Time: during the Second World War
Place: a civilian's home in France
Characters: Mrs. Bernold, a French housewife and secret agent, hereafter referred to as Madame
Jack: Mrs. Bernold's son
Jacqueline: Mrs. Bernold's daughter
A : a German lieutenant colonel officer
B: German Lieutenant Officer A
C : German Lieutenant Officer B
[Curtain call]
[Mrs. Bernold's house. A candlestick with half a candle sits on the fireplace on the right. A flight of stairs on the left. The home is very sparsely furnished]
Mrs. Bernold: (coming up with a metal box containing information in her hand) Come here, children (closing the door in the process).
(Jack, Jacqueline)
Mrs. Jacqueline, go out and keep a lookout before the Germans pop in.
Jacqueline: Yes, mom. （
Mrs. Jacqueline: Where should I hide this important information?
Jack: Under the pillow!
Husband: No, the Germans will surely search and rummage through the box.
Jackie: (hesitantly) Then, hide it in a sheet pan!
Husband: (shaking his head) It's not safe. Oh, right! (gleefully) Let's hide it in a half-candle! Stick it in the candlestick again and put it on the table!
JACK: (jumping up and clapping) That's great, Mom! That's a wonderful idea!
(Madame hides the information and Jacqueline hurries on)
JACQUELINE: (panting) Mother, it's bad, the Germans are coming!
(A, B, C)
C: (pushes the door, it opens) Do you have any informants in your house?
JACQUELINE: Sir, we don't have an informant.
(B and C start searching, down)
A: (to Jacqueline) Child, could you bring me a chair?
JACQUELINE: (picks up chair and walks towards A) Of course! Sir, please sit down.
A: Thank you! (sits down)
(B and C run up)
B: Major, nothing suspicious! (picks up the candlestick and puts it in front of A) It's getting dark, let's light a candle (lights half a candle and puts it in front of A, B and C sit down).
Husband: (walked to the left, facing the audience) The half candle hides important information, if the candle burns down to the metal tube will automatically extinguish, the secret will be exposed, the station will be destroyed, but also means the end of the lives of our family of three. No, I have to think of a way! (After a moment's thought, he hurried down, carrying an oil lamp in his hand)
Mrs: (smiling) Gentlemen, this lamp is brighter (gently blowing out the candle)
B: It's so dark at night, it's good to have a small candle. (relights the candle)
JACK: (walks to the right, facing the audience) Mom didn't replace the candle, what do we do? What do we do? The candles are getting shorter and shorter! It's getting shorter and shorter! (taps head) Here it is!
JACK: (walks to A) Mr. Major, it's cold. I'll go to the woodshed and get some wood to build a fire to keep everyone warm, okay?
A: Sure, go ahead!
(Jack picks up the candlestick and turns towards the door. The room is suddenly much darker)
B: (Quickly steps forward and snatches back the candle. (Sternly) It's not that far to the woodshed and you can't use a candle?
Jack (calmly carrying back a bundle of firewood, built a fire, and sat down silently)
NARRATOR: The candle flame wavered, emitting a faint light, and at the moment it seemed to be the most frightening thing in the house. Mrs. Bernold's heart was in her throat, and she seemed to feel the evil wolf-like eyes of the Germans fixed on the shorter and shorter candle.
JACQUELINE: (to the audience) Mother and brother tried in vain to change the candle back. Jacqueline, Jacqueline, it's up to you. (Thinks for a moment, turns to A)
JACQUELINE: (Smiling, chirping) Mr. Commander, it's getting late and I'm going to bed. It's dark upstairs and I'm a bit scared, could you take a lamp upstairs?
A: (lovingly) Of course. When I see you, I think of my daughter. She's about the same age as you, and she's just as beautiful as you are. I haven't seen her for a long time. Go on, boy.
Jacqueline: Thank you! (calmly lifts the candlestick to A, B, and C) Good night gentlemen!
(To Mrs., Jack) Goodnight Mommy! Goodnight Jack!
Zee: Good night! Baby!
JACQUELINE: (Picks up the few remaining half candles and walks up the stairs.)
[Candle goes out, lights dim]
[Curtain falls]