Burley Man
Act I, Scene 2
At rise, it is dark outside. The setting is the same. However, furniture has been moved or removed. Wall decorations have been taken down. There are numerous old boxes of papers and stuff stacked around the room and covering the dining table. The center area shows evidence that supper has just been completed there. There are several empty beer cans littering the area, as well as a half-empty bottle of whiskey next to two empty shot glasses.
At rise, EDWARD and JOANNA are discovered on stage, sitting down center. JOANNA's hair has been pulled back and tied out of her way. EDWARD is without his shirt.
JOANNA
Had enough?
EDWARD
Yes, thank you. You want I should bring down some more boxes?
JOANNA
No, don't bother. We got most of 'em anyway. I feel a little guilty workin' you like that.
EDWARD
Not at all.
(JOANNA stands with the empty plates. As she starts to move toward the kitchen, her ankle gives out. She starts to stumble and EDWARD catches her.)
EDWARD (Continued)
I told you to stay off it.
(She is uncomfortable with the physical contact, but she does not immediately attempt to get up.)
JOANNA
I'll be fine. It's just a little sprain.
EDWARD
Let me carry this stuff for you.
JOANNA
(Pulling away.)
I said I'll be fine.
EDWARD
I could rub it for you.
JOANNA
(Moving carefully to the kitchen.)
You've done enough already. If you hadn't caught me when I slipped, I'd of probably fallen all the way down the stairs and broke my silly neck.
EDWARD
(Hinting.)
I've still got a couple good hours work in me.
JOANNA
(From the kitchen area.)
You've done enough. Thank you. . . . You'll sleep well tonight.
EDWARD
Actually, you didn't work me as hard as the Navy does. By the time I get to my bunk at night, I drop off right away.
JOANNA
Like you did earlier?
(JOANNA returns to the sitting area, gingerly on the ankle, and sits. She puts a little distance between herself and EDWARD. Over the following scene, she will occasionally catch herself gazing at EDWARD's young, muscular body.)
EDWARD
Yep. And I don't sleep long. The Navy won't let you so you get outta the habit.
JOANNA
Well, you can sleep as late as you'd like here. I'll go into the hardware store in the morning and look at paint. You feel like painting tomorrow?
EDWARD
Sure, no problem. You know, I was thinkin' earlier. If you wanted to, you could knock out a portion of that wall there and turn it into a breakfast bar.
JOANNA
A breakfast bar?
EDWARD
Sure. And the stairs, you could cut out this wall here so the treads are visible all the way up. You know?
JOANNA
Now you're talkin' major work.
EDWARD
Well, you know, it depends on how extensive you want to change things. Hell, the stairs look like they're put in backwards. Don't you usually come in the front door and go right up the stairs?
JOANNA
I didn't build the house.
EDWARD
I was just thinkin' out loud. I mean, I could fix your front door, and mend that torn screen on the window there, and, well, I haven't even looked in your kitchen much.
JOANNA
You're makin' a list that'll take some time there, Edward. When you need to get back to the Navy?
EDWARD
(Hesitates.)
'Course, you could just paint.
JOANNA
I think I'll just paint.
EDWARD
For now.
JOANNA
(Agreeing.)
For now.
EDWARD
(Searching.)
What color you want?
JOANNA
I dunno. I'll look through the catalogs they got down at the hardware store. Maybe somethin'll catch my eye.
EDWARD
Speakin' of eyes. You should get somethin' that'll match your eyes.
JOANNA
(Small laugh. She considers ignoring the hint.)
I don't think they carry this color of drab.
EDWARD
No, your eyes are like moonlight reflected on the ocean.
JOANNA
(She starts to laugh, then changes her mind. Pause.)
I'll find something. That is, if the hardware store'll give me enough credit to buy the paint with.
EDWARD
I'll buy the paint.
JOANNA
(Pause. Shaking her head.)
I couldn't ask you to do that.
EDWARD
Why not? Consider how much I'd be paying to stay in a motel for a coupla nights. All you're charging me is to help fix up the house a little. We'll call the paint part of the deal.
JOANNA
(Agreeing in desperation.)
I can pay you back later. I'm expectin' a check from the insurance.
EDWARD
(Moving closer.)
No, you will not pay me back, except'n maybe you'll let me come and visit again some time.
JOANNA
(Pause.)
Sure. That'd be nice.
EDWARD
Can I ask you a personal question?
JOANNA
That depends. How personal?
EDWARD
I was just wonderin'. We been working all day. You talked about your father a little, but other than that you never mentioned . . .
JOANNA
What?
EDWARD
You seein' anybody?
JOANNA
Uh, . . . sorta.
EDWARD
It ain't serious?
JOANNA
No, it ain't serious.
EDWARD
You been married before?
JOANNA
Nope, not even close.
EDWARD
How come?
JOANNA
Mr. Right never came along.
EDWARD
Ah, surely there was some guy. Did you date in high school?
JOANNA
(Pause. A smirk. Skepticism.)
Yes, I dated in high school.
EDWARD
Any guy special?
JOANNA
No.
(She gives in a little. She begins to let herself relax in his presence.)
I kinda liked this older guy, but . . . I didn't really date anyone in particular.
EDWARD
And since high school?
JOANNA
No one special.
EDWARD
You have been with a . . . I mean, you're not one of those religious fanatics, are you?
JOANNA
You mean, am I a virgin? No, I am not a virgin. Are you?
EDWARD
(Machismo.)
Hell no. I'm almost nineteen.
JOANNA
No, I am not a virgin.
EDWARD
Hmph.
JOANNA
What does that mean?
EDWARD
It's just funny. I mean, you're a very attractive woman. I can't figure it out.
(There is a pause in the conversation. EDWARD does not look at JOANNA. JOANNA looks intently at EDWARD.)
EDWARD (Continued)
You should be married with a kid by now.
JOANNA
Oh, now you're soundin' like my daddy's lawyer . . .
(her temper starts to kindle)
. . . and everyone else in this damned town.
(JOANNA stands and moves away. Her anger flares.)
JOANNA (Continued)
You don't just go down to the hardware store and pick out a husband. I wanted to be married, real bad, and there was a guy I wanted, real bad. But it didn't work out.
EDWARD
What happened?
JOANNA
(Anger. Almost yelling.)
None of your business. Can we talk about somethin' else now?
EDWARD
Sure, sorry.
JOANNA
(Not knowing what else to talk about.)
Did you date in high school?
EDWARD
Yeah, some. I went out with lots a girls.
(He stands. Macho pose.)
Word gets around, if you know what I mean.
JOANNA
Anyone special?
EDWARD
I made them all feel special.
(She does not give him a response. He drops the act.)
No. I'd just get goin' with a girl and somethin'd go wrong.
JOANNA
What'd go wrong?
EDWARD
(Suddenly embarrassed.)
It ain't what you think. No girl's ever had any complaints, if that's what you're thinkin'. . . . It's just that I got this real bad temper. When I get goin' I can't always stop.
JOANNA
You're temper can't be all that bad. You're a good lookin' kid. Surely someone managed to get by your temper. Anyone?
EDWARD
Well, . . . I don't know if you want to hear this. It's kind of a long story.
JOANNA
Am I going anywhere?
EDWARD
It kinda sounds like one of those stories you hear on the talk shows.
JOANNA
You had an affair with a space alien?
EDWARD
Naw, nothin' like that. It's just . . . well, my parents got divorced when I was thirteen, my adopted parents, I mean.
JOANNA
Yeah?
EDWARD
Well, I lived with my dad. He got married again when I was fifteen.
JOANNA
You had an affair with your step‑mother?
EDWARD
We coulda been on a talk show. She was a lot younger than him. He was gone on business a lot.
JOANNA
How old were you the first time?
EDWARD
With her? Fifteen. But she wasn't my first time.
JOANNA
She wasn't?
EDWARD
Naw, she was probably the third or fourth.
JOANNA
You don't remember exactly?
EDWARD
But she was good. She taught me an awful lot about pleasin' a woman, if you know what I mean.
JOANNA
Yeah, bein' a woman, I probably know what you mean. So how long did this thing with your step‑mom last?
(He pauses before volunteering the information.)
EDWARD
Right up to just before I joined the Navy.
JOANNA
Does your father know?
EDWARD
(Grimace.)
That's kinda why I joined the Navy.
JOANNA
I thought you said it was because of your temper?
EDWARD
Yeah, oh yeah, I got a temper. Oooh. I got what they call blind rage. When I go off, feeww! I'm gone. I do things I don't even remember. I been in juvy a coupla times 'cause of my temper.
JOANNA
So . . . you got a bad temper, you've been with a bunch of women, including your step‑mom, and you've been in juvy a coupla times. Am I safe lettin' you sleep in my house tonight?
EDWARD
Oh, sure. Honest. I'll be good.
JOANNA
I'll bet you would.
EDWARD
(Pause. He's not sure if he's interpreting her correctly, so he decides not to pursue it.)
No, really. You can trust me.
JOANNA
Okay, I'll trust you.
EDWARD
(His sense of honor kicks in. He suddenly stands a little straighter.)
Seriously, though. I ain't no officer or nothin', but the Navy has taught me 'bout Honor. Takin' personal responsibility. Payin' your debts. That sorta thing. I'm real grateful to you for lettin' me stay here. But if you want me to go, you just say so and I'll go. Honest.
JOANNA
When you need to report back to the Navy?
EDWARD
(A little nervous.)
Oh, I got time. A week or so.
JOANNA
(A beat. An uncomfortable pause. She looks away from him.)
Why are you lookin' for your mom?
EDWARD
(Pause.)
I'm not, not anymore.
JOANNA
But you were.
EDWARD
Yeah, but that was a mistake. I see that. It's probably best that I not find her. I mean, I have this image I built in my head of her, how she looks, how she talks, you know what I mean? As I rode up on the bus, I was sorta daydreamin' about meetin' her, and what I would say, and what she would say, and all that. . . .
EDWARD (Continued)
I kinda pictured her standin' in the kitchen doorway, like you were, and wearing an apron, and wiping her hands on a towel 'cause she'd been making a pie.
JOANNA
You had it all worked out, huh?
EDWARD
Sure. I mean, it couldn't possibly happen that way. Even if she'd been here, it wouldn't've been like I'd dreamed it. She's a real person, with real feelin's and stuff.
JOANNA
She might not bake pies?
EDWARD
(Smiling.)
Right. She might hate to cook for all I know. . . . I had this whole conversation worked out, in my mind. I was goin' to introduce myself, and she was goin' to cry. She'd been thinkin' about me a lot but didn't want to intrude in my real life. She was goin' to ask me to forgive her. I was goin' to ask all kinds of questions, you know, and try to get to know her for real.
JOANNA
Like why she gave you up for adoption?
EDWARD
(Pause.)
No. That I don't know why. I tried and I tried to daydream an answer to that question. I've seen the movies and some talk shows, and the mother always says it's because she wanted a better life for the kid. And the kid always says that the better life would've been to stay with her. But then that's probably not true. Sometimes she's real poor, or on drugs, and sometimes she's just a kid herself.
JOANNA
Maybe puttin' you up for adoption wasn't her idea.
EDWARD
Yeah, I saw that one on television. Where the father of the kid was already married and she was his lover. So she put the kid up for adoption and then he and his wife adopted the kid. Did you see that one?
JOANNA
No, I don't watch much TV.
EDWARD
She really didn't want to give up the kid. But no matter what she did and how much she tried, she just couldn't make it work any other way. It was destiny. I believe in destiny, you know, like the stars and stuff. I believe that you have a destiny to follow, and no matter what you do, you can't escape your destiny.
JOANNA
So you're religious?
EDWARD
No, high school English class.
JOANNA
Oh.
EDWARD
I got it into my head that it was my destiny to come to this small town and knock on that door and meet my biological mother. But it didn't happen, so it wasn't meant to happen. The trail's gone cold. It just ain't meant to be. Wherever she is, I hope she's happy. I hope she's better off without me.
JOANNA
Maybe she put you up for adoption because she knew you'd be better off without her.
EDWARD
Yeah, you're probably right.
JOANNA
I'm sure it's not easy. Growin' up in a small town, it was probably quite a scandal when she got pregnant. Maybe she didn't have a choice to keep you. Maybe that's why she left without leavin' a forwarding address or anything.
EDWARD
I thought about it a lot since I been in the Navy. I guess . . . I guess I just wanted to tell her somethin'.
JOANNA
What?
EDWARD
That I don't hold it against her. I mean, I'm not mad or anything. I was mad at first, when my parents told me about bein' 'dopted, but I was mad at them, not her. I know she had a good reason, and I'm sure she woulda kept me if she could. . . .
(JOANNA is beginning to cry. He notices.)
EDWARD (Continued)
Hey, you okay?
JOANNA
(Wiping away the tears.)
Yeah, I'm just tired. Today has been the longest day of my life.
EDWARD
Joanna, . . .
JOANNA
What?
EDWARD
Nothin'. It'd be too corny.
JOANNA
What!?
EDWARD
I was just gonna tell you that I really like you. I'm glad I knocked on your door today.
(JOANNA moves closer and gently places her palm against EDWARD's face. The neighborhood dog starts barking in the distance. There is a moment without speech. EDWARD leans in as if to kiss JOANNA. Her hand on his face holds him away.)
JOANNA
I'm gonna kill that dog one of these days.
EDWARD
I'll kill it for you.
(They are interrupted by the sound of footsteps on the porch. JOANNA quickly drops her hand from EDWARD's face and slips away from EDWARD. EDWARD moves back slightly as REVEREND JONES steps into view and knocks at the door.)
JOANNA
Reverend? Is that you? What're you doin' here?
REVEREND
Evenin', Joey. . . Oh, I see you got company, I can come back later on.
JOANNA
No, no. Come on in. We was just finishing our supper.
REVEREND
(Entering, with a checkerboard and small cardboard box under his arm. He gives the impression of having rehearsed his opening speech.)
I found myself walking over here without even thinkin' about it. I didn't mean to interrupt you here. You think maybe Scott Philsner would still be over at the hardware store.
JOANNA
Eddy, do you play checkers?
EDWARD
Yeah, some.
JOANNA
Reverend Jones, this is Eddy Wilkins. Eddy, this is Reverend Jones of the Congregational Church. The Reverend and my daddy used to play checkers every Thursday night over here at the dining room table. Would you be a dear and play a game with him?
REVEREND
Just one game. That's all I'm askin'.
EDWARD
Sure, hell, I don't mind. . . Oh, I'm sorry 'bout the hell part.
REVEREND
'Tain't nothin' compared to what Joey's dad always said when I was beatin' him.
JOANNA
Here, let's clear off a space for you on the table and then I'll make us some coffee.
(JOANNA starts to clear a section of the table. EDWARD quickly interrupts.)
EDWARD
Here, let me do that. You shouldn't put any weight on that ankle.
(EDWARD clears the table of boxes.)
REVEREND
You okay, Joey?
JOANNA
Yes, I'm fine. I just twisted my ankle a little this afternoon bringing down boxes from the attic.
REVEREND
You movin'?
JOANNA
No, Reverend, I'm just changin' things around. I'm gonna go down to the hardware store tomorrow and maybe buy some paint.
REVEREND
That'd be real nice. This place could use a little change.
JOANNA
That's what I think too.
REVEREND
You okay, Joey?
JOANNA
Course I am. Why?
REVEREND
You look a little flushed, that's all.
JOANNA
I'm fine, really, I am. There now, you two get set up and I'll start the coffee.
(JOANNA moves into the kitchen. EDWARD finds his shirt and puts it on. JOANNA takes a moment to compose herself before starting the coffee. REVEREND observes their behavior and then sets up the checkers on the dining room table. EDWARD returns to the dining table.)
REVEREND
I want to thank you, Edward. I been comin' over here to play checkers for so many years, I stepped out tonight without even thinkin'.
(REVEREND moves close to EDWARD.)
REVEREND (Continued)
(Conspiratorially.)
You know we just buried her dad this very morning?
EDWARD
Yes, she told me.
REVEREND
Are you and Joey old friends?
EDWARD
No, we just met today.
(JOANNA steps into the doorway from where she can monitor the coffee pot and the men.)
EDWARD (Continued)
I'm in the Navy on leave. I came to town to ‑‑
JOANNA
Eddy and I have a mutual acquaintance over in Burleigh, Reverend. Eddy stopped by to say hello ‑‑
REVEREND
And you put him to work moving boxes and furniture. You always did have a way about you, Joey.
JOANNA
(Feigning innocence.)
Why, whatever do you mean?
REVEREND
I don't know why Joey never married, Edward, but for his sake, whoever he is, I'm glad she didn't.
JOANNA
The coffee'll be ready in a minute. Would you like a little arsenic with yours, Reverend?
REVEREND
(Taken aback.)
Why, Joanna Mitchell. I don't think I've ever seen you in a mood like this. You're usually downright melancholic.
JOANNA
I'm sorry, Reverend. Would you like me to go back to bein' melancholic?
REVEREND
No, please. Whatever's gotten into you, let it stay a while. It makes your eyes dance.
JOANNA
(Looking at EDWARD.)
I'll get the coffee.
(She steps back into the kitchen area.)
EDWARD
You're move, Reverend?
REVEREND
Now, Joey's dad always let me go first, but you're welcome to it if you think it'll help.
EDWARD
I suspect you're gonna whip my butt irrespective of who starts.
(The REVEREND makes the first move. The play will progress over the next scene. While JOANNA is preparing the coffee tray with three cups, the back door opens and MADGE enters. MADGE is carrying a pie.)
JOANNA
Madge, what're you doin' here?
MADGE
I live right next door. . . . I saw the lights on and heard the conversation. I thought I'd bring over the rest of this pie I baked this afternoon. If I leave it in the house, Pa'll finish it off all by hisself.
JOANNA
Reverend's here.
MADGE
Reverend Jones?
JOANNA
Uh huh, he's playing checkers with Eddy. You want some coffee.
MADGE
Reverend Jones is playing checkers with Eddy. Uh huh, I'll have that coffee, 'cause I gotta see this with my own eyes.
(MADGE carries the pie into the dining area.)
MADGE (Continued)
Well, well, well.
REVEREND
Hello, Madge. Say, is that one of your home baked pies?
(JOANNA carries in the coffee tray.)
MADGE
Yes sir, Reverend Jones, sir. Would you like a slice?
REVEREND
I couldn't be happier.
MADGE
I'll get plates and forks.
(MADGE goes into the kitchen area. JOANNA pours the coffee for EDWARD and REVEREND. As MADGE brings out the plates and forks to the dining area, JOANNA goes to center and clears more of the supper things, i.e., beer cans, etc., into the kitchen area.)
MADGE (Continued)
Joey, you want pie?
JOANNA
Yes. You get napkins?
MADGE
No.
(JOANNA gets a fourth cup and saucer as well as a handful of napkins. She moves to the dining area, where the game of checkers is in full swing. MADGE gives a piece of pie to each player and then carries two pie plates down to center. JOANNA pours coffee for herself and MADGE, and carries the two coffee cups down to center. The two women sit on the sofa on EDWARD's next line, exchanging looks as they do so.)
EDWARD
You live here long, Reverend?
REVEREND
Eh? Oh, I been here about fifteen years at least. I couldn't really tell you for sure. The years kinda all blend together when you get to be my age. Actually, I had retired from the ministry. But the Congregational Church had a bit of a scandal some years ago now. Young minister got himself into trouble. There was concern he was beatin' his wife when nobody was lookin'. Then he got himself involved with a teenage girl here in town. Awful scandal. Then he disappeared and they called me to fill in interim. Come to think of it, I'm still fillin' in interim.
EDWARD
(Jumps.)
Gotcha.
(EDWARD picks up plate and eats pie.)
REVEREND
Oh! Remind me not to answer any more of your questions until this game is over.
EDWARD
I'll have to come up with a different strategy then. Mmm, Madge, this is wonderful pie.
REVEREND
She makes the best pie in town. Come to think of it, I don't know why either one of those two over there on the couch never got married. Both would make any man a happy man.
MADGE
Perhaps, Reverend, but not just any man would make this girl a happy woman.
REVEREND
But, Madge Isaacs, just look at your life. You live all alone with your father. You don't even see anyone.
MADGE
Now, how do you know I don't see anyone.
REVEREND
It's a small town. There may be four different religions in seven different churches in this town, but everyone knows everything about everyone else. It would be downright impossible to keep a secret like that from this town.
EDWARD
(Jumps.)
Gotcha again.
REVEREND
(Pause.)
Now, Mr. Wilkins, I presume you've heard the old saying "Fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me"?
EDWARD
I have.
REVEREND
Then watch carefully.
(REVEREND jumps three times.)
REVEREND (Continued)
King me, young man.
(The game proceeds over the next sequence.)
MADGE
(After a pause. MADGE chooses her words carefully.)
So, Joey, you gonna paint it?
JOANNA
(JOANNA and MADGE exchange a long look.)
I dunno. I need somethin' different, a different color. You know what I mean?
MADGE
Yes, I know what you mean. But there's a difference between needin' somethin' different and wantin' somethin' different. Just different don't make it right. You know what I mean?
JOANNA
(She takes a long look at MADGE.)
I think I know what you mean. But it's just paint. If I don't like it, I can always paint it over again. You know what I mean?
MADGE
I do. I don't agree, though. I think you oughta decide what color paint you want to stick with, and paint that color right up front. Think of all the heartache you gonna cause yourself playing around with all different kinds of color. I know the color you been lookin' at for a long time is maybe a little drab to you now. But that's just because you're lettin' yourself dream of bright, new colors. The old color may be a little faded in spots, maybe even downright "stupid". But it's comfortable. It's a color you know and you'll always know. New colors are a might apt to fade after a while. They don't make paint like they used to.
JOANNA
Madge –
MADGE
Now, just for arguments sake, let's say you decide to go with that bright new color. No matter how much you like it now ain't no guarantee that you'll still like it later. And maybe that bright new color won't like you later. Maybe that bright new color that makes you smile tonight may decide that you're too old and worn out for it. You could get walked all over by a color that you shoulda never gone for in the first place.
REVEREND
Edward, something tells me that they're not talkin' about paint.
EDWARD
I think you're right, Reverend, but I haven't a clue what they're really talkin' about.
REVEREND
Me, neither.
(He jumps.)
Your move.
MADGE
I'm just suggestin' that maybe you oughta think about this changin' your life around a little more'n you already thought about it, if you thought about it at all.
JOANNA
Madge, I have thought about it. Believe me, I have thought about it.
MADGE
And?
JOANNA
I'm going down to the hardware store first thing in the morning. . . . When I look at these old walls, Madge, I feel so . . . empty. I ask myself, "Where'd all the color go?" This color is my daddy's color and it calls out his name even in the dark. I sat right here, just last night, do you hear me, just last night, and I looked at these walls and I knew I was goin' to the funeral this morning and I felt this big empty hole inside of me. . . . And when I think of that . . . change, . . . I get this feelin' inside me that burns like I haven't felt it in a long time. It's a far off voice of somethin' I thought I almost had once. It slipped away then; it'll slip away again. I want to grab it, to hold on, . . . and I know I'll burn if I do.
(She puts her hands over her eyes for a moment. MADGE puts a reassuring hand on her shoulder. After a beat, JOANNA stands.)
JOANNA (Continued)
How's that game comin' boys? I decided I'm tired and I want to go to bed.
EDWARD
(The REVEREND jumps again.)
I'd say this game is just about over with.
(To REVEREND.)
I was right, you know.
REVEREND
About what?
EDWARD
I predicted you were gonna beat my butt.
(EDWARD stands and collects the coffee cups and pie plates for him and the REVEREND onto the tray. He then carries the tray into the kitchen area. REVEREND begins putting the checkers back into the cardboard box.)
REVEREND
That was the fastest game of checkers I've ever won. That was also the fastest game of checkers I've ever played. Thank you, son. I can die happy now.
JOANNA
I didn't mean to rush you that fast. It's just been a long day ‑‑
(MADGE collects the coffee cups and pie plates for herself and JOANNA. She carries them into the kitchen area as EDWARD is coming back out. She gives him a concerned look, but he does not see it.)
REVEREND
You don't have to tell this ol' boy twice.
(REVEREND moves down to JOANNA.)
REVEREND (Continued)
Thank you for treatin' an old man with kindness on a cool summer's evening. I'll find someone else to play with before next Thursday.
(He shakes hands with EDWARD.)
REVEREND (Continued)
And you, sir, are a fine competitor, and a courteous loser. Thank you.
EDWARD
Thank you.
JOANNA
I'll walk you to the door, Reverend.
(She and REVEREND move up to the front door. REVEREND moves through it on his way off.)
REVEREND
Good night, everyone.
JOANNA & EDWARD
Good night.
(JOANNA watches him move away in the darkness. The neighborhood dog is heard barking again.)
REVEREND's VOICE
Somebody's gonna kill that dog one of these days.
(JOANNA waves to the offstage REVEREND.)
MADGE
(Moving into view.)
There's one more piece of pie left. I'll leave it for you two to fight over in the morning.
(EDWARD moves to the base of the stairs. He and MADGE exchange a brief look.)
MADGE (Continued)
I'll just slip out the back.
JOANNA
(Starting to turn off lights around the room.)
Good night, Madge.
MADGE
(Going.)
Good night.
EDWARD
(From the base of the stairs.)
Joanna, . . .
JOANNA
No. Don't say anything.
(She turns off the kitchen light last. Slowly our eyes adjust to the moonlight streaming in from the upstage windows. She moves to him slowly but deliberately.)
JOANNA (Continued)
I suppose you'd like a goodnight kiss.
(EDWARD nods.)
That might not be such a good idea.
EDWARD
Why?
JOANNA
I don't think you'd really stop with just one kiss.
EDWARD
(Putting on an act.)
Well, you know, Ma'am. Bein' in the Navy, it's been a while for me.
JOANNA
It's been a while for me, too. But I can't.
EDWARD
Is it 'cause a that guy you're not seein' seriously?
JOANNA
(Pause.)
No.
EDWARD
Do you really want to sleep alone tonight?
JOANNA
(Pause.)
No.
EDWARD
Is it my looks?
JOANNA
(A smirk.)
No, you are the most beautiful man I've seen in a long time.
EDWARD
Is it 'cause I'm too young?
JOANNA
(Pause.)
Not exactly.
EDWARD
What then?
JOANNA
(Pause. She wants to scream it out.)
I can't say.
(She starts to cry.)
EDWARD
(He moves to her and takes her in his arms.)
Hey, hey, it's okay.
JOANNA
No, it's not okay. It's wrong. You bein' here is all wrong.
EDWARD
No. I don't believe that.
JOANNA
(She stops crying and looks up into his eyes.)
What is it then?
EDWARD
It's destiny.
(EDWARD kisses JOANNA, who does not pull away.)
EDWARD (Continued)
You believe in destiny, don't you?
(He draws her closely against his body. They kiss again passionately, her arms encircling him as well. Then JOANNA pulls away.)
JOANNA
(Wiping away her tears.)
Destiny, huh? You believe in destiny?
EDWARD
Yes.
JOANNA
Was it destiny that brought you here, lookin' for your momma?
EDWARD
Yes, and destiny already knew you'd be here, that you'd be the type of person who'd invite a stranger in for a Coke.
(She weighs the value of his perspective for a moment.)
JOANNA
If I take you to my bed, will you just hold me? Or will you want more?
EDWARD
I'm just holdin' you now.
JOANNA
Hold me, then. Just hold me.
(BLACKOUT)
END OF ACT I