Scene 5
from Somewhere on the Border
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 04 June 2019
Summary
A parade ground. Sunlight. Rising above the laughter of the previous scene is the voice of the BLACK ACTOR singing a freedom song. He enters, carrying a sack filled with sawdust. His singing is drowned by the sound of approaching soldiers. He takes up a position near the audience and ad libs a humorous commentary on what follows.
KOTZE [off]: Hik-hak, hik-hak, hik-hak, yuugh; hik-hak, hik-hak, hik-hak, yuugh; hik-hak, hik-hak, hik-hak, hik-hak, yuugh.
The soldiers march towards the audience at an insane pace.
Markeer die pas! [Mark time!] Hik-hak, hik-hak, hik-hak, yuugh! Levitt!! In Hitler's day we would have made soap out of you! Hik-hak, hik-hak, hik-hak, yuugh; hik-hak, hik-hak, hikhak, yuugh; hik-hak, hik-hak, hik-hak, yuugh. Halt! Dat klink soos boontjies in ‘n pispot. Julle wil nie saamwerk nie. Julle sê fok jou, Bombardier. Goed, ons gaan aan. [That sounds like beans in a pisspot. You don't want to work together. You say, fuck you, Bombardier. Fine, we'll carry on.] Markeer die pas! Hik-hak, hik-hak, hik-hak, yuugh. Tel daardie vuile pote op! [Pick up those dirty feet!] Parallel to the ground! Hik-hak, hikhak, hik-hak, yuugh.
He makes them mark time for a long while; the theatre is filled with the sound of pounding boots.
Halt! Mowbray!! If you ever out of time again I'll put your cock in your arse and carry you down to the station like a suitcase. Regs om! [Right turn!] Count the fucking time. Links om! [Left turn!]
ALL: Een, twee-drie, een! [One, two-three, one!]
KOTZE: Omkeer! [About turn!]
ALL: Een, twee-drie, een.
KOTZE marches them upstage and gives them rifle drill.
KOTZE: Kammel, you cunt, I'll climb down your throat and shit on your heart. Op die plek rus! [Stand at ease!] Kammel, kom hier! [Come here!]
CAMPBELL falls out of the platoon and halts in front of KOTZE.
You see that tree over there? Go fetch me a leaf. Is jy al terug? [Are you back yet?]
CAMPBELL runs off. The BLACK ACTOR is laughing and doing a send-up of Kotze.
Kaffer! Wat soek jy? [What do you want?]
BLACK ACTOR: Oh shit. Baas? Ekskies Baas? [Excuse me, boss?]
KOTZE: Kom hier, dom donder. [Come here, you stupid fool.]
The BLACK ACTOR comes to attention in front of KOTZE and salutes him.
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- Information
- Somewhere on the Border , pp. 35 - 42Publisher: Wits University PressPrint publication year: 2012