Ahasuerus (A play) Part 1

Cast

Ahasuerus, a wandering Jew
A Guard, Helpmann
The Camp Commandant
The Guard’s mother
An elderly Jewish shopkeeper
German soldiers
Concentration Camp prisoners
Young German Youths
A tall German Youth
Citizens of Jerusalem
Two Roman soldiers
The Christ
A Russian soldier

Act I

Eastern Europe 1944

Morning

An open stretch of country

(In the distance there is a crossroads, from which four roads diverge, one that leads toward the action. There are hills in the distance behind the crossroads. There is a large gate at an angle which should be situated ideally half way between stage right and centre stage on which a legend declares: “Work Makes One Free”. Running off to the right is a barbed wire fence that completely isolates the space from the road. The fence on the other side stretches away at a right angle giving an effect of a sealed area stage right. There is a forest or wood between the hills and this fence. Inside the sealed area there are barracks in the distance. Opposite the gate, just off centre stage but in a central position there is a grassy hillock large enough to become a comfortable seat for the weary traveller. A man enters stage left, elderly, but yet agile in his gait. His clothes are not quite rags but neither are they new, or too clean. He has a beard, but not long and with flecks of grey and white within a dark mangy brush. His shoes, however, though slighted faded, are of superb quality)

(He stops by the gate and sits down. He begins to take off his shoes to massage his feet. Despite their obvious age the leather soles are smooth and polished almost like marble and undamaged by any holes. As he is doing this he espies a German guard [off stage] and calls to him)

Ahasuerus: Hoi! Hoi! Come over here!

(The German guard enters stage right behind the gate. He is a little taken aback and approaches curiously. He is young, perhaps early twenties and a little immature. He feigns belligerence beneath what is a benign if somewhat self-centred nature)

Ahasuerus: That's it, good soldier; do as you’re told. Obey your training.

(The Guard reaches the gate)

Guard: Who do you think are you ordering about?

Ahasuerus: Why you of course.

Guard: I don't have to listen to you, old man.

Ahasuerus: Then why did you come?

(The Guard is a little piqued but decides he will humour the old man. The old man continues to massage his feet)

Guard: Go away Grandfather. You should be praying at your age, not braying.

Ahasuerus: How old do you think I am?

Guard: Fifty, sixty – I don’t know and I don’t care.

Ahasuerus: You’re about right, on the face of it, although you’re not really close at all.

Guard: Senile eh? (Patronising) Look old fellah, you have no idea where you are, do you? Better hobble away. Find a café, have a coffee. There is a town not too far from here, back the way you came.

Ahasuerus: Back! I can’t do that. The old paths teach me which ways to take in the future, nevertheless my way must always be straight ahead.

Guard: Now you’ve lost me; I don’t know where I am.

Ahasuerus: Neither do I? We are kindred spirits.

Guard: I doubt it. How did you get here?

Ahasuerus: How does one get anywhere? I walked, of course, all the way on these superb shoes.

Guard: Well walk (looks at shoes and becomes distracted)…they are nice shoes.

Ahasuerus: Thank you, I made them myself.

(Approaches Guard holding one shoe out toward him)

Ahasuerus: Quality, my friend - look how I shaped the leather (Shows him) See how it shines despite its age; and the soles (Turns shoe over) – thousand of miles behind them, weathered but never beaten.

Guard (Examining them): Yes they are (Regaining his senses)…never mind that. Where have you come from?

Ahasuerus: Nowhere, in particular.

Guard: But you must have been somewhere?

Ahasuerus: Everywhere and nowhere but today I found myself at the crossroads a mile back down that lane.

Guard: Why turn this way? All the major routes go elsewhere.

Ahasuerus: I haven’t really any idea. It just felt right.

Guard: You’re feelings are mistaken; this is not a civilian area.

Ahasuerus: How could I know that I was wrong? What makes this path any less right than the others?

Guard: Because my word is enough. Now go away.

Ahasuerus: Are you local then? You have authority in these matters?

Guard (Brandishing his gun unconvincingly): This…is my authority.

Ahasuerus: So the gun talks?

Guard: Yes and you should listen.

Ahasuerus: What does it say?

Guard: That you do not belong here.

Ahasuerus: Ah, but I don’t belong anywhere. What do I have to do to belong here?

Guard: You have to be guilty.

(The old man has begun to put his shoes back on and now stands up and walks toward the Guard, who retreats quid pro quo)

Ahasuerus (Approaching): Well in that case I’m guilty – take me in.

Guard (Retreating): But you cannot decide that.

Ahasuerus: Why?

Guard: That‘s our job.

Ahasuerus (In mock surprise): Oh.

Guard: Are you a vagrant? Where do you live?

Ahasuerus: Here.

Guard (Panicking): Christ! - Have you’ve escaped, but how on earth...?

Ahasuerus: I can’t escape.

Guard (Comes forward angry): Oh a joke…I see, you are trying to get a rise out of me. (Again trying to affect toughness by brandishing his gun awkwardly) You want the gun to speak? You will listen. You won’t make me your fool.

Ahasuerus (Backs off): I don’t want to make you anything. What do you want to make me?

Guard: Invisible! And believe we can arrange that in here.

Ahasuerus: Well, that’s settled – let’s go inside.

Guard: You can’t ask to be taken in you have to be processed.

Ahasuerus: Like cheese?

Guard: I wish you were a cheese. At least I could make a use…

Ahasuerus: Okay, process me then. How does it work?

Guard (Distracted again): I’m not sure to be honest. All I do know is that it involves a lot of paperwork. (Shakes his head as if he’s shaken off the distraction) Besides how do I know you qualify for processing?

Ahasuerus: I haven’t a clue.

Guard: Exactly. If you’re not part of the problem you cannot become part of the solution.

Ahasuerus: But I thought I was a problem.

Guard: No, you are only a pain in the arse. You have to be…you know (Pause) a problem.

Ahasuerus: What sort of problem could I be?

Guard (Thrown again): Well, you could be dangerous.

Ahasuerus: I could be dangerous.

Guard (Looking down at him): I doubt it. You could be subversive.

Ahasuerus: Now I could definitely be that.

Guard: You know I think you could. You could certainly be mentally disturbed.

Ahasuerus: Is that a problem.

Guard: Oh yes, a huge problem apparently it effects purity, I’m told. I remember, years ago as a boy, befriending someone once…you know…but he wasn’t really (makes the loony gesture)…but it didn’t seem to matter, they still…

Ahasuerus: Like the water.

Guard: What?

Ahasuerus: Impurity…in the water.

Guard: I suppose so; at least that’s what they say.

Ahasuerus: They?

Guard: The Party.

Ahasuerus: Who is the Party?

Guard: You never heard of the Party?

Ahasuerus: No.

Guard: Okay Granddad, and there’s no war either?

Ahasuerus (Baiting him): There is?

Guard: Only the insane could be unaware of a war that’s been going on for four years.

Ahasuerus: Then I qualify for admittance!

Guard: But I don’t believe you.

Ahasuerus: Okay I know all about that but why it begun, who wins and its consequences are things that really don’t concern me.

Guard: How can it not concern you? It’s a world war not a bar fight.
Where do you come from...and don’t say here again?

Ahasuerus: It’s the truth. The only thing I own is the space I occupy with each step I take in these beautiful shoes.

Guard: Yes, nice…and you’ve never heard of the Party?

Ahasuerus: I’ve never even been invited to one.

Guard (Taking him into his confidence): The Party (Pause. Looks about him)…the Party decide.

Ahasuerus: Decide what?

Guard: Everything.

Ahasuerus: Everything?

Guard: Everything.

Ahasuerus: And that’s why you can’t let me in.

Guard: Precisely. You can’t be guilty unless the Party says so.

Ahasuerus: Are you in the Party?

Guard: Well…of course.

Ahasuerus: Then there isn’t a problem. You must possess a mandate to prove me guilty.

Guard: Oh no, you’re not tricking me like that; I’ve already told you, you need forms and things. I can’t let you in without them.

Ahasuerus: Haven’t you any forgeries?

Guard: Of course not! People usually want forged papers to keep out of here.

Ahasuerus: I don’t have any papers at all.

Guard: Don’t tell me that. Leave me - all I want to do is finish my shift in peace.

Ahasuerus: We all want that.

Guard: Peace – you! In here –ha! Peace – peace off! (Gestures to him to leave)

Ahasuerus: I can’t

Guard: What do you mean you can’t?

Ahasuerus: I can’t go.

Guard: You’ll soon go with your arse hanging off the end of my boot.

Ahasuerus: They’re nice boots. Who made them?

Guard: No idea but I can introduce you to his handiwork?

Ahasuerus: I am a shoemaker you know. I made these.

Guard: Yes, you’ve already told…

Ahasuerus (Takes off one shoe): A little soiled on top now but look at the soles – not a hole.

Guard (Distracted): They are nice. The leather is so smooth and…will you desist with the leather fetish or I really will kick you!

Ahasuerus: You’ll have to open the gate first.

Guard: What if I shoot you? I don’t have to open the gate to do that.

Ahasuerus: You will eventually.

Guard: Why?

Ahasuerus: Well you wouldn’t leave my body here to rot would you?

Guard: Why not? It’s not my concern what happens out there.

Ahasuerus: It would be your bullet.

Guard: Why do I care where the bullet stings once it leaves the barrel?

Ahasuerus: But if I go away I’ll only have to come back.

Guard: Okay…good…just don’t come back on my watch.

Ahasuerus: You don’t really want me to go do you?

Guard (Almost in tears through exasperation): Look old man. I’m doing you a favour here. The “Glove of Death” will be making an inspection soon. If he finds you here… (Pause) …look, he’s not as patient as me –he’ll have you shot.

Ahasuerus: The “Glove of Death”, what on earth is that?

Guard: My commanding officer.

Ahasuerus: “Glove of Death”, that’s a very sinister moniker.

Guard: He’s earned it. He handles the processed.

Ahasuerus: Handles?

Guard: He decides?

Ahasuerus: Decides?

Guard: When each new intake arrives – he meets them. He lines them up and points out those…hang on, I shouldn’t be telling you this, you ugly old cretin.

Ahasuerus: I’m ugly?

Guard: Didn’t you know?

Ahasuerus: I don’t have time to consult mirrors I have to keep moving.

Guard: At last! Goodbye!

Ahasuerus: Open the gate then.

Guard (Almost in tears): But you were going.

Ahasuerus: I am but I’ve already told you my ways are straight.

Guard: May be I should let you in you idiot! Perhaps your ignorance deserves it.

Ahasuerus: Good, now I’m getting somewhere.

Guard (Trying a more conciliatory tone): Look Grandfather, better to be homeless out there than resident in here.

Ahasuerus: I’m not looking for shelter, simply rest. My name is Ahasuerus I’m a wanderer.

Guard: Wandering to where?

Ahasuerus: Where does one wander? That’s the point surely? There is no destination, perhaps an ending, eventually.

Guard: Believe me you don’t want to end up here.

Ahasuerus: No man knows his own destiny.

Guard: I know all too well, fool, I work here. Do you think this is a holiday camp?

Ahasuerus: What about the sign?

Guard (Looks up at the camp legend): The work would not suit you and neither would that sort of freedom.

Ahasuerus: On the contrary, I think I might like it.

Guard: Forgive him he knows not what he does.

Ahasuerus: That sounds familiar!

Guard: Yes I rather thought you’d be used to insults.

Ahasuerus: Oh no, I heard it in a far different context - more forgiving…I was behind a rock…when I heard it. I thought who is he to be handed out general amnesties – a criminal himself? Then suddenly an unearthly darkness seemed to emanate from everywhere – above, underneath and around and a lightning bolt tore across the sky, ripping open those dark bulging clouds and unleashing their contents. I knew then what I’d been part of was all wrong but for some strange reason I had just joined in.

Guard: What in God’s name are you talking about?

Ahasuerus (Now completely immersed in memory): No, I didn’t just join in. My voice was loudest – my heart the quietest. It’s easy to convince yourself you’re honourable in a righteous mob. How brave recollection makes one.

Guard: Are you sure it’s not the local nuthouse you’re after.

Ahasuerus: Then we have a consensus.

Guard: I know someone who will be crazy if you don’t…too late

(Hearing the commandant coming)

(Enter the Commandant, stern, officious and immaculately dressed)

Commandant: Christ Almighty! What is this beggar doing at the gate?

Guard: Sir, I have been trying to move him along but he won’t go. I think he’s mad.

Commandant: Well why haven’t you shot him?

Guard: I didn’t know what I was going to do with the body, sir.

Commandant: Leave him there to rot.

Ahasuerus: You wouldn’t leave me out here to rot, would you?

Guard: He said that to me too sir.

Commandant: Why shouldn’t I leave you to rot?

Ahasuerus: Well, it’s inhumane for a start.

Commandant: I don’t deal in humanity, there’s no reward in it.

Ahasuerus: You sound like a banker. Won’t you accept a deposit?

Commandant: On no account!

(He laughs at his little joke. Helpmann, who doesn’t get it, hesitates then joins him in the joke)

Ahasuerus (Countering): Then you have no interest in me! (Laughs)

(The Commandant stops laughing immediately but Helpmann, getting Ahasuerus’ joke continues until the Commandant glares at him to desist)

Commandant: You deserve to be taken in.

Ahasuerus: I keep hearing that but you know what they say, “The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak”.

Commandant: What do you think we do in here?

Ahasuerus: Process?

Commandant: Process?

Guard: I told him…that we...process…people, Sir.

Commandant: Certain people, yes.

Ahasuerus: This process...it makes them free.

Commandant: It could be interpreted that way.

Ahasuerus: Then I accept.

Commandant (Stung): Accept! I haven’t made an offer yet!

Ahasuerus: But you will.

Commandant: You are not in charge…what do you mean?

Ahasuerus: If my guess is right your little sign up there is a touch ironic?

Commandant: It means what it says.

Ahasuerus: I am more interested in what it doesn’t say. The implication is that if one doesn’t work one is punished?

Guard (Interrupting): Yes.

Commandant (Looking sternly at the guard for speaking out of turn): I decide who is and isn’t punished, (Looking at the guard) just as I should decide who does and doesn’t speak.

Ahasuerus: Then you are a God?

Commandant: I am the camp commandant.

Ahasuerus: Then punish me I am a lazy sinner.

Commandant: I never said I wouldn’t.

Ahasuerus: Let me in then.

Guard (Interrupting again): N…

Commandant (Interrupting louder): NO!

Ahasuerus: You must punish me.

Commandant: I refuse to punish you.

Ahasuerus: You will.

Commandant: No I won’t.

Guard: No he won’t (Apologetically)…sir.

Ahasuerus: But I am a criminal.

Commandant and Guard together: No you’re not.

Guard (Again apologetically): Sir.

Ahasuerus: Listen; I know what I’ve done. Surely I am in the best position to judge who I am and I am telling you I am an outlaw, the worst there is.

Commandant: What crimes have you committed?

Ahasuerus: Only the worst.

Commandant: Details, man. I need details. Are you a thief…perhaps a communist, a sodomite even?

Ahasuerus: Yes.

Commandant: Yes, what…which one?

Ahasuerus: Which do you prefer?

Commandant: No, no, this is not right. You must tell me what you are and describe your crime in detail. Then I can judge whether you are guilty or not.

Ahasuerus: Okay then, I’m a firm believer in equal rights for all men to steal and bugger.

Commandant and Guard together (but Guard fails to finish his line): No you’re not.

Guard: Sir.

Commandant (To Guard in a condescending voice): What is your name?

Guard: Helpmann, sir.

Commandant: Helpmann, do you like your uniform?

Guard: Yes, sir.

Commandant: Do you understand what it means to wear that uniform?

Guard: I think so sir.

Commandant: What is it then?

Guard: Sir?

Commandant: Never mind, I’ll answer, loyalty and obedience.

Guard: Yes, of course sir.

Commandant: Helpmann, did your parents bring you up like a good boy? Did you do as you were told? Did you go to bed when they asked you? Were you silent during meals? Did you behave yourself in Church?

Guard: I did.

Commandant: Always?

Guard: No…not always.

Commandant: So you were punished?

Guard: Yes, sir.

Commandant: What did they do?

Guard: Locked me up in the cupboard under the stairs.

Commandant: Good!

Guard: You’re not going to lock me up are you sir?

Commandant: Not if you’re a good boy. Will you be a good boy?

Guard: Yes, sir.

Commandant (Loud): Well be quiet when your commanding officer is talking!

Ahasuerus: You can lock me up.

Commandant: I don’t want to lock you up!

Ahasuerus: But I never obeyed my parents, not once. I used to spit food out of my mouth I was so chatty during meals and they could never keep me quiet in the synagogue.

Commandant and Guard (together in shock): The synagogue!

Ahasuerus: That's where I pray.

Commandant: You’re Jewish?

Ahasuerus (Looks down at his crotch): Every little part.

Commandant: Get that gate open. Arrest him at once.

(Guard opens the gate)

Ahasuerus: I told you you’d let me in.

(The Guard takes a hold of Ahasuerus)

Guard (Whispers): Why didn’t you say before?

Ahasuerus: That I was Jewish?

Guard: No…that you were guilty.

(The Guard pulls him through the gate. Ahasuerus shrugs his shoulders as they drag him away)

Commandant (Looking down at his Ahasuerus’s feet): Nice shoes.

Exeunt