Scene One: The Spring

[MUSIC NO.01 “OPENING”]

(A family offour crosses the stage to a
bubblingspring at the baseofa giant tree.)
JESSE. Comeon,I think I see water up ahead!
MAE. Slow down,boys!
MILES. Are you kidding, Ma? We're dying ofthirst!
(Eachofthe TUCKS — MAE, ANGUS,JESSE, and
MILES - takes a turn drinking.)
ANGUS. This spring is a good omen. Wherethere’s water,
there’s opportunity. And where there’s opportunity,
there's ournewlife. Let 1808 be our bestyearyet.
MAE. (A toast.) To the Tucks!
ALL TUCKS. To the Tucks!
(Thelightingshifts.)
ENSEMBLE MEN.
DAY NA NA DAY NA NA DAY NA
ENSEMBLE.
DAY NA NA DAY NA NA DAY NA
AH AH AH AH
(The TUCKSexit.)
10 TUCK EVERLASTING: TYA EDITION 11
TUCK EVERLASTING: TYA EDITION
Scene Two: The Foster Garden MAE. I’m going to meet the boys in Treegap Wood.
ANGUS. Yousure that’s a good idea, Mae?
[MUSIC NO.02 “LIVE LIKE THIS"]
MAE. Either I walk them homeorthey wring eachother's
(WINNIE FOSTER enters in a green dress; we are necks.
nowin present-day 1893.) ANGUS. Well, be careful.
WINNIE. MAE. I will. I love you Angus.
TODAY IS THE DAY MAE.
I'VE BEEN WAITING FOREVER LET THIS BE THE DAY ENSEMBLE.
IT’S THE FIRST DAY OF AUGUST1893
TM FREE OF THIS CABIN I'M FREE
TONIGHT THERE'S A FAIR
WHERETHE ONLY THING
AND IF HANDLED JUST SO
THAT MOVES
I MIGHT GET MY MOTHERTO SAY I CAN GO
IS THE CLOCK ON THE WALL LET THIS BE THE DAY
MOTHER. Winnie?
BETTER OFF TO START
WINNIE. Coming, Mother!
THE HAUL
LET THIS BE THE DAY
TO TREEGAP NEW
ISTAY OUT ALL EVENING HAMPSHIRE
AND FALL RIGHTINTO STEP
I CAN'T LIVE LIKE THIS LIVE LIKE THIS
AS A BAND STARTS TO PLAY
I CAN'T LIVE LIKE THIS LIVE LIKE THIS
NOT ANOTHER BORING DAY
FOREVER!
IN TREEGAP, NEW HAMPSHIRE
I CAN'T LIVE LIKE THIS ENSEMBLE.
I CAN'T LIVE LIKE THIS FOREVER! DAY NA NA,DAY NA NA, DAY NA
ENSEMBLE. DAY NA, DAY NA NA
DAY NA NA DAY NA NA, DAY NA (A train whistles. MILES appears.)
DAY NA, DAY NA NA MILES.
DAY NA NA DAY NA NA, DAY NA OFF THE TRAIN IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
DAY NA, DAY NA NA AND IT’S BACK IN AN INSTANT:
(Sceneshifts to infrontofthe Tuckfamily cottage.) THE FEELING THAT I'M SOMEWHEREI DON’T BELONG
MAE. GESSE appears.)
TODAYIS THE DAY THE WAITING IS OVER JESSE.
TONIGHT WE WILL ALL BE A FAM’LY AGAIN HELLO TREEGAP, NEW HAMPSHIRE!
MY BOYS WILL BE HOME CATCH ME UP ON WHAT'S NEW
BY THE END OF THE DAY YOURSILO,I SEE, STILL HAS THE BEST VIEW
I CAN'T WAIT, I SHOULD WAIT, NO,I'LL MEET THEM
ISWEAR MILES.
HALFWAY
I SWEAR
Angus! Angus!
IS THERE ANYONE WHO ALMOST THERE
ANGUS. What's wrong?
STILL KNOWS ME?
a
 TUCK EVERLASTING: TYA EDITION 13
TUCK EVERLASTING: TYA EDITION
MILES. WINNIE.
THIS TOWN NEVER LET THIS BE THE DAY MANINYELLOWSUIT. (Echoing)
JESSE. OUTGROWS ME WHERE SOMETHING WILL SOMETHING WILL
ALMOST THERE HAPPEN HAPPEN
UNAWARE UNAWARE MAE. (Echoing.)
MILES & JESSE. LET ME SEE THE FAIR LET ME SEE MY BOYS
I'LL NEVER KNOW WHY THIS WORLD CHOSE ME JESSE & MILES.
TO LIVE LIKE THIS
LET MY MOTHER AGREE LET ME SEE!
LIVE LIKE THIS
LIVE LIKE THIS FOREVER!
ALL.
I FEEL IT COMING OVER ME
(A MAN IN YELLOW SUIT enters.)
IN TREEGAP, NEW HAMPSHIRE
MANIN YELLOW SUIT. I COULD LIVE LIKE THIS
TODAY A NEW TOWN I COULD LIVE LIKE THIS
AND A NEW ONE TOMORROW LIVE LIKE THIS
MY WHOLELIFE EMPLOYED TO A TRAVELIN’ FAIR WINNIE, MAE, JESSE, MILES
YOU MAY WONDER WHY & YELLOW. ENSEMBLE.
THIS OLD BARKER BARKS ON FOREVER DAY NA NA, DAY NANA,
IT'S THE TRAIL NO ONE KNOWSI HAVE STUMBLED UPON! DAY NA
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT. ENSEMBLE. DAY NADAY, NA NA
LET THIS BE THE DAY DAY NA NA, DAY NA NA FOREVER DAY NA NA, DAY NANA,
THAT I LEARN THE DAY NA NA, DAYNA NA, DAY NA
SECRET DAY DAY NA, DAY NA NA
AND FIND WHO HOLDS DAY NA NA, DAY NA NA WINNIE & MAN IN YELLOW SUIT.
THE KEY I COULD
TO WHAT I’M LOOKING DAY NA NA, DAY NA NA, WINNIE, MAE, JESSE, MILES
FOR DAY NA & YELLOW. ENSEMBLE.
I WILL KNOCK ON EV’RY
LIVE LIKE THIS FOREVER! DAY NA NA, DAY NA NA,
DOOR
DAY NA
IN TREEGAP, NEW
HAMPSHIRE TO WINNIE & MAN IN YELLOWSUIT.
ICOULD
MAE,JESSE & MILES.
ALL.
LIVE LIKE THIS
LIVE LIKE THIS LIVE LIKE THIS
LIVE LIKE THIS
I COULD WINNIE, MAE,JESSE, MILES & YELLOW.
LIVE LIKE THIS
LIVE LIKE THIS FOREVER!
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT & MAE. ENSEMBLE.
FOREVER!
FOREVER!
14 TUCK EVERLASTING: TYA EDITION TUCK EVERLASTING: TYA EDITION 15
(WINNIE stands in front of the family MOTHER. Winnie, whydid your dress just croak?
home. MOTHER stands on the porch in black
(WINNIE puils a toad out ofher pocket.)
mourningattire.)
WINNIE. Meet my newfriend, “Toad.” I found him by the
MOTHER. Whatin heaven's nameare you wearing?
fence.
WINNIE. Mother, I can’t wearblackto the fair!
(The toad croaks in MOTHER’sface.)
MOTHER. The fair?
WINNIE. It’s coming to town tonight. Can't we bend the MOTHER. Winnie, you knowbetter than that! Take that
rules? Just once? filthy thing back - where it belongs!
MOTHER. I’m sorry, but no. It’s not yet been a year since WINNIE. Yes, Mother.
your father’s funeral. And we can’t be seen carrying on GOOD GIRL WINNIE FOSTER EV’RY DAY
in public, as if nothing has happened. IS IN BED AT SEVEN
GOOD GIRL WINNIE FOSTER EV’RY DAY
WINNIE. But nothing does happen, not anymore.
IS A WELL-BEHAVED ELEVEN
MOTHER. Winnie, please marchinside and put your proper
BUTSOME DAYSI WANT TO RAISE
attire back on.
A LITTLE SOMETHING MORE THAN HEAVEN
WINNIE. Father would have taken metothefair.
Well, Toad, weblewit.
MOTHER. I know. Butthingsare different now, andif you
won't be a goodgirl for me, at least try to be a goodgirl (The toad croaks again.)
for him. Butat leastit kept us outof the house.
[MUSIC NO. 03 “GOOD GIRL WINNIE (WINNIE sets the toad down. It hops away.)
FOSTER"] ARE YOU FROM THE WOOD? I'M NOT ALLOWED THERE
WINNIE. BIG NEWS,I KNOW, I’M NOT ALLOWED ANYWHERE
I'M TRAPPEDIN A HOUSEOF SAD AND LONELY WELL NOW’S YOUR CHANCE TO DISAPPEAR
ON A STREET NAMED“MAIN” BUT YOU COULD CALL IT GO HAVE FUN, I'LL BE RIGHT HERE
“ONLY” TIED TO A STRING LIKE A PRECIOUS PEARL
IS IT RUDE TO SAY I'D VOLUNTEER IT’S A PRETTY TIGHT LEASH FOR A REALLY GOOD GIRL
FOR A DAY OFFUN JUST ONCE A YEAR? WINNIE. MOTHER & WOMEN.
TD FLY THE COOP IF ONLY I COULD GOOD GIRL WINNIE WINNIE! WINNIE!
BUT I'VE GOT A REALLY BAD CASE OF BEING GOOD FOSTER EVERY DAY BEA GOOD GIRL WINNIE!
TD GO FIND TROUBLE IF THERE WAS SOME TO GET IN IS IN BED AT SEVEN WINNIE! GOOD GIRL
ASK A FRIENDTOPLAY, IF I HAD ONE TO LET IN WINNIE!
MOTHER'S ROCKER SAWING THROUGH THE FLOOR GOOD GIRL WINNIE COME INSIDE!
EV'RY DAY JUST LIKE THE ONE BEFORE FOSTER EVERY DAY WINNIE! WINNIE!
WE LOCK OURSELVES BEHIND THAT DOOR IS A WELL-BEHAVED BE A GOOD GIRL WINNIE!
IS IT WRONG TO WISH FOR SOMETHING MORE? ELEVEN
(A croakis heard.) BUT SOME DAYS COMEINSIDE!
 F
16 TUCK EVERLASTING: TYA EDITION TUCK EVERLASTING: TYA EDITION 7
WINNIE. MOTHER & WOMEN. It’s my business to know un-knowable things! Why, I
I WANNARAISE WINNIE! WINNIE! can guess a girl’s age just by looking into her eyes. Now,
WINNIE! WINNIE! I don’t suppose you've noticed anyone strange around
WINNIE. here recently...
ALITTLE SOMETHING MORE THAN HEAVEN WINNIE. What do you mean, strange?
SOME DAYS MAN IN YELLOW SUIT. Been up and down thestate, looking
I WANT TO RAISE for a highly unusual family. Used to live here in Treegap,
ALITTLE SOMETHING MORE THAN HEAVEN some time ago.
(Cymbals crash, trumpets blare. A rag-tag WINNIE. I don’t recall meeting anyone unusual. Until today.
paradeis led by the MAN IN YELLOWSUIT.) (MOTHER appears backat thefront door.)
[MUSIC NO.04 “JOIN THE PARADE"] MOTHER. Pardon me,is there something I can help you
MANIN YELLOW SUIT & CARNIVAL BAND, with?
JOIN THE PARADE MANIN YELLOWSUIT. No, pardon me. Just spreading the
FALLIN LINE FOR THE FAIR word aboutthefair!
BEFORE THE SUN SETS
[MUSIC NO. 04A “FAIR MUSIC BOX"]
BEFORE WE ROLL ON
LADIES AND GENTS, OUR MIDWAYPRESENTS That tune. Do youhearit?
A TONIC FOR THE WOEBEGONE! MOTHER.I’ve heard that very melody on and off my whole
MANIN YELLOW SUIT. life. My grandmotherheard it when she was a girl -
COME TO THE FAIR andit always comes from our wood!
THE BEST DAY OF THE YEAR MANIN YELLOWSUIT. Your wood,did you say?
THEY SAY IT WON'T LAST MOTHER. Yes,I did.
YOUNGLADY, THEY’RE RIGHT! MANIN YELLOWSUIT. I’ll keep that in mind. For now: much
A MERRIMENT MAKERFILLING AN ACRE as I'd lovetostay, ladies, a man only has so muchtime.
MANIN YELLOW SUIT & CARNIVAL BAND.
(He exits.)
BUT THE TENT COMES DOWN TONIGHT
MAN IN YELLOWSUIT. Good morning! MOTHER. Where do youfind a suit that color - and why
would you buyit?
WINNIE. It is now! Thefair is here!
WINNIE. Don’t you see, Mother?It’s a sign! We could go to
MANIN YELLOW SUIT. Well, now. Aren’t you wise beyond
the fair, like we used to!
your...
MOTHER. No- andthat’s the final word.
(He looks into hereyes.)
WINNIE. But —
Eleven years,is it? MOTHER. No more buts. The world can be a dangerous
WINNIE. Howdid you guess? place, Winifred, andit is my job to protect you.
MAN IN YELLOWSUIT. I’ma carnival man, younglady! WINNIE. From what? Having fun? I hate your rules!
(Producinga coin from behind WINNIE’: ear.) MOTHER. That is enough. Now comeinside and change
yourdress - and yourattitude.
18 TUCK EVERLASTING: TYA EDITION TUCK EVERLASTING: TYA EDITION 19
(MOTHER goes inside. The toad croaks at the Scene Three: The Spring
fence.)
[MUSIC NO. 05 “GOOD GIRL WINNIE [MUSIC NO. O5A “JESSE AT THE SPRING"]
FOSTER - REPRISE”] Cnaclearingat the same springfrom Scene
WINNIE. Toad, you're back! Do youhaveto follow the rules? One.)
(The toad croaks.) GESSE swings downfrom the tree and takes a
drink ofwater.)
I didn’t think so. I want to be daring too. I don’t want
to just be “good.” (Whenhe stands, he comes eye to eye with
WINNIE.)
(The toad croaks again.)
JESSE. Excuse me,are you lost?
WITH A CAGE FOR A YARD YOU CAN ONLY MOPEIN...
WHENA FRONT DOOR SHUTS, SHOULD A GATE OPEN? WINNIE. That’s exactly what I was goingto ask.
IF I DON’T LEAVE NOW, I'LL ONLY WISH I HAD JESSE. You shouldn’t behereright now.
HOW CAN ONE KNOW GOOD WITHOUTTRYING BAD? WINNIE. But these are my woods!
TO THINKI'VE NEVER SEEN MY WOOD JESSE. I don’t care whose woodstheseare, it’s not safe for
I'VE GOT TO GET OUT you to behere.
WHILE THE GETTING'S GOOD
WINNIE. You're not old enoughto boss me.
(WINNIE runs from the yard as the scenery JESSE. Believe me. I am.
changes to reveal a mossy, mysterious wood.)
WINNIE. Oh,really. How old are you?
ENSEMBLE. JESSE. 102.
DAY NA NA
WINNIE. No. Really.
DAY NA NA, DAY NA
JESSE. Let’s just say I’m...seventeen.
WINNIE. Toad, wait for me!
WINNIE.Oh. Thatis old.
ENSEMBLE.
JESSE. You have noidea.
DAY NA NA
DAY NA NA, DAY NA (WINNIE brushes past JESSE.)
DAY NA, DAY NA NA Uh, where do you think you're going?
WINNIE. Toad! Where are you? WINNIE. I’m thirsty. I’m getting a drink fromthat spring,
like you did.
JESSE. Ohno, you saw me drink? Look, you need to leave
right now.
WINNIE. Butit’s just water!
JESSE. No, no, listen: Whenlittle girls drink from this
spring, they turninto...
(The toad hops into view and croaks.)
Toads?
20 TUCK EVERLASTING: TYA EDITION TUCK EVERLASTING: TYA EDITION 21
WINNIE. Nice try. I happen to know thattoad. In fact, he’s AT THE TOP OF THE WORLD
my toad. YOU'RE DRAWING BACK A CURTAIN
JESSE. Huh. Well now that you say it, I do see the AT THE TOP
resemblance. AT THE TOP
WINNIE. You're very odd. AT THE TOP OF THE WORLD
THERE YOU KNOW FOR CERTAIN
(JESSE puts out his hand.)
YOU'RE ALIVE AND YOU ARE FREE
JESSE. I’m Jesse Tuck, how do. SO FOLLOW ME
WINNIE. Winnie Foster. TO THE TOP OF THE WORLD
(They shake hands.)
WINNIE. Everythinglooks so different, up here!
JESSE. Youain’t seen the halfofit.
I just ran away from home!
WINNIE. Don’t you everget afraid?
JESSE. And how’s that going?
JESSE. If you aren’t afraid, you aren'talive.
WINNIE. So farit’s just a bunchoftrees.
MOUNTAINSTO THE WESTAN OCEAN TO THE EAST
JESSE. Just a bunchof trees! You own these woods, Winnie
ASTORM CLOUD TO THE NORTH READY TO POUR
Foster, and you don’t even know what you’ve got! Come EV’RY SYCAMORE
with me! LEAVES ME WANTING MORE AND MORE
WINNIE. Where are we going?
AT THE TOP
JESSE. Up. AT THE TOP
[MUSIC NO. 06 “TOP OF THE WORLD"] AT THE TOP OF THE WORLD
WINNIE. Up, right now? MY HEAD AND HEART ARE POUNDING
AT THE TOP
JESSE. There’s no use running away if you don’t make it an
AT THE TOP
adventure!
AT THE TOP OF THE WORLD
WINNIE. Good point. I HEAR MY VOICE RESOUNDING
JESSE. I just hope you're not afraid of heights. TM ALIVE AND I AM FREE SO LOOKAT ME
WINNIE. Only one wayto find out! WINNIE. ENSEMBLE.
JESSE. YOU'VE GOTTA SEE IT TO OOH
WATCH MY EV’RY STEP BELIEVE IT
FIND A STURDY BRANCH JESSE.
DON’T YOU DARE LOOK DOWN AND BELIEVE ME,I'VE OOH
PULL YOUR BODY UP SEEN IT
DIG IN YOUR HEELS THE FRONTIER OOH
LET'S SEE
OF THE UPPER
WHAT THIS TREE REVEALS! ATMOSPHERE
AT THE TOP WINNIE.
AT THE TOP A WONDERTO BEHOLD IT OOH
22 TUCK EVERLASTING: TYA EDITION TUCK EVERLASTING: TYA EDITION 23
JESSE. ENSEMBLE. Scene Four: The Spring
A STORY YET UNTOLD, OOH
IT’S UP HERE AHH (MAE TUCK paces, sits at the base of thetree,
WINNIE. opens a music box. MILES enters and shuts the
UP HERE music box.)
JESSE. MILES. Ma! Are youtrying to get us caught out here?
UP HERE AHH MAE. You know me, Miles -
WINNIE. MILES. Nervoushabit, I know.
UP HERE MAE. Hey, can I have a properhello, here?
WINNIE, JESSE & ENSEMBLE. (MAE attempts a hug.)
UP HERE!
MILES. Great to see you, Ma. You're as pretty as ever.
JESSE.
I'LL GO OUT ON A LIMB, WALK A TIGHTROPE WIRE, FOR
MAE. Andyou don’t look a day over 105.
THE HIGHEST HEIGHT MILES. Funny: sometimesI actually pray I'll wake up with
YES,ILL RISK IT ALL, GIVE ME A BARREL, GUESS WHO'LL gray hair and a potbelly.
JESSE. ENSEMBLE. MAE. Speakingofyourfather, he’s backat the cabin, getting
FIND A WATERFALL AH everything ready for yourvisit.
WINNIE, JESSE & ENSEMBLE. MILES. Comeon, he always comes to meet us.
AT THE TOP MAE. Heisn’t quite himself these days. But he'll snap back
AT THE TOP to life whenheseeshis boys.
AT THE TOP OF THE WORLD MILES. AndJesse is runninglate, I assume?
WINNIE & JESSE. MAE. It’s been ten years since we'veall been together, Miles.
MY HEAD AND HEART ARE POUNDING Another ten minutes won't kill us.
WINNIE, JESSE & ENSEMBLE. MILES. You got that right.
AT THE TOP
GESSE swings downfromthe tree.)
AT THE TOP
AT THE TOP OF THE WORLD JESSE. Ma!
WINNIE & JESSE. MAE. Jesse! There's my sweet boy!
I HEAR MY VOICE RESOUNDING (They embrace.)
TM ALIVE ANDIAM FREE ENSEMBLE. The one whostill hugs me.
SO LOOK AT ME... AH, AH, AHH
JESSE. Listen! I have somethingI havetotell you.
AT THE TOP AH
MILES. Tell us at the cabin. This isn’t a safe place to linger.
OF THE WORLD!
JESSE. Always great to be reunited, Miles!
[MUSIC NO. 06A “MAE'S ENTRANCE -
MILES. I see you'restill playing in trees.
TRANSITION"]
JESSE. I see youstill can’t take a joke.
24 TUCK EVERLASTING: TYA EDITION TUCK EVERLASTING: TYA EDITION
MAE. Boys. Jesse, you weretelling me something? Scene Five: The Foster Garden
JESSE. Right! So...hear me out. You know how you always
say “good things comein small packages”? (HUGO, shy and nervous, enters in front of
(WINNIE jumps downfromthe tree.) the Foster home.)
[MUSIC NO. 07 “HUGO'S FIRST CASE"]
WINNIE. Hello!
JESSE. Notyet! HUGO.
WINNIE. Weclimbed a tree! I saw the top of my house! It BIG DAY
was great! FIRST CASE
GIRLS GONE
JESSE. She followed me here. Can we keep her?
NO TRACE
MAE. A child? I always knew this day would come, that SMALL TOWN
someone would discoverus: but a child?
NO CRIME
WINNIE. I thought yousaid they'd like me. NOW TREEGAP’S HIT THE BIG TIME!
JESSE. She's notjust a “child,” she’s also my friend. WHAT'S THIS?
MILES. Jesse, please tell me yourfriend doesn’t know FRESH TRACKS
anything aboutthe...you know. WHO'S THERE?
WINNIE. Water? RELAX
JESSE. Oh, boy. FOOTPRINTS
MILES. Jesse! SIZE NINE
A CLUE, YAHOO! NO, THOSE ARE MINE
MAE. Youtold herabout the water?
JESSE. This isn’t myfault. “NO DIRTY DEED GOES EXACTLY AS PLANNED,’ LOOK,
THAT'S WHATIT SAYS IN MY DEPUTY HANDBOOK:
MILES. It never is. Ma, are you thinking what I’mthinking?
“EVEN THE BEST CROOK LEAVES YOU A CLUE”
MAE. Unfortunately, yes. BIG DAY, FIRST CASE
(To WINNIE.) Please know that, as a mother, I don’t GIRL'S GONE, NO TRACE
approve of what we're aboutto do. HUGO, YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO
[MUSIC NO. O06B “KIDNAPPING - (Trudging behind HUGO is CONSTABLE JOE.)
TRANSITION"]
CONSTABLE JOE. Hugo,there you are. I asked you not to
(A beat. MILES whips his coat off and over get ahead of me. This being yourfirst missing persons
WINNIE’s head, tossing her over his shoulder. case, I recommend youkeep youreyes open and your
She screams.) mouthclosed. Shall we practice?
Let’s get her back to the cabin! Pa will know whatto do. HUGO. No,I think I gotit.
(WINNIE screams again.) CONSTABLEJOE. See, that wasa test. Youjustfailed.
JESSE. Don’t worry, Winnie, we'll explain everything at (MOTHER appears.)
home! MOTHER. Joe, Winnie’s been gone since this morning. I
found the gate wide open.
 TUCK EVERLASTING: TYA EDITION TUCK EVERLASTING: TYA EDITION 27
26
CONSTABLE JOE. Huh.Suspicious. (CONSTABLEJOE re-enters with the “missing”
HUGO. Maybeshe ran away. handbook.)
CONSTABLE JOE. Hugo! WhenI want anopinion, I'll ask CONSTABLEJOE.
for one. HUGO!
(Back to MOTHER.) Maybe she ranaway. Get a clue andlet’s get onwithit.
MOTHER. Well, if she did,it’s all my fault. I wouldn’t take (CONSTABLEJOE eaits again.)
herto the fair.
HUGO.
CONSTABLE JOE. Thefair? Well, now, I don’t mean to alarm WILL YOU MAKE DEPUTY?
you, but those people can be -
(HUGO runs after Constable Joe.)
HUGO. Tricksy.
CONSTABLE JOE. Who?
HUGO. Tricksy. Meaning notto be trusted.
CONSTABLE JOE. Hugo!
(To MOTHER.) We'll have a good look around.
MOTHER. Wehaveto find her,Joe. I can’t bear the thought
oflosing anyoneelse.
(MOTHER ewits inside as CONSTABLE JOE exits.
HUGO remains.)
[MUSIC NO. 07A “HUGO'S FIRST CASE -
REPRISE”]
HUGO.
HOUSE CALL
ADJOURNED
LEAVE NO
STONE UNTURNED
FLIP HERE
FLIP THERE
THESE FLIPPING THINGS ARE EVRYWHERE!
DON’T GIVE UP NOW, “SEARCH CRANNY AND NOOK”
‘THAT'S WHATIT SAYS IN MY DEPUTY HANDBOOK
NO, THAT'S NOT IT
NO THAT’S MY LUNCH
WHERE COULDIT BE?
BIG DAY
WHO TOOK
YOUNG GIRL?
MY BOOK?
28 TUCK EVERLASTING: TYA EDITION TUCK EVERLASTING: TYA EDITION 29
Scene Six: Tuck Cottage ANGUS. Oh,no, Winnie. This isn’t kidnapping.
MAE. Well, technically, honey.
[MUSIC NO. 07B "TUCK COTTAGE - JESSE. If you’d just let us explain -
TRANSITION"] MILES. That is a bad idea. As I’ve always said, if anybody
(MAE enters.) finds out about us -
MAE. Angus, where are you? We're back! Witha...surprise. (MILES “slits his own throat” with his hand.)
Angus?
ANGUS. This is different, Miles. This is a child. A child
(ANGUSappears.) changeseverything.
Jesse met somebodyat the spring. (He puts his hand out - again.)
ANGUS. What? Do they know? Dothey knowthesecret? Winnie Foster, I give you my word that we are not
(JESSE enters.) going to harm you.
JESSE. Long timenosee, Pa! Hope you'rein a good mood! (A beat.)
ANGUS. Jesse! Whathave you gottenusinto this time? Please don’t bite me.
(MILES enters, carrying WINNIE. He spins her WINNIE. Fine. Can I please just go home?
out ofhisjacket.) MAE. Herfamily must be worried sick.
A child? MILES. This is ridiculous. So now what?
MAE. That's exactly whatI said! JESSE. Pa will know whatto do! Right, Pa?
WINNIE. Please don’t hurt me, please don’t hurt me - ANGUS. Of course I know whatto do! Where are my boots?
JESSE. Winnie, nobody's gonnahurt you. (Finds them, looks downat his longjohns.)
WINNIE.I can’t believe you tricked me. I trusted you. We MAE. Where are you going?
climbeda tree!
ANGUS. Fishing!
ANGUS. Doesshe...doesshe...
MAE. Fishing? Why?
WINNIE. Know aboutthe water?
ANGUS. Theboat’s the only place I can think.
MAE. Only that it’s special! But she didn’t drink any, so
(Boots on, he exits.)
everythingis fine!
JESSE. This is Winnie Foster. Winnie, this is my father, JESSE. Oh, Ma,let’s justtell her the truth about the water.
Angus. MILES. Oh, Ma,let’s just not.
ANGUS. A Foster! From Treegap? Your great-grandfather MAE. Miles, please.
and I usedto fish together! It’s a pleasure to meet you! JESSE. If Pa doesn’t know whatto do, that meansit’s up
(Puts out his hand.) to us. Winnie, are you readyto hearthe biggest secret
ever?
Don’t you want to shake my hand?
MILES. The questionis: is she ready to keep it? How do we
WINNIE. No, I wantto bite it. That’s what my father told me
know she won't run andtell everyone?
to do if anybodyevertried to kidnap me.
 TUCK EVERLASTING: TYA EDITION TUCK EVERLASTING: TYA EDITION 31
30
MAE. She knows too muchnow notto tell her everything. I MAE.
guess we'll just have to trust her. WHEREWE FOUND OURSELVESA CLEARING
JESSE. Go ahead, Ma. AND CAMPED FOR THE NIGHT
JUST THE FOUROFUS -
[MUSIC NO. 08 “STORY OF THE TUCKS"]
MILES.
MAE. PLUS THE CAT AND THE HORSE
ONCE UPON A TIME - THEY PLAY A CRUCIAL PART
ONCE UPON A TIME MAE.
CAN I START LIKE THAT? YES MILES, OF COURSE
MILES. WE SLEPT BY A SPRING NEAR AN OLD ASH TREE
SHOULDN'T START LIKE THAT JESSE.
MAE. AND THAT'S WHEREI CARVEDA “T”!
BE PATIENT WITHME, WINNIE MAE.
I'VE NEVER TOLD THIS BEFORE JESSE!
ONCE THERE WAS A MAN
MILES.
A MAN WITHA WIFE AND FAMILY
IN THE MORNING
JESSE. IN THE MORNING
THAT'S MILES AND ME!
MILES & JESSE.
MAE. WE HAD NO WAY OF KNOWING
JESSE LET ME TELL THE STORY WITHOUT EVEN THINKING
I DON’T WANNASTART A WAR
MILES, MAE & JESSE.
WE TORE FROM THEWESTTO SETTLE IN THE EAST
WE DRANK FROM THE SPRING
LOOKING FOR A FARM OR SOME LAND AT LEAST
WHO KNEW THAT SPRING COULD CHANGE EV’RYTHING?
JESSE.
MAE.
GET TO THE PART WHEREI FALL FROM THE TREE
EXCEPT FOR THE HORSE
MILES. EV’RYBODY DRANK
NO, YOU'VE GOT IT ALL WRONG EVEN THE CAT
MAE. MILES.
MILES! JESSE! REMEMBER THAT
THEN WE FOUND A WOOD JESSE.
JESSE. YOU CAN LEAD A HORSE TO WATER-
YES, WE FOUND A WOOD, CAN YOU GUESS WHICH WOOD?
MILES.
WINNIE. I THINK SHE KNOWS THE PHRASE
MINE?
MAE.
JESSE. SO DAYS WENT BY
YOU'RE GOOD! THEN MONTHSAND YEARS
LIVED AN ORDINARYLIFE -
32 TUCK EVERLASTING: TYA EDITION TUCK EVERLASTING: TYA EDITION 33
MILES.
OR WHERE WE'D
SO IT APPEARS SIT
MAE. ON THE
THE OLD HORSE DIED AT TWENTY-FIVE DELICATE
JESSE. BALANCE
BUT THE CAT WASSTILL ALIVE! BETWEEN A THE GREATEST
MILES, MAE & JESSE. BLESSING FAM’LY
WE WEREN'T CHANGING AND A CURSE IN THE DON’T
WE WEREN'T GROWING UNIVERSE CONFUSE
WE HAD NO WAY OF KNOWING THE GIRL
NOBODY WAS THINKING MILES, MAE & JESSE.
IT’S BECAUSE OF THE SPRING THE CAT AND THE HORSE
WHO KNEW THAT SPRING THE “T” ON THE TREE
WOULD CHANGEEV’RYTHING? THE DRINK THAT CHANGED US ETERNALLY
MAE. JESSE. THAT'S OUR SECRET KEEP IT LOCKED UP TIGHT
THE TOWN WINNIE, LOOK WINNIE.
BEGAN TO AT ME I STILL DON’T UNDERSTAND
TALK MILES.
PEOPLE SHIED WINNIE, LISTEN ENOUGH! ALL RIGHT
AWAY HERE MILES. WERE NOT AGING
THEY WERE SO NO WERE NOT GROWING
OUTRAGED AND NONE OF US KNOW WHY
WE HADN'T ONCE UPON A TIME
AGED WE DRANK FROM YOURSPRING
OUR LIVES I SURVIVED A LISTEN! AND NOW WE'LL NEVER DIE
IMPIOUS FREE FALL JESSE. Andthat’s the story of the Tucks. The end.
OUR LOOKS
MILES. The spring made us immortal.
PERVERSE
WINNIE. How can be sure you're notjust telling me a story?
HE SURVIVED
MUCH
JESSE. Oh, that part’s easy! Ma, where's myrifle? Winnie
WORSE can shoot me!
SHUT UP, JESSE! (He runs off.)
STILLWE DIDN'T YES, OF COURSE MAE. Nobodyis shooting anybody, Jesse! I meanit, I just
KNOW- WE KNEW! cleaned.
DIDN’T KNOW HOW COULD WE
[MUSIC NO. 08A “MUSIC BOX"]
THE SPRING NOT KNOW?
WAS THE CAUSE (MAEsits and winds her music bow.)
NO
OF IT
EEO
34 TUCK EVERLASTING: TYA EDITION TUCK EVERLASTING: TYA EDITION 35
WINNIE. Yourstory is true. That’s the music my mother’s MILES. It tends to scare the locals.
heard, her whole life... WINNIE. You could never scare me. But now I have about a
(MAE shuts her music bow.) million more questions.
MAE. Angus gave me this music box the night he proposed. MAE. I think that’s enough for one night. Her family must
be frantic. I'd be willing to take her back home, right
(The door swings open. ANGUS enters with an now.
emptyfishing rod.)
ANGUS. At this hour? The poor girl must be exhausted.
ANGUS. Well, apparently I need Winnie's great-grandfather And she thinks we're fun!
if I want to catch anyth- WINNIE. Can I stay? Please?
JESSE. Foundit! MAE. I don’t know. I don’t thinkit’s right to keep her
GESSE trips. His rifle goes off:) overnight.
ANGUS. Dammit, Jesse! ANGUS. We'll take you back first thing in the morning, you
MAE. Angus, please. have my word.
ANGUS. Aw, Mae, everyone swears when they get shot. MILES. What we need,Pa, is her word. Winnie, do you swear
you won't breathe a thing about us to anyone, ever?
WINNIE. You shotyour father.
MAE. She cansleep on it. Now let’s get you out ofthat
MAE. Jesse, I told you. Not in the house.
scratchy dress.
(WINNIE isfrozenin disbelief.) WINNIE. You could tell my dress was scratchy?
WINNIE. I don’t understand! Didn’t you get hurt? MAE. Mothers can alwaystell. Let’s find you something in
ANGUS. Oh, honey, I’mfine. theattic.
JESSE. Nothing hurtsus. (MAE and WINNIE exit.)
MILES. Not physically, anyway. MILES. Look, I hate to be the voice of reason, butif the
WINNIE. Whatelse can you do? Can youfly? wrong person finds out about the water, they could
JESSE. No. play God with it. Or worse.
MAE. Buthecertainly tried. JESSE. Stop. She’s just a kid. Don’t make any good thing
MILES. Headfirst. seemlikeit’s the end ofthe world.
WINNIE. It mustbe so fun to be you! MILES. Easy to say when you've neverlooked out for anyone
JESSE. It is!
but yourself.
MILES. Not exactly. JESSE. That’s what you think of me?
MAE. Notatall. It’s not fun to be without your boysfor ten MILES. WhosaysI think of you?
years at a time. (MILES exits.)
WINNIE. Why do you spend so much time apart? ANGUS. Come on,while we got a minute, tell me everything,
ANGUS. If we're seen together for too long,people start to from the day youleft.
realize we don’tage. JESSE. Everything?
36 TUCK EVERLASTING: TYA EDITION TUCK EVERLASTING: TYA EDITION 37
ANGUS. Jesse, I don’t get out much. Don’t skip a thing! Scene Seven: Tuck Attic
(They exit.)
(A stairwell leads up to a cluttered crawl
[MUSIC NO. 09 “INTO THE ATTIC”]
space.)
MAE. Oh,the attic is an embarrassment. I’ve had a hundred
yearsto tidy it up, but when you neverhave guests, why
clean?
WINNIE. We never have guests and we do nothing but clean.
But Mother says “good girls” don’t complain about
chores.
MAE.I like your mother.
WINNIE. Don’ttell anyone, butso do I.
MAE. Cross my heart. Oh, it is so nice to talk to a girl, for
once. WhatI'd give to have a daughter.
WINNIE. I’m not so sure you’d want me.
MAE. Why would yousay that? Now, rummage through
that trunk, see what you find.
(WINNIE pulls out a pairofboys’ trousers.)
WINNIE. How about...these!
MAE. Well, look at those.
WINNIE. I’ll wearthose if you wear...this!
(WINNIE pulls out a flowing silk dress. She
goes behind a screen to change.)
MAE. Oh, goodness.
WINNIE.It’s beautiful! Was it yours?
MAE. Still is. And I betit still fits. Between you and me, I
think the water was goodfor my figure.
WINNIE. Wasit a special dress?
MAE. I woreit the night Angus asked me to marry him. We
danced until the floors shook.
(WINNIE jumps out from behind the screen.
She is now dressed in the boys’ clothes.)
WINNIE. What happens now?
MAE. Bed happensnow.Forall ofus.
38 TUCK EVERLASTING: TYA EDITION TUCK EVERLASTING: TYA EDITION 39
(MAEsets up a makeshift bed.) JESSE. First, we climb out the window. Second, we don’t get
WINNIE. You expect meto fall asleep, after everything that caught.
happened today? (They exit. The scene transitions to thefair.)
MAE. I know how youfeel. We haven’t had this much
excitementfor as far back as I can remember. Buttry
to get somerest.
WINNIE.I will.
MAE.I'll see youfirst thing tomorrow morning. Good night.
(MAEexits.)
[MUSIC NO, 10 “FROM ATTIC TO PORCH”)
WINNIE.
ANIGHTIN A HOUSE THAT'S CLEARLY HAUNTED
THAT'S THE PRICE YOUPAY, GETTING WHAT YOU WANTED
ONE SMALL STEP OUTSIDE YOUR DOOR
LANDS YOU WIDE AWAKE ON AN ATTIC FLOOR
NOT QUITE WHAT I HAD BARGAINEDFOR...
ANDYETI'D TAKE A LITTLE MORE
GESSE pops up at the window.)
JESSE. Boo!
WINNIE. Ahh,Jesse! Unlike you, someof us can actually be
scared to death.
JESSE. Sorry! It’s just: I couldn't sleep, so I was thinking of
going on a secret adventure.
(A beat.)
Anyway, sleep tight!
(He starts to go.)
WINNIE. Wait, wait! What kind of adventure?
JESSE. Any kind you want. My general rule of thumb is do
whateveryour parents would say no to.
WINNIE. That would bethe fair. Jesse! Can we go to the
fair?
JESSE. Excellent choice!
WINNIE. So what's the plan?
 TUCK EVERLASTING: TYA EDITION TUCK EVERLASTING: TYA EDITION 41
Scene Eight: The Fair I'VE SEEN THE SEVEN WONDERS OF THE WORLD
CAN'T WAIT FOR EIGHT AND NINE
(The MAN IN YELLOW SUIT enters the BUT BECAUSE OF MY PREDICAMENT
Jairground. Thefair comes to life.) MY PECULIAR SITUATION
[MUSIC NO. 11 “JOIN THE PARADE - TO KEEP MY PROFILE LOW, LOW, LOW
REPRISE”] TM A ONE-MAN OPERATION
WINNIE. Jesse, I’ve got it!
MANIN YELLOW SUIT & ENSEMBLE.
YOU NEED A PARTNER IN CRIME
JOIN THE PARADE
SOMEONE TO SHARE IN THE VIEW
FALL IN LINE FOR THE FAIR
WHY SEE THE WORLD ANDALLOFITS GLORIES
BEFORE THE SUN SETS
WITHOUT A FRIEND TO TELL YOURSTORIES TO?
BEFORE WE ROLL ON
JESSE.
LADIES AND GENTS,
SOMEONETO STANDAT MY SIDE
OUR MIDWAY PRESENTS
TWO EXTRA FISTS IN A FIGHT
A TONIC FOR THE WOEBEGONE!
WHY SHOULD THE ROAD BE LONG AND LONELY?
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT.
WINNIE.
COME TO THE FAIR
WHY NOT TEAM UP?
THE BEST DAY OF THE YEAR
THEY SAY IT WON'T LAST JESSE & WINNIE.
AND SONNY, THEY’RE RIGHT! WE'VE ONLY GOT TONIGHT
A MERRIMENT MAKERFILLING AN ACRE JESSE.
MANIN YELLOW SUIT & ENSEMBLE. IF NO ONE'S THERE TO HEAR IT
BUT THE TENT COMES DOWN TONIGHT! DOES A FALLING TREE MAKE SOUND?
WINNIE.
(WINNIE and JESSE enter, holding cotton
candy.) ARE WE HEARD, OR SEEN, OR ANYTHING WITHOUT A
FRIEND AROUND?
WINNIE. Wow,it’s even better than I remembered! Jesse,I
JESSE.
amso glad we snuck out!
THE OLD GREAT WALL, THE TAJ MAHAL, YES, THEY ALL
JESSE. AmI good, or am I good? HAVE MERIT
WINNIE. You're the best! What do you think weshould try WINNIE.
next? BUT THIS TRAV'LIN’ FAIR COULD TAKE THE CAKE
JESSE. Youlead the waythis time, kid. I think I’ve been BECAUSE YOU GET TO SHAREIT
everywhere in the world exceptthefair. JESSE. (Offering WINNIE a sample of the cake he just
WINNIE. Everywhere? pilfered.) Carrot?
JESSE. Well, almost everywhere. WINNIE. JESSE. (Echoing.)
[MUSIC NO. 12 “PARTNER IN CRIME"J YOU NEED A PARTNER IN I NEED A PARTNER IN
CRIME CRIME
THE PYRAMIDS, THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE,
THE RIO GRANDE, THE RHINE
42 TUCK EVERLASTING: TYA EDITION TUCK EVERLASTING: TYA EDITION
WINNIE. JESSE. (Echoing.) JESSE & WINNIE.
SOMEONE TO SHARE IN A SOMEONETO SHARE A PARTNERIN CRIME
LAUGH IN A LAUGH ENSEMBLE.
WINNIE. SUN’S SETTING, TOMORROW WEREGONE!
RUNNING A RACE WITHOUT A PACE SETTER JESSE, WINNIE & ENSEMBLE.
JESSE. MY PARTNERIN CRIME!
I’M OUT OF PLACE JESSE. Okay, “partner,” what’s next onthelist?
JESSE & WINNIE. WINNIE. Well, I wasn’t gonna say anything, but you haven't
WITHOUT MY BETTER HALF won me anythingyet!
WITH YOU JESSE. Hey, now! Them’s fightin’ words!
JESSE. (The MANIN YELLOW SUIT burstsforth.)
THE FUN IS TWO FOR ONE
[MUSIC NO. 12A “YELLOW SUIT -
WINNIE. UNDERSCORE”]
AND CHOCK-FULL OF SURPRISES
MANIN YELLOW SUIT. Step rightup, step right up! Last game
JESSE & WINNIE.
of the night! Last chance to play Fool the Guesser! I
WITH YOU
guess your age wrong, you win prize!
WINNIE.
WINNIE. Oh, my gosh. It’s that man. Jesse, you don’t want
THE LINE MOVES TWICEAS FAST
to play this game, believe me.
JESSE & WINNIE.
JESSE. You're not leaving here without a prize. Watchthis.
AND NO ONEREALIZES
GESSE breaks away, but WINNIE stays back.)
JESSE.
WITH TWO WHATEVER WE DO NOW Bet you can’t guess myage,sir!
WILL MERIT REMINISCING WINNIE. Jesse, wait —
JESSE & WINNIE. JESSE. Relax, Winnie. Joke’s on him.
WITH TWOI FIN’LLY FEEL SOMEHOW WINNIE. Jesse, no!
THAT SOMETHINGISN’T MISSING
(The MAN IN YELLOW SUIT notices WINNIE.)
JESSE, WINNIE & ENSEMBLE.
YOU NEED A PARTNER MANIN YELLOW SUIT. Well, whaddya know.It’s that eleven-
A PARTNERIN CRIME year-old spitfire from this morning. Let’s see if your
TWO EXTRA FISTS IN A FIGHT friend’s ageis as easy to guess as yours was!
STUCKIN A STICKY SITUATION (Hesizes JESSE up.)
LUCKY THE TRICK’S COLLABORATION
Examinethe height, consider the shoe size — but the
WHY SHOULD THE ROAD BE LONG AND LONELY? answeris always in the eyes. Yessiree, the age is always
JESSE & WINNIE. in the -
WE'VE ONLY GOT TONIGHT
(The MAN IN YELLOW SUIT backs wp, startled.)
ENSEMBLE.
LAST CHANCE FOR FUNAT THEFAIR JESSE. Well?
44 TUCK EVERLASTING: TYA EDITION TUCK EVERLASTING: TYA EDITION 45
MANIN YELLOW SUIT. (Recovering.) Seventeen! AmI right? (Defiant, JESSE grabs the knife and pulls it
(WINNIE crosses to retrieve JESSE.) into his gut.)
WINNIE. That’s it! You gotit on thefirst try. [MUSIC NO. 12B “RUN TO THE SILO"]
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT. Wait, wait a minute. How old are you JESSE. Ha!
really?
(The MAN IN YELLOW SUIT is dazzled.)
GESSE squirms away, but the MAN IN YELLOW
MANIN YELLOWSUIT.It’s you!
SUIT looks deeper into his eyes.)
GESSE pulls the knife out and runs away in
JESSE. Seventeen, just like you guessed.
search of Winnie.)
MANIN YELLOW SUIT. Ofcourse, I’m never wrong! And I
It’s actually you!
always quit when I’m on top! That's all, folks! Thanks
for coming. Goodnight!
JESSE. Yes, good night.
MANIN YELLOW SUIT. Hey, seventeen, you're not going to
let yourlittle friend go home withouta prize, now, are
you?
(The MAN IN YELLOW SUIT pulls WINNIE across
the stage. JESSE follows. The MAN IN YELLOW
SUIT hands a doll to WINNIE.)
Howaboutthis prize, girly? You like it?
WINNIE. Yes, thank you.
(The MAN IN YELLOW SUIT pulls a knife on
JESSE.)
MAN IN YELLOWSUIT. And how aboutthis prize, old man.
You like it?
JESSE. Run, Winnie! Go!
(WINNIE dashes throughthe crowd.)
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT. Just want to ask you a few questions,
is all.
(The MANIN YELLOW SUIT leans incloser with
the knife.)
JESSE. You don’t scare me.
MANIN YELLOWSUIT. Oh,really? ‘Cause yousure look scared.
46 TUCK EVERLASTING: TYA EDITION TUCK EVERLASTING: TYA EDITION 47
Scene Nine: The Silo GO TO THE SPRING
GO TO THE SPRING
GESSE and WINNIE are revealed onthesilo.) AND DRINK
WINNIE. I was soafraid you wouldn’t get away. fe Sine
JESSE. I may be 102 but I can still outrun anyone. TURN SEVENTEEN
WINNIE. I’m so sorry. I tried to warn you. THE SAME AGE AS ME
JESSE. No, no. It’s okay. It’s refreshing to have somebody SIX YEARS FROM NOW
looking out for me whoisn’t Ma. GO TO THE SPRING
WINNIE. But Jesse, that man came by my house this GO TO THE SPRING
morning. He heard the music box. He...knows about AND DRINK
you. WINNIE. You make the world soundso exciting,
JESSE. I know he knows. Guess the family reunion’s over I want to just drink the waterright now.
early. It won't be thefirst time. JESSE. No! You haveto wait until we're the sameage.
WINNIE. But you just got here. And you'rethefirst real WINNIE. Why? What’s the difference?
friend I've madein -
JESSE. You'll see. There’s a difference.
JESSE. Forever? WINNIE YOU CAN STOP TIME
WINNIE. Yes. AND LIVE LIKE THIS FOREVER
JESSE. Believe me, I know. (The MANIN YELLOW SUIT enters, spots JESSE
WINNIE.So,is this goodbye, then? and WINNIE.)
JESSE. Maybe not. Listen: Ma and Pa and Miles? They MANIN YELLOW SUIT. Finally!
don’t know how to enjoy anything anymore. They’re
JESSE & WINNIE.
stuck in the past. But you?
LIVE LIKE THIS
[MUSIC NO.13 “SEVENTEEN”] (Transition to MAN IN YELLOW SUIT.)
You thought it was amazing to climb a tree. Imagine
seeing the Eiffel Tower! The Egyptian pyramids!
WINNIE. The world.
JESSE. Exactly.
WINNIE. But Jesse, I’m not even allowed to play in the
woods. I could nevergo on those kinds of adventures.
JESSE. Don't worry. I’ve got that figured out.
SIX YEARS FROM NOW
YOU WILL TURN SEVENTEEN
TURN SEVENTEEN
THE SAME AGE AS ME
SIX YEARS FROM NOW
48 TUCK EVERLASTING: TYA EDITION TUCK EVERLASTING: TYA EDITION 49
Scene Ten: Backstage at the Fair SOON EV’RYTHING’S
GOLDEN
MANIN YELLOWSUIT. Ha! It’s water! Andit’s in the wood! ENSEMBLE.
[MUSIC NO. 14 “EVERYTHING'S GOLDEN"] EV’RYTHING’S GOLDEN
I’m gonna betherichest sonof a gunofall time. MANIN YELLOW SUIT.
EV’RYTHING'S GOLDEN
FELLOW, TAKE A LOOK AT MY SUIT
YELLOW HAS ACQUIRED A GLOW (MOTHER ts seen at the Fosterfence.)
FLEABAGS CAN LAUGH AND JOKE I know where yourdaughteris.
THESE RAGS WILL BE SPINNIN’ INTO GOLD AND EV’RYTHINGS...
GOLDEN LIKE THE SUN ENSEMBLE.
RISING IN THE EAST MINE
GOLDEN WITH THAT BRAND-NEW DAY SHINE MAN IN YELLOW SUIT.
GOLDENLIKE THE YEARS EV’RYTHINGS...
IT TOOK TO GET ME HERE ENSEMBLE.
SOON EV’RYTHING'S GOLDEN
MINE
AND EVRYTHING'S MINE
MANIN YELLOW SUIT.
Who wouldn't pay a fortune fora sip of forever? [ll EVERYTHING'S MINE!
make millions!
(MOTHER and MAN IN YELLOW SUIT ewit.)
NUTSHELL: WHEN THE WATERIS MINE
[MUSIC NO. 14A “PLAYOFF”]
DON’T TELL ME YOU WOULDN'T BUY
MY MERCHANDISE,I'LL NAME THE PRICE
AND MAKEA KILLING MAKING SURE YOU NEVERDIE
MY PURPOSE, MY PLAN, MY WHOLERAISON D'ETRE:
STRIKE IT RICH AND RULE THE WORLD,ET CET’RA ET
CET'RA
AND OF COURSE BECOME IMMORTAL SOMEWHERE ’LONG
THE WAY
TLL BE
MANIN YELLOW SUIT. ENSEMBLE.
GOLDEN LIKE THE SUN GOLDEN EVRYTHING'S
GOLDEN...
GOLDEN LIKE MY SUIT EV’RYTHING’S GOLDEN...
GOLDEN WITH THAT
BRAND-NEW DAY SHINE
GOLDEN LIKE THE YEARS EV’RYTHING'S GOLDEN...
IT TOOK TO GET ME HERE EV'RYTHING'S GOLDEN...
50 TUCK EVERLASTING: TYA EDITION TUCK EVERLASTING: TYA EDITION
Scene Eleven: Tuck Cottage WINNIE. But then you wouldn't have foundthe spring!
MAE. Honey,that’s entirely his point.
[MUSIC NO. 14B “TUCK COTTAGE"] WINNIE. Butthe spring is a miracle!
(WINNIE and JESSE run into the Tuck cottage. (She keeps explaining, oblivious.)
ANGUS is present.)
I'd drink from it right now — but Jesse wants me to
JESSE. Pa, I did somethingreally stupidlast night. wait.
ANGUS. Give yourself some credit, son. You do something (Silence. JESSE sinks to the kitchentable.)
really stupid every day.
MAE. Jesse Tuck, for the first time in 102 years, I amtruly
JESSE. No,Pa, take me seriously. Please. We metthis...crazy
disappointed in you.
carny at the fair. Except he wasn't crazy.
JESSE. But Ma —
ANGUS. Well, what was he?
MAE. No. Not this time. There are some things that even
JESSE. Dangerous. Scary. Pa, he knows aboutus.
you can’t sweet-talk your way outof.
ANGUS. Whereis he now?
(She storms out to the porch.)
WINNIE. Welost him,I’m sure wedid.
ANGUS. These woodsare getting thinnerevery year. If he ANGUS. Well, now you've upset your mother. Say your
wanted to, he could track us down within a couple of goodbyes.
days. (ANGUSexits to MAE.)
JESSE. So, what do we do? WINNIE. Did I do something wrong?
ANGUS. First, we figure out how to break it to you-know- JESSE. Never.
who.
WINNIE. Doyoustill mean whatyousaidat the silo? About
(MAE enters.) the water I can keep ’til I’m seventeen?
MAE. Here's your dress, sweetie. Let's get you changed, JESSE.I'll go get you some. But you have to put it somewhere
before Miles sees you in those clothes. safe where no onewill findit.
JESSE. Ma, I did somethingreally stupid. (Enter MILES. He sces JESSEfirst.)
ANGUS. We'vegot to pull up stakes, Mae. MILES. Where’s Ma and Pa?
MAE. What? What happened? WINNIE. They're outside. I think I made them mad.
JESSE. I snuckoutlast night. There’s a creepy man who saw MILES. Why are you wearing those? Where did she get
myface. He knowsthesecret. Thomas's clothes?
ANGUS. We'll have to leave our cottage - maybe for good WINNIE. Who's Thomas?
this time.
JESSE. Don’t let him bully you, Winnie - and you didn’t
WINNIE. I could come with you! make anyone mad. I did like always.
MAE. No. Absolutely not. I knew I should have taken her MILES. What did you do now Jesse?
backlast night.
JESSE. I want Winnie to drink the water.
ANGUS. This is my fault. I never should have taken us to
MILES. Jesse, even for you, this is a new levelofselfish.
Treegap Woodinthefirst place.
52 TUCK EVERLASTING: TYA EDITION TUCK EVERLASTING: TYA EDITION 53
WINNIE. No, it’s not! I want to see the Eiffel Tower! I want Scene Twelve: Stump Outside Tuck Cottage
to see the Egyptian pyramids!
MILES. No, you wantto see old age. You want to see your (ANGUS and MAE outside.)
children grow up.
ANGUS. You goingto be okay?
JESSE. I refuse to keep living alone in the shadows.
MAE. You've got to convince Winnienotto drink.
MILES. So, okay: your plan works for three years, maybe ANGUS. Aw Mae,can’t you speak with her?
four if you're lucky — then what? Do you somedaystart
MAE. No. She needs a father - and honestly, Angus?
a family, and make yourchildren drink the water?
Watching youwith a real child, again, I can’t think ofa
And what about whenthe neighbors catch on to your
better father than you.
secret? Then what? You wannagoto jail - forever?
ANGUS. ButI don’t know thefirst thing about having a talk
JESSE. I already feel like I’m serving a life sentence, Miles!
with girl.
Td rather do my time next to somebody whoactually
appreciatesit! MAE. Youcould practice on mea little more often.
(To WINNIE.) I'll go get youthe water. ANGUS. That’s not a bad idea.
MAE. Is that a yes?
GESSE exits.)
ANGUS. That’s an “I love you.” Anda yes. I'll talk to her.
WINNIE. Miles, who’s Thomas?
MILES. He was my son.
WINNIE. Is hestill alive?
MILES. I don’t know. My wife took him from me.
WINNIE. Did they drink the water?
MILES. No. By the timeI figuredout thesecret of the spring,
the years had passed for them, but not for me. She
thoughtI was possessed. A freak.
WINNIE. I don’t think you're a freak.
MILES. It’s time we got you hometo your own family.
WINNIE. Can't I stay justa little longer?
MILES. No. If your fatheris anything like me, all he’s doing
right now is watching yourfront door. All he’s doing
is...counting the minutes.
WINNIE. Miles, I don’t have a father anymore.
MILES. You don’t?
WINNIE. No. But I'll always love himfor therest of mylife.
And I promise Thomaswill love you, for the rest ofhis.
(MILES hugs WINNIE.)
[MUSIC NO.15 “TIME”]
54 TUCK EVERLASTING: TYA EDITION TUCK EVERLASTING: TYA EDITION 55
Scene Thirteen: Foster Front Door CONSTABLEJOE. Business to do withthefair,is it?
MANIN YELLOW SUIT. I’m no longeraffiliated with that
(MOTHER with the MAN IN YELLOWSUIT.) particular operation. Which has moved on.
MANIN YELLOW SUIT. Inall mytravels, I’ve never seen a CONSTABLE JOE. Andyet, here youare.
more promising wood. It would meana great deal to MAN IN YELLOW SUIT. Here I am.
meto own it. Why,I'd treatit like my only child. HUGO. Whatsort of business transaction?
(He produces papers and a pen.) MOTHER.I’ve sold him the wood.
MOTHER. Let's just get this over with. CONSTABLEJOE. Really? You've sold him Treegap Wood.
Afterall these decades. Well, neighbor, I supposeI'll be
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT. Look, I want the wood and you want
seeing you.
thegirl.
It’s a simple trade. (CONSTABLE JOE puts owt his hand. MAN IN
YELLOW SUIT extends his own, limply.)
MOTHER. It’s blackmail, is whatit is.
MANIN YELLOWSUIT. Sign at the X. And makeit legible. MOTHER.I apologize for wasting yourtime, Joe.
MOTHER. You'reanevil banana. CONSTABLE JOE. Oh, you're never a waste oftime, Betsy.
Always a pleasure. Come on, Hugo.
(MOTHER signs but doesn’t give him the
papers.) (CONSTABLE JOE and HUGO ewit.)
CONSTABLE JOE. Hello? It’s just Constable Joe checking in, MAN IN YELLOW SUIT. Well done, Mummy. That wasn’t so
here! hard. Now give methe contract.
(A beat.)
MOTHER. Notuntil I have my daughter.
MANIN YELLOWSUIT.Fine. I certainly don’t wanther.
HUGO. And Hugo!
MOTHER. Oh, would you dropdead,already.
MAN IN YELLOW SUIT. Send him away nonethe wiser, I’m
MAN IN YELLOWSUIT. Never.
warning you. You've got more to lose thanI do.
(He exits.)
(CONSTABLE JOE and HUGOenter.)
[MUSIC NO.16 “EVERYTHING'S GOLDEN
CONSTABLEJOE. Betsy, how are you?
- REPRISE")
MOTHER. I’mfine, Joe. The whole disappearance turned out
JACKPOT! THE FOREST IS MINE
to be false alarm,is all. But thank youfor checking in.
CRACKSHOT TAKES AIM AND BULLSEYE!
CONSTABLE JOE. So, where's our Winnie, then?
MONEYON EV’RY TREE
MOTHER. Myfriend hereis going to fetch her home. HONEY, THIS WOODIS SOLID GOLD!
(The CONSTABLE regards the MAN IN YELLOW
SUIT.)
HUGO.Ask about those papers.
CONSTABLEJOE. Silence, mosquito. What are those papers?
MANIN YELLOWSUIT. Just alittle business transaction.
56 TUCK EVERLASTING: TYA EDITION TUCK EVERLASTING: TYA EDITION 57
Scene Fourteen: Path Near the Wood HUGO & CONSTABLE JOE.
OH
[MUSIC NO. 17 “YOU CAN'T TRUST A YOU CAN'T TRUST A MAN
MAN"] HUGO. With a bad handshake.
(MAN IN YELLOW SUIT dances down the road.) CONSTABLE JOE.
DID YOU NOTICE HIS PECULIAR HANDSHAKE?
HUGO. Look at him go. Would hateto let himget too far
HIS FINGERS NEITHER FLACCID NOR FIRM
ahead.
HUGO.
CONSTABLEJOE. Well, a fellow dressed in yellow’s not going
LIKE TOUCHING A PORPOISE
to be hard to track.
CONSTABLE JOE.
HUGO.Sureisn’t a niceyellow.
NO HABEAS CORPUS COULD KEEP THATFISH —
CONSTABLE JOE. Hugo, there’s no such thing as a nice HUGO.
yellow. I don’t know. I got a bad feelingthisis all going MAMMAL.
to comeapartlike wet bread.
CONSTABLEJOE.
YOU CAN'T TRUST A MAN DRESSED IN YELLOW
FROM SERVING FULL TERM
HUGO, ONLY A ROGUE WEARS THAT HUE
BAD HANDSHAKE, BAD MAN
A MAN WHOIS FONDEST
HUGO & CONSTABLE JOE.
OF SUITS THAT ARE JAUNDICED
WATCHIT IF HIS GRIP LACKS A SQUEEZE
PUTS THE YOLK ON HIM AND THE JOKE ON YOU
CONSTABLE JOE.
THEY'RE TRICKSY, ALL MEN DRESSED IN YELLOW
AND A CARNIVAL MAN CAN'T BE TRUSTED
SOMETHING DEADLYIN THEIR LIVELIHOOD
HUGO.
HE MUST BE COMPENSATING-
AS SHIFTY AS A SWINGING TRAPEZE
HUGO.
HUGO & CONSTABLE JOE.
ALSO FABRICATING -
AND YOU CAN’T TRUST A MAN DRESSED IN YELLOW
CONSTABLE JOE. Hugo, there yougo again. Fabricating? If
EVEN IF YOU LOVE CHEDDAR CHEESE
he hated the fabric, he would never have bought the
COMMINGLEALL OF THESE
suit!
YOU'LL SEE THE RECIPE’S:
HE MUST BE COMPENSATING
ONE BAD MAN!
HUGO.
ONE BAD MAN!
ALSO...LYING ONE BAD MAN!
HUGO & CONSTABLE JOE.
CONSTABLE JOE. Comeon, Hugo. Let’s pick up the pace.
‘BOUT WHY HE WANTSTHE FOSTERS’ WOOD
(They exit.)
CONSTABLEJOE.
YOU CAN'T TRUST A MAN DRESSED IN YELLOW
THAT I KNEW FROM HIS VERY FIRST HELLO
SHOULD HAVE LOCKED HIM IN A CELL
58 TUCK EVERLASTING: TYA EDITION TUCK EVERLASTING: TYA EDITION 59
Scene Fifteen: The Lake WHATSHE TAKES FROM OUR LAKE
WILL MAKE HER A STORM CLOUD
(WINNIE and ANGUS arein a boat on the lake.) THAT RUMBLES AND TUMBLES RAIN
FROM UP HIGH,HIGH, HIGH
WINNIE. I think I got anotherone!
IT’S A WHEEL, WINNIE
(She pulls in afresh catch.)
THIS JOURNEY OF OURS
ANGUS. Whatis that: five fish in ten minutes? SUN TO LAKE TO CLOUD THAT SHOWERS
WINNIE. Well, it would have beensix fish,if - RAIN BACK TO THE LAKE BELOW
ANGUS.I said I wassorry. AND YOU'LL RIDE THAT WHEEL WHEREVER YOU GO
ONCE YOU DROP AN ANCHOR
(He unhooksthefish.)
A BOAT GETS STUCK
WINNIE. Did you teach Jesse and Miles how to fish? AND IT COULD STAY FOREVER
ANGUS. You bet I did. WINNIE.
WINNIE. What about Thomas? JUST FLOATING ON TOP
ANGUS. Miles told you about Thomas? Wow. ANGUS& WINNIE.
WINNIE. Well, did you? Teach him howto fish? WATCHINGLIFE PASS IT BY
ANGUS. No. Thomaswas gonebefore I had a chance to JUST FLOATING ON TOP
teach himanything. Miss that boy. ANGUS.
WINNIE. I know whatthatfeels like. I miss my father every SHOW ME HOW TO CLIMB BACK ON THE WHEEL
day. TLL BE THERESLICK AS A SLINGSHOT
PREPARED TO GET OFF AT THE END
ANGUS. ’Course youdo.
AND SHARE WITH SOMEONEMY SPOT
WINNIE. Mr. Angus, I hadthis idea.
YOU CAN'T HAVE LIVING WITHOUT DYING
ANGUS. O...kay.
SO YOU CAN'T CALL THIS LIVING WHAT WE GOT
WINNIE. If I shared the water with my mother, we'd always WE JUST ARE, WE JUST BE
be there foreach other. NO BEFORE, NO BEYOND
ANGUS. Oh, sweetie. That’s just not how the world’s A ROWBOAT ANCHOREDIN THE MIDDLE OF THE POND
supposed to work.
Don't beafraid of death, Winnie. Be afraid ofnot being
[MUSIC NO. 18 "THE WHEEL] truly alive. You don’t needto live forever, you just need
WINNIE. But if my father had known about the water, we to live. Do you understand?
would never have had to say goodbye, ever. ANGUS. WINNIE.
ANGUS. Winnie,as difficult as it is to say goodbye once,it’s IT’S AWHEEL, WINNIE IT’S AWHEEL
even harder to say it again and again. But that’s just ANGUS, WINNIE & ENSEMBLE.
what happens when you mess withthe rules of nature. A RIPPLE IN WATER
I BET YOU DIDN’T KNOW THAT THE SUN GIRL TO WIFE TO MOTHER TO DAUGHTER LIKE ALL YOUR
TOOK A SHINE TO WATER KINFOLK COME AND GONE
SHE DRINKSUP A BIT FLOATS IT UP TO THE SKY IT’S A WHEEL, WINNIE, A CIRCLE IN MOTION
60 TUCK EVERLASTING: TYA EDITION TUCK EVERLASTING: TYA EDITION 61
ANGUS & WINNIE.
Scene Sixteen: The Spring
CAN'T STOP ROWING, GROWING, CHANGING
THEN MOVING ON
[MUSIC NO. 19 “STORY OF THE MAN IN
CAN'T STOP ROWING, GROWING, CHANGING
THE YELLOW SUIT"]
THEN MOVING ON
GESSE bottles water at the spring. He backs
(Enter MILES and MAE.)
away and pockets the vial as the MAN IN
MILES. Pa, Hurry! YELLOW SUIT enter's.)
ANGUS. What's wrong? MANIN YELLOWSUIT. Holdit right there, seventeen.
(ANGUS throws a line to the dock.) JESSE. What?
MILES. Jesse's gone. MAN IN YELLOW SUIT. Why don’t you show me whatyou’ve
ANGUS. Jesse's always coming and going, he’ll be back. been hiding.
MILES. No,Pa.It’s notlike that this time. He didn’t even say JESSE. I have no idea what you're talking about.
goodbye to Ma. MANIN YELLOWSUIT. That’s simply not true.
ANGUS. I don’t like the soundofthis... ONCE UPON A TIME
MILES. Neither doI. ONCE UPON A TIME
IT STARTED JUST LIKE THAT
WINNIE. I know exactly wherehe is.
MY GRANNY TOLD A STORY
(WINNIE leads themoff.) HOW THAT WOMANLOVED TO GAB
[MUSIC NO. 18A “FROM BOAT TO JESSE. Whatdoes this have to do with me?
SPRING"] MANIN YELLOW SUIT. Only everything.
SAID THERE WAS A MAN
WITH A WIFE AND SONS
AND THE STORY GOES
THEIR BEAUTY FROZE
SOUND LIKE ANYONE FAMILIAR
OR SHOULD I TAKE A STAB?
JESSE. You don’t know a thing about me.
MANIN YELLOW SUIT. I know that you know where the
springis, now showit to me.
(MILES enters, followed by MAE, ANGUS, and
WINNIE.)
JESSE. It’s him! This is the man!
MILES. Holdit right there!
(As MILES lifts a rifle, MAE runs to stand in
Srontofit.)
62 TUCK EVERLASTING: TYA EDITION TUCK EVERLASTING: TYA EDITION 63
MAE. Miles, no. MANIN YELLOW SUIT.
MANIN YELLOWSUIT. My God,it’s all of you. The tale comes THE WAITING IS OVER
to life, just like my grannysaid. JESSE. I’ll show youthe spring.
(MILES hands MAEthe rifle.) MANIN YELLOW SUIT.
THE ANSWERSO SIMPLE
JESSE. But Ma, he knowsthe secret —
SO PERFECTLY PURE
MANIN YELLOWSUIT. — AndI’ve been guardingit with mylife! JESSE. Pleaselet hergo.
MY LIPS ARE SEALED
MANIN YELLOW SUIT.
GRANNY DIDN'T RAISE A SNITCH
THE SECRET TO ETERNALLIFE
1 CAN MAKEYOUFILTHY RICH
AND NOW I'LL NEVER -
WELL BOTTLE THE WATER
SELL IT FOR A FEE (At the last moment, JESSE tosses the vial to
AND SPLIT THE PROFITS EQUALLY MILES.)
ANGUS. You're mad. We would never. (The MAN IN YELLOW SUIT, furious, points his
MAE. Wejust wanttolive ourlives in peace. gun at WINNIE.)
MANIN YELLOW SUIT. What is wrong with you people? (MAE hits him withthe rifle. He crumples to
YOU COULD BE SULTANS! the ground.)
YOU COULD HAVE KINGDOMS! WINNIE. Is he...?
YOU DIDN'T THINK OF THIS BEFORE?
ANGUS.(Checkingthe MAN IN YELLOW SUIT’s pulse.) Yes.
IF YOU CAN PUT A PRICE ON ETERNALLIFE
CONSTABLEJOE. (Offstage.) Over here, Hugo!
THEY'LL PAY ANYTHING AND MORE
Andall you have to dois lead meto the water. ANGUS. Who’sthat?
MILES. And why would wesay yes? HUGO. (Offstage.) Winnie!
(CONSTABLE JOE and HUGO run in.)
(The MANIN YELLOW SUIT pudls out a pistol.)
MAN IN YELLOWSUIT. Here's why. CONSTABLE JOE. Step away fromthe child!
ANGUS. Your gun doesn’t scare us.
WINNIE. I’m okay, Constable Joe.
MANIN YELLOWSUIT. Of course.
ANGUS. Winnie, you knowthis man?
CONSTABLEJOE. I’ll be asking the questionshere,starting
(The MAN IN YELLOW SUIT grabs WINNIE, puts
with: (Re: MAN IN YELLOW SUIT.) Who's responsible for
the gun to her head.)
this?
MANIN YELLOWSUIT. Nowit does. WINNIE. It was m—
MAE.Please, no, she’s just a child!
(MAE stepsforward, cuts WINNIE off-)
JESSE. Here. Take the water. Just let her go.
MAE. I am,sir. Andif I haveto gotojail, I will.
MANIN YELLOW SUIT. My God,thereit is.
CONSTABLE JOE. Wouldn't bejail, it’d be death by hanging.
TODAY IS THE DAY
JESSE. Youtake this. MILES. No,it wouldn't.
WINNIE.It’s not true. I hit him. Withthis.
64 TUCK EVERLASTING: TYA EDITION TUCK EVERLASTING: TYA EDITION 65
CONSTABLEJOE. Youtwo: take this manoutof thechild’s MAE. If there’s anything we can doto help,sir...
view. CONSTABLEJOE. I don’t know yourstory butI betit’s longer
(MILES andJESSE take the MAN IN YELLOW SUIT than I’ve got timeto hear. So at the risk of sounding
offstage, re-enter.) unneighborly: how about you folks leave my town, and
You're safe now, Winnie. Could youtell me the real neverturn up again.
story of what's gone on here? ANGUS. Youcan pretend you never met us. Come on, Mae.
WINNIE. It started when that manpulled a knife on Jesse (MAE presses the music box into WINNIE’s
at the fair, and then he followed us into the wood, and hands.)
took out a gun, and I - [MUSIC NO. 19A “BEFORE EVERLASTING”]
CONSTABLE JOE. (Holding up hand.) On second thought,
MAE. Here. To rememberusby.
the less I know,the better. Now, give me a minute to
think. WINNIE. I could never forget you. You just saved mylife.
ANGUS. Goodbye, Winnie.
HUGO. Ifit was a child acting inself-defense, she'd sure get
offeasy... WINNIE. Goodbye, Angus.
CONSTABLE JOE. I’m thinking. (MAE and ANGUS embrace, exit.)
(A long beat.) MILES. So long, kid.
I'mdone.I believe you. (To JESSE.) I'll wait for you up ahead.
WINNIE. You do? JESSE. Really?
CONSTABLEJOE. Ofcourse I do. You're a Fosteraren’t you? MILES. Really. I’ve only got one brother.
WINNIE. Always. (MILES puts an awkward arm around JESSE’s
CONSTABLE JOE. Now, who's the Swiss Family Robinson? shoulder, exits.)
WINNIE. These are my friends. (JESSE turns to WINNIE, pulls owt the vial,
handsit to her.)
(ANGUS steps in.)
JESSE. It’s all up to you now. Hide it somewhere good.
ANGUS. How do. We were just passing through. Didn't
Drink it when you're seventeen, and then find me. I’ll
mean to cause anytrouble.
leave directions somehow - andI'll be planning great
(They shake.) adventuresfor us.
CONSTABLE JOE. Good handshake. First thing is to reunite WINNIE. So will I.
this girl with her poor mother. Hugo, you'll take the HUGO. Ready, Winnie?
body to town — WINNIE. Ready, Hugo.
HUGO. Uh, Dad - I mean, sir...I don’t think I can. (To JESSE.) Think of meevery time you climba tree...
CONSTABLE JOE. Okay, Hugo. You see Winnie gets back in
(Shesticks out her handto shake.)
one piece, and I'll handle the body.
— Or get in trouble.
HUGO. Yes, sir.
JESSE, Every day, then.
CONSTABLEJOE. You'll make deputy yet.
66 TUCK EVERLASTING: TYA EDITION TUCK EVERLASTING: TYA EDITION 67
(They shake. JESSE caits.) THERE ARE TWO WAYS HOME DOWN ONE LONG ROAD
ONE CLEAR PATH TO TWO CONCLUSIONS
HUGO. Well, then. Let's go. Right back to where you started.
DOES THE STORY END, OR NEVER END?
(HUGO begins to walk WINNIE through the DOES THE SECRET FADE,OR IS IT EVERLASTING?
woods to home.)
OR I PUT THE TUCKS BEHIND ME
WINNIE. You know what, Hugo? It doesn’t really feel like AND PULL UP THE ANCHOR
thatatall. RIDE THE WHEEL PLENTY
HUGO. Just remember, Winnie: you'll always have me to FOR ALL THATIT’S WORTH
protect you. TURN SEVENTEEN
THEN EIGHTEEN, THEN TWENTY!
(We hear a croak as HUGO backs away. He
FOR A LIFE IS THE GREATEST
shrieks.)
WONDERON EARTH
WINNIE. My toad!
CAN I, SHOULDI, DO I DRINK?
(HUGO recovers.) CAN I, SHOULDI, DO I DRINK?
HUGO.Careful, Toad, or a dope like me could accidentally [MUSIC NO, 20A “REUNION - TRANSITION"]
flatten you.
(MOTHER enters.)
WINNIE. You're not a dope, Hugo.
MOTHER. Winnie!
HUGO. That's the nicest thing anyone’s ever said about me.
(WINNIE runs to her and they embrace. WINNIE
[MUSIC NO. 20 “EVERLASTING"] opens the music box.)
(HUGO begins to lead WINNIE offstage. The
WINNIE. Your melody.
toad croaks again. HUGO continues offstage.
WINNIE turns back, crosses to the toad, and (MOTHER takes the music box and walks off
leans downto it.) listeningto it, touched by the gift.)
WINNIE. Well, I had quite an adventure, Toad, and you're (The toad croaks. WINNIE walks overto it.)
to blame. I don’t need tolive forever, Toad. I just need to truly
THERE ARE TWO WAYS HOME DOWN ONE LONG ROAD live. I wish there was some wayto truly thank you for
ONE CLEAR PATH TO TWO CONCLUSIONS my adventure.
DOES THE STORY END, OR NEVER END? ENSEMBLE.
DOES THE SECRET FADE,OR IS IT EVERLASTING? DAY NA NA
I COULD RETURN TO MY MOTHER DAY NA NA, DAY NA
LIKE NOTHING HAS HAPPENED (WINNIE ewits, lookingat the toad, having
LIVE LIKE AN IMPOSTER made her decision. The scene transitions into
FOR SIX LONG YEARS thefuture.)
TURN SEVENTEEN DAY NA NA
THEN GOOD GIRL WINNIE FOSTER DAY NA NA, DAY NA
DRINKS FROM THE VIAL DAY NA, DAY NA NA
AND HER PAST DISAPPEARS
68 TUCK EVERLASTING: TYA EDITION
Scene Eighteen: Tucks at the Grave, Years Later
(Thefour TUCKS enter and converge at a grave.)
MAE. “Winnie Foster Jackson. Cherished Wife. Devoted
Mother. Dearest Grandmother.”
ANGUS. Expert fisherman.
MILES. Looks like she led the life we never could.
MAE. Maysherest in peace.
[MUSIC NO. 21 “THE WHEEL - REPRISE”]
(The TUCKS turn to leave. JESSE goes to the
grave.)
JESSE. I'll always wonderwhatyou did with the water.
(As he reaches out to leave aflower, the toad
Jromall those ages ago appears frombehind
the headstone - andleaps into JESSE’s arms.)
MILES. Youready to keep going, Jesse? Jesse?
GESSE gently stuffs the toad into his satchel.)
JESSE.
IT’S A WHEEL, WINNIE
A RIPPLE IN WATER
TUCKS.
GIRL TO WIFE TO MOTHER TO
DAUGHTER
LIKE ALL YOUR KINFOLK COME
AND GONE
CAN’T STOP ROWING, GROWING,
CHANGING, ENSEMBLE.
THEN MOVING ON DAY NANA, DAY NA NA, DAY NA
MOVING ON DAY NA, DAY NA NA
MOVING ON DAY NA NA, DAYNA NA, DAY NA
DAY NA
[MUSIC NO. 22 "BOWS"
The End