The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Libretto by Estela Eaton (after the Fitzgerald), for the music of John Eaton
Act I
Scene 1: The Birth
The opera opens with a glissando down – ‘the birth’. When
it hits bottom the lights flash on.
We see a distraught father, Roger “Cuff” Button, rushing maniacally
around the stage. He races up to
the entering flutist, demanding,
Roger Button (tenor): Where’s my baby? Where’s my baby?
The flutist shakes her head, and continues to her place
in the orchestra while Button races up to the entering clarinetist,
Roger: Where’s my baby? Where’s my baby?
The clarinetist points her instrument toward the entering
Doctor Keene before going to her place in the orchestra. Doctor Keene, obviously upset, is
rubbing his hands together in a washing movement – as all doctors are required
to do after a delivery by the unwritten ethics of their profession.
Roger (still in a dither, in an gasping onrush to Doctor Keene):
Doctor Keene! Oh, Doctor Keene!
What happened?
What was it?
How is she? (Doctor
shakes his head)
… A boy?
Who is it?
What …
Doctor Keene (bass baritone) (sharply):
Talk Sense!
Roger (a little calmer):
Is the child born?
Doctor (frowning): Why, yes, I suppose so -- after a fashion.
Roger (distraught again):
Well, is it a girl or boy?
Doctor (really irritated):
Here now!
I ask you to go and see for yourself.
Outrageous!
(more to himself) Do you imagine a case like this
Will help my professional reputation?
One more would ruin me --
(shouting) Ruin anybody!
Roger (puzzled): What’s the matter?
Triplets?
Doctor: (cuttingly): No, not triplets!
I ask you to go and see for yourself.
And get another doctor!
I’ve been physician to your family for forty years,
But I’m through with you!
Goodbye!!!
(Turns sharply and leaves.)
Roger stands traumatized for a minute then begins
maniacally pacing again. Enter
nurse.
Nurse (mezzo): Good morning.
Roger: Good morning. I -- I am Mr. Button.
The nurse screams, drops her clipboard, and starts to
flee. Roger grabs her.
Roger: Nurse, I want to see my child!
Nurse: Are you sure?
Roger: Yes! Now!
Nurse: Come this way then, Mr. Button.
They enter the delivery room. One by one, baby dolls wrapped in woolen blankets are illuminated. They appear lain on a panel as if on
show. As the nurse and Roger pass
each one, an instrumentalist either cries vocally or on his instrument.
Roger: Which one is mine?
Nurse (pointing): There!
Nurse points to Benjamin Button, an old man who is in the
corner curled up with a blanket and a large purple bow around his neck.
Duettino
Roger: This is not my child.
There must be some kind of a mistake …
Is this hospital humor?
Nurse: It doesn’t seem like a joke to us.
This could ruin the hospital’s reputation!
Oh yes it is your child!
The lines are cut up and repeated louder and louder in
argument until Benjamin Button finally notices the uproar.
Benjamin Button (baritone, in a low register – perhaps he even sings an octave higher in falsetto, but his voice sounds primarily two octaves and some interval lower by a pitch shifter): Are you my father?
The nurse, probably hearing him speak for the first time,
drops her clipboard again. His
father is no less befuddled.
Benjamin sings to the refrains of a ‘lullaby’ in the orchestra, the
following disgruntled arietta:
Benjamin: Because if you are …
Could you have them bring me a suitable rocker?
Because if you are …
Take this milk and serve me a scotch!
Because if you are …
Fold up this itchy blanket and fit me in a comfortable suit!
I’m not sure who I am,
(somewhat luridly) But, it’s only been a few hours,
And I can tell you where I come from …
Roger (quickly recovering and butting in):
Who are you?
Where do you come from?
Liar! Impostor!
Benjamin: Nice way to welcome your son.
Nurse, do something!
Nurse: Mr. Button, this is your son.
Do us all a favor and take him home!
Benjamin: And take this milk!
Nurse: And sign here …
Benjamin: This
blanket itches … (He starts to take it off …)
Nurse (not looking): Leave it on! Hospital policy.
Roger (Jumping over and snatching it back):
Yes, son, leave it on!
Benjamin: Then bring me some clothes!
Nurse (hysterical): Take him home!
Roger: Not without clothes! Wait here …
Roger Button runs
offstage and Benjamin Button sighs.
Nurse: Now
what’s wrong?
Benjamin: I’ve
got gas.
Nurse raises him up
and pats his back but a farting noise comes out instead of a burp. Nurse pushes
him back into his cradle.
Nurse: Get
back in bed! Here, put this in your mouth.
She gives him a
pacifier. He spits it out.
Benjamin: I
have no teeth.
Nurse: Of
course not, you’re a newborn.
Roger Button races
back in with a teenager’s outfit. He hands it to Benjamin.
Benjamin: Father,
these are teenage clothes.
I don’t want to look ridiculous.
Roger: Put
them on or…I will spank you!
Nurse: Mr.
Button! Pull yourself together!
Together they raise
the blanket over Benjamin as he gets dressed.
Nurse: He’s
been through quite a lot today.
He needs a bath and a diaper change.
Benjamin (from behind the curtain):
And a nap!
Nurse: Yes,
a nap.
Roger: What’s
taking so long!
Benjamin: I’m
going as fast as I can…there.
They lower the
curtain to reveal a dressed Benjamin whom they help out of the cradle. He leans
on Roger’s shoulder as they begin to exit.
Nurse: Wait!
Mr. Button!
Both Roger and
Benjamin: Yes?
Nurse: Don’t
forget to sign.
Blackout
Stage is set like a
kindergarten classroom. There are colored paper, scissors, and bottles of glue
for making collage. His Young Teacher (Soprano) is leading the Children
(instrumentalists) in a song while Benjamin dozes off.
Young Teacher &
Children: (song)
Moo-Moo!
Mind made of glue!
Farmer Bob and the green-horned wizard-
All day feeding the moo to the moo.
Peekaboo! I see you!
Shivering, spinning, we all turn blue!
This song is sung faster each time, but Benjamin has to be pinched to wake up and join in. The children laugh each time he starts snoring again. The young teacher is visibly irritated by this.
Young Teacher: Benjamin,
wake up! It’s time for collaging.
Children: Yay!
Benjamin: Wonderful.
Young Teacher: Did
you bring your magazines from home?
Children: Yeah!
Young Teacher: Well, let’s see
them!
One by one the children stand and show their magazines. They have brought appropriate material such as children’s magazines or National Geographic. The teacher calls out the name of each magazine approvingly until she reaches Benjamin’s choice.
Young Teacher: …
And Benjamin.
You have brought Cigar Afficionado.
Benjamin: (smiling) Yes indeed, and a recent issue
of Golf Today.
Young Teacher: Isn’t
that nice. Okay children, get to work.
They all busy
themselves with cutting and gluing pictures from their magazines onto colored
paper. Benjamin begins enthusiastically.
Young Teacher: Don’t
hog all of the glue.
Try
not to cut up your thumbs.
Keep
your work to yourself,
but
be as free as you can…
Children:(repeating) Be as
free as you can…
Benjamin proceeds to do all the things his teacher’s song advises against. She repeats the song especially for his benefit.
Young Teacher: Don’t
hog all of the glue…
(takes away the glue he is using liberally)
Try
not to cut up your thumbs. (checks
his thumbs and shakes her head; Benjamin distracts himself by looking at the
other childrens’ work)
Keep
your work to yourself.
(turns
his head back toward his own paper)
But be as free as you can…
(Benjamin
begins to doze off)
Benjamin(mumbling):…Be as free as you can….zzzzz…
Young Teacher: Benjamin!
Benjamin(waking up):Present!
Young Teacher(exasperated): All right, children, nap time.
Children(groaning): Awwww!
Benjamin: Yes!
Young Teacher: (lullaby aria)
Sleep now, rest little birds,
Time is whispering three words—
Surrender, divide, and grow.
Grow, divide, surrender.
Exhale who you were,
waking in some other body.
Stillness ferries the dream.
Benjamin snores loudly. Roger enters the room quietly.
Roger: Ah, my angel is sleeping.
Young Teacher: Yes, he does need his rest.
Roger: I’m sure he’s a trouble maker,
Like his old man.
Young Teacher: I’m afraid, Mr. Button,
I just don’t know how to reach him.
Perhaps you should keep him home
For just a little while longer.
Roger: Is there something wrong with him?
Home!
What will people think?
Young Teacher(motioning to the sleeping children):
Shhh!
Understand me, please.
I just don’t feel he thrives in kindergarten.
Roger: I see…(decidedly) He is still too young.
The wife and I
took a risk
enrolling him
at four years old.
Thank you, Miss Madoff,
For your honesty.
Come, Benjamin…(wakes him up)
Let’s go home.
Mother is making your favorite, Salsbury Steak.
At this, Benjamin happily stands without help and
straightens his posture to noticeably taller than before. His father beams.
Roger: Son!
You are growing by the second!
You’ll
be back in kindergarten in no time!
Exit father and son, and blackout.
Scene 3: Yale
All musicians are onstage as “undergraduates” preparing
for interviews. The musicians are practicing their instruments or tuning, the
vocalists are practicing speeches or vocalizing. Benjamin Button is next in
line, clearing his baritone. Center stage is set with a table and two chairs.
The registrar is yelling at an applicant (clarinet?) who whines into his/her
instrument. The registrar’s voice cannot be fully heard until the clarinetist
mimes opening the door to the office, looking depressed and dejected.
Registrar (mezzo) : This is Yale, young man!
Not some charity ball!
Next time, try Harvard!
The applicant exits.
Benjamin(to the others in line):
Boy, she’s tough!
(smugly) Good thing I have top marks!
The others look confused at this statement and giggle a
bit.
Registrar: NEXT!
Benjamin timidly enters the office and offers his hand.
The registrar, surprised, quickly grasps it.
Registrar: Oh, forgive me. I wasn’t expecting…
Benjamin(with
renewed confidence):
Yes, I am Benjamin Button.
Registrar: Why, Mr. Button, I wasn’t expecting you.
Please, sit down.
Benjamin: Oh, thank you. I am a bit tired from going up those stairs.
Registrar: Oh yes, our elevator is broken. So sorry!
Benjamin: Quite all right.
Registrar: Is
Mrs. Button also coming?
Benjamin: No,
I’m afraid Mother could not come.
Registrar: No
problem! Shall we get down to business?
Registrar: Benjamin Button…Benjamin Button… (finds his application)
A fine student indeed!
Benjamin: Indeed!
Both: Stunning scores, the highest marks, perfect attendance, a model student! Benjamin Button, future leader, great gifted gargantuan talent!
Benjamin Button is what Yale needs.
A fresh young upstart to shake up the system…
Registrar: With great tact, of course.
Benjamin: Of course! Just think…
Both: Benjamin Button at Yale…
Registrar: Sir, this may be premature, but consider your son a freshman.
Benjamin: Really? Oh me! A freshman at Yale!
Registrar: Ah, you are alumni? Wonderful! But there was no mention in your son’s application…
Benjamin: No, this is my application.
Registrar: I don’t understand…you are his father.
Benjamin: No, I am Benjamin Button.
Registrar: Benjamin Button is eighteen!
Benjamin: Yes, I am a freshman.
Registrar: You don’t expect me to believe that you are…
Benjamin: I am eighteen!
Registrar(suddenly frowning):
Get out! Get out, you crazy old drunk!
Benjamin: I am eighteen!
Registrar: You have eighteen minutes to get off campus!
She opens the door and pushes him out.
Benjamin: I am eighteen!
Everyone in line begins laughing at this. Benjamin,
humiliated, pushes his way through them to the end of the line.
Registrar: Go up to Harvard! Get out!
She mimes slamming the door, goes to her desk and sits
down. She reaches under her desk for a bottle of whiskey which she drinks with
fervor, and throws Benjamin’s application in the trash.
Undergraduates: Yeah, go up to Harvard old man!
Benjamin: Maybe I will! You will regret this, all of you!
Undergraduates: Hahahaha!
Or go serve Uncle Sam!
He’s about your age!
Hahahaha!
Scene Four
Instrumentalists should be on stage as Young Men at a
party. Among them are YM1, YM2, YM3 and YM4. They are all drinking shots of
Jack Daniels and gawking at the audience as though they are the crowd. Two
instrumentalists will later double as Young Women who cross the stage in front
of the boys as YW1 and YW2, but that direction will come later on in the scene
as it develops. They can remain in the orchestra pit until that time.
Young Men: Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!
(Song)
This party stinks!
At least it’s free drinks!
YM1: You’re a squirt!
YM2: You’re a sucker!!
YM3: You’re a chump!
YM4: You’re a duffer!
All: Make us laugh! Make us laugh!
Let’s get drunk!
YM2: I don’t know what’s worse:
The whiskey or the girls!
YM1: You’re a girl!
YM2: You are sick!
YM3: You’re a bastard!
YM4: You’re a…bigger bastard!
All: Make us laugh! Make us laugh!
Let’s get drunk!
YM3: These people are so lame…
Let’s play a drinking game!
YM4(slapping him on the shoulder):
Sounds like fun!
YM1(slapping YM4 on the shoulder):
That was weak!
YM4(tackling YM1): You’re a loser!
YM2(to YM3): You’re a geek!
(They all begin to wrestle, YM2 and YM3 somewhat
homo-erotically.)
YM3(to YM2): You’re a Nancy!
YM1(to YM2 & YM3):You’re a Mary!
YM2: You’re all bastards!
YM1, YM3 & YM4: You’re a prick! (at this they all laugh)
All: Make us laugh! Make us laugh!
Let’s get drunk!
End of song,
they toast.
Enter Benjamin in military dress. He takes a long swig
from a whiskey bottle.
Benjamin: Oh, why did I come.
They are not like
me…college boys.
But I’ll show ‘em!
I’ll apply to school again
After I serve my country!
(Aria)
When my service is over…
I will go to Harvard
Where all the campus flowers
Are snug against the trees…like me,
the model student with real world sense,
A friend to my professors,
Who shower me with honors,
To complement the medals on my chest.
When this decade is over…
America will lead the way…
New leaders, new ideals…
Everyone will be at peace:
A civilized world
Without borders or strife,
And me, with a bright successful wife.
We will be fast and optimistic;
The world will be free and capitalistic!
No privacy, no stubborn views!
Out with the old and in with the new!
YM1(on seeing Benjamin):
Great. Grampa’s here.
YM2: Shouldn’t you be in bed by now?
Benjamin: I should be asking you boys the same.
YM3: Boys? We’re not boys!
YM4: Where’d you get that stupid uniform?
Benjamin: A man defends his country,
Even if that means protecting you.
YM1: Oh, protect me!
YM2: With your cane!
(They all laugh. YW1 and YW2 walk by.)
YM1: Hey, what about her?
YM2: Too fat!
YM3: Too short!
All: Yeah!
YM4: And her?
YM1: Too skinny!
YM2: Too tall!
(Enter Hildegarde.)
YM3: What about her?
YM4: Too rich!
YM1: Too smart!
YM2: Too high-strung!
Hildegarde(to Benjamin):
My name’s Hildegarde.
YM3: That’s an old lady name!
Hildegarde(to Benjamin):
Would you like to dance?
YM4: Too aggressive!
YM1: Too easy!
Benjamin: Sure…
YM2: (of Benjamin) What a hayseed!
YM3: (of Hildegarde) What a beauty!
(Hildegarde leads Benjamin off to dance.)
Benjamin: I’m afraid I can’t dance.
Hildegarde: You are doing fine.
Benjamin: You are…so…pretty.
Hildegarde: ARIA
Yes, I know.
And all these boys would marry me
Because I’m filthy rich.
But younger men are like a fungus:
Growing and breeding only in darkness.
I need a real man
With real world sense
To keep me strong and prosperous.
Men of your age can appreciate women.
The twenty-year-olds are too full of themselves.
Thirty is apt to be pale from working, and
Forty year olds are the rambling kind.
Sixty is simply one foot in the grave, but
Fifty is mellow, fifty is kind,
Fifty is when we dissolve into minds.
Benjamin(to himself): I wish I was fifty…
(to Hildegarde) I am in the army!
Hildegarde: Yes, I see.
You are the perfect man for me.
My father is General Moncrief,
He won’t approve, but I’ll convince him.
You seem old, but somehow youthful.
Innocent and quite inspired,
Not bossy or tired,
As older men can often be.
Benjamin: I love you.
Hildegarde: Yes, I see.
Let’s get married before you leave!
I accept …if you will have me.
Benjamin(to the whole party):
We are getting married!
(Everyone toasts.)
YM1: He’s too old!
YM2: She’s too young!
YM3: Lucky bastard!
All: Lucky bastard!
(They all toast.)
Scene Five
Stage is set like a battlefield. On one side of the
stage, Hildegarde is knitting in the dark with Roscoe, a young boy, Benjamin’s
son. Lights on Benjamin in camouflage next to General Moncrief (bass-baritone):
a highly decorated old Southern man.
There are battle sounds and military music coming from the orchestra.
General Moncrief: All right, boy. The supplies are just over that hill. You know what to do. Make my daughter proud!
Benjamin: Yes, sir, General Moncrief!
Benjamin charges toward center stage, only to walk into
cannon fire. There is an explosion, Benjamin falls, and darkness. After a while
he rises from the floor, having survived the war, as the orchestra strikes up
the song from the beginning of the scene. He hands his gun and helmet to
someone in the orchestra, the end of his service in the army. The conductor
pins a medal on him.
Lights on Hildegarde who is still knitting. He approaches
her, having returned from war.
Benjamin: Hildegarde! Hildegarde!
Hildegarde rise, and Roscoe backs away. Benjamin
collapses into her arms and weeps like a baby. She comforts him and then pushes
him away slightly, grasping her belly. He wipes his eyes. They begin a
recitative or duet.
Benjamin: No more war…
Hildegarde: Benjamin…
Benjamin: Let me rest…
Hildegarde: Benjamin…
Benjamin: I can’t sleep…
Hildegarde: You are a father…
Benjamin: I feel sick…
Hildegarde: You must rise…
Benjamin: You must listen…
Hildegarde: Make a home…
Benjamin: Life is precious…
Hildegarde: For our son…
Benjamin(recalling the war):
Life is cheap…
Hildegarde(angrily): How can you say this?
Benjamin(now more directly addressing her):
I have seen things…
Hildegarde: So have I!
Benjamin: Not like war, not like war…
Hildegarde: You have suffered…
Benjamin(stiffening): I served my country!
Hildegarde: Was it horrible…?
Benjamin: I served my country…
Hildegarde: Yes, I know.
Benjamin: The greater good…
Hildegarde: Yes, I see.
Benjamin: ARIOSO
Means all of you…(addressing Hildegarde and Roscoe) civilians!
You don’t see or know what I have seen…
Every night another fight is humming in my mind.
I need to know that you have stayed the course.
Hildegarde, are you sure this baby is mine?
Hildegarde: Benjamin!
(covers Roscoe’s ears and sobs…)
How you have changed!
END OF FIRST ACT
ACT TWO
Scene 1: Harvard
Life
It is 1909 and Benjamin is the toast of Harvard. He is at
a fraternity party with his son, Roscoe, a tenor, who is also a student at
Harvard. The party is a post-game party, so the instrumentalists, who are Frat
Boys, in this scene, can be wearing college gear or something to that effect.
Benjamin should be wearing a piece of a football uniform. His son is dressed
conservatively. The lights burst on on a Harvard fight song.
All: Ten thousand men of Harvard gained vict’ry today,
For they knew that o’er old Eli
Fair Harvard holds sway.
So then we conquered old Eli’s men,
And now the game is o’er, we’ll sing again:
Ten thousand men of Harvard gained vict’ry today.
During the following drunken exchange, first, Frat Boy 1
staggers over, then, Frat Boy 3 spins around, and finally, Frat Boy 4 rushes
first one way and then the other.
Benjamin: Roscoe, my boy, welcome to Harvard!
Roscoe: I’ve been going here for two years now Dad.
Benjamin: Yeah, but this is the real Harvard, right brothers?
Frat Boy 1: Yeah!
Frat Boy 2: You said it!
Frat Boy 3: Yale is for sissies!
Benjamin: Yeah! To hell with Yale.
Frat Boys(they all toast):
To hell with Yale!
Enter Coach, a bass baritone. Everyone stiffens up a
little.
Coach(patting Benjamin on the shoulder):
At ease, son.
Benjamin: Coach, I’d like you to meet… (motions to Roscoe but Coach ignores him.)
Coach: That was one hell of a game you played against Yale.
Benjamin: Gosh thanks, Coach, but I’d like you to meet…
Coach: ARIA
I’ll never forget,
That pivotal play,
Two minutes left
In the game against Yale.
I said to myself,
We’re down by ten,
But Button can do it
If anyone can.
And sure enough,
An interception!
Touchdown and
Yale regained possession.
But Button was quick
To grab it again,
Running 40 yards
For the touchdown and win!
Frat Boys(toasting):
Three cheers for Button!
Three cheers for Coach!
Fight on, Harvard!
Let’s get drunk!
(One of them tosses the game ball at Button who catches
easily. Coach beams and goes on singing.)
Coach: The end score was thirty
To twenty-seven.
I’ve never seen anyone
Play with such passion.
It’s as if God had sent you
To punish those queers
With the hardest beating
They’d taken in years!
Frat Boys(toasting):
Three cheers for Button!
Three cheers for Coach!
Fight on, Harvard!
Let’s get drunk!
Button: Coach, this is my…uh…brother, Roscoe.
Coach: Didn’t I see you at try-outs?
Roscoe(ashamed): No, sir.
Button: What? You promised me…
Coach (to Roscoe):
‘Spose there can’t be two in one family.
(to the Frat Boys):
Break some hearts and bottles, boys!
(to Benjamin):
Practice on Monday, be there.
Button: Yes sir! (Coach exits.)
Damn it, son!
Why didn’t you try out for the team?
Roscoe: Why did you say I was your brother?
Button: I’m asking the questions here.
(A cheerleader, played by an instrumentalist, walks by
and both Button and Roscoe follow her with their eyes.)
Button: Hey, go and talk to her. Don’t be a milk toast.
Roscoe: Dad, no one says milk toast anymore!
Button: Sure they do! Maybe not in your circles.
(Roscoe looks down ashamed. Dance music picks up. The
cheerleader walks back and approaches Benjamin, ignoring Roscoe.)
Cheerleader: Hey, Benny, wanna dance?
Button: Naw, I better not…
Frat Boy 3: C’mon Button! Do “The Castle Walk”!
Button dances “The Castle Walk” with the Cheerleader,
reluctantly at first, and then more enthusiastically. The music changes to
another dance, “The Maxixe”, which Button performs with zeal.
Frat Boy 4: Hey, Button’s doing “The
Maxixe”!
Frat Boy 1: Let’s see Ben do “The Grizzly Bear”!
He and the Cheerleader growl at each other with arms
extended and begin to dance more seductively to “The Grizzly Bear” music.
Roscoe is visibly annoyed, and leaves as Hildegarde enters, unseen by Benjamin
and looking gray and matronly. The Frat Boys start chanting his name, toasting
and encouraging him. When they clutch each other in bear fashion, Hildegarde
intercedes.
Hildegarde: Are you having a good time?
Frat Boy 2: Uh-oh, Benjamin’s mom is here.
The music stops and Benjamin looks horrified to see his
wife standing there.
Hildegarde: I’m not his mother. I’m his wife!
Frat Boy 3: Wow,
Button’s got a sugar mama! (They all toast him again.)
(In these lines they echo earlier lines from scene 4)
Frat Boy 1: He’s too young!
Frat Boy 2: She’s too old!
Frat Boy 3: Lucky Bastard!
Frat Boy 4: Lucky Bastard!
All: Button’s got a sugar mama!
All but Benjamin and Hildegarde disperse laughing and
carrying on.
Benjamin: How did you know I was here?
Hildegarde: I know where you go.
Benjamin: We were just dancing.
DUET
Hildegarde: Christ, Benjamin! She’s half your age.
What
would people say?
Think
of the gossip!
Benjamin: We were just dancing.
Everyone says
I look younger than ever!
Hildegarde & Benjamin:
You’ve (I’ve) always been like this.
You want to be (I’ve always been) different.
Why can’t you love me the way I am?
Hildegarde: Christ, don’t you have any pride?
You are dressed like a boy half your age.
Benjamin: When was the last time you combed your hair?
When was the last time you wore something nice?
Benjamin & Hildegarde:
You weren’t always like this./ I’ve always been like this.
Why do you want …/Why can’t you be…
…me to become a girl?/ …the same girl I married?
Hildegarde: You dress like a boy.
You stay out all night.
You flirt with young women.
You get into fights.
You drink like a fish.
You smoke like a fiend.
You ignore your son.
You never touch me.
Benjamin: I’m not attracted to you anymore.
Hildegarde: That’s nothing to boast about!
(Hildegarde exits.)
Benjamin: Forgive me.
Scene 2: Life at
Home
Roscoe and his wife, Rita, a mezzo, are settled in their
new home. Roscoe is center stage looking through documents. Rita is
periodically bringing things for the table or arranging things around the
house, exiting on and off stage. She brings him a cup of coffee.
Roscoe: Thank you, dear.
Rita: Enjoy it, dear.
Roscoe: Love you, dear.
Rita: Love you too, dear.
Roscoe(Roscoe begins to get amorous, pulling her on his lap):
Love you more, dear.
Rita: Oh, dear! What time is Dad coming home?
Roscoe(looks at his watch, and rolls his eyes):
Too soon.
Rita: Oh,
dear. (She gets up and exits to do some more cleaning.)
Enter Benjamin, looking a bit roughed up from a football
game.
Benjamin: I’m home!
Roscoe: I know, you don’t have to yell!
Benjamin(whispering):
Sorry.
(He sits down at the table, and Roscoe moves his papers
to the side. He continues to focus on them without looking at Button.)
Roscoe: How was your day?
Benjamin: The worst! We lost the game against Yale
And everyone blamed it on me, even Coach.
He benches me most of the time anyway.
Says I lost too much weight.
Roscoe: Maybe a man your age shouldn’t be playing football.
Benjamin(visibly hurt): That’s what Coach said.
He treats me like a rookie!
(Rita enters with a cup of coffee for Benjamin.)
Rita: Here ya go, Dad. Take a load off.
(She leans over and kisses him on the forehead.)
Benjamin: Well ain’t you a peach!
(Rita giggles. As she rises, he checks her out a bit, and
Roscoe notices. Exit Rita.)
Roscoe: Have you heard from mom?
Benjamin: You know it is too expensive to wire from Italy.
Roscoe: I know.
(There is a period of silence or instrumental music
between them.)
Roscoe: Well, you are graduating this year.
Any plans after that?
Benjamin: Actually, son, I thought I might…
Enroll at Saint Midas’ prep school.
College is too hard,
And Coach says he can recommend me
For the football team.
But son, I need your help.
I’m sorry that I stained the floor,
I’m sorry that I wrecked the car,
I’m sorry that I broke the door.
I’m sorry that your mother left,
I’m sorry that I wasn’t there,
I’m sorry that we are in debt.
But son, I need your help.
Could you come with me to St. Midas?
Someone needs to register me.
I was hoping you could be my…
Roscoe: Uncle.
Benjamin(visibly hurt):
What?
Roscoe: Uncle! From now on, just call me “Uncle”.
You have never been my father,
And I’ll be damned if you’re my son!
Call me uncle! Uncle Roscoe!
I’m the one you ask for favors,
The one who drives you home from parties,
And never receives gratitude.
Call me uncle! Uncle Roscoe!
I’m the one who makes excuses
When you’re stuck at the police station,
And your friends cannot be bothered.
Call me uncle! Uncle Roscoe!
I’m the schmuck who always lied,
When your wife began to wonder why
Young girls would call at any hour.
No, your son is never sour,
But your Uncle knows the score.
Don’t bullshit me anymore.
Benjamin: I’m sorry… Son …
Roscoe: Uncle!
Scene 3: Reenlistment
Benjamin is playing soldiers in his room. He has a whole
set of figures that he has positioned in a battle scene. At this point,
Benjamin should be singing in falsetto quite often to indicate his young age.
Benjamin: All right, men. The odds are against us,
But we’re the Rough Riders!
We took San Juan Hill!
These Krauts won’t know what hit ‘em!
Yeah!!
(Enter Benjamin’s grandson, Teddy, 4 or 5 years old,
played by a soprano. He is carrying an envelope which he hands to his
grandfather.)
Teddy: Grandpa! Grandpa! You got a letter.
Benjamin(opening the letter, reads it quickly and enthusiastically):
Teddy! They need me to reenlist!
And I’ve been promoted!
At last! At last!
Teddy: You mean, fight in Cuba?
Benjamin(tussling his head):
No, not Cuba!
We’re going to Europe this time!
Teddy: Wow! Where is that?
Benjamin: Far, far away!
(Benjamin puts on his uniform and begins to lead Teddy on
a walk to the reenlistment office. All the time, Teddy is asking childish
questions which Benjamin answers enthusiastically.)
Teddy: Do they talk funny in Europe?
Benjamin: You betcha!
Teddy: Do they have funny hats?
Benjamin: You bet!
Teddy: Where do they fight the dragons?
Benjamin: In Europe!
Teddy: And then, they eat the frogs?
Benjamin: Yes sir!
(Teddy begins to cry.)
Teddy: Grandpa, I don’t want you to go!
Who will tell me war stories
And listen to my nightmares?
And who will ready the troops
At home?
I can’t play soldiers by myself.
Mommy doesn’t like to play,
And daddy doesn’t like the war.
He says they’re gonna kill us this time.
Will they kill you this time?
Please, don’t go!
You are my best friend.
Benjamin: You know what, Teddy?
You are my best friend.
I wanna stay home!
(They both start blubbering a bit like children, but Benjamin straightens up. Percussionist, wearing and playing a snare drum approaches them.)
Cheer up, Teddy!
Remember that song I taught ya?
Oh it’s a long trip over to Europe;
It’s a long way over the sea.
(Teddy joins him …)
Oh it’s a long trip, and a long wait,
Till my good friend Teddy (Grandpa) I see.
(They walk over to the Reenlistment Office. The mezzo
soprano, tenor, flutist, clarinetist, and (if possible) violinist and cellist
begin to line up for the reenlistment desk. The Reenlistment Officer, played by
a bass-baritone, brings a table and chair on stage to represent this. He sits
down and begins processing paperwork for the Soldiers, who all begin to sing
the song as they stand in line and move forward. During the song, the
Reenlistment Officer yells out “Next” from time to time. Eventually, everyone
is in better spirits and Benjamin approaches the desk.)
Soldiers: Oh it’s a long trip over to Europe;
It’s
a long way over the sea.
Oh it’s a long trip, and a long wait,
(The last line is repeated four times. Each time one of the soldiers fills in
a girl’s name.)
Till my girl friend (wife) _____ I see.
Reenlistment Officer:
Next!
Benjamin: Brigadier-General Benjamin Button reporting for duty!
(waving his paper at the Officer)
Where is my infantry brigade?
Reenlistment Officer:
Hey! Wanna play soldier, sonny? Where did you get those nice badges?
Benjamin: Son, you are speaking to
A highly decorated veteran of the Spanish-American war.
Now, get someone to handle my luggage!
Reenlistment Officer:
Where you goin’ with the general’s duds, sonny?
Benjamin: Son, I survived
The dhobee-itch and the hamstring hitch,
The jimjams and the fever;
The ping-pong wrist and the bolo fist,
And a bumpus on the liver.*
I served my country beyond the call of duty,
Just for the honor of chewin’ that stupid look off your face.
Now, come to attention!
Teddy: Yeah!
(There is an awkward silence, and then everyone starts laughing.)
Reenlistment Officer:
C’mon! Whose little boy are you?
Soldiers: Go home, sonny! Hahaha!
(Benjamin leads Teddy off-stage humiliated.)
Teddy: Grandpa! Why are they laughing?
Benjamin: I shouldn’t have brought you!
They think you’re too young!
Teddy: I am not!!
Scene 4: Return to
Kindergarten
Stage is set like the kindergarten classroom again.
Benjamin is now very childish, around 4 years old, running around the
classroom, playing soldier by shooting the other children with his fingers in
the shape of a gun. Occasionally, he crawls on the ground or stalks someone as
though he is having flashbacks. While the other children are singing a song
with their Young Teacher, Benjamin is terrorizing them with these gestures and
by making explosion sounds—the children occasionally get scared and start to
cry.
Young Teacher & Other Children:
SONG
Moo-Moo!
Mind
made of glue! YT: Benjamin!
Farmer Bob and the green-horned wizard-
All day feeding the moo to the moo. YT: Sit down!
(Benjamin, innocently picks up the front then the back of
the teachers dress.)
Benjamin: Peekaboo!
YT: Sit!
Benjamin: I see you!
YT: Down!
YT and Children: Shivering, spinning…
YT: Benjamin!
YT and Children: We all turn blue!
Once the song is finished, Benjamin sits down and starts
to sing by himself.
Benjamin: Moo-Moo! Mind made of gwue!
Peekaboo! I see you!
Young Teacher: Benjamin, the song is over. Please be quiet!
Benjamin:
Atten-tion! (salutes the teacher and freezes in position)
Young Teacher: It’s time for collaging.
Children: Yay!
Benjamin(worried,
suffering from confusion/dimentia):
Collaging?
In this next part, the children prepare their collages
while Benjamin works himself into a panic. Meanwhile the teacher tries to
answer his questions.
Children: (repeating entire song)
Don’t hog all of the glue.
Benjamin: Where is my gwue?
YT: Right here.
Children: Try not to cut up your thumbs.
Benjamin: Where are my thumbs? YT: Right here.
Children: Keep your work to yourself.
Benjamin: What is work? YT: Right here. (pointing to his paper)
Children: But be as free as you can…
Benjamin: No! I don’t wanna be fwee!
I wanna go home!!
(Benjamin begins to cry and the Young Teacher comforts
him.)
Young Teacher: There, there.
Maybe that’s enough collaging.
Let’s settle down for naptime.
Children(groaning): Awwww!
Young Teacher: Sleep now, rest little birds,
Time is whispering three little words—
Surrender, divide, and grow.
Grow, divide, surrender.
Exhale who you were,
Waking in some other body.
Stillness ferries the dream.
(Everyone falls asleep except Benjamin, who is still
being cradled in her arms. After the song, she begins to hum the tune again.
When she gets to the melody for “Surrender, divide, and grow,” Benjamin perks
up and sings the line.)
Benjamin: Summender, dibide, and gwow!
I want to gwow! Gwow! Gwow!
Teacher, make me gwow!
(He starts running around the room again and runs right
into Roscoe who has just entered the classroom.)
Young Teacher(scratching her head, really annoyed):
I can’t make you grow!
Roscoe: What do you mean, you can’t make him grow?
What are we spending money on?
Isn’t that your job?
Young Teacher: I’m afraid, Mr. Button,
I just don’t know how to reach him.
Perhaps you should keep him home
For just a little while longer.
Roscoe: Home! For how long?
Young Teacher: Just another year…
(Benjamin has wet his pants in the mean time. He stands
up to show them and looks down, ashamed.)
Benjamin: Uh-oh.
Young Teacher: …or two.
Roscoe: Why didn’t you mention something when we enrolled him?
Young Teacher: He seemed…older at the time.
Roscoe: How ridiculous! Come along, Dad, I mean, Son.
The principal will hear about this.
Exit Roscoe and Benjamin covering the wet spot on his
pants with his collage paper.
Epilogue: Darkness
There is only a crib and a nurse, Nana, a mezzo, who is
humming all the time. Some crying is heard, and she reaches into the crib and
lifts a baby—a prop to represent Benjamin in infancy. She holds him and sings
the last lines of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s story.
Nana: Baby Button, don’t you cry…Baby don’t remember…
“Through the noons and nights, you breathe
And over you are soft mumblings—
-- And murmurings that you scarcely hear,
And faintly differentiated smells,
And light and darkness.”
Baby Button, don’t remember…Baby don’t remember…
“Now it grows dark, and your white crib,
(The lights gradually grow dark except for a spotlight on the baby.)
And the dim faces that move above you,
And the warm sweet aroma of milk,
Fade altogether from your mind.”
Baby Button, don’t remember…Baby, go to sleep.
The spotlight moves up to parallel the beginning. We end in darkness.
FINIS
*
From “In Mindanao” war song from the Spanish American War. American History
Songbook, by Jerry Silverman (Mel Bay Publishing).