25 November
So last night was the closing. The show was great, I watched it thinking, "This is the last time I get to see this moment. And this one. And this one."
After the show was over, we had to strike immediately, and something about that tearing down of the set the second the applause started, and rushing around and taking the stove downtown made me feel very apart from the moment and very apart from the cast. I gave them the tapes that I had made, and they were all happy, but it was as though I was seeing everyone through the wrong end of a telescope.
I went with Catherine's husband back to the house with all of the furniture, then went back into the city to the bar that I don't like. Moira would have had a stroke if I didn't come, I knew that there was a gift for me, but I really would have given anything not to come.
And there was a gift, money and a business card for a cajun restaurant for Cynthia, Omar and I (they couldn't get a gift certificate) so that we can all have dinner together, which was extremely sweet, and then there was the real reason that they wanted me there, a dramatic reading by Lee of the best of my notes, what Ronnie dubbed "The Fourth Act".
First was some of Winni's best malapropisms:
"In a pig's ear!"
"I'll get a plumber to put in a cold shower."
"Don't serve minor to liquors."
"Ask for their license plates if there's any doubt."
"My parents came here on a banana boat with a grind organ and a papa my monkey had bought in Venezuela."
(and I added the one that she included for closing night, the bird with no legs turned into a bird with no wings--twice, might I add. Poor bird was just this egg-shaped lump of meat, hurtling through the air)
MOIRA: (honorable mention)
"It's her father's moon garden on Wine lake she's turned this room into."
(MOIRA IS THE TALLEST PERSON IN THE CAST.)
KYMM:
"I always have a stage picture. I just don't write it down."
"I'm the director. Do you think I'm not aware of all things at all times?"
"EYEBROWS!!" (Omar)
"Don't snigger. Don't lift your chin. Don't peer. Put your eyebrows DOWN, Omar."
"Don't run like a track star."
"You wandered off-stage like a baby duck." (O)
"You laugh like a girl scout." (O)
"Not so much like a demented typewriter." (Lee)
"Unclasp your fucking hands, Omar."
"You throw it very manfully." (O)
"Shun the whore! Shun the whore and share the phone!" (Moira & Lee)
"He sucks you out with his vortex." (M & L)
"Try to make it sound less like a Martian and I'll be happy."
"Make it more testosteroni, the San Francisco treat." (O) (and yes, I know I stole that from Friends)
"You have to be leaning against his roll of quarters." (Winni)
"Just rub it down her butt." (O)
"STOP THAT!!!!" (Everyone)
"Miss Cutsie Woo. Don't mouth lewd vagrancy. It's very naughty." (Moira)
"Cheat your fucking self out, please." (W)
"JUMP UP! JUMP UP! JUMP UP! When he knocks, JUMP!" (W)
"Just rip it three times. You missed the walk of sexiness." (W)
"If you do it out, keep it out." (O)
"Just mark your territory. Don't pee on him. Just mark your territory." (W)
"Tilt your fucking head, you motherfucker." (O)
"Don't swirl it around so much. It's very pretty, but it doesn't work." (O)
"Then it got really good after he kissed you. Clearly, you needed it." (W)
"Wende, what's that little Fly Girl head move?"
"Stand, stand, stand you stupid bitches!" (M&L)
"Just fold it twice, this is not a show about origami." (W)
"You are not going to sidle across the stage like a crab." (O)
"You're a lying slut." (W)
"Don't cop a feel. Just bring it down." (Kitty)
"Stop doing that, you stupid bitch, it's cheesy and bad."
(Kymm to Lee at the bar)
"You're only doing that because you're an actress. You wouldn't do that if you were a person."
(Kitty to Lee at the bar)
"You're doing that flashlight like you're in the X-files." (W)
"You're not a secret whore." (W)
"Get off the American stage."
"I wouldn't cast Groucho Marx in the role of Val."
And, every minute of every day:
"Omar, this show is all about your cock."
I wouldn't have missed that for anything in the world, that was so funny, but the second it was over, I was back at the wrong end of the telescope again. I just felt so separate, I had to get away. I hate that feeling, that feeling of otherness, and I hate it even worse when I'm in the same room with some of the people that I am closest to in the world. So I went home.
Was it just the show being over? I don't know.
Last time I seen Dr. Johnny I asked him what was the facts about Jabe Torrance's operation in Memphis..."
"If Lady catches 'em at it she'll give those two old maids a touch of her tongue, she's not a dago for nothin'!"
"Well, I wasn't surprised, Jabe Torrance bought that woman!"
"I want Tulane 0370 in New Orleans..."
"They say if you break the heel of your slipper in the morning, it means you'll meet the love of your life before dark..."
"If he ever attempts to stop me again on the highway, I'll shoot it out with him!"
"Come on Uncle, you know it!"
"This is Mr. Valentine Xavier. Mrs. Hamma and Mrs...I'm sorry, Beulah, I never can get your last name!""
"I forgive you, I'm Beulah Binnings!"
"I'm afraid you're locking the stable after the horse is gone!"
"Where's the icebox?" "In the confectionery."
"He's looking for work and I thought I'd introduce her to Lady and Jabe because if Jabe can't work they're going to need somebody to help out in the store."
"Well, c'mon in, y'all, it doesn't look like they're coming straight from the depot anyhow."
"I need a small pair of pliers..."
"You had on that jacket and the snake ring with the ruby eye that I see on your hand now..."
"We followed you through five places before we made contact and I was the one who made contact..."
"You gave me a quick, sober look. I think you nodded slightly, then you picked up your guitar and began to sing..."
"My throat's a little dry..."
"Well, look who's here!" "Well, Jabe!"
"I don't think he's been sick. I think he's been to Miami. Look at the wonderful color in his face!"
"Whew, Jesus, I'm mighty tired..."
"I ain't been out in no sun and if you all will excuse me I'm gonna do my celebrating upstairs because I'm kind of wore out..."
"O Sister, Sister!"
"Speaking of knocks..."
"I'm an exhibitionist! I want to be noticed, seen, heard, felt! I want them to know I'm alive! Don't you want them to know you're alive?"
"I used to be what they call a Christ-bitten reformer. You know what that is? Sort of a benign exhibitionist."
"Now I'm just a lewd vagrant..."
"Alright, I've told you my story, the story of an exhibitionist..."
"Now I want you to do something for me..."
"Just live."
"Simple..."
"You got to go?"
"Play something for me, I'm all unstrung..."
"There wouldn't be no obligation, you'd be doing me a favor!"
"Take a look at it!"
"I've never been in a position where I could turn down something I got for nothing in my life..."
"Why do you want me to stay here?" "I told you why." "For company nights?"
"Yeah, to guard the store nights!" "To be a night watchman?"
Today's
horoscope:
You'd prefer not to change anything, but the choice may be out of your hands. Distinguish yourself by showing how well you can adapt. Leave the publicity angle to those who like to gossip.
One year ago today:
Lesbian siamese-twin incest play. I'll bet I get some strange search-engine hits from that sentence!
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Last Updated Sun 1 December 16:40:09 2002