The Iron Mountain Review Vol. XXXII

66 Robert Gipe and Higher Ground Company

SARAH breaks down sobbing. TRISH takes SARAH’ s hand. TRISH: We’ve got to stop fighting with each other. Mike and Jenny and I have struggled. We’ve struggled because we haven’t been truthful to each other. And because we haven’t been willing to hear the truth. And the truth is, it’s time to stop fighting with each other. We all need to take responsibility. We parents can stop blaming the teachers. Teachers can stop blaming us. WE know what’s important. [ Gestures at students. ] They’re what’s important. We have what we need, and we know what they need. Trish gives SARAH support somehow. SARAH: I need the rule to be “Love thy neighbor as yourself.” MR. OFFICIAL: I need your patience. And I need to earn your trust. REUBEN: I need to see my children healthy, not broke down and old too soon. NANCY: I need more than minimum wage. TRISH: I need my daughter to have a good education. JAKE: I need chances my parents didn’t have. GALE: I need to know how to balance a checkbook. MATTHEW: I need to know how to open a bank account. LYDIA: I need to be able to read to my children. BRETTA: I need to know how to feed my children. DONNA: I need to be free of this place.

MAY: I need to be in this place. ANNA: I need more. DELANEY moves to ANNA’s side . EVERYONE gathers behind DELANEY in a supportive way DELANEY: I will have more. Song: “What’s Next?” Some say the road is narrow some say the road is wide some see a glimpse of shadows some see a trace of light but all I need to know is can we share this road together all I need to know is can we all say nothin’s gonna last forever This highway’s running out

who’s it really gonna hurt to say what’s next who’s it really gonna hurt to say what’s next who’s it really gonna hurt to say who’s it really gonna hurt to say what’s next who’s it really gonna hurt to say what’s next who’s it really gonna hurt to say this world is ours to handle and ours to fade away

we’ll write tomorrow’s story in the words we choose today all I need to know is can we share this road together all I need to know is can we all say nothing’s gonna last forever This highway’s running out

who’s it really gonna hurt to say what’s next who’s it really gonna hurt to say what’s next who’s it really gonna hurt to say