Scene 7
The Robber Girl comes flying out of nowhere with a loud yell and lands on Gerda.
ROBBER GIRL
I got one. I got one, Ma. I got it pinned to the ground.
GERDA
Help. Who are you? Get off of me, you're squishing me!
MA
(from off)
I'm coming, Girl. Hold on to it.
ROBBER GIRL
I'm squishing it, Ma. I'm flattening it out. I'm laying it low. I'm... Ma? There's something strange 'bout this one.
MA
Oh, it's a pretty one, ain't it. Look at that. Fat and juicy. It'll be a tasty morsel. Girl, you did good. Now move out of the way and let your old Ma take over.
ROBBER GIRL
Ma, I told you. There's something strange 'bout this one.
MA
(starting to drag Gerda away by the feet.)
I don't mind. I'll take it. What's strange about ..
GERDA
Who are you?
ROBBER GIRL
It talks.
MA
You tricking me.
ROBBER GIRL
You heard it. (to Gerda with knife on her) Talk some more.
GERDA
I ...I can't.
MA
A talking animule. That's rare. That's rare. Worth mor'n a mink, I betche. Get me that cage, girl. We can trade this one good.
ROBBER GIRL
It's my talking animule. I caught it. It's mine.
MA
Course it's your'n. And you're mine. So what's yourtn belongs to me. Now fetch that cage so I can lock up this rare talking animule.
ROBBER GIRL
It's mine, old lady. Leave off.
GERDA
I'm not a talking animule. (they stop and stare at her)
ROBBER GIRL
Then what are you?
GERDA
I'm a human girl. Like you.
MA
Gid outta here.
ROBBER GIRL
Like me! You ain't nothing like me.
GERDA
Yes. I am. How old are you?
ROBBER GIRL
Ma. How old?
MA
12 or 13, I reckon.
GERDA
Well, I'm 12 and a half. My name is Gerda.
ROBBER GIRL
Ma, her name's Gertie.
GERDA
Not Gertie. Gerda. What's yours?
ROBBER GIRL
None of your bees wax. Ma? I gotta name?
MA
Course you got a name, Girl.
ROBBER GIRL
Besides Girl. I got a name besides Girl?
MA
Yes
ROBBER GIRL
What?
MA
Belinda
ROBBER GIRL
(softened for a second) Belinda.
GERDA
Belinda?
ROBBER GIRL
That's my name. Don't wear it out.
MA
Stop this gabbing. Let's skin her.
GERDA
No!
ROBBER GIRL
Girl, if you is a girl, you better talk fast, 'cause me and my Ma was spectin' to catch us some supper, and you were supposed to be it.
GERDA
My name is Gerda. I come from the town. I live with my grandmother, but my friend Kai got something in his eye and started acting very mean, then he disappeared, and everybody gave him up for dead except me, and I threw my new red shoes in the river to find him, but I didn't, and then the old woman combed my hair with a golden comb and gave me ripe cherries to eat, and I forgot for awhile. I mean I forgot that I was searching for Kai, and stayed at the old woman's and she made me this muff and these boots, but then the rose, the last rose of summer, came and told me to hurry, that there wasn't much time, to find Kai, because his heart is frozen, and I have to find him fast. And that's where I was going. North. To find Kai before it's too late.
ROBBER GIRL
Lemme see them red shoes.
GERDA
I threw them in the river.
MA
You got that golden comb on ya?
GERDA
No.
MA
Don't you lie to me.
ROBBER GIRL
I told you, she's mine. Now leave off. I'm keepin' her for a playmate.
MA
No you ain't.
ROBBER GIRL
Yes, I am. I ain't never had a playmate.
MA
You don't know how to play.
ROBBER GIRL
'Cause I never had nobody bgcolor="#FFFFFF" to play with. All I know how to do is rob and hunt. (grabbing Gerda's muff) Hey, I'll take that.
MA
Who's gonna feed her? She can't fend for herself.
GERDA
Yes I can. I most certainly can.
MA
Can you skin a muskrat? Can you hold up a coach?
ROBBER GIRL
She can share my vittles. 'Til I get bored with her. (enjoying the muff) Hey. I like this. Look, Ma. I'm a princess.
During the narration, camp is established, and they prepare for bed.
GERDA
So Gerda returned to the robbers' camp with the Robber Girl and her mother.
ROBBER GIRL
You sleep here with me and all my pets!
GERDA
These are your pets?
ROBBER GIRL
(grabbing a sleeping dove and shoving it at Gerda)
Here. Kiss it. And here's my reindeer. Say hello, Bae. Bae. Bae. (to Gerda) Here's we can sleep on this.
They lie down and get settled in for the night.
GERDA
You always sleep on straw?
ROBBER GIRL
If Bae don't eat it all up. Smells good, don't it. Who is this Kai you're looking for?
GERDA
He's my friend. My best friend.
ROBBER GIRL
Is he your boyfriend?
GERDA
No. He lives next door to me and my Grandmother. We've been friends since we were little.
ROBBER GIRL
You owe him something?
GERDA
Owe him something?
ROBBER GIRL
Yeah. Like did he take the blame for something bad you did and keep you from getting in trouble? Or did he pull you out of a frozen pond and save your life?
GERDA
No. Nothing like that ever happened.
ROBBER GIRL
Well, if he's not your boyfriend, and you don't owe him nothing, how come you're chasing all over the country trying to find him?
GERDA
Because his heart has turned to ice, and I'm the only one who can save him.
ROBBER GIRL
You? You're gonna save him? Ha!
MA (from away)
You girls pipe down in there.
ROBBER GIRL (lower voices now)
A bear probably already ate him.
GERDA
No a bear did not eat him. He's alive. That rose told me he's alive.
ROBBER GIRL
Oh yeah? This rose told you, huh? Rose tell you where to find him?
GERDA
North. The rose said Kai was in the North.
ROBBER GIRL
Well, there's a lot of north out there.
MA (from away)
I told you two to pipe down in there.
ROBBER GIRL (yelling)
All right. (to Gerda) Tomorrow I'll teach you how to skin a fox.
GERDA
Thanks. Do you always sleep out here?
ROBBER GIRL
Yeah. Nice. Idn't it.
GERDA
You don't get scared? All by yourself?
ROBBER GIRL
Me? Nanh. I like it like that. You scared?
GERDA
Of course not.
ROBBER GIRL
Don't worry, Gertie. You 're safe with me.
GERDA
Good night, Belinda.