A Full Length Play in Two Acts

Spirit and Flesh

By G. L. Horton
copyright © 2000 Geralyn Horton

VICTORIA CLAFLIN WOODHULL BLOOD MARTIN was born in Homer, Ohio in 1838, to a medicine show family who traveled the Midwest one step ahead of the law. Victoria graduated from selling magical cures to giving Spiritualist advice based on her clairvoyant trances, but it was her pioneering success as a stockbroker and her mesmeric oratory that rocketed her to the leadership of the Women's Rights Movement in the early 1870's. After the debacle of her 1872 run for the U.S. presidency (on a platform of Equal Rights and Free Love) the law caught up with Vicky, and she served a term in Ludlow Jail. Exiled to Britian, she married into the English gentry and spent much of the rest of her life trying to erase all trace of her radical youth.

With doubling, seven actors can play all the parts in this epic.

CHARACTERS

TENNESSEE CLAFLIN -- Vicky's younger sister-- is in her mid-twenties at the beginning of the play, but at any age she displays the dress and manners of a charming child prodigy.

ROXY CLAFLIN -- Vicky's mother-- at 50 she is eccentric and excitable, and speaks with an indefinable accent.

VICTORIA CLAFLIN WOODHULL -- handsome, intense, charismatic, dignified, and sensual; with a glorious voice for oratory.

MRS. CLARA HIRSH -- a middle aged farm wife.

COLONEL JAMES HARVEY BLOOD -- a romantic-looking Southern gentleman of principle, who fought on the Union side in the Civil War.

COMMODORE VANDERBILT -- 70, the legendary capitalist.

BENJAMIN RUTHERFORD -- at 20, an eager, idealistic cub reporter.

ELIZABETH CADY STANTON -- 50, plump, benign, the philosophical polemicist at the center of the movement for women's rights.

SUSAN B. ANTHONY -- 50, famous preacher of ECS's feminism.

ISABELLA BEECHER HOOKER -- 20's, radical enthusiast of the famous Beecher family, sister of bestselling author Harriet Beecher Stowe & Rev Henry Ward Beecher (most popular preacher in the US)

CATHERINE BEECHER -- 40's, older sister of the above Beechers, a crusader for women's education and moral uplift.

THEODORE TILTON -- 30's, handsome, self-dramatizing clergyman.

JUDGE CARTER -- 50, active in the Suffrage Movement.

ETHAN WAHL -- a lawyer.

JOHN BIDDOLPH MARTIN--English banker.

ZULU MAUDE WOODHULL -- appears as a babe in Vicky's arms in the early scenes, age 60+ in the final scene.

Also: COCKNEY MESSENGER, NEWSBOY, POLICEMAN, DELEGATES TO THE SUFFRAGE CONVENTIONS OF 1871 and 1872.

ACT ONE, SCENE ONE

(Tennessee Claflin, who is in her early twenties but is dressed and coiffed as an adolescent, is conducting in evangelical chant a healing for Mrs. Clara Hirsh, an influential matron in the farm community of Black River, Ohio. Colonel Blood watches respectfully silent)

TENNESSEE
-- by the blessed power flowing though me, your hand is growing strong again, and free from pain. Even now the holy healing light streams down upon you, even now it is making you well and whole.

MRS. HIRSH
Oh, yes, Lord. Yes it is. Hallelujah!

ROXY
Hallelujah!

MRS. HIRSH (demonstrates flexibility)
Will you look at how I can move it, now! Isn't that a wonder!

ROXY (hugs Tennie)
That's my Tennessee. The Wonder Child. You see that, Colonel Blood?

BLOOD
Most remarkable, Mrs. Claflin.

ROXY
Praise the Lord.

MRS. HIRSH
I surely will. And I'll praise your daughter, too, Miz Claflin.

ROXY
My Tennessee, she lifts up her holy mother in Israel.

MRS. HIRSH
Amen.

TENNESSEE
If you want your hand to stay healed, Mrs. Hirsh, you'd best dose regular with my Elixir. Rheumatiz has a way of coming back.

MRS. HIRSH (looks at elixir bottle)
I'll take a dozen of these bottles, then. Will that be enough? Don't the two of you look sweet! How old are you, here? In your picture?

TENNESSEE
How old was I, Ma? Twelve?

ROXY
Victoria was twelve. You was ten.

MRS HIRSH
Looking just like a angel.

BLOOD (kisses TENNIE's hand)
"Fair as May, or a rose in promising bud."

TENNESSEE
Why, Colonel Blood!

ROXY
Run and get Miz Hirsh her Elixir, girl. Eleven bottles.

MRS. HIRSH (gives money)
Here's for the dozen. I'm adding in a little something for your family, Miz Claflin. That girl of yours is a miracle.

ROXY
My wonder child. A blessing on us from the day she was born.

BLOOD
You say Miss Tennessee manifested these powers from birth?

ROXY
I say both my girls manifest. From the cradle, they had the signs. Ain't you satisfied, you Blood? A message, and a healing. Even if you come from Missouri, what more d'ya need?

BLOOD
I'd hoped to meet both of the Sister Seeresses. Miss Victoria-

ROXY
Miss Victoria's gone off to San Francisco, with her husband, The Woodhull. The Woodhull's set up. He's a medical doctor. Her husband can fix her up with ruffles and frills, now; while her family toils in the Lord's fields, nowise but in sackcloth--

MRS HIRSH
I could maybe give you a bit more--

TENNESSEE
Here you are, Miz Hirsh. Your Elixir.

BLOOD (reaching into his pocket)
If contributions are customary--

TENNESSEE
Put your money away! The Lord has blessed me with his gift of healing. I don't mean to take profit from it.

ROXY
We got to live.

TENNESSEE
Like the lilies of the field, mother.

MRS HIRSH
Well, you’re saints on earth, and that's the truth. (massaging her healed hand) My stars, hope I'm not stiffing up.

TENNESSEE
Soon's you get home now, Miz Hirsh, you take 3 spoonfuls of Elixir and lie down for a bit.

MRS HIRSH
I surely will. Bless you. Miz Claflin, Col. Blood--

BLOOD
Allow me! (Blood carries Mrs Hirsh's box of elixir - exeunt)

TENNESSEE
Don't try to take this gent, Ma!

ROXY
Lookit the pockets on him!

TENNESSEE
Blood's president of the St. Louis Spiritualists. Convince the Colonel we're legit, and he'll send us others. Worth twenty times what we can get out of him.

ROXY
Where's the Colonel gonna send em, Tennie? This town ain't good for more than another day or two. I won't rest easy until we've got a hundred miles or so between us and that spavined son of Satan they call a sheriff--

TENNESSEE
I'm not leaving here until Vicky catches up with us.

ROXY
Victoria's in San Francisco!

TENNESSEE
She's on her way here, I'm telling you!

BLOOD
Is she? Perhaps I could arrange to stay a day or two. How soon do you expect her?

ROXY
We don't expect her!

TENNESSEE
Oh, yes we do! My sister and I are joined in spirit, Colonel Blood. Vicky has sent me Word.

ROXY
I told you, Tennie, this man is not a Believer. Not a real one. That's why you wasn't working on top today.

TENNESSEE
Don't be silly, Ma. I did all right. A distinguished researcher like Col. Blood knows better than to expect 100%. I may slip on some details, but the Colonel has seen proof that I have the power. Within three days--

BLOOD
But Miss Tennie---,

TENNESSEE
I'd bet cash money on it.

BLOOD
How much?

TENNESSEE
What'd we get from Miz Hirsh, Ma?

BLOOD
Really, Miss Tennessee, I know details such as time and distance don't register in the Ethereal Sphere. I doubt that it would be wise of me -(ROXY'S Speech begins and overlaps) to delay my return to St. Louis on the expectation of your sister's arrival.

ROXY
Woe, I say! Woe to them that shoot out their lips! Woe to them with scorn and spitting, though they have a handsome outside!

MRS. HIRSH
Miz Claflin! Look what I've found for you out in the road!

TENNESSEE
Vicky! (VICTORIA Enters--a handsome woman in her late twenties well-dressed in a dramatic style, carrying an infant)

MRS HIRSH
Recognized Miz Victoria from her picture.   Figured she didn't know quite where to look for you.

VICTORIA
You called me, and I've come!

TENNESSEE
I thought you called me?

ROXY
Where's the Woodhull?

VICTORIA
He's tending our idiot boy Byron, but he'll be here.

ROXY
He got the mortal sickness again?

VICTORIA
I'm his income; he'll be here.

ROXY
Let's see your Little Gal.

TENNESSEE
Precious Zulu Maude ... come to Auntie Ten.

MRS HIRSH
Zulu Maude?

ROXY
Is this one an idiot too?

VICTORIA
I think she's all right. No thanks to Woodhull.

TENNESSEE
He at the drink again?

MRS HIRSH
Temperance, temperance is a mighty crown. Before my Jake got saved, sometimes he would--

ROXY
God help him, and his crown of thorns! The Woodhull's a good man, though good-for-nothing, as they say. I remember the day he come to ask her father the Buckman could he have Victoria--

VICTORIA
I was a child of fourteen! And my father sold me! Where is the old reprobate? In jail?

ROXY
Your father the Buckman has gone ahead to prepare our way. For straight is the gate--

VICTORIA
I don't know how my father expects to stagger through it, then! I asked him for bread; he gave this millstone of a Woodhull!

ROXY
Victoria Claflin, where's your gratitude? You told us you wanted book learning, the Holy word weren't enough for you, bless your soul. How else was you to get educated? Traipsing around?

TENNESSEE
The Woodhull's made a lady of you, Vic.

VICTORIA
Tennessee! I hope I've always been a lady!

ROXY
Queen Victoria! You was a queen in your cradle.

TENNESSEE
Well, you didn't always talk like one. Or dress so fine, either. Take little Zulu, Ma --tell Polly to keep an eye on her. I want to try on Vicky's flash hat. (ROXY carries ZULU MAUDE off).

ROXY (calling off)
Polly! (TENNESSEE tries on VICTORIA'S hat, ROXY returns)

MRS HIRSH
That's a mighty pretty turn out, Miz Victoria. If you could see your way clear to favoring our town with one of your lectures--

ROXY
Wait till they hear! Till the whole town hears the both of you! Oh, there'll be a shouting on the mountaintops. We will take this town, and the next town, and shake em up till it rains down manna! With God's help there will be a mighty prophesying done here.

VICTORIA
I think a lecture could be arranged. Does your town have a suitable hall, Mrs. -- ?

MRS HIRSH
Mrs Hirsh.

VICTORIA
Pleased to meet you, Mrs. Hirsh.

TENNESSEE
That ain't all, Vicky. Bang over here, Colonel Blood--here's that certain somebody you've been looking to meet.

BLOOD
How do you do, Ma'm? I've been-- -My God!
  (When VICKY turns and catches sight of BLOOD, she sees an unearthly white-clad ANGEL standing beside him. The figure's arms are raised in blessing. VICKY starts in surprise, staggers, and then drops to the ground in a faint. When the others gather around, the figure disappears.)

MRS HIRSH
The girl's fainted!

TENNESSEE
She's gone into a trance.

MRS HIRSH
Does she always drop like that?

TENNESSEE
Shh-- she's trying to say something. Be-- betr--be something.

BLOOD
"Betrothed". She said "betrothed".

TENNESSEE
Back off a little. She's coming around. Vicky?

VICTORIA
Ah. Tennie. Did you see what I saw?

TENNESSEE
Not exactly. But I could tell it was something.

VICTORIA
My guardian, arrayed as one of the powers of the air ...

TENNESSEE
Then this message was for you, not for a Seeker--?

VICTORIA
Yes. For me and for-- (she looks up at BLOOD) Who are you?

TENNESSEE
I told you, Vic. That there's Colonel Blood, up from St. Louis. He's president of the spiritualists there.

BLOOD
James Harvey Blood, at your service.

VICTORIA
I am Victoria. Must I tell you what I saw?

BLOOD
I think I know. I believe I was called here to find you.

TENNESSEE
Vicky? What does this mean?

MRS HIRSH
I think it means a crime in a Christian country .

ROXY
She's got one husband, before God. Two is blasphemy and bigotry.

VICTORIA
Bigamy, mother.

TENNESSEE
Mr. swagger and stagger, she's got. What's the Woodhull good for, now that Vicky's all polished up?

ROXY
You thought the Woodhull good enough to climb up on his knee, Tennessee.

TENNESSEE
When we were children!

ROXY
Abide in the Lord, and in kith and kin.

BLOOD
I have a wife and two small sons, Mrs Claflin. I love them. But if a Higher Duty calls me, I must answer-- just as I answered the call to defend the Union, though my kin fought for the South.

VICTORIA
All my life I've been waiting for this call! Since I was ten--

ROXY
Out, get out! This is fakery!

MRS HIRSH
Fakery?

VICTORIA
You're saying my visions are fake, mother? You've lived off them often enough.

ROXY
This is the whited sepulcher, this is.

MRS HIRSH
So it is!

ROXY
Out, you--you Hirsh!

MRS HIRSH
Would a blessed spirit talk to harlots? My Jake--

TENNESSEE
A john if ever I saw one!

MRS HIRSH
I want my money back!

TENNESSEE
Oh, go along home, Mrs. Hirsh. Every word I told you was the gospel. You just test it out and see.

MRS HIRSH
You can keep your phoney Elixir!

ROXY
You'll need more than that Elixir if you don't get out! You'll be so crippled up you'll need a corkscrew to wipe your bum!

TENNESSEE
Simmer down, Roxy-Loxy. Mrs. Hirsh, pay no mind to my mother. Victoria's been given a Prophetic Vision--.

ROXY
A brass face and wax moustaches!

TENNESSEE
It'll all work out for the best.

MRS HIRSH
Not in this town, it won't! (exits)

ROXY
See what you've done, you Blood!

TENNESSEE
I don't care, I'm tired of telling fortunes! If Vicky's Guardian Angel has a better scheme, I say let's get on with it.

ROXY
This comes of denying your holy Mother---

TENNESSEE
Deep breaths, Roxy-lox. Come have a spot of the 'Lixir.
(TENNESSEE leads ROXY out)

SCENE TWO

VICTORIA
Colonel Blood, I ....

BLOOD
Yes?

VICTORIA
I don't know what to say.

BLOOD
I seem to be speechless myself--and a bit numb.

VICTORIA Numb?
You mean you don't feel the Power, now. But you did?

BLOOD
Oh, yes. Everything's changed.

VICTORIA
So-- what do we do?

BLOOD
Perhaps we should get acquainted. I am thirty-two years old, Mrs. Woodhull, the son of a banker. I was raised in comfort and educated to be a gentleman. In the late war, I served the cause of the North to the extent of six honorable wounds. I look forward to showing you my scars.

VICTORIA
Then you, too, believe that our union is meant to be physical? Not only on the spiritual plane?

BLOOD
I have always felt that the opposition of spirit and flesh is an error, Miss Victoria. Perhaps the distortion of sickly leaders like St. Paul, who mistook his own infirmities--

VICTORIA
You too! But if only I could be sure! When as a child I had visions, my family called me a seeress; and people do testify that what I see for them is true. But my life-- I am twenty-eight years old, Colonel Blood. Twenty-eight! My life is all wrong. I am cut off from my destiny-- the life partner of a drunkard! A figure in white came to me when I was ten. An angel I called it,--- but then when Woodhull showed me pictures of the ancient Greeks, I came to think it might have been Demosthenes who was the messenger--

BLOOD
And what was the message?

VICTORIA
I would have fame and riches. I would be a leader of my people! Yet at 28, what I have is a drunken middle-aged husband, a half- grown half-wit son, a family that--well, Tennie is the best of sisters. But to a gentleman such as yourself, they must seem like a band of barbarous gypsies.

BLOOD
Uh--the Claflin clan is colorful, to say the least.

VICTORIA
Even so, the ancient wisdom of the lost tribes is in us, Colonel Blood. In these times we are forced to barter our secrets, but my mother says that we are descended from kings.

BLOOD (laughing)
Irish kings?

VICTORIA
You're laughing at me.

BLOOD
Not at you. At human nature.

VICTORIA
You don't believe that you and I are called to some high Purpose?

BLOOD
All I know for sure is that something has happened. To interpret it as a "call" seems reasonable--

VICTORIA
Reasonable! But you are a Spiritualist. Don't you accept a Higher Truth?

BLOOD
For me, Mrs. Woodhull, Revelations from the ethereal realm must pass the test of reason. I don't accept much as Truth with a capital T. But I am very free with my opinions.

VICTORIA
What sort of opinions?

BLOOD
The radical sort. You'll surely find my opinions as odd as I find your family. But they make me free. Free trade, free thought, free the slaves--

VICTORIA
We must talk and talk! Do you know, Colonel Blood, I have never before met a man of intellect. I have such a hunger! My own mind is a chaos-- besides the great gift of foresight, my mind has the intuitive power to leap over lies. But simple sums and logic--

BLOOD
Your fortune telling is all based on clairvoyance?

VICTORIA
On intuition, mainly. I tell people what they want to hear.

BLOOD
Your sister brought me a message from the ghost of my maternal grandmother.

VICTORIA
Wasn't it true?

BLOOD
The message seemed accurate enough. But my grandmother, though 83, has so far neglected to pass over.

VICTORIA
Tennie's not often caught out. You must have misled her.

BLOOD
I think of myself as a scientist of the occult.

VICTORIA
I'm so sick of fraud! If we join in partnership, Colonel Blood--

BLOOD
James--

VICTORIA
James. Let there never be a lie between us.

BLOOD
Agreed. (they shake hands) Did your spirit say what we're to do next?

VICTORIA
No. A vision comes of the goal, that's all. No directions.

BLOOD
Well, then. I suggest that we embark on an extended honeymoon. Somewhere out of the reach of our spouses.

VICTORIA
Are you rich?

BLOOD
No. I'm Auditor of the city of St. Lewis. If I desert my post, I'll be left with what I have in my pockets.

VICTORIA
I'll still have to tell fortunes, won't I? ... Or worse ...

BLOOD
I suppose we can sell your sister's Elixir. Can you see me as James Harvey, medicine man?

VICTORIA
I can't see a gentleman living in a wagon, rolling from one hick town to the next, one step ahead of the law.

BLOOD
An old soldier's good at making camp. We'll have to lie low for awhile, but we'll be snug under those trees in the firelight. We'll get to know each other. Spiritually and carnally. Once we've got our divorces--

VICTORIA
We must head for the sea. My angel, or my Greek-- that noble-looking man wrapped in a bedsheet--- he prophesied that I'd live in a mansion in a city surrounded by ships. I'll be a leader--

BLOOD
That sounds worth giving up my job for.

VICTORIA
What does an auditor do, exactly?

BLOOD
Examines accounts, budgets, financial statements. .

VICTORIA
You understand money? Large sums of money?

BLOOD
I suppose I do--if it belongs to other people.

VICTORIA
Can you teach me? Credits and debits and bonds and stocks?

BLOOD
Probably. But why? No one's going to hire a woman to keep track of his money, and since you say you've none of your own--

VICTORIA
I will have! That's the prophecy. Riches and fame and leadership. I've just gone about it wrong: trying to go on the stage, or be a celebrated medium like the Fox sisters. But the prophecy said riches first, because wealth is what rules this country. I want to understand money. Where it comes from, how it operates, who has it--

BLOOD
Vanderbilt has it.

VICTORIA
How do I get to Vanderbilt?

BLOOD
You can't. Vanderbilt's only interested in business and --wait! Since his wife died, the old man's taken up spiritualism. Maybe Vanderbilt would see you--

VICTORIA
But first you must teach me everything you know.

BLOOD (smiles, embraces VICTORIA)
Everything.

SCENE THREE -- A year later

(The WOODHULL & CLAFLIN brokerage office. A photo of VANDERBILT decorates the office wall. There is also a sign prominently displayed: "gentlemen will state their business and retire at once." COMMODORE VANDERBILT himself is dozing in an armchair, a shawl draped over his legs. The old man has papers on his lap and more on the desk beside him. TENNIE sails in, wearing a droop-feathered bonnet and a mud spattered cape, both much the worse for rain.)

TENNESSEE
Commodore?

VANDERBILT (jerks awake)
Ah! About time! What are you doing out of the office, you "Fascinating Financier"?

TENNESSEE
Working, of course. Trying to turn the press up sweet.

VANDERBILT
But Vicky deals with the press.

TENNESSEE
I'm supposed to put in an appearance. Smile sweetly, leave early. For my reward, I get rained on! Look -- my petticoat's soaked near to the waist.

VANDERBILT (lifting petticoat)
Peek a boo!

TENNESSEE (slaps his hand away)
Wake up, old boy! You'll aggravate the rheumatiz. Are you going to buy me, that you expect samples?

VANDERBILT
Ah Tennie, I'd marry you in a minute.

TENNESSEE (puts on VANDERBILT'S top hat)
Oh, yes? Then what would your children say?

VANDERBILT
The pups'd be speechless --and a good thing, too. My late wife would approve. A sensible woman, my late wife --don't know how she produced such a dithering litter.

TENNESSEE
Going to ask your wife's permission?

VANDERBILT
We'll get Vicky to call her up for us.

TENNESSEE (takes one of his cigars)
This week?

VANDERBILT
No--I want to talk to the spirit of Jim Fiske. Business first.

TENNESSEE (lights, puffs)
You don't want to marry me, then. With me it's pleasure first.

VANDERBILT
Pleasure's your business.

TENNESSEE (coughs)
So is this brokerage. Vicky and I are raking in the greenbacks.

VANDERBILT
Your spirits give good advice.

TENNESSEE
You don't take much of it, yourself, Colonel.

VANDERBILT
Well, it's a damn smart spirit who knows business better than Cornelius Vanderbilt! Not but what they don't have better information. Still, you can't quite trust 'em to be ruthless.

TENNESSEE (tugging his beard)
You're an ogre. A big old white-whiskered ogre.

VANDERBILT
Give your old boy a little magnetism.

TENNESSEE
I'll give you the healing hands.

VANDERBILT
I'd rather do you.

TENNESSEE (slapping away his hands)
None of that, now.

VANDERBILT
Vicky's been scolding you?

TENNESSEE
It's the blasted papers!

VANDERBILT
The Herald loves you two. Giving Vicky her own column as their Petticoat Politician!

TENNESSEE
This wasn't in the Herald.

VANDERBILT
What'd they say?

TENNESSEE
I don't care.

VANDERBILT
Yes you do. What'd they say? (TENNESSEE reaches into her bodice)
Ha! Buried Treasure?

TENNESSEE (reads newspaper clipping)
"When a woman attempts to gain favors in exchange for familiarities all too freely offered, the ordinary man of business is annoyed and disgusted."

VANDERBILT
Stay well away from that ordinary man, Tennie. He's a damn fool!

TENNESSEE
Vicky's in a rage. We're very careful, you know.

VANDERBILT
Careful, hell! Risk and outrage. That's the ticket. Dare anything this side of jail. If familiarities are your assets, use 'em! Now, you take me, I'm frightening. It's useful! If I were a plum pudding, like you are--

TENNESSEE
Vicky thinks they want to close us.

VANDERBILT
You're making money! You should've heard what they used to say about me!

TENNESSEE
I issued a statement. Want to hear it?

VANDERBILT
Will it make me laugh?

TENNESSEE (reads)
"I despise what squeemy girls or powdered, counter-jumping dandies say of me ---men so vain and so effeminate that I should be sorry to compare my intellect to theirs."

VANDERBILT
Don't sound like you. Who wrote it?

TENNESSEE
Shut up. "I don't care what society thinks ....

VANDERBILT
Then why issue a statement?

TENNESSEE
"My mind is on my business, and I attend to that solely."

VANDERBILT
In the Herald? Your boyfriend the editor? Marry him, he'll run Vicky for President.

TENNESSEE
Vicky could run this country. But I won't marry anybody. Not even you, old boy.

BENJIE (calls from outside the door.)
Uh--Ma'am? Woodhull or Claflin?

TENNESSEE (shouting)
Who's there?

BENJIE (off)
Uh--Rutherford--uh--from the Morning News.

TENNESSEE (shouting)
The press conference is at Delmonico's.

BENJIE
Miss Claflin?

TENNESSEE
You'd better hurry. Mrs. Woodhull's got more important business to do than talking to the press all day.

VANDERBILT (whispers)
So do I.
(TENNIE giggles, tips hat. VANDERBILT signs that he has to go, collects his hat and cigar, starts off)

BENJIE
Miss Tennessee--could I speak to you for a moment?

TENNESSEE (blowing a kiss to the exiting VANDERBILT)
Oh, all right. (sees BENJIE) Why, he's just a boy!

VANDERBILT (pushing past BENJIE)
Pardon me, young man.

TENNESSEE
You can't be a reporter.

BENJIE (hands TENNESSEE his card)
Everybody says that--but I really am, see?

TENNESSEE
So you are. You'd better run down to the restaurant, if you want an interview.

BENJIE
I can't go into Delmonico's.

TENNESSEE
Why not?

BENJIE
I--haven't any money.

TENNESSEE
It's Vicky's treat, you silly boy. We don't expect the Press to have money.

BENJIE
I can't go in there, with those people. Couldn't I just talk to you? Or look around at the office? Maybe I can get some kind of a story out of that.

TENNESSEE
I'd love to talk to you, darling, but my sister does the interviews.

BENJIE
You're the silent partner?

TENNESSEE
No, that's Blood! I'm the junior partner.

BENJIE
Why can't you talk to the press?

TENNESSEE
I'm just learning all this finance folderol. Vicky and Blood decide, I just sell it to the customer. Vanderbilt advises us, you know.

BENJIE
So I've heard.

TENNESSEE
It's true. That's the old boy's picture.

BENJIE
Say-- Wasn't that Vanderbilt who just walked out of here?

TENNESSEE (giggles)
No comment.

BENJIE
I don't know much about stocks myself, but --

TENNESSEE
Two months ago I'd never even heard of 'em!

BENJIE
Don't you find it hard, being women--?

TENNESSEE
The first women!

BENJIE
Matching wits with men of experience, unscrupulous---?

TENNESSEE
Brokering stock is a lot like telling fortunes! Once you know what a man's after--,

(VICTORIA Rushes in. Only after she has embraced TENNIE does VICTORIA see BENJIE)

VICTORIA
Tennie, Tennie! We're going to get away with it! Who's this?

TENNESSEE
He's a reporter.

VICTORIA
Why aren't you at Delmonico's, Mr. -- ?

BENJIE
Rutherford. Benjamin. I'm sorry. I need a story about your business, but I couldn't ...

TENNESSEE
He's shy.

VICTORIA
Well, Mr. Benjamin, I have copies of the figures I gave the other gentlemen of the press. As you'll see, our brokerage is off to such an auspicious start that we can't spare the time to talk .

BENJIE
May I make a note of your sign?

VICTORIA
"Gentlemen will state their business"? That is to discourage idlers and curiosity seekers, Mr. Benjamin.

BENJIE
Uh-- Benjamin's my Christian name, Mrs. Woodhull. My surname is Rutherford.

VICTORIA
Other what?

BENJIE
Ford, Ma'm. Ford.

TENNESSEE
I bet they call you Benjie.

VICTORIA
And you are a member of the press!

BENJIE
Well, I hope to be. Mr. Blackwell said he'd give me a chance, if I can just --

BLOOD (rushes in, hugs TENNIE)
Tennie, you dear little magpie, you were right! (waving a check)
Bless your bright eyes!

TENNESSEE
Kited, wasn't it!

BLOOD
Our genteel friend altered a perfectly good sixty-six dollar check to sixty-six hundred. No harm done, since we caught him.

VICTORIA
Better than that. Mr. Ford, we may be able to give you an exclusive, after all.

TENNESSEE
This bunco tried to sharp us!

VICTORIA
Your paper's story might discourage other larcenous individuals. Show him the forgery, James. Tennie spotted it, and we sent it round to the Bank for verification.

TENNESSEE
I knew it right off, Benjie, because I--

BLOOD
Tennie!

TENNESSEE
Now what, you bloodyminded Blood?

VICTORIA
The Colonel means this may be a matter of some delicacy, Mr Ford.

BLOOD
We want the public to have a respect for the ladies' business acumen, but--

BENJIE
You can depend on my discretion, sir. I have the greatest admiration.

BLOOD
Miss Tennie spotted this bad check because she has a very highly developed intuitive faculty, almost what you'd call "second sight". This is not something we wish to see advertised.

BENJIE
Why not--?

VICTORIA
What would you think if you invested your money on advice you believed to be infallible, and then lost it?

TENNESSEE
You'd be madder than a goat in a blanket.

BENJIE
It's hard for me to imagine ....

BLOOD
Believe me, you would be. We don't want our clients to think that we promise anything other than sound dealing.

VICTORIA
That we guarantee, Mr. Ford. Sound dealing, no mysticism.

BENJIE
But that bad check . . ?

VICTORIA
Miss Tennessee can explain that to you, Mr. Ford.

TENNESSEE
I surely can. Come along, Benjie. I'll explain the whole business over a pitcher of beer--my treat. (They exit together. Tennie turns back to wink at VICKY)

BLOOD
You think she'll be all right?

VICTORIA
Oh. yes. Tennie's made a personal conquest. Oh, James, you should have seen the reporters! They were eating out of my hand.

BLOOD
You're getting better at public speaking all the time. It wouldn't surprise me if within a year or two you develop into an orator on a par with Henry Ward Beecher. We've got to keep filling in the gaps in your education--

VICTORIA (thinking aloud)
The Social Gospel-- of course! As a spiritual leader, I couldn't have a better model than Beecher. If we could just print the stories ourselves!

BLOOD
Your column for the Herald--

VICTORIA
Newspaper writers are hired hands. Allowed to say only what the publisher wants heard.

BLOOD
Then be a publisher.

VICTORIA
Edit a weekly, an inspirational weekly! "Woodhull and Claflin's"

BLOOD
If you want to meet and learn from the greatest minds of the nineteenth century, I can't think of a better way. Publish philosophers, feminists-- you could even approach the Rev. Beecher.

SCENE FOUR

(The office of WOODHULL & CLAFLIN'S WEEKLY-- a desk and the weekly's motto in gothic print: "ONWARD AND UPWARD! PROGRESS! FREE THOUGHT! UNTRAMMLED LIVES!" BLOOD is sitting at the desk, wearing a green eyeshade and writing. VICTORIA enters, wearing cloak and hat and carrying manuscript sheets.)

BLOOD
Vicky! I met your train. Where were you?

VICTORIA
Afterwards there was such a crowd. People followed my carriage, pressing me with questions and invitations-- I missed my train, so I just sat there in the station and held court until the next one! I'm exhausted.

BLOOD
I should think so. You must rest, or you'll be ill.

VICTORIA
I'm never sick. When one's spirit is aligned with the Powers, the body is protected.

BLOOD
Nevertheless, after 50 hours straight--

VICTORIA
My mind is racing. I sent my baggage to the house so I could come right here to get to work.

BLOOD
Your speech went well?

VICTORIA
At first I was so nervous I could scarcely get the words out. But then I saw my angel--

BLOOD
No need to be afraid of congressmen. Half of them are crooks.

VICTORIA
It wasn't just the judiciary committee. Some of the most famous suffragists were in the gallery: Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Isabella Beecher Hooker-

BLOOD
To hear the first woman to speak at a congressional hearing.

VICTORIA
They came to jeer, not to hear! But I moved them, James, as I spoke I could see their hard faces melting. When I finished I was embraced as a sister, as a leader, James! I think I'll be asked to speak at the Suffrage Convention. (BLOOD sweeps VICTORIA up in an embrace and twirls her around)

BLOOD
Hurrah!

VICTORIA
Careful! My papers!

BLOOD
What's all this?

VICTORIA
Notes for a new article on prostitution. I was working on the train. What do we have ready for the next Weekly?

BLOOD
Investments for women, an installment of George Sand. Your column's only roughed out, so we might substitute it--

VICTORIA
What by Andrews?

BLOOD
Two. One on Pantarchy and one on economics.

VICTORIA
Both long?

BLOOD
Both long.

VICTORIA
We'll cut Pantarchy and run "prostitution" instead.

BLOOD
Are we pro or con?

VICTORIA
A little bit both. I describe the working conditions, the bribes, the bullying from the police--

BLOOD
Do you think this is wise? If the paper's to support you for public office--

VICTORIA
A lot of support I'll get if no one reads it! Horrid examples, spicy gossip, expose-- combine the titillation the public craves with a demand for justice for our sisters.

BLOOD
Are you going to sign it?

VICTORIA
We'll just run it. Can you get to work on it right away?

ROXY (storming in)
Why ain't you home, Victoria Claflin? I open my door and all I get's a cabman with a pile of luggage and his hand out.

VICTORIA
I have business to take care of here, Mother.

ROXY
Whoring off to Babylon, with no care for your holy mother! Young lady, I'm about out of my mind.

BLOOD
What's wrong now?

ROXY
That bunch of noodles you've moved in on me! I don't know my own house!

VICTORIA
It's my house! My house, mother: the mansion promised me in my vision.

ROXY
Full of beasts and blasphemers and I don't know what all scandal before the Lord. Beast Butler, him that insulted the flower of Southern womanhood, walking in my door now big as you please!

VICTORIA
If it weren't for General Butler, I'd never have spoken before the judiciary committee.

ROXY
Spoke, did you? When you wasn't home, I reckoned they'd thrown you in jail.

BLOOD
Victoria is one of the leading feminists of our day. Congress honored her--

ROXY
Copperheads and Beasts! Listen to angels, child. Stop up your ears against Blood and guile--

VICTORIA
Mother, I haven't time for this now.

ROXY
You never have time for me no more! You serpent's tooth, that shut out my good daughter Polly and my best son-in-law, Sparr, to make room for that Crat-fellow, Andrews.

VICTORIA
Stephen Pearl Andrews is the most brilliant philosopher of his generation, mother--

ROXY
Generation of vipers, to cast out kin without a roof!

VICTORIA
Let Polly's lazy husband get her a roof! You all take and take, and give back nothing but complaints!

ROXY
Did we complain when we was poor? We cleaved to one another, like the Holy Book says. Vicky, we got to get back. Your father the Buckman is sick with the drink. Jailing never put him down like this idle hands. Him and the Woodhull.

VICTORIA
Woodhull has the children to look after--

ROXY
And where's their holy mother?

BLOOD
Zulu Maude worships the ground Victoria walks on.

ROXY
Vicky don't walk on the ground no more--she's all mighty in the air. Over the bones of her own kin.

BLOOD
Maybe we should give Buckman a job in the office, Vicky.

VICTORIA
He'll juggle the books.

BLOOD
I can unjuggle them. We can get Polly a place near ours, Roxy Lox. Come now, won't you make it up?

ROXY
That Andrews--

BLOOD
He's writing for Vicky's paper. It makes good sense to keep him where we can use him. There, there, mother.
(SITS ROXY DOWN ON HIS LAP.)
You shall have your Polly in a gilded cage, if only you'll smile for me!

ROXY
Cess on you!

BLOOD
Can't I be your best son-in-law, at least once in a while?

ROXY
If it weren't for you, you Blood--

VICTORIA
We'd be dodging the sheriff in some backwater--

TENNESSEE (enters)
Vicky? I thought you'd be here.

VICTORIA
Where else, with a Weekly to get out? If you had pulled your weight while I was in Washington--

TENNESSEE
You can't expect me to write! I can barely read.

VICTORIA
You can dictate to Andrews.

TENNESSEE
Oh, yes? Even you can't--- never mind, now. I've got Benjie outside.

VICTORIA
Who?

TENNESSEE
Reporter for the News. Wants to interview you about your speech to congress. (EXITS)

BLOOD (gets up and sets ROXY in his chair)
We must behave ourselves, mother.
(TENNESSEE reenters with BENJIE)

BENJIE
Mrs. Woodhull! What an honor! May I offer my congratulations?

VICTORIA
Thank you. I am rather pressed for time. James, if you would give Mr. -- uh--

BENJIE
Rutherford.

VICTORIA
I thought I remembered--?

TENNESSEE
Just call him Benjie.

VICTORIA
A copy of my speech for the gentleman, James.

BENJIE
I've read the copy you sent the News. Told the editor I'd get your impression of how the speech was received.

VICTORIA
Very well, I think. The congressmen were most gracious.

BENJIE
What about the feminists in the gallery? I heard a bunch of them had a plan to turn their backs on you.

VICTORIA
If so, they didn't carry it out. In fact, I expect to address the Women's Suffrage convention.

BENJIE
I hope you do, Mrs. Woodhull. In my opinion you are the greatest orator our country's ever produced.

VICTORIA
You flatter me, sir. It is not difficult to speak effectively when all the weight of justice is on one's side. But the feminist's war is not to be won by words.

BENJIE
What do you mean?

VICTORIA
Business! My sister and I are doing daily more for women's rights than the tired old diatribes will do in decades. The only speech that matters is a call to action.

BENJIE
Of what sort?

VICTORIA
The constitution refers to persons and to citizens, which women clearly are. The time to argue this has passed. I call on ladies to follow my example: conduct business, vote, present themselves as candidates for office.

BENJIE
You realize that most of suffragists will oppose you?

VICTORIA
Who are these people? What have they done for women?

BENJIE
Mrs. Black is writing all over the country, begging members to deny you a platform.

TENNESSEE
Drat that woman! Vicky, I am so sorry.

VICTORIA
Of all the laps in the world, you had to sit on Mrs. Blake's husband's!

TENNESSEE
He was ever so enthusiastic, Vicky.

VICTORIA (TO BENJIE)
You see our motto, sir. "Untrammeled lives!" Some small-minded souls are not ready.

BENJIE
"Honi soit mal y pense"

ROXY
What's that, Blood?

BLOOD
"The evil is in the minds of those who think it".

ROXY
Ha! More Heathenish notions. That gang of free lovers--

TENNESSEE
Mother, it's time we went on home.

ROXY
My girls was never puffed up till Blood got to 'em. They was my props on my right hand. My Tennie could be riding in her own carriage, up with the fat of the land--

TENNESSEE
Stuff it, Roxy-lox.

BENJIE
Do you--uh--advocate free love, Mrs. Woodhull?

VICTORIA
Affection cannot be coerced, Mr.--uh--

BENJIE (enunciating carefully)
Ruth-er-ford.

VICTORIA
Yes. Ruther Ford. Well, Mr. Ford, wouldn't you agree that only the affection that is freely given is worthy of the title "love"? And if affection ceases, should not the partners release each other?

BENJIE
Is it true that you live in with both your present and your former husband?

VICTORIA
Canning Woodhull is the father of my children. He came to me sick and without funds.

BENJIE
They say you share a bed--

ROXY
Vipers and beasts! A plague of uncleanness--

TENNESSEE (hauls ROXY towards the door)
Roxy, home!

ROXY
Woe to the house where--

BLOOD (hustling ROXY out)
"Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live." (TO BENJIE)
Pray excuse us-- Always a pleasure to meet the press.

TENNESSEE (exits)
Blast it, Benjie! You better treat my sister right.

BENJIE
I beg your pardon, Mrs. Woodhull. I shouldn't have--

VICTORIA
I'll answer your question -- if you will print my answer in your paper.

BENJIE
But I--I couldn't, Mrs. Woodhull!

VICTORIA
Then why do you ask it, Mr. Ford?

BENJIE
It's Rutherford, Mrs. Woodhull. Benjamin. My friends call me Benjie. I don't know why I--

VICTORIA
Idle curiosity? Or personal interest? Are you interested in free love, Benjie? Elective Affinity?

BENJIE
I don't know much about it.

VICTORIA
But you'd like to? By making love to me?

BENJIE
Well, I--

VICTORIA
Yes?

BENJIE
If I were to-- to make love to you--- it would be my first attempt in that line.

VICTORIA (beginning to undress BENJIE)
You are very young.

(Split scene: lights dim on the weekly office, and come up on the backstage area of the May 1871 convention of the national suffrage association. ELIZABETH CADY STANTON is waiting for VICTORIA.)

BENJIE
I'm twenty!

VICTORIA
Very young--for your age . . .

(VICTORIA kisses BENJIE, as ISABELLA HOOKER enters the backstage)

ISABELLA
Isn't she here?

ELIZABETH
Not yet.

ISABELLA
Shouldn't you be on the platform, Mrs. Stanton?

ELIZABETH
I'll wait for Mrs. Woodhull.

ISABELLA
I'll be happy to bring her in.

ELIZABETH
You're not old or respectable enough, Isabella.

(the lovers are groaning and groping in the background)

ISABELLA.
Not respectable? Mrs. Stanton, I'm a Beecher!

ELIZABETH
A young Beecher. Only in another 40 years will the miracle happen to you--the metamorphosis from dangerous radical to pillar of the community. No, dear, I must provide Mrs. Woodhull support.

ISABELLA
Has she many enemies?

ELIZABETH
You should know better than I. Your sister Catherine--

ISABELLA
If Catherine would meet her! All this gossip-- you don't believe it?

(louder lovemaking from VIC & BENJIE)

ELIZABETH
Mrs. Woodhull comes to us energetic, beautiful, and rich. If she offers these gifts, it ill becomes us to question their origin.

ISABELLA
You've only to look at Victoria's face to know that she's pure.

ELIZABETH
Isabella-- I myself have heard her defend divorce and unsanctioned unions.

(love scene fades)

ISABELLA
On moral grounds! These advanced ideas of Victoria's are mistaken, surely; but they are the errors of a generous nature.

ELIZABETH
Enough women have been sacrificed to purity. Time for a heroine true to the laws of nature.

ISABELLA
She is a heroine, isn't she? When she began to speak, I saw--

(VICTORIA enters)

ELIZABETH
Mrs. Woodhull! We were beginning to despair. But--.? Are you all right?

VICTORIA
There's such a press outside. I feel somewhat faint--

ELIZABETH
Catch your breath, my dear. Isabella--some water?

VICTORIA
Never mind. I shan't be ill. I'm never ill.

ELIZABETH
Nerves, I imagine.

ISABELLA (suddenly shy)
I'll tell them you're here. (begins exit, turns) Don't worry. You'll win them all over, my queen! (exits)

ELIZABETH
I'm hopeless at speaking, myself. Ideas that sound so fine at home strike me as witless. I shake, my stomach revolts- Thank heavens my dear Susan B will do do my talking.

VICTORIA
I am apprehensive, Mrs. Stanton. Not about my speech: it will be inspired, by the spirits who have chosen me. But there are rumors that I am to be shouted down.

ELIZABETH
A few ladies of propriety may get up and walk out.

VICTORIA
If Catherine Beecher has this planned!

ELIZABETH
Isabella planned to snub you after your congress speech--But you've made her your slave. Convert the rest of the Beechers, you'll have an army.

VICTORIA
Everywhere one looks, there's a he-Beecher or a she-Beecher, preaching! Most of them, denouncing me.

ELIZABETH
"Religion" comes from the Latin for "bind". The clergy relish that--binding women. But I'm surprised at Henry Ward. He supports suffrage, and he's scarcely in a position to criticize your sex practice-- his own is much the same.

VICTORIA
Oh? -- I noticed he has the amative physiognomy.

ELIZABETH
If all Beecher's mistresses sat in church, they'd fill the first three rows of pews. Irresistible in the pulpit means irresistible to women like Lib Tilton.

VICTORIA
The wife of Beecher's right hand man?

ELIZABETH
Beecher's dearest friend, almost his son! Susan B was just at Tilton's -- what a scene! Lib ran shrieking to Susan for refuge. Only a mighty scold kept Theodore from breaking down her door.

VICTORIA
Beecher made love to her?

ELIZABETH
During pastoral consolation on the death of her infant son.

VICTORIA
A natural progression, from comfort to caress--

ELIZABETH
Also natural that her husband is outraged.

VICTORIA
How can what Beecher does and what he preaches be so much at odds?

ELIZABETH
Easily. Beecher's a rational man, but as a Christian, he believes in virgin birth, infant baptism, and water turning into wine. Why should he stick at believing he never fuddled his neighbor's wife? Forgive me if I've offended your theological sensibilities, Mrs. Woodhull.

VICTORIA
Of course not, Mrs. Stanton. I am a skeptic myself.

ELIZABETH
Indeed? From the inspirational tone you take on the platform, I rather thought--

VICTORIA
I am a skeptic, Mrs. Stanton, but not a hypocrite. When I speak with the voice of prophets and angels-- as I believe I am about to do, I feel my angel near me, now -- I expect that what I am inspired to say will be held to the strictest standards of logic and consequence. My doctrine is my life.

(VICKY'S ANGEL appears, and, in response to his beckoning, she confidently leads the way to the podium.)

SCENE FIVE

(VANDERBILT in his chair, TENNIE teasing him with a large wrapped painting)

TENNESSEE
Look here, old boy, I've brought you a present.

VANDERBILT
A present? What's it worth?

TENNESSEE (begins to unwrap painting)
It's worth a lot, but I'll sell it to you for a kiss.

VANDERBILT
Sold! (kiss) Too big bargain, even for me. Take some more.

TENNESSEE (shows nude AURORA),
Better take a look at it, first.

VANDERBILT
By God, Tennie, that's capital!

TENNESSEE
I thought capital was money.

VANDERBILT
It is, and so's this. I do believe that's you, Tennie.

TENNESSEE
It looks like Vicky, too. That's why we bought it.

VANDERBILT
Got the Claflin mole.

TENNESSEE
Noticed that right off, did you? Had it added- for you to remember us by.

VANDERBILT
Why should I need to remember when I have my friends right by me?

TENNESSEE
Oh, you won't be speaking to us. Vicky's making a speech that will bring down the roof--

SCENE SIX
( VICTORIA at the convention podium, in mid-speech)

VICTORIA
Enough of this weary pleading! The time has come to sieze those rights which are ours-- rights which the Constitution and its recent amendments guarantee. To what can the phrase, "previous condition of servitude" refer, more than to the bondage of Woman? She toils, but she has no claim to her wages. She pays tax, but she has no voice in the laws which exact her obedience. She bears in pain and raises through suffering the next generation of her masters. Ladies! The time has come to tear down our Bastille! If the very next congress refuses to grant us all the legitimate perquisites of citizenship, we must declare our independence! We mean treason. We mean secession, and on a scale a thousand times grander than that of the South. We are plotting a revolution: we will bring down this bogus democracy, and erect a republic of righteousness in its stead!

SCENE SEVEN

TENNESSEE
--and she's become a communist.

VANDERBILT
A communist?!

TENNESSEE
She's publishing the writings of Karl Marx.

VANDERBILT
Karl Marx?

TENNESSEE
The communist philosopher.

VANDERBILT
I know who Karl Marx is. I just can't figure what Marx has got to do with you. You say Vicky's going to publish this communist in her newspaper, using my money?

TENNESSEE
Uhhuh. And she'll lecture on the evils of capitalism. Using you as an example.

VANDERBILT (laughing uproariously)
I'll bet! Those lectures of hers will be packed to the walls! The only female communist fortune telling stockbroker in the whole wide world!

TENNESSEE
You're not angry?

VANDERBILT
Angry? No! But I'm glad you came to me --wouldn't want to read it first in Vicky's paper. Tell her to get herself over to here. I won't bite.

TENNESSEE
I'm your morsel, Commodore. O, what big teeth you have!

VANDERBILT
The better to gobble you up! Grrrr . .....

TENNESSEE
Wait! Will you look, she's watching!

VANDERBILT
Who? Where?

TENNESSEE
Silly old boy. The painting. Vicky's watching us.

VANDERBILT
Gave me a fright. Turn her around.

TENNESSEE
No, leave her. I Like it.

VANDERBILT
Turn her around.

SCENE EIGHT

(applause and cheers at a distance. VICTORIA is coming backstage after her speech)

BLOOD
What a victory, Vicky. The ladies are ready to storm Fort Sumter.

VICTORIA
Oh, James! I am come to my destiny!

BLOOD
I talked to the reporters. The headline will be, "The Great Secession Speech".

VICTORIA
The Great Secession Speech!

BLOOD
This is your hour, my dear.

(CATHERINE enters)

VICTORIA
I owe it all to you, James. Before we met I would never have had the logic, or the courage to proclaim it.

CATHERINE
A stirring speech, Mrs. Woodhull.

VICTORIA
Miss-- Miss Beecher? I am honored by your commendation.

CATHERINE
With the exception of my brother Henry, you are the finest orator I've ever heard.

ISABELLA (rushing in)
Wonderful, Victoria, wonderful! I feel like a sea bird, tempest-tossed, but soaring! Bless you, you treasure. We are--Catherine! You've come round! You've met her? (JOINS THEIR HANDS) O, this is glorious! Great intellects, great souls, you must join forces. Woman will be invincible. (HUGGING BOTH)

BLOOD
We're going out to dine. Perhaps you'll join us?

CATHERINE
I think not, thank you. Mrs. Woodhull--

ISABELLA
Catherine! Catherine, don't take that tone. You must love Victoria as I do.

VICTORIA
Why don't you two go ahead? So that Miss Beecher and I may get acquainted.

BLOOD
As you wish, Vicky. The usual?

ISABELLA
Oh, all right. But Catherine, you must promise me. An open mind, an open heart.

CATHERINE
I have come this far.

BLOOD
Shall we be on our way, Miss Isabella?

VICTORIA
So, Miss Beecher. I take it that you do not approve the direction I have given this convention?

CATHERINE
The delegates are swept away now, Mrs. Woodhull. But once they see your speech in cold print -- they will be appalled. You've turned this convention into a joke.

VICTORIA
I? I'm not the one who holds women up to ridicule, Miss Beecher. It is your sister Harriet Stowe, the mighty pen who toppled slavery, who makes comic caricatures of me and my family. I am prepared for argument--

CATHERINE
When it comes to leadership, the argument "ad hominum" is most persuasive, however illogical. The scandal of your past, your position on the marriage question--

VICTORIA
My position is that to maintain by force a relationship which has become repugnant is slavery. It's prostitution!

CATHERINE
I can't speak with your authority on prostitution, Mrs. Woodhull. But I know that this side of heaven, marriage is as close as a woman gets to equality. Her husband is bound--

VICTORIA
With silk, while the wife's chains are adamant---

CATHERINE
Cut him loose, and we shall see slavery. Lords and concubines. Cast off wives, and starving infants--

VICTORIA
Our children won't starve if we are allowed to earn a living.

CATHERINE
Where men make the rules? Men are stronger than we are, Mrs. Woodhull. All we have is the power to set the terms on which they win our approval. We'd be insane to give them permission to treat us as badly as they treat each other! Pity, tenderness, nurture, are woman's strengths, and she must use them to teach man to put his power at the service of others.

VICTORIA
Strange: I see no tenderness in you. You set yourself up as a law to women, and prescribe what they are fit for,-- yet you've never been a wife or mother yourself. It seems the Beecher motto is:"Do as I say, not as I do."

CATHERINE
My brother's right. A woman like you should be bridled, set in the stocks with a scarlet "A"--

VICTORIA
Oh, shut up! I'll not be lectured on marriage by an old maid, or on morals by a preacher who mounts his lady parishioners as often as he mounts his pulpit.

CATHERINE
To whom do you refer, Mrs. Woodhull?

VICTORIA
To you, Miss Old Cat Beecher. To your brother, Henry Ward Letcher--to your sister, Hypocrite Beecher Stowe!

CATHERINE
How dare you!

VICTORIA
You are beyond endurance, you Beechers, and if you know what's good for you you'll stop trying to blacken my name, said the kettle to the pot!

CATHERINE
If you ever repeat these filthy lies--!

VICTORIA
Repeat them? I shall publish and preach them all over this land!

CATHERINE
Do so, and we will strike you dead for it, Woodhull! We will strike you dead!

SCENE NINE

(The office of WOODHULL AND CLAFLIN'S WEEKLY. BENJIE is sitting at the desk.)

BLOOD
Rutherford! The porter let you in? Or has Vicky given you a key?

BENJIE
Where is she?

BLOOD
I've no idea. I searched all over the courthouse.

BENJIE
By the time I'd got a hansom, hers was out of sight.

BLOOD
I suppose she couldn't bear to listen. Realizing how this makes us all look.

BENJIE
How'd the rest of it go?

BLOOD
The judge threw the case out of court.

BENJIE
Thank God!

BLOOD
The damage is done. Who's going to trust their money to us? After Tennie said in open court that she's been humbugging people since the age of eleven?

BENJIE
I know. I was there.

BLOOD
Were you there when Tennie leapt out of the witness box and climbed into her mother's lap?

BENJIE
That's when Vicky left.

BLOOD
Well, after that, Tennie accused her sister Polly of signing Roxy's name to blackmail notes. Testified that her mother couldn't have written those notes herself, because she is illiterate. While I was trying to persuade Tennie to get off Roxy's lap, Polly told the judge that there'd been unnatural relations between Tennie and her mother.

BENJIE
Why would Polly say a thing like that?

BLOOD
Why does any member of that family do the terrible things they do? I don't understand it. I'm as convinced of Vicky's God-given genius as I am of any good thing in this world, but --! Unnatural relations!

BENJIE
I'd like to help. If I can. Try to get you some positive publicity.

BLOOD
What do you propose? Vicky's enemies hired actors, to pose as her relatives? Put drugs in the water supply? Victoria! (she enters) My dear.

VICTORIA
What was the verdict?

BLOOD
Case dismissed.

VICTORIA (sinking into a chair)
At least it's over.

BLOOD
All but the editorials. Benjie here would like to write up our side of it. What is our side, Vicky? (VICTORIA looks blank)

BENJIE
I thought you might want to make a statement. All the papers are full of the trial, and I thought ....

VICTORIA
Is that harpy supposed to be me?

BENJIE
They're saying that respectable women will shun Suffrage, if it's associatied with your name.

VICTORIA
What can I say? My mother is clearly deranged--

BLOOD
Will you look at this byline, Vic? Henry Bowen wrote that!

VICTORIA
Bowen? The nerve of him! His wife is in the Beecher harem! Benjie, I do have a statement. Take it down: (inspired, reels off her statement while BENJIE takes shorthand) "Because I am a woman, and because I hold opinions somewhat different from the self-elected orthodoxy, men endeavor to cover my life with ridicule and dishonor. But I do not intend to be the scapegoat offered up by those who cover the feculence of their lives with hypocritical mouthings." Benjie?

BENJIE
Slow down. Do you spell "feculence". with a "c" or a "k"?

VICTORIA
James?

BLOOD
With a "c".

BENJIE
You can go on now.

VICTORIA (NODS)
"I advocate free love openly, as the only sure cure for immorality. My judges practice it in secret. So be it--but I intend to analyze some of these lives in my Weekly, and I shall take my chances in the matter of libel suits." Have you got that, Benjie?

BENJIE
Yes. But I'm not sure I understand--

VICTORIA
I am sick of hypocrisy! The hypocrites must be toppled from their pulpits.

BENJIE
You intend to expose the private lives of your enemies?

VICTORIA
Yes! I will! If they do not stop these attacks. If Beecher insults us, let him beware.

BENJIE
My paper couldn't print allegations against a man like Beecher-

VICTORIA
Afraid of the libel laws, Benjie? You're just reporting.

BENJIE
What about the Comstock laws? Obscenity means jail.

VICTORIA
Don't worry, little Benjie-man. You just print the statement, and leave it to my Weekly to give details.

BENJIE
Victoria, I want very much to help you. But I won't slander an innocent. I won't be a party to blackmail.

VICTORIA
Benjie! You know me better than to think I'd stoop--

BENJIE
I-- I've heard businessmen say that you force them to advertise in your Weekly.

VICTORIA
Force them? How?

BENJIE
You threaten to expose their-- their-- sexual adventures.

BLOOD
Rutherford! I will not permit you to insult Mrs. Woodhull!

BENJIE
If you'd just assure me--

BLOOD
Mrs. Woodhull views her editorial position as a sacred trust.

(ROXY enters unnoticed, and listens)

VICTORIA
A woman uses such weapons only in desperation, to avenge the most outrageous wrongs. Is she to be blamed, then? If man is only a cunning animal, woman must meet fraud with fraud! The hypocrites will be shaking in terror--

ROXY
Let him without sin cast the stone! Smite the enemies of the righteous.

(TENNIE enters)

TENNESSEE (shakes ROXY)
That especially applies to those who live in glass houses, Roxy-Lox. Sit down, now, and shut up. (to VICTORIA) We gave the press the slip, but I couldn't get Ma to go home.

ROXY
That house of iniquity! We could be set up in milk and honey, in a crystal palace--

VICTORIA
Will you please be quiet, mother? I'm doing an interview. Which would not be necessary if you'd refrain from spreading your insane fantasies.

ROXY (to BENJIE)
They ain't prostitutes! I never said that. It was that judge in Indiana. My girls was raised by a holy mother--

TENNESSEE
Poor mother wants to move on.

BLOOD
She'll get her wish. The landlord's evicting us.

VICTORIA
Oh, James!

BLOOD
Can you blame him? Your own mother says the place is a brothel. Physical violence--

ROXY (to BLOOD)
You swore you'd wash your hands in my blood!

TENNESSEE
Roxy, that was a dream.

ROXY
You taking the Blood side, Tennie? Against the womb that bore you?

BLOOD
What you need is a good spanking.

ROXY
Hit me, and I'll incapacturate you! Filling my girls with infaturaton, to scorn their mother in a court of law--

TENNESSEE
Where you dragged us--

VICTORIA
Mother. I can't support us if you insist on our ruin!

TENNESSEE
Who could-- All thirty-five of us? There ain't a plutocrat in New York rich enough.

ROXY
It ain't the family uses it up, it's them Pantocrats--

VICTORIA
Mother, go home and start packing. Your latest escapade has left us without a roof over our heads.

BENJIE (offering his escort)
I guess I should be going, too. Miss Tennessee? Mrs. Claflin?

ROXY
I'm not going to budge till I've seen the end of that Sodom and Gehenna--

VICTORIA
Mother!

TENNESSEE (arm around BENJIE)
Don't put that in your paper, Benjie!

BENJIE
I don't know what to put in. I think your sister's trying to get me fired.

TENNESSEE
Oh, no. When Vic wants to get a reporter fired, she has a whole other way she goes about it. Run along, now. Don't worry, Vicky. We'll find another house. And don't worry I'm mad about Benjie. I like him a lot. But it's only you he has eyes for.

BLOOD
We'll be hard put to get a lease. The brokerage profits are way down. Mentioning Vanderbilt --

TENNESSEE
The Commodore don't care. Public be damned, that's his motto.

BLOOD
But there's a new Mrs. Vanderbilt. She cares.

ROXY
That Mrs. could have been you, Tennessee Claflin! But you wouldn't listen.

TENNESSEE
Come on, Roxy, back to 38th Street to pack.

ROXY
I wish I was going back to Homer, Ohio.

BLOOD
What a good idea. How about a pension? Paid every month you stay in Ohio and keep out of the papers.

TENNESSEE
We can't go back. There's still a warrant out.

SCENE TEN

(The brokerage, a week later. BLOOD examining accounts)

BLOOD
What are we going to do? The butler told Tennie Vandebilt was not at home. Without Vanderbilt, we'll have to give up the Weekly. Printing costs alone...

VICTORIA
No! Not my paper! I must do more lectures.

BLOOD
Your last lecture -- on the Exploitation of the Labor Relation -- made $42.67.

VICTORIA
I'll lecture on the Exploitation of the Sex Relation! To ten thousand sex-starved idiots, ready to pay through the nose to see Mrs. Satan. In the lewd and living flesh!

BLOOD
Where and when?

VICTORIA
Two weeks from Saturday in Steinway Hall. My subject will be "The Principles of Social Freedom, Involving the Questions of Free Love, Divorce and Prostitution." Send a note round to Rutherford to put that in the paper.

BLOOD
I don't know if you can risk a hostile crowd right now.

VICTORIA
If the spirit comes down and speaks through me, I can win them over. If not -- well, Steven Andrews has been supplying me with the whole history of sex oppression. Hecklers, like hypocrites, are a kind of stimulus--

TILTON (enters)
Uh-- Mrs. Woodhull....?

VICTORIA
Yes?

TILTON
I'd hoped to find you alone. My business is--rather personal.

BLOOD (VICTORIA signals him to go)
I was just leaving.

VICTORIA
What can I do for you, Mr. Tilton? You are Theodore Tilton?

TILTON
Yes, I'm-- I came to-- it's difficult to find the words--

VICTORIA
I assume you've seen the Weekly?

TILTON
Not personally. One of my wife's friends--

VICTORIA (handing him the paper)
Read the underlined section. (he reads silently) Aloud.

TILTON (startled, obeys)
"I know of one man, a public teacher of eminence, who lives in concubinage with the wife of another teacher of almost equal eminence. All three join in denouncing offenses against morality."

VICTORIA
I am referring to yourself and Reverend Beecher.

TILTON
Mrs. Woodhull, what do you hope to gain by this?

VICTORIA
Let's just say that it's lonely standing in the public pillory.

TILTON
Mrs. Woodhull, I beg you! Consider my children. Those trusting souls of Plymouth Church. Why must these innocents pay for our weakness?

VICTORIA
Weakness? Our Savior promised that we should have life, and have it abundantly!

TILTON
Abundance? The congregation will never understand.

VICTORIA
Not if you continue to lie to them.

TILTON
Two leaders campaigning for women: a seducer and a cuckold! They'll laugh us out of public life.

VICTORIA (nods in agreement)
Every cartoonist in the country. I'm pictured as a harpy, a siren, a bitch. But the barbs of those ignorant scribblers are not half so painful as the ones hurled by men like you. At heart, you and I are kindred spirits. If we joined hands with Beecher and stood before them unashamed--

TILTON
Unashamed? Of this hell? Oh, Mrs. Woodhull, the bitterness, the repentant tears -- . My wife has suffered, Mrs. Woodhull!

VICTORIA
So I've heard.

TILTON
Must you expose her to the scorn of her neighbors?

VICTORIA
They envy her. You know why. Isn't it glorious to be close to Henry Beecher? The object of his love?

TILTON
He was like a father to me. He taught me, inspired me, even got me my job with the church. He was godfather and "uncle" to my children -- if they are my children! In the name of Heaven, how could he do this? Worse than adultery! It's incest!

VICTORIA (shakes TILTON)
Humbug! Get ahold of yourself, Theodore! Nothing is more natural than that the warmth between two friends should find physical expression. If Beecher is worthy of your love, and Lib's --

TILTON
He's a disgusting old man, stuffed with gravy and red as a crab. How can she prefer him to me?

VICTORIA
You're certainly more handsome.

TILTON
He's twice her age!

VICTORIA
While you are Boy Tilton.

TILTON
I'm thirty-four!

VICTORIA (caressing him)
My age! The best age. But possibly you are too straight laced? The ideal lover is open and generous--

TILTON
I've had chances. Women, emotional women, they fling themselves at me.

VICTORIA
But you fend them off! Oh, Theodore, you're not mourning your wife's lost virtue-- it's your missed opportunities! Throw off this deadly righteousness. Grant Lib her freedom and take your own. (embrace)

TILTON
What should I do?

VICTORIA
Be a real leader. Let your life and your message coincide.

TILTON
If I thought it were possible--

VICTORIA
Next week I will lecture on Free Love at Steinway Hall. Persuade Henry Beecher to come and give my introduction -- he needn't say he agrees with me. We could all be friends.

TILTON (embracing her)
Oh, Victoria, we've been so unhappy!

SCENE ELEVEN
(Steinway hall, backstage. Noise of an unruly crowd)

BLOOD
Is Beecher here?

TENNESSEE
Haven't seen him.

BLOOD
We can't hold much longer--crowd's getting nasty out there.

TENNESSEE
Vicky? Somebody else'll have to introduce you.

BLOOD
Hardly any women -- and not a single face I know. Won't suffragists come? If only from curiosity--

VICTORIA
They're afraid of my dangerous eloquence. Suppose my angel were to sweep them away, as we did last May? Old maids and matrons would take to streets, loving all and sundry. Irretrievable ruin.

TENNESSEE
They couldn't vote to rescind that.

VICTORIA
The Ladies are taking no chances --my invitation to speak at the Suffrage Convention is withdrawn.

TENNESSEE
You're not going to let that stop you?
(TILTON enters, dramatically)

TILTON
Victoria.

VICTORIA
Did you bring Beecher?

TILTON
I left him on his knees, Victoria, tears pouring down his cheeks. "I can not face this," he cried. What could I do, drag him down here by his beard?

TENNESSEE
Men are such cowards.

TILTON
Lib--Lib asked me to tell you--to beg you-- think of her!

VICTORIA
There's no man brave enough to stand with me.

TILTON
I will, by heaven! (mounts podium to address the unruly crowd) Friends! May I have your attention, friends! I am Theodore Tilton, and I have the privilege this evening of presenting to you a tireless crusader. If the Woman Movement has a Joan of Arc, this is she. Tonight she is to speak about the marital relation. Because of her views, the prominent clergyman who was to introduce her has declined. But I know this woman. And I will vouch for her. It may be that she is a fanatic, it may be that I am a fool-- but before heaven I would rather be both fanatic and fool than deny this woman the right to free speech! With pride, I introduce to you Victoria Claflin Woodhull!

(mixed applause and disapproval) ad lib "about time!"

VICTORIA
The history of woman's subjection is a shameful one. Woman has been bought and sold and held as chattel far longer than her brother, the Negro. The source of woman's oppression is the doctrine that in the sexual relation she may not choose---

HECKLER FROM AUDIENCE
Woodhull! Are you a free lover?

VOICES AD LIB
Are you, Woodhull? Answer the question! Yes, tell us-etc.

VICTORIA (ANGEL appears at her side, benevolent)
Yes! I am a free lover! I have an inalienable, constitutional and natural right to love whom I may, to love as long or as short a time as I can-- to change that love every day if I please! And with that right neither you nor any law you can frame have any right to interfere! (pandemonium)

SCENE TWELVE
(Backstage. Before the may 1872 national Suffrage Association convention)

SUSAN B
Well?

ELIZABETH
I've told Victoria she mustn't appear in this hall again.

SUSAN B
I will not allow a repeat performance.

ELIZABETH
I can't help but think that you're mistaken about her, Susan.

SUSAN B
She means to use us! Many of us object, in the strongest possible terms.

ISABELLA
Because of the slander? Miss Anthony, surely you are above such bigotry.

SUSAN B
I say nothing against her past. Woodhull is a threat to us now. She'll divide the energies of the Movement.

ELIZABETH
You have conceived a prejudice against her, Susan.

SUSAN B
Is it a prejudice to object to lies? That woman signed my name to her call for a party! To her endorsement!

ELIZABETH
She may've believed she had your support. We called her a "bright and glorious spirit", you and I.

ISABELLA
You said Victoria is a leader.

SUSAN B
So she is. She'll lead us to destruction-- if we let her. What sort of troops does she marshal to our ranks? Communists, Free Lovers, pantocrats, cranks of all kinds--

ELIZABETH
But Susan-- We are cranks!

SUSAN B
Anyone associated with her will lose all credibility. Elizabeth, she forced your resignation as president --

ELIZABETH
Susan, you forced that.

ISABELLA
How could you, Susan? After all these years? Poor Elizabeth!

ELIZABETH
I couldn't stand against you.

SUSAN B
Elizabeth cannot be trusted to preside. If Woodhull shows up tonight, she must be gaveled down.

ISABELLA
Why? The Republicans and Democrats refuse to make even a token concession. Set up this Equal Rights party--

ELIZABETH
Susan. If we nominate Vicky for president, at least we'll get some attention from the press.

SUSAN B
O, the papers'll love it. Woodhull jokes and Woodhull cartoons. Fulminations against Woodhull immorality. The Woman Question will be buried for years.

ISABELLA
We're buried now! One paragraph on page fourteen!

ELIZABETH
If we attempt to register and vote for her, we'll be arrested. Susan, that might be an excellent shake-up.

SUSAN B
I've been arrested. I'll go to jail, gladly, to claim my rights. But to advance the career of a deceitful adventuress? Never! Not so long as there's breath in my body.

SCENE THIRTEEN
(the 1872 suffrage convention podium.)

SUSAN B
Is there any old business?

VICTORIA (moving up to the platform)
This is all old business! For thirty years and more we've sought to gain the most elementary rights, through patient merit and laborsome petition--

SUSAN B (banging the gavel)
The chair will recognize only bona fide members of this convention--

VICTORIA
Too long have we obeyed, forbidden to work or speak or lead as our talents permit--

SUSAN B
The speaker is out of order! Sit down, Mrs. Woodhull!

VICTORIA
The time has come to shake off such restrictions! With our full womanly strength! Join the fight of those who--

SUSAN B
None of this is to be included in the minutes, Mrs. Ross. Mrs.Woodhull, if you do not sit down I'll have the marshals escort you from the hall.

VICTORIA
Yes! Escort me---all of you! Friends, I move that this convention adjourn! Meet with me tomorrow in Apollo Hall, convening there as the Equal Rights Party!

VOICE FROM THE AUDIENCE-MALE
Second the motion!

SUSAN B
The motion is out of order!

VICTORIA
We must free our minds of a thousand petty restraints--

VOICE FROM THE AUDIENCE-MALE
Motion to adjourn to Apollo Hall! Call the question!

SUSAN B
There is no motion on the floor! This convention--

AUDIENCE --AD LIB
Boo! Adjourn! Silence! Woodhull! Throw her out!, etc.

SUSAN B
--this convention is now adjourned and will meet again in this hall at eleven tomorrow morning. Only legitimate members of the National Suffrage Association will be admitted --

VICTORIA
Ladies, friends, I dearly prize your good opinion, and I would love to have you all think well of me. But--

SUSAN B
Meeting adjourned!

VICTORIA
But even more dearly do I prize my vision of mankind, living with Woman in harmony and freedom!

SUSAN B
Mr. Turner, turn off the gaslights. Ladies and gentlemen, clear the hall!

VICTORIA (as the lights dim out)
This travail is painful now, but out of our struggle a revolution will come! A country purged of political trickery and industrial injustice, brought to a new birth, spirit and flesh in a union of innocent joy!

END OF ACT ONE

ACT TWO, SCENE FOURTEEN

(Lights up on podium. It is Apollo Hall, the next day. JUDGE CARTER presides)

JUDGE CARTER
All in favor of the nomination?

AUDIENCE
Aye! (thunderous applause: a band begins to play.)

VOICE FROM AUDIENCE
I move the nomination of Frederick Douglass for Vice President. We have the oppressed sex; let's have the oppressed race, too.

VOICE FROM AUDIENCE
I move the nomination of Spotted Tail. Indians ought to have a voice before Negroes.

VOICE FROM AUDIENCE-FEMALE
I nominate Colonel Blood to go to Washington with Mrs. Woodhull. It is not good for a man to be alone! (laughter)

JUDGE CARTER
All in favor of Mr. Douglass?

AUDIENCE
Aye!

JUDGE CARTER
I declare Mr. Frederick Douglass the Vice-Presidential nominee. We have a winning combination!

AUDIENCE
Victoria! Victoria! Victoria!

VICTORIA
I thank you all, from the bottom of my heart. We've come so far together, I've stood with you so long; ---sometimes meriting your rebuffs; but I've been faithful to my principles, and--and--without saying more, again I thank you for the great honor you have shown me.

(Cheers. TENNESSEE, In a drum major's uniform, leads the band in the campaign song, sung by the audience to the tune of "coming through the rye.")

AUDIENCE
Yes, Victoria we've selected/ For our chosen head:
With Fred Douglass on the ticket/We will raise the dead!
Then around them! Let us rally/ Without fear or dread!
And next March we'll put the Grundys/ In their little bed.

SCENE FIFTEEN

(The brokerage, which is also serving as newspaper office and emergency living quarters, is crowded with trunks and boxes and temporary beds. VICKY is wearing a cold cloth on her aching forehead. TENNIE is asleep.)

TILTON (enters, waving a paper)
Victoria, what is this?

VICTORIA
Shh-- quiet! What it says it is--Tit for Tat.

TILTON
Are you responsible?

VICTORIA
It's all true, isn't it?

TILTON
How should I know? But it's libelous! Victoria, these women are my friends. How can I face them?

VICTORIA
With such friends, how can you face me? Look around you, Theodore. This is what your friends have done to me. My family is destitute.

TILTON
Emmaline Baker says you're blackmailing her.

VICTORIA
No landlord will rent to me, no friend will take me in. My children, my Zulu Maude and my poor dim Byron-- put to bed in a packing case!

TILTON
You know I'd have housed you, except --

VICTORIA
Except that Lib is not my friend any more. Poverty reduces one's friends--

TILTON
Victoria, have you lost your mind? Lib doesn't want you in the house because she's jealous, and because she's afraid you'll use her to get at Beecher.

VICTORIA
Tell her to go to her lover, and warn him. Beecher's asked for twenty-four hour notice, so he can take his own life--well, tell him to load his pistol!

TILTON
Victoria, will you listen to reason!

VICTORIA
My Weekly's bankrupt; but I've got one last issue to fire at my enemies.

TILTON (shaking VICKY)
Will you ruin us all?! (VICKY protests)

VOICE OF ZULU MAUDE
Momma!

TENNESSEE (Goes to ZULU MAUDE)
Dangit! Hush, Zulu honey, Auntie Ten's here.

TILTON (a harsh whisper)
Stop and think, Victoria. Not for my sake or for Lib's, but for America's women. Thousands see you as an ideal: a woman honest and generous. What you're doing is wrong, pure wrong!

VICTORIA
I was raised up by God to do this work! To bring down the hypocrites! My mistake has been to try to get the Tiltons and Beechers of this world to be on my side. But once the American people's eyes are opened--

TILTON
Talk about blindness! Now I know why we're commanded to resist the sins of the flesh. Not that the flesh itself is evil-- but its joys cloud the judgment. I've been giddy with ---

VICTORIA
Theodore, I don't want to hurt you.

TILTON
I've hurt myself. If I'd been kinder to Lib, none of this would have happened.

VICTORIA
You are part of my destiny, Theo. Had your wife been another Penelope, you'd still have loved me.

TILTON (taking her face in his hands)
Even now, I look at you and I see innocence and honor-- (starts to kiss her)

VICTORIA (disengaging herself)
A woman's honor is not necessarily what a man thinks it is, Theodore. (BLOOD enters)

BLOOD Vicky? (seeing TILTON)
I beg your pardon.

VICTORIA
Have you found us a place to stay?

BLOOD
No. Nothing. I'll talk to you later.

VICTORIA
It's all right, James. Mr. Tilton is just leaving.

TILTON
This is goodbye, then.

VICTORIA
I believe it must be. (TILTON exits) What does Polly say?

BLOOD
She says she's trying.

VICTORIA
You don't suppose Beecher's got something on her?

BLOOD
There's more bad news: the landlord here wants a thousand dollars more for this office.

VICTORIA
A thousand dollars! Where's it going to come from?

BLOOD
I have no idea.

VICTORIA
We must get the Beecher issue out, right away.

BLOOD
You're going ahead with it?

VICTORIA
There's no time to lose. I hope, James, you'll devote your full attention.

BLOOD
I have to keep looking for lodgings--

VICTORIA
That's not what I meant.

BLOOD
Well, what did you mean?

VICTORIA
Tennie saw you with that Janie creature.

TENNESSEE (stirring in her sleep)
Hmm -- What?

VICTORIA
Go back to sleep, sister. No one's talking to you. (to BLOOD) Meeting on the sly, sneaking into out-of-the-way restaurants--

BLOOD
I don't sneak! If I take a lady to an out-of-the-way restaurant, it's because I can't afford Delmonico's. And if I neglected to tell you, it's because it didn't occur to me that you'd be interested.

VICTORIA
I'm not.

BLOOD
Then why bring it up?

VICTORIA
I'm disappointed, is all. I thought of you as the noblest of men. How you can stoop from the most remarkable woman in America to a silly little slut!

BLOOD
Vicky, for five months now you've had no time for me. You've seen Benjie, and that fat stockbroker--

VICTORIA
For business! For information!

BLOOD
And does your angel approve of that? Eh? Spread prophetic wings over his vast behind, coach you what to ask for?

VICTORIA
How else do I get what I need?

BLOOD
I don't know, Victoria. But I have needs of my own.

VICTORIA
I won't allow it, James.

BLOOD
Dammit, Vicky, I've been patient as a saint. Staying out of Boy Tilton's way-- Holding the brokerage together, while you and the Boy row around the lily pond.

VICTORIA
We were working on my biography.

BLOOD
I've written your biography, Vic. Why'd you have Boy do it over?

VICTORIA
Theodore knows theology. He understands.

BLOOD
To compare you to Saint Paul? Christians are offended, Vicky. My version--

VICTORIA
Tilton's a name! Who'd publish a book by James Harvey Nobody!

BLOOD
Funny thing: I was Somebody when I met you.

VICTORIA
Oh?

BLOOD
Tilton, too. But after the reviews he's got-- "Mawkish trash", the Times called it-- You'd have done better to pay attention to the business that supports us, Vicky.

VICTORIA
Supports you, don't you mean? Poor James. You haven't done so well on your own, have you? You--oh--(SHE IS FEELING FAINT)

BLOOD
Vicky? What is it?

VICTORIA
I'm dizzy--I--(BLOOD tenderly assists VICTORIA to lie down)

BLOOD
I think you've a fever. You must get more rest.

VICTORIA
I need my own room, a real bed. When the family had nothing, I slept on the ground, and the angel came anyway. But now--

BLOOD (kisses her gently on the forehead)
I'll find us a place, I swear it. (starts out)

VICTORIA (clutches at BLOOD, sits up)
No, James, there's no time! We have to get out the paper! Wake up, Tennie! Wake up, we must get to work. You must write!

TENNESSEE (sitting up)
What?

VICTORIA
The great washing day is here! I need your help. James! The notes in that box, bring them here.

TENNESSEE
My dirty petticoats are --

VICTORIA
Not the laundry, Tennie, the paper; the Beecher edition. We'll turn over the rocks and watch the slime-crawlers writhe in the light. Our last, our best.

TENNESSEE
If it's the last, can I put in the story about the cherry collectors? And the prostitute's ball? It's a danged shame, it is, and the men ought to be told so.

VOICE OF ZULU MAUDE
Mommy?

VICTORIA
Hush, my precious. Hush, my angel. Mommy's going to clean and clear the air.

SCENE SIXTEEN

(Later. Stacks of copies of the Beecher issue of the weekly are all around. TENNIE is wrapping papers for mailing. ROXY, with some difficulty, is tallying a stack of copies w1th paper and pencil. VICKY is checking through the daily newspapers for the reaction to her bombshell. BENJIE enters, bringing with him the latest edition of the "news", which he hands to VICKY. She begins to scan it.)

BENJIE
Both news stands are sold out!

TENNESSEE
We're going to need another edition, Vic.

VICTORIA
How many are left, mother?

ROXY
Downwards of a thousand, I make it.

VICTORIA
Count off 120 for Benjie to take down the street.

BENJIE
Some dealers are getting fifty cents a copy!

VICTORIA
You see how eager people are to get the truth! The established press are such cowards! Listen to this: "--a notorious scandal sheet published by an unsexed pair of sisters...vile garbage concerning a prominent paster and some female members of his flock." Why not just come out with it, now that I have?

BENJIE
They'd be shut down, Vicky. The publishers would go to jail. I know that doesn't daunt you, but these are businesses employing hundreds--

VICTORIA (beckoning him aside, quietly)
Benjie? I won't be able to be with you this afternoon.

BENJIE
I know how busy you are.

VICTORIA
Benjie dear, it would make me very happy if you'd love Tennie instead.

BENJIE
Actually, I'm kind of rushed myself--

VICTORIA
Tennie and I are as close as two sisters ever could be, Benjie. Loving her is loving me.

BENJIE
But I don't want to love Tennie! She's not--she's--

VICTORIA
You don't care for my sister?

BENJIE
Not in that way!

VICTORIA
I'm very disappointed in you, Benjamin. I'm afraid you don't love me in the true spirit.

BENJIE
I'm sorry. I--

VICTORIA
Mother!

ROXY
Hush up, girl. I'm counting.

VICTORIA
Stop counting, please, and bring Mr. Rutherford his papers. Our relations will be strictly business from now on.

BENJIE
I'm not in this business! I helped you because -- If my paper knew, they'd fire me!

VICTORIA
Then I'd better not draw it to their attention, had I? (ROXY comes forward with a heap of Weeklies.) Take the papers, Benjie. Deliver them to the stands.

(BENJIE Takes the stack and staggers towards the exit. He collides with BLOOD who is dashing in with an armful of envelopes.)

BLOOD
Mail orders!

BENJIE
You're not sending these through the mails!

VICTORIA
Of course we are.

TENNESEE
Get us some more stamps while you're out, will you, Ben?

BENJIE
But there's laws. Comstock laws!

BLOOD
We're taking our chances, Mr. Rutherford.

TENNESEE (lifts her skirt, peels bills off her garter to give to BEN)
Here's some cash. Bring back a bucket of beer.

BENJIE (fending TENNIE off as best he can)
No!

VICTORIA
Get the stamps, Benjie.

BENJIE
Not me. I won't be coming back!

(BENJIE dashes for the exit, running into JUDGE CARTER, who is just coming in.)

JUDGE CARTER
Be careful, young man! (picks up paper to read)

BENJIE
Sorry. (exits)

TENNESEE
Benjie, wait! You're cruel, Victoria. I'll tell him you're sick.
(dashes out after BENJIE)

VICTORIA
Tennesee! Don't! He mustn't---

JUDGE CARTER (looking up from newspaper)
What a bombshell! I expected to find you on the barricades.

ROXY
You should've seen it when the paper first come out, Judge. So many dealers drove up we had the police to direct traffic!

BLOOD
They're all sold out and clamoring for more.

JUDGE CARTER
Let me have a dozen, to take to my club?

ROXY
On the house, Judge.

(ROXY hands JUDGE CARTER a paper. He sits down on a box to read it.)

BLOOD
We've done it, Vicky. God alone knows what the end will be.

(BLOOD sweeps VICKY into one of his swirling hugs. She slaps him.)

VICTORIA
Don't touch me! (JUDGE CARTER stares.)

BLOOD
Vicky!

VICTORIA
Not any more, James. You just tend to the mail.

ROXY
Is he poisoning you? Like he done to Polly's Sparr? (shocked pause)

JUDGE CARTER
Beecher's friends are buying these up by the bale, I hear.

VICTORIA
Might as well try to dry up the ocean.

ROXY
The tide of righteousness'll wash like the blood of the lamb.

BLOOD
A second edition's on the way.

ISABELLA (rushes in, takes VICKY's hands)
Victoria! I had to come. I'm so glad you've lanced this boil. I've begged Henry to confess.

VICTORIA
I thought perhaps the family sent you to buy us out.

ROXY
Price is going up by the minute.

JUDGE CARTER
I was offered a copy at two dollars, right down the street. A trolley went by-- and I swear, every passenger was reading it!

ISABELLA
The truth is a pearl beyond price.

VICTORIA
It's a trumpet blast--

ROXY
Walls of Jerico are a shaking. Falling to the mighty arm-ed word!

POLICE OFFICER (enters)
Is this Woodhull and Claflin's Weekly?

BLOOD
Temporarily.

ROXY
Are we tying up the traffic, officer?

OFFICER
Are you Woodhull or Claflin, Ma'm?

ROXY
I'm Roxy Claflin.

OFFICER
The publisher of this paper?

ROXY
Not me. That Claflin's my daughter Tennessee.

VICTORIA
I'm Victoria Woodhull.

OFFICER
Miz Woodhull, I have a warrant for your arrest.

ROXY
You get offen my girl, you iniquity! (attacks OFFICER)

BLOOD (stopping her)
Roxy!

ISABELLA
Be calm, Mrs. Claflin. You needn't fear for Victoria. The truth and her friends will set her free.

JUDGE CARTER
Or at least bail her out.

VICTORIA
I trust that they will, Judge. This is an inconvenient time to be in jail, when I'm campaigning for the presidency. (exit with OFFICER)

JUDGE CARTER (calls after her)
Chin up, Victoria. You'll be out to vote in the election.

ISABELLA
Or if not -- then in time for your inaugural address!

SCENE SEVENTEEN
(Ludlow street jail. November 1872)

WAHL
Mrs. Woodhull? My name is Ethan Wahl, and I'm an attorney. I'd like to talk to you.

VICTORIA
Judge Carter sent you?

WAHL
No, another friend. I've been asked not to mention his name.

VICTORIA
Ah! So I still have friends-- just anonymous ones.

WAHL
I suppose you found the election results distressing--

VICTORIA
My votes were thrown out--in gross violation of--

WAHL
How many votes? 15? Even your multitudinous bed partners let you down.

VICTORIA
You weren't sent by a friend.

WAHL
A friend's anyone who'll help you. After six months, you're stale. Your reporter boy friend's got a new girl, a young one. Oh, and the elders of Plymouth Church exonerated Beecher. Your charges were too preposterous to dignify with a denial. The Reverend denied them anyway, though not under oath--

VICTORIA
How could he?

WAHL
Beecher knows his people. A denial is as good as repentance. You should have thought of that, Victoria.

VICTORIA
Get out! You ....! (VICTORIA begins a violent gesture, but is overcome by dizziness. She leans back and closes her eyes.)

WAHL
Jail's bad for the health, eh? You could be in here a long time. Morals charges outstanding in Ohio, Illinois, and San Francisco. You jumped bail. Fortune telling? Taking money for that's against the law in Massachusetts and in Iowa--

VICTORIA
If we hadn't been poor I'd have told them for nothing.

WAHL
Like for Vanderbilt? I've got depositions from the servants who brought you breakfast in the Commodore's bed. Of course, the old man was senile--

VICTORIA (calls)
Guard! Will you get this man out of here?

WAHL
Don't be hasty. There might be some people-- say, hypothetically, clients of mine-- willing to put up your bail.

VICTORIA
Under what conditions?

WAHL
Get out of the country and stay out of the newspapers.

VICTORIA
Desert the women of America? Their leader can't be free while they are in chains--

WAHL
Leader? Of the dozen crackpots who tried to vote for you? To respectable citizens, you're a whore, that's all. Cleverer than most. But you had to be-- cause even when you were young and healthy you never had more than common looks.

VICTORIA
I know that. I laugh, when the papers call me "nymph" and "siren". I am a being of fire and air, not some sort of sex magnet. If men are drawn to me, it is to my spiritual flame--

WAHL
Burning, are you? That's fever, Vicky. Hocus pocus, you were lucky for a while. But then you got caught. (READS)
On April seventeenth you saw Dr. Eliot Brigham, specialist in venereal disease. You returned in subsequent weeks, until you were arrested for obscenity. You saw the doctor twice in July, while out on bail, but since remanded to Ludlow jail you've gone without treatment. So. How advanced is it, Vicky? If you stay in jail and see your case through the courts, how long before you look like this?
(WAHL Takes illustrations from a medical text out of his briefcase to show to VICTORIA. She recoils from them in horror)

VICTORIA
That's impossible! My guardian angel keeps me pure.

WAHL
My God-- I could almost feel sorry for you: a bunco artist falling for her own con. Well, have it your way--
(WAHL packs up his befcase, but puts the last of his pictures of disease on VICTORIA's lap)
You can keep those, in case you ever come down to earth--

VICTORIA (defeated)
Wait. What is it you want me to do?

WAHL
Go to England. My clients will put up your bail and pay your way . There's a specialist there--

VICTORIA
In return for what?

WAHL
A signed deposition. Till the Commodore's will has gone through probate, you live decently in England and keep your face out of the newspapers.

VICTORIA
Give up my fame, my leadership? (lights fade on VICTORIA)

WAHL (spot narrows to WAHL, who speaks to the audience as if it were VICTORIA)

Vicky, I'll tell you the truth: if you are sincere about advancing the feminist cause, you should just disappear. The Woodhull name is so smeared with mud that whatever it touches will be as dirty as you are. As far as my clients are concerned, you can come back in a year or two, when the lawsuits are over. But I love this country, and I'd I like to see its women get the vote. So I make a personal appeal: don't ever come back. Take your collected speeches and your press clippings and your pocky old carcass, and get the hell out of my country. Think of it as a fresh start.

SCENE EIGHTEEN
(Five years later-- 1877. London. A backstage dressing room after one of VICTORIA's lectures on "the human body, the temple of God". VICKY, exhausted, eyes closed, lolls on a chaise while ROXY brushes her hair. VICKY's dress jacket has been laid aside, revealing her camisole. She is rehearsing to herself in a monotone the speech she has just delivered.)

VICTORIA
"Even as the fruitful waters thereof purify the Garden of Eden, so shall woman and her issue of cleanliness purify the body of mankind. Euphrates is her name. When she and her husband are as the Bible declares, one flesh, they embrace as the right and left hand clasped in prayer. The husband the strong right hand"--Ouch!

ROXY
Sorry.

VICTORIA
Be careful, mother. I have the headache.

ROXY
Lay yourself back now, and let your holy mother-- (a bell sounds outside) now what?

VICTORIA
That's the hall door.

ROXY
I'm coming, goldang ya.

VICTORIA
Don't answer it, mother-- send the whatdaya call him.

ROXY (calls)
You! Slavey! Answer the door.

PORTER
Who're ya calling a slave, Mrssus Jump-up? Answer it yourself!

ROXY
I'll knock you onto your gratuity, you ...!

VICTORIA (getting out some money)
Mother, please! Whatever's the custom here.

ROXY (offering the porter money)
Would ya see who it is, then. fella. If you please.

PORTER (still surly)
Right, then. (exits)

VICTORIA
I'm so tired. I don't know if I can see anyone.

ROXY
It's that Blood, sucking your life away.

VICTORIA
He's in New York, mother. We're divorced.

ROXY
There's more than meets the eye. Didn't you drop down like dead the first time you saw him? The Devil's got his own miracles, girl.

VICTORIA
How dull these Londoners are! Weren't they moved at all?

ROXY
You lost 'em round about the river of Hekkedel.

VICTORIA
Hiddekel, Mother. "A stream that runs with a swift current."

ROXY
Piss river, that's the one. Pison ain't piss: Pison compasseth the gold land of Havilah. It entereth the gut, where Hekkedel pisseth it out.

VICTORIA
It's pronounced Hid-de-kel, Mother. You make us sound to the English like ignorant savages.

ROXY
I know my Bible! I laid it into you, same as my Pa beat it into me. When your Holy Mother--

VICTORIA
Stop pulling! (The PORTER reenters.)

PORTER (respectful, now)
Gentleman's regards, M'um. (hands message to VICTORIA)

ROXY
What's it say?

VICTORIA
"Warmest admiration ... wants to meet me .. respectfully yours."

PORTER
Shall I bring the gent round, Miss?

VICTORIA
What's he look like?

PORTER
He's Quality.

ROXY
Is the fella a lord? Did he say he was one of them lords?

VICTORIA
The note says plain "John Martin". But some of them don't use their titles--

ROXY
Send the fella in. (PORTER exits) A real English gentleman! Now there's a strong right hand.

(ROXY arranges a filmy shawl across VICTORIA'S bosom. VICKY pushes away the shawl, reaches for her jacket)

VICTORIA
Mother, we must allow for the English sense of propriety.

ROXY (insisting on shawl)
Pokers up the assbone. But that don't mean they can't unbend if you meet em halfway.

VICTORIA
You'd better stay, Mother. But for heaven sakes, don't talk. Lend countenance, as they say here.

MARTIN
Mrs. Woodhull?

VICTORIA
Mr. Martin? How kind of you to come round.

MARTIN
Not at all, dear lady. Pleasure all mine, assure you. Inspirational lecture, what? Had to come and say.

VICTORIA
My mother, Mrs. Claflin.

ROXY
The Lord make his face to shine upon you, the Lord lift up his countenance --

VICTORIA
Amen, Mother. Amen.

SCENE NINETEEN

(five years later--London, 1882. A hotel room. ELIZABETH CADY STANTON is writing in her diary. A knock at the door is followed immediately by the entrance of a heavily veiled VICTORIA.)

ELIZABETH
Come in! Yes? What's this?

VICTORIA (unveiling)
Don't you know me?

ELIZABETH (embraces VICTORIA)
Mrs. Woodhull!

VICTORIA
I'm called Mrs. Martin now. I married John Biddolph Martin.

ELIZABETH
Of the banking Martins? Select circles, my dear.

VICTORIA
Oh, Elizabeth, it's been such a struggle! Who are these English gentry, that they set themselves so far above us? Lawyers and farmers. No philosophical sophistication, no spirituality.

ELIZABETH
My dear! I wonder that you've chosen to live with them, then.

VICTORIA
My husband's mother was the worst. While she was alive John and I were never able to wed.

ELIZABETH
I know how that is. My family didn't want me to marry Stanton-- a dangerous abolitionist. Of course, compared to me he was a moderate.

VICTORIA
Men generally are.

ELIZABETH
So you're an Englishwoman now? Well, the suffragists here can use every persuasive voice.

VICTORIA
My sister Tennie's marched with Emmaline Pankhurst.

ELIZABETH
Splendid orator. Isn't she? A pillar of fire!

VICTORIA
I confess I've never heard her.

ELIZABETH
In England ten years and not met Emmaline?

VICTORIA
Those women are wasting their breath. The English can't be led; they must be ruled. There's such a weight here, of caste and convention. Mrs. Stanton-- Elizabeth-- these have been terrible years. I've had to use all my strength, just to stay out of the gutter. To be identified with sexual immorality is the worst thing that can happen to a woman.

ELIZABETH
Surely not! People are beginning to understand, Victoria-- sex purity is a scarecrow. Why should a husband be a jailor at home and a burgler round the neighborhood?

VICTORIA
Why indeed? The elegant Dr. Woodhull I married at fourteen -- how could I guess at his barrooms, his bawdy house!

ELIZABETH
How fortunate that you could divorce him! In England, you'd have been chained for life.

VICTORIA
But Colonel Blood was worse.

ELIZABETH
Was he? I'm sorry to hear it. I always found the Colonel gracious and charming.

VICTORIA
Blood wrote those filthy articles in the Weekly! He was the one who pushed Free Love.

ELIZABETH
You say you weren't the author of your own columns?

VICTORIA
It was Blood! Blood and Andrews! How could I? I was lecturing, managing the brokerage--

ELIZABETH
You never denounced marriage, or defended prostitution?

VICTORIA
Blood's afraid I'll denounce him! He hoped I'd die in jail. I think he tried to poison me.

ELIZABETH
My dear! That darling man?

VICTORIA
I could be wrong. But if our mutual affection were still alive in him, wouldn't he confess? He could clear my name! Dear Elizabeth, please, won't you pursuade him?

ELIZABETH
This is going too fast for me, Victoria. I'm to do what?

VICTORIA
Talk to Colonel Blood for me.

ELIZABETH
But I hardly know the gentleman. We never meet.

VICTORIA
He respects you, though, I'm sure of it. If you were to ask him, he'd clear my reputation. Then I'd be received here, don't you think?

ELIZABETH
Why don't you work for sufferage with the Pankhursts, Victoria? Believe me, that would open doors.

VICTORIA
My carriage is downstairs, Elizabeth--come home with me! Dear Elizabeth! Come see my town house-- I've just done the salon over in celestial blue, but the furniture's Queen Anne, in the Martin family for generations

SCENE TWENTY

(Thirty two years later-- December 1920-- Norton Park, the country estate of the Martin family. ZULU MAUDE WOODHULL, a handsome sixty-ish woman, is talking to a distinguished, elderly BENJAMIN RUTHERFORD.)

ZULU
My mother will see you very shortly, Mr. Rutherford.

BENJIE
I hope she's not ill?

ZULU
Mother's remarkably well for a woman in her eighties. But she's been asleep in her chair. Her vanity insists on a few moments to freshen up.

BENJIE
That nap business has started happening to me, too. Very embarrassing. I'm assuming it's age and not an uneasy conscience that keeps us both from sleeping well at night.

ZULU
My mother does not sleep at all.

BENJIE
Really? Not at all?

ZULU
She has not laid down in her bed in three years. I don't know why I told you this--we certainly don't want it printed in your newspaper.

BENJIE
I'm semi-retired now, Miss Zulu, so if I uncover any bombshells, I'll save them for my memoirs.

ZULU
You're to write about the Christmas festivities here at Brendon's Norton, aren't you? When you requested an interview-

BENJIE
I may, I may. Mostly I'm just here to take a look. I knew your mother when you were a little girl, you know. Prettiest little girl, with the kindest eyes. A shame you never married. You'd make a wonderful wife.

ZULU
Mr. Rutherford--

BENJIE
Do you remember the time you got me to take you into the barroom?

ZULU
I beg your pardon?

BENJIE
Your aunt Tennie sent you out for beer, but Duffy's was closed. You were afraid to go into a strange bar--

ZULU
Sir, I have no recollection of--

BENJIE
You ran up to me on the street--you weren't going home empty-handed. So then I stood up tall and walked into that bar with you-- I think I was more frightened than you were. What a very young young man I was then! A wonder your mother put up with me.

ZULU
Mr. Rutherford. I have few memories of our time in the States, and those that I do have are painful.

BENJIE
I'm sorry to hear that.

ZULU
Members of the press, in particular, imposed upon my childish affections to win their way into my mother's confidence, which they then cruelly betrayed. We were slandered by the gutter press, by scribblers of lies and distortions. I trust that you are not one of them.

BENJIE
Well, distortions, now and then. Who can avoid that? We all have our partialities. But I've never been a man to tolerate an outright lie.

ZULU
Or to perpetrate one?

BENJIE
Absolutely not.

ZULU
Because I warn you. British law, unlike American, is not lax on the subject of libel.

BENJIE
I'll say! The Brits don't accept truth as a defense.

ZULU
If you plan to write anything that will upset my mother --

BENJIE
Miss Zulu! I assure you, no scandals! So, what do you do with yourself out here? I understand Mrs. Martin doesn't mingle with the gentry.

ZULU
I assist my mother with her charities. While she was publisher of the "Humanitarian", I edited that. Now I'm preparing an edition of her speeches.

BENJIE
Quite a job--all the words that have Victoria's name on them.

ZULU
There are over one thousand-- (a bell rings) Mother's ready to see you now, Mr. Rutherford.
(ZULU exits, then wheels VICTORIA on in her ornate chair)

VICTORIA
Welcome to Norton Park, Mr.--Uh--

ZULU
Rutherford.

BENJIE
Thank you for having me, Mrs. Martin.

VICTORIA
Not at all, sir. I'm pleased the American press takes an interest. In these last years, I've devoted much of my time to promoting friendship between our two nations. Americans are a rootless people, easily blown this way and that, by the winds of commerce and opinion. If we shared our English folk customs -- say, at the American county fairs-- The Norton Christmas pageant -- you do realize that it's a direct descendant of Medieval Guild plays? We have some actors here who have been our tenants since the time of Henry VIII.

BENJIE (trying to control his laughter)
Really? That long? (VICTORIA looks puzzled)

ZULU
Sir!

BENJIE
Sorry, ladies. The royal "we"! The Three Kings played by 400 year old yeomen--! I apologize. (taps his head) Too literal an imagination. So you are sponsoring these customs?

ZULU
Not just play pageants. All sorts of amenities.

VICTORIA
The flower show, the free kindergarten, the sanitary improvements. Perhaps you'd like to see the clippings? Zulu Maude, would you get the Brendon Norton scrapbook? I believe it's in Tennie's room.

BENJIE
Miss Tennie's here?

VICTORIA
My sister, the Dowager Lady Cook, is in residence for the holidays.

ZULU
Why do you ask, sir?

BENJIE
I'd dearly love to see her. I've been a great admirer of your aunt for many years, Miss Zulu -- even if I didn't admire her in quite the way your mother preferred.

VICTORIA
You may tell Lady Cook that a Mr.--

ZULU
--Rutherford--

VICTORIA
-- has requested to see her. And bring the scrapbook. (ZULU exits) My sister and I started so many exciting projects, which the war forced us to put aside. But now we're at it again, and on a grander scale! After all, it was to preserve this Merry Old England that your doughboys fought the Huns.

BENJIE
You did a great deal of pamphleteering to get the U.S.into the war.

VICTORIA
A great deal. All that a mere woman could do.

BENJIE
Most of the women's rights groups in this country disbanded.

VICTORIA
Civilization was at stake! I should be ashamed of my sex if I thought that a woman would put her petty personal concerns before her patriotism. (TENNESSEE enters) Ah, Tennie! An American reporter. (to BENJIE) Lady Cook was of inestimable assistance in my war work. She opened a Red Cross station, and she carried my personal message to President Wilson. After all, America is but England writ in a bolder hand, as I said to the Prince of Wales--

BENJIE (to TENNESSEE)
Did you ever open your home for unwed mothers, Miss Tennie? I read about that in the Times.

VICTORIA (jumping in)
With a war on? Good heavens--!

BENJIE
Are you going to now?

VICTORIA
I'm afraid that's not possible. In the present climate. As my sister herself admits--

TENNESSEE
To swing that one, I'd need to be a Nightingale. These English are unbelievable starchy.

VICTORIA
Lady Cook's intentions were good--

BENJIE
Mine too. In spite of a certain disillusionment. I kept on trying to throw my influence onto the side of your causes, Victoria. Votes for women--

VICTORIA
Women should vote, as soon as they are fit to. I do not believe in forced maturity--

BENJIE
Englishwomen won the vote, Vicky. Without your help.

VICTORIA
I helped. I gave money, donated my speeches. If I've not been as active as Lady Cook --

TENNESSEE
Dressed up as Liberty and chained myself to a gatepost.

BENJIE
Did you? That's my girl!

TENNESSEE (recognizes BENJIE)
Vic? It's Benjie!

VICTORIA
It's what?

TENNESSEE
Your little Benjie Rutherford, the boy reporter. Benjie pie, I'm just awful glad to see you. But you got so old!

BENJIE
Not you, dear lady. The years have--

VICTORIA
Rutherford! The Rutherford who villified me in the Boston press?

TENNESSEE
Are you?

BENJIE
I must admit--

VICTORIA
Mr. Rutherford, get out!

TENNESSEE
Vicky!

VICTORIA
The audacity! To set foot in my house! After that headline you put on my article, calling it "THE BIGGEST LIE THAT WAS EVER TOLD!"?

BENJIE
Wasn't it?

VICTORIA
Absolutely not!

TENNESSEE
Vicky? I'd make it one of the bigger ones.

BENJIE
You can't blame me, Victoria. I was with you. I know what went on. If I'm on the copy desk, I can't let a fabrication like that article of yours get past me.

VICTORIA
Am I not to defend myself?

BENJIE
Not from the truth! Victoria, you can't erase your life-- it's my life too. You not only preached Free Love, you practiced it-- on me.

VICTORIA
Sir, you are no gentleman.

BENJIE
Maybe not. But then, it seems to me that you gave up a hell of lot to become a lady.

VICTORIA
Why are you here?

BENJIE
Just wanted to have a look at you. A look at this fancy place of yours, to see if it's worth it.

TENNESSEE
Swell spread, huh? Course, mine's not so bad either-- and I never gave up a thing.

VICKY
Are you satisfied?

BENJIE
The question is, are you?

VICKY
My work's not finished, if that's what you mean. The divine fire that touched me in my youth is not yet burnt out. In spite of abuse, in spite of betrayal --

BENJIE
Betrayal? You? Vicky, have you any idea--? There was a time when I would've followed you to hell, convinced that you'd just dropped down to reform the place. Then the next minute you were spewing out pseudo-biblical garbage! And suing me. Me, and anybody else who mentioned that past of yours, the past that you know damn well is a matter of history--

VICKY
A denial is as good as repentance.

BENJIE
Where'd you get that?

VICKY
From the Reverend Beecher. Benjie. Believe me, I tried to be true to my principles. But there are times when in the service of a Higher Truth--

TENNESSEE
That windy old bastard Beecher got away with it! Preaching and praying, and calling us the Two Prostitutes.

BENJIE
That's just words. Sticks and stones.

VICTORIA
I went to jail, Benjie. I was broke, I was sick--

BEN
What happened, Vicky? If you'd stuck it out--

VICKY
You hoped I'd rot in jail, didn't you? You, and Blood, and the rest of the crusaders-- you wanted a Joan of Arc, a martyr to the cause. Oh, you men and your labels. Saint, siren, strumpet, Mrs. Satan! Once I'm dead, you labelers have the last word. Well, the flesh is weak, and my angel deserted me. But I didn't die, I won't! And I won't be quiet! Not till I've got what I was promised!

BENJIE
Promised? Promised by whom?

TENNIE
The Spirits, remember? Fame, riches, Leader of her people.

BENJIE
I don't know what the supernatural counts as leadership, but--

VICTORIA
When the body wears down, or wears out, it's-- it falls into corruption. But there is something, something greater, and I had it once, I had it in me--- the Spirit. When I stood at the head with the voice of a celestial trumpet.....! (VICKY struggles to her feet, facing an imaginary crowd. She begins to fall, but when BEN extends his hand to her, she slaps it away with her cane)
Get away from me! You're not allowed to touch me!

BENJIE (turning to go)
Sorry. I shouldn't have come.

VICTORIA
Wait--Benjie-- (exhausted, sits with eyes closed)
Please.

TENNESSEE
It's nothing personal, Benjie. Vicky won't even let me touch her, now.

VICTORIA
I don't know why. I just can't bear it.

BENJIE
But at your age, don't you sometimes need--?

TENNESSEE
Zulu Maude does that.

BENJIE
And Vicky sleeps sitting up!

TENNESSEE
I think she has bad dreams.

VICTORIA (rouses herself)
Not dreams. Visions. My destiny -- but not bright and clear, not the way it was when I was young. Did you know that I was only ten when I first saw the angel? So clearly! And death on Mrs. Dobson's forehead. Oh, I have seen death marked many times. I saw Horace Greeley lying in his bed as in a coffin. I warned him! I've seen my own poor body, lying dead against my pillow--- (VICTORIA'S ANGEL appears, but she turns away from him)

TENNESSEE (whispers)
Vicky says she's marked to die in her bed.

BENJIE
So if she doesn't lie down, she'll never die?

VICTORIA (snaps erect, eyes open, fierce)
The spirit lives on! I know that. I've communicated. But there's so much to do here still, to fulfill my destiny ... after somehow, somehow, I clear my name... my... (subsides, eyes closed)

BENJIE
I should probably be going.

TENNESSEE (leading BENJIE out)
Have you been round the place? Vicky's got the fastest motorcar made.

VICTORIA (awake, calls)
Zulu Maude! (notices BENJIE leaving) Benjie? You could tell them. Explain it to them, Benjie. Explain to my people. If they knew, if they understood-- then I'd be-- I'd be-- what I was meant to be.

THE END

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