“"DPS DKAMATISTS PLAY SERVICE, INC. ESTABLISHED BY MEMBERS OF THE, DRAMATISTS GUILD ‘OW THE AUTHORS LEAGUE OF AMERICA fire HANDLING OF THE ACTING RIGHTS OF MEMBERS PLAYS, od I TNR ENCOURAGEMENT OF THE. SIERICAN THEATRE 4 Pak rene Sov, Nw ink BY 10016 wwwidramatisescom CLYBOURNE PARK sy BRUCE NORRIS Fi * DRAMATISTS PLAY SERVICE INC.CIYBOURNE PARK was produced on Broadway by Jujameyn “heaters at the Walter Kerr Theatre on Apuil 19, 2012, Tr was directed by Pamela McKinnon; the sct design was by Daniel the costume design was by tlona Somogyi: the lighting dlesign was by Allen Lee Hughes; the sound design was by John Grotnada the hair and wig design were by Charles LaPonte; and the stage manager was C, A. Clark, The east was a follows: Trank Wood Annie Parisse Christina Kirk Brendan Griffin Damon Gupton CHARACTERS ‘Act One (1959) RUSS (white, late 40s) BEY (married to Russ: white, 405) FRANCINE (black, 305) JIM (white, late 205) ALBERT (marned to Francine; black, 30s) KARL (white, 30s) BETSY (married to Karl, late 203) Act Two (2009) TOM (played by the actor who played Jim) LINDSEY (played by the actor who played Betsy) KATHY (played by the actor who played Bev) STEVE (married to Lindsey: played by the actor who played Kael) LENA (played by the actor who played Francine) KEVIN (married to Lena; played by the actor who played Albert) DAN (played by the actor who played Russ) KENNETH (played by che actor who played Jim)SETTING The ser isthe interior of a modest three-bedroom bungalow, 406 Clybourne Street, in the near northwest of central Chicago. There is a sitting room with front door access, a fireplace with an oak ‘mantelpicee, and a separate dining area with built-in cupboards. At the rear of the dining arca, a swinging door leads to a kischen. A staircase leads up to 4 second floor, and beneath it, another door leads down to a basement There is 2 hallway and a bathroom door as well, NOTE In the original production, the actor playing Jim and Tom also played the role of Kenneth, In some subsequent productions a sep arate actor was hired co play the role of Kenneth alone. CLYBOURNE PARK ACT ONE September 1959. Thnee o'tock, Sarurday afteruoon. The howe is in disarray. Cardboard boxes are stacked in core ners, Some furninire bas been removed, shelves emptied. Pictures hate been removed from the walls and carpets have been rolled and stood on end. Nor far from the fireplace, ‘Russ sis alone reading a copy of National Geographic. He is dresed in pajama top and ebinos, socks, no shoes. On a table next to him sits a carton ofice cream into whieh, from time to tine, he dips a spoon. Music plays softly on a radio nest 10 him. Afiersome time, Bev descends the uairs carrying linens ta place in a cardboard box. As she packs, she sops to look at Rass. BEY, Yo nr going oexall of tat are you? (fe ura deen the nudia) RUSS. (Wish bis mouth full) Whaddya say? BEY. What ice cream is that? RUSS. Um. (Looks at rhe carton.) Neapolitan. BEV. Well, dont feel compelled to eat chat. RUSS, (Shrug, barely audible) Going to waste. (He turns the nidio dback up and Francine enters from the hitchen, wearing a musi uni~ fori, Russ remains in te foreground as Bev joins her.) FRANCINE. (To Ber.) So, if it’s all right I'm just going co pur these candlesticks here in che big box with che urensils. BEY. That is what I would do, yes, but you do mean to wrap them firse? FRANCINE. Oh, yes ma'am,BEV. Oh, Now: Francine: 1 was wondering about this chafing dish, which we have practically never used, FRANCINE. Yes, ma'am. BEN. Do you awn one of these yoursel FRANCINE, No, I sure dont. BEV. Because I do love ro entertain though for the life of mel can't remember the last rime we did. Bue stil, ic does scem a shame to. Bive it away because it’s just sue a nice thing, isnt i? i the cupboard so: that would be use FRANCINE. Ohhhh, thank you, | couldn’ take thac, BEV. (Re: chafing dish.) See how sad he looks? FRANCINE. You don’ want to be giving that 1o me. BEV. Well, nonetheless I'm offerin FRANCINE. No, I dont think I should, BEV, Well, you think about ie. FRANCINE, Bur chank you for offering. BEV. You think aboue it and ket me know. FRANCINE, Yes, ma'am, BEV. And do put some paper around tliose. FRANCINE. Yes, ma'am. (Francine goes into kitchen. Rev returnt with more ta pack, passing Russ.) BEV. Thar’ a funny word, isnt it? Neapolitan, RUSS, (Turns off radia.) Funny what way? BEY. What do you suppose is the origin of that? RUSS. Ublih ... Naples, I imagine, BEV. Napler? RUSS. Cigy of Naples? BEV. Noooo, RUSS, Of or pertaining ro. BEN, That would not be my first guess, RUSS, Yup. REY. J would chink it had something to do with neo, asin some- thing meuy and then there's the -palitan pare which to me would suggest a city like metropolitan. RUSS, Could be. Meaning netw city ot something to that effct. RUSS. Shrugs.) Told you what Fthink. 8 BEV. Because a person from Naples, 1 mean they wouldus bi called, ell nox Mipolean, obviously guess tat was already taken! (Laughs, then serious.) On the other hand, you do say ftalian. Bu tities, hough, and specifically ones chat end in S, because there ‘must be a rule of sonte sort, danit you think? Help me think of a city other chan Naples that also ends in S? (Paus.) RUSS. Uhhh — BEV. Oh fiddle, Um. RUSS. Des Moines. BEV. Not a sileneS. RUSS. Bruseele BEY. All right, There you go. And how do we refer to them? RUSS. Belgians. BEV. But, the people from the city RUSS. Never met anyone from Brussels, BEV. Bur there has to be a word. RUSS. Look it up. BEV, Where? RUSS. Dictionary? But it not going to say this isthe capital of Belgium and by the people who live there are called — RUSS. Give Sally « call, BEV. She won't know chat. RUSS. She and Ray went co Paris. BEV. So? RUSS. Clore o Brussels. BEV. Sally never knows those sorts of things. BEV. What about them? (Francine nettens with more packing) RUSS. Paris ends in S. BEV. Bur — Its not Bruselbiant RUSS. Or Nice. BEV. I'm serious. RUSS. Gor the “S” sound BEV. Bur not Nicians, Like Grecians. RUSS, No, no. Niger BEV. T know thar, but — RUSS. Know char silad your sister makes? 9BEV. Buc that’s French, RUSS. I's a French city BEV. Tunderscand, but, mn saying how would we say, in Fg Well, now I dont remember che original question, BEV. Naples, And dont thi lbeeome Neapolitan? RUSS. Muscovits. BEV. Wha? RUSS, People from Moscow. BEV. Well, give up, because that's just peeulian RUSS. (Chuckles ar the word) Muscovies BEV. (The same} L wonder if they're musky. RUSS, (Savoring she sound.) Muss-covites, BEV. (Coming up with one.) Cairenes! RUSS. Thar is strange one, BEY. im telling you, that’s what they're called! RUSS, I'm nor dispucing. BEV. Bur why Guirenes? RUSS. (Shrugs) Dated a gic! named Irene. (Pruncine exits again) BEV, Or Congolese? RUSS. Thar, too, is correct, BEV. So shy done we say Tongalese RUSS. Or Afongoles BEV. No, Mongol- RUSS. No no, thar’ different, BEV. Oh, youte right. RUSS. ‘Thae’s uhhh, you know, dhar’s — BEV. No, I know. RUSS. (Tapping his finger on his remple.) The ching with the — BEY. (Doing the sane) Like the Wheeler boy. RUSS. Right, BEV. Bags the groceries. RUSS. Right. BV. (Beat, then.) Bur tba’ nice. have our place. k Neapotitan. How would thar w RUSS. There but for the grace of God. BEV. Exactly. (Pause, Russ breaks it with) RUSS, (Pronouncing grandly, with a sweep of his band.) Ulan Bator! BEV. Wha? RUSS, (An exact peat.) Ulan Bacor! BEV, Whacare you doing? RUSS. (Once again.) Ulan —! BEV. Stop ic. Tell me what you're doing, RUSS. Capital of Mongolia. BEV, Wal why would 1 know chat? RUSS. (Shrugs) National Geographic. BEV. Oh ch Did you change the addres like 1 asked you? RUSS. What do you mean? BEV. For the National Geagnephic. RUSS. The addeess? BEV. Oh, Rus! RUSS. Me BEV. Tasted you. RUSS. You did? BEV. I asked you fifcen times. BEV. I said don't forgee the change of address for the magazine and you promized me that you would, you promised me specifically — RUSS. (Overlapping) did it lase week. BEV. (Gontinuous,) — chat you would see to it sol — Oh. RUSS. Pulling your leg. BEV. I see. RUSS. (A gentle imitation.) Oh Rust! BEV. Maybe people dont die having their leg pulled. RUSS. [was just — I was — Okay. (Pae.) BEY, And are you going ro bring thac trunk down from upstairs? RUSS. Yup. BEV, Thoughe you said after lunch. RUSS. Sore a two-person job, BEV. And you really want to wear chose clothes all day? RUSS, Hadn'e really thought about it. (A silence passes berweere them, Rass scratches bit elbows). BEV. But you know, you area funny person. I was eling Francine — 1 ran into Barbara Buckley at Lewis and Coker’s and Barbara said: that Newland told her funny joke that you told at Rotary lst year. WIRLISS, hae ole? WEY. Aboue 4 man with a talking dog? RUSS, (Shakes bo hovel) Thinking of Ron Lassiter. IEV. No, twas you. RUSS. A ng BEY, And Rarkara said does Russ not go co Rotary anymore? Apparently they all keep saying where's Russ? (A beat, then.) Not that Tecate one way’ or che other but it does seem that you used to ngand I dontt see why that, ofall chings, should have co igs — (Russ shifs in his chair. Continuous, quickly.) — and pleasedonic say wthars dhe point, Russ, Fhate it sehen you say that. Because for char matter — RUSS. (Overlapping) | wasn going to HEY. (Cantinnous,) — what's the point of anything enjoyable, real- (Phone rings, Francine enters. Contiunots.) — Why wor just 1 chair all day’ and wait for the end of the world but / dont tend ¢0 live the remainder of my life like that and T think you could iake notice of che fuer chat talking that way frightens me. FRANCINE. (Phone.) Stoller residence? RUSS. (Quietly 10 Ber.) Not eying to frighten you. FRANCINE. Who may I say is calling, please? RUSS. (76 Ben quietly) Ulan Bator, FRANCINE. Excuse me, Miz Stolle? BEV. Who is i? FRANCINE. Mister Lindner wanting to talk to you. RUSS. (WVioh a groan.) Ohh for the love of — BEV, (76 Francine.) Tell him Ul call him back, RUSS. Not one thing its another, FRANCINE. (Phone,) Mister Lindner, she wonders ifshe ean call | you back? REV. (Overlapping Francine, to Rus.) Lonly mean that pecple are eoncerned about you — RUSS, (Overlapping.) Well, what's the nature of the concern? REV, (Continuout,) — and { don't see the point of spurming their ood intentions, RUSS, Gee whi I'm juse reading a magazine, FRANCINE. (Yo Bet) Says he’s calling from a pay phone, RUSS. (fo Fincine,) Just say we're occupied 12 BEV. No, Lake i, chank you 1 (To Russ, as she eros.) 1g what Barbara said, (nto phone.) Hello? RUSS. (To hinurelf) Barely know the woman, BEY, (Phone.) No 110 no, it’s just, we're in a stare of disarray, Karl. RUSS, Somehow I ypurned hee. (As Francine returns tothe kitchen, the front doar opens cud Jim sticks bis beatin. He is southfil min- ister — wears a clerical collar inde his jacket) IM. Ding dong? RUSS, (Seeing Ji not rising.) Oh Uh, hey, Bev? JIM, May one intrude, he politely asked? RUSS, (To Bew) Jin’s at the door. EV. (Seeing fim, she mouths sitently 10 him.) Oh, ob, oh! Come int! Come int aro phone.) Karl, 1 cant hear what you're saying. JIM. Russ, my friend, I am crossing the threshold! RUSS, Hey Jim, JIM, (Looking around.) Holy Toledo Jiminy Chrisemas. RUSS. Bev's on the phone. JIM, Hate to be the one to break it to ya, buddy, bur somebody made off with yer scuff RUSS. Kinds discombobulated. BEV. (Phone,) Oh, Katl, 1 don't think s9, not coday, JIM. (To Ris) S'nor the big day, isi? RUSS, (Zo Jim.) No no. Monday. BEV. (Phone.) No, irs just, Russi a file under the weather JIM. Piece of advice. Watch our when you start lifing things Learned that the hard way last month. RUSS. (Preocenpied wirh Ben) lazat tight? JIM. Ohhh seth Judy says Jim I goces have me this spinet piano, a. cask which eacually fills co m BEY. (Phone, overlapping.) Well, if it’s absolutely necessary. JIM. (Continuous, — and there 1 am with this thing halfway up the front steps and me widerneach, And of course, i’ noc the ight, you know. Its ehe angle — BEV. All right, Karl. (Hangs np) JIM, (Continwons.) — which is why they tell ya to bend the knees, REV. (Re: Jim.) Well, will you look what the cat dragged in? RUSS. (To Ber, re: the phone eall) Whae was that about? JIM. Bey, Lam trytng to bestow the pears af my wisdom upon this ‘man, RUSS, (To fim.) No no, Iwas listening, 13NEV. Oh, isn't it just a jumble in here, all of chis? JIM, S'whae | was saying to Russ, ssid somebody cleaned ya out! HSS. Not coming here, is he? NEV. Oh, I done know. You know Karl. HIM, Karl Lindner? RUSS, Bev? JIM. Ohmigosh. Ya got a look ar Betsy lately? NEV, (Ejer wide) Obes a girl a wide berth can I get you some iced tea? Ber.) Maybe call back and ask him to come later, HEY, te wasa pay’ phone. (To fin.) Oh ob oh oh oh! I know! Now wait, Now Jim: Fam going to ask you a question: JIM. Hah-oht BEV. (Ta Riss.) And dont help him, (7o Jim.) Now: want you to tell Russ what you think the word Neqpolicen means, RUSS, (7 fim.) She thought — BEV. Shhhbbhbtt You're not allowed to say. JIM. Well, that'd be your basic vanilla, strawb — BEV. No no, The derivation. RUSS. I told her what I th — EV. Shbbbhit! JIM, Ub, think it's Na ‘Obhhhh phooey JIM, Or Napoli, as we like to say. (Francine enters) ing. And then — well, Russs in a funny ng to do what Russ did.) Oo-lan Ba-iort ie JIM. RUSS. Mongolia, JIM. Mongolia So then what's the Nepalese — Do ya say Nepalese? EV, (Chuckles, slaps Russs arm.) T hope it's not Ne-politan! Kathmandu, JIM. Kithowndul WEY. Oh, well I dont even know why'you two know these things. FRANCINE, Miz Stoller? JIM. Knowledge is power, Bev. HEV. Then I choose vo remain pouerles To Rus.) Doi again. RUSS, Do what? HEV. Hoe yo sad it RUSS, Noy BEV. Dois, Russ, RUSS. No. BEV, Do ic for Jim. RUSS. Bev? WEY. Why not? RUSS. Sorry, Jim. BEV. Why for me bur not for him? RUSS. Well, for ane thing, ‘cause its not finn. FRANCINE. Excuse me, I’m fixing to go, so if you need some- ing else? }EV. Oh. Yes. One thing. Francine, you remember thas big trunk thae’s upstairs? RUSS. ‘No no no no. Bev? REV. She dacsn't mind. RUSS. Just cold you I'm doing it, BEV. You said is aewo-person job, and here's wvo of you right here. RUSS. Well, what’ the emergency? JIM. (To Ber.) 1 wad offer my services — BEV. (Overlapping) Oh no no no no no. JIM. (Continuous) — but Tam under doctor's orders, believe it or not. FRANCINE. Well DEN. (Resigned) Alli RUSS. Francine? Jam going to move the gol-darned trunk, FRANCINE. Yes, si BEV. (To im, mocl-private.) That's what | get for trying. (Francine exits, Discomfort.) JIM. (To Rus.) S200 — BEV. Did you gecany lunch, Jim? Do you wane some —? JIM. No no no no no. BEV. Since I guess we're leaning our che larder and Russ seems to be eating every lst thing in the icebox, so you'll have to fight hirn for the ice cream. 9¢ for me. just needing to leave by three-hiry. ISS, Shrug.) Well, ya know. Can't pack ice cream in a suitcase, (Bee finds this ilarous,) BEV. (Beside beef) In a suite — (To fim.) Did you hear what be just said? TIM. (Chuelting aswell) Man's got a point EV. (Slaps Rusit shoulder) How de you think of thove dings? lee 15« a= JIM Not unless you're moving to the North Pole (Belang harder) IE. ‘Thank goodness we're not moving South! JIM, That be a mess. No question. (Ber and fim stop langlrng, Sigh. More discomfort, then.) No question, BEV. Groping up.) Well, Vm going to ¢ce what we do have. (Bev sits inta the kitchen, leaving Ruut and fim alone.) JIM, Whaddya, coming dawn with something? RUSS. Who? Tey said “under the weather.” 5. Me? JIM, And here ya sicin your PJs — RUSS. No no no no no. I'm — Took the diy to — Truck coming, os JIM, 1 gorcha, RU mupla days off. JIM. Playing hooky. RUSS, No no, JIM. Bev's your alibi, RUSS. Just giving her a hand with stuf JIM. And you are hard at work, as Tee, RUSS. (Smiles alittle.) No. Lust. JIM, Kidding you. RUSS. I know, [—1— Yup, JIM. Would come to your aid there, only I'm dealing with a lir- the, uh, issue. RUSS. Oh yeah? JIM, Piano T told ya abour? RUSS. Right? ja ever ... (Lowers voive.) ever need a truss? Have to wear .. Dont recall. Oh, yout reeall it you did. RUSS, Guess not, then. Phen you area forenate man, 1 haste you, JIM, Tend the knees or suffer the consequences. RUSS. Yup, (rief pause) JIM, So. Afonday, you said, RUSS. Yup. JIM. Off co the hinterlands. RUSS, Monday it is. REV. (Gulling fons off) Ji, ve chat a yes or a no on the iced tea? MIM. (Calling back ra ber.) Uhh 1 would nor say no to that. BEV. Same.) Russ? (Russ shakes his head.) JIM, Same.) pelieve Russ is declining your gracious offer. WEY, (Some. Cthought a5 much. NIM. (Back to Russ) Monday. RUSS, Indeed. JIM. Head ‘em up. Move 'em out. RUSS. Yup. JIM, And when ya stare chat Glen Meadows office? RUSS, Monday after. IM, How aboue that, RUSS. Yup. JIM. And how's thae shaping up? RUSS. Oh, boy, now. That's a nice setup. JIM. T betcha. RUSS, And spacious thar's the thing, And carpeted? And 1 got a look at thae office they're putcing me in. Tell you what I thought co myself, | thought whe the heck do yx do with all chis space? Corner office. Windows two sides, But the space is the primary — “That is ust an ... exmuragant amount of spice. JIM. Elbow room. RUSS. Ocher ching is, once we get situated up in the new place. The rime i eas? Driveway to the patking lot Know what chats gonna take me? JIM. Five minutes. RUSS. Six and a half. JIM, Close enough. RUSS. Timed it. Dnor to door, JIM, Roll outta bed and boom RUSS, And Tom Perricone. 1 don't know if you know Tam. Colleague of mine. Naw, he's going to relocate to that same office and they live right down here offs Larabee. You know what shar gonna take him on the expressway? JIM, Thar’sa drive. ‘RUSS. Thirty-five minutes. And that's no traffic. JIM, Well, Judy and [are sure gonnia miss having you rvo around. RUSS, Well... Yeah. (Auekiewrd pats.) 7: i ousrs sone, seeretively) And how's Bee doing? lh yl (1h, yon know. Bev loves a project. iy Henpe ier cu EH, Uh ved onc TRE Win atues chee worry a lo VL Al yn Whi Mo! Sh I fp Mi om pood wo me JEN) Lean you know how she gets, { , fils Af evi ersstedd {t Lig weit fille, Werbedt up ever things. Minor things, TAGS Viliye bilo? URE, 6 ju bas Ka Teg yilllng ysuursell'a minor ebing, are you? NUGHE (Hot sieht arricated.)No, I didn't — 1 mean things Tike — fel, (Clufebli.) V9 yuu consider yourself meinor thing? UIE Jay Vali ‘Well, actually, in the grand scheme of Ul T ilont think any one oF us i, uh ... particularly —did Bey Sah nN Wy weine aver? Nap Vives pwnd ws see you. Great to see you. JIM. nigin, ni daze cal onher eoupla days ago. Gar co raking, RUSS, Uh-lith, JIM, Lele about you, Sinue she cares about ye RUSS, Right, Right. (Aiow looks for Ber.) The heck’s she's doing in there? JIM, Everybody cates alt you, Ras RUSS. Uh-huh, Uh-bulb. Yup, Well Tell ya what I think. And Um not a psychiatrist or anything but 1 do think lotta people today have this tendency, tendency to brood about stuff, which, if you ask is-— well, shore answer, is not productive, And what [say te these people, mere I to have a degree in psychiatry, I think: my alice IM be maybe, get up offa your rear end and do something. MH Tp). Ne my solntion, Ait Uhetinth Wein yfenivere, wwhae dey Ehnow? JIM. T thinkeyou know plenty. (Best, Russ looks sowurd kitchen.) RUSS. (Calling.) Hey, Bev? JIM. Like, L think you know your son was a good man, no matter ‘shat, Hero to his country. Nothing changes that. RUSS. Yup yup yup. JIM. And also think you know that sometimes talking about things that happen, painful things, maybe — RUSS, Uh, you dant happen to have a degree in psychiatry either, «lo you, Jim? (finn sure.) No? Just checking. JIM, Weall suffer, you know. Not like you and Bey, maybe, but — RUSS. But, sce, since what Jin doing here is, ee, since Tim just minding my own business — JIM. Overlapping.) Buc ic doesn't hure — RUSS. (Continuous,) — sorta scems to me you might save yourself the effort worrying about things you don't need to concern yourself with and furthermore — JIM, (Overtapping.) He's in a becer place, Russ RUSS. | (Continuous.) — if you do keep going on about those things, Jim, well [hate to have to put it cis way, but what | chink T might have to do is... ub, politely ask you to uly (Clears his throat.) ... well, (0 go fuck yourself. (Pause) JIM. Not sure theres a polite way to ask char, (Rtas rites ro exit.) RUSS. (Embarrared.) Okay? So. JIM. 1 just cant believe Kennech would've waned his own father to RUSS. (Maintaining his calm.) Yup. Yup. So, you can go fuck yourself okay? (Bev enters with fits iced tea.) BEV. So wait. So if i's Napofiin Kalin, chen wouldnt adding an “E" before che "A" just seem superfluous — What's happening? JIM. Bev, I believe I will hic the road. BEV, Whac are you — ? Russ? RUSS. Going upstairs. BEV, What happened? JIM. Nor to worry. BEV. (To Rus,) What did you do? JEM, Another rime. BEV. (To Rus.) Come back here. JIM. (Oterlapping, to Ber.) No no, Russ made his feelings clear — BEV. (Oterlapping, quietly co Russ,) Why are you bing like this? JIM. (Continuous) — in no uncertain terms, 19RUSS, (To Bet.) Going up, now. JIM. “Terms may be more appropriate for the lacker room than the — WEN. (fo fine) Ltald youso, V1old you what it's like. And he uses these ugly words in other peoples presence (7 Rus.) and I'm not some kind of manen, bue what in the world is wrong with ciilin? RUSS. Honey? I am not going co stand here with you and fim and discuss — BEN. (Overlapping) Well, you're being ugly and I don't like nghines. (Continuows.) — private matiers, matters that are between id the memory of my son — (Ta fim, overlapping.) \ think his mind has been affeaed, 1 do. RUSS, (Continuons, overlapping.) —and if the ovo of you want to tulle about Kenneth on your own time, if that gives you some kind of comfort — EV, “And what's wrong sith comfort? Are we not allowed any comfort anymore? RUSS, Well, Kenneth didn’ get a whole lotta comsforr, did he? Ruse! And for you co use nasty words to Jim — JIM. Nothing T haven't heard before. RUSS. (Moving upstairs.) Changing my shirt. JIM, L was in the service, to0, you know. RUSS. (Bitter langh.) Oh ight, And tell me again, How many cople did you kill? Ba Os forged’ sake, sop it RUSS. Sat behind a csk, didntchs? Goddamn coward. (The door- dell rings. All and in silence. Bev eovers her mouth, at the front door, swe cam see Mbert peer through a small window) ALBERT, (From off) Hello? (Ard still no one moves.) Anybody hore? (Ber looks 1 frm, wcho opens the door.) JIM, Afternoon, ALBERC (To fin.) Uh, how d'you do? I'm just here 60 — WWM, Fiuncine? Alberts here. HIANCINE. (Calling, fom off.) Yes, raa‘am, Tine coming. WEY, She's on hee w: [AWITT. Thank you, man. use srs and exits up the stars, fim Ried nat Fume wheshe-ta invite Albers in or not, He rus to Bev. Bew eres lack 10 Albert) AY. Alltetts would you Tike co wait inside? ADT: Ube Allright, thank you, ma'am. 20 REV. I bet it's warm out there, isn't it? ALBERT, Ohh, yes icis, TEV. Can T offer you some iced tea? ALBERT. No. Thank you, though, EV. Well, Yim sure she'll be right along, ALBERT. Thank you, (Albert sits near the door, but within exrsbor of Jien and Bet) MIM. (Ta Ber, whispering became of Albert) think maybe i ime for me BEM, (Rapid, whispering.) Oh please dont go, please don't, I just tent want ta be alone with him right now. Te maker me fel so alone — JIM. (Overtapping.) You're not alone. BEY, (Cantinuons.) — the way be sts up all night long, Last night the was just sitting there at three in the morning — JIM, Overlapping.) | know. I do, WEV. (Contintont.) — and I say to him say, don't you feel sleepy? Do you want to take a Sominex, or play some cards maybe, and he says I dont see she point of ras i€ there has to be some grand justi= fication for every single thing that a person — (ud mow she notices Albert rising and beading for the doar, To Albert.) — Wit. Yoo-hoo? ALBERT. (Fleving overheard.) S'all ight, BEV. Something wrong? AUBERT, No no. BEV. She said she's on her way. ALBERT, | ean waie onside, BEV. (Galling off} Francine? FRANCINE. (From off) Lin coming BEV. There she is. (Fricine enters in sret clothe, with two lange age of hand-me-dewns, She saps to put on her earrings.) FRANCINE, I'm sorry I guess 'm mosingalitde slower than usual, BEV. And here's Albere waiting so patiently, [Pony I had doer-to- service like Froncine! FRANCINE, So, I'll se you Monday, then, BEV. Albert, ime this place just a catatrophe? ALBERT. Oh, yes ici. BEV. (To Alber.) ell you, { don't know tofat I would do without a friend like Francine here, and on a Sittrday, T mean she is juve a treasure, What on earth are we going to do up there without her? ALBERT. Wel, [trust yall ean sore chings out.EV. (0 rumane.) Oh, and maybe Monday we ean see abour thar pig ati oa do a ee TANT INE. We'll make sure and at. Un itsbvr psefbue Tm noca big strapping man ike Alber here. JIM. Atiaid ve gotea exempe myself — IN. Ch ne n9 no no. Branene and T ean mage ALE What's it, a trunk, you said? TUANCINE. (With a shake of the bead to dissuade Albert.) A foot lac ker AVERT, Where's tat? IN. Nonna we us nad rng it an he ss AUR | dont vind WHY. Oh, shank you, but no, VRANCINE. (To Ber) But definitely Monday. BERT, These 5» here? . EV. Olin no po T mean, it would eke Bue ovo minutes. NANGINE, (To Bev, re: her bags.) ies just | got these things here ALERT, [ean pur them in the cat, HM. Oh, got yourself a cart AUBERT. Yes, sit . JIM. (Looking out.) Whacast, a Pontiac? ie ificancly to Albert.) t's jase thar Um afraid were IEICE, (Nor gering i.) Late for what? FRANCINE. “Me place wwe gotta be? se The ple FRANCINE, Remember? . AUMER, (To Proncine) The — What're you FRANCINE. (Continuous, 19 Ben) Tm sorry. IRL. (Ta Famine.) Said ovo minutes is al. FRANCINE, (Quier, pointedly.) Well, ve got my handy full. ALENT, [just said Fan puc them in the — MANCINI. (Taily as sey start ro go.) Tean puc chem in the cat hafing die ANCINE:, No ma'am, thank you, though. "ALAR, (Ta Hew and fim.) Be right back. (Albers opens the daor ta reve Kul Linduer, about ta ring the bell) 2 KARL, (An oddly formal and uncomyoraable-seeming man.) Ah. Unespected. Uhhh...? BEN. Hello, Kad. KARL. (Relieved.) Ah, Bev. Voil, ALBERT. (To Karl, squeecing past.) Excuse us, if you dont mind? KARL. Nor ac all. After you, sit. (Karl makes wiay for libers and Francine to pas.) ALBERT. (To Francine, as shey exit, barely audible.) What is the matier with you KARL. (From the door, seeing him.) Ab, Jim, coo, Hello, lad. HIM. Karl. BEV, (Unenthusiastically) Come on in, Karl. KARL. Uhhh ... (As if working our a puzele.) Yes. Could do that. However, you'll recall, Bex, that Betsy currently happens to be, uh, how shall we say —? REV. Ohhh, is ic almost that time? KARL, Uh, point deing, that she did accompany me. BEV. What do you~ you mean she's in the car? KARL. She is. BEV. Well, for heaven's sake, Karl! Dont leave her out in a hot car KARL. Well, that was my thinking, DEY. Bring her in with you, KARL. Will do, BEV. Of all shings, KARL (Ache goes) Backin a flash, (As Karl exits again, Rus descend the sans in a clean shirt and shaes. Bev and fim allow him to silently ‘pus by them. He walls to he chair and colles the ice ream carton.) BEV. You changed your shirt, (Russ continues into the Kitchen with ‘out responding. cls soon ashe is gone.) JIM, (Quietly) Bev. REV. (Whispering) L know I'm being silly. | know I am, bur — JIM. (Overlapping.) Not a all the least, BEV. (Continuous whisper.) — irs just that after two and a half years youd think that with sime, because that’s supposed to be the thing chat helps, isn id litle bit of time — JIM, (Overlapping) A great healer. EV. (Consinuons whisge:) —and I thought with the new job and the move I thought somehow he would start ta let go of — (Russ returas from the kinchen. Bev goes silent, He goes tou door beneath the stairs, opens it, pulls a string to surn on a light, aud exits. Calling after 23him.) Where are you going, the basement? RUSS. (Front off) Yup. BEV. “Are you looking for something? ; RUSS. (anther) Yap. (The front door opens, Kir escort his wife Bee. who i eight months preguant, and who abo happens mo be tonally deaf) KARL, Here we are, then. WEN, Ohy thene she ist Hehhyoooh, Behhhh. (Hello, Bets) -gondves. You are jusc the biggest ching, i Eee toonor. Ah so beee!! fs true, Tin so bight] _. KARI. Took che liberty of not ringing che bell. KEY. Betsy, you know Jim. JIM, Indecd she does. , ETSY, Hal Jece. (Hi Jim.} (fim shows of Het finger spelling the last word.) WE sign language sills to about? Somebody translate! BETSY. (Laughing to Karl) Huhubuuhlt Kaaaaa!? JIM. (Chuckling along.) Uh-oh! What did T dot (ety sigus to Karl.) KARL. (Chuckles) Uh, ie seems, Jim, thae you, wh, told Betsy char she wis expecting 2 storm! BEY, No! He meanc stork! You meant stort, didn’t you? BETSY, (Pantomimes umbrella.) Akieemah-urnbraya! [J need my anmabrellal} (AU laugh.) BEY, Her nmbrella! (To Betsy) | understood that! KARL. Have to check the weather report! BEY. A storm, Vv going co tell thar to Russ. HIM. Muse have rusty fingers? (AI chuckle) WEUSY, (To Kart, asking for translation.) Kaaaah? KARL. (Speaks as he signs) Uh, Jim says hi fingers are rusty. (ery Mauls and covers her mouth.) IWLY, See? She anelerstands. MANSY. (ti Jon, imitating washing hand.) Jece, mebbhe yew necce seuinibilll [Jhn, maybe yor need soap!} (More polite laughing.) Wve (Exp lading to Jim.) Soap. Vor the ruse on your — IRL (10 Heo Nov V understood, (Ras emerges from the basement, Aapivint a lange shone) id 1 eisspll? oy 1 (Over-enunciating for Betsy's benefit.) Welt just look at youl 4 Oh, well, now look at chat, Look ar them go, What is that KARL. And there's the man himselft Thought hed ahsconded! BEY, (To Russ.)'The Lindners are here. ETSY. Hehhyoooo, Ruuuulhih, (Helo, Rist.) RUSS, Betsy, (To Bet) Ya seen my gloves anywhere? AARL. (Re: the shovel) Tunneling to China, are we? RUSS, (To Bets) Pair of work gloves? NEN. (Ta Kard} Do you knew T just got through saying how Ruse snd never entertain and here it is a regular neighborhood social! KARL. Well, we shan’ be long, HEV. Karl, do you suppose Betsy would like a glass of iced tea? KARL (She does not see him.) Bets —? (To Bet.) Point to me. EV. (To Betyg veremunciated ) Bet, look at Kark (Betsy boos at Karl) KARL. (To Betsy signing simulcancously) Bev wants to know if you ‘want some iced tea to drink? NETSY. Ohhh, yehhhpeee, Dahhnyoo, Behhh. (Yes please, shank you, Bea) RUSS. (7a Bets) Know the gloves I'm talking about? /, Well, Karls here. I thought you were guing cv talk co Karl. (Francine and Albert have entered and started up the stairs) RUSS. (Seeing Albert and Francine.) The heck’s going on? BEV. Nothing. Now, we ovo girls are going to the refreshment stand, so you boys'll have to manage on your own, KARL. Have no fear. nev, (While exiting, as before.) So how are you feeling, Betsy?Are you tired? BETSY. Noooo, ahhh fiiieee, Behhhb, revece, (No, Fin fine, Bers really] (Betsy and Bev exit 10 the kitchen) KARL. Now; Russ, Bee tells me you Td — (Realizes) Abi. Not contagiots,is it? RUSS. Is what KARL. Hate for Betsy to, uh, come into contact with any — RUSS. Not contagious, KARL. Cant be too careful, Or possibly one can, Anyway, hare to commandeer your Sarurday afternoon here, a mais home, as they say, but, as we haverieseen your face at Rotary of late f thought I might — RUSS. (Overdapping.) What's on your mind, Karl? KARL. (Continuons,) — incrude upon the sanctity of —~ what isposed, and normallyRUSS. Yeh, yeah, JIM, Karl, Twill be aking my leave. KARL. Nor on my account? IM. Parish business. HAL Uh gel rac co ell Ji we igh ata beni fromm ir insight, here? JIM. (Looks ar watch.) Uhhh — KARL. [Fits not pressing? JIM. Acually — - KARE. Not ro usurp your authority, Russ. Your aastle. You are the king. RUSS, Wha’ on your mind? KARI. (Ashe sits on a bos.) Is this safe? RUSS. Anywhere, KARL, No breskables? And Jim? JIM. (Sits, loking at Russ.) Unb ... minute or wo. KARL, Good. Good good good. So. (Bev opens the kitchen door) BEY, Teed tea for you, Karl? KARL. Ah. Problem Being that 1 do have some sensitivity co the | cold beverages, so my question would beis the tea chilled, by which [mean has it been ii the Frigidaire? BEV, (Enduring him.) No, Karl. ; KARL. Then, if might have a serving minus che ice? That would suit me fine. BEV. All right, Karl. Bew closes the door.) - KARL. Anyway Russ, ifyou dont mind, Iwill proceed directly 10, date [say, the cre, So. First and foremost, as far ag matters of com- munity are concerned, I've always maintained — (Bev and Bety enter from the kitchen with glass of ced ta.) BEV. All right, you boys. | KARL. (Panicky about Bers) What's — 2 Is something —? BEY, (Handing Kast his tea.) She's fine, Karl, KARL, Is thae ca, she's drinking? - REY, Yes, Kar. KARL. Slow sips, Small sips. ; ‘Allright, Karl. (ety and Bev sit at the dining table, away the meu. They begin to communicate vit pad and pencil.) USS, You were saying? KARL. (jeglaner aff meps brow) Tad overwrought, 1 suppose. {Lowers voice.) What with Betsy's condition, but... wel, given our 26 Siury of wo years ago dont now, Ras if you knew the dei sf thas, USS. Some, yup. KARL. “And Jim: source of great comfort for us during all of that, (ear, then 10 Rus) te was the umbilical card. Nature of the problems. RUSS. 1 knew that. KARL, Wrapped around the .. (hidicates his neck.) Exactly. So, n0 syne at fault. No one co blame. But these tragedies do come along. Asyou and Bev well know. JIM, ‘What'e you hoping? Boy or gie? KARL. Ah, na. Touch wood, No cempring fate. IM. There you go. KARL. (Back 10 Russ) Not to compare on lede ... setback ... 10 shar the no of you endured, but — RUSS. Something abou a crus? KARL. Right you are. Well: To backtrack. I take it, Russ, you're «ware that the Community Association meets the first Tuesday of cach month? And as 'm sure you know, Don Skinner is par of the siveting committee. And somehow it came to Don's attention at this lace juncture chae‘Ted Driscoll had found a buyer for this house snd T have to say it did come as something of a shock when Don told us what sort of people they were, RUSS. What sore of people are they? (Beat. Karl sares ar Russ.) KARL, Well. (Chuckles) Uhh ... Huh, T suppose I'm forced to consider the possibility thar you actually don't énow RUSS, Don't know what? KARL, Wel, I mean. That they're colored. RUSS. Who aret KARL, The fami the family — JIM. Waie waie wait, KARL. (To Russ) You'te saying Ted never bothered to tell you? RUSS. We, uhbt... sort of gave Ted free rein on the — JIM. 1 done chink you're right on this one, Karl. KARL. Oh, buc lam. Oh, I've spoken wich the family. RUSS. Bev? JIM. On the eelephone? KARL. Ob, no. Asa matter of fact, Betsy and I've just come directly from... (Bea, far offet) wel, {rom Hamilton Park, use) What is ie? 2 I's a colored family. (Pimse.) So: I contactedUSS. Crnere a second. KAI, Now, Russ You know as well as To shat this is progres: se cammmunieg WEN. (76 Russ as she joins rhem.J Whats he calking about? KARL. Ifyou rake the case of Gelman’s grocery: ‘That's 4 fine | le of how we've all embraced a differen way of thinking — Karl says. Kael is claiming — Russ, L have met perionally with the family, and — rae fa \. He claims chis family. The family to whom Ted sold the house KARL. ¢s a colored family. (Jim shakes his head.) JIM, (Te Karl) Sorry, don't we say Negro, now? KARL. (Iritaied) [say Negro. — JIM. (Onerlapping,) Well, its only common courtesy, and 'm — KARL. (Gontinuons,) — 1 say them interchangeably — JIM, (Orerlapping.) — not rying to tell you how to conduct your business. ‘ARL. (Continuows,) —and of course | said Negro to them — No {chink we both know what you're doing. JIM. And furthermore, I dorie think Ted would pull a stunt like dha, KARL, Yes. We all admire Ted. Bur I don’ chink any of us would accuse him of pucting che community’ interests ahesd of his own, BEV. Oh, this is ridiculous, KARL. And I dont think any of us have forgouten what happened with the family chat moved onto Kostner Avenue last year. Nov, Kostner Avenue is one thing, but Clybourne Strect ~ BEV, Wainwaiewait. Karl, ate you sure? KARL. L was sitcing with them not «wo hours ago. BEV. Bur isn't it possible chat they're ... 1 don't know, Mediterranean, ot — KARL. Bev, they are one hundred percent. And | don't know how much time any of you have spent in Hamileon Park, but Betsy ‘was waiting in the carand I ean tell you, there are some nzavory characters, RUSS. Kart? KARI. But, in the case of Gelman's: | chink there was some mis- trust at first, having been Kopeckne’s Market for such a long time, 28 ‘hur the end of all Murray Gelman found a way to fit in NIV. And they hited the Wheeler boy. HAL Ishethe one with the —? (Indicate his head.) WV) He's the — you know, (Does the zeme.) RL. And flting into a community is really wha slussn to. (A very loud THUMP frome upsttra) HUSS, The heck is going om up thece? MARL, Now; some would say change is inevitable. And I can sup- i's change for the better. But I'l tell you what I cane that’s distegarding the needs ofthe people who five in ! But dont chey have needs, too? KARL. Don't who? WHY, ‘The fan KARL, Which family? WEY, ‘The ones who — KARL. The purchaser? KEV. “TL mean, in, dlon'e we all deserve 19 — shouldn we alf have the opportunity to, 0, to — KARL. (Chuckles with amazement, shakes his head.) Wel, Bee. HIM. In principle, no question. KARL, Bur you cant dite ina principle, can you? Gotta live in a house, REV. And so do they. KARL, Not in cbs house, they don’. TIM. Buc here's the real question: KARL. And what happened ro fore chy neighbor? If we're being so cipled. NEV. “They would become our neighbors, KARL. And what about the neighbors you already ave Bev? BEY, 1 care about them. too! KARL, Well, I'm affaid you can't have i both ways, RUSS. Oley, Assuming — BEV. Wait. Why nor? lo the boundaries of the neighborhood extend ly! Who shall we invite next, the Red Chinete? (Albert has tematively come 10 the bottom of the stairs, jacket off) JIM. Bue the key question is this: REV. No. Why nor have ic both ways? KARL Dadling, Ucame to talk to Russ, 29 .AUISEIRY, (Pro the stairs) ‘Seuse me ma'am? IEV. Why nor, iFic would benefit someone? JIM, that world they benefie WEY, If we could make them our neighbors KARL. Wut they won't be your ncighbors, Bev. Yore the ones tnoving awa! ; JIM. “The question is, and it’s one worth asking: ALBERT, Sorry to bother you? . RUSS, (Seinding to take charge.) Okay. (Deep breath.) Let's astumme your information is correct. (Then suddenly a large green Army foot- locker comes siding dawn the stairs with a noisy shumpera-thummpera- shump. Albert jumps out of the way) FRANCINE. BEY. RUSS. Surry. sin my (Top ofthe sai,) Ohoh oh. What Aus for fault Vhse That was ny” appened? Is enying out was me, That fiat! Un sorry! everyone all right? loud! was all my What the | heck is the EV. (To Rust) Why are you shouting? Crerything’s fine, so — RUSS. (Overlapping,) Well, what did I tell you? 4 BEV. (Cominuows,) — please dont do that, they'e just trying to belp. RUSS, (Contin) old you 1 do it. You heard me plan as day. BETSY. Eecen ahhh hurrethhh daaaaaa! (Eve 1 heard dha!) KARL. (To Russand Beu) Vile mishap, ALBERT. Little trouble making the corner, is all. FRANCINE. (Now downstairs) I'm sorry: It's heavy and [lost my RUSS. (7 Alder) Just leave the darn thing where itis BEV. KARL. JIM. ALBERT. ‘We can't leave Mayonebe Lend youa What should iu there, of assistance? hand.if] we —? Would could, but — _ you prefer it ift12 RUSS. (Zo Albert.) Just, just, just, just leave ie. BEV. Bur it's blocking the way. UIRANCINE, No ma'am, I can step over — MERE, sal right. 1 gor her, Alber helps Francine climb aver ‘he has chat now blacks the stair.) DARL Any ls ns dg this ou afin, Ras fe np, ‘wo und exits tothe barement, slamming the door Behind bina) WN. Oserlapping,) Rus, dont: IM. (To Kart) One second, if | might? (To Francine.) Sorry. Uh, Jrnncine, is in IRANCINE. Yes IM, Francine, we¥e just been having a litle conversation here, aul | was wondering if maybe you could spare us a couple of min- ses of your time? KARL. What good does thac do? Go nexe door. Talk to the Olsens. Jalk to those who stand to lose. MM. Cguoring him, ta Fnencine.) 1 want to pose a little hypotheti- sal ta you, What if we said this: Lee's imagine you and your hus- uid here, let's say that the evo of you had the opportunity co ve fiom your eurent home incoa diferent neighborhood, and tev say that neighborhood happened to be this one, FRANCINE. Well, [don'r think chat we would, financially — IM, Bl for the sake of argument. Say you had the wherewithal, Would this be the sort of neighborhood you'd find an aetractive lace in which to live? (Francine hesitates) ‘Oh, this isso sil — PRANCINE, It’s a very nice neighborhood. JIM, (To Francine.) No, 'm asking, would the evo of you — Would your fam — 1 assume you have children? FRANCINE, Thee children, JIM. Oh, super. So, with your children, might this be che sore of place, beating in mind thac the, r00, would stand ta be affected — 2? EV, ‘This is confusing chings! Ie’ confusing the issue! FRANCINE. (Ta Jim) lesa very lovely ncighborh — JIM. No, be honest. We want you to say. WEV. (7 Francine.) | chink what Jim is asking, i n his way — RT. He means Fiving nexe co white folks. WEY. 1 — 11 — 1 — well, yes. Pause.) ERANCINE, Well — DEY, Francine and I have, over the years, the swvo of u have shared sv many wonderful — (Ta Francine.) Remember that time the squirrel came through the window? 3FRANCINE, (Smiling, indulging Ber) Yes | do. IV, hac was juse che silliest — the ovo of us were just Jysterical ween KARL. (Pressing alead, ro Francine.) Think of ie this way, WEN. (Ti the others) We stil laugh about that. KARL. I chink that you'd agree, T'm assuming, thar in the world, Here exist certain differences, Agreed? FRANCINE, What sore of differences? KARL. That people five differently. FRANCINE, (Uinure,) ... Yes? KARL. From one another, FRANCINE. Lagree with that, KARL. Different customs, different — wel, different foods, even, ‘And those diff — heres a fanny — my wife Betsy, now, Betsy’ family happens to be Scandinavian, and on holidays they eat a thing keowsn as furefik. And this is dish, which I ean rell you — (He chuckles.) — is not to my liking at all. tes — ob my goodness, lee’ just say it’s gelarivous. NV. (Indicating for him to stop.) Karl? , (To Ber.) Whaaaaa schhhhh? (What did he sy?) BEV, (Over-pronouncing for Bety) Lutefisk, BETSY. Whanaaaa? BEV. Lutfi — Karl, can you tell her? KARI. (Holds up a finger ro Betsy) In a moment, BEV. (Taking up her pad.) Ill wite it down, KARI. (To Frincine.) So, ecrrain groups, they tend to eat certain things, am I right? FRANCINE. Ive never had that dish, KARL. Bur, for example, if Mes. Stoller here were to send you to hap at Gelman’s, Da you find, when you're standing in the aisles cat Gelinan’s, does it generally strike you as the kind of market ‘whicre you could find the particular foods yorr family enjoys? PRANCINE, [sa rery nice store, JIM, fiuerposing) What ifwe were to say thiss FRANCINE. Mr. Gelman’s a nice man, (Bev hands Betsy the pad if paper) HAE at aon, ye preferred food items, would such things Blind at Gekmanis? il AWA: Wo they cary callards and pig feet? (Fnencine shoots a ‘Hel ag Albert) ‘Carr 1 sho couldn’ shop nowhere didn’ sell no pig loot, (Pause, All stare at Albert.) HAL, Wall, Uthink Albeet’s being humorous here. (Karl andl Bew laugh, weliewed,) WETSY. Hating deciphered Bev’ handuriting.) Obhhh, loo-fece! (Harefisk.} (To Bev) Ali he loofee! {Hike dutefisk,] JIM. Bor Eowill say chis — RANCINE, (1 Karl) Bike sagen and meatballs Rat ue le, INN. — You do find differences in modes of wasship. Ifyou take Viyt Presbyterian, Nov chars a church down in Hamilton Park anil Tye taken fellowship there and I can cell you, the differences atc notable, WM. mt IM. Nor a thee judge 1. Apples and oranges, Just as how we have our organ here at Saint Thomas, for accompaniment, where- wv at First Presbyterian, they prefer a piano and, occasionally ... (Celle) well, onbousines WIN, Whats wrong with tambourinest HIM, Nothing wrong. BEY. I fike cambourines. AK. [Tike tambourines as much as the next person, (Raat reurnt Frum the basement. He i cabner,) KARL. Wel, let me ask this. (10 Ber.) Excuse me, (To Francine.) Francine, as i FRANCINE, Yessir. KARL. Francine, may Casle Do you shi? FRANCINE. Dol —? KARL. Or your husband? Eicher of you? FRANCINE. Ski KARL. Downhill skiing? FRANCINE. We dont ski, no, KARL. And this is my point. The children who attend Se. lous. Once a year we cake the middle schoolers up 10 wianhead Mountain, and { can ell sau, in all che cime I've been there, I have not once seen a colored family on those slopes. Now, whac accounes for that? Certainly nor any deficit in abiliey, so whac I have to conclude is tha, for some reason. there is just something about the pastime of skiing that doesrie appeal co the Negro community. And fect fice to prave me wrong, RUSS. Karl.Can we all modulate our voices? Tis sold, Karl. The house is sold, KARL. Lunderseand that, ‘The ink is dry. ‘And we all understand your reasons and no one holds that Tuck's coming on Monday: Fully aware, RUSS. And thae’s all chere is ro that KARL. However: Beat.) There is one possibil Nope. Nope. youll hear me our, RUSS, Donk see the point, KARI, Because we went ahead and madea counter-offer to these KARL. The Community Association, 1 Aw offer on this house? KARL. Very reasonable offer. 1. (Baffled) Bus, but, but, they just bonghr it, Karl KARL, As opposed co the amount for which yon offered the prop- ety, Russ, which was far below che assessors value RUSS. (Overlapping) Wal, we're entitled to give cour prerogative KARL. (Continnons,) — for this type of residence, all of which is neither here nor there, since the Fumily rejected our offer. However: BEV. (To Russ.) Why are we even talking about ch KARL. Don has pointed out to me, that, as the seller of the proper you do have a sixty day option «co place it in receiver- hip with the eransacting bank to indemnify yourself against lia- away if that’s bility, Now; chat’s generally with connmercial properties, but in this instance — RUSS. (Sloviy, orerlupping, Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. KARL. (Cuntinwors) — 1 think tha, inasmuch as Ted deceived jou about te ayers, thatthe bank coud still halt che sale and it ‘woul be a simple RUSS, (Onertipping) Kal? KARL. (Continour,) — matter of a signature, if I could finish? MUS. Prefer i if you didn. WW TSY, Kaahhhh? WY. And for all we know this family coulé be perfectly lvely. RAIL. Well, thac’s hardly the poing, is REV, Maybe it’s point to consider. KARL. Bes, Tm not here to solve socien’s problems, I'm simply yout what will happen, and ie will hsppen as follows: First will leave, then another, and another, and each time o, the values of these properties will decline, and once that recess begins, once you break that egg, Bes all the king's horses, “a— ‘SY. (Overlapping) Kaahhh? KARL. (Continuowi,) — and some of us, you see, those who don't luave the opportunicy to simply pick up and move at che drop of a hen shase folks are left holding the bag, and irs a fairly rorth- les ag, at thar point. NLY. T don't like the one this is taking, RUSS. (To Karl) Okay: Tell you what. KARL. And let's imagine ifthe cables were turned. (Ie: Fancine ind Albert) Suppose a number of iwhice families started marching lino their commun — ? (To Francine and Albert) Well, actually that might be to your advantage, but — RUSS. Karl KARL, — you do see my point. RUSS. Need you to stop now. KARL, Sotry. (Rear) Maybe not handled with the — RUSS, Tes all right, KARL, — utmost delicacy RUSS. But maybe time to let i drop, KARL. Didn't mean co euen it into a public referendum. (Beat) But you do understand — RUSS. No no no no no, Thar’ it. You hear me? Done. All done. (Pause, fn the near distance a church bell begins to ring.) JIM. (Quietly looking at bis watch.) Is it four o'clock KARL, Wel, Russ, ff might — RUSS. Nope. Nope. KARL, If could just say this: RUSS. No. Karl? KARL. Well, if you'd ler me — 35Gadi RUSS, No, No more. KARI, Ubbh ... (Chuckling,) Ber? | gee the impression your hus- and iste 'm not permitced to sperk, 3 RUSS. Done think ie a good idea, KARI. Well, Russ, Pm going co ask you at least to keep an open —2 Kaolt What | just ask you? Well think youte being a tad unreasonable, discussion. KARL. Is thac right? RUSS, Afraid ici, KARL. Just like that. RUSS. Juse like chat. Another pase) KARL. “Then what abou this: RUSS. Karl? KARL. Well, I believe the Constitution endows me with a right to speak, USS, Wal chen you can go and do that in your own home, (Ru roses and opens the frout lar for Karl 1o exit.) KARL, Bev...? (Langhs) He's not being serious is he? RUSS. Karl? KARL. (Laughy.) Am U being silenced? RUSS, Not going to ask you again. KARI. Well, chis isa new experience for me, RUSS. So be it KARL. Bic like the Sovier Union, (Laughs) 1 am uly surprised. RUSS, Well, suprise KARL. And a little disappointed. RUSS. Sorry to disappoint you. KARI. (Shakes his head.) & real shame. For all concerned. RUSS. Well, hat’ the way things go sometimes, KARL. Apparently s0. RUSS. Anyway. Appreciate you stopping by. KARL. 1 see, RUSS. Betsy, r00. KARL. Very well. BETSY, Katasahhhh? RUSS. Okay chen? Okay: (Silence, Karl sands and looks to Betsy The two of chem sowly exit through the open door, Russ quietly closing 36 Well, 7 think we've reached the end of this particular | was they go) WEISY. “(Quiel, before the door is elosed.) Kaahlh, whaah hap. pasah? TRANCINE, (Carefilly.) Miz Stoller, if we're dane talking here? IM. (Rising) Yes, you know, I chink / will ake this opportunity — (thu Karl abruptly resurns Bees fallowing) KARL. However: HIM. (Quietly) Karl, don't KARL. ‘(Very slowly) | don’ imagine thae ... this particular fa ste entry aware of why chey've Found such an agreeable price Tor ‘he property. Dont suppose they know tha aspect of it, do they? \nd let’ say someone was to inform them of those facts. Let's say shat was to happen, RUSS. (Chuckles dangeronul.) Really don’ know when ro quit, do ya? KARL. Because I think that might be an interesting conversation w have, IRANGINE, (7o Be) So I'l be seeing you on Man — RUSS. (Mainiaining control) Well, Kar?’ You go ahead and do shar you think is right, but I'll tell you one thing, What you're fing to do right novt is — KARL. (Onerlapping,) Well, Uhave a responsibility to the commu- nity as a whole. I cant afford to — RUSS, (Cominnons.) — you're going + take yourself right through that door and out of this house. KARL. (Overlapping, continuous.) — simply pursue ray ov self ish interests, RUSS. (Maintaining calm.) Man, whaca son of a bitch, HEV. Russ, don RUSS, (To Karl, If you honestly think | give a rat's ass about the goddamn — JIM, (Ouerlapping.) Okay. Okay. RUSS. (Continuows,) — what, ya mean the community where every time I go fora haircut, where they all sic and stare like the goddamn grim reaper walked in the barber shop door? Thar community? KARL. “(Overlipping.) My wife is ovo weeks away from giving birth to a child, RUSS. (Continuous) Where, Bev stops at Gelman’ for a quart of milk and they look at her like she's gor the goddamn plague? Thar the community I'm supposed co he looking out for? KARL. A community with soon-to-be children, 37JIM. ‘The Apostle Matthew — RUSS. (7 Jim, Ob no no no. Fin talking now. BEV, (Ta Finmcine and Albert) 1 am ashamed of every one of us. BUSY. (Tagging at Karts sleeve) Kaaaaaah? KARL. Betsy, wait in the cat, RUSS. Wel, you go right ahead and you sell dhose folks whatever Karl. And white you're at ie why dont you tell em about Jerything dhe community did for my son. V mean Jesus Chrtt, Murray Gelman even gocs and hires a goddamn revared kid, but ‘ny boy? Sorry. No wark for you, bub. JIM. People were frightened, Russ. RUSS, (Contenptuons.) Abih, of what? He was gonna siap? Gonna iq and kill another bunch of people? Scnd him off to defend che {peldamn country, he does like he’ cold only @ find oue the kinda | sons af bitches he’ defending? TEV. (Farthrighr.) He did nit do the shings they claimed he did, Ve would never RUSS. Ah, Jesus, ofcourse he did, Bev! He coufeued to rehash did! Sit around all day with your head in the sand, it docsr'e change the fets of whac he did ‘Not to innocent people in thac country. And not to women ildren, 1 mean, maybe he lost his temper in 2 — 7 5, Ab, for Chriats sake. What de you think happens in a god- ‘ear? They told him to secure the terizory, not go knocking ‘on doors asking permniuion. And if he was man enough to admit what he did, maybe you oughta have the decency: to do the same damn thing. BEV. (Tiruing ro Francine for support) You semember. Francine remembers what he was like. (Rtas maker sound of digust ancl goes to the fotlocker. Under the following, he wnlocs an opens the lid) How he loved co read and think. That just the kind of boy he was, wasnt i? FRANCINE. Yes nia‘am. TEV. (fo Francine.) Aud the drawings? The most realistic draw- ings. 1 think a tot of people didue realize — KARI. ev, it was never my intention (0 stir up — HIV. Oblals, no, Hck: maybe ic was. KAI, (Ponsinuon,) —svich actimoniaus feelings, but there is a ‘abtivatlise, which HEME Well niaytte Wynn fae Lnown my son a little better, TFany- ye tail sali ths slant, the way that Francine took che eirme — aH {ws has produced an envelope from the footlocker. He steps for rewmaving a fewer on yellow ed pape) * a USS. Here you go, Karl Ler all scad slitele something, shall we? WM. What are you — 2 RUSS, (Reading.) Dear Mom and Dad. INEM. Stop itt KUSS, Reading.) {know youll probably blame yourselves — WEN. (Standing lsing it completely) Russ, op itstop it stop stp stp itt JIM. Russ. Don't. KARL. (To Rus.) F think youteunstable, Russ. relly do. Wier eee You see what this is like? You see? (To ell I refive 1a lite shis way any longer! (She goes into the bath vn nla theca ein ee) RUSS, (Starting over, ealmly,) Dear Mom and Dad. TIM. Russ? RUSS, 1 now youll probably blame yourselves for whut Te done — UM, Needyoa wedi down a RUSS, And you can go fuck yourself KARL. Well, shar is over the line, mister. Thac is noc language f wl lente in on of ey wit S. (Beat, then.) She's deaf. Kacl!! Completely — (Waving ro easy, fke jolly) Hello, Betsy! Go fucl pul (Bey anil, waves hack) So here's what Vil do for you, Kark make ya ten copies of this vou ean hand "em our at Rotary: Or beter yet. Pur ic in the uevisletter, Rotary news: kid comes back from Korea, goes upstairs aud wraps an extension cord around hiisneck, Talk shar aver at the lunch buflet next week, BETSY. (Barely audible) Kuahbh? RUSS, And Francine walking in at nine in the morning to find him. there. You be my guest, Karl. You go atead and tell those peuple what kind of house they're moving into and see if shat stops ‘em, ‘because I'll tll you what, I dont care if hundred Ubangi tribes: men with a bone through the nose overrun this goddamn place, “cause Um hrough with all ofyou, ya mosherfucking sons of bitches. Fvery one of you, (All sand in sileue, We can hear Bew crying from Ichi the buthroors door, Ress slowly folds the lester. Finally) TIM, Maybe we should bove aur heads for a second. RUSS. (Advancing on him.) Well, maybe | should punch you in the Tacs. (Ruse maves tonrerd Jim, who, in backing away inadvertently tumbles backward aver a bos, toppling a floor imp us be goes) 39ALBERT. KARL. BETSY. FRANCINE, Whoa whoa Easy now. Easy Kaahhlt ‘Whar in god’ whoa hoa dacs ir Wasahhhh same is wrong - haat! careful happneee?—— with alla you Baasy, go! people? (7a Betsy? AMbert.) Stay aut of — Dont. Just stay out of — ese rans out the front door) ALBERL. (Puts bis hand on Ress shoulder) Hang on. Let's be civ- ilived, . (Whirling on Albert.) Oboho, dontt you touch me, (RT. Whoa whoa whoa. Putting your hands on me? No sir Not in myhouse you dont, JIM, (Gritsing bis teeth as he copes with his hernia) Viv all righ E.. (To Albert.) What the hell d'you think youre doing? TT, Who're you talking to? Who do you think? KARL. (To Russ, as be helps Jin to his fet.) Very manly, Russ Threatening a minister. ALBERT, (To Fomine.) Why're you talking to me like th —? KARL. (To Russ) Very masculine, (Rarl and fim exit out the front door.) FRANCINE, (Privutely co Albert) | chink theyte all a buncha idiots, And who's the biggest idior ofall co let yourself gee dragged into the middle of ie? Whatcha gonna be now, the big peacemaker come to save the day? (Kir sticks his head back in) KARL. (Through the open door.) You're mencally unstable, Russ! FRANCINE. (Zo Albert.) Let ‘em knock each others bnsius ou, for all 7 care, 'm done working for these people two days from thaw, and you never worked for ‘em at aff, so what che hell do you care what they do? And now Tam going to the goddamn car. (inencine evite: During the marital spuathle, Rass bas returned the Udter tv the foorkucker und dlougyed it out though the kitchen, Albert Ano Ihe ov the mae of he morn He wands iy fo inet phen yrnes to right the overturned floor lamp. Ashe dees, Bev “HBF fbn, thestee lrg, owing her wore) al s(Sevtig Mais) US all phn, Nothing broken. iy ranipainé) Oh oh oh dont mind chat. But PN. (Ui bp dank you so much, MIKERY. No trouble, LV. And do lee me offer you some money for your help, AHIR. Oh mo, matam, tha’ allright. MH, Ohh, are you sure? AUNERT, Yes, maam, IW. (Binding er pune) Wl ere chen, Let ae ates ge you iy cents, AIIERT, No, now you keep your money WH, Of, Row ahout dollae? Take a dollar, I don‘ care. RT. Ma'am? Or take eo, 1 ji RT. Happy to help, Or take something. You have to take something. ERT, No mam. Bue — What about chis chafing dish? Did you see this dish? RT. Well, we gor plenty of dish — LV, Not one of these. Francine told me. MIMERT, Wel, chats very kind of you, but — WEY, ‘She said you didivt have one and somebody should take i ALBERT, (Overlapping.) But we don't need it, milan, WM. (Continnons,) — make use of i, so if you let me juse wrap it foryou. ALBERT, (Finally mizing his eoiee,) Milam, we don't want your things. Please, We got our own things. (Pause, Bev is shocked.) NEM. Well, ALBERT. (Gently) Trying to explain co you. /. Well if shar the attitude, then I just don’t know what ta say iymore, I really dont. IF that’s what we're coming to. ALBERT, Ma‘am, everybody's sorry for your los, WIN, Holding back tear, nobly righteats,) You know, | would be «.. So prond. So houored to have you and Francine as our ncigh- hots. And the two children. ALBERT. Three children, HEY, Thee chil — We would ... Maybe we should dearn whae the ‘ther person eats. Maybe hat would Le the solution to some of the— If some day we could all sit down together, at one big table and, aud, and, and .., (Trails into a whisper, shakes ber head) ALBERT, Evening, ma'am. (Albert goes. Bev is lft alane. After a cy =monrens, Ras enters to fetch the shovel. He earvies a pair of wotk thine, Seeing Beu, he stops, unsure of what to say. Long pause) WN, Where'd you find che gloves? RUSS, Under the sink, WEY. And where are you going to dig the hole? RUSS, Under the, uh .. Whar’ chat big tree called? BEV. “The erape myrtle. RUSS. Under thae. NEN. Kind of late nove isnt ie RUSS. (Shrugs.) Do it tomorrow. (He leaus the shovel against i wall [fe sands idly, apologetically) Kinda lost my temper. REV, (Nord, then.) Well, thar’s what happens. As we know. (Rusa slnely moves to sit in the char he sat in at the start of the act, then | oaks back at Bee.) : RUSS. Know what | did the other day? Up there at the house? BEV. What? RUSS, Driveway co the office. Timed it. Know how long thar's ‘gonna take me now? BEV. Five minutes? RUSS. Six and a half, BEV. Well, you'll have a leisurely breakfast. RUSS. Read the paper. Cup of coffee and bang. BEV, Hmm. . Fiveroh-seven, right back at your doorstep. BEV. And what'll do in between? (Riss is caught off guard.) RUSS. I, 1, ubbh .,. Well, gee, I guess, whatever you number of BEV. Things. RUSS. Projects, BEV. Projects. RUSS, To keep ya occupied. j BEV. Tsuppose you're right, (He turns on the radio. Musi. He looks back at Bets who stares into space.) q RUSS. (Feebiy, with a ltsle sweep of the arm.) Ulan Bacor! (Bev miles vaguely. The lights slowly fade.) End of Act One 42 ACT TWO September 2009. Three otlock, Saturday afternoon. There is fan ovenill shabbines to dhe place that war not the ease fix ‘sears earlier, The wooden stainsve nailing has been replaced witha cheaper metal one. The aak mantelpiece and mos ofthe twoadwark have been putinted over several times, the fireplace opening is bricked in, linoleum covers large areas ofthe wood- en floor and plaster as crtanbled from the las in places. The Kitchen door is now missing, and we can see through t0 an exterior door, The front door sands propped open. Lights rise to find six people facing each other in a rough cir- ae ene he Si ae Lindy seith Kathy, and to the ‘other Kevin and Lena with Tom, all dressed in generic cazwal clothes for a weekend afternoon, Ie is warm, and some have iced drinks, Lindsey is wsibly pregnant. They sit upon immpro- vised seating — erates, abandoned furniture, etc. Steve, Lindsey and Kathy study seraxed documents while te others swatch. Finally: 1OM. Everybody good? LINDSEY, I'm good. STEVE, Good by me. KATHY. Go for it. TOM, So, [ guess we should start right at the top. STEVE. Question? TOM. And 1 know we all got questions. STEVE. The rerminology? YOM. So ler go one at atime: Steve. STEVE. ‘The term fromage? TOM. Right. STEVE, Frontage means? LINDSEY, Where are we looking? STEVE. First page. TOM, Frontage means — (Defering ro Kathy) Did you want to—? 43KATHY, (1 Steve,) Means the portion facing the strct. VOM. Th I. SILVE. (To Tam.) Postion of the property? KATHY, (Je Steve.) OF the seructure. STEVE, (To Tam.) Or pottion of the structure? TOM, ‘The facade. . LINDSEY. (fo Steve.) Ym not seeing it, KATHY, (To Linden) Scond paragraph. TOM. Bottom of the page. ~ STEVE, Where it says “minimum recess of frontage"? . distance from. KATHY. From the edge of the property TOM. STEVE TOM, Ts the “reeess." STEVE, Not the frontage, TOM. ‘The fiamage is what you'te measuring ro. LINDSEY, Gat it STEVE. Ton confused. LINDSEY. Anil “edjg of the property” means as measured from | curk? CATHY, Correct. TOM. Not from the sidewall? KATHY. From the curb, , TOM. Uhh —'lcheck, buc 1 domi shink eae’ right. KATHY. Up to and including. TOM. Bue the sidewalk falls uncer the exsement. KATHY. Right? TOM. So if it's part of the easement then icant be part of the KERPHY. (Shaking her head) By detinivion the propery is inclusive of the easement, The casement is legal passage acros the property. TOM. I dos’t think you're right. KATHY. So, my understanding has always been — KEVIN. Sorry, but — Does any’ of that really mater? STEVE. It mighr. KEVIN, [ metne] dont see how any of tha really — STEVE, (Overlapping.) The langunge? ; KEVIN, (Conbaon,) imps the ovscome of the specie problem thar — STEVE, But J don’ want to get in a situstion where we Hhought we found a solurion only to have ir urn out we're screwed because ub the language. TOM. Wait, NINDSEY. (7 Steve.) The language is cleat to me. 1OM. (Easily) And who’ being rorwed? STEVE, No no no. TOM, No one’s serewing any — STEVE, I didnt mean Tike serewed over, I meant like maybe we screwed ourselves, KEVIN, Bur how does that address the beight issue? TOM, ‘The elevation. SUEVE, (To Tom.) But if the elevation is conditional on the reximeter right? VOM. That's the idea, STEVE, If 'm reading correctly? LINDSEY. But the perimeter isn’ changing, STEVE. Bur we'e saying if it could LINDSEY, But we've established that it can STEVE, Buc let's say iti LINDSEY. Bur Tim saying it won't, STEVE, But I'm saying what if? LINDSEY. But t'm saying sehue did we discs? (Kathys cell Phone ings.) (To Lindsey with an easy laugh.) Okay, but do you have say ie lke tha? What may? (Laaking at her phone.) W's Hector. il better — EVE. (Apologizing to Kevin and Lena far Lindvey) Sorry, UINDSEY. (To Kevin and Lena.) Did | say something in a way? LENA. Nor char T noticed. (THY. (drswering phone) Hi, Hector. STEVE, (Explaining to Kevin and Leia.) The architect. LINDSEY. Who really oughta be here, KATHY. (Phone) No, were doing it now. No, wee here a the haute, KEVIN, (1 Lndey) Wel, if you'd rer wit and do this when he can be? 45STEVE. No no no. . LINDSEY. (Zo Siere,) Well, 1 think we both know what's going to huppen. si STEVE. (Overlapping) 1 don't givea—And, Ibdlieve hes hullise —-T'm just telling you working for us, right? No the what 10 expect. other way around, KATHY, (Phone) No, weke here with — (To Tom.) Tom. | forgo your fast name. 3 (OM. Driscoll. (Cominuons,) 10 go compleccly AVES ple from the neighborhood thing. Property with this neighborhood. KEVIN. Great neighborhood. LINDSEY. Totally great. , . 3 KATHY, (due phone.) Well, hae's whac wete trying to prevent. LINDSEY. And the thing for me ie? My current commute? Which is slowly eroding my soul? KEVIN. How fir ya coming from? LINDSEY. (Poincely) Glew Meadows? KEVIN. (Wincing.) Ooof. , LINDSEY, Exactly. And if you work downtown? KEVIN, Where downtown? ns LINDSEY, (Do you know i?) Donnelly 8 Faber? . On Jackson, right? Donnelly & — Yea, Jackson east of — fea, Vin across the steer. , Where? - 1. You know che big ted buil fT eat hunch in that building, ities? LINDSEY, (fo Bevin.) And from here co downtown is like, what, ict STEVE, (la Kevsit) Ya ever meet Kyle Hendrickson? KEVIN, Devel with Kyle Hendrickson, | KATHY. (hone) No, ut [lo think you'te being a lave paranoid, Iciine ete rt going 0 fet that happen, KATHY, (Back w phone.) Driscoll. So, Tom Driscoll and the peo ¢ ened LINDSEY. (To Kevin and Leva.) And can 1 just say? Tam in love 9) LINDSEY. (7 Kathy) Lemme talk co him KATHY, Jin not going to let it happen. LINDSEY. Kathy. KATHY. Wait. Lindsey wants to — LINDSEY, Lemme do it. (Taking phone.) Hector? KATHY. (Rolling her eyes) Pm obviously not equipped to deal wth — LINDSEY. (On phone.) | thought you were in Searte, SUEVE. (To Katly:) What's the problem? KATHY, Tell you lover. LINDSEY. (Soothing.) No no no no. Kathy's here. Kathy's nor sing co lee that — (Lindsey starts to ext.) SYEVE, (To the arhers.) Spaniards, LINDSEY. (Whispering to she ovhers.) Two seconds. (Lindsey exits the front door. Pause. The others wait) KIMIN (To Steve) Spaniards? NEVE, Architect, ya know. KEVIN. Spanish. STEVE, Temperamental. KEVIN, Toro toro. STEVE. Exactly, TOM. Seemed cool ta me. STEVE. You talked to him? TOM. On the phone, yeah. STEVE, Hes a good guy: (Little pause. Then, small talk.) KATHY. We were in Spain last year. KEVIN, Shae right? KATHY. Me, my husband. Spain, Morocco. STEVE. (Explaining o Kevin.) just meant — with all the paper- work and everything? And then we add shim into the mix? KEVIN. Uhear you. NTEVE, Cooler heads, ya know. ight (Litle pause. Them, mare small ilk) KATHY, Spain's fantastic, We did four days in Barcelona, Saw the called? The cathedral? Big, crazy —? TOM. Sagrada Famflia. KATHY. That, Which I loved. Likewise the food. Which 1 would happily ear every day for the res of my life, KEVIN. Paella, 47KATIIY, ‘Then Morocco, To whatsit, ‘ly Marrakech, Which — alorit know how you Fest abou hear? But oh my god. And they keep. giving you fot tea. Like, how refreshing, And some theory abou Thos sou'te supposed to seat in order to feel eval, which you'll have tw explain to me sometime, TOM, (To hinyelf) Hor in here. LENA, Very h KATHY, nd, ‘To top it off. {donk wane ro bore you with the shale wigly saga but: when they tell you not ro eat the produce? Take heed, KEVIN, Like Mexico, KATHY, Because if you ever nced to know where to find a doctor | the morning in the expitsl of Morocea when your hus: is doubled over with djsentery— ? VIN, Whoa. KATHY. Gimme a call, (Little pause, All look «st door.) OM. (Ret Lindiers absence.) Said two seconds. KEVIN. (To Kathy indicating hinself and Lena.) Went co Prague, last April KATHY, (Te Lena.) Ob, I lore Prague. Prague is beautiful. KEVIN. Very pret KATHY, ‘The architecture? Chat bridge? And i's small, is whats nice, So you ean do ill in a cou- ple of day KEVIN, And then fcom there to Zurich, KATHY. Never been to Switzerland (With a dengh,) But I Tike the cheese! LENA. (Formally) Can 1 — 2 Tm sorry. | didn't mean to — but was hoping 1 could say something to everyone, if you done mi (All sare at Lena.) As long, as wee stopped? KATHY. KEVIN, TOM. No, Do. By all means. Go shead. Yeah yeah, please. LENA. All ight, well very important for me to express, before we start getting into the | details — st KEVIN. (To Lene) Do you mind? STEVE. Wind up repeating yourself, 48 5 (Clears her throat.) Urn, 1 just fee like it's 4 'E, Sorry, but — Maybe we should wait for Lindsey? Don'e § yin chink? IF t's something important? Otherwise — j VOM. (To Lena.) That okay with you? LENA, Tes fine with me. SUEVE. Bu hold dar hough ENA. L will, (Little pause, Tors drums his fing STEVE. Meany ferme tn den Oi fae) TOM, Meanwhile mayhe we should look at pa KATHY, Mayhe we should, aoa VOM. Catch herup when she — (Ta Steve.) IF that’s cool with you s. STEVE, S'cool with me, TOM, Good. KEVIN, Lets do it. TOM, Just ‘cuz T gorea be outa here by like four. SIEVE, Forge head. has KATHY. Page three, 10M. Middle of three. KATHY. Section two, {OM Roman nur evo, (Aside to Kath, quietly) Rabae, by the way. TOM. (Beat.) Whadja ey? , a STEVE. Nothing. KATHY. Couldnt hear you, SUEVE. The capital, TOM. Of what? STEVE, Morocco, She said Marrakech, KATHY. Ie is the capital STEVE, No, TOM, Ta've said Marrakech, SIEVE, Rabat ATHY, 1 think you're right, SULVE. Novis. ee KATHY. But possibl STEVE, Definitely: Anyway. TOM. Anyway — KATHY, Or, wait, Is ie Tangiers? STEVE, Nope. KATHY, Why am I thinking Tangiers? SIEVE, Dunno. eines RATHY. Maybe we just danded in Tang — Or wait, no we didi REVIN, (18S) What the eaica™ Oren no weds 49[ALLY Jha wehac ic is. Tangiers was che old capital. TU KALLIY. the Aisarie capital, LINDSEY. So sore KEVIN. Pycaything all right? 7 | TIN ISLY. (euraing Kathys phone.) les fine. Ie’ just, he said he Seattle so we went ahead and scheduled this TOM, $0, we skipped ahead. HINDSEY. Great HOM. To page chree? RATIIY. Middle of three. VOM. Anil since [think weld all basically agree that — ; SUDVE. (1s Lindsey) Hey. (To Tom) Sorry. (To Lindsey.) What's the eapital of Moroceo? LINDSEY, ‘The whar? STEVE, ‘The capital. INDSEY. Whac are you talking about? STEVE, Of Morocco. IDSEY. Why? STEVE, Quick. Just — LINDSEY. I have no idea, STEVE, Nexans a Mac KATHY. (Explaining to Lindsey) | said Marrakech, STEVE Gi kag No ne LINDSEY, Marrakech, yeah. INDSEY, Whatever, ; VIN, (Laplaining 1 Lindsey.) Trying co figure out wha it was. LINDSEY. Why? STEVE. She said she went to the capital of Morocco — LINDSEY. So? STEVE, —and ies not the capital, LINDSEY. (With a shrug.) Maybe they changed i. STEVE. Who? LINDSLY, ‘The Moroccans. STEVE, To wha LINDSEY, Whatever ic is now, LBV Which is Babar. 50 LINDSEY. Olay. TOM, So— KATHY, Ob, wait. You know whae ici? W's Tinbuken, STEVE. ... nanunnno? KATHY. The old capital. The historie — (Tapping her temple.) Uhar’s why I — because ie was part of our package STEVE, Um. Timbul is in Mali KATHY. But the ancient cay STEVE. Yeah, OF Mati LINDSEY. 1 thought Mali was in che Pacific. STEVE. (Baffled.) in —? LINDSEY, Where do they have the shadow puppets? STEVE, (Sputering) Ate you talking about Bal KATHY. Same difference. STEVE, Ubbhh, 1a? The diffrence — LINDSEY. And who givesa shit, any (Dan has entered through the kitchen door. Work clos, mustache, chewing gum. He lingers at distance) STEVE, (Contimous) LINDSEY, LENA. is that they happen (Consinuous,) Tm sorry. dont tobe shree distinct Steve. Steven. ‘mean to countries so, L guess ts whatever you interrupt any- 1 give a shit — wurcit to be, okay? one, bue— STEVE. (Continuous, lowering his voice, 10 Lindkex,) — and could you possibly nor talk to me lke a bild? BNA. (In she clear) Excuse me? (All rn s0 Lena.) | was hoping tw say something, ifT could? s (Remembering.) Oh ob oh. VOM. Right. (To Len.) Sorry. (To Lindsey) Lena had wanted to cntion something and it sounded kind of important so— KEVIN. (To Lena.) But you dontt gotta ask permisrion, LENA. Im trying to be police, LINDSEY. Wete tozally rude. KEVIN. No, you're not. LINDSEY, Ie my Family. Irish Catholic, you know? Blarney KATHY. (Raising a hand.) Please, my husband? Half-Jewish half: Julian, IN, Is chat eight? KATHY. Get a ward in edgewise. KEVIN. [believe dae. 51KATHY. Anyway. Lena. LENA. Thank you, TINDSEY, Wait, Lena, right? LENA. Lens KATHY, Short for Leonora? LENA, Now KATHY, Uknew 2 Leonora, LENA. Te was my aunt's name, . LINDSEY, (Reminding herself} Anyway. Lena, Kevin, KATHY. (Raising hand.) Kathy. LINDSEY. (hadicaring.) Kathy, Lindsey, Steve, STEVE. And Tom. RENIN Dont forget Tom, LINDSEY. Tom we know. So: DAN. (From across she room.) Ding dong? (All turn co Dan.) SUEVE, Hi DAN. He STEVE, How's it g DAN, Sthere a Steve anywhere? STEVE, Yeah? DAN. You Steve? STEVE. Yeah? DAN. Hector said if there's a problem talk to Steve, STEVE, That's me. DAN. (7 the ater) How ya doing! (Al respond at once.) TOM. KEVIN. LENA. Hey, Good. Doing ll right. 1, thank you, STEVE. KATHY. LIND: Personally? Fine. Tim doing awesome. Um, DAN. Uhh ... Quick question? STEVE, (A gnier sidebar.) Yeah? - . DAN. (Privately) So okay. So, we're, uh, digging thac trench bacl there, ya know? STEVE. Yeah? DAN. Out in back? STEVE. Yeah? DAN. For the conduit line? sl Yeah? DAN. Know whae I'm ealking abour? STLVE. Yeah? 52. DAN. "Cuz before you hook up tts fine you gurta bury dat conduit? STEVE. Yeah? DAN, And so in order to dig that trench we poita take our thac nee, righ? STEVE. Right? VAN. Dead tree back there? STEVE, Yeoh? DAN. "Cause those roots, 1 STEVE. Yeah? DAN. Which is why we're taking out that tree? STEVE, Right? DAN, Didja know thae thing is dea? STEVE, (Riting.) Hey. Maybe we should — (To tle other.) Sorry. Buys go ahead and — DAN. Whoops, NVEVE. (To Dan.) No no, It's just — two things at once. KEVIN, We can wait STEVE. No no no, You guys keep — (To Dan.) You wanna shew me? DAN. Lemme show ya. STEVE, Lemme take a look. DAN. Show ya what welte dealing with. (Dan and Steve exit out te back door. Orerheard to Steve, as they exit) Tall ya one thing, though, ic is bor out hese. (Lena fins berielf A ttle pans, then.) LINDSEY, Now I don't remember what we were — ? VOM. Page three, HINDSEY. Right. KATHY. Middle of three TOM. So, Knowing as we do thar the height continues to be the wicking point — and by the way, the rexson the petition was drawn us this way in the fist place — I mean, nobody wants co be inflexi- tks rte es wot at some basi gud nes whereby athe ‘eight is the problem, like i is here, then one option would be to vlice the total exterior volume, like your husband was saying, And thas the raonale behind the table at the bostom of the page. So shut chose figures mean, essentially is thar, wid, each additional foot ‘1 clevation heyond the maximum limit, there'd be a corresponding ‘ealuction in volume, And the numbers are kased on the scale of the inal steuctutes, which is relatively consistent over the ewele-blocke and of which this house isa fairly typical example, Now: KATHY, Except we know they're net, ey go down like maybe eight Feet? 33“TOM. Not what KATHY, Not consistent. TOM. Saying relatively KATHY. A locea variables. TOM. We know that. KATHY, (Beginning a lst) The size of the lots, for starcers? TOM. Right, bur — KATHY, The year of construction? TOM. Right, so the hope was that, by’ establishing a couple of regulations up front, hopefully we avoid this kinda situation in the farure, cause, obviously, ifs a pain in the ass for everybody Now, assuming the Landmarks Committee passes this part of the peti- tion next week — KATHY, Assuming. TOM. Safe assumption KATHY, And if the Landmarks Committee really wants to pick that fight with the Zoning Department that is shir business, but thac’s a matter of if and when TOM, (To Lindey) Why is this confrontational? q KATHY. Because somebody might've raised chese issues when the | plans went to the Zoning Department five months ago. LINDSEY, Kathy. KATHY. I mean, no one had any objection back shen. 4 LINDSEY. Can I say? We ralted about renovation. We discussed 7 it. Because these houses are s0 charming and I know ie a shame — but when you figure in che crack in the sub-floor and the cost of the lead abatement — and in a marker like this one? It just | made more sense o start from scratch. (Tam cell phone rings. He tries 10 iguore it) 3 TOM. Right, But: the Qwners Association has a vested interest — Kevin and Lena call me up last month, they say, Tom, we've got this problem, these people are planning to build a house ha’ full fifecen fect taller than all che adjacent structures — 3 LINDSE} KATHY. LENA. Novo ... fificen? Is It's exactly Fifteen feet, hac righ what the block is three inches. zoned for, Tor. TOM. (Continnous) — and { chink weld all agree that there's a mutual benefit to mainraining the integrity — (Glances at bis phone.) — the archivectunal integrity — 34 LINDSEY, Wanna ge cha? TOM. (Continwous,) — of a historically significant — goddamn i - neighborhood. Anawering) Veal (Steve rewras, Tnn talon he phone, leaving the kiteben door open, uo phon.) Yeah, okay, but dani. «all me with that in the middle of a Satur — ? Well, chen give ie to Nv Beau Maas cunt, Well, whee he fk i ar —? fo she others, ys (Tom crosses the room to ake t I, STEVE. What's appeni 2 nnn, LINDSEY. [ don’ know, ENA, You know it might be good idea we all eurned of our phones, LINDSEY, cele ides EVIN. (To Steve.) Get your problem solved? STEVE. Didwhag vs KEVIN. Out back, STEVE, Yeah, dunno. They hit something, LINDSEY. Whar something? _a— STEVE. dunno. LINDSEY. Something dangerous? STEVE. I dunno, LINDSEY. Is it going to explode? STEVE, les not — (Zo Kevin.) We're putting in a koi pond, and thee flraton system chat hast hook inthe municipal — any- sas they’ ran into some kind of — whatever. So whatui, 2 SIVIN, But maybe wi fr Tom? aaa EVE. (With a laugh and a shrug) ... stand there, KEVIN. If were getting into the egal ul? a LINDSEY, 1 agree. KEVIN. ‘Cuz, Tm not a lawyer. SUBVE, I'm noc a lawyer, HINDSEY. But, Kathy's a lawyer STEVE. (Re: Tom.) And he's the one with the rine issue. KEVIN. Long as we're out by four. STEVE, (Okay bu.) Ie’ threes SATHY. Well be done by four. LINDSEY. (a Keun ad Len) Srey ow al his, EVE, Crazy. (All carn euguely 0 Tarn, who geste ically su month “Sorry.” Lena sigh. fs benef). ae KEVIN. (Small alt.) When's the baby die? JINDSEY. Oh, Um, November, 35iia ities ie KEVIN. In time for rurkey. LINDSEY, T know: KEVIN. Roy or gic? (Stee is abour to amen) 4 LINDSEY. No no no. I donit want to know. Ask Steve, Steve saw | the ultrasound. (Figs in ear, eyes cloed.) La lata tala ba a a fn Ia. (Sieve months the word “Loy.” chen touches Lindsey kuee. Fingen far of eis, cys open). la kt — cther way as fong as it’s healthy. KEVIN, ‘Knock wood. 4 LINDSEY, Bur something tells me its a gil. (Revin and Lena nod. Karhy takes out her phone, dials a number, linens, To Lena) You guys have kids? ENA. Yes. SEY. Congratulations. sane you. (Kathy starts ro check messages) E. (Bett, then to Kevin.) So Kyle Hendrickson? KEVIN. (Remembering) Kyle Hendrickson STIVE, Kyle Hendrickson — who, may Ladd, kicked my ass in” the tenth grade? LINDSEY. Who is this? KEVIN, (Laughing.) Wait wait wait. Little Kyle Hendrickson — STEVE, Like the one solitary black dude in my entire High school. KEVIN. Kicked your ass? STEVE, Publicly kicked. KEVIN. Kyle Hendrickson's like, what? Like five-two? LINDSEY, Wair. When? STEVE, (Th Kevin, Five-ve, JV Wrestling ceam. Tenth grade, KEVIN. I think chat might officially make you —? STEVE. A pussy? KEVIN, Think it might. LINDSEY. (To Steve.) Who are you talking about? STEVE. Olay, Remember I ran into a guy? LINDSEY. No. STEVE. Remember last week? {said a guy from middle school? LINDSEY. No. STEVE. Twas meeting you downtown — oh, and he cold me the joke 36 NINDSEY. Right? STEVE, The joke 1 told you? HINDSEY. I don't remember, STEVE, The joke about — well, neither do 1. the moment but was a joke we hoth thought was funny? LINDSEY. Okay? STEVE Anyway. Thr guys Thats Kyle Hedscon, Whe be ssorks with, LINDSEY, (To Lena.) Glad we cleared shar up. SUEVE. Oh oh oh. LINDSEY, What STEVE. Wait. MINDSEY. What SIEVE, Wait. LINDSEY. What? STEVE, The joke, I's abour a guy? Remember? Guy who goes jail? HINDSEY. No. STEVE, White-collar criminal goes to jail, emember? And and anil chey put him in a cell with — ? LINDSEY. (Realizing, privately to Sieve.) Oh ch obs, No. STEVE, What UINDSEY. Hn-mm. STEVE. Whar? LINDSEY, Lets — (Chang sje, to Lena) Hove ok are your ids? STEVE, (To Lindsey) Whatsamatter? KEVIN, (To Lindsey) Nine, ten and ewelve, IDSEY. Wow: NEVE. (Te Lindsey) What's your problem? LINDSEY. Steve. STEVE, I was telling the joke. SEY, Laren "E, You said remind me whar joke — LINDSEY. Oleay. STEVE, (Laughing.) But cow I'm not allowed to tell it? LINDSEY, (Quietly) Stop a second, STEVE, (To Kevin.) Anyway. Two guys stuck in a j LINDSEY. Steven? LENA. (Finally having bad enough.) Um sorry, and I don't mean to keep intereupcing bur ean somebody please explain co me whac it 57ie wee ding hore? (Pause. Tom turns, All fel ohe cil fom Lena.) TOM. (Quiet into phone.) Just send me the fucking document. (Karhy and Tam disereety bang up.) LENA, [ mean, [ knave I'm not the only person who takes che sit to be this way bur | have 4 uation seriously and I dontt like hi been sitting here for the last ifieen minutes speak — (Ail overlap, quietly chastened.) TOM. KEVIN. LINDSEY, KATHY. Hey. Sorry No one’s Tim so sorry. Well, Tom was ‘our that, taking turns. Trreallyam. on the phone, Tchoughe. LENA. (Continuous,) — and meanwhile it seems like nothing is ‘even remotely getting accomplished LINDSEY. T agree. (A truck horn sounds ouaride.) KEVIN. (Tb Lena.) So go ahead and say what you — LENA. (With tense smile,» Kevin.) And could you please noc cell me when fo —? KEVIN. I'm not celling — fora mm to LENA. (Consinuous,) They were having a conversation and — KEVIN. (Overlapping.) And now they stopped. LENA. (Continuous,) — | try not to incrude — KEVIN. Just being friendly. LENA. (Continous. — on other people's conversations when they" in the middle of them, (Ta the others) 1'm not ying to be unfiicndly. LINDSEY. No, it’ us. KEVIN. No irs not, LINDSEY. No, icis. KEVIN. You're being friendly. LENA. T'm being friendly. LINDSEY. (To Kevin, re: Lena.) She's being friendly. STEVE. I'm being friendly. KEVIN. Ifanybudy's not being friendly — LENA. Well, maybe che friendly thing to do would be for us to respect ench other's time, would that be all right? STIYE. LINDSEY, KATHY. TOM. Yeah, Sure. Yes, Totally. Was it me? Was ie ENA. Thank you. (Alf murmur quiets) LINDSEY, KATHY, «TOM. So glad "Cuz seriously, No, you guys? 58 Was I someone has [thought we'd Was my faule isrepecsfel? the balls co stopped. Tharwas me. finally say it. (Horn sounds again.) TINDSEY, (To Lena.) Anyway. LENA. Anyway. All right, (Taking her time.) Well ... [have no way ‘ni knowing what sort of connection you have to the neighborhood where yor grew up? (Horn again. Steve turns.) LINDSEY. (To Sten, rapid whisper.) Just shut the door Juse shut the fucking — KATHY. KEVIN, TOM, DAN. So irvitating, The hell Did you (Offage.) is thae guyspark —— WhatP!? in the alley? (Steve jumps up and exits to shut the kitchen door) TINDSEY. Sorry. (Continuing Lena last line.) The neighborhood where =? : LENA. And some of our concerns have ro do with a particular hretiod in history and che chings that people experienced here in this community during chat period — (Steve renurus to the circle, sits) STEVE. (Whispering to Lena.) Sorry. TENA. — both good and bad, and on a personal level? I just have «lor of respect for the people who went through those experiences sxill managed co carve out a life for themselves and create & ‘ommunity despite a whole lor of obstacles? LINDSEY, As well you should. LENA. Some of which still exist, That's just a part of my history snl my parent history — and honoring the conutetion to that his- tury — and, no ove, myself included, likes having co dictate what you can or cant do with your own home, bur there's just a lot of pride, and a lot of memories in chese houses, and for some of us, tha connection sil has ealue, if that makes any sense? LINDSEY. Total sense. LENA. For those of us who have remained, LINDSEY. Absolutely LENA. And respecting chat memory; that has value, too, At least tia’s whae Fbelieve, And thar’s what T've beon wanting to say. (All rund solemnly for several secouds at Lends noble speech, STEVE. Um. Can I ask a—? 59.TIMDISEN, (to Steve) STEVE. (To Lena.) Sorry. {ov ft fins, TENA. twas finished, LINDSEY. (1 Lena) Sorry. STEVE. Right. So, um ... Huh. (How to say it?) So, when you use thw snl stl, am — ? LUNA, Historia vale, TOM. You read the petition, STEVE, Yeah. TOM. Spelled oue pretry leary. SHEVE. Right. (To Leus.) But, what T mean is —So, you dont liverlly mean ... monetary value. Right (Lena stars) NA. My great aunt — Or maybe you do. 1A. —was one of the first people of color to ~ in a sense, she meer — STEVE, No, [understand — and correct me if — but my under- standing was thar the value of these properties had gone #p. KATHY. They have. (To Kevin and Lena.) Yours included. KEVIN. That’ true. Way up. IM, And weld all like to keep i chat way. STEVE, But — You're not suggesting, are you, that, when we build our house — ? (Lindsey puts a hand on Steve.) LINDSEY, (To Lene.) Look, I for one — I am relly grateful for swhat you said, but this is why we sometimes feel defensive, you know? Because we fave this neighborhood. STEVE. We do. LINDSEY, We complerely do, and we would never want (0 t0 to (0 carelessly — STEVE. Run roughshod. LINDSEY. — over anyone’ — And ! totally admit, I'm the one who was resistant especially wich the schools and everything, but ‘once I stopped secing the neighborhood the way it wsed to be, and could see what itis now, and its potential? LENA, Used co be what? LINDSEY. (Bear,) What do you mean? LENA. What it “used to be"? STEVE. (Helpfully, 1 Lena.) What you said. About the history 60 baie, Although originally — (To Lindy) wasnt it German, piedominandy? KATHY, German and Irish, STEVE, Depending how far back you — KATHY. Ies funny; though. Even though my fdber was German — bhue back when hey were living here — LINDSEY. Wait, did I know this? KATHY, [cold you chat, LINDSEY. In this neighborhood? KATHY, (1 Kevin and Lena.) They went ce church at St, Stan's! Isn't chat crazy? KEVIN, Is chat right? KATHY, (To Kevin and Lena.) This is the lae fifties, (Laugh) My father was a “Rotarian”! But my mother — (To Lindsey) She was dlea®Ttold you thar? LINDSEY. That | knew. KEVIN. Avewwy, that's a shame. KATHY. (To Kevin.) Thank you. Te was congenital. But chen she ot pregnane with me and they moved oue to Rosemont, anyway, fer Family, hey were Swedich, STEVE. (To Kevin and Lena.) There was a great article rwo weeks ago — T dont know if you saw this — about the history of the changing, uh, ethnic — LINDSEY. LENA. Distribution. ‘Oh, | should eead chat. VE. — of the neighborhood and how in dhe seventies, eightics, how dhat was followed by a period of — of — of — of — of ra KATHY. Decline. LINDSEX. STEVE, KATHY. No—Not—No— OF growsh, dont mean Of growing. decline — KATHY, —1 mean there was trouble, LINDSEY, Not trouble, she didn’t mean — KEVIN. There was trouble, HINDSEY, Economie rouble, KEVIN. Drugs ae trouble, KATHY, Thar’ what I'm saying. KEVIN. Violence is trouble. KATHY, (Vindicared) Exactly, 61LINDSEY, And the violence asan ongrotsh ofthe eriminalization of chose deugs. KEVIN. (Re: himedfand Lena.) 'Cuz ya know, the ewo of us wuz 4 both crackhcads. (A frozen moment, thin.) STEVE. LINDSEY. KATHY. KEVIN. ‘Thar’s fanny. No, come on. know you're (Luughs.) 'm Iknowyou'e Dont say that, joking, bur kidding you. Kidding bue Really. Even as tharis exactly I'm just thae wa the —asajoke. what people messing perception though with you. ac the — STEVE, (To Linde.) — he's being fing. LINDSEY. 1 know he was, and it wis funny but when people are systemtically dehumanized — If you've been placed in some face- less, institutional — KATHY. (Explaining to Kevin and Lena.) The projects. LINDSEY, — I mean, like it or nor, chat kind of environment is not conducive to — to — to— to— KEVIN. That’ true, LINDSEY, — the formation of community KATHY. Horrible, KEVIN. ‘Tough place 10 grow up. LINDSEY, With the effect on children? KEVIN. On anyone, 4 LINDSEY, And ta take what had been a pros — well, not pros: perous, buta solidly middle-class, um —? STEVE. Enclave, LINDSEY. And then undermine the entire economic — STEVE. Infrastructure. LINDSEY, — by nwreho STEVE. Bur thar the ing peuple iuside of these — 4 igh? IF you construct some arciie | sv isolate people within chat —T mean, what would be te definition ala ghetr, you know? A ghettos. a place, where — (Overlapping, w Steve) Wu who ies that word? I don't, STEVE, (Conimonr.) — whieve, whew, white people are sequestered, right? (To Lindi, defensavdy) Woe definition, Uin saying. ENA. Well, my fi ae W you shlnle a? v=» Pedagogical.) Okays Tigh A Feil gut ™ LENA. (Thanks forthe lecrure.) We've been to Prigue. LINDSEY. Obmiigod. Prague is bewufi. (Kevin wiggles his hand) Ulaved Pr — you didi love ie KEVIN, Prague's crowded. KATHY. And che food sucks. Or is that just me? STEVE. Bur I'm saying, its not like, one day all these Jews w sitting arougd Prague, looking at the real-estate section, going, “Hey heres an idea! Lets all go ive in chat gherra™ Right? (A beat here they all avoid Steves comment, Then.) LINDSEY. (To Lena.) When were you in Prague? LENA. Last April. KEVIN. First Prague, chen Zurich. LINDSEY. I want co go back. KEVIN, (To Steve.) Diyou ski? (A laugh erupas from Lindeey) INDSEY. (Re: Steve) Hin? STEVE. You mean — like downbill? LINDSEY, Tha Vd like to see, KEVIN. Ever been to Switzerland? VE. (To Lindsey defensive.) can ski. \ bave skied, LINDSEY. Ger thar an video. STEVE. Why is that funny? LINDSEY. (ying not t0 laugh, 10 Kevin.) Sorry. STEVE. Seriowsly. Wharis it sbout the idea of me skiing that you Find so highly, uh —? LINDSEY, Anyw, STEVE. — risible? KEVIN. (Ta Steve) | just meant, you like to golf, you go 1 erland. And if you like 10 ski? INDSEY. (Sill laughing.) Just 0 STEVE. Gratuitous. TOM. (Ryocusing the others.) Annnnnnyway, LINDSEY. KATHY. (To Kevin.) Okay. Toms right, Tean'eski because {was born with weak: ankles. Anyway. to picture it. Yes, Maybe we should ery co stick Lets get it to the copie together, achand LINDSEY. (To Tom.) Where were we? TOM. Page three. LINDSEY" Uggh. You're kidding. TOM. Nope. 3LINDSEY. How can we still be —? Fs TOM. I dunno, LINDSFY. How is thar possible? ‘TOM. (Glancing at wath.) And itis now... quarter to four. LENA, T'm sorry for raking time, LINDSEY. No. What you said was great. LENA. And I wasn't trying to remanticize. LINDSEY, You didn’, LENA. Nothing romantic about being poor. LINDSEY. Bur, it was your neighborhnad. KATHY. (79 Lena.) Wait, whar street? LENA. Offt Larrabee, KATHY. My parents lived on Claremont! KEVIN. Yall would've been neighbors. LENA, Burl didn mean to make it about my personal eonecion to the house. I's more abour che principle, s KEVIN. Bur you can’t lite in a principle. LINDSEY. You had a personal connection? KEVIN. Ta the house. LINDSEY. To this house? KEVIN. (Ta Lindsey) Her aunt, LENA. I dont want to —ler’s nor. KEVIN. Lived here, STEVE. Wait. Who? LENA. Sorc of beside the point, but yes. KEVIN. Great aunt ° LENA. On my mother’s side. LINDSEY. You don't mean, ere, here? LENA. And chis is fifty years ago. LINDSEY, Here in this hone, LENA. For quite some time, acruslly. LINDSEY. (Hand ro her STEVE. Wow, heart.) Oh my g—! So s0 50 wait, so —? STEVE. (Clerifping,) This exact howe. LINDSEY. (How weird.) — so, lke, you've ... been in this room? LENA. 1 used to climb a tree in the backyard, LINDSEY. Oh my god. STEVE, Whoa. LENA. A crape myrule tree? KATHY. Wel chac is just bizarre, 4 KEVIN, Any rate, her great aunt — and she had to save « long time to be able to afford a house like this. LENA. She wasa domestic worker, (Kathy Lindsey nd Steve marke smpathetic face.) LINDSEY. Ohh, Wow, KATHY, ‘Tsk, Ohhhhh, STEVE. Okay. KEVIN. And, a house isn't cheap LENA. Nor here, anyway. IN. Here at rhat time, LENA. Ac chat time — well, when Zwas growing up I really don't remember secing a single white face in the neighborhood for pretey such my entite — KEVIN. Well one, you said. LENA, Who? KEVIN. Whac’ his name? LENA, Mr. Wheeler? KEVIN, Mc. Wheeler. LENA. (To the others) | dont think anybody knew his firs name. KEVIN. Heswasa.,. what? LENA. (7a Linder) Ac the grocery store. KEVIN. Bagged the groceries. LENA. At che Supt — Well, back then it was Gelman’s but they tore down Gelman. KEVIN. And thae became Sup Sav LENA. Well, then they core down Supt Sav, so— KEVIN. You know where the Whole Foods i? STEVE. And what happened to Mr. Wheeler? KEVIN, Dead, probably. LENA. He was, you knune ... (Tanches her herd) developmentally... LINDSEY, STEVE. KATHY. ‘Ohhhh. Thats so Huh. Wows Ohhh ... you know sac Depressing. why that upsets me? | have a niece with Asperger's syndrome, LENA. But, given the makeup of the neighborhood ac thar time and che price of a home like this one, the question naturally arises as to whether it was the thing that happened here in che house — whether that in some way — KEVIN. Phyed a fictor. LENA. In maldng a place like this affordable, Fora person of her income. (All stare) 65STEVE. The shing. LENA. The sad LINDSEY. | don’t. LENA, The age — KEVIN. Thing that happened, LINDSEY, Whae things IN, (No big desl) Well. Long time ago, but — STEVE. In hishouse? semen LENA. I'm just saying thar, since she was one ofthe very’ first peo ple of color — LINDSEY. Wair. Something happened in the house? STEVE. What, somebody died, or —? KEVIN, S'nor important. LINDSEY. Thar we should be concerned abour? KEVIN. No ne no no no. LENA. Just char — there deew a family: Who had a son whold been in the Army. KEVIN, Korca, maybe? LENA. And who, well, a few years after he came back from the war — KEVIN, Killed himself. LINDSEY. (Beat,) Oh my god. KEVIN. Yeah, STEVE, Wow. LINDSEY. Oh my god. KEVIN. Sad. STEVE. Wow. LINDSEY. Oh my god. LENA. Which my great aune dida't know at che time, LINDSEY. Oh my god, that is just — LENA. Though I assumed you slid. STEVE, Umm, no? LINDSEY. ‘That is juse — just — just — Wait. And they ahead and old the howe 10? aha LENA, Mm-hmm, STEVE. Wow. LINDSEY. Withou ling her ha? Beease nobody eel we KATHY, Wall, they wouldit, would they? KEVIN. (Dismnisive.) Fifty years ago. 66 LINDSEY, (To Karly) But legally | mean, donit you have co rel! people thar KATHY, Nor if you want to sll it LENA. Ir was something like hell come hack from the Army. And hed been accused of something. KEVIN. Killing people. LENA. Innocent people. KEVIN. Killing civilians. LENA. And then — you know. Flimself STEVE, But you dont mean, like like like like ... (Laugh. like bere in this very —2 LENA, No— I imean, not where were sting. KEVIN. Upstairs, waste ie? LINDSEY, (Freaking out.) 1—1— STEVE. (Touching Lindsey) Breathe. LINDSEY. (Pushing Steves hand away) Stop it. LENA. | mean, the version Z-was cold was, dat he went upstairs, KEVIN. Hanged himself. LINDSEY. (Standing, walking away.) Okay. No. Noy 'm sorry, but hac is wrong. STEVE. (Following her) Where are you going? LINDSEY. ‘That is just — No. To sell someone a —a — a howe, where —? STEVE, Whatsamatter? (Steve and Linitey exit ro the kitchen, fiom where we clearly hear.) LINDSEY, (No. There should bea ie And I done care how: okay? Ton wane to know how he did ic or in what roam — Because Tim sorry, but that is just something that, from a legal standpoins, you should have to rll people! KATHY, (Calling to Lindsey) Is no, LINDSEY. (From of) Well, it fucking well should be STEVE. Hey. Hey. LINDSEY. (Lindsey returns to the room, Steve following.) And now Thave this horrifying image in my head? STEVE. (To Lindsey langhing,) Buc why d'you have to make such a big deanna tsa big deal, Steve. IFyour child — if our femily is going to ive in a house where —? STEVE, (Laughing, t0 the others) { mean, ies nor like he’s still banging up there! oLINDSEY. (Losing her shit, s0 Steve.) W's not finn, obey! 13 nor fin t0 me, 10 why ave you acting lke an asshole2# (The kitchen door ‘bangs open and Dan noiily enter.) DAN. (Calling out.) Okay. Show ya whatcha got. (He drags a large trunk — the same trunk we saw in Act One, covered with ‘mold and dirt — into the middie of the room.) So that's your probe Jem right there. (Coughs a cauple of times.) S'cuse me. And 1 tell ya one thing: yank chis up from down there, take a look at it, you know the firse thing I'm thinking co mysel2 You know what Um thinking? Buried oreasure. Like Spanish doubloons or some- thing and | know youre thinking Dan ya crazy bastard but I tell ya what, U know a guy. (He joins the circle. Cough; again.) "Scuse tne. This guy. Last summer he's taking outa sepie siete — ths house out in Mundelein. He's sitting on top of his backhoe. All of a sudden clang. And this guy's not exacely che sharpest tool in the box, if ya know what I mean, but he goes down in chere about five, six feet with a chain and a winch — swear ro god ~ ya know whac he pulls our from down there? Hle stands back. He takes a look — (Without stepping.) — You're in the middle of something. STEVE. Sorta. DAN. My bad. STEVE. No no. DAN. As well asa couple other names not suitable for mixed — Anyways. STEVE. Thanks DAN. (Re: she trunks) Tl just leave this here for ya. STEVE. Thank you. DAN. Need me to open ic, you lemme know, STEVE, Great. DAN. Problem, though. (dicating the large padlock.) Problem's this puppy right here. Now the deal i: 1 neat cea hacksaw you could maybe saw it off but whaccha really want is a pair of bole ccucters and I dont chink I got any hole cutters, sa. STEVE, Ah, well, DAN. "Cause you never know. Turns out to be fullt Spanish 68 doubloons well haveca splic it six ways, huh? LINDSEY, (6 Den, taking over.) So DAN. Whoops. LINDSEY. | don't know your name. DAN. (Extending hand.) Dan, LINDSEY. Hi Dan, DAN. Dan or Danny. LINDSEY. Great. DAN. Daniel when the LINDSEY. Bur listen — DAN. No no no no no no I gorcha. LINDSEY. If you wouldnt mind? DAN. Middle of your ching and I come barging ri LINDSEY. Thank you. DAN. But you findyz some bolt cutters you'll be in business, LINDSEY, ‘We v DAN. (ai idea.) Hley, ya know whar? Hang on a second, (Dan breads 1 the back door. As he doc:) TOM. So Tim just going to push ahead, if chars okay? DAN. (Calling out the door, top of his lungs.) Ramnirest? TOM. ‘Cause we sill gor seventeen pages co cover — LINDSEY. (To all) And I'm sorry [ost my shit, No, I did, Boe I think we're both woud a Tice tight eight now with the baby and the house and the money and everything — DAN. Raninec!! LINDSEY, — and chen co top i all off, we get sent this petition in the mai, you know, and suddenly our entire lives are thrown into chaos atthe very same moment that — I mean, the demolition scheduled to start on Monday and unless we gee this resolved w! I want as much as anyone then what do people expect? DAN, Ram — MAb, screw it. (Dan gives up, exin.) TOM, (Continuing) So: couple of options. One, as we said, is reducing the height — KATHY, (Adamantly) No. Tom, Ym sorry, but you can't just call am architect atthe eleverth hour and snap your fingers and say can you complecely redesign an entire — LINDSEY. Irs a litle late in the day for that. LENA. I'm sorty you're upset. LINDSEY. Tm nor upset. aot, KATHY. And may U remind everybody that these guys are under gets psed. 69tno obligation, legal or otherwise — TOM, (From a document.) Okay, Here's the wording from the city council, and I quote: “In secognition of the historic status of the Clybourne Park asighborhood, and its distinctive collection of low-rise single-family homes — LINDSEY. KEVIN. TOM. (Continous) Aren't wea single Hey. Hey, “intended ro howe Family? Everything's a conmunity of cool. tworking-clais files.” LINDSEY. And you know, the ching is? Communities change. STEVE. They do. LINDSEY. That's just the reality, STEVE. LENA. And some change is inevitable, and we all support that, bur it might be worth asking yourself who exactly is responsible for thae change? (Little pause.) LINDSEY. T'm not sure what KEVIN. Wai, what are you you — crying to —? LENA. I'm asking you so think about the motivation bchind the long-range political initiative to change che face of this neighbor- hood. (Another litte pause.) LINDSEY. STEVE. (To Lena.) KEVIN. Whar does that Wait, say that The long-range whar? mean? (To Steve.) again? Do you know what that means? LENA. I mean that this is STEVE. Well, we desi LENA. I know you do. LINDSEY. Same as you. LENA. And now the area is changing. KATHY. And for the better, right? LENA. And ['m saying that there are certain economic interests that are being served by those changes and others that are not, Thar’ all. STEVE. (Supicius) And ... which inveress are being LENA. (Sywenuticl) If you have a residential ares, in proximity to downtown? VE, Righe? a highly desirable area, hae area is oceupied by’a particular group? 70 ea Siti sa 4 y & a : < ‘ STEVE. Which group? LINDSEY, (To Lena.) You know whae? Were talking about one howe. LENA. (To Lindiey) 1 understand that. STEVE. Which group? LINDSEY. house for our family? STEVE. Which group? LENA. That's haw ic happens. LINDSEY. In which to raise our child? STEVE. No no. Which group. LENA. Tt happens one house at atime, STEVE. Whoa. Whoa, Whos. Okay: Stop right there. LINDSEY. What are you doing? STEVE. No, 'm sorry, bur ean we just come our and say wha itis ‘were actually — ? Shouldn't we maybe do that? Because if shart ‘what this is really about, then ... Jesus, maybe we oughta save our- selves some time and and and and just. say what itis were really ‘aging instead of doing this claborae little dance around ic. (Dead stop. All sare at Sieve.) Never mind. KATHY. Whar dance? STEVE. 1 — 1 —I —1 shouldnt have — whateves, LENA. (Puning hi: meaning.) So ... you think ¥ havent been saying what I actually —? STEVE. (Laughs) Uhhh ... Not 1o my way of thinking, no. LENA. Well, what is i you shink Tm —? STEVE, J 11... (Laughs incredulously) Fnow? LINDSEY. [dont STEVE. Oh, yes you do. OF course you do. KEVIN. Well, maybe you oughta zl! us whae yon think she was ike we dont all saying. STEVE. Oh oh, but it has to be me? LENA. Wall, you'te the one who raised the question as 0 — STEVE. (Laughs, overlapping.) Oh, come on. Ic was blarant. LENA. (Continuous.) — che sincerity of my speech. LINDSEY. What the fuck, Steve? STEVE. You know what? Forger I said it. LINDSEY. LENA. STEVE. You didnt wy Ohno, I'm Lee's fo anything. interested. the whole — nSTEVE. (Comtismous.) — Okay. Okay: Ifyou really want to — t's (Tres laugh, shen, sotio voce). is race, Ist it Youite eying tell me chae chat ... Thac implicit i what you said — Thar this entire conversation ... isn at lease pasty informed — am I night? Gans nerve) By the ea of. St vce) of cin? Bet, hen. LINDSEY. (Ta Steve.) Are you STEVE. (To Lindicy) And our of your — 21 have no idea please don't do thac to me, okay? where this is coming from. ve asked you repeatedly. LENA, Well the origina issue waste inappropiely age lone at — STEVE. (Oterlapping.) Oh, come on. LENA. (Coutinuons,) — you're planning to build. Only, now Um fairly certain thac I've been called a nicst. STEVE. Bucl didnt say chat, did 1? LENA. Sounded like you dic STEVE. (To Kevin.) Did | say thar? KEVIN. Yeah, you kinda did, STEVE, In what way did 1 say chat? KEVIN. Uh, somebody said racism, STEVE. — Cinm! — Gis! Not — cia! KEVIN. Which must originate from somendere, STEVE. And which we all find totally reprehensi — KEVIN. So —are you the racist? STEVE. Can I just —? KEVIN, Is it youe wife? KATHY. Doni look at me, STEVE. Lo KEVIN. ‘Cause, by process of elimination — STEVE. Here's what I'm sayis LINDSEY, What are you saying? STEVE. Tim saying: Was race not a factor — LINDSEY. (Re: Steve, eronenating hestf) | dont know this person, STEVE. Were there not these differences — LINDSRY. Whar differencest?? There's no — E_ (Ta Lindsey re: Lena.) Okay: She walks in here, fram the ‘very beginning, with all these ties — LENA. (Overlapping) About your howe. STEVE, (Comtinuont,) — and Ym only asking whether, were we ‘not, shall we say —? eaten, Ree ea I: 72 LINDSEY. You're crearing an issue, Where nome exits. STEVE, Oh oh oh you heard what she seid. She as much as i claimed thac there's some kind of, of, of secret compinacy — 1A. Oh, it's not a secret, KEVIN. (To Lena.) LENA. (To STEVE. i Ohh, cinon, Are Kevin) Oh please, There. Thank yon. youeriouly=—? — doricbe purposely Now yon se that nie fn? LENA. This has been under discussion for at least four decades now, at the highest institutional levels of — KEVIN. (Overlapping, to Lena.) You cant prove that. LENA. (Continuous, with Kevin.) — ob, don't act like you don't Anow ith true. STEVE. (Ta Lena.) What, and now we're the evil invaders who are — LINDSEY. (To Steve.) She never said thatit! STEVE, — appropriating your ancl homeland? LINDSEY. (To Steve.) This, this, this — No. I'm sorry, this is the most asinine — (To Lena and Kevin.) Half of my friends are blackt STEVE, (Sputering.) Whatt?? LINDSEY. (To Steve, as to a child.) As is true for most normal people. STEVE. Name one, LINDSEY. Normal people? Tend to have miany fiends of a diverse and wide-ranging — STEVE. You cunt name one! LINDSEY. Candace. STEVE. (Beat, shen.) Name another. LINDSEY. 7 dont have to stand here compiling a list of — STEVE. You said half. You specifclly — LINDSEY. Theresa. STEVE. She works in your of! She not your “rend.” LINDSEY. She was at the baby shoiver, Steve! T hope shet nat my enemy! TOM. Well, this is all fascinating — STEVE. (To Lindsey.) Name another. TOM. And while Id love to sit here and review all of American his- ory maybe we should concentrate un the plans for your property — STEVE. (Overlapping) Yes! Yes! TOM. (Continuons.) — which had been the original ropic of the convers — 3BSTEVE. (Overlapping, continous.) The history of America ts the history of private property. LENA. That may he — STEVE, Read de Tocqueville, LENA. — though I rather doube your grandparents were sold as private property. STEVE. (To Kevin snd Lens.) Ohhhhh my god. Look. Look, ‘Humans are servitarial, okay? LINDSEY. (To Steve.) Who are you? STEVE. This is why we have rz One group, ane tribe, cies 0 usurp some territory — and now yon guys have this territory, vahe And you don't like having it toleu avy from you, the way white people stole everything else from black Ameria. We get it, okay? And we apologize, But what good does it do, if we perpecualy fall into the same, predictable litte euphemistc tap dance around th: topic? KEVIN. You know how to tap dance? STEVE, See? See what hes doi LINDSEY. Maybe quis while you'e ahead. STEVE. No, I'm sick of — No, Every single word we say is — is scrutinized for some kind of latent — Meannvhile you guys run around saying n-word this and n-word that and wharever, We all know why there's a double standard buc I cant even so much as repeat a fucking joke tha the one black guy J know told me — KEVIN. Sorell the goddamn jake STEVE, Not now! KEVIN. Ifyou feel so oppresed, ether go ahead and sell it — LINDSEY. (7 Steve.) Do nor. KEVIN. — or maybe you could move on. LINDSEY, (Wich fnaliny) Thank youl LENA, Wel, I want to hear ic, KEVIN. (To LENA. (To LINDSEY. Lena.) Ohh, Keun, Why not? No. Trust me. dont — You're nor Its offensive. interested? STEVE. (Ta Linduey) Of course Jensive — LINDS ’. (Overlapping.) To me, Offensive to me, STEVE, (Continuous.) — thats the whole point of the — How? How docs it offend you? LINDSEY. Because it's disgusting and juvenite and crafies in the worst possible type of obsolete bullshit stereotypes. A Aaa LENA. (Beat, then.) Well, now I gotra heat it. KEVIN. STEVE, LINDSEY. Nono no none, No. Icant. Not while I'm in the Aww con, room. LENA, (To Kevin, re: Lindics) Well, she says ics so offensive, and Thave no way of knowing if she’s ight, and if | dante ever hear it, hhow will Fever know? (Kevin sighs, throws up bie hand) STEVE. Um, you know what? I dont even remember it now. LENA. ‘Tivo men in jal, you said, KATHY. Oh, / know this one. LINDSEY, (A warming.) Steven? LENA. Wasnic thar it? Two men...2 STEVE. 1 — Okay. So there's — Look, its not evem my jake, okay?! Tt was told tw me by Kyle Hendrickson, who, for what it's worth, happens to be — LENA. Black. STEVE. Right. . LENA. So the white man goes to jail. ; LINDSEY, (To Seve.) [cant believe you actually intend to —!" Fine, STEVE. Anyway LINDSEY. Knock ‘em dead, STEVE. Goes co jail for... you Lite white guy: And he's put in aj LENA. With a black man. STEVE. Big black guy: | LINDSEY, (Appatlled,) And why (tite tains STEVE. (Overlapping, r0 Lindiey) Lam repeating, verbatim, 3 joke — LINDSEY, (Comintou) Why does have toe “big”? What does thac reveal about your subconscious? a STEVE. (Conitinuous.) — in the precise manner in which it was told to me. LENA. Little white man, LINDSEY. (Head ix bands.) Oh god. LENA. Big black man. | STEVE. Inthe... yeah, so they ...umy slam thecal door ... behind him T guess, and the black guy turns to che white guy, black guy goes, “Olay, I'm gonna give you a choice. While you're in here with me, you ean cither be che mommy, or you can be the daddy.” And che ‘white guy thinks for a second and he goes, “Uh, well, um, | guess ies up wo me, then, L guess Td have to say 1 prefer co be che daddy: Embezzlement. Something, cell with this... uhhh ... 5(Clears bis throat.) Anu, the black guy goes, “Okay, well then bend cover cause Mommy’ gonna fuck you in the 28." (Fong pate. No one Aeughs or nile. They simply uad or shake their heads, Finally... ) KATHY. Thats noe che one I was thinking of STEVE, (Academically) So: ls tha “ofensive’? LENA. No. LINDSEY. ‘Are you insane?! STEVE, (To Lindsey} To you. Vow is it offensive 0 01? LINDSEY. T dont think it's me you should be ashing. LENA. No, the problem with thaejoke, see, is thar its not funy LINDSEY. No shi STEVE. (To Lindsey) You laughed when I tld itto yout! LENA. And had ic been a finny joke — STEVE. [eis funny. Yes itis. And and and and the rearan i's funny, iss is, is that ic plays upon certain latent fears of — of — of — of white people, vis-A-vis the — TOM, Okay. I'l like to add: I'm guy. STEVI KATHY, LINDSEY. See? You Nice, Nice never know. You going, Steven, Nice didn’ know that. really dont. (To works, Tom.) couldn't cell ac all, TOM. (To Steve.) So | guess you think sex between meu is fanny? STEVE. Oh, come ont TOM. Just inherently fanny, STEVE, And it’s not even sex it's nape! LINDSEY. So rape is funny. STEVE, N— Yes In che context ofthe joke. KATHY. My sister was raped. STEVE. I quit. KATHY, So it’ offensive to me, LINDSEY. And met STEVE, (Re: Tons.) And him, And them. Thats the point ofthe joke ‘a germ the expression of — And what dost it even men, “Offended”? Tdon' even know whar ie micas KEVIN, How many white men does it take to change a light bulb? TOM. LINDSEY, KATHY, STEVE, Okay, lm No, Canwe ana, See? Fane! Tell me about nwo not? I'm asking Shoes on the joke. I 76 minuces from you asa fivor the other want «| leaving? So, footnow. its Edo, reads up, STEVE. (Continuous,) How many white men does it take to change a light bulb? KEVIN, All of 'em. STEVE, And why is thar? KEVIN. One to hold the light bulb while the rest of ‘em screw the entire world, STEVE, KATHY, TOM, LINDSEY. So2#'You think [like that one. Uhh, 1 may Okay, stop. Tm “offended? Umm teling my beg to differ? Everybody just Lean do hrusband that, stop. this all day. STEVE. (Continnons.) What's long and hard on a black man? LINDSEY. Hot is tis happening? KEVIN. I dont know, Steve. What islong and hard on a black ean? STEVE, First grade, Are you “offended"? KEVIN, Nope. STEVE. Neither am I, LINDSEY. You cant be offended, you moron — STEVE, (Astonished laugh.) ... ean? LINDSEY. (Continuous) — because you've never been politically marginal I unlike the majority of people in the world — (Overlapping.) How can a majority be marginal? SY, (Comtinnous,) — and, by the way, all women, every- and i's your elassic white male myopia that youre blind to that basic fac. LENA. Why isa white woman like a tampon? (All turn to Lena. Pause.) LINDSEY, Why is what? LENA. Iisa joke. KEVIN. (To Lenz.) No no no no no no — LENA. You told a joke, now Jin telling one: why is a white woman — KEVIN. (Overlapping.) Baby, dont. LENA. (Catmal,continncous to Kevin) — and please don't baby me. You've got thrce babies at home — KEVIN. (Publicly overlapping.) Good night. { wash my hands, LENA. (Cantimvows, private.) — if you need to pacify sorncone. 7(To the others.) So: Brae (eating «a finger.) Uhh ... can you repeat the setup? STEVE. LENA. isa white woman, 1 a tampon? (Steve oi ‘around. No ane ele anstcers, wo...) STEVE. Um, I dont know, why? LENA, Because they're both stuck up cunts. (Phe. Again, 1 laughs or smilet. Kevin shakes his head.) LINDSEY. (Even.) Wow. LENA. But I hope you're noe offended. STEVE, (Academically not laughing.) See, find thae funny, LINDSEY. Do you. KATHY, Wel, Zn offended. STEVE. Oh, you are not. LINDSEY. And how does ic always comes back around to the ‘women? LENA. (himocently) Ie was jus a STEVE. Exacily KATHY, An extremely ostile joke, LINDSEY. Direcced at me, KATHY, And in what way am I stuck-up, exactly? You mean, because I worked my’ ass off putting myself chrough law school, that makes me sruck-up? STEVE. It’s joke about a sampon!? KATHY. And maybe there’ a difference between being stuck up and being intelligent. STEVE. (To Katly) You don't even kuow the fucking capital of Moraccat! KATHY. (Insulted.) Ohbhbhhh ... kay. STEVE, And you know something? If there's anyone here who's being marginalized by the tide of history — You dont exactly sce ‘me siccing in the White House, do you? LINDSEY. Thaitk the lord. STEVE. But you dont see me wetring my pants and acting all “offended.” KATHY. (To Linsey. as she packs her shings,) You know, | think maybe I'm done, STEVE. No. You want co know what offends me? How aboue the hborhood the uvo of us are living in right now? Bunch of 78 white suburlan assholes still driving around with the yellow ribbon magnets on their SUVs in support of some bullshit war. That the kinda shir cht offends me. KEVIN. Why does char make them assholes? STEVE. (Beat.) Why docs what? KEVIN, Said assholes have yellow ribbons on their SU — STEVE. | didnt say that. KEVIN. Yesh, you did, you said — STEVE. [sid "with" the magnet, not, you know, "by virtne of.” KEVIN. So, its not the maguer makes you the assholet LINDSEY. (7o Kevin.) You have one on your car? KEVIN. Ihave three of em. STEVE. Three. KEVIN. ‘Three. LINDSEY. Three? LENA. Three. STEVE. ‘Three. KEVIN. One for each member of my family serving overseas. STEVE. Great. Beat.) KATHY, (Jo Steve.) Thave the pink one for breast cancer. KEVIN. So maybe I'm a sripfe asshole, but — LINDSEY. (Fake whisper ro Kevin.) 1 think we know who the ase hole is STEVE, Wow. LINDSEY. ing off Steve.) Well you'e being an idiot, And in case you hadn't noticed, the rest of the world has begun a more sophisticated conversation about this topic than you apparently are Quilified to participate in at this incredible moment in history. 1 mean, 1 used co dete a black guy. So whar? 1 mean, seriously. Stee. Wake up. (The sante church bell that we beard in det One begins to ring. Panse, Tom looks at his warch) TOM. (Clips hands together.) And ic is now four o'dock. STEVE. (Privwtely 10 Lindiey) When did you date a black guy? TOM. So: Final thoughts? Lena? LENA. No. TOM. Kee? KEVIN. I'm good. TOM. Anybody? KEVIN. ory informative. LINDSEY. Well, [want to say chis: I want co say fel angry: And 7Ten basically kind of hurt by the implication that’s been made cht, just because we want ta live as your neighbors and raise a child alongside yours, that somehow, in the process of doing that, we've Ihad our ethics called into question, Because thar is hurtful. LENA. (Caimly.) No one has questioned your ethic at all. LINDSEY. Well, I wish I could believe you, LENA. No, what we're questioning is your taste. (The others start to leave.) TOM. ‘Kathy? E will eal you shen the petition goes chrough, KATHY, Thank you. TOM, Tuesday at the latest, LINDSEY, War, whats wrong wis TOM. (Putting om sungtases.) Kev KEVIN, Right behind you. LINDSEY, No. What i so egngions about the design of our Jone? KEVIN. (To Lena, who is about 10 respond.) No no no n0 no. Lee it go. (Lena exit.) KATHY, (Zo Lindsey) Sweetie, 've got a ching but [1 call you tomorrow. TOM (1 Lindgrand Stee.) And you guys got my number if you it to talk? TEVE. Yep. (Tom is gone, with « thunbs-up. Kathy follows close behind. At the same tine, Dan enters fiom the kitchen carrying a pair of bt eutrers. The others ignore him.) KEVIN. (To Lindsey and Steve.) So, uh ... good luck wich your hhouse. And maybe yall ean just eammunicate with Tom from here con out, But, anyway, uhh ... (With a teace) yall enjoy the rest of your evening, (Kewin politely exits hrough the open from door. Steve and Lindsey stand silently for « morient, then DAN. (Holding up the bole cutter.) Unbhhh. DSEY. (Quietly) Wow. ‘Wow is right. LINDSEY. Amazing. STEVE, (But not quietly enough.) And for the record? That woman is the cunt, (And inseanily Kevin is back shrough the from deor) KEVIN. (Advancing om Stere.) Wait a second — whatd you say? (AML tell breaks loose) A, KEVIN. STEVE, (Following Wharrya think Chinocently) LINDSEY. Well, chat was insulting, our taste? LINDSEY. {To Kevin) a0 We pte R : i RevinJJuse Vm deafor Whee? Whar No no no — leave italone, something? wold you, Let ‘em be. Standing right ys Westhe Tdon't care there on your pressure. whackinds front doorstep Buck aff, man, We're both bullshic they = Ohno, Whar is your under a huge all want heard you fucking amount of isgo loud and —_prablem, dude?_ pressure and home now clear. 'm just Ididnttdo yes he acted and take he giving you the anything to Tike an idiot longest shower opportunity t you arte her but could we of my life. repeatitto so why cant all just maybe my fice you chil? the taste outs your mouth, STEVE. Oh oh oh good, LENA. (To Kevin.) Oh, now threaten me. youte gonna stand up for me? KEVIN. Dorit you ever insule my wife, you hear me, bites? DAN, (Punting his hand on Kevin shoulder) Hey. Lev’s be ci KEVIN. (WVdirding o» Dax.) Ohoho, dont you touch me. DAN. STEVE. (Jo KEVIN. (Jo LENA. (fo Whoa whoa Dan) Hey, do Dan)Go Kevin) Oh, whoa, That's you mind, okay? putting for god's sake, cool, I'm just Wehappen to yourhands are you passing hehavinga — onme?Oh, coming — through, isall, conversation, no. Not in shir neighbor — LENA. (Continous) — or are you too busy trying to make friends swith everybody? (Dar bac of as reo simultaneous arguments unfold) LINDSEY, (7 Steve.) And KEVIN. (To Lena.) What the why che fuel did you go and hell is that supposed co — ? insult Kathy? We are paying her, | hope you realize? LENA. STEVE. Yeah, well you know Alli afternoon. Always gota what? Eagre with them! boe evershady friend. Hi every body! Fin Kevin! KEVIN, (Starting to exit.) Oh gimme a fuckin’ — So you want to fight with me naw? The house isto fucking big! LINDSEY. Ohhhhhhhh 81alo no. even — Gorea pick a fight with sme? You have had a bug up your ass from the moment we walked through this door, ‘VE, Very first time we saw LENA. Yeah, well maybe some the plans. What did I tell you? of us don't feel the need (0 Told you that like fffeen constantly iugnavite ourselves, times! — with everybody. LINDSEY. Well, Steven, you're KEVIN, Well, maybe that's Iree to live wherever you want, because some af us aren't thut the baby and I will be here paranoid and delusional AH you ever feel like visiting. (Kevin and Lena exit. By this pent Dan i succeeded in open ing the trunk STEVE (Continuous) Fine by mer ? LINDSEY, Do you have the key STEVE, T nsean, God forbid my needs should ever come before the bab LINDSEY: You really wane me to choose berween you a 2 SIEVE. Oh, tm secondary ayes ibn LINDSEY. ‘Cause that’s an eayy one, STEVE. Correction: tertiary (As Lindsey und Steve continue to singe, at bespectacled song man in military uniform decends the sits. unnoticed and addly ant of place. Thit it Kenneth, played by the «utar tho played Tom. He carviesa yellow legal pad and a tntusistor tnudia, Oblivious to the scene around bi, he takes a seat by a windane near the front door, As Dan removes a yellowed envelope from the srunk. Lindsey and Steve prepare to leave as the bickering contiuwes uninterrupted) LINDSEY. Or maybe you don't use che baby: STEVE, Oh Thar’ funny. Edidn’ know Uhad a choce. LINDSEY. Oh, you had a choice, STEVE. Ionly Ta known, 1 NOSE And you chose. STEVE, And what were i sain? 's right. pela the options, again? Oh that's right. A.) TINE . a STEVE, Or B.) Phi divorcing you LINDSEY. Bue you chose A, STEVE, A for Arm-nwisting, 82 LINDSEY, Do you have the keys? STEVE. B for Blackmail. LINDSEY. (From ouside.) Do you have them or dant —? STEVE. (From the door,) YES! YES I HAVE THE GODDAMN — What, you think someane’s gonna rab this place? (Dan turns 10 see them exit.) Help yourselves, Fuckin’ shithole, (Steve lama the door ‘Dan looks around with no acknowledgnens of Kenneth.) DAN. (To she empty howae,) Hello? (He waits fora veply) Hello? (He sits on the trunk, opens the leer Reading binuelf) Dear Mom and Dad. (Lighs change. Kenneth switches on the transistor nedio und music begin: to play, not unlike the very beginning of the play. It is carly morning, 1957, Dim light filters dhrongh he windore, barely ‘luminating Kenneth, He beads over his legal pad, writing, as Bew slowly descends the seairs,dresed in her robe and slippers. She stops near the bottom.) BEV. (Bleary-cyed, confused.) Kenneth? (Kenueth tems down the tvlkome on the nidia) KENNETH. Hmm? BEV, Whac are you doing down here? KENNETH. Weiting a lever. BEV. Did your father leave already? KENNETH. (Looks outside.) { don't sce the cat. BEV. What time is i KENNETH. Dont BEY. Toverslept KENNETH. Yup. BEV. (Yawning) { dont know why L was up so late. | was up half the night and the howse was so quiet and your father was sound asleep but for some reason my mind was just racing and it ook for- ‘ever (ofall asleep. KENNETH. Go back to bed. BEV. (Finally focuting) Oh, look how you're dressed up. Why are souall dressed up like hae? (Kenneth stares, docu anseer.) Kenneth? KENNETH. Jo iocervew: (A fy ors in the fon dor: 1 wpons and Francine outers in her eet clothes with a scarf tied around her ead, She carves a wes umbrella.) FRANCINE. (Sieepy.) Morning. KENNETH. Maming. BEY, Morning, Francine, FRANCINE. Morning, 83BEV. Oh, is it ruining out chere? FRANCINE. Sprinkling a ltd, BEV. 1 didnt even notice. Well. It’s good for the grass. (She stands a te Bara ofthe ti a one rasp hand wpe al seayy Bev hesitates, KENNETH. Aren't you going bick to sleep? BEV. (Ponsive) Oh, Iwill. 'm juscaboue co. (Fora moment, she saves into space, hen turns to Kenneth bright) But you knows, 1 thi things are about to change. I reallr do. F know its been a hard cou ple of years forall of us, I know they have been, but I really believe things are about to change for the better. I firmly believe chat. (Kenneth wuts. Bew noms and sarte buck up the airy) You have enough light, chere? KENNETH. Uh-huh. BEY. (Ar she ascends) Well, dont hurt your eyes. (She is gone, Kenneth turns the nadio back up, reaanes teiting. Dame continves 0 read. The lights slowly fide as the music concludes) End of Play AUTHOR'S NOTE 28 performed in New York and beyond, Now however, afer hearing i hundreds of times, my pref= erence would be to alter the final scene — which was writren in che original pardly ro aceommadate costume changes — in the follow ‘way, with a deletion in ane of Bev’ lines. The adjusted version would read... “This isthe seeipt of the play as BEV. (Bleary-eyed, confined.) Kenneth? (Kenneth turns down the alume on the radio.) KENNETH. Hmm? BEY. What are you doing down here? KENNETH. Writing a leter. BEV, Did your father leave already? KENNETH, (Looks ouride,) I don't see the eat. BEV, What time KENNETH, Dont know, BEV. 1 overslept. KENNETH. Yup. BEV. (Vawning.) dant know why J was up so fate, KENNETH. Go back ta bed. BEV, (Noticing Kennechs uniform.) Oh, look how you'te dressed up. Why are you all dressed up Tike that? (Kennnech stares, doce sanzwer) Kenneth? KENNETH. Job interview. sev and ic would continue as writen until the end of the ph if the actress playing Francine cant make the costume change, the choice is up 10 you. 85