Man of La Mancha by Dale Wasserman Page B

and form. The prison scenes framing the inner play are not “musicalized” in the sense that there is no singing or dancing in these except as may be motivated realistically. The play is performed without intermission.
    There is an overture, then the orchestra is lost to sight as lights fade in on the common room of a prison vault. Some of the
PRISONERS
lie huddled in the shadows. Onestrums a guitar; another dances a jaded, sensual seguiria gitana to its rhythm.
    Sound and motion cease as the door at the head of the stairway opens and light streams down into the vault. The stairs are lowered and a little procession descends: first a uniformed
CAPTAIN OF THE INQUISITION ;
then a
SOLDIER
or two assisting a chubby
MANSERVANT
with a sizable but shabby straw trunk; then
CERVANTES
himself
.
    MIGUEL DE CERVANTES
is tall and thin, a man of gentle courtliness leavened by humor. He is in his late forties but his dominant qualities are childlike—ingenuousness, a grave and endless curiosity about human behavior, candor which is very nearly self-destructive. He has, too, the child’s delight in play-acting, but since he is in actuality a trained actor, when called upon to perform he translates this delight into stylish verve and gusto. On his entrance he is carrying a wrapped oblong package under one arm. It is heavy.
    CERVANTES’ MANSERVANT
is as old or older than his master, short, rotund, suspicious and pragmatic. The relationship between the two is obviously of long standing; indeed, they are rather like husband and wife who bicker yet are deeply devoted.
    Now the
SOLDIERS
go back up the stairs.
CERVANTES
peers about, uncertainly.
    CAPTAIN    (
Watching
CERVANTES;
sardonically
) Anything wrong? The accommodations?
    CERVANTES    No, no, they appear quite … interesting.
    CAPTAIN    The cells are below. This is the common room, for those who wait.
    CERVANTES    How long do they wait?
    CAPTAIN    Some an hour … some a lifetime …
    CERVANTES    Do they all await the Inquisition?
    CAPTAIN    Ah, no, these are merely thieves and murderers. (
Starting to leave
) If you need anything, just shout. (
An afterthought
) If you’re able.
      (
He goes and the stairway is withdrawn
)
    MANSERVANT    (
Apprehensively
) What did he mean by that?
    CERVANTES    Calm yourself. There is a remedy for everything but death.
    MANSERVANT    That could be the very one we need!
    (
The PRISONERS are moving, circling, approaching like animals who scent prey
)
    CERVANTES    (
With great courtliness
) Good morning, gentlemen … ladies. I regret being thrust upon you in this manner, and hope you will not find my company objectionable. In any case I shall not be among you very long. The Inquisition—
    (
With a yell, the
PRISONERS
attack
. CERVANTES
and the
MANSERVANT
are seized, tripped up, pinned to the floor. The
PRISONERS
are busily rifling their pockets as
THE GOVERNOR ,
a big man of obvious authority, awakens from sleep
)
    THE GOVERNOR (
In a roar
) Enough! Noise, trouble, fights … kill each other if you must but for God’s sake, do it quietly! (
To
CERVANTES ) Who are you? Eh? Speak up!
    CERVANTES    (
Gasping as his throat is freed
) Cervantes. Don Miguel de Cervantes.
    THE GOVERNOR (
With mock respect
) A gentleman!
    CERVANTES (
Painfully getting to his feet
) It has never saved me from going to bed hungry.
    THE GOVERNOR (
Indicating the
MANSERVANT ) And that?
    CERVANTES    My servant. May I have the honor—?
    THE GOVERNOR They call me The Governor. What’s your game?
    CERVANTES    My game …?
    THE GOVERNOR (
Impatiently
) Your specialty, man. Cut-purse? Highwayman?
    CERVANTES    Oh, nothing so interesting! I am a poet.
    THE DUKE (
A prisoner of draggle-tail elegance
) They’re putting men in prison for that?
    CERVANTES    No, no, not for that.
    THE DUKE (
Sardonically
) Too bad!
    THE GOVERNOR (
Clapping his hands
) Well, let’s get on with the trial!
    CERVANTES