A Swim in the Laughing Soup
NOJO
Anything.
(Puts his head down, then raises it for a last word.)
But it wasn’t really her fault, the curse. See, she didn’t know I’d believe her.
(Sleeps.)
(LIGHT on Nojo, the rest of the stage goes dark. Hold for several beats then all LIGHTS come up. SOUND: cars passing over bridge—no singing quality—continues intermittently until curtain. SOUND: someone stops, a car door opens and shuts.)
GENE AUTRY
Hey you.
(GENE AUTRY enters, wearing mechanic’s overalls. HE approaches NOJO, kneels and shakes him gingerly.)
GENE AUTRY
You all right?
NOJO
Huh?
GENE AUTRY
Thank the Good Lord. For a minute there, friend, I was afraid you were…
NOJO
I was…?
(Beat.)
No, I’m not. I’m not anything.
GENE AUTRY
Never mind. You must be freezing. Heard on the radio it got down to two below out by the airport.
NOJO
I’m okay.
(NOJO struggles weakly to sit up.)
GENE AUTRY (restraining him)
Sweet Jesus. You just stay where you are, friend. I already called for help on the CB.
NOJO
No, no, I’m fine. Really. Never been better.
GENE AUTRY
(Gets up to go, hesitates.)
I’ll be right back, okay? There’s some blankets in the trunk. You got a name there, friend?
(HUNGRY and THIRSTY enter. They are no longer wearing rags and are well dressed for the cold weather. They hang back, curious but cautious.)
NOJO
Pete.
(Beat.)
My name is Pete.
