"THE BABY"
by
ALEXANDER KIMEL
1500 Palisade Avenue
Fort Lee, NJ 07024
Tel 201-461-0777
alex@kimel.net
THE BABY
ZY-DJ-FN-JP
ACT
SYNOPSIS
Rachel, a barren woman, suddenly discovers that she
is pregnant. In the Ghetto a baby is a kiss of death.
Rachel, categorically refuses to have an abortion,
declaring: "I would rather die with the baby than
live without it." She carries the pregnancy hidden in
an underground bunker.
The spread of typhoid in the Ghetto complicates her
pregnancy and causes the death of her sister in law.
Despite the danger and the hardships Rachel gives
birth to a baby girl, in a bunker. The baby is given
away to an Ukrainian Madam, who saves the girl
claiming that she is a German bastard. Thanks to the
baby the parents survive and are reunited with their
daughter after the liberation.
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Meir
About 36 years old, intelligent, hard working, and
risk taker. A born leader.
Rachel
Sweet, devoted wife and mother, sure of herself.
About 30 years old.
Rachel
About 25 years old, attractive girl devoted to her family.
Fryda
A young widow, about 40 years old.
George
A young man, about 20 years old, Very dependent
and honest.
Henry
A prosperous businessman about 50 years old.
I-2.
Helene
About 35` years old, very sure of herself.
Dr. Hudish
An elderly doctor, about 55 years old. Approachable
and honest.
Gittel
About 55 years old midwife, engulfed in her profession.
Ksenia
A simple but warm hearted woman about 60 years old.
SCENE 1 INTRODUCTION
NARRATOR
The action takes place in a small shtetl, in Eastern Poland. The town was taken over by
the Russians in 1939, and consequently they were dislodged by the Germans in 1941. The
same year,the Germans created the Ghetto, imposing a whole set of restrictions on the
Jewish population. A Jew could not leave the ghetto, has to carry at all times a white
armband with the Star of David. All supplies of food, fuel and other necessities of life, to
the ghetto, where restricted.
The Jews were required to turn in all the radios, furs, jewelry, etc. Soon the Germans
started a series of killings, called "actions". The killings, and constant humiliation coupled
with hunger, demoralized the Jewish population and destroyed the fabric of the society.
In April of 1943, Warsaw Ghetto Uprising gave the Jews an impetus to look for ways for
saving themselves.
SETTING:
The kitchen of the Lehrer's residence. On the right
to the front window stands a wood burning stove.
Opposite the kitchen stands a table with three chairs.
On the left side, there is a door leading toward the
bedroom. Adjacent to the kitchen stands a cupboard.
TIME:
March 1943.
I-3.
AT RISE:
Rachel stands at the stove trying to kindle the fire.
The wood is damp and it doesn't burn, it just smokes.
The door opens and Meir walks in. With his shirt
tucked over his protruding stomach, he looks very
heavy.
MEIR
Good Afternoon Rachel. What are you doing?
Rachel turns around, watches Meir's protruding belly.
RACHEL
Meir, what happened to your stomach? It looks funny. Were you beaten?
MEIR
No, Rachel. I am just like a camel carrying food for the family. Look.
Meir pulls up his shirt, unties the knot holding up an
improvised sack, full of wheat.
MEIR
This is a supply of food, good for a month. It is wheat. Wholesome wheat.
RACHEL
Meir, where did you get the wheat?
MEIR
I bartered it for pair of pants.
PAUSE
When I went to work this morning, I put on two pairs of pants. One pair I exchanged for
wheat.
RACHEL
Meir, you are so reckless. The Germans could have killed you for smuggling.
MEIR
They could have, but our choices are very limited. Either you smuggle or die from
starvation. As a matter of fact they almost caught me. When I was passing the gates of
the Ghetto, one German looked at me and said to the other German: "Look at this fat
Jewish devil. Where does he get his food to be that fat?"
RACHEL
Meir. I am so worried when you work outside the Ghetto.
MEIR
There is nothing to fear. A hundred Jew work daily outside the ghetto and most of
smuggle food. Only one was killed. There is nothing to fear.
(Pause)
I will take the wheat to Bloch's mill and convert it to grit. Delicious grit.
I-4.
RACHEL
Bloch's mill. What are you talking about?
MEIR
Didn't you hear that Bloch found an ancient millstone and open an illegal mill. Supposedly
he does good business.
RACHEL
I heard that he is skinning poor people alive. He charges 20% in addition to the tremendous
spillage losses of the grit. It is good wheat, I think that I can manage myself.
Lea takes the sack of wheat from Meir, pulls a pot
from the shelf and pours in some wheat, after tasting
it.
MEIR
I am going out to find some wood for the stove.
Meir exits. Lea approaches the cupboard and takes
out a mortar with a thistle and starts grinding the
wheat. After a while she stops the grinding saying
to herself:
RACHEL
It is going very slow. Maybe I should try the coffee mill.
She approaches the cupboard and takes out a coffee
mill.
RACHEL
(talking to herself)
It is hard work, but I am preparing a delicious dinner for our family. Meir will appreciate
this dinner.
The door opens and Fryda and Helen walk in.
FRYDA
Good Morning Rachel. It is such a gorgeous day. What are you doing?
RACHEL
I am preparing supper for the family.
HELENE
Supper for the family? On a coffee mill? It is so strange.
RACHEL.
I am preparing a really delicious meal. I am grinding the wheat into kasha. You take the
grit, pour a little hot water, add a drop of oil and a delicious meal is ready.
FRYDA
It must be dull and frustrating work. Where do you take the strength to do all this work?
I-5.
RACHEL.
Necessity is the mother of all inventions but also of strength. We have to eat, and I must
find the necessary strength.
FRYDA
But how did you get the wheat?
RACHEL.
Meir got it.
PAUSE.
(turning to do ladies)
Ladies, would you like to taste my superb cooking?
FRYDA
Yes. I would. I never refuse food offers. They are so rare.
RACHEL.
Okay. I will prepare the dish. Please sit down at the table.
They sit down at the table. Rachel takes a few
spoonfuls or kasha, pours hot water and adds a few
drops of oil. She serves the dishes.
HELENE.
(After tasting the kasha)
Hm. It tastes delicious. Rachel you'll are a real "balabuste" , an excellent homemaker.
RACHEL.
(After they finish eating)
Would you like a glass of tea?
FRYDA.
With pleasure? But Rachel, where did you get the tea. There is no tea in the ghetto.
RACHEL.
It is not the real tea. I burn a spoonful of sugar. Burned sugar dissolves in hot water you
gives it a tea coloring. It looks like tea.
HELENE.
Rachel. This is fantastic. We surely can learn quite a lot from you.
FRYDA.
That is right.
HELENE.
I must confess that for a long time I could not stand you, Rachel. I was going out with
your Meir, long before you came into the picture. We were on the brink of being engaged.
You spoiled this. Because of you I have a loveless marriage.
FRYDA.
(Looking at Helene with amazement)
Helene, don't blame Rachel. Your engagement fell apart because of the dowry. Blame your
father. He refused to deliver the promised dowry.
I-6.
HELEN.
That is not what I told. Meir refused the dowry.
FRYDA
Refused the dowry? That is not true. I know very well the details. Your father, either did
not have the money, or could not part with it. That is the truth.
(PAUSE)
At that time. Meir was an inexperienced young man, running a miniature store, with two
sisters, and a mother to support. I suspect that your father did not trust him with a
substantial dowry.
HELENE.
This is not what my father told me. I was heartbroken then, and later consented to my
marriage to Henry, and here we are.
PAUSE.
Further, Meir was always a successful young merchant.
FRYDA.
No Helene. His success came later. I know the details because Norma, Meir's sister, was
my best friend. Meir's supposedly said to her: "Interesting, Helen's father trust me with
his daughter but not with his money."
RACHEL.
I am sorry Helene, that I caused such an upheaval in your life. But I had no part in it.
HELEN.
I have to admit that for years, I looked down upon you, a barren woman. Look, I said to
myself Meir got himself a nice princess. A woman that doesn't want or can't have children.
Good for him.
PAUSE
An now Rachel, I envy you most is the fact that you don't have children. You don't have
to worry. You don't know, what a pain it is to lose an only child. It is indeed a piercing
pain felt every minute of my wretched life. You are lucky. So lucky indeed.
RACHEL
I do not know about that. You know Helene that for a long long time, I was dreaming
about having a baby. Unfortunately, after my abortion, I just could not have children.
How I envied them mothers walking with children or pushing carriages.
HELENE.
Rachel, you had an abortion? I never knew about it. How come? What was the reason
for the the abortion?
RACHEL.
When I was pregnant, I got the measles. Because of the health of the baby, the doctor
recommended an abortion. This sealed my fate. Afterwards I could not get pregnant again.
HELEN.
I am sorry to hear this, Rachel. I always believed that you didn't want to have children.
You wanted to be free.
I-7.
RACHEL.
In life you never know. Let's not argue about old stories. They are like water under the
bridge. But talking to about children, how is your husband doing?
HELEN.
Not so good. After Walter's death he became very depressed. He is angry at the whole
world: God, people, Gentiles, Jews, neighbors, everybody. You can't talk to him without
causing a stream of violent anger.
(Pause)
He is angry, and depressed. His moods alternate aimlessly.
FRYDA
He must be angry at himself. From the stories that I heard he must be feeling guilty. Very
guilty.
HELEN.
Nonsense. What stories did you hear?
FRYDA.
I don't want to upset you. Forget it.
HELENE.
I insist that you tell me. Don't you think that knowing that will help me to face the reality
of my married life?
FRYDA.
I don't know if I should tell you? I don't know if the stories are true. People have a
tendency to talk. Talk is cheap, but it might hurt deeply.
HELEN.
I must know the truth. Please, tell me.
FRYDA
I heard that when the killing started, Henry ran with Walter and the boy got lost. Henry
was so scared that he did not respond to the boys cries for help. Henry left the boy behind
and hid in a storage shed.
PAUSE
Sorry Helene. Remember the story is not proven.
HELEN.
It is not proven, but it explains Henry's actions. Anger at everyone. Maybe he is trying to
justify his deeds?
RACHEL.
Helen, please don't judge them harshly. My father used to quote Rabbi Hillel saying
"Don't judge your fellow men until you find yourself in his shoes". Please, don't judge him.
HELEN
Do I judge him? We live in crazy times. It is hard to be normal in abnormal times.
RACHEL.
Helene, your husband needs understanding and support. The man goes through stressful
times. He is full of pain. You have to support to him and understand him.
I-8.
HELEN.
Rachel. Unfortunately, I am not a saint like yourself. I have problems taking it. I always
ask myself, why did it happen to me? Why me?
FRYDA
Helen, you are not alone in this position. I lost my husband and a child. There is not a
family in the Ghetto that is not in mourning. Count your blessings.
HELEN
Count your blessings? Pain, acute pain is not a blessing.
FRYDA
You could also be alone, and a lonely pain is a tremendous burden.
HELEN
You are right Fryda. I never looked at this from your point of view.
(pause)
I will have to go soon. Let's discuss the cooking arrangements, before I leave.
RACHEL.
As you know, the Germans cut off the food supplies, but also cut off to wood supplies
necessary for cooking. They're trying to starve us to death. Even when we have the food
to cook, we are missing wood for the stoves.
HELEN
You are right. Yesterday, Henry brought an old wooden wardrobe, took it apart and we
used for cooking. The wood didn't burn well and smelt horribly.
FRYDA.
So let's combine our resources, and cook on one stove. It could be done, if we limit or
cooking to two pots per family.
RACHEL
You know friends, something bothers me. All the kitchens in the alley are located at the
entrance doors, and are visible from the street. There are many starving families in the
alley and the sight of 6 pots with cooking meals could be very disturbing and shall I say
...cruel.
HELEN
We will have to cook behind closed doors. This is not a problem. But how are we
coordinate the time?
RACHEL.
We start every day at noon time. Two pots per family.
HELEN
Agreed. Tomorrow at noon time at my house.
Helen exits and Fryda is also preparing to leave.
RACHEL.
Could you wait while I prepare a bowl of kasha for the orphan.
I-9.
FRYDA
Which all orphan are you talking about. There are many orphans in the ghetto.
RACHEL.
It is Shlomo, the son of Mottle the Taylor. He is homeless, laid up with typhoid, and
laying on the bare ground, in the alley. Imagine a kid with high fever laying on the ground.
I feel so sorry for him.
(pause)
In the Ghetto everybody is wrapped up in his own pain, his own fears and his own problems.
There is nom place for compassion for the less fortunate.
FRYDA
You are so right. I feel guilty of this. Of course I will take the grit. You are so kind Rachel.
I guess that without your help, that poor kid would have died a long time ago.
RACHEL.
God helps people that help others. I strongly believe in that. I learned that from my father.
Rachel gets up. Takes of wooden bowl, pours kasha
and pours hot-water on top of it. She gives the bowl
to Fryda. Helene exits, while Fryda lingers on and
turns to Rachel.
FRYDA
Rachel, what is the matter, with you? I sense some tension. Did you have a fight with Meir?
Looks on her with puzzlement. Thinks for a while,
and speaks softly.
RACHEL.
No Fryda. I did not have a fight with Meir. We seldom fight, but.... don't tell it to
anybody... I afraid that I am pregnant.
FRYDA.
Pregnant? Oh my God! This is impossible. You can't be pregnant. This might be a disaster.
RACHEL.
It could be a disaster. After 10 years of trying to have a baby. In vain, yes in vain.
Pregnancy now, is a kiss of death. Yes, I know it, but I am pregnant and I can't help it.
FRYDA
Rachel. How have you determined that you are pregnant?
RACHEL.
I missed periods for three months in a row. In addition, I feel changes in my body. I am
pretty sure of this.
PAUSE
Worst of all, there is no doctor in the ghetto. All were killed by the Germans or were taken
to the forest by the Partisans. I really do not know what to do. Whom to talk to? Where
can I get help?
FRYDA.
Wait a minute. I think that I have good news for you.
I-10.
PAUSE
I heard that there is a new doctor in town, Dr. Hudish. As the story goes, he jumped the
death train from Kolomyja, when the train was passing through our town. He settled in
the ghetto and started his practice. I can find out where he lives.
RACHEL.
Please, do so.
FRYDA.
But shouldn't you tell Meir about that?
RACHEL
I am not going to tell him now.
FRYDA
Why not? He should know about it. Shouldn't he?
RACHEL
In due time he will know. Now, he will pressure me for an abortion. I will tell him later
when it will be to late for an abortion.
FRYDA
Ain't you taking big responsibilities? It is not fair for Meir.
RACHEL
For years I was trying to get pregnant. No results. I was a barren woman longing to fulfill
my purpose of life, to have a baby.
(pause)
Every time I saw a woman with small children or a young woman pushing a baby carriage,
I felt humiliated, rejected, worthless. Day and night I was dreaming about a baby. Each
time my period approached I was dying a thousands deaths. Fryda, you cannot understand
my sufferings.
FRYDA
How do you feel now?
RACHEL
I am scared but elated, fearful but determined. Yes, I am determined to take my chances
and keep going to the end.
(pause)
Bedsides, Meir is all wrapped up with his deals and scheming business.
FRYDA.
What kind of business?
RACHEL.
He is trying to organize a resistance group. He wants to escape to the forest, and so forth.
FRYDA
I did not know this . I will find out Dr. Hudish's address. I will be back.
Fryda exists, and Rachel returns to her grinding job.
END OF SCENE
I-11.
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
SCENE 2 - ORGANIZING RESISTANCE
SETTING:
Same setting of the Rachel's kitchen. The number of
table chairs increased to five.
TIME:
A few days later.
AT RISE:
Rachel's Kitchen. David and Eva sit at the table
when Meir walks in.
MEIR.
Good evening. Where is Rachel?
EVA
She went out with Fryda. She will be back soon.
PAUSE
What's the matter Meir? You look very tense.
MEIR
I had a hard day. You know it is spring time. I was watching how nature awaken from
the winter slumber, bursting with life. The grass is pushing through the snow, trees are
blooming. Only we Jews are preparing for death. This is so tragic.
(Pause)
I feel like 4000 years of Jewish history is coming to an end and we are fiddling helplessly.
We are like marionettes dancing to the German tunes.
EVA
Whatever else can we do? Meir meet my friend David. I told him about you organizing a
resistance group and he is very interested to join.
DAVID
My name is David Stein and I am very glad to meet you, especially that you are the brother
of Rachel.
MEIR
David Stein. Are you the famous Jewish Fascist?
DAVID
Yes, I am the Jewish Italian fascist.
EVA
I never heard about it. Please tell me.
DAVID
It is a long story. Do you have time for it?
I-12.
MEIR
Yes, please tell us. I never heard the details.
DAVID
I wanted to study medicine and as a Jew I could not do it in Poland, so I vent to Italy. I
studied medicine in the University of Bolognia. In Italy, at that time, if you belonged to
the Fascist party you paid less tuition and received 50% discounts on train tickets. Having
nothing to loose I joined the party and received a Fascist Party Member Card.
MEIR
The Italians accepted Jews into the Fascist Party?
DAVID
The Italians are easy going people, not like the Germans.
(Pause)
During the March action, when 40% of the Jews were killed, I was caught together with
my parents. I showed the German officer my Fascist Card and he let me go. Unfortunately
he did not let my parents go. They perished.
EVA
Very interesting story. Do you still have the card?
DAVID
No. The card expired and I sent it to the Italian embassy in Warsaw for validation and
never got it back. I am not a Fascist right now.
(pause)
Meir, returning to your statement what do you suggest we do?
MEIR.
All our energies are expended on finding food. We are forgetting that the Germans are
preparing the liquidation of the ghetto, and we do nothing to save ourselves. We have to
do something. We have to save ourselves.
At this moment a group of men enter the scene. Meir
is very excited and greets them all.
MEIR
Welcome neighbors, welcome. I am glad with this turnover. Very happy indeed.
Suddenly the door opens and Arnold runs in. He is
very excited.
ARNOLD.
Did you hear the latest news? It's is fantastic!
MEIR.
What is the news? The war ended? Germany surrendered?
ARNOLD.
No. The news is not that good. The Jews rose up and fighting the Germans in the Warsaw
ghetto. I heard it on the German radio. The Jewish fighters are controlling the ghetto.
Isn't this fantastic news?
(more)
I-13.
ARNOLD. (CONTINUED)
(pause)
The spell is broken. The Germans are not 10 feet tall, but people of flesh and blood, like
we. They could be killed. This is a big event, and event of historical proportions.
DAVID
Meir. Here, is an answer to your problems. I think that we should follow their example
and prepare to fight the Germans here, in the ghetto. Let's put this Shtetl on the historical
map. We won't survive but we will be remembered by the future generations.
MEIR
David, I think you are dreaming. They are about 2000 Jews left in the ghetto, and about
200 men in the arms bearing age. We have no organization, no support, and no weapons.
Are we going to fight the Germans with broomsticks? We will be overwhelmed and
wiped out in a few minutes. Is this what we want?
DAVID.
I believe that in a surprise attack, one fighter with a rifle can kill five Germans, the
Germans will run away, and all their plans will be disrupted. It could be done.
MEIR.
It is not that the easy to surprise the Germans. You have to be a seasoned and experienced
fighter to do it. You need weapons and lots of ammunition.
EVA
David. You once had the opportunity to kill a SS-man, and you did not do it. Remember.
ARNOLD.
David tells us the story. Please, tell your story.
DAVID.
It happened about two months ago. As you know Radzynski, the Volksdeutcher, initiated
a new procedure. The Germans rope off, one block at the time, and cart away all the
belongings of the Jews. They claim that they cannot wait for the belongings to be soiled
with blood when the Jews will be killed.
(pause)
I had a revolver hidden in the kitchen stove, and when the German blocked off the adjacent
block, I jumped out trough the window, with the gun in my pocket. I jumped out and . ...
landed in front of the SS man, conducting the operation.
(pause)
In his magnificent black uniform, with his hat with blazing insignia the SS man looked
like an Angel of Death.
PAUSE
Looking at him I said to myself, I never used a gun, but I can surprise him and kill him.
But, in danger one thinks very fast, and I thought - I will surprise the German and kill him
and the next day the Germans will kill 2000 Jews.
PAUSE
OK I thought - The Jews will be killed anyhow. What is the difference?
I-14.
PAUSE.
But, then I thought life in the ghetto is very precious. A day in the ghetto is like a month
in normal times. A month in the ghetto is like lifetime. I'd will be shortening the life of
2000 jews. They will go to their graves cursing my name. Do I want this? No. I did not
shoot. I told him that I am working for a German company and I have to go back to work.
I turned around and left.
PAUSE
Meir. You might be right. Fighting is not that easy, so what is the solution?
ARNOLD
Fighting is not easy but it can save lives.
MEIR
How do you see it? Explain it to us.
ARNOLD
Fighting is not easy, but it can cross the German's plan and motivate people to run away to
hide in the forest.
MEIR
Why couldn't they do it now, before the actions?
ARNOLD
You know it Meir, that it is very difficult to give up the "comfort" of the Ghetto, to face
the constant dangers on the outside. Under fire you run for your life. Those are facts of life.
MEIR
Maybe if we have a supply of weapons this could be a solution. Without weapons it is a
waste of time. It is like daydreaming. But where could we get weapons?
HENRY
We have to buy them.
MEIR
From whom?
HENRY
This is the question.
EVA
To change the subject. Did you hear about Sevastopol?
MEIR.
The one in Crimea?
RACHEL.
No. That one in the ghetto.
PAUSE
I heard today that a group of Jews are building an extensive underground bunker for about
eighty people. They call it Sevastopol. They tapped into electrical cables and will have
electricity. They also have sewer connections, and provided with food to last about one year.
I-15.
ARNOLD.
It sounds interesting. How long are they working on it?
EVA
For about one year. The work goes on, day and night.
ARNOLD
Could we start such a project? It could be located under the alley
MEIR
I doubt it. It is not feasible.
EVA
Why is it not feasible?
MEIR
First of all, we don't have enough time. Secondly, where we will take water?
EVA
We can store it in barrels.
MEIR.
Do you know, the quantities a water that we need? For about 20 people, using half a liter
of water per day, for consumption only. We will need about 1500 gallons of water to store.
Enormous quantities of water. In addition you need water for cooking, disposal of refuse,
etc. I don't think that this is feasible.
EVA
Why can you build a temporary bunker supplied with the necessities of life for only one-
month? After one months we could run. We could run to hide in the forest.
HENRY.
How is it going to help us? Do you expect to war to finish in one month?
EVA
No. I don't expect a war to finish in one month. I believe that the coming action will last,
at most one week. Later, the Germans will withdraw.
PAUSE.
After they are gone, it will be easy to escape.
MEIR.
Maybe it is a good idea. But it is to late for this. We don't have the time, and we don't
have the space to hide the dugout dirt. The Germans will discover us in no time. Such
digging requires months of preparations. We don't have the time.
PAUSE
It cannot be done. Period. We should built a bunker in the forest and not in the ghetto.
HENRY.
I believe that the best way to survive is to find a peasant willing to hide us. I am always
on the lookout for good peasant, willing to take the chances.
I-16.
MEIR
Maybe this is a solution for you. You have the money. Nevertheless, finding a reliable
peasant is not so easy. How do you know, that he will not kill you and take the money?
You are so helpless. You are at his mercy. Nevertheless, I wish you good luck.
DAVID.
I am trying to convince Rachel to escape the ghetto and hide on Aryan papers. I know, a
priest, who is willing to supply us with Christian birth certificates. Unfortunately, she is
afraid.
ARNOLD
I believe that a Christian birth certificate is not enough. Nowadays, you had to have a
Kennkarte issued by the Gestapo. A Kennkarte is a personal identification certificate with
a picture. Without it you are dead. It is impossible to get it.
MEIR.
It could be a solution for David and Rachel if they have the guts. Maybe. For for the
majority of people all those "maybe" ideas are of no use. I have a concrete plan. I know a
Jewish horse trader, who has many friends in the surrounding villages. He spent his life
in those villages.
PAUSE
He told me that the son of his friend, Anton, works as a forest ranger. He collected a big
arsenal of weapons abandoned by the Poles and Russians. He is willing to sell us those
weapons, at the right price, of course. He will help us build bunkers, so supply us with
food. But we need money.
DAVID.
How much money?
MEIR.
About $300.
DAVID.
Three hundred dollars? This is a fortune, a great fortune. Where are we going to take the
money?
MEIR
We don't need all the money at once. For the first stage $100 will do. I believe that we
have to start organizing a group of young people. Each member or the group will have to
contribute a certain amount of money.
PAUSE
Later we will approach a few people with means, promising them acceptance to the group,
subject to the contribution of funds. We will get the money. Where there is a will there is
a way.
HENRY
I am trying to find a peasant willing to hide us.
DAVID
You don't have to join us. Also you can joins us and if you find a peasant you can leave.
There are no strings attached. You might also loose the opportunities to be saved in the
forest by waiting for the right peasant. Think about it.
I-17.
DAVID.
I propose that Meir be selected as a leader. It is his plan, his connections, and besides, he
is one of the few Jews who served in the Army and has military training.
HENRY.
Meir, I believe the your ideas are ridiculous. Look, the whole civilized world is fighting
the Germans and have difficulties. Here comes Meir, with his 10 fighters.
PAUSE
Meir you don't have a chance! You will be killed in no time. You are wasting your time
and worst of all losing opportunities.
ARNOLD
What opportunities are you losing? Do you have any better plans? Please tell us.
MEIR
(Heatedly)
Henry is right. We might be killed in the forest. In the ghetto we will be killed for sure.
(pause)
Maybe we will die fighting. But we will create symbols of resistance for future generations.
Those symbols will be needed for the renewal of Jewish life after the catastrophe.
HENRY.
Symbols of resistance. This is sheer nonsense. Asking people to die to create symbols of
resistance. This is a symbol of nonsense. It is for the birds.
MEIR
Not exactly. It is connected with Jewish history. In Antiquity, the Jews were ferocious
fighters. Little Judea was a big headache for the Roman Empire. It shook the foundations
of the Empire. In Partan wars the Jews were the best mercenary soldiers. Imagine, Jews
as mercenary soldiers. They had this unbelievable fighting spirit.
HENRY
What happened to this Jewish fighting spirit?
MEIR
After the Romans destroyed Judea, they dispersed the Jewish people and started the
diaspora. In the diaspora, the Jews could not fight. So, they used symbolism and passive
resistance to survive.
HENRY.
How does this relate to our present situation?
MEIR.
It relates, because the Jews gave up militancy and became masters of survival. Through
submission to persecutions they became very strong people. A mighty oak tree breaks
during a hurricane while the flexible reef bends only down.
HENRY
So what happened now? How come this strength disappeared now?
MEIR.
With Hitler's methods of total destruction this submission to persecution does not work.
It is time to change. It is time to fight back.
I-18.
HENRY.
Do you think that you fighting back will work? Tell me how?
MEIR.
It is a drastic change of symbolism. It is a wake-up call for us and for the future Jewish
generations. A call for the abandoning of the passivity, sticking to old notions and old
symbols and return to active fight for survival, as practiced by other people.
HENRY
Meir, it is too late to change horses midstream. If you tell me that you are going to organize
a survival group, I will understand. But organizing a resistance group, doesn't make any
sense. The Russians lost a million of people in one failed offensive. The proud England
s taking daily punishment from the German Air Force, and can't help it. Here comes Meir
to the rescue, without weapons, people and an organization. Excuse me, this is sheer
nonsense.
MEIR
Despite Henry's objections, I am going to organize a group, the resistance group. We might
it call a Survival group. It is only a matter of name. Whoever wants can join me. It is a
free choice.
ARNOLD.
It sounds good. I lost all my family during this passive symbolic stage. I will gladly die
fighting.
MEIR
Let everybody who wants to join raise his hand.
(Everybody except Henry raise their hands.
(pause)
It looks like that the majority is joining. Congratulations. The resistance group is born.
(Turning to David)
David bring out the bottle and a few glasses. We have to drink L'Haim. To life! To life!
HENRY
Everybody is joining. I think that I will join too. And as an wealthy individual I pledge to
contribute 100 dollars to the cause.
DAVID.
Lets drink to Henry. He deserves a toast.
END OF SCENE
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SCENE 3 - PREGNANCY
SETTING:
The kitchen of the Lehrer residence.
TIME:
Three weeks later.
I-19.
AT RISE:
Rachel is washing dishes. Meir enters.
MEIR.
Good morning Rachel. It is early morning and you are already at work. Rachel, what are
you doing?
RACHEL.
I am trying to figure out the menu for dinner. Do you think that it is easy to cook when
there is nothing to cook with?
MEIR
I believe that you will find a way out. You are such a fantastic homemaker. By the way
our group passed the first hurdles. I hope that we will succeed. We got already some
money pledged and established contact with Anton, the Ranger. Things are looking up.
We should survive and God's willing we will survive.
RACHEL.
Meir, you are very much optimistic. Survival is along shot away. Meir, I am afraid to tell
you the other news. You will be shocked.
MEIR.
(Worried and taken aback)
Are you all right Rachel? Are you sick? What is it?
RACHEL.
I am not sick,.. but.. I am pregnant.
MEIR
(surprised)
Pregnant! It is impossible! It can not be true.
RACHEL.
(Sadly)
Everything is possible. You know the old Jewish saying: If God wants, you can shoot
with a broom.
PAUSE
After all those barren years, I'm unexpectedly pregnant. I feel like Sarah, that had Isaac in
an advanced age. God played a joke on me, and now everybody will have a cheap laugh.
MEIR.
Are you sure of this? You must be mistaken! How can it be? We tried for years and years,
and suddenly poof. You are pregnant. Are you sure of it? I can't believe it.
RACHEL.
I am sure. Yes, yesterday I went to see a doctor, Dr. Hudish. He confirmed my suspicions.
It's a fact we have to face. A situation we have to adjust.
MEIR.
Rachel, do you realize what the baby could do to us now?.
I-20.
RACHEL.
I know. A baby in the ghetto is the kiss of death.
MEIR
Rachel, you have to interrupt the pregnancy. It is insane to think otherwise.
RACHEL.
(emphatically)
Meir. I am not going to have an abortion.
PAUSE
A baby is a kiss of death. An abortion in the ghetto is sure death. I have no choices.
MEIR.
Couldn't Dr. Hudish perform an abortion?
RACHEL
No. He told me that he doesn't have neither the experience nor the instrumentation.
PAUSE
"You can go to a midwife," he told me, "but that would be very dangerous. We don't have
even aspirins." Meir, we have to proceed with the pregnancy.
PAUSE.
You know Meir, my mother used to say that each baby brings a different type of happiness
to their parents.
PAUSE
And what happiness can the baby bring to us?. The gift of life. Meir I feel it in my bones
that the baby will redeem us. It will help us to survive.
MEIR.
You are dreaming. Rachel! I gift of life? Even without the baby our chances of survival
are very low. With a baby they are none. Rachel you have to get an abortion. I insist that
you get an a abortion.
RACHEL.
(moving closer to him)
For 10 years I was dreaming about having a baby, and it's now that I would rather die with
the baby than to survive without it.
MEIR.
Rachel. What shall I say to my friends from the group? They elected me their leader to
save them from the inevitable death in the ghetto. Sorry boys. My wife is going to have a
baby. We have to wait with the resistance. Sorry.
RACHEL.
Meir. I can proceed with the pregnancy alone. Your sister Eva will help me. You can
dedicate yourself to the resistance, to the group. You can go on collecting money, buying
weapons, building bunkers. Go for it! If you succeed -I will join you. If you, God forbids,
fail -- you will join me. I think it's a fair proposition.
MEIR
Rachel, you are stubborn. I am really dumbfounded. I don't know what to tell you.
I-21.
RACHEL
Meir I believe "bashert" the predestination by God's will.
MEIR
Rachel, stoop fooling yourself. God's will?
(pause)
Last March i said Kaddish, the prayer for the death, at the mass grave, where 3400 Jews
were brutally murdered. When I saw this enormous pit full of bodies, some still alive, I
asked myself, why is God allowing such atrocities? Why doesn't the Almighty intervene?
(pause)
I realized at this moment that either God doesn't have the power to stop it, or He doesn't
care. Rachel, stop kidding yourself about God's will and have an abortion.
RACHEL
Meir, you and your ideas. For thousand of years we survived because of our faith. The
faith kept us alive. Wasn't it God's will, otherwise how can you explain this miracle?
MEIR
It was not a miracle, just a delusion. Delusions kept are a live through the waves of
persecutions and sufferings. Now, it is time to stop those delusions and get back to reality.
(pause)
Your continuation with the pregnancy endangers the lives of our family and the lives of
our neighbors. It is time to stop the nonsense and concentrate on survival.
RACHEL
Meir, stop kidding yourself. It was under your influence that I had an abortion years ago.
You know how I desired a baby. I am not going to interrupt this pregnancy.
(pause)
You can go ahead with your dreams about resistance. I will manage the pregnancy alone.
(pause)
I believe that your dreams about resistance are just dreams. We have two contradicting
dreams. My dream based on 2000 years of tradition, proven by our survival and your
dream based on wishful thinking.
At this moment the door opens and Henry and
Helene walk in.
HELEN.
What is the noise? We heard high voices. Is is something wrong?
MEIR
A lot is wrong. Can you imagine that Rachel is pregnant, and refuses to have an abortion.
HENRY AND HELEN.
(In unison)
Pregnant. Oh my God!
RACHEL.
I also know all your arguments: baby, kiss of death. Leave me alone. I believe in
"Bashert" - Destiny. It is God's will, and it's my destiny. I accepted it.
I-22.
HENRY
(Coming closer)
Rachel, think about the baby. What a life do you expect for the baby? Hunger, sufferings,
death. Isn't it better to cut it now? Gittel, the Midwife helped many women in your
situation. Why don't you try her?
MEIR.
She is stubborn. She you will not listen to good advice.
RACHEL.
Gittel killed quite a few women. I will not be one of them. Listen people. I prefer to die
with the baby, than to live without it. You don't understand the feelings, the quest for love
and life of a barren woman. Things that I dreamed of for years, are happening right now,
and I accept them with gladness. Yes, with al the gladness of my heart.
EVA
(Approaches and embraces Rachel.)
I understand you. I accept your decision. May God bless you.
HELEN
You are selfish Rachel! You are very selfish woman. Did you hear what happened with
the Bloch's baby during the last action? The baby started to cry, when the Germans were
above the bunker.
PAUSE.
Trying to silence the crying baby, the mother inadvertently choked it to death.
RACHEL
(Defiantly)
Life is full of surprises. What happened to the Bloch family will not happen to me. I do
have a strong faith and I believe that the baby will bring us luck and that we all will survive.
HENRY.
Rachel, you are quite stubborn. What the about us? You are endangering the lives of all
of us. We do share the bunker. Don't we? And this fateful bunker saved the lives of 20
people. Twice. Here this bunker.
He points his finger to to the cupboard, where the
entrance to bunker your is located.
EVA
Henry, nobody is forcing you to use our bunker. You can build yourself another.
HENRY.
Maybe we will. Helene let's go. This is a no-win situation.
EVA
Henry, wait a minute. Your arguments are faulty. There is no need for another bunker.
The situation in the ghetto has changed.
PAUSE.
Previously, the Germans made sporadic actions, killed or have taking away a few thousand
Jews. And later to life returned to normal. We were allowed to live to the next action.
(more)
I-23.
PAUSE. (CONTINUED)
Now, this is over. Next action will be "Judenrein". The killing will proceed until all Jews
are gone. The bunker will not save any lives. It can only extend your life for a day or two.
MEIR
Rachel is right. Henry, if you want to live, run to the woods. This is exactly what we are
going to do
HENRY
I don't agree with you. If you survive the first blows of the action you have a chance to run
away and hide in the forest. Without a bunker you have no chances of survival. You are
dead.
END OF SCENE
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SCENE 4- PREPARATION FOR THE FOREST
SETTING:
The it Kitchen of the Lehrer's family.
TIME:
A month later.
AT RISE:
At the opening about four people are milling around
the kitchen. Meir enters.
MEIR.
Good evening everybody. I see that you all are here. The news is good. Our group
increased by about 10 people, and many more volunteers are waiting in the wings. But we
also have some problems. The whole ghetto is talking about the group. Our success is
exaggerated. As the story goes. We are fully armed, with machine guns, hand grenades, etc.
PAUSE
There is a danger that there Germans will be alerted and will go after us. So let's keep a
low profile. No bragging, no comments. Lets keep a low profile.
HAIM
We also have to be careful with our purchases. I was looking to buy a backpack, and this
guy asks me if I belong to the group.
PAUSE.
I dropped the search for a backpack, and used a sack with strings attached, like the peasants
do.
MEIR
Let's get to our business. Are you ready to go to the forest?
(All answer in unison.)
I-24.
Yes, Meir. We are ready.
MEIR.
Looks, at the assembled in silence.
So we have all the necessary stuff. Shovels for
digging, food for two weeks, camouflaging garb,
sleeping blankets. Everything looks OK.
PAUSE
You look good. At night you look like Ukrainian Partisans. Now we will divide into two
groups, and under cover of darkness we will leave the ghetto. By the way try to
communicate in Ukrainian. Get used to the language.
DAVID.
Where do you think is the best place to leave the ghetto?
MEIR.
At the brook behind Budzynski's house, at the milk market. This place where the peasant
sell the milk. There, it is easy to jump over brook and the surrounding bushes provide
some security.
(Pause)
I suggest that David, Leo and Arnold go first, and after thirty minutes the rest will follow.
Now, lets us discuss the marching route and the meeting place.
ARNOLD
Let's make sure that tomorrow morning we all meet at the right place.
MEIR
(Reading from notes.)
After jumping the brook we proceed to the railroad crossing that is not far from the railroad
station.
PAUSE
After the crossing we proceed the main road for about 3 kilometers, to the first fork in the
road. We take the left road bypassing the village of Zarwanica. The village has an active
Ukrainian freedom movement and is heavily armed. We have to avoid them and bypass
the village.
PAUSE
Next we follow the bypass route, a dirt road, for about 1.5 kilometers to the point where it
meets the main road. We turn left into the main road.
ARNOLD
I have a question, Meir. How do we measure the distances in kilometers? Can you give
us some landmark signs?
MEIR
I am afraid not. The distances are taken from old military maps. There are no landmarks
indicated on those old maps. You have to use your judgment.
I-25.
PAUSE
At the main road you make a left turn and follow the winding road to the forest. Before
reaching the forest the road divides into a few trails. Take the most traveled trail that will
lead you to the Ranger's house.
DAVID
The directions are very simple. We should be able to find the Ranger's house without
problems.
MEIR
(Checking the time on his watch.)
It is time to go. Good luck. See you tomorrow in the forest. Be careful.
The first group picks up their backpacks and slowly
leaves the scene.
MEIR
(Interrupting the silence.)
In about twenty minutes we will leave. Anybody wants a glass of tea? It will fortify us for
the journey.
He gets up, approaches the cupboard, takes out
glasses and pours hot tea from the tea kettle. They
start to drink when a few loud shots are heard,
followed by orders barked in German.
MEIR
Oh my God. They caught them. The German bastards caught them. This is the end!
The group sits in silence, each man engulfed in his
thoughts, when suddenly the door opens and David
walks in, followed by the rest of the group.
MEIR
Thanks God you are alive. What happened? Did they see you?
DAVID
Meir, they did not shoot at us. They did not see us. As we approached the brook, we heard
a series of shots. We immediately took cover. A few minutes later we saw that the
Germans killed a Jewish smuggler. From a distance we could not identify him.
MEIR
Let's hide the gear in the bedroom. If the police comes to check we will pretend that we
did got together to pray. It will take about 30 minutes for the situation to return to normal.
Then we will leave, as planned.
END OF SCENE
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I-26.
SCENE 5 - IN THE FOREST
SETTING:
A clearing in the forest, surrounded by tall trees and
dense vegetation.
TIME:
Next day in the morning.
AT RISE:
In the opening three people sit on logs in a forest
clearing.
MEIR.
What happened to David's group? Are they still alive? It is so hard to wait, wait, wait.
HENRY
Nothing happened to them. Probably, they got lost.
MEIR.
It is almost 10 o'clock. By now you should have found their way here. What are we going
to do?
HAIM
Couldn't we start building the bunkers ourselves? Why waste time?
MEIR
We cannot start the building the bunker before we settle things with Anton, the Ranger.
HENRY
Meir, let's take a chance and pay him the money.
MEIR.
We can't. Leo has the money.
HENRY
That is not good. By the way do you trust Anton? I have a leery feeling about him.
MEIR.
What do you mean by a leery a feeling?
HENRY
He never looks you straight in the eyes. From my experience, such people are not
trustworthy.
MEIR.
He was highly recommended by Shlomo, the Horse Trader. He knows well his father. He
is quite a gentleman.
HENRY
But how does this reflect on his son? Even a father cannot vouch for his son. Can he?
I-27.
MEIR.
There is no certainty in anything we are doing nowadays. But what choices do we have?
None. We have to trust him.
PAUSE
After this beautiful breakfasts at Anton's, I feel like in Paradise. The sun is shining so
bright, the birds are singing so loud, the air is so refreshing, and most importantly, I have
no fear. I walk here like a free man, without the nagging fear, the constant companion in
the ghetto.
HAIM
I'm glad to be here, but I feel no exhilaration. I always remember, my family that vanished
like dissolved in the air. I miss them so much.
MEIR.
Haim, let's think about the future and not the painful past. We are here to prepare a refuge
for our families . Don't you forget this!
Voices are heard in the distance.
Hello. Hello. We are here.
MEIR.
This is David's voice. They are here! They are here.
(loudly.)
Hello. Hello.
And a few minutes later the group appears at the
clearing. They all carry backpacks, only Leo is
without one.
MEIR.
Leo, what happened to your backpack? What happened to you? Did you get lost?
DAVID.
One thing at a time. Before I start our tale, I had to have a drink of water. I'm dying from
thirst.
Meir gives them a water bottle. They all drink,
thirstily. Afterwards, David sits down on a log and
starts speaking.
DAVID.
After we jumped the ghetto border at the brook, we proceeded quietly to the railroad
crossing. We found the crossing closed, because a German troop transport train has
broken down or was sabotaged. People gathered at the crossing, talking with the Germans.
PAUSE
We could not stay there, without creating a suspicion, so we moved into a side street
walking around the stalled train. When we reached a place where the tracks were clear, we
crossed the tracks, and in the darkness of the night, we got lost. Before long, we found
ourselves walking through a village.
I-28.
PAUSE.
Imagine, three of us of us walking through a sleepy village, when the dogs started to bark,
bark, bark. The whole village was awakened and started to chase us. Suddenly the small
windows of the peasants hut started to light up and heavy set men with thick clubs
appeared on the road and started to chase us.
PAUSE.
Zydy! Zydy! Zydy! Jews. Jews. Jews.
(they yelled)
Let's get them. We ran as fast as we could. Suddenly, we saw fiery flash followed by a
thunder of a shot. They where shooting at us. We ran fast like deer. Leo could not keep
up with us, so he dropped his backpack. At the of the village, we reached the main road
and turned left, instead of turning right. And we got lost, lost completely.
LEO
We wondered a whole night, trying to reach the forest. Without success. Finally, in the
morning, we saw a group of peasants riding to the marketplace. We told them that we are
Ukrainian Partisans lost in the forest. They gave us a ride, and took us to the Rangers house.
And here we are.
MEIR.
What a tale! I am glad that you are here. I am glad that we are all together.
PAUSE
You must be hungry. We have food to share.
Meir pulls up the backpack, pulls out a loaf of bread,
and gives it to do group. Then he turns to Henry.
MEIR.
Leo, do you have the money?
LEO
Of course I have the money. I did not keep it in the backpack.
MEIR.
Finish eating, and let's go to see Anton.
(Turning to the group.)
You in the meantime can clean out the place and start digging the bunker. The the entrance
to the bunker will be located behind this big bush. Just over there.
HAIM
Meir, don't forget to ask for two pails. We need them to carry the dug out dirt. Don't forget.
MEIR.
Okay. We will be back in a cinch. In the meantime, you clean up this place and start
digging.
Meir and Leo exit the stage. The group starts the
cleanup and later we see them digging behind the bush.
After a one-hour Meir and Leo come back, loaded
with two pails and a Italian rifle. Meir sits down and
yells to the diggers.
I-29.
MEIR.
Hey boys, come here. Look what we have here. Isn't this a beauty? It is a treasure.
DAVID.
We are coming right away.
They emerge from the bushes, and Meir shows of
the gleaning riffle.
MEIR.
We have two pails and a gun. a brand new Italian rifle, never used before. Isn't this a
beauty? It is a treasure.
They started cautiously examine the gun. Curling it
like a baby.
HAIM
I never held a gun in my hand. I never liked guns, but this one is like a baby to me. Beautiful!
MEIR
Okay boys. We have to work to do. You'll return to the digging, and I have a few things
to discuss with David. We will join you shortly.
The group returns to digging, while David's and Meir
stay behind.
MEIR
What are we going to do with the gun? We can't take it back to the ghetto, and he cannot
leave it with Anton.
DAVID.
Why?
MEIR.
Because I don't trust him.
DAVID.
How can you do business with a guy, you can not trust?
MEIR
We don't have many choices. Who wants to do business the Jews, nowadays. We are
cursed people. Anton is an exception.
DAVID.
We can do bury the gun in the bunker. Who will find it there?
MEIR
Maybe this is a solution.
Suddenly, Leo appears from behind the bushes.
I-30.
LEO
This forests has sandy soil, compressed sandy soil. We will never built a bunker here.
You take out a pail of sand, and immediately the hole is filled with decompressed sand. I
never saw something like this in my life.
PAUSE
We are working already for hours and there is no trace of our work. Not a dent is made in
the soil.
MEIR.
David, let's go and check it out.
Meir and David exit and return back after a minute.
MEIR.
It is true. It is impossible to build a bunker here. It's shifty sandy soil.
DAVID
Let's try another place.
LEO
No, David. All the soil around here is sandy. It is sand all over. There's no use of trying.
PAUSE
In addition, this place is too close to the main road. A the Germans will be here quite often.
We need to place in the middle of a heavy forest. A place so forbidden that the Germans
will be afraid to enter.
MEIR.
It looks like that we have to return to the ghetto, to do our homework, to find the right
forest and the right connections.
DAVID.
Before we go, let's try out the rifle. I volunteer to fire the first shot.
MEIR.
Okay. Here is the rifle.
David's takes the rifle, loads the cartridge and aims
at an old tree. He pulls the trigger.... and nothing
happens.
PAUSE
We must have a faulty cartridge.
He tries to remove the cartridge, without success.
The rifle is jammed.
A closely examines the rifle mechanism and and as
starts to curse.
This rifle is jammed and useless. Anton did a a job on us. He gave us an Italian rifle, and
Russian cartridges. He took us for a ride.
I-31.
ARNOLD.
I never trusted this bastard. He has such a shifted its eyes. I'm afraid that for the moment
on, resistance is dead. We have to return to the ghetto and start all over.
END OF SCENE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
32.
ACT 2
SCENE 1 RETURN FROM THE FOREST
SETTING:
The action takes place in the Lehrer's kitchen.
TIME:
Two days later.
AT RISE:
At the rise Rachel sits and talks with Eva when Meir
and David come in.
RACHEL.
I wonder what the boys are doing now? Did they get to the forest safely? How did Anton
behave? Did he deliver? My thoughts and prayers always with them.
EVA
So our mine. I love David dearly and hope to marry him soon.
Rachel looks around and sees Meir and David
entering the scene.
RACHEL
Here they are! Meir, I am so glad to see you back. I am so happy.
She runs towards Meir and embraces him. Eva
kisses David.
RACHEL
How did it go? You are back earlier than expected.
MEIR
No problems. We just finished our job and came back.
RACHEL.
You finished your job. That's fantastic. How is the bunker?
MEIR
Fine, but not finished.
RACHEL
How about Anton? Did he come through? Did you buy the weapons?
MEIR.
Okay.
David looks at him in amazement.
II-33.
RACHEL.
Meir, what went wrong?
MEIR.
Just things did not work out. We have to try another place.
PAUSE.
Let me tell you Rachel! When I was in the forest. I felt like a newly born baby. Free from
fear, enjoying the closeness to nature. The songs of the birds, the fresh air of the forest,
the sun shining brightly through the foliage. What a feeling of freedom, and serenity.
RACHEL.
Meir, I know you too well. What went wrong?
MEIR.
We selected the wrong location, sandy soil not suitable for bunkers. This was wrong.
RACHEL.
What about the weapons?
MEIR
We got an Italian rifle, and Russian cartridges. A bad combination.
PAUSE.
I feel like a fish out of the water, gasping for air. I am very tired, and feel dejected. I failed
badly. This is my fault.
DAVID.
(Putting down his backpack.)
Meir, stop whining. It wasn't your fault. It were the circumstances that caused our failure.
The cards were stacked against us. Nothing we could do.
RACHEL.
Tell us what happened? Let's hear the details. As they say, the Devil is a in the details.
DAVID.
When we started digging, it turned out that the soil is very sandy, not suitable for building
a bunker.
MEIR
Then the rifle, that we bought from Anton was from the Italian Army while the cartridges
where Russian. We jammed to rifle and Anton would not give us a replacement. We had
no choice but to abandon the rifle. Imagine the pain I felt afterwards. I failed miserably.
PAUSE
What do I do now?
RACHEL
First of all you have to realize that Shlomo the Horse Trader was a bad contact. He
operated in a bad neighborhood and associated with bad people. You have to find better
contacts.
PAUSE
Secondly, you have to realize that your priorities were wrong.
II-34.
MEIR
What do you mean by, wrong priorities?
RACHEL
You were occupied with organizing resistance, resistance to the Germans. You have to
concentrate on survival. Survival of yourself and your family.
MEIR
Rachel, I love you very much but you are totally inconsistent. On one hand you passively
accept Gods judgment, the Bashert, and on the other hand you are actively rejecting
resistance and now suddenly you are looking toward me for your salvation. How can it be?
PAUSE
One thing for sure. You actively reject any solution I propose.
RACHEL
What do you mean by this?
MEIR
You rejected an abortion. Are you ready to give the baby away, after it is born? Are you
ready for this?
RACHEL
I leave it in the hands of God. It is the faith in God that keeps me alive, and gives me hope
for the future.
MEIR
You are not the only one. The whole Ghetto is praying. Everybody is praying. Everybody
is saying Kaddish, the prayer for the dead. They are so engulfed in the prayers that they
have no time to think how to save themselves. They think about the dead more than they
think about the living. They are so much connected to the past, they can't think about the
future.
RACHEL
It is the faith of our fathers kept us alive for generations. This is the only thing we know.
Sticking to our faith.
MEIR
It is a fallacy that we keep the faith of our fathers. The Jewish faith changed through
generations. The Talmud was one of the vehicles of changes. For example the Laws of
the Torah require adultery to be punished by death through stoning. Is this practiced today?
No. The Torah accept polygamy. Ancient Israel was a polygamist society. Is this practiced
today? No,
RACHEL
Meir, I am not versed in the religious theology. For me the faith of my fathers is the faith
of my father, grandfather and great grandfather. I don't reach a thousand years back.
DAVID.
Let's change the subject. Let's talk about our plans for resistnce. My father used to be a
"jajecznik a Egg Man - a guy that goes out to the villages to buy fresh eggs from the
peasants. The eggs were later exported to England. He used to tell us about the foreboding,
dense forests in the area of Lopushna. I believe that we should explore this area first.
II-35.
MEIR.
(Enlivened.)
Do you know anybody from this area?
DAVID.
I knew a family that had a Inn in Lopushna. They were later resettled to the ghetto, and I
believe that they all perished in the last action. I can check if any of them survived.
MEIR.
Please do it. Let's look around. I also believe that Lopushna is a Polish village. They
have their troubles with the Ukrainians and may be inclined to work with us.
DAVID.
I am going home to wash up and immediately afterwards I will start my search. Goodbye
Eva.
He embraces the Eva and kisses her. She reciprocates.
EVA
Bye David. I missed you tremendously. Did you miss me?
DAVID.
Yes. I wished you were there, to experience the flashes of freedom and the joyous
exhilaration. Goodbye. I thought about you constantly and missed you painfully.
David exits.
Rachel
(turning to Meir)
Meir you still dreaming about resistance. Meir Lehrer and his Group against Hitler and
his armies. Tit for tat. Wake up and start striving for survival.
MEIR
Can't we have both?
RACHEL
(calmly)
No. We have limited time, limited resources, we have to make the right choices.
(pause)
The sandy soil was a warning from destiny. The resistant is not bashert, predestined. Be
realistic.
MEIR
Realistically. What can I do?
RACHEL
You could do lots of things, such as looking for a hiding place, trying to get Aryan papers.
As long as you are preoccupied with resistance, nothing could be done.
Suddenly David comes back.
II-36.
DAVID
What a coincidence. On the way out I met the guy connected with Lopushna, He just
came back from there. He claims that the situation is not that rosy. His name is George.
MEIR
Who is George and how reliable are his information?
DAVID
I find him reliable and smart. He is a survivor and a hustler.
MEIR
What do you mean by a survivor and a hustler?
DAVID
During the March action he and his family were caught and brought to the mass grave. All
his family members were shot, but when his turn came he jumped into the grave before
the SS man had a chance to shoot him. He stayed in the mass grave, covered with bodies
until the killers departed. At night he left the place covered with blood but unscathed.
MEIR
What is he doing now?
DAVID
He deals with everything and nothing. He has extended connections in the Polish circles
and they are his base. His father was a rich manufacturer and he is very honest and
depended. I vouch for him.
MEIR
When can I talk with him?
DAVID
He will be any minute.
David walks out and in minute he comes with George.
MEIR
David told me about you, in details. You have a very impressive personal history. Tell me
what are the problems in Lopushna?
GEORGE
The forbidden forest is infiltrated by Ukrainian Partisans of different political shades. The
are all there: The Banderovcy, the Petlurovcy, the UPA. They all are fighting each other.
Unless you are heavily armed you stand no chance.
MEIR
Did you meet any interesting farmers?
DAVID
Yes I touched base with Mr. Koenigsberg. Despite his German name he is a Polish patriot
and quite a gentleman.
II-37.
PAUSE
The problem is that he is a rich man. He has a big farm and in the middle of the farm there
is an oil press. People come from all over the area to press oil from seeds. The place is
full of people, all the time. This makes it impossible to hide Jews. It is too dangerous place.
MEIR.
Maybe a place the looks dangerous could be made safe. George, do you think that there is
a place to build a bunker on this farm?
GEORGE
I believe that a good bunker could be built at the far end of the barn. It is a gigantic barn.
MEIR
Here is $20 for your George. Please return to Koenigsberg and convince him that we could
hide in a bunker and nobody would suspect that somebody is hiding in such a busy place.
Please try to make a deal with him. A busy place is the safest place. And money is no
object. We will reward him generously.
PAUSE
Ask him also if you could shelter a woman with a baby on Aryan papers? They have
Christian birth certificates. Can he recommend somebody else?
George takes the money .
GEORGE
Thanks Meir. I need the money. I will be back as soon as possible. Goodbye.
RACHEL
George, wait a minute. I believe that the situation offers many opportunities and Meir
should go with you. He will establish the contact and make decisions on the spot. We don't
have the time to play around.
MEIR
What about organizing resistance? I am not ready to give it up.
RACHEL
Go to Lopushna and check out the situation. But be realistic, and look for good hiding
places first. Resistance comes second.
MEIR
Rachel might be right. George, when are you leaving?
GEORGE
Tomorrow morning at dawn.
MEIR
I will go with you. Pick me up.
END OF SCENE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
II-38.
SCENE 2 - LOPUSHNA
SETTING:
Kitchen of the Lehrer's family.
TIME:
Two days later.
AT RISE:
Rachel, David and Eva sit at the table when Meir
walks in. He looks around.
MEIR
I am back. What an experience.
RACHEL
How was it? Did you made any arrangements.
MEIR
I had a hard time. First George took me to an old widow living at the end of the village.
She is extremely poor. She agrees to everything. The problem is that she is extremely poor
and she buys with our money a new dress, the villagers will suspect that she is hiding Jews.
RACHEL
Do we have any other choice?
MEIR.
Yes. Later George took me to Koenigsberg an I made a deal with him. He is ready to built
two bunkers on his property. One will be a hole in the straw filling the barn. It will be
above ground, with daylight. The other will be a winter bunker, below ground, also located
in the barn.
(pause)
He accepted my reasoning that the oil press drawing constantly people to his place is a
plus. Nobody will suspect that you could be hiding Jews under such conditions. He is
considered very rich and flashing new money won't arise suspicions.
RACHEL
That is fantastic news.
Meir thinks a minute.
MEIR
Not exactly. I tried to convince him to take Rachel with the baby. They will have Christian
Birth Certificates. He is afraid do it, unless they have real German Kennkarte issued by
the Gestapo. And here is the problem.
(pause)
What do we do with the baby or where do we get Kennkartes.
DAVID
How about an abortion?
II-39.
RACHEL
(indignantly)
This is out of the question. Don't even mention it. We have to find a way to get the German
Kennkarte or to find people willing to take in the baby. It is simple like that.
DAVID
I met a Polish guy who claims that for 100 dollars he can provide an authentic Kennkarte
issued by the Gestapo. The problem is that I can't vouch for him.
MEIR
How well do you know him?
DAVID
I just met him. I don't know him well. The man the introduced him is a good reliable
friend of mine.
MEIR
David, please get in touch with him. Let's start the ball rolling.
DAVID
I will do it right away.
(pause)
One other thing I have to tell you. The situation in the Ghetto is worsening by the hour.
The epidemic of typhoid is spreading rapidly. I heard that the "Chevra Kedisha" the
Burial Society issued a call for volunteers.
MEIR
I know it, I volunteered a few days ago and got accepted.
DAVID
Are you crazy. It is a very dangerous job. Why did you do it?
RACHEL
(Anxiously)
You volunteered for the Burial Society. I am distressed and abhorred.
MEIR
Don't worry. I have my plans. This job will help us survive. You will see.
DAVID
When are you starting?
MEIR
Tomorrow morning.
RACHEL
Meir, you will be going out frequently to the Jewish Cemetery. I have a very good friend
Ksenia, living near by. We were neighbors and she loved me tremendously. Please visit
her, and tell her that I am pregnant and need her help. She will take the baby.
MEIR
In a day or two, after I wet my feet in my new profession , I will do it.
II-40.
DAVID
There is something else I wanted to tell you. It looks like that the German are planning to
eradicate the typhoid. They ordered the Jewish Council to evacuate the largest building in
the ghetto. It will be converted into Hospital.
PAUSE
I am afraid that the German healing method will be connected to shooting.
At this moment Fryda walks in, she seemed very
agitated.
FRYDA
I am bringing explosive news. The Germans ordered the Police to bring all the typhoid
sick people to the newly organized hospital. Any typhoid patient found at home will be
shot on the spot.
PAUSE
I am afraid that Rachel cannot stay home. The pregnancy is quite advanced and it is
showing. She might be killed by the Germans. There is no time to waste.
RACHEL
(Looking at her belly and thinking for a moment.)
I think I will have to hide in the bunker. For the time being this is the safest place.
MEIR
Rachel, will you be able to stay there permanently? Without light, without ventilation,
this dump place is not good for a pregnant woman.
RACHEL
I will make all the necessary improvements. I will make it livable. I have to do it. There is
no other solution. Eva will take over the cooking and she will take care of me, when I am
buried in this hole. Will you Eva?
EVA
Of course I will. What a question?
MEIR
Rachel, are you sure that you want to to go ahead with the pregnancy. There still is time
to interrupt the pregnancy.
RACHEL
Meir, Don't even mention this to me. Only by killing me can you interrupt this pregnancy.
Never mention to me this again.
Rachel goes to the bedroom to change and comes
out dressed in a bathroom gown. She descents into
the bunker and Meir follows her.
END OF SCENE.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
II-41.
SCENE 3 - KSENIA
SETTING:
The Lehrer's Kitchen
TIME:
Two months later.
AT RISE:
Eva is cooking dinner. The door opens and Meir
walks in.
MEIR.
I have some news for Rachel. I visited her old friend Ksenia and it possible that we will
find a place for the baby.
EVA
How did you find it?
MEIR.
After finishing my job at the cemetery, I walked over to the house of an old client of Rachel.
She loves Rachel and wants to help us. Her name is Ksenia.
PAUSE
Rachel's family helped her out when she was in the dumps. She never forgot it.
EVA
How did you reach her?
MEIR
I took a chance, I took off my armband with the Star of David and walked over to her house.
She was very happy to see me. She asked about Rachel, about you and she loaded me up
with food, to take home.
PAUSE
I told her about our problems with the pregnancy, the baby, and the unfortunate
circumstances. To my amazement, she told me that she will find a place for the baby, a
girl or uncircumcised boy. I am going to share the news with Rachel.
Meir approaches the cupboard and at the same time
Rachel's voice is heard from behind.
RACHEL
I heard the your voice, Meir. I am coming up.
RACHEL
Meir did you see Ksenia?
MEIR
She was excited seeing me. She remembers you kindly. She told me that your father
helped her out in the most crucial time of her life and she will never forget this.
II-42.
RACHEL
(excited)
Is she taking the baby? Those are fantastic news.
MEIR
She is not taking the baby. She said she will find a place for the baby.
RACHEL
What does this mean?
MEIR
It means that she will place the baby with some family.
RACHEL
No. It means that she will find a place for the baby in her house.
MEIR
In her cat house?
RACHEL
Yes, in her house.
MEIR
Forget it. Over my dead body you will give away the baby to a Madam. I don't want the
baby to become a illiterate, cheap prostitute. I will never agree to it!
RACHEL
I know Ksenia to be a warmhearted, decent human being. I fully trust her, and besides
what other chances of survival do we have? We leave the baby with Ksenia and go hiding
in Lopushna.
MEIR
You might be right, but the thought that my baby will be raised in a bordello, abhors me. I
can't help it.
RACHEL
So what do you intend to do? Wait for the Messiah?
MEIR
No, I will wait for the Kennkarte.
RACHEL
Waiting for the miraculous Kennkarte, until you are killed in the Ghetto.
MEIR
To change the subject time, when we were out how did you spent your time?
RACHEL.
Quietly. My belly is growing, as you can see. The baby is growing quietly. The managed
to get adequate food. The only problem I had with Eva. She cut down on her food,
claiming that she has no appetite. She wanted to save the food for the baby.
MEIR.
Sorry to hear that. I am back now and I hope to be able to improve our food supply.
II-43.
RACHEL.
No Meir. I don't want you to start smuggling again. It is too dangerous.
MEIR.
Don't worry Rachel. I will manage as always.
RACHEL
Meir, I am worried about the epidemic of typhoid. Typhoid is raging in the Ghetto. Please,
be careful. I am afraid if I catch it ...it will be the end.
MEIR
Don't worry we keep a clean house. Typhoid will not touch us.
Meir approaches the cardboard and helps Rachel to
descent into the bunker.
SCENE 4 - SETTLING DOWN
SETTING:
Lehrer's kitchen
TIME:
A month later.
AT RISE:
Eva is cooking diner. She cooks a pot full of chicken.
A delicious smell permeates h the kitchen. The door
opens and Fryda walks in.
FRYDA
Eva , what are you cooking? It smells deliciously.
EVA
I am cooking chicken broth for Rachel. Poor soul is buried underground. She needs
strength and good food, for herself and the baby.
FRYDA.
How does she feel?
EVA
Considering the circumstances, not bad. A few nights a week, I go down to sleep with her
and keep her company. We became very close now.
FRYDA
I don't want to be nosy. But how do you get fresh chicken in the ghetto? It baffles me
tremendously.
II-44.
EVA
It is as secret. I promise Meir to keep it secret, but I will tell you. Meir gets it outside the
ghetto and smuggles it in.
FRYDA
How does he smuggle in live chicken? It is impossible.
EVA
They are freshly killed but not alive. Meir discovered that the Burial Society uses reusable
coffins for the burials. After the burial the coffins are returned to the ghetto. Meir stuffs
the coffin with food and produce. The Germans are afraid of typhoid, and would not touch
the coffin with a 10 foot pole. With the typhoid and the prevailing hunger, Meir is very busy.
FRYDA.
This is a fantastic idea. Meir is so inventive. But isn't he afraid?
EVA
He is, but he loves Rachel, dearly and will do anything to help her.
FRYDA.
Does Rachel know about it?
EVA
We never discuss those matters. She is afraid to ask. You know living there in this
underground hole, without daylight, without fresh air, is no picnic. The other day she
asked me to keep the trap door open. So she can see daylight. This is heartbreaking, this
situation is heartbreaking.
FRYDA.
Next week, I can spend a night with her. Let me know what day is convenient for you.
Suddenly a strange noise is heard behind the cupboard.
The door of the cupboard opens and Meir walks into
the scene.
EVA
(Looks at Meir disturbed.)
Meir, for God's sake, you look dejected. What happened?
MEIR.
(Turning to Fryda)
Hi Fryda. Imagine that Rachel found the place for the baby. A gentile woman who wants
to take the baby. The problem is that the woman is Ksenia the Madam. What will become
of the baby? A cheap prostitute? Never.
(pause)
The thought that my baby will grow up in a bordello is painful to me.
EVA
Meir, wash up, eat something. Tomorrow Rachel will change her mind. You will see.
Tomorrow will be a better day.
II-45.
MEIR
(Turning to Fryda)
You know what she told me? I lay here in the darkness, all alone with the baby. I talk to
the baby, and it understands me.
PAUSE
I should have stayed in the forest.
At this moment, Henry and Helene enter the scene.
HENRY.
Hi everybody. We are back in the ghetto.
FRYDA.
I did not see you for over a month. Where have you been?
HENRY.
George, the man from Lopushna, arranged for us a place to hide. He got us an Ukrainian
driver with a horse and buggy, and took us to Lopushna. We stayed there for a month.
MEIR,
What happened that you returned?
HENRY
We stayed with a poor farmer, living at the edge of the forest. His name is Matusiak.
HELEN.
A whole day, we stayed in the forest, at night he slept in a barn. It was a hard life,
especially during the rainy days. But it was an acceptable solution.
FRYDA
What happened?
HENRY.
We paid Matusiak 20 gold dollars a month. It is a lot of money.
PAUSE
Matusiak is a very poor man. When he got the money, he spent it immediately on clothing
for the whole family. This created suspicion, and a day later and neighbor told him that
the village suspects that he is hiding Jews, and became very rich. We have to leave
immediately.
MEIR.
It looks like that survival is more difficult than we have imagined.
HENRY.
We brought also some good news. The Germans attacked the Partisans in the forest and
killed half of them. They wiped out all the forest Partisans. The battle raged for days. The
Germans passed about 50 feet from our hideout in the forest. We had lots of luck of not
being detected.
MEIR
Do you think we could build bunkers in the forest now?
II-46.
HENRY
A small, inconspicuous group could definitely hide in the forest. The Ukrainian Partisans
openly challenged the German authorities, and this brought their downfall. We stayed
over a month on the outskirts of the forest, close to the village, without being detected.
HELEN
George knows the area very well, he also knows the people. He could give you the right
information and advice.
MEIR.
Henry, what are you your intentions? Are you going back?
HENRY.
If I find a good place to hide, I definitely will go back. Staying alive in the Ghett