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Our fathers by no means knew one another in the course of the battle. However every got here dwelling together with his personal hopes, his personal eagerness to place the battle behind him — one way or the other to get on with life. Every of them had his personal secrets and techniques, too, about what he had finished or skilled, what he had witnessed. Every, for his personal causes, by no means spoke of these issues.
David
What We Have been Considering Of
by A. Jay Adler
a play in two acts
I stood on this unsheltered place Till I may see the face behind the face All that had gone earlier than had left no hint Down by the railway siding In our secret world, we have been colliding All of the locations we have been hiding love What was it we have been pondering of? ~ Peter Gabriel, “Secret World”
The play takes place within the thoughts and reminiscence of David Wealthy, throughout the USA, from 1961 –1991.
10 actors, 17 roles
David Wealthy Prof. of Literature, Jewish, ex 60s radical, 43
Bud Powell David’s childhood buddy and fellow pupil activist, 43
Charles Powell Bud’s father, a retired State Division officer and CIA agent, late 60s-70
Sara Flannery David’s Irish-catholic ex-wife, a public curiosity lawyer, 43
Kurtis Brown David’s African American colleague and buddy, 40s
George Grey David’s colleague, a member of the “previous guard,” 60s
Kate Coleman David’s graduate pupil and lover, late 20s
Robert Smith A personal eye and “fairly rotten Mormon,” 40s
Jarrod David’s graduate pupil, late 20s
Beatrice Wealthy David’s mom, late 60s-70
Hannah Wealthy David’s adopted daughter and Bud and Sara’s pure daughter, a U.S. Military Blackhawk helicopter pilot, 20, performed by the actress enjoying Kate.
Renata Powell Bud’s mom, 60s, performed by the actress enjoying Beatrice.
Agent Strait An FBI Agent, performed by the actor enjoying Jarrod.
Larry Havermore A Chicago Tribune reporter
(The motion takes place within the remembered, reconsidered expertise of David. We’re in his thoughts and reminiscence, however as soon as he opens the letter he holds in his hand initially, till he opens the letter in his hand on the finish, we all know his thoughts and reminiscence solely in his direct recollection of his experiences, fairly than by way of any tackle to the viewers as to start with and the top.)
(The settings are these of David’s recollected expertise, and so are settings all throughout the USA. They’re minimal, because the thoughts will recall solely obligatory element, however they seize specific locales — because the thoughts will keep in mind the setting of expertise — and the breadth of the American panorama.)
(A projection display screen hovers visibly overhead within the background. On it present, when referred to as for, textual fragments of paperwork referred to or related to the motion. The phrases and concepts and the fragments of tradition they characterize hover over David just like the sky of his world, the cosmos through which he lives.)
(Because the reminiscence is fluid so are the “scene,” or reminiscence, adjustments, which focus at all times on David. Thus, David merely walks into new reminiscences, away from one character to hitch different characters, or different characters come to him.)
(For a minute or two earlier than the motion begins, a collage of the next quotations, with out citation marks and in roughly the next order, is projected visibly over the darkened stage: “When in the middle of human occasions, it turns into obligatory for one individuals to dissolve the political bonds which have linked them with one other…” “Phrases are additionally actions, and actions are a type of phrases.” “Camerado, that is no ebook/ Who touches this touches a person.” “I’ve traveled an excellent deal in Harmony.” “Name me Ishmael.” “There was issues which he stretched, however primarily he instructed the reality.” “After nice ache, a proper feeling comes – ” “My soul has grown deep just like the rivers.” “We milk the cow of the world, and as we do/ We whisper in her ear, ‘You aren’t true.'”)
(David walks slowly onto the darkish stage. As lights come up dimly on him, he appears to be like round a bit of, thoughtfully, however not uncertainly. He is aware of the place he’s. He holds an envelope in a single hand. He stares at it.)
DAVID
(to the viewers)
Bud and I have been each born in 1947. However he was at all times older than I used to be. I used to be tall, however Bud was taller. I used to be quick, however Bud was quicker. I used to be daring, however Bud was at all times bolder. All of them talked about how sensible I used to be. Everybody knew Bud was good. Everybody believed we might each go far. Bud went too far. It may be so arduous to know the distinction. I attempt to know. Attempt to look at the alternatives that I made…make — that all of us make, or do not make, that are decisions, too. Even the issues we are saying — or do not say. And all of them, each one in every of them — particularly those that miss their intention, even a bit of — all of them add up and tackle this weight —
(appears to be like down on the envelope in his palms)
— for those who pay an excessive amount of consideration to them — this terrible weight. You get so — when it’s good to know what to do — you may barely transfer for worry… However for those who do not listen, if consequence turns into a type of demon you refuse to let hang-out your sleep, so you may dwell — what are you then? One of many actors of the world, I suppose — the individuals who make issues go.
(David turns as lights come up on the bed room of Charles and Renata Powell. It’s January 1961, the day of John F. Kennedy’s inauguration. Renata helps Charles together with his tie earlier than the bed room mirror. Charles checks his watch.)
(On the display screen above, the primary phrases of the Twentieth Modification to the Structure: “The phrases of the President and Vice President shall finish at midday on the twentieth day of January…”)
(David enters the bed room.)
DAVID
(in a younger voice)
It is a lengthy title, Mr. Powell.
CHARLES
It is an necessary job, David. It will likely be essential within the subsequent few years.
RENATA
Sure, Charles. However it’s so lengthy. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Southeast Asian Affairs. Do they match that every one on a card?
CHARLES
I am certain they handle.
RENATA
It is a bit of comical.
CHARLES
Thanks. Thanks each very a lot.
RENATA
Not the job, Charles, the title.
CHARLES
Sure, effectively — David, would you do me a favor and go ensure Bud’s preparing?
(Lights dim on the bed room as David exits.)
DAVID
(to the viewers)
Our fathers by no means knew one another in the course of the battle. However every got here dwelling together with his personal hopes, his personal eagerness to place the battle behind him — one way or the other to get on with life. Every of them had his personal secrets and techniques, too, about what he had finished or skilled, what he had witnessed. Every, for his personal causes, by no means spoke of these issues. And so they each returned dwelling to the identical Washington D.C. suburb, the place their sons, born in the identical 12 months, grew up because the closest – the closest – associates. Life was good so far as Bud and I had trigger to know. Easy, too. So easy. There have been these fears. However the fears, like unhealthy goals within the evening, the shadows on the border of sunshine — like several frontier past the issues we all know — they made the issues we did know, what was acquainted to us, appear that a lot better and less complicated, safer and certain.
(beat, extra reflective nonetheless)
There’s at all times a degree, although, when you may’t take consolation in these imagined boundaries anymore.
(Lights up heart stage on fourteen 12 months previous Bud sitting on a settee. He’s in denims and a t-shirt watching tv protection of the inaugural preparations.)
(On the display screen above, the opening phrases of JFK’s inaugural tackle: “We observe right this moment not a victory of get together however a celebration of freedom — symbolizing an finish in addition to a starting — signifying renewal in addition to change.”)
(From the TV, going through upstage, comes a newscaster’s description of the inaugural preparations.)
NEWSCASTER (V.O.)
Because the capitol prepares with hope and, actually, a youthful power this reporter hasn’t seen in some years —
DAVID
(getting into, overlapping in a youthful plea)
Bud…
(Charles and Renata enter.)
NEWSCASTER (V.O.)
That is a shot of Pennsylvania Avenue, the place in three hours the newly sworn in President —
(Charles turns off the TV.)
CHARLES
Buddy, what are you doing? I instructed you to dress. We’re late. President Kennedy —
BUD
You by no means answered my query.
CHARLES
What query?
BUD
Did we assist Batista?
CHARLES
Ah, Buddy, I haven’t got time for this now. It is a essential day.
BUD
Did we?
CHARLES
I by no means labored on Cuba.
BUD
What about Guatemala? Did we overthrow the federal government?
CHARLES
Guatemala? When?
BUD
1954. Whenever you labored there.
CHARLES
You have been seven years previous. What do you care? What distinction does it make to you?
BUD
It makes a distinction.
(Charles checks his watch.)
CHARLES
Pay attention. I want you to dress, and quick. This is essential. I am unable to clarify this now.
BUD
Cannot? Or will not?
CHARLES
I haven’t got time to quibble over phrases.
BUD
Phrases matter.
CHARLES
You are rattling proper phrases matter. Meals. Security –
(He grabs Bud’s shirt. Bud’s resistance is chilly and limp.)
CHARLES
(persevering with)
Garments. Father. Son. Respect. These are phrases that matter. They need to matter to you.
(softens)
Buddy, please. We’ll speak about this later. You do not perceive the place you are placing me in.
BUD
(coldly impersonal)
I wish to know what place you have put me in.
CHARLES
(softly, chilled to assume it so)
That is private.
BUD
It is not private.
(A haunted look comes over Charles as he realizes it is not private — that on the deepest degree, it have to be private. He walks to Renata.)
CHARLES
Now we have to go now.
RENATA
With out Bud?
CHARLES
After all, you are still welcome to come back with us, David, if you would like.
DAVID
(glancing at Bud)
Uh, I — thanks, Mr. Powell, however I, uh, assume perhaps I would higher…
(Charles turns to go, taking Renata’s arm. Bud stares blankly into house. All freeze.)
DAVID
(persevering with, to the viewers)
Generally, God, we’d like these boundaries once more — the frontiers pushed again. I learn books. And write them. I measure the gap between each phrase —
(glancing down on the envelope)
— and its which means. So many meanings. The space between each act —
(he gestures a bit of with the envelope)
— and its intention — which, as a matter of pedagogical precept, I say it is unimaginable to know.
(beat)
All we have now ultimately are the phrases. And the issues we do.
(Lights dim, leaving solely David seen.)
AJA
