Extract 1 | Extract 2 | Extract 3 | Extract 4 | Extract 5

Please use these extracts with Lesson Plans.

Extract 1 - Non - verbal communication (Scene 1)

GRAF Gargoyle, ugly mug!

JAGO STRUGGLES TO FREE HIMSELF.

GRAF No good weasel. Graf's got you. Hear me?

JAGO SHAKES HIS HEAD, CONTINUES TO STRUGGLE.

GRAF Nobody spies on Graf. Certainly not a little runt like you.

SHE TWISTS JAGO'S ARM.

GRAF (PUZZLED) Don't say much. Cat got your tongue?

JAGO SHOWS GRAF HIS TONGUE. GRAF HITS HIM.

GRAF Joker too, eh?

JAGO SHAKES HIS HEAD VIGOUROUSLY. POINTS TO HIS TONGUE, MAKES NOISES, BUT DOESN'T SPEAK. GRAF PUSHES HIM AWAY.

GRAF Get lost gargoyle. This is my place, now.

JAGO DOESN'T MOVE.

GRAF You heard me. Skedaddle. Out. Before I……

SHE MAKES A THREATENING GESTURE. JAGO IS FRIGHTENED AWAY, BUT HE KEEPS HER IN SIGHT

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Extract 2 - Diary (Scenes 1 and 4)

GRAF (AS IF WRITING A DIARY). September 20th - Thursday. Enemy on all sides. Mission abandoned. Every man for himself. Waiting for end of bombardment. Holed up in some cellar. Met a strange kid - one of the homeless, wandering boys - 8 or 10, no more. Shifty eyed. Can't trust a soul. Need to move on. Sooner the better. Radio duff.

…GRAF TURNS AWAY TO WRITE HER DIARY.

GRAF (WRITES) 'Still behind enemy lines. Rations low.' (TO HERSELF) That kid has unsettled me. Brought the past flooding back. Keep seeing David and Michael playing war out in the street…they knew nothing about war. This little monster would kill his own grandmother……. First opportunity I'll be rid.

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Extract 3 - Flashback (Scene 2)

CHORUS When Jago first packed up his world, he had no
idea where he was going.
Take only the important things -
What are the important things?

He thought of all the holidays he'd been on
3 pairs of socks
3 pairs of pants
2 pairs of jeans
2 jumpers
1 pair of swimming trunks
1 bucket
1 spade
But this time was different
Take the things you need
Toothbrush?
Teddy
Brand new
Shiny shoes
Personal stereo
Favourite book
Hamster?

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Extract 4 - Letter (Scene 2)

GRAF (READING THE LETTER) Dear B, when this reaches you, God knows where I'll be. Yesterday they came knocking on the door, asking awkward questions. I'm sending N and the two boys to you for their own good. You won't recognise J, he's grown so much. Help them get a boat out.

JAGO POINTS AT THE LETTER, THEN AT HIMSELF EXCITEDLY AT THIS POINT.

GRAF Right. You're J.

HE NODS.

GRAF John? Jack? James? OK, I give in. (MOCKING) How do you do, Jay. I'm Helen Graf. Pleased to meet you.

THEY SHAKE HANDS.

GRAF You didn't catch that boat, then?

JAGO SHAKES HIS HEAD, SADLY.

GRAF (READS REST OF LETTER) N has money. Take what you need. I trust you. I have only one regret about joining the fighting - risking the lives of my wife and children like this. Take good care of them. Maybe when all is over we'll meet up for one of your fishing trips. Yours T.

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CHORUS When they took Jago and his brother to the orphanage, they separated them straight away

What's this?
A box?
Give it here!

GRAF Of all the streets in all the towns….

CHORUS Stop scriking, lad.

GRAF Dresden Street

CHORUS Kid's stuff
What's all the fuss
Stop blubbing!

GRAF Well named, I'd say.

CHORUS What a face
Could be an actor
This one
Stop scriking lad!

THROUGHOUT THE FOLLOWING JAGO FOLLOWS GRAF
AROUND THE STAGE AS IF TIED BY AN UMBILICAL CORD.

CHORUS (PAUSE) Nice little bag
Leather, smells
Worth a bob or two

GRAF Destruction Avenue, Sniper Alley, Hiroshima
Square, names to set the heart pounding.

CHORUS All them clothes
You won't be needing them
Anymore
Not here.

GRAF Just an ordinary street, full of ordinary people.

CHORUS Stop scriking, lad.
Take off your clothes
All of them

GRAF With ordinary lives - or so we thought

CHORUS Nice pair of shoes
Shiny, New
Worth a bob or two.

GRAF Until the war

CHORUS Stop that!
Or do you want
Something to scrike for?

GRAF Of all the streets in all the world…… Don't want to think about it.

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