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L’Evasion
By Aaron Bierstein

Characters:

Jacques DeMont
Adele DeMont
Damien DeMont
Maria DeMont
Gavrielle/Man
Bernard Rouchele
Madame Rouchele
Captain Claude DeFauch
Soldiers

Curtain: The night is cold and stormy and it is past midnight. Trees are rustling in the wind and the rain is pouring. Lightning flashes in the sky. It is 1732, Avignon, France.

ACT I, SCENE I

MAN enters approaching a house, he is walking against the wind getting soaked by the rain. He is covered by a ragged cloak. He reaches the door and bangs on it three times, loudly.

JACQUES
(Opens the doors and sees the MAN)
Can I help you?

MAN

Are you Monsieur Jacques DeMont?

JACQUES

Yes. May I ask who you are?

MAN

You may if it pleases you, but I won’t tell you anyway.

JACQUES

You come to my door at this hour and then refuse to tell me your name! Can you at least tell me your business?
MAN

I have a message for you and your family.

JACQUES

My family is asleep and I don’t usually take messages from strange men who come to my door past midnight in this weather and then refuse to tell me their name. Good night sir.
(Begins to close the door. MAN puts his foot in the way to block it)

MAN

Please sir, I’d like to tell you my name but that would but both our lives at risk unnecessarily.

JACQUES

What do you mean?

MAN

What I mean is that your neck is on the line, almost literally, and I’m the only one who can do about it. But since you are so quick to turn me away, it’s clear that you don’t want my help. Goodnight.
(Turns away from the door)

JACQUES

Wait!
(MAN turns around back towards the door)
Why don’t you come in?

MAN

That would be nice.

JACQUES

Do you need a place to stay? I can’t let you stay in the house with my wife and children but I do have an empty stable you can sleep in.

MAN

I’m afraid I can’t afford to stay here that long, and I don’t think you can either.

JACQUES

Why not? Will you please stop talking in riddles, for god sakes, it’s past midnight and I don’t think I can take it!

MAN

It’s extremely important that you listen to anything and everything I say tonight without question. Do you understand?
JACQUES
(Surprised by this new tone)
Yes

MAN

You must follow every order I give quickly and efficiently. A wrong move tonight could mean your death and the death of your family.

JACQUES

I...I understand.

MAN

Good. Now, The Captain of the Guard, Claude DeFauch has sent an order for the arrest and execution of your family. I have no doubt that soldiers will be here within a few hours to arrest you and your family.

JACQUES

What? Why? We’ve done nothing wrong! We haven’t broken any laws! We are good and honest people! I’m the town baker and my wife cooks and cleans and cares for our children. We are righteous and... and... Loyal!

MAN

I have not questioned your loyalty, or your morality. I have absolutely no idea why DeFauch is after you. However, that doesn’t matter, like I said before, DeFauch will be here in a few hours and he will drag you and your family to the gallows without giving you the chance to ask him. So if I were you I would dwell on “why” but “how”.

JACQUES

We can go live with my sister. She has a house north of here in Saint Etienne. It’s remote, hidden.

MAN

No, I know DeFauch and I know that he has already found all of your living relatives and is making sure you can’t escape to them. He works very fast. Besides, by now he probably has every soldier in France out looking for you in case you escape from here. We can’t just get you out of Avignon We have to get you out of France completely. That’s where I come in. This is my plan. First we...
(Black out as the MAN starts telling him the plan.)

SCENE II

SERGEANT

Well look what we have here! The ex-captain! Thought you’d sabotage DeFauch’s plan ey’? What say I go tell him what you doin’?
(From this point forward, MAN is referred to as GAVRIELLE)

GAVRIELLE

Sergeant Bailey! Always behind the times aren’t we? Captain DeFauch has personally put me in charge of the seizure of this family.

SERGEANT

Did he now? Funny, thought he hated you. Said something about wanting to take you to the noose himself to die a traitor’s death!

GAVRIELLE

Well he’s had a change of heart. Now should I go report you for insubordination? Or are you going to help me arrest the bunch of dangerous criminals we have here? I got him right where I want them, I made sure they wouldn’t put up too much of a fight.

SERGEANT

You always was the sneaky one Gavrielle? Always was, always was.

GAVRIELLE

Yeah, well you’re drunk.

SERGEANT

Well all this name-calling ain’t gonna get us nowhere!

GAVRIELLE
(Gestures towards the door)
On your lead!
SERGEANT

No, no, after you, ex-captain!
(He laughs, the two walk in to the dark house. They walk up the stairs, into JACQUES room. SERGEANT grabs the covers and tear them off the bed. The bed is empty.)
Captain?

GAVRIELLE
(Shoots the Sergeant)
Drunken b*****d.
(GAVRIELLE walks opens the window, ties a sheet around the bed pole and feeds it out the window, he uses it to climb out to the ground safely. He sneaks up against the house, avoiding the guards, he quickly runs behind a haystack, where the DeMont family is hiding)

JACQUES

Captain?

GAVRIELLE

Ex-Captain. DeFauch is the Captain now.

JACQUES

How did he end up captain?

GAVRIELLE

I’ve made a few… mistakes. Let’s leave it at that. Now quiet.

MARIA

Jacques, what’s going on, are we in some kind of trouble?

GAVRIELLE

Captain De-

JACQUES

Nothing. Don’t worry about it.

MARIA

Don’t worry about it? Nothing? We are hiding behind a haystack! Who are these men? Why are they here?

JACQUES

Maria, you are just going to have to trust me. Everything is going to be okay.

MARIA

Trust you? Why should I trust you? We’re hiding outside our own home from men in uniforms! Why should I trust you when you won’t even tell me what’s going on!

JACQUES/MARIA (overlapping)
What about everything I you are going to tell me what
do for this family. Isn’t is going on right now, and why
that reason enough to trust House it being burnt down and
me? I’m the head of this family Our family is hiding behind a barrel
Right now all I know is that my of hay You tell me what’s going on
family is in danger and I can’t
right now!
tell you what’s going on right
now!

ADELE

Papa? What’s going on?

DAMIEN

Yeah! What’s all this about anyway? I’m cold!
(The soldiers come out of the house empty-handed. They throw their torches at the house and it lights on fire.)

ADELE

No!
(JACQUES puts his hand over ADELE's mouth but it's too late. The soldiers turn their heads to the haystack.)

JACQUES

Run!
(They start running away. They don’t get very far from the house when Gavrielle is shot and falls down. Maria screams and turns around)

Maria!
(Tugs at her dress, urging her to run. She stands there horrified. Another shot is fired and it hits her in the chest she falls down. Jacques bends over her trying in vain to shake her back to health. Maria is dead.)

ADELE

Mama? Mama!
(Adele and Damien run over to their father’s side at their dead mothers body. All three are silent and unmoving until Adele’s sob stirs Jacques into action)

JACQUES

We need to keep moving.

ADELE

But what about Mama?

DAMIEN

We can’t just leave her here! She needs help! She needs a doctor. That will make her better! She just needs a doctor.

JACQUES

There is no time! We need to go now, or we’ll get hurt too!
(Damien gets to his feet but Adele still clings to her Maria’s body.
Adele please!
(She still doesn’t react and he picks her up, and begins carrying her. She is still crying. Horse foot beats are heard in the distance and Damien and Jacques, still carrying Adele all run.

SCENE III

(Jacques, Adele and Damien all enter. Jacques puts down Adele)

JACQUES

We should be safe here tonight.

ADELE

Papa?

JACQUES

Yes princess?

ADELE

Is Mama going to get better and come back to us?

JACQUES

(His voice becomes weak)
I… I don’t know

DAMIEN

She’s not coming back! She’s dead! Dead!

JACQUES

Damien!

DAMIEN

No! Mother is dead and she’s not coming back so why don’t you just grow up and accept that?
(He storms off into the distance and sits down in another part of the field and sits down. He buries his head in his arms and cries. Jacques walks over to him)

JACQUES

Damien, Adele is only five years old! She doesn’t understand.

DAMIEN

I’m sorry….I’m just… scared.
(Jacques hugs Damien)

JACQUES

I know. I am too.
(Both are crying)

DAMIEN

You? Scared? I thought you weren’t afraid of anything.

JACQUES

I worry about you and your sister every day.

DAMIEN

Really?

JACQUES

Of course! You, Adele and…..
(He breaks down in tears and Damien breaks down after. horses are heard in the distance)

Quickly! Hide!
(Damien, Adele and Jacques quickly run behind a large rock. A uniformed policeman rides by on a horseback. When he passes. All is silent for a few moments)

We can’t stay here. We’ll be caught!

DAMIEN

Where will we go?

JACQUES

Cavaillon, there’s an inn there; the innkeeper is a friend of mine.

ADELE

Is it far? I’m tired.

JACQUES (sigh)

It’s three days from here.
(Hoof beats are heard in the distance. All exit)

SCENE IV

(Jacques, Damien and Adele all enter. They’re exhausted. They’re clothes are torn and filthy and they are starving. Jacques is carrying Adele who has passed out. Jacques knocks on the door to the inn in Cavaillon.)

BERNARD (inside)

Who’s there?

JACQUES (Out of breath)

We need...a place...to stay.

BERNARD

Well of course you do! That’s why you’re here, isn’t it? But I don’t let nobody in for free ya know! The price is three francs.

JACQUES

Bernard...please...

BERNARD

Eh?
(Opens the door)
Jacques? Is that you?

JACQUES

Bernard....
(Collapses)

SCENE V

(A little while later, Jacques regains consciousness. He is in a bed with Adele, Damien, Bernard, Madame Rouchele and Esmeralda all gathered around the bed.)

BERNARD

Thank God! He's waking up. I thought I was going to have to open up a bottle of me best brandy!

ADELE

Papa!

JACQUES

What happened?

BERNARD

The doctor was here just a few hours ago. He said you were in bad shape. Another day or so out there and you would have died.

JACQUES

Thank you

BERNARD

Me pleasure. Esmeralda, go and fetch Monsieur some supper. Jacques, tonight you are our honored guest. As soon as you're feeling a bit better, you and I are going to drink till we drop and talk about our wives. Oy! If I had one shot at Maria I'd-

MADAME

Ahem!

BERNARD
(Ashamed)

Sorry love.

MADAME
(To Jacques)

The doctor says you won't be fit for travel again for another three days at least. In the meantime, this room will be yours.

JACQUES

Three days! No, no, that's far too long. We have to-

ESMERALDA

Supper! Here's your supper Monsieur.

JACQUES

Ahem...thank you

BERNARD

So what's all this about leaving?

JACQUES

Please, Bernard, we're in a hurry and we can't afford to lose more time.

BERNARD

A hurry? To where? I'm sorry Jacques but you have to stay here, doctors orders.

JACQUES

But-

(A loud knock is heard from downstairs)

MADAME

I'll get that

(Madame exits)

BERNARD

So, Jacques, I see you've got the children with you but where's the wife? You got a lot of nerve showing up here without her, you know I always fancied her!

JACQUES

She's...ill

BERNARD

Ill? So what are you doing off without her?

JACQUES

Bernard, please. If you don't mind I'd rather not talk about it right now.

BERNARD (Lowering voice)

Why? You're not in any kind of trouble are you?

(There is a long silence between the two of them)

Jacques?

(Madame enters)

MADAME

Bernard, someone at the door for you, says he needs to have a word with you

BERNARD

Alright, You take care of Jacques and the children. Anything they want, let them have

(He turns away from them and begins walking towards the door but turns back around quickly)

Except the brandy!

(Jacques chuckles. Bernard walks down the stairs and answers the door. Captain Claude DeFauch and two guards are standing at the door)

DEFAUCH

Good evening, are you Monsieur Rouchele?

BERNARD

I am. But I'm sorry Monsieur, we're closed for the night, you'll have to come back tomorrow

DEFAUCH

Claude DeFauch, Captain of the Guard, at your service monsieur

BERNARD

And what would Monsieur Capitan be doing at my door at such a late hour?

DEFAUCH

I'm here to investigate a complaint

BERNARD

A complaint?

DEFAUCH

Yes, I'm told that you are harboring a dangerous fugitive in your inn. Are you aware of this?

BERNARD

We get a lot of scum who stay here but most of em' seem harmless enough. They're just looking for a drink and a place to sleep. No harm in that.

DEFAUCH

Nevertheless, I have reason to believe that one of your guests is responsible for murder.

BERNARD

Murder?

DEFAUCH

Yes, he killed his wife and ran. So let me ask you again; have you seen this man?

(DeFauch pulls out a rolled up portrait of Jacques and shows is to Bernard)

BERNARD (to himself)

Jacques...

DEFAUCH

So you do know this man!

BERNARD

Yes, I've seen him once or twice before. He stays here every once in a while.

DEFAUCH

Is he here now?

BERNARD

No, I haven't seen him in six months! I heard he was dead!

DEFAUCH

Monsieur Rouchele, several townspeople saw this man enter this inn, only hours ago!

BERNARD

Well Captain, to be frank with you, he's a very common looking man. It could have been anyone!

DEFAUCH

They were certain that it was him!

BERNARD

I'm afraid that they were mistaken. Goodnight Captain.

(Bernard goes to close the door but DeFauch opens it with his foot)

DEFAUCH

I would like to see for myself.

BERNARD

What? and disturb all my guests? I already told you, he's not here!

DEFAUCH

Let me in now or you will be arrested for obstruction of justice!

BERNARD

I don't have to let no one in without papers. These are dangerous times, with a dangerous murderer running loose and all.

DEFAUCH
(Raises fist to hit Bernard)

Why you!

(He takes a breath and calms down)

Very well, I shall return with the proper papers and then you will let me into your inn.

BERNARD

I look forward to it, goodnight Captain.

(Bernard closes the door, DeFauch walks away until he sees the light turn off in the inn.)

DEFAUCH (To guards)

Stay nearby and wait for my orders. Let no one enter or leave. Do you understand?

GUARDS

Yes Captain.

(DeFauch hides up against the side of the house of the window to the room Jacques is staying in. Bernard angrily storms up the stairs and into Jacques room)

MADAME

Bernard, what was that about?

BERNARD

That was Captain of the guard, Claude DeFauch! Jacques are you aware that you’re wanted for murder?

JACQUES

Murder?

BERNARD

Murder! Maria!

JACQUES

What in God’s name are you talking about?

BERNARD

The police are looking for you Jacques! They say that you killed Maria!

JACQUES

I didn’t kill her-

BERNARD

You told me she was ill!

JACQUES

I had to!

BERNARD

You lied Jacques! She’s dead isn’t she?

JACQUES

....yes

BERNARD

God...

JACQUES

Bernard, I didn’t want to drag you into this, I need your help. If they catch us...

BERNARD

I want to help you Jacques, I really do, but think about what I’d be risking!

JACQUES

What do you mean?

BERNARD

I have a wife Jacques, and two daughters, for God sakes man! I have a business! The police are going to be back here soon. They know you’re here and if you’re gone when they get back...I could lose everything.

JACQUES

Please Bernard!

BERNARD

No, I can’t do that, I’m sorry Jacques but I have to...turn you in. I...have no choice. I’m sorry

JACQUES

Bernard, you can’t do this!

BERNARD

Damn it! I have to!

JACQUES

Bernard I swear I’ll-

MADAME
Bernard!

(Bernard turns to face Madame Rouchele at the door, Jacques takes advantage of the moment and quickly grabs the metal tray that was used to serve his supper and hits Bernard in the back of the head with it. Bernard goes unconscious. Madame Rouchele screams and Jacques ushers Adele and Damien to the window, he helps them climb out the window first, into a nearby tree, but he is about to jump to the branch but slips on the window ledge and ends up trying to hold on to the ledge with his finger tips. Two guards burst into the room)

GUARD

What happened?

MADAME

He hit my husband and escaped out the window!

GUARD

Who?

MADAME

Jacques!

(The guards exit running. Jacques is still hanging from the windowsill)

DAMIEN

Papa! Jump!

(Jacques manages to pull himself up and stand on the windowsill for a moment and jumps onto the branch where Adele and Damien are sitting and he climbs down. Adele jumps into his arms and then Damien)

JACQUES

Run!

(DeFauch steps out of the shadows and into view)

DEFAUCH

Not so fast, I think you’ve done enough running away for one night!

JACQUES

DeFauch!

(The children back up into Jacques and he holds them in a protective way)

DEFAUCH

Have we met?

JACQUES

No

DEFAUCH

Then the pleasure is all mine. I’m Captain Claude DeFauch

JACQUES

I know who you are!

DEFAUCH

You are under arrest for the murder of Maria DeMont.

DAMIEN

You killed her you son of a-

DEFAUCH

Quiet! Didn’t your father ever teach you manners?

(Silence)

Well, then I shall have the privilege!

(He pulls out a gun and points it at Damien)

DEFAUCH

Come here boy!

(He moves closer to Jacques, Jacques holds him tighter)

Come here now or I will kill you right here!

(Damien slowly walks over to DeFauch and DeFauch wraps an arm around him and holds the gun to his head.)

JACQUES

Damien!

DAMIEN

Papa!

DEFAUCH

Shut up! Another word and he dies!

(Silence for a moment

Good! Now, Monsieur DeMont, you are under arrest for the murder of Maria DeMont. Will you come willingly, or does your son die?

(Jacques silently puts his arms out and DeFauch slips a rope around Jacques’s wrists and pulls it tight. Guards enter)

DEFAUCH (To guards)

Congratulations, you are just in time to assist me in the capture of a dangerous criminal. You’re timing is impeccable.

GUARD

I’m sorry Captain we were just-

DEFAUCH

Never mind! I will see that these three are sent to prison-

DEMONT

Leave my children out of this!

DEFAUCH

In the meantime! In the meantime, you will arrest Monsieur and Madame Rouchele for obstruction of justice!

(Guards exit)

Justice has found it’s way tonight. One more murderer for the gallows!

(Several guards enter)

Take them away!

End Act I