33: Deserted Desserts

Seven PM sharp. The Pluckston’s Living Room. Frederick sits drinking a coke on the couch. He belches. He laughs. Suddenly a shadow passes the window. He stares at it. Then he hides under a blanket. The doorbell. He peeks out from under the blanket as the doorbell rings again. He takes his coke to the door and opens it. Charles Ozgood stands there.

Frederick: Who are you?

Charles: My name is Charles. Who are you?

Frederick: Fred. My name is Fred. What do you want?

Charles: Is your mommy at home?

Frederick: No.

Charles: May I come in?

Frederick: Ummm. I don’t know.

Charles: Well, can I come in or can’t I?

Frederick: I don’t know. Can you?

Charles: Will you allow me to come in?

Frederick: Umm.

Janet and Michael appear on the stoop. They are nicely dressed. Michael’s hair and brow are perspiring and he can’t stop wringing his hands.

Michael: I told you this- oh. Hello.

Janet: Hi, Frederick. Is your mom here?

Frederick: No. She’s not.

Janet: Where is she?

Frederick: I don’t know.

Janet: Is she at work?

Frederick: I don’t know. Call her.

Michael: Do you have her cell phone, Janet? I mean her number?

Charles: Sorry to interrupt. I’m Charles.

Michael: Hi. Nice to meet you. Oh, I’d shake your hand, but I’m sort of sweaty tonight. Sorry.

Charles: (gripping his hand) I don’t mind.

Michael: I’m Michael and this is my fiancée Janet.

Charles: Nice to meet you Janet.

Janet: Michael. This is not how Paula is.

Michael: I know. But maybe it serves her right. She’s always accusing me of standing you up and now here she is standing me and you up. I’m not very happy about this, Janet. Not at all.

Janet: I know. I’m sorry.

Silence.

Frederick: What do you want?

Charles: Oh nothing. I’ll come back later.

Frederick: Okay. My mom will be home later.

Charles: Nice meeting all of you. See you later. (He exits.)

Michael: What did he want?

Frederick: I don’t know.

Janet: You should not be home alone.

Frederick: Oh come on.

Janet: It’s late. Michael, we should stay with him.

Michael: Janet. Come on. This is dumb.

Frederick: Yeah. Dumb.

Janet: Don’t talk like that. It’s late. It’s not even light out. He shouldn’t be home alone. We can at least stay and wait for Paula. . .like she waits for you.

Michael: Oh, but Janet, I don’t want to be as rude as her. I assure you-
It’s a nice neighborhood. The boy will be fine. Just lock your doors, Freddie.

Frederick: Don’t leave. Don’t. Please. My mom said that there are bad men around.

Michael: Awww, Christ. Come on Janet. Let’s take a seat.

Janet: Thank you.

Michael: What are you watching?

Frederick: Bugs Bunny.

Michael: Nice.

Janet: I love Bugs Bunny. I do. I love him.

Frederick: I love him too.

Michael: Good.

Paula’s Voice: Remember what I told you, Michael. Remember.

Michael: Did you hear something?

Janet: Like what?

Frederick: What’s up, doc! That’s it.