Scene 1

The play starts with eerie chanting of “One…One…One”

The curtains open showing Arthur at his desk, typing on his typewriter. A sign above says "Letter Writer". His hands are flying over the keys as he furiously types out a letter. A bell chimes and an old lady walks in. Arthur stands up to greet her.

Arthur: Good morning madam, how may I help you on this dreadful day.

Monica: My husband has just sent me a letter while away fighting the war. I can't read and I need you to read it for me, Mr Morgan.

Arthur: As my job dictates. Do sit down, madam.

Arthur: Reads My dear Monica, Clears throat This might be the last letter I write to you.

Arthur's pauses for a while, his expression turns sad.

Arthur: The fight is on the enemy's side now, and i'm writing to you behind what might just be the last safe fortress. Monica, when the Russians attack, Cough I along with it, will perish. Keep the children happy and yourself as well. Give them half my love and you may have the rest. Cough Always yours, Cough Alex.

Arthur looks up and at Monica, her head is down. He coughs again, and again. Monica continues to look down until he tugs her sleeve and points to his throat. Monica looks as him surprised. She turns her left ear towards him and listens.

Monica: Do you need a cough drop, Mr Morgan?

Arthur: Cough Please

She digs into her handbag and gives him one. He puts it in his mouth.

Monica: I'm sorry I didn't hear you coughing earlier. Unfortunately, certain circumstances have caused me to be deaf in my right ear you see.

Arthur: Spits out cough drop What!? Didn't you hear a word I said?

Monica: Not one. You see, my husband has sent me as much bad news as I can take in one lifetime. Anymore, and there won't be a lifetime for me to speak of. I was hoping that bastard would change, and come back home instead of stupidly risking his life. A bit of good news would have done me good but from your expressions, I can tell that this letter is just filled with the opposite, and I have no intention to hear of it. Thank you very much Mr Morgan.

She drops a coin on the table and leaves. Arthur shakes his head a little and continues typing. A young man, Martin walks in from the back. He is wearing black gloves.

Martin: Good morning Sir!

Arthur: Martin!

Arthur stand up and the two men make to shake hands, Arthur offers his right hand, but Martin offers his left, so Arthur switches hands awkwardly.

Arthur: Sit down boy. I hope your first day on the job will go well. I've got work for you.

Arthur places a small stack of papers on the table. Martin removes his gloves, revealing the fact that he only has one hand, his right hand is missing.

Arthur: Martin! You have...only one hand?

Martin: Well sir, I didn’t think it would matter you see. I was trying to climb over a fence and, well unfortunate circumstances and my hand was gone. Quite stupid of me.

Arthur: But, how will you type? That’s the whole point of this job you know.

Martin: Well I can type as fast as I can with my left hand as fast as anyone can with both. Watch.

Martin starts typing as fast as he can. Arthur is impressed, and he walks out of the scene coughing slightly. Once he is gone, Martin slumps back, tired. A bell chimes and a young lady, Erica, walks in.

Erica: Is this the letter writer’s?

Martin: No, it’s the butcher’s.

Erica: Oh, well then I’m sorry for intruding. I’ll be off.

Martin: No wait, I was just being rude. Is there anything you need?

Erica: Well, I need to write a letter to my mother. She lives far away.

Martin: Well, how does it go?

Erica: Sits down and starts narrating. Dear mother, this is Erica. I’m writing to tell you that I will be marrying this fall. I know, it’s a shock to you. I was shocked myself. But as soon as he came into the clinic with half his teeth knocked out, we fell in love immediately. That’s all I wanted to say, except that I’m well, well, and Sally is well, and Benjamin, is, as well as can be expected. Send my love to father. Well I don’t expect you to walk all the way to the cemetery but, anyway. Erica.

Martin: That’s all?

Erica: That is all.

Martin: A dime would do.

Erica: Sets money on table Thank you, sir. Leaves

The scene ends