Rodney's Wife by Nelson Richard;

Author:Nelson, Richard; [Nelson, Richard]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Theatre Communications Group

Scene 3

Later that night. It is raining outside. Living room. Eva sits, writing notes to herself. A single lamp is lit. After a moment, Rodney, in his robe, enters behind her with a script. He touches her shoulder, startling her:

EVA: Ahh!

RODNEY: I’m sorry. Where’s Fay?

EVA: What are you doing up?

RODNEY: Where’s my wife? I came down to find her. I was afraid she’d fallen asleep down here.

EVA: She’s not in your room?

(He looks at her: Of course she isn’t.)

Maybe she took a walk.

RODNEY: It’s raining again.

EVA: You must be exhausted. What time do we have to get up?

(He shrugs. Short pause.)

Have you tried Lee’s room?

(Short pause.)

RODNEY (Without looking at Eva): Why would she be in Lee’s room? Ted’s here with my daughter—

EVA: He didn’t stay.

RODNEY: What?

EVA: She asked him not to. Because we’re leaving, she said. She . . .

RODNEY: But they just got engaged. What does it matter if we’re leaving—

EVA: That’s not how fathers are supposed to talk. (Smiles)

RODNEY: No. I suppose . . . (Then) She could be out for a walk. It’s just drizzling. Her last night in Rome.

EVA: It’s pouring rain out there, Rod. Go back to bed. (He doesn’t move) She’s probably in Lee’s room. (He doesn’t look at her) She sometimes sleeps in there—on the couch?

RODNEY: On the couch? Does she? I suppose my snoring . . .

EVA: I know when Gerald snored, I used to go downstairs to the rec room and sleep. About two flights away. I could still hear him. (Smiles. Rodney nods) So—it’s normal.

RODNEY: It is. But I still don’t see why Ted couldn’t spend the night—

EVA: You could probably go and wake her and—I doubt if they lock the room. Why would they do that? (She starts to put aside her writing) I could go if you’d like—

RODNEY: No. Let her—sleep. She hasn’t been sleeping. She needs to rest. (Eva sits back down)

EVA: I can’t sleep either. I’ve been sitting here making lists. If we’re really leaving tomorrow—

RODNEY (Not listening): I’d hardly call that a couch in Lee’s bedroom. More like a big chair. How can Fay sleep on that? You’ve seen her? Sleeping in that chair?

EVA: She told me. One morning I saw her come out—and she told me she’d slept the whole night on Lee’s couch.

RODNEY: I feel like a monster making her—I’m the one snoring, I’m the one who— What is wrong with that boy? I would have stayed!

(Short pause.)

EVA: Why don’t you go back to bed?

(No response.)

I’ll pour you a drink.

(She gets up and goes to the table where the bottle and glasses have been left.)

(Holding up a glass) Is this yours? Lipstick. (Looks at another glass) Lipstick. (Another) Here’s a man’s glass. (As she pours) Will we be coming back for the wedding? Ted and Lee’s wedding?

RODNEY: I’m encouraging them to elope.

(Eva nods and hands him his drink.)

Once they’re married we can bring them back to the States and we can have a party or something. But let’s get them married. (Smiles) They’re in love.

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