ACT I
Scene 1
A SOLDIER is laying on his side of the trench
with a rifle at his side. The trench (sand bags,
some wood logs and barbwire) is set in a mild
curve from RC to LC. The enemy side is US, the
soldier side is DS. The SOLDIER looks around
while smoking a cigarette. He sneaks over the
trench spying on the enemy’s lines.
SOLDIER
Come on you bastards... You’re not shooting targets
again?!
The SOLDIER takes of his helmet and puts it on
the top of his rifle. He shows the helmet
balanced on the top of the rifle’s barrel over
the top of trench at the enemies.
SOLDIER
Sons of a bitch. They are not taking a risk... At
least one shot... One little tiny shot! Just like at
the shooting stall at the village fair. (shouts
impatient) Sons of a bitch!
The SOLDIER stands up and waves to the enemies
side. Nothing happens.
SOLDIER
Bastards, not even when it’s offered... Bunch of
cowards.
The SOLDIER sits again, resigned.
SOLDIER
What shitty war is this?! (highlights every word)
What shitty war!... The enemy doesn’t even shoot. I
think I’m going to die in this war... die of boredom.
SOLDIER checks his watch.
SOLDIER
Shit! More than six hours without a shot. It’s worse
than being under fire, not knowing when they will
come... Bastards.
The SOLDIER puts his helmet on again, reclines
on the sandbags and leans the helmet over his
eyes, ready to take a nap. .
(FADE OUT LIGHTS)
(FADE IN LIGHTS)
The GIRL enters from RW, looks to the SOLDIER
sleeping, and gets close.
(FOLLOW)
FOLLOW: 2.
GIRL
Poor man... He must have been fighting for long
hours. I hope he’s just sleeping. Just like the books
say, the sleep of the just... Whatever that means.
The GIRL kneels down beside the SOLDIER.
GIRL
He looks young... Good looking... But stinks!
The GIRL’s hand approaches the helmet intending
to move it from his eyes. All of a sudden with a
jolt, he grabs her neck with one hand while
pointing a bayonet at her throat. The GIRL
screams in shock.
SOLDIER
Hey! You little cow! What are you trying to do?!
The GIRL stands up scared but the SOLDIER keeps
hold of her.
GIRL
Nothing... I swear! Nothing!
SOLDIER
What on earth are you doing here? (surprised).
The SOLDIER releases her, slowly and carefully,
but keeps his bayonet pointed at her body.
GIRL
Well... they sent me here to keep you company... For
a while... Do you understand? (looks at the bayonet)
Can you please put that down?
The SOLDIER looks at his bayonet and slowly puts
it down, but not giving it too much importance.
SOLDIER
To keep me company? Bullshit!
GIRL
It’s true... for a while... One hour or two.
SOLDIER
A whore?! They sent me a whore? (laughs disdainfully)
Am I crazy?! I’m here, waiting for two or three men,
and they sent me a whore.
The GIRL giggles in surprise.
GIRL
Well...
(FOLLOW)
FOLLOW: 3.
SOLDIER
You idiot! I’m waiting for men to defend this spot! I
need help here.
The SOLDIER looks at the GIRL with disdain. In
that moment he realises she is still standing in
front of him, completely exposed in the trench.
With a violent tug, he throws her onto the sand
bags and falls on top of her.
SOLDIER (SHOUTS)
You stupid woman... do you want to die today?
GIRL
Oh my goodness... don’t hurt me please.
SOLDIER
Hurt you? I just saved your life. You’re walking
around standing up in front of the enemy. You
probably want a bullet in the middle of that
beautiful face.
The SOLDIER lying over her looks more closely at
her face. He realises she is just a teen. He
moves to the side, amazed.
SOLDIER
Goodness... how old are you?! You’re just a child!
GIRL
I’m old enough to eat!
SOLDIER
Hey! Watch your language! You’re just a stupid kid.
GIRL
I am what I am or I am just what you want me to be.
But I’m hungry just like everybody else. (offended)
Hey, wait a minute! Why do I need to watch my
language?! When I said I’m old enough to eat, I meant
food!
She looks to the ground ashamed.
GIRL
Men are all the same! Pigs! And in war time they
think any meat is just to sharpen their teeth.
SOLDIER
Sorry... It wasn´t my intention to offend you.
They both stay facing the ground upset. They
stay like this for a while, until the SOLDIER,
remorseful, breaks the ice.
(FOLLOW)
FOLLOW: 4.
SOLDIER
How old are you kid?
GIRL
Fifteen... I’m fifteen.
SOLDIER
Fifteen?! (incredulous) What on earth are you doing
here?
GIRL
You have your war, I have mine!
SOLDIER
That´s no excuse for that kind of life!
GIRL
Don’t talk about my life. I know what I’m doing with
it. You take care of your war and I’ll take care of
my life!
SOLDIER
What do your parents think about that? They will be
sad for sure. How about them... and your family?
GIRL
They don’t think anything anymore... If this war was
a lottery we would already be rich. They’d Gone West
in the first shelling.
SOLDIER
Why did they move west... It´s worse there.
GIRL
Hey! They’ve Gone West! Pushing up the Daisys!
SOLDIER
Oh sorry... Sorry for asking.
GIRL
Why are you apologising... they’re dead. There’s
nothing you can do. (laughs) They’re completely dead
from top to toe. (laughs uncontrollably).
SOLDIER
Why are you laughing? What’s so funny you crazy kid?!
GIRL
Nothing... I can’t do anything more... (brakes) I’m
laughing with anger.
SOLDIER
Really... I shouldn´t ask about it. Oh I’m so
stupid... Sorry kid.
(FOLLOW)
FOLLOW: 5.
GIRL
Don’t apologise! You’re part of this war. You’re in
the same shit!
SOLDIER
Well... That’s true. But I didn’t kill your parents.
GIRL
Even if you didn´t kill my parents, you killed
someone else’s parents... Or someone else’s son.
The SOLDIER doesn’t answer, embarrassed.
GIRL
Tell me... How many have you killed already?
(curious)
SOLDIER
I don’t know... three or four... maybe five.
GIRL
Did you feel well? Was it good?
SOLDIER
Not good... and not bad. I had to.
GIRL
You’re funny. You had to?! You killed them just
because you had to.
The SOLDIER gets furious, grabs her arm firmly
and shakes it violently.
SOLDIER (SHOUTS)
Listen here you little bitch! You’ve just come off
your mother’s tits... If you don’t kill you die!
We’re in a war you stupid chick. Here it’s just like
that. You must kill to not be killed... Do you
understand?!
The GIRL stays quiet for a while, frightened.
Then decides to speak again, challenging the
SOLDIER.
GIRL
Look... I’m going to show you how wrong you are!
The GIRL starts to laugh loudly, stands up and
turns to the enemy line, jumping and waving her
arms.
GIRL (SHOUTS)
Hey! Here! Come on! Fire at me! Shoot me! (laughs
uncontrollably)
The SOLDIER jumps over her and they both fall
over the sand bags. They keep quiet staring at
each other.
(FOLLOW)
FOLLOW: 6.
SOLDIER (GRIMES)
If you do that again, it will be me who’ll blow your
brain.
The GIRL pushes him off the top of her. She
challenges him again.
GIRL
It was just a good way for you to jump on me? Huh?
You pig!
SOLDIER (SHOUTS)
Listen here you little cow! Who do you think I am?
GIRL
Cow? Your mum! You’ve already sworn too many times
today!
SOLDIER (IRONIC)
Look at you... The little bitch now wants to be a
saint.
GIRL
Little bitch?!
SOLDIER
Whats the problem? I can’t call you bitch?
GIRL
Of course not, you pig!
SOLDIER
Oh... I understand. You’re messing around and doing
little jobs at the regiments and now you become
offended because I called you what you are...
hilarious.
The GIRL falls to the ground and covers her
face.
GIRL
Shut up you bastard! Shut up!
The SOLDIER keeps talking over her.
SOLDIER (IRONIC)
You asked me how many I killed... Three, four...
maybe five! And you whore... how many have you worked
on? Hum? How many?
The GIRL starts to cry and the SOLDIER gets
serious.
SOLDIER
So? How many you bitch? Have you lost your count? One
Hundred? Two hundred? A Thousand?!
(FOLLOW)
FOLLOW: 7.
The SOLDIERS calms down while the GIRL moans.
SOLDIER
A Thousand... Thousand... You’re not old enough to
have done even a hundred. The war hasn’t lasted for
that long.
GIRL (WHISPERS)
None.
SOLDIER
What did you say?
GIRL
You heard me well enough...
SOLDIER
I didn’t... really. What did you say?
GIRL
None.
SOLDIER
None? None what?
GIRL (SHOUTS CRYING)
NONE! I’VE DONE NONE!
They stay in silence.
SOLDIER
What do you mean? I didn’t ask you if you had killed
someone...
GIRL
I know exactly what you asked me. But the answer is
the same. You haven’t understood yet? You’re my first
one... The first I’m going to do...
Another moment of silence.
GIRL
So... what you want to do?
SOLDIER
What do you mean?
GIRL
What do you want me to do? What do I need to do?
Should I take my clothes off... Do you want to touch
me? Or should I touch myself?
SOLDIER
Shut up girl! I don’t want anything!
(FOLLOW)
FOLLOW: 8.
GIRL
What a shit... I took a risk to come here. They payed
me.
SOLDIER
What the hell... Who paid you? Who sent you here?
GIRL
Some soldiers in the village... They were drinking a
lot.
SOLDIER
They were drunk... They were drunk and you did what
they told you...
GIRL
I need to eat.
SOLDIER
Like a whore?! What the hell... You couldn’t find any
other job to do?
GIRL
There are no jobs or anything in the war. Not here on
the front. In the biggest and safest cities you can
manage to get something in the gun factories.
SOLDIER
Why you don’t go there then?
GIRL
I don’t know how... it’s quite far and I don’t know
what I’m going to find on the way there. I feel more
secure here for now. I know the village and the
people... Maybe if the war calms down a bit, I’ll
decide to move.
SOLDIER
Yeah... You’re right. It’s not easy to move away from
these holes right now. (stays thoughtful)
GIRL
Well... Let’s end this conversation... I have a duty
to do.
SOLDIER
You don’t have any duty here... Go away and save
yourself. You still have time.
GIRL
And my food? If I stay safe then I don’t eat!
SOLDIER
I will try to find a away for you to leave this
place... But in the mean time you keep yourself
clean... You save yourself... and none of those dirty
jobs. I can send a message to a friend in the
(MAIS)
(FOLLOW)
FOLLOW: 9.
SOLDIER (FOLLOW)
soldiers mess, so you can have some bread and
potatoes until you get everything sorted.
GIRL
Holy cow! Thank you!
SOLDIER (SMILES)
Now get out of here before they start the fireworks.
The SOLDIER takes a small notebook and a pencil
from one of his pockets and passes it to the
GIRL.
SOLDIER
Write your name here and where you live so I can ask
someone to bring you some food.
In a flash, the GIRL grabs the notebook and the
pencil, and writes frantically. The SOLDIER
unwraps a napkin with some bread in it.
SOLDIER
Here... Take this. I have enough for now.
The GIRL finishes writing. In that moment, as
they are about to swap the bread and the
notebook, starts a huge noise of bombshells and
shooting. The SOLDIER grabs the GIRL and forces
her to lay on the ground. She screams in panic.
SOLDIER (SHOUTS)
Be quiet girl! Shut up! They will hear you... If they
realise where we are they will destroy us with
shells.
GIRL
I’m scared... I’m really scared!
SOLDIER
And you think I’m not?
GIRL
You’re a soldier! Soldiers aren’t scared!
SOLDIER
That’s what you think... before I’m a soldier, I’m a
man. And men are scared to.
GIRL (IN PANIC)
How am I supposed to leave this place now?!
SOLDIER
Now my darling... You had better be quiet, or you’ll
leave here led down!
The SOLDIER turns his gun, ready.
(FOLLOW)
FOLLOW: 10.
GIRL
What are you doing?!
SOLDIER
What do you think? You kill or you die... remember?
Now do me a favor.
GIRL
I can’t do much...
SOLDIER
Yes you can... Just shut your child mouth!
GIRL
Can you be more polite please? I’m terrified! I think
I’m going to pee myself.
SOLDIER (IRONIC)
Don’t worry... It’s your first time. Now be quiet
please.
GIRL (IN PANIC)
How am i supposed to?!
SOLDIER
How about you just leave your mouth closed?!
GIRL (IN PANIC)
Oh shit!... I can’t do it! I’m in a panic!
SOLDIER
In a panic?! You will be in a panic as soon as those
bastards get here... And you don’t know how much...
GIRL
But I’m with you... They can’t hurt me...
SOLDIER (IRONIC)
Of course not... The first thing they will do is put
a bullet in the middle of my eyes... And next they
will take care of you.
GIRL
Oh... they can do nothing. I’m not a soldier... I
don’t even have an army uniform!
SOLDIER
Oh, do you think you’ll be discarded just because you
don’t have a uniform?
GIRL
Won’t they?
SOLDIER
You really are a stupid shitty innocent little chick.
And you want to be a whore.
(FOLLOW)
FOLLOW: 11.
GIRL
I don´t want to be a whore! I want to eat!
SOLDIER
Oh yeah... that’s true. I’ll tell you girl... if
those guys arrive here, you will become a whore...
and the cheapest one. So cheap that you won’t receive
any payment!
GIRL
You’re such a pig!
SOLDIER
Oh am I? Those guys will happily make your life a
misery and for free. You will not receive a penny,
and do you know what they will do to you? Do you?
They will take off your child’s socks and those
ridiculous shoes... Then they will put their dirty
hands between your legs, rip off your panties...
The GIRL instinctively covers her mouth with one
hand and closes her legs covering her crotch
with the other hand.
GIRL
Please shut up! You’re scaring me!
SOLDIER
Scared? This is nothing compared with the fright you
will have when you get your lovely linen dress torn
into strips with your tiny tits exposed to a
battalion!
GIRL
What do I need to do to get out of here?
SOLDIER (SHOUTS FURIOUS)
You’re not going anywhere! Don’t you understand? Now
we are trapped here. If we can get out of here alive
we’ll be lucky. Now sit down! Be quiet... and shrink
back down there... maybe you won’t eat a bullet.
The GIRL shrinks the best she can with tears in
her eyes.
SOLDIER
Stay there and only speak when i ask you something.
(puts his gun in position) God, it looks nasty today.
So much time waiting and now it’s turned to this
hell. Jeez.
GIRL
Do you really think we’re going to die here?
SOLDIER
I don’t have a clue...We are playing a game.
(FOLLOW)
FOLLOW: 12.
GIRL
Playing a game?
SOLDIER
Of course... what is a war but a game?
GIRL
What a stupid idea... A game is tiddly-winks or hide
and seek.
SOLDIER
So... what do you think we are doing here? It’s
exactly the same. Two teams playing hide and seek but
with a slightly different rule. You don’t just find a
guy... you kill him.
GIRL
It’s so stupid. Wars are useless!
SOLDIER
You don’t know what are you saying! Of course it’s
not useless... Sometimes its necessary!
GIRL
No war is necessary!
SOLDIER
Hey girl! It looks like you’re filling your head with
those shitty, stupid pacifist ideas. They are just
cowards screaming against wars and politicians... A
bunch of smelly feet who need a good shower... Oh if
I had a chance to have a shower... I’m dying for one!
And those disgusting people make a point of being
smelly...
GIRL
I already noticed that you stink! (laughs)
The SOLDIER looks at her and laughs.
SOLDIER
Now that was funny.
GIRL
...well... But look... that story about the
pacifists...
SOLDIER
Hey! There is no discussion about those guys. They
are a bunch of stupid cowards. That’s all!
GIRL
And that little tiny guy in India?!
SOLDIER
What?
(FOLLOW)
FOLLOW: 13.
GIRL
That guy in India... the pacifist...
SOLDIER
Oh you mean that guy... Gandhi?!
GIRL
That’s it! I heard that name before!
SOLDIER
You know what? He is one of them... but he also
helped to organize an ambulance service with
combatants in the war. He’s not a coward. He is
involved! See... sometimes it’s necessary! I told
you. It’s not like the other ones who just want to
get drunk and smoke cigarettes and read poetry... and
fuck everywhere with anyone.
GIRL
I admit that is a bit true... Near my home there was
a park, and sometimes on summer nights, they used to
sit there and kiss and... and... well, i also saw
many other things.
They both laugh. The bombshells start to calm
down.
SOLDIER
I can imagine...
GIRL
One night, my puppy run away and escaped to the park.
I went there to get it. There were many there... all
dancing and singing with guitars. It was a bit
strange.
SOLDIER
I presume you ran home very quickly.
GIRL
No way! I stayed there for a while hidden in the
bushes, watching them dance... I had never seen a
naked guy before. (Giggles) It was really fun. But
then they started to curl up together and kiss each
other everywhere... And swap partners... I may say it
was very disgusting. Yes, at that time I went home
really fast. (laughs) That night I had nightmares!
They both laugh.
SOLDIER
You’re such a joker. (Peeks over the sand bags) Looks
like they are calming down.
GIRL
Good.
(FOLLOW)
FOLLOW: 14.
The GIRL stands up, and a shower of bullets are
shoot from the enemy. The GIRL lays down again.
SOLDIER (SHOUTS FURIOUS)
What are you doing? Do you want to die?! You’re nuts!
GIRL
Sorry... sorry... You just said they’d calmed down...
SOLDIER
I said "Calming down". I didn’t say they had stopped.
The shooting continuous.
GIRL
And now? What are we going to do?
SOLDIER
I don’t know... Now they know where we are. If
someone comes to help them we are in trouble.
GIRL
Are we going to die?
SOLDIER
Oh... me for sure. You... depends on the commander of
the other side. He may be a human being and release
you alive.
GIRL
I’m scared... Please cuddle me.
The SOLDIER looks at her. He puts his gun away
and pulls the girl to him, embracing her.
SOLDIER
You can snuggle... They will not come here tonight.
At least this night. They know there are people here,
but they don’t know how many we are.
GIRL
And tomorrow? They will come tomorrow?
SOLDIER
I don’t know. That’s why this is a game. I told you.
It’s their turn now. If they knew I was alone here,
they would have already moved forward.
GIRL
You’re warm... It’s funny...I’m quite comfortable
laying on your chest. I feel safe here, but if I just
stand up i may be killed.
SOLDIER
Ok, ok leave your poetry... Why don’t you just try to
sleep? Take a rest.
(FOLLOW)
FOLLOW: 15.
GIRL
Do you think I could?! No way! Only thinking what
could happen...
SOLDIER
Leave the worries with me... Sleep.
GIRL
You know what? You remind me of my grandfather.
(Giggles) Well... you’re much younger of course. But
he used to lay me down in his lap to make me sleep.
He use to stay hours curling my hair in his fingers.
Sometimes he used to kiss my forehead. He loved to
tell me stories. Sometimes he just read a book, other
times he simply invented a story... Those were the
best ones. So funny, because he would start and then
forget all the small details and in the end it was
just a big mess. I would just listen and laugh inside
(laughs) The stories would simply lose they’re
sense... One day he started something about ten
rabbits... in the end there were only two... and not
even rabbits... can you imagine? Ten rabbits
become... two goats! Of course it was already a crazy
confusion. But i never dared to say anything.
The SOLDIER smiles. The GIRL makes a pause.
GIRL
I miss my grandfather. He used to take me walking in
that park... In the daylight of course (laughs) and
we use to lay on the grass watching the clouds
passing over the trees and trying to find animals in
their shapes. (pause)Have you ever watched for cloud
shapes?
SOLDIER
Humm... I don’t think so. Surely I’ve seen some funny
shapes in the clouds, but I never laid on the ground
watching them pass. I’ve never done that.
Both in silence
GIRL
Do you have family?
SOLDIER (SMILES)
Oh yes. I’m married and I have a wonderful baby
daughter.
GIRL
And you came to the war?!
SOLDIER
Sometimes we have to take decisions... And make
sacrifices for your country.
(FOLLOW)
FOLLOW: 16.
GIRL
Like what? Like to die for?
SOLDIER
To die to protect the ones you love. Why not? Who
cares if I stay alive if I arrive home and can´t find
my family or we lose our freedom. If I have to die to
keep them safe... That’s what will be.
GIRL
Are you a martyr now? (laughs)
SOLDIER
Now... Not at all. I’m not scared to die. In an
instant it’s done.
GIRL
Hey... sometimes it’s not in an instant.
SOLDIER
If the guy who shoots you is really good, you don’t
even feel it. The bad thing is when they are a like a
one-eyed bastard. I saw guys with pieces of arm
hanging off.
GIRL
Oh shut up! That’s disgusting!
SOLDIER
I saw one who had his nose riven with a single shot!
He simply ripped it off.
GIRL
Stop that!
SOLDIER
I don’t know if it was lucky or mischance. He was
talking with the guy next to him. The bullet only hit
his nose... He become monstrous. Alive but monstrous.
With no nose...
GIRL
Only thinking about that makes me feel sick.
The shots stop. The night is calm now.
SOLDIER
They’ve stopped now. Why don’t we try to sleep now.
At least until they start again.
GIRL
May I keep snuggling with you?
SOLDIER
Who cares... It’s war. Tomorrow I may be pushing
daisies.
(FOLLOW)
FOLLOW: 17.
(Fade lights to black, pause, Fade in to day
lights) Some bird singing sounds. The morning
rises. The GIRL wakes up and stares to the
SOLDIER who is still sleeping. She smiles while
watching him and snuggles in a bit more. On his
side is a packet that wasn’t there before. The
girl see it and tries to pull it nearer, over
the SOLDIER. He wakes up in a flash with fright.
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