HANNAH BAMBACH

HANNAH BAMBACH

Play or Script | Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, Dallas, TX

Home Town

Prologue

Lights up on KONRAD on one side of the stage, dressed down. He holds a letter in his hands.

KONRAD

Dearest Friend, It has been only a month since you left, but it feels like a lifetime. I certainly hope you didn’t forget your German. You know I’m lousy at English. (Pause) How is England, anyway? You’ll have to write me back and tell me if your mother recognized you. Do tell her I’m sorry about your hair...I’m still baffled as to how the headmaster trusted us with candles in the dorms, though I do think the burnt fringe suits you. I hope you can understand most of the German in this letter. If not, I will gladly resend it in English, however much I’d like you to be able to read fluently. Please write soon. Yours, Konrad Bergmann.

Lights down on KONRAD and up on OLIVER on the other side of the stage. He is dressed down as well, holding a letter of his own.

OLIVER

Bergmann, you will not believe how dreary it has been without your company. I miss Germany terribly. Mum has been busy with the baby, so my father and I have been forced to spend much more time together. He tells me stories of the war, stories of how he climbed through the trenches with a rifle in hand and a rusty medal in his breast pocket. I don’t think I’d like fighting very much. You know how squeamish I am. I’m longing to visit you and the others, but I don’t think that will happen for a long time, as father says he’s worried about sending me back. Perhaps you could visit during the summer, after the second term. Thankfully, I still understand German, though it may sound more broken the next time we meet. I hope that is sooner than later. Yours, Oliver Davies.

Lights down on OLIVER. End of Prologue.

Act I

Lights up on a military camp tent, clearly many years later. OLIVER and LORRAINE enter, hand in hand and giggling. Once the two are sure they are alone, they share a kiss.

OLIVER

I’ve missed you.

LORRAINE

I’ve missed you too. It’s so horrible when you’re away.

OLIVER

Well I’m here now, aren’t I? I won’t be sent out again for another few days.

LORRAINE

That’s far too soon.

OLIVER

I thought my sparse appearances were part of my charm.

LORRAINE

Not when I never see you at all, Oliver.

OLIVER

(Playfully) ‘Lance Corporal Davies’ to you.

LORRAINE laughs, grabbing OLIVER by the collar of his coat to kiss him again. When she pulls away, she notices a letter sticking out of his breast pocket.

LORRAINE

(Waving the letter in OLIVER’S face) And what’s this, hm?

As OLIVER protests, LORRAINE unfolds the letter eagerly.

LORRAINE

‘For a friend, from the other side.’ How passionate.

OLIVER

Lorraine, you really don’t have to-

LORRAINE

(Cutting him off ) “Though you and I are far in distance, our souls haven’t spent a moment apart. The pain of leaving yours behind is far too great. Every hour that passes by without you here is wasted, and I find myself lying awake, trying to remember the creases in your face and the softness of your smile. I hope these dreams become a reality soon. Yours, Oliver Davies.”

LORRAINE lowers the letter with a smile on her face.

LORRAINE

You wrote this?

OLIVER nods.

LORRAINE

Oh, this is just the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard! You never say these sorts of things to me when we’re together.

OLIVER

(Hesitantly) I suppose I’ve been too dazzled by your beauty to come up with the words.

LORRAINE

You’ve more than made up for it. When were you planning on giving this to me?

OLIVER

I hadn’t really thought about it.

LORRAINE

(Chuckling) It’s lucky I found it then.

OLIVER

(Smiling nervously) Very lucky. Though, I’d like it back, actually.

LORRAINE

Sorry?

OLIVER

I...wanted to add something to it. It isn’t quite finished.

LORRAINE

Not quite finished?

OLIVER

I want to make it more personal.

LORRAINE

(Handing OLIVER the letter) Will I see the final version next time?

OLIVER

(Putting the letter back in his breast pocket) Absolutely. By then, it will be perfect.

LORRAINE

Oliver, what do you say the two of us stay in here, right here in this tent?

OLIVER

What, until Thursday?

LORRAINE

Why not?

OLIVER

Because I’ve got obligations, haven’t I?

LORRAINE

(Sadly) It’s just nice to think about, that’s all.

OLIVER grasps LORRAINE’S hands.

OLIVER

Lorraine, when I come back next, I’ll be here a week. Maybe two, even.

LORRAINE

You promise you will?

OLIVER

I promise I’ll try.

The two share a last kiss.

LORRAINE

I’m needed at base in just a moment. Same place tomorrow?

OLIVER

Same place tomorrow.

LORRAINE exits. OLIVER takes the letter and a writing utensil out of his breast pocket. He speaks aloud as he writes.

OLIVER

P.S, Though it has been ages since I sent you a letter entirely in English, I feel that our language captures the beauty of words far better than yours does. Try not to take offense, Konrad.

He folds the letter up, placing it into the envelope, and scrawls something onto the front. Letter in hand, OLIVER exits. Lights down. End of Act I.

Act II

Lights up on KONRAD, ECKARD, and VOGEL sitting in the grass. ECKARD and VOGEL are chatting as KONRAD sits beside them, reading a distressed paperback.

VOGEL

She should have written by now.

ECKARD

You said just yesterday that Ruth has been taking care of the boys all on her own. That doesn’t give her much time to write, does it?

VOGEL

I don’t think she’s on her own.

ECKARD

Bergmann, tell him he’s being absurd.

KONRAD doesn’t look up from his book.

ECKARD

Bergmann!

KONRAD

(Looking up) Hm?

ECKARD

How are you still reading that?

KONRAD

I’ve finished it twice.

VOGEL

And you haven’t considered starting something else?

KONRAD

(Quietly) It’s a good book.

ECKARD

Must be.

ECKARD leans over and snatches the book out of KONRAD’S hands.

VOGEL

What does he have scribbled in the margins?

KONRAD

Just notes.

ECKARD

Your handwriting is horrible, Bergmann. Looks like a kid wrote it.

VOGEL

How long have you had that?

KONRAD

I don’t know, a couple years.

ECKARD

(To VOGEL) Listen, right above this paragraph: This reminds me of the rooftops we used to climb onto at dusk.

KONRAD reaches for the book, but ECKARD pulls his arm back.

ECKARD

We? Did you write these notes for someone else?

KONRAD

It’s a book from when I was a kid. The notes are from a friend.

VOGEL

Explains the handwriting.

ECKARD tosses KONRAD the book. GENERAL MANSTEIN enters, holding a stack of letters.

GENERAL MANSTEIN

Eckard and Bergmann?

ECKARD and KONRAD

General.

GENERAL MANSTEIN hands each soldier their letter. VOGEL looks up at the General hopefully.

GENERAL MANSTEIN

None today, Vogel.

VOGEL nods, somewhat sadly.

GENERAL MANSTEIN

(Gesturing to KONRAD’S letter) Your sister’s still in England?

KONRAD

She is, sir.

GENERAL MANSTEIN

Tell her to hurry back. Not a good time to be anywhere but Germany right now.

KONRAD

Yes, sir.

GENERAL MANSTEIN

Right. (To ECKARD and KONRAD) I’ll see the two of you at sundown. (Turning to VOGEL) Vogel?

VOGEL

General?

GENERAL MANSTEIN

Let’s take a walk.

VOGEL stands up apprehensively. GENERAL MANSTEIN leads the way and the two walk offstage. ECKARD turns to face KONRAD.

ECKARD

What’s your sister doing in England?

KONRAD

(Sticking his letter in his front coat pocket) Visiting family.

ECKARD

In England?

KONRAD

She’s thinking about doing her studies there.

ECKARD

I think the General might be right in encouraging her to hurry back.

KONRAD

She seems to be doing well. Unless it’s absolutely necessary I doubt she’ll return soon.

ECKARD

My sister doesn’t write anymore. Mama says she’s too busy with her lessons and her books.

KONRAD

Oh. I’m sorry.

ECKARD

(Holding up his letter) The others still write. Not from England, though. You’re probably the only one here who gets international post.

VOGEL

I’m going home for a while.

Lights down. End of Act II.

Act III

Lights up on LORRAINE, sitting on a makeshift bed, looking around expectantly. After a moment, WESLEY enters the tent.

WESLEY

I’m sorry to make you wait, I must’ve gotten caught up in discussion.

LORRAINE frowns.

WESLEY

Is something wrong?

LORRAINE

Of course something’s wrong. Why would I ask you to meet me here alone?

WESLEY

I s’pose I didn’t think-

LORRAINE

Oliver’s seeing someone behind my back.

WESLEY

(Sitting down beside LORRAINE on the bed) Pardon?

LORRAINE

He’s seeing someone! Someone in Germany. And it gets worse. It’s...oh Wesley, it’s so terrible. The person he’s seeing, I mean.

WESLEY

Christ.

LORRAINE

And what am I meant to do, hm? Wait for him to come back from every mission and greet him with a kiss and a warm smile?

WESLEY

How do you know he’s seeing someone? What if he’s writing to a friend?

LORRAINE

You haven’t seen the letters.

LORRAINE reaches a hand into her coat pocket, pulling out a handful of folded up letters. She hands the one on top to WESLEY.

LORRAINE

Look who it’s addressed to.

WESLEY

“Dearest…” Perhaps a relative?

LORRAINE

Don’t make me laugh.

WESLEY Why did you ask me here? Why not Oliver? You have the proof; you’ve got it right in your hands.

LORRAINE

I want to expose the bastard. Wes, you have always been a friend to me. Would you help guide me through this dreadful time?

WESLEY

If you’re asking me to turn on one of my own-

LORRAINE

All I ask is that you read them. That’s all I want you to do.

LORRAINE hands WESLEY the remainder of the letters. WESLEY skims the rest of the first, moving to the next letter and stopping abruptly.

WESLEY

Hang on, he calls this girl ‘my love’ ?

LORRAINE

Keep reading. Skip to the bottom of the next letter.

WESLEY reads, then pauses before speaking.

WESLEY

“I can’t wait to see your enchanting smile again...Yours with love, Oliver.” Lorraine, it does sound very troubling.

He continues to read the letters.

WESLEY

Konrad? He calls this woman Konrad?

LORRAINE

No! Jesus, no. Don’t you see? He’s sending love letters to a man, Wesley. A man. A man in Germany, no less.

WESLEY

He’s a-

LORRAINE

Yes! And I’m meant to pretend like he isn’t.

WESLEY

Someone should tell the General.

LORRAINE

Why don’t you?

WESLEY

And how am I supposed to have known? He’ll think I’m one of them.

LORRAINE

What a ridiculous thing to say.

WESLEY

I can’t risk that, Lorraine. I won’t be the one to tell General Allfrey, but I can help you tell the others.

OLIVER enters. WESLEY and LORRAINE whip around.

OLIVER

What are the two of you doing here? Lorraine, what is this?

LORRAINE

We know, Olly. We’ve read your smut.

OLIVER

What are you-

WESLEY raises the letter above his head, waving it.

WESLEY

Konrad, Davies?

OLIVER freezes, looking horrified.

WESLEY

You think you can serve your country honorably? We’ve slept beside each other before, Oliver! It’s against God’s word.

LORRAINE

What about me, Olly? Did you not once think of me?

OLIVER

I-

LORRAINE

Save it, yeah? I just-I can’t. I can’t.

LORRAINE exits, visibly upset.

WESLEY

She has every right to tell more people than just me, you know. She could be going to Allfrey right now.

OLIVER

So I’m done, then? You’ll have me detained for writing to a friend?

WESLEY

A friend? That’s some way to put it.

OLIVER

What do you want?

WESLEY

Me? I’m going to be on a mission tomorrow. This isn’t about me. It’s about the little miss sunshine who just ran off.

OLIVER

If I were to stand in for you tomorrow-

WESLEY

Done.

OLIVER

So it’s that simple, is it?

WESLEY

I can’t promise you Lorraine’s allegiance, but you’re my brother in this. You give me a week at base, I keep my mouth shut. We all have families to stay alive for, Davies.

WESLEY exits, leaving OLIVER in the middle of the room, dumbfounded. Lights down. End of Act III.

Act IV

Lights up on KONRAD and GENERAL MANSTEIN, both outdoors amidst the bustle of surrounding soldiers.

KONRAD

Vogel is what?

GENERAL MANSTEIN

You took an oath when joining the army, didn’t you? That oath stands for brotherhood.

KONRAD

General, with full respect, I can’t go on a mission I haven’t prepared for. Don’t you tell us how dangerous it is to spring into something without foresight?

GENERAL MANSTEIN

Which is why I’m telling you now, Bergmann.

KONRAD

Sir-

GENERAL MANSTEIN

Why do you think I asked you and not Eckard?

KONRAD

Sir, I don’t-

GENERAL MANSTEIN

Because you have the capability to spring into this without foresight. You’ve got a lot to offer, Corporal.

KONRAD doesn’t respond.

GENERAL MANSTEIN

I take it you and Vogel are friends. I’m sorry he didn’t get a chance to say goodbye.

KONRAD

I didn’t expect him to.

GENERAL MANSTEIN

Right, well...death is something I don’t take lightly.

KONRAD snickers.

GENERAL MANSTEIN

(Frowning) Have you got something to say?

KONRAD

General, you’re running an army. We go into battle not fearing death, but expecting it.

GENERAL MANSTEIN

If your wife was on the brink of death, I’d send you home in a heartbeat. Yes, we see death almost daily, but those who don’t have hundreds of brothers by their side deserve to have at least one last moment with a loved one.

KONRAD stays silent again.

GENERAL MANSTEIN

She has a week. I’m allowing Vogel two weeks leave. By the time you return, he will take your place in March’s battle.

KONRAD

You misunderstand my issue with this, sir.

GENERAL MANSTEIN

Then explain.

KONRAD

I will gladly serve in a brother’s place. My concerns lie in the location of the mission, not the nature of it.

GENERAL MANSTEIN

The location?

KONRAD

We would leave at sundown. As you’re aware, General, crossing English enemy lines at night has proven dangerous.

GENERAL MANSTEIN

And have you not fought the English before?

KONRAD

I wasn’t on the January mission.

GENERAL MANSTEIN

Talk to Meier about his experience. I assure you, Konrad, you will be more than fine. If I thought you couldn’t handle it I wouldn’t have asked you to go.

GENERAL MANSTEIN turns to leave.

KONRAD

General-

GENERAL MANSTEIN

That’s quite enough! You’re a man, aren’t you? Don’t you want to fight for your country? For our leader?

KONRAD

Yes, but-

GENERAL MANSTEIN

As I have said before, you took an oath. Good evening, Bergmann.

GENERAL MANSTEIN exits. Lights go down. End of Act IV.

Act V

Lights up on OLIVER, positioned behind some shrubbery-or perhaps a rockwith a rifle in hand. He begins to sing “Home Town” by Flanagan and Allen under his breath.

OLIVER

I can see a bunch of small town hicks, squatting round the local flora, whittling sticks, in my hometow-

OLIVER freezes, caught off-guard by a rustling from off-stage. After a moment, OLIVER continues to sing.

OLIVER

In my hometown, why did I ever roam town, I must be crazy…

Hesitantly, OLIVER starts to move forward.

OFFSTAGE VOICE

Oi! Stay back. Wait a moment.

OLIVER takes a couple steps back. The only sounds heard are the rustling of the trees in the far distance.

OFFSTAGE VOICE

We’ve almost got a clear sight of them. You head ‘round back, yeah Davies?

OLIVER moves around the shrub-or rock, maybe-and aims his pistol from across the stage. He shoots, and the sound echoes through the battlegrounds.

OFFSTAGE VOICE

You’re going to notify the whole bloody army of where we are! What are you, mad?

OLIVER

I thought I saw one.

OFFSTAGE VOICE

Well, you didn’t.

OPPOSITE OFFSTAGE VOICE

(From across stage) There! Back there!

OFFSTAGE VOICE

Fall back! Fall back!

The sound of running soldiers is heard as OLIVER’S army moves to another location. OLIVER remains where he is, ducking, pistol still pointed outward.

OLIVER

(Continuing his song under his breath) Though the city girls are not so slow, take me to the corn-fed girls I used to know…

OPPOSITE OFFSTAGE VOICE

You take left, I’ll go forward.

OLIVER lowers himself so he’s almost lying on the ground beneath him. He stays here, breathing heavily as the sounds of the trees rustling grow nearer.

OPPOSITE OFFSTAGE VOICE

You! Wagner! Take the back end.

OLIVER

(Almost in a whisper) I’m pinin' night and day for that old-time new mown hay…

OPPOSITE OFFSTAGE VOICE

Go in now!

OLIVER straightens up, cocking his rifle and adjusting his stance for a clear shot. From across the stage, KONRAD carefully enters, hiding behind a shrub, or perhaps a rock. He too is holding a rifle. OLIVER fires, one shot, then two, missing KONRAD. In his stress and carelessness, OLIVER begins to sing a bit louder than before, perhaps to calm the nerves.

OLIVER

Home town, want to wander round your backstreets-

KONRAD

-See your tumbledown old shack streets…

OLIVER stiffens, aware of the voice singing back from across the field. Cautiously, he continues the verse.

OLIVER

I'm going back to see those corny, country-

KONRAD

-Cousins of mine…

Bewildered, OLIVER leaps up from behind the bush, rifle in hand but no longer pointed outwards. KONRAD, upon seeing OLIVER, slowly rises from his hiding spot, visibly at a loss for words. The two lock eyes. OLIVER drops his rifle.

OLIVER

(Mouthing, silently) Konrad.

A gun is fired from offstage. Shocked, the two men turn towards the direction of the shot. The running footsteps of OLIVER’S men are heard as OLIVER hastens to retrieve his fallen weapon. KONRAD ducks as soon as the footsteps of the enemy are heard.

OFFSTAGE VOICE

What in Jove’s name are you still doing here? They’ve circled us, we’ve got to go back around.

OLIVER

I-

OFFSTAGE VOICE

What? You see something?

OLIVER stands still, looking in KONRAD’S direction.

OLIVER

No. I just heard gunshots.

OFFSTAGE VOICE

Then bloody hell, come on!

OLIVER shakes his head.

OLIVER

(To himself, quietly) C-can’t.

OFFSTAGE VOICE

Davies!

OLIVER backs away, eyes still on the spot he last saw KONRAD, and exits the stage. KONRAD rises from his crouching position, stunned. He takes a couple steps forward before falling to his knees, dropping his rifle beside him. The lights fade out slowly on this image.

End of Play.