Better Places to Go

ROSIE. Does he know?

BRITNEY. Not yet.

ROSIE. Good. I hope he blows his head off when you tell him.

BRITNEY. I’ll get you some money, but I’m staying in Grand Island. I just have to find my mother’s ring and I’ll sell it. I think Derek hid it from me somewhere.

ROSIE. We had a promise, Britney. We made plans. I want out of this place and I’ll do anything to get on that bus tonight.

BRITNEY. What about your grandmother?

ROSIE. What about her? She’s old. She’s waiting for the aliens to come and take her away because she’s a fucking nut like everyone else in Nebraska.

BRITNEY. Do you want me to look after her, since I’ll be here?

ROSIE. Become her fucking nurse for all I care.

BRITNEY. It’s funny that you say that. I’m actually thinking of going to nursing school. After the baby is born, I mean. I think I’d be really good at helping people.

ROSIE. I can’t believe you want to stay. I should’ve known you’d change your mind. All because of a piece of ass.

BRITNEY. I know what Nathan is like. I’m not staying because of him. I told you that.

ROSIE. You know what he did to me. You’re his girlfriend, for God’s sake. It doesn’t bother you that your man has forced himself on half the women in this town?

BRITNEY. Some of them wanted it. Like Sheila and Madison.

ROSIE. That’s sick.

BRITNEY. I see how they look at him. Sheila practically seduces him every time we go down to Clyde’s for a beer. And Madison told me to my face that she wants to marry him. He’s bad. Some girls like that.

ROSIE. Well, I didn’t. He practically raped me. Did you know that? Huh? Do you care? Yeah, all you care about is the cheap, sick thrill you get every time he smacks you around. You’re a fucking puppet, Britney. A dumb, lazy, nasty little puppet who stays with a pig because you get off when he nearly bashes your skull in. You wanna stay here. You’re an idiot. You stay and rot away with your bastard baby. I’m leaving. I’m going to Miami and no one will stop me. Not you. Not my stupid grandmother and certainly not your ugly boyfriend. I got a suitcase behind the counter and I got some food in my purse. I’m not going home tonight, because if I do, I will kill that old woman in her sleep. (Beat.) Now, you go get the money you promised me and get your fucking ass back here so I can go to Miami and start my wonderful new life. Do you hear me?

BRITNEY. I said I’ll get you some cash. I need the ring.

ROSIE. Then go find it.

BRITNEY. I feel horrible for stealing from the store. I have to put the money back before they realize it’s missing in the morning.

ROSIE. We’re supposed to go to Miami and share an apartment and get jobs and be happy. You messed everything up.

BRITNEY. You can go by yourself.

ROSIE. Believe me, I am. But once I’m gone, you’ll regret it. You’ll be stuck here working the cash register at Grady’s.

BRITNEY. You make it sound like a bad thing. Did you hear? I’m the Employee of the Month.

ROSIE. Well, congratufuckinglations. Who knows, Britney? Maybe nursing school will be more glamorous than ringing up groceries all day long.

BRITNEY. I don’t need all the excitement like you do, Rosie.

ROSIE. You’re boring me.

BRITNEY. I can’t go to Miami if I’m pregnant. Who’s gonna help me with the baby?

ROSIE. It’s not my fault you got knocked up.

BRITNEY. I’m scared.

ROSIE. Because you don’t have any backbone. You never have.

BRITNEY. I know you don’t mean that. Me and you have been friends for a long time. You were there for me when my Mom died.

ROSIE. I’m not as nice as I used to be, Britney.

BRITNEY. Yeah, I noticed that.

ROSIE. We both know I was never a Girl Scout.

BRITNEY. Still, you’re always so angry now.

ROSIE. Don’t ever fall in love. (Beat.) It’ll make you crazy. Just look at what it’s done to me.

BRITNEY. Is that why you’re going to Miami?

ROSIE. You’re wasting my time, Britney. Memory lane is a dead end street. Go get the money.

BRITNEY. What if Nathan catches me? I have to go back to the house to get the money out of the truck and then sneak back into the store. If he sees me—

ROSIE. That’s your fault, not mine. You shouldn’t have left the money to begin with. I’m not sticking up for you anymore. You’re a grown woman. You made a promise.

BRITNEY. I could get fired. I mean, I’ve worked at that store for three years. Those people trust me.

ROSIE. Well, if you were going to Miami with me, they’d never catch you. If you stay here, I’m sure they’ll find out.

BRITNEY. What if they send me to jail?

ROSIE. Then you and Nathan can share a cell. You two deserve each other.

BRITNEY. I’m not staying with him — when you leave, I mean.

ROSIE. Bullshit.

BRITNEY. I’m serious. Not after what he’s done.

ROSIE. Who are you kidding? You’re gonna die with that man. You like what he does to you.

BRITNEY. His mother made him mean. Have you met her before? She lives in Kearney. She’s horrible.

ROSIE. I don’t give a shit. Go get me some money. The bus leaves at midnight.

BRITNEY. It’s a long walk. The storm is coming -

ROSIE. (She goes behind the counter and gets an umbrella. She tosses it to Britney, who drops it and then picks it up.) Here. Take this. And don’t be long. I don’t like to wait.

BRITNEY. (Starts to exit and then stops:) Rosie? For whatever it’s worth, I’m sorry I changed my mind. I didn’t mean to break a promise. (She exits.)

ROSIE. (Yelling off stage, after Britney:) Yeah, well, have fun flunking outta nursing school! I’ll be sitting on the beach drinking a Pina Colada and having the time of my life! Thanks for nothing! (After a moment, she goes to the phone and dials:) Grandma? (Her mood softens.) It’s Rosie. I’m working late tonight, so don’t wait up for me. If you need anything, go next door and ask Mrs. Huxley. Don’t forget to take your medication. (Beat.) Yeah, me too. Bye. (She hangs up.)

RICARDO (He enters from the front door, cold and shivering. He has a duffel bag with him.) It’s getting pretty bad out there. No rain yet, but the wind is terrible.

ROSIE. Is your sister still alive?

RICARDO. (Wary:) She’s fine.

ROSIE. Did you get everything you needed?

RICARDO. What are you talking about?

ROSIE. Gimme a break, Ricardo. Everybody knows you and your psycho boy are planning to run off together. (Beat.) I bet you didn’t even tell your crippled sister good bye. Is that your get away bag?

RICARDO. Stay out of my business, Rosie.

ROSIE. Isn’t he waiting for you at the bus depot? Didn’t you go down there and feed him and declare your undying sick and twisted love? Did you kiss him good bye, lover boy? (Beat.) Where is it that the two of you are sneaking off to? (She goes to the road map, sees the outlined trip. Ricardo tries to take the map from her, but she wins the struggle.) California? That figures. (She