Red House [Fire! Fire!]

ACT I: THE WATER BILL

Enter TOURIST ANNIE. (There is a fanfare of percussion to announce her entrance.)

The occupants of this space spend a lot of time beating out percussive rhythms.  They use sticks, pots and pans, anything found in the rubble of the burnt out building they now occupy.  They beat on their bodies, to ease their pain.  They even sometimes hum for relief or jump up and down on the spot.  There is the odd, old tenor pan hanging around.

TOURIST ANNIE is dressed in a huge colourful skirt.  It flares out from the waist and goes down to the ground.  It is fitted with tambourines and metal cymbals that she can play from time to time.  It is a celebration skirt with the Dame Lorraine treatment.  On her feet, ankles and wrists are fitted bells, which she uses to good effect when she moves or dances.  On her head she wears a majestic wrap which gives her an extra foot or so of height. 

She enters and ritualistically covers the four corners of the space as she periodically taps out a rhythm on her ‘drums’.  She is in full command.  She begins to play for an audience of tourists.)

                        TOURIST ANNIE

Hello darling, lovely day isn’t it?  Yes-- I am called Tourist Annie.  Welcome, to my islands, these islands of paradise.  Every man is an island in this Caribbean, from Caliban to Friday, from Columbus to Castro (Pause). 

I know you do not know the history. The history of my people. So let me tell you. The Little Theatre’s play for today is called THE WATER RIOTS OF 1903.

Ram, The Silent God, alias Manohar Dookie, also known as Rachichacha, will play an East Indian, man. Take a bow Ram, quickly, quickly, come on. Next Father Elias, whom we, affectionately call ”Syrian”, plays Captain Walter Darwent, the Fire Chief and he also plays Henry A. Alcazar, a lawyer and politician. Hurry up nah man. Yes, Sydney, Sydney Fletcher plays Sargeant Tom Holder, a policeman. Christina La Croix plays Eva Carvalho, a well-known and popular washerwoman. Oh God, all you hurry up nah man. Come Ricky, Ricky Stewart, ladies and gentlemen. He plays, a man of African stock, Mzumbo Lazare, influential lawyer and politician. Lester Joseph McLean alias Joe Magic Machine plays Greasy Pole, man around town. Bow. Bow, nah you.

Ok! So, we ready. As the story goes, it all happened on this very spot years ago, many, many years ago today.  So this is an anniversary.

(Applause from the players backstage). 

Ram, the first placard.  Come! Come! (Ram eagerly walks around the stage with a placard, which reads:

“The Walsh Wrightson Water Bill”.)

Good, we begin.  The Walsh Wrightson Water Bill. 

(A small crowd follows him on, carrying mainly placards, red flags and banners, one of which reads:

Let Mzumbo Lazare Speak!

The Ratepayers Association

(RICK STEWART as MZUMBO LAZARE climbs the barricades of the building to loud cheers and applause.

MZUMBO is dressed in a collar and tie.  He is a well-known solicitor.

TOURIST ANNIE sits on a stool downstage,

near to the POT OF GOLD, and looks at the action.)

MZUMBO

Citizens, we have a problem.  A serious problem.  Coming down the road just now, through that big-shot area of St. Claire, I see taps running, running.  Those taps are running habitually.  And yet these people claim inadequate water supply?  As you know they have their large plunge baths and sometimes they take all day to full. Yes, as much as 2,000 gallons, some of them.  Now Mr. Wrightson, that honourable gentleman, the Director of Public Works, two years ago forced the enforcement of the law to cut off people pipes clean, clean.  Anytime he find your pipes have runnings or they in disrepair, he coming to cut.