(I'm picturing this going at the end of the evening as the last piece. Or something like it.)
NIGHTHAWKS – Draft #2 Michael Brownlee
AT RISE: You know the setting. We see a Gentleman, with his back to the audience, sitting at the counter. The Waiter is wiping things down. The Woman in Red is seated in the corner, finishing a cigarette. Ed enters from the audience, pausing to look over the scene before him. He enters the diner and slowly looks around. He slightly repositions a salt shaker or a napkin dispenser. When everything is just the way he wants it, he sits down next to the Woman in Red.
WOMAN: Everything all right?
ED: Yeah, I think so.
(He motions to the waiter who brings them each a cup of coffee. They each take a sip. Ed raises his head as if he is about to say something, but stops. They sit in silence as the lights slowly fade to black.)
THE END.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Monday, February 11, 2008
Nighthawks
(Lights up on a diner in Greenwich Village, early Fall, 1942. It is one in the morning. There are three customers and a one man behind the counter. RITA, a 43 year old redhead, sits alone at one end of the counter. CAL, 41, in a suit, tie and hat, is a few seats down. They are both drinking coffee. A MAN in his 50’s and wearing a suit and hat, sits with his back towards the audience. He is drinking coffee and eating a piece of pie. The ATTENDANT, in his 30’s, quietly cleans up around the diner. There are a few moments of silence during which RITA catches CAL’s eye. RITA becomes aware that CAL is looking at her.)
RITA
Oh you couldn’t. You’re very observant. You with the FBI or somethin’?
(CAL grins and blushes. Pause.)
CAL
You married?
RITA
I was.
CAL
Me too, once. What happened?
RITA
That’s kind of a personal question to ask a stranger, don’t ya think?
CAL
Hey, ya gotta break the ice somehow.
(He moves over a few seats and sits next to her.)
CAL
So what happened?
RITA
Well, one night, he got real angry and he put his hand to me. (pause) So I beat him black and blue.
(CAL is surprised and laughs.)
CAL
That true?
RITA
You’re definitely not with the FBI. You’re way too gullible. No, he lammed off with my sister Suzanne. The bastard.
CAL
Always blame the man. You didn’t give your sister an earful?
RITA
How could I? They skipped town before I even found out about them!
(CAL laughs again.)
RITA
Yeah, funny to you. You’re not the one stuck with all his dirty laundry.
CAL
What, gambling? Was he a dope fiend?
RITA
No, I literally mean his dirty laundry. I have mountain of socks and underwear sittin’ in a corner that I haven’t touch since the day he left.
CAL
And when was that?
RITA
Two weeks ago.
CAL
Awe, I’m sorry to hear that. That’s rough.
RITA
Thanks.
CAL
So what are you doing here all alone this time of night? Were you out with your girlfriends or something?
RITA
Naw. I had a date.
CAL
A date?
RITA
Yeah. Right after Hank left, I went to see a lawyer about gettin' the divorce papers. Nice enough fella. Makes some dough, bein’ a lawyer. So he asked me out and I said “ok”.
CAL
So you were out with the lawyer?
RITA
Yeah. It was goin’ ok, but then after dinner, he starts puttin’ his mitts all over me, so I give him a kiss with my knuckles. For real, this time. He dumped me in front of my place but I was so wound up, there was no way I could get to sleep. So I came here to, you know, calm down.
CAL
Seems reasonable.
(RITA looks hard at CAL, trying to work something out in her head.)
RITA
There’s somethin’ funny about you.
CAL
Funny? How funny?
RITA
You seem familiar. I’ve seen you before, haven’t I? Maybe your picture somewhere? What’s your name?
CAL
Cal.
RITA
Cal. Cal what.
CAL
Bergman.
RITA
Cal Bergman. (She thinks.) Yeah, hey! I know you. You used to be a baseball player. Red Sox, right? And the Dodgers for a bit too.
(CAL smiles.)
CAL
That’s right.
RITA
My husband was a big Red Sox fan. He was from Boston. You were on that quiz show a bunch of times too, right? What was the name of that show?
CAL
Answer Please.
RITA
That’s it, Answer Please. You were somethin’ on the show. What was it that you speak, six languages?
CAL
Seven.
RITA
And you always knew all the answers about geography and politics. You were a real wise head.
(CAL blushes.)
CAL
Thanks.
RITA
Boy, if Hank knew I was here with you, he’d be so jealous. Cal Bergman. Now what are you doin’ in a dive like this, so late at night? Shouldn’t you be out at home hot club?
CAL
Naw. My buddies were gonna take me for a night out on the town – it’s my last night in New York - but I told ‘em I’d rather just sit somewhere by myself and have a coffee.
RITA
What did they say to that?
CAL
Nothing. They went out on the town anyway.
RITA
And you stopped here for a cup of joe.
CAL
Yeah.
RITA
So where you goin’?
CAL
Well...(He looks around the diner to make sure that no one is listening. He lowers his voice a bit and leans towards RITA.) About a month ago, I got called up by the OSS.
RITA
What’s the OSS?
CAL
The Office of Strategic Services.
RITA
Sounds kinda...stiff. Ya know, “strategic”. That some sorta government job?
(CAL nods.)
CAL
It’s an intelligence agency.
RITA
Intelligence, huh? Well, that would be you.
CAL
No, I mean...(He looks around again.) Information.
RITA
Oh! Information. So you are with the FBI.
CAL
No, no. I mean...yeah. Sort of. But it’s like international intelligence. For the war.
RITA
You mean like a spy?
(CAL lowers his voice a bit and leans towards RITA.)
CAL
They’re dropping me into Yugoslavia. I am supposed to rendezvous with some scientists who are Allied sympathizers. They’re going to give me information on some of the projects that the Nazis have been working on.
RITA
”Rendezvous”. Sounds like somethin’ out of a book somewhere. I never “rendezvoused” with anyone before. (Pause. She thinks.) Say, you’re kiddin’ me aren’t you? Droppin’ into some foreign country to get the goods on the krauts’ plans?
(CAL holds up his right arm, palm facing out, and closes his eyes.)
CAL
I swear to all that is holy and good, that is the complete and utter truth.
RITA
You don’t need to swear to all that. I believe you. (Slight pause. She drinks her coffee.) There are a lotta crazy things happenin’ in this world. Why wouldn’t you be workin’ some sorta secret mission. (Pause.) So this really is your last night in New York, huh?
CAL
It is, sadly.
RITA
Sadly? Boy, I’d give anythin’ to get outta this city. And here you’re goin’ off to see the world, and on the government’s dime no less. (She lowers her voice and leans into CAL.) And you’ll be on a secret mission.
(CAL smiles. RITA smiles back.)
CAL
I never asked your name.
RITA
Rita. Rita McAvoy.
CAL
Rita. I think I’ve had enough coffee for the night. What’d’ya say we catch up with my friends and paint the town red.
RITA
I thought you’d never ask.
(She pushes her coffee cup away from her. CAL catches the ATTENDANT’s eye.)
CAL
Hey. Check please.
ATTENDANT
Five cents.
CAL
Put her on there too, will ya?
ATTENDANT
That would be ten.
(CAL gets out his wallet and puts a quarter on the counter.)
CAL
(To RITA) Come on, let’s get outta here.
RITA
Yes sir!
(CAL and RITA get up from their seats. As they exit the diner, the MAN finishes his pie and coffee. The ATTENDANT takes note.)
ATTENDANT
Anything else for you sir?
MAN
(In a German accent.) No, that’s all.
(The ATTENDANT clears the dishes.)
ATTENDANT
Thirty cents.
(The MAN He takes out his wallet and leaves a five dollar bill. He stands up to leave.)
MAN
(in German) Danke schöen. Sie haben sehr behilflich gewesen.
(He tips his hat and exits.)
End of Scene
CAL
I couldn’t help but notice that you’re sitting alone here.RITA
Oh you couldn’t. You’re very observant. You with the FBI or somethin’?
(CAL grins and blushes. Pause.)
CAL
You married?
RITA
I was.
CAL
Me too, once. What happened?
RITA
That’s kind of a personal question to ask a stranger, don’t ya think?
CAL
Hey, ya gotta break the ice somehow.
(He moves over a few seats and sits next to her.)
CAL
So what happened?
RITA
Well, one night, he got real angry and he put his hand to me. (pause) So I beat him black and blue.
(CAL is surprised and laughs.)
CAL
That true?
RITA
You’re definitely not with the FBI. You’re way too gullible. No, he lammed off with my sister Suzanne. The bastard.
CAL
Always blame the man. You didn’t give your sister an earful?
RITA
How could I? They skipped town before I even found out about them!
(CAL laughs again.)
RITA
Yeah, funny to you. You’re not the one stuck with all his dirty laundry.
CAL
What, gambling? Was he a dope fiend?
RITA
No, I literally mean his dirty laundry. I have mountain of socks and underwear sittin’ in a corner that I haven’t touch since the day he left.
CAL
And when was that?
RITA
Two weeks ago.
CAL
Awe, I’m sorry to hear that. That’s rough.
RITA
Thanks.
CAL
So what are you doing here all alone this time of night? Were you out with your girlfriends or something?
RITA
Naw. I had a date.
CAL
A date?
RITA
Yeah. Right after Hank left, I went to see a lawyer about gettin' the divorce papers. Nice enough fella. Makes some dough, bein’ a lawyer. So he asked me out and I said “ok”.
CAL
So you were out with the lawyer?
RITA
Yeah. It was goin’ ok, but then after dinner, he starts puttin’ his mitts all over me, so I give him a kiss with my knuckles. For real, this time. He dumped me in front of my place but I was so wound up, there was no way I could get to sleep. So I came here to, you know, calm down.
CAL
Seems reasonable.
(RITA looks hard at CAL, trying to work something out in her head.)
RITA
There’s somethin’ funny about you.
CAL
Funny? How funny?
RITA
You seem familiar. I’ve seen you before, haven’t I? Maybe your picture somewhere? What’s your name?
CAL
Cal.
RITA
Cal. Cal what.
CAL
Bergman.
RITA
Cal Bergman. (She thinks.) Yeah, hey! I know you. You used to be a baseball player. Red Sox, right? And the Dodgers for a bit too.
(CAL smiles.)
CAL
That’s right.
RITA
My husband was a big Red Sox fan. He was from Boston. You were on that quiz show a bunch of times too, right? What was the name of that show?
CAL
Answer Please.
RITA
That’s it, Answer Please. You were somethin’ on the show. What was it that you speak, six languages?
CAL
Seven.
RITA
And you always knew all the answers about geography and politics. You were a real wise head.
(CAL blushes.)
CAL
Thanks.
RITA
Boy, if Hank knew I was here with you, he’d be so jealous. Cal Bergman. Now what are you doin’ in a dive like this, so late at night? Shouldn’t you be out at home hot club?
CAL
Naw. My buddies were gonna take me for a night out on the town – it’s my last night in New York - but I told ‘em I’d rather just sit somewhere by myself and have a coffee.
RITA
What did they say to that?
CAL
Nothing. They went out on the town anyway.
RITA
And you stopped here for a cup of joe.
CAL
Yeah.
RITA
So where you goin’?
CAL
Well...(He looks around the diner to make sure that no one is listening. He lowers his voice a bit and leans towards RITA.) About a month ago, I got called up by the OSS.
RITA
What’s the OSS?
CAL
The Office of Strategic Services.
RITA
Sounds kinda...stiff. Ya know, “strategic”. That some sorta government job?
(CAL nods.)
CAL
It’s an intelligence agency.
RITA
Intelligence, huh? Well, that would be you.
CAL
No, I mean...(He looks around again.) Information.
RITA
Oh! Information. So you are with the FBI.
CAL
No, no. I mean...yeah. Sort of. But it’s like international intelligence. For the war.
RITA
You mean like a spy?
(CAL lowers his voice a bit and leans towards RITA.)
CAL
They’re dropping me into Yugoslavia. I am supposed to rendezvous with some scientists who are Allied sympathizers. They’re going to give me information on some of the projects that the Nazis have been working on.
RITA
”Rendezvous”. Sounds like somethin’ out of a book somewhere. I never “rendezvoused” with anyone before. (Pause. She thinks.) Say, you’re kiddin’ me aren’t you? Droppin’ into some foreign country to get the goods on the krauts’ plans?
(CAL holds up his right arm, palm facing out, and closes his eyes.)
CAL
I swear to all that is holy and good, that is the complete and utter truth.
RITA
You don’t need to swear to all that. I believe you. (Slight pause. She drinks her coffee.) There are a lotta crazy things happenin’ in this world. Why wouldn’t you be workin’ some sorta secret mission. (Pause.) So this really is your last night in New York, huh?
CAL
It is, sadly.
RITA
Sadly? Boy, I’d give anythin’ to get outta this city. And here you’re goin’ off to see the world, and on the government’s dime no less. (She lowers her voice and leans into CAL.) And you’ll be on a secret mission.
(CAL smiles. RITA smiles back.)
CAL
I never asked your name.
RITA
Rita. Rita McAvoy.
CAL
Rita. I think I’ve had enough coffee for the night. What’d’ya say we catch up with my friends and paint the town red.
RITA
I thought you’d never ask.
(She pushes her coffee cup away from her. CAL catches the ATTENDANT’s eye.)
CAL
Hey. Check please.
ATTENDANT
Five cents.
CAL
Put her on there too, will ya?
ATTENDANT
That would be ten.
(CAL gets out his wallet and puts a quarter on the counter.)
CAL
(To RITA) Come on, let’s get outta here.
RITA
Yes sir!
(CAL and RITA get up from their seats. As they exit the diner, the MAN finishes his pie and coffee. The ATTENDANT takes note.)
ATTENDANT
Anything else for you sir?
MAN
(In a German accent.) No, that’s all.
(The ATTENDANT clears the dishes.)
ATTENDANT
Thirty cents.
(The MAN He takes out his wallet and leaves a five dollar bill. He stands up to leave.)
MAN
(in German) Danke schöen. Sie haben sehr behilflich gewesen.
(He tips his hat and exits.)
End of Scene
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
The Barber Shop (2nd draft)
(Lights up on a barber shop in New York’s Little Italy, 1931. It is 11:40 a.m. on a Monday morning. The shop is quiet. GIUSEPPE, the barber, is 49. He straightens things up around the shop, trying to keep busy. ROSA, the manicurist is 42. She sits at a small table and idly reads an Italian-language newspaper. Both GIUSEPPE and ROSA have retained a trace of their accents.)
ROSA
Any customers today, you think?
GIUSEPPE
You ask that every day. Why do you ask that?
ROSA
Times are hard.
GIUSEPPE
Yes, but people still have to get their hair cut. And some ladies, their nails done.
ROSA
Francesca Callamini cuts her husband’s hair at home. She says she don’t know why anyone would spend good money on a haircut.
GIUSEPPE
They spend good money on a haircut so they don’t end up looking like Fracnesca Callamini’s husband!
(ROSA stifles a laugh.)
ROSA
You know what day it is?
GIUSEPPE
Of course I know what day it is. It’s Monday.
ROSA
Yes, but do you know the date.
GIUSEPPE
(Impatiently) Yes. You think I forget these things, but I don’t.
ROSA
Did you go and visit?
GIUSEPPE
I will after work.
ROSA
Always leaving things to the last minute.
GIUSEPPE
He’s not going anywhere.
ROSA
(Shocked) Such a thing to say!
GIUSEPPE
Spiacente. I was not thinking.
ROSA
Such a thing to say.
GIUSEPPE
I’m sorry!
(Pause.)
GIUSEPPE
Did you visit?
ROSA
I will go after work.
GIUSEPPE
Ah ha! Now who is not thinking?!
ROSA
I went to church this morning! I did not have time.
GIUSEPPE
And I did?
ROSA
You never go to church.
(GIUSEPPE is amused, but quickly returns to a somber mood.)
GIUSEPPE
Did Giorgio go with you to church this morning?
(ROSA scoffs.)
ROSA
He was still asleep when I left the house.
GIUSEPPE
He should have gone with you.
ROSA
I cannot control what he does.
GIUSEPPE
He should have known to go with you. On today of all days.
ROSA
He was sleeping.
GIUSEPPE
Was he out drinking?
ROSA
That is not your business.
GIUSEPPE
It is my business if he hurts you.
ROSA
He does not hurt me. He does not touch me. He is a good man.
GIUSEPPE
But he did not go to church with you.
ROSA
You keep your big nose out. Go back to sweeping your floor.
(A bell on the door rings and GEORGIO, 43, enters. ROSA and GIUSEPPE look as GEORGIO bounds in.)
GIUSEPPE
Speak of the devil.
(He goes back to cleaning his station.
GEORGIO
Buona mattina!
(GEORGIO kisses ROSA on the cheek.)
GEORGIO
My beautiful wife. And there he is, my handsome, brooding brother.
GIUSEPPE
Good morning, Georgio.
GEORGIO
Good morning!
(GEORGIO sits down in the barber’s chair.)
GEORGIO
Giuseppe, I want the works.
GIUSEPPE
Oh you do?
GEORGIO
Si. I want to be treated like a king. I want a shave and a haircut and a little trim of the mustache.
ROSA
Would you like me to work on your nails too?
GEORGIO
Sure. Why not.
(GIUSEPPE and ROSA look at one another, confused. GIUSEPPE sets about giving GEORGIO and haircut and shave. ROSA moves her table next to the barber’s chair and begins working on GEORGIO’s nails.)
ROSA
So what brings you to the shop, mio amore? And what has put you into such a mood?
GEORGIO
Rosa, I am going to get a job.
ROSA
A job!
GEORGIO
Yes. You remember Carlo Palatino? He used to work at the garage?
ROSA
Yes. I remember.
GEORGIO
I ran into him at Luccio’s last night.
ROSA
Is that where you were.
GEORGIO
Listen to her, Giuseppe. As if she does not where I am at every hour of the day.
ROSA
I don’t!
GEORGIO
Anyway, Carlo Palatino.
GIUSEPPE
Yes.
GEORGIO
I run into him at Luccio’s. I buy him a few drinks and then he tells me, he tells me how he just got this job working at the MTA fixing up train cars. And he says to me, “Georgie”. He calls me Georgie, remember? “Georgie,” he tells me, “I’ve got it made.” Then he tells me about how they’re looking for a few more guys to round out their crew, and that I’d be perfect.
ROSA
But Georgio, you don’t know how to fix train cars.
GEORGIO
Doesn’t matter. They’ll teach me everything I need to know. And then the money will be flowing!
GIUSEPPE
Congratulations, Georgio. This is very good news. When do you start?
GEORGIO
First I have to go down to the MTA garage and talk to the manager. That will be easy. Carlo is putting a good word in for me. I’ll probably starting work next week.
ROSA
That is wonderful. I am very proud of you.
GEORGIO
I tell you, Giuseppe, it feels so good to have a job again.
GIUSEPPE
Papa always said that a man without a job is no man at all.
GEORGIO
Well, Papa would be proud today.
ROSA
Yes, dear. I know he would be.
GEORGIO
What is it today? Tuesday? Carlo said to see the manager on Wednesday.
GIUSEPPE
It is Monday. The 23rd.
GEORGIO
Monday the 23rd. A day to remember, eh Rosa? Monday the 23rd of...
(He suddenly recalls something. He sits up and looks at ROSA.)
GEORGIO
Oh, Rosa. I’m so sorry.
(ROSA looks at him, holding back tears.)
ROSA
It’s ok.
GEORGIO
I can’t believe I...Rosa...I am so...
(GEORGIO is overwhelmed with emotion. GIUSEPPE moves away from GEORGIO and ROSA. GEORGIO kisses ROSA.)
ROSA
It’s ok.
GEORGIO
No. No, it’s not. I will go right out and get flowers. A wreath. A big wreath of flowers. Red ones. Paulie always liked red flowers.
(GEORGIO stands up. He searches his pockets for money.)
GEORGIO
The biggest wreath of red flowers anyone can buy.
(He finds no money in his pockets and then he looks helplessly at ROSA. ROSA goes to her purse, gets some bills and gives them to GEORGIO.)
GEORGIO
I’ll have Delmontico’s deliver a big wreath.
ROSA
Ok.
GEORGIO
I’m sorry, Rosa.
(ROSA nods, not looking at him. GEORGIO acknowledges GIUSEPPE. The bell on the front door rings as GEORGIO exits. ROSA returns her table back to its original position from the beginning of the scene.)
GIUSEPPE
You had to give him money for a wreath?
ROSA
What was I supposed to do.
GIUSEPPE
He didn’t have enough money to buy some flowers for his own son’s grave?
ROSA
You know he never has any money.
GIUSEPPE
He has money. He just spends it at Luccio’s booze hall.
ROSA
Such a thing to say! About your brother.
GIUSEPPE
But it’s true. If he had not spent so much on drink, he might have saved Paulie in the first place.
ROSA
How? Millions were dying. Everyone was sick. How could he have stopped it?
GIUSEPPE
By getting a doctor?
ROSA
He didn’t have any money.
GIUSEPPE
He never has any money!
ROSA
Then why didn’t you get a doctor?
GIUSEPPE
It was not my place.
ROSA
But Paulie was yours!
GIUSEPPE
Ours!
ROSA
Yes. (Pause.) What were we supposed to do?
GIUSEPPE
I don’t know. Nothing. There was nothing that we could do.
ROSA
Such a thing to say.
(There is a long pause.)
GIUSEPPE
Would you like to go visit the cemetery with me, after work?
ROSA
Yes. I would.
GIUSEPPE
Ok.
(GIUSEPPE turns to his station and begins cleaning up. ROSA goes back to reading her newspaper. Lights out. End of scene.)
Any customers today, you think?
GIUSEPPE
You ask that every day. Why do you ask that?
ROSA
Times are hard.
GIUSEPPE
Yes, but people still have to get their hair cut. And some ladies, their nails done.
ROSA
Francesca Callamini cuts her husband’s hair at home. She says she don’t know why anyone would spend good money on a haircut.
GIUSEPPE
They spend good money on a haircut so they don’t end up looking like Fracnesca Callamini’s husband!
(ROSA stifles a laugh.)
ROSA
You know what day it is?
GIUSEPPE
Of course I know what day it is. It’s Monday.
ROSA
Yes, but do you know the date.
GIUSEPPE
(Impatiently) Yes. You think I forget these things, but I don’t.
ROSA
Did you go and visit?
GIUSEPPE
I will after work.
ROSA
Always leaving things to the last minute.
GIUSEPPE
He’s not going anywhere.
ROSA
(Shocked) Such a thing to say!
GIUSEPPE
Spiacente. I was not thinking.
ROSA
Such a thing to say.
GIUSEPPE
I’m sorry!
(Pause.)
GIUSEPPE
Did you visit?
ROSA
I will go after work.
GIUSEPPE
Ah ha! Now who is not thinking?!
ROSA
I went to church this morning! I did not have time.
GIUSEPPE
And I did?
ROSA
You never go to church.
(GIUSEPPE is amused, but quickly returns to a somber mood.)
GIUSEPPE
Did Giorgio go with you to church this morning?
(ROSA scoffs.)
ROSA
He was still asleep when I left the house.
GIUSEPPE
He should have gone with you.
ROSA
I cannot control what he does.
GIUSEPPE
He should have known to go with you. On today of all days.
ROSA
He was sleeping.
GIUSEPPE
Was he out drinking?
ROSA
That is not your business.
GIUSEPPE
It is my business if he hurts you.
ROSA
He does not hurt me. He does not touch me. He is a good man.
GIUSEPPE
But he did not go to church with you.
ROSA
You keep your big nose out. Go back to sweeping your floor.
(A bell on the door rings and GEORGIO, 43, enters. ROSA and GIUSEPPE look as GEORGIO bounds in.)
GIUSEPPE
Speak of the devil.
(He goes back to cleaning his station.
GEORGIO
Buona mattina!
(GEORGIO kisses ROSA on the cheek.)
GEORGIO
My beautiful wife. And there he is, my handsome, brooding brother.
GIUSEPPE
Good morning, Georgio.
GEORGIO
Good morning!
(GEORGIO sits down in the barber’s chair.)
GEORGIO
Giuseppe, I want the works.
GIUSEPPE
Oh you do?
GEORGIO
Si. I want to be treated like a king. I want a shave and a haircut and a little trim of the mustache.
ROSA
Would you like me to work on your nails too?
GEORGIO
Sure. Why not.
(GIUSEPPE and ROSA look at one another, confused. GIUSEPPE sets about giving GEORGIO and haircut and shave. ROSA moves her table next to the barber’s chair and begins working on GEORGIO’s nails.)
ROSA
So what brings you to the shop, mio amore? And what has put you into such a mood?
GEORGIO
Rosa, I am going to get a job.
ROSA
A job!
GEORGIO
Yes. You remember Carlo Palatino? He used to work at the garage?
ROSA
Yes. I remember.
GEORGIO
I ran into him at Luccio’s last night.
ROSA
Is that where you were.
GEORGIO
Listen to her, Giuseppe. As if she does not where I am at every hour of the day.
ROSA
I don’t!
GEORGIO
Anyway, Carlo Palatino.
GIUSEPPE
Yes.
GEORGIO
I run into him at Luccio’s. I buy him a few drinks and then he tells me, he tells me how he just got this job working at the MTA fixing up train cars. And he says to me, “Georgie”. He calls me Georgie, remember? “Georgie,” he tells me, “I’ve got it made.” Then he tells me about how they’re looking for a few more guys to round out their crew, and that I’d be perfect.
ROSA
But Georgio, you don’t know how to fix train cars.
GEORGIO
Doesn’t matter. They’ll teach me everything I need to know. And then the money will be flowing!
GIUSEPPE
Congratulations, Georgio. This is very good news. When do you start?
GEORGIO
First I have to go down to the MTA garage and talk to the manager. That will be easy. Carlo is putting a good word in for me. I’ll probably starting work next week.
ROSA
That is wonderful. I am very proud of you.
GEORGIO
I tell you, Giuseppe, it feels so good to have a job again.
GIUSEPPE
Papa always said that a man without a job is no man at all.
GEORGIO
Well, Papa would be proud today.
ROSA
Yes, dear. I know he would be.
GEORGIO
What is it today? Tuesday? Carlo said to see the manager on Wednesday.
GIUSEPPE
It is Monday. The 23rd.
GEORGIO
Monday the 23rd. A day to remember, eh Rosa? Monday the 23rd of...
(He suddenly recalls something. He sits up and looks at ROSA.)
GEORGIO
Oh, Rosa. I’m so sorry.
(ROSA looks at him, holding back tears.)
ROSA
It’s ok.
GEORGIO
I can’t believe I...Rosa...I am so...
(GEORGIO is overwhelmed with emotion. GIUSEPPE moves away from GEORGIO and ROSA. GEORGIO kisses ROSA.)
ROSA
It’s ok.
GEORGIO
No. No, it’s not. I will go right out and get flowers. A wreath. A big wreath of flowers. Red ones. Paulie always liked red flowers.
(GEORGIO stands up. He searches his pockets for money.)
GEORGIO
The biggest wreath of red flowers anyone can buy.
(He finds no money in his pockets and then he looks helplessly at ROSA. ROSA goes to her purse, gets some bills and gives them to GEORGIO.)
GEORGIO
I’ll have Delmontico’s deliver a big wreath.
ROSA
Ok.
GEORGIO
I’m sorry, Rosa.
(ROSA nods, not looking at him. GEORGIO acknowledges GIUSEPPE. The bell on the front door rings as GEORGIO exits. ROSA returns her table back to its original position from the beginning of the scene.)
GIUSEPPE
You had to give him money for a wreath?
ROSA
What was I supposed to do.
GIUSEPPE
He didn’t have enough money to buy some flowers for his own son’s grave?
ROSA
You know he never has any money.
GIUSEPPE
He has money. He just spends it at Luccio’s booze hall.
ROSA
Such a thing to say! About your brother.
GIUSEPPE
But it’s true. If he had not spent so much on drink, he might have saved Paulie in the first place.
ROSA
How? Millions were dying. Everyone was sick. How could he have stopped it?
GIUSEPPE
By getting a doctor?
ROSA
He didn’t have any money.
GIUSEPPE
He never has any money!
ROSA
Then why didn’t you get a doctor?
GIUSEPPE
It was not my place.
ROSA
But Paulie was yours!
GIUSEPPE
Ours!
ROSA
Yes. (Pause.) What were we supposed to do?
GIUSEPPE
I don’t know. Nothing. There was nothing that we could do.
ROSA
Such a thing to say.
(There is a long pause.)
GIUSEPPE
Would you like to go visit the cemetery with me, after work?
ROSA
Yes. I would.
GIUSEPPE
Ok.
(GIUSEPPE turns to his station and begins cleaning up. ROSA goes back to reading her newspaper. Lights out. End of scene.)
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