INT. MANSION—NIGHT
Dinner is being served. The young men are served by the girls who then seat themselves and all begin to eat.
DAVID
Is anyone going to say the blessing?
MARLENE
I can’t eat until someone does.
CARL stands and recites the blessing for food in Hebrew.
MARLENE (CONT’D)
(to Carl)
Thank you.
CARL
It’s the first time I ever led the prayer.
MARLENE
You did it well. Who did it before in your house?
CARL
My father. He made sure no matter what, he was at the dinner table every night to say the prayer. It feels strange that I’m here and they’re at home. It’s also the first time I’ve been away from home.
MARLENE
Not even to stay with relatives?
CARL
Well, we have a very small family. I have an uncle in America and another one in France, but that’s about it.
GRETA
I have a big family, so I’ve slept around.
JOSEPH
Excuse me?
GRETA
I’ve slept around. To different members of my family. All over Germany.
OTTO
I’m glad you explained it.
GRETA
I said something wrong.
ESTHER
I think it’s the boys that heard something wrong.
JOSEPH
People should say what they mean.
ESTHER
You always say what you mean?
JOSEPH
Always.
ESTHER
Never make a mistake?
CARL
Watch out, Joseph. She’s walking you into a trap.
BONDY
This may be a trap he wants to be in.
JOSEPH
What does that mean?
BONDY
Sometimes the rewards are worth the struggle.
JOSEPH
I think we are about to hear one of Professor Bondy’s famous lectures on life.
BONDY
Not tonight. Tonight, you have a reprieve. I’m exhausted.
JOSEPH
Saving souls can be tiring.
BONDY
Only because some souls struggle so hard not to be saved.
ESTHER
Professor, you can always count on me. (looking around) Are there any more coming?
BONDY
Next week, another 20. We will have about 50 at a time.
ESTHER
And how long is “a time?”
BONDY
Depends on how long it takes to teach you a trade and how long it takes to find you a new country.
ESTHER
That sounds strange. A new country. Like picking out a pair of new shoes.
MARLENE
Do we get a choice of countries?
BONDY
It probably will be a choice of one.
The reaction is one of disapproval.
BONDY (CONT’D)
Henry Ford was asked if in his new automobiles a person would have a choice of colors. He said they would as long as it was black.
JOSEPH
But we are not picking out cars. This will be our new homes.
BONDY
At least for a while. The point is to get you out of the country, to safety, and then, once Hitler and his gang are sent packing, you can decide if you want to return. But the first task is freedom.
DISSOLVE—FLASH FORWARD
INT. LIVING ROOM
Reunioners still remembering.
OTTO
He made it sound so simple. “The first task is freedom.” Over the years, living safe and sound, when I thought back on that, I sometimes think what that meant was the first task was saving our own necks.
GRETA
I felt that way at first, but then I thought of what is in the Talmud. That he who saves one life saves the world. And that a life is the most precious thing in the world, and so not only was it important to save our lives, it was saving something precious. I had no problem after that.
CARL
I never accepted what I did. I did it, but never accepted that I left my family behind. It made some big changes in my life.
JOSEPH
I remember I felt like two people. When I left Germany, it was like I was released from prison. When I thought of my family, it was like I had crawled into a hole. I guess I really felt that way from the first day in the camp.
MARLENE
Do you remember the first few nights? Terrible.
CARL
You mean the homesickness?
MARLENE
The homesickness, the loneliness,,,
CARL
The mice.
DISSOLVE—FLASH BACK
INT. MANSION—NIGHT
Greta, Marlene and Esther are sitting in a living room area.
MARLENE
I’m not sure if I can keep this up.
GRETA
Why?
ESTHER
She’s homesick.
GRETA
We’re all homesick.
MARLENE
Not like me.
ESTHER
Marlene, according to you, nothing is like what happens to you. You are a special person.
GRETA
That’s what her parents always said.
MARLENE
You can make fun of me, if it makes you feel better, but this really upsets me.
Marlene begins to cry.
GRETA
Sssh. The boys will hear.
ESTHER
So.
GRETA
They’ll think we’re children.
ESTHER
Who cares what they think?
MARLENE
She cares more about what the boys think than about one of her sisters who is homesick and in tears.
GRETA
Sisters. I don’t have any sisters.
ESTHER
I think that’s her way of trying to get you to care about her.
GRETA
I care. It’s just that…
Bondy enters.
BONDY
You girls should get to bed. You have to be up at five…what’s this about?
ESTHER
Greta’s sister is unhappy.
BONDY
I didn’t know that Marlene was Greta’s…
GRETA
She’s not. Esther is joking. But Marlene is unhappy.
BONDY
(beginning to pontificate)
Now, Marlene, I realize this is a difficult time, but…
MARLENE
I feel much better. Thanks so much, Director Bondy; you were really helpful.
The three girls, now giggling leave Bondy alone in the room.
DISSOLVE—FLASH FORWARD
INT. LIVING ROOM
Reunioners talking.
GRETA
The mice? The mice I was used to from home. The mice were no problem. But the weeping, that was a problem.
CARL
That’s when I fell in love with Marlene.
GRETA
You like weeping women?
CARL
No, but she looked so helpless, with her red eyes, her red nose,…
GRETA
She looked like a clown.
MARLENE
I did not.
GRETA
Yes you did. But I’ll tell you something. How you were feeling, I was feeling, except I bottled it up.
JOSEPH
I remember that Bo couldn’t stand it. He would leave the house when Marlene started.
MARLENE
I wasn’t the only one. Plenty of us were weepy.
JOSEPH
But I remember when you got angry at him.
MARLENE
At the time, I thought he was just a Jewish dictator. Now they call it male chauvinism. Who knew I’d be ahead of my time? I couldn’t stand up to him, so I told Esther and she went after him.
DISSOLVE—FLASH BACK
INT. BONDY’S OFFICE
Esther enters without knocking.
BONDY
Ah, Esther. You must have knocked, but I didn’t hear you.
ESTHER
I didn’t knock. (beat) Oh, I get it. Next time I should…I see. Okay. Anyway…
BONDY
Anyway, what can I do for you?
ESTHER
Mr. Bondy, I don’t like the way the work is divided here.
BONDY
Everyone does their share. Where’s the problem?
ESTHER
The problem is the girls are given housework to do, kitchen work. The boys get to work outdoors, in the sun, the fresh air.
BONDY
That’s right. The girls work indoors, the boys outdoors.
ESTHER
I don’t like it.
BONDY
I don’t care. That’s the way it’s set up.
ESTHER
We don’t have a say?
BONDY
You can say anything you want, but this isn’t a real democracy. I just make believe it is. Nothing changes.
ESTHER
This is discrimination.
BONDY
No, this is rational thought. You, the rest of the girls, can’t do the kind of heavy work the boys can do. You can’t haul hay or dig irrigation trenches.
ESTHER
I can milk cows. I can gather eggs. I can pick grapes. And I think, with a little training, some of the smarter boys would be able to peel potatoes, clean the bathrooms and sweep the floors. With a little training.
BONDY
Were you planning to study law?
ESTHER
I was and am planning on being a wife and mother and what has that got to do with it? Are you going to make changes or not?
INT. BARN—VERY EARLY MORNING
It is pitch back out. Marlene and Esther are hunched over a cow, pulling the udders as milk squirts into a milk pail.
MARLENE
So you think this is better?
ESTHER
You better ask the cows. All I know is I’m losing a lot of sleep in order to make a point.
DISSOLVE—FLASH FORWARD
INT. LIVING ROOM
Reunioners talking.
OTTO
Do you remember the fight I had with that big oaf? What was his name? You know, the big one that was what’s his name’s son?
MARLENE
Oh, that one. The one that…yes, I remember.
GRETA
Not only don’t I remember, I don’t even know what the two of you are talking about.
OTTO
Oh, you remember.
GRETA
Otto, you are giving me grounds for divorce. No judge would deny me.
OTTO
(to all)
She is always threatening me. Nearly 50 years she is threatening me.
GRETA
One of these days I’ll do it.
OTTO
Then you better hurry up. We ain’t getting any younger.
JOSEPH
Are you trying to tell us about the fight with Erich, the blacksmith’s son.
OTTO
Bingo! But it was the meeting after the fight that I’m trying to remember. Ah, those meetings.
DISSOLVE—FLASH BACK
EXT. BLACKSMITH AREA—DAY
MAX is watching ERICH, the blacksmith’s son, working the bellows. Otto is in the background, but moves closer as Erich and Max talk. As he works, Erich, who is much bigger and older than Max, becomes increasingly annoyed.
ERICH
(to Max)
Stop standing there watching me. You’re getting me nervous.
MAX
I’m just watching. I’m not bothering you.
ERICH
You are bothering me, Max. I don’t like to be watched.
MAX
I’m supposed to, Erich. That way I’ll learn.
ERICH
(becoming annoyed)
I don’t care. Stop staring at me.
MAX
I’m not staring at you. I’m just looking. That’s why I’m here.
ERICH
To annoy me?
MAX
To learn from you.
ERICH
(angry)
Move.
MAX
No.
Erich walks threateningly toward Max.
ERICH
I said move.
MAX
I said no.
OTTO
Erich, leave Max alone. He’s supposed to do this.
ERICH
You stay out of this, Otto. It’s not your business.
Otto steps between Erich and Max.
OTTO
It is. Leave him alone.
The argument escalates as Erich shoves Otto. Otto shoves back.
ERICH
I said move. Both of you, get out of here.
OTTO
I said no, We’re staying right here.
Erich grabs Otto and the two begin to wrestle. Several hands enter the frame to separate them.
INT. MEETING AREA OF MANSION—LATER
The room is filled with all of the campers and staff. Erich and Otto sit on opposite sides of the room ignoring one another. All are sitting quietly, but with apprehension.
BONDY
I’m not going to talk about the disagreement today. I don’t want to get bogged down in he said this and I said that. Or get bogged down with who was right, who was wrong. Instead, I think it would be helpful if we had a discussion about how to peacefully resolve conflicts without hitting or shooting or bombing. Anyone have any ideas?
After a brief hesitation, several hands are eagerly raised.
MARLENE
Well, I think they should just shake hands. It’s silly to fight.
CARL
That’s not what boys do.
MARLENE
I know. That’s why most boys are jerks.
CARL
But it says in the Talmud…
JOSEPH
I know about the Talmud. I too have studied. But there are times we can’t rely on what happened then. We have to act on “now.” Otto acted on “now” and defended Max from Erich. He defended him.
ERICH
It was none of his business.
JOSEPH
Wrong. Otto and Max are both campers at Gross-Breesen. It is Otto’s business. And I’ll tell you something, Erich. Otto saved you too.
ERICH
Saved me? From what?
JOSEPH
From yourself. If you had hurt Max, you would have had to deal with a lot worse than this meeting. Overall, I think what Otto did was an act of charity for everyone.
ESTHER
What would you have done?
JOSEPH
I hope I would have done the same as Otto.
EXT. FARM
BONDY
Joseph, I think you would have.
Joseph and Otto are among several boys manning shovels as they turn over a field.
JOSEPH
It would help if they trusted us enough to give us tractors.
OTTO
It’s not trust. It’s practical. The older men are used to working with the tractor, we’re not.
JOSEPH
This is too hard.
OTTO
Get your back into it, Joseph. It’s good to work hard.
JOSEPH
Only guys with muscles think that. Guys like me, the only exercise I’ve ever done is to pick up books.
OTTO
We each have our place, Joseph. I may not be as smart as you, but I know how to do this. Look, push the spade in with your foot, not just your arms. Watch.
Joseph watches Otto for a while, then tries it a few times.
OTTO (CONT’D)
That’s it. I guess it helps to be smart. You figured that out pretty fast.
JOSEPH
I apologize, Otto. I don’t mean to be a snob.
OTTO
It just comes naturally, huh? (beat) You’ve spent too much time indoors, Joseph.
JOSEPH
That’s where the books are.
OTTO
The next time you’re hungry, try eating a book. Dig. If we hurry, we can finish while there’s still enough people to eat what we plant.
INT. STAIRCASE
Joseph and Esther meet each other, both headed down. As they speak, other campers pass them, also on the way down.
ESTHER
Are you going on the hike tomorrow?
JOSEPH
I thought I’d just stay around here. It’ll be nice and quiet with everyone gone.
ESTHER
Suit yourself.
JOSEPH
I will.
ESTHER
Good.
JOSEPH
Why are you so angry?
ESTHER
I’m not.
JOSEPH
You always sound angry.
ESTHER
Fix your ears.
JOSEPH
See.
ESTHER
What?
JOSEPH
You sounded angry right then.
ESTHER
Oh, and I suppose you’re Mr. Personality. Always moping around, staring into a book, looking down your nose at everyone.
JOSEPH
I don’t.
ESTHER
Yes, you do.
JOSEPH
Maybe. (beat) Make a deal with you.
ESTHER
I’m listening.
JOSEPH
I’ll stop looking down my nose if you take the chip off your shoulder.
ESTHER
I don’t have a chip on my shoulder.
JOSEPH
Yes you do.
ESTHER
You call it a chip. I call it speaking my mind.
JOSEPH
No matter who it hurts.
ESTHER
(losing resolve)
Well, no.
JOSEPH
So maybe we both have something to think about.
Joseph and Esther stop, sniff the air, and both realize the same thought. They rush forward down the stairs. As they do, they join with Greta, who is not in a rush.
GRETA
Hey, where you guys running to?
ESTHER
Dinner. We forgot about dinner.
JOSEPH
There’s not going to be anything left.
ESTHER
I guess when it comes to food you get your nose out of the book.
JOSEPH
Leave my nose out of this.
GRETA
Yes, stop picking on his nose.
ESTHER AND JOSEPH
What?
Both are laughing as they reach the dining room. The rest of the campers and staff are all seated, but break into applause with their arrival.
BONDY
Carl?
Carl stands and begins the prayer as decorum descends on the dining room.
DISSOLVE—FLASH-FORWARD
Reunioners talking.
JOSEPH
I just realized something, Carl.
CARL
You noticed.
GRETA
What?
JOSEPH
At Gross-Breesen, Carl always led us in prayer, before we ate. But not today.
GRETA
Oh, sure. I remember, and he did it so good.
JOSEPH
(to Carl)
But not today.
CARL
Not today, not ever.
GRETA
(in despair)
Oh, Carl.
CARL
Like I said. It made some big changes in my life.
MARLENE
He hasn’t set foot in a synagogue since we left Germany.
CARL
It’s not something that I can easily explain. When they died, my family, part of me died.
JOSEPH
I don’t think you have to explain this to us, Carl. It’s something we all share.
The mood is heavier, then,
CARL
(brightening)
I would like to talk about that hike. That was a good time.
DISSOLVE—FLASH-BACK
EXT. WOODS
Bondy and the campers are all on a hike into the woods.
BONDY
Don’t forget, as we walk, I want you all to try and find as many different species of birds as you can.
MARLENE
I don’t like to keep looking up all the time. It hurts my neck. Is it okay to try and find different kinds of flowers?
BONDY
Yeah, I guess that’s okay.
OTTO
How about different kinds of animals?
BONDY
Yeah, yeah, that’s fine. Now let’s get a move on.
JOSEPH
How about different kinds of elephants?
BONDY
How about moving as if you meant it?
They all walk a little faster.
BONDY (CONT’D)
That’s good. A fast pace. Fast pace. It makes the mind work more clearly. Makes us stronger.
GRETA
Makes us tired.
EXT. WOODS—LATER
The campers are seated at a pond, eating.
MAX
I’m going in for a swim.
BONDY
I think the water is too cold for a swim, Max.
MAX
I love the cold water.
BONDY
That’s not a good idea. Stay out of the water.
MAX
I thought you wanted us to build ourselves up. To be able to take care of ourselves.
BONDY
That’s true, but…
Max leaps up and struggles out of his clothes.
MAX
Then stop treating us like babies.
Max rushes off, heading straight for the water, and dives in. He immediately pops up and begins to YELL.
MAX (CONT’D)
Help! My leg! My leg! Help!
Joseph jumps up and jumps into the water, grabs Max, and pulls him to shore. Others rush to aid. Bondy rushes to the group.
INT. MANSION—LATER
Joseph is seated in front of a hot stove with Carl as Esther enters.
CARL
How is Max?
ESTHER
His leg is broken. He has to go back to his parents.
CARL
How long will he be away?
ESTHER
Can’t tell. It was a bad break.
JOSEPH
In more ways than one. This is terrible for him. He was learning so much, I’m sure he could have been placed. Now…
ESTHER
It may still work out for him. (beat) What you did was very brave.
JOSEPH
More than you know. I don’t swim.
CARL
You swim like a monkey. If it wasn’t so scary, it would have been funny.
ESTHER
And here I thought you only worried about your own skin.
JOSEPH
I do. (beat) If I’d let him drown, I’d feel guilty.
ESTHER
(annoyed)
So the only reason to save a life is not to feel guilty?
CARL
He doesn’t mean it that way.
ESTHER
(angry) Maybe he does.
Esther storms away.
***
For all installments from “Gross-Breesen,” click here.
Previous installments:
Henry Meyerson’s full-length and one-act plays have been published by Samuel French, Inc and have been internationally produced. His plays The Activist and Jump Jim Crow earned grants from The New Jersey Council on the Arts. Many of his short stories have been published through the years. Meyerson has a Phd in Clinical Psychology and an MFA in Playwrighting. Synopses of his full-length plays and screenplays can be found at his website.
