PASIONARIA
FOREWORD

	I was a child during the Spanish Civil War.  There were pictures in the papers of women and children being bombed, people running, cities flattened.  Spaniard fighting Spaniard - that most terrible tragedy - civil war.  And reports of a woman -known as La Pasionaria - who was either a ferocious fiend, or a courageous defender of freedom, depending on the newspaper you read.  Who was she?  A Spanish figurehead, it seemed, famous for saying `They shall not pass' and `It is better to die on your feet than to live on your knees'.

	Dolores Ibárruri was born in a mining community in a Spain still seemingly locked in the seventeenth century.  She lived in near starvation (four of her six children were dead by the age of four).  As a woman in a country dominated by the most macho culture, by oppressive Catholicism tinged with Islam, as an illiterate peasant, what hopes for her?  Yet this woman became a member of Parliament in the Cortes, the Spanish government.

	After Franco won the civil war, Pasionaria fled to Russia and lived in Moscow with her surviving children, Amaya and Reuben (Reuben was killed at Stalingrad).  She continued to be a dynamic force, devoting herself to the lot of exiled Spaniards everywhere, and going herself to the Kremlin in 1968 to condemn the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia.  But she longed for home.  In 1977 Franco died.  Restored as the elected Deputy of Asturia, Pasionaria went to Bilbao and brought ten thousand weeping listeners to their feet, her oratory unaffected by age.

	We produced "Pasionaria" in Newcastle in 1985, during the Miners' Strike, with Sue Dundendale as director and Denise Black as a fiery and mesmerising Dolores.  We wrote to Pasionaria for her blessing and received a video from her.  In it she said:
	`I am unable to attend the performance of this work due to the circumstances in which we live.  I cannot attend the performance of this play, but I wish to say that I am deeply grateful that you have taken the trouble to put on this play about the life of a working-class woman - grand-daughter, daughter and wife of miners - who has worked and been subject all her life to exploitation.  It is not difficult to speak of the miners' situation, not only in our country but in all those countries where men have to survive by clawing from the earth the minerals which will enrich their exploiters.

I wish to conclude these few words by expressing my solidarity with the English miners, our fellow workers, and with their success in their struggle to improve their living conditions.'

	The video showed an elderly, extremely beautiful woman, with the uniquely focused asperity of the woman politician - forever trying to juggle personal and professional life.  Plus ca change.

PASIONARIA

A play with music in two acts

by Pam Gems

Copyright © Pam Gems
Pam Gems is hereby identified as author of this work in accordance with section 77 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. The author has asserted her moral rights. 

All rights whatsoever in this play are strictly reserved and application for performance etc. should be made before rehearsal to Rose Cobbe, United Agents, 12-26 Lexington Street, London W1F 0LE, UK. Tel: +44 (0) 20 3214 0800.
http://unitedagents.co.uk/agents/rose-cobbe/. Assistant: Dan Usztan. Email: dusztan@unitedagents.co.uk Tel: +44 (0) 20 3214 0873. No performance may be given unless a licence has been obtained.
PASIONARIA

	CAST
	EMILIA
	DOLORES
	FATHER
	BONIFACIO
	MOTHER
	SENORA LOPEZ
	SENOR LOPEZ
	MINER (DOLORES' HUSBAND)
	MINE MANAGER
	UNION MAN
	DONA SEBASTIANA
	MALE PRISON GOVERNOR
	SECRETARY
	NUN
	PILAR
	LUISA
	MANUELA
	WOMAN PRISON GOVERNOR
	LUIS
	JOSÉ
	MANUEL
	JESUS
	FIRST SOLDIER...JUAN
	SECOND SOLDIER...PACO
	MAYOR
	PRIME MINISTER
	MONTALBAN
	FERNANDEZ

	MINERS
	PRISONERS

PASIONARIA

SCENE ONE

A dark stage.  Silence.  Then the urgent, repeated sound of a hooter.  Then over this music, with percussion.  Music down to single drum.  A slow parade of WOMEN and MEN across the back of the stage.  They are in mourning, some carry small posies of flowers.  They go.

EMILIA enters separately, with a newspaper.

			EMILIA
		(Reads)  "The end of the Franco regime has meant, after thirty-eight years of exile, the return to Spain of Dolores Ibárruri.  Arriving on the 13th of May 1977, she has resumed her seat in the Spanish Parliament as Deputy of the Asturias region.  On May 22nd, in Bilbao, Dolores Ibárruri, her legendary powers of oration undimmed by her eighty-one years, brings 10,000 cheering and weeping listeners to their feet.  La Pasionaria has returned to Spain."

		Dolores Ibárruri.  La Pasionaria.  A peasant woman...born in the cold, wet north of Spain.  Grand-daughter, daughter...and wife, of a miner.  The time?  The twenties, thirties - though you'd hardly believe it, most of Spain seems lost somewhere in the 16th century.  Life expectancy for most people?  Forty...with luck.  Worse for women, with pregnancies, haemorrhages, infection, a repressive catholicism, and the lingering influence of Islam.  But not much chance for anyone.

She goes as a MAN enters separately.

SCENE TWO

The MAN, painfully crippled, sweeps the streets.  His actions, lurch, shuffle, stoop, are mesmerising, counterpointed by the music of a pipe which seems to mock him.

A YOUNG WOMAN in cap and apron, and wearing clogs enters, books in hand.  She watches the MAN, unseen.

			DOLORES
		(As the MAN bends once more)  Leave it.  (She laughs)  You're paid by the hour, not the job.

			FATHER
		Those books of yours are making you dishonest.

			DOLORES
		You shouldn't be sweeping the streets, you're a faceworker.  They should give you something decent -

			FATHER
		I'm lucky to get -

			DOLORES
		Lucky?  (She grabs the broom as he makes to pick it up again, he gives her a clout over the head, without rancour, it sends her reeling.)

			FATHER
		Watch your mouth, Dolores.  And keep away from that library, you'll be losing your own place next.

			DOLORES
		(A wail, watching him stoop)  Dad!...

			FATHER
		It's better than being idle......oh, hullo young Bon -

A YOUNG LAD of fragile appearance enters, a small coffin under his arm.

			FATHER
		- where you off to?

			DOLORES
		(Sour)  What you got there?  (Together)

			BONIFACIO
		Me sister.

			DOLORES
		(Protest)  Oh, not the littlun with the fair hair?  Ah, what a shame, what a shame.

			BONIFACIO
		Wanna look?  

She shakes her head, and sees that this hurts his feelings.

			DOLORES
		Oh all right.

DOLORES and her FATHER look in the coffin, her FATHER taking off his cap.

			FATHER
		Any word from the board?  About your Dad?

			BONIFACIO
		Yeah.

			DOLORES
		Oh, what?

			BONIFACIO
		We got a letter.  (He is proud of this.)

			FATHER
		How much?  Full pension?  (The BOY shakes his head.)  Lump sum?  (But the BOY just looks at him.)

			DOLORES
		(Harsh)  How much?

			BONIFACIO
		(Mutters, humiliated)  Nothing.

			DOLORES
		Nothing?

			FATHER
		Nothing?

			DOLORES
		What do you mean, nothing?

			BONIFACIO
		Dad was doing a shift for a mate.  As a favour.  They say it don't count.

			DOLORES
		(Apart, with a frightening grin)  Getting killed don't count.  Leaving six kids don't count.

			BONIFACIO
		Five.

			DOLORES
		What?

			BONIFACIO
		(Juggling the coffin)  Five now.

			DOLORES
		Oh.  Yeah.  Here...(She holds out her arms, takes the coffin.  The FATHER puts his hand in his pocket, takes out a coin, looks at it, gives it to the BOY.)

			FATHER
		For your mother.

			BONIFACIO
		Thanks!  (Runs off quickly.  DOLORES glares at her FATHER.)

			DOLORES
		How much did you give him!

DOLORES leaves with BABY'S coffin.  Her FATHER sweeps, goes.

SCENE THREE

A poor interior.  A WOMAN sits motionless before an empty grate.

DOLORES and BONIFACIO enter, each holding one end of the coffin.  The WOMAN looks up briefly and away.  Where to put the coffin.  They put it on the table but DOLORES feels this to be inappropriate.  She upends the coffin and leans it against the table leg.

			BONIFACIO
		(Hisses)  Not that one!

			DOLORES
		Why not?

			BONIFACIO
		It's where the cat scratches.

DOLORES pulls a face, moves the coffin to another table leg.  BONIFACIO crosses, sidles up to his MOTHER, who continues to stare into the empty grate.  He puts the coin on the corner of the table nearest to her.

			BONIFACIO
		It's from Dolores' Dad.

His MOTHER looks up at him slowly, everything she does is as if under water.  She looks at the coin, and then at DOLORES.  She shakes her head to DOLORES.

			DOLORES
		It's for you.

The MOTHER looks at the coin.

			MOTHER
		(Slight pause, she speaks with difficulty.)  Thank your father, Dolores.  (She looks up at DOLORES.  DOLORES stands over her, staring down at her, almost a glare.)

			BONIFACIO
		Do you want a drink of water?

Silence.

			BONIFACIO
		(To DOLORES, at last)  Hey...I'm leaving!

			DOLORES
		School?

			BONIFACIO
		Yeah!

			DOLORES
		When?

			BONIFACIO
		Next week!  I got a job!

A hush.

			MOTHER
		Job?  What job?

			BONIFACIO
		I got a job, Mum.

			MOTHER
		What job?  What's that...in your hand?

			BONIFACIO
		It's Dad's cap.

			MOTHER
		Put it away.

			BONIFACIO
		Look, it fits me!

			MOTHER
		Take it off.  Put it away I tell you.

			BONIFACIO
		I'm the man of the house now.

But he takes off the cap, screws it between his hands.

			BONIFACIO
		I went down the mine office -

			MOTHER
		No -

			BONIFACIO
		They let me sign on -

			MOTHER
		You're not going, you're not old enough -

			BONIFACIO
		I'm eleven!

			MOTHER
		I'll go down the school -

			BONIFACIO
		I've already signed -

			MOTHER
		No!!  With your father not rotted in his shroud yet?  I'll crush your feet first.

			BONIFACIO
		I'm the man of the house now.

			MOTHER
		Is that what you want - never see daylight, cough up your lungs when you're forty, if they haven't crushed your back to almond paste......

He moves away from her tongue.

			MOTHER
		Listen.  How many men in this house?  In her house?

She points to DOLORES, who skirts the table, embarrassed at the mention of her family.

			MOTHER
		How many?

		One.  Who can't put one foot before the other.  Who can't even shit on his own.

Silence.  She sits looking at the fire, as before.

BONIFACIO, embarrassed, fidgets, kicking a foot against a chair maddeningly.  DOLORES prowls at a distance.  She sidles along the table and picks up a fearsome knife, whetted to narrowness above its old bone handle.  She begins to tap-tap with it, looking covertly at the MOTHER several times.

BONIFACIO clears his throat.

			BONIFACIO
		Did they come?  (His MOTHER looks up at him.)

			DOLORES
		The women from the Church...

The MOTHER seems dazed for a second then lifts her head in a brief nod.

			BONIFACIO
		Any luck?

			DOLORES
		Next door got some enamel bowls and a coat.

No reply.

			BONIFACIO
		Mum?

			MOTHER
		I worked all night.  Washed everything.  He helped me - (She indicates BONIFACIO).  For the honour.  Every bit of fluff from the chair.  We burned the other one, to give them a fire, something to sit by.  His chair.  (Pause.)  They said the house was too clean, I must have used soap.  They said if I could afford soap, if we could afford a fire then we didn't need anything.

Silence.
Then DOLORES knocks over the coffin with a clatter as she leaps to her feet.

			DOLORES
They want us dirty!

She subsides and sits on the floor against the wall, biting her nails.  The MOTHER sits hunched by the fire, as before.

			DOLORES
		Anyway, sod the church.

			BONIFACIO
		Don't!  You'll be damned!  (He crosses himself quickly.)

			DOLORES
		Well, some God, he's only got a few favourites, the rest of us can go to hell, I could do better myself.  Anyway, who wants to go to heaven, sounds more endless than down here.

			MOTHER
		(Low, after a pause.)  Well, I hope your father's in hell...at least it's warm down there and he's used to the dark.  No...I hope he's roasting.

			BONIFACIO
		Don't say that!

			MOTHER
		I'm glad.  See him come home black as pitch to garlic and water soup, I'm glad he's dead.  Better than being crippled...at least he's spared your father's humiliation, I'm glad of that...... no......no I'm not!!  (It comes out as a howl, frightening the YOUNG ONES.  She covers her face in her shawl.  DOLORES glowers.  BONIFACIO moves to comfort his MOTHER.)

			 BONIFACIO
		Don't worry.  I'll look after you.  They're letting me work with dynamite - I can crawl in easier being small -

His MOTHER rises at the word, the chair falls back, there is a loud crump of an explosion, BONIFACIO jerks his jacket over his head and throws himself offstage, the MOTHER runs off separately.

DOLORES sings `Don't Take My Children'.

			DOLORES
		No!
		Don't take my children...
		Take my man if you must.
		No, don't take my man.

		How
		How can I feed them?
		I have no man.
		I have no man.

		My son,
		Where are you going?
		Into the dark,
		Into the deep mines with dynamite!

		No, no, no!
		There was plenty of flesh to eat then.
		No, no, no!

SCENE FOUR

At the end of the song DOLORES crosses as a laid table is brought on.  She changes her cap and apron, lays the table.  A trumpeting woman's voice makes her jump.

			SENORA LOPEZ
		(Off)  And don't forget the soup spoons!

DOLORES gestures towards the voice, tries and fails to fold a napkin and is alerted by a loud `Pssst' from the open window.  A black face looms as a YOUNG MINER jumps up and is gone.  She leans out, and hops away from the window as a heavily built and tightly corseted WOMAN enters with a hideous vase of hideous flowers.

			SENORA LOPEZ
		Are you done, I don't want that joint spoiling!  (She thrusts the vase at DOLORES who receives it reverently and puts it on the table.)  Not there...in the middle!...tch, they've no idea, no idea at all.  (She puts the flowers in the middle of the table, checks the level of the decanter with a sharp look at DOLORES and goes.  DOLORES runs to the window as the YOUNG MINER hops over the sill and grabs her.)

			DOLORES
		You fool, she'll be back any minute!

			MINER
		Give us a kiss then.

			DOLORES
		You'll make me all dirty!

			MINER
		Do more than that to you.  Made your mind up yet?  I shouldn't dwell...others willing.

			DOLORES
		Oh, are they?

			MINER
		Come on, Dolores.  Make up your mind.  It's not fair to keep a man waiting.
			DOLORES
		I know.

They embrace swiftly, with mutual passion, then he takes a quick gulp at the decanter as she dabs at the coal dust on her apron, then pushes him out.

			MINER
		Right!  (Straddling the window sill)  Those buggers on the Navarre shift!  Think they can top our output?  Not a chance!  (He leaps off the sill, there is a crash and a yell.)

			DOLORES
		(Leaning out)  Serves you right!  (She turns from the window, tidying her hair and straightening her cap.)  That's how they get more work out of you.  (She adds water to the decanter.  She tastes the wine, adds sugar, then salt, tastes, nods, satisfied.)

The WOMAN enters, followed by a SMALL MAN who makes a covert gesture to DOLORES, who ignores him.  They drink their soup, the MAN slurping to his WIFE'S annoyance.

DOLORES exits and returns at once with the joint, putting on the table by the window.

			SENORA LOPEZ
		(Sipping delicately)  Quite a good wine this time.

			SENOR LOPEZ
		(Knocking it back)  Should be, at the price.  (Nods to DOLORES, gooses her as she refills his glass.)  Never does to buy rubbish.  (Drains it again.)

			SENORA LOPEZ
		(Leans back to DOLORES)  You'll be needed Sunday.

			DOLORES
		But I haven't had a day off since I been here!

			SENOR LOPEZ
		That's enough.  Plenty of girls where you come from.  (He looks up at her resentfully as she refills his glass.  She gives him a look of sexual contempt and moves off.)

			SENORA LOPEZ
		What are you doing?

			DOLORES
		I thought I heard a dog...I was worried about the meat...(she has no confidence in this excuse.)
			SENORA LOPEZ
		And where, pray, is the water?

DOLORES brings the pitcher, plonks it on the table.  The SIGNORA rises in a rage.

			SENORA LOPEZ
		How many more times!  I will not not not drink from a pitcher like a common peasant!

			SENOR LOPEZ
		My love!  (As she knocks the pitcher over in her fury.)

			SENORA LOPEZ
		Now look what you've done, she's broken it, she's broken the pitcher, I saw what you were doing, leaning out of the window, you vulgar, common slut, they bring their filth in with them, it's no good, Gonzalo, she'll have to go - what can you expect from such a background -

			DOLORES
		That's it.

She throws down the knife and fork, and the napkin from her shoulder and goes.

			SENORA LOPEZ
		Where's she gone, come back when I speak to you, she can't go unless I tell her to - have you been up to your tricks again?

			SENOR LOPEZ
		Me?  No.

			SENORA LOPEZ
		(Pinging the bell furiously)  I will not put up with it, bad enough living in a filthy miners' town, horrible black creatures with their horrible eyes looming at you...(She picks up the knife and fork, turns for the joint.  DOLORES bobs up, grabs the joint and is gone) ...everywhere you look, nothing but black filth ...the meat!  Where's the meat?  The meat's gone!

The sound of a `dog' barking.

SCENE FIVE

The music of `Marriage' to a pipe and drum.

SENOR and SENORA LOPEZ remove the table, and the wedding guests enter in pairs to the music, bearing modest gifts, a towel, a cup, a brush, and two small stools on open hands.  Nothing is new, nor are the clothes of the guests, but all are decked in wild flowers.

DOLORES and her HUSBAND enter last.  They lead the dance and the song `Marriage'.

		Marriage,
		The great solution,
		Marriage,
		To be wed.
		For all the girls of our village,
		The answer to life's mystery
		Is in bed.

		Marriage,
		The great solution,
		What good's marriage
		Without bread?
		Who feels like fucking
		On an empty stomach?
		When you're young you fight
		But when the child comes
		It says

		Feed me
		Feed me...

		And the child has to be fed.

As the song and the ENSEMBLE dance ends DOLORES and her HUSBAND dance alone.  The music ends.  The OTHERS leave and DOLORES and her HUSBAND sit across from each other on the wedding stools.  As she throws off her shawl we see that she is pregnant.  She picks up a book and reads.

Her HUSBAND fidgets and sighs, almost a groan.

			DOLORES
		Get out then.  Go for a walk!

			HUSBAND
		What for?

			DOLORES
		I don't know...exercise!

			HUSBAND
		It'll only make me feel hungry.

DOLORES sees the sense of this, looks at him unobserved, in brief anguish.  A pause.  They both sigh.

			DOLORES
		Not much of a job.  Only in summer.  (She hugs her shawl about her.)

			HUSBAND
		You know it bloody floods...every bloody winter!

			DOLORES
		Anyway, how can you be sure they'll have you back come spring?

			HUSBAND
		Oh they'll have me.  till forty.  Over forty, finish.  Well, they slow you up, the olduns.

			DOLORES
		What about when you're old?  What are you going to do then?  Live on roast air?

			HUSBAND
		We're lucky.  Down the valley they're closing up.

			DOLORES
		It's true then?

			HUSBAND
		Yes.  Confirmed.  All three pits going.

			DOLORES
		(Mutters)  And what have you done about it?

			HUSBAND
		Me?  (Laughs in irritation)  What can I do?

			DOLORES
		Stop it.

			HUSBAND
		Oh yes.  And how?  How'm I going to do that?  Am I the boss?

			DOLORES
		Go on strike.

			HUSBAND
		Look - oh, never mind.  You can't talk to women.

			DOLORES
		(Quietly)  Why not?

			HUSBAND
		Look.  They're closing the pits because they're not making enough money.  They have to make a profit!

He gestures with a sort of violent triumph.

			DOLORES
		For who?  Who's they?

			HUSBAND
		What do you mean?

			DOLORES
		Who's they?

			HUSBAND
		The owners!
			DOLORES
		What about us?

			HUSBAND
		(Patient)  They're the bosses.  All very well say strike.

			DOLORES
		Why not?  Strike - that's what I say!

			HUSBAND
		And starve.  (Pause)  Mind you...mind you, there comes a point.  I mean, when they're trying to cut your legs off, what have you got to lose?

			DOLORES
		Something wrong somewhere.  Shutting off people's lives.  Can't be right.

			HUSBAND
		You worry about us, gal.

She gives him a glare, picks up her book.

			HUSBAND
		Makes you think, though.  I couldn't do that to people.

She turns a page.  He belches.

			DOLORES
		Don't.

			HUSBAND
		I can't help it, it's wind.

			DOLORES
		What am I supposed to do, cook stones?

			HUSBAND
		It's belching or farting - least this way you don't get the smell.  (He rumbles quietly, irritating her even more.)

			DOLORES
		I manage and I'm trying to feed two, but then, of course, I'm just the woman.

			HUSBAND
		(Sullen)  Well, it's your own fault...(at her glare)...well, you shouldn't...(he shrugs, lapses into silence.)

A pause.  He rises.

			DOLORES
		Where are you going?

			HUSBAND
		Out.

He crosses, puts on his cap under her resentful eye, hovers, indecisive, and goes.

			DOLORES
		I'll be on me own - !

He goes.  DOLORES makes to follow him, not to be left on her own.  But she falters, changes her mind.  She picks up a tattered book.

DOLORES sings `They Can't Stop You Reading'.

			DOLORES
		They can't stop you reading,
		They can't stop you reading.

		If you have eyes, that is,
		Eyes able to see.
		And if there are books,
		Books...

		Books with information.
		Books with information.

		They can't stop you reading.
		No they can't stop you reading,
		They can't
		Stop
		You
		Reading...

SCENE SIX

Outside the mine.  THREE MEN on strike including DOLORES' HUSBAND.  THE MANAGER arrives with his briefcase.

			MANAGER
		Now lads, what's it all about?

			HUSBAND
		You know what it's about.  More money.

			MINER TWO
		Our own co-op...

			MINER ONE
		Buy food off you we can't afford it -

			HUSBAND
		You pay us and take it back!

			MINER TWO
		I got four children to feed -

			MANAGER
		Hang on, hang on, hang on!  I'm the manager, not God.

			MINER TWO
		No need for blasphemy.

			MANAGER
		Now be reasonable.  Perfectly willing to listen.

			HUSBAND
		We've been to the Union.

			MINER ONE
		They're sending someone.

			MINER TWO
		You'll have to listen to him.

			HUSBAND
		Could end in a strike.

			MANAGER
		Don't you blackmail me, son.

			MINER ONE
		True though.  It's what we pay the Union for.

			MANAGER
		I don't have to see him.

			MEN
		You do!  You do!  Oh yes you do!

			MANAGER
		It's a free country.  (They laugh.  The MANAGER goes inside, turns at the door)  I'll tell you this, if I know anything about unions he'll be a damn sight more reasonable than you lot, now get out of my way.

He goes in.  The MEN are elated by the confrontation, but their euphoria deflates.  They kick about, worried.  DOLORES arrives.  She has a CHILD on her hip, and is very pregnant.  ANOTHER WOMAN accompanies her, EMILIA.

			DOLORES
		Is he here?

			MINER TWO
		Not yet.

			MINER ONE
		Should have been on the eight o'clock, bugger never showed up.

			MINER TWO
		He'll be here.

			HUSBAND
		Heard that before.

			EMILIA
		Oh you, your shift always talks tough.

			DOLORES
		If it wasn't for our meetings you'd have been back, tails between your legs!

			MINER TWO
		All we want's a fair do.  We're not looking for trouble.

			EMILIA
		Looking for it?  We're in it!  I'm in trouble, she's in trouble...Christ, who isn't in trouble?  (Laughter.  The UNION MAN arrives, with a little cardboard case.)

			UNION
		You seem pretty cheerful.  Luis Barreno.  (He shakes hands with the MEN.)

			HUSBAND
		My wife, Dolores.

			UNION
		Oh.  Yes.  (He gives her a sharp look, he has heard of her.  DOLORES returns his look with a steady stare.  He turns away to the MEN.)  Well now, lads, let's have it.

			MINER ONE
		What's it going to be, them or us?

			UNION
		Ooh, steady on, mister...not that simple.

			DOLORES
		It's simple enough.  We're starving.  (The others murmur assent.)

			UNION
		I know, I know lads.  That's why I'm here.  Oh, a couple of points before I go in.  I've read your complaints, now there's no way they're going to grant all this - (DOLORES laughs, he flicks her a glance) - I know you know that -

			HUSBAND
		No we don't.

			UNION
		Well let me tell you how it's done, how we go about it -

			DOLORES
		`We'!

			UNION
		Your wife is she?

			HUSBAND
		(Unsmiling)  Yes.

			UNION
		Fine woman.

			MINER ONE
		A bit mouthy!

			UNION
		You said it, brother, not me.  (He draws the MEN away from the TWO WOMEN.)  Now.  It's like this.  You ask for more than you know you got a chance of, they offer as little as they think they can get away with...tara!...you meet in the middle.

			MINER TWO
		What we're asking for is bare survival.

			UNION
		I know.  I know.  But we got to be practical.  Rome wasn't built in a day.

			EMILIA
		(Mystified)  What's Rome go to do with it?

			HUSBAND
		We only want what's fair.

			MINER ONE
		What's right.

			MINER TWO
		All we're asking's enough to keep ourselves alive...it's common justice.

			UNION
		Oh dear, oh oh oh!  (He laughs.)  If we could have that for the asking I'd be out of a job for a start!  Oh dear!  Look...lads...justice and the law - well, not the same thing, is it?  We got the law, make no mistake about that...what's more my job's to see we stay well within it or we're in trouble.  Now we don't want trouble.  Any set-to, that just gives them ammunition... there you are you see, nothing but a herd of clowns and ruffians who don't know how it works.  That would suit the bosses, see us make fools of ourselves...all they have to do then is shout troublemakers, stick the lot of you inside!
			DOLORES
		The voice of sweet reason.

			UNION
		(To DOLORES)  Now look here, young woman, you listen to me.  I haven't come all this way to be cheeked by a bloody female, I don't care whose wife you are.  I'm here on official union business and I've come a fair distance on your behalf -

			DOLORES
		Walked, did you?

			UNION
		I came by train.

			DOLORES
		Who paid your fare?  I've never been on a train.  (To EMILIA)  You been on a train?  (EMILIA shakes her head.)  We paid your fare, mister.  With empty bellies.

			UNION
		I've heard about you.

			HUSBAND
		(To DOLORES)  Shut up.

			MINER TWO
		That's enough, gal.  (To UNION MAN)  How are we doing?  We got a good case, but we're feeling it.

			UNION
		I know.  And I'm here to negotiate.  That's what I'm here for, no point in obstruction.  You've got the bull by the tail.  If you're not reasonable you can't expect the bosses to be reasonable when they've got the bull by the tail.

			DOLORES
		Cowshit.

			UNION
		Will somebody get this bloody woman out of it!

Her HUSBAND casually turns, gives her a cuff over the head, sending her reeling.  The OTHERS move apart, in earnest conversation with the UNION MAN.  DOLORES hold her aching head.

The conversation reaches agreement.  The MEN nod.  DOLORES draws close to listen.  The UNION MAN, with a wave of his hand, goes inside.

They wait.  DOLORES scowls at her HUSBAND.  He flexes his shoulders, he has been seen to act like a man.  The OTHER MEN avoid her eyes.

The MEN pace, waiting.  MINER ONE, feeling optimistic, lifts a thumb as he passes MINER TWO, the older man.  He waves in reply.  The UNION MAN appears briefly, speak to them, they seem undecided, but he seems to reassure them and disappears inside again.

			MINER ONE
		I think he's going to do it for us.

			MINER TWO
		Yes, he's a good man.

			MINER ONE
		One of us.

DOLORES and EMILIA whisper together, making the MEN uneasy.  They laugh.  The MEN look at them and away.  Music underneath.

The music stops.  The MANAGER comes out with the UNION MAN.  They talk to the MEN, excluding the WOMEN.  There are sober nods.  The MEN pick up their gear.  But they are depressed.

			MINER ONE
		Come on, they'll be docking us.  (EMILIA bursts into tears.)

			HUSBAND
		(To DOLORES)  Referred to arbitration.

			DOLORES
		(To the UNION MAN as he shakes hands briskly all round, preparing to leave)  Didn't take you long to sell us out.

			UNION
		That's libel - that's slander, that is.

			MANAGER
		Move away from the gate.

			DOLORES
		Take your hands off me.

			HUSBAND
		Leave her alone.

			MANAGER
		Come on!  Inside, or clear this gate!  (A scuffle.  The MANAGER shouts)  POLICE!

DOLORES' HUSBAND is manhandled off.  The MEN go, fighting to resist arrest.

The WOMEN sing `When The Men Are In Prison'.

			ENSEMBLE WOMEN
		When the men are in prison
		What are the women to do?
		No man - no wage,
		No wage,
		No food, no heat, no light, no rent...

		There's not enough for the lads,
		Let alone the women.
		A bit of laundry,
		Some sewing, if you're lucky.

		Swop you two chicken's feet for a corn cob?
		If you're not careful,
		It's every woman for herself,
		Well, you could understand it.

		But there is another way,
		There is another way,
		And Pasionaria, the reader,
		The woman who goes to meetings when she 		should be at home,
		Pasionaria knows it.

		Pasionaria knows it.

SCENE SEVEN

Dolores' House.  The sound of a CHILD crying, off.  DOLORES, white-faced, sits by a crib.  A knock.  She turns her head absently.  Another knock and then a well-dressed YOUNG WOMAN enters tentatively.

			THE DONA
		Dolores?

DOLORES looks up and across at her.

			DOLORES
		(Inclines her head slightly)  Dona Sebastiana.

			DONA
		Oh please, just my name - we're old friends!

			DOLORES
		(Low)  What do you want?  (The DONA gestures uncertainly, remaining near the door.)  You heard that I had triplets?  News travels.

			DONA
		I -

			DOLORES
		If you've come to see the sights you're too late.  There's only one left and that won't last long.  (She glances briefly at the crib.)

			DONA
		Oh!  How very sad!  Tch, and your husband not with you.  May I - (despite herself, she can't resist crossing for a peep into the cot.)
		Oh!!  Ohh, she's like a little doll!  A tiny, tiny doll!  (She wants to pick the BABY up but restrains herself.)  Oh Dolores!  Oh!!  And you lost your first little girl - how old was she?

			DOLORES
		Three.

			DONA
		And the baby last year...tch......but your little boy...Reuben isn't it...he's well?  (Raising her voice above the CHILD'S fretful cry, off.  The sound frets away to silence.)

			DOLORES
		(Hoarse)  Sit down.

THE DONA looks about, dusts off the stool discreetly and sits.

			DONA
		And your husband?  Still - ?

			DOLORES
		In prison.  Yes.

			DONA
		Oh Dolores.  How dreadful.  (She looks round the empty room)  And nothing coming in?  (DOLORES looks at her but does not reply.)  I see you still have your sewing machine.  That must bring you in a few pennies - I could give you some work myself if you could make me a price.

			DOLORES
		I'm too weak to work.

			DONA
		Oh.  We-ell...if you like...(she gives the sewing machine a quick once-over)...I'll buy your machine from you.  My maid could use it for the children's dresses.  I'd give you a good price for it.  Only if you want to, of course.

DOLORES, unable to speak, lowers her head.

			DONA
		You mustn't give way.

		Blessed are those who suffer in the Name of the Lord.  It is the Lord's privilege, Dolores.

			DOLORES
		(Looks up)  I'm privileged?
			DONA
		Think of the reward in heaven.

A pause.  DONA SEBASTIANA leans forward and puts her hand, in its lavender glove, on DOLORES' knee.

			DONA
		Dolores...Dolores I can help you.  Please!  For old times' sakes!  At school you were the brightest, you were cleverer than any of us, it's awful to see you like this.

DOLORES makes no response.

			DONA
		I - I've been talking to some of my friends.  It might be possible...we were thinking that we would like to find you a little house, with a piece of land and some cattle, a few fowls to get you started.  And a job for your husband when he...when he...

Despite herself, DOLORES looks up.

			DOLORES
		(Her voice hoarse)  Why me?

		You can't help us all.  Why me?

			DONA
		As a friend.

She rises and crosses and looks into the cot again.

			DONA
		Have you named her?

			DOLORES
		Amaya.  (Clears her throat.)  Amaya.

			DONA
		(Murmurs into the crib)  Amaya?  Oh, I want to pick her up -

DOLORES gestures permission for her to do so.

			DOLORES
		What difference does it make, she won't last.

			DONA
		Could I?  (She picks up the BABY.)  Just like a little doll in a creche at Christmas, a little Christ child!  (She approaches DOLORES, the BABY in her arms.)

		Think about it.

She walks about, rocking the CHILD.  Then she puts the CHILD down gently, cooing to it and putting the cover over gently.  She rises, crosses to DOLORES, kneels at her side.  Again she puts her hand on DOLORES' knee.  DOLORES seems mesmerised by the sight of the pale glove.

			DONA
		It could all be yours.

			DOLORES
		You'd give me a house?

			DONA
		Yes!

			DOLORES
		With land?

			DONA
		A few acres, enough.  And animals, and a well - think of it, dear Dolores, clean water for the children!  You want them to grow up fit and strong, your little boy and this poor little thing, she's going to need a lot of care!  (DOLORES looks up at her in naked agony.)  Now if you were to put all your attention, all your care, into your dear babies - after all, it's what we were created for.  Women have a very special responsibility.  If we neglect our children -

			DOLORES
		You think I neglect my children?  You think my children die from neglect?

			DONA
		No of course not -

			DOLORES
		I haven't eaten bread for two weeks.  How can I make milk for one baby, let alone three, on mouldy potatoes?

			DONA
		I'm sorry.  I didn't mean to upset you.

			DOLORES
		You smell of butter.

			DONA
		I want to help you!

			DOLORES
		Do you?  And the conditions?

			DONA
		I'm sorry?

			DOLORES
		Oh come!  Of course there are conditions.  Your lot would never give something for nothing.

			DONA
		(Slight pause)  Well, naturally we'd expect you to - build up the place...you and your husband.  There would be plenty to keep you occupied.

			DOLORES
		I see.  You want to bribe us to be quiet.

			DONA
		I'm simply asking you to put your children first.

			DOLORES
		(With difficulty)  That is what I am doing.  I am trying to do just that.

			DONA
		(Pause)  Believe me, all I want is to help you.  As a friend.  It's nothing to do with politics, as far as I'm concerned.

			DOLORES
		(Slight pause)  They've made a lackey of you.

Pause.  Then the DONA dives into her purse...she is embarrassed to be dealing directly with money.

			DONA
		Please.  (There is no response.)  At least let me give...(she proffers the money.  DOLORES flicks the merest glance and looks in her lap.  SEBASTIANA, deeply embarrassed and not knowing what to do, eventually lays the money at DOLORES' feet.  She rises)  I'll send you some more, as soon as I can - I promise!  Come to the house, come and see me, I can give you clothes...baby things - please, say you'll come!  (But there is no response from DOLORES.  The DONA prepares to leave.)

		I'll pray for you.

Still no response.  On an impulse she opens her purse and empties it on the table and goes, with an indrawn sob and a handkerchief to her eyes.

DOLORES pauses for a second, then picks up the money at her feet, moves to the table and counts the money with concentration.  The CHILD makes a sound.  She puts the money down, crosses to crib, picks up the CHILD.  She sings the lullaby `Sweet Water'.
			DOLORES
		Sweet water in the well,
		Cow's breath is sweet.
		Sweet milk,
		Sweet hay,
		So sweet.

		No choice.
		No choice.

		Bread on the table,
		Fire in the hearth.
		Sweet apple,
		Sweet linen,
		Too sweet.

		No choice.
		No choice.

At the end she peers at the BABY, studying its face.

			DOLORES
		Still here then?

SCENE EIGHT

THE GOVERNOR of the prison at his desk.  Women's voices.  He rings his bell, his SECRETARY appears.

			GOVERNOR
		What's going on?

			SECRETARY
		It's the women, sir.

			GOVERNOR
		Women?

			SECRETARY
		With grievances.

			GOVERNOR
		Grievances?  What grievances?

			SECRETARY
		They feel that their husbands -

			GOVERNOR
		(Making her jump)  Don't waste my time with tattle, tell them to submit through the proper channels.

			SECRETARY
		Yes, we have advised them on procedure, but it is a question of the children.  It is the children, you see.

			GOVERNOR
		Get rid of them.  (He waves her off, returns to his papers.  But she does not go.  He looks up.)

			SECRETARY
		They won't go sir.

			GOVERNOR
		Won't go.  What do you mean, won't go -

			SECRETARY
		(Very humbly)  They're lying on the tram tracks, sir.

			GOVERNOR
		What for?

			SECRETARY
		(Softly)  As a protest, sir.

			GOVERNOR
		Rubbish.  Move them.

			SECRETARY
		They've selected a delegation.

			GOVERNOR
		Oh have they?

			SECRETARY
		Hoping for the honour of -

			GOVERNOR
		No.

			SECRETARY
		(Softly)  It wouldn't take a minute, sir -

			GOVERNOR
		(Making her jump)  I'm not having them in here - tell them -

EMILIA, DOLORES, and JUANITA enter.

			GOVERNOR
		- get out!  What are you doing in here?

			EMILIA
		We're here to see you.

He gets up, walks the line, inspecting each of them.

			JUANITA
		We've - come a long way.

He gazes at DOLORES, who gazes back.

			GOVERNOR
		Is one of you the one they call Pasionaria?
The WOMEN exchange a brief, self-conscious smile.

			EMILIA
		We've come because our husbands are being held without trial.

			JUANITA
		And they haven't done anything!

			EMILIA
		So we're asking you -

			JUANITA
		- for your help -

			EMILIA
		- to release them.

He walks the line again, glaring into their faces.

			GOVERNOR
		Improperly submitted petitions can be neither received nor considered.

			DOLORES
		(Low)  We have petitioned.

			GOVERNOR
		(Not hearing her well)  What?

			EMILIA
		(Quick)  You didn't reply.

			JUANITA
		We never got an answer.

			GOVERNOR
		Precisely.  You have your answer.  There's nothing for you here, I'm not prepared to deal with this.

			SECRETARY
		But sir -

			EMILIA
		You're not prepared to deal with us?

			JUANITA
		There's a lot of women out there!  (The GOVERNOR looks out of the window.)

			GOVERNOR
		Your husbands were arrested at illegal meetings where subversive literature was being dispersed.  They are being held by Security Headquarters.

			JUANITA
		The order came from you.  You signed it.

			EMILIA
		You put them in, you get them out!

			GOVERNOR
		You won't be helped by insolence!

			JUANITA
		Those children out there are hungry!

			GOVERNOR
		And whose fault is that?  You're subversives, the lot of you!

			JUANITA
		I'm not, I don't know what it means.

			GOVERNOR
		Clear off to Russia if you think it's so marvellous!

			EMILIA
		What's he on about?  What's Russia got to do with it?

			JUANITA
		Yeah, keep to the point.

			GOVERNOR
		(Banging desk, making them all jump)  I repeat ...I can do nothing.  I will transmit your requests, if and when properly submitted, via the correct channels to the proper authorities.  Beyond that I am not empowered.

Pause.  DOLORES clears her throat.

			DOLORES
		(Quietly)  I suggest that you take action now.

			GOVERNOR
		And why, pray, should I do that?

			DOLORES
		Because...if you don't...we shall stay...outside your window...day and night...with our children -

			GOVERNOR
		Oh will you, we'll see about -

			DOLORES
		- to be followed by others if you arrest us...and others, because there are plenty of us...and we'll shout our petition to the city until the walls fall about your fat ears...until you take your fat head out of your fat armpit and start using it to THINK!  (making him jump, and the
		SECRETARY giggle, covering her mouth.)

		To think about who you are.

		What you're doing.  To your neighbours.  To your countrymen.  To your friends.

			DOLORES  (Cont'd)
		Till you see just what it is that you, the child of your mother, the son of your father, a man - a human being...just what YOU - not Security, not the judges, not the government, not the military, but what YOU...a man born within the walls of this city...what YOU are doing to your own people, your neighbours...what you are doing to the innocent, the falsely accused, the improperly detained - to all those people whose lives you are destroying by blackmail, by oppression, by imprisonment and by torture.

		And if you believe that what you do is invisible to the citizens of this province, then let me tell you that every Spaniard from here to Granada knows your name.  Every man, every woman, every child.  Each and every one capable of revenge.

		At any time.  Day or night.  Twenty four hours a day.  Remember that when you pick up your hat for a stroll.  Consider carefully as you cross the square to go to Mass.  Be reminded as you step outside, hoping to reach home safely after an `honest' day's work.

		Meanwhile, we'll sit outside your walls.

They go.

			GOVERNOR
		Quick, get me an outside line!

But the SECRETARY'S eyes are shining, her mouth open.

			GOVERNOR
		Move!

The SECRETARY jumps, and leaps for the telephone.

SCENE NINE

A prison cell.  DOLORES enters, followed by a NUN.

			NUN
		Take off your clothes please.

			DOLORES
		I've already been searched.

			NUN
		I have to examine you for disease.  Please take your clothes off.  There's no need to be embarrassed.

			DOLORES
		I'm sorry, no.

			NUN
		Take your clothes off.

			DOLORES
		I'm sorry, no.  (The NUN goes.  The THREE OTHER WOMEN in the cell cheer.)

		Where do I sleep?

			LUISA
		Up there.  (They wait, ready to jeer.  She leaps up like a cat.)

			PILAR
		(Laughs)  We know your game!  (DOLORES looks down in enquiry)  I'm one meself.  Dipper.  (DOLORES looks round, puzzled.)

			LUISA
		Pickpocket?  Nah, she's a civilian.

			MANUELA
		What's she doing here?

			PILAR
		(To DOLORES, nodding towards MANUELA)  Be careful.

			NUN
		Lights out!

The lights are lowered.  PILAR mutters prayers.

			LUISA
		Pack it in.

			PILAR
		(Getting off her knees, mild)  Well, you never know.  Be on the safe side...Christ, I'm hungry.

Pause.

			LUISA
		Had a guy last week, all I had to do was comb his hair while he read the paper.  Paid me full whack.

			MANUELA
		Shut up, you fucker, I'm trying to sleep.

			DOLORES
		You're not the only one!

Silence.

			LUISA
		(Whispers to DOLORES)  That wasn't very clever.

			PILAR
		(Whispers)  Slit a nun's gizzard open last year.  (Aloud)  She didn't mean it, Manuela.

Fade to low light, then to black.

Slow light to day.  An electric bell, loud and piercing.  The WOMEN tumble out, cursing, and dress.  DOLORES stays in her bunk.

			PILAR
		Hey, get up!

			DOLORES
		What for?

			PILAR
		They'll be after you!

			DOLORES
		They've already got me.

MANUELA laughs, surprising the OTHERS.

			MANUELA
		What are you in for?

			DOLORES
		Politics.

			MANUELA
		(Uninterested)  Oh.

			LUISA
		Politics?

			DOLORES
		(Shrugs)  I like to eat.

			LUISA
		Yeah but, you're a woman.

			DOLORES
		A woman runs this place.
			MANUELA
		That fucking bitch.

			DOLORES
		(Sudden rage)  Half the world's fucking women!

			PILAR
		Yeah, and the other half's men.

			DOLORES
		Who makes them?  (Still in a rage.)

			PILAR
		We do -

			LUISA
		Yeah, then they bash our heads in.

			PILAR
		Like my old man says...if you want to keep your teeth, don't argue.

			LUISA
		What you trying to do, what you after?  (DOLORES looks at her sourly.)

			PILAR
		Money!  (MANUELA laughs.)

			LUISA
		(Rolling up her bedding.)  Nah, it's a joke.  Fucking stupid.  (DOLORES punches her.)  Aoww!  What you do that for?

			DOLORES
		Fucking smile off your face, that's all.

Silence.

			LUISA
		(Holding her jaw)  Oh I see.  That's politics.  Fucking hitting people.

DOLORES, depressed at her own rage, sits, her head in her hands.

			LUISA
		Thanks very much.  I'll remember that when you want me vote.  If I had one.

A tense silence.  MANUELA crosses to DOLORES.

			MANUELA
		Where's your cup?

DOLORES looks up.

			DOLORES
		Haven't got one.

			MANUELA
		(Grabs PILAR'S cup, gives it to DOLORES)  You have now.

			PILAR
		Hey!

The NUN enters, stands by the exit.  The WOMEN cross to workbenches, pick up sewing.  DOLORES remains, her arms folded.

			NUN
		(Crosses to DOLORES)  If you continue to refuse to work you'll be sent to the punishment cells.

She goes out.  The WOMEN whisper.  The NUN returns with the WOMAN GOVERNOR.

			GOVERNOR
		Stand up.

DOLORES remains seated.

After a pause.

			GOVERNOR
		Why are you refusing to work?

			DOLORES
		Because I'm not being paid, because none of us is being paid.  (To the OTHERS)  Stop working!

		(Tentatively, they stop working.)

		Don't work!  They can't send us all to the punishment cells.

PILAR puts down her needle decisively.  The GOVERNOR whispers to the NUN who exits quickly.  The WOMEN sit, the GOVERNOR waits, the NUN returns, whispers in her ear.

			GOVERNOR
		You will return to your cells.  (The WOMEN rise, DOLORES makes to follow.)  Not you.  Wait.  (The OTHERS leave.)

			GOVERNOR
		I'm transferring you to a single cell.

			DOLORES
		Why?

			GOVERNOR
		And I'll see that you get books.

			DOLORES
		Books?

			GOVERNOR
		As a political prisoner you're entitled to that.

			DOLORES
		Special treatment?

			GOVERNOR
		(Showing her a newspaper)  As you see, you're becoming quite famous.  We must look after you.

DOLORES looks at her picture with interest.

			GOVERNOR
		It doesn't do you justice.  (DOLORES flicks her a look.)

			DOLORES
		I don't want to be moved.

			GOVERNOR
		In here, what you want is of no importance.

			DOLORES
		All right.  If you're prepared for the consequences.  They'll know it's because you're afraid of my influence.

			GOVERNOR
		I see.  Blackmail.

			DOLORES
		I want to stay in my cell, and I want to hold meetings.

			GOVERNOR
		Hah!

			DOLORES
		The conditions here are now so appalling you've got a near riot on your hands.  You're understaffed, and local politics are in such a mess you'll be lucky to pay the wages by the end of the month -

			GOVERNOR
		Oh you politicals!  You know it all, don't you?  You strut about, thinking you're a cut above -

			DOLORES
		(Tired)  No.  We're as idle and backsliding as everybody else.  But at least we have a point.

			GOVERNOR
		What point?  To be a social nuisance -

			DOLORES
		If that's the point, yes.  What's yours?  What's your point?

			GOVERNOR
		To bear enormous responsibility and carry out orders.

			DOLORES
		Oh orders, yes, you do that very well, you're very obedient - well, it takes away the strain, doesn't it?  No decisions necessary, just do as they say and go to church on Sundays, good God woman, you're one of us!  What do you do for us...do you think you've got a mind...a soul, to use as a click-beetle for six days of the week?  (The WOMEN stare at each other.)

			GOVERNOR
		You have no idea -

			DOLORES
		Yes I do.  I know exactly what could be done for these women.  (The GOVERNOR looks at her, turns and goes.)

DOLORES sings `They Can't Stop You Reading'.

			DOLORES
		They can't stop you reading,
		They can't stop you reading.

		If you have eyes, that is,
		Eyes able to see.
		And if there are books,
		Books...

		Books with information.
		Books with information.

		My eyes are my mind,
		I see with my mind,
		And my mind reads books,
		Books,

		Books which inform me.
		I am in receipt of information.

		They can't stop you reading,
		They can't stop you reading.

		No they can't stop you reading,
		They can't
		Stop
		You
		Reading...

SCENE TEN

DOLORES and MANUELA.

			MANUELA
		What are you miserable about, I've got twelve years.  (DOLORES does not reply.)  Your kids?  Was that your boy outside the window last night?

			DOLORES
		Don't laugh, he wanted to come in, he's got nowhere to sleep.  (She sighs heavily)  Not a word from anybody.  I might as well be dead.

			MANUELA
		Forgotten about you, have they?

			DOLORES
		There's been trouble.  A split.

			MANUELA
		(Laughs)  Oh.  They've fallen out.

			DOLORES
		Poor old party hacks, stuck it for years, now they're all being kicked downstairs.

			MANUELA
		What for?

			DOLORES
		(Bleak)  Because they're holding us back.  (MANUELA is surprised at her tone.)  They don't speak for Spain any more.

			MANUELA
		And you reckon you do?  Come off it - who cares about Spain?  Look out for yourself, mate.  No other bugger will.  Anyway, you're on the wrong side.

			DOLORES
		Oh?

			MANUELA
		You wanna get in with the businessmen, the lackeys...that's how you get on.  All your lot does is get chucked inside and called traitors.

			DOLORES
		Do you think I am?  A traitor?

			MANUELA
		Yeah, course you are!  You're a troublemaker.  Trying to upset everything, bring down the government, whatever you're trying to do.  I might be a criminal, but I love the royal family.  I'm loyal, mate.

			DOLORES
		(Looking out of the window)  When I was at a rally in Toledo I saw a boy pick a dead lettuce leaf out of a pile of dung and eat it.

			MANUELA
		People are fools, idiots.

			DOLORES
		You mean we should all thieve, like you?

			MANUELA
		Yeah.  Like them.

DOLORES throws back her head, laughing.

			MANUELA
		Listen, people only dole out when it suits them, or to save their conscience.

			DOLORES
		(Laughs)  Conscience!?

			MANUELA
		Oh I know you think I ain't got one - listen, the reason I cut up that nun is because she was vicious.  (Grins, wolfish)  Same as me.

		Anyway...people think being a criminal's being bad - like a rotten orange.  It's all rubbish.  You got good and bad in you, same as everybody else.  It's just the way things happen, the way your life turns out, could be you, anybody.

			DOLORES
		Yeah.

			MANUELA
		It's not a bad life, thieving - well, bar this side of it.  You couldn't say it was reliable, the people you meet aren't what you call dependable, you got to piss about all the time or things get mucked up - well they do usually anyway.  (Sighing piously)  Still, least it ain't boring.

			DOLORES
		Sounds like politics.  Except, of course, that politics is boring.  (She gazes out of the window.)

			MANUELA
		How long do you reckon you're in for?

			DOLORES
		(Turns, savage)  Bastards won't bring me to trial...five or six years, I know it!

A bomb.  They throw themselves flat.  Rising ride of sound, hooters, rifleshots, cheers.  A band plays.  They pick themselves up, dazed, dust off their clothes.  The GOVERNOR enters.

			GOVERNOR
		The crown has fallen.

			MANUELA
		What?!

			DOLORES
		The government?

			GOVERNOR
		Resigned.  Spain is a Republic.

She and DOLORES stare at each other.

			DOLORES
		Are they dead?

			GOVERNOR
		The Royal Family?  (She shakes her head.)  They've left the country.  (DOLORES continues to stare at her.)  I've received orders that all political prisoners are to be released.

The NUN enters with DOLORES' coat and a small brown paper parcel of her belongings.

			GOVERNOR
		You're free.

MANUELA turns away to the wall.  DOLORES takes the coat and the parcel, gives them to MANUELA who takes them with aggressive quickness.

			GOVERNOR
		You'll need your coat.

			DOLORES
		I'm free.

She exchanges a quick nod with MANUELA, turns to go.

The GOVERNOR, by the exit, holds out a hand to shake hands.  DOLORES pauses, but does not take it.

			DOLORES
		We're on opposite sides.

She goes quickly.

PASIONARIA

ACT TWO
ACT TWO   SCENE ONE

			EMILIA
		So Spain...became a Republic!

Upstage the KING and QUEEN leave by train.

			EMILIA
		The King and Queen left, the cheers and thanks of devoted Spaniards ringing in their ears...

Boos from the CROWD, a few things are thrown.

			EMILIA
		A new day, as they say, dawned!

The PEDLAR enters downstage, watches for a moment, and goes.

The CROWD circle and become a procession, carrying poles with streamers.  Music and dance.  A PERFORMING BEAR.  TWO LOVERS do a solo, watched by her MOTHER, who pulls the GIRL away at the end of the dance.

			CARLOS
		Josefina!

The CROWD laugh as the MOTHER marches off with the GIRL.

A handbell is rung as DOLORES' TWO CHILDREN distribute red favours.  A HEAVILY-BUILT MAN, LUIS, stands on a cart, lifts his hand for silence.

			LUIS
		Friends!  (Laughs as they cheer)  A bit of bad news.  As you know, we were hoping to have somebody from the Central Committee to speak to us today - unfortunately, Pancho Sanchez, whom you all know well - (cheers)...who was to have, - I was going to say crown our day, but perhaps...(cheers, whistles and laughter.)  Anyway, his train's stuck somewhere -(disagreement) - I know, I know...there you are...

			CROWD
		Speech!  Speech!  Give us a speech!  What about a speech, Luis?

			LUIS
		Me?  No - no, not me.  I'm no good on my feet.  

He turns to the YOUNG MAN at his side.

			LUIS
		José?

			JOSÉ
		Too drunk.

LUIS turns to the QUIET MAN on his other side who shakes his head, smiling.

			MANUEL
		Not me, mate.  (He blows out his cheeks in alarm, causing laughter.)

			EMILIA
		(Calls out)  What about Dolores?

			LUIS
		What about her?

			EMILIA
		Get Dolores to speak.

			JOSEFINA
		Yes Dolores!

She gets a cuff from her MOTHER and is crushed by this and her own daring.  CARLOS creeps up behind her and they begin to flirt circumspectly.

			EMILIA
		Come on Dolores...Dolores!

DOLORES is standing with her HUSBAND and CHILDREN.  She puts down her glass of beer and takes her CHILDREN by the hand, coming forward as much to show off her CHILDREN in their clean clothes as anything else.

			DOLORES
		What is it, what do you want?

The THREE MEN are undecided.

			VOICE
		Go on, give her a chance!

Laughter and cheers.  PEOPLE are drunk and happy.

			LUIS
		Well, if you like.  Come on, Dolores.  (He shrugs amiably to the OTHER TWO.)  Come on, no need to be shy.  (He helps her up.)  As many of you know, Dolores is one of the women just released from...(Loud cheers.  He waves a hand for silence.)  I'm sorry we haven't got a man to make the speech for us...however...(turns to DOLORES)...I'm sure you'll do your best.  Don't worry.  Take your time, gal, we're all on your side.

DOLORES gives him an impenetrable look.  She steps forward.

			DOLORES
		(After a pause)  Thank you to those who helped us to come here, and who've given us hospitality.  Sorry I lost the kids last night.  Thank you again to those who helped me find them - I'll try not to let that happen again.  (Laughter.)

		(Pause)  When I was in prison...when I was in prison I was called a traitor.  I was called a traitor because I was a political.  (Shouts of disagreement.)

		If to want to change things is to be a traitor, then we are traitors.

		If to want to give the best of yourself is to be a traitor, then we're all traitors.

		If to want the best for the people of Spain is to be a traitor...(she is drowned in shouts.)

		No.  We're not traitors.

		But, I mean, who do we think we are?  Saying we can change things?

		The working class?

		How can we be expected to organise a better life for anybody?

		Are we educated?

		Do we have power...influence?

			DOLORES  (Cont'd)
		No.

		They have it.

		The rich...the privileged...the army, the Church, the aristocrats.

		They have the power.  They have the influence.

		And where has it got them?

			VOICE
		On our backs!

			DOLORES
		Right, brother!   They want us to do as they say, obey their rules......why?  For whose advantage?

		Ours?  Most people?  The majority?  (She laughs.  Cheers and jeers.)

		But then, what do we matter?  Who are we?  We're only the ignorant, the dirty, the lazy, idle good-for-nothings who deserve to stay where we belong...(noise)...that's what we are...(noise)... that's what they call us...
		The masses!

		The expendable majority.

		Friends - WE are the majority!!

		There are more of us.

		What can't we achieve?

		If we insist.

		(She waits for silence.)

		We have been denied our natural birthrights.  Disinherited.

		What are these birthrights?

		I speak as a woman.

			DOLORES  (Cont'd)
		I say they are the right to clean air to breathe, clean water to drink, a fair share of the means of existence, and the right to a den, a home, the same as any other animal.  The rest is social contract.  But air, water, food and shelter... these are the bedrock of humanity...of life itself ...give or take the mosquito...(she swats herself irritably.)

		Look around you.  Does your society, today, provide these basic rights?  A fox, a wolf, a rabbit, even a rat has a better chance of rearing her litter to maturity than the majority...the majority, friends, of the people of this country.

		I bore six children.  How many do you see standing there?

		As for the notion of a life that could contain pleasure...culture......totally beyond our comprehension.  We are the lower category.  Beyond consideration.  And we are the majority.

		Shall we be patient?  (Shouts of `No'.)

		Let those who now represent us fulfil their promises to change...change the face of this country.  Feed, educate and satisfy the needs of the people, the people who ARE Spain...Change Everything.  And if they can't - we will.

		(She waits for silence.)

		History...is like a sleeping dragon.  For hundreds of years it lies in the cave - suddenly -the animal is awake.
		The dragon of Spain, friends, is awake.  And wagging its tail.

		(Quietly)  Who has the courage to climb on its back?

Loud cheers.  She is helped down and surrounded and congratulated.

LUIS, MANUEL and the YOUNG MAN draw aside to confer together.

			LUIS
		Ye-es, well.

			JOSÉ
		What do you think?

			MANUEL
		We could put her name forward, this area's still a couple short on the central committee.

			LUIS
		No, can't have a woman.

			MANUEL
		I know what you mean.  Pity.  When it comes to stepping forward...well, risky, isn't it, giving your name...

But they watch as, to their surprise, DOLORES takes names of supporters.  LUIS crosses to have a word with her.

EMILIA takes over the list.  DOLORES listens soberly to LUIS, picking up her DAUGHTER who runs to her.

The lights become mellow.  Music.

CARLOS and JOSEFINA dance.  CARLOS sings a Spanish son.

Apart, DOLORES listens as LUIS continues to talk to her, apart.

The COMPANY sing a Spanish song quietly, to round off the day.

Apart, DOLORES, LUIS, the YOUNG MAN, JOSÉ, and MANUEL confer together.  Twice her HUSBAND approaches and she reassures him that she won't be long.

End of song.  Lights to black.

ACT TWO  SCENE TWO

A pavement cafe in Madrid.  Siting are LUIS, MANUEL and JESUS, older.  JESUS makes to refill MANUEL'S glass with brandy.

			MANUEL
		(Modestly)  Oh no, no...

			LUIS
		Come on, you deserve it!  We're proud of you both!

			MANUEL
		Thank you.  (He accepts more brandy)  Your health.  Oh, you should have heard her...

They drink to Dolores, saying her name.

			LUIS
		Paris eh?  What's it like - Madrid?

			MANUEL
		Yes and no.

			LUIS
		I wouldn't mind seeing Paris.  Mind you, not the way you did it.

			JESUS
		Pretty hard was it?

			MANUEL
		A bit of a climb.  (They all laugh.)

			LUIS
		Worth it, though.  We're getting support.  If the Republic doesn't hold, God help the rest of Europe, the way things stand...well, that's my opinion.

EMILIA and DOLORES enter, in new clothes.

			LUIS
		Well, well, well!

DOLORES turns to display her new clothes.

			EMILIA
		I had to get a new dress to keep up with the Parisian here.

			LUIS
		Very nice.

			EMILIA
		Is that an offer?  (Laughter.)

			JESUS
		Well done, Dolores.

			DOLORES
		I'm afraid I did a bit of shopping.  (She gives LUIS and JESUS a small package each.)

They open the presents...silk ties.

			JESUS
		My word!

			LUIS
		Thanks!  I'll do all right now.

			DOLORES
		I took a morning off.

			JESUS
		You deserve it.  (Kisses her in thanks.)

			LUIS
		After crossing the bloody Pyrenees eh...?

			EMILIA
		Twice!

			DOLORES
		Never be the same again, eh Manuel?  (She starts to giggle.)

			MANUEL
		Yes - what is it?

			DOLORES
		The...the...suit!  (She collapses in laughter.)

			MANUEL
		(Smiles)  Oh.  That.

			EMILIA
		What?

			DOLORES
		(To MANUEL)  You don't mind me - ?  (He shakes his head shyly.)  Well, these Catalans, they're well named, they're like cats in the dark, only of course, we weren't used to the distances and climbing.  We couldn't even whisper in case the frontier guards heard us, anyway, we'd been going half the night when they got us in this cave, told us we had to cross a river.  Remember the noise, Manuel?

			MANUEL
		Oh we could hear it all right -

			DOLORES
		It sounded like Niagara Falls.  Pitch dark, and we had to jump across these rocks, which we couldn't see - I mean, one false jump, you was drownded, I completely lost my nerve!  Anyway, they got me across somehow between them, we're scrambling up the bank again when all of a sudden there's this mighty big splash behind me and the guide hisses and I think, he's gone, Manuel - oh, his poor wife and kids...it was thirty foot deep, and I'm thinking, we've lost him, he's gone when all of a sudden we hear this sort of low moaning...`me suit...oh, me suit...'

		(They all burst out laughing.)

		You see his own suit - you don't mind me telling...his own suit was in the pawn shop so we got a tailor to run one up on instalments so's we'll look all right in Paris against all the intellectuals, so poor old Manuel, never mind drowning, all he thinks about -

			EMILIA
		Is the suit!  (Laughter.)

			MANUEL
		Never mind.  We got there.

			DOLORES
		Yes.  At least they saw some real live Spaniards.  We were able to tell them the truth about what's happening, you'd never believe the rubbish in the international press.  It's daft... we're fashionable...all the students and intellectuals followed us around.  I wish it meant anything.  (He pours her a drink.)

			LUIS
		A toast.

But they turn as there is a noise, off...the sound of shouting, car horns blaring.

			DOLORES
		(Shouting above the noise)  What is it?

			MANUEL
		Fascist demonstration in the square!

			DOLORES
		Do you think we should...(she makes to rise.)

			MANUEL
		No, no, we're safe here.  Noisy bastards.

			LUIS
		Any of our lads turning up?

JESUS shrugs.  It is possible.

			DOLORES
		Trouble?

			EMILIA
		Don't tell me I'm going to spoil me new dress!
			JESUS
		Of course not, this is a celebration drink.  (Lifts his glass)  Welcome back...Dolores...Manuel...

The noise is suddenly loud.  The sound of shots, they dive for cover.  PASIONARIA, in a doorway, is surprised to find MANUEL sliding down beside her, blood pouring from his ear.

			DOLORES
		Manuel...?

ACT TWO   SCENE THREE

A meeting.  JOSÉ, JESUS, LUIS and EMILIA wait for DOLORES in silence.  Pause.

			LUIS
		(To EMILIA)  How many from your area?

			EMILIA
		Two thousand.  Probably more, it's - (she shrugs, unable to continue.)

			JESUS
		(Softly)  Mother of God.

			LUIS
		And how many in jail?

			EMILIA
		Over thirty thousand in all...again, we can't get reliable figures.

			JESUS
		At least they're alive -

			EMILIA
		We've got reports of beatings and mutilation.

			JOSÉ
		How many?  How many dead?

			LUIS
		(Adding up on paper)  Five thousand, two hundred and six.

Silence.

			JOSÉ
		They want to murder every miner in Spain.

			JESUS
		Yes.  They want to murder us.

EMILIA bursts out laughing.  They gape at her.

			JOSÉ
		Funny?
			EMILIA
		What's the difference!

		You know what my man's doing at this minute?  Crawling...three miles in and three miles back, just to get to the coal face.  His knees aren't there any more.

			LUIS
		You're lucky he's still got his balls.  (Throws her a newspaper, she reads the headlines and groans.)  They're sending in Arabs -

			JOSÉ
		Arabs?

			LUIS
		Arab mercenaries as strike-breakers, under this General Whatsisname -

			JOSÉ
		Another out of work killer from Morocco -

			JESUS
		They've found them something to do now.

			LUIS
		Yes.  Finish us.

Together.

			JESUS
		Cut our legs off.

			JOSÉ
		How can they put us all in jail?  Where's the coal coming from if we're not there to dig it up for them?  Who's going to do it?

			LUIS
		We are.

			JESUS
		On our knees.  

Slight pause.

			EMILIA
		My sister's husband's gone missing.  And his brother.  We think they've gone across the border.  Trouble is we don't know.

			LUIS
		(As DOLORES arrives in a hurry)  Ah!

			DOLORES
		(Sits without ceremony)  Sorry I'm late.

			LUIS
		(To JESUS)  Take the chair?  (EMILIA picks up pencil and paper to take the minutes.)

			JESUS
		The situation is now fearfully dangerous.  Five thousand miners killed, strikes broken with the use of African troops, whole villages burnt.

			LUIS
		At least we know where we are.

			JESUS
		We're here to vote on a course of action.

			JOSÉ
		What he means is, we're here to vote on a motion to collaborate.

			JESUS
		It's a matter of practical politics -

			JOSÉ
		If we're seen to collaborate with socialists we're seen to sell the revolution.

			DOLORES
		(Quiet)  Bugger the revolution.  (Shocked silence.  EMILIA draws in her breath audibly.)  If you mean by revolution some sort of slopbucket rubbish about a clean sweep then I say bugger the revolution because it's going to murder the lot of us.  What happens if we don't collaborate?

			JESUS
		Without a Popular Front of the left we haven't a hope of governing ...ever.

			DOLORES
		The fascists are closing ranks.  They have the Army, the money.  All we have are promises.

		We're an illegal party, our numbers are minute, we've got no money and half our people are in jail.

			JESUS
		(To JOSÉ)  As activists we'll have influence way beyond our representation.

			JOSÉ
		Just because some of us are not prepared to stomach a collaboration with -

			DOLORES
		With any but the pure in heart?  What are you, José, some sort of idealist?  Grow your hair and join the anarchists.
			JESUS
		Come on, Dolores...

			DOLORES
		We'll infiltrate - that suit you.  (She is suddenly genial, knowing that she has won.)

			JOSÉ
		It sickens me.

			DOLORES
		(Sober)  I know.

They stare at each other.  Then he looks away.

A long pause.

			JESUS
		(Softly)  I propose the motion to co-opt.

Silence.

			JESUS
		Seconded?

LUIS nods.  DOLORES and EMILIA raise their hands.  They all wait.  At last JOSÉ, his face averted, raises his hand.  Swift movement at once as they all rise, putting on their coats and gathering their belongings.  EMILIA crosses to DOLORES.

			EMILIA
		I've got the train tickets.

			DOLORES
		How many?

			EMILIA
		We're picking up two little boys...five more at Burgos...(looks at list)...seven...twenty-eight in all...(To JESUS)...Women Against War... another ferrying job.  We're putting the kids out of the danger areas, plus those whose parents are inside.

DOLORES mutters with rage.

			EMILIA
		(As they put their coats on)  Over five thousand now.  (No response from DOLORES)  Dead.  Well?

			DOLORES
		(Snarls)  What do you want me to do - cry?

EMILIA looks at her, crosses to JOSÉ.

			EMILIA
		Hey, José, come and wipe the shit off your hands.

DOLORES makes to follow.  JESUS breaks away from LUIS.

			JESUS
		Dolores.  We want you to stand.  As a Popular Front candidate.  (She nods.)  You know what it means?

			DOLORES
		Yes, I know.  (They all look at the ground.)

			JESUS
		You'll have to give up -

			DOLORES
		No!  We've promised to get the kids out of it.

			LUIS
		Other people can do that.

			DOLORES
		No.  Not just getting them somewhere safe...it's getting them to Madrid, walking the streets with them...shoving it under their noses.  Miners children, orphaned and bloody starving.  We also have to find homes, people who'll take them in.

			LUIS
		You could combine it with electioneering.

			DOLORES
		It IS electioneering.

			LUIS
		Good.  Then you're on?  (She nods and smiles.  The TWO MEN exchange a smile.)

			DOLORES
		What's up?

			JESUS
		We've got a surprise for you.

			LUIS
		We've found a school for your kids!

			DOLORES
		You haven't?  Oh!  Thank God.  Where?

			LUIS
		In Moscow.

			DOLORES
		Moscow?

			JESUS
		They'll get a fine education!
			LUIS
		They'll be safe as houses, love.

			DOLORES
		You want me to send them to Russia.

			LUIS
		Got confirmation this morning.

			JESUS
		We didn't want to raise your hopes till we were sure.

			LUIS
		Lucky little devils!

			DOLORES
		You want me to give them up?

			LUIS
		God knows what's happening here, Dolores.

			JESUS
		If you campaign they could be used against you as hostages.

			DOLORES
		You want me to give up my children?

			LUIS
		Congratulations, love!  (Kisses her.)

			JESUS
		You'll be free to work knowing they're safe.  (He embraces her.)

The TWO MEN go.  DOLORES sings `Safe'.

			DOLORES
		Well what are we given children for
		But to let them go?
		They're not ours, like a cake tin,
		The sooner we learn to do without them
		The better.

		Only -
		They're not ready,
		They're not ready,
		They're not ready.

		Send them off with a smile...
		It's their future!
		You can see it in their eyes,
		The excitement!

		They're going on a train!
		Do they realise they're not coming back?
		Yes...but do they know what that means?

		Can't you see,
		They're not ready,
		They're not ready,
		They're not ready.

		It's all for the best,
		No more worries,
		No more female irrelevant
		Hampering of agenda.

		Only...
		They're not ready.
		They're not ready.
		They're not ready.

ACT TWO   SCENE FOUR

DOLORES and EMILIA, with TWO BOYS, wait for a train.  The BOYS play about.  TWO YOUNG SOLDIERS walk up and down, guarding the station.

			EMILIA
		(Shouts to the SOLDIERS as they pass)  How's it going?

ONE OF THE SOLDIERS turns, grins and waves.  The CHILDREN play.  The SOLDIERS return.

			EMILIA
		What's going on...anything?

			SOLDIER ONE
		No, not much.  (DOLORES offers her cigarettes.  They light up.)

			SOLDIER TWO
		Seen anybody suspicious?

			DOLORES
		(Shouts to the BOYS)  Here, not so much noise!

			EMILIA
		(To SOLDIER)  Me?  No.  What are you here for, we're not all going to get raped are we?

			SOLDIER ONE
		No such luck, missus.  We're looking for this revolutionary...Pasionaria.

			EMILIA
		Who?

			SOLDIER TWO
		We had word on the wire she come in on the ten o'clock this morning...(He laughs as the FIRST SOLDIER plays football with the BOYS.)

			EMILIA
		Is she dangerous?

			SOLDIER ONE
		(Calls as he punts the ball)  Only got fingernails six inches long!

			SOLDIER TWO
		They file 'em to a point - we been warned.

			DOLORES
		Coo, sounds nasty.

			SOLDIER ONE
		(Returning)  Don't you worry, missus, we'll catch her.

			SOLDIER TWO
		We'll have her!  (Pats his rifle.)

			EMILIA
		Be careful!  Point the barrel down, son, for God's sake.

			DOLORES
		Shoot his bloody foot then.  (They smoke, watching the CHILDREN.)

			SOLDIER TWO
		Nice lads.

			DOLORES
		Yes.

			SOLDIER TWO
		Yours?

			DOLORES
		Mine?  (For a moment she is caught out, off her guard.)

			EMILIA
		No mine...little devils.  So, what's it like boys, army life?  (She offers them food which they fall on gratefully.)

			SOLDIER ONE
		Rotten.

			SOLDIER TWO
		Can't complain.

			DOLORES
		(Laughs)  Make your minds up!

			EMILIA
		What made you join the army?
			SOLDIER TWO
		Out of work.

			DOLORES
		I hear there was bread riots here.

			SOLDIER ONE
		Yeah.  Two killed.

			EMILIA
		Killed?  Ooh Lord...

			DOLORES
		How did that happen then?

			SOLDIER ONE
		(Chewing solidly)  Had to fire in the crowd, didn't we?

			DOLORES
		(Mildly, after a pause.)  You weren't worried?

			SOLDIER ONE
		Me?  No!

			DOLORES
		I mean, firing on your own people.

			EMILIA
		(Quick, worried at DOLORES' tone.)  Aren't you lads supposed to be looking after us?

			DOLORES
		(Genial)  Yeah, come on, give the bosses a poke in the eye for a change!

			SOLDIER TWO
		Yeah but they pay us, don't they?

			SOLDIER ONE
		Not the bloody mob, get nothing out of them.

			SOLDIER TWO
		You don't LIKE doing it -

			SOLDIER ONE
		It's the job.  Obey orders and keep in with those on top.

			SOLDIER TWO
		We got to eat.

			DOLORES
		What if there's a civil war?

			SOLDIER TWO
		Have to fight, shan't we?

			DOLORES
		Yeah but...I mean, wouldn't you be fighting your own families?  (She stands there frowning stupidly.)

			SOLDIER ONE
		Never.

			DOLORES
		Yeah but...isn't that what it means, civil war?  I thought it meant ordinary people like you and me against all the landlords...people that screw us down.

			SOLDIER ONE
		What are you, a communist or something?

			DOLORES
		No, it's just what they were on about in the cafe where I work.

			SOLDIER ONE
		Where's that then?

			DOLORES
		Oh Madrid, you get all sorts.

			SOLDIER TWO
		Big city eh?

			EMILIA
		Still...it makes sense.

			SOLDIER ONE
		Don't you believe it.  Listen, we know what ticks.  (He walks off)  God, you women get some silly ideas.

			DOLORES
		(Living dangerously)  So you might have to join a war against your own class then?

			EMILIA
		(Worried at this, diverts by calling to the CHILDREN)  Hey, get down off there!  Devils. 

They laugh at the kids.  The FIRST SOLDIER points his rifle at the KIDS, who put their hands up.  ONE CHILD jumps on the SOLDIER'S back, the SOLDIER runs round with him.

			DOLORES
		You wouldn't do that, would you?

			SOLDIER TWO
		(Laughing at the CHILDREN)  What?

			DOLORES
		Fight against your own sort?

			EMILIA
		(Fed up with DOLORES)  Oh, bugger it!

			SOLDIER TWO
		I dunno, missus.  Might have to.  For a start, if we don't do what we're told - (he makes an imitation of having his throat cut.  They stand together, smiling at the CHILDREN.  The YOUNGER gets on the SECOND SOLDIER'S back...he strolls with DOLORES, the CHILD on his back.)  

		My brother Claudio's all for this General Franco, the one whose been beating up the miners up north.  He says he's a real good bloke - no nonsense.  Really tough bastard, so my brother says...real mean.  Well...(as the FIRST SOLDIER decants the CHILD and returns.  He puts down the BOY, picks up his rifle)...it's what's needed.  Thanks for the grub.

			SOLDIER ONE
		So long, girls!  Keep your legs crossed.

			DOLORES
		So long, lads.

			EMILIA
		Here - wanna know something?  She's Pasionaria!

			SOLDIER TWO
		Oh yeah?  And I'm Greta Garbo!

			SOLDIER ONE
		Show us your fangs!  

They laugh.  The CHILDREN call `Goodbye'.  DOLORES watches them go.

			SOLDIER TWO
		Cheerio!

			EMILIA
		Cheero, lads.  (She takes the BOYS by the hands, for a stroll, turns as DOLORES makes a low sound, between a sigh and a moan.)

		What's up?

			DOLORES
		Nothing.

			EMILIA
		What is it?

			DOLORES
		Nothing.

EMILIA looks at her shrewdly, moves off with the CHILDREN.  DOLORES gazes after the SOLDIERS.

DOLORES sings `My Sons'.

			DOLORES
		My sons...
		Arms - legs - sinews -
		All mine -

		His eyes...
		His eyes are running with blood!
		Son, why are you bleeding?
		My job to bleed, not yours.
		Why are his nails rotting,
		Where is his face?

		"Only a few more weeks, Mother!"
		Can you smell burning?
		The meat is burning, Teresa.
		There's no meat in the house.

		My sons.
		Why is your hair alight?
		Where are your limbs?

		"I'll be on leave soon, Mother,
		Give us a smile."
		This liver is tasty, goes well with the onions.

			DOLORES  (Cont'd)
		Juan?  Juan!  But I saw him -
		There - in the doorway!
		Who put this heart on the table,
		Too small for an oxheart,
		Too big for a lamb.

		My sons -
		Arms - legs - sinews -
		My flesh.

		No-one consulted me.

ACT TWO   SCENE FIVE

The voting box is set up.  PEOPLE enter and vote.

The sound of cheering grows, off.

JESUS enters, a paper in his hand.  He lifts an arm for silence.

			JESUS
		The united parties...(his voice is on tannoy)...of the left...the new, Popular Front......has..this day......been elected to the Cortes......to be the new government of our beloved Spain!

		(Deafening cheers and noise.)

		The results...(He cannot make himself heard for the cheering.  He tries again.)

		The results...of the votes cast...read as follows...

		(Loud cheering and shouting.)

		A hundred and fifty eight Republicans...eighty-eight socialists...seventeen communists...ten others...total...two hundred and seventy-three... (cheers).  Total delegates from the right......two hundred and five!!  (Cheers.)

The sound of shots.  The CROWD run off severally.

ACT TWO   SCENE SIX

Following swiftly.  The inner and outer gates of a prison.

DOLORES enters separately.

			LUIS
		(Kissing DOLORES)  Congratulations!

			JESUS
		Wonderful - wonderful result.  (He shakes them both by the hand.

Intermittent shouting and banging.

			DOLORES
		What's up here?  (She is full of the adrenalin of success.)

			LUIS
		Riot.  Prison Governor's lost control.

			JESUS
		They let us in yesterday -

			LUIS
		We've told them all, they're mostly political, we have to wait for the amnesty -

			DOLORES
		(Yells above the noise)  Can't we do nothing?

			LUIS
		(Laughs, digs her in the ribs, yells)  You're the Dep!

			DOLORES
		What?

			JESUS
		(Smiles)  You're the Deputy.

			DOLORES
		I am.  Right.  Let's have the little man with the wobbly knees in.

LUIS exits, returns with the MAYOR.

			MAYOR
		For God's sake do something, they'll kill us all!

			EMILIA
		Who's this!

			MAYOR
		(Affronted)  I am the Mayor of this city!  Which one of you gentlemen is the Deputy?

			DOLORES
		I'm the Deputy.

The MAYOR gives her a brief, puzzled glance, turns to the MEN.

			DOLORES
		I said - I'm the Deputy.

		Yes.  Me.

			MAYOR
		You?  You're a woman!

			EMILIA
		That's right.

			MAYOR
		But...she's just a peasant woman!

			DOLORES
		That's right.

He gibbers.

			DOLORES
		Now listen.  I want you to call off your civil guard.  And let these men out.

			MAYOR
		What?

			LUIS
		Dolores, I'm afraid you can't -

			DOLORES
		You heard me.  Let them out.

			MAYOR
		(Faint)  On whose authority?

			JESUS
		(To DOLORES)  Dolores, we must be seen to abide by the law.

			DOLORES
		(To the MAYOR)  How many men have you got?

			MAYOR
		Eleven.

			DOLORES
		Armed?

			MAYOR
		Yes.

			DOLORES
		Get them in here.

			JESUS
		Pasionaria...hold on, do consider -

			MAYOR
		Pasionaria?!  (They help him to sit.)

			LUIS
		(Urgent)  Jesus is right.  You've just been elected.  If the first action you're seen to take is breaking the law -

			DOLORES
		(Snarls, turning on him)  Breaking the law?  Listen!!  (As the noise becomes deafening.)  the people of Asturias voted for us on the promise of liberty for all political prisoners.  All right!  We let a few rogues out as well - d'you think that maggot and his whey-faced cowpats are going to hold that gate much longer?  We might as well do the right thing, let them out and get the credit for it!  Where are the keys?

			EMILIA
		Go it, gal!

PRISONERS appear at the inner door, shouting.  TWO GUARDS appear at the outer door, with guns.  DOLORES springs forward.

			DOLORES
		Oh Christ, they're going to shoot...get back!  The bastards are going to shoot!
She leaps the outer gate and climbs in with the PRISONERS.  ONE OF THE GUARDS manhandles, ushers out LUIS, JESUS and EMILIA.  THE MAYOR runs off.

			PRISONERS
		Mind out, gal.  That's it!  (They cheer her.)

			PRISONER ONE
		Out of the way, Pash -

			PRISONER TWO
		We're going to rush the gates!

			DOLORES
		They've got guns!

The PRISONERS rush the inner door, unsuccessfully.  The TWO GUARDS appear with their guns.

			DOLORES
		Christ, they're going to kill us!

The GUARDS stand off.  The PRISONERS subside.

			PRISONER ONE
		You're one of us now, Dolores.

			PRISONER THREE
		She's an old con!

			VOICE
		Pasionaria - Pasionaria, will you come out please?

			DOLORES
		(Calls)  I'll come out when we all come out!

The MEN cheer.

			DOLORES
		My God, I thought they were going to kill the lot of us!

			PRISONER TWO
		Give you a scare, eh?

			DOLORES
		Not half.

			PRISONER THREE
		Is it true then?  Are you in the government?

			DOLORES
		Yes.  Any questions?

			PRISONER TWO
		I don't believe it!  (He whoops, throws his cap in the air.)

			PRISONER ONE
		(To DOLORES, as a challenge)  Now what?

			DOLORES
		(Calls)  Send in the Mayor!

The MAYOR enters, trembling.  They jeer.

			DOLORES
		Well, what's the verdict?

			MAYOR
		No-one has authority to give permission.  The prison governor is willing to convene a meeting -

			DOLORES
		Give me the keys.  As Deputy for Asturias I take full responsibility for the release of all prisoners.

			MAYOR
		I can't.

			DOLORES
		Give me the keys.

			MAYOR
		There are common criminals in there!

			DOLORES
		Too bad.

She holds out her hand.  Pause.  He gives her the keys and she unlocks the door.

Celebration.

ACT TWO   SCENE SEVEN

The PRIME MINISTER at his desk.  A SECRETARY enters.

			SECRETARY
		Prime Minister...His Honour the Deputy from Navarre...Senor Jesus Murillo.

The PRIME MINISTER rises, embraces JESUS.

			JESUS
		Prime Minister, I've urgent news -

			PM
		Coffee?

			JESUS
		No thank you - I'm sorry to bring -

			PM
		You won't mind if I do.  (He rings the bell, the SECRETARY enters.)  Coffee for one, sure you won't change your mind - (the SECRETARY goes.)

			JESUS
		The situation in Navarre is serious.  The area's becoming an armed fortress...guns flooding across the border -

			PM
		Oh come, we've had reports...a few hotheads dragging rifles through the bushes -

			JESUS
		No, these people are disciplined, they're forming private armies.  Everywhere I went I saw drilling, manoeuvres, target practice, all quite open -

			PM
		But that's illegal!

			JESUS
		Foreign licence plates everywhere, arms dealers, Germans swilling beer in the cafes - I tell you, the scum of Europe's flooding in -

			PM
		Navarre's always been a trouble spot -

			JESUS
		It's gone beyond that.  (He places photographs before the PRIME MINISTER.)  There's been widespread intimidation, people beaten up - whole villages have been destroyed -

			PM
		Ye-es, ugly.  We Spanish, we're a passionate people, Jesus - give them a bye-election, feelings run high -

			JESUS
		The whole area is seceding.  Come and see for yourself.

			PM
		Nothing I'd like more.  A trip out of Madrid, away from this desk, you know I envy you chaps -

			JESUS
		Can't I get it into your thick head?  Navarre is in a state of armed resistance!  The Fascists are in control!

			PM
		Now that's enough!  You see Fascists behind every bush, you're as much to blame -

			JESUS
		Read the facts!  The facts!

The PM hits the bell.  The SECRETARY enters with coffee.

			PM
		My dear chap, calm down.

			JESUS
		People are being killed - innocent people!

			PM
		It'll be looked into.  Now Jesus, my old friend, get some rest.

			JESUS
		I am not fatigued, nor am I being hysterical, Prime Minister.  The matter is urgent.

			PM
		Yes, yes, I understand.  I'll look into it.  You're a good fellow, you're all good fellows...rest assured -

			JESUS
		If you will just read the report...the pictures speak for themselves!

			PM
		(Ushering him out)  It'll be attended to.  (He drinks coffee.  SECRETARY places papers before him, one at a time.)  My God...down again?

			SECRETARY
		I'm afraid the money's pouring out of the country.

			PM
		We must make some arrests as an example.  I had to stop my own sister-in-law speculating - what's this?

			SECRETARY
		Telegram, sir.  (He reads) `Valencia Falangists have seized radio station and broadcast the following: `The military forces of the Falange occupy this radio station.  Greetings to our followers and to all patriotic Spaniards everywhere.''

			PM
		Are they still there?

			SECRETARY
		No, they cut the telegraph wires and left.

			PM
		But they can't do that, it's illegal, how are we supposed to get through?

			SECRETARY
		The governor is on the line.  He's asking for instructions.

			PM
		Oh, tell him to play the National Anthem, and broadcast a speech - prank, storm in a teacup, that sort of thing.  And tell him to call for calm...we mustn't inflame the situation whatever happens, that's how trouble starts.

			JESUS
		But -

			PM
		Our job is to keep the peace, not drive ourselves into war!

ACT TWO   SCENE EIGHT

Rival placards and banners carried across the stage.

Enter JESUS and DOLORES.  She hands him a paper.

			JESUS
		(Reads, muttering first, then aloud)...`the political and labour organisation represented by the undersigned offer the government full support...'

			DOLORES
		(Over his shoulder)`...to strengthen the Popular Front, now in danger from enemies of the Republic...signed Santiago Carrillo, José Diaz - what is it?

			JESUS
		`How many divisions has the Pope?'  If it comes to a fight, what have we -

			DOLORES
		But if we stick -
			JESUS
		I know.  (He looks at her sadly.)  At least your children are safe.

			DOLORES
		You think it'll - (she turns away.)  It's true.  I couldn't bear it if -

They stand apart, each deep in thought.  They look at each other briefly, and return to a depressed silence.

			JESUS
		The way I -

Silence.

			DOLORES
		The survival of this Republic...democratically elected, seen by the whole world......its survival affects everything!  

		(Pause.)  You think it's over, don't you?

			JESUS
		What I think...what I want to believe...and what I feel -

			DOLORES
		We're going to win this debate.  We're going to get a full vote of confidence from the House.

But he looks at her, a long look.

			DOLORES
		Even if -

Pause.

			JESUS
		If it came to civil war, I'd kill myself.

			DOLORES
		(Slight pause)  Don't even think about it.  What we've achieved!...our success - it's indelible.  Progress isn't continuous, Jesus, you know that.  It goes in waves...oscillations.  We have to think ahead.  What we do now matters so much - for the future...however things...whatever happens to us...(Pause.)  We have to concentrate on international support, political and financial.  It MUST happen, and there MUST be enough of it - there must!  We've arranged a full press coverage as soon as the debate is over ...exposure...you'll see!  I've got the world's press out there drinking us dry!

She makes him laugh.  He embraces her again and goes.

Alone, DOLORES walks.  Now her own fears invade her.  She pauses, leans, her back against the wall, trying to see the future.

ACT TWO   SCENE NINE

In Parliament.  Available members of the cast as DEPUTIES...ranged separately to indicate party bias.

			SENOR MONTALBAN
		I propose the motion: that the opposition, on behalf of the people of this country, ask the government to explain the reasons for the subversive state in which our beloved Spain now finds herself.

Loud cries of `No' and noises of dissent from the government benches.

			MONTALBAN
		Since the election of the Popular Front, there has been grave and increasing unrest throughout the country.  Strikes...stoppages...whole villages laying down their tools.  There have been repeated clashes with the forces of law and order, deploying valuable manpower and bleeding national resources.  It is not, and it never has been our intention to destroy the Popular Front.  We don't need to.  They are destroying themselves.  (Noise.)

		Yes, you can shout!  Look at them!  What sort of government represents us?  Who speaks in our name?

		We have a government composed of socialists... anarchists...even communists, whose allegiance is not to Spain at all but to a foreign power - to Russia!  And, I might add, what's been happening there recently, eh?  Purges, despotism, destruction!

		My friends, the situation is grave.  The future of our great and historic country is at risk.  Spain falters.

		Until...and unless...we see vital and immediate change, why then I must tell you that this government will preside over the funeral of their democracy in this peninsular.  

Cheers and shouts.  Calls to the PRIME MINISTER to answer.  Reluctantly he rises to his feet.

			PM
		Gentlemen...(he tries to quell the noise)... honourable gentlemen - gentlemen, remember where you are, your courtesy please!  Gentlemen!
He waits for silence.

			PM
		I ask the chamber's forgiveness, but, despite his eminence as a statesman, I must honestly say that I disagree with the Honourable Senor.  There are not many who can match his eloquence...(shouts of agreement)...nonetheless ...nevertheless...I must try to put the situation into perspective.  Spain...is at the crossroads.  We are at the turning of the ways.  The people have voted...(noise begins again)...the people have voted for a government whose only wish is to see the prosperity of every man, woman and child assured.  There is nothing we will not do, no sacrifice we are not prepared to undertake -

			FERNANDEZ
		Oh, sit down!

			PM
		- to ensure the well-being, not of a section, or any one class -

			FERNANDEZ
		Sit down!

A chorus of `Sit down's.  The noise rises, the PRIME MINISTER throws up his hands and sits.  JESUS leans down, whispers to the PRIME MINISTER.  The PRIME MINISTER looks up and back at DOLORES.  She comes down to his side for a brief conversation as the noise becomes deafening.

			FERNANDEZ
		Look what we're up against?  Look at him!  They can't even get men, they're hiding behind women's skirts now - get back behind the counter, and leave government to those bred for it - fit for it!  All right when they were promising the idiot peasantry the moon eh?  Telling them fair shares for all!  They want their manor houses, do they?  Their palaces?  They

			FERNANDEZ  (Cont'd)
		want to live like hidalgos...like dukes...princes -is that it?  Without the wherewithal?

		Well, I'm very sorry.

		I'm sorry to have to tell the people of this country...or of any country come to that...... never mind all the weak and wet do-gooders, and all the coat-tail jackals of the left - you can't have it!  Christmas is over this year!  No free gifts!

		Look at me.

		Look at me.  I'm a self-made man, and proud of it.  Hard work!  Common Sense!  Persistence and sobriety!  That's what made me.  Made me what I am.

		(Cheers from the Right.)

		And Prayer.  And Prayer!  I'm not ashamed to admit, I may be a man but I admit...freely...that every morning I get down on my hands and knees and I give thanks - and ask the odd favour from He who in His Mightiness can award it.  But I don't expect something for nothing.  I expect to Work......Work!  (Noise.)

		What's wrong with it, you lazy buggers?  Better than waiting for handouts...for somebody else to get it for you while you sit on your backsides in envy and idleness.  I had six hundred workers in my factory -

			VOICE
		We know all about your workers, and what you paid them!

			FERNANDEZ
		Six hundred!  Before I gave it all over to my son and came into parliament for a tenth of the income I was making.

		Six hundred wage packets!

			FERNANDEZ  (Cont'd)
		Don't talk to me about work.  I know what I'm talking about. The unions understand me.  We understand each other.  The working man wants work - not interference with his livelihood.  If we go down, he goes down...he understand that ...he's not the fool you think.  Sooner or later it hits the pocket...and people see sense.  They want that wage in their hands from those who can get it for them, no messing.  Promises of fair play - can you buy bread with promises?  This isn't the school playground...people want to eat, they want a roof over their head and pesetas in their pockets.  You talk about a fuller life?  You can talk for the rest of your life, you won't achieve it.  There's only one thing that'll achieve that for you, for me, for any man...... money!  Money!  Payment.  Life costs!

		Back to reality, I say.  Forget the daydreams we've been fed since this liquorice assortment tricked the electorate - sanity is beginning to reign.  The people are realising...even the miners in the north are coming to heel - it's one thing to want to get out of dirty, dangerous work, to want something better for your children...but when the seams start running out -oh dear, help, what's going to happen to our livelihoods, they can't get down there quick enough - they're grateful for anything and so they should be!  So should you all be!  Use your heads!  That's my message to the people of this country.

		We all know what's going to happen next.

		We know what's coming.

		And we know, those of us who have any sense, the necessity for it.

		The Spanish people will not tolerate the continuance of disorder.

		I call upon every man of sanity in this house to vote Yes! to the motion - Law and Order for Spain!

		(Noise.)

			FERNANDEZ  (Cont'd)
		Law and Order will be restored!!

He sits, to cheers and boos.  DOLORES rises.  Silence.

			DOLORES
		(Quietly)  These are manoeuvres.  These manoeuvres by the Right haven't ceased since we took office.

		It wasn't the Popular Front which took a national decision to lower workers' wages.  It was, at the urgent request of the opposition, the industrialists.  It wasn't the Popular Front who set the Civil Guard on starving peasants, who'd see harvests rotting on the stalk rather than negotiate wages - because a settlement meant popularity for this government.  If Senor Robles wants to know why villagers obediently downed tools, I'll tell him.  Because their houses were burnt when they refused.  It wasn't the Popular Front who refused to meet workers' organisations.  Nor was it the Popular Front who sent armed mercenaries to assassinate men of democratic principle...(uproar.  She shouts above it.)

		The good faith of this government is being slandered by the very elements of disorder!

		This government is under attack.

		This government IS the people of Spain.

		It is the people of Spain who are under attack.
		(She waits for quiet.)

		And we are vulnerable.  Oh yes.  The people of Spain, and their government, are truly vulnerable to your depredations.

		Why?

		Because previous, reactionary governments have created such sustained misery for the vast majority of the people of this country that we, the Republican government, have to change everything.

			DOLORES  (Cont'd)
		The land is still in the hands of the few.  It's more economic to farm in large units, we're told ...this is modern method.  But we have nineteen million untouched acres...land left for the sport of the few...what is more, we see when we look abroad at these new, economic ventures, that they overproduce, that they're a mess of glut and subsidy, that there is no sense at all in the way they carry on - except, of course, in terms of greed and exploitation.

		The forests, the fields, the factories...the towns, the villages...all, still, in the hands of the reactionaries.  Whose aim is simple...and united - oh, how they parade their unity!

		To hang on to what they have stolen.  For greed...and for power.

		It is this power that we have to take away.

		Mark my words, we have to take it.

		Leeches won't fall off your back for the asking, rats won't leave for a bow...not even, Senor Casares...(she turns to him with an ironic bow) ...not even if you put on a fancy hat and Squeak for them!  No, you can't expect fleas, lice, leeches, rats not to hang on...it is their nature.

		The people of Spain have a cunning and vicious enemy.  (Noise.)  You think I exaggerate?  Then listen to the talk within these walls...the deals... the `realistic' appraisals.

		The cynicism of the right is total.

		How can that man stand there and sneer at the miners of this country?

		You are talking about people's lives!  He sneers, because faced with starvation, a man begs to crawl underground and cough his lungs out, in order to feed his family.  He sneers...he sneers and he is exultant to have men so cowed.  He calls them `realistic'.

		Do we really believe that we can be fairly governed by such people?
			DOLORES  (Cont'd)
		People who will empty the coffers of Spain if the interest rate is right.  Do you call That Patriotism?

		Oh, but they tell us, let US make the money, we who know how.  Leave it to us, we, the privileged, the educated...what can you do without us?  Where are your schools, your hospitals, your fancy ideas without money?

		What do we see you do with the money you make?

		Never mind what you say...what do we see you DO?

		You eat our flesh, and you drink our blood.

		Not - acceptable.

		You think we want to be like you?

		You are not acceptable.

		You do not believe that everyone has the right to work, to free choice of employment, to just and favourable conditions of work and to protection against unemployment - oh yes, I see you smile!  `If and when WE choose' eh?

		Unacceptable.

		We can't afford you.

		Not while a child on this earth goes hungry.

		Who are the true enemies of this country?  Of any country?

		I say they are those who erode the freedoms of the people.  Those who contemptuously believe that the people can be bullied and bribed into submission...those who believe that the people -the People...have no voice, no rights...no say in their own lives.

		Do you know what I say?

			DOLORES  (Cont'd)
		I say we should imprison those who destroy the livelihoods of others.

		I say we should condemn those who rule only for gain - who believe personal betterment to be  a worthy human aspiration.

		You over there...can you not see that a morality of human decency is our only code for survival?  Without it, how can we survive the weapons of war that threaten to rain down on our heads and obliterate us all?

		These are dangerous times.  No-one can afford to stay indoors, mind his own business.  We must stay alive.  If we do not, who is to blame but ourselves?

		No government is perfect.  Government is people.  We are not perfect.  But, however imperfectly, we, the Popular Front, speak for the people of this country.  All of the people - yes, even you lot.

		What power you stand for.  What couldn't you do for us!

		Instead, you sit there grinning...trying to destroy us.

		On whose behalf?

		By whose authority?

		(She leans forward.)

		Let me ask you this question.

		Who, as representatives paid by the people, are you governing for?

		Who are you governing for?

		WHO ARE YOU GOVERNING FOR?