Bare stage, Chairs representing cars SR & SL. A sign in front of SR chairs reads "Thanksgiving 2000." Optional sign at back "Next Exit - 10 miles". Music. MOM & DAD enter SR. He opens door, she gets in. DAD goes around front of car, picks leaf off windshield wiper, gets in. Deep breath. Starts car. Segue music/car sound. (Mime actions carefully.) Silence as car leaves driveway.

I can't wait to see their new house.

Hold it for three hours. There'll be traffic all the way.

They couldn't find anything closer in their price range .

And it's conveniently too far to drive except for holidays. It'll be their turn come Easter.

I wish we could do Christmas together.

You know we have the time share for Dec. They could fly down for a week. Or Elizabeth could. It's school vacation. She likes Florida. He'll have to work; holidays are busy at Walmart.

It's Target. They might make Bob a manager, Liz says. I think the kids want to have Christmas in their new house. It'll probably snow.

Another reason I'll be glad to be in Florida. Ice and snow in January and February is all right , but not in December.

You used to love the snow.

Twenty-five years of commuting from West Roxbury cured me of that. Maybe he just doesn't like to drive.

Isn't that your old headquarters?

Up for rent again. I got out just in time. And I beat the 401-K racket.

You were so smart about the market.

Just dumb luck - and some friends in the Boston Computer Society.
It's not every startup gets bought out by Microsoft.

We could have loaned them enough for someplace closer. Except Liz says she feels safer teaching in a small town.

At minimum wage.

It's cheaper to live there. At least they're happy.

It says, turn left at the mailboxes across from the pumpkin stand. There's a sign. "Punkins - 1 mile" P-U-N-K-I-N

I can see why they need an English teacher.

There's the turn. Look, she put out balloons. Like I used to when she came home from college.

When she came home. Swerving This road goes back to horse and buggy days.

Let's make this a good Thanksgiving. Pause There's the house. Isn't it cute. LIZ appears waving

Well, it's not a trailer like their neighbors.

LIZ & BOB in SL car; sign has been reversed and moved in front of their "car". now reads "Easter 2001" . She's driving.

Sure you don't want to drive for a spell.

Got to finish proofing this galley.

I can't wait to tell them about your first book.

Not a word until this baby's on the best seller list.

It's Dad, isn't it? why won't you let me tell them you're a writer?

I'm not ready for a lecture on the instability of publishing in this electronic age. The one at Thanksgiving about the future of online retailing was boring enough.

Dad was just trying to get to know you.

Well, at least he's there for your mother. But he doesn't have to keep bringing up my lack of family.

Mom likes you.

I talk about books. She was a librarian.

Have you heard from him lately?

I'd tell you if I did. I sent a card to my dear old Dad's last known address. It came back.

You remember what to do in church? we got ayay at Thanksgiving, but this is Easter.

Didn't I do all right last Sunday on our practice run? It was kind of entertaining. I made notes ... I've really got to finish.

Mind if I turn on the radio? He grunts I'll take that as a yes. Driver's privilege.

They would have driven down to see us.

It's their turn. And they get fresh pun-kins.

Then there's the drive to Florida...

We could fly; maybe you won't feel so bad.

It was all right going down in December 2001. But Ground Zero on the TV really got to me. It wasn't terrible coming back on the train. We could do it round trip this time.

I'd rather take my chances with Motel 6. Besides, there's lots of stuff to see on the yay, and we get the AARP discount. People drive to Florida all the time. People as old and decrepit as I am.

You're a good driver. But we'll miss almost a week in Florida.

It's not what it was. We should sell while the market's still hot.

And stay home?

I was thinking about South Carolina. And takng a one-time tax deduction.

you want to sell the house?

Property values yon't keep going up forever, but the taxes will.
Half the neighbors are gone anyway.

You want to live down there - year round?

There's some real nice time-shares for summering in ski country. Might get a bargain end of next September.

I'm not sure I'm ready for such a drastic move.

Change might do us good.

Don't miss the turn up here.

Mom? Mom? Pick up the phone. Can you hear me?

I'm here. I was resting. you're not very clear.

It's this damn phone. I think I need another new battery. Look, Mom, we won't be down for Easter this year. It just wouldn't york.

Bob did fine last year at church. Hardly squirmed at all.

Bob wouldn't be there in any case. He left a month ago.

Elizabeth. why didn't you tell me?

What could you do? It was the damn book.

I thought it was a very interesting story.

You know you hated it.

It wasn't my cup of tea.

You and millions of other non-readers. But then came the movie deal--and his new editor. She got him options on two of his other books, and he's working on the movie version of the first. He's been in California since January.

You're moving to California?

I'd just be in the way. Three's a crowd.

You getting a divorce?

And this damn house. There's a room that yould've been perfect for a nursery.

You're not pregnant?

No, I've been on the pill. Though maybe I should take a break while I can.

You get things straightened out up there. Do you need any money?

Mom! Pause Bob sent two years mortgage money and signed over the property. I'll be fine.

It's probably better you're not coming down. I went to the doctor last yeek. That feeling I mentioned at Thanksgiving. It didn't go away. Now it's probably too late. I'm going back tomorrow. I'll call you.

Mom! I'm coming right down there.

I need to deal with your father first. you're a big girl. Get your own life squared away. I'll call you. Hangs up; indicates nausea, exits.

Mom. Mom! Don't hang up.

DAD on cordless DSL; Liz alone in car SR. MOM UC;light dress. Car sound

I made a reservation for that place we used to go to in Marblehead.
It's for the 4 o'clock seating. you can get there in an hour or so.

Your mother always liked that place.

You always liked that place. Remember the great oyster stuffing.

You're staying up there?

I'll finish my masters over at State. And I got a job at the community college in town, with benefits. You staying down in the city?

I was planning to sell before your mother took sick. Got a good price on the timeshare, and you wouldn't believe what I can get for this old place.

You wouldn't believe what I've been offered up here.

I'm thinking about Arizona. you know; Go West, old man.

Dad, why don't we save this for Thanksgiving dinner. See you at 4.
Music again. LIZ drives; answers phone. Mimes conversation. DAD puts cordless offstage, puts on a cap, gets in his car. Starts . Fade down to clear light on MOM.

You know, I should have written things down for them. now they'll just have to get along without me. Life goes by so fast, you always think you'll have time for everything. Time doesn't matter now. But there's the waiting. I suppose we'll get back together someday. you know....


There's a bright flash with crash sounds, followed by sirens ;Whole stage in Mom's light. LIZ & DAD rise & walk through cars toward her. Music.