Procession

SISSY:

60s, Paul’s common law wife, alcoholic, once pretty, unemployed

ZELMA:

School teacher, 40s, widow

BOY:

12 year old, son of Zelma

GIRL:

10 year old, daughter of Zelma

FLORENCE:

60s, domestic worker, innovative, opinionated, cousin of Zelma and Paul

MARIE:

60s, domestic worker, sister of Florence, quiet, cousin of Zelma and Paul

REV MAC:

Preacher of local Church, clueless

PAUL:

Deceased, former longshoreman, fell on hard times

Prologue

Kitchen of Zelma’s house—sunny, neat. She and her two children are leaving to visit a distant relative’s “partner.”

ZELMA:

When we get there, be quiet, if she asks if you’re hungry, say no and don’t sit on the toilet seat!

BOY and GIRL:

Yes ma’am!

(They leave.)

Scene One

Paul and Sissy’s house. Low income, rural, Southern neighborhood, a shack.

SISSY:

Ain’t you Ant Fanny’s daughter?

ZELMA:

She’s my aunt.

SISSY:

Oh yes! I seed her once . . . (slurring words) it was over at that Church on Princess Anne . . . (pouring herself a cup of tea)

(Children look at each other and start smiling.)

SISSY:

Y’all want somein to eat? Or drink?

ZELMA:

No thank you.

BOY:

Yes thank you!

ZELMA:

No thank you. (Glares at son)

GIRL:

Can I use your bathroom?

SISSY:

It’s, it’s right over there . . . behind that door . . . (pauses . . . sadly) Paul ain’t left no insurance . . .

ZELMA:

No? I’m so sorry.

SISSY:

Nah (pours hefty amount of Jack Daniels into tea) . . . Nah, we weren’t no “rainy day people”. . .

ZELMA:

I’m so sorry Sissy.

SISSY:

Paul said I could stay in this house and nobody can make me leave . . . nobody.

ZELMA:

Well . . . anyway . . . I wanted to talk to you about the procession. Since Cousin Florence is paying for everything, the cars and all . . . she and Marie want the first three cars . . . you can ride in the 4th car (pause) ok?

SISSY:

HELL NO!!! (standing)

ZELMA:

Please, the children!

SISSY:

Fucking, no! (spills tea)

ZELMA:

But . . .

SISSY:

Honey, I really (slurring) really like you, and you kids (pause) and I knows that’s why them two bitches sent you out here. That Florence think she the Queen Mother just cause she clean up shit in Heritage Park! Me and Paul been man and wife for 20 years or more and jus because we ain’t got the papers don’t mean I ain’t his wife in the sight of God!! I took good care of him—three strokes, a bypass, and a toe amputation—kissed away his last breath! So you can tell Madam Florence and her lackey Mare-re to kiss where I twist!

(Children try to suppress giggling)

ZELMA:

(glares at kids) Now Sissy . . .

SISSY:

I know they shame of me—but I’ll slap the black off the Devil before I get in some damn 4th car!

ZELMA:

Look honey, nobody’s ashamed of you . . . it’s just that Florence got a deal at Chapman’s, and Marie got Rev Mac, so they have all the say so . . .

SISSY:

Yeah . . . they want to put him away for show . . . nice and Christian like . . . but where was they asses when the l’tricity was out, and we ain’t had no food? Where was them Bible thumpin bitches then?

(peals of laughter from children)

ZELMA:

(looks really stern at them)

SISSY:

You ain’t on no high horse Zelma, looking down at the rest of us. Paul would want me up front, and if I ain’t . . .

ZELMA:

(cautiously) Now Sissy . . . I’ll try to work something out . . .

SISSY:

I’m gonna turn that motherfucker out !!

(Zelma and children walk out. Sissy sits down and drinks tea.)

Scene Two

Cousin Florence’s home. Uncomfortably tidy, plastic on everything.

FLORENCE:

That broken down drunk! What the hell did Paul see in her?

ZELMA:

Sissy is really a nice lady. She and Paul fell on hard times . . .

FLORENCE:

Fell hard into a bottle of booze . . . she started him back drinkin! Paul was the last car on her gravy train . . .

ZELMA:

That’s not nice . . . she’s in a bad...