ACT I:

(July 22nd. Early morning. Central Park.

The lights slowly come up, like a sunrise. MAGDALENE is sitting on the floor, center stage. Next to her stands a holly bush. Her alabaster jar can be seen along side of her, opened. She is dressed in the clothing of her time – in colors of red and white and green.

A male UNICORN stands still in the background, almost in shadow. He is dressed in black, a horn protruding from his head. He is guarding Magdalene’s safety. Three waxing crescent moons hang in the background.

MAGDALENE looks downward. She is quietly weeping. MAGDALENE hears the faint sounds of birds chirping. Slowly she lifts her head as she realizes the sun is rising. Her arms, which have been cradling her body, begin to unfold. Her hands point up to the sky as she prays silently. She stops crying. MAGDALENE lifts her head, opens her eyes; her motion is deliberate. She stops to look around, puzzled by her circumstance.)

MAGDALENE
Where am I ? Does anyone know me here ? Which dimension am I in ? How did I get here ? How did I end up on these shores ? Where is my brother ? My sister ? My child ?

(MAGDALENE stands up and looks up.)

Osiris ascending, I am your Isis. Where am I now ? It is I who stand before you. Why do you not show yourself to me ? Is this a dream ? This doesn’t feel like a dream.

(MAGDALENE begins to wander.)

It was supposed to be a simple story…

All I wanted…all I ever wanted…was his love. I am not the temple whore. Do you hear me ? Does anyone hear me ? I AM NOT THE TEMPLE WHORE !

(MAGDALENE clenches her fists.)

I am Magdalene. Known throughout the world as a penitent prostitute ! I didn’t ask for that title, didn’t want that legacy. They created that Magdalene to change the story. And I couldn’t stop them…

I was wounded so early. Like a dagger piercing my heart. Blood dripping out, through my veins, through my tears. Until I could cry no more. Was I ever a child ? I can’t remember.

(MAGDALENE picks up the alabaster jar and smells its inside.)
Why did their voices intrude ? How I wish I had never witnessed their pain…their twisted ways. Their vulgar, twisted ways.

Harassment, abuse, degradation, persecution, ill-treatment, cruelty, violence…It made me wild…obsessed… irrational…frightened…bad-tempered… sick. It made me crazy!

(MAGDALENE smashes the alabaster jar.)

My soul raged war within me. Death seemed a satisfying release. At the bottom of the sea. But a piece of me, a tiny piece, somehow survived. Do you know that piece ? Deep inside your soul that won’t let go of you ? That small piece hangs on, somehow knowing its time will come ?

(MAGDALENE hears a sound in the vicinity of the rosebush.
It is the UNICORN signaling the direction.
She recognizes the rose bush onstage and walks over to it.
She smells it, touches it, breathes it in. She looks for the sound that alerted her.
The UNICORN is hiding behind the tree.)

Finally…what seemed like forever…the dirt and rock beneath my feet…it trembled. And there he was. Loving, kind. Miraculous. Mysterious. My heart beat so fast…I felt death and rebirth all at once.

All I wanted was his love. All I ever needed was his love. No more, no less.

He understood our meaning together. Ours was a union of violets. Of roses and carnations. The flowers of love. We were counterparts – the one who anoints and the anointed one. A sacred union. Together forever. Indelibly stamped.

(MAGDALENE picks up the pieces of her alabaster jar, pricking her finger.)

My reflection was so distorted, so disfigured. Stigmata. In my hands, in my uterus, in my heart. They made me insignificant, minor. Has anyone ever tried to do that to you ?

They said I was in danger. At that point, do you think I really cared ? We’ll gain you safe passage, they said. Leave now. We must protect you. You must leave this place.

But the sands of Egypt – ahhh, my dear and dark Egypt. How telling the sands of time. Revealing new stories. As new stories emerged. The price of their lies has paid through the centuries ! Torment. Oppression. Hide no more thy Black Madonnas !

They who were sacrificed…they gave the bride her honor. Isn’t that what the bridegroom wanted all along ? How could such a simple request create such epic proportions of fear and loathing ? My dear and brave Knights, fighting so valiantly to the death !
The Ark of the Covenant. The secret dossiers. Digging in the French countryside, day and night, ‘round the clock. Frantically searching for magic bones. Seeking the Holy Grail !

And in that name, the killing raged on, the torture, the greed. Prejudice, hatred, the pursuit of money, the quest for power…sound familiar ?

(MAGDALENE slowly walks back to center stage. The light is at its brightest intensity now. The sun has risen. She strikes a thinking pose and looks around. There is silence. Slowly the sounds of the city can be heard – at a distance and muffled.
The New York City skyline can now be seen. Trees surround Magdalene.)

Women…we were not worthy in their eyes. Kicked around like dirt. Except by him. He understood the connection. He had that ability. He knew. With his heart.

I listened to his every word. I could listen to his sweet voice all day long. Days on end. And I felt his tenderness, his compassion, his love. He healed my heart.

Though, it has taken time…time to unravel what I lived before he touched me.

(MAGDALENE looks around, aware of the journey ahead.)

But the time has come to set the record straight. He demands it. I will visit them today. In some way, they know I’m coming. And then I will wait.

(MAGDALENE sits down.
The lights change colors – then come back to bright light.

The UNICORN stands motionless in the background.
He now sheds a tear and touches it, wondering what it is.

His aura exudes protection and strength, but bewilderment surfaces.

He walks closer to MAGDALENE but then stops short of reaching her.

Lights fade.)