DON’T FENCE ME IN
By Rosanna Yamagiwa Alfaro
Characters
Dex, a Caucasian soldier, 20
Yasuko, a Japanese American, 18
Reiko, Yasuko’s grandmother, 72
Kazuo, Yasuko’s father, 53
Time: 1944
Place: Topaz, Utah
Music: Don’t Fence Me In
Room D, Barrack 5, Block 3.
The Internment Camp at Topaz, Utah.
The barrack room has two windows on either side of the door. It contains a pot-bellied stove and
scrap lumber furniture, including three beds that double as sofas. Colorful strings of origami boats
are draped on the wooden chairs.
scrap lumber furniture, including three beds that double as sofas. Colorful strings of origami boats
are draped on the wooden chairs.
YASUKO is packing a suitcase. REIKO is asleep on a corner bed. DEX taps at the window.
YASUKO goes to the door.
DEX
Hi.
YASUKO
Hi.
DEX
Hi. Sorry to...
YASUKO
Come in quickly. You’re one of the survey takers, right? Dad should be back soon.
DEX enters, and YASUKO shuts the door behind him.
YASUKO
Leave it open one second, and everything’s covered in dust.
Leave it open one second, and everything’s covered in dust.
DEX
Sorry.
YASUKO
If you clear those (referring to the chains of paper boats) you can sit down.
DEX
Thank you. (He awkwardly picks up them up.)
YASUKO
Just put them down on the table.
DEX
I hope I didn’t crush them. (He sits.) They’re nice. What are they?
YASUKO
Origami boats. Grandma’s making them for Joey Nakamura’s second birthday. He was the first baby
born at Topaz. Joey’s the funniest looking child I’ve ever seen, but what would you expect of
someone born in a place like this? (She resumes packing.) Do you mind if I continue?
born at Topaz. Joey’s the funniest looking child I’ve ever seen, but what would you expect of
someone born in a place like this? (She resumes packing.) Do you mind if I continue?
DEX
No. Please.
YASUKO
I’m packing for college.
DEX
Breaking out of jail, more like.
YASUKO
Everything’s possible if you’re really bright. I’m going to Oberlin.
DEX
Congratulations!
YASUKO
It’s close to Cleveland.
DEX
Sounds great.
YASUKO
A small liberal arts college full of pleasant Midwesterners who’ve never seen anyone like me before -
except in the newsreels.
except in the newsreels.
DEX
So when they do, watch out!
YASUKO
They’ll be as scared of me as I am of them. (beat) I’ll probably feel the way you do here
outnumbered and easy to pick out. I’ll do my best to stay undercover, to keep my mouth shut...
outnumbered and easy to pick out. I’ll do my best to stay undercover, to keep my mouth shut...
DEX
To duck and cover. When we were fighting the Japs. ..anese, (He catches himself. Yasuko smiles.)
I smeared my face in mud so I wouldn’t stand out.
I smeared my face in mud so I wouldn’t stand out.
YASUKO
It wouldn’t have been a bad idea to rub a little dust on your face before coming into my father’s house.
REIKO coughs and turns on the bed.
DEX
(startled) Oh. Sorry. I didn’t realize anyone else was here.
YASUKO
My grandmother.
DEX
You think we woke her with our talking?
YASUKO
Not a chance. The noise reassures her. She’d wake up if we lowered our voices and started
whispering. She catnaps during the day because the searchlights keep her awake at night.
whispering. She catnaps during the day because the searchlights keep her awake at night.
DEX
(beat) She must be sad you’re leaving.
YASUKO
Oh, she’s the one that pushed me to go over Dad’s dead body. They’ll keep each other occupied.
Without me here they’ll scream at each other for hours at a time - very quietly, of course, so the
neighbors won’t hear them. (She bangs on the wall.) They must not be in. They usually bang back
(She closes the suitcase.) There. I’m finished with my packing. Would you like something to eat?
Without me here they’ll scream at each other for hours at a time - very quietly, of course, so the
neighbors won’t hear them. (She bangs on the wall.) They must not be in. They usually bang back
(She closes the suitcase.) There. I’m finished with my packing. Would you like something to eat?
DEX
No, I’m fine, thanks.
YASUKO
I can offer you a left-over apple from lunch, some cookies I smuggled out from dinner last week.
DEX
Sounds great, but I’m fine.
YASUKO pulls up a loose floorboard and pulls out a bottle. REIKO sits up, unnoticed, and stares at DEX.
YASUKO
They give us dreadful food here - soy sauce over mashed potatoes. (She pours him a glass.) But
here’s something you can’t refuse. Homebrew from Mr. Hata.
here’s something you can’t refuse. Homebrew from Mr. Hata.
DEX
Kurt told me about Mr. Hata’s homebrew.
YASUKO
(beat) You’re not a survey taker, are you?
DEX
I’ve been wanting to tell you, but we kind of got off...
REIKO
Are you here because of Kurt?
DEX
I’m afraid so, Mrs. Sato. I’m sorry to have woken you.
YASUKO
Has something happened to him?
DEX
I met Kurt at a hospital in Italy. He knew I was coming home to Utah - my folks live just fifteen
miles down the road - so he asked me to drop by and see you.
miles down the road - so he asked me to drop by and see you.
REIKO
Is he...
DEX
He’s doing fine. You mustn’t worry, Mrs. Sato. Kurt especially wanted you not to worry.
REIKO
What’s happened to him?
DEX
Your grandson’s a very brave man, Mrs. Sato. A born leader. He was in one of the worst battles of
the war. (beat) He lost his arm. His left arm up to his elbow. (beat) I’m sorry.
the war. (beat) He lost his arm. His left arm up to his elbow. (beat) I’m sorry.
YASUKO
(beat) Is he out of danger?
DEX
The doctors say he’s completely out of danger.
REIKO
(beat) I think we’re the ones who should tell his father.
DEX
(He gets up.) Then I better leave before he gets home.
YASUKO
I’m sorry, but just seeing you will give him a heart attack.
DEX
That’s what Kurt told me.
YASUKO
Dad didn’t want him to join the Army. He wasn’t even here when Kurt left.
DEX
Kurt hates his father.
REIKO
He has every right to hate his father, but he shouldn’t have told you that. You shouldn’t tell strangers important things like that.
DEX
We were hardly strangers.
REIKO
He shouldn’t have talked to you about his father. It shows how American he’s become. (beat)
What other things did he say?
What other things did he say?
DEX
(to Yasuko) Your father’s probably coming back in a minute. (He moves to the door.)
YASUKO
You can’t tell us Kurt hates Dad and leave it like that.
DEX
He said the only great thing about joining the 442nd - the thing that made up for everything else - was
that it pissed off your Dad.
that it pissed off your Dad.
YASUKO
That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. You feel like shaking him by the shoulders and saying,
“Grow up!” What else did he say?
“Grow up!” What else did he say?
DEX
He said you hid it well, but you were more furious when he left than your Dad was.
YASUKO
He’s right. None of us could understand his risking his life, when there was no need. He knew the
Army would use the 442nd as cannon fodder. His loyalty should have been to his family, not to a
country that stripped us of our rights and locked us up in the middle of the desert.
Army would use the 442nd as cannon fodder. His loyalty should have been to his family, not to a
country that stripped us of our rights and locked us up in the middle of the desert.
DEX
Maybe. He said the real reason you were furious was that he was the first to escape. He said you
were the bright one - like you said - but he was the one who got away.
were the bright one - like you said - but he was the one who got away.
YASUKO
Well, he certainly didn’t give me a thought when he ran away to join the Army. He didn’t give a hoot
if that meant I stayed locked up taking care of... keeping the home fires burning. That’s the way he
was - irresponsible.
if that meant I stayed locked up taking care of... keeping the home fires burning. That’s the way he
was - irresponsible.
REIKO
He couldn’t stand being cooped up in here. It was hardest on him. He’d take a crate to the barbed
wire and sit there watching the cars go by. All those people speeding by with their lives while ours
just stood still.
wire and sit there watching the cars go by. All those people speeding by with their lives while ours
just stood still.
YASUKO
He chose this time to get his arm blown off so I wouldn’t be able to go to Oberlin.
REIKO
I was afraid he’d try to escape and be shot and killed by the guards, the way poor Mr. Wakasa was.
Of course, he was much faster than Mr. Wakasa. (beat) Did Kurt tell you he was the star of the high
school football team? He’d sprint down the field, and he’d pull down the ball with his sticky
fingertips, no matter how badly it was passed. They broke the rules when they let him play - the one
Japanese kid on the team.
Of course, he was much faster than Mr. Wakasa. (beat) Did Kurt tell you he was the star of the high
school football team? He’d sprint down the field, and he’d pull down the ball with his sticky
fingertips, no matter how badly it was passed. They broke the rules when they let him play - the one
Japanese kid on the team.
YASUKO
No one could catch him - that’s what we thought would keep him safe in Europe.
DEX
Nothing could have kept him safe in the Vosges Mountains. Did you hear about the Lost Battalion of
Texas?
Texas?
YASUKO
No. They don’t allow us to have radios in here.
DEX
Well, they were hemmed in by the Germans, and everyone had pretty much given up on them. The
Army finally sent in the 442nd to see what they could do.
Army finally sent in the 442nd to see what they could do.
YASUKO
Throwing good money after bad.
DEX
Well, it worked. No one could believe it the way those guys fought the Germans tree by tree. It was
amazing. It took 800 casualties to rescue 200 men. Kurt said the Texans thought they were
hallucinating when they saw their saviors - a bunch of Japanese guys in American uniforms. Then
they broke down and wept, they were so grateful.
amazing. It took 800 casualties to rescue 200 men. Kurt said the Texans thought they were
hallucinating when they saw their saviors - a bunch of Japanese guys in American uniforms. Then
they broke down and wept, they were so grateful.
YASUKO
Well, that’s small consolation for us, isn’t it? The Army had no right risking the lives of so many
men to rescue so few.
men to rescue so few.
DEX
Kurt didn’t question it so maybe you shouldn’t either. Nearly everything you have to do in war,
you’d never do in peace - at least in your right mind you wouldn’t.
you’d never do in peace - at least in your right mind you wouldn’t.
REIKO
It was wrong of the Army to send Kurt on a suicide mission.
KAZUO comes in the door.
YASUKO
Dad.
DEX
Mr. Sato.
YASUKO
We were waiting for you. This is... (to Dex) I’m sorry. I never asked...
DEX
Dex. Dex Cooper. I was just on my way out.
KAZUO
I’d have been here sooner if the lines to the toilets hadn’t been so long. (to Dex) Don’t let me detain you.
REIKO
Something dreadful has happened, and you’re to blame.
KAZUO
(to Dex) In this house I’m always to blame. (to Yasuko) So what is it this time? Tell me - why is
he here? (He lifts the bottle of liquor.) Who pried open the floorboard?
he here? (He lifts the bottle of liquor.) Who pried open the floorboard?
REIKO
You drove Kurt out of the house. You were always shouting at him, as if this were somehow all his
fault.
fault.
KAZUO
What’s she talking about? Will someone please translate for me? (to Yasuko) Sit down. Tell me
what’s happened.
what’s happened.
REIKO
Tell him.
YASUKO
Dex is a friend of Kurt’s. They met at the Army hospital. He came to let us know that Kurt was in a
terrible battle - one of the worst of the war - and he lost his left arm.
terrible battle - one of the worst of the war - and he lost his left arm.
KAZUO
I told him something bad would happen if he joined the Army.
DEX
I’m so sorry, Mr. Sato.
KAZUO
No one listens to me in this house. Especially Kurt. (beat) He didn’t get hurt for any principles. He
did it to oppose his father. He did it because a couple of his pals joined up.
did it to oppose his father. He did it because a couple of his pals joined up.
REIKO
If he had gone with your blessing nothing like this would have happened.
YASUKO
That’s not true, Grandma.
REIKO
(to Dex) He did it first to my daughter. She couldn’t go to the library, to the general store without
him getting angry. She had a nervous breakdown because of his bitterness, his hatred for this country.
him getting angry. She had a nervous breakdown because of his bitterness, his hatred for this country.
KAZUO
This is a terrible country, old woman. Just look around you. (He sweeps the paper boats to the floor.)
You’d see the obvious if you didn’t waste all your time doing silly things.
You’d see the obvious if you didn’t waste all your time doing silly things.
REIKO
You killed my daughter. Now you’re doing the same thing to my grandchildren.
YASUKO and DEX pick up the paper boats and put them on the bed. YASUKO untangles
the chains.
the chains.
YASUKO
Look what you’ve done, Dad.
KAZUO
Tell her - who’s the one who told him what would happen if he went?
REIKO
Such a beautiful boy. Such a perfect boy.
KAZUO
(to Dex) My son had no shame, fighting for a country that locked his family behind barbed wire.
Have you seen the guard towers and the armed soldiers? Impressive, aren’t they? Kurt had no pride.
I told him once he put on that uniform he was no son of mine. (He pours himself a drink.) Do you
want some more?
Have you seen the guard towers and the armed soldiers? Impressive, aren’t they? Kurt had no pride.
I told him once he put on that uniform he was no son of mine. (He pours himself a drink.) Do you
want some more?
DEX
No thank you. I really shouldn’t...
KAZUO ignores him and fills his glass.
KAZUO
Drink up.
DEX
I understand how you’re feeling, Mr. Sato. (KAZUO looks at him in mock astonishment.) The thing
is we’re at war with Japan so it’s only natural, isn’t it, that we’d want to protect ourselves in every
way we can, even if...
is we’re at war with Japan so it’s only natural, isn’t it, that we’d want to protect ourselves in every
way we can, even if...
KAZUO
In spite of all appearances, we were all born here - except her (indicating Reiko), of course. She’s an
alien. She’s the only one who should have been locked up.
alien. She’s the only one who should have been locked up.
DEX
I’m not saying a lot of innocent people weren’t hurt. If I were cooped up in here and this happened to
my son, I’m sure I’d be furious with Uncle Sam.
my son, I’m sure I’d be furious with Uncle Sam.
KAZUO
I’m furious with Kurt. Well, you’ve done your duty, soldier, and delivered your message. Now it’s
time for you to drink up and go. Stop staring at me. You’d think we were animals in the zoo.
time for you to drink up and go. Stop staring at me. You’d think we were animals in the zoo.
DEX stands.
YASUKO
He wasn’t staring.
REIKO
Before he goes I want to hear more about Kurt, how he’s feeling.
KAZUO
Do you need a stranger to tell you how your grandson’s feeling? (to Dex) Well, speak up. She
obviously thinks you know Kurt better than we do. (beat) Are they giving him the best care?
obviously thinks you know Kurt better than we do. (beat) Are they giving him the best care?
DEX
Yes, sir. The very best.
KAZUO
You wouldn’t say that to protect them? If you’re Kurt’s friend you owe us the truth.
DEX
Kurt had the same doctor I had - the very best. He went to Harvard. My hand was nearly sliced
through. They thought I’d never be able to use three of my fingers again. But look. (He opens and
shuts his hand.)
through. They thought I’d never be able to use three of my fingers again. But look. (He opens and
shuts his hand.)
YASUKO runs her finger down the scar.
KAZUO
(He gives a grunt of disapproval.) Pretty soon you’ll be playing the Minute Waltz. The Army takes
care of its own. That’s the way it should be and is in any country.
care of its own. That’s the way it should be and is in any country.
YASUKO
That’s an amazing scar. (She touches it again.)
KAZUO
If you had lost one of those fingers you would be qualified to give us this news.
DEX
(beat) That’s exactly along the lines of what Kurt said you’d say, sir. (to Yasuko) Maybe you could
show me how to get to the main gate.
show me how to get to the main gate.
KAZUO
What else did he say about me?
DEX
He’s not dead. He’ll tell you himself if he wants to.
KAZUO
He was always critical, always talking back - ever since he was a child. In her quiet way, she
(indicating Yasuko) was almost as bad.
(indicating Yasuko) was almost as bad.
DEX
(to Yasuko) Please. Walk me to the gate.
KAZUO
Sit. Sit down. (DEX hesitates, then obeys.) You can tell her whatever it is you want to right here.
Then I’ll escort you to the gate myself.
Then I’ll escort you to the gate myself.
REIKO
The poor boy. Up, down. Up, down.
KAZUO
(to DEX) You probably weren’t as close to him as you make out.
REIKO
Did he say anything about the beatings his father gave him when he came home late or didn’t finish
his homework?
his homework?
DEX
No, ma’am. He actually talked more about his girlfriends than his family. He missed all of you, of
course, but I think it was hard on him, the way you (indicating Kazuo) treated him before he left.
At least my Dad was behind me when I joined the Army. I could write to him about...anything.
course, but I think it was hard on him, the way you (indicating Kazuo) treated him before he left.
At least my Dad was behind me when I joined the Army. I could write to him about...anything.
YASUKO
Because he was proud of you.
DEX
But Kurt couldn’t do that, could he? (beat) He was always volunteering for dangerous missions
that’s what the other guys from his combat team said. The day he was wounded he rescued two of his
buddies from the line of fire. They’re thinking of awarding him a Silver Star, Mr. Sato. Your son’s a
hero.
that’s what the other guys from his combat team said. The day he was wounded he rescued two of his
buddies from the line of fire. They’re thinking of awarding him a Silver Star, Mr. Sato. Your son’s a
hero.
KAZUO
He’s an idiot, and now he’ll pay for it the rest of his life.
DEX
The first two weeks in the hospital the doctors were all afraid for him. He wouldn’t stay in bed.
A nurse found him pacing the corridors the night after the operation.
A nurse found him pacing the corridors the night after the operation.
YASUKO
It was the worst thing that could have happened to Kurt.
DEX
We talked a lot. Because of my hand I knew a little how he was feeling.
REIKO
I’m sure you were a great comfort to him.
DEX
I think it must be the worst thing in the world to lose a limb. It might be better to die and get it over
with than to wake up in a hospital and find part of your body missing. I was afraid he might... you
know. But he didn’t, and he’s already making plans.
with than to wake up in a hospital and find part of your body missing. I was afraid he might... you
know. But he didn’t, and he’s already making plans.
REIKO
That’s good. Even as a child he was always moving on to the next project.
KAZUO
He’s not a child any longer. That was one of his problems, you treating him like a child, not forcing
him to take responsibility as an adult.
him to take responsibility as an adult.
REIKO
At least now he won’t have to pick any more of your snap peas and sugar beets.
KAZUO
Be quiet, old woman. You turned my wife and children against me, telling them I was imprisoning
them on the farm when I was just doing my best to keep them safe. You filled their heads with
impossible dreams, encouraging Kurt to try out for sports when his father and mother were working
hard in the fields. Look at Yasuko, packing to go off to college. Where will it get her? They won’t
even let her teach in the elementary school when she gets through. She’ll be back thinning the sugar
beets and hoeing the snap peas if this war ever ends and if our neighbors haven’t burnt down the
farm. (tapping his head) With all her smarts she still hasn’t figured this out.
them on the farm when I was just doing my best to keep them safe. You filled their heads with
impossible dreams, encouraging Kurt to try out for sports when his father and mother were working
hard in the fields. Look at Yasuko, packing to go off to college. Where will it get her? They won’t
even let her teach in the elementary school when she gets through. She’ll be back thinning the sugar
beets and hoeing the snap peas if this war ever ends and if our neighbors haven’t burnt down the
farm. (tapping his head) With all her smarts she still hasn’t figured this out.
REIKO
(to Dex) This is why I nap all day - so I won’t have to listen to him. He’s poisoned our lives with his
hatred and bitterness. Even when my daughter was dying he wouldn’t let her see the nice woman at
the library who came to visit.
hatred and bitterness. Even when my daughter was dying he wouldn’t let her see the nice woman at
the library who came to visit.
KAZUO
That nice woman at the library who tried to get Yasuko’s piano for nothing? (to Dex) Did Kurt tell
you they gave us 48 hours to shut down the farm. We had to get rid of everything - the farm
equipment, the furniture - for less than half its value. Then this nice cultivated woman comes over,
and she’s worse than the rest.
you they gave us 48 hours to shut down the farm. We had to get rid of everything - the farm
equipment, the furniture - for less than half its value. Then this nice cultivated woman comes over,
and she’s worse than the rest.
YASUKO
(She interrupts him to talk to Dex.) You were talking about Kurt’s plans.
KAZUO
Stupid girl, what plans can he have now?
DEX
The Army’s working with him, Mr. Sato. And Kurt has a gift for making friends. He’s made a real
impression on all the guys in the ward. The nurses as well.
impression on all the guys in the ward. The nurses as well.
KAZUO
They’ll forget him soon enough.
DEX
He got injured fighting for a good cause. (beat) It sounds simpleminded, but it’s still true.
YASUKO
It wasn’t his war to fight though. It’s not fair for him to get hurt.
KAZUO
That’s right. There hasn’t been a minute since Kurt left that I haven’t thought of the foolish thing he
did. Every morning I walk through the camp, searching for scraps of news about the 442nd. I’ve
dreamt of Kurt in battle. He’s completely fearless, you know, and I don’t mean that as a good thing.
It’s as if he’s missing something inside. The first time he played football - he must have been seven
or eight - he tackled my farmhand, Susumu, who weighed 200 pounds - a giant. Susumu was
astonished - he still talks about it. The moment I saw you I knew something terrible had happened
because I’d imagined it a thousand times over. It’s not fair he went this far to show how much he
hated his father. (beat) Well, has there been any movement on that drink, son? I’m afraid we have
things to do. (to Yasuko) You can call Oberlin and tell them you’re not coming. You’re needed here
when your brother comes home.
did. Every morning I walk through the camp, searching for scraps of news about the 442nd. I’ve
dreamt of Kurt in battle. He’s completely fearless, you know, and I don’t mean that as a good thing.
It’s as if he’s missing something inside. The first time he played football - he must have been seven
or eight - he tackled my farmhand, Susumu, who weighed 200 pounds - a giant. Susumu was
astonished - he still talks about it. The moment I saw you I knew something terrible had happened
because I’d imagined it a thousand times over. It’s not fair he went this far to show how much he
hated his father. (beat) Well, has there been any movement on that drink, son? I’m afraid we have
things to do. (to Yasuko) You can call Oberlin and tell them you’re not coming. You’re needed here
when your brother comes home.
REIKO
Kurt would want her to go.
YASUKO
No, he’s right. I want to be home when Kurt arrives.
REIKO
Your father and I can look after Kurt. You’ll be back at Christmas.
DEX
There’s no point to you staying here. (beat) He’s not coming home.
REIKO
What are you saying?
KAZUO
(overlapping) They’re not allowing him to come home?
DEX
(beat) He asked the Army if they could find him some place quiet to recuperate.
KAZUO
(He turns away.) I’m not surprised.
DEX
(to Yasuko) He asked them to find him a job in Cleveland. Near Oberlin. He said his sister would
be willing to find an apartment they could share, that she’d take care of him, feed him, pamper him.
And he could help her with her studies.
be willing to find an apartment they could share, that she’d take care of him, feed him, pamper him.
And he could help her with her studies.
YASUKO
He said that? The nerve!
DEX
In a month I’ll be coming with him to Oberlin - to Cleveland - to help him settle in.
YASUKO
I’m glad. (beat) Oh, Grandma, we’ll keep each other safe. I’ll nurse him back to health.
KAZUO
Who can blame him? Who would come back to a godforsaken place like this if there were any other
choice? When your country...
choice? When your country...
REIKO
It has nothing to do with this dreadful country. Remember that time you took a belt to him, and he
hitchhiked to his cousin’s house 30 miles down the road? He must have been ten years old.
hitchhiked to his cousin’s house 30 miles down the road? He must have been ten years old.
DEX
How often did you beat the children?
YASUKO
Not me. Just Kurt. For me there was never the time or the interest.
REIKO
Remember the time Kurt got so angry he took the bus to San Francisco?
KAZUO
I remember when he showed up a week later, hungry and with his tail between his legs. But you’re
right. Kurt’s always been running away from home. He’s pig-headed and rebellious, a real
American. So it’s fitting, after all, that he lost his arm for his country.
right. Kurt’s always been running away from home. He’s pig-headed and rebellious, a real
American. So it’s fitting, after all, that he lost his arm for his country.
KAZUO suddenly sits down on the bed.
REIKO
You’re crushing my boats. I spent all morning folding them.
YASUKO
(overlapping) Dad, are you all right?
KAZUO
(to Dex) You’re seeing Kurt soon?
DEX
Yes, sir. In a couple of days.
KAZUO
Tell him we understand if he doesn’t want to be a burden to us, if he’s too proud for us to see him in
this pitiful condition.
this pitiful condition.
REIKO
Don’t pay any attention to him.
KAZUO
There’re no fancy ceremonies for the Silver Star, is that right?
DEX
I don’t know. I don’t think so, sir.
KAZUO
Well, I’m glad they won’t put us through that. Tell Kurt that we went last week to the memorial
service for his friend Richie. They held it in the messroom. Tell him Richie’s parents looked - what
shall we say - very small and humble when they accepted the flag from the white American major.
They seemed proud of Richie and grateful to this country, but then his father was always so quiet and
his mother always so polite. (beat) Tell Kurt I’m glad it was just his arm. I’m glad he didn’t die.
Because if he had I would have spat on that major and ripped his flag to shreds.
service for his friend Richie. They held it in the messroom. Tell him Richie’s parents looked - what
shall we say - very small and humble when they accepted the flag from the white American major.
They seemed proud of Richie and grateful to this country, but then his father was always so quiet and
his mother always so polite. (beat) Tell Kurt I’m glad it was just his arm. I’m glad he didn’t die.
Because if he had I would have spat on that major and ripped his flag to shreds.
YASUKO
Dad...
KAZUO
There was never any love lost between me and this country. And there can never be any forgiveness.
For Kurt or for this country.
For Kurt or for this country.
REIKO
(to Yasuko) Tell him not to wait too long to come home. Bring him home with you at Christmas.
KAZUO
He’ll never come home. She won’t either.
REIKO
Tell him I’d like to see him before I die.
Music: Don’t Fence Me In
End of Play