ACT I
Scene 5
SETTING: The kitchen of the Shannon's house at noon. There is a kitchen
table with three chairs and various appliances. The kitchen is plain and functional.
AT RISE: MRS. SHANNON is in the middle of preparing the noon meal.
MRS. SHANNON
“Dear Mom
and Dad and Tommy:
This is the first chance I've had to write in a long time. The action
has been hot and heavy but we have them on the run. I got a little nick in the
arm and I'm in the hospital. But don't worry about it, because it isn't anything. Please send me some more fudge with walnuts in it.
The last batch was hard as rock when it got to me but I soaked it in hot water in my helmet and it helped a lot. I hope Tommy is studying hard in school and not getting into any trouble. Sincerely, Your son, Paul.”
(Rosary
in hand, SHE blots her eyes and says a silent prayer. MR. SHANNON enters, grabs
the newspaper and sits at the table. MRS. SHANNON quickly puts the letter away
and gets food for HIM)
MR. SHANNON
Honey, don't
torture yourself reading that old letter. He's all right. He said so himself didn't he?
MRS. SHANNON
I can't help
it. If he's all right, why doesn't he write and tell us. It's been two weeks now.
MR. SHANNON
He's probably
a little busy.
MRS. SHANNON
I know, I know. When are we going to get rid of this old icebox?
We're probably the last folks in town without a refrigerator.
MR. SHANNON
I don't want
no refrigerator. They make the food taste funny.
Everything gets this "electric" taste.
MRS. SHANNON
How was your
morning? Did you hear if Mrs. Hemmer had that baby yet?
MR. SHANNON
I tell ya, that
Langworthy gutter job's turning out to be a son-of-a-gun. How 'bout some meat
for a hungry man?
MRS. SHANNON
It's Friday,
dear. Fish day.
MR. SHANNON
(Disappointed)
Oh, that's right. Fish shouldn’t even be considered food.
I figure the Twelve Apostles pushed through that “Fish-on-Friday” rule.
Every one of 'em's a fisherman, you know. Couldn’t the good Lord
have picked at least a couple butchers?
MRS. SHANNON
Leonard, you've
got to have a talk with Tommy. He's growing up.
I've seen him staring at girls. And while doing his laundry… I've
noticed… other things, too. You need to have a talk.
MR. SHANNON
(Mumbling)
Yeah, sure. I will.
