Buried Alive

Synopsis

In the 19th century, Marie Laveau, a voodoo priestess finds herself buried alive in New Orleans and calls upon magic to bring her back to life.

Historically, Marie Laveau was the daughter of a white planter and a black free woman. She was born in the French Quarter of New Orleans.

Time

June 15, 1881, at seven p.m., the death hour of Marie Laveau in New Orleans Louisiana.

Setting

An occult parlor, in the French Quarter and other places where the arts of black magic and voodoo are practiced in New Orleans. We’re in the death mind of the Voodoo Priestess, Marie Laveau II, a legendary healer still celebrated today in New Orleans.

Marie Laveau – Créole Voodoo Priestess of stunning beauty, she seems near thirty but is actually must older.

L’esprit – an elegant young Creole man, twenty-eight or older.

Fantôme – a thin Créole man, glacial appearance, forty or older

Annie – a charming your Creole girl, about ten. Doll-like but blind, she walks with a stick.
Voices from the Past: Father, Mother, Saints, and others.

AT RISE: MARIE LAVEAU—a stunning Creole woman of timeless beauty stands near an open casket. She wears a rose satin shroud and velvet ribbons in her waist-length hair. She speaks to someone in this parlor for
the dead.

MARIE
Who put me in that casket. I’m alive. I couldn’t sleep. Probably took the wrong potion. I’m a Voodoo Queen, can’t do things without drama.

Things went from it’s good to omygod what’s happening here, to—

My body looks like it’s in that coffin. But I’m here.

Somebody must have put a spell on me.

(She goes and picks up several Voodoo dolls on a table and checks the pins in them.)

(Her arms lift up)

Oh, no. My arms are floating up, and I’m feeling as though I’m rising out my body. STOP.I don’t want to go toward that light.
I want to stay in New Orleans, a colored girl you hear.

Whoever you are. Release me and I‘ll give you whatever potions you want.

Mama taught me all the healing techniques.

L’ESPRIT
Come, Marie

MARIE
Bring me back. All I need is New Orleans and Paris!

L’ESPRIT
Take my hand.

MARIE
I’m turning on all the lights . . .

L’ESPRIT
Don’t.

MARIE
Oh no. I’m in Mama’s house. I thought we sold that.

(Tolling of bells)

Things are set up for a wake.

L’ESPRIT
Hurry, Marie.

MARIE
Have I been sent to the wrong place?

L’ESPRIT
It’s time.

MARIE
I’m not dead! Hel-lo. Anybody?

L’ESPRIT
Time for the life review.

MARIE
Look, whoever you are. YOU ARE LOOKING FOR MY MOTHER NOT ME. SHE WAS MARIE LAUVEAU I. I’M NUMBER II.

She’s in St. Louis cemetery.

In that unlabeled tomb with flowers.
(Goes to the altar of the dead)
She kept her altar here in her house. But we got rid of it.
Oh I’m so confused. Mother, I feel you under my feet,
Mother, heya heya heya heya heya hey-oh
heya heya heya heya hey-ooooh
(Praying)

People liked her like royalty. And I’m sure someone thought she was still alive and wanted to kill HER…not me. I just arranged her public events, that’s why you got confused.

MARIE
Where are you L’esprit?

If this is a wake, there should be
chocolates, truffles. And chicory coffee.

These holy cards around the room can’t be for me.

(APPARITIONS from the cards and voices)

SAINT THERESA (V.O.)
I’m St. Theresa,

SAINT RITA (V.O.)
I’m St. Rita,

SAINT FRANCIS (V.O.)
St. Francis of Assisi…

L’ESPRIT
Do you want the saints to guide you?

MARIE
I left the Church. Danced with a snake, I’m Marie Laveau II, not I.

(Acting out a charm ritual)

My magic starts in the feet, moves up the bones, while I chant…

I use the techniques of Africa. You walk counter clockwise to release energy. Clockwise to seal it.

L’ESPRIT
(Screeches) Follow me then.

MARIE
OH NO. Some character fluttered across the room?

L’ESPRIT
The life review has begun. You can go with her or me.

MARIE
Who?

L’ESPRIT
Virgin Mary, Madonna of the streets.

MARIE
I’m not going with any apparition I don’t know….

L’ESPRIT
Fine.