VOLUNTEERS: The Face of the Enemy Dialogue Sample #4

SCENE: NURSE ANDREWS finds MERRIMAN, the Confederate solider treated at the Union field hospital, relaxing after helping the hospital staff treat a batch of wounded that had unexpectedly come in.

Merriman sitting on another area of the empty field. He is reading from the book Andrews gave him. Andrews comes over and sits beside him on the grass.

ANDREWS Hello.

Merriman glances up from his book and silently acknowledges Andrews with a smile.

ANDREWS What are you doing?

MERRIMAN Enjoying the silence. Back home, I always liked to sit on my back porch during a thunderstorm and just watch. I would marvel at the shear power and ferocity in those storms. When it was over, the sky and the land became so quiet and still. It was sort of like God’s way of healing the injured world. From that time till now, I promised myself that if I made it through the day’s battles, I would take a moment and just bask in the tranquillity. Take on a little of that healing power myself.

ANDREWS That’s beautiful.

MERRIMAN You’ll be pleased to know it’s all my own. Though I will confess to some small influence by a certain long-dead poet and playwright.

Merriman indicates the book. Andrews and Merriman share a laugh. Caught up in the moment, Andrews pulls Merriman’s face to hers. They share a momentary kiss, filled with deep passion. After they break, the pair gaze into each other’s eyes. Andrews then rests her head on Merriman’s shoulder as the pair continue to enjoy the silence. From a slight distance away, O’Neill observes the pair. His expression is impassive, but conceals a deep longing.