Mother of Blue Stars

Episode 4

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!  Ma only meant she’s tired.  There’s nothing more to it. Right, Ma? Now please sit down.

MARY: I’ve been up since five o’clock.

RAYMOND: Yeah, Pop, see?  She’s been up all day she’s beat.  That’s all.  Let’s cut my cake.

[Beat]

ANDY: [Sitting back down] I want more coffee.

ELEANOR: I’ll get it!  Who else needs coffee?

RAYMOND: None for me, Sis.

MARY [Struggling to read]: Raymond, what’s this man’s name?  I can’t read his writing.  Yes, dear, I’d like more coffee.

ELEANOR: Here, Ma, let me have a look.  [Beat]  It looks like, So-tel-o.  Yeah, Sotelo.  Raymond, does that sound right?

[Beat; no response from RAYMOND]

MARY: Raymond!  Answer your sister!

RAYMOND: [Sighing] Yes, his name was Sergeant Sotelo.

MARY: What kind of name is Sotelo?  What are we dealing with?

RAYMOND: [Sarcastically]  He’s Slovak, Ma, just like us.

MARY: Sotelo is not Slovak.

ELEANOR: He might be Italian.

RAYMOND: He’s Mexican.  He’s from California.

MARY: Why is a Mexican from California making trouble in Cleveland?  Can’t he make trouble at home?  No matter.  I’m inviting him here.  He can have cake.  He will see you’re only eighteen and have no business in the Army.

RAYMOND: The Marines!

MARY: What is his telephone number?  Eleanor, is it there?

[Beat]

RAYMOND: He doesn’t have one.

MARY: Baloney!  Then go down and bring him here.  We’ll make more coffee.

Continued 9/26