FREE SPACE
EXCERPT
(A living room. BERTHA sits. AMELIA enters)
BERTHA
Where have you been?
AMELIA
The Bingo Hall.
BERTHA
Until 2am?
(AMELIA shrugs)
Your father was worried to death.
AMELIA
I—
BERTHA
He suggested I call your friends to see if you might have gone out for a cup of coffee or an alcoholic beverage.
AMELIA
You know I don’t drink, Mom.
BERTHA
And you don’t have any friends. I had to remind him of that too. He’s become quite forgetful in his middle-age.
(AMELIA starts to walk away)
Where are you going now?
AMELIA
To bed.
BERTHA
Why are your pockets bulging? Did you win money at the Bingo game?
AMELIA
No, I didn’t even play.
BERTHA
What’s in your pockets?
AMELIA
Nothing.
BERTHA
What is it, Amelia? I can see you have them stuffed with something.
AMELIA
It’s nothing. Really. I’m tired.
BERTHA
I did not raise my daughter to lie to me. You’ll have to take lessons from your older sister in how to speak to your elders more respectfully.
AMELIA
She’s here already?
BERTHA
Yes, she arrived this evening. Simply a joy to have around.
AMELIA
Where is this…sister?
BERTHA
I know you’re anxious to meet her and you will tomorrow. But she’s sleeping now and I really don’t think it’s fair to wake her just to see you. Don’t good people have a right to sleep?
AMELIA
I’m sorry.
BERTHA
Empty your pockets.
(AMELIA dumps the Bingo chips out of her pockets)
You’ve brought these into the house?!
(she moves toward the chips, but AMELIA stands in the way)
AMELIA
Don’t touch them!
BERTHA
You brought them into my house; I may touch them.
AMELIA
Please don’t hurt them…
BERTHA
How would I hurt them?
(scoops up the chips into her apron)
Hm, I think they might make a nice “welcome home” gift for your new sister.
AMELIA
No—don’t give them to her!
BERTHA
What a spoiled little sister you are! Oh, Amelia, you’ve never had a sister to share things with before.
AMELIA
You know that’s not—
BERTHA
Well, you’re going to have to stop being so selfish now.
AMELIA
But, they’re mine! Please!
(tries to grab them from her mother)
BERTHA
Remember your manners!
(holds the chips away from AMELIA)
AMELIA
Don’t take them away from me!
(grabbing onto BERTHA’s apron)
BERTHA
Stop fighting with your mother, Amelia!
(she yanks on her apron hard and AMELIA looses her grip and falls to the floor. She stays there.)
Honestly, I want you to meet with your sister first thing in the morning so she can give you a lesson on proper behavior.
(starts to exit)
Why don’t you use this time tonight to practice behaving appropriately?
AMELIA
I’m tired.
BERTHA
Well, your sister sleeps in your bed now—
AMELIA
But you [already]—
BERTHA
There’s nothing wrong with the floor out here, I suppose. You have a coat. Just be careful of the dog. He doesn’t like to share his space. Well, good night.
(BERTHA leaves. AMELIA stares after her for a moment. Her chin begins to quiver and she puts her head down. She stays like this for a moment, then suddenly lifts her head.)
AMELIA
What?
(she looks around and sees no one is there. After a moment, she settles onto the floor once more. Again, she starts suddenly and sits up.)
Who’s there?
(she stands and looks toward the exit.)
Who said that? Who’s talking?
(she walks around the room and looks under a piece of furniture. She stares at something and her eyes widen.)
You…
(She pulls out a single bingo chip from under the furniture and holds it up)
She didn’t get you…You’re a lucky chip—she took all the others.
(pause)
So…what do you want from me?
(pause)
Just to listen? But…why me?
(pause)
You really think I’m that special? That pure?
(pause)
I think I understand Bingo more than them too. I’m glad you noticed. Some of them still think that if you’re prettier or smarter or people like you more—that you have a better chance of winning…But you don’t.
(pause)
Well, it’s hard to remember really, what I did before Bingo. I know I just saw it last week, but I guess I didn’t really do too much before it. I just… I don’t know…I guess I used to look at the stars. Is that doing something?
(pause)
Because if I squinted my eyes hard enough, I could see myself on one of those stars. And I’d wave down to myself from that star and think, “I look so tiny on that earth.” And then I’d wave up at myself from earth and think, “I look so tiny on that star.” Of course, I know I’d be dead if I were actually on a star…but, sometimes, I’d really like to be there. But my mom said I shouldn’t think about things so far away from me. So…I stay here. Now that I don’t have Bingo at the Center anymore.
(pause)
My own game? Oh, I don’t know if I should start my own game. I’m really not that great talking to people and stuff.
(pause)
You’d help me?
(pause)
I don’t know. Why would I even want to—
(pause)
Well, sure, I want people to notice me, but…
(pause, smiling)
You think so? Well…maybe this is my chance to shine in front of everyone!
(lies down on floor, next to chip)
And when the game is over, someone would win. But most people would lose. But that one person, that one extraordinary person, would be the luckiest one in the world.
(pause)
Well, I like talking to you too.
(Lights out. AMELIA lies on the floor with her chip and sleeps.)
ACT I. Scene 4
(Morning. Still on floor, AMELIA clutches the chip in her hand. BERTHA enters, dressed exactly as she has in previous scenes, although her demeanor and walk appear more youthful. She is, indeed, acting as though she were the new daughter, TABBY, who has arrived in their household.)
TABBY (BERTHA)
Good morning!
AMELIA
Mom?
TABBY (BERTHA)
No, silly, I’m Tabby. Your new sister.
AMELIA
Oh.
(TABBY sits on the floor with her and sees the chip in AMELIA’s hand)
TABBY (BERTHA)
Oh! I have some like that too. Mom gave them to me this morning.
(AMELIA rises and walks toward exit)
Oh, no! Don’t leave yet, Amelia! We should get to know each other.
(pause)
Mom said I should spend some time with you. And I want to, too! I was so excited last night—I could barely fall asleep.
AMELIA
Hm.
TABBY (BERTHA)
Please! Just stay for a little while. Let’s bond—we’re sisters, right?
AMELIA
I don’t want to do this.
TABBY (BERTHA)
You don’t want to bond with me?
AMELIA
I don’t want to do this again, Mom.
TABBY (BERTHA)
Mom? Oh, am I nagging like Mom does? I’m sorry.
AMELIA
No, I just—okay, fine. What do you want to bond about?
TABBY (BERTHA)
Well…boys?
AMELIA
What do you want to say?
TABBY (BERTHA)
Are you dating anyone?
AMELIA
No.
TABBY (BERTHA)
Why not?
AMELIA
I don’t know anyone.
TABBY (BERTHA)
Have you ever dated anyone?
AMELIA
No.
TABBY (BERTHA)
Have you ever been in love?
AMELIA
I don’t think so.
TABBY (BERTHA)
Well, good.
AMELIA
Why is that good?
TABBY (BERTHA)
It’s just better for all of us, that’s all.
AMELIA
What do you mean by that, Mom?
TABBY (BERTHA)
My name’s Tabby. I know it’s hard to remember someone’s name, especially when you first meet them. You just need to ask to hear the name again, instead of calling the person “mom.”
AMELIA
I don’t—
TABBY (BERTHA)
Don’t be embarrassed. Mom said you need a little help socially. Hey, I’ve even done it before too. I went to this Christmas tree lighting ceremony once—in a really big city far far away from here. And I was standing there by myself—I wasn’t by myself, but I just didn’t know anyone else around me. Well, when they lit the tree, I noticed the lights—all lit together—looked rather like a Jelly Bean Snow Globe. So I said to the man next to me, “Have you noticed how the lights—all lit together—look rather like a Jelly Bean Snow Globe?” Well, he certainly hadn’t noticed, but he said he did see a resemblance now. And he put out his right hand and said, “My name is Chuck.” Well, we talked for the next minute or so and I realized I’d completely forgotten his name. So I just asked, and maybe you should try this with me, I just asked, “I’m sorry, can you tell me your name again?” And he just said, “Sure. It’s Chuck.” I still forgot a few more times, but I just kept asking and he just kept telling me it was Chuck. And finally I remembered. Why don’t you try?
AMELIA
I know you said your name is Tabby—of course, it’s Tabby. It’s always—
TABBY (BERTHA)
Well, it’s obviously not that easy since you keep forgetting. Try asking me.
AMELIA
Look, it was nice we talked and—bonded, but I really have a lot of things to do today, so…
TABBY (BERTHA)
Just practice. Say, “I’m sorry, can you tell me your name again?”
AMELIA
I don’t need to practice.
TABBY (BERTHA)
(slowly)
“I’m sorry, can you tell me your name again?”
AMELIA
I—
TABBY (BERTHA)
“Am sorry, can you tell me your name again?”
AMELIA
You’re finishing my sentence and that’s not what I—
TABBY (BERTHA)
You’re welcome.
AMELIA
No—not you’re welcome. I didn’t have a chance to—
TABBY (BERTHA)
It’s okay. I forgive you.
AMELIA
(pause)
I’m leaving.
TABBY (BERTHA)
Wait—I don’t want to chase my own sister away! Not on our first morning together.
(AMELIA grabs her coat)
Where are you going?
AMELIA
I’m just—doing some things differently today.
TABBY (BERTHA)
Really? Like what?
AMELIA
It’s something I’m doing on my own.
TABBY (BERTHA)
That’s silly. You can’t do anything on your own. Why don’t you let me help you? Mom says I’m a great helper. I always come and help her out just when she needs me the most!
AMELIA
Okay, Tabby. I have to go.
TABBY (BERTHA)
I’ll miss my little sister.
ACT I, Scene 5
(The Cannery. RICKY stands, miming putting cans on shelves. AMELIA enters)
AMELIA
Hi, Ricky!
RICKY
Amelia—you’re here again!
AMELIA
Yeah. Your supervisor said I could come back.
RICKY
Oh, yeah. He’s not real great with security.
AMELIA
(pause)
Do you want me to leave?
RICKY
No.
(pause)
Did you get your job back? At the Community Center?
AMELIA
No, but I have a better plan now!
RICKY
Really? You got a plan?
AMELIA
Yeah, for a Bingo Game. My own Bingo Game.
RICKY
Wow, that’s great. So you’re runnin’ it and stuff?
AMELIA
Mm hm. And I’ll only have one game—so once the ball comes out and I read it, it’ll never have to go back in that cage again. And, and when the game is over, maybe some of the people will even remember who I am!
RICKY
Maybe you’ll get your job back.
AMELIA
Or maybe someone else will see me and want to give me a job—or just want to talk to me more or something. Or put me through college. I’d like to go to college maybe.
RICKY
It could change your life.
AMELIA
It will change my life! I can’t wait!
(pause)
You can play too, Ricky.
RICKY
Yeah?
AMELIA
I’d like you to play.
RICKY
(pause)
Hey, I’m supposed to be workin’, but I got a break comin’ up. How ‘bout I just take it now?
AMELIA
That’d be nice.
RICKY
Okay.
(pause)
Wanna see the cans?
AMELIA
Yeah.
RICKY
Alright. See, here, we got the fruit fillins’. That’s what I’m gonna give you. We keep them separate from the vegetables we can.
AMELIA
Oh.
RICKY
We can other things too besides vegetables and fruits.
AMELIA
Like what?
RICKY
Well…like tuna?
AMELIA
I’ve had tuna from a can.
RICKY
Yeah, I never seen a tuna can in here before, so maybe we don’t can that.
AMELIA
Well, I like fruit.
RICKY
Yeah, me too.
(pause)
So that’s about it for the cans then. We got a lot more of them, but it’s pretty much the same kinda thing. But they are different actually. When you look at the labels, you can see all the different kinds we have. A lotta sodium in canned foods. Somethin’ like 200 milligrams in green beans. Peaches got that much sodium too. Bet you wouldn’t think there’d be a lot of sodium in peaches, huh?
AMELIA
Yeah, I wouldn’t.
RICKY
But it’s there. The labels don’t lie. If they do, it’s illegal and we gotta pull them from the shelves.
AMELIA
They shouldn’t lie on the labels.
RICKY
No, they shouldn’t, but sometimes they do anyway. Or maybe they make a mistake. Sometimes people just make mistakes and that’s not their fault.
AMELIA
I think that happened to me once. And my mom too.
RICKY
Yeah, it probably did happen to you and your mom. And it happened here once—a lady came in a few months ago and said that she found a dog toenail in her can of corn!
AMELIA
Wow! I bet that wasn’t on the label.
RICKY
No, it wasn’t. You’re right, Amelia. She was gonna sue us or something, but then the foreman gave her a free case full of canned corn and also some canned peas, because she said she really liked peas a lot better than corn anyway. I told her if she just got the canned peas instead of the corn in the first place, she wouldn’ta had this problem and it woulda saved her some time that morning. But she just kinda smiled and said everything always works out for the best. And I think it did for her, because she was beamin’ as she packed her car up with that case of cans, and I don’t think she was thinkin’ anything about that dog toenail at all anymore.
AMELIA
Huh.
RICKY
Yeah.
(pause)
So you can walk down the aisles if you want to see more cans, but like I said, they look pretty similar if you can’t read the labels. See how high the cans go?
AMELIA
As far as the eye can see.
RICKY
(small laugh)
Yeah, that’s right. As far as the eye can see.
(AMELIA smiles at him.)
So when are you gonna have your Bingo Game?
AMELIA
I was thinking tomorrow.
RICKY
Ya think that’s too soon?
AMELIA
Do Bingo balls wonder if it’s too soon when it’s their time to be called?
RICKY
Don’t guess bingo balls think much about it.
AMELIA
(nodding)
I’ve waited years too long already. No, Ricky, I need things to start for me now.
RICKY
Okay. Well, where you gonna have it?
AMELIA
Maybe outside.
RICKY
Might rain tomorrow.
AMELIA
Really?
RICKY
It’s what the forecast says.
AMELIA
Oh.
RICKY
Weatherman could be wrong though.
AMELIA
Yeah.
RICKY
But if he’s not, well, cardboard gets all smellin’ like wet dog when it rains.
AMELIA
Well, I don’t know where else to have it.
RICKY
Community Center is usually free Saturday nights.
AMELIA
Really?
RICKY
They got Ceramics there, but that’s done by 6. I painted a frog couple weeks ago.
AMELIA
Yeah?
RICKY
Made him albino. You know—red eyes and stuff.
AMELIA
I’ve never seen an albino frog before.
RICKY
You ever been to a pet shop?
AMELIA
No.
RICKY
Hm. Well, maybe we should go one day. They have ‘em there.
AMELIA
I’d like to see a frog with red eyes.
RICKY
(pause)
So maybe you could have it there.
AMELIA
Oh, I don’t know. Miss Diane didn’t seem like she wanted me to go back to the Center.
RICKY
But you wouldn’t be volunteering anymore.
AMELIA
Yeah…
RICKY
Well…maybe you shouldn’t.
AMELIA
But she does have the Bingo equipment…and all that space.
RICKY
Front room’s ceiling leaks when it rains, but you could use the side room. Always dry there. And warm too.
AMELIA
Yeah…Well, maybe if she understood about my game—how it’s going to change the world for the better—maybe she’d help me!
RICKY
You should go!
AMELIA
Okay! I’ll go!
RICKY
Hey—you want that can of pie fillin’ now?
AMELIA
I’ll come back for it later!
(RICKY disappears. AMELIA walks and she is now at the Community Center. She pulls out the chip and strokes it)
AMELIA
Yes, of course I’ll ask her. That’s why I’m here. I—no! I won’t gouge her eyes out if she says no! If that’s a joke, that’s not funny. You really shouldn’t—
(DIANE enters and AMELIA shoves the chip back in her pocket. As soon as DIANE sees AMELIA, she turns around.)
DIANE
Oh, no!
AMELIA
(running after her)
Miss Diane! It’s me—Amelia!
DIANE
I know who you are!
AMELIA
Miss Diane, I wanted to tell you some good news!
DIANE
I can’t believe you came back here.
AMELIA
Now, I know you might be a little grumpy. I’m sorry that I woke you up last night. I really am. I just wanted to show you how serious I was—about the game. But I won’t bother you about my old position anymore.
DIANE
Then why are you here?
AMELIA
I wanted to talk to you about my new idea.
DIANE
But why did you come here—to me? I don’t have any interest in your ideas.
AMELIA
Okay, but you might in this. See, I’m starting my own Bingo game.
DIANE
Oh, boy…
AMELIA
Yeah, and I’m going to get people from all over to come and play and bear witness to the greatest game of luck yet!
DIANE
Well, good luck to you.
AMELIA
Wait! I just—I just wanted to see if maybe you could, I don’t know, lend me your Bingo equipment.
DIANE
No.
AMELIA
But Miss Diane, I don’t have any money to buy my own and I know you only use it on Thursdays, so I could have the game tomorrow. Right here in the Community Center!
DIANE
I’m sorry, Amelia, but I just can’t let you do that.
AMELIA
But I promise I’ll make you and the Community Center, and the old people, and even my mom and Bingo—I’ll make you all proud! It’ll be the best—
DIANE
NO!
(pause)
Amelia, go home!
(She exits.)
AMELIA
But, Miss Diane!
(TABBY enters and walks by Amelia)
TABBY (BERTHA)
Oh, hello, Amelia.
AMELIA
What are you doing here?
TABBY (BERTHA)
Me? Oh, I drove over this morning after you left. See, I work here now. I mean, it’s only a volunteer position, but I like it.
AMELIA
How—
TABBY (BERTHA)
Miss Diane needed a replacement and she saw how intelligent I was and how I had so much savoir faire, so…the more perplexing question is, why are you here?
AMELIA
I was just—out walking.
TABBY (BERTHA)
That’s strange. Mom says you never even left the house before last Thursday. Now you’re out walking just to walk?
AMELIA
I guess.
TABBY (BERTHA)
Amelia, you don’t need to pretend around me now.
(pause)
You want your own Bingo game tomorrow, right?
AMELIA
How did you hear that?
TABBY (BERTHA)
I have ears. Besides, Diane tells me everything.
AMELIA
Oh.
TABBY (BERTHA)
It’s just too bad you can’t find any equipment.
AMELIA
I can find stuff.
TABBY (BERTHA)
Really—how?
AMELIA
I’ve got the chips and—
TABBY (BERTHA)
No, I’ve got the chips.
AMELIA
But they’re mine.
TABBY (BERTHA)
Mom gave them to me.
AMELIA
But she took them from me!
TABBY (BERTHA)
And you took them from here.
AMELIA
(pause)
Okay, well, I can find something. I can use—pebbles maybe.
TABBY (BERTHA)
That’s not a bad idea. But people might shoot them at each other—or the window. You don’t want to break a window, do you?
AMELIA
No.
TABBY (BERTHA)
And you don’t want the people to stone someone to death, do you?
AMELIA
Why would they—
TABBY (BERTHA)
What about the boards?
AMELIA
I can make them.
TABBY (BERTHA)
You know how to make Bingo boards?
AMELIA
I could find some cardboard and use a ruler and a marker. I’ve memorized all the spaces on all the cards—I could do it.
TABBY (BERTHA)
They might look sorta ugly. What about the balls?
AMELIA
I don’t know.
TABBY (BERTHA)
Yeah, that’s a problem.
AMELIA
I could use magic marker on some dice.
TABBY (BERTHA)
No one will be able to read them.
AMELIA
I don’t know, but I’ll figure it out!
(turns to leave)
TABBY (BERTHA)
I could help you, Amelia.
AMELIA
What do you mean?
TABBY (BERTHA)
I could get the Bingo equipment.
AMELIA
How?
TABBY (BERTHA)
I work here now, remember?
AMELIA
You’ll steal it?
TABBY (BERTHA)
I wouldn’t even have to. Diane loves me!
AMELIA
She just met you!
TABBY (BERTHA)
She loves me!
AMELIA
Okay…
TABBY (BERTHA)
I could get you the equipment so you could have a real game.
AMELIA
You’d do that for me?
TABBY (BERTHA)
Sure, I would!
AMELIA
(pause)
Okay, thanks.
TABBY (BERTHA)
I just want you to let me help.
AMELIA
Well, you can help by getting the equipment.
TABBY (BERTHA)
Yes, I’ll help by doing that. But I want to help with the rest of the game too.
AMELIA
I don’t know what else there is for you to do.
TABBY (BERTHA)
I’ll find something.
AMELIA
Well, maybe.
TABBY (BERTHA)
Maybe I’ll pick out the prize.
AMELIA
I think I want to get the prize.
TABBY (BERTHA)
What are you getting?
AMELIA
I don’t know. I just thought I’d find something really special, you know? So…whoever held that prize, whoever’s luck was the best that very special day—they’d go home with something that would change their life forever too.
TABBY (BERTHA)
I think I can find that.
AMELIA
What?
TABBY (BERTHA)
Leave the prize up to me, Amelia. I’ll make sure it changes all of our lives.
To order a copy, please go here.
Cast: 3 female, 1 male
Genre: Dark Comedy
Amelia spends her days under the watchful eye of her mother, doing the same nothing she has done for years. Yet when Bingo arrives at her local community center, a talking Bingo chip convinces Amelia that forming her own game is the way out of this life and away from her controlling mother. However, as her mother begins acting like her newly arrived sister, and the chip becomes increasingly dominating, Amelia discovers her new life is nothing as she imagined.
Cast: 3 female, 1 male
Genre: Dark Comedy
Amelia spends her days under the watchful eye of her mother, doing the same nothing she has done for years. Yet when Bingo arrives at her local community center, a talking Bingo chip convinces Amelia that forming her own game is the way out of this life and away from her controlling mother. However, as her mother begins acting like her newly arrived sister, and the chip becomes increasingly dominating, Amelia discovers her new life is nothing as she imagined.
EXCERPT
CHARACTERS IN EXCERPT:
AMELIA A young woman of about 20.
BERTHA A mother in her fifties.
RICKY A young man of about 20.
DIANE A woman in her thirties or forties.
Excerpt starts in Act I, Scene 3.
AMELIA A young woman of about 20.
BERTHA A mother in her fifties.
RICKY A young man of about 20.
DIANE A woman in her thirties or forties.
Excerpt starts in Act I, Scene 3.
(A living room. BERTHA sits. AMELIA enters)
BERTHA
Where have you been?
AMELIA
The Bingo Hall.
BERTHA
Until 2am?
(AMELIA shrugs)
Your father was worried to death.
AMELIA
I—
BERTHA
He suggested I call your friends to see if you might have gone out for a cup of coffee or an alcoholic beverage.
AMELIA
You know I don’t drink, Mom.
BERTHA
And you don’t have any friends. I had to remind him of that too. He’s become quite forgetful in his middle-age.
(AMELIA starts to walk away)
Where are you going now?
AMELIA
To bed.
BERTHA
Why are your pockets bulging? Did you win money at the Bingo game?
AMELIA
No, I didn’t even play.
BERTHA
What’s in your pockets?
AMELIA
Nothing.
BERTHA
What is it, Amelia? I can see you have them stuffed with something.
AMELIA
It’s nothing. Really. I’m tired.
BERTHA
I did not raise my daughter to lie to me. You’ll have to take lessons from your older sister in how to speak to your elders more respectfully.
AMELIA
She’s here already?
BERTHA
Yes, she arrived this evening. Simply a joy to have around.
AMELIA
Where is this…sister?
BERTHA
I know you’re anxious to meet her and you will tomorrow. But she’s sleeping now and I really don’t think it’s fair to wake her just to see you. Don’t good people have a right to sleep?
AMELIA
I’m sorry.
BERTHA
Empty your pockets.
(AMELIA dumps the Bingo chips out of her pockets)
You’ve brought these into the house?!
(she moves toward the chips, but AMELIA stands in the way)
AMELIA
Don’t touch them!
BERTHA
You brought them into my house; I may touch them.
AMELIA
Please don’t hurt them…
BERTHA
How would I hurt them?
(scoops up the chips into her apron)
Hm, I think they might make a nice “welcome home” gift for your new sister.
AMELIA
No—don’t give them to her!
BERTHA
What a spoiled little sister you are! Oh, Amelia, you’ve never had a sister to share things with before.
AMELIA
You know that’s not—
BERTHA
Well, you’re going to have to stop being so selfish now.
AMELIA
But, they’re mine! Please!
(tries to grab them from her mother)
BERTHA
Remember your manners!
(holds the chips away from AMELIA)
AMELIA
Don’t take them away from me!
(grabbing onto BERTHA’s apron)
BERTHA
Stop fighting with your mother, Amelia!
(she yanks on her apron hard and AMELIA looses her grip and falls to the floor. She stays there.)
Honestly, I want you to meet with your sister first thing in the morning so she can give you a lesson on proper behavior.
(starts to exit)
Why don’t you use this time tonight to practice behaving appropriately?
AMELIA
I’m tired.
BERTHA
Well, your sister sleeps in your bed now—
AMELIA
But you [already]—
BERTHA
There’s nothing wrong with the floor out here, I suppose. You have a coat. Just be careful of the dog. He doesn’t like to share his space. Well, good night.
(BERTHA leaves. AMELIA stares after her for a moment. Her chin begins to quiver and she puts her head down. She stays like this for a moment, then suddenly lifts her head.)
AMELIA
What?
(she looks around and sees no one is there. After a moment, she settles onto the floor once more. Again, she starts suddenly and sits up.)
Who’s there?
(she stands and looks toward the exit.)
Who said that? Who’s talking?
(she walks around the room and looks under a piece of furniture. She stares at something and her eyes widen.)
You…
(She pulls out a single bingo chip from under the furniture and holds it up)
She didn’t get you…You’re a lucky chip—she took all the others.
(pause)
So…what do you want from me?
(pause)
Just to listen? But…why me?
(pause)
You really think I’m that special? That pure?
(pause)
I think I understand Bingo more than them too. I’m glad you noticed. Some of them still think that if you’re prettier or smarter or people like you more—that you have a better chance of winning…But you don’t.
(pause)
Well, it’s hard to remember really, what I did before Bingo. I know I just saw it last week, but I guess I didn’t really do too much before it. I just… I don’t know…I guess I used to look at the stars. Is that doing something?
(pause)
Because if I squinted my eyes hard enough, I could see myself on one of those stars. And I’d wave down to myself from that star and think, “I look so tiny on that earth.” And then I’d wave up at myself from earth and think, “I look so tiny on that star.” Of course, I know I’d be dead if I were actually on a star…but, sometimes, I’d really like to be there. But my mom said I shouldn’t think about things so far away from me. So…I stay here. Now that I don’t have Bingo at the Center anymore.
(pause)
My own game? Oh, I don’t know if I should start my own game. I’m really not that great talking to people and stuff.
(pause)
You’d help me?
(pause)
I don’t know. Why would I even want to—
(pause)
Well, sure, I want people to notice me, but…
(pause, smiling)
You think so? Well…maybe this is my chance to shine in front of everyone!
(lies down on floor, next to chip)
And when the game is over, someone would win. But most people would lose. But that one person, that one extraordinary person, would be the luckiest one in the world.
(pause)
Well, I like talking to you too.
(Lights out. AMELIA lies on the floor with her chip and sleeps.)
ACT I. Scene 4
(Morning. Still on floor, AMELIA clutches the chip in her hand. BERTHA enters, dressed exactly as she has in previous scenes, although her demeanor and walk appear more youthful. She is, indeed, acting as though she were the new daughter, TABBY, who has arrived in their household.)
TABBY (BERTHA)
Good morning!
AMELIA
Mom?
TABBY (BERTHA)
No, silly, I’m Tabby. Your new sister.
AMELIA
Oh.
(TABBY sits on the floor with her and sees the chip in AMELIA’s hand)
TABBY (BERTHA)
Oh! I have some like that too. Mom gave them to me this morning.
(AMELIA rises and walks toward exit)
Oh, no! Don’t leave yet, Amelia! We should get to know each other.
(pause)
Mom said I should spend some time with you. And I want to, too! I was so excited last night—I could barely fall asleep.
AMELIA
Hm.
TABBY (BERTHA)
Please! Just stay for a little while. Let’s bond—we’re sisters, right?
AMELIA
I don’t want to do this.
TABBY (BERTHA)
You don’t want to bond with me?
AMELIA
I don’t want to do this again, Mom.
TABBY (BERTHA)
Mom? Oh, am I nagging like Mom does? I’m sorry.
AMELIA
No, I just—okay, fine. What do you want to bond about?
TABBY (BERTHA)
Well…boys?
AMELIA
What do you want to say?
TABBY (BERTHA)
Are you dating anyone?
AMELIA
No.
TABBY (BERTHA)
Why not?
AMELIA
I don’t know anyone.
TABBY (BERTHA)
Have you ever dated anyone?
AMELIA
No.
TABBY (BERTHA)
Have you ever been in love?
AMELIA
I don’t think so.
TABBY (BERTHA)
Well, good.
AMELIA
Why is that good?
TABBY (BERTHA)
It’s just better for all of us, that’s all.
AMELIA
What do you mean by that, Mom?
TABBY (BERTHA)
My name’s Tabby. I know it’s hard to remember someone’s name, especially when you first meet them. You just need to ask to hear the name again, instead of calling the person “mom.”
AMELIA
I don’t—
TABBY (BERTHA)
Don’t be embarrassed. Mom said you need a little help socially. Hey, I’ve even done it before too. I went to this Christmas tree lighting ceremony once—in a really big city far far away from here. And I was standing there by myself—I wasn’t by myself, but I just didn’t know anyone else around me. Well, when they lit the tree, I noticed the lights—all lit together—looked rather like a Jelly Bean Snow Globe. So I said to the man next to me, “Have you noticed how the lights—all lit together—look rather like a Jelly Bean Snow Globe?” Well, he certainly hadn’t noticed, but he said he did see a resemblance now. And he put out his right hand and said, “My name is Chuck.” Well, we talked for the next minute or so and I realized I’d completely forgotten his name. So I just asked, and maybe you should try this with me, I just asked, “I’m sorry, can you tell me your name again?” And he just said, “Sure. It’s Chuck.” I still forgot a few more times, but I just kept asking and he just kept telling me it was Chuck. And finally I remembered. Why don’t you try?
AMELIA
I know you said your name is Tabby—of course, it’s Tabby. It’s always—
TABBY (BERTHA)
Well, it’s obviously not that easy since you keep forgetting. Try asking me.
AMELIA
Look, it was nice we talked and—bonded, but I really have a lot of things to do today, so…
TABBY (BERTHA)
Just practice. Say, “I’m sorry, can you tell me your name again?”
AMELIA
I don’t need to practice.
TABBY (BERTHA)
(slowly)
“I’m sorry, can you tell me your name again?”
AMELIA
I—
TABBY (BERTHA)
“Am sorry, can you tell me your name again?”
AMELIA
You’re finishing my sentence and that’s not what I—
TABBY (BERTHA)
You’re welcome.
AMELIA
No—not you’re welcome. I didn’t have a chance to—
TABBY (BERTHA)
It’s okay. I forgive you.
AMELIA
(pause)
I’m leaving.
TABBY (BERTHA)
Wait—I don’t want to chase my own sister away! Not on our first morning together.
(AMELIA grabs her coat)
Where are you going?
AMELIA
I’m just—doing some things differently today.
TABBY (BERTHA)
Really? Like what?
AMELIA
It’s something I’m doing on my own.
TABBY (BERTHA)
That’s silly. You can’t do anything on your own. Why don’t you let me help you? Mom says I’m a great helper. I always come and help her out just when she needs me the most!
AMELIA
Okay, Tabby. I have to go.
TABBY (BERTHA)
I’ll miss my little sister.
ACT I, Scene 5
(The Cannery. RICKY stands, miming putting cans on shelves. AMELIA enters)
AMELIA
Hi, Ricky!
RICKY
Amelia—you’re here again!
AMELIA
Yeah. Your supervisor said I could come back.
RICKY
Oh, yeah. He’s not real great with security.
AMELIA
(pause)
Do you want me to leave?
RICKY
No.
(pause)
Did you get your job back? At the Community Center?
AMELIA
No, but I have a better plan now!
RICKY
Really? You got a plan?
AMELIA
Yeah, for a Bingo Game. My own Bingo Game.
RICKY
Wow, that’s great. So you’re runnin’ it and stuff?
AMELIA
Mm hm. And I’ll only have one game—so once the ball comes out and I read it, it’ll never have to go back in that cage again. And, and when the game is over, maybe some of the people will even remember who I am!
RICKY
Maybe you’ll get your job back.
AMELIA
Or maybe someone else will see me and want to give me a job—or just want to talk to me more or something. Or put me through college. I’d like to go to college maybe.
RICKY
It could change your life.
AMELIA
It will change my life! I can’t wait!
(pause)
You can play too, Ricky.
RICKY
Yeah?
AMELIA
I’d like you to play.
RICKY
(pause)
Hey, I’m supposed to be workin’, but I got a break comin’ up. How ‘bout I just take it now?
AMELIA
That’d be nice.
RICKY
Okay.
(pause)
Wanna see the cans?
AMELIA
Yeah.
RICKY
Alright. See, here, we got the fruit fillins’. That’s what I’m gonna give you. We keep them separate from the vegetables we can.
AMELIA
Oh.
RICKY
We can other things too besides vegetables and fruits.
AMELIA
Like what?
RICKY
Well…like tuna?
AMELIA
I’ve had tuna from a can.
RICKY
Yeah, I never seen a tuna can in here before, so maybe we don’t can that.
AMELIA
Well, I like fruit.
RICKY
Yeah, me too.
(pause)
So that’s about it for the cans then. We got a lot more of them, but it’s pretty much the same kinda thing. But they are different actually. When you look at the labels, you can see all the different kinds we have. A lotta sodium in canned foods. Somethin’ like 200 milligrams in green beans. Peaches got that much sodium too. Bet you wouldn’t think there’d be a lot of sodium in peaches, huh?
AMELIA
Yeah, I wouldn’t.
RICKY
But it’s there. The labels don’t lie. If they do, it’s illegal and we gotta pull them from the shelves.
AMELIA
They shouldn’t lie on the labels.
RICKY
No, they shouldn’t, but sometimes they do anyway. Or maybe they make a mistake. Sometimes people just make mistakes and that’s not their fault.
AMELIA
I think that happened to me once. And my mom too.
RICKY
Yeah, it probably did happen to you and your mom. And it happened here once—a lady came in a few months ago and said that she found a dog toenail in her can of corn!
AMELIA
Wow! I bet that wasn’t on the label.
RICKY
No, it wasn’t. You’re right, Amelia. She was gonna sue us or something, but then the foreman gave her a free case full of canned corn and also some canned peas, because she said she really liked peas a lot better than corn anyway. I told her if she just got the canned peas instead of the corn in the first place, she wouldn’ta had this problem and it woulda saved her some time that morning. But she just kinda smiled and said everything always works out for the best. And I think it did for her, because she was beamin’ as she packed her car up with that case of cans, and I don’t think she was thinkin’ anything about that dog toenail at all anymore.
AMELIA
Huh.
RICKY
Yeah.
(pause)
So you can walk down the aisles if you want to see more cans, but like I said, they look pretty similar if you can’t read the labels. See how high the cans go?
AMELIA
As far as the eye can see.
RICKY
(small laugh)
Yeah, that’s right. As far as the eye can see.
(AMELIA smiles at him.)
So when are you gonna have your Bingo Game?
AMELIA
I was thinking tomorrow.
RICKY
Ya think that’s too soon?
AMELIA
Do Bingo balls wonder if it’s too soon when it’s their time to be called?
RICKY
Don’t guess bingo balls think much about it.
AMELIA
(nodding)
I’ve waited years too long already. No, Ricky, I need things to start for me now.
RICKY
Okay. Well, where you gonna have it?
AMELIA
Maybe outside.
RICKY
Might rain tomorrow.
AMELIA
Really?
RICKY
It’s what the forecast says.
AMELIA
Oh.
RICKY
Weatherman could be wrong though.
AMELIA
Yeah.
RICKY
But if he’s not, well, cardboard gets all smellin’ like wet dog when it rains.
AMELIA
Well, I don’t know where else to have it.
RICKY
Community Center is usually free Saturday nights.
AMELIA
Really?
RICKY
They got Ceramics there, but that’s done by 6. I painted a frog couple weeks ago.
AMELIA
Yeah?
RICKY
Made him albino. You know—red eyes and stuff.
AMELIA
I’ve never seen an albino frog before.
RICKY
You ever been to a pet shop?
AMELIA
No.
RICKY
Hm. Well, maybe we should go one day. They have ‘em there.
AMELIA
I’d like to see a frog with red eyes.
RICKY
(pause)
So maybe you could have it there.
AMELIA
Oh, I don’t know. Miss Diane didn’t seem like she wanted me to go back to the Center.
RICKY
But you wouldn’t be volunteering anymore.
AMELIA
Yeah…
RICKY
Well…maybe you shouldn’t.
AMELIA
But she does have the Bingo equipment…and all that space.
RICKY
Front room’s ceiling leaks when it rains, but you could use the side room. Always dry there. And warm too.
AMELIA
Yeah…Well, maybe if she understood about my game—how it’s going to change the world for the better—maybe she’d help me!
RICKY
You should go!
AMELIA
Okay! I’ll go!
RICKY
Hey—you want that can of pie fillin’ now?
AMELIA
I’ll come back for it later!
(RICKY disappears. AMELIA walks and she is now at the Community Center. She pulls out the chip and strokes it)
AMELIA
Yes, of course I’ll ask her. That’s why I’m here. I—no! I won’t gouge her eyes out if she says no! If that’s a joke, that’s not funny. You really shouldn’t—
(DIANE enters and AMELIA shoves the chip back in her pocket. As soon as DIANE sees AMELIA, she turns around.)
DIANE
Oh, no!
AMELIA
(running after her)
Miss Diane! It’s me—Amelia!
DIANE
I know who you are!
AMELIA
Miss Diane, I wanted to tell you some good news!
DIANE
I can’t believe you came back here.
AMELIA
Now, I know you might be a little grumpy. I’m sorry that I woke you up last night. I really am. I just wanted to show you how serious I was—about the game. But I won’t bother you about my old position anymore.
DIANE
Then why are you here?
AMELIA
I wanted to talk to you about my new idea.
DIANE
But why did you come here—to me? I don’t have any interest in your ideas.
AMELIA
Okay, but you might in this. See, I’m starting my own Bingo game.
DIANE
Oh, boy…
AMELIA
Yeah, and I’m going to get people from all over to come and play and bear witness to the greatest game of luck yet!
DIANE
Well, good luck to you.
AMELIA
Wait! I just—I just wanted to see if maybe you could, I don’t know, lend me your Bingo equipment.
DIANE
No.
AMELIA
But Miss Diane, I don’t have any money to buy my own and I know you only use it on Thursdays, so I could have the game tomorrow. Right here in the Community Center!
DIANE
I’m sorry, Amelia, but I just can’t let you do that.
AMELIA
But I promise I’ll make you and the Community Center, and the old people, and even my mom and Bingo—I’ll make you all proud! It’ll be the best—
DIANE
NO!
(pause)
Amelia, go home!
(She exits.)
AMELIA
But, Miss Diane!
(TABBY enters and walks by Amelia)
TABBY (BERTHA)
Oh, hello, Amelia.
AMELIA
What are you doing here?
TABBY (BERTHA)
Me? Oh, I drove over this morning after you left. See, I work here now. I mean, it’s only a volunteer position, but I like it.
AMELIA
How—
TABBY (BERTHA)
Miss Diane needed a replacement and she saw how intelligent I was and how I had so much savoir faire, so…the more perplexing question is, why are you here?
AMELIA
I was just—out walking.
TABBY (BERTHA)
That’s strange. Mom says you never even left the house before last Thursday. Now you’re out walking just to walk?
AMELIA
I guess.
TABBY (BERTHA)
Amelia, you don’t need to pretend around me now.
(pause)
You want your own Bingo game tomorrow, right?
AMELIA
How did you hear that?
TABBY (BERTHA)
I have ears. Besides, Diane tells me everything.
AMELIA
Oh.
TABBY (BERTHA)
It’s just too bad you can’t find any equipment.
AMELIA
I can find stuff.
TABBY (BERTHA)
Really—how?
AMELIA
I’ve got the chips and—
TABBY (BERTHA)
No, I’ve got the chips.
AMELIA
But they’re mine.
TABBY (BERTHA)
Mom gave them to me.
AMELIA
But she took them from me!
TABBY (BERTHA)
And you took them from here.
AMELIA
(pause)
Okay, well, I can find something. I can use—pebbles maybe.
TABBY (BERTHA)
That’s not a bad idea. But people might shoot them at each other—or the window. You don’t want to break a window, do you?
AMELIA
No.
TABBY (BERTHA)
And you don’t want the people to stone someone to death, do you?
AMELIA
Why would they—
TABBY (BERTHA)
What about the boards?
AMELIA
I can make them.
TABBY (BERTHA)
You know how to make Bingo boards?
AMELIA
I could find some cardboard and use a ruler and a marker. I’ve memorized all the spaces on all the cards—I could do it.
TABBY (BERTHA)
They might look sorta ugly. What about the balls?
AMELIA
I don’t know.
TABBY (BERTHA)
Yeah, that’s a problem.
AMELIA
I could use magic marker on some dice.
TABBY (BERTHA)
No one will be able to read them.
AMELIA
I don’t know, but I’ll figure it out!
(turns to leave)
TABBY (BERTHA)
I could help you, Amelia.
AMELIA
What do you mean?
TABBY (BERTHA)
I could get the Bingo equipment.
AMELIA
How?
TABBY (BERTHA)
I work here now, remember?
AMELIA
You’ll steal it?
TABBY (BERTHA)
I wouldn’t even have to. Diane loves me!
AMELIA
She just met you!
TABBY (BERTHA)
She loves me!
AMELIA
Okay…
TABBY (BERTHA)
I could get you the equipment so you could have a real game.
AMELIA
You’d do that for me?
TABBY (BERTHA)
Sure, I would!
AMELIA
(pause)
Okay, thanks.
TABBY (BERTHA)
I just want you to let me help.
AMELIA
Well, you can help by getting the equipment.
TABBY (BERTHA)
Yes, I’ll help by doing that. But I want to help with the rest of the game too.
AMELIA
I don’t know what else there is for you to do.
TABBY (BERTHA)
I’ll find something.
AMELIA
Well, maybe.
TABBY (BERTHA)
Maybe I’ll pick out the prize.
AMELIA
I think I want to get the prize.
TABBY (BERTHA)
What are you getting?
AMELIA
I don’t know. I just thought I’d find something really special, you know? So…whoever held that prize, whoever’s luck was the best that very special day—they’d go home with something that would change their life forever too.
TABBY (BERTHA)
I think I can find that.
AMELIA
What?
TABBY (BERTHA)
Leave the prize up to me, Amelia. I’ll make sure it changes all of our lives.