Post on 08-Jul-2018
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(to be named)
Our Boy, Helmuth
(it could be called something that is said in the trial,
something that is said in one of Helmuth’s last letters)
The Story of Helmut(h) Hubener.
music & lyrics: Kira Stone
book: Kira Stone
GOAL: first draft done by MARCH 30th
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PAGES OF IDEAS
German antagonists speak in German/ Jews don’t speak at
all- How Helmuth felt at some points that he was a traitor
to his country, church, family and himself
- “What kind of a man fights for something that he knows
is wrong?” Helmuth to Gerhard in THE BOY WHO DARED… a
very interesting idea to play up. I mean, how many people
today fight for something that they don’t believe really
is right? Helmuth’s martyrdom was an example of what
happened to you if you did fight for what you believed,
while Gerhard was an example of biting your tongue and
doing what you are asked to do even if it doesn’t strike
true in your heart.
- PUT IN SIMILARITIES BETWEEN JOSEPH SMITH AND HELMUTH,
but make them subtle so only lds people will get it and
see the symbolism and etc.
- “Why are the Nazis so afraid of words?” in regards to
books, pamphlets, flyers, radio, etc. Words are thoughts
verbalized that once heard or read plant seeds thatsprout new thoughts that must be said. I mean they
filtered everything that could plant these seeds of
rebellion, but there will always be someone who seeks out
the truth and they will find it and make it manifest to
the world. Joseph Smith for example- Satan was trying to
confuse and to sway the minds of men to things that
weren’t all the truth… maybe bits and pieces but nothing
complete. But Joseph sought the truth and against all
odds at a very young age (like HH) found the truth
through words spoken and written. And Satan wanted this
truth to be heard so badly he is still trying to make
sure people don’t hear it. So the question could also be
phrased “Why is Satan so afraid of words?”
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-When Brother Worbs was telling HH to pray for everyone
who may persecute and hate us, and that we can’t repay
evil with evil… “God loves us all. He does not love us
more than He loves our enemies.” I mean, that is a
concept that like, I still don’t always get. But it is SOimportant to remember that, and to have that be a message
in our show I think could be cool…
-I just want to think what if Helmuth had survived? What
else could this incredible genius have done? If we was
left alive, what good could he have given our world? How
many people would have been at his wedding? Which temple
would he have gotten sealed at? How many children would
he have had? Would he still be alive today if he had not
been executed? Who knows.
- Sunshine motif-”You are My Sunshine” as a recurring
theme, or sunshine in general during this dark time.
Other Sunshine songs/hymns could be sung throughout… any
hymns included just have to be GORGEOUS
- how does Mutti feel about Brother Worbs planting anti-
propaganda
- make their language more age-appropriate, not as much
exposition, cut out some dialogue, add songs, when doesthe element of risk come in, how much of the exposition
do we need
- should we double cast gerhard and hans as rudi and
karl…? yes or no? INCITING INCIDENT…. move the big
discovery of Helmuth and Herr to scene one or scene two
- how much do you want the hindsight of WW2, have Brother
Worbs know about this, and Gerhard have a clue, and Hans
just be cynical, Helmuth is available to have his mind
being molded, and Mutti is sort of in the dark (ABOUT
HITLER, the HERO)
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CHARACTER MAPS
*ages are at the start of the play
Helmuth: (8-17) youngest child, short in stature,spiritual giant, brown hair, attractive, takes care of
appearance, curious, rebellious, revolutionary, extremely
intelligent, passionate and caring, proclaimer of truth,
instigator, creator, LEADER (a balance of justice and
mercy)
Gerhard: (three years older) than Helmuth, lighter hair,
torn between personal belief and duty, an example to
Helmuth, strong testimony, not afraid of standing up to
authority, feels pressure to be loyal to his God and his
church and also his country
Hans: four years older than Helmuth, mischievous, pot-
stirrer, inflammatory, ultimately he loves his family and
he acts out because of fear of the government, faithful
member of the church, deeply affected by his father
running away from the family
Emma (Mutti): (32 years old) mother of Helmuth, Gerhard,
Hans, deeply scarred from a dishonest and immoral past
(think Fantine but more so), married to Hugo, weak, loves
her children, doesn’t stand up for what is right, becomes
inactive in the church, doesn’t have a backbone, her
resolve has been cut down over the years, she is now
defeated
Hugo: (40 years old) the show’s personification of
Hitler, marries Mutti, pro-Nazi, prideful, violent,
arrogant, egotistical, power-hungry, volatile,
totalitarian, dishonest, takes pride in appearance, two-
faced, a coward
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Rudi: (same age as Helmuth) one of Helmuth’s two best
friends, spitfire, very intelligent, clever, quick,
precocious, doesn’t know his father either, has a tougher
family life, faithful member of the church, stands fortruth and righteousness (think all justice)
Karl: (same age as Helmuth) one of Helmuth’s two best
friends, loyal, caring, honest, hard working, comes from
a loving family that is strong in the gospel, faithful
member of the church, walks in the Savior’s footsteps
(think all mercy)
Brother Worbs: (35 - 40 years old) Young Men’s leader in
Helmuth’s ward, kind, courageous, personable, brave,
fiery, a revolutionist, almost on the brink of being
dangerous he is so revolutionary, acts as a true father
figure for the boys
Ensemble: teachers (Herr Vinke), church members, nazis,
hitler figure, etc.
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SONGS/ideas:
concentrate/concentration
like a hero
you are my sunshinemoonbeam
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TIMELINE OF SHOW
(the life of Helmuth Hubener)
ACT 1
(WRITE SONGS BY LOOKING AT THE SCENES AND ACTS, NOT AFTER
YOU HAVE WRITTEN THE SCRIPT FOR THE SCENES, BUILD THE
SCRIPT AROUND THE MUSIC AND SONGS)
scene ONE: next morning, enter Brother Worbs - tells
Helmuth and Mutti and everyone about the Reichstag
burning - culprit was a young man (foreshadowing) -
coincidences (Helmuth discusses with adults, gets treated
like an adult, gets tried as an adult), burning books
scene TWO: on way to school, Helmuth sees Herr Seligmann
attacked for washing windows
scene 3 - school scene, fulfilling his last duty, Hugo
next scene - meet hugo and helmuth and hugo bond/gerhard
and hugo don’t get along, , that same night hugo goes out
and destroys jewish man’s store, etc. and harms jewish
man/family
scene three: detective time with “You Are My Sunshine”!(p.84) With Rudi, Helmuth, Karl, that same night hugo
goes out and destroys jewish man’s store, etc. and harms
jewish man/family - helmuth is a witness and sees out his
window/sneaks out
they figure out that hugo burned the jewish man’s store,
Mutti tries to convince Helmuth and brothers that
everything is fine, they resist, resistance between
gerhard and helmuth and hugo builds, Helmuth stays up at
night reading his hidden and illegal books!, stash of
books
scene SIX: Helmuth tries writing essay for grad. ,
receives essay back with high marks, joins Hitler Youth
scene SEVEN: church scene (branch president a nazi, the
sign being torn down, church hymns), with Karl and Rudi
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and Helmuth and Brother Worbs (prayer in church, p. 89)
is taken away, possibly allude to Hugo’s destruction
(intermission)
ACT 2
scene EIGHT: Gerhard gets drafted, Helmuth gets restless,
starts to misunderstand Gerhard, Gerhard leaves (says
goodbye at train station) - last time Helmuth sees
Gerhard and tells Helmuth about the radio against Hugo
scene NINE: he steals a BBC radio, listens for hours that
night without sleeping, nobody knows
scene TEN: (why are nazis so afraid of words), tells Rudi
and Karl about radio, (brings in people one by one),
starts the pamphlets with Rudi and Karl
scene ELEVEN: the real distribution effort starts,
spreads them to other countries, stays up all nights, no
names pact, close calls, find Brother Worbs after his
concentration camp, triggers him to do more and be bigger
scene TWELVE: Confronts a friend about translatingpamphlets so they can go to all of Europe, he reports
Helmuth after deceiving him, Helmuth gets caught at home
and arrested, searching apartment, taken to Gestapo, see
his friends getting arrested too (it is him and Rudi and
Karl)
scene THIRTEEN: the waiting period, questioning and
trial, People’s Court/Blood Tribunal
scene FOURTEEN: goodbyes with Rudi and Karl (explain rudi
and karl’s fate and how different theirs was and their
trials and sentences, etc. from Helmuth’s)
scene FIFTEEN: his sentencing and in his jail cell, death
row (writing his letters)
scene SIXTEEN: Gerhard gets his letter (rain and
sunshine)
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ACT 1
(OVERTURE)
SCENE ONE
SETTING: The next morning at the kitchen table
AT RISE: Mutti is preparing a modest breakfast as the
boys awaken and stumble into the kitchen
Helmuth
So, anyway, yesterday right when they announced Adolf
Hitler as the new chancellor of the Third Reich, some
boys your age, Gerhard, jumped up so high and saluted
with their right arm like the Nazis always do. They
yelled, “Heil Hitler”! and started cheering and running
about, and no one stopped them.
Gerhard
You’ll be seeing more of that, I’m sure. Especially at
school.
Hans
Everyone wants to be a patriot for Germany again.
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Hans
Mutti, what’s for breakfast?
MuttiWe have some porridge this morning.
Hans
Well, it’s been nice knowing you, Gerhard.
Gerhard
Likewise, Hans, likewise. (in a whisper) How burnt do you
think it is this time?
Mutti
I think the porridge turned out almost perfect this time.
And, we have brown sugar.
Gerhard
Where did you find it?
Hans
How much did that cost?
(Helmuth walks in, dragging a blanket behind him)
Mutti
Hitler says he is giving all Germans more sugar rations
now that he is chancellor. I don’t know how he does it,
but I’m not complaining.
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Hans
We get to eat sugar!
Helmuth
Hitler the hero!
(Hans and Helmuth stand on their chairs, jump for joy,
fist bump, high five, etc. while Gerhard stays seated at
the table with a furrowed brow)
Gerhard
We should say a prayer to bless the food first.
Helmuth
I’ll say it!
Dear Heavenly Father,
We are so very lucky to be gathered around the breakfast
table and eat together as a family this morning. We are
thankful for Mutti and her cooking (giggles ensue from
Hans and Gerhard) and we are thankful for brown sugar,
especially. Please teach us kindness and patience today,
and help us with our schoolwork. We love thee and thy
Son, and we say these things, in the name of Jesus
Christ, Amen.
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Hans
Amen!
GerhardAmen!
Mutti
Amen.
(there is a knock at the door)
Hans
I’ll get it!
(Hans answers the door; it is a member of the church in
their ward, Brother Worbs)
Mutti
Brother Worbs! My, it has been quite a long time, how are
you and your family?
Brother Worbs
We are doing just fine, Emma, just fine. It is nice to
see you.
Mutti
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Boys, make room at the table for Brother Worbs.
Hans
How are you, Brother Worbs?
Gerhard
How is the family?
Helmuth
Good morning, Brother Worbs. Why are you here this
morning?
Brother Worbs
I came to check in- the Bishop asked me to see how you
were doing.
(Mutti gives the boys their porridge and leaves the brown
sugar in the middle of the table for them to fight over)
Mutti
Boys, start eating .
(MUTTI pulls BROTHER WORBS aside)
Mutti
Listen, Brother Worbs. I know I haven’t been to church in
a while, but I have just been trying to make ends meet. I
am working two jobs, and I am starting to court again for
the first time since Helmuth’s father…
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Brother Worbs
Emma, you have no explanations you need to give. I am
just here to help, if I may. And to make sure you and theboys are safe. You heard about the Reichstag last night,
I presume?
Mutti
What? I…
Brother Worbs
They are saying it’s arson by the communist party. It
was, in fact, a young, Dutch boy. Just arrived in Germany
and immediately disliked the regime. So, he did something
about it. More people should be doing these things…
Mutti
Brother Worbs, please keep your voice down. The boys are
unaware of the Reich’s controversial policies and the
changes that are being made within Germany.
Brother Worbs
The worst of it is, the boy convicted of the crime has
already been tried. His sentence is death, Emma.
Helmuth
(he overhears)
Who is going to die?
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Mutti
Oh, nobody! I think you misheard Brother Worbs.
Brother Worbs
(to Emma)
Emma, these are things they should know about.
Gerhard
It’s already 7:34.
Mutti
I am going to be late to the factory! I have to go change
my clothes. Thank you for coming Brother Worbs. The boys
will see you this Sunday.
(she exits to change)
Gerhard
But what were you talking about, Brother Worbs? A fire..?
Brother Worbs
As a matter of fact, boys, there is something I can share
with you. For your safety, of course. Now that Hitler is
in power, he is decreeing that all books that are
communist, foreign, or have anything that is anti-Nazi or
goes against his beliefs must be burned. Soon, if you are
found with books in your possession that he would
disapprove of, you could go to prison.
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Helmuth
That can’t be true!
GerhardHow could they enforce such a thing?
Brother Worbs
Oh, the Nazi party grows out of fear, Gerhard. And fear
can be a very powerful motive for most people. And so it
grows very quickly.
SONG - At First: (or Who Knows? or I Don’t Understand, In
the Dark)
Helmuth
So that just means we can be a bit sneaky, right? Hide
all our good books?
Gerhard
Helmuth, that’s dishonest.
Hans
Oh, Gerhard, quit being a know-it-all.
Brother Worbs
Boys, I am not here to tell you what to do. That is not
my job. I do think, however, that the three of you are
growing up. You boys should learn these things for
yourselves. “Seek and ye shall…”
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Hans
Find!
Brother WorbsExactly. And what do you find…?
Helmuth
I suppose we find the truth.
Brother Worbs
Yes, that is exactly right.
(beat)
Please look for that truth, boys.
(he winks at them)
I’ll see you this Sunday, yes?
ALL BOYS
Yes! Yes, of course!
Brother Worbs
Take care until then.
(BROTHER WORBS exits)
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Gerhard
Hurry up and finish your breakfast, we have to leave for
school now.
Hans
You’re not the boss around here, Gerhard. I’m the oldest,
I should be in charge of you!
Gerhard
Well, maybe if you started behaving like the oldest-
Helmuth
Hey. Hey! Would you two stop? Good brothers don’t just
turn on each other-
Gerhard
You’re right, Helmuth.
Helmuth
Apologize. Both of you.
Gerhard
I’m… sorry... Hans.
Hans
Oh, Gerhard I am so incredibly sorrowful, is there any
way you can find a place in your heart to forgive me?
Gerhard
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Oh, come on…
Helmuth
Agh! We’re leaving!
(Helmuth takes Gerhard and Hans by their hands on either
side of him and drags them behind him out the door.
Helmuth then remembers something, and runs back to his
room. He takes his books from his shelf and puts them
underneath his mattress to hide them. Then he runs out
the house and down the street, catching up to his
brothers)
SCENE TWO
SETTING: The streets of Hamburg, Germany
AT RISE: The boys are walking to school in their
uniforms and with their satchels
Helmuth
Shall we play a game?
Hans
Like what?
Gerhard
Men don’t just play games.
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Hans
Oh, Gerhard, put a sock in it.
Helmuth(laughing)
We are boys, Gerhard, not men!
(They all start to laugh as they pass a neighbor’s
store. The neighbor is outside washing his windows, and a
few members of the Gestapo show up)
Helmuth
Hey, isn’t that Herr Seligmann?
Hans
Yes, he and his family go to the synagogue downtown.
Helmuth
They are Jewish?
Gerhard
Yes, Helmuth.
Helmuth
Huh. I thought I saw him washing his windows yesterday,
too.
Gerhard
He was.
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Helmuth
Why does he wash his windows every morning?
Gerhard
Because their are some members of the Nazi party that
have been given orders to paint the stores in red that
are those belonging to Jewish families.
Helmuth
Why does that matter?
Gerhard
It’s like a warning.
Helmuth
A warning for what..?
Gerhard
Goodness, Helmuth, will you stop asking these questions?
Figure it out for yourself.
Hans
Helmuth, Gerhard… look.
(the boys turn and see Herr Seligmann coming down from
his ladder to talk to the Gestapo)
Helmuth
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What are they saying, what are they saying?
Hans
Sh! How should I know?
(The Gestapo start to push Herr Seligmann, and he
resists; a fight begins)
Gerhard
We have to go to school now. We are going to be late.
(GERHARD takes Helmuth and Hans by their hands and starts
to run)
Helmuth
What was that all about, Gerhard?
Gerhard
You’ll see. I imagine it is only going to get worse.
(Helmuth glances behind him, stops in his tracks and runs
back to Herr Seligmann, as his body lays on the cold
cobblestone, beaten and torn. He is stunned, and then
EXITS the stage as he runs off to school)
SCENE THREE
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AT RISE: Helmuth’s teacher is preparing to start his
lecture for the day as students excitedly mingle around
the room while finding their seats
SETTING: Helmuth’s classroom
Herr Vinke
Class, find your seats.
(students walk swiftly to their seats)
Today, the young men have the opportunity to join the
ranks of the prestigious Hitler Youth. Most of you have
already given us your information and paperwork, but
there are a few that have not been so efficient. Rudi
Wobbe?
Rudi
(stands)
Yes, Herr Vinke.
Herr Vinke
Where is your paperwork?
Rudi
My father is still working on it, sir. I can bring it to
class with the money tomorrow.
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Herr Vinke
Make sure you do so. Karl-Heinz Schnibbe?
KarlYes, sir! Herr Vinke!
Herr Vinke
You said your paperwork would be in two days ago. It is
still not here.
Karl
Yes, I understand that sir, I just-
Herr Vinke
Bring it tomorrow.
Karl
Yes, sir.
Herr Vinke
Helmuth Guddat? Your name isn’t even on file or
registered as interested in the Hitler Youth program.
Helmuth
Yes, sir.
Herr Vinke
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Why is that? We need the detailed assessment of your
family’s history and verification that you are fully
Aryan.
Helmuth
Well, sir, my mother has been awfully busy lately and my
father hasn’t sent us money in years, and my brothers had
to join already, so I was going to wait until we could
afford it.
Herr Vinke
What is the cost of your patriotism, young man? How much
do you value your country and the protection given by the
Fuhrer?
Helmuth
I would have to say that-
Herr Vinke
It is priceless. Invaluable. Go tell your mother that,
and bring the finished paperwork and funds tomorrow.
(Helmuth sits, stunned)
Herr Vinke
(Herr Vinke reveals the subject of his lecture, a
painting of a German soldier holding the German flag high
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as he sinks into the ocean and dies - “Fulfilling His
Last Duty”)
“Fulfilling His Last Duty”. See how the dying soldiergrasps the German flag tightly, holding it high, until
the moment he sinks into the ocean. That is what a loyal
and dedicated man would do for his country. (SONG here)
See how-
Helmuth
Herr Vinke?
Herr Vinke
What? Who interrupted me?
Helmuth
Sir, wouldn’t it be more wise for the soldier to save
himself by holding onto the wood in the painting and
dropping the flag-
Herr Vinke
Drop the flag? You are Helmuth, correct?
Helmuth
Yes, sir.
Herr Vinke
Well, Helmuth, with that insidious question, you have
earned the entire class two extra hours of homework. You
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must write a four page essay titled: “Adolf Hitler: The
Savior of Germany”.
(class growns, throws paper balls at Helmuth, whispers,teases, etc.)
Helmuth
(to Rudi and Karl)
Sorry, boys.
Karl
Eh, that’s okay.
Rudi
We can work on it all together tonight.
Herr Vinke
And with that, you are dismissed.
SCENE FOUR
AT RISE: The three Hubener boys are arriving home from
school, as EMMA and HUGO are moving HUGO’s many
belongings into the house
SETTING: Helmuth’s apartment
Gerhard
Whoa. Mutti, what’s going on?
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Mutti
Boys, I have someone I want you to meet. This is Hugo
Hubener. We have been courting for the past few monthsand are engaged to be married. We have been moving him in
all day. Grab a box, please.
Helmuth
(to Gerhard and Hans)
Is she serious?
Hans
Mutti doesn’t joke very much.
Gerhard
How is this the first we are hearing of this?
Hans
She doesn’t have to ask our permission for these kinds of
things.
Helmuth
Yes, but why do we never get warnings? Why do we never
know these things until after they happen?
(beat)
Gerhard
I don’t know. But I hate it.
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(Hans grabs a box and begins to help Mutti, Gerhard
sits on a box, and Helmuth stands there, making eye
contact with Hugo)
Hugo
What are your names?
Gerhard
I’m Gerhard.
Helmuth
That’s Hans. I’m Helmuth.
Hugo
Those names go nicely with Hubener, don’t you think?
Lucky boys.
(beat)
Helmuth
Yes, sir.
Gerhard
Helmuth, don’t you have more homework tonight than usual?
Helmuth
Gerhard-
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Hugo
(to Helmuth)
My boy, I pride myself on my record of academic
perfection. I would be more than willing to help you withwhatever assignment you might have.
(beat)
Helmuth
I have a four page essay. It’s supposed to be about the
Fuhrer.
Hugo
Writing about the Fuhrer? And at such a young age! They
are teaching you the right things in school.
Gerhard
The right things?
Hugo
Exactly.
Gerhard
That assignment makes a mockery of God.
Hugo
Young man, I beg your pardon-
Gerhard
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Idolizing Hitler. That’s exactly what it does.
Hugo
Boy, God has given us Adolf Hitler as a Savior to theFatherland! Don’t you dare begin to contradict. (SONG
here)
Gerhard
Helmuth, I’m going to bed. If you need me, you know where
I am. Hugo, it’s been a pleasure.
(Gerhard EXITS)
Hugo
So, do you need any help, Helmuth? As a Rottenfuhrer-
Helmuth
A what?
Hugo
Within the Nazi Party, I am a section leader. Part of the
SS. And if there is one thing I pride myself on, it is my
dedication to the Fatherland and my knowledge of the
Fuhrer. My boy, I-
Helmuth
I’m not your boy.
(beat, then Helmuth EXITS, leaving Hugo confused and
angry)
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SCENE FIVE
AT RISE: A Saturday Morning; Rudi, Karl, and Helmuth are
sitting at Helmuth’s kitchen table, planning the day
SETTING: Helmuth’s kitchen
Helmuth
Alright, boys. What’s the adventure of the day? I’ve been
brainstorming.
Rudi
Well, we should probably stop pranking the “Hitler
Youth”, as we are now a part of the “Hitler Youth”.
Karl
Plus, we could get beaten up again.
Helmuth
I have a plan. The other day, I saw Herr Seligmann, and
for some reason he was being disciplined by Nazi
soldiers. There needs to be more justice in Germany,
boys.
(Helmuth takes out three badges and three cards, engraved
with their names, “Agent #1, #2, and #3, and RKH
Detective Agency)
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Rudi
What?! You made these? Are these real?
KarlThey look real!
Helmuth
We are detectives now. With all the new secrets Germany
is keeping, aren’t you curious to explore it all?
(Hugo ENTERS)
Hugo
Helmuth, who are they?
Helmuth
This is Rudi, and this is Karl. They are my best friends.
And now we are detectives!
Hugo
(angrily)
Maybe you can start investigating the newest Communist
takeover plot.
(Hugo slaps today’s newspaper down on the table)
Helmuth
What?
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Hugo
A soldier of Germany fell last night in Paris. From the
shot of a Jew. A seventeen year old Jew.
(Gerhard ENTERS)
Gerhard
And how many Jews do you know, Hugo?
Hugo
More than I would like to. But soon, there will be less
and less of them thanks to the Fuhrer. Look at all the
chaos they are causing!
(He waves the newspaper around in the air)
Gerhard
They aren’t the chaos. Just because they aren’t Aryan
doesn’t mean they need to leave the country.
Hugo
They aren’t leaving the country, don’t worry.
(beat)
Helmuth
(to Gerhard)
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We’re going to go outside and enjoy the sunshine. It’s
been a while.
GerhardLucky. I have three essays to write on the Fatherland due
on Monday.
Karl
You can join us when you finish!
(Rudi, Karl, and Helmuth run out the door)
SCENE SIX
AT RISE: Helmuth is leading Rudi and Karl in singing “You
Are My Sunshine”, quite loudly and joyfully, as they
begin their adventure as detectives)
SETTING: The streets of Hamburg, Germany
Helmuth, Rudi, & Karl
(with Helmuth shouting out dynamics, directing them,
giggling, and they all take solos, making fun of each
other)
You are my sunshine
My only sunshine
You make me happy
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When skies are gray
You’ll never know, dear
How much I love you
Please don’t take my sunshine away
Brother Worbs
I believe that was near perfect, boys.
Helmuth, Rudi, & Karl
Brother Worbs! Hello! How are you?
Brother Worbs
I’m doing just fine.
(beat)
There’s talk of a riot in Hamburg tonight. Beginning
later tonight. Just more “putting the Jews in their
place”. (said mockingly)
Helmuth
And where’s that?
Brother Worbs
(beat)
I think you should all run home to your families.
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Rudi
Wait! Can we show you our song, first? We’ve been working
on it and we want to sing it in church!
Karl
I think it sounds pretty good.
Brother Worbs
Alright. I would love to listen.
(Brother Worbs sits down on the sidewalk)
You are my sunshine
My only sunshine
You make me happy
When skies are gray
You’ll never know, dear
How much I love you
Please don’t take my sunshine away
(with the harmony:)
You are my ever-loving baby
You’re the only one
You make me feel so very happy
When skies are gray, and by the way
You’ll never know how much I love you
How much I need you every day
Please don’t take my sunshine away
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(they all explode into laughter)
Hitler Youth #1What do you think you’re doing?
Helmuth
It’s not past curfew. We are out to explore a bit.
Hitler Youth #2
You were singing.
Rudi
There’s no law against singing.
Hitler Youth #2
Yes, but you should be singing German songs. Not American
ones. We have the authority to detain you and fine you.
Helmuth
Says who?
(beat)
Hitler Youth #1
Don’t do it anymore.
(the Hitler Youth EXIT)
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Karl
We really should try to be more careful.
RudiBy being cowards?
Karl
No, that’s not what I meant! I just meant-
Helmuth
I think I’m going to go home for the rest of the day.
I’ll see you both tomorrow at church.
(beat)
(Helmuth starts walking home as the sun is setting; Rudi
and Karl walk the opposite direction offstage. As Helmuth
walks to his front door, Hugo is stepping outside,
looking around cautiously. He is in all black and is
somewhat disguised.)
Helmuth
Hugo. Where are you going? It’s almost time for supper.
Hugo
My boy, don’t you give it another thought. I’ll be back.
(As Hugo leaves and Helmuth steps inside, he turns around
and sees Hugo strap on his swastika armband and pull out
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a gun from his pocket. When he is about to turn the
corner down the street, he fires a shot into the air and
begins to run)
SCENE SEVEN