The Shoplifters by Morris Panych

Author:Morris Panych [Panych, Morris]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Drama, Canadian Drama, Morris Panych, wealth gap, shoplifting, haves and have-nots, security guards, the 99%, economy is bad
ISBN: 978-0-88922-927-3
Publisher: Talonbooks
Published: 2015-05-25T04:00:00+00:00

Scene Five

ALMA is sitting alone. She notices the cake ingredients PHYLLIS left on the table. She inspects the sugar and then stuffs it in her purse. She does the same with the bottle of oil and then drops her purse under the table. A moment later, OTTO unlocks the door. He enters with an empty glass and a bottle of water, setting them both down on the table. He sits.

OTTO

Here’s your water. Every time you say something useful, I’ll pour you some. Later, when you’ve told me everything, you can drink it.

ALMA

So, what did the butcher say?

OTTO

Enough.

ALMA

Why did you have me stand so far away?

OTTO

He needed some perspective.

ALMA

I was married to a man like you.

OTTO

Is that so?

He pours a little water, slowly.

ALMA

Thought he was tough.

OTTO

Not as tough as you, I’m guessing.

ALMA

You ever been married? I’m thinking no.

OTTO

Why did you take the steaks?

ALMA

What do you care?

OTTO

Call me curious.

ALMA

You wanna talk about stealing? Who stole the American dream? Look at us: you and me. Fighting over what? You ever seen that documentary – they showed this documentary on TV – about a shrinking watering hole –

OTTO takes a pill from his pocket and downs it with the water.

ALMA

There’s this drought in Africa somewhere, and all these animals – baboons and wildebeests and little baby impalas – are forced to go down and drink from a watering hole that’s filled with crocodiles, because there’s no other water; it’s a drought, see. The crocodiles just sit there and wait, and when the other animals get close enough, the crocodiles leap up and grab them in their jaws and drag them down. You should see that documentary; it’s instructive.

OTTO

You think I’m dragging you down with my jaws?

ALMA

Are you kidding? You and me, we’re both drinking from that dirty swamp, fighting for our little space, pushing each other and jostling for a place at the water’s edge, because the whole savannah has dried up. Get it? Maybe I’m a wildebeest and maybe you’re a baboon, and we’re fighting each other for a little sip of water. Not even realizing that we’re both just a feast for the crocodiles.

OTTO

Sorry I missed that program.

He takes another pill.

ALMA

What are those?

He drinks.

OTTO

Nothing.

ALMA

You take pills for nothing? What are you, a celebrity?

He pours a little more water.

ALMA

Is this the pee torture? It won’t work on me. I’m invincible.

OTTO

Your friend says you have cancer.

ALMA

She says a lot of things, and she’s not my friend.

OTTO

You’re right, she does say a lot of things. For one thing, when you dropped the merchandise out of your dress, she said, and I quote, “I don’t know her.” As a matter of fact, she didn’t just say it, she yelled it at the top of her lungs. Now, who do you suppose she was talking about?

ALMA

Me?

OTTO

Well, see, that’s what I was thinking. Since you were standing right next to her.

ALMA

As it turns out, she’s right, she doesn’t know me.

OTTO

And yet, this morning, according to Phyllis, you came here together on the bus.

ALMA

And you believe her?

OTTO

Listen, I know you have a busy schedule –

ALMA

I can spare you a few more minutes.

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