Scene Two
from Act Two
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 31 May 2019
Summary
It is late afternoon on the highest level
SOLDIER ONE: You must have loved her … I mean, to join a whole war just because she married someone else.
SOLDIER Two: That was not the reason.
SOLDIER ONE: You didn't love her then?
SOLDIER Two: On yes, I did. But that was not the reason I joined the war.
SOLDIER ONE: You don't have to be ashamed of it, pally. It shows in spite of everything you are a very sensitive man. You wanted to forget. Or maybe you felt you didn't have anyone to live for any more.
SOLDIER Two: No, not to forget. But to atone.
SOLDIER ONE: Man, I don't want to tell you a lie, and pretend that I am smart enough to understand you. A woman leaves you, so you join the war because you want to atone?
SOLDIER TWO: The sign! Where the hell is the damn sign?
SOLDIER ONE: Patience. That's one of the things you taught me.
SOLDIER TWO: You know what? I think I am done with this war. I think this is my last assignment. I am not cut out for this kind of work.
SOLDIER ONE: You are the last person to say that. Why, you have had more successes in all the missions you have been to than all of us … or at least most of us.
SOLDIER TWO: After this I am just going to walk back home.
SOLDIER ONE: Why would you want to do a thing like that?
SOLDIER TWO: Because I think I have accomplished what I came to do.
SOLDIER ONE: You don't think that would be selling out the rest of us? They know who you are, you know? They are going to arrest you, torture you until you reveal all you know about our movements. Then they are going to hang you. Man, even if you are strong enough not to reveal our plans, they are going to sentence you to die anyway.
SOLDIER TWO: Yeah, you are right. I am confused, man. I got to sort myself out somehow.
[Once more there is silence. SOLDIER Two is pensive, while SOLDIER ONE is both puzzled and worried.]
[Suddenly] You know, in this country it is the easiest thing to take vengeance on your enemies?
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- Information
- And the Girls in their Sunday DressesFour Works, pp. 133 - 145Publisher: Wits University PressPrint publication year: 1993