SCENE 1

JERUSALEM BALCONY

1915  Jerusalem  Early Spring

The Rabin home in Zichrohn Mo'sheh. Turkish soldiers march below the balcony.  Rachayl has just walked in the house, 2nd floor. Her mother, Zahavah, pursues her to the down stage balcony.

                                        ZAHAVAH

Why didn't you write?

                                        RACHAYL

Mama.

                                        ZAHAVAH

Why didn't you write?

                                        RACHAYL

I just walked in.

                                        ZAHAVAH

You always write.

                                        RACHAYL

I wrote.

                                        ZAHAVAH

You didn't.

                                        RACHAYL

I wrote as much as I could.

                                        ZAHAVAH

Not enough.

                                        RACHAYL

How much is enough?

                                        ZAHAVAH

A single letter is enough.

                                        RACHAYL

I'm here. Isn't that enough?

                                        ZAVAHAH

We wanted to send someone...

                                        RACHAYL

What for?

                                        ZAHAVAH

To protect you.

                                        RACHAYL

I have my own protection.

                                        ZAHAVAH

What protection?

                                        RACHAYL

A gun.

                                        ZAHAVAH

Are you mad...?

                                        RACHAYL

There's a war going on, look (below on the street).

                                        ZAHAVAH

That's precisely my point.

                                        RACHAYL

You want them to rape me?

                                        ZAHAVAH

Of course not!

                                        RACHAYL

So, then don't be foolish.

                                        ZAHAVAH

I'm not being foolish.

                                        RACHAYL

Then leave me alone!

                                        ZAHAVAH

     (close to her child)

Something happened...I know.

                                        RACHAYL

Nothing happened.

                                        ZAHAVAH

Are you sick?

                                        RACHAYL

No.

                                        ZAHAVAH

Hurt?

                                        RACHAYL

No.

                                        ZAHAVAH

With child?

                                        RACHAYL

Of course not!

                                        ZAHAVAH

I'll keep it a secret.

                                        RACHAYL

Keep what a secret?

                                        ZAHAVAH

I won't love you less.

                                        RACHAYL

Mama....

                                        ZAHAVAH

It's not a disgrace in time of war.

                                        RACHAYL

I wasn't raped.

                                        ZAHAVAH

Then what happened?

                                        RACHAYL

Nothing happened.

                                        ZAHAVAH

You're lying.

                                        RACHAYL

It you who's lying. Something's happened. I know it.

                                        ZAHAVAH

...What?

                                        RACHAYL

Something.

                                        ZAHAVAH

...You heard?

                                        RACHAYL

War brings gossip.

                                        ZAHAVAH

Come with me.

                                        RACHAYL

Mama...

                                        ZAHAVAH

                                       (guides her)

Come with me.

                                        RACHAYL

Stop pushing me. What's the matter with you!

                                        ZAHAVAH

Rachayl, please.

                                        RACHAYL

No.  

                                        ZAHAVAH

Then why did you come back if you didn't get the letter?

                                        RACHAYL

This is why I came back. Take it. It's from the kibbutz.

                                        ZAHAVAH

  (opens the wrapper)

...A chicken...?  My god...A chicken.

                                        RACHAYL

I know how hungry you are;  the scraps you collect; the crumbs you save...(she hears; she turns upstage) Who is that?

                                        ZAHAVAH

...Noach.

                                        RACHAYL

What's that idiot doing here?

                                        ZAHAVAH

Because...

                                        RACHAYL

What?

                                        ZAHAVAH

Because...

                                        RACHAYL

Are you're keeping something from me?