IN GREEN WATERS

(Lights come up very gradually on an underwater setting. The colors are green and aqua; seaweed and algae undulate up from the ground while tiny bluegills and perch swim by aimlessly, and bubble float gently upwards. After a while HENRY floats into the scene; he seems to be sleeping, but then opens one eye and sings.)

HENRY

I see the tiny bubbles rise
Past schools of bluegills' glassy eyes
Each clammy fish a restless soul
All shattered fragments of the whole
Now I see

A lifetime of regrets, they sigh
If we had only dreamed, they cry
I feel the shiver of their need
They brush my flesh as if to plead
Set us free, now

(Now the beautiful MARY MERMAID swims in from Stage Right. She sees HENRY but he clearly does not see her.)

HENRY, MARY MERMAID

They seek a stray shaft of sunlight to ride
Homeward bound yeah yeah
But no ray pierces through the gloomy grey
Alone, so far down

(Now the KIDS drift or float in from Stage Left. They all seem disoriented but not as badly as HENRY. MILO steps forward and sings in harmony with HENRY, who remains unaware of his presence or anything else.)

HENRY, MILO

A distant ringing I recall
A passing footstep in the hall
Once there was laughter, oh, so much
A passing smile, a gentle touch
That's all gone

(Now all the KIDS and MARY MERMAID have gathered around HENRY, but he still does not see them.)

HENRY, MILO SERAFINA, MARY MERMAID

Now I have joined the silent school We've got to clear his head
To swim in waters green and cool Or he'll dream his life away
To wander witless in a maze Asleep in a sandy bed
And dwell on distant days In deep despair
On and on On and on

HENRY, MARY MERMAID, THE KIDS

And in the shady current flowing
Dreams fade away

HENRY

I am a soulless thing unknowing
And unseen, here to stay

Fishes, fishes, make their wishes
Fishes, fishes, make their wishes

HENRY, MARY MERMAID, FINA

Fishes, fishes, make their wishes
Fishes, fishes, make their wishes

MARY MERMAID, SERAFINA, FELIX HENRY

Fishes, fishes, make their wishes A still and silver starlight beam
Fishes, fishes, make their wishes In my mind's eye shining bright
Fishes, fishes, make their wishes As I drift deep into this dream
Fishes, fishes, make their wishes And turn my daylight into night.

(And HENRY now collapses entirely into the arms of the other KIDS. They carry him Downstage and lay him on his back on a large boulder. Now while MILO and FELIX sing, MARY MERMAID whispers with SERAFINA, LUCIE, MADELINE and LILY some feet away.)