East of Berlin

Hannah Moscovitch

• Publisher: Playwrights Canada Press
• Year: 2009
• ISBN:
  9781770911581
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: Canadian Drama
• Index: Literature

Standing outside his father's study in Paraguay, Rudi is smoking cigarettes, trying to work up the courage to go in. It has been seven years since he stood in that same spot; seven years since he left his family and their history behind him. As a teenager, Rudi discovered that his father was a doctor at Auschwitz. Trying to reconcile his inherited guilt, Rudi lashed out against his family and his friends, and eventually fled to Germany. While there, he follows in his father's footsteps by studying medicine, and falls in love with Sarah, the daughter of a Holocaust survivor. Questioning redemption, love, guilt, and the sins of the father, East of Berlin is a tour de force that follows Rudi's emotional upheaval as he comes to terms with a frightening past that was never his own.

It’s 1970. RUDI is in the front hallway outside his father’s study, in his family home in Asunción, Paraguay. He is trying to light a cigarette. It’s difficult because his hands are shaking. RUDI stops trying to light the cigarette for a moment and controls himself. Then he lights his cigarette. He takes a drag. He speaks to the audience.

RUDI: I used to smoke, in Paraguay. It’s a disgusting habit, I know. I’m returning to old habits here.

Beat.

I grew up here, in Paraguay. Fucking Paraguay.

Beat.

At the airport, the customs official had Band-Aids on his hands that were crusted over with dirt and pus. I kept looking at them as he went through my suitcase. Also, he was smoking and the ash kept falling onto my clothes.

Beat.

I’ve been away too long; I’ve been in Germany too long, if these things disgust me.

Beat.

(referring to the cigarette) Thank God for… I bought these at the airport and I just fucking love them.

Beat.

When I lived here, in Paraguay, I smoked packs and packs of cigarettes. They—I don’t know—helped me, somehow. Now I only smoke to mark significant events in my life.

Beat.

Births.

Beat.

Deaths.

Beat.

Paradigm shifts.

Beat.

When I get laid, I smoke.

Beat.

Prodigal returns. To countries of origin. Paraguay. Although, I wasn’t actually born here. I’m not Latin American; well, look at me.

Beat.

No. I was born in a little hospital, in Berlin. In 1945. Right as my father was losing the war.

RUDI takes a drag of his cigarette. He regards the audience.

That’s right. My father lost the war, so he must… be… a…

Beat.

Cigarette?

Beat.

I can give you a moment to take that in. I’ve spent my whole life trying to take it in, so, please.

RUDI turns away, smokes.

(singing) “Deutschland, Deutschland, über alles, Über alles in der Welt.” (turning back to the audience) Do you want to meet him? He’s… here, he’s in here, ...