THEZIONISTS ZoharTirosh-Polk160ColumbiaHeights,Apt.4GBrooklyn,NY11201917-282-8725ztp@me.comAllrightsreserved.©2016ZoharTirosh-Polk.

FormygrandparentsCharacters:

MORRISGOLDENBERG—A25-year-oldman.SHEMELGOLDENBERG—Hisbrother,22,crippled.SONYAEYLON(néeGOLDENBERG)—Theirsister,aZionist.SHEILAISRAEL(néeEYLON)—Herdaughter,anex-teacherturnedpainter,inherlate50s.Sheiswarmandkind,amother.Sheisnowanxiousandvulnerable.Thoughshehidestheanxietywell,you’dbeworriedabouther.AVIISRAEL—Herhusband,apsychologistinhis60s.TheoppositeofSheilaorthethingthatcompletesher;logical,strong,direct,hekeepsittogether.Heiswarmandfunny.They’reconnectedinallsortsofenmeshedandcomplicatedways.ASAFISRAEL—Theirson.AnofficerintheIsraeliarmy.DORIT(DORY)ISRAEL—Theirdaughter,inherlate20s.Amixtureofherparents,shevacillatesbetweentheirextremes.BOAZISRAEL—Theirson,20.Asoldierinaninfantryunit.Moresensitivethanheletson.Hehasawaywiththeladies.DAN—Dory’sboyfriend,late20s,adoer.YORAM—AsoldierservinginthesameunitasBoaz,19.THEZIONISTS—Ahardrockband.AKIBBUTZMEMBEROFFICERALADYATADESKPROSECUTOR

Notes:*anewscene—theothercharacteriscuttingoffthesentenceortrainofthought…notcompletingthethoughtbutstillthere/overlappingTimeinthisplaymovesbackandforthbetweenthefollowingperiods:Mid1930s–1940sWarsaw,Poland,Palestine,andIsrael2006Jerusalem,Israel2007-2008JerusalemandTelAviv,IsraelandNewYorkCity,US.Thescenesshouldfloweasilyandfreelyintooneanother;transitionsshouldbeseamless.Unlessotherwisenoted,thecharactersinthisplayspeaktheirminds.Theydon’tshyawayfromexpressingthemselvesandwillnevermissagoodargument.ACTI

IWanttoGoHome* Stagegoesdark;allofasuddenwe’reinaclub.Themusicisloud,offensivealmost,lightsflashhereandtherebutwecan’tseewho’ssinging.

THEZIONISTS Itellyou,Ikickandscreamlookingformyway,way,wayIbiteandfight,becauseIknow,Iknow,IknowIshakeandbreakandloveandshovelookingformyday,day,dayIcheatandbeatbecauseIbreathe,breathe,breathe. I’mHEREI’mHEREI’mHERE*Winterof1935,asmalltowninPoland.Sonyaiswritingaletter. SONYAMygoodTateh,I’mwritingtoyoutoshowyoumyreasoningforleaving.Pleaseletmetry.(Pause)Recently,IcameacrossadefinitionofwhatitmeanstobeaJew(Iknow,Iknow,youwouldsay,“Whatsortofthingisthis?AJewisaJew.AJewisborntoaJewishmotherandthatisall.”AndI’msureRebZaltzmanwouldsay,“aJewisaboywhohasbeencircumcisedandadaughterwhogrewupinaJewishKosherhome”).ButthisisthedefinitionIfound,Tateh:“AJew:ApersonbelongingtoaworldwidegroupclaimingdescentfromJacobandconnectedbyculturalorreligiousties.”Ifoundthistoo:“AZionist:ApersonbelongingtoagroupseekingtoreestablishaJewishhomelandinEretzYisroel,currentlyPalestine.”ThewordZionistcomesfromthewordTzeeyon,whichisanotherwordforourbelovedYerushalayeem,whichisanotherwayofsayingIsrael.SoaJewisapersonwhohasaconnectionwithJacob,whoalsoisnamedIsrael.AZionistclaimshisorherconnectiontothelandofIsrael(whichisoneandthesameasJacob).AndtheheartofIsraelisYerushalayeemwhichisalsoTzeeyon.Therefore,mygoodTateh,inmymind,thewayIseeit,beingaJewmeansonemustalsobeaZionist.Itisthesamething.Doyoufollow?(Pause)Iknow,Iknowyou’llsay,“Thisisallbollocksthattheschlemielsfromthemsocialistsaretryingtosellgirlslikeyou,”andthatweshouldn’teventhinktogotoEretzYisroelbeforetheMasheeachcomes.

SONYA(Con’t)(Pause)

WhatiftheMasheeachhascome,Tateh?Whatifhewasaman,flawedbutvisionaryjustthesame?Andwhatifhetrulypreachedsomething,likeourprophets?Anditistrueanditistime?(Pause)Besides,whereelsewouldyougowhentheycome,Tateh?Whereelse?(AhugeposterofTheodorHerzlappears,Sonyakissesit.)*Thepresent,or2007tobemoreprecise.LightsonaspaciouslivingroominoneoftheaffluentsuburbsofJerusalem.There’sabedroominthebackandanentrancetoakitchen;astaircaseleadstomorebedroomsupstairs.Therearequiteafewpaintingsofflowersonthewalls.Everythingemanateswarmth,comfort,andbeauty. AVI (stretchinginhischair)It’sgoodtobehome.It’snotthatIdon’tliketraveling.Ido,butit’sgoodtobehome.Beforeweleave,Ican’twaittogetthehellonthatplaneandgo.Thenwegetback,andIthink:wecouldhavejuststayedhomeandsavedashitloadofmoney.Tothinkwehavetospendallthatmoneyandtraveltoonlythenrealiz,ehomeiswhereIwantedtobeinthefirstplace! (Sheilaenters.Sheisholdingabox.Shewalksaroundwithitasifsheislookingforsomething.) AVIComeon,Sheila,putthisdown. SHEILASometripsarefun,though. AVIIdidn’tsaytheyaren’t.IlovedSpain.Theart,thefood,andthewinewasincredible.Ilovedeverybitofit.Themuseums,theoneabouttheInquisitionwasreallyinteresting./Don’tyouthink? SHEILA--TheInquisition,itwasawful!Buttheartwasmagnificent.Caravaggio’sDavidholdingGoliath’sheadstillhauntsme. AVIIwouldn’thavetakenyou,ifIhadknown. SHEILAWhy?Itwas…important.

AVIGoodthingthekidsweren’tthere.Theywouldhavewhinedthewholetime. SHEILARememberwhenwedrovecoast-to-coastinAmericawiththekids?Howdidwedothat?Howdidwegetthroughthat?I’llneverforgetthattrip.RememberthethingDorysaidwhenwegottotheGrandCanyon? AVINo. SHEILAAvi! AVIIdon’tremember. SHEILAShewasfouryearsold.ShestoodinfrontoftheGrandCanyonandsaid,“Somethingisbrokenhere.” AVIThatonealwayshadalotonhermind.NotlikeAsaf,hejustkept/… SHEILA--Stopit,Avi. AVIWhat?WhatdidIsay?Whereareyougoing?Yousaid—thechildren. SHEILAIknowwhatyouweretryingtosay.

AVIComeon,Shuly,don’tgothere.That’swhywewenttoEurope,soyou’denjoyyourself,right?Ijustdon’twantyousinking… SHEILAIhatewhenyousaythattome. AVII’msorry.Boazwillbehomeforhisleavesoon. SHEILAYes.

AVII’msorry. SHEILAIknow.(Beat) AVIWhydon’tyouputitdown? SHEILAYes,I’mjustnotsure… AVILet’sputithere.Ontheshelf.(Sheilapondersthisforamoment.Shelooksattheshelf,thentheceiling.) AVIWhat?Theceiling?Doyouthinkit’sgoingtocollapse? SHEILAWhatifthere’sanearthquake?Or,Idon’tknow,arocket? AVIThere’snotgoingtobeanearthquake. SHEILA …No,no,thisisnotgood.Thisiscomplicated.Ihavetothink,think. AVILet’sjustputitonthecouchfornow.(Sheilawalksovertothecouch.Shesitsonthecouchasiftoexamineit.Aviwatchesher.) AVISo? SHEILANo.Notsturdyenough. AVISheila!

SHEILAIjustwanttobesure. AVIHere,let’sputitonthetablefornow.Itdoesn’thavetostaythere.Justfornow.Thetableisstable.(heknocksonit)Solid,see? SHEILAHmmmm… AVIJustfornow,Shuly.Wecantakeitandputitsomewhereelselater.Andifanythingshouldhappen… SHEILAYes,whataboutthat? AVIIwillrunandgrabit,Ipromise. SHEILAWell,Iguess,fornow… AVIYes,fornow…(AviverygentlytakestheboxfromSheilaandplacesitonthetable.Sheilawatchesitforafewmomentsandcontinuestodosoasshewalksintothekitchen.)* 1935,Palestine.AbouttwomonthsafterSonya’slettertoTateh.ThesongHeenaMaTovUmaNa’eemisplayinginthebackground. SONYATateh,Mamah,Mira’le,Morris,ShemelandLea’le:JustaquickpostcardfromtheHolyLandsaytowehavearrived.We’restayinginasmallhosteloutsideJaffa,inTelAviv.TheBritishgaveustroublewhenwearrivedontheboatbutpeoplefromthemovementintervenedandweareallright.(Pause)Theairissweetandsaltyatthesametimeandthesunistoobright.Thepeoplearerudebutalso…kind.It’saworldaway—no,it’sworldsaway,actually,it’sawholeuniverseawayandyet,Ifeelrightathome.(TheJaffaHarborisrevealedbehindher.)

*Presentor2007tobemoreprecise.DirectlyafterthefirstJerusalemscene.ThedoorslamsandDoryandDanwalkintoAviandSheila’shome. DORYIhatethisplace,it’ssofuckingcrowded! DANYeah,welookedforparkingforever-- DORY/Hi,welcomehome-- SHEILAThankyou,Honey-- AVI/Didyoufindparking? DORYHowwasit?

SHEILASpain?Good,good-- DORY/Oh,I’mglad. DANYes,ittookawhile-- SHEILA/I’llgofinishdinner-- DORYWell,wedid,aftereighthundredgazilliontimesofgoingaroundtheneighborhood.It’sjustsofuckingtight.Everyonetryingtogetaspot,andtheyfightyouforit.Likethey’regoingtokillyouorsomething.SomeonegotoutoftheircarandshoutedatDan.Animals.Noroomanywhere,noparking,nowheretositonthebus,Ican’tbreathe! AVIWhendidyoutakeabus? DORYIdidn’t. AVISowhydidyousaytherewerenoseatsonthebus? DORYItwasametaphor. AVIIdon’tthinkitwas. DORYWhatdoyoumean,Abba?

AVII’mjustsayingIdon’tthinkyouuseditasametaphor.Ithinkyouuseditasanexampleofwhatyoumeant,butyoudidn’treallyexperienceit.(pause)Youembellished.(Awkward) DORY

AreyousayingI’veneverhadtofightforaseatonthebus?Iwasinthearmy,youknow. AVIYourbasewasacrossthestreet. DORYSo?Istillhadtotakelotsofbusses. AVIRight. DORYIwasn’tlying! AVIIdidn’tsaylying.Isaidembellishing.Ijustdon’tthinkyouwereusingameta… DORYStopit,Abba. SHEILA (fromthekitchen)Yes,stopit,Avi! AVIWhat?WhatdidIsay?Togettothebottomofthings/ DORY--It’sjusthurtfulandunnecessary,that’sall. AVIUnnecessary,that’swhatImeant! DAN(quickly,pointingtooneofthepaintings)Thisiscool,Ilikeit. AVIYes,she’sbeenpaintingagain. DANThat’sgreat.Ilikeit.It’sbleak.(Pause) SHEILA

(fromthekitchen)Didhesaythere’saleak? AVINo. SHEILAIheardDansaythere’saleak.Istherealeakagain? AVINo,no. SHEILAWhatdidhesay?(AvimotionstoDan.) DANIjustsaid— AVIHesaidyournewpaintingis— DAN…Sleek.Reallysleek. SHEILAOh,thankgod!(Avigiveshimathumbsup.) DANYou’rewelcome.It’sreallynice. SHEILAThankyou,Dan.I’mtryingsomethingnew. DORYIsn’titgreatthatshe’spaintingagain? DANReallygreat. SHEILA

Justtryingsomething.Don’tgetallexcited.(Dorycollapsesonthecouch.Sheilawalksin.)There’sfoodinthekitchen. DORYOh,good,we’restarving! DANI’llgogetsomeforus. DORYThankyou,motek. SHEILAHowwastheconcert?(Danstops) DORY DAN Youknow. Itwasgood. SHEILASo-so? DORY DANNo,itwasokay. Ithoughtitwasgreat.(Danleaves) SHEILAWhat? DORY Isaiditwasgood.Whatdoyouwantfromme? SHEILAJusttryingtounderstandifyoulikedit. AVIArt,likeeverythingelse,isvery,verysubjective. DORYWhatart? SHEILA

Ijustwanttogetthewholepicture. AVIThat’shardtodo,unlessyouwerethere,andeventhen…

DORY

What’swithyou,Abba? (Dancomesinfromthekitchenwithtwoplatesoffood.Hewalksovertothetablewheretheboxis.) DANCanImovethis?*1937,akibbutzinthenorthofPalestine.It’sdark.Sonyaisholdingaletter. SONYAMira’le,LikeItoldyouinmylastletter,MenachemandIareupnorthnow,buildinganewkibbutz.Thisisveryhardwork.Wearesustainedeverydaybyourgreatthinkersandleaders.BenGurion,Gordon,Hertzl,ofcourse.We’redoingourparttobuildahomefortheJewsinPalestine.Butinthekibbutzeverythingisshared,everything;Theclothesandthechildrenandthefood…evenMenachem.(YouunderstandwhatI’mtellingyou,yes?)Don’ttellanyone.(Pause)Andthework.Ilovethework,don’tgetmewrong,Justthetwelvehoursintheheat…Shhhhh…Whatwasthat?(Pause)Whoisthere?Whoiscoming?(hergunisrevealed)StoporI’llshoot!(Longpause,sheputshergundown) SONYA(Con’t)

TheArabsmakesuretoletusknowtheydon’twantus.AndtheBritishmakeourlivesmiserable.(Pause)Mira’le,WhatwasIthinking?I’mnotsureI’mcutoutforthis.IthoughtaboutgoingbacktoPoland,likeRivka.Imisshomeeveryday.(Pause)ButhowcouldIshowupinWarsawwithmytailbetweenmylegsandTetah…No.I’mheretobuildacountryandI’mgoingtodoit,evenifitkillsme.(Sonyatearstheletter.)*Backintheclub.Thebandcontinuestoplay.It’sdarkandloud.Wedon’tseetheirfaces.

THEZIONISTS ItellyouIkickandscream,lookingformypay,pay,pay,ItakeandmakeandbowandwowbecauseIknow,Iknow,IknowIeatandhitandwaitandmatelookingformyprey,prey,preyIkickandscreambecauseIlive,live,live.I’mHEREDoyouhear?DoyouHear?I’mHEREI’mHEREI’mHERE*1941,inabackroomsomewhereintheWarsawGhetto.MorrisandShemel,Sonya’sbrothers,aretalking.Shemelisinawheelchair.Morrishasayellowstaronhiscoat.

MORRIS

I’msorry,Shemel.

SHEMELI’mallright.Icanstillstandup,brother.See?We’llwaitforSonya’sletter.(Hetriestostand,hecan’t.)

MORRIS

Shemel,please.Don’tmakethisharderthanitalreadyis.SHEMEL

Whomadeyougod?MORRIS

Iamnotgod,Shem.Andgodisn’tgodeither.Thereisnogod,Shem.Itwasalie.

SHEMEL(crying)

Don’t.

MORRISItwas,Shem.Lookatus.

SHEMELYoudon’tknow.Youdon’tknow.Wedon’tknowwhatwillhappentomorrow.

MORRIS

Yes,wedo.That’swhyI’mdoingthis.

SHEMELWhatifthere’saway?Whatifwecansomehowgetpasttheguardsatthegate?WhatifDr.Goldmeyerisgoinggetusout,likehepromised?WhatifSonyafindsus?Wewroteherthatletter...Whatifshecomesforus?

MORRISWherewillyougo,Shem?Wherewillyougonow?Andhow?They’llshootyoubeforeyouevengettothemainroad.

SHEMELHome.Iwanttogohome.

MORRISThereisnohome,Shemel.

SHEMEL

Therewashome!Therewaswarmfoodandabed.Therewereshabasdinnersandcleansheets.

MORRIS

TherewasMamah…

SHEMELTherewasMamah.(pause)SODON’TTELLMEITWASALIE.

MORRISMorelikeadream.

SHEMEL

Therewashome.Iwasthereonce.(Pause,ashift)

MORRISYes,youwere,mysweetbrother.

SHEMELIdon’twanttodothis.

MORRISIknow.

SHEMELSolet’snot.

MORRIS

Bettermethanthem.

SHEMELYouwillhavetoliveyourlifeknowing.

MORRIS

ThatIsavedyoufromsuffering.

SHEMELWedon’tknowthat!

MORRIS

Youarethebestlittlebrotherintheworld.Youareourjoyandpride.Tateh’sfavorite.Thebeststudentinthechader.Thesmartest,thebrightest,thequickest.

SHEMEL

Themostcrippled. MORRISYouarethelightandnachaesoftheGoldenbergs. SHEMELJustabitcrippledandsickly.

MORRISYoucandosomanythings.Youdid. SHEMEL (shouting)Whathelpisitnow,TELLME? MORRISNowisalietoo. SHEMELWe’reinit. MORRISWeare.WearelivingalieandIwantittoendbeforeitbecomesanightmare. SHEMELItisanightmare. MORRISYou’reright. SHEMELLet’swaituntiltomorrow. MORRISThey’retakingallthesickonestomorrow.Theysaid.Bettermethanthem.

SHEMELI’lltakemychances./Letthemtakeme. MORRIS/Iwon’t. SHEMELWhomadeyougod? MORRISGod,godmademegod.Ifgodwereactinglikegod,Iwouldn’thavetotryandbehim. SHEMELIhateyou. MORRIS

Please,Shem. SHEMELNo,no.Iwanttogohome. MORRISIdotoo,Shem. SHEMELIwanttogohome. (MorristakesapillfromhispocketandquicklyputsitinShemel’smouth.MorrismakesShemelswallow,chokinghim.) SHEMELIwanttogohome,Iwanttogohome,Iwanttogohome,Iwanttogo…(Coughing)(Morecoughing)(Lotsofcoughing)(Silence)(Morrisstandsthere,frozen)*Presentor2007tobeprecise,twoandahalfmonthsafterthelastscene.LightsonthelivingroominJerusalem.TheeveningnewsisonandAviandDoryarewatching.Boazisinuniform.Hisdufflebagandgunareinthecorner. DORYAllI’msayingisthatifIhearonemorepersonbringuptheHolocaustasanexcuseI’llexplode,that’sall! BOAZIt’snotanexcuse.Ithappened. DORYExactly,happened,pasttense,it’sover.DidyouhearaboutBurg’sbookTheHolocaustIsOver;WeMustRiseFromItsAshes? AVIWellyouknow,somepeoplesaythatatraumalikethatwouldtakedecades—

DORYIt’sbeendecades,it’sfuckingtimetheyputit/ AVIcenturiestoheal. DORYSorry,Idon’thavecenturies.Iwanttolivemylife. AVIIseeyourpoint.Iunderstand. DORYTheHolocaustthis,theHolocaustthat,maspeek!Itdoesn’tgiveyoutherighttobeananimalbecausesixtyyearsagoyouwerepersecuted. BOAZWe’restillbeingpersecuted.Youknowhowmanypeoplewanttokillus? DORYYes,dumbass,Iknow. AVIHey,watchyourmouth. DORYIjustsaid,Ihappentoknow.Iwasatmyownbrother’sfuneral. BOAZIwasn’ttalkingaboutthat.IwastalkingaboutIranandSyriaandyouknow. DORYAndifonemorepersonbringsupIranandthentheHolocaust,I’llscream. AVIMaybeyoujustneedtoscream. DORYNo,it’ssickening,thispairing.Sickening,Ican’ttakeit. BOAZ

That’sbecauseyoudon’tknowtherealdealandthoseontheinsideknowwhat’sgoingonandifyouactuallyknewyouwouldn’tbetalkinglikethis.You’dbescared.Reallyscared. DORYIdon’twanttoknow.Thisisbullshitpoliticiansmakeupsotheycangetre-elected.That’sall. BOAZEasyforyoutosay.It’snotyourjobtokeepthiscountrysafe. AVIShhh,yourmotheriscoming.Nomorepolitics!(Sheilawalksinholdingthebox.) DORYHi,Ima. SHEILAHello,mybeautifulchild.Howareyou?Whatareyougoingonabout? DORYWe’redone,Ima. SHEILAHello,anotherbeautifulchild.Iseeyou’reready. BOAZIhavetogosoon,Ima.I’msorry. SHEILAIknow. DORYYou’vebeenpainting,Ima? SHEILAAlittletoday. AVI(takestheboxfromSheilaandplacesitonthetable)Shepaintedforawhileandthenreadabook. DORY

Whichbook? SHEILAAltneulandbyTheodoreHerzl. BOAZBo-ring! DORYSavtaSonyaisproud! SHEILAYes,mydearchild,yourgrandmotherSonyawillprobablybeproud.Orshewillscoldmefornothavingreadityet. DORYFornotknowingitbyheart. BOAZ“OnceaZionist,alwaysaZionist.” DORYIwon’ttellher. SHEILAGood.(Ahonkisheardfromoutside.) BOAZI’msorry,Ihavetogo.Theguysarepickingmeup.(Hepicksuphisdufflebagandgun.) AVIItwassonicetohaveyouhomeforawholeweek. SHEILAAdream. AVIYouhaveeverything? BOAZYes.

AVIMakesuretocall.Yourmotherdoesn’tsleepwellotherwise. DORY

(toAvi)Howdoyousleep? BOAZIwill. DORYDon’tkillanyone. AVIandSHEILADory! DORYWhat,justsaying,don’tkillanyone. BOAZShutup,youdon’tknowanything. DORYIwasinthearmy,youknow. BOAZYeah,acrossthestreet.That’smorelikeavacation. DORYAtleastI’mnotbeingtrainedtokillpeople. BOAZWhatdoyouthinkpeopledointhearmy? DORYJustbecarefulisallI’msaying. AVIEnough!(Anotherhonk) BOAZIhavetogo.(AviandBoazhug.SheilahugsBoazandshedoesn’tlethimgo.Doryremainssitting.)

(Boazbreaksawayandleaves.Sheilapicksuptheboxandexitstheroomsobbing.)(Pause) DORYIsshetakinghermeds? AVISheis,butthisisnotimetodisruptthecalmlikethat. DORYLikewhat? AVIYouknowwhat.Whydoyouhavetoupsetyourbrotherbeforeheleaves? DORYI’msorryiftherealitiesoftheoccupationareupsettingtohim. AVIYou’restillangry. DORYAboutwhat? AVIYourbrother,everything. DORYWhichone?TheonewhogotkilledinLebanonortheoneyousenttotheOccupiedTerritories? AVIDory…Don’tstart. DORYYoudidn’tneedtosigntheform.Youknowthat.Youcouldhavekepthimfrombecomingacombatsoldier.Youarebereavedparents. AVII’mworkingveryhardtokeepthecalmhere.

DORY

Andhowisthatgoingforyou? AVI (notascalmnow)Whatdoyouwantfromme,Dory?Whatdoyouwant? DORYYoulethimgo,yousignedtheform,youmadehersigntheform.Youdidn’thaveto.Shedidn’thaveto.Sodon’tblamemefordisruptingthecalm.She’snotgoingtosleepwellaslongashe’sthere. AVIHewantedtogo!It’shislife,hischoices.Wedon’thavetherighttostandinhiswaybecausehisbrotherdied.Hepaidaheavypriceasitis,losinghisbrother.Wethoughtaboutitforawholeyear,wetalkedaboutitformonthsandwemadeourdecisiontostandbyhimandallowhimtolivehislifeasheseesfit. DORYOccupyingotherpeople,youmean?Shewasn’tinastatetomakeadecisionlikethat.Youmadeit,nother.Andnowshe’safuckingmess,andyoudon’thavearighttostandinhisway?PardonmeifIthinkit’syourstupidpridebecauseyourfriendsendedupinJerusalemin’67whileyouwere--

AVI/Iwasrecoveringfromanillness! DORYExactly. AVIIthasnothingtodowith-- DORY/Really,you’retellingmethatyoudidn’tlethimgofightbecausesomewhereyouregoabout’67andhowtheydidn’ttakeyoubackin’73afteryougotsick,andyourbrotherthefamousgeneral-- AVIThisissomebullshitthatSonyaputinyourhead. DORYYou’rethepsychologist.(Avistopsandlistens)

AVIShhh…She’sdoingbetter!I’mbeggingyou,don’tmakemoreproblems. DORYDon’tworry,Abba,Iwon’t. AVIDory… DORYMybrotherisyourproblem,notmine. AVIThey’reallmyproblem:yourbrother,yourotherbrother,yourmother,you. DORYDon’tworry.Iwon’tbeyourproblemforverylong. AVIDory,Idon’tmeanitlikethat.(Pause)You’reangryallthetime. DORYIt’sbetterthanpretendingnottobebytryingtocontrolotherpeople. AVIShutup,Dory,justshutup! SHEILA (callingfromthebedroom)Whathappened? DORYEverythingisjustfine,Ima. AVIShit.*Thatnight.LightsonDoryandDan’sbedroom.Theyareinbed. DORYDan???

DANYes? DORYAreyouasleep? DANNotanymore. DORYSometimesIhavenightmaresaboutWorldWarII. DANDidyouhaveonenow? DORYNo. DANSowhydidyouwakemeup? DORYBecauseI’mscaredIwill. DANIfyoudo,youcanwakemeup.

DORYOkay.(Pause)Dan? DANWhat? DORYIreallydon’twanttohaveone,though.AndsometimesIcanjustfeelonecoming. DANDory,it’s2007.Nothingbadwillhappentoyou. DORYOnce,whenIwasinhighschool,IdreamedthatGeobblesorGerrbelesorGoballswhateverhisnamewas— DAN

Yes? DORYSpoketomeandhesaidthewarisn’tover.AndItoldhimhewasdeadbuthesaidhewasn’treallyandnothingreallyended,notthewarandnotthecampsandthattheNazis— DANItwasadream. DORYItoldhimthewarisoverandthathe’sdeadbuthedidn’tcare.InmydreamhewasfatandhadacigarandrecentlyIsawapictureandhewasskinnyandugly. DANSee?Itwasadream.It’sover,Dor,really.It’sover. DORYSometimeswhenIfeelanightmarecoming— DANI’mhere,Dory.I’llprotectyou. DORYWhentheycome? DANThenightmares? DORYTheNazis. DANWho? DORYTheArabs DANThey’renotcoming. DORY

ButtheotherdayonTVIdidseesomeonewholooksliketherealGoebblesorGoballsorwhateverhisnamewas.ThenIthought,whatiftheyareamongus,justwalkingdownthestreet,likehere.(Pause)Sometimes,whenIfeelanightmarecomingIopenmyeyesandtellmyselfallthehorriblethingsIknowhappened.Allofthem,thetrainsandthegasstovesandthemozlemenandthenofoodandthechildrenandtheshotsandthemassgravesandthe— DANOkay. DORYSothenIdon’thavetodreamaboutit. DANThat’sonestrategy. DORYDoyoueverdreamabouttheHolocaust? DANNo.(Pause)Allthetime. * Thatnight.BoazandhisunitmateYoramareinuniform.They’reintheirbarracks,onabreakfrompatrollingavillageintheOccupiedTerritories. BOAZMygrandfatherwasthisbigdude.HewastheheadoftheJewishFederationorwhatever.Hehadacarinthe50s.Noonehadacarthen.Hehadadrivertoo,andnoonehadadriver.Theybarelyhadanythingtoeat. YORAMWhatwashisname? BOAZGershonEylon.

YORAMNeverheardofhim. BOAZ

Mygrandmotherwaskick-asstoo.Shebuiltakibbutzandstuff.SonyaEylon. YORAMDon’tknowher. BOAZLookitup,likeinthebooks,she’smentioned.Therearepicturesofherandstuff.I’mtellingyou,she’sbig. YORAMMymother’sfamilycamefromMorocco.

BOAZYeah,Iknow. YORAMThat’swhytheyhateArabs. BOAZYeah.

YORAM’Causetheyknowthem,youknow,theylivedwiththemforcenturiesorwhatever.AndtheysawhowtheArabshateJewsandareliars,sotheyhatethem. BOAZIdon’tknowifIhatethem.IguessIdidwhentheyblewupbuses. YORAMYeah,they’reallterrorists.Ihavenoproblemjust(hemotions)takingoneout. BOAZButaftertheykilledmybrother… YORAMForgetit.Ifthathappenedtome,Iwouldkilloneeverydayiftheyletus. BOAZIthoughtsotoo.ButafterIactually,youknow,hadtoshoot… YORAMOhyeah,thatgirlthatgotwounded.

BOAZYeah,didn’tfeelgood.NotthatIwouldn’tdoitagain. YORAM

Forsure,forsure,man. BOAZSoyouknow,I’mhere,doingmyduty,formybrother.ButIcan’twaittogohome. YORAMYouarehomemybrother,thisishome.Justafewmonthsleftofthisshit.Youcandothis.We’reinittogether,yes? BOAZForeverman,forever.*Lightsdown,theroomtransforms,andthebandappears.It’sdarkandloud.Wedon’tseetheirfaces. THEZIONISTSWhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaYeah,yeah,MoremoremoremoreMoreofyouMoreofyouMoreofmeWantingmoreofyouWhenitgetsdark LetmemakemymarkHearmeroar,hearmebarkMore,moremore WhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaYeah,yeah,It’sallthatexistsAsthispainpersists,YouMoreofyouMoreofyouMoreofmeWantingmoreofyou THEZIONISTS(Con’t)

It’slikeamonsterItwillcontinuetohauntherMore,more,more.WhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaYeah,yeah,yeah*It’searly1947,Palestine.MorrisisstandinginSonyaandherhusbandGershon’ssmallroominthekibbutz.It’ssimplebutclean.PregnantSonyaentersslowly,nervously. SONYAMorris?Isthatyou?(Morristurnstoher.Heissilent.) SONYAMorris,Morris,myMorris.Ohdeargod,thereisagod!Todala’el!(Silence)(Sonyahesitates,butthenapproacheshimandhugshim.Hedoesn’tmove.) SONYAYoulook…good,Morris.Yes.Good.(Silence) SONYASaysomething,Morris,otherwiseI’llplotz.(Silence) SONYAWhatisit,mysweetbrother?(Morrisshakeshishead.) SONYAAllright.Wedon’thavetodoitalltoday.I’mjusthappyIcanlayeyesonyou.Thatyouarehere.Healthyandwell.(Morrisshakeshishead.)

SONYAButyouare,Darling,youare.Youarehereandstandingontwofeet.Therestdoesn’tmatter.(Shepatshimontheback,hefreezes.) SONYAYou’rehomenow.Nowyou’rewithmeandGershon.He’sshortbuthe’snice.Andwewilltakecareofyouforeverandever.Wewill.Andtherest,therestdoesn’tmatter,mysweetbrother.(Helowershishead.)Becauseyou’rehomenow.HereinEretzIsrael.Hereinthekibbutzandwewillfindworkforyouandyouwilltakepartinbuildingourcountry.Andwewilltakecareofyou.Wearestrong.Strong-willed.Notlikeourpeopletherelikesheep…(Morrisraiseshisheadangrily.) SONYAWhatImeanis…we’restronghereandwewillnotgiveupandwearetogether.Forever,mysweetbrother.(pause)Willyounotsayawordtome?(Helowershishead.) SONYABesder.Allright.Noneed.Iwillbringyouteaandwe’lltalk.Howisthat?(Morrisshakeshishead.) SONYANutov.I’lljustbringyouteathen,allright?(Morrisagrees.) SONYAI’msohappyIcouldscream.Icouldn’tsleepallweek.Icouldn’teat.Iwassonervous.Justtogetaglimpseofyou.Justaglimpse…WhenwegottheletterfromtheBureauforLocatingRelativesmyhandswereshaking.IthoughtIwouldfaint.Howdoyouopenaletterlikethat?Ididn’twanttoopenit.Iwastooscared.Luckily,Gershonopenedit.He’sshortbuthe’shelpful.WhyamItalking?I’mjustsonervous.(Pause)

SONYA(Con’t)IshouldhavemadeyouallcomewithmewhenIvisitedin’38.Rememberthatvisit,Morris?HowTatehliftedhiseyesandhisbeardandsawmestandingthere?HowIsurprisedyouall?HecriedandIcriedandweallcried.AndIbroughtyouoranges.SomewentbadontheboatbutIstillhadafewandlittleShemandMira’le…(pause,stoppingherself)I’llgobringthetea.(Shegoesintothekitchen.Morrisstandsthere.)(Sonyacomesinwiththeteaandacake.) SONYAHere,sit,havesometeaandabitofcake.Theygavemesomeflourfromthekitchen.Ibeggedthem,eventhoughit’snotFriday.Imadeitespeciallyforyou.(Hegrabsthreepieces,devourstwo,andhidesoneinhispocket.Shewatcheshim.) (Pause) SONYA (tryinghardtosmile)Youlikeit,that’sgood.That’sgood.(Shegiveshimmore.Hedevoursit.) SONYAIcan’twaitforlittlebabytocome.Ifit’sagirl,we’llnameherSheila.(Silence) SONYA (slowly)Morris.(pause)Canyoujusttellmeabout…Youdon’tevenhavetotalk,justyesorno.(Pause)Arethey…Willthey…(Helowershishead.) SONYANoone?(Heshakeshishead,makinghisfirstsound.) SONYABut…