SKSS REMEMBRANCE DAY ASSEMBLIES 2013
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CHOIR MEMBERS SING “O Canada”
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“AFTER” SCENE 1: AT GRAVES
(positioned onstage from stage right to stage left)
Mitchell/Michelle Mary/Harper Brigette Micayla Shanice/Natasha Moira
(Josh) (Andrew) (Jenny) (Kai) (Stephen) (Jake)
Harper His compassion cost him his life.
Mary If only he only he had been able to fire first.
Brigette (places a flower at the grave) She went to help others. She never thought she’d be a casualty of war herself.
Micayla The last seconds of his life will haunt me forever.
Mitchell (gives the small flag he’s holding to Michelle who places it on the grave, then backs away) I want
you to stay. (she returns to his side and he looks to the grave) He should have saved you instead.
Michelle Don’t say that.
Mitchell It should have been me.
Michelle Why you?
Mitchell Because I was the oldest. I was supposed to look out for him.
Shanice (carrying a set of dog tags) His life ended the day he received that conscription letter.
Natasha He was so brave.
Moira I’m still waiting for you to come home.
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“AFTER” SCENE 2: REUNIONS
Elizabeth (voice over) It was a long wait. It seemed like they’d been gone forever, but finally the day came. The war was over and they were coming home. Some of them.
(We hear the sound of a train approaching)
Announcement (voice over) Arriving now on platform 4…
(lights up and we see the crowd waiting, straining to see, searching. Finally, the soldiers start to enter)
Kai (Stephen and Jenny – parents) Mom embraces, Dad stays back. Kai reaches out to shake Dad’s hand. Dad embraces him. They all exit with arms around each other.
Josh (Natasha and baby) She introduces him to his son. He takes the baby and they exit.
Mitchell (Mikayla) He proposes on arrival. All he says is her name, then he kneels. She says yes and drops down to hug him. They get up and exit.
Iain (Jaymee as Karen, his sister) Iain Karen! What are you doing here? Where’s Nadine?
Jaymee She’s not coming.
Iain What?
Jaymee She’s with –
Iain She’s what? She’s with who?
Jaymee She just couldn’t wait for you anymore. I am so sorry.
They exit.
Katy (Andrew, husband with stroller) She leans into stroller, then hugs him. They exit.
Shanice and Mary are left. They wait another few seconds, until Shanice accepts that he’s not coming. Shanice Where is he?
Mary Oh Annie.
Shanice Where is he?
Mary Let's go home Annie.
Shanice Where is he? What's happened to him?
Mary leads Shanice away.
Jake, on crutches, is helped onstage by Michelle. Michelle puts his bag down beside him.
Michelle Are you sure you’ll be alright?
Jake Yes, thank you. Annie is meeting me. Thank you.
Michelle starts to exit, but hesitates as no one is left on the platform. Jake looks back at Michelle, who returns.
Jake She didn’t come.
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“AFTER” SCENE 3: SUICIDE SCENE
(Recorded voice overs)
Shanice Take cover!
Karla Please don’t shoot!
Harper Help me!
Josh Cover me!
Moira I have a family!
Andrew Make it stop!
Elizabeth Stop! Please stop!
Kai Fall back! Fall back!
Jenny Leave me here! Go on without me!
(Jake enters carrying a box as we hear the above as if the voices are memories in his head. He walks to a table, places the box down, opens it, and takes out the gun. He places the gun on the table in front of him and when he does this, the voices abruptly stop.)
Jake It’s the only way. I should have known when I left that it would come to this.
(Stephen, Natasha, Jaymee, and Josh enter from various points and move to surround Jake at the table.)
Jake Things won’t get better. The nightmares…the things I’ve done…
Natasha (steps towards Jake) When my husband left, he knew I wouldn’t be able to live without him. When he didn’t come home, I didn’t want to be here without him. I thought it was the only way, but it wasn’t! It wasn’t.
Jake But, what about Rachel? How will she be without me?
Josh (steps towards Jake) I thought it was for the best. The things I saw…the things I did. I left many families without a father. I didn’t want to be that kind of man, but all I succeeded in doing is leaving my own family fatherless.
Jake My son. He can’t grow up without a dad…
Jaymee (steps towards Jake) They were convinced that my twin sister and I could trade thoughts, and they wanted to see if she could tell me what the after life is like, but she didn’t. She couldn’t. I couldn’t live with the pain of having a part of me missing. But now I know…she would have wanted me to keep going.
Jake All those people who died – and I got to come home.
Stephen (steps towards Jake) I questioned the war. I questioned their ideas and they didn’t like that. They blacklisted me. I couldn’t find work, I couldn’t find friends, I couldn’t find a reason to go on. But now I see…there is always a reason. Always.
Jake No. I can’t do it. I have to be strong. It will get better. It has to. (He puts the gun back in box and puts box on the floor beside the table. As he does this, the “ghosts” back away and Kai enters with ball glove from stage left.)
Kai (Walks toward Jake holding out the ball glove) Dad?
Jake (Reaches out and embraces Kai as the lights fade.)
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“AFTER” SCENE 4: AIRPLANE MONOLOGUE
Moira I always wonder if he’s up there. He isn’t, I know that, but every time I see an airplane overhead, I can’t help but think… My brother joined the air force the day after his eighteenth birthday. My big brother – my hero. He was the bravest man I’d ever known. We were all so proud. The news came on my birthday. I was sixteen that year. My hero was never coming home. His plane was shot down over the ocean. They never found the plane. I think that was the worst part. We never buried him, and now I can’t help wondering. Maybe he got out. Maybe he survived somehow. Maybe he’s on that plane up there, coming home to us. So I wave, just in case.
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“AFTER” SCENE 5: HOLOCAUST PTSD
Psychiatrist Have you been sleeping?
Soldier Not really.
Psych The dreams again?
Soldier I relive it. Over and over.
Psych How does it start?
Soldier First I hear the sound of the glass…
(movement - in silhouette - depicting the Kristallnacht)
Soldier They destroyed everything they worked so hard to build. In one night – it was gone.
Psych What was gone?
Soldier Their homes, their businesses…their whole identity – their freedom.
Psych And then…?
Soldier The ghettos. I’m with them in the ghettos. (stands and moves to the ghetto scene where the people are reaching out to him) They reach out to me as if there’s something I can do. There’s nothing I can do.
Psych You feel helpless.
Soldier How did we not know? How did we let it continue?
(people in ghetto scene say lines simultaneously)
SWITCH TO DIFFERENT NARRATOR
Gr daughter You’re saying the world was different then? That people didn’t want to believe it was real.
Gma …That’s right, but it was real. As real as the tattoo on my forearm. (she pulls back her sleeve and shows granddaughter)
(lights up to reveal a line up of people waiting to be tattooed and another where people's heads are being shaved)
Gma They took our names and gave us each a number. They took our hair.
Gr daughter They took your hair? Why would they take your hair?
Gma They wanted to dehumanize us. They treated us like vermin…
Gr daughter What do you mean?
Gma They believed that if they convinced the world that we were sub-human, that the world would look the other way. And for a long time, it did…
RETURN TO PTSD SOLDIER AND PSYCHIATRIST
(lights up to reveal a line of people walking on the spot until Kai falls and is left behind as they actually begin to move)
Soldier They were taken on death marches in the cold of winter, and if they stumbled or fell behind, they were shot. On the spot. They were forced at gun point to dig large ditches, not realizing that in the next moment the soldiers with the machine guns would open fire on them and they would fall into the grave they had just dug.
Psych And you saw all of this?
Soldier I saw the mass graves. Yes. I saw the bodies. The women, the men, the elderly, the children. Those who didn’t die immediately had tried to crawl out…and were met with a bullet between the eyes.
RETURN TO GRANDMOTHER AND GRANDDAUGHTER
Gr daughter How did you survive?
Gma They put me to work.
Gr daughter What kind of work?
Gma They made me sort through all the belongings that they took from the people who were brought to the concentration camp. The area where I worked was called Canada.
Gr daughter Canada? Why did they call it Canada?
Gma Because Canada was believed to be a land of wealth and plenty.
BACK TO THE SOLDIER AND PSYCHIATRIST
Psych Traumatic.
Soldier The worst was the gas chambers.
Psych Go on.
(we see the dead and dying in a pile upstage)
Soldier They thought they were finally being allowed to shower. It took some of them a quarter of an hour to die. The bigger, stronger ones climbed on the bodies of the weaker ones who died first. They were trying to escape the gas...but there was no escape. Psych I can prescribe you something to help you sleep... (Jake gets up and takes a few steps towards C as Katy mimes dialogue to his chair) BACK TO GRANDMOTHER AND GRANDDAUGHTER Gr daughter Why didn't you tell me about this before? Gma (gets up and takes a few steps towards C) I didn't think you were ready to hear it, and I wasn't ready to tell you. (the people in the pile begin to crawl towards Jake and Brigette) Victims (whispering) You let us die. Why did you get to live? You should have stopped it. You left us behind. How could you? Why didn't you...help us...help us...help us... Soldier/Gma I'm still in hell. _________________________________________________________________________________________
“DURING” SCENE 6: ATTIC SCENE
(a group of women and children are hiding in an attic - some are resting, some are playing, two are standing)
Micayla It's been two days without food. The children are starving we are going to have to get more soon.
Katy (holding a baby) We can't risk bringing our deliverer here again. It was only last week that the Nazis came patrolling through these streets. It's only a matter of time before they come back.
Micayla Then we will wait until tomorrow but no longer. I've been looking out this window for two days and there's been nothing... wait... they're back.
(they look at the children playing on the ground together, then look at each other)
Katy Shh children you need to be quiet right now. No more playing.
Micayla (looks terrified as she looks back through the window) They've found us. They're coming for us.
Elissa (to Katy) Mommy, what's wrong?
Katy Nothing. Nothing it's okay come here. All of you, come here.
(Katy and Micayla start humming a song to the children as we hear the sound of heavy boots approaching)
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“DURING” SCENE 7: THREE BROTHERS (Isaac – Andrew/Daniel – Josh/Elijah – Mitchell)
VOICE OVER
I remember it so clearly, it was so cold and crisp that morning that you could see your breath in front of you. The trenches were muddy from the night's rain fall, and the artillery sounds had become nothing but back ground noise. We'd been stationed there for so long. Rumour had been spreading that we were close to the end... All three of us were excited to go back home. With loaded guns we sat there, waiting for Elijah to lead us to our next position.
Issac We're almost home boys, I can smell it in the air (takes a deep breath and exhales loudly)
Daniel Looks like Mom will be putting out 4 dinner plates this Christmas!
Elijah (looks around and sternly says) Focus boys, it's time to move. Daniel, come with me. Issac cover us. (they start to move)
VOICE OVER
We picked up our guns and they started moving to the next trench. Suddenly we heard the machine gun fire. Every thing went bright white - it was like one of those slow motion movie pictures. They were hit...
Issac DAN! ELIJAH! (goes first to Dan and lifts his head and shoulders)
VOICE OVER
Dan was hit in the chest. He was bleeding pretty bad...
Dan I'm hit Issac.. I'm hit... Is it bad?
Issac It's bad.
Daniel Go to Elijah.
Issac lowers Dan and moves over to Elijah
Elijah (weekly) What about Daniel?
Issac There's nothing I can do.
(Isaac lifts Elijah and helps him off)
VOICE OVER
His leg was mangled, but he would survive. But my younger brother Daniel...I had to leave him..to bleed out in
the mud... alone. It was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. Elijah had a wife and son waiting for him back at
home... He'll never be able to walk ever again, but he's alive. I felt like I played God that day...something I
never want to do again.
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“DURING” SCENE 8: TWO MOTHERS (Charlotte – Courtney/Sarah – Karla)
Charlotte So lovely that we can finally get together and chat.
Sarah Yes indeed, ever since our boys went to war I've been so...Oh, Charlotte, I can't stop thinking about what could happen to them...over there...
Charlotte I understand, but think of all the positives.
Sarah Positives? How can you possibly see any positives when our beloved sons are at war!
Charlotte You can't let yourself look it that way, Sarah! Think of the education they got before they had to go! They're defending our country! When they come back-
Sarah IF they come back!
Charlotte You can't keep thinking about it that way.
Sarah War is dangerous. The constant sound of gunfire, the ambushes and grenades, the landmines! My son!
Charlotte Calm down, you can't think of it that way! You have to convince yourself that it's his duty. Worrying won't bring him home safe.
Sarah I can't even remember what his face looks like anymore.
Charlotte Breathe Sarah. William will look after him. You just need to sit back, drink some tea and try to relax.
Sarah He just needs to stay safe. He just has to come home.
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“DURING” SCENE 9: “LA DERNIERE LETTRE”
LYRICS: SCENES:
They say that the war will soon be over. Injured and surviving brothers:
Anyways I hope so, if you knew how much I wish to leave Moira lives, Jenny dies
I lost up to my older brother. I saw him die, laying in the open space
With his last breath, he told me, “Hey, you'll take care of my sweetheart”
Now my friends are all gone...who'll take care of you when I'll be gone too?
The mailing system isn't very quick, Micayla takes Christmas photo
it's already been 3 months that I've had no news. of Elissa who is holding a baby
I can imagine playing with our baby girl, while hanging up her Christmas stocking.
How could love in the dark create so much light in our lives?
I've only seen her in pictures, and yet she's my most prized possession. Josh (at war) looks at photo
There isn't much that worries you, when you know that death is coming to get you.
Oh, and I know its place much too well, it's right in the gun of the guy in front of me. Mitchell drops to his knees,
Sometimes I tell myself that he too, has a dear friend (sweetheart) begging for his life. He falls
waiting for him, in his country. when he is shot.
But I know If I don't shoot, well, it's me that'll never see you again!
So I close my eyes, I hear the shot, and when I open my eyes,
usually the guy's on his knees...
But this morning, I wasn't able to, it was just a boy hidden Kai walks up to Andrew who
at the end of the street. Is pointing a gun. Andrew
I might have become a killer, but I'll never be a child killer. lowers his gun and backs away.
In his eyes, I saw the fear, and I saw our little girl at the same time. Kai raises a gun and shoots.
I put my gun down, and in a second the little man completely understood.
I slowly backed up, and he took his time to shoot me.
I feel like I'm in s poem, when I feel all this warm blood dripping. Josh (in pain) is writing a letter,
I'm cold in my soul, and your scarf can do nothing to help me. then takes out a harmonica.
Tomorrow, when the guys will find my body, they'll also find this He wraps the harmonica in the
letter in my pocket. letter and puts both in his pocket
Now it's clear that I'll be dead, I see the light at the end of the tunnel.
But I'm taking the little amount of energy I have left, to write you my last letter.
I'll slip my harmonica in the envelope... here my baby girl,
It's your present from daddy.
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“DURING” SCENE 10: THREE NURSES
Liz (caring, experienced, nurturing) The sound of the helicopter woke us up.
Elissa (new, naive, nervous) I’d never heard anything like it before. So loud. I could actually feel the sound of the blades turning.
Moira (cold, emotionally exhausted, closed off) It was a familiar sound. It meant there was a long night ahead of us.
L We got in just as they were bringing the soldiers in, unloading the wounded.
E They looked bad, real bad. Beyond hope.
M I didn’t look away. That’s what shrapnel does to flesh and bone.
E I thought I was going to be sick. I’d never seen so much blood before.
L They brought us the most severely wounded first. And there he was.
M She started screaming. I tried to shut her up.
E The man was…it was bad. She seemed to know him.
L It looked so much like him. My baby brother. I’d almost forgotten what he looked like, but there he was. It was like he was right there in front of me.
M She was scaring the ones who were still conscious. I had to pull her out.
E I was left there, alone with the dying men. They left me alone there.
L My baby brother, my poor baby brother. He’s not even a soldier, I just...
M I told her to gather supplies. I couldn’t have her breaking down like that. She was of no use to us in triage.
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“DURING” SCENE 11: LETTER MISLEADS
Scene opens with a spot on three soldiers, downstage left, with one hunched over writing a letter.
Lance (voice over) My dearest Beth, everything is much the same over here: we sleep when we can (Stephen) and we try to stay warm, but I'm fine and I'm alive.
(another soldier enters – Andrew – to deliver a letter. Lance opens it and reads with a big smile of relief)
Lance (to mail delivery soldier) Can you wait a minute?
Soldier Sure.
Lance (continues writing: voice over) I've just received some good news that I know you've been longing to hear. They're sending me home when we finish this mission, so I hope to be by your side in time for the baby's arrival next month. It won't be long until we're together again and we can finally be a family. All my love, Lance. (he gives the letter to the other soldier)
Soldier This will go out today.
Lance Thanks. It's the news she's been waiting for.
(Soldier exits with letter, and then a series of loud explosions are heard as the lights go out. A different light reveals a pregnant woman – Jaymee – reading a letter)
Beth Oh thank goodness! (places hand over stomach) Your Daddy's coming home my darling.
(there is a knock at the door, and 2 soldiers – Jake and Josh – are lead in by Beth's sister – Taneesha)
Sister (crying) Beth. These men have come to... I'm so sorry Beth.
Beth No! His letter said he was coming home! This can't be...
Soldier We're very sorry ma'am.
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“DURING” SCENE 12: LAND MINE
(A soldier – Kai – walks onstage as if on patrol)
VOICE OVER (Jenny)
A land mine is an explosive device, concealed under or on the ground and is designed to destroy or disable enemy targets as they pass over or near the device. Some land mines are detonated by pressure from the target stepping on it. When triggered, these mines launch into the air and then detonate at about waist height. The explosion projects a lethal shower of steel balls and steel fragments in all directions.
(When the soldier reaches a certain spot, he stops and the lighting changes to a single red spot on him. He looks down and freezes)
VOICE OVERS
Brigette You're the best big brother ever! Elissa You go hide and I'll count to ten. Andrew That's it! You've got it! You're riding a bike! Josh Congratulations – you're hired. Karla We're so proud of you son. Liz Of course I'll marry you!
Taneesha It's a girl! A beautiful, perfect, little baby girl!
Katy Are you sure we can afford such a big house?
Natasha Do you really have to go dad?
Shanice Please be careful. I don't know what I'll do if anything happens to you.
Michelle I'll miss you so much.
Moira Your dad is really sick. They don't think he's going to make it.
Mitchell I'll never get to say goodbye.
Andrew I'll never see her grow up.
Mitchell I'll never see them again.
Andrew I don't want to die.
Soldier I don't want to... (he looks up at the audience and the light goes black. An explosion is heard.)
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“DURING” SCENE 13: CHEMICAL WEAPONS (INTERACTIVE)
V/O Chemical warfare uses the toxic properties of chemical substances as weapons. Despite numerous
attempts since 1899 to ban them, such deadly attacks have continued to occur.
(students enter from the top of the house and run, screaming, to the stage where they fall)
V/O Chlorine gas, which is corrosive to the eyes and lungs, was used in WWI.
Tamara (stands) It will sneak up on you, a greenish smoke, followed by a foul smell, clawing at your throat, leaving you breathless.
V/O Mustard gas, which causes large blisters on exposed skin and in the lungs, was used in WWII.
Elissa (stands) You won't realize it at first, but its already seeping into your body, slowly suffocating you.
V/O The Nazi gas chambers used a cyanide-based pesticide called Zyklon B. It caused foaming at the mouth, bleeding from the ears, and skin discolouration from a lack of oxygen.
Liz (stands) You're panicking now, gasping for air, inhaling sharply as your throat is burning.
V/O Saddam Hussein used a deadly mixture of mustard gas and nerve agents to induce blindness, vomiting, blisters, convulsions, and asphyxiation in his own people.
Tanisha (stands) Your vision is fading, your skin feels as if its melting... and it is.
Harper (stands) The air around you is growing heavier now.
Courtney (stands) You're completely numb now, and the last sounds you hear are your own desperate rasping gasps.
V/O The most recent attack occurred on August 21, 2013, when the nerve agent Sarin was used in an attack outside the capital of Syria.
Micayla (stands) Your nose runs, your eyes water, and your mouth drools.
Jenny (stands) Your stomach, bladder, and bowels evacuate themselves.
Katy (stands) Your chest tightens, your vision blurs, and your muscles convulse until paralysis occurs.
ALL And you die. (all fall)
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“BEFORE” SCENE14: BROTHER AND SISTER
(Oliver - Jake - is sitting in a chair but stands as Alexis - Jaymee - enters)
Oliver Alexis, have a seat.
Alexis What’s going on? (both sit)
Oliver: I wanted to talk to you about something really important.
Alexis This better not be about Afghanistan again.
Oliver It is, but I really want you to hear me out this time.
Alexis (stands) You aren’t going and that’s final.
Oliver But why not? Why shouldn't I? What kind of man would I be if I ignore my conscience and let them get away with it?
Alexis You just can't. (she turns away)
Oliver I want to know why!
Alexis Because!
Oliver (stands) WHY NOT ALEXIS WHY NOT?
Alexis BECAUSE WHEN MOM DIED SHE TOLD ME TO ALWAYS LOOK AFTER YOU! (he reaches for her and pulls her to him) My baby brother. How can I protect you when you're over there? Oh Oliver. (sobs)
Oliver Al… I'm old enough to look after myself now. (sits) I just want to help. That's all I ever wanted. To keep everyone safe.
Alexis (sits) What if you don't come home, Oliver, did you ever think of that? You’ll be dead just like everyone else and that will be it for our family. I can’t lose you!
Oliver I won’t die, I promise.
Alexis You can't promise that. How can you promise that?
Oliver I just need to do this. I have to.
Alexis (stands) Well if you're going... then I am too.
Oliver No you aren't. I know you, Al. You could never do the things you would have to do.
Alexis That’s not true! I could be a nurse… or.. or something.
Oliver You couldn't even look at my scraped knees when we were kids. There is no way you are putting yourself in harm’s way - just because you think you have to look after me. You could get hurt...or worse.
Alexis Well now you know how I feel!
Oliver I know how this all must make you feel, but be realistic! The best place for you is here, so you can be waiting for me for when I come home. With a big party to celebrate my bravery.
Alexis I really can't stop you, can I?
Oliver Nope. (puts arm around her shoulders) Don't worry big sis, I’ll be back before you even have time to miss me!
Alexis Ya well…You aren’t very easy to miss! (punches his shoulder) it will be nice to finally get some peace and quiet. You better skype me. I don’t care where you are, I want to hear from you. (they hug)
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“BEFORE” SCENE 15: PEACE KEEPING
Tamaira I still don’t see why you want to be a Peacekeeper.
Moira There’s a lot you don’t see. There’s a lot all of us don’t see.
Tamaira We see it. It’s all over the news, what’s happening over there. It’s not a secret.
Moira Then you know why I have to do this. I have to do my part!
Tamaira There are other ways that you can do your part. And besides, you’ve seen what it’s like over there. They’re not doing anything – they CAN'T do anything. You being over there isn’t going to change that.
(The second girl turns to her friend and puts her hands on her shoulders.)
Moira I know you don’t understand it, I know you think I’m crazy wanting to go over there. But I feel… purposeless. I need to do something.
Tamaira So take up a hobby. Try knitting!
Moira You know that’s not what I mean. I need to help.
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“BEFORE” SCENE 16: LEAVING FOR KOREA
(A man – Josh – walks in, holding a piece of paper His mother – Micayla – sits at a table, drinking tea. The man paces across the stage, reading the paper and running his hands through his hair.)
Mother Stop pacing.
(The man stops pacing, walks over to his mother and throws the paper down onto the table in front of her. The woman picks up the paper and reads it.)
Mother It’ll be okay, Bobby.
Son Okay? They want to send me over there, Mom. They want to send me to Korea.
Mother Maybe things will be different. These are different times. Things have changed since then.
Son They haven’t changed that much. (pause) You saw what the war did to Dad. You didn’t just leave him for no good reason.
Mother What happened between me and your father –
Son That’s not the point! The point is… (he walks over and kneels at his mother’s side) …I saw it too, Mom. What the war did to Dad. I don’t want to go, Mom.
Mother (sadly) I know. (They hug)
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“BEFORE” SCENE 17: PROPAGANDA
Kai (to the gathering crowd) Listen here! Listen here folks! Come quick stand around I don’t have all day to tell you about the wonderful ways you can help our fine Empire! Come closer! Hey you young chap do you know your friends are fighting for freedom? It is far better to face the bullets then to stay at home, and our lovely empire needs MEN.
Stephen But I heard it’s a bloodbath out there.
Kai Why no! WAKE UP CANADA. Civilization calls every man, woman, and child!
Tanisha Women too? What can we we do?
Kai What can women do?! TELL THEM LADIES!
Shanice When your man goes off to war, you can replace him in the factory!
Liz Or you could volunteer for the Red Cross, or make uniforms! And every women loves a man in uniform!
Shanice Ya!
KaI SEE EVERYONE HAS THEIR PLACE!
Shanice Ladies, keep those enemy hands off by buying victory bonds!
Liz Help finish the job! Buy victory bonds!
Courtney The war already took two of my sons why should I give any more to the war?
Karla Those young brave men are the heroes of this country!
Kai YES SHE GETS IT!
(crowd YA YA YA)
Brigette You don’t tell me my husband isn’t a hero! Because he is!
(crowd YA YA YA YA YA)
Kai And don’t tell me you are one of those who is neither fighting nor paying! That others may fight and you are still enjoying the protection of the Union Jack! FIGHT OR PAY!
Liz/Shanice FIGHT OR PAY! FIGHT OR PAY!
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“BEFORE” SCENE 18: THE WAR TO END ALL WARS
(Two women sit at a table. One is reading a newspaper)
Natasha War.
Jenny What do you mean war?
Natasha The Duke is dead and now it looks like there will be a war. A world war.
Jenny Oh, that's terrible.
Natasha It says here that it will be “a war to end all wars.”
Jenny A war to end all wars? Do you think that's possible?
Natasha That's what it says.
Jenny What if my son John decides to join the fight?
Natasha That would certainly make us proud.
Jenny But he's going to be a carpenter.
Natasha They will need as many as they can find.
Jenny (sadly) He'll be a soldier, just like our father was.
Natasha And he'll have all the glory and honour that goes with it. You just wait and see.
Jenny A war to end all wars...
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“BEFORE” SCENE 19: SAYING GOODBYE AT THE TRAIN
Andrew (Katy) I wish we could go with you. (Katy leaves, and Andrew exits carrying the baby)
Harper (Mitchell) We'll see you when you get back.
Micayla And please, stay safe. (Mitchell leaves and Harper and Micayla exit)
Jenny (Kai) I'm going to miss you so much. (Jenny hugs Kai, but Stephen can only shake his hand. Kai leaves)
Stephen I'm so proud of him.
Jenny I wish you could have said that to him. (Stephen and Jenny exit)
Elissa (Josh) (Josh exits after hugging Natasha) There are thousands of other soldiers. Why does it have to be him?
Natasha (touches belly) Why does it have to be now? (They exit)
Moira (Iain) (Iain exits after hugging Moira) He looks so handsome. I'll wait for him forever.
Jaymee He'll be gone a long time, Nadine.
Moira I can wait. (They exit)
Mary (Jake) (Hugs Jake) I'll look after Annie while you're gone. Just come back in one piece.
Shanice I'll be waiting for you right here when you come home. (They hug, Jake leaves and the girls exit)
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“BEFORE” SCENE 20: RETURN TO SOLDIERS AT GRAVES: MOTIVES FOR GOING
Josh We'll be home in time for Christmas.
Andrew I hope I have what it takes.
Jenny I want to save those who are saving us. I want to be the difference between life and death.
Kai My training has prepared me. I'm ready for anything.
Jake I'll be safer in the sky than I would be on the ground.
Stephen It's a proud honour to serve my country. It's my duty.
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“Last Post” and “Reveille”
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CHOIR MEMBERS SING “O Canada”
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“AFTER” SCENE 1: AT GRAVES
(positioned onstage from stage right to stage left)
Mitchell/Michelle Mary/Harper Brigette Micayla Shanice/Natasha Moira
(Josh) (Andrew) (Jenny) (Kai) (Stephen) (Jake)
Harper His compassion cost him his life.
Mary If only he only he had been able to fire first.
Brigette (places a flower at the grave) She went to help others. She never thought she’d be a casualty of war herself.
Micayla The last seconds of his life will haunt me forever.
Mitchell (gives the small flag he’s holding to Michelle who places it on the grave, then backs away) I want
you to stay. (she returns to his side and he looks to the grave) He should have saved you instead.
Michelle Don’t say that.
Mitchell It should have been me.
Michelle Why you?
Mitchell Because I was the oldest. I was supposed to look out for him.
Shanice (carrying a set of dog tags) His life ended the day he received that conscription letter.
Natasha He was so brave.
Moira I’m still waiting for you to come home.
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“AFTER” SCENE 2: REUNIONS
Elizabeth (voice over) It was a long wait. It seemed like they’d been gone forever, but finally the day came. The war was over and they were coming home. Some of them.
(We hear the sound of a train approaching)
Announcement (voice over) Arriving now on platform 4…
(lights up and we see the crowd waiting, straining to see, searching. Finally, the soldiers start to enter)
Kai (Stephen and Jenny – parents) Mom embraces, Dad stays back. Kai reaches out to shake Dad’s hand. Dad embraces him. They all exit with arms around each other.
Josh (Natasha and baby) She introduces him to his son. He takes the baby and they exit.
Mitchell (Mikayla) He proposes on arrival. All he says is her name, then he kneels. She says yes and drops down to hug him. They get up and exit.
Iain (Jaymee as Karen, his sister) Iain Karen! What are you doing here? Where’s Nadine?
Jaymee She’s not coming.
Iain What?
Jaymee She’s with –
Iain She’s what? She’s with who?
Jaymee She just couldn’t wait for you anymore. I am so sorry.
They exit.
Katy (Andrew, husband with stroller) She leans into stroller, then hugs him. They exit.
Shanice and Mary are left. They wait another few seconds, until Shanice accepts that he’s not coming. Shanice Where is he?
Mary Oh Annie.
Shanice Where is he?
Mary Let's go home Annie.
Shanice Where is he? What's happened to him?
Mary leads Shanice away.
Jake, on crutches, is helped onstage by Michelle. Michelle puts his bag down beside him.
Michelle Are you sure you’ll be alright?
Jake Yes, thank you. Annie is meeting me. Thank you.
Michelle starts to exit, but hesitates as no one is left on the platform. Jake looks back at Michelle, who returns.
Jake She didn’t come.
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“AFTER” SCENE 3: SUICIDE SCENE
(Recorded voice overs)
Shanice Take cover!
Karla Please don’t shoot!
Harper Help me!
Josh Cover me!
Moira I have a family!
Andrew Make it stop!
Elizabeth Stop! Please stop!
Kai Fall back! Fall back!
Jenny Leave me here! Go on without me!
(Jake enters carrying a box as we hear the above as if the voices are memories in his head. He walks to a table, places the box down, opens it, and takes out the gun. He places the gun on the table in front of him and when he does this, the voices abruptly stop.)
Jake It’s the only way. I should have known when I left that it would come to this.
(Stephen, Natasha, Jaymee, and Josh enter from various points and move to surround Jake at the table.)
Jake Things won’t get better. The nightmares…the things I’ve done…
Natasha (steps towards Jake) When my husband left, he knew I wouldn’t be able to live without him. When he didn’t come home, I didn’t want to be here without him. I thought it was the only way, but it wasn’t! It wasn’t.
Jake But, what about Rachel? How will she be without me?
Josh (steps towards Jake) I thought it was for the best. The things I saw…the things I did. I left many families without a father. I didn’t want to be that kind of man, but all I succeeded in doing is leaving my own family fatherless.
Jake My son. He can’t grow up without a dad…
Jaymee (steps towards Jake) They were convinced that my twin sister and I could trade thoughts, and they wanted to see if she could tell me what the after life is like, but she didn’t. She couldn’t. I couldn’t live with the pain of having a part of me missing. But now I know…she would have wanted me to keep going.
Jake All those people who died – and I got to come home.
Stephen (steps towards Jake) I questioned the war. I questioned their ideas and they didn’t like that. They blacklisted me. I couldn’t find work, I couldn’t find friends, I couldn’t find a reason to go on. But now I see…there is always a reason. Always.
Jake No. I can’t do it. I have to be strong. It will get better. It has to. (He puts the gun back in box and puts box on the floor beside the table. As he does this, the “ghosts” back away and Kai enters with ball glove from stage left.)
Kai (Walks toward Jake holding out the ball glove) Dad?
Jake (Reaches out and embraces Kai as the lights fade.)
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“AFTER” SCENE 4: AIRPLANE MONOLOGUE
Moira I always wonder if he’s up there. He isn’t, I know that, but every time I see an airplane overhead, I can’t help but think… My brother joined the air force the day after his eighteenth birthday. My big brother – my hero. He was the bravest man I’d ever known. We were all so proud. The news came on my birthday. I was sixteen that year. My hero was never coming home. His plane was shot down over the ocean. They never found the plane. I think that was the worst part. We never buried him, and now I can’t help wondering. Maybe he got out. Maybe he survived somehow. Maybe he’s on that plane up there, coming home to us. So I wave, just in case.
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“AFTER” SCENE 5: HOLOCAUST PTSD
Psychiatrist Have you been sleeping?
Soldier Not really.
Psych The dreams again?
Soldier I relive it. Over and over.
Psych How does it start?
Soldier First I hear the sound of the glass…
(movement - in silhouette - depicting the Kristallnacht)
Soldier They destroyed everything they worked so hard to build. In one night – it was gone.
Psych What was gone?
Soldier Their homes, their businesses…their whole identity – their freedom.
Psych And then…?
Soldier The ghettos. I’m with them in the ghettos. (stands and moves to the ghetto scene where the people are reaching out to him) They reach out to me as if there’s something I can do. There’s nothing I can do.
Psych You feel helpless.
Soldier How did we not know? How did we let it continue?
(people in ghetto scene say lines simultaneously)
SWITCH TO DIFFERENT NARRATOR
Gr daughter You’re saying the world was different then? That people didn’t want to believe it was real.
Gma …That’s right, but it was real. As real as the tattoo on my forearm. (she pulls back her sleeve and shows granddaughter)
(lights up to reveal a line up of people waiting to be tattooed and another where people's heads are being shaved)
Gma They took our names and gave us each a number. They took our hair.
Gr daughter They took your hair? Why would they take your hair?
Gma They wanted to dehumanize us. They treated us like vermin…
Gr daughter What do you mean?
Gma They believed that if they convinced the world that we were sub-human, that the world would look the other way. And for a long time, it did…
RETURN TO PTSD SOLDIER AND PSYCHIATRIST
(lights up to reveal a line of people walking on the spot until Kai falls and is left behind as they actually begin to move)
Soldier They were taken on death marches in the cold of winter, and if they stumbled or fell behind, they were shot. On the spot. They were forced at gun point to dig large ditches, not realizing that in the next moment the soldiers with the machine guns would open fire on them and they would fall into the grave they had just dug.
Psych And you saw all of this?
Soldier I saw the mass graves. Yes. I saw the bodies. The women, the men, the elderly, the children. Those who didn’t die immediately had tried to crawl out…and were met with a bullet between the eyes.
RETURN TO GRANDMOTHER AND GRANDDAUGHTER
Gr daughter How did you survive?
Gma They put me to work.
Gr daughter What kind of work?
Gma They made me sort through all the belongings that they took from the people who were brought to the concentration camp. The area where I worked was called Canada.
Gr daughter Canada? Why did they call it Canada?
Gma Because Canada was believed to be a land of wealth and plenty.
BACK TO THE SOLDIER AND PSYCHIATRIST
Psych Traumatic.
Soldier The worst was the gas chambers.
Psych Go on.
(we see the dead and dying in a pile upstage)
Soldier They thought they were finally being allowed to shower. It took some of them a quarter of an hour to die. The bigger, stronger ones climbed on the bodies of the weaker ones who died first. They were trying to escape the gas...but there was no escape. Psych I can prescribe you something to help you sleep... (Jake gets up and takes a few steps towards C as Katy mimes dialogue to his chair) BACK TO GRANDMOTHER AND GRANDDAUGHTER Gr daughter Why didn't you tell me about this before? Gma (gets up and takes a few steps towards C) I didn't think you were ready to hear it, and I wasn't ready to tell you. (the people in the pile begin to crawl towards Jake and Brigette) Victims (whispering) You let us die. Why did you get to live? You should have stopped it. You left us behind. How could you? Why didn't you...help us...help us...help us... Soldier/Gma I'm still in hell. _________________________________________________________________________________________
“DURING” SCENE 6: ATTIC SCENE
(a group of women and children are hiding in an attic - some are resting, some are playing, two are standing)
Micayla It's been two days without food. The children are starving we are going to have to get more soon.
Katy (holding a baby) We can't risk bringing our deliverer here again. It was only last week that the Nazis came patrolling through these streets. It's only a matter of time before they come back.
Micayla Then we will wait until tomorrow but no longer. I've been looking out this window for two days and there's been nothing... wait... they're back.
(they look at the children playing on the ground together, then look at each other)
Katy Shh children you need to be quiet right now. No more playing.
Micayla (looks terrified as she looks back through the window) They've found us. They're coming for us.
Elissa (to Katy) Mommy, what's wrong?
Katy Nothing. Nothing it's okay come here. All of you, come here.
(Katy and Micayla start humming a song to the children as we hear the sound of heavy boots approaching)
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“DURING” SCENE 7: THREE BROTHERS (Isaac – Andrew/Daniel – Josh/Elijah – Mitchell)
VOICE OVER
I remember it so clearly, it was so cold and crisp that morning that you could see your breath in front of you. The trenches were muddy from the night's rain fall, and the artillery sounds had become nothing but back ground noise. We'd been stationed there for so long. Rumour had been spreading that we were close to the end... All three of us were excited to go back home. With loaded guns we sat there, waiting for Elijah to lead us to our next position.
Issac We're almost home boys, I can smell it in the air (takes a deep breath and exhales loudly)
Daniel Looks like Mom will be putting out 4 dinner plates this Christmas!
Elijah (looks around and sternly says) Focus boys, it's time to move. Daniel, come with me. Issac cover us. (they start to move)
VOICE OVER
We picked up our guns and they started moving to the next trench. Suddenly we heard the machine gun fire. Every thing went bright white - it was like one of those slow motion movie pictures. They were hit...
Issac DAN! ELIJAH! (goes first to Dan and lifts his head and shoulders)
VOICE OVER
Dan was hit in the chest. He was bleeding pretty bad...
Dan I'm hit Issac.. I'm hit... Is it bad?
Issac It's bad.
Daniel Go to Elijah.
Issac lowers Dan and moves over to Elijah
Elijah (weekly) What about Daniel?
Issac There's nothing I can do.
(Isaac lifts Elijah and helps him off)
VOICE OVER
His leg was mangled, but he would survive. But my younger brother Daniel...I had to leave him..to bleed out in
the mud... alone. It was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. Elijah had a wife and son waiting for him back at
home... He'll never be able to walk ever again, but he's alive. I felt like I played God that day...something I
never want to do again.
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“DURING” SCENE 8: TWO MOTHERS (Charlotte – Courtney/Sarah – Karla)
Charlotte So lovely that we can finally get together and chat.
Sarah Yes indeed, ever since our boys went to war I've been so...Oh, Charlotte, I can't stop thinking about what could happen to them...over there...
Charlotte I understand, but think of all the positives.
Sarah Positives? How can you possibly see any positives when our beloved sons are at war!
Charlotte You can't let yourself look it that way, Sarah! Think of the education they got before they had to go! They're defending our country! When they come back-
Sarah IF they come back!
Charlotte You can't keep thinking about it that way.
Sarah War is dangerous. The constant sound of gunfire, the ambushes and grenades, the landmines! My son!
Charlotte Calm down, you can't think of it that way! You have to convince yourself that it's his duty. Worrying won't bring him home safe.
Sarah I can't even remember what his face looks like anymore.
Charlotte Breathe Sarah. William will look after him. You just need to sit back, drink some tea and try to relax.
Sarah He just needs to stay safe. He just has to come home.
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“DURING” SCENE 9: “LA DERNIERE LETTRE”
LYRICS: SCENES:
They say that the war will soon be over. Injured and surviving brothers:
Anyways I hope so, if you knew how much I wish to leave Moira lives, Jenny dies
I lost up to my older brother. I saw him die, laying in the open space
With his last breath, he told me, “Hey, you'll take care of my sweetheart”
Now my friends are all gone...who'll take care of you when I'll be gone too?
The mailing system isn't very quick, Micayla takes Christmas photo
it's already been 3 months that I've had no news. of Elissa who is holding a baby
I can imagine playing with our baby girl, while hanging up her Christmas stocking.
How could love in the dark create so much light in our lives?
I've only seen her in pictures, and yet she's my most prized possession. Josh (at war) looks at photo
There isn't much that worries you, when you know that death is coming to get you.
Oh, and I know its place much too well, it's right in the gun of the guy in front of me. Mitchell drops to his knees,
Sometimes I tell myself that he too, has a dear friend (sweetheart) begging for his life. He falls
waiting for him, in his country. when he is shot.
But I know If I don't shoot, well, it's me that'll never see you again!
So I close my eyes, I hear the shot, and when I open my eyes,
usually the guy's on his knees...
But this morning, I wasn't able to, it was just a boy hidden Kai walks up to Andrew who
at the end of the street. Is pointing a gun. Andrew
I might have become a killer, but I'll never be a child killer. lowers his gun and backs away.
In his eyes, I saw the fear, and I saw our little girl at the same time. Kai raises a gun and shoots.
I put my gun down, and in a second the little man completely understood.
I slowly backed up, and he took his time to shoot me.
I feel like I'm in s poem, when I feel all this warm blood dripping. Josh (in pain) is writing a letter,
I'm cold in my soul, and your scarf can do nothing to help me. then takes out a harmonica.
Tomorrow, when the guys will find my body, they'll also find this He wraps the harmonica in the
letter in my pocket. letter and puts both in his pocket
Now it's clear that I'll be dead, I see the light at the end of the tunnel.
But I'm taking the little amount of energy I have left, to write you my last letter.
I'll slip my harmonica in the envelope... here my baby girl,
It's your present from daddy.
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“DURING” SCENE 10: THREE NURSES
Liz (caring, experienced, nurturing) The sound of the helicopter woke us up.
Elissa (new, naive, nervous) I’d never heard anything like it before. So loud. I could actually feel the sound of the blades turning.
Moira (cold, emotionally exhausted, closed off) It was a familiar sound. It meant there was a long night ahead of us.
L We got in just as they were bringing the soldiers in, unloading the wounded.
E They looked bad, real bad. Beyond hope.
M I didn’t look away. That’s what shrapnel does to flesh and bone.
E I thought I was going to be sick. I’d never seen so much blood before.
L They brought us the most severely wounded first. And there he was.
M She started screaming. I tried to shut her up.
E The man was…it was bad. She seemed to know him.
L It looked so much like him. My baby brother. I’d almost forgotten what he looked like, but there he was. It was like he was right there in front of me.
M She was scaring the ones who were still conscious. I had to pull her out.
E I was left there, alone with the dying men. They left me alone there.
L My baby brother, my poor baby brother. He’s not even a soldier, I just...
M I told her to gather supplies. I couldn’t have her breaking down like that. She was of no use to us in triage.
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“DURING” SCENE 11: LETTER MISLEADS
Scene opens with a spot on three soldiers, downstage left, with one hunched over writing a letter.
Lance (voice over) My dearest Beth, everything is much the same over here: we sleep when we can (Stephen) and we try to stay warm, but I'm fine and I'm alive.
(another soldier enters – Andrew – to deliver a letter. Lance opens it and reads with a big smile of relief)
Lance (to mail delivery soldier) Can you wait a minute?
Soldier Sure.
Lance (continues writing: voice over) I've just received some good news that I know you've been longing to hear. They're sending me home when we finish this mission, so I hope to be by your side in time for the baby's arrival next month. It won't be long until we're together again and we can finally be a family. All my love, Lance. (he gives the letter to the other soldier)
Soldier This will go out today.
Lance Thanks. It's the news she's been waiting for.
(Soldier exits with letter, and then a series of loud explosions are heard as the lights go out. A different light reveals a pregnant woman – Jaymee – reading a letter)
Beth Oh thank goodness! (places hand over stomach) Your Daddy's coming home my darling.
(there is a knock at the door, and 2 soldiers – Jake and Josh – are lead in by Beth's sister – Taneesha)
Sister (crying) Beth. These men have come to... I'm so sorry Beth.
Beth No! His letter said he was coming home! This can't be...
Soldier We're very sorry ma'am.
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“DURING” SCENE 12: LAND MINE
(A soldier – Kai – walks onstage as if on patrol)
VOICE OVER (Jenny)
A land mine is an explosive device, concealed under or on the ground and is designed to destroy or disable enemy targets as they pass over or near the device. Some land mines are detonated by pressure from the target stepping on it. When triggered, these mines launch into the air and then detonate at about waist height. The explosion projects a lethal shower of steel balls and steel fragments in all directions.
(When the soldier reaches a certain spot, he stops and the lighting changes to a single red spot on him. He looks down and freezes)
VOICE OVERS
Brigette You're the best big brother ever! Elissa You go hide and I'll count to ten. Andrew That's it! You've got it! You're riding a bike! Josh Congratulations – you're hired. Karla We're so proud of you son. Liz Of course I'll marry you!
Taneesha It's a girl! A beautiful, perfect, little baby girl!
Katy Are you sure we can afford such a big house?
Natasha Do you really have to go dad?
Shanice Please be careful. I don't know what I'll do if anything happens to you.
Michelle I'll miss you so much.
Moira Your dad is really sick. They don't think he's going to make it.
Mitchell I'll never get to say goodbye.
Andrew I'll never see her grow up.
Mitchell I'll never see them again.
Andrew I don't want to die.
Soldier I don't want to... (he looks up at the audience and the light goes black. An explosion is heard.)
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“DURING” SCENE 13: CHEMICAL WEAPONS (INTERACTIVE)
V/O Chemical warfare uses the toxic properties of chemical substances as weapons. Despite numerous
attempts since 1899 to ban them, such deadly attacks have continued to occur.
(students enter from the top of the house and run, screaming, to the stage where they fall)
V/O Chlorine gas, which is corrosive to the eyes and lungs, was used in WWI.
Tamara (stands) It will sneak up on you, a greenish smoke, followed by a foul smell, clawing at your throat, leaving you breathless.
V/O Mustard gas, which causes large blisters on exposed skin and in the lungs, was used in WWII.
Elissa (stands) You won't realize it at first, but its already seeping into your body, slowly suffocating you.
V/O The Nazi gas chambers used a cyanide-based pesticide called Zyklon B. It caused foaming at the mouth, bleeding from the ears, and skin discolouration from a lack of oxygen.
Liz (stands) You're panicking now, gasping for air, inhaling sharply as your throat is burning.
V/O Saddam Hussein used a deadly mixture of mustard gas and nerve agents to induce blindness, vomiting, blisters, convulsions, and asphyxiation in his own people.
Tanisha (stands) Your vision is fading, your skin feels as if its melting... and it is.
Harper (stands) The air around you is growing heavier now.
Courtney (stands) You're completely numb now, and the last sounds you hear are your own desperate rasping gasps.
V/O The most recent attack occurred on August 21, 2013, when the nerve agent Sarin was used in an attack outside the capital of Syria.
Micayla (stands) Your nose runs, your eyes water, and your mouth drools.
Jenny (stands) Your stomach, bladder, and bowels evacuate themselves.
Katy (stands) Your chest tightens, your vision blurs, and your muscles convulse until paralysis occurs.
ALL And you die. (all fall)
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“BEFORE” SCENE14: BROTHER AND SISTER
(Oliver - Jake - is sitting in a chair but stands as Alexis - Jaymee - enters)
Oliver Alexis, have a seat.
Alexis What’s going on? (both sit)
Oliver: I wanted to talk to you about something really important.
Alexis This better not be about Afghanistan again.
Oliver It is, but I really want you to hear me out this time.
Alexis (stands) You aren’t going and that’s final.
Oliver But why not? Why shouldn't I? What kind of man would I be if I ignore my conscience and let them get away with it?
Alexis You just can't. (she turns away)
Oliver I want to know why!
Alexis Because!
Oliver (stands) WHY NOT ALEXIS WHY NOT?
Alexis BECAUSE WHEN MOM DIED SHE TOLD ME TO ALWAYS LOOK AFTER YOU! (he reaches for her and pulls her to him) My baby brother. How can I protect you when you're over there? Oh Oliver. (sobs)
Oliver Al… I'm old enough to look after myself now. (sits) I just want to help. That's all I ever wanted. To keep everyone safe.
Alexis (sits) What if you don't come home, Oliver, did you ever think of that? You’ll be dead just like everyone else and that will be it for our family. I can’t lose you!
Oliver I won’t die, I promise.
Alexis You can't promise that. How can you promise that?
Oliver I just need to do this. I have to.
Alexis (stands) Well if you're going... then I am too.
Oliver No you aren't. I know you, Al. You could never do the things you would have to do.
Alexis That’s not true! I could be a nurse… or.. or something.
Oliver You couldn't even look at my scraped knees when we were kids. There is no way you are putting yourself in harm’s way - just because you think you have to look after me. You could get hurt...or worse.
Alexis Well now you know how I feel!
Oliver I know how this all must make you feel, but be realistic! The best place for you is here, so you can be waiting for me for when I come home. With a big party to celebrate my bravery.
Alexis I really can't stop you, can I?
Oliver Nope. (puts arm around her shoulders) Don't worry big sis, I’ll be back before you even have time to miss me!
Alexis Ya well…You aren’t very easy to miss! (punches his shoulder) it will be nice to finally get some peace and quiet. You better skype me. I don’t care where you are, I want to hear from you. (they hug)
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“BEFORE” SCENE 15: PEACE KEEPING
Tamaira I still don’t see why you want to be a Peacekeeper.
Moira There’s a lot you don’t see. There’s a lot all of us don’t see.
Tamaira We see it. It’s all over the news, what’s happening over there. It’s not a secret.
Moira Then you know why I have to do this. I have to do my part!
Tamaira There are other ways that you can do your part. And besides, you’ve seen what it’s like over there. They’re not doing anything – they CAN'T do anything. You being over there isn’t going to change that.
(The second girl turns to her friend and puts her hands on her shoulders.)
Moira I know you don’t understand it, I know you think I’m crazy wanting to go over there. But I feel… purposeless. I need to do something.
Tamaira So take up a hobby. Try knitting!
Moira You know that’s not what I mean. I need to help.
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“BEFORE” SCENE 16: LEAVING FOR KOREA
(A man – Josh – walks in, holding a piece of paper His mother – Micayla – sits at a table, drinking tea. The man paces across the stage, reading the paper and running his hands through his hair.)
Mother Stop pacing.
(The man stops pacing, walks over to his mother and throws the paper down onto the table in front of her. The woman picks up the paper and reads it.)
Mother It’ll be okay, Bobby.
Son Okay? They want to send me over there, Mom. They want to send me to Korea.
Mother Maybe things will be different. These are different times. Things have changed since then.
Son They haven’t changed that much. (pause) You saw what the war did to Dad. You didn’t just leave him for no good reason.
Mother What happened between me and your father –
Son That’s not the point! The point is… (he walks over and kneels at his mother’s side) …I saw it too, Mom. What the war did to Dad. I don’t want to go, Mom.
Mother (sadly) I know. (They hug)
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“BEFORE” SCENE 17: PROPAGANDA
Kai (to the gathering crowd) Listen here! Listen here folks! Come quick stand around I don’t have all day to tell you about the wonderful ways you can help our fine Empire! Come closer! Hey you young chap do you know your friends are fighting for freedom? It is far better to face the bullets then to stay at home, and our lovely empire needs MEN.
Stephen But I heard it’s a bloodbath out there.
Kai Why no! WAKE UP CANADA. Civilization calls every man, woman, and child!
Tanisha Women too? What can we we do?
Kai What can women do?! TELL THEM LADIES!
Shanice When your man goes off to war, you can replace him in the factory!
Liz Or you could volunteer for the Red Cross, or make uniforms! And every women loves a man in uniform!
Shanice Ya!
KaI SEE EVERYONE HAS THEIR PLACE!
Shanice Ladies, keep those enemy hands off by buying victory bonds!
Liz Help finish the job! Buy victory bonds!
Courtney The war already took two of my sons why should I give any more to the war?
Karla Those young brave men are the heroes of this country!
Kai YES SHE GETS IT!
(crowd YA YA YA)
Brigette You don’t tell me my husband isn’t a hero! Because he is!
(crowd YA YA YA YA YA)
Kai And don’t tell me you are one of those who is neither fighting nor paying! That others may fight and you are still enjoying the protection of the Union Jack! FIGHT OR PAY!
Liz/Shanice FIGHT OR PAY! FIGHT OR PAY!
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“BEFORE” SCENE 18: THE WAR TO END ALL WARS
(Two women sit at a table. One is reading a newspaper)
Natasha War.
Jenny What do you mean war?
Natasha The Duke is dead and now it looks like there will be a war. A world war.
Jenny Oh, that's terrible.
Natasha It says here that it will be “a war to end all wars.”
Jenny A war to end all wars? Do you think that's possible?
Natasha That's what it says.
Jenny What if my son John decides to join the fight?
Natasha That would certainly make us proud.
Jenny But he's going to be a carpenter.
Natasha They will need as many as they can find.
Jenny (sadly) He'll be a soldier, just like our father was.
Natasha And he'll have all the glory and honour that goes with it. You just wait and see.
Jenny A war to end all wars...
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“BEFORE” SCENE 19: SAYING GOODBYE AT THE TRAIN
Andrew (Katy) I wish we could go with you. (Katy leaves, and Andrew exits carrying the baby)
Harper (Mitchell) We'll see you when you get back.
Micayla And please, stay safe. (Mitchell leaves and Harper and Micayla exit)
Jenny (Kai) I'm going to miss you so much. (Jenny hugs Kai, but Stephen can only shake his hand. Kai leaves)
Stephen I'm so proud of him.
Jenny I wish you could have said that to him. (Stephen and Jenny exit)
Elissa (Josh) (Josh exits after hugging Natasha) There are thousands of other soldiers. Why does it have to be him?
Natasha (touches belly) Why does it have to be now? (They exit)
Moira (Iain) (Iain exits after hugging Moira) He looks so handsome. I'll wait for him forever.
Jaymee He'll be gone a long time, Nadine.
Moira I can wait. (They exit)
Mary (Jake) (Hugs Jake) I'll look after Annie while you're gone. Just come back in one piece.
Shanice I'll be waiting for you right here when you come home. (They hug, Jake leaves and the girls exit)
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“BEFORE” SCENE 20: RETURN TO SOLDIERS AT GRAVES: MOTIVES FOR GOING
Josh We'll be home in time for Christmas.
Andrew I hope I have what it takes.
Jenny I want to save those who are saving us. I want to be the difference between life and death.
Kai My training has prepared me. I'm ready for anything.
Jake I'll be safer in the sky than I would be on the ground.
Stephen It's a proud honour to serve my country. It's my duty.
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“Last Post” and “Reveille”
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