SNOW

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AN EVENING WITH SNOW

CAST OF CHARACTERS

Snow long, clingy, white satin dress, no shoes, waist length hair, taller than dwarfs, slender

Dwarfs all wear same type of tattered work clothes, dirt stains, hard caps always worn, beards, heavy work boots, all a foot shorter than Snow

Grumpy dark hair, graying temples, aged face, longest beard

Doc dark brown hair, go-tee

Happy thin youth beard, light hair, tallest

Sleepy baggy circled eyes, reddish beard & hair, medium height

 Bashful long yellow hair and long beard, youngest and shortest

 Sneezy dark dark short hair, short trimmed beard, medium height

Dopey face wrinkles, longest brown hair, youthful, medium red beard, no moustache, medium height

Musician loose velvet jacket, dark pants, knee boots, long red hair, short beard

Pall-bearers Six tall men in black hats and suits

Sleepy's dad dwarf, blonde short beard and hair, dark jacket shirt and pants

Bashful's mom- dwarf, white dress, shoulder red hair, happy

Bashful's dad dwarf, dark beard and hair, black suit

Bashful's sister dwarf, white blouse and skirt, short red hair, happy

Minister tall, black suit, no beard, blonde hair

Minister's wife tall, white dress, long blonde hair, silly

Sneezy's spinners kids, men and women in black tights

Soldiers silver helmets, brown shirts and pants, sabers

SET DESIGN

Split stage: large main room where Snow and the dwarfs sit with a small room above the main room (preferred above as to be dreamer) or a small room on left of main stage.

Main room is large enough to house table and chairs, sink and cabinets in corner and has a large oval rug where all sit. Fireplace set in back wall of rough logs. Shadowy light comes from flickering candles (electric) and fireplace logs.

Dream room smaller, set changes with each dream scene. Drop curtain used to hide and muffle scene changes.

Musician sits off right at beginning and ending only.

ACT I

SCENE 1

Off right edge of stage a musician plays softly on a mandolin. As the spotlight gradually brightens, his music loudens. Coming to a quick finish he raises his head slowly, cradling his instrument in his lap, he gestures a wide circle before him. Then he separates the center of the circle, opening the flaps to spy over the audience. Looking over his left shoulder then back to the audience he begins his narrative:

Musician: "Snow White, remember her? Of course you do, the beauty who the Wicked Queen's mirror fingered. Left in the deep wood to die by the queen's hunter, she stumbled lost, frightened.

Befriended by the forest creatures they guided her to the tiny hobbit of the seven dwarfs. She set quick to work cleaning, washing and cooked a hot meal to welcome the bed residents. A fine thing to come home to after the toil of mountain mining. Pleased by the order, the fragrance, the warm vitals and the spectacular features of Snow, the dwarfs slipped into an unusual talkative state. What follows a pixy whispered to me one hazy afternoon as I napped beneath a wagon in repair."

The spotlight slowly fades on the musician as the main room comes alight with the sounds of bowls and plates and metal utensils shuffling on a hardwood table. The room brightens on the dwarfs and Snow pulling their respective chairs from the table. They take the chairs and set them outside the rug's edge. Looking awkward, Snow is the last to place her chair in the wide space between Doc and Grumpy.

Dwarfs: They sit jubilant, pinching and poking each other, pointing to Snow with a series of snorts, gnaws, giggles. Looks of awe befall them as Snow takes to the center of the rug and slow circles a look at each dwarf.

Snow: "What is your name?" smiling at Doc.

Doc: "Doc," toothy grin.

Snow: "Nice to meet you," she curtsies then faces Happy.

Snow: "What is your name?" smiling.

Happy: "Happy," sits silent, with a constant full grin.

Snow: "And what is your name?" smiling.

Sneezy: "Sneezy," quicks a hand to cover a partial sneeze, "Aachoosneezy."

Snow: "What is your name?" smiling.

Sleepy: His head nodding forward. Sneezy reaches over and shakes his shoulder. Sleepy half jumps-up, sits down, looks about the group mouthing 'name' and says softly "Sleepy," half grin.

Snow: Puts her hands to cover a giggle, then faces Bashful, "Hello, and what's your name?"

Bashful: "Bashful," his head cocked, eyes off right in

stare, monotone voice.

 Snow: She stares at Bashful for a few seconds with a leery eye then faces Dopey, "And what might your name be?" smiling.

Dopey: He is leaning back in his chair on two legs and almost tips over. He waves his arms and feet, slams down to the floor. His eyes on the floor, he says his name softly as the group giggles loudly.

Snow: "Excuse me, what was name?" still smiling.

Dopey: "Dopey," smiles to her and sits straight upright.

Snow: "Last not least, who are you?" facing Grumpy.

Grumpy: His arms are crossed; stern faced and silent.

Snow: She slow looks at him, then looks away, then looks back at him.

Grumpy: He stares back at her, takes a deep breath, lets the air out and stays silent.

Snow: She smiles at him, then steps closer to him.

Grumpy: He continues to stare.

Snow: She faces Doc, "Doc," and nods to him.

Doc: He nods and smiles to her.

Snow: She faces Happy, "Happy," and nods to him.

Happy: He nods.

Snow: She faces Sneezy, "Sneezy," and nods to him.

Sneezy: He nods to her.

Snow: She faces Sleepy, "Sleepy," and nods to him.

Sleepy: He nods, leaving his head down.

Snow: She faces Bashful, "Bashful," and nods to him.

Bashful: He nods to her.

Snow: She faces Dopey, "Dopey," and nods to him.

Dopey: He nods to her.

Snow: She faces Grumpy, "They each have such neat names, so too must you?" smiling.

Grumpy: His arms crossed, he jets his chin at her and wiggles his beard a no.

Snow: She looks imploringly to Doc, "He has a name?"

Doc: "Ho, ho," hands on belly grinning, "Yes. We all call him Grumpy."

Dwarfs: They are slapping their knees and poking each others shoulders and giggling, pointing and mumbling, "Grump, grump, grump."

Snow: Walks to her chair, sits and scoots close to Grumpy, "So you have a name," leaning close.

Grumpy: He jets his beard a no at her again.

Snow: "Grump. They called you Grump. Is that your name?"

Grumpy: Jetting his beard no many times at her.

Snow: She quickly reaches forward, taking his beard in her left hand. Grump they said and Grump it is."

Grumpy: "Grumpy. Grumpy. Grumpy is my name," his thick eye brows stress the 'y'. He wriggles his beard free from her grasp.

Snow: She looks at Doc, "By the way are you a doctor?"

Doc: "No mame. Just my handle," gleaming a slow grin.

 Snow: "Handle?" frowning a puzzled look, then smiling, "What do you mean? Handle? Is your name Doc Handle?"

Dwarfs: Snickering slips from all about the circle.

Doc: "No no. Doc is my name. My only name, my handle. It's what everyone calls me."

Snow: "Oh," beaming understanding, "A nick name. I like it." Looking at each, saying their names and nodding at each, "Sleepy, Bashful, Sneezy, Grumpy, Lazy, Doc, Happy. All nicknames, handles?"

Dwarfs: They nod and murmur yeses.

Snow: "How interesting. How very intriguing. What a fine collection of handles," smiling.

Dwarfs: The tiny men's faces beaming pride.

Snow: "Say Doc. How is it you come by that handle? The ah ah the men here give you that? Did you each name each other?" looking quick at their faces.

Dwarfs: In silent unison they shake negatives.

Snow: "Then someone, somewhere else named you?" her eyes widening.

Dwarfs: A few nod yeses.

Snow: "Or did you name your selves?" inquiry glances about the circle.

Dwarfs: "Brother, neighbors, folks." More negatives, nodding noes, and soft murmurs.

Snow: "Well sirs, this is interesting. Yes indeed. Clever nicknames and now mysterious origins. Okay this will be fun. Sharing tales of your pasts. How you come by your names. How you come to this place. Okay who will be first?" looking invitingly at each, holding a smile at Bashful.

Bashful: Coughs, "Na, not me. You wouldn't. Na you, na. na."

Grumpy: Quicks to his feet, "Whoa there boy, wait there a sec'. I don't see where we need be bringing up those old bad memories. Aign't no bodies business 'cept ourn. I say we all call it a night and get some..." looking at the beds, then back to Snow, "some sleep."

Snow: "Ah now Grump. I can about guess how you come by your monocle," with cheery, flirty voice and blinky eyes. She delicately grasps the long tail of his chin hair. She twirls it around her fingers, winding and slow pulling against his mild protest grumbles.

"Ah now Grump, what harm. To share part of your past. You all share this house, the chores, the work in the mines." Smiling into his calming eyes, turning to the men circled about her on the rug, "Haven't you wondered of your names?"

Pause mesmerizing exchanges, saying their nickname till each in-turn nodded affirmative. Coming full circle to return her gaze to Grumpy, his beard still held in her fingers,

"And you, dear Grump," her teeth parting, tongue slow sliding over her lower lip, "are you not sometimes curious of how, say," turning a quick gaze about the men, her look resting on the reddened face of Bashful, "how he come about his nickname? And Doc next to him, is he a magician, a healer, a sorcerer or a doctor for you all?"

Dwarfs: All heads shaking noes.

Doc: Makes a slight muffled embarrassed cough.

Snow: Turning her gaze upon Doc, "Then if not a doctor, how come you to hold such a name?"

Doc: Clears his throat, "Well miss White, I.."

Snow: "Please dear sir, relax the formality. Be pleased to call me Snow, as all my dears do."

Doc: Re-clearing his throat, "Miss Snow as I was about to..."

Snow: Softly, "Dear Doc, just Snow will please me."

Doc: "Snow it is miss," looking at his companions, seeing their approvals, he rests his eyes upon the floor, looking within the cracks of the oak to find his hidden spring, the season he changed from boy to adolescence,

"The wild roses were plentiful that spring. I'd leave early with the sun, finding the mountain footpaths dotted with the colors mother liked for her table. A half dozen each day, it was my chore during their blossomin'." A long pause as his eyes narrow, opening wide, his hardened aged wrinkles smooth away with the memory of seeing her that afternoon, "She was kneelin' toward me, her head moved quick to my sound as I edged around the ledge. Her presence there, the sheer beauty of it, the colors, the ledge, I was smitten, love lust want, feeling hunger desires heard of only. Then suddenly a half-mile above the valley I was taken, nearly swooned to my demise. The thorns of the red plant I grabbed awoke me. That began our spring. Meetin' on the ledge week upon week, earlier each day, fallin' deeper in love" he slips into silence.

Snow: "Well why didn't you marry her?"

Doc: Shaking his head, dispelling a smile, "Her father. A giant of a man, for a dwarf, put the fear in me. I was but a boy, it was easy to do."

Snow: Her wondering look, "What pray tell did the brute do to you?"

Doc: Meeting her query for a brief moment he looks slyly to the past, "Death, the fear of death, he put into me. As the elm witch cast rickets into the school marm for flunking her familiar cousin the year before, he cast fear into me."

Snow: "How, pray do say? How one so young, could be that done to?" she drawn into Doc's tale.

Doc: "Long these years have I remembered that. Long the hours I've speculated, deep within the mine it finally come to me, with awareness of love so to come my awareness of other emotions, feelin's. Fear I'd had before, but death was new to me. Somethin' that happened to others."

Snow: Anxiety ridden, she bursts through the room's tension, "What did he do to you?"

Dream Set: Darken main room. Slowly light dream set as sunrise brightens. A couple is half hidden behind a bush on a ledge (show drop off on right side of set). The couple is sitting up kissing. As they lay down behind the bush they begin to throw their clothes on top to the bush. Their lovemaking gets wild, franticly they bounce and jump around. Suddenly the girl slips and falls over the edge and disappears on the dark stage. Doc sits up, stands up and looks down at her, shaking his head in disbelief and sorrow. Darken dream set. Main set brightens.

Doc: Looking away, "He didn't really do anythin' to me, not actually to me. It was what he did to a bale of hay. The way he did it. The look on his face, those eyes, deep within his eyes I could see the bale of hay was me. The pitchfork tore it into large pieces, strewn about the barn in seconds."

His voice warning, 'Be you near my girl one more moment this be your tomorrow.'

I walked slowly away, my eyes upon him every second, wouldn't turn my back. There weren't any more flowers thereafter. I went to the river instead. Sittin', starin' into the depths, rememberin', savorin' at first each morsel we shared. The moments faded, lost to the bottom, imbedded in the depths, mud imprints our love time."

His gaze finishing between the slivers of the floor. Finally he looks up at Snow, continuing in a flat tone, "At the supper table mom would ask what I did, where I went. And I'd say, 'Been at the river mom, sittin' on the dock.'

Each day was the same, 'Where'd you go, what'd you do? The dock, mom. At the dock.' After a few weeks, all I'd say was 'dock'. Or mom would look at me and say, 'Doc?' I'd nod yes. My friends would stop by the house asking for me to help pick berries or apples or peaches as the seasons came. Mom would say one word, 'Doc'.

They started calling me 'Doc'. They'd find me danglin' my feet starin', watchin' the clouds or the birds. Pretty soon they'd be sittin' doing what I was. After a couple of weeks the dock was full. The chores left for other days.

Then up and come the priest and most of the village stormin' rage at us lazy no accounts. Ventin' anger at me. Puttin' the blame on 'Doc'.

They torched the timbers with me at the end still danglin' me feet. The flames put my hair to fire, fallin' in the water put it out. When I walked onto shore they just stood there pointin' west. All of them pointin' for me to go west. Weeks later I found this place."

Snow: Looking back at Grumpy, his beard still in her fingers, a twinge of a grin on his face, "See Grump. How interesting Doc's tale is."

Grumpy: Frowns back his contempt, Fast shakes a no, tearing loose a few beard hairs, "Hay! Miss Snow let go!"

Snow: "No no no," with a mischievous note she smiles. Then to Doc, "Thank you sire for such a fine tale."

Doc: Smiling to her, glancing about his fellows, "Actually, I rather liked rememberin'. Kinda feel like going back to find her."

Snow: Addresses Happy, "Well Happy, easy for me to see how you got your nice name. That child's smile warms me at just the look. But what could have taken you from your home. Was it your destiny to come to these deep woods to cheer these miner men?"

Happy: A fool's grin holding steady at Snow, his tired worn eyes spear their torment. With the voice of a blind man amidst an antelope stampede he tells of his misfortune, "A carefree boy, running across the fields, jumping creeks and hiding in the trees from the toil of digging his father's well. That was me."

Looking about the circle, meeting appreciating memory smiles and interested ears he continues, "Until one thunderous afternoon, lightning tore the skies splitting crevices in the land about my perch. A glorious sight.

One of summer's best storms found me treetop high. The wind came upon me. My foot slipped, my fingers slide off the wet branches as I fell to the earth.

I landed on my face. I didn't remember but the pain. My jaw was broken. Mom wrapped it the best she could. It healed, the weeks passed and this," framing his face with both hands, slow looking about the room, "is how the jaw mended. A happy face. A permanent happy face."

Snow: Her sorrow face soon changes to an upbeat comment, "Just seeing you makes me happy, yet you seem so, so unhappy."

Happy: "Miss Snow, lovely lady princess that you are, no one is always happy. Or wants to be. Remember sorrow, lost loves, illnesses, the blues, the doldrums. And me with the face that broke the stare of St. Forrester's pallbearers, there always happy, happy happy, ever happy."

His voice in rising anger, "No matter what the turn of fate, ever happy."

Snow: Reaches forward to him, her mouth slowly parting.

Happy: "Yes Miss Snow miss, Happy the name they gave me. But happy was not I. Nor were they with me."

Sneezy: "Achookickedyout?"

Happy: "Might as well have. Meeting silent stares, bodies turned away at my approach. Sort of drove me away. One day I'd had enough. Threw my clothes in a bag and walked.

Dream Set: Darken main set. Lights on dream set. Happy has a mask over his face and holds a flintlock pistol. A man is handing a small bag of coins to Happy. Happy takes the bag, then knocks the man on the head with the pistol and begins running. Darken dream set.

Happy: Sneezy was passing through the village then. We met at the edge of town and wandered for months. Doing odd jobs at passing farms and dishes in village inns till we lucked-out here."

Happy/

Sneezy: They both share a grin and nod a thanks to the rest about the circle. They sit peaceful.

Snow: Brings her eyes from the floor to focus on Sneezy. She sits at ease. Clears her throat and coaxes Sneezy, "So you two were friends there?"

Sneezy: Sneezes, shaking his head, "Aachoono."

Snow: "A coincidence, a fateful hand both leaving town the same day?" looking slowly to each.

Sneezy: Sneezes another, "Aachoono."

Snow: Surprised, jerks up, pulling Grumpy's beard hair looser.

Grumpy: "Eyow!"

Snow: Pulls his face close, twinkling, "Oh Grump. You dear, so sorry. You hear, he sneezed my fright."

Looking back, "Sneezy where were you from?"

Sneezy: Sneezes again, "Aachoofaraway".

Grumpy: Growling, "Leave the boy alone. Can't you see how you are upsetting him. Dragging-up the past is no good I tell you. Leave us be. Go back to your castle or your moat, which you be."

Snow: Slowly pushes away from him. With his beard still about her right hand she gently puts her left hand on his knee and pats, "Now who's getting upset. Calm calm yourself. Your turn to tell soon here will be." Leaving her hand upon his knee, she looked back to Sneezy, "Do you feel better?"

Sneezy: His face flushes a grin.

Snow: "Would you rather wait?" her soft voice filling his ears.

Sneezy: His grin wide, "Yes."

Snow: "Okay Sneezy we can do it your way. Would you pick someone next to be?"

Sneezy: "Achonotme, achooneverme."

Sleepy: Stands up, "I'll be next Snow. I'm ready to go. I like this show."

Snow: Her eyes looking from toes to cowlick, "Okay Sleepy. Tell us of your nickname. It's origin, it's game." Her lips parted, her eyes wide, "Well Sleepy. Go ahead it's your turn."

Sleepy: He stands, eyes glazed over, immobile.

Snow: "Well Sleepy. What's the matter?" standing up.

Grumpy: "Eyow! Sit down, you clown. Can't you see. He is asleep."

Snow: Snaps back to her chair. Her free hand covering a delicate snicker. Leaning forward, "Why dear Grump, I believe you. I think you are right. Asleep he is," breaking then into a full laugh.

Sleepy: Shakes his head, slap-pats his cheeks, "I'm awake. I'm awake, really."

Dwarfs: Slap their knees and a long chorus of laughter fills the room.

Snow: "Can you tell us how you come to this place. I think I see your name."

Sleepy: "I'm awake sort of, I am awake really I am," patting one cheek.

Snow: "Yes Sleepy you are awake, keep talking. Where were you before here?"

Dream Set: Darken main room and light up dream set with Sleepy's words: "I am. I think..." Open dream set on a kitchen scene. Sleepy's face counting, stacking hundreds of gold pieces. Behind him at the kitchen sink a devilish look upon a clean-faced male mixing a bubbly potion with skull and cross bones on bottle on table. The devilish grin wretches his hands, then takes a glass of the drink to Sleepy. He drinks, then swoons and falls over. The male bags the money with large laughing face. Fade dream set with Sleepy's words: "so tired, so tired."

Sleepy: "I am awake, I am. I think I am awake, but it could be a dream. I had a dream. A long dream. A dream of walking. A long walk. A very long walk. I was so hungry too and thirsty and tired. So tired from climbing over the boulders. Such big rocks and then a full day of crawling under tree limbs. Pine needle tree limbs. Ohwe they hurt my hands.

Swimming across a lake. Such a wide lake, the shore trees were so far. Swimming swimming swimming. Cold so cold." his voice trembling. "The shore was so far, I was so tired, so tired." He curls-up to sleep and lays quiet.

Bashful: Gets up, walks to the beds, takes Sleepy's blanket and covers him. He looks at Snow, "I found him on the shore under the willow tree I fish at. He falls asleep all the time, anywhere, anytime. Eating, walking, working - doesn't matter. You look over at him and his eyes are glazed. Standing or sitting - he's asleep."

Doc: "That's the name we call him. He couldn't remember his name, his past. All he remembers is that long dream."

Snow: Coldly adds, "The journey that brought him here."

Bashful: Kneels, speaks as if to Sleepy, "Absent-mind, that's what Gramps called it. I don't know, didn't then either. Never paid much mind to it. Nobody home 'round the supper table did either.

Absent-mind, guess that's what I was. Been a handful of years back. Summertime. A hot summer. The nights as hot as the days. I'd take my bath late afternoon. Soak for an hour, fall asleep sometimes, nearly drown, he he he. Mom would yell up, 'Don't you drown in my tub. You hurry, come down, it's supper.'

Dream Set: Darken main room on Bashful's words: "don't you drown in my tub." Light dream set on projector screen showing pictures of animal births and progressive picture sets of babies growing within their family structure: dog, cat, cow, horse, birds. Then show picture of human birth followed with adult changing into various clothing. Darken dream set on Bashful's words, "bathroom for my cloths."

Bashful: "That'd brake my dream sleep. Jump right-out and towel dry runnin' to the table. Sometimes I'd wrap the towel about me and eat that way. Nobody at the family table carried. They's busy fillin' their empty bellies. Sometimes I'd forget the towel. It was just so plain hot. Nobody ever over to eat, just the kin.Till one Sunday Ma and Pa got to jawin' to the

preacher and his wife after church. I got bored and went home, the long way through the silver trees and sat by the brook most of the day. Went on home.

Takin' my late bath like always. And like most times, ran right from the tub to the table. Appears I forgot the towel too. Nobodypaid no mind, like always. They all busy fillin' their bellies. Ma and Pa jawin' with the preacher and his wife. After coffee and cake they up to leave and so's we walk 'em to the door."

He looks-up at the circle of dwarf-men staring down at him and Sleepy. He looks down at Sleepy and continues, "I don't knows why she had to say. They's could a gone on home, and never said a word, nobody been the wiser. Least ways I wouldn't have. But no. She's a woman. Pa says they born to say dumb stuff least we'd all walk around in silence most the day. Yea she's a woman alright. Worst. Married to the preacher."

He pauses, faces Snow and speaks deep, "She points her crooked finger at my body parts and says to her husband, 'He's certainly not bashful.' And the preacher answers her, 'Sure, he's got no reason to be bashful.'

I looked down at my bare body, my privates all shriveled-up. My ma looks at me, puts her hand to her forehead, 'Oh no not again.' She turned apologetic to the preacher tapping a finger to her head, 'Please pay him no mind. He fell out of a tree when he was three.'

The preacher's woman put me to shame, 'And he looks and acts it still,' chuckling and elbowing her husband. I ran mortified to the bathroom for my clothes."

Snow: "Why Bashful that's not so bad."

Bashful: He looks about the circle, then to Snow, "The preacher's woman told the story at the Monday night quilting and by the week's end the whole valley knew.

Everywhere I went, it was Bashful this and Bashful that with hands held in front of their crotches. By the turning of the leaf colors I had had enough insulting jibs and jokes and finger pointing by pubescent toe-knee girls.

I packed a bag and found this haven months later. To them I'm gone forever or probably dead, for me they are a hazy memory I have tried to forget," smiling. "And now that I relieve it in the telling. It reminds me of my good fortune, to have found my friends here."

Snow: Claps her entwined hand, slapping Grumpy in the face, "Ops sorry dear. That was so heart rendering. What a happy ending to the terrible ordeal he had been through. Like me prosecuted by the ugly queen and being rescued by you all."

Sleepy: Rolls over.

Bashful: "I don't know. I just don't know what happened. Somethin' clicked. She was right I wasn't bashful. So what was the big deal - clothes, no clothes. I stopped wearing 'em. None of the other animals had clothes.

What was the big deal anyway." sitting crossed legged on the floor, his eyes pinned into his memories, "My folks didn't say much. It was warm in the house, what did it matter I never went anywhere anyhow. 'Cept church. That's where it happened. That's why I'm here."

Dream Set: Darken main set. Light on dream set shows naked Bashful standing behind a girl in a Sunday school dress holding a songbook and singing. Bashful lifts up the back of her dress and stares at her naked butt. The girl looks over her shoulder and smiles at him. Darken dream set.

 Bashful: Sitting quiet for a moment, stretching his legs straight. "The summer was warm. I spent my time in the backyard. Got to where I never wore clothes. Never gave it no thought.

One Sunday I over slept. The bells woke me. I ran to the church. Got there at communion so I hurried to get my wafer and wine. There was a long line. I waited behind her. She was so pretty so pretty. I waited and waited and looked at her and smelt her and waited and waited.

The people behind me began giggling. Then laughter and louder laughter. Even the preacher laughed. I looked all around, couldn't see the joke. The preacher raised his hands for silence. When all were quiet he pointed at me and said, 'This one's not bashful.' Everyone laughed and laughed.

I walked away and never went back. I miss my folks some. Weren't their fault." Shaking his head, "I just don't know."

Snow: Perplexed, her own laugh held by his innocent sincerity. She looks at Grumpy wondering.

Grumpy: He nods, "We put work clothes on him. He never takes them off."

Bashful: Returns to his chair, "Bashful I am. That's my name now. I wear cloths."

Snow: Coughs, "Ah well, ah, clothes are good. They keep us warm and they're very pretty," looking at the dwarfs tattered work shirts, "Well mine are."

She stands and holds her skirt open, pulling Grumpy's beard.

Grumpy: "Eyow! Sit down," pulling her back to her seat with his hands on her wrists.

Snow: "Ohw Grump. What are you doing?" snaps to the chair.

Grumpy: A low grumble, "My beard, remember. It's in your hands."

Snow: "Sorry dear," her apologetic eyes beaming close to his.

Sneezy: "Achowill achoiwill achowilltell. I'll tell next," standing he wipes his arm sleeve across his nose.

Snow: "Alright that would be fine. You sneeze so much is that how, why?"

Sneezy: "Not exactly Miss Snow. I never did 'cept when dad used too much pepper on the pancakes. Guess that's when I began experimenting with sound sneezes. In the middle of a sneeze I'd say a word. And that sounded neat. I sneezed a second time with a different word and that sounded neat too.

So I took the pepper can, went out by the pond and sneezed words all day. All kinds of words, a whole new sound. Got really into it," smiling a private twinkle, he pulled back from his distance to view Snow scratching her chin curiously.

Defiant justification slipped within his words, "I was just a kid. What else was there. It was new. After a few months I could sneeze at will, sounding most words." At this he sneezes, "Achosnowbitch."

Snow: Sits aback, "What did you say? I mean sneeze?"

Sneezy: Hides his eyes from the giggles around the circle.

Dwarfs: Slap knees, put hands over mouths, soft laughs.

Snow: Slams her left foot to the floor and jumps-up tearing loose more of Grumpy's beard.

Grumpy: "Oheeeee!!" silencing the laughter.

Snow: Sits back down, "Alright! Alright! Just what are you men laughing at?" starring, peering at each.

Hearing Grumpy's low moan, she leans close to his ear, "I'm so sorry dear Grump. They made me." Her free hand resting again on his knee patting, petting higher and higher along his leg.

 Grumpy: His expression returns to its usual scowl, though his eyes held a new hint.

Snow: "I think that is very interesting, very inventive. Please to go on," smiling at Sneezy.

Sneezy: "Achothanx. I got real good. Sneeze when I wanted. Said what I wanted. Got to be a real habit. My way of talking. Trouble was a traveling doctor heard me. Talked to my folks, said I had a most unusual illness, a rarity.

He paid them two years wages to take me around to the city doctors, as his discovery. A medical oddity. Said it would make him famous. And promised to return me cured.

They all agreed. The next day I was off on my first real adventure. All those cities, tiny villages, so many places, so many faces I sneezed for. Lords, ladies, doctors, teachers, priests, inn keepers, tavern turners, we paid for naught."

Dream Set: Main room darkens on Sneezy's words: "paid for naught." Dream set lights up on Sneezy standing in the center. A sky blue and redish sunset backdrop. A few dozen people dress completely in black quickly pass by Sneezy twirling him around and around. Finally he slumps to the floor and dream set darkens.

SCENE 2

Main room opens light on Sneezy standing in front of his chair. The rest of the cast is in their chairs. Snow's left hand is still entwined about Grumpy's beard.

Sneezy: His face smooth, his stature straight, tall and confident. He looks at the dwarfs about him, his slouched companions. He sneezes, "Achodamnhim." Slowly he slumps back into the miner's slouch.

Snow: Enthusiastic, "Well what happened. Sounds great. Castles, kings and queens, the life of royalty. All that traveling. How are you here?"

Sneezy: Dejectedly, "He died a few miles back. I got hungry. Been here ever since. Achodamnhim" and sat down.

Snow: Looks at the agreeing faces, turns to Grumpy for clarification, tugging his beard, "Well?"

Grumpy: Growling back, "We buried 'im. Sneezy folks are on the other side of the mountains. He could never find them, never could cross alone. So he stayed. A place here for him."

Snow: "That was very kind very nice of you Grump."Pulling his beard to her face, batting her eyes and pursing her lips so very near his,"Now it's your turn dear Grump to tell."

Grumpy: "The past is past. Go on with ya. You had your fun for the night.Tomorrow's a work day men," starting to get up.

Snow: Yanks his beard hard.

Grumpy: "Eyow!" he sits down.

Snow: "It's alright Grump dear. I can guess how you got your name. Least we not be rude. Dopey is yet to tell, to have his turn to say." She puts her free hand high on Grumpy's thigh and pats him gently,

"Let's wait a while to, a, a, sleep. It is Dopey's turn. We want to be totally fair. Now don't we?"

Grumpy: His eyes wide, he swallows, "Ya. Fair. Sleep later."

Snow: Smiling a half grin, she faces Dopey.

Dopey: His legs are crossed, so when he stands he tumbles forward to the floor. Lying on his right side he looks deep into her eyes, speaking so very slowly, "This. This always happens to me. Not that I wanted this. Not that I, I wouldn't do anything. Not that I, I didn't want to. I did. I, I tried everything I saw to do. It was I, I couldn't. Couldn't do any of it.

All failures. Each attempt a failure. A disaster. A tapestry of mistakes, broken mirrors, windows, cups, plates, broom handles. Hammer teeth chipped. Saws split in half, candles on fire. Squirrels ate the chicken feed. The cows got stuck in the mud. Stuff would fall off shelves. Cookies burnt in the oven. The wash fell off the line or it would suddenly rain.

After a while my folks said just sit on the porch and watch. Watch and tell us at supper. That was okay I could do that. Day after day, weeks went by me wavin', swingin' to the neighborhood. Soon the other kids started to sit and swing too. Got to be a game, wavin' and watchin' everybody. Singin', some whittlin'. Trouble was, when their folks 'd come home, no chores be done.

I caught the blame. Everyone knew I just sat on the porch, had been for months. They had a neighborhood meeting. They spoke with my folks to get me off the porch, to do chores.

My folks said it weren't nobody's business 'cept ourn if I did chores or sat on the porch. My folks didn't want to say I was just plain clumsy.

There was a big fight.

Bad things happened at night. The cows got loose, a small barn on fire, then the goat crap on the steps my dad slipped on. Weren't my folks fault I was clumsy. Weren't mine either. But the bad things happened and kept happening so I figured to leave before the town destroyed all my folks stuff, or worse.

I walked, walked and walked. Mountains, rivers, towns. Then met Grumpy here. He needed help in the mines. I needed food. And surprise me, I could do the work. Didn't matter if I knocked the rock clumps around. So here I stayed."

Getting up, he turns to sit and misses the edge of the chair, tumbling it and he to the floor.

Dwarfs: Loud laughter and knee slapping about the group.

Snow: "Thank you Dopey for your fine tale. Obvious this is your destiny's work. Not back at that farm of your folks. Though you should visit them."

Dopey: Nodding, he sits carefully erect in his chair.

Snow: Slow looks about the circle deducing, "So you each come here because of your name. You all found a place of haven and acceptance here. So too I."

Turning to Grumpy, she purrs, "Dear, dear Grump. It's your turn," sliding her free hand over his leg, patting his knee.

 Grumpy: His scowl steady, "The past is my business. I say no more." And he purses his lips closed, squirming at her touch.

Snow: Half frowning, "Dear Grump," giving his beard a slight tug, "I do believe you won't tell. Well that is your right, though not very fair. Everyone else has said."

 Grumpy: He leans forward, "You have not said. Miss Snow!"

Snow: Running her free hand around to his other thigh, "It's your turn, you live here, not I." Sitting erect, putting her free hand to her chin perplexed. "Let's see what we do know of you. Shall we...men?"

Dwarfs: Each nods in agreement when she coaxed looks at them.

Snow: "Most obvious of the group, you sire are a grumpy little person. Though not sure how or why, maybe because you are a little person." Pausing to check for his reaction, finding only his scowl.

"Needless, you are actually a grump. So Grumpy come to be your name." Looking back to the circle seeing all in agreement, "Now how, dear Grump, come you here to be. Let's see what we have." Looking about the circle at their interested faces, "You each traveled here, as I, and found whom? Who was here before Grumpy? Anyone?"

Dwarfs: Looking at each other, shaking negatives and murmurs of, "Not I, nor me."

Snow: "So dear Grump, you were here first," no response, "Were you born here?" Looking at the log walls, the mortar about the stone fire place, she continues, "Not, this is fairly new. And nice, my guess is you made this cabin for your self."

Grumpy: His scowl seems to be gradually melting.

Snow: She leans nearer, her free hand lightly upon his cheek, "You made this cabin for, ah, ah, your bride?"

Grumpy: His eyes widen. The flesh of their faces nearly touching.

Snow: "She died. Didn't she?" softly.

Grumpy: Wildly jerking-up to his feet, pulling free from her grasp, losing the rest of his chin hair, he growls, "You got no right. The past is past. Go on to bed men. Tomorrow is a work day."

Snow: Holding most of his beard in her fingers, "Alright dear Grump, the past yours be. You can keep your secrets. But do tell me one thing dear Grump."

Grumpy: Stern, he stops, still within the circle, he slow turns to face her, "Not of the past."

Snow: Nodding okay, "Not of the past, yes. What is it you dwarfs mine down in those tunnels of yours?"

Grumpy: "Alright Snow. This night was yourn, tomorrow be ourn." A large grin fills his face, "Diamonds."

The main room darkens and off stage, right edge, a light comes on the musician cradling a mandolin. Smiling to the audience he begins his narrative:

Musician: "The next morning the Wicked Queen's apple put Snow to sleep. That afternoon a Prince came and took Snow far away where they lived happily everafter.

The pixy also told me of the rumor that a troupe of soldiers came that night and took all the dwarfs' diamonds."

The musician reaches forward and takes the flaps of the circle before him. He pulls the flaps from the outside rim into the center. Then picks up his instrument and plays softly as the spotlight dims.

### the end. Fall 1991.

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