Act Three Scene 1 PDF

# **Act Three** ## Scene 1 The window shades have all been removed. Nighttime is now free to encroach. At rise : the three sisters in the study. They share a bottle of whiskey. An inflatable mattress, covered with a thin sheet, now lies on the study floor. Elsewhere in the house : a game of spad...

# **Act Three** ## Scene 1 The window shades have all been removed. Nighttime is now free to encroach. At rise : the three sisters in the study. They share a bottle of whiskey. An inflatable mattress, covered with a thin sheet, now lies on the study floor. Elsewhere in the house : a game of spades in the dining room – Charlie and Mattie Fae versus Jean and Steve. Little Charles sits by himself in the living room, watching TV. Bill sorts through paperwork on the porch. Violet, pensive, wearing a robe, her hair wrapped in a towel, sits at the window on the second-floor landing. **KAREN:** The doctor really thinks she needs to go to an institution? Does she need to go? Did he examine her? **BARBARA:** Dr. Burke says she may be brain-damaged. “Slightly brain-damaged.” I told him he was “slightly incompetent" and I hoped some day soon he’d be "slightly dead." He claims not to know she was taking so much. That’s why he’s eager to put her away, he’s afraid of a malpractice suit. I told him I was considering it. Irresponsible shithead- **KAREN:** Why did he write so many prescriptions? Doesn’t he know-? **BARBARA:** It’s not just him; she’s got a doctor in every port- **IVY:** Here's how she does it: she sees a doctor for back spasms and gets a prescription. Day or two later she goes back, says she lost her pills and he writes her another one. Then next week she pulls a muscles, more pills, then the dosage is wrong, more pills, over and over, until she makes one too many trips and he says I'm not prescribing anymore. And she pulls a sheaf of prescription receipts out of her purse and says, “I'll go to the AMA and have your ass in court for over-prescribing me.” She genuinely threatens these men and they give in to her. **BARBARA** (To Ivy): You knew this was going on again? (Ivy shrugs.) Different tactic today, just at her wounded best, this wilting hothouse flower. Which made me look like Bette Davis. I tried to goad her into it, you know, “C’mon, Mom, give him your speech about the Greatest Generation. Tell him about the claw hammer.” I was like that guy in the cartoon with the frog that only sings for him. **IVY:** It wouldn’t have done any good, Dr. Burke’s part of the same generation. **BARBARA:** "Greatest Generation," my ass. Are they really considering all the generations? Maybe there are some generations from the Iron Age that could compete. And what makes them so great anyway? Because they were poor and hated Nazis? Who doesn’t fucking hate Nazis?! You remember when we checked her in the psych ward, that stunt she pulled? **IVY:** Which time? **KAREN:** I wasn’t there. **BARBARA:** Big speech, she's getting clean, this sacrifice she’s making for her family, and - **IVY:** Right, she’s let her family down but now she wants to prove she’s a good family member- **BARBARA:** She smuggled Darvocet into the psych ward...in her vagina. There’s your Greatest Generation for you. She made this speech to us while she was clenching a bottle of pills in her cooch, for God’s sake. **KAREN:** God, I’ve never heard that story. **IVY:** Did you just say “cooch”? **BARBARA:** The phrase "Mom's pussy" seems a bit gauche. **IVY:** You’re a little more comfortable with “cooch,” are you? **BARBARA:** What word should I use to describe our mother's vagina? **IVY:** I don’t know, but - **BARBARA:** “Mom’s beaver”? "Mother’s box”? **IVY:** Oh God- **KAREN:** Barbara! (Laughter, finally dying out.) **IVY:** I’m sorry about you and Bill. **KAREN:** Me, too, Barb. **BARBARA:** If I had my way, you never would’ve known. **KAREN:** Do you think it’s a temporary thing, or…? **BARBARA:** Who knows? We’ve been married a long time. **KAREN:** That’s one thing about Mom and Dad. You have to tip your cap to anyone who can stay married that long. **IVY:** Karen. He killed himself. **KAREN:** Yeah, but still. **BARBARA:** Is there something going on between you and Little Charles? **IVY:** I don’t know that I’m comfortable talking about that. **BARBARA:** Because you know he is our first cousin. **IVY:** Give me a break. **KAREN:** You know you shouldn’t consider children. **IVY:** I’m almost forty-five, Karen, I put those thoughts behind me a long time ago. Anyway, I had a hysterectomy year before last. **KAREN:** Why? **IVY:** Cervical cancer. **KAREN:** I didn’t know that. **BARBARA:** Neither did I. **IVY:** I didn’t tell anyone except Charles. That’s where it started between him and me. **BARBARA:** Why not? Why wouldn’t you tell anyone? **IVY:** And hear those comments from Mom for the rest of my life? She doesn’t need any more excuses to treat me like some damaged thing. **BARBARA:** You might have told us. **IVY:** You weren’t going to tell us about you and Bill. **BARBARA:** That’s different. **IVY:** Why? Because it’s you, and not me? **BARBARA:** No, because divorce is an embarrassing public admission of defeat. Cancer’s fucking cancer, you can’t help that. We’re your sisters. We might’ve given you some comfort. **IVY:** I just don’t feel that connection very keenly. **KAREN:** I feel very connected, to both of you. **IVY** (Amused): We never see you, you’re never around, you haven’t been around for - **KAREN:** But I still feel that connection! **IVY:** You think if you tether yourself to this place in mind only, you don't need to actually appear. **KAREN:** You know me that well. **IVY:** No, and that’s my point. I can’t perpetuate these myths of family or sisterhood anymore. We’re all just people, some of us accidentally connected by genetics, a random selection of cells. Nothing more. **BARBARA:** When did you get so cynical? **IVY:** That’s funny coming from you. **BARBARA:** Bitter, sure, but "random selection of cells"? **IVY:** Maybe my cynicism flowered with the realization that the obligation of caring for our parents was mine alone. **BARBARA:** Don’t give me that. I participated in every goddamn- **IVY:** Until you had enough and got out, you and Karen. **BARBARA:** I had my own family to think about. **IVY:** That’s a cheap excuse. As if by having a child you were alleviated of all responsibility. **BARBARA:** So now I’m being criticized for procreating. **IVY:** I’m not criticizing. Do what you want. You did, Karen did. **BARBARA:** And if you didn't, that’s not my fault. **IVY:** That’s right, so don't lay this sister thing on me now, all right? I don't buy it. I haven’t bought it for a long time. When I leave here and leave for good I won't feel any more guilty than you two did. **KAREN:** Who says we don't? **BARBARA:** Are you leaving here? **IVY:** Charles and I are going to New York. (Barbara bursts out laughing.) **BARBARA:** What the hell are you going to do in New York? **IVY:** We have plans. **BARBARA:** Like what? **IVY:** None of your business. **BARBARA:** You can’t just go to New York. **IVY:** This isn’t whimsy. This isn’t fleeting. This is unlike anything I’ve ever felt, for anybody. Charles and I have something rare, and extraordinary, something very few people ever have. **KAREN:** Which is what? **IVY:** Understanding. **BARBARA:** What about Mom? **IVY:** What about her? **BARBARA:** You feel comfortable leaving Mom here? **IVY:** Do you? (No response.) You think she was difficult while Dad was alive? Think about what it’s going to be like now. You can’t imagine the cumulative effect, after a month, after a year, after many years. You can’t imagine. And even if you could, you can only imagine for yourself, for yourself, the favorite. **BARBARA:** Christ, Mom pulled that on me the other day about Dad, that I was his favorite. **IVY:** Well…that’s not true. You weren’t his favorite. I was. **BARBARA:** What? **KAREN:** Thanks, Ivy. **IVY:** You don’t think so? Good God, Barb, I’ve lived my life by that standard. **BARBARA:** She said Dad was heartbroken when we moved to Boulder- **IVY:** Mom was heartbroken, not Dad. She was convinced you left to get away from her. **KAREN:** If you were Daddy’s favorite, you must take his suicide kind of personally. **IVY:** Daddy killed himself for his own reasons. **BARBARA:** And what were those reasons? **IVY:** I won’t presume. **BARBARA:** Aren’t you angry with him? **IVY:** No. He’s accountable to no one but himself. If he’s better off now, and I don’t doubt he is, who are we to begrudge him that? **BARBARA:** His daughters. **KAREN:** Yeah- **BARBARA:** And I’m fucking furious. The selfish son-of-a-bitch, his silence, his melancholy…he could have, for me, for us, for all of us, he could have helped us, included us, talked to us. **IVY:** You might not have liked what you heard. What if the truth of the matter is that Beverly Weston never liked you? That he never liked any of us, never had any special feeling of any kind for his children? **BARBARA:** You know that’s not true. **IVY:** Do I? How? Do you? **KAREN:** You said you were his favorite. **IVY:** Only because he recognized a kindred spirit. **BARBARA:** Mm, sorry, but your little theory, your “accidental genetics," that doesn’t fly, not with me. I believe he had a responsibility to something greater than himself; we all do. **IVY:** Good luck with that. **KAREN:** I just can’t believe your worldview is that dark. **IVY:** You live in Florida. **BARBARA:** When are you and Little Charles leaving? **IVY:** Weeks, if not days. And his name is Charles. **BARBARA:** Are you telling Mom? **IVY:** I'm trying to figure that out. **BARBARA:** What about your job, your house? **IVY:** I’ve been taking care of myself a lot longer than you’ve been in charge. Karen, you’re going back to Miami, right? **KAREN:** Yes. (Violet descends the stairs.) **IVY:** There you go, Barb. You want to know what we’re going to do about Mom? Karen and I are leaving. You want to stay and deal with her, that’s your decision; if you don't like it, that’s your prerogative. But nobody gets to point a finger at me. Nobody. (Shaky but mainly lucid, Violet enters, knocking softly.) **VIOLET:** Hello? Am I interrupting anything? (Ad-libs: "Not at all," "Come in", etc.) **BARBARA:** You had a bath? **VIOLET:** Mm-hm. **BARBARA:** You need something to eat, or drink? **VIOLET:** No. **BARBARA:** You want some more coffee? **VIOLET:** No, honey, I’m fine. (Violet sits, exhales. Karen picks up a hand cream from the bedside table, rubs it on her hands.) You girls all together in this house. Just hearing your voices outside the door gives me a warm feeling. These walls must’ve heard a lot of secrets. **KAREN:** I get embarrassed just thinking about it. **VIOLET:** Oh…nothing to be embarrassed about. Secret crushes, secret schemes…province of teenage girls. I can’t imagine anything more delicate, or bittersweet. Some part of you girls I just always identified with…no matter how old you get, a woman’s hard-pressed to throw off that part of herself. (To Karen, regarding the hand cream) That smells good. **KAREN:** Doesn’t it? It’s apple. You want some? **VIOLET:** Yes, please. (Karen passes the hand cream to Violet.) I ever tell you the story of Raymond Qualls? Not much story to it. Boy I had a crush on when I was thirteen or so. Real rough-looking boy, beat-up Levis, messy hair. Terrible underbite. But he had these beautiful cowboy boots, shiny chocolate leather. He was so proud of those boots, you could tell, the way he’d strut around, all arms and elbows, puffed-up and cocksure. I decided I needed to get a girly pair of those same boots and I knew he’d ask me to go steady, convinced myself of it. He’d see me in those boots and say, "Now there’s the gal for me." Found the boots in a window downtown and just went crazy: I’d stay up late in bed, praying for those boots, rehearsing the conversation I was going to have with Raymond when he saw me in my boots. Must’ve asked my momma a hundred times if I could get those boots. "What do you want for Christmas, Vi?" “Momma, I'll give all of it up just for those boots." Bargaining, you know? She started dropping hints about a package under the tree she had wrapped up, about the size of a boot box, real nice wrapping paper. “Now, Vi, don’t you cheat and look in there before Christmas morning.” Little smile on her face. Christmas morning, I was up like a shot, boy, under the tree, tearing open that box. There was a pair of boots, all right…men’s work boots, holes in the toes, chewed-up laces, caked in mud and dog shit. Lord, my momma laughed for days. (Silence.) **BARBARA:** Please don’t tell me that’s the end of that story. **VIOLET:** Oh, no. That’s the end. **KAREN:** You never got the boots? **VIOLET:** No, huh-uh. **BARBARA:** Okay, well, that’s the worst story I ever heard. That makes me wish for a heartwarming claw hammer story. (Elsewhere in the house: Jean and Steve win the card game with an exclamation of triumph. The players disperse.) **VIOLET:** No, no. My momma was a nasty, mean old lady. I suppose that’s where I get it from. (An awkward moment.) **KAREN:** You’re not nasty-mean. You’re our mother and we love you. **VIOLET:** Thank you, sweetheart. (Karen kisses Violet’s cheek.) **BARBARA:** Hey you all, I need to talk to Mom for a minute. **KAREN:** Sure. (Ivy and Karen exit.) **BARBARA:** How’s your head? **VIOLET:** I’m fine, Barb. Don’t worry about that. **BARBARA:** I’m sorry. **VIOLET:** Please, honey- **BARBARA:** No, it’s important that I say this. I lost my temper and went too far. **VIOLET:** Barbara. The day, the funeral…the pills. I was spoiling for a fight and you gave it to me. **BARBARA:** So…truce? **VIOLET** (Laughs): Truce. **BARBARA:** What do you want to do? **VIOLET:** How do you mean? **BARBARA:** Don’t you think you should consider a rehab center, or-? **VIOLET:** Oh, no. I can’t go through that. No, I can do this. I’m pretty sure I can. **BARBARA:** Really? **VIOLET:** Yes. Well, look, you got rid of my pills, right? **BARBARA:** All we could find. **VIOLET:** I don’t have that many hiding places. **BARBARA:** Mom, now, come on. **VIOLET:** You wanna search me? **BARBARA:** Uh…no. **VIOLET:** If the pills are gone, I’ll be fine. Just take me a few days to get my feet under me. **BARBARA:** I can’t imagine what all this must be like for you right now. I just want you to know, you’re not alone in this. (No response.)   How can I help? **VIOLET:** I don’t need help. **BARBARA:** I want to help. **VIOLET:** I don’t need your help. **BARBARA:** Mom. **VIOLET:** I don’t need your help. I’ve gotten myself through some… (Stops, collects herself) I know how this goes: once all the talking’s through, people go back to their own nonsense. I know that. So don’t you worry about me. I’ll manage. I get by. (Lights crossfade to the living room where Little Charles watches TV. Ivy enters the room guardedly.) **IVY:** Is the coast clear? **LITTLE CHARLES:** Never very. **IVY:** What are you watching? **LITTLE CHARLES:** Television. **IVY:** Can I watch it with you? **LITTLE CHARLES:** I wish you would. (She sits beside him on the couch. They watch TV.) I almost blew it, didn’t I? **IVY:** Yeah. **LITTLE CHARLES:** Are you mad at me? **IVY:** Nope. (They hold hands.) **LITTLE CHARLES:** I was trying to be brave. **IVY:** I know. **LITTLE CHARLES:** I just…I want everyone to know that I got what I always wanted. And that means…I’m not a loser. **IVY:** Hey. Hey. (He turns to look at her.) You’re my hero. (He considers this…then beams a huge smile. He goes to the electric piano, turns it on.) **LITTLE CHARLES:** Come here. You can help me push the pedals. (She sits beside him on the piano bench.) I wrote this for you. (He plays, and quietly sings a gentle but quirky love song. Midway through, Mattie Fae enters from the kitchen, breaking the spell, Charlie in tow.) **MATTIE FAE:** Liberace. Get yourself together, we’re heading back. **IVY:** Are you all staying at my place? **LITTLE CHARLES:** Okay… **MATTIE FAE:** No, we have to get home and take care of those damn dogs. **IVY:** You know you’re welcome. **MATTIE FAE:** (To Charlie): Oh, look, honey, Little Charles has got the TV on. **CHARLIE:** Thanks, Ivy. **LITTLE CHARLES:** No, I was just- **MATTIE FAE:** (To Ivy): This one watches so much television, it’s rotted his brain. **IVY:** I’m sure that’s not true. **MATTIE FAE:** (To Little Charles): What was it I caught you watching the other day? **LITTLE CHARLES:** I don’t remember. **CHARLIE:** Mattie Fae- **MATTIE FAE:** You do so remember, some dumb game show about people swapping wives. **LITTLE CHARLES:** I don’t remember. **MATTIE FAE:** You don’t remember. **CHARLIE:** C’mon, Mattie Fae- **MATTIE FAE:** Too bad there isn’t a job where they pay you to sit around watching television. **CHARLIE:** Mattie Fae, it’s been a long day. **MATTIE FAE:** I suppose you wouldn’t like TV then, not if watching it constituted getting a job. **CHARLIE:** Mattie Fae- **MATTIE FAE:** (To Ivy): Did I tell you he got fired from a shoe store? **CHARLIE:** Mattie Fae, we’re gonna go get in the car right now and go home and if you say one more mean thing to that boy I’m going to kick your fat Irish ass onto the highway. You hear me? (She wheels on Charlie, stung.) **MATTIE FAE:** What the hell did your say?- **CHARLIE:** You kids go outside. (Ivy and Little Charles exit the house. Barbara, who had started to enter during the previous exchange, stops short, unseen by Charlie or Mattie Fae.) I don’t understand this meanness. I look at you and your sister and the way you talk to people and I don’t understand it. I just can’t understand why folks can’t be respectful of one another. I don’t think there’s any excuse for it. My family didn’t treat each other that way. **MATTIE FAE:** Well maybe that’s because your family is a - **CHARLIE:** You had better not say anything about my family right now. I mean it. We buried a man today I loved very much. And whatever faults he may have had, he was a good, kind, decent person. And to hear you tear into your own son on a day like today dishonors Beverly’s memory. We’ve been married for thirty-eight years. I wouldn’t trade them for anything. But if you can’t find a generous place in your heart for your own son, we’re not going to make it to thirty-nine. (He leaves. Mattie Fae becomes aware of Barbara.) **BARBARA:** I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to eavesdrop. I froze. **MATTIE FAE:** That’s. Do you have a cigarette, hon?, **BARBARA:** No, I quit years ago. **MATTIE FAE:** So did I. It just sounded good to me. Barbara. I thought today at dinner…at that horrible dinner, it seemed like… **BARBARA:** What? **MATTIE FAE:** It seemed as if something might be going on between Ivy and Little Charles. Do you know if that’s true? **BARBARA:** Oh, this is…I’m not sure what to say here, it’s- **MATTIE FAE:** Look, just. Can you tell me if that’s true. **BARBARA:** Yes. It’s true. **MATTIE FAE:** Okay. That can’t happen. **BARBARA:** This is going to be difficult to explain. Um. You know, Ivy and Little Charles have always marched to their own-and obviously, I would expect this to be toughest on you- **MATTIE FAE:** Barb-? **BARBARA:** I think they’re very much in love. Or at least they think they are. What’s the difference, right? And I’m sure they must be terrified of you and Mom- **MATTIE FAE:** Honey- **BARBARA:** I realize it’s pretty unorthodox for cousins to get together, at least these days- **MATTIE FAE:** They’re not cousins. **BARBARA:** -but believe it or not, it’s not as uncommon as you might- **MATTIE FAE:** Barbara. Listen to me. They’re not cousins. **BARBARA:** Beg pardon? **MATTIE FAE:** Little Charles is not your cousin. He’s your brother. He’s your blood brother. He is not your cousin. He is your blood brother. Half-brother. He’s your father’s child. Which means that he is Ivy’s brother. Do you see? Little Charles and Ivy are brother and sister. **BARBARA:** No, that’s not-no. **MATTIE FAE:** Listen- (Karen and Steve enter.) **BARBARA:** No. Go back. **KAREN:** We’re just going to- **BARBARA:** Go back into the kitchen. Now! Just…everyone stay in the kitchen! (Karen and Steve retreat to the kitchen.) No, that’s wrong. You. Okay, well this may be-are you sure? **MATTIE FAE:** Yes. **BARBARA:** You and Dad. **MATTIE FAE:** Yes. **BARBARA:** Who knows this? **MATTIE FAE:** I do. And you do. **BARBARA:** Uncle Charlie doesn’t suspect. **MATTIE FAE:** We’ve never discussed it. **BARBARA:** What?! **MATTIE FAE:** We’ve never discussed it. Okay? **BARBARA:** Did Dad know? (Mattie Fae nods.) **MATTIE FAE:** Y’know, I’m not proud of this. **BARBARA:** Really. You people amaze me. What, were you drunk? Was this just some-? **MATTIE FAE:** I wasn’t drunk, no. Maybe it’s hard for you to believe, looking at me, knowing me the way you do, all these years. I know to you, I’m just your old fat Aunt Mattie Fae. But I’m more than that, sweetheart…there’s more to me than that. Charlie’s right, of course. As usual. I don’t know why Little Charles is such a disappointment to me. Maybe he…well, I don’t know why. I guess I’m disappointed for him, more than anything. I made a mistake, a long time ago. Well, okay. Fair enough. I’ve paid for it. But the mistake ends here. **BARBARA:** If Ivy found out about this, it would destroy her. **MATTIE FAE:** I’m sure as hell not gonna tell her. You have to find a way to stop it. You have to put a stop to it. **BARBARA:** Why me? **MATTIE FAE:** You said you were running things. ## Scene 2’ Giggling from the kitchen. Jean and Steve quietly scamper from the kitchen into the dining room, sharing a joint. She wears a knee-length T-shirt and white socks; he wears sweatpants and a sleeveless T-shirt. The rest of the house is sleeping. Karen sleeps in the living room on the unfolded hide-a-bed. Bill sleeps on the mattress in the study. **STEVE:** Shhh… (Jean snort-laughs.) You’re gonna get me busted, you. **JEAN:** I thought you weren’t doing anything wrong. **STEVE:** We’re not, but some folks may not be crazy about me smoking pot with a girl born during the Clinton administration. **JEAN:** First Bush. **STEVE:** Great. Stop talking about your bush, all right? You’re gonna get me hot and bothered- **JEAN** (Laughing): You are sick- **STEVE:** -and I won’t be able to control myself. **JEAN:** God, you weren’t kidding, this stuff is strong." **STEVE:** Florida, baby. Number one industry. **JEAN:** Who cares? **STEVE:** Number one, by far. You want a shotgun? **JEAN:** Huh? **STEVE:** You don’t know what a shotgun is? **JEAN:** I know what a shotgun is. **STEVE:** Not that kind of shotgun-here. Just put your lips right next to mine and you inhale while I exhale. **JEAN:** Okay. (He puts the joint in his mouth, lit end first. Their lips nearly touch as he blows marijuana smoke into her mouth in a steady stream. She nearly chokes.) **STEVE:** Hold it. Don’t let it out. (She finally gasps, exhales, coughs.) **JEAN:** Whoa. **STEVE:** That’s a kick, huh? **JEAN:** Whoa, shit, man. **STEVE** (Laughs): That’s what I’m talkin’ about. **JEAN:** Whoa, Jesus- (She takes an off-balance step, sways. He catches her, holds her.) **STEVE:** Careful, now- **JEAN:** Oh, man, what a head rush. **STEVE:** You okay? You’re not passing out on me, are you? **JEAN:** No, I’m cool. Oh God… (Coughs deeply) I really feel that in my chest. (He reaches for her breasts.) **STEVE:** Here, let me feel. (Unperturbed, she pushes him away.) **JEAN:** You’re just an old perv. **STEVE:** No shit. Christ, you got a great set. How old are you? **JEAN:** I’m fifteen, perv. **STEVE:** Show ‘em to me. **JEAN:** No, perv. **STEVE:** Shhh. Yeah, show ‘em to me. I won’t look. **JEAN:** If you won’t look, there’s no point in showing them to you. **STEVE:** Okay, okay, I’ll look then. **JEAN** (Dumb guy voice): "Lemme look at your tits, little girl-" **STEVE:** C’mon, we’re partners! **JEAN:** NO! **STEVE:** Aren’t we amazing card partners? **JEAN:** Forget it! **STEVE:** I’ll show you mine if you show me yours. **JEAN:** I don’t want to see yours. **STEVE:** You ever seen one? **JEAN:** Yes. **STEVE:** No, you haven’t. **JEAN:** Yes, I have. I’m not a virgin. **STEVE:** You’re not? **JEAN:** Not technically. Well, no technically, I am. I mean not theoretically. **STEVE:** That changes everything. (He moves in close to her.) **JEAN:** What are you doing? **STEVE:** Nothing. **JEAN:** You’re gonna get us both in trouble. **STEVE:** I’m white and over thirty. I don’t get in trouble. (He turns off the light. Total darkness.) **JEAN:** Hey… **STEVE:** Shhh… (Moaning, heavy breathing from Steve, in the dark. The overhead light clicks on. Johnna stands in the dining-room entry-way, brandishing a cast-iron skillet. Jean and Steve, clothes in disarray, separate.) **JEAN:** Oh my God… **STEVE:** Ho, fuck! (Johnna approaches Steve.) Hold up there, lady, you don’t know what you’re- (Johnna swings the skillet, barely missing Steve’s nose.) Hey, goddamn it, careful- (He reaches for the skillet. She swings again and smacks his knuckles.) Ow/ goddamn-! (He grimaces, holds his hand in pain. She wades in with a strong swing and connects squarely with his forehead. Steve goes down. Johnna stands above him, arm cocked, watching for a recovery, but he does not attempt it. Elsewhere in the house: Bill, Barbara and Karen wake in their different locations, head to the dining room. Karen sees Steve on the floor and screams:) **KAREN:** What happened?! (Johnna and Jean share a look. Karen goes to Steve, props him up.) Steve, what happened?! (He groans.) Tell me what happened. **JOHNNA:** He was messing with Jean- **KAREN:** Honey, you’re bleeding, are you okay? (He groans again, tries to stand. Now Bill and Barbara enter the dining room, both in their night clothes.) **BARBARA:** Jean, what are you doing up? What’s going on-? **JEAN:** We were, I don’t know- **BARBARA:** Who was? Talk to me, are you all right? **JEAN:** Yeah, I’m fine. **BILL:** What happened to him? Do I need to call a doctor? **KAREN:** I don’t know. **BARBARA:** Johnna, what’s going on? **JOHNNA:** He was messing with Jean. So I tuned him up. **BARBARA:** “Messing with,” what do you mean, “messing with”? **BILL:** What…what’s that mean? **JOHNNA:** He was kissing her and grabbing her. (This information settles in… Then Barbara attacks Steve, who has by now gotten to his feet. Ad-libs. Karen gets between them. Bill grabs Barbara from behind, tries to pull her away. Ad-libs.) **BARBARA:** I’ll murder you, you prick! **BILL** (To Karen): Get him out of here! **STEVE:** I didn’t do anything! **JEAN:** Mom, stop it! **KAREN:** Settle down!- **BILL:** Get back in the living room! - **BARBARA:** You know how old that girl is?! **STEVE** (To Jean): Tell them I didn’t do anything!- **BARBARA:** She’s fourteen years old! - **JEAN:** Mom! **STEVE:** She said she was fifteen! **BARBARA:** Are you out of your goddamn mind? **KAREN:** Barbara, just back off! (Karen manages to push Steve out of the dining room, into the living room. During the following, they get dressed and pack their bags. Barbara, Bill, Jean and Johnna remain in the dining room.) **BARBARA:** Oh my God! Do you fucking believe that crazy prick?! **BILL:** I know, I know, settle down. **BARBARA:** “Settle down,” the son-of-a-bitch is a goddamn sociopath! What the fuck is going on? **BILL** (To Jean): Are you okay? **JEAN:** Yes, I’m okay, what is the matter with you? **BARBARA:** With us? **JEAN:** Will you please stop freaking out? **BILL:** Why don’t you start at the beginning? **BARBARA:** What are you doing out of bed? **BILL:** Please, sweetheart, we need to know what went on here. **JEAN:** Nothing “went on.” Can we just not make a federal case out of everything? I couldn’t sleep, I came to the kitchen for a drink, he came in…end of story. **BARBARA:** That’s not the end of the story. **BILL:** That’s not the end of the story. **JEAN:** We smoked pot, all right? We smoked a little pot, and we were goofing around, and then everything just went haywire. **BARBARA:** What have I told you about smoking that shit?! What did I say? **BILL:** Then Johnna just chose to attack him with a frying pan? I don’t think so. **JEAN:** Look at you two, you’re both so ridiculous. It’s no big deal, nothing happened. **BILL:** We’re concerned about you. **JEAN:** No, you’re not. You just want to know who to punish. **BARBARA:** Stop it - **JEAN:** You can’t tell the difference between the good guys and the bad guys, so you want me to sort it all out for you- **BARBARA:** You know what, skip the lecture. Just tell me what he did! **JEAN:** He didn’t do anything! Even if he did, what’s the big deal? **BILL