SCENE
The date is between 1984 and 1986. Cape Town, South Africa, during the era of apartheid, and sanctions.
The home of JON and RINA, consisting of a living room and kitchen. The decoration is minimal, consisting of warm earth tones and the occasional painting. There is no sign of Jon’s military service. There is evidence that they have a young baby—bottles drying at the sink, etc.
Lighting is low, casting a golden brown glow on the family as they go about their business. RINA and ESMÉE fold laundry. All action is done silently throughout.
Narration is done by the director, producer, etc., or any character not on stage at the time.
NARRATOR V/O
In 1948, the Nationalists (Nats) achieved a majority in South Africa’s government. They enforced a policy of apartheid, promoting the rights of white South Africans over all other races. All people were labeled, and were limited by their labeling. Non-whites were restricted in where they could live, and where and how they could work. White men were conscripted into the national army. No one could marry outside his or her race.
JON ENTERS with the baby, handing him to ESMÉE. She and RINA coo over the little boy, putting their work aside. JON stands by them, smiling, hands in his pockets.
NARRATOR V/O
This did not stop love, and friendships, from forming. Working relationships between races could be warm. The people who commuted for hours to work in white homes often became integral parts of their employer’s families. Their employers sometimes took on great risk to themselves by hiring people who did not have the papers to travel and work in their town. Small acts of humanity on both sides endured.
RINA finishes folding the laundry, stacking it neatly. ESMÉE and JON play with the baby. RINA gets ESMÉE’s attention and gives her a bag of clothes they no longer need. They look through it together to see if she can use them, and ESMÉE takes what she can. She gives the baby a final kiss before leaving, smiles and waves all round.
The more extreme the government became, the less race mattered in the personal relationships between its citizens. The more restrictive the government became, the more disenfranchisement chafed on all sides. Resistance was at first peaceful, but, without measurable results, they turned to controlled violence.
JON is watching the TV, and RINA comes up beside him. Blue/white light flickers over their faces in the dim lighting. RINA turns away first, tending to the baby. Lights slowly come up to full. JON watches the screen with a cigarette, though he does not draw on it often. He shakes his head at the news, a grim and bitter witness.
RINA
Turn that down, won’t you, Jon? The baby needs to sleep.
JON
(mutes the TV and goes into the kitchen to open a beer) He’s slept through whole rugby matches before, the news shouldn’t be a problem.
RINA
The news is worse. Sometime I wonder how much he really hears.
JON
He’s not old enough to understand. (mutters) Thank God.
RINA
You think he can’t see violence for what it is? All these children growing up in a guerilla zone…
JON
What about all the others growing up in poverty as non-citizens? What do you think Esmée’s childhood was like? They have a right to be angry.
RINA
Of course they do, I’m not saying they don’t. I just wish it could be done with.
JON
(comes back from the kitchen and points at the TV) They’ve burnt down another school.
RINA
(turns back to look) Again? Isn’t any education better than none?
JON
They’re making a statement.
RINA
What, trying to prove they’re as stupid as the Nats say they are? How are they going to show them they can learn if they tear down the schools?
JON
That isn’t the point. It’s—it’s a rejection of the status quo. Of the pandering.
RITA
I still think it’s counterproductive. Say goodnight, Jaco.
JON kisses the baby, and RINA takes him offstage to put him to bed. JON thinks of something and calls after her, though not too loudly.
JON
Rina? Where—damn.
He turns the TV from the news to the Springbok game and goes back to the kitchen, taking out snacks—chips, bowls, etc.
A knock at the door. JON opens it to reveal AARON and PIETER.
PIETER
(jocular) Look who I found! (pushes AARON forward)
JON
Aaron!
They clasp hands in happy greeting.
AARON
Hey, Jon! I was on this side of town and Pieter said you’d have beer and the game on.
JON
Well, that depends…
PIETER holds up a pack of beer.
JON
We are as boeties! Welcome!
They laugh and come in, PIETER putting the beer in the fridge himself, perfectly at home. JON and AARON stay in the kitchen to catch up.
AARON
Piet says you have a son?
JON
Ja, RINA’s just putting him down. Jaco, Feb 12th.
AARON
Congrats, man. And to the uncle. (a nod to Pieter)
PIETER
(opens a beer and lifts it) I did all the legwork, clearly.
JON
Keep it down, hey? Rina’s trying to get him to sleep. Little man could sleep through an earthquake but it’s hell getting him down.
PIETER
Tried a bit of brandy in his bottle?
JON
Rina would have a fit!
AARON
My sister put her kids in the carrier on top of the washing machine. Out like a light. (accepts a beer from PIETER)
RINA re-enters, sans baby. Speaks in a stage whisper.
RINA
Mind the noise, please. Hello, Pieter! (they kiss cheeks)
PIETER
Hello, hello. Mum said to invite you all to supper on Tuesday.
RINA
For Daddy’s birthday? Of course. (sees AARSON, offers her hand) I’m sorry—I’m Rina.
AARON
(shakes her hand) Good to meet you, Rina. Jon had a lot to say about you.
JON
Aaron’s in our unit. You don’t live far from here, do you?
AARON
Other side of Sea Point. I came to get my car looked at, and Pieter found me.
JON
Well it’s good to see you again. Can you stay for the match? ‘Boks versus All Blacks.
AARON
I’ll have to, Piet’s my ride home.
RINA
There’s plenty of food, you’re welcome to stay. I’m just going to pop out for milk and fresh bread.
JON
See you just now.
They kiss, and RINA exits via front door.
AARON
She’s a beauty.
JON
Gorgeous.
PIETER
(jokingly) Watch it, mate, that’s my sister you’re talking about.
AARON
Everyone says their girl’s the prettiest but I think you hit the jackpot, Jon.
JON
Thanks.
PIETER
(takes a seat at the bar) I put Jon through the ringer before I let him marry her.
JON
(winks at AARON) And I’m very grateful, Pieter.
PIETER
You’re lucky it was me and not our grandfather. He’d die of shame that she wasn’t married in the Dutch Reformed Church.
JON
(shrugs) She had the final say.
AARON
You never struck me as a very religious person.
JON
My relationship with God is my own business. (more he won’t say—this is not really the reason)
PIETER
Did you see the news? Another school burnt down.
AARON
(noncommittal) Ag, man.
JON
(short) Ja, Rina and I were talking about it.
PIETER
You’d think they’d have more sense.
AARON
It’s a shame.
PIETER
I mean, the government’s spending the money on them, they could at least be grateful.
JON drops onto the couch, putting distance between him and his brother-in-law.
PIETER
(not noticing, to AARON) You’re closer to it, have you seen anything out your way?
AARON
Ja, actually. There’s a lot of unrest. My sister’s maid asked for time off to go to the rallies.
PIETER
(derisively) That’s if she comes back.
JON
(unable to hold back any longer) That wouldn’t be the issue if the police didn’t fire into the crowds.
PIETER
Wouldn’t you? A solid wall of kaffirs coming at you with rocks and chanting amandla! You would shoot, too.
JON
No, I wouldn’t.
PIETER
Don’t try to be noble, you know you would. Everyone gets shit scared. You’d only be protecting yourself.
JON
I wouldn’t.
PIETER
If things keep going the way they are, you might get to test that assumption.
JON is glaring at him stonily.
AARON
(quietly) They’ve been saying that if the unrest in the Cape Flats turns to riots, they’ll call in the army.
All three are silent for a beat.
JON
What do you think the odds are?
AARON
I wouldn’t bet against it.