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YAMAMOTO’S DECISION
A Play in Four Acts by Sherwood Ross
ACT TWO, SCENE TWO
(The stage is bare except for a small raised dais on which sits the Master of the Cherry Blossom Society. He is a man of about sixty, dressed like a shogun of old. The First and Second Army Assassins, in uniform, are on their knees on an elaborate rug, heads bowed. At rise, the Chief is shaking his head angrily.)
Cherry Blossom Society Master
So, look at me you worms, you cowards, you so-called assassins! You failed to kill the Prime Minister!
First Army Assassin
We did get his brother-in-law.
Cherry Blossom Society Master
Yes, so I heard. A weary war hero comes home from China for a little rest and the two of you send him on a permanent vacation.
Second Army Assassin
Perhaps the family would allow us to pay for the funeral.
Cherry Blossom Society Master
That family doesn’t need your money. One of you must die!
Second Army Assassin
One of us?
(The Army Assassins look at each other.)
Cherry Blossom Society Master
Yes. You must choose between yourselves. One of you must commit hari-kari. I’d allow you both the sacred privilege of joining your ancestors but I need one of you to kill an important Admiral.
First Army Assassin
Exalted Master, I’d welcome the honor to kill an important Admiral.
Second Army Assassin
Exalted Master, my father was in the Navy, the honor should be mine. (Whispers to First Army Assassin) Go shoot yourself.
First Army Assassin
Honorable colleague, you have done much more killing than me already. You must allow me the honor of this next opportunity.
Second Army Assassin
No, I cannot allow you that honor.
First Army Assassin
You must. I insist on it. (Stands angrily.)
Second Army Assassin
I insist!
(Second Army Assassin rises and withdraws pistol and is about to shoot First Army Assassin.)
Cherry Blossom Society Master
Not on my Persian rug, you don’t. I don’t care which of you comes back! But do it outside.
(The assassins rise and, as they are about to leave, pause as their Master calls)
Oh, and if I don’t see you again, have a good trip.
(They leave. Two shots ring out.)
With any luck, they’ve killed each other.
(Blackout)
"Yamamoto's Decision" by Sherwood Ross IS COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL AND MAY NOT BE DOWNLOADED, TRANSMITTED, PRINTED OR PERFORMED WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF THE AUTHOR
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