The Trip
 
CAST OF CHARACTERS
 
PETER-24 year old business executive. He and Renee have
been married for a little 

over a year.
 
RENEE-23 year old high school teacher.
 
MONA
 
Renee's 46 year old mother
 
HITCHHIKER -Hitchhiker that Peter and Renee run across on
their trip.
 
COP-Police officer that pulls Peter and Renee over for
speeding.
 
THE TIME
 
Present. A pleasant summer day.
 
THE PLACE
 
Peter and Renee's car.
 
A car rests in the middle of the stage. Luggage and other
bags are packed behind 

the seats to give the impression of a fully-loaded car
about to be taken on a 

road trip..
 
AT RISE 

Peter and Renee are loading bags into their car. They have
loaded most of the
 
bags and are almost ready to take off. Peter enters from
stage right carrying 

a large suitcase and will attempt to jam it into the back
of the car. Renee 

is trying to move bags around in the back in order to make
room for the 

suitcase.
 
PETER 

(struggling to carry the bag... speaks in a strained voice)
 
Jesus Christ on steroids! What do you have in here, woman?
Rocks?
 
RENEE (sarcastic )
 
Yeah, I packed some slate to take with us to Omaha.
(normal) Come on, there's only
 
some clothes and shoes in there. Don't tell me the bag is
too heavy for you! What are you, a
 
wimp or something?
 
PETER
 
(trying to lift the bag higher off the ground... even more
strained)
 
N--no, I... can handle it. (finally reaches the back of the
car, lets the bag drop to the ground...
 
lets out a sigh of relief) You said you had shoes in here,
right? (Renee nods) As in, more than
 
one pair of shoes? (Renee nods again) How many pairs of
shoes do you need? We're only going
 
to be there for four days!
 
RENEE (almost condescending)
 
Peter, you should know by now that, as a sophisticated
woman, I need different shoes to go with
 
my different outfits. There is nothing worse than wearing
shoes that the rest of your outfit doesn't
 
go with
 
PETER
 
(muttering under his breath)
 
Unless it's ending your sentence with a preposition.
 
RENEE
 
(does not hear what Peter said)
 
What was that, Peter? I didn't quite hear you.
 
PETER
 
(lifting the bag from the ground and trying to wedge it
into the back of the car)
 
uh... I was just saying... (gets the bag into the back of
the car) that you surely couldn't teach your
 
English class wearing mismatched attire.
 
RENEE
 
Quite true. I'm already subjected to an amazing amount of
ridicule in that classroom. All I need
 
to do is give my students more ammunition. I can only
imagine what names they already have for
 
me.
 
(Peter and Renee walk to the front of the car)
 
PETER
 
I doubt they have any really bad names for you, Renee. From
what I've seen and heard, you're
 
one of the students' most favoritest English teachers.
(grins)
 
RENEE
 
Hey, buddy, watch your superlatives! (both laugh) Thanks
for the vote of confidence, but I'm
 
sure some students don't like me.
 
PETER
 
Only the dumb ones, Renee. Only the dumb ones. (pause)
Well, Mrs. Superlative, whenever you
 
are ready to leave, we can go.
 
RENEE
 
smiles)
 
Do you have your clothes for Friday?
 
PETER
 
Yes, I packed that suit you told me to bring. 
 
RENEE
 
And the shoes?
 
PETER
 
Yes, and the shoes. Can we go now?
 
RENEE
 
Did you grab the gift?
 
PETER
 
(becoming a little annoyed)
 
Yes I did. Anything else?
 
RENEE
 
Did you lock the house?
 
PETER
 
Yes, I locked the house. (sarcastically) I also made sure
that the stove was turned on and that
 
the water was running in the bathtub. Now, can we go?
(smiles)
 
RENEE
 
You don't need to get snippy about it. Yes, we can go now.
 
(Renee and Peter sit in the car seats as if they are on the
road. Peter is driving. About an hour
 
has passed since they have left their house.)
 
RENEE
 
How long have we been on the road?
 
PETER
 
(looking at his watch)
 
Uh... it looks like we've been gone for an hour and ten
minutes.
 
RENEE
 
So, how much longer?
 
PETER
 
How many times will you have to go to the bathroom?
 
RENEE
 
Puh-leez! You are the one with the transparent bladder. If
we stop, it'll be for you, not for me.
 
PETER
 
Well, then I'd say we have another ten hours. Give or take
an hour. We are making pretty good
 
time right now. When do you want to stop for lunch?
 
RENEE
 
Don't tell me you are hungry already! We just ate before we
left the house.
 
PETER
 
I could eat now, but I can wait, too. Just let me know when
you want to eat. (pause) So, do
 
you know exactly how to get to your mother's house once we
get to Omaha?
 
RENEE
 
I've never been to her new house, so I'm not really sure. I
think I basically know how to get
 
there.
 
PETER
 
(sarcastic)
 
Well, I'm sooo looking forward to visiting with your
mother. Especially after the anniversary card
 
she sent us.
 
RENEE
 
Come on. That card was a joke.
 
PETER
 
Well, I don't think a "Get Well Soon Card" on our first
anniversary is a very funny joke. Besides I
 
don't think your mom has a sense of humor. If she did have
one, I think she traded it in and got a
 
really good deal on lessons on "how to be a bitch." 
 
RENEE
 
Peter! 
 
PETER
 
What? You know I'm right. (silence as they look at each
other for a few seconds) Anyway,
 
once we get to Omaha and I get the lay of the land, I'm
sure we'll have no problem finding your
 
mom's house.
 
RENEE
 
(still a little angry)
 
We'll see about that.
 
PETER
 
(trying to lighten the situation)
 
You doubt my navigational skills? You know they used to
call me the human compass in college.
 
RENEE
 
I thought that was because your head was always spinning
from being drunk. (both smile, pause;
 
Renee sniffs the air) Hey, Peter, do you smell bacon?
 
PETER
 
(becomes alert, looks around, sees the flashing lights and
begins to pull over)
 
Where? Damn! (holds his breath) Jesus Christ with a radar
gun! Great, this is all I need!
 
(Peter brings the car to a stop and they wait for the
officer to join them at the window)
 
RENEE
 
How fast were you going?
 
PETER
 
I don't know. I think when I started slowing down we were
doing over 80. (pause) Maybe if
 
you show some cleavage, he'll let us go with a warning.
 
RENEE
 
Peter! I can't believe you.
 
PETER
 
What?!? I've seen it work before. Besides, it can't hurt to
try. Just do it. Hurry up. I think he's
 
about to get out of his car.
 
(Renee unbuttons a few of the buttons on her blouse)
 
PETER
 
Here he comes. Let me do all the talking.
 
(Peter rolls down the window and the officer slowly
approaches. The officer is looking intently
 
at Peter and Renee to make sure neither has a weapon of
some sort. He finally reaches the
 
window.)
 
COP
 
Hello, sir. Do you know how fast you were going back there?
 
PETER
 
Not fast enough to pass through here before you started
your patrol?
 
COP
 
Pretty good, sir. I don't believe I've heard that one
before. However, you were speeding. First, I
 
clocked you at 84, then I clocked you again at 86, and when
you passed me -- I imagine you had
 
seen me by then -- you were down to 78. I still have the
speeds locked on my radar gun if you'd
 
like to see them. 
 
PETER
 
No, that is okay. I trust you.
 
COP
 
Well, sir, I'm sure you are aware that the legal speed is
65 miles per hour. I'm going to need to
 
see your license. (Peter hands the cop his license, the cop
examines it) So where are you and the
 
young lady off to in such a hurry, Mr. Jacob's?
 
PETER
 
We are on our way to Omaha, officer ... (waits for the cop
to offer his name)
 
COP
 
Parkerson. Officer Parkerson, but you can read that on the
bottom of this ticket. (hands Peter a
 
piece of paper) marked the ticket at 78 miles per hour, but
the next officer may not be as lenient
 
as me. I'd recommend sticking to the legal speed, Mr.
Jacob's. (hands Peter his license)
 
PETER
 
Good advice, Officer Parkerson. 
 
COP
 
Well, be careful pulling out of here. Most of the cars
along here are going at least 55 miles per
 
hour and it may be difficult merging back into traffic.
 
PETER
 
Thank you, Officer Parkerson. Have a nice day.
 
COP
 
I will try. Oh, by the way, nice cleavage, ma'am. However,
I'm gay. So long.
 
(Officer Parkerson heads back to his car. Renee buttons her
blouse again. Peter rolls up his
 
window and hands the ticket to Renee.)
 
PETER
 
(raises hands>)
 
He's gay!?
 
RENEE
 
(raises hands)
 
You said "Have a nice day"?!?
 
Peter
 
I would have never guessed that he was a Homo.
 
RENEE
 
The man gives you a... (looks at the ticket) 185 dollar
ticket and you tell him to have a nice day?!?
 
PETER
 
Hell, I would have taken off my shirt if I knew he was gay!
 
RENEE 

185 dollars!! How are we going to pay that? 
 
PETER
 
(hears Renee)
 
How much is it?
 
RENEE
 
One hundred and eighty five dollars.
 
PETER
 
Jesus Christ without a savings account! Where are we going
to get that money? We spent all our
 
savings on this damn trip! (pause) Maybe your mom will loan
it to us. Yeah, we can probably
 
talk your mom into giving us the money, right? I mean, it
was her idea for us to make this damn
 
trip... she better give us a loan.
 
RENEE
 
Well, you were the one speeding, so I think you are the one
that needs to ask her.
 
PETER
 
But you are her daughter. And like she is really going to
loan me any money. She'll probably
 
laugh in my face. You ask her.
 
RENEE
 
You are probably right. I'll ask her, but I don't know what
she'll say. I know she has the money... 

I suppose we could make up some story about how we need it
to make some repairs on the
 
house. Yeah, I think she'd buy that story.
 
PETER
 
When you have the story figured out let me know so that I
can back you up.
 
RENEE
 
You make it sound like such a conspiracy.
 
(About four hours have passed. Renee is now driving. Peter
is asleep in the passenger seat)
 
RENEE
 
Peter. (no response; a little louder) Peter. (again no
response; shakes Peter) Peter.
 
PETER
 
(groggy)
 
Wh... what? Why did you wake me?
 
RENEE
 
I'm hungry. I wanted to see if you were ready to stop for
lunch.
 
PETER
 
(rubbing his eyes)
 
Sure, whatever you want, honey.
 
RENEE
 
I think there is a rest stop coming up in about 10 or 15
miles. You packed the cooler with lunch
 
stuff, didn't you?
 
PETER
 
Do you honestly think that I'd forget the food? Come on. I
might forget my clothes, but I would
 
never forget the food.
 
RENEE
 
I know.
 
(Hitchhiker walks on stage. Slowly walks past the side of
the car as if the car is passing him. He
 
is very dirty -- he obviously needs a shower and some new
clothes. He walks past the car and
 
continues off stage)
 
RENEE
 
(seeing the hitchhiker) >
 
Have you ever picked up a hitchhiker?
 
PETER
 
No. Have you?
 
RENEE
 
Never. Maybe we should do it.
 
PETER
 
(looking at the back seat)
 
Have you noticed the back seat? Where would he sit?.
 
RENEE
 
At the rest stop we could reorganize to make some room.
 
PETER
 
Tell you what... You reorganize and we'll see about picking
up someone later.
 
RENEE
 
Okay.
 
PETER
 
(pointing at the sign outside)
 
Look, the sign says rest area 5 miles. I'm really hungry.
 
RENEE
 
You are always hungry! You remind me of Jughead!
 
PETER
 
Huh?.
 
RENEE
 
You know, Jughead, from the Archie comics... He used to
always eat all those hamburgers and
 
still be hungry. You remind me of him. You eat and five
minutes later you say you're hungry
 
again.
 
PETER
 
Jesus Christ with a random thought! Where the hell did you
pull that from?
 
RENEE
 
First, don't end your sentences with a preposition. And to
answer your question, I used to read
 
bathroom. I'd sneak a few into my
 
room at night and read them by flashlight. Didn't you ever
read Archie comics?
 
PETER
 
Sure, I did. But I don't really remember Jughead eating
hamburgers. Besides, if I remember
 
correctly, Jughead was kinda geeky. Are you saying that I
remind you of a geek? (smiles)
 
RENEE
 
No. Your appetite reminds my of Jughead's appetite. And
just because he never dated Betty or
 
Veronica doesn't mean he was geeky.
 
PETER
 
(points ahead of the car)
 
Oh look, it's the ramp for the rest area. It looks like
we'll have to drop this conversation and eat 

lunch. And I was so hoping we could continue this...
 
(Renee brings the car to a stop; they both get out and
stretch as if they had been in the car for an
 
extended period of time. Renee goes to the back of the car
and starts moving some bags
 
around)
 
RENEE
 
Peter, what kind of sandwich do you want? Wait, let me
guess -- peanut butter and jelly!
 
PETER
 
You read my mind. I'm going to go to the bathroom. I'll be
back in a little bit.
 
RENEE
 
See ya! 
 
(Peter walks off. Renee brings a cooler from the back of
the car and sets it on the
 
ground. Next, she brings out a family size jar of peanut
butter and sets it on the ground. She
 
sits next to the cooler and starts making sandwiches. When
she finished making three sandwiches she goes to the car
and starts rearranging the baggage in the back seat. When
Peter returns, she has almost finished moving all the bags
around)
 
PETER >
 
Whew! I feel a lot better. If you want to go to the
bathroom, I'll watch the stuff.
 
RENEE
 
Okay. I didn't know how many sandwiches you'd want. I made
one for me and two for you.
 
PETER
 
I'll probably want a third, but I'll make it. Go ahead and
empty your bladder.
 
(Renee walks off. Peter moves to the back seat of the car
and finishes rearranging
 
the bags. Peter finishes eating his first sandwich. He
starts to make another sandwich. He lifts the jar of
 
peanut butter and stares at it for a minute. Then he makes
the sandwich. By the time
 
he has finished making the sandwich, Renee has returned)
 
RENEE
 
So, how much longer do we have?
 
PETER
 
I'd say we have another 6 hours. Assuming we don't get
pulled over again...
 
RENEE
 
Don't look at me, Speedy Gonzalez! I'm not the one with a
lead foot.
 
PETER
 
Very funny. 
 
(Renee grabs her sandwich and starts eating; Peter starts
eating his second sandwich)
 
PETER
 
Explain to me again who is getting married.
 
RENEE
 
Well, Rod and Toni are getting married on Friday. Rod's
father was my dad's wartime buddy. 

Anyway, Rod and I used to play together when we were in
junior high. I haven't seen him in
 
about seven years. Mom got an invitation to the wedding and
thought I'd want to go.
 
PETER
 
Is your mom going to the wedding too? I don't want to sit
next to her.
 
RENEE
 
I don't know if she is going. I never asked. If she does
go, I'll sit next to her.
 
PETER
 
Good. Hey, these sandwiches were really good. Do you want
another?
 
RENEE >
 
No, I'm fine. But have another sandwich if you are still
hungry.
 
PETER
 
I think I'll do that.
 
(Peter makes another sandwich. After he is finished, Renee
starts to clean up and put things
 
back into the car.)
 
PETER
 
Do you want any help?
 
RENEE
 
No. But you can drive when we start back on the road.
 
PETER
 
Okay. 
 
(Renee finishes putting away the cooler and the jar of
peanut butter)
 
RENEE
 
Here's the story I have for my mom.
 
PETER
 
(Pushes his ears forward with his hands.)
 
I'm all ears.
 
RENEE
 
I'll tell her that we are painting the baby room and that
we need about $250 to buy paint and
 
equipment.
 
PETER
 
Didn't we already paint that room?
 
RENEE
 
Yes, but the point is that my mom doesn't know that. She
wants a grandchild so bad she'd
 
probably go through the labor herself. I think she'll pitch
in the money if we tell her we're using it
 
for the baby's room.
 
PETER
 
You are so callous, Renee... I like that. I think that
story will work. Unless your mom is still
 
upset that I'll be the father of the child.
 
RENEE 

I think you are just paranoid. My mom might not totally
like you, but she respects my choices.
 
PETER
 
Yeah, well I think she said it best at our wedding, "Peter,
I don't think you are good enough to be
 
in the same room as my daughter. (fake enthusiasm) Welcome
to the family." I don't think I'm
 
being paranoid. Your mom just doesn't like me.
 
(Renee goes to the passenger side of the car and sits in
the seat. Peter sits on the driver's side,
 
finishing his sandwich.)
 
(Peter starts the car and they leave the rest area)
 
RENEE
 
So, be on the lookout for a hitchhiker.
 
PETER
 
You are kidding right?
 
RENEE
 
No. You said if we made some room in the back seat, we
could pick up a hitchhiker.
 
PETER
 
Oh, sure. So we can be killed! I didn't think you were
serious.
 
RENEE >
 
Peter, I seriously doubt anyone is going to try and kill us.
 
(Same hitchhiker we saw before enters the stage and walks
by the car as before)
 
RENEE
 
(points out the window)
 
Look. There's one. Let's stop.
 
PETER
 
No! Look at him. He's all dirty. I'm sure he'd kill us and
take all our stuff. I'm not stopping to
 
pick up a bum.
 
RENEE
 
But you said we could. I can't believe you'd lie to me.
 
PETER
 
Come on, Renee, I didn't lie to you. I'm just looking out
for our best interests.
 
RENEE
 
You call it what you want to. I call it lying.
 
PETER
 
Dammit! Okay, we can get a hitchhiker. But I pick who we
pick up.
 
RENEE
 
(happier)
 
Great. Keep your eyes open.
 
PETER
 
Well, we aren't picking up anyone who looks like that one.
He was too dirty.
 
(A hitchhiker enters the stage. He is clean, but wears
dirty looking
 
clothes.)
 
RENEE
 
(pointing)
 
Look. What about that one?
 
PETER
 
Him? His hair is too long.
 
RENEE
 
What?!? You think someone is going to kill us because he
has long hair?
 
PETER
 
You agreed to let me pick, didn't you?
 
RENEE
 
Yes. Are you going to let us pick anyone up?
 
PETER
 
If I see the right guy...
 
(Bikini-clad woman enters the stage. Follows the same
ritual as the hitchhiker -- walking by the
 
car)
 
PETER
 
Or chickie... (smiles)
 
RENEE
 
Don't even think about it mister!
 
PETER
 
Oh, come on! I say we pick her up.
 
RENEE
 
Pick her up and say goodbye to me.
 
PETER
 
Who are you again?
 
RENEE
 
(punching Peter in the arm)
 
I was your wife. 
 
PETER
 
(laughing)
 
Well, don't say that I never offered to pick up a
hitchhiker.
 
RENEE
 
(laughing)
 
She doesn't count.
 
(Another hitchhiker enters. This time the hitchhiker has
shorter hair.)
 
RENEE
 
(pointing)
 
Look, this one has short hair. What do you think?
 
PETER
 
Look at the clothes. Do you want those clothes sitting in
our back seat? I don't.
 
RENEE
 
Good point.
 
PETER
 
Maybe we should just give up on this hitchhiker thing. I
still don't think it is a good idea.
 
RENEE
 
No, we'll keep looking. We need to live a little.
 
PETER
 
Yeah, but I'd like to live a little LONGER.
 
RENEE
 
You're so paranoid. You watch too much TV.
 
(Hitchhiker enters yet again. This time clean, with short
hair, and dressed in a business suit.)
 
RENEE
 
(pointing)
 
I think we've found one. What problem do you have that one?
 
PETER
 
He's too clean cut. Definitely a serial killer.
 
RENEE
 
What? 
 
PETER
 
A serial killer. Do you want to add your name to his list
of kills?
 
RENEE
 
(frustrated)
 
You're impossible! Forget the whole thing.
 
PETER
 
If you say so.
 
RENEE
 
Hey, do you hear that?
 
PETER
 
What?
 
RENEE
 
It's like a thump-thump. I've heard it for awhile now.
 
PETER
 
Yeah, now I hear it.
 
RENEE
 
What is it?
 
PETER
 
It sounds like we have a flat! I really don't want to
change a flat tire!
 
(Peter slows the car down and pulls over. He gets out of
the car and looks at the back tire)
 
PETER
 
Yep, we definitely have a flat tire. First a speeding
ticket, now a flat tire. What's next?
 
RENEE
 
Well, put the spare tire on, Sparky.
 
PETER
 
I was just about to dig the spare out. And don't call me
Sparky.
 
RENEE
 
Whatever you say, Shakey.
 
(Peter sighs. He drags the spare tire from the back of the
car and starts to work on replacing the
 
flat tire. The well-dressed hitchhiker starts to approach)
 
RENEE
 
Don't look now, but that hitchhiker is walking toward us.
 
PETER
 
Don't say anything. Maybe he'll walk right past us.
 
HITCHHIKER
 
Hey! Do you guys need any help?
 
PETER
 
No, I think we have it under control. Thanks, though. See
you later. Hope you find a ride.
 
(The hitchhiker pulls out his knife.)
 
HITCHHIKER
 
That's nice. It almost makes me regret doing this... (hits
Peter over the head with the handle of
 
his knife; Peter falls to the ground) but I'll still do it.
 
(Renee sees Peter fall. She starts screaming. She starts
running. The hitchhiker chases her. 

They run around the car a few times.)
 
HITCHHIKER
 
Stop running, you bitch! I don't want to hurt you. I just
want your money.
 
(Renee stops; she is on the opposite side of the car where
Peter is; the Hitchhiker slowly
 
approaches her)
 
RENEE
 
(pulls money from her pockets) 

Here, this is all we have. Just leave us alone.
 
(Renee throws the money on the ground. The hitchhiker bends
over to gather the money. Renee
 
kicks him in the head)
 
RENEE
 
Take that you bastard! 
 
(Hitchhiker appears to be knocked out. Renee runs over to
Peter. She looks at his head which is
 
stained with blood. She then goes to the back of the car
and opens the trunk, looking for the first
 
aid kit.)
 
RENEE
 
Damn, I know it's here. Where did the first aid kit go?
 
(Renee finds the kit. Takes it over to Peter. Her back is
turned to where the hitchhiker is. As
 
she is attending Peter, the hitchhiker stands and makes his
way around the car. At the last
 
minute, Renee hears the hitchhiker. She stands and runs.)
 
RENEE
 
Come and get me, you sick bastard!
 
(The hitchhiker looks at Peter and then chases Renee. They
run around the car like before. 

Renee stops on the side of the car opposite to where Peter
is.)
 
RENEE
 
(huffing and puffing)
 
I can't take this anymore. I can't run anymore. Do what you
want to me.
 
(The hitchhiker stops and faces Renee. His back it to the
car. Peter starts to move a little)
 
HITCHHIKER
 
(a little hesitant, remembering what happened last time he
approached Renee)
 
I just want your money. I'm not going to hurt you.
 
(Peter starts to crawl to the back of the car)
 
RENEE
 
(sees that Peter is crawling to the back of the car)
 
What do you want the money for?
 
HITCHHIKER
 
I need to buy some more juice, and I don't have any money.
 
(Peter grabs something from the back of the car. He stands
and sneaks behind the hitchhiker. 

Renee sees him, but does nothing. Peter raises the object
over his head. The action pauses as a
 
spotlight illuminates the object -- a family-sized jar of
Jif peanut butter. Peter smashes the jar
 
over the hitchhiker's head, knocking him out.)
 
RENEE
 
(rushing to Peter)
 
Are you alright? 
 
PETER
 
(hugging Renee)
 
Yes, I'm fine. I think my head's stopped bleeding. What are
we going to do with him? (kicks the
 
hitchhiker)
 
RENEE
 
Just leave him. Finish with the tire and we can just get
back on the road. I doubt he'll wake up
 
before we leave.
 
PETER
 
I don't think we are ever going to make it to Omaha.
 
RENEE
 
What kind of attitude is that? We'll get there and it'll be
relaxing.
 
PETER
 
I don't know what I'm more scared of -- staying with your
mother for four days or staying out
 
here with Billy Bob. (points to the hitchhiker) 
 
RENEE
 
Stop talking and fix the tire.
 
(Peter starts to work on the tire. Renee drags the
hitchhiker's body off the stage. She returns a
 
few seconds later.)
 
PETER
 
Okay, she's already to go.
 
RENEE
 
I'll drive. It looks like we are going to have to clean you
up real well when we get to mom's.
 
(Both climb into the car. Renee in the driver's seat and
Peter in the passenger's seat. About two
 
hours pass.)
 
PETER
 
Are we almost there yet?
 
RENEE
 
The last sign said Omaha is about 135 miles away. I'd say
we have two and half hours until we
 
get there.
 
PETER
 
Wake me up when we get there.
 
RENEE
 
Alright.
 
(About two and a half hours pass)
 
PETER
 
Is this her house? 
 
RENEE
 
This is where the directions say to go. Remember, we are
painting the baby's room and it's going
 
to cost around $250.
 
PETER
 
I hear you. Are you sure you want to lie to your mom? I
mean we've already had so much go
 
wrong on this trip, I'd hate to get thrown out on the
street if she finds out we lied to her.
 
RENEE
 
I hate it when you are right. But you are probably right.
We'll try the truth first.
 
(Renee stops the car. Both Peter and Renee get out of the
car. Mona walks on stage. She is a
 
small, frail woman. She has trouble walking and it looks as
if it takes all her energy just to take
 
one step)
 
MONA
 
Renee, is that you? Are you alright? How's my daughter?
What's wrong with Peter? Did you
 
have to show him who the boss was?
 
RENEE
 
I'm fine, mother. We kinda had a little roadside accident
on the way here.
 
MONA
 
I'd say so! Well, let's take Peter inside and get that gash
cleaned up.
 
MONA
 
So how was the trip?
 
RENEE and PETER
 
Don't ask!
 
RENEE
 
By the way, could we borrow some money...