Grandmother
SCENE: PROLOGUE
VOICES in the dark. |  |
Female Voice
Ok, you really mean it this time? I'll be there tomorrow at four. OK bye.
(Sound of phone being hung up.)
Male Voice
You're going, again?
Female Voice
Yeah, she says this is it. I gotta pack. What time is it?
Male Voice
8:30. You think she's serious?
Female Voice
How should I know? I told her I won't stand for any false alarms. She either does it or I'm not coming out ever again. I hate the Vegas drive.
(Sound of closet opening,)
But nobody should have to do something like this alone. I have to be there for her. She needs me. She can't drive, she can't walk, she can't even breathe.
Male Voice
She keeps putting you through this same hoop. You see that don't you? Last time she said she wouldn't eat until you went to the store for her. It's a five hour drive. You realize this is just a trick to get attention.
Female Voice
What else can I do? If this is what it takes to get attention in this family, well it works. I told her I can't take any more of this. She says she really means it. What else can I do? Anyway I'm sick of all this.
Male Voice
Do you realize what you're doing?
SCENE: ARRIVAL
The set is all one big area divided into Kitchen, right, Living Room, center and Bedroom, left.
Back center stage is a couch covered with green bedspread and soiled arms, in front of it is a blond danish modern coffee table which matches the end tables. Bulbous torquiose lamps with mismatched shades sit on the end tables. On the right hand end table is half filled beer glass, a telephone directory, personal phone book, ashtray and telephone. On the coffee table is last weeks newspapers, a hugh torquiose ceramic ashtray, two empty glasses, rhinestone sun glasses, pens, paper, gum, open up side down paper back books, and pill bottles. Behind the couch are sliding glass patio doors, with open drapes showing the vast expanse of Nevada desert under burning, setting sun
On the tray under the coffee table are piles of old magazines, mostly Sunset, with page markers sticking out. On the floor is a large open purse with hankies, papers, note pads, gum, cigarette packs pokeing out the top.
Stage Right is a kitchen area with door to the hall at far right. Kitchen has, from far right after door, built in stove and oven, counter with cabinets top and bottom, sink, and ice box. Center right is a formica kitchen table with 3 chairs,
Between Kitchen and living Room is a changer record player on a metal wire stand with Montovani records stocked underneath. The player is uncovered and very dusty. On the walls are framed, paint by the numbers, pictures.
Between the Living Room and the Bedroom is a telephone table/seat combination that isused for putting on make-up.
In the Bedroom, stage left, is the rest of the blond danish modern furniture. Against the back wall is the six drawer dresser covered with bottles and combs and pictures of five different women at different ages. The bed is made.
Beyond the bedroom is the door to the bathroom.
Gram sits on the right hand side of the couch, wheezing very loudly, smoking a cigarette with her elbows on her knees, a favorite position.
Terry appears at the patio door dragging a suitcase and raps on the glass. Gram pushes herself up as she stabs out her cigarette and staggers to open the 3 locks and opens the door.
Grandmother
(Angry)
Where have you been? I've been sick over you.
Terry
What a drive. I hate that drive.
(Tries to hug Gram, but Gram turns around and coughs.)
Grandmother
I was so worried. Not a word for 3 hours.
Terry
God, I'm tired.
(Puts purse on couch.)
Grandmother
You could have been killed. Where were you? I was so worried.
Terry
I called you, I told you, my thermostat burned out or what ever they do on the other side of Baker.
(Drags in two suitcases.)
Grandmother
What took you so long. Why didn't you call?
(She clings to the back of the couch.)
Terry
I called, I called. I stopped and called you every two two hours since I left LA. Come on.
(Leaves suitcases in middle of the room.)
Grandmother
Don't leave them there. put them on the bed. I've been frantic. I called the police four times.
Terry
Gram, I'm here, see. Gram, I'm here.
(Moving suitcases.)
Grandmother
I've been waiting all day. I can't stake this kind of strain. Why do you do this to me?
Terry
Gram, I didn't mean to do anything to you. You're breathing's bad, let's sit down.
(She guides Gram to sit on the couch.)
Grandmother
You know how I worry. What happened to you? How am I supposed to know what's going on.
Terry
Hey, I'm here now.
Grandmother
You have no consideration of others.
(WHEEZING)
I've been looking out the window every 10 minutes, every 10 minutes, no Terry. How could you do this to me? Oh, let me look at you. Are you OK? What took you so long? You could have been dead on the road and I wouldn't know.
Terry
Hi Gram. I'm here.
(Sits on the floor stage right of couch. This is to be her "place.")
FADE OUT/IN
Grandmother
Well, here you are.
Terry
Here we are.
(Both reach for cigarettes.)
You sure about this?
Grandmother
Look, I'm old, I'm alone out here. I've got a heart condition, high blood pressure, emphasyma. See my new toy here,
(Points to tank)
oxegen. My eyes are going. I can hardly read anymore, and you know how much reading means to me. All I do is take pills. Pills for this, pills for that, and I have colon cancer.
Terry
Colon Cancer? That's a new one. When did that happen? What does the doctor say?
Grandmother
Doctors. All they want to do is put you in the hospital and cut you up.
Terry
But how do you know it's cancer if you don't go to a doctor?
Grandmother
I know. What, you think I'm stupid? I read all about it in READER'S DIGEST. Anyway, Mr. Cosby had it. Remember that nice man down the hall. You met him the last time you were here, next door to Ida. Well, he had it and he's gone now. It was horrible. Not me. They took him to the hospital and it took three weeks for him to die. They're not putting me in the hospital. Oh no.
Terry
But Gram,
Grandmother
My mutti died in her bed, at home. I made sure of that. I took her home from the hospital for those last weeks and her dieing breath was of thanks to me for getting her home. She hated that hospital. She died at home.
Terry
I remember.
Grandmother
How could you remember, you were only a child when she died.
Terry
I remember sitting in the car during her funeral. Cathy wouldn't let me go in. Said it was too emotional for a 10 year old. I just sat in the car and waited. I remember her though.
Grandmother
We went through everything together. We were so close. Of course, your mother says we were too close. But she never knew what that woman went through for me. She never knew. Maybe we were too close, but there were reasons. And I made sure she died at home, the way she wanted it. I could see it in her eyes. That woman loved me.
Terry
And I love you too Gram.
Grandmother
I know you do honey. I'll never know why my own daughter doesn't love me, though. It's not right. I tried. She just doesn't know what I went through for her.
Terry
Know what, Gram?
Grandmother
This was never a family, really. All women, not a real family. And now that I really need her. . . But I have you. I always took you in, whenever she didn't want you, I took you in. I just don't know what made my own daughter so mean to me. Mutti always said that someday, some day, our baby Cathy will be sorry and she will come back to us. And now it's too late. But you're here.
Terry
I don't want you to have to do this alone. I'll be your legs. Tell me what you want me to do.
Grandmother
Well, I've been thinking about this a lot and I've read that if you take sleeping pills with booze, enough, that that will do it. I can get sleeping pills from my doctor.
Terry
What doctor?
Grandmother
Oh I go to this doctor for when I need sleeping pills. Haven't been there for months, but he remembers me. I'll tell him I'm going on a trip to visit you in LA and I want to take extra pills with me in case I can't sleep.
Terry
You think he'll give you extra?
Grandmother
(Nods and coughs)
And I've been saving up for months now. I have quite a collection.
Terry
OK. When?
Grandmother
Well, I thought it would be nice to have a party.
Terry
A party? A suicide party? Gram!
Grandmother
No, no. We'll call it a pre-Christmas party. What's the date today?
(Fumbles for newspaper)
Terry
November 28th.
Grandmother
That's right, and we'll invite all my friends. Ida down the hall, and Karen, my hairdresser, she's such as sweetie. And Bonnie, she does shopping for me some times and all my family. .
Terry
What family? There's only four of us: my mother, my sister and you and me.
Grandmother
Don't forget Ellie.
Terry
Ellie, Ellie who?
Grandmother
Oh for goodness sake, my brother John's child. You've heard me talk about Ellie. She's in Tucson. That's five!
Terry
Great. A family reunion of five. Cathy's in St. Paul and Lisa's in San Francisco. But OK, OK. A party. When?
Grandmother
How about in a week? I was thinking December 6th.
Terry
A party.
Grandmother
Yeah and I'll take the pills with the booze at the party, but no one will know and after the party, poof, no more me.
Terry
Oh Gram, are you sure about this?
(Starts to get emotional.)
Grandmother
Don't get me started now, I've given this a lot of thought. I know what I'm doing. Now, we have to get the car washed and go to Dr. Mayer's. I've started a grocery list, here, somewhere. And I want to get my hair done. Don't want my roots to show.
Terry
Oh Gram.
(Puts her head in Gram's lap and cries.)
Grandmother (Pats Terry's head.)
I've lived a long time, too long really. It's alright. I'm tired, so tired. There's no reason to keep hanging on. For what? I'm all alone here. My own daughter never calls, never writes. I might as well be dead now for all she cares.
Terry
Well, I care. I do. And I want you to really know that now, while you're still here. I'm going to give you all the tears I have now, I want you know I'm going to give you all the tears I have now.
(Sobbing.)
Grandmother
I'm all you have, I know. I don't know why she was always so hard on you. I used to watch what went on. She was so hard on you. I tried. I'll never forget the time she slapped me. Right on the face, my own daughter. You were about 12. All I did was try to stand up for you. She slapped her own mother. I just don't understand that woman. So much hate. And I never did anything to her. Mutti always said someday Cathy would be sorry. Someday.
SCENE: THE KEYS
(Enter Terry, carrying two bags of groceries, purse and, somewhere on her person, the keys. Crosses to kitchen counter.)
Terry
God, these are heavy. I think I got everything. They didn't have Knudsen's cream cheese so I got this instead. (Holds up a square of cream cheese from top of bag.) It's all they had. It will just have to do.
Grandmother
(Nods) Where are my keys?
Terry
I got em here, somewhere.
(Starts unpacking grocery bags.)
I went to the market and the deli like you said.
Grandmother
Well put the keys on the end table, here.
(She leans over and points at the table.)
Terry
Yes, Gram, I will, just a minute.
(Looks around for keys and goes back to unpacking.)
Then I went to the drug store and got the pills.
Grandmother
When you come in, just put them on the end table. That way you don't lose them.
(Breathing heavily, lights a cigarette.)
Terry
I'm not going to lose them. I promise. You worry too much,
(Putting things in the ice box.)
I got the car washed too. What a trip! You know sometimes I'm amazed at what we're . . .
Grandmother
Where's my change and the receipt?
(Pauses to wheeze.)
Did you get beer?
Terry
Of course.
(Points to six pack)
And here're the receipts.
(Hands her the receipts from the bag, gets purse and takes out envelope with paper money and coins in it. Puts it on the end table.)
Oh, and here are the pills.
(Takes pills from bag, puts them on the coffee table.)
100.
Grandmother
That's not the kind of beer I told you to get. I don't want that kind. How much did it cost?
(Looks at receipt)
My brand is cheaper, you should have gotten my brand, 102, it all tastes the same anyway, no point wasteing money.
(Counting the change.)
Terry
Gram, I keep telling you, they don't have it here. That was a California beer.
Grandmother
Oh. (She coughs hard.) Did you lose the keys?
Terry
Oh Gram, of course not. I had to use them to get in the building, didn't I? They're here. Trust me, will ya.
(Looking half heartedly on counter for the keys.)
I've got more on my mind than just your keys, come on. I've been running all over town all morning for you. Gram, this stuff will melt if I don't put it away.
(Goes back to the bags and puts ice in freezer.)
Grandmother
Give me some ice for my beer, would ya?
(Terry takes two ice cubes from the freezer and puts them in Gram's half full beer glass. Gram looks up at her.)
When you come in, the first thing you should do is put the keys away in the right place. Is that too much toask? What would I do if they were lost. It's very important to always put things where they belong.
(Terry turns and rolls her eyes up. She goes back to the groceries and starts to put dishsoap in cupboard over the sink)
Grandmother
Soap goes under the sink, I can't reach it up there. And find my keys, now.
Terry
For god's sake, give me a minute, will ya?.
(Drops boxes on to the floor.)
Oh shit.
(Picks up stuff and puts it on the counter.)
Grandmother
Young ladies should not use that kind of language. Just like your mother, the words she uses. Are you trying to shock me with language like that.
(Looks angry)
Did you find my keys? What happens if I need them? You're not listening to me. I want my keys put on this table. . .
Terry
Oh for Christ's sake!
(She finds keys in her pocket and slams them on the end table.)
Gram, I can't take this. Stop it, you hear? All you do it nag, nag, nag at me. I can't stand this. Do you want my help or not? You've got to quit picking on me, like this. Damn it, stop it. I'm not your fucking slave.
(Stomps into bathroom and slams the door. Gram sits with puzzled look on her face. After a few minutes Terry returns and continues putting things away. Gram watches.)
(Knock at the door)
Grandmother
See who it is, but be careful, you never know. . .
(Terry crosses to door)
Terry
Gram, this is an old folks home. Someone going to gum us to death and steal your butter milk.
(Opens the door wide)
Oh, hi Ida.
(Ida Blood waddles in. She's 75, short and round, with a sweet round face and trusting blue eyes. As usual, she's all smiles.)
Ida
Hello honey. My, you look so pretty. Good afternoon, Billie. How are you feeling today?
Grandmother
Not so bad, not so bad. Have a seat, and yourself?
Ida
Oh, I just had to come over and see how you're doing. The mail's in and Lord don't you know, I got another letter from Chastity, this one with pictures of Joshua and Kaleb. They were out for a visit.
(She fumbles through pictures and letters and hands pictures to Gram.)
You know they just moved into their new house, see here. Isn't it lovely? That's the back yard, they have a view of all Salt Lake City from the porch and there, there's the tabernacle.
(She points to the picture as Gram goes through them.)
Praise the Lord, you know they've been married 25 years last month and this is their second house.
Grandmother
Uh huh. Terry, honey, get me another carton of cirgarettes, will you. You know, they're in my bottom dresser drawer.
(She crumples up an empty pack with her free hand as she hands the pictures back to Ida and starts coughing.)
Ida
You know you shouldn't be smoking if you have emphasyma.
(Hands pictures to Terry)
Want to see?
Grandmother
It's OK.
(Coughs)
I had a doctor years ago tell me that the strain on my nerves from quitting would be worse than the effect of smoking. Anyway, I don't inhale. Never have.
(Takes carton from Terry and rips it open.)
So what else is new.
Ida
Oh well, Lord knows I don't mean to gossip, but remember I told you about Mr. Wertz in 205, well he's changed rooms. Says he gets dizzy in the elevator.
(Winks)
Well, he moved into Mariam Jackson's room and she's only been gone 3 days, number 111, right next door to Eve Kramer. I mean, he could have waited a bit longer.
(Points to picture that Terry's looking at.)
That's Chastity and that's my son in law, Joseph. Poor Mariam, she did suffer so in the end, but they're not supposed to let them stay here when they're that, well you know. The Lord takes you when he wants to, I guess. Anyway, Eve had that room cleaned out in no time and in goes Mr. Wertz. Everybody's talking about it at lunch, but when they walked into the dining room, you could hear a pin drop, a pin drop.
Grandmother
Well, they brought it on themselves. Imagine her chaseing after him like that. It's not lady like, I tell you. She just got what she deserves. A lady does not chase after a man. She lets him come to her. And her own husband has only been gone now, for what, nine months? If nothing else in my life I have always acted like a lady. There's no excuse, I tell you, none.
Terry
Oh, I think it's kinda cute, myself.
(Hands pictures back to Ida.)
Nice. How old are these people anyway? 70? 80? There's still a spark left in them. How sweet.
Grandmother
Not when everybody is talking. He couldn't stay in his old room? They could still meet in the big hall. They don't have to be so obvious. It's not lady like.
Terry
Oh Gram.
Grandmother
Well it's not.
Ida
Well, I have to go and get dressed for dinner. It's almost 4 and I want to get a good seat in the dining room. Did you see the menu? It's chipped beef tonite. I do love chipped beef. And Jello salad. I don't think I'll have to put in my uppers tonight. I love dinners when I don't have to put in my uppers.
(Pockets pictures and turns to Terry)
Now God bless you, you take good care of your Grandmother, I'm sure you will. You know she talks about you all the time. She tells me everything you do.
(Terry looks horrified. Exit Ida.)
Terry
What do you tell her?
Grandmother
Oh you know how proud I am of you, nothing honest. Better start clearing out the closets and the drawers. Start with the closets. Now those shoes, keep those shoes. They were hard to find and some day high heels will come back into style and you'll be glad you have them.
Terry
Pointy toes, oh Gram.
(Holds up one black and one red spike heeled patented leather shoe)
Yes Gram, I will.
Grandmother
The house coats go to Ida. She always liked that blue one. She says she has a chair just that color. But don't give anybody anything until after I'm gone and you're about to leave, understand? You could start a stampede if them, out there, found out this stuff is up for grabs. You should have seem them watching when I moved in. I had to guard every box, when I was moving in mind you. I'll where that at the party. Somewhere down there is the Christmas tree. See is you see it.
Terry
This it?
(Holding up big box.)
Grandmother
Oh dear, I forgot about that.
Terry
How about these suitcases?
Grandmother
Bring those here, we'll have to go through them carefully. Put them down here. Here open that one, I think I know what's in it.
(Terry opens suitcase, takes out fade to
SCENE:
Billie
Mutti, mutti. I have news. Mutti.
Nana
(Speaks in German.)
Billie
No, no. We must speak English.
Nana
Ya, ya. What new you have?
Billie
I have a wonderful chance, Mutti. You know Caroline, from school?
Nana
Who?
Billie
Caroline, Caroline. My friend from high school. She's working as a cigarette girl in a club now.
Nana
Ya, ya.
Billie
Well, she said she can get me into a dance class downtown and if I do good, I can maybe be a dancer and make lots of money for you.
Nana
Vat kind of school, vat kind dancer?
Billie
Vaddiville, mutti, stage dancing. I could earn at lot more than I'm getting at Woodworths. And she knows a place I could work at night as a hat check girl to pay for it. Oh mutti, you wouldn't have to cook for other people any more if I made lots of money. We could. .
Nana
But vat would your father say? He would never permit it.
Billie
Mutti, he's never here. He wouldn't know. I would still work at Woolworths and he could still have all paycheck from there. Anyway, we haven't seen him in months. You know where he is. Uptown someplace with that woman.
Nana
Don't talk that way about your father. He's a good man.
Billie
Oh mutti. Why do you put up with him? We don't need him.
Nana
No. A girl needs a father. I stay for the family. You need a father.
Billie
But can I go to dance school, Mutti? Can I go? I'll be the best there is, I promise. You'll be proud. I'll work very hard. Mutti, please.
Nana Oh my baby, my love. If you want it so. If it make you happy. But how can you do all that and still keep your job?
Billie
I'll do it, Mutti. Dance school is after work and the other job is later. I can do it. I can do it, you'll see. We'll get out of this place and live in a real apartment again, like we used to in Berlin, with wall paper and heat. This is the going to be a good country for us, you wait.
Nana
Baby, you're only a baby, my baby.
Billie
Mutti, I'm 15. Caroline's 17 and she supports 3 people with what she makes now.
Nana
Well, I will come mit you and watch over you.
Billie
Yes, Mutti. Yes. But don't tell Papa. Don't ever tell Papa. This is for you and me. I can do it.
Nana
Ya, my baby, I know.
FADE
Billie
Bubbles, you can do anything, anything you set your mind to. If you want something bad enough, you can do it. I'm holding three jobs during a Depression. I'm takeing care of you and Mutti and me. You can always get a job if you want it bad enough.
FADE
Cathy
(To Terry) Why can't you do anything? What's the matter with you? You could do it, if you put your mind to it. You have the brains, you're just lazy.
(To Lisa) But you can't take care of yourself, honey. You're too weak. You're going to need a husband, a man. Find a rich man and he'll take care of you.
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Copyright 2001 / ALAN STONE CREATIVE SERVICES / VAN NUYS, CA 91406
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