Proverbs 14:20

Leanna Duncan

10-29-06

NARRATOR:

Enters from around the buildings right, stands center.

It is Christmastime. The weather is mild, but a sharp-edged chill resides in the air, and the snow has just begun to fall.

The good folks of Six-Gun County are busily preparing for their respective holidays.

People emerge onto the street, come in and out of shops w/ packages, stop, converse, etc.

Look now-here comes Madame Cash.

CASH enters left, w/ poodle.

That dog there is just about the only friend she has. Not much room for love in her business. She's out this afternoon looking for gifts she might buy for her girls, to lift their spirits and all. The holidays are hard on them-one in particular. Maria-she hasn't come out of the Broken Heart Bordello without dire need since spring.

CASH enters mercantile.

Ah!

Gestures right.

There's another. The Cowboy- source of eternal optimism.

COWBOY enters right.

John McHenry. Found himself here when winter set in last year and hasn't left since- found himself a job on the Nelson ranch. Guess he found the trails less than palatable compared to town life-you can't hardly find him at the ranch when he's not working. Today, thinking of old family Christmases in Virginia, he's written a letter to his mother, which he is now heading to the depot to post

COWBOY sees saloon

but-Oh!

As COWBOY enters saloon.

Looks like he's been distracted by the saloon, as he and so many so often are.

FRITZ holds door open and welcomes him in, CLERK sweeps snow off walk in front of mercantile, MARSHAL leans back in chair in front of Marshal's office.

But this-

PATRICIA enters left.

-is what most people around here talk about. Tricia…Patricia Barnes, dearest love and disappointment of George and Maura Barnes. She's not showing yet, but everyone knows already.

CASH exits mercantile, stands on boardwalk w/packages. TOWNSWOMAN sees PATRICIA and begins whispering suspiciously with CLERK, who nods. CASH looks at PATRICIA empathetically, who returns the look with a wan smile. FRITZ stands at saloon doors and shakes his head as she passes. NARRATOR chuckles dryly.

Even Fritz, the saloonkeeper shakes his head at her. He's certainly one to judge. Doesn't bat an eye at a thing inside his doors but joins the town in its petty condemnations outside. Everyone knows he owns the Broken Heart Bordello as well as his saloon, but no one acknowledges it, and they pretend it's all Cash's doing. More proof that the title of "upstanding citizen" is all in the money.

But I should let you see all of this for yourself. You probably think that this particular little town is very silent.

Seats himself on hay bale to watch scene.

PATRICIA goes to general store, door swings open just as she gets there.

PATRICIA:

She speaks softly, humbly, and here, anxious and surprised.

Oh! Mr. Nelson. I was just coming to see if I could get some flour…My mother is ill, you see…

NELSON:

He is oily and condescending, a car salesman without the cars.

Of course, Patricia.

He ushers her into the store, and the door slams shut, but not before NELSON gives a meaningful look to townsfolk.

TOWNSWOMAN:

Huffy, self-righteous, and easily offended.

Well! Can you believe the nerve she has, coming back into this town among the rest of us? Why haven't George and Maura sent her away until the…unpleasant business is taken care of?

NARRATOR:

Exasperated but not surprised, doesn't rise.

Because George and Maura don't have the money, Lydia! You know that just as well as I do.

Townspeople cannot hear him. All outside begin to gather around except CASH, standing apart on boardwalk, and NARRATOR, who stays put on hay bale.

FRITZ:

Well, it doesn't seem right that she stay here like nothing happened, walking about innocently like that.

TOWNSPERSON:

Why not? That one does.

Points at CASH, who pretends not to hear but looks hurt.

CLERK:

What does she mean to do with the child?

TOWNSWOMAN:

Drown it, I hope, and herself as well. End the evil soon after it begins, if not before.

CASH exits left, shaking head.

MARSHAL:

Now, now, Lydia. You oughtn't talk that way. We can't blame the son for the sins of the father-or mother, in this case.

FRITZ:

Speaking of the father-

PATRICIA exits general store with flour, closely followed by NELSON. She looks around, exits left, looking over shoulder.

TOWNSWOMAN

to NELSON:

Your father would be ashamed of you, Frank Nelson Junior-selling to that little hussy.

NARRATOR

Dryly:

He wouldn't.

NELSON:

Money is money, my dear woman. Money is money.

Reenters shop.

TOWNSWOMAN:

It just shakes me to the core. Why, think of poor Jeffrey, her betrothed. How he must feel!

CLERK:

Well, how do you know he's not the one?

TOWNSWOMAN:

Now don't be silly, dear. Jeffrey? Why, he's a fine upstanding young person-

MARSHAL

Sarcastically:

As was Patricia.

All snicker. People continue talking as NARRATOR steps up.

NARRATOR:

There's really no use in you listening to the rest of this conversation- it's really all the same: one part speculation, two parts condemnation. People around here like to talk-

People SLOWLY begin to disperse.

-there's nothing else to do.

All are gone, FRITZ in saloon, CLERK in mercantile, MARSHAL in office, TOWNSWOMAN off right, NELSON in store. NARRATOR looks back.

Looks like they're done-for now.

Shakes head, sits back down on hay bale and begins cleaning fingernails with knife.

CASH enters left, without dog. FRITZ enters, seeing CASH.

FRITZ:

Miss Carol. Just the (coughs) lady I wanted to see.

CASH:

Cash, Fritz. The name is Cash now. That's it.

FRITZ:

Oh, pardon me. Do you have my money?

CASH

Sarcastic:

No, I'm just here for a visit. Here.

She hands him money, turns to leave.

FRITZ:

Thumbing through money.

Wait a minute. Wait a minute.

Counts it.

This is short.

CASH:

What do you mean, it's short?

FRITZ:

Grabs her wrist.

I mean there's not enough money here, sweetheart.

CASH:

No, Fritz, honest. It's all there. Business has been really slow this week- you know, with the whole Christmas and the family togetherness thing…and all the tokens you've passed out to the customers and all…

FRITZ:

Don't blame it on me! I don't want to hear it!

Pulls her closer.

You'd better make this an even five hundred by midnight tonight or I'll see that Maria is thrown out on a nice cold street somewhere far from here.

CASH:

Pulls away violently.

Fine. I'll get your money…

To herself.

Somehow.

CASH exits left, FRITZ exits into saloon. NARRATOR looks up.

NARRATOR:

Crosses DC.

Don't worry, I didn't miss that. Not that it's much of a surprise-Cash never has enough money to satisfy Fritz, although this is his worst ultimatum. He's a greedy old-

COWBOY:

Bursting out of saloon, drunkenly shouting.

Trina! Katrina!

Stumbles, falls to the ground.

Katrina!

NARRATOR steps to side, watches. PATRICIA runs out from left to COWBOY.

PATRICIA

Urgently:

John! John! Get up out of the snow, John!

COWBOY:

Opens eyes, blearily.

Trina? Katrina?

PATRICIA:

Sighs.

No, John.

Pulls on his arm.

Now come on, get up. You can't let them see you like this or you'll be on their bad list, too.

Finally gets him on his feet, wraps him in her shawl.

Now come on, I'll take you home.

COWBOY:

I love you, Trina…

PATRICIA:

I know, John.

They exit right.

NARRATOR:

Steps back to center.

Yes, I might have mentioned Katrina before, mightn't I? John left Katrina in her grave back in Virginia-died of something or other, I misremember what. He doesn't talk a lot about her, but he mentioned her to me-we used to be pretty close. Like brothers.

Stands to side.

CLERK:

Comes out of shop. He has been spying out the window. Runs to Marshal's office and knocks.

Marshal! Ted!

MARSHAL:

Comes out of office.

What, Will, what now?

CLERK:

Did you see that? Remember what we were discussing earlier I bet it was him! John McHenry.

MARSHAL:

What…?

Stops.

Why do you say that?

They walk into Marshal's office, whispering.

NARRATOR

Angry, returning to center:

I might have known they'd do that. Try to blame it on John. How could they think that? John's the greatest man I ever knew, more noble, more honorable than these, these blind self-righteous nondescripts who shove the naturally pristine to the dirt to make their laborious drudgery seem to glow. They get too close, they press you, they back you into the wall until you are forced to fall, ruining yourself as a sacrifice to their flaunted righteousness.

PATRICIA enters right, clutching her shawl around her.

NARRATOR:

They forced her to this, you know. They looked for a reason-any reason-and when they couldn't find one, they created one for themselves.

Stands to side. It is snowing again. PATRICIA looks up at the sky.

Look how alone she seems. She was never so alone.

CLERK:

Enters, stands up center, only slightly mocking.

Good morning, Miss Patricia.

PATRICIA

Whispers:

Good morning.

CLERK drops head, TOWNSWOMAN enters, stands right and a bit down of CLERK.

TOWNSWOMAN

Snidely:

Well, don't you look all aglow, Patricia dear. What have you been up to?

FRITZ enters, stands left and down of CLERK.

PATRICIA:

Confused.

I-

TOWNSWOMAN drops head.

FRITZ:

So what do you think of those new curtains in the bordello, hmmm?

PATRICIA:

The bordello? Why would I be at the-

MARSHAL enters, stands next to FRITZ. FRITZ drops head.

MARSHAL:

And where were you and Edwin off to after the church picnic?

PATRICIA:

Well, I hardly even know Edwin…

MARSHAL drops head. NELSON enters, stands next to TOWNSWOMAN.

NELSON:

No, my friends, you have it all wrong. Patricia couldn't be up to anything…untoward….Why, she'd need someone who cared for her for that.

PATRICIA opens and closes her mouth several times, wordlessly. All in semicircle lift heads.

ALL:

In a round.

So glad to see you, Patricia.

Gunshot from off, at it all drop heads.

NARRATOR:

Then again,

People begin to disperse back to where they were. PATRICIA stays.

perhaps alone is better for her, after all.

PATRICIA and NARRATOR look towards each other and she almost sees him, but not quite, then goes off left as CASH enters left with packages.

Here comes Cash again, on her way to return the lovely things she bought for the girls. She wishes she'd only had a chance to see the look of Maria's face when she saw it, the gift she'd bought just to make her smile once more, the second time since Cash had known her.

CASH enters mercantile.

Of course, returning the gifts will in no way bring enough money to give Fritz what he wants, and, as you know…

CASH exits mercantile, frowning.

…good old Will the clerk is busy having a chat with the Marshal.

NELSON:

Coming out of store.

Why, Madame Cash, good evening!

NARRATOR

Sarcastically:

Why, how nice. Frankie to the rescue. Always eager to help a damsel in distress…I think he was the worst for Tricia-It mattered more to her what he thought, I suppose, even though I told her it shouldn't…I told her that what he thought, what he said didn't matter, but I guess it always lingered in the back of her mind, and I guess I always sort of knew that it lingered.

CASH

Downtrodden:

Good evening, Mr. Nelson.

NELSON:

You look distraught, my dear. What might I help you with this lovely day?

CASH

Flatly:

I need two hundred dollars.

NELSON

Thoughtfully:

Come in, Madame. I think we can strike a deal.

CASH, puzzled, follows NELSON into store.

NARRATOR:

I think Cash feels some kinship now with Tricia-reminds her of herself, young, alone, shunned-for similar reasons, though without the same results.

Sighs.

I wish you could just…just be, without a sign hung around your neck for good, bad, moral, immoral-it all boils down to money when you've finally seen it for what it really is. My family and Frankie Nelson's has money. Fritz has money. Lydia and Ted and Will have money. Tricia's family doesn't. They are treated cordially, but down here, below the rest, until the others can find something or push one to do something that will cement them in the lower ranks of society eternally, no matter where they might go. Cash, despite her extravagant dress, has no money. None of them do. Fritz keeps a hawk's watch on every cent, and Cash's dresses are business expenses, as well as her jewels. And she can't sell them to give Fritz his money. He'd know-he checks- and he'd have all the girls' heads on a platter. And all the ones with money lord it over the ones who don't, and it's like they expect them to bend over backwards giving the ones who have everything more. It's tough, living here without money-or with it, for that matter, if you're prone to crises of conscience. It's almost better to not-

CASH exits store with money in her hand, NELSON close behind.

CASH:

But I don't-

NELSON

Calmly:

If you don't want the money, give it back.

CASH looks at him for a long moment, then puts the money down her bodice and exits left. NELSON chuckles, leans against doorframe of store. NARRATOR bites his lips and says nothing. CLERK and MARSHAL enter from Marshal's office.

CLERK:

Well, you do have a point, Ted. John really has-

NELSON:

Snaps to attention.

John? What about John?

NARRATOR:

Frank's always hated John. Felt John was sort of his replacement, I guess, after Frank left to start his store and John came along to work for Frank Nelson, Sr. Had quite a drunken conniption about it once. I think John had an idea, but he never said anything about it. This town's good at that-not mentioning things that make them uncomfortable.

NELSON:

What about John?

MARSHAL:

Will here thinks he's the one…responsible for Patricia.

NELSON:

To self.

John…yes.

To CLERK.

It must have been John, my good man, you are positively on the money! I don't know why I didn't see it before! There's always been something suspect about him, ever since he came here. They've spent an awful lot of time together from the moment he arrived.

CLERK:

Absolutely!

To MARSHAL.

There, you see! I knew he'd agree.

MARSHAL:

Well, if Frank Jr. says so, I guess it must be true. Honesty and clearheadedness run in the Nelson family, you know.

NELSON smiles modestly.

After all, your father's always been a real straight shooter, and your brother Jeffrey-

Confidentially.

How is your brother doing anyway, Frank? The news about Patricia's condition must be taking a hard toll on him. Poor Jeffrey-always such a good boy.

NELSON:

Tightens, his smile becomes thin.

Oh, I think he's taking it well, Ted. To tell you the truth, I haven't seen him today.

MARSHAL:

Well, give him our best, will you?

Claps him on the shoulder.

There's a boy. Come on, Will, looks like I owe you a drink.

CLERK and MARSHAL exit into saloon. NELSON frowns and begins sweeping the boardwalk. After a moment, PATRICIA enters left, carrying coffeepot. NELSON sees her, and, seeing NELSON see her, she starts back the other way. Throughout this scene, NARRATOR becomes increasingly almost unable to watch yet stares stiffly at the scene, standing.

NELSON

Barks:

Patricia!

PATRICIA jumps and turns slowly. NELSON hops off the boardwalk and leans on broom handle.

Almost cheerfully.

Come back, Patricia.

PATRICIA slowly approaches NELSON and stops about six feet away.

Closer.

Smirks.

I won't bite.

PATRICIA's face shows that she doubts this statement, but she takes another step.

Who have you told, Patricia?

PATRICIA:

Shocked, shakes her head.

No one!…sir. I haven't told anyone.

NELSON:

You don't expect me to believe that. Surely they've asked you. Surely someone has.

PATRICIA:

Yes…But I wouldn't say…

NELSON:

What are you doing here? You're actually braving the opinions of the masses?

PATRICIA:

John… isn't feeling well…I was bringing him some coffee…

She holds up coffeepot.

NELSON

Gritting teeth:

John…

Chuckles.

You certainly are a prize, Patricia. How could my brother ever want you?

PATRICIA

Softly, looking at ground:

I don't know, Frank. How could you?

NELSON swiftly steps towards her, letting the broom drop to the ground, and grabs PATRICIA by the shoulders. PATRICIA drops the coffeepot and turns her head away, trying to step backward.

NELSON:

You stupid, dirty little-Are you forgetting yourself, Patricia? Despite your carelessness, your little…problem, Jeffrey is still ready to throw his station down the privy and marry you, which he wouldn't if he had any rational judgment working at all! But he doesn't. He will listen to anything I tell him, and if you don't follow my rules, you and your pathetic little family will not only find themselves just as bad off as they ever were but out on the streets in Dodge! Do you want that to happen?

PATRICIA shakes her head painfully. NELSON's tone becomes one of false compassion, but he doesn't let go.

Of course not. And neither do I.

More tense.

Which is why, if anyone asks, you're going to tell them that this whole situation is John's work.

PATRICIA breaks away and steps backward, shaking her head, and turns to walk away. NELSON crosses his arms.

You'll do as I say. I know you, Tricia.

PATRICIA stops as if she has been stung, turns slowly.

PATRICIA:

Shaking with anger.

You…never… call me that.

PATRICIA whirls and exits right, around the buildings. A few moments, and then a scream. It brings all into the street, including COWBOY, who stumbles in with a rag to his forehead, sees townsfolk, makes an effort to appear presentable. PATRICIA enters from around buildings right, holding slightly bloodied wild rag.

PATRICIA:

She looks about as if searching for a friendly face, sees John, goes towards him and then falls back in a moment of guilt, then speaks so all can hear, but it is directed to him.

Jeffrey…He's…He's…killed himself. He's lying back there behind Mr. Nelson's store.

All are surprised and start talking rapidly, except for CASH, who stands apart, and PATRICIA and COWBOY, who just look at each other tiredly, sadly. Scene continues silently as NARRATOR takes center.

During following monologue, NELSON goes into Marshal's office and brings out stretcher and sheet, CLERK and MARSHAL take it and go behind buildings right, come back out with "body" under sheet, bring it around front and out left, followed by all others. After a few moments, right before "cause of death", a coffin is brought out, laid center. All gather, dab eyes, mumble silently cry, talk silently, whatever. Slowly drift away, until only PATRICIA and COWBOY remain.

NARRATOR:

As dusk falls, and the chill begins to settle in for the night, the town picks up its fallen child and prepares it for burial. Naturally, everyone mourns Jeffrey Arthur Nelson. Jeffrey Arthur Nelson, they say, a fine young man with a promising future, who killed the pain with himself, stops the heartbreak with his heart, quenched the anger with his blood. Jeffrey Arthur Nelson, a good boy who grew into a fine man, who didn't deserve the hand he was dealt. Jeffrey Arthur Nelson, cause of death: betrayal by a girl who wasn't good enough for him anyway, Jeffrey Arthur Nelson. Dead.

At "dead', COWBOY puts a hand on PATRICIA's shoulder and rises, exiting slowly into saloon, walking agedly. NARRATOR crosses to stand before coffin.

You may have guessed it by now, haven't you?

Lays down on coffin. PATRICIA doesn't see him.

Ah…a perfect fit. Good thing I'm such an average coffin size-no special orders.

Sits up, looks at PATRICIA.

Oh, Tricia, you can't see me, can you?

PATRICIA:

She has been crying but is not now.

Oh, Jeffrey, I'm sorry. I…You know..I…

Her voice cracks and she can't finish.

NARRATOR:

I wish you could, Tricia. Even though I see you continually, I still miss you.

PATRICIA:

It's my fault, all my fault. That's what they said, you know.

NARRATOR:

It doesn't matter, none of it matters…

PATRICIA:

Frank said so too…What does this mean for me now, Jeffrey?

NARRATOR:

I thought it would go away, all this would leave me, but no…

PATRICIA:

Selfish of me to ask, it is! I'm selfish, Jeffrey, you know that, haven't you always…I can't win, I couldn't keep you, I couldn't no matter how…

NARRATOR:

It might not have been so bad, maybe, if I could wander, or even in this hellish little town in Six-Gun County, through time, different years, different days…

PATRICIA:

No! I couldn't do it, Jeffrey. I couldn't. I failed, me, you, everyone, and I don't even care, I don't - It doesn't even matter anymore!

NARRATOR:

No! The same day, the same stinking awful day, the worst and the last and now the only stinking day left! We could have been married, Tricia, we could still have been married! We could have…have run away, but I had to go and take my disillusionments and put them in a gun and blow my brains against my brother's back wall…not that it doesn't satisfy me to give him a mess to clean up, he certainly gave me one.

PATRICIA:

We could have been married, Jeffrey, we could have been married! We could have…have run away, but I believed him…I believed him when he said that you wouldn't want me if he told you not to. I believed him when he said that if I listened to him then everything would be all right. I should have told you, but I thought…I thought…I thought this would be so much easier…

Hears voices, looks back.

They're coming, I must go…

Lays her head on coffin.

I love you.

NARRATOR:

They're waiting, I must go…I love you.

PATRICIA stands and begins to head right. NARRATOR crosses down center.

So that's what I've been doing, every day, every hour, since I died. Every second is an exact second that I've lived before! All here for your pleasure and enjoyment, folks. Lighthearted cheery tale, I know. But don't think we're done yet - here's the perfect ending to this perfect day.

NELSON exits shop quietly and leans against doorframe as CASH enters nervously, carrying gun. She looks very out of place. Squares herself far left directly opposite PATRICIA far right.

CASH:

Pa-

Her voice cracks. She tries again.

Patricia!

Patricia turns, CASH bites her lips, raises the gun, and fires. PATRICIA touches her midsection and brings hand away, fingers smeared with blood. She looks at it incredulously, then falls to her knees. NELSON smiles, satisfied.

PATRICIA:

Ah!

PATRICIA's eyes meet NELSON's.

CASH:

Almost to herself.

I'm sorry…

CASH drops gun and runs off left. COWBOY, hearing shot, exits saloon, sees PATRICIA, who is whimpering a bit. Picks her up, heads off right.

COWBOY:

Doc! Doctor!

Townspeople come into street, talking animatedly, silently, NELSON spreading his "honest" account. NARRATOR steps to center.

NARRATOR:

It is snowing, it is midnight. Fritz has received his blood money and is a happy man. Lydia and Will and Ted have something to talk about, and so are happy. Cash, struggling to wash the guilt out of her heart by plaguing her liver, still has Maria, and is happy enough for now. She will feel better in the morning. Frank Nelson Jr. is happy. The evidence has been dispensed of.

John has someone to take care of for tonight, all he's ever really needed. He is happy enough for now. Tricia lives, but once more unto herself. She feels empty, and will probably remain so for a long, long time. I know I will.