Thispartoftheplaywillgivearepresentationofthemomentswhensoldierstelltheirlovedones

aboutjoiningthemilitaryandhowtheirreactionscanbeeithersimilarordifferent.Aswellasthe
stepstheytaketoobtaintheirgoal.

Daryl:David
Mom:Rebecca

Daryl:
Mom

Mom:
YeswhatisitDaryl?

Daryl:
Ihavesomthingtotellyou.

Daryl:
Itsreallyimportant.

Mom:
Whatdoyouhavetotellmethatssoimportant?

Mom:
Whywouldyouwanttojointhenavyyoucoulddie?

Daryl:
IamonlyplanningonservingfortherequiredfouryearsjustsoIcangetafreeticketto
Californiaandtrytogetintothemusicindustry.

Mom:
ButImightnevergettoseeyouagain


(MomstartscryingwhileDarylgivesherahug)

Daryl:
Illbeok.

(scenefadesout)
(nextscene)

Larry:Nate
Jose:Truman
Sara:Rebecca

(SetinLarryslivingroom.Larryissittingonthecouchalongwithhismomanddadfacing
towardhim.Heisseriousandsittingnervously.)

LARRY
So,IwantedtotalktoyouguysaboutwhatIwanttodo.(Looksdown,thenlooksupathis
parents)Iknowyouprobablywontlikeit,butIneedtogetaway.Notfrommyfamily,butits
tiringbeinghereinthistownandIwanttogettoknowmoreoftheworld.

JOSE
Whathaveyoudecidedtodo?(LooksatSara)

LARRY
Iwanttojointhemarines,likehowyoudid.IkindofwanttofollowyourstepsandIwanttofeel
whatitslike.

SARA
What?(StaresatLarryinshock)Whydontyougotoschoolinstead?Andgetadegree?You
cangetajobandstayherewithyourfamily,andevenmakeafamilyofyourown.

JOSE
Sara!Youhavetolethimmakehisowndecisions!(LooksatSarathenbackatLarry)

LARRY

Dad,itsokay.Iunderstand.ButImstillgoingtodoit,nomatterwhatyousay.AndIcanstillgo
toschoolmom,onceIfinishandretire.Plus,theywillpayforit.

SARA
Ugh!(Puthandstoherface,thenbringsthemdown)Ijustdontwanttoworryaboutlosingyou
likeIdidwithyourdad!Andwhatifsomethinghappens!Youwouldntknowwhatitwouldfeel
like.

(Saragetsupandleavestheroom)

LARRY
Mom!WhycantyourespectwhatIwant?Youalwaystellmethatyouwillsupportme!

(SarastopsandlooksatJose)

SARA
ItsnotthatIdontsupportyouitsjust...

JOSE

LookSara,nothinghappenedtomeandnothingisgoingtohappentohim.Itwillbealright.He
knowswhattodo.(LooksatLarry)Right?

(scenefadesout)
(nextscene)

PettyOfficer:David
Scooter:Truman

PettyOfficerMEPS:
Hi!YourDarylright?

Scooter:
Yesthatsme.

PettyOfficerMEPS:
You'rerightontime,pleasecomeonin.

(scootersitsdownandclosesthedoorbehindhim)

Scooter:

Thankyouforthisopportunity.

PettyOfficerMEPS:
Noproblem.Firstoff,whyareyouinterestedintheN.A.V.Y?

(printerisbuzzingandbeeping)

Scooter:
FormethebiggestreasonIcanthinkofismypassionforentertainmentandmusicsomyfirst
thoughtwasCaliforniaandtheopportunityitcomeswith.

PettyOfficerMEPS:
Ok,Ican'tsayIhaven'theardthatonebefore."

(theybothslightlygrin)

Scooter:
"Yeah,IfIhadabetteranswerIwouldtellyoubuthonestlythebiggestreasonwhyIstogetto
California."

PettyOfficerMEPS:
"Alright,fairenough."

Scooter:
"So,IfImay...HowdidyoubecomeaMEPSPettyOfficer?"

(boththepettyofficerandscooterarelookingeachotherintheeye)

Recruiter:
"WellIWasaN.A.V.YguyandIjustenjoyhelpingpeopleandIgotluckyenoughforthisjobto
basicallyjusttofallintomylap,sincetheywerelookingforarecruiterandIhadtheexperience.
Withtherighttrainingofcourse."

(scenefadesout)
(nextscene)

Nick:Nate
Syd:Daya

Nick:
Ivefinallygotmyorders!


(NickrunsuptoSydshouse)

Nick:
babycomeopenthedoor!Ihavesomethingtotellyou!

Syd:
hahawhatareyougonnatakemeout?

Nick:
noIlltellyouwhenIcomein

(opensdoorandsitsdown)

Nick:
babeIfinallygotmyordersandIwantedtoopenthemwithyou.

Syd:
really?tellmeallaboutit

Nick:
IdeploytoTexasonapril2

Syd:
i'msohappy........(Looksdowntothefloorthenbackup)

Nick:
what'swrong?you'retrembling

Syd:
nothingimjustreallyhappyIsuppose.

Nick:
don'tlieto.meIknowyoubetterthereissomethingbotheringyou.

Syd:
itsjustthat,thatdateiscomingupandIneedyou.

Nick:
listenIknowwhatyou'rethinkingbutthisisthepathIhavechosen.

Syd:
IknowIknow..


Nick:
Icarealotaboutyouandyourfamily,ifyouwouldlikeidbehappyforyoutocomewithme.

Syd:
i'dlovethatbutitsnotwhatIneedrightnow...IfeellikeIstillneedtotakecareofmyproblems
here.

Nick:
illgiveyoutimetothinkaboutit,I'malwayshereforyou,justbepatientwithme.

(Nickgetsupfromthecouchwheretheyweretalkingandleavestogivesydneyspace)

Nick:
sittinginmycarIstarttothinkaboutwhatIhadtodotogettothispoint.thinkingbackallthe
wayfrombootcampandcollegetotellingmyfamilyIdecidedtojointheairforce.therewasa
pointwhereIthoughtaboutleavingtheairforcejusttobewith1person,Iwasputintothis
situationwereIhadtomakeadecisionbestformeagain.

Syd:
(sydsitstherethinking)ShouldIgowithhim?MaybeIcouldmakeitwork...Wait,no.Mymom
wouldn'tappreciatethatespeciallybecauseIpromisedherIwouldhelpmorearoundthehouse
andfindajob.Knowingmyself,Iwouldn'tevenattemptatfindingajobifIdidn'thaveto.Icare
abouthimandIwanthimtopursuewhathe'sbeenworkingsohardfor.ButIneedhimright
now.

Daya:
Whenmysonbeganhighschool,hedecidedthathewantedtoservehiscountryasaUS
Marine.Afterhegraduated,hewentofftothe13weekbootcampthesummerof2013.
Followedbyatest,
Crucible,w
hichallrecruitshavetogothroughinordertoofficiallygetthe
titleofaUSMarine.Thatlasted54hours.54hoursofwalkingwithloadsofweightonhim,very
fewhoursofsleep,andnocommunicationwhatsoever.Itwasallhellforme.Iwasusedto
seeingmyoutgoing,funny,youngmanaroundthehouseandwhenhecamebackfromschool
andonweekendswhenwewouldsitonthecouchandwatchmoviestogether.Whenhecame
backInoticedabigchangeinhimhematured,buthewasjustsoquietnow.Itseemedasifhe
camebackincompletebecausehedefinitelyleftapartofhimbackatbootcamp.Soonafter
that,mysonwascalledforadeploymenttoIraq.Itslikeallthesememoriesofhischildhood
cametomymind.Afterthinkingabouteverythinghewentthroughinbootcamp,andknowing
thathewasgoingtobegoneforanindefiniteamountoftime,Ienteredasortofdenialphase.I
nolongerwatchthenews,readthenewspaper,orevenlistentowhattheradiohastosayabout
thecurrentsituation.ImafraidofwhatImightseeorhearaboutthewars.Imafraidofthe
thoughtofmychildbeingoneofthosearmedmenoutthere,surroundedbydanger.Thereis
notanightwhenIdontprayforthebestandcrymyselftosleepbecausemymindistryingto

cramallmythoughtstogether.Myson,myson,MYSON.Iwantthebestforhim,andisit
dangerousandfilledwithrisks?Ofcourseitis,andIamawareofthat.Butasamother,Ihave
tosupporthim.Ivelearnedtosupporthimbecausehisfutureisnolongerinmyhands.Itwas
hisdecisionanditswhatmakeshimhappy.ThereforeIam,oratleastwanttobe,happy.

(scenefadesout)
(EndofAct1)
Thesoldiersinthisscenebeginandexperiencetheirfirstmissionandenduprealizingthatit
isntwhattheyhadinmind.

Part2

JohnMatthew:

MynameisMichaelJenkinsbutyoucancallmeillmike.IjoinedtheMarinesinJuneof2005,
theelite.Ihavealwayswelcomedcompetition,andthemarinescouldchallengemylimits.I
knowthephysicalpartwillbehardbutwhatwillbethemosttestingformeisthemental
challenges.Thetrainingisallaboutmindovermatter.Althoughtheysaythesetestsarewhat
preparesusforwar,IknownotevenMarinebootcampwillbeenough.IknowthatIwill
becomeadifferentpersonandpeoplemightperceivemedifferentlybutIwillchangeonlyfor
thebetter.Betterdisciplined,learnspecialvaluesthatIsharewithotherfriends,thatarefriends
forlife,theMarines.

(Jacob)
(exitsthestage)

(Samandrecruiterarewalkingandtalking)

Recruiter(Kevin)
:
Soyousigneduptobeafiremanacquaintance?

Sam(Wendy):
YesSir,Idid

Recruiter(Kevin):
Letmetellyousomething(approachingadoor)beforethenavyshipsranondiesel,theywere
runofcoalandinhereweliketokeepitoldschool.Sinceyoudecidedtojoinasanfireman
acquaintance,you'regoingtobetheoneunderneathshovelingthecoal.(openingthedoorand
walksin)

(Samhashiseyeswideopensurprised,watchingpeopleshovelcoal)

Sam(Wendy):

Whattheheck!IdidntthinkthatIwouldbeshovelingcoalunderaboat!(covershisnose)OH
MYGOD!!WHATSTHATSMELL!!

Recruiter(Kevin):
Thatsthesmellofhardworkandsweat.

Sam(Wendy)
:
Wait,youdidn'ttellmeIwouldbedoingthis.

Recruiter(Kevin)
:
Wellyoudidn'task.

Sam(Wendy)
:
Iwenttocollegeforthis?!Thisisnthappening.Ididn'timaginemyselfshovelingcoalfora
living.

Recruiter(Kevin):
Lookson,wedontlikepeoplecryingherebecausetheydidntexpectthisjob.NowwhatIm
askingyoutodoisbeamanandsuckitup.

Sam(Wendy)
:
Waitbutsir,I..(recruitercutshimoff)

Recruiter(Kevin)
:
(withaloudvoice)Son,didntyoujusthearwhatIsaid.SUCKITUP!!You'reamanright?

Sam(Wendy)
:
Yessir.

Recruiter
:
Thenbeamananddoyourjobandstopcryinglikealittlegirl.

Sam(Wendy)
:
YouknowwhatscrewthisImstudyingtobeacorpsman.

(SamAndRecruiterwalkoffstagetogether)

(lightsfadeout:Endscene)

(lightsfadein)
(5:00AM,Afghanistan,sunrisingoverthehorizon.)

(
JohnMathew)Michael

Wakeup

(Sebastianjerksuplooksaroundafterwakingupfromanightmare.)

(Kevin)Sebastian
Imup

(AsAbrahamwalksinthesunlighthitsSebastianintheface,hishandjerksuptocoverhiseyes
fromtheearlymorningsunlight.)

(Wendy)Abraham
Getup,shower,andeat.Debriefsin20fortodaysmission.

(Sebastianturnsandsitsonhisbed,takesadeepbreath,thenstandsupandheadsforthe
shower.)

EndScene
(TruckpassesbybehindSebastian.Sebastianwalksintothetentandtakesaseat)

(Christian)Mark
Assomeofyoumighthaveheardwehavereceivednewvehicles.Theywerespecificallybuilt
toprotectusfromIEDs.

Mark
Themaindifferenceisthattheyhaveshockabsorbingplatingthatwillhelpduringexplosions.
Theplattingisthestrongestunderthethevehicle,sothevehiclewouldnotbemajorly
damaged.Wewillbeusingthesefromnowonasweheadintomissions

Abraham(Wendy)
Alrightladiesgetyourgear,refillonwaterandammoletsheadoutontoday'smission.
(lightsfadeout)
EndScene
(lightsfadein)

Marine#1
(JohnMatthew)
Thishouseletsgo!

Marine
#
2
(Kevin)
Preparetobreach!

(MarineKicksdoordown)

(Womenandkidsscreaming)

Marine#1
Gethimonthefloornow!Cleartherestofthishouse!
(MarineGetsManonthefloor)
Liam
(Christian)
Imonit!
(Liamgoesthroughoutthehousebutfindsnothing)

Houseisclear!

(Marine#1interrogatesthemanofthehouse)

Liam
Doesntthisfeelwrongtoyou?

Marine#2
Whatfeelswrong?
(Marinepullsoutacigaretteandlightsit)

Liam
Comingintosomeoneshouselikethis.Wearetellingthemanofthehousewheretogoinhis
ownhouse.Thisiswhereheshouldfeelprotectedandwearetakingthatawayfromhimand
hiswholefamily.

Marine#2
Iguessitswrongbutthisisourjob.Youllforgetaboutthislater.

(Liamwalksoutsidedisgruntledandwatchestheoutsideofthehouse)

(Lightsfadeout)
(EndofAct2)

Inthisepisode,differentsoldiersgothroughsimilarexperiencesofinteractingwithIraqis
andrealizethepositiveimpacttheygivetothemandhowitcanchangeboththeirlives.

Part3

Kristine:
IwasdeployedtoIraqin2003,leavingmy4yearolddaughterand6yearoldson.
Thatwasoneofthehardestthings.IwenttoIraqinsupportofOperationIraqiFreedomasa
UH60pilot.Yeah,itwasalot,butIfinditeasiertothinkaboutthegoodwedidforthose
people.WhileIwasoutthereIflew68hourseveryday,seeingeverything.Idecidedthat
seeingitwasntenoughandwantedtotakepartinsomecommunityservicewithinthose

villages.ThiswaswhenIsawwhatIcoulddoforthosecommunitiesforthosewewrongfully
effectedwithourwar.

(EndScene)

(RobandMarineenterstageright.Zaatarentersstageleftandkneelsonground,digging.
Robadjustshissnipertowardstheman.MarquezpositionshimselfrightnexttoRob)

Rob:
Itswaypasttheircurfew.Canyougivememoreofwhatthey'redoingMarquez?

(
Marqueslooksthroughhisbinoculars)

Marquez:
Itlooksliketheyredigging.Possiblyamortar.

(Robputshisheaddownandbreathesheavily.
)

Marquez:
Taketheshots,Robins.

Rob:
Somethingdoesntfeelright.

(MarquezlooksatRob,andplacesahandonRobsshoulderforcomfort.)

Marquez:
Icanseeyourenotcomfortablewiththis,butyouneedtotaketheshots.Youdon't
wanttoberememberedfornotdisarmingapossiblemortarattackonaU.S.embassy,a
convoy,orourbaseforthat...

Rob:

(Interjecting)
Andifwe'rewrong!?Icouldhavemorefamiliesthatwantmedeadbecause
Iputdownthreemoreinnocentcivilians.(
Picksupradio)
Ineedahumveetoscoutthree
suspiciousindividualssouthofthebase,over.

(MarquezglaresatRob.)

(EndScene)

Asmallroominamilitarycompoundwithsparsefurnishing,bedsandatablewithtwochairs.
Theroomisclearlyonlyusedforsleeping.

(TosharehisexperiencewithIraqis,andtalkabouttheirbraveryandkindness)
Jack:
Ibecame
friendswithtwoIraqis,brothers,namedMohammedandZa'atarShaikh.Theywerepowerful
peopleintheirprovinces,liketriballeaders,andtheyweremyfriends.Theywerepridefulmen
whohadearnedtheirspotsofpower.TheyknewabouttheSEALs,andtheywantedustotrain
theirmilitia.So,Iworkedcloselywiththemandtheirmen.AndIfoundtheIraqistobekind
people,whojokedandlaughed.Theydidntdeserveawar.Yettheysacrificedthemselvesfor

me.ZaatarwaskilledbyasuicidebomberinanIEDvest,andIdontknowwhereMohammed
isanymore.

(Jacksitsinonechairlookingatamap.Zaatarentersstageleftandsitsontheothersideof
Steve.)

(Courtesy)
Zaatar:
HelloJack,howareyou?

(Compliment)
Jack:

(Shakeshand)
Imokay,thanks.Youdidgoodouttheretoday,yourmen
aregettingstronger.

(Admirance)
Zaatar:
Ha,yetyoucontinuetosquashus.Everyoneismoaningbackinour
barracks.

(Reassurance)
Jack:
Theyrebuildinguptoit,dontworry.TellmeZaatar,whydidyouand
yourbrotherwant
(emphasis)
ustotrainyourmen?

(Admirance,curious)
Zaatar:

(smiling)
Isntitobvious?YouSealsaresomeofthefiercest
fightersIveeverseen.Wewanttobetrainedtobejustasgood!Now,letmeaskaquestionof
myown:Whydidyouchoosethispath?

(Confusion)
Jack:
Excuseme?

(Curious,observant)
Zaatar:
Whydidyoudecidetobeawarrior?Youareobviously
motivated.

(Thoughtfulthinking)
Jack:

(Pause)
Well,whenIwasakidIditchedclassonedayand
(chuckles)
somehowIfoundabookaboutelitewarriorsinthelibrary.Iwasintriguedtosaythe
least,andIwantedtobecomeone.IguessIneverreallydeviatedfromthatdream.Iwas
alwaysgettingintotroubleasakid,sobecomingafighterjustseemedtomakesense,yaknow.
Whataboutyou?

(Passiveaggressivesadness)
Zaatar:

(Chuckles)
Youmayhaveopportunitiesinyourcountry,
buthereeveryonemustfighttosurvive.Sayingyou'reacivilianjusttryingtomakeanhonest
livingwontchangethedirectionofthebullets.

(Curious)
Jack:
Soiftherewasntawarthenyouwouldntbeasoldier?

(Prideful)
Zaatar:
Iwouldbedoingwhatevermypeoplewouldneedmetodo.Iamaleader
forthem,asismybrother.Theylooktousforguidance,andwedowhatwecantoensuretheir
safety.Itsahardposition,butImsureyouwoulddothesameforyourpeople.

(Comparison,compliment)
Jack:

(Laughs)
WellthatswhyImhereIguess,inthiswar.Trying
tokeepmypeoplesafe.Youseemtobeholdingupfinethough.Peoplehererespectyou,
listentoyou.

(Realistic,truthful)
Zaatar:
Yes,butthatalsomakesmeatarget.EveryoneknowsImwilling
todieformypeople,butthatdoesntmeanIwantto.

(Reassuring)
Jack:
Well,thefasterwetrainthosemenofyours,thequickerwecanendthis
war.Theyverestedforawhilenow,Illgoandpickthemupforanothercircuitsoon.

(Informative)
Zaatar:
Thatsoundsgood,Imustgomyself.Imheadingouttomeetan
informantintown.

(Cautioning)
Jack:
Itsalreadydark,youllbemorevulnerable.

(Cockyreasoning)
Zaatar:

(cockysmile)
Imalwaysvulnerable.Buttheinformationthisman
hasmayhelpensuremypeoplessafety.

(Farewell)
Jack:
Staysafeyourselfthen.

(Farewell)
Zaatar:
Iwilldomybest,friend.Goodbye.

(Zaatarexitsstageleft.Jackgrabsradioandlistenstoorders.)

(Informative)
Operator:
Weneedahumveestoscout3suspiciousindividualsSouthofthe
base,over.

(Acknowledgement)
Jack:
Copy,over.

(EndScene)

(Zaatarentersstageleftandcrouchesover,makingdiggingmotions.Rob,Marquez,and
Claireenterstageright.)

Ahumveeappearsonthescene.Jackandanothermarinegetoutandshinelightsonthethree
individuals.Theymotionthemtostopwhattheyredoingandputtheirhandsup.Themarine
motionstothemtositonthesideoftheroad.Robgrabshisradio.

Rob:
Claire,givemeanupdateontheindividuals.

Claire:
I'mgettingwordthatitwasanIraqiunclewithhistwonephews.

Rob:
Whataretheydoingoutpastcurfew?


Claire:
OneofyourSealfriendsistellingmetheywerediggingtofindawaterpipe.Theyhad
runoutofwaterforhispregnantdaughter.

Rob:

(Breathesasighofrelief)
Okay,thankyouClaire.

Claire:
GoodcallRobins,seeyouonbase.

(Marquezlooksthroughhisbinocularsindisbelief.)

Marquez:
Youdon'thavetolecturemeonthis,I'mfullyaware...

Rob:

(interjects)
Marquez,please.Iwontlectureyouonwhatyoualreadyknow.

(Robpackshissniper,standsupandlooksdownatMarquez.)

Rob:
Thebestshotistheshotwedonthavetotake.

(EndScene.)

(Kristineentersstageleftandstandscenterstage.)

Kristine:
Sincethen,IknewIwascapableofmakingadifference,soIdecidedtogivemyallto
thatlittletown.Wewouldflyovertheschoolsinourhelicoptersanddropsoccerballsandcandy
bombsforthechildren.Theywerealwaysscaredofusflyingsolowandsoloudly,butthey
soonrealizedourintentions.Iwasabletobuildachildrenscenter,formasoccerleague,and
helpintheestablishmentoftheWoman'sUniversityofTikrit.Inotonlyhelpedthecommunity,
butImetsomanyinspirationalpeoplealongtheway.Thosearejustsomeofthe
accomplishmentsthatIpridemyselfinmytimeserving,butIthinkthegreatestwasseeingthe
childrenwehaddroppedcandybombsandsoccerballsto.Twoyearslater,wecouldseethem
downtherenolongerscaredofus,butlookingupatus,kickingandshouting,anditfeltgood
knowingthatIhaddonewhatIcouldtohelpthesepeople.ButnowIwasreadytogohome.

(EndofAct3.)

Imagineleavingyourfamilyandgoingacrosstheworldforoverayear.Onceyoucomeback,
youareneverthesame.

Part4
MiddleGroup#2

AndresandSierraenter(withcouch?).AndressitsoncoachandSierrasitsonfloorwithdoll.

Nazariawalksuptocenterstage

Quinlan:Myhusbanddeploymentchangeseverytimethenewschanges.Itishard
becausesometimesheisntsupposetobeleavingforanothersixmonthsbutonething
changesandhewillbeleavinginthenexttwodays.Ipackupallhisthingsthenheisgone.I
neverreallyknowwhenhewillbebackorwhereheis.Hecallsmewhenhecanonasatellite
phone.ImisshimbutImnottheonlyone,ofcoursehehasfamily,friendsandourdaughter
Mollywhoisthreeyearsold.Sheistheoneaffectedbyitthemostshehasseparationanxiety
fromherfatherleavingsomuch.Hisjobisveryimportanttohim,heisanIEDspecialist,very
exclusivethingandveryadrenalinefilling.Hecantgobacktoanormaljobanymorebecause
hehasbeeninittoolongwhereanormaljobisntenough.Hehasalwaysbeenlikethat
searchingforadventureandadrenaline.SoIdontwanttoblameitonhisjob.Nowyou're
probablywonderingismyhusbandachangedperson.IvebeenwithhimsevenyearsandIcan
seethechanges,buteveryonechanges.Hischangesarentbig,heisjustalwaysalertandas
hiswifeIhaveadaptedtothat.Notonlyacceptingitbutpayingattentionwhenheisbeingalert.
Alwaysbeingalerttohim.Imnotblaminghimorsayingthatitshisfaultbutalotmorepeople
getaffectedthanyouwouldthink.
(EndScene)

(ChiefBaldwinsLivingroom,11p.m)

NazariawalkstoAndresandtriestocomforthim.Heisfrozenandsheslowlyturnsaway.
Andresgetsupandstartspacingaround.

ChiefBaldwin:

Idontwhyimstillhere,Idontknowwhyi'mfeelingthisway,Ihavenootherchoice.Imsorry.

Grace:

Imhereforyou,yourechildrenarehereforyou,whatareyouteachingyourchildrenifyou
keepdrinkingyourselfunconscious?nothing.

ChiefBaldwin:

IfeeltrappedandIfeellikeimrelivingthemomentwhenIexperiencedmylifeinrealdanger,I
dontseeanythingthesameIdontthinkitllchange.

Lindsay:

DaddyeverythingwillbeokIpromise


ChiefBaldwin:

Lindsaysweetheartimsosorry,ivemissedandIloveyousomuch.

Grace:

ListenDan,aslongasyoureherewithus,yoursafe,nothingcanhurtyou.

ChiefBaldwin:

EventhoughimhomeitstillfeelslikeiminIraq,Imnotcomfortablebeingaroundacrowdof
people,Imnotcomfortablebeingatafireworkshow,itjustdoesntfeelright.

Lindsay:

Whatdoyoumeandaddy?

ChiefBaldwin:

Lindsayplease,gotoyourroom,illseeyouinthemorning.

NazariaescortsSierraoffthestage.ChiefBaldwinpicksupLindsaysdollandaddressesit.

Goodnightandsweetdreams.

ChiefBaldwinisstaringatdollaslightsfadetoblack.

Kristine

Kristineentersandstandsinmiddleofstage.

IfacedmanystrugglesduringmydeploymentandtheonethatIstruggledwiththemost
wasleavingmykidswhentheywereonly4and6.WhenIleftthemitbrokemyheartbecauseI
knewthatIwouldntbetheretowatchthemgrowupandIwouldntbetheretosharememories
withthemlikeanormalmomwould.ThereweremanydayswhenIwouldonlythinkabout
aubreyandcooperandhowmuchImissbeingwiththem.Imisswakingthemupforschool,I
missaskingthemhowtheirdaywasatdinnertimeandImissgivingthemagoodnightkiss
beforebed.IwouldgiveupanythingformykidsandIknowthatbeinghereinIraqisnotonly
helpingallthechildrenherebutalsohelpingmyown.


SierraExits.

(Afewmonthslater)
(ItwasChiefBaldwinslastdaybeforebeingdeployedtoIraq,Locationathishousearound5
p.m)

Nazariaenterswithclothesandsitsonthecouchandbeginstofoldthem,Andresfollowswitha
bagandbeginspackingthefoldedclothes

Lindsay:

Daddywhydoyouhavetogo?

ChiefBaldwin:

ImsorryhoneybutitsjustsomethingIhavetodo,forthesakeofthecitizensofAmericaand
myfamily.

Lindsay:

ButIwantyoutostay.

ChiefBaldwin:

Timegoesbyfast,here..Igotyouthisstuffedbeartoremembermebywheni'mgone.

(Baldwinknewhisonlyregretwasthatastimegoesbyhewontgettoseebothhissonand
daughtergrowupandheknowshewon'tbetheirwhentheydogrow.)

Grace:

Goodluckoutthere,wellmissyou.Iloveyousomuchandyouknowimherewithyoufor
anything.

ChiefBaldwin:

Imblessedtohaveyouinmylife,Iloveyoutoo.Iwillbeoffsoon.
(endscene)

Brandon:
Ileftmyservices8yearsago.ThereasonIjoinedthemilitarywasbecauseIwantedto
provetomyselfthatIcanbeabetterman.Ithoughtjoiningthemilitarywasgoingtobesimple,
byleavingmyfamilybehindIrealizedIneedthemmorethanIthoughtIdid.WhenIcameback
homeImetsomeonethatwasgoingtochangemylifeforever,apersonthatIthoughtIwas
nevergoingtolovemorethanmyownfamily,andmyself.FewyearspastbyImarriedthat
beautifulforgirlthatIlovedsomuchthatInowcallmywife.OnedayIgotaletterinthemail
boxthatsaidIwasgoingtogetredeployedwhenIsawitItoldmywife.Mywifestartedto
bringupstuffthatIdidn'twanttohearbecauseIdidn'twanttohearworryingaboutme.She
startedsayingstufflike...Whatwill

happenifyoudon'tcomeback.WhathappensifIneverseeyouagain.Whathappensifthis
isthelasttimeIwillseeyou.ItriedmybesttocalmherdownbytalkingtoherthatIwouldbe
alrightandnothinggoingwasgoingtohappentome.ItoldherthatIwillneverleaveherthati
willalwaysbebyherside.WhenthetimecamethatIhavetogetredeployedIpromisedher
thatIwillkeepcontactwithhereverysingleday.WhenIcamebackIquitthemilitaryjustforher
soshedoesn'thavetogetworriedaboutmeeveragain.
(endofact4)
Howwoulditfeeltoloseyourlegsandneverbeabletowalkagain?Inthisscene,soldiers
sharesimilartraumaticexperiencesthatchangetheirlivesforever.
Part5
ValeriasMonologue:

(Eugeneisinatankonthetopsurroundedbyothermen)

IwassentontourtoIraqfor38months.Iwasonpatroldayandnight,Ineverreallyhada
chancetorelax,Ineverfeltcalm.Iwasalwaysalertandpreparingmyselftoexpectthe
unexpected.Ifelttheadrenalinerushupanddownmybody.

(soundofgunshots,yellingmen)

WhenIleastthoughtofit,wewereambushed.Gunfires,thehotstickyweather,menyelling,
GetDown!,thatwasallIcouldhear.ManymenweredownandIwaswoundedthreetimes.I
wasshotonthebackoftheneckbyasniper.Irememberthebulletspunaroundmyhelmetand
thenintomyneck,andsuddenly,everythingwentblack.

(scenefadesblack)

Iwasknockedout.IwokeupinahospitalinBaghdad.IwasoutforacoupleofdaysuntilI
becameconscious.ThesecondtimeIwaswoundedonmyleftarm,andthenonmyrightlegby
ahandgrenade.

(loudexplosionandflashoflights)


(Dwaynefallsinandoutofconcenciness)

Dwayne:(mono)Theairwascoldbutthewarmthofthehumveestirewarmsmyback.I
canheartheringingofmygunmanscreaminginpain.Theorangeglowsurroundsmeandlights
upthethearea.Icanfeelthethebloodfallingoutofmyears.Iwascoldalloverandmymind
wasgoingblank.

(fadesblack)

(soundsofchoppercomingdown)
(chopperlands)

Rescueteammember1:Securethestaffsergeant

(Teammembersrushovertothestaffsergeantandputshimonalift)

Rescueteammember2:StaffsergeantJohnson?
Sir?

Dwayne:(mono)Icantfeelanything.Mymindisthinkingtoomuch,orisit?Icanttell
anymore.
(Dwayneisliftedupintochopperalongwiththeothers)
(Choppertakesofftobase)

ValeriaSofia:

Eli
Iwanttogo.

[Sergeantsighs]

Sargeant
Gowhere?

Eli
Iwanttogopickupthebodies.

Sargeant
Soldier

Eli
Sargeant,please

Sargeant
Areyououtofyourmind!

Eli
Hafunnythatyouask,IdontknowifyouheardbutIjustcreatedafuckingdeathtrap!
andnowtheresarms,legs,andlimbsallovertheplace!

Sargeant
Soldiercalmdown

Eli
Howdoyouwantmetocalmdown?!becauseofmeinnocentpeopledied!Imsupposed
tobemakingthingsbetterherenotworst!

Sargeant
Lookaroundprincess,weareatwar!thereisnosuchthingasmakingthingsbetteror
easier,nowforthelasttimeyouarenotallowedtogointothehelicopterlandingzoneyouhear
me?!

(Stagegoespitchblack)

Jacobssection

INT:ER
(Nursesanddoctorstakingcareofpatients)
(Soundsofbeepsandscreamsofmen)

Doctor:Weneedtooperateimmediatelyandseeifwecansavehislegs.

Nurse:Doctorpatienthassustainedseriousnervedamageandhaslosthisleftandright
footduetotheexplosion.Heislosingalotofblood.

Doctor:Thenwedonthavemuchofanoptionnowdowe?
Prepthepatientforsurgery,Ineedtoamputatethepatientsrightlegand
patchitup,hisleftleghastomuchshrapnelanddamagetoit,wemayneedtoamputateitas
well.

(Fadesblack)

(Dwaynewakesupinhospitalbedafteroperation)


Dwayne:WherethehellamI?

(Patientlooksupandstaresatdwayne)

Patient:youareinthehospitalstaffsergeant,andbythelooksofityouarentdoingtoo
good.Ithinkyoushouldrestmore.

(Dwayneisconfusedandenraged)

Dwayne:Ineedtogetoutofhereandgetbacktomyunit,theyneedme,wewerehit
lastnightwithanIED.

(Dwaynepusheshimselfoffthebedonlytofallonthefloor)
(looksdownatlegs)

Dwayne:Whatthefuck!?

Whathappened!?
Wherethefuckaremylegs?!

(Patientscreamsoutfornurse)

(NursesrushesintoroomandpicksupDwayneandputshimbackonthebed.)

(tearsofragefallfromhisface)

Dwayne:Howdidthishappentome?andwhereistherestofmyunit?

Nurse:Thesoldiersyouweretravelingwithdidntmakeit,Imsorrythishappened.We
hadtoamputateyourlegsbecausetherewastoomanynervesthathavebeendamaged,you
hadanimmenseamountofbloodloseandifwedidntamputatewhat'sleftandstitchyouup
youwouldhavedied.

Dwayne:Youshouldhaveleftmetodiewithmymen!

(Heisfilledwithrageandisscreaming)

Nurse:Wetriedtosavethemtoo.Wetrynottoloseanybody,butunfortunatelywedo.

(Nursesedateshimandputshimbackinbed)
(Dwaynepassesout)

(endofact5)

Inthispart,soldierscomehomeanditdoesn'tfeelrightforthem,especiallyfortheirlovedones.
Theytrytofindawayout,butitisn'taseasyastheythink.
Part6
AlyssasMonologue:
(sitsdownonchair)

ComingbackhomeIknewIwasmessedupinthehead.Ipartiedalotandstartedto
drink.Iwasprettymessedupfor5yearsuntilImetCarmen,wemetatahospitalIusedtowork
at.Ittookquiteawhilebecauseitwasabigadjustmentforme.Iwasprettywild.Ijustwantedto
gotoabarandgetdrunk.Therewasntanyhelpbackthen,IwasintheNavybackin1969,
Wedidnthaveanyprogramstohelpuslikewedonow.Ihadtohelpmyself,Itsaself
adjustmentthatsomepeoplehavetomakeyouknow...somepeoplemadeitandsomepeople
didnt.MyparentsgotadivorcewhenIwas12yearsold,Iwasalwaysalone.EvenwhenI
camebackhome..IdidntknowwhoorwhatIwascominghometo.Bothmyparentsand
sisterswereneverthereanddidntcare.Maybethat'swhyIdidn'thaveahardtimeleaving"my
family"becauseIneverreallyhadoneMaybethat'swhyIhadtohelpmyselfbecausewho
wouldbetheretohelpmethroughmydrinkingproblem?

(endscene)

ChantalsandMeagansMonologues

(bothsittingonoppositesidesofthestage)

Meagan:Ohgod,thethingshemusthaveseentomakehimsodepressed,allthose
timeswhereIfeltlikehewasbackinIraq.Aworldawayfromme.WhenIneededhimhere.

Chantal:Youdefinitelywouldnteverthinkyouwouldhavethechanceinyourlifetimeto
seethesethings.Itsterrible.Itsverytraumatic.Onceyouseethemyoucanterasethemfrom
yourmemory.Itwillalwaysbethere.
IknewIhadtogethelpbutIdidntwantitbecauseIwasembarrassed.Isawitinaway
thathavingPTSDmadeyoulookweak.Ididntwanttobeseenweak.

Meagan:HowcouldIcontinuetohelpothercouplesworkouttheirownproblemswhen
meandmyhusbandcouldntevendoitforourselves?Iworkoutproblemafterproblemwith
marriedcouples.Iencouragethemtocommunicate!Talktoeachother!
(mocking,falsecheer)
Communicationisthenumberonemostimportantthinginarelationship!
(saddened,morereal)
Allheneededtodowasjusttalktome.Isthatsohardtoaskofsomebody?

Chantal:Ifonlyitwasthateasy.Trustissomethingbigaswell.Whenyou'reoutthere
itseitherthemoryoudying.Wearetaughttosurvive,nottokill.Socomingbacktrusting
peoplewashard.Youalwaysthinktwiceaboutaperson.Evensomeoneyouveknownforso
long.

Meagan:Ishouldvebeenbetterforhim,thebestgoddamncounselorintheworldfor
himtotalkto.Iwasapackagedeal.Twoinone.Wifeandtherapistrolledintooneprettylittle
package.

Chantal:Itsnotaswitchwhereyoucanjustturnitoffwheneveryouwantto.Shejust
needstoletitgo.

Meagan:(lookatyouroneandonly)Whywouldntheletmehelphim?

(endscene)

CynthiasMonologue:

(carcrashsoundeffectsblastinthebackground,onceeffectsfadeSAMbeginstospeak)
(Walkstowardschair)

Iwasinjuredinacarwreck
(sits)
,
(Toaudience)
couplebrokenbones
(quickpause,rubs
forehead)
braininjuryleftmeinacomafor3days.Ididn'tgobackafter,myinjurieswerebad
andbecause
(pauses)
onetourwasenough,IfeellikeIdidmypartandnowit'stimetomove
onwithmylife.

WhenIgotback,Ifelt(
quickpause)
shockalmost.It'sveryquietherecomparedtothe
helicoptersandguns,allthatkindofstuff.It'snotasbusyandthe
(SAMspacesout,msnaps
outofitasgunshotsoundeffectblasts)(continuesspeaking)
stakesaren'tashigh.It'sabitofa
trialyouknow,toseesomeonegetmadbecausetheygottheircoffeeorderwrong.Likedude,it
reallyain'tthatbigofadealI'veseenworse
(laughsabit)
.Soit'sabitofacultureshockI
guess.

Switchingtocivilianlifewasdifficult,goingtowork,seeingpeopleshowuplate,forgetthings.
Youknow,that'sthetypeofstuffthatgetsyoukilledoverthere.Youhaveadifferenttypeof
mentality.
(ToAUDIENCE)
Thatstayswithyou.AndifyouwonderifIdchangeanything..no.
YestherearetimesIwouldsecondguessmydecisions,butit'snotaboutlookingbackatthe
past.It'saboutlivingintoday.(
pauses)

Imeanit'lltaketimetohealthewounds,
(ToAUDIENCE)
butyouknowwhattheysay,good
thingstaketime
(smilesabit)
.

(endofplay1)