PROLOGUE. everyone enters in rhythm and song. . . the salt women sing and sway in a line the outsiders get dressed, putting on their costumes, their makeup, they assume their roles for the evening before gathering in a circle saint, our master of ceremonies, enters he passes through the company as if passing through a gate he shoos them all offstage SAINT Now run along, you all. We’ll get to you in a minute. the others exit, saint turns to us, he gets a good look and speaks to us SAINT (to us) Have we met before? I’m terrible with names. Don’t worry if you’ve forgotten mine. I’ve got many names. It’s been a long road, wandering here and there. I’ve been chased out of every house, home, and church. In fact, some people think I’m the devil himself, but that gives me too much credit, don’t you think? Now, don’t believe what you hear, I’m not all bad. I’m not all good neither, but nobody is and that’s life. Yes. I sit somewhere in the middle myself, wherever two roads meet, in any doorway, anywhere that’s coming or going, but most people won’t let me inside and that’s how I ended up here in the woods. Now. What are you all doing in the woods? Yes. That’s where you are. Believe it or not. Sure, it’s not but a half mile to the map, but to the eye it stretches, it grows. It’s a labyrinth. Oh, I know what you’re thinking, you’re thinking you’ve heard this story before, don’t you? Think you’ve got it all figured out. Well, let me tell you. You’ve never heard it like this. Now the woods are no walk in the park. Nothing but liars, cheaters, vulgarity, if you ask me, but it’s not as bad as they say. Now don’t trust a thing you see, ‘cause it’s all fake and make sure to keep a tight hand around your wallet because that’s the way it goes around here. Oh, now, don’t be scared. There’s nothing to be afraid of. You stick with and you’ll turn out almost all right. the salt women enter, singing, dancing, swaying. . . SAINT (to us) Now, it begins at the river, at the water, like all things do. . .
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