 Words at war Sign here corporal. Yes, sir. Oh, I'll just add my signature. It'll make your discharge final There we are. Thank you. Thank you doctor Gosh, it feels good. It's wonderful doc wonderful to be going home. Yeah, you're telling me I can't wait till I get there my girl Christine and mother and dad and oh boy How long has it been two and one half years and now doc I'm as light as a nickel ball on the way. I feel like all the Christmas mornings and birthdays are all in the war Corporal don't take this wrong, but two and a half years a long long time I mean when you do get home keep remembering that a lot of things have happened to you a lot of things have happened to That girl and your folks too. You know well, I guess that's right But what of it? Well, maybe nothing maybe something remember that now so long corporal all the luck in the world The national broadcasting company in cooperation with the council of books and wartime presents another in the widely discussed series words at war Dramatizations based on the most notice notable books to come out of the war Tonight's book is soldier to civilian by George K. Pratt a distinguished psychiatrist and our play using Dr. Pratt's conclusions as a guide will touch on some of the factors of Readjustment which face the soldier on his return to civilian life Will you please come to order all you folks for coming down to the council chamber tonight? This is a very informal kind of a session Some of you are called personally Some of you are here because you saw the notice in the paper Anyway, you're welcome all of you now as your mayor I thought it was none too soon for the people of Greenville to begin preparing for the day When the boys come home from the war as Representative citizens you must have some ideas now. What should we do? What should we plan? Seems to me mr. Mayor that there's really nothing left for us to do really Why do you say that mr. Edwards? Well, Washington has taken care of everything There's the GI Bill of Rights cash loans unemployment compensation free education hospitalization We've got nothing left to offer. Oh, I don't agree with you mr. Edwards And neither does my women's club we think that the town should start right now to collect funds for a monument Monuments landed. Let's have a permanent honor roll to show our gratitude Mr. Mayor yes, sir How about a parade? Oh, of course a parade the biggest parade Greenville ever had and a brown splat Right at the entrance to the hall. Good. Good a merchant's feel But I'd counted an honor to give every returning servicemen five dollars worth of groceries for every silver star I'll give a year subscription to the bugle and to the first veteran to become a father I'll donate a deluxe pre-wallet yet complete since all of them now. I'll tell you what the city is going to do We're going to give the boys preference in all our jobs in a few years The city will be run by who said that I did this is too much. See here young man Not mr. Mayor, please. I've been listening to these suggestions. They're all bad But that last one of yours is the worst of all now if I could say a word now This is the town's people's committees, and you've no but mr. Mayor Please sit down you can't interrupt, but I tell you your committee is off the beam. Mr. Mayor forgive me But it's cock on Russell Richards is the name corporal Richard I should say I'm ex-corporal Russell Richards ex-corporal you mean you're a veteran yourself Yes, sir, I'm a veteran now, and if you'll give me a chance. I'll be what I really want to be Russell Richards private citizen. All right, son. You've got a right to speak. Thank you, sir. I Read about this meeting. I came because I figured I could help and I was right You people just don't know what you could do for the boys. Well, you just heard a list of what I thought were excellent suggestions Now just which ones do you object? I object to all of them. Mr. Mayor just a minute folks Go ahead Richard. Thank you, sir. I'm I'm not very good at talking But I've simply got to tell you what's on my mind. You see everything you want to do well It's wrong because it makes soldiers into a separate group. I don't get it We only want to show you boys our gratitude. Oh you talk about giving us jobs just because we're veterans and putting our names up on Monuments just because we've been in uniform Can't you see all that will just set us apart it'll it'll make us different from everybody else But you are different of course. We're different when we come home, but we don't want to stay different We've all got to live together with our families and our jobs We have to live with you and don't forget this you have to live with us. All right What can we do about it? Yes Richards after all the city can interfere in your personal life when we were made into soldiers Didn't that mean interfering with our personal lives? Oh, but that's different We needed soldiers to win a war won't you need civilians to live the peace of course you will ma'am Citizens who belong not a bunch of ex-soldiers. I know what do you mean? You know well? I got hurt a little at Salerno and after a few months in hospitals the army discharged me Ever since then until a little while ago. I was a soldier impersonating a civilian impersonating a civilian Yes, I wore no uniform and I drew no pay But in my heart in the way I thought I was still a member of company K I could have saved a lot of time if the folks at home had been doing a little Intelligent thinking what about your family they needed help too at least as much as I did they tried hard But they just couldn't understand me the the stranger who came home in the body of their son Let me tell you my story When I was in the army, I was just like any other GI all we thought about was getting home home To me home at my mother and father great people both of them from my private foxhole at Salerno They both seemed perfect Home also meant Christine. We weren't engaged exactly, but well Christine was the girl I dreamed about Sure, I heard some talk about adjustment to civilian life with when I was in the army But I figured why would I have any trouble at home when I wanted to be there more than any other place in the world You can imagine how wonderful I felt when the train pulled into Greenville Where's mom is she Christine Good to me And so does Main Street look same old sugar boy yonder and shows his grocery in the opera house Gosh, it's great glad to get home a son. I'll say I feel as if I've been away for a century Oh nonsense rush. It's only been 30 months 30 months make a century these days Well, we sort of like the idea of having you back Russ now we can settle down and forget it all How's your back? It's fine dad. That's one sure I forget about it most of the time, but where's mom? Well Your mother decided not to come to the station. Is she sick? Oh, no, no, not at all. She's Well, she's getting dinner so we can eat since we get home. Oh, I hope that she'd meet me, too She's all right. Isn't she you're not keeping anything from me or oh, she's fine russ only only what well your mother was Well, she thought she'd better not come. I don't get it hang it all. She was nervous about seeing good grief Well, you see rush she was afraid you might be hurt more than you told us. Oh I see don't let her know I told you. I'm sorry Russ Well, let's get going. Yeah, sure. What are we waiting for? I was wrong But I had always imagined that when I came home there would be father mother and pristine all of Waiting at the station for me Somehow I had that picture in my mind and somehow that that first disappointment stuck with me I tried to forget it, but I couldn't It haunted me even when I was so happy talking with Christine even several days later when we sat down to a Sunday dinner That was everything I'd imagined More chicken Russell. Thanks mom. It's swell. We had chicken in the army, but I never tasted quite like this Christine no, thanks. Mrs. Ritchie Christine is watching her figure Ross guess. She's afraid. I won't marry go ahead Christine it'll be a long time before us will be able to marry you anyway dad What makes you say that no you're pretending you're ready for marriage when you want Russ now That's something for Chris and me to decide after all You were just a kid when you got into the army and that isn't so long ago. Don't worry about us mr. Richards will get along it's not that we don't approve of you Christine of course you understand that But Russ is going to need someone to take care of him mother I can take care of myself, but thousands of people our age get married Mrs. Richard. Well, that's different Russ isn't just an average boy. He's been through so much Don't beat it to death mother be careful how you speak to your mother son Russ Russ go on with what you were telling us before your father wants to hear it. You're mine dad I I don't feel much like talking about it. Oh, come on Russ. Sure. We'd like to hear it Now you boys did a fine job Everyone knows what a fight we put up at Salerno and how tough things were I forgotten what it was I remember Russ you were telling us about how you got back with the others after your company broke up with the German tank Information something went wrong with the radio. Oh, yeah Well, we were awfully tangled up there for a while every inch of the beach was covered I don't know how they managed it. Nobody knew how things stood and it all happened so fast But the shore engineers finally caught up with us and then things began to make a little sense You see you scared Russ too busy to be scared. Yes, of course Well, now it seems to me that if the landing had been properly prepared for there wouldn't have been so much trouble on the beaches Now I read a whole lot about it, but dad sometimes you've got to take risks besides I was saying preparation That's what was lacking now if instead of sending the infantry in so soon they had provided greater air cover you would have found The way I figured is that if this knife with a line of transport ships standing off, but that's not right dad You see let's see now. Yes. Yes. That's right. This knife is the transport and the bread plate is the I Chris is there anything to matter with me? Why Russ? I thought I'd smash something if dad kept on talking another minute Oh, you've had too much excitement today. That's all is it. I wonder of course darling But I do wish you wouldn't be so touchy, but why did he interrupt me? Why didn't he let me finish my story? Why did he keep on treating me as if I was a knee pat forget it Russ? Let's just be ourselves again. Okay, darling. I'm sorry It's like old times being together out on this porch. I almost feel as if I was never away You know you look just like I remembered you only more lovely Please Russ. I'm not used to being flat. You'd better get used to it Because I'm gonna be with you every moment that I can from now on say when and I'll be there tomorrow morning Oh, but Russ I gotta work tomorrow. Forget about work. I can why not? I've got a desk full of priority applications If I don't take care of them tomorrow, it just means delaying getting equipment the army needs out of the factory Besides, I'm in line for a motion stop talking like a civilian Everybody is just trying to show how important Darling be reasonable. I'll see you tomorrow night. What am I supposed to do all day talk to myself? I Wasn't the only thing we quarreled about and it doesn't really matter what we quarreled about because half the time I didn't understand myself. Why I was so irritable By the time I went to bed that night. I was a very lonely and confused ex-sojourn on the next day Yeah, what's am I awake? What is it mother? Yeah, darling, I brought you your breakfast. Oh, no, mom. You shouldn't bother I'll be downstairs in a little while. Please mom. I know you shouldn't shouldn't why come downstairs Well, why not? I'd rather eat with bad new and besides you mustn't excite yourself What you need is a complete rest mother. Please come now. Let me help you with your tray really mom I'd be much more comfortable sitting at a table. You've simply got to take it easy All right, mom. How about your way? You just go ahead. I'll tidy up and get busy arranging your clothes Why should you I'll do it? I know just where everything is you're going to stay in bed today. I don't want to stay in bed I'm not sick look mom. The doctor says my back is all right. He said I should do a lot of walking I was cooped up in that hospital for months Mom, what are you staring? My poor boy You've been through so much stop it. Don't look at me like that. I can't stand it mom Russ I'm sorry to mention it son, but I'm concerned about you what just look at yourself What about it? Your shoes need shining your ties crooked and don't you ever wear anything but sweaters in the three weeks? You've been home. You've done everything you could to look like a tramp. Can't I take it easy for a while in my own house? A boy can't afford to let down Russ. I Hope we see you spruced up before dinner Oh Russell your father doesn't understand that you must have absolute rest Here dear I've shined your shoes for you. I could have done it myself. I think let me help you put them on Russell you ought to go to work for Pete's sake dad. I've only been back a couple of weeks Please don't talk to me like that boy. Will you get it through your head that I'm not a boy anymore You're behaving like one if you were mature you'd know that routine would be good for you routine I've had a belly full of routine Hello, there's Russ there. Well, he's home, but we're keeping him quiet anything wrong No, only it's best for him to save his energy. Russ has to rest. Well, they give me that phone, but Russ you hello It's Bill Russ. Yeah. Yeah, Bill. I'll be there next week. I'm sorry I missed the first class, but you can explain the charts when I was not don't make any plans I Russell listen to me you're not going to start anything until you feel perfectly all rather can't you please wait I Call you back later bill from some places a little privacy the railroad station, maybe Well son, oh, hello dad. Hi mom. I was relying on you to be in at a reasonable hour You have to get up early tomorrow. What's the idea Russ darling? You've got to take care of yourself Mr. Langford is expecting you at the plant in the morning Russ. I'm not going you know about this course and radio over at the University, I've told Bobby cock. That's a perfectly good job at the plant. I Hate to say it son, but all this talk is just an excuse look get this straight with you. I'm running my own life I won't be pushed. I can't be pushed. I don't need you telling me what to do all day and every day. I'm sick of it What I can't stay in this house. I can't breathe in this house. I've got to get out of here I can't take it any longer. Russ I Don't understand that boy. I Simply can't understand him. I Don't know what I did in the next hour. I must have wandered blindly. I Wanted to be with Christine, but something was missing She seemed to be thinking of things in some strange way that I couldn't understand. I Started seeing more and more of the other ex-soldiers in Greenville There wasn't much to bring us together except one thing we all understood. We had all been in the army One thing you have to say for the army At least you know where you stand if you're a private you're a private if you're a sergeant You're a sergeant, you know and everybody else knows it too That's what I like you don't have to fight to be recognized seven days a week You're part of something that makes sense. You have a job to do when it gets done Yeah, they civilians they discussed me take the government They need workers for war plans so they put on a campaign to beg guys to stay on the job I try to get a job. Can I get one? No nobody to hire me the army's through with me. What do I do now? For this I swear it out two years in New Guinea Assistant to the assistant to the vice president in charge of three cent stamps. It's tough. All right. Yeah Don't you know what I've been fighting for so my over-aged brother-in-law can take over the store while I'm gone Sure, and they can put us all out to pasture ten dollars a week for life Richard was that Hank Davis I saw you with last night. What are you doing Chris buying on me? I couldn't believe my eyes you with Hank Davis. What's the matter with Hank? You used to tell me what an awful loaf for he was he never held a job more in a month in his life Look here Chris. You've got no business criticizing my friend. I just repeated what you used to say I was before Hank was in the army in the army. How much good did Hank Davis ever do in the army? Everybody in town knows that they let him out just as soon as they found out it was a brick a gold breaker now Look Chris, I don't want to hear you talk that way about Hank You don't know anything about the army or why they let him out. He's someone to talk to which is more Just listen to me. What is it? Russ, do you still love me? You're all I thought about for two years. Do you still love me? Yeah At least I think I do You think you do? Or else I can't understand you anymore. What's wrong? What's happened to you? A lot's happened to me You don't seem to see that I know but that's over with you out of the army now Yeah, and I thought I came out with some ideas that made sense But you all seem to be just standing still here talking into space What you think about just isn't real. You don't hear what I say. I don't listen to what I want Oh Russ, how can you say that? How can you think we don't want to help? Help me. That's what's wrong with all of you Why should I want you to help me? I'm not going through life with your arm around my shoulder. I can do without it Russell Do you realize you're losing me? What? Think Russ You're losing me. I'm losing you Are you kidding I I'm willing to forgive. Oh, you are Well, don't do me any favors Chris. Maybe some things I see a little more clearly than you do. It's just possible, you know Alright But that's the way you want it It's been nice knowing you Russell Goodbye So long Chris Well, mr. Mayor, that's my story at least that would have been my story if Christine hadn't done what she did Thanks a lot for meeting you. That's okay Chris. I wouldn't have blamed you if you hadn't after last night You see Russ, I'm feeling a little humble. Yeah, I was pretty angry when I left you I guess we both were and then when I got home. I got to thinking about us about you We've always felt that we were meant for each other there's certainly never been anyone else in my life That goes for me. You know that I loved you before you went into service You were everything I wanted or needed. I Knew the guy I love must be somewhere from the same guy went away. I see that now But I didn't see it until it hit me last night hit me like a ton of bricks You know what did it what? When I realized how it sounded to you when I said you were losing me I'll admit it. That was a while. I was stupid stupid and selfish and blind Chris I was patronizing you Russ Thinking of you as a problem almost as a dependent little boy And suddenly it hit me Maybe I need you more than you need me Maybe you have new wisdoms. Maybe I'm the one who needs help You weren't losing me. I was losing you That's what really counts. I wouldn't go that far Chris. I'll settle for this We were losing each other You may need me, but believe me. I need you too. Oh Russ darling Chris Remember what you used to think of the army when you were in it everything was wrong. I can show you your letters I remember and everybody at home was perfect. I remember that too But I'm not perfect and I never was I'm just human like everybody else including your mother and father You forgot that they were human too Take your father. He's used to being the center of attention particularly since you went away Hey, you remember how upset you were that Sunday at dinner. Do I don't you see it Russ? He was just competing with you unconsciously Because you had the attention of your mother and me Yeah, I've been plenty wrong myself Chris Then harboring resentments and not speaking out and not taking the family into my confidence I let it let it fester inside of me when I should have got it off my chest Sure, I shot my mouth off, but not in the right way. Oh sure because we've irritated you But you've got a sense of humor and you got to be patient, too. I will be Chris. I promised You can begin finding your real place now You won't have to pretend you're still in the army. That's how you picked up with Hank Davis You don't really like him. Do you Russ? I like you better Oh Come here So mr. Mayor, that's the story except for the happy ending to come You see mr. Mayor you talk about personal lives and not interfering with them But what is Greenville? What's our whole country, but a lot of people living personal lives? Maybe that sounds silly and obvious But if you make eight or ten million men feel like a class apart with with plaques and with monuments and five dollars worth of Groceries believe me. You're playing with trouble. I get your point mr. Richards, and I confess you leave me feeling a little helpless What can we do as a community about our discharge soldier problem problem? Did you say problem? Label us as a problem and brother will be a problem You people who stayed home can be a problem to us, too Don't think you can if we choose to look at it that way, but that's the wrong word and we both know it Why does anybody have to be a problem to anybody anyway? Well young man, can't you be more specific? I mean give us some general rules to follow if you want a prescription ma'am. I'm sorry I can't give it to you. You see despite the uniform they wear soldiers are all different. I guess sailors are too I mean they went into the service as separate individuals and so they come out as separate individuals Of course some of us will have more trouble than others getting back into the civilian groove But some of you will have more trouble than others getting used to having us around again, too Well, then what's the answer? Maybe the best answer is a good old American commodity Called common sense, but we can't exactly ignore you you found that out with your family. Yeah, thank goodness That's draining itself out, but don't get me wrong, please I don't mean that we veterans are turning up our noses a little attention on that or even a little hero worship That's how you folks feel But believe me the right job and a chance to make something of it is a lot more important to me than my name on a plaque And and having the folks I love take for granted that I can stand on my own two feet and letting me do it Means more than being cheered while I'm marching a dozen parades Yeah, I see what you mean now about not liking to be reminded that you're different Well when you get right down to it, sir, are we so different? I'm not so sure Maybe we're just about the same guys who went away I'm sure most of us are and we both ought to be glad we are because we've got to live together all of us It's just that Well, some of us have spent a few weeks or months or years living with fear and horror that's all it It did something it was bound to yes You were there in the actual battle at Salerno while while we've just gone on living on Main Street No wonder our little thoughts and ways must seem small and narrow to you No, I I wasn't going to say that but it's a little bit true Maybe yeah, except that don't forget it was that same Main Street I wanted to get back to so much I could taste it But we do have some new ideas of what some things are worth in terms of other things And we want to share those ideas with you more than anything in the world. Yes, you've had a tough son But you've got a new slant too and a new confidence Unless we've ruined it and if you ruin it, of course, we're going to be impatient and jittery We're hungry for your help sir our help Son, we need your help. We will certainly do well. Thank you mayor and thanks to all of you That's that's just what I've been talking about. That's that's just what I mean Don't knock us around and don't Molly coddler's look at us and look at yourselves and we'll do the same if our attitudes are Right and yours are right if we're living together and the air is clean and good Whatever we do for each other now or 10 years from now is bound to be right, too Tonight on words at war you heard a dramatization Suggested by a book by dr. George K Pratt soldier to civilian the script was by baif blau Mason Adams was heard as Russell Richards and Francis Heflin as Christine Others in the cast were Ethel Everett, Eleanor Oddly, Joe Boland, Frank Butler, Ken Dey Knew, Robert Harris, Tom Hoyer and Ted Jewett The music was arranged and played by William Meader direction garnet garrison Words at war is brought to you in cooperation with the council on books in wartime by the national broadcasting company and the independent radio Stations associated with the NBC network This is the national broadcasting company