Witchy Buisness... Or is it?

Melinda Warren

John Halliwell

Witch Hunters – 1, 2, and 3

It is the year 1692, a few months into the Salem Witch Trials. Melinda is secretly meeting John in the woods. She is scared to death that she will be the next accused witch and John is like her best friend, although she has always wished he were more.

Melinda: John, you don’t understand. I…I…I don’t really know what I did, but I have unsettled her, I have angered her. She is the head of the hunt and I have angered her.

John: This is crazy. You should not be afraid of Goody Williams. She is nothing more than a fake and god will see who you truly are; see that she is the one who is the witch. You have nothing to fear but death, and death is not such a bad thing.

Melinda: Maybe to you John, but it scares me. I do not want to die, not like this, not as a witch. She has so much on me John. There is so much she can use to back up an accusation of witchcraft. Is it so wrong to be…?

John: Yes Melinda. Fear will ruin you. Fear will run you. You cannot let her do this to you Melinda. You are too good for it and Abigail is not fit to be in your presence. You must remember that Melinda. You are better than all the girls in the village. Never let them rule you.

Melinda: Close to tears. But it’s not that simple John. I cannot be accused of witchcraft. I’m all my mother has. What would she do without me? Would they turn on her next? I don’t want that to happen John. I couldn’t bear the pain if it did…

John pauses the conversation to think things through in his head. He doesn’t know the whole situation; Melinda has left so much out, thinking it was for the better. Thinking that it would protect him better, when in fact it would be more harmful to him.

John: Just live your life as if nothing is going on. Don’t worry about them; I won’t let anything happen to you.

Melinda’s eyes start to tear up as both Melinda and John hear rustling of leaves. Both eyes widen and they look at each other.

Melinda: Someone’s coming; we have to get out of here before they spot us.

John: Quickly, make haste.

Melinda and John scatter in two different directions, both running as fast as they can while also trying to make as little noise as possible.

Witch Hunters: Quickly, I think I hear them over here!

Melinda has run towards the Witch Hunters and quickly runs into them. She screams, causing John to quickly stop and spin around, heading toward her.

Witch Hunter 1: What have we here? A lady wandering around the woods on her own?

Melinda: As Witch Hunter grabs a hold of her. Get you hands off me good sir!

Witch Hunter 2: Let her go, if she runs, then we grab her.

Witch Hunter 1 reluctantly lets Melinda go as she turns to face them.

Melinda: What is it I have done? I was picking flowers to make a bouquet to take home to my mother when you startled me. I dropped all the flowers I have picked because of it.

Witch Hunter 3: It is not what you have done it is what you are going to do.

Melinda: And what might that be good sir?

Witch Hunter 1: You, Goody Warren, have been accused of witchcraft. How do you plead to these charges? Keep in mind you have been caught in the woods on your own, that does not bode well for your cause.

John bursts out of the underbrush, furry all over his face.

John: This is absurd! I will not stand for it. This lady has done no such thing. She is as innocent as you or I.

Witch Hunter 3: Goodman Halliwell, this matter does not concern you, I must advise that you stay out of it.

John: If it involves Goody Warren than it involves me as well.

Witch Hunter 2: And why do you think that John? Why would it be your business if Melinda were being accused of witchcraft or not?

John: John stumbles for the right words. Because...Because...sigh, because she is my friend, that should be good enough for anybody.

Witch Hunter 1: With Accusation. Friend? Or More?

Melinda: How dare you! First you come accusing me of witchcraft and now this. What proof have ye? Any at all?

Witch Hunter 2: We have proof, proof for all.

John: What is it than? What can you say for your case?

Witch Hunter 3: Speechless. Well we...Um...We just...

Witch Hunter 1: It will be announced at court, we need not tell you here.

John: Need not, or have none?

Witch Hunter 2: You sir are completely out of line. If we didn’t know any better I’d say you were in league with the witch. Tell us Goodman Halliwell, have you seen the devil, seen his book, written in it?

Melinda: Enough! Leave Goodman Halliwell out of it. This has nothing to do with him, just me. I will go to hearing if I must, but I am innocent of witchcraft, I would swear to it.

John: Pleadingly. Melinda, please, let me help you. I won’t see any harm befall you.

Melinda turns toward John, smiling slightly. She lets her hand rest against his cheek, barely touching him.

Melinda: So only John can hear her. It’s very kind of you, but this is my burden and mine alone, do not allow yourself to be dragged into this. I will take whatever they dish out at me, whether it be just or not. God knows I am innocent and that’s all that matters. All I need to do is be true to him and he will take care of all.

John: Tread carefully Melinda, I wish you the best of luck. You will pull through this because you are strong.

Melinda: You have helped me more than you will ever known John. Thank you.

Melinda leans forward and places a single kiss on John’s lips. She turns around and faces the three Witch Hunters.

Melinda: I will take whatever you give me. I am not afraid.

Witch Hunter 1: Come with us than.

Melinda nods and follows the Witch Hunters leaving John standing there, a tear dripping down his cheek. He knows what’s going to happen and is already preparing himself for Melinda’s death.