Scene 2
from Somewhere on the Border
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 04 June 2019
Summary
The bungalow. Rows of iron beds on either side of a central walkway. Early morning. MARAIS and BADENHORST are still in their sleeping bags on top of beds already made up for inspection. BADENHORST stirs, looks into the sleeping bag and addresses his member.
BADENHORST: Hey, behave yourself!
MARAIS wakes up with a shout.
What's your case?
MARAIS: Klein Klaas, you know, he was running down there by the cement dam. He's the boy on the farm. And, no, ja, wait, I was under the bluegums. You know, just sitting.
BADENHORST: Give your mouth a chance, Paul.
MARAIS: He was running there with his knees bent, carrying two buckets and they almost touched the dirt. Then he came there on the wall of the dam. It was Klein Klaas. Suddenly he klaps up [slaps up] into the air and falls slowly over into the water. Like a film. Then I heard this shot, Hennie. I got such a skrik [fright] I jumped, man. I tried to run there, but my legs went all slap [weak] and I fell down. Oubaas Venter said: Leave it, Paul. He was going to poison the water. I could smell the oil from his rifle. Klein Klaas was floating and there was all blood. I was then on the wall and he says: Why do you shoot me, Baas Paul? And I can't say nothing. I'm all sticky from blood. I try to catch him with my hands, but he's got no hands. Just stumps that slip. And he's saying: Why? Why? Why?
BADENHORST: ‘Cause Y's a crooked letter and you can't make it straight.
MARAIS: How late is it?
BADENHORST: Too late, she cried.
KOTZE (off): Move, you dumb cunt!
CAMPBELL, wearing civilian clothing and laden down with army kit, enters. He is followed by KOTZE.
MARAIS: Aandag!
MARAIS and BADENHORST jump to attention.
KOTZE: Here God, wat die fok gaan hier aan? [Jesus God, what the fuck is going on here?] You cunts is asking for shit, nè? This place looks like a whore's handbag. I try and treat you like white men and look what happens. Slaan die dek! [Hit the deck!]
MARAIS and BADENHORST get down and start doing press-ups.
KOTZE turns to CAMPBELL.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Somewhere on the Border , pp. 9 - 14Publisher: Wits University PressPrint publication year: 2012