JAMES: grandson of a U.S. diplomat

FRAN: Chilean historian

RICKY: grandson of Admiral Richard Byrd

CARLOS: student of Fran

JAMES: [Rises, speaks to audience.] This book is terrible! We north Americans have far more rights to the Antarctic than the Chileans—or anyone else. That is something she refuses to accept. [Hits desk with manuscript while returning to stool.]

FRAN: [Confused, speaks to audience.] Oh, I wasn't expecting you. I'm usually alone when I write. I don't do any serious writing at the university because my students are always interrupting. One in particular. His name is Carlos and he spends nearly as much time in my office as I do. At least he agrees that we should ignore the Antarctic Treaty of 1959. Technically our sovereignty extends to Tierra de O'Higgins, but it can't be enforced. What kind of sovereignty can't be enforced? It's an offence to our nation's Antarctic patrimony. [Carlos enters and starts reading the manuscript.]

JAMES: Her way of thinking is completely mistaken. What if it convinces her government to ignore the Antarctic Treaty and take passion of Tierra O'Higgins, as the Chileans refer to it? Then we'd be forced to take possession of Palmer Land, as we north Americans call it, and probably the rest of the continent. That would be fine with me. I wish the government had never signed the treaty.

CARLOS: Who are you?

JAMES: Who are you?

CARLOS: I'm a student of hers.

JAMES: I can't believe she invited you.

CARLOS: She didn't. I was just passing by and thought I'd say hello. Were you invited?

JAMES: I didn't need to be. Go away. We're busy.

CARLOS: You have no right to tell me what to do.

JAMES: Yes I do. I'm north American and you aren't.

CARLOS: Why should that matter?

JAMES: Because she's writing about the Antarctic and it's north American. I don't care what the Antarctic Treaty says.

CARLOS: Me neither, but the Antarctic isn't north American. It's Chilean.

JAMES: No it isn't. How can you stand living here? How can anyone?

CARLOS: There's nothing wrong with Chile.

JAMES: Everything's wrong with it. For example, this book of hers is completely biased.

CARLOS: That isn't my impression.

JAMES: How much of it have you read?

CARLOS: Only the introduction but it seems fair enough.

JAMES: I remember what she says and it's completely biased. Now go away. [Pause.] I said go away! [Carlos exits.]

RICKY: [Enters.] Excuse me. I'm here for the audition.

JAMES: What are you talking about?

RICKY: Palmer Land. Isn't that why you're here?

JAMES: That's exactly why I'm here but no one told me anything about a play, or is it a movie?

RICKY: No, no. It's a play written by Dr. Francisca Rojas. Is that her?

JAMES: That's her name but she doesn't have time for theatre. She's an historian.

RICKY: What does she write about?

JAMES: The Antarctic.

RICKY: Then it must be her. Palmer Land is how the north Americans refer to the Antarctic.

JAMES: I know that. You look familiar. What's your name?

RICKY: I'm Ricky. People say I look like my grandfather. He was a famous Antarctic explorer.

JAMES: You mean Admiral Richard Byrd?

RICKY: You've heard of him?

JAMES: Of course I've heard of him. He was one of the most famous Antarctic explorers of the twentieth century.

RICKY: Yes but that was a long time ago. How did you hear about him?

JAMES: My grandfather knew him. He worked in the Department of State. He drafted our nation's claim to the Antarctic. Unfortunately it was never officially declared but it should've been.

RICKY: You mean Sheldon Boggs?

JAMES: Right.

RICKY: I've read a lot about him. He was pretty important. What was he like? [Carlos enters, uncertain if he recognizes Ricky.]

JAMES: All he used to think about was the north American Antarctic. He was a true patriot, like your own grandfather.

CARLOS: Admiral Byrd?

RICKY: No. I'm his grandson.

CARLOS: You look exactly like him. What are you doing here?

RICKY: There's an audition. Is that why you're here?

CARLOS: What are you talking about?

RICKY: It's a play called Palmer Land.

CARLOS: That isn't a play. It's how the north Americans refer to the Antarctic.

RICKY: I know that. I'm north America but see for yourself. This is what I received in the mail.

CARLOS: How exciting. A play about Antarctica. You'd be perfect for the role of your grandfather.

JAMES: [To Carlos.] Didn't I tell you to go away?

CARLOS: You have no right to tell me what to do.

RICKY: [To Carlos.] Are you one of her students?

CARLOS: Yes and she thinks the world of your grandfather. She's told me so much about his expeditions, I almost feel like I was there.

RICKY: You would've enjoyed it, especially back in 1940 when he visited Valparaíso. Everyone treated him like royalty. He had never felt so honored in his entire life.

FRAN: Excuse me. I need to concentrate. Can you people just go away and let me finish my book? [Pause.] Carlos? What are you doing here?

CARLOS: I was just passing by and thought I'd say hello. I hope you don't mind.

FRAN: This isn't the best moment. [To James.] Who are you?

JAMES: The publisher sent me. We have to talk about your book.

FRAN: But it's already been accepted. I only need to make a few changes. What's your name?

JAMES: That doesn't matter. All you need to know is that I'm with the publisher.

CARLOS: That isn't true. I heard him say that he's the grandson of Sheldon Boggs. You must remember him. He was with the Department of State and he drafted the U.S. Antarctic claim.

FRAN: Of course I remember who he was. [To Ricky.] Admiral Byrd?

RICKY: No. I'm his grandson. [Notices bottle of wine on desk.] Hey! What's this? It looks good. Mind if I have a glass?

FRAN: I don't even know you.

RICKY: I'm the grandson of Admiral Byrd. Isn't that enough?

CARLOS: I think it should be.

RICKY: Of course it should be. [To Carlos.] Would you like some?

CARLOS: Thanks.

FRAN: This is ridiculous. It's my wine, I didn't invite any of you, and I need to finish my book. Didn't I already say that?

RICKY: Just a moment. You are Dr. Rojas, right?

FRAN: Yes.

RICKY: Then you must've sent me this. [Displays casting notice.]

FRAN: That's my name but it wasn't me.

RICKY: Don't you write about the Antarctic?

FRAN: Yes but I'm an historian, not a playwright. If I were to write a play about the Antarctic, I would never call it Palmer Land. The Antarctic isn't north American. It's Chilean and it's called Tierra de O'Higgins.

JAMES: It's called Palmer Land.

RICKY: It doesn't matter. It's a huge place. There's room for everyone. I don't care if she wants to call it Tierra de O'Higgins. It's only a name. Palmer Land, Tierra de O'Higgins— what's the difference?

JAMES: The difference is, we have more rights in the Antarctic than the Chileans.

FRAN: You're wrong. We Chileans have more rights in the Antarctic than anyone. Now will you people get out of here.

RICKY: All right. [To Carlos.] Let's go somewhere and have a drink. I can tell you everything you want to know about my grandfather.

CARLOS: Fantastic.

RICKY: [To James.] Would you like to join us?

JAMES: No, thanks. I have work to do, a lot of work.

RICKY: Okay. It was a pleasure to have met you.

JAMES: You too. Take care. [Carlos and Ricky exit.]

FRAN: You are not welcome here.

JAMES: I don't care. I'm not leaving. Your book is completely biased!

FRAN: You can't say that. I've done years of research. I've read thousands of documents.

JAMES: But I'm an ever better source. My grandfather told me everything and he was actually there. You don't even mention him!

FRAN: There's no reason to. My book's about the Chilean Antarctic.

JAMES: But my grandfather was one of the most important diplomats of the era and he was American.

FRAN: We're all Americans, whether you like it or not. You north Americans are so arrogant. What you have to accept is that we have more rights in the Antarctic than you do.

JAMES: You aren't thinking clearly. You haven't slept in days.

FRAN: I don't have time to sleep. I need to finish my book.

JAMES: You need to go to bed. We'll finish.

FRAN: We? You don't have anything to do with it.

JAMES: Yes I do and don't worry. I'll take care of everything. Trust me.

FRAN: Trust you? I don't even know you.

JAMES: You're exhausted. Go to bed.

FRAN: And leave you with my book? That's ridiculous.

JAMES: Just go to bed and let me get started.

FRAN: Fine. [Starts to exits, returns for wine.]

JAMES: What are you doing?

FRAN: I'm going to bed, like you told me.

JAMES: Yes but not with the wine.

FRAN: But it's mine and you have no right to be here like your nation has no right to be in the Antarctic.

JAMES: The frozen continent's north American. I don't care what you think or what the Antarctic Treaty says. Now I want some wine.

FRAN: Either say the Antarctic's Chilean or you won't get any.

JAMES: I'll never say the Antarctic's Chilean because that isn't true. You have no idea what you're talking about.

FRAN: I know exactly what I'm talking about. [Starts to exit.]

JAMES: Just a second. Isn't there something else I could say?

FRAN: You could say that I'm the most beautiful and most intelligent woman you've ever met.

JAMES: Okay. You're the most—

FRAN: But you need to say the Antarctic's Chilean. This is a very good bottle of wine. Now say it.

JAMES: The Antarctic is Chilean.

FRAN: Louder.

JAMES: The Antarctic is Chilean.

FRAN: It's good to hear you admit that. Good night.

JAMES: But you said you'd give me some wine.

FRAN: We can share the rest, but I'm going to bed, like you told me. If you don't hurry, there won't be any left. [Exits.]

JAMES: [Pauses, smiles, continues to audience.] The book can wait. [Exits.]