Talk to the colonel
From Create Your Own Story
Emily enters the nursing home. There is an air of sickness and sadness. Again, you can feel the weight of history. Enter COLONEL. British-Canadian. Although old and a bit senile, he maintains his sense of pride and dignity. He lost many friends in the war and keeps himself alive knowing that they did not die in vain and their memory will live on with him.
Colonel: (Bowing) Welcome. Colonel Thomas G. Cummings, at your service. Miss Emily [Surname] I presume?
Emily: That’s right. How did you know my name?
Colonel: (Laughs) My dear girl, I know everything that goes on within these grounds.
Voice of Elderly woman: The nurse who signed you in told him!
Colonel: (Angrily) Lola, hush! (Clears throat, composes himself) What may I help you with, dear lady?
Emily: I was told that you might have some information regarding a bracelet. An I.D. bracelet. I found it amongst my uncle’s possessions, but I’m not sure who the original owner is...or was...or even if she’s still alive.
Colonel: Well you are in luck. I happen to be the leading authority on all of the ladies who have entered the Royal Canadian Air Force. [Wink] May I see the decoration in question?
Emily: (Handing him the bracelet) It has an identification number under the initials. Perhaps you recognize the name or maybe know where I can find out?
Colonel: Unfortunately for you, I know nothing of this trinket. At least, nothing that I can tell you, ma’dam. The only way to find a name would be to cross reference the identification number in the national archives. Without specific information on the woman in question, you will have no luck finding her. I suggest you do your research before you go on a wild goose chase. Good day to you. [Exit]
Lola: Psst. Kid.
Emily: Are you talking to me?
Lola: Darn right. I couldn’t help overhearing your little tete-a-tete with Colonel Cranky-pants. What if I could help you?
Emily: I’m listening.
Lola: My son works on staff at the national archives. He visits me every week and always brings his work computer with him. With a little incentive, I may be able to find the information you’re looking for.
Emily: What kind of incentive?
Lola: Two months ago I was in the cafe, waiting in line for my dinner. I had undergone a minor surgery a few days prior and I was finally able to go back to eating solid foods. That night, the cook made roast beef with yorkshire gravy. You could smell it from every corner of the building. The colonel was in front of me in line. That man took every last scrap of beef on that tray. He left nothing for the rest of us.
Emily: So, you want me to make you roast beef?
Lola: No! I want him to pay. Every day, at 3:15, he goes outside to smoke his pipe. I want you to sneak into his room and steal his fancy silk handkerchief and bring it back to me. That’s all. After I get what I want, you’ll get what you want.
Emily: Why can’t you do it?
Lola: A bad hip isn’t conducive to sneaking.
Emily: What will you do with it?
Lola: Do you want to find this girl or not?
What should Emily do? Go with Lola’s plan. Return home to see if you can find more information on the girl.
(A) Emily: Alright, I’ll do it. Lola: Excellent. Here’s the key. It’s just past 3. His room is at the end of the hall on the left. Good luck!
Lola exits. Emily sneaks center and watches as the colonel steps out of his room with his pipe. After he exits, Lola unlocks the door and disappears inside. After a moment, she returns with the handkerchief.
Lola: You did it! Emily: Now will you tell me what you wanted with it?
Lola takes a deep breath and blows her nose in the handkerchief.
Lola: That’ll teach him to touch my beef.
Lights out
(B) Emily: No thanks. If I want to find this girl, I want to do it honestly.
Lola: Fine then. I’ll just nab his fake teeth the next time he falls asleep in the TV room.
Lights out
