Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
(LJGHTS FADE.)
END OF SCENE 5
ACT TWO
SCENE 6
Her New York apartment. A few months later. About ten P.M.
It is winter Her apartment is dark. The PHONE RINGS. She opens
the door and enters. She crosses to the phone.
(She hangs up, crosses to door, turns on lights and opens door.
VERNON stands there with winter coat, collar up, gloves, cap
with snow l 1 it and leaning 011 a cane.)
ACT II THEY'RE PLAYING OUR SONG 69
SONIA. I can't remember. What was it?
VERNON. A Naval Officer's Uniform.
SONIA. Of course. "Mister Roberts." I was late for dress
rehearsal.
VERNON. So that's how it started . . . When he checked out, he
came down and we shook hands and said Goodbye . . . And the
last thing he said to me was . . . ''Take care of our girl.
SONIA. (A little embarrassed.) Leave it to Leon.
VERNON. Moving on to more mundane things, I hear you album's
going to be very big. What's it feel like to finally have money?
SONIA. Old habits are hard to break. I flew home on economy.
VERNON. Well, now you can live it up. Get yourself a whole new
wardrobe. Like all the costumes from Annie."
SONIA. Can I ask you a question, Vernon?
VERNON. Sure.
SONIA. What's wrong with us?
VERNON. Nothing. We're perfect. Well, you're perfect. I'm going
to be perfect in eight months. I've been seeing a new therapist. A
big, buxom, mother earth analyst. When you break down and cry,
she holds you in her arms and gives you cookies.
SONIA. I think that's terrific. What made you go back?
VERNON. Leon, probably. When I saw him walking out of my
room looking happier than I was, I said to myself, "Vernon, I think
it's time to pull into your friendly therapist for a thirty-four-year-old
tune up."
SONIA. You seem different, Vernon. I feel as though we're meet
ing for the first time. Does it seem like the first time to you?
VERNON. I don't know. Go out and come in twenty minutes late.
SONIA. I've gone through some changes myself. I've moved out
of Mark's house . . . with no guilt, no sense of responsibility
. . . I'm all alone for the first time in my life, handling it great and
really proud of myself. In fact, tomorrow night I'm taking me out to
dinner.
VERNON. I wish I was staying on. I was going to take myself out
too. The four of us would have double dated. (They look at each
other . . . an awkward pause.) . . . I'd better go. Promise you'll
go to the window and watch me limp away in the snow.
SONIA. With one hand holding back the curtains. A perfect Gene
Tierney ending.
VERNON. (Reaches in his pocket.) I thought it would be nice if we
heard my love theme as I walked off. (Hands her a cassette.) Would
you put this cassette on as I get to the door?
SONIA. You actually had it recorded?
70 THEY'RE PLAYING OUR SONG ACT II