Give Him the Business - A Play by Ford Simmons

Wayne Taylor: Owner of Taylor Hardware; Foley's dad

Foley Taylor: Son of Wayne Taylor

Larry Murphy: Customer of Taylor Hardware

Johnny Parker: Employee at Taylor Hardware

SETTING

Early 1990's. The inside of Taylor Hardware. A checkout counter with two walls of products. Also outside the home of Wayne Taylor. In a small-town in North Carolina.

NOTES:

Everyone speaks in a Southern accent except for Foley. Lights are always dim in

the hardware store. A horn noise is required for final scene.

GIVE HIM THE BUSINESS

At rise: Mid-afternoon. The checkout

counter at the front of the store.

WAYNE stands behind the counter.

JOHNNY stands on the other side. Wayne:

Have you found the receipts? Johnny:

The receipts for the Johnson account? Wayne:

Yeah, those. Johnny:

No. Wayne:

(Pause.)

I need to find those receipts. Johnny:

Linda wont need them till' tomorrow, bossman. No sense in troublin' over it. Wayne:

We have to keep everything in order. Everything. Nothin' should be out of order. Johnny:

Yes sir. Wayne:

Without order, this business won't survive for another forty years, will it now? Johnny:

I guess you can say that's correct. Wayne:

How long have I run this store for, Johnny?

Johnny:

Fifteen years, I believe. Seems longer than that. I remember when Foley was a little boy. Yeah that was a long time ago, I reckon. Wayne:

You know what he always told me, you know, after he sat me down on my ass and threatened to whoop my behind if I didn't listen? Johnny:

What's that, bossman?

Wayne:

If you ain't organized, say goodbye to what you have. There ain't no way in our Lord's name I will lose this business. Johnny:

Wayne, there ain't no way in hell this place is gonna cave in. Heck, we had so many daggone customers we made over a million in moolah last year. Wayne:

I know I made over a million. I was there at the convention when Hanson handed me that plaque sitting over on the wall. Johnny:

Who the heck is Hanson? Aint them Mmm-Bop boys is it? Cause' if it is, that's kinda weird. Wayne:

Them girls didn't present me with that award. Besides, uou wouldn't know who Hanson is. Johnny:

(Sighs.)

Yep, guess not. Wayne:

That million didn't come from nothing, didn't grow out of nowhere like some magical crop. That million came from doing things the way my father told me to. I worked damn hard to make this store the way I needed it to work.. Daddy wouldn't have it any other way. Now go in the back and look through the stack. I need them damn receipts. Johnny:

You don't need me to finish counting' this-

Wayne:

Just go, Johnny.

(Pause.)

I swear...

(JOHNNY hastily walks around the desk and heads offstage stage right. WAYNE toys around with a pocketknife he pulls from a display case.)

Wayne:

Yep, that's the way Daddy does it. Keep things organized. Collect all the money. There ain't no way around it.

(LARRY MURPHY walks in from stage left, very displeased, waving an invoice around.) Larry:

What is this, Johnny? Seriously, why this again? Wayne:

You haven't paid your bills. You still owe me for that supply of lumber. Larry:

I told you two weeks ago I would have it paid in full by the end of the month. Now you want to threaten me with late charges. Is this some kinda joke? Wayne:

This isn't a joke, Larry. This is a business. If you purchase something from me, I need the money. Larry:

Is my credit not good enough for you anymore or somethin'? Wayne:

It's getting worse, Larry. The less you pay, the less you buy. I have your file with Linda now. She will send you another letter soon, but you probably won't pay at the deadline anyway.

(Smirks.)

Larry:

Don't you remember high school, Wayne? Wayne:

High school was so long ago, Larry, I don't remember much of it.

Larry:

You don't remember bus rides to our games, making hanky panky with old what's her face?

Wayne:

You mean my ex-wife?
Larry:

Oh yeah, sorry.

Wayne:

High school was high school. I have done far too much since then.

Larry:

With what, the business? I would agree, Wayne. You have pulled way too much shit here.

Wayne:

I run this business like I need to. I don't need your say, especially if you ain't paying me. Larry:

You got it all wrong, brother. Ill just take my business over to that new store. Wayne:

McDaniel's Hardware can have you, Larry. Larry:

You are just like your father. My father told me all those stories from the store over in Pelton. You are the same man. Your son should even see that.

(WAYNE rises from his stool and slams the pocketknife to the counter. JOHNNY walks back over from the office, but stops short of the argument.)

Wayne:

You of all people, Larry Murphy, come in my store and berate my business, my daddy, and me? Who in Christ's name do you think you are? You don't pay me a nickel for the lumber but you dare come up to this counter and disrespect tradition? He owned Pelton! My daddy built that town from the ground up. You wouldn't even be in this area if it weren't for Taylor Hardware! Who built the house you grew up in? Larry:

My father bought all the materials from yours, but that's beside the point. Everyone knows your father. There is no doubt in anyone's mind your daddy has made quite an impact. I know what he built. I ain't stupid. But your daddy didn't understand the difference between respect and humiliation. Wayne:

The point is, Larry, you crossed the line. First, you don't pay me, and now you insult my daddy. If he were here right now, he wouldn't tolerate a word you say. He wouldn't show you any respect because you don't deserve any of that shit. People who can't keep all their pinecones in one bag don't need anymore chances. Larry:

Chance has nothing to do-wait. Wait, Larry. Come here.

Larry:

Heck no, I am leaving- Wayne:

Larry! Just shut up and get over here, alright?

Larry:

(LARRY wearily walks back towards the counter but keeps distance. Long pause.)

What is it?

Wayne:

Look. Your father and my father-we know the two aren't the same. Two different people.

Larry:

There ain't any doubt in anyone's mind that is true.

Wayne:

Whatever happened, happened, Larry. Shit happens. Larry:

Nothing just happens, Wayne. For some unknown purpose, things come out of nowhere, take you down, and leave you wallowing in your own muck. I don't see the point of your philosophizing.

Wayne:

Well if you just pay your bill you wouldn't have to wallow in anymore of you or your father's pity, would you? I've tried to reason- Larry:

You wouldn't know reason if you hit you with a hammer. To heck with your logic, Wayne

(LARRY walks out stage left extremely mad. WAYNE shakes his head then sees JOHNNY standing nearby.)

Wayne:

Did you find those receipts? Johnny:

I did. Wayne:

Did you give them to Linda? Johnny:

Yes, sir. Wayne:

Thanks. We don't need to lose them, ain't I right?

Johnny:

Yep...always right.

(Long pause.)

You okay, Wayne? Wayne:

Okay? No. No I'm not. You know, Johnny, this is my store. My daddy may have helped me start this business, but I built this thing up. I made it successful. I did it with the same ideas my daddy engraved in my head since I was a child. Back when I was a boy, I remember him driving me to his store in Pelton early in the morning, and I would sit at the front counter like I am now, except I would watch as he carefully measured every bag of nails, ring up every wrench or saw, and talk to the people as if he knew them from the inside out. Johnny:

I don't doubt it. Wayne:

Every customer was special to him, in one way or another. He made sure they got what they needed and made sure they got their purchase on time. No matter what it was, he would go to the end of the world to make sure the customer was happy. Why do you think it hurt him so much when someone would walk in the next week and tell him they didn't have the money? The store is his life. It fed him, it fed me, and it kept us together. Johnny:

This store sure does mean a lot to you, doesn't it? I can feel it in your voice. You have a passion for this place like most people wouldn't even understand. I know you care about your customers, just like your daddy. But... Wayne:

But what?

Johnny:

Nothing. Forget it. Wayne:

Spit it out, Johnny. Johnny:

You say you have your customers because you do whatever you can for them. It seems like sometimes they feel like that ain't the case. Wayne:

(Pause.)

How is that possible? Johnny:

I ain't saying it is, but Wayne, sometimes, you know, people aren't able to pay. Not everyone has the money to pay for something, even with credit. Shit happens to people, then they have to pay the bills. Wayne:

I know everyone goes through hard times. When my mother died, what did I do? Johnny:

I think you were back in the store on the same day. Wayne:

Darn right I was. I wasn't planning on sitting at home, crying my eyes out like a child. I am a man. I had things to do, I had to take care of this business. Johnny:

Like your father would have done? Wayne:

Yeah. Just like daddy. There is no time for tears when you could be making some money. Johnny:

I reckon. Wayne:

That's right. I'm going home. Close the store for me. Keep things organized. Johnny:

I will...just like your father did. Wayne:

Just like my father.

Johnny:

Wait, before you walk out. I thought I heard you yelling before I walked back out. What was goin' on? Wayne:

Someone from way back. Don't worry about it. See you, buddy.

Johnny:

(Quizzically.)

Take it easy...

(WAYNE walks out stage left. Lights off.)

Scene 2

WAYNE is standing outside, looking

around for his son. FOLEY sits in a

tree. Wayne:

Where is that boy? I didn't tell him to leave the house! There is no reason why-

(A pinecone falls from the tree next to WAYNE. WAYNE turns around and sees FOLEY.)

Foley! Why are you up in a tree? Foley:

Just enjoying myself.

Wayne:

You are supposed to be in the house. Foley:

I know...I know. Wayne:

Then why aren't you inside? Foley:

I'm supposed to be over at my mother's, dad. Remember? Wayne:

What, she didn't come and pick you up? Foley:

No, you were supposed to take me around 3:30.

Wayne:

Was I? Man. I'm sorry, son. I had some unfortunate business to take care of back at the store. Foley:

What happened at the store? Wayne:

Now wait. Some fool came in the store and-well...never mind, son. Foley:

I am sure I don't need to know. But I am sorry. Wayne:

Say, son, why are you up in a tree anyway? Foley:

So I can see all the way down the street, and over past Main. Wayne:

There is nothing down there, Foley. Makes no sense. Foley:

I can see the clock tower downtown. It is a beautiful sight. Wayne:

I guess it is...

(Sits down at base of tree.)

You want me to call your mother? Is it too late for me to take you over there? Foley:

No, sir. I think I will just sit up here. It's a nice day.

(Pause.)

Wayne:

It could be better, I think. Foley:

It's sunny and cool...what's wrong with that?

Wayne:

Nothing is wrong with that...I just feel a little out of it, son. Foley:

Want to sit up here? You can feel the breeze. Wayne:

I am okay. I probably need to get back to the store, you know. Check up on things. Want to come back with me? I'll let you help me with the checkbook. Foley:

No, thanks. I'm pretty contented up here. Wayne:

Why not buddy? I still have the TV sittin' out front. You can watch your music videos or whatever.

Foley:

That was ten years ago. I don't watch much TV anymore. Wayne:

Oh. You seem pretty bored around here at times...Foley, would you at least like a job? Foley:

A job?

Wayne:

It ain't like I ain't gonna pay you anything. You are my son. Expect to be rewarded.

Foley:

I'm happy with this old oak tree right now.

Wayne:

Imagine son. Your name on an office desk. "Foley Taylor, Assistant Manager."

Foley:

I don't think I am cut out to be a manager, dad. I am more of a thinker, you know?

Wayne:

What is the point of sitting in an oak tree thinking when you could be using your hands in the yard or running the front counter? At least you would be doin' something productive.

Foley:

Thinking is productive. I think deeper up in this tree.

Wayne:

I didn't realize you were all thoughtful.

Foley:

Most people don't.

Wayne:

I know, I know...

(Pause.) Foley:

Yeah. Wayne:

Your grandpa would have appreciated it if you came to the store and helped out for a while. Foley:

I know. Wayne:

I didn't name you after him for nothing. You look like him, you know. Foley:

I do have the nose, don't I? Wayne:

And the ears.

Foley:

My big ears.

Wayne:

Yeah.

(Laughs.) Foley:

If grandpa was still alive, what do you think he would be doing right now? Wayne:

Probably sittin' in the back of the store, pushing a stack of checks on my desk. Advising me to do this, and do that.

(WAYNE stands up, walks around.)

Foley:

Sounds fun.

Wayne:

He was my daddy. What can you say? Foley:

That he was your father. Wayne:

Yeah, he was. Shit. It seems like everyone I have talked to recently has something against him in this town. Everyone downtown believes his name is some kind of curse. Foley:

Jackson said to me-

Wayne:

Jackson who? Foley:

What?

Wayne:

Oh, come on Foley. Who?

Foley:

(Sighs.)

Jackson Murphy. Wayne:

Larry Murphy's son? Since when you have been hanging out with Larry's son? Foley:

What do you have against him? What did he do to you? Wayne:

Who? Foley:

Larry Murphy. Wayne:

Just business. He hasn't paid his bills. Typical of him, you know? Foley:

Maybe he can't afford it.

Wayne:

I don't care, Foley. I do what I gotta do. Foley:

But what about Jackson and his family?
Wayne:

Son, come down from the tree. Please.

(Walks up to FOLEY after he climbs down from tree.)

I work very hard to keep that store going so I can provide you a room to live in. I give you food to eat out of my profits. If that Larry Murphy doesn't pay me, there is no money for you. What if one hundred other people like Larry Murphy decide to stop paying for hoses or nails or whatnot? What are you going to do then? Foley:

But you made over a million- Wayne:

Money doesn't matter son. It's where your loyalties lie. Foley:

I thought you two were friends? Wayne:

Well...a long time ago, yeah. Foley:

Oh...

(Long pause.)

Wayne:

Listen, okay? I am your father, boy. That friend of yours can say what he wants about our family, and his daddy can too. But you are still a Taylor, and your grandfather was a Taylor.

Foley:

You always said blood runs thicker than water.

Wayne:

Always. Son, I am not going to stand here and tell you I completely understand what is going on inside your 17-year old brain, because I would get lost trying to comprehend you. I try and try, but I can't. I guess I am a failure at that, huh?

(Amused brief chuckle.)

Foley:

A failure...I wouldn't call you a failure. We are just separate from each other.

Wayne:

Like yin and yang?

Foley:

No...not at all.

Wayne:

Oh...

Foley:

Yeah.

(Pause.)

Wayne:

Let's go to the store. We can sit around and talk for a while. How about it? Foley:

Dad...I really think I am fine where I am. Wayne:

Come on, Foley. Just once. Foley:

I won't have to stack lumber, right? Wayne:

You can stay up there and stare at the tower for the rest of your life, or you can come to the store and help your daddy out. It won't hurt you, Foley.

(WAYNE walks towards stage right.)

You can't just ignore what we established as a family, Foley.

(Before WAYNE leaves, FOLEY walks up to WAYNE.)

Foley:

Alright, alright. I'm coming.

Wayne:

Now that's more like it.

(Exit WAYNE and FOLEY. End scene.)Scene 3Taylor Hardware, thirty minutes later.

WAYNE is followed into the store. JOHNNY stands behind the counter. Johnny:

Hey Wayne, why are you late? Oh, hey Foley. Haven't seen you in a while. Foley:

Hey Johnny. Wayne:

Have we been busy this morning? Johnny:

Not a lick. Wayne:

And it's a Saturday. I don't understand. Foley:

They are all over at McDaniel's, probably. That is where Jackson said- Wayne:

McDaniel's? So they are all headed' over there, eh?

Johnny:

Maybe. We are probably just a little slow today, that's all. I tell you what, Wayne, your son is growin' up. The boy is turnin' into something good, Wayne.

Wayne:

Ain't he? He decided to come to work with me. A true Taylor man.

(To FOLEY.)

Foley, come here. See this plaque on the wall? This is a bronze plaque of your grandpa given to him by the city of Pelton. He received this after he helped build their City Hall. I know you have seen this before, right? Foley:

Yeah. Wayne:

It's a terrific symbol of the work my daddy has done in the area. They wouldn't give this to a just anyone would they? Foley:

Probably not. Wayne:

What do you think Johnny?

Johnny:

It's quite a nice piece of art. Wayne:

That's more like it. Now, Foley, you see this next plaque? This marked my entry into the top profit level for any hardware store in the tri-county area. I reached this milestone ten years ago and haven't looked back since. Foley:

Where were you looking before? Wayne:

Sometimes I believe your mind is too grown for your age. Sometimes, I believe you don't comprehend the gravity of what you see on this wall. This represents what my father achieved while he was here on this Earth. Now I take care of what is his. I practice like he preached. Ain't that right, Johnny? Johnny:

All too true, Wayne. Wayne:

What we have here, son, is a dynasty, a tradition among the Taylor men. Us Taylor men breathe, sweat, and taste this company. When people like Larry Murphy attempt to undermine the success of what we have worked so hard to achieve, we have to protect what we got. Foley:

What do you want me to do about it? Wayne:

I need you here, Foley. I need you alongside me so I can show you the ropes. For far too long you have ignored everything I have tried to instill in you since you were a little boy. Now that you are becoming a grown man, you can stick alongside me and learn. Someday, son, I am going to go. God only knows when. Foley:

And you want me to carry over the tradition?

Wayne:

Yes. Mine and his. And yours. Your grandfather went far too early. His passing was a horrible time for all of us. Ask Johnny. Johnny:

We never stopped working. Wayne:

See, he knows. Daddy wouldn't ever want us to stop Taylor Hardware over someone dying. Foley:

I guess you have to make the big bucks.

Wayne:

Exactly. I believe it would be good if you follow in our footsteps, son. In fact, I have a surprise for you.

Foley:

I just want to go- Wayne:

I have a shirt for you in the back, and one of our trucks in the back with a seat waitin' for your rear end.

Foley:

What's going on?

Johnny:

Looks like your daddy is making you part of the team.

Wayne:

Took the words right out of my mouth. I had Linda make you a custom shirt so you could be the new assistant manager. Now, she made it over a year ago so it may be a little snug but-

Foley:

I didn't ask to be a manager or even work-

Wayne:

I knew by coming here with me it would be the perfect time to break you into the business. I know what you said back at the house, Foley. You think you aren't cut out for this job. But that ain't true. You have the Taylor tradition in the way you carry yourself. You will fit in fine.

Foley:

Is this for real?

Wayne:

Darn right it is. Your new truck should be near the lumber yard. Maybe you can give it a test drive, son.

Foley:

My own truck?

Johnny:

Pretty nice too.

Wayne:

You mind grabbin' the keys in the back, Johnny?

Johnny:

Not a problem, boss man.

(JOHNNY exits. LARRY MURPHY enters stage left.)

Wayne:

Welcome-oh...hello Larry. Here to pay the bill? Larry:

Hey Foley, how are you? Foley:

I really don't feel like talking. Larry:

What is the matter- Wayne:

If you have something to say, Larry, keep it between us two men. Larry:

I have no problem with that Wayne. I have something for you. Wayne:

And? Larry:

I did not want to do this, Wayne. But you built this relationship. You built what is going on between us, now it is all falling apart. Read this notice I got in the mail the other day. Wayne:

Notice? Foley:

Notice? Larry:

See the first line? Bankrupt. Fuckin' bankrupt. Wayne:

(Reads paper.)

Bankrupt... Larry:

Yeah, thanks to you and those damn collection agencies my world is coming to an end. Just like the Turners, remember? You can't keep doing things like this. It drives not just me, but everyone in town crazy.

Wayne:

I am sorry this happened to you, but this is how I have to do things. Larry:

You got a crazy way of livin', buddy. Wayne:

You heard what I said, Larry. Larry:

Yeah, i'm sure. Pathetic. Wayne:

Me, pathetic? Look at this store, Larry, I wouldn't call this pathetic. All you had to do was pay your bill.Larry:

I can't pay the damn bill, Wayne! You don't understand what kind of hell I've been going through the past six months. I figured things would get better quick, but it hasn't. In fact, life has been pretty damn grand for a long time now has it? Say...25 years? Foley:

What happened 25 years ago? Wayne:

Never mind that, Foley. What's done is done. Larry:

Maybe you should tell the young man. Wayne:

Don't direct me on how to deal with my own son. Foley, go sit in my office please. Foley:

I figure I can stay out here. You made me an assistant manager. So what happened? Larry:

Your grandfather built my childhood home- Wayne:

Keep quiet, Larry. Larry:

Dad bought the materials and such in your grandfather's store in Pelton- Wayne:

This ain't true, Foley. Larry:

My mother died and so we were stuck with the expenses, and couldn't pay your father- Wayne:

I can't believe this- Larry:

So your grandfather re-possessed the house. We didn't have a place to live. Foley:

Is this true? Wayne:

Well- Foley:

Answer me, dad. Is this true? Wayne:

He did what he had to do. Daddy had a reason for everything. Foley:

And you still do your business here? Larry:

Now that McDonald's Hardware opened, I think I am done with your father. Wayne:

You have to justify everything, do you, Larry? This is a business. Life is a business. People get hurt in the process, and it just so happened to be you and your father at that one time in history. After all these years you bring this back right in the mix. What is your problem? Foley:

I'm going back to the house. Don't even bother with the shirt. Or the truck. Id rather walk. Wayne:

Don't go, Foley. I have tried to teach you some respect about where you came from. Just because Larry here tries to guilt me up doesn't mean you have to turn from it. Larry:

Maybe the boy would be better off understanding his history.

Wayne:

This is my son you are screwing with here. This doesn't just affect me, it affects Foley too.

Larry:

Well I am the son of someone too, Wayne.

Wayne:

As much as it pains me to admit it, don't you realize our sons are friends? I don't like them hanging out to begin with, but this whole situation will haunt my son. Seriously, what are you trying to do?

Larry:

What is right.

(LARRY exits stage left. WAYNE leans against the counter, staring at the plaque on the wall. End scene.)Scene 4

At rise. The Taylor household. FOLEY sits in lawn chair, smoking a cigarette, staring blankly towards the audience. WAYNE walks in. Wayne:

Hey son.

(FOLEY keeps silent.)

Alright. When did you start smoking?

(FOLEY still silent. WAYNE is aggravated.)

I never said you could smoke at my house. Did that Murphy boy-

Foley:

No, he didn't.

Wayne:

Fair enough.

Foley:

I picked up a pack on the walk back.

Wayne:

Oh, yeah. I am sorry about that, son.

Foley:

I know.

Wayne:

You know how I said I don't know what you are thinking, ever?

(FOLEY shrugs.)

Well...I do think I know what you are thinking.

(FOLEY turns towards WAYNE.)

Foley:

Go ahead and guess. Wayne:

Don't be a smartalick-shit, fucked up again.

Foley:

I am waiting.

Wayne:

You don't think I am sorry, do you? Well I am. I know you are thinking what your grandfather did to the Murphy's was something downright terrible, mean, cruel, or whatnot. Choose the adjective. But son-you just got to think of yourself sometimes. You have to think in the long-term. You have to believe, somewhere, that doing business the way you think needs to be done will save everything you have somewhere in the future.

Foley:

But what about the Murphy's future? Did your grandpa ever think of that?

Wayne:

I am sure he took that into consideration.

Foley:

(Stamps out cigarette then lights another one.)

After he kicked them out, did he think about them then?

Wayne:

They got on. Jimmy, that would be Larry's father, took a while to find some work, but they did alright, I reckon.

Foley:

And what did your father do?

Wayne:

Your grandfather took...no. You don't need to know.

(WAYNE climbs up and sits in tree.)

Foley:

Why are you climbing up the tree?

Wayne:

I figure I will just sit up here. Enjoy the breeze a little bit.

Foley:

(Pause.)

You have too much nerve... Wayne:

What, son?

Foley:

You can't tell me what happened in the past? You want to hide everything just so you can save face, so you and your business's reputation won't be tarnished. You don't care about what I think, do you?

Wayne:

It's not that I don't care, Foley.

Foley:

Oh...I remember. It's where your priorities lay. That is what counts.

Wayne:

Well-

Foley:

I remember when I was younger and you would sit me in the smaller desk in the back of the office. You gave me these little toys. These weren't regular toys, you know, like a GI-Joe, or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. These were toys for "serious" young boys who wanted to grow up to work, be a man, keep the family tradition going. You would bring me these toys, well, tools from one of your conferences up in Indiana. You remember?

Wayne:

I sure do, even though they moved the conference-

Foley:

You brought me back tape measure, rolls of duck tape, roofing samples, whole bunches of complete shit! And they were all in a big brown paper bag that you dropped on my desk. I looked through those tools and tried to figure out, you know, what I was supposed to do with those tools. Grown-up stuff, not for kids. So I would take all of this random mess together and do something with them. But I couldn't. I figured you knew what to do, but before I could even ask you were floating about the store, mingling with customers, filling out orders, managing that damn lumberyard. It was me, alone, in that old office that smelled like...fresh pine. But I was alone with everything that seemed foreign to me.

(Long pause. FOLEY ashes out his cigarette,

stands up and walks around.)

So you sit in that old oak tree and be quiet because there is really nothing to say, is there? There is no past to speak of. The business is your past, present, and future, just like it was your father's lifestyle. You sell tools and hardware to build things. But you, just like your father, tear things down.

Wayne:

That was preparation for the rest of your life. Those weren't just little bullshit toys, Foley, that was the reality of what you were brought in this world to do. Carry on the Taylor name, live the Taylor way, and be a successful man. You know this place but you don't want to admit it, do you? I made you a manager so I could show you the ropes, so you and I could spend some time together for once.

Foley:

What time? Aren't you always off somewhere or in the back shut in your office, trying to fix the budgets? Even if I was here I would be doin' something else.

Wayne:

I crunch those numbers so I can keep this place running so you can take it over. You can be a rich man if you just let whatever is in your head go. All these misconceptions about life. I worry about you sometimes.

Foley:

I guess you really do want me to run the store do you?

Wayne:

I do. I don't hate you, Foley. I want you to be a Taylor man. A proud man, never give up the fight, you know?

Foley:

I guess you are right, dad.

Wayne:

Maybe I am. I don't know. Just listen to me sometime, will you?

Foley:

I am sorry about yelling at you about that that mess, about how you tear things down and all.

Wayne:

Well, speaking of that...we never tore anything down.

(Pause.) Foley:

Huh?

Wayne:

We never tore anything down, Foley.

Foley:

What do you mean?

Wayne:

You see this house? With a little bit of work, we fixed it up before you were born. It's been around ever since Daddy took it away from Jimmy Murphy.

(FOLEY takes a seat back in the chair

and lights another cigarette.)

Look at you, son. You still don't get it. You blame me for raising you in this house. You act as if this is some kind of crime. You know... I think I do understand you now. I finally get it.

Foley:

You get it?

Wayne:

I know my limits, and I know what you don't know, son. Life is one gigantic bulldozer ready to print your face in the ground when you aren't looking. It's like a bully in school who always steals your money when you aren't prepared to defend. Everyone in life is looking to push you aside and take what is yours. So what must you do? Like Daddy said, "Screw em' over if they try to screw you over." No matter what, you gotta go to any ends to take what is yours, even if other people are trampled under.

Foley:

A dog eat dog world.

Wayne:

Exactly.

(Climbs down from tree.)

Foley:

All these years, all this talk about keeping the tradition alive...

Wayne:

I have tried to instill in you a sense of purpose-

Foley:

A very, very wrong purpose. I could have led a boring life.

Wayne:

No! I have tried to give you a good life-

Foley:

But you ignored me completely in the process.

(WAYNE walks up close to Foley,

looking at each other man to man.)

Wayne:

I did what I knew best, son.

Foley:

Your son? I'm like the lumber at your store, bought and sold all for your personal gain.

(WAYNE laughs and turns around,

walking around the yard.)

Wayne:

What went wrong? Where did I ever go wrong with you? So what? Now you want to disown me because I run my life the way it needs to be run? Because I don't take into account your considerations? You think I don't love you?

Foley:

It seems like you don't.

Wayne:

Well let me tell you this, boy. Love is sacrificing others. If you can't sacrifice, you can't love.

Foley:

If you sacrifice your own wife and son, you might as well forget love. You should dig up your father's grave and show him what real love is.

(WAYNE becomes enraged, walks up to FOLEY

and slaps his son in the face. FOLEY rears back,

feeling his face while slowly shaking his head.

He walks over to the tree and leans against it,

head in his hands. WAYNE steps back and takes

a seat in the lawn chair.)

Wayne:

(Quietly.)

Damn.

(JOHHNY walks into the scene from stage left.)

Johnny:

I went inside the house to see if yall were here. I saw your truck Wayne. Figured you were in the back yard.

Wayne:

Yeah.

Johnny:

Why are you two so damn quiet. Foley? Foley? Are you crying?

Wayne:

He won't talk, Johnny.

Johnny:

I'm sure he will.

Wayne:

I wouldn't bother him right now.

Johnny:

What did you do, Wayne?

Wayne:

I hit him. Slapped him right across the face.

(FOLEY gets up from the tree

and walks off stage right.)

He...no. I crossed the line, Johnny. I crossed the line.

Johnny:

What did he say to make you hit him? Why are you hittin' your son?

Wayne:

He insulted my family. He insulted who I am. He insulted who I am...

Johnny:

Well what did you do to make him insult you, Wayne? Wayne:

Explain what I am.

Johnny:

Well who are you?

Wayne:

You tell me.

(JOHNNY takes a seat on the grass beside WAYNE.)

Johnny:

Honestly?

Wayne:

Have I ever done anything, Johnny? Tell me.

Johnny:

No.

Wayne:

That's what I thought. I tell you what to do, Johnny, and you do it. I tell Linda what to do, and you do it. I tell Foley or any of my customers what to do, and they don't do anything much of the time. You know, I bet Daddy is lookin' down from Heaven right now and shaking his head, wondering why I can't control the actions of one of his own. Why I can't get every under-paying customer to keep up with their bills. He'd be in my office first thing in the morning, smokin' a cigar, telling me to get out around town and collect the money. Take charge, be a true Taylor Man. Yell my head off, get angry, get aggressive.

Johnny:

You know why we put up with you, Wayne?

Wayne:

Because I pay you?

Johnny:

Yep. Wayne:

You don't find anything rewarding in the job and store I give you to work in?

Johnny:

Well...sure, I reckon. I do like helping other people. If they have a problem, I help solve it.

Wayne:

That's it, Johnny? Nothing about anyone else?

Johnny:

Linda has always been pretty helpful-

Wayne:

I gotcha, Johnny. I understand. Completely.

Johnny:

You know, boss man, there is more to life than this business of yours.

Wayne:

Is there?

Johnny:

You see, Wayne, I see life as a mixture. Think of the paints at the store. The paint mixer can take any color paint you choose along with any other and create any blend you want. Even you know that. Life is like that. Anything you do can go together with anything else anyone does and something new and fresh will happen.

Wayne:

What's my color, Johnny?

Johnny:

I don't know. If you mixed everything in your life together, what would you think it is?

Wayne:

A dull, dull grey.

(FOLEY walks back in from stage right,

lighting up a cigarette. JOHNNY nods

to FOLEY then begins to walk out stage right.)

Foley, you take care. Wayne, you'll find my key on table. Change your colors, boss man. Change your colors.

(JOHNNY exits.)

Foley:

What is that talk about changing colors? Did Johnny leave?

Wayne:

Yeah. You're too young to worry about your own color.

Foley:

Alright.

Wayne:

You still want the truck?

Foley:

No, it belongs to the store.

Wayne:

You can keep it. All I see you do is walk around, anyway.

Foley:

I like walking. I can do what I want, find my own adventures. Nothing passes by too quickly, I guess. Wayne:

I think everything has gone by too fast. Johnny's gone. Just like that.

Foley:

You will find other help, im sure of it.

Wayne:

You mind helpin' out a little bit?

Foley:

You hit me, dad.Wayne:

A mistake. That is all it was. Am I that horrible to you?

Foley:

I don't know what you are anymore.

Wayne:

Fair enough.

Foley:

But what if I do decide to work for you?

Wayne:

You can do whatever you want. No shirt. You don't even have to use a truck. Shit, you can watch TV for all I care.

Foley:

You need me there, don't you?

Wayne:

I need something.

Foley:

Might just not be me.

(Long pause.) Wayne:

(Pointing towards audience.)

Look over there, Foley. You see that clock tower rising over the trees?

Foley:

I watched it for a while I was up in the Oak tree.

Wayne:

Your grandfather helped build that back in 1966.

Foley:

He built most of the town, like you said.

Wayne:

It is hard to see anything past that clock from here.

Foley:

But there is more.

Wayne:

You know, son, it seems as if my daddy owns the whole world. Everything in this world seemed to belong to him.

Foley:

So I guess you feel everything in the world belongs to you.

Wayne:

If they build it, they will come.

Foley:

Or leave.

(WAYNE begins to walk offstage.)

Where are you goin'?

Wayne:

The store. At least someone there needs me. I can't just give up the business.

(WAYNE walks offstage. FOLEY sits in his chair, staring out into the audience, slowly shaking his head.)