Scene One

The stage is in darkness. Offstage we hear the voice of John Bunyan.

John Bunyan

As I walked through the wilderness of this world, I came to a place where I lay down and slept and, as I slept, I dreamed a Dream of the future. In my dream, I saw a man. He was greatly troubled.

Lights come up to reveal Christian. He stands in the middle of the stage. He has a heavy knapsack on his back and he holds a large book. He opens the book and reads, looks troubled.

Christian

(cries in anguish) What shall I do?

Christian stands stock still throughout the action that follows. The stage is lit with flashing lights, red, blue, yellow, to look like fire, lightning, etc. Thunder is heard and other destructive noises. People run onto stage from all directions. They are frightened, panicked, confused. They bump into each other, trying to escape.

Christian

This will happen. Our city will be destroyed! People will die! What shall I do?

The stage goes completely black. Christian exits. When the lights go up again, we are in:

The market square. Traders enter with trays of wares around their necks. There are traders 1,2,3 plus endurance and stubborn who both have stalls to set up. Shoppers include obstinate, Mr and Mrs Pliable, their daughter and other girls. They mill about, chatting. Faithful enters and saunters through stalls. He pinches an apple.

Trader 1

Hey, watch it! I saw that.

Faithful grins, mischievously. Mrs Pliable and daughter walk by and he eyes the girl, appreciatively. Her mother pulls her away. Endurance and Stubborn argue.

Stubborn

What are you doing on my patch?

Endurance

Keep your hair on. It’s no big issue. I’m only trying to help -

Stubborn

Don’t be stupid!

Endurance

Don’t you call me stupid!

Stubborn

I’ll call you what I like.

He grabs at Endurance and they come to blows. Others pull them apart. Stubborn tries to continue the fight, the people warn him. He glares at them all and storms off stage. Faithful meets a girl, puts his arm around her. Mrs Pliable watches him, disapproving. Enter Christian. He wears a huge knapsack, which is heavy and full and he carries a big book. Wide eyed, he looks around, then climbs onto a box.

Christian

Friends, neighbours, listen to me.

The crowd gathers round him.

Christian

This city and everything in it is in grave danger. It’s going to be destroyed.

Trader 1

When?

Christian

I’m not sure exactly when. But –

Trader 2

Then how do you know it’s going to happen?

Christian

I saw it in my dream.

A few groans, a few laughs, they turn away and go back to their business. Faithful’s girl joins in the mocking, he does not. He watches Christian, thoughtful.

Trader 3

You had a dream?

Trader 2

And then you come out here, frightening good, decent folk?

Trader 1

Should be a law against it.

Christian

No. It was more than a dream. It was a – a – prophecy.

Mrs Pliable

Have you been eating cheese before bedtime?

Obstinate

You should try getting a decent night’s sleep. (to crowd) His light’s still burning at all hours. He sits there, reading that book of his.

Christian

Please, listen to me –

Mr Pliable

When he does go to bed, he doesn’t sleep. He tosses and turns, and screams out – frightens the life out of us. Those walls are paper thin, you know.

Christian

You’d scream too, if you’d seen what I saw.

Trader 3

What did you see?

Christian

The city on fire. All the buildings burning, lava running through the streets, fireballs in the sky, people running for their lives.

Trader 1

You need help.

Mrs Pliable

Ignore him. He’s only doing it for attention.

Christian

You don’t understand –

Mr Pliable

Why don’t you explain it to us then?

Mrs pliable cuffs his ear. He ducks, cowed.

Mr Pliable

I said ignore him.

Mr Pliable

Yes, dear. Sorry.

Christian

We have to leave this place. Go where it’s safe.

Trader 1

Leave everything we own?

Trader 2

Everything we’ve worked for?

Trader 3

You’re mad! Be off with you!

They chase Christian off stage. Others follow, enjoying the fun. Faithful does not join in. Soon he is alone onstage. He looks troubled. Evan Gelist enters.

Evan

You look troubled, young man.

Faithful

Who are you?

Evan

(bows) Evan Gelist, at your service. (pause) There is a better life than this, you know.

Faithful

(defensive) There’s nothing wrong with my life. Leave me alone.

He exits, running. Christian enters, looks around, wary. He does not see Evan. He sits down, fed up. Evan taps his shoulder, making him jump.

Evan

Something wrong my boy?

Christian

Everything.

Evan

Why don’t you tell me about it?

Christian

It’s this book. And my dreams. They say I’m going to die.

Evan

And that’s bad?

Christian

(unsure) Well, yes. I don’t want to die. Least, not till I can get this knapsack off my back. It’s pulling me down so much. And I can’t get it off. I’ve tried and tried.

Evan

I see. In that case, why are you just sitting there? Why don’t you go where you can get it off?

Christian

I don’t know where that is.

Evan delves into his pocket, brings out a parchment which reads "flee from the wrath to come." He brings out a key and hands it to Christian, who takes it, confused.

Evan

Keep that safe. You may need it one day.

Christian puts the key in his pocket and reads the parchment.

Christian

Flee from the wrath to come. But flee where?

Evan

To the city of gold, of course. Didn’t you read about it in your book?

Christian

(sheepish) I never got past the first chapter, about the destruction of this place.

Evan

Oh, you must read it. You must. And go there. It’s so lovely. You’ll be glad you did.

Christian

How do I get there?

Evan points. Christian strains to see.

Evan

Do you see that wicket gate in the distance?

Christian

Er – no.

Evan

In that case, do you see that lantern, shining brightly?

Christian stares very hard.

Christian

I think I do.

Evan

Go towards that and eventually you’ll come to the wicket gate. Knock and the person who opens it will tell you what to do and where to go.

Christian

Thank you, sir.

Evan

You’d better go. You haven’t a moment to lose.

Christian exits. Evan puts his parchment away and exits, happy. Stubborn enters. He has overheard.

Stubborn

City of gold, eh? I could go there. There’s nothing for me here, is there? My own friend stole my stall, but – I could make something of myself in a city of gold.

He runs off after Christian. Mrs Pliable enters, agitated.

Mrs Pliable

Pliable? Pliable? That dratted man! Under my feet all day, until I want him.

Pliable enters with Obstinate.

Pliable

You called my love?

Mrs Pliable

That fool, Christian’s gone and run off.

Pliable

So?

Mrs Pliable

So I’m worried about him. He could hurt himself. You saw what he’s like. He’s a danger to himself. He needs looking after.

Obstinate

He’ll come back when he’s hungry ...

His voice tails off as she glares at him.

Mrs Pliable

You two will just have to go and get him back.

Obstinate

Us? But –

Mr Pliable

It really isn’t any of our business –

She folds her arms and fixes them with her stare. Both men gulp.

Mr Pliable

But then, we should try. We’ll go right now.

He drags obstinate away and they exit. Mrs Pliable shakes her head.

Mrs Pliable

Men!

She exits.