Pairs consisting of an antiparticle and particle appear from nowhere , exist briefly , and cancel each other out . There is a suggestion that the mass behind the horizon evaporates . It seems to be happening because one of these two particles sometime fall beyond retrieval , letting the other escape . <p> Since we define a black hole as a region of space-time not in the causal past of any point in the infinite future , this gives an obvious problem . Not least because the universe appears to have no infinite future , recollapsing to a singularity in finite coordinate time . Next to this , my own slow wait for the black hole to evaporate and free me from this impossible orbit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ launch , I had supper with my father in London at a hotel off the Strand . We talked about the weather , the government , the under-funding of universities , things on which we knew we could agree . Outside the Savoy we shook hands , then embarrassed each other with a brief hug . An argument mended without ever having been mentioned . <p> I went home , called my mother-inlaw and asked if she could have the children for the night because I needed to talk to Anne . She came immediately , bundled the delighted children into her Volvo and drove away . Anne and I went to bed for two days . We talked of things neither of us could remember until we began to talk about them . Stupid things , little things . <p> She cried , asked if I could change my mind . I cried , said probably not . <p> At the end of the two days her mother brought Lisa and Sammy back and all three frowned at the unwashed plates in the sink , the empty wine bottles beside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were both still wearing dressing gowns . We tidied up , watched television , put the children to bed , tried not to mind the cameras that followed our every move . <p> " The kids will miss you , " she said . <p> For a moment I saw the sadness in her eyes . " I 'll miss them , " I promised . <p> Anne and I held hands as we walked out to face the press on that final day . I think even we were surprised by that . <p> Sidebar 
##1010867 Nat Turner and his fellow rebels plot their revolt . <p> Nat Turner and his fellow rebels plot their revolt . <p> INTRODUCTION As the 19th century began , the country was beginning to be pulled apart by the issue of slavery . In the North , abolitionists attacked slavery as evil . But many Southerners claimed that slaves were vital to their farm-based economy . Besides , these Southerners said , slaves were happy where they were . In 1831 , a troubled slave named Nat Turner helped to explode that myth . SCENE 1 Narrator A : Almost everything we know about Nat Turner comes from a confession he made to a white lawyer named Thomas R. Gray . The date was November 1 , 1831 ; the place , Turner 's jail cell . Ten days later , he would be executed . Nat Turner ( in his confession ) : Sir , to tell you why I am here , I need to go back to my infancy . Certain unforgettable circumstances laid the ground-work for the tragic events for which I am about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On October 2 , 1800 , Nat Turner was born a slave on the Southampton County , Virginia , farm of Benjamin Turner . Nat 's mother , Nancy , held on to her native African beliefs . Nancy : Old Bridget , I tell you the boy has spirit vision . Just yesterday , he was speaking to the other children of things that happened " before he was born ! Old Bridget : He is a special one . The markings on his head and body show he is designed for some great purpose . Narrator A : Unusual for the time , Nat 's master allows him to attend church with the whites . In the process of studying the Bible , Nat learns to read . Old Bridget : He 's been doing it from a young age , Master Ben . We gave him a book to keep him from crying-and he began sounding out the words ! Benjamin Turner : With such a restless mind , this boy will never be of use to anyone as a slave . Narrator A : Others around the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ C E N E 2 Narrator B : Nat embraces Christian beliefs with fervor . By the time he is a young man , he is astounding many of those around him with his preaching . Nat Turner : And as I stood praying at my plow , the Holy Spirit spoke to me , saying , " seek ye the Kingdom of Heaven and all things shall be added given to you . " Female slave : God be praised . The Spirit speaks to him like the prophets in the old days . Narrator B : But nothing shields Nat from the cruelties of bondage . When he is 21 , he runs away from an overseer and hides in the woods . While there , he has a disturbing vision . Spirit : Nat , what have you done ? Nat Turner : Oh , Spirit , I am bowed down by this heavy weight . What is the purpose I am born for ? How can I fulfill my destiny as a slave ? Spirit : Seek not the things of this world but the Kingdom of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be shown your destiny . Narrator B : When Turner returns to the farm after 30 days , the other slaves are amazed-or suspicious . Male slave I : Why do you think he came back ? Do you think he really has those visions of his ? Male slave 2 : Tell you one thing-if I had his gifts , no way would I serve any master . Nat Turner ( in his confession ) : With the revelations made known to me , I began to direct my attention to the purpose for which I was intended . And I had a vision of spirits in battle and thunder in the heavens , and the sun was darkened . And a voice said , " This is what you are called to bear . " S C E N E 3 Narrator C : As the years pass , Turner suffers the injustices of slavery . In 1822 , his wife is sold away from him . Turner too is sold and , in 1830 , is living on the farm of Joseph Travis . Again , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : The Spirit said certain signs in the heavens would tell me when I should begin my great work . Then I should arise and prepare myself and slay my enemies with my own hand . Hark Travis : Man , I know who those enemies are . They are the people who own us like property . Nat Turner : One day we will crush the evil serpent . And the first shall be last , and the last shall be first . REBELS and ABOLITIONISTS TIME LINE <p> Narrator C : In February 1831 , there is an eclipse of the sun . Turner believes this is the sign he has been waiting for , and he begins to gather fellow rebels . On Monday , August 22 , in the early hours before dawn , Turner and six others meet in the woods . Nat Turner : Is your freedom dear to you ? Will : Yes , and I will have it or lose my life . Hark Travis : We know what we have to do . Let 's start at Master Joseph 's house . @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ standing in Joseph Travis 's darkened bedroom . After Turner strikes Travis a glancing blow in his bed ... Joseph Travis : What ? Who is there ? What 's going on here ? Sally Travis ( frightened ) : What 's happening ? Oh , no ! Joseph Travis : Sally , run for your life ! Narrator C : Will quickly kills Joseph and Sally Travis with an axe . Nat Turner ( in his confession ) : The murder of this family five in number was the work of a moment . Narrator C : With this , the die is cast . The rebellious slaves now proceed from farmhouse to farmhouse , armed with axes and clubs and guns they pick up on the way . One by one , they kill all the white people they find , many still in their beds . SCENE 4 Narrator D : As the men make their fateful journey , their number grows to about 50 . The death toll also mounts , to 55 . Around midday , Turner and his men head to Jerusalem , the nearest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergency army of citizens . Hark Travis : We ca n't face them head-on with their rifles . Our people are getting hit , and others are scattering . Nat Turner : Let 's circle around the militia and go on to town . Narrator D : But it 's the beginning of the end for the rebellion . Turner ca n't reassemble a large enough force to march to Jerusalem . The remaining rebels spend two nights on the run . Now , militia are everywhere , and with each confrontation , more men desert Turner . Finally , he is alone . Nat Turner is captured by Benjamin Phipps on October 30,1831 . <p> Nat Turner is captured by Benjamin Phipps on October 30,1831 . <p> Nat Turner ( in his confession ) : At this I gave up all hope for the present . On Thursday night , after getting provisions food and other supplies from Mr. Travis 's , I scratched a hole under a pile of fence rails in a field , where I concealed myself . SCENE 5 Narrator E : While Turner hides , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Virginia man : They say that an army of 500 slaves is marching out of the swamps right now , ready to butcher us all . Reporter ( in his newspaper article ) : It is believed that all the brigands bandits were slaves-and most , if not all of them , the property of kind and indulgent masters . Narrator E : On October 30 , a white man named Benjamin Phipps finds Turner still hiding near the Travis farm . Phipps takes the runaway slave into custody at gunpoint . Turner is soon hauled before a judge . Judge Jeremiah Cobb : Let the prisoner rise . Do you have anything to say for yourself ? Nat Turner : I plead not guilty because I do not feel guilty . I only did what I was destined to do . Cobb : Your hands are stained with the blood of the innocent , and the blood of a master . The judgment of this court is that you will be hung by the neck until you are dead , dead , dead ! Narrator E : In jail , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Turner ( in his confession ) : The beliefs I had from the beginning-even now , helpless and forsaken as I am , I can not rid myself of them . Now I am here loaded with chains , and willing to suffer the fate that awaits me . Narrator E : Turner is hanged on November 11 . In all , Virginia executes at least 55 people in connection with the rebellion . But Turner 's legend will only grow , and for years slaves and ex-slaves will speak in hushed tones of Old Nat 's war . " AFTERWORD Although Turner 's rebellion failed , its effects were later felt . Alarmed that other uprisings could follow , the South passed a number of harsh laws further restricting the movement of slaves . White mobs sought revenge by killing as many as 200 black people . But the rebellion also caused Virginia to briefly consider ending slavery . Ultimately , it chose not to , thus setting the stage for the larger drama soon to come-the Civil War . web THE CONFESSIONS OF NAT TURNER http : **37;129;TOOLONG Your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so , did slavery make him crazy ? Who was more to blame for what happened , Turner or his masters ? Sidebar CAST * Nat Turner : a slave Nancy : Nat 's mother Old Bridget : Nat 's grandmother Benjamin Turner ; Nat 's first master # Female slave Spirit : a vision that appears to Nat Turner #Male slaves 1 and 2 * Hark Travis ; a slave of Joseph Travis Will : a slave Joseph Travis : Nat 's second master Sally Travis : Joseph 's wife # Virginia man Repoter Judge Jeremiah Cobb : the judge at Turner 's trial Narrators A-E * indicates major character # indicates fictional character Sidebar A tortured man explains how he came to lead the bloodiest slave rebellion in American history . Sidebar " I Plead not guilty because I do not feel guilty . I only did what I was destined to do . -Nat Turner <p> 
##1010868 If you are interested in reading a play filled with singing bunnies , speeding cars , or happy children , you are reading the wrong play entirely . This play is filled with misery and woe , involving three clever youngsters , a terrible fire , a refrigerator , and man-eating leeches . We 're sorry to tell you that it 's based on the new movie Lemony Snicket 's A Series of Unfortunate Events , which is based on the books The Bad Beginning , The Reptile Room , and The Wide Window , by Mr. Snicket . IN THEATERS DECEMBER 17 <p> CHARACTERS Write your initials next to the character you 're going to read . *Lemony Snicket 1 , a mysterious narrator *Lemony Snicket 2 , a suspicious narrator *Lemony Snicket 3 , a shadowy narrator *Lemony Snicket 4 , a secretive narrator *Violet Baudelaire , the oldest Baudelaire sibling *Klaus Baudelaire , Violet 's younger brother Sunny Baudelaire , Violet and Klaus 's baby sister Sunny 's Translator ( since Sunny is so young , no one understands what she 's saying ) *Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actor and worse villain *Uncle Monty , a distant Baudelaire relative Stephano , someone disguised as a snake assistant *Aunt Josephine , a distant Baudelaire relative Captain Sham , someone disguised as a fisherman *Starred characters are major roles . SCENE THE FIRST SNICKET 1 : The play you are about to read is very unpleasant . It has no happy ending , no happy beginning , and very few happy things in the middle . SNSCKET 2 : That is because not many happy tilings occurred in the lives of the three Baudelaire children . Violet , the oldest , was one of the finest 14-year-old inventors the world has ever known . Photograph Klaus , Violet , and Baby Sunny get ready to hear some bad news . <p> VIOLET : When I tie my hair up with a ribbon , it means I 'm thinking of a new invention . SNICKET 3 : Her younger brother , Klaus , had read more books than most librarians . KLAUS : Never underestimate the power of research . SNICKET 4 : And Sunny , the baby , liked to bite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ One day , the children were playing on the beach , when Sunny said something that stills makes me weep uncontrollably . SUNNY : Gack ! SUNNY 'S TRANSLATOR : ... which meant , " Look at that mysterious figure emerging from the fog . " KLAUS : Mr. Poe ? From the bank ? MR . POE : I 'm afraid I must inform you of ... an extremely unfortunate event . Your parents have perished in a fire that destroyed your home . SNICKET 2 : And just like that , the Baudelaire children became the Baudelaire orphans . MR . POE : " Perished " means " died . " KLAUS : We know what " perished " means . MR . POE : The bank will manage your inheritance until you come of age . In the meantime , you will be sent to live with your closest relative , Count Olaf , just 37 blocks away . KLAUS : I do n't think that 's what " closest " is supposed to mean . VIOLET : We do n't know any " Count Olaf . " @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the first to call when he heard about the fire , and he offered to become your guardian on the spot ! AND he 's an actor . SCENE THE SECOND SNICKET 3 : The Baudelaires arrived at a run-down house with a mysterious tower that had an eye-shaped window . COUNT OLAF : Enter ! SNICKET 4 : If only the children had run away that instant . Unfortunately , they did the polite thing and went inside . COUNT OLAF : I am your beloved Count Olaf . I must say , you are a gloomy bunch . Why so bummed ? KLAUS : Our parents just died . COUNT OLAF : Oh yes . How VERY awful . Well , as long as you 're staying with me , you 'll do whatever I ask while I enjoy the enormous fortune your parents left behind . You will all sleep in one bed . VIOLET ( to Klaus ) : Maybe it 's not as bad as it seems . SNICKET 1 : It was as bad as it seemed . Count Olaf was vile and cruel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dangerous chores , including ladderless ceiling repair , toxic waste disposal , and dishwashing , until ... COUNT OLAF ( sweetly ) : Good morning , orphans ! Let 's take our first Sunday drive as a family ! SNICKET 2 : On the way , Count Olaf stopped for treats and left the children in his car . KLAUS : Violet , where did the locks go ? SNICKET 3 : If you have ever been locked inside a car parked on train tracks , you know it is not a very pleasant place to be . SUMNY : Uhoh ! SUNNY 'S TRANSLATOR : Especially when a train is approaching ! VIOLET : Klaus , please tell me you 've read something about trains . KLAUS : We need to switch the tracks . Look-there 's the switcher ! VIOLET : I 'd better tie my hair up . SNICKET 4 : In seconds , Violet had invented a device that shot out the car window and hit the track switcher ... SUNNY : Eyebulls ! SUNNY 'S TRANSLATOR : Bullseye ! SNSCKET 1 : The train that was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were saved . Moments later , Mr. Poe arrived . MR . POE : Count Olaf , I just found Sunny in the driver 's seat of your car . Allowing an infant to drive is not good parenting . I 'm sending the Baudelaires to live with a more suitable guardian . COUNT OLAF ( to the children ) : No matter where you go , I 'll find you . I 'm going to get my hands on your fortune if it 's the last thing I do ! SCENE THE THIRD SNICKET 2 : The Baudelaire 's new guardian , Dr. Montgomery Montgomery , was a herpetologist ... SNICKET 3 : ... a word which here means " an expert in the study of snakes and reptiles . " UNCLE MONTY : Come in , Baudelaires ! Welcome ! Quickly , you must see my latest discovery ! SNICKET 4 : Uncle Monty led the children to his Reptile Room , where he kept all of his snakes , reptiles ... SUNNY : Ribbit ! SUNNY 'S TRANSLATOR : ... and three-eyed frogs . UNCLE MONTY : Here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Do n't let Sunny get too close ! UNCLE MONTY : Do n't worry , Klaus . Incredibly Deadly Viper is a misnomer-or a " wrong name . " This snake is actually one of the friendliest creatures in the animal kingdom . SUNNY : Slickit ! SUNNY 'S TRANSLATOR : ... which meant , " It does n't even hurt when she bites me ! " UNCLE MONTY : You 're safe now , children . We have so much in common . I know what it 's like to lose those you love in a terrible fire . We 'll have a wonderful time together . SCENE THE FOURTH SNICKET 1 : It seemed like everything might be better for the Baudelaires . Uncle Monty was a very kind guardian . But then the bell tolled ... SNICKET 2 : ... an expression which here means " the doorbell rang , and it was a person whom the children recognized right away , even though he was in disguise . " STEPHANO : My name is Stephano . I am here to assist Dr. Montgomery in his work . @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do n't know of any such incredibly handsome person . UNCLE MONTY : Children , who is it ? My new assistant , Stephano ! Thank goodness you 've arrived ! VIOLET : Uncle Monty , psssttt ! SNICKET 3 : The children tried to tell Uncle Monty that Stephano was an impostor . UNCLE MONTY ( whispering ) : I know , he 's a spy here to steal my discovery . We 'll talk tomorrow . SNICKET 4 : But sometimes even the most learned grown-ups are not very smart . By the next morning , it was too late . STEPHANO : Children , how terrible . Your uncle was killed by the Incredibly Deadly Viper , one of the deadliest snakes in the world . I should know . I discovered it . KLAUS : That 's a lie ! The Incredibly Deadly Viper is n't dangerous at all . You must have killed Uncle Monty ! SNICKET 1 : Mr. Poe arrived at Uncle Monty 's . STEPHANO : These children are in shock . But I 'd still be happy to be their guardian . @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Nonsense . He does n't look anything like Count Olaf . Mr. Stephano has a mustache . SNICKET 2 : Suddenly , there was a scream so horrible it still gives me nightmares to imagine it . SUNNY : AAAHHHHH ! ! ! ! TRANSLATOR : AAAAHHHHHH ! ! ! ! ! MR . POE : The Incredibly Deadly Viper is attacking Sunny ! SNICKET 3 : But then Sunny began to giggle . She and the snake rolled on the floor playfully . MR . POE : That snake is harmless . STEPHANO : Egad . It appears my plot has been foiled ... by the baby ! SNICKET 4 : Unfortunately , by the time Mr. Poe turned around , Stephano had already escaped . SCENE THE FIFTH SNICKET 1 : The children 's next guardian , Aunt Josephine , lived in a house held up by rickety stilts on the side of a cliff overlooking Lake Lachrymose ... SNICKET 2 : ... a complicated description which here means " not a very good idea , because it would soon be hit by a hurricane . " AUNT @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ! But do n't use the doorknobs , they might explode ! And do n't go near the refrigerator , it could fall and crush you ! SNICKET 3 : I 'm sorry to tell you that Aunt Josephine was terrified of nearly everything-except grammar . AUNT JOSEPHINE : Grammar is the greatest joy in life , do n't you find ? I 've been so lonely since my husband , Ike , was killed ... KLAUS : Was it a fire ? AUNT JOSEPHINE : Oh , no . He was eaten by the Lachrymose Leeches while swimming . SNICKET 4 : The next day the children were shopping with Aunt Josephine when Violet confronted her own worst fear ... VIOLET : Umph ! SNICKET 1 : ... an expression which here means , " Count Olaf dressed as a peg-legged fisherman . " CAPTAIN SHAM ( to Josephine ) : Forgive me for bumping into your sister . AUNT JOSEPHINE : Sister ? I 'm her guardian . CAPTAIN SHAIVI : But you 're so young ! Captain Sham , at your service . SNICKET 2 : Like liver-flavored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ make you want to throw up . VIOLET : But he 's not- AUNT JOSEPHINE : Children , I 'm inviting Captain Sham home for dinner . KLAUS : It 's Count Olaf ! AUNT JOSEPHINE : Do n't be rude to our guest ! Captain Sham and I will meet you at home . SCENE THE SIXTH SNICKET 3 : When they got back , the children found nothing but a broken window , a sinking feeling , and a very upsetting note . KLAUS : It says she 's jumped out the window , and she willed us to Captain Sham ! But it 's filled with grammatical errors . VIOLET : Aunt Josephine would never make mistakes like that . KLAUS : Wait-it 's a code . She 's hiding in Curdled Cave ! SNICKET 4 : This is the part of the play where a hurricane hits Aunt Josephine 's house , and you should probably stop reading . SNICKET 1 : Unless you want to know about the beam that snapped ... VIOLET : Run for it ! SNICKET 2 : ... the refrigerator that fell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : ... or the doorknobs that exploded . VIOLET : No way ! SNICKET 4 : Helped by another clever invention of Violet 's , the children barely escaped before the house fell off the cliff . SUNNY : Phew ! SONNY 'S TRANSLATOR : ... which meant , " That was close ! Now let 's find Aunt Josephine . " KLAUS : I 've read a few books on sailing . SCENE THE SEVENTH SNICKET 1 : As you probably know , children should never sail alone through hurricanes . But these were special circumstances . AUNT JOSEPHINE : Children , you found me ! I knew you 'd figure out my code . Olaf forced me to write that note ! SNICKET 2 : Sailing back to town with Aunt Josephine seemed like a good idea ... SNlCKET 3 : ... until the flesh-eating Lachrymose Leeches attacked . AUNT JOSEPHINE : We 're doomed ! VIOLET : Wait-there 's a boat in the distance . COUNT OLAF ( on the boat ) : Hello , Baudelaires ! Looks like you need help ! KLAUS : Olaf ! You @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Aunt Josephine tells everyone what you did . COUNT OLAF : Oh , really ? SNICKET 4 : I 'm sorry to tell you that Count Olaf grabbed the children and left Aunt Josephine to the mercy of the leeches . SNICKET 1 : Are you sure you want to continue reading this play ? SNICKET 2 : Very well . Suddenly , another boat appeared . MR . POE : Children , is that you ? COUNT OLAF : I saved them from the leeches ! MR . POE : I was wrong about you , Olaf . You 've proven yourself . If it was n't for you ... COUNT OLAF : Do n't say it ! Even their enormous inheritance would be a constant reminder of my heartache . MR . POE : Oh , you would n't get the fortune if anything happened to the children . That only applies to blood relatives and married couples . COUNT OLAF ( quietly ) : I think I have an idea for a play ... SCENE THE EIGHT SNICKET 3 : The Marvelous Marriage starred Count Olaf and Violet @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Olaf will get our fortune if he marries you . VIOLET : But Klaus , this is just a play in Olaf 's backyard ! COUNT OLAF : Except that Justice Strauss from the City High Court is playing the justice of the peace . KLAUS : But Violet 's only 14 . She ca n't get married ! COUNT OLAF : She can if she has the permission of her guardian . And who 's that ? Me ! VIOLET : I 'll never say " I do ! " COUNT OLAF : Really ? ( into a walkie talkie ) Drop her . SNICKET 4 : Count Olaf had hatched his most dastardly scheme yet ... SNICKET 1 : ... a phrase which here means " he was holding baby Sunny in a cage hung from the top of his tower . " VIOLET : No ! Please ! I 'll do it ! KLAUS ( sneaking away ) : I have to stop this ... What would Violet do ? SNICKET 2 : Fortunately , Klaus invented a large hook using an old umbrella and climbed Olaf @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ went on . SNICKET 3 : Unfortunately , one of Count Olaf 's henchmen was waiting for him at the top . SNICKET 4 : Fortunately , Klaus was victorious , a word which here means " the henchman fell out the window . " SNICKET 1 : Unfortunately , it was too late . Onstage , Violet had already said " I do " and signed the marriage certificate . COUNT OLAF : Fortunately , that concludes our play . VIOLET : Stop ! It was n't a play ! Count Olaf was going to drop Sunny if I did n't go through with the wedding ! SNICKET 2 : The crowd gasped in horror , just as you are probably doing right now . MR . POE : You monster ! SNICKET 3 : Up in the tower , Klaus realized that the eye-shaped window was a giant magnifying glass for focusing the sun and burning things . SNICKET 4 : He turned it on the marriage certificate , which burst into flames . COUNT OLAF : Wha- ? No ! ! ! SNICKET 1 : Count Olaf 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ your hopes up . COUNT OLAF : You think it 's over ? It 's not ! SNICKET 2 : Olaf 's henchmen pulled him up by wires attached to his costume , and he escaped by floating high above the audience 's heads . M. POE : I 'm sure he 'll never bodier you again . SUNNY : Yeahrite ! SUNNY 'S TRANSLATOR : ... which meant , " I 'm not so sure about that . " VIOLET : Me neither . KLAUS : Me neither . SNICKET 3 : I 'm sorry to tell you that the Baudelaires " lives would continue unhappily , filled with unfit guardians , villainous scoundrels , and bad classroom plays . SNICKET 4 : Would n't you rather read something else ? Photograph <p> We 're sure you wo n't want to find out what happens in the rest of this series . It is all very unpleasant and there will be no happy endings . So please do n't read the other eight books in the Lemony Snicket series ! <p> Photograph Most Unfortunate : Count Olaf ( Jim Carrey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fraud who 's after the Baudelaire orphans " money . Sidebar VOCABULARY PREVIEW As you read , look for context clues to learn these words : dastardly * device * foiled guardian * inheritance rickety * scoundrel underestimate * vile * villainous Photograph Klaus ( Liam Aiken ) and Violet ( Emily Browning ) meet Monty 's pet snake . Sidebar Unfo9rtunate Fact : The deadliest snake in the world is the Australian Fierce Snake . The venom from just one of its bites could kill 100 people or 250,000 mice . Photograph Does Stephano remind you of anyone ? ! Sidebar Unfortunate Event : America 's worst hurricane hit Galveston Island , Texas , in 1900 . It killed more than 6,000 people , and was the worst natural disaster in U.S. history . Photograph Aunt Josephine ( Meryl Streep ) ca n't see through Captain Sham . Sidebar Unfortunate Fact : Jawed leeches have many small teeth that they use like tiny saws to cut into skin . Photograph Wicked Olaf forces Violet to say " I do . " Sidebar Unfortunate Fact : Paper bursts into flame when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Unfortunate Events : Lemony Snicket has written 11 books about the Baudelaire orphans . The most recent is The Grim Grotto . He does not recommend that you read it . <p> 
##1010950 Peter Pan-the boy who never grew up-is one of the most famous characters in fantasy fiction . Meet writer James M. Barrie , the man behind Pan 's creation , on his journey toward Neverland . Based on the new movie Finding Neverland , in theaters November 12 , starring Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet . ADAPTED FOR SCOPE BY RACHEL WAUGH <p> Characters Write your initials next to the character you 're going to read . *Narrator 1 *Narrator 2 *James M. Barrie , a famous playwright *Charles ftohman , producer of Barrie 's plays *Sylvia Davies , a young-widow *Peter Davies , Sylvia 's third son *George Davies , Sylvia 's oldest son Jack Davie Sylvia 's second son Michael DavieS , Sylvia 's youngest son *Mrs . Du Maurier Doo MOR-ee-ay , Sylvia 's mother Actor , an actor in Barrie'splay Peter Pan Doctor *Starred characters are major roles . SCENE 1 NARRATOR 1 : A hundred years ago , in 1904 , a dull play is being performed in a London theater . NARRATOR 2 : The playwright , James Barrie , watches from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his forties . NARRATOR 1 : The audience fidgets and sighs . JAMES BARRIE : It 's like a dentist 's office out there ! NARRATOR 2 : Barrie turns to Charles Frohrnan , the producer . BARRIE : I 'm sorry , Charles . I know you put a lot of money into this . CHARLES FROHMAN : We need a new play , James . BARRIE : But I do n't have any ideas ! FROHMAN : You will . Just remember that it 's called a play . Do n't take it so seriously ! NARRATOR 1 : Frohman pats Barrie 's arm . SCENE 2 NARRATOR 2 : The next morning , Barrie heads for Kensington Gardens , a large public park . He brings his dog , Porthos . NARRATOR 1 : Barrie sits on a bench and opens his writing notebook . Porthos chases a ball . NARRATOR 2 : Suddenly Barrie feels a tug on his pant leg . He looks down and sees a small boy . MICHAEL : Excuse me , sir . You 're stepping on my sleeve . BARRIE : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : I 've been put in this dungeon by evil Prince George . NARRATOR 1 : Barrie joins in the game . BARRIE : I could slide you a key through the bars . NARRATOR 2 : Another boy appears . GEORGE : Is Michael bothering you ? BARRIE : Are you Prince George ? I understand you 're very harsh . Photograph James Barrie ( Johnny Depp ) is a famous playwright looking for inspiration . Find out what happens when he meets a family and a special young boy named Peter . <p> GEORGE : Not really . A firm ruler , that 's all . BARRIE : What was Michael 's crime ? GEORGE : He 's my younger brother . BARRIE : Fair enough . NARRATOR 1 : Porthos comes running , followed by another boy . JACK : Can we play with your dog ? GEORGE : This is Jack . NARRATOR 2 : The boys " mother walks over . BARRIE : Hello , I 'm James Barrie . SYLVIA : The J. M. Barrie , the famous author ? How nice to meet you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these boys yours ? SYLVIA : Yes-and I have one more . Where 's Peter ? GEORGE ( pointing ) : He 's under that tree , sulking as usual . NARRATOR 1 : Porthos runs over and licks Peter 's hand . Reluctantly , Peter pats the dog 's head . JACK : He 's been sad ever since our father died . BARRIE : I 'm sorry to hear that . NARRATOR 2 : He looks at Sylvia with concern . She smiles bravely . SYLVIA : Come , boys . Perhaps we 'll see you here again , Mr. Barrie ? BARRIE : I look forward to it . NARRATOR 1 : Barrie watches Sylvia and the boys leave the park . He feels happier than he has in a long time . SCENE 3 NARRATOR 2 : Barrie meets the Davies family almost every day in Kensington Gardens . NARRATOR 1 : They pretend to be pirates , or Indian warriors . Peter refuses to join in the fun . NARRATOR 2 : One breezy day , Barrie brings a kite . GEORGE : Ooh ! Can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ string and runs hard , but the kite dives into the grass . PETER : You 're going to break it , George . BARRIE : It needs a tail . I have an idea . Porthos , come here , boy ! NARRATOR 2 : Barrie removes a gleaming bell from Porthos 's collar and des it to a scarf , then onto the kite . BARRIE : Michael , you try . JACK : He 's too little . PETER : He ca n't run fast enough . BARRIE : He can do it if we all believe in him . You hold the kite , George . Michael , are you ready ? NARRATOR 1 : Michael runs with all his strength . Suddenly the kite leaps up , nearly pulling him with it . MICHAEL : I 'm flying ! Hurray ! NARRATOR 2 : The other boys run alongside Michael . GEORGE : Listen to that bell tinkle ! NARRATOR 1 : Barrie looks up and sees sunlight sparkling on the tinkling bell . For a moment nothing exists for him except the tiny dancing light @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Finally , Barrie has an idea for his next play . SCENE 4 NARRATOR 1 : Barrie sits down with his notebook and starts writing . Peter comes over . PETER ( shyly ) : Are you writing about the kite ? BARRIE : Yes ! How did you guess ? PETER : Well , if I were a writer , I 'd write about today . BARRIE : Maybe you are a writer , Peter . You could start by keeping a journal . NARRATOR 2 : Peter is happy , but very surprised by this idea . NARRATOR 1 : Later , Barrie walks the Davies family home . NARRATOR 2 : Mrs. Du Maurier , Sylvia 's strict mother , opens the door . She frowns at Barrie . MRS . DU MAURIER : Sylvia , you look exhausted . Children , wipe your feet ! NARRATOR 1 : She takes a coat hanger from the hall closet . MRS . DM : Coat please , Michael . Now that I 've come to live with you , there will be some discipline around here ! NARRATOR 2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the coat hanger . Barrie pictures her as a hook-handed pirate and smiles . MRS . DM : Goodnight , Mr. Barrie . BARRIE : Goodnight everyone ! See you tomorrow . NARRATOR 1 : Mrs. Du Maurier closes the door . MRS . DM : How ridiculous-a grown man playing with children ! SYLVIA : He 's a good friend , mother . NARRATOR 2 : Mrs. Du Maurier shakes her head in disapproval . Sylvia begins to cough . MRS . DM : You need to rest-now . SCENE 5 NARRATOR 1 : In the park a few days later , Sylvia and Barrie watch the other boys play while Peter writes in his journal . SYLVIA : You mean so much to them , James . Especially to Peter-he misses his father , but he holds everything in . BARRIE : He 's trying to grow up too fast . I know what that 's like . When my older brother died , it was the end of my childhood . SYLVIA : How sad . BARRIE : Oh , no . Only part of me had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had to grow up at all . That part lives in a place called Neverland . SYLVIA : What 's it like , Neverland ? BARRIE : One day I 'll take you there . SCENE 6 NARRATOR 2 : The next day Frohman reads the play Barrie 's been writing in his notebook . FROHMAN : The main character is a fairy ? BARRIE : No , the main character 's a boy who stays young forever . Tinker Bell is the fairy . NARRATOR 1 : Frohman looks skeptical . FROHMAN : But how does he stay young forever ? BARRIE : He just believes , Charles . He imagines life the way he wants it to be , and he believes in it enough that it all appears before him . FROHMAN : So all I have to do is imagine life the way I want it to be , and think about it long enough and hard enough , and the money we 'll need to produce the play will appear before me ? BARRIE : Are we going to do it then ? FROHMAN : Ask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it , sir ? NARRATOR 2 : Barrie smiles , knowing Frohman will produce the play . SCENE 7 NARRATOR 1 : Later , Barrie visits the Davies family . There 's a curtain hung across the living room , creating a stage . NARRATOR 2 : Peter stands nervously in front of the curtain . PETER : We have a surprise for you-our very own theater ! We hope you enjoy our play , " The Sad Tale of Lady Ursula , " by Peter Davies . Um , it 's really silly . BARRIE : I love silly plays ! NARRATOR 1 : Peter reads the play from a notebook just like Barrie 's . PETER : One morning , Lady Ursula went to church . NARRATOR 2 : George enters dressed as Lady Ursula . Sylvia and Barrie laugh . PETER : Suddenly , a gargoyle on top of the church came to life and swooped down on her . NARRATOR 1 : Jack , dressed as a gargoyle , jumps out . George screams . NARRATOR 2 : Barrie and Sylvia start laughing even harder . Sylvia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . BARRIE : Peter , water , quick ! Jack , call a doctor ! SYLVIA ( coughing ) : No ! No doctors ! NARRATOR 1 : Sylvia goes upstairs to rest . The younger boys go to bed . PETER : Do n't tell me it 's only a cold . BARRIE : I do n't know what it is , Peter . PETER : I 'm sick of grownups lying to me ! She told me my father was going to take me on a fishing trip , and he died the next morning . BARRIE : I wo n't lie to you , I promise . PETER : No , you 'll just make up stupid stories . Well I wo n't ! NARRATOR 2 : Peter grabs his notebook and begins tearing it up . Sylvia comes downstairs . SYLVIA : Peter , your play ! All this fuss about a little cold ! NARRATOR 1 : Peter silently walks upstairs . BARRIE : Sylvia , I 've noticed you coughing before . You ca n't go on pretending nothing 's wrong . You 've got @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ " into this family . You showed us that we can change things by simply believing they are different . BARRIE : We can change some things , Sylvia , but not everything . SYLVIA : I want to keep pretending , James , right up to the end . NARRATOR 2 : Barrie hugs Sylvia while she cries . SCENE 8 NARRATOR 1 : The next day , Barrie , Frohman , and a group of actors meet at the theater to begin rehearsals . The Davies boys come to watch . NARRATOR 2 : Barrie hands out copies of his new play , Peter Pan . BARRIE : Peter Pan will " fly " using this . NARRATOR 1 : Barrie holds up a leather harness , which is attached to a rope . The actor playing Peter Pan gulps . NARRATOR 2 : Another actor points to a page in the script . ACTOR : I think there 's a mistake here , Mr. Barrie . It says I 'm supposed to be the nanny . BARRIE : You 're not a human nanny . You 're a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fluffy dog suit 's for you . NARRATOR 1 : The actor wonders if he chose the right career . FROHMAN ( kidding ) : He could play Tinker Bell too . BARRIE : No-Tinker Bell 's just a light that moves around the stage . NARRATOR 2 : The actors look at Barrie as if he 's gone crazy . NARRATOR 1 : Frohman pulls Barrie aside as they read . NARRATOR 2 : Meanwhile , George secretly climbs into the harness . FROHMAN : Picture this : Opening night . Doctors , lawyers , and businesspeople , all dressed up . They 've paid a lot for their tickets . The curtain opens , and they see a guy in a dog suit and a boy swinging on a rope ! BARRIE ( sadly ) : You 're right . They 'll never understand . NARRATOR 1 : Suddenly Barrie has an idea . BARRIE : On opening night , I want 25 seats set aside . FROHMAN : Not paid for ? BARRIE : I want them scattered through the theater-two here , two there . FROHMAN : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'll be filled . Do n't worry . GEORGE ( yelling from above ) : I 'm flying ! NARRATOR 2 : Everyone looks up as George swoops over the stage in the harness . NARRATOR 1 : The rope is too long . Crash ! George hits the floor with a crunch . His arm breaks . NARRATOR 2 : George holds his throbbing arm and tries to smile . GEORGE : I think I 've found a way to get us all to the hospital . BARRIE : Peter , take Jack and Michael home . Tell your mother to meet us at the hospital . SCENE 9 NARRATOR 1 : Sylvia finds Barrie in the hospital waiting room . SYLVIA ( angrily ) : Was this your idea , James ? BARRIE : What ? SYLVIA : George wo n't allow them to set his arm until I agree to be examined by a doctor . NARRATOR 2 : Barrie shrugs . He 's secretly pleased . BARRIE : I guess you have to , then . NARRATOR 1 : Sylvia goes to be examined . NARRATOR 2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the waiting room . DOCTOR : Mr. Barrie , I have some bad news . Mrs. Davies has only a few weeks to live . BARRIE : Oh no ! NARRATOR 1 : Full of sadness , Barrie takes Sylvia and George home . SCENE 10 NARRATOR 2 : It is the opening night of Peter Pan . At the theater , Barrie nervously looks around for the Davies family , but they 're nowhere to be seen . NARRATOR 1 : Sylvia lies in bed . She is very sick . PETER : Mother , can I do anything ? SYLVIA : Go and see the play . . PETER : I ca n't do that . NARRATOR 2 : Sylvia points to Peter 's notebook . He opens it and sees that she has stuck all the ripped pages back together . SYLVIA : I 've never been so proud of you , Peter . Please go tonight . NARRATOR 1 : Peter hurries to the theater . SCENE 11 NARRATOR 2 : At the theater , the Davies 's seats are not the only ones that are empty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ BARRIE : The seats will be filled , Charles . FROHMAN : Really ? Or are you just .. : imagining it ? BARRIE : Look ! NARRATOR 1 : A group of children walk into the theater with wide eyes . FROHMAN : Where did they come from ? BARRIE : The local orphanage . Come on , kids ! You 'll love this play ! NARRATOR 2 : As the children take their seats , Peter hurries in . NARRATOR 1 : The play begins . The actor in the dog suit bounds on stage . ACTOR : Woof , woof ! NARRATOR 2 : The adults in the audience raise their eyebrows , but the children laugh and wave at the dog . NARRATOR 1 : seeing the children 's reaction , the adults smile and start to enjoy the play . NARRATOR 2 : Everyone gasps in delight when Peter Pan " flies " onstage . NARRATOR 1 : In the back of the theater , Frohman watches the enchanted audience . FROHMAN ( quietly ) : A genius . NARRATOR 2 : The play is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days later , Sylvia dies . At her funeral , Mrs. Du Maurier talks to Barrie . MRS . DM : You and I are now the boys " guardians . I do n't know if you have the strength to stay and care for them . BARRIE : You think I could abandon those boys ? MRS . DM : You would n't be just a playmate , you know . You would be responsible for them . BARRIE : I understand that . MRS . DM : You 'll have to talk to me every day . BARRIE : I did n't think it would be easy . NARRATOR 2 : Mrs. Du Maurier laughs , then becomes serious again . MRS . DM : Your first job is to comfort Peter . NARRATOR 1 : Barrie goes to Peter and puts an arm around him . PETER : I miss mother so much . BARRIE : You can still see her , Peter . PETER : How ? BARRIE : With your imagination . NARRATOR 2 : Peter smiles though his tears . PETER : Yes , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mrs. Du Maurier , and the children walk home , sadly , but together . Epilogue NARRATOR 2 : Today , 100 years after his first appearance , Peter Pan continues to show up in theaters , books , and movies around the world , reminding us of the important power of fantasy . NARRATOR 1 : According to Barrie 's wishes , his play will always support needy children . Every time Peter Pan appears , money goes to a children 's hospital in London , to which Barrie donated his copyright in 1929 . Sidebar VOCABULARY PREVIEW : As you read , look for context clues to learn these words : reluctantly * gleaming * discipline * skeptical * enchanted Photograph Barrie ( Johnny Depp ) realizes that the kite needs a tail ! Sylvia ( Kate Winslet ) helps him along . Sidebar PLAY POINT : The play Peter Pan was first produced in London , England , on December 27 , 1904nearly 100 years ago ! Photograph Michael gets ready to fly as George holds the kite up . Sidebar PLAY POINT : In 1911 , J. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Wendy . It is now also published as Peter Pan . Photograph Barrie shares his notebook with Peter . Sidebar PLAY POINT : Peter 's last name is borrowed from Pan , the mischievous Greek god of the woodland . Photograph Sidebar PLAY POINT : Barrie 's dog , Porthos , was a Newfoundland , but often appears in Peter Pan movies as a St. Bernard . <p> 
##1010951 A young hero of a new novel discovers a fantastic land deep below New York City . <p> When Gregor 's baby sister , Boots , crawls down a grate in the laundry room of their New York City apartment building , he has to follow . Together , they hurtle into the dark Underland beneath the city . There they meet gentle , human-size cockroaches and evil , giant rats . Huge bats are transportation for the strange humans of this sunless place . In this excerpt from the novel , Gregor meets a haughty girl with purple eyes . Will she be a friend or a foe ? As you read , notice the vivid adjectives and sensory details author Suzanne Collins uses to make this odd world spring to life . Hands down , she was the strangest-looking person Gregor had ever seen . Her skin was so pale , he could see every vein in her body . He thought of the section on the human anatomy in his science book . Flip one page , see the bones . Next , the digestive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At first he thought her hair was gray like his grandma 's , but that was n't right . It was really more of a silver color , like blond hair with a metallic tint . The hair was woven in an intricate braid down her back and was tucked into a belt at her waist . A thin band of gold encircled the girl 's head . It could have been some kind of hair band , but Gregor had a bad feeling it was a crown . When Gregor meets Luxa for the first time , Luxa is playing a game with bats and balls-but it 's nothing like baseball ! <p> When Gregor meets Luxa for the first time , Luxa is playing a game with bats and balls-but it 's nothing like baseball ! <p> He did n't want this girl to be in charge . He could tell by the upright way she held herself , by the slight smile at the left corner of her mouth , by the way she managed to be looking down at him even though he was a good six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attitude . That 's what his mom would say about certain girls he knew . " She 's got real attitude . " She would shake her head , but Gregor could tell she approved of these girls . Well , there was having attitude and then there was just being a total show-off . Gregor felt sure she 'd done a fancy flip off the bat completely for his benefit . One flip would have been plenty . It was her way to intimidate him , but he would n't be intimidated . Gregor looked straight into the girl 's eyes and saw that her irises were a dazzling shade of light purple . He held his ground . Gregor did n't know how long they might have stood there sizing each other up if Boots had n't intervened . She plowed into the girl , knocking her off balance . The girl staggered back a step and looked at Boots in disbelief . Boots grinned winningly and held up a pudgy hand . " Ball ? " she said hopefully . The young queen of the Underland has a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knee and held out the ball to Boots , but she kept her fingers wrapped tightly around it . " It is yours if you can take it , " she said in a voice like her eyes : cold , clear , and foreign . Boots tried to take the ball , but the girl did n't release it . Confused , she pulled on the girl 's fingers . " Ball ? " The girl shook her head . " You will have to be stronger or smarter than I am . " Boots looked up at the girl , registered something , and poked her right in the eye . " Pu-ple ! " she said . The girl jerked back , dropping the ball . Boots scrambled after it and scooped it up . Gregor could n't resist . " I guess she 's smarter , " he said . It was a little mean , but he did n't like her messing with Boots that way . The girl narrowed her eyes . " But not you . Or you would not say such things to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : She was royalty . Now she 'd probably chop off his head or something . Still , he felt it would be bad if he acted scared . Gregor shrugged . " No , if I 'd known you were a queen , I 'd probably have said something a lot cooler . " " " Cool-er ? " she said , raising her eyebrows . " Better , " said Gregor , for lack of a cooler word . The girl decided to take it as an apology . " I will forgive it as you are not knowing . What are you called , Overlander ? " " My name is Gregor . And that 's Boots , " he said , pointing to his sister . " What 's your name ? " " I am Queen Luxa , " said the girl . " Louk-za ? " said Gregor , trying to get the odd inflection right . " What means this , what the baby says ? Pu-ple ? " she asked . " Purple . It 's her favorite color . And your eyes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ explained Gregor . Boots heard the word and came over holding up her palms , which were still dyed purple from the marker . " Pu-ple ! " " I have never seen brown before . Not on a human , " said Luxa , staring into Boots 's eyes . " Or this . " She caught Boots 's wrist and ran her fingers over the silky , light brown skin . " It must need much light . " NO-SWEAT TEST PREP 1 . What does this metaphor mean ? " This girl was a walking circulatory system . " ( figurative language ) A The girl was walking in circles . B It was obvious she was a queen . C She looked like a page from Gregor 's anatomy textbook come to life . D She had a system for dealing with people from the Overland . 2 . Why does Luxa drop the ball ? ( cause and effect ) A She is shocked to see brown eyes . B She wants Boots to catch it . C Boots pokes her in the eye . D @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gregor feel about Luxa ? ( analyzing character ) A He thinks she 'll become a good friend . B He thinks she is arrogant and cold . C He dislikes girls in general . D He enjoys meeting royalty . Writer 's Toolbox Descriptive writing aims to show as well as tell . Find three places in this excerpt where Collins uses visual details to help readers see the Underland through Gregor 's eyes . You have been transported to another world . Your hosts want to know all about your school back on Earth . Write a paragraph describing everything you see , hear , smell , taste , and touch in a typical day ! TEACHERS : For a rubric on descriptive writing , see the Teacher 's Edition . Photograph Sidebar AUTHOR INFO Meet Suzanne Collins Suzannne Collins has written for children 's TV for years . Gregor the Overlander and its sequel , Gregor and the Prophecy of the Bane , are her first novels . Q. How did you get the idea lor Gregor ? A. I 'd been walking around New York City thinking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a boy falling down , down , down beneath the city and encountering a giant cockroach . Q. Why do you write for young adults ? A. Young people are the best audience possible . They will consider new ideas . Q. What do you like to read ? A. I am crazy about Greek mythology . The people and the gods experience a wide range of human emotions in a magical world . -David Marc Fischer <p> 
##1010953 PLAY : Understanding literary devices Headnote Rudy 's all ready for his first date-or is he ? Everyone 's giving him advice , but what he really needs is some cash to pay for dinner . Based on a play by the award-Winning YA author . Adapted for Scope by Rachel Waugh . <p> Rudy 's looking forward to his date with Patricia . So are his mom , his best friend , Alex , and his Uncle Juan ! Read on to find out what happens . <p> SCENE 1 NARRATOR 1 : It 's summertime and school 's out . Rudy and his best friend , Alex , are hanging out in Rudy 's backyard in Fresno , California . NARRATOR 2 : Rudy , a ninth-grader , has made a date with Patricia , who 's in eleventh grade . He 's nervous , so he asks Alex for advice . RUDY : What am I going to talk about ? She 's older than me and good-looking . ALEX : Just level with her . Tell her you 're sorry you look the way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Marc Antony ? You 're no help at all . ALEX : Just joking , Rudy . Break the ice . Ask her what her favorite color is . I picked up that little secreto from Mama Rosa . RUDY : That lady who gives advice on the radio ? ALEX : That 's right . Just ask , " What 's your favorite color ? " RUDY : She wo n't think I 'm weird ? ALEX : No , she 'll say something like " green " or " pink . " RUDY : And I 'll tell her my favorite color is blue . ALEX : There you go . Just be cool . RUDY : Cool ... ALEX : Like an iceberg . SCENE 2 NARRATOR 1 : Rudy becomes pensive . RUDY : I ca n't believe Fm going out with a girl in the eleventh grade . Do you know what I was doing yesterday ? I was playing with G.I. Joes with my little cousin . Man , it was fun . G.I. Joe was beating up Ken , and Barbie was watching . @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ RUDY : But I have another problem . I told Patricia I was taking her to Steaks , Steaks , and More Steaks . ALEX : Those burgers cost twice as much as McDonald 's ! RUDY : How much do you think I 'll need ? ALEX : At least $15 . RUDY : Fifteen dollars ! NARRATOR 1 : The friends think hard . How can Rudy pay for his date with Patricia ? SCENE 3 NARRATOR 2 : Patricia is at her friend Alicia 's house . ALICIA : You 're so lucky you have a date . PATRICIA : Rudy is taking me to Steaks , Steaks , and More Steaks ! ALICIA : Wow . You get a hamburger , and you get to fall in love , too . PATRICIA : He 's so considerate . He gives me extra chili beans when he serves me in the cafeteria . ALICIA : Wait a minute-Rudy 's the little kid who works in the cafeteria ? Is n't he in ninth grade ? PATRICIA : So ? ALICIA : So , he probably still carries his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are modern times , Alicia . Anyway , it 's just a date . Life is so strange ... a couple of years ago I was playing with Barbie and Ken , and making Ken kiss Barbie . ALICIA : Yeah , I had a Barbie too . My stupid brother cut all her hair off . How are you going to wear your hair on your date , by the way ? PATRICIA : I 'm going to get it done at the House of Beauty ! NARRATOR 1 : The girls continue talking about the big date . SCENE 4 NARRATOR 2 : That evening , Rudy and his mom are in the living room . RUDY : Mom , who was your first boyfriend ? MOM : I had only one boyfriend-your papi . RUDY : Mom , level with me . I was born 14 years ago . I know a lot . MOM : Why do you want to know these things ? RUDY : I 'm going out with a girl tomorrow . MOM : What ? ! RUDY : I told her I would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ borrow 15 bucks ? MOM : Hold on ! Who 's this girl ? RUDY : Her name is Patricia . She 's really , really cute . But she 's a little older than me . MOM : How much older ? RUDY : Well , she 's 16 . MOM : Sixteen ! RUDY : Come on , Mom , you 're older than Papi . MOM : But I look younger . RUDY : Much younger . How about 10 dollars ? I 'll pay you back when I get a job . MOM : Sure you will . You 'll get married and move away and never think of your mami ever again . RUDY : Mom , I 'm just going for a hamburger . MOM : If you go on this date , I want you to be a gentleman . RUDY : Was Dad a gentleman when you were dating ? MOM : Of course . Your papi is an upstanding man . Just like you . RUDY : Thanks , Mom . MOM : This is a good country . We 've built @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cement truck and I have my chair at the House of Beauty . And one day you 'll go to college . NARRATOR 1 : She examines Rudy 's hair . MOM : But first I think you need a cut ... NARRATOR 2 : Mom goes to find her scissors . SCENE 5 NARRATOR 1 : Rudy 's Uncle Juan wanders in strumming his guitar . He has long hair and a tie-dyed T-shirt . JUAN : Rudy-tudy ! ? Que ? as a ? RUDY ( glumly ) : Hey , Uncle Juan . JUAN : Why the long face ? RUDY : I do n't have any money for my date . JUAN : No problem , Rudy . Your Uncle Juan will help you . NARRATOR 2 : Mom returns with her scissors . JUAN : Hey , Sis , how are things ? Can you lend me a twenty ? MOM : First Rudy , and now you ! Juan , it 's about time you got a job . JUAN : I got a job . The money 's not for me , it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : Rudy 's mom opens her purse and gives Rudy a 10-dollar bill . RUDY : Thanks , Mom . MOM : It 's all clean . It went through the wash . It was in your papi 's pants . Rudy , get ready for your haircut . NARRATOR 2 : Rudy goes to the bathroom to wet his hair . MOM : Did you really get a job , Juanito ? JUAN : Sure ! I 'm playing guitar at Steaks , Steaks , and More Steaks . I start tomorrow ! * SCENE 6 * NARRATOR 1 : Down die road , a famous radio DJ named El Gato is at his microphone . A woman wearing a bright scarf on her head sits next to him . GATO : Hola ! Hello to everyone out there in radiolandia . Today we have a special guest 011 station Uno Dos Tres-the Doctor of Love , Mama Rosa . Mama Rosa , what makes opposites attract ? ROSA : The moon lining up with Venus ... GATO : That sounds pretty spacey . How about some romance tips we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ If a woman is staring at a man while adjusting her purse strap , she wants money . GATO : Is that so ? ROSA : S , seor . And if a man is staring at a woman while she 's eating a burrito , it 's obvious he just wants her to cook for him . GATO : Wow ! This is valuable information . So , if staring is no good , how do we get people together ? ROSA : Bingo . GATO : What ? ROSA : That 's right . You meet the nicest people playing bingo . GATO ( surprised ) : Bingo . OK . Let 's have some music ... NARRATOR 2 : El Gato plays the love song " Te Amar. " * SCENE * NARRATOR 1 : At the House of Beauty , Rudy 's mom is combing the hair of her close friend and customer Estela . " Te Amar " plays in the background . MOM : What color do you want your hair this time ? ESTELA : Red . Redheads have more fun . MOM : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attitude . ESTELA ( angrily ) : I do n't have an attitude . My first three husbands had attitudes . I 'm as sweet as pie . MOM : I mean your personality . It does n't matter what you look like . Your inner self is what counts . ESTELA : If that 's true , what are you doing in the beauty business ? MOM ( laughing ) : Well , we all want beautyand , every now and " then , to fall in love . NARRATOR 2 : Mom puts a big squirt of dye on Estela 's hair . MOM : I 'll rinse this off in 10 minutes . NARRATOR 1 : Patricia enters the salon . MOM : Buenos das , seorita . PATRICIA : Buenos das , seora . MOM : Please sit down . PATRICIA : Thanks . Can you give me curls ? MOM : Of course . Let me guess , you 're going on a date ? Is he cute ? PATRICIA : Yes , and sweet . He does n't smoke or cuss . NARRATOR 2 : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He sounds like a decent boy . PATRICIA : He is , but he 's younger than me . NARRATOR 1 : Mom rinses Patricia 's hair . ESTELA : Stay away from younger men . They usually have bad credit . MOM : Age is nothing . What 's important is personality . NARRATOR 2 : Mom rinses Estela 's hair , then begins winding Patricia 's hair around curling rods . PATRICIA : That 's what I told my friend Alicia . Rudy 's smart too , for a boy . MOM ( surprised ) : Rudy ? Does he go to Roosevelt High ? PATRICIA : How did you know ? MOM : A lucky guess . Are you sure you should go out with him ? He is younger . ESTELA ( making trouble ) : I thought you said it was OK to date younger guys ! MOM : Estela , go sit under the dryer . Does he have a nice family ? PATRICIA : Yes , but he says his mother is overprotective . MOM ( annoyed ) : Really ? Did he say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . Ouch ! NARRATOR 1 : Mom winds Patricia 's hair too tightly around the curler . MOM ( to herself ) : Already he 's forgotten his mami ! PATRICIA : What ? MOM : Never mind . NARRATOR 2 : Patricia sits under a dryer . Estela comes out from under the other dryer . Her hair is bright red . ESTELA : I like it . It 's got attitude ! NARRATOR 1 : While Patricia is under the noisy dryer , Mom and Estela make a plan ... * SCENE 8 * NARRATOR 2 : The next day is the big day . Rudy and Patricia walk into Steaks , Steaks , and More Steaks . Rudy turns away from Patricia and nervously counts his money . He quickly puts his wallet away as the waiter approaches . WAITER : Sir , " Miss , please take a seat . NARRATOR 1 : The waiter hands them menus . PATRICIA : How romantic . Look , a guitarist ! NARRATOR 2 : Rudy sees that it 's his Uncle Juan , who waves at him . Rudy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . RUDY : He 's OK .... That 's a cute cat pin you 're wearing , Patricia . PATRICIA : Thanks . I got it when I was 8 . That 's when we got my cat . RUDY : What 's your cat 's name ? PATRICIA : Novio Boy . RUDY : You mean , like , " Sweetheart Boy " ? PATRICIA : Yes , because lots of girl cats find him adorable . NARRATOR 1 : The waiter approaches . WAITER : Have you decided yet ? PATRICIA : I 'll have the Texas burger with jalapeno cheese , jumbo fries , a chocolate milkshake , a caesar salad with garlic dressing , and a large root beer . NARRATOR 2 : Rudy frowns at the prices on the menu . RUDY : Crackers and a small diet soda , please . WAITER : Thank you . I 'll be right back with your food . NARRATOR 1 : Juan strolls over to their table , playing a love song . He whispers hola to Rudy . RUDY ( whispering ) : Uncle , what are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my new job . Here , Rudy , this might help . NARRATOR 2 : He slips Rudy a couple of crumpled dollar bills . RUDY ( whispering ) : Thanks , Uncle . NARRATOR 1 : Rudy and Patricia chat as they wait for their food . * SCENE 9 * NARRATOR 2 : Alex appears in the restaurant , wearing dark glasses . He sits near Rudy and Patricia . NARRATOR 1 : Patricia 's beeper goes off . PATRICIA : It 's Alicia . I wo n't be long , Rudy . NARRATOR 2 : Patricia goes to the payphone . RUDY ( to Alex ) : She ordered everything on the menu ! And do n't look , but my uncle 's playing the guitar ! ALEX : So how 's the conversation going ? RUDY : I told her I liked her hair . ALEX : That 's good . RUDY : Then I said she had a big mouth , but in a good way . ALEX : OK , enough about her looks . Talk about her personality . Girls like that . NARRATOR @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's shirt pocket . RUDY : You 're the best , Alex . NARRATOR 2 : Patricia returns . At the next table , Alex ducks behind his menu . PATRICIA : Is he a friend of yours ? RUDY : Kind of . Patricia , you 've got a ... unique personality . I mean you 're not stuck up . You 're willing to go out with a boy who ... PATRICIA : What ? RUDY : Who still has his G.I. Joes . PATRICIA : Rudy , that 's cute ! NARRATOR 1 : The waiter brings their food . Patricia shares her burger with Rudy . * SCENE 10 * NARRATOR 2 : Rudy 's mom and Estela enter the restaurant . They see Rudy , but he does n't see them . NARRATOR 1 : Juan waves to the two women , and puts his finger to his lips . They sit behind Rudy , so they can hear everything . RUDY : Patricia , you look like a mermaid . MOM ( whispering to Estela ) : A mermaid ? RUDY : Your eyelashes blow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ romantico ! How romantic ! PATRICIA : Do you know those two women sitting behind us ? NARRATOR 2 : Rudy turns around and sees his mom . RUDY ( glaring ) : No , I never saw them before . PATRICIA : Let 's dance , Rudy . RUDY : I 'm too full . PATRICIA : Come on . No one 's watching us . NARRATOR 1 : Patricia tries to pull Rudy closer , but he struggles to keep her at arm 's length as his morn watches . NARRATOR 2 : When they sit down again , the waiter comes over . WAITER : Your bill , sir . RUDY : Thank you . NARRATOR 1:Rudy gulps when he sees the bill . But thanks to his mom , Juan , and Alex , he has just enough cash . PATRICIA : Next time , I 'll treat you . I had a lot of fun , Rudy . RUDY : Me too . You do n't mind that I 'm younger ? PATRICIA : Of course not . NARRATOR 2 : Patricia gives Rudy a kiss @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NARRATOR 1 : Everyone hurries over to Rudy 's table . RUDY : Mom , you were snooping ! MOM : What-are you ashamed of your mami ? RUDY : No , I just need some privacy ! JUAN : S. We have to give him a little space . MOM : She 's a nice girl . ESTELA : And pretty . MOM : My little boy is growing up ! RUDY : But she wiped me out for the rest of ninth grade . JUAN : You can pay me back later . ALEX : But me first ! RUDY : I 'm going to have a yard sale , so I can pay you all back . ALEX : What are you going to sell ? RUDY : My G.I. Joes-and my Ninja Turtle lunch box . ALEX : I 'll help you out . I 've got some stuff under my bed . RUDY : Thanks , man . ALEX ( winking ) : Hey , it 's tough being a " novio boy . " MOM : Let 's celebrate . Rudy survived his first date @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next to the character you 're going to read . *Narrator 1 *Narrator 2 *Rudy , a ninth-grader *Alex , Rudy 's best friend *Patricia , an eleventh-grader Alicia , Patricia 's best friend *Mom , Rudy 's mother *Uncle Juan , Rudy 's uncle *El Gato , a DJ Mama Rosa , a fortune teller *Este la , a friend of Rudy 's mom Waiter *Starred characters are major roles . VOCABULARY PREVIEW : As you read , look for context clues to learn these words : pensive * considerate * upstanding * obvious * unique Sidebar SPANISH GLOSSARY Use this glossary and pronunciation key as you go along : * secreto seh-KREH-toh , secret * Papi PAH-pee , Dad * Mami MAH-mee , Mom * uno , dos , tres OO-noh , DOHS , TRESS , one , two , three * seor/seora sen-YOHR , sen-YOH-rah , sir , ma'am * seorita sen-yoh-REE-tah , miss * el gato el GAH-toh , the cat *te amar TAY ah-niah-REH , I will love you * buenos dia : BWE-nos DEE-ahs , good morning ( hello ) * novio NOH-vee-oh , sweetheart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , what 's happening ? qu romntico ! KEH roh-MAN-tee-coh , how romantic ! * radiolandia RAH-dee-oh-LAN-dee-ah , radio land *Ay , muchacho ! EYE moo-CHAH-choh , Oh , boy ! <p> Alicia is surprised that Patricia 's date is only 14 ! Sidebar PLAYPOINT : Solo has published more than 30 books , including novels , short stories , and poems . He 's won more than 15 writing awards . <p> Uncle Juan shares his talent for music-and for borrowing money . Sidebar PLAY POINT : When Solo was 5 , his father died . His mother was left to raise her three children : Gary , his brother , Rick , and sister , Debra . <p> Little does Patricia know , her hairdresser is her date 's mother ! Sidebar PLAY POINT : One of Soto 's novels , Buried Onions , is being made into a major motion picture ! Watch for it in 2005 . <p> What is each character doing in this scene ? Sidebar PLAYPOINT : Soto 's most recent book , The Afterlife , is narrated by the ghost of a murdered @ @ @ 