CLYBOURNE PARK Bruce Norris| CLYBOURNE PARK & 5 PRODUCTION HISTORY Chybourne Park was first presented by Playwrights Horizons at the Playwrights Horizons Mainstage Theater in New York City in February 2010. Ie was directed by Pam MacKinnon, with set design by Daniel Ostling, costume design by Iona Somogyi, lighting by Allen Lee Hughes, and sound by John Gromada. C. A. Clark was the production stage manager. Cast was as follows: Francine/Lena 2.2... cess. Crystal A. Dickinson Jim/Tom/Kenneth Brendan Griffin Bev/Kathy.... Christina Kick Albert/Kevin... Damon Gupton Betsy/Lindsey. Annie Parisse Karl/Steve boas . « Jeremy Shamos Russ/Dan eee eeececeeeeeeereeees Frank Wood ‘The play was subsequently produced by Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company in Washington, D.C., in March 2010. It was directed by Howard Shalwitz, with set design by James Kronzer, costume design by Helen Huang, lighting by Colin K. Bills, and sound by Matt Otto, Francine/Lena...... -Dawn Ursula | Jim/Tom/Kenneth .. - Michael Glenn Bev/Kathy .. « Jennifer Mendenhall Albert/Kevin : ss Jefferson A. Russell Betsy/Lindsey 2.0.2.0. e cee «++. Kimberly Gilbert | Karl/Steve Cody Nickell Russ/Dan «+ Mitchell Hebert Copyright © 2010 by Bruce Norris. Professionals and amateurs ae hercy warned that cis ‘material, being fully protected under the Copyright Laws of the United States of America and loser countries ofthe copyright union, i sbjet to a royal. Al righ, inching, but not Limited to, profesional, amater, recording, mation picture, receon,Iecuring, Public reading, radio and television broadcasting, and the rights of translation ito forcign Tanguage, are stiely reserve. All inquiries reguring performance righ for thi play should be addressed to Mary Harden at Harden-Curtis Associates, 850 Seventh Aveaue, Suite 903, New York, NY 20013,6 ™ BRUCE NoRRIS ‘The play premiered in London at the Royal Court Theatre in September 2010 and transferred to the Wyndham’s Theatre (West End) in January 2011. Tt was directed by Dominic Cooke, with set by David Innes Hopkins, sound by David McSeveney, and lighting by Paule Constable. Francine/Lena -Lorna Brown Jim/Tom.... s+ Sam Spruell Kenneth Michael Goldsmith Bev/Kathy..... «Sophie Thompson Albert/Kevin Lucian Msamati Betsy/Lindsey . - Sarah Goldberg Karl/Steve. .. es ‘Martin Freeman, (succeeded by Stephen Cambell Moore) Russ/Dan... Steffan Rhodri * (eacceeded by Stuart McQuarrie) Note: In the original production, the actor playing Jim and Tom also played the role of Kenneth. In some subsequent productions a separate actor was hired to play the role of Kenneth alone. CLYROURNE PARK = 7 CHARACTERS Act 1 (1959) Russ, white, late forties Bev, married to Russ, white, forties Francine, black, thirties Fins, white, late twenties Allert, married to Francine, black, thirties Karl, white, thirties Betsy, married to Karl, late twenties ‘Act 2 (2008) Tam (played by the actor who played Jim) Lindsey (played by the actor who played Betsy) Steve, married to Lindsey (played by the actor who played Kari) Kathy (played by the actress who played Bev) Kevin, married to Lena (played by the actor who played Albert) Dan (played by the actor who played Russ) Kenneth (played by the actor who played Jim and Tom) Lena (played by the actor who played Francine) ‘The set is the interior of a modest, three-bedroom bungalow, 406 Clybourne Street, in the near northwest of central Chicago. There is a sitting room with front-door access, a fireplace with an oak mantelpiece, and a separate dining area with builtin-cupboards, At the rear of the dining area, a swinging door leads to a kitchen. A staircase leads up to a second floor, and beneath it, another door leads down to a basement. ‘There is « hallway and a bathroom door as well,CLYBOURNE PARK 9 ACT 1 [September 1959, Three olock, Saturday afternoon. The house is in disar- ray, Cardboard boxes are stacked in corners. Some furniture bas been removed, shelves emptied. Pictures have been removed from the rwalls, and carpets have been rolled and stood on end. Not far from the fireplace, RUSS sts alone read ing a copy of National Geographic. He is dressed in pajama top and chines, socks, no shot. On a table next to him sits a carton of icecream into which, from ime to time, be dips a spoon. Music plays softly on a radio next to bim. After some time, Bev descends the stairs carrying linens to place in a cardboard box. As she packs, she stops to look at RUSS.) ev: You're not going to eat all of that, are you? Luss turns down the radio.] with bis mouth full Whaddya say? sev: What ice cream is that? i. [witha lok atthe carton] Neapolitan. ev: Well, don't feel compelled to eat that. uss: [shrugs barely audible] Going to waste. [He turns the radio back up, and PRANCINE enters from the Btcben, wearing ‘a maid's uniform. Russ remains in the foreground as BEN joins ber] FRANCINE: [fo BEY] So, if it’ all sight I'm just going to put these candle- sticks here in the big box with the utensils, sev: That is what I would do, yes, but you do mean to wrap them first? FRancrne: Oh, yes, maam. sev: Oh Now: Francine: I was wondering about this chafing dish, which wwe have practically never used. FRANCINE: Yes, ma‘am. -v: Do you own one of these yourself? FRANCINE: No, I sure don't. nev: Because I do love to entertain though for the life of me I can't remember the last time we did, But still, it does seem a shame to give i away because it's just such a nice thing, isnt it? FRANCINE: Oh, yes its.10m BRUCE NORRIS BEV: And it just looks so lonely sitting there in the cupboard so: I was wondering if this might be the sort of thing that would be useful to you? ¥RancrNe: Ohbhh, thank you, I couldn't take that. ev: [re the chafing dist] See how sad he looks? FRANCINE: You don't want to be giving that to me. nev: Well, nonetheless I'm offering. rranctne: No, I dont think I should. Bev: Well, you think about it. FRANCINE: But thank you for offering, sev: You think about it and let me know. rrancrwe: Yes, malam. ‘eV: And do put some paper around those. FRANCINE: Yes, malam. [rRancine goes into the kitchen. BEV returns cuith more to pack, passing russ] sev: That’ a funny word, isn't it? Neapolitan, [auss turns off radio] uss: Funny what way? xuzv: What do you suppose isthe origin of that? uss: Uhh... Naples, Timagine nev: Naples? RUS8: City of Naples? sev: Nooo. RUSS: Of or pertaining to. sev: That would not be my first guess. uss: Yap. nev: I would think it had something to do with neo, as in something new, and then there's the -poliéan part which to me would suggest « city, like metropolitan Russ: Could be Bev: Meaning new city or something to that effec. uss: [sbrugs] Told you what think. sev: Because a person from Naples, I mean they wouldn't be called, well, not Napoleon, obviously. I guess that was already taken! (Laughing, CLYBOURNE PARK = 1 ‘then serious] On the other hand, you do say Italian. But cites, hough, and specifically ones that end in S, because there must be a rule of some sort, dontt you think? Help me think ofa city other than Naples that also ends in S. [Pause] uss: Unhh— Bev: Oh, fiddle. Um. uss: Des Moines. Bev: Nota silent S, uss: Brussels, bev: All right. There you go. And how do we refer to them? Rus sev: But, the people from the city. uss: Never met anyone from Brussels, ev: But there has to be a word uss: Look it up. Bev: Where? uss: Dictionary? bev: Butits not going to say this is the capital of Belgium and by the way the people who live there are called— uss: Give Sally a call. sev: She won't know that. uss: She and Ray went to Paris. Bev: So? RUSS: Close to Brussels sev: Sally never knows those sort of things. Russ: Oh. Oh. sev: What? uss: Parisians. sey: What about them? [rRancine returns with more packing) uss: Paris ends in S. Bev: But—it's not Brasselsians. Russ: Or Nice. nev: Tim serious.32 © BRUCE NORRIS uss: Got the “S” sound, nev: But not Nicians. Like Grecians uss: No, no. Nigise. sev: I know that, but— uss: Know that salad your sister makes? ev: But that's French. uss: Isa French city ev: I understand, but, Tim saying how would we say, in Eng—? Well, now I don't remember the original question. russ: Brussels, sev: No no. Russ: Des Moines? sev: No, uss: Naples. sev: Naples, And I don't think Neopolitan. How would that become Neapolitan? uss: Muscovites, ev: What? uss: People from Moscow. nev: Well, I give up, because that’s just peculiar. uss: [chuckles atthe word] Muscovites. sev: [che same] I wonder if they/re musky. [savoring the sound] Muss-covites. ev: [coming up with one] Cairenes! uss: That is a strange one. nev: I'm telling you, that’s what they're called! uss: I'm not disputing, nev: But why Cairenes? uss: [shrugs] Dated a girl named Irene [rrancmve exits again] ev: Or Congolese? uss: That, too, is correct. nev: So why don't we say Tongalese? uss: Or Mongalese. nev: No, Mongol-aid. uss: No no, that’s different. CLYBOURNE PARK #3 nev: Oh, youre right. uss: That's uhhh, you know, that's— ev: No, I know. Russ: [taps bis finger on his temple] The thing with the— ev: [does the same] Like the Wheeler boy. uss: Right. The one who— ev: Bags the groceries. uss: Right. [Beat, then] nev: But that’s nice, isnt it, in a way? To know we all have our place. uss: There but for the grace of God. nev: Exactly, (Pause, russ breaks it with] uss: [pronouncing grandly, with a sweep of bis hand] Ulan Bator! ev: What? ‘uss: [an exact repeat] Ulan Bator! nev: What are you doing? uss: [once again] Ulan—! ev: Stop it. Tell me what you're doing. uss: Capital of Mongolia nev: Well, why would I know that? uss: [shrugs] National Geographic. ev: Oh ob, Did you change the address like T asked you? uss: What do you mean? sev: For the National Geographic. uss: The address? sev: Oh, Russ uss: Me? sev: asked you. uss: You did? sev: Lasked you /fteen times. uss: When? sev: I said don't forget the change of address for the magazine and you promised me that you would, you promised me specifically—[cont'd.] uss: [overlapping] I did it last week.14 ® BRUCE NORRIS. sev: [continuous] —that you would see to it so I—Ob. uss: Pulling your leg. ev: Isee. uss: [a gentle imitation] Ob, Rus! sev: Maybe people don't /ike having their leg pulled. uss: I was just—I was—Okay. [Pause] sev: And are you going to bring that trunk down from upstairs? uss: Yup. sev: Thought you said after lunch, uss: Sort a two-person job. sev: And you really want to wear those clothes alll day? uss: Hadn't really thought about it. [Asilence pases between them. uss scratches bis elbers} sev: But you know, you are a funny person. I was telling Francine—I ran into Barbara Buckley at Lewis and Coker’s and Barbara said that Newland told her a funny joke that you told at Rotary last year, uss: That Itold? sev: About a man with a talking dog? us6: [shakes bis head] Thinking of Don Lassiter. sev: No, it was you. uss: Don's the one with the jokes sev: You know jokes. You tell jokes. uss: A talking deg? sev: And Barbara said does Russ not go to Rotary anymore? Apparently they all keep saying where's Russ? [Beat,then:] ‘Not that I care one way or the other but it does seem that you used to enjoy going and I don't see why that, ofall things, should have to change—[eont'd] [euss sbifts in bis char] feontinucws, quickly]—and please don't say what’ the point, Russ. hate it when you say that. Because for that mattes—[cont'd] uss: [overlapping] I wasn't going to say—[cont'd] CLYBOURNE PARK & 15 sey: [ontinuous]—what's the point of anything enjoyable, really? — [oont'd] [be phone rings. FRANCINE enters] [continuous|—Why not just sit in a chair all day and wait for the end of the world bur I don't intend to live the remainder of my life like that and I think you could take notice of the fact that talking that way frightens me. Francine: [phone] Stoller residence? ‘uss: [guiety, to nev] Not trying to frighten you. Francine: Who may I say is calling, please? Russ: [fo Bev quiet] Ulan Bator. Francine: Excuse me, Miz Stoller? sev: Who is it? rrancine: Mister Lindner wanting to talk to you. uss: [with groani] Ohh for the love of — nev: [lo FRANCINE] Tell him Tl call him back. uss: Not one thing it’s another. Francine: [phone] Mister Lindner, she wonders if she can call you back? sev: [overlapping Francine, fo Russ] I only mean that people are con- cerned about you—[cont’d_] uss: [overlapping] Well, what's the nature of the concern? ev: [eontinuous}—and I don't see the point of spurning their good intentions. uss: Gee whiz, I'm just reading a magazine. FRANCINE: [fo BEV] Says he's calling from a pay phone. uss: [fo FRANCINE] Just say were occupied, sev: No, I'll take it, thank you, Francine. [7o nus6, as she crosses] Tim just repeating what Barbara said. (pbone] Hello? uss: [co bimself Barely know the woman. ev: [phone] No no no, it’s just, wee in a state of disarray, Karl. uss: Somehow I spurned her. [aserancine returns 0 the kitchen, the frome door opens and yim sticks bis head in, He isa youthful minister—svears a clerical collar under bis jacket] sam: Ding dong?16 © BRUCE NORRIS, uss: [teing yim, not rising) Oh. Uh, hey, Bev? 1M: May one intrude, he politely asked? uss: [to ney] Jim’s at the door. ev: [seeing yim, she mauths silently to bimi] Oh, oh, ob! Come int! Come int! [phone] Karl, I can't hear what you'e saying, 31m: Russ, my friend, I am crossing the threshold! uss: Hey, Jim. sim: [ooking around] Holy Toledo Jiminy Christmas. ‘uss: Bev on the phone. 1m: Hate to be the one to break it to ya, buddy, but somebody made off with yer stuff! Russ: Kinda discombobulated. sev: [phone] Oh, Karl, I don't think so, not today. sum: [russ] S'not the big day, is it? uss: [40 1m] No no. Monday. sev: [phone] No, it’ just, Russ is alittle under the weather. stmt: Piece of advice. Watch out when you start lifting things. Learned that the hard way last month. uss: [preoccupied with wev] Tzzat right? 1M: [to Russ] Ohhh yeas. Judy says Jim, I gotta have me this spinet piano, a task which naturally falls to me—[cont'd] Bev: [phone, overlapping] Well, ifit’s absolutely necessary. 1m: [continuous] —and there T am with this thing halfway up the front steps and me underneath. And of course, it’s not the sveight, you know. Tes the angle—cont'd)] ev: All right, Karl [bev bongs up] s1m: [continuous]—which is why they tell ya to bend the knees. ev: [fo s1nt] Well, will you look what the cat dragged in? Russ: [to nev, re: phone call] What was that about? 31M: Bev, I am trying to bestow the pearls of my wisdom upon this man, uss: [ta s1m] No no, I was listening, BEV: Oh, isnt it just a jumble in here, all of this? 1m: S'what I was saying to Russ, said somebody cleaned ya out! uss: Not coming here, is he? rv: Oh, I dontt know. You know Karl. CLYBOURNE PARK # 17 sit: Karl Lindner? uss: Bev? si: Ohmigosh. Ya got a look at Betsy lately? sev: [eyes wide] Ob, I know. sist: Give that girl a wide berth sev: Jim, can I get you some iced tea? uss: [fo BEY] Maybe call back and ask him to come later. sev: It was a pay phone. [72 1x4] Oh oh oh oh oh! I know! Now wait Now Jim: Tam going to ask you a question: sim: Huh-oh! sev: [to Russ] And dont help him. [72 j1»1] Now: I want you to tell Russ what you think the word Neapolitan means. uss: [fo stm] She thought— BEV: SHBBABEAI You'ee not allowed to say. jim: Well, that'd be your basic vanilla, strawb— sev: No no. The derivation. uss: I fold her what I th— sev: [to nuss] SABABBL yim: Ub, think it’s Naples, isn't it? sev: Ohhhhh phooey. sm: Or Napoli, as we like to say. [rrancine enters] sev: You two are cheating. And then—well, Russ’ in a funny mood. He keeps going [frying to do what Russ did] Oo-lan Ba-tor! sm: Whatzat, capital of Nepal? Russ: Mongolia, 31m: Mongolia. So then what's the Nepalese—Do ya say Nepalese? sev: [chucke, slaps Russ’ arm] I hope it's not Ne-poitan! uss: Kathmandu, Bev: Oh, well, I dontt even know why you two know these things. Francine: Miz Stoller? sim: Knowledge is power, Bev. sev: Then I choose to remain pocoerless. [To russ] Do it again uss: Do what? sev: How you said it. uss: No.18 BRUCE NORRIS nev: Doit, Russ. uss: No. nev: Do it for Jim. Russ: Bev? ev: Why not? uss: Sorry, Jim, ev: Why for me but not for him? uss: Well, for one thing, cause it’s not funny. Racine: Excuse me, Tin fixing to go, so if you need something else? sev: Oh. Yes. One thing. Francine, you remember that big trunk that’s upstairs? uss: No no no no. Bev? sev: She doesn't mind. uss: Just told you I'm doing it. sev: You said its a two-person job, and here's two of you right here. uss: Well, what's the emergency? yim: [fe nev] I would offer my services—[cont'd)] + [overlapping] Oh no no no no n0. st: [continuous]—but I am under doctor's orders, believe it or not. FRANCINE: Well, I'm just needing to leave by three thirty. nev: [resigned] All right. uss: Francine? am going to move the gol-darned trunk. FRANCINE: Yes, sit. sev: [fo 51M, mock-private] That's what I get for trying [rnancrse este. Discomfert] stm: [fo Russ] Soooo— sev: Did you get any lunch, Jim? Do you want some- gimt: No no no no no. ev: Since I guess we'e cleaning out the larder and Russ seems to be eat- ing every last thing in the icebox, so you'll have to fight him for the git: Not for me ‘uss: [shrugs] Well, ya know. Cant pack ice cream in a suitcase. [sev finds this bilarious] sev: Tn asite—[To y1nd] Did you bear that be just said? CLYBOURNE PARK 19 sunt: [chuckling as well] Man's got a point! sev: [slapping nuss’s shoulder] How do you think of those things? lee cream yim: Not unless you're moving to the North Pole! [bev laughs harder] nev: Thank goodness we'e not moving South! yam: That'd be a mess. No question. [bev and 1a stop laughing, sigh. More discomfort] No question. sev: Ljumping up] Well, Vm going to see what we do have [bev exits int the kitchen, leaving RUSS andyim alone] sit: Whaddya, coming down with something? Russ: Who? sim: Bev said “under the weather.” Russ: Me? sim: And here ya sit in your PJs— russ: No no no no no. I’m—Took the day to—Truck coming, so— sunt: I gotcha. russ: Coupla days off sist: Playing hooky. uss: No no, yim: Bev’s your alibi. uss: Just giving her a hand with stuff sim: And you are hard at work, as I see. uss: [smile aletle] No. I just: sim: Kidding you. uss: I know. II—Yup. sim: Woulda come to your aid there, only I'm dealing with a little, uh, issue. uss: Oh yeah? sia: Piano I told ya about? uss: Right? sim: Didja ever... [lowers ovic] .. . ever need a truss? Have to wear one of those?20 BRUCE NORRIS uss: Uhhh... Don't recall j1M: Oh, you'd recall it if you did. uss: Guess not, then. jim: Then you are a fortunate man. uss: I hear you. j1m: Bend the knees or suffer the consequences. uss: Yup, [Brief pause] sim: So, Monday, you said. uss: Yup, Jim: Off to the hinterlands. uss: Monday itis. sev: [calling from off Jim, was that a yes or a no on the iced tea? iat: [calling back to ber] Uhhh, I would not say no to that. BEV: [same] Russ? [nuss shakes bis bead) 1a: (same) I believe Russ is declining your gracious offer ev: [came] I thought as much, [Pause] yim: Monday. uss: Indeed. stot: Head em up. Move 'em out. uss: Yup. stmt: And when ya start that Glen Meadows office? ‘uss: Monday after. sim: How about that. uss: Yup. Jim: And how's that shaping up? Russ: Oh, boy, now. Thar's a nice setup. sit T betcha, uss: And spacious, that's the thing. And carpeted? And I got a look at that office they're putting me in, Tell you what I thought to myself, thought what the heck do ya do with all this space? Corner office. ‘Windows two sides. But the space is the primary—That is just an extravagant amount of space. 1m: Elbow room. uss: Other thing is, once we get situated up in the new place. The time it takes? Driveway to the parking lot? Know what that’s gonna take me? gin: Five minutes. uss: Six and a half. sit: Close enough. uss: Timed it. Door to door. yin: Roll outa bed and com. nuss: And Tom Perricone. I don't know if you know Tom. Colleague of mine. Now, he’s going to relocate to that same office and they live right down here offa Larabee. You know what that’s gonna take him con the expressway? sim: That's a drive russ: Thirty-five minutes. And that's no traffic. sim: Well, Judy and I are sure gonna miss having you two around. uss: Well... Yeah [Awkward pause] iat: [lswers voice, secretive] And how's Bev doing? Russ: Oh, you know. Bev loves a project. 1m: Keep her occupied. uss: The mind occupied. sum: What, does she worry alot? uss: No. No more than— sum: About you? russ: Me? No. sim: Ya seem good to me. uss: I meant—you know how she gets. pint: Sure. uss: Overexcited. sim: Tan see that uss: Worked up over things. Minor things. sunt Things lke? uss: Oh, you know. sum: Not calling yourself a minor thing, are you?USS: [slightly irritated] No, I didn't—I meant things like— 194; [chuckles] Do you consider yourself a minor thing? uss: Jim, I didn't—Well, actually, in the grand scheme of things I don't think any one of us is, uh ... particularly—did Bev ask you to come over? sia: Nope. uss: I mean, good to see you. Great to see you. s1m: I mean, we ran into each other coupla days ago. Got to talking, uss: Uh-huh, stat: Little about you. Since she cares about you. uss: Right. Right. [nuss lots forsev] "The heck's she's doing in there? jim: Everybody cares about you, Russ. uss: Uh-huh. Uh-huh. Yup. Well. Tell ya what I think. And I'm not a psychiatrist or anything but I do think a lotta people today have this tendency, tendency to brood about stuff, which, if you ask me, is, i, is—well, short answer, its not productive. And what I'd say to these people, sere I to have a degree in psychiatry I think my advice would be maybe, get up offa your rear end and do something. gmt: Hub. uss: Be my solution. swt: Uh-huh. uss: Of course, what do I know? sim: I think you know plenty. (Pause. nuss looks toward the kitchen.) uss: [calling] Hey, Bev? 1: Like, I think you know your son was 2 good man, no matter what. Hero to his country. Nothing changes that. russ: Yup yup yup. JM; And I also think you know that sometimes talking about things that happen, painful things, maybe— uss: Uh, you don't happen to have a degree in psychiatry either, do you, Jim? CLYBOURNE PARK # 23 (ima stares.) No? Just checking, yim: We all suffer, you know. Not like you and Bev, maybe, but— uss: But, see since what I'm doing here is, see, since I'm just minding ‘my own business—[eont'd] sum: [overlapping] But it doesn't hurt— uss: [continuous]—sorta seems to me you might save yourself the effort ‘worrying about things you don't need to concern yourself with and farthermore—[cont'd] sum: [overlapping] He's in a better place, Russ. ‘uss: [continuous]—if you do you keep going on about those things, Jim, well, I hate to have to put it this way, but what I think I might have to dois... uh, politely ask you to uh, [dears his throaé] ... well, to go fuck yourself (Pause!) sunt: Not sure there's a polite way to ask that. (uss rise to exit] uss: [embarrassed] Okay? So. 11m: T just cant believe Kenneth would've wanted his own father to— uss: [maintaining calm Yup. Yup. So, you can go fuck yourself, okay? [bev enters with pum’ iced tea) ev: So wait. So if its Napoli in Italian, then wouldn't adding an E before the A just seem superfluo—What’s happening? sim: Bev, I believe I will hit the road. sev: What are you—? Russ? uss: Going upstairs. ‘ev: What happened? sist: Not to worry. sev: [0 russ] What did you do? sant: Another time. sev: [to uss] Come back here. sim: [overlapping, o nev] No no. Russ made his feelings clear in—[cont‘d] sev: [overlapping quitly fo Russ] Why are you being like this?24. BRUCE NORRIS yim: [continuous}—no uncertain terms uss: [to sev] Going up, now. s1M: Terms maybe more appropriate for the locker room than the— sev: [to jist I tld you so. I told you what it’s like. And he uses these ugly ‘words in other people's presence [fe russ] and Tim not some kind of ‘matron, but what in the world is wrong with civility? uss: Honey? I am not going to stand here with you and Jim and dis- cuss—[eont'd] ev: [overlapping] Well, you're being ugly, and I don't like ugliness. uss: [continuous|—private matters, matters that are between me and the memory of my son—[cont'd] nev: [to s1a, overlapping] I think his mind has been affected, I really do. uss: [continuous, overlapping|—and if the two of you want to talk about Kenneth on your own time, if that gives you some kind of caafért— ev: And what’s wrong with comfort? Are we not allowed any comfort anymore? Russ: Well, Kenneth didn’t get a whole lotta comfort, did he? ev: He was sek, Russ! And for you to use nasty words to Jim— yim: Nothing I haven't heard before. uss: [moving upstairs] Changing my shirt j0m: Iwas in the service, too, you know. uss: [bitter laugh] Ob, right. And tell me again. How many people did you Kil? sev: Ob, for God's sake, step it! Russ: Sat behind a dest, didn'tcha? Goddamn coward. [ihe doorbell rings. AU! stand in silence. wev covers her mouth. At the front dor, we can see ALERT peer through a smell window] ‘avert: [from off] Hello? [And still no one moves Anybody home? [ev looks at 31m, who moves to open the door] sit: Afternoon, aunt: [fo 116] Uh, how d'you do? I'm just here to— nev: Francine? Albert's here. CLYBOURNE PARK # 25 prancrne: [ealing from off Yes, ma'am. I'm coming. sev: She's on her way. auaert: Thank you, madam. [ym does not know whether to invite ALBERT in or not. He turns to BEV. sss turns and exit up the stairs, BEV turns back to ALBERT.) ev: Albert, would you like to wait inside? avsert: Ub. Allright, thank you, malam, ev: I bet its warm out there, isn't it? avnert: Ohhh, yes itis, nev: Can I offer you some iced tea? avsert: No. Thank you, though. ev: Well, 'm sure she'll be right along. ausert: Thank you. [acpeRr sits near the door but within earshot of Jim and BEV.) 1M: jwhispering because of ALBERT] I think maybe it's time for me— sev: [rapidly wbispering] Oh, please don't go, please don't, just don't want to be alone with him right now. It makes me feel so alone—[cont'd.] 191; [overlapping] You're not alone. ev: [continuous]—the way he sits up all night long, Last night he was just sitting there at three in the morning—[cont'd] sume: [overlapping] I know. I do. xv: [continuous]—and I say to him say don't you feel sleepy? Do you ‘want to take a Sominex, or play some cards maybe, and he says I don't see the point of it a if there has to be some grand justification for every single thing that a person— (And now wey notices ausent rising and heading for the door] [to avaert]—Wait. Yoo-hoo? avseer: [Baving overheard) Stall right. sev: Something wrong? avert: No no. ev: She said she's on her way. Avert: I can wait outside. ev: [calling off] Francine? FRANCINE: [from off] I'm coming.26 & BRUCE NORRIS ev: There she is. [prancine enters im street clothes, with ewo large bags of band-me-dowons She stops to put on her earrings) FRANCINE: I'm sorry. I guess I'm moving a litte slower than usual. nev: And here's Albert waiting so patiently. If only I had door-to-door service like Francine! FRANCINE: So, I'll see you Monday, then, BEV: Albert, isnt this place just a catastrophe? avnerT: Oh, yes itis. ev: [fo avsert] I tell you, I don't know what I would do without a friend like Francine here, and on a Saturday, mean she is just a trea- sure. What on earth are we going to do up there without her? aunerr: Well, I trust yall can sort things out. sev: [to FRANCINE] Oh, and maybe Monday we can see about that big trunk, why don't we? FRANCINE: We'll make sure and do that. ev: I'd do it myself but I'm nota big strapping man like Albert here. Jit: Afraid I've gotta exempt myself— +: Oh no no no no no. Francine and I can manage. Avpent: What’ it, a trunk, you said? FRANCINE: [witha shake of the head to dissuade aveRT] A footlocker. Aubert: Where’ it at? xv: No no no no no we just need to bring it down the stairs ausert: Idon't mind, ev: Oh, thank you, but no. FRANCINE: [to Bev] But definitely Monday. aupert: These stairs, here? BEV: Oh no no no—I mean, it wouldn't take but two minutes. FRANCINE: [fo BEY, re: her bagi] It’s just I got these things here to take care of, avperr: Ian put them in the cat sum: Oh, got yourself a car? ‘atsert: Yes, sir. sim: [ooking out] Whatzat, a Pontiac? auperr: Yes, sit, CLYROURNE PARK » 27 PRancine: (significantly, to ase] It’s just that Tm afraid we're going to be late. ALBERT: [not getting if] Late for what? FRANCINE: The place we gotta be? aupert: The place? Francine: Remember? auperT: [fo FRaNctve] The—What're you? FRANCINE: [fo Bev] I'm sorry. ALBERT: {fo FRANCINE] Said two minutes is all. Francine: [quiet, pointedly] Well, I've got my bands full. avpeRT: I just said I ean put them in the— FRANCINE: [estly, as they start to go] Ican put them in the car. Ican do that, rv: Did you get the chafing dish? Pranerne: No, mam, thank you, though. ausert: [fo sev and jini) Be right back. [anne opens the door to reveal KARL LINDNER, about toring the bell. He is oddly formal and uncomfortable-seeming] want: Ah, Unexpected. Uhh ...? nev: Hello, Karl kart: [relieved] Ah, Bev. Voila. aupERT: [fo KARL, sgueezing past] Excuse us, if you don't mind? Kart: [to aLBeRr, formally] Not at all. After you, sr. [kant makes way for ALBERT and FRANCINE toast] auperr: [to rrancine, as they exit, barely audible] What is the matter with you? xart: [from the door, seeing 11x] Ah, sim: Karl ev: [unenthusiasticallj] Come on in, Karl. kar: Uhhh... [ar if working out a puzzle] Yes. Could do that. However, you'll recall, Bev, that Betsy currently happens to be, wh, how shall wwe say—? sev: Ohh, is it almost that time? KARL: Uh, point being, that she did accompany me. ‘ev: What do you—you mean she’s in the car? , too, Hello, lad,28m BRUCE NORRIS kart: She is. sev: Well, for heaven's sae, Karl! Don't leave her out in a hot car xan: Well, that was my thinking. sev: Bring her in with you. kart: Will do. sev: Of ll zbings. xan: [as be goes] Back in a flash. [4s kart exits again, Russ descends the stairs im a clean shirt and shoes. BEN and y13 allow him to silently pass by them. Hle walks to the chair and collects the ice cream carton.) sev: You changed your shirt. nus continues into the kitchen without responding. Beat] sunt: [guiet] Bev. eV: [wobispering] I know I'm being silly. I know I am, but—[cont'd] 1 [eeerlapping]: Not at all. Not in the least. : [continuous whisper]|—it’s just that after two and a half years you'd think that with ime, because that’s supposed to be the thing that helps, isn't it? A little bit of time—[cont'] sit: [overlapping] A great healer. 3 V: [continuous wbisper|—and I thought with the new job and the move I thought somehow he would start to let go of — [Russ returns from the kitchen. wev goes silent. He goes toa door beneath the stairs, opens it, pulls a string to turn on a light, and exits) [calling after bin]] Where are you going, the basement? uss: [from off] Yup. nev: Are you looking for somet uss: [farther] Yup. (he front door opens. KARL escorts his wif BETSY, coho is ight months pregnant and who aso happens tobe totaly deaf} 1 Kani: Here we are, then, sev: Oh, there she is! nesy: Hehhyoooh, Beh. (Hello, Bev] CLYBOURNE PARK m= 29 nev: [overenunciating for we rsv’s benefit] Well just look at you! My goad ness. You are just the biggest thing. aersy: Ah ohhh! Eee toooo:. Ab so beee!!! [I know! It’s true. I'm so bigt! art: Took the liberty of not singing the bell. sev: Betsy, you know Jim, sim: Indeed she does. sersv: Hab, Jece. (Hi, Jim] [sia shots off is sign language skis ETSY, finger-spelling the last word] bev: Oh, well, now look at shat. Look at them go. What is that about? Somebody translate! sersy: [laughing fo xan] Huhuhuuhl! Kaaaaal! sim: [chuckling along] Uh-oh! What did I do? Did I misspell? [bersy signs fo cart] xart: [cbucklel] Uh, it seems, Jim, that you, uh, told Betsy that she was expecting a storm!! nev: No! He meant stork! You meant stork, didn't you? Betsy: [pantomimes umbrella] Ahneemah-umbrayah! [I need my umbrella] [att auges] nev: Her umbrella! (To wersy] 1 understood that! KARL: Have to check the weather report! ev: A storm, Im going to tell that to Russ. ist: Must have rusty fingers! [Alt chuckle) etsy: [to KARL, asking for translation] Kaaaah? KARL: [ypeabes as he signs] Uh, Jim says his fingers are rusty. [sersy daughs and covers ber mouth) sev: See? She understands, nersy: [to jim, pantomimes washing hand] Jeee, mehbbe yew necee sooohh![ Jim, maybe you need soap!) [More polit laughing]28 = BRUCE NORRIS KARL: Sheis. sev: Well, for heaven's sae, Karl! Don't leave her out in a hot car xan: Well, that was my thinking. sev: Bring her in with you. Kart: Will do, nev: Of all chings KARL: [as be goes] Back in a flash. [4s xant exits again, nuss descends the stairs in a clean shirt and shoes. BEV and yim allow him to silently pass by them. He coals to the chair and cllects ‘the icecream carton nev: You changed your shirt. [Russ continues into the kitchen without responding, Beat] Uquiceh] Bev. whispering] I know I'm being silly. I know I am, but—[oont'd]] ua [overlapping]: Not at all. Not in the least. ev: [continuous wbisper|—its just that after two and a half years you'd think that with rime, because that’s supposed to be the thing that helps, isnt it? A little bit of time—[con'd] sum: [overlapping] A great healer. ev: [continuous wbisper|—and I thought with the new job and the move thought somehow he would start to let go of — mu [huss returns from the itchen. nev goes silent. He goes to a door Beneath the stairs, opens i, pulls astring to turn oma light, and exits) {calling after bird] Where are you going, the basement? uss: [from off] Yup. ev: Are you looking for something? uss: [farther] Yup. [Zhe front door opens. KARL escorts bis wife, BETSY, who is eight months pregnant and who also happens to be totally deaf] wart: Here we are, then. Bev: Oh, ere she is! sersy: Hehhyoooh, Behhhh, [Hello, Bev] CLYBOURNE PARK = 29 ev: [overemunciating for se y's Benefit] Well just look at you! My goed ness. You are just the biggest thing. betsy: Ah nohhh! Eee toooor. Ah so bee!!! [I know! Its true, I'm sev: Betsy, you know Jim. sim: Indeed she does. sersy: Hah, Jeee. [His Jim] [s1m shows off is sign language skills t0 wey, finger-spelling the last word] bev: Oh, well, now look at shat. Look at them go. What is that about? Somebody translate! sersy: [laughing o kant] Hubuhuuh!! Kaaaaa!! sia: [chuckling along] Uh-oh! What did I do? Did I misspell? (wersy signs to cant] KARL: [chuckled] Uh, it seems, Jim, that you, uh, told Betsy that she was expecting a storm!! ev: No! He meant stork! You meant stork, didn't you? wersy: [pantomimes umbrella] Abneemah-umbrayah! [I need my umbrella!) [alt aug] nev: Her umbrella! [To nersy] I understood that! KARL: Have to check the weather report! ev: A storm, I'm going to tell that to Russ. yim: Mast have rusty fingers! [all chucie] aersy: [to kant, asking for translation] Kaazah? KARL: [speaks as be signs] Uh, Jim says bis fingers are rusty. Ipersy daughs and covers ber mouth] Ev: See? She understands. BETSY: [fo JIM, pantomimes washing bandi] Jee, mehbbe yew necee sooobbh! [Jim, maybe you need soap!!] (More polite laughing]go ¥ BRUCE NORRIS sev: [explaining to y1™] sunt: [0 Bev] Soap. For the rust on your— No, T understood. [nuss emerges from the basement, carrying a large shovel kan: And there’ the man himself! Thought he'd absconded! sev: [0 russ] The Lindners are here. sersy: Hehhyoooo, Ruuuubhh. [Hello, Russ] uss: Betsy. [72 sev] Ya seen my gloves anywhere? KARL: [ye the shovel] Tunneling to China, are we? uss: [fo nev] Pair of work gloves? ev: [fo kant] Do you know I just got through saying how Russ and I never entertain and here it is a regular neighborhood social! xan: Well, we shant be long, sev: Karl, do you suppose Betsy would like a glass of iced tea? [betsy does not see KARL] KARL: Bets—? [To Bev] Point to me. spy: [fo nesy, overemunciated] Betsy, lock at Karl [betsy looks af kant] KARL: [to BETSY, signing simultaneously] Bev wants to know if you want some iced tea to drink? setsy: Ohhh, yehbhpeee. Dahhnyoo, Bchhh. [Yes, please. Thank you, Bev] ‘uss: [to BEV] Know the gloves I'm talking about? ev: Well, Kad’s here. I thought you were going to talk to Karl. [pranctne and aLsEnr have entered and started up he stairs] uss: [seeing ALBERT and FRaNctNE] The heck’s going on? nev: Nothing. Now, we two girls are going to the refreshment stand, so you boys'l have to manage on your own, KARL: Have no fear. ev: [while exiting, ax before] So how are you feeling, Betsy? Are you tired? sersy: Noooo, ahhhh fiiieee, Behhhh, reeeee. [No, I'm fine, Bev, really.) [sersy and sev exit to the kitchen.) CLYBOURNE PARK # 31 xart: Now, Russ, Bev tells me you're indisposed, and normally 'é— (realizing) Ah. Not contagious, is it? uss: Is what? KARL: Hate for Betsy to, uh, come into contact with any— uss: Not contagious. KARL: Can't be to0 careful. Or possibly one can. Anyway, hate to com- mandeer your Saturday afternoon here, a man’s home, as they say, but, as we haven't seen your face at Rotary of late T thought I might— [cont'd] uss: [overlapping] What's on your mind, Karl? kart: [confinuous]—intrude upon the sanctity of —what'd you say? uss: What's on your mind? kart: Ah, Well. Firstly—May I sit? uss: Yeah, yeah. sum: Kar, I will be taking my leave Kart: Not on my account? sm: Parish business. kart: Uh, well, truth to tell, Jim, we might actually benefit from your insight, here. 1M: (ooking af wate] Uhbhhh— xarL: [fits not pressing? sist: Actually— xart: Not to usurp your authority, Russ. Your castle. You are the king. uss: What's on your mind? xARL: [as bests on a dos] Is this safe? uss: Anywhere, xan: No breakables? And Jim? Lise sits, okng a 888] sim: Uhh... minute or two. Kak: Good. Good good good. So. [bev opens the kitchen door] sv: Iced tea for you, Karl? kan: Ah, Problem being that I do have some sensitivity to the cold bev- cexages, so my question would be is the tea ebilled, by which I mean has it been in the Frigidaire?32 BRUCE NORRIS nev: [enduring bin] No, Karl. KARL: Then, if might have a serving minus the ice? That would suit me fine. bev: All right, Kadl. [pev closes the door] kart: Anyway, Russ, ifyou don't mind, I will proceed directly to, dare I say, he crux, So. First and foremost, as far as matters of community are concerned, Ive always maintained— [ev and sersy enter from the kitchen with gases of iced te] Bev: All right, you boys. want: [panicky about sersy] What's—? Is something—? [banding KARL. his teal She's fine, Kal kart: Is that tea she’s drinking? sev: Yes, Karl, kart: Slow sips. Small sips. sev: All right, Karl. [eersy and Bev sit at the dining table, away from the men. They begin to commumicate via pad and pencil] uss: You were saying? Lkant tates bis glasesoffiand mops bis Brow.) kari: Tad overwrought, I suppose. [Lowers vice] What with Betsy's condition, but . . . well, given our history of two years ago, I don't know, Russ, if you knew the details of that. uss: Some, yup. KARL: And Jim: Source of great comfort for us during all ofthat. [Beat, ‘then to Russ] It was the umbilical cord. Nature of the problem. uss: I knew that: KARL: Wrapped around the . .. [Jndicates his neck] Exactly. So, no one at fauk, No one to blame. But these tragedies do come along. As you and Bev well know. sm: What're you hoping? Boy or girl? KARL: Ab, no. Touch wood. No tempting fate. snot: There you go. CLYBOURNE PARK #33, kar: [back fo russ] Not to compare ourlittle... setback... to what the two of you endured, but— uss: Something about a crux? xarz: Right you are. Well: To backtrack. I take it, Russ, you're aware that the Community Association meets the first Tuesday of each month? And as Tim sure you know, Don Skinner is part of the steer- ing committee. And somehow it came to Don's attention at this late juncture that Ted Driscoll had found a buyer for this house and I have to say it id come as something of a shock when Don told us what sort of people they were. uss: What sort of people are they? (Beat, kane stares at Russ] anu: Well. (Chuckle) Uhh . .. Huh. I suppose I'm forced to consider the possibility that you actually don't Anow. Russ: Don't know what? xan: Well, I mean. That they/re colored. uss: Who are? xarL: The family. It’s a colored family. [Pause] So: I contacted the family— sim: Wait wait wait. kart: [fo russ] You're saying Ted never bothered to tell you? russ: We, uhh ... sort of gave Ted free rein on the— gm: T don’t think you'e right on this one, Karl, kant: Oh, butI am. Oh, I've spoken with the family. uss: Bev? sum: On the éelephone? KarL: Oh, no. Asa matter of fact, Betsy and I've just come directly from « (Beat, for effect] Well, from Hamilton Park sev: [ee russ] What is it? uss: Cimere @ second, kari: Now, Russ: You know as well as I do that this is a progressive ‘community. sev: [¢o Russ, as she joins them] What's he talking about?34 8 BRUCE NORRIS kart: Ifyou take the case of Gelman’s grocery: That's a fine example of how welve all embraced a different way of thinking— uss: Slow down a second. Bev, get Ted Driscoll on the phone. sev: [to Russ] What for? uss: Karl says. Kat is daiming— KARL: Russ, I have met personally with the family, and— nev: What family? uss: He claims this family. The family to whom Ted sold the house. kant: It’s colored family. (Pause. ta shaker is Bead] sunt: [fo kaRL] Sorry, don't we say Negro, now? xan: [irritated] I say Negro—[cont'd)] sum: [overlapping] Well, its only common courtesy, and 'm— xan: [continuous] say them interchangeably —[cont'd] sum: [overlapping]|—not trying to tell you how to conduct your business, KARL: [continuous] —and of course I said Negro to them—No I think we both know what you're doing. sim: And furthermore, I don't think Ted would pull a stunt like that. Kar: Yes. We all admire Ted. But I don't think any of us would accuse him of putting the community's interests ahead of his own. sev: Oh, this is ridiculous. xan: And I don't think any of us have forgotten what happened with the family that moved onto Kostner Avenue last year. Now; Kostner Avenue is one thing, but ClyBourne Street— ev: Waitwaitwait. Karl, are you sure? art: I was sitting with them not two hours ago. ev: But isnt it possible that theyre . .. I don't know, Mediterranean, Kar: Bey, they are one bundred percent. And I don't know how much time any of you have spent in Hamilton Park, but Betsy was waiting in the car and I can tell you, there are some unsavory characters. uss: Karl? KARL: But, in the case of Gelman's I think there was some mistrust at first, having been Kopeckne's Market for such a long time, but in the end of all Murray Gelman found a way to fit in. CLYBOURNE PARK 35 ev: And they hired the Wheeler boy. sm: Ts he the one with the—? Lara taps bis finger on bis temple ev: He's the—you know. [sev does the same] Kart: And fitting into a community is really what i all eomes down to. [A cery loud THUMP from upstairs is beard] uss: "The heck is going om up there? kant: Now, some would say change is inevitable, And I can support that, if its change for the better. But Pl tell you what I can’? support, and that’s disregarding the needs of the people who /ive in a community. sev: But don't they have needs, too? kart: Don't who? sev: The family. kart: Which family? ‘BEV: The ones who— kart: The purchasers? ‘ev: Imean, in, in, in, in principl, don't we aif deserve to—shouldn't we all have the opportunity to, to, to— KARL: [chuckles with amazement, shakes his head.] Well, Bev. sum: In principle, no question. KARL: But you can't /ive in a principle, can you? Gotta live in a house sev: And so do they. kart: Not in ¢hishouse, they don't. sim: But here’ the real question: kart: And what happened to love thy neighbor? If we're being so principled. ev: They would Become our neighbors. Kart: And what about the neighbors you already have, Bev? sev: I care about them, too! KARL: Well, I'm afraid you can't have it both ways. uss: Okay. Assuming— sev: Wait. Why not?36 = BRUCE NoRRIS KARL: Well, do the boundaries of the neighborhood extend indefinitely? ‘Who shall we invite next, the Red Chinese? [ALBERT Aas tentatively come tothe bottom of the stairs, jacket of) sit: But the key question is this: nev: No. Why not have it both ways? xan: Darling, I came to talk to Russ. Avner: [baving come down the stair) "Scuse me, maam? sev: Why not, ifit would denefie someone? int: But would they benefit? ev: Ifwe could make them our neighbors KARL: But they wortt be your neighbors, Bev. Youre the ones moving away! JM: The question is, and it’s one worth asking: auperT: Sorry to bother you? uss: [taking charge] Okay. Let’s assume your information is correct. [Chen suddenly, a large green Army footlocker comes sliding down the stairs swith a noisy tbumpeta-thumpeta-thumpeta-thump. ALBERT jumps out ofthe way] ALbeRT: FRANCINE: BEY: Russ Sorry, sir, my (from top ofthe Oh ob oh. Aes, forerying myfault! That stairs] That was What happened? out loud! What was me. That my fault! Iseveryone all the heck is the wasallmy —— Tmsorry! right? matter with, my doing. people? Bew, darn it all! ev: [eo nuss] Why are you shouting? Everything's fine, so—[eont'd] uss: [overlapping] Well, what did I tell you? [cont'd] ev: [continucus]—please don't do that, they're just trying to Belp. uss: [continuous] I fold you Pd do it. You heard me plain as day. etsy: Eeeen ahbhb hurrrrhhh daaaaaa! [Even J heard that!) KARL: [Zo RUSS and nev] Little mishap, is it? Avperr: Little trouble making the comer, is all. FRANCINE: [now downstairs] Pm sorry. It's heavy and I lost my gr— uss: [fo ALBERT] Just leave the darn thing where itis. CLYROURNE PARK # 37 ary: KARL: sim: ALBERT: We cant Mayonebe Lend you a What should leave it there. of assistance? hand, if could, we—? but Would you prefer it if? uS6: [fo ALBERT] Just, just, just, just leave it. sev: But it’s blocking the way. FRANCINE: No, maam, I can step over. aupent: Its all right, I got her. [anaenr Selps rrancine climb over the box that now blocks the stairs] kart: Anyway, let's not drag this out ad infinitum. [auss, fed up, rises and exits to the basement, slamming the door bebind bim| sev: [overlapping, as Russ exits] Russ, don’ yim: [fo kant] One second, if I might? [7 rranctne] Sorry. Uh, Francine, is it? FRANCINE: Yes, sit? snot: Francine, we've just been having alittle conversation here, and I was wondering if maybe you could spare us a couple of minutes of your time? KARL: What good does that do? Go next door. Talk to the Olsens. Talk to those who stand to lose. si: [ignoring bim, fo FRaxcint] I want to pose a little hypothetical to you. What if we said this: let's imagine you and your husband here, let's say that the two of you had the opportunity to move from your current home into a different neighborhood, and let's say that neigh- borhood happened to be this one. FRANCINE: Well, I don' think that we would, financially — s1M: But for the sake of argument. Say you had the wherewithal. Would this be the sort of neighborhood you'd find an attractive place in which to live? [ranerne Aesitares] BEV: Oh, this is so sil— FRANCINE: It’ a very nice neighborhood.38 = BRUCE NoRRIS sua: [to FRANCINE] No, I'm asking, would the two of you—Would your fam—I assume you have children? Francine: Three children. jist: Oh, super. So, with your children, might this be the sort of place, bearing in mind that they, too, would stand to be affected—? ev: This is confusing things! Its confusing the issue! FRANCINE: [fo 1M] Its a very lovely neighbor— sum: No, be honest. We want you to say. sev: [fo PRANCINE] I think what Jim is asking, in his way— ALBERT: He means living next to white folks. sev: I-I—I—I—well, yes. (Pawse] PRanetne: Well— ev: Francine and I have, over the years, the ‘wo of us have shared so many wonderful—[7o FRANciNE] Remember that time the squirrel came through the window? FRANCINE: (smiling, indulging BEV] Yes, Ido. sev: That was just the silliest—the two of us were just Aystrical, weren't we? KARL: [pressing abead, fo FRANCINE] Think of it this way. Ev: [tothe others] We still laugh about that. xan: I think that you'd agree, I'm assuming, that in the world, there exist certain differences. Agreed? FRANCINE: What sort of differences? kart: That people dive differently. FRANCINE: [unsure]... Yes? xan: From one another. FRANCINE: I agree with that. Kant: Different customs, different . .. wel, different foods, even. And those diffhere’s a funny—my wife, Betsy, now, Betsy’ family hap- pens to be Scandinavian, and on holidays they eat a thing known as Iutefisk. And this is a dish, which T can tell you . .« [be chuckles) is not to my liking a all. It's... 0b my goodness, let's just say it’s gelatinous, sev: [indicating for bim to stop] Karl? eTsy: [to sev] Whaaaaa schhhhh? [What did he say?] ev: [overpronouncing for we Sy] Lutefish CLYBOURNE PARK ¥ 39 etsy: Whazaaaa? sev: Lutefi—Karl, can you tell her? KARL: [KARL holds up a finger to nersy,] In a moment. sev: [taking up ber pad] T'l write it down. KARL: [0o FRANCINE] So, certain groups, they tend to eaf certain things, am I right? FRaNciNe: I've never had that dish xant: But, for example, if Mrs, Stoller here were to send you to shop at Gelman's. Do you find, when you're standing in the aisles at Gelman’, does it generally strike you as the kind of market where you could find ‘the particular foods your family enjoys? FRANCINE: It's a very nice store. samt: [incerposing] What if we were to say this: FRANCINE: Mr. Gelman’ a nice man, [bev sands persy the pad of paper] kant: But, I mean, your preferred food items, would such things even be available at Gelman's? ALBERT: Do they carry collards and pig feet? [Francine shoots a look at ALBERT.) Cuz I sho couldn't shop nowhere didn’ sell no pig feet. (Pause. AU stare at ALBERT] sim: Well, I think Albert's being Aumerous here, but— sersy: [baving deciphered wev's handwriting] Ohhhh, loo-feee! (Oh, utes] [Ze nev] Ah dye loofee! [I lke luteis] si: But Iwill say this— FRANCINE: [fo KARL] I like spaghetti and meatballs. cant quiets versy) sim: You do find differences in modes of worship. If you take First Presbyterian. Now, that’ a church down in Hamilton Park and I've taken fellowship there and I can tell you, the differences are notable. ev: Jim?40 # BRUCE NORRIS, jist: Nota vale judgment. Apples and oranges. Just as how we have our organ here at Saint Thomas, for accompaniment, whereas at First Presbyterian, they prefer a piano and, occasionally ... [chuckle] well, tambourines. sev: What's wrong with tambourines? sim: Nothing wrong. sev: I fide tambourines Ji: I like tambourines as much as the next person. {uss returns from tbe basement carrying bis work gloves. He is calmer] Kan: Wel, let me ask this, [70 nev] Excuse me. [7o rrancine] Fran- cine, was it? FRANCINE: Yessir. Kani: Francine, may I ask? Do you sti? Francine: Do I? KaRt: Or your husband? Either of you? FRANCINE: Ski? kart: Downhill skiing? FRANCINE: We dont ski, no. kart: And thisis my point. The children who attend St. Stanislaus. Once year we take the middle-schoolers up to Indianhead Mountain, and can tell you, in all the time Te been there, I have not once seen a col- cored family on those slopes. Now, what accounts for that? Certainly not any deficit in ability, so what I have to conclude is that, for some reason, there is ust something about the pastime of skiing that doesn't appeal to the Negro community. And feel free to prove me wrong, russ: Karl, kant: But you'll have to show me where to find the skiing Negroes! Russ: Kari! ev: Can we all modulate our voices? uss: It sold, Karl. The house is sold. at: understand that, uss: The ink is dry. KARL: And we all understand your reasons and no one holds that against you. uss: Truck’s coming on Monday. kari: Fully aware CLYBOURNE PARK 41 russ: And that’ all there isto that. Kart: However: [Beat] There is one possibility. uss: Nope. Nope. Kart: Ifyou'll hear me out. uss: Don't see the point. KARL: Because we went ahead and made a counteroffer to these people. ev: Who did? Kart: The Community Association. sev: An offer on ¢bis house? KARL: Very reasonable offer. sev: [baffled] But, but, but, they just bought it, Kacl! Kant: As opposed to the amount for which you offered the property, Russ, which was fer below the assessor’s value—[cont'd] Russ: [overlapping] Well, we'te entitled to give it away if that's our prerogative. KARL: [continuous]—for this type of residence, all of which is neither here nor there, since the family rected our offer. However: sey: [to nuss] Why are we even falting about this? xanz: Tom Aas pointed out to me that, as the seller of the property, you do have a sixty-day option to place it in receivership with the trans- acting bank to indemnify yourself against liability. Now, that’s gener- ally with commercial properties, but in this instance—{contd] uss: [owl, overlapping] Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope. Nope Kant: [continuous]—I think that, inasmuch as Ted deceived you about the buyers, that the bank could still halt the sale and it would be a simple—Icont'd] uss: [overlapping] Karl? ant: [continuous]—matter of a signature, if I could finish? uss: Prefer it if you didn't sersy: Kaahhhh? spy: And for all we know this family could be perfectly lovely xan: Well, that’s hardly the point, is it? EV: Maybe it’s a point to consider. xan: [with a chuckle] Bev, Tm not here to solve socicty’s problems. I'm simply telling you what will happen, and it will happen as follows: first one family will leave, then anothes, and another, and each time they do, the values of these properties will decline, and once that42 BRUCE NORRIS process begins, once you break that egg, Bev, all the king’s horses, etcetera—[eont'd] nersy: [overlapping] Kaahbh? KARL: [continuous] —and some of us, you see, those who don't have the opportunity to simply pick up and move at the drop of a hat, then those folks are left holding the bag, and it’s a fairly worthless bag, at that point. sev: I dont like the tone this is taking, uss: [fo kart] Okay. Tell you what. KARL: And let’s imagine if the tables were turned. [Re: FRANCINE and axner] Suppose a number of white families started marching into their commun—? Well, actually that might be to their advantage, but—{eone’d] uss: Karl KARL: [continuous] —you do see my point. uss: Need you to stop now. Kart: Sorry. [Beat] Maybe not handled with the—[eont'd] uss: Its all right. xant: [continucus]—utmost delicacy. uss: But maybe time to let it drop. kar: Didn't mean to turn it into a public referendum. [Beaf] But you do understand— uss: No no no no no, That's it. You hear me? Done. All done. (Pause, In the mear distance a church bell begins toring) yun: [quietly loking at is wate Is it four oclock? xanz: Well, Russ, if I might— uss: Nope. Nope. kant: If could just say this: uss: No. Karl? kart: Well, if you'd let me— uss: No. No more. kart: Uhhh . .. [chuckling] Bev? I get the impression your husband is telling me I'm not permitted to speat uss: Don't think it’s a good idea. KARL: Well, Russ, I'm going to ask you at least to keep an open— uss: Kari! What'd I just ask you? CLYROURNE PARK # 43, KARL: Well, I think youre being a tad unreasonable. uss: Well, [think we've reached the end of this particular discussion. kart: Is that right? uss: Afraid itis. KARL: Just like that. uss: Just like that. [Another pause) kart: Then what about this: uss: Karl!? KARL: Well, I believe the Constitution endows me with a right to speak. uss: Well, then you can go and do that in your own home. [Russ crosses and opens the front door for KARL to exit] Karu: Bev... ? [Laughs] He's not being serious, is he? uss: Karl? xarL: [laughs] Am I being silenced? uss: Not going to ask you again, KARL: Well, this is a new experience for me. uss: So be it, Kart: Bit like the Soviet Union. [Laughs] I am truly surprised. uss: Well, surprise KARL: And a little disappointed. uss: Sorry to disappoint you. Karu: [shakes bis bead] A real shame, For all concerned. uss: Well, that’s the way things go sometimes. KARL: Apparently so, uss: Anyway. Appreciate you stopping by. Kari: Isce. uss: Betsy, too. kart: Very well. nersy: Kaaaaahhhh? uss: Okay, then? Okay. [Silence. kant stands and looks to BETSY. The two of them slowly exit through the open door, Russ quietly closing it as they go.] Betsy: [guieth, before the door is closed) Kaahhh, whaah happaaahh? [Karl, what happened?]44. BRUCE NoRRIS FRANCINE: [carefull] Mia Stoller, if were donc talking here? sua: [rising] Yes, you know, I think Iwill take this opportunity— (Bue kari. abruptly returns, nesy fllowing] kari: However: sim: [quiet] Kal, don't. KARL: (very slowly} T don’t imagine that . . . this particular family are ‘entirely awate of shy they've found such an agreeable price for the property. Don't suppose they know zat aspect of it, do they? And lets say someone was to inform them of those facts. Let’ say ¢hat was to happen. uss: [chuckles dangerously] Really don't know when to quit, do ya? Kan: Because I think that might be an interesting conversation to have. FRANCINE: [fo BEV] So I'll be seeing you on Mon— uss: [maintaining control] Well, Karl? You go ahead and do what you ‘hinkis right, but 'l tell you one thing. What you're going to do right now is—[eont'd] KARL: [overlapping] Well, I have a responsibility to the community as a whole. I can’t afford to—fcont'a.} uss: [continuous] —you'e going to take yourself right through that door and out of this house. KARL: [overlapping continucai]—simply pursue my own selfish interests uss: [maintaining cal] Man, what a son ofa bitch. ev: Russ, dont. uss: [fo kant] If you honestly think I give a rat's ass about the god- damn—[cont'd] sia: [overlapping] Okay. Okay. uss: [continucus]—what, ya mean the community where every time T go for a haircut, where they all sit and stare like the goddamn grim reaper walked in the barber shop door? That community? [cont'd] xan: [overlapping] My wife is two weeks away from giving birth t0 a cil. uss: [continuous] Where Bev stops at Gelman's for a quart of milk and they look at her like shes got the goddamn plague? That the com- munity Tim supposed to be looking out for? Kani: A community with soon-to-be children. CLYBOURNE PARK # 45, 1m: The Apostle Matthew— uss: [to xm1] Oh no no no. I’m talking now. sev: [to FRANCINE and ALBERT] Lam ashamed of every one of us. nersy: [lugging af kanu's sleeve] Kaaaaaah? kart: Betsy, wait in the car, uss: Well, you go right ahead and you tell those folks whatever you ‘want, Karl. And while you're at it why don't you tell em about every thing se community did for my son. I mean Jesus Christ, Murray Gelman even goes and hires a goddamn retarded kid, but my boy? Sorry. No work for yous bub. sim: People were frightened, Russ. uss: [contemptuous] Abb, of what? He was gonna snap? Gonna go and Kill another bunch of people? Send him off to defend the goddamn country, he does like he's zold only to find out the kinda sons-of- bitches he's defending? sev: [forthright] He did not do the things they claimed he did. He would uss: Ab, Jesus, ofcourse he did, Bev! He confessed to what he did! Sit around all day with your head in the sand, it doesn't change the facts of what he did. ev: Not to innocent people in that country. And not to women or chil- dren. I mean, maybe he lost his temper in a— uss: A; for Christ's sake. What do you think happens in a goddamn war? ‘They told him to secure the feritory, not go knocking on doors asking ‘permission. And if he was man enough to admit what he did, maybe you oughta have the decency to do the same damn thing. sev: [turning to FRANCINE for support] You remember. Francine remem- bers what he was like. [uss makes a sound of disgust and goes to the fatlacker. Under the following, de unlocks and opens the id] How he loved to read and think. That's just the kind of boy he was, wasnt it FRANCINE: Yes, ma'am. av: [fo Francine] And the drawings? The most realistic drawings. I think a lot of people didn't realize— kart: Bey, it was never my intention to stir up—[cont'al]46 © BRUCE NoRRIS, ev: [overlapping] Ohbh, no, I think maybe it was. KARL: [continuous] —such acrimonious feelings, but there isa situation, which— sev: Well, maybe if you had known my son a litte better. If anyone had taken the time, the way that Francine took the time— {wuss bas pred an envelope from the fcloker, He tps frnsard remo ing tbe etter—on yellow legal paper] uss: Here you go, Karl. Let’ all read alittle something, shall we? ev: What are you? uss: [reading] Dear Mom and Dad. sev: [realizing] Stop itl! uss: [reading] [know you'll probably blame yourselves— sev: [standing, losing it completely] Rus, stop it stop it stop stop stop ie! sim: kart [to Russ} Russ. Don’t. _I think you'e unstable, Russ. I really do. sev: [turning back to ytsi] You see what this is lke? You see? [Te nuss] Well, Irefuse to lve this way any longer! [ev goes into the bathroom and slams the door Bebind ber] uss: [starting over, calmly] Dear Mom and Dad. sim: Russ? uss: [Anow you'll probably blame yourselves for what I've done— samt: Need you to calm down, uss: And you can go fuck yourself Kan: Well, chat is over the line, mister. That is not language I will tol- erate in front of my wife. uss: [Beat, then] She's deaf Kart! Completely—[Waving to wes, fake~ {oll Hello, Betsy! Go fuck yourself. [persy smiles, waves back] So here's what I'l do for you, Karl: Make ya ten copies of this you can hand ’em out at Rotary. Or better yet. Put it in the newsletter, Rotary news: Kid comes back from Korea, goes upstairs and wraps an extension cord around his neck. Talk bat over at the lunch buffet next week. aersy: [barely audible] Kaahbh? CLYBOURNE PARK = 47 uss: And Francine walking in at nine in the morning to find him there. ‘You be my guest, Karl. You go ahead and tell those people what kind of house they're moving into and see if har stops ‘em, because I'll tell ‘you what, I dontt care if a hundred Ubangi tribesmen with a bone through the nose overrun this goddamn place, ‘cause I'm ¢brough with all of you, ya motherfucking sons of bitches. Every one of you. [Alt stand in silence. We can bear wev crying from bebind the bathroom door. uss slowly folds the letter] Jim: Maybe we should bow our heads for a second. uss: [aduancing on him] Well, maybe I should punch you in the face. {wuss moves toward jim, exbo, in backing acoay, inadvertently tumbles back ward over a box, toppling a flor lamp as be goes] Whoa whoa Easy now. Kaahh!! What in God's name whoa whoa Easy does Waaahhhh is wrong with alla you swhoal! it...careful— happnece!? _ people? [7 at BERT] Betsy, go! [Karl!! What's Stay out of it. Dont. Betsy? happening!?] Just stay out— [aes runs out the front door ALBERT puts bis band on nuss's shoulder] pert: Hang on. Let's be civilized, now. uss: [tbirling on aber] Ohoho, don't you touch me, avsert: Whoa whoa whoa. uss: Putting your hands on me? No, sir. Not in my house, you don't suse: [gritting bis teeth as be copes with bis hernia] Vm allright. FRANCINE: [to ALBERT] What the hell d'you think you're doing? avert: Who'e you talking to? FRANCINE: Who do you think? KARL: [fo RUSS, while helping 1M to bis fet] Very manly, Russ. Threaten- ing a minister. aupeRt: [fo rrancine] Why'e you talking to me like th—? Kart: [to Russ] Very masculine (aR. and yi exit out the front door]48 # BRUCE NORRIS FRANCINE: [fo ALBERT] I think they're alla buncha idiots. And who's the biggest idiot of all to let yourself get dragged into the middle of it? ‘Whatcha gonna be now, the big peacemaker come to save the day? [kar sticks his bead back in] KARL: [through the open door] You're mentally unstable, Russ! FRANCINE: [¢o ALaERT] Let’em knock each other's brains out, forall I care. I'm done working for these people two days from now, and you never worked for em at al, so what the hell do you care what they do? And now] am going to the goddamn car. [prawere exits, During the marital squabble, wuss bas returned the letter to the feotlocker and dragged it out through the kitchen. AUBERT is now left alone in the middle of the room. He stands ily for a moment then moves to right the overturned floor lamp. As be does, BEV enters from the bathroom, Blowing ber nose] ALBERT: [seeing nev] It’s all right. Nothing broken. ‘eV: [érying to be composed] Oh oh oh don't mind that. But thank you so much. avert: No trouble Bev: And do let me offer you some money for your help. azsenr: Ob no, mafam, that’s all right. ev: Ohhh, are you sure? avner: Yes, alam. ev: [finding her purse] Well, here, then. Let me at least give you fifty cents. Auaert: No, now you keep your money. ev: Or, how about a dollar? Take a dollar I don't care avpert: Mata? zy: Or take two, It’s just money. avperT: Happy to help. sev: Or take something. You have to take something. pert: No, malam. But— sev: What about this chafing dish? Did you see this dish? ALBERT: Well, we got plenty of dish— ev: Not one of these. Francine told me—[eont'd] aupeRT: [overlapping] Well, that’s very kind of you, but— CLYROURNE PARK # 49 ev: [continuous]|—She said you didn't have one and somebody should take it and—[cont’d] aunent: [overlapping] But we don't need it, ma'am, sev: [ontinuous]—make use of it, so if you let me just wrap it for you. ALBERT: Ma'am, we don't want your things. Please. We got our otom things (Pause. nev is shocked.) sev: Well avnerT: [genth] Trying to explain to you. sev: Well, if chats the attitude, then I just don’t know what to say any- more. I really dont. If that’s what we're coming to. avert: Malam, everybody's sorry for your loss. sev: [balding back tears, nobly righteous] You know, I would be . . . so proud. So bonored to have you and Francine as our neighbors. And the ‘two children. avserr: Three children. sev: Three chil—We would . . . Maybe we should Jearn what the other pperson eats. Maybe that would be the solution to some of the—If someday we could all sit down together, at one big table and, and, and, and... [nev srails into a wbisper, shakes ber ead] Auber: Evening, mam. [avnerr goes. Bev is left alone. After @ moment, RUSS enters to fetch the shovel. He carries a pair of work gloves. Seeing BEN, be stops, unsure of what to say] sev: Where'd you find the gloves? uss: Under the sink. sev: And where are you going to dig the hole? uss: Under the, uh... What's that big tree called? sev: The crepe myrtle. uss: Under that ev: Kind of late now, isnt it? uss: [shrugs] Do it tomorrow. [uss leans the shovel against the wall. Pause. He stands idly, apolgetcaly.|so BRUCE NORRIS Kinda lost my temper, ev: [neds] Well, that’s what happens. As we know. {ness socly moves to sit in the chair be satin at te start ofthe act, then loks back at BEY.) uss: Know what I did the other day? Up there at the house? sev: What? nuss: Driveway to the office. Timed it. Know how long that’s gonna ‘take me now? ev: Five minutes? uss: Six and a half. sev: Well, you'll havea leisurely breakfast. uss: Read the paper. Cup of coffee and dang. sev: Hmm. zuss: Five-oh-seven, right back at your doorstep. ev: And what'll I do in between? (auss is caughe off guard] uss: I, I, ubhh .. . Well, gee, T guess, whatever you... Any number of. nev: Things uss: Projects. eV: Projects. uss: To keep ya occupied ev: I suppose youte right. [nuss turns on the radio. Music. He looks back at wev, who stares into space) uss: [ecbly, witha litle eueep of the arm Ulan Bator! [pev smiles vaguely. The lights slowly fade] CLYBOURNE PARK & 5t act 2 [september 2009. Three o'clock, Saturday afternoon. There isan overall shab- DBiness tothe place that was not the case fifty years earlier. The wooden staircase railing bas been replaced with a cheaper metal one. The cak mantelpiece and most ofthe woodwork have been painted over several times; the fireplace open- ing is bricked in; linoleum covers large areas of the wooden floor and plaster ‘bas crumbled from the lath in places. The kitchen door is now missing, and we an see through to an exterior door. Te front door stands propped open. Lights rise to find six people facing each otber in a rough circle. To one side, STEVE and LINDSEY ‘with KATHY, and to the other KEVIN and LENA with TOM, all dressed in generic casual clothes for a weekend afternoon. It is warm, and some have ited drinks, LINDSEY is visibly pregnant. They si upon improvised seating crates, abandoned furniture, ete. STEVE, LINDSEY, and KATHY study Xeroxed documents wile the others watch, Finally’) ‘rom: Everybody good? tinpsey: I'm good. steve: Good by me. KATHY: Go for it. ‘rom: So, I guess we should start right at the top. sTEvE: Question? ‘tom: And I know we all got questions. seve: The terminology? ‘rom: So let’s go one at a time: Steve. seve: The term frontage? ‘rom: Right. steve: Frontage means? inpsey: Where are we looking? steve: First page. ‘rom: Frontage means—[Deferring to kat] Did you want to—? karHty: [to seve] Means the portion facing the street. ‘rom: Thus, front steve: [fo Tox] Portion of the property? KATHY: [fo steve] Of the structure seve: [to-rom] Or portion of the structure? ‘Tom: The facade