DAN:

[Seeing Rob in the loft.] Hey, Rob, what are you doing up there? Hey, breakfast should be ready soon. Shouldnt you be in the house.

ROB:

I came to get a book.

DAN:

[Climbs up the ladder to the loft.] What are you reading there, buddy?

ROB:

I like this one. It has lots of pictures.

DAN:

"The Story of the Three Little Pigs."

ROB:

The wolfs trying to get in.

DAN:

Yeah. Well, if he does, hes going to eat like a king. [Climbs down the ladder.] Nick says your mas coming home today. You must be excited.

ROB:

Yeah.

DAN:

Yeah, me, too. Shes only been gone a day, but it just doesnt seem the same without her. Coals are out. Im going to have to restart the fire.

ROB:

[Looking at a picture of the wolf climbing down the chimney.] Make sure its a big fire.

DAN:

All right.

FRANZ:

Tommy. Tommy, slow down. Nat, what are you doing.

NAT:

Making breakfast.

NAN:

Oh, and Im going to make dinner tonight, Franz. What would you rather have? Chicken or stew.

FRANZ:

Asia left specific instructions that, while she was away, cooking was to be done either by an adult or with an adult in attendance.

NAN:

Fine, then. You can help me. What do you want? Stew or chicken? Chicken.

DAN:

[To Rob.] Come on. Are you hungry?

FRANZ:

Dan, did you check the stove in the schoolroom?

DAN:

I just did it. [To Nat.] What is that?

NAT:

Eggs. Want some?

FRANZ:

Were the coals hot? You know how long it takes for the school room to heat up once its cold.

DAN:

Franz, the coals are hot. And why do I have to bank the fire always.

FRANZ:

Cause youre the only one who didnt follow my instructions on the state capital assignment. Maybe you should stop talking in class and start listening. Maybe then you wouldnt be assigned so many chores.

NICK:

[Entering.] Im headed into town. Jo asked me to pick up a few things while Asias away. Did you need anything?

FRANZ:

My sanity.

NAT:

Excuse me.

NICK:

Breakfast?

FRANZ:

Anarchy. Im glad Asias gone to visit her friend this week, but Im starting to wonder if the house will still be standing when she gets back. Aunt Jos not staying away the whole week, is she?

NICK:

Nah. Just overnight. She said shes start back first thing this morning. Should be home around noon.

FRANZ:

Thats a relief.

NICK:

Whoa, hold it there, Nan. Where do you think youre going with that?

NAN:

[Preparing to leave with an axe in her hand.] Oh, Im gonna go kill a chicken for dinner.

NICK:

What do you say we let Mrs. Jo decide whats for dinner? Okay?

FRANZ:

Lets hope she gets home soon.

JO:

Whoa! Whoa, Marty! Whoa!

NICK:

I also need two sacks of flour. [Mr. Gerson is busy listening to the telegraph.] Hello? Sir?

MR. G.:

Over by the wall.

NICK:

Is everything all right?

MR. G.:

A telegraph just came from the sheriff up in Greenfield. Folks, can I have your attention, please. I just got word from Greenfield. Theyve been hit by a big storm and its heading east. Now, Ill alert Sheriff Berkley. You best be spreading the word as well.

NICK:

How bad is it?

MR. G.:

Quite severe, Im afraid. Four people been killed.

NICK:

I need a can of lantern oil. I also need a couple boxes of candles, and buckets. However many you got.

FRANZ:

When a story has a deeper meaning than what we see on the surface, we call it an allegory. For example, in The Pilgrims Progress which we read a month ago. When the lead character, Christian, is trying to escape the bog, the bog represents lifes hardships and distractions.

DAN:

[To Nat.] Like school.

FRANZ:

Can anyone give me an example of another allegory? Dan?

DAN:

What?

FRANZ:

An allegory.

DAN:

You got me, Franz.

FRANZ:

Come on, Dan, give it some thought. Think of a story youve read that represents a deeper meaning.

DAN:

The Three Little Pigs?

FRANZ:

Now, how is it an allegory.

DAN:

The pigs represent people.

FRANZ:

Thats right. What kind of people?

DAN:

I dont know. Fat people?

FRANZ:

No, the first two pigs represent lazy people who would rather play than work.

NICK:

[Enters schoolroom.] Sorry for the interruption, Franz. Is Mrs. Jo back yet?

FRANZ:

No.

NICK:

Shes not?

FRANZ:

Is something wrong.

NICK:

Theres a storm coming in. Im afraid were gonna have to cut school short today. [To the children.] Come on, you guys. Weve got a lot of work to do before it hits. [Children exit.]

FRANZ:

Maybe she got held up, or maybe she decided to stay another day. How long before the storm hits.

NICK:

Its hard to tell. Within a day or so.

FRANZ:

Well, I hope she gets home before then.

JO:

Hello? Hello!

NICK:

Emil, start filling these buckets with water. Dump em in the bathtub, then refill em.

EMIL:

Why?

NICK:

We need to get as much water as we can in case the well freezes.

EMIL:

Okay.

FRANZ:

The weather vanes turning to the northwest.

NICK:

Nat? Nat.

NAT:

Yeah.

NICK:

As soon as youre done here, I want you to help Dan pitch hay for the animals.

NAT:

Right.

NICK:

Tommy, start hauling all the firewood into the house.

TOMMY:

The whole pile?

NICK:

As much as you can carry. Im gonna be choppin more, so get to it. Stuffy, Nat, I want you to make sure all the flews in the chimneys are clear and make sure the -

TOMMY:

Thats Marty.

NAT:

What happened?

NAN:

Wheres Mrs. Jo?

DAN:

I wanna go with you.

NICK:

Youre stayin here.

DAN:

What if somethings happened to Mrs. Jo?

NICK:

Ill find her, Dan. Dont worry, but I need you here at Plumfield to get things ready for the storm. The animals need feed and hay. More wood needs to be chopped. Well make it back before the storm hits.

DAN:

But what if you dont?

NICK:

Just make sure the house is secure and it should be all right. Wood and water, get as much of it as you can. Go easy on the food. Try to make it last. Dan, some of the younger kids might get scared. Its important you keep em calm. Stay together, stay warm and you should be fine. All right?

DAN:

All right.

NICK:

See you soon. [Nick leaves on his white horse.]

DAN:

All right. Keep that pump going. Get some of those buckets filled. All right, thats good.

JO:

Where am I?

LUCIUS:

My cabin.

JO:

Who are you?

LUCIUS:

[Tending to the fire and the pot which hangs over the flames.] Lucius Potter.

JO:

Im Jo Bhaer. You must be the man I heard in the woods. The gunshots. Thank you for helping me. [Jo tries to get up, but she is unable to put any weight on her foot.] Oh! My ankle.

LUCIUS:

It was swelling so I wrapped it. I dont think its broken.

JO:

I guess I was thrown from my carriage. My horse must have been spooked from the gunshots. My head hurts.

LUCIUS:

No doubt. The stews almost ready.

JO:

Will you be able to take me into Concord?

LUCIUS:

I dont get into town much.

JO:

I could pay you. Im sure my family is very worried.

LUCIUS:

Well, lets eat first. Then Ill take you.

DAN:

Emil, stack those snowshoes to get em ready. And keep filling that tub, Nat.

NAT:

How long do you think this storms gonna last?

DAN:

I dont know but we better prepare for the worst.

BESS:

What do you mean "the worst"?

EMIL:

Last year there was a storm that blew off half the barn roof. Two of the animals froze to death.

NAT:

Hey, Dan, do you think Mrs. Jo and Nick will be back before the storm?

DAN:

Yeah, I think so, but if theyre not, they know what to do. They can take care of themselves. So can we, but were gonna need some more firewood so Im gonna go in the woods and haul us back another log.

FRANZ:

Youre not going in the woods, Dan.

DAN:

We need some more firewood, Franz. You heard what Nick said.

FRANZ:

Im sure we have enough to weather the storm. Besides, its going to be dark soon.

DAN:

And Ill be back before then.

FRANZ:

And I dont want you getting lost.

DAN:

I know my way around these woods, Franz. Ill be back before you know it.

FRANZ:

No. No one is to leave the Plumfield grounds until the storm is safely passed. Understood?

JO:

Beautiful carvings. Did you make them yourself.

LUCIUS:

Ive never heard of a woman name Jo before.

JO:

Oh, its short for Josephine.

LUCIUS:

And the last name: Bhaer. Like the animal?

JO:

No. Its spelled B-H-A-E-R. Its German. It just sounds like "bear". Actually, I have quite an affection for bears as a result. I collect all sorts of trinkets. [Beat.] So, do you live here alone? [Beat. Jo looks around and sees a photo on the hearth.] Is that your family?

LUCIUS:

Wife and daughter. Wife died in 49. Daughter got married in 64 and moved to Boston. [Lucius hands the photo to Jo.]

JO:

Any grandchildren?

LUCIUS:

I dont know.

JO:

Dont you see her?

LUCIUS:

No need to.

JO:

But shes your daughter.

LUCIUS:

That she is.

JO:

Did she make you the quilt.

LUCIUS:

Made it for my birthday.

JO:

Its beautiful. It must have taken quite some time.

LUCIUS:

Two months. Made it without me ever knowing about it.

JO:

She must love you very much.

FRANZ:

Have either of you seen Dan?

NAT:

I havent.

FRANZ:

Ive been looking everywhere for him.

NAN:

Oh, the last I heard he was heading over to the barn to pitch hay.

FRANZ:

No, I just checked the barn. Hes not in there. If you see him, tell him I want to speak with him.

NAT:

Sure. [Franz exits.]

NAN:

Where do you suppose he went?

NAT:

I dont know, but nows not the time to be breaking the rules.

LUCIUS:

Im afraid I cant take you into town. The storms kicking up. Itll be all right. Weve got enough food and wood.

JO:

Im just concerned because my family, they were expecting me back by now.

LUCIUS:

And theyll probably figure you just got caught in the storm and took shelter in someones home along the way. Youve got to be careful along the road. Lots of prowlers steal innocent women blind, leave em for dead.

JO:

Your wife?

LUCIUS:

My daughter and her went riding into town and two men robbed em and shot em. My daughter lived I havent been into town since. Gotta keep watch out here. Protect whats mine.

JO:

You havent been into town since then?

LUCIUS:

I dont care much for people.

JO:

You cared enough to help me. For that, Im very grateful.

NAT:

Dan!

FRANZ:

Where were you?

DAN:

I was gettin wood. What does it look like?

FRANZ:

You were supposed to stay at Plumfield.

DAN:

I said Id be back before the storm hits and I am.

FRANZ:

Thats not the point, Dan. You deliberately disobeyed me.

DAN:

The wood we have aint gonna last us through the storm. We needed more.

FRANZ:

We have plenty of wood. Look, Dan, Im supposed to take care of everyone. If something were to happen to you out there, I wouldnt have been able to -

DAN:

But nothing did, Franz! Just admit it: you were wrong and I was right, which is why weve got enough firewood to last us for days. [To the horse.] Come on. [He exits.]

FRANZ:

All right, guys, back to work.

JO:

Oh, it needed some mending. I though Id make myself useful. I hope you dont mind.

LUCIUS:

Thats very kind of you.

JO:

I made some coffee, too.

LUCIUS:

Smells good. I dont make coffee very often. I dont cook much of anything except stew. Ill have a cup as soon as I get some more wood.

JO:

Whats wrong?

LUCIUS:

Theres somebody out there. Stay here.

LUCIUS:

Stop right there!

NICK:

Dont shoot! [Nick raises his arms.]

LUCIUS:

Im warning you!

NICK:

Im lookin for a woman!

JO:

Whats going on? Whats going on?

LUCIUS:

Stay back!

JO:

[Recognizing the man on the ground.] Nick!

JO:

[To Nick.] Move your hands away. Move your hands away. Come on, honey.

NICK:

Ah!

LUCIUS:

I thought he was a prowler. I told him to stop but he just kept coming.

NICK:

I couldnt hear you. Didnt you see me raise my hands.

JO:

It looks the bullets gone straight through. Were going to need to stop the bleeding. I need some fresh water and clean cloths. Dont worry. Well take care of you.

NICK:

Ah, Ill be all right. Been through this before.

JO:

What do you mean? Youve been shot before?

NICK:

A couple of times. Arm, shoulder.

JO:

I cant believe you came all the way out here looking for me.

NICK:

Got worried when your horse came back alone. A big storm coming in. I thought something might have happened to you.

JO:

[To Lucius.] We need to get the doctor out here. Will you go into town?

LUCIUS:

Its gonna be tough going. The storms still picking up.

JO:

The wound wont stop bleeding. If it doesnt stop -

LUCIUS:

Just keep the pressure on.

JO:

I am! But he still needs a doctor. Lucius, if you wont go, I will.

LUCIUS:

No. Ill go. You stay with him.

JO:

Its Dr. Pierce. His office is just to the left as you ride into town. Youll see the sign. [Beat.] Lucius, go! [Lucius exits.] Youre going to be okay. Youre going to be okay.

NAT:

Dan!

DAN:

Hey, Nat. Help me gather up some more wood.

NAT:

Franz wants us to shut the shutters.

DAN:

We will. Later. We still got a lot of work to do, now grab an armload.

NAT:

Franz says we have enough wood. He wants us to close the house.

DAN:

Wheres Franz?

NAT:

Inside.

DAN:

Yeah, figures. You tell Franz Ill be in when Im done.

NAT:

Dan, why are you doing this?

DAN:

Doing what?

NAT:

Are you trying to prove something to Franz?

DAN:

Im trying to protect us against the storm here, Nat. Its got nothing to do with me and Franz. Now, grab an armload. Ill be in when Im done.

JO:

Dont worry. Lucius will be back with Dr. Pierce very soon. [Nick loses consciousness.] Nick? Nick? Stay awake. Come on. Dont fall asleep. Come on. Keep talking to me. Keep talking to me.

NICK:

[Looking up at Jo.] Thats a nasty bump youve got there.

JO:

I guess weve both seen better days.

NICK:

Yeah.

JO:

Nick, the children?

NICK:

Franz is with them. I knew the storm was comin and had them start securin the house. Theyll be fine.

JO:

Thank you for coming for me. [Nick loses consciousness again.] Nick? Come on. Hey! Stay awake. Dont fall asleep. Come on. Come on.

FRANZ:

[To Dan.] Do you think youre still chopping wood?

DAN:

Im almost done.

FRANZ:

No. Youre done now. I want all the kids inside the house.

DAN:

What?

FRANZ:

Its too cold and dangerous to be outside now and weve got plenty of work to do to secure the house.

BESS:

[From the parlour.] Franz, look. [A horse is seen wandering outside in the snow.]

NAN:

Somebody left the door open.

NAT:

Emil, that was your job.

EMIL:

I did it. The wind must have blown it open.

NAN:

The horse is gonna freeze out there.

DAN:

Nat, Emil, help me get him back in the barn.

FRANZ:

Dan -

DAN:

Im getting him back in the barn.

FRANZ:

Theres too much debris blowing around out there: tree branches, shingles flying off the roof. If one of those things were to hit you -

DAN:

Im not gonna let that horse die out there!

FRANZ:

Dan. Dan, wait!

DAN:

If you wanna hide here, thats fine. But Im gonna protect all of Plumfield, not just myself. [To Nat and Emil.] Come on.

FRANZ:

Boys? Boys, wait.

NAT:

Well be right back, Franz.

FRANZ:

Stay here! [Emil, Nat and Dan exit.]

NAN:

The winds really pickin up.

ROB:

Its gonna blow the barn down.

BESS:

No, it wont, Rob. Dont worry.

JO:

Wheres the doctor?

LUCIUS:

Not there.

JO:

What?

LUCIUS:

I banged at his door. No answer. I asked around. Someone said that he left town for a few days.

JO:

I just saw him yesterday. He didnt say anything about leaving town.

LUCIUS:

Must have been an emergency.

JO:

Lucius, Nick needs a doctor. I cannot stop the bleeding.

NICK:

[Weakly.] You could try cauterizing it.

JO:

Cauterizing?

NICK:

Stop the bleeding. Keep from getting infected.

JO:

But isnt that dangerous? Ive never done anything like that before. What if we dont do it right?

NICK:

Not much choice.

DAN:

All right. The next thing we need to do is spread it around the house. Check all the fireplaces and make sure we have enough wood.

FRANZ:

No. Were staying together in one room. Keep that one fireplace going to conserve wood.

DAN:

We dont need to conserve wood.

FRANZ:

Dan, I have had just about enough of you contradicting me.

DAN:

And Ive had enough of you tellin me what to do!

NAN:

The tree just crashed through a window.

NAT:

Bess, are you all right?

BESS:

My arm, its cut.

FRANZ:

Get some water and bandages. Hurry! [To Dan.] You were supposed to close the shutters.

DAN:

I was gonna!

FRANZ:

When?

DAN:

Why didnt you shut em? You were too busy ordering the kids around to do it yourself.

FRANZ:

I am trying to protect us from exactly this type of accident.

NAT:

Listen, you guys, are we gonna stay here and argue over this or fix the window?

DAN:

Fine. Im goin out there and pull the branch out and shut the shutters.

FRANZ:

Ill do it.

DAN:

No. This is my job.

FRANZ:

Not anymore. I want you inside with the rest of the kids.

DAN:

Try and stop me.

FRANZ:

Dan [Dan punches Franz.]

NAT:

Franz!

FRANZ:

[Grabs Dan by the shirt and pushes him against the wall.] You wanna fight me? Show me how much of a man you are? Come on! [A fight ensues.]

NAT:

Dan, what are you doing?

NAN:

Franz! Has anyone seen Rob? [The fight breaks up.] I cant find him anywhere.

EMIL:

He was here a couple of minutes ago.

NAT:

Okay, I say we split up and search the house.

LUCIUS:

Just about ready here.

JO:

Im not so sure this is a good idea. [Helps Nick sit up.] Come on. Ah, youre freezing. Lets warm you up. [She grabs Nicks coat from the chair.] Here, put this on. [Something falls to the floor. Jo picks it up.] A bear. [To Lucius.] Did you make this for me?

LUCIUS:

Its not finished yet. It was supposed to be a surprise.

JO:

[Realization hits.] When did you have time to carve this? You didnt go into town.

LUCIUS:

The storm. The wind. It was blowing so hard.

JO:

Do you mean to tell me you have been out there carving this whole time?

LUCIUS:

Well, the doctor wouldnt have come anyway.

JO:

How do you know that?

LUCIUS:

Dont talk to me in that tone.

JO:

Nick, can you walk? Huh, can you walk? Put your arm around me.

LUCIUS:

Where are you going?

JO:

To the doctor in town.

LUCIUS:

You arent goin in that storm.

JO:

Oh, yes, I am!

LUCIUS:

Its too dangerous. [Jo leaves with Nick.]

LUCIUS:

Stop right there! I told you, youre not going anywhere!

JO:

Please, dont do this.

LUCIUS:

Im sorry about what happened here, but hes gunshot. The doctors not going to make any difference.

JO:

You dont know that. Look, the storm is letting up. We can make it into town safely now.

LUCIUS:

No. No ones going into town.

JO:

We cant just leave him here, Lucius.

LUCIUS:

I said no.

JO:

She really hurt you, didnt she? Your daughter she left you all alone here when all you wanted to do was protect her and keep her safe.

LUCIUS:

Always wantin to go into town, looking for reasons to leave. I kept telling her its too dangerous.

JO:

But she wouldnt listen.

LUCIUS:

She got up and left in the middle of the night. Not so much as a goodbye. A year later, I get a letter from her telling me she got married and moved to Boston.

JO:

You didnt write her back?

LUCIUS:

No point.

FRANZ:

Anything?

EMIL:

Theres no sign of Rob anywhere.

FRANZ:

What about the garret?

EMIL:

Ive checked there, too.

NAT:

Hes not in the cellar. Ive even checked the crawl space.

EMIL:

You dont think he went outside, do you?

NAT:

Well, the storms easing up. We can go and check.

FRANZ:

All right, well search the grounds, but dont wander off too far. Stay within voice range.

NAT:

Right.

JO:

Time is running out. Lucius, listen to me. Youve had a lot of pain in your life. What happened to your wife I can understand you wanting to protect your daughter from harm, but you cant keep blaming her for leaving. You should go to Boston and see her.

LUCIUS:

I aint goin anywhere.

JO:

Shes your daughter. You cant turn your back on her. She sent you a letter. Shes reaching out to you.

LUCIUS:

Shes the one who walked out that door. She left me.

JO:

And do you think that if you held her at gunpoint, she wouldnt have left? [Placing her hands carefully on the rifle.] You drove her away, Lucius. If you want to isolate yourself from the rest of the world, fine. But you shouldnt have forced it upon your daughter, and you shouldnt force it upon me. [Lucius pulls the rifle away from Jo and she gasps.] You love your daughter very much. I know that very much, Lucius, because I have a son and I can see it in your eyes. And I love him more than anything in this world. By keeping us here, you are sentencing a good man to death and you are preventing me from ever seeing my son again, and I will not allow you to do that. Now, I am going to help to your wagon, and I am going to take him into town. [Jo tries to help Nick to his feet, but he is too weak to stand and her twisted ankle prevents her from supporting all his weight.] Come on, Nick. [To Lucius.] If you want to shoot then shoot.

LUCIUS:

[Seeing that Jo means to leave to save Nicks life.] You cant carry his weight on that ankle. The wagon's out back. Lets get moving.

DAN:

No luck? Well, maybe Ill go check in the storage barn. He likes to play in there sometimes. Were gonna find him, Franz. [Beat.] Franz, I didnt want Rob to go outside.

FRANZ:

He looks up to you, Dan. They all do.

DAN:

Yeah, well, you dont worry. Ill tell Mrs. Jo Im the one to blame for this.

FRANZ:

It doesnt matter whose fault it is. I just want to find Rob, make sure hes safe. Make sure youre all safe. Thats all I care about.

DAN:

Did you check in the loft?

FRANZ:

No, why would he be in there?

DAN:

[Dan climbs up to the loft, followed by Franz.] Rob! Rob, what are you doing up here?

ROB:

I came to get my book.

FRANZ:

"The Three Little Pigs."

ROB:

I thought the barn was going to blow down.

DAN:

Nah, not a chance. That wolf aint getting in here.

DR. P.:

You can wait outside if you like.

JO:

Id like to stay.

DR. P.:

Mrs. Bhaer -

JO:

Please, doctor, Id like to help.

DR. P.:

[Handing Jo a bottle and cloth.] Here, this is chloroform. If he stirs, pour a few drops on the cloth and press it to his nose. The bullet wound is small. Ill make an incision to better discover the source of the bleeding. Ah, there. One of the branches of his splenic artery is grazed. Hes lucky the bullet didnt completely sever it. Well need to apply a ligature, tie the artery off. That should stop the hemorrhaging.

JO:

Will he live?

DR. P.:

Hes lost a lot of blood, but hes strong. In time, he should recover.

LUCIUS:

How is he?

JO:

Hes resting now. The doctor needed to operate to stop the bleeding, but he thinks that, provided no infection sets in, he should be all right. He did say that it was a good thing we got him here when we did. Another hour and it would have been too late.

LUCIUS:

I cant believe I did what I did, not thinkin straight. [Sheriff enter.]

SHERIFF:

Evenin, Mrs. Bhaer.

JO:

Sheriff Berkley.

SHERIFF:

I heard someone was brought here with a gunshot wound.

JO:

Yes, Nick Riley, my caretaker.

SHERIFF:

What happened? Who shot him?

LUCIUS:

I did.

JO:

It was an accident. He thought Nick was a prowler. He was just protecting his home.

SHERIFF:

Is Mr. Riley all right?

JO:

He should be fine.

SHERIFF:

[Scutinizing Lucius, but then accepting Jos word.] Good night.

JO:

Good night. [Sheriff exits.] I guess youll be wanting to get home, now.

LUCIUS:

Not just yet. Ive got a telegram to send first.

JO:

Your daughter.

NAN:

Its Mrs. Jo!

NAT:

Mrs. Jo! Nick!

JO:

[Bringing the carriage to a stop.] Whoa!

NAT:

Mrs. Jo, what happened?

JO:

I had a little accident on the road.

NAN:

Are you all right?

JO:

Boys, help Nick. [Some of the boys help Nick from the carriage.]

DAN:

Nick, what happened?

NICK:

Its a long story. Ill tell you later.

JO:

[Jo gets out of the carriage. She wraps Rob in a big hug.] Hi! Did you miss me?

ROB:

Yup!

JO:

Yup? I missed you. [To Franz.] What happened to you?

FRANZ:

Oh, I walked into a door. It was stupid.

NICK:

How did the house hold up?

DAN:

Pretty good. Theres not much damage thanks to Franz. He took good care of us.

JO:

Well, I sure am glad to be home. Lets go in.