Moelwyn Mawr
PETER HARRIS - Early Twenties HUGH LOYD
– Forties
MATILDA BRAOSE – Fifties
Setting
Northern Wales, on the mountain
Moelwyn Mawr, near the town of Tanygrisiau, in 1924
Set
An empty stage, with a giant door
against the back, and two tall widows on either side; Scene III, the
stage was a two large wing backed chairs, and a pile of artifacts
around one of them; Scene IV, the stage has a table with two chairs.
Lights up, with moonlight filtering
through the windows. PETER enters through the door, with much effort,
stands in the middle of the room.
PETER
I thought I left London to get away
from my father. beat
Hello? Lady of Hay? Hello?
PETER walks over to the window
PETER
Lord, what a view. Sitting on a lake.
High up on Moelwyn Mawr.
HUGH enters, slamming the door
behind him.
PETER
You're here? I didn't- I'm sorry about
back in-
HUGH wrings out his hat
PETER
I'm- I didn't see you. My name's Peter-
You can't just ignore me. We're both here to see her, aren't we? Then
at least we can talk, we can- Okay. I'm sorry. Like I said, I didn't
see you.
HUGH
You come straight from the train
station?
PETER
Couldn't wait. Even though I wanted to
practice- Can you speak the language? Welsh, I mean?
HUGH
Was raised on it.
PETER
I learnt a bit in school. Iechyd
da-
HUGH
Okay, okay, very good. Didn't expect to
see someone like you visiting the Dyn Hysbys, anyways.
PETER
I- Hugh, was it? Well, Hugh, she gives
advice to all who come.
HUGH
No, I meant-
PETER
If you want her advice, though, you
have to please her.
HUGH
I don't think that's true-
PETER
Or maybe you have to pleasure her?
HUGH
What are you talk-
PETER
Or was it offer your first born...
HUGH
She's nothing but a hermit. Why would
she want your child?
PETER
Just what I've heard.
HUGH
Don't put much by that.
PETER
With her, it's a gospel. She's a figure
to admire.
HUGH
For her lies and followers.
PETER
They say she can conjure up money on a
whim, that where ever she goes people call her name.
HUGH
Is that why they call her Lady of Hay?
Lights dim, spotlight on PETER
PETER
Lady of Hay. She dances through
conversation after conversation, helping those in need. From France
and Germany they come, begging just for a question. Ah, but she
speaks all languages. She talks to the birds and the foxes, and they
gift her knowledge.
HUGH enters into spotlight
HUGH
She always knows you, even before you
meet.
PETER
And she listens with a keen ear,
answers already in mind.
HUGH
Her beauty knows no limits, she doesn't
launch fleets but entire countries.
PETER
To have her.
HUGH
To protect her.
PETER
She doesn't age.
HUGH
There's no question she can't answer.
Beat She doesn't like
the English.
Lights up
PETER
Come off it. Our
reputation is not us. She'll see me for the true original. No, it's
true. I've got Welsh friends, you know. They welcome me as one of
them.
HUGH
Did you bring your
letter of recommendation?
PETER
All of Europe comes
here, so why can't I? It's just the other end of an island, a train
ride away.
HUGH
She'll take
whatever slop she can.
PETER
It sounds like you
can't wait to see her.
HUGH
She's been around
since the war. Seemed right to leave when I heard of her again. I've
got friends that swear by her.
PETER
Rumors play a part
in everything.
HUGH
It's a break from
work, all I need.
PETER
You haul slate?
HUGH
Wouldn't catch me
dead in those mines.
PETER
Coal?
HUGH
In my blood.
PETER
You've actually
managed to hold onto a job? Everything I heard on my way here, I
expected it to be much worse.
HUGH
It isn't as bad-
PETER
With the recession,
reparation payments. Are you from Glamorgan?
HUGH
I'm gonna find a
bed.
PETER
You can't leave
yet. We haven't met the Dyn Hysbys yet.
HUGH
Send her my way
when you do.
PETER
Wait, Hugh. I've
heard that if you don't accept her gifts, take a drink or something
to eat when she offers, she tosses you right out. You know how many
people visit her? You wander off now, she might get angry.
HUGH
Okay, then I'll
head back down to the town.
PETER
It's night time.
You leave now, you might-
HUGH walks over and opens the door
PETER
Maybe we can look
around, find something for us to eat. How's that sound?
HUGH
You said yourself,
we can't do that. Good night.
PETER closes the door before HUGH
can leave
HUGH
She hasn't offered
me anything yet, she doesn't even know I'm here. You really think
she'll care if I head down to Tanygrisiau?
PETER
But I need her to
help me.
HUGH
Look, boy. I came
here for a reason. I'm not running away. It's home out there. I'm
going home. I'll be back in the morning, and I'll talk to her then.
PETER
But she wont let
you. That's what I'm saying. She'll throw me out.
HUGH
She's a lonely old
woman who gives advice. Whatever crap advice she gives, can wait
until tomorrow. For a Londoner, she'll probably make you wait a week.
Goodnight.
PETER
What's your reason?
For coming here. Scared that if you don't hold her hands, she might
disappear forever?
HUGH
My reason is my
own. Go find her if you want, but I'm leaving. This is beyond your
understanding, so head to bed or head home. That's where I'm going.
PETER
The
Welsh aren't like this. They help people, welcome them. They tell
stories and don't run from anything. Simple folk, that-
HUGH
What'd you say?
PETER
You're not suppose to be like this. In
your valleys, down in the mines. You're accepting, you're- I don't
know-
HUGH
I don't match your little ideal? You've
read some books, learnt a couple of words. You think you can define
me? The Welsh? You don't belong here.
PETER
I don't belong here? You refuse me,
why? Because I don't spend all my days hitting rocks with sharper
rocks, harder rocks?
HUGH
I'm leaving, Peter. I- Look. It's
nighttime. I wander out into town, and I get something to drink.
Whether I'm choking on coal, or just arriving. It's what I've done,
and it's what I do. Whether I see the Dyn Hysbys or not.
PETER
Why do you want to see her, then? Why
do you waste your time, why don't you go back to work? Why-
HUGH
I can't go back. You said it yourself,
it's hard to find a job. I was sick of waiting around, for something
to find me. So I-
PETER
Then you're like me. Leaving where you
came from, in pursuit of something new. Back in London, they don't
care. About the people, and the mines, like I do. I want to turn it
back, make things right again. I'm just like you, trying to-
HUGH
Why do you want to be one us so badly?
You talk about us Welsh as if we're cattle, like you can just put on
a hat and there you go, you're one of us. You got off that train,
what did you do? I saw. You almost stepped back on. In your rush up
here, you knocked me down. Didn't even help me up.
PETER
But if you-
HUGH
Just give you a shot? You think because
you went to some big building and got some piece of paper saying you
know how to do one thing, that you've researched one thing, you can
fix the mines, fix Glamorgan, fix Wales? I'm leaving? Get out of here
Peter. She can't help you.
PETER
I may be a stranger, Hugh. I may not be
from around here, coming in just looking for advice. But you are too.
You talk of coal mining, of working day and night in mines so choked
full of dust, you taste it in your sleep. But Tanygrisiau is a slate
town. There's no coal, 'cept what they use for heating. You're a coal
miner in a slate town.
HUGH
And that makes me wrong?
PETER
It separates you. I'll go back to
London, when you go back to Glamorgan.
HUGH
Get out of here. Get out. You- No. I'm
Welsh. I'm one of them. What are you trying to say to me? You've come
here to use our Dyn Hysbys, just like our coal, just like our land. A
missionary from London. You-
PETER
Such a horrible person to be.
HUGH
You seem to think so.
PETER
It's nicer than the alternative.
HUGH
You act like you have a choice.
PETER
Lord, you act like it's horrible to
change. What are you here for anyways? You make fun of me, you
dishonor the Dyn Hysbys, but why? I'm here for advice, just like you.
HUGH
Well, you'll get it here.
PETER
I hope she doesn't help you.
HUGH
I hope she tells you off.
PETER
Why are you even here? I'm going to
figure out how to save this land-
HUGH
That's what you're here for, Peter? All
your noble intentions? To save my people? You're here to step on
their backs, raise yourself up. You really think you can fix all
this? That she'll tell you what to do?
PETER
I know she will.
HUGH
Then it's a wonder she hasn't done it
herself.
Beat
PETER
You-
MATILDA off stage
I will not have people fighting!
Music begins to play, an upbeat
tune. MATILDA walks on, and kisses both HUGH and PETER in turn.
MATILDA
If you've come for my advice, as I know
you have, you will stop this argument at once. Two darling men such
as you cannot be angry.
PETER
He-
MATILDA
Dr Harris. I don't care one bit what
Mr. Loyd is doing, going to do, has done, will do, can't do and knows
not to do. What matters, is he's here to meet me.
HUGH
That's-
MATILDA
And you. You figured, because I'm such
a great host, you can walk right in, hunt around, knock things over?
No no no, that's not allowed. Naughty of you. Maybe, maybe I should
kick you out? Sounds like a good idea, doesn't it?
HUGH
Not exactly what I expected...
PETER
Uh... No, no, Lady of Hay, I've come so
far, just to visit you. To ask you a question, seek your great
advice. Please, Dyn Hysbys, don't kick us out.
MATILDA
Well... You've convinced me. You can
stay. Oh, I'm just so wise and just, aren't I? Such unhappy people
always come to ask me, always seeking my advice. And I give it out,
to everyone. I help every last one of them. Never mind that no one
knows why.
HUGH
It's tough out there.
MATILDA
You act like this is trivial, Mr Loyd.
Do you know the work I do up here? Is it so easy, I live a life at
ease? But, it is my duty. Luckily, a storms blowing in, so no one
else can join us today.
HUGH opens the door, and looks
outside
HUGH
Not even any
clouds.
MATILDA
Well, of course
there's not. That's happening next week. You know, they say I can see
the future. I had one man come here, and he asked if his crops would
grow, and you know what? They did. His useless crops sprouted right
up, and he was so happy, he sent his whole family to me.
PETER
How wonderful-
MATILDA
But enough about
me. Dr Harris, how was your trip from London? Your father hasn't
found out yet, has he? Don't worry, you'll be able to blend it with
all the other Welsh speaking folk. They're waiting for you, you know.
Ready for you to fix everything.
PETER
I don't-
MATILDA
Of
course you will. Bright young lad like you, and all that stuff. And
Hugh. You talk well for a miner, don't you. How was the journey? Came
right from Glamorgan. Straight shot, didn't take more than a month.
Get some advice from old Matilda. That's what I'm here for. At least,
it's what everyone tells me. And who can't trust the word of the
masses? Beat But we'll
talk in the morning. You'll have to find somewhere to sleep, and I'm
afraid I'm all out of food. Might have to go down to town. Good
night.
The same music begins to play again,
and MATILDA practically dances off stage.
PETER
Well, at least we've met her.
HUGH opens the door
HUGH
Are you really a
doctor?
PETER
Uh... no. My father
is.
HUGH
Hah, an imposter, I
guess.
HUGH exits
PETER
I wonder when the
last train is.
Lights down
SCENE II
The next morning. An orange,
peaceful light floods onto the stage. HUGH is looking out a window,
muttering to himself while occasionally writing something in a book.
PETER is pacing outside the door.
PETER
When is she-
HUGH
Calm down.
PETER
Hugh, what are you
going to ask?
HUGH
Not how to save
Wales.
PETER
I didn't know they taught you to write
in the mines.
PETER attempts to take HUGH's book.
HUGH puts the book in his pocket.
HUGH
I did go to school.
PETER
Hugh... When Matilda comes out here,
you let me go first, okay?
HUGH
I don't understand why you're in such a
hurry.
PETER
It's better than hanging out here. I
can finally go out, meet the people. Live on the mountains.
HUGH
Moelwyn Mawr not big enough for you?
PETER
Well, there's just no life here. A old
lady and a bitter man.
HUGH
Moelwyn Mawr means “Great White
Hill”. You know that?
PETER
That's what I'm talking about. The
language, we'd just call it Mt. Founder, or Mt. Hill. Nothing like
that.
HUGH
But-
PETER
But nothing. You'd don't realize how
lucky you are. To grow up in a land like this, to work with the
people and be simple. I want to help Wales, bring it back. Travel to
the towns.
HUGH
All the way to Glamorgan?
PETER
Maybe. The Welsh everywhere need help,
don't they?
HUGH
Should have stuck with your Welsh
friends, then.
PETER begins pacing again, then
stops.
PETER
I wonder what
she'll tell me. I couldn't sleep-
HUGH
I slept fine.
She'll give you your advice, and then you can get out of here.
PETER
How can you treat
this so-
HUGH
Whatever happens,
happens. Whether I go first or in a month.
PETER
How can wait? Don't
you want to get out there? Do something?
HUGH
I can't just worry
about a warm feeling in my stomach.
PETER
Well then why are
you still here? How can you- Hugh, why do you hate me? What can-
HUGH
Describe that sunrise for me, Peter.
PETER
Well... it's orange. Some citrus fruit,
in the sky.
HUGH
Orange? Do you know
the Welsh word for sunrise? It's codiad haul. Sounds almost like a
place, doesn't it. Codiad haul is when you can look directly at the
sun. I know it's about to get warm, but if I go outside these doors
right now, the mountain air will push me to the closest fire. Going
down into the mines, you miss it most days. It's like no time has
passed at the end of your shift, cause the moons still there. You
start living by it. You're sweating, at the thought, and the weight
of your job. You come out, and when you get your paycheck, it's a
pink slip. You're happy the war's over, that your brother came back
alive, wont have to face a world where you eat crout. Instead, the
whole town's filled with people at noon, not caring. Mines that
haven't been touched in years. So
you don't have enough money to live. But you hear about a woman. I
hear about a woman. Someone who knows everything, a Dyn Hysbys, a
wise man. Someone who can help you set things right. Let me guess,
Peter, you took the train here? I've been wandering for five years.
There isn't anything out there. Sitting down, with the last bit of me
sitting on the table in a cup. I hear those rumors again. Rumors
everywhere I go, but this time, she's just up a mountain, a little
hill on the edge of town. I don't know why I ended up in Tanygrisiau,
but it brought me closer to her. When I was out, climbing those
hills, walking the roads, hopping no one would forget about me,
hopping that I'd fall down and die. Every day, I'd see codiad haul,
and hate that it had happened again. I don't hate you. You're just
selfish. You're here cause you're sick of London. Everything's been
laid out for you, so you need to find something that isn't.
Admiration, fame, love. And when you don't get it, you're done. Just
like me. Your life feels useless? My entire life has been trying to
keep a fire going. My entire town was devoted to powering one ship.
And it's all gone now. I'm done.
The door opens, and light floods
onto the stage
MATILDA off stage
Mr Loyd, come in.
PETER grabs HUGH's arm
PETER
Wait, wait... Hugh, what are you going
to ask?
HUGH exits. The door closes behind
him. Black out.
SCENE III
Lights up. MATILDA is sitting, a
collection of mystical artifacts around her. She's holding up a
crystal ball.
MATILDA
He'll like this one. Miners always
appreciate a nice, polished crystal ball.
HUGH enters
MATILDA
Wait, wait there. Don't approach me too
fast, you might scare away the spirits.
HUGH walks over, and sits down. HUGH
takes the crystal ball, and rolls it away.
HUGH
Matilda, Lady of Hay, great Dyn Hsybys,
I don't need my fortune read, or to find out where my great
grandfather buried his gold, or whether my cow will give birth this
month or next.
MATILDA
Of course you don't, I-
HUGH
I just want advice, so I can get out of
here.
MATILDA
Okay, then. Mr Loyd, what is your
question.
Beat
HUGH
I want to know how to go back.
MATILDA
Back to what?
HUGH
To the way things were. To before I
lost my job, experience-
MATILDA
Lead you back? Tell you how to get
there? I can't help you. Please leave. This isn't my expertise.
HUGH
I came all this way to talk to you, I
spent my last-
MATILDA
You think this is the first time I've
heard that? I deal with crop predictions, rain making. To ask
something like this of me...
HUGH
That's not fair.
MATILDA
Who are you to say that? What do you
want? Something to do with the economy. That's when it all started,
right? You think it's happenstance, that the minute the war ends,
that the economy starts to collapse, the US enters the market, the
ships switch to oil. You think it's just coincidence this happens
right when a Dyn Hysbys becomes known?
HUGH
You gave advice out, and more people
needed it. So they heard of you. You weren't created, you didn't-
MATILDA
But I did. I'm a retired widow. People
started showing up, and I was lonely. I can't help you.
HUGH
But you've still been doing it long
enough to be able to help-
MATILDA
No. I have fake advice. I can't predict
weather, I can't find lost things. I'm a story told by the welsh.
HUGH
At least try, Matilda. Help me, and
then quit. Isn't it enough that I'm asking? I'll tell everyone you
turned into a bat or something. Act like it was the best advice in
the world.
MATILDA
Hugh.
HUGH
Help
me. Please.
MATILDA
I'll
try- Okay. You want to go back.
HUGH
It's... more then that. I want the coal
mines to be fixed.
MATILDA
The mines. Did you enjoy working in
them? Wish every minute you can be back? Dream about them?
HUGH
Since they stopped...
MATILDA
I'm not talking about now. I'm talking
about then, when you were working.
HUGH
Of course I liked it. It's in my blood.
My father, and my father's father. We're Welsh.
MATILDA
So what are you trying to go back to?
Is it really you, that person before?
HUGH
What do you mean it's me? It's who I
am-
MATILDA
Oh, swallow your pride for one second,
and actually talk. You play, but it's not you. No one likes being
down in those mines. You work all day, then spend what little you
have. Maybe get a family. Go back? To doing something pointless, just
another stone in a thousand? You know this. You don't want it.
HUGH
It's who I am. Who are you to say-
MATILDA
I'm saying, you're not happy because
you aren't doing anything. You want to go back, not because you miss
it. You have no purpose. You go around spouting this about Wales, and
that about your fellow miners, but you aren't doing anything. You
realize that now, realize you weren't doing anything before. You
don't want to be back in the mines. You want to be back before you
knew it. Before your epiphany. Hugh, there's a reason things happen.
You can't ever go back to before.
HUGH
That's not true-
MATILDA
Of course it's true. You're more than
you used to be. You can do more. You're life is pointless, and it
isn't anything new-
HUGH
So what if is? You can decide to trick
people, why can't I decide this?
MATILDA
Cause this isn't what you want. I could
send you to work slate, work steel, work whatever, and you wouldn't
be happy. You're trying to trick yourself. The coal is gone. I know
you've been wandering, but you found jobs. Moving from place to
place, you couldn't do it. You know I'm right.
HUGH
Who are you? You
ruin the people that come up here, you don't see what they need.
You're worse than Peter, the misguided fool. The people are
suffering. I've seen it. Yet you throw away whatever good you can do,
giving some false advice because you're bored of your wealth. People
always look for someone in times of desperation. It's not a curse,
but an opportunity.
MATILDA
There it is. Here's my advice. You know
these people. You speak their language, you've walked among them. Be
a leader. You're lost because you have no purpose. So make one for
yourself. Don't just submit yourself to a life of blind labour. Be
their voice. Record what's going on. I saw you writing-
HUGH
You don't even know what I write. It's
fancy crap, nothing for-
MATILDA
But you do write. That's the point.
People will listen to you.
HUGH
But
MATILDA
You came here for my advice, and I've
given it, as much as it pains me to say it. Now, walk out that door,
look awed, and send Dr Harris in.
HUGH
But this isn't- I thought you helped
people. I came here, didn't I? You even inspired me. Made me trek up
here. For nothing. You're perfect for this place, alone at the top
where no one would live anyways. A free night is better than nothing,
I guess. I'm going to Tanygrisiau.
HUGH exits, MATILDA sits for a
second. MATILDA picks up an old book.
MATILDA
Londoner's always
love this stuff.
Black out
SCENE IV
Lights up on HUGH, sitting at the
table. He is counting money. It is raining outside.
HUGH
A bite to eat, a
sip to drink, or a bed to sleep. Or, Blaenau Ffestiniog by night.
PETER enters through the door
PETER
Hugh. I've been
looking for you all morning. How did-
HUGH puts his bag onto the other
chair
PETER
This is your
response? I didn't expect you to be so sour.
HUGH
What did she tell
you to make you so happy?
PETER
Something different
from you, obviously.
HUGH
Can't believe you-
PETER
There's
stuff I didn't understand before. But she helped me. I mean, what
kind of fool was I? I wanted to open coal up. But I can't force Wales
back into that. We need something new here. Something to drive us
forward, into the 20th
century-
HUGH
So she didn't tell
you.
PETER
What are we missing
here? A new perspective. That's why I'm here. I wasn't so sure
before, but look at me. I'm the only one in this pub with hope. It's
something you can teach, something you can pass on.
HUGH
So you're genuine.
PETER
More so than
before. If you aren't, what are you? Not worth anything. That was the
old me.
HUGH
It's a very, very
important characteristic?
PETER
Moral fiber. It's
not the action, but the thought. I can do this. And I need your help,
Hugh.
HUGH
Well, isn't that a
little neat package. Did Matilda tell you that too?
PETER
She told me I could
find you here.
HUGH
Knows everything,
doesn't she?
PETER
She has a
reputation.
HUGH
Yes, I've heard.
You don't know, do you?
HUGH takes his bag off the seat,
PETER sits down
HUGH
You, are an idiot.
Matilda, Lady of Hay, that magnate of agriculture? She is a hermit.
She is a retired, old hag. She got rich, got a reputation, and got
bored. She's a phoney.
PETER
That's ridiculous,
she-
HUGH
Makes everything
up. Told me herself. Look, you-
PETER
No, you look. You
listen. Why should I believe you? You're a washed up, depressed
miner.
HUGH
So why would I lie?
I'm genuine. I have nothing to lose.
PETER
You're jealous.
HUGH
Jealous? No.
PETER
You're-
HUGH
No. I'm not
whatever you're going to say. She's fake, a liar. You came all this
way for nothing. You have all these dreams for nothing. There is
nothing here for you. I'm leaving. Wales is done. We're a factory no
more.
PETER
But she said-
HUGH
She lied. She lies
to you, she lies to the other visitors, she lies to this whole stupid
country. The only person she didn't lie to, is me. You know what she
told me? That you're an idiot, a hopeless guppy who can't do anything
for himself-
PETER
I can't-
HUGH
And just wandering
around because he's bored. No one likes you Peter. They're sick of
you.
HUGH gets up, goes to open the door,
and PETER slams it close.
PETER
And what did she
tell you? What did she say to make you so bitter?
HUGH
I've been bitter
this entire time.
PETER
You're lying.
HUGH
Yeah?
PETER
About this, what
she said about me, how you feel. If you've been bitter this entire
time, why are you here?
HUGH
I was just in town-
PETER
And it's an hour
hike out. There's no food, the beds are hard, and it's cold. But you
stayed the night, put up with an annoying romantic, and then ran away
after you saw her.
HUGH
I-
PETER
Hoped. You hoped,
and then whatever she told you, scared you. If it didn't matter,
you'd stay there. If it did, you'd stay there. But you didn't like
what you heard.
HUGH
'Cause it was crap.
PETER
So what if it was.
I'm leaving. I'm following her advice, and going Glamorgan. I'll say
hi to your friends.
HUGH
They wont be busy.
PETER
So wallow here by
yourself.
HUGH
She doesn't know
what she's talking about, Peter.
PETER
Go up there and set
her straight, then.
HUGH
She wants me to
lead, Peter. She wants me to help the people, be their voice. I don't
know how to do that.
PETER
You never know how
to. Talk to her.
PETER opens the door
HUGH
You leaving?
PETER
Yeah, I was
going...
HUGH
Okay, well-
pause
PETER
You got some money
left? PETER closes the door, sits down at the table Girl, two
pints please.
Lights down as
PETER and HUGH mime speech.
END
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