ACT I
Ruthie's Monologue
Stage is set with a simple chair & table stage left.
There's a bed stage right. Door upstage center, with another door down
stage right next to the bed. In the background we hear accordion music,
accompanied by a lone singer. He's singing an up tempo slightly out of
tune Mexican folks song. There is the slight rumble of a subway in the
background. Lights are down. Music fades, then a single spotlight
comes up on Ruthie, stage center front.
RUTHIE
It's been a beautiful fucking day.
Suburbanites. They just don't get it. They've
never had to deal with true bullshit. Sure, maybe the lawn sprinkler goes
off at the wrong time every now and then... their Kentucky Bluegrass gets a
little waterlogged, but what the hell do they really have to worry about?
They have trees and grass and life all the fuck around them. Birds
chirping and shit. Try living in New York City. Try riding the
subway. It's packed to the gills at seven in the morning and along comes
some damn Mexican playing his out of tune accordion, singing like he's happy as
a lark, shilling for a couple of pesos. Of course, the tourists... the damn
Suburbanites who happen to be on their way to the Empire State Building or
where ever the hell else it is fat people with lousy fashion sense gather at
seven in the morning... Of course they eat it up. They think it's
quaint. All part of the New York City charm. Meanwhile I'm thinking
I'd like to strangle that little spic with his own accordion strap. I'm
wishing he'd take his ass back to Guatemala or where the hell he came from and
stop taking the subway solicitation jobs away from hardworking Americans.
This is what goes through my head at seven in the morning on the packed to the
gills 4 train to my shit job waiting tables. It gives me no pleasure
saying this, but I wish he'd take his little lone man mariachi band back across
the border and leave me alone. It's loud and it hurts my ears.
I'm sick of this life I'm living and I'm sick to death of
this miserable city. I come home some days and I feel like I've been beat
with a stick. This city, and the people in it have turned me in to a
racist fuck. I hate the Mexicans, and the Pakis and the Wasp pricks I
serve gellatos to all day. I feel like screaming on a daily
basis.
I've had to repair the wall in my living room five times in the last month
because I put my fist through it. Last night I almost broke my wrist.
So yeah. It's been a beautiful fucking day.
Lights come up as we hear a knock on the door. Ruthie checks the peephole, appears shocked. She eventually opens the door to reveal Mark.
Mark
Hi Ruthie.
Ruthie
Mark.
MARK
It's been a long time.
RUTHIE
Yes, it has.
MARK
Ages.
Awkward silence
MARK
Can I come in?
RUTHIE
Sure. I guess.
Ruthie gestures and Mark steps inside. Ruthie closes the door.
MARK
You look good.
RUTHIE
I take care of myself.
MARK
Diet, exercise...
RUTHIE
I quit smoking and I only eat on odd numbered days.
MARK
Extreme.
RUTHIE
A girls gotta do.
MARK
I just quit smoking.
RUTHIE
Nasty habit.
Awkward silence.
MARK
It's been a long time.
RUTHIE
It's been 10 years.
MARK
This place hasn't changed at all. That picture of Mom
and Dad. Same bedspread. Same tile floor. You still keep things
neat as a pin.
RUTHIE
Keeps me busy between social engagements.
MARK
Really? You seeing someone?
RUTHIE
Oh, I'm quite the social butterfly.
MARK
That's nice, Ruthie.
RUTHIE
Mark, I don't mean to be rude or anything, but--
MARK
It's important to stay busy. Keeps the mind
focused. Good to have things to do.
RUTHIE
Yeah. Right. It's been ten years, Mark.
MARK
Ten years?
RUTHIE
Yes, ten years since I've seen you.
MARK
Doesn't feel like ten years.
RUTHIE
It never does.
MARK
Ruthie--
Ruthie
I honestly never wondered.
MARK
What's that?
RUTHIE
I said I never wondered... what happened to you.
MARK
Oh.
RUTHIE
That's what you were going to eventually say, right?
Something
along the lines of "you've probably been wondering what I've been up to all
these years". I haven't. What I am wondering about is when you're
going to get to the part about what you're doing here.
MARK
I don't think that's what I was going to say.
RUTHIE
It doesn't matter.
MARK
It matters to me.
RUTHIE
I'm sure it does.
MARK
I don't want any trouble.
RUTHIE
I'm not offering any.
MARK
I'm here with my hat in hand.
RUTHIE
You're not wearing a hat.
MARK
Metaphorically speaking.
RUTHIE
I see.
MARK
You're family, Ruth.
RUTHIE
Metaphorically speaking.
MARK
I don't have anyone else to turn to.
RUTHIE
The surreal life lived tragically.
MARK
I need a place to stay.
RUTHIE
Funny, I've always felt the need to say in place. It's
like we're on the same page.
MARK
Then I can stay?
RUTHIE
I didn't said that.
MARK
I see. Make your older brother jump through a few hoops
first?
RUTHIE
Like old times? I do so enjoy seeing you up on your cross.
MARK
Blasphemer.
RUTHIE
I'd make Pontias Pilate proud.
MARK
So shoot. Give me your best.
RUTHIE
Mark, you know you took the best I had years ago.
MARK
And now you're all alone in this world.
RUTHIE
Not a soul but me.
MARK
Ruthie the martyr. Saint Ruthie on the cross.
RUTHIE
I take my lashes on a daily basis. I have a guy a
call. He's very good at what he does. Quite the professional.
You should see my crown of thorns. Very elegant.
MARK
Would saying "I'm sorry" help?
RUTHIE
It's a start, but your mileage may vary.
MARK
I'm sorry I left you when you needed me most.
RUTHIE
Think nothing of it.
MARK
You have a right to be angry.
RUTHIE
I disagree, actually. We don't have a right to anything
in this world. No rights. No privileges. Nothing but
savagery. Fight for a while. Beat back the darkness while you can.
Live. Die. Dust.
MARK
Wow. Dark. Ruthie, Let's get to the heart of this
situation. You require a pound of flesh. I'm prepared to offer
that. I'm ready to do what it takes to get you on my side.
RUTHIE
Ever the optimist.
MARK
Susan left me.
RUTHIE
Susan?
MARK
My wife, Susan.
RUTHIE
Smart woman. Saw the light sooner than you, no doubt.
MARK
I came home one night and she was gone.
RUTHIE
No note. No explanation.
MARK
Ironic, isn't it?
RUTHIE
Richly.
MARK
I just need a place to crash for a few days while I clear my
head.
RUTHIE
I'm afraid I have nothing witty left to say.
MARK
Then I can stay?
RUTHIE
Does it matter whether I say yes or no?
MARK
I'd like to think it does. I want you to say yes.
RUTHIE
Just for a few days. I'll make up the sofa.
MARK
You won't regret this. I promise.
Lights fade. End Scene 1