This Could Be Big

A New Play About the American Populist Movement

CHARACTERS

THIS COULD BE BIG has many characters, but it can be comfortably played by a cast of seven actors.

The play will require a lot of doubling, and the ensemble should feel free to have women playing men, men playing women, young people playing older people and so forth. A performance style that allows quick changes with minimal costumes would be appropriate.

The production company is encouraged to cast people of color for any of the roles. There are no roles which can only be played by a Caucasian actor or only played by an African-American actor.

The principle characters are:
MIKE, around 40
RACHEL, somewhere in her 30’s
CHESTER, about 60
JIMMY, twentyish
ALICE, also in her 20’s, about to marry Jimmy
EMILY, Chester’s wife, about 60
REUBEN, about 50

The same players will be doubling in the following roles:
JACK BEAUMONT (Voice Only), the state Farmers Alliance man
DAVENPORT, the furnishing merchant
RICHARD, a bank clerk
JAMES T. PLANTER, played by Reuben
REDNECK WOMAN, played by Emily
AFRICAN-AMERICAN FARMER, played by Chester
WESTERN UNION MESSENGER, played by Mike
EASTERN BANKER, played by Reuben
SENATOR, played by Rachel
SWEDISH IMMIGRANT, played by Jimmy
INGER, played by Alice
ALLIANCE WINDBAG (Voice Only)
CHARLES MACUNE (Voice Only), business manager of the Texas State Alliance
MAN IN THE CROWD (Voice Only)
MARY ELIZABETH LEASE, a People’s Party lecturer from Kansas
PEOPLE’S PARTY WINDBAG (Voice Only)
IGNATIUS DONNELLY, former Congressman, third party activist, and author
from Minnesota
WORKMAN
PRESIDENT GROVER CLEVELAND
EDWIN SUTTER, a Democratic State Committeeman
WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN, former Congressman and presidential candidate from
Nebraska
TRACY, Texas People’s Party official
HERMAN TAUBENECK, national chairman of the People’s Party 1894-96
PARKER, a Texas People’s Party delegate
RIVERS, a Kansas People’s Party delegate
FINIAN, a Massachusetts People’s Party delegate
GENERAL JAMES WEAVER, former Civil War general, People’s Party presidential
nominee in 1892
STUMP ASHBY, a Texas politician played by Reuben
FLOSSIE, the party secretary, played by Emily
SENATOR WILLIAM ALLEN, Populist Senator from Nebraska, played by Reuben
SENATOR JAMES JONES of Arkansas, played by Jimmy
WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN, played by Rachel

SYNOPSIS OF SCENES

Scene 1. Rachel’s house, 1886

Scene 2. Davenport’s office

Scene 3. The Bank

Scene 4. Rachel’s house

Scene 5. Emily’s house, 1887

Scene 6. The Well

Scene 7. Alice’s house, 1888

Scene 8. Rachel’s house, 1889

Scene 9. A Town Square, 1892

Scene 10. Rachel’s house

Scene 11. People’s Party Convention, Omaha, 1892

Scene 12. Alice’s house

Scene 13. A Grange Hall, 1894

Scene 14. Alice’s house

Scene 15. A Hotel Room, 1896

Scene 16. Rachel’s house

SCENE 1

(RACHEL, somewhere in her 30’s, sets out a coffee pot and cups. MIKE enters, quietly, behind
her back. He’s around 40. RACHEL turns, sees MIKE, drops a bunch of spoons and lets out a short quick scream.)

MIKE
The door was open.

RACHEL
Yes, but my heart is closed. Should I be getting pissy, or do you want to tell me who you are?

MIKE
They were supposed to tell you who I am. I’m Mike. I thought you’d be happy to see me.

RACHEL
I’m walking on air. Mike who?

MIKE
What’s the difference.

RACHEL
There’s a big difference. Have you ever been to Louisiana before Mike?

MIKE
Louisiana? What do you mean, Louisiana.

(He looks at RACHEL. She’s no help.)

MIKE
God damn it, God damn it, God damn it. Louisiana? This is my first day on this job. And here I show up in the wrong state? I can’t believe I made a mistake like this.

RACHEL
Triple bummer.

MIKE
We can’t be in Louisiana.


RACHEL
I never said we were.

MIKE
Yuh, but you said....

RACHEL
Nathan County, Texas.

MIKE
Then why did you say Louisiana?

RACHEL
What, I can’t make conversation? We’re in Texas, the year is 1886, and I’m an annoying widow person put here by God almighty to ruin your evening.

MIKE
Really?

RACHEL
My underwear holds nothing but honesty, Mike. What are you doing in my house?

MIKE
I thought people from the south were supposed to talk slow and use a lot of stupid metaphors about animals.

RACHEL
Yes, we used to do that, but we got sick of it so we stopped. Would you mind watching the coffee while I go get the rifle?

MIKE
You don’t have to get any rifle. I’m Michael Dale, I’m a member in good standing of the Knights of Labor, on strike against the Texas & Pacific Railroad and we heard there was a Farmers Alliance meeting tonight and I was sent here to ask for your support.

RACHEL
Well that’s all fine, but this isn’t exactly a Farmers Alliance meeting. A man from the State Alliance was a friend of my husband and he asked me if I’d invite a few friends over to talk to them about joining. And I don’t have any friends so I asked a few people who live around here because if I had a meeting without them, they’d start talking about me and I’d never hear the end of it. I have nothing special against you, other than the possible breaking and entering charge.

MIKE
Uhuh. So what would you do if you were me?

RACHEL
I would act grateful. Would you like a piece of cake?

MIKE
Okay, sure.

RACHEL
Well, I don’t serve cake until the end of the meeting, so you’ll have to wait.

MIKE
Can I help you pay for that?

RACHEL
May you pay for it? Yes. Can you pay for it? No.

MIKE
Why not?

RACHEL
Because you’re dead broke. Of course if you ever do get any money, I’d be happy to take it from you, seeing as how I don’t have any. If you expect to stay, please put those chairs in a circle without scratching the floor.

(He starts moving chairs.)

MIKE
You own this farm?

RACHEL
The bank owns the farm. They let me make believe I own it so they don’t have to do any of the plowing and planting and harvesting.

MIKE
My folks lost their farm. Had to take factory work.

RACHEL
That doesn’t mean I have any more money than you do.

MIKE
Didn’t say you did. It’s Rachel, is that right?

RACHEL
Maybe. Maybe not.

MIKE
Well is it or isn’t it?

RACHEL
I don’t know, Mike. I have two kids out back and I’m basically a suspicious person. Would you mind telling me where you’re from?

MIKE
How come there’s nobody here for the meeting yet?

RACHEL
Maybe they’re not coming, Mr. Dale. Maybe you’re wasting your time here and you’d be better off in Louisiana. But maybe I was lying before and we really are in Louisiana.

MIKE
You need any work done around the house?

(He starts to look around.)

RACHEL
I don’t have any money to pay you. Which I believe I mentioned earlier this evening.

MIKE
I’m not asking for money. I’m trying to repay you for all this warmth and hospitality you’re showing me.

RACHEL
Where was your folks’ farm? Back East somewhere?

MIKE
You see that shelf? That shelf is crooked. Come over here and look at this. See? Look at that.

(She joins him.)

RACHEL
You’re allowing me to look at my own wall? Thank you so much.

MIKE
Your shelf is crooked. I could fix that for you.

RACHEL
Do you see anything falling off it?

MIKE
No, but that’s because a nice looking candy dish already fell off it and broke into a hundred pieces.

RACHEL
And how do you know this?

MIKE
I read it in the newspaper.

RACHEL
Which newspaper.

MIKE
The St. Louis Daily....Where’s your tools?

RACHEL
STOP LOOKING AT THE SHELF AND TELL ME WHERE YOU’RE FROM. BUD.

MIKE
You mean....lately?

RACHEL
I mean now. Tell me now.

MIKE
Sometimes a man who’s been arrested for labor activity a few times has reason to believe someone may be after him and doesn’t like to leave too many clues around with people who he doesn’t know.

RACHEL
Really. Now that borders on the interesting, Mike. Because the way I see you looking at me, I get the feeling you’d like to know me a lot better. Am I correct about that?

(He looks at her.)

MIKE
Joliet, Illinois. In confidence.

RACHEL
In confidence. Coffee?

(She motions. He pours coffee for himself.)

RACHEL
I don’t serve the cake until after the meeting. Did I explain that?

MIKE
You didn’t by any chance use to be a school teacher, did you?

RACHEL
Yes, but I was arrested for teaching activity a few times and I have reason to believe someone may be after me.

MIKE
I thought people from the south were ignorant and sold their children for whisky.

RACHEL
I thought people from the north were brilliant and wore smart clothes and spoke in Greek and Latin.

MIKE
Looks like we were both right.

CHESTER
(From offstage.)
Rachel?

RACHEL
We’re in here.
(To Mike.)
Should we slip out the back way together and avoid responsibility?

MIKE
No. What do you think I am?

RACHEL
I’m just fooling. Get casual, Mike. You are so sensitive.

(CHESTER enters. He’s about 60.)

CHESTER
Evening.

RACHEL
Evening, Chester. This is Michael Dale. He doesn’t like to say where he’s from.

CHESTER
Well, good for him. There’s too much small talk around here as it is. Where’s the cake.

RACHEL
Where’s Emily?

CHESTER
In her kitchen. Where else would she be?

RACHEL
I told you to invite her.

CHESTER
She isn’t interested.

RACHEL
Walnuts. I don’t give a damn whether she’s interested. I told you to bring her. This is important.

CHESTER
Where’s the cake.

RACHEL
Have some coffee. Mr. Beaumont from the Alliance should be here shortly.

CHESTER
I didn’t come here for coffee. I can make coffee myself.

RACHEL
You can make cake yourself too, as far as I’m concerned.

CHESTER
Not apple cake, like you make.

MIKE
Excuse me, sir. I just want to let you know that I’m from the Knights of Labor and we’re on strike against Jay Gould and the Texas & Pacific and all the big politicians are against us and the newspapers are against us and it’s really important that we get the support of the farmers. And I’ll be asking you for that specifically this evening.

CHESTER
Yuh, big deal.

RACHEL
Mr. Dale, I believe we should talk about that after Mr. Beaumont gets here, not now.

CHESTER
Maybe he missed his train. Maybe he’s not coming. Can’t really have a meeting without him. May as well just have some of Rachel’s apple cake and then call it a night.

RACHEL
I’m sure he’ll be along shortly. Call Emily.

CHESTER
EMILY! See? She isn’t interested.

RACHEL
She can’t hear you from here.

CHESTER
She isn’t interested in all this business stuff.

RACHEL
The Alliance isn’t just business stuff. It’s democracy.

CHESTER
What’s he going to do, talk to me about politics for two hours?

RACHEL
He’s a farmer just like we are. I promised him five people. Go get Emily before he gets here.

MIKE
I heard he’s a good man, Mr. Beaumont.

CHESTER
Well, you’re not from anywhere, so you don’t count.

(Knocking on the door.)

RACHEL
Who is it?

JIMMY and ALICE
It’s Jimmy and Alice!

ALICE
It’s Alice and Jimmy, Rachel! Hello!

CHESTER
Sounds like it’s Jimmy and Alice.

RACHEL
We’re in here!

CHESTER
(To Mike.)
They’re getting married.

(JIMMY and ALICE, both 20ish,
come in and sit down together,
holding hands.)

RACHEL
Jimmy and Alice, this is Mr. Michael Dale from...up north somewhere.

(They all shake hands. CHESTER gets ready
to leave.)

CHESTER
I’m going for Emily. For some damn reason.

ALICE
We’re getting married.

MIKE
Well that’s really nice.
(CHESTER leaves.)

ALICE
Are you the man from the Farmer’s Alliance?

MIKE
Not exactly. I’m with the Knights of Labor.

JIMMY
Is that right? I just love horse racing. Me and Billy Samuels had this philly last year? And we took her up to....

RACHEL
It’s not a horse racing business, Jimmy. Mr. Dale will explain it all later.

JIMMY
Well, I certainly am looking forward to hearing about it. Rachel, I just wanted to let you know I haven’t forgotten about fixing your shelf.

RACHEL
Thank you, Jimmy. That was such a helpful comment that it makes any further discussion of the subject entirely unnecessary.

JIMMY
Damn shame about that nice candy dish.

RACHEL
Thank you for your concern.

JIMMY
Must’ve broke in at least 200 pieces.

RACHEL
Jimmy, shut up.

JIMMY
I’ll come by and do it tomorrow afternoon, right after I get back from visiting Mr. Davenport. He’s the furnishing merchant? My Dad says I need to be taking responsibility for these things since I’m going to be taking over the farm soon.

RACHEL
We know about that, Jimmy.

ALICE
We’re getting married.

RACHEL
Yes, we heard about it.

ALICE
Well it’s all true!

JIMMY
You know a lot of people think I’m too young. But I don’t think I’m too young. I think if you have something in your heart, then it just has to come out. And you just have to do a good job at whatever’s in your heart because that’s what’s in your heart. And goodness knows we’ve all been having a lot of hard luck in this county with cotton prices going down and everything. But I just think that if you have something in your heart.....

RACHEL
We know all that, Jimmy.

(EMILY, about 60, enters, followed by CHESTER,
who falls back into his old chair.)

ALICE
Hi Emily!

EMILY
Well hello!

JIMMY
Hello, Emily.

(EMILY makes minor adjustments to RACHEL’s
furniture and knick knacks. Rachel follows her,
returning everything to its previous position.)

EMILY
Well hello to you. What a nice little party. Hello to all of you. My isn’t this nice. Look at how nice all this is. And here we are sitting around on our duffs doing nothing while Rachel does all the work. Let me serve the cake, honey.

RACHEL
No need, Emily. We’ll do the cake later.

CHESTER
She won’t let you touch the cake.

EMILY
(To CHESTER.)
That’s the way she is. I told you that’s the way she is, you just have to put up with it.
(To RACHEL.)
You know honey, the place looks so much nicer without that ugly old candy dish.

RACHEL
Thank you, Emily.

EMILY
Who gave you that ugly old thing?

RACHEL
I made it myself.

EMILY
Oh, well isn’t that nice. How is everybody? Is everybody fine?

JIMMY
I’m as fine as I can be, Emily. But I just think that if it’s in your heart to be fine and be good and do the right thing, that’s what you’re going to do. Because if a fellow does the right thing, it has to come out okay, because that’s what’s in his heart.

RACHEL
Jimmy, why don’t we wait and talk about all that when Mr. Beaumont from the Alliance gets here.

CHESTER
If he gets here. He probably missed his train. Not that many trains from Amarillo. May as well eat that cake now.

EMILY
Chester, what’s wrong with you.

JACK
(From offstage.)
Anybody home? It’s Jack Beaumont.

CHESTER
Damn.

(CHESTER grabs the cake and heads
out the back way. )

RACHEL
Chester!

(RACHEL and EMILY run after
CHESTER.)

MIKE
Hey what.....

(MIKE heads for the front door.)

MIKE
We’re right here, Mr. Beaumont.
(Sound -- a freight train going by. The lights change. ALICE and JIMMY are alone.)