Summary: A girl’s dad sends her a video letter from Iraq.
Style : Dramatic. Duration : 4min
Actors : 1M, 1VO
Characters: One soldier, second voice in background
Script
(Action begins with: video tape running; image bouncing around; soldier off screen, looks amateurish)
Soldier: Is it on?...the camera’s still moving...can you rest it on your knee?
(a little jarring of the camera)
Voice: I think I got it now...(camera gets still)...yeah, I got it in a good place...
(Soldier sits down in chair in front of camera; some refocusing goes on as he begins to talk)
Soldier: Hi, it’s dad! (waves at camera) Wow, I really miss you guys! I’ve got my bunk- mate running the camera for me, so if anything messes up, it’s his fault (laughs at cameraman)
Voice: It’s his camera!
Soldier: So, how are you guys doing? I’m doing okay, considering where I am. We Just got one of those mobile stores on base, and so I can get DVDs and CDs...I just got the new Spiderman movie, and we probably watched it 10 times!
It’s really hot here...yesterday, the thermometer hit 115! It wouldn’t be so bad, but we have to wear all this combat gear...and the dust gets into everything, esp. my clothes! That’s what makes it miserable.
We went on patrol this morning...everything was quiet. But last week, one of the patrols set off an IED. No one got hurt, but it scared the life out of them! It’s really crazy, be- cause some of the people are really great, but others...well, they’re the enemy. And it’s hard to tell whose side anybody is on...
Hey, I got your care package this week. Ah, man, was it GREAT! The socks and underwear were great, and the suntan lotion...that’s like gold around here! The nutbread was ...ah, just like home. When I opened it up, the smell was potent...I had about 10 guys drooling on my shoulder before I could even get one bite!
So, honey, I really do miss you...there have been so many nights when the stars were out, that I walk around base and looked up...I thought of the times we spent walking on the beach at Nags Head, talking about what our lives would be like married to each other...every moment has been great...I wouldn’t trade you for the world...
Voice: I think I’m going to throw up...
Soldier: (to off camera) shut up and run the camera, soldier!
(Camera moves up and down slightly, as if saying “okay”)
Soldier: So, how about you Peanut, how are you doing? I bet you can’t wait until Christmas morning to come down and see what Santa brings...I’d give anything to be there with you...at least, you’ve got your granddad and grandmom with you...I know you’ll have a great Christmas.
I love you guys so much. I think about you everyday. I can’t wait until April, when the ship pulls back into dock in Norfolk. There’s nowhere I’d rather be right now than sitting in front of the fireplace, with Peanut in my lap, my sweetheart at my side and be listening to Christmas music. There really is no place like home, and I can’t wait to get there.
I love you all very much. See you soon...oh, and pet the dog for me...bye.
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© Fred Lane, Crosswind Community Church, All rights reserved
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