Galatea
ti'wari
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 Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2005 7:13 am Post subject: Welcome Home |
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Welcome Home
K. Davidson
Backlit tableux. WOMAN 1 in chair, downstage right. WOMAN 2 laying on the floor, near WOMAN 1's feet. MAN stands far upstage center, his eyes on the two women. There is another chair, unoccupied, next to WOMAN 1. They sit in perfect stillness. Slowly, the back lighting fades. We are in darkness. MAN speaks
MAN
If I could be there...
WOMAN 1
What will you do now?
WOMAN 2
I don't know. Go back to school maybe. I have the time now.
WOMAN 1
Better to keep occupied.
WOMAN 2
Yeah. Better that way. Gotta stay busy.
MAN
If I could see your face...
WOMAN 2
(stands) It's weird, not having him here.
WOMAN 1
I know. He'll be back...
WOMAN 2
Thanksgiving. If we're lucky.
WOMAN 1
Thanksgiving. It'll be over by then.
WOMAN 2
Officially, he gets two weeks. But one will be on base. De-briefing.
WOMAN 1
Understandable.
WOMAN 2
Sure.
MAN
If I could come home anytime...
Lights drift back to the back lighting. The two women move the chairs up, very far right. They stand center stage, down and just left of MAN.
MAN
They're not letting us go this time. Maybe the next round we'll get out. God knows we've been here long enough. Send my love to the family. If I could hold you...
WOMAN 2
It's unfair!
WOMAN 1
Yes. It's terribly unfair.
WOMAN 2
They promised. This time. They're the only unit that hasn't been home.
WOMAN 1
I know. I miss him.
WOMAN 2
I miss him.
WOMAN 1
We all do.
WOMAN 2
I'm scared.
WOMAN 1
How's school?
WOMAN 2
I'm majoring in film. I've always wanted to. He'd approve.
WOMAN 1
Yeah, he'd approve.
WOMAN 2
I'm scared.
WOMAN 1
Me too.
MAN
If I could get home...
WOMAN 2 moves a chair downstage left. She holds a letter and reads. As she reads, MAN comes forward and delivers the letter to the audience.
MAN
It's a hundred and ten degrees here. Early morning is a big pain. I'd do anything for a shower. They keep saying “Next week, we're on to Tikrit. Next week boys...”. Three weeks they've been telling us about a move to Tikrit. Its too dangerous to move right now. I'd like to get out of Kuwait, but what for? More sand, more heat, more restricted showers? No thanks. But when we get there, we will have satellite phone. I might be able to call. Not often, but I'll be able to hear your voice. Maybe I can call the family too. Wouldn't they be surprised? I'm glad you're going to school. I always thought you should go back. It'll be good to keep busy. Lord knows they keep us busy. I'll write a longer letter when I have more time and more paper. Send my love to everyone. All the best, my darling...
MAN returns to his original upstage center position. WOMAN 1 joins WOMAN 2 downstage. She looks at the letter distastefully.
WOMAN 1
Did they have to black it out like that?
WOMAN 2
Confidentiality reasons. Doesn't matter. I know their headed in.
WOMAN 1
You do?
WOMAN 2
Why all the secrecy? Of course they're moving.
WOMAN 1
I had to turn off the TV tonight.
WOMAN 2
I never watch anymore.
WOMAN 1
12 dead.
WOMAN 2
Don't remind me. I never watch anymore.
MAN
If I could hold your hand...
Lights shift. WOMAN 1 and WOMAN 2 move chairs and sit downstage. MAN exits.
WOMAN 2
It's been a year and a half.
WOMAN 1
It'll be okay.
WOMAN 2
He should have had leave a year ago. They didn't even give him Thanksgiving. Two weeks after? What crap is that?
WOMAN 1
Who knows. Lets make the best of it.
WOMAN 2
Yes.
Intense, palpable silence.
I'm scared.
WOMAN 1
How're classes?
WOMAN 2
Fine. I'm working on a short film right now. I might transfer.
WOMAN 1
Good.
WOMAN 2
I'm scared.
WOMAN 1
I know.
MAN enters stage left. WOMAN 1 and WOMAN 2 stand. Women and MAN face each other and stare. Then, WOMAN 2 moves ever so slowly to MAN, touching him tentatively upon the face, as if to ensure he's real. He touches her in return, slowly, drinking in the sight of her. Then they embrace—again slow and tentative. But soon it is apparent that no force on earth could part them. WOMAN 1 approaches and lays her hand on top of MAN's, on WOMAN 2's back.
WOMAN 1
Welcome home.
Lights shift. Women sit, man returns to upstage position.
MAN
Not much longer now. If I could touch you...
WOMAN 1
April, then?
WOMAN 2
Yes. April. So they keep saying. He's supposed to have returned months ago.
WOMAN 1
First to leave, last to return.
WOMAN 2
Figures.
WOMAN 1
April. That's very soon.
WOMAN 2
Yeah, soon.
WOMAN 1
Turn on the TV today? Its not on the news anymore.
WOMAN 2
I can't stomach the apathy.
WOMAN 1
We care.
WOMAN 2
And no one else. Someone had the nerve to criticize me for being against this.
WOMAN 1
People can be so cruel.
WOMAN 2
People can.
WOMAN 1
April?
WOMAN 2
April.
Light shift. MAN and WOMAN 2 return to their deep embrace, with WOMAN 1 standing behind. They break their hold on each other after what seems an eternity. WOMAN 1 exits. WOMAN 2 kisses MAN, but he shows no sign of return affection.
WOMAN 2
Welcome home.
MAN
I missed you.
WOMAN 2
I missed you.
MAN
I couldn't wait to see you.
WOMAN 2
I was scared. I thought it was over a year ago.
MAN
It wasn't.
WOMAN 2
We know.
MAN
We're the only ones.
WOMAN 2
I missed you.
MAN
I missed you. I'm tired. Bed?
WOMAN 2
Bed? Sure.
MAN
(stares hard at WOMAN 2, searching for words) I'm scared.
WOMAN 2
(tenderly) I know. I know.
WOMAN 2 kisses MAN's cheek. He stiffens, then returns the kiss, first on top of her head, then the cheek, then the lips. They exit stage right, holding hands awkwardly. Lights fade. MAN enters, backlit, barely visible. He stands far upstage left.
MAN
If I could be there. If I could see your face. If I could be home anytime. If I could hold your hand. If I could touch you.
Again, intense silence.
Welcome home.[pre:a89e14cf5e][/pre:a89e14cf5e] |
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Chevy
science, again.
Master of the Forum
Gender:
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Joined: 21 Nov 2004
Posts: 1613
Reviews: 660
Country: It's Complicated.
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| Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2005 1:15 pm Post subject: |
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| Wow I loved this...this should be a movie. I've never read any scripts by you before but this is quite impressive. I'm sorry I'm not giving in productive critquing but it was just plain good. |
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"I could not escape a feeling that this was my own funeral, and you do not cry in that case."
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