THE VISITOR by G. J. Carr copyright 1995 G. J. Carr Scene One: A living room with a doorway UR leading into a foyer. The room is tidy, neatly decorated, in good taste. Jake, roughly shaven, in casual dress, is reclined in a chair with his feet up. He appears to be sleeping. Suddenly a car drives up, a car door opens. Jake stirs, looks toward an upstage window and stands. He goes to the window and peeks out, then sits again and waits. The car door closes. Footsteps on the walkway. Key in the lock. The front door is heard to open and close. Rustling. Keys being set down. Jake rises, goes to the doorway, and stands there, looking out at who has arrived. JAKE You're early... I didn't expect you so soon... Well, don't just stand there, come in... Come in, come in... (William approaches the doorway and Jake steps in and aside for him. William is dressed in more formal, business attire. He peers in skeptically. WILLIAM How long have you--? JAKE All afternoon. WILLIAM I didn't know you-- JAKE We're alone. Don't worry... Come in. Sit down. WILLIAM I don't understand how -- JAKE I didn't expect you until later, but I'm glad you're here... Sit down... Better now than later. I was falling asleep waiting. Sit down and we'll begin. WILLIAM Begin how? JAKE We'll just talk. WILLIAM Talk? JAKE I'm in no hurry. WILLIAM Why not? JAKE (laughs) We'll just talk. As I understand it we have quite a lot to talk about. WILLIAM We do? JAKE Yes we do... Sit down. WILLIAM I'd rather stand I think JAKE I'd really prefer you sit. You'd be more-- WILLIAM I'll stand. JAKE You'd be more comfortable. WILLIAM I'm not sure I want to be comfortable. JAKE Sit... Sit. I insist... Really... It's not quite right that one of us sits while the other stands. It keeps us on uneven ground. One of us always looking down on the other. And since I don't want to stand, I think you should sit. Even keel. One to one... Sit... (pause. William studies Jake) WILLIAM (cautious) Okay (He sits across from Jake) What do we have to talk about? JAKE I don't know. I thought we would just start and see where it leads us. What do you think about that? How about that? WILLIAM I'm not sure I have anything to say. JAKE You mean anything more? WILLIAM All's been said. JAKE Well, no... I don't think so. I think there's a lot more to say. Don't you? If you think about it. There's a lot more. I realize you want to call it off. I mean, you want to be finished, but it can't be, not that easily. WILLIAM Oh... As in... ? JAKE What? WILLIAM A lot more to say. JAKE Right WILLIAM About what? We were finished a long time ago. (pause. They study one another. Then Jake responds sharply) JAKE Don't be that way Willy. Don't clam up on me like that. We've been through too much for that. Just to stop. I want to know about you. I want to know what you've been up to. I want to get us up to speed here. Fill in where we've been, what we've done. WILLIAM With what? JAKE Lets just start general at first. Your health... It's been good? Your job maybe. How's it been going?.. WILLIAM I don't see the point. JAKE I do. WILLIAM That's it then. JAKE What? WILLIAM You know what you're after. You have some agenda... I don't like this. Get on with it. JAKE You've been annoyed, hostile... defensive from the moment you came in... And all I have is peaceful intentions. WILLIAM Like hell. JAKE Really?... Okay... I admit there are some particulars I'd like to know, but I thought we could chat first. Maybe I could set you more at ease. The last time we talked ended badly and I want to approach this in a friendly manner so that we're not immediately back where we ended. WILLIAM You have a hell of a way of showing it. JAKE What did you expect? WILLIAM Some courtesy. Some respect. JAKE I haven't-- WILLIAM What do you want? (Pause. ) JAKE Nothing.. I'm a... I'm a bit, you know, put off by your response... It hurts me to think that.. Well, things have changed between us, that's true. But maybe we can put that behind us. We were friends once.... I know it's been a long time. I know you were angry. A lot has happened... But I thought, maybe, that we could get together, understand one another... I don't like the way things ended and I'm sorry about that. But you owe me a little-- WILLIAM What do I owe you? JAKE A little love, a little respect, some compassion. For old times. It's not like I wasn't going through it. What could it hurt?... I love you man. I do. And I don't want it to be this way. WILLIAM (softening, but suspicious) Why didn't you call?... You must have known. Why didn't you tell anyone?... You have to admit, this is a surprise. JAKE I didn't think you'd want me to come. WILLIAM I didn't. JAKE See. And we wouldn't have gotten to talk. WILLIAM I might have met you. JAKE You would have? Tell me the truth. Would you have come to meet me? WILLIAM You didn't give me the chance. JAKE You wouldn't have come... WILLIAM How did you get in here anyway? JAKE I haven't forgotten anything... It was easy. The back door. WILLIAM And just how did you get in the back door? (short pause. Jake averts, then looks back. ) JAKE Huh? I was distracted by the view out the window. This was always such a nice neighborhood. Nice suburb. Everything is so well kept up. I never thought I would be back here. Well, I knew I would be someday. But you know what I mean. You've fixed the place up great. You've done really well. WILLIAM Just how did you get in the back door? JAKE It was open. WILLIAM With a key? JAKE Sure a key. I always had a key. WILLIAM So? JAKE So? WILLIAM You broke in. JAKE You didn't expect me to-- WILLIAM Shit Jake! Damn it! When are you going to have any sense? JAKE Well there's sense, and then there's sense. WILLIAM What the hell is that supposed to mean? JAKE I couldn't wait outside all day until you got home. And it certainly doesn't make any sense to have glass panels in your back door? It's not like I'm here to rob you. WILLIAM And you expect to be welcomed with open arms like you never went away? Like nothing ever happened? When you pull shit like this? (pause) JAKE I don't expect you to understand. WILLIAM WHY SHOULD I? JAKE You never took the time. You still don't take the time to see the rest of it. Bury your head in your ass, and don't take the time. WILLIAM You broke into my house! JAKE Maybe I needed to. Maybe it was the right thing to do. WILLIAM How could it be the right thing to do? Because it was a door and not a window? Because it was the back and not the front? Because you love me and nothing--? JAKE You just don't get it. WILLIAM And you love me? JAKE Never stopped. WILLIAM You were bad for me... You were bad to me... Why do you think you can come back like this? JAKE I've been good to you. WILLIAM Yeah?... Tell me... When?... It's a wonder we get along at all. (pause) JAKE Well, my friends once said that you ate shit sandwiches. and I defended you. WILLIAM (fuming, angry) Exactly. And you said I didn't like bread. Exactly. You were-- JAKE Come on. We were kids. WILLIAM Put it this way. I didn't appreciate your humor. JAKE It was all in fun. WILLIAM At my expense. JAKE You're thin-skinned. WILLIAM You were cruel. JAKE Like hell. I was just poking fun. It was harmless. WILLIAM No... No Jake, it wasn't fun. It was mean. It was malicious. It was cruel. JAKE Come on. What do you think sibling rivalry is anyway? It was normal, playful, innocent stuff, I didn't mean anything by it... Come on. I'm not cruel... You, on the other hand, areover-sensitive. That's always been your problem. You just plain take things too seriously. It was nothing. It was a long time ago. Get over it. It doesn't mean I don't love you. If anything, it means I do. WILLIAM (sarcastic) Yeah, I can see that, sure... But I hate to think how you would have treated me if you hadn't loved me so much. JAKE Right. You see... WILLIAM Like with donkey boy. JAKE What? WILLIAM You remember Donkey Boy? Remember that? JAKE (innocently) No, I don't think I do. WILLIAM Of course you do. It was your idea. JAKE I don't remember. WILLIAM (pushing his ears forward) Donkey Boy. Remember? Donkey boy, donkey boy. You came up with that. JAKE No. O'Reilly told me. WILLIAM I was around! I found out... And that was the nice version. JAKE You had big ears. It wasn't my fault. WILLIAM It was bad enough I was teased in school. JAKE Dumbo wasn't nice. I don't think that's any-- WILLIAM Ass ears. JAKE That wasn't mine WILLIAM That's beside the point. JAKE You can't blame me for all the teasing you ever got. WILLIAM No... But what about a little compassion? You didn't have to be so involved, now did you? JAKE I ran with a different crowd. We didn't have respect for anybody. You weren't singled out. So much as you were just an available target. WILLIAM I'm supposed to forget that? JAKE Yes. It was juvenile. It was mean. Yes. But it was a long time ago. WILLIAM No. More than-- JAKE You got problems bro'. Deep problems. WILLIAM Me? JAKE Yeah. Grow up for god sake. See somebody. Work out these resentments... You have to forgive and forget. Move on. I'm sorry, okay? I'm sorry for all the shit I pulled on you as a kid. But I was a kid, get it? I was a kid like you, and I was trying to work out a few things myself... Maybe I felt inadequate, and maybe it made me part of something to make fun of you with my friends, but -- Shit, it was just easy at the time. There you were, and I envied you. WILLIAM Envy? JAKE (pause) Yes. Despite it all, you had it together. Everything was easy for you. (pause) WILLIAM Have you called Mom and Dad yet? JAKE You should get counseling. I highly recommend it. You know I had a time of it. I had things to work out. Luckily I got some help. I couldn't have afforded it myself, but there was funding, you know, a new program, and I was turned onto it by a friend. Made me fit, fit to... associate, belong... It was always me against everyone else. Comparing, judging, self-belittling. And guilt. The psychologist helped me work that out. He taught me that I can't shut myself off, that I have to face people, especially the ones that I hurt the most. Only then can I heal... WILLIAM And that's why you're here? JAKE I'm sorry for what I've done. I know I've paid a price. And I'm not done paying. I'm here to make it up, work it out. You're my brother, and I love you. I want to fix what's happened between us. WILLIAM I see. JAKE Do you? I hope you do. WILLIAM (unconvinced) I do. JAKE I need you. (pause) WILLIAM Do Mom and Dad know that--? JAKE I haven't called them yet. WILLIAM They don't know? JAKE I'll call on them next. WILLIAM I would have thought you'd stop there first. JAKE You know how Dad is. I wasn't sure how he would take it. You know? It's a surprise for me to be back. WILLIAM I should call them and break the good news. JAKE Bad idea I think. WILLIAM I think you should then. It's not right not to let them know. They'd want to see you. JAKE No... No, not yet... You see that I'm a bit hesitant about it. I know. I am hesitant. I'm damn scared of the idea to tell you the truth. I'm not ready yet. You though, I felt more comfortable with how you would react. I knew you wouldn't go off the deep end. Dad though, I don't know what he would do. WILLIAM Don't you think you should give him a chance? It might not be as bad as you think. JAKE I will... I will, really. I'm just not ready yet. WILLIAM Okay... Okay, if you're not ready, you're right, it's a bad idea. (pause) JAKE Let's talk about you. How you've been. What you've been up to. It looks like you're doing pretty well. WILLIAM I'm staying ahead. I'm doing pretty well. JAKE What do you do now? WILLIAM I'm plant manager. JAKE Great. Congratulations... Pension plan, Benefits... Great. I'm happy for you. That's wonderful. WILLIAM You've been taking classes I heard, in some-- JAKE I bet you've been putting money aside steadily. You were always good at saving. You had a way with money. It always added up for you, multiplied... a regular mathematical progression of numbers... You were so good that way... So, eh, practical. Me, on the other hand, I could never hold onto a dollar. Money is worthless to me unless it's spent. And I always spent it. Remember the time I came home without my pants, remember that? WILLIAM I do, yeah. JAKE I bet them in a poker game. WILLIAM Lost your pants in a poker game. JAKE But I had a good time. I always had fun, for whatever length I could. WILLIAM You sure did. JAKE And we had some fun together sometimes, didn't we? WILLIAM You were always on the wild side. The king of the partyers. The most popular. I wished I could be like you. I thought about it a lot. To be that way. The girls watching and whispering when you passed. You were really something... And there I was, the donkey boy. How could I match up? JAKE But it paid off, didn't it?... Being like me wasn't so-- It paid off for you. Only one of us could be popular right? There's only one king in a kingdom after all. And you got your rewards. The studying paid off. WILLIAM You were always such a smooth talker. You could get yourself into or out of anything you wanted. It's like, for you, life was there for the taking... I was always so awkward. it's funny how things turn out. JAKE But we had some good times, didn't we? Shootin' pool together? The first time you got drunk. Hopping the fence to swim in that yard. And Betsy? Remember? WILLIAM I see her from time to time around town. She married Ed Salazar. But you had more fun with that than I did. She only did it to get close to you. JAKE She ended up preferring you though. WILLIAM No. She ended up preferring neither. JAKE But we had some fun. (winks, slaps William playfully) WILLIAM I suppose. JAKE You suppose? Of course we did. WILLIAM There were some times... JAKE Definitely (pause) WILLIAM That was so long ago. I hardly even remember. JAKE A lot has happened, for sure. But when we were kids, when we were little, remember? Those were the days. Remember? When the neighborhood was worth living in, when it was young. WILLIAM It doesn't exist anymore. JAKE Remember our treehouse? WILLIAM Sleeping in it... pretending... all sorts of things. JAKE It was great. WILLIAM That tree was cut down and fed into a shredder. JAKE Remember the rides we used to take? All over the county? Out of town into the hills. WILLIAM Dad was still active. Before his knees got arthritic. We did a lot more as a family then. JAKE Just you and me, remember? WILLIAM Out to the creek... And we built a big damn. JAKE And it was deep. WILLIAM We could swim in it... Well, not well, but kind of crawl along. JAKE We went out there every day of the summer, almost all summer long... laid in the sun. WILLIAM And it was quiet. Far away from cars, buses. JAKE Only the sound of the grass, and birds... WILLIAM Laying in the sun all day. Like Huck Finn almost, with stalks of grass hanging out our mouths. JAKE Until the grass became cigarettes. WILLIAM Or something else. JAKE It was out there wasn't it? WILLIAM (looking at Jake an instant) Yes it was. About as wild as I ever got. JAKE You were funny. WILLIAM I don't think I ever got so drunk again. JAKE Well, that and other things. WILLIAM The only real talking we ever did, we did out there. JAKE That was right about... What? Fifteen? WILLIAM There is no out of town now. The whole county... The creek is a muddy, cement aqueduct with old tires and pop cans in it... Hard to think... JAKE Some people, boys I mean, are born ready to be men. Some learn to mature and some don't. I never, you know, I never got beyond that... But we had fun didn't we? At one time I mean. It's not like we didn't, for awhile. WILLIAM We did. Preteen really. When we were ten or eleven. JAKE But it was cool. WILLIAM Nearly thirty years. JAKE And to think, you're still my baby brother. WILLIAM (sarcastic) Right. And you're still the one with the answers. JAKE Hey. It was my idea to build that stuff. WILLIAM You were smart. Maybe not school smart, but you could figure out a means and a way. JAKE Don't you forget it... (pause) WILLIAM It's hard to think sometimes of how it used to be. JAKE It got trashed a little at a time. Big houses and sidewalks. WILLIAM What happened Jake? JAKE Progress. Things are never quite as good once they're improved. WILLIAM I never figured it out. JAKE Problem is, I didn't either. It took me some therapy to even begin to get it... You know, popularity ends someday. Grow up, get fat, get lazy, get stupid. The glory days end. All you got is a beer and a memory. I didn't like the prospects... But more because... WILLIAM What? JAKE I was the oldest... And I looked more like Dad than you did. You looked like Mom, you know? Dad and I were grouped. In his footsteps. The little man. He liked it that way, and I liked it. And I wanted to be like him. I tried, in my own insignificant way... But by the time I got to be a teenager, I knew I couldn't measure up. And he didn't like, you know, the things, like my grades, my looks, my life, who I was. I fell further behind that image, and further. I was a disappointment, held up to that standard. So I set my own. I chose other images to live by. Brando, Bogart, Hendrix, Morrison. WILLIAM Yeah, Bogart. You did that really well. JAKE I did, didn't I? (He does a short, playful impression of Humphrey Bogart) I still remember, sort of... But it was insecurity, you know? Looking for something else I could measure up to. Without really finding it. And drugs helped me to believe I was what I pretended to be... Then reality did me one better, showed me I wasn't really aware of anything, not myself, not anything. When I came to, it was all someone else... Building an identity from scratch, from nothing. It's not an easy thing to do. You never lost your identity. You were never confused about who you were. WILLIAM All teenagers are confused. I think I knew at least what I didn't want to be. JAKE I provided enough example. WILLIAM (quietly) Yeah. JAKE I was all the time in a stupor. (pause) WILLIAM We should call Mom and Dad. JAKE I will, eventually. WILLIAM I think they'll be glad JAKE No. WILLIAM They should be told you're out. I think they'll be glad to see you. JAKE So you're married now? WILLIAM (embarrassed) Yes.. You noticed the ring. JAKE And unless you're a cross dresser now, there are an awful lot of women's clothes around. WILLIAM Right... I forgot. JAKE It's okay. We weren't on speaking terms. And it's been awhile. WILLIAM You're the one who broke it off. JAKE We won't worry about that. It's all behind us, right? So what if you didn't even send me a notice? So what if you didn't invite your own brother? It's water under the bridge, right? WILLIAM You couldn't have come. JAKE So don't invite me. WILLIAM Okay, enough. You didn't want any part of the family, remember? JAKE So what's she like? Where did you meet her? WILLIAM She was a secretary in the front office. We met during a strike threat when everybody was having meetings. We actually met by arguing with one another, and then introduced ourselves afterwards. JAKE That's good. 'Guess you resolved it. Is she nice? WILLIAM Obviously I think so, JAKE And are you going to have any children? WILLIAM Someday. She's always wanted them. JAKE And you? WILLIAM What? JAKE You're not so sure. WILLIAM I don't know much about children. It's a kind of scary prospect. I can't imagine any other woman I'd rather have them with though. So if I'm ever going to... JAKE This is the one... Well, that's great. (pause) WILLIAM Hungry? I'll get you something to eat. JAKE No. I had a bite when I came in. WILLIAM Oh... Okay... And you, what are your plans? JAKE Go north. I had a friend who said Idaho or Montana is the place to be. Big sky. Trees. Mountains. I figured I would go check it out. Maybe do some camping. WILLIAM And do what? For work I mean. Do you have any plans for that yet? JAKE No. I guess I'll figure that out as I go.. WILLIAM And how are you getting there? JAKE I'd like to drive, or take a plane maybe. Train even, but unfortunately... I'll get there though. Don't worry. WILLIAM I'm sure you know what you're doing. JAKE Hitchhiking isn't too hard. Times have changed a bit though. The police must be scaring people off of it. There are fewer rides... You meet nice people though, the nicest, most generous people. And some great conversation. I don't mind. WILLIAM I never could do it myself. It's hard for me to ask-- be seen-- you know... JAKE Beg? WILLIAM Not beg. Put yourself out there. I'm too self-conscious to hitchhike. It's a personal inhibition, like asking store clerks where something is. JAKE You meant beg. WILLIAM No I didn't. JAKE And it is really. It is. You're asking for a favor. It's difficult for you because you were never in the place of not having. And it's something you have to get used to... It's there, and with time it becomes easier... Getting food is the hard part. You can't just find it. You have to buy it along the way. WILLIAM And can you? JAKE Can I? I have a little, enough to get me a little way. WILLIAM But not all the way?... And it would be nice if you could make it all the way? JAKE I can work... Hold up a sign. You know, like-- WILLIAM I know. JAKE I could get lucky and make it one shot. WILLIAM I could... I could lend you some... A hundred dollars maybe, if that will help. JAKE Yes that would... A little thanks... I had a little more in mind, if you could see your way. WILLIAM Two hundred? JAKE I'll need to find a place to live, get a job. Police are cutting back all the overgrowth around freeways and major roads. There are no safe places to sleep anymore. WILLIAM You could take a bus and get there with money left over. Buses aren't very expensive. Maybe a little more for meals along the way. I could see a little more. JAKE (adamant) A bus? Have you ridden a bus? It would take me two days in a cramped seat. A friend of mine was knifed on a bus. (short pause) WILLIAM Mom and Dad would be happy to contribute something I bet. I think we could pool some money for you. I'll call them right now. JAKE He won't. It's not worth the call. WILLIAM Why? JAKE Dad's made it pretty clear where he stands. It's not worth it. WILLIAM Why didn't you tell anyone? How long ago did you get out? JAKE I need some money Will... I paid my dues. and I have to start over with nothing, and all I'm asking is a little help from my brother. That's all... A little help. It's not too much to ask. WILLIAM Why so far? Or is this a scam to get more money? There's no reason you can't set up closer. JAKE Too many bad memories. Besides, you know, there are people around who have reason not to want me here. And I can't blame them. I wouldn't want me around either. But I have to escape that. Make a life. Understand? WILLIAM How much do you want? JAKE A fraction of what you make in a year really. Ten thousand dollars, tops. (short pause) WILLIAM Who's your parole officer? JAKE I'm in the process of getting transfer papers, you know, for up north. WILLIAM So you have permission to leave the state? JAKE Sure I do. This is all prearranged. (pause. William sighs heavily, droops. ) WILLIAM What's prearranged?... JAKE What do you mean? WILLIAM Just excuse me, I'm a bit confused. What exactly is prearranged? JAKE The trip. Visiting you. I'm glad I could-- WILLIAM You break into my house, go through my things, eat my food. You refuse to call Mom and Dad. And you ask for ten thousand dollars so you can head up north. JAKE I need the money. WILLIAM I see that. JAKE You're my brother. We're blood. We grew up together. I love you man. You're number one... WILLIAM I think you should leave. JAKE What? WILLIAM I'll call Mom and Dad. I'll give you some money for a motel overnight. JAKE I need the money Will. WILLIAM I'll give you a little and we'll talk about it. There are things we can do. JAKE You can afford it. Call it an investment. I'll be good for it. WILLIAM I can't give you that much. JAKE Five thousand would do. I could get by with less. WILLIAM I'll think. JAKE If you could get some cash. That would work okay. Then if I needed more... WILLIAM I still can't turn over that kind of money without making some calls. JAKE Sure you can. WILLIAM No I can't. JAKE You owe me that much. WILLIAM I'll think about it. JAKE No. WILLIAM I've got to think about it. JAKE You can't put me off. WILLIAM I don't owe you anything. JAKE I've been cut out too long. WILLIAM Leave. JAKE I need that money. You owe me. And I want my ten grand. WILLIAM Leave my house. (pause. ) Get out Jake, now. JAKE Make me. (short pause) WILLIAM This is the same stuff. This is exactly the same. Why do you do this? You can't come in here and-- JAKE Make me. WILLIAM I don't want to fight about this. JAKE Give me my money. WILLIAM I can't. It's not that easy. JAKE I'll wait then. (pause) WILLIAM Please leave. JAKE No thank you. (pause. William searches the room haphazardly. ) Something wrong? WILLIAM No, nothing. JAKE Really? WILLIAM Except that you're still here. JAKE Make me leave. WILLIAM Why are you doing this? (William gives up his search of the room) JAKE Doing what? WILLIAM What did you do with the phone? What did you do with it?... (pause) Fine... Okay... JAKE What? WILLIAM You won't leave. So I will. JAKE I wouldn't try it. WILLIAM Then get out... Fine then. (William moves to exit. Jake moves to block him, and block him again) Get out of my way... JAKE (taunting) Ears like a donkey Face like an ass Better say uncle Or I won't let you pass. WILLIAM Fuck off! (They scuffle, and Jake gets spun aside. Jake reaches quickly into a hiding place and pulls out a gun) JAKE I said no -- (pause) WILLIAM Give me a break. What do you think you're doing? JAKE They didn't exactly let me out. WILLIAM You look ridiculous. JAKE So sit down. WILLIAM You're full of it. JAKE I said sit down. WILLIAM For what?... You always did have delusions about how much power you had over people. I might have bought it when we were younger, but you're just being stupid now. JAKE Sit back down. WILLIAM Make me. (long pause) JAKE We wait. WILLIAM You wait by yourself. If you're here when I get back-- JAKE For your wife to get home. (pause) WILLIAM And? JAKE For the money. WILLIAM Well you figured wrong. She knows all about you. She's not any more likely to give you the money than I am. JAKE I want to meet her. WILLIAM Come back later. We'll settle this and you can go on your way... Five hundred dollars. No questions, no trouble. We can go to the bank right now. JAKE No. WILLIAM You're no different. Everything's got to be your way. Well life just doesn't happen that way. JAKE I know how much money you have. WILLIAM Not that fuckin' much that's for sure. I'll get you my checkbook. I'll show you how much money I have. JAKE From checking. But you have a CD. (pause) WILLIAM There's no way. I'm not going to sign for it. And she can't. You're just out of fuckin luck aren't-- JAKE Don't lie to me. It's my money and I want it back. WILLIAM It's not your money. JAKE It's mine... It is, and I want it back. You can cash it any time and you're going to cash it now. WILLIAM Like hell I am, so you better come up with an alternate-- (A door is heard to open, then close) JAKE Well, well... (He stands) KATY Honey, I'm home... JAKE Let's invite her in. (Jake steps toward the US doorway) KATY Honey? WILLIAM Katy! Get--! (William attempts to lunge past Jake, but as he does, Jake shoots him in the leg with the gun. William buckles and falls, and Jake jumps ahead into the doorway) JAKE (alarmedly) Willy's hurt. Come quick! He needs you. WILLIAM (weakly) No Katy... JAKE I think you better come. He's bleeding pretty badly. (Jake steps inside and Katy appears in the doorway, then she enters and rushes to William) KATY What happened? JAKE We were checking out this gun because Willy bought it and didn't know how to use it. And I didn't know it was loaded. Well, neither of us did, and neither thought to check. And it went off, you know, just now. We're lucky you got home when you did. I don't know any first aid. But we need to stop the bleeding somehow... We're lucky it's only his leg. What if he had been looking down the barrel when it went off? Guns aren't safe. You should never keep one in the house, I said. But, you know, with crime rates up, he said. But you know a lot of guns get stolen, and you know criminals get the guns I told him. But Willy never did listen to me. KATY He passed out. JAKE Willy never did listen to me. Never... (Blackout) Scene II (William is laid out on the floor. Katy is kneeling over him and finishing the bandaging with a wrap of tape around his leg. Jake is standing beside her. ) KATY He's in shock. JAKE Wouldn't you be? I mean if you had just shot yourself? KATY (distractedly) I guess. JAKE He hasn't mentioned me? KATY He was never one for going into much detail. (rips the tape and puts the bandages aside) JAKE What did he say? KATY So you're his brother? JAKE I'd hate to think what he could have told you. He was so angry when I left. KATY We have to get him to the hospital now. JAKE Can you lift him? I can't lift him. I think we should wait until he's conscious. KATY An ambulance then would-- JAKE Do you know how much an ambulance costs? Brother! I had a neighbor once who needed an ambulance. And then the emergency room! Even with insurance you're looking at a lot of money. He's fine. This is better. He said as much before you came in. We'll get him to the doctor when he wakes up. The bullet passed in and out without much damage at all. Really superficial. You're going to pay a doctor to do exactly what we did anyway. Look at the wound, disinfect, bandage. Missed the bone completely. I'm telling you, for such a stupid accident, we were really lucky. The police have to be called you know? The doctor has to call them. And the gun isn't registered. It was stolen I think. KATY Stolen? JAKE I can't prove it was stolen. I just suspect, you know. He bought it in a bar. KATY A gun? JAKE (displaying the gun in his hand) Yeah... Bars are really popular for those kinds of transactions. KATY What could he have been thinking? JAKE It's obvious. I mean, isn't it? He was buying a gun. KATY But beside that. JAKE As I said, we haven't seen each other in years. Then he pops out this gun... Didn't he ever talk about me? Our family isn't very close. KATY That's what he said. JAKE I've been away for so long too... I wasn't exactly welcomed. KATY William isn't very sociable in general... JAKE Blood isn't always thicker than water. (sadly) When Mom and Dad practically disowned me, William sided with them. No hard feelings. They wanted me to tow the party line, you know? And I wanted to get out on my own. They all decided I was a loser because I didn't want to go to college... I don't know if you have any brothers or sisters... I'd almost swear he got out the gun to threaten me. KATY Why? JAKE Oh geez. You know, the rivalry. It's a power thing. It's really stupid but it happens. KATY It looks like the bleeding has stopped. JAKE He'll be fine in no time. (Pause. ) KATY I hope he wasn't too rude. JAKE It's been... god, at least ten years... And we were just beginning to catch up with one another... KATY I come from a very close family myself, so it was so peculiar to meet so-- JAKE (dipping his head sadly) Unnatural? KATY Right, unnatural, for a family to not talk, to not see each other. I had to push him a bit to even call your father on Christmas. And to me that's so foreign. I call my parents every weekend. JAKE That's great... I don't know what it is. I did my best, in my own way. But what can you do? I finally had to leave. It was when I took off on my own-- KATY The Merchant Marines, wasn't it? (short pause) JAKE Marines? No, no it was the navy. I didn't join the Merchant Marines until much later. KATY It must have been so frustrating. But then, I see why... You got to see so much of the world. I haven't been further than three states in any direction. We've talked about traveling. But it's always someday, when we have the money, and then the money doesn't come, or the timing isn't right... I've always wanted to see Greece. JAKE I remember in the early days, each port of call was a new adventure. Sights, sounds, smells. And such exotic foods. It was very exciting. But after awhile... When you're always shipping out, and you don't know when you'll be back, it's hard to establish friendships. KATY And hard to stay in touch. JAKE The life is a lonely one sometimes... KATY I'm amazed I haven't heard more about you. But then William is so stubborn and-- so pigheaded sometimes. JAKE I'm surprised he told you as much as he did... KATY I'm angry he told me so little. JAKE It's not as exciting anymore, you know. There's a lot of filth, and stench and cold. I'd be happy to never smell diesel fuel again. Or see a bulkhead, let alone scrub it. I'm going far away from the ocean. I'm tired of the life. Which is actually what brings me here. KATY You'll be staying in town? JAKE It's so damn unlucky. Shit bad luck this happened this way. I stopped by for an important matter of business--KATY Business? JAKE You see, for years, while I was sailing around the world... I realized there are no pensions for sailors, so I've been sacking away a little at a time for my retirement. KATY That's wonderful. What a good idea. You must be very good with money. JAKE I've had to scrimp at times. But I've managed. KATY But what does this have to do with us? JAKE You see, I never trusted the ships purser. I wanted my money in a good bank, preferably earning reasonable interest, something conservative like a--KATY Certificate of Deposit. JAKE CD, yes. KATY Willy knows about those things. I never keep track of the money. JAKE You know, I knew that. I've always known that about him. He was always much better than I was. It took me years, most my life in fact, to realize the value of money. And that's why when I started saving it, I started sending it to Willy. And I'm glad I did, because I know he knows about these things. KATY So you're here for your money? JAKE And to visit for the day. I've decided to quit the sea. KATY You're getting too old, and you want your retirement money? JAKE I can still lift that bale with the best of them. But I am getting tired of it. KATY You wouldn't get very far establishing yourself without money. I can see that. But I don't know anything about it... Which account was your account? And where was it? William kept track of that. JAKE We were discussing it when you came in. We even hadthe account book out, and we were going to go get it. In fact, here it is. Then we got sidetracked. KATY That one? (Jake hands the passbook to her) JAKE It looks like you're a consigner on it. KATY Oh yes. We're consigners on all the accounts, just in case anything happened to one of us. JAKE That's very smart. KATY William thought so. He said it was a good idea... But it isn't a problem is it? JAKE Oh no. Of course not. Knowing how Willy is with money, I would have suspected that he would put both your names on it. I would be surprised if he didn't. I'm glad. KATY Oh good. I thought maybe you would... JAKE Be upset about it? Oh no. KATY He said it was a good idea. JAKE And it was, because it makes it so much easier, and so much safer. In case something happened to Willy, you could, you know... ? KATY Get the money. JAKE Right... (He looks at her suggestively, and taps the book in his hand. ) KATY I could get the money for you. Of course I could. I hadn't thought of that. Of course I could. Why don't I do that? Jake Thank you. Could you? KATY But you know there will be a penalty? JAKE (terse, suspicious) What penalty? KATY For early withdrawal. See here. There's a maturity date. Didn't William tell you? JAKE No he didn't, damn it. That is a problem... (feigns concern) KATY It could be as high as ten percent of the interest. JAKE Damn... But I need the money. KATY I'm sorry. I wish there were something-- JAKE I think I'll just have to bite the bullet and pay it though. KATY William would be happy to send it to you after-- JAKE No, that wouldn't work out. (pause) KATY Well, then, I'll get it for you. JAKE I would appreciate it. KATY You know, maybe I shouldn't though. JAKE What ? That's my-- KATY I don't think I would want to-- JAKE He owes it to me. KATY I know that. JAKE That's my money! I need that money! KATY I know that. JAKE (rising, threateningly) And you are going to-- KATY (calmly) But what will you do when you get it? of course I can get it for you, but what will you do when you get it? JAKE That's no concern of yours. I'll be out of your hair in an instant. KATY Can't you stay?... Can't you stay? We have a guest room. You two couldn't have had much chance to talk. You must have a lot of catching up to do. I'd be fascinated to hear more. JAKE Stay here? KATY If you can't, you can't. But we could call your mother and father. It would be a family reunion. Say you'll stay. JAKE You know, that sounds wonderful... And I'd really love to... KATY Of course you can. JAKE Not this time. I wish I could. But I really need to collect my money and move on. You see, I have this interview up north. KATY Even the night? JAKE Tomorrow. I really have to be there tomorrow. I could only stay long enough to collect my money. KATY So you have to have it today? I see... (William groans, stirs) JAKE If you don't mind. KATY It's a little disappointing is all. JAKE Some other time perhaps. KATY Your father and mother don't call here either. So I guess it goes both ways. That's so odd. Each family is different. You grow up accustomed to your own family, and you assume other families-- (William groans, stirs) You assume, other families, well... But it shouldn't take long. Half hour at most. The bank isn't very far. (William groans, sits up) JAKE There, you see, he's just fine. I'll watch him. You better go. KATY It's a good thing they have extended hours today. (She crosses to William and bends down to him) Will, honey, I'm going to the bank to get your brother his money. I'll be right back. (She stands and turns to leave) WILLIAM No Katy. Don't listen to him-- (Jake kicks his injured leg) KATY You just rest there. Stay there and don't try to get up. You're hurt, so you do what I'm telling you... I've had a long talk with your brother and I understand everything. I'll get him his money and I'll come straight home. Half hour at most... And I don't see why you ever kept your family such a secret. He's charming. Such a life. See if you can prevail on him to at least stay for dinner. WILLIAM (gasping, recovering) Katy. KATY Rest. Behave yourself. JAKE I'll make sure he behaves. KATY (reprimanding) You should have never been playing with guns. That was a stupid thing to do. Don't make me any angrier. We'll talk about it later when it's not in front of your brother. (She exits quickly, grumbling about it as she goes. long pause. ) WILLIAM Damn it Jake. I offered you enough. (Jake breaks out laughing) JAKE She's sweet. She's so sweet. (laughs) WILLIAM (grumbling) It's not your money. JAKE Where in the world did you find her? She's so perfectly, perfectly... WILLIAM Innocent? JAKE Yeah... And friendly. WILLIAM Damn it Katy. JAKE She's perfect. I love her. WILLIAM She's an airhead. JAKE Now Will, she's only doing what you should have done. (laughs heartily some more) You told her I was in the Merchant Marines. That's a classic. What? Afraid she wouldn't marry you if she found out your brother was a convict? (short pause) WILLIAM Do you blame me? JAKE I like it. The Merchant Marine. I think I can use it. WILLIAM Thanks. I appreciate it. JAKE I can get out of here without anymore harm done. We just wait... She's sweet. What a treasure. You lucked out brother. (Long Pause. Jake fiddles with the gun and it becomes a presence within the scene, as one or the other brother periodically ignores, manipulates, or is distracted by it. ) WILLIAM Why? JAKE What? WILLIAM Why?... JAKE Why what? WILLIAM Any of it. Do you even know? JAKE For someone who thinks they're so smart, you're pretty much an idiot. You just don't get it... You don't get it. You're a joke. WILLIAM The truth. JAKE The truth? WILLIAM I don't get it. The truth. JAKE Why? I'll tell you why... No, for what? Why shouldI? You just want to feel safe. (points gun flippantly) WILLIAM Safe? JAKE You want to put yourself above me... (shakes gun reprimandingly) WILLIAM I want to understand. JAKE You want to put yourself above me. You want to define me. You want to rationalize. You want to logic... You want to alphabetize, put me in order. Where I belong, you know, is it between paranoia and psychosis? Or someplace else? As long as you can place yourself clear of the fallout you don't care about the particulars... Okay. Why? You want to know whose fault it is? WILLIAM I didn't say that. JAKE You want to know whose fault it is. You want to lay blame. WILLIAM I didn't say that. JAKE I'll tell you whose fault it is. You want to know whose fault it is? You want an admission of guilt? It's yours. (points gun) WILLIAM Mine? JAKE Yeah, yours. WILLIAM How's it my fault? JAKE Because you're my little brother... You're my little brother... WILLIAM You're making this up. JAKE Why couldn't you behave? WILLIAM You're not going to talk to me, are you? JAKE I'm telling you you're to blame. It's you. WILLIAM Okay... I'm an idiot. Behave how? Why's it my fault? JAKE You should have behaved like a little brother. WILLIAM How could I not behave like a little brother? JAKE Selfishness... By being a selfish fucking asshole. Even now. Why does it have to be me? Why can't it be you?... It was bad enough that I had to live up to looking like Dad. Did you have to make it worse? I mean, you were my brother, you know. Why couldn't you have made it a little easier on me? Been a little more like me? Helped me out a little bit? But no, you couldn't. WILLIAM What could I have done? JAKE Come to my aid. Side with me against Dad. Stand by me. WILLIAM Oh... Right... That's what. (pause) JAKE But you're too damn selfish. You went into your little world of books and puzzles and didn't care. You've never cared about anybody but yourself. WILLIAM (short pause) 'Guess everything I say will sound like an excuse. JAKE Damn right. WILLIAM But I'm... I think you're missing something. . JAKE I was never good in school. I struggled with school the whole time. I hated going. And there, there you were, fuckin' breezin' along. It was bad enough to be compared to Dad. Those expectations were bad enough. But then came: Why can't you study like your little brother? Why don't you get A's like your little brother? Hey man, your little brother gets A's, your Dad's a fuckin' teacher, you must have been at the drinking fountain when they handed out the brains. You must be the dumb one of the family. (pause) WILLIAM I'm sorry. JAKE Damn right. And he took you under his wing. He made you the chosen one. WILLIAM He ignored me. JAKE I remember, when I was really little, Dad and I were close. He took me everywhere with him. He used to carry me on his shoulders. Like in that photo. You remember that photo? Our faces together? I was always with him like that. But school, that's what really screwed me. I remember teachers literally looking at my work, stuff I'd worked really hard on, and just shaking their heads. You might as well have thrown me in the dumpster... And Dad, he just kind of lost interest, you know. There you were getting the grades, and the attention shifted. WILLIAM But it didn't. I wasn't rewarded by your problems, or because... I'm not saying that it wasn't hard-- JAKE Hard?... Hard?... What do you know about hard? You've never had a hard day in your life. WILLIAM That's because you're such an authority. JAKE Why shouldn't I smash a few windows? Huh? Why not? Steal a few things if I wanted them? Why not?... You don't know anything... You owe me man. You owe me for all the stinking stuff you have because all your life long you were taking it from me. (pause) WILLIAM So that's what it comes down to? JAKE Damn right. WILLIAM Excuse me for being born then. (pause. They look at one another, and avert. Jake gets a strange look on his face, a half-smirk, then it disappears. He looks at William again. ) JAKE I was happy you were born. WILLIAM Doesn't sound like it. JAKE No. When you were a baby, when we were both really little, I think I had fun. Like I said. I'm telling you the truth. I don't think you remember... It was, uh... (He pauses long enough between words for his expression to change from one of contemplation, to one of malicious sarcasm) it was... WILLIAM What? JAKE Damn hard having a jackass for a brother. You grew up to be such a prick. (William sighs, relaxes, gazes at the floor) WILLIAM Yeah, I bet it was hard. JAKE I was just doing it to protect you. WILLIAM Sure. For my protection. JAKE If I didn't, my friends would have beat you up. WILLIAM To save me? I see. JAKE See an ugly bug you want to squash it. WILLIAM I embarrassed you then? JAKE Embarrassed? Yeah, you did... An evolution of embarrassment. Jackass, nerd, papa's boy. Like that. WILLIAM Mom and Dad were always bailing you out. I just tried to stay out of the way. JAKE Well that's your fault too. Maybe you shouldn't have... WILLIAM I had to be sure not to make any waves, because they didn't have time for anymore problems. You took all their attention. JAKE With anger. WILLIAM Their anger was wasted on you, so I couldn't afford to do anything wrong. Their message was: Can't you see that we have enough problems? Sit down and shut up. JAKE Hard on you, was it? WILLIAM No, not the same... Not like anything could be hard on me... We'll compliment you for being quiet and sitting in a corner. But they did punish me with you. Maybe that much is the same. More like (imitating. Strict voice) Don't you dare speak up, or you're turning out just like your brother... So I was the standard to live up to, huh? On my end that just made you the standard to live down. And they didn't miss a chance. JAKE Right. I can see that. Now I can see that. Of course they would have. WILLIAM It wasn't easy on me, the way you think it was. It was never that easy. We both had-- JAKE I never knew that. WILLIAM We both had problems. It was never easy. JAKE I see that... I see... (then becoming derisive) I never knew you were full of so much fuckin' self pity that you might really think you had it bad. (laughs) And you do. (laughs) You think you had it bad, and that's really a joke. Donkey boy with a thorn in his butt! WILLIAM Nobody suffered but you? You're a walking excuse. You must really hate yourself. JAKE Hate myself? I don't hate myself. (His laughter subsides) Hate? Damn it! You don't know hate... I know who I am. And I know who you are. And I love myself! Don't push that bullshit on me! If other people hate me, I hate them back. Even you. I know you hate me too. WILLIAM I don't. JAKE I told you I love you. Do you care? No. And that's because you're heartless. All the world is cold and heartless. They deserve what they get. WILLIAM No one deserves-- JAKE Do you think you deserve to live in this house? This fine beautiful house, while other people are suffering? Do you? You think you deserve this house because you're a pompous, selfish ass. People get what they deserve. Do I get what I deserve? I only give what I get. Pompous asses like you think you can look down on me. You stole this house from me. I should burn the whole thing down with you in it! (He shakes the gun in William's face, and William recoils from it. They stare at one another. Jake calms, then becomes flippant. ) But I won't. Because I love you brother. Even if you don't love me back... WILLIAM Do you think I liked seeing what you were doing toyourself?... When you got that grin, I learned to stay away. That sadistic, slack-eyed, asshole grin meant trouble. You were going to pick a fight. Why the hell should I stick around? I couldn't fix it. There wasn't a damn thing I could do about it. Talking to you was pointless. We grew so far apart it was like steering clear of a-- It's not that I didn't love you. I just couldn't watch it. JAKE I got news for you bro'. The drowning man didn't drown. I'm going to be fine. (Jake looks at the gun, then sets it down across the room from William. He paces. ) WILLIAM As a kid, I cried every time you were arrested until I just couldn't cry anymore.... You call it heartless, but what could I have done? JAKE You could have come to the trial, showed a little support. WILLIAM After you pleaded guilty to it, I couldn't. JAKE You should have been there. You're my brother. WILLIAM Maybe... I couldn't show support. JAKE You probably would have only embarrassed me anyway. WILLIAM What's the worst you could have said about me? Huh? He's got big ears? He studies too much? He's a nerd? Oh that's something terrible! But I got asked about you too. (mimics) Hey man, which one's your brother? (and answering himself) The one who can't walk a straight line, who's leaning up against a streetlight because he can't stand on his own. What's he do for a living? He takes. He's a murderer, rapist, burglar, kind of a jack of all crimes. (to JAKE) Embarrassed? No, I didn't tell her about you. Having you for a brother has been a continual torment... All my life I've worried that maybe I possessed some dormant gene that would make my brain chemistry go haywire. When I look at a woman, wondering if I could do the damage you've done. You have no right to talk about being embarrassed. JAKE Of course you could. WILLIAM Could what? JAKE You're just like me. Of course you could. You've got two strong hands. You've got a member. You just pick yourself a prime piece of ass and-- WILLIAM Shut up! JAKE Some snotty bitch then follow her. And you'll know instinctively the time because the blood will be-- WILLIAM It's not possible! JAKE Why not you? You think you're better than I am? Nobody's better. Didn't those bastards with their bulldozers tear into our neighborhood? Cut up all our trees? Pave our creek? They did it to us man. To spit on us as they passed. Remember when old man Bligh's dog bit into me? WILLIAM You were on his property. JAKE No. It was ours. What gives them the right? WILLIAM It's not the same thing. JAKE They have no right to have so much more. WILLIAM Nobody hurt you. JAKE It hurt... Sure it hurt. As surely as being kicked in the balls hurts. You don't think I know what I'm talking about? And it could have just as easily been you... (Long pause. Jake paces. He stops at the gun and picks it up, then spins it on his finger, and puts it down. He remains there and repeats this action. William watches anxiously, but then smiles, and then laughs. ) What?... What? WILLIAM Nothing. JAKE What? WILLIAM We used to do that as a kids. JAKE Do what? WILLIAM (imitates with his hand) The gunslinger routine. JAKE Like Gunsmoke? WILLIAM Like The Rifleman. JAKE With our toy guns? WILLIAM Yeah. (William laughs. Jake peers at him. William laughs again. ) JAKE (becoming offended) It's not that funny. WILLIAM You're different. That's it. JAKE That was a long time ago, and I didn't know what was coming or going. WILLIAM I can see what you meant now. (pause. Jake begins to speak , but something about William distracts him and makes him suspicious. ) JAKE You don't see crap! WILLIAM You're different. JAKE You're screwed. WILLIAM It's like, if you did what you see on TV. I mean, they show it to you, and it's there. You see it, but it doesn't really happen. It's not possible. JAKE What? WILLIAM But it's not possible what you see... Is it? (short pause) JAKE It could have just as easily been you. WILLIAM I see... JAKE You don't see! WILLIAM It wasn't you. JAKE You're terrified. WILLIAM No regrets then? JAKE Why in hell should I have any regrets? WILLIAM No regrets. JAKE You asshole! WILLIAM (matter-of-fact realization) You're innocent. JAKE Nobody's innocent! (short pause) WILLIAM (derisive, conclusive) Of course not. I can see that. JAKE What? You don't see any-- WILLIAM And all I am is a paranoid, materialistic, money-grubbing, self-serving, egotistical son-of-a-bitch. JAKE (objecting, defending) I paid the price and the price paid me. That's all. Get that into your head or you'll never understand. I'm not the villain you think I am. You're way off. WILLIAM Right. I see that now. JAKE Everybody in the world deserves what they get. WILLIAM There's no justice. JAKE There's no God. WILLIAM We're all just sinners in our own way. JAKE And death will come for you the same as it comes for everyone else. WILLIAM I understand. JAKE I don't see how you could. WILLIAM It's obvious, isn't it? Like you said, it's a matter of deserving. What you deserve, and what they don't. What you don't and they do. Us and them. Me and you. Good and bad. Right and wrong. JAKE You're fucked up. WILLIAM You don't want to be understood. JAKE Like you ever could. WILLIAM A dichotomy. A split. JAKE Shut up. WILLIAM Black is white. White is black. I am here and you are there and we are not together. JAKE No! Just shut the fuck up. WILLIAM I see everything, and what I see is nothing. JAKE I think you should just lay back down and we'll wait for you wife... (long pause) WILLIAM Why don't you stay for dinner? JAKE What? WILLIAM Stay for dinner. JAKE You don't want me to stay anymore than I want to be here. WILLIAM I'm not afraid of having you here. JAKE You should be more like your wife. WILLIAM She's an angel, isn't she? JAKE She's a pigeon. She's a perfect pigeon. WILLIAM I can't be more or less. JAKE You're either a pigeon or a hawk. WILLIAM Right. JAKE You should have given up right away. WILLIAM I see that... What's ten thousand dollars to me anyway? It's not as much as a brother. JAKE You're either a predator, or prey. WILLIAM And I know what I can't be. I have to admit it. JAKE Damn sure. WILLIAM You need the money and you deserve the money. I should have gotten it for you myself... You're still my brother, despite the differences. I think you've earned it. JAKE I have? WILLIAM Look what you went through to get it. Of courseyou earned it. And you deserve to have it. JAKE It's my money. WILLIAM And I'll be glad to see you take it. (long pause. They stare at one another. William is smiling and at ease, while Jake is mildly confused and agitated. William breaks it off and struggles to get up) I would appreciate it if you would... JAKE Oh, yeah. WILLIAM Help me up. JAKE Where? WILLIAM Onto the couch would be fine. JAKE Right. (They get him settled) WILLIAM And maybe you could get me a towel so that I don't get any blood on it... In the kitchen. (points) Thanks. (JAKE exits and returns) Great... My butt was going to sleep down there... (pause) JAKE You should put your leg up. WILLIAM It's fine... (Jake helps him) It's fine... It's all superficial. JAKE That's better. WILLIAM Thanks... Thank you very much. That's much better.. . (pause) That tin over there has chocolates left over from Easter. That one over there. Why don't we have some while we wait? (Jake is hesitant, then responds by retrieving the tin and offering it) I didn't have any-- You take some --I didn't have much lunch. (Jake helps himself to the chocolate, then sets the tin next to William) They're really good chocolate. (They eat in silence for a few moments. ) JAKE What little extra money I could get in prison I spent on chocolate. That, and cigarettes. WILLIAM Cheesecake, salted roasted nuts, and chocolate are my big weaknesses. JAKE You and cheesecake. I always preferred ice cream... WILLIAM Mom used to get you ice cream cakes for your birthday, remember? JAKE Now a good mud pie, that's the best, with really thick fudge topping. WILLIAM And mint chocolate chip ice cream? JAKE Yeah... Yeah, the best... (William passes the tin to Jake) WILLIAM Hot fudge sundaes. JAKE Extra everything. WILLIAM Whipped cream and nuts. JAKE And I get your cherry? WILLIAM I still can't stomach those things. JAKE My gain then... WILLIAM Are you sure you don't want to stay for dinner? JAKE Are you having hot fudge sundaes? WILLIAM No, but we could. JAKE Does Mom still bake those great apple pies? WILLIAM I haven't had one of those in years. I think you've had more than I did. JAKE I used to get them every six months in minimum security. But then I got into a little fight with a guard. He said I shook my fist at him, and made a big issue of it. That got me put in the hole, then transferred. WILLIAM That's too bad. JAKE The bastard. He started yelling at us, some insults. (The front door is heard to open) Anyway, you get it. He would have deserved it if we all jumped him. (The door closes) KATY I'm home. I got it. (pause. Rustling in foyer. She enters) You look like two boys caught in the cookie jar. You've got into the chocolates. JAKE Want one? KATY No, thanks. You two eat them. JAKE They're good chocolate. KATY I know. That's the problem. JAKE It's not a problem to me. KATY (giving Jake a small canvas tote) Anyway, Here it is. (She meets William's gaze for a moment, then averts back to Jake) And it was a lot easier than I thought. I was very lucky. You know how some days everything just goes right. I got a parking space right away. There was no line. The teller was very helpful. It was wonderful. Even the traffic lights cooperated. (Jake smiles and nudges William) JAKE (whispers) Perfect. (William returns the smile) KATY What? WILLIAM It's nothing. (short pause. Katy studies William, then perches at the edge of the couch near to him. ) KATY What have you two been talking about while I was gone? JAKE Catching up is all. KATY Good... It's gorgeous outside. You two should sit on the patio and I'll bring you something to drink. (then to William) Have you convinced him to stay for dinner? WILLIAM I was just asking that. (They both turn to Jake) KATY And? WILLIAM And? JAKE Well, you know, it's nice of you... both.. to offer... KATY Then stay. JAKE But I can't. WILLIAM Jake has a pressing engagement up north. KATY You can't reschedule? JAKE Unfortunately, no. I have a lot of ground to cover. WILLIAM And time is apparently an issue. JAKE Yes, it is... Time is an issue. KATY Make him stay. WILLIAM I've never been able to make him do anything. JAKE And never will (then to Katy) I would, under other circumstances, but no. I have to go. KATY There is this terrible business of the gun to clear up. JAKE I'll take it off your hands. KATY No. I think since William bought it, we should have it to show to the police and turn it in if need be. If the doctors, as you say, have to report gunshot wounds, I think we should have it. We might have to prove it was an accident, and we can't do that without the gun. Can we Will? You should have never brought that thing into the house. Here, let me have it now and I'll put it away someplace safe. (pause) JAKE I'll take the bullets out. We wouldn't want anyone else to get hurt. That way it can't be used against anyone, accidentally. WILLIAM Fair enough. JAKE (scolding) You should have never bought this thing Willy. It was really, really stupid. (Katy takes the gun and sets it aside) KATY I'll fix you a sandwich for the road. JAKE I've over-stayed more than I should have already. KATY It won't take long. JAKE No, thanks, really. (Jake and William look at one another privately, then to Katy. ) WILLIAM He can't. JAKE He's right. KATY Well then, don't forget your money. (She picks it up from where it had been set down, but William takes it from her and hands it to Jake) JAKE Thanks man. KATY You'll get used to being a landlubber now. JAKE A what? Oh so I will. (amused) Good bye brother. (They shake hands) I'll miss you. WILLIAM I'll miss you too... Thanks for coming. JAKE It was a pleasure. KATY (giving him the tin of chocolates) At least do me the favor of taking these with you. JAKE Okay, I will. WILLIAM I don't suppose I'll hear from you for awhile? JAKE Not likely. I'm not going to be back this way. (Katy crosses to Jake and hugs him, releases) KATY Take care of yourself. JAKE (to William) A real treasure. WILLIAM Don't I know it. JAKE Well thanks again, and good bye. (William and Jake go to shake hands, butthen end up hugging instead) WILLIAM Take care of yourself. JAKE I always do. (They follow him halfway to the UR doorway. He exits with a wave) KATY Come visit again. WILLIAM (quietly aside) Enough already. (The door is heard to open and close and they cross to the US window to wave. Pause. ) KATY Send us a postcard. Don't be a stranger. Bye.. Bye Come see us at Christmas. (He pokes her. She giggles) WILLIAM You're amazing dear. KATY Thank you honey. WILLIAM Merchant Marines. How did you ever come up with that? KATY Spur of the moment. Inspiration I guess. WILLIAM Amazing. KATY But we need to get you to the hospital. WILLIAM How soon will they pick him up? KATY He won't even make it as far as the corner. WILLIAM And you got the gun away too. KATY How sweet of you to notice. WILLIAM Ow, slowly. I can't go that fast. KATY How did things go while I was gone? WILLIAM Not too badly. All in all, not too badly. KATY I see. You had a nice visit then? WILLIAM Yeah. Pretty nice. KATY Any regrets about turning him in? WILLIAM No, of course not. He gets what he deserves. KATY And you? WILLIAM I've got what I deserve too. KATY I meant how's your leg silly. WILLIAM Despite a hot metal projectile ripping through my tender flesh and leaving a bleeding, gaping hole? KATY Just.. WILLIAM Fine. I'm okay. Emotionally even. Something I dreaded is over and I think I came through it quite well, maybe even better than I went in. KATY Really? WILLIAM Really. (They begin to exit, with William hobbling, and leaning on Katy) KATY Do me a favor though. WILLIAM Anything dear. (They pause slightly) KATY Tell me about any other psychopathic criminals you have in your family. I want to know before I meet them. WILLIAM I promise. (They continue to exit) KATY And I'll promise not to bug you to get closer to your family ever again. (They kiss in the doorway) WILLIAM It's a deal... (Exit with blackout)