A World War One Veteran has to share his hospital room with a boy whose father died in World War 2. Though they are only together a short while, they have a great impact on each other’s lives.
A one act play about the relationship between a first world war Sergeant and a young boy thrown together in a hospital ward.
Read an extract here:
(Josh departs with the chair stage left. Hewitt picks up the newspaper again in a deliberate manner and starts to read. Thomas looks around the room and his eyes settle on Hewitt’s paper. Very soon he begins to snuffle, and then sob in great heaving gasps. Hewitt eventually slams down the paper and looks to the skies)
Hewitt: What on Earth have I done to deserve this Lord? Me whole day ruined by a snivellin’ little brat with a headache
Thomas: Sorry Sir
Hewitt: Sorry? Don’t be sorry boy, just stop howlin’ an’ then you won’t have anything to be sorry about will you?
Thomas: No Sir
(Hewitt sniffs and lifts his paper again Thomas snuffles a bit more and slowly subsides into silence. Hewitt slams down his paper again)
Hewitt: This is worse than the trenches, can’t you find somethin’ to do boy?
Thomas: I don’t have anything to do Sir
Hewitt: Nothin’ to do ? When I was a lad we made our own fun, used our imagination. My God I despair of today’s youth! What’s your name boy?
Thomas: Thomas Sir, Thomas Armatige
Hewitt: Well Thomas Armatige, I don’t want you botherin’ me in here, I’m a sick man an’ I want peace and quiet, do yer hear me?
Thomas: Yes Sir
Hewitt: Sergeant Major, boy, Sergeant Major. I was never no officer but I sure as hell was a good S’arnt Major and don’t you forget it!
Thomas: No Si…Sergeant Major
Hewitt: Here, read some of me paper if it will keep you quiet
(Removes middle from paper and throws to Thomas. Silence ensues for a short time as both patients read. Hewitt keeps glancing at Thomas.)
Hewitt: You from Australia boy?
Thomas: No Sir, Camden Sir
Hewitt: Well if you’re not from the colonies why are you reading the paper upside down?
(Thomas quickly turns the paper the right way up)
Thomas: I wasn’t really reading Sir
(There is a short pause as Hewitt stares at Thomas)
Hewitt: Can’t read boy can you?
Read the whole play and purchase here:
https://www.lazybeescripts.co.uk/Scripts/Results.aspx?iSc=740