ACT II
Scene 6
SETTING: The school gym has now been decorated for a dance. There are serving tables, groups of chairs, a microphone, and an area for dancing.
AT RISE:
Young couples are dancing while chaperones chat and serve refreshments. FATHER
GRUNDY pushes a fat balloon in between dancers to make sure the couples are keeping a proper distance.
33 “DANCE ALA
SWING”
(MUSIC ends)
MRS. KAHLBACH
Gladys, I saw
a “For Sale” sign in front of your house. You’re not leaving
the parish are you?
MRS. KRAMER
No, we’ve
made an offer on the old Henderson place overlooking the river.
MRS. KAHLBACH
That’s
wonderful.
MRS. KRAMER
But we have a
house to sell first.
MRS. KAHLBACH
Have you buried
St. Joseph in your yard?
MRS. KRAMER
What? Mabel, what are you talking about?
MRS. KAHLBACH
You don’t
know about this? To sell your house quicker, get a statue of St. Joseph and bury it upside down in your yard.
MRS. KRAMER
(Incredulous)
Bury St. Joseph upside down…
MRS. KAHLBACH
In your yard. It really works.
MRS. KRAMER
That sounds almost
sacrilegious. Here’s Father Grundy.
Let’s change the subject.
(To FATHER GRUNDY)
Thank you so
much for speaking out for the cause today, Father Grundy.
FATHER GRUNDY
My pleasure. I hear you’re buying the old Henderson
place. Nice view. Have you sold
your other house?
MRS. KRAMER
Not yet, but
we’re praying.
FATHER GRUNDY
You need to get
a statue of St. Joseph…
(As FATHER
GRUNDY pantomimes the upside-down burial, TOMMY and the others arrive from the garage.
Their clothes are messy and they’re acting rather jumpy)
SISTER DON BOSCO
What is the meaning
of this? Look at your clothes. You’re
dirty and late. The dance started an hour ago.
