Sunday, December 05, 2010

Scene V. Washington, D.C. before the White House.

[Enter Walter Cronkite.]
Cronkite. That Everyman of Stage, our Chorus, who’s
role, it seems, is naught but bane to ‘mused
endurance, asks that you please hold onto
your patience. For the Chorus, it is true,
has been unavoidably and really 5
quite unfortunately detained. You see,
my sources tell me that as he relaxed
‘tween acts, as was his want, he was attacked
by muggers mean, who down the darkened halls
did flee. Franticly the Producer calls 10
to ask, a veteran media man,
to come forward at her clever command,
to entertain you, patrons of the arts.
And if the actors have played well their parts
You might now guess how this fine Play turns out. 15
In your minds, have we left you any doubt?
So, please, attend with quickened reaction
the final scenes of Richard M. Nixon.
[Exit.]
[Enter John Chancellor.]
Chancellor. This is John Chancellor, good evening.
The death watch has begun. Although 20
the White House denied rumors today that
Mr. Nixon was about to resign,
we have just learned the President has asked
for network television time for
an address this evening. I, personally, 25
believe it is almost over. And that
is the belief of almost everyone
here in Washington. About mid-afternoon
they started gathering across from
the White House. People, just people, coming 30
from their homes, drawn by some unnamed urge,
sensing with an inner sense that the time
of Richard Nixon had drawn near.
It is dark and stormy. The street lights have
already come on. The crowd divides 35
itself between two groups. One is
in the park, clustered around the statue
of Andrew Jackson, singing hymns and
praying for guidance. The other is out
on the sidewalk, chanting, “it’s all over.” 40
Then there are those of us, drawn here, compelled
to be without these premises, where
history is about to take place.
[Exit.]

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