Rosemary And Thyme

Episode #3 – The Annunciation

Scene 1

Gabriel

What we had here was a failure to communicate. My failure. I took the blame for makin’ a wrong decision of presentation. In this most important moment, I had failed as the messenger. I felt so bad for her, but knew that the time had passed to make amends. I’d wait an’ try again another day. I watched over her closely for the next coupla days. She seemed normal like, but I noticed that she stopped goin’ ta’ the meadow each mornin’. I knew she was jus’ tryin’ ta’ work it out in her own mind, but it weren’t easy for her. For a week she jus kept ta’ herself … spent a lotta time whisperin’ ta’ her mama. Went ta’ work. Cleaned the house. Sat in the kitchen every night till two or three in the mornin’ jus’ lookin’ past her hand. Finally …

Scene 2

Thyme

Lord a’ mercy, I understand the path before me, but what in tarnation am I ‘spose ta’ do now?

Hopeless Helpless

Thyme

Lizzie don’t believe a thing I say
Josiah never gonna believe me neither
They the only two people that believe in me
An’ even God’s left me out on a limb

Soon …

They’ll get the whole town thinkin’ I’m loosin’ my screws
Yeah it’s all jus’ a matter a’ time

Seems …

Like I don’t got a friend ta’ turn to
An’ I don’t got a clue what ta’ do

So …

They’ll all be laughin’ ‘bout me havin’ God’s child
Thinkin’ “she’s no virgin sure as sin”
An’ Josiah gonna shut me up an’ lock me away
When he finds out the state I’m in

The entire sit-che-ation got me comin’ unglued
An’ I feel my brain comin’ unscrewed (Mercy!)
An’ I don’t got a friend ta’ turn to
An’ I don’t got a clue what ta’ do

Baby I’m feelin’ hog-tied cross-eyed
An’ petrified
An’ hopeless
Helpless
Shattered

When I try ta’ come up with what went down
Nothing really matters
It’s hopeless
Helpless
Shattered

Nothing really matters
… ‘cept the child
Nothing really matters
… ‘cept the child
No nothing really matters
… ‘cept the child
Hopeless helpless
Broken

Scene 3

Gabriel

That Thyme, she’s just really somethin’. I know I done her wrong. But I also know she got some kinda fiber. That’s why God picked her. She was bein’ tested. This was a critical time. An’ ya’ know, also, that Josiah fella, he’s a good man, but his time was comin’ too. Oh, I believed in him. An’ I’m not sayin’ that jus’ ‘cuz he’s the town minister. No. I know his goodness from personal experience. As you well know, Gabe’s not much respected here ‘round these parts. Bein’ the town drunk n’all, people tend to jus’ put ‘im down as a no good. I ‘spose his job title don’t help much neither. Weirdo Night Watchman at the Junk Yard don’t play so well on his resume.

But Josiah now, he’s jus’ different. He actually kinda looks after ol’ Gabe. Sometimes he brings over a dinner plate an we set an’ talk ‘bout life an’ mostly the fact that I oughtta git offa the booze. Like jus’ the other night …

Scene 4a

Josiah

Now Gabe, ma’ friend, I know you don’t like me bringin’ this up all the time, but, after all, you do your junk job an’ I gotta do ma’ preachin’. Fact is, all this drinkin’ jus’ simply ain’t a good idea.

Gabe

Well, yer right a’course and some day, by God, I will. Jus’ not today … or prob’ly tomorrow neither. An’ I knows yer jus’ doin’ it cuz ya’ care ‘bout me, an’ consequently I care ‘bout you, so …

Scene 4b

Gabriel

Now one day Gabe was over to the church cleanin’ out the basement an’ heard Josiah upstairs prayin’. Not sure what he was prayin’ for, but he was talkin’ to the Angels, you know, like they was his friends or somethin’. At one point he thought he could hear a tear in Josiah’s throat as he voiced his sincerity out loud an’ to the rafters. He prob’ly thought he was ‘lone up there, for he was wishin’ blessin’s on a list a’ townfolk an’ assignin’ healin’ duties ta’ each a’ the Angels. Like, “Now Michael, you need ta’ watch out fer Abigail’s boy who has the chicken pox”, an’ stuff like that. At one point Gabe heard him say, “Felicia, God is tooooo busy ta’ watch over everbody so you gotta help me git ol’ Gabe offa the drink.”

Scene 4c

Gabe

I wondered who the hell was Felicia!

Gabriel

Yeah, (chuckles) (Sorry ‘bout that. He jus’ pops up sometimes.) Later on when Josiah was visitin’ Gabe over to the junk yard, Gabe found himself a most perspicacious an’ clever way a’ askin’ ‘im “Who the hell was Felicia?”

Gabe

So Josiah, who the hell is Felicia?

Josiah

Well now, that’s your guardian angel, Gabe. I assigned her to ya’. She been in contact with ya’?”

Scene 5

Gabriel

Yeah, that’s Josiah. The man’s jus’ got a natural kinda goodness pourin’ outta him. That’s the only word I can think of at the moment. “Goodness.“ That’s Josiah. So it’s only natural that Josiah would be concerned about the changes in Thyme’s behavior. Knowin’ from Lizzie she wasn’t sleepin’ at night, her bein’ a no show at church that Sunday mornin’ first time he could remember, he decided he aughta’ pay Thyme an’ Mama a little visit an’ find out jus’ what was goin’ on. But before he had a chance ta’ do that, Thyme, lookin’ ta’ fix what needed fixin’, took the bull by the tail an’ made a visit ta’ him over at the church.

Scene 6

Thyme

Josiah, you gotta help me out here. I know you been wonderin’ ‘bout me cuz ma’ behavior ain’t been the usual of late. But before ya’ go an’ git yerself all worried-like an’ do somethin’ silly, I gotta big ol’ favor ta’ ask ya’. Ya see, somethin’ happened t’other day ‘tween Gabe an’ I. Somethin’ that I gotta deal with on ma’ own … An’ I’m needin’ ya’ NOT ta’ git involved. Now don’t start lookin’ at me cross eyed. I know, it’s a lot ta’ ask, but It’s nothin’ fer you ta’ be gittin’ all worried ‘bout. Not the usual stuff a’tall. Don’t even try. It’s way beyond yer imagination. Fact is, beyond anybody’s imagination. This ain’t easy fer me, an’ when the time comes, I’ll tell ya’ all ‘bout it.

Josiah

Sweetheart, you hafta forgive Gabe. He lives in that junkyard, he sleeps in that junkyard, he’s up all night an’ sleeps all day and in between he gets on the bottle. I’m not surprised that whatever this is, it’s gotcha all discombobulated.

Thyme

Yeah, that’s right, that’s what I am — discombobulated. So I gotta lotta thinkin’ ta’ do. This here represents a change in ma’ life, an’ consequently a change in all our lives. Now I accept this, but, quite honestly, it scares the bejesus outta me. Now here I am sayin’ too much already.

Josiah

Well now, Sweetheart ya’ certainly got ma’ attention, an’ I’ll comply ta’ yer wishes, an’ I promise you that I’ll have a talk with him and straighten this out when time comes. I’m sure he don’t mean no harm. I know this man like a brother an’ there ain’t a mean bone in his body. An’ you can be sure that I’ll be prayin’ for ya’ both. It’s just prob’ly the liquor doin’ its thing on his brain. Too much of that stuff can be real nasty … Now, are ya’ sure ya’ can’t even give me the smallest a’ clues as ta’ what’s goin’ on here?

Thyme

(with great intent)

Josiah, thank ya’ fer respectin’ ma’ wishes now. Believe me, you an’ Lizzie’ll be the first ta’ know the entire story. I can only say … that Gabe is the messenger of God here to announce the second coming of the Christ.

(Big pause)

Josiah

He what?

Thyme

You heard me right. Now you promised ta’ give me time here ta’ straighten this all out. I expect ya’ ta’ live up ta’ yer promise.

Josiah

He what?!

Thyme

(A warning)

Josiah … !

Scene 7

(Musical sting here … Scene change as time passes …)

Josiah

Gabe! Gabe!! Where you at? Gabe!

Gabe

(waking up from his stupor)

Good Lord, not again. Can’t you see I’m tryin’ to get some sleep around here? Leave me be!

Josiah

Gabe, my friend, what’s this I hear ‘bout you scarin’ my betrothed with your crazy ideas?

Gabe

(wearily)

Uh oh. Not so crazy, Josiah. Consider the fact that it might be true.

Josiah

What!? That you’re the messenger of God here to announce the second coming of the Christ? Good Lord, Gabe, have you looked in the mirror lately?

Gabe

Well, what ya’ see ain’t ‘zactly whatcha git.

Josiah

(the minister in him comes out)

Dear God in Heaven, bequeath to me now the power to heal this man of his lunacy!

Gabe

Josiah, what you see before you is simply a disguise — created to avert the attention of the people of Skedee to the fact that I am the Angel Gabriel. Ma’ actin’ crazy an’ drunk all the time is jus’ part a’ ma’ disguise. If they knew who I really was, they’d be up here all the time pesterin’ me an’ askin’ fer autographs an’ such.

Josiah

Lord, bring on the straight jackets! One for Gabe an’ one for me! I must be outta my mind as well.

Gabe

Now Josiah, I know this probably comes as a surprise to you,

but …

Josiah

Probably? Probably?? Like I might have suspected it before?

Gabe

Aw, c’mon, Josiah. Gimme a chance here to ‘splain myself. I’m jus’ tryin’ to carry out God’s orders.

Josiah

Look, my friend, if ya’ know what’s good for ya’, you’ll stay away from Thyme. Until you can get your head straight, I think it’s better that you don’t go near her. Fact is, you better stay away from everybody. Otherwise the law is gonna put you away. Gabe, you can’t go ‘round town spoutin’ this stuff. People already think you’re a little bit tetched in the head as is.

Gabe

Well, ya’ see that was my intention — you know, part of the disguise … after all, I can’t be walkin’ around town wearin’ my wings.

Josiah

Aw, Gabe, I’m so sorry … we gotta get you some real help here.

Gabe

(taking another tack)

OK, OK, Josiah, wait. Maybe you’re right. Maybe you could pray for me. Maybe that could help. An’ I’ll agree to stayin’ away from Thyme for the time being. But ‘fore I do that, maybe I could jus’ take a moment an’ apologize to her … you know, for scarin’ her. You’re right, Josiah, must be the liquor. I promise to stay off it … for a whole week, if necessary.

Josiah

OK, Gabe, that’s better. I think apologies are in order. I’ll bring her on down here and you can say you’re sorry.

Gabe

Nah, nah, nah, I’ll go on up to her place. Thank you, Josiah. You a saint. I feel the healin’ comin’ on already!

Josiah (most pious)

The Lord worketh through me in wondrous ways, Gabe … in wondrous ways.

Scene 8

Gabriel

Time passed. Everyone seemed appeased. But I knew that things weren’t ‘zactly what they appeared to be on the surface. I decided to turn to the big guy to get a shot a’ good advice.

Gabriel

(Continuing)

God!

God

Yes, Gabriel.

Gabriel

God, I’m sure you know already about my unfortunate meeting with Thyme.

God

Yup.

Gabriel

I know, I blew it. I blew it.

God

Did you?.

Gabriel

An’ I’ll fix it.

God

I know you will.

Gabriel

Wait. You know somethin’ I don’t?

God

Yup. But that isn’t why you’re here, is it?

Gabriel

Right. As usual I’m havin’ the usual problem.

God

Uh huh.

Gabriel

Yeah, they believe in you, but they don’t believe in me.

God

I know. The age old problem.

Gabriel

I know you know, but I don’t know what to do about it. I can’t seem to get through to either one of ‘em.

God

You sure about that?

Gabriel

Well, yeah, I’m sure. Thyme says she’s in a state of discombobulation.

God

I know. You just have to figure out over what. Have patience, Gabriel. Maybe play ‘em a tune on that trumpet of yours. That usually does the trick.

Gabriel

Well, Josiah’s settin’ up a meeting with me an’ Thyme. ‘Least I got another chance to meet with her an’ deliver the message. It’s a hard thing to accept, I guess.

God

Uh huh … but she’ll get it. She’s a believer. That’s why I picked her. Pure as moonlight.

Scene 9

(Time passes … scene change music)

Gabriel

So it came time to pay my visit to Thyme to beg forgiveness or perhaps further convince. Nervousness is not a feeling that us angels experience very often. Usually we’re very much in charge of the situations that we find ourselves in, and since we’ve been angelin’ for millenia now, we’re pretty good at it. But, let’s face it. This was a big one. The ramifications were such that I needed to be a hundred percent on my game. I found her in the kitchen shellin’ peas while Mama napped in the back bedroom. I came in the back screen door, so I don’t think she saw me comin’. She had her back to me when I first spoke.

Scene 10

Gabe

Hello Thyme.

Gabriel

She never even turned, but continued shellin’.

Thyme

Hello Gabe.

Gabe

What chu doin’?

Thyme

Oh, jus’ shellin’ some peas.

Gabriel

(Though I had planned my speech, I quickly decided to go with the flow.)

Gabe (continues)

You need some help?

Thyme

No thanks, Just about done here.

Gabe

Thyme, I come to apologize.

Thyme

Uh huh. Josiah said you’d be makin’ a visit.

Gabe

I see that ya’ don’t even wanna look at me an’ so I’m so sorry if I scared you.

Thyme

You don’t sound so scary now.

Gabe

No, Thyme, I ain’t really scary a’tall.

Thyme

You feelin’ better?

Gabe

I feel just fine.

Thyme

I’m glad.

Gabe

You feelin’ better?

Thyme

Oh yes. Better.

Gabe

No hard feelings?

Thyme

No hard feelings.

Gabe

Thyme, I wonder if you might favor me a moment here. I’d like to play a little something on my trumpet.

Thyme

What … right here in the kitchen?

Gabe

Yeah, I ‘spose … yeah, right here in the kitchen.

Thyme

Why Gabe, I didn’t know you played. You been takin’ lessons on the sly?

Gabe

I’ve actually been playing for quite a long time, Thyme.

Thyme

Uh huh. Well then go right ahead. You don’t mind if I continue shellin’ these peas do ya?”

Gabe

No, Thyme. Go right ahead.

So I took out my Bach Stradivarius an’ began to play. She never once turned around.

(Now the music plays softly as Thyme continues to shell peas. We hear him playing. It is a beautiful, gentle, yet soaring, piece that starts simply, acapella, but eventually is joined by a lonely guitar.)

The Chosen One
Gabriel
Dearest Thyme, find freedom in my song
For you have found great favor with the Lord
And against all odds, God is within you
And you are the chosen one

Little Mother, in a little while
The Lord will bring forth your holy child.
May you hear the truth in this joyful song
That this miracle of life
Changes life as you know it

For you are the chosen one
You are the chosen one

Thyme

Hello Gabriel.

Gabriel.

Hello Thyme.

Gabe

The song over, Thyme simply went back to shelling her peas.

Scene 11

(Time passes … scene change music)

Gabriel

Message delivered. Presentation accepted. I was off the hook. Well, a’course, it were only natural an’ human-like that she share her little secret with at least one other person — an’ that a’course was Lizzie, back ta’ bein’ her bestest friend, but unfortunately, one a’ the town’s foremost gossips. That night, on the phone …

Scene 12a

Thyme

(On the phone)

(Humble and contained)

Lizzie! Lizzie, are ya’ sittin’ down? Uh huh. Oh, Lizzie, I got the message. The message from God! Just wait’ll you hear this. I am pregnant with God’s child. The son of God! An’ I get to be his mother. I’ve been chosen! I hardly know what to think. It’s unbelievable!

Lizzie

(Long beat, as she tries to take this all in)

Well. Well, you’re sure right about that, Thyme. It’s definitely unbelievable. Lordy … Have you gone completely dumb nuts? Sweetie, you’re just imagining things. Thyme, God doesn’t actually “talk” to you, much less … well … well … you know …

Thyme

Well, you’re right, in this instance, it was actually Gabriel, the angel, who brought the message!

Lizzie

(Wary)

Uh huh.

Thyme

Yeah, and guess what!? Gabriel, the angel, is actually our very own Gabe, down at the junkyard! All this time he’s been in disguise!

Lizzie

Good Lord, Thyme, you’ve gone completely whackjob on me, Girl. You need to take a long vacation. Honey pie, this is not real. It’s just not real. Oh my goodness, you ain’t mentioned this to Josiah yet, have ya’?

Thyme

No. No …

Lizzie

Well see that cha don’t! I understand what’s happened here. Now Thyme, don’t ever tell him you had these thoughts. You hear? Girl, you gotta at least come up with a better excuse than this! Admit it now. You’re knocked up and that’s that.

Thyme

What? No, I … I …

Music]

Lizzie

Good Lord, Thyme nobody’s ever gonna believe this cockamamie story. You gotta do better than this!

Thyme

OK, I know this sounds a little far fetched …

Lizzie

A little?!

You Don’t ‘Spec Him To Believe That, Do you? – Reprise 2

Lizzie (sings)

(Sigh)
Naive
Lordy you girl are so naive
Jus’ what in the world do you think he is?
Born yesterday?
I don’ know ‘bout you, Thyme, I donno …
You still think that man is innocent
Wide-eyed an’ countrified
But don’t be short changin’ no country boy
If you think he’s as naive as you are
You’re just a fool
An’ as ta’ that cockamamie story you dreamed up
You don’t ’spec him to believe that
Do you?
Tsk Tsk
Throwin’ away your virginity
All for one hot night!
Now you don’t really ’spec him to believe that
Do you?
Do you?
Do you?

Scene 12b

Thyme

But Lizzie, I’m tellin’ you the truth! You gotta believe me.

Lizzie

No darlin’, I don’t gotta believe you. I gotta get you to a shrink!

Thyme

You just don’t understand. I thought, of all people, you would understand.

Lizzie

No, I don’t understand. Ain’t nobody gonna understand this, Thyme. Now get off this an’ start facin’ the facts! Good Lord, Thyme … what’s happened to you?

Gabriel (one liner)

With that question goin’ unanswered, Lizzie turns an’ walked off mumblin’ somethin’ unmentionable … in a bit of a huff. [Music]

Thyme

(Now alone, sings)

The Secret

I guess I got me a secret
That no one wants to hear
Seems that ev’re one I’d try to tell
Would think I’m kinda queer
An’ If I went an’ told my mama
She’d just set there noddin’ that ol’ head of hers
An’ hummin’ that same dern song
Like I don’t even exist

Why I even tried to tell my best friend Lizzie
But no matter how hard I’d persist
She kept on like I’ze crazy or lyin’
Or hidin’ something awful
An’ simply dismissed my precious secret
Like it was jus’ my imagination
Now what do I do ‘bout that?

Maybe I’m jus’ imaginin’ things
An’ makin’ this whole thing up
No! I did not jus’ think it up
Or dream it up
Or scheme it up
As a way of hidin’ bein’ knocked up!
Thank you, Miss Lizzie Cranbottom!
Now what kinda friend would believe
Such a thing like that?

I guess I got me a secret
That no one wants to hear
Well an’ now I got to tell the one
Whose heart I hold most dear
An’ I wouldn’t put it past him
Just to up an’ disappear on me
When I tell him ‘bout this baby
He’ll just sit there noddin’ that sweet head of his
An’ tryin’ to understand
When he knows … he ain’t the one

Oh Lord, I know, I jus’ don’t have the words
I know I’ll break him
An’ no matter how delicate it’s done
There ain’t no way I’ll ever assure him
Or make him understand that
Though I ain’t carryin’ his son
He too has been chosen to be the father of the child
He too has been chosen to be the father of the child
My good man’s been called upon
To move mountains
Oh God, help me do this.
So can I find me the courage?
To up an’ tell him this now?
No! I really don’t think so
And yet
And yet
And yet I must
Or this breach of trust will
Surely turn our marriage into dust
An’ whittle our lives away
Now what kind of love could survive a thing like that?

I guess I got me a secret
That no one wants to hear
An’ now I know it’s time for Thyme
To up an’ face the fear
(She sings to the baby in her belly)
Oh my precious little secret
You my glorious unborn child
No matter the outcome
You an’ I go forth as one
The time has come
The time has come
The time has come

Thyme

Josiah. Josiah! I’m here to tell ya’ the whole truth … an’ nothin’ but the truth!