Conversation
Rough Draft:

  "Life Is Good"

"Honey, I'm home."
          the door closes behind him
                     the smell of spaghetti sauce fills his nostrils
                              son and daughter greet his arrival

"In the kitchen, Hun."
          sauce spoon in hand
                    patterned smock, tight around her waist
                              love songs from the radio

Life is good.

"I got an oil change this afternoon.
The bastard stripped the oil pan nut.
Six-fifty for a new one.  Six-fifty for a new one!
Should have stripped HIS nut."

"Heather received a D on her spelling test.
Michael scraped his knee pretty bad.
Two bandages he needed.  Two bandages he needed.
Told them to ignore the pain or they'd make it worse."

"Where's the mail."
          glances at the counter top
                    looks near his chair
                             picks up the paper

"I looked at the phone bill today."
          stirs the sauce
                    hand on her waist
                              light from the window, streams

Life is good.

"Damn Lakers!"
When's dinner ready?
There's nothing on tonight.  There's nothing on tonight!
We need HBO.

"I didn't recognize some of these numbers.
I called a couple to see whose they were.
I was a little surprised.  I was a little surprised.
We need to talk."

"Can you believe Clinton?"
          turns the page as the TV shouts
                    adjusts his chair-arm cover falls off
                              picks it up

"What were you thinking?"
          slowly taps her foot-a nervous click
                    reaches for the basil
                              wipes her brow with a towel

Life is good.

"Can you believe Clinton?
I swear to god . . . if I have to pay more taxes next year . . .
Is there anything to drink?  Is there anything to drink!
Where's the channel changer?"

"I know what's going on, and who she is.
How long have you been seeing her?
Didn't you consider the kids?  Didn't you consider the kids!
What about me."

"You're crazy.  Can I just RELAX when I come home?"
          throws the paper down
                    turns up the volume
                              focuses on the TV

"Why do you hate AND ignore me."
          slams down the basil
                    picks up a knife
                              tears fill her eyes

Life is good.

"I don't think I hate you and I'm not ignoring your pain.
You're jumping to conclusions.
I'm tired.  I'm tired.
Can we talk later?"

"You can call me at my parents house.
Did you even notice the kids today?
Heather received a D on her spelling test; Michael scraped his knee.
Told them to ignore the pain or they'd make it worse.
I told them to ignore the pain."

©2000 James Olmos