SCENE: (Before the curtain. Melissa enters alone. Her father enters behind her.)
Lott: Will you be along soon, Melissa?
Melissa: Yes, Father, but first, I want to go and say good-bye to Sister Smith.
Lott: Don’t be too long. It’s getting dark.
Melissa: I won’t, Father. (He goes toward exit, stops, looks at his daughter) (Exit Melissa)
(Lott stands as if remembering – then takes broom and begins sweeping –lights change to bright, sunny morning.)
SCENE: (In front of Joseph Smith’s store. Brother Lott is sweeping in front. Emma, in shawl and bonnet, enters)
Emma: Good morning, Brother Lott.
Lott: Good morning, Sister Smith.
Emma: Have you seen Joseph?
Lott: He was in a while ago, but Widow Martin came in and he went off to help the old lady carry her goods and to fix her front door for her.
Emma: Hmm.
(Cleveland rushes out of the store.)
Cleveland: Well, prophet or no prophet, he’s running me out of business. I can’t compete with a man who gives his groceries away. Sister Smith, morning m’am. Sister Smith, I think you ought to know your husband just sold the Widow Martin a months supply for a bucket of puny potatoes. Maybe he can afford it, but I can’t. Do you think people are going to trade with me? No! I don’t see how he does it, but I can’t compete. I’ll have to open another business or move across the river.
Emma: That might be the best thing to do Cleveland. It’s not likely Joseph will stop giving away his goods.
Joseph: (Appears in his shirt sleeves, his coat thrown over his shoulder.) Good morning, Brother Cleveland, hello Emma, how nice you look this morning.
Emma: Joseph, will you be home for dinner or supper?
Joseph: I’ll come in for a minute, but I’m promised out until after bedtime. Come in and I’ll fix your basket.
(They enter store. Cleveland huffs off, Lott continues to sweep.)
(Enter Eliza Snow)
Eliza S.: Good morning, Brother Lott.
Lott: Good morning, Sister Snow. How are things going for you, Eliza?
Eliza S.: There are troubles in this world, Brother Lott.
Lott: Well, that’s not a new thing, Sister Snow.
Eliza: No….
(Enter Louisa Beaman)
Louisa: Good morning, Sister Eliza (squeezes her hand) Brother Lott, (nods)
Eliza: Oh, Louisa, good morning to you.
(Emma and Joseph come out of the store.)
Joseph: That should last you an hour or two. I’ll send the rest over with Cornelius.
(He looks at the ladies, they smile. Emma looks at them, they freeze, then smile. Exchange formal greetings. Joseph walks off with Emma.)
Eliza: Sometimes, when I most need to see him, I can’t catch him for a minute. I suppose I’ll have to lay wait for him.
Louisa: I expect that even Emma has that problem. He’s so here and there. Nauvoo would fall apart if he weren’t around to care of it.
Eliza: Well, I’d like a word with him. Brother Lott, will President Smith be back again do soon you think?
Lott: Mmmm, well now, you might as well ask me if it’s going to rain in New York today, Sister Snow. I expect if you went over to his house you might run into him.
Eliza: Well, thank you, Brother Lott.
(She and Louisa go on into the store. Melissa enters.)
Melissa: Hello, Father.
Lott: Hello, Melissa, how are things going child?
Melissa: Fine, Father. Is Brother Joseph in?
Lott: In and out.
Joseph: (Enters) Hello, Melissa.
Melissa: President Smith, Sister Emily Partridge asked me to run and ask you to please take a moment to see her before this morning.
Joseph: Did she say what the trouble was?
Melissa: (Drops her eyes) No, I can’t imagine, only that it was about something you told Sister Snow.
Joseph: Mmm, tell her I’ll do my best to come and see her.
Melissa: Thank you, Sir. (exits)
Joseph: How old is Melissa?
Lott: Just a child yet.
Joseph: Yes, just a child.
Lott: You’ve heard her sing. You know, she sings like an angel…. Brother Smith, she’s had a funny look lately. She talks a lot with Eliza Snow and won’t give a word about it. There’s rumors around about something…strange…?
Joseph: Brother Lott, the Lord is taking care of your daughter, have no fear for her welfare.
Lott: Thank you, Brother Smith.
Joseph: We live in hard times….
Lott: Yes, we do, but it’s such a beautiful morning.