Debt


 * THE DEBT**


 * //(Lora, Vincent, and Kyle sitting at dinner table eating)//**

Kyle: Mommy, can I have desert now? Lora: **//(Looks at his plate)//** Two more bites of your vegetables. Kyle: **//(Hurriedly eats two bites)//** Now can I have dessert? **//(His mouth is still full)//** Lora: Swallow. **//(Kyle swallows)//** Good, the ice cream is behind the ice tray in the freezer. Lora: We can’t wait any longer. We have to open it. Vincent: I know. **//(Beat)//** Why do we have to open it? We already know what it’s going to say. Lora: Maybe the bank will be kid. Maybe they will let us keep the house. Vincent: Lora, we both know that’s not going to happen. Lora: **//(Her tone is quiet)//** I know. I just wish… **//(She trails off. She starts to stare at her plate)//** Vincent: Lora. Do you want me to do it? Lora: No. No. Ill do it. **//(Gets up and walks to imaginary counter and takes letter. Heads back to seat)//** Here it goes. **//(Takes breath. Opens letter. She reads it over quickly and then drops the letter. Lora puts her hands against her face)//** Lora: We lost the house. We lost the house. Vincent: It’s all going to be okay. Lora: **//(Takes hands away from her face. Vincent removes his arm. Both stand up)//** It’s not going to be okay, Vincent. We’ve lost the place were we live. Ever since you got cut from the school, we’ve had not money to save. We’ll be living on the streets! We’ll have no money! We’ll have to beg for food! I don’t want to live like that! I don’t want our son to live like that! Vincent: I’ll make something work. I’ll get two jobs. We may have to live with your parents for a while, but that’s only until we’re back on our feet. Lora: Get two jobs? You will never be home. I don’t want Kyle to grow up and never see his father! And how are we going to tell him we can’t live here anymore. How are we going to tell him that we have to move away from his friends? How much can a seven-year-old take? Vincent: It’s only going to be for a little while. Lora: You know it won’t be for a little while. No, you won’t get two jobs. I’ll get one. I can pick strawberries in the fields until we have enough money. Vincent: Leave the house at four a.m. and come back at six? I don’t want Kyle to be raised without a mother. I don’t want him to experience the same thing that happened to me. Lora: I’m sorry. You’re right. We can live with my brother, Ben. Vincent: What about your parents? We can live with them. Lora: My parents are in their early eighties and retired. Benjamin can take better care of Kyle and us. Vincent: You’re right. **//(Picks up letter)//** It says we have to be out by tomorrow. I’ll pack and you call Ben. Lora: Okay. Ben: Hello? Lora: Ben? Ben: Lora? Is that you? Are you all right? Lora: Ben … We lost the house. Ben: Oh my Gosh, what are you going to do? Lora: We were … We were kind of hoping we could stay with you for a while. **//(Quickly)//** But that’s only until we get back on our feet and – Ben: Lora, you can stay as long as you need. Lora: Oh, thank you Ben. Ben: Anything for my little sister. I’ll pick you guys up in the morning around eight. Lora: Thanks Ben. Goodbye. Ben: Bye. Kyle: Mommy, why is Daddy packing all my stuff? Lora: We’re going on a little vacation. Kyle: Where? Lora: We’re going to Uncle Ben’s house. Kyle: Yay! I get to play in the park across the street from Uncle Ben’s! (Looks around) Where’s my blanket? Lora: You left it on the couch, honey?
 * //(Kyle runs off stage excitedly)//**
 * //(Vincent and Lora sitting in silence. No one is eating)//**
 * //(Vincent walks over to Lora and kneels by her. He puts his arm around her comfortingly)//**
 * //(Pause)//**
 * //(Vincent exits stage and Lora goes to left side of the stage. She picks up the phone and dials. Benjamin enters on the right side of the stage. He picks up the phone)//**
 * //(Both hang up. Kyle enters)//**
 * //(Kyle exits. Lora follows)//**

Ben: **//(To Vincent)//** What are you doing? Vincent: Looking for a teaching job in the newspaper. Lora: I’m making enchiladas. Ben: **//(Sniffs)//** Smells good. Is that Mom’s recipe? Lora: Yep. They’ll be ready in about 45 minutes. Ben: Great, but I came to talk to you guys about something. **//(Vincent looks up from his newspaper)//** It’s Kyle. You three have been here for 3 days. And since I picked you up, Kyle hasn’t been to school. Vincent: That’s because his second grade is back in Greendale. Ben: Yes, but how long do you need to get back on your feet? I know you are trying your hardest, but Kyle can’t grow up without an education. Lora: You’re right. Vincent: What do you suggest? Ben: That he goes to school here in Victorville. Lora: But Kyle still thinks this is vacation. We’ll have to tell him he won’t be back home for a while. He won’t see his friends in a long time, or his teachers, or even his town. Vincent: We don’t have to tell him, I can home school him. Ben: While balancing a job? I don’t think so and Lora don’t even think about it. You know you couldn’t handle it. Remember that time when I was fourteen and you tried to – Lora: I know. Don’t remind me. **//(Sighs)//** I guess I should make the call to Greendale Elementary. **//(Leaves stage)//** Ben: I’ll register him to Victorville Elementary. **//(Leaves stage)//** Kyle: Is dinner almost ready? Vincent: Take a seat, Kyle. Kyle: So dinner is ready. Vincent: **//(Amused)//** No. Lora: We need to talk to you about something. Kyle: Okay. Lora: Kyle, this vacation might last longer than you might have expected. Kyle: So a permanent vacation? **//(Thrilled)//** Vincent: No, we’re not staying here permanently. Just…. Lora: Just for an extended time. Kyle: Okay. **//(Starts to get up)//** Lora: I’m not done yet. Lora: You are going to go to school in Victorville. Kyle: But what about my school in Greendale? Will I have to go there too? Vincent: No. Only Victorville. Kyle: But then how will I see my friends? Lora: **//(Rubbing hands together uneasily)//** You won’t. Kyle: What? What about Carter and Sammy and Ms. Veanna? Vincent: You’ll make new friends and get a new teacher in your new school. Kyle: I don’t want new friends! I don’t want a new teacher! I don’t want to go to school in Victorville! I want to go back! Lora: We can’t Kyle: That’s not fair! I want to go back to Greendale! I want to go back home! //(Runs off stage)// Lora: He’s been up there for three hours. He didn’t even come down for dinner. I’m going to go check on him. Vincent: I’ll come with you. Lora: I wish everything were just back to normal. He shouldn’t have to go through this. Vincent: I know. I promised myself when Kyle was born he would have the normal childhood I didn’t Lora: It’s not your fault, Vincent. Vincent: Good night Kyle. **//(He leaves)//** Lora: **//(Picks up blanket from the floor and covers Kyle with it)//** Here’s your blanket Kyle. Good night. **//(She exits)//**
 * //(Vincent and Lora are on stage. Vincent is looking at the newspaper for job listings. Lora is putting enchiladas in the oven. Ben walks on stage)//**
 * //(Lora returns. Kyle enters a few seconds later)//**
 * //(Kyle and Lora sit down)//**
 * //(Kyle sits back down)//**
 * //(Remove chairs from stage. Lora and Vincent are still on the stage)//**
 * //(Walks up stairs, opens door. Kyle is lying on two chairs, asleep)//**
 * //( He sighs)//**
 * //(After a moment, Kyle lifts his head and looks out the doorway Lora had just exited from. He had been listening the whole time)//**

**TWO WEEKS LATER** Ben: Kyle seems to be fitting into his new school very well. Lora: yeah, he seems to have gotten over going to Victorville elementary. I was surprised he went to school the next day after his big outburst. It’s almost like he heard Vince and me when he was sleeping. Ben: **//(Shrugging)//** I guess. It’s great Vincent got that job at the college. Lora: Yes, with the money he’s making, we can move out soon. Ben: Lora, I don’t want you to rush yourself. You are all welcome in my house. Lora: Okay. Thanks Ben. Kyle: Mommy, where’s my blanket? Lora: check the dryer, hon. Ben: for a thing that kid loves so much, Kyle sure does lose it a lot. Lora: I know. I think he’s starting to outgrow the old “blankie”. Vincent: I’m back from work. Lora: Hi Vince. Ben: Hey Vincent. I have to make a few calls. **//(Walks away, but still on stage, talking on Bluetooth)//** Vincent: Hi Ben. Lora, guess what? Lora: What? Vincent: **//(Pulls out of pocket)//** I made $350 buck today! Lora: That’s great! Your second paycheck came that soon? And it almost doubled! Vincent: No, this isn’t from my paycheck. I don’t get that until next week. I sold some of our old stuff we didn’t need at the university. Lora: And what else of ours did you sell? Vincent: An old t-shirt from the 80’s, a few trophies, a ratty red blanket, some … Lora: Wait. What was the last one? Vincent: A blanket. Why? Lora: That was Kyle’s blanket! His blanket! Vincent, you know he can’t go to sleep without that thing! Vincent: I’m sorry. I must have forgotten. Lora: Forgot? How could you have forgotten? Your seven-year-old son carries that thing around day and night! Vincent: Lora, for the past couple of weeks I’ve been very busy. Lora: Too busy to even glance at your own son? And Kyle had that thing before our lives were flushed down the toilet! Vincent: Our lives are not down the drain! Lora: Would you stop pretending! We’re living with my brother. We can’t even raise enough money to raise a child, let alone ourselves! Vincent: I’m trying Lora! I’m trying to get this family back on track! I’m trying to be a good father! Lora: Good father? In the last two weeks Ben has been a better father than you! Vincent: **//(Enraged)//** Better father? At least I’m not the one who had a drinking problem! **//(Motions to Ben)//** Lora: **//(Quiet)//** What? Lora: Ben, is that true? Ben: **//(Ashamed)//** It was a few years ago. I asked Vincent for help. But I didn’t want you to worry about me. Lora: Ben, you’re my brother. I could have helped. **//(Turns to Vincent)//** Why didn’t you tell me my own brother had an alcohol problem? Vincent: Why are you getting mad at me? Lora: Because you lied to me. Vincent: I never said anything. Lora: That’s the same thing as lying! **//(Vincent tries to speak, but Lora interrupts him)//** What else haven’t you told me? What else are you hiding? Vincent: I was trying to help Ben. Lora: By keeping his addiction a secret from me? What is our marriage without trust? Vincent, I don’t know you anymore. If I can’t trust you then … then … Vincent: Then what? Lora: Just go Vincent. I can’t talk to you. Vincent: Lora, I … Lora: Get out of this house! Vincent: Fine! **//(Storms off stage)//** Kyle: Where’s Daddy going? Ben: Your Daddy’s going to be gone for a little while.
 * //(Ben and Lora on stage)//**
 * //(Kyle walks on stage)//**
 * //(Kyle exits)//**
 * //(Vincent enters)//**
 * //(Ben and Lora’s lines are spoken simultaneously like a normal greeting)//**
 * //(There is an intense pause)//**
 * //(Ben reassures Lora quietly. Kyle is in the background. He just watched Vincent leave)//**
 * //(Kyle does not respond and walks off stage sad and confused)//**

Kyle: Daddy? Vincent: **//(He looks up)//** Kyle? What are you doing here? How did you know where I was? Kyle: Back in Greendale, whenever you weren’t home for dinner, I asked Mommy where you were. She would always say the park. But she was sad, so I thought you were sad at the park too. And Mommy looked sad today so I walked across the street to the park. Vincent: **//(Pause)//** I’m really sorry for selling your blanket. I can get it back for you. Don’t worry buddy. Kyle: No, don’t. I’m noticing that I don’t need my blanket anymore. It’s about time I gave it up. Vincent: Are you sure? Kyle: The only thing I know is that if Mommy really loves you then she will forgive you. Please come home Daddy. Vincent: Okay. I’ll come back with you.
 * //(Vincent is sulking on a park bench. Kyle walks on stage and sits next to him)//**
 * //(Kyle nods his head)//**

Lora: Where have you been? **//(Hugs Kyle)//** I was so worried. Kyle: I went to see Daddy. **//(Vincent enters)//** Vincent: Please, before you speak. Let me say something. Lora: Fine, go ahead. Vincent: Lora, I could say a million things right now. I could say how sorry I was. I cold say how this was all my fault. I cold say that if I could, I would go back in time and change everything that has happened. But all I am going to tell you is …. I love you. Lora: I love you too Vincent. I don’t want to be mad at you.
 * //(Ben and Lora are on stage. Kyle enters)//**