■laiiii«iHiMK3iiiiiiiiiiiicjiiiiiii*iMicsiiiiiiiJiiiiKaiiiitiiiiiiicaiiiiiiiiiiiicaiiiiiiiiiMicai«MiiiiiiiC3iiitiiiHiiicaiiiiiitiMiicaiiiiiiiMUicaiitiitMi«iiciiiiiiiiiiiiic|g 5 £ £ = a s 1 :■':':'■ ,':'■■--' I j A PILL j j FOFk KAISEPv BILL | i I = ? s = I A GARDEN PLAY I By SHEKMAN DICKINSON CENTKAL HIGH SCHOOL Agricultural Department M PRICE THIRTY CENTS Copyright 1918 j by SHERMAN DICKINSON; Director of Agriculture and Gardening Minneapolis Public Schools j ■aniiiHHiituiHt[iiHiiiE3iiitiiiiiiiicaitfiiiiiiiricaMiitiiiiiitcaitiniiiiiiicaiitiiii»iiticaiiiiiitiiiiicat^iitititiiEaiiMMiiifiicait)itiiiftiicaiiiiiiiiiiiiEai!iiiuiiiiic| A^ A Pill For Kaiser Bill A Garden Play CAUTION — Amateurs and professionals are hereby warned that "A Pill for Kaiser Bill," being fully protected under the copyright laws of the United States, is subject to royalty, and anyone presenting the play without the consent of the author or his authorized agent will be liable to the penalties by law provided. Application for the right to produce "A Pill for Kaiser Bill" must be made to Sherman Dickinson, Central High School, Minneapolis, Min- nesota. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED THE CHARACTERS William Jones An American Boy Mrs. Jones His Widowed Mother Mr. Hohen A Hyphenate Mrs. Zollern Another One Captain von Bluff Officer in the German Air Service Ein Private in the German Air Service Zwie Private in the German Air Service Drie Private in the German Air Service The Mince Pie The Time: Early summer. The Place: Home of William Jones, American Boy. SCENE 1. The stage is set as the kitchen of a poor American family. There is the usual kitchen furniture and in addition a single bed occupies a prominent posi- tion toward the front. There are a number of garden posters upon the walls, together with appeals to save food and prevent waste. Door and window at the rear and door back right. It is nearly seven-thirty in the evening. Mrs. J. (At the door, back, calling) — "William, William, come to supper, Sonny." Bill (In the distance) — "All right, I'm coming." Mrs. J. — "Hurry up, everything is ready" (finishes putting food on table). Bill enters rear, barefooted, with straw hat, hoe and cultivator, radishes and onions. Puts tools at rear and vegetables on table and throws hat in the corner. Is very tired and shows it in walk and attitude. Sits down and starts to eat ravenously. Mrs. /. — "Hard work, Billy?" Bill— 'Uh, huh." Mrs. J. — "Of course gardening isn't all fun, but then you are helping Uncle Sam. You are getting strong and healthy out there, too. See how brown you are getting." Bill — "Sure, I'm getting strong all right, but it would be lots more fun getting strong playing or out on the river or fishing or something. I'd like that." Mrs. J. — "Certainly you would and I'd like to have you, but you wouldn't be raising food and winning the war. You can sell a good deal, too, you know." Bill — "Yeh, but I could make more money doing something else. De- livering groceries or anything." Mrs. J. — "You know, Sonny, it is not a question of money; it is a ques- tion of food." Bill — "Oh, I guess you're right." Mrs. J. — "I don't suppose, William,, that after working all afternoon with the onions, you would care for any mince pie?" Bill — "Mince pie?" (Bill leans back in his chair and seems to devour the pie with his eyes.) "Mince pie." Mrs. J. — "Will you have some, William?" Bill — "Will I have some? Jiminy! No, mother, no, thank you. That is, no more than you can spare. Gee, wish I hadn't eaten so much. You're a peach, mother." (Eating.) Mrs. J. — "I know you're a little discouraged now, son, but just think of the thousands of American boys who are gardening as you are to help Uncle Sam win." : Bill — "Do you thnik it would worry the old Kaiser if he knew, mother?" Mrs. J. — "Certainly. He probably does know, too." (Eating.) Bill — "Well, that helps. Saving that pie for next year?" Mrs. J. — "No-o-o. But it's the last of the mince meat, and I thought maybe — " Bill — "Well, let's have another small sample. Something might happen to it over night. (Mother cuts pie and gives it to him.) Gee, but I'm tired." (He is eating this piece of pie more slowly, and is interrupted in the process by frequent yawns. Mrs. Jones has cleared the table, arranged the dishes for washing and is straightening up the kitchen.) Bill — -"Well, anyhow, the rest of the gang is in the Garden Club, so they will be as busy as I am." (Bill manages to finish the pie but can't stop the yawns.) Bill — "Going to bed, I guess. Hard day tomorrow." (Starts to undress.) Mrs. J. — "William, haven't you forgotten something?" Bill — "Nope, I just can't finish it." (Unlacing shoes.) Mrs. J. — -"You know, I don't mean the pie. What about your teeth?" Bill — "Aw, gee! They're all right, mother." (Mother merely stands and looks at him, and he reluctantly and with much grumbling leaves the room.) Mrs. J. — "Your pajamas are in there, too, William." (While he is gone Mrs. J. finishes straightening up the kitchen, winds the clock and locks the back door. Bill comes in, undressed with pajamas on, and gets into bed. Mother bends over the bed, lamp in hand and kisses him.) W% * ' ;9 *8 ©CLD 49513 Mrs. J. — "Happy dreams, Sonny. Mother appreciates what you are do- ing, and so does Uncle Sam. Remember, the Kaiser is afraid of you. Happy dreams." Bill — "Uh, huh." (Covers are over Bill's head. Mrs. Jones shuts the door softly and tiptoes through kitchen and out the side door, to retire for rest.) (Stage dark.) SCENE II. Light stage. The scene is the same as the first. From the light it seems l.o be sometime between seven and eight in the morning. Mrs. J. (Calling off stage) — "William, William, time to get up, Sonny." (Bill turns over in bed with covers oyer his head, but says nothing. Mrs. Jones enters, putting on apron, and starts breakfast.) Mrs. J. — "William!" (Bill grumbles under the covers and sticks foot out at the foot of the bed.) "Come, now. Get up. I don't want to have to pour cold water on you." Bill gets up. Hair is much disheveled, eyes heavy and yawns numerous. He dresses partly in room right as Mrs. J. puts breakfast on the table. Mrs. J. — "Hurry, William." Bill (Enter R.) — "Not very hungry this morning." (Starts to sit down.) Mrs. J. — "Yes, but you will be hungry before you get through with the morning. Better wash, hadn't you?" Bill — "I suppose" (washing). "Garden all day today, isn't it? Got to get it all cleaned up for Sunday. Nice day though; guess it won't be so bad." (Sits at table with Mrs. J. If Bill isn't hungry, he is giving a pretty good imitation of a boy that is.) Bill — "Got to put in another planting of peas, and radishes, too, I guess. Fred Nelson has promised to sell all the stuff we can't use here at the grocery. Ought to make a little cash, all right." Mrs. J. — "I should say so. And just think, with what we eat fresh and what I can store away, we'll be able to laugh at high prices next winter. Oh, Billy, you have no idea how much it all helps." Bill— "Oh-h-h^h. I dunno." Mrs. J. — "Yes, you do. Think of how President Wilson and Mr. Hoover are appealing to the boys and girls to have gardens and produce a lot of vege- tables so that wheat, meat, sugar and fat can be shipped across the ocean." Bill — "Yes, but, gee whiz! lookit the work it takes. Don't have near enough time to play. 'Course, it's sorta interesting sometimes, but darn those onions!" Mrs. J. — "Of course, it takes a lot of work, son, nobody says it doesn't and everybody appreciates what you are doing. But think! What about the men who are in the trenches? Don't they have to be pretty brave to — " Bill — "Yes, but they can have a gun and wear a uniform and get medals and — " Mrs. J. — "Of course that makes it harder for you, but it shows your bravery, too. You are doing just as much as you can and though your work doesn't seem quite as glorious, nevertheless it is just as important. Remember when you are weeding those onions that they are going to help to keep the wolf from the door and the Kaiser from winning. What you raise in the garden we will not have to buy, and that much more can be sent to our soldier boys." (A knock is heard at the outside door. Mrs. Jones rises and goes back C, opens it, and a well-dressed man enters. Has the general appearance of a citizen of the Fatherland. Is very pleasant, but talks somewhat brokenly. Comes down C. and Bill moves R. to bed. ) Man — "How do you do? Does William Jones live here?" Mrs. J. — "Yes, here he is. Just eating breakfast. Won't you have a chair?" Man — "Thank you. I am Mr. Hohen." (Sits front of table, center.) Mrs. J. — "Mr. Cohen?" Man — "No; not at all, Mr. Hohen; capital H-o-h-e-n." Mrs. J. — "Oh, Mr. Hohen — has William been doing something he shouldn't?" Hohen — "Ha, ha. Not that I know of. Have you, young man?" Bill — "No, sir. I don't think so." (Sits on bed.) Hohen — "The only thing I know of is this working in a garden all day long with onions and radishes and such foolishness. I certainly can't understand it in a bright boy like you." Mrs. J. — "Why, we thought that was a fine thing." Bill — "Sure, all the guys are at it." Hohen — "Yes, you have all been most thoroughly misled. What good can a few vegetables do you or anybody else? You ought to be doing some- thing where you can earn a lot of money and be having a good time, also." Bill — "Well, it isn't a great deal of fun, but — " Hohen — "Fun! I should say not. Let me tell you what I came to see you about. I own a great many candy, grocery and drug stores all over the country, and the war has taken so many of my men away that I have a hard time to find enough help. Now, I want a lot of bright boys like you to come and work for me. I will pay you good wages and you can have all the candy and gum and fruit you want to eat. What do you say? You get a bunch of boys and come along with me. We'll start you out the first thing." Bill — (Jumps up toward center.) "Say, that would be swell, wouldn't it? I'll get my gang and we'll hop right to it." (Mr. Hohen seems pleased and rises. Bill is much excited; goes toward door, back, and collects, cap and coat. However, in putting his hand in his pocket he finds a garden appeal to boys. He reads it.) Bill — (Reading as if to himself.) "To American boys: Be a Food Soldier. Your country needs you now as never before. Plant a garden and care for it so there will be more food for our soldiers and our allies. Do your duty!" (Bill hesitates a minute, realizing that he is letting his garden go. However, he throws the card on the bed and starts toward the door. Stops again and looks at his mother. She glances at him and then at the card on the bed. Sheepishly he seems to come to a decision and throws his cap into a corner and comes down right.) Hohen — "Well, well! What's the matter?" Bill — "Aw, I guess I can't do it. That's all." Hohen — "Why, boy; just think of being with the gang all the time and the wages and candy and 1 — " Bill — "Aw, forget it! I just can't go and leave that garden out there. I just — " Hohen — (Down and toward Bill.) "Forget it yourself, Bill. That garden isn't worth the time you put in on it. I'll give you twice what you make." Mrs. J. — "But that isn't it, you see. There is plenty of money in the world but not enough food. That is why William thinks he should grow all he can." Hohen — "But that isn't true. There is plenty of food for everybody." Bill — "We're taking Mr. Hoover's word for it. He knows what he is talking about. Besides, if I am going to work, I might as well do the thing that will help the most." Hohen — "Then you don't want to work for me?" Bill — "Sure I want to work for you. Gee, whiz! What do you think I am, a regular nut? I'm not crazy about gardening, but I have to do it." Hohen — (Moves toward the door back.) "Well, young man, I must say that you are very foolish. I assure you that you will be sorry some day that you didn't do as I wanted you to do." (Mr. Hohen leaves, slamming the door behind him. Bill sulks a little.) Mrs. J. — "Never mind, Billy." (He soon starts to whistle "Over There" as he gets out tools for work. Mrs. Jones clears away the breakfast things as she does 365 days in the year. Bill is working on his planting line, when an auto siren is heard outside. A knock at the door follows and Bill opens the door to a 'beautiful, also slightly German, lady. She seems wealthy, lovely and gracious. She enters. Her speech is somewhat broken. Mrs. J. at table Front center.) Lady — "Good mornnig, Mrs. Jones. How are you, William?" (Sits.) "You see, I know you people very well, though you don't know me. I am Mrs. Zollern." Mrs. J. — "Why — I do not know — Mrs. Z — Mrs. Z — " Mrs. Z. — "Mrs. Zollern. Mr. Zollern is connected with war work." Mrs. ].— "Oh." Mrs. Z. — "I have been wathcing William for some time and think he is a fine boy. You see (pretends to brush away a tear) I have no boy of my own and I do love them so. I want to ask a very great favor of you." Mrs. J. — (Sits down.) "I am sure we will be glad to oblige you." Bill — "Sure." (Standing down right with planting line.) Mrs. Z. — "I want to do something for boys, so I thought I would take a crowd of them on a camping trip. We will go up the river to a beautiful spot I know of, pitch a big tent and spend the summer in hunting, swimming, fishing and anything we may want to do. We could all have a splendid time. I expect you could come up for a week and visit, Mrs. Jones." Bill — (Drops line and advances.) "Jiminy crickets! Wouldn't that be great? I've always wanted to go camping, but never had the chance. The gang would sure be crazy and we could have the swellest time. Gee, mother! I can go, can't I?" (Mrs. Jones is rather reluctant to let him go for she does not want to spoil such a good time as this promises to be.) Mrs. J. — "Yes, if you really want to go, I guess you can." Bill — "Do you want me to get ready now?" Mrs. Z. — "Yes, the sooner, the better. We must take advantage of the good weather. When you are ready we will get the other boys." Mrs. Z. — "Isn't it lovely weather we are having?" Mrs. J. — "Most delightful for this time of the year." (Bill at once starts to pack his things in an old suitcase. Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Zollern sit talking. Bill seems to be looking for something he can't find.) Bill — "Mother, where is my fish rod?" Mrs. J. — "Don't you remember, Willitam, you pledged yourself not to go fishing until your beans are two feet high? You had me put it away." Mrs. Z. — "What a shame!" Bill — "Aw, gee! Well, there's plenty of other things to do." (Bill con- tinues his packing.) Mrs. Z. — "It's too bad he can't take his fish pole, though. Couldn't you let him?" Mrs. J. — "Oh, yes. But William usually is pretty honest with himself. He promised, and he usually keeps his word." (Bill has been examinnig an old pair of high shoes in evident disgust. Comes to the front with them in his hands.) Bill — "Say, mother, how about that new pair of boots you told me I could have? Can't I have them before I go?" Mrs. J. — "No, William, I'm sorry, but I'm afraid it will be no boots at all now. You see, we will have to spend the boot money for potatoes and flour because with you away we will have no garden. It will mean cutting down in a good many ways. But then you will be having a good time, so go ahead." Mrs. Z. — "Yes, hurry up, William, it's getting late and Mr. Zollern is probably getting anxious." Bill — "Will it really make much difference, mother?" Mrs. J. — "You know, William, just as well as I do how much help you were going to be both to me and to Uncle Sam. Things have not changed any since yesterday. But go ahead. One boy won't make a great deal of dif- ference." Mrs. Z. — "Of course not." Bill — "Yes, but suppose all the fellers thought that way?" (To front.) Mrs. J. — "There wouldn't be any gardens, that's all." Bill — "Well, doggone it!" (Throws boots under bed.) "Looks as though I can't do this, either. Would be kinda slackin' on the job, all right. Here I promised myself and everybody else to do my part and here I go chasing off at the first chance for a good time." (Turns to Mrs. Z.) "I'm sure awful sorry, but I guess I can't do it after all. Thank you just the same." Mrs. Z. — "Do you mean that you are going to stay home in a little bit of a garden and work instead of accepting my invitation to go camping?" Bill — "Yes; every little bit helps. 'Scuse me, but they seem to think so." (Mrs. J. shows her pleasure in William's decision.) Mrs. Z. — "Can't you show him how foolish he is, Mrs. Jones?" Mrs. J. — "I'm sorry, I'm sure, but I think William is right. It would not be fair for him to spend his summer in idleness when our boys are fighting for him in France, and other men are working long hours behind the lines." (Mrs. Zollern arises abruptly and walks toward the door; is very angry at being so rebuffed and shows it by her clenched hands and scowling expression. She opens the door and turns.) Mrs. Z. — "I am very sorry that you are so pin-headed about it. I offer you pleasure and you prefer to work, as you say for your country. You may be sorry." (She departs. Siren is heard again; this time in a peculiar way, as if signalling. ) Mrs. J. — "What a peculiar sound — almost like a signal." (She has finished her breakfast work and sits down to knit.) Bill sits on bed, rather downcast and gloomy.) Bill — "Well, I did what was right that time, anyway." Mrs. J. — "Yes, you did, Sonny, no doubt of that. Always do what is right, no matter what happens. And it won't all be work. After the garden is well started there will be plenty of time for play." (Silence. From now on the light becomes gradually dimmer. A face appears at the window. It is very fierce and looks somewhat like the Kaise^ in his worst moods. Disappears, and almost immediately a man in German aviator's uniform, fully armed, bursts in, fires a revolver in the air. He is very abrupt and speaks English with difficulty.) Man — -"Throw up your hands." (He points a revolver at Bill, who jumps up and puts hands above his head. Is undoubtedly scared. Mrs. Jones screams and moves to left. The man shuts the door behind him and searches the room.) Man — "Have you any guns or other weapons concealed here?" Bill — "My air rifle is behind the door." (The man secures the rifle and puts it against the wall behind him. Makes Bill turn around and searches his pockets for weapons. Finds nothing.) Man — "Take your hands down, both of you." (Bill and his mother are glad to do this and comply. The man sits down. Bill and Mrs. Jones start to do so.) Man — -"Who told you to sit down? Stay up." Bill — "Say, you're no gentleman to sit down while a lady is standing." Man — "That is my business. Now, look here. I am Captain von Bluff of the German Air Service. Boys like you. are doing more to hurt Germany than a whole army of men. With your gardens you are raising enough so that you can ship many things to England and France. The Kaiser is very mad. He will not allow it, you hear?" Bill — "Aw, say, feller, where do you get that stuff? What are you talking to me like that for? This is the U. S. A., not Germany. You can't make me swallow that stuff." Captain — "I do not want you to eat anything." (Rises.) "There are . now many men like myself, and airplanes, detailed to do nothing but keep you boys from having gardens. We tried to change you in other ways, but now we will have to use force. Terrible things will happen to you if you do not give up your garden." Bill — "I won't do it. I — ■" Captain — "If you don't, we will drop bombs on the house and burn it." Bill — "You might miss. I'll wait till you try it." Captain — "We might cut off your ears." Bill — "I don't hoe with my ears." Captain — "Fool! What would you say if we killed the woman here? Then you would say yes, eh?" Bill — "You wouldn't dare to to — " Captain — "What do we care for her? We do it all the time, don't we?" Bill — "If I give up my garden will you let her alone?" Captain — "I promise you." Mrs. J. — "William, don't give up your garden. What are their promises? Lies! all of them, lies! Your garden is worth more than my life." Captain — "Idiot!" Bill — "Alright, mother." Captain — "I'll waste no more time with you. Although lead is costly, it is worth much less than your garden. I'll just shoot you and let it go at that. I'm busy." Bill — "Go ahead; but it will make the rest of the boys mad and they will work all the harder. (The captain pulls out his automatic, aims at Bill and pulls tfie trigger — but there is only a snap. The gun is empty.) Captain — "Mein Gott! No cartridges! Now I must waste more time. I will have to take you with me." Bill — "You will not. I won't go." Captain — "Won't you? We'll see about that." (He blows shrilly upon a whistle and three Germans, in aviators' uniforms, appear, marching single file at the goose-step. They march to the center of the room and arrange themselves, facing the audience. Ein, entering in the lead is a very small man. Zwie, next in line, is a little taller, but very fat, and Drie is very tall and thin. Im- mediately upon halting they salute. The captain blows the whistle, they about face; whistle, they right face; whistle, they left face; Whistle, they about face.) Captain — "These are but three of the Kaiser's faithful men." (At the word "faithful," Ein, Zwie and Drie wink broadly.) Captain — "Ein und Zwie. Hump!" (They salute.) "Die Frauen zu den Stulen fassen." (Fasten the woman to the chair.) "Drie. Hump!" (Drie salutes.) "Der yongen mit Sie getragen." (Take the boy with you.) Ein and Zwie take Mrs. Jones and after some resistance, tie her to a chair. At the same time the captain and Drie tackle Bill. He gives them quite a tussel and yells a good deal. They are silent. They have a large sack, and after tying him securely, they drop him into it with a resounding thud. (The stage goes dark.) SCENE III. (Stage is dimly lighted and Bill is discovered in his night clothes, tangled up in the blankets and thrashing about on the floor on his back, with his feet caught in the bed clothes on the bed. Mrs. Jones comes to the door in bath robe and with a lamp in her hand. Mrs. J. — "What's the matter, Sonny?" (Crosses.) Bill — (Untangling himself.) "Can I have a drink, mother?" (Mrs. Jones smiles and gets him the drink and brings it where he is sitting on the side of the bed. Sits down with him. Bill gulps down the water. Bill — "I guess the Kaiser is afraid, mother. I'm going to keep on fighting him, too." (Final curtain.)