"Providence has smiled upon us."

The following play script is by David Hansen © 2012.

THE BLACK LEGION
Time: 1936

A dark scene, with no introduction from the VOICE. Lights slowly fade on a man tied to a post. There is a sack over his face. He is weeping copiously. His wrists are bound, wrenched up behind him, behind the post. He is stripped to the waist, revealing several distinctive tattoos. A butterfly on his shoulder, crossed flags and "W.C.G." under his right forearm, an arrow pierced heart on outer right upper arm, left forearm there is a dove and the names "Helen and Paul."

Two figures enter from both sides of the scene, walking towards each other, then turning to walk towards the audience, then turning to walk towards each other again. They are both dressed in black robes, with black hoods topped with pirate hats, complete with skull and crossbones. They are members of the Black Legion.

They are downstage, in front of the TATTOOED MAN/WILLIAM GUSTER, facing each other. The way they have entered suggests a ritual. One man reveals a gun, and places the barrel against the other man’s chest.

LEGIONNAIRE 1
Do you swear to maintain and uphold the holy secrets of the Black Legion?

LEGIONNAIRE 2
I do.

LEGIONNAIRE 1
Do you swear to uphold the laws of God as set down in the Holy Bible?

LEGIONNAIRE 2
I do.

LEGIONNAIRE 1 Do you swear to defend and protect the Constitution of the United State of America?

LEGIONNAIRE 2
I do.

LEGIONNAIRE 1
Do you swear to protect the sanctity and decency of American Womanhood?

LEGIONNAIRE 2
I do.

LEGIONNAIRE 1
Draw your weapon.

A stylized movement, one draws, they step back raising their guns at each other’s heads, then step in and embrace in a fierce “man hug.”

LEGIONNAIRE 1
Every Legionnaire called into Dark Service must prove their dedication through an act of purification. In order to purify your soul, you must purge from this world a soul most foul.

TATTOOED MAN
Please!!!

LEGIONNAIRE 1 suddenly presses his pistol against the TATTOOED MAN’s head.

LEGIONNAIRE 1
You will be silent!

TATTOOED MAN withholds a pathetic whimper.

LEGIONNAIRE 1 (CON’T.) (to LEGIONNAIRE 2)
You can begin.

LEGIONNAIRE 2 (addressing the TATTOOED MAN)
William C. Guster, the charges against you are severe. You have been accused of beating your wife, sleeping with colored whores, profaning before your children, and most egregious of all offensives, of conspiring to impose the Communist form of gum’mint on the people of Hamilton County.

TATTOOED MAN
This is insane! I never hurt my wife, I never cheated on my wife --

LEGIONNAIRE 1
If you continue to deny the charges set forth by this sacred council we will have no recourse but to enact the ultimate penalty.

LEGIONNAIRE 2 walks around the rear of the TATTOOED MAN.

TATTOOED MAN
I know who you are! I know your voice!

LEGIONNAIRE 1 clubs the TATTOOED MAN over the head with the butt end of his pistol.

LEGIONNAIRE 2 pulls out a garrotte and wraps it around the TATTOOED MAN’s neck, pinning him to the pole, strangling him, and cutting the cord into his neck in a gout of blood.

The TATTOOED MAN struggles briefly, but between the blood loss and inability to breathe it is short work.

The LEGIONNAIRES drop to their knees and pray.

LEGIONNAIRE 2
Oh Holy God, sweet Jesus, bless this sacrificial offering, which we render unto you. Keep the Fatherland pure. Bathe us in your holy light. Make us anew this and every day.

LEGIONNAIRE 1
Amen.

They rise and look upon their work.

LEGIONNAIRE 2
Good Lord. Almost took his head clean off.

LEGIONNAIRE 1
Welcome to the fold, brother.

LEGIONNAIRE 2
What do we do with him?

Enter THIRD LEGIONNAIRE with a large sack.

LEGIONNAIRE 1
Now begins the final stage of your initiation.

LEGIONNAIRE 3
Strip your robes, and dress in these vile garments. Strike the head from this corpse, wrap it in his pants and jump the next train to Cleveland. Dump them in the middle of the city in the gully by the tracks.

LEGIONNAIRE 2
Why there?

LEGIONNAIRE 3
Providence has smiled upon us. Someone has been disposing of corpses in the hobo jungles of the Cuyahoga. Our contribution will only lend to the mystery.

LEGIONNAIRE 1
Hiding in plain sight, no one will know him.

LEGIONNAIRE 2 puts his pistol to his own chin.

LEGIONNAIRE 2
Strength in obedience.

LEGIONNAIRES 1 & 3
Strength in obedience.

They begin to untie the dead body, as lights fade.