Act I

             I am frightened and shocked beyond belief at the conjuring that has happened in my own home, behind my back! The events of the morning have rattled me, but they have also clarified the cause of the uneasiness in Salem. After calling upon the doctor for Betty, I also called Reverend Hale of Beverly. He is supposedly an expert on witchcraft and I hoped that he would put to rest the mentions of the Devil in the village. Next, I interrogated Abigail about last night’s events. She claimed that nothing unscrupulous occurred, and that they danced with Tituba on regular occasions for sport. How dare she risk my reputation for the sake of sport! How can she be so blind to the enemies that are starving to ruin me! Even after I have taken such adequate care of her? Anyway, I further questioned why she has not gotten any calls for work lately. She immediately became defensive, blaming Goody Proctor for tarnishing her name. Then the Putnam’s arrived, and with them they brought the cursed notions of witchcraft. Their Ruth was also sick, and they claimed it was the Devil’s doings. How could witchcraft be discovered in my very home! I thought this would surely ruin me, so I left with Putnam to recite the psalm. While doing so, I heard Betty scream. I rushed in to find her unable to hear the Lord’s prayers, a sure sign of witchcraft, according to Goody Putnam. At some point, that unsavory fellow Proctor came in. I could feel his righteousness before I even saw him. He proceeded to quarrel with Putnam about the existence of witches. At some point, old Giles Corey also came. Because everyone was present, I took the opportunity to voice my inconveniences. How dare they refuse to provide me with firewood, instead taking it from my salary? I am a highly educated man, and I left a thriving business in Barbados to serve the Lord. How ungrateful they are to have a Harvard educated man in charge of their church! Proctor, needing to insert his morality into everything, accused me of greediness. I suspect him of leading the faction against me.

            In the middle of the quarrels, Reverend Hale arrived. He seems to be highly intellectual, although I harbor some doubts about his actual capabilities. He came with many heavy books, and swiftly began to question Betty, Abby, and Tituba. I pleaded them to tell the truth, and much to my horror, the truth was witchcraft. Tituba confessed to associating with the Devil, and she described how she was asked to kill me! Betty and Abby began to confess the names of other witches, and I, unable to say anything more began to pray. In the hour afterwards, everyone began to disperse. Hale was clearly perturbed, the Putnam’s seemed satisfied, Tituba was taken away and Betty and Abby were taken for further questioning. Now I am alone, but I can still feel the Devil’s presence in the village.