Mother of Blue Stars

DOLORES: Mrs. Banas, are you superstitious? Do you believe, for example, that if you talk about something good happening – before it happens – then you run the risk of not making it happen?  That somehow you will jinx it?

MARY: I am not sure what you mean.

DOLORES: For example, let’s say there are rumors that the war is coming to a close, very soon.  Would you think that if you and your lady-friends talked about the war’s ending that you would stop it from happening?

MARY laughs.

MARY: How could a group housewives stop a war from ending?  Dolores, for a girl with a high school diploma you can ask nonsense questions!  

ANDY and ELEANOR join in the laughter

ANDY: I always say: don’t count your chickens before they hatch!

DOLORES: Yes, me too.  Don’t count your chickens before they hatch!  That is very good advice.  Dolores, you should write that down.  That is very important.

BEAT as DOLORES takes another note

MARY: Are we finished now? Did you get everything you wanted? 

DOLORES: I don’t know. 

ANDY: You look disappointed, Dolores.

DOLORES: I feel like a prospector panning for gold and finding nothing.  Mrs. Banas, I only need one little nugget. What can you share with me?  What makes the Mother of Blue Stars tick?

MARY: [thoughtfully] Tick? You mean like a clock? 

ANDY: Mama, you are not helping Dolores.

MARY: What do you want me to say?

ANDY: I do not know what you should say.

Beat

DOLORES: Mrs. Banas, thank you again for having me back, but I should go. I’ll write something with the scant little I have.  I’ll send a copy to you first - before it goes to print – for your yea or nay. Mr. Banas, would you please get my coat?

DOLORES collects her things and stands up 

Complete silence as ANDY goes to retrieve the coat. MARY smiles, relieved that the interview is over.  DOLORES looks away, out the window, waiting for an awkward situation to end. Andy returns with the coat and hands it to DOLORES.

DOLORES: Thank you, Mr. Banas.

ANDY: I am sorry, Dolores.

DOLORES: That’s okay.

DOLORES puts on her coat.

DOLORES: Mrs. Banas, thank you for the coffee.  Eleanor, all the best with school. I hope you choose a career in journalism – the world needs people to tell true stories! 

ELEANOR smiles

DOLORES: Well, goodbye, everyone.  Mrs. Banas, if you think of anything to add, please let me know. Here is my card.

DOLORES hands MARY a business card and then starts for the door

MARY: You are wrong, Dolores.

Concluded tomorrow.