Scene One

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The stage is black. The lonely sound of the winter winds can be heard. Soon, a dim light slowly turns on and the gray interior of an un-decorative, workable peasant home is revealed. HEDY'S MOTHER is at SL lacing up winter boots. YOUNG HEDY enters from SR in her nightgown, peeking out to watch her mother.

YOUNG HEDY

Where are you going?

HEDY'S MOTHER

Out.

YOUNG HEDY

How long will you be gone?

HEDY'S MOTHER

I don't know.

YOUNG HEDY

Where did Father go?

HEDY'S MOTHER

(sigh) That's what I'm going to find out. (she straps a satchel around herself and opens the door; winter winds hurl into the home) Be good, Hedy.

YOUNG HEDY

(watches with slight fear and confusion as her mother exits; she steps forward slowly, crossing to SL; she rests her hand on the door) Mother?

Everything is dark and cold. HEDY's face changes as she realizes she is alone. The winter winds scream at her.

YOUNG HEDY

(turns around, startled, beginning to hyperventilate; she is terrified and overwhelmed and there are tears in her eyes; she turns back around to face the door, crying desperately) Mother. Mother! Mother!

Fade to black as the voice of YOUNG HEDY eventually morphs into the voice of HEDY. The sounds of wintry winds can be heard rustling through the trees.

HEDY

(offstage, screaming as though she were begging for her own life)

Bruno! Bruno! Bruno!

The voice echoes and dissipates until it becomes one with the wintry winds. End of Scene One.