Paidsex
Deron Turner

 




"As long as There are boys who don’t appreciate their youth,
and Men who do. There will always be Drama".

-Unknown




 
SETTING

 

Atlanta, Georgia.
Winter, Around 1984
Midtown.



 
SCENES

 

SCENE ONE

"My peace depends on hers".


SCENE TWO

"Shock the ordinary citizen".



SCENE THREE

 
"A stumble is not a fall".



 


THE PLAYERS

 

SAMANTHA: Forties. The Mother.

DALTON: Sixteen. The Son.

PARKER: Thirties. The Friend of the Son.

OFF STAGE MALE VOICE: Ga. Redneck.




 

PAIDSEX
 


SCENE ONE

"My peace depends on hers".


 


The curtain rises. A blackened Stage. The sound now of the front door as it opens and then closes locking.
DALTON Enters the darkened Stage (Kitchen Set). He makes his way inside turning on a light. (A bare bulb which hangs from the ceiling over the Kitchen table). The lighting here emphasizes the gloom. The Set is an extremely cluttered dirty little Kitchen. There is One window over the sink and One Entry way which leads the Actors On and Off the Set. This Entry way, suggests there are of course more rooms to the dump. But we will Focus Only on the Kitchen for this Play. With the exception of Brief Black outs to Change Scenes there are no Intermissions Scheduled. (Suggested).
The Kitchen Appliances are all heavy 1950’s miss-matched rounded, miss-colored Relics. A small table sits front and Center Stage. No pretense what so ever has been made on the decor or the cleanliness. Dirty dishes stacked high, food left out, empty beer bottles and over flowing ashtrays litter the room. The walls and woodwork, once nice, are now a dull and grimy Egg shell coated mess of a color. The lighting is filtered through Rose colored lopsided curtains
leaving the room in a Red Tint that may resemble a well lit Dark room if someone left the door ajar.
 

THE ACTION

 

DALTON opens the refrigerator and a large Rat, or what appears to be a large Rat, Runs out from under it.
DALTON throws a glass at it, it shatters. He mumbles a profanity and continues in the refrigerator for a Beer.
He continues on, Empties his pockets on to the table. About Four Wallets a handful of small bills and about Ten dollars in Silver coins. He opens the beer now, returns to the Refrigerator top and fumbles in a Cassette tape pushing play. The Sound Now: (Music)
He sits down now and begins to gather and count the loot.
Under the Cold light bulb we can see now, DALTON has a Black


eye. He wears Tight Black Levi 501 Jeans and a black Tee shirt, Leather Jacket and Doc Martin boots. His appearance Suggest to us he is either a frightened child or an unstable lunatic. His strong healthy athletic glow seems to give way to youthful good looks and a smooth delicate boyish face.

(Off stage) The Sound Now: A Woman’s Hacking Cough.
DALTON Hurriedly goes through the Wallets now, Stuffing the Cash in his pockets. But he stops suddenly and stares at A Photograph in one of the Wallets. ( It ‘s a Happy Family Photo. Mom, Dad and Kids complete with family dog). He stares at it for a while Until the Sound Now: Of the Coughing Woman as it nears. He takes the Photo out now and Tears it up. And then he removes all the photo’s ripping them to pieces. A Pause and Then:



SAMANTHA

 
Calling from off Stage
 

Dalton ? Dalton ?... Dalton is that you ?

 
A Pause
SAMANTHA Enters the Kitchen (Set) in a torn old Flowered house coat



Thank God, it’s only you. You could have answered me.

 

she looks him over

A Pause



So, who beat you up this time ?... Dalt, I swear. You just won’t learn a lesson will you ?


DALTON

 
Never looking up at her


Funny.. she sounds so worried this time. Why it’s nothing like the last, twenty times.


SAMANTHA

You Know, one of these day’s you’re little smart ass’d mouth ain’t gonna’ be so lucky for you. Not gonna’ be able to flash those Rotten ass’d pearly whites at that table ‘cause your gonna’ be dead. Somebody’s gonna’ shoot ya’ dead, right there in the streets.


DALTON


What ever you say, just don’t ride me tonight Okay, Ma ?!
It’s always the same with you. A broken Fucking Record !


SAMANTHA

Shhhh ! Okay already, and keep it down please.

 

She turns the Music down
 

I have company. Upstairs, in my room. What ?..
He’s nice. He is. A real fine Gentlemen.

 
A Pause


Don’t give me that look, after all of this time.
Two day’s I waited for you.

 
She sits down now


Anyway, I left the soup on the stove for you.
Didn’t expect you though. So, where’ve you been ?

 

She looks down at the Wallets on the table now. Disappointed
 



DALTON

You know where I was, and you know how many. You always do.

 

DALTON gets up and throws the wallets in the trash can
 
I’m gonna’ be in my room for a while, I’ll try not get in your way.

 

He Turns to Exit




SAMANTHA

 

Stopping him with a tone of voice
 

So, you couldn’t call. Two day’s already Dalton... Two day’s. My God, thought you were Dead or in Jail... Hell, Hospital or somethin’.



DALTON

Careful, you’ll wake your John. Oh, I’m sorry... your friend. The one who’s so nice, upstairs in your room.

 
Pause


I don’t wanna’ fight right now. You wash clothes ?


SAMANTHA
 
Almost proudly


James. his name is James Jones Junior.

 


DALTON crosses to the table for his pack of Cigarettes
She stands and attempts to fix his Hair



Well, you could have called. Two day’s. What else was I suppose to do ? I left the soup on the stove for you though.


DALTON
 
Squirming away from her


Yeah well, you left the top off and there’s Roaches in it.
Leave my hair alone, Ma. You’re Fucking it up. I Have to go back out later.

 

He shoos her away from his hair
She shoots him a look



Don’t worry, I shall return forth withe. Or at the latest,
the Fifth Withe.


SAMANTHA


But you just got in.



DALTON

Parker knows this weird guy in town from Germany. Total Freak, Loves the young boys, know what I mean
Anyway, he loves Threesomes. At least that’s what Parker says. The good news is, I don’t even have to roll him when I’m done. Hundred Bucks easy. Straight Kink.



SAMANTHA
 
Annoyed


I don’t want to hear about it Dalton...


DALTON

Why not ? I have to hear about all of the sordid details of your adventures, right down to the last detail. I thought that was what made us a family. Remember the One armed Vet with the Penis Pump.

 
DALTON imitates pumping a tire pump
 

SAMANTHA

I just don’t wanna’ hear it Okay ?

DALTON

Yeah well, maybe you should have thought about that two days ago when you put Seventy five dollars in your arm. Remember that, Ma ?! Rent !

 
A Beat


So, how much did you get from Billy Bob anyway ?

 
DALTON gets another beer. He sits down again


 

SAMANTHA

 
Softly now
 

James. He likes James.

 
Slight Pause
 


Nothing. I’m changing Dalton, I think he might be the one.


DALTON

 
Sardonically
 

Yeah well, Forty six is a little old for changing don’t you think, Ma ? Remember, old dog, new trick... How does that go?


SAMANTHA

 
Taking his hand in hers
Hesitantly
 
He want’s to Marry me Dalton. I think he means it. I know what your thinking now, but I mean it too. I want him.

 
Pause


And I’m gonna’ quit using. Everything. It’s all gonna’ come to a stop. I can do it too. It’s gonna’ be different around here. And I am tellin’ you Dalt... he is so different from all the rest. I swear.

 
Now showing her excitement
 
God, I’m gonna’ be Married !


DALTON
 
Pulling his hand out of her grasp


He want’s to Marry you ?! Boy, If I had a Five spot for every time some fat Fuck told us that one. Half of them
Couldn’t get Laid in a Monkey Whore House with a Bag of Banana’s. So, what’s his malfunction,

Wheelchair, Hundred and One years old, Cancer, what?..

 
He drinks deeply, almost draining the beer bottle in one swallow as he sizes her up
 
SAMANTHA
 
Delicately now


Nothing... It’s true Dalton. I couldn’t believe it either,
I swear, out of the blue.

 
she shows him the Ring on her finger. Proudly.
This Ring is big... too big.
DALTON stands now pacing the floor



DALTON
 
Scoffingly
 
You should take that off before it corrodes your whole arm.
And if TACO BELL comes calling for that, I’m gonna’ have to turn you and Eddie in, Ma.

SAMANTHA
 
She stops


James !

 
Stands and looks at him as one Fighter to another
 

I’m gonna’ Marry him, Dalton. James don’t think we should wait long.

 
Softly, defiantly


He gets a disability check for almost Six hundred dollars a month. And he want’s us, Dalton. He want’s to make us his Family.


DALTON
 
Exploding
 
Snap out of it Ma ! He doesn’t love you. And you sure as hell don’t love him, think about it.


SAMANTHA

You think you could possibly know any thing I feel-


DALTON

Ma, you’ve known this Jimmy for two days, two Day’s!

SAMANTHA

She shouts too loudly


James !

 
A Beat


 
Gathering themselves, they look around the room hopeful JAMES did not hear them

 

DALTON
 
Softer now


I don’t give a bugs Dick if his name was Ed Fucking Mac Mahon. You don’t know Jack shit about him, it’s just like that other joker, what’s his name.. Ben-


SAMANTHA

Steve !




DALTON

What ever Mother. But you watch, He’s gonna’ start beating your ass all over the place just as soon as you piss him off or is Ten Minutes late with his Dinner. Because it ain’t Love !


SAMANTHA
 
Softer


If James can accept me, then why can’t you ?... People can change ya’ know. I can change. Why do you do this to me ?

 
She surveys him now, on the brink of anger
 
Why do you Hate me when I’m happy ? Every time !
I know I haven’t been the best always. Okay, I admit it !
But why can’t you just try and be happy for me just once ? Just Once. If it were one Marriage or a Hundred and One Marriages Dalton, what’s the difference if my only son never shows up for them ? What’s the difference if you can’t even be happy for me because I’m happy ?

 
Almost pleading


Oh... smile... please. It’s the second best thing you can do with those lips... Please, I need this. So I can get better. So we can get better, as a Family. Just think, if you didn’t have to look after me you could go back to school... I could stop using. Everything Dalton. You could just go to school and there wouldn’t be any more Hustling. Because James would be taking care of us. Won’t that be nice.






DALTON
 
Careful now not to shout


Ma, look around you. What guy in his right mind is going to come into this place- lovely as it maybe, sweep you off of your feet, Pay all of your bills, treat you right and love you, after only two days ? Think about it ! It’s crazy Ma !


SAMANTHA

 
Rolling her eyes,Round #2


And how would you know ? How would you know anythin’ tell me?! Come on Dalton, Tell me How would you know Anything about it ? Sixteen... No Education, out sleeping with Old men for a dollar every night. Stealing them blind is what your doin’. Getting yourself beat up night after night. It’s a wonder nobody hasn’t Shot you yet. But they will. And I’m gonna’ be there to Laugh... Smart ass... think you know everythin’. You don’t know Jack. So tell me little boy, how would you know who loves me and who doesn’t... how would you know anything about Love anyway ?

 
She has retrieved a bottle and pours a strong drink during this and sits to drink it now



DALTON

 
Incredulously


How would I know ? How would I know... I’ll tell you how I know, because I know Goddammit ! I know because I’ve seen people who could kick a new born Kitten through a fan and keep right on smiling ! I know those people, cause’ I’m one of them and your one of them too. And people like us don’t steal the hearts and have the Happy Happy ever after. And we certainly don’t fall in Love Mother. We’re Gods

original whores Recycled. And Men don’t Marry us after Sex. And they don’t have thought’s of what about a life with her or him when it’s done. They just Pay us to go away when it’s over. No Chit Chat, No phone calls, No love letters, no plush teddy bears. Just Boom Boom, Cha’ Ching ! And do you know why Mother ?... Because we can’t feel what others feel. In fact, I don’t think we feel at all. Least not the way it’s supposed to be felt. So in the end, who could ever fall for us ? You can’t... it’ll kill you. But not to worry. We get our love too. We take what we need don’t we ? Even people’s feelings. You take mine, I take yours...

 
Pause


And then when it won’t rub off we crush them. Step on it. Kill it.

 
Pause


And I should know. I’ve been doing it all my life. That’s how I know, and I learned from the best, Missy. And I’m not gonna’ let you do this to me before I go out tonight... Did you wash anything to wear or not ?

 
He starts for the door



SAMANTHA
 
Deliberately adding Gasoline to the Fire
 

So that’s your pitiful excuse for everything... I can’t have a Happy life because I screwed you up. Is that what this is all about, are we still on this ?...I didn’t have a perfect life either... who’s complaining ?!

 

DALTON of course has stopped




Whoop DI DO ? So, I’m not perfect in my Sons Eye’s ! Boy are you climbing up the wrong sympathy tree you little shit. You try it sometime... Raising a Kid alone. And what did I get for my troubles ? The Best years of my life, Wasted, because of you ! You go have some kids of your own you little snot ! And then you try to Raise them by yourself-


DALTON


But you didn’t have to be alone, did you ma...


SAMANTHA

I never wanted to have your Daddy put in Jail for that Long, I was tricked ! Why do you bring that up every time ? I don’t feel guilty any more... I’m sorry he’s Dead now but I was young. I was tricked into helping. It could have happened to any Girl my age... with a new born.
 
A Pause


I never wanted to break up this Family ! I was Tricked into signing that paper-


DALTON

That paper.. you say it like it was a speeding ticket.


SAMANTHA

He tried to Kill us ! He drank... He drank so much he couldn’t see straight. All he could see was Red. Bless his soul, but he Drank like a fish. Wouldn’t take his pills. Just drank. You remind me so much of him sometimes... it’s like he was standing right next to me. It scares me sometime-


DALTON

Here we go-


SAMANTHA
 
She begins a gentile but controlled sob now
 

All your life I never wanted to hurt you. And I could have ran after your daddy went up, oh I could have ran far away. Specially after the Verdict was read. I mean, who’s got Six hundred years and a Day ... But the thing is I stayed. I stayed right here, because, I didn’t want you growing up thinking no one cared about you in the world. I didn’t want you wonderin’ who your people were. Your Daddy always wondered who his people were. It tore him up inside. I think that’s why he drank so much. I made some mistakes, I know that. But I never wanted you to pay for em’. I didn’t want this kind of life for you, Dalton. I swear, I never even wanted you to know what I used to Do-


DALTON
 
Unable to contain himself any longer
 
Used to do ?! Used to do ? Just last week, Ma ! For crying out loud. Slap me on the Ass and call me Rita ! I always knew what you did ! Since I was Five I knew what you did. Everything... I knew. All of my life all you’ve done was hurt me. If it’s not you personally it’s one of your tricks, or one of your Husbands. Seems to me all you do is end up hurting me. So guess what, I’m not a kid anymore. So, if you think that Marrying some old Fat Fuck is going to clean up your Act and make me a Happy Camper because you say so.. Just go ahead. Do it. Get Married. I’m too tired for this Shit.

 

DALTON moves to the Refrigerator and pulls down a coffee can from atop it


But just once, did you ever think about me ? Just once before you made this decesion, when you made any of your brilliant decesions concerning us in the past Six teen years?
 
DALTON Empties his Silver coins into the Coffee can and replaces it atop the refrigerator


Don’t touch !


SAMANTHA

Of course I think about you Dalton, your my Baby Boy. James is gonna’ adopt you just as soon as we’re Married, you’ll see.


DALTON
 
He Mumbles


I bet I will.



SAMANTHA

Don’t you see... that’s all I every wanted for you. And now, we’re finally going to be a Family again. This is nothing like the last time, Dalton. He’s different. You need a Father Figure, you always did. They say you have to keep trying till you get it right. I think he’s Mister right for the Both of us.
 

She tries to hug and cuddle him as if a child again. He pulls away

 



DALTON

Yeah well, it’s a little late Ma, and to tell you the truth. I can’t even spell Family. And I certainly don’t want to be a part of one now. Least of all Tony and Samantha’s.


SAMANTHA

James !

 
He opens another beer and lights a cigarette
 

You’ll like James, you’ll see. Things are looking up Dalton.


DALTON


What ever you say, Ma. ...Do I have clean jeans, do you
Know ?

 

He goes through a dirty clothes pile in the door way. Smelling everything he picks up.



SAMANTHA

You’re cynical right now, I understand that. Your daddy was a cynical man too. But you’ll see. Things are gonna’ be much better around here.

 

She stands now, looking at the mess
 

I better start cleaning up this mess before James wakes up. He said his last wife was a great housekeeper, When they Divorced she kept the house.

I told him With my cooking they’ll be no need for Divorce or any such things. You always Loved my cooking.


DALTON
 
Dirty clothes in hand. (A shirt and Jeans)


God as my witness, he Raises one hand to me and I’ll break it off. And I don’t care if he is a Hundred years old, or what ever his malfunction is. So, maybe you should have that little talk with him, you know the one.


SAMANTHA

Oh Dalton, James aint like that at all. He’s kind and gentle. Fred’s known him for years, even runs him a Tab down at the Bar. We put Eighty two dollars on it last night.
 

DALTON has momentarily left the Stage but Returns with a bottle of Old Spice which he sprinkles freely on the dirty clothes.



So... don’t you want to stay in tonight, just to meet him ?
Please, for me ? Just meet him Dalton, please. We heard you come in, and to tell you what a gentleman he is he couldn’t get his boots on fast enough. I told him to just go right back to sleep, Told him he could meet you when he got up on his own. Imagine that, in this day and age. So old fashioned... A man out to protect my honor by meeting my son the right way. Formally.






DALTON

Yea, imagine that. I can’t meet no Ricardo tonight, okay Ma? Besides, I’m gonna’ be late for a very important date. A Hundred dollar date. Ricky can wait.
 

He fiddles with the cologne and the clothes, sniffing, sprinkling, sniffing



SAMANTHA


His name is James ! And why are you making this so hard ? Why can’t you just be Happy for us ?!


DALTON

What do you want from me, Ma ? What ?!
 
Pause


I gotta’ go change.


 
DALTON Exits the Stage clothes in hand. SAMANTHA Shrugs it off and begins to clean the Kitchen singing Mr. Sandman she dances about like a giddy school girl admiring her Ring. DALTON Returns Shirtless and Barefoot. SAMANTHA Continues the dance. Until:



SAMANTHA

I know your hungry, so I’m making you some more soup. Just the way you like it. Did you ever notice how when I’m happy, I just love to cook ?





DALTON

Who the hell’s been in my room ?!


SAMANTHA
 
She stops now, worried now, crosses to him
 

No one’s been in your room.


DALTON

Don’t lie to me, I had Ninety six dollars in the drawer and now it’s gone !

 
Strongly
 
It was the Fucking Rent Ma ! You can’t take all the Money for Rent and buy Drugs with it ! It’s already a week late, Ma. What am I sappose to tell Mr. Baumgarden ? Aint’ you sick of getting thrown out of every Goddamn Apartment like Gypsies ?!


SAMANTHA
 
Earnestly


I didn’t, Dalton I swear ! Look again, it has to be there.

 
He looms over her
A Pause
 

DALTON

Where’s James, this your Love ?!

 

In a flash they both realize what has happened to them.

Like a bolt of lightning they both Run Off STAGE. Returning in a Moment. SAMANTHA takes a seat at the table. Silently Heart broken and it shows through the tear that streams down her cheek. DALTON attempts to comfort her. Kneeling at her feet. He comforts her. A Pause and then:
 


DALTON

It’s Okay, Ma. Okay... it’s Okay. Fuck him. He doesn’t know what he walked out on, Ma. And don’t worry about the Money. I can make it up to Mr. Baumgarden this week end.

 
Quietly
 
Please don’t cry Ma, it’s Okay. You couldn’t have know. How could you ?


SAMANTHA

 
Puzzled, Hurt, wary and trying to make sense of it all
 

But he said he Loved me.


DALTON

Well, it’s his loss Ma. Because he could have had the best. He could have had you. He’s not worth crying over Ma. Come on, don’t cry, please...


SAMANTHA
 
Flaring


Oh it’s no use. You were right.
 
Angry


Liar. Liar, Liar! Men are such Pigs. All of them. You can’t trust them.

 
Pause


Go ahead, say it, I told you so, you old whore. Go ahead, say it ! Say it ! Look at you, your just like the rest of them. Pig ! Liar dogs !

 

She kicks him away. He looses his balance and falls over on the floor.



You disgust me. I can’t even look at you. Go on and get the hell out of here ! You’re all the same, look at you, you can’t even deny it can you ? You’re all liar’s !

 

She throws her glass at him, misses. It shatters. She collapses back into her chair, clumsily hiding her face in her arms.
 

It’s no use. I’m a fool. And you were right. You were right.

 

Pause



Why can’t I be happy for just once in this lousy rotten life? Go ahead, do it. Say it. I don’t care anymore. I just don’t care.

 

SAMANTHA sobs without control as DALTON picks himself up and slowly turns to Exit on the verge of great Emotion.
 


DALTON
 
His words almost Silent


No. I wasn’t right, Ma. I’m... It’s going to be alright. You’ll see. You want I should go out and get you something to make you feel better, Ma ?

Don’t worry about the Money. I can work it out with Mr. Baumgarden later. I’ve still got about A Hundred dollars. I could go out and get you something. Would that make you feel better?



SAMANTHA

And he gave me this Ring and he ate my food and everything.


 
She takes the ring off and throws it across the STAGE
 

As useless as Tits on a Boy !


DALTON

Please don’t cry Ma, there will be more. And they will Love you. I promise.


 
Finally


I’m going to go get you something to help you feel better. Okay ? Before I go out ?...


 
DALTON Exits



SAMANTHA


How could anyone be so cruel to me ? Men are the cruelest Animals on the Planet. Just plain ol’ cruel and Heartless.
 
A Pause and Then :

The Lights Fade Slowly. Black.
End Act One


 
PAIDSEX

 

SCENE TWO

"Shock the ordinary citizen".






 
The lights rise on the Kitchen (Set). The following afternoon. The Sunlight Filters through the Curtains now, lighting the Kitchen in strange Yellow and Rose tones. Kitchen as before. PARKER sits at the Table beer bottle in front of him rolling joints. DALTON Enters dressed in the dirty jeans and tee shirt of the previous evening. DALTON grabs a beer and joins PARKER at the Table. They count out a handful of bills each pocketing a share.




PARKER

Where is she ? You shouldn’t buy her anymore shit.


DALTON

She’s laying down, thank God. She’s been having those night
sweats that they get.


PARKER

So how longs she gonna’ be like this ?
‘Cause if she wakes up screaming like that again, dude I’m
gonna’ split. Shit’s depressing. Even for me.


PARKER

So what’s stopping you Parker ?

PARKER

It’s cheaper for you to just get her some Spitback.
It’ll keep her quiet, you can’t afford to fix her every
what, six or seven hours ? And then you should find that
Fucker and Kick his Ass.


DALTON

Yeah right, Methadone is not the answer to her problems.
Shit goes right through her. She needs enough to drop a Fucking Elephant just to catch a buzz. No, she’s really a
full strength drug user. None of that watered down
clinic bullshit.


PARKER

I still say the best place to find sympathy for her,
is in the dictionary between shit and syphilis. I mean
come on, of course the fucker split.
She probably fell asleep on him.

 
PARKER demonstrates SAMANTHA falling asleep giving Oral sex
 

DALTON

 
Shoots Him a look


She’ll get over it. Five or Ten Balloons later maybe, but she will. That, or OD and die in the process.

Almost didn’t recognize her when I came in this morning.
 
A pause
 

She wasn’t looking too good. I mean, she looked different.



PARKER

Yeah, I almost didn’t recognize her either... without her broom and flying monkeys.


 
PARKER rolls yet another Joint


DALTON

 
DALTON shoots another look and then;Impatiently
 
Parker, what in the Fuck are you doing ?
You’ve been rolling that shit weed for an Hour.


PARKER

And...



DALTON

And you haven’t lit one Goddamned Joint yet.
Everything’s a compulsion with you. Just like last night.
You with that German guy. All he said was put on the hat.
But no, You had to go and become a Fucking screaming Red neck cowboy. Parading around the room like a complete fool.
 
A Pause


So why can’t you just Roll a Joint, And Light a Joint.

It’s simple, Really.



PARKER


See, there you go again. Worrying about the wrong things.
It just so happens, my young friend. That I’m getting smart.
You see, for each perfectly rolled Joint. That’s Three bucks. Think about it, you know how it is when we’re out there working those tired Assed streets when there’s no one to work. Just think about all of those Pot Heads out there. Marvin, Spice, Bobby Lee. All of ‘em. Well, I’m gonna’ start selling them pre rolled joints. Three and Four bucks a pop, when my shits slow I’ll still be making money. See, I’m always thinking.



DALTON

Is that what it’s called ? I see.
So, you gonna’ light one or not ?


PARKER

Sure. Three bucks. Two for you, because your a friend.
Hell, make it a Dollar. First time discount.


 
PARKER tosses DALTON a joint across the table



Let me know if you like it, I got it from the Van Man.





DALTON

Fuck you and the Van Man. I ain’t paying you for Pot.


PARKER

It’s not personal Dalt, it’s business.


 
PARKER props his feet up now de-seeding another bud



So, did you ask that Cloe’ chick out yet ? You know, the one with the Hair... At the Taco Bell. The Girl that’s always giving you the free coffee and shit. I heard she wanted you to ask her out, like on a date. She want’s you is what I hear. You better ask her out while you still got a dollar in your pocket. Before your Mom’s Heroin Bill becomes too much.
Girls like Money.


DALTON

Yeah right, who you been talking too ? And where the Fuck would I take her, the Mc Donald’s across the street from where she works ?

PARKER

Take her to go see Culture Club. It’s this weekend.


DALTON
 
A Beat


You really think she like’s me ?

 
A Pause and then



Nah... she’s on to me. She’s on to all of us, she’s not stupid Parker. Think about it, Ten guy’s standing on the corners all night. Any kind of weather. Jumping in and out of cars all night. Bunch of Horny ‘ol Married men and Granddads behind the wheel. That Girls not stupid.

 

DALTON begins to De-seed and roll The Marijuana too
 

Besides, ‘couple of weeks ago. It was Cold as Hell outside and I kept going in and out of the place. And she kept giving me all of this Coffee and shit. Taco’s. All this stuff. So, after a while I had to use the Can ya’ know.
So I go back in the place, she’s all smiles... and looking all pretty and everything. So, I make a Bee line for the Can, I mean I got Coffee coming out of my Ass. So I go in to the bathroom, and I notice this other Guy is right behind me. And I kind of recognized him, he was the Guy in the Black Mustang cruising me all night but he would never stop so I could talk to him. So, anyway go in and open the stall. He goes into the next stall. We lock our doors, and do our business. Anyway, I’m finishing up and all of a sudden this note comes sliding under the stall door. I’m already interested ‘cause the guy just looks like Money. Plus he’s driving a Mustang. So anyway, I read the note and it say’s... twenty Bucks to give him Head, and another Ten If I make him Cum. Then he whispers through the stall, he’ll go the Full Forty if I go back to his place with him.
So I said, And I mean I just whispered it... I said forty for me to do you, Fifty for the Two way street and Seventy Five for the Road trip. And no one Cum’s in Me. That’s all I said to the Guy. All of a sudden the Fucker yanks my stall door wide open, whips out this Badge and pops me !





He Mumbles something into his sleeve and in three seconds there’s fifteen Fucking Cops all over the place.
You should have seen that Girls face when they dragged me out of that Taco Bell screaming "I never Sucked you, I never Sucked you !"

 
A beat


That new chick, the Manager. She won’t even let me in any more. Fucking Bitch. So, I think I blew that Date. But I’ll remember that Black Mustang, I don’t care who they get to drive it. Black Mustang with the Red Stripes. Five-O.


PARKER

Where the hell was I ?


DALTON


Who gives a shit where you were Parker ?
Were not even talking about you here, were talking about me.
I went to Jail, not you. I’ll never get to know what I missed with that Girl. You don’t even like Girls.


PARKER

I was just asking ‘Dalt.
 

A Beat



I got busted in the Greyhound Bus station like that before.


It was right in the Men’s room. Only we were in the Act itself when we got popped. And I went to Jail.

Again. Pissed me off too, because they sent him on his way because he had a bus ticket and I didn’t. But I think it was because He wasn’t caught on his knees, but I was. The Bus ticket didn’t hurt. pissed me off. Sucks to Suck in the Queer South.
 
Dalton lights a joint inhaling deeply



DALTON

You’ll never understand. Your Gay. You don’t know how embarasing it is to me. Every time I get Busted. And they put you in that Fucking Queer Cell. Bunch of Fucking Drunk Assed Drag Queens and Hustlers. That’s all they ever stick in there. The way every one stares at you, when they lead you over towards it.

 
A Pause then abruptly



I don’t even know why I’m doing this sometimes.
I mean, I know why, but I don’t really know why. It’s stupid. I Fucking hate it.


PARKER

Sometimes I hate it too.


DALTON

I mean I really Fucking hate it. Truth is If I’m not good and drunk, I’d Puke sometimes.
 
A Pause, soberly
 
It’s all Fucking Insane. That night, last night. The Night before. That German Guy. You and Me. I


needed the Money, but I’m not sure it was worth it Parker, ya’ know ?
And you Dancin’ around in nothing but your birthday suit with a cowboy hat on singing Fancy didn’t

help. And then you seemed upset because I couldn’t Cum. And I was Upset too, because usually that’s the one thing I can always do. Last night, I couldn’t. That Old German Fuck with hair all over his Back, that was disgusting. That Guy was weird.


PARKER

Hans is always like that Dalton. He’s a big German Pig.
And for the record I wasn’t upset with you for not managing the Money shot. But had you managed it, Han’s usually gives up a Fifty dollar Bonus. Each. But thanks for telling me after the fact. Better late than never I say.


DALTON
 
Sincerely


Yeah well, it’s always just too much for me. It’s always too much. And always the same.


PARKER

Normal Sex is still a novelty to most of these Fucking people. Trick of the trade, next time fake it.


DALTON
 
A Little piqued, but interested
 


Fake it... what, what do you mean ? I’m not sure, but I’m pretty positive that, that’s impossible for men Parker.
Impossible for me at least. You might be shooting blanks but not me.

 
Parker grinds the Roach Dead, Pockets it
 

PARKER

Bullshit. I do it all the time. You have to remember young Dalton, that Guys like Hans are just into it for the Pleasure of youthful company. They take little snap shots of you in their heads. And when you get ‘em going they close their eyes so tight. It’s the Mental picture of the Sexual Act itself for them. So you just, help them out. Build it up and then, real nice...

 
PARKER demonstrates an Orgasm, breathing heavy and looking quite the fool. He shows off his technique in great detail



And then, quickly with a little spit in your hand- real quick ! or you can just spit directly onto their back.
Which ever, but you gotta’ rub it in real quickly.
And that alone will usually get most all of them Off.
Everybody towels off, gets dressed, end of the deed. Cha- ching !
‘Course, I usually wipe it off in their hair. Ch- ching !


DALTON

 
DALTON opens a beer


You know, I used to think it was just me Parker, but it’s not. You really do pick up the Dumbest Tricks in Georgia.
Y’all just sort of find each other, don’t you.


PARKER

What ever, it works.
 
DALTON shoots him a look




DALTON
 
A Pause and then


Do you ever think about what else ? What’s next ?
I mean, what else is there... IBM, AT&T, Long John Silvers, what the hell else is there for you ? For me ?
I think I’ll start a Punk band. Call it Spunk Puddle.
That should make my Old Man turn over in his Grave again.


PARKER

If your old man turned over in his grave every time you did something he didn’t approve of Dalton, He’d be a Fucking Rotisserie.


DALTON

So in other words, nothing else.


PARKER


What else is there... I don’t know Dalton. I try not to go there. It’s a dark and scary place. Spooky, spooky.


DALTON

 
With a fearful innocence


I mean seriously.


PARKER

 
A Pause and then



What does it matter... The what else ?
Hatred is the only thing that lasts. Hatred and Death.
You’re Sixteen Dalton, I’m Thirty two years old.
I’m Old for this shit, you think I don’t know that ? I know that. Truth is, there is nothing else. Truth is, I just want to meet some old Rich Geezer Okay. I’ll cook and clean for him. Do all of the shopping, driving. I’ll even be the Trophy if he thinks I’m young and cute enough. I’d love to be somebody’s trophy. Like you. Every guy that ever looks at you sees a trophy. Every Girl too I’ll bet. It’s your youth and good looks. I don’t have youth any more Dalton, don’t you see that. I don’t even know why you’d want to know the what else... The only thing I can be is somebody’s Boy Toy.
And in return for a comfortable life, I’ll give him the best of me that I can. Like any good house wife should.

 
A Pause
 

And when he dies. Hopefully, he won’t forget me in his last will and Testament. Did I mention he has to be Old ? He has to be really Old this time. A middle aged guy won’t do. They last forever in bed, but Old men are quick and they look for companionship more then Sex for hours on end. Let’s face it, who want’s to Fuck a middle aged man forever ? The Older the better, always. More Income too. That’s the first thing I learned at your age. That and don’t accept candy from horny old men. Get Real Estate.

 

A Pause on the verge of emotion
 
There’s nothing else there for me.
That’s all folks. That’s it. Hell, that’s sad.
And now you know, Happy ?
 
A Pause
 

DALTON

No.

 
A Beat



Sometimes I just want to run away. Escape, just go.
 
A Pause



I don’t even know where. Maybe I could live in the Woods. Like a Fucking Walt Disney Movie. Just get a big Wolf Dog and get the Fuck out of Dodge. Go live in the Woods. Always one step ahead of the angry and corrupt towns folk who want to Kill old Nutmeg... Just because he’s more Wolf than Dog.
I’d love that Dog. And we’d just live off of the land.
 
A slight Pause



PARKER

Who in the Fuck names a Dog Nutmeg ?!


DALTON

The name of the Wolf Dog is not important Parker.
It was just off of the top of my head Okay.
But, my point was... I would never do it.
It’s just not real. Besides...

 
A Slight Pause with calm wisdom

 

What you see is what you get.
My face and my body, it all belongs to other people anyway.

And the rest of me, nobody want’s. the real me, no one could ever want. So in the end, where in the Fuck could I go ?
Where in the Fuck could I ever really go ?

 
Pause



And then there’s my Mom.
Sometimes she can’t even wipe her own Ass. And I see myself in her and who she really is. And then I see her in me.
And that’s who I am. And we’re the same.
And then I understand it all. And it’s crystal clear.
The things that I don’t think anyone should know, even about themselves - let alone another.
You just shouldn’t, because I think the moment that you do, the dye is cast. You can write the book, you can write the crappie book. If I could read and write like... say a Ernest Hemmingway, that guy who wrote the Old man and the Sea. Or One of them Disney people... I could have written my life story at age Ten. Because the dye was cast. Once you figure out who you really are, the dye is cast. End of story. The dye is cast.


 
A pause



PARKER

And how would it end, how does it End Young Dalton
Your life’s story ? Come on, fess up... wait, let me guess.
You and Nutmeg go out in a blaze of glorious hell fire in
‘wanna hump hump National Forest ?


DALTON

No, Fuck you very much. And it doesn’t End like yours, that’s for sure. Shitty as it is, at least you have a goal in life. Sponge that you are.
But me, I have no goals of a Sugar Daddy, no ideas of being any one’s trophy boy. No dreams of any kind. I don’t even have a Dog. Really, I just want to live, because I’m not sure of the other. Death.



PARKER

Well lucky for you, dying’s much more the survivors Fucked up affair than your own anyway. And in this business, Death is an everyday thing. But if it makes you feel any better,
you’ll be greatly missed. And I’ll come to your funeral and of course your Mom’ll come. And she’ll bring a date. It may be her Pimp but that’s at least three people.
Now don’t you feel better ?

 
Off Stage Now the sound: SAMANTHA calling out for DALTON
She is Sick and coughing and Throwing up. DALTON rises to his feet now in a recognized defeat. He starts Off Stage to
tend to her.



DALTON

Making a Teenager feel depressed is like shooting fish in a barrel.


 
DALTON Exits the Stage the lights fade slowly

Black

END ACT TWO





PAIDSEX

 

SCENE THREE


"A Stumble is not a Fall"








 
A Darkened Stage. Two Days later. Rainy Night.
Off Stage The Sound Now: The Rattle of Keys and then
SAMANTHA and her MALE Friends LAUGHTER as they make their way inside the Apartment (OFF STAGE).

 

SAMANTHA


Don’t you worry Dominick, I’m gonna’ do you all night !
 
More Laughter and small talk



Now you just go right up them steps, First door to the left.
Momma’s gonna’ get the glasses and a Spoon.
I’m gonna’ do you twice tonight !


 
SAMANTHA Enters the Kitchen Now (SET): Turns on the Light.
She makes her way inside and fishes for a Spoon and two glasses. The Kitchen Now Clean, Trash Emptied.
SAMANTHA Wears a Blonde Wig, Tight Spandex hot pants and a Leopard print Halter top with Red spike heels and a Fake Rabbit Fur Coat. Heavy Make up.






MAN’S VOICE

Hurry up Sammy, I’m harder ‘N Dog Shit in a Deep Freeze !
And don’t forget the lighter sweet heart.



SAMANTHA

I got it. You want Ice too ?


MAN’S VOICE


Lotta’ Ice.



 
The Sound now: Off stage Keys and then the Sound of the Front Door Opening and Closing.

 

PARKER
 

From Off Stage


Anybody here ?!


 
PARKER Enters the Kitchen Now, Carrying DALTON who is Wrapped in a blanket and Soaking Wet. He is also Covered in Blood and Wincing in Pain. The Sound Now: Thunder in the Distance with On again Off again Flashes of Lightning.
 

SAMANTHA
 
SAMANTHA Casually turns around to see DALTON as PARKER Props Him up in a Chair at the Table.


What happened to him this time, Gunshot, Knife...What ?

PARKER


Some Fucked up trick put his Rotweilers on him instead of paying him, So he jumped through the Damn Window.
Man, you gotta’ stop doing this shit. That Guy’s always hanging around the Clubs, He’s going to be looking for you now. Why do you do that Shit ?!

PARKER Removes DALTON’S boots and socks and then Opens Two Beers.


SAMANTHA

I can’t deal with this right now. I have Company. Upstairs, in my room. Take him to the Hospital or Somethin’.
 
To DALTON



One of these days you’re going to get your Head Blown Clean Off. Do you hear me ?!... Clean off ! I don’t feel sorry for you at all, I told you this was gonna’ happen. You just won’t listen. Well maybe this is what you had coming.


 
With that she turns: glasses of Ice and spoon in hand and
 

I’m coming Dominick !


 
She Exits



PARKER

Man, she rides you like a broom. I gotta’ get you to the Hospital. You look like shit, really.




DALTON

No Hospitals Parker, Please.
Just give me a minute, It’s not that Bad. It just looks and Feels like it.
 
DALTON now Holding back the Tears. He is Tired, in Pain and Worn Thin. He has a long suffering look of Hurt about his whole Body. He Drains the Beer Bottle in one Swallow.
A Pause and then:
The Sound now of SAMANTHA and her FRIEND in Full Laughter Off Stage. DALTON unable to contain himself breaks down into Silent Tears.

Thunder and a Flash Of Lightning.
PARKER Rises sharply to his feet. Defiantly he Searches for and Finds his back pack, He Pulls out a bottle of Whiskey. He Pours Two large glasses and they Gulp.
A Beat and then A Bloody DALTON goes over to the Sink to spit Blood, Wiping and Blowing his nose. Everything Hurting.
He Manages a Crooked smile dropping Cigarette Under Foot. He plops back down into His Chair. A Moment and then:
 
PARKER


You should get out of those Wet clothes. Look at you, your freezing.

 
PARKER Attempts to take DALTON’S Shirt off



DALTON

Will you just give me a minute Parker, for Fuck’s sake ?!
 

A Pause DALTON Pours and throws down another Drink. He Lights a cigarette. PARKER looks on Momentarily not knowing how to grapple with this mood.
DALTON Resembles a Mad Man, eyes Wide, Teeth Clenched.
 




Sometimes, I just Wished for once... that I could hurt her in ways that you couldn’t even begin to imagine.
Terrible ways, awful things.

 
A Pause and then:



I just wished for once, that I could hurt her as much as she’s hurt me. And sometimes, she looks at me... real hard.
I mean, she just stares at me for so long- even when she thinks I’m asleep, but I see her. And it’s right then, at those times, that I know she knows just how I feel.
And she knows everything that I’m thinking.


 
A Slight Pause



And it’s right then at those moments, that we both know...
that I couldn’t. There just ain’t that much Hurt in the World.

 
He Swallows a handful of aspirin followed by a shot of Whiskey. Grinds the Cigarette under foot.
A Beat


I swear I don’t remember that Fucking Guy locking the front door with a Key. We went to his Apartment, And I heard the Dogs in the Back room... I said They’re not going to bite me are they. And he said, no... we’ll stay out here. I was just going to let him do me, for Twenty five. Fucking guy was all Teeth too. So then, when it was over he insisted that I call him sometime. He Insisted. And then he went back to get a pen. But I had already lifted his Wallet. The Fucking front door was locked with a Key. I couldn’t get out of the place.
Fucking Insane.

 
A Slight Pause




I heard him yell from the back room, "Give me back my Wallet you Punk !" And then I heard the sound of those Dogs on Hard Wood. Just trying to get some traction.
 
A Beat and then


You should have seen me Jump through that big Assed Window.
Curtains and all. I think I found my calling. Call Wide Wide World of Sports, will ‘ya.
 

DALTON swallows more aspirin chasing it with Whisky.
Off Stage Now again, The Sound: Of SAMANTHA and her FRIEND
Laughing. DALTON looks at PARKER, Daringly. The Laughter quiets. A Pause and then:



You still carry that Faggot little mirror of yours


PARKER

Yeah.

 
He Fetches his back pack. Handing DALTON a small Make up Mirror. Thunder/Lightning again.
 

DALTON

Let’s see this Scar Face of mine...

 
He Peers into the Mirror



Shit ! look at me.

 
Suddenly


Fuck me ! My Jacket, I left my Jacket !
 
PARKER takes DALTON’S blue Jean Jacket out of the back pack and gives it to DALTON.



Fuck... Thank you Parker. You saved my life.

 

DALTON Continues into the Mirror



Check the Pockets... All in all, I think it was worth it.
Shit, look at me... this sucks.

 

PARKER Rummages through the Jacket pockets. He Pulls out a Watch.



PARKER

Holy Shit.. This is a Fucking ROLEX Dalton !
A Fuckin’ ROLEX, Sweep Second hand and everything.
Are you nuts, that guy’s gonna’ be pissed the Fuck off.
 
He pulls a Wallet out of a Pocket



Hey, nice Assed Wallet. And Alligator too no doubt.
You think this is a real Alligator ?... Stupid Question.
The guy’s got a ROLEX of course it’s real.

 

He Goes through the Wallet Now removing Cash
 

There’s almost Three Hundred Bucks in here. How much did you say that Blow Job was gonna’ cost him? Good Score.
You see, I always knew that Fucking Guy was Loaded... But no, I’m too Old for his taste. Well, that’s what you get Fucker Head.

 

PARKER Now goes through the Wallet Removing Credit cards
 


Master Card...

 
He Tosses it onto the Table
 

Cancelled by now I’m Sure.


DALTON

Still in the Mirror



You think this is gonna’ scar ?...
Hurts like hell. I always wanted that GI Joe look.
Not like this though. It’s kind of deep.
Do you think I need Stitches ?



 
PARKER Continues in the Wallet Tossing cards on the table.


PARKER

Quit whining, It adds character.
Visa, Macy’s, Shell, Saks... Typical fag. All Cancelled.
Eighty Two cents... Very petty Dalton.
A Pager, what the hell are you going to do with his Pager Dalton ?


DALTON


He pissed me off. It was on the Table. And everything on the table was also on my way out. And everything on the table was coming with me.

 

PARKER Continues through the Pockets



PARKER



And a Piece of Paper... with your name on it. And a Bogus phone number.

DALTON


I didn’t want him to remember my name, drunk fuck.


PARKER

It just shows young Dalton, you may have been born last night. But you’ve been up all day.

 

DALTON pours another A Beat and then:
 


DALTON

You know, that sick Fuck wanted me too-



 
At that Moment SAMANTHA appears in the Doorway. Empty glass in hand. She needs ‘Mo Ice. Her Movements are weak and Sluggish, her eye lids Heavy. She Smiles a Wicked Grin.
A Pause All Eyes on her, and then:

 

SAMANTHA


Why don’t yall’ listen. Go to the Hospital or Somewhere ?
Yall’ never listen. Don’t you know, I got Cookie tins older than you ?
 
A Pause



Now get Momma some Ice.




 
She trails off into an Awkward standing sleep like state.

(Drug Induced of course). DALTON and PARKER watch fixated on her neither moving a hair. The Silence is soon broken when the Glass slips from her hands and shatters on the Kitchen

Floor. She Wakes startled, and wearily turns and simply Exits back to her room unaware of anything and obviously having forgotten about the Ice.

A Long Pause and then:

PARKER Pours another Whiskey, lights a Cigarette and goes over to the Refrigerator. Turns on Sound Now: (Music)
He Sways with the music sitting down again. Absorbed in the Music he Lights the Roach. Soon Covering his Eyes and Ears.
DALTON Watches closely now.

 

DALTON

What the Fuck are you doing ?


PARKER


List’ning. I’m Listening.


DALTON

And what do you hear ?


PARKER

Everything.


 
A Pause and DALTON covers his ears now too.
Music wailing. And they sit through the Song with Hands over they’re ears. The Music Stops with the Tapes end.
They return to Normal. A Pause and then:



I heard all the sounds of my life. Just zipping along.

Heart pumping blood, Great Music... to nourish the Brain.
Heal the wounds. The scary thing was...
I could stop it all.

I think there’s something very sacred in that, don’t you ?


DALTON

No. No I don’t.

PARKER

Oh don’t give me that shit, Dalton !
You’d string a noose around your neck in the middle of a Playground at recess, if only you had a pair.
Jumping through windows, knife fights... I think that’s just your style if you ask me.


DALTON

Is that what you really think of me ?


PARKER
 
Matter of factly



Yeah.
You’re not even alive if you never even let it cross your
Mind. Death is a fact of life, and life is Fucked up.
You’d do well to remember that. Because for you, especially,
it’s coming faster than you know.
Wallets, Rolex’s, Pagers... think about it.



DALTON

 
Disgusted



Everything’s a compulsion for you.

PARKER
 
Drunk


And everything’s a Fuckin’ easy score for you, Young Dalton!
And in the end, your just a Fucking common thief.
And you’ve got a twisted Death wish, Young Dalton.


DALTON

 
Angry


Don’t call me that ! What the hell’s your problem ?


PARKER
 
He pours a big drink


Life.
But hey, we’re all just moving chairs around on the deck of the Titanic anyway, right ? And why not... what do we really have left of it anyway right ? Two months, A week, A day ?
A Year ?.. That’s not a life, it’s a Fucking loan at Fifty one percent interest. But you ?..You’re in it to be Violently Murdered anyway. I mean hey, why wait for the Cancer, The Aids, The horrible Car Crash ?...The big slow health decline that comes with Old Age ?! You’re not like the rest of us, your special Dalton.


DALTON


So just go ahead, find your old man !
Your sugar Daddy. Dig your own holes Parker.

 
DALTON puts the watch on now, admiring it.
Thunder/lightning

 

Just go ahead. Find that old man, but just don’t tell me what and how long I got ? You go and find out what and how long you got, Okay.


PARKER

And what will you find, when you go looking ?
What do you think you’ll find ?

DALTON

I ain’t looking for nothing’, you are. So just leave me out of it.


PARKER


Ah... but that’s where your wrong. You are looking.
But what you want is impossible.


DALTON

Just what am I looking for Parker ?
You live under the bridge half of the time, So please tell me, Just what am I looking for ?!
A Handout ?... An old man, a sugar daddy to take care
of me ?


PARKER



No. Women’s love. And it scares the hell out of you,
because you wouldn’t know it if you had it. Fool.
But not to worry. No Women’s ever loved you yet.
No one’s ever loved any of us yet.


DALTON
 
A Pause


You through... can I get up from this couch now Doctor ?
Drunk Fuck.


PARKER


Take care to get what you like young Dalton, or you will be forced to like what you get.


DALTON

A Fuckin’ drunk poet. That’s Pathetic.




 
With that PARKER Goes over to the Refrigerator and rummages through it pulling out Sandwich fixings and a carton of
milk. He makes a Sandwich and pours the milk into his half full glass of whiskey.
 

PARKER

 
Mumbling
 
Ahhh... Sustenance.



 
He sits to devour the Sandwich
 


DALTON


I’m going to die in my sleep like my Grandpa.
Not screaming and yelling like the passengers on his Bus.
I’m no passenger in this life. I’m the driver, you got that ?

 
A Slight Pause as DALTON Studies PARKER A Beat



You scare the Fuck out of me. Even your thoughts.
It’s like they just, cloud your brain sometimes.
Even when you sleep, your scary to me.
And you wake up and you’re soaked in sweat. And all
you can do is jump up and turn on the light.
And babble, on and on, about dreams that make no sense.
Darkness... Is it too much for you ?
Do you have to have the light all the time ?
When you lay your great big head down, do you just stare up at that bright cold bulb ? I Mean, is that your comfort ?
Can you sleep again... do you want me to tell the lord to leave the light on for you ?


 
DALTON Stares up at the bare light bulb
 

Me... I sleep very good in the dark of what is my life,
my little world Parker.
So, you just go ahead, eat your Sandwich and don’t worry about me. Don’t worry about me at all, OKAY ?
I’m not suicidal, Parker. I’m not you. Worry not my friend.


PARKER


You see, now you confuse concern for worry.

I’m just saying... between your Fuck ups on the Streets and your Fuck ups between the sheets. It’s not so far fetched, ya’ know, Young Dalton ?


DALTON


Look, just because your suicidal and sick with worry over Aids and Herpes and Gonorrhea and

Crossing the Goddamn Street and all that other Shit, doesn’t mean that everyone is Parker. So cut the crap. What’s your point anyway ?...
Why is it, every time you have more than three drinks you start this shit ? What’s the point ?!


PARKER


No point.


DALTON
 
A Pause as DALTON Looks at PARKER dumb foundedly
and then:



I’ll live to a hundred. Are you Jelous ?
What, do you want my Fabulous life now Parker ?
Is that what this is about, Do you want to be Sixteen again... you want to be Straight... what ?
You want my fabulous life ?!


PARKER


Oh please, don’t be silly. Who the hell want’s to be a scared, and confused Sixteen year old ? And the only thing About you that’s Straight, is the


route you take to get to bed. Get it, your Straight to bed.
So, let’s face it. You don’t even want your Fabulous life.

 
Slight Pause


DALTON

Well I want it if you want it.

It is my life. It is mine. And anything desired has value,
as you well know.


PARKER


Well, news flash... I don’t want it.


DALTON

Well make up your mind.
 
Slight Pause



Hell, now I don’t even want it. It’s not everything that I purported it to be. Hell, now I really don’t want it.


PARKER


I want what everyone wants, Young Dalton.


DALTON


What’s that... and quit calling me that.
So, what is it ?.. what does everyone want Parker ?
Let’s have it.
 
A Beat



PARKER


The usual. Nothing more, nothing less. Fuck, what does any self loathing stupid mortal Fuck want ?
Some second chances. A great big Rewind Button,

courtesy of old J.C. himself.

DALTON

Sounds like your smoking up all of your own product.
No one’s happy in this life, and rewinding it will surely only set us up for double shit house duty.
 
A Pause


What’s with you anyway... I mean seriously ?
You do this all the time now, what are you scared...
Then get tested. But in the mean time, Relax.
And for Godsakes, learn to hold your Whiskey better. Your a mess.

PARKER

What do you care ? look at you... bleeding like a run down dog. You got your whole life in front of you, and it’s practically worth dirt these day’s. Truth is, I’m sick of watching your Ass.


DALTON

When did I ask you to watch my Ass ?


PARKER


You see, that’s what I’m talking about. What is it with Kids these days ?



DALTON

I’m not a Kid.



PARKER


 
PARKER stands and fetches his back pack
A Pause



It’s still early... Maybe you can still go back out.
Maybe you can finish yourself off by sun rise.
As for me, I got a date. One of my regulars. I usually sleep over.



 
PARKER turns to exit
 

DALTON

Well, thanks for saving my Ass, old man.
There, are you Happy, I said it ?
 
PARKER stops



PARKER

Your welcome.

 
DALTON tosses a wad of cash across the table at PARKER



DALTON

For your trouble.


PARKER

It was no trouble. I just don’t want to keep doing it every week. Thanks.

 
PARKER pockets the cash



Anyway, I think you’ll live this time. Maybe you should stay in tonight. Why push your luck twice in one night.
I better go before she wakes up again.

 
PARKER mocks a very high SAMANTHA
 

DALTON


Fuck her, she wakes up she wakes up. If she doesn’t ever wake up, she doesn’t. I’m through with her ya’ know.


PARKER

Yeah... right. She’ll be sick soon you know.


DALTON

Yeah I know, so ?..


PARKER


Nothing. It’s just every fucking day.


DALTON


Welcome to the wonderful world of PAIDSEX.
I Call it entertainment of the highest quality.
‘Cept for her, it’s drugs too.
You got your sugar daddy’s, I got my suckers.
We all got something.




PARKER

The wonderful world of PAIDSEX huh...
First of all, these day’s it’s not so wonderful or entertaining. In fact, I prefer to call it... Parker and Grandma’ Moses’ slow retreat into slumber oasis.
Where all Retired Sex workers go. Sounds exciting don’t it ?
Only at Slumber Oasis, no one want’s to buy a ticket to our dance anymore. Trust me.


DALTON

Oh for Christ sake. There you go again... this compulsion of yours is twisted. You are hardly the oldest Prostitute in the World Parker. And neither is She... Yet.
And don’t knock it... it keeps you in Geratol don’t it ?

 
PARKER on his way out



PARKER




Maybe, but these days the sins of Sodom are the vices of many. But boys are the favorite prostitutes. Boys.
So where does that leave me and her ?



 
A slight Pause with thought



DALTON

Trick less ?




PARKER

Cute.

 
PARKER mumbles



I Fuckin’ hate children.


 
He turns and exits. SAMANTHA and her FRIEND can be heard now Off stage
A Long Pause and then:




DALTON
 
To himself



Tomorrow’s another day blanche. And it will come.
But it’s just another day.


 
He looks into the Mirror. Pours another drink.

The lights Fade slowly




Black

The End

 

 

Copyright © 2002 Deron Turner
Published on the World Wide Web by "www.storymania.com"