Tarnished Armor
Part 103

Belinda’s apartment. An hour later.

Liza is lying on the couch. Belinda is watching her.

Liza’s eyes are closed, as if she’s battling something.

Her eyes open.

Belinda: Bathroom again?

Liza: No.

Belinda: Water?

Liza is silent for a moment. Then she nods.

Liza: Yes.

Belinda goes to the kitchen.

Liza sits up. She touches her forehead.

Belinda comes back out with a glass of water.

Belinda hands the glass to Liza, and Liza drinks.

Belinda: How’s your head?

Liza puts the glass down.

Liza: Why?

Belinda: You’ve been drinking. I was just wondering --

Liza: I know I’ve been drinking. I mean, why are you ... why are you my friend?

Belinda: Well, that’s a strange question.

Liza: Not really. I don’t think you have a -- a hidden agenda. And I can’t remember a single thing I’ve ever done for you.

Belinda: Well, despite any shred of common sense I should have, I like you.

Liza: Well, you shouldn’t.

Belinda: I shouldn’t?

Liza: No. I’m not worth it. Take it from me.

Belinda: I don’t think it’s up to you.

Liza: Yeah, well, I could tell you stories that would make your hair stand on end.

Belinda: I don’t think that particular hairstyle would look good on me. But you can give it a try.

Liza: How about this? I used to be the biggest racist bitch in town.

Belinda is silent.

Liza: It’s true. I falsely accused an African-American man of rape, Belinda. Did you know that?

Belinda: No.

The two sit in silence.

Liza struggles to get up.

Belinda: Sit down.

Liza continues to try to get up.

Belinda pushes her back down.

Belinda: Sit down.

Liza stays seated.

Belinda: I can see you’re trying very hard to make me hate you. And I’ll bet I’m about the only friend you have left in this town. But you’re not going to convince me that I should join the “I Hate Liza” club. It won’t work.

Liza looks away.

Belinda: Do you want to know why? First of all, the next time you try to convince someone that you’re a racist bitch, you might try not using the phrase “African American.” Not that there aren’t racists who use that phrase. It’s just that they don’t use it while trying to make the point that they’re racist. We can talk about your past crimes later. In fact, I think we probably should.

Liza stares at Belinda.

Belinda: Secondly, do you realize that you are probably the only person in this town who didn’t befriend me because of my family? Or because of my connections to someone else in this town? When you first hired me, you saw someone who was as hungry and as ambitious as yourself. I’d say you didn’t see my color at all. And I remember the exact moment I realized that we could be friends. Do you want to know when that was?

Liza: I’m tired.

Belinda: I was furious at you at the time, you know. You had just ambushed my date with Jake. And so I interrupted the consummation of your marriage to Adam. And we were both sniping at each other. But you didn’t fire me and I didn’t quit. We just snarked at each other and went on our way. And it didn’t even occur to me that we weren’t just business partners anymore until after I left. You may drive me nuts. Sometimes, you may be one of the most unpleasant people I have ever known. But like it or not, you are my friend. And somehow I know that we have a long road to travel together. So you might as well get used to me being around.

Liza begins to cry. She lies down on the couch.

Belinda: Move over.

Liza moves over. Belinda sits down next to her.

Belinda: What happened?

Liza: I can’t tell you.

Belinda touches Liza’s shoulder.

Belinda: Of course you can.

Liza cries harder.

Liza: I need a drink.

Belinda: I’m sorry, Liza. I can’t give you a drink.

Liza: Why not?

Belinda doesn’t answer.

Liza tries to get up.

Liza: Where do you keep it? Where do you keep it?

Liza slides off the couch. She looks around, dazed.

Then she looks up at Belinda.

Liza: Just one. Just a little one.

Belinda: Let’s get you back up on the couch.

Belinda tries to move Liza.

Belinda: I’m going to need you to help me.

Liza: Just a second.

Liza sits quietly for a moment.

Liza: ‘kay.

Belinda: One ... two ... three.

Belinda helps Liza back onto the couch.

Liza: I’m tired. Why am I so tired?

Belinda: I think your body’s trying to tell you to get some sleep.

Liza: Another county heard from.

Belinda: Sorry?

Liza: Even I’m trying to make me do something.

Liza laughs weakly.

Liza: ‘kay.

Liza lies down.

Liza: Why’d he do it?

Belinda: Do what?

Liza closes her eyes.

Belinda: Liza?

Liza doesn’t answer.

Belinda covers Liza with a blanket.

Belinda: It’s okay. It’ll be alright.

Belinda watches Liza for a moment, and then she goes into the kitchen.

 
Tarnished Armor Index
Part One Hundred and Two
Part One Hundred and Four