(Army Recruiter sits behind desk. Sal and Gio walk into the office, and look around at the other young men also waiting around in chairs.)
Sal: Be a little patient, why don't cha?
Gio: I don't have time for this. I'm gonna be a hero. My name plastered all over the news, a war hero.
Sal: Don't get your hopes up to --
Gio: (Punches Sal continuously) Fighting Germans, fighting Japs...they won't know what hit them.
Sal: That's a lot to say for someone who's only 5'5". (Sal punches Gio back).
Gio: Yeah well you listen to me, Sal. (Gio lights up cigarette as they step up to Army Recruiter). When I come back, everyone'll be knowin' my name.
Army Recruiter: Hey, hey, none of that in here. Put that crap out, and fill out these forms. (Army Recruiter hands forms to Sal and Gio, and shoos them to sit down).
Gio: Ey... tell me what forms gotta do with fighting in the army. Honestly... (They sit down.)
(Gio and family + Sal and family walk up to the boarding station. The sound of train whistles and running trains is heard. They say farewells to each other.)
Sal's Mother: Oh my boy ! I know you'll make me proud. (Kisses Sal on both cheeks).
Gio's Mother: Well, you boys need to take care of each other now. (Walks up to Sal.) Sal please watch after Daniel. (She holds his hand firm in hers.) You know how that kid can be... always mustering up trouble.
Sal: You know me, I'm always lookin' for Gio, he's always lookin' out for me.
Gio: C'mon ma, I'm a big man, I can take care of myself.
Gio's Father: Virginia's a long way off from New York. Hope you boys are safe. (Hug's Gio and shakes Sal's hand.) Listen to your mother, it's bloody out there Germany. When all is said done, all you have left is each other.
(They say their good-byes and share more hugs as the trains whistles.)
Sal's Mother: Please take care Salvatore, my ol' heart couldn't take it if ya passed on me, you hear?
Setting: Six months later. Norfolk Virginia. - November 1944
(Sal and Gio enter stage walking slowly, and casually talking. They walk slowly onto the middle of the stage as they talk.)
Gio: Six months of training and still nothing yet.
Sal: Didn't you hear em? Lieutenant said we're fine pieces of work, and out of this hell hole in no more than two week.
Gio: (Folds arms.) Who's lying mouth did you hear that from ?
Sal: Damn it, it's the truth. Heard straight out of his mouth, so unless you think he's lying, you can take it up with him.
Gio: Yeah well, I'm sure you're in no hurry to leave.
Sal: Why's that?
Gio: (Pushes shoulder.) Your fiance. Can't believe you even proposed to that godforsaken woman.
Sal: She's a charming lady.
Gio: She's a monster.
Sal: Any woman would say that about you.
Sal: Speaking of women.
(Three nurses and Nancy enter, Gio approaches them. Sal stands in the background watching Gio talk to the nurses.)
Gio: Well hello my lovely ladies. Beautiful day for beautiful women to be out.
(The nurses giggle.)
Nurse One: Who are you?
Gio: Danny Giovanni, at your service ladies.
Nurse Two: Oh ! Another serviceman... (The nurses giggle.)
Nancy: If a German shoots you, you can give us a call. (The nurses begin to slowly walk away and talk amongst themselves).
Nurse Three: Just another army pig hittin' on us nurses. (They laugh amongst themselves.) I hope they shoot you dead.
Gio: Oh c'mon, you don't mean that honey.
Nancy: Why don't you drop dead in Germany?
(Sal walks up to the nurses.)
Sal: Hey now, hey now ladies.
Nurse Two: Oh, well look, it's Bachelor Number Two!
Nurse One: He's just as ugly as the first one.
(All nurses laugh with each other, except for Nancy.)
Nancy: Alright girls, let's go.
(Nurses exit stage as they laugh and talk amongst themselves.)
Gio: Well, I thought they were nice.
Sal: Yeah, let's get the hell out of Norfolk and into Europe already.
(Gio exits stage, lights dim, focus light on Sal. Sal sits in a chair.)
(Nurse Three enters).
Sal: (Sal looks up as she walks up nervously).
Nancy: I want to apologize about earlier...with my friends. (No eye contact is made between the two.) We get a lot of guys askin' us --
Sal: No problem, miss...
Nancy: ...Nancy.
Sal: Pretty name there. I'm Sal.
(He offers his hand, and they shake hands.)
Nancy: Oh well I uhm...I uhm--
Sal: How'd you like to go to dinner with me, this Friday, I can treat you to a --
Nancy: I'd love that! (Retains composure.) Oh..yes, uhm where shall we be having dinner?
Sal: How 'bout the restaurant down the block?
Nancy: Where ever you wanna take me...I know our dinner's tonight, but you should come have lunch with me tomorrow. Get to know each other a little. Later...Sal.
(Nancy exits page while Gio enters.) (Gio turns to look at Nancy walking away).
Gio: Hey! What're you talkin' to that broad for?
Sal: I got myself a date.
Gio: A date? When you have a fiance waiting for your sorry ass back home? Better hope your girl doesn't find out, she'll be on your tail if the Germans don't get ya.
Sal: About that --
Gio: (Tone is more excited) Speaking of Germans! We're heading out!
Sal: Already?
Gio: Already?! What do you mean already? We've been stalling around here, having spit thrown into our ears by that damn drill sergeant.
Sal: When are we leaving?
Gio: Eight hundred hours my friend! (Begins to exit) Be ready!
Sal: But...my date...
(Curtains close.)
Setting: Norfolk, Virgina - Naval yard - November 1944
(Many soldiers gather around a boarding dock with their bags. Some say farewell.)
Sal: I feel bad standing up Nancy for our date.
Gio: You have a fiance you pig.
Sal: Too bad she hasn't bothered to call since I've been out here. Probably out running messes with her neighbor. And you have no reason to be calling me a pig...especially with those nurses --
Gio: Those... nurses... were rude... to me.
(Whistle Blows).
Gio: Alright boy, you ready?
Sal: ...Nancy.
Gio: C'mon, she's some nurse you had a couple lunch dates with.
(Sal & Gio begin to walk towards the ship to board it.)
(Nancy Enters exhausted. She looks around amongst the people and runs up to Sal.)
Nancy: Sal, where ya think you're goin'?
Sal: I'm leaving, love.
Nancy: Leaving?
Gio: Leaving!
Nancy: Hush your mouth.
Sal: I'll write you, as much as I can.
Nancy: You promise?
Sal: Yes, yes.
(Nancy & Sal embrace each other in hug.)
Gio: Sal, let's go (Gio pulls on Sal's shoulder.)
Sal: I'm coming! Don't wait up on me. I'll write you as soon as I get to Europe. You'll have my V-Mail address by then.
Nancy: I'll be here when you get back.
Gio: Let's go Sal!
Sal: Bye love. (Kisses Nancy's forehead).
(Sal waves to Nancy, Sal & Gio exit stage.)
(Nancy sighs, and walks sadly off stage).
Setting: Linnich, Germany - February 1945
(Sal is sitting in the middle of the stage and pulls out paper and pencil. There are other soldiers walking around and talking to each other. There is only a spotlight on Sal.)
Sal: Dear Nancy. I've been missing you like a mad man. The guys and I haven't gotten into too much warfare. Small gun fire breaks out now and then. The soldier life isn't like how I anticipated it be. Gio and I wanted to come back heroes. Food ain't that great. We haven't seen much action lately out on the field. I love getting your letters, sometimes I feel that they keep me sane in this insanity.
(Gio enters.)
Gio: Ah! Mr. Salvatore Conigliaro, (Gio grabs Sal's shoulder and shakes him.) what are you doing at this time of day?
Sal: (Looks up at Gio, and smiles.) Writing to Nancy.
Gio: Again? For Christ's sake, put the pen and paper down...pick up your gun!
Sal: What are you in such a hurry to die for? (Looks back down at paper and continues to hurry.)
Gio: To die for?! What are you talkin' about?! I am not dying. And neither are you... when the war is over, we'll come home to crowds of women and children.
Sal: Yeah, yeah.
Gio: You won't be wanting Nancy, when there's tides of women thanking you for your service.
Sal: (Sal stands up.) I'll walk around in my slick uniform, strangers will offer me free beer, free food, free everything.
Gio: Free women.
Sal: You're sick.
Gio: Yeah well... you should be writing your fiance.
Sal: I did.
Gio: ...And?
Sal: We're over.
Gio: Just like that?
Sal: Just like that.
Gio: You can't just do that. You're gonna have a whole mess of trouble when you come back home.
(Distance shots are fired).
Sal: We're about to have a whole mess of trouble right now. That can't be good.
Platoon Sergeant: Hit the ground!
Sal: Jesus Christ what's going on!
(Sal, Gio, and other soldiers duck and cover. The platoon continues to be shot at my a barrage of bullets.)
Gio: Some one fire!
Soldier One: At what?? At what?!?
Sal: Some one throw a grenade!
Soldier Two/White: I'm trying! The grenade won't come loose, it's stuck on my gun belt.
Gio: What do you mean it's stuck?!
Soldier One: Do something!
Soldier Two/White: Oh god. (Soldier Two screams frantically, runs away from the troop, and falls over on the ground.)
(The grenade explodes underneath Soldier Two.) (Barrage of bullets seizes).
Sal: Jesus Christ, White! White! Some one get a medic for white!
Gio: Sal he's done for!
Sal: (Sal turns Soldier Two over). Oh god! White! White! (Continues to scream for medic and help.)
(Curtain closes.)
Setting: Gardelegen, Germany - April 1945
(Sal is sitting down writing a letter to Nancy. The spotlight is on Sal, while other soldiers walk around or sit in foxholes.)
Sal: Dear Nancy, I can't wait to see your smiling face. Sometimes I imagine you, sitting next to me...reading aloud your letters. It's a little crazy... I know. At least I know there's some one amazing waiting for me when I come back home, if I come back home. It scares me to think about it. I hope it doesn't scare you too. I've seen too many people die already, too many of ours. I love you dearly, Sal.
(Platoon Sergeant walks in.)
Platoon Sergeant: Alright men, let's move out.
Gio: Where we headin' Sergeant?
Platoon Sergeant: Heading to Elbe River, first we gotta pass through Gardelegen.
(The troop walks around.)
Soldier One: It's a quiet town.
(Citizen enters from curtains/building.)
Citizen One: Who are you?
Platoon Sergeant: American Army Troops.
Citizen One: You are not safe 'ere.
Platoon Sergeant: They have surrendered this place.
Citizen One: It es not safe anyvhere.
(Citizen Two enters.)
Citizen One: Dis is my wife. Not many people spek english 'ere, I'd be wary if I 'ver you
Sal: Why's it so desolate?
Citizen One: De Nazi's, dey come, an dey burn. Many, many people.
Platoon Sergeant: How many people?
Citizen One: I vill take you.
(Walks over to a blanket covering a pile, pulls blanket to reveal pile of bodies).
Sal: What is this?!
Citizen One: It is vat ve mus' 'ear. De cries an' screams echo into de nigh't. Dey take dem to da barn, an' burn dem alive. Any'vun who survived vas shot.
Platoon Sergeant: How many?
Citizen One: Over a tousand.
Gio: It stinks.
Citizen One: Ve vake up to dis stench in de morning.
Platoon Sergeant: These people need a proper burial, round up the villagers and tell them to bury these people.
(Curtains close.)
(Curtains close.)
Setting: Norfolk, Virgina - Five Months Later - February 1945
Sal: Home...sweet home.
Nancy: Sal!
Sal: Oh, Nancy! (Nancy and Sal embrace). Where's the crowd?
Nancy: You're a little late. I'm your only crowd.
Sal: (Falls to knees and breaks out in tears). I remember...Gio said we would come back heroes...that-that we would come home to crowds of people thanking us.
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