Mother of Blue Stars

Scene 6

ELEANOR: So my last theory, Theory C, is you joined for the uniform.  See, a uniform, a Marine uniform, will give you what you want, which is to be someone else.

RAYMOND: Sis, you’re pathetic.  Why should I be someone else?

ELEANOR: Raymond, how many times have you fetched Pop from the saloon?  And how many times have you placed yourself between him and Ma during one of his tirades?

RAYMOND: Where you goin’ with this?

ELEANOR: He might come home sloshed tonight, in one of his moods.  Are you looking forward to maybe stepping in?

[Beat]

RAYMOND: It’s your move.

ELEANOR: Answer the question, Raymond.  I’m not moving until you answer.

RAYMOND: What was your question?

ELEANOR: The question was, how do you like protecting Ma from our inebriated father?

RAYMOND: I do what I have to.

ELEANOR: And you think you have to join the Marines, for the uniform!  That uniform means you’re bigger than John Adams High and better than, well, this family.

RAYMOND: Sis, you’ve read too many textbooks.  It’s your move.

ELEANOR:  I’m finished playing.

RAYMOND: You’re forfeiting?

ELEANOR: I’m tired. [Beat]  And there’s the telephone!  How convenient!  Saved by the bell!  I’ll get it. [A few beats]  Hello?  [Beat]  Yes, he’s here.  I’ll put him on. Who’s calling?  [Beat] Oh, hi, Sargeant Sotelo.  How are you?  [Beat] Yes, yes, I’m fine too.  Hold on, I’ll get Raymond.  It was nice speaking with you. [Beat] Raymond, it’s Sergeant Sotelo.  

[Beat]

RAYMOND: Hello?  Oh, hi, Sergeant Sotelo.  What’s up?  [A few beats]  You don’t say?  Well, that’s interesting news.  [Beat]  Okay, no problem, I’ll be there.  Good bye, now.  [Beat, then to ELEANOR]  There’s been a change in plans.  He said there’s an urgent need for new troops.  They’ve moved up my enlistment. I ship out in two days.

ELEANOR: Two days!  Two days is Monday.  Wait ‘til Ma finds out.

[MARY re-enters]

MARY: Wait ‘til Ma finds out what?  And I heard the telephone.  Was it your father?

RAYMOND: It was a wrong number.

MARY: I heard talking.

RAYMOND: We spoke for a short time.

MARY: Why speak with someone you don’t know?

RAYMOND: He thought I was someone else.  I tried to explain.

MARY: That’s the problem in the world today.  People don’t listen!  So why should I care about a wrong number?

RAYMOND: I don’t know.  You know how she is.  [RAYMOND motions at ELEANOR] Chicken Little.  The sky is falling, the sky is falling!

Continued Wednesday.