Michael Brady To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday 357 W aoe Se, NYNY 200m. 2126271055¢ ‘To GILLIAN ON HER 37TH BIRTHDAY Copyright 1984 by Michael Brady Alll rights reserved. This work is fully protected under the copyright laws of the Uni No part of this publication may be photocopi stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, by any means, wise without tional copies of this i, oF other- her. Addi- lay are available from the publisher. ‘Written permission is required for live performance of any sort. This includes readings, scenes, and excerpts. For amateur and stock performances, please contact Broad- way Play Publishing, Inc. For all other right and Artists Agen 10019. please contact Jonathan Sand, Writers , 162 West 56th Street, New York, NY From Camo by Alan J. Ler publication and allied rights throughout the world. Internal © secured. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. USED BY PERMISSION, First printing: September 1984 Second printing: March 1985 Third printing: June 1986 ISBN: 0-88145-022-7 Cover art by Marguerite Woolf Design by Marie Donovan Set in Baskerville by Techna-Type, York, PA. Printed and bound by BookCrafters, Inc., Chelsea, MI For PatriciaCIRCLE LN THE SQUARE Coowwrown) 180 BLEECKER evneer — 284200 M SQUARE ENTERTAINMENT, INC. Mitchell Maxwell, Alan J, Schuster, Fred H. Krones cand ‘THE ENSEMBLE STUDIO THEATRE Dempster David 8. Artistic Director Managing present TO GILLIAN ON HER 37TH BIRTHDAY MICHAEL BRADY with FRANCES CONROY JEAN De BAER RICHMOND HOXIE CHERYL McFADDEN NOELLE PARKER SARAH JESSICA PARKER DAVID RASCHE Scenery by Lights by Costumes by ROBERT THAYER ALLEN LEE HUGHES DEBORAH SHAW Sound by Stage Manoger Music Composed by BRUCE ELLMAN RICHARD COSTABILE ROBERT DENNIS Associate Producer ANDREW R. MORSE Directed by PAMELA BERLIN —— cast (in order of eppearance) David... eee ceeeeeeseseeess DAVID RASCHE Rachel ve - SARAH JESSICA PARKER cindy cocseveses NOBLLE PARKER Kevin... re csesse+ FRANCES CONROY ses RICHMOND HOXIE Esthet oes voce ceeseseeesesee es JEAN DE BAER ++ CHERYL McFADDEN SETTING AA small island off the coast of New England, TIME ‘Aweekend in August. «2 specie announcement he performance. For Cindy, Roche, Kevin—Kerstin Kilo. THERE WILL BE ONE TEN-MINUTE INTERMISSION.ORIGINAL PRODUCTION NOTES To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday opened at the Ensemble Studio ‘Theatre on November 2, 1983. The cast members were the same as those appearing in the Circle in the Square production (see Playbill on previous pages; opening date: March 22, 1984) with the exception of: Ds James Rebhorn Kevin Heather Lupton Michael Brady's first play, Sara, was produced by Equity Li- brary Theatre. Korczak's Children, based on the life of child psychologist and Holocaust victim Janusz Korezak, has re- ceived readings at The Ensemble Studio Theatre and the American Jewish Theatre, and was named the first annual winner of the Gesu Award in Playwriting for 1982. To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday was developed through the literary de- partment of The Ensemble and was featured in their New Voices in the spring of 1983. Mr. Brady is a member of The Ensemble Studio Theatre-and is a recipient of a 1984 New York State Creative Artists’ Program grant.To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday isa play in two acts. "The time is the present. The place is the back deck and beach of David's island home. The action traces the final weekend of August. CHARACTERS DAVID, age 37, a college professor, temporarily retired RACHEL, age 16, David’s daughter CINDY, age 16, Rachel PAUL, age 38, David’s brother ESTHER, age 39, David’s sister ried to Paul KEVIN, age 28, friend of Paul and Esther, recently divorced friend married to Esther law, a psychologist, mar- GILLIAN, age 35, David’s former wife who died in a sailing rwo years prior to the events of the play; ACT ONE Scene One (From darkness, the outline of the northern sky at night, after moon Jall. Bands of stars in tuminous progression. Gradually the star light reveals a stretch of beach. In the background, a weathered house with a wooden deck. To one side of the house is @ small weather sta- tion—thermometer, barometer, wind gauge, and a rain bucket. Built into the wall is a small ledge with a log and a pencil. Sitting on the beach and looking skyward are DAVID, late thirties, RACHEL, his daughter, sixteen, and CINDY, also sisteen. All are in casual clothes—stweatshirts and sneakers. It is after midnight, in August.) DAVID: How long now? RACHEL: (Shines a small flashlight on her wrist.) Twenty-four minutes. alittle longer. You can’t rush these things. CINDY: Where's Perseus again? (Persoos) DAVID: (Correcting her pronunciation.) Pear-see-us. CINDY: Pear-see-us. DAVID: (Pointing) Right there. CINDY: And that’s where our meteors come from? RACHEL: No, that’s where they appear to come from. DAVID: Correctly qualified. CINDY: (Reaching for a large map ofthe heavens.) Can I chart it? RACHEL: You'd better let me chart that one. ' kind of complicated. CINDY: I-can do it DAVID: (To CINDY) Do you know what's special, what's very special about these meteors?2 ‘To GILLIAN ON HiR 37H BIRTHDAY Act One ‘They come back at the same time, year after year. In fact, a certain young person got launched under this very meteor shower. RACHEL: Daddy! DAVID: Accidently, of course. RACHEL: You're embarrassing me. ‘Now don’t be a prude, Rachel. Cindy is as good as CINDY: (To RACHEL) Hey, we all have to start somewhere. ‘They tell me I happened in a jeep. DAVID: You see? (Pause) All right, drum roll please . . . (CINDY provides this.) This year’s meteor shower is officially . . . over. (As the all begin to move.) Wait. Don’t you hear that? Listen. The waves . . . the waves are talking to us. RACHEL: Daddy sten . . . the waves are communicating. They are time. RACHEL: What are you doing? Rachel, just calm down. E trol, all right? The waves are saying . . for Cindy's quiz. Cinpy: Funny, I missed that. DAVID: Come on. (CINDY crosses to the telescope.) What’s the Irish constellation? CINDY: That's too easy. DAVID: Is that your answer? CINDY: Orion, as in O’Ryan. DAVID: Just helping you get warmed up. Now, find the summer triangle. CINDY: (Looking through view finder.) Got it. DAVID: The top star of the triangle, pulsing ever so slightly? 1g is under con- it’s time . . . time Act One To GILLIAN ON HER 37TH BIRTHDAY CINDY: That’s Vega. DAVID: And what’s special about Vega? CINDY: Recently discovered evidence of a new solar system, DAVID: Yes! There are planets up there! New worlds spring- wven as we speak. Think about that, just for a all happening again, the same glorious business. Another Jupiter, a new Saturn with her rings of crystal and ice. ‘And it has always been right in front of us, but we couldn’t sce. We are here to create new life! That is the message of Vega. But we forget. We lack vision. Just look at what passes for our literature. Have you looked at our literature lately? CINDY: I’ve been pretty busy lately. . DAVID: Well, I’m depending on you. You will be the next creators. Hold on to the eternals! Watch out for all this feel- ing business. You and me and what are you feeling, and I’m fecling and blah, blah, blah. Look to that which endures. ‘The sea, the sky, the stars, memory, and the human heart, ‘These are the eternals . .. cmp RACHBL: Daddy, come back. Daddy! DAVID: Where were we? RACHEL: Cindy’s quiz, DAVID: What do we call the brightest star in the constellation? CINDY: The alpha. DAVID: The alpha... (Pointing skyward.) Who is that fellow? CINDY: Sirius. In the constellation of the dog, arf, arf. And what's special about Sirius, arf, arf? sirius is the brightest star in the sky, the alpha of the DAVID: You're on a roll. Show me where the morning star will rise.4 ‘To GnuiaN on Her $71H Bueripay Act One Cinpy: (Points low on the horizon.) Right there. Davip: And what's incorrect about “Morning Star”? Canny: It’s not a star. It’s Venus, wl a planet. Davin: That was terrific, really. Exc you dont make A's lent. 1 don't see why + Tack motivation. : Well, keep at it. You never know when they'll bring back College Bowl. Quick recall. Cinpy: .. of specific fact. I think I'll take my chances. (A wave breaks against the shore, quite loud.) Davip: Oh, that was a nice one. When the surf got wild and crazy like this, your mother used to come down here and wail like a Banshee. You remember? (Pause) Am I talking in a vacuum? RacuEL: I remember, Daddy. I was down by High Surf today. There was this guy Davin: What? Now you know the rules. 1 don't want you swimming at High Surf Beach. RacueL: I didn’t go in the water. Davin: There's an undertow. And there's no lifeguard. You don't go to any unauthorized beaches. RacHEL: I was just talking to this guy. Davin: Not at High Surf. Racwen: All right. Cinpy: (Pointing skyward.) What do you call that one? Davin: That big red one we call Aldebaron. Canby: Is that like Al de Baron of England or something? Davin: No, but good wy. Aldebaron is a Persian word. It means “the follower.” Cinpy: Oh yeah? WON Her 377 BiRTHDAY And if that doesn’t meet your fancy, we can rename it. For each generation must rediscover the universe. Yeats said that. Or maybe it was Joyce... Anyway, for Al- debaron let’s say Ward. And we'll all that one June. And that cone Wally... . And that little rascal over there? No? That's the Beaver. CunD¥: What is he talking about? RacieL: My father is being involved. I's an old TV show. inv: (To Davin) You are really heavy into daytime tele- Davin: Guilty. Cunpy: Well, watch it. Too much of that stuff can make you sterile. And you wouldn't want that. Davin: Heaven forbid. (Crossing 19 RACHEL, who is looking through the telescope.) You will be relieved to know, Rachel, that in your absence the stars have not shifted in their orbits RacHeL: I wasn't gone that long. DAvib: Two months? Reminded me of the old days. Your mother off in Sumatra or the Serengeti, or the San Diego Zoo, an orangoutang under each arm. Waiting for the sum- mer to end and Gil to come back to us, dirty and happy. Except this year it was me... . and Cindy, waiting for you to come back. (Pause) Where's your mother's hat? RACHEL: What? Davip: Her hat. Her lucky special hat. I've been looking for it RACHEL: It's around. Davip: Where? RACHEL: I don’t know. Around. Somewhere. Davin: You've seen it? RACHEL: No, but it's got to be in the house somewhere. Davin: Having spent the worse part of four days taking the6 To GILLIAN ON Her 877 BiRrHDAY ‘Act One house apart drawer by drawer, I think I can say your mother's hats not around in the house somewhere. You haven't passed the hat along to your aunt? RacueL: Daddy, I didn't take Mommy's hat. And Aunt Esther would never take something that didn’t belong to her. Davin: I'm just rying to ensure that your mother's hat doesn’t end up in the trash. Is that so terrible? Rachel, you are be- ginning to pick up some of your aunt's less appealing char- acteristics. You two must have had some interesting conver- sations. What to do if Daddy's acting a litle strange when you get back, especially as we get near the anniversary of you- know-what. RACHEL: Daddy, you've got to learn to discharge. Davin: Discharge? Oh, really? RACHEL: Yeah. Davin: Learn to discharge? Now that is the voice of Esther. Ido not have to learn anything, young lady. And I hope you're prepared to play the host tomorrow, because I arf not. Cunpy: 1 just saw one! DAVID: Where? (C1NDY points) Wrong quadrant. Canby: I really did, honest. DAviD: No, not official INDY: How come you always decide what’ official? Davip: Knowledge is power. (Turning back fo RACHEL.) Rachel, Thave been what is called a good sport to this point. Tell me who is coming tomorrow with Esther and Paul, just who this surprise visitor is. That would be very adult of you. RACHEL: Yeah, but then if told you, it wouldn't be a surprise , Rachel. Now listen to me. If your mother were here, she would explain to you that most mammals, and And it is not uncommon for the surviving mate to remain . .. apart, after the death of his, Act One ‘To Giusaw on Hen 377 BietHpay 7 companion, and that mourning for two years, or for alifetime, is an accepted part of the natural world, despite what you aunt might tell you. I expected better of you. I really did, (To Davi) Do you know what it’s called when there are a lot of waves all together? Hey, I'm talking to you, Ciwpy: That's what they call me. Remember you said one night ... an exaltation of nightingales, right? So what's “blank” of waves? A lot of waves, all bunched up? Lam at a loss. Davip: Official, Cinpy: My first stump. A girl always remembers her first. You ready? A lot of waves all bunched up is called, ta da, a roost Davip: A roost. Cinpy: And if a wave is real long, like the one we saw last, February, you call that the fetch of the wave. Davi: (Laughs) The fetch. Cnvy: Precisely. Davin: The fetch of a wave. That's very nice. And it’s also very late. (To C1npy) Run tomorrow? RACHEL: It's supposed to be very hot tomorrow. Davip: Don't nag, Rachel. (To Cinby) Fetch me early while it’s still cool CINDY: I'll... roost you out. (Starts 1 go.) Well, goodnight. DaviD: Goodnight, Cindy. (Cinpy and RACHEL walk off a small distance, then stop.) Ractet: Fetches and roosts?8 ‘To GiutiaN on Hex 87 1 BierHDAY ‘Act One Cinpy: I'm sorry. I was running out of diversions. He likes to talk about waves. RACHEL: He likes to talk about anything. Canby: Waves especially. So I read this book. RACHEL: Oh, you read a book! Wo! Cinpy: Don't go all razors on me. RacueL: I'm sorry. God, you heard him going at me. And why is he talking about the hat? Cinpy: I don't know. He likes to talk. Sometimes he gets a lite carried away. RACHEL: He stares into space, at nothing. And he talks to himself, Canby: Everybody talks to themselves. RacHEL: This is different. Cinpy: So I'l stay over. Racin: No. Canby: What's the big deal? RacHeL: No big deal, but no, Cinpy: Sure, So who is this mystery woman, person, thing, it, anyway? RACHEL: My lips are sealed Cinpy: Come on. RACHEL: We'll all be nice and relaxed tomorrow, Cindy. aN y: I'm going home right now and put on my nice face. RacHEL: Now just don't pull anything, you've promised, okay? Don't let him run too much. And if he gets wobbly .. Cinpy: ... Ill sit on him, promise. RACHEL: By the way Cinpy: He said nightingales. ‘Act One RACHEL: He's wrong. It happens. Cimpy: I am crushed. (CINDY exits. RACHEL returns fo DAVID, who is busy with his star charts.) Racutt: This boy 1 met at the beach today. He's pretty in- teresting. (Pause) Davip: Sorry, kiddo, I just went vacant. What was that? RACHEL: Nothing. No big deal. Davip: Come on now. Out with it. RactieL: Nothing. Davib: It sounded more like a something. RACHEL: This boy on the beach, he talked about cybernetics. I didn't know what he meant. «robots, artificial RACHEL: No, Daddy. Davin: I guess it would be engineering, for the basics, and ‘math, logic, and programming RACHEL: I said no! I just wanted to know what the word meant Davin: Sorry, I guess I'm not listening. Your mother always said that was my worst fault. RACHEL: Don't be mad about tomorrow. Davin: I'm not mad. RACHEL: This is me you're talking to. Davip: Annoyed, maybe. RacHEL: Then don't be annoyed maybe. Daddy, when you ‘meet somebody in a social situation, you don’t have to do anything, unless you want to.10 To Gi.iaN on He 87TH BirTHDAY Act One Davip: Aren't I supposed to be saying this to you? RacuEL: You did, last year. It was terrific advice, I recom- mend it. (Pause) Don't stay up too late. Davip: I won't RACHEL: I miss her, 100, every day. (Pause) Ci ing the star charts? ly’sbeen keep- Davin: Uk-hmm. RacHEL: I thought I was the official star chart keeper. Davin: You are RACHEL: Always and forever. Davin: ... But when the offi unofficial keeper some practice. 1 keeper is away, we give the RacHEL: Did you miss me? DAvip: Of course I missed you. (Pause) RactteL: Don't forget to take your potassium Davin: Would I do that? RacHeL: I mean it. You take them or I'll tell Aunt Esther. Davin: Ah, there’s my modern version of the Apocalypse. (Reaches into pocket, pulls out bottle of pills, takes one out. Moves hhands around.) Pick the hand with the pill! Just twenty wins yuh fifty, twenty wins yuh fifty RACHEL: (Picks a hand.) ‘The pill Davin: (Moving hands again.) Pick the lucky hand RACHEL: Cut it out. (DAVID swallows the pill) Aren't you com: ing in? Davio: In a minute Racitet: It’s getting late, Davin: Let’s not get started again, Rachel. RACHEL: Please come in with me. ‘Act One To GrutaN on Her 37rH BierHDay 1 Davin: I'll see you in the morning. (RACHEL exits) Good night (Davin distens to the waves breaking against the shore.) Gil, Gi Tonight? Please? I'm forgetting the details. (Slowly a thin are of light moves across the stage and fades, Davi following the falling star with his finger.) Gil. (Closing his eyes.) 1 wish I may, I wish T might, but oh, God, I’m certain I won't have the wish I wish tonight. (Stage lights gradually fade.) Scene Two (The following morning. Kevin and PAUL ave staring at the water. PAUL. isin his late ¢hirtes, KEVIN is younger, late twenties.) Kevin: Beautiful. Exactly as you promised. Pavt: You see? Kevin: Now stop holding out on me. PAUL: Kevin, would I do that? Kevin: Don't do the charm number either. PAUL: You're just nervous about meeting an available male. Kevin: I am nervous, but that’s not what’s wrong. PAUL: You were the same way on your blind date with that guy who wanted to mass produce gerbils as an alternative food source. Kevin: David is not a blind date. The two of you are sitting on something. I would like some details. PAUL: (Growls) Esther gave you the det Kevin: Esther told me “boating accident. PAUL: We were on their boat. Clear skies, no small-eraft warn- ings. David was atthe wheel, or whatever you call those things. Gillian was half-way up the mast. She liked to do things like12 To GILLIAN ON Her $77H BierHDAY ‘Act One ‘Act One ‘To GILLIAN on Her 87H BieTHDAY 8 that, drove me half crazy. ... We hit something. Submerged debris. Gil fell and hit her head on the deck. An accident, enters, jogging. She stops, stretches, oblivious to KEVIN, then runs toward the deck.) Kevin: Rachel. Hel 1 Kevi: Why are you making this so difficult? There is some- thing else Canby: (Slowing down) No. I'm not Rachel Rachel's. I'ma friend of PAUL: This was two years ago, and. .. Kevin: Ah. My name is Kevin. Cunpy: Oh? Kevin: And? PAUL: And it was also Gillian’s birthday. Which is also to- Ki Kevtw: I'm with Paul and Esther. Do you know . Cinpy: Sure. Got it. (Crossing to KEVIN, shaking hands.) Cindy. No one’s here. Kevin: We noticed. Oh, Pa aut: We didn't even think it all out til just a few days ago, ‘And we thought you would have backed out, Kevin: I would have. Cinpy: Rachel’s at the supermarket. She's into that stuff. Kevin: And David? Cinby: He's still jogging. South side by now. We usually pace ‘each other. You know Mr. ... You know David? Paut: And we thought that would be a waste of a perfectly decent weekend. Kevin: Paul... KEVIN: Yes. I took a lot of his courses in college, years and years ago. Paun: Just relax. Kevin: I hate it when you tell me to relax. Did it ever occur to you that I don’t need the competition, that maybe I don't need to be compared to that overgrown golden retriever he ‘was married to? Cunpy: Oh, so you're the one. Kevin: He's talked about me? Cunpy: No. (Pause) He doesn't teach any more. Kevin: Well, maybe hell get back to it, (Pause) Cinpy: He didn’t think you'd be here this early Kevin: Well surprise him, then. Canby: (Starts to run off) I don’t think he's all that fond of surprises. PAUL: Oh, (ESTHER appears at the door.) EsTHER: (To PAUL) You may think I enjoy unloading the car by myself. You would be wrong. (To KEVIN) Not you. (ESTHER axils.) Pau: (Starting to exit.) Why don’t you just concentrate on all that water? I'm told it has a soothing effect, though it’s never done a thing for me. (PAUL enter from he howe. KEN Z PAUL: (To CinDy) Hi, muscles. (CINDY stops, us one foot behind hher head. and turns.) Cinpy: Hello, Mr, Cerebellum. : Paul PauL: Concentrate, I'm prepared to put that in writing (PAUL exits. KEVIN concentrates on the water. After a beat, CINDY4 ‘To Guta on Her S7rx Bierupay Act One PAUL: (Exaggerated) “Cerebellum,” score one for the tyke. Have you two met? Canby: Check. I'l tell... David you're here. Kevin: No need. Cinpy: No problem. Oh, don't worry (Starts to exi, stops.) I won't spoil your surprise. (CINDY exit.) Kevin: The kid next door? Paut: You got it. Kevin: She didn’t seem overjoyed to meet me. Or is that just the charming aloofness of the natives? PAUL: She's all right, A litde hormonal at times, but all right. Kevin: This is the wrong time to be doing this. PAUL: You're not doing anything, except getting away for a few days. Kevin: I go back tonight. PaUt: Would you stop? You're our guest, now start acting the part. (ESTHER enters from the house, ate thirties, dressed for the beach. She crosses to them, sniffs the air.) EstHen: Did I tell you or did I tell you? Kevin: You told me. EsTHER: You bottle it, take it back and sell it. Its that good, (Breathing) Come on, let’s do it. In good stuff, out shit. In good, out shit. Kevin: I'm going to explore a bit PAUL: Come back. (KEVIN smiles and slowly walks off) EstHER: In good, out shit. PAUL: Would you stop? Ester: Would you take that burr out of your behind? ‘Act One To Gi.iaN oN Her 3771 BixrHDAY PAUL: You have the potential here for real disaster. EsTHER; You want to not use your mystic tone of voice? Paut: Esther, the potential for real, honest, nice people dis- aster. ESTHER: Just what are we doing? Kevin wants to mect men. She asks you; we arrange. End of story. PAUL: Not quite, Esther, not quite the end of the story. We didn't just happen to forget tomorrow is Gil’s birthday, we didn’t just casually overlook the most traumatic event in all of our lives. Ester: Are you through? Kevin can take care of herself. She's a big girl. PAUL: I'm talking about David. ESTHER: You are always mouthing off that you are his oldest friend. You could do something, you know, instead of criti izing. PaUL: I'l handle it in my own way. ESTHER: Look, Kevin is here, so let's just make the best of it, shall we, Mr. Negativity? PAUL: You're bulldozing, Esther. Esrner: Such a charming, subtly hostile, faintly masculine choice of phrase, bull dozing. Pavt: You are bulldozing, and I'm letting you get away with it (RACHEL enters. She puts down a bag of groceries and crosses to them.) RACHEL: Hi, hi, hi. How's your dog? ESTHER: Good, how's your dog? RACHEL: Good. PAUL: (Examining bag.) What's allthis? RACHEL: We call it food, sahib.16 ‘To GILLIAN ON HR 377H BIRTHDAY PAUL: We can get the food, we have the car. RACHEL: I have the bike. ESTHER: She's self-reliant. What'd I tell you? RACHEL: I like to do the errands. You two shouldn’t have to worry about anything while you're here ESTHER: You hear that? It’s her way or the highway, right? RACHEL: Right. ESTHER: the blood. Wel RACHEL: Okay. (RACHEL ESTHER: Did you miss us? RACHEL: Yeah. You miss me? ESTHER and PAUL: Yeah. ESTHER: How you doing, let me have it. RACHEL: I don’t know. He keeps running, all the time. PAUL: All that health, bad for you. ESTHER: Shut up. RACHEL: I uy to get him to take his potassium, but he makes me feel like a nurse or something ESTHER: You know, I asked how you are, not how’s Daddy. RACHEL: Yeah, right. There's this boy. PAUL: Ah hab, back a week and already you've got a boyfriend. RACHEL: I don’t have a boyfriend, Uncle Paul. I am eyeballing a boyfriend. ESTHER: He likes? (RACHEL shrugs.) He talks? RACHEL: He talks. ESTHER: That’s something. Are you involved? Nothing is a problem. You need help? RACHEL: (Laughs) No, it’s not that. I don’t even know his me look at you. rls around.) ‘Act One ‘To GILLIAN ON HER 377TH BIRTHDAY PAUL: Doesn’t mean a thing. ESTHER: (To PAUL) Your mouth. (To RACHEL) You talk to me, I mean it. Morning, noon, or night. Sex, biology, babies, no babic RACHEL: Aunt Esther . . ESTHER: The works, you hear me? RACHEL: I’m okay on biology. It’s all the other stuff. PAUL: What other stuff? RACHEL: I just want things to be Quiet? And Daddy normal, you know? ESTHER: Look kiddo, David, I ove him, Ido, but when he starts his lost-in-the-stars routine, no one can put up with him, So you leave him to me. PAUL: Esther. . . ESTHER: Shhh. RACHEL: He thinks you took Mommy's hat. ESTHER: What? RACHEL: Or he thinks I did. He's out here every night, sometimes all night (DAVID enters, running. He stops, begins to stretch. CINDY enters a few steps bekind.) PAUL: David! ESTHER: Hello, David. Hi, Cindy. DAVID: Well, the same old cast of characters. ESTHER: How are you, David? DAVID: We're not playing the dating game today? Don’t tell me there’s been a sudden outbreak of good taste. PAUL: There is someone we'd like you to meet .18 To GinttaN on Hx 371n Brerripay Act One Davin; Then it is to be Christians and lions. All right, lets get this over with. Where is she? (To Cin) In the trunk, J hope, gasping for air? Paut: David. RACHEL: (To EstHER) You see? He's been like this all week. DAvip: Oh he has, has he? (To ESTHER, throwing his towel down on the deck.) Getting little updates from the front? ESTHER: Let's just slow down and take this back to step one. How are you, David? Davin: Lam fine, Esther, how are you? And 1 am well-tuned emotionally, despite obvious stories to the contrary. RACHEL: DAvip: (Stretching, not looking at RacHtEL.) Sounds like some- ‘one's been telling stories. . Daddy, 1 do not tell stories. RACHEL: Daddy, you look at me if you are talking to me. I do not tell stories. We are a family. You don't tell stories when you're talking to family. Mommy said that all the time. I know you mean well... iddy, this is for you. Becatuse we are all worried about you, Fm sorry, but I think its time you start talking real women again. You can't. . Davin: Let's just stop it right there, young lady. RactEL: Daddy, can’t you see what's happening? Davi: What's happening is you are going to your room where you are going to think very carefully about what you just said. ‘And you are going to think about privacy, and what that ‘means, Do you understand? (RACHEL runs into the house, EsTHER following.) Davin: (Stopping EstHeR) Esther, I can handle this without any more of your assistance. And my oh my, | wonder where Rachel picked up her new confrontational style? Act One ‘To GiLAN on Her 871i Breripay " EstHER: She is saying what she thinks. If you would slow down enough to hear her, you would know that. (Davin exits, ESTHER starts to follow.) PAUL: Mind your business. EstHer: This is my business. Paut: Esther, she's not ours. ESTHER: I am aware of that. (ESTHER exits into the house.) Pawn: (To Cinpy) Heavy surf, young one. Cinpy: A minor squall, old one. Paut: Not so old. Cany: Not so young. (CINDY sticks out her tongue. PAUL replies the same.) PAUL: They are all mad here / Save me and thee / And I'gin to have / My doubts on thee... Looking forward 10 sehool, Cindy? Ginpy: Why don’t you go beat up smal Paut: You mean I'm not? Cinby: You should have kids of your own to pick on. How come you don’t? Pavt: Don't what, you nosy little bug? Cinpy: You heard me. Paut: Well, Gindy, that decision is a highly personal and intimate choice between two people. Canny: Forget it. PAUL: No, no, I'll answer your question. Because despite the difference in age between us, despite what some people might see as the difference in intelligence Cinpy: Uh-huh, PaUL: We trust each other, that's all I'm trying to say. Cindy,20 “To Giutiaw on Her $71H Brerepay Act One the reason Esther and I don't have children . .. God, this is painful Canby: Then forget it. Pave: he reason is—we were aft you. Ciny: Yeah, yeah. You wor they'd turn out like "tbe so nasty if you exercised. Paut: Whenever I get the urge to exercise, I lie down until it passes. Canny: It wouldn't hurt. You wouldn't be 80. PAUt: ...toadlike, shall we say? You be nice or I won't tell you any more jokes. Canby: Such an awesome threat. Who's your friend? Paut: Oh, the wheels they are a-turning, Better ask all the pertinent questions before she gets back. Canny: [ asked a question. PAUL: (Looking off)) She’s turning around. Cinpy: Haven't you heard? Civilized people respond to ques- tions. PAUL: Do I detect a veiled threat in that over-glanded and muscle-bound young body? Canby: I could bust your transmission, if that's what you're saying. PauL: Kevin is my co-worker. Together we give money to the socially and artistically worthy. Cinpy: You do that? , PAUL: She does. I give money to those who bribe me, pref- ‘erably with sexual favors, Cinpy: You're very gross. PAUL: You're very cruel. Cinpy: (Whispers) Here she comes .. ‘Act One To Gu.iaw oN Hn 377 BixrHDAy 21 PAUL: (Whispers) Jealousy is a terrible thing in one so young. Canby: (Whispers) You want to sleep with the fishes? (KEVIN enters.) KEVIN: Hello, again. CANDY: 'Lo, (DAVID enters from the hous, picks up his towel, and notices KEVIN.) Davip: I must give Esther credit. Thisisa big-league surprise. Paul: You remember Dawio: ... Kevin, yes indeed, Kevin: Hello, David. lever forget distinctive appell 1v) Appellation meaning . . Canby: I know. ns. One of my rules, Davin: (To Kevin) Have you met? Canby: Cindy. Three times. Pau: I'll get our things in, (Starts to go; to C1NDy.) Yoo-hoo? C1npy: (To Davin) Same time tomorrow? Davin: Well, itis pretty warm. Kevin: We could get up early. PAUL: Another one. (PAUL exits into the house.) f you're on the track by ten of seven... you can lap the campus three times before the Cinpy: You two used to run together? : Yes, we did. Kevin: Every other day for two years. (PAUL'S hand appears at the door, his finger pointing at C1NDY. Canby slowly exits.)2 ‘To GrtttaN oN HeR 37H BIRTHDAY Act One Kevin: So, is your wife's birthday. Davin: Please Kevin: And they couldn't have told meall this days ago, because wouldn't be here now. I thought I'd surprise you. T thought ‘would be funny or . .. I'm not sure what I thought. (Pause) .¢ explanation? KEVIN: Yes. (Pause) And I'm perfectly willing to take the next boat out of here. DAvip: Well, that seems a bit drastic, since you're here. Look, let me give you the tour, and you can decide if you want to Wall, well do Main Street and come back by the beach. need to know where the waves come from. They begin in fetches. Kev: Fetches? Davin: Fetches and roosts. (They exit, and the lights slowly change.) Scene Three (Later that same afternoon. One by one the women enter in bathing suits, They spread towels and sun bathe, apply tanning creams, sun screens, zinc oxide, etc, All this i done slowly, without haste, The ‘women smile to each other, but do not talk. Finally PAUL enters, fully dressed with a large hat, After a moment, DAVID enters. He surveys Act One ‘To Gi.tiaN on Hex 3754 BrerHpay 3 the scene, crosses to his weather s 1, and begins making noes in the bound log) Paut: (To Davin) So, how long has it been? Davin: (Still writing) What? PAUL: Since we saw you—months, right? Too long. You should ‘come visit us more often. We'll go Chinese every night. DAVID: We just got a Chinese, Paut: The Yat not Chinese. talking selection. Davin: We have a very nice sélection, PAUL: You've got to have the city, cradle of civilization. Rub up against the other animals. Davin: I’m fine right here. PAUL: What about all the b he give and take of the Davin: Just the way I like it, aus Right (Searching for a newspaper clipping.) 1 saved this for you. Davin: From the freak week's newspaper, in its glorious entirety Hogs? Question mark? JPI) The body of a ta South Side meatpacking firm, gs. Name suppresse: sd dead at Mercy Hospi investigators said the victim's face and abd chewed. They said about 100 hogs wer the victim's clothes were hanging neatly on a nearby fence. ‘An autopsy was scheduled. is State Ur Libra Normal um4 To GULIAN ON Her 37H BIRTHDAY Act One Davin: Let's h pe so. EsrHeR: (Still sunning) Can't you keep them to yourself, just PAUL: Oh, but it’s so much better to share. EsTHER: Uh-huh PAUL: (Smiles at ESTHER, crasses to DAVID, who is still at the weather station.) What's the forecast? Davi: Well, it’s a close call, but I think we'll have weather today. PAUL: That is reassuring. (Siding) Hey, Iran into Belman the other day. Re as asked for an emergency leave of absence. I told Belman you were still available. He might cal (Pause) They would try to rearrange Renowski’s schedule to accommodate you Davip: Not interested, thank you. What happened to Re- nowski, anyway? PaUL: Belman just said personal problems. Davin: Belman is always discreet. Renowski got caught with his hand up one too many pairs of panties, that’s my educated opinion. PAUL: It sounds like they'd really like you back. You could stay with us, overnight. You know that. Davi: I said no. PAUL: Look, it might be good for you Davi: What are you doing? No. Mind your business. (DAVID returns to his weather log:) PAUL: Well, just a thought... (PAUL returns to his readings KEVIN crosses fo DAVID.) Kevin: It's a nice beach... And you've got a nice house. Davip: Thanks. Kevin: (Pointing to the rain gauge.) What's all that? ‘Act One To GILUAN ON Her 37rH BIRTHDAY 8 DAviD: Your basic thermometer, barometer, wind gauge. Helps ‘me keep track of the elements. A bit of a hobby. (Pause) Kevin: How long have you been here, David? Davip: Ten years of summers, two year-round. We used to rent but there was settlement after the accident. So, I bought the place. Kevin: And Rachel, is she happy here? Davi: Happy with the island? I think so. Kevin: Cindy? DAviD: The indispensable companion and best friend. A bit like the maid in a French face. (Singing the theme from Gilli- gan’s Island) “So, that’s the tale of our castaways / ‘They're here for 2 long, long time. Kevin: And David? Davip: Oh, he’s a slippery one, I'm told Kevin: David, maybe I was just a face in the crowd - Davip: You were always a bit more than that. Kevin: Thanks. David, it’s probably not my business, but 1 can't imagine you not teaching. DAviD: Old Herman Melville and I, we've speared our last ale... just history now. You made Melville, you made all of them dance in And that's a rare gift Davin: Like I said, just history now. Kevin: I know you'll get back to Davip: Look, what is all this about? problem is really not your KEVIN: No, it isn't, (KEVIN begins to ext. RACHEL crosses to her.) RACHEL: Hi. Kevin: Hi,26 ‘To GILLIAN ON HeR 87TH BIRTHDAY ‘Act One RACHEL: Maybe after lunch you'd like to see the fleet get blessed? KEVIN: Well, I'm not sure RacHeL: They have a band and they throw a cross into the harbor. It’s fun. Are you hungry now or anything like that? ‘There's a lot around. I know a great ice cream place. We can go right now. Kevin: Sounds fine. RacuEL: And we'll make plans for tomorrow, okay? KEVIN: Okay. PAUL: (Starting to go.) The heavenly hash is on me. (To Davi) You want? Davi: No. aut: Esther? Esruer: Fudge ripple. (PAUL, RACHEL, and KEVIN exit. Pause.) Davin: Whose idea is Kevin? Yours? Esruee: Hers. And mine. DAviD: I'm not sure what I'm supposed to say. Esrier: You're both adults. At least she is. Davip: Look, I didn’t mean to snap at Rachel. Things just come out after I run. ESTHER: You encouraged Rachel to spend the summer with us. What's the scenario today? Rachel betrayed poor old David and I'm cast as the witch abductor? If you didn’t want Rachel to go you should have said so two months ago. And if you don't want us here, tell me now. Davin: You know I'm glad to see you. (Pause) Ester: That's it? Thank you, Mr. Warmth. (Pause) What's your daily schedule now? Two hours of running and ten hours of television? Davin: You can do better than that. ‘Act One ‘To GiLtiaN on Hee 77H BietHDay a EstueR: I don't have to do better than that. You need to work. Your inactivity is destructive and irresponsible. Davin: Don't play the shrink with me, Esther, I'm not in the mood. ESTHER: I'm not going to apologize for my training or my profession. You could benefit from therapy. Davin: Thank you, Ann Landers, for rep umns. 1g your col EsTHER: Just short term, talking to someone instead of ternalizing, Davin: God, you sound like the back of a matchbook. ESTHER: You've got Rachel scared, do you know that? Davin: Let's not exaggerate a family spat, Esther. This morn- ing was just parents and kids. It happens all the time EstHER: Rachel is worried that you are withdrawing from her, and that scares her. That's what she and I talked about all summer. (Pause) Have you blacked out again? Davin: No. I run less, scout’s honor. And I'm eating green vegetables. So don’t throw Adele Davis at me. EsTHER: Do you have iD: (Shows bottle) Ingesting potassium has become a re-~ ligious experience. EstHeR: I mean sleeping Davip: Play fair, Esther. Esrier: Do you? Davin: That was a mistake, EsTHER: Taking half bottle of sleeping pills on Gil's birthday was not a mistake. So don’t make me ask again. Davip: No pills. (Pause) Does he know about last year? ESTHER: Does who know?28 ToG: < ‘Act One Davin: Paul. EstHER: I told you I told no one, or did you think I was just playing the shrink? Davin: Husbands and wives talk to each other. I seem to remember that. EstHER: You really don’t have much of an opinion of me, do you? I told Paul and I told Rachel, no more and no less than ‘what you and I decided. They came home from the movies and found you hospital with food poisoning. End of story. Davip: Thank you. (ESTHER goes to eave.) Esther! I just want her back. Nothing else. EstHER: Gil is not coming back. And you don't honor her mory by giving up on your own life. You're turning her into an icon, into something that has nothing to do with my sister. Davin: You truly have a vulgar little mind. ESTHER: Maybe. Maybe I do have a vulgar little mind. And maybe I laugh too loud, just like my sister. Davin: Esther - EsTHER: And I am proud of it all and you get no apologies from me. Davin: I didn’t mean ESTHER: Oh yes, you meant. I can defend myself, but how dare you come down on Rachel, how dare you. You just take some of that mountain of pity you've built for yourself and point it at your daughter. When she was fourteen years old she watched her mother die. She watched her mother bleed to death. You just focus on that. Davio: All ight ...all right. EstHER: It took mea long time to like you, David, even longer to care, but I do care now. And if you throw your life down the toilet, I will cry for you, and I'll have a lot of bad nights. Act One To Guan on Hex 3774 BrerHpay 29 You may not believe that, but it’s the truth, But if you think 1 am going to let you take Rachel down with you, then you don’t know who I am. Then you have never made the slightest effort to know who I am. Davin: I don't mean to exclude Rachel. It's just. ..1 don’t know if I can change. ESTHER: Oh, but you can. Your life is happening now. Davin: No, Esther! Gil was my life. She was my anchor and without her I am lost. And the only way I have found some- thing, some glue to hold the pieces together, is to sit on this beach and think of her, and what we had. So I sit here, and I remember. And that is how I have survived this last year. This is how I will survive this weekend, and how I will continue to survive. (Pause) EsrHee: If that is the case, maybe Rachel should come back with us. Are you listening to me, David? I am not just talking about another summer vacation. Davin: I know. I'm trying to think. Esruer: What is there to think about? Leaving will be cata- strophic for Rachel. She has friends here, school. David . . is not here any more. Rachel is. She is alive and hurting, Rachel needs you. You be her parent. Be her fathi Davin: Don't you do that, Esther. You don’t do that one. I’ take the mental hygiene lecture, but don't you talk to me about being a parent, and about sacrificing for my kid, because you don't know the first thing about it. EstHER: I just want you to remember who you are. Davip: I know damn well who Lam, And I won'tbe told what it means to be a parent by someone who isn't one. Don't talk tome about my child and what she needs, Atleast I have one. ‘And I can give you lessons on what it means to be a mother (Pause) Esruten: I suggest we stop right here before things are suid which cannot be repaired. Would you agree tharwe mast do— what's-bestfor Rachel2- mes W30 ‘To GutiaN ON Hk 37TH BIRTHDAY ‘Act One Davip: Yes, I agree. N srnes Good, Wet go tothe cemetery tomorrow, put dow some flowers irises would be nice, Then well dscns hi as a family. 2 ord OR Ol CEsriee exits Mo the hous Bastia remains onstage as the lights shift to evening.) Scene Four (That evening. The lapping of the tide and the sound of wind passing through the rigging of boats is just barely audible.) What's life? ‘Who took the cookie 1m the cookie jar? (Pause) I said who took the cookie fro1 cookie jar? Damn it, who took the cookie from the cookie Da\ jar? GiLiaN: You. NN enters abruptly. Ske is in her middle thirties, dresed for ‘the beach. Both stare at the wale for a tine, not looking at each other.) Davin: Not me. GILLIAN: Yes, you Davip: Not you? GILLIAN: Um Davi: Then who? -hmmm. (No) GiLtiaN: Why, you! Davin: Me? GILLIAN: Yes, you! You took the cookie from the cookie jar. (Pause) Davin: What's life? GILLIAN: A magazine. ‘Act One ‘To GULIaN ON HR 87H BietHpay 31 Guan: Ten cents. Davin: That's cheap. Guta: That's life. Davin: What's life. Don't answer that. 1LLIAN: How's your dog? Dav Ready for a romp. LLIAN: The correct response to “How's your dog?” is “Good, w’s your dog?” Davin: I was always a bit Slow. GuLLIAN: That part I liked. (DAVID moves toward her, GILLIAN steps away.) The waves are singing tonight. Davin: What do they say? Gu |AN: That's a secret. Davin: You can tell me. GiiaN: They're singi : Th Gian: Life goes on and on. life goes on. Davi 0 Dat Profound, those waves GULLIAN: Mr. Cynic, Mr. Simpl you, Mr. Literature, Mr. Syml rruths are never enough for Davin: Enough. JILLIAN: Mr. Book of the Month, Mr. PBS, Mr. $.A.T., Mr... Davin: Enough! Enough. (Pause) Let the games begin. Guan: No games tonight. Davi: How about Great Apes and Baboons, always one of your favorites. Guuian: No. Davi: Our lite primate friends, come on,82 ‘To Gu.iaN oN Her 377H Bierupay ‘Act One Guan: Read my lips. (Mouthing ‘n'‘0') Davip: How about an orangoutang? GILLIAN: Maybe an orangoutang. Davip: Give us a young one, seeking acceptance into tribe. GILLIAN: (Imitates a young oranguton, picking at her clothes, checks puffed out.) I prefer the young ones. Davin: Don't we all? Guan: You dirty filthy goat. Davin: I'm not a goat. I’m just a poor fisher boy lost on the shore. Gi142AN: Oh, God, not this one again. Davin: If you could only help me, Ma'm, I'd be so grateful GILLIAN: How grateful? Davip: Oh, I'd do anything you might ask GtttaaN: Anything, my wild stallion? Davin: Stop it. GuL.1aN: You want Sister Theresa of the Little Flowers, or a real woman, with real passions? Davin: I think Sister Theresa might be quite relaxing. GULLIAN: You get the whole package, my avenger, my little tug boat of love. Davin: Tug boat of love? GULLIAN: Excuse me, Mr. Boundless wit. You need discipline, boy. Davin: Oh? GULIAN: We've been very moody lately, haven't we? Davip: What do we mean? Gut1AN: We mean, snap at your own daughter like that, snap at our daughter. Act One ‘To GULIAN on Her 87TH BrerHDAY 33 Davin: That was pretty bad, (Pause) Maybe we should have had another child. For balance, (Pause) Well, there was a lot happening back then. We both had careers. We couldn't GILLIAN: What do you mean “we”, white man? DAVID: We couldn't or we didn't want GILLIAN: One of us wanted another child. Davin: Yes. GILLIAN: And one of us did not. (Pause. GALAN points toward the shy.) Northern sky, late summer, 47th latitude. What con- stellation? Can you take it, Sfate University? Davi: (Making buzzer sound.) Cygnus, the swan, GULIAN: Correct. (Imitating a swan, arms spread backward.) Give that man ... peace of mind. Davin: Yeah. That's your job, isn't it? (Examining the house.) She's Davin: Where we shall retire. Gausan: what would have been nice. (Long pause) Davin: (Staring at the house.) The insurance covered every- thing, purchase price, points, buy back, even money in the bank. You were most thorough. GuLLIAN: I could build a quile with all your guilt Davin: (Singing) “Said Barnacle Bill the sailor . GILLIAN: You need toughening up, boy. All this misshapen, misapplied an-goo-ish! DAvip: (French) “Cest moi, c'est moi, I'm forced to admit.” GmLUAN: Mr. Victim, Mr. Suffer-too-much! You need (Gesturing) an infusion of zee life Force! Davin: Not the life force.4 To GiLuaN on Her 877 Bierupay Act One GMLLIAN: (Looking in the direction where Kevin exited) She's very... how shall I say? ... very... Davin: ... very ten years younger? Gtit1aN: That about covers it. I'm going to give you some pearls of wisdom, Bucky. Davin: Ah, pearls. GILLIAN: Sex... . You remember sex? Davin: How did it go again? Connect part ‘A’ to part ‘B’.. GILLIAN: Sex is a normal, may I repeat n-o-r-m-a function of the adult primate, any primate. She seems quite nice. Davip: So you think... Guan: I just said what I think, (Pause) And watch your step with young Cynthia, Davin: What? GILLIAN: The sap she's a-running in those veins. Davin: So? Git1aN: So? (Pause) And ease up on Rachel. Davin: Message received. Git1aN: Since when do you need me to. Davin: I said, message received. (Pause) What's life? GrttaN: I asks myself but I get no answers. (Pause) Gonna let you in on a secret, Bucky, just you and me. Davin: I like secrets GILLIAN: You may not like this one. Davin: Tell me anyway. Gu.ian: The secret is, Bucky, It dead. Very ... very... very dead. (Long pause. Lights begin to fade around GILLIAN). Got to go, Mr. Man... Act One To Gua on Her 377H Bierupay Davin: Don’t go. What's life? What's it cost? GILLIAN: (Sofi) Ten cents. Davip: That's cheap. (The lights fade around GILLIAN as she exits, RACHEL enters.) Racuet: That's life. Davip: What's life? Don't answer that question. RacteL: What are you doing out here, Daddy? Davi: Just catching up on the stars, kiddo. Virgo’s rising and RACHEL: We have company. Davin: I know. RACHEL: Who are you talking to? Davin: Come on now, kiddo, let's not have any eavesdrop- ping. You know that sometimes I get a bit preoccupied. RACHEL: You talk to Mommy, don't you? You come out here every night and talk to Mommy. And I'm not supposed to say anything, am T? 1's like we've had this secret for a whole year. Daddy, some nights you are out here for hours. What arm I supposed to think? That's why I had to go away this summer. T didn't want to have this secret. I don't want to keep hearing you and pretend that I don't. (Pause) Davin: I was pretty bad to you today, kiddo. I'm sorry. RacHEL: Did you hear me, Daddy? Davin: Yes. I heard you, Rachel. Would you like to spend more time with Esther and Paul? RacHEL: Do you want me to go back with them? Davip: I want you to be happy: RacHeL: Daddy, please don't blame yourself for what hap- pened on the boat36 ‘TOGILLIAN ON HER 37TH BIRTHDAY DAVID: I’m trying, kiddo. RACHEL: Daddy, I'd change things if I could, but I don’t know how. If T could make it me who fell instead of Mom- my DAVID: Now you stop that! You don’t think that, ever, ever. You promise me that, right now. RACHEL: I promise. DAVID: You're my best girl, always and forever. I just want you to have what's best for you. RACHEL: That might mean me going back with Paul and Esther. (Pause) DAVID: don’t know. Maybe... (Pause) RACHEL: You go walk. I know you have regular habits, DAVID: (Kissing her.) Don’t get cold. RACHEL: I won't. (DAVID exits. After a beat, GILLIAN enters and moves slowly toward RACHEL, stopping when she is standing directly behind her. GILLIAN lifts her hand and points a finger skyward. A star falls, a sliver of light across the stage. GILLIAN points again, another star falls, GILLIAN’s arms reach down over RACHEL. RACHEL’s ‘hands slotely reach up over her head. Sloe, the heads and hands of both become tightly wrapped, but not touching, RACHEL looks skyward. She is crying.) RACHEL: Happy birthday, Mommy. (Lights fade to black.) (End of Act One) ACT Two Scene One (The beach, the following moming. RACHEL is sitting alone. KEVIN enters from the house.) KEVIN: (Sitting, pointing to the ocean.) What's out there? RACHEL: Portugal, eventually KEVIN: You must be . . . a junior? RACHEL: A senior. I skipped a year. KEVIN: A brain, huh? Straight A’s? | RACHEL: No. Well . . . almost. KEVIN: College? RACHEL: Oh, yeah. I ike to study sciences. KEVIN: Such as? RACHEL: Anthropology, you know, primates? (KEVIN nod- ding ‘yes.’) Orangoutangs, baboons, gorillas. And us, too, for all our big ideas . . . You know, there is this theory that we all came from the ocean, KEVIN: Now that I’ve heard of. RACHEL: No, no, later in the evolutionary cycle. KEVIN: Oh. RACHEL: We were already baboons, and we came out of our trees and we waded into rivers and tidal pools and we ate plants and caught small fish. Because we are omnivorous, ? RACHEL: I believe it because if you look at the hair on your body (Lightly tracing the hair on KEVIN'S arm.) when it’s wet, every hair falls into perfect position to increase movement through water.38 TOGILLIANONHER37THBIRTHDAY Act Two KEVIN: (Looking at her arm.) That's amazing. RACHEL: It sounds so right, does I mean, when you be true. My yw we got here. (Pause) The theory is logy journals. KEVIN: Too bad. So you read biology journals? RACHEL: If you're going to get where you want to go, you've got to know the information. My mother used to say that... P'm sorry, KEVIN: What are you sorry about? RAGHEL: I shouldn’t keep going on about my mother. KEVIN: Wait a minute. Today is your mother’s birthday, right? RACHEL: Yes. KEVIN: And you were very proud of her. And I think that is terrific. RACHEL: She was a great anthropologist, really devoted to her work. She spent a lot of time in the field. That was hard. But I was real proud of her. KEVIN: Those are the magic words for mothers. Mothers need to know their daughters are proud of them. RACHEL: Even the strong mothers? KEVIN: Every mother has this fear, this mindless fear . . and when your daughter says “Mommy, I’m real proud of 4 you . . .”” Well, Ihave a little girl, and when she says that to me, that will be a red RACHEL: You have a KEVIN: Yeah. RACHEL: You should have brought her. KEVIN: She's in good hands. Well, fairly good hands. Act Two ‘To GILLIAN ON HER 37TH BIRTHDAY RAGHEL: Do you ever need a babysitter? KEVIN: Always. RACHEL: Well, I could, if you wanted me to. I could give you some references. And I might be moving back to the city soon, anyway. KEVIN: It’s a deal. (Pause) How about you and I do something special, just the two of us? RACHEL: Okay, what? KEVIN: You're the native. You decide. RACHEL: Well, there is this place, an old lighthouse. It's very special. KEVIN: Sounds great. RACHEL: We'll have to take the bikes. KEVIN: Even better. (DAVID enters from the house.) DAVID: (To RACHEL) Morning, kiddo. RACHEL: Good morning, Daddy. DAVID: (To KEVIN) Good morning. KEVIN: Good morning, David. DAVID: (To KEVIN) Sleep well? KEVIN: Fine. DAVID: No mosquitoes? KEVIN: No. DAVID: Air not too heavy? The island retains a lot of moisture, Makes the air heavy. That bothers some people. KEVIN: Not me. RACHEL: I'll go check the tires. (Starting to exit.) DAVID: Rachel?40 To Gian oN Her 87H Bixrpay Act Two RACHEL: Yes, Daddy? Davin: Just... there's alot of traffic. Just be careful. (RACHEL exits, ESTHER enters.) Good morning, Esther. (ESTHER ignores him, To Kevin.) Planning an outing? (KEVIN nods “yes.”) Am Tinvited? Kevin: No, just us ladies. (Starting to exi Davin: (To Kevin) Maybe we could run a times’ sake? Kevin: Why d about that? (Kevin exits, EstieR begins Tai Ohi exercises, very slow, deliberate ‘movements, DAVID crosses lo his weather station, making notes in his log.) Dav : Some day you will have to show me how to do that. EsrHeR: (Still exercising) Just ro ine and repetition, Davio: Esther, 1 said some things yesterday, that I'm not proud of this morning. Esrvver: (Still exercising) Yeah. Davin: I'm sorry. Ester: Fine. (Pause) Davin: Esther . (Stopping the exercise.) What am I supposed to say now? It’s okay, David? No harm done? I got slapped down. [ got put in my place. Whether I have children, whet and I have children, is a choice we've made, and I that. Davin: J know. Esti: And you do And ['ll ell you son Davip: Esther .. Act Two To GILLIAN ON Hex $77H BIRTHDAY EstHeR: Oh, David, I am so tired of hammering away at wall you have built between yourself and the rest of us, whose only frien¢ bit more than th fo, no she is not any more than that. EsTHER: I am through, David. No more arguments, no more trying to reach you. IF you want to play—what, Keeper of the you and, I won't say Gillian, but through. If you want it broken be- tween you and me... just decide. And if you force me to fight for Rachel in court, L will. (Starting to exit.) Davin: Wait I'm uyiny jinute. It doesn’t to you. I don't know what else to say. EsrHer: Well, maybe you cot Jost someone on that boat, to0.” Maybe = Davin: (Crassing to her.) Hey, take it easy. and you and I are sn a cage. Davip: (Giving her his handkerchief.) You can't fall apart. You're our rock. Esruer: Ye one hell of a rock. (Pewse) How did we ever let it get is? Davip: I have this theory. Esrier: You would DAVID: We always talked to each other through her, saw each other through her. She was our buffer. Now there's just us. ‘ESTHER: Yeah. (Pause) You made her very happy. tunity 7 avin: Tear hr L foot yan Seen42 ‘To Gian oN Her $7rH Binripay Act Two 1 got that from the horse's mouth. You made her very, very, very happy, you little turd, (Pause) I'm sorry it’s not working ‘out between you and Kevin. I guess I thought you needed 2 little... Davin: .... shock treatment? Maybe. (PAUL enters, carrying a box of muffins.) PAUL: I havejust survived something that made my skin crawl. T'm glad neither of you had to go through it. My hands are shaking. Davin: What are you talking about? PAUL: I've finally seen the true face of your little island par- adise. I was at the baker, innocently buying our daily mut! you know, six blues, six crans, and a piece of peach cobbler which [ have no intentions of sharing with anyone, when th crusty, barnacle-faced fellow, smelling like bilge, and, well, spare you EstneR: ... I'm getting a bad feeling about this . PAUL: ... Well, he turns to me and he says: A church is look- ing for a bell ringer .. Ester: Run for cover. Paut: A guy comesiin to the priest. He's got no arms, nothing. He says, “Father, let me ring the bells. 1 know I can do it ‘The priest is reluctant, but he figures he'll give the guy a chance. So they go up to the belfry, and before the priest can say a word, the guy runs against the largest bel, hits his face right against it, picks himself up, blam, right in the face. He's {just about finished the Angelus, one note left. He runs, misses the bell, and falls a hundred feet to his death. The priest goes running down, there's a crowd all around. A cop comes up to the priest, “Father, do you know this man?” “No, I don't, But his face sure rings a bell.” (Pause) A week later, another guy comes into the church, no arms, nothing. He says, “Father, all my life I've wanted to ring the bel chance." Before the priest can say a word, the guy runs up To GILLIAN ON HER 87TH BirTiDAy the stairs to the bells. The same thing, he runs at the bell, bang, right in the face Davin: . .. he's on the very last note. . PAUL: ... when he loses his footing and falls dead to the mes down, crowd all arout her, do you know this mani 10, but I've got to tell you, he's a dead ringer for a guy who was in here last week.” (Pause) Hey, what's up? You two haven't been fighting again? ground. The pr ESTHER: (Crossing to him.) My hubby, I think I'll keep him, But I might have his larynx removed, PAUL: (Minus larynx) .. . So the priest says, “No, but I EstHeR: (Pushing PAUL lovard the door) Get inside before 1 hurt you. Pau: Why do you have to hurt me? EstHen: I don’t have to hurt you. I freely choose to hurt you. Move. (PAUL exits into the house. To DaviD.) Let's eat. (EstHER and DAVID exit into the house, After a beat CINDY enters, looks toward the house, then off stage. KEVIN and RACHEL enter, RACHEL with a bicycle pump.) Kevi Cinpy: "Lo, RacuEL: We're going on a litte outing. Want to come? Cinpy: No. Thanks. No. RacHet: You sure? Canby: Yeah Kevin: We might run a little later. Cunpy: Thanks, I've got things to do. Racuet: T Canby: Yeah, things, stuffRacueL: You can come with us, you know. Ginpy: I know. RacHEL: Honestly, she doesn't even bite. Cinpy: I know. She's wonderful. She's great. You think he likes her? RacueL: Why don't you ask him? Cinpy: You don't ask things like that. (Pause) I think he likes her. I know he likes her. RacHeL: And how do you know? Cinpy: I got the power. I know. He likes her. RACHEL: If he likes her or she likes him, is up to them, isn’t iv? Well? Cinpy: Yeah. RACHEL: So watch out for yourself Cinpy: And what is that supposed to mean? RACHEL: It means stop worrying about my father and whether he's happy and look out for yourself. Cinpy; I'm keeping myself invisible. RACHEL: I don’t want you to be invisible. I just don’t want you to get hurt. Cindy: Okay. I'll be visible, RACHEL: Promise? Cinpy: Promise. (Pause) His name is Matthew. RACHEL: Matthew what? Ciny: Just Matthew. That's as far as I got. RACHEL: Well, is he year-round or summer? Cinpy: He's new, but he's class permanent. And he’s in our Act Two ‘To Gu.iaw ON Her 877m BixTHDAY 45 (KEVIN enters from the house, witha small brown bag. PaUt follows her.) Kevin: We're all set. (To CINDY) You're sure you don’t want to come? Cinpy: Yeah, no. RACHEL: You sure? ‘canpy: Yeah KEVIN: Okay, ‘bye RacHe Bye. Capy: "Bye. (Kevin and RACHEL exit.) Paut: Well, if it isn’t a lost istrano. fe way to Cap. Cinpy: No, it isn’t PAUL: Maybe a vulture returning to Hinkley, Ohio? Cinpy: What? Paut: It's true, every year, on the same exact day, a flock of vultures descends on a little town in Ohio. Cinpy: How come you know all this junk? PauL: I make it my business to know junk. Ginpy: Is David here? PAUL: He’ Cinpy: Eating? We're supposed to go running. (CINDY starts to exit.) 's eating breakfast, to which you're invited. PAUL: Wait a minute. You can run later, can’t you? py: Just forget it. (CINDY exits. PAUL watches her leave, then returns io the house.)WN ON HER 871H BIRTHDAY Scene Two (The foundation and decaying walls of an old lighthouse. RACHEL ‘and KEVIN enter on bikes.) EL: This is it. The sand has be: 1g up on this side island. So they moved the c! further out, and built a new lighthouse about forty years ago. This one's all deserted now. Kevin: Where's your house? RACHEL: (Pointing) There. And that’s Main Street, and the harbor. And over there is an old wreck, but you can only see it at low tide. It’s pretty boring, anyway. Kevin: This is perfect. RACHEL: 1 used to just sit here and think of this ocean going everywhere that people go, and people sitting on a beach somewhere, and looking at the water, just like us. 'N: You think a lot. When I was your age, said Grandma, hought about make-up and boys, and telephones and boys, and stuffed animals and boys. The stuffed animals gave me the best return on my time. Racttet: How about a muffin? Kevin: Sounds good. (RACHEL crosses to KEVIN's bike, opening the carry bag. She slowly frlls out an old baseball hat.) Kevin: What did you find? RACHEL: This was my mother’s hat, kind of her lucky hat. The last time I saw her, I mean before the accident, she was wearing this hat. She always wore this hat. This was her bike. It’s a long story. Kevin: I'm in no rush, RACHEL: We used to come out here, first thing when she got back from the summer. It was like our place to get reac- quainted, have a mother-daug! ‘To Gu.taN ON Her 37H BIRTHDAY So this is a very special place. .e would tell me all about her orangoutangs ‘And Rachel was very, very quic know sometimes about her, somehow she's Kevin: That’s not crazy. That's miles and miles from crazy. Racue: I went with her once, when 1 was ni was in her way aid so. The + Lied. I said it was too hot, I wanted to stay on 1 could have helped her now. I know how to tag, als and I can do the weighing and the observing. We could have been friends. That's what she wanted. Kevin: How about you? RACHEL: I just wanted her to be my mother. She was a good tist. I think she was the best. But she was away a she took risks. Going up on that mast was reckless s stupid and reckless and why doesn’t anyone talk about that? 1 don’t know, Rachel. maybe she'd be alive today. KevIN: Oh Rachel, I didn't really know your mother. But 1 know that sometimes we have to make some very difficult choices. You will, ink those choi have be very hard for her. She had dreams and hopes for you, bu she had some dreams for herself as well. And I think if she tried to make some of those dreams happen, then she must have paid a price, too. (Pause) RACHEL: I guess she did. Look, I don't want you to think I'm normally like this. I'm really pretty stable.48 ‘To Guia on Her 3771 IRTHDAY Act Two Kevin: You're allowed, RACHEL: I'm sorry Daddy wasn't friendly yesterday. Kevin: These things happen. ‘ough on him. I guess this weekend wasn’t xr of you. Kevin: Don't you worry abot does have some very good qu: Kevin: (Laughs) I'l wy and keep that in mind. RACHEL: Look, I know we just got here ready to ride. RACHEL: I'll take you back by the north side. Kevin: RacHEL: Tha I you what, I'l wait for you at the road, you, Kevin. Kevin: Anytime, (KEVIN exits on her bike. RACHEL remains behind for several beats, taking the hat out of the carry bag. She puts the hat back into the bag and exits, The lights gradually fade around the lighthouse.) Scene Three (The house, later that same afternoon. PAUL and ESTHER enter. PAUL carries the Sunday papers, sits, and begins to read. ESTHER carries a vase and several irises which she places in the vase. After 4 beat, CANDY slowly enters and sits on the deck.) are they here? aut: Who they? Ginpy: The people that live in this house. PAUL: Oh, those theys, no. (CINDY stars ¢o exit.) How about I get out the checker board? Cinpy: No, yi ‘re reading your paper. Act Two To Gian ow Hex 37rH BixtHDaY 49 Paut: Great exercise, really builds up your fingers. Cinpy: No, thanks. EsrHeR: I'm going to make some lemonade, how about a glass? Cimpy: No, head home, 1 guess. EstHER: Come in and have some lemonade. You can help me make it. Cinby: Okay. (ESTHER exits into the house, followed by CANDY, who makes a face {at PAUL, who returns to his paper. After several beats, KEVIN enters, running flat out.) Kevin: (To Paut) Good-bye, get lost, get out of here right now. (PAUL picks up his paper, exits into the house. DAVID enters, winded ‘from running.) Davin: God, you've been pra ing. ways sprinted the last hundred yards. Kevin: Just waiting for the right moment. Davi: That's quite a kick you have there. Kevin: (Stretching) And don’t you forget it, Davip: Brings back run... Kevin, I'm soi Kevin: Oh? Davip: old days, you run, you teach, you about yesterday. was rude to you. And I am sorry. Kevin: I'm glad to hear that, David. Davin: So fill me in, Kevin: Not much to tell. I found someone. He found me. ‘We were happy for a time. Then like the continents we drifted imperceptibly apart.50 ‘To GiLUAN on Her 97TH BixtHDAY Davip: A very modern story. Kevin: (Pause) I have a litle girl, Clair. She is four years old, about this tall (Gestures) and is the most intelligent and in- sightful child in the universe. Davin: Where is she now? Kevin: She's with her father. She's with ... Whats his name? DAvip: Oh yes, old what's his-name Kevin: It begins with an “r". Davin: Richard... Raoul... Rasputin Kevin: Robert. Davip: Robert. Kevin: Mm-hmm. Asin Robert the perfect mate, asin Robert the envy of all my women friends. Attentive, thoughtful, and sensitive was Robert. And a good cook. Oh, I miss the magic he could create with a piece of veal. And he did the dishes, and the laundry, helped with the bathroom, exterminated stray insects Davin: The dirty jobs. Kevin: To give him credit he was good with vermin. And he had interesting friends. He was very ... modern, Never an argument, never a disagreement, never an emotional ambi- guity not pinned to the wall and examined in squirming detail He called that being honest. Davin: That can be a chore. KEVIN: If it was in him it was good and it was to be explored, regardless of consequences. He was so open, so vulnerable, 80... 80. One day he said, “Let’s have another child.” “Yes,” I said. Three weeks later he told me he was seeing someone else, and he knew it would not be honest not to communicate that to me and he hoped it wouldn't change things between us. [hit him. That was honest. And threw him out. I spent a Jot of time by myself, minus Robert’s interesting friends, 1 beat up several Nautilus machines, snarled at the few men ActTwo To GILLIAN on Hr 87rn Buernpay a who had the misfortune to cross my path, and eventually got him out of my system. Davin: It never quite works out the way you imagine. Kevin: No, it doesn't. So now I'm in the market. Davin: Oh? Kevin: The man market. Davip: Oh. Kevin: So I accept market conditions. Davio: But you'd like a warranty, dependable service. Kevin: Something along those lines. (Pause) Davip: When you finally .. . got him out of your system, was ita sudden moment, bright lights, music playing? Kevin: More gradual, I think. But somewhere along the way 1 jumped, Davip: Jumped? Kevin: Look, it’ just one woman's opinion, okay? But I think you reach a point where you're ready to come back into the world, have some fun, do some living. You're stil angry or annoyed or whatever itis, but you jump back in. With some luck, someone will catch you. Davin: And if no one does? Kevin: You land on your ass. (Pause) But you're back in. But you've got to want to. Davin: You know a lot. Kevin: I know a little about jumping, that’s all. (PAUL enters from the house.) PauL: (To KEVIN) Hello. Kevin: Hi, Paut: (To Davip) Esther’s gone to find Rachel. We thought we'd go to the cemetery now.52 To GILUAN ON Her 87rH Bievupay Act Two Davin: Of course. Rig! Tan, don’t burn. (DAV: PAUL: So? Kevin: So? PAUL: What you expected? go change. (To Kevin) Kevin: I don't know what I expected. PAUL: Then not what you expected? Kevin: It has to be either or? PAUL: Just classifying, the male imperative. Changed? Kevin: Yes, changed, Pav: Older? Kevin: Younger, in some ways. Paut: That's unnatural. Kevin: He seems so... . uncertain. PAUL: A man of his time and civilization . .. Two guys walk into the local bar . Kevin: No. PAUL: . .. There's a pregnant kangaroo behind the counter . . Kevin: No! You and I are going to take Paut: What for? Kevin: You're going to t Pav: Do I has (PaUL and Kevin exit. The lights slowly change to evening.) Scene Four (Evening. The stage is empty. A herom calls, solitary and mournful. From the house ESTHER and PAUL. enter carrying citronella candles To Gita on Her 8774 BrerHDAY 53 ‘and spread about the deck. Another bird calls as and RACHEL enter and sit on the beach. CINDY carries a backpack KEVIN enter witha tay of drinks. CINDY removes ote of wine from her bag.) Cunby: (Reading label) Liebfraumilch. My brother says it means jumping woman milk. You want to get trashed? RacHet: No, CinDy: You're supposed to get trashed when summer ends. RacueL: I'll get you a glass. Cinpy: No! You don’t use a lass. You swill, Like ths, (Drink. {ng) If this island is supposed to be so sophisticated then how come it doesn’t even have a mall? I've yet to hear an answer to that DAvip: (Responding to a surge of bird calls.) Smauk. EstHER: Smauk, smauk (GILLIAN enters from the beach, DAVID is momentarily confused.) GILLIAN: Smauk. EstHeR: Smauk, smauk, or I'll make you talk Davip: Anything is better than orangoutangs. Paut: Smauk, smauk, smauk ... (Pause) Davip: Smauk. (RACHEL crosses to the deck and sit.) Ester: Once, when we were kids \N: . Gillian got to go when Mother gave blood . EstHER: (To RACHEL) Your grandmother was a fanatic about giving blood, every two months GILLIAN: Drip, drip ESTHER: Something about the orphans in Armenia. I was seven, in the second grade, aggrieved that I co\JAN ON Hee 375H BueTHDAY Act Two GILLIAN: Gil was five Esrier: ....the baby. And as mean-tempered, nasty, and stubborn a baby as... GILLIAN: ... Anyway «God, I used to love to beat her up. Paut: Dominant traits always emerge early. ESTHER: EstHER: You want to walk again, buddy? Rache What about the story? ESTHER: Anyway . IAN: Anyway, Gil went with Mommy. Ester: And when they got back I asked her, what hap- pened? GILLIAN: And Gil said, “Mommy laid down on a big boat and they covered her with a big white sail. And they sailed away to a magic land and took her picture. The end.” EstHeR: I'm still trying to figure that one out Racuet: (To ESTHER) Tell the one about the watermelon. ESTHER: You've heard that one. Racuen: Again. ESTHER: Oh... okay. GiLLiaN: Once upon a time ESTHER: ... we went camping, in the wilds, all of us. Now at this time... GILLIAN: ... your grandfather was Esrier: ... lle difficult ro get along with Davip: Easy now. EsrHeR: Shall we say GILLIAN: .... difficult to please. Anyway . 55 Act Two To GILLIAN on Hex 871 BieTHDay EstHeR: .. . Anyway. Gil was nine, I think Guuian: Eight. ESTHER: With little skinny legs like sticks. Real ugly kid. RACHEL: Tell the story. GiLLAN: Anyway, Gil was wading in thi nothing at all, and she. ESTHER: Gi ESTHER AND GILLIAN: tle stream, doing «found... this.. JAN: watermelon! GILLIAN: Now you gotta understand .. Estuer:... that noone in our family ever found anything GILLIAN: . .. let alone watermelons in the stream of life. Ester: So she picked it up and started to carry it back to the shore, holding it in her scrawny litle hands thinking GILLIAN: ...“I have found a watermelon. I'm going to be happy for the rest of my li EstHeR: “My daddy will love me.” GILLIAN: “Everyone will love me.” Estiter: Then this guy from the next campsite came running along the shore. Huge, beefy guy with his beefy wife next to him. Gian: ;normous. Ester: Huge, a walking mountain. Think of . PauL: ... Orson Welles in Bermuda shorts, ESTHER: And he's screaming... Git Police, Police. Don't drop my watermelon.” Esrur: So we had to give it back Gut1an: And Daddy didn't talk to me the whole week. And56 To GILUAN ON Her 3771 Bierupay Act Two when I went on my first date, sweaty and nervous and ten years older, he said, “Don't get into trouble, and don't bring home a watermelot Kevin: (Crossing to Cinpy.) Hi, Cinpy: ‘Lo. Kevin: Can I join you? Canby: Sure, pull up some beach. (KEVIN sits. CINDY shows her the wine bottle.) Would you like some? I'm getting ready for school. Kevin: It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, It ‘was high school. (Tey toast.) Canpy: There's something I've got to ask you. Kevin: What? Cunpy: Why are you called Kevin, anyway? Kevin: Ob, my parents wanted a boy, and they didn’t get one, Cinpy: Yeah, parents are just like that. GILLIAN: (To Davin) She seems quite nice. (Long pause) DAVID: “We are ashamed of conversation.” PavL: Robert Penn Warren in Three Darknesses. ESTHER: Mr. College Bowl, PauL: And the bonus question? ESTHER: Ill give you a bonus question. A toast. Paut: To Gillian. Davin: To RACHEL: To Mommy. EsTHER: Who would be, who is, thirty seven years young. (Pause) KevIN: (To CINDY) When I was a kid, I kept my name a secret. Act Two To GILLIAN ON Her 377H BigTHDAY 87 One year I was a Debby. Then Sheila. I got as far as Lolita, then I just went with Kevin, Cinpy: I think it's a wicked name. Kevin: Wicked excellent? Cinpy: Wicked excellent Kevin: Come visit me. Ciny: Are you serious? Kevin: You can check out the big, bad world. Come with Rachel. I'l whisk you around- Cunby: Okay. Ester: (Going into the house with the tray of glasses.) Goodnight. PAUL: (To DaviD) See you in the morning. (Exits into the house.) GtL11aN: Tonight's my birthday, Bucky, and I want a present. How about a litte small talk? Davin: (To Kevin) Goodnight. GILLIAN: That wasn't it Racttet: (To Kevin) Goodnight. Kevin: Goodnight. (Goes into the house. CINDY remains on the beach, apart from the others.) GILLIAN: Oh, you're not listening, Bucky, and you are for- getting things about me and about our daughter. [don’t know how else to do this. (The stage lights abruply shift.) We've got to strike a bargain tonight. No games, no jokes. Just a real bargain between you and me, All I have worked for, every dream, every hope, is in this grant. I have it in my hand, David, twenty-one and published in the field. And let's even though you're good at it, Hawthorne and Mel won't ever do much more than pay the rent. So, please, don't ask me to do it all. Now I will have this child, since you're so set on it. Oh, I know that when it’s here and I hold it in my arms, it will be a miracle and a wonder, and a thousand other things. But right now... Ob, David, I'm just not ready to be58 To GILUAN oN Her 377 BirtHDay Act Two a mother. So here's the bargain, Once the kid is here, it’s yours. You feed it, you do the baths, the diapers, all of it. And starting next summer, I get to do my work, no questions asked. And if you can’t accept this, if this isn't good enough, then I will get in the car, drive to the city, and take care of this tonight. So, lover, we have our bargain, don't we? (GILLIAN slowly exits down the beach.) Davin: (Crossing fo RACHEL.) How’s my girl? RACHEL: I’m okay. Davin: We have some deciding to do, Kiddo. RACHEL: I know. Davin: Have you thought any thoughts? RACHEL: I asks myself, but I get no answers. Davin: Kiddo, sometimes I forget things, eal important things. 1 think because I missed your mother so much, I forgot just how important you are to me, and how miich I love you, and how much I need you. (Pause) RACHEL: You know what I remember, Daddy, the first thing I remember as a baby? Davin: What's that? RACHEL: Me sitting and looking up at your face, your hands holding the side of my head, very soft and very strong. Daddy, it was always you who took care of things, and I'd like to be there for you, if sn when you miss Mommy, or when. I miss her, we could talk about it. Davin: Yeah, I'd like that. RAcHEL: And if it doesn’t work out, then maybe I'll go to ‘Aunt Esther’ Davim: And that would be okay. Racutet: But lets try, Daddy, all right? Davin: All right. RacHeL: Because we are a team. Act Two ‘To GiLLAN on Her 87 7H Brrtupay 59 Davin: Right. RacHEL: (Whispering) And from now on, I'l keep the star charts, okay? Daviv: Okay. RacHEL: Can we tell Aunt Esther? Davin: You go ahead. I'l round up the strays. (They embrace. RACHEL goes into the house. Davib crosses down fo CINDY.) Come join us, Cin. Canny: Its late. I should get back. (Doesn't move) Daviv: Another balmy island evening. (Notices battle) Now what would mother and father say? Canpy: Don’t smoke. No drugs. No hard stuff. And never, ‘ever, ever get in a car with a drunk driver. Davin: Sound advice. (He sts.) But there’s no need to drink alone, Ginby: I wasn’t alone. Kevin drank most of that. She's pretty decent, I guess. Are you two getting fri I mean are you... 1 mean I... You must think I'm real stupid. Davtp: No, I don't think that at all. don’t really know Kevin very well. It’s confusing. Sometimes you want and you don't want, all at the same time. I guess it's not so different at thirty- seven as at sixteen. In fact I think you can be more confused at thirty-seven—you've had more time to practice. But I do ‘want all of us to be friends, no matter what. Especially you and me Canby: Okay. Davin: (Taking bottle and drinking.) You know, Cin, one thing my wife used to tell me is that I take people for granted. I think maybe we, I mean I, take you for granted. Cinpy: Oh, no. You're always great to me. Davip: I hope so. You're a good friend to Rachel and you've been a good friend to me. Just running with you, talking,