Is It Warm Out?

Setting:​ A bedroom in a nursing home in Connecticut.

Characters:
Richard: M, 50s, dressed well, bald or balding
Cheryl: F, 70s, dressed in leisure wear
 1

(RICHARD sits next to CHERYL who is seated in a

rocking chair. She rocks back and forth. She stops. She
looks out the window. She looks at Richard. She does not
recognize him.)

CHERYL
I wasn’t expecting company, you know.

RICHARD
You weren’t? The nurses should have reminded you I was coming. Did they not--

CHERYL
They don’t tell me anything. ​(A long pause.)​ But then again, no one ever really comes. If
I’m being honest.

RICHARD
I was here last Sunday. Remember I was here?

(A long pause.)

CHERYL
This is a nice day then?

RICHARD
It is. A very nice day. Seeing you always makes the day nice.

CHERYL
Oh, well then. ​(A long pause.)​ Is it warm out?

RICHARD
No. It’s not warm out. It’s the middle of winter. See the Christmas decorations? See the
tree?

CHERYL
Oh, Christmas. My boy always loved Christmas.

RICHARD
Kids love Christmas.

CHERYL
When is Adam arriving then?

RICHARD
Adam?
 2

CHERYL
Is he here yet? Scampering around somewhere? I miss those blue eyes.

RICHARD
Adam, no. Mom, don’t you remember? Adam passed away. In 2007. In February.

CHERYL
No… That’s not. Adam didn’t. No. Because I’m the mother and he’s the son. Mothers die
before sons. That’s the way that works, so.

RICHARD
They should. Mothers should … before sons. But that’s not what happened with Adam.

CHERYL
Who are you anyway? Coming here, why? What do you want with me? Don’t lie to me.

RICHARD
Nothing. I don’t want … It’s me. I’m Richard. I’m your son.

CHERYL
Adam is my son.

RICHARD
No. I’m your other son; I’m Richard.

(A long pause while CHERYL takes him in.)

CHERYL
You don’t look like Richard. Richard has hair.

RICHARD
I got older. My hair fell out.

CHERYL
You’re lying. I know it.

RICHARD
I’m not lying, mom.

CHERYL
Want to know how I know you’re lying?

RICHARD
How?
 3

CHERYL
Richard would never visit me. He’s too ​busy. ​Doesn’t have time for his old lady. So
there.

RICHARD
I’m here, mom. It’s me. Look at my face. See my dimples? Just like dads.

(CHERYL grimaces.)

CHERYL
Adam had blue eyes. Yours are brown.

RICHARD
I’m not Adam. I’m Richard. I’m here to see you. It’s Sunday so I’m here to see you.

(CHERYL rocks in her rocking chair. She stops. She looks

out the window. She looks at Richard. She doesn’t
recognize him.)

CHERYL
Is it warm out?

RICHARD
No, mom, no. It’s not warm out. Look at the Christmas tree. Don’t you see the
decorations?

CHERYL
Christmas? How many days are left before Christmas?

RICHARD
It already happened. Christmas is over. It passed.

CHERYL
It’s over?

RICHARD
Done.

CHERYL
When was it?

RICHARD
Three weeks ago.

CHERYL
Did Adam make it home this year?
 4

RICHARD
No, he didn’t. He killed himself ten years ago. ​(Knowing she’ll forget in a minute)
Probably to get away from you.

CHERYL
That’s not true. Those are the devil’s lies. Don’t lie to me, devil.

RICHARD
I’m sorry. I am. I’m sorry.

CHERYL
Little boys with blue eyes don’t kill themselves. They live forever. Make their families
proud.

(CHERYL rocks back and forth in her rocking chair. She

stops. She looks out the window. She looks at Richard. She
does not recognize him.)

CHERYL
Is it warm out?

RICHARD
No, it’s not warm. Do you see all the blankets on your bed? The frost on the widow?

CHERYL
Oh, I never liked the winter. It’ll be over soon though?

RICHARD
It always ends. It does every year.

CHERYL
And you’re well it seems. By the round look of you.

RICHARD
I’m doing very well. I’ve had a promotion. Another one. That’s two in one year. I thought
you’d like to know.

CHERYL
Oh?

RICHARD
Yes, and I’ve bought a big summer house on a lake – like the type we used to visit when I
was a kid. Do you remember?

CHERYL
 5

(She doesn’t.)​ Oh, sure.

RICHARD
You’d like it. It’s very spacious.

CHERYL
And your wife is happy there, I bet.

RICHARD
I didn’t. I’m not. I never married, mother. That was Adam. He was married.

(CHERYL rocks in her rocking chair. She stops. She looks

out the window. She looks at Richard. She doesn’t
recognize him.)

CHERYL
Is it warm out?

RICHARD
No, mother, no. It’s cold. Very cold. Look in the corner, what do you see?

CHERYL
Oh, is it Christmas?

RICHARD
Yes, it was. It just happened. We just had it.

CHERYL
Do you know, was Adam pleased with his presents this year?

RICHARD
… He was. He was very grateful. He loved them.

CHERYL
My baby.

RICHARD
Yes, he loves you very much.

CHERYL
And who are you?

RICHARD
Me? I’m … I’m Adam’s brother. Richard. Remember? I’m your oldest.
 6

CHERYL
Oh, I didn’t … recognize… I’m … you came here with Adam I suppose? You traveled
here together?

RICHARD
I … yes, he’s just in the bathroom. I’m sure he’ll be out shortly.

CHERYL
Oh, good. I’m so glad.

RICHARD
Good. I’m glad that you’re glad.

CHERYL
That’s nice you two are doing things together. I’m glad you’re able to finally be close
now that you’re older. Put all that sibling rivalry behind you.

RICHARD
Yes, that’s all behind us. All in the past.

(CHERYL rocks in her rocking chair. She stops. She looks

out the window. She looks at RICHARD. She does not
recognize him.)

CHERYL
Is it warm out?

RICHARD
No, mother, no. See my jacket? It’s very cold. It’s January.

CHERYL
Christmas has come and gone then?

RICHARD
It has. It came and went.

CHERYL
Time goes by.

RICHARD
It sure does.

CHERYL
Just like that. You’ll see. When you’re old like me. You won’t even know what year it is
sometimes! It can be scary.
 7

RICHARD
Yes, well. I’m happy to answer any questions you have. About the year, or the weather.
Or anything else you might be curious about.

CHERYL
And who are you? Do you work here?

RICHARD
Do I … yes. Yes, I work here. I’m an employee, but we’re close, you and I. I like to
check on you. Make sure you’re happy. That you have everything that you need.

CHERYL
Oh, how nice.

RICHARD
So, you are? Happy? You have everything you need?

CHERYL
There is one thing you could do for me. Maybe. If it’s not too much trouble. It’s my sons.
Could you call? They never visit. I’ll bet their numbers will have to be on file
somewhere. Tell them to come. The youngest, Adam, him especially. I miss him. Miss
him all the time. I have two boys, but my oldest, Richard, he and I weren’t … we were
never as close as Adam and I were. They’re both terribly busy, of course. But my baby,
see, Adam, my favorite... Oh, don’t repeat that. You mustn’t. But I can tell you these
things, right? You’re like a locked box. You won’t mind.

RICHARD
You can tell me. Of course, locked box.

CHERYL
Well, if you could give my Adam a call. Let him know I’d like to see him. That I miss
him. I would appreciate that very much.

RICHARD
I will. Sure. Of course I will.

CHERYL
It can do an old lady a world of good to look into her baby’s eyes.

RICHARD
​ nd your other son, Richard? Should I call him,
I’m sure it could. I’m sure it … ​(Pause.) A
too?

CHERYL
Mmm… Mmmmm…I really wouldn’t bother. He won’t come.
 8

RICHARD
He might. If you asked him. If he knew that you wanted to see him, too.

CHERYL
That’s giving him too much credit I’m sad to say. He probably doesn’t even remember
who I am!

RICHARD
I’m sure he wouldn’t forget his own mother.

CHERYL
You’d be surprised.

(CHERYL rocks in her rocking chair. She stops. She looks

out the window. She looks at RICHARD. She does not
recognize him. She stares at him hard. This time is different
than the others.)

CHERYL
Why was I born?

RICHARD
What?

(CHERYL laughs a sad laugh. She rocks in her rocking

chair. She stops. She looks out the window. She looks at
RICHARD. She does not recognize him.)

CHERYL
Is it warm out?

(RICHARD begins to cry.)

RICHARD
It will be. Soon. Soon it will be warm out. ​(He stands to leave.)​ Excuse me.

CHERYL
What’s the matter? Did I say something wrong?

RICHARD
No, no. You did nothing wrong. Excuse me, I have to check on the other rooms.

(RICHARD exits. CHERYL rocks in her rocking chair and

looks out the window.)