The Body of A Woman As A Battlefield in The Bosnian War

THE BODY OF A WOMAN
AS A BATTLEFIELD IN THE BOSNIAN WAR

by
Matei Visniec
Translated fr! t"e Frenc" by
Alisn Sinclair
#"aracters
KATE
DORRA
1
#$yri%"t &'() by Matei Visniec
All $erfr!ance ri%"ts* incl+din% $rfessinal* a!ate+r* stc,* !tin
$ict+re* radi* tele-isin* recitatin* $+blic readin%* etc. are strictly
reser-ed. All in/+iries s"+ld be addressed t t"e a+t"r0s a%ent1
SA#D 2Sci3t3 des A+te+rs et #!$site+rs Dra!ati/+es4
&& bis* r+e Ball+* )566' 7aris* France
Tel. 88 9 264& :6 ;8 :: :: Fa<. 88 9 264& :6 ;8 :5 5(
E9!ail1 ds-=sacd.fr
First $erfr!ed at t"e Studio des Champs Elyses, 7aris* N-e!ber &'')
directed by Mic"el Fa%ada+
Ori%inal title in Frenc"1
DU SEXE DE LA FEMME COMME CHAMP DE BATALLE DA!S
LA "UE##E E! BOS!E
$pu%lished %y ACTES SUD PAPE#S, Pa&is, F&a'(e )**+,
2
S#ENE &
KATE reads extracts from her diary.
KATE: Slavonski Brod Hospital, Croatia, May 199! (A beat.)
"n int#r$#t%ni& 'ars, t%# (ody o) a 'o*an (#&o*#s a (attl#)i#ld!
+itn#ss E,rop# at t%# #nd o) t%# t'#nti#t% &#nt,ry! T%# p#nis o) t%#
*od#rn )i-%t#r is soak#d in t%# s&r#a*s o) rap#d 'o*#n, .,st as t%#
kni-%t/s (lad# 'as on&# soak#d in t%# (lood o) %is #n#*y! (A beat.)
An att#*pt to apply psy&%oanalyti&al &on&#pts to t%# a,topsy o) %orror!
T%is int#r$#t%ni& viol#n&# &o,ld p#r%aps (# (#tt#r ,nd#rstood (y t%#
,s# o) 0r#,dian t#r*s! C#rtain 0r#,dian notions t%at (#lon- to t%#
'orld o) pri*al ,r-#s, &an s%#d *or# li-%t on t%is 'orld o) nationalist
viol#n&# t%an a *or# &onv#ntional t#r*inolo-y!
S## i) t%# )ollo'in- &on&#pts &an (#tt#r #1plain t%# so,r&#s o) #t%ni&
viol#n&# in Bosnia:
2ationalisti& li(ido!
3i(idino,s nationalis*!
"n)antil# #t%ni& sadis*!
T%# )antasy 'orld o) a national *inority!
2ationalist n#,rosis!
2ar&issisti& n#,rosis o) t%# #t%ni& *a.ority!
O(s#ssiv# n#,rosis o) t%# #t%ni& *inority!
T%# nationalisti& i*p#rativ#: t%# ,r-# to do*inat#, t%# ,r-# to t%r#at#n,
t%# ,r-# to d#stroy!
S#ENE ;
KATE enters DORRAs room. DORRA sits motionless on a chair. She stares
vacantly.
KATE: H#llo!
DORRA: 4
5
KATE: "t/s *#, Kat#!
DORRA: 4
KATE: "t/s a (#a,ti),l day!
DORRA: 4
KATE: So*# p#opl# ar# 'alkin- in t%# -ard#n!
DORRA: 4
KATE: ") yo,/d lik# to -o into t%# -ard#n, "/ll &o*# 'it% yo,!
DORRA: 4
KATE: "/* not askin- yo, to talk to *#!
DORRA: 4
KATE: B,t, i) yo,/d lik# to -o into t%# -ard#n, "/ll &o*# 'it% yo,!
DORRA: 4
KATE: Or yo, &o,ld -o (y yo,rs#l) i) yo,/d pr#)#r!
DORRA: 4
KATE: Do '%at#v#r yo, lik#!
DORRA: 4
KATE: "/* -oin- to op#n a 'indo'!
DORRA: 4
KATE: Can yo, )##l t%# Sprin-6
S#ENE 8
KATE reads from extracts from her diary.
KATE: Do(o. Ca*p, Bosnia, 7,n# 199! (A beat.)
Ar# t%os# #t%ni& -ro,ps '%o %av# n#v#r %ad t%#ir o'n nation stat#
*ost v,ln#ra(l# to s,&% atro&ity6 Ar# t%#y *or# at risk t%an ot%#rs o)
(#&o*in- &a,-%t ,p in t%# pri*itiv# sadis*6
A*a8in- parall#ls #1ist (#t'##n nationalisti& sadis*, and 0r#,d/s
d#s&ription o) in)antil# sadis*! (A beat.)
Do *#*(#rs o) #t%ni& -ro,ps '%o %av# n#v#r %ad t%#ir o'n nation
stat# r#a&t in a si*ilar 'ay to t%os# p#opl# '%o %av# n#v#r
s,(li*at#d t%#ir s#1,al ,r-#s6
0irst t%o,-%t: t%# *ani)#stations o) nationalisti& )r,stration %av# *,&%
in &o**on 'it% t%# *ani)#stations o) s#1,al )r,stration! 0ollo'in-
t%is lo-i&, t%# nationalist #1plosion &o,ld (# analys#d )ro* a 0r#,dian
p#rsp#&tiv#, as an ,r-# (orn )r,stration! (A beat.)
S## i) t%# )ollo'in- &on&#pts &an #1plain so*#t%in-:
9ro'in- an1i#ty in t%# #t%ni& -ro,p!
2ationalist #1plosion! 2ationalist d#pr#ssion! D#pr#ssiv# nationalis*!
T%# n#,roti& p%o(ia o) #t%ni& -ro,ps '%o s%ar# t%# sa*# t#rritory!
T%# n#,rosis o) d#stiny and t%# n#,rosis o) )ail,r#!
T%# #t%ni& n#,rosis o) a(andon*#nt!
S#ENE :
KATE enters Dorras room.
KATE: " kno' yo, &an %#ar *#!
DORRA: 4
KATE: " )##l yo, &an %#ar *#!
DORRA: 4
KATE: T%at/s '%y "/* talkin- to yo,!
DORRA: 4
KATE: B#&a,s# " kno' yo, &an %#ar *#!
DORRA: 4
KATE: "/* not askin- yo, to ans'#r *#!
DORRA: 4
KATE: "/* not askin- anyt%in-!
DORRA: 4
KATE: "/* Kat#!
DORRA: 4
KATE: :o,/r# Dorra!
DORRA: 4
KATE: H#llo, Dorra!
DORRA: 4
KATE: "/* Kat#! H#llo Dorra!
DORRA: 4
KATE: "t;s a pr#tty na*#, Dorra!
DORRA: 4
KATE: +%at 'o,ld yo, lik# )or l,n&%6
DORRA: 4
KATE: +o,ld yo, lik# *# to r#ad t%# *#n,6
DORRA: 4
KATE: T%#r#/s so,p4 8,&&%ini so,p4 &r#a* o) v#-#ta(l# so,p4 &a((a-#
lasa-n#4 " lik# so,p! ";* no totally v#-#tarian, (,t " do lik#
v#-#ta(l# so,ps4 "/ll l#av# t%# *#n, )or yo, %#r# on t%# ta(l#! :o,
&an ti&k o)) t%# dis% yo,/d lik#4 And t%# d#ss#rt4 "s t%at okay,
Dorra6
DORRA: 4
KATE: 9ood(y#, Dorra!
<
S#ENE 5
KATE reads extracts from her diary.
KATE: Modri&a, Bosnia, A,-,st 199! (A beat.)
And '%at i) nationalis* is not%in- (,t a s,i&idal i*p,ls#6
Ar# t%#r# nationaliti#s *or# dispos#d to *#lan&%olia6
2ationalisti& %yst#ria! Mass %yst#ria! D#)#nsiv# #t%ni& %yst#ria!
"d#nti)yin- 'it% t%# a--r#ssor! (A beat.)
T%# )r,strations o) %istory! T%# distortion o) a dr#a*! 2ations on t%#
(rink o) disint#-ration! T%# (r#ak$,p o) s#l)!
T%# s#1,al i*p,ls# and nationalisti& li(ido &an (# ,s#),l &on&#pts
'%#n '# try to ,nd#rstand t%# in&id#nts o) rap# t%at tak# pla&# in
#t%ni& 'ars!
A portrait o) today/s Balkan =soldi#r>! 3it#rat#, #d,&at#d, o)t#n to t%#
l#v#l o) %i-% s&%ool &#rti)i&at#, #v#n &oll#-#! 0as&inat#d (y '#st#rn
'#alt%! His dr#a*: to *ov# to 9#r*any or t%# Stat#s! H# sp#aks a
littl# En-lis%, &an -#t (y in 9#r*an, kno's a )#' 'ords o) "talian and
0r#n&%, &an %av# a prop#r &onv#rsation in R,ssian! H# &an (#
o(no1io,s? %# &an (# *#lan&%oli&! H#/s anti$&o**,nist, (,t also ),ll
o) nostal-ia )or t%# &o**,nist past (#&a,s# it 'as =sta(l#>! Drinks a
lot: anyt%in- %# &an -#t %is %ands on! H# )##ls d#pr#ss#d '%#n %# %as
to ad*it to %i*s#l) t%at %# %as no &o,ntry, %# %asn/t (##n -iv#n a
&o,ntry, p#opl# %av# stol#n %is &o,ntry )ro* %i*, t%#y/v# o&&,pi#d
%is &o,ntry, a*p,tat#d %is &o,ntry, %,*iliat#d %is &o,ntry! And t%#
+#st is al'ays to (la*#: t%# +#st %as )or-ott#n %i*, t%# +#st %asn/t
k#pt its pro*is#s, t%# +#st %as (#tray#d %i*, t%# +#st is a '%or#!
H# )i-%ts in t%# na*# o) %is p#opl#, '%o %av# n#v#r %ad a &o,ntry! B,t,
%# do#sn/t r#ally kno' '%o %is #n#*y is! H# do#sn/t %av# a &l#arly
d#)in#d (attl#)i#ld!
3#t/s s## i) t%#s# &on&#pts &an #1plain so*#t%in-:
S##kin- r#),-# in %orror!
0r,stration in%#rit#d )ro* %is an&#stors!
T%# )antasy 'orld o) t%# =soldi#r>!
@
T%# =soldi#r> )inally )inds %is id#al &onditions in )r,stration and, so, in
'ar! T%is is #1a&tly 0r#,d/s analysis in t%# &as# o) )r,strat#d s,(.#&ts
'%o (#&o*# ill .,st at t%at pr#&is# *o*#nt '%#n t%#y a&%i#v# t%#
o(.#&t o) t%#ir d#sir#!
S#ENE >
!i"ht. DORRA is alone# c$rled $% in her bed# $nder the blan&et.
DORRA: " %at# yo,! " %at# yo,! " %at# yo,! " %at# yo,! " %at# yo,! " %at# yo,!
" %at# yo,! " %at# yo,! " %at# yo,! " %at# yo,! " %at# yo,! " %at# yo,!
" %at# yo,! " %at# yo,! " %at# yo,4
She is silent for a moment. Then she sits $%# "ets o$t of bed# crosses the room#
"oes to the bathroom# t$rns on the ta%# %o$rs herself a "lass of 'ater and
drin&s it. She "oes bac& to bed and covers herself 'ith the blan&et.
DORRA: " %at# yo,! " %at# yo,! " %at# yo,! " %at# yo,! " %at# yo,! " %at# yo,!
" %at# yo,! " %at# yo,! " %at# yo,! " %at# yo,! " %at# yo,! " %at# yo,!
" %at# yo,! " %at# yo,! " %at# yo,! " %at# yo,4
S#ENE )
KATE enters DORRAs room.
KATE: O(s#rvation n,*(#r 1! T%# s,(.#&t is s,))#rin- )ro* tra,*ati&
n#,rosis! "n 9#r*an, t%is is &all#d tra,*atis&%# 2#,ros#? in 0r#n&%,
n#vros# tra,*atiA,#? in "talian, n#vrosa tra,*ati&a! T%# root &a,s# o)
t%is tra,*a is t%# rap# to '%i&% s%# 'as s,(.#&t#d a(o,t t'o '##ks
a-o! "t 'o,ld app#ar t%at t%#r# 'as no n#,rolo-i&al %ar* don#!
T%# stat# o) t%# s,(.#&t: *#ntal &on),sion, p#r*an#nt #1%a,stion,
tra,*ati& paralysis! T%# s,(.#&t do#sn/t r#spond to any #1t#rnal
sti*,li! H#r d#t#r*in#d r#),sal to ans'#r *y A,#stions *ak#s *#
t%ink t%at s%# ,nd#rstands #v#ryt%in- " say!
S#ENE (
DORRA &neels# as if %rayin". She s%ea&s in a ($iet voice.
B
DORRA: " %at# yo,4 " %at# yo,4 " %at# yo,4
2o, don/t t#ll *# t%at ti*# %#als #v#ryt%in-! " don/t (#li#v# t%at ti*# &an
%#al #v#ryt%in-! Ti*# &an/t %#al 'o,nds t%at ar# ,n%#ala(l#! "t .,st
&an/t! Ti*# &an only do '%at ti*# &an do? not%in- *or#!
2o, 3ord, yo, &an/t d#liv#r ,s )ro* #vil!
2o, 3ord, yo, &an/t -iv# ,s o,r daily (r#ad!
2o, 3ord, yo, &an/t )or-iv# ,s o,r tr#spass#s (#&a,s# '# don/t ask to
(# )or-iv#n, (#&a,s# '# &an/t )or-iv# yo,!
2o, 3ord, '# &an/t a&&#pt yo,r 'ill (# don#, (#&a,s# yo,r 'ill (rin-s
only (lood and )ir# and *adn#ss!
2o, 3ord, yo, ar# not t%# tr,t%, (#&a,s# tr,t% %as (##n *,rd#r#d,
tr,t% %as (##n (,ri#d alon- 'it% %#av#n, '%i&% is d#ad lik# yo,?
(#&a,s# yo,r %o,s#, 3ord, is no' a %o,s# o) t%# d#ad, y#s, a %o,s# o)
t%# d#ad!
2o, 3ord, t%# #vil do#s 'ill n#v#r (# p,nis%#d and '%at/s *or# t%#y 'ill
-o on to in%#rit t%# #art%!
2o, 3ord, t%#r# is no vi&tory o) -ood ov#r #vil, o) t%# '#ak ov#r t%#
stron-, o) t%# poor ov#r t%# ri&%, o) t%# (#li#v#r ov#r t%# non$(#li#v#r,
o) li)# ov#r d#at%, o) (#a,ty ov#r ,-lin#ss4
2o, 3ord, " &annot d#s&ri(# *y s,))#rin-!
2o, " don/t (#li#v# t%at '# &an sp#ak a(o,t #v#ryt%in-!
" don/t (#li#v# t%at '# &an ,nd#rstand #v#ryt%in-!
" don/t (#li#v# t%at t%#r# is s#ns# in #v#ryt%in- '# %#ar!
" don/t (#li#v# t%at t%#r# is any s#ns# in '%at " a* sayin-!
S#ENE '
KATE stands by DORRAs bed.
KATE: O(s#rvation n,*(#r 2! T%# s,(.#&t is s,))#rin- an alt#ration o) t%# #-o!
"n 9#r*an, t%is is &all#d "&%v#rCnd#r,n-? in 0r#n&%, altDration d,
*oi? in "talian, *odi)i&a8ion# d#ll/io!
T%# s,(.#&t s##ks r#),-# in sil#n&# and o))#rs positiv# r#sistan&# to #v#ry
att#*pt at &o**,ni&ation )ro* t%# o,tsid# 'orld! T%is (#%avio,r is
si*ply a d#)#n&# *#&%anis*! Ev#ry att#*pt to &o**,ni&at# 'it% %#r
is p#r&#iv#d (y t%# s,(.#&t as an a&t o) a--r#ssion! 0or %#r, t%# rap#
&ontin,#s!
S#ENE &6
E
DORRA# alone) ni"ht. She "ets $%# "oes to the bathroom# t$rns on the ta%# fills
a "lass of 'ater. She loo&s at herself in the mirror. She 'ashes her face. She
sin"s to herself. The 'ords are *$st abo$t a$dible.
KATE enters. Thro$"ho$t the follo'in" monolo"$e DORRA contin$es to loo&
at herself in the mirror and to sin".
KATE: (To the a$dience) Co**,nis*: t%# )or&# t%at o(li-#d #v#ryon# to (#
=(rot%#rs> is a ti*#$(o*(? t%is is t%# r#al po'd#r$k#- in t%# Balkans,
o,t o) '%i&% %as -ro'n t%is national )r,stration! "t/s t%# 0r#,dian
r#v#n-# o) p#opl#s '%o %av# n#v#r %ad a &o,ntry to &all t%#ir o'n!
2o'%#r# do#s t%is #t%ni& %at# *ani)#st its#l) *or# stron-ly t%an in
t%# n#' =(attl#)i#ld>! And '%at pr#&is#ly is t%is n#' (attl#)i#ld )or
t%is n#' =soldi#r>6 "t is t%# (ody o) t%# 'i)# o) %is #1$n#i-%(o,r, t%#
(ody o) t%# 'i)# o) %is old s&%ool*at#, t%# (ody o) t%# 'i)# o) %is
(#st )ri#nd '%o* )or n#arly %al) a &#nt,ry %# %as &all#d =(rot%#r>!
T%# (ody o) a 'o*an '%o is %is #t%ni& #n#*y (#&o*#s a (attl#)i#ld
in its o'n ri-%t, and %# t%r,sts %i*s#l) into it r#-ardin- rap# as a
'#apon o) 'ar! A 'o*an/s (ody sy*(olis#s r#sistan&#, and t%#
*od#rn Balkan =soldi#r> rap#s t%# 'i)# o) %is #t%ni& #n#*y in ord#r
to s*as% t%at r#sistan&# and to strik# a c+$ de %r?ce at t%is #n#*y!
0or %i*, rap# %as t%# tast# o) total vi&tory! H# do#sn/t %av# to #1pos#
%i*s#l) to t%# dan-#rs o) (,ll#ts, s%#lls or tanks! H# *#r#ly %as to
#1pos# %i*s#l) to t%# s&r#a*s o) a 'o*an, and t%#s# only inspir# %i*
to s#rv# %is &o,ntry to %is last (r#at%! "n today/s #t%ni& &on)li&ts, rap#
is a kind o) (lit8kri#-? and not%in- &an d#sta(ilis# t%# #n#*y *or#
t%an t%# rap# o) %is 'o*#n!
Havin- s#&,r#d s%#lt#r )or %is o'n 'i)#, da,-%t#r, *ot%#r and sist#r,
t%# =soldi#r> -o#s in p,rs,it o) %is #n#*y/s 'i)#, da,-%t#r, *ot%#r
and sist#r? (#&a,s# today/s =soldi#r> pr#)#rs to d#stroy t%# so,r&#s o)
%is #n#*y/s str#n-t% rat%#r t%an %av# a )a&# to )a&# &on)rontation 'it%
t%at #n#*y! And, %# kno's '%at t%#s# so,r&#s ar#! B#&a,s# on&# %#
'as t%# n#i-%(o,r o) %is #n#*y, %# kno's all t%# *#*(#rs o) %is
#n#*y/s )a*ily, %# kno's %is #n#*y/s %a(its! "n s%ort, %is #n#*y
%avin- on&# (##n %is =(rot%#r>, %# kno's t%at t%# 'o*#n
s,rro,ndin- %i* ar# at on# and t%# sa*# ti*# %is #n#*y/s so,r&# o)
-r#at#st str#n-t%, and also o) -r#at#st '#akn#ss!
Mor# t%an %al) o) t%# 'o*#n rap#d in #t%ni& 'ars ar# vi&ti*s o)
a--r#ssors '%o* t%#y kno' p#rsonally, or '%os# pat%s t%#y %av#
&ross#d )r#A,#ntly 'it%in a radi,s o) @F kilo*#tr#s or l#ss! Aro,nd
9
%al) t%# 'o*#n '%o* '# '#r# a(l# to A,#stion stat# t%at t%# *#n
'%o rap#d t%#* &a*# )ro* t%# sa*# villa-#, or )ro* a n#i-%(o,rin-
villa-#! Al*ost a A,art#r o) t%# 'o*#n '# A,#stion#d ar# a(l# to -iv#
t%# na*#, or na*#s, o) t%#ir violators! "t s##*s t%at *any 'o*#n,
*arri#d to *#n )ro* a di))#r#nt #t%ni& -ro,p, '#r# rap#d (y *#n o)
t%# sa*# #t%ni& -ro,p as t%#*s#lv#s, as p,nis%*#nt )or #nt#rin- into
a *i1#d *arria-#!
So, t%#s# =soldi#rs> don/t rap# )or ani*al pl#as,r#, or o,t o) s#1,al
)r,stration! 0or t%#*, rap# is a )or* o) *ilitary strat#-y ai*#d at
d#*oralisin- t%# #n#*y! "n today/s #t%ni& 'ars, rap# ),l)ils t%# sa*#
p,rpos# as t%# d#str,&tion o) t%# #n#*y/s %o,s#s, %is pla&#s o)
'ors%ip, %is &,lt,ral %#rita-# and %is val,#s!
S#ENE &&
KATE enters DORRAs room. DORRA sits motionless on her chair.
KATE H#llo, Dorra!
DORRA: 4
KATE: "t/s *#, Kat#!
DORRA: 4
KATE: T%#y/v# lit a (i- )ir# in t%# dra'in- roo*!
DORRA: 4
KATE: +o,ld yo, lik# to -o do'n6
DORRA: 4
KATE: ") yo,/d lik# to -o do'n, yo, kno' yo,/d (# v#ry '#l&o*#!
DORRA: 4
KATE: Do yo, lik# an op#n )ir#6
DORRA: 4
KATE: " t%ink it/s r#ally (#a,ti),l!
DORRA: 4
KATE: +#/r# all do'n t%#r#!
DORRA: 4
KATE: Do &o*# do'n i) yo,/d lik#!
DORRA: 4
KATE: Or, i) yo,/d rat%#r " stay 'it% yo, %#r#, .,st say!
DORRA: 4
KATE: :o, %av# a littl# (#ll %#r#, Dorra! ") yo,/d lik# *# to &o*# ,p and sit
'it% yo,, .,st rin-! OK6
DORRA: 4
KATE: "/* not a do&tor, Dorra! "/* not %#r# as a do&tor! "/* not %#r# to
)or&# yo, to -#t (#tt#r!
1F
DORRA: 4
KATE: "/* %#r# (#&a,s# " n##d yo,!
DORRA: 4
KATE: By#$(y# t%#n, Dorra!
S#ENE &;
DORRA: (To the a$dience)T%# Balkans, it/s lik# t%is: an #*otional ti*#$(o*(!
"n t%# Balkans, '# r#ally kno' %o' to drink! H#y, '# %av#n/t s##n
#a&% ot%#r )or t%r## '##ks, t%at/s a lon- ti*#, t%at/s ,n(#ara(l#, so
l#t/s -o and %av# a drink! And yo, drink till t%# s*all %o,rs! B#&a,s#
$ in t%# Balkans, i) yo,/r# *at#s $ yo, &an/t (#ar not to s## #a&% ot%#r
)or t%r## '%ol# '##ks! Any #1&,s# to (oo8# till )iv# in t%# *ornin-!
Hav#n/t s##n yo, )or a '##k? o%, d#ar? t%at/s a lon- ti*#? l#t/s -o and
%av# a drink! And yo, drink till *idni-%t! To *ak# t%# s#paration o)
)ri#nds (#ara(l#, yo, %av# to drink, .,st a (it, #v#ry sin-l# day! So,
t%# t%in- to do is to -o drinkin- #v#ry day a)t#r 'ork, )ro* a(o,t @
o/&lo&k till a(o,t 1F o/&lo&k? t%#n it/s OK, t%#n yo, &an -o %o*#, and
sp#nd a )#' *in,t#s 'it% t%# kids! Or 'it% yo,r 'i)#! :o,r 'i)# '%o
is not%in- (,t a &%ild(#arin- *a&%in#! T%# only t%in- s%# kno's is
%o' to na- %#r %,s(and )ro* t%# *o*#nt %# &o*#s in! And t%at/s
'%y t%# %,s(and &o*#s %o*# lat# and -o#s o,t #arly! "n t%#
*ornin-s, %# %as a %an-ov#r! T%at/s r#ally t%# (#st *o*#nt )or %is
'i)# to %av# a -o at %i*! "n t%# #v#nin-s, s%# do#sn/t dar# say too
*,&%! "n t%# #v#nin-s, a s#ns# o) %ono,r is v#ry stron- in Balkan
*an! "n t%# #v#nin-s, i) %is 'i)# ov#rst#ps t%# *ark 'it% %#r
na--in-, %#/ll .,st -#t an-ry and kno&k (a&k anot%#r (ottl#! Or t'o!
Or t%r##! B#&a,s#, in t%# #v#nin-s, %avin- sp#nt ti*# drinkin- 'it%
%is )ri#nds, Balkan *an s,dd#nly (#&o*#s sad! His so,l )##ls pain!
H# (#-ins to -#t o(s#ss#d and tort,r#d (y -r#at *#tap%ysi&al
A,#stions! :o, don/t ,nd#rstand t%# )irst t%in- a(o,t %istory, *y
d#ar! 2o, s%# do#sn/t ,nd#rstand anyt%inat all! S%# do#sn/t
,nd#rstand t%at %#r *an %as (##n str,&k (y a *#lan&%olia pass#d
do'n to %i* (y %is an&#stors! S%# do#sn/t ,nd#rstand '%y %#
s,dd#nly starts to A,#stion t%# *#anin- o) li)#! +%#r# do '# &o*#
)ro*6 +%#r# ar# '# -oin-6 T%# 'orld is a s%it$%ol#? a *#anin-l#ss
s%it$%ol#! "n t%# #v#nin-, %avin- kno&k#d (a&k s#v#ral do8#n (ottl#s
o) (##r 'it% %is )ri#nds, Balkan *an starts to d#spair at t%# s%##r
inad#A,a&y o) lan-,a-#! All %# &an do is piss and &ry! H# piss#s t#ars
o) an1i#ty, t#ars o) sorro', t#ars )or t%# %#lpl#ssn#ss o) %,*ankind in
t%# )a&# o) t%# *yst#ry o) t%# ,niv#rs#! And %#/s -oin- to vo*it,
11
t%o,-% not .,st y#t, not till aro,nd 5 in t%# *ornin-, '%#n t%# pain in
%is %#ad (#&o*#s ,n(#ara(l# (#&a,s# t%os# (astards %av# *ad# t%#
(##r 'it% rott#n *alt! (DORRA becomes +,al&an man-.) And in t%#
'orld o) (,sin#ss, #v#ry(ody/s a &rook, a s'indl#r! ") yo, 'ant a
d#&#nt (##r, it %as to (# )or#i-n! And #v#n t%#n, yo, %av# to *ak#
a(sol,t#ly s,r# t%at t%# la(#ls %av#n/t (##n )ak#d! B#&a,s#
#v#ryt%in- is )ak# no'adays! T%at/s '%y t%is &o,ntry 'ill n#v#r -#t
o,t o) t%# %ol# it/s in! B#&a,s# #v#ry(ody/s a &rook, a s'indl#r!
T%#y/v# )ak#d o,r %istory, t%#y/v# )ak#d o,r ),t,r#, '# don/t stand a
&%an&#, '#/v# *iss#d t%# (oat, '#/r# t%# s&,* o) E,rop#, '#/r# a
nation o) -ypsi#s, '# don/t #v#n kno' '%#r# '# r#ally &o*# )ro*,
'#/v# n#v#r (##n )r##! +#/v# n#v#r %ad a prop#r &o,ntry, '#/v#
n#v#r (##n ind#p#nd#nt, '#/ll n#v#r )r## o,rs#lv#s o) &o**,nis*,
&o**,nis* %as &%an-#d ,s do'n to t%# v#ry *arro', '# don/t4
(+,al&an man- vomits.) Aaaar-%4 (.a$se. DORRA becomes
herself a"ain.) At 5 in t%# *ornin-, %# lays %is %#ad on %is 'i)#/s
(r#ast! H# n##ds %#r 'ar*t%, %# n##ds %#r to &ar#ss %i* '%il# %#
s%#ds %is (itt#r, trans&#nd#ntal, &os*i& t#ars4 H# lays %is %#ad on
%is 'i)#/s (r#ast (#&a,s# t%is (r#ast, so 'ar* and s'##t and
'#l&o*in-, r#*inds %i* o) %is *ot%#r4 O%, %is *ot%#r, t%# only
p#rson in t%# '%ol# 'orld '%o al'ays ,nd#rstood %i*, '%o al'ays
lov#d %i*, '%o al'ays %ad )ait% in %i*4 "n t%# ar*s o) %is 'i)#
Gt%o,-% %# t%inks s%#/s a (it&%H %# %op#s to )ind t%# s#&,rity %# )#lt
n#stl#d in t%# ar*s o) %is *ot%#r! And %is so,l is (l##din-, (#&a,s#
%# %asn/t s##n %is *ot%#r sin&# %is sist#r/s '#ddin-, (#&a,s# %is
*ot%#r %as -ro'n old, (#&a,s# %is *ot%#r is )ar a'ay, (#&a,s# %is
*ot%#r %as (##n d#ad )or t'o y#ars, (#&a,s# %is *ot%#r %as (##n
d#ad )or t#n y#ars, (#&a,s# %is *ot%#r l#)t %i* '%#n %# 'as only
)iv#4 Do yo, r#alis# '%at kind o) a &%ild%ood " %ad6 D#priv#d o) a
*ot%#r/s lov# )ro* t%# a-# o) )iv#6 (DORRA once a"ain becomes
+,al&an man-.) Do yo,6 S%it, yo, don/t ,nd#rstand at all, yo, don/t
&ar#, all yo, 'ant to do is tak# *y pay pa&k#t #v#ry '##k and s%,t
*# ,p in t%is %o,s#4 (/han"e of tone.) :#s, at 5 in t%# *ornin-,
Balkan *an is a )ra-il# &r#at,r#, on# yo, %av# to d#al 'it% -#ntly,
ot%#r'is# %is so,l 'ill (# in dan-#r o) (r#akin- into a t%o,sand
pi#&#s! B,t %is 'i)# &an -#t at %i* lat#r, '%#n %#/s -#ttin- r#ady )or
'ork, as %# s%av#s l#t%ar-i&ally in )ront o) t%# *irror in '%i&% %#
do#sn/t #v#n r#&o-nis# %i*s#l)! T%at/s '%#n s%# &an -#t at %i*! 3ook
at yo,, yo,/r# ,nr#&o-nisa(l#, yo, no lon-#r #v#n r#&o-nis#
yo,rs#l)4 3ook at t%# stat# yo,/r# in, look at t%# stat# yo, &a*#
%o*# in, look at yo,r s%irt, look at yo,r tro,s#rs all torn, look at t%#
stains, '%y ar# yo, doin- t%is to *#, *# and t%# &%ildr#n, yo, don/t
&ar# do yo,, '%y, '%y ar# yo, doin- t%is to *#6 B#&a,s# o) %is
%an-ov#r %# )inds it %ard to ans'#r, in )a&t %# do#sn/t ans'#r! H#/s in
12
a st,por, as i) in a (,((l# s#paratin- %i* )ro* t%# o,tsid# 'orld!
T%#n %# drinks a &o))##, v#ry (la&k and v#ry stron-, (,t %# do#sn/t
#at anyt%in- (#&a,s# '%#n yo,/v# -ot a %an-ov#r lik# t%at yo, &an/t
)a&# #atin-4 And t%#n %# -o#s o)) to 'ork 'it%o,t sayin- a 'ord,
'it%o,t lookin- at %is 'i)#, %ardly #v#n lookin- at %is &%ildr#n,
#1tr#*#ly ,n&o*)orta(l# in t%# s%irt %is 'i)# %as *ad# %i* p,t on, all
&l#an and )r#s%ly iron#d! All day t%is &l#an s%irt 'ill (# %is 'i)#/s
sil#nt r#proa&%, a r#proa&% t%at s%# %as st,&k to %is skin, %#avy to
(#ar, i*possi(l# to )or-#t, a sort o) &a-# '%i&% 'ill r#*ind %i* 'it%
#v#ry *ov# %# *ak#s t%at %# is a prison#r )or li)# and t%at %# %as all
t%os# *o,t%s to )##d, not l#ast %is o'n!
S#ENE &8
DORRA# KATE
DORRA: Do yo, 'ant *# to t#ll yo, %o' " 'as rap#d6
KATE: 2o, Dorra!
DORRA: :#s yo, do, yo, 'ant *# to t#ll yo, %o' t%#y rap#d *#!
KATE: 2o, Dorra, " don/t 'ant yo, to t#ll *# anyt%inat all!
DORRA: :#s yo, do, yo, 'ant *# to t#ll yo, in d#tail %o' t%#y rap#d *#!
KATE: 2o, Dorra, " don/t!
DORRA: :#s yo, do, it/s )or yo,r r#port!
KATE: "/* not *akin- a r#port, Dorra!
DORRA: :#s yo, ar#, yo,/r# *akin- a r#port )or t%# Boston Isy&%iatri&
Clini&!
KATE: 2o, Dorra, "/* not *akin- a r#port )or t%# Boston Isy&%iatri&
Clini&!
DORRA: B,t yo, do 'ork )or t%# &lini&! And yo,/r# A*#ri&an! And yo,/r#
&all#d Kat#!
KATE: " a* A*#ri&an, and " a* &all#d Kat#, (,t "/* not *akin- a r#port
)or t%# Boston Isy&%iatri& Clini&!
DORRA: T%#r# '#r# )iv# o) t%#*!
KATE: " don/t 'ant to kno', Dorra!
DORRA: :o, &o*# )ro* Boston!
KATE: :#s!
DORRA: T%#r# '#r# )iv# o) t%#*!
KATE: " don/t 'ant to kno', Dorra!
DORRA: :o, &o*# )ro* Boston! Soon yo,/ll (# -oin- (a&k to Boston!
KATE: :#s, " do liv# in Boston, (,t " 'on/t (# -oin- (a&k t%#r# )or a
'%il#!
15
DORRA: T%#r# '#r# )iv# o) t%#*! B,t " don/t kno' i) t%#y '#r# M,sli*s,
or Croats or S#r(s! :o, s##, in Bosnia, #v#ryon# sp#aks S#r(o$
Croat!
KATE: " %av# to -o no', Dorra!
DORRA: :o, %av# to p,t in yo,r r#port t%at " don/t kno' '%#t%#r t%#y '#r#
M,sli*s, or Croats or S#r(s!
KATE: 9ood$(y#, Dorra! :o, &an &all *# '%#n#v#r yo, 'ant!
DORRA: (0n tears) 9o (a&k %o*#, Kat#! 9o (a&k to '%#r# yo, (#lon-!
S#ENE &:
KATE: O(s#rvation n,*(#r 5! T%# s,(.#&t s,dd#nly &o*#s o,t o) %#r stat#
o) torpor! T%at do#sn/t *#an s%#/s -#ttin- (#tt#r! S%#/s .,st tryin- to
&o*# to t#r*s 'it% t%# 'orld (y *#ans o) a--r#ssion! "t is a(sol,t#ly
i*p#rativ# t%at so*#(ody is 'it% %#r #v#ry sin-l# *in,t# in ord#r to
a(sor( %#r n#-ativ# #n#r-y!
S#ENE &5
DORRA# KATE.
KATE: H#llo, Dorra!
DORRA: 4
KATE: "/d lik# to talk to yo,, Dorra!
DORRA: 4
KATE: "/d lik# ,s to (# )ri#nds, Dorra!
DORRA: 4
KATE: "/v# (ro,-%t yo, so*# t,lips!
DORRA: 4
KATE: " %op# yo, lik# t,lips!
DORRA: 4
KATE: May " p,t t%#* on t%# ta(l#6
DORRA: 4
KATE: "/d r#ally lik# ,s to talk, Dorra!
DORRA: 4
KATE: To*orro' is t%# lon-#st day o) t%# y#ar, and t%# s%ort#st ni-%t4
DORRA: 4
KATE: "t/s t%# s,**#r solsti&#4
DORRA: 4
KATE: T%#r#/s -oin- to (# a party4
DORRA: 4
1
KATE: Ev#ryon#/s -oin- do'n to t%# lak#4
DORRA: 4
KATE: ") yo, lik#, '# &o,ld -o )or a 'alk (y t%# lak#!
DORRA: 4
KATE: "t/s a v#ry (#a,ti),l lak#! "t/s &all#d 3ak# Constan&#!
DORRA: 4
KATE: 9ood$(y# t%#n, Dorra!
S#ENE &>
KATE: (1oo&in" at her collection of rare stones) Daddy, '%at is E,rop#6
"t/s .,st a pil# o) old ston#s! 9randpa, '%at is "r#land6 "t/s a ston#
&o,ntry, a &o,ntry *ad# o) ston#s s&att#r#d lik# t%is! (She describes
the hori2ontal %lane 'ith her hand.) 7,st ston#s, or old ston#s6
Ston#s t%at ar# -ood )or not%in-! B,t ar#n/t t%#r# ston#s t%at ar# -ood
)or so*#t%in-6 2o, t%#y/r# all -ood )or not%in-!
Daddy, is t%at an old ston#6 2o, t%at/s a l,*p o) &#*#nt! So, '%at/s
an old ston# lik#6 M,&% (i--#r, and al*ost (la&k4
Bla&k lik# B#tty6
2o, not as (la&k as B#tty!
+%#n " told B#tty *y nanny t%at E,rop# 'as ),ll o) (la&k ston#s, (,t not
as (la&k as s%# 'as, s%# start#d to la,-%!
:o,/v# -ot a v#ry s*art da,-%t#r %#r#, Mrs M&2oil! :o, s%o,ld
%av# &all#d %#r E,rop#!
B,t " 'asn/t &all#d E,rop#! " 'as &all#d Kat#! Mo**y, '%at do#s
t%# 'ord JKat#/ *#an6 "t do#sn/t *#an anyt%in-!
2ot%in-6
2ot%in-!
And " start#d to &ry! Ho' &o,ld *y na*# *#an not%in-6 +#ll, s,r#
it do#s *#an so*#t%in-, it *#ans Kat#! And M&2oil, '%at do#s t%at
*#an6 "t *#ans M&2oil! And '%y did t%# M&2oils l#av# "r#land6
+%atK6
+#ll, " kno' yo, l#)t "r#land, (,t '%y6 +%y did yo,6 9randpa told
*# t%at all t%# M&2oils l#)t "r#land!
9o and ask %i* and l#t *# (#K
9randpa, '%y did yo, l#av# "r#land6 B#&a,s# t%#r# '#r# too *any
ston#s on *y land! Ho' *any '#r# t%#r#6 On# day " start#d to
&o,nt t%#*! And " &o,nt#d t%#* )or 1F y#ars! Ev#ry day, " pi&k#d ,p
a(o,t 1FF ston#s4 T%at/s a(o,t 5@,FFF #v#ry y#ar! A)t#r 1F y#ars,
"/d pi&k#d ,p 99,999,999 ston#s! And t%at/s '%#n " said stop,
#no,-%? t%#r# ar# .,st too *any ston#s!
Too *any ston#s! And so '# '#nt to A*#ri&a!
Too *any ston#s! T%at/s E,rop#!
1<
Too *any ston#s, t%at/s E,rop#: on# day, s%# 'ill sink ,nd#r t%#
'#i-%t o) all t%os# ston#s!
(KATE does her daily *o"# r$nnin" on the s%ot)
A&t,ally, s%# %as alr#ady (#-,n to sink!
T%is 'as t%# )irst i*a-# " &on.,r#d ,p o) E,rop#: a %,-# *o,ntain o)
ston#s, a sort o) i&#(#r- *ad# o) ston#s -rad,ally sinkin- on t%# ot%#r
sid# o) t%# o&#an! B,t at t%# )oot o) t%is *o,ntain t%#r# 'as
so*#t%in- #ls#: a littl# -ard#n 'it% t'o or t%r## littl#, 'it%#r#d
tr##s4 and t%at/s '%#r# " ,s#d to i*a-in# *y -rand)at%#r, ar*#d
'it% a pi&ka1#, on %is kn##s, s&rat&%in- o,t 1FF ston#s a day )ro* %is
littl# pi#&# o) land!
" t%ink it/s t%is i*a-# t%at *ad# *# -o to Bosnia! +%#n " 'as told
t%at "/d (# %#lpin- sp#&ialist t#a*s r#sponsi(l# )or lo&atin- *ass
-rav#s and #1%,*in- t%#ir &ont#nts, " 'as s,dd#nly str,&k 'it% t%is
i*a-# o) *y -rand)at%#r di--in- ,p ston#s! Ev#ry on# o) ,s M&2oils
is a (orn di--#r! 0or *#, t%o,-%, it 'asn/t ston#s? it 'as &orps#s!
S#ENE &)
DORRA and KATE
KATE: H#llo, Dorra!
DORRA: :o, li#d to *#!
KATE: " n#v#r li#d to yo,, Dorra!
DORRA: :o, don/t n##d *#!
KATE: :#s " do!
DORRA: :o, don/t!
KATE: " do, Dorra! " do n##d yo,!
DORRA: +%at do yo, 'ant to kno'6
KATE: " don/t kno'!
DORRA: +%at ar# yo, tryin- to ,nd#rstand6
KATE: " don/t kno'! All " kno' is t%at " %ad a (r#akdo'n!
DORRA: Do yo, %av# &%ildr#n6
KATE: T'o -irls! And " %av#n/t s##n t%#* )or si1 *ont%s!
DORRA: :o,/r# *ad!
KATE: 2o, "/* not!
DORRA: +%at/s Boston lik#6
KATE: "t/s (#a,ti),l!
DORRA: Do yo, %av# any p%otos6
1@
KATE: O) *y da,-%t#rs6
DORRA: 2o, o) Boston!
KATE: :#s, "/ll (rin- t%#* to s%o' yo, to*orro'!
DORRA: " %at# (#in- int#rro-at#d, Kat#!
KATE: B,t "/* not int#rro-atin- yo,!
DORRA: :#s yo, ar#! :o,/r# all t%# sa*#, yo, A*#ri&ans: o(s#ss#d 'it%
psy&%ot%#rapy! And " %at# (#in- int#rro-at#d!
KATE: B,t "/* not int#rro-atin- yo,!
DORRA: :o, *ak# it s##* as i) yo,/r# not int#rro-atin- *#, (,t '%at
yo,/r# a&t,ally doin- is tort,rin- *# 'it% all yo,r &l#v#r
t#&%niA,#s, yo,r &l#v#r t%#rapy!
KATE: " s'#ar to yo,, Dorra, t%at "/* not %#r# as a do&tor!
DORRA: :o,/r# all so o(s#ss#d 'it% psy&%ot%#rapy!
KATE: :o, %av# to -o on livin-, Dorra!
DORRA: " don/t t%ink " 'ant to, Kat#!
KATE: :o, %av# to, Dorra!
DORRA: +%y s%o,ld " &ar# '%at yo, t%ink! Don/t try and s#ll *# all t%os#
old &li&%Ds a(o,t a (#tt#r li)#, (la%, (la%, (la%!
KATE: 2o, Dorra, " 'on/t!
DORRA: 3i)# isn/t t%# stron-#st )or&#!
KATE: "/* not s,r#!
DORRA: D#at% is stron-#r!
KATE: "/* not s,r#!
DORRA: And it/s (r,t# )or&# t%at/s stron-#r t%an anyt%in-!
KATE: "/* not s,r#!
DORRA: Do yo, kno' '%y "/* still aliv#, Kat#6
KATE: 2o4 :#s4
DORRA: B#&a,s# " dis&ov#r#d t%at 9od do#s #1ist!
KATE: :#s!
DORRA: And " %at# %i*, Kat#! B#)or#, " didn/t (#li#v# %# #1ist#d! B,t
a)t#r, " said to *ys#l), no, so *,&% #vil, t%at only *ak#s any s#ns#
i) 9od #1ists and t%is is '%at %# 'ants )or ,s: to )##d ,s on a di#t
o) atro&iti#s! And sin&# t%#n, #v#n t%o,-% " don/t r#ally (#li#v# in
%i*, " %at# %i*! And t%at/s '%at k##ps *# %an-in- on! " %at# %i*
so *,&% t%at " &annot l#t *ys#l) di#! L,it# si*ply, " &an/t di#
(#&a,s# %at# is k##pin- *# aliv#! Do yo, ,nd#rstand, Kat#6 Do
yo, (#li#v# in 9od, Kat#6
KATE: " don/t kno'!
DORRA be"ins to methodically %$ll the %etals off the t$li%s that KATE bro$"ht
on her last visit.
DORRA: :o, &o,ldn/t )or&# *# to liv# i) " didn/t 'ant to, Kat#! :o, and
yo,r &l#v#r t#&%niA,#s, t%#y .,st *ak# *# la,-%!
1B
KATE: " kno', Dorra!
DORRA: :o,/r# so naMv#, Kat#, t%at "/* a&t,ally startin- to lik# yo,!
KATE: 4!
DORRA: :#s, " r#ally t%ink " lik# yo,, Kat#! And, (#&a,s# " lik# yo, so
*,&%, "/* -oin- to do so*#t%in- )or yo,!
KATE: +%at6
DORRA: :o, kno', Kat#, " kno' #1a&tly "@ "/* -oin- to di#! B,t, "
%av#n/t y#t d#&id#d @"en "/* -oin- to! B#&a,s# yo,/r# an
int#lli-#nt 'o*an, Kat#, yo,/ll ,nd#rstand '%y " &an/t -o on livin-
li,e t"is! And, (#&a,s# yo,/r# so ni&#, "/* -oin- to t#ll yo,, and
only yo,, '%#n "/* -oin- to di#!
KATE: +%#n6
DORRA: "/ll t#ll yo, soon, on# day (#)or#4
S#ENE &(
KATE: O(s#rvation n,*(#r <! T%# s,(.#&t/s *ood s'in-s )ro* o,t'ard
a--r#ssion to p#riods o) &o*pl#t# s#l)$a(sorption! T%#s# appar#nt
'%i*s ar# a&t,ally a -ood si-n, a si-n t%at s%# is in )a&t &apa(l# o)
#nt#rin- into so*# kind o) n#' r#lations%ip 'it% t%# o,tsid# 'orld!
"t/s too #arly to s,(*it %#r to A,#stions a(o,t t%# &ir&,*stan&#s t%at
provok#d %#r tra,*a! At t%is sta-#, on# &an only ass#ss %#r a(ility to
r#&all (y pati#ntly #*ployin- vario,s psy&%olo-i&al t#&%niA,#s!
S#ENE &'
KATE and DORR.A.
KATE: H#llo!
DORRA: 4
KATE: Ho' ar# yo,, Dorra6
DORRA: 4
KATE: Do yo, kno' t%#r#/s a t!v! do'nstairs6 :o, &an 'at&% it i) yo,
'ant!
DORRA: 4
KATE: "/v# (ro,-%t so*# p%otos o) Boston! +o,ld yo, lik# to s## t%#*6
DORRA: 4
KATE: (.$ttin" the alb$m on the table) "/ll l#av# t%#* t%#r#! :o, &an look
at t%#* '%#n yo, )##l lik# it!
DORRA: 4
KATE: +o,ld yo, lik# *# to s%o' t%#* to yo, no'6
DORRA: 4
1E
KATE: "/ll s%o' t%#* to yo, '%#n#v#r yo, 'ant!
DORRA: Kat#4
KATE: :#s4
DORRA: T%at lak#, is it r#ally 3ak# Constan&#6
KATE: :#s!
DORRA: "s t%at in S'it8#rland6
KATE: 2o, it/s in 9#r*any! B,t t%# S'iss (ord#r is only a )#' %,ndr#d
yards a'ay! :o, &an a&t,ally s## S'it8#rland )ro* t%# 'indo'!
DORRA: +%#r#6
KATE: Co*# %#r#, "/ll s%o' yo,!
KATE leads DORRA to the 'indo'.
KATE: Can yo, s## t%os# %o,s#s t%#r#, at t%# )oot o) t%# %ill6 T%at/s
S'it8#rland!
DORRA: Ar# yo, s,r#6
KATE: :#s! And %#r#, '#/r# in 9#r*any! On t%# l#)t, t%at/s 9#r*any!
On t%# ri-%t, t%at/s S'it8#rland!
DORRA: And '%at/s on t%# ot%#r sid# o) t%# lak#6
KATE: Still S'it8#rland!
A moments silence.
DORRA: Kat#4
KATE: :#s, Dorra4
DORRA: Ho' did " -#t %#r#6
KATE: :o, '#r# trans)#rr#d %#r# (#&a,s# yo, '#r# v#ry ill!
DORRA: "t/s ),nny! " al'ays 'ant#d to s## S'it8#rland4 And 9#r*any4
KATE: And no' yo, &an!
DORRA: :#s! " lik# t%is 'indo'! :o, &an s## S'it8#rland and 9#r*any
)ro* it! +%at is t%is pla&#, a %ospital6
KATE: "t/s a sort o) &onval#s&#nt %o*#!
DORRA: And '%y ar# t%# l#tt#rs =NSA> sta*p#d on #v#ryt%in-6
KATE: +%#r#/v# yo, s##n t%at6
DORRA: (T$rns the chair ro$nd) H#r#! =NSA!> T%#r#/s also an inv#ntory
n,*(#r: @@52D! So, A*#ri&a %as s#nt a &%air )or *#, n,*(#r
@@52D6
KATE: "t/s (#&a,s# t%is ,s#d to (# an A*#ri&an ar*y *#di&al &#ntr#!
DORRA: 0or t%# insan#6
KATE: 2o, not )or t%# insan#, )or t%# si&k!
DORRA: Kat#4
KATE: :#s!
DORRA: " 'ant to l#av# %#r# no'!
KATE: 4
19
DORRA: Did yo, %#ar '%at " said, Kat#6
KATE: 4
DORRA: Kat#6
KATE: 4
DORRA: Kat#K
KATE: :#s4
DORRA: (3ysterical) " 'ant to l#av# %#r# no'! " don/t 'ant &%air n,*(#r
@@52D )ro* t%# A*#ri&ans! " don/t 'ant t%is (lank#t, n,*(#r
52<FB0! " 'ant to l#av# %#r# no', t%is *in,t#! (Tearf$l) " 'ant to
-o a'ay!
KATE: +%#r# to, Dorra6
S#ENE ;6
DORRA and KATE are eatin" to"ether. There are flo'ers on the
table# and a bottle of ros4. The atmos%here is relaxed# theyve both
"ot a bit ti%sy and theres a real com%licity bet'een them.
DORRA: (Eatin") As soon as %#/s %ad a drink, a s#ns# o) %istory is
a'ak#n#d in Balkan *an! "n t%# s##di#st (ar, '%#r#v#r %# &an -#t
piss#d, '%#t%#r it/s in Oa-r#(, Tirana, At%#ns, B,&%ar#st, So)ia,
3.,(liana or Skop.#, Balkan *an all o) a s,dd#n (#&o*#s an
int#rnationalist, (ri**in- 'it% lov# )or %is n#ar#st and d#ar#st!
And %# starts to .,d-# t%# '%ol# 'orld ,sin- t%# p%ilosop%y o)
=(,t>! B,t is t%# *irror o) Balkan *an/s t%inkin-, it/s t%# k#y to
%is so,l, it/s t%# 'ord t%at *ak#s ordinary &onv#rsation tak# a
s,dd#n t,rn into s,(tl# diatri(#!
5y%sy m$sic. Or %erha%s its DORRA 'ho starts to sin" a snatch of a "y%sy
t$ne. 0n the follo'in" monolo"$es# it isnt really DORRA 'ho s%ea&s# b$t her
memories and her life ex%erience. Each time# she really enters into the s&in of
+the ,al&an man- 'ho ch$rns o$t# year in year o$t# those same old clich4s#
those same over6$sed ins$lts and those same s%itef$l comments directed at his
+,al&an brothers- of another nationality.
DORRA: (As +,al&an man-) " do lik# -ypsi#s? "/v# r#ally -ot a(sol,t#ly
not%in- a-ainst t%#*! Co*# on, -ypsy, -iv# *# a son-! 2o, don/t
-#t *# 'ron-, -ypsi#s ar# r#ally -r#at! T%#y -o (a&k a lon- 'ay?
t%#y %av# so*#t%in- a(o,t t%#* t%at/s d##p and *yst#rio,s, (,t at
t%# sa*# ti*# li-%t$%#art#d and .oy),l! B,t, l#t/s )a&# it, t%#y/r# all
t%i#v#s? yo, &an/t tak# yo,r #y#s o)) t%#* )or a *in,t#? t%#y st#al
%ors#s, s%##p, &%i&k#ns, &%ildr#n, and no', to top it all, t%#y/r#
#v#n st#alin- o,r o'n sa&r#d )olklor#, o,r o'n *ost (#a,ti),l
2F
son-s t%at t%#y (rin- o,t on '#st#rn CDs, *akin- *illions o)
dollars4
Their "ame contin$es. This time# its Albanian m$sic!
" r#ally lik# t%# Al(anians! "/v# -ot an Al(anian &oll#a-,# at t%#
,niv#rsity! H#/s A,i#t, k##ps %i*s#l) to %i*s#l), is &ar#),l 'it% %is
*on#y: %#/s don# r#ally '#ll! :#s, t%#y/r# r#ally -ood p#opl#, t%#
Al(anians, #sp#&ially t%os# )ro* t%# nort%, '%o ar# Cat%oli&s! 2o,
don/t -#t *# 'ron-, " &an/t say "/v# -ot anyt%in- a-ainst t%#
Al(anians! T%#y/r# pro(a(ly t%# old#st ra&# in t%# Balkans4 B,t,
l#t/s )a&# it, *y ,niv#rsity &oll#a-,# a&t,ally &a*# )ro* Kosovo,
so %#/s not r#ally Al(anian at all, and yo, %av# to ad*it t%at in
today/s E,rop# t%# Al(anians ar# t%# lo'#st o) t%# lo'! Env#r
Hod.a r#ally d,*p#d t%#* in t%# s%it, and t%# '%ol# 'orld %ad
t%#* kno&kin- on t%# door: t%# :,-oslavians, t%# R,ssians, t%#
C%in#s#! 3,&kily, p#opl# )#d t%#*! B,t t%#n t%#y )#ll o,t 'it%
#v#ry(ody, and no' t%#y/r# t%# poor#st p#opl# in E,rop#? #v#n
t%#ir id#as ar# poor, lik# 'antin- to ann#1 Kosovo! " *#an, look
'%at %app#n#d to t%at id#a4
They clin& "lasses.
C%##rsK
KATE: C%##rsK
,$l"arian m$sic. DORRA# lettin" herself "o more and more#
clic&s her fin"ers and sin"s.
DORRA: (As yet another +,al&an man-# s%ea&in" of his +,al&an
brothers-) T%# B,l-arians? o% t%# B,l-arians, t%#y/r# r#ally ni&#!
T%#y/r# r#ally -ood -ard#n#rs! My *ot%#r only #v#r (o,-%t
v#-#ta(l#s )ro* a B,l-arian -r##n-ro&#r! :o, s%o,ld %av# s##n
t%# -%#rkins %# %ad, and t%# yo-%,rt! B,l-arian yo-%,rt r#ally is
t%# (#st in t%# 'orld! And t%# B,l-arians %av# -r#at tast#4 and
t%#ir ros#s4 t%#y/r# si*ply )antasti&! And t%#ir ros# p#tal .a*,
%av# yo, #v#r tri#d it6 "t/s 'ond#r),l! :#s, don/t -#t *# 'ron-, "
r#ally lik# t%# B,l-arians4 B,t, l#t/s )a&# it, t%#y/r# a
disappoint#d and )r,strat#d ra&#! "t/s t%#y '%o start#d t%# Balkan
'ar in 1915! T%#y 'ant#d a &o,ntry (i--#r t%an t%#y a&t,ally
n##d#d, t%os# B,l-arians! T%#y 'ant#d t%# '%ol# o) Ma&#donia to
-ro' t%#ir -%#rkins in! And, #v#n today, t%#y say t%at
Ma&#donians ar# r#ally B,l-arians! T%#y/v# (,l-aris#d t%# na*#s
o) all t%# T,rks '%o liv# in t%#ir &o,ntry! T%at/s t%# B,l-arians )or
21
yo,? yo, &an only -#t alon- 'it% t%#* i) yo, k##p t%#* in t%#ir
pla&#! C%##rsK
KATE: C%##rsK
They clin& "lasses and &iss. DORRA starts the "ame a"ain.
T$r&ish m$sic. KATE fills $% their "lasses and enters more and
more into the s%irit of the "ame.
KATE: "t/s T,rkis%K
DORRA: :#s, it/s T,rkis%!
KATE: So, t%# T,rks4
DORRA: (As yet another +,al&an man-) T%# T,rks, no' " do r#sp#&t t%#
T,rks! T%#y r#ally ar# a )or&# to (# r#&kon#d 'it%! On# )oot in
Asia, on# )oot in E,rop#? t%# T,rks, t%#y don/t ,nd#rstand t%#
*#anin- o) t%# 'ord =(ord#r>! 2#v#r ,nd#r#sti*at# t%# T,rksK
T%is sprin- " '#nt to "stan(,l! "t/s a*a8in- '%at yo, &an (,y
t%#r#! And t%#y still %av# a %,-# #*pir#! T%#y do *ost o) t%#ir
(,sin#ss 'it% ,s no', (#&a,s# t%# 0r#n&%, t%# "talians and t%#
En-lis% ar# too )ar a'ay! :#s, t%# T,rks ar# r#ally -ood 'ork#rs!
:o,/v# s##n %o' *any t%#r# ar# in 9#r*any, and t%#y/r# all in
'ork! T%#r# ar# *illion ,n#*ploy#d in 9#r*any (,t not on# o)
t%#* is a T,rk! A*a8in-ly #v#ry sin-l# T,rk *ana-#d to -#t 'ork!
Hon#st to 9od, a )#' *ont%s a-o, a T,rk op#n#d a (ak#rs/ s%op
n#ar '%#r# " liv#, and no' " only #v#r #at T,rkis% (r#ad, it/s r#ally
-ood! T%# T,rks 'ill &o*# (a&k to t%# Balkans (it and (it, yo,/ll
s##! " don/t a&t,ally %av# any T,rkis% )ri#nds *ys#l)? still P don/t
-#t *# 'ron- $ " do r#sp#&t t%#* as a p#opl#! B,t, l#t/s )a&# it, it
&an/t (# ri-%t t%at t%#y p,t o,r o'n (ak#rs o,t o) (,sin#ss! I#opl#
'ill t%ink '#/r# no lon-#r &apa(l# o) *akin- o,r o'n (r#ad! And
t%# T,rks .,st (ar-# in 'antin- to s%o' ,s %o' to do it! "/* not in
)avo,r o) t%at, t%#* &o*in- in 'it% t%#ir #l#&tri& &ook#rs t%at
t%#y/v# (o,-%t in t%# '#st 'it% o,r *on#y! And it/s t%os# sa*#
T,rks '%o/v# loot#d o,r &o,ntry )or )o,r &#nt,ri#s! 0iv# &#nt,ri#s
a&t,ally! And on top o) t%at, t%#y/r# not #v#n E,rop#ans, and y#t
t%#y/v# (##n a&&#pt#d into 2ATO, and .,st yo, 'ait, t%#y/ll soon
'or* t%#ir 'ay into t%# E,rop#an Nnion!
They clin& "lasses and drin&. 7e'ish m$sic.
KATE: T%at/s4
DORRA: 7#'is%4
KATE: O%, y#s! " r#ally lik# t%# 7#'s4
DORRA: So*# o) *y )ri#nds ar# 7#'s, and on&# " %ad 7#'is% n#i-%(o,rs4
22
KATE: +%#n " 'as littl#, " ,s#d to play 'it% 7#'is% kids '%o liv#d n#ar
,s4
DORRA: :#s, p#rsonally, " t%ink it/s a s%a*# t%at t%# 7#'s %av# l#)t o,r
&o,ntry ov#r t%# y#ars! "n t%# to'n '%#r# " 'as (orn, (#t'##n t%#
t'o 'orld 'ars, t%#r# '#r# <,FFF 7#'s, <,FFF 9#r*ans, and t%#r#
'#r# only ,FFF o) ,s! Did yo, kno' t%at6 B,t, p#rsonally, " sa'
not%in- 'ron- 'it% t%at, (#&a,s# all t%# 7#'s '#r# (,sin#ss*#n or
int#ll#&t,als! My %istory pro)#ssor, at %i-% s&%ool, %# 'as a 7#',
and so 'as t%# d#ntist *y *ot%#r ,s#d to dra- *# to? and '%#n "
start#d to l#arn t%# violin, t%# 'o*an '%o ta,-%t *# 'as 7#'is%!
And t%#n n#arly all o) t%#* '#nt to Ial#stin#! 2o, don/t -#t *#
'ron-, t%# 7#'s ar# OK, and $ '%at/s *or# $ '%#r#v#r t%#y -o t%#
#&ono*y )lo,ris%#s4
KATE: B,t4
DORRA: A% %aK :o, l#arn A,i&kly4 B,t, l#t/s )a&# it, '# *,stn/t )or-#t
t%at it 'as t%# :ids t%at &r,&i)i#d o,r 3ord 7#s,s C%rist! And, '%#n
t%#y sa' t%at &o**,nis* 'asn/t r#ally 'orkin- in t%# #ast and
t%at t%# A,ality o) li)# t%#r# 'as -#ttin-
'ors# and 'ors#, t%#y l#)t #n *ass#, not t%# l#ast (it -rat#),l t%at
t%os# sa*# &o,ntri#s %ad -iv#n t%#* t%#ir nationality! C%##rsK
KATE: C%##rsK
Serbian m$sic.
KATE: So '%at/s n#1t4
DORRA: T%# S#r(s4
KATE: A%, t%# S#r(s! 2o' " r#ally lik# t%# S#r(s4
DORRA: A&t,ally *y 'i)# is a S#r(! O) all t%# Slavs in t%# Balkans t%#
S#r(s ar# t%# to,-%#st! T%#y %av# a v#ry pri*itiv#, 'ild sid# to
t%#*, t%at %as o)t#n *ad# t%# 'orld A,ak# ov#r t%# &#nt,ri#s!
T%#y/r# (loody -r#at drink#rs, and t%#y/r# (loody -r#at )i-%t#rs!
And it/s stran-# %o' &%ar*in- t%#y &an (#, &onsid#rin- t%at (y
nat,r# t%#y/r# rat%#r *oros#! T%#y %av# a *#lan&%oly t%at/s (##n
in t%#ir v#ins )or -#n#rations! B,t t%#y &an (# %ot$(lood#d! T%#ir
(lood so*#ti*#s lit#rally (oils! T%#y al'ays %av# to (# on t%#
*ov#, t%#y/r# al'ays r#stl#ss! So, don/t -#t *# 'ron-, t%# S#r(s
ar# a&t,ally rat%#r attra&tiv#, and " s%o,ld kno', *y 'i)#/s a S#r(!
T%#y/r# ),ll o) s,rpris#s, o)) t%# 'all, ,npr#di&ta(l#4!!
KATE: B,t4
DORRA: B,t, l#t/s )a&# it, t%#y %av# an annoyin- t#nd#n&y to #1a--#rat#
#v#ryt%in-? t%#y #1a--#rat# all t%# ti*#! T%#y/v# -ot no &on&#pt o)
*od#ration, t%# S#r(s, t%#y/r# nationalists t%ro,-% and t%ro,-%!
T%#y/r# &o*pl#t#ly &ra8y! All t%#y
25
t%ink a(o,t is t%#ir #*pir#, lost in t%# 1
t%
&#nt,ry (y t%# 'ay, and
t%#ir *artyr#d kin-, Kin- St#)an! B,t t%#y %av#n/t don# *,&% sin&#
t%#n! 2o' t%#y/r# .,st pi-$)ar*#rs, dr#a*in- o) a 9r#at S#r(ia!
"/v# %ad t%#* ,p to %#r#!
And '%at/s *or#, *y #1$'i)# '%o 'as a S#r( l#)t *# )or a
*ot%#r$),&k#r o) a S#r(, )or a -ood )or not%in- *ot%#r$),&k#r o) a
S#r(!
The 'omen &iss each other# eat and drin&. The "ame contin$es)
/roatian m$sic.
KATE: (8ith her mo$th f$ll) T%at/s4
DORRA: (8ith her mo$th f$ll) T%# Croats4
KATE: T%# Croats, y#s, " lik# t%# Croats4
DORRA: "t/s lov#ly in Croatia! "t/s so &l#an, so (#a,ti),l! :o, *,st %av#
s##n t%# &at%#dral t%#y/v# -ot in Oa-r#(, t%is s%o's t%#y/r#
Cat%oli&s, yo, &an t#ll t%#y/r# part o) t%# Ro*an &ivilisation, 3atin,
t%# Iop#, t%# Holy Ro*an E*pir#, t%# spirit o) Q#ni&#! T%# Croats
%av# )irst$&lass *inds, t%#y/r# s%arp, t%#y/r# lik# t%# Adriati& S#a:
op#n, t%#y %av# insi-%t, t%#y/r# Slavs (,t t%#y/r# '#st#rnis#d!
T%#y did '#ll to -#t rid o) t%# Cyrilli& alp%a(#t and start to 'rit# in
Ro*an l#tt#rs? t%at p,t t%#* a %,ndr#d y#ars a%#ad o) #v#ry(ody
#ls#! 2o, don/t -#t *# 'ron-, t%# Croats ar# -r#at, t%#y/r# lik# o,r
t'in (rot%#rs4
KATE: (St$ffin" her mo$th) B,t4
DORRA: B,t, l#t/s )a&# it, no(ody &an %,rt yo, lik# yo,r o'n (rot%#r!
T%at/s '%at t%#y/r# lik#, t%# Croats, t%#y/ll sta( yo, in t%# (a&k,
t%#y/ll (#tray yo, as soon as look at yo,! :o, sa' '%at t%#y did in
/1, t%#y '#nt ov#r to t%# 2a8is, all o) t%#* in t%# #nd, all #1&#pt
Tito! T%#y sid#d 'it% t%# 2a8is and *assa&r#d t%# S#r(s! B#&a,s#
t%at/s '%at t%#y/r# lik#, t%# Croats: (astard &olla(orators? $stashi.
And #v#n today t%#y/r# t%i&k as t%i#v#s 'it% t%# 9#r*ans,
9#r*any/s t%#ir r#al &o,ntry! O%, t%# Croats4 H#r#/s to ,sK
KATE: To ,sK
5ree& m$sic. DORRA ma&es dancin" movements 'hilst still seated on her
chair.
O%, " kno' t%at, it/s 9r##k!
DORRA: (Dancin") A%, Oor(a t%# 9r##k4
KATE: T%# 9r##ks, %#r#/s to t%# 9r##ks, " ador# t%# 9r##ks4
DORRA: :o, &an r#ally %av# a -ood ti*# 'it% t%# 9r##ks!
KATE: Hav# yo, s##n t%#* playin- t%#ir &ra8y (a8o,kis6
2
DORRA: B,t t%#y ar# &ra8y, t%# 9r##ks, &ra8y (,t (#a,ti),l! T%# s#&ond a
9r##k (#&o*#s yo,r )ri#nd, %#/ll -iv# yo, #v#ryt%in-! And
t%#y/v# &#rtainly l#)t t%#ir *ark on %istory, t%# 9r##ks? t%#y laid
t%# )o,ndations o) &ivilisation as '# kno' it! So, don/t -#t *#
'ron-, " lov# t%# 9r##ks4
KATE: B,t4
DORRA: (She sto%s dancin") B,t, l#t/s )a&# it, t%# 9r##ks no'adays %av#
a(sol,t#ly not%in- in &o**on 'it% t%# an&i#nt 9r##ks, #v#n
t%o,-% t%#y (#li#v# t%#y/r# t%# dir#&t d#s&#ndants o) I#ri&l#s! Ha,
t%at *ak#s *# la,-%! Hav# yo, s##n t%os# st,pid littl# o,t)its t%#ir
2ational 9,ard '#ar4
KATE: I#asant &ost,*#K
DORRA: A%, t%# 9r##ks, t%#y/r# .,st an ,ns&r,p,lo,s nation o) s%opk##p#rs!
2o' t%#y/r# startin- to (,ild *otor'ays 'it% *on#y t%#y
'%##dl#d o,t o) t%# E,rop#an Nnion4
KATE: (Starts to o%en a bottle of cham%a"ne) 2oK
DORRA: :#sK
The so$nd of the cor& %o%%in". They start to drin& the cham%a"ne. The "ame
contin$es) 3$n"arian m$sic. The alcohol is clearly "oin" to their heads.
KATE: T%#4
DORRA: T%# H,n-arians4
KATE: O%, " lov# t%# H,n-arians4
DORRA: T%#y/r# r#al ori-inals, t%# H,n-arians! Hav# yo, %#ard t%#
lan-,a-# t%#y sp#ak6
KATE: "t/s not lik# any ot%#r lan-,a-# at all4
DORRA: Ri-%t? yo, &an/t ,nd#rstand a 'ord! "t %asn/t -ot any 3atin in it4
KATE: "t %asn/t -ot any Slav4
DORRA: "t %asn/t -ot any 9r##k4
KATE: C#rtainly no T,rkis%K
DORRA: 2o 9#r*an!
KATE: "t/s all .,st4 H,n-arianK
DORRA: T%at/s t%# t%in- a(o,t t%# H,n-arians, t%#y/r# not lik# any(ody
#ls#? t%#y/r# a(sol,t#ly ,niA,#! T%#y/r# indo*ita(l#? (orn l#ad#rs!
:o, r#*#*(#r %o' t%#y
%ad t%# a,da&ity to ris# ,p a-ainst Mos&o' in /<@6 "t/s &ra8y, (,t
t%#y 'ant#d to t%ro' o,t &o**,nis* as )ar (a&k as /<@! T%#y %ad
a (loody n#rv#, t%os#
H,n-arians! And t%#y paid )or it! Ev#n so, a)t#r t%at, yo, kno',
t%#y liv#d (#tt#r t%an '# did, #v#n ,nd#r 7anos Kadar: *or#
)r##do*, *or# s*all (,sin#ss#s, proo) t%at (i- (rot%#r R,ssia %ad
*or# r#sp#&t )or %is littl#
2<
H,n-arian (rot%#r t%an %# %ad )or %is ot%#r littl# (rot%#rs! T%at/s
t%# H,n-arians )or yo,, to,-% as old (oots, t%ro,-%o,t %istory4
So, don/t -#t *# 'ron-, " ad*ir# t%#ir str#n-t%, t%#ir virility4!!
KATE: B,t4
DORRA: 4 (,t, l#t/s )a&# it, t%#y/r# pro)it##rs, and *#-alo*ania&s? and
a&t,ally t%#y/r# s#rvants o) t%# A,strians! +%at did t%#y t%ink,
t%#s# H,n-arians, t%at t%#ir #*pir# 'as -oin- to last )or a t%o,sand
y#ars6 "t/s t%#ir arro-an&# t%at r,in#d t%#*, t%#ir ,n(#li#va(l#
arro-an&#, it/s4
The "ame contin$es) Romanian m$sic.
KATE: O% no, is t%#r# *or#6
DORRA: +#ll, yo, kno', t%#r# ar# rat%#r a lot o) ,s in t%# Balkans! T%#
Ro*anians4
KATE: (9ei"nin" exha$stion) " lik# t%# Ro*anians a '%ol# lot4
DORRA: T%#y/r# t%# 3atins %#r#! +%#n yo, %#ar t%#* sp#ak, yo,/d t%ink it
'as 0r#n&%, or "talian! And (#t'##n t%# t'o 'ars, do yo, kno'
'%at t%#y &all#d B,&%ar#st6 T%#y &all#d it =littl# Iaris>! " r#ally
lik# t%# Ro*anians! And t%#ir 'o*#nK "t/s a*a8in- '%at a %it
Ro*anian '%or#s ar# no' in T,rk#y! T%# T,rkis% '%or#s ar# #v#n
startin- to l#arn Ro*anian so t%at t%#y &an pass
t%#*s#lv#s o)) as Ro*anians in "stan(,l! :#s, don/t -#t *#
'ron-, " r#ally lik# t%# Ro*anians4
KATE: B,t4
DORRA: 4 (,t, l#t/s )a&# it, t%#y/r# all doo* and -loo*, and t%#y/r# r#ally
t'o$)a&#d! T%#y al'ays so*#%o' *ana-# to pop ,p on t%#
'innin- sid#! And, a&t,ally, t%#ir lan-,a-# is riddl#d 'it% Slavi&
'ords! T%#y say t%#y/r# not r#ally Balkan, t%at t%# Balkans stop at
t%# Dan,(#, (,t t%#r#/s not%in- *or# Balkan t%an a Ro*anian,
tak# *y 'ord )or it4
KATE: (E""in" DORRA on to s%eed $% the "ame) T%# M,sli*s4
DORRA: T%# Bosnian M,sli*s6 T%#y/v# r#ally %ad t%#ir s%ar# o) s,))#rin-,
yo, kno'! T%#y d#s#rv# a &o,ntry o) t%#ir o'n! Do yo,
r#*#*(#r %o' t%#y %#ld o,t in Sara.#vo6
KATE: " tak# *y %at o)) to t%#*!
DORRA: T%#y/v# -ot -,ts, t%# Bosnian M,sli*s! So, don/t -#t *# 'ron-, "
r#ally lik# t%#*4
KATE: B,t4
DORRA: 4 (,t, l#t/s )a&# it, t%#y/r# a&t,ally .,st Slavs '%o/v# &onv#rt#d to
"sla*!
KATE: So t%#y/r# traitors6K
DORRA: A&t,ally, it/s %ard to kno' '%at to &all t%#*! 3ast &#nt,ry, p#opl#
&all#d t%#* =T,rks>! And t%#n Tito &a*# alon-, 'it% %is id#a o)
2@
inv#ntin- a M,sli* nation, so*#t%in- t%at do#sn/t #1ist any'%#r#
#ls# in t%# 'orld! At t%# ti*#, t%# Sa,dis prot#st#d4
KATE: (!o' com%letely dr$n&# and victorio$s) T%# (la&ks4
DORRA: +%o6
KATE: T%# (la&ks4
DORRA: T%#r# ar#n/t any (la&ks in t%# Balkans!
KATE: :#s, (,t4
DORRA: B,t4
KATE: B,t, t%is (,t $ it/s #v#ry'%#r#! Do yo, t%ink t%is Balkan =(,t> is
r#ally only )o,nd in t%# Balkans6 2o, yo,/r# 'ron- t%#r#,
%on#y4 Co*# to *y &o,ntry on# day i) yo, 'ant to %#ar t%#
=Balkan (,t> s,n- to an A*#ri&an t,n#4! T%# (la&ks ar# -r#at, t%#
(la&ks ar# r#ally, r#ally -r#at! " lik# t%# (la&ks! M,si& s##*s to r,n
in t%#ir v#ins? it/s a*a8in-! T%#y inv#nt#d t%# (l,#s, t%# (la&ks did!
T%# (la&ks/ (l,#sK And t%#y inv#nt#d -osp#l *,si&! And t%#y/r#
t#rri)i& (o1#rs4
DORRA: " lik# t%# (la&ks, too4
KATE: B,t4
DORRA: B,t4
KATE: B,t4
DORRA: B,t4
KATE: B,t t%# pro(l#* is4 t%#r#/s =a (la&k pro(l#*>!
DORRA: =A (la&k A,#stion>4
KATE: B#&a,s#, )rankly, t%#y/r# not lik# ,s4
DORRA: (.retendin" to +fall in- ($ic&ly) B#&a,s# t%#y/r# (la&kK
KATE: 2o! +# %av# to (# politi&ally &orr#&t %#r#4 B#&a,s# t%#y ar#
=p#opl# o) &olo,r>4 B,t t%#y/r# ,n&,lt,r#d =p#opl# o) &olo,r>4
and t%#y stink4 and t%#y/r# viol#nt4 and t%#y/r# al'ays &a,sin-
riots4 and t%#y/r# tro,(l#$*ak#rs4 and t%#y/r# dr,-$d#al#rs4
T%#r#K And don/t t%ink it/s .,st t%# -odda*n ),&kin- ni--#rs '%o
),&k ,s ,p4 2o4 t%#r#/s also4
DORRA: (:ore and more dr$n&) T%# "ndians4
KATE: T%at/s riiii-%tK T%# =2ativ# A*#ri&an "ndians>4
DORRA: +%o ar# rat%#r (#a,ti),l4
KATE: 4 'it% t%#ir )#at%#rs and t%in-s, v#ry d#&orativ#4
DORRA: B,t4
KATE: B,t4
DORRA: B,t4
KATE: B,t it/s (#tt#r '%#n t%#y/r# d###aadK A -ood "n.,n is a d#ad "n.,nK
DORRA: S%iiiiitK
KATE: O%, y#a%! And t%#n t%#r#/s t%# M#1i&ans4
DORRA: 2ot in t%# Balkans46
KATE: B,t4
DORRA R KATE: T%# =Balkan (,t> -#ts #v#ry'%#r#4
2B
DORRA: So, '%at a(o,t t%# M#1i&ans6 " lik# t%# M#1i&ans4
KATE: :#s, t%# M#1i&ans ar# ni&#4
DORRA: T%#y '#ar (i- %ats4
KATE: T%#y/r# &all#d so*(r#ros4
DORRA: And t%#y %av# pon&%os4
KATE: And -,itars4
DORRA: B,t4
KATE: B,t4
DORRA: B,t4
KATE: B,t, t%#y all 'ant is to &o*# and liv# in *y &o,ntry, t%# -odda*n
),&kin- M#1i&ans, in *y Nnit#d Stat#s o) A*#ri&a, t%os# (astard
M#1i&ans! Ev#ry day, #v#ry sin-l# day, t%o,sands o) t%#* sn#ak
a&ross t%# (ord#r to &o*# and 'ork ill#-ally in *y &o,ntry, takin-
.o(s a'ay )ro* %on#st A*#ri&ans! And t%#ir (loody kids ar# a
(,rd#n on o,r #d,&ation syst#* and on o,r %#alt% syst#*, and t%#y
don/t #v#n (loody try to l#arn o,r lan-,a-#4 O%, *y 9od!
DORRA: T%#n t%#r#/s t%# I,#rto Ri&ans4
KATE: O% y#s, t%# I,#rto Ri&ans4
DORRA: " lik# t%# I,#rto Ri&ans4
KATE: B,t4
DORRA: B,t4
KATE: (!o' actin" li&e a f$ll6blooded racist# ban"in" her fist on the
table) "/v# %ad t%# (loody I,#rto Ri&ans ,p to %#r#, t%#y *ak# *#
p,k#K
DORRA: T%#n t%#r#/s t%#4
KATE: T%#4
DORRA: T%# A8t#&s4
KATE: O%, " lik# t%# A8t#&s4
DORRA: :#s, t%#y/r# ni&#, t%# A8t#&s4
KATE: :#s, (,t4
DORRA: B,t4
KATE: B,t4
DORRA: B,t t%#y/r# A8t#&sK T%at/s t%# pro(l#*K
KATE: T%at/s it! T%at/s ),&kin- it4 T%#y/r# ),&kin- A8t#&s4
DORRA: 7,st lik# t%#4
KATE: T%# Iata-onians4
DORRA: T%# Iata-onians, y#s4
KATE: T%# Iata-onians4 t%#y/r# ni&# t%# Iata-onians4
DORRA: B,t4
KATE: B,t4
DORRA R KATE:T%#y/r# Iata-oniansK S%itK
Roc& m$sic. They dance# b$ildin" $% to dancin" roc& and roll.
2E
S#ENE ;&
KATE: +%#n yo, op#n ,p a *ass -rav#, t%#r# ar# &#rtain t#&%niA,#s yo,
%av# to ,s#! So, " took a &o,rs# in t%# #1&avation o) *ass -rav#s!
:o, &an/t .,st -o into on# and r,**a-# aro,nd! T%#r# ar#, a)t#r
all, la's -ov#rnin- s,&% #1&avations! T%# p#rson ,nd#rtakin- t%#
.o( is in t%# sa*# position as so*#on# '%o ,n&ov#rs a *,rd#r! H#
*,st, at on# and t%# sa*# ti*#, di- ,p t%# (ody o) t%# vi&ti* Gor
vi&ti*sH and y#t not a&t,ally to,&% anyt%in-! ") %# is not p#r)#&tly
train#d to do t%is 'ork, %# is in dan-#r o) &ov#rin- ,p t%# v#ry
#vid#n&# o) *,rd#r t%at %# s%o,ld (# ,n&ov#rin-!
H# 'ill dis&ov#r not only t%# (ody Gor (odi#sH (,t also, v#ry o)t#n,
#vid#n&# o) %o' t%# &ri*# 'as &o**itt#d, )or #1a*pl# (,ll#ts i)
t%# vi&ti* Gor vi&ti*sH '#r# s%ot! Ev#ry sin-l# o(.#&t )o,nd in t%#
vi&inity o) t%# vi&ti* Gor vi&ti*sH in a *ass -rav# %as a l#-al
si-ni)i&an&#, (#&a,s# it &o,ld %#lp r#&onstr,&t t%# &ri*# and r#v#al
t%# &ont#1t in '%i&% t%# &ri*# 'as &o**itt#d! Cons#A,#ntly, t%#
p#rson doin- t%is 'ork &arri#s an #nor*o,s r#sponsi(ility! Nnd#r
no &ir&,*stan&#s *,st %# s#parat# t%# &orps# Gor &orps#sH )ro*
p#rsonal #))#&ts t%at &o,ld %#lp id#nti)y t%# vi&ti* Gor vi&ti*sH! H#
*,st *ak# an inv#ntory o) #v#ry sin-l# t%in-, do'n to t%# last
d#tail, *akin- s,r# not to da*a-# anyt%in-!
H# %as to 'ork in sta-#s! T%# )irst sta-# is to s,rv#y t%# ar#a, and
id#nti)y any pot#ntial *ass -rav#! T%# s#&ond sta-# is to r#&ord t%#
lay#rs o) #art%, and t%# 'ay in '%i&% t%# vario,s lay#rs &ov#r t%#
(ody Gor (odi#sH! D#p#ndin- on %o' *any lay#rs o) #art% t%#r# ar#,
and on t%#ir &o*position G#art%, sand, ston#, &on&r#t# #t&!H %# %as
to &%oos# t%# ri-%t tools )or t%at parti&,lar #1&avation! T%# t%ird
sta-# is t%# #1&avation its#l)! T%# )o,rt% sta-# involv#s t%#
pr#s#rvation o) t%# #1&avat#d *at#rials! T%# )i)t% sta-# is t%#
int#rpr#tation o) '%at/s (##n )o,nd!
T%is 'ork is al'ays don# (y a t#a*! "n #v#ry t#a* t%#r#/s a
topo-rap%#r, a p%oto-rap%#r, an ar&%a#olo-ist, a do&tor, a la'y#r,
#1p#rts to #1a*in# t%# *ilitary &ont#1t in '%i&% t%# vi&ti* Gor
vi&ti*sH '#r# kill#d, and a psy&%olo-ist! T%# psy&%olo-ist is t%#r#
to *ak# s,r# t%at t%# ot%#r *#*(#rs o) t%# t#a* don/t (r#ak ,nd#r
t%# str#ss! ") %# noti&#s t%at a *#*(#r o) t%# t#a* is no lon-#r in a
)it stat# to &ontin,#, %# %as to int#rv#n# and r#*ov# %i* )ro* t%#
sit#, t%#n %#/ll *ak# an #val,ation o) %is *#ntal stat# and advis#
29
%i* Gor, it &o,ld (#, %#rH to tak# a (r#ak )ro* t%# #1&avation )or a
'%il#!
T%at/s %o' " &a*# to Bosnia: to 'ork as a psy&%olo-ist 'it% t%#
t#a*s o) p#opl# #1&avatin- t%# *ass -rav#s! And so " (#&a*# an
#1&avator *ys#l)! M#, Kat# M&2oil, 5< y#ars old, a -rad,at# )ro*
Harvard Nniv#rsity, a sp#&ialist in o(s#ssional n#,rosis and
psy&%oanalysis, a,t%or o) a BBF pa-# do&torat# t%#sis on 0r#,d and
%is &on&#pts o) &%ild nar&issis*, *arri#d and a *ot%#r o) t'o
da,-%t#rs, *#, Kat# M&2oil, " s%o,ld (# as%a*#d o) *ys#l), "
%av#n/t s##n *y )a*ily )or si1 *ont%s and " don/t %av# ti*# to
t%ink a(o,t t%#* *,&% (#&a,s# t%#r#/s no' so*#t%in- #ls# t%at/s
tak#n ov#r *y li)#: to #1&avat#, #1&avat#, #1&avat#, to #1&avat#
*ass -rav#s in Bosnia in t%# na*# o) t%# Nnit#d Stat#s o) A*#ri&a,
in t%# na*# o) t%# Alli#s, in t%# na*# o) '#st#rn &ivilisation, in t%#
na*# o) t%# N2, in t%# na*# o) .,sti&#, in t%# na*# o) tr,t%, in t%#
na*# o) t%# past and o) t%# ),t,r#! "t/s %ard to &arry s,&% a (,rd#n
on yo,r s%o,ld#rs, Kat# M&2oil, (,t yo,/ll n#v#r (# a(l# to r#-ain
yo,r (alan&# o) *ind ,nl#ss yo, ,nd#rstand '%y!
S#ENE ;;
DORRA rin"s the bell. She rin"s several times# becomin" more
and more des%erate. KATE arrives)
DORRA: " 'ant an a(ortionK
KATE: :#s, Dorra4
DORRA: 2o'4
KATE: :#s, Dorra4
DORRA: 2o'K
KATE: +%at#v#r yo, 'ant4
A moments silence.
KATE: B,t yo,/ll %av# to 'ait .,st a littl#!
DORRA: " don/t 'ant to 'ait! "/* ,n&l#an! "/* ,n&l#an (#&a,s# o) t%is
t%in- insid# *#4
KATE: :#s4
DORRA: Kat#, " don/t 'ant it to start *ovin-!
KATE: "t 'on/t *ov#!
DORRA: "t/s *ovin- alr#adyK " &an )##l it!
Another moments silence. DORRA stares into s%ace.
5F
DORRA: " &an )##l it p,s%in-! And " don/t 'ant it to4 " 'ant so*#on# to
-#t it o,t!
KATE: :o, .,st %av# to 'ait on# *or# *ont%4
DORRA: Kat#4
KATE: :#s6
DORRA: " 'ant so*#t%in- to drink!
KATE: :#s, Dorra!
DORRA: So*#t%in- stron-!
KATE: :#s!
DORRA: So*# vodka!
KATE: Ri-%t!
KATE exits.
S#ENE ;8
DORRA# her belly s'ollen# lies on her bed# in a state of "reat a"itation. She
sh$dders and trembles. And shes s'eatin". KATE stands by the bed.
Everythin" she says resembles more a &ind of thera%y than a confession. So#
her tone is not a normal tone. She tal&s# hardly %a$sin" for breath# tryin" to
console DORRA. DORRA barely listens to her. Or# %erha%s# she doesnt listen
at all.
KATE: 9randpa, '%at is A*#ri&a6 A*#ri&a is a pil# o) ston#s (,ilt lik#
t%is! (She describes the vertical %lane 'ith her hand.)
(To DORRA) My -rand)at%#r ,s#d to t#ll ,s t%# story a(o,t '%#n %# )irst
&a*# to t%# Stat#s at l#ast t'o or t%r## ti*#s #v#ry y#ar, '%#n t%#
)a*ily 'as -at%#r#d to-#t%#r at T%anks-ivin-, at C%rist*as, or at
2#' :#ar/s!
T#ll *#, 9randpa, %o' did yo, -#t to A*#ri&a6 +# &a*# on a (i-
(oat! As (i- as t%is6 2o, (i--#r! As (i- as t%is roo*6 2o, (i--#r!
As (i- as t%is %o,s#6 2o, #v#n (i--#r t%an t%at! As (i- as t%#
%o,s# and t%# -ard#n and t%# &%i&k#n$s%#d p,t to-#t%#r! As (i- as
t%# '%ol# str##t! " don/t (#li#v# yo,! 3ook, look at t%is (oat! (She
"ets o$t an old %hoto) H#r#, %#r#, on t%# t%ird &lass d#&k, t%at/s
*#! And t%at/s yo,r -r#at$-rand*ot%#r! And t%at/s yo,r )at%#r!
B,t it &an/t (# %i*, %#/s #v#n littl#r t%an *#! +#ll, %# 'as t%#n,
#v#n littl#r t%an yo,! And '%o/s t%at6 "t/s yo,r Nn&l# S#an! And
t%at/s yo,r Nn&l# Si*on! And t%at/s yo,r Nn&l# +illia*! And
51
t%at/s yo,r A,nt Molly! And t%at/s yo,r A,nt Eli8a(#t%! And
t%at/s yo,r -rand*ot%#r '%o di#d last y#ar! And '%y ar#n/t "
t%#r#6 B#&a,s# yo, '#r#n/t (orn y#t! And t%# (oat6 +%at a(o,t
t%# (oat6 "s t%# (oat *ad# o) ston#s too6 2o, *y pr#&io,s, t%# (oat
isn/t *ad# o) ston#s!
DORRA: (Almost delirio$s) 2oK 2oK 2oK
KATE: On&# %# -ot to A*#ri&a, *y -rand)at%#r (#&a*# a ston#&,tt#r!
T%# ston#s n#v#r )or-av# %i*! T%#s# ston#s )ro* %is land t%at %#/d
-at%#r#d all t%os# lon- y#ars, as '#ll as t%os# %# %adn/t, all p,rs,#d
%i* to t%# Nnit#d Stat#s! H# 'as al'ays &onvin&#d t%at t%# ston#s
)ro* "r#land and t%# ston#s )ro* A*#ri&a %ad .oin#d )or&#s to trap
%i*!
A moments silence.
DORRA: T%is &%ild do#sn/t %av# a )at%#r!
KATE: :#s it do#s!
DORRA: T%is &%ild do#sn/t %av# a na*#!
KATE: B,t it 'ill %av#! "t/ll %av# yo,r na*#!
DORRA: "t 'ill n#v#r (# *y &%ild! " didn/t 'ant it! 2o(ody 'ant#d it! T%is
&%ild do#sn/t %av# a *ot%#r or a )at%#r! "t do#sn/t #1ist, Kat#K
KATE: :#s it do#s! "t/s *ovin- insid# yo,! :o,/r# its *ot%#r!
DORRA: And its )at%#r6 +%o 'ill (# its )at%#r6 ") it #v#r asks *# '%o its
)at%#r is, '%at 'ill " say6 +%o is its )at%#r6
KATE: +ar! +ar is its )at%#r!
DORRA: " &o,ld n#v#r t#ll a &%ild t%at! Ho' &o,ld " t#ll it t%at6 Ho' &o,ld
yo, say to a &%ild: =3ist#n, *y an-#l, 'ar is yo,r )at%#r!>6 2o
&%ild &o,ld ,nd#rstand t%at!
KATE: "t 'ill ,nd#rstand on# day!
Another silence.
B,t yo, *,st l#t *# t#ll yo, %o' *y -rand)at%#r (#&a*# a ston#&,tt#r!
She s%ea&s in her "randfathers voice.
0irst o) all, '# -ot o)) at Ellis "sland! T%#n '# %ad to -o into t%#
"**i-ration O))i&#! " kn#' t%at '#/d %av# to look &l#an and n#at
and *ak# a -ood i*pr#ssion! As '# '#r# "ris% and spok# -ood
En-lis%, '# '#r# a&&#pt#d strai-%ta'ay! So t%#n '# took t%# (oat
to Man%attan! And t%# *in,t# '# arriv#d, " sa' a *an 'avin- a
pla&ard t%at said: =+ool'ort% B,ildin- Co*pany! 9ood ston#
'ork#rs 'ant#d!>
52
"/d n#v#r (##n a ston# 'ork#r! All " 'ant#d 'as to )ind a littl# plot
o) land 'it% no ston#s in it, so*#'%#r# in t%# '#st, and to 'ork it
'it% *y )a*ily!
DORRA: 2oK 2oK 2oK
KATE: B,t " only %ad 1F dollars in *y po&k#t! " look#d at *y 'i)#, and
*y &%ildr#n, and *y *ot%#r, non# o) '%o* kn#' '%#r# '# '#r#
-oin- to sl##p t%at ni-%t, and " d#&id#d to tak# *y &%an&#!
"t 'as t%# )irst o))#r o) 'ork t%at " st,*(l#d on '%#n " -ot to
A*#ri&a and " 'as )ri-%t#n#d t%at " 'o,ldn/t )ind anot%#r on#! So
" '#nt ,p to t%# *an and " said: =" lik# ston#s!>
And %# ask#d *#: =Hav# yo, #v#r &,t ston#s6>
And " said =:#s!> And %# said: =And '%#r# 'as t%at6>
="n *y -ard#n,> " r#pli#d! ="n *y -ard#n!> And t%# *an t%o,-%t
*y ans'#r 'as -ood #no,-% and %# o))#r#d *# t%# .o( at <F &#nts
an %o,r! And " look#d (#%ind *# and " sa' t%at t%#r# 'as alr#ady
a A,#,# o) a(o,t t'#nty *#n '%o 'ant#d to &,t ston#s! And " said
=OK>! And " &,t ston#s )or t'#nty y#ars, )or #v#ry skys&rap#r in
2#' :ork! " 'ork#d on t%# +ool'ort% B,ildin-, '%i&% 'as BEB
)##t %i-%! And t%#n " 'ork#d on t%# +alt#r C%rysl#r B,ildin-,
'%i&% (#at t%# +ool'ort% B,ildin- (#&a,s# it 'as ov#r 1,F<F )##t
%i-%! T%#n " 'ork#d on t%# E*pir# Stat# B,ildin-, '%i&% 'as
1,2@ )##t %i-%, and t%#n t%# "rvin- Tr,st Co*pany B,ildin- and
t%# Ro&k#r)#ll#r C#ntr# and so on and so on4 " &,t t%o,sands o)
ston#s, )or )loors, &#ilin-s, d#&orations, pillars, ar&%#s, stairs,
(al&oni#s, lo((i#s, t#rra&#s4 T%at/s '%at " did! 0or t%irty y#ars "
pla&#d lik# t%is (she describes the vertical %lane 'ith her hand) all
t%os# ston#s " %ad pi&k#d ,p lik# t%at (she describes the hori2ontal
%lane 'ith her hand) in "r#land!
A moments silence.
DORRA: Kat#K
KATE: :#s6
DORRA: "t/s *ovin-K
KATE: Ar# yo, s,r#6
DORRA: "t 'ok# *# ,p!
KATE: T%#r#/s not%in- to 'orry a(o,t! "/ll stay 'it% yo,!
DORRA: "t/s #atin- too *,&%! "t/s al'ays %,n-ry! "t/s al'ays %,n-ry, t%#
littl# (#ast! "t/s #atin- a'ay at *#, it/s d#vo,rin- *# )ro* t%#
insid#, " &an %#ar it *,n&%in-4
KATE: "/* %#r#! "/ll stay 'it% yo,!
DORRA: " &an )##l it p,s%in-4 "t/s &li*(in- ,p *y insid#s4 And it/s
%,rtin-4 " &an/t stand it4 " )##l si&k4 :o, %av# to -#t it o,t,
Kat#!
55
KATE: "t/s too soon!
DORRA: "/* &old! "t/s *akin- *# &old! "t/s &old lik# a snak#, and it/s
*akin- *# &old! "/* s%iv#rin-! " &an/t sl##p any *or#! "/* t%#
si8# o) a (arr#l4 "t/s takin- ,p *or# and *or# spa&#4 " &an/t
stand it any *or#4
KATE: 9o to sl##p! "/* %#r#!
Another moments silence. DORRA is in a restless slee%. KATE contin$es
sotto voce.
KATE: +%#n p#opl# ask#d *y Dad '%#r# %# 'ork#d, %# ,s#d to say
rat%#r #ni-*ati&ally: )or t%# #*#r-#n&y s#rvi&#s at t%# (i--#st (ank
on t%# East CoastK T%at 'as %is littl# .ok#! H# a&t,ally 'ork#d )or a
donor (ankK And t%#y &o,ld 'ak# %i* at any ti*# o) t%# day or
ni-%t, #v#n at 2 o/&lo&k in t%# *ornin-, )or t%# #*#r-#n&y transport
o) a kidn#y to Sprin-)i#ld, or +or&#st#r or 0all Riv#r or any'%#r#
#ls# in Massa&%,s#tts! So*#ti*#s, %#/d -#t %o*# .,st '%#n '#
'#r# %avin- (r#ak)ast! So '%at did yo, %av# to d#liv#r last ni-%t,
Daddy6 " %ad to d#liv#r a %#art, %#/d say, starin- into spa&#! H#
%ardly #v#r -ot t%# &%an&# to sl##p a '%ol# #i-%t %o,rs! Ns,ally,
a)t#r #v#ry =d#liv#ry>, %# only *ana-#d to -#t t'o or t%r## %o,rs
r#st! H# )#ll strai-%t to sl##p, 'it% t%# t#l#p%on# (y %is (#d! All
t%ro,-% *y &%ild%ood, " only #v#r sa' %i* sl##pin-, or das%in-
o,t, or &o*in- %o*# and sittin- strai-%t do'n at t%# ta(l# '%#r#
*y Mo* 'o,ld -iv# %i* so*#t%in- to #at!
So '%at did yo, d#liv#r last ni-%t, Daddy6 " d#liv#r#d a =donor>!
A donor ,s,ally *#ant so*#on# '%o/d (##n s*as%#d to pi#&#s on
t%# )r##'ay or so*#'%#r#, on# o) '%os# or-ans 'as -oin- to (#
sp##dily s#'n into so*# ot%#r poor &r#at,r# '%o n##d#d a l,n- or
a pan&r#as or a liv#r! T%# donor 'as #it%#r d#ad or dyin-, and t%#
A,ality o) t%# or-an d#p#nd#d on t%# sp##d at '%i&% t%# t'o
,n)ort,nat# p#opl# &o,ld (# (ro,-%t to-#t%#r in t%# sa*# op#ratin-
t%#atr#! Ot%#r days, *y Dad 'o,ld %av# to provid# transport )or
t%# =r#&#iv#r>! " sav#d %i*, %# 'o,ld say at (r#ak)ast, and %is )a&#
r#*ind#d *# o) t%# )a&# o) a pri#st .,st a)t#r %is S,nday s#r*on!
B,t t%#r# '#r#, *ay(# t'o or t%r## ti*#s a y#ar, ni-%ts '%#n
t%in-s '#r# A,i#t! My Dad 'o,ld look ,p at t%# stars and say:
Toni-%t it/ll (# A,i#t! T%at *#ant t%at no(ody 'o,ld n##d %i* t%at
ni-%t? %# 'o,ldn/t %av# to -o any'%#r#, not )or a skin -ra)t, or an
#y#$transplant, a %#art, a kidn#y, (lood, *arro'4 B,t %o' do yo,
kno' t%at toni-%t/ll (# A,i#t, Daddy6 " .,st )##l it, %#/d say,
lookin- o,t o) t%# 'indo', into t%# (la&k ni-%t, as i) so*# ,ns##n
*#ss#n-#r 'as -ivin- %i* a s#&r#t si-n t%at toni-%t #v#ryt%in-
'o,ld (# OK!
5
DORRA 'a&es $% s$ddenly.
DORRA: " sa' %i*K
KATE: +%at do yo, *#an yo, sa' %i*6
DORRA: "n t%# darkn#ssK
KATE: +%#n6
DORRA: 7,st no'! H# 'as (#ndin- ov#r *#!
KATE: +%at did %# look lik#6
DORRA: H# didn/t %av# a )a&#!
KATE: 2o )a&#6
DORRA: 2o, .,st a4
KATE: A '%at4
DORRA: A *o,t%4 H# 'as .,st a -apin- *o,t%!
KATE: 9o to sl##p, Dorra! "/* %#r#!
S#ENE ;:
DORRA alone in the dar&ness.
DORRA: ="/* %#r#!> +%o ar# yo,6 ="t/s *#>! +%o6 =M#>! " &an/t s## yo,!
=:#s yo, &an>! +%at do yo, 'ant6 9o a'ay! ="/* %,n-ry>! So
'%at6 =:o, %av# to -iv# *# so*#t%in- to #at>! :o,/v# alr#ady
#at#n *y )l#s%! +%at #ls# &an " -iv# yo,6 =:o, %av# to -iv# *#
so*#t%in- to #at>! "/v# -iv#n yo, #v#ry drop o) *y (lood! +%at
#ls# &an " -iv# yo,6 ="/* %,n-ry! :o,/r# *y *ot%#r! :o, %av# to
-iv# *# so*#t%in- to #at>! "/* not yo,r *ot%#r! " didn/t 'ant to (#
yo,r *ot%#r! " 'ill n#v#r (# yo,r *ot%#r! :o, %av# no *ot%#r!
=:#s " do! :o,/r# *y *ot%#r, and yo, %av# to -iv# *# so*#t%in-
to #at!> "/v# -ot not%in- l#)t to -iv# yo,! :o,/v# #at#n all o) *#!
And yo,/v# #*pti#d *#! :o,/v# #v#n #*pti#d *y so,l! =") yo,
don/t -iv# *# so*#t%in- to #at, "/ll s&r#a*>! S&r#a* t%#nK " 'ant
to %#ar yo, s&r#a*!
8e hear a horrible scream. 0ts the scream of a 'oman bein" ra%ed.
2oK 2oK Stop itK
8e still hear the scream.
2oK 2oK 0or 9od/s sak#, stop itK Stop itK
These are %erha%s the 'ords of a 'oman bein" ra%ed.
5<
2oK 2oK H#lpK H#lpK Stop itK 7,st kill *#K Kill *#K
A fe' seconds of silence.
=+%at/s yo,r pro(l#*6> Stop it! Stop it! ="/v# stopp#d! OK6> +%at do
yo, 'ant6 ="/v# alr#ady told yo,! " 'ant so*#t%in- to #at! Eit%#r
yo, -iv# *# so*#t%in- to #at, or "/ll start s&r#a*in- a-ain!> 2o,
pl#as#, don/t! "/ll -iv# yo, so*#t%in- to #at! " 'ill! "/ll -iv# yo,
so*#t%in- to #at4
S#ENE ;5
DORRA# sittin" $% in bed# h$nched over a %late of food. She is devo$rin" a
h$"e brea&fast. She sobs as she eats. She eats# starin" into s%ace# her mo$th
too f$ll# 'ith *am and b$tter on her li%s and on her chin)
DORRA: ="/* %#r#>! +%o ar# yo,6 ="t/s *#>! +%o6 =M#>! " don/t kno'
'%o yo, ar#! =Stop pr#t#ndin-! :o, kno' #1a&tly '%o " a*>! 2o
" don/t! " don/t kno' yo,! :o, don/t #1ist! =:#s " do! " do #1ist!
And it/s yo, '%o ar# -oin- to (rin- *# into t%# 'orld>! 2o, "/ll
n#v#r (rin- yo, into t%# 'orld! =:#s yo, 'ill, yo, %av# to>! 2o, "
don/t? " don/t %av# to (rin- yo, into t%# 'orld! =:o, don/t %av#
any &%oi&#! :o,/r# *y *ot%#r! And it/s a *ot%#r/s .o( to (rin- a
&%ild into t%# 'orld>! :o, don/t %av# t%# ri-%t to (# (ro,-%t into
t%# 'orld! :o,/r# a 'ar &%ild! :o, don/t %av# any par#nts! :o,
'#r# (orn o) %orror! :o, ar# a &%ild o) %orror! =3ist#n to *#, i) yo,
don/t (rin- *# into t%# 'orld, "/ll s&r#a*>!
The terrifyin" scream of a 'oman bein" ra%ed. KATE enters.
KATE: "/* %#r#!
DORRA: " don/t 'ant to (rin- t%is into t%# 'orld!
KATE: Dorra4
DORRA: " don/t 'ant to (rin- t%is into t%# 'orld4 "t/s askin- *# to (rin- it
into t%# 'orld, (,t " don/t 'ant to4 +%y is it s&r#a*in- lik# t%at6
T#ll it to stop s&r#a*in-!
KATE: Dorra, i) yo, don/t 'ant t%is &%ild, -iv# it to *#!
DORRA: All ri-%t, " 'ill!
KATE: "/d lik# to %av# it!
DORRA: B,t tak# it no', t%is *in,t#!
KATE: " &an/t tak# it no'! B,t, i) yo, (rin- it into t%# 'orld and -iv# it to
*#, t%#n "/ll tak# it!
DORRA: 2o, tak# it no'! ") yo, r#ally 'ant it, tak# it no'!
5@
KATE: All ri-%t t%#n, "/ll tak# it no'! GShe lies do'n next to DORRA. She
ta&es DORRA in her arms). Co*# on, l#t/s -o to sl##p!
S#ENE ;>
KATE is smo&in". 3er face loo&s t'isted. 8e hardly reco"nise her. A diary
lies o%en on the table.
KATE: +%at do yo, do i) yo,/r# in a )or#st n#ar Sr#(r#ni&a and yo, )ind
t%# )ollo'in- o(.#&ts in a &l#arin-, s&att#r#d in t%# -rass ov#r an
ar#a o) a(o,t 1F yards:
t'o %,ndr#d and )orty s#v#n &artrid-#s
a (i&y&l# '%##l
a t#at )ro* a (a(y/s (ottl#
a (#r#t 'it% t%# l#tt#rs N2 (ar#ly d#&ip%#ra(l#
pi#&#s o) a str#t&%#r
t%r## pa&k#ts o) Drina &i-ar#tt#s
#l#v#n #*pty &ans o) Croatian (##r
a (rok#n alar* &lo&k
a sA,as%#d t,(# o) toot%past#
a pi#&# o) (ar(#d 'ir# a(o,t t%r## and a %al) *#tr#s lon-
a ri)l# (,tt
a plasti& (a- ),ll o) rottin- potato#s
an Elvis T$s%irt
a l#at%#r (#lt, (,rnt (la&k, 'it% t%# po,&%#s '%#r# yo, k##p t%# -r#nad#s
ripp#d o))
a post&ard o) t%# Ei))#l To'#r 'it% a )#' lin#s 'ritt#n on t%# (a&k
'%i&% ar# &o*pl#t#ly ill#-i(l#!
") yo,/r# in a )or#st n#ar Sr#(r#ni&a and yo, )ind t%#s# t%in-s s&att#r#d
aro,nd in t%# -rass, t%#r#/s a <FS<F &%an&# t%at yo,/r# in t%#
vi&inity o) a *ass -rav#!
DORRA enters. 3er stomach is no' m$ch bi""er than 'hen 'e last sa' her.
DORRA: (8itho$t loo&in" at KATE) And is t%at '%y yo, %ad a (r#akdo'n6
KATE: :#s, t%at/s '%y " %ad a (r#akdo'n!
DORRA: B,t no(ody kn#' anyt%in- a(o,t it!
KATE: 2o, (#&a,s# " 'as t%# t#a*/s psy&%olo-ist!
DORRA: A)t#r %o' *any *ass -rav#s6
5B
KATE: S#da*na#st! S#v#nt##n!
DORRA: :o, &o,ld no lon-#r (#ar to r#ad t%# inv#ntori#s t%#y atta&%#d to
#a&% (ody t%#y d,- ,p!
KATE: 2o!
DORRA: :o, &o,ld no lon-#r (#ar to %#ar t%# so,nd o) t%# pi&ka1#s, t%#
tro'#ls and t%# &ro'(ars t%at '#r# (#atin- and di--in- and -ratin-
and s'##pin-!
KATE: 2o!
DORRA: And t%# pr#s#rvation o) t%# =#1&avat#d *att#r>, t%# %andlin- o) t%#
&orps#s, t%# stat# o) t%#ir d#&o*position, yo, '#r#n/t a(l# to d#al
'it% any o) t%at #it%#r!
KATE: 2o!
DORRA: And #v#ryt%in- yo,/d l#arnt a(o,t #1&avatin- &orps#s *ad# yo,
)##l as%a*#d6
KATE: :#s!
DORRA: 0or #1a*pl#, r,l# n,*(#r on# )or t%# #1&avator: yo, %av# to k##p
t%# sit# &l#an, a )r#A,#nt s'##pin- o) t%# sit# is on# o) t%# (#st
*#t%ods )or -,arant##in- prop#r o(s#rvation o) an #1&avation4
KATE: (Smo&in"# on the ver"e of tears) :#s!
DORRA: (/omin" to'ards Kate and ta&in" her by the sho$lders) So yo,
ask#d to (# s#nt so*#'%#r# #ls#! 0or #1a*pl#4
KATE: :#s!
DORRA: (1oo&in" at KATEs o%en diary) 'e have to &no' that DORRA has
already read it) 0or #1a*pl#, %#r#: to apply a n#' *#t%od, yo,r
&at%arti& *#t%od, in t%# psy&%ot%#rapy tr#at*#nt o) 'o*#n in
Bosnia '%o/v# s,))#r#d rap#!
KATE is motionless# %erha%s in tears. DORRA &isses her.
S#ENE ;)
DORRA is alone in the dar&ness.
DORRA: ="/* %#r#!> +%at do yo, 'ant6 "/v# -iv#n yo, so*#t%in- to #at,
'%at do yo, 'ant no'6 =" don/t kno'!> " don/t 'ant to %#ar )ro*
yo, a-ain! "/v# -iv#n yo, so*#t%in- to #at! So, s%,t ,p! =" &an/t
s%,t ,p: "/* )ri-%t#n#d!> S%,t ,p! 3#av# *# alon#! " n##d to r#st!
=:#s, (,t "/* )ri-%t#n#d!> " 'ant to -o to sl##p! " don/t 'ant to
%#ar yo, a-ain! " 'ant to r#st! =" 'ant yo, to -iv# *# a &,ddl#!> "
don/t 'ant to &,ddl# yo,! " &an/t &,ddl# yo,! "/v# -iv#n yo,
so*#t%in- to #at? t%at/s #no,-%! ="t/s not? " 'ant yo, to &,ddl# *#
a (it! "/* )ri-%t#n#d, and " 'ant yo, to &,ddl# *#!> " &an/t &,ddl#
5E
yo,! " don/t kno' %o' to! And "/* )ri-%t#n#d, too! =") yo, don/t
&,ddl# *#, "/ll s&r#a*4>
S#ENE ;(
DORRA is alone.
DORRA: +%y do yo, 'ant t%is &%ild, Kat#6 Ar# yo, *ad or so*#t%in-6
:o,/v# -ot t'o &%ildr#n alr#ady! :o,r o'n &%ildr#n! And yo, %av#
a %,s(and! :o,/v# -ot a )a*ily! :o,r li)# is so*#'%#r# #ls#! +%y
do yo, stay %#r#6 :o,/r# not r#sponsi(l# )or t%is? yo,/r# not
-,ilty! :o, '#r#n/t (orn %#r#! :o,/r# A*#ri&an! :o, '#r#n/t
#v#n (orn in E,rop#! :o, '#r# (orn in t%# Nnit#d Stat#s! OK,
yo, %av# roots in "r#land? (,t "r#land, it/s .,st an island! "t/s
al*ost not part o) E,rop# at all? it/s a 'orld o) its o'n! Any'ay,
it/s not ,p to yo, to &o*# %#r#, 'avin- t%# A*#ri&an )la-, (#atin-
yo,r (r#ast 'it% *#a &,lpa! :o,/r# not t%# Ir#sid#nt o) t%# Nnit#d
Stat#s! :o,/r# not t%# Sp#&ial Envoy o) A*#ri&a/s -,ilty
&ons&i#n&#!
A moments silence. KATE enters.
+%y do yo, 'ant t%is &%ild, Kat#6
KATE: B#&a,s# " do!
DORRA: Can/t yo, %av# any *or# o) yo,r o'n6
KATE: :#s " &an!
DORRA: So it is (#&a,s# yo, lov# &%ildr#n6
KATE: :#s, it/s (#&a,s# " lov# &%ildr#n!
Another moments silence.
DORRA: +%y do yo, 'ant t%is &%ild, Kat#6
KATE: " don/t kno'!
DORRA: :o,/r# *ad, Kat#!
KATE: 2o "/* not!
DORRA: Do yo, 'ant it )or yo,r 0r#,dian #1p#ri*#nts6
KATE: 2o!
DORRA: Ar# yo, s,r#6
KATE: 2o!
DORRA: Stop a&tin- as i) yo, %ad t%# '%ol# o) A*#ri&a/s s,(&ons&io,s
-,ilt on yo,r s%o,ld#rs!
KATE: "/* not!
DORRA: So, '%y do yo, 'ant t%# &%ild, Kat#6
59
KATE: +%y6
DORRA: "/* not -oin- to -iv# it to yo,, Kat#!
KATE: +%y not6
DORRA: "/* not -ivin- t%is &%ild to t%# Nnit#d Stat#s!
KATE: "/* not t%# Nnit#d Stat#s! "/* not a r#pr#s#ntativ# o) t%# A*#ri&an
-ov#rn*#nt! "/* not t%# Ir#sid#nt o) t%# Nnit#d Stat#s! My roots
ar# in "r#landK
DORRA: "/d rat%#r it di#d t%an -iv# it to t%# Nnit#d Stat#s!
KATE: (At brea&in" %oint) " 'ant itK T%at/s all t%#r# is to itK A)t#r all t%#
&orps#s "/v# d,- ,p %#r#, in yo,r &o,ntry, " %av# t%# ri-%t to -o
(a&k %o*# 'it% t%is &%ildK
DORRA: Stop it, Kat#! :o,/ll n#v#r %av# it!
KATE: (/alm a"ain# starin" into the distance) :o,r (#lly is a *ass -rav#,
Dorra! +%#n " t%ink o) yo,r (#lly, " s## a pit ),ll o) &orps#s, dri#d
,p, s'oll#n, rottin-4 B,t, at t%# (otto* o) t%is pit, t%#r#/s
so*#t%in- *ovin-4 A livin- (#in-4 A*on-st all t%# d#ad,
t%#r#/s so*#on# aliv#4 So*#on# askin- to (# l#t o,t4 "/ll n#v#r
l#t yo, kill yo,r &%ild, Dorra! " &a*# to yo,r &o,ntry to l#arn %o'
to #1&avat# *ass -rav#s! And #v#ry ti*# " #1&avat#d on#, " %ad
t%# insan# %op# t%at "/d )ind .,st on# s,rvivor4 T%is &%ild is a
s,rvivor, Dorra! And it %as to (# sav#d, it %as to (# p,ll#d o,t!
T%at/s it4 "t/s as si*pl# as t%at4 +# %av# to r#s&,# it )ro* t%#
*ass -rav#4
The noise of an aero%lane abo$t to ta&e off.
KATE: (S%ea&in" to and for DORRA# b$t not addressin" her directly) a
s$s%ended moment) Ho' &an " #1plain to yo,, Dorra, t%at nat,r#
a(%ors a va&,,*? t%at t%# la's o) nat,r# %av# not%in- to do 'it%
t%# i*p,ls#s (#%ind *an/s (ar(arity, t%at nat,r# do#sn/t
a&kno'l#d-# rap#! So, yo,r (a(y is a (oy! As al'ays s##*s to
%app#n a)t#r a 'ar, t%#r# ar# *or# (oys (orn t%an -irls! 2at,r#,
Dorra, is i*p#rvio,s to *an/s st,pidity, %is in%,*anity! S%#
p,rs,#s %#r 'ork r#l#ntl#ssly, d#spit# t%# #vils p#rp#trat#d (y
*ankind! And %#r 'ork r#*ains, as it al'ays 'as, *yst#rio,s and
),ll o) (#a,ty!
"/* -oin- %o*# soon, Dorra! "/* -oin- (a&k to *y &%ildr#n!
S#ENE ;'
KATE(A letter in her hand):
F
D#ar C%i#) Co**and#r,
"/* s#ndin- yo,, as r#A,#st#d, t%# r#port on *y a&tiviti#s in Bosnia ov#r
t%# past t'#nty$t'o *ont%s!
May " r#*ind yo, (ri#)ly t%at " 'as a *#*(#r o) t%# *ission #val,atin-
*#di&al n##ds in Croatia and Bosnia, t%at " t%#n (#&a*# part o) on#
o) t%# t#a*s r#sponsi(l# )or id#nti)yin- t%# *ass -rav#s in t%#
Kra.na and Sr#(r#ni&a ar#as, and t%at at *y r#A,#st " 'as
trans)#rr#d to a 2ATO *#di&al &#ntr# in 9#r*any!
" &on)ir* t%at, as )ro* t%# 1
st
o) April, " 'o,ld lik# to r#t,rn to *y post in
t%# Boston Isy&%iatri& Clini&, in Massa&%,s#tts!
T%ankin- yo, )or yo,r ,nd#rstandin-,
Kat# M&2oil!
A moments silence.
DORRA: (S%ea&in" to and for KATE# b$t not addressin" her directly)
another s$s%ended moment) Ho' &an " t#ll yo,, Kat#, t%at " %at#
*y &o,ntry! T%at in )a&t " no lon-#r %av# a &o,ntry! T%at " don/t
'ant to -o (a&k t%#r#! T%at " no lon-#r %av# a 9od! T%at all "
'ant is to -#t as )ar a'ay as possi(l# )ro* t%is a&&,rs#d ni-%t*ar#
pla&#, t%is %#ll4 " don/t 'ant to s## *y %o*# a-ain4 B#&a,s# "
don/t %av# a %o*#! " don/t 'ant to kno' i) *y )a*ily is still
livin-! Ev#n i) t%# 'ar #nds, t%is pla&# 'ill stay &,rs#d )or a lon-
ti*# to &o*#! "t/ll (# %a,nt#d (y t%# &ri#s o) vi&ti*s, (y %atr#d
and (y s%a*#! 0or y#ars and y#ars, t%# p#opl# '%o liv# t%#r# 'ill
ra&k t%#ir (rains to try and ,nd#rstand %o' all t%is &o,ld %av# (##n
possi(l#! Till t%# v#ry #nd o) ti*#, t%#y/ll ask t%# sa*# A,#stions:
+%o start#d it6 +%o 'as r#sponsi(l#6 +%o 'as t%# *ost #vil6
Ho' &o,ld p#opl#, #it%#r &oll#&tiv#ly, or individ,ally, sink to s,&%
a l#v#l4
Another moments silence.
DORRA: (To herself) Ho' &an " t#ll yo,, Kat#, t%at " %at# *y &o,ntry6
KATE: On# &an/t %at# on#/s &o,ntry!
DORRA: Ho' &an " t#ll yo, t%at " no lon-#r %av# a &o,ntry6
KATE: +#/r# all (orn so*#'%#r#!
1
DORRA: Ho' &an " t#ll yo, t%at " n#v#r 'ant to -o (a&k t%#r#, '%#r# " 'as
(orn!
KATE: :o, 'ill on# day!
DORRA: Ho' &an " t#ll yo, t%at *y &o,ntry no lon-#r %as a 9od? *y p#opl#
kill#d Hi*!
KATE: :o, 'ill )ind t%# n##d to (#li#v# a-ain, on# day!
DORRA: Ho' &an " t#ll yo, t%at all " 'ant to do is to -#t as )ar a'ay as
possi(l# )ro* t%is a&&,rs#d pla&#, t%is %#ll4
KATE: On# day yo,/ll s## yo,r %o*# a-ain!
DORRA: " don/t %av# a %o*# any*or#!
KATE: On# day yo,/ll 'ant to kno' i) yo,r )a*ily is still aliv#!
DORRA: T%#r#/s no(ody l#)t aliv# in *y %#art any *or#!
KATE: T%#r# *,st (# an i*a-# o) yo,r &o,ntry t%at yo,/ll al'ays &arry
'it% yo,!
DORRA: Do yo, 'ant to kno' '%at i*a-# o) *y &o,ntry " &arry 'it% *#6
Do yo,6 "t/s t%# i*a-# o) a dr,nk#n soldi#r, 'it% a rat%#r s,rpris#d
#1pr#ssion on %is )a&#, '%o 'ip#s %is da--#r on %is tro,s#r l#-,
p,ts it (a&k in its s%#at%, t%#n spits on t%# &orps# o) t%# *an '%os#
t%roat %# %as .,st &,t!
T%# i*a-# o) *y &o,ntry is t%at o) an old *an l#avin- a &ol,*n o)
r#),-##s to li# in t%# -rass )or a r#st, -rass t%at %id#s an anti$
p#rsonn#l *in#!
My &o,ntry is a *ot%#r '%o noti&#s t%at %#r d#ad son/s ,ni)or* is
*issin- a (,tton! S%# %,rri#s to s#' on# (a&k on (#)or# %#/s
(,ri#d!
My &o,ntry is a )at%#r '%o sp#nds all %is ti*# *akin- a doll )or %is
B$y#ar$ old da,-%t#r, '%o/s (##n d#ad )or 5@ days!
My &o,ntry is a -rand*ot%#r '%o %as to )l## )ro* t%# approa&%in-
soldi#rs, and '%o $ (#)or# l#avin- %#r %o,s# $ kiss#s t%# por&%!
My &o,ntry is an old p#asant '%o looks at t%# soldi#rs #nt#rin- %is
villa-# and asks t%#*: =Ar# yo, on o,r sid#6>!
My &o,ntry is a r#sid#ntial distri&t o) Q,kovar r#na*#d =B,rnt
Tank Av#n,#>!
My &o,ntry is a soldi#r '%o *i1#s in %is -lass &o-na&, raki, 'in#,
'%isk#y, and any ot%#r al&o%ol %# &an p,t %is %ands on! T%# drink
is &all#d a )i-%tin- &o&ktail! H# kno&ks it (a&k, t%#n -o#s to tak#
%is position in t%# tr#n&%#s!
My &o,ntry is a M,sli* r#),-##, '%o di#s in a villa-# in H,n-ary
'%#r# t%#r# is no M,sli* &#*#t#ry and '%#r# no(ody kno's %o'
to (,ry a M,sli*!
My &o,ntry is t%r## soldi#rs pissin- on t%# #*(#rs o) a %o,s# t%#y/v# .,st
tor&%#d!
2
My &o,ntry is t%# ins&ription yo, s## all ov#r t%# pla&# in Sara.#vo:
IAO"K S2A7IERK BE+AREK S2"IERSK And t%# tast# o) *y
&o,ntry is t%# so,p %and#d o,t (y t%# R#d Cross!
My &o,ntry is an 1E$y#ar$old soldi#r '%o, )or a .ok#, 'rit#s: CNT HERE
on %is n#&k, .,st lik# on t%os# pa&k#ts o) instant so,p!
My &o,ntry is an A*#ri&an tv s#ri#s t%at no(ody 'ants to *iss in
Mostar, #v#n '%#n t%# to'n is (#si#-#d (y S#r(s on on# sid#, and
(y Croats on t%# ot%#r!
My &o,ntry is t%at yo,n- Karlova& '%o 'ants to (#&o*# a snip#r to
d#)#nd %is p#opl#, (,t '%o &an only -#t %is %ands on t%r## ro,nds
o) a**,nition a day!
My &o,ntry is a p#asant '%o %id#s in t%# )or#st (#&a,s# =&%#tniks> or
M,sli*s =)i-%tin- )or "sla*> %av# arriv#d in %is villa-#! H#/s
kill#d t%r## days lat#r '%#n %# d#&id#s to -o %o*# to )##d %is
starvin- &o's, (#&a,s# %# &an no lon-#r (#ar to %#ar t%#ir
(#llo'in-4
My &o,ntry is a soldi#r 'ritin- on a door 'it% r#d spray$paint:
TH"S "S SERB"A! T'o '##ks lat#r, n#' 'ords &ov#r t%# old on#s,
sayin-: TH"S "S CROAT"A! A )#' days a)t#r t%at, #v#n n#'#r
'ords say: "D"OTS, TH"S "S A IOST O00"CEK
My &o,ntry is an ins&ription 'ritt#n on a tr## in Sara.#vo: HE33OK
"/M ST"33 A3"QEK
S#ENE 86
DORRA 'rites a letter.
DORRA: D#ar Kat#,
" don/t r#ally kno' '%at "/* -oin- to do no'! "/v# )il#d
appli&ations )or #*i-ration at t%# Canadian, A,stralian and So,t%
A)ri&an #*(assi#s!
" don/t 'ant to -o to A*#ri&a!
My (a(y is )in#! H# '#i-%s 15 po,nds no'!
+%#n yo, last &all#d, yo, 'ant#d to kno' t%# pr#&is# *o*#nt at '%i&% "
d#&id#d to k##p %i*!
"/ll t#ll yo,!
On# day, .,st a)t#r yo, l#)t, " '#nt )or a 'alk (y t%# lak#! As " 'alk#d, "
look#d at t%# tr##s and t%# 'at#r4 All o) a s,dd#n, a noti&# nail#d
to a tr## &a,-%t *y #y#! " '#nt to tak# a &los#r look, and t%is is
'%at " r#ad:
+E +ON3D 3"KE TO "20ORM :ON THAT TH"S TREE "S DEAD!
"T +"33 BE CNT DO+2 +EEK COMME2C"29 AIR"3 2
2D
!
5
"2 "TS I3ACE, A2D 0OR THE E27O:ME2T O0 A33
Q"S"TORS TO TH"S IARK, +E +"33 BE I3A2T"29 A
SAI3"29!
Si-n#d: THE DEIARTME2T O0 IARKS R 9ARDE2S!
" r#ad t%is on&#, t%#n a-ain, t%#n s#v#ral ti*#s *or#! And t%at/s
'%#n " d#&id#d to k##p *y (a(y!
3.,(i*$t#,
Dorra!
THE E2D
A+t"r0s Nte1
T%is play 'as 'ritt#n in r#sid#n&# at 3a C%artr#,s# d# Qill#n#,v#$l#8$Avi-non in
2ov#*(#r and D#&#*(#r o) 199@! T%is play, inspir#d (y t%# Bosnian &risis, r#*ains
a 'ork o) )i&tion! T%# a,t%or %as non#t%#l#ss *ad# ,s# o) so*# #y#$'itn#ss r#ports
G)or #1a*pl# TC%roniA,# d#s o,(liDsT, Edition 3a Di-ital#, 0ran&#, 199, (y Q#li(or
UoliVH (ot% )or t%# d#s&ription o) t%# ,n&ov#rin- o) *ass -rav#s in S&#n# 2@ and t%#
Ti*a-#T o) Dorra;s &o,ntry in s&#n# 29, (#&a,s#, 'it% %orrors lik# t%#s#, r#ality
(#--ars t%# i*a-ination!
<
Address: 10, rue Watteau 75013 Paris FRANCE Tel. Fax. 33 - (0)1 7
07 31 !"
#$%ile. 33 & (0)' 1" '' 05 "! E-#ail: (is)ie*+,a-$$..r
Mat3i VISNIE#
$ play'ri-%t, po#t and .o,rnalist, (orn 29 7an,ary 19<@ in Ro*ania, no' s#ttl#d in
Iaris, 'orkin- as a .o,rnalist at Radio 9rance 0nternationale!
"n Ro*ania %# st,di#d %istory and p%ilosop%y (#)or# startin- 'ritin- )or t%# t%#atr# in
19BB! D,rin- t%# )ollo'in- t#n y#ars %# 'rot# so*# 2F plays, (,t all o) t%#* '#r#
(ann#d (y t%# Ro*anian &#nsors! "n S#pt#*(#r 19EB %# 'as invit#d to 0ran&# (y a
lit#rary )o,ndation, and %# ask#d )or politi&al asyl,*! Sin&# t%#n %# %as (##n 'ritin-
*ostly in 0r#n&%, and %# %as r#&#iv#d 0r#n&% nationality!
A)t#r t%# )all o) &o**,nis* in Ro*ania, in D#&#*(#r 19E9, Mat#i Qisni#& (#&a*# on#
o) t%# *ost p#r)or*#d play'ri-%ts in t%# &o,ntry, 'it% *or# t%#n 5F plays p,t on in
B,&%ar#st and ot%#r to'ns! "n O&to(#r 199@ t%# 2ational T%#atr# o) Ti*isoara or-anis#d
a TMat#i Qisni#& 0#stivalT 'it% 12 &o*pani#s pr#s#ntin- %is plays!
His int#rnational a,di#n&# as a play'ri-%t start#d in 1992, 'it% t%# play AHrses at t"e
Wind@sA p#r)or*#d in 0ran&#, and A#l@n @antedA at t%# BO22ER B"E22A3E!
Sin&# t%#n, Mat#i Qisni#& %as %ad *or# t%#n 2F plays p#r)or*#d in 0ran&# GTh4;tre
5$ichet :ont%arnasse# St$dio des /ham%s6Elys4es# Th4;tre d$ Rond6.oint de /ham%s
Elys4es 6 .aris# Th4;tre de l<to%ie 6 1a Rochelle# /om%a"nie .li <r"ent 6 1yon#
Th4;tre 1e 7odel 6 Avi"non# Th4;tre de 1enche and Th4;tre de la :inoterie 6 :arseille#
/om%a"nie !ice6Th4;tre =ivant 6 !ice# etc.H!
$ OLD #LOWN WANTED 'as p#r)or*#d in: 0ran&#, 9#r*any, Nnit#d Stat#s,
D#n*ark, A,stria, Ioland, R,ssia, 0inland, "taly, T,rk#y, Bra8il, Ro*ania, Moldavia!
$ DE#OM7OSED THEATRE, p#r)or*#d in: Canada, 0ran&#, B#l-i,*, Ro*ania,
Moldavia!
$ THE S7E#TATOR SENTEN#ED TO DEATH, p#r)or*#d in: 0ran&#, Holland,
Ro*ania!
$ 7O#BETS FCLL OF BREAD, p#r)or*#d in: 0ran&#, 9#r*any, Moro&&o, Ro*ania!
$ THE STORY OF 7ANDA BEARS TOLD BY A SADO7HONIST WITH A
EIRLFRIEND IN FRANBFCRT, p#r)or*#d in: 0ran&#, 9r#at Britain, B#l-i,*,
S'it8#rland, 9#r*any, "taly, "sland, H,n-ary, Ro*ania, Moldavia
$ THREE NIEHTS WITH MADOD, p#r)or*#d in: 0ran&#, Ro*ania, H,n-ary!
$ HORSES AT THE WINDOW* p#r)or*#d in: 0ran&#, S'it8#rland, "taly, Ro*ania,
R,ssia!
$ WOMAN AS BATTLEFIELD* p#r)or*#d in: 0ran&#, 9#r*any, B,l-aria,
S'it8#rland, B#l-i,*, Canada, S'#d#n, 9r#at Britain, Ro*ania!
$ HOW TO ED7LAIN THE HISTORY OF #OMMCNISM TO MENTAL
7ATIENTS: Nnit#d Stat#s, 0ran&#, Moldavia!
@
AWARDS
2FF2 $ Natinal Dra!a A@ard o) t%# Ro*anian Ministry o) C,lt,r#
2FF2 and 1999 $ Dra!a A@ard o) t%# Ro*anian Nnion o) +rit#rs
199E $ Dra!a A@ard o) t%# A&ad#*y o) Ro*ania
199< and 199@ $ A@ard A-i%nn9ff at t%# Avi-non T%#atri&al 0#stival
199 $ A@ard o) T%# 0r#n&% So&i#ty o) A,t%ors and Co*pos#rs, )or t%# play THE
STOR: O0 THE IA2DA BEARS TO3D B: A SAWOIHO2EI3A:ER +"TH A
9"R30R"E2D "2 0RA2K0ORT
1991 $ A@ard o) T%# Ro*anian T%#atri&al So&i#ty )or C3O+2 +A2TED, t%# (#st
play o) t%# y#ar in 1991 in Ro*ania
Ilays p,(lis%#d in 0ran&# (y T3#s Editions 3/Har*attanT, T3#s Editions Crat#rT #t T3#s
Editions A&t#s S,d Iapi#rsT, in B#l-i,* (y T3#s Editions 3ans*anT, in Ro*ania (y
TCart#a Ro*an#as&aT and TE1pansion Ar*oniaT, in 9#r*any (y TEditions Ialais 7altaT,
in H,n-ary (y TDN2A pARTT, in Ioland (y t%# t%#atri&al r#vi#' TDialo-T, in B,l-aria
(y t%# t%#atri&al r#vi#' TIanora*aT
7lays by Mat3i Visniec a-ailable in En%lis"
$ Old Clo'n 'ant#d
$ Hors#s at t%# +indo'
$ Io&k#ts ),ll o) Br#ad
$ T%r## 2i-%ts 'it% Mado1
$ T%# Story o) Iandas told (y a Sa1op%onist 'it% a 9irl)ri#nd in 0rank),rt
$ T%# Body o) a +o*an as a Battl#)i#ld in t%# Bosnian +ar
$ Ho' to #1plain t%# History o) Co**,nis* to M#ntal Iati#nts
$ T%# C%#k%ov Ma&%in#
$ T%# Kin-, t%# Rat and t%# Kin-;s 0ool
B

The Body of A Woman As A Battlefield in The Bosnian War

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THE BODY OF A WOMAN

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