CATHY. Rats? [She stands up quickly.]

Cory starts to cry. Christopher reaches for him. He embraces him and stands up. Carrie reaches for Cathy, who picks her up.

OLIVIA. Good. You’re all awake. You will be here a while, so I want you to listen to me, to my rules for your behavior.

CATHY. Rules?

OLIVIA. Yes, rules. From now on, boys will sleep only with boys, and girls will sleep only with girls. Boys and girls will never go into the bathroom together or undress in front of each other. [She puts a Bible on the table.] You’ll read from the Bible every morning. When I see you, I might want to know what you have read and learned. Remember, most of all, keep the noise down. [She turns and leaves.]

Cathy and Christopher look at each other, and then they both laugh. The twins, seeing them laugh, laugh too. Christopher puts Cory down and hunches his shoulders to imitate Olivia.

CHRISTOPHER [imitating her voice]. Rule one: you will not touch your private parts or look at them in the mirror.

CORY. What’s a private part?

CATHY [teasing]. Yes, Christopher Doll. What’s a private part?

CHRISTOPHER. It’s like an unlisted telephone number. You give it out only to special people. Now, rule two: you will have only pure thoughts and refrain from looking at the opposite sex, including insects.

The twins really laugh at that.

CHRISTOPHER. Rule three . . .

CORY. I’m hungry.

CARRIE. Me, too.

CHRISTOPHER. Okay. Let’s get to the rat food.

He goes to the box and begins to take things out.

CHRISTOPHER. Two cartons of milk, dry cereal, a jug of orange juice, plastic spoons and forks, cups, napkins . . .

CORY. I want a scrambled egg.

CARRIE. Me, too, with toast and jelly.

CHRISTOPHER. Today you’ll have scrambled cereal, I’m afraid.

CATHY [holding up the Bible]. Don’t forget this.

CHRISTOPHER. Ah, yes, food for the soul. C’mon, children. Take your seats.

CATHY. Children?

Christopher pulls her a little away from Cory and Carrie to whisper.

CHRISTOPHER. We’d better make a game of this. They’re terrified.

CATHY. News bulletin. So am I.

They join the twins at the table.

CORY. Where’s Momma?

CARRIE. I want Momma to eat breakfast with us like always.

CHRISTOPHER. Momma will be here soon. We’d better eat, or she’ll be upset. Besides, I’m not finished with the rules, remember?

He stands up and hunches his shoulders again.

CHRISTOPHER. Rule three: respect your local senior citizens. Rule four: Don’t talk when you eat. Rule five: Don’t breathe when you eat. Rule . . .

CATHY. You’re such an idiot.

He points at her.

CHRISTOPHER. That’s it! You get twenty lashes with a wet noodle.

The twins laugh. Christopher slaps his hands together, pretending to whip Cathy. After five slaps, the lights dim. Everyone freezes.

On stage right, the spotlight comes up, and Corrine is seen putting her blouse on gingerly. Her back reveals scars from whip lashes. She takes a deep breath and steps into the wings. The spotlight goes off, and the lights come back up in the attic.