A Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Live Oak Tree

Act I

                                                                                           Scene 1:

                                                                                          (Setting)

Morning arrives at a small 20x20 wood framed schoolhouse on the edge of a scattered

oak wood stand. A soupy fog whitens the land, hanging heavily onto the wood framed

building. One at a time fifty ( or twelve on stage) child students walk up homemade brick

steps, across a wood planked porch, through double wooden doors, into an open one

room classroom divided by a waist high bookcase running two thirds of the way across

the floor. The book case is filled with Jump Sally Jump reading books, Captain

Kangaroo Spelling and writing books, Mickey Mouse Club Math books, Doctor Seuss

sleepy time reading books, science text books about the latest Sputnic space

technology and the new transistor radio, for first and second grade.

The Head Master's Wife, Mrs McNeil, stands proudly on the porch beside the opened

doors in her fancy straw sunbonnet with the wide pink ribbon, wearing a white and

calico ankle length Edwardian Jacket Dress. She greets the students warmly with a

smile as they pass over the door threshold.

Enter Mrs. McNeil

Mrs. McNeil: Good Morning students.

Tammy Two Step: (smiles) Good Morning teacher.

Curtis Curlyhead: (smiles) Good Morning teacher.

Gene Coffee: Good Morning teacher

Several more students walk past Mrs. McNeil behind Tammy, Curtis, and Gene. They all

take their seats according to the grade they are in. The division on the side of the

bookcase opposite the door is second grade. A few from 3rd and 4th grades are mixed

in. Curtis and Gene take their seats at desks in the division closest to the door. Tammy

walks over to the opposite area where the second grade is.

On the wooden porch left of the steps sits CL, Crook, and Fish. A long blue Marquis

Mercury drives up close to the wood plank porch. The passenger door opens suddenly.

Out jumps Beau Weible. .

Enter Beau Weible

Beau Weible (as he is excitedly running); How is it Fish? I know you from church.

Crook:(gasps) Fancy you being here!

Beau Weible: I remember you, Crook, from Center Road Christian Academy. What are

you doing here, boy?

Fish: Why, he's doing the same thing here we are, for crying out loud!

Crook: Yeah, boy, I'm doing the same thing here you are! Do you remember that big

chicken-snake Mr. Meyers found in the hedge bushes at our old school?

Beau Weible: Yeah, sure do, and the way he popped that snake's head off by