The Dust of Life
The scene opens the following morning. As the lights come up, the GIRL is discovered crying softly and clutching a pillow tightly to her face. JIM is sound asleep and snoring loudly. Suddenly the alarm clock rings. The GIRL feigns sleep. JIM awakens and claws around the table until he finds the clock and shuts off the alarm. Then he sits up on the edge of the bed, stretches and then picks up the clock to look at the time.
JIM
Jesus, it’s that early. I don’t have to get up for another twenty minutes. Stupid bitch! You can’t even set a clock right.
JIM gets back under the covers and then reaches for the GIRL.
JIM
Wake up, girl. I’m horny.
The GIRL feigns sleep.
JIM
Come on, girl. I need it now.
The GIRL pretends to awaken. She pulls away from JIM.
GIRL
No, Jim. We no do!
JIM
Dam you, girl. I got a mean hard on.
GIRL
Please, Jim. We no do. My stomach hurt.
JIM
I want laid!
GIRL
(Pleading) Please, Jim. No do now.
JIM pulls the GIRL towards him.
JIM
I said I want laid! I’m paying for your pussy and I want it now
The GIRL struggles to free herself.
GIRL
No, Jim. Please!
There is a knock at the door. JIM pushes the GIRL away.
JIM
Get up and see who it is!
GIRL
You do, Jim. I be sick.
JIM (raising his voice)
I said go and see who it is.
The GIRL, in obvious pain, gets out of bed and goes over to answer the door. She opens the door outside of which stands MAMASAN.
GIRL
Bog cai san do, mamasan.
MAMSAN
Noi nep song
GIRL
(Angry) Rao hang rang boc!
MAMASAN
(Angry) Tiep vang thay dong. Lo duc G.I. het hoi han.
GIRL
Lan han do.
The GIRL extends her hand. MAMASAN reaches into her pocket, takes out a wad of bills and hands them to the GIRL.
GIRL
Jim, I put your money on table.
JIM
Just don’t take any!
The GIRL walks over to the table and places the money on it. She then walks back to the front door and addresses MAMASAN.
GIRL
Mamasan, tai bin can cong loc do.
MAMASAN nods.
MAMASAN
Hai bai din trey.
MAMASAN then exits through the front door.
JIM
What were you two talking about?
GIRL
I ask mamasan to go doctor and buy me medicine.
JIM
How much did I get for the merchandise?
GIRL
(Hesitant) Twelve dollars for one case beer. Ten dollars for one case whiskey.
JIM
That’s not enough. We had an agreement.
GIRL
But, Jim. Mamasan say much whiskey and beer on market. Price very low now. She no can get more.
JIM
Dam you, bitch. I told you that the price was firm. I need the cash for my down payment.
GIRL
(Fearfull and apologetic) I be sorry I get so little money for you, Jim. No be mad. Next time I give to different mamasan.
JIM
You stupid fucking bitch!
JIM lays back down on the bed and pulls the covers over himself. The GIRL walks over to the dresser.
GIRL
I be sorry, Jim.
JIM pulls her into the bed.
JIM
Give me a little of that pussy, girl, and give it to me now.
The GIRL pulls away from him.
GIRL
(Near tears) Please, Jim. No do now. I be very sick. We can do later for sure. I be better then.
JIM
(With a slight, mocking laugh) No we won’t.
GIRL
(Puzzled) What you say, Jim?
JIM
Nothing, girl. Nothing. You ain’t worth any more hassle.
JIM gives up his efforts and prepares to go back to sleep. The GIRL sits on the edge of the bed, clutching her stomach and moaning. There is a knock at the door.
JIM
Dammit! First no pussy and now no sleep. Go answer the fucking door.
The GIRL rises from the edge of the bed and goes over to answer the door. MAMASAN enters the apartment and hands her the medicine,
MAMASAN
Lam cham nan tai.
The GIRL turns towards JIM.
GIRL
Jim, can I give mamasan money for medicine?
JIM
Money, money. All you want is money. Pay for it yourself.
GIRL
But, Jim. I have very little money.
JIM
Fuck you.
The GIRL appears very sad. She walks into the kitchen and then returns several seconds later with some of her own money. She then goes over to the outer door and hands MAMASAN the money.
MAMASAN
Thay ma.
MAMASAN exits.
JIM
Well, I see that I am not going to get anymore sleep in this place.
JIM sits up on the edge of the bed and flexes his muscles in a vain manner. Then he gets out of bed, lies down on the floor and begins a series of pushups. As he exercises, he counts off his movements. The GIRL places her medicine on the table and then begins to make up the bed.
GIRL
Jim, what time you go to work?
JIM ignores her and finishes his exercise series. He then stands.
GIRL
I ask you question, Jim. Why you no answer?
JIM regards her.
JIM
I’m leaving early today.
GIRL
Why, Jim?
JIM
I’m moving back onto the base.
GIRL
What you say, Jim?
JIM
I said that I am leaving today.
GIRL
(Very upset) But why you go, Jim?
JIM
This place has gotten too expensive. I need my money to go home.
GIRL
(Hurt, angry) You no can do this to me!
JIM laughs.
JIM
I can do anything that I want to do, baby. You don’t mean a fucking thing to me.
JIM begins to do a series of touch toe exercises.
GIRL
You no can do this to me! You no can!
JIM ignores her until he finishes his exercises. He then regards the GIRL.
JIM
Baby, you gave me what I wanted and I paid for it. I don’t owe you a dam thing.
GIRL
What I do now you go?
JIM
Find yourself another boyfriend. You ain’t got the greatest looks but you screw real good. You shouldn’t have any problems.
GIRL
You talk bad to me, Jim. You be same as other soldiers. You come to my country with much money and think you be gods.
JIM
Money talks, baby. I bought you, didn’t I.
GIRL
You no talk to me like that!
JIM laughs.
JIM
Bitch, I don’t care if you and your whole country gets wiped off of the face of the earth as long as I am not here when it happens.
The GIRL falls into an angry silence. JIM glances at the clock.
JIM
I’ve got to get showered. Fix my breakfast and make it quick!
GIRL
I no do nothing for you.
JIM grabs her.
JIM
Bitch, you’ll do what I say or I’ll slap the shit out of you. Now fix my breakfast and make it quick.
JIM pushes the GIRL away and exits into the bathroom.
GIRL
Why you do this to me, Jim? Why you do this to me?
The GIRL walks over to the table and seats herself in the chair.
GIRL
What can I do? What can I do? I no can pay rent. I have no money to buy food to eat.
The GIRL begins to cry but quickly controls herself. The she rises from the chair and walks over to the bedside table upon which rests a shrine. She picks up an incense stick from the table, lights it and stands before the shrine with the incense stick clasped between her hands.
GIRL
Buddha, cam tai lan diep lai.
The GIRL bows to the shrine again. She then places the incense stick in a holder at the base of the shrine. Suddenly she gets another attack of cramps. She clutches her stomach and moans and then goes over to the table to get her medicine. She sits down in a chair, opens the bottle and takes one of the pills.
JIM enters.
JIM
Where is my breakfast?
GIRL
Please, Jim. I be very sick!
JIM advances towards her.
JIM
(Raising his voice) I told you………
GIRL
I do now, Jim. I do now.
The GIRL scrambles off of the chair and hurries into the kitchen.
JIM
Fucking bitch better listen.
JIM picks his money up off of the table, counts it and then places it in his pocket.
The GIRL enters from the kitchen carrying a bowl of food. She places it on the table in front of JIM. He reaches down and caresses her leg.
JIM
We make love before I go.
GIRL
We no do! I no want you touch me!
JIM laughs.
JIM
No sweat, baby. As soon as I split I’ll buy a beautiful girl and have her give me a good time. Then it’s pussy cut off date and get ready to go home.
JIM begins to eat his food. The GIRL regards him angrily for a second and then seats herself at the table. After a protracted silence she speaks.
GIRL
(Hesitant) Jim, what time you go?
JIM
I go soon, baby. Very soon.
JIM returns to eating his cereal.
GIRL
Jim, can you give me money before you go. You promise you give me money for next month.
JIM ignores her. A note of pleading enters her voice.
JIM
Jim, please give me money before you go. I need money to buy food and pay rent. I no want to live in street.
JIM
I need my money to go home and buy my girl the car of her dreams.
GIRL
(Begging) Please, Jim. You make much money on beer.
The GIRL falls silent. JIM rises from the table and goes over to the dresser and begins to pack his clothes. He glances at his watch.
JIM
Ten more minutes and I am gone!
GIRL
Jim?
GIRL
(Forcing her words) I go see doctor last week. I no tell you.
JIM
(Indifferent) So what?
GIRL
I think I have baby.
JIM
Baby? What baby?
GIRL
I have baby, your baby. That’s why I be sick.
JIM
Liar.
GIRL
No, Jim. I no lie. It be your baby for sure. I make love to nobody but you since we live together.
JIM appears guilty and uncertain.
JIM
You have my baby?
GIRL
For sure, Jim. For sure.
JIM
What do you want?
GIRL
Please, Jim. You give me money for one month food and rent.
JIM
How much?
GIRL
One month, Jim. I no have to live in street. I no have to ask doctor to cut baby if you give me money for one month.
JIM
One month?
JIM
You make much money on beer and whiskey.
JIM
That’s too much money. I have to make the down payment on my new car.
GIRL
(Pleading) Then only give me money for one month rent. If I no have rent I have to live in street. I have no family. No one to help me.
JIM
Well, okay. I can’t take it home. What would my parents say?
JIM reaches into his pocket and takes out a wad of bills.
JIM
One month’s rent?
GIRL
One month. Please, Jim. If I no have house I no can find other boyfriend.
Jim begins to count out the money. There is a knock at the door. The GIRL walks over to the door and opens it. JIM stands in the doorway.
JIM
It’s good to see you, man.
TOM
You too, buddy. It’s ten o’clock just like I promised.
JIM
Come on in.
TOM enters the apartment.
JIM
Man, I’ve really screwed up.
TOM
What do you mean?
JIM
I’ve knocked this bitch up. She wants more money.
TOM
Buddy, why are you listening to this lying bitch?
JIM
But I’ve lived with her for six months.
TOM
Every afternoon while you were you work she’s probably been seeing two or three other guys.
GIRL
You lie. I be good girl. I sleep with nobody else since I say with JIM.
TOM
Man, I’m holding a taxi out front. We got to get going. Fuck this lying whore. Any one of them would cut your throat for a few dollars.
JIM
You’re lying. You don’t have my baby.
GIRL
I no lie, Jim. It be your baby for sure.
JIM
You don’t have my baby. You’ve slept with other men. Its their baby, not mine.
TOM
Ready to go, man?
JIM
We are out of here!
JIM puts on his cowboy hat, picks up his suitcase and begins to leave with PAUL. The GIRL runs after JIM and clings to him desperately.
GIRL
(Slightly hysterical) No, Jim. No go! You give me money so I no have to live in streets, be hungry.
JIM shakes her off. Then he reaches into his pocket, takes out some money and throws it on the floor.
JIM
Here!
Jim quickly exits along with TOM. The GIRL falls to her knees and begins to cry hysterically.
GIRL
Jim, come back! Come back!
The GIRL continues to cry for several minutes and then regains a measure of composure over herself as she stares at the front door.
GIRL
I know why you no care, Jim. I know. You think that all Vietnam girls be whores and not persons. But if we no be whores, Jim, how we eat? How the baby’s you give us eat?
The GIRL begins to cry again and starts to pound the apartment floor with her fists. After awhile her crying diminishes but she continues to sob while shaking her head from side to side.
GIRL
Silly girl. Silly stupid girl. Fuck Jim. He no care about you. He no care about your people.
The GIRL crawls over to the money that JIM threw on the floor. She gathers it up very slowly a bill at a time and puts it in her pocket. Then she rises very dejectedly and stumbles over to the dresser. She opens the bottom drawer and takes out a cheap plastic shopping bag which holds her scant possessions. She checks the contents of the bag and then slowly walks towards the front door of the apartment. She sets the bag down and then takes out the money which JIM threw her and counts through it several times.
GIRL
Maybe can live for one week.
She opens the front door and casts a sad glance around the apartment and then slowly and sadly exits into the street. The lights remain up for several seconds in the empty apartment. Then the stage goes dark.
FINIS