The Magic Circus The Magic Circus - Scene 20
The Magic Circus - Scene 20
Monday, 08 December 2008 23:13
Clarice enters the front door of Bud’s house.
Clarice – HONEY! I’M HOME!
Monk – (still in kitchen) Shit.
Monk gets up to leave, gathers papers, heads to back door, but Bilge is there blocking him. Monk heads towards living room, but hears Clarice.
Clarice – Come out, come out wherever you are!
Monk turns to escape, but Bilge has grabbed a towel, made it into a rattail and snaps him with it.
Monk – OW! YOU FUCKER!
Clarice – IS that YOU, dear?!
Monk gives up. Bilge laughs. Clarice enters kitchen.
Clarice – Sweetheart! (rushes to Monk). Tough day at the office (grabs his cheeks, kisses Monk on forehead). I’ve missed you.
Monk – Yeah. I missed you, too.
Nel and Kent walk into kitchen and see Monk, Clarice and Bilge.
Nel – Well, ain’t this interestin’…(to Kent) How ‘bout some music, Maestro…
Kent – Live n’direck?
Nel – (thinks) DJ’s choice.
Kent – (considers) I’m shattered.
Nel – Give the axe a rest then.
Kent leaves room. Nel, Clarice, Bilge and Monk stand and look at each other. After a length of time, music starts on stereo, “Jeremiah was a bullfrog…” then stops abruptly.
Kent – (from other room) JUST KIDDING!
Green Day blares.
Bilge – That’s more like it.
Nel comes over and puts his arm around Monk’s shoulder.
Nel – Got a present for ya’, Monk-man.
Monk – Yeah.
Nel – Yeah. It’s out in the van, come on.
Nel and Monk leave. Clarice and Bilge stay, standing on opposite sides of the kitchen. The music plays. They say nothing.
Switch to front of Bud’s house, Nel has handed Monk the Vroman’s bag. He pulls out each item one by one, looks at Nel, starts to cry.
Nel – Don’t get all sappy on me, Joe.
Joseph hugs Nelson.
Nel – Hey, hey now, this shirt’s silk.
Monk – You’re a sonnuvabitch.
Nel – Yeah, well, it gets better.
Monk – (dries eyes) Whaddaya mean?
Nel – We’re gonna go for a ride.
Monk – Yeah?
Nel – Yeah. You got Bud’s keys.
Monk – Yeah.
Nel – Then we’re gonna ride in style. Wait here.
Nel goes into the house. Monk looks at sky, a bird high and barely visible. Monk leans against Bud’s BMW. Nel, Bilge and Clarice come outside.
Clarice – Whose Benz is this?
Bilge – It’s a BMW.
Clarice – Whose BMW is this?
Bilge – It’s Bud’s.
Clarice – Where’s Bud?
Bilge – Bud’s asleep, baby, Bud’s asleep.
Monk tosses keys to Clarice.
Monk – Here. You drive. I have no idea where we’re going, and these clowns are lost without Gloria.
Bilge rides shotgun, Nel sits behind Bilge. Clarice and Monk walk around opposite ends of the car into the street. They meet before they open their doors. Clarice puts a hand on Monk’s shoulder.
Clarice – Don’t look so glum, chum. This is going to be fun.
They get in. Clarice starts the engine and pulls away from the curb. Monk speaks to all in car.
Monk – I suppose someone will tell me our destination eventually.
Clarice looks at Monk in rearview mirror, smiles.
End Scene