After losing his hotel room, Royal claims he has only weeks to live so he can move back in with his estranged family; as the truth unravels, he must find a way to be useful and earn a place in their lives.
- Scenes 1–39
Royal is absent from the children’s adult lives, and their family remains shaped by his betrayals and abandonment.
- Scenes 40–47
Royal wants a path back to Etheline and the children, and claims impending death will give him one.
- Scenes 48–50
He returns to the house and openly asks his children for a chance to make things right.
- Scenes 51–90
Royal tries to reconnect through schemes, misjudgments and genuine care, learning that affection alone cannot erase old injuries.
- Scenes 91–92
Royal admits to Etheline that he hoped to win her back and remove Henry, revealing the motive behind his return.
- Just before
- Scene 91
Etheline asks why Royal deceived the family; he admits he hoped to win her back and remove Henry before leaving the house.
- Scene 92
As Royal leaves, he tells Chas to take it easy on the boys and says he does not want this to happen to Chas.
- Scene 93
Richie and Margot reject Royal on the sidewalk; Pagoda stabs him with a penknife, then helps him into a cab.
- Scene 94
This scene
