Scene 4

Mestra sings the Hunger Hum to indicate the passage of time. When she finishes, the servants turn around, remove their aprons and throw them down on the stage.

S1: Well girls, that's it.

S2: We're finished.

S1: We're through

all right.

S2: No doubt.

S3: But what will we do?

I feel as if my whole life's been destroyed.

S1: It's not quite so bad - you're just unemployed.

S3: "Just" unemployed?  There's nothing "just" about it!

It's outrageous!  Obscene!

S2: You don't have to shout it,

We all feel the same.

S3: I feel like crying.

I don't want to act strong, and I don't feel like trying.

S1: You've got to pull yourself together.

S2: We’ve all seen this coming, things had got out of hand.

We knew we were screwed when he sold off his land.

S3: All I want to know is whether

He’ll hire us back or whether we’re doomed.

S2: We're finished for sure. The tragedy's loomed

Over our heads for plenty of time.

S1: I don't think that any of us could have been blind

To the fact that the whole kingdom's been in decline.

S3: We all should have left while things were still fine.

S2: Should have left?

S3: Should have quit.

S1: But were would we go?

S3: Somewhere far.

S2: Yes, but where?

S3: How should I know?

In any event, it's clear what took place:

The gods have condemned us: we've fallen from grace.

S1: Just what kinds of proofs of our "fall" have you seen?

S3: Our master's decay.

S2: Ex-master, you mean.

S1: I'm sure you don't need to invoke all the gods

To explain away an extreme case of worms.

S3: But his hunger's insane, beyond any odds

We could lay to disease! It's beyond any norms

That we have to explain.  How could worms explain that?

S2: The worm explanation's a little too pat.

After all, we all share the same drinks, the same food.

S3: And I know that our cooking has always been good.

S2: I don't think he has worms.  I just think he's gone mad

From ambition and stress.

S1: Well it is rather sad.

These things happen. Unfortunately they've happened to us

And our master -

S2: - Ex-master.

S1: And we're paying the price

With our jobs.

S3: I don't think your theories suffice

To explain what has happened to out town, Erysichthon,

And to Mestra and Solones, wherever he's gone.

If you want to think that worms took our jobs

Or blame stress as the culprit who randomly robs

Our master -

S1: Ex-master.

S3: Our ex-master's sanity

And all our good fortune, it's only your vanity

Which prevents you from seeing that the gods sent a curse.

S2: We are out of jobs, but a curse implies worse.

S3: I'm talking about all the droughts and the heat

Which daily diminish what we earn, what we eat.

S2: Maybe it's due to our master.

S1: Ex-master.

S2: He's been logging the woods ever faster and faster,

So perhaps he's to blame for the problem at hand.

S3: I don't think the two of you yet understand -

S1: (Interrupting ) - Besides, you can't claim that by cutting down trees

Erysichthon has triggered all the blight and disease

Which has ruined the harvest and killed off the flocks,

Made infertile the hens and made impotent cocks.

S3: I tell you these plagues are a sign!

S2: (to S3 ) Oh shut up!

(to S1 ) I'm not blaming him, but we shouldn't -

S3: (Overlapping, angrily to S2 ) You shouldn't interrupt !

S2: (Continues without pausing ) -deny the natural balance things

Gets fouled up when you play with the carefully placed strings

Which support the whole system.

S1: It's a big claim to make

To say that these problems rose from human mistake!

S2: (Interrupting ) Are you saying we haven't produced any change?

S1: I'm not saying that, but your theory sounds strange.

S2: These things are related. All things inter-relate.

S3: You both are denying that the gods rule our fate!

S1 and S2: (In unison )  Shut up!

S3: Not a chance!  I've shut up enough:

It's your logic that's flimsy and your tongues which are tough.

There the two of you go, sprouting off speculations

Which both contradict your supposed explanations.

It's women like you who are faithless and hard

Who've brought this disaster to our own backyard.

Your blasphemies harden the hearts of the gods,

Thus, it is, thanks to you, that we're all out of jobs!

S2: How pious!  How righteous!  How sincere through and through!

And how backwards!  Listen, girl, I've got harsh news for you.

Don't start pinning the fall of the kingdom's economy

On us and then run off claiming moral autonomy!

You talk about faithlessness?  Then look to yourself!

It's thanks to your type there's no food on my shelf!

You lost faith in this world, you don't try to improve it!

You're to blame for our fate, not the gods, I can prove it!

S3: That's a head on your shoulders?  Or is it your bum?

Since your logic is crappy, I'll assume where it's from.

S1: Girls! Please! Calm yourselves! We're all under stress.  (pauses )

We all can agree it's a terrible mess.

S3: I'm sorry I shouted.

S2: I'm sorry I snapped.

S2: I understand -  we all feel trapped.

I didn't deserve to lose my post,

And nor did you.

S1: Let's make the most

Of what we can.

(All the S's nod -  there is a long, reflective pause  )

S3: What should we do?

S1: I've got a last idea or two.  (She beckons her companions to whisper with her in a huddle.  The servants cast fast glances out into the audience as the are whispering.  They come to an agreement, pull out pens, and write on their aprons:  WILL WORK FOR FOOD, and step out of their huddle and face the audience, smiling brightly.  Ad lib./Improvise the following section -make something up - in which you ask the audience for work.)

The Servants exit the stage, waving and saying good-byes to the audience.