Reunion – Part 1

This play was performed in Harlem (NY) in 2012. 

Characters:

Laura/Claudie

Derek

Setting:

The living room of an expensive Manhattan condo.

Laura: (She is on the phone) Of course darling, I can’t wait … I had the fitting today … It’s perfect, you’re going to love it … you don’t remember? Good, you’ll be surprised. Of course, a beautiful package for you to unwrap … (There’s a knock at the door). Someone’s knocking. It’s probably a delivery. (To the person knocking) Just a minute. (Back to the person on the phone) Of course sweetheart … (There are more knocks) Someone’s very impatient. At eight? Till them. (She hangs up and puts her phone on the sofa) coming. (She opens the door.) Yes?

Derek: What kept you?

Laura: Excuse me?

Derek: Claudie?

Laura: I’m afraid you have the wrong person.

Derek: (He walks into the living room) It’s me, Derek. Like you don’t remember. But you do look a little different and your southern accent is gone.

Laura: I don’t know you. Look, leave or I’ll …

Derek: (He picks up her phone, puts it in his pocket) What?

Laura: (Sternly) Give it to me.

Derek: Come and get it. Remember we used to play that?

Laura: No, and I don’t know you.

Derek: Claudie, don’t act like that.

Laura: Stop calling me that name. I’m asking again, what do you want?

Derek: You didn’t call or write, nothing for twelve years. But you’re still the same old self-centered bitch you always were.

Laura: I don’t have to take this.

Derek: (Hurriedly blocks the door) What’re you going to do? Sit down!

Laura: I’m not scared of you.

Derek: I know. You always were tough like that. We’ve got to talk.

Laura: You’ve got me mistaken for someone else.  

Derek: Just sit down for a second, please I came all this way.

Laura: (She reluctantly sits) I don’t know what good it will do.

Derek: Humor me, Claudie.

Laura: Laura.

Derek: Alright Laura. So you’re not Claudie Baker from Huntsville?

Laura: Huntsville?

Derek: Alabama.

Laura: I’ve never been there.

Derek: Come on! And you’ve never seen me before?

Laura: Never. Look, I’m going out tonight. I need to get ready. You …

Derek: That’s right, you hit the jackpot, marrying way up … what’s his name? I saw it in the paper … Maxwell … Stuart Maxwell, from one of the richest families in New York City. Yeah Claudie, you’ve done alright. (She moves to get up) Don’t. (He grabs her arm) 

Laura: Stop, that hurts.

Derek: Come on tomboy.

Laura: Let me go. (He releases her and she stands up.) Now if you don’t mind.

Derek: I do. How long are you going to keep this up?

Laura: If I knew what you were talking about maybe I could tell you.

Derek: So I’ve got this whole thing wrong? 

Laura: Yes.

Derek: A big mix up?

Laura: For sure.

Derek: (Somber) I want a family. (She looks at him) I’m not here to mess up your good thing. I’m simply the messenger.

Laura: There’s nothing you need to tell me.

Derek: (She gets up) Mama died.

Laura: (She stops, but still faces away from him) Your mother?

Derek: Yours.

Laura: No. (She turns around) But I know what it’s like to lose someone.

Derek: What about a whole family? (He relaxes on the sofa) You’ve made it. I’m impressed. (Pause) Like I said, I’m not trying to knock what you’re doing, but I’d like to be a part of things. I hope you want to share. I mean given our relationship it’s only right.

Laura: What relationship is that? (She looks at him intently) 

Derek: Right now it’s whatever you want it to be, considering you’re saying you’re not who I know you are, then I’m not who you know I am. Right?

Laura: I guess.

Derek: (Laughs) Absolutely. Is it love?

Laura: What?

Derek: You and this guy. You love him?

Laura: Yes.

Derek: All the way?

Laura: Of course. 

Derek: A lot of women in your situation keep something on the side, for a rainy day.

Laura: What situation?

Derek: Hooking a rich man. 

Laura: I’m not that type.

Derek: So it’s good?

Laura: Yes, very.

Derek: (Disdainfully) A white man. 

Laura: That doesn’t make any difference. 

Derek: We’re north of Mason/Dixon. Up here you don’t have to kiss some cracker’s ass to survive like we did back home. 

Laura: They’re conditions with everything. 

Derek: True. I’m sure you paid the price.

Laura: Not hardly.

Derek: It could be little things like laughing at his not-so-funny jokes, playing the princess role, being the perfect woman or sucking his dick and pretending to like it. 

Laura: Damnit! Leave, just go. 

Derek: We’re not finished.

Laura: We sure as hell are.

Derek: You’re still hot-headed. 

Laura: I don’t know why I’m entertaining this nonsense.

Derek: Nonsense? How proper.

Laura: I’m educated.

Derek: In some ways.

Laura: In the only ways that count.

Derek: Bitch I know your game. And my patience is running out.

Laura: (Sarcastically) Oh, that’s a scary thought.

Derek: You want me to make it that way?  Huh? Do you? Say the word. (Pause) I knew it. Because if you come at me with anything I’ve got a story to tell, a moneymaker too.

Laura: I’m not worried.

Derek: You’ve got some balls, probably wearing old Stuart’s, but mine are brass and can’t be broken. You know where I come from and if the south doesn’t break a nigger nothin’ can. (He grabs his crotch) bricks. 

Laura: (Laughs) Go on big shot.

Derek: That’s right, I am. 

Laura: How much?

Derek: I told you …

Laura: A number?

Derek: That’s not why I’m here. 

Laura: But that’s what you want?

Derek: Your mother’s dead.

Laura: Ten?

Derek: What?

Laura: Grand.

Derek: Your mother’s inheritance was only a grand.

Laura: Twenty and that’s it.

Derek: Alright, to start.

Laura: For good.

Derek: I want a job, a good one that’ll allow me to live in the city.

Laura: What can you do?

Derek: Certainly not what you can, but I’m good with my hands.

Laura: Maintenance?

Derek: Fuck you. I’m no one’s janitor. I want something in an office. I wanna wear a suit every day.

Laura: You?  I don’t think so, country boy.

Derek: What you talking about? New York is the city of immigrants. Look around, look in a mirror.

Laura: I was born in America.

Derek: You know what I mean. People come here to get lost, too pretend, take on new identities. This is wonderland. 

Laura: Maybe it’s hell?

Derek: Your ride is pretty smooth.

Laura: You don’t know.

Derek: Save the hard-luck story for Stuart.

Laura: I’m only doing this so you’ll go away.

Derek: Was I right?

Laura: No. I just don’t want any trouble.

Derek: And the second I walk out of here you’ll call the police?

Laura: (Sarcastically) Why would I do that? 

Derek: Because you’re controlling and power crazy. Oh, and cruel as hell. Does Stuart know?

Laura: He loves me.

Derek: That means he hasn’t crossed you. Man, is he in for a surprise.

Laura: (Dismissively) Whatever.

Derek: I told you, look in a mirror.

Laura: And you? 

Derek: What?

Laura: No family?

Derek: (Hesitates) Yes.

Laura: You sure?

Derek: I should know.

Laura: She left you?

Derek: I didn’t say that. Maybe I left her.

Laura: You’re not the type.

Derek: You can read minds?

Laura: Sometimes. Children?

Derek: I have a son. That makes you an aunt.

Laura: Hardly. (Pause) Sorry you lost them.

Derek: She was miserable. Nothing I did could make her happy. I felt like it was a conspiracy. I’d do this, she’d want that. I gave her that and she’d want this. There was no way I could win, never. Her leaving … She’s greedy. Now I’ve got to pay (Pause) way to much alimony and child support. I wanna put that behind me, become a new person, remake myself like you did. 

Laura: Interesting. 

Derek: That’s the truth. I mean, Mama did pass. I was staying with her ‘cause a nurse cost too much, and I gave up the house to Lynette, my ex. Mama had been sick for a couple of years; her pressure, diabetes. But she could never get over what you did. At night, burnin’ with fever, she’d call out “where’s Claudie? Where’s my baby?” I’d have to tell her how her only daughter was so ashamed of her that she ran away and never looked back. Nobody heard nothin’ from you for years. I knew why, and Mama knew too. She died with your name on her lips.

Laura: (Indifferent) Touching.  

Derek: You’re not human.

Laura: (Very business-like) Let’s finish this. Take what I’m offering. 

Derek: Guilt money? No thanks.

Laura: Obviously you’re in need. I’m trying to help you out.

Derek: Help yourself. 

Laura: You don’t want my help?

Derek: I told you I want a job, a position. I’m starting over too.

Laura: Running away.

Derek: You’re talking?

Laura: You don’t know anything about me.

Derek: You expect me to believe your bullshit? 

Laura: Honestly, I don’t care what you think.

Derek: Alright call them.

Laura: Who?

Derek: The police, Stuart, whoever. Tell them that you’ve got a crazy nigger in your apartment. If you want quick service tell ‘em I’m holding you hostage (He offers her his phone) Here. (She doesn’t take the phone, steps away) What’s wrong? 

Laura: I don’t want any problems.

Derek: You mean blow your meal ticket.

Laura: Are you working for the Ashcroft’s? 

Derek: Who?

Laura: The competition?

Derek: Never heard of them.

Laura: (She looks at him intently) Of course not.

Derek: You think this is a setup?

Laura: Why else would you be here?

Derek: I told you. 

Laura: Really?

Derek: That’s right. We can keep this on the low.

Laura: (Laughs) Why would I do that? (She keeps laughing) 

Derek: To keep your ass … What’s so funny?

Laura: You.

Derek: You think this is a joke?

Laura: (Humored) It has to be.

Derek: Enough! Are you going to do it or not?

Laura: I told you …

Derek: What?

Laura: My answer.

Derek: No?

Laura: If I do this I want you gone. Never come back. 

Derek: I said …

Laura: It’s that or nothing. (Pause) You’re used to it, right? 

Derek: What’d you mean?

Laura: You know, like coming here. Picking up and running away. 

Derek: If that’s what you think.

Laura: Where’s your wife, kid, your family? 

Derek: Gone, I told you.

Laura: What reason did she give? Was it, ‘I don’t feel the same. I need space.’ Or, ‘I love you but things have changed.’ Maybe, ‘it’s not you, it’s me.’ Which one?

Derek: You bitch.

Laura: Come on now. You’re a big boy. Or maybe not.

Derek: You don’t know anything. 

Laura: You believed her?

Derek: That’s how it is sometimes. People grow apart. 

Laura: You really are country. (Sarcastically) They just grow apart.

Derek: Yes, she…

Laura: She! She played you and reeled you in like a forty pounder.

Derek: What are you saying?

Laura: Wake up. There’s someone else. You think a woman with a child is going to leave a man and struggle alone? That would be crazy.

Derek: She wouldn’t do that to me. We’re trying to work things out.

Laura: (Laughs) You can’t see it. She’s probably with him right now. Listen. (Pause. She cups a hand to her ear) You hear them. Those old squeaky bed springs are just poppin’. 

Derek: Stop it!

Laura: I’m sorry Derek. 

Derek: I’m not here for this.

Laura: It’s your bonus. You wanted to cash in. 

Derek: That’s all I want.

Laura: Don’t blame me. This is your fault. I didn’t break up your marriage. 

Derek: I never said that.

Laura: You want your family back?

Derek: I …

Laura: Yes or no?

Derek: I guess.

Laura: You don’t know?

Derek: Okay, alright, yes.

Laura: Then call her.

Derek: Right now?

Laura: No better time. (Pause. He’s somber, then gets excited. He takes out his phone and haltingly dials her number. He listens to the rings and hangs up when the voicemail comes on. He’s depressed.) What happened?

End of part 1/2