A Post Apocalyptic World By: Danielle DuPont

1 List of Characters Soldier 1 Taylor Pausewang New night shift soldier on the compound. Early 20s Soldier 2 Patrick Doyle Seasoned night shift soldier on the compound. Mid 30s Carl - Seasoned day shift soldier on the compound, found outside after hours. Mid 50s Teen 1 Teen 2 Commander In charge of creating new rules and ensuring all the rules are enforced. Late 60s Dr. Walsh Mid 40s Soldier Lead soldier of the night shift. Late 20s Rebel 1 Lead rebel. Mid 30s Rebel 2 Ro Second in command rebel. Mid 30s Rebel 3 Mid 30s Props: Couches, chairs, something resembling guns, a desk, various weapons, doors, overhead lights, slightly deflated ball (for head), pillowcases or large hoods, wall structure with door opening, ropes, coffee tables, magazines, trays (2).

2 Act One Scene One Two soldiers are walking the streets of a seemingly empty town. The homes are boarded up, and the only lights to be seen are those of the bright lights from the compound offstage. Soldier 1 I hate night patrol. If people dont know the rules by now, they should be shot on sight. Soldier 2 You know we cant do that. Anyone caught outside after curfew needs to be taken to the compound. A rustling from nearby bushes startles the first soldier. He raises his gun and points to the bushes. Soldier 1 What the hell was that? Soldier 2 Probably a raccoon. Or a rat. Why are you so jumpy tonight? Too much coffee? Soldier 1 (lowering his weapon) After last week, Ive been a little freaked out. That little girl who didnt know the rules Soldier 2 (interrupting him) You cant think about that. You have to be in the here and now. We have a job to do. Soldier 1 She didnt even have a chance. There was no one to defend her. What they did to her Soldier 2 (interrupting) Stop it man. Were on patrol. Soldier 1 - I know. There hasnt been anything since then. And she was an orphan, after all. Hungry, alone

3 Soldier 2 You need some time off, man. These late nights are really getting to you. Were just doing our job. Make sure no one is out after curfew, no loud noises from the homes, no bright lights from anywhere except the compound. Soldier 1 I need to switch to days. Soldier 2 Are you joking? Days are worse. No music playing outside, pets outside for twenty minutes at a time, permission to go to the damn grocery store, everyone inside by 7pm. No thanks. I like the night shift. All thats out right now is the wildlife. Soldier 1 Seriously? What else happens during the day? Soldier 2 No brightly colored clothes, nothing that shows much skin. If anyone wants to travel outside the city, they need a permit The rustling from bushes continues and startles both men. Soldier 2 What the hell? Soldier 1 Whats that? An injured man crawls from the bushes. The men recognize him as one of the daytime soldiers. Soldier 2 Damn. What happened Carl? Carl (his voice barely a whisper) Attacked.. as I was.. finishing my shift. Soldier 1 Why are you out here? You know the consequences. Carl I know. I was locked out. My partner left when the attack started. I dont care what you do to me. Just dont put me in one of those cells. Soldier 2 Sorry Carl, you know we have to. No exceptions. Carl Shit. (Carl rolls onto his back) Alright, do what you must. I wont fight. Soldier 1 Watch your language, Carl. You of all people should know the forbidden words. Carl I dont give a shit. Theyre going to kill me anyway. Im useless. My legs are broken.

4 Soldier 2 Alright, Carl. (The two men bang on the gate to be let in. The gate opens, two more soldiers enter stage left as the two soldiers exit stage left.) Soldier 2 (Shouting offstage) Prisoner coming in. Attendant (Shouting offstage) Offense? Soldier 1 (Shouting offstage) Out after hours and using forbidden words. A loud grinding noise is heard as the gates to the holding cells are opened. End Scene 1. Scene Two A man is seen inside a prison-style cell, the two soldiers standing on either side. Soldier 2 Its the best we can do for ya, man. Youll be alone, at least for a little while. Carl Thanks guys. I know youre just doing your job. Soldier 1 Anytime, Carl. Maybe justice will be swift and painless. Carl Not likely. It never is. Thats one thing that sucks. Nothing is ever painless. Or fast. Soldier 1 What do you mean? Soldier 2 Those who break the rules are usually tortured. Soldier 1 Tortured? Oh man. Soldier 2 Yeah. We better go. Were only supposed to drop of the offenders and leave. The two men exit, stage right. After they exit, a loud bang can be heard, (indicating the main gate to the jail cells has closed). End Scene. Scene Three The two soldiers enter from stage right a room filled with couches, chairs and tables. They take seats near the door (stage right), attempting to relax. Soldier 1 So, now what? Do we patrol more or are we done for the night?

5 Soldier 2 Were done for the night. Anytime someone is brought in, the patrollers are done for the night. Soldier 1 Im curious about the other offenses. I know the main ones. No forbidden words, no procreation without consent, no firearms except for soldiers, no public displays of affection, no concerts, no drugs, no alcohol, no smoking. Soldier 2 Theres no rock music, only pop, and country. No unusual hair colors, no piercings, no tattoos. Soldier 1 Wow. I had no idea. Thats pretty harsh. What about the punishments? Soldier 2 Theyre pretty bad. Im sure youre familiar with some of them. Soldier 1 Cant say that I do. Only the rumors Ive heard. Soldier 2 How long have you been guarding? Soldier 1 This is my second week. Ive mostly heard rumors about everything, except the rules posted around town. Soldier 2 The punishment is pretty brutal. Anyone caught out after hours gets put into a torture room, hands shackled above their head, whipped for a few hours, strategic cuts on the body, soles of the feet burned with red-hot coals Soldier 1 Thats just for out after hours? Thats brutal! Soldier 2 Any of the other offenses get different punishments. The little girl last week was caught wearing a very brightly colored dress. And theres no leniency. If a rule is broken, thats all there is to it. Doesnt matter if the victim is old, young, handicapped. The punishment follows the offense. Soldier 1 Thats terrible. I heard that her clothes were ripped off of her and she had to walk through the compound naked.

6 Soldier 2 Thats only part of it. The people living within the compound walls were encouraged to throw anything they wanted at her. Rocks, food, dirt, water. Even though she was a child who didnt know any better, many of the residents threw rocks. Soldier 1 Id heard about that. And that it was a particularly large rock that struck her in the head, killing her. Soldier 2 Who told you that crap? Soldier 1 One of the day soldiers. Why? What actually happened? Soldier 2 Someone threw a balloon filled with gasoline, completely dousing her. Soldier 1 Are you serious? Soldier 2 (nodding) Yup, and someone threw something that was on fire. I wasnt there, so I never saw what it was. She went up like a match. She tried to run, but the internal guards prevented it, they wouldnt even let her try to put out the flames. She died soon after. Soldier 1 Oh my God! Soldier 2 God has nothing to do with it, Taylor. Taylor Who does, Patrick? Patrick The people within this compound. Theyre the ones who set the rules and set the punishments. Taylor But how did they come up with these punishments? Theyre harsh. Patrick Trial and error. They came up with these specific rules and punishments to keep the populous in line and keep offenders to a minimum. Taylor But why? I still dont understand why the rules were implemented in the first place. I wasnt around when all of this started and no one will tell me anything. Patrick Theres a reason for that. No ones supposed to talk about it. Lets go get some chow.

7 The two men rise and walk off stage right. End Scene. Scene Four Taylor and Patrick walk into a room resembling a cafeteria, Taylor and Patrick carrying trays with food on them. They take a seat at the far side (stage left). Taylor Why isnt anyone supposed to talk about it? Is it that taboo? Patrick Of course it is. Only those who were there at the beginning know what really happened, anyway. Why do you want to know? Taylor Curiosity. Understanding. I think Id be able to be more impartial if I knew more. Patrick Forget about it, kid. No one here is going to talk about it, especially with some rookie. They eat their meal quietly, dispose of their trash and exit stage right. End Scene Scene Five Taylor and Patrick enter from Stage Right. Taylor Alright, I get it. Im not going to get an ounce of information. What about Carl? Do we know the story there? Patrick Other than what he said to us? Nope. If you want more on that, youd have to go to his former partner, Stan. Dont go poking your nose where it doesnt belong, man. You dont want to be getting into trouble for being nosy. Taylor I know, Im just curious. Patrick (sitting nearest Stage Right) Your curiositys going to get you killed, Taylor. Its better if you just keep your head down and only worry about yourself. Taylor (sitting in a chair near Patrick, picking up a magazine) Easier said than done. Its completely natural to be curious about the world around you.

8 (A group of teenagers enter the common area, most of them quiet. The two that are talking, are discussing their schoolwork.) Teen 1 So, when you do the calculations, you have to remember the order of operations. Multiplication and division will be done BEFORE addition and subtraction. Teen 2 Ooohhh. I get it now. (The teens continue past Taylor and Patrick to the far side of the common room and resume their discussion on math.) Patrick Ah, to be young. To have others taking care of you. Taylor Those were the days. Not having to worry about whats outside those gates. Patrick Taylor, that was you only a couple years ago. Taylor But I didnt know what was out there. I grew up in here, like those kids. (pointing to the teenagers) I dont know what its like out there. I grew up knowing the rules, theyre a part of me, like they are with everyone inside this place. Patrick Be lucky. Those on the outside think they understand, but they really have no idea. The rules have been in place for so long, youd think theyd know better by now. (A voice comes over the speakers. Patrick Doyle and Taylor Pausewang, please report to the Commander.) Taylor That cant be good. Patrick Its probably a debriefing. Since most nights are quiet, its normal when something actually happens on your shift. Dont worry about it. Taylor But, I thought the Commander didnt meet with shifters personally. Patrick- There must be reason. Ive learned not to question anything that goes on around here. I like my job and everything that has come with it.

9 Taylor and Patrick rise from their seats and exit stage right. End Scene Scene Six The room is well decorated with a large desk and elaborate chair near stage left. The Commander is pacing in front of the desk. A loud knocking comes from Stage Right. Commander Come! (He walks around to the back side of his desk and sits in his chair.) Taylor and Patrick enter from stage right and stand in front of the desk. Commander Ahh, gentlemen. Thank you for coming. Not like you had a choice, eh? (laughing) Patrick (laughing nervously) Yes, sir. Commander Please, men, have a seat. (both men sit across from the Commander) Now, the reason I called you here was to discuss what happened on your patrol. A debriefing, of sorts. Patrick Of course, sir. Commander (looking at Taylor) Youre new to the night shift, arent you, boy? Taylor Y-y-yes, sir. O-o-only been doing it for about two weeks. Commander (laughing) Dont be nervous, son. Youre not in any trouble. I just want to hear what happened tonight. I heard you brought in one of the dayshifters. Patrick Yes sir. Carl. He claims he was attacked at the end of his shift, and his partner left him. Commander Ahh, yes. Carl. Unfortunate, really. Hes one of the best dayshifters we have. Taylor E-e-excuse me, sir? Whats going to happen to him? Commander The same thing that happens to everyone else. Whats your name, son? Taylor Taylor, sir. Is he really going to be tortured?

10 Commander (laughing) Tortured? Who told you that? (Taylor glances at Patrick) No, no, no, because Carls been with us for so long, it will be quick for him. Patrick But sir, wouldnt that go against the rules? Commander Patrick, my dear boy, my grandfather made the rules. He wanted to show leniency to those who have served us for many years. Carl has been a dayshifter since he was 16. He truly enjoyed his job. Taylor I guess I dont understand sir. Ive lived in the compound all my life and Ive never heard the rules for the dayshifters. I barely know the rules being a nightshifter. Commander Thats understandable, my boy, but we dont have time right now to go over the rules. Now, what were you two doing when you encountered Carl? Patrick We were finishing our first path from the compound when we heard a noise in the bushes. At first, we thought it was an animal. When we neared the bushes, Carl crawled out. Sir, he looked terrible. He claimed to have been attacked and his partner locked him out. Commander I see. That story seems to corroborate with his partner, Stan. Hes been a dayshifter almost as long as Carl. Patrick I dont mean to be out of place, sir, but what did Stan say? I only ask because Im wondering if its something we need to be concerned about. Commander Excellent question, Patrick. And I agree with you wholeheartedly about being concerned. Stan was summoned to my office after the incident and he told me that a group of people rushed both he and Carl and starting viciously attacking them. Stan was able to get away by hitting one of the men with the butt of his rifle. He had no choice but to leave Carl. From what Stan told me, Im surprised Carls still alive.

11 Patrick He does have broken legs, sir. Perhaps someone from the infirmary could either fix that or give him something for the pain. Commander Ill have to confer with Dr. Walsh to determine what action will be taken. At the very least, he will be given something for the pain. Because of the situation, we probably wont mend his legs. After all, he will be executed by the end of the week. Taylor But sir, if hes been with the compound for so long, why execute him? I dont understand. Commander Taylor, he broke the rules, plain and simple. Regardless of what happened out there, Carl knew the risks when he did what he did. And because he HAS been with the compound as long as he has, thats why hes getting a quick death. Taylor But sirCommander (interrupting) Taylor, I know youre still new to working for us here at the compound, and I appreciate that you wanted the job as a nightshifter, but I am a busy man. If youll excuse me, I have some appointments to deal with before I can finish my day. Patrick Of course, sir. (standing) Thank you for meeting with us. Taylor- (standing) But what about these rebels, sir? Is something going to be done about them? Commander I will propose a meeting with all the shifters to keep an eye out for this group of defiers. Youre immediate commander will receive the details soon. Taylor Thank you, sir. (The men leave stage right. End Scene) Scene Seven (Taylor and Patrick enter the common room from stage right and the teenagers have taken their seats. Moving to the far side, they take a seat on the couch.)

12 Taylor That was interesting. Patrick How so? Taylor I guess I wasnt expecting a meeting with the Commander. During my orientation, I was told that we would never see him, let alone speak to him. Patrick Thats how he prefers it. Because of the chain of command, its usually not necessary to bring petty things to his attention. Taylor Then whyPatrick (interrupting)My guess is because of Carl. Carls been a shifter for a long time, and the Commander may have known Carl when they were younger. Sirens begin blaring throughout the compound. The teenagers look at each other with wide eyes and run off stage right. Taylor (standing and looking around)Whats going on? Patrick (standing)Im not sure, but we better find out. Taylor (confused) But, I thought we were done with our shift. Patrick That siren means somethings going on. We may be done with our shift, but our job is to protect those living in the compound. They exit quickly, stage right. End Act One

13 Act Two Scene One The scene Taylor and Patrick enter is one of chaos. Civilians running everywhere, people in uniform moving quickly to either the front or rear gates.(Stage left or stage right) Taylor (Looking around wildly) What the hells going on? Patrick Something serious, I imagine. (Grabs the arm of one of the passing soldier) Soldier, whats going on? Soldier Its rebels. Theyre attacking the compound. He pulls away from Patrick and continues on his path. Taylor Attacking the compound? Patrick (pulling Taylors arm) Come on. We gotta see what we can do to help. Taylor and Patrick run stage left. Scene Two Taylor, Patrick and a few more soldiers enter stage left, approaching the rear gate of the compound, stage right. There is yelling on the other side, things being thrown over the gate, and banging on the gate. Soldier (stopping near the gate, yelling) Hold up here, men. We want to subdue these rebels, NOT kill them. Taylor How are we supposed to subdue them, sir? Soldier We shoot their extremities. Legs, feet, hands, and arms. Avoid the head and chest at all cost. (yelling to one of the towers) Open the gate!

14 The gate slowly opens, hands are seen pulling the gate faster. The soldiers back up as the rebels enter through the gate. The rebels rush inside the open gate, grab the soldiers, are able to easily disarm them, and drag them outside the gate, leaving the stage empty. End Scene Scene Three The rebels bring the soldiers into a dimly lit room, full of chairs, stage right. The solders have hoods over their heads to prevent them from seeing their location. The rebels force the soldiers into the chairs and tie them in place. Soldier What do you want from us? Rebel 1 Shut up! Well ask the questions. What makes you think youre better than us? Soldier Because we are better. We have structure in our lives. Rebel 2 Lies! This so-called structure you have is nothing more than telling people how to live their lives. Its a totalitarianism. Youve brainwashed these people to believe that if they dont follow certain rules, theyre going to be killed. Soldier When I get out of these restraints, the whole lot of you will be destroyed. Not only for your behavior, but for your beliefs, and language. Rebel 2 What makes you think youre getting out, soldier boy? What makes you think we wont kill you all where you sit? Soldier You havent got the guts to do it. Youre all just scared that you havent been accepted into the compound lifestyle. Rebel 1 (standing in front of the soldier) Do you really think I give a shit? I wouldnt want to be part of your compound if you begged me. What makes you think this is acceptable in ANY society? Soldier Acceptable? Its the way we all live. It makes everyone peaceful.

15 Rebel 1 (hitting the soldier upside his head) You people are stupid. Youre simply inviting a revolt from those who refuse to follow your laws. Soldier Whos lying now? You seem to think these people arent happy with how things are run. Rebel 1 Your people are too stupid to realize theres anything else available to them. Youve made sure of that. You have people who cant think for themselves and are wanting someone to tell them what they should do with their lives. Soldier I think youre delusional. The people we protect are happy and content with all weve provided them. We keep them safe from rabble, like you. Rebel 2 Rabble? You consider us rabble? Thats a laugh. You and your people are a joke. Soldier Yes, you are rabble to our compound. All you do is loot and destroy. You destroy the lives of those who wish to be protected, destroy the lives of children by not providing them consistency, and destroy the lives of those who follow you, blindly, by providing false information. Rebel 1 (pacing) Loot and destroy? Boy, do you have your shit fucked up. You clearly dont know a damn thing about us. No wonder you think we need to be erased. Who are you to think you can wipe us out? Soldier I am a soldier of the compound. I am entitledRebel 2 (interrupting) Oooh! Get a load of him. Hes entitled! (laughing and putting his face in front of the soldiers hood) Youre not even entitled to wipe my ass, bitch! Rebel 1 (facing Rebel 2)Ro, shut the fuck up. (turning back to the soldier) Youre entitled to nothing! Your view of the world is completely wrong. All youre doing is preventing us from having the world as it once was.

16 Soldier Once was? The world was corrupt and extremely flawed. Rebel 1 Flawed? Of course its flawed. Were HUMAN! Humans are flawed! Soldier Thats why were here, to remove those flaws. Rebel 1 (hitting the soldier) You cant remove flaws. Its part of being human. Having flaws, problems, and working through those problems. Do you seriously believe that you can beat problems out of people? Or scare them straight? Soldier Flaws are learned. Theyre not inherent within the individual. Rebel 1 Thats a bunch of shit, and you know it. Flaws are always there, regardless of what you do about it. What makes you think you have the right to treat people this way? Why cant people think for themselves? Soldier We have every right to treat people with a way that keeps them safe. Thats what were trying to tell the people. Without us, theyre subject to becoming savages. Ro So, were savages now? Thats rich. You asses with your protective wall, your consequences for breaking your stupid rules. You seem to think youre all high and mighty because youre protected under your false leader. Soldier The commissioner is not a false leader. He has brought us protection, freedom, and life. Rebel 1 (stopping in front of the soldier) Do you honestly believe that you have ANY kind of freedom? Patrick We have plenty of freedom. We know the rules, abide by them, and have freedom. Ro (standing in front of Patrick) Your freedom is baseless. Your rules dont allow for ANY freedom. Youre forced to wear boring clothing, youre not able to listen to music, youre not

17 able to having fucking SEX without a damn permit, for fucks sake! How the fuck is THAT freedom? Soldier Weve been able to weed out disease, prevent robbery within the city, and prevent unnecessary murders within the city walls. Rebel 1 Unnecessary murder? What the fuck do you call what you do when someone disobeys? Id say thats unnecessary murder. Soldier Its called control over the populous. Rebel 1 Control? More like domestication. You want your people to be like a housetrained pet. Next thing ya know, youll be telling those mindless pricks when they can take a piss. Ro (laughing) Aint that the shit. Maybe theyll tell them they have to wear diapers, like a baby. Theyd probably get in trouble for that shit, too. Rebel 1 What say you, soldier boy? Does anyone over the age two get punished for wearing a diaper? Is that part of your repertoire? Maybe random discipline because someone looked at you while you were on patrol? The rebels laugh, the soldier tries to break free of his restraints, the remaining soldiers have gone silent and bow their heads. Rebel 1 You know what? Ill let you think about that. Lets go guys. The rebels leave stage left, leaving the soldiers sitting mid stage, with the hoods still covering their faces. End Scene. Scene Four The rebels enter from stage left carrying a variety of weapons. The soldiers no longer have hoods covering their heads.

18 Rebel 1 (moving to stand in front of the soldier) So, enlighten me as to the real reason you think your job is justified. Soldier Our job IS justified. We protect the people from riff raff from you. Youre the reason we exist in the first place. Rebel 1 Right. Youve been brainwashed to believe this crap, huh? Id like to know what your precious Commander would say to that. Patrick Just because youre outcasts, doesnt mean we deserve to tell you anything, scum. Ro (moving in front of Patrick) WERE the outcasts? Youve isolated yourselves behind WALLS, dipshit. Whos isolated? Sure as hell aint us. Were free to do what we want. No one pushing stupid fucking rules on us. Soldier Then I feel sorry for you. Our people are healthy, well taken care of Rebel 1 Well taken care of? Youve GOT to be kidding me! Youre people cant comprehend what life is really like. Were the ones who are well taken care of. We dont need YOUR permission to do shit. Soldier And for that, your kind are destined to be destroyed. Rebel 1 Do you honestly believe you can destroy us? Do you not realize that youre the ones tied up and at our mercy? Soldier We are just a few. Our numbers are significant. Even if you kill us, you will be found by the others and taken out. Rebel 1 (laughing) We have a large number of your soldiers. Or, we did. Soldier (looking at the rebel with wide eyes) What have you done to them? Rebel 1 They were SO certain in their beliefs, we had to destroy them.

19 The soldier attempts to loosen himself from his restraints and fails. The rebels laugh at him. The other soldiers drop their heads, as if defeated. Rebel 1 (firmly placing his foot on the soldiers lap, forcing him still) You may as well not struggle. Youre at our mercy. Soldier Youre nothing but monsters. We are stronger than you. Rebel 1 (laughing) Were the monsters? Youre the ones destroying OUR people. And for what? Justice? You have no idea how strong we are. The numbers youve seen have only been a small portion. We could take you out without even trying. Soldier Justice will prevail. Rebel 1 Yes, it will. (turning to the other rebels) Lets do it, guys. Well send his head to their Commander. The lights go down, fighting and screaming can be heard. End Scene Scene Five Lights up on the Commanders office, stage left. A man rushes in from stage right. Man Sir! The rebels have taken the soldiers! Commander (standing) What? When? Man Just now, sir. All the soldiers at the gates. Commander How many? Man Two dozen, sir. Commander Two dozen? Thats nearly all of them. How could this happen? Man I dont know, sir. When the rebels were at the gate, the soldiers opened it and they were overtaken. There were so many of them. Commander (rounding his desk) Gather the citizens! We need to take action!

20 The man and the Commander exit stage right. Shouting can be heard offstage. End Scene. Scene Six The Commander enters stage right and stops near the edge, citizens are standing in circles talking quietly, looking around nervously on stage left. Commander People of the compound! Give me your attention! (the people turn to look at him) We have been assaulted! The rebels have taken our security! I ask you to help me to return that security to you! There is yelling heard from the other side of the gate, off stage. Rebel Come get your men, cowards! If you dare! A ball-shaped object in a hood flies onstage from stage right. Rebel Heres your leading soldier! Whats left of him, anyway. (laughing) The Commander grabs the hood, looks inside and is horrified that they would cut off his head. Man What is it, sir? The gates start moving and the people run stage left, leaving the man and the Commander alone on stage. Commander (grabbing at the man standing next to him) For the love of all you hold dear, run! Man not without you, sir! (he grabs the Commanders arm, but cant seem to move him) Sir! Commander (pushing him stage left) I said, RUN! Its me they want! Itll be over when they get me! GO! The man runs offstage, stage left. The gate inches open and the rebels flow through, surrounding the Commander. Rebel 1 (circling the Commander)Well, well, well. What do we have here? Giving yourself up to us? Do you think youre brave or something?

21 Commander I want this to end. Ill do whatever it takes, even if it means giving myself over to the likes of you. Rebel 1- It will certainly end, old man. With your death. Commander Why with my death? Surely, there must be some other way. Rebel 1 And what way do you think that should be? Do you honestly think youll be spared? After the way you treated those who didnt fall into line with your so-called laws? Even IF you were to survive what we have in store for you, you would be a mere shell of a man. Commander You were the ones who wanted nothing to do with our peopleRebel 1 (interrupting) You wanted slaves! NOT people! We were the ones who refused to be slaves! We would rather live as outcasts that as slaves! Were the ones who are happy, free to do whatever we choose. We have no one to answer to. How is that so terrible? What I dont understand is how you convinced all those people to believe all the crap you were spewing. Commander They are not slaves, they are free to do what they will. Rebel 1 Thats a load of shit and you know it. Your people are nothing but sheep who are looking for someone to tell them what to do and you provide it for them. They want someone to tell them what to eat, how to dress, how to act. Need I go on? Commander If thats how you see it, but thats not how it is. Youre deluded, and a madman. The people are happy with all we have done for them. They have no reason to be unhappy. All is provided for them. Yes, we instituted some rules, but those were for their safety. Rebel 1 Their safety? How is determining their clothing part of their safety? Or what they can or cannot do in their homes? For that matter, why do your people have a fucking curfew? A CURFEW! Who the fuck implements a fucking curfew! Commander They can wear whatever they want-

22 Rebel 1 (interrupting)Thats a blatant lie! Your people killed a girl not that long ago for wearing a brightly colored dress. She couldnt have been more than six years old! How do you justify that? Commander (glaring at the rebel) That NEVER happened! I dont condone such atrocities within MY compound. Rebel 1 Then youre the one whos deluded, old man! Your men confessed to it right before my men and I beat them to death. They felt they were doing your people a service by making this girl an example of what NOT to do! Commander I dont believe you! My soldiers would NEVER do such a thing! Rebel 1 You dont get it, Commander. It wasnt your soldiers who did it, it was your PEOPLE! (The Commander looks shocked) The people you claim to protect and value above all else. Theyre the monsters. And YOU created them! Your soldiers did nothing to stop it. They stood in the crowds and participated. Commander Lies! This cannot be! Rebel 1 Accept it. Thats the truth. You claim to be protecting these people, but deep down, theyre still the same. If you enforce the rules, theyll take it to the next step and start enforcing the rules on those lesser than they, and so on. Dont you see? You really were the one in charge of all of this. And now, its time to end it. (turning to the other rebels) Alright boys, have at it! The Commander bows his head, the rebels run stage left and the lights go out. End scene. Scene Seven The lights come up on the Commander sitting alone on the stage, bound to a chair. Commander (glancing around, nearly shouting) Why tie me up? I came willingly. The sound on something grinding can be heard offstage.

23 Commander (shouting) Hello? Is someone there? Laughter can be heard offstage, along with talking. Commander I can hear you out there, cowards! The noise of a door opening can be heard offstage. Rebel 1 appears from stage right and stands next to the Commander. Rebel 1 (his face right next to the Commanders head) Coward? You dare call us cowards? You, in your high and mighty fortress, have the audacity to call US cowards? Commander You ARE cowards! Raiding our compound like animals. What makes you think youre any better? You people attacked my soldiers without provocationRebel 1 (interrupting)Without provocation? Are you fucking kidding me? They provoked us every way imaginable. Their very PRESENCE provoked us! They killed our people for no justifiable reason. That only made us run and hide from your soldiers. We couldnt even take the chance to TALK to them for fear of being killed. Commander (facing the rebel) Now, see here! There is no reason to talk to me like that! When I get out of hereRebel 1 (Interrupting and walking behind the Commander) WHEN you get out of here? (laughing) Dont you mean IF you get out of here? You still seem to think youre in control. Ive got news for you, asshole, you dont know shit. Youre not getting out of here in anything less than a body bag. The Commanders eyes grow wide at the realization that hes going to die in this room. Rebel 1 Hey! It looks like youre getting it, now. (laughing) Aint that a trip! Hoity Toity Commander realizing that something is beyond his control. Commander What do you plan to do to me?

24 Rebel 1 Thats for me to know and you to find out. And youll find out in due time, Commander. (smiling) Commander (looking upward) Oh, God. Someone save me! Rebel 1 There isnt anyone to save your ass. Its only you and me. Tell ya what, Ill let you outta your ropes and we can attempt to be civil to each other. Whadya think? Commander (looking at the rebel with contempt) Civil? Toward you? I dont think so. Rebel 1 (facing stage right) Fine. I thought that you might enjoy not being bound up, but since you dont want to be civil, I wont force the issue. Commander Wait! I-I-Ive changed my mind! Rebel 1 Too late. (he walks off, stage right) Commander Come back! Ill tell you anything! Please let me out! The lights go out. End Scene. Scene Eight The lights come up on the stage. The chair is empty, the Commanders feet can be seen stage left, Rebel 1 is pacing with a bloodied sword, and the other rebels are standing near stage right Rebel 1 I gave him chance after chance. He said hed tell me anything, then he takes it back as soon as Im ready to loosen his bonds. I could swear he WANTED to die this way. (turning to the other rebels) What happened when you ransacked the compound? Ro We found that the people were scaredRebel 1 (interrupting) Of course they were scared, you idiot! They probably thought they were going to die. What happened when you searched the homes?

25 Ro Nothing out of the ordinary. Once we got past all the screaming morons, it was quick work. These people had nothing. Everything they owned looked like crap, literally. Brown as far as the eye could see. Rebel 1 What did the people do when they realized it wasnt them you were after? Ro They were like a kid going outside for the first time by themselves. They slowly made their way out of the gate to see the world before them. Some of them were in awe, many didnt want to leave. Rebel 1 What about the people in the homes outside the compound? Ro They were more rebellious than the soldiers realized. The clothing they had was a variety of colors, they had so many different kinds of music playing, it was an overload, and one of the homes we busted into, the couple were goin at it right there on the floor. Rebel 3 What are we gonna do now? Weve won, right? Rebel 1 - We won here. Its only a small victory. This isnt the only compound in the country, though. What we do now is rally the rebels across the country and help them any way we can. Theyre going to need our help to take down the leaders of the various compounds. (looking at Ro)Get on the radio, let Boyd know what weve done and tell him well help any way we can. Ro nods and exits stage right. Rebel 1 Lets pack up our shit and get the hell out of here. Rebel 3 What about the people? We cant leave them without help. Rebel 1 There are already a group wanting to stay behind. Their families need rebuilding on both sides. The rest of us roll out in the morning. The rebels exit stage right and the lights fade to black.