Dominican College of San Rafael - Firebrand Yearbook (San Rafael, CA)

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Nurse: (Softly) Thomas, Thomas . . . time to take your temperature. (She pulls down the blankets a bit, revealing a blonde, tousled head. She sits down in the chair beside the bed.) Now look here, son, it ' s been a good four weeks now, and never once have I shown you my iron hand, now, have I? (A muffled sound is heard from Tom) As a matter of fact, I ' ve been most lenient, but now I think it ' s about time we got some things straightened out. To be frank, I think it ' s just aboiU time that you were learning to walk again. You ' re needed, and badly, on the outside. Tom: (In a bitter voice, raising his head a bit) Help? How can I be of any help, ever again? Nurse: So that ' s what ' s bothering you now, is it? And all the time I thought you were really sick. You disappoint me, Thomas Dewey. (Very soberly she looks down at his upraised face.) You know your fel- low companions over there, don ' t you? (She motions towards the other beds) Well, I don ' t like to give them too much credit, but all of them were worse off than you . . . much. But what ' s old Blain going to do? He ' s starting a night club for poor suckers. And what ' s young Mike going to do? He will be a big engineer in a few years. And Kline? He ' ll be teaching history again in a few months. And what about you? I, ah, hear you play the piano. Well, you still can. What ' s the matter 109

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Nurse: Now you boys turn out your lights. (She goes over and takes the thermometer from Harry ' s mouth) Hmph. I still think you should be out o£ here instead of babying yourself along; just an over-grown baby. (She turns off his light.) Now get to sleep. Harry: (Mumbles) Heart of stone, that ' s what she has. (He turns over on his side.) Nurse: And you two do the same. I ' ll go over and take care of Number Four. Mike: (Catching her skirt) Oh, please, Miss Scott, leave him alone. He doesn ' t feel so good. Harry: Yeah, leave him alone. Don ' t you go bossin ' that kid around, you female, you. Henry: (In a small voice) I ' m afraid I have to agree, Miss Scott. Nurse: (In a very stern voice) MR. Blain, MR. Davidson, MR. Kline . . . Who do you think yoti ' re talking to? Turn oft those lights. (Lights are turned quickly off. Nurse walks over to the fourth bed and turns on the bed lamp. The three men sit up in their beds and watch her. She goes to the end of the room, takes a bed screen, and puts it between the fourth bed and the others. The men in the other three beds lie down. The stage is now in complete darkness except for the lighted scene around the last bed.) 108

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with you? Do you want to stay in this hole, month after month, just lying around, instead of being outside where the air is fresh and the sun warm? You could be out there getting inspiration for some composition, or something. Tom: (Slowly sits up and looks at her) Compose? Nurse: Of course. You should have been outside today, son, with most of the leaves turning yellow. August is the most beautiful month of the year, and you ' re missing it. How many pieces could you com- pose telling about the slow turn of the leaves from green to gold? An Atitumn Song, or something. Tom: Autumn Nocturne. (Gets up on his el- bow.) You ' re right. I can almost hear it now without even seeing the trees . . . Autumn Nocturne. Nurse: (Sniffs and gets up) Where ' s that bottle of cod-liver oil? You ' re not getting out of it any longer. (She goes swiftly out of the right door.) Tom: (Whispering) You know, fellows, she ' s not so bad. Henry: (Heartily) Good boy. Mike: Check. Harry: (C huckling) Hard hearted female. Marguerite Lussier ' 47 110