CHARLOTTE’S WE ‘A FultLength Ploy ‘Adopted trom the book by EB. White By Joseph Robinette *« SL Washington Street, P.O. Box 109 Woodstock, Ilinois 60098CHARLOTTE's WER ‘A Full-Length Play {for Four to Mine Men, Five to Ten Women, ‘Flexible Ensemble Group* CHARACTERS FERN ARABLE. : ss young gi JOHN ARABLE cece hee father ‘MARTHA ARABLE, seeteeteco coe mother AVERY ARABLE. 211117 sos he brother HOMER ZUCKERMAN fees hep une EDITHZUCKERMAN, . |. feteecc es bet amt KURWY..... os + third hand WIEBUR 2) ee TEMPLETON. |. 1! fl : tant CHARLOTTE... ceseeetecoe dapider (GOOSE, GANDER, SHEEP, LAB Ss fam anima CHORUS REPORTER, PHOTOGRAPHER, SPECTATORS, JUDGES, FAIRGOERS, ANNOUNCER, UNCLE (a pig), SPIDERS. veces exter ‘See Production Notes for flexible casting, ‘TIME: The Present and The Past PLACE: The Ambles Farm; the Zuckerman Ban; ‘the County Fair ‘ACT ONE SCENE: Anopen space in farmyard, [AT RISE OF CURTAIN: In dares, the sounds of farm Ju before aye ae ard: rks, hoot whip oor ete, The sounds may be on tape or produced “Ive offstage by the actor. The Highs come up faintly atthe [CHORUS eaters ori rereled ong. FIRST MEMBER (to the audeac), SAA Liste tothe sounds ‘ofthe morning. Very, very erly morning, So eatin fat, the un n't even up yet SECOND MEMBER. Lise to the crickets... the hootowis {fog down bythe pond... dog up athe nxt far. ‘THIRD MEMBER. And tay there's another wound. It tls that something excing happened during the right. Some ‘brandnew pigs were bor. (The squealing of young pis is heard) FIRST MEMBER, Here's one of them right now — exploring his ew home,ACT ONE SCENE: An open space in farmyard, [AT RISE OF CURTAIN: In daknes, the sounds of a farm jt before daybreak are heard; eikes, hoot, whip- Poor, ete. The sounds may be on tape or produced “ne” ‘offiage by the acton. ‘The lghts come up faty 36 the (CHORUS enters ors reveled ontge. PIRST MEMBER (1 the audience. Soh? Lise to the sounds of the morning. Very, very ently morlag So ety ia ft, the uni’ even vp yet SECOND MEMBER. Listen othe crickets. the hootows «2 frog down by the pond. dog upat the next farm THIRD MEMBER. And today thc's another sound, It tll ‘that something exciting happened dures the night. Some brand-new pigs were Dor. (The squealing of young pis Is ard) FIRST MEMBER. Here's one of tem right so — expla itPage 6 (CHARLOTTE WEB nat (QWILBUR, apg enters in wide-eyed amazement) [FIRST MEMBER, Hie mime is— wel, actly, he doen't have rave, yet, For the moment, he's il jst ite pg. But as youl he just any ordinary Pe WILBUR. Who an I? Where am? Ive never ben here before. (A beat) [ve never been anynhere before. Everything seems so arange, But Tet. «1 think SECOND MEMBER. ‘The ew pig hus been bor her at the Ara- bet fam. Before Song, you'll meet the Arbls, You'l ako ‘meet the others —the people ad the animals ~ who wil pay tn importnt part in thet p's i. THIRD MEMBER. Now, where should we tart” Wait amine, We're aledy started. fseary morning, We'reat the Arable! farm. Some pigs were born diag the night. For now, tha ail you need to Know, (The CHORUS MEMBERS exit asthe Tights come op fall.” A rooster crows. Delighted, WILBUR looks off inthe diction af the sound. He exited explores hisnew eaveonment unt be hess offstage vies.) [FER (flag). Where's Pap ping with that ax? MRS, ARABLE (oss), Out to the hoghous. Some pigs were bom ast ight. FERN (offstage), 1 don't se why he needs ana (MRS, ARABLE (offeage. Wel, one of the pis ix rut, Is ‘very anal and wesk. (WILBUR looks about in la, then points to hielo mouths “me?”) So you father has ied todo away with t, (WILBUR runs to downstag comer inte) FERN (otfaage). I've got to op hi. Act ‘CHARLOTTE'S WEB Page? (PERN, youn gi enters huey) FERN, Paps cast Mili just because is salle thn the other, (MARTHA ARABLE, Fee's mother, enter.) MRS. ARABLE. Stop, Feral Don't yell Your father i ight. ‘The pig would probably die anyway. (FERN spots WILBUR, She looks at him lovingly for 2 moment, then surts toward him) (GOHN ARABLE, Pern's father, enters from another diction, carry on ax) FERN (sisdig WILBUR who cringe behind her) Paps plese ont Kt H'sunfii. (WILBUR nds vigorous) [ARABLE. Fern, koow more about raking» liter of pigs than ‘you do, A weaiogmakes trouble, Now run along! PERN. But it's unfulr. The pg cous" hep being born smal, could #7 (WILBUR shakes he head) This ithe most ‘execs of tse Iver rad of. (WILBUR nods) MRS. ARABLE, Fem! (openly, to ARABLE.) John? (PERN and WILBUR fold thei hands pleasingly) ARABLE (after 2 pause), Of «call it. et you take are ofitfor ale while. (WILBUR collapses in elie.) [PERN (hogging ARABLE). Thank you, Paps (She ans to WIL- BUR ad pets hi.) MRS, ARABLE, You can start in on aot, ike baby. TL ook for one, (She exits)Page (CHARLOTTES WEB ctl (AVERY, Fecn's older brother, enters He cartis an alr if in one hand anda wooden dager inthe other) AVERY, What's going on? What's ern dog over there? ‘ARABLE. Your sster has «ges for breakfast, Avery. Infact, fora ite while, she's going to be aig tht pi. AVERY (akg clot look at WILBUR), You cal hat mise: sie thig «pig? (WILBUR tums his nose up atthe remark) He's nothing but a runt. (WILBUR tres to draw himself p in “hema” pose, but i not very succesful AVERY lugs) [ARABLE, Come in the houte and ent your brakls, Avery. The schoo bus wil be alo nhl an hour FERN (plying with WILBUR) T'm going to hare such a good time with thi ite le, AVERY. Can have pl, 00, Pop? ARABLE, No, only ditibute pigs to eal rss who are trying to cd the word of inustic, Let's eat. (He and AVERY et) (OURS, ARABLE enters) MRS, ARABLE. Fer, honey, [found a baby’s suring bottle and a rubber alppe. TH pour some warm mike in it Bring {your pig in, and. ive him some breakfast. Say, wha’ is pame,anyway? FERN, Wy, [dont koow. MRS. ARABLE, Hurry along now. (Sb exits) FERN. My very ova pg (WILBUR snes) Now, Ihave to ‘ame you. A perfect name fora perfest ig. (Sho thlaks ora moment) Fred. That's «good aame . but not for you ctl (CHARLOTTE WEB, Page CCarence. . .n, you don't ook tke a Clarence... Maxim ton. Because you're worth a milion tome, (A pane. BOTH. laugh and hake ther hens) Maybe 'm trying oo bar, Las see. «Barney, Herman, Lawrence, Newton, Mot, Waren, Wile, Wibar, Wim... QWILBUR nudges er.) Wat ami re.” Wibur (WILBUR nods, FERN tries ot the name) itis. QWILBUR sees snd sods gory) Wilbur! Whats Desa are! DMRS. ARABLE (ffage. Brest, Fern! FERN, I'm comlag! I esn we¥e coming, Fen ané iar! (She takes Wilbur’ hang, then they exit) (CHORUS MEMBERS enter from various oss) FIRST MEMBER, Wibur, SECOND MEMBER, Wilbur. THIRD MEMBER, Wir FIRST MEMBER. Fern loved Wibur more tha ating, ‘SECOND MEMBER. Every momiag, af tna she got up, he warmed hel, Wed his bib on, and ward his bottle for im, CILBUR caters weaviog bib and nicking» bottle. A moment Inter, FERN enter carying. her achook books, She pats ‘WILBUR onthe bead) THIRD MEMBER. fer breakfast, Wilbur always walked out to the road with Fernand waited i her bus care. (FERN and ‘WILBUR cross othe ie ofthe stag) FERN, Now you be «good boy until get home. (A bus horn sounds, Thir may be done offitage or the sound may bea Page 10 CHARLOTTE WEB Ast ‘made by @ CHORUS MEMBER.) That's the bus. "Bye, "ye, Wilbur. see you thi atenoon. (She huge WILBUR asthe horn sounds gain.) Coming! (Thay wave teach other ashe fits WILBUR slowly roses to C and resumes sacking is tote) FIRST MEMBER. Every day wasahppy day fr Wibu SECOND MEMBER. And everynight wat pease THIRD MEMBER. He was very contented lig with Fer and the Arable family. [WILBUR Tove er (OURS, ARABLE enters crying bow!) ‘MBS, ARABLE. Wabur,you'e geting bi enough to have some- ‘thing eses just mk. Tey tis bowl of corneal mush and honey. Ghe hands the bow! to WILBUR, who eagey sips from k MRS, ARABLE removes his bib, takes i bot sad cits) FIRST MEMBER, No looger was Wibura runt, (WILBUR pals inst op) SECOND MEMBER He was growing eich diy. (Somewhat cocky, WILBUR sees pose.) THIRD MEMBER. He was becoming quite «specimen of pg WILBUR (Dexag muscle). T chal it upto good, clean Living ARABLE (ffage)- Suppertine, Wb. WILBUR. And to good, ttening food (ARABLE enters crying 2 bucket) ARABLE, Okay, pig is time you gaduated 0 Hops Skim Act (CHARLOTTES WER Pag 11 ‘milk, potato skin, lover sandwiches and marmalade dpe ings WILBUR repeats cach tem alter ARABLE with ‘wowing ents, He fay swoon as ARABLE bands him the bucket, takes the bow, nd exits WILBUR quickly dak ‘om the bucket, sopping oceasioaly chew.) FIRST MEMBER. Before long, Wilbur as fie weeks od, WILBUR. 14 sy i's about time fora birthéey party SECOND MEMBER, He was ig WILBUR. Now let them cll ut, ‘THIRD MEMBER. And stro, WILBUR. Anyone for srmwrestng? FIRST MEMBER. And helt. ‘WILBUR. Checkout he pak in he cheeks, ENTIRE CHORUS. And he wa dy tobe sol WILBUR. For a prety far pce, Pm wilig 0... (A beat then with panic) Sold!” Oh, wo!” (The CHORUS ent WILBUR drops his bucket and cole) FERN (ofTiag). No, Pap, you can't sll im, You just can't. (ARABLE enters, followed by FERN and MRS. ARABLE.) ARABLE, He's eat too much. I ca't provide for him any longer. 1 aesdy sold Wiburs ten brothers aad sites (PERN runs to the uembag WILBUR, She sabe and em beach) FERN. Ob, Wibue. Wibur DMRS. ARABLE (after 2 best). Linen, everbody. have «su teston, Why don't we ell the Zvckemats?” Your Uncle Ho: ier sometines aes a pig. Aad if Wibur pos thereto ie, you can walk own th road and vit hin anytime you ikePage 12 CHARLOTTE WEB ctl FERN, Oh yes, Pet, Ppa. ARABLE (after 2 pause). Thats nota ba iden, Marta. Come long, Well call Uncie Homer. (He picks up the bucket PERN and WILBUR embrace in get reef, then sake hands) FERN, Can Wibur come, 00? AARABLE. Why ot? Mybe welll hin make the cal hl (Ge and MRS, ARABLE lugh she str to ext) FERN, Ie'snot funy. He an ta, you know. (MRS, ARABLE, Ob, Fer, What an imagination! (ALLesit) (The scone shifts tothe Zockerman bara, A momeat lair HOMER ZUCKERMAN eaters wth hie wife EDITH, and LLURVY, a hed hand. HOMER carries pig trough and LLURVY holds an armload of straw) EDITH, Homer Zuckerman, I want to know where you panto ep that pie HOMER (xing the tough dows) Right oer herein the bar, Edith, Lary, go oat there and patch up that pce offence that’s oming dove LURVY (setting the straw dows). Sure thing, Me, Zuckerman, (Ge ats) ‘ZUCKERMAN. I'l lie this door bak so he cat et in hare whee the cows are. (He sides a sizable door at R across an ‘opening. A lige spider we i evened behind the door at iemored) [EDITHL Well just hope this pies not going to be more trouble than ts worth, HOMER (completing the moving ofthe door). Now, I sould't tum down Fer, could I? She seemed 3 desperate. (LURVY Je heard hamming ffeage) Anyway, she only asked sie ota fori Wher the pig gets big enough to saute, hl Act CHARLOTTE’ WED Page 13 be worth alot more han six dlls. EDITIHaning up). Ugh Dit spider webs HOMER. Parfet for le FERN (offstage). Uncle Homer! Aunt Edith? [EDITHL Here they a (PERN enters wth WILBUR) FERN, Hi, This Wabur. HOMER (ughing). 8, eas a name, does he? (LURVY enters) LURVY, All inked, Me. Zickeman. (ie spots WILBUR) ‘Wel, her's our new boarder, EDITH. Fen, honey, Tjust opened a big can of peaches, You ‘ome inand have a dich with FERN. Otay, thanks. But let me say with Wabur just for mite... tl he ges used to his sumoundigs. (EDITH, HOMER and LURVY exit Fora moment FERN and WIL. BUR look stout) Hs very nie hae, Wabue, (WILBUR smiles) AndT can coma dows and visit you amos every day, (WILBUR nods) Now I better go. Tlsee you tomorow: (They wave to ech otheras FERN es) WILBUR (after a beat, looking not). Is very Ie barn ‘And of, I'l bet. Tbe the sel, Fay ané manure. Horses and cows. Its peaceful aml. 8 though thing bad could happen ever again lathe wodd. (A bent) Fem was right. 115 very aie hee, (He an, les dome, and close ls yes)Page 14 (CHARLOTTE'S WEB Act (A moment itr, ¢ GOOSE enters, followed by » GANDER. ‘They cele WILBUR, studying him cael.) {GO0SE. Heo, elo, het, WILBUR (abit stare). Who. . who are you? (GOOSE. The Goo. ‘WILBUR, Oh, Hi, Goose GOOSE. And this is my fend, the Gander, Gander, Gander WILBUR, But I only see one Gander. You inodaced ime to thre. {G00SE. No, n,n GANDER. We tend to repeat, sepeat, repeat ousees GOOSE, Do you have wmame. «besides “pig?” WILBUR. Yes. They eal me Wibus ‘TEMPLETON (offtape). Wbur? Thatsa pretty tacky name, you ask me, GOOSE. Wel, obody, nobody, nobody asked you. WILBUR. Who wa ha (GANDER, Templeton, thera, (TEMPLETON, ara, eters He cares tring atin an, and an ange) ‘TEMPLETON, In person, (He stares at WILBUR.) Well Iwill ‘amt i's nlc to have apg around the pace aaa. T haven Id detiious eRover spr ana. WILBUR, But the slops willbe forme. TEMPLETON. Tim sue you'l find it in your chatable title art 0 sare your fod with dea old Templeton. Expect if ‘make nest right here beside your trough. (He aanges the str atone ie of the tough an buries the sig, cn, and ett (CHARLOTTES WEB. Page 1s orange) ‘SHEEP (esage). Whats al th canmotion in ere? GANDER. It’ the ol od Shoe. {GOOSE. And the i, ie Lam’. (Tie SHEEP and LAMB ener) GANDER, We haves new resident, GOOSE. Hisnane i Wabur. LAMB (unethused). Oh, yeah The pia. WILBUR. Yow know about me? SHEEP, We overhsid the Zackermans dicusting you. ‘They Plano keep you nce and comfortable. ‘LAMB. And fatten you up with desous ops, [WILBUR (delighted). Ob, Lam gig oie hers SHEEP. Jos the same, we dort envy you. You know why they ‘want to make you fe and tender, con't you? WILBUR, No, eon", GOOSE. Now, now, sow, old Sheep, Hel es soon enough. WILBUR, Lean what? SHEEP (ater beat). Ob, nothing. Nothing at all. Ne tomeet you... Wibsr, Lamb, ming your manners, LAMB (oot meanag i), Nice. . 0. . meet. .you ‘Wb. [WILBUR (abit conceroi). My pleasure, I'm sue, [GOOSE. Wel, Ihave geo hatch TEMPLETON. And hae tat ples to id GANDER. Good, good, good night, Wibur, Better get some est afer ach a ong dy. WILBUR. Yes, tank you, will (GOOSE, GANDER, SHEE?, LAMB, a TEMPLETON exit) The animal sem nie. «1SscsEE Seer Page 16 cHARLOTTE'S WEB Act think, But I'm not sue about Templeton. (Aes) And Tina tile concerned about the old Shesps reac, (Sihtly iit ting the Sheep's voice) "You know why they wat 10 make you fat and tender, don't you?” Wel, dont know, And ‘ld Sheep did't tele, Wel, Tim not gol to wory soon it jst now. Tim much to ed. (He yawns, is dowa, and closes his eye. The hts slowly di) (CHARLOTTE, spies, comes out from behind the web, She is tached to bya log dss ine, She caeilyccep one to WILBUR and snes) CHARLOTTE (quiet). Go to deep, Wilbur. Goto sleep, tie Ble. (She cose bck upstage and disappear behind the med, ‘WILBUR contiuesto sep in the dim light) (The CHORUS enters. There ae its of thunder, phnig, and ‘in These may be done offtge or by the CHORUS. The lights ome up slowly as WILBUR stn) WILBUR, Ob, no. Moring sendy. Andis rag, tn my reams, 1 had made sah grand plan for today, Lets se, FIRST MEMBER, Sixth, WILBUR. Beskist. SECOND MEMBER. Seven o'ock, WILBUR. 4 sp indoor. ‘THIRD MEMBER. Eph o'clock WILBUR. A nap outéoors (He is deected.) Jn the sum, FIRST MEMBER. Nise otlock, WILBUR. Dig shal, Act CHARLOTTE'S WEB, Page 17 SECOND MEMBER, Ten olock ‘WILBUR. Fl yp the hole, ‘THIRD MEMBER. Eleven o'ock, WILBUR. Jos sand sland watch the Nis, And the bees and the salons, FIRST MEMBER. Twehe noon, WILBUR. Linc. SECOND MEMBER. One onc. WILBUR. Seep, THIRD MEMBER. Two o'clock WILBUR. ‘Seatch tehy pices by rubbing spot the fence FIRSTMEMBER. Thre o'lck. WILBUR. vist fom Fer, SECOND MEMBER. Four o'lock, WILBUR. Super. And fourth 08 ENTIRE CHORUS, Free tine! WILBUR (moaning). Right 1 get evrything all beautifully planed out, andi has to go and an, (There isone fal ut burt of thunder and lighting, then the CHORUS ext) 'm foesome. And I tow Fem won't con in aich bd eather, Ob, honesty. Um les than two months ol, and slendy Pn ed fring (LURVY, ia hat and raincoat, enter with a bcket) LURVY. Moris, pie. Breakfast tine. Lots of gpod left: ves today. (He pours the dope ito the trough) A tea 4 for a i! GILBUR sis, then tars wy.) Wh ‘rong with you" (A teat) We must have a sek pi here (te cal offsage) Mr. Zuckerman! Come out to the barn,Page 18 CHARLOTTE’S WEB Aad Gieexts) WILBUR. Tr does look delicious. But I don't want food, I want love. Iwant friend. Someone who wil play with me (CHARLOTTE (offage). Do you want a fiend, Wilbur? Tbe a friend to yoo. I watched you all night, and Ulike you. WILBUR, Where are you? And who are you? HOMER (offstage). I think this will do the trick, Lury. (HOMER, with a container and spoon, and LURVY enter) HOMER. Now he won't like ths medicine, s0 you hold him and TM feed it to him. (LURVY grabs WILBUR who protests) Come on, boy. ‘This is sulphur and molases. 1° cure what ailsyou, LURVY. Okay, dos him up, Mr. Zuckerman. (HOMER gives WILBUR 2 spoonful. WILBUR gays) There, that wasnt 20 bad, was it? (WILBUR makes a face and nods vigorously.) HOMER. I think Til give you 2 second dose, just for good ‘measure, (He forces another spoonful down WILBUR who gage again.) Good work, Lury. That pig willbe wel in no time (ile and LURVY exit, WILBUR catches his breath and clears, his throat.) WILBUR. Attention, please! Wil the party who just spake to ‘me make himelf or herself known? (A pause) Peas ell me Where you are if you ae my fiend. (CHARLOTTE enter.) CHARLOTTE, Salutations. WILBUR (excitedly). Ob, hello, What ate slvatons? Act CHARLOTTE’S WEB Page 19 CHARLOTTE. 10s fancy way of saying “hell.” WILBUR. Oh. And salutations to you, too, Very pleased to meet you, What is your name, plese? May [have your name? CHARLOTTE. My name is Charote, WILBUR. Chasiotte what? CHARLOTTE. Charlotte A, Cavaia. I'm spider, WILBUR. I think you're beri CHARLOTTE, Thank you. WILBUR. And your web is beautiful, too, CHARLOTTE, I's my home, Iknow it looks file, But i's really very strong. It protects me, And I trp my food in it WILBUR. Tm so happy you'll be my frend, In fact, it restores -my appetite, (He begins to eat) Willyou join me? CHARLOTTE, No, thank you. My breakfast is waiting for me ‘on the other side of my web, WILBUR. Oh, What are you having? CHARLOTTE. A fy, Teayght i this morning WILBUR (choking). You eat... fies? CHARLOTTE, And bugs, Actally, 1 drink their blood WILBUR. Ugh! CHARLOTTE. That's the way I'm made, I cant hep it, Any- ‘way, IFT did't catch insects and eat them, there would soon be so many they’ destroy the eath, wipe out everything, WILBUR. Really? I wouldn't want tha o happen. CHARLOTTE. Now, if you'll excuse me, 'm going t have my ‘breakfast (She exits behind the web) [WILBUR (with uncertainty). Well, I've gota new frien, al ight But Charlote is... brutal, think. Aad bloodthity, How can I eam to like her, even though she i petty, and very lever, it seems (He glances back atthe web, then slowly hes down)age 20 CHARLOTTE’ WEB, Act (The CHORUS eaters) FIRST MEMBER, Wilbur war suffering the doubts and fears that often go with fining a new frend ‘SECOND MEMBER. But as the days passed by, he slowly dis ‘covered that Chaslotte hed kind het and that she was loyal and te THIRD MEMBER, Spring soon became summer. FIRST MEMBER. The early summer days are ajbilee for birds. From the woods, the white throated sparow. ‘SECOND MEMBER. Oh, peabody, peabody, peabody, peabody, peabody, peabody, (WILBUR listens with deight) FFIRST MEMBER. From the appl tres, the phoebe bird. ‘THIRD MEMBER. Phoebe, phoebee;phosbe, phoe-bee; phoebe, phoe-bee, FIRST MEMBER. The song spartows in the birches. ‘SECOND MEMBER, Sweet, sweet, swet interlude; sweet, sweet, sweet interlude; sweet, wet, sweet interlude, (The SECOND snd THIRD MEMBERS softy continue the sounds of the birds) FIRST MEMBER, The early summer days ona farm ae the hap lest and fairest ofthe year. Lins and apple blossoms bloom, ‘The days grow warm and soft. And now that school was over, Fer could vist the bar almost every day. (PERN enters as the ANIMALS, except the GOOSE, enter and ‘greet her with animal sounds which soon give way to clear vies) FERN. Hi, everybody! (She sits on the stool. The CHORUS fets and the bird sounds fade) Wilbur, here's a itl piece of AE RTE Act ‘CHARLOTTE’S WE Page 21 pineappleupsdedown cake for you. (WILBUR applauds, kes the cake, and begin to eat.) May Ita and ist fara it” tle while? (WILBUR nods vgorouly and the other ANIMALS saree) (CHARLOTTE (on 2 perch near her web, looking offstage). At- tention, everyone. Ihave an announcement, After four weeks of unremiting effort on the part of our fiend, the Goose, the Goings have rived. (ALL act excited asthe Gosings chirp offstage.) And here comes the proud mother right now. (The GOOSE fuer in as ALL appl) GOOSE. Thank you, thank you, thank you. (She bows, then embraces the GANDER) CHARLOTTE. And the father i alto to be congratulated. (Thee is ighter applause) GANDER. We'e pleased ae we canbe, be, be. WILBUR (looking offstage). How many Gorlings are there? GOOSE. seven, TEMPLETON. I thought there were elght eggs. What happened tothe other eg? GGOOSE. It dda’ hatch. It was a dud, ues. TEMPLETON, Can Thave it? GANDER. Certainly, ertiny, ertily. Addit to your nasty collection, (TEMPLETON exits) WILBUR. Imagine wanting 2 junky old rotten ee. CHARLOTTE (laughing lity). rat ia rat, But, my frends, Jes hope that eg never beh, Aten ie pl ink om, (TEMPLETON enter withthe ent) ‘TEMPLETON, Don't worry Iwon't break it, handle stuf ikePage 22 (CHARLOTTE'S WEB Aa ‘his al the time, I put sit ere ander the rough with ny other things, (He does 0) FERN. Oh, Wir, [hae some good news. Uacle Homer an ‘Aunt Edith sem to be glad that you're puting on weigh (WILBUR bess) LAMB, Sure they are SHEEP. And you know why, don't you? ‘WILBUR, You aed me tnt once befor, but you dat tell re why. (G00SE. Now, now, now, ol Sheep SHEEP. He hus to ow sometime. ‘WILBUR. Kaow wh SHEEP, Wibut, I dont like to spread bad pews, But they fattening you up Bees they're song til you [WILBUR (smayed). They're ging to whar? (FERN is ih ‘on ber stool) [SHEEP. Kill you, Tum you ito smoked bacon and ham. 11 happen when the weather turns cod. t's replarconspiay. WILBUR. Stop! I don't want wo de. 1 want to stay with allmy fiends, [want to breathe the Beslan ein the besati- falaan, ‘LAMB, You're corny making ber noe WILBUR. But don't want tod CHARLOTTE. Wibut, quer down. (A beat as WILBUR ts contro himself) You sal not de WILBUR, What” Who's going: save me? (CHARLOTTE. 1a WILBUR. How? (CHARLOTTE, I'm afraid tat eemains tobe sen, AVERY (ftp). Feta! a RE Act ‘CHARLOTTE'S WED, Page 23 FERN, In eve, Avery (AVERY enters) AVERY. Mother sat me to get you, You'e gong to mis pees. FERN. (Coming, "Bye, everybody. And thank you, Chalte, for whatever it is you going todo to sve Wilbur AVERY, Who's Chote? pd ove there "wemenjs! (He picks up a stick) FERN, Lewe alone, AVERY. ‘That's fie spider and ‘dvances toward CHARLOTTE) FERN. Youstop it, Ave AVERY. I want tht spider. (FERN gmbs the sick and they Aight overt) Let wo of my sick, Fern! FERN. Stop it! Stop 1 sy? (WILBUR waves to FERN that, the has an ides, He rshes behind AVERY and knoe, then makes a “puhlng” motion with hs hands FERN shes AVERY over WILBUR. AVERY lls into the rg The ANIMALS rect) AVERY. Help! FERN. I warmed you, Avery AVERY. That's not fa.” You and Wilbur pmnged up on ae. FERN oiling her ow), Wha’ tat sell! AVERY. think we broke rotten eg. Good nigh, what ¢ stink! Lets get out of eve. (He and FERN exit bee ‘The SHEEP, LAMB, GOOSE sad GANDER fle ia deren, Aiectons, protesting vleny) ng to capture. (HePage 24 (CHARLOTTE'S WEB act TEMPLETON. My beloved ea! (He ethers up the cand the ‘ex of hs belongings and exits) CHARLOTTE, Tm sls ths over, tim sue the smell wile away soon, (A pau) ‘WILBUR. Chatotte? (CHARLOTTE. Yer WILBUR, Were you sous when you promised you would keep them om lig? (CHARLOTTE. I've never been more serous ia my fe. WILBUR. How ar you going to sae me? ‘CHARLOTTE. Well 1 rally dont know. But Twantyou to get plenty of slep and stop wonying. (WILBUR suetces out on the straw a the its Begin to dim) WILBUR. Okay. Good neh, Chote (CHARLOTTE. Good night, Wabur. (A pase) WILBUR. Thankyou, Chae CHARLOTTE, Good night. (The baum is now in shadows ‘WILBUR falls aep) What todo. What do. I promised to save his if and 1am determined to kep tat promise. But how? (A pase) Wait a minute, The way to sve Wilbur isto play stick on Zuckerman, IFT can foo bu, {can srely fool ¢ man. People are not as smart ar bog. (A best) OF course. Tha's it This will oot bo easy, but it must be doe. (She tums her back onthe audience) Fit, Iter a section ‘ut of the we and lesan open space inthe middle. Now, Shall weave new threads to take the pace of the one I r- ‘moved. (She chants slghty) Swing spnnerets. Lat out the thread. The longer it pts, the ete i's read. (She bein to “wnte” widh eaborte movements, though her actions ae ebertly idiingihabl.) Atta pi Attach. Payout ie Descend. Complete the care, Esty now. That. Backup AR SS Actl (CHARLOTTES WEB Page 25 ‘Take your time, Now te Hoff. Good, (She chants) The smesageis spun. Te come tothe end. The job that Te done ‘sal for my friend. (She steps aie 83 special ih revels the words “Some Pg" writen Inthe web, The contr pat of ‘he web maybe afte with selero 10 the rest ofthe web. Tt an then be pulled off and dcretydcaded by Chart. ‘Undereath would be the now-exposed wring which should beset veered over he next wring and wo on. She ends low) Some pg. (Sho sie) Not bad ol gi fr the fit time sound. But It war quite exbauning, 4 beter catch ute nap before daybreak. (She exits behind the wed. ‘The ahs begin to brighten and roomer crows, WILBUR sti. He ‘shavings bad dram) WILBUR. No, no, Pease don't. Stop (He wakes vp) Oh, my ‘oodness. That was 2 terble dream, There were ten wih suns and knives coming out here tke me away. (CURVY enters witha bucket, WILBUR reteats sighty) LVURVY. Here you go, pig Breakfit, Leftover pancakes, hls ovghnut, sale toa (He sets the bucket down) Absutly de «de... Qe este weg in the wa) What's that? "i sesing things. (ie calls offstage.) Mr. Zuckerman! Mi Zuckerman! think you'd better come out to te pig pen ‘quick! (He exits huey.) [WILBUR (wore of the writing in the web), What dd ese ‘There's noting hee but me. (He els himself) Tha’ it! He ‘uw me! He saw that Im bg nd healthy aod. an ready to be made into... ham. Tey coming out et right om With guns and knives. Ljustkaow it. What ean Io? (A beat)Pace 26 CHARLOTTE'S WE Act Wait! The fence that Luny patched up. Maybe is ose aan, have to get out, Thave a chic. 1s ether freedom. of the fying pan, (He spots the bucket) But fist, » Ue rstenance, (He deat from the bucket) Now, Fin ready Tm breaking ovt of this prion, They" aver ake me ale (Obert) What am Lsyiag? I've got to get out of here. (He farts to cash offstage) Chasagel (He runs off A crash herd ofsage) (CHARLOTTE enters, yowaing) (CHARLOTTE. Whst was that? Wilbu, whore are you? WILBUR (rom aftage. fee! HOMER (fiom ofees), Now, Lary, what could be 30 ia Porant tat you had to drag me out hee before Fv finished — LURVY ((rom ofsae), Youle, Me, Zuckerman. You's. (HOMER sod LURVY ene) HOMER, All cane is... the ples nt tee! LLURVY. What? HOMER. Look out there i he chicken yard, (He points af stage) Hes escaped, Esth's out there gathering eg. Maybe se can head him off. Lat'sgo! LORVY, But... lols the spder web, ME. Zuckeuman, HOMER. No wine right now. Gotta eatch tht pig. (He and LURVY exit. From offstage.) Edith! The pis out? Ru hin bac this way! Pas out! (CHARLOTTE. Ob, o —————— ctl CHARLOTTE’ WED, Page 27 (SHEEP and LAMB enter) SHEEP, What all the ost EAM. This rackets iling my eas (GOOSt and GANDER enter) {GOOSE. There's 0 much aise, noe, nie, GANDER. The Godings ean sleep. (OFftge nots ar hear.) (VILBUR enters, chased by EDITH, HOMER and LURVY, The [ANIMALS cas: WILBUR) ANIMALS. Go, Wibur, go! Dont It them etch you! Run, tun, sunt (WILBUR does « Ustuin ad eis, eiag the COTWERS. Tey ext behind WILBUR, The cht shear off stage) CHARLOTTE. Now stop thst Dont encourge him, If Wilbur does escape, hell never send a chase in the outside word So, if he runs through hese agin we've pot to stop him. (The he shear coming loser) Get tt! Here he comes. (WILBUR nein WILBUR. make ic histo 1 sw an open gte shat lends ‘the woods, Thankyou, evrytody, fr al your ~ (The AN MALS tackle him and hold him down) What thi? Even my fends have tuned apaint met (The OTHERS ae head ff stage. WILBUR squirm a he is eld down.) Tint go down Without ight! 11 stag all the way to the butcher block!Page 28 (CHARLOTTE'S WEB, Act {won't be bacon for anytody! (GHOMER, LURVY and EDITH enter breahetly. The ANE MALS Quickly let go of WILBUR whose bravado dlgppeass sulky athe comers) HOMER. Wel you certainly gave war for our TLURVY. Ms, Zuckerman, Mis, Zuckerman. Look! This iswhat wanted to show you, (He points tothe web, ALL sae at it fora moment. WILBUR and the ANIMALS look, 00) HOMER (amazed). A missle hs happened ont fu, LURVY. A mice, EDITH, I don’t believe it “Some Pig.” (WILBUR begins tore. ‘un hi conienee.) HOMER, It scler we have 20 ordinary pi. [EDITH. Ie sems tome we have no ordlary spider HOMER. Oh, no, 1's the pg that's unl, Edith cll te mia ‘ser and cell him about the male. Then cll he Able. any. (EDITH exits as WILBUR ses and sts happily on barrel or box near the web.) You ow, Larry, ve thought all slong that pg of ours wat an extra pood one, LURVY, He's quit pie HOMER, Psy e's... “some lg.” (He and LURVY lavgh) Wel, e's huty and get the chores done, Tm aur wel have lots of visors when word of this aks out. (He and LURVY ext, The ANIMALS chee, applaud, and congratulate CHAR- Lorre) [WILBUR (himself ssn), Ob, Chaslote, Thank you. Thank you, Thank you. SRR ER nett (CHARLOTTES WED, Page 29 (CHARLOTTE, It sens to have worked, At fast for the resent. Bats we ae to sve Wibur eI wl have to write ‘more words in the web, And I ned new Heat Any sup vstion| LAMB. How about “Pg Supreme?” (CHARLOTTE, No pod. It sounds ike sich desert, GOOSE, How sbout “teri, teri, tea?” ‘CHARLOTTE, (Cut that down to one “terre” and k wil do Very nicely. I think it might impree Zuckerman, Does ay. ody ere know how to spell “wie” GANDER. I think iste, double ee double sr, doubler, double eye, double, double ee, douse see, se, be, to, (CHARLOTTE. Wha kind of obs Go you thak Tam? GANDER. Sony. Sony. Sony, (CHARLOTTE, 1 spl the word the best way Teas, SHEEP Glaningoffsage R). Look, her comes Templeton ‘Maybe can lp with this projet. (TEMPLETON enters) TEMPLETON, Templeton only help himself. What's vp? SHEEP. Did youse the messge inthe web? TEMPLETON, 1 was there whea I wert ovt ths morning, 1's obi del SHEEP, Ik was «big dtl to Zuckerman, And now Chatto feeds new des, When you go tothe dump, bring back lip. ing fom » magazine. Charote can copy the word. t wil Delp save Wibur' ie,Page 30 (CHARLOTTE'S WEB ctl TEMPLETON. Let him die, L should wor. SHEEP, You'll worry next winter when Wubu i ead and no- body comes down herewith ie pal of ops. TEMPLETON (after a pause). bring bak a magazine clip CHARLOTTE, Thanks Th meeting ajoured. (The ANI MALS bein to ent, bidding each otter feel ak they g.) Tonight, wl ear my web spar and write “ele” Now go lout nto the yard and en the up, Wilbur, Uned ite est 1 vas up al i. WILBUR (as he exit). Thask you, Chale, You'e the best frend pig eer had. He exits) (CHARLOTTE (ang to ers), Some pig. Some pe. (The lights fate) (The CHORUS enters) FIRST MEMBER. As the day went onthe nows out the words 4n Charloue's web began to spread thoughout the county SECOND MEMBER. People came from mies ound see the ‘words on Chriote's web, ‘THIRD MEMBER. Nowe of the wonderful pi spend clear up fnto the hil where the farmers talked about the miaculous snimal on Zuckerman’ fr, FIRST MEMBER, ‘Chirlotte Koew thee would be even more stor the next a. SECOND MEMBER. So tat night, while the other esate slept, she began to work on her web CHARLOTTE. Swing spinnerets. Let out the thread. The longer ‘tots the better t's ead, (She bepas to “wit.”) ‘THIRD MEMBER. Splaning and weaving, sb bgan to frm the ew eter Act CHARLOTTE’ WEB: Page 31 FIRST MEMBER, Acai, se tod to he though o cheer ben on, CHARLOTTE. Descen. Pay ou tin. Whos, el. Steady. Now forthe R. SECOND MEMBER. On hough the night the sper worked at her ifevtt task. It was nearly morning when she finally Snished CHARLOTTE, The message spun. Ive come tothe end. The job that Fe done ial or my frend THIRD MEMBER, Se then se a sol bug se was saving. ‘Aad ater that. CHORUS (of). ‘She fel asap. (They ext. A ght comes up ‘on the web to reveal he word “Terife.") (A moment iter, WILBUR enters yawning) ‘WILBUR. 1 cat ble I spent the enti day and aight outside sleping. Oh, well. 1s very sefeshing. Especially in he su (LURVY enters with a bucket) LLURVY. [I'm afraid to look, 1 know i cnt happen asin. He looks over atthe web) I don't beleve my eyer. “Tei” 1k Gig! did happen again! “Terrie.” Another mile? Me, Zuckerman! Come quick! I's another mice! (He exits) WILBUR Qookingt the web). les beautiful (PERN enters)age 32 ‘CHARLOTTE’ WEB ctl FERN, Good morning, Wibur. QWILBUR motions toward the web) “Terai Hooray for Chaotel_ She di it again? (OWILBUR shushes her) Oh, she's il sleping. It must have been long nigh for er. (WILBUR nods) HOMER (otfitags). Eth, phone the reporter onthe Weekly (Ovonic antl hin what happened! (HOMER eaters, flowed by LURVY) HOMER, He may want to bing a photopapher. (He looks st the web) Well what do you know. Tevet ss plain as dy “Terie” What do you koow! (ARABLE, MRS ARABLE and AVERY enter) MRS, ARABLE, Didt happen agua? LURVY (poitig to the web). Another acl! [ARABLE. Hore, you're going to have vistorall over the place today. HOMER, 1 don't know where we'll put them. Yesterday, the Arveway wa practical full ers and trucks, ARABLE. We can pak the vlilesia the open ed, Avery and wil dee wate AVERY. Hoomy. Ill be the captain of the Zuckerman police ove, (ALL loth as ARABLE and AVERY exit) FERN, Does tht mean youre ot golng to Kil Wibur, Uncle Homer? HOMER, Who sid anything about killog in? FERN, But thit's what happens to pigs. In the cold weather. ‘You know... the eonsiaey. act (CHARLOTTE'S WEB, Page 33, MRS. ARABLE, Coripiacy?. Whee dd you pt word ike that? FERN, The old sheep whee. HOMER. Wibur's safe for now, Fen, Aslongahe'satacting allt atetion, Come on Ling. Work to d, LURVY. Tei pi. He and HOMER exit) MRS. ARABLE. Ferm, your Aunt Eth idol lots of baking forthe visors today, Let's go lp het. FERN. Cart ty? MRS, ARABLE. I think you spend to0 much time with thee animals. You sould ply with chilren your own age. Like Tommy Watson. FERN. Ob, Motes, MRS. ARABLE. Or Freddy Fohnon. FERN. Yok, MRS. ARABLE. Or Henry Psy FERN. Henry Fusy? (She emis» Brom cheer.) MRS. ARABLE. Lets FERN, Oh, all right. "Bye, Wibue. "Bye, Chote, She and MRS, ARABLE ext) T mea, Les picked t up some (CHARLOTTE enters, stretching and yawning) CHARLOTTE, Good morning, Wibur. WILBUR. Ob, Chute. Everybodys 5 excited about the aew word, And tho’te expecting more vitor today. (CHAR LOTTE snes) (The Goose w (GANDER enter)Page 34 (CHARLOTTE'S WEB ctl (GOOSE and GANDER. Morning, moming, momiag. WILBUR. Did you se Charote's now word? (GOOSE. OF couse, of couse, of couse. “Tesi” was my ea, Remember? (oe LAMB enters followed by the SHEEP) ‘LAMB, Wobur, al this attention going to go 1 your head and make you suck upt WILBUR. Of couse aot, Fame wil never spoil SHEEP. Anyway, he stil has to woryebout he future, Hs Ue snot eure yet. WILBUR. Tkoow. But Ica ace anything with ends ke you Feendaip is one ofthe most stsfyng things inthe worl (TEMPLETON enters hong the id ofa oaplkes box) ‘TEMPLETON, You'd beter been it, buster, And you beuer rot forget the finésip of old Templeton who just happened to beat the dump al night ooking for words tome you. (He ‘bas the box lid to CHARLOTTE) Try this one. T's from an empty package of saps, CHARLOTTE (wading). “With new, radiant aeton." (The ‘OTHERS sepeat the words approviagly.) Wilbur, unsound. | want 1 ee You i ation tose if you ate radiant. (WILBUR runs about) Now back agin. Faster (WILBUR obeys) Sump ito the alr. QVILBUR jumps as the OTHERS applaud tnd cheer with increasing intensity ax be complete exch tsk) Do a front ip. «aback ip... and rll over into a spt! (athe split, WILBUR srs and poss) It may not be radian, but sintering, nett ‘CHARLOTTE’ WEB Page 35 WILBUR. Acta, fet rant, ely do. CHARLOTTE, Then radiant you shall be. (ALL cher, TEM PPLETON looks offstage, quits them, then ides) (LURVY enters withthe bucket) LLURVY. Sorry, pig, but I gots excite, | forgot to leave your slops this morning. (ie pours the fod into the tough a WILBUR begins to eat) Mis. Zuckerman even threw ina whale fresh lee of apple sive! s's baking forthe visto, That's ‘what you pt for blag a trie pig. Oh, ys. And Mr Zacker- ‘man’s even talking about taking you tothe County Fal all this exsitementcontines, (He xits, TEMPLETON comes out of hiding) WILBUR. Did you hear tat, everybody? ‘The County Fal ‘That means I would get tole fora at anther nth [GOOSE, And maybe, maybe, maybe long, GANDER. Ifyou wins bs, ie, bls bon. ‘WILBUR You'l go tothe Fac with me, won't you, Charote? (CHARLOTTE. 1 dot know, The Fir comes ata bad tine for ‘me, Tha’ when Tl be making my eggs and filing it with as. WILBUR. You coulda your eg a he Fa, LAMB. Nobody's ging to the Fair yet. Lury ald they were st hiking about aking you ithe excitement ontnis CHARLOTTE, Wel, tht mess more new words. So beter start anther one right away. Now, evesybody standin rot of mes the others won't notice that T'm wring they come back before Hash (ALL make a lin ia font her, staning fon bons, bales of hay, ete, She is now partly hidden)Page 36 CHARLOTTE'S WEB atl Sing spinners. Let out the thread, The longer gets, the beter it's read. (She bepins to write) [GOOSE. Templeton would need to goto the Far t00. Some body, somebody, somebody ha 1 run etands and do gene alwoik, TEMPLETON. I'm staying sight her. 1 haven't the sighs intrest in Fai. SHEEP, Thats becase you've never been to ope. A Fale is rat's parade, Brerybody spills food at Fair, Popcorn, frozen usttd candy apple. TEMPLETON. Stop! That's enough! Youve owitd my ‘whiskers. Pao. (ALL applaud) (CHARLOTTE. AUtah, tend, repeat (GOO0SE (glncing beiad hese at CHARLOTTE). Chartte's ‘woking fat fs fs. (CHARLOTTE. I've pretty well oe the hang of 20, [LAMB (looking of R). Look, hee come some vistors SHEEP (looking of R). Tt Tooks like a reporter and photo- wane. GANDER, Huy, hry, hurry, Cults (CHARLOTTE. I'm amest Finished. Jus veto eros the Gal “T." Over tothe ih, py ot ine, tach, ‘LAMB. They're almost ere. (ALLare very nervous) CHARLOTTE. Repest,atach . and ished. (ALL quickly desuemble they “coveage” of CHARLOTTE and asume rural portions. TEMPLETON partly hides hin. Inthe sve dhe word “Radant.”) HOMER (ofaage). Right his way, everybody. Hee we a (HOMER enters, Ho i fllowed by 2 REPORTER, » PHOTO- (GRAPHER, the ARABLES, LURVY, FERN, EDITH and a act CHARLOTTE’ WE Page 37 crown) HOMER. Make room forthe photormpher and the reporter from the Weekly von, [PERN. May Ihave ny ptt aken with Wilbur? REPORTER. Suse, young lay. (FERN poss with WILBUR) PHOTOGRAPHER. Sty “coe.” (TEMPLETON emergs fom ‘is hiding sot, unsen by the PEOPLE.) TEMPLETON (licking his ips). Chese? (The LAMB and SHEEP shove his back ito hing) FERN, Cheese (The PHOTOGRAPHER snap the picture) REPORTER. Now you, Mr. Zuckerman. HOMER. Let me gt my wife and my hed hand in here, 00, Edith... Lavy. (EDITH and LURVY join HOMER and WILBUR The PHOTOGRAPHER takes thee piste, ALL plaud) MRS. ARABLE, Look how big Wibu’'s gotten. ARABLE. You'll get sme extra good ham and bacon, Homer, when mes tie oil chat pig (WILBUR away ask and forth the fut.) FERN, Somebody bel im! AVERY. Tbe the pi! Hey, watch met (He Knute next to WILBUR and toner saw lato te ale) Oink, oink, oink! (ALL except FERN and MRS. ARABLElnigh) FERN. Ob, ke it. Keep quit! DMRS, ARABLE. Avery, what do you think you are? AVERY. A pig! Tima pi. Oink oak, isk, (MRS, ARABLE pulls away from WILBUR) [FERN (gtting Wibur’s cheeks). Wake up, Wir! Wake up (WILBUR comesto and dowly rier at ALL cher)Page 38 CHARLOTTE WEB Act HOMER. Wel, thet pg tes, ost ke i sys in the wed REPORTER, But Me Zuckerman, that’s not what I sysin the web, HOMER (lookiag athe web). Glory be! EDITH. We wore 29 busy chattering, we dat even novice ‘her's yet nother word a the web, FERN, Radin. LURVY, Radiant EDITH. Radiat. HOMER, Well sir, That does 1 sve an announcerpent that you can prin inthe newspaper. Tm girg to ener thi ig ia the County Fa (ALL che) IF he ean win able ribbon, rants we'll never make bacon anid ham out of hin. (oie applause) EDITH. Come on, everbody. Let's goto the kitchen and et ‘brte with some fesh apple sue an ied ta ARABLE. “Sounds good, Eth. (The PEOPLE ex. The ANL MALS chee) ‘WILBUR. Chasowe, you dit. Thank you. Thank you CHARLOTTE, Wel, we got you 10 the Fl But thas only half he battle ‘WILBUR, Willy come with me, Chaote? Pease CHARLOTTE, Tim not sure. Tn just not sure. (A beat.) Now ‘nay ask everyone to kindly eae? This day hasbeen patica- Inn exausting, sd mat ave somes SHEEP. Ofcourse, Charlote. Come on, Lamb. TEMPLETON, [lami she's aoe ite peace and qui. ‘GOOSE. Me, me, m, to. GANDER. Ditto dito ‘WILBUR. Tbe out in the sum taking a nap, Chaltte, (ALL, ‘xcept CHARLOTTE, ext) le Act (CHARLOTTE WEB Page 29 (CHARLOTTE. Tm suddenly vey ted, I know wt be ble to elp Wibur much longer. Ti have tay my es oon, and do want them to hatch ight herein the Baca where is warm nd safe, (A beat) But I tke the chance, Twi go tothe Fic with Wibur, People wil be expecting aes word in he web. It may help him win tht bie ebbon, and hs whol fv tore —if e's to have afte at all — totaly depends on what happens at the Fa. (She goes beind the web and for mo ment the sage if empty. Am optional iatrmislon my be ted tpt)a ee ACT TWO ee SCENE: The sage empty, After a moment, the CHORUS cater At hey speak, they renrange the “fonihngs” fom the barn to satan area inthe Livestock locale a the Fai, fectcly Wibuc’s pen and ample pasage room around it ‘The UR web is emoved and another hung UL. FIRST MEMBER. The day of summer deited on SECOND MEMBER. Before long, summer was sos one. "THIRD MEMBER. The end of summer rings many ths. Tate fareting. Thooghts of school And the County Fac, (Cori ‘amuse ishenrd) FIRST MEMBER, Step sight up, ladies and geileren. Ride the lant Fen whe, Only te cents, One thin dime, You fan see the whole county fom the top of the git Fes hel [SECOND MEMBER. Right over hee, fellows. Win a genlne ‘Navaho blanket, Kaock down the cloth cts with three Fepuation baseball and you'rea winner very te. 0 acl CHARLOTTE WEB, Page 41 ‘THIRD MEMBER. Come one, come all Footlong hot dos, ent hamburgers ech fied potatoe. sal ee, and moe a he Lion's lob BabeensPaiion. (CHORUS, AL the Fir. At the Fai. At the Fai, (They begin to eve) FIRST MEMBER. Harness racing. SECOND MEMBER. Livestock jig. ‘THIRD MEMBER. Four exhibits. (CHORUS, Atthe Fac, At th Fir At the Fa. (Tey ext) (QHOMER enters He i folowed by WILBUR who i ed toa rope eld by FERN) HOMER (ying offs). We'e back! (FERN unis WILBUR, and he ols in the ta) (LURVY enters with ptehfork filed with more straw.) LLURVY, ‘Thay/temiphty generous with the sraw around her ‘Me, Zuckerman. ‘Thought pe tle more to make Wibur omforabe. (He dumps the straw, then exits) CARABLE enters witha trowgh, AVERY follows him witha bck) HOMER, Right over hee, John, (ARABLE sets the trough down, AVERY postin the sop) AVERY. Pop, can 1 eat some of Wibu’' slope someday? (WILBURests)| ARABLE. In a way, you steady do, What he cts is ftoresPape 42 CHARLOTTE WEB Acti from what we es. AVERY. Yeuh, bu nok bet the ble Inthe bucket thn it does on (O4RS, ARABLE enters, holding a washcloth) MRS, ARABLE. Well, thank you very mush, (Ghe subs ‘Avery's face while he sguimme) Hold al, Avery. The’ Something behind you ears, (EDIT enters with sponge anda larg jar of bute) ‘VOICE ON LOUDSPEAKER (ofstie). Attention, plist! Wil the owner of a Ponte ex, sen number H-vo, four, thee, rin, please move your ca away rom the Fireworks shed! HOMER (io EDITH, who has begun to bathe WILBUR), What tre you ding, Bath? [EDITH. Giving the pga butermik sponge bath, He worked vp ‘sweat when you and Fe tok hi for tht walk jst now, FERN. Can! have some money? AVERY. Can 00? FERN. I'mgoig to wins do, AVERY. I'm gong to cash jet plan ato another one, (He demonstrates and slnox pets EDITH) MRS. ARABLE. Avery! AVERY, Sorry, Aunt Ett EDITH, Isokay. They'e just excited FERN, Can Ihave balloon? AVERY. Can Thave choetburer? MRS. ARABLE. You'll hae to wat until we can go with you. MR.ARABLE. Ob, now, Marts, Let's let the chiliten go of by SEES act CHARLOTTE'S WER Page a3 Uhensehes, The Fair only comes once a year, (FERN and AVERY cheer) ARABLE (ving change to FERN and AVERY). Now ru lng. But don't be gone log FERN. Olay, “bye, Serub Wibur up real god, Aunt Edith He'sgot to win that bse ribbon tomotrw AVERY. Come on, Fem, ARABLE. Now hry back. Well be leaving ins lite whi Tomorrow’ he big FERN. Otay, Pap (FERN and AVERY enit s the OTHERS calla the) ARABLE, Don‘ eat lot of suf thats going to make you sk to your stomachs, DMRS. ARABLE. “And Jf you go on the swings, you hang on ‘ihe. Hearme? EDITH And don’ get lou! MRS. ARABLE. Don't get day! HOMER Dont get overated! AARABLE, Watch out fr pickpockets! EDITH, “And don't cos the restitck when the horses ae coming! (A best) MRS. ARABLE. Do you thik isa it, Jobo? AARABLE. Wel, they've got fo grow up sometine, Anda Flr ‘ss pood place to stat, | guess. (MRS. ARABLE ahs and ‘lows heros into the watrep) CLURVY centers with a wooden sgn tending: “Zuskerman's FamousPi") LURVY. He's the sgn fom Wilbur's cate, Mrs Zucker, HOMER. Good, Liny. Wel sei ight here wo everybody wllPane 44 (CHARLOTTE WEB acct ‘now this isthe pig they've been bearing about, (He and LURVY prop the sgn up next to Wilbur's pen) "Zuskenan's Famous Pg" LURVY. If wee faked fo the time being, Mr. Zcksrman, | ‘think lg down tothe midway and meet sme of my fends HOMER. Sure sig, Lu. LLURVY. Maybe I'l eve win one of thote Nava blankets ve ‘been hearing about, (He exits) HOMER. It's ret tobe atthe Fai, n't i? 'm nat a 2 ‘ited athe Ks. La’ look at he new tractors, El, EDITH (drying WILBUR, whois ae, with « tows), Let me ist dry him of. Look, b's, ARABLE, Marta, let’ you and me wander over fo the cate bar nd se the Holstein apd the Guernsey, MRS, ARABLE. Olay. But e's try to Keep an occslonl eye out for Fer and Avery. EDITH. Allfnhed. She sts the towel down.) HOMER. Let's go then, ARABLE. We'll meet you tack here ina ile while, (The t90 ‘COUPLES ext in opposite directions) (TEMPLETON appeurs fom behind & crate or box. CHAR: LOTTE enters from bind the web) TEMPLETON. I thought they’d never eae, Iesease fora rat to hid in bam than owt i the open Uke thi. Wel, Ita Ti.dos litle eploig, (CHARLOTTE. Please bring me back a word Templeton, TEMPLETON, Fld what an. (He exits) (CHARLOTTE. If dont wnte something, ' sre Wabus wil Ive a dificl time winning that bie ribbon, (She looks at ‘Act CHARLOTTE’ WER Pee as the slesping WILBUR) He's a cute ite pg and sma, But ri sre thee willbe ge igs ee. And even beter looking (ONCLE, sree pi, enters sitfing sound. A moment ater he sees CHARLOTTE) UNCLE. Hi, here (CHARLOTTE. May Ihave your same? UNCLE. No ame, Just eallme Unk CHARLOTTE. Very well. . Uncle, You'e aber le, Are yous sping ie? UNCLE, Sure, Tm a spring pig. What did you tink Iwas, 2 Spring chicken? "Hw, haw, that was good one, Eh, str? CHARLOTTE. Milly funay- Ie heard funnier ons, hough What are you doing over hare? UNCLE, ‘They're sl working on my pen. 1 jst walked avy. ‘They'll ome after me whea they see gone. But though 16 wander stound and look st the compatiton. (He lok down at WILBUR) Well no problem here. From what Ive seen ofr, Ve got that ive ribbon all sewed yp. But won't reale you about it. Get it? Ham, ham ‘VOICE (offage. Unc? Where wre you, Uncle? UNCLE, Well better he getting Back. Te got to ge py for the crowds that wil be coming to admire me, So long, ste, (Ase euts, WILBUR wakes up) [WILBUR (rows). Ob, hi, Charlotte, Whereis everyboy? (CHARLOTTE, Off ose the Fl. WILBUR. Did hear you talking to someone? CHARLOTTE. A pg that's staying next doo. WILBUR, Tee beter thane? Tren. bigger?Page 46 (CHARLOTTE WEB Act (CHARLOTTE, I'm afd hee much igs. WILBUR. Oo (CHARLOTTE. But be has s most vnatttctive personality, Oh, he's gag to bea hse pig to eat on account of his sie and weight. But with me helping you, can be doe. WILBUR, When wil you be wit the new word? CHARLOTTE. Laer on, f'n nt 100 red. Just spinning this ‘now web eter today took alot of my tenth, (vo SPECTATORS enter. CHARLOTTE eases into the back: ound) FIRST SPECTATOR, Well her's & pootJooking flow. (He reads the sgn) “Zackerman's Famout Pig” (WILBUR ses) SECOND SPECTATOR. Look st hit sky white cost. And his oe, cw tal FIRST SPECTATOR. 1 hin b's the finest pig weve sen to- ayy. SECOND SPECTATOR (looking offiag). Let's go loa at that ‘gover there, (Heenita) FIRST SPECTATOR (to WILBUR), 1 thnk Ive hed of you, ‘Are't you that “radian” pig who's supposed tobe “ere?” (OWILBUR ems an nods) SECOND SPECTATOR (offiag). Look over hee a thi pi. (The FIRST SPECTATOR exits) Hes ian. FIRST SPECTATOR (ofaags). And he sem to be very con ‘ident, SECOND SPECTATOR (offstage). He may get the blue ribbox ater, FIRST SPECTATOR (oss) Wel let's go look at the hoses et (CHARLOTTE'S WEB, Page 47 snd soe we can pick the winner oer hee, WILBUR. Ob, dear. Did you hen tht, Chalo? CHARLOTTE. Chin up, young find. Those weren't the Judges. They were merely the spectator, The je re the ones whe cout. (TEMPLETON enters crying sn artic tom from newepspe.) TEMPLETON (handing it to CHARLOTTE). Wel, he's your oder CHARLOTTE, I hope you bought good one, I ithe ast ‘word sll ever wate, [WILBUR (alusmed) Chale, what do you mean? CHARLOTTE (sucying the arc. Templeton, my eye stem to be going. T'm having trouble reading thie, What's the word? TEMPLETON. “Humble.” (He sels itout) Husnbe, CHARLOTTE. Humble tas two meanings. It means “not ‘proud and It means “low tothe round.” That's Wilbur al TEMPLETON. Well, I hope you'e sated, I'm not going to spend all my time delivering papers, 1 exe to ths Fal joy mysell (CHARLOTTE. You've been vee helpful, Templeton. Youmay ru along no. TEMPLETON. 1 ing fo make ght of, The old sep eas right. This Pai is 2 eats pause. Whst ening! Wht Arinking! ‘Bye, ye, ay humble Wibor, Fare the wel, ‘Chuo, you ol skeet This wil ea night to ember, Inarats lf, Ge exits) WILBUR. Chart, what dd you mean when you sid thi ‘would be youl word?Page 48 CHARLOTTE'S WEB acu CHARLOTTE, stot ‘NILBUR, But, Chalo (HOMER enters with his arm sound LURVY who holds lan- et, EDITH follows them in) HOMER, That's tect Good for you, Lary. LDURVY. ust ky, that’ (QHOMER motions to. ARABLE, MRS. ARABLE and AVERY, ‘who is eating» candy apple and bat balloon tied to his eae, a they enter from he other sie ofthe stage) HOMER, Hey everybody. Look what Lay won, AVERY. What iit, Lavy? TLURVY. A geoulne Nobo blanket. ARABLE (inspecting the blanket), Wel congratulations MRS. ARABLE (ooking about). do wonder where Fer i ARABLE, Stl be along. HOMER. Wel suppose we ought think bout pting home. AVERY, Wil the pig be okay? HOMER, Sure, Avery. They have night watchmen ook ter the animal after he people eve EDITH (petting WILBUR). Hell be ine HOMER. Get los of seep, Widur. The Judges come around first thing la the morning. [ARABLE. They may even get hoe before we do. (FERN enters with x doll and carrying Cackejcks) FERN, Look atthe doll won, verbody. Acti Page 49 AVERY, Wel HOMER. Le'sjust hope i's lucky fr Wibur tomorow. MRS. ARABLE. Fem, 1ve been worried. Where wee you? FERN. I met Hen Fusy, and be invited me tie with him ‘on the Fes we) MRS. ARABLE (hightening). Henry Fusy? FERN, He ven bought ticket forme, MRS. ARABLE. My, my. HOMER. Ler load up, everybody. (ALL bepin to ext. FERN ‘nd MRS. ARABLE sre the st 10 g0.) FERN, Ihope you were’ foo worse abou me MRS. ARABLE. Not ely. Now tat know whee you were FERN, Tl be shining about you tonight, Wilbur. (Sho croses to WILBUR) Good luc, tomorow. Slep well (She pats \WILBUR. WILBUR seat FERN as she nd MRS. ARABLE start to exit) Mother, et me tell you about my Ferris whee tide with Henry. One tine we sopped tthe very top, and {you relly coud se the whole county. Or tes ges twas ‘the whole county (They ext. The lights fade slightly 2 2 truck i het o startup and thes deve avay. WILBUR waves wit) WILBUR. Ie'srice that Fern found a fiend hoe atthe Fal (CHARLOTTE. Well better be sting to work, WILBUR. tethers going tobe your last word, Carte? CHARLOTTE, Think o, {dont hve much engi ft And tonight I hae anther job to do. WILBUR. Isitsomething forme? (CHARLOTTE. No, Is somthin for me fora change. WILBUR, Pes cell me whatitis CHARLOTTE (es he Hehe fade Further, show you in the ‘momning. (Freworks are beard la the background. SpecialPage 50 ‘CHARLOTTE WEB Act ihn effete may accompany the rounds WILBUR, Listen. I's te freworks CHARLOTTE. Fireworks ate an important part of the Fai (ie aad WILBUR tten for + moment. The sounds bepin to fade. ff used, the special hing effects alo fae.) WILBUR. This the first night I'v ever pent away fom hom. (A pe) Pim glad youre with me, Chalotte Tnever feel lonely when you're ear. CHARLOTTE. Thank you. WILBUR. Even if don't win the be ribbon. . andthe wort happens. 1 will never forget you. CHARLOTTE, That's very nie of ou 1 sy. Now, po to deep. WILBUR, Good night. (WILBUR stretches out and goes to step) (The CHORUS enters) FIRST MEMBER. Before log, Wilbur was sep. SECOND MEMBER. Chaviatie could tell by the sound of his ‘breathing that he was sleeping peacefully in the sav. (CHAR LOTTE poet to her web and, with her back tured, begs © work) ‘THIRD MEMBER. By cow, the Fai war quit, and the people weregone. Ie wats god tine fr Chatto work FIRST MEMBER. Though se was vey te, she worked quick 1yfor se had yet another jb to 0, SECOND MEMBER. Before long, she finished writing inthe we. (CHARLOTTE (lowly). The messip is spun. Ue come to the fend, (A beat arse catches her breath) The job than T= Aone ial for my fiend. act (CHARLOTTES WED, Page 51 ‘THIRD MEMBER. After she tad waten the oew word in the web, she mored on to another project. (CHARLOTTE mows away from the web slighty. Though se i ae obscured by the in ght, her movements are now very corte ard mysterious) FIRST MEMBER, 1 cried he fr toto the ght. (CHAR: LOTTE climbs up and sticks an eg se high up onthe wall, ‘hen colspees) SECOND MEMBER, When she was fly Hashd, she wat ex haused, and she fllintoa deep, dee seep. ‘THIRD MEMBER. The fist light of the next morning veld the woed fa Chaote's web. (A Bght umiatr the word “Hurnle" The the lights core up slow.) SECOND MEMBER, It was very exly when the judges came ‘sound to determine the winners ofthe ble rhbons (Tiree JUDGES ener sleny, They observe the eeping WIL- ‘BUR, write on a scoreshoet, then ext inthe diction of Uncles pen) THIRD MEMBER. The blazing rang sn slowly bepn to ris fn the most important day of Wibur's if. (The CHORUS cet, WILBUR wasup and ses the web.) WILBUR. Oh, lok! There the new word. Charlot, Chie: Tote You've done gaa! (CHARLOTTE (waking up). “Humble” Ie fs you perfect WILBUR (ooking at the egy se). And wha’ that objec up ‘there? It oks ike eoton candy. Dl you make i? CHARLOTTE, [aid indeed, Ie'smy eee, WILBUR, What's inside? Bags?Page 52 (CHARLOTTE'S WEB (CHARLOTTE. Five hundred and fourtsn of thm, WILBUR. You're kiing Are you really going £0 have five ‘hundred and fourteen eilsen? CHARLOTTE (with a touch of sadnes). If acting happens, ys. (f cour, they won't show up tl ext spring WILBUR. You don't sees very hapry about this (CHARLOTTE. 1 gues fel sad because... I wont ever se ny ches, WILBUR. Of eure you wil. Weal them, (CHARLOTTE. Wibut, dont fel god a ll. My ogg snd 1 ‘may ot make bck to the ba. WILBUR. Chao, do’ sy that. (CHARLOTTE. Now stop worrying about me. This is your big day today. Pm sre you'l win ‘TEMPLETON (ota). What nih! (TEMPLETON enters His stomach bloated) TEMPLETON. What night! What fsting ad carousing, A real gorge. must have eaten the remains of thirty lines, Ob, twas rich, my fends, eh! (He ems aloud, sed ih) CHARLOTTE. You ought to be ashamed of yoursif. You ‘probably have an tack af seat indigestion, TEMPLETON. Dos't wory about me. Wibut's the one you soul be wonying about, (CHARLOTTE. Woat do you mean? TEMPLETON, I've gt some bad news for you. As came past that pig next door ~ the one that al himself Uncle ~ I no- ‘ead blue ibbon onthe rot of his pn, Tht means he won first prize. (A pause) Act (CHARLOTTE WER, Page 83 CHARLOTTE (Rly). Ob, no, (WILBUR sts down sowly. (CHARLOTTE goes to him and puts her atm around him) TEMPLETON, Wait ul Zuckerman gee hakesng for some Sieh pork an soked ham. Hell take the kale o you my boy, (WILBUR stares seight ahead.) (CHARLOTTE, Be sll, Templeton! Don't py any stein 10 i, Wb, TEMPLETON. bet he's so sed e's going to fant asin, WILBUR (after 4 beat, sil ooking abet). Na, im not (Another beat) Whatever wil happen, wil happen, (He {tins courage) 1 may not ne a Jong a Pik, bt ve ed ‘ey well A goo! if smuch mac important thn just having 2 Tong ie. So starting now, 'm going to op worrying about myself. Thee are more important things than jot thinking out yourf ll the time. Like you, Templeton. You i't yn notice that Charote has dean ep st ‘TEMPLETON. Egg nc? WILBUR (polatig tothe epg sc). Up ter, She sping to become s mother. For your ifarmation, thee ar Sve hun: red and fourteen eas in that peachy Iie, TEMPLETON, Wel, congaulstion! This har been «nit! (Wie finds an outotshoway spot, covers bins with some stra or an old lant, nd goes to sep) CHARLOTTE, Tm sory about the blue sbbon, Wibur. But you'r Being ery be bout. WILBUR. Bevery i just oe of the many things Pe arned fiom you, Charlotte. my fed [FERN otfiege), Look! Look venbody! (PERN uns in)Page 54 CHARLOTTE'S WEB Act FERN. Look at what i says in Chote’ web! “Humble (@DITH, carying «jr of butermik and towel, enters. MRS. ‘ARABLE, ARABLE, LURVY, crying «bucks, and HOMER tex) MRS. ARABLE, My goodnes! “Humble.” EDITH, Another mist! HOMER, He's sur to win that bu ubboa now! (ALL cheer) AVERY (ofits). Ob 0! Tea ele AARABLE, What st, very? (AVERY enters) AVERY. That pig ovr there has ready won fit pie. (ALL ‘Hen shock) ‘ALL (ad lbbiog). What? Have the judges been eve aleady? ‘Oh, no. I can't belleve Wilbur didnt win, This ie tcble (EDITH obs, LURVY blows his soe ito handkerhiet) AVERY. I's ot far He won just Becnse bee fat, TU bet the judges are fat foo. (ALLae quet for 3 moment. MRS, ARABLE, EDITH and LURVY blow their notes) HOMER. ‘Hold on, bere, Whats evrybody crying aboot? Edith, ie the pig his buterie bth EDIT. Bt. he él" wi HOMER. People ae sll going to come by and see him ‘nd what's writen in the web, Now, lets st busy. (ALL try to bea bit cherie, though t's cific) ARABLE. That the spit, Homer TLURVY, i give him his Besant. (He pouss the ops. cuit (CHARLOTTE WEB, Page 55 WILBUR sero eat) MRS. ARABLE. TU help withthe bath, Edith, (She des) ARABLE, Fess, you and Avery ty up the ae (FERN and AVERY smooth out straw ard generlystaughen up) Ho ‘mer, T think our sgn neds to bea litle more peomizent, AVERY, What's prominent mean? ARABLE (a he and HOMER move th si), see, More nate MRS. ARABLE. You're often very prominent your, Avery, VOICE ON LOUDSPEAKER flags). Attention, plese! At tention plese! We would like 1 ak st many’ of you atcan to auemble inthe Iestock aes whee we ate sBou 10 pre sent pec rd EDITHL Speci ward? HOMER. Itt be forte cows... or the hors ‘VOICE ON LOUDSPEAKER (ofstage). When you rv at he lwestock ata, plese go to the section where the pgs ae located AARABLE. It sound Ike somebody around her's ola ose nother svar, AVERY. That fa ig oer hee. VOICE ON LOUDSPEAKER (oes). We will ek you tor post deety to the pig owned by Mr. Homer Zuckerman, (ALL are dumbfounded) AVERY (lowly comprehending). The pig owned by Mr omer. . (He throws stem into the ar) Yerhoo! (There tue chews, hugs, kises and general congratulations WILBUR |s ecu. CHARLOTTE, union by the OTHERS, inches ut an ves WILBUR the okay sign with her fags) HOMER, We've got no tine tose Fash bathing him, Eth, (EDITH and MRS. ARABLE redouble heir efforts)CHARLOTTE WE et Page 56 LORVY. 1 get ate more seaw. (He ets hurl) 'ARABLE, 1 gti ofthe slop bucket. (He ake itand exis) [EDITH, Homer, does my hai look all igh? HOMER (bey, straining things up)- Look ine EDITH. You dit even ook a my hae. (MRS, ARABLE, You'e ll ight, Eaith, Just keep ein (CURVY enterswith more stm) EDITH, Okay, Wibu’'s nthe, 1 put these things back in the track CEDITH ext, cling with ARABLE who enters BOTH Tau) [ARABLE, Sony, Eth (Pace, or more, FAIRGOERS enter at vious points a they ‘iter forthe award presentation) FIRST FAIRGOER. Good morning HOMER. Hello, hee FIRST FAIRGOER. Is th he Zuckesman pig? HOMER. Ys, indo. ‘SECOND FAIRGOER. There he is, That's the pig weve been hearing about. DMRS, ARABLE. Zuckerman’ famous pig, That's him. SECOND FAIRGOER. He looks lke 2 rie winner to me. THIRD FAIRGOER. He ist as bg as that pig next door, but ‘schema, That's what ke, ‘Acct (CHARLOTTE'S WER, FIRST FAIRGOER, So do SECOND FAIRGOER. Abd e's humble, to. Sut ket sys inthe spider web, ‘THIRD FAIRGOER. Ye, se. Mhty fine pg you got thee, folks HOMER, Thank you (EDIT enter and HOMER puts his sem around her A RE. PORTER and PHOTOGRAPHER are among the CROWD that ner with EDITH) ‘CROWD (a bing). this where the ceremony ie? Haw hat ig hst month st the Zuckerman fam. ead about him in ‘the Weakly Chronile, Thee was anc pltueof him 10. (an ANNOUNCER, carving «portable public addes sytem, ters. Heelbows is way though the CROWD) ANNOUNCER, Coming through! Coming trough! Lets open 4 up lil, plese, Thank you very much. (He look at ARABLE,) Zackerman? HOMER (going tothe ANNOUNCER), Risht here. ANNOUNCER. Pleased to mett you. (He and HOMER sake ‘hands. The ANNOUNCER climbs atop a crate or box ad yes to the unseen audince i the wings) Thos of you who cnt {fn clos, dont worry. You'l ear eveything you ned to Inar. (He tests the public address system again) Tete, testing. Can everybody tar me? (He dost wal for an answer) Good. (Ue clears his throat) Ladeez and gente ren, we now preeat Mr. Homer L. Zuckerman’ distinguished ig. (Applause) Many’of you wil cll when the wag astPage 58 CHARLOTTE’ WEB, ‘Acti sppeared mysteriously on the spider's web in Mr. Zuckersn's ban, cling the attention ofall othe fst that thi wat some ig. (ALL verbally agree) Then came th word “teri.” ‘And be. Look x him [EDITH (side to MRS ARABLE). 1 he butermi ANNOUNCER, Then came the word “rin.” And finally to day, the word “humble” Whence came this nytrious writ ing! (WILBUR lances in the general dtstion of CHAR LOTTE) This mele hes never ben ful exphined, We in- ly Know that we are dealing with supernatural fores bere, snd we shoul al fe proud and patefl, (ALLagree) Now, ladeez and gentlemen, T must not take anymore of your va. ble time, On behalf of the governor of the Fai tke the hoor of awarding special prize of twenty-ve dol to Mr, Zuckerman. And this handsome bronze medal, which ft out Shines any bloeeibbon, to this aan, thi teri, thls hum ble pig! (He produces the medal which i atached to a lone ribbon. ALL cher and aplaud. WILBUR srs to bow, thee {aint ALL eaep) What's wrong? Wha’ going on, Zuckete san? What’ the trouble with your pig HOMER (ying to revive WILBUR). He alsght. He gts these spel. He's modest snd cant stand pra ANNOUNCER, Wel, we can't give 2 prize to a dead pig. t's never been done, HOMER, Hes dead. He usted, Run for some water, Lary! (LURVY exits, The PEOPLE tun to eachother and dies the Ineldest. "While no one & looking at WILBUR, CHAR- LOTTE steps out and foks on with pest atm, TEMPLE- “TON, who has been aoep and une, awakens He qukekly ses up the situation, rns to WILBUR, a ites i tail) Acttt CHARLOTTES WEB, Pee 59 WILBUR (sing). Ouch! (Before anyone relzes where the sound came from, TEMPLETON and CHARLOTTE quickly ral back ou of sight. Shaken, WILBUR up) ALL (ed ibbing). Hooray! He's up! The i's up! Good work, Zuckerman! Thats sme pat ANNOUNCER, And now, deer and gentimen, may Ihave Your attention for the ofii awarding ofthe pies. Het s ‘wentysve dlls for Mr. Zuckerman . . (He bands the ‘money to HOMER) . «and the bronze medal — forthe sta attraction of out County Fait (He tes the medal around Wis ossk as ALL cheer and applaud, The PHOTO. CORAPHER takes pictures and the ANNOUNCER sakes nds with HOMER. “AVERY begin to shake hands all aound) (LURVY cts with 2 bucket of wate, He tosis the water toward WILBUR, but spubes onto HOMER and AVERY. ALLLgh) HOMER, What as you, Lung? Cart you se the pig is all he LLURVY. You asked for wate, VOMER. I dids't ask for a shover bath. (ALL, iching 'HOMER, igh. AVERY pretends tobe tking a shower, He bs imapnary soup under his rmpis adie wth anima fnary towel) DMRS, ARABLE (as ALL continu to laugh). Ave, stop it FERN, Stop showing of, Avery (He continas to clown arund Unk MRS. ARABLE less him ewsy fom the center of at- tention. The laughter subsides) ANNOUNCER. No, fos, f youl proceed onto the ean stand, youl be Just a ne ot the it ea ft’ hessPage 60 (CHARLOTTE WEB ActIt ‘aces, Thankyou one and all for your presence t this istoie awards ceremony. (The CROWD choes and bepas to ex.) Exewe me. Comiag thouph, ve got g call he it ae Geexits) FERN, Look st Wilber and hi now mata, (WILBUR berms) HOMER. We're mighty pleased with you, boy. @le pats WILBUR) Well now thatthe excitement died down, Less ‘toe 1 be losing up ARABLE, Home, lal celebrate the occasion by taking one last look around the midway. HOMER. Sounds good 1 me. FERN. Mother, my Ihave forty cents? 1s my tur to take Henry on the’ Fens wheel QURS. ARABLE pives her the money) Thanks. (Sh ets) MRS, ARABLE (snilng. Henry Fssy, Imagine that, ARABLE, Wel let's. EDITH, Well be back nity, Wir TLURVY. Wear that medal with pride, boy! (ALL, except ‘WILBUR, exit) (moment ater, FERN returns) FERN, Fm srry, Wiur, as in auch a hurry to meet Henry, [foygot to tell you how proud Iam of you. T knew From the ‘wey lst day that you were some pig, (After a best, she haps WILBUR, then looks offitage) Henry! Walt fr me. Las gp forarid onthe Fes wheel. (She exit hired.) WILBUR. Charlotte, Charltts? (A beat) Are you al ight? (CHARLOTTE (coming out of hiding). Yes. A itl ted, per- ‘ps. But fel peaceful ow that 1 Know yu wl ve, Wilbur, secute and ae Acti CHARLOTTE'S WER, Page 6 WILBUR. Ob, Charts, Why did you do alti for me? Ive never done anything for you. (CHARLOTTE. You have been my fend, That in a i ‘uemendou hig, Afterall, what's aie, anyway? Wee born, we Ine atl, we dt. By Helping you, perhaps wasting up any if ¢ wile. Heaver knows, anjont’s fe can and alte oft, WILBUR, You have saved me, Charlot, and I would gly tre my Hfeforyou. . -Iealy would, (CHARLOTTE, Tin are you woul ‘WILBUR. Charlot, we're all going home today. Woa' it be wonderful tobe back inthe bam apa? (CHARLOTTE. Iwill at be pons back othe ben. WILBUR (alarmed). Not going back? What a you taking bout? (CHARLOTTE. In done for, Ina day or to, Tbe dad ‘WILBUR. Chait! (CHARLOTTE. Tn ted, I cant een crawl upto my ogg, WILBUR. Chats! My te find (CHARLOTTE. Come now, Wilbur, lets nt make se. WILBUR. Iwor't leave you slow to de. [hall a, to, CHARLOTTE. You can They wort et you, Bese, evn you did stay, there would be no one t feed you. The Fit Grounds wil soon be empty and deserted. (WILBUR ges to these ofthe pe and ook offitase) WILBUR. I have an ids, (ie ruts to TEMPLETON snd awakens him) Templeton, Templeton! Wake op! Pry steno! TEMPLETON, Ca’ rat catch wink of deep? WILBUR, Lisen tome! Chloe fr very Hl, She wont bePap 62 CHARLOTTE'S WEB ‘Act coming home with ws. Im take erase with me, can't reach it and Tear limb, Pes, please, Templeton, clin up and get the og, = WILBUR (sancng oleae). Hury! They'l be beck s000, “Templeton, Iwill make you a promise. Gut Chvote’s eae foe me, and from tow om I wl et you ext Ft when Laney slops me. You gt fat choice of everything in the trough TEMPLETON, You mean hat? WILBUR. t promi. I rosemy her. TEMPLETON (after a eat). Alli 2 deal. (He clinbs up ope! theepesac) WILBUR, Use extreme cae. I don't want 2 singe one ofthe gs banned. (TEMPLETON brings the egg sc to WILBUR) (Chavo, I wil protect ft with all my might. Thank you, Templeton. Now you'd beter run to the truck nd hie under the straw iFyou want ade back hoe. TEMPLETON. You bet I'm going bck home, now that get fist choice of everyting inthe tough (He exits) HOMER (offstage). Wel ake cae of Wilbur, Bath, You drop the alate ofthe plckup and et his rat end. WILBUR. Ob, Calo! (He cromes quickly to CHARLOTTE and embraces er.) HOMER enter, flowed by ARABLE ané LURVY. CHAR LOTTE hides he shadows) ARABLE (calling offing), Martha, you and Ferm and Avery ft in the tuck, Wel be there n'a minute. (HOMER Ws & acttt CHARLOTTE'S WER Page 63 ‘op sound WILBUR) LLURVY, We'd beter straighten things up itl. We don't want ‘hore governors ofthe Fae think the prizes ig t ‘mes behind, (ALL laugh spd begin to cesrang the sting to resemble Homers barn) HOMER. Wells, i tumed out tobe a mighty fine Fir ARABLE, Mighty a, ORVY. Best on Ive ever been to, The vey bet one, (Hl and ARABLE pick up the sig and anyother belongings and ext) HOMER. Let's go, Wibur. Ths wil be «dry you san tel yout trandchldren about, (WILBUR looks back end see CHAR. LOTTE, who has come out of hing asin) WILBUR ‘otto vox), Goodbye, Chaote, Goodtye. (He wavs to CHARLOTTE, ten be and HOMER exit) CHARLOTTE. Goodbye, Wilbur. Thank you for sving yess sae, (She speaks ity.) Thaak you.» » and goodbye my fiend (The ligt ae, avn special on CHARLOTTE, tho sowiy wares) (The CHORUS enters) FIRST MEMBER, Charite sunmoced al! her strength and waved to Wier, SECOND MEMBER. She went bck to her we, ‘THIRD MEMBER And never moved again, (As the FIRST MEMBER speaks, the SECOND spd THIRD MEMBERS sowly