Uncle Victor

Setting: The gallery of Waverly, the Trowell family sugar cane plantation in South Louisiana, 1899.

Sound # 1: Opening music, birds

The gallery of Waverly, the Trowell family sugar cane plantation in South Louisiana, 1899. August Greenan, a handsome, awkward young doctor, 29, sits sleeping in a chair. The old Nurse hums a spiritual "Rock of Ages," stands, removes a liquor bottle from the doctor, then exits. Mamere, an imperious but forgetful matron, enters with a candle.

MAMERE: Where's Rosalie, Bertha, Ella?

DOCTOR: Careful with the candle.

MAMERE: I got to come from way in back of my house. (calls out) James! Andrew! Clifford!

DOCTOR: They're gone Mrs. Mallory.

MAMERE: Nobody gets the door at my house (paces)

DOCTOR: For God's sake, sit.

MAMERE: Bertha! Verma! Rosalie!

DOCTOR: I'm Dr. Greenan. Augie Greenan.

MAMERE: I can't remember

DOCTOR: You sent me to medical school

MAMERE: Nobody sweeps the gallery?

DOCTOR: From spare change in your kitchen tin—

MAMERE: Dust all over the woodwork. Grass overgrown—

DOCTOR: Let me help you.

MAMERE: Statures crushed. There's the head of one over there.

DOCTOR: Sit, Mrs. Mallory.

MAMERE: The gates are shattered. A sundial disappeared overnight.

DOCTOR: Shouldn't you be asleep?

MAMERE: I can't rest when Waverly is falling apart. Shutters flap. I don't want to tell Mama because I'm not sure if she's alive or dead. (Calls) Mama.

DOCTOR: She's dead.