which may be new to you, but
these are necessary, for you are now in a radio broadcasting studio,
talking in front of a microphone. The word (_in_) means that the
character is standing close to the microphone, while (_off_) indicates
that he is farther away, so that his voice sounds faint. When the
directions (_off, coming in_) are given, the person speaking is away
from the microphone at first but gradually comes closer. The words
(_mob_) or (_crowd noise_) you will understand mean the sound of many
people talking in the distance.

Both the English and the dialect used help make the characters live, so
the speeches have been written in the way in which these men and women
would talk. This means that sometimes the character may use what seems
to you unusual English. The punctuation helps, too, to make the speeches
sound like real conversation; for example, you will find that a dash is
often used to show that a character is talking very excitedly.

Washington Crossing the Delaware

_CAST_

GENERAL WASHINGTON
COLONEL REED
JOHN HONEYMAN
COLONEL RALL
A CORPORAL
A SOLDIER
GENERAL KNOX
COLONEL GLOVER
MOB
VOICE
ORDERLY

ANNOUNCER

We take pleasure in presenting this story of Washington crossing the
Delaware. The picture of that famous event is familiar to everyone, but
the story of what led up to it, and of its importance in American
history is not so well known.

The fall and early winter of the year 1776 saw the fortunes of
Washington's army sink very low indeed. Beginning with the defeat on
Long Island in late August, Washington and his army had met reverse
after reverse. They had been forced to retire in succession from
Manhattan to Fort Washington, then across the river to Fort Lee, then
from Fort Lee to Hackensack. This succession of defeats and the enforced
retirements had disorganized and depleted the army. But even worse than
that, it had well-nigh ruined the morale of the civilian population,
whose hearty support was absolutely necessary if the war was to be
carried on. But now, discouraged and disheartened, the mass of the
population gave Washington no help, no encouragement, no cooperation.

This is the situation on the morning of November 22, 1776, as we begin
our story. Washington is in his headquarters at Hackensack, New Jersey,
when Colonel Joseph Reed, his aide, enters--

REED

Good morning, General Washington!

WASHINGTON

Good morning, Colonel, what news?

REED

Not muc