Brad, Wife Beater, Theater, Eye of the Beholder
DAVID 305
SCENE THREE
(GINA IS AT THE RECEPTION DESK. SHE IS PACKING HER PERSONAL BELONGINGS INTO A BOX. SHE TRIES TO FIT A POTTED PLANT INTO THE BOX, AND UPON DISCOVERING THAT IT WILL NOT FIT, SHE PLACES IT BACK ON TOP OF A FILE CABINET.)
GINA: (Sighs) Oh well.
(ENTER DAVID STAGE LEFT)
DAVID: Gina! You're just the person I wanted to see. I have to find--.......wait.....what are you doing?
GINA: Packing.
DAVID: I can see that. But why?
GINA: I'm leaving.
DAVID: Leaving?
GINA: (Nods)
DAVID: Oh no. Not you too.
GINA: What?
DAVID: I don't understand. What happened?
GINA: Brad fired me.
DAVID: What?
GINA: Brad told me to go.
DAVID: Wait a minute...
GINA: I--
DAVID: You're not serious. Are you? This isn't funny if it's a joke.
GINA: It's not a joke.
DAVID: I can't believe this! You're not actually going to go, are you?
GINA: Yes. Why wait--
DAVID: Gina! What are you doing? Put your stuff back. Brad doesn't have the authority to fire people!
GINA: He will. Next week. So I figured why wait. I can just take my stuff home with me tonight and come back for the rest on Monday.
DAVID: What do you mean he will?
GINA: Next week. When he owns the gym.
DAVID: Owns the gym? What...ok wait....What are you talking about?
GINA: Didn't he tell you?
DAVID: I...he hasn't told me anything about owning the gym! How in the world is Brad going to own this gym?
GINA: Earl.
DAVID: What about Earl?
GINA: Didn't you know?
DAVID: Know what?
GINA: Oh. (Pause)(Sighs) Earl is not well.
DAVID: What?
GINA: It seems--
DAVID: Wait a minute. I thought Earl was on a leave of absence to recuperate from--
GINA: He was. He is. I mean, he was. But...he's been getting worse.
DAVID: Oh no.
GINA: He needs some very special therapy...right away...or else...well...it could be...bad.
DAVID: (whispers) Oh no.
GINA: The only way he can raise the money in time is to sell the gym. And Brad is the only one with enough cash to do it in time. Earl's tried to get loans, but since he's sick...nobody will do it. He can't wait any longer.
DAVID: Why didn't he tell me?
GINA: He doesn't want anybody to know how sick he is.
DAVID: Aw, gee.
GINA: And Brad is good at keeping secrets.
DAVID: Yeah, when it suits him.
GINA: Brad is going to gut this place. He's going to rebuild it and make it a very fancy health club.......by invitation only.
DAVID: What? By invitation only? What does that mean?
GINA: It means that you can't buy your way in. Well...not officially. But I guess everybody who's anybody is going to want in because of that. I have a feeling that Brad and some of his friends are also going to oversee the selling of services that aren't exactly on the official menu either.
DAVID: (Disgusted) Oh...God.
GINA: I don't know if all the employees here are going to go. He told Manuel this morning that next week would be his last. And he told me that I had to go because...well...his club was for a "certain caliber of looks", and that I wasn't...appropriate.
DAVID: What? What?!
GINA: It doesn't--
DAVID: (Incensed) What?! A-A-Appropriate? Appropriate?
GINA: It's okay. I was gonna cut down on my hours here any--
DAVID: Appropriate? Appropriate?
GINA: David, please don't get so upset. I mean, I must have quite the masochistic streak in me. I mean, really. For someone like me to work in a gym...of all places--
DAVID: What the--! What in God's name does Brad know about being appropriate?
GINA: David, it's--
DAVID: Who the hell does he think he is? I can't believe--! That son of a--"
GINA: David, please. It's not going to do any--
DAVID: Appropriate?! Who's not appropriate here? I'll tell you who's not appropriate here! It's him! I'll give him appropriate! I got something with knuckles that'll be appropriate right in his face!
GINA: David. Oh please no.
DAVID: Appropriate! Where is he?
GINA: You need to calm down. You have to calm down.
DAVID: I have to talk to him. Where is he?
GINA: Promise me you won't fight. Please!
DAVID: You stay right there. Don't you move.
GINA: Wait! Promise me you won't fight! Please!
DAVID: Tell me where he is or I'll find him myself!
GINA: I'll tell you but you have to promise not to fight. David he's not worth it and it won't do any good. You'll get in trouble. You'll be the villain. You'll get arrested, and he'll come out smelling like a rose. Don't you see? You'll just add another feather in his cap! "I fought Dave McAllister and now he's got a record and if you think I look bad you should see what I did to him!" You know that's what he'll say!
DAVID: (Clenches fists and closes eyes)
GINA: Promise.
DAVID: (Long pause) If I promise, will you wait here until I come back?
GINA: Yes.
DAVID: (Trying to get himself under control) All right. I promise.
GINA: He's downstairs.
(CUE: ALL LIGHTS FADE TO BLACK)
(CUE: GYM LIGHTS ON)
(BRAD EXITS THE BACK ROOM AT STAGE LEFT AND PROCEEDS ACROSS THE STAGE TOWARDS STAGE RIGHT. DAVID ENTERS AT STAGE RIGHT AND STANDS JUST INSIDE THE DOORWAY. HE TAKES A WIDE STANCE, BLOCKING THE DOORWAY. BRAD CONTINUES TO STRIDE TOWARD THE DOORWAY)
BRAD: (Smiling) Hey Dave! Get out of here, man! It's the weekend!
(BRAD ATTEMPTS TO GO AROUND DAVID. DAVID BLOCKS BRAD'S WAY)
DAVID: So...you got any plans for next week?
BRAD: Well, you know. What can I say? (Smiles and bobs his head) I'll have to check my list and see who's been nice and naughty so--
DAVID: Gonna fire anyone else?
BRAD: Huh?
DAVID: Any major purchases planned?
BRAD: Whoa, Davey, you got that meat eating, bone crunching look on your face. Dude! It doesn't suit you.
DAVID: Cut the crap.
BRAD: What?
DAVID: What's gonna happen next week?
BRAD: What? Oh thaaaat!
DAVID: Yeah, that.
BRAD: I though I told you.
DAVID: Maybe I forgot. Tell me again.
BRAD: Dude! It's gonna be awesome. I'm bringing in mahogany from Mexico and these beautiful terra cotta tiles--
DAVID: Sounds expensive.
BRAD: Pfff! You know it!
DAVID: Only the best, right?
BRAD: That's right!
DAVID: I hope our members will like it. How long before construction's complete and they can come back?
BRAD: Oh. Well....you see...uh....
DAVID: Yes?
BRAD: I'm gonna kind of redo the membership thing. It's gonna be by invitation only. it adds a certain mystique to the place. Nothing brings 'em in like telling them you can't come in.
DAVID: Oh. I see. But of course you'll invite all the present members.
BRAD: 'Fraid not.
DAVID: You're just gonna kick them out.
BRAD: Well, you can't kick someone out if they're not invited, huh?
DAVID: But they paid for--
BRAD: They paid Earl, man. Earl's gym is going out of business next week. If they want refunds, they need to talk to Earl.
DAVID: But Earl can't afford to give people refunds!
BRAD: Not my problem.
DAVID: What about the employees?
BRAD: Oh, say...that's what I was gonna talk to you about.
DAVID: Let me guess. I get to stay because I "got the build, man".
BRAD: Maybe.
DAVID: What?
BRAD: All the employees have to apply too. I'll probably keep a few of the members.
DAVID: Which ones?
BRAD: (Sneers) Well, well, well. Let's talk about that. You got any you think should stay? Cuz, uh......I wouldn't have any trouble at all kicking everybody out. Unless you have any recommendations? You know of any members you think should be able to stay here?
DAVID: (Suddenly worried) Look. Now, look. Whatever there is between us.....you gotta let....just....just...
BRAD: Any members you know who need to stay?
DAVID: Brad look. You're gonna get your way ok? So there's no need to go hurting people.
BRAD: I ain't interested in hurting anybody! Ol' Brad's not in the business of hurt--
DAVID: Just let them stay.
BRAD: Who?
DAVID: My little--(sighs)...my......class.
BRAD: Ohhhhhhh. Your little class. That's riiiiight.
DAVID: Brad. Come on now.
BRAD: The skinny little girl, the cripple, and the crazy lady. Hmm.
DAVID: Don't call them that.
BRAD: A skinny girl, a crip, and an old lady.......in my nice new club. I just can't see that. I don't think so.
DAVID: (threateningly) I said........don't call them that.
BRAD: But...isn't that what they are?
DAVID: No.
BRAD: No?
DAVID: No. There's more to them than--
BRAD: The skinny girl. What the fuck's up with her? She looks like if she falls down, she'll break.
DAVID: She's tougher than you think.
BRAD: Doesn't she eat? Is she one of those girls who just wants to get skinnier and skinner?
DAVID: Y-.....yes but.....it's more complicated than that. She...wants to be perfect because she thinks people will love her more. It's not an--
BRAD: Then why the fuck did you bring her here...of all places? Where everyone is trying to be perfect?
DAVID: Because she needs to learn how to have fun in a place where everyone is trying to be perfect!
BRAD: (Silence)
DAVID: Look...I know it's hard to understand. (Shrugs) For her...it works. But it works slowly so you just gotta let her stay! You just gotta!
BRAD: And the crip?
DAVID: Oh Brad. He's worked SO hard. And he's almost there! He's this close! He's got such a heart. He's like gold, Brad. You can't make him go.
BRAD: Sure I can.
DAVID: Come on. I-I'll do any--
BRAD: And the old lady?
DAVID: She--
BRAD: I have had it up to here hearing about her son and daughter! It's disgusting! If they're so great, why don't they come and take care of her for a while? This ain't no home for the elderly!
DAVID: They can't.
BRAD Well why the fuck not?
DAVID: (Pause) They're dead.
(BRAD'S ANGER FADES FOR JUST A MOMENT)
BRAD: (Pause)(Quietly) Does.........does she know?
DAVID: She knows. (Pause) She just can't handle it right now.
BRAD: (Silence)
DAVID: So she comes here....."to get strong".
BRAD: (Silence)
DAVID: Brad, please.
BRAD: Not my problem. (Turns and begins to walk away)
DAVID: Oh come on!
BRAD: Besides, if I let them stay, there won't be anybody here who knows what to do with them.
DAVID: What about me?
BRAD: What do you mean?
DAVID: I.....I know...............................oh.
BRAD: Yeah?
DAVID: I don't get to stay either?
BRAD: Depends.
DAVID: On what?
BRAD: What I need and what you have to offer.
DAVID: Well you know what I can do. I mean I've been working here for six months now. I can train people. I can give orientation sessions. I can work the front desk.
BRAD: Hmmm.
DAVID: I...I can straighten up the weights, and I can fix the machines too. And I can clean. I-I wouldn't mind cleaning. I could open every day! You said you didn't like opening. Or I could close. Just as long as it doesn't conflict with my class schedule.
BRAD: That's not how I want you to work for me.
DAVID: Well, what do you want me to do?
BRAD: (Smirks)
DAVID: Oh. Oh n-no you've got to be...jokinig.
BRAD: Do I look like I'm joking?
DAVID: No way! I can't believe you even--
BRAD: You want to keep your little class...you come work for me. My way. I'll give you fifty-fifty on your take. That's more than I'm giving anybody else.
DAVID: No! I can't believe that...you...have you lost your mind?
BRAD: No work, no class. Let 'em go someplace else.
DAVID: But they can't afford someplace else! And they all live not ten minutes--
BRAD: Oh! That reminds me. I went over the books the other night, and I noticed that those three have monthly memberships.
DAVID: So?
BRAD: Well I just thought it was interesting. Every month. Cash. No check numbers. No credit card slips. It just occurred to me that if someone was paying for their memberships out of his own pocket and didn't want anyone to know, that's how it would look. It also occurred to me that if someone was doing that, he would be very, very, very, very, very, very, VERY broke all the time.
DAVID: (Hangs head, looking guilty) I--
BRAD: (Steps up to David and points his finger in David's face) THAT'S gonna stop!
DAVID: (Angry) What do you care who pays for them?
BRAD: Because I care who pays for you. Maybe I need to sweeten the deal a little more.
DAVID: You don't have anything that could make me work for you!
BRAD: Oh I think I do.
DAVID: Yeah, right!
BRAD: A little piece of property?
DAVID: What property? I'm certainly not in the market for any property.
BRAD: 1100 U.S. Highway 238, Palestine, Texas?
DAVID: (Looking astonished and alarmed) W-what about it?
BRAD: It's gonna be mine next week.
DAVID: You ARE crazy.
BRAD: I am? Your daddy's got five days to make a full monthly payment on--
DAVID: We have 'till next month!
BRAD: Not from the bank records I saw. Guess the foreclosure got sped up somehow. Client of mine couldn't quite make my fee. He asked me what I wanted and I said that I'd always wanted a horse ranch. It's nice to have friends in high places.
DAVID: You...son of a bitch.
BRAD: I might be persuaded to give the tenants an extra month in exchange for, oh.....maybe a horse? I especially like big, black ones.
DAVID: You wouldn't. You--
BRAD: Wanna see? I got ways.
DAVID: You don't even know how to take care of a horse!
BRAD: Who said anything about taking care of him? All I have to do is say the word and fifteen minutes from now he could be gone. Gone.
DAVID: You are such a freakin' liar!
BRAD: Think so? Lemme explain something to you Davey. My friends like to get what they want. And they want me to have you. If you don't agree to my terms, your life ain't gonna be worth shit. They can do anything. For instance...your car.
DAVID: What about my car?
BRAD: It got repossessed this afternoon.
DAVID: No.
BRAD: Go look out the window. Didn't you park it right in the first row this morning?
DAVID: (Looks incredulously at Brad, and then walks over to the window. His car is gone.)
BRAD: Told ya.
DAVID: What'd you do with it?
BRAD: I told you. It got repossessed..
DAVID: But that's impossible.!
BRAD: You haven't made a payment on it for nine months.
DAVID: What? That's not true!
BRAD: According to the bank records it is. And that's just the beginning. The tip of the iceberg. By the time they're finished with you Davey, you won't have a penny to your name. Everything you've ever achieved, every dollar saved, every grade earned, every debt fulfilled, will be wiped from the face of the earth. Everything you love will be mine...your home, the roof over your parents' heads, everything they've achieved, your horse, your good name, your little class...and I'll feed it back to you bit by bit for every thousand dollars you bring in. Or...we can start now. Work for me, and when you finish your training--"
DAVID: Training!?
BRAD: All my employees have the honor of being trained personally...by me.
DAVID: (Seething with rage)
BRAD: Besides...come on now, man. With a body and a face like that, you can't pretend to be some kind of altar boy.
DAVID: I never said I was..
BRAD: Face it, buddy. You're beat.
DAVID: (Stares at Brad hatefully)
BRAD: Don't they say checkmate when you win at chess?
DAVID: Yeah.
BRAD: Checkmate.
DAVID: Only this isn't chess.
BRAD: Oh, I see. It's not.
DAVID: No.
BRAD: What is it?
DAVID: (Stops to think) Poker.
BRAD: Poker?
DAVID: Yeah, Poker.
BRAD: Oh! Okay! I'm in.
DAVID: And I call your bluff.
BRAD: What?
DAVID: That's your problem, you know? You think you can just have everything with enough money. You think looks are the ultimate currency. Well, they're not. There's something better. Something more valuable. But I'm not surprised that you don't know what it is because you can't even see it. You look down on everybody's who not to your standards. But they are beautiful, Brad. You just can't see it. I call your bluff. Do your worst. (Turns and walks away).
BRAD: Hey! Hey!
DAVID: (Turns)
BRAD: (Advances toward David and stands very close, face to face) You know what buddy? You got a problem. No! You got two problems! First, you don't want to realize that this is the real world. And in the real world, there's the haves and the have nots. There's the ones that got it and the ones that don't. There's the ones that have the looks and the ones that were born just plain ugly. And sorry to say, the ones that got it have a much nicer time. That's just the way it is. And the second thing you got to realize is that it....ain't...my...fault!
DAVID: (Silence)
BRAD: (Turns and walks away) Hah! Suckerrrrr!
DAVID: (Stands silently)
(BRAD EXITS STAGE RIGHT)
BRAD: (From off stage) There's nothing you can do about it!
DAVID: (Hangs head)
BRAD: (Voice fading off stage) Nothing! I know you wish there was Something you Could Do. But....SORRY!! Hah! (Laughs)
END SCENE THREE
2007