JOSHUA: I’m what you call a “born again”—once in Christ by a coal-company preacher in the muddy waters of the Shillin’, and once in the Union in a river of blood.
Mary Anne stands at the highest part of the stage, framed between Abe and Mother Jones. She raises her arms to Joshua—a blessing, a commandment—and shouts to the world.
MARY ANNE: UNION!
Blackout.
WHICH SIDE
ARE YOU ON?
Which side are you on, brother,
Which side are you on?
—FLORENCE REESE
CHARACTERS
JOSHUA ROWEN age forty-four, president of United Mine Workers District 16
MARGARET ROWEN Joshua’s wife
SCOTTY ROWEN Joshua’s son
JAMES TALBERT WINSTON age forty-three, owner of Blue Star Mining Company
FRANKLIN BIGGS age forty-four, a successful businessman, owner of Biggs and Son Liquor
LANA TOLLER Joshua’s secretary
STUCKY head of security, District 16
RAY BLANKO sheriff of Howsen County
CALVIN HAYES, MIKE, CHUCK, GREG, RICK District 16 local presidents
BOB SMALLEY a security guard at the Blue Star mine
UNEMPLOYED MINERS and THEIR FAMILIES; PARTY GUESTS; MEN IN THE BAR; PHOTOGRAPHERS and PRESS
NARRATOR: Which Side Are You On?
It is thirty-four years later—November 1954. Howsen County, Kentucky, in and around the United Mine Workers Union Hall near the Blue Star Mine.
Which Side Are You On?
Hanging in the shadows of the background upstage like dusty ghosts are the strike banners from the end of the previous play. Behind them, and still looming over the set, is the coal tipple. It is early November, 1954, in Howsen County. Darkness. The stage is filled with MEN and WOMEN. Standing on the highest point of the set upstage is JOSHUA ROWEN, now a large, charismatic man in his mid-forties. He wears a windbreaker and holds a Styrofoam cup of coffee in one hand. A large CROWD of unemployed miners and their families looks up at him hopefully.
JOSHUA: I appreciate the chance to come down here and visit with y’all. This local and the people in it have always had a special place in my heart. Now, I’m not gonna stand up here and tell you somethin’ that ain’t so just to make ya feel good. Too many of you men have had to make that long walk home with a pink slip in your hands and face the wife and kids. There ain’t no question what with the coal slump and the layoffs that these are hard times in Howsen County, but I want you to remember somethin’: if we all stick together and tough it out, we’ll get through this.
I remember another hard time around here, some thirty years ago. We’d gone out on strike for the first time and the Company had kicked us outta our homes. We were cold and hungry and we didn’t worry so much about whether we were ever gonna get our jobs back . . . we worried about whether the Company was gonna murder us while we slept. I was ten years old, and I don’t mind tellin’ you I was scared. And then one night, this organizer name of Abe Steinman said somethin’ to me that I have never forgotten. He told me to look at all the people gathered around me, like one big family, and he said, “Joshua, family ain’t just your own kin now. It’s everybody there is, everybody there ever was, everybody there ever will be. That’s your family now. That’s Union.” We’ll get through this, ’cause we got each other. We got the Union. Union! Union! Union!
The Crowd begins to chant with him, louder and louder. The sound is picked up and echoed on tape until the chant is deafening. It cuts off. The Crowd clears the stage, leaving Joshua isolated in his spot and revealing MARGARET ROWEN, Joshua’s wife, in an armchair center stage.
SCENE ONE
The Rowen house. Margaret has fallen asleep, glass in hand, in front of the TV set. The station’s daily broadcast finished, the TV plays “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
SCOTTY ROWEN walks onstage, dressed in a Marine Corps uniform and carrying a duffel bag. Beat. He turns off the TV. He takes the glass out of Margaret’s hand and puts it on the table.
MARGARET: Joshua?
The spot on Joshua fades out.
SCOTTY: No, Mama, it’s me.
MARGARET: Scotty? Is that you, baby? Oh, Scotty!
She gets up and hugs him fiercely.
Let me look at ya! Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes! Scotty, Scotty, Scotty. Why, honey, you’re so thin—you’re nothin’ but skin and bones! Didn’t they feed you over there? Here, let me get ya somethin’ to eat.
SCOTTY: That’s okay, Mama, I ain’t hungry.
MARGARET: I can just scramble you some eggs or somethin’, it’s no problem.
SCOTTY: No, really, I gotta sandwich at the bus station.
MARGARET: That’s not eatin’. We oughta have a drink, that’s what! That’s what we oughta do—we oughta celebrate! I had a glass here somewheres. . . .
SCOTTY: That’s okay, Mama.
MARGARET: You’re not gonna make me drink alone now, are you? Not on your homecomin’! (She pours two drinks.) That’s better. “Hail to the conquering hero!” . . . Oh my, this place is such a mess. Look at me—who’s talkin’, right?
SCOTTY: You look fine, Mama. You look beautiful.
MARGARET: Lord love you for a liar. We didn’t expect you back till tomorrow.
SCOTTY: They cut me loose twenty-four hours early. . . .
MARGARET: Nothin’s ready. I was gettin’ your room all painted. . . .
SCOTTY: That’s okay—I’ll just sleep down here on the couch.
MARGARET: Well, you’ll have to fight your father for that honor. . . . I’m so restless these nights, Joshua claims he can’t get any sleep. Says it’s like “tryin’ to sleep in a coal car”! ’Sides, he gets in so late, usually.
SCOTTY: Where is Dad?
MARGARET: Oh, you know, makin’ a speech somewheres. “Union business.” What else is new, huh?
SCOTTY: How is he?
MARGARET: Fine. Now, I don’t wanta talk about your daddy, I wanta talk about you. How are you? Really.
SCOTTY: I’m fine. Really.
MARGARET: The news is always full of such terrible stories. Last month, Life magazine had a whole series of pictures. Awful. Just awful. It’s around here somewheres. Lemme see. . . .
SCOTTY: Mama . . .
MARGARET: He’s probably taken’em to the office or somethin’. It just makes me so mad when he does that.
SCOTTY: I don’t need to see any pictures!
Beat.
MARGARET: Sure. I was just . . .
SCOTTY: I know.
MARGARET: I mean, if you don’t wanta talk about it, you don’t have to.
SCOTTY: I don’t wanta talk about it.
MARGARET: Okay. But if you do . . .
SCOTTY: If I do, I’ll let you know.
MARGARET: Okay. Josh says you’re gonna go to work down there.
SCOTTY: District field rep.
MARGARET: They’re s’posed to make the announcement at that big party tomorrow night. . . . Did you know about the party, or was that supposed to be a surprise? Oh no—please don’t tell Joshua I let the cat outta the bag or he’ll be so disappointed! You know how disappointed he gets.
SCOTTY: No, it’s all right, I know about the party.
MARGARET: Oh, thank God! You want another drink?
SCOTTY: That’s okay.
MARGARET: I’m so glad you’re here, son. Scotty, Scotty. Scotty. Everything’s gonna be fine now!
She hugs him again.
You sure you wanta go to work right away? Maybe you oughta take a couple of days off, see your friends. I know a certain Becky Thompson who’d love to see you.
SCOTTY: No, I’m really . . .
MARGARET: Listen to me talk. I’ll go fix you those eggs. You want some toast maybe?
She
goes offstage.
SCOTTY: No, that’s okay, I’m not hungry, I . . . Actually, I’m really lookin’ forward to it, goin’ to work.
MARGARET (returning): The important thing is you’re home. Safe and sound.
SCENE TWO
Light shift. It is one night later. Tbe Union Hall for District 16. A crowd of men and women enter, singing “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.” Present are JAMES TALBERT WINSTON, FRANKLIN BIGGS, RAY BLANKO, LANA, STUCKY, CALVIN HAYES, and various guests. Joshua stands proudly next to Scotty. Applause. Joshua gestures for quiet.
JOSHUA (struggling with his emotions): I wanta thank you all, from the bottom of my heart, for bein’ here tonight to help celebrate Scotty’s return. I got a list of commendations here long as my arm, but I’m not gonna embarrass him with it except to say, “Scotty, you done us proud!” And now, Scotty has decided . . . I promised myself I wasn’t gonna do this . . . Scotty has decided to take his place alongside me here in the UMW!
Applause.
Margaret and I are so proud of you, son, I can’t begin to tell you. I know she wishes she could be here tonight. She’s feelin’ a little under the weather, but I know Margaret joins all of us in welcoming the new field representative for District 16, Scotty Rowen!
Joshua takes a gold watch out of his pocket.
There’s somebody else who couldn’t be here tonight, although I’m sure she’s here in spirit: my mother, the “Mother Jones of Howsen County,” Mary Anne Rowen. Y’all know this watch. You know the story of how it was all she had left from her daddy and how she sold it to buy the guns that made this Union possible. And you know that I have carried it next to my heart since the day she died, but now I think it’s time to pass the torch.
SCOTTY: Dad . . .
JOSHUA: No, I think you should have it. Please. ’Sides, you’re gonna need somethin’ to keep you on time, ’cause if the field rep keeps the men waitin’, they’ll have you for breakfast—somewhere between the grits and the bituminous coal operators!
Laughter, applause.
Speaking of the BCOA, James Talbert Winston, the owner of the Blue Star Mines. James . . . ?
James, a tall, patrician-looking man, steps forward.
JAMES: Usually when I get invited to a Union function, it winds up costin’ me a lot of money, but I wouldn’t have missed tonight for anythin’ in the world. This country owes you a debt of gratitude, Scotty, for fighting the good fight against communism over there in Korea. We’re proud of you, son.
JOSHUA: I got an old family friend here—Franklin Biggs! Come on, Franklin. Come on . . . !
Franklin, an expensively if conservatively dressed black businessman, steps forward.
FRANKLIN: Scotty, it seems just like yesterday that you and my Jefferson were runnin’ around and gettin’ into trouble and here you are, back from the service and Jefferson, he’s just goin’ in, and I think . . . Josh, where the hell did the time go?
Laughter. He pulls out a pint flask.
Anyway. Scotty, here’s a little somethin’, a taste of Biggs and Son “original recipe” to welcome you home. Welcome home, Scotty!
Applause.
JOSHUA: Now, how ’bout we hear from the guest of honor?
CROWD: Speech! Speech! Speech! etc.
SCOTTY: I wanta thank you all, especially my dad and my mom, for this great party. I used to dream about . . . bein’ home, and now that I am, it . . . still feels a little like a dream. I know I got big shoes to fill, but I’m not afraid of a little hard work. I’m lookin’ forward to workin’ for the United Mine Workers of America, the greatest labor organization in the history of the world, and I intend to do the best damn job I can!
Applause.
JOSHUA: Hey, Lana, haven’t we got some cake or somethin’?
LANA: Comin’ up!
JOSHUA: Ladies and gentlemen, the smokin’ lamp is lit!
He hugs Scotty.
I’m so damn proud of you!
SCOTTY: Thanks, Dad.
JOSHUA: Stucky! Get this man a drink, will ya?
STUCKY: Yes sir!
JOSHUA: I’ll be back in a minute. James!
Joshua moves toward James. Franklin catches Lana.
FRANKLIN: What did Josh say?
LANA: He said he’d arrange it.
FRANKLIN: Thanks, Lana.
STUCKY: Here’s your drink, Scotty. God, it’s good to have you back. Gonna be huntin’ season soon—you wanta get out some weekend, you let me know.
Stucky and Scotty turn upstage. Joshua and James turn downstage.
JOSHUA: We need to talk about the contract.
JAMES: Do we?
JOSHUA: Ten o’clock tomorrow night, here.
Lana comes in with a cake with candles. The group begins to clap rythmically. Scotty blows out the candles. Cheers. Calvin picks up his guitar and starts a bluegrass number. People join in, clapping and singing. Scotty laughs.
Joshua stands close to Lana, his band casually on her shoulder. Scotty notices. He looks away. The lights fade down to a single spot on Joshua.
SCENE THREE
The Union Hall, one night later. Joshua is alone onstage, contract in hand. Lana enters.
JOSHUA: Hey.
LANA: Hey. I thought you might still be here. I got you a sandwich and some coffee.
JOSHUA: Thanks.
LANA: You know, just starin’ at that contract ain’t gonna make it any better.
JOSHUA: No, I guess not. (Indicating the sandwich:) Where’d you get this?
LANA: New place in Morgan.
JOSHUA: What happened to Jack’s?
LANA: Outta business.
JOSHUA: Everything’s changin’, innit?
LANA: I guess. (Beat.) Well, I’ll see you tomorrow.
JOSHUA: I’m gonna be late here, but . . . if you wouldn’t mind the comp’ny . . . ?
LANA: I’ll leave the porch light on.
JOSHUA: Okay.
LANA: Josh. It’s a good thing . . . what you’re doin’ for Franklin.
JOSHUA: No problem.
LANA: Thanks.
As Lana exits, James comes in.
Evenin’.
James nods, watches her leave.
JAMES: Attractive girl.
JOSHUA: You’re late.
JAMES: Enjoyed the party last night, Josh. Margaret feelin’ any better?
JOSHUA: Cut the crap, James. I may have to do this but I don’t have to like it. Let’s just get to it.
JAMES: You gotta complaint about the contract?
JOSHUA: We’re gonna have big problems with this new round of layoffs.
JAMES: We all had to give a little, Joshua, and it seems to me, all things considered, that you fellas did pretty well: wage increases, travel time, coal royalty. You been talkin’ about a hospital here in Howsen County for years. With those royalties, now you can do it.
JOSHUA: That’s just sugar coatin’. I don’t know what Washington was thinkin’ when they agreed to these numbers.
JAMES: I imagine they were thinkin’ we’re in the middle of a recession and it’s important to work together. This is all part of John L.’s new “spirit of co-operation” in the industry.
JOSHUA: Yeah? Well, when I present this to the rank and file there’s no tellin’ what they’ll do.
JAMES: The number of layoffs in that contract is nonnegotiable.
JOSHUA: Nothing is nonnegotiable. I want a thirty percent reduction in the layoffs, and I want’em staggered out over the length of the contract.
James laughs and begins to sing.
JAMES: “Beautiful dreamer, wake unto me . . .”
Franklin walks in. Beat.
FRANKLIN: Evenin’, Joshua. Mr. Winston.
JAMES: You expectin’ company, Joshua?
JOSHUA: F
ranklin’s people are pretty worried about these layoffs too.
FRANKLIN: These layoffs always seem to be kinda “selective,” Mr. Winston, you know what I mean? So, my people got together ’n asked me to step forward here, try to work somethin’ out.
JOSHUA: I explained to Franklin that who gets laid off is management’s call and that maybe he oughta speak to you about it . . . ’fore things get outta hand.
JAMES: You’re very generous with my time, Joshua. I can’t help you, Mr. Biggs. Much as I’d like to. It’s not that I have anything against the coloreds, but let’s face it, the men are happier workin’ with their own kind. I’m just respectin’ the wishes of the community here.
FRANKLIN: Yes sir, community is sure important, I know that. You take my community now—people on the East Side are hurtin’ real bad, gettin’ so’s I don’t know what they might do.
Beat.
JAMES: Is this supposed to be a threat of some kind?
FRANKLIN: No sir, I wouldn’t dream of that.
JOSHUA: What Franklin and I are sayin’ is, much as we’d like to promise you labor peace, we can’t guarantee it . . . not the way this thing stands right now. We could be lookin’ at wildcat strikes in every local in the district . . . wouldn’t be a damn thing we could do about it.
FRANKLIN: So, I’m just wonderin’, when you get down to it, how important are those “wishes of the community”? Really.
Beat.
JAMES: Well, everything’s relative, of course.
FRANKLIN: I was sure we could work somethin’ out.
JAMES: I haven’t agreed to anything yet.
FRANKLIN: I just want the same thing Joshua wants—
JOSHUA: We want the layoffs reduced and staggered out.
FRANKLIN: —but I want’em on seniority, not color.
JAMES: I could maybe . . . reduce the layoffs by ten percent . . . staggered out over the first year of the contract. On seniority.
JOSHUA: Thirty percent.
JAMES: I can’t do any better’n ten.
JOSHUA: Twenty. Over the whole contract.
JAMES: Fifteen, over two years—but I get your word, both of you: no walkouts and no slowdowns. The coal never stops.
The Kentucky Cycle Page 18