An Israeli raid on a Palestinian terrorist hideout in Beirut accidentally turns up journalist Russell James, who after being held for two years as a hostage, is happily returned to America amidst a barrage of patriotic hoopla. But after his honorary trip to Washington, he begins to see that coming home wasn't as much of a blessing as he had hoped.
His wife, Anita, remarried in his absence, this time to a bottle of scotch. She's made quite a name for herself stumping for his release, and now that he's home she finds her spotlight fading while his celebrity shines brighter by the day. She's not pleased.
Russell finds himself attacked in several of his media appearances, and winds up being blamed for the retaliatory actions of terrorist groups in the Middle East who want revenge on Israel's "act of aggression." Much of America, to Russell's amazement, is annoyed that he speaks out in favor of Israel, calling him "out of step," that favorite phrase of the Bush administration. Meanwhile, an attractive political scientist named Sondra Hartman contacts Russell with the purpose of writing a book about his experiences - and quickly, while the issue is still hot. He winds up spending an awful lot of time with her, to the consternation of his wife, who is convinced that there is much more than writing going on between them.
As his own marriage starts to fall apart before his eyes, Russell find himself drawn closer to Sondra, the only one who seems to understand what he's going through. His frustrations come to a head during an appearance on The Jeri Waters Show , a politically oriented talk show that pits him against pro Palestinian group American Jihad.
Russell Comes Home takes place in 1990. While it calls for a large cast (16 men, 7 women, plus offstage voices), all of the roles other than Russell and Anita can be doubled. The play was produced in January, 1999 as a winner in a contest sponsored by the Curtain Call Players of the West County YMCA in Chesterfield [St. Louis area], MO.
Act One, Scene 7
(previous to this scene, SONDRA has contacted RUSSELL to write a book about his captivity, angering his wife ANITA, who, as a published author, feels she should be the writer.)
At the James' residence. Doorbell rings.
RUSSELL
Coming!
ANITA
This better be good. We're giving up four hundred dollars for it!
RUSSELL
We've got the money. Let me get the door. (Lights up on RUSSELL striding to the door, ANITA waits back a bit. He opens the door for SONDRA, who's a rather pretty lady around thirty-five or so, dressed professionally with a briefcase, etc.) Hi.
SONDRA
Russell?
RUSSELL
Right. Come in!
SONDRA
I'm Sondra Hartman. We spoke on the phone awhile back.
RUSSELL
Right. Sondra, this is my wife, Anita.
SONDRA
It's a pleasure, Mrs. James.
ANITA
Same here...is it Mrs. or Miss, Hartman?
SONDRA
Just call me Sondra. I've read your book. I enjoyed it very much. That's what got us interested in telling Russell's story for Random House.
ANITA
I see. Well, have a seat. Would you like a drink?
SONDRA
At two in the afternoon?
ANITA
Why not?
SONDRA
Oh, no, thanks.
RUSSELL
Well, have a seat anyway.
SONDRA
Sure. Let me explain a little about what we're doing to see if you're even interested.
RUSSELL
Well there isn't that much to tell, really. I didn't do anything but sit there.
SONDRA
You'd be surprised. I'm a pretty good interviewer. But what we want to do is to put your story into context with world opinion. Along with your interviews, I'm going to be talking to American, Israeli, and Palestinian leaders to try to get everybody's ideas on what's going on with the hostage situation in the Middle East.
RUSSELL
Okay...
SONDRA
But this will be your story. You're the main interest. I hope to show how taking time from an innocent life in the bargain isn't going to help anybody reach their political or philosophical goals.
ANITA
(she's so excited) Their political and philosophical goals...
SONDRA
That's right. That's the problem here, when those goals overshadow the lives they were meant to improve, they become twisted and ruin people instead.
ANITA
Well, yes!
RUSSELL
Anita, please!
ANITA
Please what?
RUSSELL
You know.
SONDRA
We're going to give you a twenty five thousand dollar advance on royalties, and the rest will come in as the book sells.
RUSSELL
Okay...
SONDRA
I'll need a lot of time with you. There's a lot of topics I want to cover, and hopefully we can get this on the market in a couple months.
RUSSELL
A couple months?
SONDRA
We have to work fast, while you're still famous.
RUSSELL
I'm not famous.
ANITA
Yes you are. I made you famous.
RUSSELL
That's right, I guess. I forgot, lots of things went on that I didn't know about. What did you have in mind, Sondra?
SONDRA
We want drama. The story of your capture, your rescue, a psychological profile of the terrorists, how you spent your time. And you too, Mrs. James...what kind of effect this had on you and your family, if you'd be good enough to talk to us.
ANITA
Oh of course I would. I'm at your whim.
SONDRA
Good. I want to make this as comprehensive as possible.
ANITA
This really isn't a bad idea...
SONDRA
No. I'm quite excited about it actually. Now Russell, you need to be thinking about anything you feel is important. I'm sure there's things you want to say that I haven't thought about. I want this to be kind of like a novel, in a way...it's certainly dramatic enough...
RUSSELL
Yes, I suppose it is...(he thinks for awhile, lights dim a bit and suddenly ABDUL and some other TERRORIST come in leading a blindfolded TOM WARRICK at gunpoint.)
ABDUL
Come on, in here, in here, hurry it up!
TERRORIST
Move! You too! (they get RUSSELL up from wherever he is, blindfold him, and stand him next to TOM)
ABDUL
Over here!
RUSSELL
Wha..?
ABDUL
Quiet!
TERRORIST
You both are prisoners of the Sons of Fire, fighters of freedom against American imperialism and Israeli aggression.
TOM
Please!
ABDUL
Quiet, you American dog! Or you're dead meat! (TOM and RUSSELL are tied down to a chair or some other object, but don't overdo it because they have to get up and move during a blackout) There! Now wait for America to come and get you! (ABDUL and the TERRORIST hug each other for a job well done. They walk offstage and there's a blackout, during which TOM has to leave as well.)
ANITA
Russell?
RUSSELL
What?
ANITA
Russell, what's wrong?
RUSSELL
Just thinking...
ANITA
We lost you there for a minute. (lights come up)
RUSSELL
Just thinking, that's all.
SONDRA
Are you okay?
RUSSELL
I'm fine. You said to think about what happened, and I just thought about what happened.
SONDRA
Is this going to be a real problem for you?
RUSSELL
I guess so. But let's do it anyway. Maybe it'll be a good release.
ANITA
If you don't think you can deal with it then-
RUSSELL
I can deal with it. I have to deal with it. Okay?
ANITA
Whatever you want.
SONDRA
I think I better go now. Would you be able to start tomorrow?
RUSSELL
Sure. I have a lot of appointments, but we'll work around it. Why don't you come around nine thirty?
SONDRA
I'd be glad to. Mrs. James, I hope you'll understand, these need to be private interviews.
ANITA
Private...of course.
SONDRA
And totally professional. Now I'll leave you to your thoughts, Russell, and (to ANITA) you to your scotch. (exit, lights out)
