(SALLY & CECIL ARE SITTING ON THE PORCH. A FEW MINUTES EARLIER, HE CHEWED TOBACCO FOR THE FIRST TIME, AND IS NOW "DYING".)

 

SALLY:

What's the matter, Cecil? Why should you suddenly get sleepy?

CECIL:

(SHAKILY) I-I don't know. You wanna leave me alone for a while?

SALLY:

No. (GIGGLE) I wanna stay out here on the porch with you.

CECIL:

Well-- well, don't talk to me then, huh? Lemme rest a minute.

SALLY:

All right. (GIGGLE) Why don't you want me to talk to you, Cecil? (NO RESPONSE) I said, why don't you want me to talk to you, Cecil?

CECIL:

Yes.

SALLY:

That isn't answering me.

CECIL:

I know it.

SALLY:

Cecil, what are you so sleepy for? I don't understand.

CECIL:

That's good.

SALLY:

All of a sudden, your eyes sort of closed, and you laid down on the top step.

CECIL:

I'll be rested in just a minute. (NERVOUS LITTLE LAUGH) I'm funny this way.

SALLY:

You're getting all dirty.

CECIL:

There are such things as laundries.

SALLY:

Cecil... Do you want another glass of water? Are you thirsty?

CECIL:

(WEAKLY) Thanks. Not right now.

SALLY:

Cecil, you're not sick, are you?

CECIL:

(LAUGHS WEAKLY) Well, of course not.

SALLY:

Well, I didn't know. I thought maybe you might be. (GIGGLE)

CECIL:

(LAUGHS WEAKLY) Oh, w-w-why should I be sick?

SALLY:

Well, you were chewing-- trying to chew that old tobacco, a little while ago. That wouldn't make a person sick, would it?

CECIL:

(WEAK CHUCKLE) Oh, of course not. Not me, anyhow. (WEAKLY) I'm just a little sleepy, that's all.

SALLY:

Why don't you open your eyes?

CECIL:

Leave me alone, Sally.

SALLY:

Cecil, why are you breathing so hard? Goodness!

CECIL:

W-will you stop asking me questions...please? Whew!

SALLY:

Cecil, please get up. You look funny lying out here on the front porch.

CECIL:

Don't pull me, Sally! Don't! Let me alone, willya?

SALLY:

Cecil. Are you all right? Are you? You look so white.

CECIL:

(NERVOUS LAUGH) Oh, it's this white sweater I have on. That's all.

SALLY:

Cecil, your lips are even white. No, they're blue. Cecil... (SHAKING HIM) Cecil!

CECIL:

(BEING SHAKEN) Please don't shake me, Sally! (IN PAIN) Do anything but shake me. Don't!

SALLY:

Will you open your eyes? I wanna see what you look like with them open.

CECIL:

Oh... (OPENS HIS EYES, WITH EFFORT. WEAKLY) There, now. Satisfied?

SALLY:

Cecil, your eyes look funny. Goodness!

CECIL:

W-w-whatta you mean?

SALLY:

Oh, Cecil, I don't know. There's a sort of a wild look in your eyes.

CECIL:

(SHAKILY) No...

SALLY:

Cecil, something has happened, I just know it.

CECIL:

Sally? Sally, what's the matter with YOU??? Sally!

SALLY:

What's the matter with ME? What do you mean?

CECIL:

What have you done to your face???

SALLY:

My face? What's wrong with it, Cecil? Is something wrong?

CECIL:

Holy mackerel! Sally, your face is green!

SALLY:

It's green???

CECIL:

Yes! Oh, you look awful! Your face is green!

SALLY:

Oh, Cecil, it is not! Is it?

CECIL:

I guess I can see it. And hold still, willya?

SALLY:

I AM still, Cecil. I'm not moving.

CECIL:

You are too. (QUEASILY) You're swaying back and forth. Stop! You're makin' me dizzy.

SALLY:

Cecil, I tell you, I'm NOT moving. And my face isn't green.

CECIL:

Do ya think I'M crazy?

SALLY:

You must be.

CECIL:

Sally, please stop going around in a circle. What's the matter with you? (WEAKLY) Can't-- can't you hold your head still?

SALLY:

Well, I'm being perfectly still.

CECIL:

You're sick or somethin', Sally. That's what's the matter with you. If it-- Whew! (QUIETLY) Let go o' me, Sally. Lemme lie back on the floor again.

SALLY:

Cecil, there are circles under your eyes.

CECIL:

I didn't get any sleep last night.

SALLY:

Cecil, you're sick!

CECIL:

(DESPERATELY) I am NOT.

SALLY:

You're dizzy.

CECIL:

I know it.

SALLY:

Cecil, you're ill! You're very ill, that's what's the matter! You're not sleepy; you're sick.

CECIL:

(TEARFULLY) I know it.

SALLY:

It was that horrid old tobacco! It's going to poison you.

CECIL:

(TEARFUL & QUEASY) It already has. Oh... S-Sally...

SALLY:

(TENDERLY) Oh, how do you feel, Cecil?

CECIL:

R-rotten, thank you.

SALLY:

What shall I do?

CECIL:

(A FEW SHALLOW BREATHS) Nothing. J-just say I died game.

SALLY:

Oh, Cecil, you're not going to die.

CECIL:

(TEARFUL) Aw, that's all YOU know.

SALLY:

Aw, you COULDN'T die. You look as white as a ghost, though.

CECIL:

(TEARFUL) I guess I know how a person feels when they're gonna die...

SALLY:

Oh, don't be silly! You're just sick at the stomach.

CECIL:

(WEAKLY) Sally... b-b-before I die, I want you to?kn-now I'm sorry for all the times I've been mean to ya.

SALLY:

Oh, Cecil, you're all right. Yes, you are.

CECIL:

Don't tell me I'm all right. I'm practically drawing my last breath.

SALLY:

Now, don't get excited, Cecil. Just stay still. You'll be all right in a minute.

CECIL:

Tell Aunt Bess I'm sorry I ran out and left my room in such an uproar... when she asked me to hang up my things, this morning...

SALLY:

Oh, you can tell her yourself, when you get home.

CECIL:

I'll never get home... (TEARFUL) I just have a few minutes.

SALLY:

Oh, Cecil, don't talk like this. You make me nervous.

CECIL:

I guess you think I'm comfortable.

SALLY:

Cecil... your forehead is awfully warm. Don't you wanna go in the house?

CECIL:

Aw, what difference does it make where I die? Oh, whew!

SALLY:

Poor Cecil. I'm so sorry for you. Honest, I am.

CECIL:

(WEAKLY) Thanks. I'm sorry too, Sally. Ohhhh, my head...

SALLY:

Don't you want anything?

CECIL:

Don't leave me.

SALLY:

Can't I do something for you, Cecil?

CECIL:

Yes.

SALLY:

What?

CECIL:

W-would you mind taking my shoes off?

SALLY:

Why? Do they hurt or something?

CECIL:

N-no. But I don't wanna die with my shoes on. I've read about it.

SALLY:

Cecil... After this dizziness goes away, you'll be all right.

CECIL:

(WEAKLY) With a lily. I know what it was.

SALLY:

So do I.

CECIL:

It was something I ate before I came over here. It's poisoned me.

SALLY:

It was that nasty old plug of tobacco; that's what it was.

CECIL:

I had some ice cream, just before I came over.

SALLY:

That wouldn't hurt you.

CECIL:

And a dill pickle.

SALLY:

It was nothing you ate. It was that old tobacco that you had to chew to prove that you were a real he-man.

CECIL:

(MOANING) Ohhh... my head! Oooh! Whew!

SALLY:

Hmm. You don't look much like a real he-man now.

CECIL:

Oh, go away.

SALLY:

Oh, don't be a baby, Cecil!

CECIL:

(TEARFUL) That's right. On my deathbed, you call me names...

SALLY:

Don't be silly. You're not dying, even if you DO feel like this.

CECIL:

I tell you, I guess I know!

SALLY:

Well, I guess you DON'T. Besides, this is no bed.

CECIL:

You'll be sorry... when it's too late.

SALLY:

For what?

CECIL:

Sally... Did-- D-d-d-- Whew!

SALLY:

What were you going to say, Cecil?

CECIL:

Nothin'. (MOANING) Ohhhh, if you only knew how I felt!

SALLY:

Well, if you feel as bad as you look, you must be pretty sick.

CECIL:

Oh, I'd give a million dollars, if this darn porch would stop swinging up and down!

SALLY:

Don't you wanna sit up, Cecil? You might feel better.

CECIL:

No. This time, I'm down to stay. I'll never get up again.

SALLY:

You'll have to get up in a few minutes.

CECIL:

(BEAT. WEAKLY) W-who'll carry me?

SALLY:

Uncle Thomas will be home. He's liable to walk in, any minute.

CECIL:

Do me a favour?

SALLY:

Sure. Oh, Cecil, you're so pale. (STROKES HIS FOREHEAD)

CECIL:

Please stop slapping me.

SALLY:

I'm not slapping you. I'm just rubbing your forehead.

CECIL:

(WEAKLY) Will you do me a favour?

SALLY:

Sure. What?

CECIL:

When your uncle comes... if I'm still alive, don't say anything to him.

SALLY:

But I have to say hello.

CECIL:

But don't tell him about that plug of... (MOANING) Ohhhh... ohhhh...

SALLY:

(URGENT WHISPER) Cecil, quick! Quick! Sit up! Get up. Don't lie down. Straighten up.

CECIL:

(IN AGONY) Let me alone, I tell you. Let me alone.

SALLY:

Cecil, here comes Uncle Thomas. He's coming in the front gate.

CECIL:

I can't help it. Ohhhh, Sally...

SALLY:

Oh, Cecil, you mustn't let him see you lying down here. Sit up! Here. (HELPING HIM TO SIT UP) Now.

CECIL:

Ohhhh... I hope he goes on in the house.

SALLY:

And when he does, you better get in Ben Hur, and go on home, and get in bed!

CECIL:

I don't think I can drive.

SALLY:

Oh, that's right, be a BABY. Why don't you act like a brave person would?

CECIL:

(DESPERATELY) If you were as sick as I am, I wouldn't call you all the old--

SALLY:

(URGENT WHISPER) Cecil, keep still! Here's Uncle Thomas!

THOMAS:

(APPROACHING) Well, well, well! Hello, kids! How are you?

CECIL:

(WEAK AND WOBBLY-VOICED) H-h-hello, Mr. Smith.

SALLY:

Hello, Uncle Thomas.

THOMAS:

Sitting out here, enjoying the sunshine?

SALLY:

Yes. Isn't it a lovely day today, Uncle Thomas?

THOMAS:

(CONCERNED) Cecil. Why... what in the world's the matter with you? Are you ill, m' boy?

CECIL:

(TOO AIRILY) No, sir.

SALLY:

Oh, uh (NERVOUS LAUGH). Why, uh... um... why--

THOMAS:

Sally, what's the matter with him? Why, he's as white as a sheet.

CECIL:

(WEAK LAUGH) Ohhhh, I'm all right. I'm just a little dizzy.

SALLY:

Well, you see, Uncle Thomas, he ate something. Uh, it didn't agree with him.

THOMAS:

What did you eat, Cecil?

SALLY:

Why, uh... Why, um... Uh, he ate some ice cream and a dill pickle. And now, he thinks he's going to die.

THOMAS:

(CHUCKLING) Oh, is THAT all? Why, Cecil, I'm surprised at you. Why, I thought you were more of a man.

CECIL:

(WEAKLY) Yes, sir.

THOMAS:

Ice cream and dill pickles. So, it made the little boy sick, did it? (CHUCKLING) Well, well.

CECIL:

Y-yes, sir. I-I-- (VOICE CRACKS WITH MISERY) thought maybe it would kill me.

SALLY:

Oh, he's been so ill. Goodness!

THOMAS:

I'm surprised, Cecil. To think you'd let a little thing like that get you down. Be a man. Stand up. Don't give in when you feel bad. As old as I am, I wouldn't let a little ice cream get the best of me.

SALLY:

Now, Uncle Thomas, you don't know what it is.

THOMAS:

Maybe you'd better go home, Cecil. Come on now, shake your head. Stand up, and say, "I'm all right."

CECIL:

(TRIES, BUT SLUMPS BACK) Ohhhh... I can't do it, sir. Honest, I can't.

THOMAS:

Why, you're acting like a baby! Why, that's the way a sissy would talk! You don't wanna be that, do you?

SALLY:

Now, Uncle Thomas, you just go on in the house, and leave Cecil alone! He's no baby or sissy! He's a real man! And he can chew tobacco, and that's more'n YOU can do!