Better Places to Go

ROSIE. Just like you’re leaving your sister.

RICARDO. But I have a reason to go.

ROSIE. So do I.

RICARDO. I’m taking some food. Don’t tell anyone.

ROSIE. Take whatever you want. I plan to, when I leave.

RICARDO. I’m leaving a note for Della. Make sure she gets it.

ROSIE. Your resignation?

RICARDO. And my apologies.

ROSIE. How formal. She’s a sad woman. She hates this restaurant as much as I do. The only reason why she keeps it is out of respect for her dead husband who left her the stupid thing. I would’ve sold it. Nobody wants to eat here anymore. The food sucks. Always has. (Beat.) This place will die without us, Ricardo. We both know Kimberly will quit soon. (With a small laugh:) Have you ever noticed she’s dumber than dirt? That bitch deserves what she gets. She’s a horrible waitress. (Beat.) Has a real bad attitude.

RICARDO. This place has served its purpose, Rosie. (He exits to the kitchen.)

ROSIE. (To herself:) For who?

NATHAN. (He enters cautiously. Rosie is down on her hands and knees picking up silverware. She looks up, sees Nathan and then slowly stands with a steak knife in her hand.) Rosie, Rosie, Rosie. Got a pocketful of… Ashes fall. They hit the ground. And I hear talk all over town.

ROSIE. (She takes a step towards him.) Do you want me to kill you?

NATHAN. I just want you to love me.

(Rosie rushes to him, tosses the knife down and they collide into a passionate kiss. The attraction between them is wild, barbaric, animal-like. He clears off the top of a table, with a quick swipe of his hand, and he lifts Rosie up and places her on the table top. She leans back, claws at him with lust.)

ROSIE. I want you so bad.

NATHAN. She bought the whole thing. Just like you said she would.

ROSIE. Where is she now?

NATHAN. Crying at home. She tried to get the money out of the truck.

ROSIE. Did you hit her?

NATHAN. I beat the shit out of her. Called her a thief and a liar.

ROSIE. (She moans in ecstasy:) Oh God, I love you.

NATHAN. You gonna run away with me?

ROSIE. Hell yes, I am. We’re going to Miami, baby.

NATHAN. You gonna be my girl?

ROSIE. As long as you wanna be my man.

NATHAN. Don’t worry. I’ve got everything under control.

ROSIE. Not everything.

(Britney enters from the front door, unnoticed and wet from the rain. Her bottom lip is busted open. She sees Rosie and Nathan together, on the table. She is mortified. Slowly, she picks up the steak knife from the floor. She approaches Nathan.)

NATHAN. What do you mean?

ROSIE. Your little Britney is having a baby.

NATHAN. What?

ROSIE. Relax, bad boy, it ain’t yours.

NATHAN. You’re wrong. Britney can’t have kids. The doctor told me so himself.

ROSIE. Why would she lie?

NATHAN. I could eat you alive.

ROSIE. Where’s the money?

NATHAN. You’re so fucking hot.

ROSIE. Baby, where’s the money?

NATHAN. I love you.

ROSIE. I love you, too, Ricardo.

NATHAN. What the fuck? You just called me Ricardo.

BRITNEY. I’m taking the money back to the store! (Britney raises the knife, prepared to stab Nathan in the back. Nathan jumps, rolls off of Rosie and hits the floor. The knife comes down, landing in the middle of Rosie’s chest. She screams in pain and within seconds she loses consciousness. Britney turns to Nathan.) Look at what you made me do!

LINDA. (Barefoot, wet and cold, she enters the restaurant. She is dazed and weak. She is very pregnant and very young.) Help me.

RICARDO. (He enters from the kitchen.) Rosie? (A moment of realization:) Oh my God—

NATHAN. Is she dead?

BRITNEY. I didn’t mean to do it! (She throws the knife down and runs out of the restaurant, repeating the same phrase over and over, like a hysterical mantra.)

LINDA. (She staggers to Ricardo.) Can you please help me?

(Linda faints, falling into Ricardo’s arms. He gently guides her down to the floor.

Nathan scrambles up, goes behind the counter and picks up Rosie’s suitcase. He rips the suitcase open and throws its contents on the floor. He opens the cash register, and empties it into the suitcase. Ricardo does not try to stop him or intervene. Instead, he grabs a tablecloth and covers Rosie’s body with it. Nathan dashes out of the restaurant.

Ricardo picks up the road map, discarded on the floor. Slowly, he folds it up and puts it into his back pocket.

Lights fade to black.)

ACT TWO: SCENE ONE

(When the lights come up, two hours have passed. Linda is sitting at one of the tables, hunched over a bowl of soup. It is evident she is hungry.

Ricardo is on his hands and knees, scrubbing the floor. A bucket of water is nearby.

The radio is on.)

RADIO ANNOUNCER. Winds have reached 50 miles per hour in parts of the state. We’ve got enough rain to fill an ocean. The temperature has continued to drop. Folks, it’s getting cold out there. Stay warm and hopefully the storm will pass over us soon. Here’s a little something to heat things up.

(Music begins to play. Judy rushes inside from the main entrance, wet from the rain. She is carrying a grocery bag with her. She turns off the radio.)

JUDY. (To Linda:) Oh good. You’re eating. How are you feeling?

LINDA. Much better, thank you.

JUDY. You are a precious thing. Do you know that? I could curse your folks for throwing you out. Have they