SIDE 1

EVE

Tell me, Father. Is Cain alive?

FATHER

Cain is alive.

(EVE takes a deep breath and closes her eyes for a moment.)

EVE

And did he find some happiness?

FATHER

He found some happiness.

EVE

Thank you, Father.

FATHER

(softly)

No thanks to me.

EVE

Father?

FATHER

Yes, my daughter?

EVE

(almost angrily)

I've missed you!

(EVE starts to cry.)

FATHER

Don't cry, my child. You have done well. You have borne Seth. A strong new life. In Seth and his family, I place my hope.

EVE

But, Father, what if they disappoint you too? What will you do then?

FATHER

No more questions, daughter Eve. It's time to sleep.

 

END

 

SIDE 2

FATHER

Look! It's called the Tree of Knowledge. And the fruit is very bad for you. You must never, ever, eat it. Understand?

ADAM

It's all right, Father. We won't touch it.

EVE

Why not?

FATHER

Children, if you love me, if you love this family, you will never go near that tree.

ADAM

We promise, Father.

(looks at EVE)

Eve...

EVE

(after a moment)

We promise.

FATHER

Thank you.

EVE

But, Father, if it's bad for us, why did you put it there?

FATHER

(changing the subject)

I know! Let's play a game.

( THE NAMING begins.)

END

 

SIDE 3

ABEL

Papa said you'd forgive us, Grandfather, and take us all back to the garden.

CAIN

We're not going back to the garden, Abel.

ABEL

What?

CAIN

There is no garden. Not for us.

(to FATHER)

Is there?

FATHER

You must have faith in me, Cain.

CAIN

Like my father has faith in you?

(another thought occurs to him)

And why did you come now? To stop us from leaving?

FATHER

I'm here to keep you safe.

CAIN

I don't need you to keep me safe.

 

END

 

SIDE 4

NOAH

Shem and Ham have married, Father.

FATHER

Women from the tribe of Seth?

NOAH

Of course, Father.

FATHER

That is your salvation, Noah. You are perfect in your generations. The blood of your family was never tainted by the race of Cain. But, what of your third son? Japheth?
Have you chosen a wife for him?

NOAH

Yes, Father... Several, actually...

FATHER

He'll only need one.

NOAH

I know, Father, but he refused to marry any of them.

FATHER

Refused?

NOAH

(quickly)

But now he says he's found someone.

FATHER

His father should choose.

NOAH

I will, of course. But I thought... if I chose his choice...?

FATHER

However you do it, choose quickly. Or Japheth must go on the ark alone.

NOAH

I understand.

FATHER

Everything must be perfect.

 

END