Waiting for the Parade

A rattling of drums is heard in the distance as a regiment of Canadian infantry begin to hit the parade ground. The drumming fades into a Glenn Miller style band as the lights come up on five women, seated near a dance floor, waiting. Janet, the bossy organizer, is determined to raise their spirits and invites each woman to dance with her. The other women do not feel like dancing, but Janet bullies them onto the floor. After a half-hearted attempt, each of the women take a seat and continue to wait.

Catherine addresses the audience, reminiscing about how her husband, Billy, joined the military. He enlisted without consulting Catherine first and she was furious. Billy looked like a million bucks in his uniform, but Catherine couldn’t shake the feeling that Billy did not respect her as an equal. By making the decision to enlist, Billy was swiftly sent overseas to begin fighting for Canada in World War II, leaving Catherine alone to patiently wait for his return.

Janet has organized a