Mother of Blue Stars

Scene 2

ELEANOR: Do we have a grease can?

MARY: Raymond, did you find a new one?

RAYMOND: I got a big Maxwell House can from work. It’s under the sink.  Go, Eleanor, your move.

ELEANOR: Where’d you move?  I missed it.  You didn’t announce it.

RAYMOND: Sorry kiddo.  If you weren’t paying attention, then tough luck!

ELEANOR: That’s okay.  I’ll figure it out.  [Beat]  Queen to Queen 4. Gotcha!

RAYMOND: Remember, Sis, it’s only a game.

ELEANOR: Ma, did you know Raymond got cut from the football team?

MARY: What was that?

ELEANOR: I said Raymond didn’t make the football team.

MARY: Raymond quit the team to focus on school.

ELEANOR: Is that what he told you?

RAYMOND: That’s exactly what happened.

ELEANOR: Raymond got cut because he wasn’t fast enough.  Did you know that?  But it’s no big deal, right Raymond?  Because, after all, it was just a game.

RAYMOND: That’s right.  It was just a game and school was more important.

ELEANOR: Ha!  Now that’s a big laugh!  If school were so important, then why drop out to join the Marines?  Lemme guess, the Marines are even more important!

RAYMOND: No, the war is more important.  And if there weren’t a war, for your information, I’d stay in school!

[Beat]

ELEANOR: Your move, champ.

[Beat]

RAYMOND: Knight to King 4.

ELEANOR: Are you sure?

RAYMOND: Yeah, I’m sure.  Hold on!

ELEANOR: Hold on what?  You removed your hand.  Once you take your hand off the move is finished.

RAYMOND: When did that rule take effect?

ELEANOR: When you taught me how to play, remember?  

RAYMOND: Well, that wasn’t official.

ELEANOR: Raymond, you can’t change the rules in the middle of a game!

Continued tomorrow.