Scene 1 - In the darkness, a small light illuminates a figure. It is barely visible. It is Mr. Marionette, our ringmaster, sitting atop an old trunk. He slowly lifts a recorder to his lips and plays the The Marionette Waltz. As the music begins, the stage is flooded with color. Mr. Marionette walks through the space bringing everything to life, including the trunk. The lid magically opens, and the company emerges from the trunk. We see each performer introduce themself. Suddenly, Mr. Marionette turns to them and blows as if to disperse dandelion seeds. The company is scattered as they set the stage. First, a circus canopy is pulled from the trunk and hoisted aloft. Other performers set stands with various marionettes towards the back of the stage. Some oddly shaped props begin to litter the stage. It seems they are preparing for a performance. With a change in the music, we are treated to a marionette show.

Two marionettes walk their way to the front of the stage. It is a young girl who sits on the ground smelling flowers, and a young soldier. They spot each other and it’s “love at first sight”. He professes his love towards her. On bended knee, he proposes. She gleefully accepts. He helps her up and the promenade upstage. They continue their circle only to return to the front of the stage joined by a priest. As he performs the wedding ceremony, the number ‘2076’ floats above their heads. After their kiss, the couple promenades away. As they return, we can see she holds a small child in her arms. The couple cuddle and coo. Suddenly, the child flies up and away. The couple reach towards the heavens but lose the child. They are distraught, and collapse. They slowly walk away. As they circle back one more time, they are replaced by and older set of marionettes - aged, withered and slightly deformed by their grief. As they reach the front of the stage, the number ‘2116’ floats above their heads. They wave at each other and walk towards the back of the stage. They are replaced by live performers who look identical to the marionettes. These are The Wycherlys.

Scene 2 - The Wycherlys are in their separate rooms, each examining themselves in the mirror. They study their aged, withered faces. Mrs. Wycherly begins singing Forty Years. She laments of her physical condition. She can’t believe how old and frail she has become. She wonders what will become of her husband, John, when she is gone. Who will take care of him? John begins to sing a similar refrain. He can’t believe how he has aged. He fears he can no longer take care of his wife, Bess. What will become of her when he is gone? The song concludes as they each wish the other “Happy Anniversary”, and they exchange gifts. he has received a tie, and she, a bottle of perfume - once again.

As The Wycherlys examine their gifts, they hear a strange melody. It is the sound of a circus calliope in the distance. As it sound grows closer, the music begins with a crash - Marionettes - an ominous and tumultuous tune. Mr. Marionette is joined by 4 robot servants who are displaying his wares - marionettes. The couple comes outside to see what the commotion is all about. They are each offered a marionette. They waive away Mr. Marionette, as they have no need for children’s toys. Mr. Marionette explains that these are not for children, nor are they toys. These are merely examples of his work. He builds robots - life-sized robots. He hands them each a business card and implores them to visit his shop. The Wycherlys are intrigued.

At this moment, a police drone is spotted above the stage. It shines a light on the actors and announces to the audience that these are domestic terrorists that are wanted by the police. Please stay seated while they are apprehended. Travel Through the Night begins. The actors quickly pull down the set and flee, as the Universal Security Agency police arrive in pursuit. The performers manage to escape.

Scene 3 - We are no longer in the midst of a performance. We are in a dark, secluded forest - on some planet. We begin to hear the performers calling in code to each other. The call and response lead to the congregation of the performers. No longer in their circus attire, we meet the real-life refugees; William Phelps, Tom Fury, Susan Travis, Jenny Sequa, Father William Joseph Peregrine, and Aimee Banghart. As they check on each other, there is a rustling in the foliage. They hear something. It’s a stranger calling out. As the stranger emerges from the bushes, we see he is a soldier. The group attack him and take him prisoner. His name is Captain Wilder. He explains that he has been sent to find a group called Mr. Marionette’s Shadow Show. At this moment, Albert Brock, Clarisse McClellan, and Professor Faber emerge from the woods (the actors who portrayed Mr. Marionette and The Wycherlys). Brock explains that he is who Wilder is looking for. Wilder hands him a code. Brock asks where he got it. Wilder explains that it was given to him by Hunnicut aboard Cetus 7. Hunnicut told him that Brock takes in strays wishing to live offline. Brock asks Wilder what are his crimes? Living in the periphery, itself, is a crime, so he must be wanted for something.

Brock and the company introduce themselves (and their crimes) to Wilder in the Exposition. We are introduced to Professor Faber, as he tells of his frustration living in the Windup World. He explains how he tried to escape but was ultimately arrested by the police for being The Pedestrian.

While in prison, Professor Faber meets Clarisse McClellan. Clarisse explains that Once Upon a Time, as a young teen, she came home to find her family and house burned to the ground. She fled to safety in the woods and was taken in by a group of fellow refugees. She lived with them for many years. She married, had children, and became a teacher. As the world around them was collapsing from war and destruction, she committed the ultimate crime of bringing out one of their hidden books to read “The Wizard of Oz” to the class. She is arrested by the police… imprisoned… never to see her children again.

While imprisoned, Albert Brock is brought into the neighboring cell. In The Murderer, Brock explains how he, too, was driven to insanity by the evolving technological world - especially by the proliferation of sound… noise… ever present music and commercials. He begins his murderous spree by silencing his cellphone. He moves on to shooting his television and every appliance he can find. Discovering silence, he is inspired to create equipment that will jam the frequency to all WiFi, Bluetooth, and microwave beams. He gains cult-like status amongst the anti-technology groups who, eventually, break him out of prison, along with Faber and Clarisse. This is the group of fugitives operating as Mr. Marionette’s Shadow Show.

The scene is interrupted by the sound of the police in the distance. The group grab their belongings and disperse back into the woods,

Scene 3 - The sound of the police marching gets louder, as they march in lockstep. As they arrive, we hear Shout, Shout. In Captain Hart asks for a full report on the pursuit of the terrorists from Parkhill. Parkhill summons lieutenants Stoneman and Black to give the report of Brock, Fury and Faber’s escape from the detention center. Hart wants to know how these rebel terrorists are getting the transport codes allowing them to stow away on passing ships. He needs this information to help his upcoming reelection campaign. Parkhill assures him that their embedded operative will get them the information.

Scene 4 - We find the group in a different part of the forest. Tom Fury is explaining to Captain Wilder how he was able to reverse the polarity of his lightening rod to allow for the positive flow of energy to travel down, instead of up, as well as attracting the short-wave RF frequency of static electricity making the free storage of static electricity available to everyone. Since all natural resources, including water, belong to everyone, the free storage is not allowed. Wilder would like to know what everyone else has done. Professor Faber calls for a session of the Disorderly Court, with judge Clarisse McClellan presiding, where we get to hear everyone’s crimes.

First, we hear how William Phelps, as a member of Cougar’s Pandemonium Circus, was arrested when a man claimed that one of Phelps’ tattoos depicted his own murder. The man felt threatened, and Phelps showed a willful disregard for human life. Guilty!

Next, Aimee Banghart explains how, as a member of the same traveling circus, she was selling tickets to the Hall of Mirrors. She was found guilty of being in receipt of money in exchange for deceit, dishonesty, and deception. Guilty!

The company discusses the slow evolution, one small law at a time, which has led us to this world where we attempt to legislate morality. Father Peregrine explains that all life is a quest to find the equilibrium between our animistic desires and our arrogant intellect. The pendulum keeps swinging too far in each of these directions. Albert Brock asks Wilder if this is what he is willing to risk his life to pursue. Wilder wholeheartedly agrees. As the company sets up for their next performance, Wilder is ushered away to get into costume to join the performance. The scene slowly transitions to a state of limbo where Mr. Marionette presides.

Scene 5 - Mr. Marionette is once again sitting atop his trunk. He sings to his audience Cherchez la Femme. He explains that his company is the place that both men and women cane come to design their perfect mates. All their fantasies and sexual desires can be built into his robots. He has something for everybody. He is accompanied be an enticing array of robots demonstrating their feats. At the end of the song, we find ourselves inside his shop.

Scene 6 - The Order. As the scene begins, Mrs. Wycherly arrives and expresses her interest in a robot. He begins to show her examples of his male partners. She immediately stops his sales pitch to express her desire for a young replica of herself that she may give as a gift to her husband. They are interrupted by the arrival of Mr. Wycherly in the men’s section of the shop. Mr. Marionette leaves her to ruminate, as he attends to Mr. Wycherly.

Mr. Wycherly explains that he has had a similar idea. He would like Mr. Marionette to build a young, virile soldier (just as he was when he was young) to give to his wife as a gift for Christmas. After placing the order, Mr. Wycherly leaves.

Mr. Marionette returns to Mrs. Wycherly, wherein she orders a young, fair maiden (just as she was) that she may give as a gift to be a partner for her husband. As she exits, she asks that it be delivered for Christmas.

After a few moments, Mrs. Wycherly returns to inform Mr. Marionette, that upon thinking about it, she would like him to embellish her younger self. She would like to imbue this new model with the knowledge of art, literature, cooking, sexual prowess, superior intellect, the entire dictionary, and complete works of William Shakespeare. She, once again, departs.

Immediately following, Mr. Wycherly returns to add to his order. He would like his younger self to be more virile, less smart, and uploaded with the works of Zane Grey and the complete collection of popular music.

Upon his exit, Mr. Marionette begins the Robot Construction Dance. In “Shadow Show”, Mr. Marionette builds their robots, aided by his robot assistants.

Scene 7 - We find ourselves back in the forest as the company strikes their sets and costumes from this latest performance. The group decides that Captain Wilder’s first performance is cause for celebration. When Wilder asks how it’s possible for them to continue late into the evening, after such a strenuous performance, he is told that there is “sleeping enough in the grave”. this is what life is about…. they Dance as Not to be Dead. Before the song concludes, we see that Tom Fury has departed and is at a rendezvous with Parkhill from the USA police. He hands Parkhill a piece of paper with the stolen codes. It appears that we now know the identity of the undercover operative.

END OF ACT I

Scene 1 - As the scene opens, we find Captain Hart instructing a new group of recruits for the USA in The Long Wrong Right Left March. It seems the “golden rule” of the agency is “do unto others before they have a chance to do unto you.”

Scene 2 - We are back mid-performance of “The Tales of the Wycherlys” in Christmas Comes, where we see the preparations for delivery of the robots - a continuation from Halloween through Christmas delivery.

Scene 3 - We rejoin the performing troupe in the midst of their own winter. They are all asleep in private sleeping pods, as it snows. Captain Wilder awakes from a terrible nightmare, as he yells to “hold your fire”. Jenny Sequa comes to comfort and quiet him. But it’s too late - everyone is awake. They assemble around a campfire as Albert Brock leads them in a ritual as they read from a book, memorize the passage, and then burn the pages for warmth. During the exchanges, there seems to be a bit of a flirtation between Clarisse and Brock. They all retire back to their pods to sleep.

Jenny stays with Wilder as she attempts to get him to open up about what is bothering him and causing his nightmares. She confides in him her secret - she is, actually, a robot. She was manufactured to be a living companion. Her last assignment was as a surrogate mother to a family. But once the children were grown, she was returned to the factory to be disassembled for parts. She escaped before that could happen. She sings to him that she was Made for Love, as she is joined by Clarisse who sings to Faber from afar - afraid to let her feelings be known.

Wilder now feels that he can trust Jenny. He explains that, as a young boy, he watched his grandfather go mad as he was haunted by the ghosts of all those he had killed in war, as Farewell, Lafayette begins. He continues to his own story of military service on Mars. A young, favored soldier named Jeff Spender went mad as well, killing his fellow soldiers for defiling the native culture. Wilder knew, as commander, it was his duty to stop Spender, ultimately killing him. At the final moment he had the same epiphany that his grandfather did. He ran from his military service and has been AWOL ever since. Captain Wilder and Jenny retreat together.

Scene 4 - We return to “The Tale of the Wycherlys”. Mr. Marionette prepares the Bride-bot in her gift box with Needs No Key. He leaves as Mr. Wycherly enters to find the gift. As he opens the box with She Gently Simmers, he is amazed at its beauty. It’s his own wife, Bess. The Bride-bot comes to life and, at first, Mr. Wycherly is frightened. The Bride-bot gains his confidence as she exclaims how Fresh and Young, Sir. She explains that if he gives her a squeeze, she will recite different literary works for him. He gives it a try until he finds something he likes - Kipling.

Once the Bride-bot hones in on his particular tastes, she begins her seduction with Bedtime Exercise. He is hooked. He tries again and again but finds he doesn’t care for her recitations. She’s too smart. He attempts to turn her off. She panics and tries to impress him with I Cook, You Know. But the culinary arts she practices are too much for him. Both dizzy and nauseous he proclaims Good Grief and tries to leave her.

At this moment, Mrs. Wycherly enters pursued by the Groom-bot. It seems that she has had the same fate. She is attempting to flee his seduction. The Groom-bot will not give up as asks What Shall I Do for You? Both robots have been programmed to succeed. They do not take “no” for an answer. They become aggressive in their pursuit. Mrs. Wycherly runs for help followed by the Groom-bot as Mr. Wycherly traps the Bride-bot back in her box. He cries out for help.

Mr. Marionette returns to ask what is the matter. Mr. Wycherly relates that the Bride-bot is too much for him. It has practically killed him. Mr. Marionette asks if he should rebuild her. Mr. Wycherly tells him to just take her away and exits. Mr. Marionette reveals to the audience that this was his plan. Men Seek Perfection - how do you teach people that their pursuit of perfection and ageless beauty is a “no win” prospect? You give them what they want.

Mr. Wycherly returns calling out for Mr. Marionette when he realizes the same fate must have befallen his wife. He implores Mr. Marionette to help. But Mr. Marionette offers him one last option - an older marionette. One that will not dance, or sing. And, in fact, she right here at the door. As he gestures to the door…

Scene 5 - At this moment, Clarisse McClellan runs in followed by the police. They have been found. As the company members attempt to flee, they are surround and captured by the police, including Tom Fury. Fury responds that they had a deal for his freedom in exchange for the group. Colonel Wedown states that he was not aware of any deal. At this moment, there is an explosion. The lights flash and everyone is hurled to the floor. It’s quiet and it seems everyone is dead.

From the stillness and quiet, the gift box slowly opens, and Professor Faber emerges to confess to the audience that I Pull the Strings. It seems Professor Faber has been in charge the whole time - his partner, Albert Brock, merely a front man... a meek and mild man who sat in the background creating everything that we have seen - a writer. He set out on a course to change the world, not by fighting, but by writing. Each of his stories was a soldier that he unleashed on the world. As each one is read, they change the reader. This is his way of fighting. Then, as the master puppeteer, he brings all the characters back to life as his own marionettes. He controls the stage, as the entire company performs as his, very own, zombie chorus. He sets each of the zombies off on their own path, as finally, are seen kneeling center stage. He lets us see the end of “The Tale”.

Scene 6 - The frail old couple begin to sing Forty Years (reprise). They decide they don’t want to live in the past. The present is the place to inhabit - together. They will age and mellow like fine wine. Somehow, they are joined for a final tableau by Mr. Marionette and the rest of the circus. They all speak as one… dedicated to love, wisdom, heart…

We hear the The Marionette Waltz once more, as Mr. and Mrs. Wycherly walk hand in hand upstage and are replaced with the pair of marionettes. The marionette Wycherlys promenade once more to the front of the stage, but Mr. Wycherly stumbles and falls to the ground. The Mrs. Wycherly marionette goes to him to help him up, as a Priest marionette prays over him. The old marionettes begin to walk upstage and suddenly sprout wings and fly to the heavens.

The circus is dismantled before our eyes. The canopy comes down and, one by one, each performer disappears into the trunk. Once the stage is empty, we see the human Wycherlys peering in from the side. They see that there is no one around, so the sneak in towards the trunk. Once they see that the “coast is clear”, Mr. Wycherly helps Mrs. Wycherly into the trunk. One final glance - and Mr. Wycherly, too, enters the trunk and disappears.

This has all been witnessed by Mr. Marionette, who has slowly walked to the trunk… lowered the lid... And with the final notes of the music… he sits on the trunk where it all began - and smiles.

THE END

Joyful Anarchy