Scene 6
Two days later in
the same apartment. ETIENNE, wearing black, is placing a few remaining
articles into the same suitcase we saw at the railway station. JOLENE and
VERNA, also wearing black, are helping her.
ETIENNE
I don't know what to do with
her things.
JOLENE
They're of no value.
VERNA
Don't say that, Jolene. They're
of value to Etienne.
JOLENE
I'm sure that's so, but we
can't take them back home, can we?
ETIENNE
I guess Aunt Jolene is right.
JOLENE
I'll tell the landlord to
call Good Will. Dixie Ann chokin' on a fish bone. I just don't know if
I can handle another death. When your Uncle Russell died two years ago,
I didn't think I could have survived. There he was sittin' in his chair
at dinner, drinkin' a scotch and soda and eatin' half a key lime pie when
all at once he just keeled over…keeled over like that…
VERNA
I'm sure Dixie Ann told Etienne
all the details when you called her…
ETIENNE
If I could have only done
something…
VERNA
You mustn't blame yourself.
You did everythin' anyone could do.
ETIENNE
If I could only get in touch
with my Daddy's family…
JOLENE
Why would you wanna do a
thing like that?
ETIENNE
Because they're my family,
too, and Mummy loved him so.
VERNA
Did Mummy ever meet your
father's family?
ETIENNE
No.
VERNA
Did she know where they lived?
ETIENNE
Somewhere in Philadelphia,
she said.
(VERNA and JOLENE
exchange uncomfortable glances.)
VERNA
Did she know their names?
ETIENNE
Just Costello.
JOLENE
Do you know how many Costellos
there must be in Philadelphia?
ETIENNE
Mummy always said "where
there's a will, there's a way."
JOLENE
(glancing about the room with a raised eyebrow)
Did she really?
VERNA
I'll tell you what, honey.
One o' these days you and I will try to find them. But right now, your
granddaddy is waitin' down in the taxi, and we're gonna go to the station
where the casket will be.
JOLENE
I'll take the suitcase.
(JOLENE carries the suitcase, opens the door downstage left. VERNA
follows. ETIENNE stops and takes one last look around the room.)
ETIENNE
Oh, crazy lady, I loved you
so much…
(SHE bursts into tears. The music of "Crazy Lady" builds.)
LIGHTS DIM RAPIDLY
