An excerpt for review. It may not be performed, copied or distributed without a license. To request the full script or a license, write to programs@firebird.nyc or send a request.
Act 1, Scene 1 - Treasure Island
A group of six PIRATES carry a large sea-chest. The procession is followed by CAPTAIN FLINT, a beastly pirate. The pirates sing, heaving the chest after every line.
PIRATESFifteen men on a dead man's chest!Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of rum!Drink and the devil had done for the rest!Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of...
Flints load a gun. The stage goes dark, and gunshots are heard. One gunshot for each of the crew… except one. BEN GUNN - a scrappy young sea-man comes into view, scurrying away. He takes one more look behind him, terrified for his life, and then runs off.
Act 1, Scene 2 - The Admiral Benbow
At Rise, JIM HAWKINS, a youthful fourteen-year-old boy, addresses the audience. BONES, a weathered old sea-man watches from behind as the scene reveals a homely tavern, “The Admiral Benbow.” Bones hums an old song under Jim’s narration, an eerie and dark melody, with the taste of the ocean in it.
JIMI remember him as if it were yesterday - how he came to the inn door with the old sea-chest, his hands ragged and scarred, with black, broken nails, and the sabre cut across one cheek, a dirty, livid white.
Bones knocks hard at tavern door, and Jim rushes to open it for him. Bones enters, dragging behind him a barrow with a small sea-chest. Jim comes behind the bar.
JIMWelcome to the Admiral Benbow.
BONESThis is a handy cove, and a pleasant sittyated grog-shop. Much company, mate?
JIMVery little company, sir. Just me and my mother, who runs the tavern.
BONESWell, then, this is the berth for me. I'll stay here a bit. I'm a plain man; rum and bacon and eggs is what I want, and that room upstairs to watch ships off. What you mought call me? You mought call me “Captain.”
There is a pause as Jim awaits payment.
BONES (CONT’D)...Oh, I see what you're at.
Bones reaches into his pocket and slams a couple gold pieces on the bar.
BONES (CONT’D)You can tell me when I've worked through that. Now; a glass of rum, if you’d be so kind.
Jim moves to fetch it, but Bones stops him.
BONES (CONT’D)Oh, and I never did learn your name, boy.
JIMIt’s Jim, Captain. Jim Hawkins.
Act 1, Scene 3 - The Admiral Benbow
Jim addresses the audience.
JIMHe was a very silent man. All day he would hang round the cove or upon the cliffs with a brass telescope; all evening he would sit in a corner of the parlour and drink his rum. We all soon learned to let him be. He and his old sea-chest lodged in the upstairs room for several months, and every day when he came back from his stroll he would ask me the same question.
BONES comes through the door. Some local folk populate the tavern, including DR LIVESEY.
BONESBoy! By some chance, did you see any sea-faring men go by along the road today?
JIMDon’t think so, sir.
Bones looks around warily, then speaks to Jim in hushed tones.
BONES (CONT’D)You remember what I told you?
JIMYes, sir. Keep a weather-eye open for a seafaring man with one leg.
BONESAye, there’s a good lad.
Bones presses some money into Jim’s palm. Then he stalks off to his table and drinks.
JIMThe Captain was really rather off that night, and he drank heavily.
Bones is already rather drunk when he motions for MRS HAWKINS - Jim’s mother.
BONES‘Nother noggin, if you will, Mrs. Hawkins.
MRS HAWKINSBut Captain, you haven't paid for the last-
Bones looks up at her with a dark glare. The poor tavern-keeper, frightened, moves to pour his rum.
BONESFifteen men on a dead man's chest!Yo-ho-ho, and a bottle of-
He stomps, eliciting silence from everyone in the room, except Dr Livesey, who continues his conversation with a tavern guest.
DR LIVESEY-and if nothing else, it’s a proper cure for the rheumatics-
BONESSilence, there, between decks!
Dr Livesey turns calmly, barely batting an eye. All eyes are on him.
DR LIVESEYWere you addressing me, sir?
JIM (Concerned)Doctor Livesey-
BONESDamn right I was.
DR LIVESEYThen I have only one thing to say to you, sir: that if you keep on drinking rum as you have tonight, the world will soon be quit of a very dirty scoundrel.
Bones is infuriated. He springs to his feet and draws a pocket knife. Dr Livesey catches his hand and speaks very calmly.
DR LIVESEYIf you do not put that knife this instant in your pocket, I promise, upon my honour, you shall hang at the next assizes.
The two glare each other off, then Bones returns to his seat.
DR LIVESEYAnd, sir, since I now know there's such a fellow in my district, you may count I'll have an eye upon you day and night. I'm not a doctor only; I'm a magistrate; and if I catch a breath of complaint against you, if it's only for a piece of incivility like tonight's, I'll take effectual means to have you hunted down and routed out of this. Let that suffice.
Dr Livesey stalks out of the tavern, Bones grumbles at his table.
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