Atlanta Christmas

[Brad from Georgia]

My son Jonathan co-directed a radio play by the Atlanta Radio Theatre Company, "An Atlanta Christmas," to which I contributed one short script ("The Legend of the Poinsettia," the story of the unknown fourth Wise Man who brought a poinsettia as a gift....) and in which I acted in two pieces. Both of the scenes in which I acted were by my late friend Thomas E. Fuller, who died five years ago. It made me kind of misty-eyed, to tell you the truth.

But one of these was called "USO Christmas," about two old guys, one black, one white, reminiscing about meeting each other in Atlanta on Christmas Day, 1942, and celebrating together (they were soldiers from the same home town) and, realizing how alike they are, they begin a mission to break down racial barriers after the war. We were practicing yesterday (did two performances, yesterday and today), and my USO buddy jumped a cue.

My line: But we have one Christmas story together. It happened in 1942. You see, we two kinda knew each other before the war.

His line: Because my mama used to do day work for his mama. We were close enough in age to recognize each other when we saw each other--but we didn't see each other much, times being what they were.

However, he jumped in, cutting me off at "we have one Christmas story together," and he went on with his line, "Because my mama used...."

He finished his line, noticed I was silent and looked at me. I did a Benny voice: "You know, if you'd let me give you your CUE, that line might make sense!"

He said, "Oh, I'm sorry!"

Leaving me to grouse, "ONE lousy rehearsal, that's ALL I ask...."