The Play of Baucis and Philemon Cast: Gods Pacupac, Dessa Contillo, Gina Cunanan, Rose Ann Basas,

Neneth Townspeople Gapate, Danielle Ann Dionisio, Kaithlyn Kate Roque, Marikit Cuaton, Marie Renzie Manalo, Janine Geroche, Arleen Miralpes, Jhulie-Ann Nolial, Leslie Pearl Magbanua, Genelyn

Zeus Hermes Hera Athena

Baucis Philemon Weaver Merchant Merchants Wife Rich Woman Maiden Kids

__________________________________________________________________________________________ First Setting: in Mt. Olympus... R.A-Hera: Why you do look as gloomy as a tomb my kingly husband. What seems to be the problem? Dessa-Zeus: I have received word of a very ungracious group of humans, and I have decided to visit Earth to see if the reports are true. Guard over Mt. Olympus well, Queen Hera. I shall return in a few days. Gina-Hermes: May I come too, Thunder-lord? It would be an excellent time to play some of my new tricks on humans. Dessa-Zeus: You may come along, Hermes. But you will have little chance for tricks, since we will go in mortal form. Neneth-Athena: Be careful mighty Zeus, to take on human form is a risky thing. Dessa-Zeus: I want to get first-hand experience on how strangers are truly treated so it is the best disguise I can use. But thanks for your advice, Hermes and I will be cautious. _________________________________________________________________________________________ Second SETTING: in PhrygiaMarketplace... Dessa-Zeus: Well here we are in the Phrygian market place, Hermes. These people look respectable enough. I simply can't believe they're as wicked as the reports I've heard. Perhaps the atrocities are all caused by that band of thieves lurking near the highway. Gina-Hermes: It is indeed a nice market place with all sorts of delectable foods to eat. I smell roasting beef seasoned with garlic and a hint of sage. There's also the aroma of bread made with roasted almonds and raisins. Good heavens, I am simply famished. It's too bad we don't have any money. Dessa-Zeus: We'll just ask these people to help us out of their goodwill and in the name of the Olympic gods. Excuse me sir, I am a traveler and I was hoping............. Kit-Weaver: Out of my way you, filthy peasant! Gina-Hermes: Good people, could you spare a morsel of food? Janine-Merchant's wife: I have nothing for you, you nasty vagrant. Renzie-Merchant: Get away from my wife before I give you both a good sound beating!

Dessa-Zeus: Pardon me, my dear lady. My friend and I are strangers and we are very tired and hungry. I was wondering if you would be so kind as to share............ Arleen-Rich woman: Get your dirty hands off my clothes, you beggar. Maiden: The nerve of these low class people, trying to talk to their betters. They ought to be put in chains and sent to work in the copper mines. Rich woman: And to think I forgot my Egyptian whip. A good sound thrashing is what these loathsome vagabonds need. Why that one looks like he has certainly got fleas and the other one is worse. I think we should report these fellows to the magistrate. They should be whipped and then sold as slaves. Jhulie-Maiden: I simply despise seeing such low class peasants. It's bad enough to have to look at them and breathe the same air. But to have them try and talk to us, well that's really just too much. Dessa-Zeus: The people of this city are even worse than the reports I received. Gina-Hermes: My lord, I have the strangest sensations where those rocks hit me. Dessa-Zeus: That is called pain, my dear Hermes. Humans often experience it. Gina-Hermes: A most unpleasant feeling, indeed. _________________________________________________________________________________________ Third SETTING: (Baucis and Philemons House) in a little hut on the outskirts of town... Gina-Hermes:Why bother knocking here? Weve knocked on houses of all kinds, the homes of people with plenty to spare. Whoever lives here has nothing. Dessa-Zeus: Lets give it a try all the same. Weve come all this way. Gina-Hermes: This is hopeless. Lets just go ho Danielle-Baucis: Poor strangers! Philemon, there are guests at our door! Dessa-Zeus : Hello. We are strangers to these parts. Weve lost our way and-Kate-Philemon : Baucis, why are you standing there! We must bring our guests inside. Dessa-Zeus: Do you know us? Kate-Philemon: of course. Gina-Hermes: you do? Kate-Philemon: yes-Gina-Hermes: then who are we? Kate-Philemon: why, you are children of God. Come in, come in. Danielle-Baucis: no, dont sit on the floor! Sit on chairs like quality people do. We were just about to eat so I will just put out two extra plates and cups. Dear Philemon, go get our guests some wine. (pours wine) Gina-Hermes: good sir, my friend and I would like some more wine. Kate-Philemon: Im afraid the jug is almost empty. But there may just a few drops left,

Gina-Hermes: Please pour us some more, kind friend, and fill your cup as well as your wife's as well. Kate-Philemon: I say Baucis, how much does our jar hold? Danielle-Baucis: Four cups. Why? Kate-Philemon: Well, am I losing my wits or what? I gave everyone a drink and that was four cups. Then I gave our guests two more, and finally I gave everyone another drink which makes for a total of ten. How is that possible when our jug only holds four cups? Danielle-Baucis: look Philemon! Wine is bubbling up from the bottom of the jug. Our guests are not human at all. (They kneel) Have pity on us you mighty gods. You are divine and weve served you such simple meal. Baucis lets go and kill the goose. (Baucis and Philemon chase and shout) Kate-Philemon: quick there she goes, Baucis. Danielle-Baucis: oh no, that sneaky fowl is trying to fly up into the tree. Dessa-Zeus: Come here my good couple, and let your goose live. I am Zeus and this is crafty Hermes, who has played the trick with your wine jar. Though you are poor humble folks, you were willing to share everything you had with us when you thought we were only wandering humans. Of all the people of this land, only you two are worthy citizens. Now behold! (thunder crash) Danielle-Baucis: why the city is now covered by a lake, and we are the only ones who remain. Dessa-Zeus: Tell me, O good old man and you good wife, what may we do in return for your hospitality? (Couple whispers) Kate-Philemon: We desire to be your servants, and to have the care of this temple. One other favor we would ask. From boyhood I have loved only Baucis, and she has lived only for me. Let the self same hour take us both away together. Let me never see the tomb of my wife, nor let her suffer the misery of mourning my death. Dessa-Zeus: You have chosen wisely and you shall have even more than you asked for. When the morning sun rises your hut will be changed into a golden temple and you will be priests of Zeus and Hermes. Then when the time appointed for your death comes, you will not die. Instead you will be changed into trees to grow on this hillside for countless years to come. Now farewell kind souls and may peace be always with you. _______________________________________________________________________________________ Fourth Setting: Temple of Baucis and Philemon with sacred porch And when again old age overtook them, they were standing one day in front of the sacred porch, and Baucis, turning her gaze upon her husband, saw him slowly changing into a gnarled oak tree. And Philemon, as he felt himself rooted to the ground, saw Baucis at the same time turning into a leafy linden. Kate-Philemon: "My dear, I see your forehead sprout!" "Sprout," what's this you tell us?, I feel it true; And really, yours is budding too-- Nay,--now I cannot stir my foot; It feels as if 'twere taking root." And as their faces disappeared behind the green foliage, each cried unto the other, Kate/Danielle-Philemon and Baucis:Farewell, dearest love! and again, Dearest love, farewell! And their human forms were changed to trees and branches.