Brave New World
an adaptation of Aldous Huxley's novel
by Paul Stebbings and Phil Smith
for American Drama Group Europe & TNT theatre Britain.
Performance draft July 99.
CAST (Five plus taped voices):
- Bernard Marx
- Helmholtz
- Fanny/Linda
- Lenina
- The Director/John the Savage.
- Epsilons, Deltas, Savages, Policemen played by all.
ACT ONE
Scene 1
(On stage is a constructivist object made out of poles which can be spun and hung upon, approx. two meters tall.
A humming electronic music begins to be heard. A gas masked policemen takes a loud hailer and speaks):
Police: Epsilon workers take your soma tablets now. Relax. Your leisure time entertainment begins in five
seconds. Take your pill and sit quite still. Come, come come! Float off to fun!
(As the beat of the music begins to intensify Bernard and Lenina, two Alpha plus members of the elite, enter
through the auditorium).
Bernard:
Ah, officer, which way to the Alpha Beta Disco cathedral?
(Policeman points and pats Lenina
on the bottom as he exits).
Lenina:
Thank you officer. Oh Ford! Quick let's get away from those horrible epsilons. Look at them
sitting there! Yuck! I hate Epsilons! (She performs standard ape parody).
Bernard:
They won't hurt you, Lenina! They've taken their Soma drug.
Lenina:
0h, but they're so… stupid!
Bernard:
"Even Epsilons are useful. We couldn't do without Epsilons."
Lenina:
Come on, Bernard, let's dance!
Bernard:
Oh Ford!
(As Lenina and Bernard enter the stage area, Fanny and Helmholtz enter, dancing a strangely clinical, but highly
physical dance - a courtship dance, more gymnastic than romantic. Lenina and Bernard join in).
This little bottle of mine
It's better than any wine
You can get smashed
Without breaking glass
Any place, any body, any time!
Oh this little bottle of mine
This little bottle of mine!
(They squirt each other with aerosol sprays and their bodies erupt into erotic movements.)
Fanny: (Shouts) A squirt of soma spray. And it's a sexy day! (To Helmholtz) Squirt me more! Squirt me more!
(Helmholtz squirts Fanny with the spray and she writhes and thrashes in pleasure. Helmholtz is chasing her,
stalking her round the dance floor of the cabaret, enjoying the chase.)
Lenina:
(To Bernard) Squirt me, Bernard! Squirt me! Come on. A squirt is better than a flirt!
Bernard:
I'm not in the mood!
Lenina:
There are no moods, face the facts: just relax!
Bernard:
There are no moods, face the facts: just relax! (Bernard squirts spray on Lenina, who writhes
with pleasure.)
Lenina:
More, more! (Bernard does not oblige.) Don't you want to have me, Bernard? Take me, educate
me! (Lenina squirts soma spray at Bernard. He dodges it.)
Bernard:
Just wait a moment! I'm not ready! (Bernard looks about for an excuse. Sees Helmholtz with
Fanny now draped around him.) Helmholtz! Helmholtz, old buddy!
(Helmholtz sees Bernard, at first with some irritation, then takes advantage of the opportunity to get away
from Fanny.)
Helmholtz:
(To Fanny:) Wait here for me. Baby!
(He breaks from Fanny, squirting her with an extra strong amount of soma spray. Fanny writhes on the ground.
Helmholtz goes over to Bernard.)
Bernard:
Help me, old man, help me! Lenina wants to have me now.
Helmholtz:
Everyone belongs to everyone else – do your duty. What is her name? I think I had her last year.
I had her last year. Very pneumatic.
Bernard:
Her name’s Lenina.
Helmholtz:
Oh yes! I thought you wanted to have her?
Bernard:
I do. But not right now. I want to get to know her a little.
Helmholtz:
There's nothing else to get to know. What you see is what you get.
Bernard:
There must be some mystery? Why won’t she talk to me before we do it. You could help. Unless
you have things you have to that other girl? (Looking over at the writhing Fanny.)
Helmholtz:
Oh, I've had a hundred and thirty girls this year, you know!
Bernard:
(Politely) Any good ones?
Helmholtz:
How long is it since you had a girl?
Bernard:
(Embarrassed) I've been busy. Look out, here they come!
(Fanny and Lenina have recovered from their writhing and now gyrate around Bernard and Helmholtz. They sing,
lasciviously:)
This little bottle of mine
It's better than any wine
You can get smashed
Without breaking glass
Any place, any body, any time!
Fanny:
0, Helmholtz, darling, come with Lenina and I! Let’s have a megawoosh cocktail at the bar. Just
you and us two!
Lenina:
0, I want Bernard to come!
Helmholtz:
Sorry, girls! We're busy! Come on, Bernard!
Fanny:
Hey wait! Why did you bring us to the cathedral if you didn't want to have us!
Bernard:
I'm sorry, Lenina!
Lenina:
(Smiles) No one needs ever be sorry! Thank Ford!
All:
Thank Ford!
Helmholtz:
Bernard:
Come on, Bernard, if you want to talk you can talk to me.
(Now he can't drag himself away:) Goodbye, Lenina. Would you play obstacle squash with me next
week?
Lenina:
I'd love to!
Helmholtz:
Never wait, never late!
Bernard:
Coming! (To Lenina:) Freud bless! (Bernard catches up with Helmholtz.)
Helmholtz:
Those women! Terrible. Boring.
Bernard:
I don’t think Lenina is boring – they say she spent nearly four months having only one man!
Helmholtz:
There must be something better.
Bernard:
It’s easy for you to say that! (Almost in tears) Everyone laughs at me. If you knew what I have to
put up with. If you only knew.
Helmholtz:
Poor little Bernard. Come on. (They leave.)
Fanny:
How long have you been moping after that funny Bernard Marx? He doesn't even LOOK like an
Alpha!
Lenina:
Only a week.
Fanny:
I like that! Lenina! ONLY a week! Have you had no one else in all that time?
Lenina:
No. I don't see why I have to have someone all the time!
Fanny:
0, you don't! (Shouts as if to invisible listeners:) Lenina doesn't see why she has to have someone
all the time! (To Lenina, seriously:) It's nice! It's fun! You be careful! It's such horribly bad
manners to get fixed on one man!
Lenina:
I just haven't been feeling very promiscuous lately. Don't you ever get tired, Fanny?
Fanny:
You have to make an effort. Everyone belongs...
Lenina:
to everyone else. I'll make an effort. Maybe I'll have him after obstacle squash.
Fanny:
Good girl. (Exit).
Scene 2
(The stage is bathed in an undulating red light. huge test tubes with embryo dolls in them are being spun around
by a hunched and limping Epsilon. A new range of sounds are heard. Electronic ambient music combined with
strange whisperings. At the back of the stage the Director appears followed by Bernard.)
Director:
(To Bernard) Marx! Where are your students!
Bernard:
They should be here. Here they are! (Lenina enters).
Lenina:
Come on! It's starting! (Fanny appears behind Lenina, at the front of the stage. They wear white
coats).
Director:
Good morning, students.
Lenina & Fanny:
Good morning, Director.
Fanny:
Sorry we're late. I was having my Professor.
Director:
Good girl! Never neglect your research!
Fanny:
Thank you, sir.
(The scene continues at pace, it is like a ward round with a senior consultant who marches from object to object
at speed with the students in pursuit, the machine whirring and the Epsilon assistant/slave working furiously
throughout).
Director:
So Alpha class, this morning is your final opportunity to consider general theory. So let's get on
with it! Marx!
Bernard:
Yes, sir?
Director:
Where shall I begin?
Bernard:
At the beginning, sir?
Director:
At the beginning. (The students repeat and copy into their notebooks.)
Lenina & Fanny:
Director:
Lenina & Fanny:
Begin - at - the - beginning.
The breeding hatcheries of London. See, the raw material of Society! The eggs and sperm of
future generations. All kept at a steady blood temperature. From this indistinct mass we shall
scientifically produce the genetically, socially and intellectually separate classes of the future the Alphas like us, the Betas, the Gammas, Deltas and (Pokes the Epsilon slave then pats him
when he looks around - all laugh indulgently).... the Epsilons. (Lenina and Fanny, the students,
giggle. The Director roars:) Even Epsilons are useful! We couldn't do without Epsilons! We
couldn't do without you. (The Epsilon beams).
(repeating phrases from their hypnopaedia) "Everyone works for everyone else! We need
everyone"
Director:
Good! Mister Marx, perhaps you would like to describe the scientific creation of our system of
classes?
Bernard:
Yes, Sir. Er... (Coughs, a little nervous).
Director:
Some time today, Mister Marx.
Bernard:
Er. Sorry. Yes. It's very simple really. We start with the same basic material. The eggs for the
higher Alpha and Beta classes are fertilised by one sperm and each one grows into a single
embryo: barring accidents.
Fanny:
They say Bernard was a genetic accident, that's why he is so weird. (The students giggle.)
Director:
Carry on, Mister Marx. It's very interesting...
Bernard:
Yes. Er… Then there's the lower classes! Their eggs are removed immediately after fertilisation
for cloning. From a single Delta or Epsilon egg we can produce up to 96 embryos, each of which...
barring accidents... (Lenina and Fanny giggle.)
Bernard:
I don't get the joke!
Director:
(Enjoying Bernard's discomfort) What Mister Marx is trying to tell us is that in our fertilising
room here the higher classes, Betas and Alphas like yourselves, are produced individually while
the masses - like these lower class embryos here - (Slave whizzes a test tube round for them to
examine.) - are cloned in batches of identical brothers and sisters. Observe the lower class
embryos! Identical workers grown in rows of 96 identical bottles for work on rows of 96
identical machines! This genetic engineering creates social stability.
Lenina & Fanny:
(writing) Genetic engineering creates stability.
Director:
Community, Identity, Stability!
Students:
Community, Identity, Stability!
Epsilon:
Communidy! Standentity! Stupidity! (All laugh patronisingly at the Epsilon).
Director:
Well done Epsilon, now off you go and bring in a little Delta.
Epsilon:
Deltas are dumb. But we need dumb deltas. (Smiles and exits)
Lenina:
(Mimics) Deltas are dumb. (Giggles)
Director:
We need them all.
Lenina:
Sorry Director I'm a naughty girl.
Director:
What's your name, my dear?
Lenina:
Lenina Crowne, sir.
Director:
Very nice. (The Director: pats Lenina on the bottom. Lenina takes her paper of figures from
Bernard and rejoins Fanny. Then confidentially to Bernard:) Have you had her yet, Bernard?
Bernard:
Not yet, sir.
Director:
Really? You amaze me! She's splendidly pneumatic! (Makes gesture).
Bernard:
I certainly will have her at the first opportunity.
Director:
That's the spirit! We have the reputation of my hatchery to keep up.
Lenina:
(To Fanny) The Director is such a polite man. He just patted my bottom.
Fanny:
I thought you only wanted weird Bernard.
Lenina:
Maybe.
(A delta baby is brought on).
Bernard:
Director! It's a Delta! In the Fertilisation area!
Director:
Are you embarrassed in the presence of a Delta? Don't you know that even Deltas...
Bernard:
…are useful.
Fanny, Lenina and Bernard:
Director:
We couldn't do without Deltas. Everyone works for everyone else. We need
everyone!
Marx, fetch the conditioning apparatus! Now observe how we condition a Delta.
(Bernard enters with flower and book. Piped music imitates birdsong and wind in trees the delta enjoys it and is
then terrified by the sudden screaming of the Director and Bernard - the Epsilon takes him off howling.)
Director:
All the Deltas grow up with an "instinctive" hatred of books and flowers. They don't need books
and flowers! They are workers!
Fanny:
Everyone hates books, Sir, but why should children hate flowers?
Director:
A love of nature keeps no factory busy. Nature is free and we want them to consume!
ALL:
Consume, consume we know what me must do. Buy, buy I must have something new!
Fanny:
Can I ask a question, Director?
Director:
Go ahead, dear girl.
Fanny:
Is it true that long ago it was normal for one person to-
Director:
Yes, my dear?
Fanny:
Its embarrassing, sir!
Director:
0h, embryos can't hear you!
Fanny:
For a person to have sex with only one partner?
Director:
(Embarrassed.) Dear, 0h, dear.. Well. .er... (Coughs. He sees Bernard returning.) Ah, perhaps
Mister Marx can help us?
Bernard:
Yes, sir?
Director:
Tell us about families!
(Bernard is pole-axed with embarrassment. Fanny and Lenina giggle.)
Bernard:
But, Sir, …there are none!
Director:
Not now, you fool! B.F.! Before Ford! (Fanny & Lenina laugh at Bernard).
Bernard:
What – why…
Director:
Go on, Marx. Tell us about the family!
Bernard:
It's too terrible!
Director:
History IS terrible!
Lenina and Fanny:
Fanny: Tell us please.
Lenina: Go on Bernard!
History is bunk! History stinks! Tell us!
Bernard:
In the past, babies came out of women! (Lenina and Fanny roar with horrified laughter.) Not out
of bottles!
Director:
Imagine! (Lenina and Fanny scream.)
Lenina and Fanny:
Bernard:
No! No! (to Bernard:) Go on, go on!
A man and a woman lived together in a home.
(Lenina and Fanny stop laughing and screaming and look amazed at Bernard.)
Fanny:
What? Just one of each? (Director, Lenina and Fanny collapse in laughter).
Bernard:
(Irritated:) Yes! Yes!
Lenina:
You're making it up!
Director:
History is terrible!
Fanny and Lenina:
History is bunk! History is stinks! (Hold noses).
Bernard:
No! Yes! No! Listen! Listen! What I'm saying is true!
Director:
Careful, Mister Marx: history IS bunk!
Bernard:
But, sir, they ought to know that Before Freud the people lived in rabbit holes having obscene
relations with each other - there was just one man, one woman....
Director:
That's enough!
Bernard:
... and children that came out of the woman!
Fanny:
He said it again! (Fanny and Lenina giggle.)
Director:
That's enough, Marx!
Bernard:
(ploughing on) If we'd been alive five hundred years ago we'd have come out of mothers!
(Lenina and Fanny scream.)
Director:
Stop it!
Bernard:
Imagine! Then we'd have lived in a room! Together! Like living in a toilet bowl! More babies coming
out of the woman all the time!
Director:
Ugh! Ugh! (Director shudders. His horror is now greater than Fanny and Lenina's.)
Bernard:
Going on like that till the mother died! And then her "husband" would cry!
Fanny:
Yuk!
Bernard:
And then he'd....
Fanny & Lenina:
What?
Bernard:
BURY HER IN THE GROUND! (Fanny and Lenina explode with laughter.)
Lenina:
Bury - them - in - the - ground?
Fanny:
It's not true!
Director:
0h Ford! In the ground! Dead in the ground! (He is upset.)
Bernard:
"My darling, where have you gone, where have you gone?"
Fanny:
(Puzzled) Not into the fertiliser factory?
Bernard:
NO! INTO THE GROUND!
Fanny:
They were mad!
Director:
Bunk, bunk, bunk! Class dismissed! That's the end of history! No more theory! That's it! (To
Bernard) What are you trying to do?
Bernard:
Mister Director!
Director:
What?
Bernard:
You've woken the babies. (Sound of mass crying)
Director:
0, damn! Damn, damn, damn! (Shouts:)Soma sprays! (Epsilon rushes on and hands out soma sprays,
they squirt perfumed spray into the audience and sing):
Sleep, sleep, sleep little baby
Sleep for society
Go sleep everybody
Sleep for Mister Ford
Dream for Doctor Freud
Alpha, Beta, Delta and Epsilon
Nothing can go wrong
Be happy in our hierarchy
Cosy snug and curled
Up in a wonderful new world.
(The crying is replaced by gurgling).
Director:
Aah! What happy lives you will lead! (Injects baby).
Blackout.
Scene 3:Orgy
Porgy Scene:
The scene Starts with Fordy Fordy and Priest in Spangles and red sash skipping across stage.
Priest: (Offstage:) Ford, Ford, Ford, Ford, Ford, Ford! (Speaks:) It is time! Time for Ford! Time for Freud!
Time for you and me! Time for society! Time for solidarity! It is time! It is time! Please take one soma
tablet. Your Solidarity Service begins in 30 seconds.
(Hummed "Come greater being" as priest makes sign of Ford and kneels then lifts red screen on the set, places
arms through holes and makes prayer hands. Helmholtz enters and kneels downstage and makes T sign, soon
joined by Bernard).
Bernard:
There you are Helmholtz. I've been looking everywhere for you.
Helmholtz:
t's Holy Thursday, Bernard, where else should I be?
Bernard:
How many Orgy Porgy's have we had this month?
Helmholtz:
They are blessings sent down to us by the greater being.
BOTH: (Loud) Ford Bless, Freud comfort us.
Bernard:
Listen, Helmholtz, I'm thinking of inviting Lenina to come with me to the Savage Reservation what do you think? Shall I?
Helmholtz:
Have fun. Just do what you want. You know the childish slogan: You deserve it. Do it.
Bernard:
Sh! (Loud) It is our duty to be infantile. (Looking around nervously then naughtily): Who cares
about duty!
(The Priest meanwhile processes behind them sucking on a hookah, the sound texture continues).
Helmholtz:
Bernard, I can trust you, can't I?
Bernard:
We can trust each other, that's why I wanted to talk to you about Lenina and the Savages.
Helmholtz:
No, hush, listen. I have been anti social. I've resigned from all my committees, Bernard. I told
them it was to think about new feely films, but really (gulps) I want to spend some time alone.
Bernard:
Alone!
Helmholtz:
If they find out I'm in trouble.
Bernard:
Big trouble!
Priest: We are worthy, Ford bless us!
Both:
Freud look down on us and make our dreams as sweet as waking life.
Helmholtz:
(Conspiratorial) Bernard. Did you ever feel as if you had something inside you that was only
waiting to get out? Some sort of extra power that you can't use yet?
Bernard:
We are like children, we have no power?
Helmholtz:
Wrong. We block ourselves.
Priest: Oh Ford, may our skin receive sensation.
Both:
Sensation is salvation.
Helmholtz:
I want to say something to write something that pierces through this – complacency- like an X
ray pierces the skin. I want to be intense, even violent. But how?
Bernard:
(Getting impatient) Look, Helmholtz, try to enjoy life more.
Helmholtz:
Bernard, I can't write any more feelie scripts or childish slogans.
Bernard: You have to keep going or they will suspect you.
Helmholtz:
I know. Come on we have to “Orgy Porgy”.
Bernard:
Really? Maybe it'll work this time.
(Either Orgy Porgy straight away or the sexy music starts and they process through the sex machine to receive
Soma from the Second priest .Quietly, over the tannoy, a deep electric beat as an Arch Priestess processes on
with a large T sign icon).
Priestess:
Take this soma. (They pass the pills around, elevating them like a mass, until it is passed to
Helmholtz. Before each eats they say: 'I pillpop to my destruction.")
ALL:
Ford, we are.. many.. oh, make us one.
Like drops in the great Social River
And may our fluids run together
As swiftly as your Pleasure'(All take another pill).
We pillpop to the Greater Being! (The drum beat increases.)
(sing) Come, Greater Being, Social Friend,
Annihilating, Five In One!
We long to die, for when we end
Our better life has just begun!
(All smile at each other as the soma works.)
He will come! He will come! Coming soon! Coming soon!
Bernard:
All:
(sing)
(to Helmholtz:) I can't do this very well! Helmholtz, I'm going to make a fool of myself again!
(But Helmholtz ignores Bernard and all join together, arms around each other.)
Feel how the Greater Being comes!
Rejoice and in rejoicings, die!
Melt in the music of the drums,
For I am you and you are I!
Priestess:
(wailing) He's coming! He's coming!
Tannoy:
(warm and deep)
0, Ford! 0, Ford! 0, Ford! 0, Ford!
Listen, listen! Listen, 0, listen! The feet of the Greater
Being are on the stairs!
(All silent and motionless. Silence. Nothing.)
Priestess :
I hear them! I hear them!
Helmholtz:
He's coming!
Priestess:
Yes, He's coming! I can hear him now!
Helmholtz:
Oh, yes! He comes!
Bernard:
(uncertainly) He is coming...
(Suddenly the beat bursts into life again. The other four shout and scream and wail while
Bernard tries to catch up with this behaviour:)
I do hear Him now! Yes, yes, that's Him!
(The other two break into ecstatic dancing, while Bernard does his best to wave his arms about, jigging from
foot to foot).
All:
Come, come, come, come, come!
Orgy porgy! (The drums stop. The three dancers very slowly, almost as if in slow motion, move
Tannoi:
round in their circle, singing.)
All:
(sing)
Orgy-porgy, Ford and fun
Kiss the girls and make them One
Boys at one with girls at peace;
Orgy-porgy gives release!
Orgy-porgy, Ford and fun
Orgy-porgy, Ford and fun
Orgy-porgy, Ford and fun
Orgy-porgy, Ford and fun
Bernard, Helmholtz & Priestess:
Kiss the girls, kiss the girls!
Kiss the girls, kiss the girls!
(The lights begin to fade. A red light like that of the Embryo store illuminates the stage. Helmholtz takes the
Priestess and they roll around on the floor until he leads her off with the rest going off hand in hand too)
(Alone.) Hey! Hey! What about me? (He gets up.) Ford! I never get the girl! (Bernard bangs the
ground with his hand.)
Bernard:
Blackout
Scene 4:
( Lights up. A seaside sport course. Bernard still lying downstage on the ground).
SONG:
Squash the brain, end that pain!
Sport is so much better than thought
Sport sport end of thought
Drive to the squash court
Buy more gasoline
To get to the green!
Lenina:
(Enters with racquet) 0 there you are, Bernard! What are you doing down there?
Bernard:
Looking at the sea.
Lenina:
Come away from there. Oh what a horrid old racquet.
Bernard:
(Getting up to play) I only bought it last week.
Lenina:
Fashion changes every day! Look at what I got! (She shows off a new set of gloves.)
Bernard:
Not more gloves, Lenina! What will you do with them? You only have two hands!
Lenina:
Come on, I'll buy you something! (Lenina takes Bernard by the hand and pulls him up.)
Bernard:
Let's just stop for a minute and look at the sea together.
Lenina:
Why? You can't buy a wave! And who would want to? Waves are all the same. They frighten me.
Bernard:
Like flowers in books. (As if understanding).
Director:
Eighty love!
(A balloon flies from one side of the stage and off the other. The Director enters).
Lenina:
Bernard, it’s the director!
Director:
Ford! Ford! (Brandishing ball.) What do you think of the size of that, Marx! This is the life! Have
you heard the new sport song?
Squash the brain, end that pain!
Sport is so much better than thought
Sport, sport end of thought
Drive to the squash court
Buy more gasoline
To get to the green!"
(Lenina joins in.)
Lenina and Director:
Buy more gasoline To get to the green' (Repeat)
Lenina:
It's wonderful!
Bernard:
(Unimpressed:) It's one of Helmholtz's. He doesn't believe in what he writes you know.
Director:
Jealousy does you no credit, Mister Marx. Oh, This is my third round today! Sport is life! (Lenina
takes up the song as the Director hurls himself around upstage. Lenina lines up to hit her ball.)
Lenina:
Come and watch me play the director!
Bernard:
Just come and be with me for a moment.
Lenina:
(Puzzled.) Why? We're playing obstacle squash.
Bernard:
0h, mother obstacle squash!
Lenina:
Bernard! Obstacle squash is the fastest selling consumer sport since Helicopter football!
Bernard:
Lenina, I want you to come with me to the Savage Reservation. Please - it would mean something I - er -
Lenina:
The savage reservation? Sounds Fordtastic!
Director:
Miss Crowne, can we take a shower together after the match?
Lenina:
Maybe baby!
Bernard:
What?
Lenina:
Don't look so miserable, Bernard. Join in. Now and in the shower!
Bernard:
I am hopeless at threesomes.
Lenina:
I'm not! (Whacks balloon ball). (To Director) Sir, Bernard wants to take me to see the Savage
Reservation.
Director:
What? Where!
Bernard:
Really Lenina, that was personal!
Lenina:
I would love to go. Shall I?
Director:
Are you two concentrating. This is game, you know!
Lenina:
Sorry Director. (They play a little)
Director:
(Between shots) So Marx, you want to take young Lenina on an adventure?
Bernard:
Lenina! I was only thinking about it, Sir. A whim. Maybe we'll play parachute billiards instead.
Director:
Every Alpha should see some savages once in a lifetime. I have been to the Reservation.
Lenina:
0h. You won't mind Bernard taking me then?
Director:
More is the law.
Lenina:
I'll go with him then. OK Bernard?
Bernard:
If I have permission.
Director:
More is the law, Mister Marx.
Lenina:
Thank you, Director. (Burst of activity, Bernard slips and hurts his ankle, Lenina beats the
Director). Whew. I need a shower. See you in there, boys! (Exits).
Bernard:
I'm no good at threesomes. (Goes to exit away from Lenina)
Director:
Pneumatic or what?
Bernard:
(Glum) Yes, Sir.
Director:
Oh Marx. Been to the Savage Reservation before have you? No, of course not. I went you know...
twenty years ago...
Bernard:
History is bunk, History is pooh, sir.
Director:
Just shut up and listen, Marx! I had the same idea as you. Get a young piece of meat out there
with the Savages! See what effect it had on her! I took a Beta, a low class Beta! Ford damn! Lost
her! Lost her! I was exhausted! Ford, it was awful! Me! Running up and down a mountain: "Linda!
Linda!" - after a low class Beta!
Bernard:
How terrible, you must have cared for her.
Director:
There was nothing emotional between us! Nothing..."romantic"! (Almost retches). Just make sure
you don't get involved in anything emotional and personal, eh? I'm not pleased with reports of
your behaviour outside working hours...
Bernard:
Sir, I am trying to....
Director:
(To Bernard only, furious now:) I know what you've been doing....nothing! How dare you! You
hardly play sport, you think about one woman , romantic fanatic behaviour! You are an Alpha Mr
Marx!. Sport is life. And sex is a game. Don't waste you time thinking. If you do I shall have you
sent to somewhere truly lonely, isolated and wildly romantic: ICELAND!!
(Bernard is pleased to have the Director so rattled.)
Bernard:
Don't you think your reaction is rather over-emotional, sir? When the individual feels, society
reels.
Director:
If you take Lenina to the Savage I'll freeze your fanatic romantic passion in Iceland, Mister
Marx! Iceland! Brr! Iceland! (The Director exits in a huff).
Scene 5:
(The journey to America, Lenina and Bernard meet coming from opposite sides of the stage. They have metallic
rucksacks).
Tannoi:
Ding Dong Ding Dong Big Ben's Not Wrong. Welcome to the London Heli-Rocket pad. The nine
thirty seven flight to San Diego and Yucatan departs in thirty-three seconds.
Lenina:
We're just in time.
Bernard:
Everyone's on time.
Lenina:
And that's fine! I love flying!
(They climb on to the machine which becomes a two seated flying machine. They fly off).
Bernard:
Look at the sea, Lenina! Look!
Lenina:
I'm feeling, I'm feeling! Weee!
Bernard:
Look! New York.
Lenina
I've been there. Great video tennis. Wooh!
Bernard:
Yucatan. The jungle!
Lenina:
Going down!
Tannoi:
The rocket will be stopping in Yucatan for twenty three seconds. (Lenina and Bernard jump
down). Welcome to the North American Savage Reserve. The next robot tour begins in ninetythree seconds. Please remember that the savages are real and do not feed them with soma or
chocolate.
Bernard:
Oh to Mother with the robot tour. Let's go off by ourselves.
Lenina:
That's not safe. (A roar of animals). Oh look: a souvenir shop! I want lots of postcards and a
savage necklace for Fanny.
Bernard:
We can go to the shop on the way out. Come on. Let's go.
Lenina:
Oh you are thrilling, Bernard. Will it be a Feelie story? Will we sell it to Helmholtz when we get
back?
Bernard:
Come on, before the robot tour comes.
Lenina:
(They creep off through the jungle). Yuck! It's damp, smelly and wild!
Bernard:
Of course it is! It's a wilderness!
Lenina:
They might at least keep it cleaner!
Bernard:
It wouldn't be a wilderness then, would it?
Lenina:
Cleanliness is next to Fordliness.
Bernard:
Hmm, (mumbles to himself) civilisation is sterilisation. Where's the savage village?
Lenina:
Just follow the stink. This is so...horrid. Chaos.
Bernard:
It's a wilderness, for Ford's sake! That's the point! They don't have any organisation!
Lenina:
How stupid!
Bernard:
Why don't you take some soma if it's so terrible!
Lenina:
That's the best idea you have had all day! (Offers him a soma tablet, but he refuses it.)
Bernard:
No thank you. I want to experience this for what it is! (Roar) Alright give me some! (He takes a
tablet and swallows it down.) Thank Ford for that!
Lenina:
Soma, soma-!
Bernard & Lenina:
Send me in a coma!
Lenina:
Forget everything else, darling. (She embraces him.)
Bernard:
Get, then forget...Don't you find the wilderness...thrilling.
Lenina:
Oh protect me...mmmm..
(Bernard gulps and reaches for her zippers but-The sound of drums erupts which stop the would-be lovers dead
in their tracks. Two dancers burst out onto the stage in hoods and feathers - half Spanish priest/ half
Hollywood Red Indian. One is a priest-like figure. The other dancer is smaller, wearing the mask of a terrified
face. He carries a whip with which s/he beats himself. The dancers begin to perform a dance of initiation, in
which the smaller dancer abases and humiliates him/herself before the priest, seeking acceptance. The priestdancer always shooing him away).
Lenina:
My Ford, he's hitting him. Yuck! It's vile! Savage! I don't like it. I don't like it. (She searches
her pockets.) I've run out of soma, Bernard, give me some of yours.
Bernard:
0h Freud!
Lenina:
What?
Bernard:
I've left it in the helicopter!
Lenina:
I can't be here without soma! We should never have come!
Bernard:
Let's just stay for a moment more...
Lenina:
It's dirty! Dirty, dirty, dirty! Dirty, dirty, dirty! Dirty, dirty, dirty! (She begins to sway to the
drums, mumbling - "dirty porgy orgy dirty porgy orgy dirty dirty" etc).
Bernard:
It’s wonderfully real!
Lenina:
(The dance suddenly imposes on their space, the dancers dancing around them. Lenina screams.)
Freuding morons! Ugh! Ugh! (Weeping) I want soma! I want my soma! I want my money back!
(The smaller dancer rushes off. Suddenly a new dancer - John - runs on he is dressed identically to the smaller
dancer. He carries a whip.)
John:
Beat me! Beat me! Please accept me this time! Take me! Take my whip! (John grabs hold of the priestdancer's arm, but he shakes him off.) Please, please! Accept me, accept me! (The priest-dancer ignores
the pleas.)
Priest:
You are not one of us! (The priest switches off his tape recorder and exits in a huff).
Bernard:
Wow! Dramatic!
Lenina:
Yuck! (John approaches Lenina and Bernard).
John:
How long do I have stay here before they'll take me?
Bernard:
John:
A most unhappy gentleman, my noble Lord. (He bows). See that damned spot! That's where I ought to be.
Why won't they let me be the sacrifice! I could take twenty blows! One hundred! I'd give them twice as
much blood, flowing like the multitudinous seas incarnadine! To be or not to be! Take me!
Bernard:
John:
Who are you?
What are you talking about?
Don't you come from civilisation? You must know William Shakespeare? "..the multitudinous seas
incarnadine"? Macbeth? Hamlet? "To be or not to be"? It's in a book.
Lenina:
A what?
Bernard:
We're not conditioned to like books.
John:
Really?
Lenina:
John:
Who are you? You're not a proper savage! A savage with books? This isn't a proper wilderness!
The people here hate me because I'm different.
Bernard:
John:
I'm so lonely! They won't let me be the sacrifice!
Lenina:
John:
You mean... you WANT to be hit with that whip?
Yes.
Lenina:
John:
It's the same everywhere...
How perverse! Yuck!
I want to do it for Jesus-Pookong!
Bernard:
Who?
John: Jesus-Pookong! You must believe if you are civilised? We all belong to Jesus Pookong!
Bernard :
John:
No. We all belong to each other...
No God?
Bernard:
No. But there is a Greater Being coming. A new Ford.
Lenina:
His feet are on the stairs... listen...
Bernard:
But he hasn't come.
John:
We also are waiting for Jesus-Pookong, but when enough are sacrificed he will surely come! (Lenina and
Bernard laugh) There are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamed of in your philosophy,
Horatio!
Bernard:
John:
Who?
William Shakespeare.
Bernard:
Who is that?
Lenina:
(Feeling John's muscles.) You're very fit aren't you? You must be wonderful at Escalator golf!
John:
And you
.. shall I compare thee to a summer's day?
Thou art more lovely
A woman's face which nature's own hand painted.
Lenina:
(To Bernard:) What did he say?
Bernard:
It's in some old writer. William Shpakbeer.
Lenina:
Oh!
(At that moment an older woman, Linda, enters. She has straggly hair, and is dressed in a dirty shift, onto which
have been sewn scraps of the kind of clothes that Bernard and Lenina wear beyond the wire of the Reservation.)
Linda: Oh no!
John:
Mother!
"Mother"! Ahhhh! Ahhh! Ugh! Did you come out of...that!! (The woman, Linda, ignores her son and
begins to drag the groaning body of the smaller dancer off.)
Lenina:
John:
Mother, mother! (John runs over to Linda.)
Linda: Only the worst jobs for us! No one helps anybody else!
(John, while helping his Mother carry off the dancer.)
John:
Mother, these are people from over the fence! From the other place!
Linda: What? (Linda looks up and sees Bernard and Lenina.)
John:
Didn't I tell you!
Linda: John!
John:
Mother! (They hug.)
Lenina:
I think I'm going to be sick!
Bernard:
Maybe we miss things by not being parents! Imagine yourself there, Lenina? Hugging our son!
Lenina:
Yuck! Don't be so DISGUSTING! Bernard.
Linda: (Approaches Bernard and Lenina.) Are you from London?
Bernard & Lenina:
(Astonished) Yes!
Linda: (Beginning to weep) So am I! London! London!
Lenina:
John:
Impossible! You've had a person come out of you! How could you be from London!
Mother was brought here by father, the Director...
Bernard:
John:
Director?
Yes, but he went, he disappeared...
Linda: I got lost. So silly really... I heard him crying out for me...
Bernard:
"Linda! Linda!"
Linda: Yes. How did you know? It was twenty years ago...
Bernard:
And this boy was this...Director's....son!!!
(Lenina puts her hand over her mouth to stifle her scream.)
Lenina:
You don't think.. ah! Yes look at his face. It's the same!
Linda: We were young, it was the wilderness. We forgot our conditioning.
Lenina:
The Director is a…father!!
Bernard:
Can it be true? What a scandal! (Linda begins to paw at Lenina's clothes.)
Lenina:
What are you doing?
Linda: I thought I'd never see fashionable clothes again! (John is now standing, transfixed by Lenina). I've had
no soma for twenty years!
Lenina: No soma? For - twenty - years!
Bernard:
Imagine seeing the world as it really is, all the time!
Linda: There are plenty of drugs here: mescal, peyote, firewater, but they make you sick!
Lenina:
Your clothes are horrible!
Linda: "The more stitches...
John:
-the less riches." (Linda kisses him).
Linda: I've tried to bring him up properly.. .but all he wants is to be a sacrifice for Jesus Pooking! Don't you,
son? They won't have him, of course, - they just laugh at him and threw him some book they'd been left
by Jesus- missionaries three hundred years ago...
History is bunk. (Linda joins in) History is pooh!
Lenina:
Linda: Didn't they, son! They gave you a book!
John:
The complete works of Shakespeare! (Shows battered book to Bernard)
Bernard:
Charming. You will be such a novelty in London.
Linda: London?!
Bernard:
Yes. I want you both to come back to London with me.
Lenina: Bernard, you can’t (whispers) She is a mother!
Bernard:
(To Lenina) Ssh! (To Linda) There'd be soma and shopping.
Linda: I don't believe it!
Bernard:
John:
(Laughing) Come on! The heli-rocket's waiting!
(Bounces joyfully on with his book and mistakes their mockery for joy, joins in the laughter)
How many goodly creatures are there here! How beauteous mankind is! 0 brave new world that has such
people in it! Everything I ever dreamt of is coming true! London, civilisation, books! (Then suddenly
worried, he pulls Bernard roughly aside.)
Bernard:
John:
(Obsessively) Are you married to her?
Bernard:
John:
Am I what?
Married - you know! Forever! Together - forever! Like the Savages here. Together - forever.
Bernard:
John:
Hey!
Ford, no! (Laughs. John laughs. They all laugh.)
0 brave new world! 0 brave new world! Let's go!
(They exeunt, as the sound of the rotors of a helicopter roar into life, take off and then fade away.)
Scene 6:
(The stage is bathed in an undulating red light. Electronic ambient music is heard, combined with strange
whisperings. At the back of the stage appears the Director.)
Director:
Students, this is your last chance to consider the theory of happiness: (Holds up a giant test
tube). Here is a living embryo. Happy? Yes! Warm, well fed, living an uncomplicated life and being
useful - soon. All we do is extend this happiness into adult life. Here is the raw material of a
contented Society! A specimen of future comfortable generations...You may applaud. (Director
waves to the audience to applaud. Bernard enters alone.)
Director:
The applause is not for you Mr Marx. Alphas and Betas! Excuse me for interrupting your studies.
The stability of our Society is in danger! This man (points at Bernard) - to whom Society has
given so much has grossly betrayed our trust! By his unorthodox views on soma, sex and obstacle
squash he has disgraced the teaching of Our Ford! (Makes "T" sign) For this reason I am sending
him to a place where he cannot make so much trouble - Iceland! (To Bernard.) Well, do you have
anything to say? Is there any reason I should not banish you to the Ice?
Bernard:
Yes.
Director:
Oho! He has a reason! Then demonstrate it!
Bernard:
Come in, Madame. (Linda enters) Do you remember this old hag, this...mother! (Fanny screams)
Linda.
Director:
Linda! This is a joke! I've never seen this pathetic "mother" in my life! Get her out of here. She
stinks!
Linda: Hello, Tommikins darling!
Director:
Linda:
Eh?
Don't you recognise me? Don't you remember? I'm Linda.
Director:
Linda...
Linda: Tommy-wommy!
Director:
0h my Freud! (Laughter begins to ring around the stage.)
Linda: My lovely lover. (Howls of laughter).Tommikins, Tommikins, I'm your Linderywindery! (Gales of laughter.)
You made me have a baby! You made me into a...mother! (A crescendo of laughter echoes around the
Fertilisation Department.)
Director:
(In despair) Oh Ford!
BLACKOUT (Interval).
ACT TWO
Scene 1:
Bernard:
(Houselights up) Marvellous that you could all come here tonight. The grand gala opening of
Helmholtz’s new Feelie. And everyone who is anyone will be here, me for example, I have become
quite a somebody since I rescued the noble Savage. Everyone wants to talk to me. Hello! (Waves
to someone in the audience)- The Director of Chelsea Human Recycling Plant. Oh and do you two
know each other? Well, the Headmistress of Eton Alpha training school, may I introduce you to
the Professor of Feelies. Oh you two have had each other! Good for you! We all belong to
everybody! And body is the word! I hope you've all had each other. You have! O jolly good. I have
had six girls this week, and I could have had another ten! Oh it’s starting. We’d better go inside.
(Lights change and Fanny bounces onto the stage).
Fanny: Alphas, Betas and morons, it is my great honour to welcome you to the Westminster Feelie dome. Tonight
is the gala premier of Ape Orgy in the Air directed by Helmholtz Watson, who I am very proud to
introduce to you tonight Mr Watson! (Helmholtz waves at the audience) A few words please?
Helmholtz:
Words have no appeal - When you can feel feel feel!
Fanny: (Applauding) Wonderful, a true poet! And we have some special guests here tonight, John the Savage
with the book.
John:
Can I go and sit down now?
Bernard:
No, no you must meet the king of the feelies -
Helmholtz:
Pleased to meet you...
John:
John.
Linda: The Savage with the Book.
Helmholtz:
John:
Do you really have a book? Can I see it?
It’s precious.
Helmholtz:
I would like to read it, please.
Linda: Weird!
John:
(Very carefully the Savage hands over the book). Do you really want to read it? Nobody else does.
Bernard:
Oh you two are getting on just fine.
Fanny: And are you getting on just fine, Mr Marx?
Bernard:
Fantastic!
Fanny: You have had a reputation as something of an outsider - even ...ha ha - a weirdo!
Bernard:
In the past I would like to think that my original qualities were not recognised, but now that I
have been appointed director of the breeding hatcheries I think those dark days are behind me.
Fanny: Bernard Marx, Alphas and betas, Director of Genetic Engineering, the man who brought the "noble"
Savage to civilisation. (He waves and blows kisses to the audience).
Linda: Wonderful, wonderful. And now our last guest, the pneumatic Alpha who helped to rescue John from the
jungle. Lenina Crowne. (Electric intro music as in a chat show - applause).
John:
Lenina!
Lenina: John.
John:
I..er..I wonder.. Everyone is listening, watching and I want to ask you something rather private. I..
Fanny: Its alright, Mr Savage, we are all friends of yours here. (Suggestive) Tell us what you want to ask this
young woman.
Lenina: It’s alright, John, I'm not ashamed of you. I think you are very special.
Helmholtz:
Oh this sick. Leave him alone.
Bernard:
Sh! Sh! Careful Helmholtz!
Helmholtz:
Why should I - (Bernard covers his mouth).
John:
It's simple - I just wanted - to ask, if I could -
Lenina: What?
Fanny: Oh, what?
(John mumbles)
Fanny: What did he say?
Lenina: Of course you can, John. Right now.
Fanny: Ah, they are going to have it on stage! Yeah!
Lenina: You can sit next to me.
John:
Thank you. My Lady. (Bows and formally helps her to her seat and sits beside her).
Fanny: O
h, what a disappointment. Never mind. Relax everybody, enjoy the feelie. You don't need to see
the real thing when you can have those fordtastic sensations from Ape Orgy in the Air - by
Helmholtz Watson. Mr Watson, Mr Watson, where are you going?
Helmholtz:
To read this book, all alone. (Exits).
Bernard:
Come on Fanny, you can sit next to me.
Fanny: Oh Mr Marx, is that an offer?
Bernard:
John:
It could be...Yes, it is. (She laughs and they all sit down and watch the feelie).
What happens next?
Lenina: You have to put the wobbly ball in your hand then you feel everything on the screen. Quick, quick, its
starting.
(The lights change. Music and heavy breathing sounds with speeded up voices. They gyrate and move to the
hidden impulses. John throws down his feelie equipment and rips the ball from Lenina's hands.)
Lenina: Are you crazy! That was lovely! You ruined my feelie experience!
John:
I don't think you should see things like that! It was ignoble! It was animal! It was low!
Lenina: But it was so virtual! When the ape ran along the wing of the plane, and just ripped off the woman's
clothes. You really felt it! (Acts this out).
John:
I felt sick.
Lenina: Yes! Feelies!
John:
All your world's a.. feelie And all the people actors in it. But... low! Animal! Horrid! (John runs off.)
Lenina: (chasing after him) Why do you always try to spoil things! (Lenina grabs John.) Please! Stay!
John:
Why should I when you...hate me.
Lenina: John, I don't hate you. You're just terribly different. New. Much better than Bernard. Well?
John:
(He looks at the ground, embarrassed.)Well?
Lenina: I thought you.. aren't you going to...
John:
What?
Lenina: Nothing. Were you going to say something?
John:
Me? No. Only Good night. May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest. (John exits and watches Lenina as
she exits saying).
Lenina: There are millions of men in the world. Millions. Why do I feel like this? (Exits)
John:
(Enters again and kisses the ground she has walked on then says):
Oh she doth teach the torches to burn bright!
It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night
Like a rich jewel in an Ethiop's ear;
Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear
Scene 2:
(Enter Doctor with Linda in wheelchair).
Doctor:
Welcome to the hospital for the dying. This is where the old and sick come and get turned into
useful compost and fertiliser. Dying for a fertile tomorrow. We know that makes you feel good. Have a
mint and feel good. (Child bounces onto stage and plays with comatose Linda) Children come here to learn
how to enjoy death. It’s good for all of us smile and enjoy: death. (Doctor exits and crass background
music continues).
John:
Helmholtz, what are you doing here?
Helmholtz: I
John:
came to give you your book back.
Did you like it?
Helmholtz:
Very much.
Linda: Happy Shopping!
Helmholtz:
John:
And I am frightened she will never come out...alive.
Helmholtz:
John:
I made up some new rhymes.
That's your job, isn't it? Writing happy rhymes about...
Helmholtz:
John:
Better to be truly unhappy than have the comfortable lies we have here. Besides, I'm in trouble
too.
What's happened?
Helmholtz:
John:
What else do we want but happiness?
You are not happy.
Helmholtz:
John:
Perhaps it’s better than her screaming fits?
Should we always avoid suffering?
Helmholtz:
John:
Good Ford! How does her heart take it?
I told her the soma wasted her time. She said: every tablet is a little piece of eternity.
Helmholtz:
John:
How many grams of soma does she take?
Twenty grams every day.
Helmholtz:
John:
Oh Ford!
Nothing. So I wrote about something. About how I really feel.
0 dear. They won't like that.
Helmholtz:
It's a poem about being alone.
(As a chanted song - can be partly cut but use as resource?)
Midnight in the City
A vacuum
Shut lips, sleeping faces
Every stopped machine
The dumb and littered places
Where crowds have been...
Absence, absence
So absurd an essence
A ghost a phantom
Of something which is not.
Nevertheless it populates
Empty night more solidly
Than bodies with which we copulate,
So emptily, so squalidly.
John:
You broadcast that in public!
Helmholtz:
John:
It's brilliant! It's Shakespeare!
Helmholtz:
John:
Pure Helmholtz Watson, my friend!
They'll go mad!
Helmholtz:
John:
There is no private.
I wanted to make an impact. At last I feel like I've got something to write about! And it turns
out to be - emptiness! We are alone with ourselves. That is human.
Is man no more than this? (Of himself) A poor forked creature-
Linda: Consume, consume I must have something new! Happy shopping!
John:
(Tries to hug mother who pushes him away) Is there no pity sitting in the clouds, That sees into the
bottom of my grief? 0, sweet my mother, cast me not away!
Helmholtz:
(Helmholtz guffaws with laughter.) Sorry, but really.... in a poem. "0 m. . . ." you know! The idea!
In a poem…mother.
John:
(speaks to his mother) Is there no pity sitting in the clouds, That sees into the bottom of my grief? 0,
sweet my mother!
Helmholtz:
(Looks at Linda with new understanding) Mother. (Exits).
(Doctor enters, feeds drugs to Linda and pushes her out in her wheelchair).
John:
I want to be with her...I.. (tears).
(A child shuffles on - shoes tied to knees).
Child: People die here! It’s great! I saw three this morning. (Mimics death throws) A peppermint for every one.
He he he!
John:
Oh get out! Before I..! (Raises fist - child flees in panic) Something is rotten in this state.
(Helmholtz appears side stage and gently pushed Lenina forward to meet John the leaves).
(Lenina enters unobserved. Lenina takes a number of soma tablets and swallows them).
John:
Helmholtz?
Lenina: It's me.
John:
(turning) Oh!
Lenina: Hi! (Long pause.)
Lenina: You don't seem very glad to see me, John?
John
Not glad? Not glad! (John throws himself at her feet.)Oh I need you here now. (Of Linda) My – she's oh!
If only you knew how good it is to see you here! Oh knit up the ravelled sleeve of care! (He leaps up.) 0,
admired Lenina! Worshipped Lenina! Dearest in the world! Oh, you so perfect, so perfect and peerless
are created of every creature's best!
Lenina: Kiss me.
John:
Not till I have shown myself that I am worthy of you!
Lenina: Why don't you think you're worthy of me NOW?
John:
In the Reservation it was necessary to bring your girl the skin of a mountain lion.
Lenina: There aren't any lions in London.
John:
I would do ANYTHING! ANYTHING! I'd lick the floor clean with my tongue!
Lenina: We have vacuum cleaners! Licking the floor isn't necessary.
John:
Of course it isn't necessary! Nothing wonderful is necessary!
Lenina: What's wonderful about licking the floor.
John:
Let me show you how much I love you!
Lenina: Do you really love me, John?
John:
I'm not supposed to say. Not till we're married.
Lenina: What? What are you talking about?
John:
About being together forever!
Lenina: Get off me! What a horrible idea!
John:
Outliving beauty's outward, with a mind that doth renew swifter than blood decays. A little piece of
eternity.
Lenina: Forever? What are you talking about? Just tell me - do you like me or not?
John:
I love you more than anything else in the world.
Lenina: Then why the Ford didn't you say? Instead of drivelling about vacuum cleaners and eternity, whatever
that is! You've been making me miserable for almost a week! (They kiss then Lenina forces John to cover
his eyes).
Lenina: Cover your eyes, cover your eyes!
John:
What are you doing, Lenina.
(Lenina pops some Soma then starts to undress – half dressed she calls on John)
John:
You can open your eyes now! Pull my strings, (offering her trouser cord to John).
John:
What are you doing! This is a hospital!
Lenina: Pull my strings (drugged and sensual).
John:
(Tempted then repelled. Struggling to cover Lenina) The murkiest den shall never melt mine honour into
lust! Never, never!
Lenina: Come and get me!
Lenina: So what?
John:
Please!
Lenina: Hug me till you drug me, baby! Kiss me till I'm in a coma!
John:
No! (John grabs Lenina and throws her down.)
Lenina: You're hurting me, baby!
John:
Whore! Impudent strumpet! Whore! Damned whore! Get thee to a nunnery! Down, wantons, down! Down
from the waist they are centaurs, though women all above! To the girdle do the gods inherit, but beneath
is all the fiends’ 0h thou weed, who art so lovely fair, was this most goodly book made to write "whore"
upon? (Spits at her).
Lenina: Beast, savage, beast! (Exits).
Linda: (Offstage) Beast! Beats! Animals! Save me Tommy, Tommykins!
John:
Mother! 0, mother!
Child: (Bounces on) Three dead today, three dead today!
John:
My mother, oh where is my mother? (Child hands John a bag of soil with a label on it, ruffles the child's
hair and exits). Linda Beta...
Child: Compost is useful. It goes on the ground does compost
So when people die nothing is lost
We are so lucky to become - compost.
John:
(Reading) Linda Beta. (Feels soil) Howl how are ye men of stone?(sobbing).
Tannoy:
All Dying House Delta, Gamma and Epsilon workers please proceed to your soma distribution
points! Soma is good, soma is stability, soma is freedom. Only take soma at your soma times.
Delta, Gamma and Epsilon workers proceed to your soma distribution points now!
Child: Soma, soma, come on. You will feel all better Mr Stranger. Come on, come on.
John:
No! No! Get out. (Child exits crying).
Tannoi:
Soma drug everyday keeps the Blues away.
So take your drug and have a hug
Its fun today and more tomorrow
Soma drug the end of sorrow
So take your drug then have a hug.
(Helmholtz watches this scene unseen by Bernard).
John:
(to audience) 0 what a brave new world! What sort of world is this? Listen! Lend me your ears! Don't
take soma! It's making you all slaves! Can't you see! Drugs! Pleasure! They're making this a slave new
world! A slave new world! I come to bring you. I come to bring you - FREEDOM! Look! I've got soma! (He
takes out handfuls of tablets.) Shall I show you how to be free? There! (He throws the soma into the far
reaches of the theatre.) I smash your chains! Rise up!
Helmholtz:
John:
(Unable to control his emotion joins in). Grand! Fording grand!
Helmholtz! You can’t stop me!
Helmholtz:
I don’t want to stop you, I want to help you. Throw away your soma! (John is hurling away
handfuls of soma.)
John:
I'm making them free whether they want to be or not! To he or not to be! Haha! Free! Free!
Helmholtz:
(hurling more soma) Free! Free! Men at last!
Bernard:
(Entering) Oh Freud, what are you doing!
Helmholtz:
Breaking our chains!
John:
Come on Bernard, join in!
Bernard:
You'll cause a riot.
Helmholtz:
You said there had to be something better - well this is it!
Bernard:
I've got something better, I'm a director now. Stop it, stop it, you'll ruin everything. They want
their soma, they'll kill you. You want your soma, don't you? See, see. You'll cause a riot!
Helmholtz:
Who cares!
John:
Freedom, whether they like it or not. I will force freedom on you!
Bernard:
Help! Help! Community! Identity! Stability!
(The police enter and spray soma gas, they string up John, Bernard and Helmholtz on the machine).
Voice: (The voice is deep and calm) Anti-Riot Speech Number Two - Synthetic, Medium Strength. My friends!
My friends! What is the meaning of this? Why do you call our Riot Police out onto the streets with soma
gas and anaesthetic sprays? Why aren't you being happy and good together? Be happy! Be good! Be at
peace! (The voice becomes increasingly emotional) Oh, I do so want you to be happy! I do so want you to
be good. Please be good. Please be happy! I want you all to have peace and happiness and goodness all the
days of your lives! Be at peace with yourselves! Be happy! Be good! Relax, relax.
(By the end of the Controller's speech Helmholtz and John are handcuffed to the construction. The Police
threaten them with the water pistols.)
Voice: So, you don't like civilisation, Mister Savage?
John:
No, civilisation is... (Shakes his head.)
Bernard:
John:
Careful.
I like the music in the air!
Voice: "Music is the food of love!"
John:
You've read Shakespeare!
Voice: It's against the law here to read Shakespeare, Mister Savage! But as I am the law, I can break it! You
see we don't like Shakespeare because he wrote about an unstable world! Of course, an unstable world is
so much more poetic, but it also leads to mass murder, genocidal war - millions and millions of deaths in
exchange for a few poems. It's not a good deal, Mister Savage! So we have traded in our Shakespeare
for Stability and Order. Happiness is better than tragedy.
John:
Shakespeare is better than your feelies!
Voice: (Laughs) Much better! Much better! But we have happiness and feelies! You have beauty, truth and a
world in pain!
John:
You have no grandeur!
Voice: Happiness is never grand! War is grand. Happiness is rather boring. But it is happiness!
John:
If everyone's happy why don't you make everyone an Alpha?
Voice: And have them all like Mister Marx there! That wouldn't be very stable would it?
Bernard:
(Leaping up) Don't send me to Iceland! I haven't done anything! It was them! They threw away
the soma, they started the riot! (Pointing at John and Helmholtz.) I'll do anything you ask me! Give me another
chance! Anything! Not Iceland! (The police grab Bernard and drag him off).
Bernard:
Helmholtz, you mother! (Exits).
Voice: Anyone one would think we were going to hurt him! We'll send him somewhere warm, full of interesting,
unorthodox people and palm trees.
Officer:
And what about you, Mr Helmholtz. Would you like a tropical island to perfect your loneliness?
Helmholtz:
I would like a cold and wind swept island, if it were allowed. I believe I would write better in a
bad climate.
Officer:
I like your spirit, Helmholtz. What about the Falkland Islands?
Helmholtz:
I think that will do just fine. (The second policeman lets Helmholtz down and he shakes
handcuffed hands with the officer and is lead off. Bernard is dragged out feet first groaning).
Officer:
John:
No!
Officer:
John:
Why not!
Because I want the right to be unhappy! I demand the right to suffer. (He grabs the belt from around
his waist and begins beating himself). If I am human, I have the right to pain.
Officer:
John:
And will you stay here, Mister Savage, and entertain us with your novelty?
When people see how painful your alternative is they will love their happiness even more. Carry
on whipping. You will make us value our comfortable painless lives.
I will have my pain. (Sticks fingers down throat and retches).I will purify myself. I have been defiled and
I will sick up your civilisation.
BLACKOUT (Actors throw a cloth over the construction)
Scene 3:
Fanny: Welcome, Alphas to Deltas. We are standing here in London’s industrial wasteland, watching the famous
Savage with the Book. It’s an extraordinary scene. Why is he hitting himself? Why does he enjoy pain?
It's quite an event, the crowds have been gathering since dawn and now there are some (audience
number).....of them here. What's your name? Oh what a nice name! (The savage is starting to whip
himself into a frenzy again and spit at the world). How long have you been here? Have you seen anyone
behave like this before? Do you think people should be allowed to do what they like even if they hurt
themselves? Do you like the Savage? Do you find him attractive? Have you ever been excited by
violence? Has anyone here been excited by violence? Do you like it you do, don't you. It's thrilling isn't
it? (Her questions become more and more rhetorical and manipulative.) You want to see him whipped, yes!
You want to, I want to, we want to! We want the whip!
Tannoy:
(Gradually) We want the whip! We want the whip!
(John goes to the front of the stage and stops whipping, boos. He turns and reveals his bloody back - cheers.
And then "orgy Porgy" half chanted half song. Then he takes off his belt and goes behind the
construction/rock).
Fanny: (Onstage now) Oh look there's a woman pushing through the crowd. Its Lenina Crown, the woman he
wanted to (stifles laugh) marry. Let her through. Let her through. This is fordastic. And it’s happening
LIVE on feelie TV.
Lenina: Fanny! What are you doing here?
Fanny: I could ask you the same question Lenina. Are you trying to have him, are you hot for the Savage and his
whip? (Holds out microphone).
Lenina: (Screams) Go away!
Fanny: Wow! Did you get that? Did you feel the violence? Live! Live! (Shouting up as sound of helicopter is
heard) She's going up to him, zoom the camera in!
Lenina: (Goes to machine) John!
Fanny: She's calling for him! It will be an orgy, live!
Tannoy:
Chants of "Orgy Porgy" begin. (Helicopter noise too, it’s almost impossible to hear natural
speech.)
Lenina: John, it's me!
John:
(Climbs on top of construction) Fry lechery fry! Strumpet! Whore!
Lenina: (Shouted above the noise) I love you, John, I need you John. I want to have your baby!
Fanny: Will you believe this she says she wants to have his baby! Absolutely pornographic!
Lenina: John! (She climbs up the construction)
John:
Damned whore! (Lenina reaches towards John who kicks her- she falls off the construction).
Fanny: (In a sudden silence - a real emotion) Oh no. Mr Savage. Is she dead? Have you...have you anything you
would like to tell the viewers and feelers? I... (She pops some soma).
John: (Quotes Othello's death speech then slits his own throat with a knife prepared with blood).
Soft you a word or two before you go
I have done the state some service
No more of that
Speak of me as I am nothing extenuate nor set down aught in malice
Then must you speak of one that loved
Not wisely but too well
Set you down this and say besides
That in Aleppo once where a malignant and a turbaned Turk
Beat a Venetian
I took by the throat the circumcised dog
And smote him thus. (Hangs himself).
Fanny: Gosh. I find this really, really (pause, swallows another pill)- entertaining.
BLACKOUT - applause from the tannoy.
THE END
Possible insert:
Bernard:
(Houselights up) Marvellous that you could all come here tonight. Just a normal Alpha apartment
but I have had it fitted with mahogany substitute panelling. Do you two know each other? NO?
Well, the Headmistress of Eton Alpha training school, may I introduce you to the Professor of
Feelies. Oh you two have had each other! Good for you! We all belong to everybody! And body is
the word! I hope you've all had each other. You have! O jolly good. I have had six girls this week,
and I could have had another ten!
I digress, so now the moment we have all been panting for. It is my honour to introduce to you
your Alphas, Headmistress, Fanny (Waves) the most famous man in London. No, no - not me! A
man who has been felt at Feelies throughout the world. A man who I- through my positively
unorthodox efforts - brought back to civilisation. A man who allows us to appreciate the merits
of what we have, and haven't we got a lot - (under his breath) at last. Here he is: John, the
Savage with the book! (Bernard flicks a switch - electric fanfare) I said: The savage with the
book! John, come out of the bathroom. People, important people, are waiting. (Switches on
fanfare again) Excuse me. (To John) Everybody is waiting.
John:
(off) Let them wait!
Bernard:
You have got to come out, John. Just to please me.
John:
No.
Bernard:
You can't mean this.
John:
Yes!
Bernard:
What shall I do?
John:
Go to Hell.
Bernard:
(In tears) But the Headmistress of Eton has flown here just to see you. Haven't you
Headmistress!
John:
A plague on both your houses!
Bernard:
NO, no, Please Your alphas and gentleman. The savage is not well. Not coming out. I er...I er..have
soma ice cream, champagne substitute, a game of electric monopoly? Oh won't you stay and play?
Don't go away. Come back. Fanny, oh no come back.
(Tannoy starts to boo and hiss until a while crowd is mocking).
John:
(Popping head in as if from bathroom) Ah Bernard have they all gone?
Bernard:
You have made a fool of me in front of the best people in London. (The suddenly honest) I feel
terrible. I'm like a squash balloon that's going down. I hate them all and their stupid London
society.
John:
I like you like this.
Bernard:
Why should you like me when I'm miserable?
John:
Because I am lovesick, and true love is pain. (Sighs)
Bernard:
Who with?
John:
Lenina.
Oh she doth teach the torches to burn bright!
It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night
Like a rich jewel in an Ethiop's ear;
Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear
Bernard:
I don't know why you just don't have sex with this Fording woman instead of making up funny
words.
John:
I'm going out before I stop liking you again.
Bernard:
Where are you going?
John:
To see my mother.
Bernard:
Ssh! Not that word!
John:
Mother, Mother, Mother!
Bernard:
Freud ! Ford! (Kicks sofa off and exits).
Copyright Phil Smith & Paul Stebbings July 1998
Tel/Fax: 0044 1392 410575 (TNT).
E mail [email protected]