were young, I would write when they were napping or asleep. I keep note cards so I know what I have done and what I still need to do. I lay them out on the table when I am working and stack them up when we use the table for other things. I write like I cook. Some processes are slow, they need “rise” time and some projects I write on all day everyday until I have a draft. I write where I fold the laundry, eat breakfast, and knead dough. Now my daughter works here too. This table was built by Sam Mulgrew and the folks at Trappist Caskets at the New Mellarey Abbey; they harvest wood from old growth forest. It was a barter (editing for table). It’s made from two boards cut from a walnut tree–it must have been huge. If you look closely you can see the grain like open sandwich bread. It’s great to write on–it’s full of history and life. In the background is my trusty companion, Django, behind him is my garden.
ACT I
SCENE 1 – 1598 Via Borgo dei Vignali
(Marina holds candle up to read a sign.)
MARINA
Universite de Padua. Galileo Galilei, Mathematician. (Accidentally blows out the flame.) Shit.
(She takes out a tinderbox, opens it. No Gregorian Chant. Tries to strike the flint. Looks like she might puke. Looks up for a nun on strings. None. A lamp in a second story window is lit.)
GALILEO
You again? Every night. Rats. Indigents. Star gazers. Where are you from? The Informoso Nazionale? (beat) What do you want from me?
MARINA
Excuse me, sir, I want
GALILEO
A story? Make something up. You make it all up anyway. You’re not worth the paper you’re printed on.
MARINA
/to know Something:
GALILEO
I have students here. Nobles. No paparazzi allowed.
MARINA
Is there such a thing as a moving
GALILEO
Do you hear me?
MARINA
/Star? Sir?
GALILEO
Get away from my house.
(He takes off his boot and throws it at her. She ducks. He throws the second one at her.
And it’s professor, not sir. Now scram.
(He throws the lantern out the window. The flame shoots high in arc to the floor and goes out. It smashes. She puts on the boots and runs off.)
End Scene 1
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Patricia Ann McNair 
Great entry. It’s a brave person who side-steps the shadow of Brecht to do a stage portrayal of Galileo, but I loved this all too brief extract (or is that excerpt?).
And what a great idea this ‘View from the Keyboard’ is. I’m glad you stole it from me!
Stole it from you? I beg your pardon. However, I also want to thank you for your comment, Mr Hartigan. Do you have a writing space?
Lovely glimpse into this play. Lovely glimpse into Lisa’s writing space. And how very cool that the play will be live on the Main Stage soon.
Hi, Jana, and thanks for the note. What about your space? We’d love to see where you work and what you are working on!