Mother of Blue Stars

Episode 3

RAYMOND: [Disappointedly] I thought you’d be happy.

[Beat as MARY reviews papers]

MARY: Where is the man’s name on this paper?  I need to talk with him right away.

RAYMOND: You wanna join too?

MARY: There’s no time for jokes, Raymond.  We need to cancel your membership.

RAYMOND: Cancel my membership?  Ma, I didn’t join the cub scouts.  I joined the United States Marine Corps, the finest bunch of fighting men in the country!  Maybe even the world!  Once you sign up there’s no turning back.

MARY: Baloney!

RAYMOND: It’s true.

MARY: Don’t worry.  We’ll fix everything.

RAYMOND: I don’t wanna fix anything.  I wanna go.

MARY: They don’t understand you’ve made a mistake!

RAYMOND: I didn’t make a mistake.  And I’m sure you, Pop, Sis and the rest of Cleveland can survive without me.

MARY: [At wit’s end] Papa, talk to your son.  Put your foot down.

ANDY: [Angrily] Why are you telling me what to do?

MARY: Because you’re just sitting there.

ANDY: The boy wants to go.  I say, let him go.  When I was his age, I wanted to leave the Old Country and my father showed me the door.  And I’m just sitting here because I’m tired.  I worked all day.

MARY: Well, I’m tired too.

ANDY: What are you saying?

MARY: I’m saying I’m pooped.

ANDY: I think you meant something else.

MARY: I meant I’m tired and nothing more.

ANDY: Are you picking a fight?

MARY: Papa, I’m not picking—-

ANDY: [Interrupts MARY and stands] Because if you want a fight I’ll give you one!

RAYMOND: Pop, that’s enough!

Continued 9/20.