"Three Birds, With One Stone,.

"

Playwright

Karl F Conyard
"<THREE BIRDS WITH ONE STONE>" i
"<THREE BIRDS WITH ONE STONE>" ii

PLAY SYNOPSES

This play centers around three main characters,

Hertha, who was a Nazi radar technician. We
also meet Ingried, a Jewish woman who tells
her story about how she escaped from a
concentration camp. We finally meet Rosie, a
British farmers wife who is also a private
radio enformer.

All three women, have lived through the second

world war. They have all been asked to come
back to talk about their experiances.

In this play, we visit the past, and see how

these three women have made a powerful impact
on the war effort and its turn out.

The main themes of these stories is that war is

never won but the lost through the shared
experiace of death and sorrowfulness.

Music is used from time to time and is used to

add a third dimension in the whole mise-en-sein
effect.

All music is in the Public Domain so all music

is under free-share and public use conditions.

This play is a very powerful story and needs to

be played , directed and acted in a very
specific way so that the meanings are not lost.

There is comedy, but the comedy should not be

over used! This is not a comedy but a utmost
replica of stories of the time that may be used
in these days to re-teach the population a
lesson of peace , war, passion and pain.

This play on average lasts 70 minutes.

"<THREE BIRDS WITH ONE STONE>" iii

CHARACTERS

Narrator Is never seen but heard, his voice

is reminiscent to wisdom. His voice
overs would include gramophone
crackling

Interviewer Is never seen but heard,his name is

Mr. Norton, working with the Media
to gain insight on the types of
lives people lived during the second
world war .

Hertha Heckler Lead A German woman who worked for

the Nazi's in a Nazi Luftwaffe field
working with radar. She is Neve
and witty but has a deep emotional

Ingreid Scholzies Lead A Polish woman who was taken

to a Nazi concentration camp. In
this camp she witnesses the death of
her family which include her
children and her husband. She talks
about her escape and her journey to
the camp. She mainly focuses on the
areas of freedom and survival.

Rosie Braner Lead An English farmers wife, who

sees' her son and husband go off to
war leaving her to look after the
farm, the land girls, lumber Jills,
evacuees and works as a secret agent
for the Ministry of special duties.

Ingrid Von Strouz Hertha's best friend in the

Luftwaffe radar team .

Gnter Von Ricter A pilot for the Nazi Luftwaffe.

Falls in love with Hertha, and
proposes her to marry him on the
same day as his death.

Peter Braner Rosie Braner's Husband, a farmer

come solider. A loving family man
who wants to look after his
children.
"<THREE BIRDS WITH ONE STONE>" iv

Eddie (Ed) Braner Rosie and Peters Son. A farm hand

come Solider. Very Patriotic

Maggie Cooper Best friend to Rosie.

Vallarie Ring A Black Town's Woman from London is

an evacuee, has great hatred for the
Germans as they bombed her house and
killed her husband and young son.
Becomes a very strong friend to
Rosie

TIME

The time of this play fluctuates, lighting is an

important feature as a white light will indicate
present day time of the play being 1995. While a
yellowed light , almost like an old photograph color
will be used for all the past which includes the years
1939 to 1949.

The audience should pick-up on the light change but

for those who do not notice the light change. In
between scenes there will be a projected date and place
showed on a white backdrop or wall.
"<THREE BIRDS WITH ONE STONE>" v

SCENES

ACT I

Scene 1 Prologue 1995

Scene 2 Hertha's intro 1995

Scene 3 The Dance Hertha and 1940

Gnter first meet

Scene 4 Hertha and Ingrid's walk 1940

Scene 5 The Birthday surprise 1940

Scene 6 The Bad news 1940

Scene 7 Hertha's Conclusion 1995

Scene 8 Ingried's Intro 1995

Scene 9 The story, reflection and 1995

conclusion

ACT II

Scene 1 Rosie's intro 1995

Scene 2 And it begins. 1939

Scene 3 A worried Father 1939

Scene 4 Agent R and Agent M 1940

Scene 5 Rosies experience with the 1995

Blitz, Evacuees and Her old
friend

Scene 6 Vallarie's Memories 1940

Scene 7 Planes by night & a Message 1940

Scene 8 Worries and Jam Making 1941

Scene 9 Work and Woes 1941

Scene 10 The two yellow Telegrams 1941

Scene 11 Epilouge We will meet 1995

again
"<THREE BIRDS WITH ONE STONE>" vi
"<THREE BIRDS, WITH ONE STONE> I-1

ACT I

SCENE 1

(Silence then the sound of a Gramophone plays.)

NARRATOR

The year is 1995, a reporter named Danny Norton is

interviewing people who lived through WWII. On his
travels he meets a 78 year old german woman called
Frln.Hertha Hecklur, who served as a radar officer in
the Nazi party during WWII. The next woman is ex-
prisoner Mrs. Ingried Scholzies a jewish woman who was
a late arrival at a concentration camp which the name
is unknown as she has forgotten. She is 80 years of
age. Finally we shall talk to Mrs. Rosie Braner a
British farmers wife working with the British Womans
Land Army.

Scene 2

( ON Projector We see [1995, London],

Raise White lighting)

(We see Hertha [80+ yrs] sitting on a chair looking

confused)

HERTHA
What you want to hear about my life (broken English).
(Pause)

INTERVIEWER
Well I would like to get an idea what life was like whe
you grew up, then maybe you could tell me how it was
living in Germany through the war and what it was like
working for the Nazi's.

HERTHA
Well I grew up on a farm in the German town of Lezuclit
(Lech-uk-lict), my father and brother both being lay
farmers signed up at once the call was set for soilders
to hold the German flag to victory.

It was an easier time, less technology, only the elite

in the forces had technology. When I was 18 I joined
the Wehrmacht (veh-ya-ma-ktt) and I worked apart of the
anti-aircraft defense,
"<THREE BIRDS, WITH ONE STONE> I-2

as a operator of listening equipment. I would listen

for enemy aircrafts using the radar we had we called it
Freya. It was really new, we , we were put on courses
to know how to use the systems. It was hard but
exciting. I met my husband in service in the Luftwaffe
base in Kaufbeuren.

That Was where I met him, my love Gnter . He was a

tall man a pilot, I remember it like yesterday.

(Dim lights)

Scene 3

(On Projector, we see [1940, Kaufbeuren, Germany],

Lighting : Yellow light,

Music: Track One- You Driving me Crazy)

(set is empty except for a nazi banner with luftwaffle

emblem on it. People are dancing, mix of pilots, and
women in dresses, uniform- about 4 couples. We see our
Hertha young, with a friend)

HERTHA
Ingrid, its him, he's looking at me again, I wonder
will he ask me to dance.

INGRID
out of this base Hertha he is the only man I havent
had, (laugh) you know what I mean.

HERTHA
Im so nervous.

INGRID
Wait there, (she walks over to a pilot), Guten abend,
herr... (she pauses)

GUNTER
Ricter (chamingly smiles)

INGRID
Herr Ricter, My friend Frl.Hecklur, (she points to
Hertha and smiles ),was wondering would you like to
dance.
"<THREE BIRDS, WITH ONE STONE> I-3

RICTER
Ya why not!

INGRID
(quickly exeits scene passing hertha saying in husshed
tone) You can thank me later!

(Hertha quickly fixes her hair, Gunter bows infront of

hertha)

GUNTER
Furline, you, your friend has said you wish to dance, I
am honored.

HERTHA
I am Sorry, Herr... (Awkwardly)

GUNTER
Its Gunter...... Frln. What is your name?

HERTHA
Its Hertha. Why do you look at me, the way you do.

GUNTER
Can a man not be entrawlled by a beautiful womans eyes.

(Hertha is shocked by his words, Gunter takes her hand

and they join the dancers)

(They kiss on the dance floor first kiss form)

LIGHTS DIM
"<THREE BIRDS, WITH ONE STONE> I-4

SCENE 4

(YELLOW LIGHTS)
(We open with Hertha and ingrid sitting on the
stage/floor,
No music but ambient sounds of wind and birds: Track 2)

INGRID
So Hertha it has been three months since you and Gunter
first met, thanks to me no less ! Have you talked
about it yet?

HERTHA
He has said nothing, nothing at all. The grass is so
green now (Pause) so full of life.

INGRID
The grass means nothing, my guess he is waiting on the
right time and the right place. Do you see(Long Pause)
How he looks at you, how he smiles, how he touches you,
how he protects you. What you have is something special
and beautiful. I wish some day I will meet a man like
that. The green grass will always be there, Gunter with
this war might not be. Cherish him Hertha (Pause)
promise me !

HERTHA
(Hertha, looks out into the distance and huffs)

HE does care for him but seems afraid of something.

INGRID
If you say no probably. ya (said jokinglly)

HERTHA
I woulden't and I promise to you, my sister that I
will hold on to him.

INGRID
We must now go and make our way back. Go get ready for
the party, it is your birthday after all, the whole
base has organised this for you.

HERTHA
What is age but another label another year.

INGRID

I sware if you say another sad thing, I will slap you

myself.
"<THREE BIRDS, WITH ONE STONE> I-5

HERTHA

But What if I am afraid, I was always told to never put

all my eggs into one basket!

INGRID

Vhat are you saying, He loves you and you love him, I
see you sway at his words!

HERTHA

I do love him ! It's just I am so lost in all of this!

INGRID

(Said in a pissed off fashion)

Your path is so clear infront of you; That even I even

see it! I have always wished to have something like you
and Gunter but you vex your own thaughts, and on your
birthday no less. You coulden't pick a day less all
over the Grusion (GRU-SHUN)!

HERTHA

I didn't choose this Ingrid !

INGRID

You chose the path of love, but your so blind to see

it.

HERTHA

Maybe you are right! I am sorry I did not mean to vex

you! Im just so scared to walk in!

INGRID
(jokingly pushes Hertha) come on!

----------------- (DIMLIGHTS) -------------------

"<THREE BIRDS, WITH ONE STONE> I-6

SCENE 5
(YELLOW LIGHTS UP FULL)
---------- Music :German Light Jazz:Track 3 -----------

(We open with about six people- three couples

laughing , dancing etc. Merrymaking. Three minutes)

(We Next see Gunter in a waistcoat, tie and shirt.

He looks nervous, he is pacing the stage.
We also see Ingrid entering the stage, looking back
into the wings of stage)

INGRID
Come on Hertha! You look wonderful.
(Hertha enters room)

ALL
Happy Birthday Hertha !!!! (Everyone Claps)

( All on stage may sing Happy Birthday to Hertha- time

permitting)

Happy Birthday to you

Zum Geburtstag viel Glck!

Happy Birthday Dear Hertha

Zum Geburtstag viel Glck!

Oh she's a jolly good fellow

Oh she's a jolly good fellow

Oh she's a jolly good fell----ow

And so say all of us .

(Everyone cheers)
"<THREE BIRDS, WITH ONE STONE> I-7

(Gunter quickly takes Hertha hand, and bends down on

one knee)

GUNTER
Of all the Birthday gifts I could bring, the only one,
that I could ever deem beautiful as you is marriage.
My love, I have loved you only recently but my heart
tells me you are my soul mate,
If I were to give my body, soul and life to you I
would. Would you take the honour of marrying me!

(Hertha is in shock then starts to cry happy tears, as

her bestfriend Ingrid laughs at her, as almost she knew
what Gunter had planned)

HERTHA
Ya, I will take your hand in marraige, I accept your
propsal, This is truly the best day of my life.

ALL
Ahhhhhhhh

(All Clap while Gunter and Hertha kiss)

INGRID
I told you the perfect time and the perfect place, What
a birthday gift!

HERTHA
I know, I cant believe it! (she kissed Ingrid on the
cheek)

INGRID
And to think I was the cupid that brought you both
together ! I should be a match maker.

ALL
(Laughing and merrymaking for about two minutes)

(Invasion Alarm sounds.Track 4)

(All other men except Gunter run off)

"<THREE BIRDS, WITH ONE STONE> I-8

(We hear a loud comander shouting first in German then

in english get to the planes they are near the base.)

UNSEEN COMMANDER
Der Feind, Der Feind ist nahe! Alle Piloten ihre
Flugzeuge

THE ENEMY, THE ENEMY is near! All Pilots to their

planes

GUNTER
My furline. I must go , you are beautiful.. (they kiss)

HERTHA
Be safe, Gunter, I dont know what would happen if I was
to loose you!

( We hear the sound of planes propellers rottating

Track 5)

GUNTER
I will be back I promise (he looks at Hertha lovingly)

UNSEEN COMMANDER
Ricter Get out here now ! (shouted)

GUNTER
I must go!

(Gunter kisses[a long kiss], Hertha and leaves.-

we then close the scene,
hearing planes take off amist of the soundings of
alarms.

(Dim lights)

Scene 6

(Lights rise still yellow)

( We open to see Ingrid looking out to the distance,

she is nervous, she paces the stage for a while, then
looks out and him and hums)

INGRID
(Improv welcome 3-4 lines)

INGRID
Hertha, Hertha they are coming back, look!
"<THREE BIRDS, WITH ONE STONE> I-9

(Hertha runs on to the stage)

HERTHA
Where, where!

INGRID
There, they must have been through some battle up there
they look woeful!

HERTHA
Where is Gunter? I dont see him, look its Gunter's
brother.

(Ingrid runs off stage)

HERTHA
I must make myself respectable! I am his future wife!
After all!

(Ingrid returns crying but trying not too, she

looks at Hertha and looks down)

HERTHA
Where is he is he on his way?

(Ingrid looks at Hertha and shakes her head left

and right)

INGRID
I am sorry Hertha, he did not make it!

HERTHA
No, No, Nooooooo, he couldent of, he cant be. My
Gunter.

(Ingrid runs of stage in tears but Hertha just

looks uo to the sky and starts to cry)

-SILENCE-
( As lights Dim out Track 6 is played)
"<THREE BIRDS, WITH ONE STONE> I-10

SCENE 7

( ON PROJECTOR [1995, LONDON])

( White lights slowly rise)

( We open to see Old Hertha, back sitting on the

interview chair with tears in her eyes)

HERTHA
It was at that point, I knew that this war, this war
would destroy all in its path, a path of destruction. I
have lost my true love, and for what Nothing! What and
I mean what did anyone gain? But nothing we all only
lost, lost all that we love. That we could ever have!

When I was a girl I was always told to shorten problems

with one solution like the saying 'kill three birds
with one stone', but I was the bird, and the
devestation of my time, of what I supported, that thing
the sickness, that poluted our minds was the stone.

I am dreadfully sorry for the lives I helped ended but

I have to carry that with me and I have carried it
with me.

It is only when you loose something once dear to you

that you realize that all you need is (she stares into
the audience) Love,(Long Pause) Love that is it. I was
the bird and the war was the stone. I will go now, I
feel free-er now. Thank you for the tea,I will write to
you Herr Norton. Auf Wiedersehen.

(LIGHTS OUT)
( Play track 7- soft jazz)
"<THREE BIRDS, WITH ONE STONE> I-11

SCENE 8
( ON Projector [1995, London])

INTERVIEWER
Now Mrs. Ingried Scholcices, I know it is hard and
painful to remembr back to the days you were captured
by the Nazi's but could you.......

(Lights up white)

(We see on set Ingried sitting on interview chair)

INGRIED
And what would you know !

INTERVIEWER
I just thaught......

INGRIED
you thaught nothing. Because you know nothing all the
reports, all the stories are very relaxed ompared to
what we lived.

My family, were destroyed. We were on the train to

the camp, and we got to the border of Germany. Anyone
with children was put to the side. My daughter Aviel,
she was so young. Only fourteen months old and killed
infront of me. The train was small and smelly we were
locked up like animals. Only one space, a hole which
pointed down on to the tracks. The SS man took my
child from my arms with force and chucked her to her
death to be killed by the very train we were on. (her
pace quickens as she hyper ventilates- taking breaths
really quickly) I was in shock. I failed her as a
mother. The power of the Nazi's were too strong to
withstand. I cried, and cried and cried untill no
tears could be.. be output. ( End hypo breathing-
speech is slowed down)

(Silence)

The conditions were absolutly horrible.

Imagine the scene Herr Norton, fifty people squeezed,

into a cart, only able to hold twenty people.
We were on that train for six days,
we seen no light other than the hole in the floor.
"<THREE BIRDS, WITH ONE STONE> I-12

The smell of sweat, urine and faceal matter was pungent

like the first fertlising of the fields.
It would burn your nostrils' till you could not notice
it. It even made my eyes burn.

Then we were stopped, all of our papers were taken

away, then we were asked to move out onto this large
platform.
I am separated from my children. Then my husband is
taken away from me.
We were told it was a small holding camp for Auschwitz
. A woman who was not to me the full coin was taken
away.

We had heard roumors of anyone non-fit for work or

anyone who was against Hitlers rule, the penalty would
be your life. Death....

We were asked to film a propaganda film to show how

that retched place was a home away from hone they said!
(Said in a pittiful way) I was always fond of cabaret
music. When the democrats in Germany were in power
their time also known as the weilmer republic was
decadent and beautiful. I used to go to Germany on
holidays to see the shows. So we who were able there to
set up a small band. It did raise our hearts and
spirits.

Music is not just some notes jumped on a sheet of

paper, it is language it has its own personality. We
kept to happy jazz to keep us all aware of the things
we were lucky to have. On the big night all of the Nazi
officers were at our preformance. I noticed that a
young nazi boy solider, I would say about eightteen was
given the back kitchen door key. I kissed him and as he
tried to progress our encounter I took the keys and
finished my flirtations. I, myself and my husband
excaped but the children were killed.

Earlier that morning on our third day I seen my little

boy's charm bracelet on a corpses hand. That was my
son, he had been gassed by the Nazi's. I prayed to him
and Avirel to look after they'er Moma and Papa, but an
alarm was raised and all we could hear, was, the sound
of guns shooting at us, my husband frank was hit. Right
"<THREE BIRDS, WITH ONE STONE> I-13

in the head, I quickly kissed him as he lay dead and I

ran for my life as he would of wanted. I came into a
forest in which after four days hiking, I found a small
house. I hid there until I was able to work on a farm
to raise enough money to Switzerland, I changed my name
so I would not be found out, I took the identification
papers of the farmers wife and went in the still of
night. I made it to Switzerland and worked in a bar and
inn. I did not re-marry or have any more children.

I survived, it was not easy, the Nazi's came and I

survived, They're bullets rang a chorus in the air but
I survived. Life to me is empty. There were hard days
and there still are hard days but I have realized over
the years that I should be happy and thankful that I
have survived.

My mother used to tell me when I was a girl that if you

can survive judgment, you can survive any situation
that and when YOU are knocked down, the better woman
will stand and fight even with her last breath, she
will fight.

I fled, but life for me is a fight a battle unending.

When I see children playing, I am cast back to my
children. When I see a young couple pass me in the
street I see my frank and I.

I have truly been destroyed, the war has scorned me but

I will survive.

To feel pain, is to live.... no? Are we as humans not

reminded time and time again that feeling pain is a
matter of strength and not weakness.

This war has indeed knocked me off my feet, I have lost

all that I have loved and will always love.

You do not know what I have been through.

You now, know what real worry and pain is like not
what you believe to be bad in this day and age.

But I apologize if I may seem angry at you, I am not.

"<THREE BIRDS, WITH ONE STONE> I-14

Scene 9
The scarsity of love, Herr Norton, is something I wish
not happen to anyone I know. It is like a poison, it
hits you slowly, then it mkes you feel Ill for a very
long time. At times I felt I was better off dying back
at the camp or being caught back in the forest. But
then I think of what I used to sing to my child, I used
to sing to Ariel a little ditty my moma would sing to
me. It goes like this it always makes me smile.

( Ingried coughs ) ( Sung like a mother to her child )

Oh back long, long, long ago,

My moma sang to me,

not to be weary,

of what you may see.

I loved my little lamb,

And she was my world,

But Harsham sang to her her little voice was blessed.

My baby girl,

I sing to you ,

for all troubles you may pass,

may you be blessed in you paths.

Now my baby is now gone,

A man she take to be,

her husband,

and now she is free.

"<THREE BIRDS, WITH ONE STONE> I-15

Bye bye my baby love,

Bye bye my baby love,

you are so perfect,

in the eyes of the world.

Bye bye my baby love

Bye bye my baby love,

you are so perfect

in the eyes of the world.

I sing to you in the moon light,

I sing to you in the morn,

I sing to you in your dreams,

Of passing days of yore.

( Ingried begins to cry by staring out into the audiece

for about 2-3 mins)

I must go now, as I feel saddened and tired by this

whole affair. But I leave you on this point Herr
Norton.

If I survived you can survive this easy life as well.

I Lost everything and you loose nothing! See how

Lucky you are!

I Bid you a good evening Herr Norton.

(We finish with some sad yiddish trad music)

"<THREE BIRDS, WITH ONE STONE> II-1

ACT II

SCENE 1

(ON Projector [1995 London])

(WHITE LIGHT RISES)

INTERVIEWER
Mrs. Braner, are you there, oh there you are.

ROSIE
Hello Mr. Norton, It is a pleasure to finally meet you
and call me Rosie, will you. I feel old enough. Mind
you I'm still pulling the devil by the tail so I'm
healthy.

INTERVIEWER
So Rosie tell me about your self , since your story is
more at heart as in its more at home for our viewers,
The more information would be great.

ROSIE
Well what can I say I was born in a country village of
Starle just a few miles away from Portsmouth. My mother
never believed in hospitals, or Doctors for a matter of
fact but she did thrust her sister who was a trained
nurse and midwife. I was born on a farm, and was
trained as a young girl how the farm worked , I used to
collect the eggs and milk the cows when I was a young
one. As I grew up in my late teens, World War one
happened and I lost my father, he was a private and
lost his life in service. My mother never really
recovered from that. I was brought up through scarce
times.

INTERVIEWER
You say scarce in what way scarce?

ROSIE

Well...... (getting a little annoyed) IN terms of food,

fuel, energy and we had to keep the farm going. We were
lucky I had three older brothers who looked after the
sowings of grain, harvesting, hay making. I was a well
kept sister as my aunt used to say.
"<THREE BIRDS, WITH ONE STONE> II-2

INTERVIEWER

So Rosie, did you have any children?

ROSIE
I had only one son, who was a solider. God I remember
it like yesterday when he came into us into the
kitchen, saying he had signed up in the village hall.
Would you like me to tell you about that time , since
this would of been the start of my war experience?

INTERVIEWER

Oh yes, please, Rosie take it in you stride, I would

like to hear it all.

(Lights Go Dim)

(Play Track 8 Vera LynnWhen The lights go on again)

SCENE 2

(On Projector : Portsmouth, 1939)

(Yellow Light up)

( We open to a table with country table cloth, Chairs

(wooden) x 3

A young Rosie, and Husband Peter are sitting down)

ROSIE

Ah Peter higher up the radio its the Priminister

(PETER HIGHERS UP RADIO)

( Play WE ARE AT WAR CLIP)

"<THREE BIRDS, WITH ONE STONE> II-3

PETER

Well that's it then we are at war. It would make sense

that the royal army and navy were recruiting down the
village hall today.

ROSIE

(She tuts) I wonder were the hell Eddie is I only sent

him out for some bread.

KNOCK KNOCK

ROSIE

There's a knock on the front door peter, it must be

Eddie. But be careful we cant have the War Corpo know we
have our door open at this time.

PETER

I'm taking down the light excluder, id be surprised if

there were any German planes flying over at this time of
night. Edd get in here, ya have you mother heart in
bits.

EDDIE

Sorry Dad, I went and got the bread but seen that the
Royal Army were taking on the likes of me-self to sign
up to become a solider.

ROSIE

What the he-ll . No son of mine is going to be off

getting killed.

EDDIE
It's too late I've signed up, I've always wanted to be
in the RA.

ROSIE

What about the farm, you didn't have to sign up you

were protected.
"<THREE BIRDS, WITH ONE STONE> II-4

EDDIE
Please Mam I really want this!

ROSIE

Okay son but please be careful, I mean it if you were

to die I wouldnt be able to live after-wards.

EDDIE
Okay mam, I'll be careful.

PETER
So son when do you ship out of here?

EDDIE
In a weeks time.

PETER
Fair play son. Your brew is on the table!

EDDIE
Thanks Da.

(They all look towards the radio playing music ( Track

8) in silence.

Lights dim out.)

Scene 3

(Yellow lights rise, kitchen scene)

ROSIE

I cant believe our Eddie is gone two weeks now. Oh

feels like a year. He forgot this soap and towel, how
will I get that to him Pete. How (she starts to panic)

PETER

He will get that stuff off the Army supplies relax. He

is seventeen Rosie dear. He is becoming a man. I do but
still worry about him. What if I were to join too Rosie
dear. I could keep an eye on him.
"<THREE BIRDS, WITH ONE STONE> II-5

ROSIE
No! don't leave me, Ive already lost one man of my
family, I need not loose another!

PETER
But what if I don't go, Rosie I hear the call of our
land and it needs protecting. I'm no use if I'm stuck
on this Farm! I want to do something more . More
fulfilling Rosie.

ROSIE

Well at least you and Eddie would be in the same group.

But what if You go I'll be stuck doing all the work.

PETER
You would have Billy!

ROSIE
Oh yea your brother. If you must, you must but I say
this as I said to our son, Eddie. I expect you home
with all you went with !

(All actors on stage stop moving- statue state while

lights go down to half mast and Track 10 is played-
Churchill- we will fight on the beaches)

SCENE 4

(Chairs are removed from table, and fake radio and old
mic is left, yellow light is half cast for this entire
scene)

ROSIE
Oh Hello Maggie, come on we are late as it is.

MAGGIE
There's the note left by the Auxiliary men, Did you
have to hide the radio again from Peter.

ROSIE

God yes, I've now told him this is my shed so he can

sod off. Ya know I still cant believe we got jobs in
the ministry of secrets as secret service women.
"<THREE BIRDS, WITH ONE STONE> II-6

MAGGIE
Ah but Rosie its handy being in the Special Duties
Section. I find it quit thrilling to be doing this in
secret. Do you 'ave the note there Agent R (she
laughs)

ROSIE

Yea I do agent M hahaha, it's my turn anyways give it

hear.

MAGGIE
I'll turn it on, is the arial out? yea nice one! Your
ready to go love.

ROSIE
(small cough to clear her throat)

Formal confirm

Successful patrol, Maneuver 4 men, fair,

evidence of explosives,

North East of Spiresmouth, Time zero zero five three.

Location : Arborsmith

Agent R

(she clicks off radio) Thank god thats done , shite

Peters coming up the path, pull tha ariel in now !!!!!

MAGGIE

Thats done and hid. How are ya Peter are ya well.

PETER
I've just signed up for the RA.

MAGGIE
Ah fair play love (says quickly trying to get em out of
a stick situation) Crap I left the kettle on, I need to
go ta-rah love see ya next time Peter.

PETER

Why do you Girls always talk in here and never let me

in, what is so secretive that you dont want to tell me?
"<THREE BIRDS, WITH ONE STONE> II-7

ROSIE

I'll give you a hint love, it's something us women call

our gift from mother natur-e!

PETER

Wish I never asked now! Its not natural!

ROSIE

I have pictures if ya

Like to see!

PETER

Ill be off then!

( Rosie Laughs)

(Lights dim to nothing then turned back to white)

SCENE 5

(We see old Rosie, on interview seat)

INTERVIEWER
That is amazing, you told me you helped as a part of
the war effort.

ROSIE

I did indeed when London was blitz along with the sea
side cities we took in eighteen lodgers, it was hand I
got to see their ration books. Hahaha. Mean't more food
and I could do more with it. We had tones of room on
the farm, we turned an old barn with aid of the Woman's
land army to fix the roof and made make shift beds and
blankets and pillows.
"<THREE BIRDS, WITH ONE STONE> II-8

There was one woman who I'll always remember, she was
the first Dark woman I and ever met she had lost her
son and husband only a month before in an air raid.

We always laughed her name was Vallarie, she like

myself had a laugh and she was always quick to lend a
helping hand at making the dinner , learned how to milk
the cows and all. She was a city girl but had loved the
difference of the country air.

We still talk to this day. Back in those days a lot of

farmers didnt like people with a different back ground
so we took her and thank god we did she worked as hard
as me we were like sisters.

(Lights dim relaxing music plays

On projector : [Portsmouth, 1940]

Lights up yellow

Kitchen set up table and chairs)

SCENE 6

VALLARIE

Rosie , here are the eggs from the chickens, they seem
to like me more, no more bloody fingers.The little
shits. Thank god.

ROSIE

Ah thanks Vall, hay you wanna cuppa?

VALLARIE

Ya read my mind love. Two sugars

(Rosie goes off stage and returns with two mugs of tea,
must have steam they sit at the table)
"<THREE BIRDS, WITH ONE STONE> II-9

ROSIE

Vall do ya think this war will ever end?

VALLARIE

I hope so, I miss my brother, he is all I 'ave left!

ROSIE

I never knew you had a brother!

VALLARIE

He is my twin, I miss him he is in the navy.

(pause)

ROSIE

Well ya have me , amn't I good for ya.

VALLARIE

Ah ya are, Rosie. It's just I keep getting dreams, dark

ones of fire and rubble. I keep re-living my house
being blitzed. My husband and my child gone, I was down
in the emergency bunker looking at the stocks we had.
Then I heard this loud bang like thunder. I run up the
garden to see my house in utter flame. (play burning
sound TRACK 11)

I hear the scream of my child and run to find him , he

was holding the hand of his dead father Arthur. I
scremed! I held my little angel only eight years old,
he turns to me, while crying he says What is the
point of this war Mommy? My honey then passed away in
my arms, he had been crushed by the rubble that fell on
him. I was never wanting to be involved with the war
but then (Long Pause) THAT made it personal . If I.
(Pause)....ever see a German...(Pause)... I will kill
him with my bear hands. WHY should a little boy or any
child have to suffer from choices not even made by his
generation, why should his liberty be stripped from him
and be mutilated !
"<THREE BIRDS, WITH ONE STONE> II-10

ROSIE

I could never do that.

VALLARIE

Maybe if anything were to happen to your son or husband

maybe things would be different.

ROSIE

Well god knows. I still find it hard for me to think

that I would wage revenge, enough of people have lost
their lives, enough of blood has been spilt.

(Rosie looks out for a few secs)

Well Vall ya want a refill?

VALLARIE

ya know what we might as well.

(End scene with both laughing and joking)

(Lights dim out)

"<THREE BIRDS, WITH ONE STONE> II-11

SCENE 7

(Yellow lights risen slowley to half mast)

(empty stage)

ROSIE

Vallarie push the leaver on the tractor.

VALLARIE

Rose, I'm trying to it stuck. Why in the name of the

hell, do we have to plough by night. I know we need
more food but its getting beyond a joke.

ROSIE

I told you back at the cottage, Vall, The War AG

officer Told us to plough another six hecters for bread
wheat.

VALLARIE

What would happen if we didnt do it?

ROSIE

I could be kicked off my own farm.

VALLARIE

Do you hear that?

ROSIE

WHAT?(pissed off a bit)

"<THREE BIRDS, WITH ONE STONE> II-12

VALLARIE

Another engine! There listen!

( Play plane engine fly over TRACK 11)

ROSIE

We are the only ones out for miles. Jesus, VAL! blow
out the lamp its a plane. VAL!

VALLARIE

Done!!!

ROSIE

Look there I can just bearly see that. Jesus it's a

German

( Maggie enters and whistles as if to a dog)

MAGGIE

Quick we got to radio this now, follow me.

(Lights dim out and re-rise. We see the table and the
radio)

ROSIE

Agent R! Agent R!

Formal report

German enemy plane spotted, Alert 4G,

Heading North East of Spiresmouth,

Time zero two: five three.

Location Arborsmith

Agent R

(she clicks off radio) Thank god that's done ,Shite.

(Play plane again on low)

"<THREE BIRDS, WITH ONE STONE> II-13

Its coming back. Vall! Blow out that candle!

VALLARIE

It's out I blew it out.

RADIO

(play person saying): Hello Agent R, Report confirmed.

RAF and Land army alerted!

HQ Sign off.

(RADIO CLICKS OFF)

MAGGIE

I think the coast is clear, Can I stay at yours Rosie,

I'll be afraid of being spotted by one of those enemy
planes. If I open the door guard I'm done for.

ROSIE

Of course, lets get a brew on or maybe something

stronger. Are ya coming Vall?

VALLARIE

The last time I heard that noise, the closest people I

loved died. I'm sorry , the sound has rekindled
memories.

ROSIE

Don't worry about that lets get inside talk it over

something a little stronger, a bit of ale will do us
some health!

(Lights Dim Down)

SCENE 8

(Yellow light rises)

(We open to the kitchen with the three women sitting

around the table drinking tea. They all simultaneously
take a sup of tea.)
"<THREE BIRDS, WITH ONE STONE> II-14

VALLARIE

The children seem happy. If only they saw what we saw,

they woulden't be so cheery. I left London to get away
from the bombers.

MAGGIE

Well that isn't the worst of our worries. Mrs. Wort,

over the hill. Had the postman with her yesterday
morning with a yellow telegram.

VALLARIE

Whats so important about a yellow telegram

ROSIE

It's from the Ministry of Defence its a informent of

death in service thats all yellow is used for! Poor
Harry. He was a gentle giant. Her husband Rick, died in
service back in the first war now to loose her son in
the second.

MAGGIE

I wonder if she will be at the WI?

VALLARIE

Whats the WI?

ROSIE

It's the Womens institute, They make preserves and

canned goods for the ration system board. Remember
those late spring Wild apples we picked. Thats what
they are for.

VALLARIE

Oh so you dont keep any of it.

MAGGIE

It's for the war effort hun we do it for, you should do

it and help us, we always need a spare pair of hands.
"<THREE BIRDS, WITH ONE STONE> II-15

VALLARIE

When do we go then?

ROSIE

No where, the village hall's roof is leaking so

everyone is coming here.

VALLARIE

Thats handy, when are the WI coming then.

( we hear a knock knock knock almost in code)

MAGGIE

Sure that be them now!

( Dim Lights )

SCENE 9

( Yellow lights rise, We see the girls talking and

pretending to cut a tree using 2 sticks and string.
They talk)

ROSIE

Becareful there Vallarie, ya nearly bumped into Maggie

there (Rosie Laughs).

VALLARIE

Sorry Maggie. Yesterday Mags how many tins of apple did

we make I lost count after the first batch of sixty
cans.

MAGGIE

About one forthy I'd say, off hand, love. (While

stiring a pot on the ground with wood sticks around it)
"<THREE BIRDS, WITH ONE STONE> II-16

VALLARIE

At least all the food is helping the people. But poor

Mrs. Wort, I hope she manages to regain her strength
after her sons death. She seems so weak.

ROSIE

I guess we all would be in that case.

Oh here we go, get ready Vall!

ONE---TWO--- THREE-- T-I-M-B-E-R.

Hows the stew coming along Mags?

MAGGIE

If we had any meat t'would be better but sure it's a

blind stew.Ready Girls. Children, Come over now, come
get your dinner.

VALLARIE

Was a very good idea to bring the children out to pick

up the twigs that fall for kindiling gets them out of
the farm.

ROSIE

That was kind of the idea, they must be sick of the

farm by now!

(Dim Lights)

(Music: Play track 12)

(Yellow lights re rise)

ROSIE

Here Vallarie we better get on our way. Maggie love

send over the children when you are finished with 'em.

VALLARIE

Which way back?

"<THREE BIRDS, WITH ONE STONE> II-17

ROSIE

The quickest way I forgot to cover the window with

the light excluder.

VALLARIE

I hear an engine again, look up there, quick behind the

trees, before they see us.

(Vall pulls Rosie closer to

her. We then hear a whitsleing sound ( TRACK 12))

VALLARIE

It's a bomber and its drop a load, quick run to the

bomb shelter in the woods quick.

( Lights Dim and we hear TRACK 12- WHISTLE AND LOAD

BANG)

(Lights up and we see Rosie on her knees with her

hands on her face in tears.)

ROSIE

( THIS IS SAID V.FAST)

They destroyed my fields, everything ruined. What will

the War Ag say, I will be chucked out of my farm and it
will be given to someone elese and what will Peter say.

VALLARIE

Calm down women! (slap slightly on rosies face)

ROSIE

Thanks Vall I needed that. But what will I do this

years payment gone, we will go bankrupt.

VALLARIE

At least the cottage, children, barns and animals

are okay. Be thankful for that.

(Lights down)
"<THREE BIRDS, WITH ONE STONE> II-18

SCENE 10

(We open in the kitchen, Vallarie and Rosie having

Tea.)

ROSIE

So what can happen now, nothing can get any worse.

God forbid me saying that.

VALLARIE

It's okay I know your angry!

(A door opens/ maggie walks in)

MAGGIE

I just met the Postman I took in your letters.One seems

heavy

ROSIE

I wonder what it is?

(She opens the large letter to find two yellow

telegrams to fall on her table. All three women Gasp in
shock)

(BLACKOUT)

SCENE 11 - EPILOUGE

(On Projector : [London 1995]

(White lights are risen very slowly)

(We find Rosie(old) sitting on the interview chair in

tears.)

ROSIE
"<THREE BIRDS, WITH ONE STONE> II-19

I learned that day, never to say that things can never

get any worse!

I cried for over two days as Vallarie and Maggie tried

to nurse my strength back up again. It was at that
moment that I learned that in war we can never just win
or loose but that we all loose in the end. People still
die and that leaves the poor Mothers and Wives and
Children to suffer. But in sadness one will find
strength, I survived the War.

My poor, poor Peter and Eddie are now looking over me.
I used to sing, when I was young, I was always told to
sing, dance and smile. My grandmother would say I was a
triple treat like killing three birds with one stone.
But reflecting and thing about it all is that I,
(pause) I was the bird, let you be a Nazi, a Jew or
like me a simple British farmer's wife. We all lost in
this war.

IN any war, we all loose. Not just the people we love

but we run away with ourselves. It hardens us up that
we can not show emotion so easily.

I can not blame anyone nor should anyone blame my

family to have fought in the war. At that time they
were doing something in which they taught was just and
right.

I will always remember those days filled with fond

friends, hard work and great sisterhood.

I thank you Mr. Norton, for the tea and for the time to
say how I survived.

I will remember my family forever, but we will meet

again I am sure.

Ending : Play backing track 13

(ROSIE sings)

We'll meet again,

Don't know where,don't know when,
"<THREE BIRDS, WITH ONE STONE> II-20

But I know we'll meet again, some sunny day.

Keep smiling through,
Just like you always do,
Till the blue skies drive the dark clouds, far away.
So will you please say hello,
To the folks that I know,
Tell them I won't be long, (I wont be long)
They'll be happy to know that as you saw me go
I was singing this song.

ROSIE

We'll meet again,

INGRIED

Don't know where,don't know when,

HERTHA

But I know we'll meet again, some sunny day.

( Now all cast members come out singing the song, they
go to the woman who they knew, place their hand on
their shoulder for a quick second and go to the backing
of set in a semi circle)

All

We'll meet again,

Don't know where, don't know when,
But I know we'll meet again, some sunny day.
Keep smiling through,
Just like you always do,
Till the blue skies drive the dark clouds, far away.
So will you please say hello
To the folks that I know,
Tell them I won't be long,(I wont be long )
They'll be happy to know that as you saw me go
I was singing this song.
We'll meet again,
"<THREE BIRDS, WITH ONE STONE> II-21

Don't know where, don't know when. (three part harmony)

but I know we'll meet again, Some Sunny Day!

(We close this final scene, by letting the dead

lovers of each character. Place their hand on the
shoulder of their woman they knew and then all
the women, Hertha, Ingried and Rosie. Put their
hand on theirs, and look up to the heavens)

(CLOSE MUSIC THRUMPETS ENDING)

( Lights dim out to black out)

BLACKOUT

End of Play