Love and peace. A play about friendship

Scene 1 - In The Park

(music: Jack Johnson - Anna drinks beer, Chris makes Yoga, Danny gives a massage to Maria , Hippies dancing, swinging around, Anna is drunk and doesn´t have good equilibrance. Anna looks at them, depressed expression on her face, first standing, leaning to a tree or something, drinks beer, schwankt, sits down, drinks more beer, tries to open a new bottle, feels bad/irritated/ schwindelig, passes out, the other hippies don´t realize it. They are completely dedicated to their own affairs. - music: Rammstein: the Rockers arrive They first watch the hippie-group from the side of the stage. Then approach slowly and cool. Greet the hippies with cool gestures.)

Pete (to Anna): How you’re doing?

Maria: Wazzaq!

Heidi: Gimme. (reaches for the beer in Marias hand)

Pete (to the Hippies): What did she take?

Christian: I don’t know, all there is? Bullshit, she just relaxing.

Danny (laughing): She is wasted.

Pete: I want the same stuff she had. Perhaps I get enlightened, too. (laughs)

(Everybody is quite for a while. Characters sit and stand around and drink something. Heidi looks quite bored, controlling her nails, tries to catch Christians eyes.)

Heidi (with emphasis): This is so lame. Let’s go somewhere else, Pete. You want to come,

(Christian and Danny agree. Everybody starts leaving. Anna still lies passed out on the ground.)

Danny (kicking Anna): Come on lazy bones, get up.

Maria (starts to wonder why Anna does not move and bends down to her): Hey, she´s not relaxing at all, she´s fainted, shit, Anna, Anna, wake up, come on, talk to me.

(panic music)

Heidi: Is she ok?

(Maria tries to find Anna’s pulse.)

Heidi: Let’s just leave her. She’ll be fine later on.

Maria: I can’t feel her pulse!

Pete: Are you kidding?

Christian: Is she breathing?

Maria: I´m not sure…

Scene 2: First aid for Anna, conflict Pete-Christian

Christian: What do you mean with “I´m not sure”? She´s not (moves back)....is she? (comes closer and looking at Anna) I...I... I have to leave...(wants to leave)

Danny (catching Christian): Wait a second, Chris. Don´t run off, (kneels down again next to Anna again, tries to lift her head and arms, shakes her) Anna, come on, take a breath.

Pete: Let me see. (moves closer, looks over Anna´s shoulder, still standing)

Heidi (Pulls him away from Anna and Maria, talks to him in a loud whisper): What are you doing, Pete? Let´s leave before we get into trouble, it´s not our business anyway.

(Pete kneels down next to Anna)

Pete: Water, we need water, put her on her side and stroke her back carefully

Christian (talks to the others from a little distance, very nervous): Stroke her? Do you want to kill her? Somebody has to give her mouth to mouth resuscitation or that heart-massage-thing. (Pushes Maria almost on Anna) Maria, do something. I....I...have to go home, I can´t stand this.

(Danny starts to look for water, but he only checks empty beer cans.)

Danny: Water? We don´t have any water, we were only drinking beer. Here´s some left, do you want it to wake her up?

(When he finds a can with a rest, he wants to give it to Pete. He pushes him away. So Danny drinks the rest.)

(Pete off. In search of water.)

Maria: Somebody should call the ambulance. Please.

Christian: You want to get into trouble, Maria? You know that we´ll all get into trouble if the ambulance has to come, then police will come too and ask questions, damn it.If mom and dad get to know it, we´ll have to stay home for the rest of our lives.

Maria: Christian, I thought you are Anna´s friend, but I can´t believe it, you want to leave her on her on her own? That´s what friendship and responsibility mean to you?

Heidi: But we can call the ambulance and not tell them our names, so they can help Anna and our parents will never hear that we were drinking and smoking with her. I can go but I don´t know if I have any coins for the telephone box. (starts to search for some coins)

(Christian takes his purse out nervously. Coins fall down, Danny crawls on the grass, through Christian´s feet, trying to find them, commenting each one he finds.)

Danny: I got one. There´s another one. Chris, do you remember how many you had?

(Nobody cares about him. Heid grabs some coins and goes off for the telephone. - Pete comes back with his wet T-shirt in his hands, it drips, he wettens Anna´s face, her neck very carefully but resolute. Like a professinal ambulace driver)

Christian: Take your dirty hands off her, you damn rocker! (pulls him away from Anna.)

Maria (takes Christians arm): Calm down, Christian.

(Pete doesn´t seem to notice and goes on taking care of Anna. Suddenly she coughs and starts to cry.)

Christian (aggressivly): What did he do to her, why is she crying? (Tries to pull Pete away a second time, Pete just turns round and gives him a resolute push so that Christian gets to sit down on the floor.)

Maria (next to Anna, talking to her like a mother to a baby): Hey hey Anna, there you are again, are you okay? Oh Anna.

Heidi (comes back from the phone call): Okay, ambulance will be here soon, oh, I see the little princess is allright again. Come on Pete, let´s leave, I didn´t tell them my name, don´t want to talk to the police. They can take care of her. (nodding in the direction of the hippies)

Danny: There she is again. Everything is perfect. Party can go on. Anybody wants another beer? What about you, Anna? Have one Pete, you´re a great guy. Our new superman. So bad you have to wear those ugly leather clothes...

(Pete gets up, he´s not sure if Anna is stable yet, Christian pushes him aside, kneels next to Anna.)

Christian: Hey baby, are you okay? What happened? Come on, I´ll take you home.

Anna: ...my head...it feels so thick. (starts to cry)

Maria: Anna, Anna, what happened? Why did you drink so much? I´m so sorry I didn´t realize.... Have a little water, will you?

Pete (to Christian): What a coward you are!! Big hippieboss, huh?

(Pete and Heidi leave the stage to the right side. - Christian and Maria help Anna to get up, they put the blanket around her shoulders. Anna walks in Christians arms, Maria follows them carrying Anna´s bag . They leave to the left of the stage. - Danny still on stage fills the pockets of his jackets with the leftover beer cans, giggles, lightens a cigarette/unpacks a chewing gum, hears the sound of the ambulance, giggles again)

Danny: Oh, Oh, Danny better should go home to mummy

(Danny off )

Scene 3: Anna, Christian and Maria on the way home to Anna´s house

Anna: My head is so thick.

Christian: I´m glad you´re talking again, you really gave me a shock, tell me, what did you take? Nobody faints from drinking a couple of beers.

Anna: Don´t talk about beer, it makes me feel sick again. Must sleep now.

(they arrive at Ann´a place)

Christian: Okay, okay, do you have your keys? I don´t want to ring the doorbell and explain what happened to your parents.

Anna: Yes, in my pocket. Thank you so much Christian, I´ll manage the way to my bed on my own. Perhaps Maria can stay with me? I´m afraid I might fail again.

Scene 4: Pete and Heidi at Heidi´s place

(music: H. Grönemeyer: Mensch, light changes, spot on the other side of the stage)

Heidi: These stupid flipping hippie-guys !!! Why do they always have to be stoned ??? They are so stupid !!! Just think what could have happened if she had died ??? I bet they´ll get us into trouble! We'll never go there again !!!

Pete: I wonder why she passed out. For all the time we´ve been in the same class I´ve never seen her drink so much.

Heidi : All hippies drink a lot. They are terrible ! They are always high, they are always drunk and they are sleeping around with everybody ! 

(Heidi thinks and has got an idea )

Heidi: That's it !

Pete: That's what ?

Heidi: It's so easy. Hippies are sleeping around...Anna is a Hippie......and she passed out...

(Heidi looks at him expectantly)

Pete: And......?

Heidi: SHE IS PREGNANT !!!

Pete: What do you mean by pregnant ?

Heidi (slowly): That's when you have a baby.

Pete : I know what that is!!

Heidi : Who do you mean is the father ? Danny, Christian or perhaps somebody else ?

(Pete looks at her. Doesn't say anything.)

Heidi: I'm sure it's Christian. Haven't you noticed how they were looking at each other. And he called her “BABY”!

Pete: SHUT UP !!! Anna doesn't sleep around with everybody. She is not like that.

Heidi: Why are you so upset ?

Pete: I'M NOT UPSET !!!

Heidi: Don't shout.

Pete (screaming): I'M NOT SHOUTING!!!

Heidi: Oh... I understand. You like her, don't you ???

Pete : That's not your concern! (turns away)

Heidi: But of course it is! We are friends! I won't let you date a pregnant hippie- cow ! Wait.... Could YOU be the father ???

Pete (turns to the side, puts his head in his hands and speaks in low voice): Now you are really starting to fantasize.

Heidi: Pete, you should forget her. No, you WILL forget her because WE will never go to that hippie-place again.

(Heidi leaves, Pete stays for a moment, then leaves the stage )

Scene 5: Maria tells Christian and Danny about Anna´s infection

(Music, light changes, spot on the other side of the stage - Danny and Chris in yoga-position on stage. Maria comes from the left, sees them, stops, she´s not feeling good, hesitating, standig with her back to the public, finally she takes a deep breath and touches Chris softly)

Maria: Hey guys! (They open there eyes, stretch, give her a hug.)

Christian: Hi Maria, how is Anna? Didn´t you sleep well? You look as if it was you who fainted.

Maria: Well, Anna is ...okay. Yes, she is feeling much better. (walks to the right side)

Christian: Maria, are you kidding? You´re talking as if Anna has died and you say she´s fine? What´s the problem?

Maria: Don´t bother me. It's a secret!

Christian: But I can tell it´s bothering you!

Danny: Share your problem with us, so you don´t get wrinkles in your beautiful face. (Danny approaches, puts his arm around her, touches her cheek)

Maria: Oh Danny, you and your silly jokes (she laughs a little bit, hesitates again, puts the blanket an the floor and sits down, Chris sits next to her, Danny lays down)...Ok, but don't tell anybody! I promised Anna to keep her secret.

Christian: You can trust me!

Maria (to Danny): And you?!

Danny: ... hmm...perhaps!

Christian (angrily, gives him a push): Danny!!!

Danny: It was just a joke! Tell us!

Maria: Ok... Do you know why Anna has been acting so strange? We all thought her mother died in a car crash. But the truth is ... her mother died of AIDS!!! And now she´s insecure whether she has it, too.

Danny: I don´t think she´s sick, she looks so nice.

Christian: But it's likely ! We shouldn't contact her anymore !

Danny: What?

Maria: We can't do that Christian. We are Anna's friends!

Danny: She's right !

Christian: Just imagine us spending time with her. We could get infected, too. Anna´s too dangerous for me. I have plans for my life.

(Maria and Danny look at him strangely.)

Christian: Don't you think so ? Do you want to have a friend who has Aids ???

Maria (to Christian): How can you say a thing like that? Do you think it's easy for HER ?

Christian: But it's dangerous. We could also get Aids. Wait ..... maybe we already have Aids!

Maria: WHAT???

Christian: It's possible. We spent much time with her. And anyway we don't know how long she already has had Aids ! Perhaps we already are infected. I kissed her at the last full-moon-party. O my god.

Maria : We don't even know if she has Aids!!

(Heidi takes steps towards the group.)

Heidi: Who has Aids?

Maria and Christian: Heidi ? What are you doing here?

Heidi: I´m just having a little walk through the park, looking for my friend Pete. What's going on? Who has Aids ?

(Maria grabs Christian´s arm, so he wouldn´t go on talking to Heidi and telling her the secret.)

Danny: Hi Heidi !!! You are here, too? Have you already heard ??? Anna has got Aids !

Heidi: What? Are you joking ?

Maria: No. Stop it, Danny. That isn't right !

Danny: But you just told me!

Christian: Don't pay attention to him. He is so silly. Always drinking beer.

Danny (stares at Christian angrily): Why don't you tell her the truth ??? Anna HAS Aids !

Maria: But it isn't certain if Anna h.....

Christian: Oh just shut up ! I can't hear anymore of this!!! (goes a few meters away)

Heidi: Wait. Has Anna got Aids or not ???

Maria: She thinks she has because her mother died of it.

(Everybody is silent for a while.)

Heidi: I didn't know that...............What should we do now ???

Christian (shouting): WE?

Maria (to Heidi): WE???? You have never been interested in the Hippies !

Scene 6: Anna und Pete in the park

(Anna steps on stage. Christian stares at her, jumps up and walks away passing Anna. She thinks he comes to her to say hello or to embrace her so they bump into each other accidently. Chris puts his hands in front of his mouth and nose as a breathing protection jumps back from her and runs away without looking in her eyes.)

Anna (follows Christian with her eyes, wondering): Hey everybody, what´s wrong with Chris? And do you know where Pete is? He was supposed to be here by three. (She turns around looking for Pete).

Danny: Good afternoon Anna, I´m so sorry that ... (Maria kicks him) ...ähm I haven´t seen Pete. Perhaps you can just wait for him?

Anna: Good old Danny, always joking. Pete will probably come soon.

Danny: Maria, I have to go home, can you take me? I´m not sure if I’ll find the way by myself, sometimes I´m so confused.

Maria (rolls her eyes but takes Danny´s arm): Heidi, do you want to join?

Heidi: Yes ... but I have to phone Pete.

Maria: See you, Anna.

(Anna sits on the bench all by herself practising how to tell Pete about her infection)

Anna: Pete, I really want to thank you that you cared for me when I fainted .... Pete, I have to tell you something ... bad ... horrible ... sad .... Pete, when I fainted I thought Chris had helped me but Maria told me it was you. We have known each other during all of our schoolyears and we never...

(Pete arrives)

Pete: It´s good you gave me a call. I was worried about how you were. Are you okay again?

Anna (blushes and talks quickly not using the phrases she tried before): Pete, I feel so bad because I fainted. Maria told me that you were really brave and saved me.

Pete: I just did my job. I did the first aid course in school last term. But I never imagined I would have to save you....

Anna (stands up and takes some steps. It´s hard for her to talk): Pete, the question may sound a little stupid, but did you give me mouth-to-mouth-resucitation?

Pete (laughes): No....it was not necessary, Anna, you woke up when I refreshed you with cold water and put you on your side stroking your back. Why are you asking?

Anna (seems to feel relieved): Oh, it´s nothing, I just wanted to know, just being curious.

(Pete stands up and moves closer to Anna, standing behind her:)

Pete: Sometimes I don´t understand you, Anna. Usually you never drink and yesterday you almost killed yourself and now you are worried wether I kissed you while you fainted.

(Anna turns round so they stand face to face.)

Pete: Anna, I want to tell you something that I realized yesterday when I was worried about you...

Anna (interrupts him talking quickly): Please listen to me, Pete, I´m glad you didn´t, because probably I´m very ill and you could have got infected.

Pete: Listen Anna. Can we sit down on the bench? (They sit down) I know that you are perhaps infected with AIDS, Anna, Heidi told me everything and I feel so sorry. But it doesn´t change anything for me, Anna I like you a lot.

Anna (very angry, jumping to her feet): Wait a second, how could Heidi have told you? I only talked to Maria and she was supposed to keep my secret. Can´t I trust anybody? She´s supposed to be my best friend.

Pete: Calm down, Anna, listen, it was a coincidence and nobody meant to bother you. We all care a lot about you, almost all. (Wants to put his arm around Anna´s shoulder)

Anna (moves a little bit backwards): I was so worried about the reaction of my friends. Aren´t you frightened of getting infected? I´m not sure if I could stand it if a friend of mine had it. You better keep some distance.

(Anna tries to get away from Pete, but he takes her arm)

Pete: Anna, I want to help you. I don´t know if you are sick or not, but I stand by you and I like you.

Anna: Pete, tell me one thing. Why doesn´t Heidi like me?

Pete: Why do you think so?

Anna: You just said that almost everybody cares about me, so I guess it´s Heidi who doesn´t want you to care for me? Is she jealous?

Pete: No, it´s not Heidi, forget about it ---Do you know a good doctor? The one who gave the first-aid-class was great. I have his phone number. His office is in town and I could accompany you there for an Aids-test.

Anna: I´ve been thinking about it since my father told me about my risk. But I´m not strong enough. I prefer living with the risk to knowing that I´m really ill.

Pete: But Anna, if you are ill you need medical treatment. And you can be sure that the result of the test won’t change anything for me and for Danny, Heidi and Maria.

Anna: But what would Chris say? We were about to come together, always flirting, hanging around together

Pete (gets up angrily turning his back to Anna): You can ask him...(talks very low to himself) ..if he comes close enough to hear you, your dear friend Christian.

Anna: Calm down, he just couldn´t give me medical help, but he likes me a lot.

Pete: Do you really think I would lie to you? I only wish you the very best because...because you´re such a wonderful girl, a charming girls. I’ve never met somebody like you.

Scene 7: Christian and Anna (at Christian´s door)

(Christian wants to tell her that he wants no further contact, Anna needs his support for the test für den Test)

(Anna rings the bell - Christian opens the door, when he realizes that it is Anna he walks backwards a little bit.)

Anna: Hello Chris

Christian: Hey Anna, I haven´t seen you for some time.

Anna: That´s the reason why I´m coming. Can I come in?

Christian: Ehm, actually not, Anna, my parents are not home and I´m not supposed to let anybody in, sorry

Anna: You´re joking, come on, it´s important and I´d like to tell you something. Can´t we sit in your room like we did a thousand times before? (she tries to pass Christian and enter the house)

Christian (wouldn´t let her in): No, I´m really sorry, but I´m very tired, too, and I´d like to be by myself.

Anna (wonders and steps a little backwards): Christian, Maria and you are my best friends and I never in my life needed the support of my friends so badly

Christian: ...things are changing, Anna, it´s good we can talk today, because I ... I... wanted to tell you that I (searching for words, trying to find a convincing lie) fell in love with another girl and... (talking very quickly) she doesn´t want me to meet you any longer.

Anna (stares at him): What? I don´t ...Chris, I need you so much now, you kow that I ´m sick, perhaps, I need your support and courage to accompany me to do that AIDS-test

Christian (wince when he hears the word AIDS, shakes his head): Not me, Anna, AIDS, yes, Maria told me, I´m so sorry, but I can´t. Excuse me I have to...(tries to close the door) 

Anna (tries to keep the door open): Wait a moment, Chris, we are friends, even more than friends, do you really send me away?

Christian: Ehm. I call my sister, I´m sure she can help... Maria!!

(light off, music)

Scene 8/end: The result of the test

(Heidi, Christian and Danny sit in the park when Anna, Pete and Maria arrive hand in hand, Anna in the middle.)

Danny (reads from an anouncement): Get in contact with your former identity. Breathe and talk to the one you were in your former life. (faces Christian) Chris, you should really come, too. It's great and you can learn so much !!!! It´s with this guru from India.

Christian: Oh why can't you just shut up?? I'm not interested in your silly “ Rebirthing Workshop”, okay ???!!!!

(Danny goes on talking half-aloud. Christian does not listen to him any more.)

Danny: But it's so cool and the teacher is also nice. Oh and the girls...they're quiet hot.

Christian: WHAT ?? When did you say was this workshop ?

Danny: Ahh........On Tuesday but I thought you were not.....

Christian: You misunderstood me. Tuesday? Well I think I can come.....

(Maria and Anna arrive with the result. Anna looks nervous )

Maria: Hey guys.

Danny: Hi ! Christian comes to the Rebirthing Workshop with me !!!! Can you imagine?

Maria (rolling her eyes): Oh wonderful

Christian (pulls Maria down.whispering): What does SHE want here ?

(Anna sits down, doesn't say anything.)

Pete (points on the letter ): Come on Anna, it´s time to open it ?

Anna: I don´t think I want to know the result. 

Pete (taking Anna's hand ): I'm with you.

Heidi: Is that your AIDS-test? Why are you waiting? Open it !

Danny: Come on. It can't be that hard. Life goes on.

(Everybody stares at him unfriendly. He walks over to Anna, grabs the envelope and runs away opening it. Then he holds the paper in front of Anna´s face. She closes her eyes. Anna takes a deep breath, everybody looks at her. Petes gives his hand to her, on the other side Maria reaches for her hand. Anna reads the letter. Silence for a moment.)

Anna (can´t believe it): It's negative.

(Everybody is happy except of Danny who started crying.)

Danny: Oh no, poor Anna. Aids. That's so terrible !!! You´re such a nice girl. I stay your friend until the end ...

(Everybody stares at him)

Heidi: Are you silly? It's negative!

Danny: Yes. Negative. She has got Aids!

Heidi: That means that she hasn't got Aids !

Danny: Really? Oh my god. Anna! Anna! You haven't got Aids.

Danny hugs Anna in a wild way. Maria, even Heidi hug Anna. Anna turns around to Pete )

Anna: Oh Pete. I'm so happy you can't imagine. Maria, your the worlds best friend. Thanks that you always stood by me. (hugs Pete

Anna (to Christian): And what about you?

Christian (comes closer): I’m such an idiot. Love and peace, Anna? (tries to give her a hug)

Anna (pushes him away): Peace, Christian!

(music, lights off)

authors: Drama class 9th grade, drama teacher: Annette Berger, OHG Göttingen