FOLLOWING ORDERS
by OPOVV, ©2014
(Jan. 9, 2014) — ACT I
Curtain rises on a stage set with one desk and two chairs. The backdrop is a scene of a large blacktop parking lot that has only two cars. The soft sounds of Beethoven’s “Bagatelle in A Minor” can be faintly heard. Sitting at the desk is a shirt-sleeved middle-aged man who is playing Solitaire on an extra-large computer screen, so large, in fact, that the audience can see every move.
A knock is heard.
The man says, “Enter. Door’s open.”
A man in his middle 30’s, neatly groomed in suit and tie, cheerfully enters and announces, “Jim Thorn, Sir, applying for the job you have advertised, the one of Handyman,” as he extends a hand.
The man behind the desk stands, and as they shake hands says, “Right on time. Punctual. I like that. Please, have a seat. I read your resume, one of 20, I might add, and you’re my last one to interview.”
“It says here that you’ve been in the construction business for, what? since you were 14. How do you explain that?”
The young man answers, “Well, Sir, my father was a General Contractor and he took me with him to work during the summer, or when there was no school, so I went through all the apprentice programs; you know: electrician, carpenter, plumbing, and I took shop and A/C and auto mechanics when I was in high school.”
“I see,” says the man behind the desk. “You also say you were in the military for a couple of years and then went to college on the G.I. Bill and got a degree in, what? “Building Construction Technology.” What the heck is that all about?”
“A ticket, Sir,” answers the man, “You see, when I worked for my dad I discovered it’s not what you know that opens the doors; it’s that piece of paper, the diploma, that opens the doors.”
“That may be. I was never in the military and never went to college, and I got to be in my position through hard work,” retorted the man behind the desk.
“Sir, all I’m doing is applying for the job of “County Handyman.” I can do the job, believe me.” said the man being interviewed.
“Oh, sure you are, and I‘m sure you can. And then when you show up on time, every day, and complete every task put before you better and faster than has ever been done before, why, before you know it you’ll have my job and then where will I be?” whines the man behind the desk. “No, I won’t hire you. I’ll put on your application “Untrustworthy;” that’ll fix you from coming in here and trying to show us poor working folks off. No, I won’t hire you; matter of fact, I’ll hire the man with no experience, a real mess-up, so I’ll be forced to hire civilian subcontractors to finish the job. That’ll get me noticed, and maybe even a bigger budget for next year. You’re out of here: interview over.”
Curtain lowers.
ACT II
Curtain rises on a huge, brightly-polished desk and two chairs. The backdrop is one of tall windows overlooking the capitol and works of art in gilded frames. The soft music is Sibelius’s “ The Swan of Tuonela.” A middle-aged woman in a tailored business suit is sitting behind the desk playing Solitaire on the same size screen as in the previous act,with the same game in progress.
A knock is heard and a young woman escorts a middle-aged, well-dressed woman into the room saying, “Excuse me, Assistant to the Hiring of the Department of State, Miss Bernard is here for the interview for the “Analysis Department.”
“Thank you, Cheryl. Miss Bernard, please be seated. I’ve read your resumé and, I must say, I’m fairly impressed with your credentials. You didn’t, however, have to add your Birth Certificate,” said the woman behind the desk, who didn’t stand and didn’t shake hands.
“It says here you speak four languages,” continues the woman, “and that you’ve traveled extensively around the world. You’ve a Master’s in “Political Science.” I also read that your parents died when you were young and left you a very large inheritance. It also says that you want to serve your country. All very impressive. I have just one question for you: what political party do you affiliate with? Please write your answer on this piece of paper since we wouldn‘t want anything misconstrued for whatever reasons. Also, there very well may be listening devices so, please, just jot down your answer.”
Miss Bernard writes down her answer and hands the pen and paper back to the lady behind the desk.
“I’m sorry. The job’s been filled. Thank you for applying. Just one word of advice before you go: if you’re not with us, you’re against us. I wouldn’t be applying for any job in the public sector in the future. I’ll make a note of that fact.”
The door opens as the lady behind the desk stands and walks over to the cadenza where there is a large ashtray. She lights a match and, while the paper is burning, says, “Cheryl, please escort Miss Bernard out of the building. Thank you.”
Curtain lowers.
ACT III
The sounds of Haydn’s “Military Symphony” can be heard as the curtain rises on a congressional hearing. The elevated 12 desks face the stage in a semi-circle occupied by elderly men and women. Center of stage is a long table. Seated at the center of the table, facing the desks, is a male actor of indeterminate age in a military uniform. A military hat rests on the table.
“This hearing is now in order,” says the chairman as he bangs the gravel. “We are gathered here to determine if Colonel Fritz is qualified to lead troops. Let the questions begin, left to right.”
“Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’d like to say that, after reading Colonel Fritz’s public comments about how he supports the Constitution, there’s no way I’m going to vote in favor,” says the lady on the left.
“I agree,” speaks the man to the lady’s left. “There’s no room for people who’ll not follow orders. When we asked if our troops will fire on American citizens, I believe if they are ordered to fire, they must fire. Why, we can’t have our troops deciding what orders to follow.”
“Sorry to interrupt,” says the man on the far right, “but each and every one of us has the responsibility to follow only legal orders, be they military or civilian. No one has the right to violate others’ rights afforded to us all by the Constitution. May I remind my fellow politicians in this room that people who gave illegal orders in Vietnam did so at their own risk. If ordering the killing of a Vietnamese family’s water buffalo for the heck of it would put the officer in charge in grave danger, just think would happen if our troops were ordered to murder their neighbors? I applaud Fritz’s public comments and I’ll gladly support his nomination with my vote.”
“I move to vote,” says one of the people behind the desks.
“So be it,” speaks the Chairman. “Those in favor of denying Fritz and his deplorable comments, raise your hand.”
“All Col. Fritz said is that he supports the Constitution; nothing more, nothing less,” said another member of the committee.
Ten hands are raised.
“Motion denied. Col. Fritz, I wouldn’t be surprised if you’re passed over and are forced to retire, and soon. Real soon. Let this be a lesson to others: following orders is what we do, and any reluctance will be harshly dealt with. This hearing is adjourned,” so spoke the Chairman as he bangs his gavel.
Curtain lowers.
FINI
OPOVV