"PATRIOTS"
by Charles Deemer
Place
Archie and Claire's home
Set
A phone, a chair.
Time
The present
Characters
Claire, 20s
Archie, 20s
(AT RISE: CLAIRE, 20s, is on the phone. She is
dressed for a funeral, in black or dark clothes.)
CLAIRE
These things are never easy. It's really hard for Archie. He and his mother were very
close....His sister is hosting a reception after the funeral. We were just going out the
door....No, he has to go back right away....In two days....I know....I will. Thanks for
calling, Diane.
(During the phone call, ARCHIE, 20s, has entered.
He, too, is dressed for a funeral. He stands watching
her, hiding something behind his back.)
(Claire hangs up and notices Archie.)
CLAIRE
Diane sends her blessings.
ARCHIE
Diane...?
CLAIRE
From school.
ARCHIE
A colleague?
CLAIRE
Yes. She teaches history.
ARCHIE
Have I met her?
CLAIRE
Several times. You talked her ear off a year ago at the faculty picnic. I thought you were
flirting with her.
ARCHIE
You'd think I'd remember. She teaches history? Does that make her one of those pacifists?
CLAIRE
Archie?
(He reveals what he has been hiding. He holds up a
placard, a protest sign that reads "Bring the Troops
Home Now!")
ARCHIE
What the hell is this?
CLAIRE
Oh my God ...
2.
ARCHIE
I was in the garage looking for my trophy from high school, when we won State. I thought
Dad would like to have it. I found all these political things. What's going on, Claire?
CLAIRE
I didn't think this was a good time to bring it up.
ARCHIE
What is going on, Claire!?
(Claire can't find the words.)
ARCHIE
What do you think I'm doing over there? Why do you think I put my life on the line every
day? What do you think the country's doing over there, Claire?
CLAIRE
I guess that's the point. I don't know any more.
ARCHIE
I don't believe this. I thought I had your support. I thought you believed in this country as
much as I do.
CLAIRE
I do believe in this country.
ARCHIE
Then support the troops who are fighting for your freedom!
CLAIRE
I don't think that's what's happening over there.
ARCHIE
So now you're suddenly an expert on Iraq? Claire, the farthest you've ever been from
Portland is Seattle.
CLAIRE
I've been doing a lot of reading and--
ARCHIE
--and suddenly you know the situation better than I do, better than the majority of people
in this country -- who happen to understand and appreciate why we're over there.
CLAIRE
Public opinion is beginning to turn around on that.
ARCHIE
Thanks to you, is that what you're saying? Thanks to you and your peacenik friends who
abandon your husbands and boyfriends and brothers and neighbors -- everyone who's
putting their lives on the line over there. Is that it? Thanks to your little peace marches,
making the world a nicer place, or whatever it is you think you're doing -- is that what
you're saying?
3.
CLAIRE
We want you, the troops, home where they belong.
ARCHIE
You live in a dream world, honey.
CLAIRE
Don't patronize me.
ARCHIE
Well, excuse me. Let me rephrase that. Apparently you think the way to change the opinion
of a suicide bomber, someone who's willing to blow themselves to smithereens as long as
they can take a few Americans, or anybody who works with Americans, with them,
someone who thinks they're going to be rewarded in the next life with fifteen virgins if they
kill themselves for the cause, you think you can enlighten such a person by reasoning with
them, by treating them with dignity and understanding, by saying No, no, that's not nice!
Well, it doesn't happen like that in the real world, Claire. Those people will kill you as soon
as spit.
CLAIRE
I'm not denying there's a problem but--
ARCHIE
A problem? Is that what you call it? What do you call 9/11? Another problem? An
inconvenience, all that rubble to clean up, all those bodies to bury? Talk to me, Claire.
CLAIRE
You seem to be doing all the talking.
ARCHIE
Fine, I'll shut up. Your turn. Tell me what you think you're doing.
CLAIRE
I don't think this is the way to fight terrorism. We were supposed to be going over there to
stop Saddam Hussein from using weapons of mass destruction. So where are they? Face it,
Archie, we were lied to, all of us. We went over there for the oil.
ARCHIE
So you wish Saddam Hussein was still in power?
CLAIRE
That's not what I said.
ARCHIE
Oh? Tell me again, Claire.
CLAIRE
I don't think being in Iraq is the best way to fight terrorism.
ARCHIE
You'd rather wait till they bring their suicide bombers over here.
CLAIRE
Quit putting words in my mouth.
4.
ARCHIE
How long has this been going on, Claire? How many marches have you been on?
CLAIRE
Archie, I knew you'd be hurt if you found out about this. This is why I didn't tell you before.
Do you think deciding to do this was easy for me?
ARCHIE
As a matter of fact, I do. I think it's easier than putting your life on the line.
CLAIRE
I'm protesting this war as an act of conscience! This is no small thing.
ARCHIE
Beats being shot at.
CLAIRE
Sometimes on a march we get clubbed by the police, Archie.
ARCHIE
Poor baby! Listen ... I don't think I can stay here tonight.
CLAIRE
I wish you wouldn't say that.
ARCHIE
Look at us, Claire. I happen to be acting on my conscience, too. You ever think of that? I
think we belong over there. I think we are morally obligated to be over there. I think we
take the fight to the enemy or they are going to bring the fight to us. I also happen to be a
soldier now. Not a National Guardsman, a soldier. I follow the orders of my Commander
in Chief. And in this case, I'm damn happy to follow them.
CLAIRE
Can't we peacefully coexist for a few days?
(No reply.)
CLAIRE
I do love you, Archie.
ARCHIE
I'm going to spend the night with Dad. I think he can use the company.
CLAIRE
If you think you must ...
ARCHIE
I think you should drive yourself to the funeral.
CLAIRE
Archie, please ...
ARCHIE
This is not the time for a scene.
5.
(The phone rings. Archie answers it.)
ARCHIE
Hello?...Who's calling, please?...Just a minute.
(He puts down the phone.)
ARCHIE
It's for you. The Committee for Peace and Social Justice.
CLAIRE
It's probably Mary from church.
ARCHIE
It's a guy.
CLAIRE
David, then.
ARCHIE
You and he march together?
CLAIRE
Don't do this, Archie.
ARCHIE
Am I doing something? Other than fighting for your freedom -- since you appear to be too
chickenshit to fight for it yourself.
CLAIRE
Let's not do this to one another.
ARCHIE
You're right. Take care of your peace march business and I'll see you at church. Just don't
get too close to me, Claire. Just give me some space.
(He leaves. Claire is stunned for a moment. Then she
goes to the phone and hangs it up.)
(She sits down. A beat. The phone rings. Claire
stares at it. The phone rings. And rings. The play is
over.)