Scene 2

A crowded railroad station, a few months later. SOLDIERS, SAILORS and MARINES are saying goodbye to SWEETHEARTS and PARENTS. JOLENE enters with RUSSELL, now in a Marine uniform.
JOLENE
Mama and Daddy and Dixie Ann said they'd meet us here. Clois couldn't come. He's on the swing shift at the War Plant.

RUSSELL

Parachute factory.

JOLENE

Makin' parachutes is as important as makin' torpedoes, isn't it? I mean, if Clois didn't make parachutes how are all those soldiers goin' to land behind enemy lines and pretend they're Germans and sabotage the Nazis? But, more than that, he feels so ashamed when he sees everyone in uniform and he's in civvies. They think he's a slacker, poor thing. That deviated septum has kept him out of every branch. And, believe me, he tried.

RUSSELL

Hell, gal, I know that. Why are you so nervous?

JOLENE

My husband's been transferred to a base in Southern California, and the next thing I know he'll be shipped to the Pacific, and you ask me why I'm so nervous. (VERNA and DIXIE ANN rush on. DIXIE ANN has a bakery box in her hands. BURL follows behind.)
DIXIE ANN
For you, Russell. Mama and I pooled our ration coupons, and we baked you some o' those coconut chocolate macaroons you love so much.

JOLENE

Doesn't Russell look wonderful in his uniform?

RUSSELL

Hell, you act like they hadn't seen me in it.

JOLENE

Russell just asked my why I'm so nervous. Can you imagine?

DIXIE ANN

But that's so exciting. Bein' stationed so near Hollywood, and bein' able to go to the Hollywood Canteen and dancin' with Lana Turner and Rita Hayworth…

VERNA

…and havin' Trigger serve you doughnuts.

JOLENE

Dixie Ann, don't you understand? He's gonna be shipped to some terrible little island in the Pacific. We may never see him again!

VERNA

Jolene, no matter what you read in True Romance, some men do come back.

JOLENE

For your information, Mama, everyone in True Romance comes back. Otherwise, how can they have a true romance?

VERNA

For your information, Jolene, the only way to have a true romance is to not come back at all. If your father hadn't come back from the Argonne, I'd still be goin' around with stars in my eyes, instead o' givin' birth to the two of you.

JOLENE

Mama, I've never heard a mama say the things you do!

DIXIE ANN

Fess up, Russell. I know you like to pretend you're General MacArthur, but underneath it all, aren't you the teeniest, weeniest bit scared?

RUSSELL

Hell, no! And I'll tell ya why.
                                        Just the thought of action makes me howl,
                                        Let me at those little yellow suckers!
                                        I can't wait to bayonet and disembowel
                                        Those goddamned, slant-eyed, sneaky mother-fuckers!

JOLENE

Russell!

RUSSELL

                                        With your trusty blade
                                        And your hand grenade
                                        You can slaughter them with pride---
                                        For Jesus is on our side. When you kick their butts
And rip out their guts,
Let the Good Lord be your guide---
For Jesus is on our side.

Jesus is on your side
When you are ready to strike;
Jesus is on your side
Even if you're a Chink or a kike.

When a Christian pulls
Out their testi-culls,
That's the way to turn the tide---
For Jesus,
Dear Jesus
Loving Jesus
Is on our side!
JOLENE

Russell, someone might hear you!

(Suddenly ALL the SERVICEMEN join RUSSELL in a reprise of the song and proceed into a foot-stomping dance of victory.)
RUSSELL & SERVICEMEN
                                       With your trusty blade
                                        And your hand grenade
                                        You can slaughter them with pride!
                                        For Jesus is on our side. When you kick their butts
And rip out their guts,
Let the Good Lord be your guide---
For Jesus is on our side.

Jesus is on your side
When you are ready to strike;
Jesus is on your side
Even if you're a Chink or a kike.

When a Christian pulls
Out their testi-culls,
That's the way to turn the tide---
For Jesus,
Dear Jesus,
Loving Jesus
Is on our side!
VERNA
                                                               (to Dixie Ann)
I had no idea fightin' for a noble cause could be that scary.
 
 

BLACKOUT