Cliff Last’s War

Leipzig 1940

Scene shows a nurse in a maternity ward shortly after a baby boy has been born. The ward is full of the sound of new-borns crying. She is filling in paperwork with the child’s name and details. In the top left hand corner she writes a large minus sign in red pen.

It is Christmas time and Nella is in the kitchen preparing a jelly. Two envelopes fall onto the doormat. She hurries over, picks them up and opens them. One is a Christmas card depicting the flight into Egypt. She displays it alongside her other cards. The second letter header reads Sonnestein.

***

Cliff is sitting in a wheelchair in his room. He is a very young boy with blue eyes and blonde hair. He has physical and mental difficulties. He hears his parent’s voices arguing in the room below.

Nella

Would you cling so tightly to Cliff that you didn’t give him the chance to get the medical treatment he needs? What about his future? What about our future? It’s going to be hard for all of us if he carries on as he is.

Nella’s Husband

I just want my boy to be safe.

Nella

Safe? Mollycoddled!  Left to you he’ll sit in that chair all day long and never have the chance of a better life? I want him to live. Not sit there in his room and be afraid of mucking in with other children.

Nella’s Husband

 You’re a fool Nella. You don’t you know anything about these homes? I’ve heard stories. Children (in a low voice) die in there.

Nella

Don’t talk so damn daft. It’s a hospital. Cliff will be given proper medical help.

Nella’s husband

But the cases of pneumonia in these places. They are high. I’ve heard it from people…

Of course some children get pneumonia. The doctor said that children with conditions like Cliff have a higher mortality rate than healthy children. But Cliff is strong for a boy. He isn’t a serious case.

Nella’s Husband

Has the children’s home offered him a place?

Nella
Yes they have. Here is the letter…

She hands her husband the papers.

Cliff enters the room.

Cliff:

Dad…? Are you sending me away?

Nella’s Husband

Rushing over to the boy with tear filled eyes and hugging him.)
I just want you to be safe Cliff.

Nella
Pull yourself together. You’re worse than a child. Tell the boy exactly how things stand. He’s capable of understanding well enough.

Nella’s Husband

(Holding back his emotions)
Well it hasn’t officially been decided that you are to go into the home, and if you do it’s only temporary. But yes… we have had the letter offering you admission today…

Cliff

Don’t send me away.