Urge For Going: The Joni Mitchell Jukebox Musical

Act One: Scene One

(overture)
CURTAINS OPEN, UFG PLAYS
SD: A young Joni Mitchell of about 10 stands in front of her big kitchen window, eyes dreamy, almost in a trance... then sings:
(SONG: urge for going)

m: roberta joan how many times do i have to tell you to get out of that damn window??

j: well don't you think it's great? we've lived here for months now and you've yet to notice this beautiful view!

m: it's just snow!

j: don't you ever think about the cars passing by? the people walking on the street? the people we'll never know, but have such different lives than us?

m: oh, what do you even mean? there's work to do. there's only two of us to do all of it.

j: why can't we just go back to before father went back to work? why are you always pestering me?

m: i want your father back too. there's so many things going on that you would never understand though, and right now it's his duty to take care of them.

j: i would understand if you could just explain it to me

(scene change to next day)

(knock on door)

m: hello sir how may i help you?

d: ms anderson? can i come in?

d: we've gotten some reports from the school that children have had a case of polio... and they were able to track the case down to your daughter roberta.

m: i don't understand.. shes been acting fine for the past few weeks... how could she be the one to be spreading polio?

d: are you sure? could i see her?

m: roberta!

d: hello young lady, how are your legs?

j: feeling a little weak, but i suppose they're fine.

d: have you had any pains throughout your body?

j: not any more than the usual!

d: i'm sorry to inform you ms. anderson, but it seems as though your daughter has contracted a mild case of polio, for this reason we will have to quarantine her in your home.

m: but-

d: polio is extremely contagious and can get worse. i'm afraid these are the measures we will have to take. come with me, roberta.