Unit 35 Script

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CHOIR THE WAY YOU LOOK TONIGHT
Albert slowly waltzes Gwen and as the song carries on - as his older-self moves in and takes
over doncing with her... .... Albert exits SL and Gwendoline
ALBERT SNR Miss you Gwen. ..... 56 years good years that's what we had .... And
Jack he misses you every day as well. I'11be back in a minute lads.
Just checking going to check up on Jack.
FRED SNR Him and his dogs
TED SNR Never been a choir rehearsal where he hasn't bought the dog. And to
think he calls every one of them Jack.
FRED SNR Aye, he's nothing short of consistent is Albert. One man and his dog
called Jack. Especially since he lost Gwen last year.
ALBERT SNR Now you stay there Jack and be a good boy
One more refrain of the song. Whilst this is happening Jake enterfrom SL aisle and sets
himself centre. Annie enters from sets herself a chair at front Molly comes up centre
aisle.
CUT TO
MAN: Mrs Jewkes, thank you for you coming in to see me. I have been directed by
the Ministry of Pensions to inform you that on the night of 3rd January 1919 you were
witnessed engaged in drunken behaviour with your sister, Mrs Elizabeth Perks. It is also
reported that at this time your eleven-year old son was left alone to take care of your younger
children. In light of this immoral behaviour and your public display we have taken the
decision to suspend your pension.
MOLLY: It's my children that will suffer; it's them you are punishing. Don't you see?
Annie approaches her.
ANNIE Here you are love, have my hanky and dry your eyes. I couldn't help over
hearing what he said. Self-righteous buggar. Who does he think he is?
MOLLY The one with all the power - that's who is
ANNIE I've not got a pension either. My Joseph he was classed as Al health when he
came home, even though he wasn't really. It was his mind see. ... he just couldn't cope, not
with the war, or with what was happening to me at home. I have no idea of the things he
saw, but from the little I've heard I'd say the war was a bloody great shame on
mankind. They say it was the war to end all wars but I don't know tanks...gas...we're only
just beginning to understand new ways of hurting each other. You can bet govemments
across the world are even now building on what was learned in the arts of killing during this
war. Who knows what's to come that's even worse in the future and you can bet ordinary folk
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like us will be the ones to suffer for it. (She stops realising she has been getting angry)
Sony I'm inclined to go off on one once you get me started.
MOLLY No, don't apologise - you remind me of my sister -she's very passionate
about things right now.
ANNIE You see I was pregnant with our third daughter while he was away and it was
a difficult birth, poor Alice she didn't really stand a chance.
OFFICERz (From Balcony) Private Joseph Critchley you have been called here to answer
for your absence on l2th June, on which date you were ordered to present yourself at
Avonmouth for embarkation.
Joseph enters from centre aisle and rushes towards Annie.
JOSPEH: How is she?
Annie is startled to see her husband.
ANNIE: Joseph! She's not good at all; I don't think there's much more we can do.
Joseph takes the baby in his arms and rocks her.
OFFICER: Your comrades were all present and as we speak and are all abroad doing their
duty for their country.
ANNIE: Is this compassionate leave?
Joseph doesn't onswer.
ANNIE: Joseph, does anyone know your here?
JOSEPH: It doesn't matter.
Annie very much thinlrs it does matter, but turns her attention back to their daughter.
ANNIE: It's hopeless.
They hold the baby together.
ANNIE: You'll have to go back; I don't want you getting into serious trouble.
JOSPEH: I don't want to leave her.
ANNIE: You know what they might do if they think you've deserted. We're going-
Annie struggles to say the words.
ANNIE: We're going to lose Alice; I couldn't stand to lose you too. Perhaps if you tell
them what the situation is, they'll let you come back home, before it's too late.
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Josephjust shakes his head.
ANNIE: If you don't present yourself they'll probably send the military police here
an)ryvay. (Harshly) You should never have signed up in the first place.
Joseph doesn't respond, so Annie pushes further.
ANNIE: You know how I felt about you even joining the police in case you got
hurt. Imagine how I feel about you going off to war and at a time like this!
Annie starts to regret her words.
ANNIE: Don't listen to me, love, I'm just angry at everl'thing'
JOSEPH: I know I've got to go back, but I'm not ready to say the final goodbye.
Joseph and Annie stay with their daughter a little longer.
JOSEPH: I'll see the girls before I go.
ANNIE: They've been missing you. They keep asking if the war's over yet. Just try to
make sure you come home.
JOSEPH: I will. Whatever it takes. When all this is over nothing will separate us again,
I swear it.
Joseph kisses baby Alice.
JOSEPH: Goodnight, my little girl.
Annie gently takes the baby away and exits.
Joseph goes to stand before the fficer, who turns to face him.
OFFICER: Well, Private Critchley, what do you have to say for yourselfl
They are interrupted by a man carrying a telegram. He hands it to the fficer.
JOSEPH: That telegrams for me, sir.
OFFICER (curious): How do you know?
JOSEPH: My baby daughter- she's been ill, sir, that's where I was, at home. The
telegram...she must have passed on.
The ofJicer glances at the telegram and then hands in on to Joseph.
OFFICER (more compassionately): It is for you.
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Joseph takes the telegram. It confirms what he already knows, but it is still hard to see the
words.
OFFICER: My condolences, Critchley. There will be no court martial, not this
time. You will join your comrades in the East during the next wave.
Joseph leaves to go to centre bolcony
MOLLY I'm so sorry love
ANNIE Annie, my names Annie, pleased to meet you
MOLLY Molly. (They grasp hands) How did you manage all on your own?
ANNIE He wrote me the most beautiful poem after I'd had her buried
As I think of Homeland and children so dear. It fair breaks my heart and to my eyes brings
tear.
God took one away. He thought it best; her body now lies at rest.
But sweet is the name of our baby so dear, although she's been laid low just over one year
Her soul is in heaven with the Angels so fair and I think of her daily as I offer a prayer
So let bygones be bygones and trouble no more for we know that she is safe on yonder
beautiful shore.
MOLLY But he came home after the war? You didn't lose him as well
AINIE No he came home - or rather what was left of him came home but he was a
completely changed man. He kept waking up at night shouting and the smallest things our
other two girls did would set him off inan uncontrollable rage.
Joseph appears on the balcony - speaking down to Annie
JOSEPH: I remember writing that poem; it was from the hospital in Malta after my
injury. The light of the sunset was coming through the windows; I'd never seen a light so
lovely. It made me think of Alice, that all she'll ever know from now on is sunshine; there
won't be any war or misery for her.
ANNIE: I read it every day you were away. It helped me feel closer to the both of you.
I just wish I could have been with her, at the end.
You still have daughters here that need you.
Poor little mites, I've seen the way they look at me.
They're worried for you.
JOSEPH:
ANNIE:
JOSEPH:
ANNIE:
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