Act 1 Sc. 1

Martha Ann:

...I'm positive Dorothy is beside herself with grief!

(Dorothy enters, arms full of groceries.)

Hey, y'all!  Help me with these; 

Dewdrop is bringing in another load from the car.

Martha Ann:

You went from the hospital to the Big Star?

It was on the way. 
And I knew people was gonna be here directly, considerin'.

Benny Charles, I want to thank you for all you did for Dewey today.  The paramedics told me you wiped the mashed potatoes off his face before they arrived.

Martha Ann:

If you two don't hush -

At any rate, I wanna thank you.

Dewey went with dignity.

Martha Ann:

Where were you when you got the call?

I was over to the Fashion Bug lookin' for a swimsuit to go to Panama City Beach.  I always wanted to see that Miracle Strip.  Over and over again he said

"We'll go next year, Dot," but something always came up.  This year when I asked I thought I'd hear the same thing, but then I actually got plane tickets for my birthday.   And You know my Dewey, once he spent money on somethin' he wasn't gonna not do it.  Now I guess we'll never go.

Dewey Jr.:

So.  I'm gonna go watch the TV.

I swear, that boy.

Here we are with a plate of naked fried chicken.

He ate the skin off every  single  piece.

Sammy Jo:

Who went to the grocery for you?

Nobody.

Sammy Jo:

Nobody?

I went with Dewey Jr.  I just got home.

You can help me put it all away.

Sammy Jo:

You left the hospital and went to the grocery?

Yes, Samantha Jo.

Sammy Jo:

Aren't you in shock?

Well, bananas are up to three dollars a pound now,

but I wouldn't say I'm in shock.

Sammy Jo:

I meant about Daddy dying, Momma.

I know what you meant.  He had a side of bacon with breakfast, lunch and dinner every day, Sammy Jo.

You can't do that and expect to live very long.

Oh, I meant to get bacon.

Sammy Jo:

Well, I don't even know what to say.

Then don't say anything.

Sammy Jo:

You have to grieve, Momma.

I am, and I'd imagine I will continue to do so, but I don't much feel like doing it in front of you right now.

Dewey Jr.

She brought it by the front door.

Thank you, Dewdrop.

Sammy Jo:

I'm here for you, too, Momma.

And I may need you to be here for me, Samantha Jo.  But right now it just seems like he's away at choir practice.  He's been gone so much these past forty years this doesn't seem that different yet.

Sammy Jo:

Well that is a terrible thing to say.

Between the Church, the Rotarians, the Elks, the Kiwianis, the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Missisippi Adopt-a-Highway program,
I'll tell you what, it's real hard in this world to be married to a good man.

Sammy Jo:

Apparently I am the only person in this house who is grieving.

Well, you can try your luck with Harlene when she comes in from Dallas tonight.

Sammy Jo:

Tonight?  She's coming in tonight?  

I thought she wouldn't be here 'til Saturday.

Well I guess she wanted to be here before the service.

Sammy Jo:

Does she really think she needs a week in this town
sitting on the couch drinking PBR?

Be nice.  Besides, it's Natural Light.

Sammy Jo:

That ain't my point.

I just picked up a 12 pack.

Sammy Jo:

Momma

I'm gonna need you two to behave.  I've got enough stuff to worry about without the two of you causin' a scandal at your daddy's funeral.

Sammy Jo:

I am nice,  I will be nice.  It might be like two boxers shakin' hands before the big fight, but it will be nice.

Well, you do whatever you have to do, but I will not have the two of you shouting over your daddy's coffin.

Sammy Jo:

I will do no such thing.

I just wonder why she's coming in early is all.

Sammy Jo

Sammy Jo:

And it's no wonder she did, 'cause as I recall, every time she had that hand out Daddy put something in it.

Aw, look at you being nice.

Sammy Jo:

...I will be nice and do my level best to continue being your favorite.

Oh, baby, you were't ever my favorite.

Dewdrop!

Sammy Jo:

I resent that, Momma.

Resent it all you like, I don't mean to be unkind,

but I will never let you girls know which one's my favorite.

(Dewey Jr. enters)

There's my favorite boy!

Dewey Jr.:

There ain't nothin' good on the TV.

Entertain your sister for a little while.  This place is gonna be busier than Big Star on Triple coupon day here directly and I need to go get ready.

(Dorothy exits into the house)

....  Uncle Dub:

Yeah.  Death puts such a strain on a family.

(Dorothy enters)

Dub. You're here.

I didn't expect to see you 'til the service.

Dub:

Dorothy.  I'm so sorry.

Yes.

Dub:

My brother was a good man.

Yes, he was.

Dub:

And I know he'd want me to help you through.

We're doing fine so far on our own, Dub.

Dub:

Dorothy, you may be doing fine now but you can't expect that to last, can you?

I imagine I will get there but right now it is what it is.  I got my family with me. 

(Dewey Jr. enters with another casserole.)

Dewey Jr.:

...I'll tell you what, if I'm not eating Rudolph, I'm sure not eathing Thumper.

First it was Rudolph, and now it's Thumper.  Thank heavens Dewey Sr. never let him watch that Babe the pig movie.

Dub:

Didja hear I'm introducing a proclamation in City Counsel for Dewey.

My husband never needed to be recognized for the good work he did.  He felt just fine about it on his own.

Dub:

There's a couple three things need to be ironed out

Sammy Jo:

Like what?

If it's important I'm sure Attie will mention it tonight when he drops of Harlene.

Sammy Jo:

He's picking her up at the airport?

Why didn't you tell me?

Why would I have told you that?

Dub:

Your granddaddy had some real interesting ideas about land.

Dub, what are you talking about?

Dub:

Did Dewey not tell you?

Not tell me what?

Dub:

Let Atticus be the one to explain it.  He'll help it all make sense.

No, I think you'd better tell me now.

Dub:

Those are my daddy's last wishes all notarized.  Ad I'm gonna aide by them if I can.

Sammy Jo:

We'll see about that.

Sammy Jo, now is not the time or the place.

Dub, I think it'd be best if you left now.

Dub:

Dorothy, I really do want to help.

I'm being as nice as I possibly can.

Trust me, it'd be best if you left now.