Willy Beau Dilly
by Jayme McGhan
Part One |
Part Two |
Part Three |
Part Four
Part One
Narrator
Hello and welcome to the world premiere radio play, Willy Beau Dilly by Jayme McGhan. Willy Beau Dilly is produced by DMACC Ankeny Theatre, a flagship program within the Simon Estes School of Fine Arts. Additional support comes from the School of Liberal Arts, led by Dean, Jim Stick, and DMACC’s Student Activities Council. Special thanks to playwright Jayme McGhan. Willy Beau Dilly will be released in four parts. Follow DMACC Ankeny Theatre on social media at the handle “at” D-M-A-C-C Theatre, with the R-E spelling, to keep up with the radio play and other announcements. You can also go to DMACC “dot” E-D-U and search Theatre.
Sound: begin underscore of sound that will set the scene, tone included. Our story is set within the immaculate garden on the Ives Family Estate in St. Paul, Minnesota. The garden is pleasantly shaded with trees and covered with blooming flowers. There is a brick patio with a decorative mosaic-tiled reflecting pool in the middle. The pool is filled with about six inches of crystal clear water. A tall well-manicured hedge separates the garden from the nearby servants quarters. The Ives home is farther off, a good walk from the garden. It is May of the year 1894. The home is occupied by its family patriarch, a rather handsome and well-dressed man, 58 years of age, the newly appointed President of the Northern Pacific Railway--
Rupert
Rupert Ives.
Narrator
--and his daughter, an intentionally plain-looking woman of 25 and a righteous columnist for “The People” magazine--
Marla
Marla Ives.
Narrator
Marla is engaged to the Manager of “Cooley Grain Elevators,” a handsome and strong man, 28 years of age--
Norman
Norman Cooley.
Narrator
The Ives family employs several individuals, two of which we meet during our play. The first is the family’s head housekeeper, who, at 55, is very much a mother figure to Willy and Marla. Her name is--
Celia
Celia Rhodes.
Narrator
Last I’d like to introduce you to the Ives’ family gardener, a thin and frail man, 32 years of age:
Willy
Willy. Willy Beau Dilly.
Narrator
Part one. Morning in St. Paul, Minnesota. Willy stands in the reflecting pool, pant legs rolled up, picking leaves and twigs from the water. Celia is wiping down the mosaic tiling on the side of the reflecting pool with a damp rag. Marla Ives, who has been living in the servant’s quarters as a means of protesting her father, sits at the steps of her room, still in her nightgown, reading from one of her leather-bound journals…
Marla
“...and what’s more, Northern Pacific Railroad, having the slightest of strongholds in North America but still an entity with substantial sway, seeks to re-distribute and ultimately regain its supremacy. Not through purchasing smaller railroads mind you, but by laying track through any territory it pleases in the very real hopes that small cities will grow around it. Northern Pacific will justify its actions in Minnesota, the Dakota Territories, Wisconsin, and other areas of the Midwest with sterling claims of industrial progress. As this lady is certainly qualified to testify, that industrial progress will be carried on the backs of poor laborers, laborers who should more aptly be referred to as slaves. The ever decreasing wages for such a task insures maximum profit for—”
(Celia
groans)
What do you think Celia? Worthy of a journalistic prize?
Celia
I don’t care to discuss politics miss.
Marla
The well-being of the many is not politics. It is morally upstanding. It is a Christian virtue.
Celia
So is respect for your parents.
Marla
Oh, don’t be so Old Testament. A new law of love and equality is the sustenance of the day.
Celia
Publishing columns that outright attack your father and his friends is not all that virtuous in my book.
Marla
My father deserves the respect one would give to a hog.
(she snorts like a pig.
Willy laughs)
What do you think Willy? Did you like it?
Willy
I think it was wonderful.
Marla
Worthy of a journalistic prize?
Willy
If I had a prize to give, I suppose it would be all yours miss.
Marla
Oh, you’re never any good at lying. Clear as crystal, that’s you. It’s terrible, I know.
(she tears the sheet out of her notebook, crumples it, and throws it on the ground.)
Everything I write always seems to fall short. The message is there. It’s in me. I just know it. But I can never seem to make my words worthy of the message. Maybe one day you’ll teach me Willy? What with all of those manuscripts of yours you keep in your room. What do you say?
(Willy
gingerly picks up the paper, folds it nicely and places it in his pocket)
Why are you always saving my trash?
Willy
Might be worth something someday?
Celia
Worth a log to lay on the fire if you roll all of those crumpled sheets up tight.
(Marla
sticks her tongue out at
Celia with a spit sound.)
Be careful a grackle doesn’t fly along and snatch that little worm straight out of your mouth.
Marla
I’ll have you know that this particular article is going in to The People magazine next month. My first article as a real journalist. And just in time for my father’s announcement of the railway expansion. I’m thinking about reading it out loud to him and all his friends at the party this evening. Maybe right after dinner? Or before the toast? Ha! I’d love to see their faces. Long and full of shadows, just like their souls!
Celia
It’s a miracle straight from the saints that any young man would dare align himself in holy matrimony with you. Now go on in and put some clothes on child. You’ll catch your death.
Marla
I might just have the fancy to stay like this all day long. What do you think Willy? Does it suit me? Barefoot and a dressing gown?
Willy
I’m certain you look about as pleasant as...well, as a field full of dandelions.
Marla
Dandelions!? A field full of weeds? I know I keep myself plain—and a lady of the people’s revolution should mean to do just that—but dandelions?
Willy
Dandelions look pretty decent to me.
Marla
You are a gentleman to be sure. Equating ladies to dandelions. God help the woman you finally settle down with Willy.
Rupert
Marla Ives! What in the devil has gotten in to you now girl?! Your engagement party is not ten hours away and you’re—you’re—what in God’s name is she doing Celia?
Celia
Getting in the way, as always Mr. Ives.
Willy
Morning Mr. Rupert sir.
Rupert
Good morning Willy.
Marla
Willy, will you kindly tell my father that I refuse to speak to him until he stops filling his and his friend’s purses with money made from the misery of the masses?
Willy
Uh—Miss Marla’s not keen to speaking right now sir.
Rupert
Well, you can tell my daughter that that purse is what paid for her education on the East Coast and that her daddy had to do a lot of favors to convince the school administration to allow a little wildcat like herself to stay.
Willy
Mr. Rupert says—
Marla
I can hear him just fine, thank you.
Willy
Okay.
Marla
I told you a million times daddy, I’m not ready to marry Norman.
Rupert
Of course you’re not. That’s why the wedding isn’t until August.
Marla
But you know perfectly well that announcing the engagement—throwing a party in favor of said engagement even, might as well be the wedding itself. What if I refuse to marry him come August? How silly will all of this look then? How silly will you look?
Rupert
No more silly than I do already dear. What with a daughter who is actively engaged in the doings of—campaigning even—for the Socialist Labor Party, and who never ceases to keep her jaw closed about even the slightest of perceived atrocities.
Marla
I am doing the work of my God on behalf of the people.
Rupert
You’re God is even getting sick of hearing it, I assure you.
Celia
Amen!
Marla
How my own blood relative would dare keep servants, I will never know?
Rupert
This isn’t the south of fifty years ago. They’re allowed to leave whenever they wish.
Willy
No sir. I like it here.
Marla
Oh, Willy doesn’t count. You’re the only one that would hire him on account of— no offense Willy. Can we please call the engagement party off papa? I don’t want a big to do about it. I love Norman, sure. And I plan on marrying him...some day. But I don’t want to—
Rupert
I’m a man of commerce, yes? Well then, let’s strike a covenant, shall we? If you move back in to the home, I will consider moving the engagement party until after I get back from New York in June.
Marla
I will not live in that house! I refuse.
Rupert
Darling, please! You must understand my position. How does it look for the daughter of a railroad president to be sleeping in servants quarters?
Marla
Celia doesn’t mind taking my bedroom in the house, do you Celia?
Celia
Lord no. Stay as long as you please.
Marla
You see? She is content and so am I. A simple roof and a candle to write by is all I need.
Rupert
Well then the evening will remain as is. Besides, an engagement party is exactly what this family needs.
Marla
No. It is exactly what Northern Pacific needs. If all the big railroads weren’t attempting to buy you out, you would no doubt feel more secure in your own identity. An engagement party for your daughter is nothing more than positioning. I’ve seen the guest list Papa.
Rupert
The usual guests as always, nothing more.
Marla
You think that you are exponentially increasing your own power by linking your daughter to the next in line for the Cooley Grain Elevators. Norman is taking over next week, is he not?
Rupert
Now hold on there young lady. You chose the lad.
Marla
How could I not? I was practically aligned with him at birth!
Rupert
I was a close friend of Norman’s father for many years, rest his soul, and Cooley Senior didn’t have even an ounce of the business savvy that his son possesses. That young man single-handedly built up seven new elevators in one years time.
Marla
Seven elevators that kept Northern Pacific on line.
Rupert
Seven elevators that would not be standing if it weren’t for us. That is what you fail to grasp. Industry is fully reliant on cooperation, and Norman understands this. You should consider yourself lucky to match up with such a wonderful young man. Upstanding in all facets. And powerful. An up-and-comer. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him sit on the Minnesota senate one day.
Marla
I don’t love him for his business dealings papa.
Rupert
Well then, what do you love him for?
Celia
Those sparkling green eyes to start.
Marla
No! For his ideals...for his willingness to stand tall in the face of giants...like you.
Rupert
Ha! I hardly call myself a giant. Maybe a small colossus, but certainly not a giant.
Marla
Norman respects you, sure enough. And he shakes your hand and smiles pleasantly when he comes by. But don’t think he admires your handy work. He is only concerned with building honest opportunities for the working citizens of this country.
Rupert
There is no need to justify the man Marla. I consider him family already.
Marla
I am not justifying him to you. I am defending him against you.
Rupert
Is that what you think? Oh darling, if you weren’t such a thorn you’d be an absolute gem. God help me I wish your mother were still alive. You would have retained a sense of femininity and propriety under her guidance.
Marla
I am proper so long as proper does not interfere with truth.
Rupert
It’s my fault. I acknowledge as much. I should have left you in St. Paul with Celia when I went on my business trips to the coasts. Who knows what kind of doggedness you picked up from those? Celia, I owe you a million apologies.
Celia
Yes, but how could you refuse such a face?
Rupert
The face of cherub and the claws of a badger!
Marla
Though you may refuse to concede to it, I am no longer a little girl. I am twenty-five years old. And I am not, contrary to your washed opinion, a gem. I will show you the error of your ways so that you may stand clean at the throne of God. It is the greatest deed a daughter may do for her father.
Rupert
Fine, fine. Expose my short-comings if you must but do go put a suitable dress on for the task. I will be downtown for the day Celia. Please send the post to my office. And Willy, not so many flowers this time, yes? The last revelry held on this estate ended in two weeks of putrid stink from crates of rotten roses.
Willy
No sir. Just a few rows of new bud marigolds and hyacinths.
Rupert
This place would fall apart without you. So long.
(Rupert turns to exit, calling over his shoulder)
And put a dress on!
Celia
You’re lucky you’re not my daughter. I’d have put a memorable whooping on you some time ago.
Marla
Oh, he knows I love him.
Celia
Well, you might as well be of some use. Here, child, hang these on the hedges.
(Celia
hands
Marla
a box full of white paper bells.)
Marla
Only if you stop calling me child.
Celia
When you’re as old as me, everyone’s a child.
Marla
Did you write that poem you promised me yet, Willy?
Willy
Haven’t had a chance, miss. All this to do over the party, I’ve barely had time to sit down for a bite.
Marla
A man like yourself, a working man, he needs to be strong in all facets to hold himself up against the rigors of so-called free enterprise. You should eat more.
Willy
I eat plenty.
Marla
Yes, but you should eat more.
Willy
No matter how many of Celia’s potato dumplings go in to my stomach, I always stay this way. It doesn’t stick to my bones like most folks. I suppose I’m just who I am.
Marla
Is it a disease?
Celia
Marla!
Marla
What? I think it is a perfectly innocent question to propose. Asking is always far better than assuming.
Willy
That’s okay. No. No disease. Just what it is.
Marla
Well, I happen to admire you a great deal for it.
(Marla hands him the box of bells.)
Here. Finish this. I have a date with my wardrobe. Oh, and if you could hang the lanterns just a touch higher this time? Norman will catch his head aflame if they’re as low as the last party.
(Marla exits inside.)
Celia
That girl will be my demise.
Willy
She’s something.
Celia
She’s presumptuous is what she is. It’s easy to defend people in the low when you’ve nothing else to do with your time. The rest of us got work to do. Put a backload of chores on her for a few days and she’d forget all that nonsense.
Willy
Someone has to look out for folks. Might as well be her.
Celia
She’s got a constitution like a bull out to stud.
Willy
But she’s honest. She says how she sees things. I appreciate that a good deal. And maybe I agree with her?
Celia
Well, of course you do. You’re in love with her.
(Pause.
Willy clears his throat)
Willy
What kind of hokum are you jabbering about now?
Celia
You go ahead and deny it all you please. But a woman long in the tooth as I am can tell when a man has strong feelings.
Willy
A woman your age can barely see colors, let alone—
Celia
Oh hush. You’ve been serving the Ives family for going on the better part of a decade. You’ve watched her grow up in to a...whatever she is now? A young woman we’ll call her. Come to think of it, Marla’s one of the only women you know. It seems expected to me.
Willy
I know you. I know my half-sister Rose down in Rochester.
Celia
Can you marry your half-sister Rose down in Rochester?
Willy
Well, I know Lorraine, the butcher’s daughter.
Celia
Never court a girl who brandishes knives and cleavers for a living. You might as well fess up to it man. I’ve seen those words you leave lying around your room when I come bring dinner in the evening.
Willy
What words?
Celia
Those poems, or whatever you call them? You could pick any one of those things, laying all over the place as they do, and give it to her. “There should be no question if love is divine, for I have seen its dear majesty in—
Willy
Gazes so sublime.
Celia
You see?
Willy
You want to know the truth? That poem was meant for you.
Celia
Ha!
Willy
The absolute, complete, full-out truth, I’m mad about you! I’ve always been!
Celia
Get out of here Willy Beau Dilly!
(A shared laugh.)
Willy
No. I don’t love Marla like that. Not a man like me. I love the flowers. I love the clean air. I love the warm sunshine on my face. And the greatest part of it all, those things will serve me the rest of my life. Nothing needs doing for them but sitting back and taking them in. They love me for who I am, and I love them for who they are. Don’t need anything more than that.
Celia
Marla was right. You are a liar. It’s best to let all of it go anyway. Most peas were never meant for the same pod. Love like that should stay in fiction where it belongs.
(Celia
attempts to stand but, feeling faint, almost falls.
Willy
, using his full- strength to hold her up, props his body against hers.)
Oh, dear me. Don’t let anyone tell you you’re not strong. You held me up good.
Willy
Didn’t you take your medicine this morning?
Celia
Oh, fool child. Do I look like a bank to you? Medicine costs money. I’ve not taken my medicine in months.
Willy
In months? It doesn’t cost so much that you shouldn’t be taking it.
Celia
When you have a broke down, widowed son with three children of his own to provide for, you make do with what you can. And two or three cups of good tea is what I can.
Willy
There’s no tea in the world that’s going to make you—
Celia
I happen to think it does more for me than those pills ever did. Now, enough of that. You don’t worry about me.
Willy
Let me pay for your medicine. I’ll head on down to the general store this afternoon and—
Celia
And pay for the doctors visit too? My prescription was up long ago. The doctor won’t see me again on account that I owe his practice a good deal of money. You must be a rich man to have seventy-five dollars handy?
Willy
No ma’am.
Celia
They’re probably just sugar pills anyway.
Willy
Well then, I’ll ask Mr. Rupert to pay for it.
Celia
You’ll do no such thing. I work an honest job. I live an honest life. I don’t ask anyone for anything. And no Rupert Ives is going to change that. I don’t want you asking anyone for anything on my behalf. The second we ask them for something we didn’t earn is the second we hand over our souls on a manure cart. And no one is going to take that from me or you. No one. You remember that. I am perfectly well, thank you.
Willy
Without those pills you’ll—
Celia
I am perfectly well, thank you! You see? Now finish sweeping this place while I go meet the dairy man. Two crates of muenster won’t cut themselves. After you’re finished, get those lanterns hanging. And hang them extra low.
(Celia winks, then exits. Enter Norman Cooley.)
Norman
Willy! I do believe you put on ten pounds overnight.
Willy
Morning Mr. Cooley.
Norman
Look at you. You’re a lion ready to pounce!
Willy
Are those freesia?
Norman
Are what freesia? Oh, the flowers? Yes, very rare for Minnesota so I’m told.
Willy
They don’t grow well here. Not even in glass rooms.
Norman
They came in on a train from the south just this morning. Here. Take a couple for yourself. Just don’t tell anyone or else they’ll think I’m trying to gain your favor. As a matter of fact, take the chocolates too. God knows you need it. God knows Marla doesn’t.
Willy
Oh, no thank you. I’ve never been one for sweets.
Norman
Suit yourself. Is Marla inside?
Willy
I believe she’s getting dressed yet.
Norman
And how would you know that?
(silence)
Lighten up a bit Willy! It’ll do a world of good for you.
Willy
Going to be a pleasant evening for the engagement party. Sun is burning through the clouds right nice.
Norman
It certainly is. Is that one of Marla’s writings?
Willy
It’s nothing to—
Norman
There’s the old girl!
(he reads)
Ha! I love it!
Willy
You do?
Norman
What’s not to love? This country needs a bit of glossy-eyed idealism here and there. The impracticality of it all will never make it through the gates, sure, but let Marla stoke her flame while she still has it in her.
Willy
Seems to be more of an explosion than a flame.
Norman
This sort of thing always falters after a few turns of the calendar. Me myself, I rode the donkey for a year or two in my youth. But alas, I am a pragmatist. I’ve always been. She’ll take the rose-colored glasses off soon enough.
Willy
All due respect Mr. Cooley—
Norman
Norman, please. You’re like family to the Ives. You should just as well be considered my family too.
Willy
Norman. Ms. Ives is about the most mulish person I ever met. I would have thought she’d given it up by this time myself, and yet she keeps persisting.
Norman
Big ideas and so-called heart are for the fervent youth. Sensible action and use of the brain is for the wise and established. We all grow out of it. Some sooner than others.
Willy
Seems she’s been at it for some time.
Norman
That’s why I never fight her. And neither does her father. If we agree with her, or at the very least humor her, she’ll lose steam and eventually come to her senses.
Willy
Well, to be honest, I kind of like her steam.
Norman
Of course you do. You’re a working gentleman, just like me. Just like Rupert. A pack of noble laborers, that’s us in a nutshell. Speaking of, you best get back to it. Marla deserves perfection.
Willy
Uh, Mr. Cool—Norman.
Norman
Yes?
Willy
I was hoping—uh...I was wondering if—uh
Norman
Go ahead and get it out. I’m listening.
Willy
I wonder if it would be too forward of me to ask you for—this is no easy task for me.
(pause)
Would you lend me seventy-five dollars?
Norman
Lord almighty! Not my family for three minutes yet and you’re already asking for money.
Willy
It’s—it’s not for me. There’s—there’s a woman that I—
Norman
A woman? Hell Will, you old dog! I wouldn’t have guessed that in a million years! What did you go and do? Now you know I can’t go giving money out for things like that. What kind of a Lutheran would I be?
Willy
No, sir, it’s nothing like that.
Norman
Sure, sure. You don’t need to explain yourself to me. I’ve petted a few cats myself in the day. They never clawed me like they’re clawing you, but I suppose it’s bound to happen.
Willy
Please don’t think it to be something—
Norman
Now, I am a man of morals and I can’t rightly be giving you money for any kind of women business...no matter how honorable it may seem to you. And I’m not so certain Mr. Ives would appreciate me loaning money to his employees. He may take it as an insult that his help would go elsewhere for resources, you understand?
Willy
I do. But as I said before it’s got nothing to do with—
Norman
No need to explain. I am a reasonable man. Tell you what, I’ll make you an offer. If you need the money that bad, I’ll give you a job.
Willy
I don’t think I have any more hours in the day to give?
Norman
Not that kind of job. I mean a task. Hard-labor. You’re not the kind of man that would take without giving, are you?
Willy
No sir. I’ve always believed in doing my share.
Norman
Well then, you perform a task for me, and I give you the money. No loan. No borrowing. The money is yours. How does that sound?
Willy
I believe that sounds fair.
Norman
Well, I suppose I’ll do. Let’s see that might of yours. Lift me.
Willy
Excuse me?
Norman
Lift me off the ground. One inch off the ground. That’s your task. Do that, and the seventy-five dollars is yours.
Willy
I can’t.
Norman
What’s that?
Willy
I can’t.
Norman
How do you know if you don’t try? Where’s the spirit in that? Give it a go Willy! I only weigh two-hundred and ten-pounds! Careful now, those are new slacks.
(Willy attempts to lift Norman with a grunt.)
Come on now Will! I’m rooting for you! Put your back in to it!
(Willy attempts to lift again.)
Willy
Excuse me, sir.
Norman
Where you going? You almost had me. I felt a budge.
Willy
I shouldn’t have asked. Forgive me.
Norman
Oh, go on Will. Have another go! Well, the offer stands. If you can lift me, the money is yours. Suit yourself.
(Norman bounds over to
Marla’s quarters and knocks playfully. Marla speaks from inside:)
Marla
No thank you Celia. I’ve had enough tea this morning to bankrupt all of China.
Norman (in a shrill voice)
Would you care for a warm embrace and a face full of flowers then?
(Marla cracks the door open.)
Marla
Norman! I’m not dressed!
Norman
I am your fiancée!
Marla
Yes, and not yet my husband! They’re lovely. Thank you.
Norman
You’re a vision to behold. Like Aphrodite rising from a seashell.
Marla
I am a woman with many things on my mind and now is not a good time.
Norman
Is a man so at fault for wanting to bring a smile to his dear brides face on the morning of their engagement party?
Marla
I have to finish my column for the journal, I have a meeting with the SLP at two o’ clock, and then I have to entertain a barnyard full of animals this evening on your behalf. So, as much as I do— Oh, listen to me. I’m sorry Norman. Thank you very much. I assure you, I’m smiling inside.
Norman
You’ll give yourself a fever if you keep on this way.
Marla
I know of no other way to keep on.
Norman
Listen, I know you don’t like it, but my mother insists that she do your hair this evening.
Marla
Oh, lovely. The last time she did my hair, she put so much muck in it that it took two weeks of washing with steel wool to get it out.
Norman
I’ll send a carriage to bring her here at five. Be civil.
Marla
Tell her to be civil with my hair.
Norman
There will be a good deal of people I want you to meet this evening. Please—and I would beg on my knees if it wouldn’t ruin my new suit—try your best not to pontificate. I know you have trouble socializing with your father’s friends, but it’s important to our future that you be sensible.
Marla
And what future is it that requires me to be sensible?
Norman
You know perfectly well what it is. Servants quarters are fine for a single woman, but a family must have a home. We’d never survive the winter without it. And even you can’t disregard the importance of financial stability to afford that home, yes?
Marla
This is true. But I wonder what you consider a home? My father’s estate, for example? Is this a home?
Norman
This is a palace, reserved only for a king. And I, my angel, am merely a court jester.
Marla
But you seek to be much higher than a court jester.
Norman
I seek to do nothing but make you laugh.
Marla
And my father’s friends? Will you deny that they are also your friends?
Norman
Who could have guessed that early morning flowers spark interrogations?
Marla
I will admit that...well, that the announcement of the railroad expansion at such an opportune time has made me suspect.
Norman
Some of them I would consider friends, yes. I’ve had dealings with many of them in the past and I look forward to commerce with them in the future. But, and I stress this on your behalf, always with the best of intentions for our employees. Thirty-two we hired last month alone.
Marla
And pay them with bones like dogs I’m sure.
Norman
And pay them with the best wages in the industry. Almost double what they would be paid working in the textile factories. My father may not have been the savviest of businessmen, but he appreciated his workers. I strive to do the same. I would be happy to show you the numbers if you don’t believe me.
Marla
I believe you.
Norman
Good. A marriage must be built on trust. And I trust that you will be pleasant this evening.
Marla
I will.
Norman
And that is why I love you.
Marla
Don’t you find all of this to be so sudden? We’ve not been engaged for a month and already there are soirées to celebrate. I can’t help but be a little bit nervous. This is, after all, our lives we plan to intertwine. To make one.
Norman
You don’t want to marry me?
Marla
Please don’t put words in to my mouth. Especially those. We’ve been courting for nearly two years now, and it seems only natural that we take that path. You do love me?
Norman
Very much.
Marla
And not my father?
Norman
I love your father as well. As much as I loved my own.
Marla
You know what I mean.
Norman
I do business with your father’s company because they’re the cheapest railroad with lines through Minnesota. We move our grains at a third less cost than with the others. If the bigger railroads offered me a better deal, I would take it. And as a matter of fact, I am beginning to get a little bit perturbed by these constant suspicions and accusations. If you don’t trust that what I say is the truth, and that I am who I say I am, then I don’t see the point in celebrating anything.
Marla
I don’t mean to accuse you. But you must understand my position.
Norman
And you must understand mine. Now, if you’ll excuse me.
Marla
Norman, wait. Forgive me. Please. I have no right to hold any suspicion of your dealings. They are, in point of fact, yours. They belong to you, much as mine belong to me. Please, let’s have a wonderful party, shall we? And I’ll even smile when your mother digs her rake of a brush in to my scalp. I promise. I love you.
Norman
I believe you. Thank you. But I really must be off. There’s a long day ahead of me. I look forward to seeing you this evening, Mrs. Cooley.
Marla
And I you, Mr. Cooley.
Norman
Until tonight.
(Norman begins to exit.)
Try not to float away in the breeze Willy!
(Norman exits.
Marla walks over to the edge of the reflecting pool. After a few moments of contemplation...)
Marla
Have you ever loved anyone Willy?
Willy
Yes.
Marla
Who was she?
Willy
My mother. Before she went on home to heaven.
Marla
Not like that. I mean love. Romantic love. The kind you read about. The kind that poets spend their entire lives trying to put in to words and always seem to fail. Have you ever loved anyone like that?
Willy
Yes.
Marla
Was she beautiful?
Willy
Very.
Marla
And sweet?
Willy
Like a plumb. In her own way.
Marla
And how did she make you feel?
Willy
Strong.
Marla
Oh go on. You can do better than that.
Willy
Like Atlas. Like the whole world weighed less than a marble. Like I could do anything I put a fancy to doing. And she made me smile. And she makes me happy.
Marla
Makes?
Willy
Sure. She still makes me happy, when I think about her. She had heart, that’s what I liked about her. Loved about her.
Marla
What was her name?
Willy
I don’t think I can tell you that.
Marla
And why not?
Willy
Because once you put a name to something you wish for, it won’t come to pass. And you got to keep wishing. Otherwise you don’t have nothing to look forward to. You don’t have a tomorrow. And tomorrow is always the best day for wishes.
Marla
Why do you work for my father? You’re a smart man. More intelligent than most men I know. You could do anything you please. I don’t understand?
Willy
I like what I do. I get to work with living things every day. I get to watch them grow, watch them dig their roots, get big and sturdy. And I get to meet new and important people like you and Mr. Cooley.
Marla
Hardly important.
Willy
More important than me.
Marla
There is no one person more important than another.
Willy
Wouldn’t that be nice?
Marla
What did you do before this?
Willy
Funny enough, I worked for your dad.
Marla
In the downtown office?
Willy
No ma’am. I started off as a brake man for Northern Pacific.
Marla
Go on!
Willy
Your daddy’s brother was the one who gave me a job.
Marla
Uncle Vernon?
Willy
That’s right. I used to hop along the top of cars and pull each brake by hand. But after a while, the work, it got pretty difficult for me. I’d pull two breaks while the others would pull six or seven. After a while, it got so that every brake I pulled started to make me angry. Pushed me towards a place I didn’t want to be...up here, in my head. They didn’t have much use for me then anyway. So they put me out at stop in Sioux City. Your uncle, he and I had become pretty decent friends. I taught him how to throw playing cards through carrots. So he made a call to your daddy, introduced me personally, and that’s how I got to where I am.
Marla
And your family? Your mother? I always wanted to meet the lady that would name her son Willy, knowing full well that his last name was Dilly.
Willy
Don’t have much of a family now.
Marla
And your father?
Willy
I never knew my daddy. But I know his name was Beauregard and that he was a brake man just like me.
Marla
Go figure. You grew up to be just like your father.
Willy
No. I stuck around. And my Ma...my ma passed on when I was eight. Celia’s been like my ma since I’ve been here. I think I know her better than I knew my real one. ‘Course, who’s to tell your real relations...who loves you and who don’t?
Marla
Do you have any siblings?
Willy
My half-sister Rose, she’s married to a judge. They live in Rochester.
Marla
Do you ever see her?
Willy
Her husband’s not too keen on me. He doesn’t want us to have too much contact, on account that I’m—well, I don’t live up to what he’d like.
Marla
That’s awful.
Willy
No, not awful. Just is. We still talk through letters and such. I send her a jar of Celia’s rhubarb jam every Christmas. I put her pastor’s wife’s name on the package so he won’t know. But she knows who sends it.
Marla
It is good jam.
Willy
The best.
Marla
I hope you’ll forgive me.
Willy
For what?
Marla
For not having the decency to ask you these things before. I’ve known you for a good deal of my life. But I suppose I’ve never really known you, have I? Are you my friend Willy?
Willy
I suppose I am.
Marla
I must tell you, I don’t have very many friends. So I count you as a blessing.
Willy
Well, that makes two of us.
Marla
And if there’s anything I can do for you, ever, I want you to ask me. Promise me you’ll ask me.
Willy
I—I can’t promise that.
Marla
Why not?
Willy
Sometimes you ask for something and you just can’t get it. No matter how hard you try. So...sometimes it’s best not to ask. Because then you won’t feel like a fool for doing so.
Marla
I would never make a fool of you for asking a favor.
Willy
I don’t suppose you would.
Marla
Do you want to hear something peculiar? I suppose little secrets like these warrant honesty at some juncture. Do you recall my friend Mary? The Lieutenant Governor’s daughter?
Willy
Mary? Was she the one with the freckles and red hair?
Marla
The same. Though she was sixteen at the time and I would hardly call that little.
Willy
I recall.
Marla
She was in love with you.
(Willy laughs)
I swear!
Willy
That’s not nice. Telling fibs like that.
Marla
I swear to whatever it is you want me to swear to! She used to collect the hedge clippings from the ground when you were finished. She made a little shrine devoted to you on a rock down by the creek. Willy Beau Dilly! I do believe you’re blushing.
Willy
A shrine? You can’t expect me to believe—
Marla
Christ’s blood as truth! A “W” laid out on a big piece of gray slate, made out of shiny barberry leaves. And then she’d cover the W with an M. And then she’d sing, “Mary and Willy together, for always and forever.”
Willy
Is that what that was? I always thought it was some old Norse ritual place?
Marla
And she talked fervently about how she was going to marry you some day and make you a statesman.
Willy
Me?
Marla
You. Well, is it so hard to believe? A decent and intelligent man like you would make for a terrific elected official.
Willy
I guess what they say is true after all?
Marla
And what do they say?
Willy
Children have wonderful imaginations.
Marla
Will you write that poem you promised me?
Willy
I wish I had time. Maybe tonight after all the festivities die down?
Marla
I don’t mean later. I mean now.
Willy
I’ve got a great deal of work to do. But I will. I promise.
Marla
You always promise.
Willy
And I always make good, don’t I? What do you want it to be about? I’m decent with nature. Anything you’d find in the woods, I can write a poem about. Not so much squirrels. It’s hard to find a word to rhyme with squirrel. I tried quarrel once, but it just wasn’t up to snuff. Or whatever else you’d like, I could probably rustle something up. They don’t rhyme very well or nothing like that. It’s more, well—just some thoughts I pen out. Or some people might call it—
Marla
How about love?
Willy
I don’t write about love.
Marla
And why not?
Willy
Because...words always get it wrong. Like you said.
Marla
How about a poem for Mary?
(Willy gives a hearty laugh.)
What? She lives in Omaha now with her husband and new baby. I’ll send it through the post. She’ll love it.
Willy
I’m sure her husband will love it too.
Marla
How long have you known me?
Willy
Better part of a decade.
Marla
And in all that time, have you ever seen me happier than I am now?
Willy
I—I guess I couldn’t tell you? I don’t rightly know? It’s hard for me to tell when a person’s truly happy or not. It’s easy to put a smile on and say you are. But being content, truly at peace with things, that’s not so easy to tell.
Marla
If you had to guess?
Willy
I’d say...maybe.
Marla
If you’re not going to write me a poem, than I am going to take one.
(Marla runs to the door of
Willy’s room.)
Willy
Marla! What are you doing?!
Marla
You’ve taken plenty of my words, now I want some of yours.
Willy
You can’t go in there!
Marla
This is my estate. I can go wherever I like.
(Willy runs towards Marla.)
Willy
No! Please!
(Marla enters
Willy’s room and locks the door behind her.)
Marla
I’m not coming out until I find a poem!
(Willy tries to open the door. Knocking turns into pounding.)
Willy
Marla! Marla! Please! Don’t look at those! I don’t mean it! I don’t mean—I never— Marla! They’re not for you! They’re not for you!
(Marla opens the door, a leather-bound journal in her hands.)
Marla
I’ve got just the one. Right on your bedside table.
(Willy grabs the edge of the journal and tries to pull it from
Marla’s hands. She is stronger and is able to wrangle it back in to her sole possession.)
Lord Willy! It’s just a poem. I’m not going to take your whole collection.
Willy
Please...don’t.
Marla
The way I see it, I’ve given you at least a couple dozen of my crumpled up stories. The least you can do is give me one poem.
Willy
Please. Close it. Please Marla.
Marla
Oh. I think I understand? A writers work is never done. Believe me, your worst rough drafts are most certainly superior to my best final work.
Willy
It’s not what you think it is.
Marla
I’m sure it’s even better.
Willy
I—I can’t give you one of my poems.
Marla
And why is that?
Willy
I can’t give you just one...because every one of them is for you. Consider it my engagement gift.
Narrator
(After a couple beats of sound:) Marla begins to read through some of the loose-leaf poems as Willy walks away. For the continuation of the story please tune in to Part two of Willy Beau Dilly by Jayme McGhan.
Part Two
Narrator
Welcome to Part Two of four of the world premiere radio play, Willy Beau Dilly by Jayme McGhan. In the previous episode, the morning of Marla and Norman’s engagement party, Willy learned that Celia is sick and does not have the money she needs for life-saving medicine. Willy secretly asked Norman for the money and Norman offered it to Willy if Willy can lift him one-inch off of the ground. Willy could not. At the end of the episode, Marla discovered all of Willy’s journals that are filled with poems about his love for her. It is now late afternoon of the same day in the garden of the Ives Estate. Three or four small wrought-iron tables and chairs have been set up on the patio around the reflecting pool. The paper lanterns remain where Willy left them. Marla, still in her robe, sits with her back against the pool finishing one of the journals. Celia lays clean white linen over the tables. Marla finishes reading the passage, closes the journal, then holds it to her chest.
Marla
I feel utterly ridiculous. How would I have known?
Celia
You wouldn’t have. He keeps to himself what he wants kept. I suspect that was something he would have never told you intentionally. But you went and found out for yourself, didn’t you?
Marla
I only wanted a poem. He promised me that much.
Celia
There’s a lot about him you don’t know. There’s a terrible amount you wouldn’t understand.
Marla
Don’t presume what I would and wouldn’t understand Celia.
Celia
I don’t mean anything by it. But a lass in your place, no matter how far down the ladder you deliberately climb, will still never understand folks like him.
Marla
Why? Because he’s poor and I’m not?
Celia
God gave that man a spirit like no other. He sees things in a different way than you do.
Marla
I don’t believe that to be true at all. I think he desires unity and parity as much as I do.
Celia
Unity means little without something holding it together.
Marla
Why didn’t you tell me he felt this way?
Celia
Because I’m not Willy.
Marla
Well, I am flattered. But I have no feelings for Willy. Not like that.
Celia
And nor should you. A girl like you has no place with a man like him.
Marla
That is a horrible thing to say!
Celia
It’s the truth, like it or not. On further consideration, I happen to think it’s a fine thing what you did. Bursting in and reading his poems like that. He can move on now, find himself a bit of reality and let go of this twaddle he’s been hanging on to for the last some odd years.
Marla
I believe truly that love scales all walls, knocks down all fences, and destroys all borders.
Celia
You’ve obviously never been to Georgia.
Marla
And if I loved Willy in such a way as he—well, as he seems to love me, then I would break that boundary too. Imaginary lines are just as easy to cross as tangible ones.
Celia
Yes, but you would cross the line just to prove you could cross it.
Rupert
Celia! Have you lost your hearing? I’ve been ringing the bell for the last five minutes! Mrs. Cooley is waiting in the foyer with a bag full of—
(To Marla:) Young lady, would you mind telling me what you’re still doing in your dressing gown at this hour?
Marla
I’ve not yet had a chance to—
Rupert
Do you know what it is to carry a conversation with that woman? She has no sense of volume! It’s like talking over the trumpets at Jericho! Marla, she’s here for your hair, or your makeup, or your dress, or God knows what else? Please, be a good girl and save your father’s ear drums.
Marla
I’m not her play thing to poke and prod as she pleases.
Rupert
Of course you are. You’re her daughter-in-law.
Marla
I’m sure you wouldn’t mind entertaining her for a while, would you papa?
Rupert
I’ve already got the blasted chief of police in my library sucking down my good whiskey and jabbering on about how great the new layout for downtown St. Paul is. And where is the rest of the wait staff Celia? I distinctly told Janice to—
Celia
It’s all under control, sir. Go have a finger of that whiskey before you put me in to an asylum.
Rupert
Yes, well, save a room for me. Where is Willy?
Celia
He just took lunch.
Rupert
Lunch? It’s nearly five! Guests will be arriving in two hours. And the lanterns are— look at this! Find Willy and tell him if he likes his work than he better finish stringing the damn lanterns. He still has the front terrace yet too. Not you, Marla Ives! You have to calm the beast.
Marla
At least let me put on a dress.
Rupert
Speaking of things that should have been done this morning.
Marla
Tell her I’ll be right there.
Rupert
Hurry before she blows the house down!
(Marlaexits quickly in to her quarters.)
Now I want you to make sure the band leader starts—stop what you’re doing and listen, this is important.
Celia
I am capable of doing two things at once.
Rupert
Yes, but I’m incapable of watching you. Now, I will be meeting with a few gentlemen in the library this evening. I want you to make sure the band leader starts the second waltz at eight-fifteen on the button. And I am putting you personally in charge of making certain all of the guests are taking part. All guests will be kept to the dance floor on the front terrace. There is to be absolutely no one in the home, let alone near the library, at that time. All doors to the house will be locked. Not until nine will the guests be permitted entrance again.
Celia
And if the ladies must use the toilets?
Rupert
Is society already that far removed from a dubby? Apologize for the inconvenience and send them to the outhouse.
Celia
And if the outhouse is—
Rupert
Send them in to the woods and hand them a wad of poison ivy for all I care! No one goes inside. Not until nine.
Celia
And what if Marla wishes to—
Rupert
Do not mention this to Marla. Especially Marla. Keep her occupied. Please. And store these crates. They’re an eyesore.
Celia
Very well.
Rupert
And go find Willy!
(Rupert
exits.
Marla
enters from her quarters, carrying a large brush.)
Marla
A soldier must enter the battlefield every now and again. Even when she knows she’ll sustain a head injury.
(Marla
exits towards the home.
Norman
enters. Thud! He hits his head on one of the low-hanging paper lanterns.)
Norman
Damn it all! I have a mind to think you hang those low on purpose Celia.
Celia
My arms only reach so far. Marla’s gone off to the house for a style with your mother. I believe they’re in the East wing.
Norman
I’d prefer she didn’t know I was here.
Celia
Come to meet with Mr. Rupert?
Norman
Actually, something’s been eating at me all day. I wonder if you might put some clarity to it?
Celia
I don’t know how much help I would be?
Norman
I’m hoping we can keep this between us. Is that possible?
Celia
Well I—I suppose it is.
Norman
Willy—I feel almost terrible for telling you this—I think Willy’s gone and got a girl— well, with child.
Celia
Willy? Oh Mr. Cooley, I think you’ve got the wrong man.
Norman
No ma’am. He came to me this morning asking for a loan. I figured he was merely catting around and needed some extra pocket change to take his lady friends out. But that kind of money is a good deal more than what it costs for a simple night about town.
Celia
You’re mistaken. Willy shuts his door at nine each night. Keeps it locked up tight until five the next morning.
Norman
Maybe? But you live in the house. Who’s to say he doesn’t leave after you go to bed?
Celia
No. I’m—I’m certain of it.
Norman
Well, I didn’t feel right giving him that money, so instead I—well, I gave him an impossible task, something I knew he wouldn’t be able to do. I told him if he could lift me off the ground, he could have the money.
Celia
You did what?
Norman
Of course, he wasn’t able, and I felt better about the whole deal.
Celia
I don’t quite get what you’re steering at?
Norman
Please understand my position. I love Willy. I’ve always thought him to be an upstanding man...until today. You see, I don’t believe Mr. Ives would condone his help carrying on in this way. How does that look to the rest of St. Paul when one of their elite citizens keeps employees who—well, who are less than reputable? And how does it look that my fiancée lives right next door to him? I can’t let Marla be tarnished by Willy’s selfish acts.
Celia
You’ve got the whole thing wrong Mr. Cooley. I’m sure of it.
Norman
I was hoping so myself. But we can’t change what is. I think it would be best for everyone if Willy left this estate. And I’m hoping you can help to put some ease to the situation. I wouldn’t want Mr. Ives knowing the full workings of it. He would be utterly embarrassed. And God knows Marla would stonewall the whole thing. So, between the two of us, maybe you can talk to Willy? I assure you, you’ll be compensated for your efforts.
Celia
You’ll forgive me Mr. Cooley, but I can’t in all my years believe Willy would do such a thing.
Norman
You think about it. I only aim to do what is best for this family. I would hope you share the same intentions?
Celia
I do.
Norman
Then you understand, yes?
Celia
I understand.
Norman
Good. We’ll talk again soon. Well, best be off. I must look my finest for my bride.
(Norman
turns, nearly hitting his head on the lantern)
You almost got me again!
(Norman
exits.)
Celia
Oh Willy. What have you gone and done?
(Willy enters.)
Willy
I picked these for you.
Celia
Man, you better drop those flowers and get to working before you don’t have a job.
Willy
I won’t have a job after this evening.
Celia
Pardon?
Willy
Mr. Ives won’t keep me on anymore. Not after I ask Marla to marry me.
Celia
Are you—are you drunk?
Willy
She loves me. I know that now. And I love her too. And if it takes an act of strength to show her she can be with me, then I’ll give her that. If she wants courage, I’ll give her the lion’s share. I wrote a toast. To the new couple. To Willy and Marla. I intend to read it in front of her father and his friends. And then they’ll see the steel in me.
Celia
How in the world did you come to the conclusion that Marla Ives loves you?
Willy
When she took those poems, I thought...I felt like someone pulled the shade on me. Like I would never see anything beautiful again. And I walked, towards the railroad tracks I always walk to. Thinking maybe I should hop the train? Or maybe—maybe it would be okay to—you know, to step out on them when the time was right?
Celia
Willy!
Willy
I’m ashamed of thinking that now. I am. I never thought such a thing before. And I promised myself there and then that I’d never think it again. But while I was walking, something came to me. I remembered something. The M and the W...on the rock. You recall me showing you that?
Celia
Those leaves you mean?
Willy
She told me it were her friend, the Lieutenant Governor’s daughter Mary who was in love with me. That she was the one who put the leaves on the rock like that. But it couldn’t be her. It couldn’t be. Because I know full well that she never went by her first name. Mary was never called Mary, she was called Dorah, after her momma who passed from consumption some years back. And a girl who calls herself Dorah don’t spell her name with an M. And a D don’t look anything like an M, does it? She loves me Celia. She always has.
Celia
You’re going to base your lifeblood on some leaves?
Willy
Why not? Leaves say a lot if you just listen.
Celia
Tea leaves in a cup don’t foretell no one’s future, and bush clippings on a rock don’t either. It’s guesswork.
Willy
Why not let Cupid take his shot?
Celia
You’re missing the point Willy!
Willy
But this time I’ve got some aim!
Celia
It’s a very, very bad idea.
Willy
It’s the best idea I’ve ever had.
Celia
Willy, please. These aren’t the kind of people you belong to.
Willy
Who’s to say that? Why can’t any one person belong to any other?
Celia
You’re not the kind of man that—
Willy
I’m never any kind of a man to anybody! I’m just weak old Willy Beau Dilly, that straw- stuffed scarecrow who’s good for a snicker but can’t do a thing but stand there! Willy Beau Dilly that’ll smile and wave and always says the right things and...and...I don’t want to be that no more! I want a firm, honest handshake. I don’t want them holding my fingers thinking they was going to break ‘em off. I don’t want no one feeling sorry for me. I want to hold my weight like everyone else. And I want to hold my love in my arms like everyone else. I want to her take across the threshold. I want to kiss, and be kissed, and hold her so tight that I merge in to her and you can’t tell where she begins and I end. Like water. Like a river. I want to love her so blessed hard that the world disappears. And then we’re just one big star twinkling in God’s eye.
Celia
Oh, Willy. Darling, I understand. I do. But I’m afraid that kind of love never existed.
Willy
Maybe not? But it will now.
Celia
And what if she says no? What if she refuses you?
Willy
She won’t.
Celia
But if she does?
Willy
Then—well then, a garden’s a garden. Flowers look the same here as they do anywhere else. But I’ll worry about that tomorrow.
Celia
Tomorrow’s just a few hours away.
Willy
Tomorrow’s meant for a dream. I know you wish only the best for me. And I love you dearly for it. But I won’t let the wind sway me anymore. I’m putting down roots. It’s all in here. I don’t need parchment to speak my heart’s desire for me. You can tear them all up for all I care.
Celia
I can’t—I won’t in good conscience let you do this Willy. Rupert Ives is a very powerful man. As is Mr. Cooley. If you mean to spoil his daughter’s engagement party by a fool’s errand, then he’ll give you a fool’s grave.
Willy
Better a fool’s grave than a coward’s.
Celia
I won’t let that happen.
Willy
You can’t put a stop to it.
Celia
I won’t let it.
Willy
This train is stoked and it’s blowing on through. And no brake man will—
Celia
Did you ask Norman Cooley for a loan? (silence)
Willy
I did.
Celia
For what purpose?
Willy
For my own purpose. For someone who deserves it.
Celia
I told you. Willy, I told you don’t ask anyone for anything that’s not rightly yours. Especially on my behalf.
Willy
Folks need a helping hand ever so often. Even folks as pig-headed as you.
Celia
But not from them! Lord almighty! Cooley believes you’ve gone and made yourself a papa out of matrimony. And he doesn’t want a man like that living next to his fiancée. He aims to have you removed Willy. Do you understand? He wants you gone.
Willy
Fair enough. I want to be gone.
Celia
With his fiancée! There’s more to worry about here than losing your job!
Willy
There’s many a person better than I. You’ll take fondly to whoever comes after me.
Celia
Don’t you understand what I’m telling you? When someone like that wants you gone, you’re gone.
Willy
I reckon I understand just fine. But I can’t be worrying about others no more. A piece of the pie is owed me. And I intend to take it...no matter what.
Celia (she is having trouble breathing:)
Do you think I never—I never wanted my own piece? Some of us are just not meant to have a bite Willy. And we need to be okay with that. We need to—people like us need to—now, I don’t want you gone. I want you here. With me. You’re my only—you’ll leave me here to—
(Celia begins to lose her breath.)
All by my—
(Celia falls hard to the ground.)
Willy
You can’t trick me with that. Once a day is all I’ll believe. Celia? Celia!? Oh, Jesus lord. Please be okay. Please.
Celia
Willy.
Willy
Don’t move. I’ll go ring the doctor.
Celia
Please. No doctor. Help me—help me to your room.
Willy
Pride be damned, you need a doctor and you need one now.
Celia
No. No doctor. Just rest. Please.
(Celia
attempts to stand. She falls again)
Willy
Help! Mr. Ives! Marla! Help! Help me!
Celia
You—I want you to find—Willy—you’re my oak. You don’t let anyone put—put an axe to you. You hear me? I’ve got exhaustion is all. No doctors. You tell them...tell them I’ve got—
Rupert
What in the hell are you all—Celia? What happened Willy!?
Willy
She—she’ll be fine. Exhaustion. Exhaustion is all. We’ll get her to bed.
Narrator
(After a couple beats of sound:)
For the continuation of the story please tune in to Part three of Willy Beau Dilly by Jayme McGhan.
Part Three
Narrator
Welcome to Part Three of Four of the world premiere radio play, Willy Beau Dilly by Jayme McGhan. In the previous episode, Norman was determined to have Willy leave his position and home with the Ives because of perceived transgressions. And after the embarrassment of Marla finding the poems he wrote for her, Willy returned determined to ask her hand in marriage. At the end of the afternoon scene, Celia collapsed. She’s clearly very sick. It is now evening at the Ives Estate and the engagement party is in full swing. Music can be heard faintly, over at the house. The lanterns over the garden patio are flickering. A candle from Willy’s quarters illuminates the window. The tables, still covered in fine lace linen and floral arrangements, are littered with crystal champagne flutes and wine glasses, some still half-full. Willy, dressed in a waiter’s tuxedo, his hair slicked back with perhaps too much pomade, is clearing the tables of the glasses. He finishes clearing a table and sets the bussing tray on a chair. He brushes off his hands, smooths his coat, grabs a flower from the table, and makes his way back to his quarters. He opens the door and looks in. After a moment, he closes the door and makes his way back to the patio. He puts the flower back into the arrangement it came from then begins to clean the next table. Marla, now dressed in a beautiful gown, hair done up almost comically, walks over from the party. She stands there for some time before Willy notices her...
Willy
Oh. Excuse me. I didn’t know you were—excuse me miss.
Marla
How is she?
Willy
She’s in a decent way now.
Marla
Is she—did she have a—?
Willy
Oh no. No, no, no. All of this to do over the party for the last few days, she—well, you know Celia. Not a moments rest until everything that needs doing is done. She went and wore herself out is all.
Marla
Is there anything I can do to help?
Willy
No. She wouldn’t take no help from you. Not in that way. You know what I mean. She’s a proud woman. If she won’t take nothing from me then...well... (Pause) Some night, huh?
Marla
Quite.
Willy
Lovely party. Really, very nice. I don’t think I’ve been to a better one?
Marla
Not as a guest at least.
Willy
No. Not as a guest.
(pause)
Marla
Come sit next to me. Please? There’s wine left.
Willy
Oh, no, those are dirty. You don’t want to drink out of those. Here, let me run and get you a clean—
Marla
No bother. I drink out of the same cup as many others for the eucharist. This is no different. Sit.
Willy
I must admit it feels good to get off my heels.
Marla
Father should have hired more help so you didn’t have to run around like a mad man tonight.
Willy
Poor Celia, if she wasn’t under the weather I suppose it would’ve...well, it wasn’t nothing. I kept up fine.
Marla
To you Willy.
Willy
To you and Mr. Cooley.
Marla
They just began the second waltz. Can you hear? I’ve never liked the Waltz. Far too clumsy for it I suppose? Besides, fresh air is the only thing for a corset’s doings of cracked ribs and careworn lungs. Your speech tonight was lovely. Thank you.
Willy
You’re welcome.
Marla
The poem was nice. I especially admired the way you rhymed Mrs. Cooley with yours truly. Genius.
Willy
Like Whitman without the beard. (they share a laugh) That was—well, I didn’t have much time. See, I wrote another one, but I lost it somewhere. So...I would have thought up something prettier than that, but—I suppose I owed you one. No matter how bad or ugly. (silence)
Marla
I want you to know—I think all those things you said about...well, about me—not tonight in the speech mind you, but in your journals—I think that was the sweetest thing anyone could ever do for another person. And I apologize for taking it without asking you. That wasn’t a kind thing to do. I do hope you’ll forgive me.
Willy
You didn’t know. It’s okay.
Marla
Please understand, I hold you in the highest of places. Far above myself even.
Willy
Don’t hold me up there.
Marla
But, I don’t have those same feelings. What I mean to say is...well, I do have feelings, as a brother under God I certainly love you with all my being. But as a—well, as a lover, as a man I would see myself...I just can’t.
Willy
You did. Once.
Marla
What makes you say that?
Willy
M is for Marla. D is for Dorah. W is for—
(pause)
Marla
The leaves?
Willy
The leaves.
Marla
Oh, Willy. That was a childhood fascination. Nothing more. I’m sure you had plenty of the same when you were a boy. An older girl who made you giggle, who made your cheeks turn red with a simple look? But we grow out of these things when we learn the true nature of the world around us. The true nature is...the truth is, I suppose, that I have many aspirations for my life. There is a higher purpose for me on this Earth and I need a partner who is strong, who can stand on his own two feet. Otherwise my purpose will be laid to waste. I can’t worry about both, do you understand?
Willy
And you think me to be weak?
Marla
Not weak. Willy, please don’t believe that I mean to say you’re weak. You’re simply not able to make a ripple in the waters of injustice. You’re not in the right place; socially, mentally, and so forth. And I don’t believe you were ever meant to be. It’s not your fault. I want to make life better for people like you and Celia. That is my purpose.
Willy
All the heavy pockets, all the power a man could desire...means nothing. You might very well have me, folks like me, placed right up there with the rest of those men and ladies this evening. That might be your dream. But it wouldn’t mean a thing.
Marla
But it does. It means everything.
Willy
Not to me.
Marla
Without equality, without unity, we will always be at war. We will always be doing the enemies work. And a very select few will reap the benefits of the blood. And I for one cannot rest until I put every bit of effort in to stopping it.
Willy
There’s always gonna be folks who step on other folks. That’s how this thing works.
Marla
Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.
Willy
Yes miss. And it’s not my hand nor yours that bares the sickle.
Marla
Maybe not? But we may hope to be the gardeners assistant. You can’t keep up Willy. You just can’t. I’m sorry.
(pause)
Please tell me you don’t hate me.
Willy
Of course I don’t hate you.
Marla
Promise me.
Willy
There’s no need to—
Marla
Promise.
Willy
I promise.
Marla
Good. You’ll find another to put your head next to nights. You’re strong. In your own way...you’re much stronger than me or anyone else. You’ll make your path. I just know you will.
Willy
There’s some train tracks over next to Mr. Hanley’s place I go to some times...when I want to be by my lonesome. Belonged to Northern Pacific before another railroad bought them out. I remember gliding over them on the top of the coal cars. And there’s this blade of grass, long grass, grew right in the dead smack middle of the tracks. It’s one of those little things you know right where it is, like a knot hole on your bedroom wall, or a little bump behind your left knee. I know right where it is. It’s been there now for some eight months. Since last fall. And I watch the trains, long ones with hundred of cars on them, roll right on over that blade. And every time I think it’s going to be chopped down once those cars stop rolling. But every time, that caboose is the last one across, and that blade pops right back up and smiles, smiles and soaks up some more sunlight. No matter how many times he gets rolled over, he pops right back up. And all those cars and engines and cabooses are going to have their day. They’ll be taken off the tracks and thrown in some old iron yard to rust away. But that grass, he’s gonna stay right where he is. Smiling and soaking up that sun. But I suppose even a blade as resilient as that one...I suppose he’s got to go eventually?
(pause)
I’m leaving Marla.
Marla
You’re—no, you can’t leave. Willy, I never meant that you have to—
Willy
On my own accord. There’s a good deal of the world left to see. And there’s some life left in me yet. So I best get to living while the living is still good.
Marla
But there’s a job here for you. An honest living. And you’re taken care of, aren’t you? Father, he takes care of—
Willy
There’s nothing else for it. I’m leaving tonight. With the other guests. With whatever bit of—with whatever I can scrape up from the ground. You want to know the truth? The speech, the poem, tonight after dinner...
Marla
Yes?
Willy
I made all that up whils’t I was talking.
Marla
Did you?
Willy
I did. Because it turns out everyone’s been right. The things they said—say to me all my life through. It turns out it’s true. I’m weedy after all. Because if I was any kind of man, my words would’ve unfolded my heart.
(pause)
Your papa, he’s been good to me. He deserves to know. I’m going to go and put my resignation in with him now. I reckon he can find someone better than me to take care of your plants. Good evening miss.
(Willy walks slowly towards the house)
Marla
Willy. Wait. What was it that you wanted to say to me?
Willy
Does it matter what the drone bee says to the queen? Good evening miss.
(Willy exits. Marla walks towards her quarters and opens the door. As she does, Willy’s door opens and Celia, now in a dressing gown, pokes her head out. She speaks weakly)
Celia
Child. Help me to the garden.
Marla
Celia! Back in bed with you! You mustn’t come outside. You’ll catch your—
Celia
I caught my death the day I was born. Now come, be of some use.
Marla
Are you hungry? There’s still plenty of food inside. Or I could run to the kitchen and make you some soup?
Celia
You wouldn’t know how to light the stove, let alone how to make a good cup of soup. Burn this place to cinder in a blink of an eye is what you’d do.
Marla
I remember well enough.
Celia
It’s the thought itself that fills my tummy right up. Thank you.
Marla
Celia...I—I don’t know what to do? Willy—he intends to leave. And I fear it’s all on account of me. He won’t give me his ear for even a second to dissuade him.
Celia
I am aware.
Marla
You knew?
Celia
That course was set earlier today I’m afraid.
Marla
Oh Celia, if I would’ve known what was inside those journals, I would’ve never even considered looking! I swear it! Willy can’t leave because of me. I won’t allow it.
Celia
You won’t allow it? Now you have complete control over a man’s life?
Marla
You know what I mean. It may be uncomfortable for him for a while, but soon I’ll be married. Norman and I will live elsewhere. And Willy will be free to work without me as a distraction.
Celia
He doesn’t leave on account of you Marla. Well, not solely.
Marla
What else could it possibly be?
Celia
I believe we’ve all had our prods at Willy. And a man such as him will eventually bend to—
Marla
And what is that? A man such as him?
Celia
Willy? Oh dear, if you haven’t figured it out by now, then you never will. Never again will the world see another Willy Beau Dilly.
Marla
There are millions like him who—
Celia
He is not a number in a census. He is not an initiative or a cause...much as you’d like him to be. Much as you’d like any of us to be.
Marla
That is presumptuous. Willy is my friend.
Celia
His time spent here will not be remembered, not like all the folks pulling levers and making decisions in that house there. The best ones always remain unnoticed. Not like your Norman. Those folks, they’re a forest full of giants...reaching their limbs open wide for all to see. But do believe that amidst that forest floor is an orchid, one of a kind, a pale thing looks like it’s going to fall over and putter out. But when it opens those pedals...dear girl believe this, when those pedals open, God’s own heart does soar. And very few, if any at all, will be witness to such a monumental event. And those who are lucky enough to see it...my goodness, they’ll never see from those eyes the same again. If we’re lucky, we’ll all meet a Willy Beau Dilly one time in our lives. See, that’s all we’re given. Most of the time we don’t even notice when he’s knocking on the door. And when he’s trying to show us what’s good and what’s right, we shut our eyes, we cover our ears, we hide our hearts.
Marla
I wish it were true. I do. And I hate to say it, but you’re mistaken.
Celia
Am I?
Marla
Willy is just the same as any other. He will live his life, like so many others do, in quiet isolation, suffering under the foot of economic and social tyranny. And millions like him will feel that same defeat. The ruling class will always have its way.
Celia
And you’re so certain of this?
Marla
I’ve seen it many times before. And I’ll see it again and again throughout my lifetime. But we will do our best to right that wrong.
(pause)
Now come, you’ve had your breather. Back inside with you.
Celia
Where is Willy?
Marla
He is speaking to father in the house.
Celia
Oh goodness. No one is supposed to be inside for—Marla, quickly, go and see if you can stop him from entering the library. The gentlemen are in a meeting right now and—
Marla
A meeting? Here? What kind of a meeting?
Celia
Business I suspect?
Marla
At my engagement party?
Celia
Willy will only be in more hot water if he—
Marla
More? Is he having troubles with papa now?
Celia
Not exactly. Please, run inside. Do be quick about it.
(Marla exits. Enter Willy hurriedly from the back side)
Willy
What are you doing out here!?
Celia
Tell me you didn’t speak with Mr. Ives. Tell me that Willy.
Willy
I did not. Now back inside with you.
Celia
Thank heavens! You had me so worried. I was instructed not to let anyone go near the—
Willy
I don’t want to see you out of that bed again. Do you hear?
Celia
Don’t you tell me what I can and cannot do.
Willy
In the bed with you. And stay there. Am I understood? No matter what. You stay there.
Celia
I’ll do as I please thank you very—
Willy
Celia! Now I’m not joking! You stay put! Promise me.
Celia
Okay Willy. Okay. I’ll stay put.
Willy
Thank you. I have to leave now. I’ll come back later tonight for some of my personals. Do you have strength enough to open the window in the back?
Celia
The window? But Willy—
Willy
Can you or can you not?
Celia
I can.
Willy
Good, then I’ll knock softly on the window pane and you open it for me.
Celia
I don’t understand?
Willy
I’ll explain later. You stay put. Lock the door.
(Willy closes the door. Whispers loudly through the crack of the door)
Lock it!
(the door locks. Enter Norman, looking very dapper in a tuxedo)
Norman
Where are you off to in such a rush?
(Willy is startled by Norman’s words, he jumps)
Woah! Take it easy there Will! Goodness sakes!
Willy
Norman. Mr. Cooley. I—I’m sorry. You startled me is all.
Norman
You look like you’re about to jump out of your skin. Everything okay there?
Willy
Well, I—yes sir. Everything is fine. I’m just getting in to my—there’s lots of work to be done yet and I don’t want to get these nice clothes all torn up and dirty.
Norman
I see.
Willy
Really, a very fine evening. Thank you for allowing me to be part of it.
Norman
I’ve not allowed a thing. You’re the help. It’s your job.
Willy
Yes, well...you allowed me to go on and on with my speech...and I thank you for that.
Norman
I should be the one thanking you for all of the kind words. Let me shake your hand.
Willy
Oh, no need.
Norman
Please. I insist. It’s what gentlemen do. (
Willy
puts his hand out cautiously.
Norman
shakes it. After a second,
Willy
shakes back. The handshake ends) There. That wasn’t so bad was it?
Willy
No sir. That was—that was mighty fine. I do believe you’re the first man’s ever shook my hand firmly.
Norman
Really? Well that’s a plumb shame. (pause. He sticks his hand out again) Once more for practice then? (
Willy
sticks his hand out.
Norman
takes his hand and squeezes tightly.
Willy
winces with pain) This is how a gentleman shakes Willy.
Willy
That’s a little—a little much.
Norman
It’s a show of vigor, of might. In a gentleman’s handshake neither side relents, no matter the amount of pain they may feel. One man looks the other in the eye, attempts to put a read to him, to see how he’s built.
Willy
I’m not so certain I’m built like—
Norman
You can tell a man’s full character by his grip.
(Willy falls to his knees in pain. Norman lets go)
No Willy, I don’t believe you’ll say a word will you?
Willy
I don’t believe I will. No sir.
(Rupert enters from the house)
Rupert
Is everything okay here gents?
Norman
I suppose that depends on Willy?
Willy
Yes sir. Everything’s fine.
Rupert
It really is very rude to listen in to other people’s conversations Willy.
Willy
I didn’t know you were—I’m sorry.
Rupert
I trust that anything you may or may not have heard will remain with you and you alone?
Willy
Yes sir. And please, forgive my interruption at your—your meeting. I apologize.
Rupert
How much did you hear?
Willy
Very little. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I was just leaving.
Rupert
Come come Willy. There’s no need for you to leave. Where else would I find such an astutely green thumb as yours? I have the finest zinnias in all of Minnesota thanks to you. You tend to the vine. You bare the fruit. So long as we have a mutual agreement, I see no reason why you shouldn’t stay here for as long as you’d like?
Willy
I appreciate that, sir. I do. But I think it might be best for everyone.
Rupert
Well, it breaks my heart...but you’re not a slave. A man’s will, his destiny, it is his own.
Norman
Here. Take that seventy-five dollars as a parting gift. Buy yourself a nice porterhouse or three.
Willy
I’ll make my own way.
Norman
Don’t be so humble. You’ll have a small babe to feed soon.
Rupert
A child?
Willy
No sir. That’s not true.
Norman
Don’t be ashamed. We all corner ourselves in at one point or another. You’re caught in a bit of a fox trap and you need some help. He came to me this morning for a loan.
Willy
Yes, but it wasn’t for—
Norman
He asked for seventy-five dollars to help pay for—well, I am ashamed to even say it. Now, I want you to take this money and raise that child proper, not sacrifice it to a mad doctor’s blade like some foul Isaac. You’re a better man than that Willy.
Willy
That’s not true.
Rupert
No need to lie. You’re amongst friends.
Willy
I never did anything like that. And I don’t want your money.
Norman
Now what kind of a chap would I be to let your baby go without?
Willy
Like all the others I suspect.
Norman
And what’s that supposed to mean?
Willy
Many will go without on account of people like you.
Rupert
I think you heard a little more than very little.
Willy
Excuse me.
Norman
Don’t insult me now. Go on and take the money.
(Willy turns)
Don’t turn away from me boy.
Willy
I believe I’m at least five years your senior Mr. Cooley. That alone means I’m not your boy. And I believe I am no longer employed by your father-in-law—future father-in- law—so that also means I’m not your boy. And I believe the things I heard this evening, outside the library, I believe that means I’m definitely not your boy.
Rupert
What did you hear? Tell me all of it.
Willy
I don’t think you want me to do that.
Rupert
Oh, I think I do.
Willy
I’m fairly certain you don’t.
Norman
Would you like me to shake your hand again?
Willy
You want me to say it? Out loud?
Rupert
I do.
Willy
About how Northern Pacific’s got intentions of purchasing the Cooley grain elevators?
Rupert
Go on.
Willy
Mr. Cooley built the seven new elevators with loans from Northern Pacific. And Mr. Cooley plans to sell it back to the railroad for a tenth of what it’s worth so’s he can take a position as vice president under you Mr. Rupert. And after five year’s time Mr. Cooley’ll be made the president and Mr. Rupert will be given a heavy purse for his troubles.
Rupert
That’s the nature of the beast.
Willy
That’s not even the beastly part. All the elevator workers will be fired. And all the railroad workers will be too. And you’ll bring in immigrants by the thousands to do the jobs at a fraction of the cost.
Norman
Industry Will. Decisions must be made to keep a company afloat.
Willy
Decisions must be made to keep a few on their thrones.
Norman
That’s a horrible thing to say.
Willy
And it’s even worse to do.
Rupert
It’s not as bad as it sounds. Companies do it all the time. It’s what we call free- enterprise. Now, you understand our position. This information must stay with you. Seventy-five dollars is a mere recompense, certainly. It’s an insult to your intelligence. Why don’t you put some thought to what it will take to keep your silence. Think about it. Think hard. Then we’ll do business.
Willy
Marla.
Rupert
Excuse me.
Willy
I—I want to marry your daughter. I would like your blessing. (silence.
Norman
bursts in to laughter)
Norman
Marla?! You want Marla!?
Willy
More than anything else in this world. More than any one person has ever wanted anything else.
Norman
She’s my fiancée Willy! I can’t just give you my fiancée. How would that make me look?
Willy
Like a man who cares enough for a woman that he does what’s best for her.
Norman
And Marla? What in sam hell makes you think she would ever give up a man like me for a—well, a man...like you?
Willy
If she knew my strength, if she saw my hearts desire, if she was witness to the real me...she would. She would throw leaves to the wind, let them land where they may...and hope for one great big W, and one great big M.
Norman
What are you blathering on about?
Rupert
I am able to give many things Willy, but my daughter’s love is hers alone.
Willy
I desire nothing else.
Rupert
Then you shall get nothing.
Willy
Do you love her?
Norman
What kind of a question is that?
Willy
Do you?
Norman
Of course I love her! I love her to the ends of the earth, until the last ticks of time, and so on and so forth blah blah blah! Yes, I love her just fine. She will make a terrific wife and a fine mother once she comes to her senses.
Willy
And if she does not?
Norman
Of course she will. We all come to our senses eventually. Injustice becomes an afterthought, something tacked on to virtues past. I’ll have what I desire, Mr. Ives will take what’s due him, and Marla will have pretty things to keep her occupied.
Willy
Mr. Cooley, Norman, I always thought you were a good soul. I still think it. I do. You may have some—some things to sort out, but you’re a decent human being. I’m asking you, begging you, please, don’t marry Marla unless you really love her.
Norman
I appreciate your kindness. But I assure you that I have enough love to sustain a marriage. And if not, well...I’ll have enough money.
Rupert
Now, when you snap out of this nonsense and work out a reasonable number like a good lad, come and see me. Until then, pack up your things and get off of my property before I alert the chief of police concerning a dangerous trespasser! Goodnight Willy!
(Rupert turns and exits.)
Norman
No one will know about this but us three, yes?
Marla
Four.
Norman
Tricky, tricky, tricky. My hat’s off to you Willy. This changes nothing, Marla. You heard what I said. I love you dearly and I look forward to making you my wife. You will be my bride. And we will be happy. I promise you that.
Marla
Your lies are foul. You are foul.
Norman
It’s a business decision Marla. Something you know nothing about. There’s nothing illegal—well, not entirely illegal—about it.
Marla
The laws of men are warped to shape their desires.
Norman
There you go slinging around your big idioms! Throwing them like apples at a bees nest. No one cares in the slightest.
Marla
You are corrupt.
Norman
Not corrupt. Smart. It’s a common occurrence! Daily on the coasts! More product for less cost is what keeps the ship afloat. It’s time you wise up to that and quit thinking like a child, waiving your big red cross through the air like you know something the rest of us don’t. We take what we are given and we make it better. I’ve made it better. For us. And your father is happy because he knows that you will be taken care of for the rest of your life. That is the end of it. Take my hand. Take it. I love you. (She slaps him hard across the face)
Marla
That was for lying to my face. You love yourself.
Norman
I love you. (She hits him across the face again.)
Marla
You love your investments.
Norman
I love you Marla Ives. (She spits in his face. Silence.) It’s okay. I forgive you.
Marla
Your ring.
Norman
Put that back on.
Marla
Would you like it back? Maybe you can give it to my father?
Norman
That’s yours. It belongs to you. (She throws it in the reflecting pool. Plop.) Well, I can see you’re having a difficult evening. Why don’t you go to bed and get some sleep? We’ll talk about this in the morning, when it’s light. And then you can fish the ring out of the water.
Marla
The first thing I will do in the morning is send a telegram to the Labor Party to inform them of your plans.
Norman
The labor party? How great of you. Another conspiracy to add to the pile. No one will believe a thing about it.
Marla
Followed by another telegram to Union Pacific Railroad.
Norman
You’ll do no such thing.
Marla
Stop me. I’m washing my hands of you.
Norman
Don’t say things you can’t take back.
Marla
I have no intentions of taking them back.
Norman
Marla, please, this is neither the time or the—
Marla
You lied to me! For years now! You were pushing me like a game piece, using me to get what you—
Norman
Don’t tell me what I did and did not do Marla! My feelings for you have always been true. From the beginning until now.
Marla
Feelings and intentions are two separate things!
Norman
Okay, okay, fine! I intended on falling in love with you. Yes, that is true. And I have. So my end of the bargain has been fulfilled. I love you. Maybe not at first, but I do now!
Marla
This isn’t a bargain.
Norman
Of course it is! How doltish can one be?
Marla
And what about your employees? Have you never looked your workers in the eye? Have you never felt a feeling, a connection to the people in your care? You have a responsibility to—
Norman
There is not enough time in the day to listen to the musings of a spoiled child like yourself! You speak about my workers as if you were one of them? When have you had to work a day in your life?
Marla
Don’t you dare question my devotion to—
Norman
To a cause? To this cause, or that cause, or any other cause? And this cause will turn in to something else. And that cause will turn in to something else and so on until you forgot why you cared to begin with! You are the enemy! To people like Willy, you carry the whip! They’ll never see you any different! It’s a business decision Marla. And business doesn’t carry a pistol filled with morality bullets!
Marla
Willy is the way he is because of people like you.
Norman
Willy is the way he is because he never had any gumption in life! He’s too stupid! He’s too weak! Look at him!
Marla
Don’t listen to him.
Norman
Or what? Will I hurt his feelings? Am I hurting your feelings Willy? Do you need a mama, someone like Marla to make it better? Is that what this is? You need someone to hold you and comfort you and tell you that everything is going to be peaches and cream?
Marla
Stop it.
Norman
You’re just a big old baby, aren’t you? You don’t need a woman to love Willy, you need a tit to suck on. (
Willy
rushes at
Norman
who side steps him and puts him in a full-nelson)
Marla
You let him go! Let him go Norman!
Norman
(Norman laughs) Like a prairie dog rushing a grizzly bear.
(Willy struggles)
You thought you’d just roll the rug up with me in it, huh? If you want her so bad, why don’t you fight for her? That’s what a man does. So, show me you’re a man.
(Norman lets Willy go.)
Go on, show me.
Marla
Willy, don’t!
Norman
Come on Will! Show Marla how strong you are. Revolution doesn’t come without spilling blood! The world doesn’t change without breaking some bones first!
Marla
Norman, you stop it this instant! (
Willy
, in a moment of decision, puts up his fists)
Norman
There you go! Show her how strong you are!
Marla
Don’t do that Willy! Don’t you go down there with him!
Willy
I’m a—I’m a man. I’m strong.
(Willy jabs, Norman moves out of the way)
Norman
That’s right! Willy’s a man! He’s strong! Go on and show her Willy. Show her how you’ll protect her. Show her how you’ll provide for her. Show her how you’ll keep her from the hardships of this world.
(Willy jabs, Norman moves, swats Willy across the face lightly)
That was a warning. Come on Will. Come on. Knock me out and take your prize.
(Willy swings hard at Norman, who ducks and throws a quick jab to Willy’s eye. Willy falls to ground)
Marla
Willy! Stay down Willy! Stay down!
Norman
Damn it all anyway Will, I never thought you’d get up from that! Twice in one day you surprised me.
(Willy shakes his head, puts up his fists and walks towards Norman . He swings wildly, Norman hits him twice in each side of his ribs. Willy staggers back and falls again)
Marla
Norman! You’re twice his size! Stop this now!
Norman
That’s up to Willy I’m afraid. This isn’t my fight. He swung first.
(Willy stands again, spits out blood from his mouth and staggers towards Norman. He is barely able to lift his fists. Norman touches his face, indicating that he is giving Willy a free shot. Willy swings at Norman’s face, connecting, but just barely. Norman throws a ripping uppercut to Willy’s jaw. Willy falls back hard to the ground. Willy rolls to his stomach and spits out blood. He goes limp, unconscious)
Marla
No more Norman! You’ve proven your point! No more.
(pause)
I won’t send any telegrams. Just stop. Please. Willy. Wake up Willy.
Norman
You’ve made a fool of me Marla.
Marla
And you of me.
Norman
I’m going inside for a drink and a dance. If you know what’s best for you, you’ll come join me. If you’re not holding my hand within the hour...well, you will have made a decision you’ll regret for the rest of your life.
(pause)
Willy... (pause. Truly heartfelt) When he comes to, tell him I’m sorry. He can come by my office tomorrow morning and I’ll have a doctor take a look at that.
(pause)
I hope to see you inside.
Narrator
Marla holds Willy’s head in her lap as Norman walks away.
For the conclusion of the story please tune in to Part Four of Willy Beau Dilly by Jayme McGhan.
Part Four
Narrator
Welcome to the final part of Willy Beau Dilly by Jayme McGhan. Previously in our story, Willy accidentally discovered Rupert and Norman’s business plan and how Marla has been a part of it. A hidden Marla overheard Rupert and Norman confronting Willy about what he knows, and, armed with that information, Marla broke off her engagement with Norman. At the end of the episode, Norman and Willy got into a physical fight, which, unsurprisingly, Norman won.
It is now just past midnight at the garden of the Ives Estate. The patio remains littered with glasses and bottles and the music and noise from the party guests has now faded. Marla has changed out of her gown and is now dressed in her usual fare, though her hair and makeup are still intact. She is kneeling on the edge of the reflecting pool, her arm up to her shirt sleeve in water, digging for the ring. Willy comes out of his quarters, still dressed in his trousers and suit shirt. He carries a suitcase and a leather-bound journal. He has a large black eye and a cut on his cheek. He hobbles slowly down the steps, sits at a table, and takes a long pull from a bottle of wine.
Willy
Did I win?
(Pause. They both break out in to laughter for a while, then become silent again.)
Marla
Why did you swing at him Willy?
Willy
Why not?
Marla
He’s twice your size.
Willy
So’s everyone else.
Marla
And you thought a show of bravado would win my affections?
Willy
I—I don’t know what I thought?
Marla
I deplore violence.
Willy
That makes two of us. Especially when you’re on the losing end. I—I’m sorry Marla. It had nothing to do with you. Or him. Please believe that. Something just welled up inside me, some kind of anger I never known before. I couldn’t help myself. I tried, inside up here... ...I tried to reason it out. But here... in my heart... It wasn’t listening. Any time anybody ever called me a name, poked fun at me, made me feel like I wasn’t worth the cloth I was born into, all those hurts came rolling back like thunder. I—I want to apologize to Mr. Cooley. Is he inside?
Marla
I’ve not seen him.
(Sound of Marla's hand in the water.)
Willy
What’re you doing there?
Marla
It was awful cruel of me to throw such a nice ring away like that. It was his grandmother’s after all. No luck. I’ll have to wait until morning when I can see.
Willy
The leaves and muck always collect on the far side. I’d try there first.
Marla
Thank you. Where will you go?
Willy
Don’t rightly know? I suppose I’ll jump the train out of town and see what’s down the tracks a bit further. Maybe get a little reunion in with my sister Rose down in Rochester? I’ll have plenty to keep me busy.
Marla
Is that one for me as well?
Willy
This? Oh no, I’ve not penned a word in it yet. It’s always best to keep one handy.
Marla
You never know when inspiration will strike. I know Celia will miss you something awful.
Willy
She’s sleeping hard yet. You’ll look after her for me, won’t you Marla?
Marla
Of course.
(Pause.)
Am I a joke Willy?
Willy
What?
Marla
I’ve never thought of it that way before. That maybe I am championing a cause that I know nothing about? That maybe I presume too much about the innate goodness of man? That maybe I should simply shut my mouth and enjoy my blessings?
Willy
Well, I suppose some folks might feel that way. Sure. But some folks might feel the opposite. And some folks might be indifferent. People will think what they’re going to think, no matter what you do or don’t do.
Marla
I thought I knew Norman. I was convinced I had him mapped. But every journey inevitably has its wrong paths, yes?
(pause)
He’s right you know. I wouldn’t last a day in your position. Not one. I don’t know what it is to be hungry. I don’t know what it is to want for something and not be able to have it.
Willy
I pray God you never will.
Marla
What you did, standing up to my father and Norman like that...that was very brave Willy.
Willy
Thank you.
Marla
But I’m not a bargaining chip.
Willy
Of course not.
Marla
You can’t blackmail for my hand.
Willy
I—I never intended on—
Marla
I have a mind to think you’re just as bad as they are. They have their desires, and you have yours, and the lot of you will do just about anything to bring them to fruition.
Willy
I would never—
Marla
I heard Norman—what he said—about the loan. If you have a responsibility, I would think you would be a proper human being and own up to it.
Willy
You have it wrong.
Marla
I have ears to hear.
Willy
Mr. Cooley made that assumption. I asked for a loan, yes. But not for anything like that.
Marla
For what then?
Willy
I promised her I wouldn’t say.
Marla
You see? Rubbish. More rubbish. And you’ve proven it. How can you give your heart both to me and another at the same time? I am nothing more than a small vessel in an ocean of your fascination. You can’t lie in two beds at once.
Willy
I’ve never laid in any bed.
Marla
More rubbish.
Willy
Have you ever known me to lie?
Marla
I’m not sure?
Willy
That’s the truth. I never have. Not any woman. So it couldn’t be what Mr. Cooley says it is. And it can’t be what you says it is.
Marla
Then tell me the truth.
Willy
I cannot. I made that promise and I intend to keep it. But I promise you that it was an upright favor I asked for.
Marla
So Norman lied?
Willy
No. He didn’t lie. He just—he got it wrong in his head is all. Much the same as the rest of us. Sometimes we make a perfect omelet, and sometimes we get the eggs scrambled. But it all tastes pretty good to me.
Marla
That is—well, I’m not sure of what to make of that?
Willy
What I said in front of you tonight, in front of your father and Mr. Cooley, that’s what I meant to say at the dinner. But words only go so far. I know that now. Because the only thing I ever loved will never love me back. Not all of us were meant to have a bite, Marla. Some of us were meant to starve. Because if we didn’t starve, then how would the rest of you know what being full was like? I’d rather see a million feasts on your table than a single one on mine. And so I say truly, without any reservation, and without hope, that I love you Marla Ives. And I wish you all things good on this earth.
(Enter
Norman from the house.)
Norman
The lovebirds sit on their perch and coo their pretty songs.
Marla
Norman. It’s late. Why haven’t you left?
Norman
I was dancing. The dance was lovely Marla, thank you. Who’d have thought I could waltz so well by myself? Like a Russian circus bear skipping on the tightrope.
Marla
Does father know you’re here?
Norman
Oh, your father—your father is a phenomenal man. A cherub of the highest choir. He locked me out of the house. Out of my own party!
Marla
Did he now?
Norman
As the clocks ticked away, the likelihood of your arrival and therefore acceptance of myself—me—looked grim. So, after a few tasteful carafes of merlot, I announced to the world that I, Norman Cooley, have officially called off the wedding on account that I— that you, you Marla Ives, no longer love me.
Hello Willy.
Which made very little sense—none as a matter of fact—to the party guests and your father, but a great deal of sense to me. Your father told everyone I was kidding, that I was drunk—which I am, quite—and then locked me out for my own good.
Marla
It seems that was the wisest decision for all parties involved.
Norman
Yes. It seems.
Willy
Mr. Cooley, why don’t you spend the night in my old room? We’ll move Celia over to Marla’s side and—
Norman
Willy! God help me I almost forgot you were there! You really must announce your presence. Wear a bell or something.
Willy
You’re drunk.
Norman
And you’re stealing my fiancée.
Marla
He is not stealing anyone. He is my friend. Nothing more. My decision to call off the engagement is solely based on your actions Norman. You have only yourself to blame.
Norman
And what have I done to deserve that? Treat you with nothing but the utmost sincerity, the utmost kindness? Pour my affections over you day in and day out? God help the woman whose betrothed would do such a heinous act! You know Willy, I never would have pegged you for competition. But you’ve teached me—taught me—a great lesson today. Never underestimate anyone. Even the workers. Treat them all like enemies, because eventually—damn it all Willy—eventually that’s what they’ll become. Everyone’s an enemy. Even the likeable ones. Even you. I’ll be glad when they go.
Marla
The papers will know of your plans. Be sure of that.
Norman
Oh, I’m sure you’ll send a telegram first thing. Your father figures the same. He counted on it. They, the board, they’re always kept abreast of new information. And when I told him you knew of the—well, the railroad is notoriously impatient. “Sign today or forget the deal!” The ink is dry my dear. Dated exactly one week from now when the elevators are officially mine. Your telegrams will take as long.
Marla
How could you?
Norman
No, no, that’s not the question. How could I not? It’s called business! But you couldn’t just leave it at that! You had to put impractical rules and guidelines around it! You had to wrap it in your—in your own sense of justice. Whatever the hell that means? You had to—you made it in to something it was never supposed to be!
Marla
Never have I met a more despicable, deplorable human being. Norman Cooley, I hope you die.
Willy
Marla, don’t say that. Don’t ever say that.
Marla
I do. I hope you die.
Willy
Those are the wrong words Marla. You don’t mean that.
Marla
A slow death. Painful.
Willy
He’s a human being, too. Just like us.
Marla
And the fires of hell consume your soul.
(Norman stops laughing. He is obviously hurt)
There is no salvation for you.
(Norman stumbles)
Norman
I wish you wouldn’t—that’s the worst thing anyone’s ever said to me.
(Norman stumbles again.)
That—in the water there somewhere—that was my grandmother’s ring you know.
Marla
I know.
Norman
Like a piece of—of used...candy foil. Discarded in the...down there.
Marla
Even less.
(Norman begins to cry)
Norman
I’m sorry Marla. I didn’t mean—whatever I can do to—
Marla
I don’t care.
Norman
Well, I know—I’ve a good sense of—this—and no longer is my presence acceptable...presentable. I bid you both...
(Norman stands to leave)
A lovely life.
(He takes a step forward, then stumbles back, falling in to the reflecting pool with a gigantic splash.)
Willy
Mr. Cooley, sir? Norman?
Marla
Like a big drunken sturgeon. Look at him.
Willy
Get out of the water now. Come on. Enough’s enough. He’s passed out!
(Willy jumps in the water and attempts to revive
Norman.)
Wake up! Go on Norman, Wake up! Snap to it!
(Willy attempts to lift him)
Marla! Give me a hand Marla!
Marla
No.
Willy
He’s going to drown!
Marla
He is.
Willy
I can’t lift him Marla! I can’t!
Marla
If you can’t lift him, then God is against him, and he will die. And then there will be one less evil in the world to contend with.
Willy
He’s not evil! He’s a human being! He makes mistakes like any other!
Marla
Then help him. Save him. Show him the error of his ways.
Willy
(nearly in tears) I can’t! I’m too weak! Please! He’s going to die!
Marla
That’s not up to me.
(Willy puts his whole strength in to
Norman’s body as he attempts to lift him out of the water but to no success)
Willy
Come on Norman! Wake up! Wake up! WAKE UP!!! I can’t do it by myself! I can’t! I never could! Please!
Marla
He’ll be at peace soon. Away from the spoils that turn good men to bad.
Willy
I never could!
Marla
And he’ll thank us for it. For showing him his faults. That is our duty on this earth, to reveal the cracks within us all. Let him go now Willy. Let him take what’s due.
(Willy gives up. He kneels down over
Norman’s body and sobs.)
Some people don’t deserve a simple act of kindness.
(Willy begins to moan, deep from within, a sound he has never made before)
Some people don’t deserve love.
(the moan turns in to an incredible cry and
Willy clenches his teeth, finds a strength he has never had nor will ever have again, and lifts
Norman in to his arms.
Marla steps back in amazement.
Willy steps out of the reflecting pool with
Norman in his arms and sets him gently, like a father carrying his child, on the ground.)
Willy
Norman. Wake up Norman. Listen to me now, hear my voice, and wake up.
(Norman chokes up a chest full of water as
Willy turns him to his side)
You’ll be okay. Shhh...you’ll be allright now.
(Marla is silent, shocked at what she has just witnessed)
Get me a blanket Marla. Now, please.
Norman
Willy Beau Dilly.
(Norman passes out again)
Willy
He’ll be fine. Going to hate himself tomorrow, but he’ll be all right.
Marla
How did you—
Willy
I don’t know?
Marla
That’s not possible.
Willy
Never thought it to be myself.
Marla
Orchid.
Willy
Excuse me?
Marla
A rare flower coming to bloom. The one we see only once in a lifetime. Do you realize what this means?
Willy
No. I don’t expect I do?
Marla
It means I can be with you.
Willy
Marla, you—
Marla
You’ve proven your strength. You’ve given testimony to your will. Don’t you see? This is a sign Willy. A sign that we were always meant for one another.
Willy
I—I don’t know about that?
Marla
The W and the M. They’re one in the same. It only depends on which direction you’re coming from. I feel foolish for not seeing it before. We’ll move to New York together. We’ll help start the movement all over the country.
Willy
Don’t take it for something it’s not Marla. I—I helped a man who was in trouble. He would’ve done the same for me had I—
Marla
But he didn’t. You did. And I love you for that. You proved to me that you could—
Willy
I proved nothing! The man was drowning and you were going to let him! He was going to drown Marla! He was going to die!
Marla
But he didn’t.
Willy
That doesn’t matter! You didn’t care one way or another if he did. All this talk, all these big ideas of helping people, of lending a hand to those who need it...and when someone’s in front of you, right smack in front of you, you refused to move.
Marla
He deserved to die.
Willy
No he did not! No he did not! He has the same flesh, the same blood, the same heart and soul as me. As you. And if you can’t see that, if you can’t see that folks do things sometimes that they shouldn’t, that folks make mistakes and deserve forgiveness, then you never had a heart for anyone but yourself, for your ideas. Ideas are all well and good, but they don’t hold your hand while you take your last breath.
Marla
I’m saying that I love you Willy.
Willy
Love isn’t an idea Marla. It never was.
Marla
Wait. Are you saying you don’t—are you rejecting me?
Willy
I wouldn’t think to reject anyone. But I’ll not accept neither.
Marla
What we witnessed tonight, together, the both of us. That was a miracle. That was a sign.
Willy
Call it what you will, and love it all you want. But I don’t want that love. I’m not yours, nor anyone else’s cause.
(Willy reaches in to
Norman’s back pocket and pulls out his wallet. He thumbs through the notes and pulls out seventy-five dollars exactly.)
That was well over one-inch, wouldn’t you say? See that Celia gets that, will you? And tell her to take her pills.
Marla
You would leave? After all of this and you’ll still leave?
Willy
I have a great deal of pages to fill.
Marla
But you’re my Willy. You’re my orchid.
Willy
No miss. You’re mistaken. The sun must have caught me just right. I’m no more than a blade of grass.
Marla
How will you live? Who will take care of you? Where will you go?
Willy
Oh, wherever the wind blows me.
Narrator
Willy tips his hat, turns and begins his journey. Marla sits by the edge of the reflecting pool for a moment then notices something in the water. She reaches down into the pool (sound of hand in water) and pulls out her ring. She looks at it quietly as our story comes to a close.
Thank you for joining us for the world premiere radio play, Willy Beau DIlly by Jayme McGhan. For information about the play’s cast and crew, please visit the DMACC Ankeny Theatre website at DMACC “dot” E-D-U, then search “theatre.”
