The Crucible: Added Scene: Dancing with the Devil
[A large, open forest with bright green grass whose dew is glistened by the midnight moon that shines brightly through the leaves of the tall trees. The trees encircle a large grass field.
As the curtain rises, three girls (TITUBA, BETTY, ABIGAIL) dance and skip, chanting, singing, and laughing.
As the songs end, they stop chanting and jumping, and all fall down on the grass together, laughing as if intoxicated.]
ABIGAIL [still softly giggling] Tituba, thank you so much for bringing us. This is more fun than I ever thought!
BETTY We should return to our beds now though, I still think. We’ve had fun and all; no need to risks ourselves anymore.
ABIGAIL [Groaning and nudging BETTY] Come on, Betty dear. Don’t be so prude. You’re the daughter of a reverend, cousin Betty. No one will suspect nothing of you.
TITUBA [Standing and offering her hands to BETTY and ABIGAIL, helping them up to their feet] Come, let’s dance more.
BETTY Abby, I still think we ought to--
TITUBA Child, I won’t do nothin’ to danger you. Ya know that, yes?
BETTY [Looking down, guilty for thinking such things about TITUBA]
ABIGAIL Nothing bad will happen, Betty. I promise. This forest is even lacking chaotic passion!
[As ABIGAIL says this, MERCY runs by, unlacing her dress, stripping of it, and throwing it to the ground as she continues to run and laugh]
BETTY Mercy, no! [She reaches for the dress]
ABIGAIL Stop it, Betty! There is no need to help her. No bad person is here. Just some friends having a right time.
BETTY We should really go. [Clearly distraught]
TITUBA Dear, wait. Reverend Parris will never know.
BETTY Dare you say my father’s name as we waltz on the ground of the Devil! That is complete defamation of my father! [Whispers] And if the Lord sees us, we’ll be blasted.
ABIGAIL [Steps closer to BETTY, putting a hand on her shoulder] Betty, please. Let down your hair. Don’t rook us of a lovely time!
BETTY [Looks more at ease]
RUTH [running barefoot through the trees, stopping before TITUBA]
TITUBA Ruth! You be right winded.
RUTH [Heavily breathing] I was unsure if you were still here. May I ask a large favor of you, dear Tituba? I beg at your feet to help me. Please.
TITUBA Of course, of course! [Worriedly meets RUTH’s eyes.] What can I do ya for?
RUTH My mama . . . she been so sad lately, Tituba. She seems to be mourning the loss of my siblings all over again. She lost each one the night of their birth. I need to help her. Please, Tituba. I hear you a great sorcerer.
TITUBA [Flattered] Yes, yes, I will help you, my child. Come, come. Sit.
[TITUBA, RUTH, ABIGAIL, and BETTY sit on the ground. RUTH looks relieved. TITUBA appears focused. ABIGAIL is fully intrigued. BETTY appears uneasy.]
RUTH Who took my siblings, Tituba? God, or the Devil? I feel I don’t know anymore what is right, wrong, or up, down. I’m constantly living in trepidation that I might just be the next of my kin to be taken. And where to? Hell or heaven? Or is Hell Heaven and Heaven . . . Hell?
BETTY Ruth! Wash your mouth. Do not dare think those things. Are you asking God to traffick your soul to Lucifer? Don’t think such malign thoughts. Don’t be so diabolical.
RUTH Betty, I do not know what is wrong or right anymore. My respect for Reverend Parris is high and mighty. What if, however, he has been mislead? How else will we know unless Tituba bids a higher spirit and enquires diametrically?
TITUBA Child, my dearest, my love, Betty. Ruth may still believe in this all-powerful God. She may have faith in theocracy stronger than Reverend Parris.
BETTY [Interrupting TITUBA] Calumny! No one has a stronger hope in theocracy than the religious father of Betty Parris!
TITUBA Betty, honey, shh. I must contact the deceased now. I have begun the summoning of a greater one.
RUTH [Strongly curious and deeply interested] The devil? Or the Lord?
TITUBA [Eyes tightly shut, focusing. Her hands are clasped together as if she is praying. She holds them level to her chin and tilts her head back slightly] Satan.
[BETTY tries to stand but ABIGAIL pulls her back down by her wrist. BETTY stays, pouting. TITUBA begins humming a tune, soft and deep. From the depth of her lungs, she chants. She chants words not in the language of English. Occasionally the name of God, Satan, Lucifer, Devil, RUTH, and TITUBA are recognized. The chanting becomes louder and rougher, until TITUBA’s voice bellows sharply. Suddenly, all the girls begin chanting as well, and stand up. They gather hands and skip in a circle, singing together. Somewhere in the distance a wolf howls. The girls all stop singing just as they fall to the ground, unconscious.]
[Curtain]
