Kurnst Soul Folk: Page Three
Note: During the second act Kurnst is played by a black male, Kurnst(B), dressed in the same clothes as the “Kurnst” from the first act.. In much the same way the character of Jack has become an older woman, “Jack(W),” a former opera singer, and the “Woman” character has become a young African-American woman, “Woman(B).” There are specific moments in the second act when the “original” characters reappear for scenes, sometimes interacting with their evolutionary characters or acting in place of them. Dorothy remains constant throughout.
SCREEN PROJECTION “Second Act”


SCREEN PROJECTION: (text)“During the fall of 1996 [Kurnst] was shot and killed leaving a Mike Tyson fight in Las Vegas. He was rumored to have had an affair with the wife of East Coast rapper Biggie Smalls (Notorious B.I.G), who himself was gunned down months later.”
Kurnst(B)
(Lionel Gentle)
(to audience)

My name is Kurnst, killed myself dead prior the millennium approaches. Rather, was killed, helping this thing along. I am dead.

Thought of my child and it is funny how we think of ourselves and not of our children, or of them and nothing else. I am a child too, fighting myself.

Kurnst(B)

You don’t perform?
Dorothy

Not for a long while.
Kurnst(B)

They don’t never treat nobody right, do they?
Dorothy

Not me.
Kurnst(B)

None of us.
Dorothy

Nobody ever.

SCREEN PROJECTION: (text) “Opera singer Maria Callas retreated from singing after the love of her left and married another, breaking her heart.”
Jack(W)
(Erica Liez)

If we were to stay up here, say for weeks, years, do you think anyone would find us?
Kurnst(B)

Sooner more than later, they would, Jack.
Jack(W)

How would they?
Kurnst(B)

They trace you, always find ‘ya, ain’t no escape.
Jack(W)

But could we stay up here, together?
Kurnst(B)

We’d have to go out for some things, to get our fix.
Jack(W)

But if we could get what we need, you think we could stay up here?
Kurnst(B)

I guess we could.
Jack(W)

You think the two of us could do that?
Kurnst(B)

You can only hide for so long, curious what you missing—you get bored.
Jack(W)

But we could stay up here some time?
Kurnst(B)

I don’t know how long.
Jack(W)
We could practice our craft. You could do whatever you need to do, I could sing.
Kurnst(B)
I could do that.
Jack(W)

I miss singing.

Kurnst(B)

This woman come here sings too.
Jack(W)

Sings! She’s an actress, cabaret singer. She’s not trained.
Kurnst(B)

Why don’t you sing then, if that’s what you want.
Jack(W)

I will sing, I will.

SCREEN PROJECTION: (text)“Load Water”

audio: Kurnst(B) (Lionel Gentle) & Dorothy (Marie Hughley)
Kurnst(B)

Yeah, was pretty peaceful for once. (pause) You know we was talking about disco shit and I kind of lie saying it ain’t nothing. I mean it is, but I was at this thing with heads in this empty building somewhere once, sitting over in a corner listening. High, you know, high. It was calming—I did feel that. That’s what it all about I figure, listening in this religious trance. What else you ‘gon listen for?
SCREEN PROJECTION: Images of architecture and interior design, buildings, furniture, chairs, tables, lights, etc.


Woman(B)
(Monique J. Askew)

If I was to do myself—would you still love me?
Woman

Yes, I don’t know what you mean.
Woman(B)

So, seeing.
(brief pause)

Dorothy

If I were to take this job—you’d still know me?
Jack(W)

No, er, yes.
Dorothy

You, knowing.
Jack(W)

Lest, singing.
Jack(W)

If I was to love you, would you still know me?
Dorothy

As a—cleansing?

Woman(B)

Not a no, or a bee, or a crawl.
Woman

To never let know, one, any.
Woman(B)

Never, seeming.
Jack(W)

Carve, stake.
Dorothy

What it feel like?
Jack(W)

Like a crashing.
Woman

If I was to know you, would you still take this job?
Dorothy

No, er, yes.
Woman(B)

Simpler, knowing.
Jack(W)

Softly, loving.
Dorothy

What it feel like?
Woman(B)

As if you were to take this job, would you still love me?
Dorothy

Yes, I don’t know what you mean.
Woman(B)

Never, seeming.
Dorothy

As a, cleansing.
Woman

Simpler, knowing.
Jack(W)

What everything look like?
Woman

As if you were to love me, would you know me, still?
Jack(W)

No, I don’t know what you mean.
Woman(B)

Lest, singing.
Jack(W)

Simpler, knowing.
Woman

Not a no, or a bee, or a crawl.
Woman(B)

To never let know, one, any—
Woman
(spoken with Woman(B))

—any. What it look like?
Jack(W)

Lest, singing. Never, seeming.
Dorothy

As if you were to know me, take this job, would you still love me?
Woman(B)

Simpler, know—
Woman

Or a be, or a crawl.
Jack(W)

Loving softly, you.
Woman(B)

To never let know, one, any.
The lights fade.
(continued on page 4)
Kurnst Soul Folk: Page Three