This page has all four scenes of Solitary - which started as monologues on my blog but has taken on a life of its own.
So, you, my faithful blog readers, will get to watch a new play develop. If you have any comments, please leave them on the blog - I truly appreciate the feedback.
Solitary scene 1 is Day #11 Feb. 23, 2014
Solitary scene 2 is Day #14 Feb. 26, 2014
Solitary scene 3 is Day#16 Feb. 28, 2014
Solitary scene 4 is Day #18 Mar.2, 2014
Solitary scene 5 is Day #42 Mar. 26, 2014
*****Parent alert - strong language, cursing**********
Solitary
A play in one-act
by Janet S. Tiger
(c) all rights reserved Feb. 23, 2014
[email protected]
(other one-acts by Janet S. Tiger, click here)
(Lights come up slowly, we know the sun is rising, as the rays come through a small window -and we see a prison cell of some kind. On a wall is a hook with a prison uniform. As the scene brightens, we see a youngish man – is he in his twenties, thirties?, lying on a cot. He is already awake, and starts to stir when the light hits his face, as he takes the blanket off. He is physically strong, with tattoos, and is dressed only in his boxer shorts, and he now takes a book from under his pillow, faces the sun coming through the window, and kneels, reading the book and quietly praying.
When finished, he looks around, picking up a stick, a pencil? And holding it up to the sunlight so it casts a shadow.)
Breakfast in about 10 minutes.
God, I…I think I..I’m hungry.
(He looks up at the sunlight.)
What about you, God? Are you hungry in the morning?
Now that I..I’m off that stuff, I…I seem to be a little hungrier. Of course, that’s until I..I see what they bring me. Bologna and eggs, bologna and hot dogs, hot dogs and eggs. Never thought I..I would say this, but it sure would be nice to see some vegetable.
(Looks up)
Hey, Ma, didja hear that? I..I actually want to see a vegetable. Now eat one, that might take some time, but hey, I…I got plenty of time.
(Takes a deep breath.)
It’s how many days?
(He looks at a part of the wall.)
Three weeks, twenty one days for the first cloud of withdrawal, then another 16, that’s 37, from 182, (thinks) ……that’s 145 to go.
(He starts to makes a mark on the wall, then stops. )
Hey, God, whaddaya think about this- maybe I..I should wait until the whole day is over before I..I make the mark that the day is over?
Good idea, huh?
I think so, I..I hope you approve.
(He shakes his head, leans his head toward the faint sunlight)
How did I..I think I..I can do this?
(More desperate) Okay, God, you have to listen to me some more, dunno if I…I can do this……man, this is tougher than I…I thought it would be……
(He picks up the Bible and puts it down.)
Hey, God, I..I have something to say to you. I..I mean, I’ve been talking to you for a few days now. Maybe the first few didn’t make that much sense………
(Stops to listen, laughs)
Did you say I..I was babbling? Yeah, that’s a good word for it.
Oh shit! …..can’t believe this! …sorry, God, about the shit, I…I mean about cursing, I..I’m trying to stop…..oh, man…….now I..I’m not only talking to God, I..I’m apologizing when I…I curse…..and even worse…… I..I’m hearing his voice!
(Looks up)
Okay, your voice!
Amazing….a fucking-mazing!
(Looks up, shakes head)
I..I’m sorry.
(Listens)
I..I know you’ve heard it all before, I…I guess, I…I just want to be more polite, it might make it easier when I…I get outta here.
(Shakes his head, starts to pace)
This is really starting to get to me!
I..I thought being away from the drugs would help, but I…I think I..I’m having what one of those shrinks called a…..what was the fancy word?.....a psychotic break! I..I’m hearing voices!
Real voices, like if you were in the room, God!
(Listens)
Maybe it’s because of this book, huh? I..I mean, I’ve been reading it now for a few weeks…and I…I gotta tell ya, God….I..I dunno if you can take it, I..I mean, had a friend who was a writer back in school, and he did not criticism well, but …..the Bible is boring.
(He cringes, as if someone is about to hit him.)
There I..I said it! I..I’m sorry…..no, that’s not true, I said I..I’d tell the truth, and I..I’m not sorry – you probably know, right? I..I mean just because a lotta people say something is great, doesn’t mean it is, right? Like in school, all those books they try to get you to read, like Moby Dick and The Great Gatsby, they stink. But the Bible, you can’t say the Bible is boring…..but I..I did.
And you didn’t smite me down, dija?
Maybe there’s something in here…..that’s not so boring…I..I’m gonna keep reading, because it’s all I have now…..
(He picks up the Bible and thumbs through it.)
Here-
(He holds up the page.)
Oh, I forget, you probably know this part…. (Quoting) Matthew 12:22 ‘Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw. ‘
How come you don’t have like whole chapters about demons? I mean, they’re a lot more fun than the angels, right?
(He closes the Bible almost violently. He is angry.)
Why are there demons? And I..I don’t mean the devil, I..I mean the people who sell this stuff….(thinks) that would be me, I’m a demon. I..I sold that shit ….sorry…I sold those drugs to people. Does that make me a demon?
(Listens)
(Quoting) “ Demons cannot occupy any place that God has conquered.” What the hell is that supposed to mean? Sorry, is hell a curse, too? I..I forget some of the stuff I heard in Sunday school. And hey, now that I’m reading your book, there’s a lotta stuff in here they never taught us, never talked about.
(He pulls his hair back, and starts to shudder. )
Okay, God, we have to have an understanding. I..I started this so I..I could get out of here in six months, no parole. They can’t say I..I made trouble in here, can’t say I..I started a fight, or took drugs, or sold drugs, or anything. The worst could be if I..I write on the walls, but I..I can erase that stuff, so that’s no problem.
What is the problem? Lemme tell you – I..I want to tell the truth. That’s what I..I promised myself when I..I started this. I..I mean, the only one left to lie to is…me. From what I..I understand, I..I can’t lie to you…..you know everything.
(Laughs) So I..I guess that makes you a know-it-all, right, God? Did anyone ever call you that when you were a kid?
(Laughs, then stops, it’s not funny what he is about to talk about)
So you know that ………(hard to say)…..they took my son away…... his mother is in jail for drugs, too, and I..I may never see him again. He’s a good kid – nothing like me, thank you God for that. But I..I want to be better, maybe one day, get to see him again. Who knows…well, maybe you do….but maybe, we could be a family.
(He is pacing, trying not to break down)
(In anguish) Why am I..I tellin you this? Because I..I think you can help me? But you know what I..I think about you, right? That’s no secret, right? Not only is your dumb Bible boring, but……(almost impossible to say)…but I…I…I don’t believe in you, God!
(He falls to his knees and is trying not to cry.)
How many more days of this can I do!!!!
(He sits rocking, and quiets slowly, then he looks up, hears a noise, he goes to his prison uniform and puts it on quickly. He is now more docile, a prisoner again, then he looks up.)
Well, I..I guess it’s not solitary, if you’re here with me, right God?
(He tilts his head to ‘listen’ and smiles. There is a sound of a key, and he turns to get his food.)
Later, God, later…..
(As we hear food on metal plates moving into his room, lights dim.)
Solitary (scene 2) (from Day #14)
(A woman is seen. She is sturdy, and she is in her seventies, but looks younger. She is holding a pruning sheers or big clippers - something to prune a tree with - and she is dressed appropriately. She has a thick Northeast accent - Boston roots - and she is tough.
She looks around, up at the tree, takes a deep sigh.)
Well, God, you and I are going to have our last little talk. Maybe not last, but last out heah by this tree. Me cutting, you listening.
It's worked for a long time, hasn't it? I think of all the things I will miss about this house, this tree - and our little talks - will be be one of the biggest.
Forty-five years, God, has it been that long? You would know, I'm starting to forget so many things.
(She clips a bit, looks at what she's done)
Like the name of this tree....what is it called?
(She clips furiously, trying to get the clipping to help her)
I remember when we bought this place, James and I, after he got the job as the local sheriff here, and they gave him an advance enough to put the down payment on. Julie was a baby......and I was pregnant with Sophia. (Smiles as she remembers) This tree was no bigger than I was, and for the first two years it didn't grow one inch.
I thought it was because it was cold during those horrible winters, so I would cover it up with blankets and try to keep it warm. Those first years, I remember them with great fondness.
And then one day, I think it was a couple, maybe three years after we were here, I was pregnant with Tammy, I think, and I started talking to the postman, when he drove through. There weren't many people out around here then, not like now, with it all built up with the fancy places from all those rich people who like to have a home in country for skiing, so they buy and raise the prices and then they visit twice a year.
Where was I, God? Oh yes, the postman, and he and I started to become friends, because, often he was the only adult I would see for a couple of days, if I didn't go into town to shop. He was a nice man, Mr.....(searches for the name)....oh, you remember him, God, Mr......it'll come to me. and I told him that I was worried about the tree, it had not grown since we moved in.
And he told me that it hadn't grown since it had been planted by the first owners! I said, well, so that means it will never grow? I would like a shade tree here in my front yard. And he told me what to do to prune it, and I have been doing that for years now, with good result.
(She illustrates as she becomes Mr........she'll recall the name later)
(Very masculine) "This is a good tree, strong, able to handle the cold. But you have to prune it properly. You have to remove all the down-facing, branches.....like this..."
(She is still Mr. .....and she cuts more forcefully)
"Even if they go up after, if they start down, cut them off right here at the branch...."
(Shows again)
"And if you keep at it, the top branches will grow without the burden of being dragged down. And it will bear a lovely apple in a few yeahs, and it will grow, but not too high and it will live a long time and make a lot of nice shade for your children to play under."
(Back to herself)
Why didn't he tell the other people how to do this?
(As Mr.....)
"They never asked!"
(She laughs, then stands straight up. She has remembered something.)
Mr. Farris! His name was Mr. Farris! And the people we bought from were the Wilkins! And the name of the tree.......
(Stops, looks puzzled)
Now, that I can't seem to recahl.......I will have to ask Julie, she never forgets a thing, that girl.
(She cuts again, then stops)
One more week. Then the escrow will close, and we will have 45 days to move. I asked for 45 because one day for each year is fair, I think.
Of course, the escrow may not go through. Sometimes that happens. But it's rare, and I do not expect anything odd to happen. So this will be my last prune.
Tammy asks me why I am doing all this cleaning up and yard work when I will be gone. I told her, this is still my home, and I like it to look nice while I am here. It is still a lovely home.
I do not want to remember it all fallen down, broken.
(She looks up, sees something, laughs)
My son, you remember him, God? JJ - Jimmy Jr. He used to try and play up here, and I wouldn't let him! These branches were too weak, not strong as the oak - but he would sneak up here, until he fell out one day on his arm, broke it in three places. Did that stop him? No. Did he evah listen? No. Did he evah eat his vegetables.....we both know the answer, God! (Shakes her head) Nooooo!
Maybe it was my fault, I mean, he was the youngest, and I let the girls spoil him. I mean they watched out for him, but they spoiled him good - or bad if it be known.
He thought he could get away with anything.
And maybe that was my fault, too. He would smile at me with those big blue eyes....and i could forgive him almost anything.
(As a mother) But vegetables are good for you, Jimmy! God made vegetables to keep us healthy! You have to eat something green everyday to stay healthy....
(As a little boy) But, mommy, I do eat something green every day - I eat my snot!
I never thought I'd say it, but I'm glad James was gone when all this happened.
It was bad enough when the sheriff's own son got in trouble, but this....this was different.
(Suddenly realizing something) Oh, my God! I just figured it out! James had the first attack right after we got that call from Oregon, that Jimmy Jr was arrested. It wasn't immediately after, but a few months. Oregon is not Massachusetts, and James couldn't go to his friends to get Jimmy loose that time, no, it was for real, a DUI with drugs in the vehicle.
We got an attorney to argue it was the other guy's marijuana, but everyone knew the truth. And then he jumped the bail, and we lost our $25,000 bond - the money for our anniversary cruise. Europe, the Mediterranean, it all would have been first class.
(Holds her head in her hands)
I may have been wrong this time, too. He was selling those awful drugs....selling! (Anguished) But how could I let him rot for 40 years? I mean, five years is enough. That's not easy in the Federal system. So we got the best lawyer this mortgaged home could buy.....expensive, too, the Kennedys used the same firm. Maybe not this young one, but it looked good when our man stood up and said the name of their company - four long names - it meant something. So he got five years - less with good behavior. Was I wrong? God, I know you had troubles with your son, but did you ever have doubts about him? I don't think so. I have doubts......doubts he will ever change. (Hard to say) Doubts he wants to change at all.
(She sighs deeply, collecting the leaves and putting them in a pail.)
Well, as always, it's been good talking to you, God. I will miss our little chats here while I trim this tree, but I'm sure Sophie's house has plenty to do and I will be happy to talk to you there.
(She straightens up, she has made up her mind.)
But that is it. This house was all I had. I.....I told the girls I will not speak to him again. I wish him well, but enough is enough.
(She looks at the tree, wipes her face, starts to walk off. then stops. Listens, considers reluctantly, after all, it is God)
All right, maybe I'll change my mind - one day. But he would have to be changed for real......(thinks) he'd have to eat some real vegetables.
(As she walks off, we hear her say....)
That'll be the day......
(End of scene)
Solitary (Scene 3) Day #16
(Lights up – it is noon, full sunshine, and we see him- Jimmy is sitting on his cot, eating a sandwich. There is a sound at the door and he takes the tray and remains of the food to the slot in the door and slides it through. He listens for the guard to leave, then removes his prison uniform, standing again in only his boxers. He looks up at the ceiling.)
Free at last, free at last, oh, Lord ahmighty, I’m a free at last!
Well that was an unusual lunch – instead of eating the sandwich first, I..I ate the bologna in the sandwich and left the cheese in the bread, so it was like a new lunch. Good idea, huh, God? I’m just fulla good ideas.
(He holds a pencil up towards the sun, noting the shadow.)
I..I’ll wait a full hour before I..I swim…..so I..I don’t get cramps!
(Listens)
Okay, so maybe it wasn’t so funny…..you got better? Actually, come to think of it, you do….
(He pulls out the Bible and looks up a page he has turned down.)
I..I wanted to ask you about this….
(Reads from the Bible)
“As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly. –Peter 2:22”
So, God, because I..I made so many mistakes, I..I’m supposed to be like a dog? Is that the idea, God? Well, you probably already saw that I..I I..I never was into vomit! (Smiling) Although I..I have been known to eat my own snot, but in my defense, I..I was a lot younger then!
(Laughs) And if you didn’t see it yourself, I..I bet my mother told you!
(More serious, there’s something here he obviously does not want to talk about)
I..I don’t think it’s so funny, you know….Look, I..I told you I..I would rather make jokes than talk about the other stuff…..
(Listens, turns away, quieter, to himself)
Sometimes, God, I..I just wanna tell you to shut up the fuck up…..
(Looks up quickly)
I..I didn’t really mean that….
(To himself, again)
Yes, I..I did…..
(Up at God, again)
I..I guess I..I just can’t fool you, can I..I?
(He goes to his cot and reaches under the pillow, brings out an envelope, which he looks at for a long time before opening.)
Amazing – I..I don’t get one visitor for- how long is it? One year, two years? When did my sister come, to tell me mom was ok after the fall, her hip had healed up just fine? I..I was still tweakin’, so time didn’t mean anything…..
(He opens the envelope, reads, nods)
Yeah, I..I figured.
(Takes deep breath, puts the letter on the cot and suddenly squats down and starts doing frantic push-ups.)
I..I know I..I said …would…wait an ….hour, but I..I need this!.....
(Finishes, gets up, breathing deeply.)
How the hell did she get to visit? I..I mean, I..I have to put in a request!
It takes a couple of months! How can she be coming……tomorrow!
(He picks up the paper again, really reading it this time.)
(Slowly, like it’s finally sinking in.) “Visitors who have traveled over 250 miles due to a family emergency. (Snorts in derision) What emergency did she pick this time? And how did she get off parole so fast? She can’t visit until she’s off parole!
(He goes to his wall and looks at the marks.)
Has it been that long? Maybe she is done with it. She’s probably still using…..but she always did know how to get ‘righteous pee’ as we used to call it – good urine for the tests. She even had some weird device she got online, so when they watched her, it looked like she was peeing, but for real, the ‘clean stuff’ was up inside her, and she would pass, even though she was blazed! And they say drugs make you stupid!
But how did she get me to request the visit? I..I mean, how did that happen….
(He looks again at the wall, starts to remember)
Is it possible? I..I was pretty blazed myself a few months ago, could I..I have been so out of it, that I..I (hard for him to say) wanted her?
(He shudders, walks around the cell, rubbing his arms to warm up.)
Maybe, it was when I..I was really bad…they gave me something to calm me down, and I..I had nightmares for days…..
(Laughs) Nightmares for days…..kind of strange……that must’ve been it….I..I don’t remember anything those couple of weeks.
(Snorts again) So she’s gonna be here tomorrow…
(Reads from the paper)
“Arriving between 7:30 and 8am. If you are permitted a contact visit, please note the new rules about touching…….due to the recent discovery of contraband, hand-holding is no longer permitted. Prisoners and visitors who have had contact visits may again share a brief kiss and/or hug at the end of the visit. Any further touching may result in termination of the visit, and permission for further visits may be rejected.”
(Laughs, sad this time) “Any further touching….. Touching. I..I remember the first time …I..I kissed Annie. The first time we…..touched. (Deep sigh, remembers) We were a lot younger then. That was a million miles of meth ago….Why didn’t we just stay with dope? Things might’ve been easier……Of course, she got pregnant when we were stoned…..She used to be so pretty….so young…..
(He now goes to his cot, looks around, takes out from a secret place what is obviously a small photo, stares at it.)
We went to Canobie Lake Park together, up in Salem, and got these photos taken in one of those booths…..that was… …before she was…pregnant….. before all the shit…..sorry, God, but it was a lot of sh…crap……Not Jody, he’s a good kid, God is he 11? I..I’m 30, so he must be…..did I..I send him a card on his last birthday? Did I..I call him? Did I..I think of him…..I..I hope so.
(He holds his head in his hands)
I…I don’t want to see her.
God, you know all she wants! She just wants money! And we both know I..I have no money, so I know she wants me to get some from my family. My family who doesn’t want to know me. (Smiles) For somebody so stupid, I sure know a lot!
(Listens, shakes his head, turns away)
Yes, God, I..I know Jody’s mine – he’s the best thing we ever did together…..(Quiet) And ..I..I was the only guy she was with …back then.
(Hard to say) I..I didn’t share her with Eddie until after she was pregnant……(deep breath)…and we didn’t share her with the other guys until we really needed money…..
Annabelle…..that’s her real name – her father was an English teacher and he loved Edgar Allen Poe. But we called her Annie…except on the street. Then we called her Belle…(bitter) ..that was Eddie’s idea….guys will pay a few bucks more for someone named (says it fancy) ‘Belle’ rather than (says it ordinary) …Annie.
(He is trying not to lose it) Annie….how could I..I do those things to you? Let you do those things to yourself?.....How can I..I ever forgive myself for all that?
(Quiet) How can you ever forgive me?
(He takes the paper, and finds a small pencil under his cot.)
Tomorrow, you’ll be here tomorrow……I..I’ll see you ….tomorrow.
(He signs the paper, and puts in the slot by the door.
Lights down, scene 3)
Solitary Scene #4 (Day #18)
(A boy of about 11 is seen sitting in a chair, looking at a book– he is a bit jumpy, fairly normal for his age. His grandmother would say he had ants in his pants – if she had ever met him. This is Jody, Jimmy’s son. He points at one of the pages, then puts the book on the table next to him.)
You know, they tell you these tests have no right and wrong answers, but I think that’s a lie.
(Listens)
Yeah, I’ve done a few of these, since I was a kid. I guess cause my mom was using dope when I was inside of her, so they were worried I’d be, you know, like a drug baby.
But I guess I’m ok.
No, I’m fine…..whaddaya want me to say?
(Listens, then laughs)
The truth? Okay, I can do that. I wish I could get the new Playstation for my birthday. That’s the truth. And I wish I could play it for days, and no one would bother me, and someone would bring me food and I could sit on a toilet and I could just play!
There – that’s the truth!
(Crosses his arms)
What do you want for your birthday?
(Listens)
Nah, I don’t wanna be a therapist! So, okay you get to ask the questions. …What was the question? Oh, yeah, my aunt and uncle. They’re cool. I mean I have some cousins, but they’re all older, so no one bothers me too much.
(Starts to fidget, doesn’t like this question)
Yeah, I know that, like telling the teacher I had a gun in my lunch was not cool. I just didn’t want to take that test! I figured if they called off school, no one would know I hadn’t studied.
I hate to study – it’s boring! Hey, you asked me what I wanted to be when I grow up – well, I wanna be the guy who thinks up all these cool games, the ones that make a million dollars! And maybe they could teach stuff – and people would want to learn it, because it would be interesting, not boring.
Yeah, it was a history test. I hate history. It’s all dead people. And things that are….gone.
Me? How could I…me… be history? I’m a kid, I’m 11, you know!
(Gets excited) Maybe if I blow somebody up, that makes the news! I mean, when I told them I had a gun, the reporters came, and they couldn’t talk to me, but I saw it on the TV! I was, like famous! And nobody messed with me after that. (Listens)
Nah, nobody messes with me. I guess I’m like my Dad – he’s in prison now, just like my mom was.
(Really fidgeting now)
Are we almost done? I have to go to the bathroom. …..yeah, I guess I can wait two more minutes. What did I learn today? (Parrots it back) What I learned is very important. I learned it was not a good idea to tell people I have a gun in my lunch. (Listens)
Anything else? Lemme think……
Nah, that about covers it.
(A little worried)
Am I going to jail? (Quickly) Not that I’m afraid or anything….but, I, I was just wondering.
(Listens)
(Relieved) Good, I mean, jail’s not the best place.
(Stands up, happy)
I can go? Great! I mean, it was nice talking to you, Dr. Thompson. See you next week.
(Listens, turns back)
Tomorrow? How come I have to come back tomorrow? With Mrs. Ellison it was only one time a week!
(Listens)
Oh, I understand. Seeing you is better than jail. (Listens) Right ..(says it with derision) ….juvenile detention.
(He starts to exit, turns back)
If I didn’t come to you, I’d have to go to ja………I mean…. juvenile detention. Which is just a fancy way of saying ‘jail for kids’…..
(He walks off, then thinks of something.)
(A little disturbed by this) So if I do go to jail….. I guess it’s like a family tradition, right? Kind of like Christmas….for normal families……
(He tilts his head as if this thought is actually sinking in a bit, then exits. Lights down on scene 4)
Mar. 26, 2014 Day #42
Solitary- Scene 5
(The set is bare except for two chairs and a table. The lighting is harsh, institutional. Lights up on Annie, who is a thinnish woman in her twenties, but looks like she's been through much more. She is nervous. We hear a door clanking open, and JJ walks in, wearing the prison uniform. They look at each other awkwardly.)
------------
This part will be added later, as it is a duo. But, here is the monologue at the end of the scene-
---------------
(Annie looks at him with pure venom - if she could slap him, she would, but in this setting she can't, so instead, she just stands up as tall as she can.)
(Furious, but as controlled as she can be) How did I figure out to ask you this? How did I learn to be so.....so devious? (With deep contempt) I learned.... from you, JJ, and you were a helluva teacher!
Who told me I couldn't get pregnant the first time we did it? I seem to remember that was you! That you didn't have a rubber because it was so sudden! You were so moved by my ...beauty! And when we were talking about maybe an abortion was a good idea, because we so young, you must’ve read the whole Bible to me on that one!.....(Quieter, madder) And you said that you'd take care of me, and the baby.....and we'd never have to worry, that every day would be like Canobie Park! Like this damned picture we took! Remember?
(She reaches into her pocket and takes out a small photo, shows it to him, then rips it up and drops it on the floor. She is pointed now, very on target.)
You remember how you got me to sleep with your Eddie? Your…pal….Eddie. You told me that Eddie was like a brother to you and in the (almost spits out the words).. the Bible, husbands shared their wives with their brothers...... you even showed me a passage that ...proved this!
And I was too stoned.....too stupid....(almost crying) … too much in love with you for some unknown reason! And so I did it.......and when you convinced me to .....(hard for her to say) go with those other guys to get money for the smoke, and the meth.......you had a Bible quote for that, too. (Quotes) Corinthians.'For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does......'’ Is it any wonder I don't go to church anymore?
But you knew that Bible pretty well, didn't you? You figured out that people gave more money when you were panhandling when you could tell them why they should give you money....from Jesus' own lips. Are you ashamed of that? Are you proud of that? That's what you taught me, Jimmy, that's how you taught me! (cont.)
(cont.) And now you're upset I was too good a student! (Laughs) That's a good joke! And now you sit in your cell, reading your (contemptuous)...your Bible and telling the world how you have changed...well, ask me if I believe you anymore......
Go ahead, ask......
(Jimmy is silent, very ashamed)
I didn't think so....
So, I don't think I'm asking that much from you......I mean, you do understand how this is gonna work, right? Your mother takes Jody.....for good, and I...I put through the divorce papers.....finally....and I will sign the official papers so that the baby I had with Connor, and this new baby inside of me from.....Luke.....they will no longer be considered yours.......and you will not have three mouths to send money for when you get out of here in God knows what year!
Got it? Did you learn me good? Isn't that in the Bible, too? Remember this one? (Quotes) Lamentations 3:27 - '[It is] good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth.'
I think we both have a lot of yoke - you could say, 'the yokes on us' - right? Is that funny, or what?
(Jimmy stands there, his head is down, he is trying not to cry)
Annie - (Quiet) Do we have a deal?
(He nods.)
Annie- Good choice. Not that you had any
(She turns away, cold. There is a sound, a muffled voice.)
Annie- Time's up. That's good, now I get a cigarette.
(She doesn't look at him.)
It's been a real treat seeing you, Jimmy. Take care.
(She exits without looking back. Jimmy goes to the torn pieces on the ground and picks them up, holds them. Lights down.)
End of scene
So, you, my faithful blog readers, will get to watch a new play develop. If you have any comments, please leave them on the blog - I truly appreciate the feedback.
Solitary scene 1 is Day #11 Feb. 23, 2014
Solitary scene 2 is Day #14 Feb. 26, 2014
Solitary scene 3 is Day#16 Feb. 28, 2014
Solitary scene 4 is Day #18 Mar.2, 2014
Solitary scene 5 is Day #42 Mar. 26, 2014
*****Parent alert - strong language, cursing**********
Solitary
A play in one-act
by Janet S. Tiger
(c) all rights reserved Feb. 23, 2014
[email protected]
(other one-acts by Janet S. Tiger, click here)
(Lights come up slowly, we know the sun is rising, as the rays come through a small window -and we see a prison cell of some kind. On a wall is a hook with a prison uniform. As the scene brightens, we see a youngish man – is he in his twenties, thirties?, lying on a cot. He is already awake, and starts to stir when the light hits his face, as he takes the blanket off. He is physically strong, with tattoos, and is dressed only in his boxer shorts, and he now takes a book from under his pillow, faces the sun coming through the window, and kneels, reading the book and quietly praying.
When finished, he looks around, picking up a stick, a pencil? And holding it up to the sunlight so it casts a shadow.)
Breakfast in about 10 minutes.
God, I…I think I..I’m hungry.
(He looks up at the sunlight.)
What about you, God? Are you hungry in the morning?
Now that I..I’m off that stuff, I…I seem to be a little hungrier. Of course, that’s until I..I see what they bring me. Bologna and eggs, bologna and hot dogs, hot dogs and eggs. Never thought I..I would say this, but it sure would be nice to see some vegetable.
(Looks up)
Hey, Ma, didja hear that? I..I actually want to see a vegetable. Now eat one, that might take some time, but hey, I…I got plenty of time.
(Takes a deep breath.)
It’s how many days?
(He looks at a part of the wall.)
Three weeks, twenty one days for the first cloud of withdrawal, then another 16, that’s 37, from 182, (thinks) ……that’s 145 to go.
(He starts to makes a mark on the wall, then stops. )
Hey, God, whaddaya think about this- maybe I..I should wait until the whole day is over before I..I make the mark that the day is over?
Good idea, huh?
I think so, I..I hope you approve.
(He shakes his head, leans his head toward the faint sunlight)
How did I..I think I..I can do this?
(More desperate) Okay, God, you have to listen to me some more, dunno if I…I can do this……man, this is tougher than I…I thought it would be……
(He picks up the Bible and puts it down.)
Hey, God, I..I have something to say to you. I..I mean, I’ve been talking to you for a few days now. Maybe the first few didn’t make that much sense………
(Stops to listen, laughs)
Did you say I..I was babbling? Yeah, that’s a good word for it.
Oh shit! …..can’t believe this! …sorry, God, about the shit, I…I mean about cursing, I..I’m trying to stop…..oh, man…….now I..I’m not only talking to God, I..I’m apologizing when I…I curse…..and even worse…… I..I’m hearing his voice!
(Looks up)
Okay, your voice!
Amazing….a fucking-mazing!
(Looks up, shakes head)
I..I’m sorry.
(Listens)
I..I know you’ve heard it all before, I…I guess, I…I just want to be more polite, it might make it easier when I…I get outta here.
(Shakes his head, starts to pace)
This is really starting to get to me!
I..I thought being away from the drugs would help, but I…I think I..I’m having what one of those shrinks called a…..what was the fancy word?.....a psychotic break! I..I’m hearing voices!
Real voices, like if you were in the room, God!
(Listens)
Maybe it’s because of this book, huh? I..I mean, I’ve been reading it now for a few weeks…and I…I gotta tell ya, God….I..I dunno if you can take it, I..I mean, had a friend who was a writer back in school, and he did not criticism well, but …..the Bible is boring.
(He cringes, as if someone is about to hit him.)
There I..I said it! I..I’m sorry…..no, that’s not true, I said I..I’d tell the truth, and I..I’m not sorry – you probably know, right? I..I mean just because a lotta people say something is great, doesn’t mean it is, right? Like in school, all those books they try to get you to read, like Moby Dick and The Great Gatsby, they stink. But the Bible, you can’t say the Bible is boring…..but I..I did.
And you didn’t smite me down, dija?
Maybe there’s something in here…..that’s not so boring…I..I’m gonna keep reading, because it’s all I have now…..
(He picks up the Bible and thumbs through it.)
Here-
(He holds up the page.)
Oh, I forget, you probably know this part…. (Quoting) Matthew 12:22 ‘Then a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute was brought to him, and he healed him, so that the man spoke and saw. ‘
How come you don’t have like whole chapters about demons? I mean, they’re a lot more fun than the angels, right?
(He closes the Bible almost violently. He is angry.)
Why are there demons? And I..I don’t mean the devil, I..I mean the people who sell this stuff….(thinks) that would be me, I’m a demon. I..I sold that shit ….sorry…I sold those drugs to people. Does that make me a demon?
(Listens)
(Quoting) “ Demons cannot occupy any place that God has conquered.” What the hell is that supposed to mean? Sorry, is hell a curse, too? I..I forget some of the stuff I heard in Sunday school. And hey, now that I’m reading your book, there’s a lotta stuff in here they never taught us, never talked about.
(He pulls his hair back, and starts to shudder. )
Okay, God, we have to have an understanding. I..I started this so I..I could get out of here in six months, no parole. They can’t say I..I made trouble in here, can’t say I..I started a fight, or took drugs, or sold drugs, or anything. The worst could be if I..I write on the walls, but I..I can erase that stuff, so that’s no problem.
What is the problem? Lemme tell you – I..I want to tell the truth. That’s what I..I promised myself when I..I started this. I..I mean, the only one left to lie to is…me. From what I..I understand, I..I can’t lie to you…..you know everything.
(Laughs) So I..I guess that makes you a know-it-all, right, God? Did anyone ever call you that when you were a kid?
(Laughs, then stops, it’s not funny what he is about to talk about)
So you know that ………(hard to say)…..they took my son away…... his mother is in jail for drugs, too, and I..I may never see him again. He’s a good kid – nothing like me, thank you God for that. But I..I want to be better, maybe one day, get to see him again. Who knows…well, maybe you do….but maybe, we could be a family.
(He is pacing, trying not to break down)
(In anguish) Why am I..I tellin you this? Because I..I think you can help me? But you know what I..I think about you, right? That’s no secret, right? Not only is your dumb Bible boring, but……(almost impossible to say)…but I…I…I don’t believe in you, God!
(He falls to his knees and is trying not to cry.)
How many more days of this can I do!!!!
(He sits rocking, and quiets slowly, then he looks up, hears a noise, he goes to his prison uniform and puts it on quickly. He is now more docile, a prisoner again, then he looks up.)
Well, I..I guess it’s not solitary, if you’re here with me, right God?
(He tilts his head to ‘listen’ and smiles. There is a sound of a key, and he turns to get his food.)
Later, God, later…..
(As we hear food on metal plates moving into his room, lights dim.)
Solitary (scene 2) (from Day #14)
(A woman is seen. She is sturdy, and she is in her seventies, but looks younger. She is holding a pruning sheers or big clippers - something to prune a tree with - and she is dressed appropriately. She has a thick Northeast accent - Boston roots - and she is tough.
She looks around, up at the tree, takes a deep sigh.)
Well, God, you and I are going to have our last little talk. Maybe not last, but last out heah by this tree. Me cutting, you listening.
It's worked for a long time, hasn't it? I think of all the things I will miss about this house, this tree - and our little talks - will be be one of the biggest.
Forty-five years, God, has it been that long? You would know, I'm starting to forget so many things.
(She clips a bit, looks at what she's done)
Like the name of this tree....what is it called?
(She clips furiously, trying to get the clipping to help her)
I remember when we bought this place, James and I, after he got the job as the local sheriff here, and they gave him an advance enough to put the down payment on. Julie was a baby......and I was pregnant with Sophia. (Smiles as she remembers) This tree was no bigger than I was, and for the first two years it didn't grow one inch.
I thought it was because it was cold during those horrible winters, so I would cover it up with blankets and try to keep it warm. Those first years, I remember them with great fondness.
And then one day, I think it was a couple, maybe three years after we were here, I was pregnant with Tammy, I think, and I started talking to the postman, when he drove through. There weren't many people out around here then, not like now, with it all built up with the fancy places from all those rich people who like to have a home in country for skiing, so they buy and raise the prices and then they visit twice a year.
Where was I, God? Oh yes, the postman, and he and I started to become friends, because, often he was the only adult I would see for a couple of days, if I didn't go into town to shop. He was a nice man, Mr.....(searches for the name)....oh, you remember him, God, Mr......it'll come to me. and I told him that I was worried about the tree, it had not grown since we moved in.
And he told me that it hadn't grown since it had been planted by the first owners! I said, well, so that means it will never grow? I would like a shade tree here in my front yard. And he told me what to do to prune it, and I have been doing that for years now, with good result.
(She illustrates as she becomes Mr........she'll recall the name later)
(Very masculine) "This is a good tree, strong, able to handle the cold. But you have to prune it properly. You have to remove all the down-facing, branches.....like this..."
(She is still Mr. .....and she cuts more forcefully)
"Even if they go up after, if they start down, cut them off right here at the branch...."
(Shows again)
"And if you keep at it, the top branches will grow without the burden of being dragged down. And it will bear a lovely apple in a few yeahs, and it will grow, but not too high and it will live a long time and make a lot of nice shade for your children to play under."
(Back to herself)
Why didn't he tell the other people how to do this?
(As Mr.....)
"They never asked!"
(She laughs, then stands straight up. She has remembered something.)
Mr. Farris! His name was Mr. Farris! And the people we bought from were the Wilkins! And the name of the tree.......
(Stops, looks puzzled)
Now, that I can't seem to recahl.......I will have to ask Julie, she never forgets a thing, that girl.
(She cuts again, then stops)
One more week. Then the escrow will close, and we will have 45 days to move. I asked for 45 because one day for each year is fair, I think.
Of course, the escrow may not go through. Sometimes that happens. But it's rare, and I do not expect anything odd to happen. So this will be my last prune.
Tammy asks me why I am doing all this cleaning up and yard work when I will be gone. I told her, this is still my home, and I like it to look nice while I am here. It is still a lovely home.
I do not want to remember it all fallen down, broken.
(She looks up, sees something, laughs)
My son, you remember him, God? JJ - Jimmy Jr. He used to try and play up here, and I wouldn't let him! These branches were too weak, not strong as the oak - but he would sneak up here, until he fell out one day on his arm, broke it in three places. Did that stop him? No. Did he evah listen? No. Did he evah eat his vegetables.....we both know the answer, God! (Shakes her head) Nooooo!
Maybe it was my fault, I mean, he was the youngest, and I let the girls spoil him. I mean they watched out for him, but they spoiled him good - or bad if it be known.
He thought he could get away with anything.
And maybe that was my fault, too. He would smile at me with those big blue eyes....and i could forgive him almost anything.
(As a mother) But vegetables are good for you, Jimmy! God made vegetables to keep us healthy! You have to eat something green everyday to stay healthy....
(As a little boy) But, mommy, I do eat something green every day - I eat my snot!
I never thought I'd say it, but I'm glad James was gone when all this happened.
It was bad enough when the sheriff's own son got in trouble, but this....this was different.
(Suddenly realizing something) Oh, my God! I just figured it out! James had the first attack right after we got that call from Oregon, that Jimmy Jr was arrested. It wasn't immediately after, but a few months. Oregon is not Massachusetts, and James couldn't go to his friends to get Jimmy loose that time, no, it was for real, a DUI with drugs in the vehicle.
We got an attorney to argue it was the other guy's marijuana, but everyone knew the truth. And then he jumped the bail, and we lost our $25,000 bond - the money for our anniversary cruise. Europe, the Mediterranean, it all would have been first class.
(Holds her head in her hands)
I may have been wrong this time, too. He was selling those awful drugs....selling! (Anguished) But how could I let him rot for 40 years? I mean, five years is enough. That's not easy in the Federal system. So we got the best lawyer this mortgaged home could buy.....expensive, too, the Kennedys used the same firm. Maybe not this young one, but it looked good when our man stood up and said the name of their company - four long names - it meant something. So he got five years - less with good behavior. Was I wrong? God, I know you had troubles with your son, but did you ever have doubts about him? I don't think so. I have doubts......doubts he will ever change. (Hard to say) Doubts he wants to change at all.
(She sighs deeply, collecting the leaves and putting them in a pail.)
Well, as always, it's been good talking to you, God. I will miss our little chats here while I trim this tree, but I'm sure Sophie's house has plenty to do and I will be happy to talk to you there.
(She straightens up, she has made up her mind.)
But that is it. This house was all I had. I.....I told the girls I will not speak to him again. I wish him well, but enough is enough.
(She looks at the tree, wipes her face, starts to walk off. then stops. Listens, considers reluctantly, after all, it is God)
All right, maybe I'll change my mind - one day. But he would have to be changed for real......(thinks) he'd have to eat some real vegetables.
(As she walks off, we hear her say....)
That'll be the day......
(End of scene)
Solitary (Scene 3) Day #16
(Lights up – it is noon, full sunshine, and we see him- Jimmy is sitting on his cot, eating a sandwich. There is a sound at the door and he takes the tray and remains of the food to the slot in the door and slides it through. He listens for the guard to leave, then removes his prison uniform, standing again in only his boxers. He looks up at the ceiling.)
Free at last, free at last, oh, Lord ahmighty, I’m a free at last!
Well that was an unusual lunch – instead of eating the sandwich first, I..I ate the bologna in the sandwich and left the cheese in the bread, so it was like a new lunch. Good idea, huh, God? I’m just fulla good ideas.
(He holds a pencil up towards the sun, noting the shadow.)
I..I’ll wait a full hour before I..I swim…..so I..I don’t get cramps!
(Listens)
Okay, so maybe it wasn’t so funny…..you got better? Actually, come to think of it, you do….
(He pulls out the Bible and looks up a page he has turned down.)
I..I wanted to ask you about this….
(Reads from the Bible)
“As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly. –Peter 2:22”
So, God, because I..I made so many mistakes, I..I’m supposed to be like a dog? Is that the idea, God? Well, you probably already saw that I..I I..I never was into vomit! (Smiling) Although I..I have been known to eat my own snot, but in my defense, I..I was a lot younger then!
(Laughs) And if you didn’t see it yourself, I..I bet my mother told you!
(More serious, there’s something here he obviously does not want to talk about)
I..I don’t think it’s so funny, you know….Look, I..I told you I..I would rather make jokes than talk about the other stuff…..
(Listens, turns away, quieter, to himself)
Sometimes, God, I..I just wanna tell you to shut up the fuck up…..
(Looks up quickly)
I..I didn’t really mean that….
(To himself, again)
Yes, I..I did…..
(Up at God, again)
I..I guess I..I just can’t fool you, can I..I?
(He goes to his cot and reaches under the pillow, brings out an envelope, which he looks at for a long time before opening.)
Amazing – I..I don’t get one visitor for- how long is it? One year, two years? When did my sister come, to tell me mom was ok after the fall, her hip had healed up just fine? I..I was still tweakin’, so time didn’t mean anything…..
(He opens the envelope, reads, nods)
Yeah, I..I figured.
(Takes deep breath, puts the letter on the cot and suddenly squats down and starts doing frantic push-ups.)
I..I know I..I said …would…wait an ….hour, but I..I need this!.....
(Finishes, gets up, breathing deeply.)
How the hell did she get to visit? I..I mean, I..I have to put in a request!
It takes a couple of months! How can she be coming……tomorrow!
(He picks up the paper again, really reading it this time.)
(Slowly, like it’s finally sinking in.) “Visitors who have traveled over 250 miles due to a family emergency. (Snorts in derision) What emergency did she pick this time? And how did she get off parole so fast? She can’t visit until she’s off parole!
(He goes to his wall and looks at the marks.)
Has it been that long? Maybe she is done with it. She’s probably still using…..but she always did know how to get ‘righteous pee’ as we used to call it – good urine for the tests. She even had some weird device she got online, so when they watched her, it looked like she was peeing, but for real, the ‘clean stuff’ was up inside her, and she would pass, even though she was blazed! And they say drugs make you stupid!
But how did she get me to request the visit? I..I mean, how did that happen….
(He looks again at the wall, starts to remember)
Is it possible? I..I was pretty blazed myself a few months ago, could I..I have been so out of it, that I..I (hard for him to say) wanted her?
(He shudders, walks around the cell, rubbing his arms to warm up.)
Maybe, it was when I..I was really bad…they gave me something to calm me down, and I..I had nightmares for days…..
(Laughs) Nightmares for days…..kind of strange……that must’ve been it….I..I don’t remember anything those couple of weeks.
(Snorts again) So she’s gonna be here tomorrow…
(Reads from the paper)
“Arriving between 7:30 and 8am. If you are permitted a contact visit, please note the new rules about touching…….due to the recent discovery of contraband, hand-holding is no longer permitted. Prisoners and visitors who have had contact visits may again share a brief kiss and/or hug at the end of the visit. Any further touching may result in termination of the visit, and permission for further visits may be rejected.”
(Laughs, sad this time) “Any further touching….. Touching. I..I remember the first time …I..I kissed Annie. The first time we…..touched. (Deep sigh, remembers) We were a lot younger then. That was a million miles of meth ago….Why didn’t we just stay with dope? Things might’ve been easier……Of course, she got pregnant when we were stoned…..She used to be so pretty….so young…..
(He now goes to his cot, looks around, takes out from a secret place what is obviously a small photo, stares at it.)
We went to Canobie Lake Park together, up in Salem, and got these photos taken in one of those booths…..that was… …before she was…pregnant….. before all the shit…..sorry, God, but it was a lot of sh…crap……Not Jody, he’s a good kid, God is he 11? I..I’m 30, so he must be…..did I..I send him a card on his last birthday? Did I..I call him? Did I..I think of him…..I..I hope so.
(He holds his head in his hands)
I…I don’t want to see her.
God, you know all she wants! She just wants money! And we both know I..I have no money, so I know she wants me to get some from my family. My family who doesn’t want to know me. (Smiles) For somebody so stupid, I sure know a lot!
(Listens, shakes his head, turns away)
Yes, God, I..I know Jody’s mine – he’s the best thing we ever did together…..(Quiet) And ..I..I was the only guy she was with …back then.
(Hard to say) I..I didn’t share her with Eddie until after she was pregnant……(deep breath)…and we didn’t share her with the other guys until we really needed money…..
Annabelle…..that’s her real name – her father was an English teacher and he loved Edgar Allen Poe. But we called her Annie…except on the street. Then we called her Belle…(bitter) ..that was Eddie’s idea….guys will pay a few bucks more for someone named (says it fancy) ‘Belle’ rather than (says it ordinary) …Annie.
(He is trying not to lose it) Annie….how could I..I do those things to you? Let you do those things to yourself?.....How can I..I ever forgive myself for all that?
(Quiet) How can you ever forgive me?
(He takes the paper, and finds a small pencil under his cot.)
Tomorrow, you’ll be here tomorrow……I..I’ll see you ….tomorrow.
(He signs the paper, and puts in the slot by the door.
Lights down, scene 3)
Solitary Scene #4 (Day #18)
(A boy of about 11 is seen sitting in a chair, looking at a book– he is a bit jumpy, fairly normal for his age. His grandmother would say he had ants in his pants – if she had ever met him. This is Jody, Jimmy’s son. He points at one of the pages, then puts the book on the table next to him.)
You know, they tell you these tests have no right and wrong answers, but I think that’s a lie.
(Listens)
Yeah, I’ve done a few of these, since I was a kid. I guess cause my mom was using dope when I was inside of her, so they were worried I’d be, you know, like a drug baby.
But I guess I’m ok.
No, I’m fine…..whaddaya want me to say?
(Listens, then laughs)
The truth? Okay, I can do that. I wish I could get the new Playstation for my birthday. That’s the truth. And I wish I could play it for days, and no one would bother me, and someone would bring me food and I could sit on a toilet and I could just play!
There – that’s the truth!
(Crosses his arms)
What do you want for your birthday?
(Listens)
Nah, I don’t wanna be a therapist! So, okay you get to ask the questions. …What was the question? Oh, yeah, my aunt and uncle. They’re cool. I mean I have some cousins, but they’re all older, so no one bothers me too much.
(Starts to fidget, doesn’t like this question)
Yeah, I know that, like telling the teacher I had a gun in my lunch was not cool. I just didn’t want to take that test! I figured if they called off school, no one would know I hadn’t studied.
I hate to study – it’s boring! Hey, you asked me what I wanted to be when I grow up – well, I wanna be the guy who thinks up all these cool games, the ones that make a million dollars! And maybe they could teach stuff – and people would want to learn it, because it would be interesting, not boring.
Yeah, it was a history test. I hate history. It’s all dead people. And things that are….gone.
Me? How could I…me… be history? I’m a kid, I’m 11, you know!
(Gets excited) Maybe if I blow somebody up, that makes the news! I mean, when I told them I had a gun, the reporters came, and they couldn’t talk to me, but I saw it on the TV! I was, like famous! And nobody messed with me after that. (Listens)
Nah, nobody messes with me. I guess I’m like my Dad – he’s in prison now, just like my mom was.
(Really fidgeting now)
Are we almost done? I have to go to the bathroom. …..yeah, I guess I can wait two more minutes. What did I learn today? (Parrots it back) What I learned is very important. I learned it was not a good idea to tell people I have a gun in my lunch. (Listens)
Anything else? Lemme think……
Nah, that about covers it.
(A little worried)
Am I going to jail? (Quickly) Not that I’m afraid or anything….but, I, I was just wondering.
(Listens)
(Relieved) Good, I mean, jail’s not the best place.
(Stands up, happy)
I can go? Great! I mean, it was nice talking to you, Dr. Thompson. See you next week.
(Listens, turns back)
Tomorrow? How come I have to come back tomorrow? With Mrs. Ellison it was only one time a week!
(Listens)
Oh, I understand. Seeing you is better than jail. (Listens) Right ..(says it with derision) ….juvenile detention.
(He starts to exit, turns back)
If I didn’t come to you, I’d have to go to ja………I mean…. juvenile detention. Which is just a fancy way of saying ‘jail for kids’…..
(He walks off, then thinks of something.)
(A little disturbed by this) So if I do go to jail….. I guess it’s like a family tradition, right? Kind of like Christmas….for normal families……
(He tilts his head as if this thought is actually sinking in a bit, then exits. Lights down on scene 4)
Mar. 26, 2014 Day #42
Solitary- Scene 5
(The set is bare except for two chairs and a table. The lighting is harsh, institutional. Lights up on Annie, who is a thinnish woman in her twenties, but looks like she's been through much more. She is nervous. We hear a door clanking open, and JJ walks in, wearing the prison uniform. They look at each other awkwardly.)
------------
This part will be added later, as it is a duo. But, here is the monologue at the end of the scene-
---------------
(Annie looks at him with pure venom - if she could slap him, she would, but in this setting she can't, so instead, she just stands up as tall as she can.)
(Furious, but as controlled as she can be) How did I figure out to ask you this? How did I learn to be so.....so devious? (With deep contempt) I learned.... from you, JJ, and you were a helluva teacher!
Who told me I couldn't get pregnant the first time we did it? I seem to remember that was you! That you didn't have a rubber because it was so sudden! You were so moved by my ...beauty! And when we were talking about maybe an abortion was a good idea, because we so young, you must’ve read the whole Bible to me on that one!.....(Quieter, madder) And you said that you'd take care of me, and the baby.....and we'd never have to worry, that every day would be like Canobie Park! Like this damned picture we took! Remember?
(She reaches into her pocket and takes out a small photo, shows it to him, then rips it up and drops it on the floor. She is pointed now, very on target.)
You remember how you got me to sleep with your Eddie? Your…pal….Eddie. You told me that Eddie was like a brother to you and in the (almost spits out the words).. the Bible, husbands shared their wives with their brothers...... you even showed me a passage that ...proved this!
And I was too stoned.....too stupid....(almost crying) … too much in love with you for some unknown reason! And so I did it.......and when you convinced me to .....(hard for her to say) go with those other guys to get money for the smoke, and the meth.......you had a Bible quote for that, too. (Quotes) Corinthians.'For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does......'’ Is it any wonder I don't go to church anymore?
But you knew that Bible pretty well, didn't you? You figured out that people gave more money when you were panhandling when you could tell them why they should give you money....from Jesus' own lips. Are you ashamed of that? Are you proud of that? That's what you taught me, Jimmy, that's how you taught me! (cont.)
(cont.) And now you're upset I was too good a student! (Laughs) That's a good joke! And now you sit in your cell, reading your (contemptuous)...your Bible and telling the world how you have changed...well, ask me if I believe you anymore......
Go ahead, ask......
(Jimmy is silent, very ashamed)
I didn't think so....
So, I don't think I'm asking that much from you......I mean, you do understand how this is gonna work, right? Your mother takes Jody.....for good, and I...I put through the divorce papers.....finally....and I will sign the official papers so that the baby I had with Connor, and this new baby inside of me from.....Luke.....they will no longer be considered yours.......and you will not have three mouths to send money for when you get out of here in God knows what year!
Got it? Did you learn me good? Isn't that in the Bible, too? Remember this one? (Quotes) Lamentations 3:27 - '[It is] good for a man that he bear the yoke in his youth.'
I think we both have a lot of yoke - you could say, 'the yokes on us' - right? Is that funny, or what?
(Jimmy stands there, his head is down, he is trying not to cry)
Annie - (Quiet) Do we have a deal?
(He nods.)
Annie- Good choice. Not that you had any
(She turns away, cold. There is a sound, a muffled voice.)
Annie- Time's up. That's good, now I get a cigarette.
(She doesn't look at him.)
It's been a real treat seeing you, Jimmy. Take care.
(She exits without looking back. Jimmy goes to the torn pieces on the ground and picks them up, holds them. Lights down.)
End of scene
