HOMEFRONT - a one-act play (1)
I had the idea of that story a long time ago. I struggled to find the proper way to tell it. I eventually chose the form of a play. Of course, it didn't have legs for a full tragedy. So, it's a one-act play. I transplanted it in Prague during WWI but it could have happened during any war, under any censorship. 
H O M E F R O N TCurtain closed.
A VOICE ( reading a letter)
"Dear Mother, the guns have not stopped for two days. When it stops, just for an instant, everything is so quiet that you would think that you have become deaf. We are used now to speak to ourselves to be sure that we are still able to hear, and I have already noticed some of my friends who speak to themselves all along. But to say the truth, I wish I would become deaf : if I wouldn’t listen your sweet and loved voice anymore, at least I could ignore the stupid orders of the Lieutenant who…"
A SECOND VOICE (furious)
WHAT ?
The curtain opens : the scene is in Prague, in the military office of the Austrian army in charge of the censorship. This is a secret place where secrets are read, disclosed, and disposed of… On the right, a chimney, and on the mantel piece a bust of the Emperor. On the wall, a flag and a map of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire.
In the center is a big desk, loaded with papers and bundles of letters... There is a young man, Jiři STRAKOV who sits in front of the desk, Czech, in his twenties, dressed modestly. Behind the desk, walking the stage, relentless, is Josef HARTMANN, an Austrian, in his late fifties, well dressed, displaying all the attitude of the superior.
HARTMANN
What did he write ? Give me that letter, I can’t believe it ! (He grasps the letter). Raaah ! This stupid language ! Cross out this part ! What is the name of this dumb fellow ? Petr Skuhravy… Hum… Well, Mr Skuhravy, your family will never hear about your wit. We will be your one and only audience, and you can be sure that we will never forget it… If you come back. Don’t forget to note down the name of the fellow !
JIŘÍ nods and takes another letter.
JIŘÍ
Dear Mother, your last letter brought me a lot of joy, I read it with tears in my eyes…
HARTMANN
Spare me the sentimentality for Christ’s sake !
JIŘÍ reads quickly the beginning of the letter and then :
JIŘÍ
What can I say that you wouldn’t already know through my precedent letters ? I’m cold…
HARTMANN
Get rid of that !
JIŘÍ
I’m hungry…
HARTMANN
Get rid of that too !
JIŘÍ
I’m tired, and sometimes I wonder when this war will finish, and if I will see the end of it !
HARTMANN
Sure ! How do you want to win a war with such a band of stupid and lazy peasants ? For God’s sake, not a surprise this war is taking so long ! Give me a good German soldier, give me a Prussian ! Not a Bohemian without guts !
JIŘÍ (low)
Or no reason to fight…
HARTMANN (abruptly)
What did you say ?
JIŘÍ (confused)
Or no aptitude for the fight.
HARTMANN (not totally gullible)
Right… Let’s proceed. Let’s listen to the complaints of our fierce warriors…
JIŘÍ (reading on)
But I do hope that the War will be over soon and that I will be back among you, safe and sound. You asked me about Frantisek. He is really the luckiest of us all. He has been hurt during a shelling one week ago and the surgeons have cut his right leg.”
HARTMANN
Unbelievable ! A direct and genuine call to being crippled and maimed in order to escape the duties of the uniform ! Erase everything after « luckiest of us all ».
JIŘÍ
But, Sir, you can’t do that…
HARTMANN
I beg your pardon ?
JIŘÍ
I mean… We are supposed to erase only the informations crucial to the security of the State.
HARTMANN
They are fighting for the Emperor ? Do we not all fight at this moment for the safety of the Empire ? Do we not, you and me, fight – at this instant ? Have you any idea how insidious and dangerous are all the ideas, opinions, critics and rumours professed by these so-called soldiers among the population ? Don’t let yourself deluded by these curtains, this chimney, this wooden desk and floor… There is a war going on right here, right now around us, and you are a soldier.
JIŘÍ
Of course, I…
HARTMANN
If this kind of war doesn’t suit you, I allow you at once to prove your loyalty to our cause by going the closest recruitment center available. I will not retain yourself against your will one minute longer to translate me the gibberish your fellow people call language, I’m sure the first beggar will be honoured to help me in that task…
Silence.
HARTMANN
Let’s proceed, will you ?
JIŘÍ nods, and opens a new letter.
JIŘÍ
Dear Aneta… My beloved, I’m sorry for the delay of my answer. Some unexpected problems that you will easily conceive kept me from writing. However, I didn’t forget your birthday. I count the days before this long awaited date. Seven exactly. At 8h15, to be precise, I will watch the sun rising. I have also to give you the salute from all the other comrades. Greet your dear old grand-mother, in memory of me.
Silence.
JIŘÍ (reaching for another letter on the desk)
I open the next letter…
HARTMANN
Hold on ! Hold on… Seven days ?
JIŘÍ
It’s exact, Sir.
HARTMANN
When was it written, what is the date of the letter ??
JIŘÍ
September, the 12th, Sir.
HARTMANN
Find me that woman ! NOW !
JIŘÍ springs from his chair and walks out.
CURTAIN
Second part coming up tomorrow. Thanks for reading!
Steemon