Clementine
(Opening Scene)
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Characters:
Louisa: 24, a housewife, pretty in a simple way. Her looks should not be striking.
Ben: 28, handsome and dark-haired, of medium height, somewhat scrawny.
Scene:
The year is 1921. We look on a small living room. There is a radio, a desk, a table with a lace tablecloth over the top, and a bookshelf filled with books. The walls are covered in old flowered wallpaper and feature a mirror, a clock, and a telephone.
At Rise:
BEN is sitting in a chair reading the newspaper with the radio on. A George Gershwin song is playing. He taps his foot on the floor a little off the beat. He is wearing nice pants and a white shirt, unbuttoned, over a white undershirt. There is a towel around his shoulders. LOUISA walks in through a door in the back. She carries scissors, shaving cream, and a bowl of water, a towel over her shoulder. She sets the water down on the table and begins to comb BEN’s hair.
◊◊◊
Ben:
I want the same length as before.
Louisa:
(Stopping) Do you now?
Ben:
Please.
Louisa:
(Kissing his head) Sure. (Begins to comb again) What’s in the news today?
Ben:
Stocks are going well. They’re continuing to take the troops out of
Germany. (Turns the page)
Louisa:
Any small-town news?
Ben:
There is a long mass this weekend to honor Oliver Smits. Did you hear
about that, Louisa? The man just fell down with a clot.
Louisa:
I did. I brought Eleanor a basket of muffins yesterday.
Ben:
Well, they are also encouraging us all to get out and vote. Look at this—
Louisa:
(Reading aloud over his shoulder in a mocking voice) “We woman have an obligation to vote. Our Nineteenth Amendment gives us the freedom to break free of the patriarchal society that has trapped our dear grandmothers and mothers since the beginning of time.” Exclamation point. And et cetera.
Ben:
Written by Miss Jane Hanson. Can you believe her, Louisa? She and a
few women from the church were marching up the street with voting
signs yesterday.
Louisa:
She is extravagant, stubborn, and opinionated. But she works harder than anyone I know to get the rights she deserves.
Ben:
Well, wonderful for her.
Louisa:
I think she could recite the lives of anyone on this street. But she can’t
keep her nose out of anyone’s business.
BEN nods in agreement and turns the page of his newspaper.
Ben:
(Jumping up) What—?
Louisa:
Oh, Ben! I am so sorry. (She takes his head gently and kisses his ear.) Did I cut your ear?
Ben:
No.
Louisa:
(Stepping back quickly) What is it?
Ben:
Here. In the paper. (Pointing) “Benjamin Karl takes on the Janice case.”
Louisa:
(Taking the newspaper from him to read) Ben, we talked. I don’t want you taking his case.
Ben:
I wasn’t going to. I told Rich to get someone else to do it.
He walks to the radio and turns it off.
Louisa:
Then what’s this? He clearly thinks you’re going to take it.
Ben:
Louisa, I promise, darling, I told him that we were both concerned.
She sits down in the chair.
Louisa:
Everyone will think you are on this case…. He’s … he’s got you wrapped
around his finger.
Ben:
No, he doesn’t. I won’t let it happen.
He walks behind the chair.
Louisa:
Talk to him tomorrow.
Ben:
Yes, I promise.
Louisa:
Don’t let him do this. Derek Janice is an animal.
She turns around and touches her hand to his cheek.
Ben:
Darling, don’t worry. I’ll tell Rich.
Louisa:
Thank you. But be firm, Ben. (Standing up and folding the newspaper) We’ve let him get away with it already. If you want, I will come in and explain my reasons as well.
Ben:
I’ll bring in the recruits. (Kisses her cheek) We might have to ask Jane to help us.
Louisa:
(Hitting BEN in the chest with the newspaper) We are not going to ask The Busybody for her help.
BEN takes the newspaper.
This makes me so angry. Why does Richard Price think he can do this?
Ben:
Don’t start hating the man yet. (Chuckles) We don’t know exactly what happened.
He begins to make a pipe.
Louisa:
I don’t need to. He’s devilish.
Ben:
He is not the devil, Louisa—
Louisa:
Benjamin, I think he’s manipulating you. If you don’t take this case now, he’ll have the papers paint you out as a coward.
Ben:
Rich is greedy, but he’s got a lot to lose if I leave his firm. (Smiles)
Louisa:
Well, you can’t leave. We need the money.
BEN is still smiling.
Don’t be smug. I still don’t like him manipulating you into taking this case.
Ben:
We don’t know if that’s what he’s doing….
Louisa:
You are a good lawyer. I’m not the only one who thinks so.
Ben:
(Taking her arm and dipping her) You’re right. All my lady friends tell me so.
LOUISA hits him with the towel playfully.
Louisa:
Beat it, baby. It’s time for the lawyer’s haircut.
Ben:
Quite right, my dear.
He sits back down in his chair, and she resumes her place behind him,
combing and cutting.
You are my favorite.
Louisa:
I’m your favorite?
Ben:
Well, of all the beautiful dames I see, you are my favorite.
Louisa:
I don’t know about that.
Ben:
I do.
Louisa:
Well … I’m sure all the young women who you see are rich beauties. Silk dresses, beautifully pinned-up hair and pearls. (Playfully) What could you possibly like about a simple house woman?
Ben:
(Playing along) Oh, my dear lady. (Turns around) I don’t think you have been properly introduced to my fiancée, Louisa. She is a tall beauty. She is kind and always has my meals ready and warm. She is a real comfort after the hours of hysterical men crying about money.
Louisa:
She sounds quite plain.
Pause. BEN smiles at her.
Why ever would a young, smart man like you care for her?
Ben:
I love her.
LOUISA looks away and starts to clean up her supplies.
Louisa:
Well, sir, I must say your hair looks fine. You may shake the towel outside now. And please try not to drop any hair on the carpet.
Ben:
(Looking at himself in the mirror) Not bad, Miss.
Louisa:
It’s fantastic.
Ben:
No false advertising. I could bring you to court for that.
Louisa:
Why, you beast! That is a fine haircut, and there’s not a cleaner one on this street. Perhaps you should take your business somewhere else.
She washes off the scissors in the water, then picks up her supplies and
starts to walk toward the door. BEN grabs her arm.
Ben:
Thank you.
Louisa:
You’re welcome.
She gives a little curtsy.
Ben:
(Leaning in to kiss her) Cash or check, Miss?
LOUISA holds up her hand.
Louisa:
You will talk to Rich tomorrow? Tell him you will not take the case.
Ben:
Yes. I promise.
Pause.
I’ll make sure he listens.
He leans in again for a kiss.
Louisa:
(Pulling away) You can leave your money on the table.
She smiles and walks through the door.
Lights dim.