In Awe of Stardust
1
IN AWE OF STARDUST
By Taylor Zovko
Characters
Emilia Blau: anxious and driven writer whose only goal is to publish her truth
Kaspar Frey: sarcastic and thrilling aspiring filmmaker for the Nazi Party
Gretel Fischer: Kaspar’s girlfriend,secretary at her Father’s office
Mr. Fischer: Owner of the local paper for the Nazi Party
SS Officer #1: Officer at Auschwitz, decent human
SS Officer #2: Officer at Auschwitz, horrible human
Prisoner: Prisoner at Auschwitz; Jewish
Setting: Berlin, Germany during WWII
Act I, Scene I
The sunset had torn apart the sky, trapping Kaspar in the shadows of the distant lights. A camera sits beside him as he sits on the edge of the roof, feet dangling over the edge. As he stares into the abyss, Gretel enters behind him.
GRETEL
Hey.
KASPAR
(distracted)
I’ll be ready in a minute. Let me just figure out this next shot.
GRETEL
(gesturing to sky)
The sky won’t vanish the minute you walk away from it Kaspar. It’ll be here, waiting for you, like it always has been.
KASPAR
But the sky will never be like this again.
GRETEL
I feel like I haven’t seen you in months. Just take a break.
KASPAR
For the last time I just can’t Gretel.
GRETEL
Guess you don’t want to hear all about my news then.
KASPAR
(distracted)
What news?
GRETEL
Father has adjusted my curfew.
KASPAR
(turns to her dramatically)
Why didn’t you start with that?
(She laughs as he continues)
He can’t do that. We barely had enough time with the normal curfew.
GRETEL
(laughing and patting his arm condescendingly)
Trust me...we’ll have enough time.
(Gretel stands up and begins to walk off stage)
KASPAR
Fine let me prove it to you.
GRETEL
Excuse me?
KASPAR
My room is two floors down.
GRETEL
Can we at least go get some supper first.
KASPAR
Fine I’ll make you some soup or something but we need to be quick about it. We don’t have much time.
(begins pulling her to side of stage)
GRETEL
You cannot be serious.
KASPAR
(completely serious)
I never joke about soup.
(Kaspar lifts Gretel into his arms and carries her off stage, both of them laughing as they go. Emilia appears from the other side of the stage and shudders at the sexual event she had just witnessed. Silently she moves to the edge of the stage and notices the camera that Kaspar had left there. With a mesmerizing softness she picks it up and turns it over in her hands. Suddenly Kaspar runs back on stage, shirt slightly unbuttoned and hair styled in a disgruntled fashion. He is just wearing his boxers, making his previous engagement obvious.)
KASPAR
(calling to Gretel off stage)
Of course you’re more important my dear but this camera is the reason you are not laying naked on the floor right now.
(With a sigh he turns around and Emilia nervously shoves the camera behind her back. Their eyes meet and a sense of awkward tension fills the space between them.)
KASPAR
(nervous and suddenly becoming very aware of his attire, he raises his hand in a salute)
Heil Hitler.
(Emilia looks at the ground and sticks a nervous hand out)
EMILIA
Heil Hitler.
(She shoves the camera out in front of her forcefully, strongly juxtaposing the agility with which she held it earlier)
KASPAR
Oh wow thank you. I uh thought I lost it.
(Emilia turns to walk away)
KASPAR
Wait. Aren’t you going to at least tell me your name so I can thank you properly?
EMILIA
(stuttering)
It’s Emilia. Emilia Blau.
KASPAR
Well then, thank you for returning my camera, Emilia Blau.
(Emilia nods)
KASPAR
May I ask you a question, Emilia?
(Emilia nods)
KASPAR
Why are you on my roof?
EMILIA
I uh well...it has a nice view of the city.
KASPAR
And who exactly let you up here?
EMILIA
Your mother...I told her we were working on an Astrology project together.
KASPAR
We go to school together?
EMILIA
Well no. When we were children your parents would always hold Sunday School classes on your roof. Your mother would always make us hot cocoa while she read the Christmas story. Don’t you remember?
KASPAR
Of course I remember. But why are you here now?
EMILIA
I needed inspiration.
KASPAR
Inspiration for what?
EMILIA
Poetry.
KASPAR
Is that what’s in that notebook?
EMILIA
Yea.
GRETEL
(offstage)
Kaspar I’m waiting.
KASPAR
One moment Gretel.
EMILIA
I should really get...
KASPAR
Could you read one for me?
EMILIA
W-what no.
KASPAR
Why not?
EMILIA
Why are you still here?
KASPAR
I beg your pardon?
EMILIA
You have a naked girl in your bedroom who is practically begging you to sleep with her and instead you’re here talking to the creep who lied to your mother to get onto your roof.
KASPAR
I'm sorry would you like me to call the police instead?
EMILIA
No! I was just...
KASPAR
Sometimes we take an interest to people that should mean nothing to us.
EMILIA
Did you just...
KASPAR
In Awe of Stardust. Published in the paper last year. I’ve read it so many times I can recite it word for word.
EMILIA
So you do know me then?
KASPAR
All I know is your name and that one poem. I swear.
EMILIA
I suppose I better get going. It was lovely to meet you Kaspar.
KASPAR
What about your poem?
EMILIA
What about it?
KASPAR
You promised you would read me something.
EMILIA
I did no such thing.
KASPAR
Once again, you are trespassing on my roof, you don’t exactly have the upper hand here.
EMILIA
(deep breath as she looks inside notebook.)
They met on a midnight dreary, the dust of the stars falling upon their wandering souls. He was in love, but not with her. She was but a star in his galaxy, and by all theories scientific or imaginary, they were not meant to meet. But they did, and she believed it to be beautiful. And as she wandered, she realized that she was astronomically, catastrophically in awe of the stardust that flew from his soul.
KASPAR
That was...
EMILIA
(rambling)
I know I know it’s not great but...
KASPAR
No it was...
EMILIA
You don’t have to lie to me Kaspar.
KASPAR
It created a sensation of stardust, whatever that means.
EMILIA
You really do have it memorized.
KASPAR
Damnit you must think I’m such an idiot. I promise I don’t always respond like that. I have my own words too.
EMILIA
It is impossible for one to own words. Words belong to everyone, that is the beauty of them.
KASPAR
You’re really something else Emilia Blau.
GRETEL
(offstage)
Kaspar where the hell are you?
KASPAR
I should really get...
EMILIA
Yes of course.
KASPAR
Goodnight, Emilia.
EMILIA
Heil Hitler.
KASPAR
Heil Hitler.
(Kaspar rushes off and Emilia sits down and begins to write)
Act 1, Scene 2
The meeting room is vacant except for four people. Kaspar and Gretel stood in the corner, laughing silently in a language that only lovers knew. Emilia was in the hallway, breathing heavily and promising herself that this was her big moment. Mr. Fischer was stood at the head of the table, checking his watch and ruffling paperwork.
MR. FISCHER
Where on earth is that girl?
GRETEL
I still don’t understand why you didn’t just let me do it. At least I would be on time.
MR. FISCHER
Not this again.
GRETEL
Just give me one good reason why I didn’t get the assignment and that tramp did!
MR. FISCHER
Language, Gretel.
GRETEL
I will speak however I damn well please until you answer the damn question!
(Mr. Fischer glares at her)
I'm sorry but what makes this.... what makes her so much better than me?
MR. FISCHER
I really don’t have time for this, Gretel.
(Emilia walks in, anxious and scared, trying desperately to hold herself together. The group exchanges a round of Heil Hitler’s before Emilia speaks)
EMILIA
I’m sorry sir. I got lost on the way here and...
MR. FISCHER
Wait outside Gretel. We have some important business to attend to.
GRETEL
(angrily clinging to Kapar)
Okay father.
(She turns to Kaspar for a kiss but he is entranced by the sight of a girl he thought he would never see again)
GRETEL
Goodbye, Kaspar. I’ll miss you.
KASPAR
(distracted)
Just go...powder your face or something.
GRETEL
Nose! I powder my nose! I swear no one listens when I talk.
(Everyone ignores her and Gretel angrily storms out)
MR FISCHER
Kaspar your scene please.
KASPAR
I beg your pardon?
MR. FISCHER
Son I know you are courting my daughter but do not think that grants you any special treatment. I asked you to have a scene prepared when you arrived today and I wish to hear it immediately.
KASPAR
I was uh...visiting my grandmother last night sir. I didn’t have time to work out a scene.
(Mr. Fischer is fuming but Emilia quickly interrupts before things can escalate)
EMILIA
Excuse me Mr. Fischer but what did you need us for exactly? My mother is dreadfully sick and I must be getting back to her as soon as possible.
MR. FISCHER
Okay but Kaspar did not think this lets you off the hook.
(Kaspar nods and silently thanks Emilia)
Very well then. Let us continue with the matter at hand. Herr Goebbels presented this paper with a very intriguing project. He has asked me to personally pick two of the most talented young people I know to go in on a very special assignment that was demanded by the Fuhrer himself.
(Both Kaspar and Emilia have looks of shock on their faces)
KASPAR
And you picked us?
MR. FISCHER
The girl has talent. You're cavorting my daughter.
EMILIA
(glaring at Kaspar)
Excuse me but what’s the assignment sir?
MR. FISCHER
Our Fuhrer has requested a documentation of all of his newly formed camps. Newspapers across the country are sending people to different camps to document the amazing work Hitler is doing. Herr Goebbels has graciously allowed us to pursue Auschwitz-Birkenau and I have selected you two to be the face of this paper.
(Emilia nods excitedly while Kaspar seems nervous)
A car will be by to pick you up at 8. Do not keep it waiting.
EMILIA
Thank you sir.
(Mr. Fischer leaves the room after a round of Heil Hitler’s, leaving Kaspar and Emilia alone.)
EMILIA
You know my brother visited a camp once with the rest of the Youth and he said it was amazing.
KASPAR
Mhmm.
EMILIA
What is it? You look like you've just spotted a ghost.
KASPAR
Oh it's nothing I just remembered...
EMILIA
What?
KASPAR
My neighbors.
EMILIA
What about them?
KASPAR
They were transported.
EMILIA
To Auschwitz?
KASPAR
That's the rumor.
EMILIA
Were they Jews?
KASPAR
I assume so.
EMILIA
What's wrong?
KASPAR
There was something else.
EMILIA
What is it? You can trust me.
KASPAR
I can't...
EMILIA
Please
KASPAR
I saw them...
EMILIA
What did you see?
KASPAR
In the corridor.
EMILIA
And?
KASPAR
They were together
EMILIA
Together?
KASPAR
Two men...together...in a corridor.
EMILIA
Oh.
KASPAR
I'm afraid so.
EMILIA
And they were sent away?
KASPAR
Yes.
EMILIA
Good.
KASPAR
Yes. Good.
EMILIA
Thank god for Hitler.
KASPAR
Thank god. I should be...
EMILIA
Me too
KASPAR
See you tomorrow?
EMILIA
Of course.
(Kaspar rushes off stage in an awkward frenzy)
Act 1, Scene 3
The world has just woken up, leaving Kaspar and Emilia alone to enjoy the subtle glow of the morning sun. They walk onto the stage, followed by a sultry SS Officer #1, but the sight of their happiness strongly juxtaposes the gray background of Auschwitz’s entrance. A large sign has taken over the sky with the words Arbeit macht frei (Work Makes You Free) scribed onto them. A sudden silence takes over the duo as they realize what is right in front of them
SS OFFICER #1
We are currently preparing to enter Auschwitz-Birkenau, a work labor camp for the scum of the Aryan world. You are not to interact with the prisoners. You are not to look at them. And under no circumstances are you to disrupt the work of the officers. Understood?
(The two nod furiously as Emilia pulls out her notebook and Kaspar his camera, preparing to take in the miserable scene they are prepared to encounter.)
SS OFFICER #1
Very well then. Stay close.
(The trio moves into the camp and Kaspar and Emilia are forced to hold handkerchiefs over their faces because of the stench, but it is unclear whether they are dead or alive. Another SS officer walks in, engaging the trio in the standard greeting of ‘Heil Hitler’ before looking at the bodies. One of the Prisoners moves slightly and SS Officer #2 walks over to him.)
SS OFFICER #2
Why aren’t you working?
PRISONER
My leg...
SS OFFICER #2
(emotionless but loud)
What does that sign say?
(kick Prisoner in stomach)
In front of the camp? Go on. Read it you Jew.
(kick Prisoner again)
PRISONER
(barely audible)
Arbeit macht frei. Work Makes You Free.
(SS Officer #2 walks over to the Prisoner and holds a gun to his head.)
SS OFFICER #2
Do you think you are above this work?
PRISONER
Sir they said I did not run fast enough...
SS OFFICER #2
(shoots back of his other leg)
Do you think you are above this work? Yes, or No?
PRISONER
(crying in anguish)
Please god forgive this man for he knows not what he does.
SS OFFICER #2
God does not answer the prayers of the sinners.
(The gun goes off and the PRISONER falls to the ground, dead. EMILIA gasps audibly and KASPAR glares at her, motioning for her to be quiet)
KASPAR
Good job sir. He really deserved that one.
SS OFFICER #2
It’s not a matter of if they deserve it boy. It’s simply a matter of when. Remember that son.
KASPAR
Of course sir.
(Kaspar and SS Officer #1 turn but Emilia runs forward before they can move on to their tour)
EMILIA
But don’t you suppose that was a little harsh? He didn’t do anything wrong.
SS OFFICER #2
He was a Jew. What else do you need?
(SS Officer #2 walked forward, whispered something in SS Officer #1 ear and rushed off, leaving the body of the once alive Prisoner behind.)
SS OFFICER #1
If you would excuse me there are matters I must attend to before we begin our tour. Do not move.
(SS Officer #1 walks out the same way SS Officer #2 did, quickly and with his head down, Emilia and Kaspar are alone, taking in the gory sights in front of them.)
KASPAR
What the hell were you thinking?
EMILIA
You know as well as I do that this man did nothing wrong and there he is, dead. What the hell was I supposed to do?
KASPAR
Nothing! You heard the man, he was a Jew, and here that is more than enough reason to die. Don’t you get it? Those beings are gross, demonic creatures! Have you forgotten my neighbors?
EMILIA
Of course not but we can’t just go around killing people. How does that make us any better than them?
KASPAR
If you do anything other than sing praises of this place than you will be no better than them in the eyes of the Fuhrer. Don’t you understand?
EMILIA
Why do you care? We don’t know each other. We aren’t quite friends. You said it yourself all you know is my writing. Why should you care if I die?
KASPAR
Remember why we do this.
EMILIA
Why do we do it? So some man in a tower can feel powerful? Why should we sacrifice our souls for that?
(KASPAR kisses EMILIA’s hand. The SS OFFICER #1 walked in.)
SS OFFICER #1
Come on you two. Our first stop shall be the gas chambers.
(They exit.)
Act 1, Scene 4
EMILIA sits on the roof, notebook in hand, contemplating her visit to Auschwitz and everything she encountered there. KASPAR enters slowly behind her.
KASPAR
You really have to stop lying to my mother.
EMILIA
This time it wasn’t a lie. We really are working on a project.
KASPAR
Speaking of how’s the writing going?
EMILIA
(sighing)
Horrible. I don’t know how to make what we saw in that place something other than terrifying.
KASPAR
(sitting next to her on the roof)
I understand that this isn’t easy to realize now but you have got to look into the future and see that this is what we need in order for Germany to be great. The Jews, gyps, and those queers cannot be around people like us, Emilia. Our Fuhrer is only trying to protect us from what he knows is out there.