Helvetica, an allegory
Act III - the lake
by Susan Weber
SCENE ONE - the chapel
A small chapel on the shore of the turquoise lake. Inside walls seen through arched doorways glow with paintings. Momma sits alone on the dock outside the chapel, facing the audience, dangling her feet over the edge of the stage. The deep vermillion cloak is spread beneath her. She writes in the notebook on her lap, looks up, listens, and writes again.
Momma (reading): We’re at Tell’s Chapel on the shore of the turquoise lake. The legend of Wilhelm Tell is told in paintings. One shows the overlord testing the huntsman’s loyalty; he commands Tell to shoot the apple from his own son’s head. (looking at the paintings) Such anguish in the father’s eyes! (reading) We’ve met no other wanderers on this path.
Momma (looking out): Our Son swims in turquoise water now. (tracking with her eyes a bird’s landing) Husband in the figure of a Gull, you land on weathered post. (listening to Gull) I know you miss us too. (a pause, then reading) Across the lake, a glinting granite cliff rises from the water to the clouds. There we stood with bold Helvetia. (to Gull) She had me see what I was missing. Is joy then the antidote to fear? (a pause, then smiling) Look, our Son swims close. Will you greet him? (listening to Gull) Of course, you have already! (shielding her eyes to track Gull’s departure) Thank you for your infinite perspective!
Son emerges from the water, his cloak dripping. He lies panting on the dock, looking up to follow Gull’s flight.
Momma: How was your swim?
Son: Like floating in a bowl of emerald mountains (tracing the peaks with his hands).
Momma: Where’s your frog companion?
Son (standing now, reaching for his boots): The last time I saw him he was guarding the nettles, warning me away with tiny hops. That creature is an expert on the tragedies and joys two inches from the ground.
As they depart, Son continues to share facts he’s learned.
Son: Did you know that Edelweiss only grows high up in the Alps? ‘Edel’ means noble and ‘weiss’ means white. The Latin name for Edelweis means Lion’s Paw…
SCENE TWO - the tunnel
From a highway cut into the side of the mountain, the pilgrims enter a tunnel.
Momma: Where are all the travelers—avelers—avelers?
Son: Why are we alone—alone—alone?
Nearing the exit, Momma takes apples from her pack. She hands one to Son while biting into hers. He puts the apple on his head and teeters toward the light.
Son: I’m the son of Tell—Tell—Telll!
An arrow whizzes through the air, whipping the apple from Son’s head.
Son (brushing his hair back): What the—?
Momma (scrambling after the apple): Look, an arrow through it!
As they emerge from the tunnel, a shirtless man with a crossbow in his hand and a quiver of arrows across his back rushes toward them. His copper colored beard is full, his pale eyes bright. He speaks in gestures and yodels.
Tell (gesturing): Yodel, yodel, yodel.
Son: William Tell Junior! But you should be long dead!
Momma: You understand him?
Son: Momma—wait—he tells us more.
Tell: Yodel, yodel, yodel.
Son: You guard the tunnel and the path beyond we’ve walked this day, closed since yesterday?
Tell: Yodel, yodel, yodel.
Son: Avalanches—here? White rocks pummeling the water! We saw no sign of it.
Tell: Yodel, yodel, yodel.
Son: Never mind the apple! You thought the tunnel would be clear.
Tell: Yodel, yodel, yodel.
Son (to Momma): He was training with his father’s bow. (to Tell) Lives your fabled father still?
Tell: Yodel, yodel, yodel.
Son: You have my deepest sympathy. Tell us of the man.
Tell: Yodel, yodel, yodel.
Son (to Momma): His legendary father’s skill inflamed the overlord. Hence the cruel command. (turning to Tell) Did not the father tremble for his dear son’s life? Were you frightened when the marksman aimed his bow?
Tell: Yodel, yodel, yodel.
Son (to Momma): The father’s love steadied his aim. His calmness steadied the son. (to Tell) How do you carry on without him?
Tell: Yodel, yodel, yodel.
Son: I understand, brother. Words fail to hold such sorrow.
Tell: Yodel, yodel, yodel.
Son: Thank you, too, for your good will. No harm is done! Farewell.
Locking arms, each one grips the other’s elbow. Tell takes his place before the tunnel yodeling them on their way.
SCENE THREE - the dock
The turquoise lake is seen beyond the dock. On a wide wood bench the pilgrims shed their packs.
Son: From here we’ll see the boat approaching.
Momma: I’m wondering, how did you understand the yodeler?
Son: It’s a longtime tradition in the mountains. I am well-versed. (after a pause) Are you glad we came to the turquoise lake?
Momma: At first every mountain was foreboding. With time I’ve noticed more. Peaks are worn by the weather like human faces worn by the years. I find wisdom in their countenance. And you?
Son: From the sky a mountain is a mystery. But here below I meet each one as an old, new friend. I will come to know them better over time.
Momma: As for our heritage, are you disappointed?
Son: If our forebears lived in a castle of the commoners, I am well content.
Momma: You and your Rütli compatriots.
Son: And yours. Here comes the boat.
With a low droning sound the boat approaches. Passengers along the railings represent a range of skin-tones and cultures, with lions, goatherds, sheep whisperers, and huntsmen among them. Uniformed crew members—of Asian, Indian, African, and European descent—work seamlessly together. They throw ropes around posts to pull the boat to dock. They swing the gate open and extend the gang plank. With a light wind swirling their cloaks, the pilgrims stand. A lone gull flies overhead. Cowbells sound in the distance.
END
Photo Susan Weber CC BY-SA 4.0