The Old and the Helpless By Essence Brown Essence Brown ... - CMS

The Old and the Helpless By Essence Brown

Essence Brown 314 West Glencoe St. Compton, CA 90220 (562) 338-2480 [email protected]

Synopsis: Two old people living in a retirement home try to get their lonely grandchildren together. Characters: Jacob Levine, lead male, mid 20s. A lonely post grad, substitute teacher who gives piano lessons on the side. Former girlfriend of three years dumps him. He overworks himself to compensate for being hurt. Charlotte “Charlie” Baxter, lead female, mid 20s. A lonely secretary whose entire family has moved to another state. She stayed behind to go to college and take care of her grandmother Harvey Levine, male, 83 years old. A war veteran who worries about his grandson being alone. He‟s feisty and sharp-tongued, but loving. Norma Nolan, female, 78 years old. An old dancer who threw out her hip at her prime.

Genre: Romance, Drama Setting: In an old folk‟s home„s recreation room, an outside bench Time: 2002

Scene I: Norma and Harvey Play Matchmaker (Music and lights rise. There‟s a room with a few tables with board games, a couch with a radio next to it, a piano in the corner. Sitting at the table together is an old man and an old woman playing chess. This is Harvey and Norma. Harvey is wearing a short-sleeved button up plaid shirt with suspenders attached to his black khakis, nice black shoes and a bow tie. Norma is wearing a cardigan and Capri pants and house shoes. Norma is winning at chess.) Norma: Checkmate. Harvey: Best five out of seven. Norma: Admit it, Harvey, I am the better chess player. Harvey: Two more and I‟ll get you. Norma: I think we should call it quits. Besides, you‟re not all spruced up for nothing. I like the bow tie. Harvey: My grandson should be here any minute. He‟s taking me out to meet some ladies. Norma: I‟m jealous. (Not jealous.) Is he the handsome fella that always comes in? Short cut hair with the glasses? Harvey: Yes, that‟s right. The one who looks exhausted half the time he visits. Norma: Poor thing. You think he might have been laid off? Harvey: Quite the opposite. He‟s been- (A young man enters. This is Jacob. He is wearing casual jeans and t-shirt and sneakers.) Oh well, there he is. Jacob! Jacob: Hey, Pop. And who is this lovely young lady? Norma: Now, now. Don‟t try to flatter an old bird like me. I‟m Norma. Jacob: Pleased to meet you, Miss Norma. I‟m Jacob, if Pop hasn‟t already told you. (Jacob kisses her hand.) Norma: Flattery, manners, and looks, just like your grandfather. Well, I‟ll leave you two gentlemen to your activity. (Norma sits at the couch, pulls out a book and reads. Jacob takes her seat.) Harvey: Well, kiddo, I‟m all ready to go. Jacob: Pop, about that. I‟m sorry, but I have to take my piano to get tuned at Joe‟s. The kid I gave lessons to really messed it up, and I have a new person scheduled this evening, so our plans will have to wait until tomorrow. Harvey: Oh, it‟s fine, Jakey. I guess I‟ll see you tomorrow then. Jacob: Oh no, Pop, I have time to talk for a little while before I drive out there. If you want, of course. Harvey: What do you mean “If I want.” Of course I want. (Suddenly very low.) If ya haven‟t noticed before, there‟s not much going on around here. (Beat.) Have ya been resting? Jacob: I‟ve been working on four hours a night for three weeks. Harvey: I think you should cut your lessons in half. You‟re overworking yourself.

Jacob: I need the money until I get a stable teaching job. Harvey: Yeah well, I don‟t like seeing you so tired, boy. Jacob: I know Pop-Pop. (Beat, then playfully.) You and that Miss Norma going out? Harvey: (Gives Jacob a “Why do you ask?” expression, then realizes.) I called dibs. Jacob: Very well. (Low.) One more solo dinner at the Levine townhouse. Harvey: Kid, go find yourself a nice young woman…or man. Jacob: (Indignantly.) Woman. Harvey: Okay, okay, just joking. Get yourself a woman, fall in love, and please have lots of sex and babies before you‟re 40. Jacob: Pop, relax, I still have 15 years to fulfill that promise. Harvey: How do you feel about this troop-sending to Afghanistan? Now, an old war hero like myself would say…(While their conversation continues, a young woman enters. This is Charlotte. She is wearing a wearing a summer dress and a cardigan with sandals. Holding a small bouquet, she looks for Norma. Spotting her grandmother, she rushes over to her. Jacob exits as she sits.) Charlotte: Surprise! Norma: Charlie! You said you wouldn‟t be back for two days! Charlotte: I cut my trip short. Mom and I had an argument. Besides I‟d rather be here. You weren‟t too lonely while I was gone were you? Norma: I do have friends, honey. (Harvey gets up to exit and walks their way.) Here‟s one now. Harvey. Harvey: I heard a sweet voice calling my name. Oh hello Norma. My goodness. Who is this beautiful woman? Charlotte: Hi, I‟m Charlie. Harvey: Short for Charlotte? My daughter-in-law‟s name is Charlotte, but we call her Lottie. Lottie-Dottie. My, my. The both of you are so beautiful, you have me rambling like a nervous teenaged boy. I‟ll catch you later, Norma. The bran muffins are calling my name. Nice meeting you, Charlie. (Harvey exits.) Charlotte: You too, Mister? (Norma whispers his name quickly)…Levine! He‟s adorable. Is he your boyfriend? Norma: (Changing the subject.) What did you and your mother fight about this time? Charlotte: She tried to get Daddy to convince me to stay in Seattle. And to add to insult, she set me up on a date with her boss‟s son. Norma: She thinks you‟re that desperate, huh? He wasn‟t too bad, was he? Charlotte: (Gives her an indignant look) He was a 36 year old virgin who inadvertently spat his dinner in my face whenever he talked with his mouth full, and I could reapply my makeup in his bald spot. He reminded me of Lou.

Norma: Your ex didn‟t have a bald spot. Charlotte: (Dully.) His personality did. Ugh, I‟m sick of men. Let‟s have dinner together tonight, just us ladies. My treat. Norma: That sounds lovely. Charlotte: Great, we can try the surf and turf at this new spot I found! Let me go home and unpack and change. I‟ll be back here in two hours. Bye, love. (Charlotte exits. Harvey returns with a muffin.) Harvey: Give us this day, our daily bread, and let it prevent and demolish indigestion and blockage. Norma: Aren‟t you Jewish? Harvey: Yes, why? Norma: Why are you reciting Our Father? And isn‟t today Sabbath? Harvey: I‟m taking this new medicine that requires me to eat something every three hours so I can no longer celebrate Sabbath. And I was joking. Would you like some? Norma: No thanks, my colon works just fine. My granddaughter‟s taking me out to dinner, and I‟m eating a big juicy steak. Harvey: (Jealous.) Nifty. Make sure you savor that for the both of us. Haven‟t had a steak in eight years. It seems that our roles have reversed. I‟m stayin and you‟re leavin‟. Norma: Karma, for all the wives you‟ve had since 1953. Harvey: Ha. Norma: Joking, Harvey. Harvey: Well, if Jacob had at least one wife, I‟d die a happy man. (Norma nods in agreement, going back to her book. Harvey pulls out a pipe, adds tobacco and lights it. Puffing, he stops in his tracks. He has an idea.) Say, is, uh, is your grand girl married? Norma: Charlie? Nope. Harvey: Jacob‟s single. (Beat.) I worry about him sometimes. He‟s had such bad luck with relationships. Norma: (Automatically.) Same with Charlie. (Figuring.) You don‟t suppose. Jacob would… Harvey: go on a date with Charlie? I don‟t see why not! And your Charlotte? Norma: I will have to talk her into it, but I‟ll make her an offer she can‟t refuse. Harvey: Great, it‟s a date then. Whaddya say? Backgammon while you wait? Norma: How about we just watch TV? Harvey: Only if JAG is on. (Both exit as the lights blackout.) Scene II: Jacob and Charlotte Play Date

(Lights come up on a bench. It‟s the late afternoon. Charlotte arrives first. She‟s wearing a nice dress with heels.) Charlotte: (Talking to herself.) You would think Gram would not dare to get me on a date after I told her about the last one. Come on, Gram. Ugh. Well, if I don‟t enjoy myself, I got an extra $100. He better be normal looking, unlike that Clint Howard impersonator I was forced to share an evening with…(Jacob enters, checking his watch. He is wearing a button up and slacks.) If this is the guy, Gram, I will buy you a pearl necklace. Hi. Are you Jacob? Jacob: Yes. Nice to meet you, Charlotte. Charlotte: (Turns around and mouths “Sweet!”) Please, call me Charlie. Jacob: Okay Charlie. It seems our grandparents have taken an interest in our personal lives. Charlotte: Of course they have, there‟s not much else better to do there. Where are you from? Jacob: Born and raised here, but my parents moved from New Jersey in „76 before I was born. Charlotte‟s my mom‟s name. Coincidence. Charlotte: Yeah, your granddad mentioned it. I like your glasses. Jacob: They were my dad‟s. (They exit. Lights go toa quick fade andrise. Jacob and Chralotte reenter, laughing. She is wearing his jacket and holding on to his arm.) Charlotte: I would imagine the look on President Bush‟s face if Cheney ever did that! Jacob: Then who would really be left behind. Literally. Charlotte: Absolutely. (Beat.) It‟s been months since that attack, but feels as if it were only yesterday. And I would hate to have been in those planes or in those buildings. Jacob: I knew someone who worked there who died. Charlotte: I‟m sorry. Jacob: Don‟t be. He was no friend of mine. Charlotte: Still. That‟s no way to die. Jacob: But what is? The only true way is passing in your sleep. Charlotte: Yes, I suppose so. (Silence, then,) Jacob: What are you doing next Wednesday? Charlottle: Are you asking me on another date? Jacob: Technically, it‟ll be my first time asking, since it was dear ole Harvey Levine and Norma Nolan who got the pleasure of doing it first. If you aren‟t busy, I play piano at this jazz club in North Hollywood. Charlotte: It‟s a date then. (Smiling, they lean in and kiss. Charlotte pulls back, astonished.) I‟m sorry. I‟ve never kissed anyone on a first date before. Jacob: It‟s okay. (Beat.) It was nice though. Goodnight Charlie. Charlotte: Goodnight, Jacob. (Charlotte exits first with a happy but doubtful look. Jacob exits once she has

exited. He has a smile on his face. Lights switch to the recreation room. Norma enters, sitting at the couch eagerly waiting for Harvey. Harvey enters soon after.) Harvey: Have you heard? Norma: Charlie hasn‟t stopped talking about him in six weeks, and they‟ve been going out almost four times a week, but now are they officially together? Harvey: He asked her to be his girlfriend last night. Norma: Yes! Harvey: He cut his piano lessons down, too! This was the greatest idea I‟ve ever had! Norma: We. Harvey: Of course. (Harvey goes over to the radio, and turns to some old jazz station. He turns to Norma.) May I have this dance? Norma: Why, of course! (They slow dance for a while. Harvey has a growing affection for Norma and it can been seen on his face. Charlotte and Jacob enter together hand in hand. Norma spots them first.) Charlie. Jacob. (Norma pulls away from Harvey. Harvey is slightly dumbfounded from the lose of touch, but regains his demeanor.) Harvey: Hey, you two! Bona fide couple now, eh? Jacob: Yep. Charlotte: We just came over to say thanks to you two. Norma: Oh, Charlie! (Hugs her.) Aren‟t you glad I was being nosy? Charlotte: You‟re fine, Grandma. It‟s Mom who‟s bad. Harvey: Jakey, it seems that promise will be coming sooner than you thought, eh? Jacob: Maybe. So, how about it? Would you guys like some breakfast by the shore? Harvey: Would we? Come on, Norma. You kids wait here. We‟ll be ready in a jiffy. (Norma and Harvey exit.) Charlotte: So, what promise were you supposed to be keeping? Jacob: Uh, Pop wants me to get married and have lots of kids. He just a big joker. Charlotte: I believe it. My mom thinks my ovaries are gonna dry up at almost 24. (Lights fade out. Charlotte and Jacob exit.) Scene III: Norma the Angel (Lights rise. Norma and Harvey sit to a game of chess.) Harvey: I will beat you this time. Norma: that‟s what you said the last time.

Harvey: I mean it this time. Norma: Well, I don‟t actually have time for a game, anyway. Charlie‟s taking me out today. She‟s been out with Jacob so much, she felt bad we haven‟t done anything together in months. Harvey: Oh, that sounds good. Maybe I should call the kid to come and do something with me. Norma: Maybe you should. I think I‟m going to lay down for a while before she gets here. Harvey: Have a good one. Hey, Norma. Maybe you and I should go out on a date. Norma: So I can become Wife Number Five? Harvey: Number Six, but you‟ll be my favorite. Norma: I think I‟ll pass, Harvey. Harvey: You‟ll succumb to the Levine charm sooner or later. Norma: I hope so. (She exits. Harvey turns back to his game and begins playing by himself. Charlotte enters.) Charlotte: Hi there. Harvey: Hey Charlie. How do you do? Charlotte: I‟m okay. Is grandmaHarvey: She went to take a nap a few minutes ago. Charlotte: Great, thanks. I was thinking we should all go out. The four of us again. Harvey: Absolutely. (Charlotte exit‟s the way Norma went. Jacob enters with flowers. He spots his grandfather playing chess alone.) Jacob: Pop. Harvey: Hey, kid. Come sit and play with me. You can be white. Black is winning. Fancy flowers you got there. Are they for me? Jacob: They‟re for Charlie. She should be here any minute. I, think I‟m falling in love with her. Harvey: You‟re a movin‟ fast! But that‟s good. Actually, she got here a few moments ago. Norma‟s napping in her room and she wanted to know if you wanted to double date like we did last week. Charlie, me, you, and Norma altogether. Jacob: Sounds like a plan. Did, uh, did you want to borrow a flower for Miss Norma? Harvey: Shut it. Yeah, give me one of the yellow ones, kid. (A crestfallen Charlotte enters. She‟s walking dizzily.) Jacob: Hey Charlie-dear. (Jacob notices her weird walking, and helps her over when she can no longer

walk.) Baby, what‟s wrong? Charlotte: She‟s dead. Grandma‟s dead. Harvey: What? Charlotte: I went to her room to wake her up. She wouldn‟t get up when I called and shook her, so I checked her pulse. She was still warm so I tried to revive her. She‟s dead. Harvey: God rest her soul, she was just talking to me not even 10 minutes ago. She passed in her sleep, God rest her soul. Jacob: I‟m so sorry. Miss Norma was a wonderful woman. (Beat.) I should take you home; you are in no condition to drive. Harvey: Don‟t you worry, young lady. I‟ll let the nurse know to call the coroner. You just let Jacob take you home. Charlotte: I just talked to her half an hour ago, Jacob. How could she have died? (Jacob and Charlotte exit.) Harvey: I‟ll miss you, my friend. (Harvey looks at the flower in his hand and slowly exits. Lights do a fade and rise. Charlotte enters from Norma‟s room, carrying a box of Norma‟s things with her. As she exits from the opposite side, Jacob enters.) Jacob: Charlie! Jesus, where have you been? I haven‟t seen you since the funeral. I‟ve been trying to reach you for two weeks. Charlotte: I was at my mom‟s. I‟m sorry I just needed some time to think. Jacob: I understand. I did have me worried, though. You didn‟t tell me you were leaving like you usuallyCharlotte: Jacob, I‟m sorry. I can‟t go out with you anymore. Jacob: What do you mean? Charlotte: I can‟t, okay? Trust me, you have nothing to do with it. It‟s all me. Jacob: Am I really supposed to be that bullCharlotte: Yes, because it‟s true. I just don‟t think it‟s going to work out. I‟m moving to Seattle with my mom. Jacob: You‟re just speaking out of pain. I know you‟re hurt but you can‟t let it get in between us. It hurts to lose someone you love, I know. My dad died when I was fifteen and it hurt beyond belief, but I didn‟t shut my life down. Charlotte, I loveCharlotte: I‟m sorry Jacob. I have to go. (She exits quickly.) Jacob: But I love you! I love you. (Quick fade. Harvey enters glancing at his watch. An exhausted Jacob enters after Harvey sits.) Harvey: You are 45 minutes late, kid. Jacob: Sorry, Pop, I lost track of time. Harvey: Still overworking, boy?

Jacob: I could use the money right now. Harvey: I know what you could use. Who, rather. Jacob: What was that? Harvey: Well, working yourself to death is not the way to go I‟ll tell you that. Jacob: I‟ve got nothing else better. Harvey: Oh come now, Jacob. You have to talk to her. Jacob: (Snaps.) And say what? Have you stopped crying over your dead grandma to actually see someone cares for you? Harvey: You watched your damned mouth talking about Norma like that. When were you ever raised to be disrespectful? Jacob: Forgive my outburst, sir. It was unnecessarily driven from frustration. (Beat.) But what am I supposed to do, Pop? What do you expect? I‟ve tried everything! And nothing. She doesn‟t want me. I give up. Harvey: Jacob Levine, if you continue to insult me you can just leave. Don‟t EVER give up. Do you think I‟d be here if I let myself give up in Germany, Nam, or Seoul? No! Kid, love is a battlefield. Jacob: Pop, don‟t be cliché with that horrible 80s song. Harvey: But the song‟s right. Jakey, if you ave a cause good enough to fight for, well, you gotta fight to win it. You‟ve never fought so hard for someone in your life. I have never seen you more happy than when you two are together. When you talk about her, even now, your eyes shine quicker than a flashlight. That little lady doesn‟t know what she‟s got until you show her. Jacob: You‟re right, Pop. I never felt the reason to go after anyone but her. Charlie, I feel so complete with her. I‟m going to get her back if it kills me. Come on, Pop. You‟re going with me. (They exit. Lights on the recreation room fade as the lights on the bench rise. Charlotte is sitting on the bench alone.) Charlotte: I shouldn‟t have left. You shouldn‟t have left. You should have stayed here. Why did you do that? (Norma emerges slowly, walking quietly behind Charlotte sitting on the bench.) Norma: Because I felt completely satisfied with life. Charlotte: (Screams) Norma: Hush, sweetheart. Charlotte: Grandma! Am I dreaming? Norma: Nope. It‟s me, in the flesh. Well, not exactly. Charlotte: Oh my GodNorma: Don‟t say it. He hates when people say it. I mean, millions of people constantly calling you out is annoying. It would be nice if one less person did it. Charlotte: Oh. Sorry.

Norma: Don‟t worry, child. Now, you must do something for me. Give that nice young man Jacob a chance. You‟re running out on something good, girl; that‟s why I‟m here. You were good, I die, then poof! I‟m back because you aren‟t good. I want to rest in peace. Charlotte: I can‟t. Norma: Why? Charlotte: I can‟t stand his piano playing. He treats me like a baby. He…uh. Norma: How does he make you feel? Charlotte: Nothing. Norma: Charlotte Marie Baxter. Never have you ever lied to me, and you just did it twice. Tell me the truth. Charlotte: (Defeated.) I think I love him. Norma: So why do you hurt him and yourself by running away? Charlie, you know you can tell me anything in the world. Charlotte: He‟s too good for me. Norma: And your racist great-grandparents said the same about me and your granddaddy, but it wasn‟t true. We were equal, and so are you and that young man. Don‟t run away from something so true like what you have with him. Charlotte: But what if he leaves, or dies like you. Norma: It‟s natural to die at one point. No one lives forever. You have to get used to that. And that young man loves you. You can‟t let fear ruin your relationships, or you‟ll wind up alone. And there‟s no way I am going to watch you do that. Go back to that young man. I love you. Charlotte: I love you too, Grandma. Goodbye. (Norma exits. When Charlotte is about to exit, Jacob runs in, followed by a slower Harvey.) Jacob: Charlie! Charlotte: Jacob. Mister Levine? Harvey: I need to sit. Charlotte: How did you know I was here? Jacob: I had a feeling you‟d stop here before you left for Seatlle. Listen, don‟t go. If you leave…You complete me. I know I sound cliché, but it‟s true. I will fight for us to work if it takes my whole life. Charlotte: (Hugs him.) I‟m sorry. I didn‟t mean to hurt you. Jacob: I‟m so in love with you. Charlotte: I love you, too. Harvey: Yes. I‟m glad you guys have made up. Now, please, find me an oxygen tank. (They laugh. Lights

fade.) The End