Cool Hand Luke

Donn Pearce

• Publisher: Oberon Books
• Year: 2012
• Print ISBN: 9781849431651
• eBook ISBN: 9781849433198
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: British Drama
• Index: Literature

'Wherever you go and whatever you do, always play a real cool hand.' Beneath a scorching Florida sun, Boss Godfrey watches the chain gang. Keeps his eye on Cool Hand Luke. War hero, trouble-maker, inspiration to his fellow inmates. And just the man Boss wants to crush... Cool Hand Luke is the hard-hitting story of a true original. He'll play it real cool in the face of brutality. He'll always get back up after a beating. He'll eat fifty eggs in an hour, to win a bet. A man who won't conform no matter what it costs. In a powerful new adaptation for the stage by Emma Reeves, based on Donn Pearce's acclaimed novel, and directed by Andrew Loudon, Cool Hand Luke is the raw, uncompromising tale of sticking it to "The Man".

Act One

MARY: (Sings.)

Oh Lord, oh my Lord, oh my Good Lord, Keep me from sinkin’ down.

Oh Lord, oh my Lord, oh my Good Lord, Keep me from sinkin’ down.

I tell you what I mean to do, Keep me from sinkin’ down.

I mean to go to heav’n too, Keep me from sinkin’ down.

Oh Lord, oh my Lord, oh my Good Lord, Keep me from sinkin’ down.

THE ROAD – PRESENT

A long, hot Florida day. Occasional SOUNDS OF TRAFFIC, etc on the road. Sound of a cage truck arriving. Doors slamming, etc.

A group of convicts are herded on to the stage by BOSS KEAN. They are: CURLY, SOCIETY RED, RABBIT, BABALUGATS, SAILOR, BULLSHIT BILL and DRAGLINE. DRAGLINE’s ankles are bound by a thick set of chains which are almost worn through at the bottom. CARR, the Floorwalker, follows, supervising.

RABBIT hands out ‘yo-yos” to the other men. These are frames of wood, used to cut weeds. Alternatively, shovels can be used.

As the men take the tools and get to their positions, BOSS KEAN chivvies them, shouting across to address imaginary men as well as real ones. His words overlap with MARY’s song.

BOSS KEAN: C’mon, let’s go here! Ah want ta see this mile clear by Bean Time. Gator, Four Eyed Joe, Eagle, Onion Head, Possum, Preacher, over yonder with Boss Paul. Loudmouth, Greek, Cottontop, Ears, Tramp, Blondie, go with Boss Brown. Curly, Dragline, Rabbit, Red, Babalugats, Bill, Sailor, you stick right here with me an’ Carr. That right, Godfrey?

BOSS GODFREY enters. He is tall and broad, dressed in a faded green uniform. His mirrored shades conceal his expression. He has a rifle slung around his neck, and a pistol, and carries a big, heavy stick – his Walking Stick – which is more of a weapon than an aid. As he moves, he makes threatening use of it. He is generally quietly-spoken, but dangerous with it.

BOSS GODFREY: That’s right. Eyes to the ground now, Ah don’t wanna see no eyeballin’. Don’t wanna hear no Loudtalkin’. An’ I don’t wanna tell y’all again. Ya hearin’ me, Dragline?

DRAGLINE: Yes Boss.

CARR: Let’s go. Let’ cut up them weeds. C’mon.

RABBIT finishes handing out the yo-yos. He takes a big red flag from the truck and sticks it in the earth. In white letters, it reads ‘Slow Down – Men at Work.’ CARR lines up the men. The work begins. The men are working on the side of a road, clearing weeds, cutting grass and collecting litter.

The men line up and swing the yo-yos from side to side in a stylized motion. It should not look easy – it’s tough work. And it’s hot. Lights grow stronger, indicating the growing heat.

MARY: (Sings.)

Oh Lord, oh my Lord, oh my Good Lord,
Keep me from sinkin’ down.

CURLY takes off his shirt, calling out to BOSS KEAN.

CURLY: Takin’ it off here, Boss.

BOSS KEAN: Yeah, take it off.

MARY: (Sings.)

Oh Lord, oh my Lord, oh my Good Lord,
Keep me from sinkin’ down, from sinkin’ down.

RABBIT takes a bucket of water to BOSS GODFREY and then to BOSS KEAN. They drink thirstily. The others glance over, longingly, as they work.

Lights grow stronger – unbearable heat.

DRAGLINE: (Growls.) Takin’ it off Boss.

KEAN: Take it off Dragline.

DRAGLINE removes his shirt.

SOCIETY RED: (Removing his shirt.) Takin’ it off, Boss.

KEAN: OK Red.

Tired, SOCIETY RED pauses for a moment, his hand on the handle of his yo-yo. His gaze drifts towards the road.

BOSS GODFREY: You eyeballin’ there, Red?

SOCIETY RED: No Sir, Boss Godfrey.

RABBIT goes to take a drink to CURLY, who is nearest, but CARR calls him over.

CARR: Hey there Rabbit, git on over here!

RABBIT: Sorry Mr. Carr.

RABBIT virtually snatches the water away from CURLY and rushes over to CARR.

CARR: Gettin’ a drink here, Boss!

BOSS KEAN: Yeah, get a drink there.

Lighting change – time’s passing.

MARY: (Sing.)

I look up yonder and what do I see,
Keep me from sinkin’ down.

DRAGLINE: Pourin’ it out here Boss.

BOSS KEAN: OK – pour it out.

DRAGLINE takes a piss. When he has finished, he returns to work.

MARY: (Sing.)

I see the angels beckonin’ me,
Keep me from sinkin’ down.

Lights back up on the Gang. BOSS KEAN looks at his watch, and glances over to BOSS GODFREY. The men watch him surreptitiously.

BOSS GODFREY: No Eyeballin’.

The men look down, quickly, but there’s still an element of tension. BO...

Table of contents

• Front Cover
• Half Title
• Title Page
• Copyrights
• Contents
• Character
• Cool Hand Luke
• Creators
• Setting Notes
• Act One
• Act Two