My Pre-script
Prologue
(Opening scene: The two brothers Jas and Charles are standing in the middle of the stage in a train station. Train whistles are blowing off stage and people are moving in the background. At first the commotion of the train station is loud but the sound fades out and the two brothers conversation is the only thing the audience hears)
Jas: Well Charles we had a good run together, I’d still rather your departure be delayed.
Charles: Don’t worry Jas, I’ll surely visit you in the later years, but I feel it is time that I move on from the comfort of our home. Surely you must feel that urge for adventure?
Jas: Maybe, but I want to take care of mother, until she passes.
Charles: Yes that is something that I wish that I could do, but the call of adventure is too much. (Pauses) Listen little brother, when our father died I was the man of the house, but now the time has come for you to be the man. I hope you will take the title with pride. Our family has a good reputation you know.
Jas: Thank you Charles. I know I will do you proud.
Charles: I know you will. Now where is that hard cased slave? I swear that slave is going to make me late! (Yells to offstage) Girl! Come here!
(Slave walks on to the far left side stage carrying Charles’s luggage)
Slave: Here sir, yer bags sure are ‘eavy.
Charles: (Says the lines angerly) Who asked you slave? Just bring the bags here and I’ll take them on the train myself.
(Slave starts walking towards the brothers and she stumbles and drops a bag)
Charles: You good for nothing fool!
Jas: (Walks to the slave while speaking) Please brother it was all too much for her to carry. (Says to slave) Here let me get that. (Jas picks up the dropped bag and takes one from the slaves hand and walks over to Charles)
Charles: I do not know why you insist on being kind to that abomination. It needs to learn some respect! I was surprised when I learned you were keeping her at the house.
Jas: Well she is mom’s favorite, anyways your train is about to leave and I would hate to leave on a sour note.
Charles: Your right as always brother, I am sorry. (To slave) Please leave us now. (Slave walks over to the corner of the stage as Charles talks to Jas) It has been fun brother, we have had our ups and downs, but I will miss you dearly. (He is now hugging Jas as he continues talking) I hope life here is kind to you..
Jas: I will miss you, and I will pray for you as well. Just don’t do anything too stupid.
Charles: (Chuckles and lets go of Jas) Well I’ll try my best. (Voice off stage yells: “All aboard!” Charles hears this then sighs) Well I must be going now. (Shakes Jas’s hand) Goodbye brother, I’m sure will meet again.
Jas: Goodbye and good luck Charles. You will be writing now won’t you? Mother would have a fit if you didn’t.
Charles: (Walking towards off stage right) Don’t you worry now! I will!
Slave: (From the corner) Goodbye sir.
Charles: (Has a look of disgust on his face) Goodbye Jas!
Jas: Goodbye Charles!
(Charles walks off stage while slave sticks her tongue out. Jas turns around smiles at the slave and beckons for her to follow. They walk of stage. Chorus will be the background characters, The Choragos will be the train conductor. They all form a line at the front of the stage and begin the parados)
Parados
Choragos: Two brothers.
Chorus: Their personalities so different but their love so strong.
Choragos: Two paths set out for them.
Chorus: One will choose the straight path, the other the windy.
Choragos: Two fates that have been set.
Chorus: Two fates that will intertwine.
Choragos: Only one outcome for both.
Chorus: Death.
Choragos: But in that death comes life.
Chorus: For what has been born is an understanding, an understanding of what one has done wrong.
All: The story must die so the moral can be born.
(Lights fade to black end of scene)
Scene 1
(Scene one, lights go up but stop short so the lighting is dim as to simulate night, back drop is set up, you see Jas and three other soldiers sitting around a camp fire. Jas is sitting on a log along with Soldier 1. Soldier 2 is standing over the fire warming his hands and Soldier 3 is sitting on a stump across from Jas and Soldier one. They are all wearing some sort of blue top clothing. Soldier 2 shivers.)
Soldier 2: Sh’ur is c-c-cold tonight.
Soldier 3: You’s got that right.
Soldier 1: Yeah well, we gotta deal with it. Them damn Confederate scum, they’re the one’s who started this mess. We shouldn’t be ‘ere.
Jas: But, what about the slaves? They wouldn’t have a chance if it weren’t fer us.
Soldier 2: Yeah yur right about that, them poor little Negro's.
Soldier 3: Yeah, (Chuckles) Heck the main reason why I signed up is because my wife wanted me to fight fer’ Lincoln. I guess I wanted to impress her, and next thing I know instead of joining up a little banter between two stuck-up sides, I joined a full-blown war!
Soldier 1: Yeah I left my family behind as well, but they know it’s for a good cause.
Soldier 2: Hey what about you Jas? You found that brother you’s always talking about?
Jas: (Sighs) Not yet, but I just know he’s around here somewhere. And who knows, maybe he is right here in Gettysburg!
Soldier 2: Maybe. Hey look who it is, (Looks left) Mr. high and mighty himself.
(All four look left stage as the Commander walks on stage and stands a few feet left of the group)
Commander: Good evening gentlemen, I see you all are bonding. Good, exactly what I wanted to see.
Soldier 3: (Rolls his eyes) What can we do for you sir?
Commander: Well actually it’s Jas here I needed to see. (To Jas) Come here boy.
(Commander walks to stage left as Jas gets up to follow, Soldier 1 one stops him)
Soldier 1: (whispers) Hey maybe he is your long lost brother. (Snickers) That dream of finding your brother would turn into a nightmare!
Commander: Hurry up Jas, and you soldier, (gestures to Soldier 1) as for nightmares I would suggest you keep your comments to yourself or else I think your worst nightmare would be me.
(Jas walks to the Commander as the soldiers are laughing and messing around together. The lights turn off everywhere except for the place where Jas and the Commander are standing, to mark the importance of the dialogue)
Commander: I have a mission for you Jas. It’s very important and dangerous, are you up to it?
Jas: Yes sir. What is the mission?
Commander: I need you to go scout no man’s land. Go out and note some key features and report back.
Jas: Right sir you can count on me.
Commander: I knew I could, and good luck, you’ll need it.
(Both of them salute and Jas walks off stage right while waving goodbye to his fellow comrades, lights go up as the remaining characters line up to form the chorus. The commander as the Choragos and Soldier’s 1,2 and 3 as the Chorus.)
Chorus
Choragos: The first brother.
Chorus: Has chosen a path that most would believe to be correct.
Choragos: His first order.
Chorus: Also his last, the order that sets his fate.
Choragos: A fate that is deadly, a snake poised to strike.
Chorus: Striking at the heart of this man.
Choragos: His destiny is about to become intertwined.
Chorus: Intertwined with someone he would have least expected.
Choragos: In a way he wouldn’t have known.
Chorus: He is now at the mercy of time.
Choragos: Yet the end is drawing near.
ALL: Fate has its ways; and is not kind to this soul.
(Lights fade to black, end of scene)
Scene 2
(Scene two, lights go up, stop short to simulate nighttime. Setting is almost exactly the same as scene one, except everything is flipped around. You see Confederate soldiers wearing some sort of reddish top. You see Charles sitting on a log with Soldier 4 next to him, Soldier 5 is standing next to soldier 6. They are all warming their hands by the fire.)
Soldier 4: My lord it’s cold!
Soldier 5: Yeah it is, I wouldn’t be surprised if we all die of pneumonia.
Soldier 6: But at least we are going to win this war soon.
Charles: Them damn niggers need to learn they’re place!
Soldier 5: Yeah when we fix this problem we can all go back to our wives and kid’s. And we don’t gotta follow that blasted president of ours.
Soldier 4: Speakin’ of family, you’s find that brother of yer’s Charles?
Charles: (Says in a sad voice) No, not yet. I have been looking through the names of the new recruits but I haven’t seen his name.
Soldier 6: Well heck maybe he signed before you’s did!
Charles: Maybe. I hope that’s what really happened.
Soldier 5: Well hope so, we all be prayin for yer brother every night, you hear?
Charles: Thanks fellas, (Pauses and looks left) Hey its the commander!
(Every one gets up and salutes as the commander 2 walks on stage. Commander 2 stops in front of the group and returns the salute. Every one settles down and goes back to their original positions)
Commander 2: Hello men, how are you tonight?
Charles: Doing good sir.
Commander 2: Good! I have a important assignment if one of yous is up to it.
Charles: I’ll do it sir!
Commander 2: Fantastic. Come with me.
(Commander 2 gestures to Charles to follow him as he walks over to the right bottom corner of the stage)
Charles: Wish me luck guys. (Walks over to commander 2 as all lights except for the one shining on the commander and Charles)
Commander 2: OK son here’s what I want you to do. As you have heard we are going to be charging the Union’s lines come mornin’. I want you to scout out the route we are going to take and report back any large obstacles, suspicious things or even traps. Can you do that for me?
Charles: Yes sir I will get it done.
Commander 2: Excellent! Good luck soldier.
(They salute each other and Charles walks off stage waving goodbye to his fellow comrades. The lights then go back to normal as the remaining actors line up as chorus members, Commander 2 is the Choragos and Soldiers 1, 2 and 3 are regular chorus members)
Chorus 2
Choragos: The second brother.
Chorus: Has chosen the path that most see as a bad one.
Choragos: His first order.
Chorus: Also his last, the order that sets his fate.
Choragos: Much like his other brother in every way.
Chorus: They both share the order, the passion and the fate of death.
Choragos: His fate is about to become intertwined with someone he would have least expected.
Chorus: In a way he would have least expected.
Choragos: He now has to bow down to time, as his brother has.
Chorus: It is now only a matter of time, until his time comes.
All: Fate is cruel to this soul.
Scene 3
(Lights fade up dimly, you see a fence and four dead soldiers scattered about. Jas enters from the right side at the same time Charles enters from the left. They don’t see each other as they walk closer and closer to each other. They have their backs to each other as the bump into one another. They both drop their guns and turn around. They see each other and start struggling with each each other. After a while they both separate and reach for their guns and point them at each other)
Charles: Put it down!
Jas: You first!
Charles: I said put it down Union scum!
Jas: Don’t even I am going to do it! (He pauses and a look of realization spreads across his face)
Charles: What are you staring at?!
Jas: Charles?
Charles: How do you know that? (Pauses and looks at Jas closer) Jas?
Jas: Its you! Its you!
(They both drop their guns and run towards each other and embrace)
Charles: Jas! I knew I would find you!
(They separate)
Jas: Where have you been?
Charles: I got married! Me and my wife live in Pennsylvania now! no kids though. We own a clothing store. What about you? you gotta wife?
Jas: (Laughs and says jokingly) Oh you know. I am so good them ladies wouldn’t even know what to do if I was married.
Charles: (Laughs) Oh yes that’s what I assumed. (He pauses and looks concerned. He says angerly ) What are you doing here? And why are you wearing that?
Jas: I’m fightin’. And I joined the Union. (Looks at Charles’s coat and frowns) Oh, I see. (Sounds sad) Yur’ not mad are you?
Charles: (Yells) Of course I’m mad! What are you thinking!? Fighting for that damned president! Not to mention those god forsaken negros!
(Jas sinks lower and lower and looks even sadder as Charles continues)
Charles: You are going to die! The Confederacy is going to win the war! You have brought shame to our family's name! I cannot believe you- (Gets cut off by Jas)
Jas: (Says quietly) Mom wanted me to fight fer the Union.
Charles: What?
Jas: (Says loudly and clearly) Mom wanted me to fight fer the Union, right before she died.
Charles: She was on her death bed, she must have been delusion- (Gets cut off by Jas)
Jas: No she wasn’t. She told me to my face, and she meant it. She told me!
Charles: No! No she didn’t, I cant believe it.
Jas: But Charles! Why did you join the Confederacy then?
Charles: Because those slaves do not deserve freedom! And Lincoln shouldn’t be our president!
Jas: (sounds) Well then you can stay on your side then. (He starts walking off as Charles calls out to him.)
Charles: Wait!
(Jas turns around)
Jas: What?
Charles: Please just come with me.
Jas: No! I will never join the Confederates!
Charles: (Sounds desperate) OK fine then! We will leave the war then, together. We can make it out of here! No one will know we left!
Jas: And leave my friends?! No, I will not. Why do you want to leave so bad anyway?
Charles: (Sighs) Because, you are my brother. And I can’t see you die.
Jas: I wont. Don’t worry.
Charles: No you have to listen! Come morning, there is going to be a charge. Thousands of our soldiers are going to crush your lines!
Jas: Well then I must warn them!
Charles: There is no time! The sun is almost up! Please just come with me!
Jas: I can’t!
Charles: Please I don’t want to separate again! Just go with me!
Jas: I... I want to go but, I need to warn them.
Charles: Maybe we can stop on the way, but please just come. I don’t like that you are on the Unions side, but I have to take care of you.
Jas: Fine. (Says sadly) Just promise me when we get back everything will be the same.
Charles: I promise. Now come on, lets go. (Exit stage right.)
Chorus 3
(Jas picks up his gun and walks over to Charles as he picks up his own. They walk with their arms over each others shoulders off stage right. Lights fade up brighter as the four dead soldiers stand up. One is the Choragos and the others are the Chorus.)
Choragos: A twist of fate:
Chorus: An unexpected one.
Choragos: A plan to escape.
Chorus: A hope to survive
Choragos: Can they run away?
Chorus: Will they dodge their destiny
Choragos: Or will fates ways be cruel.
Chorus: Cruel to those who do not deserve it.
Choragos: Two souls that have been reunited.
Chorus: Two souls that love and hate the other one.
Choragos: Such cruelty, they are so close to cheating death.
All: But they are so far, so far from escaping fate.
(Opening scene: The two brothers Jas and Charles are standing in the middle of the stage in a train station. Train whistles are blowing off stage and people are moving in the background. At first the commotion of the train station is loud but the sound fades out and the two brothers conversation is the only thing the audience hears)
Jas: Well Charles we had a good run together, I’d still rather your departure be delayed.
Charles: Don’t worry Jas, I’ll surely visit you in the later years, but I feel it is time that I move on from the comfort of our home. Surely you must feel that urge for adventure?
Jas: Maybe, but I want to take care of mother, until she passes.
Charles: Yes that is something that I wish that I could do, but the call of adventure is too much. (Pauses) Listen little brother, when our father died I was the man of the house, but now the time has come for you to be the man. I hope you will take the title with pride. Our family has a good reputation you know.
Jas: Thank you Charles. I know I will do you proud.
Charles: I know you will. Now where is that hard cased slave? I swear that slave is going to make me late! (Yells to offstage) Girl! Come here!
(Slave walks on to the far left side stage carrying Charles’s luggage)
Slave: Here sir, yer bags sure are ‘eavy.
Charles: (Says the lines angerly) Who asked you slave? Just bring the bags here and I’ll take them on the train myself.
(Slave starts walking towards the brothers and she stumbles and drops a bag)
Charles: You good for nothing fool!
Jas: (Walks to the slave while speaking) Please brother it was all too much for her to carry. (Says to slave) Here let me get that. (Jas picks up the dropped bag and takes one from the slaves hand and walks over to Charles)
Charles: I do not know why you insist on being kind to that abomination. It needs to learn some respect! I was surprised when I learned you were keeping her at the house.
Jas: Well she is mom’s favorite, anyways your train is about to leave and I would hate to leave on a sour note.
Charles: Your right as always brother, I am sorry. (To slave) Please leave us now. (Slave walks over to the corner of the stage as Charles talks to Jas) It has been fun brother, we have had our ups and downs, but I will miss you dearly. (He is now hugging Jas as he continues talking) I hope life here is kind to you..
Jas: I will miss you, and I will pray for you as well. Just don’t do anything too stupid.
Charles: (Chuckles and lets go of Jas) Well I’ll try my best. (Voice off stage yells: “All aboard!” Charles hears this then sighs) Well I must be going now. (Shakes Jas’s hand) Goodbye brother, I’m sure will meet again.
Jas: Goodbye and good luck Charles. You will be writing now won’t you? Mother would have a fit if you didn’t.
Charles: (Walking towards off stage right) Don’t you worry now! I will!
Slave: (From the corner) Goodbye sir.
Charles: (Has a look of disgust on his face) Goodbye Jas!
Jas: Goodbye Charles!
(Charles walks off stage while slave sticks her tongue out. Jas turns around smiles at the slave and beckons for her to follow. They walk of stage. Chorus will be the background characters, The Choragos will be the train conductor. They all form a line at the front of the stage and begin the parados)
Parados
Choragos: Two brothers.
Chorus: Their personalities so different but their love so strong.
Choragos: Two paths set out for them.
Chorus: One will choose the straight path, the other the windy.
Choragos: Two fates that have been set.
Chorus: Two fates that will intertwine.
Choragos: Only one outcome for both.
Chorus: Death.
Choragos: But in that death comes life.
Chorus: For what has been born is an understanding, an understanding of what one has done wrong.
All: The story must die so the moral can be born.
(Lights fade to black end of scene)
Scene 1
(Scene one, lights go up but stop short so the lighting is dim as to simulate night, back drop is set up, you see Jas and three other soldiers sitting around a camp fire. Jas is sitting on a log along with Soldier 1. Soldier 2 is standing over the fire warming his hands and Soldier 3 is sitting on a stump across from Jas and Soldier one. They are all wearing some sort of blue top clothing. Soldier 2 shivers.)
Soldier 2: Sh’ur is c-c-cold tonight.
Soldier 3: You’s got that right.
Soldier 1: Yeah well, we gotta deal with it. Them damn Confederate scum, they’re the one’s who started this mess. We shouldn’t be ‘ere.
Jas: But, what about the slaves? They wouldn’t have a chance if it weren’t fer us.
Soldier 2: Yeah yur right about that, them poor little Negro's.
Soldier 3: Yeah, (Chuckles) Heck the main reason why I signed up is because my wife wanted me to fight fer’ Lincoln. I guess I wanted to impress her, and next thing I know instead of joining up a little banter between two stuck-up sides, I joined a full-blown war!
Soldier 1: Yeah I left my family behind as well, but they know it’s for a good cause.
Soldier 2: Hey what about you Jas? You found that brother you’s always talking about?
Jas: (Sighs) Not yet, but I just know he’s around here somewhere. And who knows, maybe he is right here in Gettysburg!
Soldier 2: Maybe. Hey look who it is, (Looks left) Mr. high and mighty himself.
(All four look left stage as the Commander walks on stage and stands a few feet left of the group)
Commander: Good evening gentlemen, I see you all are bonding. Good, exactly what I wanted to see.
Soldier 3: (Rolls his eyes) What can we do for you sir?
Commander: Well actually it’s Jas here I needed to see. (To Jas) Come here boy.
(Commander walks to stage left as Jas gets up to follow, Soldier 1 one stops him)
Soldier 1: (whispers) Hey maybe he is your long lost brother. (Snickers) That dream of finding your brother would turn into a nightmare!
Commander: Hurry up Jas, and you soldier, (gestures to Soldier 1) as for nightmares I would suggest you keep your comments to yourself or else I think your worst nightmare would be me.
(Jas walks to the Commander as the soldiers are laughing and messing around together. The lights turn off everywhere except for the place where Jas and the Commander are standing, to mark the importance of the dialogue)
Commander: I have a mission for you Jas. It’s very important and dangerous, are you up to it?
Jas: Yes sir. What is the mission?
Commander: I need you to go scout no man’s land. Go out and note some key features and report back.
Jas: Right sir you can count on me.
Commander: I knew I could, and good luck, you’ll need it.
(Both of them salute and Jas walks off stage right while waving goodbye to his fellow comrades, lights go up as the remaining characters line up to form the chorus. The commander as the Choragos and Soldier’s 1,2 and 3 as the Chorus.)
Chorus
Choragos: The first brother.
Chorus: Has chosen a path that most would believe to be correct.
Choragos: His first order.
Chorus: Also his last, the order that sets his fate.
Choragos: A fate that is deadly, a snake poised to strike.
Chorus: Striking at the heart of this man.
Choragos: His destiny is about to become intertwined.
Chorus: Intertwined with someone he would have least expected.
Choragos: In a way he wouldn’t have known.
Chorus: He is now at the mercy of time.
Choragos: Yet the end is drawing near.
ALL: Fate has its ways; and is not kind to this soul.
(Lights fade to black, end of scene)
Scene 2
(Scene two, lights go up, stop short to simulate nighttime. Setting is almost exactly the same as scene one, except everything is flipped around. You see Confederate soldiers wearing some sort of reddish top. You see Charles sitting on a log with Soldier 4 next to him, Soldier 5 is standing next to soldier 6. They are all warming their hands by the fire.)
Soldier 4: My lord it’s cold!
Soldier 5: Yeah it is, I wouldn’t be surprised if we all die of pneumonia.
Soldier 6: But at least we are going to win this war soon.
Charles: Them damn niggers need to learn they’re place!
Soldier 5: Yeah when we fix this problem we can all go back to our wives and kid’s. And we don’t gotta follow that blasted president of ours.
Soldier 4: Speakin’ of family, you’s find that brother of yer’s Charles?
Charles: (Says in a sad voice) No, not yet. I have been looking through the names of the new recruits but I haven’t seen his name.
Soldier 6: Well heck maybe he signed before you’s did!
Charles: Maybe. I hope that’s what really happened.
Soldier 5: Well hope so, we all be prayin for yer brother every night, you hear?
Charles: Thanks fellas, (Pauses and looks left) Hey its the commander!
(Every one gets up and salutes as the commander 2 walks on stage. Commander 2 stops in front of the group and returns the salute. Every one settles down and goes back to their original positions)
Commander 2: Hello men, how are you tonight?
Charles: Doing good sir.
Commander 2: Good! I have a important assignment if one of yous is up to it.
Charles: I’ll do it sir!
Commander 2: Fantastic. Come with me.
(Commander 2 gestures to Charles to follow him as he walks over to the right bottom corner of the stage)
Charles: Wish me luck guys. (Walks over to commander 2 as all lights except for the one shining on the commander and Charles)
Commander 2: OK son here’s what I want you to do. As you have heard we are going to be charging the Union’s lines come mornin’. I want you to scout out the route we are going to take and report back any large obstacles, suspicious things or even traps. Can you do that for me?
Charles: Yes sir I will get it done.
Commander 2: Excellent! Good luck soldier.
(They salute each other and Charles walks off stage waving goodbye to his fellow comrades. The lights then go back to normal as the remaining actors line up as chorus members, Commander 2 is the Choragos and Soldiers 1, 2 and 3 are regular chorus members)
Chorus 2
Choragos: The second brother.
Chorus: Has chosen the path that most see as a bad one.
Choragos: His first order.
Chorus: Also his last, the order that sets his fate.
Choragos: Much like his other brother in every way.
Chorus: They both share the order, the passion and the fate of death.
Choragos: His fate is about to become intertwined with someone he would have least expected.
Chorus: In a way he would have least expected.
Choragos: He now has to bow down to time, as his brother has.
Chorus: It is now only a matter of time, until his time comes.
All: Fate is cruel to this soul.
Scene 3
(Lights fade up dimly, you see a fence and four dead soldiers scattered about. Jas enters from the right side at the same time Charles enters from the left. They don’t see each other as they walk closer and closer to each other. They have their backs to each other as the bump into one another. They both drop their guns and turn around. They see each other and start struggling with each each other. After a while they both separate and reach for their guns and point them at each other)
Charles: Put it down!
Jas: You first!
Charles: I said put it down Union scum!
Jas: Don’t even I am going to do it! (He pauses and a look of realization spreads across his face)
Charles: What are you staring at?!
Jas: Charles?
Charles: How do you know that? (Pauses and looks at Jas closer) Jas?
Jas: Its you! Its you!
(They both drop their guns and run towards each other and embrace)
Charles: Jas! I knew I would find you!
(They separate)
Jas: Where have you been?
Charles: I got married! Me and my wife live in Pennsylvania now! no kids though. We own a clothing store. What about you? you gotta wife?
Jas: (Laughs and says jokingly) Oh you know. I am so good them ladies wouldn’t even know what to do if I was married.
Charles: (Laughs) Oh yes that’s what I assumed. (He pauses and looks concerned. He says angerly ) What are you doing here? And why are you wearing that?
Jas: I’m fightin’. And I joined the Union. (Looks at Charles’s coat and frowns) Oh, I see. (Sounds sad) Yur’ not mad are you?
Charles: (Yells) Of course I’m mad! What are you thinking!? Fighting for that damned president! Not to mention those god forsaken negros!
(Jas sinks lower and lower and looks even sadder as Charles continues)
Charles: You are going to die! The Confederacy is going to win the war! You have brought shame to our family's name! I cannot believe you- (Gets cut off by Jas)
Jas: (Says quietly) Mom wanted me to fight fer the Union.
Charles: What?
Jas: (Says loudly and clearly) Mom wanted me to fight fer the Union, right before she died.
Charles: She was on her death bed, she must have been delusion- (Gets cut off by Jas)
Jas: No she wasn’t. She told me to my face, and she meant it. She told me!
Charles: No! No she didn’t, I cant believe it.
Jas: But Charles! Why did you join the Confederacy then?
Charles: Because those slaves do not deserve freedom! And Lincoln shouldn’t be our president!
Jas: (sounds) Well then you can stay on your side then. (He starts walking off as Charles calls out to him.)
Charles: Wait!
(Jas turns around)
Jas: What?
Charles: Please just come with me.
Jas: No! I will never join the Confederates!
Charles: (Sounds desperate) OK fine then! We will leave the war then, together. We can make it out of here! No one will know we left!
Jas: And leave my friends?! No, I will not. Why do you want to leave so bad anyway?
Charles: (Sighs) Because, you are my brother. And I can’t see you die.
Jas: I wont. Don’t worry.
Charles: No you have to listen! Come morning, there is going to be a charge. Thousands of our soldiers are going to crush your lines!
Jas: Well then I must warn them!
Charles: There is no time! The sun is almost up! Please just come with me!
Jas: I can’t!
Charles: Please I don’t want to separate again! Just go with me!
Jas: I... I want to go but, I need to warn them.
Charles: Maybe we can stop on the way, but please just come. I don’t like that you are on the Unions side, but I have to take care of you.
Jas: Fine. (Says sadly) Just promise me when we get back everything will be the same.
Charles: I promise. Now come on, lets go. (Exit stage right.)
Chorus 3
(Jas picks up his gun and walks over to Charles as he picks up his own. They walk with their arms over each others shoulders off stage right. Lights fade up brighter as the four dead soldiers stand up. One is the Choragos and the others are the Chorus.)
Choragos: A twist of fate:
Chorus: An unexpected one.
Choragos: A plan to escape.
Chorus: A hope to survive
Choragos: Can they run away?
Chorus: Will they dodge their destiny
Choragos: Or will fates ways be cruel.
Chorus: Cruel to those who do not deserve it.
Choragos: Two souls that have been reunited.
Chorus: Two souls that love and hate the other one.
Choragos: Such cruelty, they are so close to cheating death.
All: But they are so far, so far from escaping fate.