Mother of Blue Stars

Scene 8

ELEANOR: Oh, yeah, I forgot.  Your grand strategy.

RAYMOND: That’s right.

MARY: Enough!  What’s going on?

RAYMOND: Nothing.

ELEANOR: Raymond!

RAYMOND: Ma, I’m finished setting the table.  Do you need me for anything else?

MARY: Watch for your father.  He should be home soon.  Now what’s all this talk about a valise?  Who’s leaving?

[Beat]

ELEANOR:  Ray-MOND?

RAYMOND: Good one, Sis.  Ma, there’s been a change in plans.  I was going to tell you later, but so much for that.  I don’t ship out in two weeks.  I ship out in two days.

MARY: What are you saying?

RAYMOND: I leave for the Marines on Monday.

MARY: This Monday?  You’re making another joke.

RAYMOND: No, I’m on the level.  See, that was Sergeant Sotelo on the line.

MARY: He’s coming over?  He’s bringing his girl?

RAYMOND: No, Ma, nothing like that.  He called with the news.  There’s an urgent need for new troops.

MARY: That’s baloney!

RAYMOND: That’s what he said.

MARY: I don’t understand.

[Beat]

RAYMOND: What’s to understand?  I joined up and now I’m leaving, which was gonna happen anyway.  I’m just leaving sooner.

ELEANOR: Ma, you okay?  You’re a little flushed.  [MARY does not respond; after a few beats] Ma?

MARY: I’m fine, dear.

RAYMOND: Ma, after supper I gotta head out and buy a valise.

MARY: Why don’t they give you one?  Why should you bring your own?  That doesn’t seem right.

RAYMOND: They’ll issue a duffle bag once I’m in.

ELEANOR: Raymond, you’d better go now, before the stores close.  I wouldn’t wait until after supper.

RAYMOND: You think so?

ELEANOR: Definitely.

RAYMOND: I really wanted some stuffed cabbage.

Continued tomorrow.