DesigNing

Shafa

莎法

Audience sits in two rows facing each other in the centre of the venue. There is a gap at the centre of each row. The lights go down as the audience settle in. The characters come out in the dark to their places on each side of the house seats; JOHN, dressed in a dirty soldier uniform and holding a rifle, stands opposite to TOULLI and SHAFA. Toulli is dressed in tattered shirt and pants. The only weapon he has left is a handgun. SHAFA wears torn everyday clothing of foreign style.

The sound of war. Soldiers screaming. Explosions. Tanks and trucks. Running feet. Guns.

Lights on on JOHN.

JOHN:        I am John McKale, soldier of Pokland.

I had worked almost all my life trying to become a doctor and to save people’s lives, but the war had forced me to kill people instead. I was shocked that I even had the ability to kill, but war can turn anyone into a killing machine.

More than a week ago, our troop had demolished a small Yuranian village, and the screaming of the villagers still haunted me. I had left the troop to escape the war, but the more I thought about that day, the more I felt disgusted with myself.

That was why when I saw Toulli and Shafa,

(lights up on TOULLI and SHAFA. TOULLI stands in front of SHAFA, protecting her, pointing his handgun at JOHN in defense)

saw that they were just kids, I decided to do what my heart had been screaming at me to do this whole time during the war.

TOULLI:   I am Toulli, and this is my sister Shafa. We are villagers from a small town in Yurany.

More than a week ago, our village was destroyed by an army of Poklish soldiers, and I was left with nothing but my little sister. I decided to enlist as a soldier so that I would have weapons to better protect myself and Shafa.

Unfortunately, I had lost my rifle during a bombing, and was left with only a handgun. We had also gotten separated from the troops and had been trying to find our way back to the fort for a few days.

We were finding a hidden place to sit down and have a bite to eat when John had startled us. I immediately jumped in front of Shafa, for if anything happened to her I would not forgive myself. She was all I had left and I felt the responsibility to deliver her from the war so that our mother would be able to rest in peace.

We had mostly been hiding and running, and still hadn’t had to kill anyone yet, but that was not going to stop me from killing the white soldier standing in front of us.

However, I was surprised when the soldier slowly put down his rifle and kept his hands in the air in surrender.

(JOHN does what he is being said to have done)

JOHN:       I come in peace.

TOULLI:   he kept saying.

JOHN:       I come in peace.

TOULLI:   I examined the man for a good while. The whiteness of his skin, the coloured eyes, the light hair.

This was the type of creature that had broken into our house and killed my family, and if Shafa and I hadn’t been shoved into a closet by our mother, we would have been killed then and there as well.

I was not ready to start trusting one of their kind, and I could feel, by the way she was pulling at my outfit, that Shafa was not feeling comfortable with the man either.

JOHN:       I want to help you.

TOULLI:  he told us. I had studied Poklish in school and was quite fluent in it. But I didn’t understand his intent. Why would he want to help us?

He kicked his rifle out of reach, and carefully reached into his inner pocket.

(JOHN does as he says)

I tightened my hold on my handgun.

He pulled out a stethoscope. I cocked my head but still didn’t let my guard down.

The man started miming examining a patient, constantly pointing to himself. After a while, I couldn’t take it anymore and . . . (he laughs)

JOHN:       I was surprised he started laughing, but it made me feel more confident.

He explained that he understood Poklish, which made me sigh in relief.

I started introducing myself, making sure that he knew I did not mean any harm, and that I wanted to help them.

They looked quite underfed, and the boy looked pale. I could at least improve their health.

The boy finally lowered his gun and put it away.

He introduced himself as Toulli, and his sister Shafa. They were orphans who were trying to find their way home.

Once I was given permission to come near them, I set out to become the man I was supposed to be all this time: a doctor. I made sure the kids were eating right.

Toulli insisted that he was alright, despite the fact that he was pale as ever, but I didn’t want to force anything on them yet, and so I focused on Shafa.

I treated her fever and disinfected her cuts.

I tried to look as friendly as I could possibly manage, but the look in her eyes every time I examined her clearly read suspicion and fear.

I guess the girl couldn’t understand Poklish, and therefore found me more intimidating.

I often heard them conversing with each other. The soothing and comforting tone of Toulli’s voice contrasted with the tension and terror in Shafa’s. I could understand a little of what they were saying, and I knew that they were talking about whether or not I was to be trusted.

Although I had gained Toulli’s trust, he still made sure that we were of two different sides so that I would not scare Shafa too much.

By befriending Toulli, I had tried to cross the line between the two opposing countries, yet we were still at war, and it seemed no matter how close we became, there would always be a gap between us.

(Lights start to fade)

And like how a river separates two lands, the river that separated me from the kids taunted my inability to get to the other side. I would have to swim harder.

(Lights fade out)

The sounds of a peaceful night. Crickets chirp. A light breeze. A little stream. A frog croaking.

Centre lights come halfway on and we see TOULLI standing at the centre of the alley. JOHN and SHAFA both lie asleep at their respective spots on either side of the audience.

TOULLI:   It was a quiet night. Shafa and John had both gone to sleep.

We had been travelling with our new friend for four days. That marked a week since Shafa and I had gotten lost, and two weeks since our parents were killed.

(He takes off his shirt and pulls up his undershirt, revealing a large red cut near his left rib cage. He pokes at it, wincing a bit)

A week ago, Shafa and I were following the troop back to the fort, when suddenly there was a big BOOM! and everything went flying.

Next thing I knew I was crawling through the debris in utter silence.

I knew I was trying to find something, but had forgotten what I was looking for, until a small hand grabbed onto my arm so tight that I thought my bone was going to crack.

I turned around and it was Shafa. A sigh of relief escaped my mouth because she was what I was searching for. She looked traumatized but uninjured.

My hearing had recovered then, and the sound of gunshots told me that we were still under attack. I quickly grabbed Shafa and sprinted to the nearest shelter I could find, which must have been farther away than I had realized, because when I finally came back to my senses, I had no idea where we were.

Shafa and I spent the night at the little shelter of bushes and trees.

The night was almost as peaceful as this one. Shafa had fallen asleep, and I tried my best to stay awake just in case we got discovered.

That was when I noticed the throbbing pain near my stomach. A piece of stray metal had jammed itself into my side.

I remember the calmness when I first saw it, and then the gripping panic that came mere seconds later.

I was going to die, there was no denying that. What would happen to Shafa when I go? How would she feel? What would she do?

These thoughts went on and on in my head like the stream of water flowing out from the faucet. Like blood gushing out from an open wound. . . .

(He looks to SHAFA)

But then, I see Shafa, the peacefulness of her sleep, the way her soft, long hair falls gently on her cheeks. I know I have to stay calm for her. Live for her. No matter what happens, I have to make sure that she is not disturbed. Even if my wound becomes infected, everything will be alright, because I will live for her.

(He looks to JOHN)

Thanks to the doctor, I know she will live too. John has been eyeing me a lot ever since I first rejected being examined, but if he finds out about my infection, Shafa would be alarmed as well.

(He looks back to SHAFA and smiles)

It’s okay, Shafa. This tiny wound wouldn’t kill me. The doctor’ll make sure you stay healthy, and I’ll make sure you get home safely.

(Lights slowly fade out. He slowly walks towards where SHAFA is lying, smile still on face, but physique as if in pain. He gently lies down beside SHAFA, covers her with his shirt, and goes to sleep. Lights out)

Lights on on SHAFA and TOULLI. SHAFA wakes up, sits up, and stretches. She taps TOULLI gently on the shoulder, trying to wake him up. When he doesn’t respond, she shakes him slightly, calling his name. When he still doesn’t respond, she starts to panic, kneels beside him and shakes him hard, crying his name.

Lights on on JOHN. He is awoken by SHAFA’s cries. He sits up, looks over at the kid, and sensing SHAFA’s anxiety, stands up.

JOHN:       Is everything OK, Shafa?

SHAFA:    (Is startled by JOHN’s voice, looks over to him and stares at him hard and long. Then, with sudden realization, she points an accusing finger at JOHN and screams in foreign language)

YOU KILLED HIM!

JOHN:      What?

(He makes a step towards her, which alarms her, and she runs away from him)

Shafa!

(He starts after her, but stops when he sees TOULLI still on the ground. He tries to feel the boy’s pulse, but it cannot be found. The boy’s body is stone cold)

Oh no . . .

(JOHN pulls the boy’s shirt up over his head and grieves. He then stands. Rumbling music and the sound of a rushing river starts. He chases after SHAFA)

Centre lights come on. Lights on TOULLI come out. SHAFA comes in from the side of the venue, crying and wheezing. She steps into the gap of the row of audience closer to her. She stands there, hesitating, for the alley is now a rushing river. JOHN comes running in from the side door.

JOHN:       Shafa!

(When SHAFA sees him, her urge to run away from him forces her to jump into the water. SHAFA kicks and punches, trying hard to keep her head above the water. JOHN stands where SHAFA had jumped from, hands reaching out, urging her to come out of the water)

Come on, Shafa! I’m not going to hurt you. You’re gonna catch a cold again. Come on, grab onto my hand.

(SHAFA continues flailing her limbs this way and that, struggling for air. It takes JOHN a while to realize that SHAFA cannot swim)

Shafa?

Without second thought, JOHN jumps into the river and grabs SHAFA, bringing her ashore to his side of the stage, where he had been standing the whole time before this scene. SHAFA, weak from fright and exhaustion, still tries to run away, but JOHN grabs onto her. SHAFA finally gives in and cries into JOHN’s chest while the doctor soothes her. Lights fade out. Sound of river fades out.

Lights on on JOHN and SHAFA, who are standing at JOHN’s side of the venue. They are holding hands.

JOHN:       I had finally gained Shafa’s trust, albeit through unfortunate means.

We had gone back to Toulli’s body and gave him a proper burial.

The poor boy had a large cut near his left ribcage, which became infected and eventually developed blood poisoning.

If he had let me examine him I would have been able to prolong his life a bit with antibiotics so that he would have enough time to find a hospital where he could be treated, but . . .

(he sighs and hangs his head)

Anyway, what was important right now was to get Shafa safely home.

We had been wandering aimlessly for two weeks straight.

When Toulli was here, it had always seemed like he knew where he was going. But now that he was gone, I had no idea where we were, and where we should be headed.

I could feel that Shafa was as nervous as I was, for she had been gripping onto my hand ever since we buried Toulli.

(He looks down at SHAFA and smiles at her)

I am her only support now, and I am not planning on letting her down anytime soon. I will get her home, no matter how long it might take. For Toulli . . .

(Lights on on other side of stage. We see a SOLDIER dressed in a foreign military uniform with a helmet. He points his rifle at JOHN)

Before we knew it, we had reached the fort.

(JOHN puts his hand up in the air)

I come in peace.

(He nods at SHAFA)

I’m bringing her home. She lost her parents and then her brother. She needs your help.

The SOLDIER nods in understanding and lowers his rifle. JOHN kneels down beside SHAFA and puts his hand on her shoulder.

JOHN:        I know you can’t understand me, but I want to wish you the best of luck.

He smiles at SHAFA, and the girl embraces him. She turns and, with the encouragement of JOHN, slowly walks towards the SOLDIER. The SOLDIER reaches out his hands to welcome her home. SHAFA grips onto the SOLDIER’s trousers and waves to JOHN. JOHN stands up and waves back. He turns his back to SHAFA and the SOLDIER and leaves.

The SOLDIER raises his rifle and aims at JOHN. A gunshot. JOHN collapses. Lights on JOHN’s side fade out. Lights on SHAFA and the SOLDIER’s side fade out.

Centre lights come on. SHAFA stands at the centre of the alley. JOHN lies still at his place, and TOULLI stands still at his.

SHAFA is now a grown woman, probably in her early thirties.

SHAFA:     (She takes a long moment to look at the still body of JOHN lying on the ground)

War was not only happening outside, it was also tormenting me from the inside.

Two weeks before this, before we reached the fort, John had saved my life.

I am deathly afraid of water, and jumping into that river was the stupidest thing I could ever have done, and if it were not for this stranger, I would not be standing here, telling you this story.

However, this stranger saved me, and with that he saved my memories, and thus he saved Toulli, and my mother, and every one of the people I loved who had suffered and died in that dreadful war.

For two weeks, I felt an overwhelming gratitude towards this “stranger,” and eventually my young, immature heart fell for him.

Those two weeks, although painful for I was still grieving for Toulli, were still undoubtedly the two weeks in which I felt the most hope.

This “stranger” has saved me, and I can finally trust him, and I know he will lead me home.

I remember thinking: “Perhaps he likes me too. Perhaps he will stay with me when we arrive, and we will live the rest of our lives in peace, away from war, away from everyone else.”

But then two weeks passed, and we finally reached the fort. And then this.

(she looks to JOHN again)

When they shot him, at first I felt a piercing pain in my chest, as if they had shot me too.

It was a strong, intense pain, exactly like the pain I felt when I found Toulli dead.

However, this pain wasn’t as long-lasting. What felt like mere seconds after, the pain was replaced with comfort.

They killed him. He killed Toulli, and they killed him. He deserves it.

(she grabs her head)

Oh! But he doesn’t deserve it! He saved me!

(beat)

But he murdered Toulli.

(she shakes her head as if to shake the chaos out of her head)

War outside, and war inside.

But it doesn’t matter whether or not I think John deserved to die. He is dead. And in return of his favour, I will also save his memory, just like how I will save Toulli’s, and my mother’s. The war may think that it can destroy everything, but memories are indestructible.

SHAFA takes out an empty book and a pencil, and starts to write. Lights slowly fade out to black.

John McKale (31)

A soldier of Pokland fighting the Yuranians in Yurany.

Having grown up in a rural town, John’s father often took him hunting, and he developed great accuracy in gun-handling. However, his passion is in medicine, for his father often lectured him about the importance of knowledge in first-aid in the wilderness. This inspired him to pursue a career in medicine. He enrolled in a prestigious medical program and worked hard towards earning a certificate in hopes of opening his own clinic.

When the war began, he had enlisted hoping to become a medic, yet because of his excellent skills with the gun he was assigned to become a soldier instead. His dream is to become a great doctor and save many lives, but before he could realize that dream he had already killed many.

One day his troop invades a small Yuranian village, eliminating every villager in sight and taking their possessions. After the invasion, John is haunted by the screams and cries of the villagers that he killed, and he slips away from his troop to escape the war. Wandering for a couple of days, he encounters Toulli and Shafa. He knows he has to kill them, but he cannot take it anymore, and he ends up helping them. When Toulli dies, John swears to deliver Shafa safely back to the Yuranian fort. He knows some Yuranian and can understand what Shafa tells him, and he longs to let Shafa understand what he wants to tell her. Finally, he and Shafa reach the Yuranian fort, but after Shafa is taken away by some Yuranian soldiers, he is shot dead.

Toulli Kasanev (18)

A young Yuranian soldier.

His father had died, leaving his mother alone with him and his younger sister Shafa. Desperately needing help with the family, his mother remarried. However, the stepfather brought to the family four children of his own, children whom he had been hiding from Toulli’s mother until the day he moved in. Being the oldest child, Toulli took on the responsibility of taking care of the family, for his stepfather turned out to be a useless alcoholic.

When the Poklish army evades Toulli’s hometown, a small Yuranian valley village, they destroy everything and everyone, leaving Toulli homeless, parentless, and responsible for his younger sister. He and a small group of surviving villagers quickly enlist in the war so that they would be armed and therefore would be more likely to survive.

The group of villagers wanders the countryside for about a week, seeking for a place of refuge. Unfortunately, they are attacked, and most of the few survivors that remain are captured by the opposing army. Toulli and Shafa manage to escape, yet during the bombing, Toulli loses his rifle, and is left with only a handgun. In addition to that, a piece of metal is stuck in his stomach, and he suffers from infection. He hides his injury from both Shafa and John, and they never find out until he dies all of a sudden in his sleep.

Toulli speaks fluent Poklish and bonds with John almost immediately.

Shafa Kasanev (6)

A Yuranian girl.

Being the youngest of all her siblings, Shafa was often bullied by her stepsiblings. One day, when she was playing with her teddy bear by the river near her house, her stepsiblings snatched the bear from her and threw it into the river. The teddy bear was given to her by her mother, and Shafa could only watch as the river swallowed the bear into its deep stomach and tore it apart. After this incident, Shafa developed a fear of water, and she never went close to the river again.

When her town is invaded, Shafa is left with only her brother, Toulli, to depend on. Having witnessed many deaths, she grows braver and stronger. When she and Toulli meet John, she has a severe fever, and wouldn’t have survived if John didn’t cure her. She is quiet and introverted, not being able to trust people easily. She can never accept John’s hospitality as easily as Toulli does, and she makes up stories in her head about John being a monster or a demon in disguise. When Toulli suddenly dies, she immediately suspects that John killed him, and runs away. She only starts to trust John when he saves her from drowning. She then tells him stories about her life, some real, some made up, and she slowly starts to fall for him.

When John and Shafa make it to the Yuranian fort, she witnesses John being shot, and two contrary emotions are aroused inside her. One is grief, for her first crush is completely destroyed. The second is satisfaction, because she still believes that John had killed Toulli.

The play is Shafa’s recollection of the war.

觀眾兩排地面對面坐在場地正中央。兩排的中央都有一個縫隙。觀眾到位時燈光開始熄滅。角色們在黑暗中走到觀眾席兩端預設的位子；穿著骯髒的士兵服的約翰拿著步槍，站在圖里和莎法對面。圖里穿著破爛的衣服和褲子，唯一的武器是一把小手槍。莎法穿著破洞的異國日常服裝。

戰爭的聲音。士兵們尖叫著。爆炸聲。坦克車和卡車。跑步聲。槍聲。

約翰那一邊的燈光亮起。

約翰：我是約翰‧麥克葵爾，一個波克蘭士兵。

我幾乎一輩子都為了當救命的醫師而努力，但是戰爭反而逼迫我要殺人。我驚訝自己有殺人的能力，但是戰爭能夠把什麼人都變成殺人機器。

一個多禮拜前，我們的部隊摧毀了一個小友蘭尼村子，村民的尖叫聲至今還折磨著我。我離開部隊以逃離戰爭，但是我越去想那一天，就越對自己趕到無恥。

所有，當我看見圖里和莎法時，

（圖里和莎法那一邊的燈光亮起。圖里站在莎法前面保護著她，用槍對著約翰防衛）

看見他們還只是孩子，我決定做戰爭期間心裡一直吶喊著要做的事。

圖里：我是圖里，然後這個是我的妹妹莎法。我們是友蘭尼一個小村子的村民。一個多禮拜前，我們的家園被一群波克蘭士兵毀掉，而我什麼都沒了，只有我妹妹。我決定入伍以取得武器能夠保護莎法和我自己。

不幸地，我在一場爆炸中把步槍弄丟了，只剩下一支小手槍。我們也不小心和部隊分離了，已經花了好幾天尋找回去基地的路。

我們原本想找個地方躲起來吃個東西的，但是約翰出現嚇到我們了。我馬上跳到莎法前面，因為如果莎法怎麼樣了我無法饒過自己。她是我擁有的一切了，而我應該把她送回基地，讓我們已經逝世的媽媽可以安心。

我們大部分都是在逃避和躲藏，還沒有需要殺什麼人，但是這也不會阻止我殺死站在我們面前的白人士兵。

不過，讓我驚訝的是，那位士兵慢慢地放下他的步槍並且將雙手舉起投降。

（約翰做著敘述中的動作）

約翰：我不會傷害你們。

圖里：他一直說。

約翰：我不會傷害你們。

圖里：我認真的觀察這個男的好一陣子。他白白的膚色、有顏色的眼睛、淡色的頭髮。

就是這種怪物闖入我的家並殺了我的家人。如果我和莎法沒有被媽媽推進衣櫥裡早就和大家一樣被殺了。

我還不能開始信任他們之一，而且我也感覺得到，莎法拉住我的制服的方式也表達出她的不安。

約翰：我想要幫助你們。

圖里：他告訴我們。我在學校有學了波克蘭語也相當流利。但是我不懂他的意圖。他怎麼會想要幫助我們呢？

他把步槍踢到拿不到的地方，小心地伸進衣服的內口袋。

（約翰做出敘述中的動作）

我握緊手槍。他拉出一個聽診器。我將頭歪一邊但是沒有鬆掉防備。

那個男生開始假裝在為一個病人看診，不斷地指著自己。一陣子後，我忍不住了，於是…（他開始大笑）

約翰：他開始笑的時候我很驚訝，但是也讓我比較有自信。

他解釋說他聽得懂波克蘭語，讓我鬆了一口氣。

我開始介紹自己，確定他知道我不想傷害他們，而是想幫他們。

他們看起來營養不良，男生也看起來很蒼白。我至少可以改善他們的健康。

那個男生終於把槍放下並收起來。他介紹自己是圖里，而妹妹是莎法。他們是孤兒想要找到回家的路。

當我被允許可以靠近他們時，我開始做一直就該做的事：當醫生。我確保那兩個孩子吃得好。

圖里堅持他沒事，儘管他臉色極為不好，但是我還不想要逼迫他們什麼，所有我專心治療莎法。

我治好了她的高燒也為她的傷口消毒。

我想辦法對她表現出最友善的一面，但是她的眼睛每次觀察都充滿懷疑和懼怕。我想那個女孩不懂波克蘭語所以比較害怕我。

我常常聽到他們彼此交談。圖里安慰又舒服的聲音和莎法說話聲裡的緊張和恐懼完全相反。我能夠聽得懂一些些他們講的話，而我知道他們在討論我到底可不可信。

雖然我得到圖里的信任，他還是讓我們分開兩邊以不至於嚇到莎法。和圖里交友後，我試著跨越兩個敵對國家的界線，但是我們還是在打仗，而好像不管我們多麼親近，永遠都會有一個縫在我們之間。

（燈光開始暗掉）

而像是一道河流分隔著兩地，分隔我和兩個孩子的河流嘲笑著我無法到達對岸。我需要再努力游。

〈燈光熄滅〉

一個寧靜夜晚的聲音。蟋蟀叫聲。輕微的風聲。青蛙的呱呱聲。

中央燈光亮起一半，讓我們看見圖里站在觀眾間的空間正中央。約翰和莎法各自在觀眾席兩端的位置睡著。

圖里：一個安靜的夜晚。莎法和約翰都睡著了。

我們和新朋友一起遊蕩四天了。這也是我和莎法迷路後的一個禮拜，而我的父母親被殺死的第二個禮拜。

（他脫掉上衣並拉起汗衫，露出在左肋骨附近的紅腫傷口。他戳了一下傷口，因為痛而有一點縮）

一個禮拜前，我和莎法跟著部隊回基地，但是突然間碰！的一聲，全部事物都飛了起來。

下一刻，我爬在碎石中，什麼都聽不見。我知道我在找東西，但是我忘了是什麼，直到一支小手抓住我的手臂，用力到我以為我的骨頭會斷裂。我轉身看見莎法。我鬆了一口氣因為她就是我要找的東西。她看起來受到驚嚇但是沒有受傷。我的聽覺在這時恢復了，而槍聲讓我知道敵方還在攻擊我們。我趕緊抓住莎法衝到最近的避護所。那裡應該比我想像得還遙遠，因為我恢復理智時完全不知道我們在哪裡。

我和莎法在樹叢中的安全處過了一晚。那一晚和今晚一樣寧靜。莎法睡著了，而我盡力保持清醒以免被發現。

這時我注意到肚子附近的疼痛。一塊橫飛的鐵片嵌入了我的側邊。我記得發現時心裡的冷靜，但是沒多久就開始慌張。

我要死了，這已經躲不過了。我走了，莎法怎麼辦？她會怎樣想？她會怎樣做？這些想法不斷浮現我的腦海中像是水龍頭流出的水，像是裂開的傷口噴出的血…

（他低頭看莎法）

但是之後，我看見莎法安詳地睡著，柔軟的長髮輕輕掃過臉頰。我知道我需要為了她保持鎮定，為了她活。不管發生什麼，我需要確保她不被騷擾。就算我的傷口被感染，一切都會沒事的，因為我會為了她活。

（他看約翰）

感謝這位醫生，我知道她也會活著。約翰在我第一次拒絕被診斷後就開始一直擔心我，但是如果他知道了我的傷口，莎法也會嚇到。

（他又看了莎法並微笑）

沒關係的，莎法。這小小的傷口死不了人的。那個醫生會幫妳保持健康，而我會保證妳能安全地回家。

（燈光慢慢淡掉。他慢慢走向莎法躺著的地方，臉上雖然是微笑，但是體態像是痛苦著。他輕輕地躺下在莎法身邊，用上衣鋪蓋莎法後，睡著了。燈光熄滅）

莎法和圖里那一邊的燈光亮起。莎法醒來、坐起來、並且伸展。她輕輕地敲圖里的肩膀，想要叫他起來。當他沒有反應的時候，莎法微微地搖他，叫著他的名字。他還是沒有反應的時候，她開始慌張、跪在他身邊、用力地搖他，喊著他的名字。

約翰那一邊的燈光亮起。他被莎法的呼叫聲吵醒。他坐了起來，轉頭看一看那個小女生。感覺到莎法的不安後，他站了起來。

約翰：還好嗎，莎法？

莎法：（被約翰的聲音嚇到，她看過去、用力地瞪著約翰。之後，突然領悟了什麼一樣，莎法用一支指責的手指指著約翰並且以異國的語言尖叫）

你殺了他！

約翰：蛤？

（他向莎法走一步，而這驚嚇到她，使她轉身跑走了）

莎法！

（他也向莎法消失的方向跑去，但是看到還在地上的圖里的時候停了下來。他要摸那個男孩的脈搏，但是找不到。圖里的身體冰冷）

不要…

（約翰將男孩的上衣蓋過他的頭並且哀悼。然後他站了起來。緊張的音樂和滾滾河水的聲音。他追向莎法）

中央燈光亮起。圖里身上的燈暗掉。莎法從舞台側邊進來，哭泣著、喘氣著。她站在靠近她的那一排觀眾席間的縫隙，猶豫不覺，因為這時舞台變成湍急的河流。約翰也從她後方出現。

約翰：莎法！

（當莎法看見他的時候，想要逃離他的衝動使她跳進水裡。莎法亂踢亂游，努力把頭撐出水面。約翰站在莎法跳進去的地方，伸出手要她回到岸上）

快點啦，莎法！我不會傷害妳啦。這樣子妳又會感冒喔。快點啦，抓住我的手。

（莎法還是不停地揮著四肢，奮力地呼吸。約翰過了一陣子才發現莎法不會游泳）

莎法？

不多說，約翰跳進河裡抓住莎法後，將她拖上岸在舞台的側邊，約翰在這之前一直站著的地方。因惶恐和疲勞而虛脫的莎法依然設法逃離，但是約翰緊緊抓住她。莎法終於放棄，在約翰的懷裡哭泣，讓醫生安慰她。燈光暗掉。河流聲淡掉。

燈光打在約翰和莎法身上。兩人現在站在約翰和位置，牽著手。

約翰：我終於得到了莎法的信任，雖然原因不幸。

我們回到了圖里的屍體那裡並好好地替他埋葬了。

那可憐的孩子左肋骨附近有一個很大的傷口，最後因為感染而造成敗血症。

如果他有讓我檢查他我還可以用抗生素來延長他的生命讓他可以有足夠的時間可以找醫院治療，但是…

（他低頭嘆氣）

可是現在最重要的事是要把莎法送回家。我們已經流浪了大概兩個禮拜了。

圖里在的時候，他好像還知道路。但是現在他不在了，我完全不知道我們在哪裡，該往哪個方向走。我可以感覺到莎法和我一樣緊張，因為她在我們埋了圖里之後就一直握著我的手不放。

（他看著莎法對她笑）

我是她的唯一依靠了，而我不想讓她失望。我會把她送回家，不管需要多少時間。為了圖里…

（另一邊的燈光亮起。我們看見一個士兵穿著異國的制服和頭盔。他用步槍指著約翰）

沒多久後，我們到達了基地。

（約翰舉起雙手）

我不會攻擊。

（他對莎法點頭）

我把她送回家。她失去了父母和哥哥。她需要你的幫助。

士兵點頭瞭解，並且將槍枝放下。約翰跪在莎法身邊，將手放在她的肩膀上。

約翰：我知道妳聽不懂我說什麼，但是我還是要祝妳好運。

他對莎法微笑，而小女孩抱了他。她轉身，依著約翰的鼓勵慢慢地走向士兵。士兵伸出手歡迎她回家。莎法抓住士兵的褲腳對約翰揮手道別。約翰站起來也對她揮手。他轉身背對莎法和士兵後離開了。

士兵舉起步槍對準約翰。槍聲。約翰倒地。約翰身上的燈光暗掉。莎法和士兵那一邊的燈光暗掉。

中央燈光亮起。莎法站在舞台中心。約翰靜靜地躺在原地，而圖里站在原本的位置。

莎法現在是個成熟的女士，大概三十歲出頭。

莎法：（她有一段很長的時間看著約翰躺在地上的屍體）

戰爭不僅在外頭發生，也在心裡折磨著我。

在這兩個禮拜之前，我們到達基地之前，約翰救了我一命。我非常懼怕水，而跳進那個河流裡是我做過最愚蠢的事。如果不是這個陌生人救了我，我不會在這裡站著和你們說這個故事。不過，這個陌生人救了我，也救了我的回憶，於是也救了圖里、我的媽媽、還有我愛過的所有因為這可怕的戰爭而受苦死亡的人。

兩個禮拜，我對這位「陌生人」感到無比的感恩，最後我年幼稚氣的心喜歡上他了。那兩個禮拜雖然痛苦，因為我還是為圖里哀悼著，但是也是我感到最有希望的兩個禮拜。這個「陌生人」救了我，我也終於可以信任他，也知道他一定會帶我回家。

我記得我那時候想著：「說不定他也喜歡我。說不定我們到的時候他會留在我身邊，我們可以一起過安寧的生活，沒有戰爭，沒有別的人。」但是之後兩個禮拜過去了，我們終於到了基地。然後這發生了。

（她又看了約翰）

他們射死他的時候，我一開始感覺心裡好痛，像是他們也射了我一樣。那是個強烈的劇痛，和發現圖里死掉的時候一樣的痛。然而，這個痛沒有維持很久。感覺像是只有幾秒鐘的時間後，痛被安慰取代了。他們殺了他。他殺了圖里，而他們殺了他。他活該。

（她抓住頭）

哎呀！但是他沒有活該！他救了我！

（節奏）

但是他殺了圖里。

（她像是要把混亂甩出一樣搖頭）

外面戰爭，裡面也戰爭。但是我覺不覺得約翰該不該死已經無所謂了。他已經死了。為了報答他，我也會保存他的記憶，就像我會保存圖里的記憶，還有媽媽的。戰爭可能什麼都能摧毀，但是回憶是打不敗的。

莎法拿出一本空白筆記本和鉛筆，開始寫字。燈光慢慢暗掉到熄滅。

約翰‧麥克葵爾 (31)

　　在友蘭尼對付友蘭尼人的波克蘭士兵。

　　約翰在一個鄉下的小城鎮裡長大。他的爸爸常常帶他去打獵，讓他練就了精準的槍藝。然而，他的熱忱在於醫術，因為他的父親時時提醒他急救知識在野外的重要性。這打動他要成為一位醫生。他就讀了一個高志願的醫療學校並且為了考取醫師執照而努力，希望能夠開自己的一間診所。

　　戰爭開始時，他入伍想要成為戰地醫師，但是因為有著出頭的槍術，最後被分配當陸兵。他的夢想是要成為醫生拯救許多生命，但是還沒有達成夢想前就已經殺死了許多人。

　　有一天他的部隊入侵了一個小友蘭尼村子，除去了看見的所有村人並且奪取他們的財物。入侵事件之後，約翰被他的受害者的尖叫聲折磨著，於是他偷偷地溜出部隊逃離戰爭。流浪了幾天，他碰見了圖里和莎法。他知道他應該要射死他們，但是他無法再忍受了，最後幫了他們。圖里死了後，約翰發誓要將莎法帶回友蘭尼基地。他懂一些友蘭尼話也知道莎法跟他說些什麼。終於，他和莎法抵達友蘭尼基地，但是莎法被一些友蘭尼士兵帶走時，他被槍斃。

圖里‧卡薩內夫 (18)

　　一個青年友蘭尼士兵。

　　他的父親去世後留下他媽媽一個人撫養他和妹妹莎法。極度需要幫助來照顧家人的媽媽重婚。然而，新的爸爸又帶了四個自己的孩子，一直隱瞞著直到結了婚才讓媽媽知道的孩子。圖里是長子，又因為繼父最後只是個無用的醉漢，圖里擔起照顧家庭的責任。

當波克蘭軍隊入侵圖里友蘭尼小城鎮的鄉，他們毀滅了一切並殺死了所有人。圖里最後失去了家和父母，只剩他的妹妹。他和一小群生還者快速地入伍以能夠被分配到武器可以保護自己。那一群村民流浪在鄉間大概一個禮拜，尋找著寄宿的地方。不幸地，他們被攻擊，大部分被敵軍俘虜。圖里和莎法能夠逃脫，但是在轟炸的時候，圖里遺失了步槍，只剩一支小手槍。還有，一塊鐵片卡在他的腹部而傷口開始被感染了。他不讓莎法和約翰知道他受傷了，而他們直到圖里突然在睡夢中死去才發現。圖里能夠說一口流利的波克蘭語，也因此一下子就能和約翰做朋友。

莎法‧卡薩內夫 (6)

　　一個友蘭尼小女孩。

　　莎法是家裡最小的孩子，也常常被繼父的孩子們欺負。有一天，當她在家附近的河邊玩泰迪熊時，他的哥哥姐姐們把熊娃娃搶走並且丟到河裡去。那隻泰迪熊是媽媽給她的，而莎法只能眼睜睜看著河水把娃娃吞噬並撕裂。這之後，莎法開始怕水，再也沒有靠近河邊了。

　　莎法的村子被入侵的時候，只剩下她和哥哥圖里。已經見識過許多死亡的她變得較為勇敢而堅強。她和圖里遇到約翰的時候，她發著高燒，如果沒有約翰的幫助可能還無法存活。她很害羞內向，不容易信任人，也無法像圖里那樣輕易接受約翰，在腦海裡編造故事告訴自己約翰是個偽裝的妖怪。當圖里死去時，她馬上就斷定他是被約翰殺死的，於是跑走了。約翰把她從河裡救出來後她才開始相信他。她會和約翰訴說生平的故事，有些是真的，有些是假的。最後她慢慢地喜歡上了約翰。

　　當約翰和莎法抵達友蘭尼基地時，她見證了約翰被槍殺，而兩個極端的情感充斥她的內心。一個是哀悼，因為她的第一個愛人被處死了。另一個是滿足，因為她還是相信約翰殺了圖里。

這齣戲是莎法對於戰爭的回憶。

-羅寗 Michelle Ning Lo