Ripcord (TCG Edition). David Lindsay-Abaire

bed over the following:)

      ABBY

      How long is that woman here?

      SCOTTY

      What do you mean?

      ABBY

      It’s been three weeks. And she never stops talking. How long is this supposed to go on?

      SCOTTY

      This is where she lives, Abby.

      ABBY

      Well yes, for now, but I / meant—

      SCOTTY

      Not just for now. Indefinitely. This is Marilyn’s room. Same as you.

      ABBY

      But I thought she was being moved as soon as a bed opened up. And from what I hear, that fat woman on the first floor died last night.

      SCOTTY

      Mrs. Moore. Her name was Mrs. Moore.

      ABBY

      Well I can’t keep track of everyone’s name. You knew who I meant. She’s dead isn’t she?

      SCOTTY

      She passed away, yes.

      ABBY

      Then there’s an open bed.

      SCOTTY

      I think Marilyn prefers this room. She said she likes the view of the park. She’s very happy in here.

      ABBY

      But everyone wants the first floor. It’s closer to everything. And I’ve always had my own room, Scotty.

      SCOTTY

      That’s not true.

      ABBY

      Most of the time. That Spanish lady was here for a few months, but after / her—

      SCOTTY

      If there’s space, we try to accommodate you, but there’s not always space. And you don’t have a private room.

      ABBY

      Not officially maybe.

      SCOTTY

      If you and your family want to pay for a private room—

      ABBY

      If I have to have someone in here, why can’t it be someone quiet? What about that woman without the voice box? She seems nice.

      SCOTTY

      So is Marilyn. You just need to give her a / chance.

      ABBY

      That woman is troubled, Scotty. I think there’s something wrong with her. She’s always trying to make little bets with me.

      SCOTTY

      What do you mean, bets? What kind of bets?

      ABBY

      Just the stupidest things. Guessing games and quizzes. This morning she wanted to race me to the elevator. Last night she bet me she could balance a slipper on her head.

      SCOTTY

      Could she?

      ABBY

      I don’t know, I rolled over. You have to get her out of here.

      SCOTTY

      I can’t force her to leave, Abby.

      ABBY

      Management could. Charlie Hastings would’ve done it. He always made sure I had my own room.

      SCOTTY

      Well, Charlie doesn’t work here anymore.

      ABBY

      Which is a shame. Charlie liked me.

      SCOTTY

      I like you too. But, I’m not in charge of room assignments. Miss Larusso is.

      ABBY

      Well you’re friends with her, aren’t you? I see you in her office all the time watching those cat videos or whatever they are. They must be very funny the way you two carry on.

      SCOTTY

      They aren’t cat videos.

      ABBY

      No?

      SCOTTY

      Not all of them.

      ABBY

      Can’t you talk to her?

      SCOTTY

      You talk to her. Be your own advocate.

      ABBY

      Oh that never works. Besides, Miss Larusso doesn’t like me.

      SCOTTY

      Because you’re mean to her.

      ABBY

      Her problem is, she has no sense of humor. Charlie Hastings thought I was hilarious.

      SCOTTY

      Because he was drunk.

      ABBY

      You leave that man alone.

      SCOTTY

      He had a terrible drinking problem, which is why he was fired.

      ABBY

      All I know is, he did whatever I asked him to. If he were here, that woman would’ve been gone by now.

       (Marilyn enters. She’s warm and pleasant.)

      SCOTTY

      There she is.

      MARILYN

      Here I am.

      SCOTTY

      How you feeling, Marilyn?

      MARILYN

      I feel great, thank you. Just back from my walk.

      SCOTTY

      Oh, are you doing that now?

      MARILYN

      Every day after lunch. Twice around the park. Me and Alice and Sally. Mr. Hantz comes along sometimes. I’ve invited Abby but she doesn’t like the exercise.

      ABBY

      It’s not the exercise I don’t like.

      MARILYN

      Did you make my bed, Scotty? I’ve told you that you don’t have to do that. I’m only gonna mess it up again. I’m a restless sleeper.

      ABBY

      Also she snores.

      MARILYN

      It’s true!

      ABBY

      I had to get earplugs.

      MARILYN

      My Oliver used to boot me out of bed. Usually it’s the husband on the couch, but with us it was me. Poor man.

      ABBY

      My very thought.

      MARILYN

      (Chuckles at that) Isn’t she awful, Scotty?

      SCOTTY

      She is, yes. She’s awful. (As he exits) I’ll be back.

      MARILYN

      We missed you in the dining room. You should see it down there. They have it all done up for Halloween now. Pumpkins up on the walls, skeletons, black cats. You’d love it.

      ABBY

      Why would you think that?

      MARILYN