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A Thing
HTHI Greek Tragedy Play Project
Erin 1/3
SCRIPT
Prologue:
(Sam and Paul are riding a Helicopter. The roar of the Helicopters engine and the
spin of its blades drowns out almost all sound from outside the cramped chopper
compartment. Paul and Sam are sitting next to each other, Dotson is sitting next to
Huddleston. Paul is holding a polaroid picture.)
Pilot: This is Lazarus 3-1 to Khe Sanh Tower. Starting final approach from the
Southeast. Manifest is.. a couple replacements Marines, couple crates of 5-5-6, 40mike-mike and LRP(Lurp) rations. Were a couple mikes out from the LZ. How
copy?
(Inaudible radio chatter responds to the pilot)
Pilot: Roger that Khe Sanh. Lazarus-3-1 out.
Sam: Paul, whats an LZ?
Paul: (Fiddling with a photograph) It means landing zone, Sammy.
Sam: (Sam points at the photograph after a brief pause) Thats the only picture
Anna gave you? She still that mad at you?
Paul: Maybe, but she cant stay mad at me forever. Annas just not used to being
on her own, thats all.
Sam: You already left her for college a year ago. This time youre just not seeing
her over Christmas. (Laughs and nudges Paul)
Huddleston: College, huh?
Dotson: Not many enlisted in the Marine Corps can say the same.
Paul: Yeah, but a place like that cant keep me caged in for too long. (Exhales and
switches to a cheerful tone) Why sit at home when theres a whole war going on?
(Trying to seem tough) The only thing Im afraid of is that all thisll be over before I
get to spend some time on the ground.
Sam: (Pause, then speaks quietly) Why didnt you tell them you came here for me
too? Mama said youd look out for me? Cause we're brothers... right Paul?
Paul: Well, theres that too(Smiles at Sam reassuringly)
Dotson: Boys, Ive been coming back here again and again since 65...
Huddleston: 65.
Dotson: And I can tell you from my personal experience that there isnt a single
gook- whether it be a some farmer, Charlie in the bush, or one of those ARVN boysnot one of them in this entire goddamn country is gonna care why youre here
fighting in this war.
Huddleston: Nobody.
Paul: Hes fine Its just a little hard for him to adjust to all this. Hes never been
away from home. Hes is just taking it all in.
Dotson: Okay then. Im Dotson, by the way. (Shakes hands with Paul)
Huddleston: Huddleston. (Shakes hands with Paul)
Paul: Im Paul. (Points to Sam) Thats my brother Sam.
Sam: Paul, look! (Excited expression towards window)
Paul: Yeah, I can see the base from here. Were landing.
Sam: Paul, (Looks away from the window) I'm so glad youre here with me. You're
my best friend, Paul. We got each others backs, right? Nothin gets between
brothers... right Paul?
Paul: (Says as if he was talking to a five year old.) Sam, are you kidding me. I
would never leave your side. We have a bond, and Id never let some draft pull us
apart.
Sam: Thanks. Youre my favorite brother, Paul.
Paul: Im your only brother Sammy.
Sam: It's like when we were kids- To hell and back, we got each others backs!
(Holds his hand out for a high five)
Paul: (After a moment of hesitation, high fives Sam) To hell and back.
(Dotson and Huddleston groan and fake gag)
Pilot: Be advised Khe Sanh- were touching down now over. Lazarus 3-1 out.
Sam: (Wrinkles nose and sniffles) Hey, whats that smell?
Huddleston: Napalm. Youll get used to it. Welcome to the suck.
Parados:
(Chorus consists of 2 Marines and 2 nurses spread out along the stage. Their time in
Nam reflects on their appearances and attitudes.)
Nurse 1: Two boys set off with eager hands
One to protect his brother, the other, his land.
They dont know whats to come
Paying attention to the news, they only know of whats been done.
Marine: When God closes a door, he opens a window,
but a draft blew in, air sharp and cold as snow
Ferguson: Youre (points finger at Paul and Sam) fresh meat in the grinder, boy.I
bet you havent even fired your rifle at a gook yet- if youve even fired your rifle at
all.
Ashman: You think we can trust one of these boots to cover a flank, L-T? I wouldnt
wanna share a foxhole with one of those boots, man. Let Charlie take em!
(Ferguson and Ashman laugh)
Ferguson: Aww, you gonna cry? Wouldnt want to be known as the guy who cried
on his first day would ya?
Sam: Im not gonna cry.
Ashman: You sure look like it.
Sam: IM NOT.
(Ashman stares at him with a grin, Sam is biting his lip. His whole body and posture
is tense. After a moment, Paul pulls Sam away from Ashman.)
Ashman: If youre going to cry, do it in front of your big brother.
Schroeder: Shut the hell up, Ashman. Dont you have firewatch in a couple of
hours?
Ashman: (Jokingly) Well I just got this bad feeling in my gut, sir. Dont feel combat
fit, hope you dont mind. Im sure Charlie would understand and lay off for the day.
Schroeder: Get the hell out of here! Go police up the D-FAC or something.
(Schroeder guides Sam and Paul to center stage, Ferguson and Ashman laugh and
joke behind their backs as the exit stage right)
Paul: Whats their problem?
Schroeder: Dont mind Ferguson and Ashman, theyre good men. Ive been hunting
Charlie with those guys since 67. You guys are just boots to them. Give it some
time, theyll start warming up to you, youll see. (Pauses and looks at watch.) Now I
gotta get goin. I Gotta check in with motor pool. You two can set up over there.
(Points stage left.) Dismissed. (Exits stage right)
Paul: (Looks to Sammy concerned) You alright Sam? Dont let those pricks get to
you. We just need to show them theyll see...
Sam: Yeah, I'm okay. Well show them Paul. As long as I got you here to protect me,
anyway.
Paul: Sammy(pauses) you know I can't protect you all the time. You gotta
toughen up around these guys. I know you have it in you Sam remember a couple
years ago when you beat up those kids that were picking on us?
Sam: But Paul I didnt want to hurt those boys. They just wouldnt stop laughing
at me and I thought they were going to hurt you.
Paul: I know Sammy but thats the point. You are strong and you need to show the
guys here that you can take care of yourself. Dont let anyone push you around
you hear me Sammy?
Sam: (Flexes muscles) Im strong Paul like Superman! (Starts play fighting)
Paul: Alright, alright. Quit showin off. (Serious tone) But really, you gotta step it up
out here. You cant let these other guys think youre weak or else youll never hear
the end of it. Man up a little. This aint like back at home, you know that.
(Sam distressingly looks at the ground)
Paul: (Exhales and steps closer to Sam, placing his hand on his shoulder) Let me
hear you say youre gonna try.
Sam: (Unsure) I'll try...
Paul: (Enthusiastic) C'mon, lemme hear you say it!
Sam: (Slightly more confident) I'll try.
Paul: Just try?! I want you to do it! Let me hear you!
Sam: (Excited) I'll do it!
Paul: Good. Proud of ya Sam. C'mon, let's go get set up. (Paul puts his hand on
Sam's shoulder, they exit stage right together)
Chorus 1:
(Chorus consists of Coronel, Marine, and 2 nurses spread out along the stage. Their
time in Nam reflects on their appearances and attitudes.)
Coronel: Hes grown into a mans body
But because of his mind its almost gaudy
Nurse 2: Unseen or ignored the problem sits
Throughout this life he's learned to submit
Nurse 1: His brother has new obligations,
He must protect, and provide care, let alone for his nation
Marine : Now its time for the real test
Chorus 2:
(Chorus consists of 1 Marines, Colonel and 2 nurses spread out along the stage.
Their time in Nam reflects on their appearances and attitudes.)
Marine: He doesn't understand but he does his best
He wants to help his brother through this mess
Colonel: Though unable to understand his brother hurts
He tries his best to help comfort
Nurse 1: His baby talks in times of need
Weren't meant to be taken as bad deeds
Nurse 2: His brother now can take no more
No longer does he want to carry his brother
All: through this war.
Scene 3:
(Ferguson and Barber sitting on stage. Ferguson messing with a radio. Sam and
Paul are standing at the wire on watch.)
Ferguson: Cant get this stupid thing to work.
Barber: (Jokingly) Maybe the thing wouldnt be broken if your fat-ass didnt land on
it?
Ferguson: (Laughing, doesnt take offense) Shut the hell up.
(Schroeder enters stage right with his M16 in-hand. Ashman enter behind him.)
Schroeder: Orders just came in. Battalion wants us to hump up East to the river by
sector twelve. Were supposed to rendezvous with a Patrol Boat that's dropping off a
couple of guys from I-Corps, probably SOG or somethin. Barber, (Gestures towards
him) we need you! We got a couple others waiting by the wire, and grab the PRC
Radio. I need you guys to stay here and keep watch. Were moving out in five.
Ferguson: L-T? What about me?
Schroeder: Youre staying here with the Adams boys. I need someone with
experience to lock down the OP while were gone.
Ferguson: (Irritated) You want me to babysit these two chicken shits? What
happens when Charlie thinks its a good idea to try to take this place over? What if
you run into trouble out there? And youre gonna leave me here on baby-patrol?
Schroeder: If there are any slopes out there, then well find them. Youre staying
here. End of discussion. Keep watch, stay put. Lets move! (Yelling) Were oscar
mike! (Exits offstage left as Barber and Ashman follow)
Ferguson: Godammit! (Throws his cap/helmet onto the ground) I didnt sign up to
just sit on my ass all day in the damn sun.
Sam: Im sure its nothing. They probably wont find anything out there. We never
see anything, huh Paul?
Ferguson: Y'all stupid? Were not even close to being deep in that jungle. You
heard the L-T, theyre spose to be picking up some boys from SOG. Thats some
high-level classified shit. You got any idea what kind of heat thats gonna attract?
Paul: Hey, lay off! Dont talk to him like that!
Ferguson: You think you can talk to me like that?! Y'all just two FNGs in the middle
of the big bad jungle. Theres thousands of other inexperienced kids just like you!
Y'all got no say here. (Moves towards Sam) And what about you? You always need
your big brother to stand up for you?
Paul: (Puts his arm between the two) Back off, man! Whats your problem?
Ferguson: My problem is you! For months you been out here in Nam and you guys
havent even shot any slopes dead yet. You was still a civilian while I was sittin in
the mud firing 5.56 at Charlie and watching my buddies get blown to bits.
Paul: Well were here whether you like it or not! Bout time you started gettin used
to us.
Ferguson: Hey, you gotta earn your place round here. Ive seen things they dont
put into the news back home.
Paul: Were all here together, Ferguson! Youre just as scared as we are. Youre too
proud to admit it, but you probably shit yourself every time you go face to face with
Charlie.
(Ambient gunfire and explosions in the distance)
Sam: Paul, (Gets startled and grabs Paul) whats that noise? (Sam begins to rock
back and forward and slowly moves into the corner.)
Ferguson: (Expression is furious from Pauls previous comment, then turns scared
when he realizes whats going on) Sounds like the L-T ran into some trouble. Sounds
really bad from the looks of it, poor bastards. Get your 16s ready and watch the
wire, dont wanna let any of those dinks sneak up on you.
(Paul looks into the audience)
Paul: Hey wait, someones running this way! I think its one of our guys!
Ferguson: Friendlies coming up from the wire! It looks like Barber and Ashman...?
(Barber and Ashman enter through the audience, huffing and puffing.)
Ferguson: The hell are you doing here? Where are the others?
Barber: We walked right into a gook ambush, man. Theyre holding position in this
clearing, waiting for a MEDEVAC chopper to airlift the wounded.
Ferguson: Wounded? Who got hit?
Barber: When they opened up on us, they got Huddleston pretty good. But the
others are stabilizing him. And Schroeder (Barber is on the verge of breaking
down) Ferguson, Lieutenant Schroeders dead.
Ferguson: WHAT?!? Dammit! I knew I shouldve been out there! (Pacing back and
forth and running hands across face) Screw it, Im gonna help them out. Schroeder
cant be dead
(Ferguson pushes Barber out of the way and starts making his way to the exit stage
left, Ashman stops him.)
Ashman: EVERYONE WHOS ALREADY HERE NEEDS TO STAY. Its hell out there,
people are either staying to fight or getting outta there. (Ferguson cuts him off)
Ferguson: I NEED to go out there! (Pushes Ashman to the side)
Paul: Ferguson, calm down!
(Paul and Ashman both grab Ferguson and keep him from leaving)
Ferguson: Get your hands off me! (Voice starts breaking) Im gonna kill every
damn gook in that jungle! Let me go! You dont get it- Ive been with that bastard
since 67! Schroeder saved my ass more times than the number of fingers on my
hand! Hes not dying! Not like this!
Barber: There ain't nothing you can do thatll bring Schroeder back! You gotta pull
yourself together!
Ferguson: Dont tell me to pull myself together, you quaker! (Pushes Paul and
Ashman back) I AM CALM!
Ashman: No you aint, Ferguson. Just think clearly for a second, dammit! You CANT
go out there, Im serious. Theyre bringing in nape strikes all over the sector!
Paul: (Tense) Ashmans right, Ferguson. You gotta wait for the fast-movers to clear
out, or else youll get turned into a crisp. Nightfall, maybe. Sneak up and clean up
whatever gooks are left in the dark so he wont see you coming. Hell, Ill even go
with you. Schroeder was my friend too, and Im not gonna get any rest until we find
the gooks that took him down.
Ferguson: I guess youre right (Ferguson pauses and shuts his eyes as he thinks
for a moment, then looks back up with determination and ferocity in his voice)
Screw it, we cant wait for orders this time. Im gathering as many guys as I can and
moving out at nightfall. We burn and destroy every single one of Charlies hideouts
and villages. We kill every single dink that our fast-movers didnt turn into
barbecue.
Chorus 3:
Colonel: Two boys set off, woken with a flash of light, little did they know it would
end with the falling of ash
Nurse 1: They watch their comrades drop like rain
Onto the ground, blood spilled from their veins
Nurse 2: Seeing death makes ones mind begin to tick
Like a cuckoo clock, a trigger click
Marine: War blurs the lines of wrong and right
Its easy to let blood block ones sight
Colonel: His brother doesn't see how hard hes tried
He refuses to understand
All: the others need for pride
Scene 4:
(Ferguson and Ashman are sitting center stage. Ferguson is holding a flask. Paul
and Sam walk on.)
Paul: What's that you got in your hands?
Ferguson: Take a swig and see, boot. (Holds flask out to Paul.) Youre coming out
with us beyond with wire later, right? We need ya. The only other person who
agreed to come was Barber, since he was there when it went down.
(Paul hesitates for a moment and turns to Sam. Paul turns back to Ferguson)
Paul: Yeah. Im up for anything. (Takes the flask and takes a sip. He tries to hold it
down, he ends up coughing hard.)
Ashman: Haha, looks like the boot cant take his liquor. Youll get used to it soon,
kiddo.
Sam: Wait, Paul, why are you leaving? Shouldn't you wait for Schroeder to get
back? Its been so long but hell be back soon and- (Gets cut off by Ferguson)
Ferguson: (To Sam) Will you just shut up for five seconds!? Why dont you catch
anything? (Turns away in a fit of anger)
Paul: (To Sam) Sammy, Schroederhe died out there. (Nudges head towards the
audience.)
Sam: (Gets a sad puppy dog tone.) He- he died?
Paul: Yeah. Thats whyFerguson: Thats why were going out there, because of Schroeder. You wanna just
turn the cheek when these dinks have just killed your L-T? Were going out there
tear-ass, take names, and make Chesty proud. (pause) Okay, were going to gear
up. (Serious, doubt in his tone) Paul, are you coming?
Paul: Yeah, Im coming.
Sam: (Sam raises his hand) Oh- oh, Ill come too!
Ferguson: You kidding me? Hell no you can't come. Your dumb fumbling and baby
talks only gonna slow us down.
Sam: (Stands up tall trying to look tough) Im not a baby! I can do this! Right Paul?
Tell them. Let me come!
Paul: No Sam. I think they are right. You cant go.
Sam: What? Paul! Youre leaving me here? I dont want to be left alone!
Ferguson: (Turns to Ashman) What dumb POG (pronounced pogue) pencil-pusher
let this sad sack of shit into the Marines? Hes like an overgrown man-baby. (Pause)
Meet us by the other guys when youre ready to take this seriously, but were oscarmike asap.
Paul: Yes sirFerguson: I look like a Sir to you? I didnt realize I had bars on my jacket.
Ashman: Hey lay off a little, we got a big night ahead of us. Lets just go.
(Ferguson and Ashman exit stage left, Paul gets more furious when theyre alone)
Paul: Im not letting you go, Sam. I swear to god if you go, Ill- (Exhales) I cant
protect you out there. Youre staying put.
Sam: Please, I have to go! Paul, just let me go- I dont need you to protect me this
time! I dont wanna be alone here!
Paul: STOP! Youre so impossible! You cant come! Youll destroy everything! This is
my chance to get some respect around here and I cant have you messing it up!
Sam: (Begins to get upset) Dont leave me alone Paul! (Sam grabs Pauls arm and
starts shaking his head) I dont wanna be alone.
Paul: GET AWAY FROM ME! (Paul pushes Sam) Leave! Youre just not going to
understand! EVER. You were never cut out to be a Marine, so just let us handle this.
Sam: (Holding back tears) Schroeder wouldnt have wanted this at all. Schroeder
liked me and I liked him.
Paul: Schroeder wouldnt want you arguing with every goddamn person in this unit.
You still wanna be tough? Heres your chance to prove yourself.
Sam: But Paul, were supposed to stay together.
Paul: God, you really dont understand anything, do you?
Sam: (Anger starts to show on his face. He starts to breathe heavily. Begins to yell)
You know Paul- you dont always understand everything either! I cant be here
without you! (Runs stage left, covers face with hands starts repeating don't want to
be alone quietly to himself.)
(Paul turns towards Sam and reaches out to comfort him. Ferguson and Ashman
enter stage right. Paul immediately turns away from Sam)
Ferguson: Paul, you ready to go? Daylights gonna be on us if we dont move soon.
Paul: (Glances at Sam, then back at Ferguson) Yeah, lets do this.
Ferguson: (Looks at the watch on his wrist) Now the only one were waiting on is
Barber Where the hell is he?
(Barber enters stage right)
Ferguson: There you are, finally. Did you slip and fall into one of the latrines or
something?
Barber: (Sarcastic) Yeah, haha. Sarge, I seriously dont think this is a good idea. VC
activity around here has been going up and comms are always clogged up during
the day by guys that are getting shot to pieces. Something just doesnt feel rightFerguson: Whatever, man. Dont listen to that stuff, it dont mean a thing. Tet is in
a couple of days, so Charlies bound to be settling down and taking it easy. They
new years holiday is more important to them than this war.
Barber: Alright, fine. Ill go with you, but I still think this is a bad call.
(Ashmanand Ferguson exit stage left. Pauls takes a deep breath, Barber walks up to
Paul)
Barber: Is he okay?
Paul: Hell be fine. (Exits stage left with Barber)
Chorus 4:
(Walk out from stage left and right and stand in a line.)
Marine: They didnt understand, at least not each other
Pretending its okay because they are brothers
Nurse 2: Burdened by promise, embarrassment, shame
impatient, yet loving,
All: His brother he blames.
Colonel: His brother wouldnt understand
that without him there he couldnt be a man
Nurse 1: But even with knowing his brothers pains
He only thinks of his own gain.
Exodus:
(Everyone is slowly walking onto stage, combat ready. Completely silent. Ferguson
is in the lead followed by Barber, Ashman, and Paul.)
Ferguson: (Quietly) Wait a minute (Holds his hand up in a fist, then everyone
stops walking. Makes a downward motion with a flat hand, everyone crouches)
Barber, lemme see that map.
Barber: (Hands Ferguson map) Whats up?
Ferguson: I think we missed our target. Dammit! We shouldve hit this village here
(points on the map) by now. Schroeder thought one of Charlies weapon caches
mightve been hidden in it
Paul: Theres nothing out here, huh? Weve been out here for hours n we havent
seen a single gook! Whered they all go?
(Distant explosions added to ambient noises)
Ashman: (Pulls his gun up, as if hes ready to get into a firefight) Sounds like
somethings going down somewhere.
(Noise of loud rustling/movement through the bushes. All the Marines point their
rifles to the left stage entrance. Dotson enters stage right)
Paul: (Wipes tears from his face) Its all my fault, dammit. Hes like a child!
Everyone knows that! I never should have left him alone! This is all my fault. He
wanted to come with us! God, why the hell didnt I just let him come?! I told him
hed be safe!
Dotson: Stop it- youre lucky enough to be alive. You wanna trade places with him?
You can try but it wont bring his ass back from the dead. You cant dwell on it man.
You cant dwell on any of it. It dont mean a thing, right?
Paul: It dont mean a thing?! It doesnt mean a thing to you! Screw you! Why does
everyone just push it all away? Im done with trying. It does mean something to me
and I know it did to Sammy.
Dotson: Get your shit together, (Picks up Adams rifle off the ground) This stuff
happens every day, weve all lost brothers. We still got a war to fight! (Calmer) Guys
like us cant afford to keep this on our shoulders, itll just get everyone around you
killed. (Slams Adams rifle into his arms) You gonna do your job or am I gonna have
to leave your ass in this jungle?
(Adams takes the rifle and follows Dotson offstage)
Resolution:
(A giant American flag is hung covering the backdrop, and a podium is placed at
center stage. COPIES OF THE RESOLUTION MONOLOGUES ARE ON PODIUM. The
Colonel walks up to the podium with a prepared speech in hand. Paul is standing to
the side wearing a suit, listening to the speech. Chorus members are onstage
listening.)
Colonel: As the war comes to a close, we do our best to pick up the pieces that
these valiant men left behind. Today, we remember Lance Corporal Sam Adams,
Third Battalion Third Marines, for his valor in combat and the conviction of his
character. Him and half his company lost their lives defending their post at the Khe
Sanh Combat Base. They were severely outnumbered, but they chose to stay and
fight. For these actions, we award Lance Corporal Sam with the Silver Star Medal.
(Applause from the audience) We must never forget men like Sam, for these are the
men. They are lost to us, but not forgotten.
(Paul walks up to colonel and takes award and then freezes. Chorus stands and
walks to center stage.)
Marine: Two boys set off, with dreams and hope
Which hate and war tattered and broke
Colonel: A brother with love turned his back
He never suspected a treacherous attack
Nurse 1: Two boys set off to this vicious war
One boy returns, beaten and sore.
The End
Directors Note
Id like to dedicate this script and play to the men and women of America
that have previously served in any branch of the Armed Forces and are
serving.
Without people like them, this wouldnt have been possible.
Next,
Id like to thank the hard work and dedication of my peers for helping me
edit, revise, produce, and overall bring this dream to life.
These true heroes dont go above and beyond for awards, medals, trophies,
applause, or appreciation.
They do it because they know that no one else will.
They may be unseen, unheard of, and unsungbut they are not forgotten.