NARRATOR:
Twenty-four hours in orbit
Nothing but endless space
For as far as the eye can see
And the sound of… water
Margaret Cavendish
Was the first one to wake
Thoughts filled her head - why weren’t they dead
So she began to investigate
She was alive
The air felt pure
What was that all over the floor

MARGARET:
How can this be?

NARRATOR:
Beneath her feet
A bed of dirt
What once was brick
Now fertile earth
Everywhеre
Plants were growing
Vinеs and gardens
Bountiful and living
MARGARET:
What’s going on?

NARRATOR:
A single path formed in the jungle
Three hundred miles above the Atlantic
She ran up the stairway to the next floor
Was that sunlight shining in the sphere
Was that a cloud, is this an atmosphere
Was that wind she felt against her face
What’s this wild kingdom up in space
If it weren’t for the bricks that formed the walls
This wouldn’t feel like outer space at all
A mystery, a satellite
A miracle, a paradise
There was a lake
Of clearest blue
Not far away
Margaret froze
Was that a woman
Standing by the bay

THE TRAVELER:
Ooo

NARRATOR:
She wore a robe of white and gold
THE TRAVELER:
Ooo

NARRATOR:
She looked familiar

THE TRAVELER:
Ooo

NARRATOR:
Margaret approaches

THE TRAVELER:
I made this environment for your friends. Too
Much?

MARGARET:
Am I still asleep? Is this a dream?

THE TRAVELER:
No, although the air was getting scarce. Your
Friends were out cold when I arrived. Oh, did you
See the ipomoea vines?

MARGARET:
The what?
THE TRAVELER:
Ipomoea, just like home. The vines should cover
Up all of these dreary bricks in no time. (beat) It’s
Good to see you again, Margaret

MARGARET:
Who are you?

THE TRAVELER:
You really don’t know who I am? (beat) But the
Radiance, your magic… I was told your memories
Would return when they-

MARGARET:
My magic?

THE TRAVELER:
(The Traveler snaps a twig off a tree.) Take this
Branch, Margaret

MARGARET:
What?

THE TRAVELER:
Just take it. (Rustling, the branch is exchanged.)

MARGARET:
… What am I supposed to…

THE TRAVELER:
Turn it into gold

MARGARET:
You can’t be serious. How could anybody
Possibly-

THE TRAVELER:
You aren’t just anybody, Margaret. You are-
(beat) I can’t let you through the Gate. Not yet

MARGARET:
What Gate? Oh, you must tell me what all this is
About

THE TRAVELER:
You have to find out on your own, I’m sorry-

MARGARET:
But I’ve been on my own for so long. (beat)
Please, I beg you. How can I search when I don’t
Know what’s missing? The void I feel is
Immeasurable, I can’t bear it alone

THE TRAVELER:
But you are not alone, Margaret. (beat) Your
Companions are coming

MARGARET:
I don’t even know your name

THE TRAVELER:
You can call me The Traveler. And I am your
Friend, in this world and the next

HERSCHEL:
Can somebody be so kind to tell me
What is going on

ANNA:
Who are you?

THE TRAVELER:
(smiling) Hello, Miss Hanover

SAMUEL:
And why does our satellite look
Like the Amazon

THE TRAVELER:
It was the least I could do

ROSE:
Maybe this is purgatory

HERSCHEL:
Likely story

ANNA:
How do you know our names

ROSE:
Are you an angel

SAMUEL:
Are you a stowaway

ROSE:
Really?

HERSCHEL:
I’m sure there is an explanation
Some scientific reason
We need to run some tests
No one knows the properties of space
Perhaps this is what happens
I can only guess

ANNA (counterpoint):
I wish we had our tools
This is an event unlike anything

HERSCHEL (counterpoint):
Everything needs to be documented
Samuel, get your notebook, write this down

ROSE (counterpoint):
Could this be divine
Was the preacher in New York telling the truth

SAMUEL (counterpoint):
It’s been less than a day
I don’t think this is academic

ROSE, ANNA, HERSCHEL, SAMUEL:
This defies all reason

MARGARET:
Traveler…
Is this where I find my answers
Does my journey continue here
Will my mystery be solved within these walls
Will the shadows finally clear