GOODBYE, LITTLE GEORGE

DESCRIPTION:

It is the year 1966. Little George is a thirteen-year-old

boy living in Indiantown, FL who has begun cross-dressing at
home. When his pastor father realizes that his son is
homosexual, Little George is forced to undergo electroshock
therapy. Little George eventually flees home for good.
Fifteen years later, Little George has transformed into
Bette, currently involved in a tormented relationship with a
married man in New York City. When this relationship turns
sour, Bette must find solace in the life she left behind
when she was known as Little George.
 2.

SCENE TWELVE

It is late Spring of 1966.

LITTLE GEORGE is sitting on a
park bench. It's his first
time back to Indiantown since
he entered an institution. He
looks very sick and fragile.
After a moment, BOBBY appears.

BOBBY
George!

LITTLE GEORGE
Hey!

BOBBY
You're back!

LITTLE GEORGE
Just for a few days.

BOBBY
(Sits next to him.)
Are you coming back to school? The semester is almost over.

LITTLE GEORGE
I'm not sure. Probably not.

BOBBY
Barbara told my mother that you went to see a doctor in West
Palm Beach. I think she said you had an infection of
something and that you weren't coming back to school this
year.

LITTLE GEORGE
It's something like that.

BOBBY
Are you feeling better?

LITTLE GEORGE
Not really.

BOBBY
You don't look too good.
 3.

LITTLE GEORGE
How's everything in school?
BOBBY
Did you know about Mr. Scott?

LITTLE GEORGE
Know what?

BOBBY
They fired him.

LITTLE GEORGE
Did they say why?

BOBBY
No. Now we have a new music teacher. It's an old lady with a
funny accent.

LITTLE GEORGE
When did this happen?

BOBBY
Right after you left.

LITTLE GEORGE
Poor Mr. Scott.

BOBBY
I know.
(He notices scars on
LITTLE GEORGE's
arms.)
What's that on your arms?...Is that because of the
infection?

LITTLE GEORGE
Yes.

BOBBY
It looks like they cut you or something. Does it hurt?

LITTLE GEORGE
A little bit.

BOBBY
What kind of infection is it?

LITTLE GEORGE
It's something related to the brain.

BOBBY
What does that have to do with your arms?
 4.

LITTLE GEORGE
I'm not sure.
BOBBY
What’s wrong with your brain?

LITTLE GEORGE
They don't know. That's why I'm at the institution. I have
to undergo some treatment until I get cured.

BOBBY
How long are you going to be there?

LITTLE GEORGE
I don't know.

BOBBY
Do you like it there?

LITTLE GEORGE
No.

BOBBY
Do they have a television set?

LITTLE GEORGE
Yes, but we're not allowed to watch it.

BOBBY
That sounds pretty boring.

LITTLE GEORGE
I hate it there. I wish I could run away.

BOBBY
I hope you get cured soon.

LITTLE GEORGE
I hope so.
(A beat.)

BOBBY
Do you want to go to Duke's? I'll treat you.

LITTLE GEORGE
No. I have to go now. I must get back before my father and
Barbara come home.

BOBBY
Did her son get out of jail?

LITTLE GEORGE
No. How did you find out about that?
 5.

BOBBY
I saw it in the newspaper.
LITTLE GEORGE
I see.

BOBBY
Can I see you tomorrow?

LITTLE GEORGE
I don't think so. I'm leaving early in the morning.

BOBBY
I guess I'll see you later, when you come back.
(LITTLE GEORGE nods.)
You know my telephone number. You can call me, if you can.

LITTLE GEORGE
I'll try.

BOBBY
Bye now.

LITTLE GEORGE
Goodbye.

(BLACK OUT.)

(END OF SCENE.)
 6.

SCENE THIRTEEN

At BETTE’S apartment. It is
late Autumn of 1981. She is
lying on the sofa smoking a
cigarette, as usual. She is
listening to a recording of
"Rosario de Besos."

The doorbell rings and she

gets up to open the door. PAUL
stands at the door. She hugs
and kisses him.

BETTE
I've missed you so much.

PAUL enters. BETTE turns off the

music. There is an uncomfortable
feeling in the air between the two.

PAUL
How have you been?

BETTE
I've been okay...I thought you weren't coming.

PAUL
I had to take care of a few things.

BETTE
That's all right.

A beat. BETTE sits down.

BETTE
My show's folding tomorrow.

PAUL
I'm sorry to hear that.

BETTE
The critics hated it. I hated it! I'm glad you didn't go see
it.

PAUL
I just couldn't make it. It's been a hectic month in the
office.

BETTE
Come sit next to me.

PAUL sits next to BETTE.

 7.

BETTE
What's wrong?
PAUL
You always ask me that.

BETTE
Because it always looks like there's something wrong with
you. Why are you being so distant? We haven't seen each
other in so long...It's been a month. Are you mad at me?

PAUL
No. I'm not mad.

BETTE
So what is it?

PAUL
I want to talk to you about something. It's really the
reason I came tonight...I had to talk to you.

BETTE
Here we go.

PAUL
Things have happened.

BETTE
What things?

PAUL
I know it's going to be hard for you and I want you to know
that I don't like hurting you because I truly care for you.
You know that.

BETTE
What are you telling me?

PAUL gets up.

PAUL
We can't see each other anymore.

BETTE
Why not?

A beat. She gets up and walks

towards him.

BETTE
Did she find out?
 8.

PAUL
No. It's not that.
BETTE
So what is it?

PAUL
My wife is expecting again...I've known it for about a
month.

BETTE
Oh God.

PAUL
It was unexpected, but these things happen.

BETTE
Are you happy?

PAUL
What do you mean?

BETTE
Are you happy about having another child?

PAUL
It doesn't matter if I'm happy or not. It's happening
regardless.

BETTE
You can still have an opinion about it. Are you looking
forward to it?

PAUL
It's not what I wanted, but...

BETTE
So what's the problem? Just because she's having a baby,
that doesn't mean that we have to break up. You have other
kids. What's new?

PAUL
Yes, it does.

BETTE
Why?

PAUL
Because I can't continue living like this...I'm not proud of
myself. It's not fair to her and it's not fair to you.
 9.

BETTE
And is it fair to you? You're not in love with her. Even if
I'm out of the picture, if you stay with her, you would
still be living a lie.

PAUL
I'll have to deal with it.

BETTE
You have no idea how much this hurts.

PAUL
I know it hurts.

BETTE
So why do you do it?

PAUL
You deserve to be with someone who can give you the kind of
life that you want. Without hiding, someone who can take you
out in the open without worrying if people are watching him.
Someone who doesn't have to hide to call you...It's a life
that I can't give you. You have wonderful qualities and I
know that...

BETTE
I don't want anybody else.

PAUL embraces her.

PAUL
I'm so sorry Bette. I really am.

BETTE
No, you're not.

PAUL
I am.

BETTE
Then don't leave me.

PAUL
I have to.

A long beat.

BETTE
You are the only person I have.

PAUL
You don't need me. You're so much stronger than I am. We
both have to find ourselves and deal with the pain in our
(MORE)
 10.

PAUL (cont'd)
lives. Soon or later we have to face it. We can't hide
forever. I'll always keep you in my heart.
BETTE
Paul...

PAUL
I wish you the best.

BETTE
Wait.

They stare at each other a moment.

PAUL
Goodbye.

PAUL leaves. BETTE faces the

audience. She stands still for a
moment. She realizes that she is
alone once again.

(SLOW FADE.)

(END OF SCENE.)
 11.

SCENE FOURTEEN

It's late Spring of 1966. It's

the night before LITTLE GEORGE
is supposed to go back to the
institution. LITTLE GEORGE
enters wearing his white dress
and the boots. He begins to
apply his make-up. He is
enjoying the process. Moments
later, BARBARA and the PASTOR
enter. LITTLE GEORGE notices
them, but ignores them.

BARBARA
Míralo.

PASTOR
George!

LITTLE GEORGE does not look at

them.

LITTLE GEORGE
Yes.

BARBARA
What do you think you're doing?

LITTLE GEORGE
I'm wearing my dress.

PASTOR
(To BARBARA.)
Dame el látigo.

LITTLE GEORGE
(Still not facing
them.)
I don't care.

BARBARA rushes out of the room.

PASTOR
We'll see if you don't care.

LITTLE GEORGE
I'd rather die than go back to that doctor.

PASTOR
Turn around.