‘The Common Goddess’
(in seven acts)
by Tx Trumbo
Main characters
Paul and Diane (nurse), couple, white, @ 28-30 years old
Eddie (high school teacher) and Lisa (nurse), couple, black, @ 32-35 years old, with children, Wynette, 11, and Micheal, 8.
Sara, woman on bus, @ 40 years old, with Diane, obese (white, black or Asian)
Sam, Paul’s friend, @ 28-30 years old, Asian, soccer
Big Man and Tina, both @ 35 years old, Bob plays soccer, Tina wife w/three kids, one boy and two girls
Angel, man in grocery store, @ 45 years old, with Paul, homosexual, hispanic
Juana, Diane’s friend, @ 25 years old, Hispanic, in grocery store
*(any of these ‘races’ can change; but if you change one you have to change another to make sure all are still represented)
Synopsis:
Scene 1: Paul and Diane walking down the street to eat dinner. They see Eddie and Lisa with their kids/interact.
Scene 2: Paul and Diane in Mexican restaurant; talking about possibly having a child.
Scene 3: Eddie and Lisa in the park with their two young children; Paul and Diane meet them there for a picnic/friendship….talk about parenting
Scene 4: Tension in the apartment. Have a kid? Leading to some uncertainties – Couple’s commitment to each other? Expense? Paul’s interest? Uncertainties are primarily in Diane (the one who had the idea in the first place!).
Scene 5: Diane on the bus, meets Sara; Sara talks glowingly about being a mother.
Scene 6: Paul and Sam at friendly soccer game in the park, action on the field (tough but fair; physical but good sports), after the game they talk about parenthood, life
Scene 7: Paul and Diane in grocery store; Paul meets and talks to Angel, Diane sees friend Juana and they talk
Scene one: walking down the street
Paul and Diane, walking down the street, at night, talking and walking….walk by a police officer (black male or female)…Paul turns towards the officer and says,
Paul: ‘Officer, she stole my heart’
Officer: ‘Well, I can take her to the station for questioning; but I’m not sure I can get your heart back.’ (all three laugh)
Paul and Diane walk on laughing/smiling.
Paul: Too funny. Love that cop. That’s what life’s supposed to be - cops and citizens just caring and sharing, laughing and sharing the world.
Diane: And pray tell; what about crime?
Paul: That would disappear into the ether, with compassion creating a system of grace and goodness.
Diane: Are you through? More poetic ruminations? Worldly reflections? Or, are we going to get something to eat?
Paul: Ah, ruminations. You smart girl. Me like the smart ones.
Diane: And, as a primal animal, I invoke my great aunt Delores: ‘Animal, need belly full’.
Paul: I believe, Delores also spoke of another primal drive: sex. I think we eat and then, back to the apartment for second greatest need.
Diane: you mean safety? Love? Shoes?
Paul: Ha…
(you hear a voice, Eddie’s, call out ‘Paul’)
Paul and Diane stop and turn around. Up comes Eddie, Lisa and their two kids.
Eddie: How yall doin? Great surprise. (they adults give each other hugs and greetings, say hi to the kids)
Paul: We’re heading to Mama Rosario’s; if you guys want to join us.
Lisa: Thanks; we’re heading to Wynette’s dance recital. They’re doing a performance of something their teacher created. I think it’s about a fox and a henhouse.
Wynette: It’s about what makes us who we are, mom.
Micheal: What does that mean?
Eddie: It means we’re gonna keep movin’ so we get there on time.
Lisa: I got a new shift. May work with you some, Diane.
Diane: Oh, I’d love that.
Lisa: Love you guys. Let’s do a picnic!
Diane: We will! Saturday?
Lisa: Yes!
Diane: Good luck, Wynette.
(as they walk away, Diane looks at them)
Diane: That’s a great family. I love the way they get along and care for each other.
Paul: They’re one of my favorites. Though I guarantee you Mike and Wynette are average kids that get on each other and their parents regularly.
Diane: I know, I know. I just mean they seem to be well-connected and there for each other, through whatever. I like that.
Paul: I agree.
(camera, from behind, follows them down the street…Diane reaches out her hand to hold Paul’s hand… shows them continuing down the street….fade out)
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Scene 2: In a Mexican restaurant
Diane: (in Spanish, to the waitress) Thanks a lot. And, could I get a glass of red wine, please?
Paul: Good. Love to hear you talk the sexy.
Diane: That is simply Spanish. The ‘sexy’ is in your mind, or somewhere fairly close to that part of you.
Paul: Well, I think Spanish is sexy; and most languages are if you speak correctly.The world’s just one big sexy place.
Diane: Paul, is that your ‘world view’?
Paul: Well, soon they’ll be 8 billion of us, so, it must be lots of people’s view.
Diane: And, why’d you order extra beans tonight? Are you mad at me?
Paul: Ha. Funny. Yes, you’ve been bad girl…Ugh, Gorgo make woman pay for no firewood.…huh..nah, I’ve been reading more about exercise and health and the benefits of beans and seeds and nuts and just want to try and be a little healthier. I want to join Tony’s basketball team; for fun and to help get in a little better shape.
Diane: Good. You should. I’m sorry if I ‘smother’ you. I want to get out more on my own, and with Lisa and Tammy and Juana and Tina. And, maybe, and maybe, and maybe I want to have a baby. (big pause for both of them, breathe deep)
Paul: (kind of funny-like) I’m sorry, what was that last bit?
Diane: We’ve talked about this before. Maybe I want to focus part of my love on a brand new life that I make with you.
Paul: (wistful, smile, not showing teeth)Uh, alright. Mommy. I’m here, I’m listening.
Diane: I’m 28. In love with a wonderful and funny man. I’d love to start a family with him and raise a child or two together. It’s unconscious, it’s subconscious, it’s in my heart, and it’s right up in my face.
Paul: Well, we’d better get you to therapy…(she doesn’t laugh, looks a bit perturbed)….I’m kidding….sure, yes, right….you are right….right for me and right for this world….you’re the goddess of the land and a fantastic wife and friend and, I’m sure you’d be a fantastic mom, or mother, or mommy; I’m not sure what to call it.
Diane: It?
Paul: Okay, you, but you’re not there yet. Just going over things in my head. So much at once. Feel dizzy….room spinning...... (acts like he faints….just droops his head, eyes closed)
Diane: Such a great listener.
Paul: Look, baby, I heard you. I agree. Let’s have a baby. I’m ready. And, I’m only ready because I have you; with you, I’m not afraid of anything.
(She gets up, walks to him, leans down, grabs the back of his head, looks in his eyes, tears up a little, and kisses him…….fade out)
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Scene 3: In the park with Eddie and Lisa and their kids
Eddie, Lisa, Wynette and Micheal are at the park. Wynette sees a girl she knows, calls out ‘Shauna!’ and runs towards her friend @ 50 feet away….Micheal starts kicking a soccer ball near the blanket that’s already laid out….Eddie and Lisa are sitting on the blanket, near a basket of food and a backpack. Lisa is messing with the basket and Eddie is looking at a text book.
Lisa: Wynette, don’t go too far. We’ll probably eat when Diane and Paul get here.
Wynette: All right, mom.
Eddie: I’m going to be working late all next week. We’ve got parent-teacher meetings Tuesday and Thursday, so on Monday and Wednesday, I’ll be dealing with extra paperwork and duties. On Friday, I’d really like to do something fun with you, or you and the kids. Both scenarios sound good to me. Dinner out, somewhere. Then, a walk and dessert, or a movie, or whatever. I’d really like to enjoy Friday night with you guys.
Lisa: Friday, I think Wynette is staying at Tonya’s for a big sleep-over, and Micheal may have a basketball scrimmage. But, he could go home with the Cravens after that. I could talk to Barbara.
Eddie: I’d almost like us all together. Sometimes the whole family is a great shelter in the storm.
Lisa: I’ll be your shelter, baby.
Eddie: That’s fo sho.
(Paul and Diane come walking up)
Eddie: (to Paul) Hey man, how ya doin’? (they man-hug)
Diane: (to Lisa) You look good, girlfriend. (they hug)
Eddie: Good to see you, Lisa (they hug)
Lisa: Say, Paul. Treatin’ your lady right? (they hug, laugh)
Paul: (to Lisa) Oh, yea. Trying my best.
Eddie:(to Lisa) Did you bring salad?
Lisa: . Made it this morning, while ‘others’ slept in: spinach, lettuce, carrots, broccoli, green peppers, tomatoes, avocado.
Eddie: Superwoman. (he sings old Stevie Wonder song, ‘Lisa really is a superwoman, don’t know how I got so damned lucky…’.
Lisa: I don’t know either… (all laugh).
Eddie: I have heard you two might want to have a baby. That right?
Diane: Uh, yes, we’re talking about it.
Paul: She’s talking, I’m listening.
Eddie: Ain’t that the way!
Lisa: Well, I think you both would be great parents. And I’d love to hold a baby again; for a little while; and then hand it back to it’s mommy. (laughs)
Eddie: No more for us?
Lisa: Serious? You serious? You’re hands aren’t full enough yet?
Eddie: I’m just saying?
Lisa: You dream big, baby; and I love you for that. But sometimes, the dream’s too big, unreal. I’m inside the real: raising an 8-year-old and an 11-year-old, while working at the hospital and trying my best to be a good wife, daughter, friend and spiritual seeker. And, teaching high school wraps you up about 10 or 11 hours a day. We got plenty.
Diane: I’m just getting older and if it’s going to happen it needs to happen soon.
Lisa: She’s right.
Paul: I know she’s right. When isn’t she right? I’m just trying to deal with the reality of it all. And, of course, making ends meet: m-o-n-e-y.
Eddie: They are expensive; no getting around that. We saved some before we had ours, but even today, we probably work too much to make sure we’re okay financially. I wish I had more time away from work. But, that’s not my life.
Paul: Can Diane take off 3 months? 6 months? A year? What’s possible and what’s optimal? Will we have enough energy to deal with the new responsibilities?
Eddie: Look man, you’re thinking way too much. You two would be great parents. We need more parents like you. You ‘will’ get it done. You ‘will’ do it the right way. It can happen. It’s not magic.
Lisa: It is magic. My family is magic. I’m so blessed every day I wake up to my wonderful husband and my little angels. Nothing’s perfect, and sometimes I’m so worn-down I can barely think. All I really want to do is read my book or take a three-hour nap, but, I don’t have that option. But, mainly, honestly, I’m blessed beyond my dreams. Real, deep love is much bigger than any dream.
Eddie: My sacred goddess.
Paul: I like that; my sacred goddess. Cool.
Lisa: The simple goddess.
Diane: The common goddess. (all laugh)
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Scene 4: in apartment, tension over something
Diane (dressed in her nurse’s gear; light green scrubs, with a sweater or coat over the top): Listen, if we can’t be clear and communicate then something in the relationship is broken. That’s what I see.
Paul: I never said I wasn’t happy; I said I needto see my friends more and have some more time apart. Maybe we’re together too much.
Diane: Maybe we get separate apartments.
Paul: Jesus, that is not what I want, but I think two people can become too dependent on each other and that’s not healthy, either.
Diane: Okay, let’s keep going. If I’m going to have a child, it will need to be within the next 5 years. And, yes, I want to be a mom, especially with the man I love and respect dearly and know would be a great dad. But, you keep moving away, so where does that leave me and the idea of a family?
Paul: I am not ‘moving away’, I’m saying I need friendships to help balance my life. Family is a great foundation, but a strong tree needs more than just a few roots; friendships, community connections are important, too. But, I’m okay with having a child and expanding our family.
Diane: (kinda mad) Okay? What does that mean? Just an okay dad or an okay husband won’t cut it.
Paul: How did we get into this so quick? If I ‘was’ just an okay ‘husband’ you probably would have left me long ago.
(somewhat exasperated) Honey, I’m not superhuman, I’ve gotmany faults and weaknesses, so maybe, as a human, I’m just ‘okay’.
But, you’re the love of my life. You are the best person, the best thing, I know of in this world. The best thing that ever happened to me. I’m blessed to be here with you; I know that. I think I could be happy with just you and our friends and families the rest of my life.
The idea of having a kid or a couple of kids is too new, unknown to me and ultimately exciting to try and put into words. I don’t like to predict, so I don’t want to go there, but if it’s something you feel like really should happen with us, I’m game. I’m up for it. And, I will be ready. I just need to process some of this. I feel like it’s happened really quick.
Diane: We’ve talked about a number of times.
Paul: Sure. Yes we have, but not this seriously about it.
I’m here for you, and if a baby is something you really want, then, I want that, too. I may not ‘desire’ a baby as much as you, right now, but I will devote all the love I have to you and our baby, our child, as it grows up. I ‘will’ be there for both of you.
And, Iknow you’d be one of the best mom’s of all time.
Diane: (tears up, then, cries a little – Paul walks over and hugs her)
I’m going to work. Love you. (she walks to the door, stops and looks and listens to Paul)
Paul: Love you. No worries, honey. Whatever. WE can make anything work.
Okay…you know sign language?...here….you (points at her),
wonderful (puts hands out, and looks at her, happy shaking head like
he’s impossibly graced by being with her)…..beautiful (puts hands out, making a frame like she’s the picture and looks in wonder)….person
(puts hand on heart)…did’ja get all that?.….my lovely……(she smiles and leaves).
Paul: (alone; shakes his head, talking out loud) Jesus Christ! Help us, every one.
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Scene 5 – Diane on bus to work
Diane is sitting next to a rather obese woman (Sara).
Sara: I’m so tired of the bus. I wish I had a car.
Diane: But, driving here is dangerous, a headache and expensive.
Sara: That’s true, but at least I wouldn’t have to wait and transfer, wait and transfer. I’m surprised I don’t lose more weight moving that much. I’m Sara. (reaches out her hand to shake Diane’s hand)
Diane: Nice to meet you. I’m Diane.
Sara: 30 pounds. I’d like to lose 30 pounds.
Diane:I think you can. You can do it. I usually have to make a new schedule to help me make a change. For some kind of exercise; walking, biking, whatever it is, I try to just set some time aside for it and do it. Not giving up is my hardest challenge.
Sara: You have kids?
Diane: No.
Sara: Well, I am so worn-down by the time I get home after work. Then, I need to hang-out with the kids and get ‘em something to eat. I’m not sure when I ‘could’ exercise.
Diane: Yea, sorry. It’s hard sometimes. Maybe after dinner; early morning? Maybe focus on the weekends? But, you need it. We all need it. You’ll feel better.
Sara: Thanks. But, I do love my kids. They are the light in the darkness.
Diane: You seem like a warm person. Happy. Positive. I bet you’re a good mom.
Sara: The travel and the job just take so much. I need to make achange, for all of us. But, no real money, so, hard to change.
Diane: Well, tell me about your angels and their light.
Sara: (wistfully) Henry is 17. He’s sharp. He’s kind. He loves computers and basketball. He’s better at computers, which some kids see as weird. Well, I tell him, that’s going to take him farther in school and life; and, that’s one of the gift’s God gave him – so be thankful and blossom, baby.
Rochelle is 15 and a whirlwind. Got her drama and attitude from her momma (ha). Pretty. Too pretty. Too many older boys asking her out. I just say no. Not yet. She cannot date a senior; hell, they’re about to move on, she’ll be in high school two more years.