David-Matthew Barnes - Better Places to Go

RICARDO. That was two years ago. That was before—

ROSIE. Before you decided to turn into a big homo?

RICARDO. I’m not. You wouldn’t understand. And keep your mouth shut or else I’ll tell Della you’ve been snaking money out of the donation box.

ROSIE. Like they even give that money to the crippled children. That church puts every dime in their fat pockets. A bunch of hypocrites. (Beat.) Just like you, sad boy.

RICARDO. There’s nothing going on between me and Derek.

ROSIE. Look me in the eye and say it again.

RICARDO. Why? You’re not my mother.

ROSIE. Does she know? Have you told her yet? That she won’t be having any grandchildren because you’re doing a retard up the ass?

RICARDO. Jealous?

ROSIE. I don’t understand what you see in Derek. He’s a freak. (Beat.) Or maybe that’s why you do it to him. Because you feel sorry for him. Because you want to be his little Latin hero. (Beat.) Wow. And you say I’m the twisted one.

RICARDO. You’re just pissed because I wouldn’t have sex with you. (Beat.) Let it go, Rosie. Get over it.

ROSIE. You’re wrong. I don’t hold grudges. (Beat.) I get even.

RICARDO. (He grabs her; shakes her violently. She loves it, screams with pleasure.) You want me to make love to you, is that it?

ROSIE. (Animalistic:) Do it!

RICARDO. What do you want me to do? (He shoves her against a wall, pinning her.)

ROSIE. (She clings to him, wild with passion.) Prove it to me, fast boy.

RICARDO. You think if I have sex with you, I’m a man?

ROSIE. I know you want it. You’re just scared. Let me help you. (She starts to unbuckle his belt.) Come on, Ricardo. Show me what you’ve got.

RICARDO. (He holds her face in his hands, kisses her with fierceness. He pulls away from her. She is breathless.) Satisfied?

ROSIE. (Trembling:) Not even close.

RICARDO. Maybe you’d like a taste of your own medicine.

ROSIE. (Quiet.) You bastard.

RICARDO. If I’m gonna make love to a woman, it certainly won’t be you.

ROSIE. You won’t find anyone better in Grand Island.

RICARDO. I already have.

ROSIE. So, you finally admit it? You’re in love with him.

RICARDO. No matter what I am, you’re still a piece of trash.

ROSIE. Sticks and stones, Ricardo.

RICARDO. (Suddenly:) Your mother left because she hated you.

ROSIE. (Caught off guard:) What?

RICARDO. You heard me. She couldn’t stand the sight of you. Left you here to rot away with your grandmother. And she doesn’t even want you.

ROSIE. Fuck you!

RICARDO. You don’t know who your father is because your mother was a bigger whore than you are.

ROSIE. I’ll kill you, you son of a bitch!

RICARDO. Yeah, you can dish it out, but you can’t take it.

ROSIE. I’m warning you!

RICARDO. What are you planning to do, Rosie? Sleep your way out of Grand Island? Let the first truck driver you see have his way with you, hoping he lets you come along for the ride? You’re no different than Judy. You’re no different than Britney or Lucille. You’re no different than me.

ROSIE. Don’t you think I know that?!

(A moment passes between them, a point of no return. They lock eyes, speaking silently, understanding one another. Outside, it has started to rain. A strange sense of calm creeps in.)

RICARDO. It’s raining.

ROSIE. I guess the storm finally hit.

RICARDO. You need a ride home later?

ROSIE. Aren’t you the gentleman?

RICARDO. I don’t want you walking home in the rain.

ROSIE. I can take care of myself.

RICARDO. I know. (Beat.) That’s what scares me.

ROSIE. Everything scares you.

RICARDO. (He notices the mess:) What in the hell happened in here?

ROSIE. (She starts cleaning up, including the silverware.) I dropped the silverware.

RICARDO. You want me to help you clean it up?

ROSIE. Don’t worry about it.

RICARDO. I think we should close up.

ROSIE. Anxious to get on the road?

RICARDO. I want to get out town before the storm gets bad.

ROSIE. Did you ever consider that maybe I wanted to be the one to run away with you? (Beat.) I’ll miss you, you fucker.

RICARDO. (Beat.) The feeling is mutual.

ROSIE. You’re not the only one who dreams about leaving this place.

RICARDO. You would really do it? You’d leave your Grandmother?

ROSIE. Just like you’re leaving your sister.

RICARDO. But I have a reason to go.

ROSIE. So do I.

RICARDO. I’m taking some food. Don’t tell anyone.

ROSIE. Take whatever you want. I plan to, when I leave.

RICARDO. I’m leaving a note for Della. Make sure she gets it.

ROSIE. Your resignation?

RICARDO. And my apologies.

ROSIE. How formal. She’s a sad woman. She hates this restaurant as much as I do. The only reason why she keeps it is out of respect for her dead husband who left her the stupid thing. I would’ve sold it. Nobody wants to eat here anymore. The food sucks. Always has. (Beat.) This place will die without us, Ricardo. We both know Kimberly will quit soon. (With a small laugh:) Have you ever noticed she’s dumber than dirt? That bitch deserves what she gets. She’s a horrible waitress. (Beat.) Has a real bad attitude.

RICARDO. This place has served its purpose, Rosie. (He exits to the kitchen.)

ROSIE. (To herself:) For who?

NATHAN. (He enters cautiously. Rosie is down on her hands and knees picking up silverware. She looks up, sees Nathan and then slowly stands with a steak knife in her hand.) Rosie, Rosie, Rosie. Got a pocketful of… Ashes fall. They hit the ground. And I hear talk all over town.

ROSIE. (She takes a step towards him.) Do you want me to kill you?

NATHAN. I just want you to love me.

(Rosie rushes to him, tosses the knife down and they collide into a passionate kiss. The attraction between them is wild, barbaric, animal-like. He clears off the top of a table, with a quick swipe of his hand, and he lifts Rosie up and places her on the table top. She leans back, claws at him with lust.)

ROSIE. I want you so bad.

NATHAN. She bought the whole thing. Just like you said she would.

ROSIE. Where is she now?

NATHAN. Crying at home. She tried to get the money out of the truck.

ROSIE. Did you hit her?

NATHAN. I beat the shit out of her. Called her a thief and a liar.

ROSIE. (She moans in ecstasy:) Oh God, I love you.

NATHAN. You gonna run away with me?

ROSIE. Hell yes, I am. We’re going to Miami, baby.

NATHAN. You gonna be my girl?

ROSIE. As long as you wanna be my man.

NATHAN. Don’t worry. I’ve got everything under control.

ROSIE. Not everything.

(Britney enters from the front door, unnoticed and wet from the rain. Her bottom lip is busted open. She sees Rosie and Nathan together, on the table. She is mortified. Slowly, she picks up the steak knife from the floor. She approaches Nathan.)

NATHAN. What do you mean?

ROSIE. Your little Britney is having a baby.

NATHAN. What?

ROSIE. Relax, bad boy, it ain’t yours.

NATHAN. You’re wrong. Britney can’t have kids. The doctor told me so himself.

ROSIE. Why would she lie?

NATHAN. I could eat you alive.

ROSIE. Where’s the money?

NATHAN. You’re so fucking hot.

ROSIE. Baby, where’s the money?

NATHAN. I love you.

ROSIE. I love you, too, Ricardo.

NATHAN. What the fuck? You just called me Ricardo.

BRITNEY. I’m taking the money back to the store! ( Britney raises the knife, prepared to stab Nathan in the back. Nathan jumps, rolls off of Rosie and hits the floor. The knife comes down, landing in the middle of Rosie’s chest. She screams in pain and within seconds she loses consciousness. Britney turns to Nathan.) Look at what you made me do!