The Copper Queen (Workshop)

Prelude

The lights fade up very slowly to reveal Room Number 315 of The Copper Queen Hotel in Bisbee, Arizona. The décor is garish and the energy not entirely inanimate.  

Part I: 2010

Mr. Floyd, the present owner and concierge of The Copper Queen, shows a woman named Addison Moore into Number 315 for the night. Addison has come to the hotel after hearing about the spirit of Julia Lowell, who allegedly haunts the room. Addison and Mr. Floyd discuss both the authenticity of Julia’s portrait on the wall and the reports of paranormal happenings from other guests. Mr. Floyd relates how a century ago, Julia lived in the room and worked as a prostitute. Julia’s father was the original owner, and kept his daughter’s sordid business hidden from his other guests. When Mr. Floyd leaves Addison alone, she makes a peaceful attempt to communicate with the ghost, but receives no reply.

Parts II – III 

* (In Parts II – III, the action alternates between 1910 where we meet Julia and some of her clients, and 2010 where Addison’s revelations of intimate details about Julia’s tragic life cause strange occurrences to manifest in the increasingly claustrophobic room.  

Part IV: 1910

Before this aria begins, we are back in 1910 where one of Julia’s regular clients, named Peter, has just been caught trying to steal from her. When she confronts him, he severely beats her. Daddy Lowell enters, but rather than console her, he reminds Julia that she can never leave The Copper Queen until she has repaid her mother’s debt. Once Julia is alone, she takes her hand mirror and looks at her battered face.