Written by Joe Janes
11/28/09
314 of 365
Cast:
Floyd, 50s
Annie, 50s
Tammy, 50s
(Lights up on Floyd waiting outside his car. We hear the sounds of a bus stop, let someone off, and pull away. Annie walks up carrying a small, beat up suitcase.)
ANNIE
Floyd?
FLOYD
Annie!
(They hug very quickly and awkwardly. They step apart and look at each other.)
FLOYD (continuing)
Oh. Let me take that.
ANNIE
No. That’s okay.
FLOYD
You look good.
ANNIE
You’re full of shit. You look good, though.
FLOYD
I look fat.
ANNIE
Yeah. That’s what I meant.
FLOYD
Hey, get in. Let’s get you away from this place.
ANNIE
Yeah. Still feels weird to be outside.
(They get in. Floyd behind the driver’s seat.)
FLOYD
Where do you want to go?
ANNIE
I don’t know.
FLOYD
We could just drive around.
ANNIE
Okay. That sounds good.
FLOYD
Twenty years is a long time. Lots of stuff has changed.
ANNIE
Where you living?
FLOYD
I’ve got a room above Merle’s garage. He’s till in business. I clean the place; he lets me stay there. Really just a cot in a storage room.
ANNIE
This your car?
FLOYD
No. Merle loaned it to me for the day. He’s a good guy.
ANNIE
I ain’t got no place to stay.
FLOYD
There’s the Motel 8 near route 2.
ANNIE (looking out window)
Yeah. There’s that. Where is everybody?
FLOYD
Downtown’s dead. A lot of shops have closed. Want to go see the new Super Wal-Mart? The place is huge.
ANNIE
No. That’s okay. The bank’s still here. Guess I didn’t put them out of business.
FLOYD
Yeah. That and The Tin Lizzie Bar and Grill are the only things still thriving.
ANNIE
Pull over.
FLOYD
You want to get a beer?
ANNIE
I need to make a withdrawal.
FLOYD
Annie. That’s what got you sent away.
ANNIE
I won’t shoot anybody this time. (Floyd sighs and pulls the car over.) Couldn’t if I wanted to. I don’t have a gun. (Floyd stops the car and rolls down the window.) What’s this?
FLOYD
It’s Saturday. The only thing open is the drive-through.
(Tammy appears far stage left. She is in the drive-thru window. She speaks into a microphone.)
TAMMY
Welcome to Capital Savings and Loan, how may I help you?
FLOYD
Hi, Tammy.
TAMMY
Oh, hi, Floyd. That a new car?
FLOYD
New to me. (Tammy and Floyd laugh.) Merle loaned it to me. I picked up my sister Annie from the bus station.
TAMMY
Annie? Annie’s in there? Annie lean in so I can get a look at you. (Annie does. She waves.) Well, don’t you look good.
ANNIE
Thanks, Tammy. Sorry I shot your husband.
TAMMY
Oh, no need to apologize. You know, it’s been so long, I forgot. You know, Annie, just between you, me and Floyd’s borrowed wheels, that was the best thing anyone has ever done for me. Nathan wasn’t exactly a peach. I should be thanking you. I still haven’t spent all the life insurance money.
ANNIE
That’s really great to hear, Tammy.
TAMMY
Well, what can I do for you two, today? Did you want to rob us, again? (They all laugh.)
ANNIE
Stick ‘em up! (They all laugh.) Seriously, Tammy, can you put all the money you have and put it in that air tube thingy?
TAMMY
Annie, I can’t do that. I’m behind bulletproof glass. There are security cameras on me and on you. No one will believe it’s a robbery. You’ll have to come back during our regular hours do it the old-fashioned way.
ANNIE
So, you’re not going to let me rob you?
TAMMY
I’d lose my job and we’d all probably go to jail, even Floyd.
ANNIE
Okay. Okay. I just don’t know what to do with myself. I don’t have any money and I need a place to stay. Came home because Floyd is the only family I got.
TAMMY
Annie, you can stay with me.
ANNIE
You mean that?
TAMMY
Sure. Beau’s off at college. I got this big old house to myself. I insist.
ANNIE
If you don’t mind-
TAMMY
I don’t mind at all. I always felt you were a good person who just made a bad mistake.
ANNIE
Well, okay then.
FLOYD
Hey, Tammy, what time do you get off?
TAMMY
About half an hour.
FLOYD
Meet us over at the Tin Lizzie. We’ll all have a beer and get caught up.
TAMMY
Sounds good. I’ll see you over there.
ANNIE
Thanks, Tammy.
TAMMY
Thank you for coming to Capital Savings and Loan.
(Floyd and Annie pull away. Lights go down on Tammy.)
ANNIE
She’s nice. Ever try to date her?
FLOYD
Tammy? She’s out of my league.
ANNIE
Maybe I’ll give it a try.
(They laugh. Lights fade.)
