People Live Here Page 12

  ANNIE: He’s saying your car ran the light, yeah. He doesn’t know if it was you or your brother driving. But he’s sure his light was green.

  LACEY: Well, maybe I should start saying our light was green.

  ANNIE: Except you’ve already told us you don’t remember.

  LACEY: So maybe I do now.

  ANNIE: Do you?

  LACEY: (looking at her first) No. I fucking don’t. But maybe he doesn’t either. Or maybe he’s lying, for Chrissake. Have you thought of that?

  ANNIE: It’s crossed my mind. Look, the investigation at the scene was inconclusive, so –

  LACEY: So why not leave it at that? Call it an accident? Why are you looking for someone to blame?

  ANNIE: Because when your brother Tim died it meant that this became a possible case of vehicular homicide. Unless he was the one driving …

  LACEY: And then it’s … what? Vehicular suicide? Jesus Christ!

  ANNIE: Well, we can’t charge dead people with a crime, can we? So …

  LACEY: So that just leaves me …

  ANNIE: Look, I think you need to rest for a few more days. Why don’t you do that? Rest. Get better. I’ll be back. Okay?

  LACEY: Whatever.

  ANNIE leaves. HARRY comes back in carrying a plumber’s wrench.

  HARRY: I heard all that. Yeah, you’re definitely going to need a witness.

  Blackout.

  SCENE 3

  JAKE is setting the table for dinner. We can hear LACEY from the bathroom.

  JAKE: In the field.

  LACEY: That’s what she said.

  JAKE: With Tim …

  LACEY: Yeah. Both of us. Like I told you.

  JAKE: I just can’t get my head around it.

  LACEY: (appearing) So until you can, are you gonna keep asking me questions about it?

  JAKE: (going into the kitchen) Am I bugging you?

  LACEY: A little.

  JAKE: (returning with a large pot) Maybe you’re just hungry.

  LACEY: (sitting) What’s that?

  JAKE: Pasta. It’s a recipe Marco told me how to make.

  LACEY: What’s in it?

  JAKE: (serving) Tomato sauce. Olives. Onions … Sausage. Plus there’s something I forgot … Maybe sugar. Anyway it looks good, right?

  LACEY: No, it looks gross.

  JAKE: Try it. If you don’t like it, just say so.

  LACEY: (trying it) I don’t like it.

  JAKE: Really? He said everyone likes it. Do you want me to add sugar, just in case?

  LACEY: No, that’s okay. All those ingredients. How much did they cost?

  JAKE: Well the sausage was kind of – Why?

  LACEY: You could have just made potato soup or something to save money.

  JAKE: Can we just for one night not talk about money?

  LACEY: Okay. For one night. But not this night. How are we gonna pay for Tim’s funeral? Five grand. I mean, that’s a lot.

  JAKE: Marco says it’s probably the cheapest we can get away with. It’ll just be a plain coffin. And there won’t be any extras.

  LACEY: What are the “extras”?

  JAKE: I don’t know. But we can’t have them, whatever they are.

  LACEY: Well, as long as they don’t include things like people to dig the hole.

  JAKE: That’s pretty dark, Lacey. You’re worried it’ll be just us digging a hole for him to go into?

  LACEY: It’s probably my pain killers. I’m gonna go off them.

  JAKE: Good plan … Listen, are you totally sure Tim didn’t have life insurance?

  LACEY: He hadn’t even had a job for five years.

  JAKE: Okay, but he sold dope. Maybe he had some cash put away?

  LACEY: He sold a little weed. He wasn’t like the guy down the hall.

  JAKE: You mean Daryl? Yeah, he’s impressive.

  LACEY: Impressive?

  JAKE: I mean successful.

  LACEY: Maybe he’s just lucky. I mean, he’s not following the Commandments, right?

  JAKE: The Commandments? Like, from the Bible?

  LACEY: No. From Biggie Smalls.

  JAKE: Oh. Right. Yeah, because he does it from his apartment. “Never sell crack at a place you’ll be at.” That’s number five, I think. Or are you talking about number four? “Never get high –”

  LACEY: “– on your own supply.” Yeah. So he does both …

  JAKE: Definitely. He’s a risk taker. So you know about them? The Commandments?

  LACEY: Just that one. It sounds like you know them all.

  JAKE: Well, they’re legendary.

  LACEY: You mean for people who sell crack.

  JAKE: Yeah. Or did. Even if it was only part-time.

  LACEY: Part-time as in “not 24-7”?

  JAKE: Yeah. I was never 24-7. (off her bowl) Maybe eat just a little? To get your strength back?

  LACEY: Sure … (taking a mouthful) No. Sorry. Maybe some apple sauce. Or canned peaches.

  JAKE: Okay.

  He heads into the kitchen.

  JAKE: I need to ask you about that field again.

  LACEY: Jesus …

  JAKE: Is it possible in any way that you can think of, or even just imagine, that Tim got you out of that car and then –

  LACEY: He had a broken back, Jake. They told me he was probably killed on impact.

  JAKE: Okay. But … maybe he didn’t know that.

  LACEY: What?

  JAKE: Well, sometimes people are dead and it hasn’t hit them yet. They just act on nerves or something.

  LACEY: You mean like a chicken after its head’s cut off? He wasn’t a fucking chicken, Jake.

  JAKE: I know that. But maybe he was acting like a chicken.

  LACEY: Jesus Christ. What is wrong with you?

  JAKE: I’m scared.

  LACEY: Of what?

  JAKE: That cop for one thing! It sounds like she’s really into finding out how you wound up in that field. And I’m just trying to come up with something that will get her off your back.

  LACEY: Try harder.

  JAKE gets a text.

  JAKE: It’s from Harry. He’s coming up.

  LACEY: Yeah, he’s got a plan.

  JAKE: For what?

  LACEY: I better let him tell you. I’m not sure I totally understand it.

  A knock on the door.

  LACEY: Is that him already?

  JAKE: No. He said he’d be a while.

  JAKE heads to the door. LACEY forces down another mouthful of the pasta dish. JAKE returns with MR. DAVID, a late-forty-ish man in a dark suit and turtleneck.

  JAKE: This man wants to talk to us. He says it’s –

  LACEY: (to MR. DAVID) You’re the guy …

  JAKE: What guy?

  LACEY: In the accident. In the SUV.

  MR. DAVID: So you saw me then?

  LACEY: No. I mean … I guess so. What do you want?

  MR. DAVID: Well a few things, actually. First, I’d like to know how you’re doing.

  LACEY: Okay. How are you doing?

  MR. DAVID: A little dizzy still. But mostly pretty good. Lucky, I guess.

  JAKE: It was more than luck, man. When that thing you were driving plowed into them it musta felt like they were getting hit by a tank.

  MR. DAVID: (to LACEY) Did it?

  LACEY: I don’t remember.

  MR. DAVID: Yes, I was told you were having a problem with that. And the memory hasn’t improved?

  JAKE: Why? You worried she might be able to contradict your story?

  MR. DAVID: No. I’m hoping she can support it. It’s not good having my version of what happened be the only one.

  LACEY: Sorry. Can’t help you.

  JAKE: She can’t even remember how they got in that field.

  MR. DAVID: Excuse me?

  JAKE: They were found in a field beside the intersection.

  LACEY: Do you know anything about that?

  MR. DAVID: I was unconscious. Maybe someone who was passing …

  LACEY: Maybe …r />
  MR. DAVID: Anyway. I feel bad about your car. Bad that I was driving something that could cause that much damage.

  JAKE: And kill her brother.

  MR. DAVID: Yes. Well I can’t do anything about that. I truly wish that I could. But about the car …

  He takes out a cheque and puts it on the table.

  MR. DAVID: That should put you in something … decent.

  (off their looks) No strings. Just wanted to help you in some way … That’s it then. I’ll let myself out.

  He takes in the apartment, smiles a little, then leaves.

  JAKE: Did you see that? The way he smiled when he was taking in our apartment.

  But LACEY is looking at the cheque.

  LACEY: Jesus …

  She hands it to JAKE.

  LACEY: We could buy two of our cars brand new for this.

  JAKE: Maybe three.

  A knock on the door. HARRY enters, carrying a binder.

  HARRY: Your door was unlocked again. That’s no good. If you do that often, try to stop. There are people in this building who never learned the basic rules of how a society should function.

  JAKE: (to LACEY) He means they steal.

  LACEY: (to HARRY) We’ve got nothing worth their time.

  JAKE: She means we decided not to let it freak us out.

  LACEY: People can get desperate. That’s just the way things are.

  HARRY: That’s very compassionate. But also a little soft-headed. Did you think like that before your brain injury?

  JAKE: (to LACEY) What’s he talking about?

  LACEY: Nothing. (off HARRY’s binder) What’s that?

  HARRY: Our petition. We’ll get to that later. But first we have to talk about the witness situation.

  JAKE: You mean the fact that there isn’t one?

  HARRY: Not yet.

  LACEY: That’s his plan. To get a witness.

  JAKE: You mean to find one?

  LACEY: No, to get one. To make one up.

  HARRY: Well, not from scratch. It’ll have to be a real person capable of answering all the questions that’ll be asked.

  LACEY: Like?

  HARRY: Well, why didn’t he or she come forward earlier? It’s gonna be tricky.

  LACEY: And illegal.

  HARRY: But also very satisfying. Because the other guy has to compensate you for all the damage and pain he caused.

  JAKE: He says it wasn’t his fault.

  HARRY: The witness will say otherwise. I’m telling you, he has to pay.

  LACEY: He already has.

  She shows him the cheque.

  HARRY: He sent this?

  JAKE: No. He was just here.

  HARRY: He was? How’d he find out where you live?

  LACEY: Good question.

  HARRY: (off the cheque) So, this is guilt money.

  JAKE: Yeah, but not for the accident. For the size of his vehicle …

  HARRY: He said that?

  JAKE: Kinda …

  HARRY: Okay, it’s a start. But there’s no way you can accept … (off the cheque) … fifty grand as compensation for the death of your beloved brother.

  LACEY: But suppose it really wasn’t his fault.

  HARRY: That will become less and less important as we proceed. Also, from now on, don’t talk to him without having your lawyer present.

  JAKE: We don’t have a lawyer.

  HARRY: Yes, you do. You’re looking at him.

  JAKE: You’re joking?

  HARRY: No, I’m exaggerating. I have no technical right to call myself that since my disbarment. (receiving nothing but stares back) Okay, here it is in a nutshell. I was at a low point in my life, and my only client was a wealthy elderly woman. I was both her lawyer and her chauffeur, and when she died I handled her estate. She had intended to leave all her money to animal shelters in memory of the twenty-six Pomeranians that had so enriched her life, which I think was a fine idea, but not when your young lawyer is struggling to pay his rent or even eat properly.

  LACEY: So you took some of it.

  HARRY: Yes. And when it was discovered, they took away my right to practise my chosen profession. But not, and this is important, my ability to get things done. So, back to the witness issue … and where to find this person. It can’t be anyone close to home.

  JAKE: So, none of the criminals in this building.

  HARRY: We don’t want a criminal, period. We want someone who understands that people like you need to occasionally receive a little justice. Let me mull it over. It’s important to get this right. Because there will be a lot of money involved.

  LACEY: If the guy was heavily insured?

  HARRY: Oh no. We’re not going that route. He won’t publicly admit to being responsible for killing your brother.

  LACEY: Especially if he didn’t do it.

  HARRY: Again, let’s not dwell on that. Besides, that won’t be the issue if he thinks we have someone who says he did do it. Which he might have anyway. Correct?

  JAKE: Yeah. Because we only have his word that he didn’t.

  HARRY: But wealthy people with influence walk away from this kind of thing all the time. Because the authorities, and fuck them all the way to hell for it, go out of their way to exonerate them. (gagging) Excuse me. This kind of injustice fills my mouth with vomit … Speaking of injustice, I want you to sign the petition.

  He opens the binder.

  JAKE: What’s it for?

  HARRY: We’re not getting evicted. No matter what the owners want to do with this place. We’re all staying put. Oh there’s going to be a struggle. But let’s see them try to throw out three hundred people who are vigorously resisting that action. This isn’t just a petition. It’s a declaration of war. Now, are you both going to sign or what?

  LACEY: I am. We’re in no position to find another place to live. First and last month’s rent. The cost of moving …

  JAKE: What are you talking about? We’ve got that guy’s cheque.

  HARRY: No. Sorry. You have to return it. It could look like you’ve accepted a settlement. No wait, you should hold on to it in case our plans turn to shit. But don’t cash it. Under no circumstances, until we’ve exhausted all other options, do you cash it. Okay?

  They look at each other, turn back to him, and nod.

  HARRY: Fantastic. Now back to the witness thing. First off though, any chance I can get a cup of tea?

  JAKE: Coffee okay?

  HARRY: If that’s what you’ve got then that’s what I’m having. Asking for things that people don’t have is something that should definitely be discouraged. It only causes embarrassment. (standing) Mind if I use the bathroom?

  LACEY: Go ahead.

  HARRY leaves.

  JAKE: He could be getting us involved in things we can’t handle.

  LACEY: Suppose we can, though. Suppose we can handle those things and even more. And suppose we wind up with a lot of money.

  JAKE: That’s a lot of supposing.

  LACEY: Yeah. But maybe we should’ve started doing it a long time ago. Supposing things. Instead of just dreaming things.

  HARRY returns.

  HARRY: Got it! We need a communist. A good old-fashioned “let’s redistribute the wealth” totally out-of-her-fucking-mind pinko!

  He gives them an enthusiastic thumbs-up. They return it, quite a bit less sure.

  Blackout.

  SCENE 4

  ANNIE is in the armchair looking at her notebook. LACEY is making her way from the bathroom to the couch.

  ANNIE: How’s the urine?

  LACEY: Sorry?

  ANNIE: Any blood?

  LACEY: No …

  ANNIE: Good. And the output?

  LACEY: It seems to be okay.

  ANNIE: So, it looks like you’re going to be fine then. Now if we can just get that memory back, eh?

  LACEY: Yeah, well, that’ll either happen or it won’t.

  ANNIE: Makes you kind of vulnerable, though. I mean, something could come to light that points us in a cer
tain direction that … leads us to a certain conclusion. And if you’re not able to remember –

  LACEY: Are you fucking with me, Detective?

  ANNIE: Yeah. I am.

  LACEY: Why?

  ANNIE: I was hoping to shake you up, spark something in your memory bank. Look, I’ll be honest with you. If there’s any doubt in this case, the other driver, Mr. David, is almost certain to receive the benefit of that doubt.

  LACEY: So I’ve been told. Why, though?

  ANNIE: Well, in this case it might be because both you and your brother have criminal records.

  LACEY: For things that have nothing to do with driving a car.

  ANNIE: (reading from her notebook) No, but public intoxication, possession of a controlled substance, assault, two failures to appear for him and one for you … they don’t look good when we’re trying to figure out who messed up at that intersection.

  LACEY: Was I drug-tested in the hospital?

  ANNIE: You, the driver of the other vehicle, your brother …

  LACEY: You tested my brother while he was in a coma?

  ANNIE: Procedure. Everyone was clean. So, good on you. For getting yourself sober. But then there’s your husband …

  LACEY: What about him?

  ANNIE: He dealt drugs.

  LACEY: Who told you that?

  ANNIE: Other drug dealers.

  LACEY: He has no record.

  ANNIE: You mean he was never caught. Right. But it still makes it look like your family isn’t exactly law-abiding. And again, if we’re looking to find fault … Now, that won’t mean much if it’s determined that your brother was driving.

  LACEY: Because you can’t jail a dead man. I got that the first time you mentioned it.

  ANNIE: Did you? Good. But on the other hand, if it’s proven that you were driving …

  LACEY: Right. Vehicular manslaughter. Got that, too.

  ANNIE: So, what are the chances?

  LACEY: That I was driving?

  ANNIE: Well, the car was in your name.

  LACEY: Yeah. But he’s the one who used it most of the time. What’s going on here? These visits, these questions that are all kinda the same. It’s like you’re trying to wear me down or something. I mean, I don’t remember anything, so why keep asking?