You never see such a muss-muss woman

In your life. Ugly. And she raise her hand

And say:

We see AUNTIE P dressed up to resemble a foul, troll-like old Obeah woman.

OLD WIFE

Young bwoy! You c’yannot pass troo here.

But tell me what you seek; speak in my ear,

Maybe it turn out I can help you, man!

Dere’s tings only ol’ women unnerstan’.

YOUNG MAROON

Oh, Auntie, I’m really struggling, you know?

Truth is, I’m a dead man if I can’t show

I know what women want most on this earth.

If you know, I’ll pay you … whatever works.

OLD WIFE

If you will swear that the next ting I ask

You to do, you will do. You can’t pass,

Or say no. And if these terms be all right

I’ll give you your answer before tonight.

YOUNG MAROON

Yes, Auntie. I’ll do whatever it is.

OLD WIFE

Then all will be good, young man, I promise.

Your life is safe; I am your guarantee

And I’ve no doubt Queen Nanny will agree.

Would that lofty woman – who runs tings here,

In her tall headcloth, with her shining spear –

Dare to say no to what I come to teach?

But no more talking: let’s go so we reach …

ALVITA

Then she whispered something in his ear,

She tol’ him:

OLD WIFE

Be happy; be free of fear …

The pub transforms into Queen Nanny’s stronghold.

ALVITA

When they reached Nanny’s stronghold, this Maroon

Said:

YOUNG MAROON

Promise kept – down to the afternoon!

And I’m ready with my answer for you.

ALVITA

Every woman in Windward had come to

Hear: wives, young servant girls, plenty widow –

All of them wise – and Queen Nanny, yuh know,

Sitting in her throne, eager like the rest.

She chose the hour: the boy came for his test.

QUEEN NANNY

I want silence from each and every one

Of you. I want to hear this young boy run

His mouth.

ALVITA

And him nah speak quiet like mouse:

Him open his mouth and bring down de house!

YOUNG MAROON

Queen Nanny, who rules this place with iron fist:

The thing women want is basically this:

They want their husbands to consent, freely;

To submit to their wives’ wills – which should be

Natural in love; for we submit to love.

Pause.

To keep power, and have no man above

Them – all women want this. And you can kill

Me, but I speak the truth. Do what you will.

ALVITA

And no wife or widow in Nanny Town

Could disagree with how he broke it down.

They all felt he deserved to keep his life.

But soon as she hear, up stands the old wife:

OLD WIFE

Wait now: I found this boy ’pon de grass.

Lawd-a-mercy, Queen Nanny! ’Fore you pass

Out of dis place, I truly, humbly arks

You to do right by me. That is your task.