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18 Beyond the Veil |
From Mary Celeste |
[The pathos is broken by the tawdry crackle of castanets as Charlotte Anne, café waitress, comes laconically forward wrapped in shawls and head-scarves; instead of the usual drinks her tray bears a large crystal ball. She will seem to offer spiritualist succour to the Mourners, but her real motivation is financial]
Charlotte
Some widows call me Charlotte
some widows call me Anne
a simple service with the lights out
I make contact with your man
you can hear the dead man's voice
might come through on the ouija
you pay your money, and you take your choice
and I'll show you the procedure
[Charlotte Anne installs herself at one of the café tables; Matilda, Priscilla and Agnes pay her and sit down, placing their photographs near the crystal ball. Some of the Tourists join in, others start up in alarm]
[While they are linking hands the Missionary harangues the Tourists, trying to break up the séance; his tune reprises part of No 11, A Modern Miracle]
Missionary
The missionary position re.
this charlatan is plain
She's dreaming, she's blaspheming
and her methods are insane
I've watched Watusi warriors
by spirit voices frightened
But subjects of Victoria's
should try to seem enlightened
[Quite a few Tourists leave their tables, alarmed at what might happen. (They will shortly re-appear as Atlanteans). The ensuing rumpus attracts the Journalist, still looking for a story. Missionary and Sceptical Tourists sing to him]
Missionary & Sceptical Tourists
These feverish believers here
by mumbo-jumbo gripped
by ectoplasm spasms
and voices from the crypt
You come to her in grief and pain
you leave in joy and wonder
But man should never dare to join
what God has put asunder
[Missionary departs, angrily, with the sceptical Tourists]
Charlotte
Come back, you drowned, and part the veil
come, gather round and tell your tale
you spirits wild, you forces weird
describe the fateful night when you disappeared
Can you hear me?
Is anybody there ... ?