Brothers in Arms
by
Joe Nelson
General Scene
Time: Late September 2009
Place: Northern Maine
The Set: The scene opens at the top of the play to reveal the living room/kitchen of the O’Neil’s house. The building itself is actually a converted hunting lodge. It is functional as a house but has a paired down, no frills sort of appearance. SR. is the kitchen area with sink, refrigerator, stove/oven etc. None of them appear to be from this decade.. Just left of that is the doorway into KIRK’s room and to the left of that is a staircase that leads up to TRACY’s room. To the left of that (the stage right wall) is a door that leads to the “mud room” that serves as the ante chamber to the house. Down of all this is a lowered area that serves as a living room. There’s a well worn armchair and a sofa long enough for an adult male to sleep on. There is a table in between these two pieces of furniture, low to the ground and also old looking. There is no TV and only one apparent phone if any.
SCENE 1
When the lights come up we see KIRK sitting in the armchair, playing an acoustic guitar. KIRK is a strong looking man of about 23. His features betray that fact that he has seen much in his short life, especially his eyes, they’re tired looking. KIRK was a soldier in the Afghan War which is still going on at this time in the play and as this is being written in 2011. God Bless America.
After a while of KIRK playing the guitar, his little sister TRACY enters from the staircase. TRACY is 17, fiercely intelligent and extremely caustic. She’s been given a raw deal in life already and she knows and resents it.
TRACY
Would you shut it?
KIRK
What?
TRACY
Playing that stupid guitar. I have got a shitton of homework to do and...
KIRK
(interrupting)
Language.
TRACY
Funny... and I can’t do it with you plunking away on that piece of...
KIRK
(stern)
Language.
TRACY
Piece. Of. Shit. There I said it what are you gonna do about it? That “language” crap didn’t work for mom and dad, what chance do you think you have, Kirk?
KIRK
Yeah? Mom and Dad would be ashamed hearing you swear like that in the house.
TRACY
First of all, they’d be ashamed at you for calling this stable a f...
(He looks at her sternly, she decides her point is more important)
Friggin house. Second, they’d be ashamed that you were down here playing Esteban while I’m upstairs trying to do my work.
KIRK
Fine. I’ll stop. You could have just asked, you know.
TRACY
You don’t respond to requests.
KIRK
I don’t?
TRACY
No. You respond to demands.
KIRK
Either way there’s no need for you to be swearing up a storm.
TRACY
What does it matter?
KIRK
Swearing is not good manners.
(pause)
Mom taught you better than that.
TRACY
Yeah, ok. Are you gonna tell me you didn’t swear in the army.
KIRK
That’s different.
TRACY
How the hell is that different?
KIRK
We were in the desert.
TRACY
(so sarcastic it hurts)
Oh yeah, that’s right. I forgot that everything becomes acceptable in the Afghanistan.
KIRK
(sarcasm not appreciated)
There is a time and place for everything.
TRACY
Everything.
KIRK
Yes.
TRACY
Everything. Like shooting someone dead in your house can be acceptable under certain circumstances?
KIRK
I’m not gonna play this little game with you, Tracy. The point is it’s not lady like.
TRACY
Lady like! Now it’s about being a girl.
KIRK
No. I’m saying... you wouldn’t go around swearing like that at school would you?
TRACY
Why wouldn’t I?
KIRK
Because it makes you seem less intelligent.
TRACY
Kirk, the simple fact that I can string together a sentence without involving the phrases “John Deere”, “Ha Boy!” Or making dirt bike sounds makes me seem more intelligent than half my school.
KIRK
Then don’t swear, Tracy, and you’ll sound more intelligent than the other half too.
TRACY
Oh my God, there really is no talking to you.
KIRK
Language.
TRACY
What?
KIRK
Lord’s name in vain.
TRACY
Jesus Fucking Christ!
KIRK
Tracy O’Neil! If your mother were here she’d smack you silly for that.
TRACY
If mom was still here we’d still be in Boston and YOU...
She’s gone to far.
KIRK
Afghanistan.
TRACY
Yeah.
(Pause)
Sorry.
KIRK
Nah. It’s, uh... it’s fine.
TRACY
Well... while we’re on the subject.
KIRK
Subject?
TRACY
Your time in the Army.
KIRK
Oh. What about it.
TRACY
Mr. Meyers, my American Politics teacher, wanted to know if you’d care to come in and tell us what it was like.
KIRK
To be a soldier.
TRACY
A soldier in Afghanistan.
Pause.
KIRK
Yeah, fine, sure.
TRACY
Great. Extra credit for me.
KIRK
Well that’s a good thing then.
TRACY
Alright, I’ll email Mr. Meyers, if I can get the damn internet to move that is. Tell me why again we still have dialup internet?
KIRK
You don’t need anything more.
TRACY
Like hell I don’t! It takes me... urgh, never mind I’m not getting into this with you again. A TV wouldn’t kill us though so we could maybe watch the news. Know what’s going on in the world.
KIRK
We don’t need any of that.
TRACY
Are you serious right now? We should at least... Never mind. I’m going to email my teacher. How does Thursday at 1:30 work for you?
KIRK
Works fine.
TRACY
Alright great. I’m gonna finish my homework and go to bed.
KIRK
Ok.
TRACY
That means no more guitar, got it?
KIRK
Go do your work.
She exits upstairs. KIRK goes over to the refrigerator and gets a beer.
KIRK
A soldier in Afghanistan.
He drinks as the lights fade out.
SCENE 2
When the action resumes a single light is all that is onstage. KIRK moves into the light and begins to talk to TRACY’s class, which cannot be seen, use your imagination.
KIRK
Hi everyone. I’m Tracy’s brother, Kirk. She uh... asked me to come in today and tell you all what it was like to be a soldier... in Afghanistan. Well, I guess I should tell you why I joined up first. I had always wanted to get out of Boston, that’s where we were living at the time. I’m just not really cut out for city life. Doesn’t set well with me. That and the fact that 9/11 happened when I was about you guys’ age. I just felt like I had to do something, ya know? I could just sit around and not be of service to the country that had given me so much when I needed it. I signed up with the Army at a little recruiting station down the street from where we lived. There were a lot of other guys in there, a couple girls too, and they all felt the same way I did I guess. I went through basic training down at Fort Brag for what seemed like no time. They prepared us pretty well, looking back, but the time it felt we had hardly learned anything. Like we weren’t ready. But, then again, I doubt anyone ever feels ready to go off to war. I was deployed to an area just outside of Kabul, which is the capital city of Afghanistan, with a ton of other guys. Bunch of us got to be buddies and things were ok, I guess. Then we were ordered into the city. As I already said, I don’t do to well in cities and, well, it gets worse when they’re shooting at. You think I would have been used to it after living in Boston. Sorry, sorry, bad joke. Anyways I served out my time in Kabul until I had to come back here. Umm... Any questions?
(He listens)
The best part about being a soldier? The other guys, without a question. When you trust people with your lives they become part of your family. There was this one guy by name of Urban Smerdyakov who was my best buddy over there. We used to call him the Mad Russian on account of his dad being a Russian Jew and him being absolutely insane. He used to pull the best pranks I think I’ve ever seen.
(a beat)
He saved my life too. He was our unit’s translator and one day we were out on a patrol when an IED went off and cut us off from the rest of the group. The blast knocked me clean out. When I came too, Urban was piling rocks on top of me. He told me to play dead cause some hostiles were coming in.
(Pause.)
I watched him lead them away from me and take two of them out by hand before they finally... captured him. They knew he could speak their language and wanted him for information.
(Pause.)
That was a rough day.
(pause)
The best moment of my life though was when we went and got him back. We stormed the complex where he was held, a big group of us. Translators were like gold over there because the language is so different and nobody here knows how to speak it, so we had to get him back. I was on point of the unit that lead the attack. Volunteered for it. When we found him he was in bad shape. They had been torturing him. Cut out his eye with a rusty sword. We got him back though. He actually chose to stay there after he had recovered. Told ya the man was crazy.
(Pause he listens to another question)
What part did I like the least?
(Pause. He looks like he’s about to say one thing but changes his mind.)
The morning after a night shoot-out. No matter what we never found all the bodies in the night. There were no streetlights anywhere, just too dark to see them. When the sun came up it would, like, paint shadows on the dead men’s faces. They’d be lying next to each other and one would look like he was smiling a huge grin and the other would look like he was crying about everything in the world. I... I still don’t like mornings.
(Pause. Another question)
Did I ever kill anyone?
(Pause.)
Yes. I did.
(Pause.)
Felt like I needed a beer and a long shower.
The Lights fade.
SCENE 3
Later that day, back at the house. KIRK is alone, looking at his old booney hat. He has a beer with him and takes a long swig of it. After a moment enter TRACY from the Mud Room. She has a backpack and is, once again, pissed off.
KIRK
Hey Trace.
TRACY
What do you want?
KIRK
Nothing. Just saying hey.
TRACY
Well “hey”.
She goes to the fridge and gets a drink.
KIRK
How was the rest of your day?
TRACY
Just peachy.
KIRK
You sound upset.
TRACY
Really? Wow! I wonder why? Could it possibly have something to do with the fact that my big brother told my class that after killing someone he felt like he “needed a beer”.
KIRK
Tracy.
TRACY
All the god damned rednecks at school thought the was just the coolest damn thing. You are a regular celebrity you know?
KIRK
I just answered the question Tracy.
TRACY
You couldn’t have made it sound a little more dignified? Say you felt sad or sick or something other than “I need a beer”?
KIRK
Well I’m sorry if I’m not a poet but it’s how I felt.
TRACY
I know. I know that’s how you felt and that’s the worst part. You are no different from these human cockroaches I have to put up with all day. You might fell at home out here in the woods with these hicks but I sure as hell don’t.
KIRK
Listen to you Ms. Queen of the world. I forgot you descended from royalty.
TRACY
Royalty! That’s cute. Wanting ordinary comforts of life without all this human garbage is a royal disposition. Kirk, you wanna know what the two guys in front of me on the bus were talking about? Whether or not it’s possible to make moonshine in the gas tank of a snowmobile. Oh and the freshmen girls behind me? They were having a wonderfully spirited discussion on when the best age to get pregnant and married, in that order, was. They decided sixteen was the best age.
KIRK
And where would you rather be? Hm? Back in Boston? Back where kids are getting knifed on the streets for their sneakers? Or how about in a gang? I heard they’re always looking for girls to join so they can have someone to mess around with. I hear the Bloods are recruiting. But living out here does have it’s drawbacks, I’ll give you that. I have to drive all the way to Berlin if I want a hooker.
TRACY
You’re so funny.
KIRK
You may not like it here Tracy but at least these people are good and simple people.
TRACY
Emphasis on the simple.
Pause. They let the fight die.
KIRK
So what’d your teacher have to say? He think I’m a celebrity too?
TRACY
No. He didn’t really talk about you. He pumped me for information on that friend of yours.
KIRK
Urban?
TRACY
Yeah. Said he recognized his name from the news but couldn’t remember why.
KIRK
That’s weird. He was captured right around the time Iraq started heating up. The news pretty much forgot about us.
TRACY
Yeah. That really pissed mom off. She got so antsy because she couldn’t find out what was going on in your neck of the smouldering crater.
KIRK
That’s about accurate. What’d you tell him
TRACY
Who?
KIRK
Your teacher. About Urban.
TRACY
Oh, nothing.
KIRK
Nothing.
TRACY
Yeah.
KIRK
Why?
TRACY
I didn’t know anything about him. What you said today was the most I’d ever heard about the man. Or your Army days for that matter.
KIRK
I sent all kinds of letters.
TRACY
You did?
KIRK
Yeah, twice a week.
TRACY
I never saw them. Maybe mom kept them to herself.
KIRK
Why would she do that?
TRACY
Fuck if I know.
KIRK
Language.
TRACY
Oh blow me.
KIRK is about to say something but there is a loud bang at the door. A single bang like a body slumping against it hard.
KIRK
What is the world was that?
TRACY
Sounded like someone just body checked the front door.
KIRK
You expecting any one?
TRACY
No. Are you?
KIRK
No. Get back.
KIRK goes into his room quickly and returns with a shotgun. He’s back in soldier mode now.
TRACY
Holy...
He interrupts her with a hand motion.
KIRK
If you hear shots you call the police, leave the phone off the hook and run. Understood?
TRACY
Kirk...
KIRK
UNDERSTOOD?
TRACY
Yeah, yes, understood.
KIRK goes out into the Mud room. We hear the front door open and something fall in.
KIRK
(from off)
Holy God.
TRACY
Kirk, what is it!
KIRK
(coming back in, dragging URBAN with him)
Clear off the couch. He looks really sick.
TRACY
Who the fuck is that?
KIRK
It’s Urban.
He maneuvers him onto the couch.
URBAN
(coming to briefly)
Kirk, you are a hard son of a bitch to find, you know that?
He passes out again.
TRACY
The Urban?
URBAN
Yes.
Lights fade out.
SCENE 4
When the lights come back up URBAN is still on the couch, this time with a blanket over him and a compress on his head. TRACY Is standing awkwardly at the foot of the stairs, not wanting to get close to the strange man on her couch. KIRK is heard off in the Mud Room.
KIRK
Thanks Pete. I really appreciate it, I’ll be in touch.
He comes back in.
KIRK
Pete says he’s gonna be fine. He’s just suffering from exhaustion and malnutrition.
TRACY
Pete is also a veterinarian. We should take him to a hospital and have him looked at by a real doctor.
KIRK
If you’re offering to pay that money we don’t have I am more than for the idea.
Pause.
TRACY
Fine. Pete can be right for once.
(looking at URBAN, cautiously)
What the fu...
(on the look from her brother)
Fudge, is he doing here.
KIRK
The important question is what happened to him to get him into this state.
TRACY
That’s the important question? So you’re not at all concerned with why he’s here or how he even found us in the first place? You’re just confused as to why he’s hungry and tired. You are the most inquisitive person I have ever met. Brightest too.
KIRK
Why do you say that?
TRACY
Well let’s think logically here for a minute. I know it’s hard for you but try and keep up. There’s no car outside so he obviously walked here from... Wherever it is that he came from.
KIRK
And the malnutrition, Mrs. Queen of the World?
TRACY
Well from the way that he smells I’d say he’s been without a shower for a while and personal hygiene typically goes hand in hand with food.
KIRK
Stop that.
TRACY
Stop what?
KIRK
Calling him smelly.
TRACY
Why? He can’t hear me.
KIRK
It’s disrespectful.
TRACY
(sarcastic)
Yeah ok. Check and see if he’s got any money on him. That’ll settle that.
KIRK
No. He needs to rest.
TRACY
He’s out cold. Just do it.
KIRK
(suddenly a playful disposition comes over him)
No. If you’re so set on being right you do it.
TRACY
(taken aback by his tone)
Me?
KIRK
Yeah. You talk so big why don’t you do it?
TRACY
But...
KIRK
What are ya scared?
TRACY
No!
KIRK
I think you are.
TRACY
(had enough)
Move outta my way.
She goes over to URBAN resolutely but once she gets to him some of her resolution melts away
KIRK
What are you waiting for if you’re so brave?
TRACY
Would you shut up? I’m trying to get past the smell.
She reaches around him and pulls up the blanket. As she’s reaching for the wallet, URBAN springs awake and grabs her arm. She screams.
URBAN
(in an odd pirate voice)
GYAR! Ye think I smell do ya lass? You think ya can rob a smelly man eh?
She shakes herself free and hurls herself away. Both KIRK and URBAN erupt with laughter. URBAN’s laugh betrays how weak he is right now.
TRACY
WHAT THE FUCK!?
KIRK
Oh that was so good!
URBAN
Yeah you should have seen her face. Priceless.
KIRK
What was with the pirate voice?
URBAN
I don’t know. It just seemed to make sense. I’m delirious! What do you want from me?
TRACY
(accusing)
You knew he was going to do that?
KIRK
I knew he was going to do something. Not necessarily that.
TRACY
How! He didn’t even move!
URBAN
Kirk’s always been able to tell if I’m asleep or not. He’s one hell of a creep like that. You must be Tracy.
TRACY
FUCK YOU ASSHOLE.
KIRK
Tracy!
URBAN
To be fair... I did just scare the pants off her.
TRACY
You did not.
URBAN
Was that screaming for something else?
TRACY
I... You... ERRRRR!
She storms out of the room and goes upstairs.
URBAN
I hope I didn’t really upset her.
KIRK
Everything upsets her. Don’t worry about it.
KIRK goes and sits next to URBAN.
KIRK
So Urb. What are you doing here?
URBAN
Does a guy need a reason to come see his old buddy.
KIRK
When he collapses at his door without any forewarning that he’s coming? Yeah I’d say he does.
URBAN
Well, first off, sorry about the dramatic entrance and you having to call a doctor.
KIRK
He’s a vet.
URBAN
Oh... is that why he asked if you wanted to neuter me?
KIRK
Oh he did not.
URBAN
I know I’m just kidding. What happened to your sense of humor?
KIRK
Well life hasn’t been to good for humor since I got out.
URBAN
(instantly serious)
Yeah. I never got to tell you but sorry about your parents.
KIRK
Things happen. You know that.
URBAN
True. If you don’t mind me asking, how’d it happen?
KIRK
Car crash. Tracy was at soccer practice and they were coming back from grocery shopping. Hit and run the cops told me. Three years next month they’ve been gone.
URBAN
That’s rough man.
KIRK
Yeah. At least they pulled me out. Otherwise Tracy’d have no one.
URBAN
Having no one is a terrible thing. At least the fucking Army spared your sister that.
KIRK
Lan...
He stops himself.
URBAN
Were you about to call out my language?
KIRK
Shut up.
URBAN
You were weren’t you?
KIRK
I said shut up.
URBAN
Look at you all civilian and shit.
KIRK
Yeah? I almost blew your head off earlier then you would have seen how civilian I am.
URBAN
(sarcastic)
Yeah, ok.
KIRK
What’s that supposed to mean?
URBAN
You have got to be the worst shot I have ever seen. Like you could ever hit such a crafty target as me.
KIRK
Oh shut it.
URBAN
(imitating a drill sargent)
Goddamnit all to hell O’Neil! You couldn’t hit a target if it put it’s head against your weapon and pulled the trigger for you!
KIRK
Sargent Miller was an a... jerk and you know it.
URBAN
I don’t know, he liked me.
KIRK
Yeah cause if you sucked up any harder you would have inhaled him!
URBAN
You are so full of shit.
KIRK
(imitating URBAN)
Gee Sarg. I wish I could get my boots as shiny as yours. Gee Sarg, would you like me to shove my head any further up your a...nus.
URBAN
Shut up. And say ass for the love of God.
KIRK
Gee Sarg...
URBAN
So are you gonna me food or are you just gonna make fun of me while I starve.
KIRK
That’s right, sorry.
(He gets food from the fridge)
Here. Breakfast sausage ok?
URBAN
Jewish.
KIRK
Shit that’s right.
(he goes back to the fridge)
Here an extra fajita from last night.
URBAN
Good enough.
Pause as he eats greedily. Then:
KIRK
How’d you get like this man?
URBAN
Like what?
KIRK
Shut up.
URBAN
Fine. I walked here.
KIRK
From where?
Pause.
URBAN
Virginia.
KIRK
Holy God. Virginia! That’s sixteen hours in a car. That must have taken you a month.
Enter TRACY unseen on the staircase.
URBAN
Three and a half weeks.
KIRK
Did you have any money.
URBAN
Not much.
KIRK
How did you survive?
URBAN
Carefully.
KIRK
Urban.
URBAN
I took survival training too, ok? I know how to get by.
KIRK
Not very well from the looks of you.
URBAN
Well, I’m alive.
KIRK
Why?
URBAN
Well because I like it that way...
KIRK
No why did you walk here from Virginia?
Pause.
URBAN
Ok. I can’t keep shit from you. I’m hiding.
KIRK
Hiding? From who.
URBAN
(slowly)
The military. The police.
(pause)
It’s bad Kirk.
KIRK
I see.
(pause)
You can hide here.
URBAN
Kirk I can’t...
KIRK
No. Stay here.
URBAN
Really? You mean that?
KIRK
You hide me when I needed it.
URBAN
The circumstances are a little different here bud.
KIRK
I know that. And I don’t care either.
URBAN
Thanks Kirk. I’d say eye for an eye if it wasn’t so damn literal for me. But I should at least tell you what you’re getting mixed up...
KIRK
No.
URBAN
Kirk.
KIRK
I said no. I doesn’t matter and I don’t want whatever it is on my conscience.
URBAN
Are you...
KIRK
I’m sure.
Exit TRACY up the stairs. She took in every word and they have no idea that she was even there.
URBAN
Thank you. Sincerely.
KIRK
Get some rest Urban. You need it.
KIRK exits into his room. URBAN lays back down on the couch.
Lights Fade.
SCENE 5
The same a week later. KIRK is cooking something on he stove. TRACY is in the room as well and they are fighting. Big shock.
KIRK
He’s my friend and he needs a place to stay. That’s all I need.
TRACY
But for how long? He’s already been here a week.
KIRK
Doesn’t matter.
TRACY
Of course it matters. This place is barely big enough for the two of US. You have to think about my wellbeing in this too, you know.
KIRK
What exactly do you mean by that?
TRACY
Well...
KIRK
(interrupting)
Has he hurt you?
TRACY
No.
KIRK
Has any of your stuff gone missing?
TRACY
No. But...
KIRK
Has his being in this house affected you in any real way?
TRACY
Yes!
KIRK
You are so full of it Tracy.
TRACY
I am not. It’s so disconcerting having some random guy living just beneath me.
KIRK
If you were still back in you precious Boston you’d have much worse living beneath you and all sides of you.
TRACY
At least I wouldn’t have to see them when I’m getting breakfast in the morning.
(Pause)
Where is the creep anyways?
KIRK
Call him a creep one more time and I will deck you one.
TRACY
Fine. Where is the criminal?
Pause.
KIRK
He isn’t...
TRACY
Save it. I heard you two talking the night he showed up here. That man is hiding from the police for God knows what and YOU are letting him hide here in OUR house.
KIRK
I don’t care.
TRACY
You don’t care? What do you mean you don’t care?
KIRK
I don’t care. That’s what I mean.
TRACY
You mean to tell me that I can’t say “fuck” in the house because it’s “bad” but hiding a fugitive from the law is somehow ok?
KIRK
I owe it to him.
(pause)
You know how he lost that eye? He was being tortured for information. When he wouldn’t talk they ripped out his eye with a rusty sword and showed it to him. But he still wouldn’t talk. I don’t know what they were trying to get from him but the didn’t get it. And you know why he was there in the first place?
TRACY
You.
KIRK
Me. He was hiding ME. So let the cops, the MPs, the FBI, I don’t care who come. He hide me and I will hide him.
(Pause)
This discussion is over.
TRACY is about to say something, but decides to let it go and exits up the stairs to her room. KIRK finishes what he’s doing just as URBAN enters with grocery bags.
URBAN
Honey! I’m home!
KIRK
Cut that out, wouldya?
URBAN
Oh... Honey... What’s wrong? Bad day with the kids.
KIRK
You want me to fix it so you never have kids?
URBAN
You are so clever darling.
KIRK
Funny. You get the groceries?
URBAN
Is that dinner I smell? Oh that is simply to die for!
URBAN makes a kissing face and skips over to KIRK with his arms wide open. KIRK slugs him equally playfully in the stomach.
URBAN
Ah you asshole I was just kidding.
KIRK
So was I. That was a love tap.
URBAN
Yeah ok.
KIRK
Did you get what I sent you for?
URBAN
Yeah. Mostly. There was no more bread. Yeah I was shocked too. I asked about it but Grandpa Moses behind the counter gave me the history of the town without answering the question. But I did get the next best thing.
KIRK
And what’s that?
URBAN
Well I thought the orange juice looked lonely so I bought it a little Russian Comfort to keep it company.
He pulls out a bottle of vodka.
Lights Fade.
SCENE 6
Later that night. When the lights come back up it is about 11 at night and both KIRK and URBAN are found sitting in the living room. They are also found rip roaringly drunk.
KIRK
(laughing)
Oh my god I remember that.
URBAN
Well really though, Johnson left his pants out where they could been seen while he was in the shower. He had it coming if you ask me.
KIRK
True. But the one thing I can’t remember is how you got the camel spider in his pants in the first place.
URBAN
Carefully.
KIRK
I’ll say.
URBAN
You remember what happened next though, right?
KIRK
(laughing hard)
One doesn’t easily forget the sight of a naked man emptying his side arm into his own pants.
URBAN
And the Colonel wouldn’t let him put in for another pair!
KIRK
Pair of swiss cheese pants walking around camp.
URBAN
Man that was a sight.
The laugh loudly. Enter TRACY from her stairway in her PJs.
KIRK
Oh, Colonel Sacks was a good guy.
URBAN
Hell I even liked him.
KIRK
And that’s saying something.
TRACY
Can you two shut the hell up, I’m trying to sleep.
URBAN
Remember that one conference call we had with him?
KIRK
Which one?
TRACY
Hello?
URBAN
The one about supplies.
KIRK
Oh yeah!
TRACY
Hey!
KIRK
When he asked if we needed anything else.
TRACY
HEY!
KIRK
And you said...
TRACY
Shut the fuck up!
They laugh again.
KIRK
The silence on the other end of the phone was priceless.
TRACY
Hey, you know what would be priceless? Some mother fucking sleep!
KIRK
Woah! Tace. Where’d you come from?
URBAN
She appears like magic man. You didn’t tell me your sister was a wizard.
KIRK
Witch is more like it.
They laugh again.
TRACY
Funny. It’s seriously like 11 fucking o’clock and you two are making so much noise that I can’t get to sleep.
URBAN
Well then join us! I’ll make you a drink.
KIRK
Better not.
URBAN
Oh why not? Don’t give me that “she’s not old enough” crap.
KIRK
Nah, she just wouldn’t be able to handle it.
They laugh.
TRACY
Are you fucking serious right now? I have SCHOOL tomorrow. I need to get some goddamn sleep!
KIRK
Oh fuck off.
Pause.
TRACY
What?
KIRK
You heard me. All you ever do is bitch and whine and complain. You’re like my wife except I gotta do all the cooking.
TRACY
I... You...
URBAN
Hey Kirk. You didn’t tell me you found your balls! Where were they? Were they in the cabinet? You know I’ve been telling you to look in there for the longest time. You never...
TRACY
(to Urban)
Shut the fuck up.
URBAN
That’s so cute.
TRACY
Fuck you, you piece of shit.
KIRK shoots out of his seat.
KIRK
YOU DON’T TALK TO HIM LIKE THAT!
He tries to walk over to her but is unsteady on his feet.
URBAN
Woah, hey, easy buddy.
KIRK
You don’t talk to him like that! You fuckin’ hear me?
(Pause)
HUH!?
TRACY nods her head and then exits to her room quickly. She holds onto the tears until she’s out of sight. We hear her door slam.
URBAN goes to KIRK.
URBAN
Hey man. Come sit back down.
KIRK
(calling after her)
BITCH!
URBAN
No no no no. Come sit down.
He gently guides him back over to the sofa.
KIRK
(immediately a remorseful drunk)
I’m sorry you had to see that.
URBAN
Nah man, don’t worry about it.
KIRK
I’m a bad brother.
URBAN
No you’re just drunk. Shit happens.
KIRK
I know. It’s just... she’s always bitching at me. She’s never satisfied with anything I do. A few weeks ago, her teacher had me come in and talk about the war to her class. One kid asked me how I felt after I killed someone.
URBAN
What’d ya say?
KIRK
Said it felt like I needed a beer and a long shower.
URBAN
Yeah. You tell them it was a...
KIRK
A kid? No. I couldn’t explain that to them. Shit that kid was about as old as the ones in her class.
URBAN
And they aren’t too much younger than us.
KIRK
He just... kept coming. I told him to stop. I begged him to. But he just kept coming. It was me or him man. If I hadn’t done it Tracy would have no one..
URBAN
I know man. I know.
KIRK
Right before I pulled the trigger I looked him in the eye. What I saw there... was me. That kid was just like me. Fighting for what he thought was right. It’s not fair man. Kids. Why do kids gotta fight the wars. Nine times outta ten it’s old people that start them.
URBAN
Old, rich people...
KIRK
And they send off the kids to fight it for them. Why is that?
URBAN
Cause it’s so easy to fill kids up with hate and pride and all that shit.
KIRK
That sounds about right. Pump us full of the star spangled banner and tell us about someone we should hate and we won’t stop until it’s done.
Silence.
URBAN
No wonder you needed a beer.
KIRK
Yeah.
Pause.
KIRK
I’m sorry I’m brining the whole night down.
URBAN
Don’t apologize.
KIRK
I’m sorry.
URBAN
Dude.
KIRK
Sorry.
URBAN
Fucking A’ dude!
KIRK
Right, right. Change the subject.
Pause. They drink.
URBAN
Getting any?
KIRK
What?
URBAN
Well that seemed like a good topic chance.
KIRK
No.
URBAN
No, bad topic or no you aren’t getting any?
KIRK
Neither... or both. Fuck I don’t know.
(He throws up his hands)
What am I doing! I yell at Tracy all the time for swearing in the house.
URBAN
Yeah and you cussed her out pretty good a few minutes ago.
KIRK
Cussed out?
URBAN
It’s a southern saying for excessive use of aggressive cursing. Which is what you did.
KIRK
And I bet I’ll never hear the end of it.
URBAN
Nope.
KIRK
God. Women can just carry things with them forever can’t they?
URBAN
(a little sobered)
Yeah.
KIRK
Like the time you wouldn’t meet Stacy Velez for a beer that one night! Damn I thought she was gonna start a whole nother war right there. Remember that?
URBAN
Yeah, I remember.
KIRK
She was so pissed she sent Leary out to find you.
(Pause.)
Come to think of it I still don’t know where you went.
URBAN
I had some things I had to take care of.
KIRK
Like what?
URBAN
Just routine shit.
KIRK
Yeah ok... seriously dude what were you up to.
URBAN
Nothing!
KIRK
Fine.
(Pause)
It was another woman wasn’t it?
URBAN
Enough.
KIRK
It was wasn’t it?
URBAN
Enough.
KIRK
Oh! Come on! Who was it man? Was it Palmer? Cause she had a sweet pair of...
URBAN
I SAID ENOUGH!
Silence.
KIRK
Ok man. I was just playing around.
URBAN
Well I wasn’t.
KIRK
I can see that.
Uncomfortable silence.
URBAN
Alia.
KIRK
What?
URBAN
Her name was Alia.
KIRK
Alia?
(he thinks for a moment)
There was no one in our...
URBAN
Civilian.
KIRK
Civilian? Like Afghani? An Afghani Civilian?
URBAN
There weren’t many other kinds of civilian in Kabul.
KIRK
Are you serious.
URBAN
There’s an old saying in Mexico: Solamente los hijos y los boracho dicen la verdad.
KIRK
And that means...
URBAN
Only children and drunks tell the truth.
Pause.
KIRK
So that’s why you?
URBAN
That’s why I didn’t meet Velez that night.
KIRK
No I meant. That’s why you stayed. After we got you.
URBAN
Yeah... yeah that’s why. And they let me cause a terp only needs one eye.
KIRK
Damn.
(pause)
So did you guys ever... ya know...
URBAN
Fuck? No. Outta wedlock sex is actually taken seriously over there. Real seriously.
KIRK
Wow... so you...
URBAN
You know what kept me hanging on? When they had me? When they did this
(he points to his eye)
To me?
KIRK
Her.
URBAN
Her... and you. I knew she’d love me no matter what happened to me. And I knew it was only a matter of time before you cane for me.
(pause)
And through all the fighting, the screaming, the fear: you did not desert me.
KIRK
Hey man. It’s what brothers do.
URBAN
Brothers.
Beat.
URBAN
Well. I think I’m gonna turn in for the night.
KIRK
I guess it is a bit late. Night Urban.
He gets up to leave. Swaying uncertainly but more sure footed than the last time he stood up.
URBAN
Night.
KIRK
(as he’s leaving)
Hey. What happened to her? Alia.
URBAN
(slight pause)
She died.
KIRK
I’m sorry.
URBAN
Me too.
KIRK Exits. URBAN sits alone during a slow fade.
SCENE 7
URBAN is alone in the house when the lights come back up. He’s in the kitchen cooking and singing something obnoxious, loudly. Let’s say “More Than A Feeling” but maybe not. Who knows? This continues for a bit until TRACY enters with a backpack.
URBAN
What’s up, kid?
TRACY
Shove it.
URBAN
Oh come on. I’m trying to be nice.
TRACY
I don’t want you to be nice.
URBAN
I figured that part out for myself, thanks.
(pause, then in a Jewish mother’s voice)
So how was school today honey?
TRACY
Shitty.
URBAN
Oh honey, what’s wrong? Did the other kids pick on you?
TRACY
(calling off)
Kirk!
URBAN
Don’t yell in the house dear. Such noise isn’t good for my ears. You know Doctor Rosenfeld said the other day....
TRACY
Kirk! If you don’t shut your friend up I’m gonna kick him in the nuts!
URBAN
(laughing and dropping the voice)
Nice! Kirk’s not here.
TRACY
Where the hell is he?
URBAN
Pete’s? I think that’s the guys name anyways. His accent is so damn thick I wasn’t sure if he was using words or speaking in tongues. Said something about his goat having babies and he wanted your brother for... emotional support I guess.
TRACY
Jesus...
URBAN
You need to lighten up, you know that?
TRACY
You need to shut up, you know that?
URBAN
I’m serious. You’re gonna spend your whole life being pissed off and one day, towards the end of your life you’re going to look back, sigh and think
(he sighs)
“Man I was a bitch.”
TRACY
Fuck off.
URBAN
See, that’s what I’m talking about. You know the least you could do is vary it up a little. You’re getting predictable. The more you say something the less it means.
TRACY
Forgive me if I don’t take the advice of a criminal.
(Pause)
Yeah I heard.
URBAN
I see.
TRACY
You better start treating me better or I’ll turn you in.
URBAN
You are so full of shit.
TRACY
Think for half a second I wouldn’t?
URBAN
More than a second. They’d arrest your brother too.
TRACY
Keep giving me reasons.
URBAN
You’d let your brother go to jail. When he does so much for you?
TRACY
Does so much? He doesn’t give a shit about anyone but himself.
URBAN
That’s not true. And I think I would know better than you.
TRACY
Oh yeah?
URBAN
(he taps his eye patch)
Yeah.
TRACY deflates at this obvious defeat.
Pause. They look at each other.
She turns away.
TRACY
Then why doesn’t he care about me?
URBAN
What?
TRACY
(trying to hold it in)
Then why doesn’t he care about me?
URBAN
Are you crying?
TRACY
(losing the battle with her eyes)
No! Don’t change the subject. You heard him last night. He called me a bitch and it looked like he was gonna hit me.
URBAN
He was drunk, people do stupid shit when they’re drunk.
TRACY
He meant it. I could tell. He sounded the same as he does when he’s serious about something. And he only get’s like that about things that deal with me.
URBAN
I’m sure you’re just over...
TRACY
I AM NOT OVERREACTING.
URBAN
Ok. Ok. If you say so.
Beat.
TRACY
I can’t remember the last time I heard him laugh before you showed up here. It must have been before he left.
URBAN
Well... War rips a lot of who you are away from you.
TRACY
It didn’t take it out of you.
URBAN
It took something else.
Silence.
TRACY
He treats me like a child.
URBAN
You are a child.
TRACY
No I’m...
URBAN
Yes you are and so is he. The man is not even twenty five yet but he’s having to take care of a seventeen year old girl. He doesn’t know what he’s doing. Add to that the things he saw in the war. And then losing both his parents. The man is lucky he can sleep with all the ghosts that are stalking after him. Not to mention you don’t make things easy for him.
TRACY
This place doesn’t make it easy on me.
URBAN
This isn’t that bad.
TRACY
Oh my god you sound just like him. Listen, he’s damaged, I get that and he’s content to live in this shack for the rest of his life but I’m not. I want to BE someone. I want to do something with my life. All day long I’m surrounded by people who are living on base instinct. I have the highest standardized test scores in the schools HISTORY. Forget “big fish in a little pond” I’m a shark in a puddle. And any time I talk about wanting more, I’m being ungrateful and selfish. I want more from my life. It’s not fair.
Silence.
URBAN
I knew a girl, a civilian in Afghanistan, named Alia. She was the third daughter of her family, had never been to school, but was very smart. She lived in a section of Kabul that everyone thought to be dangerous... because we had no presence there. In order to go there I would disguise myself. I never ran into trouble, but why take the risk? One night, after I had been rescued I snuck off to see her. She looked at this
(motioning to the eye)
And smiled. I asked her why she smiled. She said it was because I had suffered at the hand of her people but did not lose the capacity to love Afghanistan. I told her I loved her. She said, “I am Afghanistan.” She saw the best in everyone. Even the enemy. She took the whole of the country’s evils upon herself and did so gladly. I asked her to run away with me. Back to America. I told her we could get married there and be happy. She said no. I couldn’t believe it. Why would she want to stay in this place where every night she couldn’t be sure she’d see the next sunrise. She said it was because her country wasn’t perfect yet and anything short of perfect cannot be left on its own.
(Pause)
The next time I saw her... she wasn’t breathing.
TRACY
The Taliban? For being with you?
URBAN
I wish.
TRACY
What?
URBAN
Her block was thought to be dangerous, I told you that, and Colonel Thompson was under that impression too, as far as we all knew. The war wasn’t going well. Moral was in the dumpster and the media had forgotten us so he sent three Apaches into her block to make a show. They hovered overhead, like vultures, and had orders to shoot anyone that carried anything resembling a weapon. Helicopters kick up a lot of dust. Dust gets into windows.
(pause)
Alia opened her door to sweep out the sand. And then.
(pause)
She was dead before she hit the ground. For sweeping. This angel died for keeping sand off her family’s furniture. Don’t talk to me about things being fair.
Pause.
Enter KIRK covered in goat afterbirth.
KIRK
Dear God. That was the nastiest thing I have ever...
(Upon seeing the two of them)
Hey Trace.
TRACY
Hi.
Uncomfortable silence.
KIRK
Hey... um, I’m sorry about last night. I was... not in my head.
TRACY
(barely audible)
It’s fine.
She exits upstairs.
KIRK
(downcast, not angry)
Jees. I can’t do anything right.
URBAN
I wouldn’t worry about her. She’ll be alright.
KIRK
You think so?
URBAN
Yeah. She seems pretty bright.
KIRK
She’s a smart one.
URBAN
Got all her parent’s brains.
KIRK
Yeah she... Hey!
URBAN
Like I said.
KIRK
Jerk.
URBAN
You ever think of sending her to a private school?
KIRK
Private school?
URBAN
Yeah. With her supposed intelligence I bet she could go to pretty good one on scholarship.
KIRK
I don’t know. I don’t think It’s such a great idea.
URBAN
You know what? You’re right. I mean what seventeen year old girl wouldn’t want to live on the set of “Deliverance”?
KIRK
Funny.
URBAN
Just sayin’. Give it some thought at least.
KIRK
Ok. I will. What’s for dinner
Lights out on the scene.
SCENE 8
When the lights come back up we see KIRK, playing his guitar much the same as we did at the top of the show. He plays for a bit, TRACY enters from her stair case
KIRK
(upon seeing her)
Ok.
TRACY
What?
KIRK
I’ll stop. I know it must be distracting you.
TRACY
No! Uh... no.
KIRK
You don’t have homework?
TRACY
No, I finished it already.
KIRK
Oh.
Uncomfortable silence. TRACY comes and sits down not close but not far from her brother.
TRACY
Um... what were you playing?
KIRK
Oh, just messin’ around.
TRACY
Oh.
(pause)
Keep playing.
KIRK
Ok.
He plays a little bit more.
TRACY
Nice.
KIRK
You think so.
TRACY
Yeah.
(pause)
Can I try?
KIRK
You play?
TRACY
Sort of.
KIRK
Really? Where’d you learn?
TRACY
At home. You left your guitar when you... went.
KIRK
Huh.
He hands her the guitar. She semi awkwardly frets the strings and strums a few chords.
KIRK
Not bad.
TRACY
You think so?
KIRK
Yeah, not bad at all.
She plays a little more.
TRACY
(breaking the uncomfortable silence)
Where’s Urban?
KIRK
He went to the store.
TRACY
Again?
KIRK
He likes going. Only time he goes out.
TRACY
He’s something else.
KIRK
How’s that?
TRACY
What he’s been through.
KIRK
Oh, the eye.
TRACY
No... well, yeah, that... and his girl being killed.
KIRK
Killed?
She stops playing.
TRACY
(confused)
Yeah. She was killed by accident by a helicopter. He didn’t tell you?
KIRK
No.
TRACY
Oh.
(pause)
Well to go through that and be as...
KIRK
Funny?
TRACY
Yeah. Well... sort of. More like... filled with life.
KIRK
Yeah. Some of the funniest people have the saddest stories behind them.
TRACY
I guess so. You just don’t know. About people.
TRACY
What are you sorry for.
KIRK
For not giving you the kind of life you wanted. The kind you deserve.
TRACY
You did the best you could. I didn’t see that. I was just mad.
KIRK
Mad Mom and Dad were gone?
TRACY
Yeah. I was so mad that they... died. And I was mad at myself for feeling that and... took it out on you. I’m sorry.
KIRK
Well... I guess we both don’t know what the hell is going on.
TRACY
Doesn’t stop us though.
They hug. Enter URBAN while they’re doing so.
URBAN
(in his Jewish mother voice)
Now isn’t that special!
URBAN laughs.
URBAN
Now that’s what I’m talking about.
KIRK
Yeah, yeah, yeah. You got the stuff?
URBAN
Everything on the list.
KIRK
Great. Trace give him a hand.
She starts clapping. He laughs again.
URBAN
I couldn’t be more proud.
(he starts unpacking)
Hey Trace, I met one of your teachers down at the general store.
TRACY
Really? Who?
URBAN
Mr. Meyers? I think his name was.
TRACY
How did he know you knew me?
URBAN
(stopping to think)
You know, I’m not really sure.
KIRK
He just knew you?
URBAN
Well no. I was standing in line and I felt someone tap me on the shoulder. I turn around and this guy about yea tall with rim-less glasses, way outta place up here, is standing there looking at me. He looks at my face, at the name on my fatigue jacket, and then back at my face. He asked me if I knew you and Kirk. I said yeah. Come to think of it, it was really weird he just seemed to know.
TRACY
That’s cause Kirk told my class about you.
URBAN
(stopping short)
Really?
The revelation is dawning on them slowly: this is bad news.
KIRK
Yeah.
URBAN
What did you tell them?
KIRK
That you were captured, lost an eye, all that.
URBAN
Did you use my name?
KIRK
I...
URBAN
Did you tell them my name?
Pause.
KIRK
Yes.
URBAN
And this... Mr. Meyers, is he one to keep up with the news?
TRACY
(barely audible)
Yes.
Silence.
KIRK
He knows you’re on the run.
URBAN
It would appear so.
TRACY
(blurting it out)
For what?
URBAN looks at KIRK.
URBAN
For killing Colonel Thompson
A siren is heard in the distance.
TRACY
Shit.
She runs to the window.
KIRK
You killed the Colonel?
URBAN
Yes.
KIRK
Why?
URBAN
Because he killed Alia.
TRACY
(looking out)
There’s a shit ton of them a way off.
KIRK
What do you mean he killed her?
URBAN
He ordered a helicopter strike on a secure block.
KIRK
Urban we all knew...
URBAN
We didn’t know shit. That block was secure and he knew it ahead of time. He suppressed the intel to go ahead with the strike. To look good for the cameras.
The sirens get louder.
TRACY
Fuck. That’s a Humvee.
KIRK
You killed him?
URBAN
Found where he lived in Virginia. Right outside Langley. Waited till he was going out for his morning papers. I snuck up on him, and cut his throat.
A Helicopter goes over.
TRACY
Oh shit! Guys what are we gonna do?
Pause as the sirens get louder.
URBAN
I’ll run Kirk. They won’t catch me.
KIRK
Like shit they won’t catch you! They’ve got air support for Christ sake.
(Looking out the window)
They’ve got us surrounded.
(pause)
We fight.
TRACY
What?
URBAN
No.
KIRK
I’m getting my shotgun.
He does so.
TRACY
Kirk, they’ve got a Humvee with a big ass gun out there.
URBAN
Kirk, they’ll kill all of us.
KIRK
I’m not afraid of them. I’ve been to AFGHANISTAN, you think I’m afraid of THEM?
URBAN
Think of your sister!
Pause.
KIRK
(defeated)
I can’t let them get you.
Pause.
URBAN
Then you know what you have to do.
A voice from off as the sirens cease.
VOICE
We’ve got you surrounded Smerdyakov. Come out with you’re hands up.
KIRK
I can’t.
URBAN
Tell them you didn’t know I was hiding. I was trying to escape so you shot me.
KIRK
I can’t.
URBAN
Please. I want to see her again.
KIRK
You can fight it in court.
URBAN
No one knows what it’s like over there. No jury will understand. Injustice was everywhere but no one rebelled. Civilians don’t get it.
(Pause.)
Send me home. Like you did before.
Kirk Raises the gun.
KIRK
Goodbye, my friend.
URBAN
Brother.
KIRK fires. URBAN goes down hard. Dead before he hit the ground. We hear feet outside as the police respond to the shot by preparing to enter.
As the lights start to fade. KIRK goes to the fridge and pulls out a beer.
CURTAI
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