TUNNELS/Dearden Walt J.: (Interrupting.) I think we should stay and wait for the train. Mary: I'll go. (Starts for the stairs.) Ralph: Mary, you stay here. I'm not having you run around a subway station alone at this time of night. You should know better than that. Mary: But this is a sort of emergency. I'll only be a minute. Ralph: No, you won't. You're staying here. I'll go up. Mary: (Sarcastically.) And leave me alone with all of these strangers? You're not very consistent, dear. Joe: Never mind. Just keep an eye on her. I'll be right back. (Runs up the stairs and disappears. The others stand or sit in silence. After a few moments, a distant rumble announces the approach of a train. Several of them go up to the platform and peer along the tracks to see if they can see the light from the train.) Mary: We really should go if we can or we'll never get home tonight. I hope that man gets back down here before the train comes. Ralph: Can any of the rest of you stay here with the girl for a while? (Looks at each of them. With the exception of the old man, they ignore him. The old man sets his paper down, meets Ralph's gaze, and speaks.) Old Man: I'll stay with her. I've got nothing else to do. (The sound of the train gets louder and louder as it approaches the station. There is a screech and a rumble as the train actually never seen by the audience pulls into the station and stops. All but the girl and the old man walk towards the edge of the platform to board the train. Ralph and Mary hesitate, look at the girl, at each other, and then advance to the train. The others don't even look back. The stage lights immediately dim, leaving the entire theatre in blackness. As the lights gradually come back up, the curtains have been closed.) AUTUMN/Sue Snowball Hide in the rain Feel your cold skin and cry Wear the black sacking And bind your feet, So those you hate Will see you as a cripple. But the sun still shines Your skin is warm and smooth Your dress is gold as grain And your feet can run, Run to those you love And love you in return. 16 THE CITY THAT LIES BELOW BIG RED MOUNTAIN/Lynn Smith Running, laughing, playing Innocents ever exploring the wonders of God, Searching, seeking through green fields of wonder Always questing these Wonders of God. Clouds move over big Red Mountain Steel plants belch into the air. Birmingham, the Magic City, views herself with skin so fair. This struggling child of Reconstruction breathes in darkened, soot filled air. The people seek their sheltered churches Fathomless faces that give no sign The godless shells that house dead spirits listen as the preacher cries: THOU SHALT LOVE! But what of this (my pure white brethren): Thou shalt not hate. Sixteenth Baptist, this Ides of September Shelters its brethren the Dark Ones of God. Come unto God, fair black young daughters, Cynthia, Addie, Carol, Denise. The four hundred churches erected for white Man have no place for you. The twisted Hosannahs and cries "Oh, my God!" The people are running this fine Sunday morn. The bodies lie shattered, flower petals flung wanton, Tear furrowed faces kiss closed the dead lips. Four no more run, never laugh, never wonder Blood drenched flowers find the darkness of God. A reward! A reward! Three thousand dollars. Fathomless faces cry out revenge? It is salve for the Conscience of this Magic City Below big Red Mountain the people are dying. 17