Lorman, Mississippi Blues

Lorman, Mississippi Blues  
   
Martha  
This ole house feels haunted Larry. I wish I could go out in the pasture and watch the sunrise. But I don’t have the energy. Tonight I feel like going to heaven.  
   
Larry  
Martha you haven’t left the house in thirty years. You look so frail like a ghost of the woman I married. This ole home’s been here since before the civil war. It is a hall of memories. But you can’t live in the past. You need some fresh air. Walk with me out to the porch. The ole grapefruit moon is out.    
   
Martha  
Larry my legs are too weak to carry me out. I’ve been sitting in this easy chair over a decade.    
   
Larry  
Let me help you to bed Martha. You need your rest. Hold my hand and come with me. You know you’ll die soon if you don’t work your heart.    
   
Martha  
I know Larry. But ever since Mama died I don’t have the will to carry on. I suppose this I where I’ll die. We all have to die somewhere.  
   
Larry  
You talk like you’re ready to give up the ghost. Don’t you know there is a future out there. Don’t live in the past. It will swallow you alive.    
   
Martha  
Put me down in Maws bed. I can feel her in the mattress. There now please get me some water.

Larry  
You know I’ll be with you till the end. But I hate seeing you like this. The Lord didn’t mean for folks to go to their grave because their mother did. You’ve mourned too long. Time to let go. But I suppose I’m beating a dead horse.  
   
Martha  
Sleep with me tonight Larry. I need you too. Don’t slumber in the other room.  
   
Larry
Martha you know I can’t do that. We come from the same womb. Rest well honey. If you need anything just holler and I’ll be right here.

Martha
I’m not asking for anything unchristian. I’m too old and crippled for that. Just give me the comfort of a man. Just this one night Larry.

Larry
Martha, Mama would roll in her grave is she heard you.

Martha
Remember that night in the choir loft. I recall it like it was yesterday. You kissed me so sweetly. I felt butterflies all up and down. And then you…

Larry
That is enough Martha! Don’t say another word. None of that ever happened.

Martha
Oh, Larry my stomach got so round and big after that. And then I lost him. Why would God let such a thing happen? Our son. Gone. It makes me cry. Hold me Larry.

Larry
Your mind is playing tricks on you. Go on to sleep now. Dream of bygone days when the pear tree bore fruit.

[The sun rises like an orange over the cow pastures. The rooster crows like a chanticleer to herald the new day.]  
   
Larry    
I’ve got you come fresh eggs this morning Martha. Come to the kitchen and eat them up.  
   
Martha  
Oh Larry couldn’t you serve me breakfast in bed? My legs are weary. I just can’t make one step.  
   
Larry  
Martha if you was to walk across the house it would do you a world of good. If you don’t stretch your legs they’ll shrivel up like dried snap beans.  
   
Martha  
Well I suppose you’re right. Just this once though Larry. I just can’t make it.    
   
Larry  
Martha this is the way it’s been for the last twenty years. We do this same old play every morning. But you know I’ll do it for you baby. I won’t let you down.  
   
Martha  
Larry go out on the porch and check the mail. Be sure to get the newspaper too. Tell me has the stock market picked up since the crash?  
   
Larry  
Martha the depression was over with ten years ago. I keep telling you that.    
   
Martha  
Oh I am so forgetful. I keep having senior moments. Forgive me.    
   
Larry  
Darling you just are forgetful, that’s all. It’s probably from not having a routine. You need to listen to the radio programs. You’d keep your mind active that way. Well I’ll mosey on out and get the paper.    
   
[Larry opens the door and walks into the sea of sunlight. He hears a buzzing out over the fields. Then he spots a small airplane diving down. It makes an emergency landing just past the fence. He runs back in like he’d just seen Jesus second coming.]  
   
Larry  
Martha! A plane just landed in the pasture. You have to see it. We’ve never seen one of those flying machines. Let me carry you out there.  
   
Martha  
Larry, you’re acting like Jesus showed up. Why do I care about one of those little winged machines?  
   
Larry  
Martha, come on. This is reason enough. I’ll carry you the whole way.  
   
Martha  
Well honey, you’ve done convinced me. Pick me up and bring me. I’ve always wanted to see one of those metal dragonflies.    
   
[Larry carries Martha like a baby past the gate and into tan pasture. They approach the little propeller plane.]  
   
Martha  
Hey there mister pilot. Are you alright?    
   
Pilot  
Oh yea. Thank God for this clear stretch of land. Can I use your phone?  
   
Martha  
Of course mister. We’ll give you some sweet tea. You look a little pale.    
   
Pilot  
Well I am a little shook up. But I’ll be fine.  
   
[Larry cradles Martha in the bowl of his arms up and back into the house.]  
   
Larry  
Martha sit with us at the table. We’ll share some eggs with this gentleman.  
   
Martha  
Of course Larry. You know I’d forgotten how refreshing the morning air is. Take me out there again sometime soon.  
   
Larry  
There is nothing better than that dawn air to purge you of your grief. Let’s do it every morning.    
   
Martha  
Oh the pilot is talking on the phone. We’re not in any rush for him to leave. Let’s have company over too from time to time.    
   
Larry  
Martha your skin is glowing. The color is coming back to your face. Have another egg.  
   
Martha  
Don’t mind if I do.