Cast of Characters
Family 1: stage right
Dottie: Mother, somewhere from late 30s to early 40s
Sam: Father, somewhere from late 30s to early 40s
Jack: son, writes correspondence to his lover, about 18
Family 2: stage left
Bess (Elizabeth): mother, about 37 years old
John (Jack): father, about 38 years old,
Elizabeth: daughter, writes correspondence to her lover, about 17
Scene: Two kitchens in a split stage
Time: The World Wars
/ indicates that the lines are spoken at the same time
Scene 1
At rise, ELIZABETH enters, twirling, and JACK enters, each into their respective kitchens. Each kitchen has its own circular table with two chairs; Both families are middle class. The light only illuminates the table and chairs of the scene, leaving the walls in darkness. JACK sits at the table with a pen and a stack of papers, old letters and a new piece of paper. He nervously bounces a pen against the table. ELIZABETH clutches a slightly crumpled piece of paper to her chest. She then holds it an arms-length away to read it again. JACK stops bouncing the pen and stand up abruptly from the table.
JACK
Why isn’t this easier? Why is it so hard to tell you how I feel? My letters seem like random words mixed together on a page. How do you make it look so easy?
JACK leans on the table, staring at the blank page.
ELIZABETH
reading
Dearest Elizabeth, I dream of your eyes. I spend every waking moment think of you, of how to see you again. I am in agony without you. Even as the world bursts into flames around us, I know that you are my safe haven.
Elizabeth erupts into barely contained squeals
JACK
Lifting head from table
Elizabeth, I need to see you again. There is no worse hell than being without you. Europe may be… stops writing, then scribbles out previous sentence. To himself, How ‘bout no war talk to the girl you’re trying to profess your love to.
ELIZABETH
He always knows exactly what to say. My letters sound like a child wrote them.
JACK
I wish we lived in a different time, a calmer, easier time. I wish we didn’t have to worry about any of this. Our only problems would be picking which film to see at the cinema. I wish you weren’t so far away. Elizabeth…
ELIZABETH
Why are you so far away from me? Different states? Why couldn’t you be the boy next door?
Lights dim.
Scene 2
JOHN at kitchen table listening to the radio. The radio host discusses the American boys that have been sent to Europe to help in the war against the Germans. The light only illuminates the table and chairs of the scene, leaving the walls in darkness.
JOHN
grumbling
Sounds familiar.
DOTTIE comes into the kitchen, sorting through the mail. She opens one letter, skimming the contents. SAM comes into the room, heading to the fridge.
DOTTIE
In a low voice
Sam. You remember Sarah’s boy? My friend Sarah? You met her son at that holiday party last year.
SAM
Not fully paying attention
Yeah, I think. That kinda rings a bell.
DOTTIE
He just got drafted.
SAM
sighing
How’d Sarah take it?
DOTTIE
As well as possible, but Sam… not a word to Jack.
SAM
Why not?
DOTTIE
He’s got enough ideas in his head about enlisting, I don’t want him to get any more.
SAM
He’s eighteen, he’s not a boy…
JACK
entering
Ma, I grabbed the paper. It was outside.
DOTTIE
Turned, fixing together a snack
Thanks, dear. Got any plans today?
JACK
No, not really. I was thinking of meeting up with some of the guys… starts reading paper
DOTTIE
Yeah?
JACK
And well…we were gonna… Pa, did you see this?
DOTTIE
Coming to stand next to JACK, grabbing the paper
Does everything we do have to be about this war? Can we not focus on something else for once?
JACK
firmly
How can we not?! Do you not see how much this affects us?
DOTTIE
Of course /I do.
JACK
/Then how do you not understand how much this matters to me?!
Pause
Men are laying down their lives out there. And I’m sitting here thinking about if I’m going to go to a carnival with my friends. I can’t be the only guy still here.
DOTTIE
softly
Honey, what difference is one man gonna make? Men are coming home missing eyes and missing legs. That could be you.
JACK
Why should it be them and not me?
SAM
You’re right, Jack.
DOTTIE
incredulously
Sam?!
SAM
He’s right, doll. There’s nothing separating him from those other boys. The only thing that I can tell you is that your mother and I love you, and we don’t want to lose you.
ELIZABETH
entering
Mom?!
JACK
Close to tears
You won’t.
BESS
entering
Yes?
SAM
But, you can’t guarantee that. We just don’t want you to sign up for this.
ELIZABETH
Mom, I just talked to Josie, and she said lots of boys are volunteering.
BESS
Yes, they are.
ELIZABETH
And the draft is going on too?
JACK
There’s a draft anyway. I might as well volunteer.
SAM
The draft is something we will deal with when and if it comes.
BESS
sighing
Yes, there is a draft going on.
ELIZABETH
Thinly veiled panic
Are they gonna send every one of our boys over there?
BESS
I’m sure not all.
JACK
Shaky breath
I’m gonna go see about that carnival.
ELIZABETH
I don’t want to lose him, Mom.
DOTTIE
Ok, son. We’ll see you later.
JACK exits.
BESS
I know, honey. I know.
DOTTIE
I can’t lose him, Sam.
SAM
I know, doll.
Light fades.
Scene 3
JACK coming into the kitchen, alone, with a letter in his hands. The light only illuminates the table and chairs of the scene, leaving the walls in darkness.
JACK
Dear Jack, I know this is a lot to ask. And I know I have no right to say this, but please don’t volunteer. I know there has been a lot of talk about pride for America, but I couldn’t bear to lose you. I’m sorry for asking. Love always, Elizabeth
JACK sits at the table, smiling–but not quite fully–and begins to write a letter. ELIZABETH enters.
ELIZABETH
(dreamy)
Dear Elizabeth, I have thought long and hard about my loyalties. I always thought that I would be willing to lay down my life for this country, but not if I risk losing our future. I will not volunteer to spend part of my life away from you. I don’t know if that makes me a coward, but I’ve stopped caring. I love you. I need to see you. This distance is too far. State lines shouldn’t hold us apart. I don’t want to wait anymore. I don’t think we’re too young. Love,–
BESS enters
BESS
Elizabeth? Can you help me with this? We’re sending food to the men overseas.
ELIZABETH
Yes, of course.
ELIZABETH exits with BESS. Light fades out.
Scene 4
SAM and DOTTIE sitting at the kitchen table. The light only illuminates the table and chairs of the scene, leaving the walls in darkness. They’re not talking about anything of importance and just look happy to be in each other’s company. JACK enters, staring blankly ahead as he walks. A slightly crumpled paper is in his hand along with its envelope.
DOTTIE
Noticing JACK
Oh. Hi, dear. We were just talking about your father’s coworker Larry. He said the funniest thing at work today.
DOTTIE continues laughing, but JACK remains stunned until his lip begins to quiver.
JACK
Mom?
DOTTIE looks up to see JACK, her facing sobering as she takes in his expression. As she gets up to go to him, concerned, SAM takes the letter from JACK’s hands.
JACK
Breaking out in tears
Mom!
DOTTIE rushes over to JACK, enveloping him in her arms. JACK buries his head in her shoulder, and DOTTIE looks at SAM over her shoulder. SAM had been hastily reading the letter, and he now looks at DOTTIE. He looks older suddenly, as if the letter has taken a part of his life away. He nods his head once to DOTTIE as he tries to keep himself from crying. DOTTIE turns away from SAM to hug JACK tighter as she begins to cry. The light fades.
Scene 5
ELIZABETH runs into the kitchen, holding a letter in her hands. The light only illuminates the table and chairs of the scene, leaving the walls in darkness. She holds back excitement in her opening of the letter, but her expression changes when the contents of the letter are revealed.
ELIZABETH
Mom!!
ELIZABETH drops the letter, covering her face with her hands.
ELIZABETH
Shrilly
Mom!!
BESS runs into kitchen.
BESS
What? Honey, what’s wrong?
ELIZABETH
crying
Drafted. He got drafted. They’re sending him to Europe.
BESS moves to wrap her arms around ELIZABETH
BESS
Oh, honey.
Light fades out.
Scene 6
Both families are in their respective kitchens, excluding JACK. The light only illuminates the table and chairs of the scene, leaving the walls in darkness.
SAM
I can’t believe it’s been almost a year since he left.
DOTTIE
I know. Did we get the post yet?
SAM
No, but it should come any second.
BESS
Elizabeth, are you gonna go find your friends soon?
ELIZABETH
After the post comes.
JOHN
You know, when I was younger, I was a paperboy, and–
ELIZABETH
/It’s here!
DOTTIE
/It’s here!
DOTTIE and ELIZABETH exit the kitchen to go retrieve the mail. They both coming back, tearing into white envelopes. Their eyes scan the letters quickly.
DOTTIE
He’s al/right.
ELIZABETH
/He’s okay.
SAM
What else did he say?
JOHN
What’s going on over there?
ELIZABETH
It’s hell, but they’re making some ground.
DOTTIE
They’re losing a lot of men. He thanks God he isn’t dead yet.
Dottie sits in the chair opposite Sam.
DOTTIE (cont.)
Tearing up
He says not to worry, that he’ll be home by Christmas. He’s just trying to keep me from worrying.
ELIZABETH
He says we’ll be married the second he gets home.
DOTTIE
I just want him back.
The light fades out.
Scene 6
ELIZABETH in her kitchen, reading and writing letters. The light only illuminates the table and chairs of the scene, leaving the walls in darkness.
ELIZABETH
Dear Elizabeth, The day is hard, but everytime I shut my eyes, I see you, and only the vision of your face puts me at ease.
ELIZABETH trails off, reading the rest of the letter.
Oh, please come back, you have to come back. All I want to do is be with you. You say you’re okay, but…you don’t sound like you are. I need all of you. Please, come back whole.
Light fades out.
Scene 7
Both kitchens are empty. DOTTIE comes in with a handful of envelopes. The light only illuminates the table and chairs of the scene, leaving the walls in darkness.
DOTTIE
Bill. Bill. Bill. Bill.
The doorbell rings. DOTTIE exits once again.
DOTTIE
offstage
Thank you.
DOTTIE
entering
Oh my God. Sam!
DOTTIE begins to shake, and BESS enters her kitchen, sorting through the mail.
DOTTIE
hysterical
Sam!
BESS puts the letters down on the table save one, which she begins to open. SAM enters.
DOTTIE
crying
Sam, it’s from the army.
BESS looks severely distressed, reading the contents of the letter.
BESS
Oh no.
DOTTIE
Sam, I can’t open it. I can’t, I can’t.
SAM gently removes the letter from DOTTIE’s hands, and begins to open it.
BESS
Elizabeth! Elizabeth, please come here.
SAM begins to scan the contents of the letter. ELIZABETH enters.
SAM
He’s been shot.
DOTTIE crumbles into a chair at the table. BESS takes ELIZABETH’s hands and sits down with her at the table.
ELIZABETH
Mom?
SAM
It happened last week. There’s no word on his present condition. I think they were taking him to a hospital, but he had lost a lot of blood. Dottie, I don’t know…
BESS
Elizabeth, I need you to listen.
SAM begins to cry.
BESS
Elizabeth, that boy you love. Well, there was a struggle, and he was shot. Honey, I’m so sorry. They couldn’t save him.
ELIZABETH
Tearing up
No, no, no. He’s not… He’s not.
JOHN enters, limping slightly.
BESS
I’m so sorry, honey, but he’s gone.
ELIZABETH begins to cry hysterically. JACK enters his respective kitchen. He walks on crutches, and his leg is bandaged.
JACK
No need to cry. Told you I’d be home by Christmas.
JACK is immediately embraced by his parents.
ELIZABETH
No. William! William, no!
ELIZABETH exits, still crying. BESS moves to go with her, but JOHN stops her. The lights raise on both halves of the stage, illuminating the walls of each kitchen. The left kitchen has propaganda posters condemning Nazis and the Axis Powers. There is a photograph of JACK, SAM, and DOTTIE embracing just after JACK and his crutches come home from the war. The right kitchen has propaganda condemning the Kaiser and a picture of Woodrow Wilson. The light goes out on stage right with the family still embracing.
JOHN
Let her cry for a little bit.
BESS
But, Jack–
JOHN
Elizabeth, you have to let her grieve a while.
BESS
sniffling
You haven’t called me Elizabeth in years.
JOHN
Laughing softly, but sadly
Because you girls wouldn’t be able to tell who I was talking to if I called you both Elizabeth.
BESS walks over to JOHN and embraces him, smiling.
BESS
Remember when you came home. The first thing you did was marry me.
JOHN
As soon as I could walk without crutches.
They hold each other for a while. Their smiles fade. The lights go out.
LETTERS TO ELIZABETH
A one-act play
By Samantha Smith
Cast of Characters
Character List:
Family 1: stage right
Dottie: Mother, somewhere from late 30s to early 40s
Sam: Father, somewhere from late 30s to early 40s
Jack: son, writes correspondence to his lover, about 18
Family 2: stage left
Bess (Elizabeth): mother, about 37 years old
John (Jack): father, about 38 years old,
Elizabeth: daughter, writes correspondence to her lover, about 17
Scene
Two kitchens in a split stage
Time
The World Wars
/ indicates that the lines are spoken at the same time
Scene 1
At rise, ELIZABETH enters, twirling, and JACK enters, each into their respective kitchens. Each kitchen has its own circular table with two chairs; Both families are middle class. The light only illuminates the table and chairs of the scene, leaving the walls in darkness. JACK sits at the table with a pen and a stack of papers, old letters and a new piece of paper. He nervously bounces a pen against the table. ELIZABETH clutches a slightly crumpled piece of paper to her chest. She then holds it an arms-length away to read it again. JACK stops bouncing the pen and stand up abruptly from the table.
JACK
Why isn’t this easier? Why is it so hard to tell you how I feel? My letters seem like random words mixed together on a page. How do you make it look so easy?
JACK leans on the table, staring at the blank page.
ELIZABETH
reading
Dearest Elizabeth, I dream of your eyes. I spend every waking moment think of you, of how to see you again. I am in agony without you. Even as the world bursts into flames around us, I know that you are my safe haven.
Elizabeth erupts into barely contained squeals
JACK
Lifting head from table
Elizabeth, I need to see you again. There is no worse hell than being without you. Europe may be… stops writing, then scribbles out previous sentence. To himself, How ‘bout no war talk to the girl you’re trying to profess your love to.
ELIZABETH
He always knows exactly what to say. My letters sound like a child wrote them.
JACK
I wish we lived in a different time, a calmer, easier time. I wish we didn’t have to worry about any of this. Our only problems would be picking which film to see at the cinema. I wish you weren’t so far away. Elizabeth…
ELIZABETH
Why are you so far away from me? Different states? Why couldn’t you be the boy next door?
Lights dim.
Scene 2
JOHN at kitchen table listening to the radio. The radio host discusses the American boys that have been sent to Europe to help in the war against the Germans. The light only illuminates the table and chairs of the scene, leaving the walls in darkness.
JOHN
grumbling
Sounds familiar.
DOTTIE comes into the kitchen, sorting through the mail. She opens one letter, skimming the contents. SAM comes into the room, heading to the fridge.
DOTTIE
In a low voice
Sam. You remember Sarah’s boy? My friend Sarah? You met her son at that holiday party last year.
SAM
Not fully paying attention
Yeah, I think. That kinda rings a bell.
DOTTIE
He just got drafted.
SAM
sighing
How’d Sarah take it?
DOTTIE
As well as possible, but Sam… not a word to Jack.
SAM
Why not?
DOTTIE
He’s got enough ideas in his head about enlisting, I don’t want him to get any more.
SAM
He’s eighteen, he’s not a boy…
JACK
entering
Ma, I grabbed the paper. It was outside.
DOTTIE
Turned, fixing together a snack
Thanks, dear. Got any plans today?
JACK
No, not really. I was thinking of meeting up with some of the guys… starts reading paper
DOTTIE
Yeah?
JACK
And well…we were gonna… Pa, did you see this?
DOTTIE
Coming to stand next to JACK, grabbing the paper
Does everything we do have to be about this war? Can we not focus on something else for once?
JACK
firmly
How can we not?! Do you not see how much this affects us?
DOTTIE
Of course /I do.
JACK
/Then how do you not understand how much this matters to me?!
Pause
Men are laying down their lives out there. And I’m sitting here thinking about if I’m going to go to a carnival with my friends. I can’t be the only guy still here.
DOTTIE
softly
Honey, what difference is one man gonna make? Men are coming home missing eyes and missing legs. That could be you.
JACK
Why should it be them and not me?
SAM
You’re right, Jack.
DOTTIE
incredulously
Sam?!
SAM
He’s right, doll. There’s nothing separating him from those other boys. The only thing that I can tell you is that your mother and I love you, and we don’t want to lose you.
ELIZABETH
entering
Mom?!
JACK
Close to tears
You won’t.
BESS
entering
Yes?
SAM
But, you can’t guarantee that. We just don’t want you to sign up for this.
ELIZABETH
Mom, I just talked to Josie, and she said lots of boys are volunteering.
BESS
Yes, they are.
ELIZABETH
And the draft is going on too?
JACK
There’s a draft anyway. I might as well volunteer.
SAM
The draft is something we will deal with when and if it comes.
BESS
sighing
Yes, there is a draft going on.
ELIZABETH
Thinly veiled panic
Are they gonna send every one of our boys over there?
BESS
I’m sure not all.
JACK
Shaky breath
I’m gonna go see about that carnival.
ELIZABETH
I don’t want to lose him, Mom.
DOTTIE
Ok, son. We’ll see you later.
JACK exits.
BESS
I know, honey. I know.
DOTTIE
I can’t lose him, Sam.
SAM
I know, doll.
Light fades.
Scene 3
JACK coming into the kitchen, alone, with a letter in his hands. The light only illuminates the table and chairs of the scene, leaving the walls in darkness.
JACK
Dear Jack, I know this is a lot to ask. And I know I have no right to say this, but please don’t volunteer. I know there has been a lot of talk about pride for America, but I couldn’t bear to lose you. I’m sorry for asking. Love always, Elizabeth
JACK sits at the table, smiling–but not quite fully–and begins to write a letter. ELIZABETH enters.
ELIZABETH
(dreamy)
Dear Elizabeth, I have thought long and hard about my loyalties. I always thought that I would be willing to lay down my life for this country, but not if I risk losing our future. I will not volunteer to spend part of my life away from you. I don’t know if that makes me a coward, but I’ve stopped caring. I love you. I need to see you. This distance is too far. State lines shouldn’t hold us apart. I don’t want to wait anymore. I don’t think we’re too young. Love,–
BESS enters
BESS
Elizabeth? Can you help me with this? We’re sending food to the men overseas.
ELIZABETH
Yes, of course.
ELIZABETH exits with BESS. Light fades out.
Scene 4
SAM and DOTTIE sitting at the kitchen table. The light only illuminates the table and chairs of the scene, leaving the walls in darkness. They’re not talking about anything of importance and just look happy to be in each other’s company. JACK enters, staring blankly ahead as he walks. A slightly crumpled paper is in his hand along with its envelope.
DOTTIE
Noticing JACK
Oh. Hi, dear. We were just talking about your father’s coworker Larry. He said the funniest thing at work today.
DOTTIE continues laughing, but JACK remains stunned until his lip begins to quiver.
JACK
Mom?
DOTTIE looks up to see JACK, her facing sobering as she takes in his expression. As she gets up to go to him, concerned, SAM takes the letter from JACK’s hands.
JACK
Breaking out in tears
Mom!
DOTTIE rushes over to JACK, enveloping him in her arms. JACK buries his head in her shoulder, and DOTTIE looks at SAM over her shoulder. SAM had been hastily reading the letter, and he now looks at DOTTIE. He looks older suddenly, as if the letter has taken a part of his life away. He nods his head once to DOTTIE as he tries to keep himself from crying. DOTTIE turns away from SAM to hug JACK tighter as she begins to cry. The light fades.
Scene 5
ELIZABETH runs into the kitchen, holding a letter in her hands. The light only illuminates the table and chairs of the scene, leaving the walls in darkness. She holds back excitement in her opening of the letter, but her expression changes when the contents of the letter are revealed.
ELIZABETH
Mom!!
ELIZABETH drops the letter, covering her face with her hands.
ELIZABETH
Shrilly
Mom!!
BESS runs into kitchen.
BESS
What? Honey, what’s wrong?
ELIZABETH
crying
Drafted. He got drafted. They’re sending him to Europe.
BESS moves to wrap her arms around ELIZABETH
BESS
Oh, honey.
Light fades out.
Scene 6
Both families are in their respective kitchens, excluding JACK. The light only illuminates the table and chairs of the scene, leaving the walls in darkness.
SAM
I can’t believe it’s been almost a year since he left.
DOTTIE
I know. Did we get the post yet?
SAM
No, but it should come any second.
BESS
Elizabeth, are you gonna go find your friends soon?
ELIZABETH
After the post comes.
JOHN
You know, when I was younger, I was a paperboy, and–
ELIZABETH
/It’s here!
DOTTIE
/It’s here!
DOTTIE and ELIZABETH exit the kitchen to go retrieve the mail. They both coming back, tearing into white envelopes. Their eyes scan the letters quickly.
DOTTIE
He’s al/right.
ELIZABETH
/He’s okay.
SAM
What else did he say?
JOHN
What’s going on over there?
ELIZABETH
It’s hell, but they’re making some ground.
DOTTIE
They’re losing a lot of men. He thanks God he isn’t dead yet.
Dottie sits in the chair opposite Sam.
DOTTIE (cont.)
Tearing up
He says not to worry, that he’ll be home by Christmas. He’s just trying to keep me from worrying.
ELIZABETH
He says we’ll be married the second he gets home.
DOTTIE
I just want him back.
The light fades out.
Scene 6
ELIZABETH in her kitchen, reading and writing letters. The light only illuminates the table and chairs of the scene, leaving the walls in darkness.
ELIZABETH
Dear Elizabeth, The day is hard, but everytime I shut my eyes, I see you, and only the vision of your face puts me at ease.
ELIZABETH trails off, reading the rest of the letter.
Oh, please come back, you have to come back. All I want to do is be with you. You say you’re okay, but…you don’t sound like you are. I need all of you. Please, come back whole.
Light fades out.
Scene 7
Both kitchens are empty. DOTTIE comes in with a handful of envelopes. The light only illuminates the table and chairs of the scene, leaving the walls in darkness.
DOTTIE
Bill. Bill. Bill. Bill.
The doorbell rings. DOTTIE exits once again.
DOTTIE
offstage
Thank you.
DOTTIE
entering
Oh my God. Sam!
DOTTIE begins to shake, and BESS enters her kitchen, sorting through the mail.
DOTTIE
hysterical
Sam!
BESS puts the letters down on the table save one, which she begins to open. SAM enters.
DOTTIE
crying
Sam, it’s from the army.
BESS looks severely distressed, reading the contents of the letter.
BESS
Oh no.
DOTTIE
Sam, I can’t open it. I can’t, I can’t.
SAM gently removes the letter from DOTTIE’s hands, and begins to open it.
BESS
Elizabeth! Elizabeth, please come here.
SAM begins to scan the contents of the letter. ELIZABETH enters.
SAM
He’s been shot.
DOTTIE crumbles into a chair at the table. BESS takes ELIZABETH’s hands and sits down with her at the table.
ELIZABETH
Mom?
SAM
It happened last week. There’s no word on his present condition. I think they were taking him to a hospital, but he had lost a lot of blood. Dottie, I don’t know…
BESS
Elizabeth, I need you to listen.
SAM begins to cry.
BESS
Elizabeth, that boy you love. Well, there was a struggle, and he was shot. Honey, I’m so sorry. They couldn’t save him.
ELIZABETH
Tearing up
No, no, no. He’s not… He’s not.
JOHN enters, limping slightly.
BESS
I’m so sorry, honey, but he’s gone.
ELIZABETH begins to cry hysterically. JACK enters his respective kitchen. He walks on crutches, and his leg is bandaged.
JACK
No need to cry. Told you I’d be home by Christmas.
JACK is immediately embraced by his parents.
ELIZABETH
No. William! William, no!
ELIZABETH exits, still crying. BESS moves to go with her, but JOHN stops her. The lights raise on both halves of the stage, illuminating the walls of each kitchen. The left kitchen has propaganda posters condemning Nazis and the Axis Powers. There is a photograph of JACK, SAM, and DOTTIE embracing just after JACK and his crutches come home from the war. The right kitchen has propaganda condemning the Kaiser and a picture of Woodrow Wilson. The light goes out on stage right with the family still embracing.
JOHN
Let her cry for a little bit.
BESS
But, Jack–
JOHN
Elizabeth, you have to let her grieve a while.
BESS
sniffling
You haven’t called me Elizabeth in years.
JOHN
Laughing softly, but sadly
Because you girls wouldn’t be able to tell who I was talking to if I called you both Elizabeth.
BESS walks over to JOHN and embraces him, smiling.
BESS
Remember when you came home. The first thing you did was marry me.
JOHN
As soon as I could walk without crutches.
They hold each other for a while. Their smiles fade. The lights go out.
