T'

BRTIIALITY OF EACT

ACT ONE

Scene l. KiIl the Messenger.

Maggie and, Jackie. A restaurant.

JACKIE. Janet's dead.

MAGGIE. What?
JACKIE. Janet. She died.
MAGGIE. ... when did this happen?
JACKIE. Three months ago.
IIIAGGIE. When were you planning on telling me?
JACKIE. Itm telling you now.
MAGGIE. She's dead?
JACKIE. Cancer. She had it for a while.
IIIAGGIE. ... was there a funeral?
JACKIE. Oh sure.
IVIAGGIE. Nobody told me.
JACKIE. We figured you weren't interested.
MAGGIE. I don't believe this. You had Janet's funeral, and
never said anything to me.
JACKIE. If I had called you would you have gone?
IvIAGGIE. I don't know.
.JACKIE. That's what we figured.
MAGGIE. What's that mean?
JACKIE. I mean you turned your back on the entire family.
MAGGIE. ... thanks the fuck for not telling me. Just ...
what is that? What is this nobody says anything to me? You
had ... everybody else was there? Was Mom at the funeral?
 JACKIE. yes.
MAGGIE. you tell Mom, bur nobody bothers lcave her in the car.
to call me. Did you want her ro sit here and have lunch with
JACKIE. Like I said we figured you wouldn,r care.
I\{AGGIE. She was my sisier.
JACKIE. So am L Is she ... I mean she's all right isn't she?
MAGGIE. And was Kate at the funeral? She has her bad days.
JACKIE. I guess. What's a bad day?
MAGGIE. Was she there? She drove a car through a store window.
JACKIE. Yes. She what?
MAGGIE. Christ Kate lives in Guam. you tell Kate Nobody got hurt.
living in And you left her in the ...
fugking Guam that Janet is dead, you ask her ro the funeral I
I live two hours
awan nobody bothers to ... have the kep.
JACKIE. You're blowing this way our of proporrion ... it hap ... Ineedadrink.
pened months ago. I'm really surprised you're taking it all this way.
MAGGIE. What's Bill doing now, what,s happening Do you want a drink?
with her Isn't it a little early?
kids, uh ...
JACKIE. Fraser and Alison are fine. Bill sold the house, he No.
remarried. Do you have an algohol problem?
MAGGIE. He did? NO.
JACKIE. With this hospice nurse thar was taking care of Do you want help?
Janet. Like you really fucking care. Why'd you call me
MAGGIE. He did? To rub my face in all this?
They moved ro Europe. I figured we should try to be closer. We were never
{19f^L
MAGGIE. They did? Close, I thought it would be a good thing.
JACKIE. Fraser's in college, Alison rar- aw"ity from- home What, you want to bond?
years I don't know how much time any of us has.
ago, we think she's in Seattle, dealing crack.
MAGGIE. How's Mom? What does that mean?
JACKIE. Oh, she's living wirh me now We need to prepare ourselves. For the end of the
MAC,GIE. She is?
JACKIE. Mom kind oi well she got a little funny and ir was Are you for real? The end of the world? (Vat,
felt she needed full time care, so"she moved into my and tackick motha, enters.)
apart- I'm hungry.
ment $dth me. Sometimes it,s a little crowded,
along surprisingly well.
U.,t'*.'t"t Mom, you were supposed to stay in the car.
MAGGIE. So where is she now? t It was getting so hot.
JACKIE. She's out i1 ft" car. In the parking lot. Mom?
MAGGIE. You left Mom in the car? ' Who is that?
JACKIE. I left the window cracked open. It's Mags.
MAGGIE. Jackie, Mom's oot , poodle or something, you
Who?
It's Maggie. Your daughter. Maggie.

t
 VAL. Maggie. JACKIE. Who?
MAGGIE. Yes. (To Jackie.) Doesn't she know who I am? VAL. The people who live here.
JACKIE. I should explain. We told her you were dead. JACKIE. No Mom.
MAGGIE. WI{AT? VAL. Then why are we standing out here?
JACKIE. I was trying to figure out a way to explain ... JACKIE. I'm going to talk to them. (luily answrs the tloor.)
MAGGIE. I don't believe this. JUDY. Yes. (Pause.)
VAL. I had a daughter Maggie. She died. JACKTE. Hi.
I\,IAGGIE. Mom, I'm Maggie. It's me. I'm still alive. JUDY. Hello. Are you trying to sell something?
VAL. My Maggie had brown hair. JACKIE. No.
MAGGIE. Look, my hair is ... I had it colored. JUDY. Oh good. Because I can't ... I can't buy what you're
VAL. It's red. selling.
L,IAGGIE. Yes. JACKIE. I'm not selling anything. I'm here to talk to you
JACKIE. She kind of accepted you as dead. This might take about God.
awhile. JUDY. About...
MAGGIE. How could you do that? VAL. God.
VAL. I wanr shrimp cocktail. Do they have shrimp cocktail JACKIE. Have you found God?
here?
JUDY. I didnrt know he was missing. (Shc laughs.)
JACKIE. f'm sure they do Mom. Maggie, I have something I JACKIE. Have you heard the Good News?
think you should read. (Hands ter a copl of The Watchtower-.) JUDY You see, I don't actually ...
VAL. I like curly fries. VAL. Jackie let's go. It's a no sale.
MAGGIE. Whar's happening? What the fuck is happening JACKIE. Mom, please ...
here? JUDY. Is this your Mom?
VAL. We're having lunch. (Lighx faite.) JACKIE. Yes she is. About God ...
JUDY. I have to ... there's ... I left my ...
JACKIE. It's all right. I know you think I'm ... I have a be-
lief. A belief in God. And I want to share that with you.
Scene 2. The Watchtower. JUDY. Well thank you, but ...
JACKIE. I used to be like you. I thought I was happy. I
A doorcte. Ja&ie with magazines. thought I was fulfrlled. But I was empty. I was empty because
I lacked God.
JACKIE. Mom, come up here. Mom ... (Val
,entus.)
Mom, JUDY. I.don't really think about God.
there's ... we'll only do this block. JACKIE. You should. You need to do it now. Before it's too
VAL. I'm tired. late. Before the end of the world.
JACKIE. I know you're tired. Just be a little patienr. (fackie JUDY. Okay, I really need to ...
ri,ngs tlu doorbell.) Try and smile Mom. It's better if you smile.
JACKIE. Can I leave this magazine with you?
VAL. I don't want to smile. JUDY. What is it?
JACKIE. Then please don't look so pained. VAL. Hustler.
VAL. Do we know these people? JACKIE. No, it's The Watchtoun.

10 ll
 JUDY. You're aJehovah,s Witness. smoke. I know you do. When I'm not
JACKIE. That's correct. And I want to share God with you. JACKIE. And you
around you smoke. Don't lie. I smell the smoke when I come
We believe in the second coming of Christ. And the pJ,.rr_
back. You can open the windows and use air freshener but I
tial salvation of souls during the milennium. We do not rec_
know you smoke. And it's bad. If you're going to stay with me,
ognize any nation but the Nation of God.
you can't smoke.
VAL. She can't get a blood transfusion.
VAL. Fine.
JUDY. You can't? JACKIE. (Pause.) Now my legs are starting to hurt.
JACKIE. Thar'scorrect. VAL. See?
Y4!. They also don't drink, smoke, play cards or dance.
JACKIE. \lou're supposed to help me. Instead you say these
JUDY. Don't they get bored? things ... (l"dy opens tlu dom.)
VAL. I do.
JACKIE. I am conrent in the knowledge that I am saved. And
JUDY. Would you get off of my doorstep.
I'm coming to your home to share thai with you and give you JACKIE. We're sorry ... .
this copy of Tlu Watchtouq. JUDY. Get out of here or I'm calling the cops. I mean it
(ludy slnms tlu dom.)
JUDY. No thank you. JACKIE. See what you've done?
JACKIE. Ir's free. VAL. I didn't do anything. And so what if I smoke, it's my
JUDY. I undersrand, bur I ... I have to go. Thank you. Good life.
luck. (ludy goes back inside.)
JACKIE. You have to be saved. For the millennium.
JACKIE. Should I come back another time? Do you wanr to VAL. I won't live that long.
wait in the car while I do this?
VAL. No. JACKIE. Then it's even more important that you change your
life now.
JACKIE. I've asked you not ro ... VAL. That woman is calling the cops. We should go.
VAL. What?
JACKIE. I'll leave her a. magazine anyuay.
JACKIE. Nothing. VAL. She'll just throw it away.
VAL. I didn't scare her off. Maybe not.
JACKIE. You weren't any help. JACKIE.
VAL. AII this standing is bad for my legs. I have varicose VAL. She'll toss it in the garbage.
veins. Everybody in our family does. So do JACKIE. Maybr she'll look'at it.
|ou. I,ve seen your
legs. I don't know how you can stand like this for so lonj.
VAL. And monkeys will fly out of my butt ...
JACKIE. That's it. We're going home.
JACKIE. Because I'm trying to save people. VAL. At last.
VAL. They don't want to be saved. loves you. ([a&iz hugs Val.)
JACKIE. They don't know what they want. The/'re losr. JACKIE. You are a trial. But GOD
VAL. I'm not lost. Hrg.
VAL. Let's try the green house across the street. (Tluy walh
JACKIE. You are. You haven't found God. off. Lights fatu.)
VAL. Have ro.
JACKIE. Have nor.
VAL. Don't tell your mother she hasn't found God if she
says she has.

t2 l3
 Scene 3. Sympathy VAL. She's supposed to do that because they found her this
for the Devil. place. The \{itness people.
Magie and. Val. Ja&,ie,s aparttunt. MAGGIE. Great.
VAL. They're payrng her legal expenses. For the custody
MAGGIE. So this is where you andJackie thirg ...
live now. MAGGIE.
VAL. Uh Huh. Does she get to see Marlene?
MAGGIE. Guess it's. bemer than being VAL. Harold was very unpleasant about the whole thing.
alone.
y+-.Jackie wouldn't let me keep *y-car. Burma Shave. Jackie tries not to be bitter but I can see she's ... so theJesus
MAGGIE. What? thing, it helps.
VAL. That was the cat,s name. Burma MAGGIE. Do you have anything to drink here?
Shave. It,s what your VAL. What do you think?
frther dn,r.yr used. He'd .o*. ao*
that smell? He'd sav Burrna Sh;-
to'il.""m"t, I,d say what,s MAC,GIE. How can you live here sober? I can't believe she
Af;;Le
People would .orri" or", for coffee, aied I got this cat. told you I was dead.
they,a say what,s that VAL.
smell, I'd say ... Jackie means well.
MAGGIE. Burma Shave. So whatrd you MAGGIE. What is that, some excuse? That's such a fucking
do with the cat? lame excuse, she means well. I swear, you let her get away with
yll^_Ird to give it away, d.idn,t I?
MAGGIE. you could. of .ll"a *.. everything. Even when we were kids.
yl!^_l thought you were dead, remember? VAL. That's not true.
MAGGIE. How could I forget. MAGGIE. How about that time she locked me in the linen
y* If I'd known you were still alive and I said do you want closet for a whole day? After the maid finally hears me cr)4ng
a cat, what would you have said? and lets me out and I came running to you to punish Jackie,
MAGGIE. No. you said to me, Jackie means well.
VAl. Okay rhen. VAL. I don't remember this.
fause.) When I watch my shows she has
to leave the room. Thinks MAGGIE. And now Jackie is this religious nut who's gone
tfrey have oL m,r.f, sex and vio-
lence. They do. Thar's why I off the deep end and she's trfing to take you with her. She'd
il;-,h;;. I like where they
have sex then rhev die. Very biblical. take her kid too if the courts would let her.
it that way. Coior.;u.tie doesn,t see VAL. She took me in.
I\{AGGIE. So when didJackie MAGGIE. I'm sorry to say this Mom but she took you in
VAL. We had a bibte In tfre find h";;.
God?
W. said grace before
because she lost custody of her child and she needs somebody
meals. We had Easter egg hunts. here to bounce her born again ideas off of. (lackie and Chris
It,, ,rot Iike you had no reli-
gion in your life. haae mtered.)
MAGGIE. Lutheran, Mom. That,s like
a country club reli_ JACKIE. That's not true.
B":."or like Jackie ,o*, ,t f"r"i."t. VAL. Jackie, look who came to visit.
.q::.
vAr-. Jhe.s gets very commifted. ",, Remember JACKIE. What are you doing here?
thosegirl scout cookies. how she sold MAGGIE. I'm visiting Mom.
MAGGIE. No she's a Jesus freak Mom. JACKIE. So you could poison her against me?
house to house peddfin[ fn 'She drags you from MAGGIE. I'm worried about her.
Watcnturn'.'
JACKIE. Since when?

l5

I
 MAGGIE. Since I,m nor dead
VAL. anymore.
She wasn,t a"i"g-r],li?fr,Ii, * CHRIS. Oh. Okay. I didn't say anything that ...
,j"tr: jusr tarking.
p,obiem?
were
--*-.,
JACKIE. No...
#;;.*.",r'ra"ssiJt'o',,i1,1,s
p'obteLi CHRIS. I was just trying to.... Right. I'll see you ...
- ot Your1tuI"s
MAGGTE. N;J 11'-:-"
business' JACKIE. Soon.
CHRIS. ,
drinkins probrem. CHRIS. Righteeo. So, I'll just head on home.
MAGGTE. "r.o'" ffirf#;a MAGGIE. 'Bye Chris.
_CHRIS. Bur then t ftuna Coa. VAL. Goodbye.
JACKTE. Chris is .rrr"l"r,Ili,s CHRIS. Okay. I'll ... uh huh. So. (He reluctantly lcaves.)
CHRIS. f,m rer Wirness.
'ri:':Tffi:*:,fiil."ster in the custodv case. MAGGIE. What a bozo.
4i'd
CHRIS. Actually I #. -'"**'r' JACKIE. Chris helped me through a very dfficult rime. Not
that you'd care.
MAGGTE. rs it i MAGGIE. What does that mean?
d*#:'fl1iq#1#|;1" ser-uP seem nuftF
ffi; is goins on here?
JACKIE. Do you see Marlene here?
VAL. We knqw you miss her ...
var. -sr,.r.;;::::;:n:
JACKIE. r o"r,ri:{11T1whal
," unders*nd. JACKTE. YOU DO NOT KNOW. NETTHER OF yOU HAVE
AM IDEA. (Pause.) I'm sorry. I'm very sorry. There was no
JACKIE. That means'Jfr" ao.rrr,, need to do that. To raise my voice. It's ... I'm upset about
MAGGTE. r mean-wh3" undershnd.
;;;;; k d.:you never took church this. About not being allowed to have my own daughter live
s"'o"i'Iiioor --
fiffi'l
MAGGIE.
Hffi.:: 'r""" was a joke. here. Because people are ... afraid of what they don't. under-
stand.
I can"see. MAGGIE. Because you're saved.
together. Iire JACKIE. Yes.
'*trJ ffi'#{
to make you .::#il.fiud of her' (Pause.) Do you want
MAGGIE. And we're not.
-rle JACKIE. We who are left alive until the Lord comes shall
MAG_GIE. ir" yo, her not forestall those who have died; because at the word of com-
CHRIS. Excuse me? boyfriend? mand, at the sound of the archangel's voice and God's trum-
MAGGIE. Are you pet call, the Lord himself will descend from the heavens, then
-.
crrnrs. r ;j;#h:,ff ;|XT: .*,
sister
or somethins?
the Christian dead will rise, then we who are left alive will join
.I*rffi it *o'ra'u. berter iryou them.
,ff#'mavbe -. MAGGIE. Very nice.
JjggE. I don,t think this is the best time. JACKIE. I have faith. Faith sustains. Faith gives me the cour-
CHRIS. For what? age to go on. Without faith you are lost in a void. There is
JACKIE. I'm feeling a little sfessed, nothing, just the next day and the next and it's a void. And
- ----s, vA.
okay.
_C.1ry9 Are you ar[ right? that is terrifing without faith. Wthout the certain knowledge
JACKIE. r think it,would be a good that God is there, watching over us. Even you, who don't be-
CHRIS. oh. idea if you ...
lieve. Wthout faith I'd be just like everyone else. Lonely, sad,
JACKIE. Just for now. I,lI caII you afraid, I'd look for something to fill the void. I'd probably start
later.
drinking. (Pause.) I'm going to start dinner. (Jacki.e exits.)

I6
t7
I
 I\4AGGIE. Nice to see you Mom.
VAL. You better so. it's like a soap opera. I don't want that. Okay. I might have a
Believe"me, I'm out of here. Are you going problem ... but I'm not going to stand up and you know, de-
ff_arj to be clare this to the ... I mean the way I was raised you don't do
that. You don't spill your life to strangers, it's ...
CORINNE. Indulgent.
ffi",il:ffi:rT ;":f:?fiT?g,*, vot hn pack or cigarettcs.)
MAGGIE. Of course it is.
whatever. (Maggie exits. vat
sits,
CORINNE. Where did you grow up?
takes out a
W;t:; cigarette, MAGGIE. Boston.
JACKIE. (Off,) Don,t.you smoke Mom. you CORINNE. Uh huh.
out I know what vou're doing ... put that cigarefte
MAGGIE. Big house. We had servants. Come in, hand them
me? Mom? ltlghts i"|r*"*^.1Mom? you hear your coat, your hat. You go ice-skating in the winter, they had
fade.)
hot cocoa for you. Like that.
CORINNE. You were rich.
MAGGIE. Used to be. But the way I was brought up, rich
or not, you don't stand up in a room full of people and say,
Scene 4. Lost \feekend. hey my life's a mess. I'm troubled. You don't tell people that.
You don't tell strangers.
Maggie and, Corinne. A bar. CORINNE. You're telling me.
il{AGGIE. That'sdifferent.
MAGGIE. I mean ... what was CORINNE. But I'm a stranger.
that? What was all that bulkhit?
CORINNE. The intention is ... MAGGIE. You're one stranger. Singular. That's okay. In an
MAGGIE. To help. yeah, sure. That,s intimate situation. You can ... in the course of a conversation,
made me want to scream. It the intenrion. But it
made *" **, reveal these things. Come to terrns wittr it. Come to terms with
place screaming. It to run out of that
'drink
made me *urr-io your problems by yourself.
the intendon, surelv. ,nore. That,s not
t CORINNE. What about your family?
CORINNE. No. L,IAGGIE. They're t};.e last people on earth I'd tell my prob,
MAGGIE. AII those smug, self_satisfied lems to.
people standing up telling ".ur,people. All those CORINNE. Oh?
,rrri y." .h".rg".your life,
because by God, the f1"
it we,, h;* *;;;J,i*il?".rT;j,,:i::JXi
CORINNE. Who are they? --'
fi;y
s ---*r
;; MAGGIE. They ... you don't want to know.
CORINNE. Try me.
MAGGIE. Okay, the thing is ... they're deranged. My family
MAGGIE. Right. Who are they is totally... it's a clan of insane people. Theywould be Iocked
to srand up and say hello
an ur'"r'"ri'' ani I wanti"*;; up but they had money so you're considered eccentric, but
;3"."ffi"J;'iiilr1lr:.I'm now they don't have money so I think they should be put
CORINNE. She was terrible. away. I do.
MAGGIE. Wasn'I sh.? Wr".], sha i..^. CORINNE. And you're different.
to puke. My rire was,fi,Yii1j,ffirr"ll;;,i,,li I\,IAGGIE. I am. tt just made me really really angry.
ffffitr ffi: CORINNE. What?

l8
l9
MAGGIE. That meeting. It's like Geraldo or Oprah or like IvIAGGIE. You did?
that. Like sitting in the studio audience of one of those things CORINNE. Yes.
which I DO NOT WATCH and it's all bullshit. I\,IAGGIE. You followed me?
CORINNE. It wasn'r very helpful for you" CORINNE. I wanted to talk to you.
MAGGIE. Well there you go. It made me wanr ro have a IvIAGGIE. Oh ... ? (Pause.)
drink. That meeting made me want. a drink so bad that I just CORINNE. Have you never sat and had a drink with a les-
stood up and left and walked down the street and walked into bian?
the first bar I found. And I guess you felt like that. MAGGIE. No. Yes. I mean, no I don't think so. I never have,
CORINNE. I think it's wrong to walk our of it and not give oh maybe, I don't know.
it much of a chance but I'm weak. CORINNE. So how we doing?
MAGGIE. You're not weak, you're not a weeping idiot like MAGGIE. Okay. I'm sorry, I'm being an asshole.
tfre rest of those ... Hello my name is Hilda and blah blah CORINNE. No you're not. (Pause.) Hello, my name is
blah. And so you end up here. And you have a drink, and Corinne and I'm a homosexual alcoholic.
what's so wrong about that I want to know. You and I are hav- MAGGIE. Maggie.
ing a drink and talking and what's the big deal? [t's nor like CORINNE. Hello Maggie.
we're ... lesbians for god's sake. IIIAGGIE. Look ... I.... What I mean is ... this is stupid.
CORINNE. Actually I am. CORINNE. What is?
MAGGIE. You are what? MAGGIE. I mean, do you find me attractive?
CORINNE. A lesbian. CORINNE. I do. (Pause.) You want to get another drink?
MAGGIE. You are? MAGGIE. Are you going to seduce me or something?
CORINNE. Yes. CORINNE. Maybe.
MAGGIE. Well ... that's okay. MAGGIE. Listen I think I should ...
CORINNE. I think so. CORINNE. Maybe not.
MAGGIE. So ... you're a ... I{AGGIE. I'm sorry. $he gees up)
CORINNE. Lesbian, yes I think I said that. Is everything CORINNE. You just weren't brought up that way.
okay? . I,IAGGIE. Something like that.
MAGGIE. Yeah sure. Everything's fine. CORINNE. I understand.
CORINNE. You're nor upset or anything are you? IvIAGGIE. Do you? (Pause-)
MAGGIE. No. CORINNE. Ido. I understand.
CORINNE. You seem ... starrled. MAGGIE. I'm sorry. (Maggie exits. Corinne sits and drinks.
MAGGIE. No, I'm not startled at all. Not at all. Llghb fade.)
CORINNE. You don't dislike lesbians do you?
MAGGIE. No way.
CORINNE. That's good. You're sure?
MAGGIE. Yes.
CORINNE. I have to tell you something.
MAGGIE. Okay ...
CORINNE. When you left the meering I followed you.

20 27

# I

Scene 5. The Wages of Sin.
Jackie and Harold,. Jackie,s apartmznt.
JrcSE: I'm sorry. We don'r have any coffee. (pause.) They
said I
shouldn't see you, but ...
HAROLD. I don't care what they think.
JACKIE. They help me. They pray for me.
HAROLD. Do rhey pray for me?
JACKIE. Of course.
HAROLD. Whether I wanr it or nor.
JACKIE. Even though we,re not together doesn't mean I
don't love you.
HAROLD. You just Iove Jesus more.
JACKIE. Don'r ...
HAROLD. Okay. (Pause.)
JACKIE. It's nor good for her. To be held against her will,
from living here.
HAROLD. Every time she's here with you, you scare her.
JACKIE. I don't scare her.
I{AROLD. Jackie, you scare the shit out of her ...
JACKIE. Please.
I{AROLD. You do. She comes home, she's crying. She thinks
she's damned.
JACKIE. And what do you think?
HAROLD. I think you're a yery detperate woman.
JACKIE. It's not -
IIAROLD. I will not let her sit here and have that stuff
crammed into her and her come home and be crying and
have nightmares and afraid that come the
iudgment day, when-
ever that is, Mommie is going to jump of her body and
go to heaven while she and her Daddy""t
and the rest of the
fnlers are going to burn into little potaro chips.
JACKIE. I only read scripture to her. And sometimes we
watch a video the church has provided.
HAROLD. She told me about that video. ..Armageddon
Around the Corner." Talking about the second coming and
99
then there's this fast forward to rhe trumpet blowing andJohn
Q. Public spontaneously combusts
JACKIE. They had very good special effects on the video, ir
can be upsetting. But it's used to make a point.
HAROLD. Which is?
JACKIE. That you have to be saved.
HAROLD. Jackie, how long has it been since you had sex?
JACKIE. What does that ...
HAROLD. I really think you need to get laid.
JACKIE. Is that what you think?
FIAROLD. Seriously, you need to get boned.
JACKIE. Thank you for your advice.
}IAROLD. I knew once you stopped sleeping with me that
rcmething was going on.
JACKIE. If you want to think that, fine. Maybe I just thought
It was a waste of time.
H,AROLD. Sex is a waste of time?
JACKIE. Everybody thinks it's so wonderful. It's all around,
On television, in magazines, isn't it so great, let's all take our
clothes off and pour oil over our bodies and indulge our lusts.
TIAROLD. You never wanted me to pour oil all over you
and indulge my lusts ...
JACKIE. It makes me sick. It's everywhere you look. Sex. Ev-
crybody having sex, talking about sex, singing about sex, and
Marlene needs to be protected. We should be protecting her
from this preoccupation with sex.
HAROLD. How do you plan to do that, drag her over ro
the International House of Jehovah, make her play with the
other witness children, you tell her not to associate with regu-
lar kids in her school because they're not Jehovah's Witnesses
and she's confused.
JACKIE. She should be here with me.
HAROLD. NoJackie...
JACKIE. She should be with her mother. And her grand-
mother.
HAROLD. With Val? I don't know what's a more frighten-
ing thought, Marlene with you the religious nut or Val the
drive the car into the store window nut.
23
 JACKIE. She's much bener.
HAROLD. That's good. Where is she any,rray? JACrun. I want ...
IIAROLD. No.
JACKIE. She's shopping. know. And I'll win. You think
I{AROLD. You actually give her money and let her loose? JACKIE. I'm appealing, you
God doesn't see. He does. He knows what you're doing.
JACKIE. I told you she's much more ... she helps our. I rake I{AROLD. He knows who's naughty and nice. (Pause.)
her out with me.
HAROLD. What do you mean, handing out The Watchtowd JACKIE. I'm going to pray for you.
IIAROLD. Please don't. (lackie gets on her hnees.)
JACKIE. Yes.
I{AROLD. You converred Val? JACKIE. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord
thall be saved.
JACKIE. We're ... making progress. IIAROLD. Stop it.
I{AROLD. I don't get it. I mean it's not me because I was
a good husband. And a good father. I provided for you. I JACKIE. God says we must call on [Iim, we must ask him to
Gome into our hearts. If you do, he will save you.
don't know why this happened. I made good money,;aikie.
HAROLD. Jackie!
JACKIE. This is nor abour money.
HAROLD. Okay, I know I had to be away sometimes. I had JACKIE. You have to trust your soul to Him.
to travel for weeks at a time. But couldn't you have had an HAROLD. Stop ...
affair or something? I could have dealt with that. We could JACKIE. Pray with me.
IIAROLD. Get off the floor ..'
have
- I told you I would quit, I would find something. I
knew it was hard, I wasn't insensitive. I even read a book about JACKIE. Accept His gift. Accept eternal life.
keeping your marriage fresh. I wanted it to
HAROLD. DamnitJackie, I don't want this ...
- I didn't make JACKIE. Lord, hear my Prayer.
you do this.
HAROLD. Jackie ...
JACKIE. No.
I{AROLD. Do you think abour ... abour gerting ... okay JACKIE. God be merciful. Come into his heart.
we're divorced, we're legally divorced
I{AROLD. Jackie!
tfrJ
"rh you cust;dy
blr..: we could try again ... if you just...
rhing,
czurctitt go Io
JACKIE. Thank you Lord. Thank youJehovah!
church.
HAROLD. Jackie stopl (Pause.)
JACKIE. Be aJehovah's Wirness? JACKIE. (On her knees.) Amen. (Lighx fade.)
HAROLD. Well not rhar, but you could ...
JACKIE. This is getting us nowhere. I thought you'd be more
oPen.
HAROLD. Why am I Scene 6. VaI's Dream.
supposed to be more open? you and
yourJesus freaks are the most unyielding bunclr-of ...
Lights on Val in bl,ack d,ress.
JACKIE. I want my daughter Harold. I want her here with
me. What you are doing is a sin.
VAt. Hello my name is Val. That's short for Valerie. I had
HAROLD. Bullshit!
four children. Janet, Jackie, Maggre and Kate. Janet died from
JACKIE. Do you want ro hurt me? you are. It hurts so much. cancer. My husband died of cancer. Mayb. I've got cancer, I
I_ou and your lawyers don't care what I'm feeling.
HAROLD. She's a littte girl, Jackie. don't know. The doctor says I should stoP smoking, but he
Itill smokes. Do what I say, not what I do' We used to live in

24 25
 a big house in Boston. But after my
husband died the money VAL. Don't I have another ... we're missing somebody.
jult sgyed ro go. Idon,r t.row r,Jfr.re, it just *"";.-i;;; Oh, Maggie. Maggie is dead too.
job with the Boston Historical Society. JACKIE.
But they fired me. "I VAL. Maggie's dead? When did this happen?
broke things. I said ir was an acciaeri.
But it wasn,r. I broke JACKIE. Awhile ago.
those things because I was angry. I
have money anymore, and I ilas used
was mad because I didn,t VAL. Maggie died awhile ago? Did I know this?
now I couldn't have them zrnymore and
to beautiful ,fri"gr-;a JACKIE. Mom, I told you this already.
them, then nobody could. I had u
if I couldn,t have VAL. Wow, everybody's dying off here.
dreu* the other night, CHRIS. I'm sorry about Maggie.
about Janet. It was abour her funeral.
Harold., and Chris stand.ing at tlu
(Lighx *prn j;Z;;r, VAL. How come everybody is dying but this guy is still
graae. fnE oi arrrsia ;*"iirn.l eround?
CHRIS. I,m so sorry.
IA*TE. I got the car. (Kate, playd. by actress who plays Cminne,
YAt. Did you knowJanet?
CHRIS. No. anters.)

Th_en why are you sorry?

JACKIE. flere's Kate.
Y*_^
CHRIS. VAL. Kate you made it.
Because she;s dead. and you feel
a loss. KATE. Of course I did. She was my sister.
JACKIE. She's with God now.
VAL. Where are you living now?
VAL. Is that where she is?
KATE. Guam, Mom.
CHRIS. yes, she's with God. So don,t be ...
Oh be quiet woutd you?
VAL. And where is that?
Y*. _
CHRIS. She's in pain ...
KATE. In the Pacific. You need a lift, Harold?
HAROLD. No, I drove my own car.
Y^*;_-r'-^lot in pain, you're just annoying. IGTE. You didn't come with Jackie?
JjggE Chris is just t yirrg to comforr you.
HAROLD. No.
Do you want a'hu!, Urr. O*Lal
!I-RIS.
VAL. No. - KATE. How come?
HAROLD. Leave her alone. HAROLD. Because Jackie and I are divorced.
r IGTE. You are?
you? Who is thisJackie?
Y.*;_-Wh:.are
JACKIE. That's Harold, my ex_trisUana. JACKIE. I'd rather not discuss it ...
I{AROLD. Remember .o.i M"rl"re,s Jaal VAL. Ihte did you know Maggie was dead?
VAL. Who's Marlene? KATE. She is?
VAL. She died.
JACKIE. My daughter, Mom.
CHRIS. She's forsetting things because she,s ,JACKIE. It was very sudden.
VAL. Somebody Jrrrt tii, g.ry",rp. grieving ... r VAL. I'll say.
IGTE. I didn't know.
JACKIE. She is a trial
CHRIS. It's all right. .JACKIE. (To Kate.) She's forgetting things ...
VAL. Jackie, somebody's- missing. Who,s missing? VAl,. I heard that.
CHRIS. She's getting old.
JACKIE. Kare's getting the car,ivlom. VAL. Can it, okay?
VAL. Isn'r there somebody else? CHRIS. I understand.
JACKIE. Who do you mean? VAL. You understand what?

26 27
CHRIS. You're feeling rage at thisloss. Let your rage go. VAL. Janet ... why did you have to die? Why?
VAL. It's going... JAtlET. I was very sick Mom. The big C just like Dad.
CHRIS. But rememberJanet was sufiering and now she's not. VAL. Do you think I have cancer?
VAL. Because she doesn't have to listen to your bullshit! JAI{ET. I think everybody has cancer, some cancers just get
JACKIE. Mom! ur quicker.
CHRIS. Her suffering on this Earth is over and now she's VAL. It's not ... right.
with God. JAl.lET. What isn't?
VAL. You know this for a facL. VAL. I'm supposed to die before you. All my kids are dying
CHRIS. I do. before me. You and Maggie.
IIAROLD. Jackie, I'll just ... JAI.IET. Maggie's dead?
VAL. Where are you going? VAL. Yeah.
HAROLD. Home, Mrs. O'Neal. I'm going home to Marlene. JANET. She died? (MaSy mters from graue.)
VAL. Your daughter. MAGGIE. I did?
HAROLD. Yes. VAL. I haven't heard from you in years.
VAL. (To Cbis.) And you thnught I don't remember things. MAGGIE. Like you missed me.
KATE. Are you going to be all right Mom? VAL. Did you see, Kate came.
VAL.Sure, sure. I'm living with what's-her-name now. JAI.IET. From Guam?
JACKIE. Jackie. VAL. Sure. The whole family.
VAL. Jackie's dead. IIIAGGIE. What's left of it.
JACKIE. No, I'm right here. (Ihispering.) We should get VAL. You were my favorite, Janet.
her ... JAI.IET. So why didn't you ever tell me?
VAL. I want a moment alone. VAL. I'm living with Jackie now. (Maggie and, Janet la,ugh.) |
KATE. Alone. got fired from my job.
VAL. I want a minute alone with ... with ... JANIET. Hey, you broke things.
KATE, JACKIE and CHRIS. (Vr,hispering.) Janet. VAL. But I got angry sometimes.
VAL. She was ... I would like to.... To just ... (Pause.) MAGGIE. How do you think we felt growing up?
KATE. We'll be right over there. By the car. VAL. What are you talking about?
JACKIE. Then we'll go home. JAI.IET. You and Dad were always so busy with your cocktail
VAL. Home? Parties.
JACKIE. To my apartment. MAGGIE. And when did you have time for us, all you did
CHRIS. We'll have something good to eat. was tell us we were too tall.
VAL. I'm not hungry. \
JAI.IET. And now you want somebody to take care of you?
KATE. Let her ... VAL. At least I still have Jackie.
JACKIE. We'll be right ... IVIAGGIE. Oh she sounds like a lot of fun.
VAL. Go already. (Kate, Jackie, Chri.s, and Harold' exit.) Janet. JAl.lET. Mom stuck with our Lady of the Perpetual Downer.
Janet can you hear me. Janet? (Janet, played b1 actress who plays MAGGIE. They deserve each other. (Magie exits.)
Judy/Ary, cornes out of the graae.) JAI.IET. Match made in heaven.
JANET. What do you want, Mom? VAL. Why are you being so mean to me?

28 29
 JANET. We're dead, mom. What's your excuse?
ffanet exits.)
vAL' I don't rike riving with Jackie. And that dJofus JA€KllJ. I know.
She doesn't let me
chris. Vrtf. You told me she was dead. You lied. You sinned. You
r*oke in ttre house. She,s always pruyrrrg. t€ld me a lie and you sinned. And for that Jesus doesn't love
... (lackic ente$.)
She's
you.
JACKIE. Who are you talking to Mom? (pause.) Where do
you think you are? JA€Krn. No...
VAL. AtJanet's funeral. VAt. Jesus doesn't accept liars. And Mom abusers. I should
EO on one of those afternoon talk shows, tell everyone how
JACKIE. You're in the apartrnent. (Ligh* up raneal we are in ypu hit me, how you torture me.
Jacki.e's apartmcnt.)
vAL. Oh. .IACKIE. I do not ...
JACKIE. You were talking ro yourself.
VAL. It's hell, right here on Earth. Living with you is
VAL. I ... no I ... H,U,L,L.
JACKIE. Why don,t you sit down? JACKIE. I'm sorry I hit you. I ... shouldn't have done that.
Forgive me.
VAL. Why don't you?
VAL. I forgive you.
JACKIE. Why don't we both sit down?
VAL. Don't use that voice. Don't talk to me in that you,re .IACKIE. I wasn't talking to you. I was talking to God. ['m
crazy but Jesus Ioves you tone of voice. Don,t. nrklng God to forgive me.
I know *h".. VAL, And does he?
I am. So what if I think things out loud, what business is it
of yours? JACKIE. I'm sure he does. He knows that deep down inside
I love him and that even though I stumble I don't fall. Even
JACKIE. None.
thoughIsinI...
V[: That's right, it's your ... I'm all alone. Every-
l"l" don,r
Everyone. And I "f have
VAL. I'm going to watch T.V.
3::_i:jf"_9. anybody.
JACKIE. okay.
JACKIE. But if you,re saved ...
VAL. I knew where I was. Before. I knew I was here, I was
VAL. You can't save me. I,m past saving. Save somebody else.
Save-anybody bur me. Save the-Whales. Sive the Jurt talking. To keep myself company. Because you won't ler
Chicago seven me have a cat.
or eight or however many there were. Save save save save save
save. JACKIE. We can get a cat.
VAL. We can?
JACKIE. Calm down ... Yes. (Pause.)
(lackic staps Vat, hard.) you hit me. JACKIE.
Y^*__f":IJesus.
Don't
(pause.) VAL. What's for dinner?
JACKIE. you ever say that. Spaghetti.
VAL. You hit your morher. JACKIE.
say that.
VAL. I hate spaghetti. (Lights fadz.)
JISKIE.
Vq You ... say you,re sorry. Say you,re sorry to your \

mother.
JACKIE. No. Not for what you said. I'm not sorry for hit_
tingyou for saying..- I love you Mom. you have to stop this,
you have to let Him into you, you have to.
VAL. MagS. is alive.

30 3l
l,
 pomlced I could have a cat. So the other day we wenr to pick
Scene 7. Traveling Standby. OUI a cat. Then she decided she was allergic to cars. Was she
Sound. of jet taking off. At port announceruent.
S0r allergic to cats? Do you remember?
MAGCIE. Maybe, I don't know.
Lights up on Magic and, Amy behind, airl,ine ticket counter.
VAL. Ary*uy it's not going to work out and I ran away and
Clme here and now I'll live with you.
AMY. Everything okay, Maggie?
MAGGIE. Whoa hold on here Mom. I ... I don't know about
MAGGIE. Absolutely,Amy. thlr.
AMY. Is that a coffee there? VAL, What's not to know?
MAGGIE. II{ACIGIE. f'm not sure we should ...
Yes it is, Amy.
AMy. One employee can make a difference ...
VAL. You're not sure about what?
MAGGIE. And that employee is me. MAGGIE. Look this isn't the best time to ...
AMY. Because we can always form an impression of quality. VAL. Place looks pretty empty to me. So what's the story?
MAGGIE. And I'm a very important I move in?
When can
to this companl MAGGIE. Mom, my place is ... I don't know if you'd be
AMY. Remember, customer service is"rr.i easy. Would you tite comfortable there.
me to throw that coffee away for you?
MAGGIE. Sure, (Amy exits. phone rings. Magie answers.) Hello, VAL. You don't want me?
Trans Global can I help you? Uh huh ...*t frrrf, ... (Vat en_ MAGGIE. I really don't think it would work with us. ['m not
&rs.) Mom? (Into phone.) I'll get back to you. Mom, whar are much of a people person. You know that. I like my privacy.
you doing here? VAL. That's pretty selfish.
VAL. Hello Maggie. So this is where you work. MAGGIE. There you go. I'm selfish.
MAGGIE. Is Jackie here? Did Jackie bring you out here ro VAL. It would make you a better person to have me live
the airport? rvlth you.
VAL. I'm rtrnning away from home. MAGGIE. There's got to be other options other than Jackie
MAGGIE. What?
md me, what about Kate?
VAL. I've decided ro run away from Jackie. VAL. In Guam?
MAGGIE. When did this happen? MAGGIE. I could get you a discount ticket.
VAL. 'We've been on the outs for some time now. The whole VAL. Maggie, get serious.
situation ... well you ktrow, you saw how it was. you said you MAGGIE. Yeah, that's a no go.
were concerned. You were right. VAL. Oh damn.
MAGGIE. I thought you didn,t mind so much. MAGGIE. What?
j"st got worse and worse. She started hittiig me. VAL. It's ... what's his name. That dork. (Chri^s mters.)
Y1L: __I CHRIS. Hello Val.
I{AGGIE. She what?
VAL. Okay once. She hit me once. Then she promised to VAL. Go away.
get me a cat. CHNS. I came to bring you back home.
MAGGIE. You're losing me Mom. MAC,GIE. Excuse me ...
VAL. To stop me from reporting her to the police, CHRIS. Yes?
she MAGGIE. I'm just wondering. How did you know to frnd

82
83
her here? Gording to the pattern we give. For many live as enemies of
CHRIS. She left a nore. thc cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction."
MAGGIE. You did? VAt. What do you know?
VAL. Maybe. GHRIS. I know your daughter Jackie is a loving person who
CHRIS. Here it is. (Unfold.s note.) "I'm running away from cBres about you and took you in when you were all alone and
home and going to the airport to find Maggie and live with rcared and this other daughter doesn't \{ant you ...
her. Don't try and stop me. I hate you all. Mom." (Folds note, MAGGIE. I didn't say that.
puts it in his pocket.) CHRIS. She has too many problems.
VAL. It's a forgery. VAL. Maggie, you're my daughter, you're supposed to take
CHRIS. It's okay. Everything is going to be okay. I bet you CAre of me.
didn't have any breakfast. Let's go home and get you some- CHRIS. It's best if you get in the car with me. Let's get in
thing to eat. the car Mrs. O'Neal. (Pause.) Get in the car now. (Pause.)
VAL. (Maki.ng a cross.) Begone Satan! VAL. All right.
CHRIS. Now don't do that. MAGGIE. Mom ...
VAL. (To Magi,e.) They hate it when I do that stuff. CHRIS. She's going to be fine. She just has low blood sugar
MAGGIE. I bet. and didn't have her breakfast and she's cranky, that's all. We'll
CHRIS. Come along now. get her a nice hot meal and she'll be fine. (Stans a lead, Val
VAL.Maggie don't let him take me. ut.) Here we go. Say goodbye now.
MAGGIE. Where's Jackie? t VAL. Goodbye.
VAL. Yeah where is she? CHRIS. You just go back to work. Everything's under con-
CHRIS. She had church business. Vol. (Chris and, Val exit.)
VAL. So she sent you. MAGGIE. Mom? Oh shit. (Slu fu,ries her luad on tlu cutnw.
CHRIS. Let's get you home. Corinne ent€rs.)
VAL. I don't want to. CORINNE. Excuse me. Can you help me?
CHRIS. Don't you think she should go home? MAGGIE. (Looking up.) WhaO Huh? ... I'm sorry. Can I help
VAL. Don't wuss out on me now. Fight them. you?
CHRIS. It's really for the best. I have a car right out front. CORINNE. Hey, remember me?
VAL. No. I\,!AGGIE. Er...
MAGGIE. She says Jackie hurts her. CORINNE. From the AA meeting, and the bar afterwards.
CHRIS. What have you been telling her? I'm the ...
VAL. The truth. MAGGIE. Oh right rigll.t. (Long pause.) What are you doing
CHRIS. That's not the truth, you know that. \ here?
MAC,GIE. She's very unhappy. I'm not sure it's the best en- CORINNE. Iwanta ticket.
vironment for her. MAGGIE. Course you do. That's why you're here. And you
CHRIS. Is she going to live with you? She's not going to want to go ...
live in the airport. You're not a homeless person Mrs. O'Neal. CORINNE. Now. I want to leave now.
You have a home. A good Christian home. 'Join with others MAGGIE. Really.
in following my example. And take note of those who live ac- CORINNE. WhaCs the next flight?

u 35
t
MAC,GIE. Pittsburgh. huh? And so they're going to put me on the street and I'm
CORINNE. No. What's next? scared, I'm really scared because I didn't save any money I
MAGGIE. Dallas-FortWorth? didn't save anything, it's gone I don't know where it went but
CORINNE. No. it's gone, it's ... and I wanted to help my mother but I
MAGGIE. San Diego, Atlanta ... what's this all about? Not couldn't say the words, and I hurt her and she left just now,
that it's any of my business. just before you came, and I feel terrible and I hate this job,
-arra
CORINNE. I want to take a trip. *nrt does it all mean, nothing, it means nothing' Will that
MAGGIE. Just a trip. be window or aisle seat?
CORINNE. Away. I want to jet out of here. To someplace CORINNE. Window
else. MAC,GIE. Just sign here. Here's your ticket. Gate twenty-two'
MAGGIE. Just like that. be boarding in about ten minutes.
CORINNE. Just like that. I'm just going to go. Maybe I'll CORINNE. Right.
come back. Maybe I won't. I'll decide after I get there. Wher- MAGGIE. Hope you have a good triP.
ever there is. CORINNE. (Pause.) You okaY?
MAGGIE. How about Calgary? MAGGIE. Who knows.
CORINNE. That's Canada right? CORINNE. If I make it back, I'll look you uP. Let you know
MAGGIE. Yes, it is. how it went. That all right with You?
CORINNE. Book me there. I\,IAGGIE. Sure. (Sfte smibs. Corinne exits, Maggi'e waaes' Phone
MAGGIE. You sure? dngs. Lights fatu.)
CORINNE. No, but let's give it a whill. I like how they re-
did this terminal.
MAGGIE. I'm going to be fired.
CORINNE. You are?
MAGGIE. I know they're going to fire me. Because I've been
doing a bad job lately. And the airline's going into Chapter
Eleven and they're layrng a lot of people off and I think next
week I'm going to be out of a job. My mother wanted to live
with me, to move into my place and I was afraid to tell her
that they're going to fire me and I'll be unemployed because
they caught me drunk on the job one day, and people started
to complain about me and I was rude to this one lady, I just
was nasty to her, she was an asshole but she's a customer and
you can't be rude to people buying tickets even if'they're be-
ing a cunt, excuse me, she was, I wanted to ram my fist in
her face, just smash her but instead I said shut up, just shut
up, I don't need to take this shit from you, who the fuck are
you, youte nothing but some old bag, but later I realized that
she reminded me of my mother what does that say to you

g6 37
 JACKIE. Nothing.
Vel Something is going on here. You're being nice'
JACKIE. I'm always nice. That's the way I am.
ACT TWO VAL. No you're not. What gives?
just "' Marlene's
JACKIE. I told you. Nothing. (Pause.) It's And so when
ioming over and I want her to have a nice day'
Scene l. Leap of Faith. rhe tatt<s to.... I'm appealing the custody ruling' And I want
her to feel ...
tackie and Val. VAL. You don't want me to fuck it up, is that it?
JACKIE. Mom ...
Jackie\ aparhnent. iel,. Want everybody to think we're all happy as clams here
at Rancho Jesus.
JACKIE. Would you like a lamp? For your room? JACKIE. I don't think ...
VAL. No thank you. VeI,. Well if anybody wants to know, I have a few little prob
JACKIE. We could look for a chair. A nice chair to go with lems with the management.
the dresser.
VAL. JACKIE. I think I've been verY ...
Whatever. (Pause.) Vef. Oh sure sure. All of a sudden it's let's fix up your
JACKIE. How long are you going to sulk? room, get you a new bedspread, a little chair, I noticed you
VAL. I'm not sulking. took solme of the bleeding heart Pictures off the wall' Don't
JACKIE. You'resulking. want to scare her off is that it?
VAL. So what? Is that a crime? Is it against rhe law to be JACKIE. I was just cleaning the place up for heris dandy'
visit'
-
moody? VeI-. And I'm supposed to Pretend everything
JACKIE. No. JACKIE. She's your granddaughte,r' Don't you want your
VAL. Didn't think so. Haven't outlawed that yetJanet. -granddaughter
to live trerc? (Pause.) She needs us'
JACKIE. I'm Jackie. VAL. She seems to be doing fine.
VAL. That's what I sard,. (Beat.) I'm sorry if I can't turn on JACKIE. Well she's not. She's very unhappy' She's
told me'
and off my ernotions to your satisfaction. I'm upset, all right? she wants to live here.
JACKIE. What are you upset about? VAL. She going to stay in mY room?
VAL. None of your bees-wax.
JACKIE. I'm not sure.
JACKIE. If you're upset about something we should talk VAL. It's not a very big room. She won't be very comfort-
about it. able.
VAL. Oh really. JACKIE. We'll figure it out.
JACKIE. I want to kirow if something upsea you. VAL. If you win.
VAL. Uh huh. JACKIE. Chris thinks we have a very good chance "'
JACKIE. I do. VAL. Chris does.
VAL. How come you're being so nice?
JACKIE. Yes. He's being very ...
JACKIE. Is it nice to want you to be comfortable here? VAL. Yes he's very effective.
VAL. What's going on?
JACKIE. I am trying really hard to make things work and

38 39
you're not helping. At all.
VAL. And you're sure having her here is the right thing. VAL. I wouldn't do that.
yes' I pray for them to
JACKIE. In answer to your questi-on,
JACKIE. Of course I'm sure. Do you know that Harold has Itop p.otttoting pornography and find God'
cable television? VAL.' Don't yL" tut Harold for keeping Marlene from you?
VAL. He does?
JACKIE. I don't hate him.
JACKIE. They have pornographic movies on cable television. VeI.. I think you do. I hate Harold' And you hate
think you
She could be alone, Harold off who knows where, she's alone me.
in the house, she could turn that on, watch sex movies and
.JACKIE. I don't. I love You.
she's a child. VAL. Do You?
VAL. She lived here the only danger would be dying from .IACKIE. Of course.
boredom. Vel-. You don't hate me for trying to run away?
JACKIE. Ha-ha very funny. just -.. confused'
VAL. Nobody can do anything here but read the Bible and .JACKIE. No. You're
watch religious videos.
VeI,. What if I keep tr)4ng to run away, will you hate me
for that?
JACKIE. What's rrurong with that? JACKIE. No.
VAL. (Pause.) Don't you ever worry? VeI-. What if I burn down the aPartment' would you hate
JACKIE. What? me?
VAL. Don't you ever think maybe He isn't listening? JACKIE. What are You talking about?
JACKIE. No. "Vef. What if whiie you were sleeping I stuck a big knife
VAL. Not even a teensy bit? into your face? Would You be uPset?
JACKIE. God is always listening. And always watching. That JACKIE. This is ...
in our thoughts and actions. We must
is why we must. be pure -Vel-. How about if I worked at a strip joint' did sex acts
not be weak. with big black men in cowboy outlits?
VAL. You're absolutely sure. JACKIE. I would still love You'
JACKIE. Yes.
VAL. What is Your Problem?
VAL. Totally.
JACKIE. No Problem.
JACKIE. Yes. And I want everybody to have that faith. You VeI-. Are you sleePing with Chris?
and Marlene and even Harold.
VAL. What about Maggie? JACKIE. No.
VAL. Do you want to?
JACKIE. Maggie too. I want everybody to find God in their JACKIE. No.
heart. Ver. And do you love him?
VAL. Everybody. Even sinners like the people who publish JACKIE. Yes.
Hustln "Vef. And you're gonna love everybody 'til the day you die?
JACKIE. What is this obsession you have with Hustler maga-
JACKIE. Of course. Sometimes "'
zine? VAL. What?
VAL. I'm not obsessed. I ... when I'm alone' I get scared' Be-
JACKIE. Sometimes I "' I want to be good' I
JACKIE. You alwap like to throw that into a conversation. iu,rr. I ... I think bad thoughts, going to
To shock me. want to be so good' But it's hard alone' So Chris is

4Q rtl
tl
s
 help me. He loves me and I love him and we'll be ... I'm go_ wasn't very close with them vnytvay. AfterJackie and I got mar-
ing to my room. To lie down for a while. I'm ... I'm tired I ried we lived away from everybody for years. A phone call on
suddenly gor rired. Tell me when Marlene gets here. (fackie birthdays, a Christmas card, that kind of thing. Then there was
exits.) Marlene and then ayear ago ...
VAL. Of course, Janet. (Lights fade.) MAGGIE. Jackie found God.
HAROLD. I didn't notice anything especially ... religious
about her. I was traveling a lot and I thought things were
gtrained, what with me being away so much, but every time I
Scene 2. Please Mr. please. was back, after a day or two I noticed little things.
MAGGIE. Stigmata?
Maggi.e and, Harold.. A bar. HAROLD. No. Little things. I thought she was ... lonely. I
thought if that helps, if, you know, God helps, that's good.
I{AROLD. Muyb. you could ralk to her. But soon it was like, no I don't want a beer, and the next
MAGGIE. To Jackie? week it's she's given up smoking, and then it's I don't like
I{AROLD. I thought you could ... I know you didn'r ger that TV
show, don't you think MTV is Satan's way of corrupt-
alo-ng, b],....
She's got to understand that I,m nor doing tiris ing the minds of the young, and I'm thinking maybe I should
to hurt her, but to help Marlene. She's my daughter tool be home a little bit more. Then it's ttre meetings, the church
MAGGIE. Of csurse. meetings, and we ... we don't talk to each.other, or it's talk
I{AROLD. I don'r know what to do. The courr thing and talk but I can see there's something in her eyes, and I'm afraid
all. Maybe she would Iisten to you. I don't know who my wife is an]rmore. One day I come home
MAGGIE. This is the woman who told you I was dead. early, thought we could go out to dinner and ... she's kneel-
I{AROLD. Right. How long was it you didn'r talk to each ing on the carpet and praying and she's holding Marlene's
other? hand and Marlene is crying and.... Is it my fault? Did I do
MAGGIE. Years. Years and years. And to tell you the truth, this?
I liked it that way. MAGGIE. I don't know, Harold.
I{AROLD. I could see thar. IIAROLD. That's what I think. That I was the one who ...
MAC,G[E. What did they tell you about me? MAGGIE. I'm going to let you in on a secret about my fam-
HAROLD. Nothing... ily. We're very fucked up.
MAGGIE. Come on I'm curious. HAROLD. Yeah so's my family, but they don't go door to
I{AROLD. Really, I'd see pictures, of when you were kids, door handing out Tlu Watchtower. Listen ...
and_I knew who you were, that kind of thing. MAGGIE. What?
I\,IAGGIE. That's it. HAROLD. Nothing.
IIAROLD. They said you were ... weird. MAGGIE. No what is it?
MAGGIE. I azs weird. IIAROLD. It's stupid ...
I{AROLD. Thar's what they said. They made up s6me story MAGGIE. Come on.
about you living in Mexico, I don,t know. IIAROLD. Okay. I ... I got a babysitter over at my place with
IVIAGGIE. Mexico, huh. Marlene, I didn't say what time I was getting back, I could
IIAROLD. We didn't talk about you. It didn'r come up. I make a call, or there's your place ...

42 4A
j
 MAGGIE. My place ... black sheep, communist slut.
IIAROLD. Yes. (Pause.) HAROLD. Hey, c'mon.
MAGGIE. Are you ... is this ... are you suggesting we sleep MAGGIE. And you exPect me to help you out with Jackie
together? after this.
IIAROLD. Yeah. HAROLD. No, I don't expect anything.
MAGGIE. You buy me a couple of drinks, rell me what a MAGGIE. Good, because ,.. tl,ow. Just holy fuck'
sensitive guy you are, that makes it okay for us to have sex? HAROLD. I gotta go.
I{AROLD. [r's been awhile ... MAGGIE. So go.
$A!^GI! What, you want a discount or something? HAROLD. Sorry, I ...
HAROLD. H.y.... MAGGIE. Yeah yeah. (Harotit exifs.) Now here I am' Drink-
MAGGIE. Who are you man? Just who the fuck are you? I ing by myself. Things are looking uP' (A song lihz "Please Mt
don't believe this. If I was a lot drunker I might have, but I'm Piase'"* pt yt on the jukebox.) Oh shit, who put this song on?
not, I'm still TECHNICALLY SOBER, so the irs*., is no. No This song ii so.... This song is so fucking... (Sh'e starts to cty')
way. Sad. I trate it. Why did somebody put this on? Why? Turn that
HAROLD. Okay, you made your point. off. Turn it off before I have a complete breakdown' (Music
MAGGIE. And what is my point? stops.) Thank you. (Another '70's song comes on') Oh god"" No'
FIAROLD. That ... you don't \,vant ro.... Tonight. No, stop. I'll talk. I'll do anything. I'll ... (Harolil comcs back')

IfAGGIE. Or any night. What,s wrong with the

Harold?
bablsitter You. Did you put that shit on?
IIAROLD. Want to dance? (Ligh* fade.)
HAROLD. She's ...
MAGGIE. You're a shithead you know that?
HAROLD. Yeah.
MAGGIE. Married ro you I might run ro Jesus with open
arms. Scene 3. Jackie's Dream.
HAROLD. Okay...
MACGJE. And people wonder why I stay clear of family. Li.ghts W on tackie.
[{AROLD. Got it.
MAGGIE. Every time I come to this bar, people are hitting is Jackie. I'm a Jehovah's {itness'
on me. I used to like this place, but it'll be awhile before -I
JACKIE. Hello, my name
jehovah's Witnesses czurnot serve in the Armed Forces' We do
-not
come back here. salute the flag. We do not recognize any form of civil gov-
HAROLD. What do I owe here? ernment. We believe literally in what the Bible says, because
MAGG-IE. Fuck you? Go home to my place and fuck you? it is the word of God. I had a dream the other night, about
Unbelievable. You are incredible. my sister Janet. She was visiting me which in real life she never
HAROLD. Okay, it was a bad idea. aia. 6lgix up on Janet playeit b1 actress who plays Juay/AW)
MAGGIE. A really bad idea. JANET. What a wonderful place you have'
HAROL-D. It's just they made you sound so mysterious.
MAGGIE. And that was a turn-on? That I was a mysterious
loner living in Mexico or wherever. A rad.ical, problem child, * See Special Note on Songs and Recordings on copyright page'

44 {6
 JACKIE. Thank you. fixthis.Chris.Chris.(Chrissitsonthesofo,reaik')Chris'How
JANET. It's so clean. come he can't hear me?
JACKIE. I have to work really hard to keep ir clean. Dust IGTE. Because he's not dead.
and be just wan-
seems to gather everywhere. And then Mother, you know, she's
JACKIE. I can't be dead and Chris alive,
not very good about picking things up, and sometimes she dering around the living room with all of you'
doesn't clean the dishes. KATE. Why not?
are saved' I'm saved and I
JANET. Mother? JACKIE. d".urrt" none of you
than you'
JACKIE. Yes, Mom. Our Mother. Val. ihould be in a different place
JANET. But Mom's dead. JANET. There's onlY this.
JACKIE. No, she's tiving with me. VAL. That's all there is.
JANET. No Jackie, she's dead. JACKIE. Where's Marlene?
JACKIE. She ... no, that's wrong, she,s ... she was just here, JAI{ET. Who?
she's staying in the other bedroom. I just bought he. u n.w jeCXIn. My daughter. Where is she?
chair. fefn. You don't have a daughter'
JANET. She's dead. So am I. I'm dead. JACKIE. I do. She ...
JACKIE. Then how can you ... VeI-. How could You have a daughter?
JANET. You're dead. JACKIE. I want all this to stoP. I want to wake uP'
JACKIE. Me? KATE. Wake uP to what?
JANET. Yes. JACKIE. To life. MY real life.
JACKIE. What abour l{ate? (Kate, playett by actress who plays JANET. And then what?
Corinne, entos.) jecrun. I'll ... I'll do God's work.
KATE. I'm dead too, Jackie. VAL. It won't make anY difference'
JACKIE. No wait. JACKIE. This is a terrible dream. I know God exists' I know
KATE. 'We're all gone. -He
loves me. I know I will go to paradise'
JACKIE. Then I ... I should be in heaven. JANET. Then click your heels together three times and say'
JANET. There is no paradise. there's no place like home.
would say'
JACKIE. Of course there is. JACKIE. Very funny. That's something Maggie
KATE. There's nothing. (MaSy entns.)
JACKIE. No. (Val mterc.) MAGGIE. Yeah, I would.
VAL. Oh look it's my girls. JACKIE. Maggie, are You dead too?
JANET and KATE. Mom! MAGGIE. No, ['m alive.
JACKIE. Mom they're salng we're all dead. JACKIE. You can't be' You're the worst of us'
VAL. We are dear. -Vef. She's alive and you're not. You're not going anywhere'
JACKIE. But if we are ... then ... MAGGIE. So all your praying was for squat' (A" bu't Jaeki'e
VAL. Bet you're expecting to be with God, right? laugh.)
JACKIE. Yes.
JANET. Don't You feel foolish?
VAL. Bummer. jeCruf. Wait a minute. If you're alive, how come you can
JACKIE. This is wrong. (Ch* entas.) Oh here's Chris. He,ll hear me and Chris can't?

ffi 47
 never covered with
MAGGIE. Because he's a dork. look to him are radiant' Their faces are
shame."
VAL. fuid he's not in this dream. jeCrue. I'm ... I'11 be strong' I will'
JACKIE. I want all of you to go. I'm going to wake up now. "CffruS. Of course You will'
Right now. Okay, I'm vaking up. Here I go. I'm awake. No i'* ... Ctrris, sometimes I'm afraid to die'
['m still ... I can't be having these thoughts. I'm sinning. To ilCKIE.
"CffruS. But then you'll be with God'
be dreaming all this is a sin. But God commandeth his love (Chri's hol'd's hn hand'
toward us, in tJrat, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for
IACKIE. Right. fn"" iff be with God"
"Thq sit. Li.ghts
fatu.)
us,
VAL. Nope that didn't do it.
JACKIE. Please, I want this over. Please. (Ligh* change; Val,
Kate eit. Chris is on the cm.ch.) Chris, can you
Janet, Maggiz and Scene 4' Clan of the Cave Bear'
hear me now?
CHRIS. Did You have a nice nap) Megie behi,nd' tickzt counter speaking on fublic ad'dress rystetn'
JACKIE. You can hear what I'm saying?
CHRIS. Of course I cur, WILL NOW BE'
MAGGIE. TRANS GLOBAL FLIGHT 1407
JACKIE. Oh boy. Wov, That was ... (She sits on couch nqct to GIN BOARDING AT CATE 12 ...
NO WAIT A MINUTE "'
Chri.s.) I had a dream. MONITORS'
CHRIS. Were You in Paradise? AT GATE 5... NO... srur'JUST CHECKTHE
(Cwinne qntffs with traael bag')
JACKIE. Not ... exactlY. CORINNE. Hi there'
CHRIS. Did You see God?
MAGGIE. Had a nice triP?
JACKIE. No, it wasn't that kind of dream. CORINNE. PrettY good'
CHRIS. What kind was it?
MAGGIE. Where was it?
JACKIE. I don't want t6 talk about it. CORINNE. Culg"Y'
CHRIS. You're uPset.
MAGGIE. Right' How was CalgarYi
JACKIE. No I'm ... I'm fine. I shouldnlt take naps in the Comr'wn. tiot at cold as I expected'
afternoon. I skrould ...
CHRIS. Do you want something to eat? MAGGIE. That's good'
CORINNE. So, still here I see'
JACKIE. Just ... let's be quiet for a minute. (Long pause.) MAGGIE. What?
CHRIS. Should I still be quiet? going to fire you?
CONNNE. I ttrought you said they-wereday'
JACKIE. A little bit more. (Pause) Okay, Ilm better. nAnCCff. Oh they did' This is my Last
CHRIS. I think you'rervsrrying too much.
CORINNE. I'm sorrY'
JACKIE. I strPPose. ftAeC,ClE. Don't be' It was time
for a change'
CffruS. The hearing's soon. Then Marlene wil.l be here. With
CO-nn'Wr. That's how I felt when I
left town'
us. now?
MAC'GIE. So are you a different person me for saying this
JACKIE. That's good, 651i5, do you think I'm a good per- CoRINNE. rvr"yul"" M;y;" not' Excuse
son?
CHRIS. Of are. 'I sought the Lord and he an-
course you but You look terrible'
suered me. FIe delivered me from *y fears. Those who MAC,GIE. Thank You'
"tt
49
'48
CORINNE. You look like ... were you cryrng or something? gasps in the courtroom like it's fucking Perry Mason and my
MAGGIE. I guess. mother is laughing, and Ffarold is holding his head in his
CORINNE. You upset about being fired? hands and the judge says Harold is this mqjor bad influence
MAGGIE. That's not it. on the kid with this rampant boffing in the house and my sis-
CORINNE, Look, it's none of my business ... ter gets her kid back and people are looking at me like I'm
MAGGIE. No ... Hester Prynne in the Scailet Letter, so it's been a bad couple
CORINNE. I was just passing through, thought I'd say ... of days.
MAGGIE. I slept with my brother-in-law. CORINNE. So you want to get a coffee or something?
CORINNE. You did. MAGGIE. You're asking me?
MAGGIE. I shouldn't have done it. I mean they're divorced, CORINNE. No I'm asking the security guy at the x-ray ma-
my sister and brother-in-law, that makes him officially my ex- chine over there.
brother-in-law, but the thing is, he was coming on to me and MAGGIE. How come?
I was determined to tell him to get lost, and the next thing I CORINNE. Does there have to be a reason?
know is we're dancing and then I'm really drunk and then I MAGCIE. It's just you're ...
wake up in his apartment and I go out to go to the bathroom CORINNE. I'm what?
and there's my niece getting ready for school and I'm totally MAGGIE. Nothing.
naked and she says how come your hair between your legs is CORINNE. Don't you have any friends?
a different color from your hair on your head? MAGGIE. Not really.
CORINNE. And you said ... CORINNE. So when you finish I'll have a cup of coffee with
MAGGIE. I didn't say anything. I was mortified. you. I got to go back to my place, w:rter my plants, get my
CONNNE. Sure. dog from my neighbors, do some stuff. If you feel like it, you
MAGGIE. I mean I knew I had slept with Harold, that's my call me later.
ex-brother-in-law, because here I was in his place naked, but MAGGIE. How come you're being so nice?
I really didn't remember anything, I didn't remember the ge. CORINNE. Because you displayed excellertt customer cour-
ing to bed part, the sex thing, that was a total blank. tesy when I purchased my ticket.
CORININE. So what happened? MAGGIE. No come on.
MAGGIE. So I get dressed and Harold is grinning like we CORINNE. What's the big deal here?
did it and I ask him did we actually do it and he says yeah MAGGIE. I don't ... it's just I'm not used to people being
and I start crying and I get into my car and I'm crying all nice to me.
the way to the airport and I'm crFrng here at the counter CORINNE. Get over it.
when my boss saln you're fired. IVIAGGIE. I'm ... thank you.
CORINNE. Ouch. CORINNE. You knon, I didn't drink the whole time I was
MAGGIE. Then to top it off I'm called to rny sister's cus. 8one.
tody case as a witness and they put me up on the stand and MAGGIE. Really.
I figure they're going to ask me questions, you know as a char- CORINNE. That might not sound like such a big deal but
acter witness for my sister and then my sister's dork boyfriend it's a big deal that I haven't had a drink. Normally I would
lawyer asks me didn't I sleep with Harold and didn't my niece see you upset and say lets get a drink, didn't matter what time
see me naked running around the house and there's all these of day it was, I'd say what the fuck, lee get a drink. But I went

50 5I
II

on this trip to Canada and I said let's see what happens if I
don't have a drink. And the first day or two I had the shakes
and I was sick, but I got through it. I went for these really
long walks in the middle of nowhere. I walked for hours. Just
kept walking. And I'd get back to this hotel and started read-
ing this book that somebody left in a drawer of the desk' It
was Clan of the Caue Bear and. I read it in one night. I mean
the sun was coming up and I finished this book and at dawn
I went outside and walked on the streets and there wasn't any-
body else awake and I felt like this was the dawn of time, and
everything was pre-historic and then I thought this is total
horseshit, really, what am I thinking and I got on the plane
and came home because I frgured if I spent another day not
talking to anybody I might start some sort of cave woman cult
where we'd build fires and hunt and you know make total
fools of ourselves so it would help me if you had coffee with
me and told me your problems because for sel{ish reasons it
would restore my sanity.
MAGGIE. Well if you put it like that ...
CORINNE. But the not drinking part was still a good idea.
I did it, and I feet better. So what's the upshot of the brother'
in-law thing?
MAGGIE. Oh that was definitely a one shot deal. So to
speak.
CORINNE. What if he calls you?
MAGGIE. He won't. So go water your plants, well have cof-
fee.
CORINNE. See you later.
MAGGIE. Yeah.
CORINNE. You're okay about this?
I,IAGGIE. Yeah, ['m fine.
CONNNE. It's just coffee. It's not a sexual thing
NIAGGIE. I know.
CORINNE. You're not going to call me, are you?
MAGGIE. Don't do this. Don't pressure me. I'll call you.
Now go. Get out of here. My boss is coming over- (Amy, Pbyed
Q aarass who plays luity, cotttzs wr.) Thank you and have a good
ulp. 'Bye now. 'Bye. (Waues to Corinne.)
62
CORINNE. You better call me.
MAGGIE. Thank you f,or flying Trans Global Airlines.
CORINNE. Don't fart out on me.
MAGGIE. I'll call you. Just get out of here. (Cori,nne exits.)
AMY. 'Just check the monitors?" Now the whole airport
knows why we're letting you 8o.
MAGGIE. Look, I don't want to play Power games with you
Amy, it's my last day, my last couple of hours, we don't need
to play let's humiliate the employee.
AMY. Let me smell your breath.
MAC,GIE. Fuck you.
AMY. I can get somebody to cover you right now.
MAGGIE. Fine.
AMY. You have an attitude. I don't like working with people
with an attitude.
MAGGIE. You know this airline is going bankrupt Amy,
pretty soon even you will be out of a job.
AMY. I've already made my calls.
MAGGIE. I thought they outlawed Neo-Nazi organizations.
AIVIY. Oh, that was so clever. You ought to start a c:rreer as
a stand-up comic. Don't they let you have all the drinks you
want, then you get uP onstage and make a fool of yourself)
MAGGIE. That's it.
AMY. You don't know how many times I broke the rules to
let you keep your job. Your next boss might not be so under-
standing.
MAGGIE. Oh, I get it, you're Mother Theresa.
AMY. You can leave right now.
MAGGIE. Great.
AIvfY. (To stmeonc off.) Mona, could you come over here?
MAGGIE. (She grabs the P.A. phone.) TRANS GLOBAL
DOESN'T INSPECT THEIRJETS AI\MViOPI. YOU TLYTHIS
AIRLINE YOU'RE SIGNING A DEATH WARRANT! (Ma&
exits. Lightt fade.)
58
id
 CHRIS. It's all right.
Scene 5. Jackie's Aparffient. VAL. Just like that, everybody's going to love one another.
CHRIS. If you let tfiem. We can make this work. Because
another thing Val. I'm not going away. I'm here. And believe
Val and, Chris at oppositt mds of tlw cauch. it or not I understand your pain and confusion. My parents
died after long illnesses. I watched them die. And I'll be here
Long pause. when you die. You won't be alone.
VAL. What are you talking about, I'm not going to die.
CHRIS. Would you like me to call you Mom? CHRIS. Everybody dies.
VAL. Not in this lifetime. VAL. Well okay sure they do. But I'm not planning on it
CHRIS. Look ... Val. tomorrow and I don't want you marking off the days.
VAL. Yes? CHRIS. It's just fear of the inevitable. But if you have knowl-
CHRIS. We're going to be seeing a lot of each other and edge, then you have no fear.
we should make the best of the situation. I know you haven't VAL. I don't like you.
found God like Jackie and myself yet, but don't worry. In time CHRIS. I know you don't, Val. I accept it because ...
you wi[. Then you will find Peace. VAL. You piss me off.
VAL. Nobody asked me what I felt about this. CHRIS. Why? If you have answers you don't need to get an-
CHRIS. I think we did. gry, because if someone doesn't agree with me I know they're
VAL. I don't remember anyone asking my opinion' just saying tlese things from fear. Now, what are you planning
CHRIS. We did ... Val. Jackie and I had a long talk. And to wear at the wedding?
I'm sensitive to your feelings. It's a di{Iicult time for you. VAL. Which wedding?
VAL. How so ... Chris? CHRIS. When Jackie and I are married.
CHRIS. Well you're getting on in years ... VAL. When is this happening?
VAL. Am I? CHRIS. You know when this is happening.
CHRIS. You're facing Death. You're facing the unknown. VAL. No.
And you're scared. But you don't have to be. We have life ev- CHRIS. Val, we did talk about this. Now please ...
erlasting after we're called. Val, let me be frank. VAL. No, you can't marry her. I'm her mother I don't want
VAL. I thought you were Chris. you to marry my daughter.
CHRIS. What? Oh. You were making a joke. Yes. I see, let CHRIS. Ithinklam.
me be ... yes. But seriously, Val, the situation is this. Your fam- VAL. And what happens to me? What ... I just got here,
lly, your other daughters, they've turned their back on you. what are you doing, I sold my house, I sold everything and I
They're selfish and immature and they don't have time for carne here and now nothing is right, I don't like you, I don't
pu. furd Maggie is a fornicator, in front of your granddaugh- want you to marryJackie.
tcr. ButJackie's here.Jackie wants a home and she loves you. CHRIS. Di.dyou pick out a dress yet?
And I love you. VAL. There is not going to be any wedding ... (fackb mterc
VAL. Since when? with Mailzne, a littlz gz7.) Marlene?
CHRIS. Since I met you andJackie told me you were lost. CHRIS. Marlene, welcome home.
VAL. I'm not lost. JACKIE. She's a litde.... Mom,,why don't you take Marlene

54 ,55

5
into the bodrcgm and help her change her shirt.
MARLENE, But I llke this shirt, Daddy gave it to me.
JACKIE. \{ould you change her mom?
VAL. Noni?
JACKIE. Yer now please.
VAL. Flnc, Oomc on Marlene. Come with Grandma. (Val and.
Marlau cxit,)
CHRIS. We're golng to make things right. From today ev-
erything wtll bc rlght. We have our little girl home. (Pause.)
Are you fcellng okay Jac}ie?
JACKIE. I'm ... I gueec I'm just a little tired.
CHRIS. Aren't you happy?
JACKIE. Of course I am.
CHRIS. You don't look happy.
JACKIE. I am. I'm very happy.
CHRIS. I think we should pray. Say a Prayer of thanks for
the fact that our little girl is home.
JACKIE. Maybe Marlene wants to rest.
CHRIS. We should pray first. All of us. Get them.
JACKIE. She's probably tired.
CHRIS. I really think you should get them. Go get them
Jackie. Bring them in here. Bring them in here and then we'll
pray. Go get them Jackie. I want you to bring them in here.
Go into the bedroom and get them. Jackie, get them. Bring
*rem here. Nclrrt. (lackiz ertb, comes back with Marhru.) Where's
your mother?
JACKIE. She doesn't feel well. I think ...
CHRIS. What do you think? What do you think Jackie, tell
me what you think? (Pauw.)
JACK[E. It's ... nothing.
CHRIS. Come on Marlene, pray with us.
JACKIE. Come on darling, kneel with Mom.
CHRIS. Don't be scared darling. We're only going to Pray
to God.
JACKIE. Mayb" we should do this later.
CHRIS. Marlene, you're home now. You're home with your
family. We'll take care of you.
JACKIE. Chris ...
56
CHRIS. Do you want to say something Jackie? (Pause.) Then
let's be a family and pray. (Thq all kneel, Val watclws from door'
uay. Chri.s read.s Psalm 68, fading out as Jackie speaks. Lights fade
except for spot on Jacki.e.) Let GOD arise. Let his enemies be scat-
tered: let them also that hate Him flee before Him. As smoke
is driven away, so drive them away: as wax melteth before the
fire, so let the wicked perish at the Presence of GOD ."
JACKIE. Jehovah make me strong, make me believe. Make
me believe in you. I want to believe in you. I want to.... Ev-
erything will work out nor#, it's what you want, please make
me believe. I need to believe. (Ligh* fade out on tackie.)
Scene 6. Maggie's Dream.
Spot on Maggie.
MAGGIE. Hello, my name is Maggie and ['m an alcoholic.
I'm the middle chitd of my family' The other night I had a
dream where I was in bed and woke up with somebody next
to me and I didn't know where I was or how I got there.
(Lights up on Maggie on ed,ge of bed,,,somcbod,y stin und,o the coa'
ers.) Excuse me, but who are you? (Corinne comzs out frorn un-
itn tlw coaers.) Oh oh. I was afraid it was going to be you.
CORINNE. Hi.
MAGGIE. Hi.
CORINNE. Sleep well?
MAGGIE. Oh, you know. Hory about You?
CORINNE. Fine.
MAGGIE. So, here we are. In your be&oom.
CORIIS.IE. In my bed.
MAGGIE. Last night ... I mean, was I drinking?
CORINNE. You could call it that.
MAGGIE. And what about You?
CORINNE. I was the designated driver.
MAGGIE. That was good rhinking. I guess.
'57
CORINNE. You started talking about your family.
MAGGIE. I did.
CORINNE. Yeah, you really went on about them.
MAGGIE. I do that.
CORINNE. I got worried after you threw that glass at the
jukebox.
MAGGIE. (Not remembaing this.) Oh right. That was ... wow,
I was.... It's just my family, I get worked up.
yeah,
CORINNE. Sure.
MAGGIE. What was it I was sa)4ng again?
CORINNE. How you thought they were all phonies.
MAGGIE. They are. They are such phonies. They come
around and ask me why'd you mn away, like they give a shit,
like they could ... I'm sorry, I'm starting off again. I should
just shut up.
CORINNE. Why do you say that?
MAC'GIE. Because I ... it's boring, all that boring stuff about
my family, nobody cares, I was being indulgent, and I start
drinking and I wasn't going to do that anymore and ... did
we have sex last night? Never mind I don't want to know.
CORINNE. You were ... it was nice waking up with you.
MAGGIE. Utr" thank you. Is that what I'm supposed to say?
CORINNE. It's a starL (fackiz appears.) Who's that?
MAGGIE. That's my sister Jackie.
CORINNE. Oh the religious one. What does she want?
MAGGIE. I don't know. I'll ask. HeyJackie.
JACKIE. Yes, Margaret.
MAGGIE. What are you doing here?
JACKIE. I'm here to take Corinne.
CORINNE. Where are we going?
JACKIE. To Paradise.
CORINNE. Oh?
MAGGIE. Right now?
JACKIE. It's time for her. It's time to go.
CORINNE. But I'm not ready.
JACKIE. We cannot question these things. We must only ac-
cept. Now I'll take you to Paradise. I'll take you to God. In
Paradise we don't have bad jobs or bitchy supervisors or un-
,58
paid bills or hangovers. There's only God. Come on. (She grabs
Cori.nne. She starts to drag Cwinne olf.)
CORINNE. Will Maggie be coming too?
JACKIE. No, Maggie's got to stay here.
MAGGIE. How come?
JACKIE. Because they don't allow drunks into heaven. You
fucked up Maggie. You're a drunk. You lost your job and you
screwed my ex-husband and you fucked up your life and for
that you have to stay here.
MAGGIE. Wait!
JACKIE. You have to stay here a long, long time. All alone.
MAGGIE. Don't leave me. Don't leave me here ... (Thun-
drclap and Jackie and Cori.nne are gone. Maggie nou in spotlight.)
So they went to heaven or Paradise or wherever. They went
to God. And I wanted to be good. I wanted to be so good so
I could join them, but then I remembered I don't believe in
Paradise or God. It was only a dream. A terrible dream. So I
decided to wake up and get on with my life. (Li.ghts fade.)
Scene 7. Show ani{ Tell.
Spotlight on Mailene
MARLENE. Hello my name is Marlene. I am nine years old.
I live with my mom in a house the Jehovah's Witness people
gave us. My mom's new husband is named Chris. Grandma Val
calls Chris a doofus. He is. Chris wants me to call him Dad.
No way. Grandma Val and I spend time in our room watch-
ing afternoon talk shows. It's hard living here because we al-
ways have to read the Bible and we don't have cable. Mom
and Chris fight now. They argue more and more. Mom argues
with Chris like she used to argue with Dad. I have lots of bad
dreams. Mom told me everything was going to get better'
(Lights fade.)
:6"9-
 VAL. That ... it would be a good thing.
MAGGIE. I was getting tired of the old me.
Scene 8. The Messenger Moves On. VAL. I'm the same old me, it's too late to change. I had
money I lost money. I had my kids, I lost my kids. Some die
Maggi.e and. Val. A restaurant. Thel smoke. just never visit.
some
MAGGIE. I can't visit you there anymore.
VAL. Jackie's married. VAL. I know.
MAGGIE. She is? MAGGIE. We ... we can lunch from time to time, we can
VAL. The other day. talk on the phone.
MAGGIE. Uh huh. VAL. Famous last words.
VAL. You didn't miss anything. It was a thing, in the church, MAGGIE. I don't like to talk on the phone, but you can
with the ... the Church people. call me up and complain and I can listen. I want you to call
MAGGIE. Did you go? me.
VAL. They made me. VAL. Jackie cries all the time now.
MAGGIE. It's okay. MAGGIE. She does?
VAL. You're not upset are you. VAL. When she thinks nobody can hear her. She goes into
MAGGIE. Fuck'em. the kitchen and cries. Marlene and I watch TV while Jackie
VAL. That's the spirit. and Chris hand out The Watchtowu. Chris has to make her go
MAGGIE. Nobody asks me whar I think anyway. to the church meetings. She ... she doesn't like to go to those
VAL. Same here. Marlene's back. meetings anymore. One time I saw her looking at herself in
MAGGIE. Yeah I was at the ... the bathroom mirror and then she started crylng. I asked her
VAL. Oh, that's right. (Sie laugh,s.) to come to lunch today but she wouldn't. She just waits in
MAGGIE. You mad at me for sleeping with Harold? (Beat.) the car.
Because it didn't mean anything. It's not like we're having MAGGIE. She's out in the car now?
some thing, some relationship thing or whatever. It was a one VAL. She decided to wait in the parking lot, she's probably
time occurrence. I was really wasted. cryrng again.
VAL. Shit happens. MAGGIE. Should I go out there, talk to her?
MAGGIE. But the thing is ... VAL. I don't think that would be a good idea.
VAL. Yeah? MAGGIE. You're right. See being sober this long, I get these
MAGGIE. It's funny. funny ideas.
VAL. WhAt? VAL. The whole situation is ...
MAGGIE. I ... I haven'r had a drink in weeks. MAGGIE. Fucked.
VAL. Do you feel better? VAL. At least you got your work.
MAGGIE. Actually I feel like shit, but you know, you're sup MAGGIE. Actually I was fired.
posed to feel like shit you're a major alchy and you go cold VAL. You were?
turkey. IvIAGGIE. As soon as I get my shit together you could ...
VAL. You think you stopped? VAL. You don't have to say that.
MAGGIE. I'd like to think so. MAGGIE. One day...

60 0&
 VAL. Thank you, honey. But right now Marlene needs me PROPERW LIST
to run interference for her. We'll be okay. I admit I forget
things gometimes. The other day I misplaced my sneakers. Magazines, The Watchtotwr $ACKIE)
[ound them later in the crisper in the refrigerator. Just get- Pack of cigarenes (MAGGIE)
tlng old. Lighter or rnatches (VAL)
MAGGIE. Hey I hope when I get old somebody Puts me out Drinking glasses (MAGGIE, CORINNE)
on a melting iceflow like the Eskimos do. Well you shouldn't Cup of coffee (MAGGIE)
hoep Jackie waiting in the car. (Maggie opms htr wallzt, takzs Note (CHRIS)
out a ilollar bd.ll.) Yott see this? You know what this is?
Bible
VAL. This is a quiz? Travel bag (CORINNE)
MAGGIE. This is a dollar bill. I had coffee with a friend of Cigarettes, Iit (VAL, MAGGIE)
mlne. She gave me this dollar. There's this AA trick where you 'I{allet, with dollar biU (NIAGGIE)
rlwayo carry this old dollar bill, you never spend it, somebody
arkr why, you say I'm going to buy my next drink with this
dollar. This is my dollar bill.
VAL. That's very nice dear, but nobody can buy a drink for
r dollar anymore. (lackic rnters.)
JAOKIE. Mom ...
VAL. Jackie, I was just ...
JACKIE. I have to get back.
VfU Aren't you going to say hello to Mags? (Pauw.) Aren't
you going to say hello to your sister?
JACIUE. I have to go, Mom.
MAGGIE. Jackie ... (Pause.)
VAL. We'll call You Maggie.
JACKIE. Come on, Mom. (lachie stafis to e,cit.)
VAL. GoodbYe.
MACGIE. 'Bye. (Val caught betuteen Magic anil Jackie. Ja&.b
frlts, Val cxits. Magit sits back at tlu tabb.) Family ... (Lightt
ladt,)

62,.,, 63

@il.,.. .