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CREST OF THE WAVES

by ED BALLOU

Copyright Ed Ballou, 2014!!

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Ed Ballou
edballou@icloud.com

CHARACTERS

CAP - A retired sea captain - around 80, mobile, Italian t-shirt - he pantomimes watering
his lawn and plants, turning on the water, coiling and uncoiling his hose, etc.
MRS. TILSON - 60s, his tenant
TEDDY - Caps grandson, early 20s
JIMMY - Caps son, about 50, tan face from seafaring, a cap that says Do Not Disturb
MADGE - Caps daughter, about 50, funny, mobile, but elegant
BILLY - an old retired tugboat captain, 70s, wears a captains cap
RALPH - Caps brother, about 80, untucked, unbuttoned, plaid short sleeve shirt
MIM - peroxide red hair
The following three characters can be played by one actor in three different costumes all three are Caps uncles, wearing Captains caps and dressed in turn of the eighteenth
century sailors outfits:
UNCLE NED
UNCLE TOMMY
UNCLE BEN
MAN - dressed in turn of the last century island farmer garb
BOY - dressed in turn of the last century island garb
MATE - ships mate, OFFSTAGE
RHONDA - A young black girl, Teddys California girlfriend

TIME: 1970.
PLACE: St. Pete Beach, Florida

SET:
UPSTAGE is The Porch, with an old concrete walk dividing a tropical front yard in half crabgrass, small fruit trees, and a palm tree on each side - under one palm tree a small
pile of rocks, under the other a sign swinging from a frame saying Crest of the Waves the walk culminates in steps going up to a covered porch with two screen doors right
and left - two short lawn chairs next to each other, in the area between the doors. At
times The Porch darkens, and behind it The Plot appears, with sea sounds below and
cliffs rising above that disappear into the shadow of a volcanic peak.
STAGE RIGHT is The Railing where scenes at sea take place. Its several feet long,
and stands at different heights, depending on which ship it is the railing. It can be low
and wooden, with rope rigging going up to the masts above, as on a sailing ship, or high
and steel as on the wheelhouse of a Liberty ship, or low and steel with scuppers, as on
a tugboat.
DOWNSTAGE LEFT is The Pulpit, with a coffin in front and a ships bell behind - the
pews are the theatre audience - there is a suggestion of windows flung open to a blue
sky floating over the sounds of the sea.! !
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ONE BELL! !

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AT RISE: Lights rise on TEDDY standing behind The Pulpit, the simple wooden coffin
before it. Sunlight streaming in from one side, the SOUNDS of the sea crashing far
below on the cliffs. Jimmy, Madge, Mim, Billy, and Renee are sitting in a pew in front of
the coffin - more pews behind are suggested by the audience.
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TEDDY
We are gathered here on The Rock to honor the life of Cap, a man from the past - born
on The Rock at the end of the nineteenth century - his mother born here five years after
President Lincoln was shot and six years before Custers Last Stand. Cap had to go to
sea as a cabin boy on a three-masted schooner. He eventually sailed up to New York as
deckhand, where the shipping was better - going through the First World War as a sailor
in the Merchant Marine, then marrying and raising three kids, as he rose to Captain on
the water. When shipping slowed in the Great Depression, he painted houses and
refinished floors by hand. Cap went through the Second World War as a captain of
Liberty ships in the convoys - moving to Florida after the war, and continuing to serve as
a skipper of freighters until he was forced to retire. Now, at his passing, the big moon
under which he stood watch on those old wooden schooners has seen the footprints of
man. My grandfather was a simple man - he lived how people here on The Rock lived
for the last three centuries - never learned to drive, no phone, taught himself to read and
write on the ships. He smoked cigars and pipes, watched only Friday night boxing on
his small black and white TV, and listened only to Paul Harvey on his radio. He ate as if
he were still on those sailing ships of long ago - slumgullion, johnnybread, and bread
pudding for dessert. He drank lemonade with ice cubes from plastic cups, and took
slugs of rum from a bottle he kept hidden in a cupboard. Cap had a saying: If a things
worth doing, its worth doing right... - I reckon thats how he tried to live his life, and this
is my eulogy for Cap...
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(LIGHTS DIM on The Pulpit - LIGHTS RISE
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on The Porch - a store-bought placard sign
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saying For Rent hangs below the painted
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wooden sign in the front yard that declares
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Crest of The Waves - Cap sitting in the lawn
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chair on the right, looking at a newspaper with
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his reading glasses on - the right screen door
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opens - ENTER MADGE onto the porch,
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carrying a small placard, and a styrofoam ice
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chest which she puts down. She goes back to
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the wooden wall of the duplex behind Caps
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chair, thumbtacks placard up.)
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MADGE
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(Reading the placard)
The Captains Word Is Law!!
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Goin fishin this mornin, Madge?

CAP
(Reading his newspaper)

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MADGE
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(Striking a pose)
The fish are asking me for an audience!
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CAP
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(Reading)
Go back ta th garage - take th bamboo pole - just inside th door...
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Theyre all bamboo poles, Daddy..!

MADGE
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Th one with th big reel..

CAP

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Im not catching a whale!

MADGE

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CAP
Its good for trollin.. got heavy sinkers, goes down deep fer th fish..
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Fresh fish for dinner!

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Ill go up ta Winn Dixie, just in case..

MADGE
(Picking up the styrofoam ice chest)
CAP! !

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MADGE!
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No need to shop, Daddy.. Im bringing back.. red snapper - theyre running!
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Runnin where?

CAP

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Only The Shadow knows!

MADGE

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CAP
Ill get a ham.. what charter boat you goin out on?
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Captain Randys!

MADGE

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CAP
Capn Randy on th Buenavista? - youll have ta pilot him outta th harbor..
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(Mimicking - hes been there before)
Which way do I go, Cap?
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(Normal voice)
Christ, just foller th channel, me boy!
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MADGE
If Im not back by dinner, send the dogs out..
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Ill send yer brother out in his Buick..

CAP
(Putting up his newspaper, going down the
steps to water his lawn)

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MADGE!
Ill be back with an ice chest full of fresh snapper!

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CAP
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(Uncoiling the hose, turning it on - he waters)
Yer th only thing thats fresh - now get yer pole...
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MADGE
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(Striking a pose)
Well! - but the Captains word is law!
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(Cap waters his plants - the steady SOUND of
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low surf gently washing up on a nearby beach !
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ENTER TEDDY with a suitcase - puts it down)
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CAP
Teddy.. what you doin here? - thought you was in California...
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TEDDY
Things didnt work out with this girl...!
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CAP
Well, boy, youre welcome here, anytime - your Uncle Jimmy will be glad ta see ya - he
just got off his tanker - hes stoppin by this mornin - how was th flight?
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TEDDY
Couldnt afford a plane - took a Greyhound, three long days ride..
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CAP! !
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Yer Uncle Jimmy will wanna take ya down ta see yer Grandma..
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TEDDY
You still got that ol double-ender boat?!
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CAP
Th Little Nick - shes anchored out in th Pass..
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TEDDY
Id like to go out in her sometime..
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CAP
Shore, boy - now stow yer stuff in th front bedroom..
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TEDDY
Okay, Granpot - sure glad Im here!!
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CAP
Me too, boy...
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(TEDDY EXITS - CAP continues watering !
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ENTER MIM )
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MIM! !
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Hi, Cap..
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CAP
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(Watering)
Ho, Mim..! !
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MIM
Was that your grandson I saw come up the driveway?!!
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CAP! !
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Hes stayin awhile..
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MIM
Vacation?
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CAP
Christ, he cant afford no vacation, makes no money paintin houses in California! came down on th Greyhound, probly broke - gonna have ta look for work - maybe
Jimmy can get him on th sea, I dunno..
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MIM
If hes looking for work, I could use the fence painted over at my apartment house - if he
wants a job he can walk to, tell him to stop by - you too, Cap - Ill pour you a stiff rum..
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CAP
Ill send him, Mim..! !
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MIM
Dont forget that rum..
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(CAP continues watering the front yard !
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ENTER BILLY up the walk, carrying a bunch of
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bananas on his head.)
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CAP! !
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(Looking over, watering)
Lookin good, Billy..! !
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BILLY
A present, Cap...
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(Climbs steps, puts bananas on a chair)
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CAP
Bringin coal ta Newcastle..
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BILLY
These are bananas..
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CAP
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(Watering a small tree with big fronds)
Whats this?
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BILLY
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(Looking carefully)
A banana tree..!
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CAP
No, its Newcastle n its fulla coal..
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BILLY
But no bananas..! !
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CAP! !
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Got a bunch o them on me table..
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(Goes back to watering. A pause.)
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BILLY!!
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Would it kill ya ta recognize me for who I am?
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CAP
Yer a retired ol tugboat captain, walkin round wit bananas on yer head..

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BILLY
They could build a statue of me in New York Harbor, for what I done!
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CAP
Christ, even th pigeons wouldnt sit on it.. what you need a statue fer?
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BILLY
So people will look at it, and say, I remember old Billy, that son of a sea cook! Damn
him for dyin - wonder what hes doin now?
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(Laughs)
And dead, Ill be dead! - and wholl care? - you care, you gonna care, Cap?
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(Looks at Cap watering)
You aint gonna care - you dont care about me now! You dont! Who am I to you, huh?
Nobody - a landlubber cause I never left New York Harbor, never sailed deepwater you think Im not a real sailor! You never did, huh, Cap - never!!
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CAP
Billy, youre three sheets ta th wind..
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(Sprinkles some water his way)
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BILLY
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(Moving out of the way)
You ever been on a steam tug, haulin rope in a freezin storm, hands slippin on a thick
hawser tyin our little tug to a big ship like you was master of, a sailor on its deck
shoutin down, Pull, tug swabbie, pull, tighten this line, get yer tug pullin - pull! - pull us
offen this dock afore we ram her - pull, you son of a sea cook! And we pulled! - waves
sloshin on deck, old wood hull a-bangin against that big iron hull, boiler roarin, steam
engine clankin, fire belchin from the stack - and we pulled that ship off that dock, a big
ship like you was captain of - saved their deepwater hides, then pushed em back snug
inna berth! And no thanks from those deepwater men up there, not a word! - dont
forget, Cap, I worked my way up from deck just like you! - we both climbed into the
wheelhouse and become captain - I was captain of my own damn steam tug in New
York Harbor - I was captain!!
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CAP! !
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(Sprinkling water at him)
Look out, tug captain - waves comin aboard!
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BILLY
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(Drying himself off, going down the steps)
You wasnt the only one was captain..
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(BILLY EXITS. CAP turns off the hose, coils it
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up, goes up the steps, EXITS inside the right
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side of the duplex - LIGHTS DIM on The Porch
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- LIGHTS RISE again on The Porch - the
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SOUNDS of a car pulling up, the murmur of

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Hello? Hello!
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a cabbie being paid, a car door slams, and the

car drives off. ENTER MRS. TILSON at the
front of the walk, suitcase in one hand,
newspaper in the other - she pauses and looks
at the duplex, then climbs the steps slowly,
puts her suitcase down on the porch, goes to
the left screen door, knocks - no answer. A
pause, and she knocks again - no answer. She
pauses, then goes to the right screen door,
knocks on it - no answer. She knocks, again no answer.)
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MRS. TILSON
(Calling inside)

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(No answer. She pulls on the screen door in

frustration - it opens - just then MADGE stands
in the doorway.

MADGE

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May I help you?

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MRS. TILSON
Oh! - Im so sorry! - where I come from, we always lock our doors..
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Wheres that?

MADGE

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New York City..

MRS. TILSON

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Well, this is Florida..

MADGE

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MRS. TILSON
How refreshing! - I saw an ad for a rental and took a cab out from the airport - were
way out here! - what is this place, anyway?
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Saint Pete Beach..

MADGE

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A little beach town!

MRS. TILSON

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Its not New York..

MADGE

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You the owner?

MRS. TILSON

MADGE

No, my fathers the owner - I was just frying some fish for him - I live in back, in the
three-room - Daddys up at Winn Dixie, getting vittles, as he says..!
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MRS. TILSON
Do I wait here and look for his car?!
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Daddy doesnt drive - he walked up..

MADGE!

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MRS. TILSON
I dont drive, either - you cant in New York!
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MADGE
I dont want to burn the fish - you can wait for him here, if you like..
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MRS. TILSON
Do you think I could sit down? - Im awfully tired from the flight down..
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MADGE
You look like a nice lady..
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(Going to the other door, unlocking it)
Its this side of the duplex is for rent - furnished - Ill get a lawn chair, and you can wait
for Daddy on the porch..
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(She goes inside the apartment, reappears
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with a short lawn chair, opens it up on the
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porch in front of the rental unit)
.. he shouldnt be long..
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(MRS. TILSON sits down in the chair, MADGE
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turns to go back inside the apartment)
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MRS. TILSON
Thank you so much - Im Ruth.. Ruth Tilson..
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Madge.. Madge Holm..

MADGE

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And your father..?

MRS. TILSON

MADGE

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George.. George Holm..

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MRS. TILSON
Thanks, Madge - wont your father be alarmed finding a strange woman on his porch?
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Nothing bothers Daddy..
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Hello, George..

MADGE

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(MADGE EXITS - MRS. TILSON sits, listening

to the SOUNDS of the soft surf of the Gulf and
children playing in the pool of the motel across
the street - ENTER CAP up the sidewalk,
paper bag in hand - he comes up the walk)
MRS. TILSON

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Hello, yerself..!
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Ive come to see about your rental..!

CAP
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Shore..

CAP
(Pauses, looks up at her, pulls off the For
Rent sign - climbs steps)

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MRS. TILSON
(Rising)

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MRS. TILSON!
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Ive just come down from New York - my husband passed away, and I have nowhere to
be.. read an ad for Florida in the Times, with a picture of a beach - I like it warm, so I
sold the condo and flew down.. may I see the rental?
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Come ahead..
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CAP

(Starts opening the left side door)

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How much?

MRS. TILSON

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Two hundred..

CAP

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Utilities?

MRS. TILSON

CAP

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On you.. get a check?

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MRS. TILSON
My husbands pension - he was manager of the Brooklyn Shipyard..
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Never put in there..

CAP

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MRS. TILSON
Well, why would you? - they fix ships and such.. !
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CAP
I knows about ships, Mrs...
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Ruth.. Ruth Tilson..

MRS. TILSON

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Cap..

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CAP
(Gesturing to himself)

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I thought it was George..! !

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MRS. TILSON
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They calls me Cap..
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CAP
(Leading the way into the duplex)

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(CAP and MRS. TILSON EXIT into the

apartment - LIGHTS DIM on The Porch
LIGHTS RISE on The Porch - the distant
periodic SOUND of a foghorn - CAP smoking a
pipe in his lawn chair - TEDDY ENTERS
through right screen door, stands on porch)

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What times the fight?

TEDDY

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CAP
Eight oclock..!
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TEDDY
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(Poking his head back through screen door,
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looking up at a clock)
Ten minutes..
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(Pauses, gesturing inside)
Whered you get that clock made of driftwood?
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Your Uncle Jimmy made it..

CAP

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Hes pretty handy with wood..

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TEDDY
(Sitting in other lawn chair)

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Shore..

CAP

TEDDY

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Some...!
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Hows Mims fence comin?

CAP! !

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(He smokes, they sit, listening to the SOUNDS

of the foghorn)

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How about you?

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TEDDY
Got it about scraped down - gonna prime it tomorrow... I can see the Little Nick from
Mims place, anchored in the Pass - keeps bobbing up and down in the waves, pulling
against its anchor chain - like its trying to bust loose and sail away on its own! - I feel
like that, Granpot, when Im painting Mims fence...! !
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CAP
Wal, mebbe yer Uncle Jimmy can get ya on th sea, boy..
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TEDDY
Think so?
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(A pause, TEDDY again gestures inside)
And you got a lamp in there, made out of some instrument..
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CAP
Yer Uncle Jimmy made it outta me ol sextant..
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Whats that?

TEDDY

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CAP
Lines you up with th sun n th stars, sos you can tell where your ship is - then you can
chart yer course..
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You sailed by the stars?

TEDDY

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CAP! !
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Shore, only way you could sail at night, in th ol days..
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(They listen to SOUND of the foghorn)
Fogs thick on th Gulf..
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Wheres the foghorn?

TEDDY

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CAP
On a big red buoy, on th channel comin in..!
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You seen it?

TEDDY

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Plenty..
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Sounds like th one at The Rock..

CAP

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They had a foghorn on The Rock?

TEDDY

(They listen to SOUND of the foghorn)

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CAP
So th ships wouldnt wreck on her cliffs.. used to listen ta it, when I was a boy..
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TEDDY
Before you shipped!out?!
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CAP
Cabin boy, thirty a month - hadta send it all back ta take care o me Ma...
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(They listen to SOUND of the foghorn)
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Whyd you ship out?

TEDDY !

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CAP
Me pappy passed away, while he was farmin our plot on The Rock..
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TEDDY
He was a farmer?
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CAP
Had ta quit th sea. when he got a fire coal in his hand, couldnt sail no more, had ta take
up farmin...
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TEDDY
And what did his dad do?!
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CAP
Same, went ta sea, like th rest o them..
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And his granddad?

TEDDY

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CAP
Ta sea - like all them what come before...
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And Uncle Jimmy shipped out, too..

TEDDY

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CAP
Its in our blood, me boy - your blood, too...
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(They listen SOUND of the foghorn)
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TEDDY
How far is it to The Rock? - like if we took the Little Nick..!
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CAP! !
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Depends on th wind n th currents..!
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TEDDY
A week?
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CAP
Maybe three weeks - with th wind at our back n currents runnin our way..
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TEDDY
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(Pauses)
Think we could take the Little Nick out in the Gulf, sometime - just the two of us?
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CAP
Shore..
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(They listen to SOUND of the foghorn)
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TEDDY
How old were you, when your dad passed and you shipped out?
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Thirteen..

CAP

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TEDDY !
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Im twenty-three.. think Ill ever ship out?
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CAP
Hope so, boy - Bobby n Madge got no kids...
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(The SOUND of the foghorn)

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TEDDY
Whyd you quit the sea?! !
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CAP
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(Pauses, smokes)
We was unloadin cargo in Mobile.. I wanted to go up ta yer Aunt Madges weddin in
New York.. told th ships agent th mate could finish th unloadin.. he said no, captain
hasta stay with his ship..
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(Pauses, smokes)
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Well, did you?

TEDDY !

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CAP
Told th agent ta sail th ship up his ass n drop both anchors.. went up ta th weddin, but
got blacklisted on th Gulf when I come back down, couldnt ship no more...
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(Gets up)
Lets go in n watch th fight, Rufus...
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(CAP and TEDDY EXIT through screen door !
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LIGHTS DIM on The Porch - LIGHTS RISE
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again on The Porch - CAP sitting in his lawn
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chair, reading his paper - ENTER MADGE up
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the walk, carrying the styrofoam ice chest - she
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drops it in front of him)
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MADGE
Enter the queen, with a mess ofish - and boy are they heavy!
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What you got?!

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CAP
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MADGE!
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Two rockfish, three mullet, four sunfish - and a giant grouper!
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A giant grouper swallow you whole..

CAP

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Well, maybe its a tuna..

MADGE

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CAP
What about snapper? - hear theyre runnin..
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MADGE
I hooked a snapper, but it snapped the line - thats what they do! - I thought we were
having ham for dinner...! !
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CAP! !
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We are now, lessn you caught somethin..
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MADGE
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(Pauses)
Daddy.. I just caught a little angelfish and threw it back - then I fished and fished some
more, until.. until.. I broke your big bamboo pole..
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CAP
Wal, Madge, musta hooked a awful big fish that time..
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It was awful big..
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An awful big bell..

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MADGE
(Taking top off cooler)

(Lifts a ships bell out of cooler)

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At th bottom o th ocean?

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CAP
(Pauses, looks at it)

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MADGE
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(Holding up bell)
A ships bell.. its old! - thought you might like it - Captain Randy had a sailor clean off
the barnacles - wasnt that nice?
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CAP
Any name on it? - th ship - year she was launched?
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Rebecca Palmer - 1877...

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MADGE
(Picking up bell, reading)

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What?
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Let me see..

CAP

(Pauses)

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You was fishin where?

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(Pulls out his glasses from his pants pocket,
puts them on, takes bell, holds it up, looks at
inscription)

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MADGE
Just off Egmont Key - Captain Randy made sure we didnt drift in too close to the rocks..
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(Pauses, looking at bell)
The Rebecca Palmer were a square-rigger went down off Egmont Key in a noreaster no, a souwester - n nineteen-ought-seven..
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MADGE
Whats the difference between a noreaster and a souwester?!
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CAP
A noreaster wont take no cheek from a souwester..
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MADGE
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(Handing him bell)
Well, thats all that remains of the Rebecca Palmer, Daddy..
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CAP
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(Pauses, holding up bell)
Tater owned that ship, was master of her..
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Your Uncle Tater?

MADGE

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CAP
All hands lost in that souwester.. you get cleaned up, n Ill put th ham in th oven..
Teddys just showed up - probly broke - Ill see if yer brother can get him on th sea I rented th left side o th duplex this morning, ta a woman from New York - Mrs. Tilson...
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(CAP picks up bell, looks at it - grabs rope
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clapper, RINGS bell once, carries it up steps,
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puts it down on a lawn chair, EXITS into his
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side of duplex - SOUNDS of Jimmys Buick
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pulling up on the shell road, engine stopping,
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car door slamming - ENTER JIMMY, striding up
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the walk, climbing the steps)
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Wheres Pop?

JIMMY

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MADGE
Inside, fixing a ham - Teddys out here from California - Daddy wants to know if you can
get him on ships - you staying for dinner?
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JIMMY
Gotta night mate in Tampa.. Ill scout ships for Teddy, but union wont take more sailors all he could ship are non-union tugs..!
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MADGE!
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Can you get him on one?
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Id rather he sail the big ships..

UNCLE JIMMY

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MADGE
Well, he can start on a small tug - Ive gotta clean up - Ive been fishing!
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Whatd you catch?

UNCLE JIMMY!

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A bell!
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(Grandly)

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(MADGE EXITS around back - JIMMY EXITS

into Caps side of duplex - LIGHTS DIM on
The Porch)

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TWO BELLS !!

1-2-1

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(LIGHTS RISE on CAP and TEDDY at The

Railing, holding on to the rigging that goes up
to the mast, a small ships bell swings gently
next to them - the rhythmic rocking motion of
the ship suggested by light in the darkness, a
thousand stars overhead)

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TEDDY
Gee, we sailed out to see the sunset, and now its dark and I cant see land and theres
no wind - now what do we do?
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Drift..

CAP

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TEDDY
You mean, drift out to sea? - cant you call someone on the radio?
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Got no radio..

CAP

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No radio, you have no radio?

TEDDY !

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Better ta be out here alone..

CAP

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TEDDY
Were alone, all right - no one knows where we are - we dont even know where we are!
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I knows..

CAP

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How can you tell?!

TEDDY

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CAP
By th stars.. see that one up there? - thats th Big Dipper.. two stars on the bowl point ta
th North Star.. there! - thats north, thats south, thats west n thats east, where land is...
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But were drifting away from land!

TEDDY

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Tides pullin us in..

CAP

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TEDDY
What happens when the tide goes out and theres still no wind - then what?
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Ill start th engine..

CAP

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You got an engine on this, this old..

TEDDY

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.. two-masted sloop, double-ender..

CAP! !

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Well, fire it up, Granpot!

TEDDY

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Too noisy..

CAP

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TEDDY
Granpot! - we could drift to our deaths on some far shore! - youve lived a long life - Ive
just started mine! - Im not ready to meet my Maker!
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Teddy.. when He calls, ya better go..

CAP

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I didnt know hed call this soon!

TEDDY

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CAP
Grin n bear it, boy... soons th wind comes up, well make it back ta th Pass..
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TEDDY
Which direction is that? - all I see is the Gulf!
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CAP
Due east a few mile.. see th lights, boy?
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TEDDY
Where? - there? - those lights? - thats the Pass?
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Yup..

CAP

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TEDDY !
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Well! .. thats better.. thats not so far.. we could almost swim there! - couldnt we?
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Not plannin to..

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TEDDY
Weve drifted that far in towards shore, huh?
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(Looks toward shore)
Do you think we can see the lights of the Crest of the Waves, in all those other lights? did you leave any lights on?
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CAP
Porch light, n maybe Madges little light is on out back..
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(A pause, SOUNDS of the sea)
What happened with you n the girl?
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TEDDY
She dumped me... Granpot, I can still see her face...
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CAP
Shore.. just stay away from th anchor rope, me boy...
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TEDDY
What?
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(Cap doesnt answer)
How come you dont live with Grandma, anymore - she stays down at the other place
with Uncle Jimmy, and you stay at the Crest of the Waves..
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(Cap doesnt answer)
I saw a picture of you - and Grandma - must have been World War Two, that time - you
were both dressed up pretty slick - she in a fancy dress and you with a grey suit and a
hat like a gangster..
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(Cap says nothing)
You were both smoking cigarettes!
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(Cap says nothing - Teddy looks over at him,
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then looks around)
You know.. this is really not so bad.. here we are, alone in the night - clear water below,
clear sky above, a thousand stars - and just the two of us, me and my Grandpa, on a
small wooden sloop - why, we could be out in space somewhere, in a spaceship! - you
think much about space, Granpot?!
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CAP! !
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Nope..
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(A pause, SOUNDS of the sea)
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TEDDY
You know.. we dont really have to go back to the Pass.. we could just keep on sailing to The Rock! Could the Little Nick sail all the way to The Rock?
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Shore, if we had enough stores..

CAP

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TEDDY
Well, couldnt we put into a port and get some? - like Key West! - thats on the way! - get
more stores - and then set sail, again - for The Rock! - which way is Key West, south?
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Sou, soueast..

CAP

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TEDDY
What do you say, Granpot? - what an adventure! - well sail down to The Rock and drop
anchor and you could visit, while I explore! - why, those lights over there could be from
The Rock! - expect higher, I guess, being theres cliffs - how high are they?
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CAP
Few hundred feet..!
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TEDDY
And then we could see the lights of, of..
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Little villages, five of em..

CAP

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TEDDY !
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And people from The Rock will crowd the cliffs to see us! - Cap, finally coming back to
The Rock in his two-masted schooner, the Little Nick - with grandson Teddy at the helm,
sailing her right up to the cliffs! - you dropping the anchor.. !
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CAP
If I could lift th anchor - thats your job, Brutus..
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TEDDY
You know, Granpot, I read about The Rock - its an extinct volcano poking right up out of
the sea..!
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CAP
Could be..
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TEDDY
.. and nobody was there for thousands of years - just birds and plants and animals whatever flew or floated up and took hold - hawks, mice, breadfruit trees.. and then the
ancient Indians came - lived there for centuries, and disappeared - and then, and then nobody, until Columbus sailed by The Rock, jotting it down in his log - and then still
nobody, until our people came and settled it three hundred years ago - them what
come before - the people from The Rock! - you know, Granpot, when we sail up in the

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TEDDY (Cont.)
Little Nick, it could just as well be the year Sixteen-seventy as Nineteen-seventy - why,
we could sail ourselves right into the past!
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CAP

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Gee thanks, Granpot!
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TEDDY

(Starts to put it in his pocket)

(Taking a small piece of volcanic rock from

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his pocket) !
Here, boy.. this heres th past - a piece o The Rock..
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(Handing it to Teddy)
- kept it with me all these years - ta remind me of where we come from n who we are - sailors! the mariners o th western world...

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CAP
Hold on.. ta carry a piece o The Rock, ya first gotta prove yer a man from The Rock..
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TEDDY
You mean I have to go to sea?
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(Giving the rock back to Cap)
I got you...
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CAP
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(Puts the rock back in his pocket, rings the
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ships bell twice, looks up at the sails)
Winds pickin up.. grab th tiller, while I trim th sails - you steer us back into th Pass, boy,
steady as she goes..
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Aye, aye, Captain...!!
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TEDDY
(Pauses, looks far out to sea, sighs, puts the
rock in his pocket, gets up)
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(LIGHTS DIM on The Railing)

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THREE BELLS!

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Cap...

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MRS. TILSON
(Pauses)

1-3-1

(LIGHTS RISE on Cap sitting on The Porch

reading his newspaper - Mrs. Tilson looks
through her screen door at Cap MRS. TILSON ENTERS)

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CAP
Ho, Mrs. Tilson..
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MRS. TILSON!
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I need company - and some conversation...
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CAP
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(Pauses, puts down newspaper)
Wal, shore..! !
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MRS. TILSON
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(Sits down in the other lawn chair)
Been missing my husband, Irv.. keep thinking about his passing..
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Howd he pass?

CAP

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MRS. TILSON
I knew when we checked into the hospital it wasnt going to go well.. it was his heart - all
that smoking when he was manager of the shipyard.. I never could get him to stop..
I was with him at the end - he looked at me.. all of sudden blood came out his mouth...
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CAP
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(Pauses)
Sorry, Mrs. Tilson.. wal, ya might as well stay at th Crest of the Waves, fer awhile - its
always warm, n Ill be creepin round...! !
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(A pause, they say nothing, watch the
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activities at the motel across the street)
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CAP
Lookit there, under th Illinois car...
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MRS. TILSON!
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What?
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A little black cat...

CAP

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Ohh.. I see it..

MRS. TILSON

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Caint find its way home...

CAP

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MRS. TILSON
Saw it this side last week, chasing your lizards into their rock piles..
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CAP
Cat grabs em by th tail, plays wit em til it breaks off - n inta th rocks they go! - theres
one...
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(Calling to lizards)
Look out, Rufus - here come th cat! - n Brutus - there he goes..
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Where do you get those names?
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MRS. TILSON!
(Laughs)

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(The SOUNDS of a car crunching into the shell

parking area of the motel across the street)

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Im gonna put a pie in the oven, Cap...

MRS. TILSON

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CAP
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(Reading the license plate of the car)
New.. York.. Christ, glad I left! - too damn cold..
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MRS. TILSON
Thats why I came down... the day he retired, Irv said, Lets get out of here, hon - far
south as we can! - away from this cold shipyard and its cold ships.. - instead, poor Irv
went into the cold ground..
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(They watch across the street)
Werent you a sailor on the ships?
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CAP
Christ, long ago, Mrs. Tilson.. I become captain...
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MRS. TILSON
Oh, thats where you got your name - Cap! - well, you can call me Ruth..!
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CAP! !
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Shore, Ruth..!!

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CAP (Cont.)
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(They watch across the street)
Theres that gal, goin to that fellers room with a bottle, agin.. probably full o holy water,
gonna sprinkle it over him, get him holy...
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MRS. TILSON
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(Laughs)
Cap, youre terrible! - hows your grandson doing?
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CAP
Teddy? - tol me, Gonna be a millionaire! - shore, by totin paint pots round.. hes rich
in his mind...!
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MRS. TILSON
Why doesnt he go to sea, like you did?
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CAP
Like I hadta.. Ma put me on Uncle Neds old three-masted schooner - cabin boy on th
Maise Hassell, tradin with th other islands, sometimes run up ta New York - later
became mate, pullin watches, steerin by th stars, never sleepin really.. there was five
schooners owned by me four uncles - all brothers - me Uncles Ned, Tommy, Ben, n
Tater - all four died at sea - n then there were me Pa...
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(They watch across the street)
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What happened to him?!

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MRS.TILSON

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CAP
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(Pauses)
Dont wanta think bout it.. me Pa was th oldest, n Uncle Ned were th
youngest.. now, I remember one time Uncle Ned sailed down ta Bird Island n
nineteen-ought-eight...
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(LIGHTS DIM on The Porch - LIGHTS RISE
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on UNCLE NED leaning on The Railing, the
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ropes of the rigging going up off the railing
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offstage to the masts above - SOUNDS of an
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old sailing ship at sea - waves against the hull,
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cracking of wind in sails, creaking of rigging)
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UNCLE NED
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(Looking through his sextant)
Fifteen degrees, forty minutes south, sixty three degrees, thirty seven minutes west..
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(Lowers the sextant)
Well set course for Bird Island, make landfall tonight, and with the moon full, row
ashore in the skiff - nights when them big green sea turtles come ashore and lay
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UNCLE NED (Cont.)
eggs - well grab some of their eggs, take em back to the ship, and then tomorrow
gather as many bird eggs as we can - put em all in a hold full o straw, and raise anchor
for The Rock...
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(Puts down sextant, gazes out to sea)
Bird Island.. men from The Rock been sailing there two hundred year, just to get them
eggs - eat some, make a buck on the others... nothing little island, thousand foot long,
fifty wide, twelve high - but when we pull her in sight - clouds of birds rise up in the sky
and dozens of turtles swim longside the ship - food and money to us men on The Rock!
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(LIGHTS DIM on The Railing - LIGHTS RISE
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on The Porch)
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CAP
Bird Island, kinda low in th water.. men from The Rock set sail wit Ned on th Maise
Hassell - they was lookin ta find some bird n turtle eggs ta sell - but met some
Venezuelans come up from th south, lookin for them eggs too, neither knowin tothers
was there.. met wit a bang in th middle o th night - big fight broke out over them eggs Uncle Ned got chopped in th head wit a hatchet n his sailors carried him back ta th ship
- they set sail for The Rock, then ran outta water when a storm pushed em off course poor Ned didnt make it - they rang eight bells for him n slid him inta th sea.. they was
out five day - people on The Rock waitin n hopin, til they spotted sail n th Maise
Hassell hove to n dropped anchor, without her Capn...
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(They watch across the street)
Same family from last year - them Pennsylvania plates...
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Which family?

MRS.TILSON!

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CAP
Tall guy wit glasses, four kids, a dog n a little-bitty wife - he keeps comin down wit em
each summer..!
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MRS. TILSON
They must love these beaches.. ever go to the beach?
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CAP
Christ, I was on the water fifty year! - why I wanta go ta th beach?
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(They watch across the street)
Then, there was Uncle Tommy.. went out th aft deck o his schooner, th Ina Vanterpool,
wit his brother Ben at th helm..
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(LIGHTS DIM on The Porch - LIGHTS RISE on
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UNCLE TOMMY at The Railing, coiling an
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anchor rope)
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UNCLE BEN (OFFSTAGE)
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(Calling)
Tommy! - drop the aft anchor, soons I get the anchorage!
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UNCLE TOMMY
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(Calling)
OK, Ben!
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(He stands, coiling and uncoiling the rope)
Shes gone...
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(Coils and uncoils rope) !
Wasnt I enough?
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(Coils and uncoils rope)
I can still see her face, her long black hair..
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(Looks off)
.. her soft brown eyes...
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(Coils and uncoils rope) !
.. cant take it no more...!
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UNCLE BEN (OFFSTAGE)
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(Calling)
Tommy! - drop anchor! - wes driftin off the buoy!
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Im droppin it, Ben!
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UNCLE TOMMY
(Calling)

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(Coils anchor rope around his neck, goes to

The Railing - LIGHTS DIM - a loud SPLASH LIGHTS RISE on The Porch.)

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CAP
Tied th anchor rope round his neck, n dropped hisself overboard...
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(They watch across the street)
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MRS. TILSON!
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What was that about?!
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CAP
Some young girl... n then Ben, Uncle Ben.. he sailed inta harbor on Martinique, in th
Mona Marie, his big two-master..
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(LIGHTS DIM on The Porch - LIGHTS RISE on
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UNCLE BEN leaning on The Railing)
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UNCLE BEN
We dropped anchor last night in the harbor here at Saint Pierre - lookin at the big
volcano up behind town - strange lightnin flashin round its top as we sailed in, red and
orange glow.. actin up, again, I reckon.. well be in and outta harbor quick.. Ill take the

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UNCLE BEN (Cont.)
sugarcane on the skiff, row to the wharf and get it sold, come back and well sail down
to Barbados, flat as a pancake - check your course or youll sail right past her! - buy
some rum there for a good price, and then its back up the islands! - tradin the rum for
stuff we need on The Rock... rough life on The Rock, sometimes think about leavin it but where would I go? - another island that got white sandy beaches and big towns,
where I dont know nobody? - no, better to stay safe up the cliffs of The Rock, with
people like me and them what come before - not much changes - you either grow
somethin, or put to sea.. but its a paradise on The Rock - and you dont need to die to
get there! - just set your course, put up sail, and her beautiful steep cliffs will rise into
view.. theres some more o that strange lightnin up top o the mountain - better row into
Saint-Pierre and offload that sugarcane..
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(Calling offstage)
Mind the anchor rope, mate - tides turning!
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(LIGHTS DIM on The Railing - LIGHTS RISE
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on The Porch)
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CAP
Uncle Ben took th skiff inta harbor ta sell some sugarcane.. while he were on th wharf,
volcano blew n a big cloud ogas n lava came down quick on th town - lava killed
everyone in town, thousands - cept one guy in jail, thick walls - Uncle Ben jumped in th
skiff n started rowin back ta th ship.. but th lava went out in th water, caught his skiff,
n burned him up.. ! !
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(They watch across the street)
N Uncle Tater got lost at sea in th Rebecca Palmer..
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(Gestures to bell)
This heres its bell - Madge hooked it charter fishin, right out there off Egmont Key now theys almost all gone, them what come before, men from The Rock that sailed th
ol sailin ships...
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(They watch across the street)
But lucky I got offa them leaky windjammers - hadta keep puttin inta port so they
wouldnt sink under us - Christ! - came up ta New York ta work th steamships..
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(Cap grabs the rope clapper of the ships bell
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above his head, RINGS it twice, pauses,
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RINGS it a third time)
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MRS. TILSON
Why ring that bell?!
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CAP
Marks th watch - ever half hour, one more bell - eight bells n yer watch is over - in th ol
days, we also rung eight bells when a dead sailor got slid inta th sea...
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(The SOUNDS of Jimmys Buick pulling up on
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the shell road, the engine turning off, a car door
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slamming - JIMMY comes up on the porch - he
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pauses as he sees Mrs. Tilson)

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Hello.

MRS. TILSON

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JIMMY!
(Gruffly)

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CAP
Me son, Jimmy - chief mate o a sulfur tanker...
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Oh, another sailor!

MRS. TILSON

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Merchant Marine officer..

JIMMY

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CAP
Teddys in from California, Jimmy - hes inside, stowin his gear - maybe ya wanta take
him down, see his Grandma..
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MRS. TILSON
Time for me to put my pie in - could you take a look at my oven, Cap? - Im having
trouble getting it to heat up.. nice meeting you, Jimmy!
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Shore, Ruth...
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CAP

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(MRS, TILSON and CAP EXIT into her side of

the duplex - Jimmy stares after them)

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Ruth...
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JIMMY

(ENTER TEDDY from right side of duplex)

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TEDDY
Hi, Unc! - just got in from the Coast! - and already got a job painting at Mims! - you
been at sea?
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JIMMY
Just got in from Beaumont, boy, on the Marine Duval - your Granpot asked me to try
and get you to sea - Ill haunt the halls for you, but unions not accepting applications til
shipping picks up.. pack some of your gear into your Granpots old seabag, in case we
have to get underway in a hurry.. just checking in with Pop - gotta night mate tonight,
the Louisiana Brimstone, pump sulfur - tomorrow, when well go down and see your
Grandma - dont forget to pack that bag, boy - I gotta go out to my car..
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Aye, aye, Uncle Jimmy!

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TEDDY !
(Saluting)

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Be right back..
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JIMMY

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(JIMMY EXITS - the SOUND of a trunk

opening, a pause - ENTER JIMMY, carrying a
small tarp and an unvarnished wooden rocking
horse he has just constructed - it has black
pupils in golden eyes, a red saddle, golden
mane and tail - he throws the small tarp down
on the tarp, sets the rocking horse on it)

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UNCLE JIMMY
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(Calling up to Teddy)
Boy.. youre a painter.. help me give this hobby horse another coat of varnish...
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(Again, JIMMY EXITS to his car - TEDDY gets
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up, comes down the steps and looks at the
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hobby horse - the SOUND of the car trunk
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slamming - ENTER UNCLE JIMMY with a
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gallon of varnish, two brushes, a coffee can
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and a paint stick - he puts them down)
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Whered you get the hobby horse?
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Made it.
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TEDDY

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In your shop?

TEDDY

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Yup.
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UNCLE JIMMY

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(He stirs the varnish, pours some into the

coffee can)

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For who? - you dont have any kids..
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Watch the eyes..

UNCLE JIMMY
(Pulls out a knife, opens the can)

TEDDY
(UNCLE JIMMY hands him the coffee can and
a brush)
UNCLE JIMMY

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JIMMY (Cont.)
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(Starts to varnish from the gallon can)
This horse.. is for the children.. of battered women...!
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Ever know a battered woman, Unc?
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TEDDY
(Pauses)
(Starts varnishing)

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UNCLE JIMMY
Yup.. Stella, the waitress at the coffee shop, down on the docks..
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TEDDY
Who battered her?
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UNCLE JIMMY
Husband.
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Hit her?

TEDDY

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UNCLE JIMMY
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(Varnishing)
Had to move into a shelter in town with her kids..
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(They finish, step back to admire the hobby
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horse - JIMMY takes TEDDYS brush)
Soon as it dries, Ill take it down to the shelter.. but first, were gonna dedicate him..
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TEDDY
To who?
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UNCLE JIMMY
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(Raising the brushes high in the air, dedicating)
To all women who have been struck, beaten, kicked or worse!
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Amen.!!

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Clean these brushes out back, boy..
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TEDDY
UNCLE JIMMY
(Hands TEDDY the brushes, TEDDY EXITS JIMMY looks over the hobby horse - Mrs.
Tilson sees Jimmy through her screen door MRS. TILSON ENTERS)

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MRS. TILSON
Oh! - I thought Cap was out here..
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(Jimmy says nothing - she starts to go back in,
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stops when she spies the horse)
What a lovely rocking horse! - did you make it?
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Maybe..

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May I look at it?
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Whos it for?
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Children of battered women..

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JIMMY
(Pauses - gruffly)

MRS. TILSON

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(JIMMY says nothing - she comes tentatively

down the steps)

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JIMMY
(Gruffly)

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MRS. TILSON
Ohhh..
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(Looking closely at the horse)
Ive never told anyone, not even Cap - sorry! - but my mother was a battered woman my father was a drunk and I was an only child and I.. just had to watch it happen ..
finally she left and took me.. wish Id had a horse like that! !
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JIMMY
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(Pauses - gruffly)
Soon as it dries, Ill take it around back - gotta go to the union hall..
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MRS. TILSON
Oh, no - leave it here! - Ill watch it dry - itll be here when you come back!
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Okay...
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JIMMY
(Pauses, gruffly)

(JIMMY EXITS)

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Bye, Jimmy!
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RENEE

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(His car starts up and drives away - CAP

comes out on The Porch from his side)

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Thought I heared Jimmy out here..

CAP

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MRS. TILSON
Oh, he just left for the union hall - hell be back - I think we talked! - and he left this
horse - its for the children of battered women!
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Dont know any..

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CAP
(Sitting down)

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I do..
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MRS. TILSON
(Coming up the steps, sitting down)

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(They watch across the street - LIGHTS DIM)

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FOUR BELLS !

1-4-1

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(LIGHTS RISE on Cap watering his lawn ENTER TEDDY from right side of the duplex)

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TEDDY
Uncle Jimmy said hed drop by, tell us the latest on getting me to sea - Im discouraged,
Grandpa - think Ill go to the beach...
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CAP
You stay here fer yer Uncle - n if ya ever does go ta sea, remember boy, if a things
worth doin, its worth doin right..
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TEDDY
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(Pauses)
Its hot.. need some lemonade.. want some?!
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CAP
Had some..
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(TEDDY EXITS into right side of duplex - CAP
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waters - ENTER BILLY up walk, with oranges)
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BILLY
Cap.. I brought oranges...
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Whats this?
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Looks like a.. orange tree..

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CAP! !
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(Watering a small tree)

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BILLY
(Peering at it)

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Leave em on th chair up there..

CAP

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Cap.. know why I keep comin round?

BILLY
(Climbs steps, sits in a chair with oranges)

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CAP
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(Watering)
So ya can give me more o what I already got..
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BILLY!!
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(Pauses)
Because.. Im lonely...
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(Cap keeps watering)
Dont you ever get lonely?
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CAP! !
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(Watering)
Christ, how can I be lonely, wit you always comin over?
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(A pause, they both watch him water)
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Member that biopsy they took?
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Now I gotta in for a operation..!
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What fer?
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Cancer.

BILLY

(Takes out a cigar, unwraps it - Cap waters)

CAP

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BILLY
(Lights the cigar)

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Where?

CAP

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Throat.
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BILLY

(Billy smokes - Cap looks over at him)

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See ya learned yer lesson, Billy..

CAP

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You smoke cigars - and a pipe...

BILLY
(Blowing out a cloud of smoke)

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I prefer me pipe..

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CAP! !
(Watering)

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Let Billy be a lesson, Cap...
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BILLY

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(BILLY EXITS down the porch steps, smoking,

- CAP turns off the water, puts hose down,
climbs steps, EXITS into his side of the duplex

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- a pause, TEDDY comes out with a plastic

glass of lemonade, sits down in a lawn chair SOUNDS of the Buick pulling up on the shell
road, engine stopping, door slamming - Jimmy
strides up walk and up porch steps)

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Hi, Unc! - got anything for me?

TEDDY

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Not yet - wheres Pop?
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Inside...

JIMMY

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TEDDY

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JIMMY
Which side? - hes not in there with Mrs. Tilson, is he?
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Whats wrong with Mrs. Tilson?

TEDDY

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Pop spends too much time with her!

UNCLE JIMMY

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Maybe hes lonely..

TEDDY

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UNCLE JIMMY
Then he should come back down to the house, and live with us!
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TEDDY
All they do is talk - talk, talk, talk, him and Mrs. Tilson - thats all..
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Thats enough!
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UNCLE JIMMY

(A pause)

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TEDDY
Unc.. you got one of those - you know - piece of The Rock?
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JIMMY
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(Pulls a small rock from his pocket, silently
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holds it up, puts it back, stands up)
They got a phone on the corner.. told Pop Id call the power company, see if they got
anything for you - they run a fleet of tugs..

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(UNCLE JIMMY EXITS, SOUNDS of car door
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slamming, engine starting, the Buick driving off
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fast - ENTER CAP from his side of the duplex)
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TEDDY !
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Granpot.. you missed Uncle Jimmy - hell be back - I think I fixed it up with you and him
- about Mrs. Tilson!
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(Leans forward, expecting thanks)
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CAP! !
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(Leaning into him)
Boy, you keep yer beak out o my business!!
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TEDDY
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(Pauses, taken aback)
Okay, sorry!... Uncle Jimmy went up to call the power company - I think they run tugs Uncle Ralph coming out?
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(SOUNDS of another car pulling up on shell
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road, engine stopping, a car door slamming)
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CAP
Here now, me boy..! !
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TEDDY
Hows his boardinghouse?
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Most rooms rented..
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CAP

(ENTER UNCLE RALPH with a paper bag)

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Hi, Uncle Ralph! !

TEDDY

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Hello, boy! - you looking for a job?

UNCLE RALPH!

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TEDDY
Been walking all over, even walked downtown - no jobs around, so Im paintin Mims
fence, finished for the day..
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Keep looking, boy..
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Cap?!
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UNCLE RALPH

(Opens bag, takes out bottle of rum)

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Teddy, get two glasses..
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You mean three?
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Two..
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Grab a seat, Ralph..
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How come I cant drink with you guys?

CAP
(Stops watering)
TEDDY !

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CAP

(TEDDY EXITS into duplex)

(They sit - ENTER TEDDY with two glasses)
TEDDY

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UNCLE RALPH
You get a job, you can get drunk as a skunk...
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CAP
Teddy, run up ta th store - get hamburger fer slumgullion n flour fer johnnybread..
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TEDDY
Slumgullion? - dont you need onions and green peppers?
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CAP
I grows them, me boy! - top o my dresser, theres a twenty - n get some eggs n sugar
fer bread puddin..!
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TEDDY
OK - be back, Uncle Ralph!
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UNCLE RALPH
OK, boy, Ill be here..!
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(TEDDY EXITS - UNCLE RALPH pours them
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each a drink - a pause, they drink in silence)
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Any news from Jimmy?

UNCLE RALPH

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CAP
Nothin, yet..!
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UNCLE RALPH!
Any chance he can get the boy to sea?
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CAP
Jimmys hauntin th halls, but caint get Teddy inta th union - nobodys hirin, dont need
sailors, right now..
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(They start drinking)
Jimmys gone ta phone some company - askin if they got anythin fer Teddy - said hed
stop back..
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UNCLE RALPH
What company?!
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CAP
Th power company.. Jimmy told me once, they runs a fleet o tugs pushin barges o
fertilizer ta New Orleans - then pulls em back wit coal for th power plant..
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Pushes or pulls?

UNCLE RALPH

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CAP
Jimmy says near shore, they pushes em from a notch back o th barge, offshore they
turns ta pullin em wit a big hawser - makes more knots..
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More knots, more profit..!
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Yeah, man..!

UNCLE RALPH

CAP

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UNCLE RALPH
How long was it - from The Rock to New York - in the old three-masters?
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CAP! !
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Uncle Ben said he run one o his schooners, th Esther Anita, up in nine day..
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UNCLE RALPH
Record?
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Fer schooners..
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.. course then came..
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.. steam, then..
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CAP

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UNCLE RALPH!

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CAP

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UNCLE RALPH
.. diesel... how many knots those old Liberty ships make?
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CAP
Bout eleven, I remember.. mine could hardly make nine.. wonder them planes didnt
sink us, too..
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UNCLE RALPH
The time you got the medal?
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Shoulda got a medal..!

CAP

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Who?

UNCLE RALPH

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You..

CAP

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For what?

UNCLE RALPH!

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CAP
Bein sunk three times outta New York Harbor..
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UNCLE RALPH
Subs lined us up against the skyline lights, before the blackouts..
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CAP
Whatd that sailor say, when ya abandoned ship, th last time?
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UNCLE RALPH
No room in the lifeboat, Captain! - I pulled out that pistol..
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CAP
That ol Johnson revolver, they give us skippers!
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Mister Johnson says..!
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..make room!
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UNCLE RALPH
(Waving an imaginary pistol)
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CAP! !
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(Hes heard it before)

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(They both laugh and drink - the rhythmic

SOUNDS of cicadas in the heat - the SOUNDS
of Jimmys Buick pulling into the driveway,

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Wheres the boy?
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engine stopping, car door slamming - ENTER

JIMMY, striding up the walk and up the steps)

JIMMY

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CAP! !
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Up th corner store, gettin some vittles...!
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JIMMY
Hell have to get his gear - the power company says they need a deckhand now, on the
tug Ruby Hays at Dock Nine - steam for New Orleans tomorrow morning!
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UNCLE RALPH
Well, theres some news - Teddys shippin out!
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CAP
Finally goin ta sea! - that boys got blood from The Rock in him! - but, hes gotta finish
Mims fence..
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Gonna take a week - Ill finish it!
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JIMMY

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Hi, Unc! - any news?
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Youre goin to sea!
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Going to sea.. now?

(TEDDY appears, with a sack of groceries)

TEDDY

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JIMMY

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TEDDY

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JIMMY
You got a job on an ocean-going tug, pushing fertilizer to New Orleans, then bringing
back coal for the power company..
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TEDDY
How long?
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JIMMY!
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Each trip around twelve days - two trips on, one trip off..
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I gotta finish that fence!

TEDDY

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I got the fence, boy..

JIMMY

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Never been to sea, before...

TEDDY

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JIMMY
Put down those groceries and grab your gear in your Granpots old seabag! - Im driving
you down to the docks now - turn to, sailor!!
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(TEDDY climbs quickly up the porch steps,
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EXITS into the duplex)
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CAP
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(Looking after him)
Goin ta sea his first trip!.. member me first trip.. cabin boy on th Maise Hassell,
watchin our little mother wave a big sheet off th cliffs.. n seein The Rock sink back inta
th waves.. nineteen-ought-four - Christ!
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(Drinks)!
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UNCLE RALPH
Yeah, man! - and I followed you, nineteen-ought-five...
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(TEDDY ENTERS from the duplex, dragging a
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heavy seabag)
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JIMMY
Lets get underway, sailor! !!
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(Teddy tries lifting the seabag to his shoulder !
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drops it - Jimmy raises it up for him)
Stow it in the trunk, boy..
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(To Cap and Ralph)
Ill stop back, after I get him shipshape on the tug..
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CAP
Remember, boy.. if a things worth doin, its worth doin right..!
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TEDDY
I got it! - bye, Uncle Ralph - guess Im going to sea!!
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UNCLE RALPH
Youll be all right - our people are from The Rock! - see you in a couple of weeks, boy...
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TEDDY
Hey, Im going to sea!
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(TEDDY and UNCLE JIMMY EXIT, SOUNDS
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of trunk and car doors slamming, car starting,

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backing out of the driveway - CAP and UNCLE

RALPH look after them)

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CAP
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(Pulling the small rock out of his pocket)
Got yers, Ralph?
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UNCLE RALPH
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(Pulls a small rock out, holds it up)
The last rock - I give one to Jimmy - but theres none for Teddy, now hes gone to sea..
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CAP
Not lessen one o us go back ta The Rock..
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(Gets up, RINGS the bell twice, a pause,
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RINGS it twice more - the SOUNDS of cicadas
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- LIGHTS DIM on The Porch)
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END OF ACT 1
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INTERMISSION

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ACT 2

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(LIGHTS RISE on Cap and Uncle Ralph sitting

in the lawn chairs, drinking - ENTER RHONDA,
walking up the sidewalk, carrying a bag - she
pauses in front of the duplex, looks at the sign,
puts down the bag)

FIVE BELLS

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The.. Crest.. of.. the.. Waves...
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One of you, Cap?

RHONDA
(Reading sign aloud)

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Who wants to know?

CAP

(Looks up at the two of them on porch)

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RHONDA
Im a friend of a boy who came down here - hes stayin with his Grandpa.. I think this is
the place..
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(Cap and Uncle Ralph pause, look at each
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other)
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Whats his name?

UNCLE RALPH

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Teddy..

RHONDA

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Christ..

CAP

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UNCLE RALPH
You from Cali-fornia?
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RHONDA
Yes.. me and Teddy were together, for awhile..
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Whaddya mean, together?

CAP

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UNCLE RALPH
You missed him - hes gone to sea! - be gone for weeks..
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RHONDA
Well, Ill just have to wait for him.. any place I can rent around here?
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UNCLE RALPH
Listen..
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CAP
We dont rent ta your kind here - n at sunset, ya all need ta leave th island..
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Whats my kind?

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RHONDA
(Pauses)

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UNCLE RALPH
Didnt they tell you anything in Cali-fornia?
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I thought we were done with all that..!
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Christ!
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Youre not welcome round here..
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RHONDA
(Pauses)
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CAP
(Gets up)

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What you doing, girl?

MIM

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(CAP EXITS into his side of the duplex,

slamming the screen door)
UNCLE RALPH
(UNCLE RALPH EXITS into Caps side of the
duplex - Rhonda pauses, unsure of what to do,
turns around, turns back, looks up at the
duplex - ENTER MIM - she pauses upon
seeing Rhonda)

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RHONDA
Im not a girl - Im a woman! - and Im a person!
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MIM! !
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Dont get riled, didnt mean it like that - to me, any woman under fifty is a girl - I helped
deliver Jesus..
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RHONDA
You know Teddy?

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MIM
Sure - hes Caps grandson - I just came by to visit with Cap..
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RHONDA
I used to be Teddys girlfriend.. I came down to see him - he gave me this address Crest of the Waves - but two men on the porch said hes gone to sea..
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MIM
That was his grandpa, Cap, and his brother, Ralph - Ralph always comes to visit Cap on
Sundays - used to bring his wife, but she broke her hip..
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Which one is Cap?
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The ornery one..
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Wish I could talk to him..!

RHONDA

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MIM

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RHONDA
(Going to the foot of the steps, looking up at
the screen door)
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MIM
Sounds like you talked.. he dont favor you people, less he thinks you know your place..
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RHONDA
I thought the Jim Crow days were over..
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MIM
This is the South - Caps from the old days - put those together, it might spell prejudice..
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What about you?

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RHONDA
(Pauses)

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MIM! !
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Im not particular to nobody! - but at least Im even about it - I figure folks is folks - but I
keep my mouth shut around here.. if Teddys gone to sea, he wont be back for a couple
of weeks, maybe a month, dependin where he shipped to.. now what you gonna do?
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RHONDA
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(Pauses)
Look for a place to rent, wait for him - I quit my job in California, nothing to go back to..
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You got money?

MIM

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Enough for awhile..

RHONDA

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Whats your name?
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Rhonda.. Rhonda Every..

MIM

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RHONDA

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MIM
Tell you what, Rhonda.. I own a place down the street - small apartment house - I got a
little unit with a kitchenette.. promised it to my brother when he comes down this
summer, but until he does, I could rent it to you for a couple months..
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RHONDA
How much?
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MIM
Fifty a month plus utilities - and no visitors at night..
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Well.. could I see it?

RHONDA

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MIM
Sure.. and if you takes it, keep a low profile..
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RHONDA
Will Cap call the police, if he sees me after dark?
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MIM
He cant call the police! - theres no law on you people being on the island, whenever and dont worry about Cap - Im as ornery as he is! - come on, honey, grab your bag..
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(MIM and RHONDA EXIT - LIGHTS DIM on
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The Porch - LIGHTS RISE on The Porch !
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ENTER CAP and BILLY up the sidewalk, paper
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bags in hand - CAP stops at foot of the walk of
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the duplex)
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CAP
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(Gesturing at BILLYS bag)
Christ, Billy - ya gotta keep yer snout outta them beer cans!
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BILLY
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(Gesturing at CAPS bag)
I suppose the doctor ordered you to drink rum all day!

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Just a shot, now n then..

CAP

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BILLY
That why you keep it hid - so Madge wont find it?
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Christ, Billy - go on yer way..

CAP

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All right, Cap..

BILLY

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All right, boy..
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CAP

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(BILLY EXITS - Cap goes up walk and up steps

of duplex - picks up a newspaper from one of
the lawn chairs, sits down in chair, pulls out
rum, opens it, takes a pull, pulls out reading
glasses, starts reading newspaper - ENTER
RHONDA up the sidewalk, pauses in front of
duplex - Cap puts down paper, glares at her)

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Told ya, get th hell off this island!

CAP

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RHONDA
Cap, Im just going to the beach - I can do that, right? - it being daylight..
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Who said I was Cap?
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Can we talk?

CAP

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RHONDA

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CAP
(Pauses, drinks)

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RHONDA

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Long as you stay down there..
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In my place?

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Get th hell off my property, nigra!
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CAP
(Stands up)

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RHONDA
This is the sidewalk - you own the sidewalk?
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CAP
Ill call the police! - n youll spend th night in jail, wit th rest o yer kind!
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RHONDA
Call the police! - theres no law against being black!

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CAP
Thats right, you black!
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(Turns to go into the duplex)
I dont talk ta uppity niggers.. n stay away from Teddy!
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RHONDA
You cant keep me away from him!
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CAP
Youll never see him, cause youll never set foot in me door - now, get out!
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(Turns to exit)
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RHONDA
What are you afraid of? - think I want to marry him?
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CAP
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(Turns back to her)
No nigger bitch is marryin me grandson!
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RHONDA
Im not a nigger bitch! - you dont even know me!
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CAP
I know ya need ta get out o town, fore th sun go down...
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RHONDA
Oh, yeah? - well, I just want you to know.. I dont have to leave! - I rented a place on this
island - and Mim says I dont have to leave at sunset!
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CAP
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(Pauses)
How you know Mim?
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Im renting from her!

RHONDA

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CAP
Christ! - there goes Mim, again..
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RHONDA! !
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And there you go, again!
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CAP
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(Sits down, takes a long slug on his rum)
Before you people came, things was good.. long as you left town by dark, we didnt
bother much wit you - even let you use our beaches!
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You dont own the sand!

RHONDA

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CAP
Quiet here.. waves roll in, waves roll out - sun shines, rain comes, sun dries it up, things
grow, n th lizards run round - me daughter lives here, me son comes by every day, me
brother every week - me grandson comes down, we gets him on th sea - n you hasta
come n mess it all up!
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RHONDA
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(Pauses)
Okay.. Ill go..
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(Starts to leave - has a leg cramp)
Ow! ! !
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(Rubbing her leg)
Mind if I sit? - my legs cramped from walking.. a minute, then Ill get on my way...!
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(Pauses)
Sit th bottom step - I can hose her down, later..
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RHONDA
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(Tentatively sits on the bottom step)
So, Teddys gone to sea.. well, I know something about the sea, Cap..
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CAP
You knows nothin..
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RHONDA
My great-grandfather went to sea.. oh, not as captain! - they wouldnt allow that! - he
was just a deckhand, in the Caribbean, on old sailing ships..
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I knows bout ol ships..!

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CAP
(Pauses)
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RHONDA!
Grandma says he drowned, as a young man..
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CAP
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(Pauses)
Ship went down?

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RHONDA
Big storm..
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CAP
Wal.. storms a part o life on th sea..
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RHONDA
Storm was something called a.. southwester.. somewhere.. the Gulf of Mexico.. maybe
near here..
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CAP
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(Pauses)
What year, th storm?
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RHONDA
Oh.. long time ago - turn of the century!
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What name, th ship?
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The Palmer.. something like that..

CAP
(Pauses)
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RHONDA
(Pauses)

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CAP
Th Rebecca.. Palmer?
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RHONDA
The Rebecca Palmer! - Captain was.. something.. Holm..
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CAP
Tater.. Captain Tater Holm..
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RHONDA
Tater - like potato! - thats how I remember it!
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CAP
Th Rebecca Palmer went down wit all hands, nineteen-ought-seven..

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How do you know?
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Tater Holm was me uncle..

RHONDA!

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CAP
(Pauses)

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Oh! - Im sorry..

RHONDA

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CAP
N Im sorry, fer, fer.. what were yer great-grandpots name?
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RHONDA
Peter.. Peter Every.. he was from some little island.. in the Caribbean..
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CAP
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(Pauses)
Im from some little island.. in th Caribbean...
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(Pauses)
I heard o a Peter Every, when I were young..
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RHONDA
Grandma says he once saved a white man from drowning! - their ship was sailing out of
harbor at night, was struck by another ship and sank - and yet, the other ship just..!
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CAP
.. kept sailin inta Georgetown harbor, big four-master schooner...
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RHONDA
Thats it! - you heard the story?
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CAP
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(Pauses)
Me pappy used to tell that story - he worked the ships, but couldnt swim..
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RHONDA
Anyway, thats all I know about Great-grandpa - they never found him, after the storm..
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CAP
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(Pauses)
Wal.. maybe you found him..
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(Pauses, gestures to bell)
This heres th ships bell from th Rebecca Palmer.....
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Oh! ! !
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Can I see the bell?
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Shore, come on up..
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RHONDA!

(Pauses)

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CAP
(Pauses)

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(Rhonda goes up the stairs, stops in front of

the bell, looks at it)

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Can I touch it?
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Shore...
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RHONDA

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CAP
(Pauses)

(Rhonda touches the bell)

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RHONDA
Guess thats all thats left of great-grandpa...
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CAP
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(Pauses)
Same for me uncle..
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(Pauses)
Why dont you sit...
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RHONDA
What if somebody sees me?
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CAP
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(Pauses)
Then, they sees you.. I wants ta tell ya somethin..
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(Rhonda sits down in the other lawn chair)
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RHONDA
About Teddy?
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CAP
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(Pauses)
Bout me Pappy.. n Peter Every, yer great-grandpop..
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(Pauses)
Me Pappy.. were that sailor who couldnt swim, outside Georgetown Harbor - n Peter
Every saved his life - ever one on The Rock knew that..
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Whats The Rock?

RHONDA!

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CAP
That little island in th Caribbean.. I were born there, me Pappy n me Ma.. n Peter Every
were born there - when I were a boy, we all knew Peter Every - good a sailor as any
man, sailed on our schooners..
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Sailed with you.. white people?

RHONDA

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CAP
Black folk lived on The Rock, too.. n we worked side by side..
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RHONDA
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(Pauses)
Were the black folk.. slaves?
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CAP
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(Pauses)
Some, fer awhile.. afore I were born..
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RHONDA
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(Sarcastically)
Did they know their place?
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CAP
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(Pauses)
Wal.. they didnt have much place ta have - most didnt own much - hadta work fer white
people.. thats how it were, in th ol days..
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RHONDA
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(Pauses)
Was Peter Every a slave?
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Nope.. free..

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Until he drowned..
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Drowned a free man..

CAP

RHONDA

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CAP

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That must have been some comfort..

RHONDA!

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RHONDA (Cont.)
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(Pauses)
If thats how it was, with black and white folk on The Rock.. then how come you..
you know, dont like.. us...
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Dont know that...

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CAP
(Pauses)

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RHONDA
Well..
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(Gets up)
Know where I can shop for food? - I got a kitchenette in my little place..
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CAP
Winn Dixie.. five blocks, thataway - you can walk it..
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I wont offer my hand..
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I wont shake it..
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RHONDA

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(The SOUNDS of the Buick pulling up on the

shell road)

CAP

(The SOUND of a car door slamming)

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Mim was right.. you are kind of ornery..
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RHONDA

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Whatd that nigger gal want, Pop?
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Jes directions...
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JIMMY
(Calls up to Cap)

(Cap says nothing, as he watches RHONDA

EXIT down the sidewalk - a pause, ENTER
JIMMY up the sidewalk, looks back at Rhonda)

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CAP
(Pauses)

(LIGHTS DIM on The Porch - LIGHTS RISE on

The Railing - Teddy stands at the black steel
gunwale of a tugboat, looking out to sea, black
watch cap on his head, wearing aviator
sunglasses - the SOUND of powerful tug
engines throbbing)

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TEDDY
Here I am.. first day at sea! - last night they had me stay up all night, checking the lines
tying the tug Ruby Hays to the dock - making sure they werent too tight and not too
loose - just keeping me busy - they knew I didnt know anything.. the next morning we
chugged slowly down Tampa Bay, pushing this big orange barge called the Wanda
Wheellock - I was standing aft on an open steel deck with steel railings, watching the
big wake, the seagulls flying above, darting down to grab the fish raised up.. then we
sailed out into the Gulf, the steady roll of swells hissing by - thats when I got the
important job of throwing the garbage overboard - I was holding the can up high, trying
to gauge when the waves would stop sluicing down the gangway, so I could toss this
garbage - after that, we had to change the tug and barge around, from pushing to
pulling - the barge was loose on a slack line for awhile, drifting past us as we got ahead
of her to pull - a big operation - didnt want to lose her! - I was put in charge of a big pot
of grease that one of the ABs - means Able-Bodied Seaman - was smearing on the
back gunwale, so the big rope tying the tug to the barge wouldnt rub on the gunwale
and fray..
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(Looks back)
.. now the barge is bobbing up and down in the waves, a half mile behind - barge looks
like an orange ship, with a ships bow, but no decks, just a hull - they had me watch this
gauge near the aft deck - measures the pull on the rope - if it went above 90,000
pounds, I was to to notify the captain - well, it went to 93, and I told him, and he jumped
and ran up to the wheelhouse, slowed the tug down so that big rope wouldnt part...
theres ten men on this tug.. the captain, two mates - ones OK, hes from Tennessee the other seems to be drunk all the time, hes from Mississippi - then two Ordinary
Seaman - Im one, the other guy is always seasick, we never see him, never leaves his
bunk.. then theres the two ABs, who actually know what to do - ones a big guy from
North Carolina, hes cool, showed me how to use the washer.. the other guys from the
Dominican Republic, hes the lead AB - hes shorter, but with big powerful shoulders and
a big gut - I dont think he likes me, cause I wear the same sunglasses as him.. then
theres two guys down in the engine room - we never see them, except when they come
up for meals, wearing big headphones that drown out the engine noise from the two big
diesels.. and then theres Slim, the cook from lower Virginia - Mawnin!, he says, and
thats all I can understand of what he says - tomorrow, I gotta help him take all the food
out of the freezer, so it can defrost - maybe well use hand signals - I cant understand
the captain, either - hes from another part of North Carolina - Te-ead, wouldya payess
th kateshup? - he asked me that three times, before the big AB from North Carolina told
me he wanted the catsup...
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(Looks off)
Were headin to the mouth of the Mississippi - where we gotta change from pullin to
pushin - well go upriver and unload our barge full of fertilizer, then load the barge back
up with coal for the return trip - they said well be on the river five days..
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(Looks off)
The waves out there are getting kinda big - maybe twelve, fifteen feet.. but these guys
seem to think its OK - guess I wont worry - Uncle Jimmy says the Ruby Hays is
unsinkable, got a steel hull - hope so, I cant swim too well...

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(LIGHTS DIM on The Railing - LIGHTS RISE
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on CAP and MRS. TILSON sitting in their lawn
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chairs, looking and watching across the street !
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the SOUND of steady rain on the roof of The
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Porch - CAP holds a bottle of rum)
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MRS. TILSON
I love how it rains down here.. every afternoon, a clear blue sky clouds up and rains - it rains for an hour, then the sun comes out, dries it all up - like it never rained at all!
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(They watch across the street)
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CAP
Didnt seen th black cat today, on my way ta Winn Dixie..
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(He takes a drink)
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I saw him yesterday, down the street..
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MRS. TILSON
(They watch across the street)

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CAP
Niggie gal came by, from California, lookin fer Teddy..
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MRS. TILSON
His girlfriend?
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Christ! - I sent her on her way..
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CAP

(They watch across the street - he drinks)

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Whats that you drink?

MRS. TILSON

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CAP
Rum..
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(Drinks)
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MRS. TILSON
You get it at Winn Dixie?
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CAP
Shore.. you can get it anywhere..
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(Drinks)
I remember when you couldnt get it nowhere..
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When?

MRS. TILSON!

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CAP
Prohibition.. couldnt even get a beer - New York, I hadta walk down th street wit a
bucket, ta a speakeasy - theyd sell ya a bucket o beer..
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A real bucket?

MRS. TILSON

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Clean one..
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CAP

(They watch across the street)

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What about rum, could you get that?

MRS. TILSON

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Used ta run rum..

CAP

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MRS. TILSON
What do you mean, run?
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CAP!
Rumrunner.. I knew this feller in New York, who knew a feller, who knew a guy in th
Mafia.. they had bought a schooner named th Halcyon.. I didnt ask no questions I needed a job, they needed a skipper - wed raise anchor at night, and sail by th stars
up th coast ta Canada, pick up a cargo o rum, n run back down ta New York.. had ta
watch out we didnt run inta th Dragons Teeth..!
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MRS. TILSON
A dragon at sea?
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CAP
Thas what we called a bunch o little islands off th coast o Maine - th Dragons teeth ya could hardly see em, low in th water - didnt wanta wreck on em! - after we got down
ta New York, we off-loaded th rum at night, got paid cash, n quick got off th docks!
... one time I invited th Mafia feller ta dinner - nice guy, he was OK wit me - after dinner,
me family sittin round, he n I havin a rum - n he says, Thanks, a real nice dinner..
Cap, ya got anybody, ya want me ta rub out?!
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MRS. TILSON
Rub out?!
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CAP
He meant, ta shoot... I said no, n that was th last I saw o him - job lasted all summer two trips on, one off - one trip I had off, th Feds caught th other skipper - same run, th
Halycon - took him in n tied up th ship..

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A rumrunner, huh?

MRS. TILSON

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CAP
After that, durin the Depression, hadta ta work fer th WPA - march us inta Central Park,
dig a big hole - three oclock, make us fill it in - end o th week, pay us our checks - that
government had no more sense than a billiegoat!.. theres th black cat, agin..
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MRS. TILSON
Probably after your lizards..
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Never catch em - they got them tails..

CAP

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Youve got them tales - tall ones...
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Must you strike that bell?

MRS. TILSON!

(CAP gets up, goes to the bell,

RINGS it five times)
MRS. TILSON

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CAP
Ol ships had a hourglass - ever half-hour, ya turned it over - n then rang th watch bell ..
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MRS. TILSON
If its an hourglass, why not turn it over every hour?
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Only half hour o sand..
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That makes no sense...
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More pie, Cap?
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Shore..
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CAP

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MRS. TILSON

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(They watch across the street - the SOUNDS

of Jimmys Buick coming up the shell road Mrs. Tilson gets up)

MRS. TILSON

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CAP
(Pauses)

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(He gets up, follows Mrs. Tilson into her side of

the duplex - CAP and MRS. TILSON both EXIT

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- JIMMY ENTERS quickly up the stairs, pulls

open Caps screen door)

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JIMMY
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(Calling inside)
Pop!
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(ENTER CAP onto the porch from Mrs.
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Tilsons side of the duplex, piece of pie on a
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plate - he starts eating it with a fork)
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JIMMY
I got a call from the captain of Teddys tug last night, while I was night mating the Marine
Duval - Teddys pulling his watches and having a ball!
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(Pausing)
That Mrs. Tilsons pie?
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CAP
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(Eating)
Shes me renter, me boy...
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JIMMY
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(Pauses)
Pop..! !
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Yeah, man..
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I was with Mom down at the house..

CAP
JIMMY

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CAP
Christ..
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(Mimicking)
Hes at th duplex getting drunk.. never sees me no more..
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JIMMY
She started going on about Mrs. Tilson..
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CAP! !
Leave Mrs. Tilson out o this..

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JIMMY
Whenever I drive up, I see you and Mrs. Tilson sitting together on the porch...!
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CAP
Were just talkin..! !
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Pop - youre married!

JIMMY

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We lives apart..

CAP

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JIMMY
I knew she was going to be trouble, when you said Mr. Tilson had passed!
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I said, leave Mrs.Tilson out o this!

CAP

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JIMMY
You should have put her out when you found out!
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CAP
She had nobody, n nowhere to go!
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JIMMY
She could of gone back to New York!
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She wanted ta stay right here!!
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You spend too much time with her!

CAP

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Shes me friend!

CAP

JIMMY!

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JIMMY
Pop, shes going to have to go! !
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CAP
She aint agoin nowhere..
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JIMMY
I pay half the mortgage on this place! - youll have to come back, live with me and Mom!
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CAP
Live with that ol billie goat? - boy, you crazy as a bedbug..!
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JIMMY
Pop.. Im evicting you!
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Boy, yer a horses ass...
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CAP
(Getting up)

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(Jimmy stares at him, turns and clambers down

the steps, JIMMY EXITS striding down the
walk, the SOUNDS of the Buick starting up and
driving away - Cap goes down the steps,
uncoils the hose, turns on the water, starts
watering his plants - ENTER RHONDA up the
sidewalk - she stops and watches him watering
- he pauses, his hose on a plant)

RHONDA

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What are those.. little lizards?

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CAP
Theys me friends.. thats Rufus.. theres Brutus.. n Cassius...
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You named them?

RHONDA

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CAP
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(Turning off his hose, coiling it up)
Shore.. everybodys gotta have a name..
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(He starts to go up the steps)
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RHONDA
Heard from Teddy?
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CAP
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(Pauses)
Last night, me son Jimmy got a ship-to-ship call, on th tanker he were night-matin..
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From Teddy? - how is he?
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Doin okay, pullin his watches..
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Whens he coming back?

RHONDA

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CAP

RHONDA

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Not sure..

CAP

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Does he like being at sea?

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RHONDA
(Pauses)

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CAP
Told Jimmy, hes havin a ball..
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RHONDA
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(Pauses)
Long as I wait, might as well enjoy myself.. think Ill walk on the beach - bein daylight
and all - if you dont mind..
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(She starts to exit)
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Wait a minute, ahh..
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Rhonda.. Rhonda Every...

CAP

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RHONDA

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CAP
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(Pauses at the foot of the steps)
Come, sit, Renee.. been thinkin bout yer great-grandpot - got somethin ta tell ya...
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(He turns, goes up the steps - she follows !
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they both sit in lawn chairs, Cap pauses)
In th ol days, on The Rock, one o me great aunts.. sorta.. got together wit.. some black
feller.. they had a kid... name o.. Peter Every...
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So, Peter Every is your..

RHONDA

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CAP
When he come by, me Pappy let him in, cause he was..
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..blood...

RHONDA

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CAP! !
..family..
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RHONDA
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(Pauses)
So, there was a nigger in the woodpile!
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Might say that..

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That makes us.. distant cousins!

CAP
(Pauses)
RHONDA
(Pauses, turns)

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Sorta..

CAP

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RHONDA
This mean youll have to let me in your house?
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Spose..

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CAP
(Pauses)

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Want to, Cap?

RHONDA

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Dont know...

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CAP
(Pauses)

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Time for that walk..
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See you later..
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..cuz...
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RHONDA
(Pauses, gets up)

(Starts down the steps)

(Pauses, turns back)

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(RHONDA EXITS, Cap looking after her

- LIGHTS DIM on The Porch)

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6 BELLS
(LIGHTS RISE on Cap watering his plants in
front of The Porch - ENTER BILLY, bandages
around his neck - he holds a breadfruit up for
CAP to see)

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CAP
What you got there, Billy?
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(BILLY says nothing, gives him the breadfruit)
Looks like.. a breadfruit... wal, this time ya got it right - I aint got no breadfruit tree...
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(Stares at the breadfruit, then looks up at Billy)
Whats th matter, cat got yer tongue?
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(BILLY gestures at the bandages around
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his neck, struggles to speak, but no sound
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- Cap looks at him, then back at the breadfruit)
Wal, a breadfruits not good for much, Billy, not much taste.. we used ta grow it on The
Rock - wed eat anythin really, on The Rock.. th ole Rock...
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(He looks down at the breadfruit in his hands)
.. n I remember a rock, a rock from me past...
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(He looks up at BILLY)
Billy.. they take out somethin?
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(BILLY nods Yes)! !
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Caint talk?
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(BILLY shakes his head No)
Wal, Billy.. whatever words come tween us, n whatever we think o th other.. just want
ya ta know.. wes friends.. dont need no words...
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(Pauses, looks at BILLY, holds up breadfruit)
Thanks fer th present...
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(BILLY shakes his head, gestures toward
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the sea - makes motions)
Oh.. fer Teddy?
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(BILLY nods yes - CAP holds the breadfruit
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up in his hands)
Shore, Ill give it ta him, soons he steps ashore..
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(BILLY nods, slowly starts to EXIT)
Capn Billy...! !
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(BILLY stops, turns back)
Yous a tough SOB...
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(BILLY smiles, points back at CAP, gestures
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You, too.., BILLY EXITS - ENTER MRS.
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TILSON from the duplex - Cap stops watering,
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walks up the steps carrying the breadfruit.)
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MRS. TILSON
Whats that?

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CAP! !
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Breadfruit - Billy give it ta me fer Teddy..
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(Sits down in his chair with it)
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MRS. TILSON
I ran into Billy at Winn Dixie, but he didnt say anything.. what did I do?
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Nothin - he got no voice left..

CAP

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Oh, the bandages..
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Cancer..!

MRS. TILSON

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CAP

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MRS. TILSON
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(Pauses)
Well, thats too bad.. he must feel all trapped inside..!
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CAP
Shore..
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MRS. TILSON
I havent been well, myself - been getting dizzy...
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(They watch across the street, CAP turns the
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breadfruit in his hands)
Whats Teddy going to do with that?
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CAP
Ill cook it fer him..
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(Turning the breadfruit over and over in his
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hands)
Not good for much, not much taste.. we used ta grow it on The Rock.. th ole Rock..
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(Turns the breadfruit over)
I remember a rock.. a rock th size of a breadfruit...
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(LIGHTS DIM on The Porch - LIGHTS
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RISE on The !Plot - a man and a boy with a
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machetes stand on the ground - SOUNDS
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of goats scrambling above them on the cliffs !
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the SOUND of a small rock, represented by
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light, bounces past them - they both look up)
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Goats..
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MAN! !

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Howd they get up there?

BOY

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MAN
Some goats got away in the old days, went wild, and now they been livin for years up
there on the cliffs...
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(He wipes his brow, looks off)
That sea is sure sparklin down there.. sometimes, wish Id never left it..
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BOY
Dont you like farmin, Pa - n bein home wit us?!
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MAN
Its not that, boy.. theres just somethin about bein on the sea, sailin a good ship with a
fair wind and a current runnin your way.. smellin the salt, the riggin creakin, deck
rollin, watch bell ringin - and th sunlight dancin off the crest o th waves! - and theres
that feelin, too, boy - o bein part o them what come before - men from The Rock...
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(The SOUNDS of hoofs scuttling on the cliffs
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above, a few rocks bound down, represented
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by flashes of LIGHT and SOUND)
Mind those rocks, boy! - those goats gettin frisky up there.. we gotta get this plot
chopped, sos we can plant - go to the pack and fetch us some water, boy - then gather
up this brush - we gotta get this choppin finished..
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OK, Pa...
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Pa!
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Pa?
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BOY

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(He goes to the side to a pack, opens it - the

SOUNDS of more hoofs scuttling and more
rocks come bouncing down - the SOUNDS
intensify, as more and more rocks come down the BOY and MAN looks up the cliffs, the MAN
with his machete raised - the MAN starts to
jump and dodge the flashes of rocks - suddenly
one flash of a rock strikes the MAN in the
temple - he drops the machete and collapses)

BOY

(He runs to him, kneels down by him)

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(The MAN motions to him, and the BOY raises

his head off the ground)

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MAN
(Looking into the boys eyes)

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Son.. take care o yer Ma...

(His head slumps to the side)

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Pa!
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Help me, help! - Pas been hurt!
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BOY

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(He picks up a rock the size of a breadfruit

lying by the man - looks at it, then throws it
down, runs off shouting)

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(LIGHTS DIM on The Plot - LIGHTS RISE on

The Porch - CAP still looking at the breadfruit)

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What, Cap?

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MRS. TILSON
(Looking over at him)

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CAP
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(Pauses)
Guess Pas hourglass run out..
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(Cap gets up with the breadfruit, goes to the
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bell, grabs the rope clapper, RINGS bell twice,
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pauses, then RINGS it twice more, pauses, a
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final two RINGS, releases clapper)
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MRS. TILSON
Still not feeling well.. think I need to lie down, Cap...!
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Okay, Ruth.. call me, if ya need me...
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CAP! !

(MRS. TILSON gets up, EXITS into her side of

the duplex - CAP sits down in his chair, holding
the breadfruit - CAP stares far into the past LIGHTS DIM on The Porch - LIGHTS RISE on
TEDDY standing at The Railing - he is wearing
a watchmans cap and a yellow slicker - its
daylight, but dark - the SOUNDS of breakers
and the powerful throb of tugboat engines)

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TEDDY
We got our load of coal, sailed back down the Mississippi, and are about to go out in the
Gulf - theres breakers ahead, crashing into the mouth of the river - captain said the
Ruby Hays got orders to sail out in the Gulf, even though a big storm has turned our
way... I guess the power company needs their coal - five of us tugs and barges keep
them supplied, just so they can keep the lights on in Tampa..
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(Looks off)
Here we go, right into the first breaker! - doesnt look good.. and were not heading west
to California - were going east, away from my girl! !

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This could get rough...
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Cap...

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TEDDY (Cont.)
(Pauses, looking ahead - the SOUND of
crashing breakers)

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(LIGHTS DIM on The Railing - LIGHTS RISE

on CAP sitting on The Porch, glasses on,
reading his paper - MRS. TILSON speaks
through her screen door)
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MRS. TILSON (OFFSTAGE)

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Ho.. you feelin better, Ruth?

CAP

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A little...
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MRS. TILSON (OFFSTAGE)

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(MRS. TILSON ENTERS, sits down - they

watch across the street)! !
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CAP
There go th two of em, agin - that girl and her guy - down ta Davey Jones Locker, the
bar at th Pass..
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How do you know where they go?
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I seen em..
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You go to Davey Jones Locker?

MRS. TILSON
CAP
MRS. TILSON

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CAP! !
Used ta.. th owner was a friend o mine..

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MRS. TILSON
Used to? - then how.. never mind - what was your friends name?
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Davey Jones..

CAP

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MRS. TILSON
Ive heard that name before - is this one of your stories? - whyd you stop going?
!

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CAP
Mim told me he died..!
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MRS. TILSON
Seems I saw you heading over to Mims place this afternoon..
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Just for a drink..!
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A drink..

CAP

MRS. TILSON

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Shes me friend..

CAP

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You got a lot of friends..

MRS. TILSON!

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Shore..
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CAP

(They watch across the street)

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What did Davey Jones die of?

MRS. TILSON

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Liver..

CAP

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Cancer?
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Failed im..

MRS. TILSON

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CAP

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Must have been a drinker..!
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Not much..
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You drink a bit..

MRS. TILSON

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CAP

(They watch across the street)

MRS. TILSON

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Shot o rum, now n then..!

CAP

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You and your brother, Ralph..

MRS. TILSON!

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CAP
Shore.. we likes a nip, when we gets together..
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MRS. TILSON
Seems the two of you try to drink the whole world up..
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CAP
Theres that black cat, again - here, Blackie, Blackie, Blackie!
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MRS. TILSON
I try not to drink - I want to live a long time..
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CAP
Shore..
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(They watch across the street)
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MRS. TILSON
Im afraid of dying.. you afraid of dying, Cap?
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CAP
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(Pauses)
Almost died last winter.. from p-no-mia.. was lyin in bed wit a fever.. felt myself goin,
n a long tunnel opened up afore me, wit a bright light at th end..
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(They watch across the street)
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MRS. TILSON
You dont seem to have died..
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CAP
Hadta.. get up n take a leak - that sorta.. broke th fever..
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MRS. TILSON!
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Oh.. I thought you were going to say, Divine intervention.., or something..
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CAP
Coulda been...
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(Mrs. Tilson says nothing - Cap looks across
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the street)
There go th black cat, on a mission!
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(Mrs. Tilson says nothing, the SOUNDS of
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Jimmys Buick pulling up, engine turning off,
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car door slamming - Mrs. Tilson slowly slumps
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in her chair)

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CAP (Cont.)
Ruth?
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(Cap leans over and looks at her - ENTER
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JIMMY, striding up the walk)
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JIMMY
Pop.. Pop! - listen, that souwester off Mexico has turned east across Teddys course
comin home - hes in for heavy weather and..!
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CAP
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(Interrupting)
Jimmy! - Mrs. Tilson fell back - shes out - you gotta call an ambulance!
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(JIMMY runs up the steps, bends over Mrs.
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Tilson in the lawn chair)
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JIMMY
Her eyes are fixed, staring.. might of had a stroke - Ill go to the phone on the corner..
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CAP
Mebbe we can sit her up in th chair, til they come!
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Shes not breathing, Pop..
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.. got no pulse..
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.. think maybe I better call the coroner..!

JIMMY
(Putting his head near Mrs. Tilsons head)

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You happy now, Jimmy?!
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What?!!
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(Feeling her wrist)

(Pauses, Cap looks away)
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CAP
(Pauses, looks off to sea, listens to the SOUND
of the low breakers, turns back to Jimmy)
!
(JIMMY pauses, goes down the stairs - JIMMY
EXITS - CAP slowly sits down in a lawn chair,
stares - LIGHTS DIM on THe Porch - LIGHTS
RISE on The Porch - two empty lawn chairs - a
pause - RHONDA ENTERS up the sidewalk,
pauses in front of the duplex, looks up at
porch, then slowly climbs up the steps, knocks
on the screen door of Caps side of the duplex no response, she knocks again - the screen
door opens, Madge ENTERS onto The Porch)

!
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MADGE

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RHONDA! !
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Is the owner here?
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MADGE
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(Pauses)
We dont need our windows cleaned, and we dont need a cook..
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I just want to talk to Cap..

RHONDA

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How you know Cap?

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MADGE
(Pauses)

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RHONDA
I want to find out when Teddys coming in..
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MADGE!
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(Pauses)
And you know Teddy?
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I used to be his girlfriend..

RHONDA

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Girlfriend!
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Get out of here!

MADGE

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(ENTER CAP up the walk, carrying a small bag

of groceries - pauses at the foot of the steps)

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CAP
Its all right.. shes jes a friend o Teddys..
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(He comes up the steps)
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Friend - hah!
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Here, Madge..
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.. put these away for me..
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MADGE

CAP

(Hands bag of groceries to her)

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(Madge stares at Rhonda, takes the bag of

groceries - MADGE EXITS back into the
duplex, slamming the screen door behind her)

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Come, Rhonda.. have a sit..
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Jimmy says Teddys coming in today..

CAP! !

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Oh! - whos going to pick him up?

RHONDA

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Jimmys gone ta get him..

CAP

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Any chance I can wait for him here?

(They both sit down in the lawn chairs)

RHONDA
(Pauses)

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CAP
Dont think so.. were takin Teddy ta lunch, after Jimmy brings him..
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RHONDA
So you dont want me to wait for him..
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Jimmy says its a family thing..

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Thought I was family..
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Wal.. its not me, its tothers..!
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After lunch, you bringing Teddy back?

CAP
RHONDA
CAP
!
!

RHONDA

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CAP
Nope.. takin him ta th tug - he ships agin fer a coupla weeks..
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RHONDA
So, I wont be able to see him for two more weeks?!
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CAP! !
Might say that..
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Is this how family treats each other?
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RHONDA
(She turns, goes down the steps - RHONDA
EXITS - Cap watches her, as LIGHTS DIM)

SEVEN BELLS!

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(LIGHTS RISE on Cap and Uncle Ralph sitting
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on The Porch in the lawn chairs)
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CAP
Jimmy says Leverocks is open fer lunch - well go there, once Jimmy gets here wit
Teddy - cant wait ta see th boy!
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!
UNCLE RALPH
Better call him a man, now hes working the water - how much time we got for lunch?
!
!
!
Bout four hours..

CAP

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UNCLE RALPH
Isnt that a short turn-around for that tug?
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CAP
After lunch, well get Teddy back on her, sos he can ship back out - hes becomin a
man from The Rock, that Teddy!
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(The SOUNDS of Jimmys Buick pulling up on
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the shell road, engine stopping, car doors
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slamming, a trunk opening)
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Get your gear...
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JIMMY
(OFFSTAGE, gruffly)

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(SOUND of a trunk lid slamming - ENTER

JIMMY, set jaw, and TEDDY, carrying the old
sea bag slung over his shoulder)

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CAP
Boy, whatcha got the sea bag fer? - yer shippin out agin n just a few hours!
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UNCLE RALPH
Were going to take you to lunch at Leverocks, Teddy, and then back to the docks maybe we can board your tug, take a look-see, before you ship, again!
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(JIMMY EXITS into the right side of the duplex
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- Teddy drops the sea bag at their feet)
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TEDDY
Tugs getting fitted for a new anchor, so I wont be sailing til tomorrow...
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(Pauses)
.. actually, I wont be sailing at all... I quit the tug...
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(Cap and Uncle Ralph stare at him)

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TEDDY (Cont.)
Sailing to New Orleans, I was okay, cause I was somehow heading back to my girl - but
after we were on the river five days, and started sailing back to Tampa... I felt I was
going in the wrong direction - away from her! - I just couldnt take it, Granpot! - made up
my mind to fly back to her, when I got paid - I went up to the wheelhouse and told the
Captain I wanted off the Ruby Hays, soon as she docked...
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(Cap and Uncle Ralph say nothing, a pause)
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UNCLE RALPH
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(Finally)
Quit the sea? - you quit, Teddy - you quit?
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CAP
Th boy quit th sea.. n he were just gettin started!... boy, you crazy as a bedbug...
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TEDDY
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(Pauses)
Im sorry! - but the seas in your blood, not mine - love is in my blood!
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UNCLE RALPH
Love! - see what that gets you, boy...
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Christ!
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CAP
(Getting out of his chair)

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(Cap goes to the edge of the porch, looks out

to sea, the SOUND of the waves washing onto
the beach - ENTER MADGE from the right side
of the duplex)

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MADGE
Your Uncle Jimmy just told me you quit.. you let him down, Teddy! - and let down your
Granpot and your Uncle Ralph - they were counting on you! - men in our family been
going to sea for centuries! - couldnt you be a man, like the men from The Rock?
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TEDDY
Im sorry, sorry, Aunt Madge!
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(ENTER JIMMY onto the porch from the right
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side of the duplex)
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JIMMY
He quit the sea for some silly girl.. a black one, at that!
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(To Teddy)
Take your gear from your Granpots sea bag - put it back in your suitcase - youre flying
out this afternoon!

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Well, thats it, then...
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Shore, no more to it...

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(TEDDY EXITS into the duplex - the low

SOUND of distant surf)

CAP

UNCLE RALPH

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The end of our sea-farin life...

UNCLE RALPH

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CAP
.. th last o th blood, o th men from The Rock...
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UNCLE RALPH
When Jimmy retires - thatll be the last...!
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Im not retiring!
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JIMMY

(JIMMY EXITS into duplex, slamming screen)

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UNCLE RALPH!
I need a shot of rum.. how about you, Cap?
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CAP
Dont feel like it, Ralph..

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MADGE
I could sure use a shot....
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MADGE and UNCLE RALPH EXIT into the
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duplex - Cap slowly sits down in his lawn chair,
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looks off - ENTER RHONDA from up the
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sidewalk - she pauses at the foot of the walk
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and looks up at Cap - ENTER TEDDY from the
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duplex, suitcase in hand, pauses, looks down
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at Rhonda on the sidewalk)
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TEDDY
Rhonda! - what are you doing here? - Grandpa, you didnt tell me Rhonda was here!
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CAP
Not sure how I feels bout her..!
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RHONDA
I came to see you, Teddy! - how was the sea?

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TEDDY
Great! - Ill tell you all about it! - let me put my suitcase back!!!
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(ENTER JIMMY from the duplex - he looks
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down at RHONDA)
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JIMMY
What have you stepped in, boy?
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Were just friends..

RHONDA

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I was talking to him!

JIMMY

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RHONDA
Well, talk to me - Im family!
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JIMMY
We got no niggie branch in our family tree!
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RHONDA
Oh, no! - what about Peter Every!

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Let me put my suitcase back..
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TEDDY

(TEDDY EXITS into duplex with his suitcase)

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Pop!.. whatd you say to her?

JIMMY!

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CAP
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(Pauses)
She started talkin bout how one o her people went ta sea, in th ol days..
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My great-grandfather!

RHONDA

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CAP
Turn out his name were.. Peter Every..
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JIMMY
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(Runs his hand through his hair, turns away)
That.. should have never happened!
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(Pauses, turns back to Rhonda)
Then did Pop tell you this? - that Peter Every committed the only murder there ever was
on The Rock?

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CAP
Now, Jimmy..
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JIMMY
The two of them alone in the house, and Peter Every shot his white mother with his
black fathers gun!
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CAP
It were an accident! - th boy were only eight years old!
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Nobody knows what happened!

JIMMY

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RHONDA
Whats your point?
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JIMMY
A black man committed the only murder on The Rock in three hundred years!
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RHONDA
He was a kid!
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He was black!

JIMMY

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CAP! !
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Peter Every never went ta trial, Jimmy! - don that tell ya somethin?

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JIMMY
It tells me Peter Every could never be white!! !
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RHONDA
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(To Jimmy)
And I can never be white! - Im black, too - yes, Im black! - but does that make you any
better than me?
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CAP
Now, wait a minnit, you two - wait a minnit!
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(Calls through screen door)
Madge! - come out here!
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(Jimmy stands looking at Rhonda - ENTER
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MADGE from the duplex - stands by her father)
Now, listen, you two billiegoats... this heres th great grand-daughter o Peter Every from
The Rock.. member I told ya? - Peter Every not only saved me Pappys life - he was yer
great-aunts son - n we treated Peter Every as family.. that makes Rhonda, here, family

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CAP (Cont.)
too - shes our distant relative, but a relative jes th same, like Peter Every - he were
family, n me Pappy treated him like family!
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JIMMY
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(Pauses)
Whats she got to do with Teddy?
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Renees come down ta see Teddy..
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She says she used to be his girlfriend!

CAP

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Jeez!

JIMMY

MADGE

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CAP
Renee wants ta know if she could come ta lunch wit us, visit wit Teddy..
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JIMMY
Sure, she can come.. but shell have to run alongside my Buick!
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Now, boy..

CAP

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MADGE!
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Jimmys right, Pop - Im not sitting next to some black gal! - even if she is family..
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RHONDA
Family? - forget it! - whod want to be family with a bunch of racists?
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(Rhonda runs down the steps, runs down the
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sidewalk, RHONDA EXITS)
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TEDDY
Rhonda! - wait! - lets talk!
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(He runs down the steps after her - TEDDY
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EXITS down the sidewalk - LIGHTS DIM on
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The Porch - LIGHTS RISE on The Railing !
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Rhonda and Teddy looking up into a night of a
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thousand stars - behind them, a band of lights)
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TEDDY
Thanks for coming out on the Little Nick..
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RHONDA
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(Pointing)
No problem.. what are those lights?
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TEDDY
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(Looking)
Thats the shore - the lights of Saint Pete Beach..
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Where we just came from?

RHONDA

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TEDDY
Yeah.. and if you look close enough.. there.. you can just about make out the lights of
the Crest of the Waves...
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RHONDA
Oh.. and whats that dark patch, to the left?
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Thats the Pass we sailed out of..

TEDDY

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RHONDA
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(Looking up)
Look at all those stars.. kind of romantic!
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Yeah..
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Were all alone out here..
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TEDDY !
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(Looking up)

RHONDA

(Looks at Teddy)

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Yeah..

TEDDY

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This boat have a bedroom?

RHONDA

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Yeah.. its called a cabin..!
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The cabin got a bed?
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TEDDY
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RHONDA

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Yeah..!!
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Are you getting any ideas?

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TEDDY
(Pauses)

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RHONDA
(Pauses, looks at him)

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Yeah..
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.. youre tired?

TEDDY

(Looks up at the stars, looks back at her)

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This could be a long voyage..
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Does it ever bother you, Im black?

RHONDA
(Pauses)

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No, it makes you interesting..

TEDDY
(Looking up at the stars)

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(She looks back up at the stars)

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RHONDA
Well, I find you interesting, too, white boy..!
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(Teddy looks up at the stars)
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RHONDA! !
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How come you left?!!
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TEDDY
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(Pauses)
I dont know.. seems I couldnt give you what you wanted...

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RHONDA
I liked it when you were free and easy-going.. then you got too.. moon-eyed over me..
nothing wrong with it, just didnt work for me..
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TEDDY
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(Pauses)
Yeah.. well, thats the way I get.. Im sorry..
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Dont say youre sorry!
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RHONDA

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Im sorry..
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Youre kind of hopeless, know that?

TEDDY
(Pauses)

!
!
Yeah..

TEDDY

RHONDA
(Pauses)

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RHONDA
Maybe thats why I like you..
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!
(Looking up)
Theres no wind.. we seem to be going in circles..
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TEDDY
Were drifting..
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What if we drift away from land?
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Tides pulling us in..
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Thats some comfort..
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I didnt know you had a boat!
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Well, Im an old salt, its in my blood..

RHONDA
TEDDY
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!
RHONDA

(Pauses, looks at the stars, looks over at him)

TEDDY

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RHONDA
Whats the furthest youve ever sailed?
!
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TEDDY
Sailed to Key West.. on my way to The Rock..
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RHONDA
The Rock? - you sailed all the way to The Rock?
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TEDDY
Yeah, by myself - took me about.. three weeks..!
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RHONDA
How did you ever find your way there?
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!
By the stars, I sailed by the stars.. !
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You know how to sail by the stars?

TEDDY
!

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!
Had to - got no radio..

TEDDY

RHONDA

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RHONDA
How do you sail by the stars?
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TEDDY
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!
(Pointing up)
See.. there? - thats the Big Dipper.. those two stars on the bowl point to the North Star,
there - thats north, thats south, east and west.. thats all you really need to know..
!
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RHONDA
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(Pauses)
Why were the sails flapping so much, on the way out here?
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TEDDY
Shifting winds.. has to do with the tides, the currents.. and the Coriolis Effect..
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!
!
The what effect?

RHONDA!

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TEDDY !
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!
!
Basically, the spin of the earth causes currents to go from left to right in the Northern
Hemisphere, pushing us towards shore..
!
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RHONDA
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!
(Pauses, looking up)
What if the Effect isnt working tonight - how we going to get back?
!
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!
Ill start the engine..

TEDDY

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RHONDA
You got an engine on this old, old..
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TEDDY
.. two masted schooner, double-ender..

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RHONDA
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!
(Looking)
Well, start it up - those lights are getting dimmer!
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TEDDY
Dont like to - too noisy..
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RHONDA
Id rather not have a quiet death at sea!
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TEDDY
Rhonda - dont sweat it! - Im an old hand at this - been sailing since I was a boy - had
to leave The Rock and go to sea, when me Pappy passed...
!
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!
RHONDA
Youre from the Rock? - I thought you were born in California..
!
!
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!
!
Yeah.. no, Im from The Rock...

TEDDY

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!
RHONDA
Wait a minute.. that story sounds familiar.. this really your boat?
!
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TEDDY
Yeah..
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!
(Looks at her, pauses)
Yeah, its not..
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RHONDA! !
!
Well, whose boat is it? - you didnt steal it, did you?
!
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!
I borrowed it.. from my Grandpa..

TEDDY
(Pauses)

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!
!
Does he know were out here?
!
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!
!
Yeah.. I dont think so..

RHONDA

!
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TEDDY

!
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!
!
How long you been sailing?

RHONDA

!
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!
TEDDY
Lets see - what year did I start sailing? - only a boy, a boy.. about, uh, yeah, two hours..

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!
RHONDA
You took me all the way out here, and you just started sailing yesterday?
!
!
!
!
!
Yeah.. the day before, I think..

TEDDY

!
!
!
!
So, you borrowed the..

RHONDA

!
!
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!
TEDDY
.. The Little Nick - shes the Little Nick..
!
!
!
.. to impress me?

RHONDA

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TEDDY
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!
(Pauses)
Yeah..
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RHONDA
You say yeah, again, and Im going to slap you!
!
!
Um.. okay..

TEDDY !

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RHONDA! !
!
!
!
You need to grow up, know that? - maybe you need to go back out on that tug..
!
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TEDDY
Um, okay, If I hadnt wanted to get back to you, I would have never quit - I always
wanted to go to sea - show them Im a man from The Rock, like the others - all them
what come before..
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RHONDA
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(Pauses)
Well, maybe you should do that.. go back to sea...
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TEDDY
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(Pauses)
Um, okay, if I do go back, to sea... what are you going to do?
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RHONDA
I dont know.. maybe find a job, an apartment.. maybe wait for you..
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Um, okay, but Ill be at sea..

TEDDY

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RHONDA
Not all the time.. Cap said you get one trip off after two trips.. thats about twelve days..
we could hang out.. and stuff...
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TEDDY
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(Pauses)
Um, okay, I suppose that could work.. if anythings going to work..
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RHONDA
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(Pauses)
Start up the engine, Teddy! - lets go back..
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TEDDY
Um, okay, start up the engine.. um, okay.. start it up, yeah..
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RHONDA
Watch it!
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(Pauses)
You dont know how to start the engine, do you..
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Um, okay, I can probably figure it out..

TEDDY !

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RHONDA! !
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And while youre figuring, The Coriolis Effect will reverse and carry us out to sea.. show
me the engine! - my Daddy was a mechanic and showed me about engines - Ill start it!
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TEDDY
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(Opening a hatch)
Um, okay, I think its down, um, okay, down here..
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(Starts to go down through the hatch)
Um, okay - watch all the grease..
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RHONDA
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(Clambering down the hatch after him)
Yeah, um, okay - pretty romantic, this sailing..
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(RHONDA and TEDDY EXIT down through the
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hatch - LIGHTS DIM on The Railing - LIGHTS
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RISE on Jimmy standing on The Porch !
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ENTER TEDDY and RHONDA, slowly up the
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sidewalk - they pause at the foot of the steps)
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JIMMY
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(Calling down to Teddy)
No lunch at Leverocks! - when you flying out?

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TEDDY
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(Pauses)
Im going back on the tug.. Rhonda talked me into it..
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JIMMY
Whats she got to do with it?

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RHONDA
Teddys going back to sea - he needs to do that.. and you need him to do that..
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JIMMY
What do you know about what we need?
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RHONDA
I may not know much about your family - our family - but I do know something about
Teddy - this is a chance to live that dream you all put on him - he needs to go to sea and
prove himself a man!
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CAP
Wal, thats good news, boy! - what you gonna ta do, Rhonda? - go back ta California?
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RHONDA! !
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(Looks at Teddy)
No.. Im going to stay right here - see Teddy when hes off of his tug - well work it out, if
theres anything to work out - Ill have to look for another place - Mims brother is coming
for the apartment in a couple of days..
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JIMMY
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(Pauses)
Come on, Teddy well take you to lunch, then take you back to the tug - we only got a
couple of hours before she sails..
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RHONDA
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(To Jimmy)
I know you dont want me to come, so I wont ask..
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JIMMY
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(Gruffly)
Dont ask..
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(To Teddy)
Grab your sea bag, sailor, throw it in the trunk - we gotta get some grub in you, before
you ship out!
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(Teddy grabs his sea bag - Cap, Jimmy, Teddy
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and Madge come down the steps and go past
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Rhonda on the sidewalk, all saying nothing)

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RHONDA
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(Blurting out as Teddy goes past her)
Bye, Teddy! - Ill wait for you.. be safe, will you?
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(Goes to kiss him, ends up shaking his hand)
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TEDDY
Dont worry, Renee - Im all right - Im a man from The Rock!
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(TEDDY, JIMMY, CAP and MADGE EXIT,
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leaving Rhonda looking wistfully after them !
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SOUNDS of car doors and trunk opening and
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closing, the SOUNDS of the Buick starting up
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and driving off on the shell !road - the SOUND
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of surf - RHONDA EXITS down the sidewalk !
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LIGHTS DIM)
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EIGHT BELLS!

2-4-1

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(The LIGHTS RISE on The Porch - ENTER

RHONDA up the sidewalk, pauses in front of
the duplex, tentatively comes up the steps,
softly KNOCKS on Caps screen door - when
there is no answer, she sits down in the left
lawn chair - a pause, and MADGE ENTERS
through Caps screen door, drink in hand - she
starts upon seeing Rhonda)

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What are you doing here?

MADGE

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RHONDA
Im waiting for Cap.. hes not in there, is he?
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MADGE
No.. do you have to wait on our porch?
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Cap wouldnt mind..

RHONDA

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Well, I mind!

MADGE

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RHONDA
I just want to know when Teddys coming back..
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What do you care about Teddy?
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Maybe I like him..

MADGE

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RHONDA!
(Pauses)

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MADGE
Maybe you like him.. well, like him somewhere else..
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Madge, please dont be mean..

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Youre a hard one to discourage...
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RHONDA
MADGE
(Pauses, sits down in the other lawn chair)
(Starts drinking, a pause)

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MADGE (Cont.)
Daddy went back to check on Roy, his tenant..
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(A pause)
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Didnt you ever like someone?

RHONDA

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MADGE
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(Pauses)
Once.. and I made the mistake of marrying him - twice!
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Why twice?

RHONDA

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MADGE
Only The Shadow knows... anyway, thats ancient history..
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(A pause)
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Are you retired?

RHONDA

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Suppose you might say that..

MADGE

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What did you use to do?

RHONDA

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MADGE!
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(Pauses)
Legal secretary.. worked my way through the pool, became personal secretary to one of
the partners..
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RHONDA
I wouldnt mind being a secretary - I was a receptionist in California..
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MADGE
I still volunteer once a week as receptionist, at the local hospice - just helping out..
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(A pause)
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RHONDA
I actually have a college degree..
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MADGE
Well, good for you.. never went to college - secretarial school.. whats your degree in?
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RHONDA
Marine biology.. I couldnt find a job, so I became a receptionist to pay the bills..
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What kind of job were you looking for?

MADGE
(Pauses)

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RHONDA
Something in the sciences, something near the sea..
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Science is good..!

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Ever been to California?

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MADGE
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RHONDA

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MADGE
Lived there in the Fifties - San Francisco..
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What was it like?

RHONDA

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MADGE
Like they say - cable cars, fog, all that! - had a nice apartment, an old Victorian - a view
of the Golden Gate Bridge! - go out on the town, me and the girls - parties, lawyers,
night life! - great! - then my boss got cancer.. things change..
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And thats why you came down here?

RHONDA

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MADGE
To be near Daddy - work a little, go out on fishing boats, see my brother and my
relatives - once in a while I take a little cruise.. mostly, I just hang out with Daddy..
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(A pause)
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RHONDA
So, you went straight to San Francisco from secretary school..
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MADGE
No, first I got a job with the OSS - spy agency! - Paris during the war - World War Two lucky you missed that..
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Was it dangerous?

RHONDA

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MADGE
No, this was after the Germans were thrown out of France - it was Paris and I was
young! - say no more.. then off to Costa Rica for a year after the war - had a ball! - then,
up to Frisco.. and now here - Crest of the Waves! - thats my life, so far...
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(A pause)
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RHONDA
You ever caught anything really big, on a fishing boat?
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MADGE!
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Plenty! - once I caught a giant grouper - swallow you whole! - but I used a big bamboo
pole with a great big reel - he didnt have a chance!! !
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RHONDA
Really?
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MADGE
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(Pauses)
No, not really.. biggest thing I ever caught was that ships bell, there..
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(Gestures at bell)
.. and even that gave me a tussle...
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Never been deep sea fishing..

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RHONDA
(Pauses)

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MADGE
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(Pauses)
Well.. maybe we could go fishing sometime..
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Youd take me?

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Youre family, arent you?!
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RHONDA

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MADGE
(Pauses)
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(They look at each other - ENTER CAP from
the right side of the duplex)

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CAP
Ho, Rhonda, Madge - glad ta see you girls talkin.....
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(The SOUNDS of the Buick pulling into the
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sand driveway)
Here come Jimmy...
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RHONDA
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(Suddenly)
Id better go..
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(She quickly goes down the steps !
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RHONDA EXITS down the sidewalk !
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SOUND of a car door slamming - JIMMY
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ENTERS, in khakis and an officers cap)
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UNCLE JIMMY
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(Running his hand threw his hair)
Whewww!.. what a job, night matin - rained all night from the storm! - then the sulfur line
plugged up, and the tower called the Coast Guard - just a block in the line, I told them got a sailor to clear it...
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CAP
Jimmy, ya gotta drive me ta services fer Mrs. Tilson tomorrow..
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JIMMY
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(Pauses)
Sure, Pop..
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(Gruffly)
And Pop.. sorry about Mrs. Tilson...
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CAP
Wal, Jimmy - Ruth was not only me renter, she became me best friend...
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(ENTER RHONDA up the sidewalk, stops in
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front of the duplex)
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RHONDA
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(Calling up to Cap)
How did it go at lunch with Teddy?
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CAP
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(Putting down his newspaper)
We got him on th tug, just in time - she cast off, n pushed her barge down th bay..
Teddys out in th Gulf by now..
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RHONDA
Can he call me?
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No, he cant - why would he want to?
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JIMMY
(JIMMY EXITS into the duplex)
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RHONDA
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(Pauses)
Well, Ill wait for him - at least when he comes back this time, hell be around for awhile..
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CAP
Shore, coupla weeks..
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(Puts up his newspaper, again - she pauses,
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!
then turns to leave - he puts down his
!
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!
newspaper, again)
Don let what Jimmy says bother ya, Rhonda..
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RHONDA
Jimmy will never like me..
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CAP
Trim yer sails, Rhonda - yer still family! - just that, Jimmys.. not gotten that, yet..
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RHONDA
I dont like things to get unpleasant..
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CAP
Wal, Jimmys a man who knows whats right, even if he dont like it sometimes..
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(Gets up, goes down steps, starts watering)
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RHONDA
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(Pauses, watching him water)
Cap.. can you tell me a story from The Rock?
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CAP
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(Watering)
Wal.. long time ago there were a feller on The Rock called Big Jim.. n so Big Jim went
down ta th only spring there is on The Rock - and this huge Injun saw him comin, n
while Big Jim was fillin up his jugs, the Injun snuck up n jumped him - they had a big
fight, tumblin this way n that on th rocky beach, neither havin th upper hand - til they
rolled inta th sea, each tryin ta drown th other - n they both drowned.. when I was a boy,
they said if ya went ta th spring at night, sometimes ya could see them ghosts in th
moonlight, still fightin in th waves.. n thas th story o The Great Fight..
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(Waters)
I gotta go up n get vittles at Winn Dixie.. think ya could finish up waterin? - me plants
are dyin from th heat..
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RHONDA
Sure Cap..
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(She gets up, he gives her the hose)
!

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Specially water me banana tree..
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Aye, aye, Captain..
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All right, me girl - be back soon..! !
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CAP

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What do think youre doing?
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Im watering..

JIMMY

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!

RHONDA

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Dont get smart with me..

JIMMY

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!
Cap asked me to water..

RHONDA

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!
Wheres my Pop?

JIMMY

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Up at Winn Dixie..

RHONDA

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Get out of here! - Im going to water..
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RHONDA

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(Rhonda waters)
CAP
!
(CAP EXITS down the sidewalk, Rhonda
continues watering - the SOUNDS of the Buick
crunching up the shell road, pulling into the
driveway - the SOUND of a car door slamming
- ENTER JIMMY - he pauses upon seeing
Rhonda watering his dads lawn)

JIMMY
(Pauses)
(Grabs the hose from her)

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!
RHONDA
Whats the matter with you? - Im family!
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No family to me!
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JIMMY
(Watering)

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Water his banana tree..
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Dont tell me what to do..

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!

RHONDA
(Pauses, watching him water)

JIMMY

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RHONDA!
Youre watering everything but his banana tree..
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I know what Im doing..

JIMMY

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The waters running in the street!

RHONDA

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I pay for it..
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!

JIMMY

(Sprinkles water on her)

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RHONDA
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(Not moving)
Oh, big strong tanker man hoses down little black girl!
!
!
Get lost..

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Im waiting right here for Cap!

JIMMY

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RHONDA
(Sitting down on a step)

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I dont know what he sees in you..

JIMMY
(Pauses, watering)

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!
He sees his black relative!

RHONDA

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!
How could we.. be related to you?

JIMMY

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RHONDA
You mean, how could you be related to monkeys, just down from the trees!
!
!
!
You said it..

JIMMY

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RHONDA
A long time ago we both descended from a common ancestor - who gave birth to two
sisters - one the mother of the human race, the other the mother of apes!
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JIMMY
Id like to see where it says that..
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RHONDA! !
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In a book, a scientific book!
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JIMMY
I wonder which sister you descended from..
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RHONDA
The same as you - youd know that, if you could read!
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I can read!

JIMMY

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Open your mind!

RHONDA

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Shut your mouth!

JIMMY

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You dont think Im human!
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Its not that..

RHONDA

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JIMMY
(Pauses)

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Well, what is it, then?

RHONDA

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I dont know..

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JIMMY
(Pauses, watering)

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RHONDA
You sound like Cap.. but he finally came around..
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JIMMY
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(Pauses, watering)
You.. are one confusing female..
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RHONDA
Well, thats progress - at least, now Im a female! - even if Im black..
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Even if youre black...
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Thats stupid!
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You think Im stupid?
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JIMMY

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RHONDA!

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JIMMY
(Pauses, turns away from her, turns back,
trying to keep from smiling)

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(Goes and turns the hose off, starts coiling it on

the ground)

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No more stupid than me..

RHONDA

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Okay.. maybe we are related..

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JIMMY
(Pauses, smiling)

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You bet we are, Captain!

RHONDA

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JIMMY
Chief mate.. youre something else.. but, maybe youre right - about acting stupid..
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(ENTER CAP up the walk with a bag of
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groceries - he pauses at the sight of the
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two of them)
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Wal.. ya hasnt killed each other..
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CAP
thas a good sign..
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(CAP ENTERS up the walk, goes up the steps
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- CAP EXITS into the duplex with the groceries
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Jimmy comes down the steps - stands next to
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Rhonda, and looks off to sea)

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RHONDA
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(Pauses)
What if the neighbors see you standing by me?!!
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Then they see me..

JIMMY

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You sound like Cap..

RHONDA

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Were men from The Rock..
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Youre from The Rock?

JIMMY

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RHONDA

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JIMMY
By way of New York..
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(Pauses, looks at Rhonda)
Want to come to lunch with us?
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RHONDA
Do I have to run alongside your Buick?
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JIMMY
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(Pauses)
You can sit up front.. between Teddy and me..
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Maybe Id like that..
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This what its like to be old?

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RHONDA
(Pauses)

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(She goes past him, climbs the porch steps,

sits down in one of the lawn chairs - he
pauses, climbs the steps, sits down in other
lawn chair - they watch across the street,
a pause)

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If were lucky, we get to find out..
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JIMMY
(Looking across the street)

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(They look at each other, start smiling, as

LIGHTS DIM - LIGHTS RISE again on
The Porch, again - Cap and Jimmy sitting in
the lawn chairs, listening to the sea)

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JIMMY
Still own that plot of land on The Rock, where your Pop passed?
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CAP
Shore, me Ma left it ta me...
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JIMMY
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(Pauses)
Whens the last time you were down on The Rock?
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CAP
Nineteen-ought-four, when I went ta sea..
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JIMMY
Sixty-six years and you havent been back! - how about you, me and Madge taking a
flight down there - we could stay at that little place cousin Ainsley runs - give you a
chance to see The Rock, again - well hike over to the plot, under those cliffs...
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CAP
Not sure I wants ta see th plot again, Jimmy - its under them cliffs where them rocks
come down on me Pappy...
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Youd be going back to your Pop...

JIMMY
(Pauses)

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Wal.. mebbe we should go...

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CAP
(Pauses, stares far out to sea)

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Ill tell Madge...
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JIMMY

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(JIMMY EXITS into the duplex - Cap looks far

out to sea - LIGHTS DFIM - LIGHTS RISE on
The Plot - large rocks are strewn around ENTER CAP, JIMMY and MADGE - they
wander through the rocks, saying nothing Cap pauses, then looks up at the cliffs)

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CAP
Them goats started it all.. here come them rocks, n there went me Pappy.. n there I
went, sailin away from me Ma n goin ta sea..
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(The SOUND of goats above, he looks up)
.. them goats started me on a long voyage..
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(They all look up - we hear the soft bounding of
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a rock the size of a breadfruit coming down the
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cliffs, in the form of a bouncing ball of light - it
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comes to rest at Caps feet)
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JIMMY
Watch those rocks, Pop!

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Maybe its a sign, Daddy...
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MADGE

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(Cap looks at the rock, picks it up, looks down

at it, then up at the cliffs - the scuttling SOUND
of the goats above)

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JIMMY
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(Pauses, looks around)
Tell you what, Pop.. Ill build a house for you on this plot - hire our cousins to build it
cheap - terrace a garden - you can plant your crops - maybe even a breadfruit tree!
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(Cap looks up at the cliffs again, turns and
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looks out to sea, listens to the waves crashing
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below against the cliffs)
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CAP
Wal, shore.. thatd be all right.. live down here part o th year, n be near me ol Pappy...
hes down there, Jimmy, at th family plot, by th bend in th old stone road.. n when its
eight bells fer me, Jimmy... you plant me with me Pappy, n them what come before...
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JIMMY
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(Pauses - gruffly)
You got it, Pop..
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(The SOUND of goats scuttling above on the
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cliffs - Cap looks up at them, waves crashing
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below on The Rock - LIGHTS DIM on The Plot
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- LIGHTS RISE on The Porch - Cap watering
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the lawn - ENTER TEDDY from right side
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of duplex - he stands on porch, watching Cap)
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TEDDY
Well, Granpot - everybodys mad at me, guess I dont blame them...
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CAP! !
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(Pauses)
Teddy... its not too late, me boy.. I was readin th shippin news this mornin - th T.E.
Mitchell departs Dock Seven at eleven Thursday night, bound for Buenos Aires - big
ship, I know th captain - he shipped twenty year ago wit me, as third mate - might need
a deckhand, I could give him th word..
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(Looks over at TEDDY - TEDDY says nothing)
You can take me old greatcoat, th one I used ta wear on th bridge, in them convoys..
like the ones yer uncles wore, on th bridges of all them ships, of all them what come
before.. you ship out again, Teddy, n youll soon be a man from The Rock...
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Granpot..!

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TEDDY
(Pauses)

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What, boy?

CAP

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TEDDY
The whole time I was at sea, I was thinkin.. I just need to get back to Rhonda..
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CAP
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(Pauses)
Boy, one day th girl will be gone n th seall be gone, n youll be paintin houses th rest
o your life - no kinda life.. I done it! - its a life on th sea ya want, boy!
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TEDDY
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(Pauses)
When you left The Rock, didnt you have to chart your own course?
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CAP
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(Pauses)
Wal, shore, I hadta chart me own course - I was on me own, once me Pappy passed...
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TEDDY !
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You charted a life on the sea, thats the course you sailed.. and thats the course you
charted for me, as if I was following your North Star.. but, maybe, Grandpa.. maybe, Im
meant to follow a different star, sail off in a different direction...
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(Pauses)
Granpot.. you disappointed in me?
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CAP
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(Pauses)
No, boy, no.. yer right - a mans gotta chart his own course, if hes to be a man otherwise, he aint worth a fart in a gale o wind...
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TEDDY
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(Pauses)
Well, Granpot, I quit the sea - I quit! - guess I dont deserve any piece of the Rock..
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CAP! !
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Wal,Teddy.. jest you always remember where we come from, the ol Rock...
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(Pauses, stops watering - drops to his knees)
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TEDDY
Granpot!
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(Runs down to him)
Whats the matter?
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Legs just went out..
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Ill be all right in a minnit, boy..
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Teddy.. closer..

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CAP
(Pauses)

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(Pauses, falls to the ground - the SOUND

of the hose running - Cap rolls over)

(Teddy bends over him - Cap looks up)

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What, Granpot?

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TEDDY
(Leaning in closer)

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CAP
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(Slowly pulling his small rock from his pocket)
Here, boy..
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(Gives the rock to Teddy)
.. always remember The Rock.. and Teddy.. take care o yer ma..
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(His head rolls to the side, he stares sightlessly
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at the sun - SOUNDS of the Buick rolling up)
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TEDDY
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(Shouting offstage)
Uncle Jimmy! Uncle Jimmy!
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(Shouts up into the duplex)
Auntie Madge! - its Granpot - hes fallen!
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(ENTER JIMMY - he runs to Cap, kneels over
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him - MADGE ENTERS from the duplex, runs
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down the steps to Cap)
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You all right, Pop?

JIMMY

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He just fell over!

TEDDY

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MADGE
Well get you to a hospital - hang on, Daddy!
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TEDDY
Lets get him up, Uncle Jimmy!
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(Grabs one of Caps arms)
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JIMMY
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(Looking down into Caps face)
Hold on, boy..

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JIMMY (Cont.)
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(Jimmy pauses, slowly closes Caps eyes with
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his hand, looks up from him)
Its eight bells for your him.. Teddy, lets carry your Granpot into the duplex, lay him on
his bed - Madge, get the hose - Ill go up and call the coroner...
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(Jimmy and Teddy carefully lift up Cap, carry
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him up the steps and inside the duplex, as
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Madge slowly and carefully coils the hose, and
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holds up the end - the SOUND of the last of the
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water draining out of the hose and stopping)
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MADGE!
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A thing worth doing, is worth doing well...
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(She lays the hose down on the lawn, goes up
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the steps - MADGE EXITS into the duplex, the
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screen door slowly shutting behind her !
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LIGHTS DIM on The Porch - LIGHT RISE on
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The Railing - Rhonda at the tiller, Teddy looking
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far out to sea)
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So, Cap left you the Little Nick..

RHONDA

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Yeah.. and a little cash..

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TEDDY
(Looking off)

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Who got the Crest of the Waves?

RHONDA

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TEDDY
Split between Uncle Jimmy and Aunt Madge.. said I could stay on, in Caps side - not
sure I want to..
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RHONDA
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(Pauses)
If I go back to California.. want to come?
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TEDDY
I dont know.. right now, Im working the tug, after I go to The Rock for the funeral - Im
saying a few words..
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You going to sail there on the Little Nick?
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TEDDY
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(Pauses)
Havent got time - and, Rhonda.. I cant sail that far - Im no sailor.. I mean, I can do this,
sail off the beach with you - but Im not a real sailor, like those guys - them what
come before - theyre from another time, when men sailed the old ships, because they
had to survive..
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RHONDA
What about the tug? - you sail on a big tugboat..
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TEDDY
Thats different.. a big machine pushing through waves - long as I do my job and dont
fall overboard, its no big deal...
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(Teddy looks off to sea)! !
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RHONDA
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(Pauses)
Want some company on The Rock? - I still have a little money, could go down with you..
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TEDDY !
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(Pauses)
Maybe.. yeah, that could be a good idea.. let me run it by Uncle Jimmy and Aunt Madge
- see if theyre cool with it..
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(Looks up at the sails, looks over at her)
The sails arent flapping anymore.. youre pretty good with that tiller, know that?
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RHONDA
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(Looking up at the sails, looking back at him)
Its in my blood..
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TEDDY
Dont tell me youre from The Rock!
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RHONDA
Neither are you, silly!
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TEDDY
No, Im not..
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(Pulling the rock from his pocket, holding it up)
.. but The Rock will always be in my blood..
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RHONDA
For now, you have twelve days off - want to spend time together?
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Were spending time, now!

TEDDY

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RHONDA
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(Looking around)
Yeah.. I dont know how you got me back on this boat, out here in the Gulf.. I dont know
if I should be scared, or what..
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TEDDY
I did better, didnt I? - I mean, sailing us out here..
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Well, the sails didnt flap so much..
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Renee.. dont you have faith in me?
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See, its not so bad out here..
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No, its kind of nice.. even romantic..

RHONDA
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(He looks up at the stars)!

RHONDA
(Looking up at the stars)

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TEDDY
You must have found another apartment..
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RHONDA
Yeah.. at the Crest of the Waves, Jimmy rented it to me..
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TEDDY
Youre kidding me! - Mrs. Tilsons apartment?
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RHONDA
No, I couldnt afford that - Im renting the one-room..
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TEDDY
Roys apartment? - whered he go? - Bermuda?
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No, went upstairs..
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.. to see the man..

RHONDA

(Gestures at the stars)

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TEDDY !
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Too bad - he was a cool old dude... what you going to do when I go back to sea?
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RHONDA
Get a job..
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TEDDY
As a receptionist?
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RHONDA
If I have to.. right now, Ive been checking that new Seaquarium on the beach - maybe
use my degree and get something - help train the porpoises, scuba dive for specimens..
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TEDDY
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(Pauses)
Were going to be in close proximity this week..
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RHONDA! !
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I know.. youll be up in the front bedroom..
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TEDDY
We could spend some quality time together..
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RHONDA
Yeah.. maybe you can sneak back and visit me some nights..
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TEDDY
Oh, Granpot wouldnt have gone for that!
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RHONDA
Hell never know.. want to go below?
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TEDDY
To start the engine? - you want to go back?
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RHONDA
No, silly - I want to see if there really is a bed in that cabin - I might need your help..
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TEDDY
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(Pauses)
Well.. I could do that.. help you out, I mean!
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RHONDA
I was counting on it..!
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(Opening a small door behind them)
Well, come on!
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TEDDY
Wait.. Ill just put a rope on this tiller - thatll keep the Little Nick on course!
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(He puts a rope on the tiller)
There, were good for awhile - this wont take long, will it?
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That depends on you..
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RHONDA

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(RHONDA EXITS through the door - TEDDY

EXITS, closing the door behind them - LIGHTS
DIM on The Railing - LIGHTS RISE on Teddy
at The Pulpit)

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TEDDY !
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A few trips after Grandpa passed, I left the tug and the Crest of the Waves, went back to
California with Rhonda - where I charted my own course and followed my own star - not
an exciting life, not a life on the ships - but it was my life.. maybe Grandpa knew the
seafaring life of them who come before - men from The Rock - would end with the
retirement of his own son, Jimmy... I always wonder what my life would have been like,
if I had stayed on the sea - what voyages, what ports, what adventures!... guess Ill
never know... and now, a few years after coming back to The Rock, Cap has passed
into his own century.. here he lies.. in his last port, on his last voyage, hearing the
waves crash once again on the cliffs of his beloved Rock.. ride easy now at anchor,
Cap.. your watch is over...
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(Goes to the bell of the Rebecca Palmer,
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RINGS it twice, a pause, RINGS it twice more,
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a pause, then two more RINGS, a pause,
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then a final two RINGS that echo away as the
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LIGHTS DIM on The Pulpit, leaving only a light
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on the coffin, which fades to black - LIGHTS
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RISE on The Porch, with just one empty lawn
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chair - a pause, Jimmy ENTERS from Caps
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side of the duplex with a sign in his hand - he
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looks down at the empty lawn chair for a
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moment, grabs it with one hand, swings it
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into the duplex, locks the door, slowly closes
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the screen door, turns and looks far out to sea !
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then turns and goes slowly down the steps,
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pauses, looks at the Crest of the Waves sign,
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attaches a For Sale sign to it, strides off
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- JIMMY EXITS - the SOUNDS of a car door
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slamming, the Buick starting up, and crunching
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away on the shell road - the hissing SOUND
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of low breakers on the beach)
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CURTAIN
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