A Play by Selim Tezel
Teacher:
Love, do you want to come out to somewhere I can see you so we can talk a bit?
Boy:
...
Teacher:
Then do you mind if I came under there and sat beside you?
Boy:
No.
(She sits by him)
Teacher:
Whoaw. It is so cozy here. What have you got there? All those little things...
Boy:
They are my toy soldiers...World War 2, ...German battalion 17 and US regimen 24 troops over Dresden bridge...
Teacher:
Dresden? And what are they doing?
Boy:
Fighting...
Teacher:
Who wins?
Boy:
I don’t know... Not yet.
Teacher:
Love, can I ask you something? Personal? If you don't want you don't have to answer. OK?
Boy:
OK.
Teacher:
Love, is everything alright back home?
Boy:
...
Teacher:
Mommy came last week you know. But she wouldn't tell me anything. I am worried that things may not be all fine at home.
Boy:
What makes you say that Ms Greenfield..?
Teacher:
Just a feeling Michael, let's say just a feeling. You can tell me you know.
Boy:
I know
Teacher:
Do you want to?
Boy:
Do I want to, what?
Teacher:
Tell me...
Boy:
Tell what?
Teacher:
Tell whatever is bothering you...
Boy:
Nothing is bothering me...
Teacher:
Love, why are you not outside with all the other kids. It is beautiful weather...
Boy:
I don't want to...
Teacher:
Why not? They are your friends and...
Boy:
They are not my friends!
Teacher:
Why do you say so, love. They are your classmates, they like you.
Boy:
They think I am weird...
Teacher:
No they don't...
Boy:
Yes they do. You heard what Simon said the other day...
Teacher:
Love, he didn't mean it, he didn't, he was just trying to be funny...
Boy:
It wasn't funny.
Teacher:
No it wasn't.
(Silence)
Teacher:
I am sorry love. I won't bother you longer. I just wanted to tell you that you can talk to me any time about anything. You know that right?
Boy:
Yes, Ms Greenfield, I know that.
Teacher:
OK Michael, I will leave you alone now.
Boy:
...
Teacher:
Would you like me to stay?
Boy:
...
Teacher:
I am going...
Boy:
...
Teacher:
I could stay if you wanted me to...
(Michael cries quietly)
Teacher:
Would you like me to stay, love. Just to sit beside you? Not to even talk.
Boy:
...
(Michael continues to cry quietly)
Teacher:
I could hold your hand. If you want me to...
Boy:
...
Teacher:
Would you like that honey?
Boy:
...(quietly) Yes...
(Ms Greenfield sits quietly beside Michael, holding his little hand in hers as Michael quietly cries.)
Teacher:
(after Michael stops crying)
What's going on sweetie? What are you going through?
Boy:
...I don't know, Ms Greenfield, I don't know.
Teacher:
Is it about your dad, honey?
Boy:
I don't know...
Teacher:
Is he OK? Does he come home?
Boy:
...
Teacher:
Do you see your daddy, love? Does he come home?
Boy:
Sometimes...
Teacher:
Does he hurt you sweetie? Does daddy ever hurt you?
Boy:
Sometimes.
Teacher:
Where? Show me, love, where does he hurt you?
(Michael shows a bruise under his arm)
Teacher:
Does he also hurt mummy?
Boy:
...
Teacher:
Does he hurt mummy sweetheart?
Boy:
Sometimes...
Teacher:
What does he do love?
Boy:
Mummy cries all the time...
Teacher:
Mummy cries?
Boy:
Huh huh...
Teacher:
Why does she cry, love? Why does mummy cry?
Boy:
I don't know (Michael grows restless) I guess because she is hurt
Teacher:
What do you do love when mommy and daddy fight?
Boy:
...I play my soldiers
Teacher:
You play with your soldiers?
(Michael nods)
Teacher:
Under a table?
(Michael nods)
(Ms Greenfield hugs him. He doesn't resist. They sit quietly for a while)
Teacher:
You know Michael there are times when we all...
Boy:
Ms Greenfield?
Teacher:
Yes, love...
Boy:
Can we not talk, for a while...
Teacher:
Sure honey...
Boy:
...can you hold my hand...?
Teacher:
Of course Michael, of course I can hold your hand...