The Fifth Column

Act Three Scene Two

Interior of an artillery observation post in a shelled house on the top of the Extremadura road.

It is located in the tower of what has been a very pretentious house and access to it is by a ladder which replaces the circular iron stairway which has been smashed and hangs, broken and twisted. You see the ladder against the tower and at its top, the back of the observation post which faces toward Madrid. It is night and the sacks which plug its windows have been removed and looking out through them you see nothing but darkness because the lights of Madrid have been extinguished. There are large-scale military maps on the walls with the positions marked with colored tacks and tapes, and on a plain table there is a field telephone. There is an extra large size, single, German model, long tube telemeter opposite the narrow opening in the wall to the right of the table and a chair beside it. There is an ordinarysized double tube telemeter at the other opening with a chair at its base. There is another plain table with a telephone on the right of the room. At the foot of the ladder is a SENTRY with fixed bayonet, and at the top of the ladder in the room, where there is just enough height for him to stand straight with his rifle and bayonet, there is another SENTRY. As the curtain rises, you see the scene as described with the TWO SENTRIES at their posts. Two SIGNALLERS are bending over the larger table. After the curtain is up, you see the lights of a motor which shine brightly on the ladder at the base of the tower. They come closer and closer and almost blind the SENTRY.

SENTRY. Cut those lights!

[The lights shine on, illuminating the SENTRY with a blinding light]

SENTRY. [Presenting his rifle, pulling back the bolt, and shoving it forward with a click] Cut those lights!

[He says it very slowly, clearly and dangerously, and it is obvious that he will fire. The lights go off and THREE MEN, two of them in officer’s uniform, one large and stout, the other rather thin and elegantly dressed, with riding boots which shine in the flashlight the stout man carries, and a CIVILIAN, cross the stage from the left where they have left the motor car off stage; and approach the ladder]

SENTRY. [Giving the first half of the password] The Victory —

THIN OFFICER. [Snappily and disdainfully] To those who deserve it.

SENTRY. Pass.

THIN OFFICER. [To CIVILIAN] Just climb up here.

CIVILIAN. I’ve been here before.

[The three of them climb the ladder. At the top of the ladder the SENTRY, seeing the insignia on the cap of the large, stout officer, presents arms. The SIGNALLERS remain seated at their telephones. The large officer goes over to the table followed by the CIVILIAN and the shiny-booted officer who is obviously his AIDE]

LARGE OFFICER. What’s the matter with these Signallers?

AIDE. [To SIGNALLERS] Come along! Stand to attention there! What’s the matter with you?

[SIGNALLERS stand to attention rather wearily]

At ease!

[…