Dodging Eden
A Play in Two Acts
by
Michael Thomas Tower
Approximate performance time: 1:30
© 2001-2004 Michael Thomas Tower
All Rights Reserved
Query regarding production, performance or presentation of this work
in any manner whatsoever should be directed to the author
MTTower@aol.com
DE0509a
Synopsis
Darrell and Evie were serious sweethearts from eighth grade till after high school, when Evie gave birth to a daughter and left town, leaving Angel in the care of Darrell. Evie has been back to Belcher Bluff few times over the past eleven years, and has never demonstrated any real motherly interest in Angel, who sings rather than speaks. Evie has returned now for the funeral of Darrell's mother -- so she says.
Evie has reached a point where her life is "nothin'," she declares. If only she and Darrell could be together again, she could find meaning in her life. But when Darrell insists that will never happen, Evie announces that she will at least get custody of Angel. But Darrell has been the dedicated father for eleven years and he has no intention of letting Evie take Angel. And one of the reasons Darrell is dedicated to caring for Angel is because of a secret that he's never shared with anyone.
Mama, Darrell's recently deceased mother, returns to try to talk sense to Evie. And Wiley, Darrell's best friend forever, is on hand to help guide Darrell through the treacherous course he faces -- and answer some important questions for Darrell.
Not everyone gets what he or she wants, but sometimes happiness, when it comes at all, comes in small doses at odd moments.
Characters
Darrell -- Male. In his early 30s.
Evie -- Female. One day older than Darrell.
Wiley -- Male. About the same age as Darrell and Evie.
Angel -- Female. 11 years old.
Mama -- Female. In her late 60s or early 70s.
Setting
The setting is the Chez d'Amour Tourist Court, an old run-down establishment at the edge of Belcher Bluff, a wide spot in the road in the middle of "nowhere," near the bottom of the Texas panhandle and not far from the New Mexico border.
note: The characters' pronunciation of "Chez d'Amour" has no French nuance to it at all. With a hard "ch," it is pronounced to rhyme with "says the door" -- quite literally: "chez duh more."
Act I: Room 2 at the Chez d'Amour Tourist Court
There is a door that goes outside to the covered porch which borders the dusty parking lot. Another door goes to the bathroom. One other doorway, for the closet, is covered with faded print fabric strung on a wire. Near the outside door, on the same wall, is a window with shabby curtains and a yellowed, stained pull-down shade.
The room contains a bed, a night stand beside it with lamp, a chair, a chest, a table -- at least that but not much more.
On the walls are a couple of cheap, tired old reproductions of posters by Toulouse Lautrec, or something else easily recognizable as a long-ago inept attempt to give a "French" or "Parisian" touch to a room that could never take it.
There is a pay phone on the porch, just outside the door, the only visible part of it being the handset with cord long enough to reach into the doorway of the room.
Act II: Room 5 at the Chez d'Amour Tourist Court
Room 5 is directly across the parking lot from Room 2, and is identical to Room 2 except for different curtains and window shade, different bedspread, different fabric covering the closet door, different lamp, different "French" pictures, at least one or two different pieces of furniture in a different arrangement -- the kinds of changes that will easily identify the space as being a different room in the same motel.
Time
The time is the present, a summer afternoon.
Act I - Scene 1
(In the darkness before lights come up, we hear angel in the distance.)
(singing; offstage) angel (singing; offstage)
I journey over roads of mud,
Of asphalt, tar and gravel,
Confused by all the swerves and curves
Of all the paths I travel.
But if I close my eyes and pray,
Pretending I don't care,
Perhaps I'll float through crowds of clouds --
With rainbows everywhere.
(lights up to reveal Room 2 of the Chez d'Amour Tourist Court. It's early afternoon on a hot summer day. The door to the outside is open. The window shade is pulled down. The room is a mess. Clothes are strewn about, two open suitcases have been pawed through, there are remnants of a take-out meal on the table, magazines dropped wherever, a wildly disheveled bed, etc.)
(offstage) darrell (offstage)
Y'all drive safe now, y'hear?
(darrell rushes in, carrying a plastic bowl with ice in it. he is wearing only pants. he shuts the door, sets the bowl down. he finds his shirt and puts that on. he grabs his socks and is sniffing them as evie opens the door from the bathroom and enters. evie laughs at Darrell's sniffing. evie is wearing panties and pulling on a bra.)
evie
(Laughing)
Oh, shit! I'd forgotten about that!
darrell
About what?
evie
Way you smell your dirty socks before you put'em back on.
Darrell
What-a you mean? Why would I do somethin' stupid like that --
(darrell will put his socks and shoes on.)
evie
(Overlapping to interrupt)
You smelled your damn socks, Darrell! Doin' that far back as eighth grade, that I remember. First time we were out in that ol' barn? I clearly recall you picked those things up an' you smelled 'em --
darrell
(Overlapping to interrupt)
So what? How else I find out they need to be washed or beat-an'-fluffed or whatever --
evie
(Overlapping to interrupt)
Yeah right, Darrell. How the hell else you gonna find out anything, 'less you stick your nose in it.
Reckon I shouldn't complain. After all, ever' wild beast is, by instinct, controlled by ... aroma. And in this heat, smell has so much more ... draw.
(evie approaches Darrell in a playfully seductive manner, then turns her back in an unspoken request that he's familiar with, but no longer comfortable with: But he responds and fastens her bra.
(As they talk, they continue to dress. evie will pick up her clothes strewn about and pitch them into the closet, taking other clothes from a suitcase to put on.
(Occasionally, evie will pick up a towel to dab at her neck and arms, taking away the sweat, and fan herself with whatever is handy.)
darrell
Still su'prises me that you've come back for Mama's funeral.
evie
Your mother and I were always very close.
darrell
(Sarcastically agreeing)
Unh-huh. ... When's the last time you phoned her?
evie
Well ... guess maybe it's been a while since I actually ... talked to her ...
darrell
Or wrote to her?
evie
(A beat)
Well ... Christmas cards, birthdays, you know ... special occasions ...
darrell
Like when pigs fly.
evie
Besides ... it's the thought that counts.
darrell
Well, she thought you'd died.
evie
No she didn't.
darrell
(Subconsciously impersonating Mama)
"She must-a died down there in Galveston, or we would-a heard somethin' from her."
evie
Well, it was sweet of her to think of me.
darrell
She didn't say it exactly drippin' with honey.
I stood up for you plen'y-a times, Evie. Did what I could so she'd give you benefit of the doubt ... pore, disillusioned ol' woman.
evie
Don't blame me for all-a that. ... An' just for the record, I haven't lived in Galveston for quite a spell now.
darrell
Man, Mama treated you practic'ly like you were one of her own.
evie
I practic'ly was.
darrell
Not even a little bit.
evie
Well, I mean the situation bein' what it was and all ...
darrell
That's exactly the reason why not.
(A beat)
What-cha mean you're not down in Galveston anymore?
evie
Things didn't ... you know ... work out ... exactly ...
darrell
Last time I saw you -- well, now, that-uz about four years ago, wadn't it? -- you'd finally met the man-a your dreams. "Oh, this is It, Darrell!" That's what-cha tol' me. "This is the man I been a-waitin' for my entire life!"
evie
I didn't say it like that ...
darrell
Yeah y'did an' to hear you tell it, the causeway to Galveston was the highway to Heaven. You were through with all-a your runnin' around because you'd once-an'-for-all gotten yourself the Big Mac at the drive-up windah of love! That was the genuwine, honest-to-God hitchin'-up that was gonna change your life for all eternity, is what you said --
evie
(Overlapping to interrupt)
It didn't take, okay? Just let it go!
darrell
What happen? His money run out?
evie
Not as quick as he ran out.
(darrell goes to the chest, picks up two foam cups, puts ice in them.)
(continuing) evie (continuing)
My God, you mean the Chez d'Amour has an ice machine now? Maybe another fifty years and Charlie'll install a water heater that works. That ice machine's what we needed night-a the senior prom. Hunh. You remember that? Whoa! That was some fun-filled frolic ...
darrell
Yeah. The sheriff thought so, too.
evie
How did that court hearin' go, by the way?
darrell
Charges dismissed on ever'body but you. Judge Dooley was pissed you didn't show up.
evie
Oh, well, he's dead now an' the courthouse burnt down with all the records ...
darrell
An' that's what they call justice in Yoakum County.
evie
That's not much ice.
darrell
There wadn' much. If Charlie's got at least two rooms rented, he puts some ice cubes in that picnic cooler out on the porch. Got the last of it.
evie
So there's no ice machine?
darrell
Couple years ago he found a old Kelvinator dropped off-a somebody's trailer with eight mismatched ice trays.
evie
And that's what they call progress in Yoakum County.
darrell
Maybe Charlie'll put some more out, if he dudn' notice the couple next door just pulled out ...
evie
Can just imagine what they were doin'. Hadn't been here more'n an hour.
darrell
Neither have we.
evie
Yeah, but I checked in on the day rate, at least. You brought some booze like I told you?
(darrell points out a small bag on the chest.)
(continuing) evie (continuing)
Well Lordy, I hope buyin' all-a that didn't set you back too damn much.
darrell
Well I wadn' exactly meanin' to get shit-faced.
evie
What's that got to do with what I'm meanin' to do?
(darrell hands one of the cups with ice to evie. she detects an odor to the ice and reacts to it.)
(continuing) evie (continuing)
Whew!
darrell
I know -- Charlie went fishin' other day.
evie
What'd he catch, squid shit? Quick. Kill the smell with that --
(darrell has taken a small bottle of brandy from the paper sack. evie grabs it and looks at it.)
(continuing) evie (continuing)
-- peach brandy? I hate brandy! 'Specially peach brandy!
darrell
No you don't.
evie
Tastes like the pancake syrup you'd get at I-Hop.
darrell
We use-ta always drink peach brandy.
evie
Because that's what you used to always get!
darrell
Sure's heck drank enough of it back then. Should-a tol' me you didn't like it.
evie
Hadn't learned then that it's okay if a woman does a little thinkin' for herself.
darrell
Y' liked peach brandy.
evie
Well I've moved on, all right? You'd be su'prised to know some-a the fancy stuff I've put in my mouth since then ...
darrell
I doubt it.
evie
... stuff you'd know nothin' about ... like ... Wild Turkey ... Southern Comfort ... cra-may da mint -- fancy kind-a drinks known as "lick-yours" -- 'cuz that's what-cha feel like doin' after about three of'em.
darrell
All I know's you liked peach brandy.
evie
Oh, shit, Darrell, I loved you so much back then, you big fuckin' ass-wipe!
(Suddenly evie pulls darrell into an embrace and a kiss that he isn't comfortable with, but she holds on for a couple of seconds before he is able to break away. evie looks at him curiously.)
(As the conversation continues, evie takes a large plastic bottle of cheap bourbon from her suitcase and hands it to darrell, who opens it. evie goes back to seductively hugging and fondling darrell, which he continues to try to tactfully resist.)
(continuing) evie (continuing)
You used to like our kind of ... closeness.
darrell
That was, uh ... long time ago.
evie
You didn't have any problem with closeness on that bed few minutes ago.
darrell
Well, that was just ... sex. Now you're tryin' to get ... intimate.
(darrell fills her cup with bourbon, pours very little into his.)
(continuing) darrell (continuing)
(Uncomfortable holding the drink)
So ...
evie
Cain't you think of any kind of a meanin'ful toast to give?
darrell
Well ...
evie
To me, goddammit! Here's to the one an' only Evangeline Massey and my return to Belcher Bluff, Texas!
darrell
Sure. To you, Evie. And your little visit to Belcher Bluff.
(they touch cups, the plastic making no noise, so evie supplies it ...)
evie
Clink.
(... and evie downs the entire contents. darrell doesn't drink.)
(continuing) evie (continuing)
Hey! Where's the Darrell I know?
darrell
I'm not really gonna drink this, Evie --
evie
(Overlapping to interrupt)
The first one goes down full-blast, don't you remember?
darrell
I'm in AA now. Tryin' not to let this stuff do what it used to --
evie
(Overlapping to interrupt)
Well is there a rule in there somewhere about not drinkin' with ... old lovers?
(Holding out her cup)
Forget the ice. Like drinkin' bait water.
(darrell fills her cup again. evie will continue drinking steadily, pouring more liquor as needed.)
darrell
I tried to find you when your mother died. Phoned ever' place I could think of ...
evie
I was sort-a in-between ... things. Lots-a stuff goin' on then ...
darrell
It was kind-a like you'd just dropped off the face-a the earth. But, then, you sort-a have a way-a doin' that, don'-cha?
evie
(Impatiently)
I was in-between things, I said!
darrell
Phoned the numbers I found on a list at your mama's house ... got a-hold-a some woman in Tyler wouldn' give me the time-a day once't I mentioned your name -- and, case I found you, wanted me to tell you to tell Harold to phone home if he knows what's good for him.
evie
If I know Harold, he's still-a goin' in the opposite direction from that bitchy ol' maniac ...
darrell
Man at the dry cleaners in Texarkana said he hadn' seen you for quite a spell and he sounded kind-a sad about it ...
evie
I miss ol' Burl. Amazin' dancer, to have only one leg ...
darrell
Got a-hold-a your cousin Bernice in Beaumont -- she wanted me to remind you about the two hunnerd an' four dollars you've owed her for two years come Christmas --
evie
(Overlapping to interrupt)
You've made your point! ... Couple your messages caught up with me. I 'preciate your effort.
darrell
I went to your mama's funeral, you know. Most ever'body in these parts was there.
evie
By the time I found out, she was already buried.
darrell
She was cremated.
evie
Disposed of. However.
darrell
Leonard's got her ashes. He said you could have'em, you ever want'em.
evie
Now that's baggage I don't exactly need ...
darrell
She was awful well thought of, bein' janitor at the school all-a those years. She'll be remembered for toilets so shiny you could practic'ly see to comb your hair while peein' ...
evie
It didn't work that way in the girls' bathroom.
darrell
We gave her a good send-off.
evie
Didn't see any point comin' back when it was all over an' done with.
darrell
I told her, not more'n a hour before it happened, that she shouldn't be tendin' them bees with shorts on, no hat an' veil or gloves -- but ... anh, you know your mama ...
evie
Don't blame yourself.
darrell
Wadn'. She did have a mind of her own, twisted as it was.
evie
Now that's a tribute we should put on her tombstone.
darrell
Idn' any tombstone. We scattered her ashes in the park out by the new sewage treatment plant.
evie
What goes aroun' comes aroun', dudn' it?
darrell
It was a perty painful way to go, I reckin. Ever'body within a quarter mile heard her screamin'. Went on for quite a spell before Clint Hoody thought to turn the hose on her. But it was too late by then. Once all the buzzin' stopped, she just sort-a ... whimpered ... an' went.
evie
I'm sure y'all did what you could ...
darrell
Harry Bitterman over at the funeral home said she was so swole up they couldn't hardly find a casket big enough to wedge her into it.
evie
You said she was cremated.
darrell
Had a open-casket funeral first. You know how people 'round here like to see a dead body, even the freaky ones.
evie
'Specially those. Does have its entertainment value. Y'all need a Blockbuster.
darrell
But I doubt the problem was the bee-stings near as much as all that weight she put on last several months. She said it was granular. Most likely it was beer an' pizza. She practic'ly lived at that new Eye-talian drive-in other side-a town. Did you see that? We finally got a neon sign in Belcher Bluff.
(Makes "flashing" signs with his hands)
Pizza! Pizza! Pizza!
After her an' Leonard broke it off and he took up with Tiny Redwine's nephew, she really let herself go. But nobody blamed her. That was one old lady where life had become a endless succession of ... emotional hem'rrhoids.
evie
Downturns seem to run in our family ...
darrell
She never did rightly get over you leavin' ... way you did.
evie
She always told me it would be good riddance!
darrell
Empty words ... with a lot-a love behind 'em.
(A beat)
Even Mama went to her funeral.
evie
Your mama? Must-a been there to sing the Hallelujah Chorus.
darrell
Well, they never got to be what you'd call good friends. But least Mama quit throwin' rocks at her trailerhouse when the moon was full. And once your mama'd burned down our chicken coop, she kind-a softened up a bit.
(A pause. evie refreshes her drink.)
evie
So ... how's our belovéd daddy doin'?
(There is the sound of a soft knock at the door. evie glances at the door. darrell continues talking as he pulls the window shade back and peeks out.)
darrell
Daddy asks about you all the time. I never know what to tell him. I've made up all kinds-a stories ...
(The sound of the knock is repeated. darrell looks out again, speaking to the one outside.)
(continuing) darrell (continuing)
Just a minute, sugar!
evie
Who is that?
darrell
I'm forever makin' up stories about you, Evie. You should ask me about your life, sometime ... since I'm the one what creates it.
(The sound of the knock is repeated.)
(continuing) darrell (continuing)
That's Angel. Guess she got tired a-playin' with Charlie's rowdy grandkids.
evie
Shit!
darrell
(To Angel, outside)
Hold on, darlin'!
(To Evie)
Our belovéd and cantankerous old daddy's gettin' on up in years, you gotta realize, but his mind's still sharp as a buzzard's beak --
evie
(Overlapping to interrupt)
What the hell did you bring Angel for?
darrell
Well, if you can believe it, I had this stupid notion that you might want to see her. Besides, what you 'spect me to do? -- with Mama gone. Loan her out as a bookend or somethin'? She's got to be looked after.
evie
So all of a sudden now you got to be a father?
darrell
The heck you mean all of a sudden? I am a father to that girl! Have been all along -- an' you darn well know that! And I want you to know somethin' else -- that I'm awful ashamed-a what happened here this afternoon.
evie
(Not grasping his reference)
What happened ... ?
darrell
You. Me.
(Points to bed)
There.
evie
Oh, so you're blamin' me 'cause you're restless, horny and out of control.
darrell
Somewhat! Not altogether, but ... somewhat!
(The gentle sound of the knock is repeated. darrell opens the door and angel is standing there, smiling and cherubic. darrell smiles at her, gently and warmly.)
(continuing) darrell (continuing)
C'mon in, sweetheart. Did-ja have fun with Dody Mae an' Hector?
(Without answering, angel attaches herself to Darrell, taking his hand, staying close to him.)
(continuing) darrell (continuing)
Hope you remembered to put that new bunch-a Barbie clothes back in the truck.
(angel looks at him and smiles, making no direct response.)
(continuing) darrell (continuing)
When we get home, honey, I'll help you get the house back together.
(To Evie)
Yesterd'y the dog knocked her Barbie house off the table an' we've got to put the kitchen wall back in place, an' look again for the 'frigerator -- which the dog may of ate.
(To Angel)
I know it's been a while since you seen this here woman, Angel, but you remember her, don't-cha? ... Evie? ... Your mother?
(angel's friendly glance at Evie questions recognition. evie is very uncomfortable.)
(continuing) darrell (continuing)
Well ... it has been a while ...
evie
(To herself; disturbed and nervous)
Jesus ...
(Suddenly angel breaks gently into song.)
(singing) angel (singing)
I found the flutter of a butterfly
On the petals of a rose.
And I wonder when I shut my eyes
Where all the color goes.
evie
(as though the music hurts her ears)
She still doin' that? Singin' stuff that she ... makes up? ...
darrell
Don't talk about her, Evie! Talk to her!
evie
An' will she answer me, Darrell? Does she talk yet? ... like a real person? Ever? Like a normal human-bein'?
darrell
She is a normal human bein' who'd rather sing than talk. Nothin' wrong with that.
evie
(To Angel, overlapping to interrupt Darrell)
Don't sing for me, okay? I'm just not feelin' very ... musical.
(angel smiles and does a little dance twirl, then stops, facing Evie, and holds her hand out to her. evie is puzzled. darrell is puzzled, then sees the meaning.)
darrell
Oh, I reckin now she remembers who you are. I thank she wants you to dance with her.
evie
Dance with her?
darrell
She dances now, too ... almost as good as she sings. She's prob'ly rememberin' her seventh birthday. You did a few twirls with her then. After that's when she started dancin' ...
evie
I was drunk! Don't hardly even remember that!
darrell
You danced with her. I reckin that's what she remembers.
evie
Why would that be anything she'd remember, for Pete's sake?
darrell
Maybe 'cause it's the only birthday you were ever at. An' the last time she saw you.
evie
Jesus!
darrell
You were just passin' through, you said. An' just happened to have a cake with you. White icin' -- cut into it, there was this pale pink cake that looked just like ... velvet -- and on top those pink candy rose buds -- an' little green candy leaves that looked so real -- you remember that, don't you, Angel? -- an' long green stems made of frostin' that wrapped around in the middle so perty, spellin' out "Happy Birthday Andrew."
evie
I told them her name was Angel! I told'em to change that!
darrell
I reckin it-uz the nicest thang y'ever did for her.
evie
It wadn' somebody else's cake they didn't pick up, that's what your thinkin' ...
darrell
Didn' matter. It showed that you'd thought of her -- that you actually remembered when her birthday was, which frankly kind-a su'prised me. And it was the pertiest cake anybody in Belcher Bluff'd ever seen.
evie
I don't hardly remember that. I was still drinkin' somewhat back then.
(she throws back the remainder of her drink and pours more.)
darrell
And you gave her the cutest little blonde-haired one-armed doll she still plays with. She's real understandin' of the physically challenged.
(Shielding Angel from his remark)
She was down for a nap by the time you started throwin' up, so she only saw the good side of you.
(To Angel)
Angel, baby, your mother dudn' feel like dancin' right now. But I'd love to dance with you, if you'd 'low me t'be your partner.
(Showing her pleasure at his suggestion, angel curtsies, darrell gives a little bow, and they start humming a tune together as they move into position to dance. Obviously this is something they are accustomed to doing. evie is scrabbling through her purse.)
Evie
All-a this singin' an' dancin', carryin' on like y'all do when all I can think about ... Jesus, I thought I had some aspirin! Ever'thing but aspirin, looks like. Got cures for coughs ... cramps ... constipation ... you'd think in here somewhere there'd be ... cripes all to Pete!
(darrell brings the dance to a halt.)
darrell
I guess we best finish this when we get home. Angel, sugar, would you go over to Thraller's and get one-a those bottles of Bayer for your mother? Better make it a big one. Tell Floyd put it on our account. Get somethin' for yourself, too -- no more'n a dollar, and not with a bunch-a sugar, okay darlin'?
(angel gives darrell a quick hug and runs out.)
(continuing) darrell (continuing)
Why did you come back, Evie?
evie
For your mama's funeral!
darrell
She's bein' buried this afternoon. You checked in here for three days.
(A pause.)
evie
Darrell ... truth is ... I'm awful sick.
darrell
(Guardedly concerned)
What's the matter, Evie?
evie
(A beat)
Life! I'm sick-a life.
darrell
(Relieved)
Oh, Evie, ever'body's sick-a life, one time the other. You mostly get over it. Enough, anyhow -- you know, to go on ...
evie
But I got this terrible feelin' way down deep inside-a me that ... like ... I don't know, but, like I'm not gonna make it ... like I don't even want to anymore, just ... just that ... you couldn' possibly know what it's like, Darrell, 'cause you always had this thing that made you think ever'thing was gonna be all right, eventually, given time, things would just somehow work out for you --
darrell
(Overlapping to interrupt)
Given a little time, it does. Troubles come, then go. That's what life is -- ups an' downs. What would a roller-coaster be if it was just ... up. Good thing about bein' down is, you got the up to look forward to!
evie
My life is not a fuckin' amusement park, Darrell.
darrell
What I mean is, you've just encountered a little trouble, is all --
evie
(Overlapping to interrupt)
My life is shit! I left this god-forsaken place 'leven years ago so I could do somethin' with my life. An' just look where I'm at! I had looks back then, I had talent!
(Singing)
"By the dawn's early light ..."
Remember how clear an perty that used to be ever' Friday night at the football games? Remember how people said they got goose-pimples when I let loose on them big notes? And I could lift my legs higher than any other damned cheerleader, an' throw a baton so high you'd think it was gonna hit God in the balls, catch it an' throw it an' never lose a twirl. I could-a done somethin' back then! -- made somethin' of myself! My god, it's no wonder Angel's got all that talent!
You know what my plan was, Darrell? I was gonna model in Paris, act in Hollywood, sing in New York an' dance in, well, I guess that'd be New York, too. I could-a done it back then! -- was gonna make a bunch-a money, an' come back here an' take you an' Angel away from all-a this! That's what I was gonna do -- for us!
darrell
Nothin' like that ever crossed your mind and you know it.
evie
What do you know about what goes on up here in this head-a mine?
darrell
I know good-'n'-well you never had any kind-a plan like that. You never thought diddly 'bout anybody in your whole life except yourself ...
evie
Seems to me you could have just a bit more respect for your big sister.
darrell
You're one day older an' half a sister. Don't see that puts you very high in the peckin' order -- 'specially since you never took any obligation about any darn thing y'ever did --
evie
(Overlapping to interrupt)
Don't talk like that, Darrell! You know you're the one I've always depended on! You're the one has to help me get through --
darrell
(Overlapping to interrupt)
Whatever good there was for us back then, Evie, it got to be so's I was a burden to you. We all were. We was all just so much baggage you didn't wanna tote no more. The day you knew you were pregnant's the day I saw the weight of it all come down on you -- the dull of your eyes, the hunch of your shoulders, the drag of your feet. Day after Angel was born -- well, I reckon it shouldn've su'prised me none that you just up an' left, sneakin' out-a the hospital way you did ... not a word to anybody ... not even botherin' to name your baby ...
evie
I knew you wouldn' understand, couldn' know what was goin' on inside-a me. When I really needed you, what did you care --
darrell
(Overlapping to interrupt)
An' this business of you showin' up ever' three-four years, you shouldn' do that to us, Evie.'Specially Angel. It's just not good for her.
evie
You talk like she's the only one that matters.
darrell
I reckon she is.
evie
She needs a mother.
darrell
She needs a lot-a things. We make do.
evie
But, Darrell ...
darrell
Not a one of us got ever'thing we need.
evie
(A beat)
I'm thinkin' real serious about ... comin' back ...
darrell
"Comin' back"?
evie
Yeah ... to Belcher Bluff ... to, uh, you know ... live ...
darrell
(A beat)
After all-a your travels an' stuff, not sure you'd be satisfied with life here in Belcher Bluff. ... Not sure we'd be satisfied with havin' you here.
evie
That dudn' sound too welcomin' ...
darrell
But I reckon you got a right to live wherever you want to. Free country and all ...
evie
We could be a family, Darrell -- you ... me ... Angel. We could get our own little place, an' before you know it ...
(Cajoling ...)
Darrell, baby?
darrell
Woman, you're tryin' to put a pitcher on a canvas with a bunch-a ol' dried-up paint.
evie
But what about ... us?
darrell
"Us"?
evie
You ... me ...
darrell
There's you, an' there's me. There is no us.
evie
There somebody else, Darrell?... You met the girl-a your dreams?
darrell
Yeah, reckon I did ... 'leven years ago.
evie
(Heavy with sarcasm)
Oh, idn' that sweet.
Come on, now, Darrell. This is Evie you're talkin' to. There will always be an us. We're family 'cause we have to be and lovers 'cause we wanted to be. We have a past, we have now, and there's all-a those tomorrows just waitin' for us to grab on --
darrell
(Overlapping to interrupt)
Don't do that, Evie. Don't go on like that --
evie
(Overlapping to interrupt, never missing a beat)
You forgotten just a few minutes ago we were naked on that bed? -- an' there was no you separate from me then! That's the way it is with us, Darrell You know that! From the time we're thirteen years old. That is us!
darrell
Awready told you I'm ashamed-a what I did. Just like ol' times -- kind-a fell into ol' habits, let myself get carried away --
evie
(Overlapping to interrupt)
Of course it was like old times, Darrell! An' they will be our times again. It just proves that we want the same thing, that we just gotta be --
darrell
(Overlapping to interrupt)
I did it without thinkin'. Way I used to live way too much-a my life. It wadn't what I really wanted to do. Well, okay, it was what I wanted to do right then, but the feelin' I have now is not what I wanted to end up with.
evie
(Coming at Darrell)
Oh, baby, come on -- you know that you and me are meant to be together. It's our destiny! It's just the way it is --
darrell
(Overlapping to interrupt; backing away from Evie)
Don't do it, Evie. Just stay away. I'm not as strong as I hope to get, but I'm not as weak as I used to be.
(There is the sound of a knock at the door.)
(continuing) darrell (continuing)
That you, Angel?
(angel opens the door, smiling, and enters, carrying two small bags. she gives one to Darrell.)
(singing) angel (singing)
I once saw a beautiful lady
Made of milky silk and velvet rare.
Her eyes were filled with the flash of the stars
And fingers of fire touched her hair.
But she was afraid when the sun came up,
And more afraid when it set.
So she put on a smile to hide her tears
And pulled all the shades to forget.
darrell
(A beat)
That was nice, Angel. Thank you.
(angel hands to Evie the other paper bag. evie is unsure what to do about it. darrell is taking two aspirin from the bottle that was in the bag.)
evie
What ... ?
darrell
Looks like she's got a present for you.
evie
(Not reaching for it)
Oh. Well I, uh ...
darrell
It's just a present, Evie. Don't you know how to take a gift when somebody offers it?
(evie takes the bag and removes a handkerchief.)
(continuing) darrell (continuing)
Looks like instead-a gettin' somethin' for herself, she got somethin' for you.
evie
It's ... awful perty, Angel. Thank you. Now I won't have to ... use Kleenex.
(darrell gives aspirin tablets to evie. she washes them down with her liquor.)
darrell
(Glancing at his watch)
Well, we best go get ready for the funeral. You want us to come by pick you up?
evie
No. That dung-green Geo out there's mine. Rental. It's at the funeral home, idn' it? -- the service?
darrell
New Canaan Babdis' Church. What used to be the barber shop and bar over back-a the John Deere place by the cotton gin? We remodeled an' sanctified it. Air-conditioned an' lint-free.
evie
Should I ... bring anything?
darrell
It's a funeral, Evie, not a potluck. You might want to put the booze away. One body laid out's more'n enough.
(To Angel)
Come on, sugar. You need to iron your good dress, an' I'll shine our shoes. Your granma would get us yet if we went to church crumpled and scuffed.
(Back to Evie)
You might want to get there a little early, for parkin'. Most likely be somethin' of a crowd.
(As darrell and angel exit, angel turns to give a warm smile to Evie.
(evie looks at the handkerchief, dabs the sweat from her face with it, then puts it down. she picks up the bottle of bourbon and pours another hefty drink and takes a swallow. she reaches into the ice bowl to get some of the cold water which she dabs on her neck, gets a whiff of the fishy aroma, grabs the hankie to wipe it off, then drops the handkerchief in the wastebasket.
(she goes to a suitcase and takes out another large bottle of bourbon and puts it on the chest. she reaches into the suitcase and takes out a pistol and drops it on the bed.
(mama enters, from some place other than a door. she is wearing her "Sunday best," and carrying a purse. evie does not see or hear Mama. As Mama talks, evie will be tending to her hair, makeup, etc., getting ready for the funeral.)
mama
Evie?
(A beat)
Evie? Can you hear me? -- in any way at all?
(A beat; then, yelling ...
Evangeline! It's me -- Eunice.
(To herself)
Dagnabbit, this is frustratin'.
(Back to Evie)
You know -- Darrell's mama. Can you hear me? Reco'nize me a-tall? I aged more than I'd like to admit in the last few years -- ever'body has, no Avon lady here for more'n a decade. You still look like you did -- though your tread's wore kind-a thin and there's obviously been a few hard knocks an' sharp pokes. But, at least, you're alive an' kickin', ain't ya? -- more'n some of us can say. I need to talk to you. There's things that ...
(To herself)
Well, this is like talkin' to the ass end of a dead hog.
(To the audience)
There's things this hair-brained twit needs to know, but I always said her brain'd be best used as a door stop. She's made a awful lot-a mistakes in her frenzied little life, an' looks like she's nowheres near through yet. But she was family -- in the most awful kind-a way, I might point out -- so I put up with her. Did almost send her a birthday card few years back, in one-a my weaker moments, but it just looked plain idiotic signed "I tolerate you." But that's the best feelin' I could come up with at the time.
(To Evie)
Thing is, Evie, soon's my funeral's over, you ought-a just leave town, you hear me? Don't be hangin' around here. Ever' time you visit, I can figger Darrell's recovery rate at about a day for ever' hour you was here. And it's not'cause he cares about ya. I don't think anybody really cares about you anymore -- not around here, least-wise. You're kind-a like clabbered milk -- somethin' to throw to the hogs an' be done with. And Angel just gets so goldarned confused! You cain't believe some-a the questions she sings after you been here.
(evie has completed getting ready. As Mama talks, evie takes a letter from from her purse, opens the door and steps outside to the phone, staying in view. she dials a number that's on the letterhead and deposits coins.)
(continuing) mama (continuing)
It's anger, Evie! You make Darrell angry. An' me, too, I'll let-cha know. It don't matter' bout me, but it's not fair to him, and frankly, girl, you ain't worth it. He's a fine man and a good father to Angel. An' that girl -- well, she's just about the sweetest thing this side of a sorghum press. Maybe she don't talk in a reg'lar way, but she is a treasure, let me tell you. You have no idea what you lost when you walked away from them two. But lose it you did -- just remember that, an' skee-daddle out-a town before dark tonight. Do us all that big favor, would ya?
(A beat; giving up; to the audience)
Anh! She never did pay no 'tention to me. Don't know why in tarnation I thought she might start now.
(Her annoyance obvious, mama turns to hustle off, then thinks of one more thought to add.)
(continuing) mama (continuing)
Oh -- it was good of you to come to my funeral, though I'm wondering 'bout your alterior motives.
(mama exits.)
evie
Lemme speak to Wiley. ...
Evie. He'll know who -- ...
Evangeline Massey! Just tell'im! He'll know -- ...
Well I don't have long -- tell'im I've got a funeral to go Oh hello, Wiley! ...
You, too. So you're one-a the lawyers over in Plains now. ...
The only one? Goodness' sake, you must be rakin' in the big bucks. ...
Well, sure, but still ...
Yeah, I'm goin' to her funeral here in a bit -- was goin' by that new bar first, where the depot used to be? -- maybe run into some old friends. ...
Well, new to me. Say, I got your letter here sayin' we need to talk about my mother's things, so why don't you drop by my place here at the tourist court 'round six this ev'nin'? That'll give me plen'y-a time to do any grievin' I got to do. ...
Chez d'Amour? Room two? -- in the middle, left side. ...
Oh yes she sure was. Bourbon still your drink-a choice? ...
Really? My goodness, those AA meetin's must be gettin' kind-a crowded. Well, anyway, then, I'll see you tonight. Oh, by the way, Wiley, I'm tellin' you now, I am not gonna take on any-a my mother's debts or anything like that ...
Well just so you'll know. ...
Well, I'm just tellin' you. ...
Okay. I'll see you tonight. An' don't be in a big rush to get away, you hear? We'll want some time to catch up on things an' ...
Oh really? ... An' three kids. Well, idn' that just the sweetest thing ever. But, still we can socialize a tad an' ...
Of course you are, Wiley. Bye now.
(she hangs up. As she picks up her purse, she notices the gun on the bed, puts it in the drawer of the night stand, and shuts the drawer. she moves to exit as lights fade.)
-- End of Scene --
Act I - Scene 2
(time: Later the same day, after the funeral.
(The room is clean and orderly except one suitcase is open on the bed with a few remaining items of clothing in it.
(angel is removing those items from the suitcase and carefully folding them and putting them in a drawer. When she finishes the last item, she closes the suitcase and puts it out of the way.
(she plucks a handful of tissue from a box which she uses to dust, then she drops the tissue into the wastebasket. she sees the handkerchief in the wastebasket, retrieves it, carefully folds it and puts it away.
(she takes an electric fan from the closet, puts it on the chest, plugs it in, turns it on. she raises the window shade halfway. she looks around, pleased with her accomplishment. she smooths the bedspread of the suitcase imprint, then she exits to the outside, closing the door.)
(A few seconds pass, and then we hear voices outside.)
(offstage) evie (offstage)
Whoo!
(Laughing)
That step is a sam dight higher goin' up than comin' down.
(offstage) darrell (offstage)
Here, Evie, let me help you. Watch out or you're gonna fall again --
(offstage) evie (offstage)
(Overlapping to interrupt; unsteadily)
Stop it! I can munn munnnn mannnipoo, manipu -- nate just fine -- thank you very -- much.
(evie enters, darrell right behind her. evie carries a partially eaten sandwich which she pitches on the bed. she notices the change in the room.)
(continuing) evie (continuing)
Well, shit! Charlie's got -- maid surface now?
darrell
(Looking around)
Not that I know of.
(evie pulls the shade down.)
evie
Well they sure do a good job.
(evie staggers into the bathroom.)
(offstage) evie (offstage)
Hey, uh ... what's your name?
(Laughs)
Oh. Dabble ... Darrell!
(Laughs again)
There for a second, you just -- fripped right outta my mind. Whoo! Anyhoo, would you fix me a drink, sugar nuts?
(darrell picks up the sandwich, tries to make it edible. he sets it on the night stand.)
darrell
What you need is somethin' to eat.
(offstage) evie (offstage)
I ate awready!
darrell
Two bites, barely.
(offstage) evie (offstage)
That -- that's the loudest -- lousiest damn chicken san'wich I ever had!
darrell
Maybe that's 'cause it's salami.
(offstage) evie (offstage)
Oh.
(A beat)
Well, like somebody said once upon a time, when it comes right down to it, ever'thing tastes like chicken.
(evie enters from the bathroom, barefoot and carrying her dress and pantyhose.)
(continuing) evie (continuing)
I've got to get me a few nooneral -- new funeral dress. This one is really uncompter -- unconterf -- un, un ... it just dudn't feel good on me.
darrell
You got more funerals to go to, do you?
evie
You just never know.
(evie falls onto the bed. As the dialogue continues, darrell moves her into a more traditional position and takes her dress and pantyhose and drapes them on the back of a chair.)
(continuing) evie (continuing)
Got my rink dready yet?
darrell
I'm not fixin' you another drink.
evie
What happen to you, Daggle?
(Laughs)
Da, da, da ... rrell?
(Suddenly serious again)
You fryin' -- tryin' be 'nother damn Jesus, for Chris' sake? One-a those was enough. You don't pour me some more burden -- I'll do it -- my own self.
darrell
'S up to you.
(Attempting to get up, evie rolls over and falls to the floor, where she lies very still. darrell goes to help her up.)
evie
(Suddenly sobbing)
Careful. I think I boke -- broke my left tit.
(darrell helps evie back onto the bed. she is lying on her back, near tears as she awkwardly examines her breasts.)
(continuing) evie (continuing)
I'm not kiddin'. It's broke! Look! It falls down lots more'n the other one!
darrell
(Not really looking)
Just the way your layin'. You're fine.
evie
Come here, sugar! See if you can shove it back into place for me. Udderwise, it's just gonna be lopsided forever so's I'll list over this way and end up walkin' in circles like a billy goat on a hillside --
darrell
(Overlapping to interrupt)
Evie, I've got to go. Angel went home with the Woosters and I got to pick her up before suppertime. They cain't afford to feed theirselves, much less somebody else's kid. You gonna be okay?
evie
Do you really care, Dawdle?
darrell
Tell me why I should, after the way you behaved yourself at Mama's funeral. That was a disgrace.
evie
But I really loved that stupid ol' woman!
darrell
No you didn't.
evie
She meant the world to me!
darrell
She meant crap to you an' you know it. Way you was carryin' on, downright pitiful. Some people thought you was insane.
evie
How would you know what I'm feelin' about ...
(evie struggles to sit up.)
(continuing) evie (continuing)
Fact is, I'm not feelin' so good.
darrell
Eat the rest-a this sandwich an' get yourself some sleep.
evie
I -- I need some -- H-2-O. You didn't know I could speak -- chemical, did you?
(Reluctantly darrell goes to the bathroom and returns with water in a paper cup.)
(continuing) evie (continuing)
(With less-than-perfect Spanish pronunciation)
Agua, por favor. ¿Agua ... frio? See, I can also speak ... a little wetback. Could I have some ice in it?
darrell
There idn' any out there. You're the only one checked in now.
evie
Fuck!
darrell
An' it'd still have that fishy taste ...
(she drinks the water and sets it aside. she will gradually lose the edge to her intoxication.)
evie
Darrell?
(A beat)
You asked me earlier why I came back to Blecher Buff.
darrell
Fergit it. Not important ...
evie
Well yeah it is. To me ... if not to you. ... I came back to ...
(Stops to clear her thinking)
darrell
(A beat; not seriously interested)
Yeah?
evie
(A beat; seriously considering)
I'm not so sure anymore how to ... It's just that ...
(A beat)
Naw, you're right. It's not important. Not to you.
(she stands, unsteadily.)
(continuing) evie (continuing)
Whew! I reckon I did over-do just a smidgin.
darrell
I'm gonna go now, Evie. You take care-a yourself. Don't be out drivin' till you're good an' sober, ya hear?
evie
(Overlapping to interrupt)
What a minute! What the hell you think you're doin'?
darrell
Told you. I'm leavin'. We visited -- more'n we should of, actually -- and now I'm on my way. I gotta go --
evie
(Overlapping to interrupt)
You're not walkin' out like this! I checked into this fuckin' weasel dig for three goddamned nights so we could spend some time together. Who the fuck else would I be wantin' to see in this roadside toilet y'all call a town. We got visitin' to do, you an' me. It's been a coon's age since we've had a chance to talk --
darrell
(Overlapping to interrupt)
We've done more visitin' than we need to do, Evie. I cain't think of any reason for us to visit any further --
evie
(Overlapping to interrupt)
And Angel! I want to visit with Angel some more! I want to get to know my daughter!
darrell
No you don't!
evie
What the hell you think you know about it? Why wouldn't a mother want to take the time to be with her own child?
darrell
Well, now, that's somethin' I've wondered about plen'y-a times.
evie
Oh, don't be so goddamned sanctimonious. Whew! I must be soberin' up to of got that word out. Didn't even know I knew it.
darrell
I don't think Angel needs to visit with you. Or wants to, for that matter.
evie
Don't be so sure about that. I could tell just by lookin' at her that ...
(A beat)
Anh, you cain't understand the tie between a daughter and her mother.
darrell
And you would?
evie
Do you have a cigarette?
darrell
No. Gave 'em up.
evie
Me, too, dammit!
(A beat)
So you really are tryin' to be a father to her.
darrell
More than just tryin', I'd like to think.
evie
I figured your mama was the one really doin' the -- takin' care ...
darrell
Mama had plenty-a room for me an' Angel ... she helped out a whole lot. Mama was as much a mother to that girl as she could be, arthritis not withstandin'. Angel's gonna miss her like a june bug misses rotten pears.
evie
How come you never married, Darrell?
darrell
There idn' hardly an untaken female in Yoakum County within twenty years of my age. I can think of one with a laugh that'd warp a trailer hitch, and her sister could suck the rust off of it, but neither of 'em ever appealed to me.
evie
So Twila an' Tonette still around, are they?
darrell
Run a very popular truck stop out by the ol' snake farm.
evie
So ... what do you do for female companionship?
darrell
Without, mostly.
evie
(Teasingly)
Mostly?
darrell
Over the years, there's been a couple-a ladies, nothin' for long. School teacher over in the Brownfield District few years back. Dated off an' on a while, nothin' serious, till she got a better offer up at Muleshoe. Brother Pridmore's niece visited up here the summer after her husban' died, an' we did dinner and mini'ture golf few times, then she got engaged to the assistant manager of the Piggly Wiggly in Bastrop. That's about it.
evie
No wonder you were so quick to jump into bed with me.
darrell
I don't wanna be reminded of that.
evie
(Taunting)
There must be a reason ...
darrell
Oh, yeah, there was a reason all right, God forgive me.
evie
Obvious you still got feelin's for me.
darrell
(A beat)
Yeah I do ... but they're not very good feelin's. I shouldn'-a done it ...
evie
Don't be so hard on yourself, baby. After all, we are brother and sister.
darrell
Not altogether -- and the blood tie's runnin' awful thin right about now.
Evie, if it wadn' for Angel, I wouldn't have any reason to have a thing at all to do with you. But bein' as how you gave birth to her, I kind-a figure she deserves to at least know who you are. But I don't see any reason why she ought-a know you any more'n that.
evie
You seem to be forgettin' one very important thing here: I am Angel's mother!
darrell
Not when you say it like that, you're not.
You gave birth to her. That's all you did. A cow can do that and do it better 'cause she cleans up after herself an' sticks around to feed it.
You never changed a diaper or held a bottle. Never rocked her to sleep when she had a fever or put a Band-aid on her when she stubbed a toe. You've never wiped off a tear when she's been called names or seen that grin when she gets her hair curled. You never kissed her goodnight and got one-a those warm, tight hugs, or seen her smile first thing in the mornin' that tells you for sure the day'll be okay and the world all right.
I'm the one that's gone to parent-teacher nights to hear how good she's doin' at school. I'm the one that's grinnin' biggest 'cause she's the pertiest Mary the Christmas pageant ever had. I'm the one that wrapped the towel around her when she was babtized, an' prayed with her when her best friend Cindy was dyin' from leukemia.
I just happen to know that her favorite book is Little Women, her favorite color is blue, and her favorite dinner is meat loaf with mashed potatoes and summer squash. I know her dress size, her shoe size, an' how tall she is to the quarter of an inch.
I'm the one that gets a big I Love You chocolate tie on Father's Day and a red paper cut-out heart on Valentine's Day in Crayola so red it swells my heart. I get birthday wishes an' Christmas greetin's that make me laugh with love an' cry with joy. I'm her Santa Claus, her Easter bunny, her cupid, her tooth fairy. For eleven solid years, Evie, I've been her story-teller, her cheerleader, her steppin'-stone, her guide, her guard, her teacher, doin' the very best I can an' lovin' ever' single secont of it.
(A beat)
Now tell me: Who are you?
evie
(A beat)
That idn' fair.
darrell
Fairness kind-a went out the windah a long time ago, or didn' you notice?
Do us all a big favor, would you? -- an' get yourself out-a town before dark tonight.
evie
Stop sayin' that to me! Just stop sayin' that 'cause I don't wanna hear it anymore --
darrell
(Overlapping to interrupt)
I never said that to you. You must-a been readin' my mind, in which case you gonna run into some ugly stuff.
evie
Darrell ...
(A beat;composing herself)
I, uh ...
(A pause)
Never mind. Go. Go! You got to go pick up your beautiful little Angel so y'all can get back to your beautiful little life, so just ... go on!
darrell
I'll do that. You get some sleep before you leave, hear?
(As darrell opens the door ...)
evie
Darrell, would you, uh ...
(A beat)
Tell Angel that I, uh ... oh ...
(A beat)
Never mind.
(evie stands with her back to Darrell.)
darrell
You take care-a yourself, Evie.
evie
(A beat)
Yes ... I will do that.
(darrell hesitates, then exits, closing the door. evie goes to the window and peeks out.
(she grabs a cup and goes to the chest where she grabs a bottle of bourbon and pours a full cup which she sets on the table. she looks in drawers until she finds a writing tablet and a pen and places those on the table. she goes to the night stand and takes out the gun and places it on the table. she sits at the table and takes pen in hand and begins to write, slowly and methodically as she thinks through what to write. mama enters and goes to Evie. evie continues to write.)
mama
Evie, if your life had been a game-a Go Fish, you'd-a never got a pair.
Now while it is a fact that I want you out-a town, my intent was for you to drive out -- not be trucked out in the back of a hearse. So let's just get over this little scene right here real quick.
Oh, it's not that I've got all that much feelin' for you, God knows. If I could, I'd be tempted to pick that gun up an' do the job for you. Don't figger it would bother me much more'n the twenty-two shot I used to put between the eyes-a those hogs when we done the fall butcherin'.
What's uppermost here is Angel: I do not want her to go through life knowin' that her mama committed suicide.
(Reading over Evie's shoulder)
Whoa, now! I think you're gettin' a little carried away when you say stuff like that ...
(mama watches as evie scratches through words and makes a change.)
(continuing) mama (continuing)
I could still argue a point or two, but that's somewhat better. Now what about up there at the top ...
(evie glances up at the top of the page.)
(continuing) mama (continuing)
The part about ...
(evie spots another change to make. As Mama speaks, evie writes furiously.)
(continuing) mama (continuing)
Yeah, that's better. Now see -- bein' truthful idn't so hard, is it? You just hadn' had enough practice.
(Reading more)
Hmm. No job ... no money. Well, now, whose fault is that, tell me.
(Reading more)
No one to love you. Well, lordy, you gotta know who's to blame for that little problem.
(Reading more)
Well, now, that there paragraph's awful tear-jerky -- but fact is, I'm bettin', most of it's pure horse patty.
But the thing is, Evie, you shouldn' be writin' that letter at all. Just put the pen down an' realize that things are as good as they can be around here, and you got no right to be disturbin' that. Cain't count on anything ever bein' perfect, so I figger if Darrell can keep things perkin' along at a toler'ble level somethin like half the time, then they're gonna be just fine. The worst thing for 'em would be if you killed yourself, and a close secont would be if you didn't and you moved back here.
Listen to me Evie: Angel don't need you! You've got nothin' for her. Nobody needs you -- not aroun' here. Just go away and leave ever'body alone. Find the life you need for yourself, if it exists at all. It won't be in Belcher Bluff.
(evie signs the final page with a flourish and jumps up to find an envelope. mama is in a huff.)
mama
I swan, Evie, you are disgustin', brainless an' selfish as all get-out! You're not gonna get away with this! You hear me?
(Looking "heavenward")
I need some help here.
(mama scurries off and exits. evie puts the letter in an envelope, and writes "To who it may concern" on it. she takes it to the bed and props it against a pillow. she goes to the table and picks up the gun. Trying to figure out how to go about shooting herself, she lies down on the bed and tries various positions -- on her back, side, stomach -- with the gun to her temple, between her eyes, in her mouth, over her heart. No position seems quite right.
(Finally she gets up and finds a place to stand, making sure she has room to fall without hitting anything. Finally, she goes to the mirror to check her makeup and her hair. she guzzles her bourbon. Then she takes the gun and goes to the spot she surveyed. she lifts the gun to her temple, closes her eyes, takes a deep breath -- and suddenly there is a sound of a loud knock at the door. evie is so startled that she drops the pistol; the sound of a gun shot is heard as the gun discharges and the bullet slams through the door. There's the sound of a scream outside, evie screams, then she runs to the door and jerks it open. wiley is standing there, wide-eyed and frightened, supporting himself against the door jamb, holding his briefcase in front of him; the briefcase has a bullet hole at crotch level.)
evie
Oh my God I've shot a damned lawyer!
wiley
Lordy, Evie, you still know how to welcome a man!
evie
I didn't hit you, did I, Wiley? I was just, uh, cleanin' that old thing ...
(she pulls wiley inside, checking to see if he was hit. he discovers the bullet hole in his briefcase.)
wiley
Switchin' my briefcase from one hand to the other prob'ly saved me a great deal-a reconstructive surgery in a very vulnerable area.
(wiley looks around, assessing the situation.)
(continuing) wiley (continuing)
Did I interrupt somethin'?
evie
Nothin' I cain't get back to later.
wiley
Well ...
(A beat)
Good to see you, Evie. How ya doin'?
evie
Fair to middlin'. Relax, Wiley. Make yourself at home, take a load off.
(evie shuts the door.)
wiley
Just fair to middlin'? You ought-a be doin' better'n that.
evie
Well, you know ... life ... an' stuff. Takes its toll sometimes.
wiley
Life an' stuff does that awright. I'm sorry if you're troubled ...
evie
Had a few ups ... a lot more downs ...
wiley
Sounds like you been on a roller-coaster.
evie
Dammit, why does ever'body think my life has been a fuckin' amusement park? ... Excuse me. ... Bourbon? Let me fix you somethin' to drink here, an' then we can get down to business --
wiley
(Overlapping to interrupt)
No -- like I told you. Jus' some water, maybe?
evie
Oh, yes ... forgot. Water ... I'll get that ...
(As evie prepares drinks, wiley puts his briefcase down, picks up the ice bowl and goes out. evie keeps talking.)
(continuing) evie (continuing)
... little bourbon, hope you don't mind, for me ... clears the dust out-a my throat. Forget how dusty it can be here. I only drink alcohol for ... medical purposes ... an' dust-clearin'. I'm practic'ly a Sunday school teacher nowadays, kind-a life I'm livin', you know. 'Fraid there idn' any ice fit for land mammals ...
(wiley returns with ice.)
wiley
There's some -- couple checked into Number One as I was comin' in.
(Smells the ice, drops some in the cups)
Perch, I'd say. Thank God it wadn' catfish.
evie
Who checked in?
wiley
Cain't tell you that. Attorney-client privilege in a divorce proceedin' involvin' adultery -- ongoin', it would appear.
evie
Anybody I'd know?
wiley
My lips are tight.
evie
So's your demeanor. Don't you wanna take your coat off? Loosen your tie? It's hot in here. Besides, I'm not used to seein' you with ... so many clothes on. I can remember when you used to peel out-a that sweaty football jersey comin' off-a the field after a game ... jerk off those shoulder pads ... nice muscles you displayed in those days, Wiley, the arms, the back. Got a little more insulation on you now. The coat?
wiley
I'm workin' now, an' my suit is sort-a my uniform, I guess. More comfortable like this.
evie
I see. ... Too bad. ... You had awful perty pecs and abs. ... Thirty-six!
wiley
Huh?
evie
The number on your jersey. I still remember it. Thirty-six.
wiley
Oh, yeah. Well ...
(they each take sips of their drinks, then evie slugs hers down and goes for more.)
evie Well, now ... (Laughs nervously) What have you ... (Laughs nervously) Go ahead ... |
wiley Shall I ... (Laughs nervously) You go ahead ... (Laughs nervously) You first ... |
(both laugh nervously.)
evie
You sure you wouldn't like a little ...
(she's indicating bourbon, he's indicating "no.")
(continuing) evie (continuing)
Just as well. This brand has sort of a ... rusty taste to it.
wiley
Let me just go over some stuff here with you, Evie.
evie
Oh, yeah, this a business call, idn' it? ...
(Every piece of paper Wiley takes from the briefcase has a bullet hole in it.)
wiley
Let's see. Here we got ...
(Picks up a statement)
... little matter of your mother's funeral expenses ...
evie
Now, Wiley, I awready told you I'm not gonna be duty-bound for any-a her debts. Legally, I don't think I have to pay those --
wiley
(Overlapping to interrupt)
Just hold on, let me explain. This bill from Bitterman Funeral and Feed is for seventeen hunnerd an' twenty-two dollars. Since your mother wadn' buried, Harry just charged rent on the casket -- seventeen-fifty a day plus a little repair work. The way they had to cram her in there it tore the linin' in a couple-a spots an' they had to stitch that back up. Had to charge for that. Your mother gained quite a bit-a weight last several months of her life, but then I guess you heard about Leonard an' Tiny Redwine's nephew. Wouldn'-a believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, them sittin' up there in the balcony at the Rialto holdin' hands for all the world to see. But, then, the world is a-changin', an' maybe that's not all bad --
evie
(Overlapping to interrupt)
If you're expectin' me to pay that seventeen hunnerd, that's just not gonna happen, Wiley, 'cause I got no responsibility --
wiley
(Overlapping to interrupt)
Your mother's estate is liable for that debt. She had a burial policy ...
(Picks up a policy)
... in the amount of two thousand dollars, so that left an overage of two hunnerd an' seventy-eight.
evie
Do I get that? Two hunnerd'n seventy-eight? Why that pays for my trip here. But if she owed anything to anybody, anything at all --
wiley
(Overlapping to interrupt)
Your mother didn't have any debts. She didn't owe anybody anything.
evie
She didn'? That's a su'prise. Her an' Leonard use-ta always be fightin' about money, tryin' to scrape enough together to buy food an' gas, make a trailer payment, play a little Bingo, one blamin' the other for "wanton waste an' willful neglect" -- Leonard's words from his many hours of watchin' all-a those judges on TV.
wiley
After Leonard left, your mother started doin' just fine. She planted her own little gold mine with that idea of hers: Spring Valley Mornin' Glory Honey Farm.
evie
What's that? Never heard of it.
wiley
No? The honey was sold in the gourmet food section of a lot-a the Grab-n-Go stores in this area. Prob'ly not distributed as far down as Galveston.
evie
I haven't been in Galveston for a spell. Where is this Spring Valley?
wiley
That was her backyard. She named it that, put a sign up over the gate, "You are enterin' Spring Valley -- population: Me," planted mornin' glories all 'round edge-a the yard. That was just for looks. Don't know that mornin' glories, per se, do much for the makin'-a honey. Filled the backyard with those bee hives. The neighbors complained -- the buzzin' an' the stings, y'know -- but she gave 'em honey and a bit-a the comb an' they shut up. She took good care-a them little critters.
evie
An' she made a good business out of it?
wiley
She worked hard at makin' a go of that little venture. Cain't imagine what happened the bees went after her the way they did all of a sudden. She didn't mistreat 'em, I'm sure. She wouldn'-a done that. Wadn' her nature. Only mean thing about her was her tongue, and us and the bees had got use to that.
Now. Here's her will. She left the house to Leonard. Hard as his leavin' was on her, she told me she didn't blame him 'cause Tiny Redwine's nephew really is awful perty, 'specially for Belcher Bluff. She left your daddy nineteen dollars an' ninety-nine cents. She meant it as an insult, but he seemed to appreciate it. The remainder of her estate goes to you. So, with all expenses paid, you've got thirty-four thousan', five hunnerd an' sixteen dollars an' seventy-two cents settin' over in Yoakum County State Bank. We just need to get some things signed on Monday ...
evie
Thirty-four thousand dollars ...
(Takes a big drink)
wiley
A little more ...
evie
You're tellin' me I sign that piece-a paper and I've got thirty-four thousand dollars?
wiley
Slightly more ...
evie
Where's that pen?
(evie grabs a pen, wiley grabs it back.)
wiley
We cain't do it now -- gotta be notarized. Meet me at the bank Monday, ten a.m., we'll get ever'thing signed, arrange for you to transfer the money to your bank account ...
evie
I'll be openin' my account here, I think.
wiley
Will you?
(wiley starts putting things into his briefcase. evie gets the letter she left on the bed, throwing it in the wastebasket. Then she pours more booze.)
evie
C'mon, Wiley, lemme pour you just a little. This is good news, about the money an' all, an' you could help me celebrate, nothin' too wild now, wouldn' wanna corrupt you too bad --
wiley
(Overlapping to interrupt)
No, Evie, thank you. This is strictly a business call. Like I told you on the phone, I cut out the drinkin'. That was a good many years ago now.
evie
I've got some perty good pot here ...
wiley
No no, not that either. My life's real dull now, an' that works fine for me.
evie
I hate it when old friends dry out an' clean up.
wiley
Well, I didn't do it just to piss you off, hope you know.
(A beat)
Evie, about that gun ... you weren't thinkin' about doin' somethin' ... stupid were you?
evie
What, you ... Oh, no! Really, I was just ... cleanin' it, and now, with that money ... well, maybe I just won't have to worry about how dirty it is.
wiley
(Not intending it as a compliment ...)
You really haven't changed much, Evie.
evie
(Taking it as a compliment)
Why, thank you, Wiley.
(Takes a sip of her drink)
You know what Leonard's gonna do with Mother's house?
wiley
Last I saw him, said he'd prob'ly sell it. Him and Tiny's nephew fixed up that ol' well house out on the northeast corner of Tiny's nephew's mother's section -- she gave'em that an' four acres and a new windmill for a weddin' present. Got that place lookin' like a dollhouse -- painted it white with little green shutters and a picket fence with a rose-covered trellis arched over the front gate. Two fuzzy little Pomeranians you cain't believe how cute, though they do yap a lot. Don't reckon he's got a need for your mother's house now.
evie
What's it worth?
wiley
Your mother's house? Well, trailer real estate's been holdin' up perty good these parts last few years, so I'd venture he might get seven-seven and a half for it. That backyard, without the bees, is really quite charmin'. Got a wishin' well, white plastic table with umbrella an' matchin' chairs. Chase lounge ... all a part-a the amenities. Her ol' cat Booger still hangs aroun', like he's expectin' her to return any time. He ate all the goldfish out-a the wishin' well ...
evie
What happened to the bees?
wiley
Perty-much left. Nobody waterin' the yard so that all dried up, then that wild horseradish started bloomin' 'cross the road by the caliche pit, an' the honey from that's perty awful, they say. Bees don't have a sense of loyalty -- not like dogs.
evie
Well obviously there's money to be made there ...
wiley
From what I saw I'd say it's prob'ly a mite more labor-intensive than what you'd wanna do. Your mama didn' mind some hard work, and she had a way with those little critters.
evie
But then they turned on her.
wiley
I doubt it was personal. You're not thinkin' a-buyin' the place, are you?
evie
Well ... I am thinkin' a-movin' back to Belcher Bluff.
wiley
Oh, Evie ... I, uh ... don't really know as how that's such a good idea ...
(There's a knock at the door)
evie
Now who in the world ...
(she opens the door. No one is there. evie looks around, not seeing the flowers at her feet -- a bunch of wild flowers in a glass. wiley picks them up.)
wiley
Watch out, you'll kick these over.
(wiley hands the flowers to evie.)
evie
Well, my word, who would-a done this? Guess I've got me a secret admirer.
(From outside ...)
(offstage) angel (offstage)
(Singing)
My mother's a beautiful lady
who comes to see me from a faraway place.
My mother's a faraway lady
who comes to see me from a beautiful place.
(A beat.)
wiley
Prob'ly the flowers were from her ...
evie
So you know about Angel's singin' ...
wiley
Ever'body knows about Angel's singin'.
evie
(A beat)
Wiley, bein' a lawyer and all, you could help me with somethin' that's kind-a workin' on my mind right now ...
wiley
What's that, Evie?
evie
What would it take for me to get custody of Angel?
(wiley is obviously stunned and disturbed.)
wiley
Evie, that's not somethin' you'd wanna try an' do, not after all-a these years an' ever'thing that's gone by. When you stop to consider --
evie
(Overlapping to interrupt)
I'm her mother. A mother's got a right to her own kid. Courts side with a mother, I know that, an' there hadn' ever been any kind-a legal custody determined here, has there?
wiley
Well, no, I reckon not ...
evie
So it shouldn't be any problem --
wiley
(Overlapping to interrupt)
Evie, you've never had anything to do with that girl. She's got a good life with Darrell, he's been a good father to her --
evie
(Overlapping to interrupt)
Are you refusin' to help me, Wiley? Is that it?
wiley
Don't do this, Evie. You'd be stirrin' up somethin' that's better left alone.
evie
Well, now, you just clean off some-a those dusty ol' law books-a yours and let's see what we can do. Meantime, I'm gonna see if I can find her. It's gettin' dark an' she shouldn' be out there. Obvious she's not bein' taken good care of.
wiley
Evie, I'm not gonna get involved in this ...
(But evie exits. wiley takes a few seconds to calm himself. he picks up his briefcase, preparing to leave, as darrell walks up to the door)
darrell
Oh. Wiley. Didn' know you'd be here. Hey, man, really 'preciated those kind words you had t'say about Mama at the funeral ...
wiley
I loved Eunice, Darrell -- you know that.
darrell
'Course I do. An' she loved you. What-cha doin' here at Evie's room?
wiley
Had some business to take care of with her, 'bout Opal's estate.
darrell
I see Angel's been here.
wiley
Hmm?
darrell
The flowers. That's the glass Angel always drinks ice tea out of. Got that last year when we went to Six Flags. Been lookin' all over for her. Not like her to disappear this way.
wiley
Darrell, you may have a problem on your hands here.
darrell
What's that, Wiley?
wiley
Evie was askin' me about how she can get custody of Angel.
darrell
Oh, shoot! I'm tellin' you, Wiley, I am not gonna let her start that. Why in Sam Hill after all-a this time would she be thinkin' about somethin' like that --
wiley
(Overlapping to interrupt)
Maybe it's just a momentary burr under her blanket. Maybe it'll blow over, given a little time --
darrell
(Overlapping to interrupt)
She's never had the slightest interest in havin' anything to do with Angel. None at all! Why is it that now she thinks she can come traipsin' in like this --
wiley
(Overlapping to interrupt)
Don't get too excited just yet. Give'er a chance to think a little, an' she'll change her mind, most likely.
darrell
Evie can be awful stubborn, with no good reason ...
wiley
Evie's not the kind to suddenly wanna settle down and all.
(evie enters, holding angel's hand. angel carries a partially eaten candy bar.)
evie
Well, this really is like old times, seein' the two-a you together. Y'all still best friends?
darrell 'Course ... |
wiley Sure ... |
evie
Use to be if Darrell wadn' with me, he'd be with you. The two musky steers -- that's what we used to call y'all, did you know that?
darrell
Evie, Angel's havin' dental work done. She shouldn' be eatin' candy now.
(angel offers the candy to darrell. he takes it and drops it in the wastebasket, gets tissue to clean her hand, etc.)
evie
Oh, for Pete's sake, kids are made to eat candy. They've got a filter built into'em that turns chocolate into spinach.
darrell
Besides, it's nearly suppertime --
evie
(Overlapping to interrupt, ignoring Darrell's remark)
Angel an' I've been havin' the most interestin' conversation.
darrell
She was speakin' to you, was she?
evie
Oh, I don't have to hear the actual words. A mother can tell what her daughter's thinkin'. What I've discovered is that Angel wants a mother.
(To Angel)
Idn' that right, sweethteart? Ever' little girl needs a mother. Your daddy's had you for 'leven years so why wouldn't you wanna be with me now. You'd like that, wouldn't you? I know she would.
(angel looks from Evie to Darrell, displaying her confusion.)
(evie kneels and smooths Angel's dress, tidies her hair, etc. darrell observes protectively. wiley is getting his things together to leave.)
(continuing) evie (continuing)
I could buy you lots-a nice things, we could do things together that a girl can only do with her mother. Go shoppin' for clothes that are all up-to-date an' don't look like they were stitched on a old pedal Singer in the dinin' room, cut out-a flour sacks with a homemade pattern. We could get your hair all fixed up in a style that's been in fashion sometime the last hunnerd years. An' those clodhoppers they got you wearin'! Why, sweetheart, we'll march you right down to Tom McCann's an' we'll --
darrell
(Interrupting sharply to stop her)
Stop it, Evie!
evie
(Ignoring him)
'Course, if your daddy wants to be a part-a our little family, well ... that's a possibility, I reckon -- we could consider it, if you want to -- if he really wants to be a part of ... us. You'd really like that, wouldn't you, honey? -- havin' a mother and a daddy? Just how nice would that be!
(mama enters.)
darrell
I'm not gonna let you visit with her at all, you gonna be talkin' like that to her.
(Suddenly darrell reaches and takes Angel's hand and pulls her to him.)
evie
I guess we'll just have to see what a court has to say about that.
mama
Oh, Angel, sweetheart ... you shouldn't have to go through this.
darrell
C'mon, darlin', we got to be gettin' home. It's past suppertime.
(darrell moves toward the exit with angel.)
(continuing) darrell (continuing)
Don't do anything stupid, Evie.
evie
(Teasingly, menacingly)
Is that what you call a ... fatherly threat?
darrell
Just a suggestion is all.
(darrell and angel exit.)
evie
Well, Wiley, looks like we got our work cut out for us here.
wiley
Evie, you know good an' well that I'm not gonna help you with this. I love Darrell like a brother, and I couldn' love Angel more if she was kin. They belong together, and I'm beggin' you to leave well enough alone. Angel is just fine the way things are. What do you think --
evie
(Overlapping to interrupt)
His mama's gone. Whatever pitiful excuse for a mother Angel's had is no longer here, Wiley. No judge can possibly think Darrell could rear her by hisself. A man bringin' up a demented girl that's practic'ly a teenager ...?
wiley
She idn' demented, Evie!
evie
Well she idn' normal by a long fuckin' shot! Him bringin' her up idn' hardly even close to natural. Men don't do things like that.
Look, I've got the money now, Wiley -- I could pay you whatever you want long's you're not rippin' me off, you know --
wiley
(Overlapping to interrupt)
No, Evie. When you sign those papers Monday, soon's the bank's open, I've done what business I have with you. You gotta know I'm sidin' with Darrell on this, if you're mean enough to really do it, an' I'll do ever'thing I can to help him.
evie
Ol' Arley Deason over in Denver City's still alive an' kickin', idn' he? You want I should go get him in on this? He was always the lawyer nobody could beat. How many times you been up against him, Wiley? Huh? More'n a few, I'll bet. And have you ever been able to win a case ag'inst him? Have you?
wiley
He dudn' always win ...
evie
But he dudn' ever lose, does he? An' dudn' that bother you? ... just a little? Even scare you a smidge, maybe? Would you wanna be up ag'inst him in a case like this?
wiley
A while ago, I had in mind that you just weren't thinkin' clearly. That maybe it was the booze cloudin' your mind. But now ... well, so help me God, I'm wonderin' now if maybe you aren't just plain evil.
I'll see you at the bank Monday mornin'. Ten o'clock. Shouldn' take us more'n about five minutes.
(wiley exits. With a smile of satisfaction, evie goes to the chest and pours herself a drink.)
mama
I'm warnin' you, girlie, you're bitin' off a durn sight more than you can chew this time. You jus' better watch your prancey little step!
(mama moves to exit as evie suddenly shudders with a chill and frowns.)
-- End of Act I --
Act II - Scene 1
(sound of wind -- harsh and fierce, steady and throbbing -- pervades Room 5. It's deep night -- several hours after the end of Act I. The window shade is up and the only light is the little that seeps ghost-like through from the porch light.
(darrell and wiley are lying on the bed. Suddenly there is a gust of wind that carries a melodic moan. darrell jerks upright in bed.)
darrell
(calling out with anticipation)
Angel?
(darrell listens a moment, then jumps up and runs to the window and looks out.)
wiley
Darrell ...
darrell
I thought I heard her.
wiley
It's just the dang wind ...
(wiley turns on a lamp.)
darrell
Man, this is the worst sandstorm we've had in years. Can't even see 'cross the parkin' lot to her room. She could've come back and I wouldn'-a been able to tell ...
wiley
She checked out, Darrell. She's gone.
darrell
Charlie said she never turned her key in, she was paid up for another couple-a days --
wiley
(Overlapping to interrupt)
She packed up an' left, Darrell! She took ever'thing with her! Charlie looked in her room and he said she's gone.
darrell
The mess she left, he couldn' tell that. An' there was still some bourbon in that bottle on the floor, and I figger she'll be back for that.
wiley
Get back to bed, Darrell ...
darrell
Still cain't believe how I let somethin' like that happen.
wiley
It wadn' your fault.
darrell
She come by the house after supper, said she had somethin' in the car she wanted to show Angel ...
wiley
You tol' me this a hunnerd times ...
darrell
Few minutes later I realized they hadn' come back in, looked out, her car was gone ... they was gone ...
wiley
She won't get far. Prob'ly sittin' side-a the road somewhere. Cain't see to drive out there now. We notified Fenton an' he's out lookin' ...
darrell
Yeah, well, it's been -- what time is it?
wiley
(Checking watch)
Two-thirty.
darrell
Cripes, time is draggin'. Haven' slept a wink ...
wiley
You were snorin'.
darrell
You were fartin'.
wiley
Keeps you on your side-a the bed.
darrell
The so-called "Sheriff" Fenton Woolsey wouldn'-a been able to find his pecker with a bloodhound and a periscope, much less track down a crazy woman who kidnaped a scared little girl.
wiley
He's not a bad sheriff.
darrell
Drunk-an'-disorderly's all he's got to deal with ...
wiley
'Cause he's keepin' the crime down.
(Goes to look out window)
What's it like out there?
darrell
Blacker than a ox's ass. All-a West Texas has blown past here three-four times tonight.
(A beat)
Thanks for stayin' with me, Wiley. I wadn' wantin' to be by myself tonight.
wiley
We're friends, Darrell. You need me, I'm here.
darrell
Good of Lynette to give you up for the night.
wiley
It wadn' all that much a sacrifice on her part, I 'magine. She likes to read in bed and I'd rather feel her up. You're a lousy bed partner, by the way.
darrell
Idn' that the reason we didn't get married?
wiley
You should've stayed at home. You'd been more comfortable.
darrell
Don't wanna be in that house right now. Mama gone, Angel off God-only-knows-where. Dog layin' on the front porch, like he's got no intention a-movin' till she comes back. I cain't power that place all by myself. Besides, I figured Evie'd come back here. Her idea of a bad joke, I reckoned, or a little threat jus' to rile me. Man, I'd hate to have-ta hunt her down an' kill her.
wiley
Don't even joke about somethin' like that, Darrell.
darrell
What are we gonna do if she really does try to get custody of Angel?
wiley
We fight it. Hell of it is, she's got a point. Eunice was the mother part of your family, an' with her gone, I don't know --
darrell
(Overlapping to interrupt)
Just like that? I don't count for somethin'? After eleven years-a doin' nothin' for that girl, Evie whines a little bit an' she gets to take Angel?
wiley
It won't be that easy for her. But won't be easy for you, either.
(darrell stretches out on the bed.)
darrell
We got to think-a somethin', 'cause I'm not lettin' her do that.
(wiley stretches out on the bed. darrell turns off the lamp, leaving the room with the light as it was at the beginning of the scene.)
wiley
First thing we better think of is tryin' to get some sleep.
(Pause)
I'm sorry, Darrell. Sorry you got to go through this. But I'm with you. You know that.
darrell
In it for the long haul, are you?
wiley
We've always stuck with each other through all-a the long hauls.
darrell
I got a feelin' we just might be totin' this freight a lot further than you got in mind.
wiley
What do you mean by that?
darrell
(A beat)
Nothin'. Just grumblin' out loud.
(Turns on his side away from Wiley)
Let's see if we can get some sleep.
-- End of Scene --
Act II - Scene 2
(The setting is the same. It's a few hours later. A bright morning light streams in through the window. It's quiet. darrell and wiley are asleep. A cell phone buzzes.)
darrell
(Groggily, not really waking up)
Darn crickets!
(The sound of the cell phone persists several seconds, then stops. The cell phone rings again. wiley hears the sound, gets up and goes to his jacket, withdraws the phone, glances at it to see who's calling, then answers.)
wiley
Hi, Lynette, baby. ...
darrell
(More to himself)
I won't never get used to those things.
(As Wiley talks on the phone, darrell gets up, looks out the window, then exits to bathroom.)
wiley
(Glancing at his watch)
Yeah, finally. How you doin'? ...
Just leave it. I'll take care of it when I get there. ...
I'll come over shortly, see the kids a few minutes. ...
He did? What'd he want? ...
Yeah. ... Yeah. Okay. Got it. ...
No, that was good. I'll give'im a call. ...
Little later, doll. Won't be long. ... Love you, too.
(wiley terminates the call and drops the phone back into a jacket pocket. darrell returns from the bathroom, wiley heads for the bathroom.)
wiley
Half-a that ol' apple tree blew down last night, Lynette said. Took the kids' swing with it. That'll make for some good grillin' on the barbecue.
darrell
The swing?
wiley
The tree.
(Wiley exits to the bathroom. darrell takes a quick look out the window, seeing nothing.)
darrell
There idn' enough hot water and soap in the world to make me feel decent this mornin'.
(offstage) wiley (offstage)
But there is hot water. That's a su'prise.
darrell
(Looks at his watch)
Good Lord, it's after nine o'clock! Guess we did fin'lly get some sleep.
(wiley enters from bathroom, buttoning his shirt and looking for his tie.)
wiley
An' Arley Deason's hard at it awready.
darrell
What-a you mean?
wiley
Lynette said he phoned about thirty minutes ago. Wants me to phone'im.
darrell
So Evie's got him for her lawyer?
wiley
That's my guess. Lemme see what he's got to say.
(wiley searches through directory on his phone.)
(continuing) wiley (continuing)
I need to run by the house, make sure Lynette's okay, check things at the office real quick ...
(wiley pushes a button and waits for an answer.)
(continuing) wiley (continuing)
(To the phone)
Answer, you rancorous ol' idiot!
darrell
Maybe he's gone out.
wiley
Naw, if he's out his machine picks up after the secon' ring. When he wants to make you wait, he sets there chucklin' into his greasy jowls knowin' you're stewin' in your own juices ...
(A beat; into the phone, with mock friendliness)
Arley! ...
An' top-a the mornin' to you, ol' friend. ...
Sorry -- I know how busy you must be at this time-a day, but my wife tol' me you phoned an' -- ...
Yes, a-course. Known her all my life ...
Well, you're takin' on a fool for a client, you know, an' she dudn' have a leg to stand on. ...
What does that mean? ...
(Listens for several seconds, his face revealing his concern)
I can guarantee you that that's not gonna happen. You know she kidnaped the girl, don't you? ...
Yeah, well, I'd call it kidnapin'. ...
Oh, I'm sure her intentions are absolutely Christ-like, Arley my friend, but so far her actions are resemblin' those of somebody who's just plain thoughtless, despicable an' cold-hearted. ...
Then we'll be expectin' somethin' to prove those good intentions -- the sooner the better, I might add. ...
All right, you just do that. Check your caller ID an' write down my number -- that's my cell phone. You can get me any time. An' I'd suggest you have another little talk with your client, 'cause so far as I'm concerned, this is still a kidnapin' case. If she gets the girl back to us by noon, we might consider not filin' charges. ...
'Course I don't mean to imply that you're an accessory to any kind-a crime. But if you should find out, or should you discover how to contact her, you can let her know that we're not gonna give an inch with regard to her hair-brained demands. ...
You do that ...
(Terminates call)
... you twisted ol' codger.
darrell
You really don't like him very much, do you?
wiley
He's a piece-a shit wrapped around a remarkable brain.
darrell
And he wins most of his cases, I hear.
wiley
Like I said, he's a smart piece-a shit. Anyway, Evie didn' waste any time. She went to see him yesterd'y, before she went over to your place an' took Angel away. Arley said he didn' know she was gonna do that, an' that's prob'ly the truth. He woudn've sanctioned somethin' like that. He said she phoned him early this mornin', told him what she'd done, and he told her to get Angel back to you.
darrell
So where is she?
wiley
He's prob'ly lyin' about that. He's got to find out more about Evie, figger out a strategy, an' find out how much money she's got before really gettin' serious about any-a this. But he did tell me one importan' thing.
darrell
What's that?
wiley
He says she wants full custody of Angel.
darrell
(Stunned)
What?
wiley
Says she wants it so she can take her away from here, live wherever she wants to go, no visitation rights for you. She cain't do that, a-course. Evie has in mind that somehow Angel can just suddenly becomes hers, to do with as she pleases. No court's gonna give her that. But you could end up bein' the daddy that gets to have his daughter one month durin' the summer and alternate holidays.
darrell
Oh no! That's not the way it's gonna be.
wiley
It could happen.
darrell
What brought all-a this on? Evie's never cared about Angel an' I don't think she jus' suddenly started carin' now. She's never even got enough money to support herself, 'specially the way she drinks an' all. How in tarnation she think she's gonna take care of a kid?
wiley
Well, I shoudn' be tellin' you this, Darrell, attorney-client relations and all, but ... Opal left Evie a little wad-a money.
darrell
How much?
wiley
Awready told you more than I should've.
darrell
Enough that crazy ol' Deason can do what she wants him to?
wiley
Depends on her determination. He'll take most of it -- all of it, if he can drag this thing out long enough.
darrell
Shoot, Wiley! I cain't get into somethin' like this! I make barely enough money to get by and save a little. Got maybe five thousan', fifty-five hunnerd in a savin's account. Chunk-a that was goin' for roof repair, so I guess I better start prayin' for a dry winter. But what can I do --
wiley
(Overlapping to interrupt)
Darrell, you know I'm not gonna charge you for this -- not for what I do. There'll be some expenses, but you're not gonna have to pay me --
darrell
(Overlapping to interrupt)
What kind of expenses? Will five thousand cover'em?
wiley
Let's not worry about that right now.
darrell
Besides, you cain't afford to take me on as a charity case. What-a ya call it? Sonny Bono?
wiley
Pro bono.
darrell
You got your fam'ly to support, those three kids, the extra expense with Donny's problems ...
wiley
Right now, Darrell, there's no money goin' out for anything. An' minimum time bein' spent. We may have all-a this settled in a day or two an' life can go back to normal.
darrell
An' maybe not.
wiley
Yeah ... maybe not. But right now we're in hopeful mode. You understand? I'm gonna do the errands I gotta do ...
darrell
I'm goin' to the house an' pick up a few things ...
wiley
... and here's what I want you to do while I'm gone. Be thinkin' about points that are in your favor, and ag'inst Evie. Like, she's an alcoholic. Wouldn' be hard to get that across. Never holds a job for long, dudn' live in one place any length-a time, spends time in the company of lots-a different men -- those kinds-a things. Make her out to be morally corrupt and emotionally unstable.
darrell
Aren't we bein' a little rough on her?
wiley
You don't know what rough is till Arley Deason attacks you on the witness stand.
You, on the other hand: stable, long time on the job, maintain a good home, took good care of your mother, been a full-time father for eleven years, deacon in your church, don't drink smoke philander all-a that stuff. Write it down, both sides, so we can look at it an' see what we got.
Now if we end up in court in front of a judge -- and let's assume we will, to be on the safe side at this juncture -- there could be some perty embarrassin' questions asked about your personal life, goin' back a good many years. And Evie's, too. So we need to be prepared for that eventuality. And, in that regard, one thing I want to ask you about now ... well ... you an' Evie had a reputation for doin' some perty wild things when you were in high school and even after. How true was all-a that?
darrell
Not near as much went on as the stories that people were tellin'.
wiley
But there was some, uh, well, uh, group kind-a things that occurred?
darrell
How many does it take to make a orgy?
wiley
Jeez, Darrell!
darrell
I'm kiddin' ya, Wiley. Gosh! There wadn' anything, really -- nothin' others our age wadn't doin'. Kid stuff, you know ...
Wiley
Did Evie do a lot-a sleepin' around on her own? I mean, you know, without you?
darrell
(A beat)
Not really.
wiley
"Not really"? What does that mean?
darrell
As crazy as we got sometimes, we had a kind-a faithfulness to each other. There was that one short period where we broke up, you know ...
wiley
Well, I want you an' Angel to have DNA tests.
darrell
Why?
wiley
So we've got absolute proof that you're her father. You an' Evie had a reputation that still comes up over people's lunch breaks. Sure, people know you've changed. You're prob'ly the most solid, most stable, most trusted man in these parts today. But people don't forget what happened years ago, 'specially if they were jealous of it. You must know that even for no reason some people've wondered if Angel was your kid. This is a small town, after all. People wonder about a lot-a things that are none-a their business an' talk about it plen'y. So with proof for sure that you're the father, we don't have to worry about anybody castin' doubts in that direction. Otherwise, Evie might start tellin' stories that would present the possibility of somebody else bein' Angel's father, in which case you could come out the loser big-time.
darrell
But the truth is that we never did anything that would --
wiley
(Overlapping to interrupt)
The truth doesn't always matter in cases like this. Don't count on it savin' your ass here. Regardless of what you know, what counts is what the judge believes ... an' feels. Evie's likely to say whatever it takes to get her what she wants. She can be perty convincin' when she gets a tear in at least one eye.
(Moves to exit)
I should be back within about an hour.
(wiley opens the door.)
darrell
I won't do it, Wiley.
wiley
Won't do what?
darrell
That DNA thang. Not gonna do that.
wiley
Yeah you are, Darrell. You got to.
darrell
Not gonna happen.
wiley
We'll talk about it when I get back.
(wiley exits. darrell sits down, dejectedly.)
darrell
(To himself)
There's nothin' to talk about, my friend. ... It just idn' gonna happen.
-- End of Scene 2 --
Act II -- Scene 3
(lights come up to show the room very much as at the end of Scene 2, except for a suitcase on the bed. darrell is taking the last of the clothes from it and hanging them in the closet. he puts the suitcase away. Then he strips to his underwear, takes clean underwear from a drawer, and exits to the bathroom. Within seconds we hear the sound of shower water running. There is a gentle knock at the door, a pause, then the knock is repeated. A beat, then ...)
(offstage) angel (offstage)
(Singing)
When things happen to me I don't comprehend,
When the world is turnin' too fast,
I know it's not long till the torn things will mend
And all of the troubles go past.
So even when lightnin' an' thunder come down
An' threaten to make the day bleak,
I'll dance and I'll sing and I never will frown
'Cause God laughs an' kisses my cheek.
(angel appears outside the window, peering into the room, looking around. she is dressed differently but that may not be obvious yet. Seeing no one, she leaves. The sound of running water ceases. Within seconds, darrell enters, dressed in his clean underwear and carrying the underwear he was wearing, which he puts in the suitcase. he is drying his hair with a towel. he is pulling on his pants when there is a knock at the door. he zips his pants and grabs a shirt as he heads for the door and opens it. evie is standing there. Suddenly darrell grabs evie, pulling her into the room so he can step outside to look for Angel. evie is carrying her purse.)
darrell
Where is she? Where's Angel?
(darrell comes back in the room to confront Evie.)
evie
I, uh ... don't know.
darrell
What the heck you mean you don't know?
evie
I came back to my room few minutes ago. She saw your pickup out here. I hadn' expected you to be aroun'. I was takin' some stuff into the room an' when I came back out she was nowhere to be seen. I've looked all over but I cain't find her anywhere. I thought she might be here ... or maybe you'd have an idea where she would go ...
(evie sets her purse down.)
darrell
I haven' seen her. She knows ever'body in Belcher Bluff, could be any place. Or somewhere off by herself -- she knows ever' inch-a this town. What kind-a mood was she in?
evie
I don't know.
(A beat)
I guess I really don't know her very well. Most the time I cain't tell what she's thinkin' or feelin'. It'll take a while, I reckon, to get to know her. I did buy her some new clothes and I think she liked that.
darrell
She dudn' need new clothes.
evie
She needed somethin' besides those ol' feed sacks y'all had her wearin'.
darrell
Those aren't ... ! Aw, forget it. I've got to go find her. Not gonna let her be wanderin' around out there not knowin' --
(wiley rushes in.)
wiley
(Overlapping to interrupt)
Well now y'all've done it!
evie Who? |
wiley What? |
wiley
Drivin' back over here, saw the sheriff's car stopped by the side-a the highway -- Fenton standin' out there with Angel. Stopped to see what was goin' on. He said he saw her runnin' down the middle-a the highway, her arms out an' flappin' like she was tryin' to take off an' fly somewhere. After huntin' for her all night, he didn' know whether to smile an' be glad or cuss an' be pissed. He fin'lly decided he's pissed. At y'all.
darrell
So did you bring her back? Where is she?
wiley
Oh, no, he wouldn' let me take her.
darrell
I'll go get her.
wiley
And he's not gonna let you take her, either. Says he's gonna turn her over to Child Protection. Hell, if she gets caught up in that machinery you may not see her for years.
darrell
See what you've done, Evie?
evie
What did I do?
darrell
I'll go talk to him ...
wiley
You stay here. Both of you. I told him I'd be right over an' get this taken care of. He's awready figgered out that you two got a little warfare ragin' over her. He's right, you know, in considerin' her best interests though he's wrong the way he's goin' at it.
evie
I think I better go make a call to make sure my interests are protected.
(evie exits. wiley looks around the room.)
wiley
Looks like you're movin' in here.
darrell
I brought a few things over. I just don't wanna be in that house now. Are you gonna be able to get Angel back to me okay?
wiley
Fenton raises his hackles sometimes. An', frankly, he's just doin' his job. If it was anybody else, I'd say he's doin' what he ought-a do. But I don't want Angel bein' dragged into that bureaucratic meat grinder.
darrell
Get'er out-a there, Wiley. Get'er back home.
wiley
I'll do what I can. You know that. I'll let you know soon's I have anything to report.
(evie returns.)
(continuing) wiley (continuing)
That was quick. Must of gotten his message machine.
evie
I'm sure he'll return my call any minute.
wiley
Oh, I'm sure he will. Both-a you got lawyers, you know -- shouldn' be talkin' to each other, not without your attorneys present ...
darrell
Thank you for the small-print legal horse crap ...
wiley
Jus' doin' my job ...
(Wiley's cell phone rings. he steps outside to talk.)
darrell
So you formed a pack with the devil.
(evie questions the meaning of his statement with a look.)
(continuing) darrell (continuing)
Arley Deason.
evie
I asked him to help me with this. Don't see that as bein' a treaty with the devil.
darrell
He said he told you to bring Angel back.
evie
He said I shouldn've taken her. He didn' say I had to give her back.
darrell
Well you shouldn've taken her and you should-a brought her back to me once you did!
evie
Says who?
darrell
Says me!
evie
That dudn' count for all that much, Darrell. What we got goin' here is just a plain ol' run-a-the-mill custody battle, seems to me.
darrell
Angel's life is not run-a-the-mill. She belongs with me an' that's where she's gonna stay. What I'd like to know is why, after 'leven years of not givin' a donkey's tail bone about her you suddenly want her all to yourself. What's goin' on with you, anyway?
evie
She needs a mother! She needs a woman's influence in her life! She needs to know somethin' about life besides what a lonely, pitiful, stagnant thirty-somethin' mama's boy can give her, for Christ sake!
darrell
Oh knock that off!
evie
She needs to know somethin' about charm an' enchantment, somethin' about bein' a woman other than what she's learned from that tired ol' lady with the appeal of a constipated baboon, know what I mean --
darrell
(Overlapping to interrupt)
Stop it! Stop it right now! You got no idea what you're sayin'. You are so full-a crap your breath smells like a fart.
evie
Don't you see how you've taken ever'thing from me?
darrell
What in sam hill did you have to take?
evie
My life, Darrell! My soul, my bein', my personhood!
darrell
Bull crap!
evie
Ever'thing! You took absolutely ever'thing!
darrell
You gave up anything that really mattered, Evie! 'Leven friggin' years ago! Turned your back on it an' ran the heck away from it, fast as your legs would carry you!
evie
I hate you! I hate you for keepin' ever'thing from me! I hate you for actin' like such a goody-two-shoes all of a sudden, makin' people think I was somethin' mean an' awful all-a this time! I hate you for what you've done to me over all-a these years --
darrell
(Overlapping to interrupt)
You've been so busy hatin' yourself, Evie, you haven' had time to feel anything but sorry an' pity for your useless self an' certainly no feelin' of any good for anybody else -- even, if I may be so bold as to point out, your very own child!
(A beat.)
evie
There was a time when we loved each other, Darrell -- when I was the sunshine of your world. You tol' me that, you remember? Lots-a times you tol' me that.
darrell
Once or twice maybe, in a fit of lustful panic ...
evie
(Singing softly)
"You are my sunshine, my only sunshine ..."
(A beat)
Use to sing that to me ...
darrell
Peach brandy always did bring out my musical side.
evie
What we had was good, Darrell. Strong an' good an' meanin'ful ...
darrell
What you and I had goin' back then was more the rush of hormones than the stamp of grace.
We were kids, Evie. Kids playin' at bein' grownups, livin' in a world of grownups who didn' know theirselves what bein' grown up was s'pposed to be all about.
evie
That's not the way I remember it, Darrell. I think of it as bein' better than that.
darrell
That's because you haven' changed, Evie. You're lookin' at things through the same old eyes. You're a few years older, and you've spent a whole lot-a time on some awful rough roads. But frankly girl, you don't seem to of moved forward even one dang inch.
(A beat)
It wadn' Mama's funeral that you come back for. What was it?
evie
You wouldn' understand.
darrell
Prob'ly not. But I'd still like to know.
evie
You have any idea where I went when I left here? -- after Angel was born?
darrell
Wouldn' know where to start guessin' ...
evie
And I'll bet you never even tried to find out.
darrell
That's 'cause I didn' care.
evie
That's cold.
darrell
I did kind-a wonder for a couple-a weeks. But then I realized that you'd proved who you were, and what you weren't. I thought there was more to you than that.
You cain't imagine the feelin' that came over me that day in the hospital when they said it was time for me to take the baby home. It didn' dawn on me till right then just what had happened. Like gettin' hit up-side the head with a two-by-four. The nurse said to me, "Hold your arms up." Like so. I did. An' they put this pile-a soft pink blankets in my arms, an' there was this little face down in there. Her tiny lips were movin' in an' out, hopin' for somethin' to eat. Her little eyes were all scrunched up, she wouldn' hardly ever open'em. An' those little fingers grabbed onto my finger and I knew then I didn' ever want'em to let go.
evie
And you changed? Then an' there, jus' like that, you changed?
darrell
Mama tol' me that's when my true self fin'lly took hold.
evie
And you weren't scared?
darrell
Scared out-a my mind. Panic inside-a me like stampedin' buffalo. I was overwhelmed by what I knew I had to do ... by all-a the mistakes I knew I was gonna make. But what else could I do? Hand her back and say, "No, thanks, but I don't want this one"? It dudn' work that way, Evie.
(A beat)
So where did you go when you left here? What'd you do?
evie
Well, where I went really wadn' importan'. Nothin' that happened to me over the years since then has been importan'. Eleven years have dragged by, an' ... well ... nothin'. Oh, I've been a lot-a places, done a lot-a things, met a lot-a people -- I've whirled an' twirled, joked an' laughed, hugged an' loved ...
(A beat)
Naw ... it wadn' love. ... It wadn' ever love. ... It was all ... jus' ... nothin'.
You wanna know why I came back? I'll tell you. 'Cause I'm empty, Darrell. There's nothin' left inside-a me. Feed me a peanut and it'll just echo around in there when it hits the cold, hard steel of the quiet, lonely nothin'ness inside-a me.
darrell
And you thought Belcher Bluff would be a refuelin' stop?
evie
It wadn' Belcher Bluff I came back to. It was you. I would-a gone wherever you were. You're the only thing that's ever really mattered to me. Only thing at all. If life is ever gonna mean anything to me, Darrell, you've got to be my startin' point. And you've never found true love -- not again, not after I left. So seems to me that you've jus' been waitin' for the right thing to come along ... again.
darrell
And you haven' said a thing about Angel bein' a part-a this whole big pitcher you got in mind ...
evie
Oh, Darrell, I'll learn to care about her. It'll take time but I can learn.
She's differ'nt. You know that. That'll take some gettin' use to. My motherin' instinct'll kick in.
Maybe even we should think about a home for her, you know, where she could get the help she needs. With the right kind-a care, maybe she could almost be normal. The state must have some kind-a place for kids different like that. We could visit her ever' week or two, make her feel like she's kind of a part-a the family ...
darrell
Oh, Evie. How far from the sun you orbit. You don't understand a thang. And you don't know anythang at all about Angel.
evie
Are you turnin' me away, Darrell? Are you not willin' to even consider the possibility that we could have a life --
darrell
(Overlapping to interrupt)
Evie, there is nothin' for us. Nothin' for you an' me! Nothin'! Not ever!
(A beat.)
evie
Well ... there is Angel.
(A beat)
I'll take what I can get.
darrell
There is no way that you will ever get a-hold of Angel again!
(wiley enters, shutting his phone off and dropping it in a pocket.)
wiley
Fenton's got the Honorable Truett Turner over at his office, and he wants to talk to me an' Arley, who is on his self-righteous way. Y'all can come if you want to, but only if you're prepared to keep your mouth shut unless asked directly to speak, and I am not kiddin' about that. Judge Turner dudn' want Angel tangled up in the system, either, so he's gonna try to figger out what to do for now.
(Directly to Darrell)
I'd like for you to be there, but I'm serious about keepin' quiet.
darrell
I'll do the best I can.
wiley
You'll do it with your dang mouth shut, hear me?
(wiley exits, leaving the door open.)
darrell
(Calling after Wiley)
Wait up! I'll ride over with you.
(To Evie)
You comin'?
evie
I'll be there directly. Wanna freshen up a bit first.
(darrell rushes out, leaving the door open. evie hesitates, then grabs her purse and empties it onto the bed. mama enters, looking over the spilled contents of the purse.)
mama
Well, that is the rubble of a life in ruin, idn' it? Let's see. Driver's license -- your pitcher, 'nother name ... few years shaved off your age. Condoms -- different sizes ... an' flavors. You are the thoughtful hostess, aren't you? Engagement ring, weddin' band --
(To audience)
Looks like they come from WalMart, but prob'ly work fine in the dark of a bar when settin' up those fellahs that go for the married gals.
(Back to Evie)
A key to a Mercedes Benz? Ha! Who'd you impress with that? Like you'd ever get to stick that into anything that would actually turn over.
(There are many other items in the purse that evie paws through as Mama talks.)
(continuing) mama (continuing)
You're at the crossroads, Evie. You gonna have to make up your mind. Whether you ever do a cotton-pickin' thing with your life that counts for anything at all idn't even relevant anymore. God f'rgive me, but I don' care about your sorry-ass life. But I do care what you do that could make a mess of Angel's life, an' Darrell's.
You could do somethin' really good for them right now. Wanna know what that is? I'll tell you again. Leave. Right now. Throw your few precious Jean Naté-scented belongin's into your bag, get into that little green tin can, shut the windahs, turn the air-conditionin' up full blast an' the radio too, insulate yourself from the world you spit on an' left an' still despise, then get on the road that leads out-a town an' drive as fast as you can. Keep your eyes off-a the rear-view mirror, don't ever look back, and put the miles behind you, girl. Go! Just go! Keep your foot to the floor till you're near out-a gas, then fill up again an' get back on the road quick as you can. You got yourself a little bit-a money -- that's gonna have to make up for lack of carin' an' good sense, so don't spend it all in one place.
(evie finally thinks to open a side-pocket of the purse and the pistol falls out. she picks it up.)
(continuing) mama (continuing)
(Seeing the gun)
Gosh darn you! Just how screechin' selfish can you possibly be!
evie
Let's just see how he likes findin' this little souvenir when he gets back.
(evie lifts the gun, puts the barrel to her temple.)
mama
Oh no you don't!
(mama starts swinging her purse as she heads for Evie. The purse is aimed right at Evie's head as ...
(lights out -- just as there is the sound of a gun shot, followed immediately by a huge crashing sound. A moment passes, then ...)
mama
Oh my ...
-- End of Scene --
Act II -- Scene 4
(It's about an hour later. Chunks and bits of broken plaster cover everything, because the ceiling has fallen down, except the area where Evie was standing has been cleared. There is the flashing light of the sheriff's car outside. darrell appears in the doorway, then wiley. they are looking back out into the parking lot.)
wiley
(To the unseen sheriff)
Thanks, Fenton!
(The flashing light stops as the car drives off. wiley and darrell enter, leaving the door open.)
(continuing) wiley (continuing)
(To Darrell)
You sure Evie dudn' need to go to the hospital?
darrell
She wadn' hurt bad. More scared than anything else.
wiley
Did y'all figger out what happened?
darrell
She said she was just standin' here when she like blacked out. Next thing she knew, Charlie an' Fenton were standin' over her, tryin' to get her to come to. That's about all Fenton wrote up on his report. She's scratched up, got a few scrapes ...
wiley
Wanna know what I think?
darrell
I hope it includes why she'd have a gun in her hand.
wiley
I think she was plannin' on killin' herself.
darrell
Shoot ...
wiley
Whatever happened that caused her blackout, I think she pulled off a shot that went wild, hit the ceilin', an' brought that down. I know from personal experience she's clumsy with a gun.
darrell
Well, she's layin' down over there in her room. She's an emotional wreck, but she's not in too bad a shape.
wiley
On the outside, maybe. She's awful screwed up on the inside.
darrell
Always was. Good news is that I've got Angel back.
wiley
For the moment.
darrell
Don't say that.
wiley
We might as well see this through now, Darrell, so the issue of her custody is settled once an' for all.
darrell
Yeah ... you're right. Jus' dread goin' through that, is all.
wiley
And you're still refusin' to have a DNA test?
darrell
Told-ja man. Not gonna do it.
wiley
I don't trust what Arley Deason's gonna do when he gets goin' on this. He'll try anything he possibly can to get his client a win. When I'm up ag'inst him, I try to think of the most devious, manipulative things any unscrupulous bastard could possibly do, multiply that by ten, then I might be close to what he'll try to pull.
My bet is he'll build his case on the fact that Evie's the natural mother, there is no other woman in Angel's life now to give her motherly guidance, she's been denied reasonable access to the child over the past eleven years ...
darrell
I never denied her access!
wiley
I'm tellin' you what he'll claim, and he'll end up makin' it sound like he's got a point. An', believe me, one-a the things he'll end up doin' is questionin' the paternity of Angel. He's not gonna want DNA tests, either -- that'd ruin that particular ploy. He'd rather we didn' get'em done. That leaves the field wide open to bring your paternity into question. So ... we've got to have DNA tests.
(This obviously disturbs darrell.)
darrell
We been friends a long time, Wiley ...
wiley
Perty much forever ...
darrell
Good friends ...
wiley
Like brothers. The kind that get along good.
darrell
But there's somethin' I haven' told you.
wiley
Yeah?
darrell
Wiley ... if we do those tests, what it's gonna show is that, uh ... Well, Angel idn' really my daughter.
wiley
What? What are you tryin' to tell me?
darrell
Biologically -- I'm not her daddy.
(A beat.)
wiley
Jesus, man. Shit. Explain this to me.
darrell
You remember when I was sick that summer before our junior year?
wiley
Yeah. You had a bad ulcer.
darrell
It wadn' a ulcer. It was the mumps. I told ever'body it was somethin' else 'cause you know how our friends, 'specially the guys, would-a made fun of me for havin' the mumps -- kids' disease, kills your balls, all that kind-a stuff ...
wiley
Yeah, that prob'ly would-a happened ...
darrell
Well, it did kill my balls. It settled on me, way it can, and I ended up with no little swimmers.
wiley
Christ, Darrell! Man! So ... when did you find out? -- that you were sterile?
darrell
Doctor Sinclair told me right after -- soon as I was back on my feet.
wiley
But you took Angel anyway. Ever'body assumed she was yours an' you went along with it. Why?
darrell
Well, when Evie took off way she did, I didn' see anybody else in line waitin' to look after the kid. People would-a thought bad of me if I'd started hollerin' that it wadn' mine. An' then, too ...
(darrell hesitates.)
wiley
What, Darrell?
darrell
And I felt a obligation to the real daddy.
wiley
You know who the biological father is?
darrell
Yeah ...
wiley
Who, for God's sake?
(A beat.)
darrell
You.
(A beat.)
wiley
What? How the friggin' hell do you figger that?
darrell
Remember that time, year after we graduated, when me an' Evie broke up? I mean, we had lots-a spats, but that was the only time we ever actually broke up, quit seein' each other. Didn' last but about two weeks, but it was a serious breakup while it lasted. And you an' her dated? I would-a heard if she'd gone out with anybody else. Nine months and one week later, Angel was born. You've got to be the daddy.
wiley
So you took Angel, agreed to be her father and take care of her, her whole life, because you figgered out that she was my child?
darrell
By the time Angel was born, you and Lynette were engaged. You were happy, I knew she was the right woman for you, I didn' want anything to be that kind of a problem for you. I'm glad I did it. At first I thought I was jus' bein' a good friend. I didn' know how much I'd end up lovin' that girl.
(A beat)
If you want her now, knowin' she's yours, you can have her, a-course. But ... I'd be glad to keep her ... if custody could be settled in my favor.
(A beat, then wiley embraces darrell.)
wiley
I always knew you were the best friend a guy could have. But you've gone way beyond anything I could ever imagine.
darrell
I love you, man. I'd do anything for you.
wiley
Yeah, you've proven that.
(they break the embrace.)
(continuing) wiley (continuing)
But there's somethin' you should know, Darrell.
darrell
Yeah?
wiley
I never had sex with Evie.
(darrell looks at Wiley with disbelief.)
(continuing) wiley (continuing)
And she didn' have sex with anybody else durin' that time. I'm as sure of that as I can be. Yeah, I think we went out ever' night durin' that two-week period. But I didn' go out with her to be with her. I went out with her so she could talk about you an' work out whatever bee she had in her bonnet. I knew she was still crazy about you and you were nuts about her. I just wanted to keep her from doin' somethin' stupid till you two could get back together.
darrell
Wiley, man, this idn' makin' any sense!
wiley
Oh, maybe it does. You said Doctor Sinclair said you were sterile?
darrell
Yeah ...
wiley
What kind of test did he do to find that out?
darrell
I don' know. Whatever he had to do, I guess. Blood test?
wiley
C'mon, Darrell, you would-a known if any kind-a test was bein' done to check your sperm, for Pete's sake. Think about it! He would've had you pop it off into a specimen jar!
Kinnard Sinclair was as big a quack as anybody could be an' not have feathers an' web feet. Remember when Lynn Fulmer had that heart attack? Sinclair'd been treatin' him for indigestion for two years. You think it's a coincidence that two-thirds of the babies he delivered were club-footed? That's how Arley Deason built that big house-a his. Sinclair diagnosed himself with acute migraine and two weeks later he was dead from a brain tumor. The man was an idiot, Darrell. When he said you were sterile, he was jus' talkin' to hear his head rattle. He didn't know.
darrell
Oh, man. Oh, man! You mean I might really an' truly be Angel's daddy? Oh, man, how great that would be!
wiley
Just gettin' a test for sperm count would tell you what you really need to know. It's got to be you, Darrell. It couldn' be anybody else. But for this custody case, we still need to get the DNA tests done.
darrell
Let's get a count-a those little spermies first. Then if that comes out all right, we'll get the DNA.
wiley
That's good enough for me.
(Wiley's cell phone rings. he grabs it, checks the screen, then takes the call.)
(continuing) wiley (continuing)
Hey, babe.
(As he listens, he goes to the door and looks out.)
(continuing) wiley (continuing)
Yeah, here she comes now, crossin' the highway. ...
I'll bring her back in a bit. ...
You, too. See you later.
(wiley terminates the call and pockets the phone.)
(continuing) wiley (continuing)
Angel's on her way over. Lynette said she sang a song about wantin' to see her Daddy, then went out the door, wouldn' come back when she called her. But I cain't let y'all spend much time together. Judge Turner wanted her to stay at our place, away from both of you, till he can get that hearin' set up Monday.
darrell
A few minutes, just a few minutes with her. I really miss her when she's not around.
wiley
Looks like she misses you, too.
(angel appears in the doorway dressed in the new things Evie bought for her -- new dress, new shoes, hair tied back with new ribbon, a purse to match her shoes, and a little makeup. When darrell takes notice, angel "models" for him.)
darrell
Oh, sweetheart, you are beautiful! Evie was right about that -- you did need new clothes.
angel
(Singing)
I like the way I feel about me,
To know how pretty I really can be --
A new dress and shoes
Chase away all the blues
When I stand here for Daddy to see.
darrell
You are my doll, sweetheart!
(evie enters to see darrell and angel embrace. evie has scratches and bruises and a few bandages on her. evie is carrying two shopping bags.)
(continuing) darrell (continuing)
Oh. Evie. How you feelin'?
evie
I'm okay. Nothin's broken, I reckon, or too badly ripped apart. I'm ... awright.
Listen, Darrell, I just wanted to tell that, uh ... well ... I'm leavin'.
darrell
Leavin'?
evie
Goin' away. Leavin' Belcher Bluff. Yoakum County. All-a this, all-a y'all. I jus' phoned Arley Deason, told him not to bother. I'll let y'all know where I am when I know myself. Tell the judge to mail anything to me that's needed to make it official that you have custody of Angel. She's where she belongs. I know that. An', Wiley, if you can send me whatever I've got to sign about my inheritance. Just cain't stick around here till Monday ...
(To Angel)
Here's the other things we bought, Angel.
(Sets shopping bags by Angel)
Think of me when you wear'em, okay? Remember the good time we had on our shoppin' trip? You enjoyed that, didn' you?
(angel embraces evie. evie returns the embrace.)
(continuing) evie (continuing)
You take care, Wiley. It was good to see you again.
wiley
Take care of yourself, Evie. Really.
evie
An' Darrell ... well ... thanks for a lifetime-a memories. They'll always be the brightest ones, I 'magine.
darrell
Goodbye, Evie. God bless you.
evie
And Angel, you send me an announcement when you graduate from high school, will ya? I'll wanna know about all your big steps. ... Well ... bye, y'all.
(As evie turns to leave, angel's words stop her.)
angel
(Speaking)
Goodbye, Evie.
(A beat. evie looks back to Angel. mama appears.)
evie
Oh, Angel. Goodbye, sweetheart.
(evie looks at Angel for another few moments, as mama speaks.)
mama
Thank ya for doin' the right thing, Evie. The better part of you, little as it is, come out at last. And I'm sorry about that whop upside the head.
(evie exits.)
angel
(Singing, especially melodically)
Daddy oh daddy, sweet daddy of mine ...
(Then speaking in a perfectly normal way ...)
Can we please go back home?
(darrell looks to Wiley for guidance.)
darrell
Wiley?
wiley
Yeah, go ahead. I'll phone the judge an' tell'im what's happened. It ought-a be okay.
(darrell grabs the shopping bags in one hand.)
darrell
Would you tell Charlie I'll come back tomorrah, dig through this stuff an' get my things? An' tell him I'll put a new ceilin' in.
(darrell grabs angel's hand and they exit.
(wiley takes his cell phone and punches a button.)
wiley
Hey, doll, I'm gonna stop by the store an' pick up a couple-a good T-bones on the way home. And I was thinkin' what a good idea it'd be if your mother took the kids for the night. ...
Yeah, that's the idea. ...
You too, babe -- more than you know.
(he terminates the call and exits.
(mama stands there a moment, as though assessing everything to make sure all is okay. Then she looks to the audience.)
mama
Ya know, one of the really importan' thangs I've learned over the past few days is that ...
(she stops, glances up, listens, then smiles as she looks back to the audience.)
(continuing) mama (continuing)
Sorry -- I just been told that's somethin' you got to figger out for yourself. An' you will ... sooner or later ... if you haven't awready.
(mama moves to exit as lights out.)
-- End of Play --