23405: Title: MotherÕs Milk Summary: Three friends meet for a reunion in Brookly only to see their friendship fall apart when one of the makes an announcement. Author: Tehya Merrit Producer: David Alan Grier Cast: Location: Atlantic Ave Subway Stop in Long Island Time: 1970s Text: (Two young women, mid 20Õs stand in front of the entrance to the Atlantic Avenue-BarclayÕs Center train station. Rosa has just started on a cigarette, while Macy stands nearby, avoiding the smoke, hands shoved into her winter coat, marching in place to keep warm. Every now and then she retrieves a small photo from her pocket, studies it, and shoves it back in.) <>[00:15] Sound: [street noise:0.3.1] <1i.1>[00:19] Sound: [honk:0.3.3] <1i.2>[00:17 ] Music: [Luv Letter: 1.3.1:Intro] <>[00:20] Sound: [rustle of purse/paper:2.3.1] <>[00:20] Sound: [exhale of cigarette smoke:1.3.1] <>[00:23] Rosa: Stare at that thing any longer and youÕre gonna burn a hole straight through it. <>[00:27] Macy: CanÕt help it. She looks so good. You can see it in her eyes! See what I mean? <>[00:34] Sound: [passing of photo:1.3.3] (Rosa passes the polaroid to Macy who gives it a quick side glance.) <>[00:34] Rosa: I see it, I see it. I wonÕt lie, IÕm pretty impressed. ItÕs hard adjusting to a new city. A new job. I figured something wouldÕve hit the fan by now. Maybe I was wrong <>[00:41] Sound: [subway passing in background:0.3.2] <>[00:45] Macy: See, I told you to just have some faith. <>[00:47] Sound: [exhale of cigarette smoke:1.3.] <>[00:49] Rosa: Well, you canÕt blame me. I mean she up and decides to move and become a nanny, right after whatever that was, Love the girl, but sheÕs all over the place. <>[1:01] Macy: Thought it kind of made sense. She hit a rough patch, got help, and then she wanted to start fresh. <>[1:07] Rosa: Or it was just another impulse decision with no thought put into it. <13i.1>[1:12] Sound: [honk] <>[1:12] Macy: You jump to the worst conclusions too much. <> [1:15] Rosa: You jump to the best conclusions too much. <15i.1>[1:16] Sound: [honk] <15i.2>[1:21] Music: [Been Working: Dad: 5.4.1] <> [1:20] Macy: Has she told you what the father is like? I hope heÕs been easy going. With Kat, I mean. <> [1:26] Sound: [exhale of cigarette smoke:1.3.1] <> [1:27] Sound: [flicking cigarette1:3.2] <> [1:28] Rosa: (Rosa flicks her cigarette, shrugging. A little dodgy.) Last I talked to her, all was well. She said the dad was very nice. <> [1:34] Macy: Oh, good. Good, good, good. [beat] Can you finish that already? ItÕs freezing out here. <> [1:34] Sound: [subway passing:0.3.2] <> [1:35] Sound: [exhale of cigarette smoke:1.3.1] <> [01:40] Rosa: Jeez, IÕm almost done. Go on in if youÕre that cold. IÕll follow you in a sec. <> [1:47] Macy: Thought you were going to quit those. You seemed serious about it until you started hanging with that Night Life Posse of yours. <24i.1> [1:51] Sound: [exhale of cigarette smoke:1.3.1] <> [1:53] Rosa: Would you stop calling them that? TheyÕre chill people. Into the same music scene IÕm trying to break into. YouÕd like them if you ever came out with us for once in your life. <> [2:01] Sound: [distant ambulance siren:0.3.2] <> [2:04] Macy: ItÕs these stupid hospital hours - <> [2:07] Rosa: Hospital hours. Yeah, yeah. We get it. You canÕt have any fun. Boo hoo. <> [00:00] Sound: [blowing on hands:2.3.1] <> [00:00] Sound: [rubbing hands:2.3.1] <> [2:10] Macy: Oh, whatever. One day youÕll have a job where youÕre working overtime and youÕll be singing a different tune. (Macy shivers and begins blowing into her hands and rubbing them). <> [2:14] Sound: [exhale of cigarette smoke:1.3.1] <> [2:19] Rosa: (sarcastically) Huff and puff some more. ItÕll make me finish this quicker. <> [2:23] Kat: IÕll huff and puff too and help you out, Mace. (Both women turn to see their friend who has walked up unnoticed behind them) <34i.1>[00:00] Music: [Clutch Rider: Kat: 3.4.1] <> [2:28] Both: Kat! <> [2:29] Macy: ItÕs so good to see you! Oh, man. How are you? Was the commute too bad? We could have come up to Harlem! We might have gotten very lost, but youÕre worth it. You know that! <36i.1>[2:35] Sound: [Train] <> [2:37] Rosa: Alright, alright. Can the girl get a proper drag before you start talking her head off? Good to see you, honey. <> [2:41] Sound: [hugging sound: 3.3.1] (Rosa hugs Kat and extends a cigarette) <> [2:45] Rosa: You know weÕve got to smoke a reunion ciggy, first and foremost. <39i.1>[2:47] Sound: [cigarette package] <> [2:50] Kat: Oh, IÕm good. <> [2:52] Macy: Good! <> [2:52] Sound: [subway passing:03.2] <> [2:52] Rosa: What? Come on, MacyÕll be fine out here for a couple more minutes. <> [2:56] Kat: It is pretty cold. LetÕs just grab a table. <> [2:59] Rosa: Sissies. (The three women head inside, choosing a corner booth to plop down onto. Macy begins to stare at KatŠfor too longŠ trying to evaluate every inch of her. Rosa studies Macy studying Kat, while Kat tries to pretend she doesnÕt notice.) <> [03:00] Sound: [walking:1.2;3.2; 3.2 ] <> [3:03] Sound: [door: 1.3.3] <> [3:04] Sound: [street sounds quiet] <> [3:06] Sound: [sitting;1.3.2;3.3.1] <> [3:09] Kat: You guys okay? <> [3:11] Rosa: Macy is about to lose her mind for some updates straight from the source. <> [3:15] Kat: IÕm pretty good! I told you guys on the phone. <> [3:19] Rosa: You told me on the phone. <> [3:22] Macy: Dang. I know, my bad. Hopefully I can get off night shifts soon. Two nights ago there was a head onÉ <> [3:19] Sound: [distant siren again;0.3.3] <> [3:29] Rosa: Spare us the details. Please. (Waiter approaches) <> [3:28] Sound: [walking;4.2] <> [3:31] Waiter: Can I get you girls anything to drink? <> [3:36] Rosa: WeÕll do a round of hot toddies. Thank you. <59i.1>[00:00] Music: [Clutch Rider: 3.4.1.C;Kat] <> [3:39] Kat: IÕll take a hot chocolate. <> [3:41] Rosa: Um, no way. SheÕll take a hot toddy, double whiskey. I know what she likes. (turning to Kat) My treat. <> [3:47] Kat: No, really. Just a hot chocolate, please. Marshmallows, if you have them. Or whipped cream. (beat) (Rosa raises her eyebrows and hands in a sign of defeat) <> [3:52] Waiter: Two hot toddies and a hot chocolate. IÕll see if I can top it with something sweet for you, sugar. <> [3:53] Sound: [writing pen on paper;4.3.1] <64i.1> [4:02] Sound: [walking;4.2] <> [4:04] Rosa: DonÕt tell me you forgot how to have fun. <> [00:00] Music: [music cue for party in background. Distant] <> [4:08] Macy: (playfully) I think itÕs good to take a break every now and then. More to life than booze and tobacco. <> [4:12] Rosa: WhatÕs up with you? <> [4:14] Macy: You have news. (to Rosa) She has news. I can tell. WhatÕs the news? <69i.1>[00:00] Music: [Rochelle, Rochelle:KAT 3.4.1E,F,G ] <> [4:18] Rosa: The family loves you so much youÕre already in the will and gonna be scoring a hefty inheritance? <> [4:22] Kat: No. Not exactly. [beat] <> [00:00] Music: [pregnancy theme] <> [4:27] Macy: Well? What is it? <> [4:28] Kat: I wonÕt be drinking or smoking for a bit. <> [4:33] Macy: Oh, okay! Nice! <> [4:36] Rosa: Sounds boring. <> [4:38] Kat: For nine months at leastÉ (silence) <> [4:41] Rosa: Kat. <> [4:42] Macy: YouÕreÉ <> [00:00] Sound: [baby cue in background: crying or cooing3.3.1] <> [4:40] Rosa: I knew it. Was way too good to be true. <> [4:46] Macy: Wait, how? With who? ThereÕs a guy in the picture? I didnÕt know there was a guy. Did you know there was a guy? <82i.1>[00:00] Music: [Zamfara:5.4.2,3,& 4: Dad] <> [4:54] Rosa: Not at all. <> [4:55] Kat: Uh, yeah you did. <> [4:56] Rosa: Uh, no. I didnÕt. <> [4:58] Kat: I took your advice, Rosa. I gave him a chance. <> [5:01] Rosa: Who are you talking about? (beat) <> [4:58] Rosa: The father? <> [00:00] Music: [father theme] <> [5:04] Macy: What father? YouÕre dating someoneÕs dad? <> [5:08] Rosa: YouÕve gotta be kidding me. ItÕs the dad she works for. Holy smokes. <> [5:14] Macy: You told her to get with the man she works for? <> [5:17] Rosa: Never said anything like that. (to Kat) I told you not to quit and just take his flirting on the chin. That was it. <> [5:25] Macy: What flirting? Can someone explain to me how Ņtake his flirting on the chinÓ turned into Kat getting pregnant? <> [5:33] Rosa: DonÕt ask me! I swear it. Those were my only instructions. <> [5:37] Macy: No way thatÕs what you said verbatimŠ <> [5:40] Rosa: YouÕre really trying to tell me what I did and didnÕt say to her? <> [5:41] Kat: Uh, IÕm right here, guys. If you knowÉyou have any questions. (They both look to Kat. Macy struggles to process.) <> [5:47] Macy: First offŠ YouÕre sure youÕre actually pregnant? <> [5:51] Kat: 5 weeks. <> [5:52] Macy: How did this happen? <> [5:54] Kat: Like I said, it started off as RosaÕs ideaŃ <> [5:56] Rosa: No. Kat called me a couple months ago saying that this bozo was being a bit of a flirt with her while she was on the job. Being a little touchy here and there. You know how men can be. All I said was Ņplay along with it, even if itÕs just for a few months. By then youÕll have pocketed enough money to get outta there.Ó I didnÕt tell her to do any of this extra stuff. (to Kat) How do you think this is all really going to play out? <> [6:24] Kat: IÕd be moving in with Nicholas and the kids and weÕd all justÉ be together. <> [00:00] Music: [father theme] <> [6:32] Rosa: Mother and wife to a family you barely know? Come on, Kat. Get real. <> [6:37] Kat: Jeez, Rosa. This was your idea! I found the love of my life in Nick, everything is really working out for me. What are you so upset about? <> [6:49] Rosa: You totally ignored my advice and went off the rails. You have to get rid of it. <> [6:52] Kat: IÕm not killing my baby. <> [6:56] Rosa: Oh, please. ItÕs not even a baby, yet. WeÕll go with you and get this handled. Like, today. And then youÕre going to quit this job and get away from this dude. I mean it. <> [7:08] Kat: IÕm not going anywhere. I mean it. (Trying a different approach) <> [7:14] Rosa: How much do you even know about this guy? Why do you to want to marry him? What does he know about you to want to marry you? Does he even know about your whole (waves her fingers around) thing? <> [7:23] Kat: He loves me for me. And thatÕs all you need to know. <> [7:27] Rosa: (scoffs) She hasnÕt told him. Oooo, youÕre about to cause a huge mess, Kat <> [7:31] Kat: I get it. IÕve made some poor choices in the past, but this is different. This is something real. <> [7:38] Rosa: (groans) <116i.1>[00:00] Music: [You Know When I Want You: 5.4.5:Dad] <> [7:41] Kat: And itÕs something IÕve always wanted. You guys know that. A big happy family, beautiful healthy kids, a loving husband. I feel so sure about this. More sure than IÕve ever felt about anything. <> [7:56] Rosa: You said that last time. Your grandmaÕs money? That business that you ultimately never did anything with? <> [8:02] Macy: Rosa, enough. <> [8:05] Rosa: Well, youÕre not saying anything! <> [8:08] Macy: I justŠ need to process. (Kat sits and seethes as Macy sits grasping at her thoughts. There is a silence.) <> [8:11] Macy: Are you still taking your meds? <> [8:11] Kat: (scoffs) Wow, really? <> [8:15] Rosa: Well, have you? <> [8:17] Kat: ItÕs not your business, but I havenÕt been needing them as much. <> [8;19] Macy: KatÉ <> [8:20] Rosa: Jeez, Kat. <> [8:22] Kat: IÕm serious! Whenever I feel too overwhelmed, with the job, and everything, he can always tell and sometimes heÕll just hold my hand for a moment. (sighing) YÕknow, I really hate it when you guys act like IÕm crazy. <> [8:40] Macy: YouÕre not crazy. <> [8:41] Rosa: NopeŠ Sorry, Macy. But this is pretty crazy. If you want someone to keep enabling your exhaustingly erratic life choices, find new friends. <> [8:52] Macy: Rosa. <> [8:53] Rosa: Serious. IÕm done. ItÕs always one thing after the other with you. Bipolar or notŠjust get a grip already! <> [00:00] Sound: [walking] <> [00:00] Sound: [tray on table] (No one says a word. The waiter clumsily slams into the wall of tension upon his return with the drink orders.) <> [~8:00] Waiter: (awkwardly navigating the heavy energy without quite knowing whatÕs going on) IÕm sorry, sweetie. No marshmallows or whipped cream. The hot chocolate is pretty good on itÕs own. <> [00:00] Sound: [mugs on table;4.3.2] <> [9:14] Kat: I have to go. Here. Keep the change. <> [00:00] Sound: [money on table;3.3.1] <> [9:19] Macy: Sit down! CanÕt we just talk this out a little more? <> [9:21] Kat: Yeah, totally. When I get home you can call me and we can chat about it. Oh, waitŠ You never care to call me. <> [9:28] Macy: Kat, IÕm sorry I havenÕt been there for you lately, but IÕm here now and I really think we can fix this. <> [9:26] Kat: Nothing needs fixing. Keep trying to tell you guys. IÕm happy! <> [9:42] Rosa: Macy, just let her go. She can do what she wants. Her life, her decisions. <> [9:48] Kat: See you guys when I see you, I guess. (Kat leaves) <> [00:00] Sound: [chair standing;3.3.1] <> [00:00] Sound: [walking;3.2] <> [00:00] Sound: [door in distance;3.3.1] <147i.1>[00:00] Music: [Been working: Dad:5.4.1] <> [9:55] Macy: (sitting in stunned silence) How long have you known he was taking advantage of her? <> [9:57] Rosa: Jesus, he was flirting. She was never supposed to take it this far. <> [10:02] Macy: KatÕs not like you. She canÕt just use men and toy with them and walk away like nothing happened. She has a big heart and she actually cares about peopleŠ (Macy catches what sheÕs said, and begins to backtrack) I didnÕt mean it like that. <> [10:17] Rosa: You said what you meant. (beat) <> [10:20] Macy: We gotta talk to her again. <> [10:22] Rosa: SheÕs not our responsibility! Friends are not a liability, Macy. You would know that if you would ever try to make any friends. [beat] Besides the only two youÕve had since the 4th grade. <> [10:37] Macy: She needs us. The three of us, we need each other. <> [10:41] Rosa: You think we do? <> [10:44] Macy: You donÕt? (Rosa sits slumped in the booth, focusing her gaze on the hot toddy in front of her. Macy watches her for any sort of reaction.) <> [10:47] Rosa: Need a smoke. <> [00:00] Sound: [chairs, standing up;1.3.1;2.3.1] <> [00:00] Sound: [walking waiter;4.2] (Rosa heads for the door just as approaches the table.) <> [00:00] Waiter: Alright. You girls gonna be ordering anything else? <> [10:53] Macy: I think we might be finished. <> [~9:40]: [end of play] Notes, Technical Details, Glosses & Trivia: Notes on Script Conventions: Stage directions are in square brackets [as if to someone in another room] and are not to be read. The direction [beat] means to take a pause about as long as it takes to say the word ÓbeatÓ. [Pause] indicates a longer pause, perhaps as long as a second The slash / and insert ^ are used to indicate two speakers talking over each other. The slash indicates where the next speaker will start talking. The insert ^ indicates the words that will be spoken at the slash in the prior line. It is generally used in editing and doesnÕt have much effect on performance. The double backslash // is used to indicate lines that will be spoken simultaneously. It is placed at the start of each line that is to be spoken at the same time. It is generally used when two or more characters are saying the same thing. Words in (parentheses) indicate asides. They will be softer in the final product but should be spoken loudly but perhaps with a little more air. Lines that begin <>[00:00]Stage: [] as used to map the characters onto the audio stage. It generally has no effect upon performance except when a stage direction says the voice is Ņat a distanceÓ or the character is Ņcovering the microphone. In those circumstances, it is usually good to speak off center to the microphone or in some other way simulate the effect. Stage: Outside Inside Outside: Rosa (-45*, 20%), Macy(45*, 20%) Kat comes from (90*,100) Inside: Kat (-45*, 10%), Rosa (50*, 10), Macy( 40*,10), waiter from (-45*, 100%) Stage Manager (0,0) -> (-90,50) HWMS Audio Theatre Performance Script HWMS23405 ŅMotherÕs Milk Ó 1 : 2 1/22/2023 Version 19/18 (Recording Version) © Tehya Meritt