Speedy, Meri & Me Martha Rose Crow

 

ACT 14-CONFLICT

 

THREE-SHOT OF DIVA, SPEEDY AND MERI EATING AT THE TINY TABLE IN THE TINY KITCHEN, EARLY

EVENING. DOORBELL RINGS. EVERYONE LOOKS UP. SPEEDY GOES TO THE FRONT WINDOW AND LOOKS

OUT THE BLINDS. A POLICE OFFICER STANDS OUTSIDE. SPEEDY MOTIONS FOR DIVA AND MERI TO HIDE,

BUT THEN HE LOOKS AGAIN AND MOTIONS THAT IT IS OKAY.

 

DIVA(narrating) Sometimes, when you least expect it, your dreams come true.

 

TWO-SHOT OF SPEEDY AND POLICEMAN TALKING AT THE DOOR. A LITTLE TEN-YEAR OLD AMERICAN

INDIAN BOY WITH A 'FREE PELTIER' T-SHIRT AND LONG, BLACK BRAIDS STANDS WITH THE POLICE MAN.

THE POLICIE IS HOLDING NAKOTA'S BAG AND NAKOTA IS HOLDING A TEDDY BEAR. DIVA SEES HIM AND

WALKS QUICKLY OVER TO HIM.

 

DIVA Nakota?

 

NAK (happily) Grandma?

 

POL(to Speedy) I don't know how he did it, but he found his way to Alkmaar before he started asking directions.

 

DIVA(kissing Nakota) How did you get here? Why didn't anyone tell me you were coming?

 

NAKDaddy died. He died last week and they buried him on the reservation. Ma-ma works two jobs, plus her new boyfriend

doesn't like me. She said she can't take care of me anymore. Her boyfriend works for the airport, so he got me a cheap ticket.

(Holds out ticket-Diva looks at it and sees that it is one-way.)

 

DIVA (upset) Daddy died? Why?

 

NAK He had a heart attack.

 

DIVA(tears) Where were you when this happened? (Meri stands closeby, she knows that Daddy is Diva's husband)

 

NAKI was with him. I called 911, but it was too late.

 

DIVA Why didn't your mother call me before she sent you?

 

NAKShe tried to call you, but she couldn 't get through, so she sent you an e-mail.

 

DIVA(holding Nakota close) I didn't check my e-mail lately. Poor baby! I feel bad that there was no one to pick you up at the

airport! Were you afraid?

 

NAK(shrugging) A lady on the airplane showed me how to buy a ticket and find the train.

 

DIVA(looking at Speedy) I told you my grandson was smart. Ten years old and he already found his way around a foreign

country.

 

DIVA (to policie) I'm sorry about this. There's been a death in my family...

 

POL (to Diva) I heard. So sorry.

 

DIVA(to policie) I raised my grandson from a newborn baby. My husband and I adopted him. I didn't know when or how I

would get a job over here, so I left him in the States until I got on my feet. (Touches Nakota's face) I really missed this little guy.

He's like my baby.

(Diva looks worriedly at Speedy). I still don't have a job yet.

 

SPDY Don't worry, Diva. We'll find a way to take care of him. (Meri nods n agreement).

 

MERI (smiling) Our little family just grew by one . . .

 

POL (patting Nakota on back) I think you will be okay, now.

 

NAK Thank you for helping me.

 

SPDY Be dankt, be dankt (closes door).

 

TWO-SHOT OF SPEEDY AND NAKOTA.

 

SPDY (to Nakota) Are you hungry?

 

NAK (nods shyly) Yes. I ate on the plane, but that was a long time ago.

 

FOUR-SHOT AS EVERYONE GOES TO THE KITCHEN TO EAT. SPEEDY GETS A PLATE FROM THE CUPBOARD

< DT>AND BEGINS TO MAKE NAKOTA A PLATE OF FOOD.

 

DIVAI suppose you are tired, too? (Nakota nods 'yes', Diva looks around the small Dutch house) It's small here, Nakota, but

we'll find room for you.

MERI He can sleep with me on the couch. There's plenty of room.

 

DIVAThat's a good idea. Especially since someone dumped him on a plane and didn't tell me. I know it's hard to phone

someone over here, but they could have tried harder. Oh well . . . (Looks at Nakota) At least he's safe. (To Nakota) You are

really smart. I am glad you knew what to do.

 

THREE-SHOT OF MERI, ME AND NAKOTA. SPEEDY GIVES NAKOTA HIS PLATE OF FOOD AND SITS DOWN

WITH THE THREE.

 

SPDY This is Dutch food. I hope you like it. This is a Dutch meatball with

special juice I make myself. These potatoes are called ardappels. And this is endive.

 

NAK Thank you. (Begins to eat)

 

SPDY (smiling) Do you like Dutch food?

 

NAK (shyly nodding) Yes.

 

CAMERA SLOWLY ZOOMS OUT UNTIL IT STOPS IN A CORNER TO SEE HE FOUR EATING AT THE TABLE IN

THE LITTLE DUTCH KITCHEN.

 

DIVA(narrating) I found out later from Nakota that my husband was angry before he died and that's probably what caused the

heart attack. He was mad because my son Joe didn't mow the lawn because Joe had to work. My husband used to get mad over

the littlest things and I always wondered why he never imploded. He finally did. Anger really will kill you.

 

TWO-SHOT OF MERI AND NAKOTA SLEEPING LIKE BABIES ON THE COUCH.

 

DIVA(narrating) Nakota made hi mself at home. He instantly liked Meri and she liked him the same way.

 

TWO-SHOT OF SPEEDY AND NAKOTA AT DUTCH SCHOOL.

 

DIVA(narrating) Speedy got Nakota enrolled in school and the school made him take language lessons. He started talking

Dutch right away.

 

GROUP SHOT OF NAKOTA IN DUTCH-LANGUAGE CLASS. FACES OF CHILDREN FROM EVERYWHERE IN

THE WORLD. HE'S THE ONLY AMERICAN INDIAN.

 

TWO-SHOT OF SPEEDY AND NAKOTA IN GARAGE. SPEEDY GIVES HIM A LITTLE BOY'S BIKE.

 

DIVA (narrating) Nakota learned fast how to live in Holland.

 

FOUR-SHOT OF SPEEDY, MERI, ME AND NAKOTA RIDING BIKES ALONG CANAL BY ISLAND.

 

DISSOLVE TO ONE-SHOT OF HASHOE STANDING BY A LONG FISHING BOAT IN THE SINGEL.

 

DIVA(narrating) Right after Nakota came to live with us, Hashoe bought a boat. He invited Speedy, Meri, Nakota and me to go

boating with him. Hashoe also brought Frankie.

 

SIX-SHOT OF EVERYONE. FRANKIE AND HASHOE ARE LOADING TWO BOXES OF BEER ON THE BOAT.

 

DIVA(narrating) It was Friday. Everyone knows that during Spring and Summer in Alkmaar, it is Cheese Day.

 

GROUP SHOT OF EVERYONE GETTING OFF THE BOAT BY THE KAAS MUSEUM AND JOINING THE CROWD.

 

DIVA (narrating) Every Friday when it's Cheese Day, these cheese guys dress up in traditional Dutch clothes and bring a giant

cheese in by boat.

 

SHOT OF ALKMAAR CHEESE GUYS BRING IN CHEESE. GROUP SHOT OF NAKOTA AND ADULTS

WATCHING.

 

DIVA (narrating) Then they weigh it with an old-fashioned scale.

  ;

SHOT OF ALKMAAR CHEESE GUYS WEIGHING CHEESE.

 

DIVA(narrating) It's a tradition of this place that goes back to medieval times. Plus the German tourists love it. Afterwards, the

crowd goes by the cheese booths, sampling all kinds of cheese.

 

FOUR-SHOT OF SPEEDY, NAKOTA, DIVA AND MERI WALKING BY SOME OF THE BOOTHS AND SAMPLING

CHEESE.

 

DIVA(narrating) This really is the Cheese Capital of the World. That's because the best cheese in the world is made right here. I

never ate cheese this good in America!

 

SIX-SHOT OF EVERYONE BACK ON BOAT, GOING DOWN SINGEL.

 

DIVA(narrating) We stopped and got ice cream for Nakota.

 

ONE-SHOT OF HASHOE RINGING OLD-FASHIONED BELL FROM HIS BOAT.

THE IJS MAN ABOVE THE SINGEL TAKES ORDER.

 

FULL SHOT OF EVERYONE ON BOAT AS NAKOTA TAKES HIS ICE CREAM FROM HASHOE. THEY START

MOTORING DOWN THE SINGEL WHEN THEY SEE A TOURIST BOAT FULL OF PEOPLE SLOW AT ONE OF

THE LOW BRIDGES BY THE ICE CREAM PLACE. ALL 115 PASSENGERS HAVE TO PRACTICALLY LAY O N

EACH OTHER IN THE FLAT TOUR BOAT SO IT CAN GO UNDER THE BRIDGE WITHOUT ANYONE GETTING

HIT IN THE HEAD.

 

SIX-SHOT OF EVERYONE ON BOAT, GOING DOWN THE NORTH HOLLANDS CANAL. BEAUTIFUL WOODEN

SAILING SHIPS OVER A HUNDRED YEARS OLD PASS BY. PEOPLE WAVE TO HASHOE AS HE GOES BY

DIFFERENT BOATS MOORED CLOSEBY. A BIG ROWBOAT GOES BY AND THE SOUND OF THE DRUM BEATS

FILL THE AIR.

 

DIVA(narrating) Frankie and Hashoe tried to fish, but all Frankie caught was a bike bell

 

ONE-SHOT OF FRANKIE SHAKING THE WATER OUT OF A RUSTY BIKE BELL

 

DIVA (narrating) and the flag of Liberia

 

ONE-SHOT OF FRANKIE REELING IN FLAG OF LIBERIA. IT IS GREY AND DIRTY.

 

DIVA (narrating) Hashoe caught a condom

 

THREE-SHOT OF HASHOE, FRANKIE AND MERI. HASHOE IS LOOKING AT THE CONDOM ON HIS HOOK,

FRANKIE IS WATCHING AND MERI ROLLS HER BIG BROWN EYES.

 

FRAN Hey Hashoe, there's something in it!

 

MERI (to Franki e) No, don't look.

 

FRAN (holds condom up close to his eyes) It's a tampon.

 

MERII warned you not to look. Now all of us know something we really didn't need to know.

 

DIVA(to grandson) Don't you ever swim in this water around here. Understood? (Nakota nods yes)

 

GROUP SHOT OF BOAT GOING TOWARDS ALKMAAR DOWN CANAL.

 

DIVA(narrating) On the way back, Frankie was pretty drunk and took the end of the rope on the boat and used it as a

pretend-drum stick. He started to pretend he was singin g like an Indian.

 

SHOT OF FRANKIE SCREECHING AROUND. NAKOTA AND DIVA LOOK AT EACH OTHER WITH SURPRISE

AND SHOCK. NAKOTA LOOKS UNFORGIVING AT FRANKIE UNTIL FRANKIE SEES HIM.

 

FRAN What's the matter Nakota, don't like to hear Indian singing.

 

NAK That isn't how you do it.

 

FRAN Oh?

 

NAK You don't sing Indian songs like that.

 

FRAN How do you do it, then?

 

DIVA(looking at her grandson) Go ahead, Nakie. Show him. (Looks at Frankie and Hashoe) He knows how to sing Indian. I

always took him

to pow-wows since he was a little baby. (Gives Nakota the stiff end of the rope, he takes it).

 

ONE-SHOT OF NAKOTA BEGINNING TO 'DRUM' ON THE SIDE OF THE BOAT.

 

NAK(singing) whey yah heya, whey yah heya yah (puts hand over his ear and begins to sing in a higher voice)

 

FRAN Hey, that sounds like real Indian singing.

 

MERI He's a real Indian, Frankie.

 

DIVA Well he's one fourth-white although he doesn't look like it.

 

FRANI like it, I like it. Nakota, teach me to sing (takes the other side of the rope and tries to drum with Nakota)

 

DIVA (narrating) My little Indian grandson taught Frankie how to sing a simple Indian song and Frankie had the time of his

life.

 

LONG-SHOT OF HASHOE'S BOAT GOING TOWARDS ALKMAAR. THE SUN IS BEGINNING TO SET AND

FRANKIE'S GERMAN-ACCENTED INDIAN SINGING IS HEARD IN THE HORIZON.

 

FADE TO TWO-SHOT OF DIVA AND MERI PLAYING BACKGAMMON IN THE LIVING ROOM. SPEEDY IS

BEHIND THEM, PICKING UP MAIL FROM THE FLOOR BELOW THE MAIL SLOT IN HIS DOOR.

 

DIVA (narrating) We could feel Speedy's mood before we saw it in his face.

(Speedy's face is very trouble and scared, Meri starts putting the game away although it is half-played).

 

ONE-SHOT OF SPEEDY WALKING TO HIS GARAGE, DIVA FOLLOWS. SPEEDY IS VERY UPSET, CLINCHES

LETTER IN HIS HAND.

 

DIVA What does the letter say?

 

SPDYIt says that I owe back taxes and if I don't pay five thousand euros in ten days that I will lose my house.

 

DIVA Did you know this was coming?

 

SPDY Yes, but I was hoping something would happen.

 

DIVA Like what?

 

SPDY Like a miracle.

 

DIVA Why didn't you tell me?

 

SPDYBecause I was afraid to. I knew that you or Meri couldn't help me and I didn't know what to do. You know I don't make

much money and you know where it all goes.

 

DIVA How about your brother? Will he lend you the money?

 

SPDYI don't know, but I guess I am going to have to ask him. We have Nakota to worry about now and I don't want him to be

homeless.

DIVACan you go in the house and tell Meri what's going on? She's worried about you.

 

SPDYOkay, in a few minutes. (Looks up at the poster of the Kona Primo bike and sighs). I'll never get that bike. I'm forty-one

and by the time I get my bike, I'll be too old to race.

 

DIVAYou're the one who always says that life begins at 40. Have faith. Let's get this problem of taxes solved first and then we

will worry about the bike. If anyone deserved that bike, it's you.

 

TWO-SHOT OF DIVA AND SPEEDY HOLDING EACH OTHER.

 

DIVA(narrating) Speedy went to see his brother Niek who owns the family business.

 

TWO-SHOT OF SPEEDY IN NIEK'S OFFICE. NIEK IS READING SPEEDY'S LETTER.

 

NIEKI'll loan you the money, but you will have to work it off. (Looks at Speedy's Siouxsie and the Banshees t-shirt and jeans

with the knees torn) Do you have any dress clothes?

 

SPDYYou know I don't own those kinds of clothes. I'm not a businessman, that is why father gave you the business and not me.

 

NIEKHe gave you the house we were born in and now you are about to lose it just because you don't want to work a regular job

like some of us have to.

 

SPDYI'm a sportsman. You know how I am. (Looks around office) I have to be outside. I want to make my living riding down

mountains on a bike.

 

NIEK There's no mountains in Alkmaar. Ta ke my offer or leave it.

 

 

 

SPDY(angry) I leave it. I'll find a way to make the money. You know that I have a little boy in my house and I can't let him or

Diva or Meri live on the streets.

 

NIEK Let me know if you change your mind.

 

SPDY I don't think so . . . (Walks out of office angrily and frustrated)

THREE-SHOT OF SPEEDY, MERI AND ME TALKING IN THE LIVING ROOM.

 

SPDYI'm going to have to spit fire. I don't know how else we can raise that kind of money that fa st.

 

DIVA I don't think your mother is going to like it.

 

SPDYI know, but I have to do it. I just don't know how I am going to do it without a partner.

 

MERI I'll spit fire with you if you will teach me.

 

SPDYI could teach you how to spit it, but you are too short and small to be a partner. The flames wouldn't match. But you and

Diva could collect the money for me.

 

DIVA Nakota can collect, too.

 

SPDYThat's a goo d idea. But we need another firespitter, someone as good as Sniper. Where are we going to find someone who

can spit fire that good?

 

DOORBELL RINGS.

 

SPDY(rejectedly) Diva, will you see who's there? I'm too depressed to talk to anyone. Tell them to come back later.

 

ONE-SHOT OF DIVA ANSWERING THE DOOR. A TALL BLACK MAN WITH A BALD HEAD AND GOLD

EARRINGS IN EACH EAR IS STANDING THERE WITH A DUFFLE BAG. HE IS WEARING A HAWAIIAN SHIRT,

SHORTS AND SANDALS.

 

DIVA (ironically wi th surprise) Well speak of the devil. Guess who's coming to Holland for dinner?

 

TWO-SHOT OF SPEEDY AND MERI LOOKING UP AND TOWARDS THE DOOR. THE BLACK MAN WALKS IN.

 

SPDY Sniper? (Races over to hug his friend hard)

 

MERI We were just talking about you . . .

 

SNIP (smiling) I hope it was good.

 

MERI Speedy was just wishing for you.

 

SNIP (big white smile) Maybe he's psychic.

 

MERI No, he's desperate.

 

FOUR-SHOT OF SNIPER, SPEEDY, MERI AND ME DRINKING TEA IN THE LIVING ROOM AND VISITING.

 

DIVA(narrating) Sniper had been living around the world in Hawaii, but his marriage broke up. He decided to move back to

Holland.

 

TWO-SHOT OF SPEEDY AND SNIPER, BOTH OF THEM ARE HAPPY.

 

SNIPI'll spit fire with you again, but no more walking on broken glass to do it. I'm too old for that.

 

SPDY I'm too old for that, too.

 

SNIP I'm glad I can help you out. I need to make some money, too. Besides, it was always fun because we used to be famous,

partied all the time and had all the women we wanted (looks at Diva listening). (Laughs)Of course, I'll get all the women now

that you have your girlfriend.

 

SPDYThat's right. I'm with Diva and she's more women than most women (she smiles). Besides, she's going to be there with us.

She's going to collect with Meri and Nakota.

 

SNIPWe used to have pretty young girls collect for us. Don't you think we should get some young girls for it? (Looks at Meri

and Diva) Sorry, ladies, but people like to give money to younger girls.

 

MERIAre you trying to say we're too old? If we're too old, then you're too old because Diva is only four years older than you.

 

DIVAWhat is this? Men age gracefully and women just turn to hags? (Puts her arm around Meri) We're still beautiful women

and it doesn't take a brain surgeon to collect money. We could perform, too.

 

SPDY You would never learn to spit fire and Meri's too small.

 

DIVABut I can do magick tricks (pulls a coin out of Sniper's ear) and be an announcer. Mer i could tumble, juggle and spit little

fires. Maybe she could dress up like a little elf (Meri gives Diva a dissapproving look). . . Okay, something else. How about a

Jester? Like one of those medievel court clowns? She could have one of those hats with the little bells, wear a costume with

tights and little elf shoes.

 

SPDY Sure, but then she won't look like she's with us.

 

DIVA(thinks for a moment) You could wear a costume, too. You could dress up in Renaissance clothes to match her. (Thinks

again) Come to think of it, all of us could. We could dress up in co stumes. That would get everyone's attention and draw a

crowd. The tourists would love it! We could probably make extra money posing with them, too. I saw on TV that the Vatican

guards get ten euros for posing with tourists. Tourists really dig that medievel look. Everybody digs it. They have Renaissance

Fairs all over America every year. People in America like Renaissance stuff so much that there's a big hotel and casino in Las

Vegas called Excalibur. People come from all over the world just to be part of a medievel dream. Everybody that works at the

hotel wears medievel costumes and in the evening, there's always this sold-out show where knights joust each ot her. Pretty cool

stuff.

 

SNIP I'm not going to look like Romeo. Not my style.

 

MERI You could wear something else from that time like Alladin clothes.

 

DIVA Meri's right. People would like that, too.

 

SNIP Alladin clothes are middle-eastern, not African like me.

 

DIVAI've seen a lot of Black men that are originally from the middle-east. It's just the fantasy. All of us are entertainers here. If

we give people their fantasy, then they will pay us for it. Simple as that.

 

SPDY What are you going to wear?

 

DIVA A medievel sorceress' dress.

 

SPDY You only know one trick.

 

DIVAI know some card tricks, but it's been a long time. I'm sure I'll remember how to do them. I remembered how to ride a

bike, I am sure I will remember how to do the card tricks.

 

SPDY You fell off a bike the first few times you rode it.

 

DIVA(laughing) True, but I can ride a bike now. O kay, you've made your point. I'll just wear a regular medievel dress and do

my little tricks.

 

MERI What about Nakota? What can he be?

 

DIVA He can be a little elf.

 

MERI Will he do it?

 

DIVAHe's a nice boy. He won't like it, but he'll do it to be helpful. Especially if we give him a little money for it.

 

SPDY I'll have to think about it for awhile.

 

SNIPDiva has a good idea. It would attract a crowd and it would be fu n. I went to a Renaissance Festival in California and Diva

is right about people liking clothes from that period. They would also look good against the old buildings.

 

DIVA You had better think fast. The clock is ticking.

 

SPDY Are you talking about me wearing tights and having one of those big cups on the front?

 

DIVA How do you want to pee?

 

SPDYThrough a fly like other guys. If Hashoe and the boys ever saw me like that, they would tease me forever. I've got to live

here, you know.

 

MERIYou would be laughing all the way to the bank. Besides, people have respect for entertainers who can make people smile.

 

SPDY Okay. More about this costume. What if I have to take a gaka? There's no cups in the back for that.

 

DIVAYou had better hope that don't have to gaka. Sliding tights down your sticky, sweaty ass on a hot summer day can be a real

bitch. Ask me or Meri (Meri nods). We're women. We know these things.

 

SPDY(puts hand to his head) Aye! All I wanted to do is spit some fire to pay my taxes and now you are turning it into a circus.

 < /DT>

DIVA You would make more money by giving people their fantasies. People really like this stuff.

 

SNIPI need all the extra money I can get. I need money for a flat and other things.

 

SPDY How do we get the costumes?

 

DIVAWe'll get the patterns off the Internet. I'll get my friend Karin to help us. She's a seamstress and she has a lot of extra

material laying around. She would probably sell it to us cheap.

 

SPDY What about the tights? You can't make them.

 

DIVAWe would get them at a tall and big women's store. We'll figure it out.

 

DISSOLVE TO NEXT SCENE.

 

 

 

 

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