TOMMY:

Hey, Emil, you can see tons of fish from up here. It's pretty neat.

DAN:

Two years along in the wilderness, now that's livin'.

JO:

He was a friend of my father's. People in town thought he was eccentric, but I was always fascinated by him. He was the one person who wasn't afraid to speak up for what he felt was right.

FRANZ:

He was even thrown in jail for it.

DAN:

Yeah?

NICK:

Who was thrown in jail?

JO:

Henry David Thoreau. It was just for one night. He refused to pay his taxes to support the war with Mexico.

DAN:

Why?

FRANZ:

Because he felt the war was immoral.

JO:

Thoreau felt that people's obligations to their own conscience were more important than their obligations to the government, and he stood by those beliefs.

NICK:

Wagon's just by the road. Y'all set?

JO:

Perfect timing. [To the children.] Come on, everyone! Time to go!

DAN:

He actually refused to pay his taxes knowing full well he'd go to jail for it?

FRANZ:

It was his way of taking a stand, and he did it in a peaceful way which was also something he advocated. To him, violence was never a way to achieve a desired end.

NICK:

Ah, that might be true livin' out here in the woods, but back in the real world, sometimes ya gotta fight for what you want.

JO:

Come on down now, Tommy. Let's go.

TOMMY:

Comin'! [Tommy begins to climb down but loses his footing. He falls badly.] Ah!

JO:

Tommy!

DAN:

Tommy, are you all right?

NAN:

Tommy!

NICK:

Hold still. Try not to move. Dan, get the wagon.

DR. P.:

How does that feel?

TOMMY:

All right, I guess.

DR. P.:

I'll send over some crutches for you, but you'll need to stay off that leg for a few days

TOMMY:

You mean no school?

JO:

No, that doesn't mean no school. I'll bring your lessons to you. [To Dr. Pierce.] I'll ride into town and advise his parents.

DR. P.:

Thanks you, Mrs. Bhaer. [To Tommy.] And remember, do not leave that bed.

NICK:

We'll make sure he stays put… even if we have to post a guard.

NICK:

All right. Try it now.

NICK:

Mr. McBride.

McB.:

Is Mrs. Bhaer at home?

NICK:

Yeah. Is she expectin' ya?

McB.:

I should think not. [McBride's carriage pulls away towards the house.]

NICK:

I wonder what he wants.

DAN:

Whatever it is, it probably ain't good.

ASIA:

Did you have to give him that bell? He's been ringin' that thing for two days non-stop now.

JO:

Well, at least he's staying put. [There is a knock at the front door.] I'll go.

JO:

Mr. McBride.

McB.:

Mrs. Bhaer, I understand one of your students was involved in an accident.

JO:

Yes, Tommy Bangs.

McB.:

As you know, I'm a close friend of his family.

JO:

No, I wasn't aware of that.

McB.:

Yes, they often turn to me when seeking legal counsel.

JO:

Legal counsel?

McB.:

I have come to inform you that I will be filing a suit of negligence against the school on behalf of Thomas Bangs in the District Superior Court. [He hands a paper to Jo.]

JO:

What?

McB.:

I trust you will cooperate fully in this matter. I am, after all, merely acting on behalf of the best interests of the children.

JO:

I spoke to Tommy's parents right after it happened. They didn't seem to be too concerned about it.

McB.:

They said you referred to the injury as "a mishap."

JO:

Yes, it was an accident. He slipped and fell. Tommy often has these kinds of mishaps.

McB.:

I'm sorry, Mrs. Bhaer, but I'm afraid I look upon a broken leg as something considerably more serious than an amusing inconvenience. And Tommy's parents, both of whom are blessed with caring and trusting hearts, often find themselves victims of those who would seek to diminish wrongs committed against them.

JO:

It was an accident.

McB.:

It was negligence, ma'am. The child was entrusted to your care, and you placed him in a dangerous situation.

JO:

He was climbing a tree.

McB.:

When he should have been at his desk in school where children belong on a school day.

JO:

Why don't you just admit why you are doing this? Tommy's welfare is the last thing on your mind. You've been after me to sell Plumfield to you since my husband's death. Now you've finally found a way to pressure me.

McB.:

I see. So this is all about you, then, and not about the poor child lying upstairs with a broken leg. I was told you were a woman of considerable vanity, Mrs. Bhaer, but I must admit that I'm surprised you put your own concerns above the welfare of the children.

JO:

What?

McB.:

I'm ordering a coach to remove Tommy from your school this afternoon. I would appreciate having his things collected together before then.

JO:

I'd like to speak to his parents.

McB.:

I've advised against that. You've already spoken with them, detailing your account of the… mishap. What more could you tell them?

JO:

Why don't you speak to the other children who were there? Or Nick Riley, my caretaker? They'll tell you exactly what happened.

McB.:

Yes, I would like that.

JO:

There's no case here, Mr. McBride. Tommy would be the first to agree with me.

McB.:

Well, that's why we'll let the judge decide. Good day, Mrs. Bhaer.

JO:

Your coach is here. Hopefully, you'll be able to come back soon, and your leg will be healed and -

TOMMY:

I'm sorry, Mrs. Jo. I shouldn't have been climbing that tree.

JO:

Listen to me, Tommy. I've climbed that same tree before, many times when I was younger. The view from the branches is incredible. You can see the entire pond from shore to shore, and if you look straight down, you can even see the fish swimming in the water.

TOMMY:

I know. I counted eight.

JO:

It's a whole different world up there, much more interesting than just standing on the ground. I'm sorry that you slipped and fell, Tommy, but I am so happy that you climbed that tree. I hope you climb many more.

McB.:

So this is where you conduct class… in the barn.

FRANZ:

Well, the actual barn where the animals are kept is below us. Uncle Fritz and Aunt Jo used to keep hay and feed up here before is was converted into the schoolroom.

McB.:

Tell me this: On the day that Tommy Bangs was injured, you decided to conduct the class outside the schoolroom. Is this correct.

FRANZ:

Yes. We were reading Thoreau's Walden. It was such a beautiful day that Aunt Jo suggested that we go to Walden Pond where Thoreau actually lived to conduct the class.

McB.:

Does your aunt often conduct this type of outing.

FRANZ:

Yes, she does. Aunt Jo believes a large part of one's education occurs outside the classroom.

McB.:

How novel, but I am still confused. If you're conducting class at the pond, how did Tommy come to be climbing a tree?

FRANZ:

Well, the lessons were finished for the day, and the students were allowed some free time before Nick came to pick us up with the hay wagon.

McB.:

Tell me then, in your own words, exactly how the injury occurred.

FRANZ:

Well, many of the students began skipping stones, but Tommy became bored with this and decided to climb the tree.

McB.:

Was he told not to?

FRANZ:

No. Not to my knowledge.

McB.:

Mrs. Bhaer didn't mind him climbing the tree?

DAN:

No, she lets us do stuff like that all the time. She always watches us close and tells us to be careful.

McB.:

But sometimes injuries like Tommy's do happen, is that correct?

DAN:

Not often. Mrs. Jo takes real good care of us.

EMIL:

He slipped on a branch and he fell. It was an accident. It could have happened to anyone.

McB.:

But these sorts of accidents seem to follow Tommy around, don't they?

EMIL:

He does tend to get hurt more than the rest of us.

McB.:

Can you give me any other examples?

EMIL:

No. I'm afraid I can't recall any.

McB.:

There's nothing to be worried about, Nat, if you tell me the truth.

NAT:

Well, there was this one time when Tommy cut himself.

McB.:

Cut himself? Was it bad?

NAT:

No. Dr. Pierce just stitched it up.

McB.:

Dr. Pierce was summoned?

NAT:

Well, yeah.

McB.:

How did it happen?

NAT:

Um, I don't remember.

NAN:

Sure, I remember. He was settin' the table for dinner. He was carryin' too many things at once, and Tommy comes to the door right as Billy was coming to the door and boom! The door slams into Tommy and the knife he was carrying cut his arm. The plate smashed into about a million pieces. We go through more plates here.

McB.:

Was the cut bad?

NAN:

No, real small. I wanted to stitch it, but Mrs. Jo said Dr. Pierce should do it. I could've done it. I've seen him do it hundreds of times.

McB.:

Is Dr. Pierce often summoned out here to stitch up wounds?

NAN:

Yeah, he's here more than he is in town. I like it 'cause he lets me help out sometimes.

McB.:

I see you have an interest in medicine.

NAN:

Yes, sir.

McB.:

That's good. Tell me, are there many other interesting medical cases here at Plumfield.

NAN:

Well, you probably heard about the measle epidemic we had last year.

McB.:

Ah, yes. The school was quarantined, if I remember correctly.

NAN:

Yeah, it was really bad. Oh, and then last winter Nat was in a coma.

McB.:

A coma?

NAN:

Yeah. Nick was teaching him how to fight, see? And so then he went -

McB.:

Nick? He's the caretaker here?

NAN:

Yeah. So Nat went into town and picked a fight with a boy bigger than him, and the boy punched him and he hit his head on the… [Nan suddenly notices that McBride is writing down everything she is telling him.] on the, um… Well, he hit his head, but it wasn't anything bad. It was just a… you know, a… coma.

AMY:

He's a despicable man, Eli McBride. I heard he's considering running for mayor next year. Well, he can forget Laurie's vote!

MEG:

[Comes out of the store carrying a telegram.] Edward wired back. He said these kinds of lawsuits are becoming more frequent. He's had three in the last year alone at his firm, but the good news is he agrees that, in this instance, there isn't much of a case, and clearly it's a matter of "contributory negligence" and the judge will most likely rule in your favour.

AMY:

"Contributory negligence," what's that?

MEG:

Well, it means that Tommy, "by choosing to climb the tree in the first place was, in fact, contributing to his own injury." Edward can cite other cases where the same argument was used.

JO:

Wait a minute. So I'll have to say it was Tommy's fault that he got hurt?

MEG:

Well, yes. Partially. Which, in fact, it was. And that's all you need.

AMY:

You won't have to say a thing. Edward will represent you. He's a fine lawyer.

JO:

I don't want a lawyer.

MEG:

But, Jo, you may need one.

McB.:

I spoke with the sheriff. He said you spent some time in jail last year for assaulting one of the children's guardians. Mind telling me about that?

NICK:

What's that got to do with Tommy getting hurt?

McB.:

I'm merely trying to gain an overall impression of this school from the children who attend it to the employees who are hired to care for it.

NICK:

I'm just the caretaker. I don't get involved much with the kids.

McB.:

That's odd. The children seem to have a different view. They speak quite highly of you. Many of them actually refer to you as a kind of second father, which as you might imagine, concerns me. After all, a man such as yourself working at a school with children… Not exactly my idea of a role model.

NICK:

Look! I'm real busy here. I don't have any time for this right now.

McB:

I understand. Thank you for your time, Mr. Riley.

McB.:

[To Mr. Gerson.] And make sure this is marked urgent. I want the judge to see it today. The safety of the children is at stake.

H.B.:

[Apologizing for eavesdropping.] Sorry, it's none of my business.

McB.:

You're the new editor of the newspaper.

H.B.:

Harrison Bridger. I just got in last week.

McB.:

Eli McBride. I have a law firm in town. I'm just involved in a case of negligence against a local school.

H.B.:

Negligence?

McB.:

It began with a single incident, but after some investigation, I've uncovered an alarming pattern of abuse and neglect.

H.B.:

Does the rest of the town know about this?

McB.:

I'm afraid not. The owner of the school has gone to great lengths to hide the little secret from public scrutiny.

H.B.:

Could I persuade you to speak to The Chronicle about this?

McB.:

Well, under normal circumstances I would never discuss an ongoing case with the newspaper, but to say nothing when the children are in danger, I'm afraid I'd be guilty of negligence too.

JO:

I can't believe this. It's not just about Tommy anymore. Now it's about the whole school. McBride has completely twisted everything. He makes it seem as though I deliberately put these children at harm.

McB.:

[Enters with the sheriff.] Mrs. Bhaer.

JO:

How could you do this?

McB.:

I only want to protect the children, as does the judge.

JO:

[Taking a paper handed to her by the sheriff.] What is this?

McB.:

It's a temporary injunction ordering you to close the school until a full hearing can be scheduled.

NICK:

What?

McB.:

You have until the end of the day tomorrow, or else the sheriff and his deputies will close it for you. Good day. [Exits.]

NAT:

That's the last of it.

NICK:

All set?

DAN:

Yeah.

NAT:

Mrs. Jo, can we come visit you?

JO:

No. The injunction prevents you from coming onto the property, Nat, but I'll come visit you as often as I can. [Hugs Bess.] Bye, sweetheart.

BESS:

Bye, Aunt Jo.

JO:

[Hugs Nat.] You be good, you hear me. I'll see you soon. [To Dan.] Don't worry. Everything will be all right. You'll see. [Hugs Dan.] All right.

NICK:

[To Dan.] All right. Let's go.

JO:

Go on.

NICK:

[To Jo.] I'll be back soon. [The wagon leaves, carrying Dan, Nat and Bess. Another carriage pulls up.]

JO:

Nan, your carriage is here.

JO:

All right. Do you have everything? You have your music box and your frog skeleton? I'll come and visit you. Would that be all right?

NAN:

Sure.

JO:

[Hugs Nan.] I'll miss you.

NAN:

[Nan begins to climb into the carriage but then turns back to Jo, hugging her as the tears flow freely.] I'm sorry for saying those things to Mr. McBride. I wasn't thinking.

JO:

Don't you worry. You didn't do anything wrong. Do you hear me? We'll get through this. I promise. Somehow we'll get through this. Go on, now.

NAN:

Goodbye, Mrs. Jo.

JO:

Bye…

ROB:

I'm done. Could I be excused.

JO:

Yes. [Rob gathers his dishes and exits as Asia enters.] He's not taking this well.

FRANZ:

He'll be all right once the kids come back.

ASIA:

It just ain't right: a whole dinner and not one plate is broken.

JO:

I'd almost forgotten how quiet this house can get.

FRANZ:

I can almost hear Nat playing his violin.

JO:

Or Nan laughing at some prank that she just pulled.

ASIA:

Or Tommy ringing that awful bell. What I wouldn't give to hear it again.

McB.:

Thank you for being gracious enough to speak with me.

LAURIE:

Well, you'll forgive us for being somewhat biased, but I would rate Plumfield as one of the finest schools in the Commonwealth.

AMY:

I can think of no other school I'd rather have our daughter attend.

McB.:

Well, is it not true that initally you had reservations about sending her there?

AMY:

Yes, initially, but once Bess was enrolled -

McB.:

Certain people in town said that they overheard you and your sister engaged in a heated public argument in which you questioned the discipline and safety of the school.

AMY:

Oh, well, it wasn't like that. No, we were just… You know how sisters can get.

LAURIE:

Our hesitation simply had to do with our frequent travelling schedule.

AMY:

Yes, our travel schedule. We travel…

LAURIE:

Oftentimes to Europe.

AMY:

Frequently.

McB.:

Is it not true that Bess almost drowned in a river on the Plumfield property shortly after she was enrolled in the school?

LAURIE:

Well, I wouldn't go so far as to say she nearly drowned.

AMY:

She slipped and fell into the river. Children fall into rivers every day.

McB.:

But Bess couldn't swim.

AMY:

No.

LAURIE:

Not at the time.

AMY:

She learned shortly after. Nick taught her how to swim.

McB.:

Nick Riley, the caretaker?

AMY:

Yes, he's wonderful with the children.

LAURIE:

He's been a great asset to Plumfield. He makes sure things are safe and clean, and he can fix just about anything.

AMY:

And I've never seen Jo happier since he came into her life. [Catching herself.] Because he's so good at keeping things safe and clean, and fixing things…

BESS:

[Quietly, to herself.] Oh, mother…

JO:

Mr. Bridger! You're the new editor at The Chronicle, am I right?

H.B.:

Yes, I am. I arrived in town just -

JO:

I figured I'd come by and tell you my side of the story being as you never bothered to ask me.

H.B.:

You must be Mrs. Bhaer. I know I rushed to print the article, but I had a deadline to get the paper out, and I felt I had all the necessary facts to -

JO:

So you decided to go ahead and print lies rather than tell the truth? If this is the kind of journalism you practice -

H.B.:

So you dispute Mr. McBride's findings?

JO:

Of course I dispute them, and if you had bothered to research your facts instead of rushing off and -

H.B.:

So Mr. Riley here is not a convicted criminal?

JO:

Since when is it against the law to give someone a second chance?

H.B.:

Well, it isn't. But if he teaches one of the children how to fight resulting in one of them getting seriously hurt, maybe it ought to be.

NICK:

That was my doin', not hers. She don't allow fightin'.

H.B.:

But she hired you. It was her responsibility. And now there's talk of your relationship having evolved into somewhat of a… courtship. Some might view that as improper.

JO:

Who told you that?

H.B.:

Eli McBride discovered it during his investigation. I believe it was Amy, your sister.

JO:

It's not true.

H.B.:

If it isn't true, then why would your sister say that?

NICK:

Come on. Let's go. It's a waste of time talkin' to him. McBride's got him in his back pocket.

H.B.:

No, wait. That's where you're wrong. Look, I apologize for printed that article without having talked to you first. Whatever Mr. McBride's motives are for pursuing this lawsuit, it doesn't erase the fact that he has sufficient evidence to back his claims. He has detailed accounts of children getting hurt and lost, another almost drowning in a river, others being allowed to wander in the woods alone for three nights in the dead of winter on some sort of Indian ritual.

DAN:

[Having overheard, crosses the street to face Bridger and defend Jo.] That was me, and I asked her to let me to do it. She didn't want me to go.

JO:

Dan, please.

H.B.:

The point is, McBride might be doing all of this for reasons other than protecting the children, but I'm not. I want what's best for them. If that means closing the school and putting you out of business, then I'll do my best to make sure that happens. If it turns out that what's best for the children is keeping the school open and Mr. Riley staying on as caretaker, I'll do my best to make sure that happens, but you're going to have to prove that to me first. [Exits.]

NICK:

[Seeing McBride on the other side of the street.] McBride!

JO:

Nick?

NICK:

Wait a minute.

McB.:

I'm late for a meeting, Mr. Riley.

NICK:

I wanna talk to you.

McB.:

Well, it will have to wait.

NICK:

You been spreadin' lies all over town, and it's gonna stop.

McB.:

Step out of my way.

NICK:

Not until we settle this.

McB.:

The only thing that you should be settling, Mr. Riley, is your employment situation. Perhaps it's time you moved on and found another lonely widow to prey upon. [Nick grabs McBride and pushes him against a post.]

JO:

Nick!

McB.:

Let go of me.

JO:

Nick, stop. [Nick lets go of McBride.]

McB.:

How dare you assault me. [To the gathered crowd.] Did you see that? You saw what happened. This is the sort of role model Mrs. Bhaer allows in her school. One can only imagine how he handles unruly students. [To Jo.] It's over, Mrs. Bhaer. Your school is finished.

AMY:

I'm so sorry, Jo. It was an accident. It just slipped out of my mouth, and before I knew it, he was twisting my words.

JO:

It's all right, Amy. I'm not angry with you. McBride seems to excel at twisting people's words.

MEG:

I wired Edward. He'll come to represent you at the hearing.

JO:

Meg, I can't afford a lawyer.

MEG:

I already talked to him about that. He won't charge you. I told him about the injunction, and he said that the judge's decision to issue it is not a good sign. It means that he feels that McBride's claims have some validity, but it's not hopeless. We have some claims of our own about what a wonderful school this is and the incredible work you've done with these children.

AMY:

That's right. We won't give up without a fight. We're going to make sure that that judge knows exactly what kind of place Plumfield is.

NAT:

Did you have much trouble sneaking out?

TOMMY:

No. My parents are too busy to notice.

NAN:

Yeah, I know what you mean. My father's not even home. He's been away on business in Philadelphia for over a month now. My housekeeper doesn't care what I do.

EMIL:

[Enters.] Sorry, I'm late. My uncle just got finished telling me which school he's sending me to… Peterskill Academy.

NAN:

Peterskill Academy? That's a horrible school. Just a bunch of spoiled rich kids.

DAN:

Look, this ain't over yet. The hearin's in a couple of days. We gotta keep thinkin' positive, all right?

EMIL:

You got the book?

DAN:

Yeah. [Hands the book to Bess.] It's your turn to read, Bess.

BESS:

All right. [Walden: Conclusion.] "The surface of the earth is soft and impressible by the feet of men; so with the paths which the mind travels. How worn and dusty, then, must be the highways of the world, how deep the ruts of tradition and conformity! I did not wish to take a cabin passage, but rather to go before the mast and on the deck of the world, for there I could best see the moonlight amid the mountains. I do not wish to go below now." [… Walden: Chapter 2.] " My imagination carried me so far that I even had the refusal…"

NICK:

I just wanted to say I'm sorry for what happened in town with McBride.

JO:

I know you were angry, Nick. I was angry, too. But assaulting him wasn't the answer.

NICK:

I know, it's just… Back on the ships, guys didn't have lawsuits and lawyers. You had a problem with somebody, you settled it right then and there with your fists. That's the way it's been for me, for as long as I can remember. [Beat.] Listen, Jo. Comin' here, workin' for you at the school, it's been good for me. You and the kids have made me feel wanted, and I thank you for it, but I think maybe it's time I should leave. I think it might be best for the school. It might even help with the lawsuit. Me bein' here's only made things worse.

JO:

I'm the one who hired you, Nick. That newspaper man was right: No matter what you do, right or wrong, ultimately it comes back to me. It's my responsibility.

NICK:

Exactly, which is why you'd be doin' the responsible thing by getting' rid of me. It might send a message to the judge that you're cleanin' this place up.

JO:

"Cleaning this place up…"

NICK:

To the eyes of the judge. Listen, think about it. Let me know what you want me to do. [Exits.]

McB.:

The facts speak for themselves, Mrs. Bhaer. Your classroom is located in a dilapidated barn which, it will be argued, poses a danger to life and limb. And your unconventional teaching methods of which you are so proud have proven not only to be reckless but downright hazardous. Now, we can go to the hearing tomorrow and we can stand before the judge and I will tell him how you've hired a convicted felon who assaults people in the streets, and I can detail every single incident in which a child was harmed. I can do all of that, or we can settle this matter right now. I will withdraw the lawsuit if you will agree to sell me Plumfield. [Jo's expression changes to one of horror at McBride's offer. He pays no attention.] True, the school will still be closed, but you will be spared not only the arduous legal hearing, but also the substantial monetary damages which the judge will almost certainly award Tommy's parents.

JO:

I'll take my chances in court.

McB.:

Fine. If you think you can afford it.

JO:

You're not getting your hands on this school ever! Do you hear me? You don't care about these children. You never have!

McB.:

But you do. You care deeply about them. What I said earlier was wrong. You've never put your welfare before the children's. Their needs have always been at the core of your very being which is why you must ask youself, "What are my chances of winning this lawsuit?" You do realize that Tommy will be called for questioning, as will all of the other children. As a lawyer, I have seen these cases turn ugly, dragging on into very lengthy, very humiliating public spectacles. They can be terribly painful, especially for young children.

JO:

I'll tell the judge about this. When he hears that you offered to withdraw the lawsuit in exchange for my school!

McB.:

I will deny it, Mrs. Bhaer. It will be your word against mine, and unfortunately, at the moment, your reputation is not the most sound.

JO:

You disgust me.

McB.:

Your opinion of me is not what's important here. The settling of this most unpleasant lawsuit is, so I would caution you to think long and hard about it. Not for your sake, but for the children. [Exits.]

NICK:

I've been lookin' all over for you. I heard McBride was out today.

JO:

It was my idea to turn the barn into the schoolroom. Fritz wanted to convert one of the rooms in the house. It's warmer and cleaner… and safer, but I talked him into it. I mean, what child wouldn't want to go to school in a barn?

NICK:

I know I would.

JO:

Well, he was right. It's cold in here, and dusty, and there are spiders in the rafters. Fritz had such a wonderful way with children. He was compassionate yet firm. When he died, I was determined to keep this school open, and though my methods weren't the most conventional, I trusted. I trusted myself because I knew in my heart that I only wanted what was best for the children. Yet it has been one ordeal after the other. McBride was right: children have been hurt and I have been to blame.

NICK:

[Grabs a chair and sits next to Jo, placing his hand on her arm.] No you haven't, and the kids would be the first ones to agree with me. McBride's just trying to get under your skin.

JO:

Well, he's succeeded. He's opened my eyes to the struggles that I have put these children through and the struggles that I will continue to put these children through if I keep fighting this thing.

NICK:

The kids'll be all right, Jo. You taught 'em well, each and every one of them.

JO:

I hope so, because right now I don't trust my methods, Nick. I don't trust myself.

NICK:

So what are you gonna do? Just give up? [Beat.] Well, I won't let you. I know I told you to think about whether I should leave, but I'm just gonna go ahead and do it.

JO:

No. No, you don't have to.

NICK:

Jo, you can't give up.

JO:

I have no choice! The children have been put through enough. I'm selling Plumfield to McBride. [Exits.]

DAN:

I can't believe it. She's actually gonna sell Plumfield.

NAT:

McBride's makin' her do it. He's got her believin' things he says about her are true.

NAN:

But they're not. Plumfield's the best school there is. I should know. I've been kicked out of enough of them.

EMIL:

Yeah, Mrs. Jo treats us like people. At all the other schools, all they do is give you orders and tell you to be quiet.

NAN:

We can't let her do this. We gotta help her.

BESS:

How? I mean, even if we do convince Aunt Jo, McBride's still going to win the case. And hear my father say, he's the kind of lawyer who doesn't quit until he gets what he wants.

NAT:

That's true. He said he'd drag this case out into a long and ugly mess. Mrs. Jo just doesn't want to put us through it.

NAN:

Then we'll have to put ourselves through it.

DAN:

Nan's right. It's up to us to put a stop to this. Mrs. Jo's just trying to protect us, and now we've got to protect her.

BESS:

How are we going to do that?

DAN:

Stop the hearing. We'll do whatever it takes to make McBride drop the lawsuit.

BESS:

Whatever it takes, Dan?

EMIL:

You saw what happened to Nick when he tried to stop McBride.

DAN:

I'm not talkin' about hurtin' anybody here. There are other ways to do this.

NAN:

Such as?

DAN:

I don't know. We'll think of somethin'. Whatever it is, we gotta make sure we see it through to the end. Now, Thoreau, he was willin' to go to jail for what he knew was right. I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm willin' to do that.

TOMMY:

I'll go to jail.

NAN:

Yeah, I'll go too.

NAT:

Me, too.

EMIL:

I guess goin' to jail's better than goin' to Peterskill Academy.

BESS:

I suppose so. I'll just have to wear one of my uglier dresses.

DAN:

All right.

H.B.:

Can I help you?

DAN:

You told Mrs. Jo you'd help keep the school open if she could prove that's what's best for the kids.

H.B.:

That's right.

DAN:

Good 'cause we're gonna prove it to you right now.

NICK:

Are you sure you wanna do this?

JO:

Yes.

LAURIE:

We'll follow right behind you.

NICK:

What are the kids doin' here?

McB.:

[To the judge as they cross to the church.] This way, Judge Hancock. I thought we could hold the hearing in the church.

JO:

What's going on here?

NAN:

We're stoppin' the hearin'.

DAN:

We're not lettin' anyone in until we get a chance to speak to the judge.

JO:

Dan, please don't make this any more difficult than it is.

JUDGE:

What's the meaning of this?

JO:

These are my students, Your Honour.

NAT:

We're defendin' Mrs. Jo and our school.

JUDGE:

Well, defend them inside. Now, move out of the way.

DAN:

No.

McB.:

What?

TOMMY:

This lawsuit is stupid.

JO:

Tommy…

McB.:

This is nonsense. Further evidence of the lack of discipline at Plumfield.

DAN:

Our school has plenty of discipline. Maybe Mrs. Jo doesn't hit kids when they do wrong like they do at other schools, but that don't mean we don't listen to her. Fact is, we listen real well 'cause we know the things she teaches us is important: thinkin' for ourselves and standin' up for what we know is right.

NAN:

Yeah, and we're not leavin' until you withdraw this stupid lawsuit.

McB.:

This is absurd. Now, move out of the way, all of you. Go on!

EMIL:

No. We're not goin' anywhere so you're just gonna have to move us yourself.

McB.:

[To the crowd.] Someone fetch the sheriff. [To the children.] If you don't move at once, I shall have you arrested.

BESS:

Fine. Throw us in jail. We don't care.

AMY:

Bess!

NAN:

Yeah, throw us in jail.

ROB:

I wanna go to jail too. [He runs to join the other children.]

JO:

Rob!

FRANZ:

If the cause is worthy. [He joins his students.]

JUDGE:

This is not a game, children. This is very serious.

NAT:

Yes, sir, we know that, but we'd rather go to jail than be forced to leave Plumfield. Mr. McBride's tellin' everybody how dangerous it is out there, but it's not like that at all. Mrs. Jo teaches us, she listens to us, and she takes really good care of us. In fact, we feel safe there. It's not just our school, it's our home. Out here, this is where it's dangerous.

H.B.:

You'd better listen to them, Judge, because up until now, no one has, myself included. If anyone knows if the school is safe, I think it would be the children.

ASIA:

[Stepping up to join the children.] Well, it's about time somebody came to their senses. I think it's time for us all to start listening to the children.

MEG:

[Joining Asia.] I agree. You should listen to the children.

LAURIE:

[Stepping forward.] Listen to the children.

AMY:

Well, if the rest of my family is going to jail, I might as well go too. [Joining her family. Tommy's parents join him, and Nick steps forward to join the children.]

H.B.:

So, Mr. McBride, is there anything you wish to say to The Chronicle before you have the sheriff toss these nice people into jail. I thought perhaps you'd like to talk about how you were willing to extort Mrs. Bhaer into selling Plumfield to you in exchange for you dropping the lawsuit, which, of course, would cause one to question your motives, and by extension, the very claims that you have made.

McB.:

Enough! [Beat.] In light of the situation, I respectfully withdraw the lawsuit.

DAN:

I'll get the gate.

JO:

I'll get it.

DAN:

[Helps Jo out of the wagon.] All right.

JO:

Well, it isn't perfect, but it's still the best school in town! Let's go.