Mother of Blue Stars

Scene 2

MARY: Baloney!

RAYMOND: Just coffee and toast.

MARY: You’re not getting on a train with an empty stomach!

RAYMOND: Something light then.  What’d you make Pop?

MARY: Scrambled eggs.

RAYMOND: I’ll have that.  And coffee.  No toast.

MARY: I’ll make it.  It’s no trouble.

RAYMOND: I don’t want it.

MARY: Of course you do!  The bread is homemade.  And we have jam.

ANDY: If I were you, son, I’d take the toast.

RAYMOND: [Jokingly] Say Ma, can I also get toast?

MARY: [Annoyed] RAYMOND!  You must have wax in your ears!  I told you I’d make it!

ELEANOR: [To Raymond] So, Captain America, are we packed?

RAYMOND: I crammed everything into that little suitcase.  I barely got it latched

ELEANOR: Did you remember your wool socks?

RAYMOND: Sis, I’m going to sunny California.

ELEANOR: So?

RAYMOND: Wool socks in California?

ELEANOR: What about after that?  After you leave California?

RAYMOND: I’ll probably get stationed in the Pacific, you know, the tropics.  Heat, humidity, lots of sun.

ELEANOR: So Marines don’t get cold feet, ever?  If I were you, I’d take the socks, just in case.

RAYMOND: Why?  Just in case what?  The Marines will have all the socks I need.

MARY: Raymond, are you wearing the Saint Christopher?

RAYMOND: It’s in my pocket.

MARY: You’ll lose it in your pocket!  Put it on.  It’s for your protection.

RAYMOND: I know.

MARY: Then put it on.

RAYMOND: I like it in my pocket.  Besides, what difference does it make?

MARY: It’s supposed to be around your neck, not jumbled with spare change.

RAYMOND: You know, Ma, the Marines will issue a set of dog tags. [A few beats; MARY does not respond] Didja hear me?

MARY: Put on the medal.

RAYMOND: They’re worn around the neck for identification.  They tell your name, serial number, blood type, and religion.

MARY: The Saint Christopher says you’re Catholic.

Continued Wednesday.