Slaughterhouse–Five A New Play by Daria Tavana Based on the Novel by Kurt Vonnegut Copyright © 2013 by Donald C. Farber, Trustee of the Kurt Vonnegut Copyright Trust
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Dresden, Germany. February 13, 1945. Billy Pilgrim survives the firebombing of Dresden by hiding in an underground slaughterhouse. Our study unfolds in a microsecond- the moment Mr. Pilgrim opens the slaughterhouse door and witnesses the destruction of Dresden. Unlike us, this Earthling does not know all momentspast, present, and future- always have existed, always will exist. The Characters: Billy Pilgrim Valencia Merble, First Nazi, Lemon Yellow Montana Wildhack, Second Nazi, Cream, Maggie White Edgar Derby, Eliot Rosewater, Anniversary Partygoer, First Critic Barbara Pilgrim, Tralfamadorian, Second Scout, Second Critic Kilgore Trout, Howard W. Campbell, Jr., First Scout, Somebody Roland Weary, Anniversary Partygoer, Cody Wyoming Paul Lazzaro, Patient, Anniversary Partygoer, Third Critic Billy’s Mother, Somebody Else, Anniversary Partygoer, Fourth Critic
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Scene One 1976 - Chicago, IL Largest stadium still standing. China dropped a bomb on the country not too long ago. Birds chirp routinely. Applause dies down, and Billy Pilgrim begins. Billy Everything is alright, and everything has to do exactly what it has to do. I learned that on Tralfamadore. I’ve experienced my demise many times, and so have each of you. When we die, we are not dead. We are always awake, no matter what.
Billy explodes with laughter. Billy (cont’d) It is high time I was dead. Many years ago, a certain man promised to have me killed. He is an old man now, living not far from here. He has read all the publicity associated with my appearance in your fair city. He is insane. Tonight, he will keep his promise. The crowd moans. Billy (cont’d) If you protest, if you think death is a terrible thing, then you have not understood a word I’ve said. Go home to your wives and children. It is time for me to be dead for a little whileand then live again. Farewell, hello, farewell, hello. Paul Lazzaro shoots Billy with a laser gun. Every child screams. · · · Slaughterhouse-Five by Daria Tavana · · · 3
Scene Two 1947 - Cape Ann, MA Billy’s honeymoon suite. Billy and his wife Valencia make conversation. Valencia Do you ever think about the war? Billy Sometimes. Valencia I look at you sometimes and I get a funny feeling you’re just full of secrets. Billy I’m not. Valencia I wish you were mine emotionally. You know what I think? Billy What do you think? Valencia You have secrets about the war. Or, not secrets, I guess, but things you don’t want to talk about. Billy No. Valencia Want to tell me about that medal you won for being brave and all? Billy No. Valencia Father says you have no clue why they gave it to you. But, he told me he can feel it in his gut that his son-in-law is a hero. And daddy knows best. And daddy’s known you forever. I’m proud you were a soldier…
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Billy Good. Valencia Was it awful being a prisoner? Billy Sometimes. Valencia Would you talk about the war nowif I wanted you to? Billy It would sound like a dream. Other people’s dreams aren’t very interesting, usually. Valencia I know about your friend Edgar Derby. I heard you tell father one time about the German who killed him. What was his name again, dear? Billy Howard W. Campbell, Jr. Valencia Edgar almost made it home. Poor guy. Billy Um. Valencia You had to bury him? Billy Yes. Valencia Did he see you with your shovels before he was shot? Billy Yes. Valencia Did he say anything?
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Billy No. Valencia Was he scared? Billy They had him doped up. Last time I saw him, he was sort of glassy-eyed. Valencia And they pinned a target to him? Billy A piece of paper. Getting out of bed: Excuse me. I need to take a leak. · · · Scene Three 1967 - Tralfamadore Geodesic dome at the Earthling zoo. Montana Wildhack and Billy have finished making love in outer space as the Tralfamadorians watch intently. Their captivity is furnished by Sears Roebuck. Montana Billy. He kisses her. Billy They want you on your hands and knees. Montana rises from the bed and walks away.
Billy (cont’d) This study means the world to Tralfamadore, and I want to help this planet. I know they’re onto something. Billy stands and joins Montana. He attempts to wrap himself around her body.
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Montana Don’t touch me. Billy Don’t you trust me? Montana Sometimes. Not now. Not when I know you don’t need me. Billy I’m not going anywhere. Montana You can’t go anywhere. You stay here because you can’t leave. What about me? I wish you were mine emotionally. Billy Listen- I don’t know what you’re saying. Montana Tell me something you’ve never told another lover. Billy Why? Montana There is no why. Billy Fine. I’m leaving. Montana Shoot. Is that so? Then go. Throw yourself through these disgusting glass walls and grab me a good book on your way back. Billy Listen. I have come unstuck in time.
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What happens is this: My fingernails turn inside out, my intestines melt into my knees, and my common sense moves through my mouth then falls onto the floor of a new room in another country during a different decade. I always feel it before it happens. I sense it before it starts… I’m a natural disaster. Montana I’m in love with you. Billy Montana, my mind kind of wanders. I enjoy being here with you, but I’m not here all the time. My thoughts go away to other places, other parts of my life. Just know that. I do leave. But spending time with you is what I always look forward to. Montana accepts the compliment despite not understanding it. Montana You mean it, Billy? Billy I try to think about you all the time. Montana I believe you. They kiss. Montana (cont’d) I’m pregnant. Billy You’re beautiful. · · ·
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Scene Four 1922 - Somewhere Upstate, NY Billy’s childhood nursery. Billy’s Mother plays with her newborn wrapped in a blanket. Brilliant moonlight makes everything in the nursery appear to be painted blue and ivory. She hums a little lullaby while lighting a cigarette. Billy’s Mother I wish I knew how to hold you, but I don't. How to lie and smile and say, everything is alright. But I can't. The truth is I don't know how we'll last alone. I can't sew or clean and there's no decent work for ladies like me. I can't cook to save my life, and I need help, Billy. I’ve already failed miserably. Your papa scrammed, and I’m scared- if you stay you’ll run away, too. What about me? What about mama? Give mama one big smile before we go our separate ways. No? That's fine. Can't say I blame you. Let’s say goodbye before I lose my mind. I promise someone in this world will soon love you. Your new family will care enough to try, at least. They’ll care more than me. She sits and waits for something to happen. Nothing happens. Nothing but the most heart-breaking silence never heard on Earth. Billy’s Mother (cont’d) I simply can’t. You’re staying with me. I’m sorry.
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· · · Scene Five 1945 - Dresden, Germany Corpse-covered city ruins. Edgar Derby and Billy, both American POWS, work together to pile up dead bodies- a responsibility given to them by the Germans after the bombing of Dresden.
Edgar Where would you go if you were still breathing? Billy Why? Edgar I will find my son, but I don’t know where to start. Billy Start by accepting what you see. Edgar What’s that supposed to mean? Billy Collecting these corpses was a command. Follow the Nazis’ orders; that’s the only way to make it home alive. Edgar Don’t give up so easily, Billy. Some of the bodies sprawled out in this field are still alive. I can feel it. They can’t all be in pieces. It’s impossible. Billy Edgar, their faces look too similar. Edgar Billy, little boy. I’m older than you. I’m almost an old man compared to you.
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Allow me to let you know that sometimes it takes years of experience to understand certain things. My son is the only exception. Hope is simple, he always says. Robert is a fighter. I have faith in the fact my son’s strength can outweigh any army. Before him, I believed in nothing. Edgar He’s the reason I’m here. I never wanted to go to war. My boy did. He believed in me. We came here together. He believes in America, too. But, our country made this mess. It better have left my son out of it. Edgar stumbles upon a teapot and picks it up. Edgar (cont’d) Wait a second… If this teapot survived, then my son is alive. My son is alive. Billy Put that back. Edgar It’s so white… Billy The Germans will kill you if they see you with something they want. Edgar If they’ve got something of mine, then I’m already dead. Billy Give them the teapot. Edgar Never. How long has it been since you’ve felt like you’re in control? · · · Slaughterhouse-Five by Daria Tavana · · · 11