 for this wonderful event, and one is Central Vermont Refugee Action Network, which is run by Diane Fitch, and many other people, and I didn't know Diane, if you wanted to stand up to say a report about the network. Sure. Sometimes Vermont Refugee Action Network works to welcome, to make Central Vermont a welcoming place for new Vermonters to visit, to work, and to live. We work in conjunction with the Vermont Refugee Resettlement Program in Colchester, and we do several things. We've been giving a gift to every new family that comes, that settles in Vermont. We bring groups of new Vermonters who are studying for citizenship to Montpelier to visit the Vermont History Museum, to tour the State House, to have one for us, and to meet the Governor. And we have two of those visits coming up in March. We've also worked with the Green Mountain Boot Knees organization to help them in employment upgrades. Many people who come are professionals, and they're old wives, and come here and have to leave all that behind. So we assist us in honing job skills so that they can get jobs that are commensurate with their skills. We're starting a new program working with helping migrant workers with learning English. We also sponsored educational programs, and we're planning a panel in Montpelier in the next few months to let people know where things stand in this climate for migrants and for refugees. If you're interested in working with us or finding out more about us, there are some brochures on the table. And thank you so much for coming and for supporting the organizations that are sponsoring this play. The organization that we would like to thank for sponsoring this performance is the Annunciation House in El Paso, Texas. They serve the poorest of the poor. And from its beginnings, Annunciation House has sought to preserve the poorest of the poor in their El Paso-Owara's border community. Over the years, they've come to understand that many of the most vulnerable people from south of the border who can't receive services from most established social agencies, they can be identified by their undocumented immigration status and the poverty, injustice, and oppression that are so much a part of their reality. These migrants and refugees have become the primary constituency of Annunciation House. And do we have someone here from Annunciation House? Did you say that we did, Margaret? Well, we have somebody who's sister. Oh, who's sister. Thank you for coming. And my name is Alana Randford-Finney and welcome. And I would like to introduce Sarah. Hello. Good afternoon, everybody. I'm Sarah Franklin and I've had the privilege of working with this cast and giving them some suggestions from time to time. This afternoon is so much the product of the energy of Margaret Blanchard. To hear me opining that as an old high school teacher, I really missed some of the activities that I used to do like directing. And so, it was that remark that got me here today. So, I do want to assure you that it was a great privilege for me to work with this script. I hope that you will be able to enjoy the characters that are brought to life for you today by this cast. It's been a sort of long journey to bring this to you today because first it was going to be before Christmas since Canoche Buena is a Christmas Eve. It's a wonderful nativity play and so that was the original target but we didn't get it together in time to do that. So, Margaret had the great idea of making it a twelfth night play, so feast of the epiphany. But then the weather decided to give us a polar vortex and there was some 20 with windchill unaccounted for. So, we got canceled. So, when you have a cast of 12, well, it takes a while to find another date. And so, that's why we're here today. And it's why we're going to hear some Christmas music. So, don't be surprised by that. Some corrections about our program, which was made back in January. There are a few changes that have happened. And one is that, well, even then we were unsure whether our core zone would be Pam Walker or Charlotte Root. And it is Charlotte Root today because Pam's in Mexico. So, that's how that goes. And we had a difficulty with another of our hunters. So, the part of Felicia will be played by Alana who was just speaking to you. And she stepped in to take this part yesterday. So, big kudos and incredible gratitude to her. We had a different musician when we were going to do it in January. But now we have Numa Haas who's going to be playing a little bit of Christmas music for us to set the scene. So, thank you for doing that. We're so grateful to see rather than to the Unitarian Church for their support. I think that what you will feel and what you will learn today will reward your having made the effort to come. Thank you so much. Good evening. The year is 2014. A road outside a wall in a village in Guatemala. Felicia's and Carlos' mother Maria, Lame, but able to walk, is anxiously looking down the road as she waits for someone. She has a bundle in her arms and a container of water. Hey Carlos, where are you? They're coming for you. She begins to pace awkwardly. She stops, looks grim and begins to pray. Dios, I know you're there. The gospel says you love the sinners. You seem to love them most of all. She paces a bit, then stops and continues her prayer. You've let them kill almost everyone I love. So this is your chance, Lord. Your chance to make it up to us. All the evil you've done to us. Gunfire can be heard in the distance. Carlos, please, not him too, Lord, please. Carlos enters and runs to her. Oh, thank God. She holds the bundle out to him. Hurry. There's no telling when they'll be back. Not right when and away, mama. Not right? You think you have a choice? First father, then Lorencio, my friend. They're not even buried yet. How can I just run away? Yeah, and let them kill you too. That was so everyone. What kind of a fool did I give birth to? A fool with honor. Honor. Yes, like your father. Brave all the way to the grave. I want to die worthy of him. Live to be worthy of him. Do you think he would want you to die and leave Felicia alone and unprotected? Where is the honor in that? How can a weakling, a runner, protect anyone? Why do you think being strong means choosing to die? Carlos starts to walk away, but he turns back and cries out. I think I don't want to run away, and I don't know I'll be killed staying. Now I can see you. Thank God you can stop posturing to yourself for even a minute. Posturing? The devil. I tell you, I'm willing to do it. Yes, you're willing to do it. I know that. You know that. But do you think that is what your father, as Lorencio, would want? Save her. Save their child and grandchild, my grandchild. You can't if you're dead. What about you? Don't you think they'll come after you? Once they know we've gone, what's to keep them from killing you? And you think they won't kill me if you stay? Lorencio doomed us all the minute, he told them no. And I can barely walk, much less run. Let me die at least knowing you and Felicia have a chance. That my grandchild has a chance. Please, Ehold. You don't understand. Dying is certain. Running is not. A certain way to be a man. You want to be a man. Do what's hard. Do what can be done. Choose the possible. And do you think protecting Felicia is possible? Con permiso di Dios. God knows I hope so. You have to somehow cross the border and get all the way up to northern New Mexico. I can't help you with that, except with this food and water. But if you can get yourself and Felicia there, there's a chance. A chance? What's there? I'm not sure. It was all a long time ago. But it's the only chance I can think of. Here, take this letter. Protect it like it's your life and Felicia's and the baby's. A letter? Are you crazy? Where did they catch us? You want the gang and all we are? No one will know anything. Open it, you'll see. That's this. I can't read it. Don't worry. You don't have to. Just follow the map and deliver it. It will give proof. You are my son and Felicia is my daughter. I don't understand. Dios no ayude. I hear them coming. Here, take this. She hands him the bundle and water and starts to look backwards, desperately off stage, calling to him. Felicia, run. Be careful. Dios te bendiga. I love you. She exits, Carlos looks where she's gone and hesitates. Then shots are heard. He stands frozen with uncertainty, starts to run after her, stops, distraught, turns and exits. Act one, scene one. The lights open on a home in the high desert town of a royal hondo north of Taos, New Mexico. In the living space, serving as a living room, dining room and kitchen, Anna is standing in front of a decorated Christmas tree, rummaging in a large box and removing hand-carved large wooden figures to arrange in a creche scene. Also in the room is a sheet spread out on the floor with red chili stains, where an old woman, Corazon, kneeling beside it is using a roller to crush dried red chilies. Oh, Mama, well, you can grind the chili by hand. God bless you. The chili does this awful, just stubborn. We've got you a brandy last Christmas. It doesn't make the powder the way that rolling pin does. I do best what I best know how to do. You do best whatever you may or you might do, do what you mean. I can't imagine that working on your knees is the best thing for your heart. You know what the doctor said. I know what the article Hector gave me before he left said, says your heart has just so many beats and it will beat every one of them and then it will stop. I'm not pointing again with you. Um, where is the king? What king? The one with the frankincense. The kings aren't supposed to show up until little Christmas anyway. Mama, I need your help. I gave over the crash two years ago. Don't worry, the king will show up. No, I mean with Adela. Adela? Yes. I need you to come to midnight, Mas with us. You know I no longer go to mass. What is it with Adela? She told me this morning that she's been coming to mass. She's staying home with you. She said that? Yes. I told you this would happen and I'll pass. What if one goes back to rolling the chili and doesn't speak for a while? Well, what did you say? Would you come? I don't know what to say, Anna. I don't think I'm the reason. I'm not saying you're the reason. It's just that she trusts you so much and you're the certain religion that's affecting her. Because I gave up going to the church does not mean I gave up knowing what's sacred. Anna regards the baby crush that she's holding in her hand. It's not just the church. As far as I can tell, ever since Hector's dead, you don't worship Christ anymore. Whatever I believe or don't has nothing to do with you. You know I'm glad to hear about your faith. Anna walks over to give her mother a hand, her eyes and voice cheering a little. I don't know how you can know how love comes from our Savior. I know, I know, Mutacha. That is true for you and I'm glad for that. Not just for me, but it's true, it's true. Not now, Anna. Let's not do this again. I will talk to Adela and think about tonight. When then, when do I get to talk to you about the more the man? Why do you have to convince me? As long as you know, what difference does it make what I think? What difference does it make? I love you. You're my mother. You're standing outside the Holy Circle. I need you in there with me and Adela. Clara's own is fighting irritation. She moves away from Anna to lift the sheet with its chili to the bowl on the kitchen counter. All of life is a circle. Only not all of it is holy. Worse are not holy. But there's this power that comes to our egg, comes from our side of it. It saved me when Antonio had his stroke. And that is why I am so glad for you. I wish I could explain so you could understand. Do you remember how he couldn't move? He couldn't speak as he could breathe. He was there, but he wasn't there. Illness and death, the flesh. Day by day the love I felt for him drained away. Shosh, Anna, don't speak of it. Until one day I wish he was dead. Oh, Anna, of course, Michita, of course. You can say that. I could not say that. I wanted to die to never have to be the wife feeling that way about her sick husband ever again. Photosome goes toward Anna, but Anna backs away. You were a good wife, Anna. No. Not until Jesus saved me. Not until at the very moment that I knew I was stabbed as a wife with a love. His love entered me. I felt for Tony again. Well, that's true about love anyway. It comes and goes. At least the feeling does. Don't you dare be like that. I wish you could be in that moment with me. That feeling of letting go. Being supported, suddenly feeling full of, I don't know what to call it. Corazon is fussing on the kitchen island, chopping onions. Anna watches her for a moment. But he freed me from myself. I was able to care for Anthony again, all the way to his grave. Yes. You were a good wife to him, all the way to his grave. You don't understand. You won't understand. She walks off stage. And I'm afraid I understand more than you know. Act one, scene two. The lights rise on the outside of the home. A few tumbleweeds in a fenced area with a broken down storage shack. Lots and lots of multi-blue sky. Snow-capped mountains in the distance. A young girl about 14 years old is sitting at a small table. The kind big enough for two people to drink coffee together. She's taking a sandwich out of a paper bag and gazing off. She startles at the sudden noise coming from the shack. Maybe something falling down. What's that? There? She listens but there's no repeat of the loud noise. She gets up and moves cautiously toward the shack carrying her sandwich. Peers into a window but it's too dirty to reveal anything. There's another noise. This one more like something moving and it causes her to jump back. Is someone there? Again a noise. Then the face of a girl only slightly older than Adela peeks out the door. Her finger in front of her lips asking for silence. Who are you? Felicia. What are you doing here? I'm hiding. I see that. But why are you hiding? And what are you doing hiding here? Will you help me? I don't know. Well anyway, don't let anybody know I'm here, okay? You can't stay here. It freezes at night. I know. How long have you been here? Long enough to be so hungry and thirsty. Oh, I can help you with that. Really? Yes. Feeding a hungry is one of the corporal acts of mercy. You're a Catholic? I used to be. Oh, I'm sorry. Sorry? I mean it's hard not to be a part of what everyone else is. Not everyone is Catholic? No, of course not. I didn't mean that. She grabs at her stomach. What is it? Could you really get me some food? Sure, here. And she hands her sandwich to her. Felicia reaches out for the sandwich, but she's still not totally revealing herself. Who are you? I'm Adela. I live here. I don't know why I said that. I do. It's because I don't live here. And she takes a bite of the sandwich. So where do you live? She's chewing and slullowing. Where I can, and that's nowhere now. Did you run away? Yes, I guess you could say that. Why? The truth? Of course. You don't know how dangerous the truth can be. She steps out of the shack, and clearly she's very pregnant. Oh, you're having a baby? Yes. That's why the immigration police are after me. How do they even know about you? We surrendered ourselves at the border. They were about to deport us, so we escaped for the baby. And she starts to cry. What's wrong? She gets some control of her crying. My brother and I got caught in a church, down in El Paso, a sanctuary. We thought they got Carlos. I'm afraid they killed him. Oh, no. They took Felicia and put her arm around her. Felicia turned her face into Adela's shoulder. I always wanted a brother. My mother lost her brother in the war. Maybe your Carlos is all right. You think so? The last time I saw him, he was bleeding bad. From the head, the border police, they clubbed him. Oh. And you left him? I did, love. They took him. They didn't find me. I was behind one of the statues. I hid under the purple cloth. So the police want you? The border police. Maybe if you surrendered again, you could find out about your brother. No, no. No, you don't know the police. All they want is to get my baby out of America before he's born. When is he coming? Pretty soon, I think. I don't know what to do. Don't you worry. I'll ask Corazon what to do. She's my grandmother. She'll know. Please don't. Don't tell anyone about me. I want my baby to be born here in the United States, especially if she's a girl. Life is so hard when you're a girl and poor where I come from. Adela hesitates and then looks hard at Felicia. Listen, you can't stay here. You'll die. And your baby too. I used a blanket I found here inside. It was enough. I'll bring you more. And some water too. And a flashlight. And she runs off stage as the lights go down. Scene three. The lights rise on a hospital scene, a hospital bed with a young man in his late teens lying in it. Kim, an aide in her 50s, is preparing bandages to put on his head, which a doctor has just sewn up. A plainclothes officer, Bob, a bit grizzled is standing in the room. Looks like the doctor got the bleeding stopped. Not easy. She says you almost took his scalp off. If he hadn't run away, he wouldn't have gotten hurt. Anyway, I didn't hit him. Some cop from mob control must have done it. The old peel from front to back technique. I recognize it. The MPs in Saigon once used it. On my brother. Was your brother in the Army? Arvin. The South Vietnamese Army, right? Yes. The Army of the Republic of Vietnam. The ones the Americans tried to defeat? No. The Vietnamese who fought with the Americans. Well, you're well enough to talk. What do you think? Will the doctor release him to me? No. No. They'll send me back. I have to find Felicia. Hey, hey. Don't do that. I'm Carlos. And who's Felicia? My sister. She's having a baby. I have to get to her. Damn. I knew there was another one under the church. The sanctuary. It was the place we were supposed to be safe. You're not supposed to be safe. You're an illegal. That's a weird concept, don't you think? Weird? What's weird about it? Well, it makes it sound as if a person's being alive breaks some law. America is for Americans. My father died in Vietnam to keep it that way. I was told Americans were in Vietnam to protect Vietnamese from communism. Yeah, that too. Not that they were grateful. Anyway, my job is to protect Americans by keeping illegals out. So kid, where's your sister? I need to find her before she has that baby. She'll be going over. Going on where? Where I have to meet her. I don't think you should be going anywhere today. I have to. I promised. I can't let her have the baby alone. Well, why don't you take me to her? And I'll see to it she gets some help. Look at me. You think I'll trust her? You to give us help? Don't talk to me like that. I told you I didn't hit you, but I could. Why should the boy trust a man whose job is to deport refugees? These people are illegals, not refugees. What's the difference? Refugees come over to escape death. Illegals come over to get in on America. Help me. I have to get to Felicia. Don't let this man have me. You know, I was a refugee once myself. Yes, so what? It's pretty slippery what makes somebody a refugee or an illegal. This country took me in from Saigon when I would have been killed and educated me and let me learn to make a living, become a medical aide. So, Carlos, I think I do understand a little. Yes? How much? Are you with me or with him? I know what it is to be where you are. In a hospital? Running away. I had to leave my country or die. Yes. Yes, us too. After they killed Lorencio, the baby's father, Felicia and I had to run away and they came after us. They'll kill us if we go back. Who are they? The gang. Lorencio wanted to stop carrying drugs for them once he learned about the baby. The baby? Oh, I know what it is to be where your Felicia is too. What? You know where she is? I know what it's like to try to have the baby alone. I lost mine. I'm sorry, Miss. Kim. Kim Lee. I'm Miss Kim Lee. I'm sorry, Miss Kim Lee. What happened? My child was stillborn in the chaos right before the fall of Saigon. You were there? Yes, April 1975. My father was a translator at the embassy. He was so angry I was pregnant he hardly spoke to me. I had no other family left. You saw your baby? I even named her after a famous Vietnamese woman poet, Ho Su An Hoang. That sounds foreign, alright. What does it mean? The essence of spring. For a dead baby? She wrote a poem about an unled mother of the bud of fate. Our whole world was dying. We needed to believe in spring, in death bearing a bud of life. How did you escape? My father, he cried when he learned my baby had died. He managed to get me on to an American helicopter airlifting civilians from the embassy. We never saw each other again. Our father was furious with Felicia, too. He's dead now. I'm the one left to help her. Would you trust me to help your sister? I think so, if you can get me out of here. Don't you know it's Christmas Eve? You want to spend it on this kid and his sister? And how about you? It's Christmas Eve for you, too? No, Christmas is basically a pain in the ass to me. No wife, no kids, no parents, not even a dog. So I've got my job and can even put in for overtime. For me, too. Christmas Eve is a lonely time. It's a night for Christians. I'm a Buddhist. Buddhists don't do Christmas? No treat. No presents, Carol. But we can feel for suffering. So being with refugees, I can belong there. And helping a girl have her baby, that's fate. You really know how to find her? I know the address. What address? My mother gave it to me. We were on our way there. So where is there? Where is this place? You think I'm stupid? If I tell you you'll jail me and go without me. Okay, either of us got to lose. You and I both need to find her. We need to deport her and you, either your Felicia has her baby alone, maybe dies, or we find her and help her. Will you really come? My shift is over. Yes. Yes, I'll come. Are you sure you can lead us to her? We map it out, I know. I'll be damned. Get the release papers. The kid and I are taking a little Christmas Eve trek. Only the point is to not have the baby. I won't lead you anywhere unless she comes to... No way, this is government business. I'd really like to come. Sorry, you want to have an illegal have a baby. That's the only reason I'd take you to her. You might as well go with what you've got. Go get the kid released. I should get my medical bag for the trip. If I have to, I have to. Just remember we're finding an illegal to send her home. I'll be back in a minute with the release papers. Bob pulls out his handcuffs. All right kid, put your hands out. Carlos gingerly swings his legs over the side of the bed and says... My name is Carlos. Bob puts on the handcuffs. Let's go find this mother in waiting. Her name is Felicia. Felicia. I'm sending her back too. We'll see about that. And the lights go down. After you, we'll see you on. Corazon in the kitchen, preparing Christmas Eve food for after midnight mass. Adela enters and goes to get a pitcher of water. What are you up to? Nothing, just getting some water. In a pitcher? How thirsty are you? I thought I heard some baby animals crying. I'm gonna see if I can find them. I figured they might be crying because they're thirsty. You know, this awful drought. Babies. Babies drink their mother's milk. Oh, right. I forgot that. Well now that I've got the water, I may as well water the cactus. They're cactus. That sounds funny, doesn't it? At least you're a terrible liar. Why are you saying that to me? It's a secret. With who? That's the secret, Nana. Don't make me say. Well, I don't know. Is it anything bad? Honest, I'm not sure. You don't know if you're doing anything bad. I might be, but then again, if I don't, that might be bad, worse. Come here, Adela. Not now, please. Yes, now, come here. Adela approaches Corazon who points to a dining room chair. Your mother tells me you don't want to go to evening mass tonight. I told her I want to stay here with you. You know how much going to mass means to your mother. But not to you, and not to me. I know why not to me, but I don't know why not to you. Tell me. I don't know how to put it. It's mom. Somehow it means too much to her what I do. I can't explain it. I know I shouldn't understand that answer, but I do. So can I go? Not yet. Stop fiddling. I want to explain something. To me? Adela, do you believe in God? It's like you can see into my heart. What does it make you to have? I don't understand why boys are God's favorites. What do you mean? Boys get to be priests. They get to be bishops and popes and tell everyone what God thinks. Even which war is holy? If there is a God, why'd he become human as a boy unless God prefers boys? That's a good question. But I don't see that being a boy seems to be any great thing. What do you mean? Boys become men. Men become soldiers. Yes, and they get to be heroes. They get to be killers. And then they get to be dead. Everybody dies. That seems a good way to die. Killing people. Fighting for your people. Your beliefs. That's what your uncle had. Oh, I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking about you and uncle Hector. Corazon gets up and walks around. Seems distracted from Adela. I, too, find it hard to believe a good God created this world so unfair, so cool, or that suffering retains this world's evil. Isn't that the point of Christmas? God becoming human to suffer for us? I guess the way you answer that question makes all the difference. What question? Well, now that I try to say it, it's more than one question. Yes. Why is there sin? Why was it necessary to suffer to save us? You mean why is there evil? If suffering undid evil, but it doesn't. Once evil has happened, it has happened. I don't understand. No one does. Child, although some people pretend to. Maybe there is a God. I mean, how did everything get here? But then I think of all the things the priests say about what God thinks and what we should do. Then, promise if I tell you this, you'll never tell anyone. That's a big promise. Maybe you should just trust me. I do trust you, Nana. It's just that I feel ashamed. Why? What are you ashamed of? I can't tell you, but I want to tell you. I'm afraid of what you'll think of me, but I want to know what you'll think of me. No matter what, I would love you. Alright then. This terrible thing happened. I questioned my faith. And instead of being struck with shame or lightning, I felt more free than I ever have. And that was terrible? Questioning my faith turned out to be better than any good thing I ever did? Isn't that terrible? Well, what exactly did you question? I realized the priests treat us like sheep. They're like sheep dogs keeping us where they want. And barking hell at us if we look like we're going to go our own way. It's like you can see into my heart. Come here. Coruscant takes her into her arms and hugs her. You don't go to Mass anymore. You must not believe either. In a way, I think I believe more than your mother. What do you mean? Since Hector's death, it has been impossible for me to believe that God is all good. Hector's death put a stake through my heart. Oh, now I wish I could pull it out. No, child, I don't want you anywhere near it. It opened a hole in my faith, and fury like lava keeps oozing up. I can't stop it. How can I be so angry if I didn't believe God was responsible? But then if you're mad at God, aren't you afraid? He's God. Yes, I'm afraid. I'm afraid that the same human evil that drives men to war drives me. I don't understand. Of course you don't. Mine are the feelings of an old woman who is a grin. And yours are the feelings of a young girl who wants to know right from wrong. Which reminds me, Adela, what is it you're doing that might be wrong? I'll go get her and show you. She runs off stage, lights down. Act 2, scene 2. The scene is the same as in Act 2, scene 1, only all is dark, except for Felicia and Corazon under the high lights. Where's your father? My father is dead. He was murdered. He lies buried in the mountains. Where's your mother? I fear they killed her too. I don't know where she is. Where's your husband? I have no husband. The father of your child? Lorencio. The father's child is dead. They killed him last. Who is they? The drug machos. They took over our village. If you work with them, you go to jail or die. If you won't work with them, you just die. And how are you alive? Carlos. Mama sent us away. Who is Carlos? My brother. My dear brother. I'm afraid he's dead too. Hector's dead. My son. I'm sorry. How did he die? He was a soldier. He died far away. Was he your only child? No, I have a daughter, Anna. Anna's granddaughter, Adela. She brought you to me. Yes. She's been very kind to me. And to my baby. Your baby? Yes. She said you could help us. The spotlights give way to soft light. Adela enters the stage. You will help her? Corazon looks long at Felicia. Speak sorrowfully. Child, you've begun the mother journey. The endless mother journey. You sound so sad. You are already measuring your happiness by the happiness of your loved ones. I wish I knew how they are. You're so young. What if Carlos is dead? What will I do? You'll go on. You'll have your baby to take care of. And if my baby dies? Well, maybe perhaps Felicia will appear at your door and you'll be able to take care of her. My baby mustn't die. No, no. Your baby must live. Come. Felicia walks into a protective hut. Lights down. Act two, scene three. At stage right, a food stand with a sign board legible to the audience. Hal's second amends. A picture of a high-power rifle is wood-carved into the sign. Bob is at the counter. Carlos and handcuffs and Kim are sitting at a picnic table, center stage. Nothing around but a highway cutting through high desert. Funny sign, mister. What's it mean? Wouldn't you like to know? It means I've gotten rights. Constitutionally protected rights. So, don't you mean amendment? Not amends? You've never heard of a play on words? Sure, I've heard of a play on words. So what? So, I'm into amends. For all the crappy crutches crawling across our borders. Hmm. Sounds like my line of work. Only I don't think of illegals as insects. Anyway, we'd like one chili burger, one regular burger, one hot dog, and three bottles of water. Chili burger? Who you got with you, anyway? I don't feed just anybody. You don't. That's against the law, you know. It is not. I can refuse to serve anyone I please. I please not to serve foreigners who don't eat American. What could be more American than hamburgers and hot dogs? Chilli, or beans, or tortillas, or any of that Mexican shit? I came all the way from Oracle, Arizona, here to this nice, empty place so that I'm shut of wet packs. Now, who you got with you? You get out of my face, you dumb bigot. I gave you an order. You don't have chili burgers and give me two regular burgers. I think I might just close early today. Listen to me. I'm with immigration, and I have the power to arrest people. I'll haul your stupid ass to jail if you don't cook up those burgers and shut up your stupid mouth. What the hell with you? Bob grabs him by his shirt and brows into his face. You damn fool, I might just shoot you instead. Whoa, you got a gun. I like men with guns. Yes, sir. I don't mind beating men with guns. You're lucky. You're the lucky one. Says you. But all right, two burgers, one hot dog. Hal turns away, exits. Bob goes to the table where Kim and Carlos are sitting, having witnessed what just happened. He'll be ready in a few minutes. Would you really have shot him? I don't go around shooting people, though a lot of people could use shooting. Nuts like that make me mad. Lord knows I'm not crazy about illegals. And one reason is that they trigger that kind of craziness in some people. That's not the America I want. What is the America you want? A place where people are safe. People like me and my sister? No, not people like you and your sister. You're not even people who ask permission before coming where you haven't been invited. I mean people who are trying to make a life and protect what they've got. Hal interrupts as he arrives with the tray and sets it down on their table. Looks at Carlos and Kim. Then at Bob, he turns his head to the side, spits and goes back. That guy's a vigilante. Anyway, here's the house special. A hamburger on a plain white bun with mustard and pickles. What makes you think he's a vigilante? He's from Oracle, Arizona. So what? Remember, immigration has been busing the kids to different towns? Oracle is the town where the people met the buses with guns. I thought that was a town in California. Them too. Why were the refugees being lost? No place to hold them all. Looks like the courts are placing them with relatives if they have any. Did he explain that sign? I wouldn't call it an explanation. He went on and on about his rights, constitutionally guaranteed. I think he meant gun rights. Is that what amends is about? You know, the second amendment. What's the second amendment? Americans have a right for guns. I was hoping maybe he was out here providing food to travelers. There's a way of making amends for something. You didn't really think that. I don't know. I meet a man like that and I wonder, you know, where's the guy he is and where's the guy he could become? The vigilante turned into a saint. I was thinking more, I don't know, if someone doesn't plant a seed, how's the better guy he might be going to have a chance? Well, we hear one of those. Those what? Idealists. Believers. Depends. On what? I do believe trust can release courage in us we didn't even know we had. Did you ever hear the one about the snake in the mouse? You mean the one where the snake fools the mouse into believing it? Yep. And gets a mouse to breakfast? I did. Did you ever hear the one about the good Samaritan? I've heard both those stories. And I'm still waiting. Waiting? Waiting to see. You know, if I find the girl, I'm taking her straight to deportation. If I find the girl, I'm helping her deliver to baby and won't be deportable. You're really willing to separate the baby from the mother? Not my decision. Sounds like a rattler. Can't see it though. Probably just picking in some sun. No, worst thing you can do if it's near the snake will bite you. Bob is pulled his gun, gets up and walks over to him, stands protectively by her. The kid's right. Best not to jump up like that. You got up too. Yeah. But I have a gun. That was scary. Here you are, sitting in the middle of nowhere by accident really, drinking a bottle of water and just like that, you could be poisoned dead. Not dead, really, Kim. The poison takes a while to kill you. And you're a medical aide. You know how to work a tourniquet and I could get us to a hospital with anti-toxin. Yeah, I'm pretty good at first aid. I'm just trying to show some respect, you know, for death. And life. Yes. And life. For how fragile life is and how sudden death can be. I know. Yes, how do you know? Why do you think Felicia and I came here? We're running away from sudden death. That's a good story. It's not just a story. It's what I'm supposed to do now. Protect Felicia and her baby. What do you have to protect her from? Well, now from him. But before, from the gang. Drugs? Yes and no. Lorencia wanted to stop carrying drugs for them. Once he learned about the baby. You'd think he'd want to make more money by working for them. That's what they thought too. But he wanted to be there for the baby, you know. Not dead or in jail. He ended up dead anyway. That's true. And Felicia and I would be dead too if we hadn't run away. Now they want to kill all three of you? They tried. But we got away. At least until you send us back. Look kid, we have to live in the world we've got. It would be great if there was some place for everybody. I signed on to keep America safe. You need some people of your own to take care of. A family. If you had a family, you wouldn't be making war for your country. Making war? If I was making war, you'd be dead. I think what Carlos is trying to say is you need a bigger picture of what protecting people means. A family is a small picture, much smaller than a country. It's not the number of people. It's the idea of protection that needs to be bigger. And you think you know better than me what protection is. Don't be mad. My own ideas keep changing. Looking at what happened to my country, Vietnam, when America, well, not America, at least not the American soldiers and nurses who risked their lives. Don't dare badmouth those people. I would never do that. But I can. Think about what they thought they were doing. What they thought they were protecting. What do you mean? They were protecting us, but they were bombing us. I lost my family to one of the bombing raids. I lost my father. My mother died in childbirth and I had nobody. Nobody to protect me. Poor man. We have a lot in common, you and I. Our ancestors tried to protect us through war and our families were broken. Now neither of us has a family. Right. So we're able to do the work that people with families can't. Like now. Good point. Maybe family isn't a big enough idea either. Maybe family should be anyone who helps you. And anyone you help. Yeah, good luck with that. I'm sorry about your father. At least America protected you. Yes, and it seems it still is. The rattlesnakes. We've got to get going. Which way now, kid? Carlos picks a letter out of his pocket awkwardly because of the handcuffs. We're not that far. You've got a map? Let me see that. Hey, don't turn the letter. We need it. What's it say? It's not in English. It's not in Spanish either. We really know it's addressed to where we're going. A Royal Hondo. Lights down. 8 Scene 1. In the kitchen dining room area, Anna and half a dozen relatives are chatting dressed for Christmas Mass. Adela and Felicia can be seen listening. One young man, Buddy, dressed in a police uniform addresses Corazon who's stuffing taco shells. Your tacos are the best. The soft shell amends me. The delicious soft Corazon. Christmas Eve would not be Christmas Eve without your tacos. Gracias, Buddy. Fortunately, I made extra this year. Remembering you from last year, you seem to save up a year's worth of appetite. Corazon, who wouldn't make a pig of himself with those tacos? His cell phone rings and he excuses himself. Corazon continues stuffing the taco shells. He returns and is obviously annoyed. What's the matter? You seem upset. It was a border policeman. He's looking for a runaway wetback and thinks she may be around here. Why would he think that? I don't know. Some letter or something? Anyhow, he wants to meet me here. I told him he'd have to wait until after Mass. Jesus, why don't those ruches stay down in Mexico where they belong? Buddy, you sound like those awful people who hate Mexicans. Besides, I had the people coming in now out from further south. Anna, you're soft on these people. Now take over. Fill our schools, take our jobs. They're so poor, they'll work for peanuts. Buddy, our state used to be part of Mexico. You could just be easy as born as a Mexican. Only you would have been born before New Mexico was a state. Well, I wasn't. I was born an American. These people are just like us, except poorer. And I hear they are mostly children. Children trying to reunite with their families. Children. That's what's the matter with these people. They keep breeding. They can't take care of their kids. So they want us to. It's not right. I thought you were on your way to celebrate the birthday of a child. A child who grew up and said, feed the hungry? Well, yeah, okay. Well, we should feed them, I guess. But food doesn't grow on trees. Isn't it my duty to feed my own kids? Actually, lots of food does grow on trees. Maybe my kids versus your kids is the problem. Well, it's a fact. We'd better get going, or we'll be late. Are you sure you won't join us, Mama? No, I'm going to sit here and take care of Adela. I'm sorry I couldn't convince her to go with you, Anna. Me too. It isn't surprising that she's not here to say goodbye. She must be ashamed. I'd say confused. Have patience with her. She's a good child. Anna hugs Corazon, calls to the others, and they exit. It's all right now. Come out. Are you all right? Did I hear right? The border police are coming here. How did they find out? I'm sorry you had to hear that. I'm afraid they may have gotten some information from your brother. That means he's alive. It could, but be careful. I don't want you to get your heart broken. But my heart's already broken, thinking he's dead. Anna, don't make it worse. The question is, how do we hide Felicia? What is it? It paints the baby. So soon. Ideas. Lord, help us. Come with me. And the lights go down. At three, scene two. Adela is helping Corazon outside. Corazon is bent over, clutching at her chest. But she's able to walk with help. Adela leads her to the table with two chairs and helps her sit in the evening light. There, I thought the air would help. I'm sorry, Miquita, to frighten you. Shouldn't I call the doctor? You're so pale, you frighten me. Oh, Anna. I think the air will revive me. Don't worry. You have to be very strong now. Felicia needs you. You must go to her. If you see the baby coming, come get me right away. I don't want to leave you. Of course you don't do Adela, but Felicia needs you more just now. I'll be all right. I just need to rest up a moment. Build up my strength to go help her. Please go to her. I'll come in just as soon as I can. Go. Corazon leads back, looks up into the sky. Distant Christmas carols can be heard. First, it came upon a midnight clear. It came upon a midnight clear. That glorious song of old. I never thought that when death came for me, I would have so little understanding. It's always made things seem so clear. With angels bending near the earth to touch their hearts of gold. Angels near the earth. Anna, Adela, Felicia, Felicia's baby. Angels in us all. All of us falling upon the earth. Falling. I'm tired. So very tired. Her head slowly falls to her chest. The hymn, Angels We Have Heard On High begins. Angels we have heard on high Sweetly singing o'er the plains And the mountains in reply Echoing their joyous strains And hector in uniform With a bloody bandage around his head Enters and walks toward his mother. She raises her head, Apparently still asleep, and smiles. I always love this one. The Gloria. It's lovely tonight. I can hear Christmas Eve. I've been dreaming of burnt-out candles. A line as far as you can see. A handful are still burning at the head of the line. Really? Can you see in the dark? We've been exploring. And the others? Us, you, me. Remember the lost horizon? I can't see. Can't see in the dark. The carols are so comforting. Full of hope. No. You. Thought I'd never see you again. Where's the baby? We're waiting. All the people singing together. Lively peace. I can't sing anymore. Angels we have heard on high Sweetly singing for the plane. I used to wonder, plane what? The plane is Anglo-Fermesa. Table country. Under the stars. You have to tell me. Where are you? Here, with you. I mean, are you somewhere? Here, with you. Let me hold you. Let me hold you. Always. Corazon grabs at her chest, crumples, but does not fall as the lights go down. Act three, sing three. The group, including Anna and Buddy, who bring up the rear, enter into the living area in twos. Singing angels we have heard on high. Stopping after the first Gloria, before the line beginning, annexed Chelsea's. They gather at the creche. Anna places the statue of the baby in the crib, in the center. It appears that the prince of peace means peace for our world. And prosperity here at home. And charity for the dispossessed. And happiness for our families. Anna goes to the counter, where the tacos are covered, and begins uncovering them. Buddy, bring me the plates. As she goes for them, there's a loud knocking at the door. Who's that? Buddy, would you get a plate? Bob and Kim. Kim, who's carrying her medical bag, they enter. Buenos noches. How may we help you? Thank you, man. We're here on immigration business. On Christmas Eve? Senor, you come into our house and want to check the idea of my family, my friends. Our people were in New Mexico before there even was in America. I called earlier. Where's the guy I spoke to? Yeah, I forgot. You're the one looking for the illegals? Yeah. These people here, are they Americans? They're people first, and all Mexican-Americans for your information. Well, maybe you Mexican-Americans feel more loyal to Mexico than America. Maybe you're helping the illegal who's hiding somewhere here tonight? What are you talking about? We just came back from Mass. We're about to share Christmas if tacos. If you're respectful, you can join us. We don't mean to be disrespectful, man. We have information that a runaway immigrant may be here tonight. We have to find her as soon as we can. You see, she's... Holy shit, we may be too late. I believe that's why I'm here. What's going on? Mother, Adela. Give me a minute, Mama. Where's Mother? Corazon, valeme Dios, somebody help me. Buddy, Bob, hurry all stage after her. In a minute, they return, each with an arm around Corazon, helping her walk slowly toward a chair, followed by Anna. Mother, God, what happened? Shh, don't worry, Anna. Don't worry. Are you all right? How do you feel? Did I fall? What's happening with Felicia? Is she all right? Felicia? Mama, everybody, Felicia's done it. Don't want me, Nita. Felicia has a bundle in her arms. Holy shit. Felicia lifts her bundle toward the people. My babies. Him then steps into the light, also holding a bundle. Felicia's daughter. My son. Isn't it wonderful, Mama? It's Christmas, and Felicia has had twins. A boy and a girl. God loves girls, too. Who is this Felicia? These babies. Of course, God loves girls. Mother, what is this? Felicia, tell Anna. Kim looks at Corazon, hands the doll at the baby, and then moves quickly toward Corazon, taking her wrist and feeling for the pulse. Get me my bag, quick. It's above Harry's backstage, and quickly returns with the AIDS bag. Kim takes out the stethoscope, listens to Corazon's heart. Meanwhile, Felicia addresses Anna and the others. I am from Guatemala, but these, my babies, they are now from America. Kim brother just threw the bag. Thank goodness, I do have some. Get us some water, quick. But he quickly gets the water. Take these, now. Who are you? Kim Lee, medical aid. Sent to you on Christmas Eve so you could have another Christmas morning. I see. I see I'm here for another Christmas morning with my family, with Felicia. See our Christmas babies? My son, and Felicia's daughter. She presents the baby to Corazon, who appreciates her, and smiles knowingly at Adela. My heart is so full of thank you. Please, Abuela, help me name him. Florencio, after his father, you think? Or Carlos, after his uncle. It must be Florencio. One Carlos is enough. Felicia, I told you we'd come. I told you we'd be together again. Felicia holds her son toward Carlos. He goes to her, but he can't pick up the baby because of the handcuffs, and he looks at Bob. Can you take these off and let me hold him? Okay, but I have to take you and her back. The uncussing Carlos takes little Florencio in his arms. You can't take my babies. They're American. Would someone please explain to me what's happening? These are illegals, ma'am. I'm here to take them back as a custody. You can't take them away. It's my job. They're not a job. They're people. And the babies were born here in America. They're Americans. Carlos takes a letter from his pocket and hands it to Anna. Here, it's from my mother. Anna takes the letter and starts to read. But this can't be. Where did you get this from? My mother gave it to me to give to you. Your mother? You're my son? You knew my mother? We were girls together in high school. Before she married, we were friends so close. We took all our classes together. She and her husband moved back to the village he came from. You can read the letter? Oh, yes. It's in short time. We learned this script together. She wrote it hoping you would help us. She says local gangs tried to kill you and your sister, this Felicia. They killed our mother, but they didn't catch us. Oh, Maria's dead? Oh, no. We'd be dead, too, if she hadn't made us escape. So, now do you have no place to live? Only if you'll help us. Carlos, come here. Carlos, do as she says. She helped save me and my babies. Carlos goes to Coral's room still holding the baby. How can I thank you? Please tell me. You, you are my gift. You and Felicia and the babies must stay with us. I'm afraid that's not possible. Maybe you can keep the babies, but not Carlos or Felicia. Yes, yes. That must be happened to you and your babies must stay with us. These are illegals, ma'am. They have to go back. And I'm afraid I have to take them. These are people, Bob. People in need of a refuge. Can't you see a way to let them stay? As far as I know, the courts are only letting those illegals with relatives here stay. Anyhow, I'm not a judge. But you are a judge. You are deciding right now the fate of this family and of us. What's your real job on this earth? Ma'am? When it's your time to die, what work will you have done? Protecting my country, my people. How is it protecting your country to separate this family? Remember your father, how hard it was for him when his family was broken. Didn't you say judges were letting people stay with relatives? But these people, I mean, they seem to be nice people, but they're not your relatives. Couldn't you think of these people as family? Remember our talk. The idea of family needs to get bigger. In fact, couldn't your idea of who your people are get bigger? What makes these people not your people? I didn't say that. Besides, didn't you say that refugees legally can stay? Sure. But you have to run away to save your life. But that's what these children have done. It's true. Doesn't that impress it? I don't know. Maybe, I mean maybe. I guess maybe I could use the letter. Why do we need proof of anything? Felicia and Carlos and the babies need a home, and they can have one right here, right now? That's right, Abuela. They all belong here now. Please, sir, use your authority to help us. Leave these children with us. Let them stay here until your judges and courts have given us permission to keep them. Please, Bob, it's your chance to really protect people. People you actually know. I have to make a report. I guess I could base my report on this letter. I could report that they carried a letter saying they're running from being killed and that they have people willing to take care of them. That would be wonderful. Adela steps forward with the baby and holds her out to Bob. So you'll help protect her? And Bob takes the baby. I don't have any kids myself. What's her name? I'm calling her Maria, after my mother. I want Mama's spirit with her always. Bob looks at the baby's face. Mary was my mother's name. You two. Most day ain't help us bring any cleanness. Bob looks sheepishly to our kids. I'll be damned. Looks like we're part of the family tonight after all. I told you we needed a bigger idea of family. I just didn't realize that included us. I'm so proud of you. Proud to share being family with you. No, they can stay. Felicia, Carlos and the babies. It seems Christmas too is born anew. Even with so many deaths. My son Hector. Lorencio, Maria. Or maybe through so many deaths we've rediscovered life here tonight. Through death? Don't you mean through God? Maybe in a way I do. Birth, death and all. She turns to Buddy, who's been slack-jawed during this entire experience. Buddy, can you sing Hector's favorite carol again, the angel song? An excesses caritas? Sure, caro son. Caritas is all about caring, yes. It's in excesses caritas.