Cast: 1m., 2w., 2 pirates. Sal Fink's life on the river frequently was dangerous, as the keel and paddle boats smuggled stolen cargoes of cotton, sugar and tobacco. More important, the waterway was used to transport escaped slaves to freedom, just as the Underground Railway did from South to North on the East coast. In fact, in the play, Sal smuggled Janet, the runaway Afro-American slave, from captivity to freedom. Both women would have been jailed or worse if caught.

Time: 1840s
Place: A keelboat on the Mississippi River

A thunderstorm begins to rise, faintly at first, then rapidly drawing closer. The face of Sal Fink, a robust and beautiful girl somewhere in her twenties, penetrates the darkness. It is night on the Mississippi River.

Even though not now visible, Sal is standing on a keelboat, The Lightfoot, a flat river boat hand-powered by long poles. These vessels were used for hauling cargo and carrying passengers in the days before steamboats came along to replace them and their way of life.

Always eager to talk to someone, Sal spots the audience and starts right in.

SAL: Jiminy! Criminy! Storm's headin' straight at us. Gonna upset the river somethin' tremendous. But don't be aworryn' yourselves. I know how to handle every kinda storm there is. When I want to be, I'm a storm myself. Sometimes I just take charge.
A great thunderbolt flashes, cracking with electrical vibrations.
Not the best conditions for us to get acquainted, I guess, but hold on.
Another flash and explosive outburst.
Lots to tell you and I don't take kind to interruptions (Shouting at the sky.) Sal Fink is atalkin'!! did ya git that? Mike Fink's daughter.
As if replying, the thunderbolt blasts more intensely, lighting up the sky once more.
Like I was saying, like I am saying, sometimes I just have to change things. And I particular don't care shucks for a loudmouth thunderbolt. The next time you go alflashin' WATCH OUT!