Reunion and Dark Pony Read Free

the Science Museum?
    We used to be over there every week. See the locomotive . . .
    The steam engines, you remember that?
    You were a beautiful kid.
    You were everything to your mother and me.
    I still got the pictures.
    You want to see how cute you were? You wait here.
    Just sit there.
    You know who took those? Alex took those at his house . . .
    Fourth of July 1950. It was the first year he had his new house.
    You probably don't remember.
    Took them with his Brownie.
    You were crying for some reason, and I said, “Lookat the camera, baby. . . .” I'll be goddamned if I know where those pictures are.
    CAROL : It's okay.
    BERNIE : They're around here somewhere.
    CAROL : It's okay, Bernie.
    BERNIE : But where can they be?
    I look at ‘em constantly. . . .
    You want some coffee?
    CAROL : No, thanks.
    BERNIE : You smoke too much.
    CAROL : I know it.
    BERNIE : Your husband smoke?
    CAROL : Yes.
    BERNIE : Does he tell you to cut down?
    CAROL : Yes.
    BERNIE : They're no good for you.
    CAROL : I know.
    BERNIE : He should set an example.
    CAROL : He's my husband, Bernie, not my father.
    BERNIE : I don't smoke.
    I gave it up.
    When I went on the wagon.
    Did I tell you I'm thinking about getting married again?
    CAROL : No.
    BERNIE : It's not definite. Not yet.
    I'm just thinking.
    Leslie. She works at the restaurant. Gerry met her.
    CAROL : Tell me about her.
    BERNIE : . . . She knows me. I know her.
    I respect her.
    She's a good worker, she knows my past.
    I think she loves me. She's about forty. . . .
    Was married once.
    It's like a habit.
    How would you, you know . . . feel if I got married again?
    Would that . . . do anything to you?
    I realize you don't have a long basis for comparison.
    CAROL : I think it would be good for you.
    BERNIE : You think that, huh?
    CAROL : Yes.
    BERNIE : Of course it wouldn't get in the way of our getting to know each other.
    CAROL : Why are you getting married again?
    BERNIE : . . . Companionship.
    Scene V
    BERNIE : But I'm a happy man now. And I don't use the term loosely.
    I got a good job at the restaurant.
    I've stopped drinking. I'm putting a little money away.
    CAROL : I'm glad to hear it.
    BERNIE : Well, there's nothing wrong with it.
    For the first time in a long time I get a kick out of what I'm doing.
    I enjoy it at work. Everybody knows me. They respect me.
    I spend a lot of time walking. Just walking in the Common.
    After all this time. Not to cadge a drink. Or to get laid.
    Excuse me. . . .
    People always talk about going out to the country or getting back to nature and all the time I say, “Yeah, yeah,” and what does it mean?
    I see the logic of it, but it means nothing to me. Because my entire life I'm looking for a way around.
    Do you know what I mean?
    Like drinking, certainly, or with your mother, or my second wife. . . . Being in debt—there was never a reason for all that money trouble—and changing jobs all the time . . . so what does it get me but dumber and dumber, and I'm a cynic.
    But now . . .
    On the other hand, it's about time—I mean, I'm fifty-three years old. I've spent the majority of my life drinking and, when you come right down to it, being a hateful sonofabitch. . . .
    But you, married. Living well. You live well.
    A nice guy. A fine guy for a husband.
    Going to have . . . maybe . . . kids.
    You shouldn't let it bother you, but you have a lot of possibilities. Don't you feel that?
    CAROL : I do.
    BERNIE : Well, then. The rest is not very important.
    It's for the weaklings.
    No, really. And I like people as much as the next guy.
    It's for the sissies and the drinkers—which I was—who need it.
    Otherwise . . . What have you got to lose?
    Take a chance.
    You got to take your chance for happiness.
    You got to grab it.
    You got to know it and you got to want it.
    And you got to take it.
    Because all the possessions in the world can't take it for you.
    Do you know what I'm talking about? . . .
    It's a fucking jungle out there. And you got to learnthe rules