Long, Hot Summer, The Page #4

---

You all can bet|it wasn't his pocketbook.

- Is that you, Will Varner?|- "Come closer if you got any doubts."

This is more|like the land of the livin'!

I'm glad you made it home,|you old piece of beef!

You're gettin' a little fatter, Minnie,|and a little blonder.

And how 'bout you? I understand|they cut and stitched you up.

Is there anything left|of you worth havin'?

Put 18 cans of beer on ice and wait|and see. I'm comin' back, Minnie.

Later.

- My white hairs kinda|had you fooled, huh?|- Yes, sir.

Drive on!

Welcome, Mr. Will.

- Yeah!|- Welcome to your home.

Here I am, back in your|capable hands again, Lucius.

- Back where I belong.|- Hi, Daddy Varner!

- Eula gal, ain't you dressed up|to beat hell!|- In honor of you.

That's good.

Three months I ain't smelled nothin'|but the starch of nurses' uniforms.

That's what I like.

There's bones there, but the bones|is covered up with plenty of real woman.

I was hopin' there'd be|a little more of you.

Isn't it about time you was fixin'|yourself maternity dresses, Eula gal?

Daddy Varner.

Hello, Papa.

greeting. There's a hallelujah chorus.

Not dancin' in the streets...

not an only son exactly pining|his heart away for his daddy...

but simple and direct.

He said hello, didn't he?

Suppose we could get through the|opening ceremonies without civil war?

- I'll be coming to you later, sister.|- I know you will, Papa.

Jody's been an absolute livin' doll|while you've been gone.

I'd call that|a fine recommendation...

'cept I already had me a look|around town before I come here.

What's happened? We gone|out of business, huh? We retired?

We livin'|off of income?

What do I see in town? Two|dead-asleep clerks watchin' the store.

And no gin goin'|at all!

Things may have slacked off|a little bit today, Papa...

because I was home|seein' to your arrival.

You can look at the books if you'd like.

Well, now...|I intend to.

I'm gonna crawl over them books|like an old fly over flypaper.

You better bring me|another, Lucius.

Yes, sir,|I'm my old self again.

Them doctors down atJefferson,|they gutted me...

and took away just about every organ|they thought I could spare.

They didn't pare my spirit|down none.

Thank you, Jody, for your|kindly inquiries as to my health.

Next!

All right, sister.

You're on.

What do you want|to know, Papa?

You still fixin'|to get yourself known...

as the best-lookin', richest old maid|in the county...

or you seen|any young people lately?

Any young people|seen you?

Been to any parties, picnics,|barbecues, church bazaars?

Have you mingled?|Have you mixed?

Or have you kept yourself up|in that room all this time|readin' them poetry books?

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes