CLAY
Dad, I need to talk to you.
ED
Sure, about what?
CLAY
I came out here to give you guys some news.
ED
Good news?
CLAY
I think so.
ED
And you haven’t told your mother yet?
CLAY
I couldn’t figure out how. I don’t want to upset her.
ED
Well I hope you aren’t looking for advice on that. I still haven’t figured that out.
CLAY
No, it’s good news... But... well... I’ve met someone.
ED
What kind of someone?
CLAY
Someone that I’m crazy about. She’s amazing... and she’s here.
ED
Here? In the house?
CLAY
Not yet. Soon. When I saw your car, I sent her to pick up some lunch. I need your help.
ED
What’s going on? Why are you here?
CLAY
She’s a flight attendant. From Seattle.
ED
She got a name?
CLAY
Maurine. She’s amazing, Dad. You’re going to love her... But it doesn’t matter, because Mom is going to kill me.
ED
What’s the matter?
CLAY
Maurine and I are here for the week.
ED
What?
CLAY
I put in for leave, told them my brother was getting married. Maurine snuck me on a flight. We came up here for a vacation.
ED
What on Earth do you need a vacation for? Clayton, if you want to pilot this sub, you should be concentrating on your studies, not...
CLAY
I know, Dad, I know, but...
ED
But nothing! Seward Johnson is not going to let you hop in his 2 million dollar sub just because you’re my son, you’re going to have to...
CLAY
Work... I know. I will. I swear to you, Dad. As soon as I get back to Hawaii, there won’t be another distraction until I graduate. But I’m here for the week, Maurine won’t be able to sneak me back until Friday. I need your help, Dad, please.
ED
All right, all right, I’ll do what I can, but I’m not making any promises.
CLAY
Thank you! Thank you so much, and I swear, as soon as I’m back, it’s nothing but training, I swear.
ED
Just follow my lead. Marion! Marion, come in here!
MARION
Clayton, did you call me?
ED
We’ve got some news.
MARION
We?
ED
Clayton is going to be my pilot.
CLAY
On the Sea-Link. Dad’s going to talk to Seward, I’ll be joining you as soon as I’m done with the Navy.
MARION
Clayton, that’s wonderful!
ED
That’s not all.
MARION
Well, I don’t know how to top that, unless you’re joining us next week.
ED
She’s here.
MARION
Who’s here?
ED
Mary Ann.
MARION
Mary Ann?
CLAY
Maurine.
MARION
Maurine?
ED
You don’t remember?
MARION
Should I?
ED
I told you last week. Didn’t you read the letter?
MARION
Told me what? What letter are you talking about?
ED
Can you believe this? The woman is barely sixty, and she’s already starting to forget things! I don’t know how we’ll manage in our old age if you’re going so early, dear.
MARION
Ed, you have not told me about a Mary Ann, a Maurine, or any letter. Clayton, can you please fill me in, your father is doing his best to cover up his own memory problems.
ED
His girlfriend! He’s brought her to meet us.
MARION
Here? Oh my God, Clayton! Nobody told me! I’m so sorry, we left the house a wreck, and there’s not a thing to eat...
CLAY
Mom, relax. Maurine went to pick us up lunch. She should be back here any time.
ED
So you just sit back and let her know what she’s getting herself into with a Link boy. Trust me, Clay, your mother’s stories will make you wish you were in Hawaii. Don’t you remember what she told your brother’s wife.
CLAY
Uh... That’s not all.
MARION
Clayton, I really wish you wouldn’t give us so much at once. My heart can only handle so much these days.
CLAY
Well... She’s not exactly my girlfriend.
ED
Not exactly?
CLAY
...We’re getting married.
ED
Married?
CLAY
In March.
MARION
Married? March? Clayton, that’s only two months, what are you talking about?
ED
Are you out of your mind? What kind of trouble have you gotten yourself into?
CLAY
No trouble, I swear. We’ve booked out a chapel in Pearl Harbor, we want you to be there, and Bill, and Aunt Marilyn.
MAN-IN-SEA
Cast of Characters:
LINK
An inventor. Also, Ed’s father.
ED
As Link remembers himself.
MARION
Ed’s wife.
CLAY
Ed and Marion’s second son.
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