BEDROOMS & BARS

A play in 19 scenes

By Charles Deemer

 

 

1/ The Bar, Saturday Night. Early 1980's.

 

(AT RISE: QUINN and DEADRA sit at a table.

Each has a fresh drink.)

                       

                        QUINN:

            Thanks for the drink.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            You're very welcome.

                       

                        QUINN:

            I'm Quinn.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I know. Deadra

                       

                        QUINN:

            I know. Cheers.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Cheers.

 

(They drink.)

                       

                        QUINN:

            Where's what's-his-name?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I'm not sure who you mean.

                       

                        QUINN:

            The guy I always see you with.

            The guy you go with.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I don't go with anyone.

                       

                        QUINN:

            You're in here a lot together.

            He's always betting on games.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            George?

                       

                        QUINN:

            George, right.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            He left town last week. He got

            a new job.

                       

                        QUINN:

            You two aren't an item?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Heavens, no. We're just

            buddies.

                       

                        QUINN:

            That's encouraging.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            In what way?

                       

                        QUINN:

            When you make your move on me,

            I can say yes without a guilty

            conscience.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Sorry to disappoint you,

            Quinn, but I won't be making a

            move on you.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Win a few, lose a few.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Are you always so direct?

                       

                        QUINN:

            Always.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            At least you're not "a

            secretive Scorpio." I have

            this thing about meeting

            Scorpio men. It always gets me

            in trouble.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Bingo.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Please tell me you're

            kidding.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Would I kid about being the

            sign of the genitals? What

            about you?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Guess.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Actually, I've never asked

            anyone their sign before.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            You've seen me here a lot. You

            should have some impression

            about me.

                       

                        QUINN:

            I haven't a clue.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Scorpio as well.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Sex and death meets sex and

            death! I think we're on a

            roll.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I am not, repeat not, picking

            you up.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Why did you suggest we get a

            table?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I need a favor.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Bingo.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I can't stay at my apartment

            tonight.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Why not?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I have house guests. They're

            driving me crazy.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Then kick them out.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            One of them hurt his foot. I

            think it's infected. I don't

            think John should be moved

            just yet. I've been trying to

            get him to see a doctor.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Are you sure you're a Scorpio?

            You don't seem selfish

            enough.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Not every Scorpio is fixated

            on sex and death.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Then what's the point of

            astrology?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            It's about acting in

            accordance with natural

            energies.

                       

                        QUINN (THEME FROM TWILIGHT

                        ZONE):

            Dee-dee-dee-dee dee-dee-dee-

            dee.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Energies are very real.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Whatever. Anyway, sure.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Sure what?

                       

                        QUINN:

            You can crash at my place.

            I'll spend the night with a

            lady friend.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Thank you, Quinn.

                       

                        QUINN:

            No problem. Let me make a

            phone call. You ready for

            another drink?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Absolutely.

                       

                        QUINN:

            My kind of girl.

 

(He exits. Deadra watches him go.

BLACKOUT.)

 

2/ THE BAR, TEN MINUTES LATER.

 

(LIGHTS UP: ten minutes later, Quinn

returns with drinks.)

                       

                        QUINN:

            She wasn't home. You can still

            change your mind.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I'm not trying to pick you up.

                       

                        QUINN:

            And here I had you pegged for

            a woman looking for for Mr.

            Right Now. I suppose you're

            waiting for Mr. Right after

            all.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Hardly.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Spoken like a graduate from

            the school of hard knocks.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Aren't we all?

                       

                        QUINN:

            How many times have you been

            married?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Once.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Amateur. Children?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            No.

                       

                        QUINN:

            I've been married three

            times.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Three!

                       

                        QUINN:

            And lived to tell the tale.

            Actually it's not as bad as it

            sounds.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            You can spare me the details.

 

(He ignores this.)

                       

                        QUINN:

            The first wasn't supposed to

            happen. I was barely twenty-

            one and home on leave from the

            Army. My girlfriend and I were

            at a fraternity party when her

            roommate said she's running

            off to Reno with her fiancee.

            They wanted us to come along

            to stand up for them.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            My God - and you ended up

            doing it yourself.

                       

                        QUINN:

            You got it.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            That's terrible. And number

            two?

                       

                        QUINN:

            I'm not done with number one.

            You ever been to a wedding

            chapel in Reno?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Hardly.

                       

                        QUINN:

            There is no better cathedral

            for exhibiting the America

            genius for marketing. We went

            to the Little Chapel of Roses.

            You walk into something that's

            part mail order house and part

            convention booth. Brochures

            and display ads are

            everywhere. Suddenly this

            "facilitator" drops on you

            like flies on garbage and the

            next thing you know, you're

            sitting down looking at page

            after page of photos

            illustrating your options. Do

            you want the Simple Podium

            Ceremony or the Stained-Glass-

            and-Organ Model? A love sonnet

            by Shakespeare? An aria from

            Tristan and Isolde?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            So what did you choose?

                       

                        QUINN:

            The Pinkie and Blue Boy

            Special.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            What was that?

                       

                        QUINN:

            I don't remember. Whatever it

            was, we all drove home

            afterwards. I went back to the

            Army, and everybody else went

            back to school. A month later,

            we agreed to an annulment.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            One down, two to go.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Two was the one that counted.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            But it didn't last either.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Not my fault. Not entirely,

            anyway. She left me for

            another woman.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Ouch. How did that make you

            feel?

                       

                        QUINN:

            Like a prickless piece of

            shit.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            How did you meet her?

                       

                        QUINN:

            I went back to school after

            the Army. She was my

            philosophy professor.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            The plot thickens.

                       

                        QUINN:

            We didn't get involved until

            after I finished her class. We

            ran into each another in a bar

            one night, and it was love at

            last gulp. I was the first man

            she met who could out-drink

            her.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            How long were you married?

                       

                        QUINN:

            Five years. And we lived

            together four before that.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Nine years is a long time.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Tell me about it.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Which brings us to marriage

            number three.

                       

                        QUINN:

            The worst of all. Absolute

            insanity.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            What happened?

                       

                        QUINN:

            I don't remember.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Quinn, these blackouts should

            worry you.

                       

                        QUINN:

            You don't have blockouts?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Never.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Amateur. She was someone I

            worked with, and I think she

            went on a mission to save me.

            You know the type?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Addicted do-gooder? Butts into

            everybody's life but their

            own?

                       

                        QUINN:

            Exactly. I gave her a ride

            home after a party, she

            invited me in for a drink, and

            I ended up staying the three-

            day weekend. We were married a

            month later.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            You do move fast.

                       

                        QUINN:

            It was quickly obvious we

            didn't belong together. One

            night I found my belongings

            boxed up on the front porch. I

            took the hint.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            That's quite a history.

                       

                        QUINN:

            I haven't been married in five

            years. I'm on a roll.

 

(A pause.)

                       

                        DEADRA:

            George told me you teach high

            school.

                       

                        QUINN:

            True enough.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            What subject?

                       

                        QUINN:

            History. You?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I'm a phlebotomist.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Fantastic. What the hell's

            that?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I draw blood.

                       

                        QUINN:

            I thought that was a vampire.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Cute, Quinn.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Did you know "vamp" comes from

            vampire? Are you a vamp,

            Deadra?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Weren't you going to call your

            lady friend again?

                       

                        QUINN:

            I think I'm changing my mind.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            About what?

                       

                        QUINN:

            I'll sleep on the floor.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Under the circumstances, maybe

            that's not such a good idea.

                       

                        QUINN:

            You think I'll be in danger?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I'm wondering if I will.

                       

                        QUINN:

            From what?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            The question is, from who?

                       

                        QUINN:

            From me? You think you're

            dealing with the King of the

            Date Rape here?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I didn't say that.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Fuck you didn't. No pun

            intended.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I wouldn't be comfortable with

            you there.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Look, lady, I can go pull

            peter in the bathroom if worst

            comes to worst.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            What a colorful way to put

            it.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Whatever turns you on.

 

(A pause.}

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I'm sorry. I owe you an

            apology.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Damn right.

 

(A pause.)

                       

                        DEADRA:

            So do you have family here?

                       

                        QUINN:

            My dad's in Seattle. You?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I have a twin sister. She's

            back east.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Really? I can't imagine what

            it would be like to be a

            twin.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            We're not close.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Does she look like you?

 

(Deadra stares at him.)

                       

                        QUINN:

            It's a joke.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            She's the success story of the

            family. She teaches biology at

            Harvard. We exchange Christmas

            cards, and that's about it.

 

(Quinn scribbles his address on a bar

napkin.)

                       

                        QUINN:

            You'll need this.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I feel guilty kicking you out

            of your own apartment.

                       

                        QUINN:

            But think how safe you'll be

            from my crazed Scorpio rapist

            hormones.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Okay, you win. Sleep on the

            floor.

                       

                        QUINN:

            I don't want to sleep on the

            floor.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            You're sure?

                       

                        QUINN:

            Of course I'm sure. If

            Melinda's not home, I'll head

            for the Dandelion Pub. I'll

            find a lonely lady to take me

            home.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            You do that often?

                       

                        QUINN:

            Not often enough. So make

            yourself at home. Watch TV,

            play tapes, whatever you

            want.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Maybe we could listen to a

            little music before you go

            over to your friend's.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Some other time.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I should crash early anyway.

                       

                        QUINN:

            What would you have done if

            I'd said no? Or put down

            conditions, like sleeping with

            me?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I don't know. Ask somebody

            else. I can always stay with

            my friend Annie, but I'd have

            to put up with whatever guy

            she drags home tonight.

                       

                        QUINN:

            I need to meet Annie.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            No, you don't.

 

(A pause.)

                       

                         QUINN:

            I'd better make that phone

            call. Take care.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Thanks again.

                       

                        QUINN:

            No problem.

 

(He leaves. Deadra watches him go.

BLACKOUT.)

 

3/ THE BEDROOM, THE NEXT MORNING

 

(AT RISE: Deadra is in bed. She's partially

dressed with a cover over her. Quinn

enters. He sees that she is still asleep.

He moves slowly into the room, grabs a

towel that is on the floor, and exits to

bathroom. BLACKOUT.)

 

4/ THE BEDROOM. FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER.

 

(LIGHTS UP: we hear a shower running.

Deadra wakes, sits up. She hears the shower

and is confused. She gets out of bed and

moves closer to listen to the shower.

Suddenly it goes off. She hurries back to

bed and under the covers. Quinn enters

wearing a robe.)

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Good morning.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Good morning. How'd you

            sleep?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Wonderfully. Have you been

            here long?

 

(Quinn studies her.)

                       

                        QUINN:

            All night. You don't

            remember?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Of course I remember.

                       

                        QUINN:

            It was incredible, wasn't it?

 

(She doesn't reply.)

                       

                        QUINN:

            Maybe just for me.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            No. I mean, yes, of course it

            was.

 

(Quinn starts laughing.)

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I don't see what's so

            amusing.

                       

                        QUINN:

            You don't even remember our

            wild sex, do you? Be honest.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            No, not all of it.

                       

                        QUINN:

            That's really terrific,

            Deadra. Cosmic sex and you

            can't even remember it.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I'm sorry. I'm sure it was

            wonderful.

 

(Quinn smiles and shakes his head.)

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I guess I had too much to

            drink.

                       

                        QUINN:

            No shit, Dick Tracy. I'm

            putting you on, Deadra. Sexy

            Lady of the Blackouts. You got

            on my case about having them,

            and you have them yourself.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            You didn't spend the night?

                       

                        QUINN:

            I said I wouldn't, and I

            didn't. I'm a gentleman and a

            scholar, in case you haven't

            noticed.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            You found your lady friend?

                       

                        QUINN:

            Unfortunately, no. I slept in

            the car.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            In the car!

                       

                        QUINN:

            I don't recommend it. 

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Let me make it up to you. Buy

            you breakfast?

                       

                        QUINN:

            I'll think about it.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            It's the least I can do. Let

            me shower first. If you don't

            mind.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Be my guest.

 

(She gets out of bed.)

                       

                        QUINN:

            Where shall we eat?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            You decide.

 

(She grabs the rest of her clothes and

exits to the bathroom. Quinn watches her

go. BLACKOUT.)

 

5/ BEDROOM. HALF AN HOUR LATER.

 

(LIGHTS UP. Quinn is dressed. Deadra enters

from the bathroom, dressed.)

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I'm going to put my foot down.

            I've got to get John to go to

            the hospital.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Or at least go home.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            He doesn't have a home. He and

            Maggie have been living under

            a bridge.

                       

                        QUINN:

            You put up homeless people?

            That's remarkable. There's a

            bit of Mother Teresa in you,

            isn't there?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I can sympathize with them. I

            lived on the streets myself

            once.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Seriously?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Just to see what it was like.

            It was horrible, even knowing

            I could quit and go home

            whenever I wanted. It's one

            thing to have an intellectual

            understanding of what they go

            through, but try living it

            yourself.

                       

                        QUINN:

            How long were you out there?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Three days. That's all I could

            take.

                       

                        QUINN:

            I'm impressed. How often do

            you put these homeless people

            up?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Usually only in emergencies.

            Or when I feel too guilty

            about having an empty sofa. I

            know John and Maggie from the

            neighborhood, I'm sure you've

            seen them around. I ran into

            them during the rainy spell

            last week, and John had hurt

            his foot, so I let them get

            out of the weather. When it

            stopped raining, they didn't

            leave.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Because you don't have the

            heart to evict them.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Well, I have to put my foot

            down.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Damn right you do. Deadra, you

            can't save the world. I hope

            you know that.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I'm not trying to save the

            world. I was just letting them

            get out of the weather for a

            while.

                       

                        QUINN:

            I was going to say you're a

            person who can't say "No" -

            except you said no often

            enough last night.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            That's because you quit too

            soon.

                       

                        QUINN:

            I did?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Couldn't you tell I wanted us

            to come here together? I

            suggested we listen to music.

                       

                        QUINN:

            I thought that was just to

            listen to music.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I was warming up to you.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Now you tell me.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            You were in too much of a

            hurry. Not a good part of your

            personality, Quinn.

                       

                        QUINN:

            I'll work on it as soon as I

            catch up on my sleep.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Now you're making me feel

            guilty.

                       

                        QUINN:

            You do that a lot. Would a

            Bloody Mary make you feel

            better?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I'd love one.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Not here. The Gypsy's open

            this early. They also serve

            breakfast.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Then the Gypsy it is.

 

(BLACKOUT.)

 

6/ BEDROOM. TWO HOURS LATER.

 

(LIGHTS UP. Quinn and Deadra return after

breakfast.)

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I know I left it here

            somewhere.

 

(She's looking for something.)

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Maybe in the bathroom.

 

(She exits - and quickly returns, holding

her lipstick.)

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Tah-dah!

                       

                        QUINN:

            Do you have to run off?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I'm dreading it - but I do. I

            have to tell them to go.

                       

                        QUINN:

            So do it.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I will. I really will.

                       

                        QUINN:

            You want help? Moral support? 

            I'll tag along. Make sure you

            do it.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            That'd be fantastic.

                       

                        QUINN:

            When do we leave?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            They sleep even later than me.

            That's another problem. I have

            to creep around in my own

            apartment.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Not good, Deadra.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I know.

                       

                        QUINN:

            So we'll give them thirty

            minutes, an hour, and then we

            drag their asses to the

            emergency room. Sound good?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Perfect. We'll do it.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Absolutely.

 

(A pause: they look at one another.)

                       

                        DEADRA:

            What's the matter?

                       

                        QUINN:

            I have this sudden urge to

            kiss you.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I know.

                       

                        QUINN:

            How do you feel about that?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I think you talk too much.

 

(They kiss. And again. BLACKOUT.)

 

7/ BEDROOM. TWO HOURS LATER.

 

(LIGHTS UP. Quinn and Deadra are dressing

after lovemaking.)

                       

                        QUINN:

            So tell me something. Is this

            a one time deal or do we have

            something worth pursuing

            here?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Don't move too fast for me,

            Quinn.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Okay.

 

(A pause.)

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Yes.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Yes - as in ...yes?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I want to do this again.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Good. Me, too.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            But don't push it, okay?

                       

                        QUINN:

            One moment of erotic ecstasy

            at a time.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Don't try to verbalize

            everything.

                       

                        QUINN:

            What I meant is, you're a free

            spirit. I respect that.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Good.

                       

                        QUINN:

            And I'll promise you

            something. I won't ask you to

            marry me.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Good!

 

(A pause.)

                       

                        DEADRA:

            It's always so great in the

            beginning, isn't it?

                       

                        QUINN:

            Beginnings are better than

            endings.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            What happens? Why can't people

            maintain?

                       

                        QUINN:

            The beginning is simple. Man,

            woman, chemistry, lust,

            satisfaction. Now we have to

            get up and go out there and

            take your guests to the

            hospital, and who the hell

            knows what's waiting for us,

            all ready to pounce on this

            wonderful biological

            simplicity and turn it into

            some complicated head trip.

            The mind defeats the body

            every time.

 

(A pause.)

                       

                        DEADRA:

            You're different than I

            imagined. I thought you'd be

            boring. Do you realize how

            many boring people there are

            in the world?

                       

                        QUINN:

            Most of them on a barstool.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I thought you dismissed me as

            just another stupid chick at

            the bar, like I never read a

            book in my life.

                       

                        QUINN:

            So what have you read lately?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            "I'm Dysfunctional, You're

            Dysfunctional."

                       

                        QUINN:

            Don't change the subject.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            That's the name of the book.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Great title!

                       

                        DEADRA:

            It's an expose of the self-

            help industry.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Long overdue.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Today it's "in" to be an

            addict or a victim - or both.

                       

                        QUINN:

            With a tortured inner child.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            And abusive parents.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Incest victim.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Date raped in junior high.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Can't express feelings.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Especially men.

                       

                        QUINN:

            That's who I meant.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Poor self-image.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Post-menstrual Stress

            Disorder.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Shrinking-dick Disorder.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Like, shit happens, right? I

            hate whiners. Why can't people

            stop wallowing in the past and

            get on with their lives?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Exactly.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Of course, everybody on the

            goddamn planet is in denial

            about something.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Usually about being in

            denial!

                       

                        QUINN:

            Absolutely.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            What are you in denial about?

                       

                        QUINN:

            You don't want to know.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Yes, I do.

                       

                        QUINN:

            You tell me first.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I asked you first.

                       

                        QUINN:

            But mine's heavier than

            yours.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Okay. I'm in denial about -

            how afraid I am that this is 

            going to end sooner than I

            want it to.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Maybe you'll be surprised.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            What are you in denial about?

                       

                        QUINN:

            Falling in love with you.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            No.

                       

                        QUINN:

            That I'm bound to eventually

                       

                        DEADRA:

            No! Goddamn it, Quinn! Why do

            you have to go and ruin

            everything?

                       

                        QUINN:

            I knew you wouldn't like it.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Then why didn't you just keep

            it to yourself?

                       

                        QUINN:

            Because it's the truth.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I don't want to hear it.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Please don't do this.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            You did it, Quinn.

                       

                        QUINN:

            I was only talking about

            future possibilities.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Don't push any of that

            Valentine's Day crap at me,

            okay? No flowers, no candy-

                       

                        QUINN:

            Deadra, slow down! Just relax

            a minute.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I'm not the marrying kind.

            That's the first thing you

            have to know about me.

                       

                        QUINN:

            You're a free spirit. Got it.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I don't want you to lay any

            expectations on me, okay? If

            we do this, we do it one day

            at a time.

                       

                        QUINN:

            I can do that.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Just don't lay some commitment

            trip on me, okay?

                       

                        QUINN:

            I promise.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            You start doing that, Quinn,

            you just set yourself up for

            heartbreak. Who needs it?

                       

                        QUINN:

            We don't need that, Deadra.

            You're right.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I just want to feel happy for

            as long as I can.

                       

                        QUINN:

            No talking about the future.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Exactly.

                       

                        QUINN:

            One present tense day at a

            time.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Right.

                       

                        QUINN:

            I can do that.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I hope so.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Deadra?

 

(He kisses her. At first she resists. Then

she gives in, and they enjoy a long,

passionate kiss.)

                       

                        QUINN:

            I want you to hear something.

 

(Quinn puts on the Mulligan-Baker version

of "My Funny Valentine." It will begin

playing softly in the background.)

 

(Deadra embraces him. Then Quinn pulls

back, and they start dancing to the music.)

                       

                        QUINN:

            Today my life feels very

            simple and very beautiful.

 

(A pause.)

                       

                        QUINN:

            May I ask you something?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Don't talk, Quinn. Don't ask

            anything, and don't say

            anything. Just hold me close.

            Just dance.

                       

                        QUINN:

            I can do that.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Then shut up.

                       

                        QUINN:

            I can do that, too.

 

(Deadra stops dancing.)

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Quinn? Please don't ruin it.

 

(Quinn raises both hands, a gesture of

surrender. He takes her in his arms again.

They start dancing.)

 

(FADE TO BLACKOUT as they dance.)

 

8/ THE BEDROOM. THE NEXT MORNING, 3 A.M.

 

(Dim lights. Deadra is in bed, asleep.

Quinn is sitting up at the bedside table,

eating something)

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Quinn?

                       

                        QUINN:

            Hmm?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            What are you doing?

                       

                        QUINN:

            Umm-hmm!

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Is something wrong?

                       

                        QUINN:

            Umm-UMM! It's great!

 

(Deadra slides over beside him.)

                       

                        DEADRA:

            What're you eating?

                       

                        QUINN:

            Peanut butter and pickles!

            Want to try one?

 

(He prepares a peanut-buttered pickle for

her.)

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Couldn't you sleep?

                       

                        QUINN:

            I'm famished. This is

            fantastic, here.

 

(He shoves the pickle at her.)

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Quinn! What is it?

                       

                        QUINN:

            I told you. A dill pickle with

            peanut butter spread on it.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            It looks sickening.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Don't judge it. Try it. Open

            up.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            No!

 

(He grabs her face, playfully trying to

open her mouth with one hand in order to

shove in the pickle with the other.)

                       

                        QUINN:

            Where's your spirit of

            adventure? Just one bite!

 

(He holds out the pickle for her to bite.)

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Stop it! Let me hold it.

 

(He gives her the pickle.)

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Just one bite ...

 

(She takes a small bite. She tastes it,)

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Oh my God ...

 

(She takes another bite.)

                       

                        QUINN:

            Good, right?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Umm-hmm!

                       

                        QUINN:

            I'll make more.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Quinn, this is amazing! This

            is incredible! Why haven't I

            ever heard of it?

                       

                        QUINN:

            Come and get it.

 

(He holds the pickle in his teeth, half of

it sticking out for Deadra to take. She

comes to him and takes the exposed end into

her mouth. They start chewing their own end

of the pickle, their lips moving closer,

until they touch in a kiss. Suddenly they

are kissing passionately and falling back

onto the bed - as the LIGHTS FADE TO

BLACKOUT.)

 

9/ THE BEDROOM. MORNING, 11 A.M.

 

(Quinn sits up in bed, writing.)

                       

                        QUINN:

            You're witnessing history

            here. I wrote my first

            sonnet.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Congratulations.

                       

                        QUINN:

            That's not the historical

            part. I may actually read it

            to you.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Please do!

                       

                        QUINN:

            Sonnet for an audience of two:

 

(He reads the sonnet with much energy:)

                       

                        QUINN:

            To take my heart, please take

            my warts as well! / I'm not a

            perfect man - but still I grow

            / when most men at my age

            freeze what they know, / and

            growth leads where not you or

            I can tell. / Sometimes I

            belch! Sometimes I fart and

            smell! / Sometimes I wake you

            up before the dawn / and lead

            you to the kitchen arm-in-arm,

            / where peanut-buttered

            pickles ring our bell. / I

            don't mean all the stuff in

            marriage vows. / I mean the

            human truth from A to Z, / and

            if you find, my dear, that

            your heart bows / this way -

            then I'm for you, and you're

            for me. / What is life without

            a little fun? / Let me know if

            you think you're the one.

 

(Quinn grins.. Deadra looks at him

seriously. BLACKOUT.)

 

10/ THE BAR, A MONTH LATER

 

(AT RISE: Quinn joins Deadra at a table in

the bar. He carries a drink. She already

has hers.)

                       

                        QUINN:

            Sorry I'm late. How was your

            day?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            It was a day.

 

(A pause.)

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Quinn, I need to go home

            tonight.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Why?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Because I still pay rent and

            it must look like a pig sty

            over there by now. I need a

            day to clean it. I'm going to

            let some people stay there for

            a while.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Homeless people?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Don't look at me like I'm

            crazy. Maggie's pregnant. She

            can't sleep under a bridge in

            her condition.

                       

                        QUINN:

            What's this Mother Teresa

            complex about?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Pardon me if I care about

            people.

                       

                        QUINN:

            The homeless problem is much

            bigger than your ability to

            solve it, Deadra.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I don't think in grandiose

            terms like that. I'm simple-

            minded - the rent's paid on an

            apartment nobody is using, and

            other people desperately need

            a roof over their heads. I

            don't find that very

            complicated.

 

(A pause.)

                       

                        QUINN:

            Are we still doing a weekend

            in Seattle?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Of course.

 

(They clink glasses. A pause.)

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Actually today was different.

            I got fired.

                       

                        QUINN:

            What?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I got canned.

                       

                        QUINN:

            That's terrible. What

            happened?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            First, it's not terrible. It's

            probably a blessing in

            disguise. The hospital belongs

            in the Middle Ages. This saves

            me from quitting.

                       

                        QUINN:

            What was their reason?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            They pulled a surprise drug

            test a week ago. I flunked.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Then challenge the results.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I flunked it, Quinn. Fair and

            square. They found marijuana.

            I usually have a joint in the

            can every morning.

                       

                        QUINN:

            You smoke pot at work?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Don't look at me like the

            Moral Crusader. I know you

            drink at lunch because I've

            been there.

                       

                        QUINN:

            It's not the same thing. Pot's

            illegal.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            So's oral sex in many parts of

            this wonderful country. Does

            it stop anybody? Does it stop

            you?

                       

                        QUINN:

            I'm trying to be supportive

            here.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I'll be fine. I have two

            interviews Monday.

                       

                        QUINN:

            So that's good, right?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            You have to ask? Quinn, you're

            not going to support me

            financially, ever, if that's

            what's on your mind.

                       

                        QUINN:

            I didn't mean to imply that.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            One interview's with a clinic

            I really, really want to work

            for. If you're supportive,

            cross your fingers for me.

                       

                        QUINN:

            I will.

 

(A pause.)

                       

                        QUINN:

            Smoking pot doesn't affect you

            at work? 

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Do two martinis at lunch

            affect how you teach in the

            afternoon?

                       

                        QUINN:

            I don't teach, Deadra. I sell

            magazines.

 

(Deadra is shocked to hear this. She waits

for more but none is coming.)

                       

                        QUINN:

            Everybody in here thinks I

            still teach. I got fired two

            years ago. I never got around

            to telling anybody.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            What happened?

                       

                        QUINN:

            They found a pint of vodka in

            my desk. Actually they were

            pretty nice about it. I

            resigned, and it stayed out of

            the papers.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Why didn't you tell me?

                       

                        QUINN:

            I just did.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Why didn't you tell me

            before?

                       

                        QUINN:

            I didn't want to disappoint

            you. Who wants to go with a

            guy who sells Sports

            Illustrated and Better Homes &

            Gardens?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Oh, Quinn...I bet you're a

            great teacher.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Killer teacher.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            You can find another

            position.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Probably. Just haven't had the

            energy to look yet. You really

            don't want to stay at the

            hospital?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            No way. Ever since it was

            sold, they run it like a

            business. To hell with the

            patients. I'm glad to get out.

            I should be celebrating.

                       

                        QUINN:

            To getting the job at the

            clinic.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            To you finding another

            teaching job.

                       

                        QUINN:

            When I'm ready.

 

(They clink glasses and drink.)

                       

                        QUINN:

            To a weekend in Seattle.

 

(They clink glasses and drink.)

                       

                        DEADRA:

            To us. May we always be able

            to talk openly to one

            another.

                       

                        QUINN:

            To telling the truth.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            All of it.

                       

                        QUINN:

            And nothing but.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            No matter how much it hurts.

                       

                        QUINN:

            No matter how much.

 

(They clink glasses. BLACKOUT.)

 

11/ THE BAR, 10 DAYS LATER

 

(AT RISE: Deadra and Quinn sit at a

table.)

                       

                        QUINN:

            Happy birthday.

 

(He takes a present out of his sportscoat

pocket, a ring box.)

                       

                        DEADRA:

            You remembered.

                       

                        QUINN:

            There's a first time for

            everything. Open it.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I don't want a present.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Come on. I went to a lot of

            trouble to do this.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            This is not a good surprise,

            Quinn.

                       

                        QUINN:

            What's the matter with you?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I can tell what's going on

            here, and I don't like it one

            bit.

                       

                        QUINN:

            You have no idea what's in the

            box.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            A ring.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Deadra-...

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Goddamn you, you have no right

            giving me a ring!

                       

                        QUINN:

            It's not a ring, okay?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            You always have to screw

            everything up!

                       

                        QUINN:

            Hello? It's not a ring!

                       

                        DEADRA:

            You always make everything so

            complicated!

                       

                        QUINN:

            Calling Deadra! There is no

            ring in that box.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            It looks like a ring.

                       

                        QUINN:

            It's a box I found in a

            dumpster, for God's sake.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            It's a ring box, Quinn.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Fine, it's a ring box - but

            it's not a ring! Now will you

            open the goddamn thing so we

            can move on with our lives

            here?

 

(A pause. Then Deadra opens the box. She

takes out a folded sheet of paper. She

looks at it.)

                       

                        DEADRA:

            You wrote me a poem?

                       

                        QUINN:

            Another sonnet.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I'm sorry I got angry. Do I

            get to hear it?

 

(She hands the paper back and Quinn

prepares to read:)

                       

                        QUINN:

            It's not as good as the other

            one.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Quinn...

                       

                        QUINN:

            The skyline hangs above the

            bay, a mist / of mystery as in

            a dream, and we / stand close

            upon the ferry's deck and

            kiss, / and I feel all the

            world as it should be. / These

            are moments that my heart

            holds dear. / When you are

            near, somehow I am alive /

            more than I've been, and

            everything is clear / to me: I

            know for what I want to

            strive. / Yet I don't want my

            love to burden you, / a chain

            around your heart, presumption

            of / your time. The things

            that I would hope to do / for

            us are full of caring and my

            love. / I love you for each

            moment that I have / and ask

            from you such love as you can

            give.

 

(A pause. Deadra is very moved.)

                       

                        QUINN:

            I kept thinking of our ferry

            ride in Seattle, and this what

            came out.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            It's beautiful. Goddamn it.

                       

                        QUINN:

            "Goddamn it"?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Yes! You have no right to give

            me something so beautiful.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Holy Christ.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Quinn, when you do this, it

            makes me feel like I'm

            supposed to do something in

            return.

                       

                        QUINN:

            That's your problem, Deadra.

            I'm making no demands here.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            That's not true.

                       

                        QUINN:

            I'm not!

                       

                        DEADRA:

            You want romance, Quinn.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Doesn't everybody?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            No! I don't.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Come on.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I'm serious. You write this,

            and I'm expected to live up to

            some romantic image of how it

            was in Seattle, for just a

            moment, on a ferry ride.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Deadra, listen to what I

            wrote: "I love you for each

            moment that I have, and ask

            from you such love as you can

            give." Get it? "Such love as

            you can give." That is not a

            demand. That leaves you a free

            spirit, Deadra, so get off

            this fixation of being

            pressured to do something,

            okay?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            You're asking me to love you.

            Isn't that what you wrote?

            "Such love..." You want me to

            love you.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Of course I want you to love

            me.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I told you how I feel about

            that.

                       

                        QUINN:

            That the word "love" is hugely

            misused. We agreed about

            that.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            So we weren't going to use it,

            remember?

                       

                        QUINN:

            I was writing a love poem,

            Deadra. The word "love" is

            usually included.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            You had no right to write me a

            love poem. It puts me on the

            spot.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Well, excuse me!

 

(He tears up the poem and drops the pieces

on the table.)

                       

                        QUINN:

            There. Happy birthday anyway.

            How about a different present?

            How about a triple Vodka

            Collins?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Every time I'm honest with

            you, you get mad.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Deadra, did you enjoy

            Seattle?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Of course I did.

                       

                        QUINN:

            And the ferry ride?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            It was a really magical

            night.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Then what's wrong with trying

            to commemorate it in a sonnet?

            It's a very old tradition.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Quinn...

                       

                        QUINN:

            You know what I think? You, my

            dear, are afraid to be happy.

            You're afraid of how good I

            make you feel. You're afraid

            of all this.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Don't do it, Quinn.

                       

                        QUINN:

            But why? Why would somebody be

            afraid of happiness? Man, I

            have been asking myself that

            for a few weeks now. Why is

            Deadra so afraid of happiness?

            Because she's been hurt.

            Because she's been hurt really

            badly. So badly that she's

            spending all of her energy

            making sure she never gets

            hurt again, and one way to do

            that is not to let anyone get

            too close to her because if

            they can't get too close, then

            they can't touch her, and if

            they can't touch her in her

            most intimate places, in her

            heart of hearts, then that

            means they really can't hurt

            her. You've got a bullet-proof

            shield around your heart,

            Deadra. And when I get too

            close, when my love starts

            bouncing off the shield, then

            you panic and lash out at me.

 

(A pause.)

                       

                        QUINN:

            Am I close?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I didn't want to have to tell

            you this, Quinn. You're

            forcing my hand here.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Good. No secrets, Scorpio. Put

            all the cards on the table.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I hate doing this. It's going

            to sound so goddamn maudlin.

                       

                        QUINN:

            I'll bear that in mind.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            You bastard. It didn't have to

            be this way. If you'd just

            respect my space and stop

            trying to go so fast.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Deadra, I love you. Everything

            that you're about concerns

            me.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I don't want you to love me.

                       

                        QUINN:

            That's clear enough. Do you

            have something new to add?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            This is going to sound so

            goddamn sappy.

 

(A pause.)

                       

                        DEADRA:

            About five months ago I went

            in for my routine physical and

            they found some things that

            weren't good. Don't ask for

            details because I'm not going

            to tell you. I shouldn't be

            telling you this much. The

            point is, there's really

            nothing they can do for me, so

            they figure I have six months

            to a year...I'm like a ticking

            time bomb here, Quinn. That's

            why I can't be in a serious

            relationship with you. When I

            explode, I don't want to take

            anyone with me.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Deadra...

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I'm sure this is much harder

            for you than it is for me. I

            just got dealt a bad

            biological deck or something.

            It happens to people all the

            time.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Is it cancer or what? There

            must be some kind of

            treatment.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I said there's nothing they

            can do.

                       

                        QUINN:

            I wish you'd've told me

            earlier.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            We shouldn't have gotten

            involved. I'm just going to

            hurt you.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Hurt happens. I'm going to

            take time off from work.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Quinn, don't.

                       

                        QUINN:

            I can get a loan, I can borrow

            money. We'll take a trip. Go

            to Mexico or someplace.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Listen to you.

                       

                        QUINN:

            I'm serious.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I know you are. That's the

            problem.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Goddamn it, I love you! I want

            as much of you as time will

            let me have.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Where were you five or ten

            years ago?

                       

                        QUINN:

            In this bar, Deadra. Where

            were you?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            In Nebraska.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Does your sister know?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            No.

                       

                        QUINN:

            I'm glad you told me.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Nothing can ever stay simple,

            can it?

                       

                        QUINN:

            This is getting very simple,

            Deadra. We're down to the

            nitty-gritty here.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            We don't have to decide

            anything right now, do we?

                       

                        QUINN:

            Of course not.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Good. I've had enough of this

            for one night.

                       

                        QUINN:

            No problem.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            What time is it?

                       

                        QUINN:

            Eightish.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I told Annie I'd stop by.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Meet you here later?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Sure.

                       

                        QUINN:

            How long will you be?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I don't know. Not long. See

            you later then.

 

(She gets up to go. Quinn stands.)

                       

                        QUINN:

            Deadra? We'll do the best we

            can, okay?

 

(Deadra looks at him. BLACKOUT.)

 

12/ THE BEDROOM, LATER THAT NIGHT.

 

(AT RISE: Quinn is finishing dialing a

number on the phone.)

                       

                        QUINN:

            Annie?...This is Quinn. Is

            Deadra there?...She said she

            was coming to see you....Hours

            ago. Around eight. ...Listen -

            do you know where else she

            might be? Some other

            girlfriend's or something? ...

            Thanks...No, I'm all right.

            Talk to you later.

 

(He hangs up. He stares across the room.

BLACKOUT.)

 

13/ THE BEDROOM, THE NEXT AFTERNOON.

 

(AT RISE: Deadra is putting clothes she's

left at Quinn's apartment into a large,

plastic garbage bag. She carries it out of

the apartment. BLACKOUT.)

 

14/ THE BEDROOM, A WEEK LATER.

 

(AT RISE: Quinn is on the phone.)

                       

                        QUINN:

            Seattle?...Did she give you

            her return address?...Annie, I

            have to get in touch with

            her....I'm worried about her,

            Annie--...Annie, listen to me.

            I just want to get in touch

            with her, okay? Just to see

            how she's doing.....Because

            I'm worried about her!.....I

            didn't know you knew....What

            do you mean?... No.... No

            fucking way. She wouldn't do

            something like that to me....I

            don't believe you....Annie, I

            don't know what trip you're on

            here, but that's bullshit.

            Deadra would never lie to

            me....No way! She'd get an

            Oscar if that was

            true....Bullshit!

 

(He slams down the phone. BLACKOUT.)

 

15/ THE BAR, FOUR MONTHS LATER

 

(AT RISE: Deadra sits at a table, sipping a

drink. Quinn appears behind her. He looks

at her, trying to gain his composure. He

comes to the table and sits down.)

                       

                        QUINN:

            Deadra.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Hello, Quinn.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Long time, no see and all

            that. What's it been? Three,

            four months?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Too long.

                       

                        QUINN:

            I'm surprised you let me know

            you were in town.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I wanted to talk to you.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Well, I'd suggest picking up

            where we left off, but I don't

            exactly remember our last

            conversation. Something about

            you stopping by Annie's and

            meeting me later.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Don't make this harder than it

            has to be.

                       

                        QUINN:

            You never showed. Worse, you

            disappeared. I stop by your

            apartment, it's being lived in

            by your homeless friends. Next

            thing I know, Annie tells me

            you moved to Seattle. No

            explanation, no goodbye,

            nothing.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I'm so sorry.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Pardon me if I take that with

            a grain of salt.

 

(A pause.)

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Can I buy you a drink?

                       

                        QUINN:

            No thanks.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            You're turning down a drink?

                       

                        QUINN:

            I haven't had a drink in three

            weeks.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            That's hard to believe.

                       

                        QUINN:

            My doctor didn't give me much

            choice.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            What's the matter with you?

                       

                        QUINN:

            I have a problem with my 

            liver. Oh, I'm sorry. You

            control the market on that

            one, don't you?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Quinn, please.

                       

                        QUINN:

            We're not here to talk about

            my health.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            You're right, we're not.

                       

                        QUINN:

            So why the phone call?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I thought we should talk.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Why?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Quinn - I hardly know where to

            begin. It's so good to see

            you. It really is.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Cut the crap, Deadra.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Okay. I left because I was

            falling in love with you.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Falling in love is that 

            terrible?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            For me, at the time, yes. For

            you, who can't remember

            getting married, maybe that's

            hard to understand. Loss of

            memory is a wonderful gift

            sometimes. Unfortunately, I

            don't have it. I remember what

            it was like being in love, and

            I promised myself never to go

            through that again.

                       

                        QUINN:

            You're not the first person to

            get hurt in a relationship,

            Deadra.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Don't patronize me. I was

            happily married, and I

            remember it. I remember my

            wedding, which was everything

            I imagined it should be, which

            was straight out of my little

            girl's dreams. We honeymooned

            in Hawaii, in Maui, and it was

            more romantic than I thought

            possible.

                       

                        QUINN:

            So what happened?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I need you to know this,

            Quinn. Maybe it will help you

            understand a few things.

                       

                        QUINN:

            You've got the floor.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I was doing part-time work for

            the Red Cross. Tim taught at

            the University in Eugene, in

            the English Department. We

            gave the most incredible

            parties, filled with bright

            and interesting people. My job

            occasionally took me out of

            town, and I was going to be on

            the road for our fifth

            anniversary. It didn't seem to

            bother Tim, but it bothered

            me. So I made arrangements to

            get home early, surprise him.

            I had about a three hour drive

            to get back and I left after

            work, expecting to get home in

            time to take him to dinner,

            maybe go out dancing

            afterwards. But I had car

            trouble on the way, and to

            make a long story short, it

            was past midnight before I got

            home. But now I was determined

            to surprise him more than

            ever, so I went to an all-

            night supermarket and bought

            champagne and flowers, and I

            let myself in and tiptoed into

            our bedroom and lit a candle -

            and that's when I saw her. She

            must've been one of his

            students, she looked so young,

            she was on my side of the bed,

            asleep in his arms, and he had

            his mouth open but for some

            reason wasn't snoring,

            together they looked like the

            happiest couple on the face of

            the earth. Quinn, I didn't

            know what to do. I just stared

            at them for the longest time.

            Then I leaned forward and blew

            out the candle and walked out

            of the bedroom. I never went

            back. I got in my car and

            drove back to southern Oregon.

            I filed for divorce the next

            day.

                       

                        QUINN:

            You didn't talk to him first?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I didn't see the point. I was

            lifeless, Quinn. I had nothing

            to say to him. I had nothing

            to say to anyone.

 

(A pause.)

                       

                        QUINN:

            How do I know you're telling

            me the truth now?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            You can't imagine how much it

            hurts me to hear you say

            that.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Look at the line you gave me,

            Deadra. An incurable illness,

            of all things. It proves the

            old saw, doesn't it? If you're

            going to lie, go the whole

            hog. Nobody will believe you

            could possibly make up

            something that extreme.

 

(A pause.)

                       

                        DEADRA:

            So what do we do now?

                       

                        QUINN:

            That depends on where we are.

            And I have no idea where are.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Can we start over?

                       

                        QUINN:

            Deadra, you live in Seattle

            now. Don't you?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            No.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Jesus.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I told Annie to say that so

            you wouldn't come looking for

            me. I moved across the river.

            I got the position I wanted at

            the clinic.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Well, fucking

            congratulations.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I was hoping we could start

            seeing each other again. I

            miss you.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Where the hell are you coming

            from now?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Desperation. I want you back

            in my life.

                       

                        QUINN:

            I don't know if I can do

            that.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Can you think about it?

 

(A pause.)

                       

                        QUINN:

            I can think about it.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I'm trying to tell you I made

            a mistake.

 

(Quinn stands up to go.)

                       

                        QUINN:

            You rejected me, Deadra.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            No. I never did that. I ran

            from you. It's not the same

            thing.

                       

                        QUINN:

            It felt like rejection.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I want to make it up to you.

                       

                        QUINN:

            I have to think about all

            this.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            It's wonderful seeing you

            again. Please call me.

                       

                        QUINN:

            I phoned every hospital in

            Seattle looking for you.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Lucky you, it's only a local

            call after all.

 

(She stands up. Quinn offers his hand.

Deadra embraces him.)

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I love you, Quinn.

 

(He breaks the embrace and leaves. She

watches him go. BLACKOUT.)

 

16/ THE BEDROOM. DEADRA'S BIRTHDAY.

 

(AT RISE: Deadra is in bed, sleeping. Quinn

is surreptitiously dressing. Deadra opens

her eyes.)

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Quinn? What're you doing?

                       

                        QUINN:

            It's not working, Deadra.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            How can you say that? I had a

            wonderful birthday. Wonderful

            dinner, we made wonderful

            love.

                       

                        QUINN:

            I don't trust you.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            About what?

                       

                        QUINN:

            About this. About what's

            happening here. I don't

            exactly know what's happening

            here, is the problem. The past

            few weeks have been ... weird.

            I don't know how else to put

            it.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Weird? You could've fooled

            me.

                       

                        QUINN:

            We can't recapture the past.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I thought we were doing a

            pretty good job at it.

                       

                        QUINN:

            I've been thinking a lot about

            what I want, Deadra. The first

            thing I want to do is get

            healthy. That requires a lot

            of change, and sitting in a

            bar watching you get drunk

            isn't cutting it. Maybe the

            person I'm becoming isn't

            someone you want to be

            around.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            That should be my decision.

                       

                        QUINN:

            I can't party the way I used

            to.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I can't either.

                       

                        QUINN:

            You did a pretty good job last

            night.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            It's my birthday, for Christ's

            sake. So what are you saying?

            Suddenly you don't want to be

            around me because I drink?

                       

                        QUINN:

            That's part of it.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Then I'll quit.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Don't be ridiculous.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I'm willing to make sacrifices

            here, Quinn. Accommodations.

            It would be nice to see you do

            a little of that in my

            direction.

                       

                        QUINN:

            You don't really want to quit

            drinking, Deadra.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Quit telling me what I want.

 

(A pause.)

                       

                        QUINN:

            I wrote you another sonnet.

            I've been writing a lot of

            them lately. It was supposed

            to be your birthday present.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Why didn't you give it to me?

                       

                        QUINN:

            Because it says goodbye.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I see. You wanted to make sure

            you got laid first. So let's

            hear it. Read the goddamn

            thing to me.

                       

                        QUINN:

            I didn't bring you here to get

            laid.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Read the sonnet, Quinn. You

            owe me that goddamn much.

 

(He takes a folded piece of paper out of

his pocket, unfolds it and reads:)

                       

                        QUINN:

            If our lips should never meet

            again; / if your arms should

            not around me wrap / in such a

            way to tell me of your ken;

 

(He stops and crumples up the poem.)

                       

                        QUINN:

            You drink too damn much.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Spare me the sermon, Quinn!

                       

                        QUINN:

            We're alike, Deadra - a couple

            of barflies. It's like a

            prolonged suicide.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Don't lecture me about dying.

            I think I know a hell of a lot

            more about the subject than

            you do.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Whatever you say.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Quinn, look at this.

 

(She takes her purse from the bedside

table, opens it and takes out bottles of

pills.)

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Here's all the crap I have to

            take to get through the day.

                       

                        QUINN:

            What's all this?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            They're supposed to make my

            last few months more

            comfortable.

                       

                        QUINN:

            What are you talking about?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I told you the truth the first

            time, Quinn. I'm a time-bomb.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Bullshit.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Think what you want.

 

(He's reading the bottles of pills.)

                       

                        QUINN:

            I never heard of this stuff.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I'm trying to tell you how it

            is with me.

                       

                        QUINN:

            That you're dying?

 

(She nods her head, yes.)

                       

                        QUINN:

            Christ. Don't you know Annie

            told me the whole story? You

            give guys that line to keep

            them from getting too close.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Annie told you exactly what I

            asked her to tell you.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Bullshit.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Believe what you believe,

            Quinn. All I can do is tell

            the truth.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Why would you tell me and then

            change your mind?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I told you because I wanted

            you to know me. To know me

            truly. But I wasn't prepared

            for your reaction, Quinn, and

            I panicked. The only way I

            knew how to change your energy

            was to make you believe I was

            lying to you. So that's what I

            did.

                       

                        QUINN:

            You're a total fruit cake.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Don't hate me for telling you

            the truth now.

                       

                        QUINN:

            I'll be back tomorrow morning

            at ten. I want you out of

            here. I want you out of my

            life.

 

(He turns to leave.)

                       

                        DEADRA:

            How did it go? "If our lips

            should never meet again..." I

            bet it was a beautiful sonnet.

 

(Quinn doesn't respond. BLACKOUT.)

 

17/ THE BEDROOM. FIVE WEEKS LATER.

 

(AT RISE: Quinn is on the phone.)

                       

                        QUINN:

            Annie, listen to me. I'll say

            it again as clearly as I can.

            I don't give a shit. She's not

            a part of my life any more. I

            don't want to know what you're

            telling me. Do I make myself

            clear?....Is this like before,

            you're just saying what she

            wants me to believe?... Okay,

            then, what's the name of her

            doctor?....Do you have his

            phone number?....

 

(He writes down a telephone number.)

                       

                        QUINN:

            I don't know what I'm going to

            do. I'll think about it.

 

(He hangs up. He stares at the phone. He

picks up the phone number he wrote down and

stares at it. He starts dialing. BLACKOUT.)

 

18/ HOSPITAL ROOM. THREE DAYS LATER.

 

(AT RISE: Deadra is in bed, napping. Quinn

sits in a chair nearby. Deadra stirs.)

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Was I sleeping long?

                       

                        QUINN:

            Half an hour.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            And you stayed. You're sweet.

                       

                        QUINN:

            I'm here for the duration,

            Deadra. We'll take it one

            moment at a time. I brought

            goodies.

 

(He'll get up and go to his backpack on the

floor. He'll take out a small bottle of

vodka, a can of mix, and a glass. He'll mix

Deadra a drink.)

                       

                        DEADRA:

            You spoil me.

                       

                        QUINN:

            That's the idea. I probably

            shouldn't be doing this, but I

            figure a couple more won't

            phase your liver one way or

            the other. One Vodka Collins

            coming up.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            What if the nurse comes in?

                       

                        QUINN:

            What's she going to do? Kill

            you?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I love you.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Here we go.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Aren't you joining me?

                       

                        QUINN:

            I think I quit.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Good for you.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Let me rephrase that. I hope I

            quit.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I hope so, too. Cheers.

 

(She drinks.)

                       

                        QUINN:

            Okay?

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Perfect.

                       

                        QUINN:

            We aim to please.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Quinn, you're incredible.

                       

                        QUINN:

            I have my moments.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I like to imagine what you'll

            be like as an old man. Very

            distinguished looking, I bet.

                       

                        QUINN:

            I imagine things, too. What it

            would've been like to meet you

            five, ten years ago.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            You wouldn't've liked me then.

            I was a mess. More than now,

            as hard as that is to

            believe.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Being a mess is part of your

            charm.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Messes aren't pretty, Quinn.

                       

                        QUINN:

            In your case, messy is sexy.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Only you would think that.

                       

                        QUINN:

            You look beautiful.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I'm so tired.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Go back to sleep if you want.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Will you hold my hand?

                       

                        QUINN:

            With pleasure.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Can I save the rest of this

            for later?

                       

                        QUINN:

            Of course.

 

(Deadra gives him the glass, which he puts

beside the bed. He takes her hand.)

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Quinn, I want you to do

            something for me.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Name it.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I want to be cremated. I want

            you to take my ashes on that

            ferry and put me in the Sound.

            Don't let Megan do anything

            else. It's really important to

            me. Will you do that?

                       

                        QUINN:

            Promise.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            Whenever you take the ferry,

            you can say hello.

                       

                        QUINN:

            I'll be taking it often.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I'm glad....I'm so tired.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Take a nap. I'll be right

            here.

                       

                        DEADRA:

            I love you, Quinn.

                       

                        QUINN:

            I love you, Deadra.

 

(She closes her eyes. Quinn holds her hand.

BLACKOUT.)

 

19/ FERRY BOAT DECK. A WEEK LATER.

 

(AT RISE: Quinn has just finished dumping

Deadra's ashes into the Sound. Her twin

sister, MEGAN, looks on.)

                       

                        MEGAN:

            May I have the box?

 

(Quinn gives the box that held the ashes to

Megan.)

                       

                        MEGAN:

            Are you okay?

                       

                        QUINN:

            Not really.

                       

                        MEGAN:

            I don't know how I feel. She

            brought so much destruction to

            herself.

                       

                        QUINN:

            She did the best she could

            under the circumstances. She

            was a remarkable woman.

                       

                        MEGAN:

            Had you been together long?

                       

                        QUINN:

            No.

                       

                        MEGAN:

            When you told me where she

            wanted her ashes spread, I was

            surprised. I didn't realize

            Seattle was so special to

            her.

                       

                        QUINN:

            We had an unforgettable time

            here. We took this very

            ferry.

                       

                        MEGAN:

            I see.

                       

                        QUINN:

            I wrote her a poem about it, a

            sonnet. "The skyline hangs

            above the bay, a mist of

            mystery as in a dream..."

                       

                        MEGAN:

            The skyline is beautiful,

            isn't it?

                       

                        QUINN:

            The weather was different.

            There was a layer of fog on

            the ground, making the skyline

            look like it was hanging above

            the water.

 

(A pause.)

                       

                        MEGAN:

            It's so senseless. Everything

            that happened to her, she

            brought on herself.

                       

                        QUINN:

            I don't think that's true.

                       

                        MEGAN:

            She started abusing her body

            in junior high and never

            stopped.

                       

                        QUINN:

            What are you getting at?

                       

                        MEGAN:

            She was an alcoholic, and she

            died an alcoholic's death.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Deadra had a lot of pain to

            cover up.

                       

                        MEGAN:

            She gave me that same crap for

            years. It was one of her many

            excuses to drink.

                       

                        QUINN:

            You never caught your husband

            in bed with another woman.

                       

                        MEGAN:

            She told you that happened to

            her?

                       

                        QUINN:

            I'm sure she never confided in

            you. She told me you two

            weren't close.

                       

                        MEGAN:

            She brought on the destruction

            of her marriage just like she

            brought on everything else.

                       

                        QUINN:

            I don't believe you.

                       

                        MEGAN:

            Her husband and I were very

            close. As a matter of fact,

            for a while I was a little

            jealous that she'd met him

            first. He told me everything.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Like what?

                       

                        MEGAN:

            How he caught her in bed with

            one of his students.

                       

                        QUINN:

            Bullshit.

                       

                        MEGAN:

            He'd gone out of town to a

            conference to deliver a paper.

            He was scheduled to be gone

            for their anniversary, but was

            able to move himself up on the

            program so he could come home

            and surprise her. He walked

            into the house with champagne

            and flowers and found her with

            one of his students, both half-

            naked and passed out on the

            sofa. That was the beginning

            of the end.

                       

                        QUINN:

            She told me it was the other

            way around.

                       

                        MEGAN:

            Deadra lived in her own little

            fantasy world. She'd say

            whatever it took to feed it

            and keep it alive. I'm sorry

            to be the one to tell you.

                       

                        QUINN:

            No, you're not. You're

            enjoying this.

                       

                        MEGAN:

            She was a drunk. Alcohol

            doesn't encourage clear

            perception, Quinn. That's all

            I'm trying to point out here.

                       

                        QUINN:

            I'll tell you how clear

            Deadra's perception was. She

            let homeless people stay in

            her apartment. She couldn't

            stand the thought of them

            living under bridges,

            especially in bad weather,

            especially when she learned a

            homeless woman was pregnant.

            So she opened her door for

            them, no questions asked, and

            gave them a dry, warm place to

            stay. If it takes a drunk to

            do that, then we need more

            goddamn drunks in the world.

            Who the hell are you to

            criticize her?

 

(No reply.)

                       

                        MEGAN:

            This isn't easy for either of

            us.

 

(No reply.)

                       

                        MEGAN:

            Will you be going right back

            to Portland?

                       

                        QUINN:

            I have to be at work

            tomorrow.

                       

                        MEGAN:

            What do you do?

                       

                        QUINN:

            Does it matter?

                       

                        MEGAN:

            I'm just curious.

                       

                        QUINN:

            I teach.

                       

                        MEGAN:

            Really?

 

(A pause.)

                       

                        MEGAN:

            High school?

                       

                        QUINN:

            No, I teach in a goddamn

            university, just like you do.

            I have a Ph.D., just like you

            do, and I teach American

            literature. I'm also writing a

            book on the history of the

            sonnet. Anything else you want

            to know?

                       

                        MEGAN:

            I didn't mean to make you

            angry.

 

(A pause.)

                       

                        MEGAN:

            Very well then. Have a safe

            trip home.

 

(She starts away.)

                       

                        QUINN:

            Megan?

                       

                        MEGAN:

            Yes?

                       

                        QUINN:

            Give her some slack. She did

            the best she could.

                       

                        MEGAN:

            Deadra never did the best she

            could.

                       

                        QUINN:

            She wanted the world to be a

            much better place than it is.

            She suffered that it wasn't.

                       

                        MEGAN:

            You're a hopeless romantic if

            you believe that.

                       

                        QUINN:

            What's wrong with being a

            romantic?

                       

                        MEGAN:

            Goodbye, Quinn.

 

(She starts away again. Quinn calls after

her.)

                       

                        QUINN:

            Wait a minute.

 

(Megan ignores him.)

                       

                        QUINN:

            I said, what the hell's wrong

            with being a romantic?

 

(Megan is gone. Quinn turns and stares out

at the audience. BLACKOUT. The play is

over.)