Scene 2, the Ring

SCENE 2

Time:  Mid-afternoon on a summer day

Place:  The Turner’s sunny living room

A view of sparkling bay water in the distance through the plate glass windows USC.

Stacy is sitting on the couch facing the audience (DSL) with another woman. They are laughing and passing a vaping pen back and forth between them. Sunlight filters through the smoke.

STACY

What are you talking about? I never said that!

CAROLINE

Yes, you did! I remember at the senior dance you said that Crystal was a dip shit blond. And now look at this place! (raises her arms and stands to turn around and exaggeratedly present the home as if is she is Vanna White) Looks like she’s making out fine!

STACY

(still on the couch, exhaling a cloud of steamy smoke)

Dip Shit! Never. That doesn’t sound like me.

CAROLINE

(sits down again and play slugs Stacy on the shoulder)

Trust me, it was you. (Beat) You, riding on a wave of Jack Daniels.

STACY

(Stacy grins)

Oh. Well. That’s why I don’t drink anymore. Can’t remember a damn thing I do or say. And from all reports, I’m not a happy drunk.

CAROLINE

Anything but. I’m so glad you switched to the happy weed. (She blows a big O into the air, and Stacy follows. Crystal comes through front door (USL).  She waves the air with the documents she holds in her hand.)

CRYSTAL

Oh, my God! What’s going on in here? Strawberry smoke! Where’s the party? Shane?

(Crystal sees the women slouched down on the couch. Stacy and Caroline are holding in giggles. Once discovered, they burst out laughing)

Hello! Stacy! Caroline! Well! I haven’t seen you in, like, forever, Caroline. What a surprise!

(Stacy and Caroline bust out laughing again)

God, you are gassed as hell!

STACY

Hello to you,too, Crystal. Join us? Want a puff?

CRYSTAL

No, no, no! I have an offer here on the Crane estate. You know, the Crane faucet and fixture company? I have to get this into my computer and over to the Crane’s attorneys. Holy shit, Stacy, what are you thinking? We don’t smoke in this house!

(Crystal continues waving the smoke around with her papers. She quickly starts towards a door USR at the end of the windows, high heels clicking on the floor)

STACY

Well, you know. Since I’ve been diagnosed, I decided what the heck. Let’s try what God put out there for us, and give the medical marijuana a go. I feel pretty good (laughing). Thank you for driving me to Boston yesterday, sis. It was kind of you. I do appreciate it.

CRYSTAL

 (Looks out the window towards USR)

Well, we have to get you better! But they didn’t say anything about this marijuana! Chemotherapy, remember Stacy? (She takes in a quick breath). Oh, God, Shane is coming behind me, and he is going to be furious. And Caroline? Didn’t I hear you just got out of rehab a few months ago.?

CAROLINE

Yeah, that was for alcohol. I’m good now. Thank you for asking.

(Caroline bursts out laughing again. Crystal stands looking at them, waving the documents.)

CRYSTAL

Well tidy this place up now, and open the windows, please! Get some air into this room.

STACY

(She stands and puts her hands on her hips)

We tried! When was the last time you opened them?

CRYSTAL

Like, never! We have A/C, so we don’t open the windows much. Okay, the front door, at least, and get some air in here! I am getting a contact high!

(Crystal giggles.)

Why are you still here anyway, Stacy? I thought you were leaving this morning.

STACY

Why would I leave? I live here. (Stacy laughs, obviously high.) Besides, my car is still in the shop.

CRYSTAL

Yeah, right. Very funny. You girls tidy up, please! I have to get to my computer right now!  Time is of the essence!

(Crystal exits USR to her home office. Stacy and Caroline sit up out of their slumps, and roll up Stacy’s comforter. Stacy opens the front door and swings it back in forth, hoping to fan out the room.)

STACY

God, is she going to be pissed when she finds out. But she better stick up for me, I covered up for her enough when she cheated on Shane a few years ago with that dude from her gym.

CAROLINE

Finds out what?

STACY

Finds out I listed this address as my legal residence when I registered my car and renewed my driver’s license when I got back from active duty. With mom and dad gone and their house sold, thanks to Crystal, what else was I going to do? She owes me for my part of their house anyway.

CAROLINE

Oh, boy. What about Shane?

STACY

Shane is easy. He is so concerned about what everyone in town thinks about him that he would never kick out a war veteran right now. He’d lose half his clients. I can handle that shyster.

(They step out of the front door and smoke a few more puffs off the vaping pen.

They enter the room again, sit down cross-legged on the carpet in front of the couch.)

STACY

I feel so content. It is strange, knowing that I am going to die within the year. I feel a huge load off. No more wondering what the hell am I going to do with my life. I am content, Caroline. I have never been content. So strange.

CAROLINE

It’s this pot. Pretty strong indica hybrid. It’s designed to relax and make you feel sleepy and happy.

STACY

Well I am. I am right now.

Caroline smiles and reaches out to squeezes Stacy’s hand..

CAROLINE

Stay awhile longer, please. We just got you back.