The War is Dead, Long Live The War

BLACK
Is that it?

WHITE
What? Who are you? Where the fuck am I?

BLACK
No one else?

WHITE
No- I don't think so- just me- now -where do I go next- they said-

BLACK
(cutting in) They say a lot of things- I'm afraid, some are not always true-

WHITE
But I thought this was the last post before I could go home-

BLACK
Home?

WHITE
Yes sir-

BLACK
I'm not your sir- in fact-

WHITE
(cuts in) Ok ok I know this is some sort of game and I'm probably being watched (looking around for hidden cameras smiling waving) And will be on some Sunday tv show- or beamed back for the troops- so cut the shit and let me go ok?

BLACK
Where?

WHITE
Home- they told me to just get here and..... (distracted) Hey- its a bit fucking dark got a light mate- (BLACK produces a candle and lights it)

BLACK
Where's home? and who do they think they are?

WHITE
Well, that's better I can see you now-look- its the last place they said, before home- look I've got my papers they're all in order, sir sorry I mean- look! (Gets papers out of pocket hands them to BLACK who looks at them) BLACK Oh no sorry- these are out of date- see, the stamp- (WHITE grabs them back looks anxiously at them)

WHITE
They have to be- they only gave them to me yesterday-

BLACK
Lets sit down and talk about this ok, would you like some tea? Sugar?

WHITE
Yes no ye no um I mean yes no

BLACK
Tired?

WHITE
Fucked

BLACK
Oh, ok then.....

WHITE
Bastards- gook fucking wop cunts- need fucking civilizing I can tell you

BLACK
Do you know the real meaning of bastard?

WHITE
Yer we go- is this part of the game like- 20 questions then wham I'm outta yer- um wha was the question again?

BLACK
What does bastard mean?

WHITE
Yeah oh yeah, um- well like bastards like fucking, no good bastard fuckers like- yeah- so- next.....

BLACK
A child without a father

WHITE
Bollocks- we all got fathers-

BLACK
Some don't stick around some disappear some never told some......

WHITE
What's this weakest fucking link-

BLACK
Who is?

WHITE
You are - goodbye!!!! (laughs heartedly slaps BLACK on the back)

BLACK
Don't do that- don't do-

WHITE
Sorry just my little joke just my way of getting through the days like- so- who are you-? What is this place? Whose side were you on? Why am -

BLACK
(breaks in) Oh dear- so many questions- I do not have the time I'm sorry

WHITE
Well, it'd be quite fucking funny if I was stuck yer with some cunt who was gonna shoot me

BLACK
I'm not going to shoot you I- (Atmosphere changes, darker, serious)

WHITE
Because I'm here to liberate YOU to to save you to to save your country put it right- to

BLACK
I'm not going to shoot you- and its not my country-

WHITE
Clean this dirty stinking country out, free you-

BLACK
I AM NOT GOING TO shoot YOU!!!

WHITE
Give you things you never dreamed of- ok- got it- I AM the good guy- remember that (WHITE is drained sweating out of breath)

BLACK
I'm not going to shoot you - I haven't got a-

WHITE
(ignoring him rambling on) See- cos its the news reports the journalists who get it wrong, tell lies, exaggerate death counts, hide the facts, alter perception- all we do all I did was in good faith, in the belief of humanity to sort things out to lay down our lives for what we believe to fight.....for peace....for our country....

BLACK
Pro patria mori

WHITE
Thought you said you were on my side

BLACK
Did not

WHITE
Why you speaking foreign then?

BLACK
Just Latin - it means-

WHITE
Speak fucking English will you- can't understand you- could be talking in code- could be talking to your boss- could be

BLACK
I am not

WHITE
(anxious, looking around) Where's my grenade?

BLACK
I I don't know- I have-

WHITE
It must be here - I just had it- when I came in- I know I did it was my last one-

BLACK
I haven't seen it-

WHITE
You've stolen it- haven't you-

BLACK
I don't know what you're talking about

WHITE
Give it back!

BLACK
I told you- so

WHITE
I fucking order you- return it to me or I'll

BLACK
I do not have it- please listen to me- I have no need -I

WHITE
You, y, you cast a spell- talking in foreign words- you and your army- give me back my grenade- give it- or I'll destroy you.....I'm the good guy ...remember give, GIVE!!

(MUSIC: GORECKI SYMPHONY NUMBER 3 BEGINS)

BLACK
I, too, saw God through mud...... (White freezes- white light upon BLACK as he steps forward)

BLACK (CONTINUED)
The mud that cracked on cheeks when wretches smiled, war brought more glory to their eyes than blood, and gave their laughs more glee than shakes a child, I have perceived much beauty heard music in the silentness of duty found peace where shell storms spouted reddest spate.......history repeats the mindicide decade after decade government after government life after life........death after death.......the war is dead long live the war........I too, saw god, through mud (BLACK stares out out to the audience as WHITE unfreezes)

WHITE
What can you see? What do you hear? Are they coming for me?

BLACK
Nothing

WHITE
When can I go home? Who are you?

BLACK
It does not matter who I am? What matters is you- who are you and why -

WHITE
(cuts in) Corporal John White- Royal Marine, Sir- active duty, sir

BLACK
I'm no sir

WHITE
What do I have to do?

BLACK
Tell me, what have you done?

WHITE
Who wants to know?

BLACK
I do-

WHITE
I have done nothing wrong

BLACK
No one is accusing you

WHITE
Who is listening- who else is here- come out wherever you are- game's over- come out-

BLACK
No one is listening- its just me and you- what have you done?

WHITE
I said- i have done nothing wrong-

BLACK
What have you done?

WHITE
Is this part of the test?

BLACK
There is no test-

WHITE
I just want to go home- away from here- they said....

BLACK
They say a lot of things - just tell me where you have been what you have done- no one is here to judge you- only

WHITE
I have done no wrong-

BLACK
Yourself (closes his eyes)
(Light on white)

WHITE
It was winter, pissing down with rain, day after day,night after night- I was out of work, a baby and girlfriend to look after, we couldn't afford to get the roof fixed, it was leaking like a bastard - I tried all sort of jobs- factory, packing, call centers even fucking experiments- 12 grand for a toe cut off and sewn back on, 30 for an arm- all I did was catch flu and lay in bed for a week- 200 quid- paid for the roof though- anyway, I was getting under the missus feet, she was going to chuck me out, said she'd make it difficult for me to see my lad like said it wouldn't look good in court- no job no place to live like so I thought fuck she is fucking serious like and I was watching tele and a advert come on for the army- BE ALL YOU CAN BE - so I went and ad the medical and stuff- and next day- wham they told me I had got in- yes- cash back!- missus was chuffed- and my son would be proud of his dad- look I got a picture
(gets photo from his coat- hands it to BLACK who keeps his eyes closed)

BLACK
Carry on, I can see, I can

WHITE
Well, that was it I was in - said they needed men like me- then the orders came through for the fucking war like and I was up for it- see people don't realise you gotta have armies just the same as you gotta have enemies- to keep the peace like- nothing else seemed to work so it was like, shut the fuck up and listen to the bullet sonny- it's payback time- so off i went to free the people........and get me a suntan....and maybe a bit of suckie fuckie like inna films like-see good versus bad.....

BLACK
What was it like?

WHITE
What? The sex...... don't know....didn't get any- but um-

BLACK
No! The war

WHITE
We won

BLACK
Who's we?

WHITE
We, we the fucking good guys right, we, we, the soldiers the ones who risked our lives for freedom, for liberty-

BLACK
What about responsibility?

WHITE
Wha- fucking weakest link again eh?

BLACK
Who?

WHITE
You are,  goodbye

WHITE
Only joking, chill out- I tell you you wan a good shag- loosen you up like-I can fix you up you know

WHITE
(goes to touch BLACK, laddishly)
Calm down

BLACK
(snaps) Don't touch, you, you can't see - you hear me!

WHITE
Sorry, sorry- I didn't realise- what is it with you lot up here - very fucking strange

BLACK
There's no one else

WHITE
Bollocks I heard them as I walked in- hiding I bet-

BLACK
There's no one else here

WHITE
So, what's the next part of the test- I'm quite enjoying it now-

BLACK
What did you see? the war?

WHITE
We won

BLACK
How do you know?

WHITE
Flags - smiles - sweets - sunshine - freedom- we won

BLACK
I hate flags

WHITE
Why?

BLACK
I shall make a flag

WHITE
What you onna about- wanker

BLACK
I will starve it of all colours then amputate its anthem murder its leader cut the tongue of its language then

WHITE
You ARE fucking weird I can tell - (points to his head as if mentally damaged) Fucking shell shock is it- fucking ell I wanna go home-

BLACK
Home?

WHITE
Home!

BLACK
You won- I won as well......but t-

WHITE (cuts in)
Look- is there something wrong with winning- would you all rather we lost so you could all say I told you so- well it's not gonna appen- ok ofucking k!

BLACK
I just need um want to know- what and how you won so I can-

WHITE
Oh I see part of the game, yes, well, let me see

BLACK
(growing agitated) There is no game

WHITE
(touches his nose) Uh uh ok then, yep, mum's the word-

BLACK
How do you know you've won- what have you won?

WHITE
Cor- fucking thick aren't you up yer- I told you- we were right- they were wrong- WE WON- they lost- minimum deaths-

BLACK
They said

WHITE
No- I saw- that's it!

(Silence)

WHITE
O k - we were right they are criminals we won we saved- they died like animals cos that's what they are!(spits)

(Silence)

BLACK
19th September- all are worthy of victory because they will know how to honour it- yet, in the ancient spot where sits the fathers of the republic the greatest glory will be to those splendid poilus who will see confirmed by history the titles of nobility which they themselves have earned- at the present moment they ask for nothing more than to be allowed to complete the great work which will assure them of immortality- to keep on fighting until the moment when the enemy will understand there is no possible negotiation between crime and right-

WHITE
Whooooaaaahhhhh!!! Right on baby (goes to give hi 5 to BLACK who turns his back on him) Bring it on George -

BLACK
1918

WHITE
Why do you turn away from me (pulls BLACK's shoulder around harshly) 
(no answer)

WHITE (CONTINUED)
Speak to me- hey man- we're on the same side- we speak the same language- aren't you happy- we won- we fucking won- hi hip hooray hi hip- we're here- we're there- we're everyfucking where- we're united-
(Their words overlap fuse and fracture as WHITE dances around in celebration BLACK stares straight ahead)

BLACK
I won, I won (barely audible) in 1918- we won)

WHITE
We are the champions my friend, da da da dunn

BLACK
Listen listen and you will hear two minutes silence in this century of screams no heartbeat to confirm existence- the poppy will not flower

WHITE
We flied our flags we liberated the people we fucking won- you listen-

BLACK
The white flag- death drugged and mind unmanmade listen listen and you will hear

WHITE
They were singing born in the usa- I gave them fags- cos babee we were born to run down da da down da-

BLACK
Two minutes silence- I am blood I am broken I am a cenotaph souvenir stall selling- listen you bastard listen (cracks and grabs WHITE by the throat and pushes him onto the sandbags)

BLACK (CONTINUED)
Listen.......
(SOUNDSCAPE: tv radio interference- news reports gunfire missile attack air raid sirens shouts noise death........)

WHITE
I can't hear anything- get the fuck off me- ok- (BLACK pushes him closer to the sandbags sounds and noise get louder brain aching severity)

BLACK
See- that's war that's freedom that's your winning-

WHITE
Get off me you dumb bastard- stop stop STOP!! Or I'll shoot I will - I warn you stop stop it

BLACK
Go on- go on shoot your victorious bullets shoot-

WHITE
(shouting) I will I warn you whoever you are- I have the power I have the legal right to return fire in self defence- I am warning you- now back off- I am legitimate- my war is a legitimate war now back off bastard! Or I will SHOOT!

BLACK
Go on you bastard- shoot- I have died a thousand times- shoot- ((

BLACK
stretches out his arms making a human cross WHITE pulls out a gun aims........loud loud explosion then smoke then sound of a heartbeat monitor)

BLACK (CONTINUED)
What passing bells for those who die as cattle only the .... monstrous anger of the guns only the stuttering rifles' rapid rattle can patter out their hasty orison no mockeries now for them no prayers nor bells nor any voice of mourning save the choirs, the shrill demented choirs of wailing shells......... (Then the heartbeat monitor goes continuos.....as WHITE buries his head in his hands, saying nothing......) (MUSIC: PETER GABRIEL GAMES WITHOUT FRONTIERS)

ACT 2

WHITE
(embarrassed) Well, did I pass?

WHITE
What do I do next? Its a bit like who wants to be a millionaire- hey did they ever get those daft cunts who tried to cheat say?

BLACK
Not long now

WHITE
Not long now! See- it is a game- whooah- some dolly bird's gonna pop out and give me a prize or summat- come on bring it on baby- (WHITE is listening exaggeratedly to the audience......silence.....)

WHITE
Well...... come on...some cunt better cough for the answer- haven't got a clue Chris- sorry- final answer.... yes-

BLACK
I don't want answers - I want truth

WHITE
Oh fucking hell- can I go now- please- what do you want me to do? I'll do anything just to get out of this place

BLACK
Truth- about the war- the, your....war?

WHITE
Campaign

BLACK
Suicides?

WHITE
Deserters- chickens- cowards- fucking- (BLACK takes a white feather from his jacket pocket waves it at WHITE who shudders at it)

WHITE (CONTINUED)
Wha what thas for- how did- I mean- (laughs- diffuses the moment) Whas ah fucking booby prize is it?

BLACK
(inspecting the feather closely) The white feather grows from the mouths of the graves. Funny isn't it- the white feather- the only time white is used negatively, cowardice, evil almost

WHITE
Whatever- is it yours- is this what this is all about?

BLACK
I've got a hundred white feathers- for all the men I knew that were killed

WHITE
(laughing nervously) Fly away then

BLACK
I wouldn't laugh- may just come back and haunt you (making ghost sounds)

WHITE
Fuck off, fuck off

BLACK
(briskly, like an order) Civilian causalities?

WHITE
Collateral damage you mean- has to be expected in such a campaign- they'll thank us one day

BLACK
Children with arms blown off, pregnant women buried under their own homes, scared teenagers over the top

WHITE
OVER THE TOP!! Don't do that anymore mate- get real- fuck's sake- he- over the top- fix bayonets- hup 234 1 1234 right turn 1234

BLACK
(hands over his ears) Stop, stop stop I said- stop it-

WHITE
(casually) Have you seen my grenade- say?

BLACK
No

WHITE
It's just tha

BLACK
What?

WHITE
Nothing- it'll turn up

BLACK
Kill any of your own men?

WHITE
Friendly fire- to be expected in such a wa (corrects himself) Campaign- sacrifice in the name of freedom

BLACK
Freedom- funny word isn't it- means different thing to different people

WHITE
Whatever- you really are a sad fuck of a soldier aren't you- why don't you go and become....ah..dunno- a fucking vicar or summat

BLACK
Where are your superiors?

WHITE
That's classified information

BLACK
You said you'd won- freed the people- no enemy- you said- destroyed them- you said?

WHITE
There's always an enemy- always- next-

BLACK
I don't suppose any of the leaders, the politicians who voted for your war were there- or the generals or the commanders, the, the bosses?

WHITE
You really should think of a career move, mate- how dare you wear the queen's uniform-

BLACK
Oh its a her now is it (WHITE doesn't hear) Oh I was proud - oh I thought I'd go off and be a hero- save the world- return victorious- oh yes- I had the dreams-

WHITE
Could have fooled me mate-

BLACK
Now I have the nightmares- the endless unsleeping night-dulce de decorum est, pro patria mori

WHITE
What you mumbling about?

BLACK
The old lie

WHITE
Not the generals job is it- they are trained differently- I mean they're cunts an all tha but fuck me they got a tough job to do-

BLACK
Yeah- sat in other countries, supping tea in huge drawing rooms hovering over maps- oh where shall we send them today- haw haw a haw -I saw thousands slaughtered within hours-

WHITE
Collateral damage (BLACK grabs him by the throat)

BLACK
Don't you ever talk about my men my friends like that don't you dare laugh-

WHITE
Get your hands off me-

BLACK
(mimicking WHITE) I'll shoot- oh I'll shoot- back away or I'll shoot- I am legitimate

WHITE
I'm warning you- you chicken bastard-

BLACK
Go on- shoot- I am made of holes- I am emptied of blood- go on- I am already-

WHITE
Stop it you bastard- shut up

BLACK
Yes I am a bastard- my father has forsaken me- where are our fathers, where?

WHITE
Shut up shut up (Moves to blow the candle out)

BLACK
Don't- -

WHITE
What scared of the dark?

BLACK
One dies of war like any old disease- this bandage feels like pennies on my eyes- I have my medals/ discs to make my eyes close

WHITE
Oh very nice- the boy stood on the burning deck- see- I'm a fucking poet and I don't fucking know it

BLACK
Words, my dear friend, words- that's all I have left

WHITE
Well I can fucking see how you can't get any fanny-

BLACK
To make my eyes close

WHITE
Shut it- what is your name anyway (grabs BLACK's tunic searching for id or dog tags) Nothing, nothing, nothing.... What are you?- a fucking imposter eh, a fucking suicide bomber a a

BLACK
You're right- I am nothing, A nothing-

WHITE
Right, I'm taking you prisoner

BLACK
Prisoner?

WHITE
Oh you do listen- yes- hands up- turn around and no harm will come to you-

BLACK
You don't understand do you?

WHITE
Hey hey- I ask the questions

BLACK
Can't you see- look around- can't you see what it is here? Why are YOU here?

WHITE
(cuts in) I ask the questions and I am not going to listen to your fake interrogations, your sneers, your piss taking of me-when my men have been killed for freedom, when my family wait for me in Britain, when those gooks put glass in the coke when THEY tortured their own people, when they starved their own people while their leaders lived in huge palaces- to have you and your pacifist friends go on and on you don't know what it's like- here in your little depots playing scrabble and wanking each other off ticking off forms and making reports- so shut the fuck up- I've listened enough- it's payback time - I've got to get home to my son- turn around-

BLACK
I never meant to.....

WHITE
Shut up- I'm in charge now....... (Long silence)

BLACK
Do you know what it is today?

WHITE
Who cares- it's a day- we're alive

BLACK
It's a Sunday

WHITE
Oh right- well I better be off to church then- could do with a blow job

BLACK
Easter Sunday

WHITE
Oh great you got an egg for me-

BLACK
They say Christ rose today

WHITE
What's this songs of fucking praise

BLACK
Pardon?

WHITE
Nothing

BLACK
Do you believe Jesus rose from the dead

WHITE
Whatever- not my fault- try to blame that on me as well are you?

BLACK
No- I mean it- do you believe

WHITE
I believe in god, I believe in my country I believe in good overcoming evil -

BLACK
Are you good?

WHITE
Well, they are evil

BLACK
Does that make us good?

WHITE
Yes doctor- look someone has to sort it out- someone has to put it right-

BLACK
Jesus was good-

WHITE
Aye an the cunts came an crucified him

BLACK
So you do believe

WHITE
Never really thought about it- yes- final answer-

BLACK
So, someone, crucified, nails through his hands and feet, pelted with rocks, left to hang up for hours can rise and live again- walk talk eat and drink?

WHITE
Its from the bible innit

WHITE
Look, I'm no fucking vicar- just something I believe- yes ok- none of your business- now fuck off!

BLACK
It's ok- it's ok- don't get angry- I bear you no malice

WHITE
Whatever- can you get me the fuck out of yer?

BLACK
From olive branches to hand grenades

WHITE
Do you hear me?

BLACK
It's not up to me

WHITE
Who's in charge then?

BLACK
Perhaps we're all like Jesus?

WHITE
Here we go- fucking ell do you ever shut up?

BLACK
Perhaps it is just a story, a a metaphor- its meant to tell us, we can start again, no matter what pain, suffering, torment we've been through- we can start again-do you believe that?

WHITE
Maybe- too many kilroys mate

BLACK
I don't understand...I've never Killed boys?

WHITE
No no kilroy- tv- inna morning- (silence)

WHITE (CONTINUED)
Had enough-I want to go home

BLACK
Where to?

WHITE
Home-

BLACK
Home

WHITE
Home- yes- what are you a bastard parrot

BLACK
Home- to be welcomed by cheering crowds, waving flags, streetparties, smiling faces, telegraph from the King...

WHITE
Queen....an a good fuck offa missus- yep- not bad eh?

BLACK
Hero?

WHITE
Goddam right.....................Saddam wrong (laughs)

BLACK
I thought I'd be one too-

WHITE
Get it?

BLACK
What

WHITE
Goddamn right.....Saddam wrong....one nil one nil one nil...usa usa (chanting)) Usa uk usa uk usa uk

BLACK
But I wasn't

WHITE
Falklands?

BLACK
No

WHITE
Desert Storm?

BLACK
No

WHITE
Nam? (No response)

WHITE (CONTINUED)
When?

BLACK
A long long time ago, an everlasting t-

WHITE
(breaks in) Whatever- don't believe you anyways, I think it's my time anyway- home James?

BLACK
How did you know my name

WHITE
I don't- home James like it's just a fucking term like like "astalavista babeee"- to a servant like-

BLACK
I'm no servant I'm...

WHITE
James what?

BLACK
Black

WHITE
Black?

BLACK
Yes

WHITE
James Black?

BLACK
Private

WHITE
What is?

BLACK
I am

WHITE
Black

BLACK
White?

WHITE
Yes

BLACK
No - I

WHITE
Black

BLACK
White.......

(They both halt, thinking of their names and the deeper meanings, an awkward but moving moment, of connection)

WHITE
When is the plane coming?

BLACK
What plane?

WHITE
To take me home

BLACK
What about the homes of where you've been?

WHITE
Remember I ask the questions- free, of course

BLACK
Free from or free to?

WHITE
Whatever- walking fucking dictionary- not my problem - free ok?

BLACK
Dysentery, diarrhoea, typhoid, cancer, starvation, homeless, thirsty, workless, poisoned, cholera, schooless, hospitaless, fear.......free?

WHITE
We won

BLACK
Home

WHITE
Yes

BLACK
Newspapers offering war memorabilia, travel agents selling adventure holidays, soldiers stealing souvenirs of defeat, cigarette lighters with dead leaders on, pants with war slogans, racist ice cream-

WHITE
Cool-where can I get them?

BLACK
Home

BLACK
School canceling events of moments of silence for those killed in the war because children were including enemy civilians in their silent prayers- radio show hosts calling for the murder of anti war activists, teachers sacked for wearing a t shirt with a peace sign on it-

WHITE
Home?

BLACK
Home

WHITE
Ah you're making this up- you don't want me to go home- you're stuck yer so you want some company- so you're trying to keep me yer-

BLACK
I cannot keep you here- I am your prisoner so you said-

WHITE
Save your words- I'm sick of them-I've done my job and I want to go home- get out of this Godforsaken place-

BLACK
You're right there-

WHITE
Shut it- where's my fucking grenade- you're hiding it aren't you- give it back to me and I'll blow my way out of here- you can come as well

BLACK
Free?

WHITE
I gave freedom to all those sad fuckers didn't I- what's so wrong with that- tell me - those fucking people there- I tell you- they had nothing- food water money, cars while their leaders lived in fucking splendour- and you stand here like some fucking judge that I was, that we was wrong to go an sort it out?

BLACK
Is buckingham palace still off limits for the likes of you an me-

WHITE
Thas different- she was born into it like-

BLACK
Every war is about sorting something out- freeing someone at the expense of another, all around the world- its just that the strongest always win-

WHITE
What do you know - stuck yer?

BLACK
How do you know I'm stuck- perhaps I could go at any minute, perhaps I am not even here, perhaps...

WHITE
Well, I can see you and you're here now and I don't see any fucker else-

BLACK
Perhaps I am waiting to start again.....

WHITE
You must be a very lonely man

BLACK
Oh there's thousands of us-

WHITE
Where- told you!

BLACK
Everywhere- floating like ash in the breeze, blown like snow on winter mountains-

WHITE
Ok ok cut the fucking poetry- I've seen enough of tha on the underground

BLACK
See- all around the world, all through this century- listen and you can hear 2 minutes silence........ () pauses- silence))

BLACK (CONTINUED)
Screams, screams, millions, gassed-killed-bombed-macheted- tortured- starved-shot -cut- burnt- all for LIFE all for FREEDOM all for TRUTH all for them all for US- don't you know why I'm here? Why you are here?

WHITE
You're stuck yer, fuck knows why- no fucker wants you in the front line- I'm about to go home - you're a clever bastard who's trying to catch me out for the tv cameras and out there is a crowd waiting to cheer me and wave their flags like on big brother when the winner runs out- there- happy now?

BLACK
No-

WHITE
What then? You re waiting for hans blix?

BLACK
I think it's time you left-

WHITE
Yes so I do to? Where do I sign? Cos I'm off- good luck soldier- I'm sure there'll be another one along for you to bore the fuck out of soon-

BLACK
Yes- and another and another-

WHITE
Where do I sign?

BLACK
Here (offers him a clipboard)

WHITE
At last

BLACK
At last

WHITE
Right ok- (writes his name) It's not coming out- your pen's fucked mate- get another

BLACK
Got hundreds but it's not them that is "fucked" as you say

WHITE
Here we go- thought there'd be some fucking catch or summat

BLACK
It's your name - it's here - it's me- it's this place-

WHITE
What do you mean?

BLACK
This is no man's land, this is purgatory, this is limbo, this is everywhere, this is nowhere-

WHITE
You're mad you are totally fucking mad (grabs a pen writes then another and another and so on and on his name will not come out) Fuck it fuck it! (He goes to run out))

BLACK
It's ok it's safe here

WHITE
Safe fucking safe- stuck yer with some nutter, safe!! Right get out of my way- you're sick -after all I've done- left my own country my family to come yer to fight for freedom, fight to save the people to free them to to to- I don't bastard believe it- out of my way- I'm going home

BLACK
I've been trying to do that for 85 years

WHITE
What the fuck you talking about?

BLACK
Undeath .......White...... Undeath..........

WHITE
Bollocks- you're alive

BLACK
Yes, I'm alive, yes, I'm dead

WHITE
I don't understand-

BLACK
I've been here for 85 years

WHITE
What's going on here

BLACK
This is it- I need to tell you..

WHITE
Yeah but

BLACK
Let me finish- please- the only way I can return home is for someone, another soldier to denounce war, to admit they were wrong, to put down their gun, to, to hold me to-

WHITE
Wait wait- I don't know what you've been taking...

BLACK
Shut up and listen to me- I have listened to you I have tried to talk with you I have tried to get it out from you-

WHITE
Get it out from me?

BLACK
You know why you are?

WHITE
Why didn't you just die in the 2nd world war then?

BLACK
First-

WHITE
What you've been here for fucking hundreds of years

BLACK
No 85 like I told you-

WHITE
You're young.....

BLACK
Only my mind has aged

WHITE
Why am I here then? If you know everything?

BLACK
You know

WHITE
I do not

BLACK
Why what you gonna do - kill a dead man?!

WHITE
Fuck up- why are you here- why?

BLACK
Drooping tongues from jaws that slob their relish, baring teeth that leer like skull's teeth wicked- these are the men whose minds the dead have ravished, memory fingers in their hair of murders, treading blood from lungs that loved laughter- batter of guns-

WHITE
Alright, alright

BLACK
And shatter of flying muscles, carnage incomposable and human squalor

WHITE
Shut it I'm thinking

BLACK
Doesn't help

WHITE
Still haven't answered why you're here- stuck here- wha shot yourself in the cock, pretended to be crazy- eh?

BLACK
I would not fight- I walked away from my trench- after 4 days of relentless fighting- I was scared, I was scared hungry and lonely- I could not bear to see any more death

WHITE
Well, that happens- I'm sorry- but it was war- what do you fucking expect?

BLACK
I chose my path I chose to follow my conscience- I could not bear to see anymore legs blown away, brains sticking through skulls, intestines spilling

WHITE
I know, I fucking know

BLACK
So, they captured me labelled me a deserter and court martialled me, then led me to a place I had never seen before, blindfolded me.............tied me to a stake ......and shot me through the head

WHITE
That can't be right

BLACK
The choice between right and crime- I was classed a criminal-

WHITE
When?

BLACK
November 4th 1918

WHITE
So you are dead?

BLACK
Unliving, trapped between life and death, undead-

WHITE
(something triggers WHITE to falter- he's quieter subdued- scared) Can't you just close your eyes.....and...and go to sleep

BLACK
Sleep is worse than waking- I have relived it a million times- a nightmare for every dead body I saw in that war- a tear for every snatched life

WHITE
So what can you do? Can't you escape?

BLACK
I told you- I will only be able to return home to rest in peace if a soldier who passes through this placeless place denounces his and his country's actions and puts his weapons down only then can I return home

WHITE
To sleep

BLACK
To sleep

WHITE
And no one has ever done that for you- all these years all those battles? There must have been thousands of dead soldiers-

BLACK
Millions-

WHITE
Well then how come-

BLACK
It is always the ones who have done something terrible, something unspeakable, some terrible act of war that end up here- those that will never renounce war those that will never lay down their weapons- for they are either too full of fear or too righteous to see what they have done

WHITE
Why am I here?

BLACK
I have been trying to find out, trying to reach deep inside of you- to let you speak for you know why you are here don't you?

WHITE
You selfish bastard- all this time you've been trying to get me to tell you what I have, supposedly, done so you can escape get away from yer-what about me what about my son what about my life? You fucking selfish bastard!

BLACK
No no n no that's not it please- you don't understand

WHITE
Oh yes I do I understand it all it fucking all-

BLACK
What have you done? Why are you here then?

WHITE
I will not hear it- I do not see you I I

BLACK
I had to ask you - people just don't turn up here- there is always a reason there is always a deep dark hole- I just- I mean -I'm sorry- I

WHITE
There's nothing right, nothing- I've told you....

BLACK
Well, there must have been a mistake then- I'm sorry- you can go- I will have to leave you now- (An awkward silence)

WHITE
Don't- please- please don't leave me- (through gritted teeth) I can't I I I

BLACK
Why?

WHITE
I can't I just can't ok- there now leave me alone ok?

BLACK
I'm sorry- what is it?

WHITE
Nothing

BLACK
It can help

WHITE
(holding it in, almost not breathing then releases) Just so you can say I told you so

BLACK
No

WHITE
There's only one thing for me

BLACK
It's ok

WHITE
Where's my grenade (panicking- desperate) It must be yer- I had it- (WHITE scrabbles on the floor trying to find it)

BLACK
I am here to help you

WHITE
Shut up I'm busy- can't you see-

BLACK
Tell me what it is

WHITE
(jumps up determined and fierce face to face with BLACK)
Ok you wanna know you wanna hear it you wanna have a wank over it- you wanna put it on your message board- feel better will it? Will it fuck!

BLACK
Calm down- it's ok

WHITE
(faces the audience in trance like state) They had spotted tracers coming from a farmhouse- enemy fire shooting at us- me and 3 other men were told to surround it while they called in the tanks- it was a dark black dusty night, shots everywhere like bracelets in the sky- I crawled close to the house- didn't like pissing about me - I could hear voices- shouting- bullets were hitting the walls, smashing windows, pinging on metal- I opened the back door it must have been the kitchen door I could smell cooked chicken there were dishes in the sink, I was scared, the voices got louder I wasn't thinking straight my eyes had dust in them I was sweating then all of a sudden, behind me a scream a horrible scream- I heard footsteps...fast....angry...I turned around, without looking, fired off a round where the scream came from.......

WHITE
The voices got louder, the shooting closer then everything seemed to go quiet as the dust and smoke cleared in the kitchen- it all went like slow motion and I could see what I had shot it.........a little girl about the same age as my boy....she was holding a dolly...it was covered in blood......she didn't have a face- I closed my eyes and could see my boy's face then blood then my boys then

BLACK
....oh god oh fucking god....you bastards you fucking bastards....

BLACK
I'm sorry-

WHITE
I dropped my gun and walked out of that farmhouse hoping someone would shoot me and I walked and I walked and I walked.........I ended up at a marine prisoner of war camp surrounded by razor wire-I begged to be let in and become a prisoner- they all laughed they thought I was pissing about- then they sent me to a hospital... after they had given me a medal...I kept telling them about the little girl- but no one would listen until an officer told me they were sending me to jail-

WHITE
Do you know they were more concerned with me walking away than about the little girl- said I could have given valuable information- no one would listen to me- the vicar said it was god's way of saying good would win over evil, the commander said it would be put down as collateral damage- they called me a coward, a deserter an enemy of my own country.......they never mentioned murderer (White collapses exhausted into Black's arms, a white feather falls out of his pocket flutters down)

BLACK
They talk of heroes freedom peace and life....never of death and killing torture and fear.... (staring out) Men- gaps for filling, losses who might have fought longer......

WHITE
I never want to see another enemy , ever-

BLACK
Within the we, is you an me...you and me-

WHITE
(deadly serious) I am here to replace you aren't I?

BLACK
I'm sorry

WHITE
It's alright- I deserve it

BLACK
No- no one ever deserves it- no one deserves to pay the price of someone else's hatred and greed-no should die for another's grand plan-

WHITE
But in war- we have to

BLACK
Do you know as the Armistice Bells were ringing in 1918 the postmen rang the bell on my parent's door to deliver the telegram to tell them that I had been killed in action-

WHITE
That's a lie

BLACK
It sounded better- a little white lie

WHITE
In a black black world

BLACK
I'm so tired, so fucking tired

WHITE
(smiling gently) That's the first time I heard you swear- sounds funny

BLACK
Sorry

WHITE
Don't fucking worry

BLACK
O fucking K!! (They smile and laugh sadly together)

WHITE
Well, what you're waiting for

BLACK
What?

WHITE
Well there's no fucking birds or prizes is there? No audiences voting me out no cameras- so- Go on- you're free- you can go home... have a pint on me
(Black hesitates doesn't know what to do)

BLACK
It wasn't meant to be like this- it usually turns out the other way- I am on your side-

WHITE
I know I know- will you post this (hands him a letter) It's for my son when he's older - I wrote it just in case-
(Black takes it off him)

BLACK
There'll be someone else along soon

WHITE
I can't fucking wait!!

BLACK
We're all bastards

WHITE
Where are our fathers?

BLACK
Gone off to fight some bastard war............will we ever learn... (pauses) I'm sorry I put you through this- I never meant to...it usually turns out....

WHITE
(cutting in- sensing the pain) It's ok it's ok-not your fault - hey- I can smell the kebabs and mint sauce- the beer flowing on a Friday night

BLACK
What?

WHITE
Yes- the cold on my jacket- the radiator hiss- I can see match of the day- go on go on my son- yes- leeds united- go on

BLACK
I can hear the swifts in summer - I can feel the dry mud on my football boots- I can hear my father coming in from work down the pit- the black coal dust light he brought home - I can smell my mother's stew boiling on the stove - I can touch my sister's hand as I tuck her in bed at night
(closes his eyes)

WHITE
I can smell baby powder - the touch of my son's skin after his bath, holding him, holding him I can hear his voice- parrkk, diggger......dad, daddy, dad

BLACK
Goodbye, goodbye

WHITE
Father, father, dad

BLACK
Fatherland, you have lied you have forsaken us- you said you were fighting for freedom

WHITE
Freedom to kill, to impose on another cos of different colour skin

BLACK
Different place

WHITE
Not my place

BLACK
Not my place - I do not have a place

WHITE
You do- it is here, it is everywhere, it is in the air, the rain, the dust

BLACK
Father, father?

WHITE
Dad, dad, daddy?

BLACK
Can you see me now, can you see the scars, c can you help me now

WHITE
Dad, dad, daddy? (their words overlaps fracture))

BLACK
I am sorry- it's just that all those men all those bullets all those wounds - we're just dying to live- never stopping to think- just an endless parade of death- vomit sickness bleeding flesh and hatred and in the end I started to hate- hate what we I have become- and when you came I just thought I've had enough-I hated you as you walked through- I really hated you

(White says nothing just looks at Black, almost understanding)

BLACK (CONTINUED)
And I really didn't know you- see I've become as bad-I've lost control of my conscience of what I believed- I am full of evil and hatred...

All those scars have infiltrated through me- filled my heart with decay and despair - injected my stomach with bile - all the spilled blood has congealed into my throat and all I can speak is games and trying to catch people out- all I can hear are the screams, the screams.......

(scrabbling around in madness shivering)

No no no...no NO! NO! I have become the demon- the hate the death the war - get out get out of me...please please.......

(WHITE comforts him, gently holds him)

WHITE
Calm down....it's ok-remember what you said-

BLACK
They never let me finish my life- never let me fall in love, hold hands on a beach, clean my football boots, eat my mother's stew again.....never let me finish!!!

(Black rips his shirt off to reveal scars, dried blood, numbers, statistics, names of places- numbers killed in wars, in battles, genocides, refugee numbers,- his body is a canvas of the 20th century of destruction and evil)

BLACK (CONTINUED)
I never told me dad I loved him

WHITE
I never listened to my son when he told me he loved me

BLACK
Cut cut cut it out of me- this cut cut cut dig me out- please (screams)

WHITE picks up a blade -carves a huge red cross into Black's chest- the blood glistens against the words and numbers

BLACK (CONTINUED)
(looking down) A red cross- came to salve the world- started in 1863- pathetic aren't we?

(WHITE doesn't know what to say- emotion floods him)

WHITE
What you said about starting again, about no matter what pain what fucking struggle you said, to start again....remember?

(WHITE puts BLACK'S hand on his heart- BLACK looks surprised, awkward) (A beautiful moment of peace, connection, meaning for the both men)

WHITE
You mean I made a difference?

WHITE
Yes-

BLACK
Really-

WHITE
Yes- I fuck you not?

BLACK
Is that a yes?

WHITE
Black?

BLACK
White?

WHITE
It's ok- you've done it- you're free-

BLACK
And you?

WHITE
I've got to stay- carry on your light Carry on - you've done enough- you've got to go- now stop fucking about- go go go before I change my fucking mind!

BLACK
Yes sir!!

WHITE
I'm not your sir (they both smile)

BLACK
You be ok?

WHITE
Well- you look alright-

BLACK
It's getting darker I got some more candles-?

WHITE
Alright-

(BLACK lights a few more candles lights up the stage - shadows flicker faces shine- like a church- holy -)

WHITE (CONTINUED)
Thanks-

BLACK
No fucking problem!!! Be careful (

BLACK picks up his bag and walks off looking back to WHITE who is slumped down on the floor....then silence.....)

WHITE
(gets up quickly) Eh Black, Black...what do you do if you want a....
(fades as he realises Black has gone out of earshot)

(WHITE sits back down....picks up one of the discarded pens and paper and starts to write...of course nothing comes out)

WHITE (CONTINUED)
Bastards....bastards.......Fuck! (more thoughtfully)

WHITE (CONTINUED)
I believe in the sun though it is late in rising.......I believe in love though it is absent.......I believe in god though he is silent...........

(stands up looking up to the sky)

WHITE
Right then ya bastard..and you really are a bastard god- for letting all this happen...right....if you really exist...then make my fucking grenade appear- go on....fucking miracle right...go on ya fucker...make it appear so I can blow this whole shit dump up and I'd be gone and they won't touch me anymore- that's one thing they can't control....death....death.....

(We hear words from backstage - BLACK is coming back WHITE doesn't though)

BLACK
Foreheads of men have bled

WHITE
Come on then- make it appear- cos I'm not gonna wait around yer- I have had enough-

BLACK
Where no wounds were - I am the enemy you killed my friend-I knew you in this dark for you so frowned

(Their words overlap jumble fuse and fracture as WHITE scuttles on the ground looking for his grenade as Black gets)

WHITE
Come on- make it appear- lets be done with this

BLACK
I knew you in the dark

WHITE
Yes yes you bastard- (he has found the grenade) You do exist......

BLACK
Yesterday, through me as you jabbed and killed

WHITE
(WHITE picks it up holds grenade between his teeth and pulls the pin- stares out eyes glazed) Now you're all happy.....bastards! BASTARDS! (Black has got closer and can see what's happening)

BLACK
No no White, I couldn't go- stop please stop

(WHITE doesn't hear him and grenade goes off loud bang and smoke.......as smoke clears Black is bent over him white feathers fluttering around.......)

BLACK (CONTINUED)
I parried but my hands were loath and cold, let us sleep now.....

(Black places the letter on White and kneels before him)

BLACK (CONTINUED)
Let us sleep now.....let us.......

(MUSIC: builds)

BLACK (CONTINUED)
What candles my be held to speed them all, not in the hands of boys but in their eyes shall shine the holy glimmers of goodbyes- the pallor of girls' brows shall be their pall their flowers the tenderness of patient minds and each slow dusk the drawing down of blinds...........

(BLACK blows out the candles ..... music rises and peaks..)

(The end)