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---

## HOUSE MANAGER:
Hello everyone, welcome to today's production of 'Mesmerized: A Ben Franklin Science and History Mystery'!

---

Please take a moment to turn off or silence your cell phones. There is absolutely no photo or video inside of the theatre.

---

Raise your hand if you have seen a play before!

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Raise your hand if this is your first time at a play!

---

Welcome to all of you, we're happy that you're all here today!

---

This is a no-shushing show. Please engage with the show by:

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laughing when something is funny,

---

gasping when something is surprising,

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and clapping when something is amazing. Let's try a round of applause right now!

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Actors will be using the middle aisle in the audience and the aisle you used to come into the theatre.

---

Please stay in your seat for the entire show. In case of emergency, a member of our staff will help you out of the theatre.

---

Now without further ado, please enjoy 'Mesmerized'!

---

[ECHOING BOOM]

---

[MYSTERIOUS MUSIC]

---

[ETHEREAL HUM]

---

## MESMER:
(in a thick German accent)
You are warm; feel the heat!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## FRENCHPERSON:
OH, oh, oh!

---

## MESMER:
You are cold; feel the chill!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## FRENCHPERSON:
OH, oh, oh!

---

## MESMER:
Light as a feather!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## FRENCHPEOPLE:
Oh! Oh! Oh!

---

## MESMER:
Pain is... gone!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## FRENCHPEOPLE:
Merci, merci, my leg feels better!

---

## MESMER:
Now. You are warm!

---

You are cold!

---

You are light as a feather!

---

(echoing)
Mesmer is gone!

---

[SILENCE]

---

[GENTLE MUSIC]

---

## SARAH:
(singing in bad French)
Frer--ay Jock-ays.. Frer--ay Jock-ays..

---

Door may voos. Door may voos.

---

## SARAH:
SONNY LET’S MOOOO TEENERS--

---

<Blue></Blue>
[ELECTRICAL BUZZING]
## BEN:
Ack.

---

## SARAH:
SONNY LET’S MOOO TEENERS...

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Ackkk!!

---

## SARAH:
Ding! Deng! Dong! Ding! Deng! Dong!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Ack! Ack! Ack!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Land sakes alive!

---

## SARAH:
What is the matter, Uncle Ben!?

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
So many things. What language is that?

---

## SARAH:
French.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
A miserable failure.

---

## SARAH:
Uncle?!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Not your French... Although it could use some improvement.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
This... this... experiment! It simply did not work! Where is my notebook?.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
(to the tune of Frere Jacques)
Where's my notebook, where's my notebook?

---

[ELECTRICAL BUZZING]

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Sarah! What on earth are you doing?!

---

## SARAH:
The experiment is a miserable failure. Don’t you want it gone from sight?

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Oh, youth. In such a hurry to get things right.

---

## SARAH:
I-- I don’t understand. Isn’t it a mistake?

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Certainly, a mistake.

---

## SARAH:
A really big mistake?

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Yes. But it is also a set of clues. A chance to gain some knowledge.

---

## SARAH:
Mistakes are annoying.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Mistakes are essential! How am I going to learn anything, if I am not learning anything?

---

## SARAH:
That does make a bit of sense.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
When I have a problem,

---

[DING]

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN
I observe and ask a question; then I make a hypothesis.

---

## SARAH:
A what?

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
A sort of educated guess-- a prediction, based on the clues-- as to what is going on.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Then comes the fun part: the experiment. Sometimes it goes as expected.

---

## SARAH:
And sometimes it does not.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
I think we’ve established that, thank you. Even still, we have some results, or data,

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
which can be analyzed and recorded to arrive at... a conclusion.

---

## SARAH:
A conclusion? Like an end?

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
An end-- and also a beginning.

---

## SARAH:
The end is the beginning? That’s confusing.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Think of experimenting not as a line. But as a circle.

---

## SARAH:
The beginning leads to the end... and then back to the beginning! I get it!

---

But it’s hard to keep it going.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
You’ll have to keep practicing.

---

[CLOCK CHIMES]

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Snap, Crackle and Pop! Time to leave already?!

---

## SARAH:
Where are you off to, Uncle Ben?

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Oh......

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
France.

---

## SARAH:
FRANCE!??!!! Theee France?! Like, France - Europe France???

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
That’s the one...

---

## WOMAN OFFSTAGE:
Sarah!!

---

## SARAH:
Oh, Uncle Ben! Take me to France!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Ah ha! Your mother calls.

---

## MOTHER:
Time for your French lessons!

---

## SARAH:
Oh la la! Will you see the latest fashions?

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
No, no. Nothing like that.

---

## MOTHER:
Sarah!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Off you go!

---

## SARAH:
What better way to learn French than in France?

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
This is not the moment to accompany me. Paris is in a bit of a frenzy.

---

## SARAH:
A frenzy? My favorite! Tell me more!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
It’s all because of a...

---

[MYSTERIOUS HUM]

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Doctor Mesmer.

---

## SARAH:
Doctor Mesmer?

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
A supposed healer of some sort. The King of France has requested my help...

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
(in a French accent)
“Ben Franklin will solve it... Ben Franklin knows everything... Why not send for Ben?”

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Because...

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Ben. Is. Exhausted.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
And I’ve got gout! But! The King needs my help.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
And I need his.

---

## SARAH:
SO. MANY. QUESTIONS. First: Why do you need the King’s help?

---

Second: What is gout?

---

Third-- and, I just thought of this one--

---

WILL YOU TAKE ME TO FRANCE?!?!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
First: I need to ask the King to support the American revolution-- in short, we must have more money.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Second: Gout is a complex disease arising from a build-up of uric acid in the body.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
It takes hold of the big toe and awakens the sufferer from slumber with the feeling that his toe...

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
...is on fire!

---

## SARAH:
And... the third question... about taking me to France?

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
That’s a hard no.

---

## SARAH:
UGH!!

---

## SARAH:
Pleeeeeeease! Please please please-

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Sarah, really. You are too young. And too...

---

## SARAH:
Too... not a boy?

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Something like that.

---

## SARAH:
But that’s so unfair.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Yes. It is.

---

## MOTHER:
Sarah. This. Instant.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Run along! Your mother calls. And my dear sister is not to be trifled with.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
She terrifies me.

---

## SARAH:
I’m only learning a few French words for society.

---

The tutor is also teaching me how to curtsy; when to smile and laugh. And when to keep silent.

---

It’s all just for show. My brothers are allowed to attend real school.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Yes, well. France will wait for you. For now, stay curious, ask questions, make mistakes.

---

[CLOCK TICKING]

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
And, above all, do not waste time. For time is what life is made of.

---

## SARAH:
Fine!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Whew.

---

## SARAH:
Do not waste time? Do not waste time, you say? Well, then, I shall not. Not a single second.

---

[CLOCK CHIMES]

---

## MESMER:
Welcome to Dr. Mesmer’s amazing clinic, where your ailments will be vanquished, und your illnesses cured!

---

Und now. Let us begin.

[MYSTERIOUS HUM]

---

Ahem. Charles?

---

<Blue></Blue>
## CHARLES:
Hmm?

---

## MESMER:
Let us begin!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## CHARLES:
Mmh! Mmmmhmm...

---

<Blue></Blue>
## CHARLES:
(in a French accent)
Close your eyes!

---

## MESMER:
No! No! Eyes stay open, stare into my eyes.

---

No, you don’t stare into my eyes. Tell them to stare into my eyes...!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## CHARLES:
Stare... into my eyes!

---

## MESMER:
No, my eyes!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## CHARLES:
“My eyes.” That is what I said...?

---

## MESMER:
My. Eyes.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## CHARLES:
Ah! I should say stare into YOUR eyes?

---

## MESMER:
Yes!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## CHARLES:
Stare into... your eyes.

---

## MESMER:
No, no! How do you stare into your own eyes?!?

---

Never mind... start with the glass armonica!

---

[MYSTERIOUS MUSIC]

Now then. Stare into my eyes!

---

Feel the extraordinary energy I have captured in my wand!

---

And which I am... now channeling... to you!

---

Feel the power.

---

You are warm! Feel the heat! You are cured!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## FRENCHMAN:
Merci, monsieur!

---

## MESMER:
You are cold, feel the chill. You are cured!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## FRENCHWOMAN:
Aaaaah! Merci!

---

## MESMER:
You are cold, feel the chill. You are cured!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## FRENCHPERSON:
Merci!

---

## MESMER:
You are light as a feather.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## FRENCHPEOPLE:
Oh, oh, OH!

---

## MESMER:
You are cured!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## FRENCHPEOPLE:
Merci!

---

## MESMER:
I am exhausted by my own brilliance! I must rest.

[MUSIC FADES]

---

<Blue></Blue>
## CROWD:
I’ll give you 2 coins to cure me! 5 coins! 10 coins!

---

## MESMER:
I will return!

---

[SLOW FANCY MUSIC PLAYING]

---

<Blue></Blue>
[MUSIC FADES, PERSISTENT KNOCKING]

---

<Blue></Blue>
## KING:
(In a thick French accent)
What’s all the racket! Who’s banging at the palace doors in the middle of the night?

---

<Blue></Blue>
## KING:
Wait a minute. I cannot answer the door. I am the king.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## KING:
Servants? SERVANTS!!!!!

---

## SERVANTS:
Ohhhh, pardon! Ohhh!

---

[KNOCKING]

---

<Blue></Blue>
## KING:
Make it stop! Make it stop!

---

Answer the door!

---

[TRUMPET SOUNDS]

---

## SERVANT OFFSTAGE:
Docteur Sangsue and Docteur Laville to see King Louis the XVI.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## KING:
What’s all the fuss?! Couldn’t this have waited until morning?

---

## DOCTOR 1:
This Doctor Mesmer continues to be a nuisance.

---

## DOCTOR 2:
He is stealing our patients.

---

## DOCTOR 1:
And our patients’ money.

---

## DOCTOR 2:
And, therefore, our money.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## KING:
Hmm. The patients are going to Mesmer for a cure...

---

## DOCTOR 1:
Even though we have brilliant treatments...

---

## DOCTOR 2:
Treatments like leeches! Did you bring the leeches?

---

<Blue></Blue>
## KING:
What do they do exactly... the leeches?

---

## DOCTOR 1:
They suck out the bad blood...

---

<Blue></Blue>
## KING:
Ick. That doesn’t sound so fun. And what does Mesmer do?

---

## DOCTOR 2:
He uses a magic wand.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## KING:
A magic wand? That’s it?

---

## DOCTORS:
Oui.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## KING:
Patients pay Mesmer and not the doctors... The doctors have less money, and so, I have less money.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## ALL:
Taxes!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## KING:
I must go and count my gold. I like to check on it, make sure all the piles are equal,

---

<Blue></Blue>
## KING:
and look at my little, tiny face on every single coin!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## KING:
Did you know that? My face is on every coin! Ha ha!

---

## SERVANT OFFSTAGE:
Docteur Tardé to see King Louis the XVI!

---

## DOCTOR 1:
Finally!

---

## DOCTOR 3:
Am I late?

---

## DOCTOR 2:
Yes, but never mind. Do you have the leeches?

---

## DOCTOR 3:
Oops! I knew I was forgetting something!

---

## DOCTOR 2:
That guy! Always a day late and a leech short!

---

## DOCTOR 1:
He is such a poo-poo head.

---

The patients say they are cured.

---

## DOCTOR 2:
But they cannot actually be cured!

---

## DOCTOR 1:
They say they feel better.

---

## DOCTOR 2:
But they cannot possibly feel better!

---

## DOCTOR 1:
Mesmer says he is a doctor...

---

## DOCTOR 2:
But he is just a quack!

---

[QUACK QUACK]

---

<Blue></Blue>
## KING:
Pay no mind, my wife keeps ducks.

---

## DOCTOR 1:
You said you would investigate!

---

## DOCTOR 2:
Interrogate!

---

## DOCTORS 1 & 2:
You said you would do something!

---

[FOG HORN]

---

<Blue></Blue>
## KING:
Help is on the way!

----

[TRIUMPHANT MUSIC]

----

[OCEAN WAVES]

---

[MUSIC FADES, CROWD CHEERING]

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Hello France, Bonjour France!

---

## CROWD:
Bonjour, Monsieur Franklin!! / Get your Ben Franklin T-Shirt!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
And let me tell you about the lightning rod! And the electrostatic machine! Have you heard the one about the kite and key?

---

## CROWD:
Ma chère papa! Ma chère papa!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
And this... is a little invention called the “double-spectacle”!

---

## CROWD:
Ooh la la! Muah, muah!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Thank you! Thank you very much!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
I must go to meet the King!

---

## STEWARD:
Monsieur, Monsieur! Votre coffre! Your trunk! Mon dieu, but it is heavy.

---

[GRUNTING, SIGHS]

---

[KNOCKING]

---

Rats! Rats in the trunk! Aaaahhh!!!

---

## SARAH:
Bonjour, France! I have arrived!

---

[UPBEAT HARPSICHORD]

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Now, young lady.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
What in the name of gravity are you doing here dressed as a boy!?!

---

## SARAH:
Being curious? Making mistakes I can learn from?

---

And, and... not wasting time! Just like you said! Remember?

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
I meant play your music! Study your French, practice spinning the.... hoop!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
I did not mean follow me as a stowaway to France!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
My goodness! This is no place for a girl. This is... this is Paris!

---

## SARAH:
Surely, there are girls here? Look! I see one! Two!!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Does your mother know where you are?

---

## SARAH:
I left a note.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
A note!?

---

## SARAH:
...Several notes?

---

Then I fixed the trunk, so it wouldn’t lock. And when I got on board, I made friends with the cook.

---

He made me the most wonderful suppers...

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
And nobody stopped you?

---

## SARAH:
Not dressed like a boy, they didn’t!

---

I told anyone who asked that I was your grandson! People even wanted my autograph!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
And what is it you plan to do now?

---

## SARAH:
My plan is to help you, Uncle Ben! With your experiments, your inventions,

---

and now... with your investigation of Dr. Mesmer!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
I am leaving for the palace shortly. I cannot bring you with me...

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Can I? No, no, no... that will not work.

---

## SARAH:
Why not?

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
The negotiations with the king can be very tense.

---

## SARAH:
Negotiations? What’s that?

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Discussions. Talks. Where both people want to get their own way.

---

## SARAH:
Oh, I am very good at that.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Hmm. That is very true. I must send word to your mother that you are safe!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Oh dear, my sister is not going to be happy with either of us... not happy at all.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
You are rather convincing as a boy.

---

## SARAH:
Perhaps I can be your assistant!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
No no no, you couldn’t possibly be my assistant.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
You could be my valet.

---

## SARAH:
Of course! Your valet! What’s a valet?

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
It’s a sort of assistant.

---

[CLOCK CHIMES]

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
I am due at the palace! This will have to work.

---

[MYSTERIOUS MUSIC]

---

## MESMER:
Yes, I have returned!

---

Let us begin. Over here. You are warm, feel the heat.

---

Over here. You are cold, feel the chill.

---

Now, my favorite. You are light as a feather.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## CHARLES:
Dr. Mesmer, Dr. Mesmer!!

---

## MESMER:
Charles, I’m in the middle of something.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## CHARLES:
Ben Franklin is here.

---

## MESMER:
What??

---

<Blue></Blue>
## CHARLES:
He has his wonderful invention the double spectacle-

---

## MESMER:
Ben Frahn-klin?? I will return.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## CHARLES:
Wait! Dr. Mesmer, I got you a t-shirt!

---

## MESMER:
Charles!

---

[CRASHING, CAT WAILING]

---

[TRUMPET SOUNDING]

---

## SERVANT OFFSTAGE:
Monsieur Benjamin Franklin! And his... ...petit valet...to see King Louis the XVI.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Buh-buh-buh-buh-buh, wait.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Before we see the king, you should know, I am going to ask him to help us fight the revolution.

---

## SARAH:
King Louis seems too fancy to fight.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Much too fancy! But his gold will buy ammunition, food and supplies for our suffering soldiers.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
If I help the king with his mess... perhaps he will help us with ours.

---

[FANCY UPBEAT HARPSICHORD]

---

## SARAH:
This is heavenly!

---

## SERVANT:
Croissant?

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Merci. Now to the business of the day...

---

## SERVANT:
Profiterole?

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Ah! No, thank you.

---

## SARAH:
Yum!

---

## SERVANT:
Bon-bon.

---

## SARAH:
Definitely!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
This is not really what a valet does...

---

## SARAH:
I’m not really a valet!

---

[MUSIC FADES]

---

## KING:
Thank goodness you’ve arrived! I have a tremendous problem!

---

## DOCTORS OFFSTAGE:
Down with Mesmer! Down with Mesmer!

---

## KING:
You hear the doctors? They are so angry! I cannot go on like this! It is madness!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Yes, I read your letter with interest. This Dr. Mesmer is quite intriguing. Even George Washington has mentioned him.

---

## KING:
Intriguing? Non! Non, non, non. It is intolerable!

---

## DOCTORS OFFSTAGE:
Down with Mesmer, Down with-

---

## KING:
Fix it! Fix it!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
I will help you. But you must also help us. May I sit?

---

## KING:
Non! Walk with me... Now. Tell me! How is it going with the revolution? I think it is a splendid idea.

---

Break away from that silly, old England! You can do it!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
We are doing our best. And very close to succeeding...but we do need your help with the fight.

---

## KING:
Oh, I am much too fancy to fight.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
No, no. We need your help with the soldiers. They need supplies and ammunition.

---

## SARAH:
They need food...

---

## KING:
Let them eat cake! I heard that somewhere... it’s very catchy.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Your highness...the situation is serious.

---

## KING:
Why do I get the feeling he’s about to ask me for money...

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
I must ask you... for money.

---

## KING:
But I gave you mountains of money. Just last year! For the same revolution!

---

It is the same revolution, yes?

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Yes. Turns out it’s very expensive to start a country.

---

## KING:
Monsieur Franklin-- I don’t know how I can help you.

---

The doctors are losing money. And when they lose money, I lose money.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## KING & BEN:
Taxes.

---

## SARAH:
Seems like he has plenty of money.

---

## KING:
My piles of gold are shrinking daily!

---

## DOCTORS:
Down with Mesmer!

---

## KING:
Make it stop, Ben Franklin! Make it stoppppp!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
The problem seems clear: We must determine whether Mesmer is a legitimate healer or if he is simply a quack!

---

[QUACK QUACK!]

---

## KING:
Pay no mind. My wife keeps ducks...

---

## MARIE ANTOINETTE:
(high-pitched)
Oh! Oh oh oh oh!

---

(in a thick French accent)
What I have seen!!

---

## KING:
May I present my wife... Marie Antoinette aka Queen of France!

---

Monsieur Franklin is here... ... for more gold...

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Oh, well, yes... but really we are asking for continued support of the revolution.

---

## MARIE:
Revolution?! In France?! Impossible!

---

## KING:
Non, non, non... the AMERICAN revolution!

---

Ha! The look on your face... Revolution...Non, non, it could never happen here!

---

## BOTH:

Hahahaha! (sigh)

---

## MARIE:
Ah. Of course. American Revolution. You can do it!

---

## KING:
And Monsieur Franklin is also here to help us with that pesky little Mesmer problem.

---

## MARIE:
Pesky? Little? Problem? Non, non, non! Au contraire! Doctor Mesmer is thrilling! A savior!

---

And quite tall...

---

## KING:
You see, this is what I’m talking about! It is a mania!

---

## MARIE:
AAH!! Let me tell you what happened...

---

[MYSTERIOUS HARPSICHORD]

I had a terrible headache... I have no idea what was causing it.

---

Shhh. There was a buzz all around Paris...

---

Doctor Mesmer, Doctor Mesmer, Doctor Mesmer. Lady Champignon told Monsieur Mimolette...

---

## FRENCHPERSON:
Mon dieu!

---

## MARIE:
...who spoke to Madame Frederic...

----

## FRENCHPERSON:
Zut alors!

---

## MARIE:
...who said something to Monsieur Arc-en-Ciel.

---

## FRENCHPERSON:
Sacre bleu!

---

## MARIE:
Who divulged the details to moi!

---

I simply could not believe what I was hearing. So I went to see Dr. Mesmer for myself.

---

And I was... mesmerized!!!

---

[ELECTRIC BUZZING]

---

<Blue></Blue>
## MESMER:
I am exhausted by my own brilliance. I must rest.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## MESMER:
I will return!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## MESMER:
Charles!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## MESMER:
Money money money... I love that sound.

---

## WOMAN:
Help me!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## MESMER:
I cannot help you, shepherdess. I am resting and recharging...

---

<Blue></Blue>
## MESMER:
And you could never afford me.

---

## WOMAN:
But I am in pain!

---

And I have brought this.

---

[ANGELIC CHORUS]

---

<Blue></Blue>
## MESMER:
I suddenly feel... rested! And... recharged! Charles! Bring me my wand!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## CHARLES:
Your majesty!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## MESMER:
Nien!

---

## MARIE:
Ja!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## MESMER:
It is an honor to serve the crown.

---

## MARIE:
And just like that, he removed my head... ache.

---

## KING:
And gave it to me. Oh, Monsieur Franklin, I hope you can get us out of this messy Mesmer mess!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
It all does seem rather outrageous.

---

## DOCTORS OFFSTAGE:
Down with Mesmer!!

---

## KING:
Yikes! More angry doctors at the door!

---

I will not rest until we have an answer! Like, literally, I will not be able to sleep.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Leave it to me...

---

[KNIFE SCRAPING METAL]

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Owwwwwww!

---

## SARAH:
Uncle? What is wrong?

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
It’s the gout!

---

## MARIE:
Dr. Mesmer can cure your illness! Yes! He can work wonders.

---

[THUNDER, RAIN]

---

## SARAH:
Do you think Mesmer has real power?

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
I don’t think anything yet. That would be jumping to conclusions-- not very scientific at all!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
But I am starting to form a hypothesis...

---

## SARAH:
Oh no, is that because of the gout?

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Ha, no, no. A hypothesis is a sort of guess, remember?

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BOTH:
An educated guess

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
at what might be occurring.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
From what we know, Mesmer’s techniques all sound a bit absurd.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Telling people to believe in a power that comes from a field of energy? I mean, really...

---

[THUNDER BOOMS]

---

## SARAH:
But, uncle, are you forgetting your kite and key experiment?

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
How could I forget that one! Almost fried my hair.

---

## SARAH:
We didn’t understand much about electricity until your experiment.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
True.

---

## SARAH:
You had a problem to solve...

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
How to harness electricity.

---

## SARAH:
You had a hyper-thought!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Hypothesis.

---

## SARAH:
Right. Hypothesis. You did an experiment and collected data...

---

[THUNDER CRASHES, SPOOKY MUSIC]

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
In this experiment, I am attempting to harness electricity!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
To grab onto lightning from the heavens, by reaching up with a kite!

---

## SARAH:
Oh, ho! Here it comes!

[DING]

---

The electrical charge is making its way to the metal key!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Be careful! It’s pure power!

---

[MUSIC SWELLING]

---

## SARAH:
Conclusion?!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
The heavens are full of energy! Electricity can be harnessed from above! Seemingly out of nowhere...

---

## SARAH:
A power is there.

[THUNDER CRASHES, MUSIC FADES]

---

So how can you be certain Mesmer’s power is any different?

---

How are we going to learn anything if we are not learning anything?

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
That does make a bit of sense. We must give Mesmer's method a fair shake. We must test it!

---

[THUNDER CRASHES]

---

[TRUMPET SOUNDS]

---

## SERVANT OFFSTAGE:
Monsieur Ben Franklin and his uh... petit valet to see the King Louis the XVI.

---

## KING:
Well?!?

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
We must consider the possibility that the wand may have some power.

---

## KING:
What do you mean the wand may have some power?

---

I thought you said, and I quote: “It all does sound rather outrageous.”

---

## SARAH:
Tying a key to a kite and flying it in a lightning storm also sounds pretty outrageous.

---

## KING:
Now that’s bananas!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Anyway, the point is. We must approach this problem scientifically. Ignore both the acolytes and the cynics.

---

## SARAH:
Huh?

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
The lovers and the haters. Shake it off, my dear.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
What we need is “The Scientific Method.”

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
It allows us to put aside our personal feelings and assumptions.

---

## KING:
Go on.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
First we establish the problem...

---

## KING:
The problem is the doctors pounding on my door!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
No no no, that is a side-effect. Then make some observations!

---

## KING:
I observe the angry doctors!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Then we arrive at a question...

---

## KING:
Will the doctors every stop being so angry?

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
No, the question is: Can Mesmer actually cure patients with the wave of a wand?

---

## SARAH:
Then we come up with a hyperthought--

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Hypothesis--

---

## KING:
Hypothesis?

---

## SARAH:
An educated guess.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Then we do an experiment, collect and analyze the data...

---

## SARAH:
...and we form a conclusion!

---

## KING:
This all sounds complicated.

---

## SARAH:
This all sounds like fun!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
I will write to Mesmer and have him to come to me.

---

## SARAH:
To begin the experiment!

---

## MESMER:
Me? Go to Frahnklin? Never!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## CHARLES:
I thought you’d be thrilled to demonstrate your techniques?

---

## MESMER:
Those beady little eyes, and those... mangled contraptions?!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## CHARLES:
The double-spectacle! It is a wonderful invention. By Monsieur Franklin himself!

---

## MESMER:
Of course it is! Benjamin Frahnklin, Benjamin Frahnklin.

---

He’s here, he’s there, he’s everywhere!

---

I swear, it's all about the Benjamins! Whyyyyy...

---

<Blue></Blue>
## CHARLES:
Maybe it’s his brilliant mind?

---

## MESMER:
Not helpful!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## CHARLES:
He even invented your favorite instrument. The glass armonica!

---

## MESMER:
Something stinks.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## CHARLES:
Go to him.

---

## MESMER:
Not a chance. But. If he came to me...

---

Und observed my brilliance. On my terms. That might be... tolerable.

---

## MESMER:
Sich sputen!

---

Geh mit Eile...

---

Nien. Handle wie der Wind und fliege mit Eile von hier weg! Im Augenblick!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## CHARLES:
While I do enjoy a good waltz and absolutely love the sausages,

---

<Blue></Blue>
## CHARLES:
I don't speak German.

---

## MESMER:
Go tell him!!!

---

[UPBEAT HARPSICHORD]

---

[KNOCKING]

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
The wig!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## CHARLES:
You are formally invited to witness the brilliant techniques of Dr. Franz Mesmer at his clinic, Place Vendome, Paris!

---

## SARAH:
Ah! Wonderful!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## CHARLES:
Wonderful!

---

## SARAH:
Marvelous!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## CHARLES:
Marvelous!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Alas, I cannot go!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## CHARLES:
Cannot go! Wait-- why not?

## SARAH:
Why not, Uncle!?

---

<Blue></Blue>
## CHARLES:
Uncle?

## SARAH:
We have to see Dr. Mesmer! The experiment!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## CHARLES:
Experiment?

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Yes, but his clinic is on a very bad road.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## CHARLES:
Oh...

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Full of ruts and broken cobblestones!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## CHARLES:
Cobblestones...this is true…

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
The carriage ride there would be harrowing.
Have I mentioned the gout?

---

## SARAH:
Oh, yes. You have. Several times.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
No, no. It is settled. Mesmer must come to me!

---

[HARPSICHORD RIFF]

---

## MESMER:
Absolutely not! Tell Frahnklin, he comes to me or we do not have a deal!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
He must come to me!

---

## MESMER:
No! To me!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
No! To me!

---

## MESMER:
No! To me!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Non! A moi!

---

## MESMER:
Nein! Für mich!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
No! Para mí!

---

## MESMER:
Nee! Voor mij!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Hapana kwa ajili yangu!

---

## MESMER:
Watashi ni wa not!

---

[SILENCE]

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
I don’t know any more languages!!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## KING:
Mesmer says he won’t go to Franklin. And Franklin says he can’t go to Mesmer...

---

## MARIE:
Wait a moment! Franklin won’t go to Mesmer and Mesmer won’t go to Franklin.

---

Why don’t they come to us? To the palace!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## KING:
Ben Franklin and Dr. Mesmer here? At the palace? Oui! Oui! It is the perfect solution.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BOTH:
Hahahaha! (sigh)

---

[BOXING BELL RINGS, CROWD CHEERING]

---

## ANNOUNCER:
Franklin vs. Mesmer! One night only!

---

Is Mesmer mystic or scientific? Your questions answered!!

---

It's a battle for the crown, folks!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## KING
A battle for the crown? Mais non!

---

## ANNOUNCER:
In this corner, wearing the purple waistcoat, hailing from Iznang, Germany and weighing in at 185 pounds.

---

Franz. Messsssmerrrr!

[CROWD CHEERING, MUSIC SWELLS]

---

## ENSEMBLE 2:
And in this corner, wearing the green waistcoat, hailing from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and weighing in at two-hundred-and twenty pounds.

---

Ben. Fraaaanklinnnn!

---

[TRIUMPHANT MUSIC]

---

[MYSTERIOUS MUSIC]

## MARIE:
Ooh la la!!!! The match is about to begin!

---

## MESMER:
Feel... the heat!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## EVERYBODY:
Ohhh!

---

## MESMER:
Feel... the chill!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## EVERYBODY:
Ahhh!

---

## MESMER:
FEEL. THE. BEAT!!!

---

[TECHNO MUSIC PLAYING]

---

## MESMER:
Look into my eyes!

---

## SARAH:
What is happening?

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
I’m not entirely certain. Let’s continue to observe...

---

## MESMER:
(speaking rhythmically)
You are feeling warm.

---

You are feeling cold.

---

## MESMER:
Light as a feather, hands up in the air!
Light as a feather, hands up in the air!

---

Look into my eyes!

---

When I say, “Doctor” ; You say “Mesmer”;

---

## MESMER:
Doctor!

## AUDIENCE:
Mesmer!

---

## MESMER:
Doctor!

## AUDIENCE:
Mesmer!

---

## MESMER:
When I say, “You are”; you say “Cured!”

---

## MESMER:
You are!

## AUDIENCE:
Cured!

---

## MESMER:
You are!

## AUDIENCE:
Cured!

---

## MESMER:
Doctor!

## AUDIENCE:
Mesmer!

---

## MESMER:
Doctor!

## AUDIENCE:
Mesmer!

---

## MESMER:
You are!

## AUDIENCE:
Cured!

---

## MESMER:
You are!

## AUDIENCE:
Cured!

---

[MUSIC ENDS]

I am exhausted by my own brilliance!

---

## MARIE:
Bravo! Bravo!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Fascinating! Extraordinary, Indeed!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## KING:
Does he have powers? Are you convinced?!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Not in the least!

---

## MARIE:
But... Monsieur Franklin... did you not say “fascinating”?

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
I did!

---

## CHARLES:
Did you not say “extraordinary”?

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Certainly, I did!

---

## KING:
Did you not see scientific proof of people being cured?

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
I did... not.

---

## SARAH:
What we witnessed was remarkable and thrilling...

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
...but there is no proof that the wand was working...

---

## SARAH:
...or not working...

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
...and if the wand was working...

---

## SARAH:
...we have no proof of what that working wand was!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## EVERYONE:
What?

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
What we need is...

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BOTH:
The Scientific Method!

---

[SHOWTUNE-ESQUE HARPSICHORD]

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
(speaking rhythmically)
First, we observe the problem and ask a question!

---

## SARAH:
Does Dr. Mesmer’s magic wand really cure the people?

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
That is the “question” we are asking...

---

## SARAH:
...the “problem” we are trying to solve.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
From what we can “observe” I am ready to make an educated guess, also known as a...

---

## SARAH:
Hypothesis!

[MUSIC ENDS]

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BOTH:
Our hypothesis is...

---

## SARAH:
If patients think they will be cured, then they will feel as if they are cured!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Isn’t that the same thing as being cured?

---

## SARAH:
Not at all. Dr. Mesmer’s power has nothing to do with the wand, and everything to do with people’s imaginations.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
I’m confused.

---

## SARAH:
I’ll show you what I mean. Dr. Mesmer, will you see another patient?

---

## MESMER:
Ja, ja... I can do this all day.

---

[SHOWTUNE RIFF]

## SARAH:
The experiment!

---

[DRUMROLL]

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
My favorite part! I have a piece of equipment that I have brought,

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
all the way from America, which we will use to conduct this experiment.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
And...Voila!

---

## MARIE:
A blindfold?

---

<Blue></Blue>
## KING:
That’s it???

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
We will use this blindfold to cover the patient’s eyes.

---

## SARAH:
Then we will collect some DATA and RESULTS and do some ANALYSIS!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Do we have a volunteer to be mesmerized for science?

---

## MARIE:
Oh, me, me, me! I am the Queen, and I love science!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Your majesty. Please mesmerize the patient!

---

## MESMER:
No.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## CHARLES:
Simply do what you usually do.

---

## MESMER:
This is not how I do things! And you are not the boss of me, Ben Frahnklin.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## KING:
But I am. Now...I order you to mesmerize my wife!

---

[MYSTERIOUS MUSIC]

---

## MESMER:
Ahem… Feel the burning heat!

---

## MARIE:
Yes! It feels warm! It feels wonderful ...In my ear!

---

## MESMER:
Um, do you still feel the warmth?

---

## MARIE:
Yes! But now it’s wrapped around... my ankle! It was sore but the energy is healing it!

---

## MESMER:
Ahem. And now?

---

## MARIE
Whoah, whoah, whoah, lalalalalala!!

---

## MARIE:
(burps) My tummy ache is cured!

---

## MESMER:
This is ridiculous!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Dr. Mesmer, please continue to mesmerize the patient! Feel the heat, your Majesty, as you are Mesmerized...

---

## MARIE:
Oh, I am so hot, I am so cold!

---

Whoah! Whoah! Whoah, whoah, whoah, whoah-

---

Ohhh la, la! I feel so much better.

---

Aaaaughgh!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## KING:
Wait. The-wand-was-pointed... here But-nothing-happened-and-then-the wand-was-pointed...there...

---

<Blue></Blue>
## KING:
And-nothing-happened!-But-when-the-wand-was-not-pointed-ANYWHERE

---

<Blue></Blue>
## KING:
Voila! The-patient-felt-something, but-there-was-nothing...

---

<Blue></Blue>
## KING:
Mesmer has no power! No power at all! He is an imposter!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## KING:
Off with his heaaaaaad!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Not so fast, your Highness. There’s not necessarily a crime here. If Mesmer has zero power ...

---

## MESMER:
(in American accent)
Bro, c'mon..

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Then he’s done nothing wrong!

---

[BOXING BELL RINGS]

---

## SARAH:
Conclusion!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
One moment! We must do this all again!

---

## SARAH:
But don’t we already have our conclusion?

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
The more people we include in the experiment...

---

## SARAH:
The better the experiment!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Let’s gather more patients!

---

[UPBEAT HARPSICHORD]

---

[RECORD SCRATCH]

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Do you expect something to happen?

---

## PATIENT:
Yes!

---

It happened!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Do you think something will happen?

---

## PATIENT:
No.

---

Nope.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
What do you expect?

---

## PATIENT:
To be cured!

---

I’m cured!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
What about you?

---

## PATIENT:
I don’t expect to feel anything at all.

---

Nothin’. Just like I thought.

---

## PATIENT:
Yup, wow!

---

## PATIENT:
Maybe. Maybe?

---

## SARAH
Let's gather more patients.

[MUSIC SPEEDS UP]

---

## PATIENTS:
Yep! / No. / Maybe? / Duh. / I don't think so.

---

[MUSIC GETS FASTER AND HIGHER]

## PATIENTS:
UM / Yeah? / Let me just- / Yeah, sure!

---

[MUSIC ENDS]

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
The patients only feel something if they think they will! My–

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Our conclusion:

---

## SARAH:
The imagination is an extremely powerful force!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Even more so than I thought! The power is not in the wand.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN AND SARAH:
The power is in the mind!

---

[BOXING BELL RINGS]

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Thank you, everyone. This has been informative!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Thank you, Dr. Mesmer. There, there! No crying necessary!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
We had a problem,

---

## Sarah:
we formed a hypothesis,

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
we performed an experiment,

---

## Sarah:
and collected data and did some analysis.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Then we delivered a conclusion! It is science in its purest form.

---

## MESMER:
Science-schmience! I still say my method works!

---

I wave the wand. People feel better. Why can’t that be enough?

---

<Blue></Blue>
## Charles:
Dr. Mesmer!

---

## SARAH:
A question for you doctors before we go…

---

## DOCTOR 1:
Yes?

---

## DOCTOR 2:
What is it?

---

## DOCTOR 3:
You tiny, little man.

---

## SARAH:
Have you ever tested your leeches by putting them through the Scientific Method?

---

## DOCTOR 1:
I have an idea: we shall use the Scientific Method...

## DOCTOR 2:
Doctor, I’ve had have a wonderful idea to use the Scientific Method on the leeches--

---

## DOCTOR 3:
You know what I think would be good: to test the leeches using the Scientific Method...

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
I have a feeling there is about to be a lot more science.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## KING:
This has been most helpful.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Yes, it was quite enlightening.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## KING:
Well, bon voyage!

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Aren’t you forgetting something?

---

<Blue></Blue>
## KING:
I don’t think so...

---

[KA-CHING]

---

<Blue></Blue>
## KING:
Oh! That... Of course. Would you like a small, medium, large, or... king-sized gold?

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
King-sized, please.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## KING:
Servants! One king-sized gold for Monsieur Franklin! Monsieur Franklin, right this way...

---

<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
I’ll be right back.

---

<Blue></Blue>
## KING:
I didn’t forget about the gold, but I was hoping he would! C’est la vie!

---

[GENTLE HARPSICHORD]

---

## MARIE:
Ahem. I think this belongs to you?

---

## SARAH:
So you know I’m a girl?

---

## MARIE:
Your secret is safe with me.

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## SARAH:
It’s hard to keep a secret.

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## MARIE:
But the wig helps! My wig allows me to be whomever I wish to be!

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## SARAH:
And mine turned me into someone else entirely.

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## MARIE:
Don’t be sad! You impressed everyone!

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You were a valet, Monsieur Franklin’s assistant, even a scientist using the scientific method!

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That’s wonderful, non?

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## SARAH:
Yes, but I had to wear boys’ clothes to do it. I had to be someone I’m not. When, really, I was the one with all the ideas!

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## MARIE:
But this had nothing to do with the wig…

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## SARAH:
Or these clothes…

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## MARIE:
It has nothing to do with what is on the outside.

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## SARAH:
It was me the whole time… Sarah.

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## MARIE:
And Sarah is amazing.

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[OCEAN WAVES, FOG HORN]

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[GENTLE HARPSICHORD]

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## MARIE:
Where is he? Where is the king? Ooooohhh...

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<Blue></Blue>
## KING:
We did it! Science!

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## MARIE:
I miss that cute little Ben Franklin and his furry little hat and silly little spectacles.

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<Blue></Blue>
## KING:
He did get quite a bit of gold out of me. But, you’re right, he's adorable!

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## MARIE:
And what is that thing he said he was trying to do?

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<Blue></Blue>
## KING:
Build a country?

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## MARIE:
A government by the people?

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<Blue></Blue>
## KING:
And -- and-- --for the people...?

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<Blue></Blue>
## BOTH:
Hahahahah! (sigh)

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<Blue></Blue>
It will never work!!

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[MYSTERIOUS MUSIC]

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## MESMER:
What is that music? Wait-- have I mesmerized myself?

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<Blue></Blue>
## CHARLES:
Dr. Mesmer!

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## MESMER:
Charles!

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<Blue></Blue>
## CHARLES:
I followed you all the way to Switzerland!

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<Blue></Blue>
## CHARLES:
Wow, am I hungry! Fondue?

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## MESMER:
Hmmm...looks like a wand... Acts like a wand...

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<Blue></Blue>
## CHARLES:
It is a wand!

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## MESMER:
There are some people whom Ben Frahnklin and his science will never convince!

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Let’s go find them. Come, Charles, patients await! Don't forget my luggage!

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[ETHEREAL MUSIC]

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<Blue></Blue>
## SARAH AND BEN:
(singing in better French)
Frère Jacques, Frère Jacques

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<Blue></Blue>
## SARAH AND BEN:
Dormez-vous? Dormez-vous?

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<Blue></Blue>
## SARAH AND BEN:
Sonnez les matines, Sonnez les matines

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<Blue></Blue>
## SARAH AND BEN:
Ding dang dong! Ding dang dong!

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<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Ahhhh! So good to be home.

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## SARAH:
Not really. France was so exciting! I got to conduct experiments.

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<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Your contributions were essential.

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## SARAH:
I got to say things, and people listened. Now I have to go back to...

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## MOTHER:
Sarah!

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[FIREWORKS]

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<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
But look! The war is coming to an end, and it’s the beginning of a new country... a new experiment...

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## SARAH:
Uncle Ben, do you hear me? I cannot go back to just doing what I’m told, sitting properly,

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holding my tea cup just so, not thinking for myself or even being myself!

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## MOTHER:
Time for your lessons!

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<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Dear sister-- Sarah is...

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<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Busy. Helping me. With an experiment.

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## MOTHER:
Ok.

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<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Ok?

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## MOTHER:
Just don’t let her hop the next boat to France!

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<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
It’s a deal!

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## MOTHER:
AND NO LIGHTNING!!

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## SARAH:
Another experiment, Uncle Ben?

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<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Perhaps the greatest experiment of all!

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<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
We are building a new country. The United States of America.

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<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
One without a king or a queen. One built and run by the people--

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## SARAH:
A country not run by a king or a queen -- is it possible?

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<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
I do not know.

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## SARAH:
But you’ve written words and words and more words about this new country. How can you not know?

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<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
If we’ve learned anything from Dr. Mesmer, my dear, it’s that the power was not in his wand, but in the imaginations of the people.

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<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
A wand is just a wand! And a pen is just a pen. The power is not in the pen. It's...

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## SARAH:
It’s in the people.

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<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Yes. In their hearts and minds.

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## SARAH:
The Constitution...

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<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Yes, go ahead. Read the first line.

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## SARAH:
We the people.

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I’m a person, Uncle Ben. Am I in here? What about my mother?

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<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Oh, my dear sister...

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## SARAH:
Or… People who don’t look like... um...well… like you.

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<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
I-- I don’t have an answer for that.

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## SARAH:
We all should be part of this experiment, Uncle Ben.

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Every single one of us. The more people we include in the experiment, the better the experiment will be!

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You said so yourself.

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[FIREWORKS]

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<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
What is YOUR prediction?

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## SARAH:
You want to know my hypothesis? About this whole United States of America experiment?

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<Blue></Blue>
## BEN:
Your ideas are essential.

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[FLUTES PLAYING YANKEE DOODLE]

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## SARAH:
I’m still observing... questioning.

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And I think this is just the beginning.

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[SILENCE]

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[UPBEAT HARPSICHORD]