Beef Jerky, A Play

Briseis Seda

Characters

Neva

Amethyst Investigator

Time: One afternoon

Place: The Lower East Side

Scene 1: A quiet sidewalk

(AMETHYST and NEVA walk down the sidewalk, talking to each other. AMETHYST is smoking a cigar.)

AMETHYST: So how are you going to get away this time?

NEVA: I’ll just go home, bathe, and sleep.

AMETHYST: You sure about that? You have to go to church today and seem way too drunk to even know where home is. You should have listened to me when I said you’d gone past the limit.

NEVA: Yea, whatever. I always find a way.

AMETHYST: No you don't, you fail every time. (Silence)

You know what? I’m just gonna take you to the first Mass. Then we could decide what to do next. Neva, can I have your phone?

NEVA: What for?

AMETHYST: So I could let her know we’re going to church.

NEVA: Oh, ok.

(They walk in silence and stop in front of a church)

AMETHYST: Ok, we’re here, so please. I know you're drunk but be on your best behavior, ok?

NEVA: Of course.

(AMETHYST puts out her cigar. They walk into the church. )

Scene 2: A few moments later inside the church

(NEVA and AMETHYST sit on one of the back pews. Everything goes fine. AMETHYST keeps peering towards NEVA, who decides to lay down and stare at the ceiling. AMETHYST is quiet. Then suddenly NEVA gets up.)

AMETHYST: Where do you think you're going?

NEVA: Why do you need to know?

AMETHYST: Because I don’t want to be left alone.

NEVA: Fine. I’m going to the bathroom. If you want to follow, too, that’s your problem.

(They walk into the bathroom)

AMETHYST: Girl, you had me worried for a sec. You took way too long in there. (NEVA doesn’t respond and proceeds to leave). Neva! (NEVA sits in a dark hallway away from everything.) Neva, what is the meaning of all this?

(NEVA doesn’t respond so AMETHYST sits beside her and notices that she’s crying.)

AMETHYST: Neva! What’s the matter? Come on you've got me…