THE MOUNTAINTOP

BY KATORI HALL

DRAMATISTS
PLAY SERVICE
INC.
 THE MOUNTAINTOP
Copyright © 2012, Katori Hall

All Rights Reserved

CAUTION: Professionals and amateurs are hereby warned that performance of THE
MOUNTAINTOP is subject to payment of a royalty. It is fully protected under the copyright laws
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must be secured from the Author’s agent in writing.

The English language stock and amateur stage performance rights in the United States, its
territories, possessions and Canada for THE MOUNTAINTOP are controlled exclusively by
DRAMATISTS PLAY SERVICE, INC., 440 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10016. No
professional or nonprofessional performance of the Play may be given without obtaining in
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SPECIAL NOTE
Anyone receiving permission to produce THE MOUNTAINTOP is required to give credit to the
Author as sole and exclusive Author of the Play on the title page of all programs distributed in
connection with performances of the Play and in all instances in which the title of the Play appears
for purposes of advertising, publicizing or otherwise exploiting the Play and/or a production
thereof. The name of the Author must appear on a separate line, in which no other name appears,
immediately beneath the title and in size of type equal to 50% of the size of the largest, most
prominent letter used for the title of the Play. No person, firm or entity may receive credit larger
or more prominent than that accorded the Author. The following acknowledgment must appear
on the title page in all programs distributed in connection with performances of the Play, and in
all advertising and publicity in which full production credits appear:

Original Broadway production produced by

Jean Doumanian, Sonia Friedman Productions, Ambassador Theater Group,
Raise the Roof 7, Ted Snowdon, Alhadeff Productions/Lauren Doll,
B Square + 4 Productions/Broadway Across America, Jacki Barlia Florin/Cooper Federman,
Ronnie Planalp/Moellenberg Taylor and Marla Rubin Productions/Blumenthal Performing Arts,
in association with Scott Delman.

In addition, the following acknowledgments must appear on the title page in all programs
distributed in connection with performances of the Play:

THE MOUNTAINTOP was developed at the Lark Play Development Center,

New York City, and was first produced by Theatre 503 in June 2009
and further produced at Trafalgar Studio One in July 2009
by Sonia Friedman Productions and Jean Doumanian,
Tali Pelman for Ambassador Theatre Group, Bob Bartner, Freddy DeMann,
Jerry Frankel, Ted Snowdon and Marla Rubin Productions Ltd.

THE MOUNTAINTOP was developed at the 2008 Bay Area Playwrights Festival,
a program of the Playwrights Foundation (Amy L. Mueller, Artistic Director).

2
THE MOUNTAINTOP received its Broadway premiere at the
Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre on October 13, 2011. It was presented by
Jean Doumanian, Sonia Friedman Productions, Ambassador Theater
Group, Raise the Roof 7, Ted Snowdon, Alhadeff Productions/
Lauren Doll, B Square + 4 Productions/Broadway Across America,
Jacki Barlia Florin/Cooper Federman, Ronnie Planalp/Moellenberg
Taylor and Marla Rubin Productions/ Blumenthal Performing Arts,
in association with Scott Delman. It was directed by Kenny Leon;
the music was by Branford Marsalis; the set and projection design
were by David Gallo; the costume design was by Constanza Romero;
the lighting design was by Brian MacDevitt; the sound design was by
Dan Moses Schreier; the hair and wig design were by Charles G.
LaPointe; the production manager was Aurora Productions; and
the production stage manager was Jimmie Lee Smith. The cast was
as follows:

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR............... Samuel L. Jackson

CAMAE................................................................. Angela Bassett

3
 CHARACTERS

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.

CAMAE

PLACE

Room 306 at the Lorraine Motel.

TIME

April 3, 1968.

4
 THE MOUNTAINTOP
Lights up. Night. April 3, 1968. Room 306. The Lorraine
Motel. Memphis, Tennessee. The outside street lights project
the shadows of rain sliding down the pane onto the walls.

The motel room door creaks open. The rain pours outside.
Enter Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Tired. Overwrought. Wet.
He is ready to take his shoes off and crawl into bed. He coughs.
He is hoarse. He stands in the doorway, the red and yellow
motel sign casting a glow onto his face. He yells out of the door
into the stormy night.

KING. Abernathy, get me a pack of Pall Malls, when ya go. Naw.

Naw. Naw. I said Pall Malls. I don’t like those Winstons you smoke.
You can call me siddity all you like, I want me a Pall Mall. Pall
Malls, man! Don’t be cheap. Be back soon, man. I’m wanting one.
Bad. That’s right … That’s right … (He closes the door. He locks the
deadbolt. Click. He chains the door. Rattle. Then he pulls the curtain
tight over the window. He walks around in the darkness, but he knows
the lay of the room well. He turns on a lone lamp that instantly illu-
minates the room. Water stains pockmark the walls. Bright orange
and fading brown ’60s decor accent the room. The carpet is the color
of bile. He loosens his tie. Unbuttons his shirt. Coughs. An opened
briefcase lies on one of the two full beds, covered with rumpled peach
sheets. He picks up his sermon papers from the bed. Reading.) “Why
America is going to hell … ” (He goes into the bathroom.) “Why
America is going to hell … ” (We hear him urinate. He flushes the
toilet. He walks back into the room.) They really gonna burn me on the
cross for that one. (He turns on a lone lamp that instantly illuminates
the room.) “America, you are too ARROGANT!” (He goes to the
nightstand and checks the empty coffee cups.) What shall I say … what
shall I say … (He goes to the black rotary phone on the nightstand

5
between the beds. He dials.) America … Ameri — (He stops. In
complete silence: unscrews the receiver. Checks the phone for bugs.
None there. Screws the receiver back. Checks the nightstand. None
there. Sighs. Dials again.) Room service? There’s not any more room
service, tonight? When did it stop? Last week? We were here last
week and y’all were still serving room service ’til midnight. Been
always able to get me a cup of coffee when I wanted it. Needed it.
Pardon? I just want a coffee. One cup. (Pause.) Thank you! Got to
do some work before I go to bed. You can bring it on up. Room
306. (He smiles a broad smile.) Yes, we call it the “King-Abernathy
Suite,” too. I appreciate that, sir. We thank you for your prayers,
sir. We’re not gonna stop. These sanitation workers gonna get their
due. I’m here to make sure of that. Yes, sir! My autograph, sir?
(Beat.) Uhhhhh … I don’t give those out. I only give thanks. Sorry,
sir. Yes. It’ll be right up? Five minutes? Thank you kindly. Kindly.
(He hangs up. He gives the phone a “what the fuck was that about”
look.) “America, America, my country ’tis of thee … ” (He begins
to take off his shoes.) “My country who doles out constant misery
— ” (He smells them.) Wooooh! Sweet Jesus. I got marching feet
and we ain’t even marched yet! (He throws them down. He turns to
rifle through his suitcase.) Shit. She forgot to pack my toothbrush
again. (He dials on the rotary phone. Singing to himself.) Corrie, pick
up … Corrie pick up, Corrie, Corrie, Corrie pick up … (She doesn’t.
He puts the phone down.) My country who doles out constant misery.
War abroad. Then war in your streets. (Under his breath.) “Arrogant
America.” What shall I do with — (He throws himself back on the
bed. There is a knock at the door. He rushes to go and answer. He
undoes the deadbolt, then the chain.) Reverend, about time, man.
The store ain’t but down the street — (Enter Camae, a beautiful
young maid. She stands in the doorway, one hand holding a newspaper
over her head to catch the rain, the other balancing a tray with a cup
of coffee.)
CAMAE. Room service, sir.
KING. That was fast.
CAMAE. Well, I been called quickie Camae befo’. (He is taken
aback, stunned by her beauty. She waits and waits and waits. He snaps
out of it.)
KING. Where are my manners? Come on in. (He steps aside. She
walks in. Dripping over everything.)
CAMAE. Where would you like me to put this?

6
KING. On the table over there. (She sets the tray on the downstage
table, bending slightly at the waist. King appreciates his view. Beat.
She looks back; he looks away.) How much is that gonna cost?
CAMAE. Folk down there say it’s on the house. For you. It like
this yo’ house, they say. So you ain’t gotta pay them. But you can
pay me a tip for gettin’ my press ’n’ curl wet out in this rain. (She
holds out her hand. He smiles and pulls money from his billfold.)
KING. You new?
CAMAE. First day, sir.
KING. That’s why. I haven’t seen you before. Stayed here plenty a’
times, but I’ve never seen your face.
CAMAE. I done seen yo’s befo’ though.
KING. Oh, have you?
CAMAE. Of course. On the TV down at Woolworth’s. You like
the Beatles.
KING. Wish folks would listen to me like they listen to the
Beatles.
CAMAE. Mm-hm. ’Specially white folks. (King laughs, then breaks
into a fit of coughs.) Sound like you needin’ some tea, not no coffee.
You got a cold?
KING. (Straining.) Just done got to getting hoarse. Shouting.
CAMAE. And carryin’ on.
KING. No, not carrying on. Testifying.
CAMAE. Shame I ain’t get a chance to see ya tonight. I heard you
carried on a storm up at Mason Temple.
KING. How you know?
CAMAE. Negro talk strike faster than lightnin’. They say folks was
all cryin’. Sangin’. Mmph. Mmph. Mmph. I woulda liked to have
seen that. Somethin’ to tell my chirren. “When I wun’t nothin’ but
a chick-a-dee, I seen’t Dr. Martin Luther Kang, Jr., cuttin’ up in the
pulpit.” Mmmhmmmm. I bet that was somethin’ to see. (King goes
to peek out the window.)
KING. Wish it had been more folks there.
CAMAE. How many was there?
KING. Mmmmmm. A couple thousand.
CAMAE. Honey, that a lot.
KING. Coulda been more, in my humble opinion.
CAMAE. But it was stormin’. Tornadoes and all get out. You can’t
get no Negro folks out in no rain like this.
KING. And why is that?

7
CAMAE. “God’ll strike you down if you move ’round too much.”
That what my momma used to say. When it storm like this my
momma say, “Be still!” But I thank she just wanted us chirren to sit
our tails down somewhere ’cause the lightnin’ spooked her nerves
so bad. Personally, I just thank God be actin’ up.
KING. Do He? Is that why you didn’t come? (Pause. She wants to
say something, but changes her mind.)
CAMAE. Naw. It my first day here. At work. Wanted to come in early.
KING. Well, I can’t blame folks. Shoot, I almost didn’t go.
CAMAE. Why that?
KING. Ain’t been feeling too good.
CAMAE. Aww, a little sick?
KING. You could say that … Personally, I don’t think God’s what
kept folks in their houses tonight. Folks just don’t care.
CAMAE. Folks ’fraid of gettin’ blown up. Churches ain’t even safe
for us folks. (Thunder and lightning. Boom. Boom. Crackle! King
jumps slightly.) You … alright?
KING. (Fidgeting.) Sure … sure. (Beat. She goes stage left, she checks
the bathroom. Takes some wet towels out and slings them across her
shoulder.)
CAMAE. You need anythang else ’fore I go?
KING. Actually … if you got a cigarette …
CAMAE. Cigarettes and coffee? That ain’t a diet befittin’ of a
preacher.
KING. “Judge not and ye shall not be judged.”
CAMAE. Honey, I hears that. I guess if you was at home you’d be
eatin’ mo’ right.
KING. I suppose.
CAMAE. What you miss the most she make?
KING. Her egg sandwiches.
CAMAE. Mmmmm. I likes them, too. Make one every day for
myself. (She pulls out a pack of cigarettes. Offers him one. He takes it
gladly. Looks at it closely. Staring her down, he puts it in his mouth.
She takes out a lighter. Lights it for him.)
KING. Not too many women running ’round smoking Pall Malls.
Impressive.
CAMAE. Quite. My daddy smoked Pall Malls. Said Kools’ll kill ya.
KING. Have yourself one.
CAMAE. What?
KING. Smoke one with me.

8
CAMAE. (Smiling.) Naw, naw, Preacher Kang. You ’bout to have
my boss up after me. I don’t know what the rules is yet. Don’t know
where the dark corners in this place is to hide and smoke my Pall
Malls. Don’t even know which rooms to lay my head for a quick nap.
KING. What about this one? (Beat. She looks at the bed.)
CAMAE. Last folk up in here was doin’ the hoochie-coochie for
pay. I wouldn’t lay down in that bed if somebody paid me.
KING. So what kinds of rules does a little lady like you break?
CAMAE. None that involve no preacher, I tells ya that.
KING. Everybody should break a rule every now and then.
CAMAE. Yessir. I’s agrees witcha. But not tonight … Not tonight.
KING. Have one wit’ me. Ain’t nobody gonna come looking for you.
CAMAE. (Nervously laughs.) You the one gone get caught. Kid-
napping me like this.
KING. Just one. ’Til my friend come back with my pack. (Beat.
She sighs. She takes a cigarette out and lights it. Inhales. Lets it all out.
They look at each other.)
CAMAE. You sho’ll do try hard at it.
KING. Well … you’re pretty.
CAMAE. I know. Even my uncle couldn’t help hisself. You have
fun tonight?
KING. Fun?
CAMAE. It gotta be fun. Otherwise you wouldn’t do it.
KING. Not any fun in this.
CAMAE. Sound like grand fun to me. Standin’ up there in the
middle of them great big old churches. People clappin’ for you. Fallin’
out. (To herself.) Must be muthafuckin’ grand to mean so much to
somebody. Shit, GODDAMN, must be grand. (Beat.) Where a
needle and thread to sew up my mouth? Here I is just a-cussin’ all
up in front of you, Dr. Kang. I cuss worser than a sailor with the
clap. Oooo, God gone get me! I’m goin’ to hell just for cussin’ in
front of you. Fallin’ straight to hell. (He laughs.)
KING. No ma’am, ’cordin’ to your face, you done fell straight
from heaven. (King sips his coffee.)
CAMAE. You lil’ pulpit poet, you. I likes you.
KING. I likes you, too. (The phone rings.) Excuse me.
CAMAE. Well, I’ll just be on my — (He motions for her to stay,
then puts on his “King voice.”)
KING. Dr. King, here. (Voice shifts.) Oh. Corrie. Yes. I did call.
You didn’t pick up. Oh. You were at a meeting. Oh. It went fine.

9
 THE MOUNTAINTOP
by Katori Hall
1M, 1W

A gripping reimagination of events the night before the assassination

of the civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. On April 3, 1968,
after delivering one of his most memorable speeches, an exhausted Dr.
King retires to his room at the Lorraine Motel while a storm rages
outside. When a mysterious stranger arrives with some surprising news,
King is forced to confront his destiny and his legacy to his people.

“Even before the first flash of lightning — and there will be plenty of that
before evening’s end — an ominous electricity crackles through the opening
moments of THE MOUNTAINTOP.” —The New York Times

“[THE MOUNTAINTOP] crackles with theatricality and a humanity

more moving than sainthood.” —New York Newsday

“ … as audacious as it is inventive … [a] thrilling, wild, provocative

flight of magical realism … Hall keeps her audience guessing … This is
playwriting without a net, a defiant poke in the eye of all historical
conventions and political correctness … The King that is left after Hall’s
humanization project is somehow more real and urgent and whole.”
—Associated Press

Also by Katori Hall

CHILDREN OF KILLERS
HOODOO LOVE
HURT VILLAGE
OUR LADY OF KIBEHO
DRAMATISTS PLAY SERVICE, INC.