Mother of Blue Stars

Scene 3

RAYMOND: Sorry, Sis, but we never agreed to that.

ELEANOR hesitates. 

ELEANOR: [Annoyed] So, Raymond, what’s your real reason for joining the Marines? We’d all like to know, right Ma?

RAYMOND: I was distracted when I moved! Ma was making a lot of noise with the pots and pans.  I should be allowed to go again.

ELEANOR: Well, I guess you can take it back, just this once.  But from now on, once your hand is removed, the move is over.  [Coyly]  At the same time, dear brother, howdaya know I’m not tricking you?  Maybe it’s a smart move and I want you to think it wasn’t.

RAYMOND: You shouldn’t talk when someone is trying to think.

ELEANOR: Oh, yes, I can see the wheels turning in your head.  A well-oiled machine!

RAYMOND: Dry up already, will ya! Here’s my new move.

ELEANOR: Are you sure?

RAYMOND: I removed my hand, didn’t I?

ELEANOR: Interesting.  So, Raymond, you wanna hear a couple of my theories for why you joined the Marines?

RAYMOND: Sis, it’s your move.  You’re taking forever!  

ELEANOR: Don’t rush me!  Now I’m thinking.  I don’t rush you.  [Beat]  Anyway, one of my theories, which we’ll call Theory A, is that you joined on account of Bertha Bernarski.  Everyone has seen her push you around.

RAYMOND: She’s an amazon, the biggest girl in school.  She belongs in a freak show.

MARY: What’s this about getting pushed around?  Who got pushed around?

ELEANOR: Raymond did, by Bertha Bernarski.  At school.  Lots of times.

MARY: Raymond, did you tell the principle?

RAYMOND: I can handle Bertha myself.

MARY: You should have gone to the principle.

ELEANOR: So my first theory is, you joined the Marines to escape big Bertha.  It makes perfect sense.  Ma, what do you think? Did Raymond join because of Bertha Bernarski?  

MARY: Raymond, is that right?  This Bertha-person made you join?  She made you sign your life away?

RAYMOND: She had nothing to do it!  And I don’t want to talk about it.

ELEANOR: Let’s see.  I think I’ll move . . . Bishop to Rook.

RAYMOND: Are you sure?

ELEANOR: Oh, I’m sure.  You won’t hear me whine about being distracted.  Or fib about being pushed around.

RAYMOND: For the last time, Bertha Bernarski has nothing to do with anything!  

ELEANOR: Okay, then. It was just a theory. [Beat] Do you wanna hear my other theory?  We’ll call it Theory B.

RAYMOND: I only wanna think about my next move, so please DRY UP!

Continued 1/13/15