Copyright (c) 1982 Donald C. Yost
Based on interviews by Kathy Royer and Howard Zehr of 32 women whose partners served time in prison. For the contexts of the creation, performance and effects of this drama, see the author’s essay following the script.
Characters
Sophie Williams....................... late 20s
Richard Williams .................... Sophie’s husband, early 30s
Liz Butler.............................. Sophie's friend, real estate agent, early 30s
Time -- 1980
Place -- a suburban house near Indianapolis, Indiana
Synopsis
Scene 1.............................. a summer Saturday
Scene 2.............................. a late October evening and various moments in the weeks that follow
Scene 3...............................late at night in early November
Scene 4........................................................................ one year later
Scene 5........................................................................ two years later
Scene 6........................................................................ six years after the opening scene
SCENE ONE
(Lights up on Sophie in the kitchen. She yells through an open window.)
SOPHIE
Richard!
RICHARD
(From off.)
Yeah.
SOPHIE
Lunch is ready.
(Richard enters.)
SOPHIE
Wait. I've got the bathroom cleaned. Wash here. There's soap under the counter. Is it fixed?
RICHARD
Not yet. I changed the points and the plugs, but it doesn't seem to make a difference. Did it stall whenever you stopped?
SOPHIE
No. I told you. It was okay for the first mile or two. Will you be able to take me to work Monday?
RICHARD
Yeah, I guess. It still runs. I'll just have to keep the motor revved up when we get to a stoplight. Aren't the kids eating?
SOPHIE
They're still running through the sprinkler.
RICHARD
It's a lot cooler in here.
SOPHIE
Why don't you put the car in the garage? No wonder you're hot.
RICHARD
You should be out there with me.
SOPHIE
And do laundry at the same time?
RICHARD
The only way to learn mechanics is to do it. Get out there and get greasy.
SOPHIE
I wish you'd take it to a repair shop.
RICHARD
Next month will be better. I may be getting some overtime.
SOPHIE
In the meantime, neither of us will be able to get to work.
RICHARD
I'll fix it.
(Sophie goes to the window.)
SOPHIE
Josh, don't. Joshua! Stop pushing her. She doesn't have to get wet if she doesn't want to.
(To Richard.)
That kid.
RICHARD
I'll take my lunch out on the porch.
SOPHIE
(Out the window.)
That's better. Now it's your turn Annie. Run through like Josh.
(To Richard.)
Little tease. She loves to torment him. How did all of you get along last night?
RICHARD
Okay. After supper Annie went upstairs to play with the kittens and Josh did the dishes.
SOPHIE
Josh said they didn't get dessert.
RICHARD
I told them, "No green beans, no dessert." Did Liz like the movie?
SOPHIE
Not much. She said it had nothing to do with the real world.
RICHARD
Figures. Liz can't stand a good time.
SOPHIE
I thought you'd be asleep when I got home.
RICHARD
I can't sleep without you. Ten years of rolling to the middle. I can't sleep on the level anymore.
SOPHIE
You can't sleep no matter what. What's wrong with you?
RICHARD
Too many things on my mind.
SOPHIE
Like what?
RICHARD
Business.
SOPHIE
What kind of business? Are you in trouble, Richard?
RICHARD
Me, in trouble?
SOPHIE
Is it Frank Stafford again?
RICHARD
No talk about business on Saturday, right?
SOPHIE
Tonight is Saturday night. Are you going to be able to sleep tonight? No business on Saturday night?
RICHARD
I promise. Well, except for maybe one kind of business.
SOPHIE
Quit it, Richard.
(Sophie swats him with her towel. He grabs her anyway. They kiss.)
SOPHIE
Are you done -- with lunch?
(Richard finishes his lunch. Sophie picks up dishes and glances out of the window.)
SOPHIE
Annie!
(To Richard.)
She's got her tricycle out in the street.
RICHARD
I'll get her.
(Richard exits running. Lights snap to black.)
SCENE TWO
(Bedroom. Spotlight up on Sophie, still dressed, lying on the bed. The phone rings. She answers it.)
SOPHIE
Richard?
(Spotlight up on LIZ.)
LIZ
It's me, Liz. I just got home. How did it go? How long till he's out, Sophie?
SOPHIE
Ten years. He got ten years.
LIZ
Good God. I thought the lawyer said six months if he bargained. What are you going to do?
SOPHIE
Wait.
LIZ
Isn't there something you can do? Appeal or parole or something?
SOPHIE
He can't appeal it, Liz. He pleaded guilty.
LIZ
Where is he now?
SOPHIE
I don't know. I haven't heard.
LIZ
When was the hearing?
SOPHIE
What day is this?
LIZ
Thursday.
SOPHIE
No, I mean what's the date?
LIZ
The twelfth.
SOPHIE
Three days ago. October fifth.
LIZ
Three days? You haven't heard? Is he in prison or what?
SOPHIE
The last I saw him was in court. They took him away. The judge said ten years and they put the handcuffs on him and took him out the side door. That's the last I saw him. That's all I know.
LIZ
So -- how are you, Soph?
SOPHIE
Tired, I guess.
LIZ
I'm sorry. I shouldn't have called so late.
SOPHIE
Did you have a good vacation?
LIZ
You get to bed. I'll stop by tomorrow. No. Tomorrow I can't. Saturday. I'll leave the kids with Dave.
SOPHIE
I don't think so. If it gets any better, I'll call.
LIZ
Sophie, are you okay?
SOPHIE
No, Liz. I'm definitely not. Please, just -- hang up, okay?
LIZ
Sure, Sophie. Good night.
(Spotlight on Liz fades to black. Spot on Sophie dims. Sophie is still sitting up when the alarm goes off. Lights come up. Sophie gets up and sets a breakfast table.)
SOPHIE
Annie, you haven't washed your face. There's still sleep in your eyes. Yes, you have to. Go. Now. Josh, don't open a new box. Use up the old cereal first. It will get stale. Are you ready? Did Betty say she'd take you swimming? No, you can't. I have to get to work. There's no time to call. If I'm late, they might fire me. You know that. I've explained it to you. How will we eat or keep this house warm if I get fired? Get ready, hurry. Don't yell at me, Joshua Williams. Why do you do this? You know if your dad was here, he'd -- I put him in prison? Who told you that? Get out of here! Get your dirty mouth out of here!
(Lights dim. Lights up on Sophie at the table.)
SOPHIE
These are bills. Bills are things we have to pay. I'm not crying, Annie. I'm paying bills. Finish your juice before you sit here. I don't want apple juice all over these papers. Your teacher says you're not trying very hard in school. I thought you liked school. Mrs. Weybright isn't mean. Annie, that's not true. Mrs. Weybright doesn't even know Daddy is in prison. Did you tell her? No, of course I didn't. I said he's away. That's all. Away.
(Lights dim. Lights up.)
SOPHIE
What's the matter, Josh? I saw you when you came in the door from school. You'd been crying. What did he say? Well, you know that's not true. Your father made a mistake. That's why he's in prison. Lots of people make mistakes. Some of them land in prison. Others don't. Yes, what he did was wrong, but Tommy has no right to -- how does he know anyway? Are you sure? I didn't see it in the paper. I don't know, Josh. I don't know why. Did you brush your teeth yet? Get your teeth brushed and you can stay up and read for awhile.
(Sophie forces herself into the bedroom. She sits on the bed and rocks herself. She finally lies down. Lights dim. The alarm rings. Lights up. Sophie does not stir. At last, she wakes.)
SOPHIE
Josh. Annie. Get up. We're late. Hurry.
(Sophie runs to the kitchen.)
SOPHIE
You haven't even taken off your pajamas. What do you mean the water doesn't come on?
(Sophie goes to the sink, tries the faucet. Nothing.)
SOPHIE
Where's the water? What happened to the water? Get in the car. Both of you. Now. I don't care. You get in the car; I'll get your clothes.
(Sophie tries the sink again. Kicks it, shakes it, and then beats it with her fist.)
SOPHIE
Damn you, Richard. God damn you.
(Lights snap to black.)
SCENE THREE
(Spotlight up on Sophie on her bed. The phone rings. Five, six times. It stops. It begins to ring again. She picks it up.)
SOPHIE
Hello?
(Brightens.)
Yes, I'll accept the charges. Richard?
(Spotlight up on Richard.)
RICHARD
Hi.
SOPHIE
Where are you? Why didn't you call? Why didn't they say anything? It’s been two months.
RICHARD
I couldn't call, sweetheart. I'm in prison. I tried to write, but they kept moving me. Every place they took me I thought, as soon as I know I'm going to be here, I'll write Sophie.
SOPHIE
I didn't get anything. Where are you?
RICHARD
They didn't tell you?
SOPHIE
Nothing. I called the court. I called the lawyer.
RICHARD
I'm in Seagoville, Texas. It's a federal penitentiary. I thought they notified you.
SOPHIE
Are you okay?
RICHARD
Yeah. Yes, I'm okay. I mean, I miss you. Are you mad at me?
SOPHIE
No.
RICHARD
I tried to call, honest. I couldn't help it.
SOPHIE
It's okay. I know you tried. I can hardly believe it's really you. When can you come home?
RICHARD
I haven't heard officially. Most of the guys I talked to said I should be up for parole in five, maybe six years.
SOPHIE
I thought --
RICHARD
I'm sorry.
SOPHIE
The lawyer said six months.
RICHARD
He was wrong.
SOPHIE
I miss you, Richard. I want you home.
RICHARD
I want to be home. How are Josh and Annie?
SOPHIE
They're okay. Josh misses you. They both miss you.
RICHARD
Are they there?
SOPHIE
They’re asleep. It's ten fifteen. I'd get them up, but they'll be so sleepy for school.
RICHARD
No. It's okay.
SOPHIE
You can call again, can't you? What's your number?
RICHARD
It's hard for you to call. I can give you a number once I get settled.
SOPHIE
Why do they move you around?
RICHARD
I don't know. I don't think they tell me much more than they tell you. How are you doing? Can you make it?
SOPHIE
I guess. The generator on the car went out and then the water. I guess I stuck the check to the phone company in the envelope to the water company and before I could get it straightened out, they shut it off.
RICHARD
The phone?
SOPHIE
No, the water. I was so mad. Geeees, I was mad.
RICHARD
You don't sound too good.
SOPHIE
Well thanks. Thanks a lot. Are you okay?
RICHARD
Yeah, sure.
SOPHIE
You didn't get beat up?
RICHARD
I'm fine. I'm okay. So, did you get the car fixed?
SOPHIE
Yeah, but I probably got soaked for it. I took it to the place you said to, but the regular guy wasn't there. This young kid was the only one there. I had to have it. Two days before that Annie had a temperature in school and there was no way I could go to pick her up. I was riding with Wilma and Josh and I got it jumped from Wilma's car, but he told me I need a new one.
RICHARD
Can you keep up with the bills?
SOPHIE
You sound like my mother.
RICHARD
I just want to know if you're okay.
SOPHIE
You should see Annie. She acts like she's been going to school for ten years. Remember how Josh could hardly sleep the night before school started, the first day of school? Annie could care less. She lost her third tooth. She can't eat except around the corner of her mouth.
(A long silence.)
RICHARD
This call's expensive. We can write. I'll give you an address.
SOPHIE
Don't hang up. It's worth it.
RICHARD
Write me a letter, okay?
SOPHIE
Wait.
RICHARD
My address is Seagoville Federal Penitentiary, Highway 175.
SOPHIE
I don't have a pencil.
RICHARD
Ready?
SOPHIE
Seagoville…
RICHARD
Highway 175, Seagoville, Texas, 75201. Did you get that?
SOPHIE
Seven, five -- what?
RICHARD
Seven five two zero one.
SOPHIE
I hate letters.
RICHARD
I'll call again. As soon as they let me. I love you, Sophie.
SOPHIE
Don't hang up yet.
RICHARD
I'll call again soon. I promise. I'll call when the kids are up.
SOPHIE
Tomorrow?
RICHARD
I don't know. Probably Wednesday. But don't count on it. I can't say for sure.
SOPHIE
I love you. I really miss you.
RICHARD
Hang up, okay?
SOPHIE
I love you. I love you. I love you.
(Richard finally hangs up. Spotlights fade to off.)
SCENE FOUR
(Lights up on Sophie in the bedroom. The doorbell rings. Sophie answers it. Liz enters.)
SOPHIE
Liz.
LIZ
Anybody home?
SOPHIE
The kids are with Richard's sister.
LIZ
So you're on vacation.
SOPHIE
I have some lemonade or I can make coffee.
LIZ
Why aren't you out shopping or at the hair dresser? It's David's night at home. I don't have to show houses. You want to sneak out for a drink or hey, how about Baskin Robbins?
SOPHIE
Josh and Annie get home at six.
LIZ
I'll pay for a sitter. What were you doing?
SOPHIE
I have to catch up, Liz. I work thirty-five hours a week. I have clothes to do and cleaning.
LIZ
Just now, I mean. When I rang the doorbell. You're not washing clothes. You were in your room again. What do you do in there? Is it okay if I ask you? What do you do all that time in your room?
SOPHIE
I pray.
LIZ
What?
SOPHIE
If I didn't, I'd go nuts.
LIZ
Does it help?
(Sophie nods yes.)
LIZ
You need to get out of here, kid. It's been a year since Richard left and all you've done is work. Work and take care of your kids. You have to live, Sophie. You can't stop living for five or ten years till Richard gets out. What about bowling?
SOPHIE
I don't like bowling. You don't like bowling.
LIZ
How's work?
SOPHIE
It doesn't pay enough. After I pay day care, there isn't much left.
LIZ
Are you still trying to get your old job back?
(Liz takes out a cigarette.)
SOPHIE
It's in arbitration.
LIZ
(About the cigarette.)
I'm not going to light it. I feel better if I have something to hold. Still in arbitration? Why don't you take the back pay they've offered you and move on? You'll never get that job back. They'll drag it out for a couple of years.
SOPHIE
I didn't do anything wrong. They know that. Why else would they offer me full back pay if I resign?
LIZ
When will you know?
SOPHIE
I got the deposition papers a week ago. The union thinks there should be a hearing within a month; maybe two.
LIZ
You think it was because of Richard?
SOPHIE
When the money in the department came up missing, they knew about Richard, that he's prison. They couldn't figure out how I could afford the house. They didn't know we have it paid for. They jumped to conclusions. If I don't fight it, I'll never get a chance at a good job again.
LIZ
Fight it then. You're right. Fight it. I can't believe this. If you were a man, they never would have dared. Did the budget help?
SOPHIE
We forgot to figure anything in for health insurance. The budget helps, but there still isn't enough money. Richard thinks I should let them repossess the furniture.
LIZ
A lot he knows. Nobody is going to throw him out in the street if he doesn't pay bills.
SOPHIE
Liz.
LIZ
Richard doesn't know anything about what's going on around here.
SOPHIE
I tell him.
LIZ
He's locked up in a prison a thousand miles from here. You have to make your own decisions.
SOPHIE
He's still a part of the family.
LIZ
Sure he is. And when he gets back he can help you pay the bills. He should feel lucky you find money to pay for phone calls. How much were they last month?
SOPHIE
A hundred and eighty-seven.
LIZ
All to Richard?
SOPHIE
One to my mom in Chicago.
LIZ
His calls are fine, but you're supposed to do without furniture? Tell him whatever he wants to hear, Soph. Tell him they took the couch back. He'll never know and when he does, it won't matter.
SOPHIE
We've always done it together. He took care of the bills and the taxes, but when we bought the stuff, we made the decision together.
LIZ
Do it your way, then.
SOPHIE
I appreciate your help, Liz. Helping me with the budget, the tax forms; when you come to visit. I'm sorry I can't be more of a friend. There's the job and the kids.
LIZ
And Richard. You spend half of your time taking care of Richard. There's yourself, too, Soph. You can't exist only giving. You have to do some things for yourself.
SOPHIE
I do.
LIZ
The reason you're no good as a friend is because there is no you. You've killed yourself. You've shut yourself away. Richard is the one in prison, not you. He's the one that screwed up, not you.
SOPHIE
I know that.
LIZ
You can't tell me you have things that absolutely must be done twenty-four hours of every day in the week, every week in the year.
SOPHIE
I went to Joshua's open house. I was late. I walked in the room. Anita and Bill and Bill's partner -- what's his name?
LIZ
Smitty?
SOPHIE
They were standing around the punch with Josh's teacher. They tried to cover it up, but I could tell. I could tell what the topic of conversation had been the minute before I walked in the room.
LIZ
Maybe.
SOPHIE
Not maybe.
LIZ
So what. People enjoy mucking around in other people's misfortunes. That's their problem.
SOPHIE
It's easy to for you to say.
LIZ
Who will you be when Richard gets back? You want to stick it out and be the martyr. You want to wait for him. What will he have to come home to? A wreck. A nothing. You can't stand still for ten years and take up where you left off. It's grow or die, kid, and you are not growing.
SOPHIE
Surviving -- maybe.
LIZ
Whoopee. “Surviving, maybe.”
(About the cigarette.)
I'm sorry, Soph. I'm going to have to go out and smoke this thing or I'll end up eating it. Back in a minute.
(Liz exits. Sophie waits. Liz enters.)
LIZ
A vile and dirty habit. I’m sorry, I didn't mean to sound angry.
SOPHIE
Yes, you did.
LIZ
You’re right. You do have a lot to do. Maybe in a couple of months. Geees. I sound like you're a widow waiting for the appropriate mourning period.
SOPHIE
What do you want to do?
(Liz is puzzled.)
SOPHIE
You want to go out. You want to get me out of the house. What do you want to do?
LIZ
We could see a movie.
SOPHIE
You don't like movies.
LIZ
For you, I'll see a movie. No comedies, though.
SOPHIE
I'm supposed to get out of the house and forget my troubles and you won't see a comedy?
LIZ
Okay, a comedy. They don't even make decent comedies anymore.
SOPHIE
(Use the name of a recent comedy.)
LIZ
Then it’s a deal. Friday night. I'll pick you up.
SOPHIE
If I can find a sitter.
LIZ
Sitter or not. We'll take them over for Dave to watch. It's a deal?
SOPHIE
But…
LIZ
No “buts.” Do or die.
SOPHIE
Do or die.
(Lights snap to black.)
SCENE FIVE
(Lights up. Sophie enters. The phone rings. Sophie answers it.)
SOPHIE
Hello.
(Spotlight up on Richard.)
RICHARD
Where were you?
SOPHIE
Hi, Sweetheart.
RICHARD
I called last night. Where were you?
SOPHIE
Liz and David took the kids. I went to a meeting at church. How are you?
RICHARD
A meeting at church lasted till twelve-thirty?
SOPHIE
The kids were asleep when I got to Liz's, so I stayed and talked.
RICHARD
And if I hang up and call Liz, she'll confirm your story?
SOPHIE
It isn't a story, Richard. Yes, she will confirm it and if you don't grow up in the next fifteen seconds, I'll be the one hanging up.
RICHARD
Of course Liz will back up your story. You could be gone for three months to God knows where and Liz would cover for you.
SOPHIE
Why is this? Every time you call and I'm not home, you do this thing. I'm not cheating on you, Richard. I'm waiting. Waiting for you to get home.
RICHARD
You're always bitching about money. All I hear from you is that there's no money and then you blow it on a night out.
SOPHIE
I drove maybe ten or eleven miles. Liz took care of the kids for free. The whole evening cost maybe a dollar.
RICHARD
You could have told me before you went.
SOPHIE
It was spur-of-the-moment. I didn't know two weeks in advance. I read about the dinner in the bulletin. I didn't think I was going till Liz called.
RICHARD
Dinner?
SOPHIE
The class had a potluck.
RICHARD
Who went? Bill, I suppose. He doesn't go to church, but he makes it to the class parties
SOPHIE
Bill was not there.
RICHARD
Right.
SOPHIE
Get off it, Richard. I have to get out of this house every once in awhile. I didn't go to Las Vegas. I didn't go to an orgy. I didn't go to bed with anyone. I went to a Sunday school class potluck and then to Liz's. I get so tired of you -- your petty, jealous tantrums. I work all day and take care of the kids all night. I need to get out and --
RICHARD
Have a good time.
SOPHIE
And relax once in awhile. Can't you understand that?
RICHARD
The least you could do for me is to --
SOPHIE
That's all you can think about, isn't it? What I do for you. You're cooped up and miserable, so I should be cooped up and miserable. Well I am miserable. I hate it. I am sick of being lonely and scared.
RICHARD
So you make me feel guilty. When everything else fails, just twist the blade a little further. Let me tell you what it's like here. Let me tell you what it's like on the inside.
SOPHIE
Shut up, Richard. I've heard it. I've spent God knows how many hundreds of dollars listening to you whine about the food, the work, the guards --
(Richard hangs up. Sophie starts her daily exercise routine. Richard cools off, picks up the phone and dials. The phone rings a number of times until Sophie answers it.)
SOPHIE
Yeah.
RICHARD
I'm sorry.
SOPHIE
You've said that before, Richard. Don't be sorry. Change. I can't be here every second of the day or night.
RICHARD
I know. Look, I'm sorry. The guys here talk about it all the time.
SOPHIE
Don't listen to them.
RICHARD
Every day somebody gets a letter. “Dear Ted, I can't take it anymore. I know I said I would wait, but there's this really nice guy. I didn't mean for it to turn out like this. We were just friends at first.”
SOPHIE
We're different.
RICHARD
I hope so. God, I hope so. I couldn't stand it if I thought I would lose you, Sophie.
SOPHIE
You're not going to lose me. I love you. I love you. The only way you'll lose me, is if I crack up. I have to get out, Richard. I go crazy in this house day after day.
RICHARD
Right. I know that. Just -- be careful.
SOPHIE
Careful?
RICHARD
Don't...
SOPHIE
Okay, I'll be careful.
RICHARD
Sophie, we've got to be kind to each other. We can't blame this on anybody or anything. We have to stick together; be on the same side.
SOPHIE
I am on your side.
RICHARD
You don't sound like it.
SOPHIE
I lost my job. I fought to get it back -- alone, while I was waiting for you. Annie got hit by a car. I nursed her through it -- alone, while I was waiting for you. I had gall stone surgery. My sister died --
RICHARD
I know.
SOPHIE
-- while I was waiting for you. I don't know how I can say it any better. I don't know how to communicate to you. I am waiting for you to come home. What more to I have to do or say until you can believe it?
RICHARD
I need to touch you, Sophie. I need to see and touch and smell and taste you. If I could be with you for an hour, I could believe it all again. No problem. It isn't words or what you do. It's touching and holding you.
SOPHIE
I know, but I can't afford it. Even if I stayed home for fifty years and we didn't use the phone for another fifty, there's no way I can make it two thousand eight hundred miles and pay someone and leave the kids.
RICHARD
It isn't sure.
SOPHIE
What?
RICHARD
I swore I wasn't going to mention this. I don't want to get your hopes up.
SOPHIE
You're up for parole?
RICHARD
Not that good. There's been talk that I might be transferred to Missouri. It's still a long ways, but not as far.
SOPHIE
I could drive it in a day. No motel bill. I could come see you. Bring the kids.
RICHARD
We can't count on it, Sophie. It's just a rumor.
SOPHIE
I know, but just think, we could see each other. What kinds of visitation do they have? I've heard of prisons where the women can stay in trailers outside the prison for a couple of days or a week.
RICHARD
I don't know where in Missouri or even if.
SOPHIE
I could pack a lunch. Maybe they'd let us go for a walk. Just think, Richard. A walk. Together.
(Lights fade to off.)
SCENE SIX
(Lights up. Richard is at the kitchen sink mixing orange juice.)
RICHARD
Josh, get your mother up. Liz is going to be here and she won't even be out of bed.
SOPHIE
(To Josh, from off.)
What do you mean get up? It's Saturday. Ahhh, no tickling. Richard! Call this kid off.
RICHARD
Liz will be here in ten minutes. You want me to tell her you're still in bed?
SOPHIE
(To Josh, from off.)
All right. I'm up. See. Now get out of here so I can get a robe on.
RICHARD
(To Josh.)
Sit down and eat. Where's Annie? Outside?
(Out the window.)
Annie. Get in here and eat.
SOPHIE
Smells good.
(Richard exits. Enters as if pushing Annie in front of him.)
RICHARD
I don't care. You sit down and eat a decent breakfast or you're staying home. Annie! I said sit down.
(Sophie enters.)
SOPHIE
It's no use. She's just never hungry in the morning.
RICHARD
Yeah, well, this morning is going to be different. Sit down and eat, Annie Marie, or I mean it, you'll stay home from the Dunes.
SOPHIE
Richard.
(To Annie.)
Do as your father says Annie. Well, at least drink your juice.
RICHARD
Not just the juice. Bacon, scrambled eggs and toast.
SOPHIE
She'll never eat all that. You can make here sit here from now till doomsday.
RICHARD
If that's what it takes.
SOPHIE
She's healthy. She didn't miss one day of school last year. She just doesn't eat much, that's all.
RICHARD
All right. Okay. Fine. Here. I'll give it to the dog. Damn. What the hell good is it if I --
SOPHIE
Cool it. Three more minutes and you can yell and swear all you want.
(To Josh.)
Get your trunks and tennis shoes. You'll need suntan oil for Annie. See that she puts it on every time after she's been in the water. Oh, and you'll need a lunch.
RICHARD
It's in the fridge.
SOPHIE
One for Annie, too?
RICHARD
No, just for Josh. Annie doesn't need food, remember?
SOPHIE
(To Josh.)
I don't know. Why do you need a dollar? Well, ask your dad.
RICHARD
Why? It's your money.
(To Josh.)
Check on your mom's dresser.
(The doorbell rings.)
SOPHIE
I'll get it.
(Liz enters.)
LIZ
Annie's in the car. Is Joshua ready?
SOPHIE
Hi, Liz. No. Well, yes, almost. Are you sure you want to tackle this?
LIZ
Five kids in the wilds of Michigan? Why not? Hey, what's for breakfast?
RICHARD
You can have Annie's. She didn't eat hers.
LIZ
Did you cook this?
RICHARD
Look Liz, it's no big deal.
SOPHIE
(About Josh.)
Here he is.
(To Josh.)
You got the suntan oil? Lunches? Okay. All set. Have a good time and behave yourself.
(To Liz.)
Thanks Liz.
LIZ
I'll send you the bill. See you tonight. Bye, handsome. Nice to have you back.
(Liz exits.)
RICHARD
Shit.
SOPHIE
Thanks for breakfast.
RICHARD
I'm a man, not a cabana boy.
SOPHIE
Then act like a man.
RICHARD
No job. No friends. And my own kids have no respect.
SOPHIE
It takes time.
RICHARD
Three months? It's worse now than the day I got home.
SOPHIE
They love you. I know it's hard for you. You can't see how they've changed since you got home. They can be kids again. They're more relaxed, but confused. They're not used to two parents. They aren't used to the way you discipline them.
RICHARD
They aren't used to discipline period.
SOPHIE
They aren't little kids anymore. You can't just pull rank.
RICHARD
I try to talk to Josh.
SOPHIE
You go too far. He needs limits, not a two hour conference.
RICHARD
You enjoy this, don't you? You're getting back at me. “Here, Richard, you put me through hell, now take this, take this! Look, Richard, I can get along fine without you. Oh, if you're good, I'll let you stay in my house. I'll give you some little jobs to do.” I'm sick of it.
SOPHIE
Shut up. If all you can do is whine --
RICHARD
You shut up. Ever since I came home you have gone out of your way to show who wears the pants now.
SOPHIE
Will you listen?
RICHARD
I don't have to take your crap.
SOPHIE
I know it's hard, Richard. I know that on the surface it looks like I don't need you. But I had to. I was forced to pick up and do some of the things you did. The money, the kids. I don't mean to rub it in.
RICHARD
You enjoy it.
SOPHIE
In one way, yes. I've grown. I'm a bigger person than when you left. But it's to your benefit. I'm a better person. You don't have to carry more than your share. In one way, it's been like a vacation ever since you got home. I was so tired of being a mother and a father to those kids.
RICHARD
What am I doing? I don't belong in this house anymore. It's your house, it's your money.
SOPHIE
It's ours. Yours and mine. You want a new car, a TV? Your name is on the account.
RICHARD
That's not what I mean.
SOPHIE
What do you mean? I know I rub you the wrong way. I try not to. I try to be sensitive.
RICHARD
Thanks for the generosity.
SOPHIE
Stop wallowing. You're going to tear our marriage apart if you can't pick up the pieces and go with it. If you can't quit feeling sorry for yourself and get on with it, there's nothing I can do. If I pity you and feel sorry for you, I degrade you. You hate me for that. If I let you alone or treat you like an adult, you think that I'm squeezing you out. This family needs you. I need you. I love you, Richard. I waited for six years because I love you. And I’m still waiting.
RICHARD
I waited too.
SOPHIE
I know you did.
RICHARD
All those years, all I could think about was what we would do when it was over. But now it’s over and I don’t know who I am anymore or where I’m going. I’m lost. There’s no light. I can’t even see the next step.
SOPHIE
It doesn’t matter what the next step is. We could go a dozen directions from here. What matters is that we go together. That’s what I’m waiting for. I’m waiting for you to decide if you’ll take a next step with me, the two of us together. Will you? Will you step with me into the future, whatever it holds?
(Richard hesitates. Sophie waits. Finally, Richard reaches for her. They embrace. Lights slowly fade to off. End of play.)
For permission to produce this play, contact the author: D.Yost(at)Frontier.com
The Contexts of the Drama
In the early 1980s, Howard Zehr, of the MCC U.S. Office of Criminal Justice, wanted to tell the story of the wives of prisoners so that the public would know about this aspect of the prison system. Howard and Kathy Royer interviewed 32 women. Howard also took photographs of the women and created an exhibit of photographs accompanied by quotes from the interviews. Howard and Kathy asked me to write a play based on the interviews.
I read the interviews and also met in person with some of the women. Instead of portraying the story of any one woman, I used the interviews and meetings to create a fictional character and situation that included many details of the lives of various women who were interviewed.
Howard and Kathy used a grant from the Indiana Committee for the Humanities to fund the interviews, photographs and performances of the play and the exhibit of photographs. Bridgework Theater produced and performed the play in Elkhart, Valparaiso and Indianapolis, Indiana; Madison, Wisconsin; and Dayton, Ohio. Bridgework eventually recorded and sold a video version of the play, and Kathy wrote a book that included Howard’s photographs, Waiting on the Outside: When Your Man Is in Prison (Wipf and Stock 1987).
Some people working with inmates saw one of these community performances and wanted men in prison to see what life for their wives was like. Bridgework performed for inmates in prisons, including the Pendleton Correctional Facility in Indiana and the Lebanon Correctional Institution in Ohio.
People responded well to the play. Following performances, Howard and Kathy led audiences in a discussion time. Wives of prisoners often heard about and attended the performances. Following several performances, Howard and Kathy also hosted a panel made up of wives of prisoners. After the performance, these women often clustered near the stage, connecting with each other. In several cities, women formed support groups as a result of this connection.
When we performed the play for men in prison, the play became something very different. The men talked to the characters during the performance, cheering and encouraging Richard. While community audiences sympathized and trusted Sophie, the men in prison doubted her and took Richard’s side against her. While community audience members were ambivalent about the ending because they doubted Richard could change, the prisoners were ambivalent because they doubted that he should change, i.e., give in to Sophie’s demands.