BY THE WATERS OF BABYLON

"PROLEGOMENON: The Scene. The Time is the present. The curtain rises to reveal a middle sized evergreen tree on centre stage. It has a greenish-brown bark and ovate pointed leaves. Many fruits are apparent on the tree - heavy juice laden yellow globes. Suspended from a branch on the right side of the tree is a human skeleton which by the character and mass of the bones, particularly the pelvis, indicates the individual in life to have been a female. This skeleton holds an hourglass in its hands. From a branch on the left side of the tree is hanging a second skeleton, bone characteristics of which identify it clearly to have been in life a male individual. It holds a staff with a serpent about the shaft.Somewhat between both skeletons Wainwright stands, the noose of a powerful rope about his neck, waiting to be suspended. The cord is thrown over a branch of the tree and is long enough to allow for slack that trails on the ground. He is hatless and wears a black shirt open at the neck and black tight fitting trousers. His feet are bare."