Martin Handcart Company: Meeting of the Minds and Handcart Rescue Reenactment

• Meeting of the Minds

  Brother Martin: Gather Round, please gather round, I have something to say to everyone

  Couple other men help everyone gather, Gather round, hurry etc.

  Brother Martin: As you know, the winter has set in early this year. I have never seen this much snow this early on the mountain passes. We

  still have hundreds of miles to reach the Valley. Are efforts to travel have only yielded a mile or so a day. You are all aware that we have

  already reduced rations greatly. Even at that, our rations will run out in the next couple days. Our hopes of rescue become more slim each

  day. I think it is time that we all contemplate our fate, and that everyone take these next few days to prepare to meet their God. There is

  really nothing more I can say.

  Reactions from all, groans, wailing, etc.

  Sister Poole as ____: I have been pulling that cart all this way. If I am going to meet my God, I am going to do so clean. It has been too

  long since I had a good bath, and the river is only down this hill. My clothes are tattered and I can't help that, but I can do something about

  my body. If I must meet God, I am going to do so clean! (She exits towards the river.)

  Sister Jackson (enters sort of dreamy eyed and approaches the two men who were helping to organize the meeting.)

  Man 1: Sister Jackson, what is it, do you know something?

  Sister Jackson: I know we are to be rescued today.

  Man 1: How could you know that?

  Sister Jackson: My Aaron told me so.

  Man 2: You mean you husband who passed away a couple nights ago.

  Sister Jackson: Yes, Aaron visited me in my dreams last night and told me we were to be rescued today.

  Man 1: Let us hope it is so. (Sister Jackson exits)

  Man 2: Some of the women have been off their kilter since going through the river a few days ago. Let’s hope that Sister Jackson regains

  her senses shortly.

  Woman 1: I must be dreaming, but I thought I saw a blue angel there in the distance.

  Man 2: Not you too!

  Man 1: No look, that is no angel, but it is a rider, and look there are two more riders with him.

  Man 2: What? I can't believe it.

  All: (congregate) "We are saved, we are saved etc.

  Woman 1: Are you an angel?

  Rescuer: No, but we are good strong young man sent from the Valley to help get you in. There are 10 wagons of provisions only a couple

  days march at Devil’s Gate.

  Sister Poole (reenters after her bath and sees the excitement.) What is it? What is all this commotion?

  Man 1: Look, there are three boys from the valley. We are saved!

  Sister Poole: We are saved.

  (If possible three riders on horses could enter)

  end
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