ACT 1-SCENE 9
(DEANNE GOES UPSTAIRS TO HER APARTMENT TO FIND THE DOOR AJAR AND HER SISTER RONNIE SITTING IN A CHAIR .)
DEANNE
What are you doing here?
RONNIE
Nice greeting, Deanne. I walked.
DEANNE
I told him never to let anybody up here…
RONNIE
I’m not anybody.. and you still don’t lock your doors…That door was…
DEANNE
Don’t explain it!
RONNIE
The door was unlocked.
DEANNE
I asked you to stop it.
RONNIE
I’ve been waiting for you, Dee
(They stare at each other for a moment)
.
DEANNE
I can see that, Ronnie.
RONNIE
Well, am I welcome ?
DEANNE
I don’t know.
RONNIE
Nevertheless, I’m here.
DEANNE
You’re here. (Deanne throws down her purse, goes to the sink counter and pours a shot of Bourbon, takes a pill, then returns to the bed to stare at the television)
RONNIE
How’ve you been feeling?
DEANNE
With my hands.
RONNIE
(Contained hot) You know you really do take advantage of my good nature. I’m here for a reason little sister.
DEANNE
Could that little outburst just have been construed as..watch out..I’m gonna say it…anger?
RONNIE
NO. It’s annoyance. It’s the way someone feels when someone is RUDE and unwelcoming. I’ve
always been the one tracking you down and trying to visit you ever since your thing, Deanne. And I’ve earnestly…in my heart cared about you. There’s a reason I…
DEANNE
Don’t talk to me about your heart.
RONNIE
Why not?
DEANNE
Because it makes me think about how hard it is to make it work.
RONNIE
What’s that supposed to mean?
DEANNE
You know exactly why I don’t want to think about that.
RONNIE
Well, don’t think about it then! Think about this. Daddy’s in trouble. He’s very sick.
DEANNE
There’s nothing new about that.
RONNIE
Not that kind of sick. He’s…
DEANNE
Do you still call him “Daddy” to his face?
RONNIE
I don’t know. I don’t think about it. Did you hear what I said?
DEANNE
(Tries saying it herself) Daddy. Daddy? Hi Daddy. Hi Dad. Daddy?
RONNIE
(Cuts her off) Deanne!
DEANNE
So, what’s up with “Daddy”.
RONNIE
He’s in the hospital.
DEANNE
Since when.
RONNIE
I only just found out, last night…late…from Mrs. Marshall. She and Mr. Marshall were walking
and they saw him in the back near the small shed.
DEANNE
What was he doing near the small shed?
RONNIE
He was just lying there.
DEANNE
Napping?
RONNIE
No, not napping?
DEANNE
Are you gonna keep telling me this like it’s a Hitchcock film, Ronnie?
RONNIE
Well, are you gonna keep interrogating me like an episode from Perry Mason? Lying there!
DEANNE
That’s all the bum does anyway. He lies around! So this time it was in the grass…so what?
RONNIE
Don’t be so cruel, Deanne. I’ve been afraid for you to know this…what happened.
DEANNE
(She returns to the sink to pour another bourbon) What was he doing? Taking a little snooze after trying to “do it” to that good- looking Rotweillor next door and it bit his dick off? What was he doing ,Ronnie? What was he doing!
RONNIE
Shut up! He shot himself in the head! He used that gun he’s had in the corner of his closet for the last
fifty years and he shot himself in the head, Deanne! He put a bag over his head and he shot himself.
DEANNE
So…did they find a bag of head near the shed? Was it dead?
RONNIE
See. See how you are, Deanne? This is what you do. What you’ve always done. And it does NOT
serve you well.
DEANNE
It does not serve YOU well.
RONNIE
I can’t believe we’re even related! Are you so dead inside that you really have no feelings about what I just told you? I’m not making this up, Deanne. It’s not a joke. Your father just tried to kill himself.
DEANNE
Your father just tried to kill himself.
RONNIE
It gets worse.
DEANNE
What, his body got up and started walking up and down the neighborhood, and little Tommy Nidle and his friends started using him as a piñata? (Deanne nervously laughs to herself)
RONNIE
Stop it! ( pause) He’s alive. But there are massive wounds to his head and face. He’s
on a breathing thing…and bandaged like a mummy. They say his brain is still…well, intact for the most part.
DEANNE
So.
RONNIE
So? So..I think we both need to go see him. Now. Tonight.
DEANNE
I “need” no such thing.
RONNIE
Then you should see him. And I want to see him.
DEANNE
Listen, big sister. I abdicated the “shoulds”. I had to pull time in a looney bin to do it…but one of the perks of that “thing” that happened to me is that I’m off the hook. For all of it, Ronnie! I don’t do “shoulds”. I cant feel “wants”. And my meds take care of my “needs”. (long pause) Look I can’t be trusted to go. I don’t know what I’d say. You don’t know what I’d say. Doesn’t that scare you? It scares me.
RONNIE
Well, at least it sounds like you care a little.
DEANNE
It doesn’t scare me…it concerns me. For my own well-being. Nobody elses.
RONNIE
(A long pause before speaking) I think we should practice.( Deanne returns to staring at the TV) We should rehearse it, Deanne. Like they do with a play. We could practice with some pillows or something, as him. Then maybe you’d be ready? It would probably be good for me too, Deanne.We’d be ready then. And we could show up. We could see him, together. We could help each other.
DEANNE
Help each other? Now you think so?
RONNIE
God, he tried to kill himself! In that horrible disgusting way!
DEANNE
That’s right. And he shouldn’t be rewarded for that by a visit from his two lovely daughters.
RONNIE
(Begins to break down) Can’t you take something? Isn’t there anything in that pharmacy of yours that kicks your compassion in a little?
DEANNE
(In earnest) It must be terrible.
RONNIE
Do you mean that?
DEANNE
I mean everything I say.
RONNIE
(Hopeful, warming) Well, what is it? Is it part of your disease? Is it something I’ve done? What makes you so mean to me? (Ronnie starts to gather pillows from the room, arranging them as “Daddy’s body”.
DEANNE
Nobody’s exempt. (Noticing the pillows) What are you doing?
RONNIE
We’re gonna “practice”. C’mon…let’s play. Do this with me.
( Long pause as Deanne considers the implications and dangers of this “game”.)
RONNIE
C’mon. C’mon. Please, Deanne.
DEANNE
(She considers it for a long time) Okay. We’ll visit “Daddy”.
RONNIE
Okay, let’s come into the room.
DEANNE
I don’t think you mean this all so literally do you?
RONNIE
So, you don’t want to do it?
DEANNE
(Quietly) I do. I do..I do!
RONNIE
Then come on.
DEANNE
It feels too crazy to go out and come in, though.
RONNIE
That feels too crazy for you, huh? (Long pause between them) All right. I, of course, am already with him. You just arrive now. (Deanne exits the apartment and closes the door. Ronnie stands alone uncomfortably, staring at the “body” on the floor. Too much time passes and Deanne does not re-enter)
RONNIE
(Yells) Are you coming, Deanne!
DEANNE
(She enters) Shhh! We’re in a hospital.(Looks at the “body”) Are you sure this is him?
RONNIE
What are you doing, now?
DEANNE
Are you sure we have the right room? I mean look at this guy! With those bandages and all that crap he’s tied to he could be anybody.
RONNIE
(Tentatively approaches the “body” and speaks) Deanne’s here, Daddy.
DEANNE
(Nursing a bourbon) Here we go.
RONNIE
(To “body”) This is a terrible thing that happened to you.
DEANNE
It didn’t “happen” to him. He did it. (To the “body”) You did it didn’t you.
RONNIE
(To “Daddy”) How are you feeling? (To Deanne) Maybe you should come closer.
(Deanne doesn’t move) You’re not saying anything.
DEANNE
Disconnect one of those tubes in his mouth and I’ll talk to him through that.
RONNIE
Funny. (To “daddy”) We’re so terribly worried about you Daddy. Aren’t we Dee?…Dee!
DEANNE
Oh yes. Deeply worried. Profoundly concerned.
(Silence. Frustrated, Ronnie stays quiet. So does Deanne. The impasse is broken by Deanne’s line) DEANNE
I need another bourbon.( Deanne steps on the “body” as she moves to sink. She trips on “the head”)
(To the “head”)You want one, Carl? I could pour it directly into the hole in your head?
RONNIE
Deanne!
DEANNE
(She picks up the pillow “head” and carries it to the kitchen bar)(To Ronnie) You’re right.(To “head” in her arms) I’m sorry…I should show you what I have first. See anything you like? You hungry? I got peanuts.(Looks at Ronnie who sits horrified and throws the “head” to her)
SM She throws the pillow at Ronnie.
DEANNE
Catch. ( It hits Ronnie in the head and she restores it to the”body”)
RONNIE
This is supposed to be for him, not you.
DEANNE
(Returns to the edge of the bed near “Daddy”, lifts her glass of bourbon to him) Bottoms Up.
Hey, this is fun…he finally can’t do anything.
RONNIE
What?
DEANNE
You don’t know?
RONNIE
If you’ve been worried…maybe you could start by telling him that.
DEANNE
(There is quiet. Deanne slowly rises, goes to “Daddy” and bends down at the foot of the pillows)
Okay. I’ve been worried about you, you fucking bastard. I’ve always been worried about you.
RONNIE
(Nervous) What are you doing now?
DEANNE
I’m telling him. And I’m telling you.
RONNIE
I think you better take something.
DEANNE
(Mock concern) Everything’s back at my apartment…I don’t have anything on me.
RONNIE
(Sarcastic)Well, if this is a hospital, then find a nurse. Maybe she’ll give you something.
DEANNE
Good, Ronnie.
RONNIE
No, not good! Not good at all. None of this is funny. I don’t talk that way. You do! You want me to talk that way. You want me to always carry a weapon like you!
DEANNE
You’re pretty well-armed.
RONNIE
And hate him like you do.
DEANNE
You should hate him. Not just because I want you to.
RONNIE
Now look who’s saying “should”.
` DEANNE
He robbed you too, Ronnie. I know you can’t bear it but he robbed you too.
RONNIE
What do you think you’re talking about? You’re DELUSIONAL aren’t you? Isn’t that part of your diagnosis, Deanne? Aren’t you a liar?
DEANNE
Is NOT speaking the truth the same as being a liar?
RONNIE
(Deanne stares at her, hurt. Ronnie stares back. A pause.)
I shouldn’t have called you that. I’m sorry,
DEANNE
Oh , Ronnie, your cruelty is refreshing…I bet there’s plenty more where that came from.
RONNIE
You zap me after I just apologized?
DEANNE
God, no. It was an actual moment of loving you!
RONNIE
That didn’t feel like…
DEANNE
You gave me a glimpse of the real you! Not this construct you cart around while the REAL self you abdicated gathers mold in the basement of HIS house!
RONNIE
Are you talking about me? Or you?
SONG # 8 WHEN I KNEW (DUET)
(Deanne & Ronnie)
DEANNE
(VERSE 1)
IT WAS A DAY TOO HOT FOR THE DOGS TO BARK
WHEN YOU KNEW
IT WAS A DAY THE FISH HELD STILL IN THE DARK
AND TANGLED POOLS OF THE WATER
(Verse 2)
I HAD TAKEN A SWIM, YOU SAT THERE NEXT TO HIM
I COULD FEEL YOU LOOK DOWN, YOU WERE HOPING I’D DROWN
THAT’S THE DAY YOU KNEW
THAT’S THE WAY WHEN YOU KNEW
RONNIE(SPOKEN)
Oh, C’mon Deanne. We were just watching you swim…I didn’t wanna get in? So what?
DEANNE(SPOKEN)
Don’t act so innocent.
RONNIE
YOU HELD THE BRANCH OF THAT TREE, STARING DAGGERS AT ME
I NEVER KNEW
JUST SITTING WITH DAD, TELL ME WHAT WAS SO BAD
I NEVER KNEW
DEANNE
(IT)WASN’T DAGGERS YOU SAW, I WAS SHIVERING CRYING
BUT YOU STAYED THERE WITH HIM, WAS IT SO SATISFYING?
AND WE KNEW…I WAS DIFFERENT FROM YOU
(BRIDGE) RONNIE
ONE DAY AT A POND, WAS ALL HE WOULD GIVE, SEE
STILL HIS SILENCE AND BOREDOM WITH ME
HE’D STARE AT THE WATERS TILL YOU WOULD APPEAR
AND RETURN TO LIFE SO SUDDENLY
RONNIE(SUNG)
YOU KNOW HE’d LIGHT UP WHEN YOU’D ENTER THE ROOM
DEANNE
(Spoken)HE WAS LIT YOU MEAN
RONNIE
IT DIDN’T STOP YOU
YOU’D EAT HIS ATTENTION, WHILE I DISAPPEARED
DIDN’T MATTER WHAT I’D SAY,WHAT I’D DO
NOT TO HIM… NOT TO YOU
(VERSE 4) RONNIE
I FELT UGLY AND SMALL, HE DIDN’T SEE ME AT ALL
HE NEVER KNEW
I WAS NICE, I WAS GOOD, DOING ALL THAT I SHOULD
TO MAKE HIM CALL ME DAUGHTER
(VERSE 5)
WHILE YOU VAMPED AND SASHAYED , I WAS THERE EVERY DAY
TRYING TO FIX WHAT WAS WRONG
WHEN OUR MOTHER WAS GONE
BUT HE NEVER KNEW
HE WAS FIXED ALWAYS ON YOU…
(A pause—Ronnie picks up her purse to leave. She is horrified by the reality of what they have both shared)
RONNIE
Why didn’t you tell anybody?
DEANNE
(Cooly) Why didn’t you?
RONNIE
(Ronnie grabs her purse..and hurries to the door) I gotta go, Deanne. (She exits)
DEANNE
Ronnie? (Ronnie Exits)(Deanne turns to stare at remaining pillows on the floor)
How you doin’ Daddy.
Tags: 22 caliber mouth, broadway, Broadway music, broadway script, Dynamic Theatre, Lauren Robert, musical, Musical theatre, off broadway, stage play, Theatre Workshop