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turning to page one
The next morning, Etheline comes out the front door of the Tenenbaum house and goes down the steps. Royal suddenly appears at her side.
ROYAL
You got a minute?
Etheline looks startled. She keeps walking.
ETHELINE
What are you doing here?
ROYAL
I need a favor. I want to spend some
time with you and the children.
ETHELINE
Are you crazy?
ROYAL
Now, hold on, dammit.
ETHELINE
Stop following me.
ROYAL
I want my family back.
ETHELINE
Well, you can’t have it. I’m sorry for
you, but it’s too late.
Royal hesitates for a fraction of a second.
ROYAL
I’m dying, baby.
Etheline stops. She looks to Royal.
ROYAL (CONT’D)
I’m sick as a dog. I’ll be dead in six
weeks. I’m dying.
ETHELINE
What are you talking about?
Royal stares at her blankly. He nods.
ETHELINE (CONT’D)
What happened?
Royal shrugs. Etheline looks stunned.
ETHELINE (CONT’D)
Oh, my God.
Etheline looks as if she is going to faint. Royal seems suddenly worried.
ETHELINE (CONT’D)
I’m sorry. I didn’t know.
Etheline cannot seem to catch her breath. Royal looks around nervously.
ETHELINE (CONT’D)
What’d they say? What’s the prognosis?
Etheline begins to hyperventilate. Royal tries to calm her down.
ROYAL
Take it easy, Ethel.
Etheline stumbles a step and Royal catches her. He looks
ROYAL (CONT’D)
Hold on. Hold on.
ETHELINE
(urgently)
Where’s the doctor? Let’s get --
ROYAL
Wait a second.
Royal holds Etheline by the shoulders. He hesitates. He says gently, trying to comfort her:
ROYAL (CONT’D)
Listen. I’m not dying. But I need some
time.
Etheline looks puzzled.
ROYAL (CONT’D)
A month. Maybe two. I want us to --
Etheline slaps Royal hard in the face. She says furiously:
ETHELINE
What’s wrong with you?
ROYAL
Ethel.
CONTINUED: (2)
ETHELINE
Go away!
Etheline turns away and walks quickly across the street.
ROYAL
Baby. I am dying.
Etheline stops. She looks back to Royal. She can see from the look on his face that now he is telling the truth. She goes over to him in the middle of the intersection.
ETHELINE
Are you or aren’t you?
ROYAL
(pause)
Dying? Yes.