24360: Title: Your Results May Vary Setting: The story takes place in an Army Camp in a regional conflict in the current time. ÒOperation Blue Star.Ó It might be like the recent wars in Iraq or Afghanistan. The American Army, supporting the Southern Alliance, are attempting to defeat the Northern War Lords, ÒThe InsurgentsÓ, and remove their influence over any part of the country. The war was started by an attack on an American port. A ship full of fertilizer was detonated in Savanah, Georgia. There was a lot of damage, though fewer casualties than originally feared. Nonetheless, the war came. The landscape is a desert with mountains. (A map is provided at the end of the script.) The size of the area is about 160 by 200 miles Our army camp is at the entrance of a mountain pass that leads to the south to the national capital and is about 120 miles from the front as the drone flies. It is neither the largest camp of the conflict nor the smallest. It commands a relatively important part of the front but not the decisive part. The war will be won or lost at the capital of the Insurgents, which is 120 miles to the east. Still, the area commanded by this camp includes a major logistics point, the city of Skatoot, which has large supply and arms depots. This region also contains several minor cities, which are really nothing more than small towns: Kapu Varo, Baba, Tolva, Fekeet Labu (a town that sits on the junction of the major roads in the area) and Cayho. Kapu Varo is just outside the gates of the camp. It has been a trading city as long as humans have lived in the area. During the colonial era, it had a reputation as a place to buy and sell information. As a result, it has a large class of residents who are educated and move freely across both sides of the conflict. In spite of the war, it retains some lovely old buildings and a temple off the central square. Cayho is a bit of a special case. It is located less than 2 miles from the front and is always in flux. It is held by neither the Southern Alliance nor the Northern War Lords. It is connected to the camp via a relatively good road, the Cayho Road, and by a long wandering dirt path, the Western Extension. At one point, the Northern War Lords kept a prison and training camp on the Extension. It is long gone but the buildings remain. The story revolves around a visitor to the camp, Professor Alec Effson. She teaches some variant of sociology and communications at a minor Midwestern university. She deeply desires to be recognized for her expertise but has slowly grasped the conclusion that her ambition exceeds the rewards offered by her current position. As a result, she will likely gain the most attention by contributing to national security, by putting herself in harmÕs way in order to gather knowledge that might be of use for military action. As a result, she has a research grant to study leadership at the front. Time: Now. Roughly. Dramatis Personae: (Detailed profiles at end of script) Colonel C. O. Beason 60-ish Senior officer. Commanding officer of Sector. Major Eaton Willard 30-ish Male officer. Planner and Regiment Leader Major Geo Huber 40-ish officer. Regiment Leader Sgt Alva Emre 40-ish Noncommissioned officer in the Motor Pool. Corporal Anju Juma 20-ish assistant to the Colonel. Captain Celi Pritel About 30. Assistant to CO Benson. Female. Alexandra ÒAlecÓ Effson 30-ish professor of ÒSocial Sciences.Ó Visiting Researcher. Tamla ÒTommyÓ Portillo 40-ish Program Director for Defense Secretary Advanced Research Department. Eta Tacqua 50-sh native to the region. Female. A contract employee, who works as a liaison to the locals and assistant to Alex. Tano Frloji 9 year old boy in town. His mother is a friend of EtaÕs daughter. Little boy. Gets a little shy in presence of strangers. Scenes: Table of Contents Act I: Closeness in the Morning 6 Scene 1.0: ÒClosest IÕve BeenÓ 6 Scene 1.1: ÒMarch Ôem Up The HillÓ 8 Scene 1.2: ÒRoom in TownÓ 12 Act II 15 Scene 2.0: ÒKindly wishes to informÓ 15 Scene 2.1: ÒCommon InterestsÓ 16 Scene 2.2 ÒDistinguished CallerÓ 20 Scene 2.3: Ò Air of Kapu VaroÓ 23 Act III 26 Scene 3.0: ÒEnd of the TownÓ 26 Scene 3.1: ÒReady for CommandÓ 28 Scene 3.2 ÒNothing HiddenÓ 30 Scene 3.3: ÒWhat do we know?Ó 36 Act IV 39 Scene: ÒThe JunctionÓ 39 Scene 4.1 ÒOfficersÕ MessÓ 41 Scene 4.2: ÒQuadrupedal RobotsÓ 43 Scene 4.3: ÒMay the sun warm your faceÓ 47 Scene 4.4: ÒThree PossibilitiesÓ 50 Scene 4.5: ÒOver Over ThereÓ 53 Act V 55 Scene 5.0: ÒCheckpoint with Sweet TeaÓ 55 Scene 5.1: ÒL eave a Light OnÓ 57 Scene 5.2: ÒIndependent CommandÓ 59 Act VI 67 Scene 6.0 ÒTo the Western ExtensionÓ 67 Scene 6.1: ÒNews from the FrontÓ 70 Act VII 80 Scene 7.0 ÒNo CloserÓ 80 Notes on Text: 84 Music References: 87 Map of Conflict Region: 88 Additional Notes on Characters 91 Notes on Script Conventions: 95 Text of the Play Act I: Close in the Morning Scene 1.0: ÒWhere to Start?Ó Location: A Stage. Time: Not that long ago. A cool Friday in early fall. This is an audio drama, so all the settings are imaginary. The monologues in the play are performed as if they were presented on a dark stage in front of the audience. The actor enters. Scans the audience and begins. <>[00:00] Alec (solo): Where to start? A war. A conflict. A stretch of desert. A military base, nestled against an old colonial town. A ctive front line, fifty miles to the north. É and [thought changes]. É youÕre É stalling Alec. <>[00:00] Alec (solo): Not a soldier. Scientist. Researcher. Battlefield leadership. Difficult to É and thereÉ I go... again. [beat] <>[00:00] Alec (solo): Where É to É start? [As if announcing the title of book] ÒThe closest I came to death.Ó [beat] [emphasize] You can do this Alec. You can. [beat] The closest É <>[00:00] Alec (solo): Moving at last. Fence. Gates. Guards. Last bump of road. Perimeter squarely behind us. Truck parked. Door opened. Quick dismount. <>[00:00] Alec (solo): The Motor Yard Final scene of the battle Soldiers lugging their gear. Food for the hungry. Shelter for the tired. Balm for the wounded. Respite for the anguished soul <>[00:00] Alec (solo): Shapes move in the glare Figures. Bodies. Familiar spirits. I step back to the truck, Steady myself against its frame I turn to the cargo bed. Reach for the straps that hold our equipment. Death opens its eyes And stares back at me. It is the closest IÕve ever come. Scene 1.1: ÒMarch Ôem Up The HillÓ Location: HQ Building on a military base in the desert of a distant, troubled country Time: Several weeks before the prior scene. Much of the story takes place in meeting rooms on the army base in this war. They are like any other kind of meeting rooms except they are in tents or mobile buildings. <>[00:00] Colonel: [disbelieving, angry, ironic] ÒDuke of York had a thousand men Marched Ôem out the gate Marched Ôem back again. [See Note 1.1] <>[00:00] Huber: DonÕt think you appreciate what we accomplished, Colonel. <>[00:00] Colonel: ÔCause you didnÕt accomplish nothing, Major Huber. You wast supposed to cross sixty mile of desert and take the enemy capital. <>[00:00] Huber: [defensive and angry] ThatÕs called Progress. Great Progress. Historically Incredible Amazing Progress. <>[00:00] Colonel: [Angry] Progress? Ya saw the Promise Land and dÕcided you wasnÕt the one to go in. [See Note 1.2] <>[00:00] Huber: Protecting our troops. Odds [were] against us. <>[00:00] Colonel: You gots that one basswards, Huber. We had the soldiers. We had the equipment. But they had a leader and we did not. <>[00:00] Huber: Disagree, Colonel.[beat] With respect. <>[00:00] Colonel: [Harsh] Respect comes with victory, Major Huber, É when you bring me the City of Skatoot on a silver platter. [See Notes 1.3 and 1.4]. [Changing subject] CaptÕn Pritel? <>[00:00] Celi: Uh Yes, sir. <>[00:00] Colonel: Make me a new plan. Take Skatoot. BesÕ brains you can find. [beat] If Major Huber and his zombies ainÕt ÒetÓ Ôem all. [ÒIf the zombies have not eaten themÓ] <>[00:00] Celi: [Snigger] Done, sir. [beat] New committee. No zombies. <>[00:00] Colonel: And IÕll see if weÕs can find ourselves a new battlefield commander at the dollar store. [beat] Corporal? Next item <>[00:00] Juma: End of the agenda, sir. <>[00:00] Colonel: Praise the lord for small blessinÕs. [beat] ÔNouncements? <>[00:00] Juma: Final meeting for Professor Effson. Back to her university on FriÉ. <>[00:00] Alec: Way, Way, Wait. Not true. Eight weeks more. <>[00:00] Juma: [Flustered] Umm. Nooo. [beat] Email from Adjutant. Bed. Bunk. Reassigned. Visit over. <>[00:00] Alec: [Firm] Here for work. / Research. / I will É have É. a desk. <>[00:00] Juma: Not / the Order MaÕam. <>[00:00] Colonel: [lines interleaved into previous] [increasing urgency]. ^Perfesser. [beat] ^ÕCuse me. [beat] ^exc.. [Bellowed command]. Perfesser!!! <>[00:00] Alec: [Surprised]. Sorry? <>[00:00] Colonel: Stop all your whinery, Ôcause my eagles cÕn hear you jusÕ fine. [See Note 1.5] <>[00:00] Alec: My role... <>[00:00] Colonel: Ma eagles donÕ care Ôbout your role. They want soldiers. And youÕre not one. <>[00:00] Alec: Here for Research. [beat] Orders from DSEC/MARG. [See Note 1.6] <>[00:00] Juma: Military Advanced Research Group from the Defense SecretaryÕs Office, Colonel. <>[00:00] Colonel: MARG Scientists. Says, they wants to go to battle in their lab coats When the day comes, ya ever see Ôem go? <>[00:00] Alec: No sir. Trying to understand the insurgents. Help you in the battlefield. Understand your enemy. <>[00:00] Colonel: Ya canÕt help me understand Major Huber, but you is sleepinÕ in a bunk that could be used by a soldier that would help me take Skatoot. [beat] Corporal? <>[00:00] Juma: Done for today, Sir. <>[00:00] Colonel: [again commanding voice] OK Chilren, letÕs go and bring some peace to this godforsakenland. DISmissed. [beat] Safe trip home perfesser. <>[00:00] Sound: [people standing up and leaving] <>[00:00] Sound: [Colonel walking Away] Scene 1.2: ÒRoom in TownÓ Location: The HQ tent of a military base Time: Immediately following the prior scene This is in a common desk area for the senior officers, the officers who run the base and lead the soldiers. It is close to the meeting room of the prior scene. <>[00:00] Sound: [chairs: Celi and Alec] <>[00:00] Sound: [walking: Celi and Alec] <>[00:00] Celi: You there Alec? [beat] Professor Alec? [beat] No time for a slow burn. [beat] Come out. Come out. Big Bad Colonel is gone. <>[00:00] Alec: [A gasp that could be crying and anger ] <>[00:00] Celi: [realizing trouble]. No Alec. You OK? <>[00:00] Alec: I donÕt know what to do Celi. Eight months. AndÉn owhere. Nothing. YouÕre in the Army. YouÕre an officer. Help me. <>[00:00] Celi: As an officer, IÕd recommend cussing. As your friend, I can tell you itÕs fattening and you should limit your outtake. <>[00:00] Alec: DonÕt make fun of me. CanÕt go back. Nothing to show. Been here eight months. Barely understand... <>[00:00] Celi: Other options. <>[00:00] Alec: Not without a place to live. <>[00:00] Celi: Take a room in town. <>[00:00] Alec: Off base? <>[00:00] Celi: Barely. Kapu Varu. Lovely colonial village. Spanish moss. Live oaks. Civic square. <>[00:00] Alec: Outside the perimeter? <>[00:00] Celi: Think of the opportunities. A quick affair with a brooding and handsome expat journalist. <>[00:00] Alec: Think Òmy results might vary.Ó <>[00:00] Celi: Journalists are easy. [beat] And they have expense accounts. <>[00:00] Alec: But. [slight sound of disgust] [beat] Facilities. <>[00:00] Celi: Safe as the base. <>[00:00] Alec: [real issue] Plumbing. Indoors? <>[00:00] Celi: [sarcastic] You wanted to be on the front lines. Think of the stories youÕll have to tell. <>[00:00] Alec: [sigh] Guess itÕs an option. <>[00:00] Celi: Got some contacts. Let me ask. <>[00:00] Sound: [walking: Juma] <>[00:00] Alec: [deeper sigh] Well.. <>[00:00] Juma: Captain. Professor. <>[00:00] Celi: Ah, Corporal. <>[00:00] Juma: Captain, Colonel wants to you know. Major Willard is returning to base. HeÕll help with Skatoot. <>[00:00] Celi: [Surprised]. Help? That will be novel. How long? <>[00:00] Juma: Couple weeks. Long as needed. <>[00:00] Celi: ÒForewarned is forearmed.Ó Thank you Corporal. <>[00:00] Sound: [walking away: Juma] <>[00:00] Alec: Willard? <>[00:00] Celi: Major. Yeah. Been here before. Interesting the Colonel wants him back. Act II Scene 2.0: ÒKindly wishes to informÓ Location: The stage as with prior monologues Time: Shortly before Scene 1.0 <>[00:00] Alec (solo): ÒClosest I came to death.Ó [beat] Two categories: ÒCloseÓ, ÒNot CloseÓ. [breath out] <>[00:00] Alec (solo): HQ tent. Early evening. Working alone. A shade crossed my path. A dark angel. The Records Clerk of Death. <>[00:00] Alec (solo): An outstretched hand. A folder. Casualty Acknowledgement Forms. Paper spirits of the lately departed. Identities that would follow them home. Data that must wander the earth In search of rest and peace. Data brings life And after life, <>[00:00] Alec (solo): ÒCloseÓ. ÒNot Close.Ó A wave of the hand sends away DeathÕs Record Clerk ÒUnable to accept,Ó I said. Not an officer. Not in the military. Not one that could take. Not one that would accept. With nothing more. The shade lifted and the dark angel departed. It was the closest I came Scene 2.1: ÒCommon InterestsÓ Location: Camp. Outside near the HQ building. Time: Early Summer. A week after the last scene of the prior act. <>[00:00] Sound: [papers & computers put away] <>[00:00] Sound: [Easton walking] <>[00:00] Major: The distinguished Professor Effson? <>[00:00] Alec: [DoesnÕt recognize] Uh um. No. Officer? <>[00:00] Major: Willard. Major Eaton Willard. <>[00:00] Alec: Oh. Yes. Heard [about you] <>[00:00] Major: And I you. [beat] [You have some] Ambitious ideas. Walk you back to your desk? <>[00:00] Alec: Okaaaay. [exhales] So this is the end. <>[00:00] Major: DonÕt think so. [beat] Common interests. <>[00:00] Alec: [tired] Confiscate my keys? [beat] Escort me out? <>[00:00] Major: [Chuckle]. Noooooo. You help us. We help you. How things work in the Army. <>[00:00] Alec: [wary] But IÕm leaving. [beat] The Colonel. His order. <>[00:00] Major: DonÕt worry Ôbout him. Lot of things on his mind. <>[00:00] Alec: Like getting me off the base. <>[00:00] Major: Skatoot. Military priorities. Compared to that, youÕre nothing. <>[00:00] Sound: [beeps and boops on phone] <>[00:00] Alec: ÒNothing.Ó ThatÕs um good? [changing subjects]. What are you doing? <>[00:00] Major: Texting Captain Pritel. [beat] Chief of planning, SheÕll want to hear about our strategies. <>[00:00] Alec: Strategy. [beat] Way, way, wait. WhatÕs this about? <>[00:00] Major: Pulling you into the discussions. Help us with that sticky little insurgent capital of Skatoot. Help you / É <>[00:00] Alec: ^ No. No. No. Here to study. Not here to do the ArmyÕs work. <>[00:00] Major: You want to stay? Gotta show the Colonel youÕre useful. <100i.1>[00:00] Alec: yes Ébut Éwait wait <>[00:00] Sound: [walking: Captain Pritel] <>[00:00] Celi: [Distant and slightly pleased] Major Willard. [beat] Back from your death march? <>[00:00] Major: ÒI shall return,Ó said I. [See Note 2.1] <>[00:00] Celi: And return you did, [beat] and left, [beat] and returned again. [A pause and then questioningly] Must say I had my doubts, Major. <>[00:00] Major: Most brilliant idea. Professor Effson. Keep her here a couple extra weeks? Help with planning? [beat] Skatoot. <>[00:00] Celi: May I respectfully remind the Major that the Colonel put planning command in my hands? <>[00:00] Major: SheÕll need a bunk. Might there be an unused one at your quarters? [beat] Things go as they have in the past? <>[00:00] Celi: [Pause and then a little snarky] Not at the moment. [beat] Helping her look for a place in town. <>[00:00] Major: Pity. [beat] Not my first choice. <>[00:00] Alec: Not mine either. <>[00:00] Celi: Talking with one of our translators. ShouldnÕt upset the Colonel. <>[00:00] Sound: [walking: Colonel] <>[00:00] Major: Ignore the Colonel. Not a problem <>[00:00] Colonel: Nice to know your commanding offÕcer is not a problem. <>[00:00] Major: Just trying to follow your lead, sir. <>[00:00] Colonel: My lead or yours, Major? Whatever it is, it better take us to Skatoot. [beat] Captain Pritel. [beat] Your presence is requested. [beat] We gots ourselves a mysterious visitor. Scene 2.2 ÒDistinguished CallerÓ Location: Same as above then walking back to HQ building. Time: Immediately following preceding scene. <>[00:00] Sound: [walking Colonel; Pritel] <>[00:00] Celi: Mysterious visitor? <>[00:00] Colonel: ÒStick close to your desks and never go to sea.Ó <>[00:00] Celi: [completing the line]. Ooooo. A ruler of the queenÕs army?Ó [See Note 2.2] <>[00:00] Colonel: That what likes that about you, CapÕn. So fast on the download. <>[00:00] Sound: [walking changes pitch & stops: Celi and Colonel] <>[00:00] Celi: Brass from Washington? <>[00:00] Colonel: Oh no. Much more important. [semi whisper] Mad Scientist. From Secretary of Defense. <>[00:00] Celi: Mad at us? Or just generally mad? <>[00:00] Sound: [door close] <>[00:00] Colonel: Captain Pritel, may I present to you Doctor Portillo of the Military Advanced Research Group. <>[00:00] Celi: Pleased to meet you. <>[00:00] Portillo: IÕm sure. <>[00:00] Colonel: Pritel handles the projects that fall outside the usual commands. ÔCludes your people. <>[00:00] Celi: [ad hoc] Just one MARG researcher on base at the moment. <>[00:00] Portillo: One team, of course. The QRTs. <>[00:00] Colonel: [clears throat] Program Officer Portillo believes Òmechanical donkeysÓ might be running lose in our quarters. <>[00:00] Portillo: The Quadruple Robot Group. Quite promising. Been here since fall term. <>[00:00] Celi: Robots? No, MaÕam. Nothing like that. <>[00:00] Portillo: YouÕre mistaken, Captain. Not what the paperwork says. <>[00:00] Celi: Pretty hard to hide in a desert. No robots. No researchers. <>[00:00] Portillo: An error in reporting, surely. Stunning videos of their work. Robots leading troops at the front. <>[00:00] Colonel: [snarky]. ÔSpecht that was Major Huber. He do look like a donkey at times. <>[00:00] Celi: Sure itÕs real? Maybe a cell phone and a green screen?[beat] Could have done it in their bedrooms. <>[00:00] Portillo: [confident and superior]. Your attitude is not helpful. They are contracted to do battlefield research. Hence they must be here. I trust you have not mislaid them. <>[00:00] Celi: We do have one MARG researcher on base. <>[00:00] Portillo: Ah. You remember. <>[00:00] Celi: Alec Effson. Studying insurgency leadership. Role of Women. <>[00:00] Portillo: [disappointed]. No. Not Right. SheÕsÉ. Anthropology? Ethnography. Something like that. [beat] Scene 2.3: Ò Air of Kapu VaroÓ Location: A distant part of the city Time: Two or three days after the last scene. <>[00:00] Sound: [walking down alley] <>[00:00] Sound: [kids playing in alley] <>[00:00] Alec: Never been in this part of town, Celi. [beat] [not pleased] The smell. <>[00:00] Celi: Curry, two-cycle engines, and open sewers. The sweet air of Kapu Varo. <>[00:00] Alec: [slightly distressed] YouÕre not selling this idea very well. [beat] You going to tell me about meeting Dr. Portillo from MARG. <>[00:00] Celi: Not much to say. [semi whisper ] Mad Scientist [beat] / Here. This house. <152i.1>[00:00] Alec: ^Hey. My people. <>[00:00] Sound: [Hand bell] <>[00:00] Seor: [hello] Ullu? <>[00:00] Celi: Eta Tacqua? [beat] Here to see Eta Tacqua? <>[00:00] Seor: [Just a moment] Parpar. <>[00:00] Sound: [walking away] <>[00:00] Alec: Language? I donÕt know. How am IÉ? <>[00:00] Celi: EtaÕs one of our translators. SheÕs good. <>[00:00] Eta: [As door unlocked] Captain? Captain? Is that you? <>[00:00] Sound: [steps: eta] <>[00:00] Celi: May your roof be blessed. <>[00:00] Eta: Your steps be joyful. <>[00:00] Sound: [Door unlocking] <>[00:00] Celi: Eta, this is Professor Effson. Told you about her. <>[00:00] Eta: The Sage, yeah. A woman of silver words. [beat] Welcome. Welcome. <>[00:00] Celi: Very excited about your room. Thinks the location is great. <>[00:00] Eta: Yes. Come. Come. Come. Yes. Best in the house. <>[00:00] Sound: [walking] <>[00:00] Celi: Nice view of the river. <>[00:00] Alec: [lower voice] What are you? A rental agent? <>[00:00] Celi: Been here before. <>[00:00] Alec: ÒYouÕre results may vary.Ó <>[00:00] Eta: View. And bed, yeah. And corner for study and prayer. <>[00:00] Alec: [anxious] IÕd be part of the family? <>[00:00] Celi: [To Alec] A side door. WonÕt disturb anyone when you come and go. <>[00:00] Alec: [a little surprised]. Ok. ItÕs nicer... [beat] Big. [beat] Picture on the wall. Who is it? <>[00:00] Celi: [to Eta] EtaÕs Uncle. From Cayho. North. By the mountains. <>[00:00] Alec: [intrigued]. Be interested, interested in meeting family. Interviewing them. <>[00:00] Eta: [little surprised and misunderstands] DonÕt need to... Side door. Private. <>[00:00] Alec: [stumbles] No. No. [beat] Understand, you know, study. [beat] As a ÒSageÓ. <>[00:00] Eta: Ah. For research, yeah? <>[00:00] Alec: Research. Yes, yes. For university.[beat] <>[00:00] Eta: You need assistant like Captain Celi? Budget? Contract? Statement of work? Act III Scene 3.0: ÒEnd of the TownÓ Location: The stage Time: Night. Shortly after Scene 2.0 <>[00:00] Alec (solo): Closest I came to death. Three categories: ÒExperienced DirectlyÓ, ÒExperienced IndirectlyÓ, ÒExperienced NeverÓ. <>[00:00] Alec (solo): Evening. Motor pool. Looking for Celi. Back from convoy duty. <>[00:00] Alec (solo): Trucks idling. Alva Ð Sgt. Emre - checking. Celi Ð Captain Pritel - inside. SheÕll get her. Would I stand guard? <>[00:00] Alec (solo): Guard? Yes. What to guard? [beat] Just guard. Stand watch. <>[00:00] Alec (solo): Turned to the truck. Walked left. Walked right. Let the night settle. ÒDirectly.Ó ÒIndirectly.Ó ÒNever.Ó Eyes adjust. Back of the truck. A sleeve. An arm. An insignia. An outstretched hand fallen to the ground. <>[00:00] Alec (solo): Bodies. Medvac. An ambush? A village? Cayho? Tolva? End of the road? End of the town? <>[00:00] Alec (solo): [lyrically with a gentle rhythm] DonÕt go down. James a nd Safra. Lily and Mo. Whatever your names may be. You must never go down to the end of the town if you donÕt go down with me. [See Note 3.1] <>[00:00] Alec (solo): I straightened. Stood. Looked away. A moment more. <>[00:00] Alec (solo): [Started by Alec (solo); Celi Joins] DonÕt go down. <>[00:00] Celi: DonÕt ever go down to the end of the town, [beat] if you donÕt go down with me. Scene 3.1: ÒReady for CommandÓ Location: Motor Pool of the camp. A low tent near the fence Time: Night. A couple of days after the last scene of the prior act. <>[00:00] Sound: [walking] <>[00:00] Major: Emre. Sergeant Emre. Can you answer a question? Motor Pool. <>[00:00] Sgt. Emre: Vehicle sir? Major Willard. <>[00:00] Major: DSEC/MARG Researcher. The professor. Friend of Captain PritelÕs? Alec. <>[00:00] Sgt. Emre: Here the other night. Stood guard on a medvac. Casualties from Cayho Junction. <198i>[00:00] Sound: [background sounds drop] <>[00:00] Major: Good soul. Trying to help her a bit. Convoy. Front lines. <>[00:00] Sgt. Emre: Where sir? <>[ 00:00] Major: North-northeast region. Cayho. Baba. Fekeet Labu <>[00:00] Sgt. Emre: Vehicles? How many? <>[00:00] Major: Three trucks, including escorts. <>[00:00] Sgt. Emre: Easy enough. You Convoy Commander, Major? <>[00:00] Major: SheÕll do it. IÕll sign off. [beat] Need you as Vehicle Commander. <>[00:00] Sgt. Emre: Not going out much. Should be here. Can recommend /É [some people] <>[00:00] Major: No. [beat] You. <>[00:00] Sgt. Emre: Sir? <>[00:00] Major: Wants to be a scientist under battlefield conditions. Need someone who can get her out if something happens. <>[00:00] Sgt. Emre: How close sir? To the front. <>[00:00] Major: Close enough. Maybe five miles. <>[00:00] Sgt. Emre: Could get some attention. <>[00:00] Major: Need someone who knows the back roads. <>[00:00] Sgt. Emre: DonÕt need me for that. <>[00:00] Major: Need someone who is not scared to take them. <>[00:00] Sgt. Emre: Any good driver. <>[00:00] Major: Someone who knows how to hide from the enemy. [beat] YouÕre the one to do it Sergeant. Scene 3.2 ÒNothing HiddenÓ Location: Starts at tent near HQ building. Moves outside the gates to the camp. Time: Two or so days after prior scene. <>[00:00] Sound: [walking: Eta and Alec] <218i.1>[00:00] Sound: [Children Playing] <218i.2>[00:00] Sound: [Motorcycle] <218i.3>[00:00] Sound: [Honking ] <218i.4>[00:00] Sound: [Bell] <>[00:00] Alec: That is the town hall? <>[00:00] Eta: Colonial Office, yeah. Old time. <>[00:00] Alec: Very pretty. <>[00:00] Eta: With the square, yes, children like it. <>[00:00] Alec: You grew up here. Your family? <>[00:00] Eta: No. To the north. [Change of attention]. Table! At the CafŽ! Waiting for us! A blessing. Under the tree. <>[00:00] Alec: Oh. <>[00:00] Sound: [quick walking to table] <>[00:00] Sound: [pulling chairs] <>[00:00] Sound: [sitting] <>[00:00] Eta: This is the best! You can see everyone. <>[00:00] Alec: When did you move to Kapu Varo? <>[00:00] Eta: The chief of police will come by. You will like him, yeah. He is very nice. [beat] And a reporter. Very good looking <>[00:00] Alec: Celi told you to say that. [beat] YouÕve been working for her as a translator? <>[00:00] Eta: Translator, yes, and other things. [beat] [to kids] Tano! Subo! Over here. Say hello to my friend. [beat] Their mother. Went to school with my daughter. <>[00:00] Alec: Your daughter is here? <>[00:00] Eta: North. Family home. Cayho. With her husband. [beat] She wants to meet you. Very interested. <>[00:00] Alec: [unsure]. I would love to. <>[00:00] Eta: Cayho. I think you should study Cayho, yeah. Many people. Both sides of war. <>[00:00] Alec: [a little scared]. LetÕs take a look. Maybe a trip. Preliminary. <>[00:00] Sound: [walking up] <>[00:00] Tano: Eta Ullu. <>[00:00] Eta: [to a kid]. Tano. This is my friend Alec-toe. SheÕs a Sage. Can you say hello to her? <>[00:00] Tano: Alec-toe Ullu. <>[00:00] Alec: Hello Tano. <>[00:00] Eta: WhereÕs your sister? <>[00:00] Tano: [pointing Òover thereÓ] Ika-say. <>[00:00] Eta: Ah. The monument. No. No. No. She shouldnÕt be climbing. <246i.1>[00:00] Tano: Jiji. / Subo, jiji. <>[00:00] Eta: LetÕs get her. Then we go to your mother. <>[00:00] Tano: NemÉ. [No. ] <>[00:00] Alec: Can IÉ <249i.1>[00:00] Tano: NemÉ. Majadi. [No. Stay here] <249i .2>[00:00] Eta: No. No. Tano. Come with me. <>[00:00] Eta: Order some sweet tea for us. [beat] I will be back [to child]. Come Tano. <250i.1>[00:00] Tano: Nem, nemmmmmm! Majadi. Crom Crom!! [No. Noooooo. Stay. DonÕt want to go!]. <251i.2>[00:00] Eta: No. No. Tano. Come with me. <>[00:00] Sound: [walking away] <>[00:00] Sound: [swelling of ambient noise, including people talking, traffic, kids playing and pigeons] <>[00:00] Sound: [walking quickly] <>[00:00] Celi: [across square] Alec? Here? What? <>[00:00] Alec: Hey. Celi.. <>[00:00] Celi: Four days off base and youÕve gone native. Come <>[00:00] Alec: Eta and I are talking. Research plans. <>[00:00] Sound: [Motorcycle rushes past] <>[00:00] Sound: [backfire] <>[00:00] Celi: [Firm and Urgent] Ahh. [beat] Stt. Tell me later. [beat] Come with me. <>[00:00] Alec: [Big and Surprised] Why? We have a table.. <>[00:00] Celi: Come. Now. /. Grab your bag. <>[00:00] Sound: [steps; Alec & Celi] <>[00:00] Alec: ^ My arm É. Let me walkÉ <>[00:00] Celi: Take my hand. DonÕt look back. <>[00:00] Alec: Back? <>[00:00] Celi: Behind the building. Left. Now. <>[00:00] Sound: [steps stop] <>[00:00] Sound: [Explosion] <>[00:00] Sound: [Echo] <>[00:00] Sound: [debris falling] <>[00:00] Sound: [bodies hitting ground: Alec and major] <>[00:00] Alec: What? <>[00:00] Celi: Cover your head. One one thousand. Two one thousand. <>[00:00] Alec: There are people out there. <>[00:00] Sound: [siren in background] <>[00:00] Sound: [people crying help in the background] <>[00:00] Celi: [firm] And weÕre here. Three thousand. Four thousand. Five thousand . <>[00:00] Alec: ArenÕt you going to do anything? <>[00:00] Celi: [firm] DonÕt [ironic] DonÕt ever go down. [beat] Seven [gasp]. Eight [gasp]. Nine [gasp] <>[00:00] Sound: [Big explosion close] <>[00:00] Sound: [crying in the background] <>[00:00] Alec: Eaaah! <>[00:00] Celi: Just hold on to me. <>[00:00] Alec: WhatÕs going on? <>[00:00] Celi: Insurgents are saying Òhello.Ó[beat] <286i.1>00:00] Celi: [ironic] Your results may vary. Scene 3.3: ÒWhat do we know?Ó Location: HQ Offices Time: Four or five hours after last scene. Shortly after explosion <>[00:00] Colonel: You donÕ think we need to go after this kaboomery? <>[00:00] Celi: HowÕs it going to make a difference in our plans for Skatoot? Black powder bomb? Soft target? <>[00:00] Colonel: Message to us? Watch yourself? <>[00:00] Celi: Message to their own, more likely. We employ a lot of them. <>[00:00] Colonel: ÒWhich side are you on, boysÓ? <>[00:00] Celi: ÒWe know wher e you live, friends, which side are you on.Ó [See Note 4.2] <>[00:00] Colonel: Nice [that] you know the classics, CapÕn. [DonÕt believe] Locals donÕt seem very excited. <>[00:00] Celi: Playing the waiting game. Think weÕll get tired and leave. [beat] Translator. Said as much. <>[00:00] Colonel: [not believing] Meybee. [beat] Translator. Eat Ð a her name? [beat] <>[00:00] Celi: Eta Tacqua, sir. <>[00:00] Colonel: [serious]. You got the Perfesser staying with her, donÕcha. <>[00:00] Celi: [Surprised] Ah. Oh. Yes. <>[00:00] Colonel: Dearie, this ainÕt thaÕ big a base. PerfesserÕs been struttinÕ Ôround town AnÕ last I knew, weÕd taken away her sleepinÕ roll. <>[00:00] Celi: Right. <>[00:00] Colonel: Gather she found a way to Ôxtend her time in the field. Maybe with somebodyÕs help? <>[00:00] Celi: Looks that way. <>[00:00] Colonel: Meybee her roleÕs misunderstood? [beat] [Foreign] FuÕreignÕ woman? Dresses big? Talks bigger? <>[00:00] Celi: DonÕt think so. Maybe view her as a distraction.. <>[00:00] Colonel: ÔLooks like sumptinÕ more than a distraction ta me. [beat] Bring her back on base. <>[00:00] Celi: Sir? <>[00:00] Colonel: DonÕt want her here but sheÕs less trouble on the base then she is in town. <>[00:00] Celi: [Surprised] Oh. [beat] Talk to the Adjutant about a bunk? <>[00:00] Colonel: Think I know where to find a bunk that hasnÕt been used for last week or so. <>[00:00] Celi: [slightly admitting] Sir? <>[00:00] Colonel: Since MajorÕs WillardÕs arrival? [beat] Might have your name on it. [beat] In the womenÕs officerÕs quarters. <>[00:00] Celi: [little defiant] You been checking the womenÕs bunks? <>[00:00] Colonel: DonÕ need to, CapÕn. Ma eagles gots good ears. Someday youÕll gonna get a pair yourself YouÕll see the amazinÕ thinÕs they can do. Act IV Scene 4.0: ÒThe JunctionÓ Location: The stage Time: Shortly after Scene 3.0 <>[00:00] Alec (solo): Closest IÕve come to death? Put it on a scale. One to Seven. ÒOneÓ is close. ÒSevenÓ is far. ÒFourÓ is neither close nor far. [See Note 4.1] <>[00:00] Alec (solo): Volunteered for convoy duty. Get a bit closer. Get experience. Ten trucks to Tolva. See the sector. Observe. Learn. <>[00:00] Alec (solo): Commander. The ÒYoung LieutenantÓ. Dashing. Energetic. A little cute. A lot sure of himself. <>[00:00] Alec (solo): Battlefield traffic slowed the trip. Three hours to Tolva. Desert. Scrub. Ravines. Houses. Mile after mile after mile. <>[00:00] Alec (solo): Unload. Three hours. Return. Checkpoint. Ordered to hold. More traffic. Young Lieutenant takes advantage. Jumps from cab. Struts towards rear tire. [beat] Pulls at zipper. Two feet away from me [beat] Three at most. Heard the shot. Felt the blood. Saw him fall. <>[00:00] Alec (solo): Pulled him to the truck. Collective effort. Still breathing. Emre zipped him up. Death gave us priority for trip home. Scene 4.1 ÒOfficersÕ MessÓ Location: The Main HQ tent. Time: Three days after the last scene of Act 3. <>[00:00] Major: This bench taken? <>[00:00] Celi: Only one person in the officerÕs mess You need to sit next to her? <>[00:00] Major: It would not be chivalrous if I left you by yourself. <>[00:00] Celi: [half teasing] Chivalry? DidnÕt think you had any in you. <>[00:00] Major: No Chivalry? Then how do you account For my great successes? <>[00:00] Celi: Clever tactics A bit of good timing. [beat] Ô And an ego that wonÕt admit It screwed up and got exiled to the borderlands. <>[00:00] Major: To return in greater triumph. <>[00:00] Celi: But nothing has changed. Same landscape. Same hills. Same ravines. Same towns that successfully resist an approach. <>[00:00] Major: So we shall be chivalrous And daring And dashing And beat timing at her own game. <>[00:00] Celi: WonÕt be enough. <>[00:00] Major: Worked in the past. <>[00:00] Celi: IÕm turning the past upside down The old will be new The familiar strange And every decision for the enemy Will be a bad choice. [beat] ThatÕs my plan. Scene 4.2: ÒQuadrupedal RobotsÓ Location: The Main HQ tent. Time: Same time as prior scene. <>[00:00] Sound: [walking] <>[00:00] Alec: Anju. Um Corporal Juma. Doctor Portillo. Looking for her. She wants to see me <>[00:00] Juma: Doctor has a special desk. In the side tent. <>[00:00] Alec: Thought sheÕd be with the officers. [beat] Embedded. Integrated. <>[00:00] Juma: So she says MaÕam. [beat] Here. <>[00:00] Alec: Um. Doctor. <>[00:00] Sound: [video] <>[00:00] Portillo: Professor Effson. Come in, come in. [beat] Something to show you. [beat] Video. Quadrupedal Robot group. <>[00:00] Alec: [not sure what to say] Interesting. Yeah. Walking uh crawling over things. [beat] What do you want me to see? <>[00:00] Portillo: Not the research. [beat] For once. [beat] The landscape. <>[00:00] Alec: TheyÕre in front of a lake? Is that here? <>[00:00] Portillo: Chesapeake Bay. [beat] Maryland. [beat] TheyÕve never been here. Not close. <>[00:00] Alec: How did you find them? <>[00:00] Portillo: Captain Pritel. She has a little skill with the Internet. <>[00:00] Alec: The robots look good. <>[00:00] Portillo: Battlefield research. ThatÕs the grant. [irritated] TheyÕre supposed to be here and now I have to go fetch them. [beat] <>[00:00] Alec: Back to the states? <>[00:00] Portillo: Morning flight to Maryland. Round trip. [beat] So, whatÕs our agenda for today? <>[00:00] Alec: Extension. Talk about extending my grant. <>[00:00] Portillo: This is ethnography. Insurgents. Leaders. Tribes. Female enablers. <>[00:00] Alec: [surprised]. Yes, actuallyÉ <>[00:00] Portillo: Too many results or not enough? <>[00:00] Alec: No um. Still working to build contacts with the insurgents. Not easy. <>[00:00] Portillo: Probably not. [beat] YouÕre delaying the inevitable? <>[00:00] Alec: MaÕam? <>[00:00] Portillo: Ambitious plan you canÕt complete. [beat] <>[00:00] Alec: No MaÕam. I can get this done. <>[00:00] Portillo: YouÕre scared. My guess. [beat] CanÕt handle battlefield research. <>[00:00] Alec: [little defiant]. Faced a bomb in the town. Walked away. Do it again if I have to. <>[00:00] Portillo: Animal courage is not the same thing as intellectual courage. [beat] Extension is easy enough if you have results. <>[00:00] Alec: Working on them. <>[00:00] Portillo: Know what you should do? WhatÕll help you more? Teach the engineers a lesson. Teach them what they should do. [beat] <>[00:00] Alec: [awkward]. Umm DonÕt know what would mean. <>[00:00] Portillo: Social scientist. You understand the environment, the pressure, the value of front line research, the way it improves work. <>[00:00] Alec: Does it? <>[00:00] Portillo: That is the foundation of MARGÕs work <>[00:00] Alec: [irony] YouÕre a better scientist if youÕve had an encounter with death? <>[00:00] Portillo: [observation] You believe that. <>[00:00] Alec: I do? <>[00:00] Portillo: There are easier ways for a small-town teacher to make her reputation. <>[00:00] Alec: [defiant] Like doing good research. <>[00:00] Portillo: If you have that in youÉ[beat] which doesnÕt seem likely at this point. <>[00:00] Alec: So my article gets the title ÒResearch Under Fire.Ó <>[00:00] Portillo: How about ÒMy Brush with Death,Ó No. No. No. ÒThe Closest IÕve come to Death.Ó <,ummm.> <>[00:00] Alec: You think thatÕs good? <>[00:00] Portillo: MARG would be very appreciative. It would be very helpful. <>[00:00] Alec: For you. But my university? <>[00:00] Portillo: TheyÕd love it. [beat] Trust me. Scene 4.3: ÒMay the sun warm your faceÓ Location: EtaÕs House Time: Three days after prior scene. <>[00:00] Sound: [kids playing in background] <>[00:00] Sound: [dog] <>[00:00] Sound: [Steps] <>[00:00] Sound: [bell.] <>[00:00] Eta: Ah. An old friend at my door. <>[00:00] Major: My dear Eta. May the morning sun warm your smiling face. <>[00:00] Eta: And the gentle breeze guide your steps. <>[00:00] Sound: [cheek kissing sounds] <>[00:00] Eta: We feared that you would not return, eah. The news we heard. [Slight variation on ÒyeahÓ] <>[00:00] Major: And you can see it is true and that I am not here. <>[00:00] Eta: Are you to join us? Return to our home, yeah? <>[00:00] Major: Perhaps, dear friend, Perhaps another day. [beat] Do I understand that you are now working for our Professor? <>[00:00] Eta: Perhaps, yeah. Our family. We are talking. <>[00:00] Major: Certainly, there can be no objection. Your sons? [beat] What do they think of her? <>[00:00] Eta: They think she is very beautiful. <>[00:00] Major: Ah, And they grew up with an example of great beauty before them. [beat] <>[00:00] Eta: [ironic] You flatter, Major. <>[00:00] Major: But they think she is a spy. [beat] They must learn to trust. [beat] <>[00:00] Eta: As the world learns to trust them, yeah. <>[00:00] Major: What did they find [beat] when they searched her things? <>[00:00] Eta: Major! A guest? It would dishonor this house. Why would you say this? <>[00:00] Major: They searched my things while I stayed with you. <>[00:00] Eta: But when you came, we knew you had something to hid, yeah. <>[00:00] Major: Perhaps I did. [beat] Did your sons find anything? <>[00:00] Eta: Her books. Emails. <>[00:00] Major: Professors read books and write emails. [beat] That what they do. Boring, perhaps, but not treasonous. [beat] Has your daughter spoken to her? <>[00:00] Eta: My daughter lives in Cayho now. [beat] She has a second baby. <>[00:00] Major: A blessing from heaven. A younger brother to join an older sister? <>[00:00] Eta: We are very happy. <>[00:00] Major: You daughter was very kind to the Captain. <>[00:00] Eta: The Captain was kind in return. <>[00:00] Major: You will get the same kindness from the Professor. The two are very close. <>[00:00] Eta: ÒYou may get different differences from my differences,Ó yeah? Is that not what they say? <>[00:00] Major: It is very much what they say but not what they mean. [beat] I hope your daughter will talk with the professor soon. Scene 4.4: ÒThree PossibilitiesÓ Location: CeliÕs desk. Time: A day after prior scene. <>[00:00] Sound: [typing: Celi] <>[00:00] Sound: [walking entrance: Alec] <>[00:00] Alec: Celi <>[00:00] Sound: [bag on desk: Celi] <>[00:00] Celi: Hold that thoughtÉ. Just a second. [beat] Almost. [beat] And / swooshÉOff it goes. <>[00:00] Sound: [email swoosh: Celi] <>[00:00] Alec: You look happy. <>[00:00] Celi: Done! And itÕs going to work this time. I know it. Operation Silver Platter. <>[00:00] Alec: Work? What? <>[00:00] Celi: You know. Battle plan. Expand the front. [beat] Take Skatoot. [beat] ItÕs a good one. WeÕre going to make it. <>[00:00] Alec: When is the operation? <>[00:00] Celi: CouldnÕt tell you if I knew. [beat] Soon. That copy of the plans went to ColonelÕs desk. <>[00:00] Alec: My research. Will it interfere? IÕm going to Cayho [beat] Tomorrow. First trip. Then maybe Fakeet Labu. <>[00:00] Celi: No. Part of the plan. Out and back And safely clear of the conflict. <>[00:00] Alec: Still able to observe? To study battlefield leadership? <>[00:00] Celi: No guarantee. ÒYour results may vary.Ó But best opportunity. <>[00:00] Alec: So yeah. Still. IÕm Ok. I am. Ready to do this. But could I ask? Ask a favor? The favor. <>[00:00] Celi: Sure. <>[00:00] Alec: With me. Will you come? Can you come? <>[00:00] Celi: On your research trips? <>[00:00] Alec: Yeah. Will the ArmyÉ <>[00:00] Celi: Scared? ÒYour resultsÉÓ <>[00:00] Alec: Three options. [deadly serious]. Come back. [beat] DonÕt come back. [beat] Come back with nothing. <>[00:00] Celi: How it works for us. <>[00:00] Alec: Come back with nothing. Seems thatÕs whatÕs going to happen. Career over. <>[00:00] Celi: ÒJob for life.Ó Tenure. University. YouÕve got that. <>[00:00] Alec: No idea do you. [beat] Not how it works any more. [beat] Always got to prove yourself. [beat] Job always on the line. <>[00:00] Celi: And yours? On the line? <>[00:00] Alec: Eight months. Need to have something. Learned a lot. Must show something. Need a story to tell. <>[00:00] Celi: Should be easy enough. IÕm staff on this operation, not a line officer. <>[00:00] Alec: You will come? <>[00:00] Celi: ItÕs in the plan. Scene 4.5: ÒOver Over ThereÓ Place: Colonels Desk Time: Same time as prior scene <>[00:00] Colonel: We ready, Major? <>[00:00] Major: Senior officers in agreement. <>[00:00] Colonel: GotÕs an innerÕesting role for Captain Pritel. <>[00:00] Major: Her idea. <>[00:00] Colonel: Keep her out of your direct command, if thatÕs the point. <>[00:00] Major: [little hesitantly]. It is sir. <>[00:00] Colonel: Prefer it. [beat] The perfesser? <>[00:00] Major: Knows it a war zone. <>[00:00] Colonel: She wonÕt Ògo home Ôtil itÕs over over there.Ó [See Note 5.1] <>[00:00] Major: She thinks she needs battlefield research. Worried how her employer will judge her. <>[00:00] Colonel: A soldier or a school teacher; CanÕt be both. <>[00:00] Major: Research on the front line She can handle it. [beat] Been OK after the blast, blast in the town. <>[00:00] Colonel: But does she know itÕs mission first? Our mission? [beat] AnÕ do you know that? Act V Scene 5.0: ÒCheckpoint with Sweet TeaÓ Location: A stage Time: Shortly after Scene 4.0. <>[00:00] Alec (solo): Closest IÕve come to death? Seven point scale, adjusted for distance. Death in your arms? Extra point. <>[00:00] Alec (solo): A week ago. Trip to Cayho. Preliminary study. Women not ready to talk. Men watching. Listening. Eta gossips. Chats. Talks nonstop. Not best observer. But good contacts. <>[00:00] Alec (solo): Return. Convoy stops. Outside Checkpoint. We sit. Emre. Celi. Me. Eta sleeping in the back. Five minutes. Ten minutes. No information. <>[00:00] Alec (solo): Two soldiers. Insurgent uniforms. Armed. Come to the truck door. Order us out. <>[00:00] Alec (solo): Celi objects. Points to the lead truck. Convoy Commander. His orders only. <>[00:00] Alec (solo): Soldiers get angry. Yell. Shake the door. Eta stirs. <>[00:00] Eta: ÒDo not dishonor yourself, my sonsÓ she says. <>[00:00] Alec (solo): The conversation begins. Half in English. Half indigenous. Family. Honor. Duty. Pride. Character. Devotion. Respect. Eta scolds. Soldier boys look down. Shuffle their feet. Murmur agreement. <>[00:00] Alec (solo): Celi looks at me. I shrug my shoulders. She nods. There is something there. Something Eta has. Something to learn. <>[00:00] Alec (solo): Eta turns to us. <>[00:00] Eta: ÒSelfie,Ó she says. ÒBoys want selfie with you. Then they go. They didnÕt understand.Ó <>[00:00] Alec (solo): After a pause, she asks <>[00:00] Eta: ÒWe have sweet tea in the truck, yeah?Ó Scene 5.1: ÒL eave a Light OnÓ Place: Outside Motor Pool Time: Same time as prior scene <>[00:00] Sound: [trucks on gravel departing] <>[00:00] Major: Thought you were going to be first on the road. <>[00:00] Celi: Alec is looking for a notebook. Leave as soon as sheÕs back. <>[00:00] Major: You should really be leading a bigger unit today. Deserve it. <>[00:00] Celi: Intrigued with this one. <>[00:00] Major: [little ironic] Women on the front line? <>[00:00] Celi: Disrupt the insurgents. How much can I do with only three trucks? <>[00:00] Major: DonÕt get too good at it. Leave me something to fight. Show what I / can do. <>[00:00] Celi: [rebuking] ^No, no, no. Not going to ruin my plan. [beat] Hear me? No grandstanding. No pictures. No sudden change of tactics. Nothing that makes it about you. <>[00:00] Major: [mocking a little] ÒDonÕt go down to the end of the town.Ó <>[00:00] Celi: [a bit miffed]. No. [beat] Serious. DonÕt want to see you leading a parade back to the base. [beat] Remember last time. <>[00:00] Major: Turned out OK. <>[00:00] Celi: No it didnÕt. [firm] It failed. It failed because of you. We sat in the command tent and watched it fall apart. YouÕre not going to do that again. [beat] Keep to the plan. [beat] Mission first. <>[00:00] Major: [beat] Sure. See you tonight? ÒLeave a light on for ya.Ó Scene 5.2: ÒIndependent CommandÓ Location: On the Cayho Road. Time: Shortly after the last scene of the prior act. <>[00:00] Sound: [engines. Then slowing] <>[00:00] Alec: Wait. WeÕre stopping? Sgt. Emre? Still 30 minutes to Cayho. <>[00:00] Sgt Emre: Pullout. Two convoys need to pass. Little out of schedule. <>[00:00] Alec: [impatient without thinking] And they have priority? <>[00:00] Sgt Emre: Skatoot. Just part of the operation. <>[00:00] Alec: Need to be in Cayho in half an hour. <>[00:00] Sgt Emre: Baba. Redirected to Baba. New orders. Dispatcher. Just radioed. <492i.1>[00:00] Alec: [alec reactions] <>[00:00] Alec: Baba? No. No. No preparation in Baba. DonÕt even know what it looks like. <>[00:00] Sgt Emre: Those the orders. Talk to the Major. <>[00:00] Alec: The Major? Here? <>[00:00] Sgt Emre: Secure phone. Said you might want to talk. <>[00:00] Sound: [phone being passed: Alec] <>[00:00] Sound: [beeps of dialing: Alec] <498i.1>[00:00] Alec: [reacts] <>[00:00] Juma: KV-HQ. [See Note 5.2] <>[00:00] Alec: Um. Anju. Corporal Juma. Um Professor Effson. [beat] Need to talk with Major Willard. <>[00:00] Juma: Not here, maÕam. Field command. Operation Silver Platter. Skatoot. [beat] What do you need, maÕam? <>[00:00] Alec: Need to change the order thatÕs stopped my research convoy. <>[00:00] Juma: Put you through to the Colonel, maÕam. <>[00:00] Alec: [not expecting this]. The Colonel? <>[00:00] Sound: [clicking: Alec] <>[00:00] Colonel: ThatÕs who you got. Perfesser. <>[00:00] Alec: [stumbling at start].No. Sir. Yes. Trying to get to CayhoÉ Redirected to BabaÉ Research convoy. <>[00:00] Colonel: Well, Perfesser, thatÕs what you gets when you try to pickle the pears on laundry day. <508i.1>[00:00] Alec: [alec reacts] <>[00:00] Alec: DonÕt understand what youÕre saying Colonel. We have nothing to do with the conflict. <>[00:00] Colonel: [Serious] No. If youÕre in the field, youÕre part of the battle. <>[00:00] Alec: Research, Colonel, I said this again /and againÉ. <>[00:00] Colonel: [Seriously] What makeÕs ya think ma eagles didnÕt listen? <>[00:00] Alec: ÒGod forsaken little townÓ. ThatÕs what youÕd call it Colonel and thatÕs where IÕm apparently going. <>[00:00] Colonel: Distraction, Perfesser. ThatÕs what youÕve been [beat] and thatÕs where youÕre going. <>[00:00] Alec: Distraction? For who? <>[00:00] Colonel: ÒFor whom?Ó Grammatical correct question I believes. Tactically correct answer is Òan insurgent infantry unit.Ó <>[00:00] Alec: We canÕt be part of the operation. <>[00:00] Colonel: You needs a little heart to heart with your CapÕn. <>[00:00] Alec: Celi? <>[00:00] Colonel: If you want to see the insurgents in action, youÕre in the operation and if youÕre in the operation, youÕre part of the plan and the plannerÕs going to make the best use of you she can. <>[00:00] Alec: And I have no choice? <>[00:00] Colonel: Mission first. Unit second. Soldier third. Thems the way we looks at it. [beat] Need to get back to the stove before the kettle boils over. <>[00:00] Sound: [click of hanging up: Alec] <523i,1>[00:00] Alec: [alrec reacts] <>[00:00] Sound: [traffic in background] <>[00:00] Sgt Emre: Proceed to Baba? <>[00:00] Alec: Gotta talk with Celi. <>[00:00] Sound: [walking on gravel: Alec] <>[00:00] Sgt Emre: Snipers perfesser. <>[00:00] Alec: DonÕt care !!!!. Pritel! Out here! <>[00:00] Celi: [through window] What did you learn? <>[00:00] Sound: [truck door: Celi] <>[00:00] Sound: [feet on gravel: Celi] <>[00:00] Alec: ÒOur results are going to differ.Ó WeÕre redirected to Baba. <>[00:00] Celi: No. Not the plan. Everyone agreed you were going to Cayho. <>[00:00] Alec: As the decoy. As the stooge. <>[00:00] Celi: Misdirect insurgent units, yes, Always been the plan. <>[00:00] Alec: And you didnÕt think to tell me? <>[00:00] Celi: DidnÕt need to know. <>[00:00] Alec: Need to know? I didnÕt need to know? Prepared for one site, sent to another. All undone by a single battlefield decision. <539i.01>[00:00] Sound: [bullet] <>[00:00] Sgt Emre: Captain. Professor. Into the truck. Snipers. <>[00:00] Alec: [snaps] Tell me, Captain, am I studying the wrong side of the conflict? [beat] Not their side but ours? <>[00:00] Celi: [surprised] Our side? <>[00:00] Alec : Wanted to learn about women who made decisions for men <>[00:00] Celi: ThatÕs what youÕre doing. <>[00:00] Alec: No. Discovering one more place where men make decisions in the name of women. <>[00:00] Celi: No. Not true. Independent command. Set up in the plan. <>[00:00] Alec: How much did you pay for this independence? Because it doesnÕt seem weÕre getting very much for your money. [beat] [nasty] Or shouldnÕt I ask? <>[00:00] Celi: Within the operational envelope, we have complete authority over our activities. <>[00:00] Alec: ÒOperational Envelope?????Ó A strange answer to the question ÒAre we really independent?Ó <>[00:00] Sgt Emre: Because weÕre not independent. Not that much. <>[00:00] Celi: Emre? [beat] Wha What are you saying. <>[00:00] Sgt Emre: Major planned the convoy. Told me to take command if there was any danger. <>[00:00] Celi: What? He didnÕt. <>[00:00] Sgt Emre: His orders maÕam. <>[00:00] Celi: [change of tone] Yet again. Once more. How many times will this happen before I learn. <>[00:00] Sgt Emre: Keep you away from the insurgents. His orders. <>[00:00] Celi: He knew. [beat] He understood. [beat] My plan depends on drawing attention, on getting the insurgents to follow us. Otherwise, heÕll be outgunned on the main approach. <>[00:00] Alec: So, what do we do? Back to camp? <>[00:00] Celi: WeÕre going to Cayho. HeÕs going to need us. <>[00:00] Alec: [irony] So this is women influencing conflict decisions. <>[00:00] Celi: [correcting] Captains. [beat] Planners. [beat] Even researchers. [beat] [with a little punch] We take the victories we can get, Professor. [beat] Are you comfortable with it, Sergeant? <>[00:00] Sgt Emre: Cayho Road easier to cut than Baba Road. [beat] And Cayho Junction. Vulnerable. <>[00:00] Celi: [Firm]. Much easier to cut. Insurgents will make an attempt But still should be enough time for Cayho, [beat] time for our research. <>[00:00] Sgt Emre: We might have six, seven hours. And thereÕs always the back route, the Western Extension. <>[00:00] Celi: [blows air]. Not my favorite. Barely a road. <>[00:00] Sgt Emre: Try to avoid it if we can. [beat] And we can run quiet on the way back. Avoid attention . <>[00:00] Celi: With the cover of darkness, Sergeant. Our job will be done. LetÕs do some research. WeÕre going to Cayho. Act VI Scene 6.0 ÒTo the Western ExtensionÓ Location: A Stage. Time: Shortly after Scene 5.0 <>[01:06] Alec (solo): Closest I came to death. Make a scale Put Death on the distant horizon. Call that ÒoneÓ. Halve that distance. Call it Òtwo.Ó One more cut and itÕs at Òthree.Ó <>[00:00] Alec (solo): ÒHalf a league, half a league, half a league onwardÓ. Death jumps closer and closer. At ÒfourÓ it calls your name. At ÒfiveÓ, it shows it face. At ÒsixÓ, Death strides up to you in the morning sun and shows you fear in a handful of dust. [See Notes 6.1 & ] <>[00:00] Alec (solo): [beat] Last week of my deploy. Cayho. Never worked harder in my life. Bam. Bam. Bam. Maybe the drones in the sky. Maybe the thudding of distant artillery. <>[00:00] Alec (solo): Captain. Eta. Emre. Whole team. Talking with the women. One after another. Interviews. Bam. Bam. Bam. Pictures. Data. As it had all been planned. <>[00:00] Alec (solo): Afternoon. Bam. Blasts moved closer. Bam. Dust sprouted from the ground. Bam. Walls shuddered. Bam. Knees felt the pitch of moving earth. <>[00:00] Alec (solo): Hard to speak. Harder to listen. Children wonÕt sit still. WonÕt play. Mothers exchanging glances. Answers getting shorter. Attentions drifting. A strike at the end of the camp. [Slow] BAM. BAM. BAM Captain holds out her palms. Points to her watch. Interview time is over. <>[00:00] Alec (solo): Celi helps Eta into her truck. Climbs into the cab. Points at her watch one more time. Heads down the Cayho road. Second follows. <>[2:56] Alec (solo): Emre starts the last truck. Final check before we go. Empty room. Chairs. Table. Toys we brought for kids. Emre hits the horn. [beat] On the floor. In the dirt. Notebook. Names and schedule. Impossible to reproduce. Almost lost <>[00:00] Directions: [From here, the voice of Emre will intrude into the Chorus. It is not quite a full scene but it shows Alec interacting with another.] <>[00:00] Alec (solo): Climbed in the cab. ÒItÕs cutÓ Emre barked. ÒCayho Road. No passage.Ó Caught my breath. ÒWestern Extension,Ó I said. And into the valley of death we rode. [See Notes 6.1 & 6.2] <>[00:00] Directions: [Inserts] [00:00] Celi: Time! [00:00] Celi: ItÕs Time! Scene 6.1: ÒNews from the FrontÓ Location: Cayho Junction / Base Camp on phone link Time: Middle of the Skatoot Operation <>[00:00] Sound: [phone ringing] <>[00:00] Juma: KV-HQ <>[00:00] Major: Corporal Juma. Major Willard. <>[00:00] Juma: Yes sir, I can see. ColonelÕs expecting your call. <>[00:00] Major: I bet he is. WeÕve taken the city, Corporal. Taken Skatoot. <>[00:00] Juma: Yes sir. We know. <>[00:00] Major: Any news? <>[00:00] Juma: You know everything we know. Let me put you through. <>[00:00] Sound: [switching] <>[00:00] Colonel: [surprisingly unemotional] So youÕre swinging from the trees, Major? BeatÕn your chest? <>[00:00] Major: In the city, sir. Skatoot. Everything secured. <>[00:00] Colonel: Shout it from the hilltop. <>[00:00] Major: Straightforward operation. Minimal casualties. <>[00:00] Colonel: Blow them trumpets. <>[00:00] Major: Returning via the junction with the Cayho Road. <>[00:00] Colonel: And you dÕscovered its time to gird up your loins. <>[00:00] Major: [Surprised] Sir? <>[00:00] Colonel: Gather a few more fishes took your bait than Ôxpected. <>[00:00] Major: All but surrendered their regional capital. <>[00:00] Colonel: AnÕ now them extra fishies Is blocking Cayho Junction and your road back to the base? <>[00:00] Major: So it appears, sir. <>[00:00] Colonel: Ya canÕt be so stupidacious that yaÕll didnÕt an-ti-ci-pate that outcome? <>[00:00] Major: Going to push through insurgent lines. Clear the path back to base. Get it done before nightfall. <>[00:00] Colonel: JusÕ donÕ do it standinÕ on the hood of your truck. <>[00:00] Major: By the book. Hold them down with fire to the center Then flank them to the south. <>[00:00] Colonel: AnÕ force insurgent units to scatter up the Cayho road. <>[00:00] Major: Yes, sir. <>[00:00] Colonel: And thereÕs your question, Ôcause I donÕt think youÕre just callinÕ for a friendly chat. <>[00:00] Major: What do we know about the Cayho Road? <>[00:00] Colonel: Digital age, Major. We know what you know. [beat] You asking about the perfesser and her little dance band? <>[00:00] Major: Yes sir. <>[00:00] Colonel: Little too bad that Sgt Emre was forced to play drums for the group. [beat] He could heÕp ya find Ôem. <>[00:00] Major: I know sir. <>[00:00] Colonel: Last we knowÕd, Emre was on the Western Extension takÕn the long road home. <>[00:00] Major: All three vehicles? <>[00:00] Colonel: If you hadnÕt told him to run silent, we might know that. [beat] Mission. Unit . Soldier, Major. [beat] That order. [beat] Done your Mission. Now save the Unit. Bring my troops home. <>[00:00] Major: Sir. <>[00:00] Colonel: And say a prayer for the perfesser. Scene 6.2: ÒRode the Six HundredÓ Location: Western Extension Time: 8 hours after prior scene <>[00:00] Sound: [truck engine slowing to stop] <>[00:00] Sound: [pounding of driving on a rough road] <>[00:00] Directions: [There is a communications radio in the background. All information is in acronyms and specialized words. Hence it is entirely incomprehensible to anyone but Emre.] <>[00:00] Radio: [distorted]. Command Julliette Zebra Oh Four Julliette Zebra Oh Four. Cleared to move. Cleared to base. See you soon. Over. [Truck JTZ 04 cleared to resume moving Report] <>[00:00] Sgt. Emre: So youÕre going to write all this in a book? <>[00:00] Alec: ThatÕs the goal. <>[00:00] Sgt. Emre: What are you going to call it? <>[00:00] Alec: ÒStudies in Leadership Ethnography.Ó Something like that. <>[00:00] Sgt. Emre: DonÕt think IÕd read that. <>[00:00] Alec: WouldnÕt be meant for you. <>[00:00] Sgt. Emre: Other Professors? <>[00:00] Alec: Yeah. My peers. The ÒScholarly Community.Ó <>[00:00] Sgt. Emre: Figures. <>[00:00] Alec: But Doctor Portillo thought I should write a popular book. <>[00:00] Sgt. Emre: The mechanical donkey lady? <>[00:00] Alec: She thought I should write something that could be made into a movie. <>[00:00] Sgt. Emre: Would I be in it? <>[00:00] Alec: [Playing with the idea]. After tonight? IÕd say yes. But you know. Hollywood. <>[00:00] Sgt. Emre: ÒYour result may be completely different.Ó [beat] Captain likes to say that. [beat] What would it be called? <>[00:00] Alec: ÒThe Closest IÕve come to Death.Ó <>[00:00] Sgt. Emre: Good title. IÕd read that. <>[00:00] Radio: [distorted]. Whiskey Echo Full Hold Repeat Full Hold. Whiskey Echo Over. [Everyone on Fakeet Labu road stop and wait] <>[00:00] Sound: [truck slowing] <>[00:00] Alec: Again? Stopping? This is the Western Extension. ThereÕs no traffic here. <>[00:00] Sgt. Emre: Main road. Joins up ahead. Need to keep it clear. <>[00:00] Alec: Who would have thought that warfare would have involved so much congestion. <>[00:00] Sgt. Emre: WeÕre not high priority. Not in the battle. No casualties. <>[00:00] Radio 2: [distorted]. CB One. CB One. This is Mike Victor One Seven Mike Victor One Seven. Medcon Five. WeÕre at Medcon Five. Over [Medvac 17 (MV) has an emergency and needs to get to base] <644i.1>[00:00] Radio: [distorted]. Roger Mike Victor One Seven. Confirm Position. Repeat Confirm Position. Over. [DO you have urgent case Medvac (MV)] <644i.2>[00:00] Radio 2: [distorted] Hour from Cayho Junction. adjacent to Route Six Six. Over. <644i.3>[00:00] Radio: [distorted]. Currently Overland. [?] Repeat Overland. Confirm. Over. [Are you Off Road] <644i.4>[00:00] Radio 2: [distorted] Affirmative Over. <644 i.5>[00:00] Radio: [distorted]. Roger Mike Victor One Seven. Hold at Six Six. Repeat Hold at Six Six. WeÕll get you in, bud. Over. [Do you have urgent case Medvac (MV) (FL)] <>[00:00] Alec: Anything interesting on the radio. [beat] Care to translate? <>[00:00] Sgt. Emre: Traffic mostly. [beat] Taken Skatoot. Gotta get everyone where they need to be. <>[00:00] Alec: Captain PritelÕs made it back? <>[00:00] Sgt Emre: Her unitÕs maybe thirty minutes out. [beat] <>[00:00] Radio: [distorted]. Tango Charlie Bravo Tango Charlie Bravo Hold in Place Repeat in Place In Place. Over. [Truck from Transport Company B waiting for Traffic to Pass] <>[00:00] Alec: Behind us? She had a shorter road [than the way we came]. We did the whole Extension <>[00:00] Sgt Emre: Her vehicle was delayed. [beat] Junction with Cayho Road. <>[00:00] Alec: All night? She should have been back long ago. [Pause waiting for Emre]. Emre? [beat] Something [beat] happen? <>[00:00] Sgt Emre: Firefight.[beat] At the Junction. Units who followed us. [beat] Her vehicle was behind it. <>[00:00] Alec: A fight? She Ok? <>[00:00] Sgt Emre: DonÕt know. Traffic radio. Not social media. <>[00:00] Radio: [distorted]. Tango Charlie Delta Tango Charlie Delta Join Bravo Hold. Full Hold Over. [Truck from Company D wait behind Company B] <>[00:00] Alec: But her unit. Her vehicle. ItÕs coming back? <>[00:00] Sgt Emre: You know what I know. <>[00:00] Alec: You know what theyÕre saying on the radio. [beat] Damaged vehicles? <>[00:00] Sgt Emre: [Reluctantly] Yes. <>[00:00] Radio: [distorted]. Mike Victor One Seven Mike Victor One Seven. You are clear. Move Priority Alpha. Priority Alpha. Put the hammer down bud. Get yourself in. Over <>[00:00] Alec: And you think one was herÕs. <662i.1>[00:00] Radio 2: [distorted]. Mike Victor One Seven. Roger. We are moving. <>[00:00] Sgt Emre: Hope not. [beat] DonÕt know. [beat] One was with field command. With the Major. Know that. <>[00:00] Alec: Were there casualties? <>[00:00] Sgt Emre: Traffic on the roads. All I know. <>[00:00] Alec: Medvacs. Are there Medvacs on the road? <>[00:00] Sgt Emre: Always Medvacs on the road. <>[00:00] Radio: [distorted]. Roger Mike Victor One Seven. Roger. Got a welcoming committee at the gate. Give us five out and flash your lights. Bring our soldier home. <>[00:00] Alec: Any from Cayho Junction? <>[00:00] Sgt Emre: Right behind us. [beat] WeÕll find out soon. Act VII 7.0 Scene ÒNo CloserÓ Location: A Stage. Time: Shortly after prior scene End of the Story <>[3] [00:00] Alec (solo): Where É to É start? [As if announcing the title of book] ÒThe closest I came to death.Ó [beat] [emphasize] You can do this Alec. You can. [beat] The closest É <>[4][00:00] Alec (solo): Moving at last. Fence. Gates. Guards. Last bump of road. Perimeter squarely behind us. Truck parked. Door opened. Quick dismount. <>[5][00:00] Alec (solo): The Motor Yard Final scene of the battle Soldiers lugging their gear. Food for the hungry. Shelter for the tired. Balm for the wounded. Respite for the anguished soul <>[6][00:00] Alec (solo): Shapes move in the glare Figures. Bodies. Familiar spirits. I step back to the truck, Steady myself against its frame I turn to the cargo bed. Reach for the straps that hold our equipment. Death opens its eyes And stares back at me. A shape. A platter. A rectangle covered in dirt. <>[00:00] Alec (solo): Laptop. Scratched by shrapnel. Lying on the truck bed. Jammed in a corner. All I had done. All we have done. Everything. Interviews. Pictures. Data from Cayho. Without a handful of dust. Without a pinch of grit. Death would have claimed it on the Western Extension. [See Note 7.2] <>[00:00] Alec (solo): Emre calls. Calls again. Loud. Urgent. I turn. The Hospital tent. A Medvac. A stretcher. A helmet on the ground. An arm, fallen over the edge. An outstretched hand. A sweater soaked in blood. A captainÕs insignia on the sleeve. <>[00:00] Alec (solo): An officer standing guard. <>[00:00] Alec (solo): A sheet of paper Held in one hand A record of departure A soul taken flight <>[00:00] Alec (solo): Drops to one knee. Gently lifts the arm. Places it by her side. Pauses. Straightens. Salutes. <>[00:00] Alec (solo): Medics lift the body. Walk slowly. Deliberately. Respectfully. <>[00:00] Alec (solo): I wouldÉ I wouldÉ I would run. Call her name. Rush to her presence. Clutching death and death clutching me. I stand. I cannot move. Here we started. Here we end. [beat] It is the closest IÕve come to death. <>[00:00] Directions: [Scene Inserts] [00:00] Emre: ÒPerfessorÓ [00:00] Emre: ÒPerfessor!Ó [00:00] Colonel: ÔTention! [00:00] Colonel: Celi. Celi Pritel. [00:00] Alec (solo): Celi? [00:00] Alec (solo): Not Celi. <>[00:00]: [end of file] Notes, Technical Details, Glosses & Trivia: Notes on Text: 1.1 10,000 Soldiers Classic nursery rhyme. The Grand Old Duke of York had 10,000 men He marched them up the hill And Marched them down again When they were up they were up And when they were down they down And when they were halfway up They were neither up nor down. See Music notes below. 1.2 Promised Land Biblical/Martin Luther King Reference Moses went up to a hill to see the land promised to the Israelites but was told that they would make it but he would not. Martin Luther King used the imagery the speech he gave the night before his assassination. 1.3 Pronounced ÒSka -TootÕ Ó. Emphasis on the ÒtootÓ. 1.4 Story of Salome in the Bible. Salome dances for King Herod and pleases him. He offers Salome anything she wants. She asks for the head of John the Baptist on a silver platter. 1.5 The Colonel is emphasizing his rank. The insignia for a Colonel has an eagle on it. They wear one on each collar. He is saying that the Professor is talking to a high-ranking officer. 1.6 The Military Advanced Research Group of the Defense Secretary. Pronounced Dee-SecÑMarg (hard ÒgÓ) . Key point is that it reports to the secretary of Defense and not the services. It also is believed to have a lot of money. Hence is generally resented by regular officers as being arrogant, which it is. 2.1 Douglas MacArthurÕs famous phrase on leaving the Philippines. 2.2 From Gilbert and SullivanÕs operetta HMS Pinafore. It is a song of the Lord High Admiral that suggests you can advance in the officer corps through politics rather than through being a good soldier. He sings: ÒStick close to your desks and never go to sea and you all may be rulers of the QueenÕs Navy.Ó See Music Notes 3.1 Taken from ÒDisobedienceÓ by A. A. Milne. It is a poem in the voice of a young boy, only three years of age, who believes that he has to protect his mother. James James Morrison Morrison Weatherby George Dupre Took great care of his mother, though he was only three. James James said to his mother ÒMother,Ó he said, said he. You must never go down to the end of the town If you donÕt go down with me.Ó See Music Notes 3.2 ÒDisobedienceÓ again. ÒKing John put up a notice: Lost, Stolen, or Strayed James James MorrisonÕs Mother Seems to have been mislaid. 3.3 Macbeth. Act 2 Scene 1. 4.1 This monologue, as well as some of the others, is playing off the methodology of social science research. This sentence describes a standard strategy for social science research. It asks respondents to rate something on a scale. ItÕs called a Lickert scale. The details are not important. The important thing is that she is considering her brush with death as if it were part of her research. 4.2 This is a reference to a 1931 song from the U. S. Labor movement, ÒWhich side are you on?Ó by Florence Reece. As a reference, it is not that important. Both know that there is a song with those lyrics. Neither knows anything more about it. See Music Notes. 4.3 People who work with government policy manuals would pronounce this as ÒFourteen dot Nine dot OneÓ. It refers to a section in a manual. It should be spoken with confidence. 5.1 ÒOver Over ThereÓ Note Double usage. It means ÒWe wonÕt come back until the work is done [over] in Europe [over there]. It is taken from a popular song of World War I by George M Cohan called ÒOver ThereÓ.. Original Lyrics are: ÒOver there, over there, Send the word, send the word over thereÑ That the Yanks are coming, The Yanks are coming, The drums rum-tumming EvÕrywhere. So prepare, say a prayÕr, Send the word, send the word to beware. WeÕll be over, weÕre coming over, And we wonÕt come back till itÕs over Over there.Ó See the Music Notes. 5.2 ÒKV-HQÓ. Pronounced ÒK-V - H Ð QÓ. It references the structure that is the Sector Headquarters at Kapu Varo and the office of the Colonel. 6.1 ÒCharge of the Light BrigadeÓ by Alfred Tennyson. The original poem is about Crimean War of the 19th century. It commemorates a calvary company that charged into artillery fire and was massacred. Half a league, half a league, Half a league onward, All in the valley of Death ÊÊÊRode the six hundred. ÒForward, the Light Brigade! Charge for the guns!Ó he said. Into the valley of Death ÊÊÊRode the six hundred. 6.2 Òhandful of dust.Ó A reference to ÒThe WastelandÓ by T. S. Eliot. This poem is about the aftermath of the first world war (among other things). 7.1 Modification of a memorial poem from the first world war. ÒFor the FallenÓ by Laurence Binyon. 7.2 Also Macbeth. Act 2 Scene 1. Music References: The Duke of York had 10,000 men https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVUOhD1Ba2Y Lord High Admirals Song ÒWhen I was a LadÓ (Stick close to your desks and ever go to sea) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kfao1s3Tiek Disobedience (DonÕt ever go down to the end of the town) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axPaGP1UEqc Which Side are you On? (Pete Seeger performance) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsNVzwuJeVk Over There https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJiLR4IcR_U Map of Conflict Region: Places Map not drawn to scale. By the main road, it is almost four hours from the camp to Cayho. On the Western Extension, it is 16 hours. The battlefield sector is on a high desert plain. The camp, and the neighboring city, Kapu Varo, a well-protected. They are nestled into a pass on the southern mountains which leads to the ocean and the cities to the south. Kapu Varo (Ka-Pu-Var-oh) A midsized city for this region. As it in the pass through the mountains, it has a long history of being important in the transportation network of the region. Main city next to HQ Camp & Regional Capital Controlled (mostly) by friendly forces. Skatoot. (SkoÕ Ð Toot) Insurgent Capital Brought under allied control in play Tolva (Tol-vaÕ) Midsized city on plain On backroad to Skatoot Cayho (Kay Ð Ho) Key city on front. Next to mountain that commands valley It would not be important excerpt for the fact that it is in the middle of the battle lines. It commands access to a 500 foot tall extinct volcano cone that gives clear views of the entire sector. Despite being on the American side of the front, it is still used by insurgent troops as a point of information exchange. Fekeet Labu (Fa-Keet Lay-Bu) (Name means Òfork in the roadÓ). A small town that sits at the start of the Cayho Road. Baba(Ba-ba) A minor city behind the battle lines. Institutions: Military Advanced Research Group (DSEC/MARG) Organization that does scientific research for the military. Independent. A little arrogant. Acronym is pronounced Dee-Sec Marg. (hard ÒgÓ) Additional Notes on Characters Colonel C. O. Beason 60-ish Senior officer. Gender unimportant, though has the qualities of a certain kind of male officer. Has a Brigade under his command. Close to retirement. Has resigned to the conclusion, obvious to most everyone else, that he will never become a General. He is mostly comfortable with that idea, though at times wonders what he might have done differently. A reader and quotes a wide range of poetry, from childrenÕs verse to WWI war poems. Primarily reads books about great tacticians such as Napoleon, Tamerlane and George Patton. Major Eaton Willard 30-ish Male officer. Ambitious. Confident. At least a little manipulative. Thinks of himself as a fixer, as one who can fix difficult problems Also believes that he has more information about what is happening than anyone else. Might be considered manipulative by some. Believes that he will be promoted to Colonel at the end of this rotation and that promotion to General is only a matter of time. Major Geo Huber 40-ish officer. Gender unimportant those described as male. Went to West Point. A bit unimaginative and wedded to traditional approaches. Also, argumentative and unable to appreciate when he is irritating others. Can believe that his ideas are right and failed only because people under his command didnÕt try hard enough. Sgt Alva Emre 40-ish Noncommissioned officer in the Motor Pool. Gender unimportant. On last major deployment before retirement. Enjoys working with vehicles and expects to have a second career working with them. Loves the Motor Pool and will stay in the army as long as he can. Has low expectations because he knows he was never officer material and takes what the world has given him. Corporal Anju Juma 20-ish assistant to the Colonel. Gender unimportant. Name suggests individualÕs approach. Organized. Keeps track of everything for commanding officer. Gets touchy when people move away from standard procedure or the usual way of doing things Ð such as when others use first names. Captain Celi Pritel Almost 30 officer reporting to CO Benson. Female. In charge of records reports and information. Started as a corporal but got into Officer Training School and has risen to Captain. When first assigned as liaison officer to Alec Effson, she developed a little crush on her. Thought she might pursue a research degree to support Army but she has lost interested because of MARG. Detailed. Effective. Quiet. Might be described as ÒLittle pitchers have big ears.Ó Watches. Listens. Notes what is happening. Alec Effson 30-ish professor of ÒSocial SciencesÓ and regional public university (Think Western Michigan in Kalamazoo). Female. Has to teach both Anthropology and Sociology classes. Desperate to make a name for herself, she has decided to make a name for herself as Òresearcher for the militaryÓ, though she works in an environment that does not encourage research nor provide the mentoring that she needs. Has a theory that women are central to the governing process in all developing societies and is trying to prove that to be true in her current deployment. Won a Òstarter grantÓ from the DSEC/ARD agency and is trying to use that visibility to become an important researcher. As she has worked, she has slowly become aware that this may be her only opportunity to become prominent. If she fails here, she will likely never get a grant again. Tamla ÒTommyÓ Portillo 40-ish Program Director for Defense Secretary Advanced Research Department. A chemist by training. Taught for a time but found it boring. Came to DEC/ARD as a temporary appointment and stayed. Likes bureaucratic structures but would not ever admit it. Oversees about $120M in grants. Gender unimportant. Eta Tacqua 50-ish native to the region. She was hired eight years ago as a translator when the US was assembling a coalition of local leaders (U.S. called them ÒWestern WarlordsÓ to combat a group of radicals who had overrun the capital and seized control of national government. Her local knowledge has proven useful and she now works as a contractor to the planning and intelligence group of the local command Both her husband and son are part of the local power structure. Son, Bieemi, is a ÒjudgeÓ (something like a town administrator) to a small city in the mountains. Husband, Gefti, is a bit of a shadowy character. Generally considered the second in command of the local power structure. Sometimes not clear which side he is supporting. Daughter, Sarepta, is active with the insurgents and lives in Cayho. She has two children. Both husband and son are involved in local government. Husband, Gefti, is the second in command of the insurgentÕs strategy committee. Tano Frloji 9 year old boy in town. His mother is a friend of EtaÕs daughter. Little boy. Gets a little shy in presence of strangers. Subo Frloji 7 (almost 8) year of Tano. Determined to do everything that he can do. Seor Vont 60+ish member of Tacqua household. Answers the door and helps with administrative things. Senior. Gender unimportant. DoesnÕt travel from building. Notes on Script Conventions: Stage directions are in square brackets [as if to someone in another room] and are not to be read. The direction [beat] means to take a pause about as long as it takes to say the word ÓbeatÓ. [Pause] indicates a longer pause, perhaps as long as a second The slash / and insert ^ are used to indicate two speakers talking over each other. The slash indicates where the next speaker will start talking. The insert ^ indicates the words that will be spoken at the slash in the prior line. It is generally used in editing and doesnÕt have much effect on performance. The double backslash // is used to indicate lines that will be spoken simultaneously. It is placed at the start of each line that is to be spoken at the same time. It is generally used when two or more characters are saying the same thing. Words in (parentheses) indicate asides. They will be softer in the final product but should be spoken loudly but perhaps with a little more air. Lines that begin <>[00:00]Stage: [] as used to map the characters onto the audio stage. It generally has no effect upon performance except when a stage direction says the voice is Òat a distanceÓ or the character is Òcovering the microphone. In those circumstances, it is usually good to speak off center to the microphone or in some other way simulate the effect. HWMS Audio Theatre Performance Script HWMS 24360 ÒYour Results May VaryÓ 1 : 1 414/2025 Version 132 Top © Djaghe LLC