Richard Greenberg - The Babylon Line

LEVITT JAY BECKERHOFF JOANS HUSBAND MIDGES HUSBAND WOMAN AT COOKOUT PRINCIPAL GUY AT PARTY MIMI X THERESA SYDELLE BOSTWICK RHONDA HAGENBRUCH ABE RUTHIE LENORE BRIAN COHEN TODD COHEN RAMONA

But this is no kind of introduction. All right, then: The year is 2016 and I am eighty-seven years old. I look wonderful. So much has turned out nicely. ... And thats about that for 2016.

Listen: Theres a story Ive been meaning to tell and, I guess, avoiding for a long time. Its a simple story about a few events that took place in late fall and early winter forty-nine years ago, and I may not come off well in it. But if not nowwhen? So. Okay: The year is 1967 and I am thirty-eight years old. I look fretful. Lights on a high school classroom.Night.Aaron is with Frieda and Anna. FRIEDA: We wanted, Anna and I, to take Contemporary Events and Politics, but that sold out like a shot when they announced that Dr. Lights on a high school classroom.Night.Aaron is with Frieda and Anna. FRIEDA: We wanted, Anna and I, to take Contemporary Events and Politics, but that sold out like a shot when they announced that Dr.

Rose Franzblau might be a Guest Speaker, which I hear is not the case So back to registration and they ask us if wed like to take Flower Arranging, instead. Its taught by John Scorfutto? You know, he owns Hempstead Turnpike Bloomery? (Oh, thats right, youre not from here.) Well, I never use them. Everything there is carnations; so cheap. Anyway, when it comes to Flower Arranging I think Im more of an expert than John Scorfutto. Whereas Anna, whenever shes tried, her flowers come out looking like gloves that nobodys wearing. So, no, thank you to Flower Arranging, and they wonder, can we do Wednesdays? As it happens, we can and writing was available so here we are.

ANNA: Actually, for me there was more to it than that. Ive always been a good writer. I won a writing award in high school. FRIEDA: Which was before they invented the pencil. You didnt have a dirty fingernail; you had to recite from memory. No, Im kidding.

However, my question is: Will we be, in this class, expected actually to write? AARON: Its a writing class. FRIEDA: Uh-huh. Now, that perturbs me a little. AARON: Dont let it. FRIEDA: Im no James Michener. AARON: I should hope not.

FRIEDA: Im not claiming to be James Michener. ANNA: Can we write about current affairs? AARON: You may. ANNA: Because that was the class we wanted to take. AARON: I believe I knew that. ANNA: Though this is exciting, too. FRIEDA: But we havent been formally introduced: Im Frieda Cohen.

You may have seen my house on the way over. Its the one with the well-known garden: If you havent seen it in person, it was featured in Newsday. My husband, Lou, is a chemist and I have two boys. Todd is nineteen, Brian is seventeentheyre the joy of my life. And now let me introduce you to one of the most magnificent people youre ever going to meet: This is Anna Cantor, who, for whatever reason, got started late in the child-bearing game and has two adorable five-year-olds, Seth and Abby, who are twins! ANNA: You dont have to tell him theyre twins. Midge enters. FRIEDA: Midge! I didnt know you were taking this class! MIDGE: French Cooking was full. Midge enters. FRIEDA: Midge! I didnt know you were taking this class! MIDGE: French Cooking was full.

FRIEDA: Anna, you know Midgefrom the Sisterhood. ANNA: Ive known her twenty years; you introduce us every time we meet. Hi, Midge. You look terrific! MIDGE: Vitamin E. FRIEDA: Mr. Port, this is another uncommonly superb personMidge Braverman.

Her husband is a CPA. Her son is, what, fifteen? Michael. And her other son, Stewart, is a year or so older. AARON: Nice to meet you. MIDGE (RE: AARON) : Hes a baby! FRIEDA : Only comparatively AARON: Im a lot older than I MIDGE: This is going to teach us to write? AAR ON: I hope so Jack Hassenpflug enters, finds a seat. FRIEDA: This gentleman I dont know; youre on your own with him. AARON: If youll excuse me.

I have to... He heads for his desk.Marc Adams enters, pauses in doorway, tentative. FRIEDA: Oh my GodI dont believe it. MIDGE: Who is that? ANNA: Marge Adamss boy, Marc. FRIEDA : Its such a pity. MIDGE: Which is Marge Adams? FRIEDA: Youd only know her from the PTA, but she was before your time. MID GE: Shes not Sisterhood? FRIEDA: Marge Adams? ANNA: Hes not right, this Marc.

FRIEDA: Hes not right in the head. He had so much promise. ANNA: A sports star. FRIEDA: A bully, though, kind of a mean kid MIDGE: What happened? ANNA AND FRIEDA: Drugs. MIDGE: Ooohh. What drugs? ANNA: Dope.

FRIEDA: And marijuana. MIDGE (GETTING IT) : He was a user. ANNA: This brilliant kid, isnt that terrible? FRIEDA: On course to be valedictorian. ANNA: Now all he does is take long walks and smile at everybody. FRIEDA: Hello, he says. Marc sees them. MARC: Hello! Hello! He finds a seat.