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ACT II, SCENE TWO (Farmers' Meeting )

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Scene from the Seattle, Washington, production of Power, Act 2, Scene 2. Courtesy, Library of Congress.

[Fictional characters. Incidents from article by Fred Pasley, News Syndicate, August 20, 1936.]

CHARACTERS

FIRST FARMER
SECOND FARMER
THIRD FARMER
FOURTH FARMER
FIFTH FARMER
THREE ADDITIONAL FARMERS

(Light on farm group, eight FARMERS seated, left, on barrels and boxes forming a semi-circle. An old-fashioned stove is projected.)

FIRST FARMER: ...Now here's the situation: The folks over to Dayton just built their own power plant. Got the money from the Government.... Now just because the company wouldn't put up any poles without we paid for 'em right away, most of us farmers in this here valley are still usin' kerosene lamps.

SECOND FARMER: ...and hand pumps and churns and everything else.

FIRST FARMER: It wasn't that so much but they wanted us to buy a lot of expensive gadgets and guarantee to use a certain amount of juice.... Ain't that right?

VOICES: Right, he's right.

FIRST FARMER: Well, what're we goin to do about it?

THIRD FARMER: What can we do?

Scene from the New York City production of Power, Act 2, Scene 2. Courtesy, Library of Congress.

FIRST FARMER: Now you're talkin'. Listen: We'll march right down there into Dayton and ask the TVA to take over the whole county!

FOURTH FARMER: Who's goin to pay for the poles?

FIRST FARMER: We are.

FIFTH FARMER: Where're we going to git the money?

FIRST FARMER: From the Government! They'll make us a loan. (A pause) All those in favor?

CHORUS: Aye!

Light Dims Out

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