Annie Sullivan lines Miracle Worker

Little girl. Little girl, I must tell you your brother will be going on a --

(Annie clasps her hands to her ears to shut out the voice, there is instant silence.)

You spell pretty well

(Annie in one hurried move gets the drawers swiftly into the suitcase, the lid banged shut and turns to see James in the doorway)

Finding out if she's ticklish? She is

(Annie regards him stonily, hell tugs at Annies hand, Annie repeats the letters, touch helens hand to the doll, begin to spell again)

There. There is Helen.

(Annie turns, and sees Helen on the porch. A moment of silence then Annie begins across the yard to her lugging the suitcase. When Annie finally reaches the porch steps she stops contemplating Helen for a last moment before entering her world. Then she drops the suitcase on the porch with intentional heaviness Helen starts with the jar and feels it Annie puts forth her hand and Helen grasps it and continues to explore it like reading a face. she moves her hand onto Annie's arm and dress and Annie brings her face within view of Helen's fingers which travel over it until they push aside the smoked glasses, Annie's gaze is grave unpitying very attentive. she puts her hands on on Helen's arms but Helen pulls away. confront each other. Annie points Helen's hand overhead, she pulls away. Annie points helens hand again and when Helen does it herself seeming like asking a question, Annie pulls helens hand to her face and nods. Annie tries to take the suitcase but Helen won't let her and they both bring the suitcase up the stairs to Annies room.)

"She imitates everything, she's a monkey."

(Very pleased) Yes, she's a bright little monkey, all right. (Take the doll, try to shake head no, Helen slaps at Annie, grab her by both arms and swing her into a chair and pin her there)

Miss Sullivan!

(brightly) Yes, Captain Keller?

Miss Sullivan?

(cheerily) Here! At last, I've been on trains so many days I thought they must be backing up every time I dozed off --

Yet you keep spelling to her. Why?

(cheerily) I like to hear myself talk!

Don't be. We'll do all we can to help, and to make you feel at home. Don't think of us as strangers, Miss Annie.

(cheerily) Oh, strangers aren't so strange to me. I've known them all my life!

What is it, a game?

(curtly) An alphabet

Then why are you going?

(gently) Because I'm a big girl now, and big girls have to earn a living. It's the only way I can. But if you don't smile for me first, what I'll just have to do is -- (pause)

What are you saying to her?

(glancing up, embarrassed and rises from floor) Oh, I was just making conversation. Saying it was a sewing card.

My husband, Miss Annie, Captain Keller.

(her best behavior) Captain, how do you do.

-- view women as the flowers of civilaza --

(impatiently) I've got something in it for Helen! Thank you. When do I see her?

I'm only half a brother. You're to be her governess?

(lightly) Well. Try!

The Captain says it's like spelling to the fence post

(pause) Does he, now?

And the suitcase --

(pleasantly) I'll take the suitcase, thanks.

A tenth

(reluctantly) No. Dr. Howe did wonders, but -- an ordinary child? No, never. But then I thought when I was going over his reports -- he never treated them like ordinary children. More like -- eggs. everyone was afraid would break.

... I expected a desiccated spinster. You're very young

(resolutely) Oh, you should have seen me when I left Boston. I got much older on this trip

Advantages

(wry) Well, some have the luck of the Irish, some do not.

(Annie slams door in James' face, looks around desperately, finds purse with little thing of cake and waves it in front of Helen to let her smell it, when she grabs for it, she removes it and spells into her hand)

*Cake. From Washington up north, it's the best I can do.* (Helen is confused, repeat letters) *C, a, k, e. Do what my fingers do, never mind what it means.* (touch cake to Helen's nose, pat her hand and when she spells back get excited and give her cake. watch her with humor) *Get it down fast, maybe I'll steal that back too. Now.* (take the doll, touch it to Helen's nose and spell into her hand) *D, o, l, l. Think it over. *(Helen thinks it over and Annie presents her own hand, Annie waits a second and then completes the word for her in her hand) *L.* (she hands over the doll) *Imitate now, understand later. End of the first les --* (gets hit with doll in face and is bleeding, she is furious) *You little wretch, no one's taught you any manners? I'll --* (she whirls to see the door slam, she darts over and pulls at the knob, the door is locked but she yanks again) *Helen! helen, let me out of --* (she realizes it's useless, rattle the knob, go to the window look down and frown)

Act two (Annie is writing with difficulty)

... and, nobody, here, has, attempted, to, control, her. The, greatest, problem, I, have, is, how, to, discipline, her, without, breaking, her, spirit. But, I, shall, insist, on, reasonable, obedience, from, the, start -- (Helen spills the ink, and Annie rights it and spells into helens hand) Ink ( dip her hand into the spillage) Ink. It has a name (clean her, and give her a sewing card and needle) Down. Under. Up. And be careful of the needle -- Fine. You keep out of the ink and perhaps I can keep out of -- the soup.( resumes letter) These, blots, are, her, handiwork. I -- all right, let's try temperance. (knocks the dolls head on the floor, spells) Bad, girl. (let Helen feel the grieved expression on her face, next she makes Helen caress the doll and hold it gently, spells) Good, girl. (Helen does loving things with the doll when she feels Annie smile) Very good girl. (Helen breaks a vase on the floor, Annie controls herself and just hands her the sewing card, spell into her hand)

(Helen finds the doll and asks Annie if its hers. Annie takes Helen's finger points it at the doll then at Helen and then brings her hands to her face and nods. Annie studies Helen still in Annie's clothes and addresses her humorously)

All right, Miss O'Sullivan. Let's begin with doll. (spell in sign) D. O. L. L. (put helens hand to the doll) Doll.

(Annie gives Helen a key, Annie removes her bonnet, Helen takes her clothes and parades around. Annie is amused and talks to her as one might talk to a kitten)

All the trouble I went to and thats how I look? Oh, no. Not the drawers!

Miss Sullivan. I -- Not in the house ten minutes, I don't see how you managed it!

And even I'm not on my side.

Mildred

Any baby. Gibberish, grown-up gibberish, baby talk gibberish, do they understand one word of it to start? Somehow they begin to. If they hear it, I'm letting Helen hear it.

I hope this is not a sample of what we may expect from you. In the way of simplifying the work of looking after Helen

Captain Keller, I'm perfectly able to go down a ladder under my own --

Annie! Annie?

Coming!

(Annie is nursing her mouth, she catches sight of herself in the mirror, she addresses the mirror with irony)

Don't worry. They'll find you, you're not lost. Only out of place. (she coughs and spits something into her hand, she stares enraged) And toothless. (wince) Oo! It hurts.

What will you try to teach her first?

First, last , and in between language

Alphabet?

For the deaf (she repeats the letters and Annie is very pleased) Ho. How bright she is!

What's the matter with you leg, Sonny?

Forever and ever. (shake head and don't stop)

Is it possible, even? To teach a deaf-blind child *half* of what an ordinary child learns--has that ever been done?

Half?

Other children are not -- impaired

Ho, there's nothing impaired in that head, it works like a mousetrap!

We've met every train for two days.

I changed trains every time they stopped, the man who sold me that ticket ought to be tied to the tracks --

Come out!

I don't see how I can. There isn't room

But after a child hears how many words, Miss Annie, a million?

I guess no mother's ever minded enough to count (spell into her hand, then be amused)

I'll get you another plate

I have a plate thank you.

Viney, bring miss Sullivan another plate

I have a plate. Nothings wrong with the plate, I intend to keep it

(child waves a present)

I have it. I have it, everybody, should I open it?

I mean, to teach anyone as difficult as Helen.

I mean to try. They can't put you in jail for trying!

So don't forget, you be sure to give it to Helen from us, Annie!

I promise it will be the first thing I give her. If I don't keep it for myself, that is, you know I can't be trusted with dolls!

Where we goin'?

I said--I'm takin' care of you --

What did she spell?

I spelt card. She spelt cake! No, it's only a finger game to her, Mrs. Keller. What she has to learn first is that things have names.

Not at all, I have it, Miss Sullivan.

I'd like it

"I should like to learn those letters, Miss Annie."

I'll teach you tomorrow morning. That makes only half a million each!

And she said you're going where the sun is fierce.

I'm putting them on now.

My neck, Miss Sullivan!

I'm sorry to inconvenience you this way --

And we took up a collection to buy it. And Laura dressed it.

It's beautiful!

Is it open Annie?

It's open

I'm James Keller.

James? I hd a brother Jimmie. Are you Helen's?

Where we goin' Annie?

Jimmie

"Annie, when are we goin' home? You promised!"

Jimmie --

Language.

Language is to the mind more than light is to the eye. Dr. Howe said that.

I couldn't think of it, Miss Sullivan. You'll find in the south we --

Let me.

And when will she learn?

Maybe after a million and one words.

...Perhaps there is a treasure inside

Maybe it's empty, too?

Possible. I should warn you, she is much given to tantrums.

Means something is inside. Well, so am I, if I believe all I hear. Maybe you should warn *them*

I think other friends are ready to say goodbye.

Mr. Anagnos. Dear Mr. Anagnos, I — Well, what should I say, I'm an ignorant opinionated girl, and everything I am I owe to you?

All of twenty

Mrs.. Keller, don't lose hope just because I'm not on my last legs. I have three big advantages over Dr. Howe that money couldn't buy for you. One is his work behind me, I've read every word he wrote about it and he wasn't exactly what you'd call a man of few words. Another is to *be* young, why, I've got energy to do anything. The third is, I've been blind. (it costs her something to say this)

...And what has saved you on more than one occasion here at Perkins is that there was was nowhere to expel you too. Your eyes hurt?

My ears Mr. Anagnos

Is it?

No, it's how I watch you talk to Mildred

Language. We can't get through to teach her to sit still. You are young, despite your years, to have such - confidence. Do you, inside?

No, to tell you the truth I'm as shaky inside as a baby's rattle!

"But does that- mean that to her?"

No. No, she won't know what spelling is till she knows what a word is.

Spell, she doesn't know the thing has a name, even.

Of course not, who expects her to, now? All I want is her fingers to learn the letters.

A pleasure to see you, at last. I trust you had an agreeable journey?

Oh, I had several! When did this country get so big?

Miss Sullivan. One plate or another is hardly a matter to struggle with a deprived child about.

Oh, I'd sooner have a more — heroic issue myself, I —

No inconvenience, other than having that door taken down and the lock replaced, if we fail to find that key.

Oh, I'll look everywhere for it

Miss Sullivan! Are you in there?

Oh, I'm in here all right.

No one knows. And if she is dull, you have no patience for this?

Oh, in grownups you have to, Mr. Anagnos. I mean in children it just seems a little — precocious, can I use that word?

Did you put them on? Are they pretty, Annie?

Oh, my eyes feels hundreds of per cent better already, and pretty, why, do you know how I look in them? Splendiloquent. Like a race horse!

I intend to carry you. Climb onto my shoulder and hold tight

Oh, no. Its -- very chivalrous of you, but I'd really prefer to --

There's a present. We bought you a going away present, Annie!

Oh, now you shouldn't have --

Do they fit alright?

Oh, they fit just fine.

Only if you can spell it.

Premature. So I hope at least she's a bright one.

What?

Put *you* in my suitcase, instead of this doll. And take *you* to Helen in Alabama!

Don't go, Annie, to her

Sarah, dear. I don't want to go.

Doesn't like that alphabet, Miss Sullivan. You invent it yourself?

Spanish monks under a — vow of silence. Which I wish you'd take!

There.

Thank you very much. (smooth skirt and try to look composed)

So they will understand. When you have trouble.

The only time I have trouble is when I'm right. Is it my fault it's so often? I won't give them trouble, Mr. Anagnos, I'll be so ladylike they won't notice I've come.

Like?

Well - bright or dull, to start off

Only a mile.

Well I suppose I can wait one more mile. But don't be surprised if I get out to push the horse.

May I ask how old you are?

Well, I'm not in my teens, you know! I'm twenty.

Is there no key on your side?

Well, if there was a key in here, I wouldn't be in here. Helen took it, the only thing on my side is me.

You will find yourself among strangers now, who know nothing of it.

Well, we'll keep them in a state of blessed ignorance

She wants her doll back.

When she spells it.

That is only half true, Annie.

Which half? I crawled in here like a drowned rat, I thought I died when Jimmie died, that I'd never again -- come alive. Well, you say with love so easy, and I haven't loved a soul since and I never will, I suppose, but this place gave me more thank my eyes back. Or taught me how to spell, which I'll never learn anyway, but with all the fights and the trouble I've been here it taught me what help is, and how to live again, and I don't want to say goodbye. Don't open the door, I'm crying.

I'm sorry, Miss Annie.

Why does she get a reward? For stabbing me?

Perhaps you should tell it?

Why? I have enough trouble with people who don't know.

Miss Annie. You see, she's accustomed to helping herself from our plates to anything she -

Yes, but I'm not accustomed to it

Where Miss Sullivan can get at it, I imagine.

Yes, please. Where's Helen?

"We catch our flies with honey, I'm afraid. We haven't the heart for much else, and so many times she simply cannot be compelled."

Yes. I'm the same way myself. (she picks up her room and throttles the doll) The, more, I, think, more, certain, I, am, that, obedience, is, the, gateway, through, which, knowledge, enters, the, mind, of, the, child --

You have a trunk, Miss Sullivan?

Yes. You didn't bring Helen, I was hoping you would.

No, she's home.

You -- live far from town, Mrs. Keller?

(Helen just dropped the key into the well, Annie stares with awe and shakes her head and smiles)

You devil (her tone is awe, humor, and acceptance of a challenge) You think I'm so easily gotten rid of? You have a thing or two to learn first. I have nothing else to do. (she goes up the steps of the porch, but stops and turns around with almost a warning) And nowhere to go.

...Annie I know how dreadful it was there, but that battle is dead and done with, why not let it stay buried?

[cheerily] I think God must owe me a resurrection

Annie?

[her voice cheerful] Here, Beatrice.

You will need their affection, working with this child

[humorously] I hope I won't need their pity

That is not a proper thing to say, Annie. It is what I mean.

[meekly] Yes. But I know what I'm like, what's this child like?

What??

[taps her brow] Well he keeps digging up that battle!