The Eve of All Saints had it's premiere reading in August, 1984, by several sponsors of the Oregon Thespians and was premiered in November 1984 at Beaverton High School in Beaverton, Oregon, under the direction of James Erickson, to whom this work is dedicated.

The play takes place on a modern stage.  The time is the present.  The play-within-the-play takes place in Renaissance Italy, 1494..  The plays-within-the-play-within-the-play take place only in the memories of the players.

Sample Dialogue from The Eve of All Saints

HARLEQUIN

Well now - our - history!  Ah - yes Where did we come from? Well, it's been a long time - but as I recall - our story began about four hundred years ago in a very small square in a very small town in northern Italy called - Aosta. There was a wagon in that square belongiang to Columbina - who at this moment in her life, imagined herself to be a dancer. In that small square there was an equally small church where an absurdly small assembly of physically small monks were singing matins. A morning hymn of praise! Now, as I recall, at this point I turned to Columbine and said something like:

What you are doing can't be called dancing. You move like a camel in labor. When you leap, your feet seem reluctant to say farewell to the earth. You flail your arms like a reaper with a scythe in each hand, and you have no sense of rhythm.

COLUMBINE

How do you like the color of my eyes?Where did you get that cloak of patches? You look like a walking brush fire.

HARLEQUIN

People avoid brush fires.

COLUMBINE

My name is Columbine

HARLEQUIN

Like a dove. (she looks as though she might hit him) Colubine! From the Greek! It means "like a dove".

COLUMBINE

Greek, eh? Can you read and write? Are you educated?

HARLEQUIN

The more I was taught, the less I know. and the more I knew, the less I understood.

COLUMBINE

You like to hear yourself talk, don't you? Where are you going?

HARLEQUIN

South. An obvious assumption since the French are pouring through the mountain passes to the north.

COLUMBINE

Simply please - how far south?

HARLEQUIN

Rome.

COLUMBINE

Do you have any money? (He shakes his head negatively.) A horse? (He shakes his head, watching her eat grapes) Are you - hungary?

HARLEQUIN

YES!

COLUMBINE

Well, that's a straight answer!  (She rises and starts up the steps into the wagon.  She stops and looks back at Harlequin).  Well? Come on!

HARLEQUIN

Why?

COLUMBINE

So I can feed you! Godsblood, I'm not going to rape you!

HARLEQUIN

Good! I can satisfy only one appetite at a time.  This is delicious! What do you call it?

COLUMBINE

Call it? (shrugs) Guiliano.

HARLEQUIN

Guiliano, eh? Well, it's delicious!

COLUMBINE

What do I call you?

HARLEQUIN

Ah - you may call me - Harlequin.

COLUMBINE

What kind of a name is that?!

HARLEQUIN

A blend of appropriate terms. "helquin" refers to a demon, and "harlot" is a consort to demons. Having been called a demon by uncharitable teachers and having served - in my former and forgetable life - as a consort to various demonical women, it seems a fit title.

COLUMBINE

You do talk, don't you?  (Sounds it out) Har-le-quin?

HARLEQUIN

Harlequin

COLUMBINE

Then keep on eating, Harlequin, but listen to me.  You say you're going to Rome, but you have no money and no horse. I will take you south in my wagon and feed you as we go - if you teach me to read and write!

HARLEQUIN

Signora, no offense, please, but I'd sooner teach a dog to bay the Angelus.

COLUMBINE

I'd like to see that. But first, you will teach me to read and write. I want to make a place for myself while I still have time. I obviously can't go on dancing. (softly) I was good once. I was! But now. when I tell my body to turn, it takes too long for the message to get to my feet.

HARLEQUIN

I - understand, Signora, but, you see, I travel alone - like a rhinocerous.

COLUMBINE

And I understand your affinity for wild horny creatures, but it will take you months to get to Rome on foot. And without money, you'll starve before you get to Florence!

HARLEQUIN

The Lord will provide.

COLUMBINE

In Italy, the lords impose taxes.

HARLEQUIN

I'm sorry, Signora, but I will teach you to read and write - when the devil sings High Mass. (Columbine suddenly whips the plate away from him and begins to eat the food herself)  Most monks sound like the devil.

COLUMBINE

 We must hurry and leave the city. The people say the French will be here by tomorrow, and they will probably rape and pillage -- being French.  (She picks up some leather traces and reins, and she quickly slips one set over her shoulders as she passes the others to Harlequin)

HARLEQUIN

Wait a minute! What is this?! Where are your horses?

COLUMBINE

The last one died this morning. And the soldiers have confiscated all the others in the town. We will have to pull the wagon ourselves.

HARLEQUIN

Pull the wagon?!

COLUMBINE

I'll trade for mules in Biella! Besides it's downhill!  He was a good old horse though -- that Guiliano.

HARLEQUIN

Guiliano?!

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