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2 CIIARACTERS NOTE ON LANGUAGE

TheTirinity The Rwandese characters would probably be speaking French and Kinyarwanda to each other, but for an English-speaking audience, AIPHONSINE MUMUREKE, 16-year-old Rwandese girl, a French-based Rwandese accent is ideal. cultural narne means "Leave her alone, she speaks the ffuth."

ANAIHALIE MUKAMAZIMPAKA, 17 -year-old Rwandese / denotes overlapping dialogue girl, cultural narne means "One who settles arguments and -- denotes continuous dialogue brings peace." - dsn61s5 interrupted dialogue MARIE-CIAIRE MUKANGANGO, 2l-year-old Rwandese young woman, cultural narne means "\7oman." The Church

FAIHERTLMSHIME, head priest at the school.

SISTER EVANGELIQUE, head nun of *re school.

BISHOP GAIIAMANYI, rhe town bishop, head of the Butare Diocese.

FAIHER FIAVIA, Italian, an investigative priest from the Holy See, the "miracles office" at the Vatican. The Chorus

NKANGO, Aaathalie's father, a farmer.

EMMANUEL, young boywho is cured ofAIDS.

GIRLS 1-4, classmates at Kibeho College.

VILIAGERS 1-4, Kibeho villagers. Villager #2 also plays BLIND MAN and FORMER BLIND MAN.

PIACE

Kibeho College, an all-girls Catholic school in Kibeho, Rwanda. TIME

19Br-r982

6 7 --

OURIADYOFKIBEHO

ACT ONE

Scene I

Kbeho, ktanda. 19B1. Lush hills can be sem rolling in the distance. Passion fruit and bananas hang fom touering trees' Fact: It is the moi beauffilplace in the world. Euen God goes on uacatiorc here. The sounds of girls singing a hymn in an exquisite harmony in Kinltarwandz can be echgin'g "throighfour-part -heard the corritiors. Alphiruine, a teenagg gtrl"-sits outside an with nyds.fol/zd op*"rloor. She is conseruatiuely dreswd hi 1n it, lap, lnohing d.own. She has no shoes. Hn slendrr thtsh tyk: op nid d"*a making her foot pat the corucrete floon She is irrro^. The choir can-be heard beneath the folbwingerchange:

SISTER EVANGELIQUE. She is a liar!Just a / liar! FATHER TLMSHIME. Sister Evangelique! SISTER EVANGELIQUE. I dont knowwho this litde snot thinks / she is! FATHER TLMSHIME. Sister, why do you have to speak such nastiness? SISTER EVANGELIQUE. I wouldnt have to say such things if she wasn't such a liar. FAIHERTTMSHIME. \What if she is telling the truth? SISTER EVANGELIQUE. Do you believe in tall tales now? FATHERTIjYISHIME. No, of course not, / Sister! SISTEREVANGELIQUE. She could not have seenwhat she said she saw. She is just tryittg to frighten the other girls' Keep them from sleeping at night.

9 MTHER TLMSHIME. good Father tarns to k isa srorv. The Father hoks to it for some strength' Beat' Tlte SISTER EVANGELIeUE. - It iJblasphemvr )lpho,rrtrr. He sryhs hiauill. He openi afle on his duk) Nphonsine FATHERTTIIISHIME. Sister! M'umureke ... drtsi . (nt look, at ier features' Nods to hlmse lf sIsrER EVANGELIQUE. 'Would she musr be punished!\fe let her ser Chses the . Beat.) you like a sip of water? away with fle this, the whole school will crumble unde.h. ;.rghr%i eiprrortsrNE. i'lease dont send *. ho*t' My mother would blasphemy, /ANARCHYII be / so disappointed. FAIHER (He TIMSHIME. Sister. FAIHER timSHUg. First. Let us get you some water' SISTER EVANGELIQUE. He she will cause the other girls to begin *A[, ,o aienican and pours Alphonsine a cu2' Sle fylPs.it d'own' lying, too! p Lrothrr. S he bangs it-back gladly' She f'nishes') FMHERTIMSHIME. ours her Sister! ALPHONSINE. ThankYou. SISTER EVANGELIeUE. 'M,rst toasted If she thinks this is the way to ger an FAIHERTLMSHIME. b. parched. Tongue must be A in Catechism, well from all those tall tales you have been telling' FAIHERTLMSHIME.- SISTERJ (Beat.) Did you punish her yet? AIPHONSINE. No. I am. Just. Hot' (Zhe singing stops. Beat.) FAIHERTLMSHIME. Amen. (He tabes of his colkr andphces it SISTER EVANGELIeUE. Just. A littte. Bit. on the dzsk. Alphonsinei eyes bug ou.t and.she bursts into lauglter') FATHERTLMSHIME. lihe the sun Sister ... Sfrlrfrlrt f Don'Jte[. (Alphonsine tughs laudrr. Her smile is SISTEREVANGELIQUE. I leave the rest to you. (Beat.) ir;* oOo* the hitts in the distance.) Tirtsi you are indeed. Tirtsi FAIHERTTIflSHIME, (Z tphonstie smiles' (Alp honsine {_pl:-":1"_.] grtps the'sidz of the *ori.r, always have the pretdest .stops .sryi ling 1n( c!:z,r: She does get,a!) you uniomfortable' (Alphonsine's ryt IL:HONSINE!t fSt*r'g;""grkq;r, ; ;r;t hoks dnwn.)i * ,orry if that makes brown woman dressed in_all mean I of her bbssed nunner!, ,tE, oo7 ofih, ofro iilgh ttgri, puke n'eruously) I did not mean it' Like that' I - SISTER EVANGELIeUE. ) Do you h.". F"th., f"vilrfri*J]*" rm one-who czrnnot tell a lie. :!tl{_91!1.-you been struck deaf and d"-b AIPHONSINE' As well as I- (Beat') Ar PHONSINE. "g"i;t Yes, I-I-I mean, no. yes, I h; _ I heard him, FAIHERTLMSHIME.SoImust"punish"yousomehow'\rhat Sister. do you think your "punishment" should be? SISTER EVANGELIQUE. Hmmmm. \7ell, you better so set efi'HONStNE. I can help you here in the office' your licks then. (Father Tuyishime walks out oob lror, ,gri:;r7;, FATHERTLmSHIME. iirniting.) oh, thatwould be a punish- door. He is a handsomt Charming and young. Th, SirT;, ;n;;;.) ment, eh? FAIHER TLMSHIME.!n!: you can .o.i. irr, llphinsine_ ALPHONSINE. Yes. No ... (Giggling') M"vbt' t!1"^^? fAtpU"rtri, to.rtb: She passes Sister Euangelique, *io gno ho',,;;' b";;. FATHERTImSHIME.Itwould.Iwakeupinasuchafgrtlmood Ihe Siister waits. Beat.).The other girls might need your ... louing most mornings.'Wooo watch out! (Alphonsine laughs again' bingtng presence, Sister Evangelique. more of the sult into the tiny crampld ofro') SISTER EVANGELIeUE. you (Sincerely.) think I have a loving ALPFIONSINE. You arc avery honest man' presence? (Beat.) FAIHERTLMSHIME. I try to be, Alphonsine' Are you honest? FATHERTLMSHIME. please, Sister. ALPHONSINE. Yes. I try to be. SISTER EVANGELIQUE. Fine. Shall I come by later? To help FAIHERTLMSHIME. So are you telling the truth? About what you with the you saw? FATHERTLMSHIME.- I can fill the jerricans myself, Sister AIPHONSINE. Yes. SI.I.ER EVANGELIQUE. \Zell ... I guess *ork here is done. fafHEnftmsHlME.Alphonsine,Ithinkyouimaginedlrhat' FAIHERTLMSHIME. yes. -y Sister. itis. (The Stra, *ntk, iilri. ALPHONSINE. No, no! Iiaw. I sati. Nmost like I could touch leauing the two alone. A picture of Jesus floats ,0"r, iirl, t r"ii. Her, smell Her.

10 11 - FATHER TLMSHIME. \fell, maybe you were just ... hot. FAIHER TLMSHIME. @ himself) Hmph. (To her.) Hurry on' Hallucinating! you will be late for rehearsal. (Alphonsine walks out. FatherThYishime ALPHONSINE. No, Father, I was not hallucinating-- looks afier her.) FAIHERTLMSHIME. AIPHONSINE. '!7ith so many of you all, packed --She was real. No, youte not like tea leaves in a box. No air to listening to me. I promise you, circulate in those dormitories. I I swear to you rhat I saw Her. Scene 2 have to tell Sister Evangelique to I saw Her. I saw Her. NO! i leave the door open SA\f HER!!! (The - Father is taken aback b1 her ferocity. Alphonsine clamps her Lights shifi. Alphonsine joins the group of girk at.choir rehearsal hand ouer her mouth.) oittld" li theiourtyard. Marie-Claire is utterly bored out of her AIPHONSINE. Iam/sorry. fn1gt"' mind" and she keeps 0n getting the harmony wrzng. FAIHERTLMSHIME. It is alright. Anathalie sircgs sweetb. But thm it starts rainircg. AIPHONSINE. I arn soo, soo sorry. FATHERTLMSHIME. It is alright. ALPHONSINE. I was not HOT. I arn nor lyr"g. I promise. I only SISTER EVANGELIQUE. See, God is crying because you all sound speak the truth. (Beat.) So what is my punishment for rhis? so horrible.'W'e are done for today. (The girls gtgb ^ they run away FAIHERTTMSHIME. Ehhh, you will have to ... ehhh ... empry the rain. Eueryone mnkes sure to steer clear of M?ii- "Clairefom /'lplonslltet the dormitory buckets at night ... points at Alphonsine! messy hair, which,makes Anathalie gigh' ALPHONSINE. Anphing else? Thry Stgl" ngethir.) Marie-Claire! Can I speakwith you a moment? FAIHERTLMSHIME. And sweep the halls in the morning ... ANAIFIALIE. Ooooo! ALPHONSINE. Anything else? MAzuE-CIAIRE. Hush it. Meet me in the back by the banana FAIHERTLMSHIME. ... beer / trough. AIPHONSINE. Anything else, Father Tiryishime? (She holds her ANATHALIE. Sshhhhhll know!I know ... (Anathali'e giggles and hands out, expecting the lichs of the raler. Beat. He puts his hand ouer walks away. Marie-Claire walhs up to Sisur Euangelique. Tltqt stand her hand and pushes it down. She hoks up irc surprise.) beneath a Partition keeping themfrom the rain.) FATHER TIMSHIME. Report ro my office. Every morning. 7 MARIE-CHIRE. Sister,I promise that I will have the harmonies o'clock. Sharp. (Alphonsine risesfom her chair. She begins to utalk out memorized by tomorrow. of the cramped ofru.) One more thing, Alphonsine. SISTEREVANGELIQUE. Oh, will You? ALPHONSINE. Yes, Father. MARIE-CIAIRE. I just have a horrible time remembering' FATHERTI-MSHIME. \fhat did She look like? SISTER EVANGELIQUE. Perhaps it is because you are getting ALPHONSINE. Look like? so old. FATHERTTMSHIME. \fas She muzungu? (He points to the picture MARIE-CIAIRE. But I am only 21, Sister. of the whia Jesus on the wall hoking d.own at them. With the bkest of SISTER EVANGELIQUE. In Kibeho, that means you practically qtes and the bhndest of hair ... Alphonsine tabes a pause, as if she is in have one foot in the giarr.. (Silence. Marie-Claire is rtot amused') a trance.) Excuse me, Marie, I am not myself lately. These recent happeni'ngs AIPHONSINE. She was not white or black. She was just . . . beaudfi:l. have put me on edge. FAIHER TI-MSHIME. Like you? (Tlte sweet sounds of the choir NAentE-Ct-A.IRE.-They have put me on edge as well. start bach ap. Alphonsine blushes.) SISTER EVANGELIQUE. Have theY? ALPHONSINE. No. Much more beautiful than me. MARIE-CIAIRE. Yes, Sister.

t2 L3 SISTER EVANGELIQUE. \7hat do you think of them? SISTER EVANGELIQUE. \7atch her. In the dorms. You are the - MAzuE-CLAIRE. \7hat is there to think of them? eldest of the girls. I am going to need you to take control of things' SISTER EVANGELiQUE. Do you believe this fool? MAzuE-CIAIRE. Conrol of things? MARIE-CLAIRE. Ennnh, my father once said, "The village fool SISTER EVANGELIQUE. Yes, my darling Marie-Claire' Control. sometimes speaks the truth." MAzuE-CLAIRE. I can do that. SISTEREVANGELIQUE. Did he really? SISTER EVANGELIQUE. (Looks into Marie-Claire's face as if MARIE-CIAIRE. Yes. looking into a mirror.) I know. (Marie-Claire smiles.) Go along, SISTER EVANGELIQUE. I've never heard of such a sayrng. now. Dont you have some songs to be learning? (Slight disgust.) Must be Tirtsi. (Marie-Claire stffins.) MARIE-CIAIRE. No, it is from our people. SISTEREVANGELIQUE. Hmph. (Pause.) So you believe her? MARIE-CIAIRE. No. I did not say that. I have my own mind. Scene 3 SISTER EVANGELIQUE. And whar does your own mind say? MARIE-CLAIRE. She just wants arrenrion. -Well, SISTER EVANGELIQUE. she certainly knows how to get it. The thunder rolls and lights shif. 7he sun has broben through the (Undrr her breath.) She has Father Tiryishime's firll attention-now. clauds. Atphorcsine is tabing the books fom Father Tuyisbime's. She will be working in his ofice. As punishment. ffice ani dusting them. Anathalie comes ap behind her and MARIE-CIAIRE. That's all she gets for punishment? watches her through thick glnsel SISTER EVANGELIQUE. Does she need more? MARIE-CIAIRE. Iflwere the head nun, I would have given her twenry licks with the ruler, made her clean the latrines and wash ANAIHALIE. How long are you on punishment? everyonet knickers for the entire month. If I can speak my mind ALPHONSINE. He say a week. openly-- ANAIHALIE. Ahhhh, that means you get to go to confession! SISTER EVANGELIQUE. (Trytng to interrupt.) Go ahead. ALPHONSINE. There is nothing to confess. love to go to confession? MARIE-CIAIRE. (Continuing.) -and honesdy, I would have made ANAIHALIE. Is it weird that I her do all of that and then some. l would have been smacked clear ALPHONSINE. Perhaps it's that you have an unclean heart. across the face for such blasphemy, probably wen expelled! Itt disturbing ANAIHALIE. (Ofendcd.) I am a virgin, Alphonsine. All virgins to think she could actually get awaywith, getA\WAYwith / it all. have unclean hearti. (Alphonsine continues to dust. Pushing up her SISTER EVANGELIQUE. She hasnt gotten away with anFhing. glassa.) Id love to be on punishment for FatherTuyishime. Rather she wont. ALPHONSINE. Anathalie! MARIE-CI"{RE. I could run this place much better than you ANATHALIE. \7ha? He's extraordinarily cute. Too bad he cant (Sister Euangelique yaruhs her up hard.) - get married. (Alphonsine kughs, brirugingmore sunlight to driue away SISTER EVANGELIQUE. Until you are across rhe river, beware the storm.) how you insult the morher alligator. (Beat.) ALPHONSINE. You better get away, before she comes. MARIE-CIAIRE. Sorry. Sister. (Sister Euangelique bts her down gmtly.) ANATHALIE. Ah-ah! Marie-Claire doesnt rule me. SISTER EVANGELIQUE. The next tiire ,h. go., ir,,o ALPHONSINE. Are you sure about that? one of her little trances, you pinch her. You pinch her hard."iotli., ANAIHALIE. She is a lion all roar and menace, but you? You are MARIE-CIAIRE. I dont wanr ro touch her when she goes there. a flea. Quiet. Little. Almost invisible. tWell, Her eyes ... gone. No life. Almost like shet sleeping with her eyes / ALPHONSINE. aflea can bother a lion, but a lion cannot wide open. bother a flea.

r4 t5 F- F-

ANATHALIE. Too smart for your own good. MARIE-CLAIRE. Such a lightweight. Anathalie, I thought I told ALPHONSINE. And too dumb for yours. you to meet us by the banana beer trough? ANAIF{ALiE. You are tle one who goes deaf and dumb, pretending ANAIFIALIE. (Loohing at Alphonsine.) I was. I was going to, but - that you are gone: But we know. \7e know you are just acting. you jusi GiRL #1. Alphonsine, wheie did Father Tiryishime give you licks? want atrention. You silly, silly girl. You just want people to Je. yo,.r. MARIE-CLAIRE. On the bottom? ALPHONSINE. See me? No, I want you ro s.. H.r, Anathalie. ANAIHALIE. Marie-Claire! Oh, I wish you could see what I see. Know what I know. Know MARIE-CIAIRE. \(hat? Bad girls usually get it on the bottom' -il4rere Herl She wants to embrace us with the greatest love. Her arms are did he put your welts? Let me see. Let me see! (Marie-Claire so wide thar they wrap around the world rwice over. She loves us goes to lifi Alphonsine's skirt.) more than our parenrs. She loves us even though we live in sin. She irpUONSiNp.. @ottingup herfst-) Do that again and I will wants us to pray, Anathalie. Pray! It is the only way to stop the slap you so hard your descendants will feel the sting!! pain. The only way. She showed me how this world could be. THE GIRLS. Vhoa ... ANATHALIE. She did? \(hat did She show you? MARIE-CIAIRE. So the Virgin Mary visits mean old nasry girls AIPHONSINE. I dont know if I can tell you. like you? ANATIIALIE. Come on! How did the world look? (Beat.) GIRL #1. ATutsi on top of that. ALPHONSINE. More beautiful than this land of a thousand hills, AIPHONSINE. I'm not lying. my friend. Rwanda has nothing on where She would take us. It is GIRL #2. Tutsis lie. \We a land where mountains foat. \7here one is never hungry. It is a ALPHONSINE. do not. land where sickness is no more. Darkness is no more. F.ar i, .ro GIRL #1. Thatt what my ma said. 'Well, more. Hate does not hide itself in the cracks of men's hearts. It is a AIPHONSINE. maybe your ma is proof that Hutus lie' land of love. Everywhere love. GIRL #3. \7hy dont I see Her, huh? \7hy doesnt She speak to me? ANAIHALIE. Sounds like heaven alright, but dont we have to AIPHONSINE. I do not know. How I wish She would. die to get there? ANATHALIE. But wouldnt it be something? IfAlphonsine wasn't ALPHONSINE. No, Anathalie, no! She said we can have it. Here lying? Our Lady. Here. In Kibeho ... on Earth. ju1 have t9 pray. Repent. Purge Lady visits Kibeho is the day the lVe_ your unclean virgin tilellE-CUtRE. The day Our heart, Anathalie. Praywirh me. So you can r.. it,'too ... (Atphonsiiei Pope comes to Africa. hand is snaching.to.Anathalie's. Anathalie steps closer ani begins to ANATHALIE. Stranger things have happened. reaclt out lter hand, but ) MARIE-CLAIRE. \X/tta, Anathalie? Do you believe this liar? This ANATHALIE. I wouldrit- want to see that. blasphemer. This \flITCH\1. (Marie-Claire pushes Alphonsine again') ATPHONSINE. \Vhy? ANAIHALIE. Marie-Claire, stoP it. ANAIHALIE. Because I dont think the world could ever be that MARiE-CLAIRE. 'Whose side are you on' Anathalie? You must beautifirl. (Marie-Claire enters with her gang ofgirk trailing. Anathalie walk on the side of the righteous! She is a witch. q?.*!b brings her hand up yo push up h:er glasis. Marie-Claire pushes THE GIRLS . (In unison.) A witch! Alphonsine, whg was already on her bnees, making herfall sprea)-eagte MARIE-CIAIRE. \7e all knowyou come from the village of Zaza' onto the groand.) Marie,Clairer. GIRL #1. Those people are fools. They worship statues and drink MAzuE-CIAIRE. (Drunken giggles.) \X/hat? the blood of babies. ANAIFIALIE. Leave her alone. GIRL #3. I heard they cut out the hearts of chickens and dance ALPHONSINE. You all reek of banana beer, with them above their heads. THE GIRLS. Sol MARiE-CLAIRE. They are heathens!!! GIRL #1. I think I'm going to be sick. THE GIRLS. Heathensl

t6 T7 ANATHALIE. Marie-Claire. I said / stop it! Leave her alone. You THE GIRLS. Ring around the rosar! ... Ring around the rosary!! - all stop! GIRL #4. (Sings in Kinyarwanda.) Eii ooooooo Eii oooooooo Eii MARIE-CIAIRE. You are a witch! A witch! oooooooo! (Tltey continue to hit her in the head. But Alphonsine is THE GIRLS. (In urusion.)Awitch! Awitch! gone. Not hearing the yell.s of the girk. She begins to speak to someone MARIE-CIAIRE. \7hat, you want ro prorect the little witch from high, high aboue their heads.) Zaza? (Marie-Ckire snatches Anathalie's glases of of herface.) ALPHONSINE. I have been. I've been praying my rosary wery night. ANATHALIE. Give my spectacles back, Marie-Claire. MARIE-CIAIRE. What is she saying? \7hat are you saying dwil girl? GIRL #1. You blind fool. (Marie-Ckire tosses them to the other girl.) GIRL #1. Dont get too close. GIRL #3. Yaaaay! I scored. GIRL #2. Here give them to me! She's gonna bite you. ANAIHALIE. Stop it! Stop it! I cant see! ALPHONSINE. Are you sure? / They make fun of me all the time. MARIE-CIAIRE. You believe what she says, huh? It is getdng hard. ANAIFIALIE. Give them back! (Forgotten on the ground" Alphonsine Uerun-CfXnB. Point one for you! Come, Anathalie, join us' slowly rises up until she is on her knees. We see that she is staring into the (AnnthalU does not moue.)I said, Anathalie, join us. (Marie-Clzire slnps distance. Her bach arches and the winds begin to change. The pages ofthe Anathalie. Anathalie, buckling bmeath the peer pressure, reluctantly takes boohs she was dusting begirc to rustle llke the leaaes on a nee.) of ho rosaTy.) Throw itl Throw it! (Tearc strearn down Alphonrinei MAzuE-CIAIRE. Look! Look! Shet doing it again. cheeks. She is bohing at the Virgin Mary. Anathalir tries to throw it around GIRL #1. Shet possessed. Alphonsine's neck, but it hits the like my grandmodrer. 'W'ell, flnor.)Youthrow GIRL #3. Look at that evil in her eye. (Alphonsine boks utterly atpeace. eNeTFmI-tE. I wouldnt have to throw like your grandmother Exuberant euen. Stars streamfom her ryes. She is someu.,here ebe ... ) if I could see! Give me back my specs GIRL #1. Dont go near her! MARIE-CIAIRE. Not until you do- it again. Again! MARIE-CL"{IRE. Pinch her. THE GIRLS. Do it again! Do it again! (Anathalie takes another ANATI{ALIE. Marie-Claire! Stop being mean! throut, but Alphonsine's hand rises and she catches the rosary') MARIE-CIAIRE. (Ignoring her.) Go pinchher. THE GIRLS. Ooooooo! GIRL #1. Eh-eh! She's not going to possess me. MAzuE-CIAIRE. See, she's lying! Shet lying! (Anathalie is staring GIRL #2. I told you! I told you! She's a witchl at her.) GIRL #3. I think shet just possessed. ANATFIALIE. Give it back! MAzuE-CIAIRE. Give it back MARIE-CIAIRE. I said pinch her. Give it back! to her. Give it back! THE GIRLS. EH-EH!! (Alphonsine refues, or, rather, she is lost ... ) MARIE-CIAIRE. Fine, I'll do it. (Marie-Claire goes up to her and Give it backi Give it piruches her. Pinches her hard. Alphonsine dnes not moue; she luxuriates.) (Gasp. Sudd"eruly Anathalie- is smrck by something. Her back arches and ANAIHALIE. Leave her alone! she bends backwards onto the ground as ifshe is a primn balbrina.) MARIE-CIAIRE. You wont move, enh? You wont move? (To the THE GIRLS. Give it back! Give it backl (Anathalie falls onto her other girb.) Irtt play a litde game. (Marie-Clzire takes her rosary off She knees. She begins to look in the same direction as Alphonsi.ne.) gzes to thefar corner ofthe conidor She throus her rosary. It hits Alphonsine GIRL #1. Look! Look at Anathalie. Look at her. (A warm light in the head; she doesnTflinch. She i"s in another uorld.) Damn it! begins to dance across Alphonsine and Anathalie's faces. hi n if the ANATHALIE. Marie-Claire! I m going to tell Sister Evangelique. sun is reflecting on wat€r and playing peek-a-boo with their lips. An MARIE-CLAIRE. Dont be such a snitch! intense joy ripples through their bodies. Arcathalie is staring up at GIRL #1. Ooooo, I wanna try! somethingflnating high aboue their heads. Tears begin to streamfrorn GIRL #2. Me, too! (Thry take their rosaries of and thqt plny their ad her eyes. She is somewhere else ... ) ltoc game - similar to horseshoes or a game lne plryr at the carniual.)

18 r9 FAIHERTTMSHIME. Nkango, there is no need MARIE-CIAIRE. Anathalie ... Anathalie? \7ha-:S7hat's going on? - You be a Father, FatherTuyishime,- but you are \7hat's happening? Anathalie, Anathalie! Come back! Come back. NKANGO. might Come on Anathalie, Come back. Come ... back ... nor the father to Anathalie Mukamazimpaka. get your things. I am taking you out ofthis school for good. ANnfHeUB. No, Papa, please, I promise. I promise I wont speak to her again. I promise! Anathalie is very sorry Scene 4 FAIHERTLMSHIME. Nkango, I'm sure for her actions. For lying NKANGO. Shed better -be. Come on. (Anathalie doesnl rnoue' She Alphonsine.) You dont want to listen? (He Father Thyishime's ofice. Anathalie and Alphonsine are contircues to hold on to begins to remoue his beb.) sining with bags packed. Sister Euangelique is loohing ouer quickly we can come to some kind of them... pleased. FnrrtBdrLmsHIME. M"yb. agreement. SISTER EVANGELIQUE. Agreement? she's coming home. I dont know why you have SISTEREVANGELIQUE. Soon these shenanigans will all be over. NKANGO. No, her. ANATHALIE. \7hy did you bring him here? not expelled That is what I said. SISTER EVANGELIQUE. Someone needs to knock some sense SISTER EVANGELIQUE. Come, Anathalie. into you. (Father Tuyishime comes in,folhwed by Nkango, Anathalie's NKANGO. FAIHERTTMSHIME. Perhaps because it is imperative that she father, a btg hfufarrner.) she can ... confess. FAIHER TLMSHIME. Im glad that you could come on such learn from these mistakes, her short notice, Nkango. NKANGO. (Sarcastically.) And how many Hail Marys will get NKANGO. Anything that concerns my child is my business. \7here out of this? hundred and twenty-three. is she? SISTER EVANGELIQUE. A Evangelique! SISTER EVANGELIQUE. Over here. FAIHER TLMSHIME. Sister them. I will do them. !flhatever I need to NKANGO. So this is how you treat my hard work, Anathalie? You ANAIFIALIE. I will do just stay school. Hail Mary full of go and get yourselfin trouble. do, Papa. But please let me in is with thee. Blessed are thou among women ... ANAIHALIE. Papa, please understand. (His hand goes to his beh.) grace. The Lord / (Continuing the exchange.) NKANGO. Excuse me, are you speaking? beneath follouing started. A hundred ANAIHALIE. No, Papa,lI'm not. FATHER TtfnSHfUE. See, she has already AIPHONSINE. Shhhh, / Anathalie. and twenry-two more to go - here. ANATHALIE. (To Alp honsine.) ]Wha? NKANGO. No, she must get out of needs her schooling. (Nkango NKANGO. Is this the one you're in cahoots with? FATHER TLMSHIME. But she jump. S,llence) ANAIHALIE. Papa, I'm not in cahoots with / anyone. slaps his beh against the desk. It mahes eueryone just farmers. ALPHONSINE. SHHHHH, Anathalie! NKANGO. I am but a lowly farmer, Father. \7e are all have a daughter who is a witch, who will buy NKANGO. (BtSt^ to take ofthat belt.)We said go to school and this If the village thinls I huh? buy my cassava, huh? \Vho will buy? is what you go and do? Follow some heathen right out of an education. my banana, \7ho will would rather go hungry than eat the ground nuts (Pointing to Alphonsine.)'What are you going to do with her? The entire village a I cannot have it. She will come SISTER EVANGELIQUE. She is an orphan. No father. of a man who has fathered witch. catch this-this-uh, virus. You NKANGO. \(hat a shame. She needs someone to beat her good back to the field where she will not for this foolishness. are infecting my daughter.

20 2I FATHERTLMSHIME. I am not a mosquito. (These adubs grunt and huist, but she is like Mount Kilimanjaro. - NKANGO. \fell, I much rather her die of malaria than of lies. I Immouable. She giggles. Coos. Laughs and coos some rnore. Finally, should have never let you come. This was nonsense anyhow and ail spent from their ffiing they watch Anathalie, uhose tongu'e is like a of this is proving me right. Your mother was always wrong. Book- ieleuision changing channels. She speahs French. Then Kinyarwanda. learning makes a girl go crazy. Come now, Anathalie, before I have She speaks in many rnan! tonguel The tongues of the uniuerse.) to come and get you. (But Anathalie is gazing off) NKANGO. \7hat are you saying, my child? Father, Father!\What ANATHALIE. (Pointing.) But Father, Shewants me to stay. is going on? NKANGO. Anathalie, get your things NO\71 I dont care what FATHER TLMSHIME. (Ignoring him.) Nphonsine, what is your little friend says she saying? ANATHALIE. N-N-N-N-No,- notAlphonsine. Her ... (Points to AIPHONSINE. She needs the people of the village to listen. She an em?ty space.) needs them to hear the message. NKANGO. Anathalie, dont make me come and GET YOUI (The NKANGO. No, she needs to come home. Shet sick. way. This is hfu farmer punches the wall. It splinters. Eueryone exceptfzr Anathalie AIPHONSINE. She needs to be heard. It is the only jumps ... ) Mama Mary's decree ... ANAIHALIE. But Papa, look! Look how She floats . . . (Anathalie's FAIHERTLMSHIME. \7hat is Anathalie seeing now? eles start rolling into the bach of her head. Sister Euangelique bolts ALPHONSINE. She is seeing the goodness ... The beauty ... her chair.) The light ... frorn \What SISTER EVANGELIQUE. Ah-ah. Not again. (Anathahe falls FATHER TLMSHIME. light, Alphonsine? (ust then, d.own on her knee$ and there is the most angelic erpression on herface. Alphonsine drtfit ofr and they are looking at the same space. Both of She kughs. Giggles. Coos. Laughs. Gzglel Coos. Lihe a baby staring the girk cooing like llttle bables.) uP at her mother.) NKANGO. My childl My poor child! She has been struck dumb. ALPHONSINE. Itt spreading. Just like She said it would ... She is dumb. My child. (Anathalie'sfather hol'ds her, sofifu. Suddenly d.raw in seuen quick breaths. zf they are gdsPingfor NKANGO. She?]Who is She? / \t/ha ... the young women '4s FAIHERTTMSHIME. \7hat does She look like, Anathalie? air undznuater.) Anathalie, Anathalie ... (Thry take in one big breath, ANAIFIALIE. So beautifirl words cannot describe and both Anathalie and Alphoruine collapse to the fnor.) Is she .. . FAIHERTLMSHIME. \What is She wearing? - SISTER EVANGELIQUE. Are they? (Lights shirt.) ANAIFIALIE. A long veil. \fhite. Glowing. Like the stars on a clear night FATHERTTMSHIME.- And Her skin? ANAIHALIE. Smooth. No marks. Like no one I have ever seen NKANGO. My God, Father!!\7hy are you egging this nonsense- on? / Jesus Christ! FAIHERTLMSHIME. eyes SHHH, Nkango!And Her - NKANGO. (Goes to pick up the tiny Anathalie . He grabs her and ) Eh-eh! (She does not budge. He tries to pull orc her again, but the hefty- farmer's strength cannotpick up his slim daughter. He hems and ltaws, but she is like a tree trunk rooted to the f.oor. He nies to ffi her again. But canT ... ) \fill somebody help me? (Sister Euangelique jamps up to help. But she, too, cannot Qrt her.) SISTER EVANGELIQUE. She must have a belly full of stones.

22 23 l ALPHONSINE. I cannot help but have a bit of Easter in my heart. I shall come back to Earth now and be in despair like all you others. Scene 5 (She mochs the Sister's dzepfoun lines. Sister Euangelique is notplcased. Then Alphonsine bursts into laughter.) Oh, Sister. Frowns make a *oma.tlook so ugly. A1ways remember a Rwandan womant beauty A candlelit room. Alphonsirce and Anathalie are lying side by is in her (Sister Euangelique sharply smacks Alphonsine. Weakfom side in two beds. Sister Euangelique looks ouer Alphonsine. her trip to- the othn sidc, Alphorcsine falk onto the bed.) She does the sign ofthe uoss ouer her. Puts a dab of holy water SISTER EVANGELIQUE. How dare you? How. Dare. You? You ouer her head. She turns her back to Alphonsine, to the bed little ingrate, you little (Searching for the word.) . . . witch! Yes .. . Is Anathalie is lyircg in. She pulls out her pocket utatch. She that what you are? A witch. A shitry little witch? I think so. I think checks the time. She is about to pat the watch bach ircto her that's exacdy what you are. I know you. I know your kind. You shake pocket when she gets an idea. Sister Euangelique stares at hands with the devil and use the same hand to make the sign of the Anathalie, who lies there stif as a board. Zhe Sister puts the cross. You've been conjuring your little spells and everyone is falling pocket watch beneath her nose. She waits for the fog bat beneath the spell you are casting. The Father and nowAnathalie. But - I will cast yo,, o.tt. I will cast you OUT! (Alphonsine has brought her gaze bach to Sister Euangeliquei. Alphonsine, though she is smaller artd SISTER EVANGELIQUE. No breath. (Lifis Anathalie's arm. more slight than Sister, seems t0 grota taller and wider. Her ltresence Checks it.) Barely a pulse? (Behlnd Sister Euangelique, Alphonsine exparcding. Swalbtuingup allthe space irt the tirc1t roorn. The Sister begins slowly rises, not making a sound. The candlelight pushes her shadow n shahe iru fear. Auually. Vbibb quahe. There is a fre in Alphonsine's arourcd the room. Sister Euangeliqae puts lter ear to Anathalie's chest. eyes that has not been there before. A blindlng light ... ) She waits and waits and waits. She hears ... nzthirug. Concerned, ALPHONSINE. You do not scare me anymore. (Sister Euangelique Sister Euangelique takes Anathalie\ face louingly into her hands. She takes a step bach. She turns her head autay She gathers herself The makes the sign of the cross and ) shaking soon subsides. Alphonsine turns sweet.) She will be heard. ALPHONSINE. Dorit worry.- She will not succumb. (Sister 'il4rether you like it or not. Euangelique practically jumps out of her shin and lunges at Alphonsine SISTER EVANGELIQUE. Is that so? in the darkness!) ALPHONSiNE. Yes. (Beat. Sister Euangelique's glare mehs.) (Askingfom her SISTER EVANGELIQUE. Jesus!!! Jesus!!! ALPHONSINE. Oh. SISTER EVANGELIQUE. the d.eep end of heart:) AIPHONSINE. Didnt mean to scare you. \7hy can you hear Her, and I cannot? SISTER EVANGELIQUE. I thought you were asleep. AIPHONSINE. You can hear Her through me. If you are ready ALPHONSINE. Seems like you are hell-bent on making that to listen ... Are you ready? (Silence from Sisur Euangelique.) May I permanent. (Beat. Sister Euangelique's eyes bore holes through go now? Alphonsine. Not caring, Alphonsine stretches as if she's had the best StSfnn EVANGELIQUE. (Breathless.) Please. (Alpbonsine hops nap in her life. She takes her time. An extensiue yaun that lasts ezns. of the bed. She d.oes the sign of the cross ouerAnathalie. She looks at Finally, she swings her leg around the side of the bed. She smihs at herfiend and smiles. Satisfed.) Sister Euarcgelique. Beat.) ALPHONSINE. She'll be coming out of it soon. Wry soon. (Exits. SISTER EVANGELIQUE. Oh, so you think this is funny? Incredulous, Sister Euangelique stnres afier her. Lights shlft.) ALPHONSINE. I arn not laughing, Sister. SISTER EVANGELIQUE. \7ell, get that silly linle smirk offyour face, before I slap it off.

24 ')< BISHOP GAHAMANYI. (Tightb srniling at the Sister's audacifl.) It is true that I dont get a chance to come to Kibeho very often. 'W'ell, Scene 6 FATHER TLMSHIME. those seven hills can be as big as mountains. \(heew! BISHOP GAHAMA\M. Eh-eh! Did I tell you Dada Rusibanga Day. Zhe Father's ffice. Father Tuyishime has a uisitor Bishop banged me in the knee at the last futbol game? Gahamanyi. They are uery relaxed. In man-modz, crackingup. FAIHERTLMSHIME. Sorry sorry. SISTER EVANGELIQUE. I suppose ifyou are out of shape with a fabby stomach and a banged-up knee, yes, those hills can be hard. BISHOP GAIIAMANfl. And Mama Rusibanga chased Dada But most of my girls can run up them with jerricans firll of water Rusibanga down *re hill with her hoe. I tell you it was a sight to see. balanced on their heads. All of tlis, of course, before they get their FAIHERTLMSHIME. (Vipingtearsfom his qes.)Iwish I could lesson at 7:30 in the morning. (Bishop ain't gzt time to play with no have been there. Sister Euangelique, so:) 'Well, BISHOP GAIIAMAI\I{ . (Shaking his fst.) Dada Rusibanga should BISHOP GAIIAMA\M. I'm here at 6:30 this morning because have given Mama a piece of his mind. there is a rusde down in the valley. It's making the banana trees shake FAIHER TLMSHIME. (Laughtng uncomfortabfu.).W'ell . . . he was witl a whisper that might soon grow into an uncontrollable roar. supposed to be turning the field, not playing futbol. FAIHER TLMSHIME. I am tryrng my best to control it, Your BISHOP GAFIAMANM. Itwas Saturdal Excellency. FAIHERTLMSHIME. Still he should have SISTER EVANGELI QUE. You are? BISHOP GAHAMANYI . (Interrupting. ) Eh-Eh!- Two lions cannot FATHERTTMSHIME. Yes ... 1am. rule one valley. BISHOP GAFIAMANYI. \fell, one of the girls'fathers has been SISTER EVANGELIQUE. Your Excellency, that is very true. (Tbe spreading rumors about how he saw his daughter ... ehhhh ... men stop and turn and bok at the door. Sister Euangelique genuflccts catch the spirit, so to speak. That his daughter is a prophet? upon seeing the Bishop.) SISTER EVANGELIQUE. I bet his bananas are selling like Primus BISHOP GAFIAMANYI. Sister Evangelique, so you agree with me? beers now. SISTER EVANGELIQUE. To a certain extent. BISHOP GAFIAMAI\M. This is not a time for joking, Sister. BISHOP GAHAMANYI. Good. Good. (Uncomfortable silence.) Theret worse news. FATHERTLMSHIME. Are the girls FAIHER TLMSHIME.'W'orse news? SISTER EVANGELIQUE. Fine. They- are both fine. BISHOP GAHAMA\M. A reporter from Radio Rwanda wants BISHOP GAFIAMANYI. Young girls will do anlthing for amention to interview me about these two girls. Radio Rwanda. (Pause.) these days. Have they been punished? FATHERTLMSHIME. (Smiling) Indeed, theywill. SISTER EVANGELIQUE. FAIHERTLMSHIME. yes. BISHOP GAHAMANVI. Sometimes I dont mind it. \7e all need to No. be listened to be heard. But this might all be going a bit too far BISHOP GAHAMANM. \7ell, which one is it? SISTER EVANGELIQUE.- Yes, usually all one needs is a pretry- SISTER EVANGELIQUE. FAIHERTTMSHIME. face and nice waist to get your attention. Your Excellency, sooooo (Lying.)Yes. (Admitting.)No. 'Well, nice of you to bless us with your presence today. Last time we saw no and yes. each other, I think it was dry season. (7he men stop smiling. Father BISHOP GAFIAMA\IYI. No and yes? Trytishime shoots Si.ster Euangelique a "shut thefuch up" glare.) SISTEREVANGELIQUE. FAIHERTLMSHIME. Yes and no. No and yes.

I 26 27 r BISHOP GAHAMANYI. You know how our village folk can be. BISHOP GAHAMAI\trYI. (Conti.nuing) -with Father Tiiyishime's They believe. Th.y believe so easily. It warms my heart that they recent appointment as head chaplain, he cannot deal with these believe. It makes our jobs easier for us, eh? shenanigans. It is your responsibiliry now. FAIHER TLMSHIME. Yes, Your Excellenry. SISTER EVANGELIQUE. Now? It has always been mine. BISHOP GAHAMA\[{. Yes. The village folkwill believe anyching BISHOP GAFIAMAi\M. Sister, please. The diocese is none too you tell them. But we cannot, we absolutely cannot have them h"ppy with the recent happenings of bullshit. believing in this. SISTEREVANGELIQUE. And neither am I. FATHERTI-MSHIME. But you didnt see it. Them. The girls. BISHOP GAF{AMANYL But it seems like youre allowing these BISHOP GAHAMANYI. I dont need to see in order to (Pause. girls to run amok and take control of the school. Wait a mircate ... ) Dont tell me you believe these shenanigans,- SISTER EVANGELIQUE. Perhaps if hewere not goading them on. Father? (Pause. Zhe Father and Sister hok at each other.) FAIHERTLMSHIME. Sister Evangelique, I have not been goading SISTER EVANGELIQUE. Someone from the diocese needs to them on! investigate these girls. Give them psychological evaluations. For SISTER EVANGELIQUE. You have too! young girls to do this, they are not right in the head. BISHOP GAHAMA\M. Qo Father Tuyishime') YouVe been BISHOP GAHAMANYI. There are no psychologists here in goading them on? Rwanda- SISTEREVANGELIQUE. YCS. FATHERTTIYISHIME. NO! SISTER EVANGELIQUE. \7ell, we should fy one in! Eh, if I were He has!!!fuking them what She the head of the diocese, I would order an investigation so fast rhat it looks like, what kind of veil She has on. would have started yesterday. FAIHERTLI\ISHIME. Sisterl BISHOP GAHAMANM. But you are nor the head of the diocese, SISTER EVANGELIQUE. Yes, it's been you the whole time. neither will you ever be, Sister Evangelique. As I said, I know what BISHOP GAFIAMA\M. I dont care who is goading who and young girls will do to get attenrion. To get the Father's arrention. what and where and why. Get it under control or I will SHUT. IT. Isnt that right, Father? (The Bishop hits Father in the arm.) DO\XAI. This school will be closed. Do you understand me? Do FAIHERTLMSHIME. (Blushing.) Oh, stop it. you both understand me? BISHOP GAHAMANYI. It is only natural. I understand. I under- SISTEREVANGELIQUE. FATHERTLMSHIME. stand it all. Look at him. That skin. Those chestnut eyes. (A uhisper.)Yes. (A whisper.)Yes. SISTEREVANGELIQUE. Yes, yes, yes. I know, I see them every day. BISHOP GAHAMANVI. Finally, something you both can agree BISHOP GAHAMANYI. \7ell, then you know Maybe ifyou meted on. (Bishop walks out of the door taith a utobbly knee. The Sister glares out some well-needed discipline more often, Sister Evangelique, maybe at the Father.) this situation would be under control. SISTER EVANGELIQUE. Your Excellency, next time you choose SISTER EVANGELIQUE. Are you blaming / me? to grace us with your lovely presence, it will all be settled. Kibeho BISHOP GAHAMANYI . (Ouerlapping.) You must lead by example, will soon be quiet. Sister. You are like their mother. Please, act like one. Let them know BISHOP G,{HAMANYI. Good. Because the roar in the valley is that these lies will only lead them down the path of perdition. It cannot getting rather loud. be tolerated. SISTER EVANGELIQUE. But BISHOP GAIIAMANYI. Father- Tuyishime needs your help. I know how you women can be, coddling them, letting them get away widn things, but-- SISTER EVANGELI QUE. (Interrupting. ) ll/re?

28 29 SISTER EVANGELIQUE. But they are, Marie. Unless they stop, they will ruin the drea-ms of every young girl sleeping in that dor- Scene 7 mitory. And every mothert, too. I have watched many young girls plucking potatoes from their field, fetching water from the well with many a baby on their back. I have seen many young girls start Nighttime. All is quia. Sister Euangelique is ualkingthe cori.dor life with bright eyes, only to have them swollen shut by the hand of with a candb in one hand and her rosary in the othn a man. If only they knew that there was much more to life than being a man's wife. My mother carried me on her back. Never learned to read. Never learned much. \fell. I promised myself that SISTEREVANGELIQUE. Hail Mary, firll ofgrace, the Lord is with I would never be like my mother. Fetching water, sewing, babies . .. thee; blessed are thou among women, and blessed is t}re fruit (She MARIE-CIAIRE. That will not be me, either. stops. She tries again.) Hail Mary, fiil of grace, the Lord is with- thee; SISTER EVANGELIQUE. No, Marie-Claire. Not you. That will blessed are thou among women- (She stops. She brings her rosary and not be your life. You are too feisry for that. A man would kill you puts it on her kp. She cannotpray her rosary She begins to cry. The door with that mouth ofyours. (Pinches Marie-Ckire on her cheek.)You to the girk'dormitory opens. Si*er Euangeli.que hurriedly wipes away her should go into the nunnery. You'd be a good nun. tears. Afgure appears in the shadpws.J \Who's rhere? (Thefgure does not MAzuE-CIAIRE. Likeyou? ansuer) I said, whot there? SISTER EVANGELIQUE. Like me. (Tltey sit in silence drinking in MARIE-CIAIRE. It is me. (In barefeet, ualhs into the corridor.) the dzrkness.) Next time theywant to play their litde games. You burn SISTER EVANGELIQUE. \fhy are you not asleep? them. (Smibs to herself) That should awaken them from their spell. MAzuE-CIAIRE. I need to use the latrines. MAzuE-CIAIRE. Burn them? SISTER EVANGELIQUE. There are buckets in the dormitory. SISTER EVANGELIQUE. Yes, you have my permission. tuth MARIE-CIAIRE. I need my privacy. and morning become light with time. (Blous out the candle. SISTER EVANGELIQUE. Dont we all. (They stare at each other. Lights shirt.) Sisnr Euangelique gesturesfor Marie-Claire to go ahead. But she doesnL.) MARIE-CIAIRE. You are upset. SISTER EVANGELIQUE. No. Dear child, whywould you MARIE-CI"A.IRE. Your eyes are blood red. - Scene 8 SISTER EVANGELIQUE. It is just the dust. The red Rwandan dust. Go on. Go ahead. (Silence.)Yot dont need to use the latrines, do you? Da1t. Marie-Claire and her mean-girls are holding court out- MARIE-CIAIRE. No, Sister. (Takes Sister Euangelique's hand into sidc in their tafeteria" 6 vss. her own.) - SISTER EVANGELIQUE. If only those silly girls knew the consequence of their actions. Bishop Gahamanyi wants to close GIRL #1. Tod"yt eggs are soooo horrible. down Kibeho College because of them. GIRL #2. I miss my ma-maa's bltoki. MAzuE-CIAIRE. No! MARIE-CLAIRE. You may not have to miss it for long. SISTER EVANGELIQUE. Yes! Yes, all because of their little stunts. GIRL #2. I will surely be missing it. Holiday isnt for another . MARIE-CIAIRE. He cannot close the school just because of a \X/ha? ... three months until Easter ... few spoiled ground nuts. They cannot stop all of us from going to GIRL #3. Ugh. school. They cannot.

30 3I MARIE-CIAIRE. \7ell, those little witches keep on spinning MARIE-CIAIRE. Go get me another plate of eggs. NOO\7\71!! their tales, we'll have a holiday sooner than later. (The worker bees huniedly.fl! o*ol to bring back honry for their queen. THE GIRLS. tVhat do you mean? Maie-Clairepushes atuay thefood. Actually, she is notuery hungry. She qtes MARIE-CIAIRE. The diocese is going to close Kibeho College. Alphonsine eating her breakfast quietly beneath another nee. Marie' THE GIRLS. Nooooo! Claire taalks oun to her. Alphoruine dnes not bok up.) MARIE-CIAIRE. Yes!! ALPHONSINE. You can have my eggs if you want. GIRL #1. But I like it here. MARIE-CI"A.IRE. \Where is Anathalie? MARIE-CIAIRE. I thought you hated the eggs. ALPHONSINE. Resting. The first few trips are always very tiring. GIRL #1. I rather eat these runny eggs than cook a batch for my But she will get used to them ugly brothers any day. MARIE-CLAIRE. You know -not what you do. GIRL #2. You ever thought it was true? ALPHONSINE. I am a human being. \We never know what we MARIE-CIAIRE. Of course not! are doing. GIRL #3. But itt Anathalie. If it was just weirdo Alphonsine maybe MARIE-CIAIRE. I hate you and all your "mysterious" talk. Youre not, but Anathalie, too? Anathalie prays her rosa{F seven times a day. not so mysterious, Alphonsine. I know you. I know your kind. MARIE-CIAIRE. So? AIPHONSINE. I bet you do. GIRL #2. Shet the most devout of us all . .. MAzuE-CIAIRE. If I was yotu father, I'd beat you black and blue GIRL #1. If I had her ugly Tirtsi teeth I'd be praying the rosary a Eh-eh, wait, you dont have a father. I heard he divorced your million times a day. -marna and left you to fend for yourselves. Must have been a rotten GIRL #3. Eh-eh! She Hutu. household. She didnt know how to take care of a man. Maybe that's GIRL #1. (eering.) \7ell, she must be mixed then. what you are after. A father. A Father Tiryishime. GIRL #2. It's Alphonsine who started it all. Tirtsi Lying Through ALPHONSINE. i do not need a father Her Teeth Alphonsine. My mother was right. They are all liars. MARIE-CLAIRE. You crave his attention,- dont you? They think the whole world revolves around them. They dont care ALPHONSINE. His aftention is not the one I crave. what they do to hurt other people MARIE-CLAIRE. -Whose attention do you crave? GIRL #3. Yeah ... they are ... selfishl- AIPHONSINE. Yours, Marie Claire. Do I have it? (Beat.) GIRL #1. So selfishl MARIE-CIAIRE. You just want everyone to hate you. GIRL #3. Yeah ... thaCs what my da-da said. They think they are ALPHONSINE. (Shrugs.) The speaker of truth has no friends. better than everyone. MARIE-CLAIRE. And the teller of lies is an unfortunate fool. You GiRL #1. Smarter. are hell-bent on dying. If the people from the village hear about GIRL #2. Taller! this ... well .. . en, henh ... GIRL #1. \fiser! ALPHONSINE. (Chuckles to herself.) I have already been made GIRL #2. Prettier. (Girl #1 and Glrl #3, sucking their teeth, looking aware of this. She has told me that and it is fine. I am fine with it. at Girl #2.)Well... they are. Vith it aII. Tluth is not afraid of the machete. GIRL #1. No, they're not. MARIE-CIAIRE. So ... You want to die? GIRL #2. Eh-eh!! My da-da said that Tirtsi women always have ALPHONSINE. If you had seen the world She's shown me. That such a pretry face. could be ours? \7ell ... you would die for it, too, Marie-Claire. 'Well, GIRL #3. Marie-Claire has a pretry face. (Tlte girls look at MAzuE-CLAIRE. No, I will live out my days and grow old here. Marie-Claire's face.) In Kibeho. A nun. \Mhat MAzuE-CIAIRE. are you saying? ALPHONSINE. You? A nun? THE GIRLS. Atry quickly.) Nothing. MARIE-CLAIRE. Yes, Id make a good one.

32 33 ALPHONSINE. That you would. ALPHONSINE. Much I need to say. MARIE-CI-AIRE. Shut upl I've been called! (Goes to strikeAlphonsine, FAIHER TI-MSHIME. Mmmmmmmmm. who dnes not moue, does notflinch.) You are not afraid of me? \7hy? AIPHONSINE. Much I need to release. AIPHONSINE. (Looks at her sortly) 'Cause we are sisters of the FATHER TLIYISHIME. \7hat has made your heart so heavy, same tribe. (Marie-Claire stands stunned. Caught. Does slte knout?) dear child? MAzuE-CLAIRE. I am not and will never be your sister. (Alphonsine ALPHONSINE. I am trying to understand this, Father. This mantle boks afier Marie-Claire as she stomps awa!.) that has been placed upon my head. I dont understand it, Father. FAIHERTLI\{SHIME. Neither do I. ALPHONSINE. I am just a dirt-poor girl with no shoes, no friends, no father, who has not read every word in that Bible, and yet She Scene 9 chose me. FAIHERTLT\iISHIME. There are things beyond our control, my dear child. Confession. Dusk makes the light flouing through the ALPHONSINE. \X/hy did She choose me? I mean, why didnt She stained-glass window darcce across the red dirt Father choose Sister Evangelique? floor. .S?'e Tuyishime is in the confession booth nodding ofr sllghtly FAIHER TLMSHIME. all know why She didnt choose snoring. Alphonsine enters. Sister Evangelique. ALPHONSINE. But at least I feel as though people would have Iistened to her. She is a grown-up. She's ... loud ... AIPHONSINE. Father ... Father ... FATHER. (He wahes up FATHERTLMSHIME. It is much better to be burned by the sun with a job.) Father than by a raging fire, Alphonsine. FATHER TLMSHIME.- Alphonsine? ALPHONSINE. She tells me things, Father. Shewants me to do things. AIPHONSINE. Yes, Father, it's me. Things a girl is not supposed to do. Things I do not know how to do. -What FAIHERTTryISHIME. Oh, sorry sorry my dear child. This coffin FATHERTLTYISHIME. does She tell you, Alphonsine? has become a bit warm. ALPHONSINE. I dont know if I can say. ALPHONSINE. Dont worry. All the girls say this is the best place FAIHERTLMSHIME. Alphonsine, let your tongue confess. (Beat.) for a nap. All warm and cozy. (He laughs therc tahes a deep breath. He ALPHONSINE. Do you know the president? stares at her through the srim.) Yes, Father? FAIHER TLMSHIME. President Habyarimana? FAIHER TI-MSHIME. Nothing. ALPHONSINE. Yes. Do you know him? ALPHONSINE. I thought you were staring at me because I have FAIHERTI-MSHIME. No, I dont know him. I know ofhim. not been to confession in so long. How long has it been? ALPHONSINE. O/him? FATHERTTMSHIME. About ... one month, six days, give or FAIHERTTMSHIME. Yes, like every other Rwandan I suppose. \Well, take, more or less, around thereabouts. Youve been / busy. ALPHONSINE. She needs me to give him a message. ALPHONSINE. Oh, that long. FAIHERTTMSHIME. A message? To the president? FAIHERTLMSHiME. Yes, that long. ALPHONSINE. Yes, I need to give him a message. She says it's AIPHONSINE. I'm sorry. important. FAIHERTTIYISHIME. As i ve said, you've been busy ... \7hat is FATHERTUflSHIME. The Virgin Mary has a message for the on your heart today child? president of Rwanda? ALPHONSINE. i have much I must / confess. AIPHONSINE. I know it sounds weird, but FAIHERTTMSHIME. Mmmm. FAIHERTLfflSHIME. M"yb. this booth is indeed- a bit too hot.

34 35 -_-

SISTER EVANGELIQUE. No begging. This is a school, not a VILIAGER #1. The girls better be here. bank. \7e have no francs for you. BLIND MAN. These girls are just lying. EMMANUEL. Please, Sister. My litde sister and I have the 'tickness." VILIAGER #3. I should have left you home in bed. This man of SISTER EVANGELIQUE. The "sickness," eh? mine. Always so negative. EMMANUEL. My parents. Both died of rhe "sickness." BLIND MAN. \foman, just hold my hand. S ISTER EVAN GELI QUE. (S ofu n i ng. ) Eeet**rhhh. (L o o k s aro und, VILIAGER#3. You are! then digs into her pocket and presents some coins.) BLIND MAN. I'm here just in case. EMMANUEL. This is all you have? VILLAGER#1. Just in case? SISTER EVANGELIQUE. Sisterhood doesnt pay very much. BLIND MAN. Just in case this is real (The sounds of singing can be heard coming in the distance.) lV/hat? EMMANUEL. I want to touch her. Shet- glowing. 'What is that sound? SISTER EVANGELIQUE. Dont! Dont go over there! She might EMMANUEL. Sounds sweet doesnt it? burn you!! (The singing is getting loudrr arcd louder.) SISTER EVANGELIQUE. I've never heard that song before ... VILLAGER #1. \X/ho is that girl talking to? EMMANUEL. The village made it up. For the girls. VILIAGER#3. \Vhere? SISTER EVANGELIQUE. For the girls? VILI"AGER #1. See her! See her over there! EMMANUEL. The girls who have favor with the Virgin. EMMANUEL. Look at that light around her. I need to touch her. SISTER EVANGELIQUE. \Zho told you that? Me and my baby sister. \7e got the "sickness." (The singinggets loudn EMMANUEL. The village is vibrating with the good news. Isn't and loudcr. A crowd is coming closer.) Please let me touch your light. it good news? Mama Mary. Here. In Kibeho? \Weve come to see (The ruoon sun, hangtng high in the sky, begins to dnnce across the aqua the miracle. btue ofthe dalt. Alpdoruine raises her hands to the sun. h spkts in half and SISTER EVANGELIQUE. There are no miracles here. (There is stuft; d"ancirlg aroind her fngertips. Rainbows sneam fom her f'ngertips' singing in Kinyarwanda comingfarfom the hllls.) 7he crowd has stopped singing stunned into silence. Another sun PzPs EMMANUEL. \fe've all come to see the girls who see. (Zhe singing outfrom behind i6e frst. And lt too sPlits in half it is a sky with four is grouing louder and loudrr and louder.) Is that one of them? suns spinning round and round. A sky uith four suns has the light ffiur SISTER EVANGELIQUE. Yes ... (Ht looks to Alphonsine, who is uniuirses, bit the llght ls nnt blinding iti warm. A cbudparts and there standing beneath a tree. She waues to him.) is aface. A sllghtface. Somahing. Lips mouing. Emmanuel starts crying) EMMANUEL. Look at thar light around her. S.e it! I.t th- skyll (The chud sudfu"U begiru to suirl lihe a tzrnado. SISTER EVANGELIQUE. Yes, there is a light. The winds start bhwing again.) EMMANUEL. look at her glowing. Just look at her. (Alphonsine S I STER EVANGELIQUE. \X/here? actualfu daes begiru to glow. It begins to blind her. The nee thatAlphonsine EMMANUEL. In the sky! Mama Mary's in the slcy!!! (There is a was xanding beneath begins to moue and sway as ifa great wind is mouing swirl of chuds. Afaintfgure can be seen. But as soon as it appears it is in, butAlphonsine stands there unmoued.) I need to touch her. (Her light disappeared by the sby.) grows brighter.) SISTER EVANGELIQUE. I ... i ... cannot see ... my eyes are burning . . . (Tlte sound coming up the hill sounds beauffil, rising like a waue coming to break ouer tbe school. Alphonsine is bathed in a beautiful light. She loohs upward.) VTLIAGER#1. \(here are they? BLIND MAN. My feet hurt. VILIAGER#3. Quit complaining.

38 39 GIRL #2. Tell us, tell us what She said again. THE GIRLS. Yes, tell us!Tell us! Scene ll ANAIHALiE. She says that young women must be chaste in spirit and chaste ofheart. GIRL #1. I dont know how much longer I can stay chaste with Night. Tlte girk' dorm. Sister Euangelique is walking pa"st. The Father Tuyishime around. girk are all abuzz, discussing what happened just hours before. GIRL #2. Me neither ... (The girls do a little handshahe.) ANAIHALIE. She says that we should not use our bodies as instruments of pleasure. Tiue love comes from God. Instead of being SISTER EVANGELIQUE. If you do not go to bed now every at the service of God, we have been at the service of men, but we bottom in here will be feeling the licks of Father Tiryishimet cane. must make of our bodies instruments destined to the glory of God. (Tlte girls look at each other with euen more excitement.) GIRL #3. Speak plainly, Anathalie. GIRL #3. But Sister Evangelique ANAIFIALIE. Keep your legs closed! SISTER EVANGELIQUE. But nodring.- Finish up. Then go. To. BED. THE GIRLS. Oooohhh! (Marie-Claire walhs in with a soccer ball. GIRL #3. But we just cant get it out of our minds. She is athletic and lithe, biching the ball uith her slender leg. She GIRL #4. Speak for yourself ... catches it on the back ofher head.) -Ihe GIRL #3. (Imitating tbe sun.) sun danced with us. It split in half MAzuE-CIAIRE. Anyone want to play futbol with me? again and again and then it danced with us. Sister, didnt you see it? GIRL #1. You know Sister Evangelique doesn't like it when we SISTER EVANGELIQUE. (Tots hi"S.) See what? play inside. GIRL #4. I didnt see it either. GIRL #2. Yes, Marie-Claire. GIRL #3. It is because you are a heathen. MARIE-CIAIRE. \7hat, you two dontwant to playwith me / now? GIRL #4. Are you cailing Sister Evangelique a heathen, too? (Sister GIRL #2. (Ignoring her.) And then She said we should be pious, right? Euangelique giues Girl #3 the "I'ma-beat-yo-ass-right-now" look.) ANATFIALIE. She says we mu$ be pious. GIRL #3. (Stammering.) No-no-no-no that-that is not what I meanr. MARIE-CIAIRE. No one wants to play a quick game? SISTER EVANGELIQUE. Everyone finish your wash-up. Then get THE GIRLS. NOOOI to bed. I dontwantto sayitagain. (usttherc,Alphonsine andAnathalie GIRL #3. Marie-Claire, did you see Alphonsine make the sun spin? enter with the other girls. Eueryone ignores Sister Euangelique. They MARIE-CIAIRE. I heard about it. are drying their hair off fesh from their shoouers. Zhe other girk tend GIRL #3. (Sighing.) It was sooooooooo amazing. to them. Taking away their towels, their basins, their soaps. Sister GIRL #4. Ah-ah! I dont believe it. Euangelique glowers, then goes ... ) MARIE-CIAIRE. Me neither. It is rainy season ya know. GIRL #1. Oh. My. Goodness. You made the sun spin. GIRL #4. For true! GIRL #3. You are so cool. I{uela! MAzuE-CIAIRE. For true! (Kicks the ball around. She sees the entire GIRL #1. I mean, \fO\7!You made the sun spin. dorm howtowing to her eruemiel She sets up the ball as if shei about to GIRL #2. That was just \[HOA. ktch ;t into play. She sends itfying right into the crowd of girls. It hits AIPHONSINE. I did not- make the sun spin. It was She. somebody probably An?athalie in the head.) GIRL #1. \(/hatever you did, it was the most amazing thing ever. GIRL #2.- Marie-Claire! - Oh my God. MARIE-CIAIRE. Ooops! (Mari.e-Chire and Girl #4 kugh. Marie- GIRL #2. Al-ahlYou are breaking a Commandmenr Chire retrieues the ballfom the corner and comes back to the middle of GIRL #1. Eeeeh. (Mahes the sign of the cross and starts- doing a the dorm, bouncing it on herfoot and then bouncing it on her knee.) Hail Mary.) GIRL #1. \X/hy do you play around so much?

40 4I ALPHONSINE. Are you okay, Anathalie? GIRL #3. They are doing it again! ANAIHALIE. (Picks up herglassa that hauefallen off)Marie-Clire, MAzuE-CIAIRE. I'm so sick and tired of this! (Pushes a girl offof you do not have to resort to such nastiness. I am still your friend. the bed.) Hand me that candle! MAzuE-CIAIRE. Friend? No friend of mine would link arms GIRL #4. 'Vhere? with the likes of her. V{hat, you could not stand for Alphonsine to MARIE-CLAIRE. Right there! fught there!! (The girl runs and have all the attention? retrieues tbe candle.) ANAIHALIE. No, Marie-Claire. I think that is you. GIRL #1. Marie-Claire! \Mhy are you doing this? \hy? (Marie- MARIE-CLAIRE. AhlAttention garnered in the wake of lying is Claire takes tbe candle and places it beneath Alphonsinei right arm. attention I do not need. You are insane, following this knappy- Smoke emits as fre meets flesh, but Alphonsine is so entranced she headed heathen through the gates ofhell. You both are going to doesn't feel the burn . . . ) rot for these lies. MARIE-CLAIRE. lWhat in the hellt name ... ANAIFIALIE. You just go ahead and sit high and mighty on your ALPHONSINE. (Zo the Virgirc Mary ) I' mbeing burned? (Alp honsine pedestal of judgment, Marie-Claire. You may be my best friend, moues her lfi o* out of the way. Marie-Claire stands tltere stunned as but Mother Mary is not a friend worth losing for a nonbeliever. Alphonsine refuses to moue her righs a7'7n - slls sne that is being burned. MARIE-CLAIRE. Nonbeliever? (Comes up to Anathalie to rough her Alphonsine fnally remoues the other arrn. Marie-Claire drops the candle up, but Anathalle this time decides to fight bach. The girk are utterly in fear.) shocked at Anathalie's ferociry. Almost like she's beconre a new woman.) MARIE-CLAIRE. Sister Evangelique! Sister Evangelique, they are ANAIHALIE. Look, Marie-Claire, I'm tired of your shit! doing it again. THE GIRLS. Ooooooooo! She said shit! Shit! She's tired ofyour shit! CmL +t. Oh my Godll Look at their eyes. They are rolling into ALPHONSINE. Anathalie, do not be pulled into her despair. the back oftheir heads. ANATFIALIE. fu long as she doesrit pull another one of her GIRL #3. It is a possession! pranks out ofher dirty knickers. GIRL #4. I wanito go homelThis school is overrun by demons. I MARiE-CIAiRE. (Gasping.) I do not have dirry knickers. want to go home, I need to go home, I want to go home - ANATHALIE. ThaCs right, you dont have anyl ALPHONSINE. I care not about this world. I onlywant to speak THE GIRLS. Oooooooooooot (An embarrassed Marie-Claire, your rrurh. feeling her power dwindling takes aim and sends the ball flying into MAzuE-CIAIRE. Sister Evangelique!! the group ofgirls yet again. Sister Euangelique appears at the door of GIRL #3. Oh my God! Look at their eyes. the girls' dormitory.) MARIE-CIAIRE. Sister Evangelique!!! SISTER EVANGELIQUE. That is enough Marie-Claire!!!V4rat SISTER EVANGELIQTJE. (Bursts in.)What did I tell all of you? did I tell you about playrng with that ball in herel!!! (All the girls Go. To scatter-scAtter and run to their beds.) Lights out! And put thar damn MAzuE-CLAIRE.- Sister Evangelique, look at them! ball up before I burn it! (Sister Euangelique slams the door. And the ALPHONSINE and ANATHALIE. She says we must ptay. (Tltose -X/trat. girk gigle and Stgl". They are giggling. Ofitage ) Did. L Say? girk who belieue get their rosaries out and begin to pray ... ) (Silence. Marie-Claire once again throws her ball at the girls, but tbe THE GIRLS . Our Father which art / in heauen ... ball becomesfrozen in air, as zf caught by an inuisible hand. Anathalie GIRL #3. I'm scared. I'm scared. I Thet'te scaring me. and Alphonsine's beds are bathed in the most gzrgezus light, lihe a GIRL #1. Shhh and just pray. Do as she says!! supernoua, lihe the light of euery star God euer made. Their bodies AIPHONSINE and ANAIHALIE. \7e must Pray. writhe as they are bathed in the brilliance.) MAzuE-CLAIRE. Sister Evangelique! Look at them. GIRL#1. OhmyGod! SISTEREVANGELIQUE. No no no no no no no, mydear children. GIRL #2. \fhat is going on? Do not be fooled. (The dorminry is flled with prayer.)

42 43 ALPHONSINE and ANATHALIE. She says we must pray for the sorneone or something hn hched the daor. They cannot ga out. There sins of man. (A tofi uoice comes riding in on the wind. Bunery and is nowhere to ran. Notphere to hidc. Three big bangs occur. The bed slidcs through the chaos like smohe and embraces the bigest sweet. b Alpbonsine fl.oats aboue breaks in half. The bed Anathake floats nonbelieaer of them all ... ) aboae breads in half, The bed Marie-Claire f'oats aboue breaks in MARIE-CIAIRE. \7hat, who is this? (Loohs to Anathalie and half Bkchout.) Alphonsine.) Anathdie! Alphonsine! You are playrng tricks on me! You are playing tricks. (But they are too busy looking u1t into End ofAct One the sh1. Their rnoaths Are not mouing. Marie-Claire buchles ouer as if she's about to uomit.) I am feeling faint SISTER EVANGELIQUE. Marie-Claire- (Marie-Chire tums around and akes a swing. She alrnost punches- Sister Euangelique straight in the jaw. Sister Euangelique lurches back.) Marie-Claire! MARIE-CIAIRE. Stop calling my name! Stop calling my name! (She continues to swing.) No, I'm not. I'm NOT!! (Frantically looks about the room. Under her breath.) I'm ... I'm going crazy. I'm going crazy. Noooo. This is all a dream a dream a dream a dream a dream a dream a dream a dream a dream a dream. (Screaming at the top of her lungs.) GET OUT OF ME!! GET OUT OF MY HEAD!! I AM NOT CRAZY. I AM NOT CRAZY. NOT LIKE THEM. NOT LIKETHEM. PLEASE, GOD! I DON'T\rANT TO BE LIKE THEM. NOT LIKE THEM!! (Starts beating herself in the head. Punching at the air, trying to hnock Our Lady out. Our Lady skps her in the face. Marie-Claire doubles ouer. She hnds on the bed. Argasmic.) It feels like butter melting in my belly. (Marie- Claire is taken ouer by the rapture. Her toes curl and her body shaka and quahes.) SISTER EVANGELIQUE. You are having a seizure! She is having a seizure! FatherTuyishime! Help! Help!! (fu.ns out into the hall,utay.) MARIE-CI"A.IRE. \(hat is this? \Mhat is happening to me? (She continues to quahe. And pulse. Then sudd.enly, Alphonsine and Anathalie rise into the air! The girb ttart screa.rning at the two flying aboae their heads! Moaning.) Yessssss I can feel you. (Sister Euangelique runs back infrom the hallway.- She screarns!) Yesssss I can touch you. (Marie-Claire reaches her ltands out! Sister Euangelique- stands stunned at the scene ... ) SISTER EVANGELIQUE. Marie-Claire! You, too? MARIE-CIAIRE. YES!!!! (Marie hoks up and she is bathed in Our Lady's light. Her body skckenl And she is hoistedfar aboue the heads of eueryone, joiningAnathalie andAlphonsine in the sky. 7he Trini4t is nou com?lete. The girb are screaming. They are scrarnbling. But

44 45 FATHER TLMSHIME. A hill that stops at Heavent doorstep. (Points out the windnw.) Look at that view. They call it the Switzerland ACT T\UTO of Africa. -Who FATHER FLAVIA. says that? FAIHERTLI\ISHIME. There is a saying in our country: Rwanda Scene I is so beautiful that even God goes on vacation here. FAIHER FLAVIA. He might vacation in Rwanda' but always remember He lives in Rome. \We from Six months later. Father Tuyishime\ ffice. Father Tuyishime FAIHERTLMSHIME. I see ... are glad that someone sits at his desb. Father Flauia, an ltalian priest, sits opposite. the Vatican has taken the time to grace Kibeho with a papal presence. A group of girls are outside the door whispering. FAIHER FlAVlA. Eh, well, the Pope was too busy so ... (Tltry burst into laughter.) FAIHER TLMSHIME. It is a joy to see these young women THE GIRLS . (Sotto uoce.) It'sJesus!Jesus ... Come here. Look! Itt confirmed. Validated - Jesus! Jesusl FAIHER FlAVlA. Validated? FATHER TLMSHIME. Father Flavia, I'm so glad you could FAIHERTLT\IISHIME. 'il4ry, yes, is notyour role here but to validate? make it. FAIHER FIAVIA. I a-m onlyhere to be the Churcht eyes and ears. THE GIRLS. (Getting loader.) It's Jesus! It's Jesusl Muzungu! I could never validate, just gather the evidence. MuzunguJesus! FAIHERTLMSHIME. Surely we must be valid enough if youve FAIHERTLMSHIME. Sa! (Shooes them away. The girk run, but come this far. \7e must be important ifyou are here to be the Churcht their excited wbispers can still be heard down the corridor.) eyes and ears, as you say. so naive as to think that' THE GIRLS . (Sotto uoce.) It's Jesus! It's Jesus! FAIHER FLAVIA. Surely you are not FAIHER FlAVlA. They are very excitable. The validations of apparitions must carry with them the weight of FATHERTLI\TSHIME. They act like theyve never seen a white remarkable evidence, and three broken beds in a girls' dormitory in man before. Forgive them, please. Rwanda does not remarkable evidence make. FATHERFLAVIA. Th.y are forgiven. FAIHERTLITSHIME. So you are not here to prove them right FAIHERTTMSHIME. \7ould you like some water? but rather to prove them wrong? FAIHER FLAVIA. \fould love. FAIHER FlAVlA. I should have been a lawyer. FATHERTLI\1SHIME. It's not holy, but it'll have to do. (Fills a FAIHERTLIflSHIME. But it happened. can of water. Father Flauia accepts but does not drink. Beat.) FAIHER FlAVlA. \fere you there? \fere you a witness? FAIHER FLAVIA. (Loohing deep into the cup, inspecting it ... ) If FAIHER TUYISHIME. No, but were you there when Jesus only I could turn warer into wine. (Knocks h back.) was crucified? FAIHER TTIYISHIME. Father Flavia, I hope the trip has not FAIHER FLAVI.A. I'm not that old, Father. been too rough for you. FAIHERTLMSHIME. \7ell, some things do not need to be seen FAIHER FLA\TA. Ah, the plane ride was fine. Rome to Addis in order to believed. Ababa then Kigali. But the road to Kibeho ... SISTER EVANGELIQUE. (Appears at the dnor.) And yet some FAIHERTLMSHIME. (Laughing.)... is not a road. do. I had to see for myself if the Son had come down from heaven' FAIHER FLAVIA. (Fanning himself.)It is a bumpy spiral staircase (Chuchting to herself.) Jesus, indeed. (The two men look towards the up a very huge hill. door to see Sister Euangelique towering.) FATHERTLMSHIME. Rumors spread fast here.

45 47 SISTER EVANGELIQUE. If only I could say the same for truth. FAIHERTLT\aISHIME. (To Sister Euangelique.) And what about FATHER TLILISHIME. Father Flavia is on special assignment you? \7ere you suffering from hysteria? from the Holy See. SISTEREVANGELIQUE. I was suffering from trickery. if I could SISTEREVANGELiQUE. First time I am hearing about this special go back to that night and smoke out the culprit who helped them '$7ish visit from our friends at the Vatican. the deputy head nun would work their magic trick, I would. have been informed of such a special visiror to Kibeho College. FAIHERTLMSHIME. I know your girls are strong and all, Iifting FATHER FIA\TA. (Holds out his hand to Sister Euarcgeliqie.) And and balancing jerricans atop their heads for hours at a time, but you must be that depury head nun. certainly they cannot have lifted themselves and their beds with SISTER EVANGELIQUE. Let us nor concern ourselves with their minds. such silly little titles; just call me Sister Evangelique. I am just glad SISTER EVANGELIQUE. \7ould you rather they have been my suggestion someone is here to investigate these girls. possessed by the devil? if they are not lying, which let us hope to thalper -What FATHER FIAVIA. do you think of these ... occurrences? God they are, then surely it was the devil himself that entered (Sister Euangelique loobs to Father Tuyishime for approual to speah. those girls. He giues it.) FAIHER FLAVIA. (Agreeing.) Tiuth be told, it sounds more like SISTEREVANGELIQUE. Me? I am not of the same mind as my a possession. superior here. FAIHER TLMSHIME. I have performed an exorcism before. FATHER FIAVIA. (To Father Tryishime.) So you believe the visions This was no such thing. The room smelled like jasmine on a misry are real? morning for weeks. In fact, the girls have turned the dormitory into FATHER TLMSHIME. I dont know if I believe they are real . .. a chapel, eh a shrine! Stacked the broken beds and surrounded it I just ... I just hope they are. with fruits for- the Virgin to eat. No, no, no ... The devil did not FATHER FIAVIA. Hoping and believing are rwo different things, enter these gates of Kibeho. Father Tiryishime. SISTER EVANGELIQUE. But you were not there. ,Iwas there. FAIHERTLMSHIME. Cannot have beliefwithout hope thatwhat Me. And what I saw were three girls shaking hands with the devil. you are believing is rrue. Father Flavia, I hope you find what you have come here for, which FATHER FLA\iIA. (Smiling.) I'll drink to that. \fhen was the last are rhree lying little blaspheming snots "vision," as you call it? FATHER TLMSHIME. Sister - ..,'./' FATHER TUYISHIME. The Virgin Mary has been coming SISTER EVANGELIQUE. Excuse- me, I must go pray. You will frequently, visiting with the girls since the dorm incident sii find me in the chapel if you need me. (S*tfib excuses herself) lnonths ago. But that incident was perhaps the mosr expressive of FATHER FIAVIA. Oh, my. She would fit in splendidly at the them. The girls flew into the sky like crested cranes. After which Holy See. their beds rose and buckled mid-fight. Sister Evangelique saw it FAIHERTTMSHIME. Yes, her habit is steeped in the perfume even though she will not admit ... of skepticism. SISTER EVANGELIQUE. 'Til this day I know not the heathens FATHER FIAVIA. Smells divine. who hoisted them into the sky. FATHER TLMSHIME. No, what is divine is that there have FAIHER FlAViA. So you were the only witness? been continuing occurences ... miracles happening. FATHERT\IflSHIME. Other girls saw ir, roo FAIHER FLAVIA. Miracles? Here? SISTER EVANGELIQUE. (Vith a waue of her- band ff6ey FATHERTLMSHIME. Yes, there seems to be such a thing. The were - suffering from hysteria. girls say Nyina wa Jambo v7an15 thsrn FATHERFLA\TA. As young girls arewont to do. FAIHER FIAVIA. Nina-who-wha? -

48 49 FAIHER TLIflSHIME. (Enunciating budly and' sbulfu Nyina wa FAIHER FIAVIA. Liturgical, psychological, medical - that is all. Jambo. That is what the girls say She calls herself "Mother of the \7ord." It is what we at the Holy See require for the Congregation's archive. FAIHER FIAVIA. So the Vrgin Mary speaks Minimum. V4rere are the girls? FAIHER TLMSHIME. Kinyarwanda. - FAIHERTI-MSHIME. Follow me. (Father Fkuia stands upfom his FAIHER FIAVIA. 'Well, she certa-inly knows how to get to all of chair. Fathn Tuyishime begins to bad hlm out of the ffice, but thm he her children. stops Father Flauia.)I mvstwarn you. She said something to them. To FAIHER TLMSHIME. Indeed. In fact, She wants the girls to one girl especially. She has a message. A message for the president. start having weekly presentations with the people of the village. FAIHER FfAVlA. A message for the president? Of Rwanda? Spread her message "like seeds on a flower bed," She says' (Beat. Does she have a message for the Pope as well? Father Flauia tabes this all in.) FAIHER TLMSHIME. \fell, actually ... (Passes him a sheet of FAIHER FIAVIA. Do you know what a precession is, Father? papen Father Flauia reads it.) FAIHERTLMSHIME. \When someone dies we have one. FAIHER FIAVIA. Oh, my. FAIHER FIAVIA. No, Father, that is a procession, I saidprrcession. FAIHERTLMSHIME. Of course shed like to tell you herself. FAIHERTTMSHIME. Is this something I should know about? FAIHER FLAVIA. Of course, of course ... lett see if the world is FAIHER FIAVIA. The world is round, correct? indeed wobbling. FAIHERTLMSHIME. That is what IVe been told. FATHERFIAVIA. Theworld revolves on an axis, and wery25,800 years, supposedly the earth wobbles on its axis. Itt called precession. \7hen it happens, the constellations in the night sky change. The Scene 2 North Star is no longer the North Star. Tiue north points to some other star. \7e are due for another wobble in about, oh, 18,274 years. FAIHER TIMSHIME. I do not understand why this is of The girk sit in the courEard cafaeria, eating lunch. Alphonsine, importance to the girls, / Father Flavia. Anathalie, and nout Marie-Claire sit at a table all their own. FAIHER FLAVIA. Do you beliwe in God, FatherTiryishhne? (Pause.) The other girls bok at them in aue. FATHERTI-MSHIME. Of course. Dont you? FAIHER FIAVIA. Of course, of course ... but sometimes I wonder if God made the stars or if the stars made Him. MARIE-CIAIRE. I hope FatherTiryishime's sermon is better than FAIHERTLMSHIME. Are you a man of the cloth or a scientist? last week. FAIHER FIAVIA. (Smiling.) Both. I have traveled all over the ANAIHALIE. His face is sermon enough. Thkes me to heaven for world to suss out the truth of these happenings. Our Lady has the hour. His tongue just ruins it. shown Her face in Portugal. In Italy, quite naturally; even in the MARIE-CIAIRE. Anathalie, you are going to hell. Straight to hell. mountains of India; but never, ever in the jungles ofAfrica. ANAIHALIE. (Vith a smirk on her lips.)Yell, see you there. (Girl FAIHERTTMSHIME. \7ell, this is not a jungle, Father. #1 walks up to the Trinity.) FATHER FIAVIA. I beg your pardon, Father? GIRL #1. Marie-Claire, can you bless my rosary? FAIHERTLMSHIME. Rwanda is not the jungle. MAzuE-CIAIRE. Of course, dear child. (Commences to blessing ... FAIHER FIAVIA. Could have fooled me. \7e are about to embark Suddznly Father Tuyishirne and Father Flauia come into the cour4tard.) on a long journey, my dear friend. Confirmations are indeed a long THE GIRLS. (Giggling sotto uoce.) Jesus. It's Jesus ... -Well, and arduous process ... \7here can I wash my hands? I hope you MARIE-CIAIRE. if it isnt the muzungu ... dont mind, but I would like to stan these tests as soon as possible. ANAIHALIE. She said the trials will come. FAIHERTLMSHIME. Tests, what kinds of tests? ALPHONSINE. \fell, let them start. This is all par for the course.

50 5r Anathalie! ANATHALIE. I m ready, Alphonsine, but something tells me he ALPHONSINE. (Surprised.) can may grade more harshly than even Sister Evangelique ... FAIHER FIA\TA. Mmph. How splendid that I FAIHERTLMSHIME. And there they are. The fighter, Marie- understand you. Your French is magnifque. Claire Mukangango. Name means "\7oman." To her rightAnathalie MARIE-CIAIRE. Qn Kinyarwanda.) Icayawe qrumui.kann nF i.ngurube Muka-mazimpak" ibyara. [tJnfortunately yours sounds like apiggiuing binh.J FAIHER FIA\TA.- Mukamizima-whaaaa? FAIHER FLAVIA. \7hat did she say? FAIHER TI-MSHIME. Mukamazimp"k" means "One who AIPHONSINE. Only that we all should be thankful for your brings peace," and the first one, the genesis, Alphonsine- Mumureke, compliment. (Mmmmhmmm.) sit? "Leave her alone, she speala the truth." (Lookingat them is like staring FAIHER FLAVIA. May I (All directfu at the sun and not being blindcd. Father Flauia cannot break MARIE-CIAIRE. smiles now.)Vell, what are you tvvo waiting for? the man. (Marie-Claire, his gaze.) Make room for Anathalie, Alphonsine. FAIHER FIAVIA. A trinity. Gotta love God. Always works in threes. foreuer the Queen Bee, swats at them to mahe room. She instantly turns FATHERTLMSHIME. That is what the villagers have begun to into the cubural ambassador of the group.) \7e heard that you have call them! They have been slaughtering goats daily for the girls. come here to test us. Please, come and have some. ANAIHALIE. Marie-Claire, you really do not have any manners 'Would FAIHER FIA\TA. love. (Valks past the schoolgirk, who about yourselfr FATHER FlAVlA. You indeed do get right to the point. Part to make way for the uthite man.) MARIE-CIAIRE. W'ell, the day after tomorrow belongs to the THE GIRLS. (Flirting.) Jesus. Hey, Jesus! FAIHER TI-MSHIME. (To the other girk, in Kinyanuanda.) Ni fool. Mother Mary told us you were coming. FATHER Did She? And what else did She say? (The girls kangaha ngomba kubabgira! [How many times do I haue to tell yu!] FlAVlA. (To the Trinifl.) Girls, please meet gigle amongst themselues. ) (Coy.)Wouldnt THETRINITY. Father Flavia. - MAzuE-CIAIRE. you like to know. \7hat questions for you? FAIHER FLAVIA. \fell, the wind certainly has wings here. can we answer (Taking out hi.s pad of paper.) The Holy See FAIHERTLT\ISHIME. fls'5 Lrsls 1e FAIHER FlAVtA. a spiritual knowledge be in compliance with THETRINITY. \7e know. - requires that visionary's Church doctrine. (Alphonsine loohs to lter counterparts to translate.) ALPHONSINE. SEs has told us. Alphonsine, what he means is that he wants to FAIHER FIAVIA. She?Father, can I speakwith the girls, privately? MAzuE-CIAIRE. we are good little Catholic schoolgirls. Isnt that right, (Tbey look around to see eueryone staring.) know if Father Flavia? FAIHERTTMSHIME. There are no walls here. -Where FAIHER FIAVIA. Indeed. is Mary buried? FATHER FIAVIA. I iust think it would be better, if I got acquainted She was buried. She was assunted, body and with the girls. Abit. By myself. MAzuE-CIAIRE. not FATHERTUYTSHIME. S*.Iy, aryrhing you need to ask can be soul into heaven. is God the Holy Spirit? ALPHONSINE. FatherTuyishime, it is frne. (Pause.) - FAIHER FLAVIA. Good. Anathalie, FATHERTLMSHIME. Fine, but please make it quick. The girls ANATFIALIE. Yes, Father. have Mass soon. (Hahingly ualhs away and joins Sister Euangelique FAIHER FIAVIA. The Son? standing on the other side ofthe courtlard.) ANAIFTALIE. Yes. Is Father the Son? MARIE-CIAIRE. (To Father Flauia.) Please ask as many questions FAIHER FLAVIA. the you want. ANAIHALIE. No, Father. Alphonsine. ANAIHALIE. \7e can answer a million if need be. Anything to FAIHER FLAVIA. Alphonsine ... ALPHONSINE. Yes. Yes. My answer is yes. miss Ma -

52 53 FAIHER FIAVIA. But I havent even asked the question yet? MAzuE-CIAIRE. I wouldnt have had to if Alphonsine didnt MAzuE-CIAIRE. (Bark ing in Kiruyarwanda. ) Alp h onsine gichuc hu have the brain ofa gecko. itonde. [Alphonsine, you idiot. Get it together.J ALPHONSINE. Sorry sorry... (Indicating ALPHONSINE. Qn Kinyarwaruda. ) M b abarira. M bab arira. IS orry. ANAIHALIE. Ohwell, if I fall asleep no onewill know. ril/hat Sorry.J Qn English.) is the question? her glasses.) That's the great thing about these thick things, dont FATHER FIAVIA. Are God, the Son, and the Holy Spirit one? you think so Alphonsine? Alphonsine ... (ButAlphonsine is obliuious, (Pause.) lookingfar into the distance as the winds begin to blow. A warmth flls AIPHONSINE. Nooooo. the space, like dinner rolls bahing in an ouen.) Shes herc. Nyina uaJambo (Tht Trinity are MAzuE-CIAIP€. Qo Ki ny ana anda. ) Alp h o ns i ne, igisu b izo ni y ego. MAzuE-CIAIRE. - [Alphonsine, the answer is yes.J sudfunly brought to their hnees, staring in tlte same direction as before. ALPHONSINE. (In Kinyarwanda.) Iki? Uyu muzungu ari kun High aboue their heads. A mad hush enuehps the air. All the other girls uanga. [l(hat? Th^ white man is confusing me.J grow qaiet and surround them.) MARIE-Cf-NP. J.. Qn Kinyarwarcda.) Nibyo agomba gukora, ushaka GIRL #2. Look how they stare at the sun as if they are staring into huba umu aisioneri cyangwa? fThat is uhat he's supposed to d.o. Do you darkness. want to be a uisionary or not?J GIRL #3. Move over. I want to be closer. (The Trinity are steadfast ALPHONSINE. (In Kinyarwanda.) Stmbi shaha nhawe. [I don't and rapt, their unblinking eyes seared to a uision upward. Marie- want it as bad as you do.J Claire in trance mode is pitch-perfect. Tltey sing in nrelodic harmony.) ANAIHALIE. (In Kinyarwanda.) Mwebi muziba nonaha! [Shut THE TRINITY. (In Ki.ruyarwanda.) Mariya mubyeyi mwiza ut' up, both of you, ri.ght nowlJ (Marie-Claire jeers towards Anathalie. dmahoro. Ni wow'abakristu bose bakunda. [Mnry,Mother of Peace' It She then sharply tarns t0 Father Flauia.) is you utho all Christians cherish.J Tu rahwambaza mutoni to'imana MARIE-CIAIRE. Knowing the answers to your litde questions is not du haki rw'iteha huri Yezu. [Ve pray to you, Mother of God, intercede what makes us visionaries. It is She.'We do not need your approval. for us before Jesus.J (More and more girls place their rosaries into Marie' FAIHER FLAVIA. If you want to be a visionary my approval is Claire's hands, until she has a mourutain dartgling from her arms. what you need most. Father Fkuia slnwly walks up to Alphonsine staring at the heauerus.) confirmed. MARIE-CIAIRE. These other girls might joke that you are Jesus, FAIHERTLYISHIME. Finally, these girls will be EVANGELIQUE. Enh-henh. (Father Fkaia stands in but you are not Him, so do not walk around as such. SISTER ,r"/' FAIHER FIA\TA. Indeed that is very true, Marie. But I cant font ofAlphonsine for a beat. He then pulk out a long needle from his help but wonder why Mother Mary would pick young girls who do robe. It catcltes the light of the sun.) 'W'ait, not know simple basic liturgy. Furthermore, why She would choose FAIHERTLMSHIME. what are you doing? V{hat are you someone with such a nasrF disposition ... doing? (Father Flauia quickly plunges the needle into Alphonsine's MAzuE-CIAIRE. lWell, God works in mysterious ways. eyelSrop itl (Father Flauia pulk it out. Alphonsine just keeps lookirtg AIPHONSINE. Please give me another question. Let me answer up into ihe sby. Father Tuyishime runs and grabs Father Flauia.) another _ FAIHER FLAVIA. Let go of me. FATHER FlAVtA. (Slaps his notebook closed.) No, no no we are FAIHER TLMSHIME. \7hat do you think youre doing? You done ... for now ... (Gets up just as the bell rings. The bell rings. cannot hurt these girls. Father Flauia walks away.) FAIHER FIAVIA. I am not hurting them; I am testing them. SISTEREVANGELiQUE. Everyone, time to head to the chapel. FAIHERTI-MSHIME. You are torturing them! Now. FAIHER FIAVIA. Sister Evangelique, I need your help. If Father ANAIHALIE. \7hy did you have to chase the muzungu away? Tiryishime wont help me, surely you will? Hold her still, please. Now we have to go to Mass.

54 55 SISTER EVANGELIQUE. Certainly. (Sister Euangelique doesnT eaen haue to think about it. She's ouer there beside him in a hurry.) FATHER TL aISHIME. (To Sister Euangelique.) Don't. Dont Scene 3 do this. FATHER FLA\1A. Hold her tighdy. FATHERTLfflSHIME. (Grabs Sister Euangelique.) Must you be Father Tuyishimei ffice. In media res a persecutor as well? - SISTER EVANGELIQUE. They must be outed. They must be outed at once. (Yanks herselffrom Father Tuyishime's grip. Father BISHOP GAFIAMAi\M. But FatherTiryishime - Flauia is now in font of Alphonsine, poised t0 plunge the needle FAIHERTLMSHIME. Thatt enough for his euidence- through her sternum. She takes her place behlnd Alphonsine.) FAIHER FlAVlA. I need more FATHER TLMSHIME. You can plainly see that she is lost. FAIHERTI-MSHIME. That is -enough- Alphonsine is lost in the rapture FATHER FIA\IA. The medical commission will need a firll vetting FATHER FIAVIA. The Congregation- for the Doctrine of the Faith of medical and psychological history. For all I know, these girls have demands this for consideration. Th.y must pass the medical tests. a high tolerance for pain. FAIHERTLMSHIME. This is what theVatican calls a medical test? FATHER TI-MSHIME. A high tolerance for pain? Conrary to FAIHER FlAViA. This is only the beginning. popular belief, we Africans are too made of blood and bone. Indeed FAIHERTLMSHIME. This is BARBARIC! if we stay in the sun too long, we faint. FAIHER FIAVIA. Those who see Her, I mean really see Her, cant FAIHER FlAVlA. Hmph. feel a thing. You can twist their heads to the point where they are FATHERTLMSHIME. \7e bleed when you slice our dark fesh. Iooking backwards, or try to rip their legs from their sockets and And that is what you did. You sliced into dark innocent flesh. \7e still, still they cant feel a are on a hill, but this is not Calvary Father. FAIHERTLMSHIME.- (Grabs the needhfrom Father Flauia who FATHER FlAVlA. Your Excellency, please, make him listen. has its point poised to plunge into lter sternum.) GIYE ME THIS! FATHER TLMSHIME. I am the head of this school. Kibeho BISHOP GAHAMANA. (Interrupting.) Father Tuyishime, let College is myhill. ll1y responsibility. Father Flavia do what he has come here to do. (They turn to see that BISH-OP GAHAMA\M. No one is claiming the contrary Father the Bishop has found his wa! up the hill. He looks ouer the proceedings Tuyishime somberly.) These girls have to prove rhemselves. Let them. Let them FAIHER TLMSHIME.- You no longer have my permission to in the eyes of God. (Beat. Father Tuyishime carc do nothing. Father continue with these tests. Flauia nods, then plunga tbe needle deep into Alphonsine\ sternum, FATHER FLAVIA. I do not need Tour permission. which tricbLes blood like tbe body of Chrkt on the noss. Sbe should be FAIHERTLMSHIME. Oh, yes, you do. in tenible pain. But sbe does not moue. She does not flinch, for sbe is BISHOP GAFIAMANYI. FatherTiryi swept up in the rapture. The girls continue to sing as blood runs a riuer FAIHERFIA\TA. I do not needyourpermission- as I have been sent into the brown ground.) by the Pope, let me repeat, the Pope, to be the eyes and ears of the Church. The Church io which you supposedly vowed a lifetime of obedience and supplication. Now, if you do not let me do my job then I will leave. I will pack my bags and BISHOP GAHAMA\M. FatheiFlavia,- please let us not get ahead ofourselves _

55 57 FAIHER TLr\TSHIME. \7e have to protect these girls. \7e can BISHOP GAHAMANYI. \X/ho is, or who should be? not let blood pool in these halls just to prove a point. FAIHER TLTYISHIME. Either. BISHOP GAHAMANM. But you do admit that it is a point that BISHOP GAHAMAI\M. Sister Evangelique. needs to be proven 6y any means necessary. FAIHER TLMSHIME. Really? FAIHERTLMSHIME. By any means necessary? Tlh! BISHOP GAHAMANYL Yes, she should. But you, dear Father BISHOP GAIIAMA\I\1. \7e are embarking on a confirmation Tiryishime, were chosen for a reason. You are Tutsi, correct? process. Apparitions require great evidence. (Uncomfortable beat.) FAIHERTUYISHIME. You saw how the girls bled with no feeling. FAIHERTTMSHIME. Yes. Yes, I am. You saw everything. That is enough. BISHOP GAIIAMANYI. As has everyking of our land beenTutsi. FAIHER FLAVIA. That is not enough. FAIHERTLT\TSHIME. \7e are a royal tribe. FATHERTTI\ISHIME. \fell, what about the beds? BISHOP GAHAMANYI. Correction, we are a chosen tribe. FAIHER FLAVIA. (Snorts his disapproual.)lh\s guy. FATHERTLMSHIME. I would say by Belgian corroboration. FATHERTLT\1SHIME. You need to leave. You need to leave the BISHOP GAHAMANYI. Corroboration indeed, but support premises at once. nonetheless. You are chosen. You, Father Tiryishime, have been BISHOP GAHAMANYI. Father Tiryishime chosen ... by me. F,\THERTLI\TSHIME. I am the head of the- school. I d.emand FAIHERTLMSHIME. Am I but a figurehead? that he \eaves. BISHOP GAHAMANYI. You are truly a figure, but being a head? FATHER FLAVIA. You have a weak stomach for tardir I see. lf you I'm not so sure. There is always someone above the head, above the have seen the dnings I've seen. Seen the lengdns parishioners will go to tree, and dare I say above the sky. You must remember butter cannot manipulate dne Church for their own benefit. Belief in the impossible fight against the sun. I understand your concern. I truly do' but if trumps even rhe power of believing in God, which is in itself quite *. do .tot allow him the space and time for an investigation we will impossible. If what they are claiming is indeed happening heie, if regret it. Horribly. God has touched their hem, they will be cloaked in ihe sun, which FAIHERTLMSHIME. And why is that? (Pause.) on this earth, would make. Them. God. They have to earn rhat BISHOP GAIIAMANM. Since this all started happening there cloak, my dear boy. That power must be earned. (No, he didn\ have been seven youths who claim to have visions of the Virgin Mary. Mmm, yes, /te did. The Fathers haue reached an intpasse.) FAIHER TLMSHIME. Seven? BISHOP GAHAMANYI. Sister Evangelique . . . Sister Evangelique . . . BISHOP GAIIAMAi\M. Seven so-called visionaries. You remember (Tho"Sh she was listening in the conidor, she pretends that sbe iat far that boy, Emmanuel, who had the sickness? Claimed that he was aw at. ) SISTER EVANGELI QUE! cured that day the sun danced? \fell, now Emmanuel is saying he SISTER EVANGELIQUE. Yes, Your Excellency, sorry, I was down saw in a corn field. Can you believe? Jesus' In a corn field? Jesus -Who the hallway. Far, far down the hallway FATHERTLMSHIME. is to say this boy did not in fact see BISHOP GAHAMANYI. Can you please- show Father Flavia to what he said he saw? the visitors' quarters? Father Flavia, perhaps you would like to BISHOP GAHAMANYI. Jesus? In a corn field? take a nap before supper? (He says this mori like a command than FAIHERTLTYISHIME. Seems like the perfect place aqtthing else.) BISHOP GAFIAMANYI. Said he had hair of knotty- ropes that FAIHER FlAVlA. Yes, I would like that very much, Your Excellency. fell around his shoulders like a lion. And that he was a tall, wiry ( G ercufzas, th en fo llows S is re r E ua n ge liq u, o, i. ) man wrapped in a kitenge. A kitenge? \7ell, Emmanuel was soon BISHOP GAHAMANYI. (Turns his attentizn bach to Father stripped d in the streets, his clothes shredded like banana \When Tuyishime.) two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers. le"u.r b.fot.""k a feast. They say he has gone mad staring at the sun FATHERTLMSHIME. Vho is the head of thii school? looking for this Jesus. He and the others are all just ctazy chtldten

58 59 who have caught the religious fever, but these girls, these girls could the belly of the clouds ... we shall call it Our Lady of Kibeho, a make the sun shine forever on this small little village no o.r. knows church surrounded by millions, mi.llions dancing with love. about, cares about. FATHERTLMSHIME. Is that what you see, Bishop? (Beat') FAIHER TLI\aISHIME. This is a change of heart from your BISHOP GAIIAMANYI. 'Vhy yes, my dear son, dont you? previous position. \7e descend from kings, Father. \7e are the chosen ... As it goes for BISHOP GAFIAMANYI. Do you know how many people visited these girls. These girls-... are meant to be confirmed. Let them be' Fatima after those three little children saw rhe Virgin Miry? FAIHER TLMSHIME. I understand, Your Excellenry. FATHERTLI\1SHIME. No, but BISHOP GAHAMAI\[{. i knew you would. \fell, I have to get BISHOP GAHAMANYI. A million- a year. Can you imagine a home in time for supper. Shet making G-nut sauce tonight. (Starts million a year descending upon Kibeho? The villagers could sell wobbling out of the door.) rosaries, shirts, tapes of the girls' lovely messages FATHERTLMSHIME. Let me help you down the hill. I see your FAIHERTTMSHIME. Our faith cannot be commodified,- Bishop. kneeb still paining you. BISHOP GAFIAMANYI. I'm not talking about commodification, BISHOP GAHAIvIA\M. Oh, I'm fine. I've been moving up and I'm talking about confirmarion. These girls are our only chance, down a bit better. The wife makes a tea-leaf bandage for it every and we need to help them any way we can. They are already passing night. Made the swelling go down. the medical resrs, but the liturgical ones, EN-HENH ... FATHER TLIYISHIME. Your Excellency, I ve been meaning to FATHERTLMSHIME. Alphonsine gets nervous 5enyslirns5 ask ... Your wife? BISHOP GAHAMANYL (Learcs in. Pulls zut apaperfum his robe- BISHOP GAHAMANY-I. (Vinks at the Father.) Only in Rwanda and sets it on Father Tuyishime's desb.) WelI, sometimes even us can a Bishop take a wife. (Tbry do their mart-mode cracking up thing chosen ones need some help. Make sure Alphonsine knows these but then thiy are interrupted by the sound of a waue of uoices lresting answers backwards and forward. She must pass the next tesr ouer the hif Dusk is turiing into night. Along the borizon gas lanterns FAIHER TLMSHIME. If she gets everything right, he will- be light tbe wayfor a grouP of uillagers. It seems like t!9 spage y''here.the suspicious. s&ies meet ihi tort| oi ditted iirh hundreds and hundreds making BISHOP GAHAMA\M. Say theVirgin Mary told her dae answers. their way to high point on the hill.) FATHER T\JYISHIME. That would be cheating. FAIHERTLTYISHIME. My God .'. BISHOP GAHAMANYT. lt would be studying. BISHOP GAHAMANYI. See, Father Tiryishime. Looks like the FATHERTLMSHIME. So youwant me to iie? people have chosen them, too. BISHOP GAHAMANYI. I want you ro help, Goddamnit! I have seen Alphonsine's grades. You would rhink that a Tutsi woman would have passed on berter smarrs to her child. youd think she was Hutu with how stupid FAIHER TLMSHIME. -(Barkircg.) BISHOP GAHAMANyI, $ortening.) Your Excellency, (Euen tofiu.) please. (Beat.) BISHOP GAFIAIvIANII. This will be good for Kibeho. Good for the future of Rwanda. FAIHERTLMSHIME. The future of Rwanda? BISHOP GAHAMANYI. If these girls are confirmed, and they will be confirmed, Father Tiryishime, with or without your help, they will make a name for Rwanda, a name for this village. In the future I see a shrine, taller than any tree, with a steeple thaiscratches

60 6T AIPHONSINE. To tell you the truth. I'm not that big of a fan of the Old Testament. The New Testament has a bit more ... acdon. Scene 4 FATHER TLMSHIME. \fhat about the tale of Sodom and Gomorrah? ALPHONSINE. Ah-ah Mghttime. Father Tuyishime's ffice. Father Tuyishime and FAIHERTLMSHIME. Samson and Delilah? Alphonsine are studying by candlelight. AIPHONSINE. Ah-ah. FAIHERTLMSHIME. Ruth? ALPHONSINE. Boring. FAIHERTLMSHIME. Is rhe Eucharist Christ's bodv and blood? FAIHERTLMSHIME. Fine. V/hat about '.. Cain andAbel? ALPHONSINE. No. It is not his flesh Thatt one of my favorites . .. "And the Lord said to Cain . . . 'W/hat FATHER TLMSHIME. Alphonsine! - have you donei You. brothert blood cries out to Me from the AIPHONSINE. The answer is yes?!?!! ground! So now you are cursed from the ground that opened its FATHERTLMSHIME. Yesssss ... Lonth to receive your brothert blood you have shed."' ALPHONSINE. But Father, we are not cannibals. ALPHONSINE. I dont like that story. FATHERTTMSHIME. Catholics are. The answer is yes. FATHERTLMSHIME. \Vhy not? ALPHONSINE. The wafer turns into the body of Christ? Eh-eh, ALPHONSINE. Cain just gets awaywith it. I dont believe. FATHER TLTYISHIME. No, he was left to wander the world \With FAIHER TLI\1SHIME. You must. "lJnless you eat the fesh of without home. \Tithout family. an aching heart. the Son of man and drink His blood, you have no life in you; he ALPHONSINE. No, he gets to walk around with his life. It's not who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will fair. It is not fair. raise him up at the last day." FATHERTLMSHIME. (More to himself.) God never is. (Beat.) ALPHONSINE. \X&o makes such rules? ALPHONSINE. Should we be doing this, Father? Should you be FATHER TLIflSHIME. Jesus. helping me? ALPHONSINE. (Slams her hands on the desk.) Sorry, Father, I am FATHERTLMSHIME. NO. just me. Too sweet- (She perches not good at this - AIPHONSINE. You are too sweet to FAIHERTLMSHIME. Calm down herself elegantly on his desk. ) ALPHONSINE. I am never going to -get this right. I am going to fefHp{ftmSHIME. (Indicates her bandages.) Are you alright? \ook stupid in front of Father Flavia, yet again. ALPHONSINE. Yes. FATHERT\JYISHIME. No, youworit. l'll make sure youworit. FATHERTTMSHIME. He did not have to do that to you girls' ALPHONSINE. I mean, how am I supposed to know all of this? ALPHONSINE. It is fine. \7e know that we are to be tested. She I havent read the Bible. In its entirery ... has prepared us for it all. FAIHERTTMSHIME. (So disappointed.) Oh, Alphonsine ... FATHERTI-MSHIME. (Nods.) Did Sister change your bandages? neither have I. (They both break into laughter.) ALPHONSINE. No, I did not need her to. (Father Tuyishime ALPHONSINE. Fatherl knows wbat that means.) FAIHERTLTISHIME. I know. FAIHERTLMSHIME. Here, let me look. (Touches Alphonsine's AIPHONSINE. How can you call yourself a priest? sternum.) FATHER TLfYISHIME. I have the collar. Isnt that enough for AfPHONSINE. Tssssssss! you, Mademoiselle Alphonsine? FAIHERTLTflSHIME. Sorry sorry. It must hurt.

62 63 -Why FATHERTLMSHIME. not you, Alphonsine? ALPHONSINE. Yes. (He goes into his dcsb drauter and pulls out ALPHONSINE. But I am so dumb, Father' I do not know all szme more barcdages He pours some waterfrom the jerrican inlo a boul the answers. on his desk. He slowfu peels the bandagefom her sternum. He wipes the FAIHERTLMSHIME. But you know all the questions and you coagulated blood away fom her chest. h hurts. She ln pi;n.) flinches will spend a lifetime asking them. FATHERTLMSHIME. Sorry. Sorry. 6he lets him neat her.) I do not want to be like you' I want my Prayers ALPHONSINE. You still havent prayed. ALPHONSINE. answered. FATHERTLMSHIME. How do you know? to be \fell, you mu$ keeP asking the questions' ALPHONSINE. She told me. FATHERTLMSHIME. I stopped a long time ago. FAIHERTTMSHIME. She tells you a lot. ALPHONSINE. She only tells me what I need to know. FATHER TLMSHIME. Sometimes that is all we need. (He has bandaged her. They stare into each other'sfaces.) Scene 5 ALPHONSINE. Father. FAIHERTTMSHIME. Yes, Alphonsine (Alphonsine leans in to kiss the Father. Father Tuyishime sits there still,- his lips entertaircing The girk'dormitory. Tbe Ti"inityi three broken beds ky tn"f"lll the possibility of her touch. But just as Alphonsine-kisses hirn, h2 in tE, ,ornrr, cra;ked arrd caiing in ort thei'r sides' The other abruptly pushes her away.) Alphonsine! (She reaas in pain.) Are you young girk haue surrounded the bed; wi'th wildfl'ouns galher.e.d alright? Did I hurt you? countrysidr, the.Virgin^Mary to eat' Candles ALPHONSINE. Im sorry', FatherTiryishime. I'm sorry. "standfr";r\t fuits for scirctillailng orouni. the shrina Some girls tlnding t1 FATHERTLMSHIME. \7hat were you doing, Alphonsine? Others prayiig in The entire space- is abuzz with AIPHONSINE. I do not know, Father. it. front. on a Girl #2i lap. FATHERTLMSHIME. AIPHONSINE. excitemeni. A radio balances \(hy did you do that? I do not know Father. Please Alphonsine forgive me. GIRL #i. Do you have some varnish? ALPHONSINE.- I want ir to srop. I thought that maybe if I did GIRL #3. Do you have some water and flour? I need to Press my something wrong, then maybe, She would stop. She would stop uniform. talking to m,e. Stop making me feel ... feel like ... the *ay you my bed. You are wrinkling my sheets' make me feel sometimes. GIRL #2. Get offof GIRL #1. You are in bed anryay, why does it matter? FATHERTLMSHIME. And what is that, Alphonsine? some. (Passes ouer the nail polish') AIPHONSINE. Loved. GIRL #4. I have GIRL #2. Pink will look good with your skin' FATHERTTIYISHIME. Alphonsine. I cant imagine the burden GIRL #1. It's not for me. Itt for the Virgin Mary' tfraq lou must have to bear right now. The emotions that you are GIRL #4. Ewe! Give it back. If Shet so 6eautiful she doesnt need dealing with. I do not envy you. But always remember that God does not give us more than we can bear. my help. GIRL #3. Shhht Ziba! Nl of you. ALPHONSINE. Yes, He does. You know He does. RADIO R\fANDA. Thousands are making the pilgrimage tomorrow FATHERTLMSHIME. I wish I could help you somehow. Carry to see the girls, dubbed the Tiinity . ' . your boulder for a day, Alphonsine. But yoo.r. stronger than mi. MARIE-dhIRE. shoib.) I will not be equated with God, You could carry rwo boulders if necessary. Some of usare made for Qnfaux this life. the Son, and the Holy SPirit. yor'tt protest out there to the crowds' ALPHONSINE. \X4ry me? ANATFIALIE. Oh, i"k

65 64 MARIE-CIAIPE. Wa mugore weh! AIPHONSINE. Shhhhht MARIE-CIAIRE. \7atch the ground you tread upon' my dear girl' oPen up and [You utomanlJ GIRL #4. 'What, will you demand that the earth RADIO R\7ANDA. In preparation for the Feast of theAssumption, swallow me whole? parish priests from southwestern Gikongoro to the capital of figali MARIE-CIAIW, (Stam inching nwards Girl #4') I am warning you' lX4rat \Vhere have been sharing rapes ofthe girls' messages. (The uoice ifMaie-Ckre GIRL #4. Or what? \7hat, Marie-Claire? will you do? \Where streams through the radio. h is sweenr. Distant. A diferent timbre.) is She? \7here is your Virgin Mary, now? Eh? was She when MARIE-CLAIRE. (On radio, in a trance.) "In every garden there my mother was riddl.d wilh bulletsl Her body left on the side of the tVhere tVhere will be dry fowers, fowers that are slightly wilted, and fowers that road? was She?'Where was her Son? was everybody? -Where (All are in fi.rll bloom. People are like fowers. Some are good, some are Euerybody? were they? \IHERE \flERE THEY???? the bad, but most are in the in-between--" girk-areirunned by Girt #4\ ad.mission. Euerc the girl herself is stunned "by upon the girk.) G^IRL #1-. Can,you believe thatt you? (The girls scream and clap as what has fatteifrom her mouth. Silence dcscercds if the girls are playing a neu song.) MARIE-CIAIRE'. Ifyou would just allow me to pray for you, maybe MARIE-CIAIRE. ShhhhhhhM cant hear myselfl (On radio, in a the pain will (Reaches out n Gi.rl #4, who snatches her hand away') trance.) "--\7ilting. Almost dying. And almost living. But each and GIITL #4. I -do not needyour prayer, Marie-Claire. V/here is She? every person no matter where they are in the garden is deserving of (Runs out of the d'ormitory i'n tears.) our water, our love. Some say itt a ANATHALIE. She is right, Marie-Claire. You are not Jesus' waste to water a dying flower. But as ANAIFIALIE. \7hy does MARIE-CLAIRE. Believe me. I know that I am not a healer' If I we know life can be resurrected and Marie-Claire always get were, I wouldnt be walking around looking like somebodyt 9!n- condnue on. My beautifirl little the good messages? cushion. (Indicating her banrlages.) Poked and prodded and prodded flowers. Our love is never wasted. and poked every time we have a vision? Tsk. But, there is pleasure Never wasted on kindness ... " in the pain of proving ... (Begins to climb into bed.) ALPHONSINE. It doesnt matter. The only thing that matrers is ANATHAUE. Oh, "bad girl, gone good." Ziba ... that it is spreading. Spreading like She said it would. MARIE-CIAIRE. Eh-eh, these months have transformed me' I GIRL #1. \7hat time is She coming tomorrow? have repented just like Mama Mary told me to do. She does not ask (Alphonirce ALPHONSINE. \7e will gather with the villagers and She will us to bi perfect, but she does ask us to be dwout .. t come when She wants. laughs, ainoying Marie-Claire.) \7e are temples, Alphonsine' Soil ANATHALIE. (Under her breath.) No, tell rhem ten, so theywill the pal"ce giteJ"nd She may refuse to come back. be there by noon. ANAfffaffE. \7hat in the world a-re you talking about, Marie- ALPHONSINE. Ten. I meant, ten A.M. sharp! Do not be late or Claire? you will miss your blessing. MARIE-CLAIRE. I have seen her. Sneaking. Alphonsine, you do GIRL #4. Tomorrow is for the fool. not belong to man. You belong to God. GIRL #1. Such a bittter nut. ALPHONSINE. You have not seen me do anphing. GIRL #2. (Shahing head.) Shame, she is still the only one left. MAzuE-CIAIRE. Dont make me say- (Alphonsine, embanassed GIRL #4. No, Sister Evangelique still has some sense about her. by Marie-Clairei warning, jumps onto her lihe a lioness.) The only one sane in this place ... ALPHONSINE. You are lYing! GIRL #1. So how do you explain the Virgin Mary speaking to MARIE-CIAiRE. (7his time Alphonsine is gettingthe better of her')I Marie-Claire now? How do you explain? am notlYOU IO{O\7 I'M NOT!! GIRL #4. M"yb. old gal wanted to sray around here in school AIPHONSINE. You are! YOU ARE!! because she couldnt find anyone to marry her. ANAIFIALIE. (Tries to break them apart.) \7e cannot let it come to THE GIRLS. Ehhhhh ... this. Listen to me!Listen!!!!

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,t= THE GIRLS. Sister Evangelique! Sister Evangelique! ANATHALIE. Digli a quella sgualdrina di chiudersi la bocca. Ho ANAIFIALIE. Mama Mary will be so disappoinled in us. (Sister auuto abbastanza dil suoi modi conniuenti. [Tell that uench to shut Euangelique runs in uith a uengeance.) her rnouth. Ibe about had enough of her conniuing ways.J SISTER EVANGELIQUE. Do you dl want to cry? FAIHER FIAVIA. Madre Maria? [Mother Mary?J GIRL #1. Sister Evangelique they are fighting. They are fighting ANAIFIALIE. Che? Tu non rni conosci? Nonpuoi credtre che le mie again. (Anathalie cannot pull them apart.) parole cadonofuori da.lla bocca di una ragaz'zina nera? Le sue labbra me ^uAnnl ANATFIALIE. Stop it both of you! Stop it bene. ffiat, you d.onI recognize me? You dnnT belieue my words GIRL #1. Marie-Claire, calm down! Calm down!- would.fall out of the lips of a little bkck girl? Her lips suit me well.J - . _ GIRL #4. Sister Evangelique, do you wanr me ro go get Father FATFiER FIA\TA. Sono stordito, sono impietrito. [I am stunned, I Tiryishime? am stunned speechless.J SISTER EVANGELIQUE. Yes, dear child (Suddenllt Anathalie ANAIFIALIE. S;, ti uedo con la bocca spalancata. "Faccia di pesce" sinks to her hnees in conuulsions. Alphonsirce and- Marie-Ckire tarn to Luis. Ti ricordi quarcdo ti chiamauarto coi alla scuola? [Yes, I see you the falhn Anathalie. She has been possessed by Our Lady. She has begun with your mnuth standing agape. "Fish-faced Luis." Rernember that's tg speab in tongues.) On second thought, go get Father Flavia down what they used to call you in primary?J the hall as well. Aines start growing ahng ihe walls. Flowers start FATHER FlAVlA. Come tu pubi [How do you - J bloomirug out of the cracks and creuices of the dorm ... ) ANATFIALIE. Conosco tuni miei- fgli. Speciahnente quelli che GIRL#3. Oh my! camminano nelta cln me. Mi piace dire "mio piccolo fore." [I -Wha-whacwhat fed'e SISTER EVANGELIQT/E. is this happening hnow all about my children. Especially the ones that utalh in faith here what is, my my goodness. - - "My tlttle As I like to say.J (Father Flauia's are - - - - with me. flouters," feet GIRL #1. She is watering us. Jusr like She said She would. consumed by f,owers and uines.) GIRL #2. Her little flowers. FAIHER FlAVlA. Ma perchi qui? Perchi Ruarcda, Madre Maria? GIRL #3. Look! Look! (All of the girh stare in awe of the jungle [But why here? Why Rtaanda, Mother Mary?J growing inside of their dorm. Girl #4 reenters with Father Tuyishimi.) ANATHALIE. Nin ti sei lamentato quanda ti ho uolz.n in Brasib, ti dico GIRL #4. I found BABAWE ... (She is taken by what is growing che! [You werm't compkinirug zuhen I frw you n Brazil" I tell you that!] at hnfea.) - FAIHER FlAVlA. Perd.orcami, perdnnami. [Forgtue me. Forgiue rrze.J FAIHERTTMSHIME. The girls goodness. ANATHALIE. Luis, cio un messaggio moho pi'il grande di Ruanda. SISTER EVANGELIQUE. The room. The room smells like E per it mondo intero. C'i and malattia nel cuore degli uomini. E FAIHERTLMSHIME. Jasmine and hugs. - aiche nelle ragazzine. Lo conoscono bene' Anche tu h conosci bene ... GIRL #4. She is here ... (Girl #4, the last conuert, falls on herface [Luis, I hauei *tttngt that is biger than Rtaanda. h is meantfor the in supplication. Father Fkuia, out of breath, clmes intl the door.) entire world. There i a sickness in the hearts of men. And these girls. FAIHER FIAVIA. Do not be persuaded. This is possession. A They know it well. You know it well, too . '. J sweet possession ... (Takes a step towards Anathalie with his tools FAiHER FlAViA. Ma che mi stai dicendo? Mhat do yu mean?J pgised to p.rod. Anathalie looks at him with enonnous serenity. When ANAIHALIE. Io so cosd ti e successo, Laig Perdona, Luis, non sei she opens her mouth, perfect ltalian flnus out.) solo ruella pancia d'ella balena. [I hnou'' what happened to you, Lu.is. ANATHALIE. (,4t Our Lady, in perfect ltaliarc) Luis, ci incontiamo Forgiue him, Luis, you are not alone in the belly of the ythale.J (Father di nuouo. [Luis, so ute meet again.J ftaala|atts to his-knees witb tears in his eyes. The others stand back FAIHER FIA\iIA. \(/here is that coming from? ard sei that little room has become the most perfect garden.) Luis, ho 4I4IFALIE. QtL Luis!Proprio. Qui. [Here. Luis!Right. Here.J bisogno di passare questo messaggio ai miei piccoli fori. I miei piccoli SISTER EVANGELIQUE. message to my little \Mhat is she saying? Giil, what are fioA u dlio ... [Liis, I need lou to ?ass along thi.s you saying? f.owerl My little f'owers, I say .. . l

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t''.''qt*F'-'' MARIE-CLAIRE. Beloved Mother Mary whose heart suffered SISTER EVANGELIQUE. \7hat did she know? beyond bearing because of us, teach us to suffer with you and with FATHER FIAVIA. (Tahes another swig.) \l7ho taught them ltalian? love, and to accept all the suffering God deems it necessary to send SISTER EVANGELIQUE. The girls speak French and Kinyarwanda. our way. Let us suffer (During the ecstasy she has fallen to her That's it. knees. She raises her rosary.- It glous and charuges colors.) FAIHERFIAVIA. So no one knows Italian? Theyve had absolutely no access to the language? SISTER EVANGELIQUE. If only the Italians would have colonized us instead of the Belgians. \I{/hat \What Scene 6 FATHER TLMSHIME. did Anathalie say to you? did she say to you to make you so ... so ... FAIHER FIAVIA. The rosary. That Marie-Claire prayed. Itt a special Father Tuyishimds ofue. Father Tiryishime and Sister Euangelique one. It originated in the Middle Ages by the Friar Servants of Mary, a are staring at a uisibly shaben Father Flaaia. sect based in England. k's called the Rosary of the Seven Sorrows. FATHERTLMSHIME. Seven Sorrows? Never heard of it. FAIHER FlAVlA. Are you sure? FAIHERTLMSHIME. Are you alright, Father Flavia? FATHER TI-MSHIME. If you are insinuating that we taught FAIHER FlAVlA. Are you? Do you have something to drink Father? rhese girls these things - FATHERTLMSHIME. Give him some warer FATHER FIAVIA . (Loohs to Sister Euangelique.) I'm assuming you FATHER FIAVIA. Do you happen to have something- ... a wee do not know either. bit stronger. SISTER EVANGELIQUE. How I wish I did, so I could wipe that FAIHERTLMSHIME. smirk offof your lips. FAIHER FIAVIA. rVhat is that? FAIHERFIAVIA. Sorry. Sorry. I know. You couldnthave. There's FATHER TLMSHIME. Banana beer. no way the girls would have known it. It died out centuries ago. FMHER FlAVlA. I'll take it. (Father Tuyishime takes a bottle out FAIHERTLMSHIME. So now do you believe? of his dak drauter. He unscrews it and Father Flauia takes a sutig, then FAIHER FIA\TA. It doesnt matter if I believe, FatherTiryishime. two, then three.) I have seen some rather complex hoaxes. Tlaveled They in the Vatican have to believe - all around the world. I have seen many, many things, Father, but FAIHERTLMSHIME. But do you believe? this, this one is a striking, striking hoax! FAIHER FlAVlA. It's my job not to - FAIHER TLMSHIME. Flowers grow fast in Rwanda, but not FAIHERTLMSHIME. But do you believe? (Father Flauia looks that fast, Father. at Father Tuyishime. He will not answer this question, though his eyes FAIHER FLAVIA. \fell, maybe it was mass hallucination. lVe say otherwise ... ) wanted to see something there. \7e wanted to see garden. \7e FAIHER FIAVIA. The girls say Our l.ady has something to share wanted it to be real. (More to himself)Yes, it had to be -a hallucination tomorrow, during the Assumption. A secret to tell the villagers. If they that we all saw. are devout, if these girls are truly seeing Her, then they will know the FAIHER TLMSHIME. \Vhy cant you see the miracle that is true secrets of the Church only those She chooses can know. staring you in the face! FAIHERTLI\aISHIME. And then theywill be confirmed? FATHER FIAVIA. Because those girls have been primed. FATHER FIAVIA. Then theywillbe consid.ered. (Looks back at the FATHERTTMSHIME. Primed. Primed to do what? f.les on the desk.) \Well, FAIHER FIAVIA. They know things that they are nor supposed FATHERTLMSHIME. thatk all we can ask for. to know. Especially the Anathalie girl. She knew about .. . about . . .

70 7l (Father FAIHER FIAVIA. Good night, Father. Flauia looks at hands I used to nail you all to a cross. How easily in the name of Father Tuyishime. A beat ofunderstandiltgpasses between them. Sister God we are turned into monsters. Marie-Claire, can you forgive Euarcgelique a stands at the door with flashlight in hand. He loohs at me? Can you all forgive her standing in the darkness. He ualhs slowly to the door. He tarns MAzuE-CIAIRE. Of course (Father back.) Can I have the uh- Tuyishime hands him the bottle SiSTER EVANGELIQUE. But- will He? Can my God forgive me? of the banana beer.) \7ill He hear my wretched prayers? SISTER EVANGELIQUE. I will walk you to your room. I know MARIE-CLAIRE. Only if you ask for His mercy ... (Goes to her darkness these halls (Father nods the of well. Flaaia a thanks and knees and tries t0 brircg Sister Euangelique down with her in prayer. walhs out before her.) Sister Euangelique pulk her haruds bacb) SISTER pVnXCplIQUE. No, I am not wofthy. These hands are better for plucking the petals than tilling the soil '.. (A door opens. Anathalie steps outside the dorntitory with a candle.) Scene 7 ANATFIALIE. Marie-Claire. Marie-Claire, are you out here? MAzuE-CIAIRE. Yes, Anatfialie. I am. I was just going on a shon call. Moments later. Euangelique utalks Sister through the halls, ANAIHALIE. Long call seems more like it .. . Come back to bed. \7e doing her usual patrolling. Marie-Claire comes out of the must rest, we ha,re a big day tomorrow. (Marie Claire sofill walks away.) dormitory. She walks right up to Sister Euangelique, u.,ho does SISTER EVANGELIQUE. At least I can rejoice that the Virgin not achnotuledge her presence. Mary does not only favor the Tutsi. She has chosen another Hutu to spread her message. At least I can share in that victory MARIE-CLAIRE. lStops and turns bach to Sister Euangelique.) She are you me? MARIE-CIAiRE. \Vhy still not speaking to After all speaks to us all, Sister. Those who are Hutus, like you ... and those that has happened? (Sister Euangelique begins to ualk away.) Answer *ho Tirtsi ... like me. (Sister Euangelique stan^ stunned.) me. "r. SISTER EVANGELIQUE. YOU? SISTER EVANGELIQUE. You must think you are hanging in the MARIE-CLAIRE. Good night. As you have said before, truth and skywith t}re sweetest bananas ifyou fiink I am supposed to answer to the morning become light with time. you. Be carefirl, my dear Marie-Claire. A11 fruit must Anl to the ground. MARIE-CIAIRE. Sooner, if there is someone there to cut them down. SISTER EVANGELIQUE. (Eyes welling at the admission) I could kill you. Kill you for being so blessed. By Her presence. By Her light. By Her ... But now I know ... I am not worthy of Godt grace, for evil thoughts have taken over my mind like vicious vines, breaking through the bricks of my faith. I cannot see the goodness, the garden MAzuE-CIAIRE.- Tonight, you saw it tonight. SISTER EVANGELIQUE. Yes, I saw it with my eyes, but my heart? I am spiritually blind, my heart dumb. How could I have been so wrong? The same hands I lifted up in prayer are the same

72 73 MARIE-CLAIRE. Giving to your sister who has given you much is not giving but paying' Scene 8 efpHbNS--tNE.- (Brligs the pair of shoes to her chest. Her eyes well with tears.) Thank you. MAzuE-CIAIRE. (Snapping.)TheY are meant to be worn on your Zhe sun pokes its head outfrom the bottom ofthe seueruth hill. feet, not your chest. H"i.y, hurry. Finish getting ready' Todayis.a (Tlrt with d crew in of the Climbing euer upwards to fnd its nghful pkce in the morning big day. tourtyard. A reporter stands front sky. Thousands ofuilkgers bhw oat their candles. The murmur maheshifi stage.) is infectious. A uillager has made a t+hirt with pictures of the REPORTER. \7e are here at Kibeho College where the three girls, girls'faces and is selling c*ssettes. known through the village as the tiniry, say that the Virgin Mary is set to visii this -otttittg. As many as twenlF thousand have climbed the seven hills up to Kibeho to celebrate the Assumption VILLAGER #1. Tiinity tapes. Get yourTfinity tapes. of Mary. (To a uillager.) Andwhere have you come from? VILLq.GER #2. How much? VILIAGER #1. All the way from Nyamata in the east' VILLAGER #1. Two thousand francs, but if you buy two, I'll let REPORTER. Do you believe? you have them both for three thousand. VILIAGER #1. Ennnnnnnh. If She comes, I will believe' If She VILIAGER #2. Give me three. (Anathalie stands on her tiptoes does not come, I think these young girls will have a problem on looking out into the crowdfrom the dormitory window.) their hands. \Well, ANATHALIE. They are too-too early. FORMER BLIND MAN. I believe. I was here that day the MARIE-CIAIRE. You said ten. sun danced. ANAIFIALIE. And it is seven! REPORTER. You saw the sun dance? ALPHONSINE. I suppose they want to ger a good seat. FORMER BLIND MAN. I had been blind to my wife for years' ANAIHALIE. I wonder if my papa is out there. But that day Mama Mary ripped me from the darkness arid bryrgh1 AIPHONSINE. I m sure he wouldnt miss this for the world. (Marie- me into the light. I sa* i{ei f"ce and then my wife's ... Thank God Ckire swoop in and takes a comb out of her pocket and starts flufing a woman is more than her breasts. Anathahe's afo.) \aILIAGER #4. Doritlisten to him. He's out of his mind' Just like ANATHALIE. Ouch! that little boy over there. MAzuE-CLAIRE. If you combed your hair more often it VILIAGER#I. Oh, shame. He was cured of the sicknessl Now he wouldnt hurt! has gone crazy. (Little Emmanuel, who had been heahd .tl HD!: ALPHONSINE. (Laughing.) You ruro. stanls d*beueied, with barely arcy clothes on and welts all ouer his -Ihere. MARIE-CIAIRE. (Fkfr up Alphonsinei afu too.) \7e dont body. His eyes roll' iruto the back of his head as he rEeats his mantra') want them to think they are raising a group of jungle bunnies up gMVeNUpf . Qn Kinyarutanda.) Inzuzi ziza tembgamo amaragl "' here now do we. Inzuzi ziza tembgaml amarago ... Inzuzi ziza tembgaml amaragl " ' wi.th blnod. ANATHALIE. \(ho cares what they think? [The riuers witt in red uith ihod . . . the riuers will run red MAzuE-CIAIRE. Eh-eh! I do. Do you see all those cameras out 7he riuers will run red with bbod . '. l disi. at him poor tbing'] there? You dorit want to go down in history as the knappy-headed VILIAGER #1. Iyoooo, urababje [Look . Tlinity now do you? (Looks ouer lter sisters. She settles on Alphonsine. EMMANUEL. i*peruha, tuii kubamurnperuka ... [Tht end of Beat.) Here, put these shoes on, Alphonsine. days are near. They are near ... J AIPHONSINE. But they are yours. Vtf-laCpR #3. Shut uP you fool! You know not what you say' EMMANUEL. Abahuigu baza fata kungupu babo ababyeyl bazi

/4 75 (The rya ab,ana babo mzuzi oh inzuzi, imperuka turi kuba mumperuha ... FAIHERTLI\{SHIME. Are you all ready? gtrls sta! Put') [Brothers will rape their sisters. Mothers will hill their sons. The riuer. FAIHER FlAVlA. I will be there - Oh the riuer. 7he end of days. We are liuing in the end of dryt .. l FAIHERTLMSHIME. Doing your usual torturing? the (Emmanuel is pushed aside as the crowd sarges t0 make tuayfor ) FAIHER FlAVlA. No, Father, there is no need. But they at VILIAGER#1. There is the father of the seerAnathalie!!! (Nkango,- Vatican will need me to record the proceedings. Make sure the tulto once wore garrneruts holey fom working in the felds, oo- *r"orc young girls are in line with doctrine. pnffrEnflt.nsHlME. you, ladies. (The threesome a nea Chicago Bulls t-shirt and srueahers bought straight from the Verywell. After marhet.) walkfom the dormi.tory ircto the courtyard' whele thqt are metwi"b b': REPORTER (Barkingin kinyaruanda to one ofthepilgt*t.) Igrrayo. and idoration from a irowd sereoading them. Bowing d'own to them') Igirayo! [Get out of ny way. Get out of my ua/] (Back to her BBC En ) VILIAGER #1. Tlinity Thpes. Get your Tiinity tapes! you are the one whose Let me touch your robes' ]s !1true daughter has favor with the virgin? FORMER BLIND MAN. NKANGO. Indeed it is me. VILIAGER#1. TiiniryThpes. Get them now. REPOMER. How does it feel to know your daughter Anathalie VILIAGER #3. Please PraY for me. is a visionary? NKANGO. Anathalie, yo.tt p"p" is here! Your mother is here, too, NKANGO. It is not a surprise ro me. Something told me that over there! Over there! when she went ro Kibeho College she was destined for greatness. VILLAGER #i. Two for one. Get your Tiinity tapes right here' That_is why her morher and I worked so hard in the fieldi. To give EMMANUEL. Imperuka, turi kubaimperuka ... [Tlt, end of days is Emmanuel arud he !e1 the good Catholic education that has led to this opportttnity. near ... The end of doy is near ... J Qhe girls pass Like I said, no surprise. She is a good girl. touches their clotiing. A shiuer passes through them. The. sby begins n REPORTER. The passion fruit must not fall too far from the tree? d.arkerc . . . The three'girls go step-b! steP, clirnbircg the makeshifi podi'um who NKANGO. No-no-no, I m but a small man. A small man. (Other in the midd.le of thl coir4,aia nty joiru Bishop .Gahamanyi, uillagers are tahingpictures with Nhango.) stands before thi microphone in a blindircg tahite robe') VILIAGER #1. Nkango! Nkango! Can you get Anathalie to bless BISHOi'} GAHAMANYI. Parishioners, welcomel'We know that my rosary? you have come from near and fat some very hr; (Indlcatjng 'Father NKANGO. Sure, sure, sure. Flauia.) to be part of this momentous- day. This is_ the first FORMER BLIND MAN. Mine, too! (And Nhango is swept awqt time we are celebrating our annual Assumption of Mary feast-here by the singing, surgxng rowd.) on the school groundi. fu many of you know, there have been REPORIER. And there you have it. The village is awaiting. \Taving rumblings of O"ur Lady's presence here in Kibeho. \fell, I d like to their rosaries, praying, singing. You hear it? The crowd is calling for be the first to - visionaries?!!? {err.r. \Vaitlng on the girls who call the Virgin Mary Nyini wa FORMER BLIND MAN. 'Vhere are the Mother of the \Word. Stay #3. (Sofigtn'embarassed.) Sweetie, please!- Jambo, turned. Reporting August 15, VILIAGER - 1982, for the BBC. (Lights shifi. The dormitory. Thi noiie of the VILIAGER #L. Qn kiyar*o"da.) Nta muntu ushakakureba Bishop' crowd warts in through the open windows. Before the glistening shrine [Nobody want to see the BishoP.] tlle girls starud in front of Father Flauia irc prayer. Poised. pressed. He FORIviER BLIND MAN. I want to hear the visionaries. does the sign ouer them. Father Flauia loobs out of the utindow.) BISHOP GAHAMAI\M. Please, be patient. Our Lady I'm sure FAIHER FIAVIA. You girls draw a bigger crowd than the Supremes. would be saddened by your blatant disrespect of THETRINITY. \7hO? FORMER BLIND MAN. Give them the microphone!- FATHER FLAVIA. You don't know about the Supremes? My VILIAGER #3. Sweetie, PLEASE!! goodness, what are they teaching you at this school? (Fathir FORMER BLIND MAN. I want to hear the one from the radio' Tuyishime joins them.) The one from the radio I saYlll

75 77 BISHOP GAHAMANM. Fine. Fine ... (In Kinyarwanda, under VILLAGER#1. \7hat are the girls saying? Press closer. closer. (The crotud surges his breath.) Aba baturage! [I tell you these uillage folklJ (Indicatircg FORMER BLIND MAN. Marie-Ckire.) to hear what the Virgin Mary has tu say' But suddenly the girls Marie-Claire. (Bishop Gahamanyl ihffies off Marii tryin{ -quiuering. Bis h op Gah amaryti' Claire steps up to the microphone.) siart' s b a king conu uki ng, Shabing stands') MAzuE-CIAIRE. Thank you all for coming. \7e are happy that who is sittii! beside the ithir clergt, suddenly (The begin despite th_e heai,y BISHOP GIHAMANYf . V/hai, what is going on? girk c]ou{ you are here to listen to receive O"i Ladyt -What message. I! r"n a lot about your commirmenr ro the teachings of to uornit.)'What is She showing them? is She run redwith- blood. The the Church. About your commirment to the \7ord. The worJs of THETRINITY. The hills of Rwandawill Nyina waJambo. hills of Rwanda \7ill Run Red \7ith Blood' THE HILLS OF THE HILLS OF ANATHALIE. In order for you to hear them, we must prepare the R\TANDA \NLL RUN RED \X'ITH BLOOD. (Lights is sffetched and grounds for her. She only comes when there is kindness. R\fANDA \nLL RI-IN RED. shifi. Time are rn,Arcs and screams. The AIPHONSINE. Join us. Join us in prayer. Lift your hands to the echoey in this sDace. In the blach, tiere slice of a being dragged s!f. (lhey.logh up and.the sky has shifiedfiom being sunlit to hanging ,ror[t of buriing fre. The electric Tnacltete we see shar4 tf Visi.ons h-eyy wit( darkened clouds. The girli begin singircg a hymnfor Mithir nnoo Eciois. A tightpuls,q and ?ui.sion. ^pholr. The unuoiceable. Marie-Claire is Mary and the ENTIRE uilkge joins them. Thi uitce if thi girls merge of the inthlnkable. Tbe unieabte. her into the uillagers', creating a stueetf'usion. 7he air uibrites at thousaiZs iunning running, running running red ribbons streamirtgfom of uoices are lified into the sky.) fea. Until she is felled.) 'stSfEn speak to me ANAIHALIE. (Under her breath.) \7here is She? Ev,qNbeltque. (Voiceouer.) Marie-Claire, MARIE-CIAIRE. (Undzr her breath.) She is coming. She is coming. sweet child. please wake up' She is dead! (Father Flauia is near the platform, recording The sfo, idzrkening mor/.) NKANGO. (Y'oiceouer.)Anathalie, This has happened VILIAGER#1. \7e want Mother Mary!\7here is Mother Mary? SISTER EVANGELIQUE. She is not dead' MAzuE-CIAIRE. \Mhy is it taking Her so long? before. She cant be - -What has She done to FORIv{ER BLIND MAN. Look in the sky. (ehuds are swirling. NKANGO. (Voiceouer.) Then what is she? Faster andfaster.) my daughter? days are near. AIPHONSINE. Keep singing. Everyone keep singing. (Finail1t eipHdNSINE. (Voiceouer. Whispering.)-Iheend of (Voiceouer. Whispering.) The end of days are here. there is a rustle on the wind ... The sky changes. h irri as though MARIE-CIAIRE. "ow the brightest suru is in the sky, but there is rain. The heauens opm upl.. She is here ... They stare aboue the croud's head^s. Louingfi ni"ryoia ... 7he crowd surges forward, shaking the pktform, but-the giils stand B_u1yddenl1, a gush oftears startsfnwingfrom ".?ry!y4 the girts'faces.) ANATI{ALIE. Mama Mary why are you crying? ALPHONSINE. Shet cryrng. MARIE-CI"{IRE. Please dont cry. ANATHALIE. Please. ALPHONSINE. Mama Mary, what is it? MARIE-CLAIRE. But you must. ANATHALIE. You must. AIPHONSINE. Show us. ALPHONSINE and MAzuE-CIAIRE. Show us! ANAIHALIE. Please show us whyyou are crying.

78 79 The rivers will run red with the blood of babies. Sons will slaughter their fathers, husbands will rape their wives, babies will have their Scene 9 brains dashed out by mothers. \7e are in the end days ... " FATHERTLMSHIME. Tirrn it off. FAIHER FIA\TA. Listen ... Father Tlryishimds offce. Marie-Clnire sits staring into space, FAIHERTLMSHIME. I said rurn. It. Off' ychyns hercel.f Anathalie's bodlt lays across the dzsh."Alphoilne ls THE TRINITY. "sorrow will sink Rwanda and the passion fruit in the same hot chair she started in at the beginning if the ptalt. that grows from our trees will bleed with the blood of the fallen. The hills of Rwanda will run red blood. THE HILLS OF R\7ANDA \ilLL RLIN RED \TITH BLOOD. THE HILLS OF R\TANDA SISTER EVANGELIQUE. Marie-Claire speak to mer. (Aloud, but \nLL RLIN RED \nTH-- " (Father Tuyishime takes the radio and y:f_r:_h:n:!f)]lave never seen her so stili. So quiet. throws it against the wall. It smashes into a million little pieces.) FAIHER TLMSHIME. Shet been th"t *ay since the vision. FATHERTLMSHIME. This is not real. They made it up. Struck dumb. FAIHER FIAVIA. \7e need you to settle yourself SISTER EVANGELIQUE. Eh! She is struck dumb and all the FAIHERTUASHIME. They have made it up. (Shakes- the motionlzs girls are struck with a fever. There arent made it uP enough buckets. It's a mess. Anathalie.) Tell them that you made, that you ALL - I tell you, a mess. These poor girls. (Bishop Gahamaryti. tries to grab Father Tuyishime.) Tell them that FATHER TIJYISHIME. Wny aia you all say those things, you are lying. Alphonsine? BISHOP GAFIAMAI\M. Father Tiryishime ALPHONSINE. She showed us. Showed us what they needed FATHERTLMSHIME. Please, Alphonsine.- to see. FAIHER FLAVIA. If you believed the initial visions, why cant SISTER EVANGELIQUE. They were mumbling utter nonsense. you believe this one? (Jtter 'pnfUEnffmSHIME. nonsense I say. (Turns around to Father Fkuia')YouSHUT FATHER FLAVIA. (stands ouer Anathalie.) Ten hours and still UP!YOU SHUT UP!!! no pulse. BISHOP GAHAMANM. Calm down, Father. SISTER EVANGELIQUE. No breath. FAIHER TL|\aISHIME. No, there is not evil here in Rwanda' .What i'y' FAIHER FlAVlA. she saw must have frightened her. THIS is where God goes on vacation' THIS is the land of love, of FAIHERTI-MSHIME. \fell, it absolutely frigf,tened me. milk and honey. tVhere I was born BISHOP GAHAMANII. The other girls ,..i,, to be suffering FAIHER FIAVIA. Calm down, Father- from some mass hysteria FATHER TLMSHIME. Fix them! \7e- have to fix them! Stop FAIHERTLMSHIME. V/hat about the other villagers? these these horrible them from seeing these - - things . BISHOP GAHAMANYI. Th.y heard it. Heard it a[] FAIHER FIAVIA. This is something we cant fix, Father - FAIHERTLMSHIME.. Tell them the girls made it up. FAIHER TLMSHIME. Cure them! Things need to go back to FATHERFI"VIA. Made it up? normal, before, before FAIHER TUYiSHIME. yei, Father Flavia. They have made FATHER FLAVIA. Before- what? this nonsense up. Or they have gone crazy. Jusr like that little FAIHER TLMSHIME. They are disrupting the order of things' boy Emmanuel. Making everyone afraid-- FAIHER FIAVIA. Bq.yly would they lie? (pkys the tape. The FATHER FIAVIA. They should be- girls' disembodied uoices fll the room.) FAIHERTLII'ISHiME. --Getting things out of order here-- THE "The TRINITY. hills of Rwanda will be littered with graves. FAIHER FIA\TA. --But, Father--

BO 81 FAIHERTTMSHIME. -The world is buckling, buckling beneath BISHOP GAFIAMANM . (Switc hing gears one last time. ) But Father my-- Flavia, this is nor the kind of vision thar engenders the increase FAIHER FIAVIA. But why wouldnt you wanr to hear what of faith. Mother Mary has to say? FAIHER FIA\IA. It is the kind ofvision that produces fear, which, FATHER TLMSHIME. BECAUSE I DON'T \rANT TO knowing the God I know, is a good thing. (All Bishop Gahamanyi can BELIE\'E, FATHER! I DON'T \TANT TO BELIE\iE THIS!! dn is u;ch as Father Flauia ttok th, tape in a ueluet pouch and leaues' (father Tuyishime has couered his eyes like a little boy hidingfom the Bishop Gahamanyi stands tbere staring intl the aoid.) boogeyman ... )hrworld. The world is wobbling. (CroiJes down rarirEn ruyiSHItrln,. \fell, Ybur Excellency, you got what on thefloor of hls ffice, torn asunder.) you wanted. 'niSHOp MARIE-CI"{IRE. I saw a girl. Running down a hill. She had legs GAFIAMANYI. Indeed. God help us' God help us all' so long they could take her into tomoriow. She had feet so quiJk they could cut down blades of grass. She ran up those seven hiils of fb.l" to the tippytop, to heaven's doorstep. She knocked, hoping that God would let her in, but she could not knock f"rt .rror.rgh. Ii Scene l0 came down. A slice. Her head rolled down those seven hil"ls in search ofa grave. ALPHONSINE. ftisasign. Next day. Father Flauia walks down' the corridor with his MAzuE-CIAIRE. It was not a sign; it was me. bagt paiktd. He passes the girls'dorm. Since the night, the SISTER EVANGELIQUE. \X&ere is God? W/here is God here? lulh garden has iurned t0 a rltting brown. The flowers are AIPHONSINE. God has nothing to do with this. Only man. She wltt/d fiom thei.r spring, and now leaues plurtge fom^the says we nssd 1e - uines, committing-a *llllon little sai.cides onto the floor' BISHOP GAHAMA\nri. Enough of this nonsense. ENOUGH. Father Flauia puts his bags down and walhs uP to the death It is only hell that they are talking about. And we all know that exists. and destruction. FATHER FIAVIA. But they are talking very specifically about a hell on Earth BISHOP GAHAMANYI.- The world is always report be? ending. Has been FAIHERTUITSHIME. \7hat will your final .2y' ending for years FAIHER FIAVIA. Mhirls around to f'nd Father Tuyishime has FAIHER - FLAVIA. Not like this. There is something dangerously sneabed up behind hlm.) \7heew! You scared me. specific about this vision, and if I were you I d listen. FATHERTLMSHIME. I said, what will your final report be? BISHOP GAHAMANYI. Is it so easy ro believe visions of violence FATHER FIAVIA' It sometimes takes a hundred years for the when they fall from African lips Church to approve aPParitions. - \Well, FAIHER FlAVlA. No, Your Excellenq', it is easy onlywhen they fall FATHERTij\lSHIME. hopefully, we have that long' t9g_llIig"ary's lips, which these three girls undoubiedly arc. (Beat.) FAIHER FlAVtA. But it only took the Fatima visions thirteen FAIHERTLMSHIME. So theywill be confi,rmed? years to be approved' So you never know '-" FATHER FIA\TA. Th.y have passed every test. Every physical test. pefgenTIjYISHIME. (More to himself) Thirteen years "' Ewery mental test. Every psychological evaluation everphing FAIHER FIAVIA. That particular 'trinity'' were mere children they have said has been in line with doctrine. From the- light to th"e when they saw Her in I9l7.Lucia,the eldest, said that Mother Mary (Gathers dark .. . the tape from the brohen recorder. Fathlr Flauia's h"J gi*; her three secrers. The first s€crer was that there was a hell. silence says it all.) Th. ie.ond was that \rorld \Var II would come. But she held on to the third secret for twenty-three yeds, until one day in 1944, at the

82 83 height of the very war She predicted, Lucia wrote it down on one sheet of paper. portugar ,That sheet traveled by train from to Rome Td y* locked.away in a_ special vault in the Vatican."Every pope Scene 11 who has read it has refused to let the secret be known to the publri. FATHERTTMSHIME. Do you know the secrer? FATHER FIAVIA. Of course, of course. Father Tuyishime walks back to his ffice to fnd Alphonsine FAIHERTTMSHIME. And did it come ro fruition? waiting ior him. The sounds of the girls singing can be FAIHER FI-{VIA. Remember that letter for the pope you gave heard outside. me? (Father Fkuia giues Father Tayishime the piece ofpopi, hr"gn* him earlier.) FATHER TLMSHIME. (Lo o ks anh e pap er.) Alphonsine's? FATHERTLT\TSHIME. You are not on punishment' FATHER Fl"{vIA. She even makes a circle over^her "i"s. Just like ALPHONSINE. I know. paper are you doing here so early in l:y ::!*y:f 4lphonsine's gingerllt into his inner breitpocket.) FAIHERTLT\{SHIME. Then what FAIHERTLMSHIME. i am leaving my posr here, FatheiFlavia. the morning? The Bishop says rhat my appointm."I*", mistake. ALPHONSINE. I thought I would help you clean' (She is sweeping FAIHER " FLAVIA. Perhaps it was. the bits of broken radio iito the trash bln.) h seems we made a mess FAIHERTLMSHIME. Perhaps..Vhere are you offto next? of your office last night. FATHER FI"{VIA. A place called Medjugorle. FAIHERT1rySHII4E. Indeed. (She begins to pick up boohs that are FAIHER TtmS HIME. on-the Medj u-j u-who-ivho-wha-wha? scattered. on the f'oor. She nies t0 put one of the books away.high FAIHER (Tahes FlAVlA. Father, you can say "Mukam zimpaki, but you shetf She ,onri, reach it.) Here, let me help you' the bookfrom "Medjugorje"? cant say Alphonsine and looks deeply into her smili. He breaks their gaze and FAIHERTLTflSHIME. Never heard of it. loik, do*, at the book. niblinks and opens it; ircside is a worn rosary.) FATHER FIAVIA. Itt in Yugoslavia. ALPHONSINE. Your mamat. .W4reew! FATHERTLMSHIME. Our Lady has been busy this year. FAIHERTTMSHIME. I've been looking for it' FAIHER FIAVIA. Or maybe it is the devil? AIPHONSINE. \fell, now it is found. You prayed last night' She FAIHERTLMSHIME. \Xf.il, h. is often busy, as well. told me. \Mhere FAIHER FlAVlA. And you? are you going? FAIHERTTI\ISHIME. My goodness, She tells you everlthing' -Well, FAIHERTTMSHIME. \,X/here a lot of us are going ALPHONSINE. She has become my best friend' FAIHER FLAVIA. "Us"? - FAIHERTUaISHIME. I'm still trying Her out' FAIHERTTMSHIME. Us Tutsis. \7e are heading to Uganda. It ALPHONSINE. Please, keep praying. She needs you to do this' is.not where God goes on vacarion. But it will have"to di (Father FAIHERTLMSHIME. I know. Flauia sad[t understands.) ALPHONSINE. And please, please stay' The girls dont want you FATHER FIA\TA. Good day, Father. (Taku his bags arcd starts his to leave. way down the hi/l.) FATHER TLIYISHIME. The gods I think have decided for me' my dear Alphonsine. afpHONSfNE. \X/ho will take your place? FAIHERTTMSHIME. Sister Evangelique' She is being promoted from deputy head nun to headmistress of the school. It will soon be a p1".. ,,- bywomen. And, personally, Ithink that is good' (Alphonsine\ iya begin'to well, but she nods her head in understandircg. Father

84 85 Tuyishime hand to herface and begins to utilte LIST !n"S.t ( her tears away.J PROPERTY Sl44:!,Anathalie sho*t op ni,th, door. 77,, wo jump apart.) ANATFIALIE. Come on Alphonsine, Theyt ,i"gi.rg ,h. ,r.* Classical painting of (white) Jesus sorg!Marie-claire with her ho'ible voice is iuining it. Drinking cuPs ALPHONSINE. "bsolutiy I'll be there in a minute _ (Anathilte *or761 Files FATHER you TLMSHIME. should go now. Join the oi"her Books girls. (Beat.) Duster AIPHONSINE. ,,One Good day, Father Tiiyishime. who we are Rosaries thankfrrl for." Luggage FAIHERTLMSHIME. ..I€ave Good day, Aiphonsine Mumereke. Holywater her alone, rl..T.*k-the truth." (stte smrtes bringing llght lnto that Pocket watch ,iry ofrt! And then she baues him. He goes a"d,ti"& nithe doonuay Candles o{hl are singing a ifrce .n.e), new song""Our Lady of Sonows.'; ir;;;, Plates of eggs (breakfast) I uyishime looks out a*oss his,counttl/, hh knd, hii pnpb, his heauen on Jerricans with water earth, the land ofa thousand hill"s, the knd ofRwanda,'before. Blacko,ut) Baby (carried on back) Coins End of PIay Soccer ball Pi... of p"per with message from Our Lady Pad ofpaper, Pencil Long needle Bandages Radio Nail oolish Gr#ing vines and flowers Bottles of banana beer Flashlights Comb Tlshirt with picture of the Tiiniry Thpe recorder and cassette taPes Pair ofshoes Microphone Velvet pouch

86 87