Man-In-Sea

Scene 31

LINK

That boy couldn’t be on time to save his life.

ED

Sorry, Dad!

LINK

I told you to be here ten minutes ago.

ED

I know, I know, I didn’t mean to be late.

LINK

How do you expect to accomplish anything if you can’t even keep an appointment?

ED

It’s just that... well... I was over at the airfield...

LINK

I don’t care about your excuses! If I tell you I want you home at five, you’d damn well better be home at five! We were supposed to be at the Forum by now. I sent your brother to get the car to at least save a little time.

ED

I’m sorry!

LINK

I certainly hope so.

CLAY

Hey Dad?

ED

What?!

CLAY

N... Nothing... Mom is taking me to the airport. I just wanted to see you before I left.

ED

Oh... sorry, I didn’t mean to snap. It’s just...

CLAY

It’s okay, Dad.

ED

I was down here thinking, is all.

LINK

Always down there thinking. Got your head in the clouds.

ED

I guess I’ve just got my head in the clouds.

CLAY

Don’t worry about it. Listen... I... I just wanted...

LINK

You’ll never get anywhere in life if you just sit around daydreaming all the time.

CLAY

Those things I said yesterday... about you finding a place I can’t bother you...

ED

No, Clayton, it’s okay. Don’t...

CLAY

No, Dad, just let me talk.

ED

Clayton, please.

LINK

Do you think anyone will pay you a decent wage if you can’t even finish high school.

CLAY

I didn’t mean it, Dad.

ED

I know, I know. Stop, please stop.

LINK

You’ll spend your life digging ditches. You can’t raise a family like that.

CLAY

I’m sorry, Dad.

LINK

Your mother has no idea how much damage she’s doing.

CLAY

I know that ain’t true, I was just real upset is all.

LINK

I won’t be here to bail you out forever.

ED

Please! Just leave me alone!

CLAY

Mom says you will be back in Binghamton by the time I leave Germany. I guess I’ll see you then... Bye, Dad.

ED

Bye.

LINK

Am I wrong? Is that what the men in the shop tell you? Look who signs their paychecks. Tell me how much smarter than me they are?

ED

Leave me alone! Just leave me the hell alone!

LINK

Don’t you dare talk to me like that! Now look, there’s your brother. Let’s go.

MARION

Ed!

ED

You’ve got to hang in tight, Clayton, just hang on, okay? They have to be careful in that current, but they are coming for you. Hang tight.

MARION

Ed!

ED

What’s wrong?

MARION

The divers were pulled down on the wrong side of the ship!

LINK

I told them to compensate for current! It was tearing through that day.

MARION

By the time they figured it out, they needed to come back up for air.

ED

We’ll never get another one down there in time! Come on!

CLAY

I remember the cabin, Dad.

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.