BRIEF SYNOPSIS: The Road I Took tells the story
of a teacher at Edmonton University, Dr. Dorothy Floyd, and one
of her students, Thomas Browning, and the trials and triumphs
they face as they go their seperate ways. Action begins in the
1960's, when Thomas graduates college and leaves to fight in the
VietNam War, and progresses into the early 1980's, as Thomas
returns to America and begins his teaching career in the very
classroom where Dr. Floyd, his mentor, began to teach.
The following is a selected scene from the musical, The Road I
Took. Please do not copy or use without permission.
From Act 1, Scene 4 -- Dr. Floyd and some of her students have just finished a rehearsal of a play protesting the war in VietNam. The head of the department (Mr. Hannon) has stopped by to watch.
Mr. Hannon: I don't like this. The ROTC, the board of trustees, and president Phillips himself have been asking me to get anti-war propaganda off campus for months.
Dr. Floyd: Oh, Mr. Hannon. This play's harmless. Just a few students gassing their opinions around. Mr. Hannon: If we lose the support of the board over this...
Dr. Floyd: The board won't even show up to see it.
Mr. Hannon: You're missing the point. This play can't go on here.
Dr. Floyd: You can't be serious. We've been working on this for weeks.
Mr. Hannon: I'm not saying don't do it. I'm all for encouraging the students to think through the issues. Just not at the expense of Edmonton's reputation. All I'm asking is that you move your little production to a safer place, where you and your students can think freely and the ROTC will stay out of my hair.
[The scene continues, and Dr. Floyd agrees to talk to the
students about performing off-campus. The students protest,
asking about their right to free speech. Dr. Floyd tells them
that she'll do what she can. As she goes into the hallway, she
sees Mr. Hannon again...]
Dr. Floyd: May I speak with you a moment, Joe?
Mr. Hannon: I'm in a hurry, Dorothy. What is it?
Dr. Floyd: I've spoken to the actors, and they're not comfortable with your decision. They don't want to perform at the fairgrounds.
Mr. Hannon: They must. I've called everyone and made the arrangements, and...
Dr. Floyd: And we're really grateful for all your efforts, only we want to stay here. Joe, what can it really hurt?
Mr. Hannon: Do you understand that you can't? It's not my decision, it was the board's. The patrons of this school are very supportive of the mission in Southeast Asia.
Dr. Floyd: Joe, this show of theirs won't bring down the government, but it is food for the mind. It makes you think. Whether you and I agree on the message is not the point. The thing that is at stake is the students' freedom of expression. We have a chance to teach a valuable economics lesson here, Joe!
Mr. Hannon: What does economics have to do with it?
Dr. Floyd: No one is forced to watch. No one is forced to stay. So, if it's a flop, only the students pay the price. It's always harder when the audience turns its back. Don't you see? That's economics. [trying a different angle] Look, art isn't objects, it's not performances, and it's not products. Art is people. People telling their stories. Joe, let these students tell their stories.
Mr. Hannon: Dorothy, you're a great speechmaker, but the earthquake's already begun, and the epicenter is right here. Don't let this force you into an early retirement. There's rumblings about this, I promise.
Dr. Floyd: [sighs] All right, if I am forced into an early retirement, so be it. I just want my students to be entitled to their rights.
Mr. Hannon: All right, Dr. Floyd. But remember, I warned you. If this falls through, it's all falling on your head. And no amount of supply-side theorizing will help you! [exits]
Dr. Floyd: [sighs again] I need a vacation.
