SCENE TWO.
5:30 P.M. A back yard.
On a small ladder, a good-looking black-haired boy is
painting a vertical sign that will say: "Harry's." Below, Sam is
haranguing.
SAM
Riga tiga tum tum. Why not? ...You can't say ya won't, Jake,
without sayin' why not?
Because it's me askin': Sam. Womb to tomb!
JAKE
Birth to Earth! [Surveying the sign.] You sure this looks like
skywritin'?
SAM
It's brilliant.
JAKE
Twenty-seven years the boss has had that drugstore. I wanna
surprise him with a new sign.
SAM [shaking the ladder.]
Jake, this is important!
JAKE
Very important: Acemen, Rocketmen.
SAM
What's with you? Four and one-half years I live with a buddy and
his family. Four and one-half years I think I know a man's
character. Buddy boy, I am a victim of disappointment in you.
JAKE
End your sufferin', little man. Why don't you pack up your gear
and clear out?
SAM
'Cause your ma's hot for me. [Jake grabs his arms and twists it.]
No! 'Cause I hate livin' with my buggin' uncle uncle UNCLE!
[Jake releases him and climbs back up the ladder.]
JAKE
Now go play nice with the pack.
SAM
The pack is the greatest!
JAKE
Were.
SAM
Are. You found something' better?
JAKE
No, But-
SAM
But what?
JAKE
You won't dig it.
SAM
Try me.
JAKE
OK... Every single damn night for the last month, I wake up-and
I'm reachin' out.
SAM
For what?
JAKE
I don't know. It's right outside the door, around the corner. But
it's comin'!
SAM
What is? Tell me!
JAKE
I don't know! It's-like the kick I use to get from bein' in the pack.
SAM [quietly]
...Or from bein buddies.
JAKE
We're still buddies.
SAM
The kick comes from the people, buddy boy.
JAKE
Yea, but not from a wolf.
SAM
No? Without a pack you're an orphan. With a pack you walk in
two's three's four's. And when your pack is the best, when you're
a wolf, buddy boy, you're out in the sun and home free home!
JAKE
Sam, I've had it. [Pause.]
SAM
Jake, the trouble is large: The leeches bite hard! We got to stop
them now, and we need you! [Pause. Quietly.] I never asked the
time of a day from a clock, but I'm askin' you: Come to the dance
tonight... [Jake turns away.] ...I already told the pack you'd be
there.
JAKE [after a moment, turns to him with a grin]
What time?
SAM
Ten?
JAKE
Ten it is.
SAM
Womb to tomb!
JAKE
Birth to Earth! And I'll live to regret this.
SAM
Who knows? Maybe what you're waitin' for'll be twitchin' at the
dance!
[He runs off.]
JAKE
Who knows?
[Music starts and he sings:]
Could be!...
Who knows?...
There's something due any day;
I will know right away,
Soon as it shows.
It may come cannon-balling down thru the sky,
Gleam in its eye,
Bright as a rose!
Who knows?...
It's only just out of reach,
Down the block, on a beach,
Under a tree...
I got a feeling there's a miracle due,
Gonna come true,
Coming to me!
Could it be? Yes it could.
Something's coming, something good,
If I can wait!
Something's coming, I don't know what it is,
But it is
Gonna be great!
With a click, with a shock,
Phone'll jingle, door'll knock,
Open the latch!
Something's coming, don't know when but it's soon-
Catch the moon,
One-handed catch!
Around the corner,
Or whistling down the river,
Come on-deliver
To me!
Will it be? Yes, it will.
Maybe just by holding still,
It'll be there!
Come on something, come on in,
don't be shy,
Meet a guy,
Pull up a chair!
The air is humming,
And something great is coming!
Who knows?
It's only just out of reach,
Down the block, on a beach...
Maybe tonight...
The Lights Dim