Letters to Sala by Arlene Hutton

Author:Arlene Hutton
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Abrams
Published: 2022-02-01T00:00:00+00:00

Act Two

GEPPERSDORF LABOR CAMP. JUNE, 1942.

A man in a Nazi uniform appears, holding a package. YOUNG SALA walks up to him as if summoned.

HERBERT

Are you Sala?

Frightened, YOUNG SALA nods.

Sala Garncarz?

YOUNG SALA nods again.

You worked for the Pache family?

YOUNG SALA nods.

Can’t you speak?

YOUNG SALA

(In a whisper.)

Yes.

HERBERT

Yes, what?

YOUNG SALA

Yes, sir.

HERBERT

Yes, you can speak, or yes, you worked for the Pache family?

YOUNG SALA

Yes.

HERBERT

Yes, what?

YOUNG SALA

Yes, I worked for—

HERBERT

(Pointing to writing on the package.)

Is this your name, written here on this package?

SALA nods.

Speak. Is this package addressed to you?

YOUNG SALA

Yes.

HERBERT

So you’re the Sala who worked for the Pache family and this package is addressed to you.

YOUNG SALA

Yes.

HERBERT

My parents send their best.

YOUNG SALA

What?

HERBERT

My sister Elfriede misses you.

YOUNG SALA

Elfriede.

HERBERT

Didn’t the guards tell you? I’m Herbert Pache.

YOUNG SALA

Oh!

HERBERT

My parents asked, my sister Elfriede demanded that I come see you. They were turned away at the gate. Last week.

He points to the package.

Don’t worry. The bread is fresh. Elfriede baked everything all over again. She said to tell you the bakery is still closed, so she baked bread for you herself. She and my mother were turned away and told that you’d been moved. That everyone was moving to a different camp.

YOUNG SALA

Are we moving? herbert

HERBERT

I believe so.

YOUNG SALA

Where are they taking us?

HERBERT

I’ll try to find out and tell my sister. She talks about you all the time. Well, she talks all the time and sometimes she mentions you.

YOUNG SALA

I miss her.

HERBERT

She wants to know if you are well.

YOUNG SALA

Yes.

HERBERT

(Trying to make a joke.)

Yes, she wants to know, or yes, you are well?

YOUNG SALA

Yes. I am well.

(A pause.)

HERBERT

And your family?

YOUNG SALA doesn’t answer.

Do you hear from your family?

YOUNG SALA

My family?

HERBERT

My mother told me to ask about your family. You have a little niece. She has a doll.

YOUNG SALA

Yes.

HERBERT

Yes, your niece has a doll, or yes, you hear from your family?

YOUNG SALA

Yes. To both.

HERBERT

Your family. They are … all of them … still … working? All of them? They are well?

YOUNG SALA

My father was ill but now he’s better.

HERBERT

My mother will be happy to hear that your family is well.

A pause. A GUARD is seen or heard.

It’s time for me to leave.

YOUNG SALA

Please—

HERBERT

I’m sorry.

YOUNG SALA

Don’t go yet.

HERBERT

I’m sorry.

YOUNG SALA

Give my best to your family.

HERBERT

My mother and sister will be so happy you are well.

YOUNG SALA

Thank them for the package.

HERBERT

Yes. The move to the other camp will be soon. Did you know that?

YOUNG SALA

No.

HERBERT

Well, then. It’s good that there’s work. Yes. Goodbye.

HERBERT exits.

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