Play : The Enemy

Good morning everyone.

Today, we bring to you a powerful scene from ‘The Enemy’, which shows how a
doctor faces a difficult choice between his duty towards his country and his duty
towards humanity.

Before the play begins, let us briefly introduce the background of the story.”

Before this part of “The Enemy”, Dr. Sadao, a Japanese surgeon who had studied in
America, is living with his wife Hana during the war between Japan and the USA.
One day, they find a badly wounded American soldier washed ashore near their
house. Although he is their enemy, Sadao feels it is his duty as a doctor to save a life.

While Hana is fearful about the consequences. After a brief moral struggle, they
decide to bring the man into their home and treat him. However, their servants
strongly oppose this decision, believing it is dangerous and wrong to help an enemy,
which creates tension in the household—leading into the events where Hana begins
caring for the wounded man and Sadao prepares to operate.

“Now, let us begin the play.”

Script: The Enemy

Scene 1:

Narrator:
Hana stood troubled. The man they had brought into their house was not just wounded
—he was an enemy. Yet, he was helpless. Leaving him to die did not seem right to
her.

Hana (softly, calling): Yumi! Come here.

Narrator:
But before she could attend to the wounded man, Hana turned to the children. She
went into the nursery, smiled at them, and played for a moment with the baby, who
was nearly three months old.

Narrator:
Over the baby’s soft black hair, Hana signaled to Yumi to follow her.

Hana: Yumi, come with me.

Yumi: I will put the baby to bed. He is ready.

Scene 2:

Narrator:
Hana then went quickly to the kitchen. The servants were frightened after hearing
what their master had said.

Old Gardener (uneasily): The master ought not to heal that white man.

Narrator:
The old gardener, who had served the house for years, spoke bluntly.

Old Gardener: The white man ought to die. First he was shot, then the sea wounded
him. If the master heals him, will the sea not take revenge on us?

Narrator:
Hana listened quietly. Though she replied politely, she too felt afraid deep inside.

Hana: I will tell him what you say.

Narrator:
Hana went back to the room where the wounded man lay. Yumi followed her but soon
showed stubborn resistance.

Yumi (firmly): I have never washed a white man, and I will not wash such a dirty one
now.

Hana (angrily): You will do what your master commands!

Narrator:
Yumi’s face showed strong refusal. She quietly put down her bucket and left the
room.

Narrator:
Hana was left alone. Though frightened, she felt it was wrong to leave a wounded
man untreated.

Hana (muttering): Stupid Yumi… is this anything but a helpless man?

Narrator:
Determined, Hana bent down and began her work. She untied the rugs covering the
man and carefully cleaned his face with a towel dipped in hot water.

Narrator:
The man’s skin, though rough from exposure, was of a fine texture. His hair was
blond, and he seemed very young.

Narrator:
Hana continued washing him until his upper body was clean. Yet she did not dare turn
him over. She grew anxious as she wondered where Sadao was, and then show sadoo
entering the room

Hana (calling softly): Sadao!

Narrator:
Sadao entered. He had already brought his surgical instruments and was wearing his
surgeon’s coat.

Hana (anxiously): You have decided to operate?

Sadao: Yes.

Narrator:
Without wasting time, Sadao began preparing for the operation.

Scene 4:

Sadao: Fetch towels.

Narrator:
Hana quickly obeyed. She also brought old pieces of matting so that blood would not
spoil the floor.

Narrator:
But when she returned, she saw that it was useless—the blood had already soaked
through the wound.

Hana: Oh, the mat!

Sadao (calmly): Yes, it is ruined.

Sadao: Help me turn him.

Narrator:
Hana obeyed silently as Sadao began washing the man’s back carefully.
Hana: Yumi would not wash him.

Sadao (focused): Did you wash him then?

Hana: Yes.

Narrator:
Sadao continued his work with complete concentration.

Scene 5:

Narrator:
As he examined the wound under a bright light, Sadao spoke calmly.

Sadao: The bullet is still there. If it is not too deep, I can remove it. But he has lost
much blood.

Narrator:
Hana felt weak at the sight and words.

Sadao: You will have to give the anesthetic if needed.

Hana (shocked): I? I have never done it!

Sadao (impatient): It is easy enough.

Narrator:
Hana’s fear grew stronger. She felt dizzy.

Sadao (sharply): Don’t faint. If I stop now, the man will surely die.

Narrator:
Unable to bear the sight, Hana ran out of the room. Outside in the garden, she fell
sick.

Scene 6:

Narrator:
Inside the room, Sadao continued the operation alone. His hands moved swiftly and
skillfully.

Narrator:
A strange thought crossed his mind.

Sadao (thinking): There is no reason why this man should live…

Narrator:
After some time, Hana gathered courage and returned.

Hana (steadier): Where is the anesthetic?

Sadao: It is good you came back. The man is beginning to stir.

Narrator:
Hana held the bottle and cotton, still unsure.

Hana: But how shall I do it?

Narrator:
Sadao looked at Hana calmly, his voice firm yet gentle.

Sadao:
Just hold the cotton near his nose. Do not be afraid. Trust me.

Narrator:
Hana hesitated for a moment, then nodded. Her hands trembled, but her eyes showed
quiet determination.

Hana (softly):
I will try.

Narrator:
As the man slowly fell unconscious, Hana stepped back, her fear replaced by a sense
of courage she had never known before.

Sadao (gratefully):
You were brave, Hana.

Narrator:
In that moment, beyond fear and duty, they chose humanity.
And thus, even in the shadow of war, compassion proved stronger than fear.
Ending Lines (After the Play)
“Through this story, we learn that humanity is above all boundaries like war, race, or
nationality.
It reminds us that kindness and compassion can exist even in the darkest times, and
that our actions define us more than our differences.

Let us carry this message in our hearts and choose empathy over hatred.
Thank you everyone for your kind attention.”