Four Cycle: pt8 - The Monster and the Truck by Drake Iowa

[LIGHTS UP on DAUGHTER seated in chair, writing. NURSE enters.]

DAUGHTER

I have another one for you.

[Hands NURSE what she has been writing.]

NURSE

Okay. You want me to type it up and put that same return address on it?

DAUGHTER

Yes, please. And thank you so much for doing this all the time.

NURSE

Oh, well, I'm always up for a bit of intrigue. Still, I think before long you'll be well enough that you'll be able to tell him the truth.

DAUGHTER

[Sighs] Just when I was getting the hang of being an invalid.

NURSE

At least if you told him the truth he could support you until you got back on your feet, right?

DAUGHTER

That's still so far off. Anyhow, if the farmland is going to be mine, I owe it to my dad to make my living that way.

NURSE

[Beat.] Have you remembered anything more about how you wound up here?

DAUGHTER

Just what I told you already. I mean - when I was checked in, I could barely remember my name.

NURSE

But you think it was a man that dropped you off?

DAUGHTER

I think so. It sounded like a male voice, I think... Who knows. I couldn't make out a word he was saying.

NURSE

[Beat.] I guess it runs in the family, huh?

DAUGHTER

Grief?

[NURSE nods.]

NURSE

I guess yours was a lot worse, huh?

DAUGHTER

Naw. My old man was crying for about nine times as long as me. Just that he had the good sense to break down where somebody could see him and help him out.

NURSE

Well, honey, let me help you back to bed for now. [NURSE helps DAUGHTER stand, walk to table and sit. These things are obviously a great effort for DAUGHTER.]

DAUGHTER

Thanks.

[when she is situated in the 'bed'] You'll get that in the mail right away?

NURSE

Tomorrow. I promise.

DAUGHTER

If only all the nurses here could give me their word.

NURSE

Good night dear. Sweet dreams.

DAUGHTER

Night.

[NURSE exits. LIGHTS DIM NOTICEABLY.]

[Brief silence. ROBBER runs onto stage.]

ROBBER

[Shouting.] ¡El diablo lo exhalamos al mundo. El amor es un fuego terrestre, y tú debes dejar que te torture el espiritu!

[ROBBER exits quickly.]

[DAUGHTER sits in bed for a moment, then suddenly springs to her feet and runs offstage.]

[BLACK the fuck OUT. End of pt 8.]