SCENE 6
Yes, and wasn't it you who got us backstage in the first place? I really don't remember any details.
Me neither, but I do recall suddenly being in the wings right beside Dylan and his wife. And that girl ...
Yes, that was it. Sara and the girl were deep in conversation ...
Was that her name? Dylan's wife was called Sara? How'd you know that?
Y'know, I have no idea.
You were at the farm? I ... (Suddenly, Lady looks very isolated standing in the centre of the group, with all eyes upon her)
Forelands Farm. Bembridge. You don't remember? We found out where they were staying and blagged our way in. Pretended to be part of the Fiery Creations management team or some such.
You sure I was there? I would've remembered that!
It was me. I was with you. (Lady reacts with a sharp intake of breath) But we weren't there long.
You said you'd never talk about it. Nobody believed me, so ...
We shouldn't ...
No, it's time. (To Driver) Now maybe we'll be believed. We've found a witness. (To Freak) Go on, tell your story.
Is it safe? I mean ... There's a can of worms here ... Have I ...
Don't worry. We'll get over it.
Anyone for Dylan? (Pressing the play button on the ghetto-blaster. Lay Lady Lay starts playing)
Oh, god, no! Not that!
What? I only ... What?
You idiot. Can't you guess?
All will become clear. (To Lady) It's okay. It's time.
Yes, but I'd prefer it if we could change the soundtrack. (Lady and Girl look pointedly at Fool who, after a few seconds, realises their intention. Fool ejects Lay Lady Lay, fumbles for another cassette, inserts it and hits play. The Needle and the Damage Done by Neil Young starts playing. There are a few questioning looks, but everyone's attention is turned back to Freak. Groupie continues to stare at Lady throughout)
It was you we saw there. At the farm. And later. On stage. We ... (Lady nods and looks at Driver)
(Walking over to Lady and giving her a hug) That's right, isn't it?
Mm. Maybe it's time to lift the veil. (Pulling away from Driver and approaching Niceguy, whose look is of total amazement. She takes his hand and pats it) Listen. (Giggling) And be very humble.
(Looking at Freak for his approval) May I proceed?
Be my guest. I'll fill in any holes.
(Making himself comfortable on the edge of a table) Now, do you want the full story or the abridged version?
All the details. I want to hear everything. If she was with Dylan and she kept it a secret all this time, I want to know why!
We're not all like you. We don't bag and brag. We're not ...
Groupies? Is that what you think? I'm a groupie? Well, maybe I am. But I chose to be one. She's got no right. She's ... I ... (Burying her head in her hands suddenly, and turning away)
In her eyes, you had the ultimate groupie experience. She's jealous. It's only natural. But it wasn't like that, was it? (To Driver) Tell us it wasn't like that.
Do you want to hear, or not?
Tell us! Tell us! (To Girl, conspiratorially) I hope it's juicy. (Lady shoots a look at Fool. Driver waits for the murmur to subside)
(Looking at Lady)
(Giving Driver an encouraging look)
The cross. That cross?
Mm.
Who's telling this story? You or me?
(Pauses to think)
(Pointing at Lady) Was it you?
Just checking! So, why doesn't she tell the story?
(To Lady) Come on, let's hear the rest.
Are you ready? They're going to believe you now.
(Taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly with a sigh) Okay, here goes ... (To Freak) ... and with you here to bear me out I can get it all off my chest at last. Boy, this feels good!
Sara loved this cross so much that I really had no choice but to give it to her. It was special to me, because the boy I always thought was my soul mate had given it to me. But when Sara asked me, it seemed the right thing to do. It had given me lots of happiness, and I thought it would be nice to share it. Those two had gone through a lot, what with the motorbike accident and everything. And their kids had had to stay behind because one of the boys had a fall, and she doted on her boys especially. They were all going to come over on the QEII. Then they had to change their plans and fly instead. She seemed lonely, with her man doing his thing with all those stars, and her kids so far away. (Pausing briefly, recalling the scene) And there she was sitting in a field. She was all by herself, you know. Before we went over to her, she was all alone.
(To Groupie, who is sitting with her head down, staring at the floor) See, it's as easy as that.
What? Oh ... Yes, but ...
But you don't have to cheapen yourself to get close to your idols. Just make friends. Where were you when she was on the stage being serenaded?
(To Groupie) Well? You were probably on your knees in front of some minor member of the Band's road crew, weren't you?
Probably. I don't recall. I was ...
Who was it? Anyone I know?
Shut it!
Don't go too far. She's got her agenda. Even if it is misguided.
Have I? (To Lady) Have I wasted my life?
No. Of course not.
Good enough for you?
See? Wasted!
I'm sorry. I was cruel. Maybe I'm the jealous one.
No, you're right. I've wasted my life. What have I done that's good? (Indicating Lady) She's performed one selfless act and put everything I've done in perspective. I wish I were dead.
So, I was telling you about the cross.
(Pauses to find the right word) ... cathartic. (Fool nods his head sagely. Groupie seeks solace with Hippie, who responds by holding her gently)
Yes. (Taking another deep breath and exhaling slowly) When I gave the cross to Sara she was very surprised. Said she'd remember me forever. She wanted to pay for it, but I insisted that it was a gift. (Thoughtfully) I could've asked any price and she would've given it, I'm sure. (Laughing) Maybe I missed out on a fortune there! (The others smile or laugh, then urge Lady on) I went back to the place next door. My friends didn't believe my story, but I knew it was real. Although I missed the cross I believed it had gone to a good home. (Reflecting on the thought for a moment) Anyway, later in the afternoon someone came to the house with a package. It was a backstage pass and the pair of earrings that Sara had been wearing. There was a lovely note too. It said that Bob would like to thank me for my kindness and that I should speak to a certain person behind the stage who'd get me to the right place. I wish I'd kept the note, but it disappeared somewhere along the line. That would've been proof enough. But ... Never mind.
How come you've got the cross? That's what I want to know!
In a minute. (To Freak) And, no, he didn't play Lady Lay Lady for me. That was always played for Sara, I think.
It was actually written for the Midnight Cowboy film, but Everybody's Talking was used instead.
Well, there you go. He played it to me.
Who knows? Dylan was always a little hard to understand. That night he was even stranger than usual. You've heard the tapes. You know. No chat with the crowd, perfunctory encores. He hurried through his set and then he was gone. (Pausing to mull over a thought) But, one thing. When he spoke with me, he asked for the earrings back. He said they were special and that Sara shouldn't have given them to me. I didn't know what to think, but I returned them anyway. Sara was very quiet, but she kept clinging onto the cross. That's how I remember her. Standing watching from the wings, contemplative, maybe even a bit sad, holding onto the cross like it was a link to somewhere she'd rather be.
(Reaching for the cross. Lady turns to stop him grabbing it) Is that it?
They divorced last year.
What?
They went through a messy divorce last year. There was a lot of ugliness over custody of the children. Didn't you know?
(To Niceguy) You do have your uses, don't you? Any other gems tucked away that'll help unravel the mystery?
Dunno. Carry on, and we'll see.
The package. The cross was in a small box. No note, no nothing. Just the cross and a wadge of cotton wool. I thought it was strange that I should get it back that way. I was concerned and grateful and happy and confused all at the same time.
(To Fool) It was me that found the little hinge. She'd not looked at it very closely. Just assumed that it was the same cross and that Sara or somebody had decided to send it back. (To Lady) It was a miracle that you got it back in the first place, wasn't it?
Look. There's a tiny hinge on the side. When I gave it to Sara it was a solid cross, carved out of a single piece of wood. When it came back someone had sliced it through, hollowed out a small cavity and attached the hinge and a clasp. See?
What? You told me ... You said you'd got rid of it when nobody believed your story. It's still there? You still have it?
How could I ever get rid of it?
(Lady motions for everyone to gather more closely. Groupie especially has her attention aroused and crowds in to look. Lady deliberately opens the cross and takes out a tiny piece of paper which is folded a few times)
"Thank you for the magic, my dear friend. Stay forever young."
Genuine? How could it not be?
I have to see. I need ...
No! (To Hippie) Get her away. I don't want her touching it. Soiling it. (Hippie pulls Groupie away. Groupie struggles angrily at first, then subsides)
(Approaching Groupie with a consoling hand) It's ... I'm sorry. It must hurt. You've chosen your way, and I've trumped everything. I can see what you mean. I can understand why you're hurt.
(Brushing off Lady's hand) I don't ... I ... (Groupie looks around at the others, then walks slowly away. Lady looks after her, then her attention is distracted by Niceguy as he touches her shoulder. Niceguy nods at Lady, who smiles and heaves a big satisfied smile)
(To Fool) Let's brighten the mood. What do you have that's suitable?
(Fool inserts a cassette into the ghetto-blaster and hits play. John, I'm Only Dancing by David Bowie blasts out. This breaks the tension, and all except Groupie move to the music. Groupie is slumped over the table, clearly distraught. As the music continues, lights dim, denoting end of scene)
Copyright (c) 1999 by Richard Ian Pentland Gooch
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