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HOMELAND

SETTING: There are five environments at varied levels. The main environment is the middle environment which is the living room of GEORGE and HELEN BENTLEY. Lower, middle class. comfortable, but worn. Couch, easy chairs, TV set, coffee table, lamps, book shelves, prints on the wall. Front door, right rear. Stairs center rear going to other parts of the house. Another ramp leads to lower environments stage front, center front and right front. There is a table and 2 chairs each at left and right front. There is a raised area at stage center left, higher than the living room, which is kept dark and which can be transformed into a small room. A pipe runs overhead. (LIGHTS UP on stage right environment. George and ANDIRA PATEL are on one side of the table which holds a stack of books. Both are holding sheets of paper in their hands, facing Miles Coleman.) GEORGE All these books? MILES That's what came down. ANDIRA These are many books. GEORGE It's amazing. There are classics here -- Steinbeck, Camus, Sherwood Anderson, Dos Passos, Dreiser, Keroack, Graham Green... MILES That's what came down. They have to be removed. ANDIRA That is ridiculous. MILES Andira, don't ask, just do. GEORGE But they're part of the backbone of American literature. MILES I know..Hey, what can I say. (He shrugs) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --2 GEORGE And this other business -- they want reports on what web sites people use, what books or magazines they read? MILES Yes, and they could confiscate hard-drives from our computers. ANDIRA Oh my.. MILES There's really not much we can do... I'm sorry. GEORGE It makes me a spy. ANDIRA Even in India there was never anything like this. MILES This is not India. This is here. And it doesn't pay to say things like that. GEORGE Some of Doctor Seuss is even on this list. Can you imagine? Doctor Seuss. The Terrorist in the Hat. Green Bombs and Ham. MILES I'll see you get help. (He walks off stage right.) (Lights fade on environment. Lights up on environment on stage left front. MELINDA BENTLEY is kissing BARBARA BOONE. Lights fade on the environment and up on living room where George and Helen are entertaining a friends, EZRA and LOIS BOONE. They are seated on the couch and chairs, having drinks.) EZRA There's only around 10 rounds in a magazine. The Russians have 30 rounds in their Kalashakovs. LOIS Why the difference? EZRA That's the way the M-16 was made from the start. Damned if I know. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --3 HELEN The more cartridge magazines we use, the more we buy. Good for the arms business. (They laugh) LOIS I wouldn't be surprised if that is the reason. GEORGE Everything the military buys is made to wear out quickly. One reason is that they don't expect the equipment or clothing to last long in combat, so why make it well? LOIS Really, you think that is the reason? GEORGE I know that is the reason. The fatigues we were issued in the Army? Fall apart in no time. Boots too. Shoddy. LOIS That's terrible. EZRA That's true. LOIS But - not lasting long. You mean they expect the soldiers to be killed or wounded - so why bother? GEORGE Yep. LOIS I hate to think that. I'd hate to think of all those nice young men and women we see -- well... EZRA I don't know that they expected us to get killed right away.. It was just the way the government does things. LOIS They all look so sturdy and healthy. HELEN We've been seeing a lot more of them, haven't we? LOIS Oh, my yes. Almost on every corner. Railroad stations. Subways. Airports. With their big guns and uniforms. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --4 EZRA Security. LOIS It's really kind of reassuring. HELEN Melinda will have to register soon. LOIS Barbara too... EZRA I want to get her into the ROTC. Give her a leg up in the military. LOIS She'll be an officer. GEORGE The ROTC? EZRA Sure, they're still going to have to serve sooner or later to get a head start on the draft. That's the law. LOIS We escaped that. I know -- not you men, I meant women. Helen and I were too old to be drafted. HELEN Gee, we never got a chance to be all that we can be. LOIS It might have been exciting to be drafted. See the world. HELEN Yeah, go to one of the academies and raped. (Lois laughs.) LOIS Oh, Lord no. HELEN I wonder what the statistics are on rape of women in the military. LOIS You think there is a lot? HELEN Boys will be boys. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --5 LOIS That's terrible. I don't want to believe that. HELEN But it's true... Oh, Lois.. you don't want to believe badly of anybody. LOIS Well, there are some things not worth thinking about. EZRA That's my Lois... hates trouble. HELEN Don't we all. GEORGE I'm sure there are figures on rapes in military academies somewhere. If we could find them before they disappear. LOIS Disappear? GEORGE At the library today - we were ordered to remove a whole batch of books from circulation and also keep records on who reads what and uses the internet. HELEN It's somewhat the same at the school in which I teach. Texts have been rewritten. Everything follows the government line. And the English and Arts department budgets are being cut to the bone. EMphasis is on technology and science. EZRA Difficult times call for difficult actions. The United States has many enemies. We have to do whatever is necessary to preserve our way of life. LOIS If we have to do that - then we have to do that. We have to believe in what our government is doing. GEORGE Yeah.. EZRA Some great movies are being made thanks to the government. HELEN I guess you can't complain, huh? ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --6 LOIS We had all four theaters filled to capacity this weekend. EZRA War movies. Sex movies. Can't miss. LOIS Everybody loves movies.. EZRA And Hollywood has been giving the public the stuff it wants. LOIS I can't go for all that sex and nudity though, can you? EZRA I can. (Lois pokes him playfully.) LOIS I didn't mean you... I know you. YOu love all that stuff. I was talking to George and Helen. HELEN Doesn't bother me. LOIS OH, they had so much sex in the remake of The Grapes of Wrath. Can you imagine? GEORGE And it was by Steinbeck. He's on the verboten list. It's a wonder they made it, although you sure couldn't recognize it as Steinbeck. HELEN All the okies had clean clothes, new trucks and plenty of money. And everybody was laughing all the time. EZRA I never liked his version, anyway. HELEN Well, folks.. we have a meeting to go to. So, what do you say? GEORGE I've given it some thought, Ezra. As much as I appreciate what everybody on the block is doing, I don't think I want to take part. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --7 EZRA It's just a couple of hours every week. You and Helen could go out on patrol together, with us. GEORGE Wearing armbands, helmets, web belts, guns - I mean, it's just not my thing Ezra. HELEN Nor mine. EZRA Not everybody is going to have a gun. Those of us with licenses can carry it. LOIS I'm getting a license. All -- well, most of the women I know are also getting licenses. HELEN I'm not. GEORGE It's not something I want to do. EZRA George - you got to be a doer, not a fence sitter. GEORGE I'm not a fence sitter. EZRA It's just like the flags, George, if you don't mind my saying. Everybody on the block is showing flags, except you. We are the only block around here that does not have 100 percent compliance with flags. GEORGE Well, let's not get into flags, Ezra. EZRA With all respect, George -- it's the same thing, ain't it. You just don't want to go along. GEORGE Going along! I believe in cooperating with my neighbors for the common good, Ezra. HELEN We led the drive for a stop sign on the corner -- and we fought against the removal of the mail box, right. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --8 EZRA Now, we are talking about the good of the neighborhood, though aren't we? Protecting the neighborhood against terrorist attack. And, as I said, you don't have to carry a gun. You can carry a nightstick. GEORGE With all respect, Ezra. Not for me. EZRA Neighborhood security is important, George. GEORGE Of course, well let me think about it. EZRA Okay, but I know you'll do the right thing. HELEN Do you really think that terrorists will be setting off bombs on Lambert AVenue in Eastridge? EZRA We have to be vigilant. We have to do our part. I mean look -- civilians are just as much targets as anybody. Terrorists blow up themselves or bombs on buses or restaurants - whatever. And who dies. LOIS Civilians. EZRA Right. You want to make a point -- you kill civilians. I mean - they could come on down here -- just because we think they wouldn't come down here. LOIS This is typical America...just the kind of thing they would want to destroy. EZRA Right. So we got to do our part to protect ourselves. LOIS Yes. (He rises.) EZRA You can always count on me to do my part. LOIS Everybody says that about Ezra. You can always count on him. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --9 GEORGE Well, you are appreciated, Ezra. EZRA You'll think about it, right? GEORGE Yeah... EZRA Well, we have a meeting... (Lois rises) LOIS But we enjoyed our visit. GEORGE Always good to see you. (Ezra extends his hand. George shakes it.) EZRA I want to know I can count on you, George. GEORGE I have to think about it. EZRA Fair enough. LOIS We'll have to have you folks over soon. (They are walking toward the door when Melinda and Barbara come down the stairs.) MELINDA Oh, hi, Mister Boone - Mrs. Boone. LOIS Hi, Melinda. EZRA Barbara... I didn't know you were upstairs. BARBARA Melinda and I were doing homework. EZRA YOu finished it, I hope. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --10 BARBARA Uh, huh... EZRA So what are you doing now? BARBARA I was going home. EZRA Good -- we'll have dinner. Then maybe you can help run off some flyers about the home watch program. BARBARA Oh, okay... EZRA Good girl... Well, we'll be going. Coming, Barbara? BARBARA I'll meet you there. EZRA Oh, okay... but don't be too long. LOIS We have pot roast, your favorite, dear. BARBARA Swell... LOIS See you soon. (George opens the door and he and Lois.. they file out.) LOIS (Continued) Bye, everybody. GEORGE Bye. HELEN Bye. MELINDA Bye. (The door is closed and George returns to the living room.) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --11 GEORGE Well... HELEN God, they're insufferable. BARBARA I guess I better be going too. MELINDA We were doing our homework. GEORGE I hope you got it all done. MELINDA Oh, yeah... (Barbara goes to the door.) BARBARA My mom refuses to believe I'm sick of pot roast. HELEN Can't you tell her? BARBARA I have. It's my dad that likes pot roast, she makes it three times a week. I don't even think she likes it that much either. She's in denial about pot roast, just as she is about a lot of things. HELEN We're doing Mexican tonight.. if you want to stay. BARBARA No.. I better go.. They'll have a fit. (Barbara opens the door.) BARBARA (Continued) I'll call you, Mel. MELINDA Okay. (Barbara exits.) MELINDA (Continued) You see the look of disapproval on his face GEORGE He always has a look of disapproval on his face. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --12 MELINDA He doesn't approve of Barbara being with me. HELEN He doesn't know you're gay. MELINDA You better believe he doesn't know. If he did, he'd have had a heart attack long before this and Barbara would be in a convent. Come to think of it, she might like to be in a convent with the rest of the lesbians. But no, Barbara told me -- he doesn't approve of me because of you. You're too lefty for his blood. He thinks it will rub off on his darling daughter. HELEN He's such an asshole. GEORGE Still, it pays to be tactful. MELINDA We were doing our homework, what's wrong with that? GEORGE Nothing. Let it go.. MELINDA He's doing his damnedest to indoctrinate her, you know. Waving the flag, blah, blah, blah... Now he's going on about her joining the ROTC. Did you hear about that? Big recruitment drive going on in school. GEORGE What next.. MELINDA Four years paid in college if you are willing to serve four in the Army and get your ass shot off. Jesus... GEORGE Is she going to join? The ROTC? MELINDA I don't know. She might have to -- to shut him up. GEORGE How would you feel about that? MELINDA I've always loved a gal in uniform. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --13 GEORGE Of course, you'll join up. MELINDA Sure... when the pope gets married. HELEN There was a notice in the teacher's lounge about forming Minuteman and Minutewomen clubs. I don't know what they want us to do -- drop tea bags in the harbor I suppose. Conduct military drills in phys ed, maybe. GEORGE When did this start? HELEN Just today.. the notices went up today. GEORGE You'll look great in a three-cornered hat. HELEN Oh, please..They've got money for this but not for real education.. We're afraid of more cuts in the English and Fine Arts departments. MELINDA They're not going to fire you, are they mom? HELEN No, I've been there too long. But they are talking about letting some of the younger teachers go who have less seniority. The Teachers' union is fighting it though. GEORGE And now there's this block warden thing. HELEN Ezra and Lois wanted us to join everybody in keeping the terrorists from attacking the neighborhood. GEORGE Walk around with nightsticks, a helmet and flashlight. MELINDA I can just see you two doing that. GEORGE It's the "in" thing to do. I read somewhere where this block of neighbors in Iowa bought a surplus tank -- can you imagine? A tank. An old M-48 or something like that. They keep it parked on a corner like a scarecrow, I suppose to keep off any crazed migrant workers. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --14 HELEN We'll, dinner will be ready in 15 minutes. MELINDA I'll going up to my room and watch TV for awhile then.. (She heads upstairs.) MELINDA (Continued) Get my mind off all these troublesome domestic issues. (She exits) HELEN What is happening to this country, George. It's scary. GEORGE Yeah. HELEN What are you going to do about the FBI directive -- books and the internet and all that? GEORGE What can I do? Miles was very specific. We have to comply. HELEN So -- you're going to comply? GEORGE Well, I'm not happy about it. The American ASsociation of Librarians is fighting it. They advised us to comply until they get a legal decision. Otherwise, I could lose my job. What are you doing about the text books that are being changed? HELEN There is a protest being made about that. GEORGE The American Civil Liberties Union. HELEN For one. The American Federation of Teachers is another. GEORGE I think I'll re-read The GRapes of Wrath tonight. HELEN And The American Tragedy. GEORGE Before they are confiscated. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --15 (Helen goose steps toward kitchen. George swats her on her rear.) GEORGE (Continued) Watch it! (Lights down on living room environment, up in library. George and Andira are working alongside each other.) ANDIRA My hearing is next week. GEORGE I don't think you have anything to worry about. ANDIRA I don't know. Others have gotten them and they vanish. GEORGE I can't imagine them doing anything to you. They can't possibly think you are a terrorist. ANDIRA I think they think what they wish to think. And what they think -- is. Will you vouch for me? (George hesitates) ANDIRA (Continued) Will you..? Okay, If you don't.. I understand... They would make things difficult for you too. (Miles enters) MILES I need the printout of internet users and visited web sites. (George hands it to him.) MILES (Continued) Are all our proscribed books gone? There is going to be an inspection of our shelves and storerooms tomorrow. GEORGE They're gone. ANDIRA Will they look under the shelves or in the basement. Perhaps we have hidden them. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --16 MILES Don't joke, Andira. These people are serious. This is serious. ANDIRA Yes - I know. GEORGE Andira got a notice from the Immigration Service about her status. MILES She did... ANDIRA You don't look terribly surprised. MILES The FBI asked for all employment records. Even mine. Everybody connected with library. GEORGE She's afraid she may be deported.. ANDIRA Or imprisoned... MILES It may be nothing... just a routine thing. ANDIRA No -- nothing is routine these days. I am Indian and am not yet a citizen. And we are at war with India. I have applied for citizenship, but have not yet received it. My boyfriend is American. He was born here. You think if I marry him now, they will let me stay? MILES Well, yeah... It's a possibility. ANDIRA A possibility. GEORGE If you knew she was being investigated, you should have told her. MILES I try to mind my own business. and you should too. ANDIRA It's alright... I expected to be investigated. All of my Indian friends have been... And some of them are gone... ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --17 GEORGE Gone? ANDIRA Missing -- disappeared. Nobody knows what happened to them. GEORGE Now... now... we don't know what may happen. MILES How long you been here? ANDIRA I started here two years ago. MILES I meant in the country. ANDIRA Seven and a half years. MILES Why didn't you get your citizenship before this? ANDIRA I had a visa. Then I met Howie...my boyfriend. GEORGE Miles, come on -- she didn't do anything wrong. MILES I'm sure she didn't. But she is not a citizen. That's the problem. ANDIRA I need people to vouch for me. GEORGE I'll vouch for you. MILES If they ask me -- I'll tell them you have been a good employee. Never gave us any trouble. Of course, I can't speak about anything you do or may have done outside of work. GEORGE I'm sure she's done nothing. MILES They're looking into it. Thoroughly. They wanted everybody's records. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --18 GEORGE They asked questions about me too? MILES Well, they wanted to know if you have been keeping records as to who asked for the books on the banned list. GEORGE Well, you know I've tried, but I only have a partial list. ANDIRA Some people don't want to give their names. MILES The FBI wants names. GEORGE We'll give them what we have. MILES They're not going to be satisfied with partial lists, George. That doesn't make it any better for Andira either. Or for you. You understand? GEORGE Yes. MILES Let's not give them any excuses. GEORGE As if they needed excuses. MILES Well, if you know that - you had better bend over backwards to comply. GEORGE Or just bend over. MILES George... (He starts to go) MILES (Continued) Andira, I'm sure it'll work out. ANDIRA Yes. (He leaves) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --19 GEORGE What an asshole. ANDIRA That asshole has teeth, George. (TELEPHONE rings. George answers) GEORGE Yes? No.. nothing by Lorca. He's been banned. Yes. Banned. On a list. Yes. I'm sorry. There's a list in our library of banned books. Yes. (He hangs up.) ANDIRA You didn't ask for a name. GEORGE No.. (Lights go down on library environment, up on environment on stage right. Melinda and Barbara are lying on a "bed," facing front. They are watching "television" on an unseen set which is indicated by a remote control which Barbara flicks toward audience to change channel. We hear patriotic hip hop song on TV.) SINGER I salute the flag, cause that's my bag, protesting is such a drag, get you in jail and then you fail, I mean what the fuck, you out of luck. (Melinda switches) NEWS ANNOUNCER A Des Moines housewife thinks big when it comes to pancakes. Mrs. Betty Johnson is in the Guinness Book of Records with a 5,000 foot pancake she baked for her church picnic. She says she also wants to bake a pancake for all of our troops in Sri Lanka and India battling terrorists. The fighting in Sri Lanka and India continues to see victories for coalition forces seeking to bring freedom to their oppressed peoples. (Melinda switches off the TV) MELINDA What bullshit. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --20 (She crawls on top of Barbara) BARBARA Not now. (She pushes Melinda off) MELINDA What's the matter? BARBARA All this war stuff is making me depressed. (Melinda moves in again.) MELINDA Hey, make love - not war. (Melinda kisses her, but Barbara pushes her off.) BARBARA I'm really not in the mood now. (Melinda moves off) MELINDA Gee whiz. BARBARA Baby, I'm sorry...but it's just all those damn troops at the high school. And the security.. the searches.. and everybody is so afraid of everything. And my parents been bugging me. MELINDA Fuck it and them. BARBARA Easier said then done... The questionnaires got me down too. And the interviews. MELINDA I didn't have my interview yet. BARBARA But you filled out the questionnaire. They practically want to know what color your piss is. (Melinda jumps up and salutes.) MELINDA Red, white and blue, sir. (MORE) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --21 MELINDA (Continued) And sir, I have never attended any anti-war demonstrations. And I support the troops, yessir. And I support the president, yes sir! And I think he is doing a good job, yes sir. (She sits again.) BARBARA It spooks me they would ask such questions. MELINDA You told them what they wanted to hear, right? BARBARA Yeah ...but I get the feeling that we are being watched. Do you have that feeling? MELINDA That we're being watched? That's like -- paranoid, you know. BARBARA Don't bullshit me. I know you feel the same. We're being watched, right? MELINDA I kinda feel that way. BARBARA Is it just us? MELINDA All the students.. No, big deal. I mean, everybody is being watched, you know. After the demonstrations. BARBARA It bugs me. And those new students. They look like students to you? I mean they look too old to be students, right. MELINDA You think they're undercover people? BARBARA Could be.. MELINDA I think you need a rest, dear girl. A long vacation. BARBARA I'm serious. MELINDA Listen, you can't go around worrying about all this stuff. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --22 BARBARA I can't just live with it the way you do. And you're not going through what I am going through at home. Which reminds me, they want me home about now. (Barbara stands) MELINDA Jesus... they really got you brainwashed, don't they? BARBARA It's just that I don't want to hear him. MELINDA You always do what they say? BARBARA Of course not. MELINDA Yes you do. BARBARA I don't. MELINDA So stay here. You don't have to listen to him. BARBARA I want to but... you don't know what it's like.. MELINDA Come to mama (She pulls Barbara close. Barbara hesitates, then folds herself into Melinda's arms.) (Lights down on environment. Lights up on library environment. Miles and George are working behind counter.) GEORGE I'm going to testify at her deportation hearing. MILES So I heard. You're a lucky man. GEORGE Lucky? Why? ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --23 MILES Because as far as I know, there will be no hearings. You will get a chance to keep from destroying yourself. GEORGE No hearings? That's it? No defense? Just taken into custody and kicked out? MILES Yeah. GEORGE And you think I would destroy myself? MILES The spotlight is on everybody. It's best not to raise your head when the bullets are flying, you know. GEORGE We can't let this happen. It's not right. I'm going to visit her in jail. MILES I warned you. GEORGE Thanks. MILES I sympathize. I'm trying to help you, George. GEORGE Then testify for her. MILES I think I've made myself clear about that. GEORGE I hope you change your mind. MILES Funny thing is I hope so too, but I don't think I won't. You know where she is? GEORGE I called her home and got her boyfriend, Andrew. He told me. He's very upset. He said the FBI has been questioning him too. He's afraid he might be arrested because he is close to Andira. MILES George -- it's spelled out clearly, isn't it. Stay out of it. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --24 GEORGE I can't. (Lights down in Library and up on Boone Home. They are dressed in paramilitary uniforms and they wear helmets. A belt around their waists carry flashlights and batons. Ezra also has a pistol in a holster. Each also have armbands with American eagle emblems. Their peaked caps also have the emblems. They are looking in a mirror and prancing about, preening.) LOIS Oh, this is so... so.. oh... EZRA You look terrific honey. Really boss. LOIS Boss? EZRA It's an expression. LOIS Yeah..wow.. EZRA How do I look? LOIS Handsome.. I love a man in uniform. (She kisses him.) EZRA This is important business, Lois. LOIS I know it is. EZRA We've been entrusted with a great responsibility. LOIS I know it. EZRA The security of this neighborhood. The security of this city.. of this state.. of this nation.. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --25 LOIS ...depends on people like us. Some people may think we take things too seriously... take ourselves too seriously...but I think these are serious times, like you said. EZRA That's right.. LOIS I wish I didn't have such a headache though. EZRA Did you take an aspirin? LOIS It always gives me gas. EZRA Well, you know -- take it with a glass of milk or something. LOIS You know I am lactate intolerant. EZRA Take that lactase free milk then. LOIS We don't have any. EZRA What are you telling me, Lois? LOIS Just that I have a headache, that's all. It doesn't mean I won't go. EZRA Okay... WAit till George and Helen see this. LOIS Yes.. I have a feeling they are lefties, Ezra. EZRA I get that feeling too. LOIS They had better watch their step. EZRA Yeah.. I think we should discourage Barbara from seeing too much of their daughter, Melinda. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --26 LOIS She's her best friend. EZRA Not good. She's a bad influence. I'll talk to Barbara. She listens to me. LOIS Maybe you should let me talk to her. EZRA I can talk to her. LOIS She responds better to me. EZRA You mean I come on too tough sometimes. LOIS Well, yes. EZRA Okay, you talk to her and if that doesn't work, I will. I want to discourage that relationship. LOIS Alright. EZRA I can't wait to go to the meeting tonight. All the wardens should have their uniforms on. LOIS It will be a sight to see. EZRA We are part of something big. It's a whole new page -- a new chapter -- for America. And we are in right at the start. LOIS It's up to us to safeguard our freedoms. EZRA DAmn right. LOIS Ezra, you wouldn't shoot anybody if you had to, would you? EZRA If it would help our nation, I would do what I had to do. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --27 LOIS Oh, Ezra, I'm kinda scared a little too. EZRA Don't be. There are millions like us. Tens of millions. We are the majority. Strength in numbers. LOIS Let's go to the meeting. (He gives her a mock salute.) EZRA Right, captain.. (He starts to march in a burlesque way while singing "The Caisson Song" and heading off right) EZRA (Continued) Over hill, over dale, we shall hit the dusty trail while our Caissons go marching along. (She playfully punches his shoulder) LOIS Oh, Ezra -- you are too much! (Lights out in Bentley home. Up in center environment where George sits in chair, opposite Andira in another chair. Sitting next to her is, Mario Tonnelli, an attorney from the American Civil Liberties Union. The environment is a detention holding room.) ANDIRA My attorney says they are sending me to another jail. Worse than this. Where there are many like me. We will be kept in cells for 23 hours a day. Given only one three minute shower a week. I have heard of such places. GEORGE Where? How can they do this? MARIO They can do anything they like. GEORGE What can I do? (Andira begins to cry) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --28 MARIO Demonstrate, write letters, make telephone calls, contribute to civil rights organizations like mine. ANDIRA I don't want to leave my boyfriend. We were going to get married. MARIO A lot of cases like hers. ANDIRA They said I was subversive. I did not keep records on all who asked for banned books. I did not inform on those who used questionable sites on the internet. They found banned books in my apartment. GEORGE Can they search her apartment like that? MARIO And they don't need a warrant either. It's in the Patriot Act. They found a copy of Catch 22. GEORGE Oh, God.. if they ever searched my home.. MARIO It might be wise to hide any books that are on the list. GEORGE This is too much. MARIO We have to fight it. GEORGE I know a lot of people who feel the same way I do. But they're afraid to speak out. MARIO Can you get them to sign a petition? GEORGE I don't know. I can try. MARIO If you can.. that would be helpful. ANDIRA Oh, George, thank you...but please, I don't want to get you in trouble. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --29 GEORGE It's just not right what they are doing. (Lights down on cell. George walks up ramp to the living room as lights come up there. He sits on the couch. DONALD BRONZ is sitting on a chair opposite.) BRONZ So, how long have you known Indira Patel? GEORGE About two years since she joined the library staff. BRONZ Has she ever voiced any derogatory remarks about the U.S. government and its president and officials? GEORGE Not that I know of. BRONZ Come on -- in all that time, she didn't say anything about them? Everybody has something to say. GEORGE I never heard her say anything. BRONZ You know, it would be better for you if you cooperated with us. GEORGE Well, I am... what do you want me to say.. make something up? BRONZ Take it easy, Mister Bentley. GEORGE I am.. (Helen enters) HELEN Oh, Hi... GEORGE Helen, this is Donald Bronz with the Office of Homeland Security... BRONZ How do you do? ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --30 HELEN Hi... GEORGE He's an investigator.. BRONZ Prosecutor Investigator actually... It's a new position within the Office... GEORGE They investigate.. then they prosecute.. BRONZ And we can even adjudicate... saves a lot of time. HELEN You mean -- you can find somebody guilty.. on the spot? That's it... no hearing... nothing? BRONZ We've found it is more efficient. HELEN Oh, my Lord.. GEORGE Mister Bronz was asking me about Andira.. HELEN Oh... BRONZ Did you know her? HELEN No.. I mean -- I've seen her a lot at the library.. She seemed like a very nice girl. BRONZ Did you know she was active in peace and resistance movements? HELEN She was? BRONZ (To George) YOu knew that though, didn't you? GEORGE She never mentioned it. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --31 BRONZ She never talked about going on peace marches and demonstrating? GEORGE No, she never did.. BRONZ We have reason to believe she did. GEORGE You have reason to believe.. Meaning you don't know for sure. BRONZ We have what we believe to be reliable information. HELEN Demonstrating is against the law now? BRONZ Miss Patel is a citizen of a nation which is at war with the United States.. GEORGE She wants to be a citizen.. She's about to be married.. BRONZ Marry a citizen in order to be a citizen.. Her boyfriend is a peacenik.. An activist... We have our eye on him too. GEORGE I don't know anything about that... BRONZ And now you are circulating a petition against her impending deportation. GEORGE That's right. BRONZ That puts you in a bad light, Mister Bentley. GEORGE I don't want to see an injustice done. BRONZ You think what we are doing is unjust? HELEN Yes, we do. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --32 BRONZ You teach at the Lowell school, don't you, Mrs. Bentley? HELEN You're not going after me now, are you? GEORGE Helen... please.. BRONZ These are difficult times, Mrs. Bentley... Times when every American is expected to support their nation against enemies.. HELEN Are you saying that we are subversives? GEORGE My wife and I are loyal Americans... We believe in the foundations that make this country... HELEN They are slaves who fear to speak for the fallen and the weak. BRONZ What did you say? HELEN Actually, it was James Russell Lowell who said them. My school was named after him. BRONZ Oh..He's on the list, isn't he? GEORGE Not yet, but I have a feeling he will be. (Bronz stands) BRONZ Thanks for your time... (He leaves. Lights down on Bentley living room. Lights up on Library. Miles and George. Miles is holding a petition.) MILES YOu can't do this. GEORGE A lot of people have signed already. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --33 MILES Isn't it obvious that the regime does not care about petitions and demonstrations? I'm warning you George. I've always considered you to be a good employee. Actually, my right hand man here at the library. And now this. (He walks away with the petition.) GEORGE Where are you going with that? MILES I'm burning it. (Lights down on library. Lights up on George's living room as he walks up incline to it. Helen, Ezra and Lois are there. They are wearing their uniforms.) EZRA I hear you been passing petitions for that Indian girl. GEORGE That Indian girl as you put it - worked with me and is a fine young woman. She was an excellent student in college and was engaged to be married to a young man who came from one of the oldest families in this state. EZRA She was an alien, George. GEORGE This country was founded by aliens. EZRA Don't give me that stuff. She is a leftist agitator and troublemaker. So is her boyfriend. HELEN There's no proof she has ever done anything to harm this country. EZRA We are at war and she is a national of the enemy nation. HELEN She is a good American. GEORGE Ezra - where do you.. what business... ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --34 LOIS We've been given extra duties. All block wardens have. We have to monitor everything that happens on our block... EZRA And everyone... And really -- what you are doing with that Andira girl... HELEN Monitor! Monitor! You mean spying. It's none of your damn business what we do or think or say. We still had a constitution the last time I looked. EZRA We don't look on it as spying, Helen. WE are just trying to protect everybody in our neighborhood from anything that looks strange or out of the way. GEORGE The fact that I had begun a petition drive to fight an injustice is strange -- suspicious in your view? EZRA Look, George -- alls I can say is that it attracted notice and it came down to me to warn you. GEORGE Warn me! LOIS As friends. HELEN This is going too far. Okay, we got your warning. Thanks. Goodbye. EZRA I got to say one more thing. It's also been noticed that you are the only family on the block who have not joined the warden association. GEORGE I never liked uniforms. EZRA You were in the military though. GEORGE I was drafted. I didn't like it. EZRA Best two years of my life. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --35 (Looks hastily at his wife.) EZRA (Continued) I mean, outside of the ones I am spending with Lois. GEORGE I'm not becoming a warden. Christ, do we need more, really? EZRA That's not the point. GEORGE Then what the hell is the point, Ezra? LOIS Please, George -- don't get angry. GEORGE Well, I am getting angry. HELEN Me too. EZRA Alright... If that is the way you are going to play it, George. Then let it be on your head. GEORGE I'm going to tell you something. I'm going to continue circulating petitions to help that young woman. And I sure as hell am not going to spy on my neighbors or anybody who uses the library. And you can take that back to your committee or supervisors or kommando kommandante or strumfuhrer or whatever and tell them. (Ezra takes Lois by the arm.) EZRA C'mon Lois, we've done all we can do for these people. It's all on their heads now. (They storm out. Helen embraces George.) HELEN I am proud of you, George. GEORGE Stupid asshole. (On lower level, Ezra and Lois meet Melinda and Barbara.) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --36 MELINDA Hi, Mister Boone, Mrs. Boone.. EZRA Barbara, I want you to come home with us right now. BARBARA But I'm with my friend, Melinda. EZRA I know who you are with. I want you home now. LOIS Listen to your father. BARBARA Well, I want to stay here. EZRA Well, you are not going to stay. We can discuss this when we get home. MELINDA Barbara - maybe you better go. BARBARA I don't want to go. He's always telling what to do. EZRA Dammit, Barbara -- you come home this instant or there will be hell to pay, God dammit! LOIS Barbara - go home. MELINDA I think you better go, Barbara. I'll call you later. EZRA And I don't want you calling my daughter any more either. I want you to leave her alone. MELINDA She's my friend and I will do what I want to do. LOIS Come on Ezra, don't get further involved. EZRA Well, Barbara -- are you going? BARBARA I hate you. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --37 (She runs off. Ezra and Lois stare at Melinda who turns icily and goes up ramp to her living room. Ezra and Lois follow after Barbara. Lights down in the environment, up in Living room where Melinda has joined George and Helen.) MELINDA You know what that shithead Mister Boone did? He chased Barbara away. Said she shouldn't see me any more. HELEN Does he know that you and she are gay? MELINDA I think he's too stupid to know anything. GEORGE So he doesn't want you to associate with her because of my politics. HELEN Afraid of intelligence by osmosis. GEORGE Jerk. MELINDA We'll still see each other. He can't stop that. I love her and she loves me. HELEN This is going to be very difficult for her. MELINDA We'll find a way. GEORGE Yeah, I guess you will. Pay no attention to Ezra. He's had a lobotomy. MELINDA I know what else I would like to cut off. GEORGE He was all bent out of shape even more than usual because I will continue circulating petitions for Indira.. MELINDA Give me some more of those petitions for school. I think it's great what you are doing. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --38 GEORGE I'm not doing all that much. HELEN It's the right thing to do. GEORGE How do the kids in school feel about all this? MELINDA There's a lot of anger against the war. We're getting like the Nazis. HELEN There are many who think it can't happen here. MELINDA They put gays and lesbians in concentration camps didn't they. GEORGE Yes.. MELINDA You think anything will happen to me? HELEN HOney, don't you worry about things like that. MELINDA That doesn't answer my question. GEORGE Nothing is going to happen. HELEN Vice President Cheney's daughter is a lesbian. MELINDA That's right! I forgot about her. GEORGE So - you'll be okay.. MELINDA Is it true she was going to be a human shield during the Iraqi war and he went to bring her back? GEORGE I don't think that was true. No. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --39 HELEN Although these days it is hard to know what is true and what is not. MELINDA I think you can't believe a word the government says. HELEN I think you're right, but I would be careful where you said that. (She hugs her father) MELINDA Oh, Daddy... GEORGE Everything is going to be okay, honey. Don't worry about anything. MELINDA You sure? GEORGE I'm sure. There are still plenty of people who believe in doing the right thing. MELINDA Are you sure? GEORGE I'm sure. HELEN You have homework? MELINDA Yeah... I'll do it. HELEN Go ahead. We'll have dinner soon. MELINDA Okay. (She goes toward stairs, then turns) MELINDA (Continued) Oh, and don't forget to give me those petitions, dad. GEORGE Right. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --40 (Melinda goes up stairs.) HELEN Well... I'll go make dinner. (She goes toward rear) GEORGE Okay... Oh... (She turns) HELEN Yeah..? GEORGE Don't worry about anything. HELEN I'm not worried. GEORGE Yes you are.. I know you. HELEN I'd be crazy not to worry. (She continues on. Lights down. Lights up in right front where Andira sits at a table writing. As she writes, she speaks her words.)) ANDIRA The darkness and the cold go within me like death. There are sounds of life above and nearby, but they are not real, kept away by the blackness and ice of this new world that is mine, given to me by wordless men that speak now of my crimes or what I have done to deserve this, but I hear their voices and laughter as would one encased in a tomb and is tantalized by the world that is denied me. My love remains without, far from me and kept from my arms, my groin and my heart. Oh, that he would be able to hold me and I him so that together we would be impregnable to the cold and nothingness that torture me. Despair gnaws at bones and spirit, but I resist with the hope that love and laughter and warmth shall return. (Miles and Ezra enter. Ezra is in uniform.) ANDIRA (Continued) Miles.... ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --41 MILES I've been asked to see you. And this is Ezra Boone, a member of the militia. EZRA I'm here because I know your co-worker, George Bentley. He and I are neighbors. We want you to know that we are all your friends. ANDIRA Friends? Then why I am kept here? Release me, then - if you are my friends. MILES We can't do that, Andira. EZRA But there is a chance we can help you if you will tell us what you know about others who feel the same way you do. MILES Who have helped you. ANDIRA I don't know what you are talking about. EZRA I am a friend of George's. I would never hurt him or his family. (George enters behind and unseen by Miles and Ezra.)) ANDIRA Why don't you ask him yourself. (The men turn.) MILES Oh, Hello George. EZRA George. GEORGE What are you doing here? Isn't this a bit far afield for you Ezra. Are you a policeman now as well as warden? Or is that a self-fulfilling question. EZRA I'm good at what I do, George -- so my responsibilities are growing. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --42 ANDIRA They were asking about you. GEORGE Really... MILES Now, hold on George -- I'm here because I was asked to come..It wasn't my idea.. I mean... (To Andira) MILES (Continued) Andira.. I mean.. Don't misunderstand.. ANDIRA No, I understand... you were afraid to come.. Just as you are afraid to disobey the orders you are given.. (Mario enters) MARIO Well, look at this - a regular convention. MILES We were about to go. EZRA I don't know about that. (To Mario) EZRA (Continued) Who are you? MARIO Her attorney... Mario Tomelli -- American Civil Liberties Union. EZRA Oh, that... MARIO Yes, that... And you are? EZRA Ezra Boone... Home security force. GEORGE He's also a movie theater owner.. when he's not on the job. EZRA So - I own a theater, what has that got to do with it? ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --43 GEORGE Exactly... what does owning a theater have to do with home security. EZRA There are some of us George who take the security of our country more seriously than others. GEORGE Andira can vouch for that. MARIO (To Miles) And you? MILES I'm her supervisor... Miles Bukowski.. at the library... Head librarian.. MARIO Ah... And what were you and Mister Boone doing here? ANDIRA Asking me questions. MARIO What kind of questions? ANDIRA About George... MARIO I see...So your attention is now turning to George... ANDIRA I told them nothing... MILES I think we better go. MARIO Yeah, I think you better... EZRA We have a right to question her. MARIO Let me see your letter of authority. EZRA I can get one. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --44 MARIO I suggest you do. EZRA (To Miles) Come on... MILES YOu told me you had authority. EZRA Just a piece of paper.. GEORGE To replace the one that says busybody. MILES I'm going to stay for awhile. MARIO Oh, no - you're not. MILES You don't have the right to tell me what to do. MARIO Oh, you mean this is a free country and you can do what you want? Well, you could have fooled me. ANDIRA Let him stay if he wants. MILES Thank you, Andira.. MARIO What do you want with her? MILES Are we being listened to? MARIO We had better not be... but it's been known to happen. MILES Then it is not safe to talk here? MARIO I have a device which detects other devices.. We're clean here. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --45 MILES Then, Andira.. I just wanted to say how sorry I am about all this..I don't like any of it. GEORGE That's nice to hear. MILES It's true...Look I have to do what I have to do..or they will be coming after me next. You think these people care about the will of others? They're ruthless, George. You don't understand them the way I do.. I used to be a union leader... Yes, I was... You didn't know that about me did you? Rupert Murdoch owned my paper... Talk about Ruthless...And I learned this -- the only thing they respect is muscle.. If you can outmuscle them -- really hurt them in some way -- they respect you and you might get what you want. But without muscle, forget it. They don't give a damn about anything as long as they think they are the biggest, most powerful kids on the block. Petitions are like pissing in the wind. GEORGE I happen to believe in the will of the people. And the people will win in a democracy. MILES You think we have a democracy? They can make the people believe anything they want. They own the media... There's nothing in the corporate media you can believe.. Don't you know that George? They believe the people are just so much sheep - to be led by the nose and then sheared and killed if need be. MARIO You were in the media - a union leader - and you became a librarian, how was that? MILES I got sick of it... lying in print -- getting my brains beaten out because of my union work -- the harassment -- the indifference of most of those I worked with. AFter awhile, you get burnt out. I wanted to get away from it...And for years I did...It was a place a wanted to be... among books... and the quiet..and now this comes along. GEORGE I thought I knew you. MILES How much does anybody really know about anybody? ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --46 MARIO So what is all this now... YOu want us to forgive you for firing Andira...Is this conscience salving time? MILES Yeah, I guess it is... I guess it is... Look, George... Here's the thing.. And I guess I also said what I said because of what I am going to say now... And it is very hard for me to say this, George...But here's the thing...Look.. they... They want me to fire you... I have to fire you. GEORGE Fire me? MILES It was going to be tomorrow.... They expect me to tell you tomorrow... GEORGE Because of the petitions... MILES Yes... I'm sorry.. I really sorry... GEORGE That's not right.. ANDIRA Oh, George... because of me.. (She bursts into tears and hugs George.) MILES And that's not all... They plan to do more... MARIO Well, looks like I have another client. (FADE TO BLACK ACT ONE IS OVER) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --47 (ACT TWO) (George and Helen are seated on the couch in their living room. Two rocks fly through a window. George and Helen leap up.) GEORGE They're at it again. HELEN I'll call the police. GEORGE What good will that do? It was probably the police that through them. HELEN I'll call them anyway. (She picks up a cordless phone while George goes out the door to see who threw the rocks.) HELEN (Continued) (On phone) This is Helen Bentley at 537 Decatur Street. Someone just threw rocks through our window. Yes, again. I thought you people were supposed to be looking out for that sort of thing. Yes, do that. (She hangs up as George re-enters) GEORGE Nobody. HELEN The police said they would look into it. (The telephone rings.) GEORGE Don't answer it. (She looks at the caller ID on the receiver.) HELEN It's Mario. GEORGE Alright. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --48 HELEN (On phone) Mario... Hi... It's happened again. More damn rocks through the window. Yes. No, didn't break anything. We just haven't repaired them. Thank God the weather is mild. I don't know. Eventually, I suppose. We called the police. Nothing. They're doing nothing. Would you? But I doubt if calling them would do any good. Hm, yes... What? When? Wait a minute. I'll write it down. (Aside to George) HELEN (Continued) Mario has a hearing date. (She secures pad and pen.) HELEN (Continued) (Into phone) Go ahead. Yes.. Yes... Okay... fine. Alright. Yes. Thanks. Yeah. I will. You too. (She disconnects.) HELEN (Continued) TWo weeks from now. April lst. GEORGE April Fools Day. That's a happy auguring. (Melinda is shouting from without.) MELINDA (Off stage) Get away from there! What are you doing? Go away. (George heads toward the door. Helen heads toward the window.)) GEORGE (To Helen) Stay away from the window (She hesitates.) GEORGE (Continued) Get back... You could be hurt. (She moves back.) HELEN Be careful.. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --49 (He heads out, but is met by Melinda at the door. She carries a sign on a stick. The sign reads: TRAITOR.) MELINDA I caught some kid trying to plant this on our lawn. Asshole. HELEN Maybe we should move. MELINDA Mom! GEORGE No! Nobody is going to chase me out of my own house. (Telephone rings.) MELINDA Don't answer it. HELEN It could be Mario again. GEORGE (To Melinda) We have a hearing on our case. April Fools Day. MELINDA April Fools Day! (Helen at the phone which is still ringing.) HELEN Caller ID says "Pay Phone." MELINDA Pick it up and hang-up fast. Disconnect. (Helen does so.) MELINDA (Continued) I thought we had an unlisted number. GEORGE We do. HELEN We really don't know who that was. Apparently someone to whom we gave our unlisted number. (The phone rings again.) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --50 HELEN (Continued) It's the same number. (She looks at the others who look expectantly back at her. Nobody knows quite what to do. Helen answers the phone. She listens for a moment before she speaks.) HELEN (Continued) Go to hell! The same to you! (She hangs up.) MELINDA They've got our unlisted number! (The telephone rings again. They do not answer and it continues to ring ominously as they stare at it. Then their automatic answering machine answers. First there is their recorded message, then the caller leaves a message.) RECORDED MESSAGE We're not available to answer the phone right now, but please leave your name and telephone number, the date and time you called and we will call back. Thanks. Speak after the beep. (Sound of beep)) MALE CALLER You commie rat fucks. If you don't like this country, why the hell don't you go back where you came from. I had a brother fought in Iraq and you aren't worth the paper to wipe his ass. Fuck you. (The call ends.) GEORGE Go back where we came from. I wonder where they would be. HELEN He also told us to go to Hell. GEORGE I guess that is where we came from. HELEN I thought that is where we are now. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --51 MELINDA Gee, I'm glad you two can find all of this funny. I don't. GEORGE We don't. We don't find it funny. HELEN Someone gave out our new unlisted phone number. GEORGE We'll have to get another. (The phone rings again. George grabs it, looks at the caller ID.) GEORGE (Continued) (To others) It's Mario. (He picks up the phone and listens, then talks.) GEORGE (Continued) Oh, okay... Yeah, sure... okay. (He hangs up.) GEORGE (Continued) (To others) He wants us to go to his office. He doesn't want to talk on the phone. MELINDA YOu think his office at the ACLU isn't bugged the way this phone is? HELEN They sweep the office regularly for bugs. (George talks into a lamp) GEORGE Hey -- FBI, we're going. MELINDA YOu think there's a bug in the lamp? GEORGE Who knows? (George and Helen go down ramp to stage front left. Melinda stays behind. Front door rings.) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --52 (Melinda answers it, but first checks to see who is out there. Then she quickly opens the door. Barbara enters.) MELINDA Hi... BARBARA Hi.. (They embrace and hold each other tightly, then kiss, then Barbara breaks off) BARBARA (Continued) I can't stay. MELINDA I miss you. BARBARA And I miss you too. MELINDA How about a beer? BARBARA No...I just had to see you. MELINDA I'm glad you did. I want to keep seeing you. We can meet in secret. BARBARA It wouldn't work. MELINDA Why not? It works for plenty of cheating married people. BARBARA I couldn't deal with it. MELINDA Couldn't - or don't want to. BARBARA You don't know what it is like at my place. My father is after me all the time about you. And your parents. He's putting a lot of pressure on me. MELINDA What do you mean? ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --53 BARBARA He wants to know what your parents do. He really thinks they are subversive. MELINDA That's bullshit and you know it. BARBARA Look, I don't know what to think. MELINDA Barbara! Come on! BARBARA Look, I came to warn you and to see you one last time. MELINDA One last time... BARBARA Melinda, I can't...this is hard enough... Look, stop what you are doing.. They're gonna be very rough on your parents and you. I heard them talking... MELINDA They're already pretty rough... This place is like under siege. BARBARA I shouldn't even have come. MELINDA You're such a wimp. Anybody can make you do anything. BARBARA It's easy for you to talk -- your parents are lefties. They accept your being gay. My parents would kill me if they knew I was gay. MELINDA But you like this don't you? (She begins to stroke Barbara's breast. Barbara doesn't move. Melinda moves with a strong embrace and kisses Barbara hard. Barbara responds and then breaks away.) BARBARA No... I can't see you any more. MELINDA Then you don't really love me...you were just playing at it. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --54 BARBARA That's not so... It's the pressure.. I can't deal with it..Look... I can't see you. I wanted one more time -- but this is it. MELINDA Alright, then go... BARBARA Melinda... I'm sorry.. MELINDA Then go, God damn it... BARBARA Melinda.. I'm sorry.. MELINDA Get the fuck out! (Barbara turns and leaves. Melinda stares after her, then hurls herself onto the couch, sobbing.) (Lights down on living room. Up stage front left where Mario is behind table. Helen and George sit in front of him.) MARIO Good news and bad news. GEORGE Give me the good news first. MARIO The American Library Association has taken up your case. GEORGE That is good news. HELEN Oh, yes. MARIO The bad news is that the ASsociation has been labeled as a possibly subversive group by the Fox network and it is being investigated by the House subcommittee on Un-American Affairs. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --55 GEORGE You're joking! the American Library ASsociation -- subversive? YOu are joking -- right? MARIO No. HELEN You're serious. MARIO I'm serious. HELEN Oh, my God. GEORGE The Fox network? Who believes that? MARIO More people than you think. GEORGE And what is this about the House Unamerican subcommittee? MARIO Right out of the McCarthy era - isn't it? It's newly formed. HELEN I can't believe this is happening. MARIO Yeah...And they're making you their poster radical George. They want to make an example of you. GEORGE What do you mean -- poster boy? MARIO An example to others. GEORGE It seems to me they already have. They've taken away my job. I can't get a job anywhere else. Nobody wants to hire me. HELEN And I've been suspended from teaching. MARIO When did that happen? HELEN Two days ago. I can't believe this is happening to us. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --56 MARIO There is an hysteria in the land. GEORGE What can we do? MARIO This is what I wanted to talk to you about -- not on the phone. GEORGE Are you sure it is safe to talk here in your office. I may be paranoid -- but is it safe? MARIO Yes. The ACLU wants to make you and Helen our poster kids. HELEN What are you talking about? MARIO Use you as an example of what can happen to ordinary decent people in a society gone crazy with fear. GEORGE And patriotism... everybody is rallying around the flag. HELEN I don't know. Haven't we had enough problems? This could only make things worse for us. MARIO It would be worse for you if you did nothing because the fanatics who are persecuting you won't stop until you are destroyed as an example to others. Look it's like being a porcupine -- if you have bristles and spines that make it painful to eat you -- you don't get eaten. HELEN So you want us to be porcupines? I'm not so sure I like that analogy. GEORGE What do you have in mind? MARIO We'll get public opinion on your side. You and Helen can speak at rallies. Other peace and freedom groups will join in. United For Peace. Not In Our Name. Americans for Democratic Action. Articles in the Nation, The Progressive, In Our Times, Mother Jones, interviews on the Pacifica network. We'll make you too much of a hot potato to handle. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --57 HELEN First we're porcupines -- now we are hot potatoes. MARIO You find this funny. You don't like the idea. HELEN No... speaking out has gotten us into trouble. GEORGE Helen! What are you saying? You want us to just quit? What? HELEN No... I'm -- I don't know... Well, maybe it is better to keep our heads down a bit. GEORGE Crawl into a hole, you mean. MARIO A hole is where the fascists want to put you. If you don't fight back -- it will be a loud invitation for the fascists to bury you. GEORGE I think he's right, Helen. HELEN Look, I have only been suspended. I could be fired definitely. MARIO Your union -- The American Federation of Teachers will prevent that. HELEN They didn't prevent me from being suspended. GEORGE But they are fighting it, right. HELEN So what did the American Librarian Association do for you, George? You've been fired. GEORGE The case is under arbitration. HELEN Yeah -- and maybe in five years there will be a decision. What are we supposed to live on during that time. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --58 MARIO The peace and freedom coalition will take care of you. HELEN Yeah, until they come and throw you all in jail. MARIO They are not going to throw us in jail. There are too many people who feel the way we do. HELEN People like you said the same in Nazi Germany, but they were killed or thrown into concentration camps just the same. GEORGE Mario is right. If we say or do nothing, it will just give them permission to go on doing what they want. They'll roll over us. HELEN You're forgetting Melinda, aren't you? What about her life, her future? She's gay. They'll come after her. MARIO Being gay doesn't matter to them -- plenty of gays in the administration. The religious right - cares, not them. HELEN Still -- I'm worried. MARIO The thing is -- they can come after anybody they want. She'll fight.. I know her. (Lights out in ACLU office, lights up on right front environment which is the office of Donald Bronz. He is with Barbara. She sits in chair in front of his desk. He is sitting atop the desk and is playing a tape recorder.) BARBARA (ON TAPE) My parents would kill me if they knew I was gay. BARBARA (Continued) Oh, my God... BRONZ Your parents don't have to know about this if you do what I tell you. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --59 (Lights out in Bronz office Lights up in stage center front environment which is detention center visiting area. Andira sits at table. Melinda is opposite her.) ANDIRA Thank you for coming. MELINDA That's alright. I have wanted to come for some time. ANDIRA Whenever you come is fine. You are here now -- that is fine. How is your father? MELINDA He wanted to come today, but he was detained. ANDIRA Detained -- oh, my... MELINDA I meant -- there was something else that took longer than he thought... He's not -- you know.. (She laughs at the misunderstanding.) ANDIRA Ah, yes... MELINDA He plans to come later. ANDIRA He comes almost every day. MELINDA Well, I am taking his place -- for now. ANDIRA And how are you? MELINDA I'm fine. How are you holding up? ANDIRA Fine... But I will be leaving next week...They told me. MELINDA Oh, my God. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --60 ANDIRA I am being deported, yes.. MELINDA Does my father know? Does Mario know? ANDIRA I was just told. I suppose Mario will be told right away too. MELINDA Oh, God.. Isn't there anything else that can be done? ANDIRA I am afraid not... (Melissa goes around the table to Andira and embraces her.) MELINDA Oh, you poor dear... (Deep hug. Then kiss. Donald Bronz enters.) BRONZ Well... (Melissa and Andira break off quickly. Melissa turns on him angrily.) MELINDA That give you a thrill? BRONZ I didn't know you two were -- that close. ANDIRA Are you inferring? MELINDA You creep. INDIRA I am engaged... was engaged -- had a boyfriend. BRONZ What you two do is no concern of mine. But you're not supposed to do it here. Although I suppose there is no other place for you to do it. (He laughs.) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --61 MELINDA This is ridiculous. We hugged. A sisterly kiss. Nothing more. BRONZ There were guards watching. They got a kick. (Melinda gives the bird to the unseen guards. Bronz laughs again.) BRONZ (Continued) They would get a kick out of that too. MELINDA They can go fuck themselves. BRONZ They would rather watch you two do it. ANDIRA So now you have another lie to put in my dossier. BRONZ I told you -- it's of no matter to me.. ANDIRA I am not her lover. Wrap your dirty mind around that. MELINDA It didn't mean anything... I just felt so... I mean -- what you were doing to her -- I wanted -- what the hell am I explaining anything to you for.. Go to hell. BRONZ Yeah... Well, I think you should get back now on your side of the table, huh? MELINDA Make me. BRONZ Oh, alright. (He snaps his fingers and gestures to the unseen guards.) ANDIRA Wait... Melinda -- please.. (Melinda glares at Bronz and returns to her side of the table.) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --62 MELINDA (To Andira) I'm sorry... ANDIRA Nothing to be sorry about... BRONZ Yeah... listen. MELINDA You listen...How can you deport her? She's done nothing. BRONZ She's going, that is that. She is here illegally. The law is the law. MELINDA It's an unjust law. BRONZ Yeah...Well... She's going, but actually not as quickly as we first said. Miss Pavel... I came here to tell you that we are going to keep you with us for awhile longer. ANDIRA What? BRONZ We have the letters you wrote to your family, Miss Pavel. Very critical of this land of ours. ANDIRA Letters I wrote to my family? MELINDA You got her letters? BRONZ YOur little friend here thought we were all fascists. MELINDA Well, aren't you? BRONZ Keep talking.. ANDIRA Melinda - stop. Perhaps it would be better that you leave. BRONZ Before she puts more of her foot in her mouth, you mean. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --63 MELINDA Listen... ANDIRA Melinda, please... BRONZ No.. no.. keep talking... That's alright... we know all about you.. MELINDA What are you talking about? BRONZ Well..we have information... MELINDA What information? BRONZ YOu know why I came in here? Not to bust up your touching little scene.. I came here because it was a great opportunity to talk to you and tell you something, Miss Bentley. I'm arresting you for making seditious remarks about the President and the government of the United States. (Lights out in visiting room. Up in ACLU "office." Mario, Helen and George.) MARIO Her girlfriend... ex-girlfriend -- is the chief witness against her. GEORGE Barbara? MARIO And I have to tell you something else. You are going to get a hearing -- both of you. HELEN What? MARIO Deportation hearing. GEORGE What -- what are you talking about? MARIO We were lucky to get even that. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --64 HELEN But... deportation? MARIO Yes -- under the new Patriot act -- American citizens believe to be subversive and seditious can be deported. The alternative for you both could be incarceration for an undetermined period of time. GEORGE I can't believe what I am hearing. MARIO They are even trying to move against me -- but the ACLU is too strong. GEORGE Not strong enough to protect us -- however. MARIO Or others like you. You are not alone. HELEN How -- I have never done... I can't believe.. MARIO And Melinda too. Deported.. GEORGE I thought we were going to be the poster couple of resistance? A rallying point.. MARIO You will be -- what is being done to you and others like you is reprehensible. The Nation and In These Times will have lead stories about you. HELEN I feel so much better. MARIO We'll have e-mail campaigns.. telephone barrages.. marches..in your behalf.. GEORGE Great - and we'll read about them in -- in -- where the hell are they going to deport us to? MARIO Any country that will take you... ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --65 HELEN This can't be happening...I'll contact the American Federation of Teachers.. MARIO They know... and they are going to court for you. GEORGE And the American Association of Librarians? MARIO Also going to court -- although they have their own case to deal with too.. GEORGE You know -- the way things are going in this country -- maybe I would like to be deported. Can I pick the country I want to go to? MARIO It depends on who will take you. HELEN How about Mars or Jupiter? I think I would like to get off the whole God-damn planet. GEORGE France for me. HELEN When is this hearing? MARIO A week... HELEN So soon? MARIO The administration does not want to give the protests a chance to grow. And there is another surprise. GEORGE I don't think I could take any more surprises.. HELEN What is it? MARIO Andira will testify against you. (Helen and George remain seated in what is to become a hearing room.) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --66 (They are joined by Melinda and Mario. Ezra and Lois, in uniform, stand behind Helen and George. Lights up on stage front right where Barbara sits on a chair on a foot high platform. She is being interrogated by Bronz) BRONZ And what else did she say? BARBARA That she thought the president was like Hitler and he was a stupid liar and cheat. She wished him dead. (Melinda jumps up) MELINDA That's not true.. (George gently pushes her down into her chair. She is also stared down by Bronz)) BRONZ Did she ever advocate the overthrow of our government? BARBARA Yes. Often. BRONZ By violent means? BARBARA Any means necessary -- including violence. Go into the streets with guns. That was the way she put it. (Melinda jumps up again) MELINDA That's a lie... I never said any of those things. (George jumps up.) GEORGE This a witchhunt. A kangaroo trial BRONZ You'll get your turn in the dock, Mister Bentley. I suggest you wait your turn. GEORGE This is a disgrace. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --67 BRONZ Any more of these intrusions - Mister Bentley and I will order that you and your daughter be removed from this courtroom. MARIO You call this a courtroom? We are not even allowed to question the witnesses. BRONZ YOur clients will have an opportunity to testify. Until then, I urge you to keep them civil and respectful of this proceeding. GEORGE We're being railroaded. BRONZ I'm warning you. MARIO (To George and Melinda) Sit down, George -- Melinda. It does no good. (George reluctantly sits) GEORGE Bloody sham. BRONZ (To Barbara) What did you say when Melinda told you all this. BARBARA I told her that it was unpatriotic and that I would not listen to any more of it. I broke off my relationship with her. BRONZ And what did you observe about Mister Bentley and his wife, Helen. BARBARA It was always my view that they were communists or at least hard line leftists. BRONZ What made you say that? BARBARA They were always talking about civil rights and how the poor and the middle classes were getting screwed by the rich and the government. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --68 BRONZ Did you ever hear them advocate the overthrow of the government by violent or other means? BARBARA Yes. Often. BRONZ Thank you, Miss Boone. That will be all. (Lights down in anteroom. Lights up again in "hearing room.") BRONZ (Continued) We now call Miss Andira Pavel. (Andira walks in from the stage front left and sits in the "witness" chair.) BRONZ (Continued) Miss Pavel -- you worked with Mister Bentley at the library, yes? ANDIRA Yes. BRONZ Did you observe any actions which you considered to be seditious or treasonable? ANDIRA He encouraged me to hide books which were on the banned list and to distributed them when they were called for. BRONZ And you have provided us with a list of those who asked for these books? ANDIRA Yes, I have. BRONZ Have you ever heard Mister Bentley make statements favoring a change of regime in the United States by violence or by any other means? ANDIRA Yes, I have. (George leaps up.) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --69 GEORGE Andira -- how could you? Will you be allowed to stay in this country in return for your lies? MARIO Restrain that man. (Ezra strikes George with a billyclub and Lois handcuffs him.) LOIS Sorry, George. ANDIRA I am sorry George..Yes, I will be allowed to stay. BRONZ The last remarks of the witness will be stricken from the record. MARIO Just as will my remarks and the remarks of anybody who protests this burlesque. BRONZ This hearing is being conducted according to the new laws. Perfectly legal and I caution you -- one more outburst and you will not only be removed -- but arrested. (Mario sits.) MARIO Miss Pavel - that will be all. And thank you. (Andira begins to cry and runs from the "stand" off stage left.)) BRONZ We now call Miles Coleman. (Miles enters from stage left and sits in the witness chair) BRONZ (Continued) Mister Coleman - have you ever witnessed any seditious and treasonous acts on the part of Mister Bentley, his wife, Helen and their daughter, Melinda. MILES I can say unequivocally and without any restraint -- and which is the unvarnished and sterling truth that I have never witnessed GEorge, Helen or Melinda commit an un-American act. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --70 BRONZ What? MILES But I do know of un-American activities. There are people in this room now who are committing acts which are against the spirit of the constitution and the principles of democracy that we have long cherished. BRONZ What is this Mister Coleman? MILES I denounce this tribunal. And I denounce you, Mister Bronz. I denounce a process which has turned an innocent young woman into a prostitute willing to lie for survival. And I denounce a process which is attempting to destroy and good and honest man and his family. BRONZ That's enough. (He gestures to Ezra and Lois who head toward Miles.) MILES This entire proceeding is obscene and I welcome the opportunity... (He continues shouting as Ezra grabs him and pushes him out toward stage right.) GEORGE Oh, Miles... MARIO I protest this brutality...this Nazi trampling of our rights. This era is worse than the McCarthy years. We have to do what we can to keep the thugs and fascists in the White HOuse from destroying our country. (He is off stage and Ezra returns to his place.) BRONZ This hearing is now in recess. (Lights out in stage left front are. Up in stage right front which is holding area. George, Helen, Melinda and Mario.) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --71 BRONZ (Continued) Thank you. That is all. Melinda Bentley, please. (Ezra steps down and takes his place beside his wife as Melinda goes to the witness chair.) BRONZ (Continued) Have you anything to say before I pronounce sentence? MELINDA I want to confess to being a lesbian. But then so is Barbara who was my lover. So are the Log CAbin Republicans who are welcome in the White House - probably because Mary Chaney, the daughter of Vice President Chaney is a lesbian. And I want to confess to criticizing a government that is suppressing civil liberties and coercing a frightened populace into conformity. And I want to confess being in a conspiracy in all that with Barbara Boone who is a clandestine leader of the resistance movement. EZRA What is she saying? BARBARA You are a lying bitch. Just trying to smear me out of spite. MELINDA She thought that by implicating me - she could throw suspicion away from herself. But I suggest you look into her background. We were very close. (Barbara moves toward Melinda, but is stopped by Ezra.) EZRA She saying you were gay! BRONZ This hearing is in recess. (He bangs on the table. Lights out in hearing room. Lights up in stage right front which is anteroom as Ezra, Lois and Barbara enter.) EZRA Tell me what she said is a lie. BARBARA No.. Daddy, it's true. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --72 LOIS Oh, Barbara.. oh, Barbara... oh, Barbara.. EZRA You and she...oh, Jesus, I don't want to believe this. (He sits, holds his head in his hands.) BARBARA It's true.. EZRA Oh, Jesus, I don't want to believe this. My daughter is a pervert. LOIS Ezra, please.. BARBARA I loved her, Daddy. EZRA She made you that way, didn't she? BARBARA I've always been that way. And I'm not a pervert. It's natural. EZRA It ain't natural. It's against God's law. BARBARA That's not so... Nature made me this way. It's the way of life. EZRA That's not true... nobody in my family was ever gay. LOIS Mine either... BARBARA We're part of the world. More and more people realize that. Why can't you? EZRA Our only child... LOIS We'll never have grandchildren.. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --73 EZRA George and Helen Bentley knew about this, didn't they? BARBARA They knew their daughter was gay and I was her girlfriend. EZRA I don't want to hear you say that, God damn it. Who else knew? The whole town probably knew and was laughing behind our back. BARBARA A lot of the kids in school knew.. We're not the only ones. There are plenty of us out there. So what? EZRA Jesus.. LOIS This is a burden we'll have to bear, Ezra. BARBARA I'm sorry..Daddy.. I wanted to keep it secret. And it would have been secret if Mister Bronz did not make me testify. But you make me sick, the both of you. I lied on the stand because of you.. that prick Bronz made me do it.. he found out about Melinda and me - and said he would keep it from you unless I lied... So know I can tell the truth.. and I will tell the truth... EZRA What do you mean you're going to tell the truth. About Bronz? Haven't you done enough to your father and mother? You want to ruin us as well? You don't fuck with Bronz, you understand? We'll deal with this gay thing later. BARBARA YOu can deal with it all you want, but it is not going to change anything. LOIS We'll make the best of things, Barbara.. EZRA Listen, we all got to calm down here.. Barbara you got to understand this comes as a shock to you mother and I.. We're dealing with this now... And you got to stick to your story.. YOu understand? (Bronz enters) BRONZ Everything alright here? I want to go back in. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --74 EZRA You knew about her being gay and you blackmailed her into testifying? BRONZ Is that what she said? BARBARA It's true.. BRONZ Let me put it this way... We didn't make her lie.. She testified about what she knew to be true because of what she heard in the Bentley home.. LOIS She threatened to go back and testify that you made her tell that story by blackmailing her, but we told her not to do that. BRONZ That's very wise because if she was to do that - it would be bad for just about everybody.. It would be bad for you Ezra and Lois.. BARBARA You would do that against my mom and dad who have done so much for you? EZRA Lois and I are loyal supporters.. BRONZ Say nothing, Barbara and everything will be alright. (To Ezra and Lois) BRONZ (Continued) Make sure she keeps her mouth shut. EZRA She'll listen to us. She always does. BRONZ Alright... she better. Now, let's go back in. You're up next Ezra. (Lights out in the anteroom, up in the hearing room as Ezra, Lois, Barbara and Bronz file back in. Ezra goes on the stand. The others take their seats.) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --75 EZRA George Bentley, his wife Lois and daughter Melinda have shown themselves to be consistent enemies of the new Homeland. They have never entered into patriotic activities and refused to show allegiance to the new order. Their house was a hotbed of subversive activity. BRONZ All accusations must be investigated. You are dismissed Miss Bentley. I call George Bentley. (George takes the witness stand as Lights go up stage center - left which has been transformed into a small room. Andira sits on a chair, sobbing.) BRONZ (Continued) Have you anything to say before I pronounce sentence?> GEORGE Nothing except to say that you should have Ezra Boone and his wife Lois up here too. EZRA What? LOIS Did he mention our names? (Andira stands and takes a small rope from her pocket and loops it around a pipe overhead.) GEORGE They have wrapped themselves in the American flag in order to hide their activities as leaders of a resistance cell. There was nothing I did that I did not do at their orders. I reveal them now to be double agents and traitors to the American cause. (Ezra runs forward as Andira makes a loop of the other end of the rope and ties a knot. Then she places it around her neck, steps onto the chair.) EZRA That's a lie! He's lying to try to save his own skin. Don't believe him. LOIS How could you say such a thing, George. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --76 HELEN It's true. It's true. MELINDA Yes, they are double agents. Just like Barbara. BARBARA (Shouting) Oh, Melinda! MARIO These are serious charges, Miss Bentley. MELINDA I know. BRONZ Oh, Barbara -- I don't blame you for saying these terrible things. Please forgive me for what I have done to you. They made me do it! I love you. I'm sorry. I love you. MARIO Stop it. Stop it all of you. This hearing is over. You George, Helen and Melinda Bentley, are to be deported along with Miles Coleman. (Lois and Barbara join Ezra by Bronz at stage right front as George goes to Helen and Melinda in center front area.) EZRA Glad you didn't believe that radical, liberal bastard. LOIS Who could believe them. After all we have done for the cause. BARBARA We have proven our loyalty. BRONZ I think you all protest too much. EZRA What do you mean? BRONZ I mean nothing. If you have done nothing. There is nothing to worry about. (Lights out in front left area.) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --77 MARIO Indira was supposed to augment what Miles was supposed to say -- people who worked with you. But Miles fooled 'em. He saw Jesus -- or whatever. Did you see the look on Bronz's face? He never expected that. And they were willing to grant Andira asylum in order to nail their poster boy librarian. And teacher. Make an example out of you too -- an example even of a librarian and a teacher - and they scare everybody. They've already taken care of the media, the intellectuals and the artists. And they show there's nobody too small that escapes their notice. Indira was a needed tool. GEORGE She was such a sweet girl. May they rot in hell for what they did to her. Poor Indira. Poor confused, tortured Indira. May she forgive herself. I forgive her. I want to tell her that. (Indira kicks over the chair and she falls abruptly. Lights go to black.) (THE PLAY IS OVER.)