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Growing Up By: Vincent Cueto
Growing UpBy: Vincent Cueto
© 2003 Vincent Cueto2862 sw 38 ave Miami, FL 33134 (305) 790-7772
Characters: Dixie Davis: A mother who is a hypochondriac, she also has a hard time realizing her only child is grown up. Her main ambition is to see her son succeed, however, she continually holds him back from his success. She’s in her late 40’s and dresses as if she were in the 1950’s, with polka dot dresses, and the hair style to match, along with pearl necklace, and white shinny shoes, she is a house wife, so never really leaves the house.
Edward Davis: A father, who really never has time to be with his family. He always regrets not being there for his wife and son, but doesn’t show it. He attempts to make amends by being cynical towards his wife, and trying to be his sons “buddy” rather than father. He is in his mid 50’s, wears glasses, and is clean cut. He looks similar to Buddy Holly. He works as an Architect and spends a lot of time out of the house making up plans.
Jacob Davis: An only child, who has an ambition to be an actor, however, when he expresses these feelings to his parents they don’t understand, and belittle his plans for the future. He ends up receiving a degree in Economics at Old Dominion University. Things change all of a sudden, when he is drafted for military service, in Iraq. He is proportionally short compared to his parents. He’s 21 years old, and doesn’t really care about how he looks. However, he does attempt to keep himself looking decent. He has head shaved, and a go-tee. He wears glasses, and is fond of dark colors in his clothing. He has a fondness for music, but can’t sing, or play an instrument.
Natalie Russell: Jacob’s best friend through out high school and college. Also majored in Economics, and has always felt an attraction to Jacob, but never expressed it for fear that Jacob would not return these feelings. She’s 21 years old, and is always wearing t-shirt and jeans, but when she wants to clean up; she always turns out to be the most attractive girl at the gatherings. She loves quote Mark Twain, to get a point across.
Setting: Norfolk, Va. In the winter of 2003, at the Davis’ home, the living room and front door is all that will be seen. There will be a FM radio, on a counter, which will be focused on.
(AT RISE: DIXE and EDWARD are sitting on their couch, listening to the radio the announcer is speaking, and EDWARD is smoking a pipe, DIXIE, is doing a crossword puzzle. The house lights are dim, and a red light is focused on the radio.)
TV/RADIO ANNOUNCER Iraqi dictator, Saddam Hussein, has not allowed any of the U.N. inspectors into specified areas of Baghdad. He stated, “I possess no nuclear, or biological weapons. I have cooperated with inspectors, and they have found nothing. I will no longer comply with anymore searches.” George W. Bush responded with, “If Saddam wants to continue hiding his weapons of mass destruction, then we will destroy them by force! We will be the first to attack and will not wait for this madman to strike!”
(The red light goes out, lights go up in the room. DIXIE gets up hysterically, and shuts off the radio.)
DIXIE We’re going to die! Edward, they’re going to get us killed!
EDWARD Dixie, don’t worry so much; nothing’s going to happen. That’s a war that will be hundreds of miles away.
DIXIE Don’t you remember what they did to the towers? They can do that again, you know.
EDWARD What exactly do we have here that they would want?
(DIXIE searches the room and pulls out a military pamphlet.)
DIXIE This, this is what we have! Wouldn’t it be great for them to get rid of some of our Marines, right here in Norfolk, Virginia? Yes, that sure would be wonderful.
EDWARD Don’t be ridiculous; no one could do anything to them.
DIXIE Let’s go to Canada.
EDWARD What, come on, don’t start going crazy on me; we have too many things we would have to change in our lives for that.
DIXIE I’m willing; nothing ever happens in Canada. They don’t even bother with them over there.
EDWARD That’s because too many French people live there.
DIXIE I’m being serious, Eddy. Where’s Jacob? We have to tell him. He shouldn’t be out at a time like this.
EDWARD He’s probably over at the school—
DIXIE Damn it, he shouldn’t be there. They like killing University kids!
EDWARD Honestly, my love, Jacob really isn’t a kid anymore. He’s twenty-two. Give him some credit.
DIXIE Twenty-two, he’s twenty-two. What the hell were you doing when you were twenty-two? Weren’t you running around the streets naked, getting drunk, and doing other stupid things? Shit, you were willing to go to Vietnam! EDWARD Hey, I only was going to go because, I got drafted.
DIXIE Sure, sure, God, I can’t believe this is going on.
EDWARD Relax, will you? Nothing’s going to happen.
DIXIE Didn’t we buy some gas masks?
EDWARD Yes, I think we did. They should be in the hall closet.
DIXIE Maybe, we should buy some extra filters?
EDWARD Yeah, go call the Salvation Army maybe they have some.
DIXIE You think I’m stupid, don’t you?
EDWARD No, I think you’re being outrageous.
DIXIE They have biological weapons! They can attack us!
EDWARD I know honey, but they won’t.
DIXIE How do you know?
EDWARD Come on, Saddam said he didn’t have anything.
DIXIE He kills his own people!
EDWARD I know, I know, I was just kidding.
DIXIE I. . .I don’t know what I’m going to do. (SHE begins crying on EDWARD’s shoulder.) How are we going to get through this? How are we going to protect ourselves? What if they decide to do something crazy again? They’re capable of anything.
EDWARD I know, but… (HE holds DIXIE close, and tries to sit her down.) Nothing’s going to happen, to us. I promise I’ll protect us; I wouldn’t let anything happen to any of us.
DIXIE Oh, what can you do? You’re one man! And you can hardly defend yourself!
EDWARD Damn it!
DIXIE What? You really think that there’s anything you can actually do?
EDWARD Better than going crazy and spending our life’s savings on stupid equipment that will be useless to us.
DIXIE Why, why are you such an ass?
EDWARD You know, maybe you should start taking your meds again because you’re really fucked up!
DIXIE Thanks, just what I wanted to hear from my loving, and heart. . .less husband!
EDWARD Jesus, Mary, and Joseph! Why do I even listen to the news around you!
DIXIE I’d find out anyway. I’m not stupid!
EDWARD You surely act like it the majority of the time!
DIXIE Damn you! Where’s Jacob!
EDWARD Leave the kid alone!
DIXIE I thought he wasn’t a kid?
EDWARD You know what I mean!
DIXIE No I don’t!
EDWARD I can’t deal with this; I’m leaving.
DIXIE Where are you going?
EDWARD To Lou’s!
DIXIE No you’re not!
EDWARD Stop me!
(DIXIE pushes him away from the door, locks it, and puts the keys in her pocket.)
DIXIE There, now you’re staying!
EDWARD Give me the keys!
DIXIE No, you’re not leaving again, I want you here, and I don’t want to be alone!
(EDWARD stops, paces around, punches the wall, then takes a deep breath.)
EDWARD Okay, Dixie, you have to stop with this. Go see the doctor again. This stress is really making you crazy, and you’re making me crazy.
DIXIE I don’t need to see anyone; I just need to know that we’re safe.
EDWARD Damn it! I’ve tried reasoning with you, I’ve tried joking with you, and I’ve even tried being sensitive to your stupidity! But enough is enough; give me the goddamn keys!
DIXIE No!
EDWARD If that’s the way you want it, I’ll just take them!
(HE grabs her hand, and THEY wrestle for the keys. DIXIE breaks away and throws pillows from the couch at EDWARD.)
DIXIE I won’t let you go away!
EDWARD I just need to get out for a bit. I’ll bring back some dinner. You won’t have to cook tonight.
(HE tries to get a hold of her again; SHE hits him and moves away.)
DIXIE No! Don’t touch me! Stay away from me!
EDWARD So you don’t want me to leave, and you don’t want me to be close to you? What in God’s good glory do you want from me, woman?
DIXIE Nothing! I don’t want anything from you. Where’s Jacob!
EDWARD Don’t you start putting this insanity on him!
DIXIE Oh what do you care what I do? You’ve never even acknowledged him! Where were you when he was growing up and he wanted to play baseball? Where? Not here, no, not with your family, no. You were at the bar getting drunk with your buddies.
EDWARD I was working so that he would have food on the table, and so you wouldn’t have to! So it meant I lost some time with my son. We’ll make it up!
DIXIE Oh yes, but there were planes to catch and bills to pay and if I remember, he learned to walk while you were away and as he grew, he said, "I'm gonna be like you, Dad.” Actually, wait; he never said that, did he? No he said he would never be anything like you, that he would never -- EDWARD Shut up! Go on with your insanity, keep on believing what you want about the world, go ahead and parade yourself down the streets, and sure I may have the cat in the cradle, but you, ha, well you’ve completely…well, let’s just say you’re no prize, either.
DIXIE But at least I care.
EDWARD Yes, you care, you care so much that you include him in your little eccentricities. In the end was it all worth while? Did it even matter?
(DIXIE begins to cry again, SHE grabs a mug and throws it at EDWARD.)
DIXIE You bastard!
(Enter JACOB and NATALIE through the front door.) NATALIE Oh, sh…Jake, let’s just get out of here. Forget the tickets.
JACOB Na, don’t worry about it. Just wait outside for me if ya want.
NATALIE Sure. DIXIE Where do you think you’re going?
JACOB I have tickets to a concert; I left them in the kitchen. DIXIE Oh no, no, no, you are not going to any concert! We’re at war! They could gas everyone at the concert!
JACOB Dad, how many times do I have to tell you? Earmuffs! Use earmuffs on her when you’re going to listen to the news!
DIXIE Stop being such a smart ass! You two aren’t going anywhere, tonight.
NATALIE I told ya Jake, we should have just stayed at school.
JACOB Don’t worry about it. It’s not like she can actually stop me from going.
DIXIE I will, don’t tempt me.
JACOB Bring it on, mommy dearest! I’m not scared. I’m not scared of you, I’m not scared of Iraq, and I’m not scared of terrorists! If it’s my time to die, then it’s my time to die!
DIXIE How can you say such awful things! You’re just like your father!
EDWARD At least he’s not like his lunatic mother. Go to the concert, don’t be too late, and call if anything happens.
JACOB Should I take a gas mask with me too, daddy?
EDWARD Hey, I bought those because of you’re mother!
JACOB Yeah, sure, whatever, you’re both psychos.
DIXIE Where did you learn this? Where did you get this, this attitude? Stop being such a—
JACOB A what? A jerk, is that the word you were looking for?
DIXIE Yes, that’s what you’re being!
NATALIE Jake, maybe we shouldn’t go.
JACOB Na, Nat, it’s cool. Just wait outside; I’ll be right out.
NATALIE Honestly, I don’t feel comfortable with you leaving the house like this.
JACOB Ha, don’t worry it’ll get worse in a minute.
DIXIE What, are you planning on beating me like your father?
EDWARD I’ve never laid a –
DIXIE I have the bruises to prove it! Look at my arm. Look at what you did just a minute ago!
EDWARD Jesus Christ, I’ll be in the kitchen. I can’t stand this craziness!
JACOB She took the keys again, huh, dad?
EDWARD Yeah. (HE exits to the kitchen.)
DIXIE See what you did to your father!
JACOB I didn’t do anything; I just want to go to the concert. I paid $50 bucks, and so did Natalie, and we aren’t going to lose that money just because you’re scared. Go ahead and keep listening to your little radio, and keep thinking you’re June Cleaver, and maybe if you duck and cover, the nukes won’t hurt you.
DIXIE I don’t know where you get this sarcasm from, but I’ll have you know that these are serious matters; you shouldn’t make fun of them.
JACOB Why not? If something’s stupid, I should be able to make fun of it. Like Bush’s new-clear war. Haha, that’s such a joke. Hey, hey GWB, how much oil did you get today? And how many lives did it cost!
DIXIE That’s not funny!
NATALIE Jake, your mom’s right, it’s not.
JACOB I wasn’t trying to be funny; I just want to go to a concert without any of this bullshit. Is that too much to as for? Jesus, come on, Nat, we’re going to miss the opening band.
NATALIE I’m sorry, Ms. Davis.
DIXIE Don’t worry about it, Natalie; just make sure he doesn’t do anything stupid. You’ve been a great friend to him; sometimes I wish you two would get together. You’re a good girl. But he’ll never do anything good for himself. Jesus, we fought so much when he wanted to go through with acting.
JACOB Who said I quit that?
NATALIE Jake, stop, let’s just go.
DIXIE No, its fine he loves hurting me. Just like his father. All they ever do is turn against me. They can never see me happy, no, that’s just not an option.
JACOB Hey, mom, (Singing.) I SEE EARTHQUAKES AND LIGHTNIN’ OH AND I SEE BAD TIMES TODAY, DON’T YOU DARE GO AROUND TONIGHT, BECAUSE AS ALWAYS, IT’S BOUND TO TAKE YOUR LIFE. DON’T FORGET THAT I SEE HURRICANES BLOWING, I KNOW, I JUST KNOW THAT THE END IS COMING SOON, BY THE WAY, I FEAR RIVERS ARE OVER FLOWING, I HEAR THE VOICE OF RAGINING DEMONS AND RUINS OF THE WESTERN WORLD! (Speaking) Wow, mom, that’s gotta be your song.
NATALIE Jake come on.
DIXIE Why do you do this? You’ll see that some day everything I say will be true. God help me I hope I’m wrong, but I know I’m not.
JACOB Right, and some day you may save the world. No wait, you wouldn’t save it, you would rule it because everyone else will be dead, so you’ll be around and maybe you’ll bring daddy with you, and then you can reproduce the world in your form. Wow mom, you’ll be God, no wait, you can be the Virgin Dixie, wow, what a title. You should be proud.
NATALIE You’re going a bit far, Jake.
JACOB Ah, come on, Nat, dear old mom and dear old dad are going to be the new parents of the world. Hey, mom, make sure dad doesn’t forget to bring his Viagra. That would cut the new world short, wouldn’t it?
DIXIE Your father is perfectly fine without that.
JACOB Right and monkeys might fly out of my ass.
NATALIE Jake, I’m going to wait outside.
JACOB Don’t worry this will only take one a minute.
DIXIE Natalie, how about some dinner? Wouldn’t you like that better than the concert? It’s really dangerous out there. Something can happen to the two of you. I know you actually think, before you do something, not like Jacob, all he wants to do is go against me.
NATALIE Honestly, I would like to go to the concert; we did pay a lot of money for it, I’m sorry.
DIXIE Is the entire world against me today?
NATALIE I’m sorry; I’ll just wait outside. (SHE walks out the door.) JACOB Do you have to be such a pain in front of all my friends?
DIXIE I’m only thinking of you!
JACOB Right, only thinking of me. That’s what you said when you brought me home from the hospital. Your little doll, right? Why can’t you just take your meds?
DIXIE This has nothing to do with my medicine; I’ve been taking them.
JACOB Not enough of them obviously.
DIXIE Just listen to me, will you?
JACOB I’ve heard it all before. You’re going to get shot, you’re going to get into an accident, you’re going to get a disease, you’re going to die of this and that, and whatever else.
DIXIE I’m not that bad. I don’t do that.
JACOB Denial. It’s not just a river anymore!
DIXIE I’m not in denial. I’m cautious.
JACOB Well, how about this, they instituted the draft.
DIXIE What? I didn’t hear about that. JACOB Yeah, well they did it about two weeks ago. They needed some more people.
DIXIE Why are you telling me this? Edward! Get in here!
JACOB Right, daddy should hear this too.
(Enter EDWARD from the kitchen.)
EDWARD What’s going on?
JACOB Nothing, dad, I just got drafted.
DIXIE What! JACOB Come on, you know I was going to say that.
DIXIE Did they institute the draft, again?
EDWARD Not that I know of. Are you serious? Let me see the card. When are you supposed to leave?
DIXIE Ed, don’t you have family in Canada? He can go there. That would get him out of this.
JACOB Who says I wanted to get out? And I leave tomorrow.
EDWARD Tomorrow! When did you get that notice? JACOB Eh, it’s been a bit. I don’t remember how long exactly, but I already talked with them, made arrangements for tomorrow.
EDWARD Are you stupid? I’ll talk to them, what was the name of the person you spoke to?
JACOB Don’t worry about that, I’m going, that’s that.
EDWARD Over my dead body.
JACOB You’re coming to; dad?
DIXIE Stop joking around; this is serious.
JACOB Of course it’s serious, and I’m going to take it serious. By the way they’re making me an officer.
EDWARD Officer? An officer? You’re going to be one of the first to die!
JACOB But hey, at least you’ll get a cool flag if I do.
DIXIE Why does he behave like this? Why is he so impossible?
EDWARD Dixie, go get some tea. Bring some for Jacob.
JACOB Wait, don’t forget the crackers.
EDWARD Just go.
(DIXIE exits to the kitchen.)
JACOB Look, I just want to get to the concert. It’s my last day before I ship out.
EDWARD We can fix this.
JACOB There’s nothing to fix, and I’m leaving now. You guys keep arguing, okay.
EDWARD Jacob, this isn’t good. You shouldn’t do this.
JACOB Yeah, well, no time for that doc, catch ya laters.
EDWARD I won’t let this happen.
JACOB Nothing you can do, pop. Have fun. (HE gets up and walks towards the door.)
EDWARD Where’s the card?
JACOB Don’t worry about it… here keep listening to the news. (HE turns on the radio.)
EDWARD You’ll regret going.
(JACOB walks out. The lights dim, and a red light is focused on the radio)
TV/RADIO ANNOUNCER The Coalition forces have been mounting a fierce attack on the Iraqi Republican Guard; slowly they are being overthrown. Many countries are still offering Saddam Hussein, asylum, President Bush, has stated, “Saddam, will not be allowed to have asylum. He has lost his time of amnesty. Now we will not stop till this tyrant is dead.” In other news, North Korea, has been manufacturing – (Red light goes down, lights come back up. EDWARD turns off radio, DIXIE enters.)
DIXIE Where did Jacob go?
EDWARD He left for the concert.
DIXIE You let him leave?
EDWARD It’s better that way; we can go ahead and talk to the recruiters before he gets back, maybe fix this entire mess. I honesty haven’t heard anything about a draft. When the hell did this happen?
DIXIE Do you think we’ll be able to get him out of it?
EDWARD I don’t know.
DIXIE Should we call your cousin in Canada?
EDWARD Yeah, go call Freddy. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind having Jacob over for a few weeks. Depending on how long this damn war goes on.
DIXIE You think it’ll only be a few weeks?
EDWARD Well, it didn’t take that long last time.
DIXIE And no one died, right?
EDWARD Um. . .none from our side.
DIXIE Okay, I’ll call up Freddy; see what he can do. What are you going to do?
EDWARD I’m going to talk to my friend at the camp, I’m sure he can find someway out of this.
DIXIE I hope so; I don’t want our son getting killed.
EDWARD Don’t worry, even if he does go, I’m sure he’ll be able to make it back. I doubt anyone will get killed on our side. Besides by the time they actually ship him out, the war will be over, and they’ll only be cleaning up.
DIXIE You think so?
EDWARD Yeah, I’m positive, I’ll go find this guys number.
(HE leaves to the bedroom. DIXIE grabs the phone book, and begins to call Freddy.)
DIXIE Hello, Freddy? Hi, it’s Dixie, how’s Canada? Wow, that’s great. Listen, would you mind if Jacob came up for a few weeks? He’s gotten into some trouble over here. . .well, he was drafted. . .no, no, not for baseball. He doesn’t play that anymore, he got drafted into the military. . .They wouldn’t do that. Our last President was a draft dodger. Jacob’s no different than him. . .well, that doesn’t matter either. It’s better that he not be a citizen than die for this crazy war. We shouldn’t even be there. . .look at Canada, they don’t want any part in it, neither does France, or Germany. Yes, I did vote for him. Yes I did try to talk Jacob into voting for him. No, that isn’t a reason for him to defend his country. . .Republicans are not evil. They just like things differently. Yes, I know, we didn’t really do anything this stupid with Clinton, but he was busy womanizing every intern in his office. Well, yeah, I suppose that’s better than sending our children to war. Hey, what about Serbia? Yeah, we went in there. . .so Saddam’s killed his people too. . .no, I am not defending the war now. . .How could you say that I’m a hypocrite? All I’m doing is. . .No, I am not supporting this war, and I don’t want Jacob to fight it. So you’re not going to help your nephew? Some uncle you are. You take off to Canada. We never see you, and when we need you most, you turn your back on all of us. For your information, it was Edward’s idea to call you. He said that Jacob could go over there, and ride out the war. No, Jacob wants to go. . .I don’t want him to. Can’t you understand? Fine, bye. Hope you can live with this on your conscious! (SHE hangs up the phone.) Edward! What if we leave to Canada as refugees? Think that would work?
(EDWARD comes out of the bedroom.)
EDWARD No, I don’t think that would. What did Freddy say?
DIXIE He won’t do it. Kept saying, that Jacob would lose his citizenship.
EDWARD There are loopholes. I’m sure there are. DIXIE Well he says we’re both being stupid, and that we should let Jacob go.
EDWARD Okay, well maybe we can reason with Jacob.
DIXIE I doubt it.
EDWARD Yeah, we should just send him to Canada; go as if we were on vacation or something, then he’ll miss the war.
DIXIE What if it doesn’t end?
EDWARD I don’t know. Let me call this guy. (HE picks up the phone.) Hello, Bill, I need a favor. Can you check on something about my son? He just told me he was drafted. . .what do you mean there’s no draft? Well, then why would he be in the military? He enlisted. Why would he do that? Damn it! Thanks, Bill, I’ll see you Saturday. (HE hangs up the phone.) I can’t believe it. He enlisted to go fight, everyday he’s been going to this training, so they can make sure he’s fit enough to qualify. He finally passed all the physicals two days ago. They’re going to send him to the boot camp tomorrow.
DIXIE Why would he enlist?
EDWARD I don’t know, but I’ll be damned if I’ll let him leave.
(JACOB and NATALIE enter.)
JACOB Mommy dearest, how are you?
NATALIE You know Jake, it’s better to be quite and let everyone think you’re an idiot, than to open your mouth and eliminate all doubt.
JACOB Ouch, harsh words.
DIXIE He surely is an idiot, there’s no doubt about it. My darling son, didn’t get drafted he enlisted into the Marines.
NATALIE You did? Why didn’t you tell me?
JACOB It was a surprise.
NATALIE Some surprise.
EDWARD Sure is, especially when he said he was drafted instead!
JACOB Technically I was. They recruited me, and I signed, and they said okay, you’re going to Iraq. They could have sent anyone else. But they chose me. Wasn’t that nice of them?
NATALIE You’re crazy, Jake. How could you have done that?
JACOB Don’t worry, Nat, nothing’s going to happen. Everything will be just fine.
EDWARD Yeah, sure, everything’s always just fine for you. You’re always one step ahead of everyone; well we’ll see when you’re getting shot at how fine you’re going to be.
DIXIE Don’t say that. Nothing’s going to happen. You told me nothing would happen.
EDWARD I doubt anything will happen, but that doesn’t mean he won’t get shot at.
JACOB Oh I know, dad, let’s find out from the radio, our good old wonderful friend. (HE turns the radio on.)
EDWARD Damn it, turn that off, this is serious.
NATALIE Jake, it is no harm to be an ass if one is content to bray and not kick. I hope you’re content.
JACOB What did I do to you?
NATALIE What haven’t you done today? You bring me into a fight at your house, and you press it on, then you join the Marines, and don’t even tell me about it, me, your best friend, the person who you’re supposed to confide in.
JACOB Would you have let me? Or would you have told my parents?
NATALIE I don’t know, but you should have told me!
JACOB Well, I couldn’t I –
EDWARD Wait, shhh. TV/RADIO ANNOUNCER This morning a maintenance crew, the 507, was separated from the Coalition troops. The crew appears to have been captured. According to Al-Jazeera, they have been given access to these prisoners of war and will be broadcasting them live on Iraqi TV. It is feared that some of these prisoners may have been tortured or even executed by the Iraqi Republican Guard. Spokesmen for the U.S. military have said that if Al-Jazeera does air the video, that it would be in direct violation of –
JACOB Wow, this war’s getting good!
(EDWARD shuts the radio off.)
EDWARD How can you say that? They actually killed some of our men?
JACOB And how many of theirs have we killed?
DIXIE You can’t go; you can’t leave to do this!
JACOB I’m going, and that’s that. I honestly am not going to go back on this. I’ve backed off too many things because of your crazy shit. Don’t play ball, don’t go into acting, don’t do this, don’t do that! Why don’t you try engineering, why don’t you go into economics? Well screw it. I’ve already done the things you want, and now I’m doing what I want!
NATALIE Jake, don’t do this to get back at them.
DIXIE I can’t stand this. I don’t know what I’m going to do, I have to get some air. (SHE exits.) EDWARD Do you see what you’ve done to your mother? How could we have raised you to be such a—
JACOB A what? A jerk? What is it, dad? I’m sure I got it from you, somehow. EDWARD I’m going to talk with those recruiters, and I’m bringing your mom. Don’t you do anything else stupid.
JACOB Oh wait, dad, I also sodomized a chipmunk. Just thought you should know.
EDWARD You’re not funny. (HE exits.)
JACOB This has got to be the best thing I’ve ever done. I actually have them scared shitless.
NATALIE You know what you’re doing isn’t right; you’re not going to get anywhere by doing this.
JACOB
NATALIE Our whole lives.
JACOB Exactly, and I know every single thing about you, and you about me. I even know where you’re ticklish.
NATALIE Don’t do it. I kicked your ass for it when we were ten and I’ll do it again, I swear.
JACOB Sure, let’s see, shall we.
(HE creeps slowly at her, with his fingers ready to tickle her.)
NATALIE Don’t you dare!
JACOB You know you can’t do anything about it. (HE jumps at her and tackles her to the ground.)
NATALIE Stop! I’ll yell rape!
JACOB Go for it.
NATALIE Rape! JACOB (HE continues to tickle her.) There, how do you like that!
(NATALIE struggles, and HE falls on her side. THEY come close to each other and almost kiss. BOTH back away.)
NATALIE
JACOB Ah come on, do you really think I would go and get myself into something so bad, that I couldn’t get out of?
NATALIE Apparently you would. Look at what you’re doing. Just think about it for a minute. JACOB When did this all turn against me? All I’m doing is what I think is right. I’m going into the service as an officer; I doubt I’ll even have to fight. Haven’t you heard Bush’s speeches? It’ll probably take us two weeks to get to Saddam, and another month or so to help set up a government. Once all that’s done I’ll be back home. It’ll take what-a month at the most. And I’ll have some experience outside of this place. I mean don’t get me wrong, I love it here, this is my home, and I love my parents even though they have their problems, but I just need to be somewhere else, ya know what I mean?
NATALIE Yeah, well what about everyone here? What about how your parents feelings about this? What about how I’m feeling about this?
JACOB Come on, what’s wrong with you? Nothing’s going to happen, why, are you worrying so much.
NATALIE Jacob, I honestly thought...well—
JACOB Thought what?
NATALIE That things could be different, you know. Two people, friends for a long time, well things happen.
JACOB No, Nat, you’re not pulling this now.
NATALIE Pulling what?
JACOB I’m leaving tomorrow, and you know you shouldn’t mess around about those things.
NATALIE Who’s messing around? I’m only telling you now because. . .well I’m scared you won’t come back.
JACOB Nat, honestly, nothing’s going to happen, nothing will go wrong. I’ll be back, and everything will be cool.
NATALIE I don’t believe that, and stop trying to manipulate me like your father does to your mother!
JACOB No, seriously, I mean, I have a thing for you too, and I would never want to ruin anything that I have with you. I just never thought you felt that way. If I did I would of…done something I guess, but this is better.
NATALIE But you’re leaving, so how does it make anything better.
JACOB I’ll be back, and when I get back, we’ll have something even better than before. We’ll be together, and we’ll be more than friends. This war isn’t going to be anything bad, at least not for us. I mean seriously, I don’t want to go into this war. There’s no point to it from where I’m looking at it. But if I can do this, if I can go over there, and get through this, if I can make my life more meaningful by doing this, well why not. It’s an opportunity I can’t afford to miss out on. And neither are you. That’s why I’ll make sure, I get back here to be with you.
(HE reaches over to NATALIE and puts his hand behind her head, brings her close to him, and THEY kiss.)
NATALIE You better not be joking. If you are—
JACOB I wouldn’t.
NATALIE So, what happens now?
JACOB Well, in a few hours I leave for boot camp.
NATALIE Where’s your boot camp going to be?
JACOB I don’t know. I think they will send me to the one that’s right here. But I honestly don’t know.
NATALIE So then you really don’t leave right away.
JACOB It’s only three weeks, worst-case scenario, I miss the ground war, and go only to help with the clean up.
NATALIE And with us?
JACOB What do you mean? We’re a couple, right?
NATALIE I guess that’s what we want.
JACOB Of course it’s what I want. Everything will work out you’ll see.
NATALIE What time are you leaving tomorrow?
JACOB Seven, I guess. They’re giving me a call when they come by.
NATALIE Well, it’s almost one; do you want me to go?
(SHE gets up to leave. JACOB pulls her down.)
JACOB Na stay, I won’t get any sleep anyway, I’m too nervous.
NATALIE You be careful out there! You remember the words of Mr. Clemens “To be a patriot, one had to say, and keep on saying, ‘Our country, right or wrong,’ and urge on the little war. Have you not perceived that that phrase is an insult to the nation.” Don’t do anything stupid out there.
JACOB Wow, that one’s deep. At least I wasn’t stupid this time.
NATALIE Just watch out when you’re there, and don’t let anyone make you do something you’ll regret.
JACOB I won’t (Enter DIXIE and EDWARD.) So much for having some peace and quiet around here.
EDWARD Boy, you better start thinking straight because this is your last chance! I can’t get you out of this. They won’t let me.
JACOB And I don’t want to!
DIXIE Natalie, please talk some sense into him. You’ve always been a good friend to him; tell him how ridiculous he’s being.
NATALIE Actually, I think he has a point; I’m standing by him.
DIXIE You’re telling him its okay? Why? Why would you say something like that? Why would you let him do something so stupid?
NATALIE Because it happens to be what he wants, and it’s not stupid. By saying that you’re saying that he’s stupid and that so am I. And I personally resent that.
DIXIE Well, you both are stupid if you agree with this insanity.
JACOB The only insanity here is coming from you and that Muppet over there.
EDWARD Don’t you insult us! All we’re trying to do is watch out for your own good.
JACOB Right, yeah, always my own good, I’m sick of this. (HE turns the radio on.)
TV/RADIO ANNOUNCER In today’s news, Coalition forces rescued a member of the captured 507-maintenance crew. Private Jessica Lynch was being held up in an Iraqi hospital. Eleven bodies were found along with the tortured P.O.W. It has not been reported as to whether or not these were U.S. soldiers or other Iraqi’s. It is believed that Private Lynch was placed in the hospital receiving some sort of medical treatment, after being tortured. She appears to have sustained two broken legs and a broken arm. In other news, North Korea continues working on its nuclear arms and appears to have manufactured numerous nuclear sub— (EDWARD shuts off radio.)
EDWARD Thank God they found that girl. At least her parents can live in peace. JACOB I think there’s more to that story, but hey they got her out. That’s awesome.
NATALIE Mr. Davis, don’t worry about Jacob. He’ll be all right.
DIXIE What about those eleven boys that were killed? They may say that they weren’t Americans, but I know they were! That’s going to be how you’re going to end up, you hear, Jacob? You’re going to be one of those dead boys. EDWARD Dixie, I think it’s time to stop; he’s not going to change his mind.
DIXIE You’re giving up on our son?
EDWARD No, I’m not giving up; I’m standing behind him. I’m going to support his decision. If that girl can get out, then my son will be able to also. I think it’s about time I started looking at things a little differently. I’ve looking at everything the wrong way, I think.
JACOB Oh come on, stop mocking me. I’m not going to fall for this whole niceness thing. It’s way to late for that stuff.
EDWARD That honestly doesn’t matter. I think I over reacted.
JACOB Yeah, I’ve heard that before.
DIXIE How could you support his suicide attempt?
NATALIE He’s not attempting suicide; he’s sorta going through a rite of passage.
JACOB Yeah, mom, I’m growing up, and you can’t stop that. I’m not your little toy doll anymore. I can fend for myself.
DIXIE No, you don’t know what you’re saying; I never treated you like a toy doll.
NATALIE Ms. Davis, it’s time to let go.
DIXIE I don’t have to; he’s my baby!
JACOB I’m not a baby. I’m grown up, and this is my first grown up decision, and you can’t change it. It’s time to just move on. When I go, be proud, support my decision, and you won’t regret it if for some reason I don’t make it back. If I don’t, then I want you to be proud of me, stand up and acknowledge that I died with pride, and that pride will stay with my soul, and God will see that I am well rewarded for that.
DIXIE If you die? You don’t think it’s going to be that bad, do you? You think that you’re going to get over there, and everything is going to be just fine. You salute a soldier, and shoot a few guns, and come on back home, maybe distribute some food along the way or do something crazy like bring down a statue of Saddam. Well maybe that will be true. Maybe you’ll get to do those things, but hear my words; you won’t make it back here alive. Something’s going to happen. I can feel it. I know this!
JACOB There’s just no dealing with you, you’re always going to stay as stubborn and fucked up as you’ve always been!
EDWARD Just give her some time.
JACOB Yeah right, I’ll give you both time, time to completely understand that I don’t need either of you guys.
EDWARD There’s no need for that; I’m being sincere.
NATALIE Sorry, Mr. Davis, but I don’t understand why you’re changing all of a sudden. I think Jacob has a reason to doubt you.
EDWARD I’m not changing, I’m not in agreement, but he’s right, I’m his father, and I’ve never supported any of his decisions, and now I am, I think it’s a start, a late start, but either way a start.
JACOB Well I don’t need it. Just make sure that psycho over there, doesn’t start up again.
DIXIE Psycho! I’m no psycho! I have intuition. I know these things!
EDWARD It’s time to stop this, just let him be.
NATALIE Jacob, why don’t we just go outside? Why don’t we just wait for them to pick you up?
EDWARD No, he should get some rest. JACOB There ya go again. I don’t want to rest. I just want to get out of here.
DIXIE You’ll be out of here in a hurry, just watch and see.
JACOB Damn it; give her some of those pills already. She’s going crazy again!
DIXIE I’m not taking anything. I’m not crazy. I just know what I see, and you’ll figure it out soon enough.
JACOB Ya I’ll see just how crazy you are.
DIXIE Really, well turn on the radio; let’s see just what’s going on over there. (SHE turns on the radio.)
JACOB Fine, lets listen, by now I’ve probably missed the entire war, anyway.
NATALIE Come on, there’s no reason to do this to ourselves.
JACOB No, Nat, it’s fine; lets listen.
(Red light goes on, focusing on radio.)
TV/RADIO ANNOUNCER Today, the Coalition forces dropped four-bunker buster missiles on suburban Baghdad. Military intelligence says that Saddam appears to have been killed in the attack. However, we have no confirmation as of yet. U.S. Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld, announced that even though we don’t have confirmation, it is believed that Saddam is dead and that Iraq will be falling with-in the next few days.
(Red lights go out.)
JACOB See, all I’ll be doing is some clean up over there, giving some food, and what not. See, mom, there’s nothing to worry about
DIXIE I’m sure that there’s something that they haven’t told us.
(Red light goes on, focusing on radio.)
TV/RADIO ANNOUNCER We also have some confirmation that North Korea’s nuclear weapons program is in full swing. North Korea is starting up conversations once again with the United Nations to establish nuclear guidelines. President Bush stated, “North Korea is not a priority at the moment. We have another task at hand. However, we are keeping an eye on them. We have numerous intelligence groups paying close attention to all their movements.
(Red lights go out.)
JACOB Ya know, mom, I think I’d worry more about them than the Iraqi’s
DIXIE I don’t care about them; now that they have those weapons; they’re like one of us.
NATALIE That makes absolutely no sense.
DIXIE Makes sense to me. Like Bush said, we have other tasks at hand, and I hope they end tonight!
EDWARD Come on, no one has anything to worry about with either of these countries. Iraq is almost all under coalition Control. Saddam is dead, and no one’s heard anything from Osauma, so he’s probably dead too.
NATALIE Yeah, but Asians tend to be very violent with their enemies.
DIXIE They don’t matter; Iraq is where the problem is.
JACOB You’re, just as closed minded as Bush. He’s in it for oil, and you’re just insane.
DIXIE And why are you going into it? Aren’t you just as insane?
JACOB No, nothing’s going to happen to me, but if anything I at least know what I’m getting into. You have no idea what can happen to you. You have no idea who or what will end up killing you!
DIXIE I might not be that safe, but at least I’m not running right into danger.
EDWARD Dixie, please stop. He’s not going to listen anymore. It’s time to just give up, and at least let him leave on good terms.
NATALIE Ms. Davis, you should just wish him good luck. He’s going to be leaving soon. Don’t let him leave on bad terms.
JACOB No, it’s fine, just let her be that way; I don’t need anything from her. At least my father finally decided to be a damn parent. It only took him 21 years, lets see how long it takes her to finally be a half way decent mother!
DIXIE I am a good mother; you’ve never missed anything in your life. I’ve always made sure you had everything you needed.
JACOB Really, how many PTA meetings did you attend? How many times did you pass by school to talk to my teachers? You only showed up when there was something in it for you. You know what? Forget it; forget I ever mentioned it!
DIXIE Oh, now you’re using that against me? What next? The fact that I considered an abortion? Do you want to make me feel guilty about that?
JACOB No, you do enough already. Go ahead and feel guilty for yourself. Keep on running around like a chicken with its head cut off, feeling sorry for yourself.
DIXIE That’s not the way I am!
JACOB Yeah sure, mom, of course. Poor, poor Dixie, so sad, her son doesn’t want to go to college, so she forces him to. Her husband is never home and doesn’t pay attention to her. She aborted her second child because she was afraid her husband would leave. Oh and don’t forget that her son is now in the Marines. Poor, poor her. Who could live with such tragedies? Maybe we should go ahead and make some kind of humanitarian effort at the Davis household. Forget all about the poor homeless people living in downtown, and all the other young people who actually fought in the war, I mean, who cares about them?
DIXIE I don’t ask for any pity. I’m not asking for anything like that.
JACOB Sure, mom, sure! You’re just pretending that everything that goes wrong happens only because it’s you. Maybe you should go ahead and take a better look at your life and what is actually going on around you, and who it is truly affecting!
DIXIE I know who it affects. I know what is going on! And I don’t pretend that it’s me. I know when it’s me. I know when you’re doing something just to get to me and your father!
JACOB Right, right, right! I’m doing this because of you. It has nothing to do with the fact that I want to do this, that I want to be involved in something other than what you have planned for me.
DIXIE Exactly, you’re only reason for this is to get attention. Well I hope you’re happy. You have our attention.
JACOB Yeah, mom, I’m totally happy. I’m happy for myself, because I’m finally breaking free of you! You’re my tyrant.
DIXIE Keep being so hurtful, keep being such a lousy child, you’re going to burn in hell for being this way.
NATALIE Jake, don’t argue with her, let’s just go.
JACOB Good idea, I don’t need any of these troubles. My ride will be here soon.
DIXIE I hope you have fun before you get killed!
NATALIE Just say good-bye to him. Let him know you’re here for him.
DIXIE No, I refuse to.
JACOB Forget it! (HE and NATALIE exit.)
EDWARD Dixie, you should go and wish him luck. Don’t let him leave like that.
DIXIE I have no reason to do that; he’s doing this just to spite me.
EDWARD That’s what he was talking about. He didn’t want to spite you. It’s what he wants to do. I’m understanding it, and Natalie is understanding, why can’t you?
DIXIE No, it’s not; he’s not doing this for himself. I know what he’s doing, and why he’s doing it, and I know that he’s not coming back. Say good-bye to your son. You’ll never see him alive again!
EDWARD Don’t say that. We know he’s not going to be in much danger. It’s only clean up by the time he gets over there.
DIXIE That’s what they say, but we’ll see, won’t we?
EDWARD It’s not going to be that bad. Trust me.
DIXIE Forget it. I’m going to cook dinner.
(Enter NATALIE)
NATALIE Well he’s gone; I hope you’re happy.
DIXIE No, not at all, but stay for dinner, the table looks empty without Jacob.
NATALIE Sure, why not.
DIXIE I’ll be back with dinner. (SHE exits.)
EDWARD You think he’ll be all right?
NATALIE I hope so. Do you think he will?
EDWARD No, not really, but I’m trying to be optimistic.
NATALIE Me too. EDWARD War is hell, regardless of how many die; no one should have to go through that. NATALIE Yeah, I used to wear a patch that said, “fight war, not wars. EDWARD That sounds like a good idea. (DIXIE enters with food and sets table.)
DIXIE Turn on the radio; let’s hear what’s going on.
(EDWARD turns on the radio, lights go down, red light focus’ on radio, EDWARD, DIXIE, and NATALIE all sit on the couch with their heads down.)
TV/RADIO ANNOUNCER It appears some pockets of resistance continue around Iraq with some fierce battles being disbursed rather quickly by coalition forces. It also appears that a new war has started. North Korea has targeted some major facilities around the U.S. with Nuclear weapons. Some of the targets include, Washington D.C.; Norfolk, Va.; Staten Island, N.Y.; and other Major cities around the eastern coast of the United States, President Bush cannot be reached at the moment for comments.
(A loud explosion is heard through the house speakers. The red lights flicker. Gunshots are now heard on the speakers, and Jacob’s voice can be heard.)
JACOB Ahh! We’re getting our asses handed to us here. We have to pull out, everyone back out, go, go. Ah, shit, that hurt, damn it, ah, (Speaking very softly, dying.) I should have listened to you, and I shouldn’t of come he. . . END SCENE.
ALTERNATE ENDING
TV REPORTER It appears some pockets of resistance continue around Iraq with some fierce battles being disbursed rather quickly by coalition forces. Here we see film of soldiers triumphant return. Lets get some comments . .
TV REPORTER Cont. .excuse me, sir, we’re from WXTN T.V. could you comment for us . . .
JACOB Yeah, I’m officer Jake Davis; we’re coming back from a successful recon mission. We nab us two snipers with no casualties. Um . . . Hi mom, I’m alive!
TV REPORTER That was a bit morbid. Where are you from?
JACOB Norfolk, Virginia.
TV REPORTER Oh, you haven’t hear . . . yet?
JACOB Haven’t heard, what?
TV REPORTER Well, um. . . you better go see the commanding officer. (Pause, Exit JACOB) This is tough. Okay, it also appears that a new war has started. North Korea has targeted some major facilities around the U.S. with Nuclear weapons. Some of the targets include, Washington D.C.; Norfolk, Va.; Staten Island, N.Y.; and other Major cities around the eastern coast of the United States, President Bush cannot be reached at the moment for comments.
(A loud explosion is heard through the house speakers. The red lights flicker.
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