The Volunteer Firefighter Station of the County. Michael enters. Some firemen are working on a truck in the background. A counter stands just inside the door and a bored looking man sits behind it.
Man: Can I help you?
Michael: Sure. My name is Michael Andreas and- I’d like to be on the volunteer department?
Man: Let me get you an application.
Michael: Thanks.
Man: Here you go.
Michael begins filling it out.
Man: We are really in need of some guys around here. Do you have another job?
Michael: No.
Man: Do you know how much you can lift?
Michael: Lift?
Man: Yeah, weight as in lifting up.
Michael: I used to be able to bench 170 in high school, but it’s been while.
Man: You’ll be fine. We need guys like I said.
Michael: Sweet.
Man: You filling in all your information?
Michael: Yeah.
Man: Good. Address, phone number, all that stuff?
Michael: Yeah.
Man: Don’t worry about previous employment. We don’t care. We need guys. Just gimme here.
Michael: Here you go.
Man: Now when can you start?
Michael: Immediately.
Man: How available are you?
Michael: Completely.
Man: You got the job. Ha ha. I bet you never thought it’d be this easy, huh?
Michael: Not really.
Man: Hold on. I’ll take you on a tour. I just gotta get my keys.
The phone rings.
Man: Fire department. Yeah?
Paula’s Office at the Beverly Judith Berry House.
Paula: Hi. My name is Paula Pluckston and I’m a case worker at the Beverly Judith Berry House.
Man: Yeah? Your house on fire?
Paula: No, I’m calling to ask if a Michael is employed there as a volunteer?
Man: What’s his last name?
Paula: I don’t know.
Man: Well we don’t- wait- hold on. (to Michael) What did you say your name was?
Michael: Michael.
Man: It’s for you. (He hands him the phone.)
Michael: Hello?
Paula: Michael?
Michael: Yes, who is this?
Paula: It’s Paula.
Michael: (self-satisfied) Hi, Paula. What can I do you for?
Paula: I didn’t think I’d actually talk to you.
Michael: You didn’t? Who did you think that you’d speak to?
Paula: Your supervisor. . .not you.
Michael: But you got me. Why are you calling here?
Paula: Well. . .funny thing. . .
Michael: Yes? I’m waiting.
Paula: I was just filling out some subsidy paperwork for Janet and I need to put down your financial status and I realized, that I don’t know any of your information. I didn’t know how to get a hold of you and-
Michael: You can reach me at Janet’s place. I moved in already.
Paula: I can reach you there? Already?
Michael: That’s what I said, didn’t I?
Paula: Can’t we be friends, Michael?
Michael: Of course. I can stop down by your work later in the afternoon to help you with the paper work.
Paula: That’s no trouble. I wouldn’t trouble you like that. I can get it now.
Michael: But Paula, I’m working. You took the trouble to call me here. . . I can take the trouble to drive over. Janet showed me where the house is. She even pointed out your car. I know where it’s parked. . .
Paula: Ummm. . .okay.
Michael: Just letting you know that I’ll find you later today.
Paula: Do you know around what time?
Michael: Probably later in the afternoon around one. I’m done here at noon.
Paula: Oh good. We can have a long nice chat.
Michael: I would like that.
Paula: As would I. Oh I’m getting another call. I’ll have to let you go, Michael.
Michael: You can call me, Mike, Ms. Pluckston. Everyone does.
Paula: Janet doesn’t.
Michael: She will, with time. Have a good afternoon.
Paula: Good bye. (clicks over) Hello?
Man: Come on, buddy. Let’s go give you an alibi tour.
Michael: An alibi tour?
Man: Most of the guys that work here come to get away from their wives. Once this tour is over, you’ll know this place so well. . .you can explain to your wife that you have worked here as long as you have said you did.
Michael: Right.
Michael and Man exit.
At the Co-op grocery store. Paul is on the phone.
Paul: Is this Paula Pluckston?
Paula: Speaking.
Paul: This is Paul Townsend. You don’t know me. I know from my fiancée that you are a social worker?
Paula: Yes. That’s correct. How can I help you?
Paul: I’m not sure. I’m asking for some advice. I think my fiancée has a problem.
Paula: What would it be?
Paul: She can never ever be in public and if she is she frets and frets and stews about what is to happen to her. It’s gotten to be so bad that she is afraid of everybody.
Paula: Really? Well Paul, I’m glad that you got my name from your fiancée, but I just don’t give out free counseling. This is my profession. You’ll have to schedule an appointment to meet with me. Would you like to do some couples counseling?
Paul: I guess I’ll have to speak to my fiancée. . .she doesn’t know that I called.
Paula: It’s best to be honest with your wife, but I’d be more than happy to do that if it’s something you both agree on. What’s your wife’s name?
Paul: Fiancee. . .not wife. . .but her name is Wendy.
Paula: I don’t know any Wendys offhand. But call me back if I can be of any assistance.
Paul: Thanks.
Paula: Your welcome. Have a great day.
Paul: Good-bye.
Paula: Bye. (She hangs up and dials.) Hello?
Nurse: (on the other end) County Clinic, Deborah speaking.
Paula: Hi, could I speak to Dr. Windhover? This is Paula Pluckston.
Nurse: Dr. Windhover is in surgery right now. Can I take a message?
Paula: No, just have him call, Paula Pluckston at his earliest convenience. He should have my number.
Nurse: Okay. Thank you.
Paula: Bye. Bye. (Hangs up and dials)
At the Fruit Stand. Janet organizes fruit. Carol answers her cell phone.
Carol: Hello?
Paula: Hello.
Carol: Who is this?
Paula: Paula Pluckston. We met yesterday.
Carol: Oh yeah. You want to talk to Janet?
Paula: Yes, I would.
Carol: Please don’t make it too long.
Paula: Oh I won’t. Don’t worry. I know how precious your money is.
Carol: Here she is.
Janet: Hello?
Paula: Janet?
Janet: Hi, Paula!
Paula: I was wondering this afternoon if you’d like to go to the library with me.
Janet: Sure. But you know I was never any good at reading.
Paula: No, I want to take you to look at the wedding books.
Janet: Yeah, we can do that. Let’s do that. That sounds like fun.
Paula: Sounds good. I will call your phone at home when I am coming to pick you up. It’ll be around five. Does that sound like a good time?
Janet: Yeah!
Carol: (off) How did she get my number?
Paula: Tell her it was on the application for your employment. She wrote it in her own handwriting.
Janet: It was on the application she said. You wrote it down.
Carol: Oh. Well hurry up. We’re gonna be busy.
Janet: I have to go.
Paula: I understand. Have a good day!
Janet: You too. Bye.
Paula: Bye.
At the station.
Man: Thus concludes our tour. I had Manny type this up in the back. It’ll be the days when you are on call.
Michael: Sweet. Thanks.
A cell phone rings.
Michael: I have to take this. Thanks again. You are a life saver. (answering) Hello?
Toby: Where the fuck is all your stuff?
Michael: I told you. We’re in this now. We have to keep going.
Toby: Where did you go, man?
Michael: I’m living at Janet’s house.
Toby: (getting it) I’m proud of you man. You are taking this seriously. We aren’t going to be sorry.
Michael: Yeah, I hope not.
Toby: Look, I gotta call that Wanda chick back. She’s a little paranoid schizo. . .but I think she’s loaded.
Michael: Okay. What are you doing for her?
Toby: Hardly anything. I got her some stuff. Kind of weird requests, but whatever. Anyway, I guess I won’t see you tonight.
Michael: Nope.
Toby: Fine then fucker! Check ya later. Bye. (He hangs up. But then calls another number.)
The Andreas Living Room.
Judy: Hello?
Toby: Hey.
Judy: (disguising) Hey. What is it, an emergency? I told you never to call me.
Toby: I wanna know what’s going on. Are you happy?
Judy: Yeah. I figured out my price. Five hundred dollars.
Toby: The stuff was 250. I want a thousand.
Judy: A thousand!
Toby: That stuff wasn’t cheap, bitch.
Judy: Fine. Fine. But it’s going to take me awhile to get it. I have to go. I’ll call you later.
Toby: Don’t wait too long.
Judy: I won’t.
Toby: That’s a warning.
Judy: I got it. (She hangs up. She goes into the kitchen where she is cooking a roast. She has a knife and she cuts the roast down the middle. She takes the one half and then gets out the brown bottle from the kitchen. She also removes a syringe from the bag. Kitty enters unbeknownst to her.)
Kitty: What are you doing?
Judy: Mommy’s cooking Daddy’s dinner. (She injects one half of the meat with the syringe.)
Kitty: Smells good.
Judy: That’s good. Mommy made it. Now go away. Shoo. Shoo. (She begins to dial another number.)
At Goode’s Chocolate Executive Head-quarters. Cindy, Alfred’s Secretary, answers.
Cindy: (awkward) Hello, Goode’s Chocolate Company, Cindy speaking.
Judy: Hi. Is my husband there?
Cindy: Oh. Oh. Oh. Oh.
Judy: Oh, what?
Cindy: Oh. He’s not in right now.
Judy: Oh.
Cindy: Can I take ummm oh, ooo a message?
Judy: Sure you can take ummm oh oooo a message.
Cindy: What is it? I have a pen ready.
Judy: Tell him on his way home to pick up another of those plug strips for the kitchen. He’ll know what I mean. I’m trying to cook a roast for our family. . .
Cindy: Oh Judy, I didn’t know you cooked.
Judy: You know my name?
Cindy: Well, you are Alfred’s. . .well anyway. . .you know . . .and he does talk about you-
Judy: Good. I hope you keep that in your mind.
Cindy: Every once in a great while. Oh. Oh. I will. Oh yes.
Judy: Just have him call me ASAP.
Cindy: Fine. Oh. Okay. Have a nice ummmmm day. See you later. Oooo.
Judy: Bye.
Cindy hangs up. Alfred comes out from under her desk.
Alfred: I’m not taking anymore calls today. I don't feel well. I hope that was a nice lunchtime afternoon.
Cindy: I can’t wait until dinner. Judy said she’s making something though.
Alfred: Oh, see, now she’s trying. Too bad it’s too late.
Cindy: Yeah. Too bad. (Laughs) You have the tongue of a 35 year old, Alfie.
Alfred: Don’t call me that, call me, ummm what else goes with Alfred?
Cindy: Freddie? Does Freddie go?
Alfred: Sure, call me Freddie, baby doll.
The telephone rings.
Cindy: Hello, Goode’s Chocolate Company, Cindy speaking. Oh. Oh. Yes. It’s for you.
Alfred: I told you no more calls.
Cindy: But it’s your son.
Alfred: Send it to my office.
Monday, May 14, 2007
14: Oatmeal and Outlets
The next morning. The Andreas Kitchen. Judy drinks coffee –exhausted. She makes breakfast oatmeal. She works quickly and stares at the clock repeatedly. Several times she goes to the spice cupboard and gets out a brown paper bag. She then puts it away. She begins to sweat, she is very dirty. Kitty walks past the kitchen, carrying the canvas. Judy is unaware. Judy makes two bowls of oatmeal and sets them out. Then very carefully, she takes the brown paper bag that she has been fumbling with the entire time, takes out a small brown bottle and spoons two table spoons into one of the bowls. Then she brings the bowls to the table. She pours herself more coffee. The entire time she has been fumbling with the plugs on the walls in order to make things. Kitty returns without the canvas.
Kitty: What’s that?
Judy: Oatmeal. For your father and me.
Kitty: No, that. That brown bottle on the counter.
Judy rushes up grabs the bottle puts it in the bag and puts it back in the spice cupboard.
Judy: Mommy’s special spice. Now nevermind.
Kitty: I’m hungry too.
Judy: You can have some cereal later. Now go play. Daddy’s coming in in a minute.
Kitty: You should see the painting. The one that Michael brought. It’s beautiful.
Judy: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Now go play.
Kitty: I don’t have anyone to play with.
Judy: What about all those dolls you have?
Kitty: They aren’t real people!
Judy: Pretend that they are.
Alfred enters ready for work.
Alfred: Kitty!
Kitty: Daddy!
They hug.
Kitty: You should see the painting that Michael brought for me. It’s beautiful.
Alfred: I will look at it after breakfast. I see your mother has made a wonderful breakfast for me.
Kitty: Not for me.
Judy: I always give her cereal after you’ve gone, Alfie, dear.
Alfred: I know.
Kitty: But I wanna have some oatmeal too!
Alfred: You can have some of Daddy’s. Daddy doesn’t really like oatmeal.
Judy: You don’t? What do you like?
Alfred: I like Malt-O-Meal, the chocolatey stuff, but not oatmeal.
Judy: Well you should eat some of it.
Alfred: Kitty, you want to eat some with your dad?
Kitty: Yeah.
Judy: I put your bowl over there. There’s more in it. Mine is just for me. You know I’m trying to watch my figure.
Alfred: Yeah. Could you get me some orange juice? Wanna take the first bite, kitty cat?
Kitty: Yeah.
Judy watches intently. Alfred spoons a healthy dose into Kitty’s mouth.
Kitty: (spitting it out) Gross! This is gross!
Alfred: Kitty. It’s just oatmeal. Look at this mess you’ve made.
Kitty: Tastes like poison.
Alfred: Kitty. Uh. . . this is so messy. Judy, if we still had Clara around, she could take care of this.
Judy: I know.
Alfred: I am going to call her later this afternoon.
Judy: Fine.
Alfred: Then she could at least clean up the messes that Kitty makes.
Judy: Yes. Aren’t you going to eat any of it or are you going to waste it?
Alfred: I’m going to eat some of it. Let me be.
Judy sits at the table. She begins to eat her oatmeal.
Alfred: Aren’t you going to clean it up?
Judy: Alfred, I’ve been making breakfast all morning. Can’t I just sit and eat in peace for a few seconds?
Alfred: You’ve been making two bowls of Quaker Oats Oatmeal and it took you all morning?
Judy: Not literally.
Alfred: Then quit complaining. You should clean this up.
Judy: Fine.
Alfred: (spooning a bite) Hmmm. This is strange. Normally I don’t like oatmeal, but it has a different sort of flavor. Kind of like licorice. . .
Judy: I know. I like it.
Kitty: I don’t like it. It’s yucky.
Judy: We don’t shout things like yucky. . .Kitty.
Alfred: Try some. I don’t think it’s supposed to taste like this. I hope I don’t get any sort of food poisoning.
Judy: You’ll be fine.
Alfred: Wait. Judy taste mine.
Judy: I have my own.
Alfred: Let me taste yours.
Judy: No.
Alfred: What is wrong with you?
Judy: Nothing. I’m just really stressed out. I didn’t get any sleep last night.
Alfred: Where’d you sleep?
Judy: On the couch in the living room.
Alfred: I see. I guess I’ll just finish this and be off to work. Judy, you unplugged my cell phone.
He gets up and leaves the oatmeal untouched.
Judy: I needed it for the beaters. I made some cookies.
Alfred: Now it’s dead! Do you want the company to go under?
Judy: I’m sorry.
Kitty: You’re gonna be sorry.
Alfred: Kitty, please. Can you go play?
Kitty: Fine. Come look at my painting though!
Alfred: I will. I will.
Judy: (in cupboard) Here. Here. We have another plug strip.
Alfred: This is too much for that one outlet. We shouldn’t have all of this stuff plugged in.
Judy: It’ll be fine. Let me plug in your phone. Finish your oatmeal.
Alfred: You seem different this morning.
Judy: I’m just trying to be different that’s all. I’m not very happy. You made that clear last night.
Alfred sitting back down and eating his oatmeal.
Alfred: I know. Where did you go last night?
Judy: What?
Alfred: I came out to talk to you last night about something and you were gone.
Judy: I had some errands to run.
Alfred: Like?
Judy: I went to speak to my brother.
Alfred: What about?
Judy: We haven’t spoken for ages. I wanted to talk to him.
Alfred: I see.
Kitty: (from living room) Now presenting!
Alfred: What is she yelling about now?
Judy: Probably that canvas that Michael brought. . .
Kitty: Presenting the artist known as Kitty.
Judy and Alfred go into the living room.
Alfred: Kitty, you know-
Judy: Did you finish your oatmeal? Oh my-
Alfred and Judy walk into the living room and the canvas, rehung, has been drawn on with crayons, but the likeness of the woman in the portrait is definitely Judy.
Kitty: And her wonderful portrait of red suited Judy-Mommy!
Judy: Kitty, honey, what’s happening to Mommy in the picture?
Kitty: Oh, the orange juice is fire and that is a rope. Mommy is swinging in a fire!
Alfred: I feel a headache coming on. Kitty, that is inappropriate. You know you are not supposed to be in this room. Take that portrait down and put it in your room. Go play with your dolls. Please.
Kitty: But Daddy-
Alfred: Do it for, Daddy. Oh, I need to lie down. I feel faint.
Kitty: Daddy, I wanna play artist.
Alfred: You can. You can. I have to go to work.
Judy: You don’t look well. Maybe you should lie down.
Alfred: No, if I stay home Goode’s will go under for Good.
Judy: But you don’t look well.
Alfred: I have to get out of here or I’ll go crazy.
Alfred exits.
Judy: Kitty. Do what your father says. He’s in control . . .for the time being.
Alfred: (from off) If you slept on the couch, how on earth did that thing get up there?
Judy: I don’t know. She must have done it when I was cooking this morning. (to Kitty) Those are inappropriate things to paint. Why don’t you paint flowers or rainbows?
Kitty: You are inappropriate. I don’t want to paint what you tell me to!
Alfred: (from off) You two stop fighting!
Judy: I have to work out. I just have to. I can feel that oatmeal going straight to my hips.
Alfred: (from off) Let’s not have it again. It didn’t sit well with me. (entering) But I will be home for dinner tonight, so please have it ready.
Judy: My pleasure.
Kitty: What’s that?
Judy: Oatmeal. For your father and me.
Kitty: No, that. That brown bottle on the counter.
Judy rushes up grabs the bottle puts it in the bag and puts it back in the spice cupboard.
Judy: Mommy’s special spice. Now nevermind.
Kitty: I’m hungry too.
Judy: You can have some cereal later. Now go play. Daddy’s coming in in a minute.
Kitty: You should see the painting. The one that Michael brought. It’s beautiful.
Judy: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Now go play.
Kitty: I don’t have anyone to play with.
Judy: What about all those dolls you have?
Kitty: They aren’t real people!
Judy: Pretend that they are.
Alfred enters ready for work.
Alfred: Kitty!
Kitty: Daddy!
They hug.
Kitty: You should see the painting that Michael brought for me. It’s beautiful.
Alfred: I will look at it after breakfast. I see your mother has made a wonderful breakfast for me.
Kitty: Not for me.
Judy: I always give her cereal after you’ve gone, Alfie, dear.
Alfred: I know.
Kitty: But I wanna have some oatmeal too!
Alfred: You can have some of Daddy’s. Daddy doesn’t really like oatmeal.
Judy: You don’t? What do you like?
Alfred: I like Malt-O-Meal, the chocolatey stuff, but not oatmeal.
Judy: Well you should eat some of it.
Alfred: Kitty, you want to eat some with your dad?
Kitty: Yeah.
Judy: I put your bowl over there. There’s more in it. Mine is just for me. You know I’m trying to watch my figure.
Alfred: Yeah. Could you get me some orange juice? Wanna take the first bite, kitty cat?
Kitty: Yeah.
Judy watches intently. Alfred spoons a healthy dose into Kitty’s mouth.
Kitty: (spitting it out) Gross! This is gross!
Alfred: Kitty. It’s just oatmeal. Look at this mess you’ve made.
Kitty: Tastes like poison.
Alfred: Kitty. Uh. . . this is so messy. Judy, if we still had Clara around, she could take care of this.
Judy: I know.
Alfred: I am going to call her later this afternoon.
Judy: Fine.
Alfred: Then she could at least clean up the messes that Kitty makes.
Judy: Yes. Aren’t you going to eat any of it or are you going to waste it?
Alfred: I’m going to eat some of it. Let me be.
Judy sits at the table. She begins to eat her oatmeal.
Alfred: Aren’t you going to clean it up?
Judy: Alfred, I’ve been making breakfast all morning. Can’t I just sit and eat in peace for a few seconds?
Alfred: You’ve been making two bowls of Quaker Oats Oatmeal and it took you all morning?
Judy: Not literally.
Alfred: Then quit complaining. You should clean this up.
Judy: Fine.
Alfred: (spooning a bite) Hmmm. This is strange. Normally I don’t like oatmeal, but it has a different sort of flavor. Kind of like licorice. . .
Judy: I know. I like it.
Kitty: I don’t like it. It’s yucky.
Judy: We don’t shout things like yucky. . .Kitty.
Alfred: Try some. I don’t think it’s supposed to taste like this. I hope I don’t get any sort of food poisoning.
Judy: You’ll be fine.
Alfred: Wait. Judy taste mine.
Judy: I have my own.
Alfred: Let me taste yours.
Judy: No.
Alfred: What is wrong with you?
Judy: Nothing. I’m just really stressed out. I didn’t get any sleep last night.
Alfred: Where’d you sleep?
Judy: On the couch in the living room.
Alfred: I see. I guess I’ll just finish this and be off to work. Judy, you unplugged my cell phone.
He gets up and leaves the oatmeal untouched.
Judy: I needed it for the beaters. I made some cookies.
Alfred: Now it’s dead! Do you want the company to go under?
Judy: I’m sorry.
Kitty: You’re gonna be sorry.
Alfred: Kitty, please. Can you go play?
Kitty: Fine. Come look at my painting though!
Alfred: I will. I will.
Judy: (in cupboard) Here. Here. We have another plug strip.
Alfred: This is too much for that one outlet. We shouldn’t have all of this stuff plugged in.
Judy: It’ll be fine. Let me plug in your phone. Finish your oatmeal.
Alfred: You seem different this morning.
Judy: I’m just trying to be different that’s all. I’m not very happy. You made that clear last night.
Alfred sitting back down and eating his oatmeal.
Alfred: I know. Where did you go last night?
Judy: What?
Alfred: I came out to talk to you last night about something and you were gone.
Judy: I had some errands to run.
Alfred: Like?
Judy: I went to speak to my brother.
Alfred: What about?
Judy: We haven’t spoken for ages. I wanted to talk to him.
Alfred: I see.
Kitty: (from living room) Now presenting!
Alfred: What is she yelling about now?
Judy: Probably that canvas that Michael brought. . .
Kitty: Presenting the artist known as Kitty.
Judy and Alfred go into the living room.
Alfred: Kitty, you know-
Judy: Did you finish your oatmeal? Oh my-
Alfred and Judy walk into the living room and the canvas, rehung, has been drawn on with crayons, but the likeness of the woman in the portrait is definitely Judy.
Kitty: And her wonderful portrait of red suited Judy-Mommy!
Judy: Kitty, honey, what’s happening to Mommy in the picture?
Kitty: Oh, the orange juice is fire and that is a rope. Mommy is swinging in a fire!
Alfred: I feel a headache coming on. Kitty, that is inappropriate. You know you are not supposed to be in this room. Take that portrait down and put it in your room. Go play with your dolls. Please.
Kitty: But Daddy-
Alfred: Do it for, Daddy. Oh, I need to lie down. I feel faint.
Kitty: Daddy, I wanna play artist.
Alfred: You can. You can. I have to go to work.
Judy: You don’t look well. Maybe you should lie down.
Alfred: No, if I stay home Goode’s will go under for Good.
Judy: But you don’t look well.
Alfred: I have to get out of here or I’ll go crazy.
Alfred exits.
Judy: Kitty. Do what your father says. He’s in control . . .for the time being.
Alfred: (from off) If you slept on the couch, how on earth did that thing get up there?
Judy: I don’t know. She must have done it when I was cooking this morning. (to Kitty) Those are inappropriate things to paint. Why don’t you paint flowers or rainbows?
Kitty: You are inappropriate. I don’t want to paint what you tell me to!
Alfred: (from off) You two stop fighting!
Judy: I have to work out. I just have to. I can feel that oatmeal going straight to my hips.
Alfred: (from off) Let’s not have it again. It didn’t sit well with me. (entering) But I will be home for dinner tonight, so please have it ready.
Judy: My pleasure.
13: A People Puzzle
Janet’s Living Room in her apartment with a couch in the center and the entrance behind her. The picture of the Cornucopia puzzle hangs on the backwall –three ears of corn stand on the table below it in a decorative fashion. The puzzle has been framed and matted. She watches Pinocchio on television and she is crying. The telephone rings.
Janet: (answering) Yeah. . .come on up. (She pushes the button on the phone.)
Michael: (entering awhile later) Hey.
Janet: Michael!
Michael: What’s wrong?
Janet: Nothing. This movie makes me sad.
Michael: I’m sorry.
Janet: It’s okay. I’ll be okay. I’m so glad that you are here.
Michael: Me too. We have to talk.
Janet: What about?
Michael: Our wedding.
Janet: Of course.
Michael: I think we should move in together.
Janet: You do?
Michael: Yeah. I do.
Janet: Paula told me that my apartment wouldn’t be free anymore, so that might be a good idea.
Michael: Your apartment is free?
Janet: Yeah, I don’t know why.
Michael: Oh. Well we’ll have to talk to Paula about that.
Janet: What about where you live? What about your roommate?
Michael: What about him?
Janet: I’ve never met him. I’ve never been there.
Michael: That’s okay. Don’t worry about it.
Janet: But I do worry.
Michael: He’s not worth meeting. He’s kind of a bad guy. The apartment is always a mess.
Janet: Kind of?
Michael: No, not kind of. He is. Don’t worry about it.
The telephone rings.
Michael: Are you expecting someone?
Janet: No. I’m not. (She answers) Oh. . .hello! Yeah, I’ll buzz you up. (to Michael) It’s Paula!
Michael: Really? I just ran into her at the restaurant Roberto’s Uncle.
Janet: What were you doing there? I thought you said you had errands to run.
Michael: I know, but I might buy a car from this guy I know.
Janet: Oh.
Paula enters with her son, Frederick, who is not happy.
Frederick: I said, How long?
Paula: Shhhh! Janet! Come here!
They hug.
Michael: Hi, Paula. How are you?
Paula: Just great, Michael. Just great. I thought I should let you know that I don’t know what you were thinking about, but I wouldn’t buy a car from that man.
Michael: What?
Paula: Fred and I just came from dinner and that man you were with stayed at the restaurant quite sometime making such a racket. He kept drumming on the tables and singing really loudly. I think they were on the verge of kicking him out of the place.
Michael: Oh. Good to know. He seemed really pushy.
Janet: You don’t want to buy a car from a pushy person.
Michael: No. No. I don’t. So Paula, what brings you to this neck of the woods?
Frederick: What happened to her eye? What about his face?
Paula: We can talk about it later. Oh you know, I just wanted to stop in and see Janet.
Fred: How long-
Paula: Fred, just watch the movie.
Janet: It’s Pinocchio. It’s one of my favorites. I feel so bad that he wishes to be a real boy.
Fred: It’s a dumb movie.
Paula: Fred! Stop that. He’s being really bad this evening.
Michael: (noticing puzzle) Janet, is this the puzzle that Carol gave you yesterday?
Paula: Carol gave you that puzzle yesterday? Was it already put together?
Michael: No. She put it together herself.
Janet: I like puzzles.
Fred: I think they are dumb.
Paula: Stop saying dumb, Frederick. I mean it. Let us visit in peace.
Janet: Does anybody want anything to drink?
Paula: I’m fine, thank you.
Fred: I want some soda.
Paula: You don’t need any soda. He’s fine.
Michael: Do you have a beer, Janet?
Paula and Janet look at each other.
Janet: No, I don’t.
Michael: Oh. That’s cool. I’m fine then.
Paula: Michael, Janet can’t have beer here. It’s part of the lease in the subsidy.
Michael: Oh, no problem.
Paula: You didn’t know that?
Michael: No, I also don’t really get it since Janet’s an adult.
Paula: Yes, but-
Janet: But Michael I’m special- you know that.
Paula: Yes, you do.
Michael: I do. I do. I’m sorry. It’s not a big deal.
Janet: But can I have beer for Michael, when Michael moves in?
Paula: Michael, is moving in?
Janet: We were just talking about it.
Michael: Before you arrived.
Paula: Oh. Well Janet that is going to change everything for your state subsidy. I bet you’ll have to pay full rent then.
Michael: I have a job.
Paula: You are a volunteer firefighter? Is that all?
Michael: No, I do some work for my father.
Paula: Who is your father? Does he live in town?
Michael: Yeah. Yeah he does. Janet, can I get a glass of water?
Fred: I want one too!
Paula: Michael, since you are moving in, could you get some water? There is something that I would like to speak to Janet about in private.
Michael: Sure. Sure.
Paula: Fred, go with him.
Fred: Geez, fine, just when it’s getting interesting.
Michael and Fred exit to the kitchen.
Janet: Please don’t say anything about the corn.
Paula: Did you steal those three ears over there and put them in your backpack?
Janet: Steal? What do you mean?
Paula: Did you take those three ears of corn over there or did Carol give them to you?
Janet: I took them.
Paula: Why?
Janet: I wanted them for decoration to go with my puzzle.
Paula: Did you pay for them? I saw them in your backpack this morning.
Janet: No, I didn’t.
Paula: You do know that stealing is wrong.
Janet: Yes. I do.
Paula: Janet, I have figured out a puzzle and I’m not sure if I like the picture that I see.
Janet: What puzzle?
Paula: Well it’s not a puzzle with pieces, but it’s a puzzle with people.
Janet: A people puzzle?
Paula: Yes. Janet, when you lived at the home growing up, do you remember Shirley Johnson?
Janet: Yeah, I didn’t like her at all.
Paula: Do you remember how you used to share a room with her until things got moved around?
Janet: Yes.
Paula: Shirley’s things were always going missing. Was it you that was taking them?
Janet: What things?
Paula: Barrettes, hair ties, that horse statue. . .those things never turned up.
Janet: I didn’t take them.
Paula: Come here.
Janet: Why?
Paula: Please.
Janet goes over to Paula. Paula takes her wrist.
Paula: Your pulse is racing. Are you lying to me?
Janet: No. Okay. So I took some barrettes. I wanted them. She wouldn’t let me have them.
Paula: They were hers. Janet, I’m very disappointed in you. I think you should return those ears to Carol.
Janet: You said yourself that she is stealing from me.
Paula: What do you mean?
Janet: I know that Carol doesn’t pay me enough. I could hear the whole thing.
Paula: Still that doesn’t give you the right to steal from her.
Michael and Frederick return with waters for everybody.
Janet: Let’s not talk about this anymore.
Paula: That’s fine. But I think you understand that I have figured out the puzzle. I hope you’ll do the right thing.
Janet: Puzzle? Where are the pieces?
Paula: The events are the pieces. When things don’t add up, you think about how they can or how they will. If something doesn’t make sense to you, you should try to make it make sense. Make a picture out of it in your mind. Make the people, the events, the strange occurrences the pieces. . .
Janet: Yeah, I could do that.
Michael: Uh oh. Looks like we’re going to have a genius on our hands before too long. (Michael laughs)
Paula: Well, Janet, I’m just going to phone your father in the next couple of days and if anything further in this development-
Michael: What do you mean?
Paula: Further in this matrimonial development-
Janet: What’s matri-
Paula: Wedding. Let me know. Keep me posted. I still do take care of Janet.
Michael: I think it’s time I moved in on that.
Paula: In on that or in to this place to live?
Michael: We’ll see.
Paula: Michael. You are being rather hasty, don’t you think?
Michael: My lease is up. Soon we will be together for the rest of our- well- lives. I don’t think it could hurt. . .
Paula: Maybe you want to have a meeting with Mr. Windhover and me?
Michael: Do you own her?
Paula: Well, of course, not.
Michael: Then stop acting like it.
Janet: Michael. Don’t be mean to Paula. Please.
Michael: I’m sorry.
Paula: I don’t see why you are getting so defensive.
Michael: You are being really quite hostile towards me. I don’t know what I have done.
Paula: I’m just very busy with my job and I care about Janet more than anything in the world.
Frederick: What about me?
Paula: You too. I care about you too. I just wouldn’t want anything to happen to her.
Michael: Neither would I.
Paula: Well, we should exchange phone numbers. At least that.
Michael: What for?
Paula: To get in touch with each other in case of an emergency.
Michael: There isn’t going to be any emergency.
Janet: Michael. Paula’s my friend.
Michael: Your friend. Not your mother. You are a big girl now.
Janet: I know.
Paula: Well we should be in touch, Michael. Don’t you think?
Michael: I love Janet. I do Ms. Pluckston.
Paula: I understand, you think I’m moving in on your territory, but I just want to be precautious about Janet’s welfare. This is a delicate situation.
Michael: There I agree. Okay, want my phone number? Here it is.
Paula: (searching in purse) Let me get a pen. Okay. What is it?
Michael: 555-4565.
Paula: Got it. Thank you Michael. Mine is.
Michael: That’s fine. I don’t need yours.
Paula: We should be in touch. Trust me.
Suddenly there is a loud crash. Frederick has somehow knocked the cornucopia picture off of the wall. It shatters.
Paula: Frederick!
Janet: My puzzle!
Michael: Let me clean it up. Somebody’ll get hurt.
Paula: I’m so embarrassed. Janet, I’m so sorry.
Janet: It’s okay. I can get another frame from the drug store.
Paula: You apologize to Janet. Right now!
Frederick: I’m sorry I broke your picture.
Janet: It’s okay. I forgive you.
Paula: Here. Janet. Here. Let me give you some money for a new frame.
Janet: That’s okay. I can get anoth-
Michael: Janet, take the money.
Silence. Paula hands over some cash.
Paula: I’m really quite embarrassed and I have to get this obnoxious brat to bed, so I think I’m gonna go. Please you two. Let me in on anything, any developments about your wedding. I want to be here to help. Please. And Janet. . .please don’t forget what I said about everything . . .puzzles etc.
Janet: I won’t.
Michael: Have a good night, Ms. Pluckston.
Paula: Paula, please.
Michael: I would feel strange calling you Paula.
Paula: Please do. Don’t worry about it.
Michael: But I do. Have a good night.
Paula: Say good-night, Frederick.
Frederick: Good-night, Frederick.
Paula: Oh, I tell ya. Thanks for the water.
Janet: No problem.
Paula: I’ll give you a call very soon.
Janet: Good.
Paula: Good night you two! See ya.
Paula and Frederick exit.
Michael: I don’t know about your friend, Paula.
Janet: What do you mean?
Michael: She’s strange. . . Trying to tell me I can’t move in here.
Janet: She’s just looking out for me. We should let her know.
Michael: Well we can call her in a few days once I move all my stuff in.
Janet: You are moving in now?
Michael: I don’t see why not tonight.
Janet: I’m so excited. But what about Paula?
Michael: What about her?
Janet: She doesn’t think it’s a good idea? Why?
Michael: I don’t know. She’s a busy body.
Janet: Yes, she’s very busy. She takes care of a lot of people.
Michael: Maybe somebody needs to take care of her. . .and her son.
Janet: (answering) Yeah. . .come on up. (She pushes the button on the phone.)
Michael: (entering awhile later) Hey.
Janet: Michael!
Michael: What’s wrong?
Janet: Nothing. This movie makes me sad.
Michael: I’m sorry.
Janet: It’s okay. I’ll be okay. I’m so glad that you are here.
Michael: Me too. We have to talk.
Janet: What about?
Michael: Our wedding.
Janet: Of course.
Michael: I think we should move in together.
Janet: You do?
Michael: Yeah. I do.
Janet: Paula told me that my apartment wouldn’t be free anymore, so that might be a good idea.
Michael: Your apartment is free?
Janet: Yeah, I don’t know why.
Michael: Oh. Well we’ll have to talk to Paula about that.
Janet: What about where you live? What about your roommate?
Michael: What about him?
Janet: I’ve never met him. I’ve never been there.
Michael: That’s okay. Don’t worry about it.
Janet: But I do worry.
Michael: He’s not worth meeting. He’s kind of a bad guy. The apartment is always a mess.
Janet: Kind of?
Michael: No, not kind of. He is. Don’t worry about it.
The telephone rings.
Michael: Are you expecting someone?
Janet: No. I’m not. (She answers) Oh. . .hello! Yeah, I’ll buzz you up. (to Michael) It’s Paula!
Michael: Really? I just ran into her at the restaurant Roberto’s Uncle.
Janet: What were you doing there? I thought you said you had errands to run.
Michael: I know, but I might buy a car from this guy I know.
Janet: Oh.
Paula enters with her son, Frederick, who is not happy.
Frederick: I said, How long?
Paula: Shhhh! Janet! Come here!
They hug.
Michael: Hi, Paula. How are you?
Paula: Just great, Michael. Just great. I thought I should let you know that I don’t know what you were thinking about, but I wouldn’t buy a car from that man.
Michael: What?
Paula: Fred and I just came from dinner and that man you were with stayed at the restaurant quite sometime making such a racket. He kept drumming on the tables and singing really loudly. I think they were on the verge of kicking him out of the place.
Michael: Oh. Good to know. He seemed really pushy.
Janet: You don’t want to buy a car from a pushy person.
Michael: No. No. I don’t. So Paula, what brings you to this neck of the woods?
Frederick: What happened to her eye? What about his face?
Paula: We can talk about it later. Oh you know, I just wanted to stop in and see Janet.
Fred: How long-
Paula: Fred, just watch the movie.
Janet: It’s Pinocchio. It’s one of my favorites. I feel so bad that he wishes to be a real boy.
Fred: It’s a dumb movie.
Paula: Fred! Stop that. He’s being really bad this evening.
Michael: (noticing puzzle) Janet, is this the puzzle that Carol gave you yesterday?
Paula: Carol gave you that puzzle yesterday? Was it already put together?
Michael: No. She put it together herself.
Janet: I like puzzles.
Fred: I think they are dumb.
Paula: Stop saying dumb, Frederick. I mean it. Let us visit in peace.
Janet: Does anybody want anything to drink?
Paula: I’m fine, thank you.
Fred: I want some soda.
Paula: You don’t need any soda. He’s fine.
Michael: Do you have a beer, Janet?
Paula and Janet look at each other.
Janet: No, I don’t.
Michael: Oh. That’s cool. I’m fine then.
Paula: Michael, Janet can’t have beer here. It’s part of the lease in the subsidy.
Michael: Oh, no problem.
Paula: You didn’t know that?
Michael: No, I also don’t really get it since Janet’s an adult.
Paula: Yes, but-
Janet: But Michael I’m special- you know that.
Paula: Yes, you do.
Michael: I do. I do. I’m sorry. It’s not a big deal.
Janet: But can I have beer for Michael, when Michael moves in?
Paula: Michael, is moving in?
Janet: We were just talking about it.
Michael: Before you arrived.
Paula: Oh. Well Janet that is going to change everything for your state subsidy. I bet you’ll have to pay full rent then.
Michael: I have a job.
Paula: You are a volunteer firefighter? Is that all?
Michael: No, I do some work for my father.
Paula: Who is your father? Does he live in town?
Michael: Yeah. Yeah he does. Janet, can I get a glass of water?
Fred: I want one too!
Paula: Michael, since you are moving in, could you get some water? There is something that I would like to speak to Janet about in private.
Michael: Sure. Sure.
Paula: Fred, go with him.
Fred: Geez, fine, just when it’s getting interesting.
Michael and Fred exit to the kitchen.
Janet: Please don’t say anything about the corn.
Paula: Did you steal those three ears over there and put them in your backpack?
Janet: Steal? What do you mean?
Paula: Did you take those three ears of corn over there or did Carol give them to you?
Janet: I took them.
Paula: Why?
Janet: I wanted them for decoration to go with my puzzle.
Paula: Did you pay for them? I saw them in your backpack this morning.
Janet: No, I didn’t.
Paula: You do know that stealing is wrong.
Janet: Yes. I do.
Paula: Janet, I have figured out a puzzle and I’m not sure if I like the picture that I see.
Janet: What puzzle?
Paula: Well it’s not a puzzle with pieces, but it’s a puzzle with people.
Janet: A people puzzle?
Paula: Yes. Janet, when you lived at the home growing up, do you remember Shirley Johnson?
Janet: Yeah, I didn’t like her at all.
Paula: Do you remember how you used to share a room with her until things got moved around?
Janet: Yes.
Paula: Shirley’s things were always going missing. Was it you that was taking them?
Janet: What things?
Paula: Barrettes, hair ties, that horse statue. . .those things never turned up.
Janet: I didn’t take them.
Paula: Come here.
Janet: Why?
Paula: Please.
Janet goes over to Paula. Paula takes her wrist.
Paula: Your pulse is racing. Are you lying to me?
Janet: No. Okay. So I took some barrettes. I wanted them. She wouldn’t let me have them.
Paula: They were hers. Janet, I’m very disappointed in you. I think you should return those ears to Carol.
Janet: You said yourself that she is stealing from me.
Paula: What do you mean?
Janet: I know that Carol doesn’t pay me enough. I could hear the whole thing.
Paula: Still that doesn’t give you the right to steal from her.
Michael and Frederick return with waters for everybody.
Janet: Let’s not talk about this anymore.
Paula: That’s fine. But I think you understand that I have figured out the puzzle. I hope you’ll do the right thing.
Janet: Puzzle? Where are the pieces?
Paula: The events are the pieces. When things don’t add up, you think about how they can or how they will. If something doesn’t make sense to you, you should try to make it make sense. Make a picture out of it in your mind. Make the people, the events, the strange occurrences the pieces. . .
Janet: Yeah, I could do that.
Michael: Uh oh. Looks like we’re going to have a genius on our hands before too long. (Michael laughs)
Paula: Well, Janet, I’m just going to phone your father in the next couple of days and if anything further in this development-
Michael: What do you mean?
Paula: Further in this matrimonial development-
Janet: What’s matri-
Paula: Wedding. Let me know. Keep me posted. I still do take care of Janet.
Michael: I think it’s time I moved in on that.
Paula: In on that or in to this place to live?
Michael: We’ll see.
Paula: Michael. You are being rather hasty, don’t you think?
Michael: My lease is up. Soon we will be together for the rest of our- well- lives. I don’t think it could hurt. . .
Paula: Maybe you want to have a meeting with Mr. Windhover and me?
Michael: Do you own her?
Paula: Well, of course, not.
Michael: Then stop acting like it.
Janet: Michael. Don’t be mean to Paula. Please.
Michael: I’m sorry.
Paula: I don’t see why you are getting so defensive.
Michael: You are being really quite hostile towards me. I don’t know what I have done.
Paula: I’m just very busy with my job and I care about Janet more than anything in the world.
Frederick: What about me?
Paula: You too. I care about you too. I just wouldn’t want anything to happen to her.
Michael: Neither would I.
Paula: Well, we should exchange phone numbers. At least that.
Michael: What for?
Paula: To get in touch with each other in case of an emergency.
Michael: There isn’t going to be any emergency.
Janet: Michael. Paula’s my friend.
Michael: Your friend. Not your mother. You are a big girl now.
Janet: I know.
Paula: Well we should be in touch, Michael. Don’t you think?
Michael: I love Janet. I do Ms. Pluckston.
Paula: I understand, you think I’m moving in on your territory, but I just want to be precautious about Janet’s welfare. This is a delicate situation.
Michael: There I agree. Okay, want my phone number? Here it is.
Paula: (searching in purse) Let me get a pen. Okay. What is it?
Michael: 555-4565.
Paula: Got it. Thank you Michael. Mine is.
Michael: That’s fine. I don’t need yours.
Paula: We should be in touch. Trust me.
Suddenly there is a loud crash. Frederick has somehow knocked the cornucopia picture off of the wall. It shatters.
Paula: Frederick!
Janet: My puzzle!
Michael: Let me clean it up. Somebody’ll get hurt.
Paula: I’m so embarrassed. Janet, I’m so sorry.
Janet: It’s okay. I can get another frame from the drug store.
Paula: You apologize to Janet. Right now!
Frederick: I’m sorry I broke your picture.
Janet: It’s okay. I forgive you.
Paula: Here. Janet. Here. Let me give you some money for a new frame.
Janet: That’s okay. I can get anoth-
Michael: Janet, take the money.
Silence. Paula hands over some cash.
Paula: I’m really quite embarrassed and I have to get this obnoxious brat to bed, so I think I’m gonna go. Please you two. Let me in on anything, any developments about your wedding. I want to be here to help. Please. And Janet. . .please don’t forget what I said about everything . . .puzzles etc.
Janet: I won’t.
Michael: Have a good night, Ms. Pluckston.
Paula: Paula, please.
Michael: I would feel strange calling you Paula.
Paula: Please do. Don’t worry about it.
Michael: But I do. Have a good night.
Paula: Say good-night, Frederick.
Frederick: Good-night, Frederick.
Paula: Oh, I tell ya. Thanks for the water.
Janet: No problem.
Paula: I’ll give you a call very soon.
Janet: Good.
Paula: Good night you two! See ya.
Paula and Frederick exit.
Michael: I don’t know about your friend, Paula.
Janet: What do you mean?
Michael: She’s strange. . . Trying to tell me I can’t move in here.
Janet: She’s just looking out for me. We should let her know.
Michael: Well we can call her in a few days once I move all my stuff in.
Janet: You are moving in now?
Michael: I don’t see why not tonight.
Janet: I’m so excited. But what about Paula?
Michael: What about her?
Janet: She doesn’t think it’s a good idea? Why?
Michael: I don’t know. She’s a busy body.
Janet: Yes, she’s very busy. She takes care of a lot of people.
Michael: Maybe somebody needs to take care of her. . .and her son.
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