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Fleet Admiral Isokuru Yamamoto; 1884--1943
The Chickasaw
The play is expected to have its have its world premier in
YAMAMOTO’S DECISION
© 2000 by Sherwood Ross
Note to Directors
"Yamamoto’s Decision" is a play with 12 characters
that can be performed by eight actors. Roles that can be combined are those of
Reiko and the Colonel’s wife; General Tojo, the Naval
Minister, and the Assassin; and Major Matsui and the Waiter.
This play has been read at Biff Malibu’s, Deadwood, S.D.;
Playwright’s Workshop,
Set in
Information that may be useful to the audience:
YAMAMOTO’S DECISION
© by Sherwood Ross
"Our
country!
In her intercourse with foreign nations may she always be in the right; but our
country right or wrong." --- Admiral Stephen Decatur,
CAST
(In order of appearance)
Admiral Akio Matsushita, Retired, Yamamoto’s friend
Waiter
Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto
Reiko, Yamamoto’s wife
Yoko, Yamamoto’s lover, geisha house owner
Tokuko, apprentice geisha
Noburo Matsui, Army Major
Assassin
Major Matsui’s wife
Naval Minister
Fumio, Yamamoto’s aide
General Hideki Tojo, Army
Commander
ACT ONE, SCENE ONE
(Curtain rises on a cold, foggy night in a Japanese port
city in 1934. Sound of water lapping against a pier. Foghorn.
Akio at stage left looking through binoculars at the ocean. He wears western
suit, overcoat, white silk scarf. The Waiter enters
from stage
right and peers out at the ocean. The
Waiter is poorly dressed, wash pants and long-sleeved shirt and sandals. He
shivers with cold. He sees Akio and approaches hesitantly.)
Waiter
Sir?
Akio
Yes?
Waiter
Can you see the fleet?
Akio
Not in this fog.
Waiter
The sailors will come ashore here, won’t they?
Akio
Yes, but not until
Waiter
(Proudly) My son. He’s on
"
Akio
Ah-h. (Looks at his
wristwatch.) Man, you have a good four-hour wait. (Waiter
nods.
Waiter pulls cigarette package from his shirt pocket and
fishes for a match.)
Here!
(Akio lights Waiter’s cigarette from his lighter.)
Waiter
Thank you, your honor.
Akio
What does your son do? (Foghorn)
Waiter
He signals the pilots when to land and take off.
Akio
An important job. Much
responsibility.
Waiter
(Proudly) He sends half his pay home to his Mother.
Akio
You are fortunate to have such a son.
Waiter
Do you have a son in the navy?
Akio
No, I wait for a good friend.
Waiter
What is his position?
Akio
(Indulgent smile) Admiral.
Waiter
Admiral Yamamoto?
Akio
The very one. And he sends half his pay home,
too. So your son and the Admiral have much in common.
Waiter
He is a very great man. (Beat) Say, I know who you
are!
Akio
(Smiles) How can you?
Waiter
You say "good friend." You must be Admiral
Matsushita.
Akio
Amazing! They can use you in naval intelligence.
Waiter
I am just a waiter. (Foghorn)
Akio
Waiter or not! Oh, and I am former Admiral
Matsushita, retired. (Removes a flask from his coat pocket and is about to
drink but hesitates.) Join me in a li-ba- ah, in
a friendly drink?
Waiter
Oh, no sir, your honor.
Akio
Come on. One slug against the chill!
(Akio pushes the flask on him. Waiter accepts.)
Waiter
My wife will not believe this! (Drinks.)
Akio
Don’t tell her. Our secret.
Waiter
Ah-h! Isn’t this what they call Bourbon?
Akio
They sure do. Direct from the vat in
Waiter
Akio
Pretty much like anybody else, I suppose.
Waiter
(Beat) I worry if they make a war. "
Akio
War may not come. The Admiral is speaking tomorrow against
it. (Beat) Our future is a lot like this fog. (Shrugs.)
Waiter
I wish a man could see into the future, eh?
Akio
(Regarding the waiter with respect
for this observation.) Pointless to worry. Have another. (Waiter
hesitates.) I’ll be hurt if you don’t.
Waiter
It is cold. (Drinks and wipes his mouth on his sleeve.) Thank you, your
honor.
Akio
(Takes flask and has a long pull, then kisses it.) My one and faithful love.
Waiter
I read about you in Asahi.
Akio
And?
Waiter
There was much dispute when you quit. (Foghorn)
Akio
Fired. I did not quit. Booted out on my royal ass!
Waiter
I was sorry for you.
Akio
Well, don’t be! I knew what would happen if I refused a
direct order. I have no regrets.
Waiter
Many in the Diet said you were right not to fire on
Akio
Well, they found someone else, didn’t they? (Waiter
nods.) You know, you are remarkably well informed. Tell me, what is your
name?
Waiter
Aki.
Akio
That’s my name, too. Shake!
Waiter
Yes, sir!
Akio
Drink to the two Akios. (They
drink. Foghorn.)
Waiter
(Laughs) Less war, more whisky! (Foghorn.)
Akio
I like that. From now on, that’s my motto! (Drinks. The sound of a motor launch is heard
faintly, then louder.) Sounds like the Admiral’s launch comin’.
(Peers through his glasses.) Here she
is. Enjoy your holiday, my friend Aki. (Beat) You must love your son
very much to come so early.
Waiter
Yes, he means everything to us. (He shivers.)
Akio
(Calling off stage left.) Hi there! Isoroku! I’m over
here! (To waiter) They’re going to dock down the pier. (Removing his scarf.) Here, for my new friend,
Akio! Keep warm!
Waiter
(Puts his hands up in gesture of
denial.) Oh, sir!
Akio
Take it! (Wraps scarf around Waiter’s neck. Runs off left.)
Waiter
(Puts the scarf around neck and puffs himself
up.) My wife will
think I stole this from the cloak room. (Blackout.
Foghorn.)
ACT ONE SCENE TWO
Place: Auditorium, Middle School,
(At rise: A curtain is drawn across the entire length of the
stage except extreme left. We can see several boxes and ropes, suggesting
backstage. In this tiny area, Yamamoto and Reiko are quarreling. Reiko is a
tall, thin woman, dressed in the traditional kimono. Yamamoto is a short,
powerful man. They are both in their mid-Fifties. He wears a white dress navy
uniform studded with medals, white dress gloves; a ceremonial sword dangles
from his waist.)
LOUDSPEAKER: And now students, a very special treat. We are going to hear from our school’s most
illustrious former pupil, Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto. (Applause.)
Reiko
Please, Isoroku, don’t go out
there.
Yamamoto
I’ll only say a few words.
Reiko
Yes, and they’ll kill you for them!
Yamamoto
I will not shrink from speaking my mind!
Reiko
Fine, but please, don’t talk against war with
Yamamoto
(He grabs Reiko by the shoulders and looks directly into her
eyes.)
I thought you oppose going to war with them?
Reiko
Oh, I do! But don’t you say it.
(Yamamoto drops his arms and turns to start onstage but
Reiko grabs at his uniform. By accident one of his medals comes off in her hand
and she sinks to her knees clutching it.)
Yamamoto
Keep it for me, and stop worrying so much!
Reiko
(She stands up defiantly and throws the medal on the floor.)
Isoroku, you’re a dead man!
(Yamamoto strides to center stage in front of curtain. Totally self-possessed, he surveys the audience with just a trace
of a smile and pauses before he speaks.)
Yamamoto
Thank you for inviting me. Only yesterday I sat where you
sit now. I remember running here to the gym each morning before school, then
running home for breakfast, then running back here for classes and then running
home again at night. I hope you recognize what a fine school this is. It was
born of sacrifice. In the last Civil War, the men of Nagaoka,
my father included, fought like true samurai for their beliefs. Unfortunately,
they did not prevail. The victors treated Nagaoka
harshly. Our people suffered much hardship and hunger. After a time, though,
the victors sent them a shipment of rice, enough to put three meals on the
table of every family. But the elders did not distribute the rice. They were
men of vision. Instead of eating the rice, they sold it and used the money to
build this school. They sacrificed for us. What I learned here enabled me to
win a scholarship to the
(Flash bulbs pop. Applause.
Yamamoto salutes the audience, executes a smart left
face and strides directly into the kitchen of his home with no break in the action.
Reiko, his wife, follows him angrily.)
ACT ONE, SCENE THREE
(Yamamoto country house, a warm central room with plants. It
is late afternoon. There is a table with a vase of yellow chrysanthemums on it
and two benches for seats. The room has the traditional open hearth, over which
a teakettle is suspended. There are several windows revealing the snow-covered
limbs of pines. Yamamoto removes his cap and sword and offers them to Reiko to
put away but she refuses.)
Reiko
Hang them up yourself, thank you. (He sighs, and hangs
them up uncomplainingly. Reiko turns up a small lamp.) I’ve never seen so
many gloomy days in a row. This winter just hangs on and on.
Yamamoto
So, were you pleased with the speech?
Reiko
Pleased, with all those reporters present? When
Yamamoto
Want to silence me?
Reiko
Kill you, you mean.
Yamamoto
(Chuckles) There’s a joke among the ensigns: "If the Admiral offers
you a ride in his limousine, don’t accept."
Reiko
That’s no joke, is it?
Yamamoto
Idle talk, that’s all.
Reiko
Ha! So why has the Navy’s set up a
machine gun on the lawn outside headquarters? You’ve had quite a few death
threats, haven’t you?
Yamamoto
I assure you, they’re nothing.
Reiko
You assure me?
Yamamoto
My solemn word: empty threats.
Reiko
You are one truly accomplished liar!
Yamamoto
What do you expect of a man after a lifetime in the
military?
Reiko
(She laughs at him and removes a rectangular box from a
cupboard and hands it to him.) A man I never saw before dropped this off. He said only you
should open it. He tipped his hat and was gone.
Yamamoto
But — see here — someone has opened my package.
Reiko
Of course. Under the circumstances, I thought
I should.
Yamamoto
What circumstances?
Reiko
Well, let’s see now: the shape of the box, for one, the kind
that might hold silverware. The light weight of it, and then there’s the
suspicious rattling sound when you shake it. (She rattles the box in front
of him.)
(Yamamoto takes the box and rattles it gingerly but does
not open it.) Go on, open it!
Yamamoto
I assure you–
Reiko
What are your assurances worth? You
assured the Americans bombing their gunboat on the Yangtze was an accident. You
knew all along it was deliberate. And you also know what’s in the box, so open
it!
(Yamamoto opens the box and withdraws a silver dagger.)
Yamamoto
Hey, what a beauty! I saw silver like this in
Reiko
Not exactly a present, my esteemed husband.
Yamamoto
Oh? (Reiko reaches into her pocket and produces a note.)
Reiko
This note was inside. (She reads.)"Cowardly dog!
Do your country a service: use it." Some friend, eh?
(Yamamoto takes note, reads with a chuckle, and crumples it.)
Yamamoto
They’re too late. I’ve already had the hara-kiri experience.
Reiko
What are you prattling about?
Yamamoto
You know that scar on my belly?
Reiko
You told me that was surgical, from a burst appendix.
Yamamoto
What I didn’t tell you is that to know what hara-kiri feels
like I asked them to operate without anesthesia. (Beat) That damned Navy
surgeon sure made it feel like suicide!
Reiko
I have never liked the way you gamble with your life. Any
more gifts like this and I’ll open a museum. I don’t suppose it’s
occurred to you to resign your commission before war breaks out. You’ve
already given the Navy thirty-five years of your life.
Yamamoto
And a couple of fingers in battle.
Reiko
(She picks box up off the table and slams it back down,
sputtering) How-
how many of these cowards who, who, they haven’t got the guts to sign their
name to a death threat, have done what you’ve done for
Yamamoto
Maybe it is time to retire and read the books my
forefathers wrote. Imagine, to sit in a tavern and
play flower cards all day.
Reiko
(Pinching his cheeks, suddenly
affectionate.) Ah, my
country bumpkin, if only you meant it!
Yamamoto
Why shouldn’t I prefer the sweet life? I’m no different from
the man on the street who just wants a full rice bowl… to relax at home on the
sofa reading the papers. The shop girls in
Reiko
(Taking down two cups.) You should know, shouldn’t you? Anyway, I was proud
to be your wife today. You spoke truthfully.
Yamamoto
(Cautiously) I hope that warm feeling will carry over to tonight.
Reiko
Listen to him! (Salutes) I will do my wifely duty,
sir.
Yamamoto
Duty without emotion is drudgery.
Reiko
What do you expect of me? You drop in for a weekend every
now and then and you expect passion from me as though I don’t know where you’re
sleeping all the other nights. Your children don’t recognize you.
Yamamoto
My work is very demanding. The Navy must be ready.
Reiko
(Derisively.) Oh, sure: you sailors need to practice your cruising.
Yamamoto
My work demands long hours.
Reiko
Like those famous poker games that go on for two days and
nights? That’s working?
Yamamoto
I play with other military men. More than poker is involved.
Reiko
I’ll bet! With plenty of geishas, too.
A bunch of admirals pokering
a deck full of queens.
Yamamoto
Japanese men will be men. That’s historic.
Reiko
Yes, but some of them come home to their wives once
in a while. (She takes a seat on the same bench he is sitting on, but at the
opposite end.)
Yamamoto
Reiko, I go with other officers to geisha houses for social
reasons.
Reiko
Are you telling me you don’t keep a mistress? It’s the talk
of
Yamamoto
(Sharply.) Any one of them would be proud to have me for a
husband.
Reiko
Ashamed, you mean. It’s your geisha who is proud to have you
for her lover. You’re a walking advertisement for her bordello.
Yamamoto
It’s a respectable geisha house.
Reiko
(Laughs) Sure, for respectable philanderers wearing respectable medals.
Yamamoto
(Sadly) Our love bed has grown cold.
Reiko
But that Yoko is hot stuff, eh? Oh, I know her name. I’ll
bet she’s passion-ate in bed. All right, tonight I’ll wriggle and scream for
you, like a bought and paid for concubine.
Yamamoto
Maybe if we took a walk after dinner in the snow in the
woods.
Reiko
(Handing him his tea, then pouring her own cup, and
shaking her head with amusement.) What’s up? In all the years we’ve been married
you haven’t once taken me for a walk in the moonlight. You can’t be desperate.
What do you want from me?
Yamamoto
I’d like…perhaps we could become close again, lovers…
Reiko
Let me tell you about real love. (Yamamoto starts to
interrupt but Reiko cuts him off.) Can you listen for once? My parents loved
each other. They were always touching and kissing. They made love in the dairy,
and the bathhouse. They always found ways to delight each other. And you don’t
know the difference between love and need. You think you can drop in and take
me for a walk or what-have-you to make up for my years of loneliness? (Reiko
rises in a fury that has an element of good humor.) I could have given you
so much. I could give you so much now, yet you dump me for a
Yamamoto
You know gossips exaggerate.
Reiko
(Laughs good-naturedly.) What do you take me for? At that conference in
Yamamoto
When faced with a grave threat to our national security, a
nation has the right to stretch the truth to protect ourselves!
(Reiko laughs. Yamamoto turns red in the face but keeps
himself under control. Reiko laughs harder, and points to him. Then he begins
to laugh, too. Now they are both laughing. Reiko shakes her head. Yamamoto turns
his palms up in a gesture of helplessness. Reiko turns up her face. They kiss.)
Reiko
Come on! Put me on the floor!
Blackout
ACT ONE, SCENE FOUR
Setting: Upstairs room in a geisha house, overlooking
(At rise: Samisen and flute music to
establish mood. Soft light illuminates Yoko who is seated facing the audience, making
up her face as though looking into a mirror. She is a woman in her late
Thirties who retained her youthful allure. She works on her eyebrows, applying
various pencils. Her long lustrous black hair spills down her back. She wears
undergarments only. On a clothes rack in the sparsely furnished bedroom hangs
her ceremonial kimono. Along the back wall, paper panels begin to glow,
signifying the sun rising behind them. There is a large sleeping mat on the
floor at the far right, several wooden pillows and stuffed feather pillows, and
a space heater. Yoko begins to hum the popular love song,
"
Tokuko
Mistress Yoko, see here!
Yoko
Ah, success!
Tokuko
Very fine pork chops!
Yoko
Well, the Army has got to leave something for us civilians.
Tokuko
(Lifting large salmon out of mesh
bag.) And salmon, sea urchin, shrimp for
the rice cakes, pickled eel.
(Yoko kisses Tokuko’s cheek and flicks
her tongue over the salmon, at which they both laugh. Tokuko
replaces salmon.)
Yoko
We must have everything ready tonight, precisely at eight. I
want dried sardines served with the whisky, three-colored dumplings and seafood
custard.
Tokuko
The Admiral’s favorite.
Yoko
Who told you who is coming?
Tokuko
You were singing when I came in. I assumed-
Yoko
You heard the wind. Now do my hair, in the new style.
Tokuko
(Abashed) Yes, mistress. (Tokuko sets bag
down on floor and coming up behind Yoko lifts her long hair up and piles it
upon her head, working on it with silver combs. They face the audience, Yoko
seated, Tokuko standing behind her.)
Yoko
The Admiral is bringing his boyhood friend, Akio. He was an
Admiral, too, but now retired.
Tokuko
Should I be excited?
Yoko
Of course. You will be his dinner companion
and, afterwards, if it comes to that.
Tokuko
Ah, how long…retired?
Yoko
(Laughs) You mean how old is he? He resigned in mid-career. He runs a
shipyard.
Tokuko
Not so bad.
Yoko
They will speak freely. You may hear them discuss people in
high places. And you will remember nothing.
Tokuko
Nothing! (Yoko senses that Tokuko
is troubled as she pauses in her work on Yoko’s hair.)
Yoko
Does that bother you? What is it?
Tokuko
Uh, it’s just that, I didn’t know if to tell you–
Yoko
Yes?
Tokuko
Well, at the butcher shop just now, old Soemu
said two men asked questions about you.
Yoko
(Struggling for control.) Kempetai?
Tokuko
They asked when you make a special party.
Yoko
(Attempts to laugh it off.) Why, I am certainly not going to invite them!
Tokuko
They wanted to know when you entertain the Admiral.
Yoko
So that’s how you guessed!
Tokuko
Oh, I said nothing about that.
Yoko
Of course you didn’t. But you know what times are like. Kempetai has a million ears.
Tokuko
Very bad people.
Yoko
What do you know about it?
Tokuko
I knew a schoolgirl arrested for what she said in class.
They kept her in jail three days, then pushed her out of
a car in front of her house. No one knows what they did to her because she
never spoke to anyone again. She stares and hums children’s songs.
Yoko
Ah, we don’t know all the circumstances.
Tokuko
A schoolgirl, what could she have done? They punished her
for words.
Yoko
Ai! Let’s try to have a pleasant evening tonight! (Tokuko holds up mirror so Yoko can see back of her head.) Good!
Now hand me the photo album and I’ll show you our guests.
(Tokuko picks up album from small
table and gives it to Yoko, taking a seat next to her. The women, now both
seated, face the audience. Yoko holds the album, flips
it open.)
That’s your dinner companion, Admiral Matsushita, (smiles,
relishing the word) retired.
Tokuko
A regular Clark Gable! I wouldn’t mind retiring with him!
Yoko
Until that
Tokuko
Very manly.
Yoko
And this is the three of us in happier days, before
Tokuko
Yamamoto looks the same today.
Yoko
They ice-skated on the river with no proper coats and got
sick and wrote each other letters from bed. As he grew older, Isoroku exercised until he became a star athlete. And his thighs,
you should feel his thighs, they’re like steel –
Tokuko
(Laughs) Steel? Like Superman? Oo-o-h!
O-o-o-o-h!
Yoko
(Slaps Tokuko’s
hand playfully.)Yes, in every way. When he was forty in charge of the naval air
station, he ran second in the cadets’ marathon. (Tokuko
nods.) They are both self-made men, both proud -- yet very different in
temperament and outlook.
Tokuko
Akio has a kindly face.
Yoko
As far as our Army is concerned, too
kindly. Since he
was forced out, he, ah, drinks a bit too much, you understand? He hates
the Army, especially General Tojo.
Tokuko
It’s so awful, mistress. My sister’s boy comes home from
school chanting, ‘Stinka Chinka!
Stinka Chinka!’ And when she tells him no, he says, ‘Teacher makes us say it!’
Yoko
Tokuku
Ooh-gh!
Yoko
It’s true -- so our Army doctors could practice belly
wounds.
Tokuko
They say many boxes of ashes coming home from
Yoko
(Yoko shakes her head. Beat) Come on, now. Help me into my
kimono. (Tokuko helps her. Close and intimate,
Yoko kisses Tokuko on the cheek.) I’m so glad
you’re with us. (Tokuko puts the album back
in its place.) Am I not still beautiful?
Tokuko
(Smiles) You know you don’t have to ask.
Yoko
Please, sit here by me. Some days, I miss Isoroku terribly. His letters are so full of passion. (She
produces a letter.) This came yesterday. See here, he calls me
"my sister and sweetheart" and he says, "I want to be of help to
you and to relieve your loneliness. As a man I feel ashamed for letting you
down. This makes me still more miserable and I want to cry weakly on your
bosom."
Tokuko
Perhaps it would be better to recall the sweet times you had
with him.
Yoko
When he was a rising star I used to bring him his favorite
exotic cheeses in his office in the Admiralty nights. After they made him
captain of an aircraft carrier his visits became fewer and fewer.
Tokuko
Perhaps what they say about sailors is true: a woman in
every port.
Yoko
Oh, I used to think that. He kept a little black book and
one night while he slept —
Tokuko
You read it?
Yoko
I just opened it a little, you know?
Tokuko
And?
Yoko
Not one woman’s name. He recorded the names of all the
pilots killed in training, and the dates and places where they crashed. One
night at sea, a whole squadron from his carrier got lost in the fog. Drowned to the last man. They say he cried on the bridge
like a baby. Afterwards, he ordered them to make instruments to fly at night.
Tokuko
Life changes so quickly. One day I was a peasant girl. A
year later…
Yoko
I hear so little from him now. I fear I am falling out of
his heart. (Yoko hugs Tokuko. There is something
more than a motherly embrace to this and Tokuko
breaks it off and walks to the window.)
Tokuko
Yoko, quick! Those are the same two men I saw before and I
think they are watching the house. (Yoko hurries to the window.) I
nodded pleasantly to them but they gave me such — I don’t know -- a terrible
look!
Yoko
(Collecting herself.) I fancy they are cold. Take them a
pot of hot tea and cups with my compliments. (Tokuko
nods and leaves. Yoko, wringing her hands and facing audience) Ai! What is
BLACKOUT
ACT ONE, SCENE FIVE
Setting: Guest room in Residence of Japan’s Prime Minister.
(At rise: A floor lamp lights up revealing figure of Prime
Minister’s brother-in-law seated in an easy chair reading a book. He is dressed
in slacks and long-sleeve shirt. There is the sound of footsteps as Assassin,
twenty-five, in a drab army uniform, bursts in with a
pistol. He wears a Hitler-style moustache. Colonel Matsui stands up in shock.
Assassin locks the door behind him. )
Assassin
So, Mister Prime Minister, I’ve found you!
Major Matsui
I’m not the Prime Minister! Who told you that?
Assassin
(Pulls a newspaper photo out of his pocket and compares it
to the Colonel.) I
have your picture.
Major Matsui
That can’t be me! (Squares his shoulders and draws
himself up ramrod stiff, as though at attention.) I am Major Noburo Matsui, the Prime Minister’s brother-in-law! Say,
how dare you come in here without taking off your shoes?
Assassin
My shoes? Prepare yourself for death, you
dog!
Major Matsui
Idiot! I tell you, I am Colonel Matsui! I am home on leave
from
Assassin
You’re just trying to save your skin. You’re the fancy-pants
diplomat who is selling us out to the foreign imperialists.
Major Matsui
Fancy what? I bought these on sale!
I don’t know any imperialists!
Assassin
I will allow you a moment to pray.
Major Matsui
I’m a Major. I’ll have you executed you for this.
Assassin
We of the Cherry Blossom Society are prepared to give our
lives. May we fall like petals to the earth, for the glory of
Major Matsui
Who are you people to judge your betters?
Assassin
I am the future. And you stand in the way of progress. (There
is pounding on the door.)
Major Matsui
I am not the Prime Minister. I am not-
(Assassin fires once and the Colonel falls back, dead.)
Assassin
Sweet dreams! (Colonel’s wife rushes
in, robe flying, screaming, rushing past the Assassin. She bends
over her husband’s body, touches him, lifts her hands covered with blood, and
screams.)
Major’s Wife
Mur-der-er! Murder-er! (She shakes her
husband, as though trying to bring him back to life.) Noburo!
Don’t go! Don’t leave me, Noboru! Help! Somebody, help!
Assassin
Major’s Wife
He’s not the Prime Minister. You shot my husband. The
Minister is my brother!
(Wife collapses over her husband’s body. After a moment, she
freezes. We cannot hear the woman sobbing. Assassin steps forward and faces
audience.)
Assassin
Well, it does appear I’ve made a slight error. But you can’t
cook salmon without killing fish. I’ll get the Prime Minister yet. At this
moment my comrades of the
(Wife’s sobs become audible again. Assassin make Hitler salute.)
Assassin
Madam, please excuse me for any annoyance I have caused you.
(The Assasin bows to her, backing toward the
door.) By the way, you wouldn’t happen to know where I might find your
brother just now?
Colonel’s Wife
(Picks up a paper weight and hurls it at him as he
exits.) A-i! (Assassin exits hurriedly.)
Blackout
ACT ONE, SCENE SIX
Time: The same.
Setting: Yamamoto’s office.
(Yamamoto is seated behind his desk,
facing audience, stage center, entering numbers on a football gambling card. He wears a dark blue naval uniform
buttoned at the collar. The desk is clear and clean except for a model of the
Zero fighter plane on a stand. A Japanese flag behind him and his ceremonial
sword hangs on the wall. The room has one small window, rear wall right. The
only other wall decoration is the famous picture of Emperor Hirohito
astride a white horse. The Naval Minister barges in, followed by Yamamoto’s
young aide, Fumio. The Naval Minister is in full white dress regalia. Fumio
wears a blue navy uniform. There is a black patch over his right eye and the
cheek below it is a mass of scar tissue from a severe burn.)
Yamamoto
Hi there! For American football Saturday, who do you like between
Naval Minister
Watch out for yourself! They’re shooting people all over
Yamamoto
I thought you came in for some action? My advice:
Naval Minister
Haven’t you heard there’s a revolt going on outside?
Yamamoto
We must remain calm, Minister. Should I put you down for
Naval Minister
Yes, yes, damn it! Now you listen to me. The bastards are
running wild.
Yamamoto
Which bastards? The Blood Brothers, the Holy War League, the
Cherry Blossom Society, the
Naval Minister
They are butchering all the moderates. The
Yamamoto
Hmm! So who has been shot? (He grabs pencil and makes
notes on a pad.)
Naval Minister
I heard the Prime Minister is dead.
Yamamoto
You don’t sound sure.
Naval Minister
Nothing confirmed. And the Emperor’s chamberlain hit.
Yamamoto
Old Admiral Suzuki?
Naval Minister
Riddled with bullets. Left for dead.
Yamamoto
You mean he’s still alive?
Naval Minister
Barely: his family is afraid to take him to the hospital.
Yamamoto
Let’s send an ambulance. We can do that much for one of our
own.
Naval Minister
Isoroku, the rumor is the Emperor himself
wants to get rid of his pacifist ministers.
Yamamoto
Every assassin likes to hide behind the sleeve of the
dragon. I don’t see Hirohito in this one. This is a
challenge to his authority. If I know him, he’s furious.
Naval Minister
Is it best, then, for me to do nothing?
Yamamoto
(Reflectively, as though thinking
aloud.) Why not send a cruiser into the
harbor and train your guns on the Diet?
Naval Minister
Are you mad? Yes, you are mad? Why do I keep
promoting you? I can’t fire on the Diet!
Yamamoto
Of course you can’t. But those insurgents inside don’t know
that. Bluff ‘em! Tell them the Emperor calls on them
to surrender.
Naval Minister
The Emperor’s told me no such thing! I wouldn’t dare presume
to speak for him.
Yamamoto
How would they know? They’re a mob of misguided idealists in
uniform. (Sound of muffled shots from outside. Yamamoto stands.) Better
think about it.
Naval Minister
Oh, they’ve put a price of a hundred thousand yen on your
head.
Yamamoto
I’m worth twice that! Now, what about Sunday’s pro game, the
Philadelphia Eagles against
Naval Minister
You are mad. All right, put me down for
Fumio
I’ll take Green Bay, too.
Yamamoto
You can’t afford it. Now get an ambulance over to Suzuki’s.
Better take a truckload of shore patrol with you.
Fumio
Right! (Fumio leaves. Two shots sound at far right,
answered by brief chatter of machine gun, then silence. The two men exchange
glances.)
Yamamoto
In
Naval Minister
Instead of rushing out to confront them, let’s turn out the
lights and see if they get past the machine gun?
Yamamoto
(Removing a ceremonial sword from
the wall.)
Strategic thinking!
If they do break in, I’ve got my Father’s sword. Can you imagine a
headmaster making a weapon like this? I could slice a cherry blossom with this
blade. I’ll give you ten to one the idiots fail.
Naval Minister
No way. I hope your gambler’s luck holds today.
Yamamoto
(Angrily) Stop calling me a gambler! My success has to do with sweat,
not luck, with long hours! (Minister laughs. Yamamoto goes to wall and turns
off light switch. Set is dark but there is enough light to make them out.) So:
how about a game of chess?
Naval Minister
Now, at a time like this? In the dark?
Yamamoto
It’s like playing blindfolded. I’ll give you four to one.
Trust me. Would I cheat you?
Naval Minister
Isoroku, I don’t trust you with the lights
on. (Burst of machine gun fire, then silence.)
BLACKOUT
ACT TWO, SCENE ONE
Time: Evening, four days later
Setting: Geisha House, Reception Area
(At rise, there is a bench covered with padded cushions
along the back wall. In the center of the room there is a small table with a
"Go" board on it, two pots of black and white stones, some of them on
the board as if a game has just been played. There are mats on the floor and at
the right a well stocked bar on a cabinet against the wall. There is also a low
table on which rest several musical stringed instruments and a flute. The main
doorway is at the left; the audience cannot see anyone standing outside. We
hear the clang of a heavy knocker. Tokuko enters from
right, crosses over to door, and looks through a peephole.)
Tokuko
Who is it?
Fumio
(From offstage behind door.)Message
from the Admiralty. I’m to wait for an answer. (Tokuko opens
the door. Fumio enters and hands her an envelope. Recognizing him, she claps a
hand to her cheek, and he recognizes her as well.)
Tokuko
A-i! Can it be you?
Fumio
Nagako!
Tokuko
Sh-h! Here I am known as Tokuko. What- happened to your- ?
Fumio
My face: I, uh, crashed my plane in a training accident.
Tokuko
You-
Fumio
I lost an eye. But, see, (turning the left side of his
face toward her) there’s still a good side to me.
Tokuko
(Incredulous) Good side? Fumio, the way you left me like, just like that,
to enlist, the morning after, and I never heard from you again.
Fumio
I was accepted in the Navy.
Tokuko
You might have told me! You must have known that before you
pressed yourself on me.
Fumio
I thought if you knew I was going away the very next day
that-
Tokuko
That I wouldn’t give myself to you. (Beat) I heard you joined
the Navy. I waited and waited to hear from you, Fumio.
Fumio
I wrote you. I swear it.
Tokuko
When did you write? You never wrote me!
Fumio
I wrote last year but there was no reply.
Tokuko
Last year? Of course not. By then I
was gone. My parents- (She chokes up) sent me away to people in
Fumio
Disgraced? How?
Tokuko
(She breaks down.) Fumio, I had your daughter.
Fumio
What? What?
Tokuko
(Hysterical) They took her from me the day she was born. We had no money
to feed her --
Fumio
And?
Tokuko
They drowned her, Fumio, in the river. My parents…
Fumio
A daughter? Our child…Oh, my God!
Tokuko
She would have died anyway. The rice crop failed. They let
me hold her once and then… If only you had been there, it might have been
different. (He makes a move to comfort her but she makes fists and pummels
his chest with both hands.) Pig! Pig! Filthy pig!
Fumio
(Anguished) What have I done?
Tokuko
(She stops hitting him, straightens herself,
gets a grip on her emotions.) You knew they sold me, didn’t you? Didn’t anyone in town
tell you?
Fumio
Sold?
Tokuko
You know how it’s done, Fumio. In the brothel I met other girls
like myself, daughters of rice farmers. One taught me to play the samisen and
one day Yoko heard me from the street and bought me. She is teaching me geisha.
Fumio
I am shocked for you, Na-
Tokuko
Tokuko. (Tokuko daubs her eyes with handkerchief, lifts her head bravely.) So, tell me, how
did a cadet like you get a high post with the great Admiral?
Fumio
I was in the hospital after my accident when Yamamoto came
to see the wounded pilots from
Tokuko
The gods have punished us both for our indiscretions.
Fumio
People avert their eyes from me. I must wear a patch or
they’ll get sick. It ‘s not pretty.
Tokuko
Our baby had your smile, Fumio. (She wipes her eyes.)
Fumio
(Looking about.) You must meet many rich and successful men.
Tokuko
Yes, all of them middle-aged. Young men don’t climb the
ladder so fast to afford this place. (Yoko enters and Tokuko
hands her Fumio’s note.)
Yoko
(Reads note, and tells Tokuko)
They are safe. (
Tokuko
I cry from happiness. I know him from our village. His
sister was my friend and she was sick but now she is recovered. (Beat)
Ah, do you want me to tell the cook to start?
Yoko
(Not believing her.) You do that. (Tokuko exits right. Fumio turns toward the door.) Not
so fast. Is there something between you and my girl?
Fumio
Oh, no, Madam.
Yoko
If there is, get it out of your head. She works for me. I do
not tolerate interference or flirtations. Forbidden.
Fumio
There’s nothing. I swear it. (Beat) They will want to
hear your reply.
Yoko
(Tokuko appears back in
the doorway right without entering, listening and looking at Fumio) Tell
them we will be ready for them. (Fumio, with a last glance at Tokuko, leaves at door left.) Come (Beat) Now. (Tokuko re-enters. Yoko takes Tokuko’s
hands in her own.) We are going to entertain tonight and you are going to
act very happy. Whatever it is, put it out of your
head. You will play samisen and sing. Now let’s dance!
Tokuko
(Wailing.) He’s the father of my baby!
Yoko
(Nodding.) Oh, little one, all right. I’m so sorry. I couldn’t
have known. (Hugs her) I lost one, too, the same as you. The very same as you. (They embrace.) Come upstairs
with me and we’ll rest. (Soothing.) You
tell me about it. (They start to move slowly toward door at right.) I want
to hear about it. And I’ll tell you my story. And then we’ll go forward, like
women must do. (Lights fade almost to blackout. Sound of wood flute heard
for about 30 seconds. Lights slowly brighten.)
ACT TWO, SCENE TWO
Setting: Geisha house.
Time: Later that night.
(Same as previous scene. Knock on door left and Yoko and Tokuko enter from right, hurrying across the stage to
receive their guests. Yoko looks at Tokuko and nods
and Tokuko nods back. She can go through with it. Tokuko opens the door and Akio enters solemnly. He is
dressed in a pinstripe suit. His wavy silver hair gives him the appearance of a
matinee idol. The two geishas wear lavish kimonos.)
Akio
I have the pleasure to announce the rebellion is over, at
least for this month, and maybe next. The Army rebels have politely laid down
their arms and will be politely sent to
(The women bow, unable to repress a
smile of anticipation.)
And now, may I present one of the true patriots who helped
thwart the plotters. I give you the man who helped developed the Zero fighter
plane.
(The women are tittering. Akio removes a
harmonica from his pocket and blows a short fanfare, da-DUM!)
I give you the clown prince of the Imperial Navy.
(Akio blows a short da-DUM fanfare
on the harmonica, followed by the opening strains of the march "Entry of
the Gladiators" by Fucik, popularly known as
"the circus music." Yamamoto enters in his blue working uniform
walking on his hands. The women shriek with laughter.)
See him walk on his hands! See him stand on his head! See
him wiggle his ears upside down! See him turn cartwheels.
(Akio blasts final fanfare and Yamamoto does cartwheel that
lands him in center stage facing the women.)
The one and only: Iso-ro-ku the
Magnificent!
(The women make a low bow. Yoko offers Yamamoto her hand,
which he kisses.)
Yoko
My lord!
Yamamoto
My lady!
(Akio slips harmonica into jacket pocket and takes out a flask, gulps a quick drink.)
Yoko
It seems you have set one more modern record — four days
late for dinner!
Yamamoto
Forgive us -- but we were so rudely interrupted. (Akio
removes two small red gift boxes from his pocket and hands them to the women.)
\
Akio
Besides, our favorite jeweler didn’t remove his shutters
until this afternoon.
Yoko
(The women open the boxes with delighted exclamations and
fasten pearls to each others’ ears.) What lovely pearls!
Tokuko
Such delicate coloring!
Yoko
(Kissing Yamamoto’s lips lightly.) Isoroku, always so
thoughtful. (Yoko
nods to Tokuko, who opens a covered wooden bowl of
hot towels. The ladies daub the faces of Yamamoto and Akio, and remove their
coats and loosen their collars. Akio grabs his flask from his coat pocket,
afraid to be parted from it, takes a quick swig. They seat themselves on mats
around a small tile table.)
Tokuko
(To Yamamoto) I didn’t know you were such a marvelous acrobat.
Akio
And a magician. (Beat) The Army expects him
to conquer the world with his fleet.
Tokuko
Of course, you could.
Yamamoto
That’s a trick even I might not be able to perform.
Yoko
Anyway, the trouble is all over for now, isn’t it?
Yamamoto
Next month, we’ll get another rising. One by one, any
minister who opposes the Army will develop, ah, health problems.
Yoko
All that matters is you’re safe. Tokuko,
stand up. Turn around for Akio. Now here’s a cherry blossom to lighten your
mood. Look at the color in those cheeks.
Akio
Blushing like a rose, Isoroku.
(As though on cue and from thin air Yamamoto produces a red
rose and hands it to Tokuko. Akio helps her pin it
on. Yamamoto produces another rose and pins it on Yoko.)
Toku
Where did you get such roses this time of year?
Yamamoto
From the little florist on the
Yoko
Pearls, roses, you used to be so frugal!
Yamamoto
Let’s make the most of this occasion. (Tokuko pours Scotch and passes glasses around.)
Akio
A drink, why, I’d love one!
Yamamoto
(Toasting) To the gambling dens of the world!
Akio
You know he wins at roulette because he always bets on the
zero.
Yamamoto
(Toasting) To blackjack and poker!
Akio
What about bridge? This man once took the Lord Admiral of
the British navy for all his money. That stuffed prig couldn’t believe he lost
to an Oriental.
Yoko
He should have known not to challenge a Japanese admiral on
his bridge.
Akio
Oh, Yoko, here’s to your jokes!
Yamamoto
That Brit said to me, ‘How do you remember every card
played?’ and I told him our language requires us to keep five thousand
ideographs in our heads, so what’s fifty-two cards? (Tokuko, pouring more Scotch for Akio, gives a little
shriek.)
Tokuko
There’s a gold piece in my ear! How did you do that?
Yoko
(Feeling about her ears.) Am I in disfavor?
Yamamoto
Look in your glass. (Yoko does and extracts a gold piece
from it.)
Tokuko
Show us how you do it!
Yamamoto
Military secret. (Holds up gold
piece.) One summer I worked a whole day in the Mexican oil
fields for less than this.
Akio
If you took the job they offered, you’d be president of
Standard Oil by now.
Yamamoto
This man lies like the Devil! (Unnoticed by Akio,
Yamamoto has put a cap with two devil’s horns on his head. The women giggle
when they see it. Akio looks at Yamamoto, then feels the horns, and rips them
off.)
Akio
See how he ridicules his boyhood friend?
Tokuko
(Putting them back on Akio’s head.) Admiral, they look very devilish on you. What cute
horns!
Akio
(Showing the influence of the
liquor, expansively.) What
do I care?
Yamamoto
(To Tokuko) It’s his
pointed tail you’ve got to watch out for!
Akio
(Rising) A toast to the poor, crazy, deluded people
of
Yamamoto
On those cold winter nights back home we only had Sake to keep
warm.
Akio
There was so much ice on the trees, snapping branches would
wake you up at night.
Yamamoto
We made our own snowshoes out of straw.
Akio
(To Tokuko) So cold we
stayed indoors and made love by the fire. (Tokuko
looks down.)
Yoko
Oh, please, recite your poem about the moon.
Yamamoto
(He holds his glass for Tokuko to
fill, which she does. He then stands and solemnly recites his poem.) Tonight, once more, the moon is
pure, and clear. It calls to mind my distant home.
Yoko
Isn’t that beautiful?
Tokuko
Oh, yes, very lovely.
Yamamoto
Our schoolroom was so cold in winter our fingers turned
blue.
Akio
Ah, the good old days.
Yamamoto
Right! (Laughs) Before the Russians blew two of my
fingers off! (He looks down at his right hand, then involuntarily hides it
for a moment behind his back, then forces himself to put it where others can
see it.)
Akio
I tell you, this cheapskate would do anything to get twenty
per cent off on manicures. (Yoko reaches over for Yamamoto’s deformed hand
and kisses it.)
Tokuko
How I’d love to visit the
Akio
Ice cold rivers. Carp jumping into
your net. In the Spring, blossoms on the trees
like the lace on ladies’ dresses.
Yamamoto
Now who’s the poet?
Akio
We’d pick wild mushrooms and our mothers broil them in soya. Simple but happy then, right?
Yamamoto
Akio, you really make me long for Nagaoka.
Maybe I should retire. The Army wants to liquidate me anyway.
Akio
If you quit, who’s left besides the Naval Minister to oppose
Tojo? On the other hand, why risk your life to stop
them?
Yamamoto
They can’t even defeat
Yoko
But
Yamamoto
We haven’t got one tank or a bomber as good as the Russians.
For a country of paper houses, war should be a sobering thought.
Yoko
Would the Russians bomb civilians?
Yamamoto
The Germans did at
Akio
The whole world has seen the newsreel of that Chinese baby,
sitting on the ground bawling after we bombed
Yoko
Ug-h.
Tokuko
Is that how Fumio was injured?
Yamamoto
He was the hottest pilot in training. One day he buzzed the
base and couldn’t pull up. When he hit the water, he was lucky to get out.
Tokuko
Sounds like a daredevil.
Yoko
She likes that boy.
Yamamoto
She could pick worse, even if he is reckless. Now, how about
we just be frivolous?
Akio
Horror is coming to us, I can feel it.
Yamamoto
Akio, that’s not frivolous enough.
Akio
The same bastards who took away my command will bring it
down on us.
Yamamoto
You may be right, but it’s no excuse for this steady
drinking.
Akio
Not to bombard… that wasn’t cowardice on my part.
Yamamoto
I’m tired of hearing about it! All you lost was your job. A
lot of Chinamen lost a lot more. (Puts a hand up.)
I’m sorry for my tone of voice.
Akio
I drink to gangrene! Not enough to kill that Socialist, they
strangled his wife and son, too.
Yoko
No one is safe from them any more.
Akio
Allow me to inquire, my dear frivolous friend, how can you
go on serving them?
Yamamoto
(Exasperated.) All right. Persist, damn it. I am
contemplating retirement. Now, my dear pacifist friend, why did you take the
shipyard post? You’re not building fishing smacks.
Akio
Point well taken: Tomorrow I quit the shit-yard. Gonna go home and listen to the wind chimes. Gonna stuff my belly at -- what was that little place with
the purple lanterns?
Yamamoto
Bosatsu’s
Akio
That’s the one! And I’m gonna go
to the shrine and pray my parents will forgive their disgraced son. (Tokuko,
daubs Akio’s face with a warm towel. He stands up suddenly and passes hand across
his belly, spilling his glass as he does.) The Army is not gonna have Akio Matsushita to kick around like a dog. I’ll
take my own life first.
Yoko
Easier to quit than to die.
Yamamoto
(Tugging him back down.) Sit down, damn it! We’ve all had a few tense days.
Akio
You despise these gangsters as much as I do! When they ask
you to sail the Combined Fleet into
Yamamoto
When the American Civil War broke out, a general Lee left
the Federal army to fight for his home State. He wasn’t for slavery, but he saw
serving his State as his duty.
Akio
But it’s not your duty to help Tojo
enslave the Orient. (Removes cap with horns from his head and fixes it on
Yamamoto’s head.) You wear it. You’re the one who’s gonna
do the work of the Devil. (Yamamoto smiles good-naturedly. Tokuko produces a tray of sushi.)
Yoko
Let’s eat. We’ll all feel better.
Akio
(To Tokuko) May I kiss that
lovely cheek? (She turns her cheek to him and he kisses it. Akio grabs her
impulsively and kisses her on the mouth. Tokuko is
holding the sushi tray and cannot resist. Akio stops and looks around. They are
all embarrassed.) Ol’ Admiral makin’ a fool a’ himself,
right?
Yoko
No! No! Tokuko is irresistible. I
like to kiss her myself.
Akio
Give her up and I’ll take her back home with me.
Yoko
(Laughs) But you’ve only just met her tonight! Besides, you’ve got a
wife.
Akio
Call it a special arrangement. (To
Yoko, indicating Yamamoto.) Hell, I arranged his marriage,
didn’t I? He says to me, ‘Find me a sturdy woman to bear my children who is not
afraid to milk cows’ so I found him a milkmaid, and he’s been happy ever since,
(maliciously) haven’t you?
Yamamoto
Shut up, Aki. Since you’re going home, play us
that jazz song, ‘I’m gonna move…’ You play, I’ll
sing. (Akio fumbles removing his harmonica from his pocket, drops it, picks
it back up. He plays a few bars of the song. Yamamoto sings.) I’m gonna mo-o-ve to the outskirts of
town. ‘Cause I don’ wan’ nobody who-o-se always hangin’
‘round. That’s more like it. (They all applaud.)
Akio
I want to hear Tokuko play the
samisen.
Yamamoto
Right! Play ‘
Tokuko
And you will sing please, Admiral? Ready? Tokuko plays a brief introduction and when
Yamamoto sings a good mood is established.)
Yamamoto
China night, O
Lights of the harbor, violet night
The sound of strings on the ship of
dreams.
I can’t forget
(Yoko joins in singing with Yamamoto through the end of the
song.)
Yamamoto and Yoko
China night, O
The lanterns swaying in the willows
by the window.
A Chinese girl with a red birdcage.
Inconsolable love song:
China Night, night of dreams. (Akio applauds)
Akio
Bravo! Bravo! Hey, let’s all go to the
Yamamoto
I thought you were just going to commit hara-kiri?
Akio
I wouldn’t give Tojo the
satisfaction. (Stands and dances, throws punches at imaginary Army leaders.)
Hey, Tojo, take that! And that! Pow! How’d you like that haymaker?
Tokuko
What is a haymaker?
Akio
‘s a punch that puts your opponent
to sleep in the hay. (Keeps jabbing the air.)
Yamamoto
I think Akio’s ready for bed. (Tokuko
takes Akio’s arm and starts to steer him toward door right.) The world will
look cheerier in the morning.
Akio
I am not ready for bed! (Breaking
free of her grip.) You don’t command me here. I’m gonna quit the shit-yard. You gonna
quit the Navy?
Yamamoto
I said I’m considering it.
Akio
Is that all you can say, considering? (Hands Yamamoto whiskey bottle.) Drink to it,
man! Seal the bargain! We quit together! (Yamamoto takes a drink.) Now
say, ‘To hell with the Navy! (Yamamoto shakes his head. Akio grabs bottle
back.) See? He is not sincere. Let the dirty bastards drown
themselves in the Pacific, see if I care.
Yamamoto
(Angry) I have a hundred thousand sailors to protect. I
don’t want even one of them to drown!
Akio
You’re going to fight Tojo’s war
and you know it!
Yamamoto
(Tosses water from a glass in Akio’s face.) You’re shit-faced!
Akio
You bet I’m shit-faced. (He jabs the bottle at Yamamoto.)
You should get shit-faced yourself because the honorable
Yamamoto
(Yamamoto pauses, then laughs good-naturedly and salutes
Akio, who returns salute.) Good night, Admiral.
Akio
(To no one in particular.) Why do I love this man even when he is sailing off
course?
Yamamoto
In the morning, you’ll wake up on solid land again. Now
enjoy some wavy ups and downs.
Akio
Goodnight, Admiral.
(Tokuko leads Akio out. Yamamoto
sighs and sits down next to Yoko and puts his arm around her shoulder.)
Yoko
His drinking is out of control. (Yamamoto sighs heavily. They
kiss tenderly, then passionately, then Yoko pulls out
a handkerchief to dry her eyes.) I can’t complain if you go to sea. I’ve
had the best of you. (Yamamoto takes her hand and puts it on his knee.)
Yamamoto
You bet you have!
Yoko
Oh, I have a gift for you. (Pulls a package out from
under the table and hands it to him. Yamamoto, pleased, removes the paper. It
is a work of calligraphy.)
Yamamoto
Where did you find my calligraphy?
Yoko
In a curio shop.
Yamamoto
I forgot I did this one. One thing about buying my art, it
can’t have cost you much.
Yoko
The proprietor said he only wanted to get his money back for
the frame. (Pauses.) Tell me, is there
going to be a war with
Yamamoto
Probably. The Emperor quotes a poem, ‘If all
men are brothers, why do the waters surge and tremble?’ But he listens to the
Army faction that wants to grab the
Yoko
You could go abroad and gamble professionally. You always
win. They can hardly accuse you of slight of hand. (She takes his left hand
and kisses his three fingers.)
Yamamoto
(Yamamoto kisses her cheek.) I woke up this morning from a dream
in which we were driving at night along a winding road on the
Yoko
I have money, you know. Between us, we could make that dream
come true. (Silence.)
Yamamoto
(Evading.) Admit it: I’m as good as any man
with ten fingers!
Yoko
And you have the tool of a young man.
Yamamoto
(Sighs) Yes, although sometimes I think that’s where
my brains are.
Yoko
You haven’t answered my question about us going away.
Yamamoto
You’ve worked so hard to build this place. We both know you
can’t leave it.
Yoko
Maybe if you left, I’d leave, too. The Kempetai
is giving me chills.
Yamamoto
I’ll rub your hands and kiss your feet.
Yoko
This isn’t going to be our last night together, is it?
Yamamoto
Not if I can help it. (He stands behind her and massages
her shoulders.)
Yoko
Darling, take my hair down with your own hands. (He does
so. When it falls loose, she leans her head back so that he can kiss her on the
mouth.)
Blackout.
INTERMISSION
ACT THREE, SCENE ONE
Time: Several days later.
Setting: Yamamoto’s office
(Yamamoto is seated behind his desk in white dress uniform
with three rows of medals across his chest. There is an armchair beside the
desk, a leather couch and armchair against a wall, and a slide projector that
faces in the direction of a projector screen so the audience can view the slide
presentation. Door left is opened by Akio who peers in.)
Akio
I dropped in to see if you were still with the Admiralty. I
wasn’t so sure the other night.
Yamamoto
Tojo will be here any minute.
Akio
I’ll go.
Yamamoto
Nonsense, I need your support. (Akio enters) I
thought you were going to quit. What happened?
Akio
It was my flask talking.
Yamamoto
Sit down over there. I need a shit-yard expert for this
meeting.
Akio
I’m not military any more.
Yamamoto
Don’t make me laugh. Quick: who do you like Saturday,
Northwestern or
Akio
Uh,
Yamamoto
Good man!
Fumio
(Enters) Did I hear you say
Yamamoto
Okay, you’re in.
Fumio
The Razor is here.
Yamamoto
Not so loud. He might decide to give you a shave. When I tap
the pointer twice, you advance the slide.
Fumio
Hi! (Fumio exits, leaving door open,
and returns, announcing, "General Tojo,
Sir!" Tojo enters dressed in plain
olive brown uniform, no medals. He is a short man of military bearing,
horn-rimmed glasses, bald, lean and tough. Yamamoto, Akio and Fumio bow low. Tojo bows briefly, seats himself ramrod straight in the
chair next to the desk. Fumio takes a chair near the door, sits ramrod
straight.)
Yamamoto
Tea?
Tojo
I have no time for ceremony. (Nodding
toward Akio.) What is he doing here?
Yamamoto
Much of what I want to talk to you about concerns shipyards.
He runs the biggest.
Tojo
(To Akio) About our past differences: War is not for
the squeamish. When you would not open fire as ordered, we had no choice. I
wish you every success out of uniform.
Akio
Same to you, -- and the sooner the
better.
Tojo
(To Akio) You never did have any manners. When I
start running this country I will make a point of teaching you a little respect. (To Yamamoto) Now, what’s all this about?
Yamamoto
I’ll speak bluntly: give up this idea of attacking
Tojo
What choice do we have? Look how they are pressing us. They
cut off our scrap metal, our oil, the lifeblood of empire, moving their fleet
from
Yamamoto
They pressure us because of
Tojo
Out of the question! Will
Yamamoto
You attack The Philippines,
Tojo
Americans: jazz and decadence. Their president is a cripple.
Yamamoto
To rise to power, a cripple must have some strength, no?
Tojo
Fifteen nations have bigger armies.
Yamamoto
With the huge Navy this cripple is building, no foreign
army will get close to them. Look at Hitler: the Royal Navy stops him from
crossing twenty miles of the
Tojo
Are you implying your Navy cannot defeat
Yamamoto
Anything is possible. But we must be realistic. I asked you
here to show you something. (Yamamoto nods to Fumio. The lights on the set
are dimmed but the audience should be able to make out the actors.)
Projector Screen: map of the
Tojo
Ah, the
Yamamoto
We have only a handful of shipyards.
Tojo
Not
Yamamoto
Shipyards in
Tojo
Quantity is not quality. You’re the one who harps on that! (Yamamoto
taps pointer.)
Projector Screen: (Painting of battleship U.S.S.
Washington.)
Yamamoto
The
Tojo
I heard what they say about
Yamamoto
That’s the baseball team.
Tojo
So outbuild them!
Yamamoto
What with? Half the national budget goes to fight
Projector Screen: (Cruiser ‘
The new
Tojo
Her lights will make a perfect target for you. (Yamamoto
taps pointer.)
Projector Screen: (Aircraft carrier U.S.S. Enterprise.)
Yamamoto
If war broke out, they could build a hundred carriers to our
ten. And did you ever think about pilots?
Tojo
How come you don’t show me Popeye the Sailor Man?
Yamamoto
Speaking of personnel,
Tojo
He’s taking the bums out of the hobo jungles and feeding
them spinach. When war comes, it’s their secret weapon.
(Yamamoto cannot help but smile at them. He makes a
"cut" sign across his throat and Fumio turns the projector off.)
Yamamoto
There is no point my reasoning with you, Hideki. You make a
joke of everything.
Tojo
Next you’ll tell me their planes are better. You yourself
worked on the Zero. Is it the best fighter plane in the world or not?
Yamamoto
For right now, yes. But the Americans have got four new
pursuit planes in production and a long-range bomber coming off the assembly
line at Boeing. We can’t begin to match that.
Tojo
The Army guarantees those bombers will never get close
enough to strike
Yamamoto
Do you really think a small island nation with no oil can
defeat a country with rich supplies? Not only do I have to destroy the world’s
second largest navy but if we attack
Tojo
(Sputtering) Well, let the fishermen get up earlier in the morning. (Akio
laughs.) You--- don’t push me!
Yamamoto
He laughs because the industriousness of our fishermen is not
the issue.
Tojo
I think all that time you spent studying geology at Harvard
addled your brains.
Yamamoto
The issue is the oil shortage.
Tojo
Why didn’t a playboy like you attend the
Fumio
No one dares insult the admiral that way!
Yamamoto
(Akio and Yamamoto are on Fumio in a flash. Yamamoto slaps
his face and they push him away. Fumio buries his head in his hands and so bs.) My apologies. He’s already lost one eye. Next
he’s going to lose his head. (Softly) Hideki, you’re perceptive. You
have a reputation for integrity. That nickname they call you, that’s a
compliment. You must know the Emperor doesn’t want any war with
Tojo
That poem is for public consumption. Outwardly, he potters
with his microscopes and marine biology specimens. Inwardly, he’s samurai.
Yamamoto
But taking on the Western powers is rashness.
Tojo
There will never be peace until the white imperialist is
driven out of
Yamamoto
Yes, they exploit. But so do we.
Tojo
We are the liberators of the yellow people of
Yamamoto
Ku Klux Klans. (Fumio contains
himself; lifts his head up; dries eyes with sleeve.)
Tojo
Their sanctimony! How did those famous American families
achieve their wealth --- the Forbes family, the Astors,
the Delanos — yes, the president’s own forefathers —
they all got rich pushing dope down the throats of Chinamen. I proclaim co-prosperity
for Asians.
Akio
Like
Yamamoto
(Tojo starts for the
door. Yamamoto, seeking to keep the conversation going, steps in his way.) Let’s
reason together. How would you conquer
Tojo
If I have to, we’ll get cowboy suits and six-shooters and
ride across on horseback!
Yamamoto
You can’t stop half way. You’ll have to dictate peace terms
in the White House.
Tojo
Hit them hard enough, they’ll sue for peace. War is never
certain. Sometimes you have to shut your eyes and take the plunge. (Yamamoto
steps aside to let him pass.)
Yamamoto
This war could destroy
Akio
(To Yamamoto) Let him go. You can’t change a delusional man.
Tojo
(To Akio) If I destroy
Yamamoto
(To Fumio) You get out, too. Never in my life have I seen such reckless
audacity. I should clap you in the brig! Don’t you dare speak! Confined to
barracks! Get out of my sight until I send for you! (Fumio exits,
leaving Akio and Yamamoto shaking their heads.) Can you imagine him
threatening Tojo that way?
Akio
I didn’t help you much, either.
Yamamoto
(Smiles) You were great. Fumio has utterly no judgment.
Akio
Nothing wrong with Fumio’s judgment. It’s Tojo.
(Akio removes flask from his suit coat pocket, takes a swig
and hands it to Yamamoto, who also drinks deep.)
Yamamoto
I just read a book by the American writer Cain. It’s about a
couple disgusted with a spoiled daughter. The book ends with the couple sitting
on their bed and the man passes his wife a bottle of rye and says, ‘Let’s get stinko.’(laughs) Stinko! (They both laugh.)
Akio
I’ve been telling you Stinko’s the
only remedy left for
Yamamoto
Let’s hope we can brew enough of it go around.
Blackout
ACT THREE, SCENE TWO
Place: Yamamoto’s home
Set: Same as Act One, Scene One.
(Door chime. Reiko answers. Akio, in business suit,
stands at the door.)
Reiko
Aki? (She does not invite him in.)
Akio
May I come in?
Reiko
Take your shoes off. (Akio removes his shoes.) Tea? (Akio nods.)
Akio
(Entering, waving his hand at the room). Still the same
lovely green feeling…
Reiko
Does Isoroku know you are here?
Akio
I didn’t know myself I was coming.
Reiko
Ah, your feet led you here by themselves.
Akio
Would you prefer to go out for a glass of wine?
Reiko
Gossips will chirp. (Beat) So, what’s up?
Akio
I am thinking about coming back home for good.
Reiko
The playboy gives up the
Akio
Enough of
Reiko
And the shipyard?
Akio
I’m quitting. (Beat) How is your father?
Reiko
The same complaint.
Akio
Sorry. And the children?
Reiko
(Anxiously) Stop it! Why are you--has something happened to Isoroku?
Akio
No! No!
Reiko
Did you travel all this way to visit me? (Akio Nods) You
are interested in me? (Akio nods. Reiko sighs) You were always
the best-looking boy of all. I cared for you once, you know that. (Beat) Now
answer my question. How’s your wife?
Akio
(Downcast) In a private sanitarium.
Reiko
Do you visit her?
Akio
(Shrugs) She doesn’t know me. She only wears white. She fears impurity. I see
her… when I can…
Reiko
(Beat) Did Isoroku happen to suggest to you I am
available?
Akio
Oh, no! No! Nothing like that! Maybe I should go.
Reiko
I think so, too. You’ve lived in his shadow for so long.
Now, his wife’s lonely…it reads like a cheap story.
Akio
I think you still care for him.
Reiko
The more he ignores me, the more jealous I am. Actually, I
have not been too warm to him. Maybe you could get me a job at Yoko’s? I could
play courtesan.
Akio
That’s not why men go there.
Reiko
Ho! ho! How many thousands of
geisha houses and secret apartments in
Akio
Men don’t visit only for sex. (She hands him a spoon.)
Reiko
I agree. The courtesans puff them up with flattery. I’ll bet
Yoko says, "Of all the lovers I’ve known, Isoroku,
you are absolutely the best."
.
Akio
This custard is delicious.
Reiko
Am I’m making you uncomfortable?
Akio
You’re speculations are very entertaining. (Reiko folds
her arms across her chest and waits.) There’s a young, attractive girl at
Yoko’s I care for. She plays the samisen.
Reiko
(Irritably) So what are you doing here with me?
Akio
I’m trying to explain. I wanted to start over with her. I’ve
wasted years and years of my life.
Reiko
And don’t forget the nights and days you’ve wasted, and all
the mornings and afternoons.
Akio
But, I’ve decided, I’m better off with a woman my own age.
Reiko
So of all the older women in
Akio
I know nothing about that.
Reiko
Please, boys in the schoolyard play they’re bombing
Akio
It’s that, well, I’d like to think I might have you in my
future.
Reiko
You had that chance. Instead you introduced me to the man
who filled my life with emptiness. (Beat. Akio puts up hands defensively.)
Akio
I am going to retire here.
Reiko
After you do, maybe we could discuss it. Hey, Aki, what do
you think about this: If we made love, I’ll shut my eyes and pretend you’re the
man you want to replace in my affections. You’ll shut your eyes and imagine the
samisen girl. Won’t we be ecstatic! (Laughs.)
You can’t stay here so long. Put your shoes on. (Akio nips from flask.)
Akio
Reiko… we could have…uh, a life of mutual rewards and
satisfactions.
Reiko
How romantic! Hurry up and quit. Isoroku never
will. Only let’s not call it "love."
Akio
I-
Reiko
Go! Go! (Akio leaves. Reiko turns to audience.) What a
surprise, huh? I’m so hungry for love I could eat him like an apple. If only he
had come years ago.
Blackout
ACT THREE, SCENE THREE
Time:
Setting: Upstairs bedroom, Yoko’s Tea House
(At rise, Yoko is asleep on a futon on the floor, large enough
for two persons. Yamamoto is standing at a writing desk working on some plans,
pen in hand. His blue naval jacket is draped over a chair. He wears only a
loincloth. There is a commotion from left rear, a pounding on the door
downstairs and cries of "Open up!" Tokuko
rushes in to the bedroom without knocking. Yoko awakens with a start. She wears
a white slip.)
Tokuko
There’s a mob outside.
Yoko
(Sits bolt upright) What do they want?
Yamamoto
Me. I’ll open the door for them before they — (There is a
crash and shouting.)
Yoko
Too late! (Sound of many ascending footsteps. Yoko and Tokuko stand behind Yamamoto. Arms folded across his chest,
he strikes a pose reminiscent of Rodin’ s statue of Balzac.)
Assassin
(Assassin enters, dressed in olive drab Army uniform, sword
in scabbard, scroll in his hand, and calls back over his shoulder.) The rest of you wait out there. (He
hands the scroll to Yamamoto.) For Admiral Yamamoto, our proclamation! We
have a thousand signatures! (Yamamoto takes scroll and without reading it,
wipes his rear with it, then throws it contemptuously on the floor.)
Yamamoto
You’ve come to the wrong house. We have plenty of toilet
paper!
(Assassin picks up the paper and reads in a trembling
voice.)
Assassin
It is unseemly for Admiral Isoroku
Yamamoto to be seen in geisha houses!
Yamamoto
(Snorts) That’s it? That’s my crime?
Assassin
You violate public morality.
Yamamoto
Ah, you’re from the geisha house brigade! Sniff around all
you like.
Assassin
We are defenders of the morals of
Yamamoto
(Laughs) So what about the general who sleeps at the Sign of the
Carp? When he goes home, I’ll go home.
Assassin
(Enraged.) We order you to leave!
Yamamoto
(Picks petition up and hands it to Yoko whose hand
trembles as she holds it.) Hypocrites! (To Yoko) See anybody’s name
you know? Give her a moment, she’ll recognize the
signatures of her best customers. That’s long enough. (He takes back paper
and tears it up and drops it on floor.)
Assassin
We demand you leave this despicable place -- within…half an
hour!
Yamamoto
That’s plenty of time for a good man. I once pleasured four
women in half an hour. Maybe those were your sisters?
Assassin
My what?
Yamamoto
You sisters. I remember them well. They were
quick and easy.
Assassin
(Trembling voice.) You must go home to your proper family.
Yamamoto
It’s you who’d better say goodbye to your loved ones. Soon
enough you’ll be fighting
Assassin
Yamamoto
Yes, and The
Assassin
Where?
Yamamoto
In
Assassin
There is no such war.
Yamamoto
Go to the hospitals. Filled with wounded.
(Beat)
Assassin
(Assassin withdraws his sword. His hand shakes.) Why
should I believe you?
Yamamoto
Military experience. See this hand? Two fingers blown off at the battle of Tushima.
See this chunk of missing thigh? From a Russian shell.
Go on, pull down your pants, let’s see what you’ve got
missing!
Assassin
(Lowers his sword.) I can’t…do this.
Yamamoto
Bravo! You tell that Master at the Cherry Blossom
Society for me that a man who does not fart, screw, and shit is not a man! (He
advances and Assassin starts to back toward door.) Now get out!
Assassin
(Flustered. He hesitates. Raises his sword, then lowers it, backing away.) I will take my own life. I do not
believe like the other acolytes.
Yamamoto
(Calming down.) I like a man who thinks for
himself. You have possibilities. Why not report to the ‘Nagato’
and I’ll make a sailor of you?
Assassin
I am unworthy of you.
Yamamoto
If you won’t join the Navy, at least shave off that Hitler
moustache!
Assassin
Why?
Yamamoto
Hitler has got an army that fights. You couldn’t beat the
Zulus, much less the Russians.
(He grabs blue jacket from back of chair and drapes it
around his middle and advances toward Assassin doing a bump and grind dance.)
Behold, the African King dance! (The Assassin backs
up, frightened.) And tell your Master he’ll get his war with
(Assassin backs out, and once out of sight we hear him
call, "We’re going to fight
Yamamoto
(Calling after them.) And get some carpenters to fix the door you broke!
Assholes! (To Tokuko.)
It’s all over. Try to get some sleep. (Tokuko
leaves) Let’s not allow them to spoil our night.
Yoko
Oh, Isoroku, is this going to be
our last night together?
Yamamoto
Not if I can help it! (Beat.) You know, his Hitler
moustache gives me an idea.
Blackout.
ACT THREE, SCENE FOUR
Time: The next day.
Setting: Office of the Naval Minister
(At rise, the Naval Minister is seated at an
elegant cherry wood desk. Behind him, flags of
Intercom Voice
Admiral Yamamoto to see you, sir, about the new dress hat
you ordered for the officers.
Naval Minister
(Into intercom) I didn’t order any dress hat --
(Naval Minister sees a cane poke through the parted door
with a bowler hat on the end of it and smiles. Yamamoto enters dressed in a
Charlie Chaplin tramp outfit, complete with seedy tails and Chaplin moustache.
The Naval Minister begins to laugh as Yamamoto does a Chaplin walk about the
office, sees a photo of the Emperor on the wall, knocks it off with his cane,
and makes a motion to sweep all the papers and photographs off the Naval
Minister’s desk but holds back. )
Sit down! Sit down, you idiot! For God’s sake! Look what
you’ve done to the Emperor.
Yamamoto
I can’t help myself. All aggressive little men hate other
aggressive little men.
Naval Minister
(Laughing) I don’t get the moustache. When you were
in
Yamamoto
(Peeling it off.) The perfect disguise. Besides, they can’t assassinate you
when you’ve got a crowd of hilarious people following you down the street.
Naval Minister
Oh, really? Well, it’s all over town you had a bit of
trouble last night.
Yamamoto
Cherry Blossom Society, not much. (Taking
out a note pad.) Who do you like between Joe Louis and Max Schmelling?
Naval Minister
The Army’s pushing us into the arms of
Yamamoto
Let’s hope Louis has learned to keep his left up. Now how
about what you owe me for last week? (Naval Minister reaches into his pocket
and produces a paper bill and plunks it down for Yamamoto.) Thanks.
Naval Minister
This week I’ll take your advice. Now, to business: They say
the Army of God faction wants to assassinate you.
Yamamoto
Let them stand in line.
Naval Minister
Akio thinks you’d be safer in retirement.
Yamamoto
Akio’s always out for my welfare. You know I can’t retire
when we’re this close to war.
Naval Minister
Certain?
Yamamoto
I’d be embarrassed to let my men go into battle without me.
Naval Minister
(Hands him a paper.) All right, it’s official. (Beat) You’re
Commander-in-Chief of the Combined Fleet. I’m putting you where the Army can’t
reach you.
Yamamoto
I’m grateful, of course. Why me?
Naval Minister
This is going to be an air war. You fly. You know carriers.
Yamamoto
I wonder if I’m not better off cultivating my roses? You’ve never seen my garden.
Naval Minister
You don’t sound enthusiastic.
Yamamoto
Attacking
Naval Minister
Isoroku: confide in me. Tell me your true
feeling. Your file says when you were a boy you learned English from an American
missionary. So I know you don’t hate them, quite the contrary. For that matter,
I admit, at times I respect them myself. But, do you have a true sense of
"on," of what you owe the Emperor?
(Yamamoto nods, gets up, walks over to the photograph he
knocked to the floor and hangs it back up, upside down.)
Yamamoto
I suppose deep down inside somewhere, yes, of course. (He
turns photograph right side up and returns to his chair.) However, the
first lesson that missionary taught was David and Goliath. The Bible makes
killing a giant look easy.
Naval Minister
Do you think you can fling a stone and hit Goliath between
the eyes?
Yamamoto
(Reaching into his pocket and handing the Naval Minister
one page.) Here’s your plan.
Naval Minister
On one page?
Yamamoto
Read it. (While Naval Minister reads, Yamamoto does a
Chaplin dance, humming aloud.)
Naval Minister
Isoroku! This — is incredible. Totally against our strategic thinking.
Yamamoto
(Pointing at paper with cane.) You are so right!
Naval Minister
This plan doesn’t lure the American fleet into our home
waters.
Yamamoto
Old samurai expression: (sings and dances) "victory
first, battle afterwards."
Naval Minister
And six carriers in one striking force? I could see risking
one carrier, maybe two…
Yamamoto
(Tapping Naval Minister’s head
lightly with cane.) If
I club you once with this cane by surprise I can do you some damage. If I club
you six times, I’ll knock you cold.
Naval Minister
You plan to surprise them?
Yamamoto
(Does dance steps to show motions of the fleet he
describes.) Exactly. We’ll sail the northern route in early December. Nobody
travels those sea lanes. Too cold. Too
stormy. When we’re directly North of Hawaii, boom, a sudden turn South
and we launch three hundred planes on a Sunday morning. (Yamamoto touches
Minister’s head with the cane.)
Naval Minister
(Irritably.) Stop beating me with that stick!
Yamamoto
Naval Minister
If we invade the
Yamamoto
If we knock out their Pacific Fleet on the first day of the
war, Tojo can walk ashore in the
Naval Minister
Bit of a gamble, even for a professional gambler?
Yamamoto
Stop calling me a gambler! I hate it everyone says that.
This is a prudent, calculated risk.
Naval Minister
If this were a game of Go, prudent strategy would dictate we
invade the corners of the board first, then extend our forces along the sides.
Nobody ever opens the game playing the first stone in the middle of the board.
If the
Yamamoto
Wait —
Naval Minister
(Minister holds up the paperYamamoto gave him.) This scheme is totally unorthodox.
Yamamoto
Agreed. But just imagine before the
Go game even starts, you take away half your opponent’s stones and then you
say, "Play Go!"
Naval Minister
And if you do knock out the Pacific fleet the first day,
what do you think will be the likely outcome of the war?
Yamamoto
Oh, probably for the first six months or a year or so, I’ll
run wild. Then- (shrugs)
Naval Minister
You mean until the Americans gear up their war machine–
Yamamoto
Once that happens, it’s out of my hands.
Naval Minister
What makes you so confident you can catch them by surprise?
Yamamoto
They’re racist.
Naval Minister
Everybody’s racist. We’re racist. Hitler’s racist. What’s
the connection?
Yamamoto
Everything. They look down on their blacks and
on people with yellow skin as inferiors. They think we have bad eyesight. They
judge us by the cheap toys we sell, those tiny wooden warships little boys buy
for a coin, with the rising sun flags on them. They have no idea of the quality
of our fleet, the discipline of our sailors. If you took that chair you’ve got
your ass on and stood on it in front of the White House and screamed at the top
of your voice, (yells) ‘We are sending a task force across the
Naval Minister
(Stands up, pointing to the paper Yamamoto gave him.)
It’s a long shot.
Yamamoto
Time to trust me.
Naval Minister
Okay. Now give me a proper report. And, stay the hell
out of Yoko’s.
Yamamoto
(Rising.) I live as I please.
Naval Minister
You could have been killed last night!
Yamamoto
I am fated to die in battle.
Naval Minister
You won’t live long enough to fight in one! I’m assigning
guards to be with you at all times. I need you alive, to win this war. If your
scheme works, they’ll sue for peace.
Yamamoto
Not very likely. Make you a deal: I’ll stay out of the geisha houses.
You stay out of the opium dens. (Yamamoto does the Chaplin walk out the
door.) Blackout.
ACT THREE, SCENE FIVE
Setting: A small teahouse, Tokyo.
(Fumio is seated alone at a table, glancing at his watch,
turning the pages of a newspaper, until Tokuko come
in, holding a mesh shopping bag with several cans in it. He rises to his feet
and bows.)
Tokuko
I only have a minute. (She seats herself opposite him.)
Fumio
Tea? (He fills a cup that was set for
her.)
Tokuko
(Drinks.) So?
Fumio
Tokuko --
Tokuko
(Bemused.) Yes?
Fumio
Tokuko --
Tokuko
I see you have mastered my new name.
Fumio
I want to make it up to you.
Tokuko
That you can never do, Fumio.
Fumio
I understand. I mean, the war is going to start any day now…
when it’s over, when I come home--
Tokuko
And you are saying?
Fumio
Let me do what I had planned for us.
Tokuko
You did that. Your plan succeeded brilliantly, for Fumio. You
got what you wanted that night and then you deserted me.
Fumio
I cannot make over the past. I beg you let me make it up to
you.
Tokuko
Can you imagine how much your very presence upsets me?
Fumio
(Anguished) Then you must still feel something for
me!
Tokuko
If you can imagine some wild flower that has been trampled
into the dust by a careless passerby, that’s how I regard you.
Fumio
Allow me to try.
Tokuko
For all the hell you’ve been through, you are such a boy. I
can no more get my love back than you can get your eye back. And we cannot get
our baby back.
Fumio
(Touching his chest.) I am in agony, here.
Tokuko
People talk about their heart so carelessly it has no
meaning any more.
Fumio
After the war, I will work hard and make money. We’ll have a
big house.
Tokuko
(Rises) When you return from the war, Fumio, I will
look in the bookstores to read your romances.
Fumio
(Rising.) Please, just consider it.
Tokuko
(Raising her voice somewhat.) You are damaged merchandise. The sight of you disgusts
me. You wanted to fight, now you are disfigured. I
slaved in a brothel because of you. A brothel! I am professional geisha
now. If you ever run a shipyard come visit us and I will play the samisen for
you and Yoko will take your money.
(Tokuko leaves. Dejected,
Fumio looks after her until blackout.)
ACT THREE, SCENE SIX
Setting: Yamamoto’s office.
(At rise, Yamamoto is seated at his desk, doing
paperwork. He wears plain blue uniform. The office door left pushes open and
Akio enters, dressed in grey business suit.)
Akio
Akio here!
Yamamoto
Come on in. You’ve got bad news written all over your face.
Sit down. (Motions to Akio to take seat.)
Akio
I think I’ll stand. What’s this I hear about you?
Yamamoto
You tell me.
Akio
The word is they wanted to give you three carriers for the
attack and you said give me six or I’m out.
Yamamoto
The usual poker bluff. I got my six, I’m in.
Akio
You had the perfect opening to quit!
Yamamoto
Sit down a minute. (Akio sits.) Here’s how I see it.
I am duty-bound to serve the Emperor as his shield. I will not spare my honor
or my life.
Akio
What are you giving me, a speech? Remember me, your
best friend?
Yamamoto
I mean it.
Akio
You’ve already lost your honor. And Tojo’ll
be delighted to hear your dead.
Yamamoto
(Sighs) In too deep. I’ve
trained the pilots, the sailors, signed off on the blueprints of their ships,
everything. I can’t bet against Japan. (Beat) I’m busy today. Fumio
called in crazy and I’m here alone.
Akio
(Haughtily.) Don’t let me keep you from your chores. (Starts to
rise but Yamamoto motions him to remain seated.)
Yamamoto
Why don’t you take a nice vacation? Sit out the war
in Brazil.
Akio
I can’t leave Japan.
Yamamoto
So what makes you think I can quit now, like some
rat?
Akio
I walked out – you can, too. I knew back in Shanghai the
consequences if I refused to fire but I thought ‘better to give up your
career." You said back then "This is the saddest day of my whole
life!" But it wasn’t the saddest day in my life. I wake up every
morning free of these gangsters. But you’re going to murder for them.
Yamamoto
War is not murder.
Akio
Explain that legalism to the American sailors! Inside, you
have scruples. I remember when that cadet hid your Bible,
you beat the crap out of him. Boy, was he sorry
you weren’t a practicing Christian!
Yamamoto
You lecture me on ethics when you’re building theYamato?
Akio
I quit this morning. (Yamamoto makes a face.) Resigned,
finished, kaput! I can go plant rice with the sun beating down on my hat,
inhaling the pure stench of manure.
Yamamoto
Well, well! I am duly impressed.
Akio
There’s something else that is critical for you to know. (Beat)
Yamamoto
Does it pertain to your recent visit to Reiko?
Akio
That was purely a social call. (Awkward
silence.)
Yamamoto
A man could do worse. (Awkward
silence.) Did you---?
Akio
No! Of course not!
Yamamoto
Jealousy is one emotion I have no use for. She deserves a
more attentive husband than she’s got.
Akio
That’s not it. I was at a party in the Peruvian Embassy. (Pause. Yamamoto shrugs.) There was war talk,
as usual, and I had a bit to drink. I told them about Hawaii.
Yamamoto
You really did? Tell me, you didn’t!
Akio
I wanted them to pass the warning along to Washington.
Yamamoto
You gave away our plan?
Akio
I’m not on our side anymore. Gangsters don’t command my
loyalty.
Yamamoto
(Shocked, resigned, suddenly
quiet and gentle.) If
you were drunk, they’ll probably discount it. I myself have written a few
indiscreet letters to friends about Hawaii. I think the Americans will discount
it. I’ve forgotten you told me.
Akio
I’m astounded you’re not furious.
Yamamoto
It’s done. (Yamamoto stands and Akio stands.
Yamamoto comes around his desk and embraces Akio.) We’re brothers. We’ll
always be brothers.
Akio
Oh, after I handed in my notice, I got a call from Kempetai. They want me visit them.
Yamamoto
Don’t do it!
Akio
Believe me, I don’t plan to.
Yamamoto
Last week, that Reuters correspondent they arrested-
Akio
(Derisively) They claimed he was depressed and jumped out of the eighth
floor window.
Yamamoto
He was a newlywed, everything to live for. I played chess
with him only last week.
Akio
I’m surprised he didn’t jump then.
Yamamoto
If they give you any trouble, I’ll go to Hirohito.
Akio
I can take care of myself.
Yamamoto
If I ask, the Palace will instruct them to leave you alone.
Akio
Your reverence for my life is touching. Sure, we’re
brothers. Every man jack killed in what’s coming is somebody’s brother,
somebody’s husband, a father, a lover. I don’t think they’re real to you. I’m
flesh. (Takes Yamamoto’s hand and puts it on his breast.) Our pilots who
will die over Hawaii are as alive as I am. (Taking a step back, distancing
himself from Yamamoto.) I don’t think you feel this war. It’s an
abstraction to you.
` Yamamoto
Akio, I saw Hirohito two
days ago. He and Tojo’s gang are like mountain
climbers tied on a rope all going down under an avalanche.
Akio
So quit with me or this will be the saddest day of my
life. (Looks at Yamamoto for an answer but gets none. Akio walks out,
leaving the door open.)
Yamamoto
Oh shit!
Blackout
ACT THREE, SCENE SEVEN
Setting: Yamamoto’s home.
Time: December 1, 1941.
(Reiko is in kitchen when Yamamoto enters wearing coat and business
suit. He removes coat, brushing off snow as he advances toward Reiko.)
Reiko
So you’ve come to say goodbye. With all the rumors, I
thought you had sailed.
Yamamoto
(Putting down his coat, rubbing
hands for warmth.) Soon enough. Where are the children?
Reiko
Ice-skating. You only just missed them. (Yamamoto
sits on the chair closest to the door and removes his shoes.)
Yamamoto
I wanted to see you before…
Reiko
Of course. (Her back to him, she goes to kettle
and pours unsteadily. Yamamoto follows and loops his arms around her waist. She
puts the cup down and we can hear that she is crying.)
Yamamoto
Please don’t.
Reiko
When I saw you in your civilian suit, I thought for a moment
you had quit.
Yamamoto
Less noticeable this way. (He turns her around to face him
and attempts to kiss her on the mouth but she averts her face and he only
kisses her cheek.)
Reiko
I can’t believe you would do this thing. (She takes out
handkerchief and daubs at her eyes.)
Yamamoto
Listen-
Reiko
Thanks to you, I’ve got sons living under my roof who want
to join the Navy and kill people.
Yamamoto
The Emperor is counting on me.
Reiko
I heard he sent you a case of sake. I’d say he’s buying you cheap.
When you studied at Harvard, you used to write me how much you liked the
Americans.
Yamamoto
I still do. But they cut off our scrap metal.
Reiko
Not our scrap metal. Their
scrap metal. They know we use it to bomb Chinese. (Beat) I have a
cold feeling you’re not coming back.
Yamamoto
When we courted, I warned you the Navy makes great demands
on a man.
Reiko
What about on a woman? I slept alone for years while you
showed your magic tricks to the Boston girls. Say, how would you like it
tonight if I hired a geisha to play the samisen for you? And to rub your back
and another for, you know, what all you men like?
Yamamoto
(He turns, crosses kitchen and sits down heavily on
chair, puts his tea cup on the table, and puts his head in his hands for a
moment, then looks up wearily.) I will ask Akio to look after things when I
am gone.
Reiko
Oh?
Yamamoto
I understand he paid you a visit.
Reiko
That’s more than you’ve done lately.
Yamamoto
I have no objection if –
Reiko
How dare you! There’s nothing to object to. Nothing!
Yamamoto
If, by chance, something happens to me out there –
Reiko
(Viciously.) It’s not just a chance. I know you.
You’ve made the decision to seek death. This war will be your final service to
your country. (He
shrugs.) Why have I wasted me life with you? So many years apart – not even a
peaceful old age together.
Yamamoto
An American admiral once said, ‘My country, may it always be right, but my country right or wrong.’ I,
too, must defend my country.
Reiko
How you’ve changed from the student who admired Abraham
Lincoln because he opposed the Mexican War. Now you drink the wine of an
Emperor who has made himself a divinity. Our children recite, "to die for the Emperor is to live forever." It’s common
in a lunatic asylum for a man to think he’s God – but it’s only in Japan where
everybody else agrees with him.
Yamamoto
The fleet needs me.
Reiko
But you don’t need them. You’re a respected international
figure. Any country will take you in. (Beat) I had an awful nightmare
you were killed.
Yamamoto
It will be an honorable death.
Reiko
With a bullet through your head? You could have a peaceful death
here when your life ends naturally, with your family about you. Set your
children an example of true courage. You could die listening to a soft rain
falling on your roses.
Yamamoto
(Rises, puts tea cup on table.) I’ll miss you.
Reiko
Last night, I dreamed I carried your ashes to the heroes’shrine. It was so real! Millions of people lined the
streets mourning for you.
Yamamoto
That’s no true dream.
Reiko
(Not looking at him directly.) True or false, our life has been
over for years. Go to Yoko. But even if you survive, don’t come back. (Yamamoto
is hurt but remains silent.) I know you want to say goodbye to the
children. Your ice skates are still hanging outside. Go down to the river and
tell the boys what wonderful skaters they are. That would mean a lot to them.
(Reiko allows him to kiss her cheek. He puts his shoes on
slowly, perhaps playing for time. The he takes his coat and walks heavily out
the door. She sits down on a chair by the table and stares straight ahead.)
Blackout
ACT THREE, SCENE EIGHT
ILLUMINATED SCREEN: (Photograph
of downtown
Time: December 2, 1941.
Setting: A Tokyo café near the train station.
(A few tables and chairs, suggesting
interior of restaurant. A train whistle sounds. Yamamoto
enters café door at right, civilian dress, carrying a briefcase. Akio, who has
been waiting for him, rises and they shake hands. Yamamoto seats himself across
the table from him. A waiter runs up but before he can ask for their order,
Yamamoto gives it to him.)
Yamamoto
Bring us a bottle of your best Scotch and sushi.
Waiter
No Scotch: Canadian?
(Yamamoto nods. Waiter exits. The two men stare at
each other for a moment, nodding their heads.)
Yamamoto
Still angry?
Akio
Seething.
Yamamoto
Heard any more from the Kempetai?
Akio
(Lying) Ah, no. I suppose I have you to thank. (He extends both hands across
the table. Yamamoto accepts it and they clasp hands for a long moment.) So…
it’s really happening.
Yamamoto
(Nods, glances at his watch. Akio glances at his watch.) Advanced units
already beyond recall. My train leaves for the anchorage in forty-five minutes.
Waiter
(Waiter re-enters practically at a run, with bottle of
whisky and two glasses.)
Complimentary, your honor. I know who you are. No charge.
Yamamoto and Akio
Thank you. (Waiter hangs back, pulls out pen and an
autograph book.)
Waiter
Sir, I am a great admirer– would you sign my autograph book?
My own son is in the Navy. (Yamamoto scrawls his name in the book.)
Akio
Don’t I know you?
Yamamoto
Oh, what ship?
Waiter
‘
Yamamoto
‘Red Castle’ has got a good skipper. Pilots trained to perfection.
He’s in good hands.
Akio
Isn’t your name Akio?
Waiter
(Beaming) Yes, the two Akios. (Waiter
bows.)
Akio
(Extending his hand) We must shake. (They shake.) Right!
Waiter
Sir, it’s been a while since I’ve heard from my son. Would
you know where he is?
Yamamoto
He serves his country. That’s all I can tell you.
Waiter
(Nodding) Then you’ve told me everything.
Akio
We’re rushed today. Our lunch?
(Waiter runs off. There is an awkward pause. Akio fills
their glasses and they touch them together.)
To all our good years together --
and fifty more.
(They empty their glasses and Akio refills them. Yamamoto removes an
envelope from his breast pocket and offers it to Akio, who puts his hand up
defensively.)
Akio
Oh, no, not that. Let somebody else.
Yamamoto
I want you. Besides the will, there’s a key to my
safe deposit box. Enough casino winnings in there to last for
years. Look after Reiko and the children for me.
Akio
(Akio pushes Yamamoto’s hand away.) You’re indestructible.
Yamamoto
No fairy tales. I expect to die on the bridge of the "Nagato."
Akio
(Yamamoto puts envelope into Akio’s suit pocket.) If
you could swim that whirlpool back home where so many drowned, you’ll survive
this, too.
Yamamoto
If our attack succeeds, the Americans will scour the Pacific
for me. (Waiter hurries in and puts two plates of sushi before them and
leaves.)
Akio
The Minister says they might come to terms... (They eat
rapidly.)
Yamamoto
More in character for them to fight
savagely. Look
what they did to the Germans at Chatteau-Thiery. I
hope my sons are never in the position the waiter’s son is going to be in next
Monday.
Akio
If we’re bombed, our children will go to the countryside,
like the British.
Yamamoto
In the evil days that are coming, we can expect to see Tokyo
burned to the ground three or four times. The Emperor’s Mother just left the
palace. She’s furious with him.
Akio
Tokyo is sure to be a prime target. Stalin bombed Helsinki.
Hitler bombed London. The British are plastering Germany. Why shouldn’t the
Americans do the same here?
Yamamoto
Sometimes I wonder about all those Europeans cheering in the
streets in 1914: How many dreamed one day they would end up hanging on some
barbed wire? (Looking at his watch and signaling waiter.) It’s almost
train time.
Akio
You’ve hardly started eating—
Yamamoto
My chef on the Nagato
specializes in French pastries. (Tapping his stomach) My own guts are
starting to hang out. (Waiter runs up. Yamamoto is standing, stuffing his sushi
into a napkin. He picks up his briefcase, opens it on the table, and stuffs
napkin inside, snaps it shut.)
Yamamoto
Our check!
Waiter
No charge, your honor. (He produces the autograph book
again.) Ah, Admiral, would you sign one more?
Yamamoto
(He takes the waiter’s pen and scribbles.) Sure, and
don’t worry, that son of yours will be all right. (Waiter bows and looks
gleefully at autograph and steps back bowing, toward the kitchen door at left,
but lingers, without leaving, watching the two men who are preparing to leave.)
Akio
I’ll walk you to the train.
Yamamoto
(Shakes his head.) Rumors of trouble. Let’s say goodbye here. (They
embrace.)
Akio
Uh, is there a message for Yoko?
(The two men are still close, embracing, when a vacant look comes
over Yamamoto’s face. The action in the restaurant stops and off at the left we
see Yoko behind a scrim.)
Yoko
Darling, take my hair down with your own hands.
Akio
Is something wrong?
Yoko
Darling, take my hair down with your own hands.
Yamamoto
(Image of Yoko fades out.) No, nothing…
Akio
I said, ‘Is there a message for Yoko?’ Did you hear me?
Yamamoto
Tell her to find a fishing village where we can grow old and
ugly together. (Lightly) Say, it’s not even a hundred years since
Admiral Perry intruded on our island. How different it might be if America had
left us alone in our feudal splendor. Now, it falls on me to return Perry’s
visit.
(Yamamoto slips on his coat, opens the door, and is about to
leave when the Assassin bursts in.)
Assassin
Admiral Yamamoto! Take me with you.
Yamamoto
Splendid! We’ll find plenty of opportunities for you to die.
(To Akio) My friend from the Cherry Blossom Society.
He refused their orders to kill me, so I’m adopting him. (Putting his arm
around Assassin) Say, how would you like the thrill of starting a world
war? (Assassin grins.) Won’t that be something to tell your
Cherry Blossom Master. (Yamamoto starts for the
door, but Akio grabs his sleeve.)
Akio
Isoroku, the Americans are sure to call
this surprise attack a war crime.
Yamamoto
Admiral Dewey did as much to the Spaniards.
Akio
No he didn’t! That was a declared war. This is by surprise.
Yamamoto
It won’t be. Tokyo will break off diplomatic relations beforehand.
Akio
And if they don’t? You’ll be compromised.
Yamamoto
Bad luck for a gambler, eh?
Fumio
(Enters) Sir, please hurry. We’re late.
Yamamoto
(Claps Fumio on the back.) Oh, and good luck for Fumio here! (Indicating
Assassin) I’ve decided to make this young man my new personal aide. I’m
changing your orders. You stay here and keep that good eye on Tojo for me.
Fumio
What? Sir, I must protest!
Yamamoto
If Tojo gives the Navy any
trouble, you run on over there and punch him in the nose. Oh, and see that Yoko
doesn’t overwork Tokuko. She’s got to let her go for
a walk in the Ginza now and then. (Fumio storms
out. Yamamoto laughs. He embraces Akio again and leaves with Assassin. Akio
returns to the table, picks up the whisky bottle and
takes a gulp.)
Waiter
(Approaches Akio, bottle in hand,
sadly.) Our samurai, they are sailing off to
paint the world with our blood. And my son will be on the flight deck…! (Grabs Akio’s shirt.) We little people, what you
masters will do to us…. They’re sure to attack the carriers, aren’t they? (Akio
gently removes the waiter’s hands from his shirt. Waiter wails.) They’ll kill
him!
Akio
Yes, they’re sure to go for the carriers. So, let’s go have
a drink. Come with me. The two Akios will drink
together again. There’s a cliff where I used to take my wife when we were
courting where you can see the Pacific stretch away until it’s just a blue
curve of color that blends with the sky. Come on. We’ll watch until the
whitecaps sparkle under the moon. (He puts his arm around the waiter’s
shoulders and they start off slowly left, the waiter almost too weak to walk.
Beat) Ah, Isoroku, I am going to miss you!
(As they exit slowly, the sound of drumbeats as from a
funeral procession are heard, spaced a few seconds apart. They grow louder. We
hear about twenty. Blackout. Set of Yamamoto’s home is
illuminated across stage. Reiko, dressed in mourning white, enters from right
slowly holding a small urn of ashes, which she places gently on the table. She
removes her coat and sits down wearily, facing the urn and audience.)
Reiko
How ever did I ever get through this day? My legs feel like
straw. Strange, how his funeral turned out like my dream---millions of people
in the streets. I should be proud he is only the second commoner to get a State
funeral but he could have been alive today if not for them. And what a joke
when I realized the procession was going past Yoko’s place. I heard they sent
her some ashes, too. I wonder did she look down from her window at me and
think, ‘Oh, there’s that homely cow he married,’ eh? I suppose they used the
funeral to signal the public the war is not going so well for us any more. I
don’t hear them play the "Battleship March" on the radio. Well, his
aides warned him, ‘Don’t go on this inspection trip to the front. The Americans
have broken our code and they know when your plane will arrive.’ He went
anyway, of course. Better to die in battle than strung up on the gallows after
the war like a dog in some prison. (Smiles, shakes her head.) You know,
the Navy is putting out the story when his plane crashed he was thrown onto the
sand and they found him sitting up ramrod straight, his hand gripping his
father’s sword, his eyes staring across the ocean toward Japan. Some story! How
they squeezed all the cheap propaganda they could out of him. Now his uniform
is in a museum to glorify this war. But war is not so glorious, is it? The
American planes took him by surprise, just as he surprised the Americans at
Pearl Harbor. And isn’t that what war is, surprise attacks, dirty tricks, no
mercy?
(She picks up box of ashes and stands.)
Ah, well, they have not got quite all of you. They left a
little for the milkmaid. I like to think this is the part of you that loved
life and drinking with friends and party tricks and playing poker and making
love to exotic women. How sad for Akio they would not let him out of prison to
attend. His heart must be very heavy. As for my heart, well, you cannot break
what was broken in the long ago. So I will take my trowel and spread these ashes
around the roots of his rose bushes, because spring is
here again, time for our Japanese soil to renew itself. (She opens the box
of ashes and looks inside.) Oh, Japan! Oh, Japan!
THE END
(Those interested in presenting staged readings or
productions of the play or who wish to comment on the work may contact the
playwright at sherwoodr1@yahoo.com).
The
Chickasaw
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