| "You'll think you know where the plot is going, but prepare for your jaw to fall to the floor in disbelief." Orangeville Banner. |
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| Walter Learning & Terry Barna in Theatre Orangeville's production of Outlaw, 2004. |
| In the year 1871 a Canadian farmer travelling far from home is accused of committing a murder in the state of Kansas. He is taken to a clearing where his accusers are bent on hanging him. Is he guilty or just in the wrong place at the wrong time? | |
| Lights up on Bob Hicks, asleep on his bedroll. His saddle sits nearby along with his boots and pants. There is a campfire as well. Will Vanhorne enters pointing his gun at Bob. | |
| WILL: | Mister? Mister, wake up please. (He kicks at Bob’s feet.) |
| BOB: | What? What’s goin’ on? |
| WILL: | You’re gonna have to get up now, Mister, and please don’t make any sort of move for your weapon. |
| BOB: | Weapon? I don’t have a weapon. What is this? Who are you? |
| WILL: | I’m Will Vanhorne outa Tuscaloosa and I’ve come to take ya back. |
| BOB: | Will Van....what? What did you say? |
| WILL: | I’m Will Vanhorne outa Tuscaloosa and I’ve come to take ya back. |
| BOB: | Back where? Tusca..? I never been to Tuscaloosa. |
| WILL: | No, Tuscaloosa is where I’m from. It’s where I was born. It’s not where I’m takin’ ya back to. |
| BOB: | Well, why are you tellin’ me where you was born? |
| WILL: | I’m just announcin’ who I am as a courtesy. So you’ll know who it is who’s captured ya. |
| BOB: | What are you talkin’ about, capture? |
| WILL: | I’m Will Vanhorne outa Tuscaloosa and I’ve..... |
| BOB: | All right, I know who you are. I know that. I wanna know what this capturin’ talk is all about. |
| WILL: | Well, if you’d let me finish, I was gettin’ to it. I’ve come to take you back to face justice for what you’ve done. |
| BOB: | What I’ve done? What have I done? I ain’t done nothin’. |
| WILL: | Where’s your weapon? |
| BOB: | I don’t have one. |
| WILL: | You what? |
| BOB: | I don’t have a weapon. |
| WILL: | You don’t have a gun? |
| BOB: | That’s right. |
| WILL: | What’d ya do with it? |
| BOB: | I never had one. I don’t believe in em’. |
| WILL: | What’s that? |
| BOB: | I don’t believe in em’. |
| WILL: | What’s your name, Mister? |
| BOB: | Bob Hicks. |
| WILL: | Well, do ya think I’m an idiot, Mr. Hicks? Is that what ya think? |
| BOB: | What’s the matter? |
| WILL: | What d’ya mean ya don’t believe in guns? Guns ain’t like Santy Claus. They ain’t somethin’ to be believed in or not believed in. They’re a fact of life. Now, where the hell’s your gun? |
| BOB: | I don’t have one! |
| WILL: | Ya gotta have one! Everybody’s got one! |
| BOB: | Well, I don’t! |
| WILL: | All right, Bob Hicks. Shit. I don’t have time to argue with ya. Pick up your saddle and your bedroll and let’s get a move on. We’ve got a three hour ride ahead of us. |
| BOB: | Where we goin’? |
| WILL: | You’ll find out. Now, let’s just shake off the moss and start travelin'. |
| BOB: | But, I didn’t do nothin’. |
| WILL: | Nevertheless, I would appreciate it if you’d get movin’. |
| BOB: | No, now listen here. If I didn’t do nothin’, I don’t know why I should be rousted out of my sleepin’ place and dragged off to God knows where in the middle of the night. |
| WILL: | Mr. Hicks? Can I call you Bob? |
| BOB: | Sure. |
| WILL: | Thank you. Now, Bob, get the hell movin’ before I blow your head off right here and now. |
| Copyright 2004 Norm Foster |
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