The Eighth Tribe, 1976 (3. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1976-06-01 / 6. szám
June, 1976 THE EIGHTH TRIBE Page 3 PORTRAIT OF A SOLDIER a bicentennial commemoration of MICHAEL KOVATS, founder of the U.S. Cavalry, the first Hungarian-American to give his life for America in the defense of Charleston, South Carolina, on May 11, 1779. a play in one act by ANNA EGYUD CAST COLONEL-COMMANDER MICHAEL KOVATS ILONA THE PHANTOM LIEUTENANT THE WATCHMAN Time: Night of the battle Place: the outskirts of Charleston, S.C. A restless, windy night. When curtain rises the stage is dark. Soon, the night WATCHMAN appears, an old man swinging a lantern and singing in a monotonous tone: WATCHMAN Ho-o-oh-o ho-o-ooh-o - TIME for the nocturnal caller, Time for the city of jasmins, Time to rest.... dream... sleep... dream.. . it is past the hour of prayers, dream it is past the hour of ten, dream... sleep... rest... while the Watchman crosses the stage slowly stepping out of view with his lantern, we notice KOVATS in the dimly lighted background leaning against the pole of a tent. He follows the disappearing Watchman with his eyes. KOVATS One string to your bow, one phrase to your ballade: “dream... sleep... rest...” Very good, old man, go on, sing! Lull the enemy into a soft, warm sleep, let the trenches doze off... on the eve of the battle sing of peace. As for me, I refuse to dream— I forbid myself to dream... No time tonight, sorry... he picks up a glass of wine from a table next to the tent Enough meditation. (he drinks) Let me see... he goes through some papers on the table In pursuit of victory — any last minute chore? any particular assignment? None. (he puts the papers down) All is ready... men, time, history, this moonless night (our ally), and all we can do right now is let TIME slip through our fingers and wait for the midnight call. Ah, but when midnight will sound, when the horses will start out, on their savage race.... (tone changed, annoyed) Here, I am dreaming, already. Lieutenant! A “face” appears in the background, an unnaturally pale face that strikes us as the face of death. Kovats, facing the audience does not look back at him and does not see this “phantom” lieutenant LIEUTENANT Commander Kovats, Sir. KOVATS What are the men doing, Lieutenant? LIEUTENANT They are waiting behind these rocks, as ordered. KOVATS Do they believe that they can defeat the British? LIEUTENANT You’ve given them swords and horses and you taught them how to fight. A man in the saddle feels confident. KOVATS What about the envoy from Augusta? LIEUTENANT Not in sight, Sir. KOVATS The relief troops? LIEUTENANT Not in sight.
