Three Sovereigns for Sarah

AUNT SARAH... ARE YOU WELL?

( knock ) SAMUEL NURSE... IT SAYS HERE THAT IN RECENT YEARS YOU HAVE ACQUIRED A POSITION OF RANK THROUGH PROPERTY BEING THAT OF "MISTER" NURSE LOSING THE COMMON ADDRESS OF "GOODMAN" NURSE.

YES.

I HOPE I AM WORTHY.

YOU ARE A MAN OF PROPERTY NOW, MISTER NURSE... HOWEVER MODEST.

WE TRUST YOU TO BE WORTHY.

THIS WOMAN IS YOUR AUNT, IS SHE NOT?

YES.

SARAH CLOYCE.

PRAY BE SEATED.

BE SHE "MRS."

CLOYCE, OR "GOODWIFE"?

GOODY CLOYCE.

GOODWIFE CLOYCE.

WE AGREED TO SEE YOU ONLY AFTER YOU CLAIMED SHE WAS OF ILL HEALTH-- WHICH IS QUITE EVIDENT.

BUT SEEING YOU IS A DEPARTURE FROM REGULAR PROCEDURE.

WE ARE NOT A GENERAL COURT OF THE COLONY BUT RATHER A PRIVATE COURT OF INQUIRY.

WE ARE INSTRUCTED TO GIVE RECOMMENDATIONS AS TO THE FEASIBILITY OF OFFERING RESTITUTION TO THE SURVIVING FAMILIES OF THOSE HANGED AS WITCHES TEN YEARS PAST.

BUT ONLY TO THE FAMILIES OF THOSE WHO WERE NOT WITCHES.

THE GOVERNMENT WISHES TO MAKE AMENDS WHERE IT APPLIES.

TWO MEMBERS OF YOUR FAMILY WERE HANGED AS WITCHES?

THEY WERE MY SISTERS.

AND YOU WERE LIKEWISE ACCUSED?

YES.

GOODWIFE CLOYCE-- WE HAVE BEEN EXAMINING THESE CASES FOR MORE THAN FIVE YEARS.

ANOTHER FIVE COULD WELL PASS BEFORE ANY RESTITUTION BE MADE.

RESTITUTION BE HANGED!

THEN WHY ARE YOU HERE?

I DO NOT HAVE FIVE YEARS.

I ONLY CAME TO CLEAR THE NAMES OF MY TWO SISTERS WHO WERE WRONGFULLY TAKEN FROM THIS WORLD.

I ASK TO BE HEARD TO PROVE THEIR INNOCENCE.

PROOF IS AN ELUSIVE ALLY.

PROOF IS MINE.

PERHAPS.

TELL US YOUR STORY THEN, SARAH CLOYCE.

YOUR DOCUMENTS BEGIN, NO DOUBT, IN 1692-- THE YEAR OF THE TRIALS.

BUT THE MADNESS THAT SWEPT THROUGH OUR VILLAGE BEGAN EARLIER... MUCH EARLIER.

IT CAME FROM THE PEOPLE THEMSELVES.

LONG-STANDING FEUDS BETWEEN PROMINENT FAMILIES BROUGHT DEATH AND SUFFERING TO MANY INNOCENT PEOPLE-- MY OWN SISTERS INCLUDED.

IT WAS NOT PROVIDENCE THAT CURSED US BUT OUR OWN PRECIOUS KIND.

IS THIS PRE-TEXT NECESSARY?

IN ORDER TO UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED TEN YEARS AGO YOU MUST UNDERSTAND THE CONDITIONS THAT PRECEDED IT.

IT WAS NOT SUDDEN.

LIFE IN SALEM VILLAGE WAS ALWAYS HARD AND UNSURE.

THERE WAS NO VILLAGE TO SPEAK OF-- ONLY SCATTERED FARMS FACING THE GREAT WILDERNESS.

IN 1689 UNCERTAINTY SEEPED INTO EVERY HOUSEHOLD.

THE KING WAS OVERTHROWN; MASSACHUSETTS HAD NO LOCAL MAGISTRATES; NO WRITTEN LAWS.

WE WERE ADRIFT... FEARFUL OF ANY COURSE TAKEN OR OF NONE AT ALL.

MORE GRIEVOUS: IN 1689, SALEM VILLAGE HAD NO MINISTER.

SALEM TOWN BY THE SEA WAS A HALF-DAY'S JOURNEY FROM THE VILLAGE OF SALEM.

LANDOWNERS IN THE VILLAGE PAID TAXES TO THE TOWN AND SOLD PRODUCE AND LIVESTOCK IN THE MARKETPLACE.

IN RETURN, SALEM TOWN GAVE THE VILLAGE PROTECTION A SEAT IN ITS GOVERNMENT AND THE RIGHT TO BUILD A MEETINGHOUSE IT COULD CALL ITS OWN.

THE MEETINGHOUSE, LIKE EVERY OTHER HOUSE IN THE VILLAGE WAS ISOLATED AND ALONE.

YET IT WAS BOTH A PLACE OF GOD AND VILLAGE POLITICS.

BUT HOW IT WAS GOVERNED AND WHO GOVERNED IT PRODUCED THE MOST BITTER SEED OF ALL.

IT WAS HERE THAT MEMBERS OF THE VILLAGE COMMITTEE SEALED OUR FATE WHILE DEBATING THE CHOICE OF A NEW MINISTER.

SAMUEL PARRIS IS OUR BEST CHOICE.

SO FAR, HE IS THE ONLY CHOICE.

HE MAY NOT BE TO YOUR LIKING OR YOUR SUPPORTER, PETER CLOYCE BUT HE WILL ACCEPT IN SPITE OF IT.

MAY I SPEAK?

WHO AMONG US COULD STOP YOU, BROTHER?

BROTHER... THIS... "SAMUEL PARRIS" HAS KEPT US WAITING A YEAR.

HIS TARDY REPLY WAS THAT HIS WORK WAS WEIGHTY AND THAT HE WOULD DECIDE IN DUE TIME.

HIS WAGE COMES FROM EVERY LANDOWNER IN THE VILLAGE.

THE MORE YOU OWN, THE LARGER YOUR CONTRIBUTION.

�66 YEARLY IS NO MORE THAN OFFERED THE OTHER MINISTERS.

I HAVE INHERITED PART OF THIS VILLAGE AND MY SHARE WILL BE CONSIDERABLE.

I AM AGAINST HIM.

HE COMES WITH OTHER DEMANDS.

YOUNG JOSEPH PUTNAM IS RIGHT.

PARRIS WANTS 30 C0RDS OF FIREWOOD ANNUALLY.

WILL THAT ALLOTMENT COME FROM YOUR PROPERTY THOMAS PUTNAM?

MINE, AND MY HALF-BROTHER JOSEPH'S, HERE AND EVERYONE ELSE'S.

HE ALSO DEMANDS THE DEED AND OWNERSHIP OF THE PARSONAGE HOUSE AS A CONDITION FOR HIMSELF AND HIS RIGHTFUL HEIRS.

"RIGHTFUL HEIRS"?

IT SEEMS THAT MR.

PARRIS HAS LITTLE FAITH THAT WE WILL HAVE NEED OF HIS SERVICES LONG.

AT LEAST HE IS WELL SCHOOLED IN VILLAGE POLITICS.

HIS CALLING COMES BEFORE ANY GRIEVANCE THAT THIS COMMITTEE MAY HAVE.

YOUR MINISTER, MR.

SAMUEL PARRIS HAS NEVER PREACHED BEFORE IN HIS LIFE!

HE IS A FAILED MERCHANT WHO RETURNS TO LICK HIS WOUNDS!

HIS SOLE PROPERTY IS TWO SLAVES HE EXPECTS TO FEED FROM OUR POCKETS.

THIS VILLAGE IS HIS ONLY SALVATION YET HE DEMANDS A SMALL FORTUNE FROM OUR HIDES AND AN INHERITANCE!

BAH, I SAY, THOMAS PUTNAM!

HE IS A MAN OF GOD!

NOT BY FIRST CHOICE, HIS OR GOD'S!

WE WILL VOTE ON IT, ISRAEL PORTER-- THOSE OF US WHO MEAN TO.

I MEAN TO HAVE MY SUPPER.

Sarah: MONTHS OF SPITEFUL DEBATE FOLLOWED.

( door slams ) ONLY A PART OF PARRIS'S DEMANDS WERE AGREED TO.

THE MINISTER AND HIS FAMILY CAME ANYWAY.

I DO NOT KNOW IF GOD HAS SENT ME ON A HOLY MISSION... OR BANISHED ME TO THIS PLACE.

YOU WILL PLEASE HIM.

IT IS NOT JUST THE ALMIGHTY WE HAVE TO PLEASE.

THERE MUST BE A REASON WHY GOD HAS KEPT THIS VILLAGE WITHOUT A MINISTER FOR SO LONG.

THEY ARE COMMON FOLK.

YES-- VENGEFUL FARMERS AND UNWASHED CHILDREN.

AND THEY QUARREL OVER HOW LITTLE THEY WILL SHARE WITH A MINISTER OF GOD!

Sarah: THEY BROUGHT CHILDREN-- TWO GIRLS: THEIR SEVEN-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER, BETTE-- A SICKLY CHILD SINCE BIRTH-- AND AN OLDER GIRL, ABIGAIL WHO WAS PARRIS'S NIECE.

IT WAS ABIGAIL WHO WOULD START THE WITCH MADNESS.

TITUBA, WHAT KEEPS THAT MAN OF YOURS?

THE MINISTER HAD TWO SLAVES, AS WELL.

THEY WERE THE LAST HOLDINGS OF HIS ILL-GAINED VENTURES IN THE WEST INDIES.

WHERE IS HE?

I DON'T KNOW, MASTER... SIR.

THE WOMAN, TITUBA-- A CARIB INDIAN-- DID MOST OF THE HOUSEHOLD CHORES.

HER SLAVA HUSBAND, JOHN INDIAN DID LITTLE OF WHAT WAS LEFT.

YOU HAVE NOT FINISHED YET?

STACK IT NEATLY-- WHAT LITTLE THERE IS OF IT.

HOW MUCH?

THREE CORD WOOD, REVEREND SIR... MAYBE 3.

( sighs ) BARELY A TENTH!

Man: REVEREND?

AT LONG LAST!

WELCOME, REVEREND PARRIS.

IT IS GOOD TO HAVE YOU AS OUR NEIGHBOR.

MY WIFE-- ANN PUTNAM.

WE'VE BEEN WAITING A LONG TIME FOR THIS DAY.

IT'S COLD.

IT WAS TO BE MR.

PARRIS'S FIRST COMPLETE SERMON.

AS CUSTOM, THE MEETINGHOUSE WAS DIVIDED-- MEN TO ONE SIDE, WOMEN TO THE OTHER.

THE MOST PROMINENT MEN AND WOMEN SAT FORWARD.

DETRACTORS AND SUPPORTERS OF THE NEW MINISTER WERE FORCED TO SIT TOGETHER BY GENDER.

PEOPLE OF LESSER IMPORTANCE KNEW WELL TO SIT OR STAND IN BACK.

FURTHEST BACK OF ALL WERE THE GIRLS OF SALEM VILLAGE.

WHAT MUST HE HAVE THOUGHT AS HE LOOKED OUT AMONG HIS FLOCK FOR THE FIRST TIME... THIS WORLDLY MAN OF FALLEN PROMISE?

I HAVE BEEN NEWLY ORDAINED AS MINISTER OF THIS CHURCH.

I AM THE REVEREND MR.

SAMUEL PARRIS.

TOGETHER WE SHALL BEGIN A NEW AND HOLY COVENANT OF GOD-FEARING MEN AND WOMEN.

A NEW CHURCH IN THIS PLACE WHERE FOR SO MANY MONTHS NO CHURCH HAS EXISTED.

LET IT BE KNOWN THAT ON THIS DAY NOVEMBER 19, 1689 A NEW COVENANT-- A NEW CHURCH-- IS BORN TO SALEM VILLAGE.

Sarah: THERE THEY WERE BEFORE HIM: VENGEFUL FARMERS AND COMMON FOLK WHO WERE TO BE HIS ONLY SUPPORT; THERE, TO FEED HIS EMPTY POCKETS AND HIS HUNGER FOR SUCCESS.

AS I LOOK OUT UPON THIS GATHERING I SEE A VILLAGE DIVIDED.

I SEE A CONGREGATION DIVIDED.

CLEARLY THERE ARE SUPPORTERS OF THIS, OUR COVENANT... AND DETRACTORS.

THE ZEALOUSNESS OF MY SUPPORTERS MERELY REFLECTS THE LONGING FOR A HOLY COVENANT TO BE BROUGHT HOME TO THEIR OWN DOORS AND THIS COVENANT WHICH CONFIRMS OUR INTEREST IN CHRIST IS, AS HOLY CALVIN TELLS US, WORTH A HUNDRED LIVES.

I THEREFORE NAME MY TEXT.

THE BOOK OF JOSHUA CHAPTER 3 VERSES 9 THROUGH 11.

GOD'S MESSAGE TO THE ISRAELITES-- TO HIS CHOSEN PEOPLE-- AS THEY CROSSED THE MIGHTY JORDAN RIVER.

"AND JOSHUA SAID: COME HITHER "AND HEAR THE WORDS OF THE LORD YOUR GOD.

"AND JOSHUA SAID: "HEREBY YE SHALL KNOW THAT THE LIVING GOD "IS AMONG YOU "AND THAT HE WILL, WITHOUT FAIL "DRIVE OUT FROM BEFORE YOU THE EGYPTIAN CLANS.

"BEHOLD THE ARK OF THE COVENANT "OF THE LORD OF ALL THE EARTH PASSETH OVER BEFORE YOU INTO JORDAN."

LIKE THE ISRAELITES IN THE ANCIENT WILDERNESS WE WILL BEGIN ANEW, TOGETHER WITH THE WILL OF GOD HENCE LET IT BE KNOWN THAT GOD HATH GRACIOUSLY BROUGHT YOU TO A GOOD DAY... THIS DAY.

Sarah: PARRIS'S SUPPORTERS WERE, FOR NOW, IN FAVOR.

THE REST OF THE VILLAGE WOULD RISE AS WITH THE INCOMING TIDE.

IT WAS IN THE DEATHLY QUIET OF ONE OTHER WINTER THAT THE INNOCENT GAMES OF CHILDREN CHANGED THE COURSE OF SALEM VILLAGE FOREVER.

HERE, CHILD, DRINK THIS.

TAKE IT, GO ON.

JUST HERB TEA I MADE UP.

IT'LL PUT YOUR STRENGTH BACK.

TITUBA?

DO WE HAVE TO KEEP READING SCRIPTURE?

I'M TIRED.

YOU KNOW IT'S NOT FOR ME TO SAY, CHILD.

THE REVEREND SIR HOLDS BY TWO HOURS OF SCRIPTURES FOR YOUR LESSONS BOTH MORNING AND NOON.

YOU SHOULDN'T MAKE NO FUSS, NEITHER.

IF HE COME IN HERE WE ALL BE IN TROUBLE.

TITUBA... READ MY HAND AGAIN-- THE LINES.

HUSH!

NO!

NOT NOW.

PLEASE?

NOT MINE.

PLEASE, TITUBA.

WHAT DO YOU SEE?

OH, MY CHILD, YOU DO HAVE PROMISE.

BUT BEWARE.

SEE THERE, THESE "X" MARKS... THEY'S DEVIL SCRATCHES.

THEY DON'T RUB OFF, CHILD BUT YOU CAN KEEP THEM FROM GETTING BIGGER.

HOW?

( breaking glass ) DEVIL MARKS IS BAD, LIKE VOODOO IS BAD.

CAN MAKE PEOPLE WILD INSIDE, SO YOU MIND YOUR TITUBA.

I SEE THE FUTURE.

I KNOW.

ON MY ISLAND I HEARD OF THESE THINGS.

ONE WOMAN COULD TELL YOU TODAY WHAT THE STARS WILL TELL YOU TOMORROW.

( child screaming ) NOT ANOTHER.

JUST BAD DREAMS.

THERE, CHILD.

THERE.

PRAY, CHILD.

ONE MORE NIGHT OF THIS AND SHE WILL CLEANSE HERSELF BY FASTING.

Sarah: THERE WERE OTHER NIGHTS.

THE POOR, IMPRESSIONABLE CHILD DID FAST.

BUT THE DIVERSIONS CONTINUED.

TITUBA WOULD NOT KNOW BETTER.

WITH HER COUSIN, BETTE BECOMING MORE INWARD WITH EACH PASSING DAY THE HIGH-SPIRITED ABIGAIL WAS BUSY SOLICITING OTHER GIRLS TO JOIN IN THE GAMES.

YOUNG GIRLS, FULL OF THE PROMISE OF WOMANHOOD... AND WHAT BETTER PLACE TO TEST THIS PROMISE THAN FROM THE PARSONAGE?

MEETINGS WERE HELD IN SECRET WHILE THE MINISTER WAS OUT.

TITUBA WOULD OBLIGE.

ANNE.

WHAT GOES ON UP THERE, DAUGHTER?

SCRIPTURE MEETINGS.

ANNE PUTNAM!

AND GAMES, SORT OF.

WHAT MANNER OF GAMES?

FORTUNES AND... CRYSTAL READINGS.

WE HEARD OF THOSE THINGS AND TITUBA SHOWED US.

CRYSTAL?

WHAT CRYSTAL?

THE WHITES OF EGGS HELD IN WATER.

GIRLS SEE FORTUNES-- FUTURE HUSBANDS AND SUCH.

AM I TO BE PUNISHED?

GO UP THERE, THEN.

WHAT?

YOU HEARD ME.

GO.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR FORTUNES.

ASK OF YOUR BROTHER AND MY SISTER'S CHILDREN.

ASK WHY THEY ALL CAME INTO THIS WORLD DEAD.

ASK OF ME AND YOUR FATHER'S LOT.

WHAT'S TO BECOME OF US?

IF THE MINISTER'S SLAVE CAN DO AS YOU SAY I WANT TO KNOW.

MENTION TO NO ONE THAT I SENT YOU FOR THIS.

UNDERSTAND?

YES.

GO, THEN.

I MUST MEET WITH THE MINISTER ON CHURCH MATTERS.

GO.

Sarah: THE GIRLS WERE BRIGHT IMPRESSIONABLE DANGEROUSLY EAGER.

ONLY TIME KEPT THEM FROM SURPASSING THEIR TEACHER.

SEE THERE.

CAN YOU SEE THE LIGHTS?

YES.

YES.

YES.

Tituba: RED CATS... YELLOW BIRDS... AND SNAKES.

YES.

YES.

I SEE THEM.

WHERE, COUSIN?

WHERE?

( gasps ) TALK TO THEM.

ASK THEM OF YOUR FATE.

THEY WILL SPEAK WITH BARKS AND HISSES.

YOU WILL UNDERSTAND.

OH, I THINK I SHALL FAINT.

LET ME TALK TO THEM.

WHAT DO YOU HEAR, CHILD?

HSSSSSSSSS... ( screaming ) DEVIL MARKS, SEE?

DEVIL MARKS.

( both screaming ) Tituba: ABIGAIL, STOP!

CAN'T YOU SEE THE CHILD IS FEARFUL?

GET UP!

COME WITH ME.

HUSH, CHILD!

HUSH.

( door shuts ) THE SNAKE... IT MOVES.

HSSSSSSS... LOOK!

DO YOU SEE?

WHAT IS IT?

WHAT?

LOOK!

I WON'T!

WHAT OF MY COUSINS?

DO YOU MEAN ME?

ANNE?

WHAT OF MY DEAD BROTHER?INS?

WHAT IS MY FORTUNE?

HSSSSSS... Parris: THE VILLAGE GROWS EVER MORE DIVIDED.

THESE HYPOCRITES MOVE TO TAKE BACK THE DEED TO THE PARSONAGE.

MY HUSBAND, THOMAS WILL PRESS THEM FURTHER-- BE CERTAIN.

NOTHING IN THIS WORLD IS CERTAIN, GOOD WOMAN.

COME UP TO THE PARSONAGE.

MRS.

PARRIS SHOULD BE BACK.

I MUST BE HOME.

COME.

( children chanting and moaning ) ( barking like dog ) WHAT IN GOD'S NAME IS GOING ON?

ANNE?

ANNE, COME OUT FROM THERE.

WHAT VILE SACRILEGE GOES ON IN A CHRISTIAN HOUSE?

SPEAK, CHILD!

WHO GAVE YOU PERMISSION TO DO THIS?

WHAT IS THIS BUSINESS?

ANSWER ME!

TITUBA!

WHAT DO YOU KNOW OF THIS FOLLY?

NOTHING, MASTER, SIR.

THESE CHILDREN ARE ILL.

ELIZABETH HUBBARD DOES YOUR UNCLE KNOW OF YOUR WHEREABOUTS?

NO.

YOU BEGONE, THEN.

MARK ME, I WILL SPEAK TO HIM.

ANNE PUTNAM!

HOW ASHAMED.

WHO HAS DONE THIS TO YOU?

WHAT SPELL ARE YOU UNDER?

TEND TO YOUR CHILD.

AND TAKE YOUR MAID-SERVANT WITH YOU.

THIS IS FOUL BUSINESS.

MENTION THIS VIOLATION TO NO ONE.

YOU CAN BE SURE.

YOU... I ASK YOU AGAIN: WHAT DO YOU KNOW OF THIS FOOLISHNESS?

I SWEAR, SIR.

( child screams ) QUICKLY, DR.

GRIGGS... INSIDE.

( child screams ) DOCTOR, WHAT AILS THEM?

THIS ONE-- MY DAUGHTER-- CANNOT SPEAK.

AND WHEN SHE DOES THE WORDS HAVE NO MEANING.

GIVE ME A CANDLE.

SHE HAS FASTED FOR THREE DAYS.

STILL NO IMPROVEMENT.

( child screams ) WHERE IS THE OTHER CHILD?

ON HER BED, WITH SOME MANNER OF FITS.

LET ME SEE HER.

EASY, DEAR CHILD.

EASY!

( gasps ) WE HAVE PRAYED OVER THEM FOR TWO DAYS WITH NO RESULT.

IT COMES AND GOES.

WHY WAS I NOT CALLED SOONER?

WE ENTRUSTED GOD FIRST.

NEVER IN MY LIFE HAVE I SEEN SUCH CONDITIONS IN CHILDREN.

LET ME CONFER WITH MY TEXT.

KEEP HER DOOR LATCHED.

THERE IS NOTHING IN MY BOOKS WHICH CAN EXPLAIN THESE STRANGE AFFLICTIONS.

EVEN I AM AT A LOSS.

YOU MUST DO SOMETHING, DR.

GRIGGS.

MY CHILD.

MAY I SPEAK WITH YOU AT THE DOOR, SIR?

( child screams ) I FEAR THE ONLY EXPLANATION FOR THESE AFFLICTIONS IS THAT THE EVIL HAND IS UPON THEM.

IT IS NOT MEDICAL-- THAT WOULD BE IN MY BOOK.

IT APPEARS THESE CHILDREN ARE... BEWITCHED.

VOODOO.

WHAT?

( child screams ) NOTHING.

JUST A WORD OF THE WEST INDIES.

I ADVISE YOU TO STAY THE COURSE AND WAIT UPON THE PROVIDENCE OF GOD.

WE HAVE NO TIME.

THERE ARE OTHER AFFLICTED CHILDREN.

I HAVE SEEN THEM.

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

CALL A MEETING OF EVERY MINISTER WITHIN A DAY'S RIDE.

PERHAPS TOGETHER WE CAN SUMMON THE WILL OF GOD TO RID US OF THESE AFFLICTIONS.

YOU HAD BEST BE THERE YOURSELF, DR.

GRIGGS.

YOUR NIECE, ELIZABETH HUBBARD, IS AFFLICTED.

( child screams ) Sarah: THE SICKNESS WAS NOT ISOLATED TO THE MINISTER'S HOUSE ALONE.

IT SPREAD.

SEE THE DEVIL MARKS?

THEY TELL THE FUTURE.

HAVE YOU BOTH LEARNED YOUR LESSONS WELL?

CAN YOU RECITE THEM FOR ME?

DO YOU MEAN SCRIPTURE?

YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN.

NO, MISSUS.

BEAR WITNESS ON ME.

I HAVE LOST A SON AND EVERY NIECE AND NEPHEW.

MY HUSBAND'S INFLUENCE DIMINISHES BECAUSE OF AN UNJUST INHERITANCE.

I MUST KNOW WHO OR WHAT IS TO BLAME AND I WILL HAVE ANSWERS.

YOU WILL SHOW ME WHAT YOU DO.

( distant screams ) ( breaking glass ) ANN.

I SAW THEM... DEAD... DEAD CHILDREN.

LITTLE BODIES... LITTLE BODIES IN WINDING SHEETS.

THEY WERE MURDERED.

THERE, OUTSIDE THE WINDOW.

SPECTERS!

Sarah: MOST PECULIAR WAS THE SUDDEN VAPORS OF ANN, SENIOR.

MOST PECULIAR INDEED.

SOON AFTER, AT THE PARSONAGE MR.

PARRIS HAD HIS MEETING OF MINISTERS.

ABIGAIL RESPONDED ON SCHEDULE.

THERE WERE DOUBTS ABOUT HER AFFLICTION.

THERE WAS NO DOUBT ABOUT BETTE, HOWEVER.

THE CHILD WAS NEARLY LOST.

OH, DO YOU NOT SEE HER?

SHE STANDS THERE!

OH, I WON'T!

TAKE YOUR BOOK AWAY!

IT'S THE DEVIL'S BOOK!

NO.

ABIGAIL!

HUSH.

ABIGAIL.

CAN YOU HEAR ME?

WHAT IS IT?

WHAT IS IT, CHILD?

WHO DID YOU SEE?

WHO WAS IT THAT YOU STRUGGLED WITH?

I... I KNOW NOT HER NAME.

SHE COMES OFTEN.

IS SHE HERE NOW, CHILD?

IS SHE ALONE?

THERE ARE OTHERS.

WHO?

WHO?

WHO ARE THEY?

LET US PRAY.

Sarah: TITUBA WAS TO BAKE A WITCHCAKE.

IT WAS A MIXTURE TOLD TO HER BY A SIMPLE VILLAGE WOMAN-- MARY SIBLEY.

"WHITE MAGIC" IT WAS.

A CAKE MADE OF RYE MEAL MIXED WITH THE URINE OF THE AFFLICTED GIRLS.

WELL?

IT'S NEARLY BAKED.

DID YOU DO LIKE THE WOMAN SAY?

HUSH!

YES... IF WE ARE FOUND OUT... HOW ELSE DO WE KNOW IF THESE CHILDREN BE WITH WITCHES?

PRAY THAT THEY IS NOT, FOR OUR SAKE.

Dr.

I HAVE SOMETHING IMPORTANT TO TELL YOU.

Sarah: THE WATER OF ELIZABETH HUBBARD-- DR.

GRIGG'S NIECE-- WAS PART OF THE CAKE.

LORD HAVE MERCY!

LORD HAVE MERCY!

( screaming ) LORD HAVE MERCY!

( screaming ) LORD HAVE MERCY!

( screaming ) Sarah: SEVERAL DAYS LATER THE AFFLICTED CHILDREN WERE BROUGHT TOGETHER IN THE HOME OF THOMAS PUTNAM.

THE MINISTER WAS DETERMINED TO HAVE ANSWERS... ANSWERS HE AND OTHERS ALREADY KNEW.

"...WE MAY EAT OF THE FRUIT OF THE TREES OF THE GARDEN..." ( screaming ) I'M BEING BITTEN AND PINCHED!

WHO IS IT AFFLICTS YOU, ANNE?

IT'S NOT CLEAR TO ME.

BUT SHE'S PINCHING!

YOU WILL NOT BE PUNISHED.

GOD IS MY WITNESS BUT WE WILL HAVE ANSWERS, CHILD.

WE MUST!

THEY ARE HERE AGAIN.

CAN YOU SEE THEM?

OH, THOMAS!

( screams ) WHO POSSESSES YOU, DAUGHTER?

SPEAK.

IS IT TITUBA?

DOES SHE DO THE DEVIL'S WORK?

SPEAK!

TITUBA.

THERE ARE OTHERS.

WHO ARE THEY... BY NAME?

OLD WOMEN IN THE VILLAGE-- KNOWN BY SIGHT.

MEAN OLD WOMEN.

THEY MUTTER AS I PASS.

GO AWAY!

NO!

I CAN THINK OF TWO SUCH WOMEN... IT MUST BE.

YOU KNOW OF THEM TOO, DO YOU NOT, ANNE?

Sarah: CHILDREN.

NOTHING BUT CHILDREN.

INNOCENT GAMES MISUSED AND TWISTED BY SPITEFUL GUARDIANS.

FOR WANT OF PROPER DISCIPLINE 20 LIVES WOULD BE LOST BY THESE GIRLS' INNOCENT GAMES.

IT WAS A LEAP YEAR... 1692.

ON FEBRUARY THE 29th TITUBA WAS ARRESTED EXAMINED AND SENT TO SALEM JAIL.

THE CHARGE WAS WITCHCRAFT.

( murmering ) YOU IMPLY THAT THESE AFFLICTED GIRLS WERE NOT SPEAKING THE TRUTH.

GOODY CLOYCE-- CHILDREN IN CHRISTIAN HOUSEHOLDS WOULD NOT LIE SO BRAZENLY.

ONE PERHAPS, BUT NOT AS A GROUP SO UNIFIED IN CONVICTION.

THERE WERE TWO HOUSEHOLDS OF SINGULAR PURPOSE.

FIVE WERE AFFLICTED IF YOU COUNT MRS.

PUTNAM.

AND WHAT LIE IS THERE IN YOUNG GIRLS HAVING SPELLS.

HOW AMAZED THEY MUST HAVE BEEN NOT TO BE PUNISHED.

INSTEAD, THEY WERE PRAYED TO.

FEARED.

CHILDREN... WITH NO PREVIOUS VOICE OR STATION IN LIFE.

THEN NONE WAS TRULY POSSESSED?

SOME WERE.

YOUNG BETTE WAS TRULY STRICKEN WHETHER BY WITCHCRAFT, FEAR, OR IMAGINATION.

THE OTHER GIRLS WERE ILL AS IT SERVED THEM... AND THEIR GUARDIANS.

THEY GLORIED IN IT.

THESE ARE SERIOUS IMPLICATIONS.

IT'S A MOST SERIOUS BUSINESS, YOUR HONOR.

PROCEED.

THE NAMES CAME FROM THE ADULTS-- NOT THE CHILDREN.

DO YOU EXPECT US TO BELIEVE THIS?

PROCEED.

Sarah: BETTE DID NOT WILLFULLY ACCUSE TITUBA.

TITUBA WAS DEAR TO HER.

SHE WAS FRIGHTENED OF HER FATHER.

THE REVEREND MR.

PARRIS IMPLICATED TITUBA.

BUT YOU ADMIT TITUBA PRACTICED SORCERY.

THE SORCERY, AS YOU CALL IT, WAS ABIGAIL'S TORMENTS AND HER OWN SENSITIVITIES NOT TITUBA'S MISCHIEF.

AS FOR THE OTHER CHILDREN, THEY POSSESSED THEMSELVES.

"POSSESSED THEMSELVES?"

NAMING NAMES CAME EASIER.

WITHOUT FEAR OF REPRISAL THE GIRLS SHOWED NO APPREHENSION IN AGREEING TO POINT THE ACCUSATORY FINGER AT WILL.

INDEED, THEY WERE ENCOURAGED.

ENCOURAGED BY WHOM?

YOU KNOW THEY NAMED THEIR TORMENTORS.

NOT AT FIRST.

THEY MERELY AGREED TO THE NAMES THAT WERE PUT UPON THEM UNTIL THEY FELT THEIR OWN POWER.

AFTER TITUBA ANN PUTNAM, SENIOR, AND HER KIND HAD OTHER NAMES TO PUT ON THE CHILDREN... NAMES THEY KNEW WELL.

MY SISTERS AND I BECAME THE UNSUSPECTING VICTIMS OF CHILDREN ALLOWED TO GO MAD.

"...AND ABRAHAM'S SERVANT AND MEN BLESSED REBECCA."

THEY WHAT?

LOUDER.

YOU KNOW MY HEARING FAILS ME.

"...AND THEY BLESSED REBECCA "AND THEY SAID UNTO HER "BE THOU THE MOTHER OF THOUSANDS OF MILLIONS "AND LET THY SEED POSSESS THE GATE OF THOSE WHICH HATE THEM."

MY FAVORITE PASSAGE FROM GENESIS.

YOU REQUEST IT OFTEN ENOUGH.

WHAT?

NOTHING.

SARAH, I TAKE GREAT COMFORT IN THIS BED.

IT'S OLDER THAN I AM.

YOU WERE BORN IN IT.

AND SO WERE YOU, AND MARY.

IT'S ANCIENT!

ALL OF US, BORN IN THIS BED AND LIKEWISE MY EIGHT CHILDREN.

EIGHT?

YES, EIGHT.

THAT'S RIGHT.

"MOTHER OF THOUSANDS OF MILLIONS."

MY!

HERE, AS I PROMISED.

MY SPECIAL BREW.

MIND NOT TO SPILL IT.

MARY, YOU ARE TOO KIND.

WHAT DID I DO TO DESERVE SUCH ATTENTION?

BEING THE OLDEST SISTER, I IMAGINE... AND INVALID.

SHE'S MERELY RECOVERING.

I AM TOO INVALID.

I HAVE A MIND TO STAY IN THIS BED THE REST OF MY LIFE.

WHAT ELSE COULD BRING MY SISTERS HERE AS OFTEN?

IF I HAVE MY WAY, YOU WILL BE UP SOON.

YOU ALWAYS WERE THE BRIMSTONE OF US SISTERS-- OUR LEADER.

SO FULL OF FIRE... PRIDE.

BULLHEADED IS THE WORD.

WELL, YOU BE FULL OF MARY'S BREW BEFORE IT GETS TOO COLD.

I BROUGHT MY OWN INGREDIENTS.

WHAT IS IT?

IT NEEDS NO EXPLAINING.

SHE DOESN'T KNOW HERSELF.

I DO... THEY'RE HERBS FROM MY FARM.

THERE'S UH... CHAMOMILE FLOWERS SLIPPERY ELM SASSAFRAS ROOTS AND UH... OTHER THINGS.

'TIS BOUNTIFUL.

WHAT?

NO MAPLE SYRUP!

OH, SISTER.

Rebecca: WHAT ARE YOU DOING, SARAH?

WHO DO YOU LOOK FOR?

SOMETHING'S IN THE AIR.

YOU CAN FEEL IT.

FEAR IS ON THE WING.

Rebecca: WHAT?

WHAT DID SHE SAY?

SOMETHING ABOUT THE AIR.

THE WINDOW IS CLOSED.

THERE WAS A TERRIBLE BUSINESS AT THE MEETINGHOUSE SACRAMENT SUNDAY LAST.

DURING THE SERMON, FOUR CHILDREN... GIRLS, WENT INTO A STRANGE DISCOURSE AND CARRIED ON WITH THE MOST GRIEVOUS FITS.

DEAR, YES.

MOST GRIEVOUS.

FITS... YES.

SAMUEL TOLD ME.

CLAIM THEY WERE BITTEN BY WITCHES.

RIGHT IN THE MEETINGHOUSE FOR ALL TO SEE.

WITCHES, IN SALEM VILLAGE.

HOW UNLIKELY A PLACE FOR WITCHES.

THE CHURCH MEMBERS WERE BESIDE THEMSELVES.

I KNOW THESE CHILDREN.

THEY APPEAR TO BE GOOD CHILDREN FROM ORDERLY HOUSEHOLDS.

PERHAPS THEY ARE TORMENTED BY WITCHES.

OH, SISTER!

YOU HAVE A SIMPLE VIEW OF THE MATTER.

I AM A SIMPLE WOMAN.

IS ITNOT STRANGE NO ONE TRIED TO STOP THESE FITS DURING SACRAMENT SUNDAY?

NO ONE!

NOT THEIR GUARDIANS NOR THEIR PARENTS NOT REVEREND MR.

PARRIS HIMSELF.

MY HUSBAND, SARAH'S PETER, AND YOUR SON, SAMUEL WENT WITH OTHERS OF THE VILLAGE COMMITTEE TO PROTEST TO THE MINISTER.

ISRAEL PORTER INCLUDED.

WHAT CAME OF IT?

NOTHING.

HE STARED AT THEM BLANKLY.

HE DECIDED TO DO NOTHING.

STRANGE... ISN'T IT?

THERE ARE THREE WOMEN IN SALEM JAIL ACCUSED OF WITCHCRAFT BY THESE "GOOD" CHILDREN.

ONE IS THE MINISTER'S SLAVE HERSELF, TITUBA.

SHE CONFESSED AND WAS ARRESTED.

WHO WERE THE OTHERS ACCUSED?

SARAH GOOD, THE DESERTED WOMAN AND THE HERMIT, THE OLD SARAH OSBORNE.

SARAH OSBORNE?

SHE COULD NOT BE A WITCH.

LISTEN TO ME, REBECCA.

I FEAR THERE WILL BE OTHERS AND PERHAPS CSER TO US.

OH, SARAH.

NO, SISTER IS RIGHT.

THERE IS WORD THAT THE CHILDREN HAVE NAMED OTHERS.

Mary: WARRANTS ARE BEING CONSIDERED.

IMPISH GAMES, THAT'S ALL.

WE PLAYED THEM AS CHILDREN OURSELVES.

THERE'S AN ADULT SUFFERS FITS AS WELL-- ANN PUTNAM.

ANN CARR PUTNAM?

YES!

THE CARR FAMILY TRIED TO GET MOTHER ACCUSED OF WITCHCRAFT.

THAT WAS LONG AGO.

IT WAS A LAND DISPUTE... YOU KNOW THAT.

BUT IT WAS ANN PUTNAM'S FAMILY.

HER VENOM WILL NOT BE EASILY FORGOTTEN.

YOU BOTH READ TOO MUCH INTO THIS.

IT'S MERELY IDLE TALK AND FOOLISH NOTIONS.

IT WILL PASS, I TELL YOU.

READ TO ME AGAIN, ANOTHER CHAPTER FROM GENESIS.

Rebecca: SAMUEL?!

MOTHER, PLEASE... GET UP.

WE MUST LEAVE BEFORE THEY ARRIVE.

WHAT HAPPENED?

WE'RE JUST STEPS AHEAD OF THE SHERIFF.

THEY HAVE A WARRANT FOR MOTHER'S ARREST.

ON WHAT CHARGE?

THE PRACTICE OF WITCHCRAFT.

WHAT!?

IT CANNOT BE!

PLEASE, WE MUST HURRY.

WHO ACCUSES IN THIS WARRANT?

ANN PUTNAM AND THE MINISTER'S NIECE, ABIGAIL WILLIAMS.

I'M A PUTNAM IN NAME ONLY.

THEY SHALL NOT HAVE HER!

WHERE SHALL I GO?

PLEASE, EVERYONE STOP!

GOD IS WITH ME.

MOTHER!

NO.

IF IT BE SO, THE WILL OF THE LORD BE DONE.

AS TO THIS THING I AM INNOCENT AS THE CHILD UNBORN.

SURELY, WHAT SIN HATH GOD FOUND OUT IN ME THAT HE SHOULD LAY SUCH AFFLICTION ON ME IN MY OLD AGE?

NO, SON.

I AM IN HIS HANDS NOW.

LET THEM COME.