Joan Hess - Arly Hanks 04 by Mortal Remains in Maggody Read Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Mortal Remains in Maggody
good five minutes of toe-twitching tedium before Ruby Bee said, "Okay, I'll ask her. You sure about this ... ?"
Carlotta was sure.
-- ==+== --
Wild Cherry Wine (REVISED 5/20)
CLOSE SHOT -- LUCINDA
LUCINDA, a hulking earth mother, is concealed behind a clump of bushes, and observing the scene with a curious frown. Her lips move silently and she blinks several times.
10 RETURN TO SCENE
-- ==+== --
A knuckle on the window brought me back with a yelp of surprise. I wiped my eyes and looked up at a seriously unappetizing view, a.k.a. Kevin Buchanon's face. It was so close that I could see the fading blemishes, the emerging pimples, the smattering of blackheads (coming and going), and even the craterish pores of his nose.
"Arly?" he said through the glass. "Are you okay?"
I rolled down the window an inch and said, "Yes, I am just peachy. What do you want?"
"I was hoping you might see fit to explain about how men and women get along with each other," he said, fogging the glass as he moved even closer. "My beloved's all sad these days, except when I mention going to Boone Creek, and then she likes to whop me up the side of the -- "
"Stop, Kevin. Under no circumstances am I going to attempt to analyze the unbreachable gulf between female sensibleness and male insufferableness. Not in my worst nightmare would I dare to interpret your and Dahlia's interactions. Go away. Better still, run away from home and join the Foreign Legion. Maybe Dahlia will feel more kindly toward you if you have a battle scar and some medals."
I rolled the window up and backed out of the lot. After a moment of debate, I drove toward Emmet to see if Wade Elkins had any new theories about the firebugs.
It was all for naught, in that he wasn't home and I preferred not to hunt for him at his office. Just as well, I told myself as I drove home.
Chapter 4
15 CONTINUED:
Billy Joe and Loretta are grappling under the sheet as the door opens stealthily.
16 CLOSE-UP -- WIDOW THIGPEN
Words cannot convey the level of shock on her face. However, she advances soundlessly, and we realize she is reliving memories of what has taken place in the bed in the past. A bemused look comes over her as she spies on the sweaty young lovers.
17 BACK TO SCENE
LORETTA
Oh, Billy Joe-is you sure this is right? I swore to God above that I'd save myself for my wedding night.
BILLY JOE
This ain't a sin, my darling Loretta. Mebbe there ain't no way to keep you from marrying Cooter, but he won't be the one what takes your purity and hides it in his black heart forever.
WIDOW THIGPEN
What all's going on -- and in my own bed? Loretta Biggins, I am sorely ashamed of the way you're carrying on with this white trash. No wonder your pa was gonna whip you!
LORETTA
Widow Thigpen! I didn't hear you come in.
Billy Joe flops back with a groan of frustration. Loretta covers herself with a sheet and sits up.
WIDOW THIGPEN
I don't recall hearing Billy Joe Jenks come in, neither.
LORETTA
I let him in through the window. I'm so sorry, Widow Thigpen. When Billy Joe gets too close to me, my body seems to catch on fire like a pile of kindling.
(beat)
But it's a sin, ain't it?
CLOSE-UP on Widow Thigpen as a knowing smile flits across her face.
WIDOW THIGPEN
I was young once, Loretta. I was in love with the boy down the road, and more times than I can count, we met under an old sweet gum tree and made love like we'd invented it.
(beat)
He was strong, and handsome as a movie star. The first time I was scared, but I closed my eyes and I never regretted it.
BILLY JOE
Then you'll let us stay in here?
LORETTA
No! It's not right, Billy Joe. I can't let Ma and Pa lose the farm. It's jest not right.
Loretta begins to sob as Billy Joe and Widow Thigpen exchange enigmatic looks.
DISSOLVE TO:
-- ==+== --
Frederick Marland rolled up the script and began to slap his knee with it.
Carlotta was sure.
-- ==+== --
Wild Cherry Wine (REVISED 5/20)
CLOSE SHOT -- LUCINDA
LUCINDA, a hulking earth mother, is concealed behind a clump of bushes, and observing the scene with a curious frown. Her lips move silently and she blinks several times.
10 RETURN TO SCENE
-- ==+== --
A knuckle on the window brought me back with a yelp of surprise. I wiped my eyes and looked up at a seriously unappetizing view, a.k.a. Kevin Buchanon's face. It was so close that I could see the fading blemishes, the emerging pimples, the smattering of blackheads (coming and going), and even the craterish pores of his nose.
"Arly?" he said through the glass. "Are you okay?"
I rolled down the window an inch and said, "Yes, I am just peachy. What do you want?"
"I was hoping you might see fit to explain about how men and women get along with each other," he said, fogging the glass as he moved even closer. "My beloved's all sad these days, except when I mention going to Boone Creek, and then she likes to whop me up the side of the -- "
"Stop, Kevin. Under no circumstances am I going to attempt to analyze the unbreachable gulf between female sensibleness and male insufferableness. Not in my worst nightmare would I dare to interpret your and Dahlia's interactions. Go away. Better still, run away from home and join the Foreign Legion. Maybe Dahlia will feel more kindly toward you if you have a battle scar and some medals."
I rolled the window up and backed out of the lot. After a moment of debate, I drove toward Emmet to see if Wade Elkins had any new theories about the firebugs.
It was all for naught, in that he wasn't home and I preferred not to hunt for him at his office. Just as well, I told myself as I drove home.
Chapter 4
15 CONTINUED:
Billy Joe and Loretta are grappling under the sheet as the door opens stealthily.
16 CLOSE-UP -- WIDOW THIGPEN
Words cannot convey the level of shock on her face. However, she advances soundlessly, and we realize she is reliving memories of what has taken place in the bed in the past. A bemused look comes over her as she spies on the sweaty young lovers.
17 BACK TO SCENE
LORETTA
Oh, Billy Joe-is you sure this is right? I swore to God above that I'd save myself for my wedding night.
BILLY JOE
This ain't a sin, my darling Loretta. Mebbe there ain't no way to keep you from marrying Cooter, but he won't be the one what takes your purity and hides it in his black heart forever.
WIDOW THIGPEN
What all's going on -- and in my own bed? Loretta Biggins, I am sorely ashamed of the way you're carrying on with this white trash. No wonder your pa was gonna whip you!
LORETTA
Widow Thigpen! I didn't hear you come in.
Billy Joe flops back with a groan of frustration. Loretta covers herself with a sheet and sits up.
WIDOW THIGPEN
I don't recall hearing Billy Joe Jenks come in, neither.
LORETTA
I let him in through the window. I'm so sorry, Widow Thigpen. When Billy Joe gets too close to me, my body seems to catch on fire like a pile of kindling.
(beat)
But it's a sin, ain't it?
CLOSE-UP on Widow Thigpen as a knowing smile flits across her face.
WIDOW THIGPEN
I was young once, Loretta. I was in love with the boy down the road, and more times than I can count, we met under an old sweet gum tree and made love like we'd invented it.
(beat)
He was strong, and handsome as a movie star. The first time I was scared, but I closed my eyes and I never regretted it.
BILLY JOE
Then you'll let us stay in here?
LORETTA
No! It's not right, Billy Joe. I can't let Ma and Pa lose the farm. It's jest not right.
Loretta begins to sob as Billy Joe and Widow Thigpen exchange enigmatic looks.
DISSOLVE TO:
-- ==+== --
Frederick Marland rolled up the script and began to slap his knee with it.
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