OVERDOSE - Act I, Scene 1

SETTING: Wally and Paul's trailer in a somewhat trashy living room at night. There are two couches, and a coffee table in the center. The couches are angled in front of a television. WALLY is on one couch with the TV remote while TAMMI is asleep with her head in his lap. PAUL is sitting on the floor in front of the other couch.

PAUL: Get your feet off the table.

WALLY: Why? I ain't got my shoes on.

PAUL: Yeah but your feet are nasty.

WALLY: Damn dude. Sorry.

PAUL: Isn't there anything better on?

TAMMI: (not looking up). No.

WALLY: Oh. Sorry babe. Looked like you were out.

TAMMI: He wants you to turn on the porn channel.

PAUL: Shut up. I do not.

TAMMI: Do too. Why don't you just go into the bathroom if you want to spank it for a while. I'd rather not watch.

PAUL: Oh piss off. Why don't you go home? You don't live here.

WALLY: I'm glad you two are getting along so well.

PAUL: I'm going to start charging you rent.

TAMMI: I don't think so.

WALLY: (Pause.) So you wanna watch some porn or what?

TAMMI: NO! I'm not watching that crap.

PAUL: Ah yes, it shows such a negative view of women. Whatever.

TAMMI: If they had some good looking guys on 'em I'd watch it. But they're all skanky and nasty.

PAUL: Yeah, and you're the perfect poster child for cleanliness.

TAMMI: (sitting up). Get up. I want to do a line.

WALLY: I ain't got no extras right now.

TAMMI: What about that bag you took out of your glove compartment earlier?

WALLY: That's for Stevie. He's coming by tomorrow to get it.

TAMMI: Stevie hasn't paid you from the last time. Why did you tell him he could have more?

WALLY: He says he's got the money, he just can't get to it right now.

TAMMI: What the hell's that supposed to mean?

WALLY: I don't know.

TAMMI: Dammit Wally! Were you born stupid or is it something you picked up along the way.

WALLY: I'll get the money from him.

PAUL: What about the others?

TAMMI: Who else owes you money? Let me guess, Maurice, Johnny Ritter, Ernest ... am I close?

PAUL: Ding ding ding. Tell her what she's won Waldo.

WALLY: Look, they're all good for the money. I don't want to be a dick to my customers and have them pick up and go elsewhere.

TAMMI: Well that's what they're going to do if you let them. You don't even have a number for Johnny.

WALLY: I know where he's staying.

PAUL: Yeah, for now. Joey could kick him out any time.

WALLY: Why would he do that?

PAUL: Because he hasn't been paying rent.

TAMMI: Gee, what a shock. Get the money.

PAUL: Yeah, man. Quit letting those losers walk all over you like that. The longer you let them hold out, the better chance that you'll forget who owes what.

WALLY: I guess I'm just not the aggressive type.

TAMMI: Well you had better learn soon or I'll get it for you. And I won't give it to you.

PAUL: You still talking about the money?

(Enter DERRICK from the outside.)

DERRICK: What's up ladies. Hey Tammi.

WALLY: What are you doing here? Don't you have class tonight?

DERRICK: Got out early. I think Dr. Franklin is dying or something. This is the third week in a row.

DERRICK: Oh, and check this shit out. I'm getting laid off again.

DERRICK: The bank got bought out. They're moving my department out of state.

WALLY: So what are you going to do?

DERRICK: I don't know yet. I may take a semester off school just to find something new. Not like I can afford it anymore.

TAMMI: I wish I had the money to go to college.

PAUL: Really? Barber or clown?

TAMMI: Suck on this, little man. (Gives him the middle finger.)

PAUL: Nah, I know where that finger's been.

WALLY: How long you got?

DERRICK: Thirty days. Plus I'll get two weeks' severance.

PAUL: Damn. Sucks to be you.

DERRICK: So, what's on the porn channel?

(Everybody looks at him.)

WALLY: Don't get her started.

TAMMI: You want something else right now? A different job?

DERRICK: Not from them. All the departments are getting canned eventually.

TAMMI: That's not what I meant. What I said is do you want something right now? If I offered you a job would you take it?

(DERRICK, PAUL, and WALLY burst out laughing at this. TAMMI gives WALLY a look and he stops. The others do not.)

PAUL: I'd get my shots before accepting that position, bud.

TAMMI: Shut up. I'm serious. I think Wally might have a job for you if you are interested.

DERRICK: That's quite all right. I ain't in to that shit. You know that.

WALLY: Yeah I know that. And I don't need any helpers babe. I'm doing fine on my own.

TAMMI: Yeah, giving the shit away. I'm talking about collecting the money. At least he's got some balls.

DERRICK: You been spying on me in the showers again?

TAMMI: If you're lucky. Everybody owes him money. And he never collects. How much is it now?

WALLY: I don't know.

TAMMI: Try about nine thousand dollars.

DERRICK: Geez. How can you let them owe you that kind of money?

WALLY: They're all good for it. I know them all well. They'll get me the money when they get it.

TAMMI: They got it. They just don't want to pay it. You're a pushover and they know it. Come on. Derrick collects the cash for you. You give him a thousand dollars. That sound good?

DERRICK: A thousand dollars?!

WALLY: Woah woah woah. That's a lot of money.

TAMMI: And you're never gonna have it 'cause you're never gonna get it from them. We'll keep the rest of it. We're beginning to run low. They need to pay us now.

PAUL: Why don't you get a job?

WALLY: Nah, I don't really need one.

PAUL: I meant for her.

TAMMI: And what kind of job should I get?

PAUL: I hear Maurice is pimpin' girls again. (He begins to laugh.)

WALLY: Really? I didn't know that.

TAMMI: He's joking idiot.

WALLY: Yeah well ...

TAMMI: Look, Derrick honey, you're not going to have an income very soon, so what's the harm in getting some extra cash to keep you snug until you find something else?

PAUL: I'll do it. Shit, I could use a thousand bucks.

TAMMI: You don't need a job. He does. Besides, I think he's a bit more intimidating than you.

PAUL: And you're more intimidating than both of us so why don't you collect it?

DERRICK: I don't know about this. I really don't want to get involved with drugs.

WALLY: (reluctant). Well, you wouldn't actually be dealing, or even coming near the stuff. I mean, not that I can't do it ...

TAMMI: You can't do it. You're a pussy. You're scared that if you push them for the money, they won't come to you again. I say to hell with it. They're trying to rip you off. This way they'll know they can't do it anymore.

PAUL: You're a lot more intelligent than you look to have figured all this out.

DERRICK: Let me get this straight. I go find these guys, collect what they owe you, and once I get it all, I get a grand. Is that what you're saying?

WALLY: It would actually free up some time for me.

DERRICK: You're sure?

WALLY: (looks at Tammi). Yeah why not.

DERRICK: And I won't touch the stuff at all.

WALLY: That's right.

DERRICK: That wasn't a question Wally. That's a guarantee if you want me to do it.

TAMMI: Just get the cash. And if you want to rough them up while you're at it ...

WALLY: Hey! I don't think so.

DERRICK: Will it be necessary?

PAUL: Probably, knowing who he deals with. I'd bring a gun if I were you.

WALLY: Don't listen to him. You can handle them. Easy.

DERRICK: I'm not handling anyone who's going to shoot me.

TAMMI: He's being stupid. Nobody's going to do that.

WALLY: Right. No way.

TAMMI: So what do you say?

DERRICK: (pause). All right.

DERRICK: Just make up a list of who and where, and give it to me tomorrow.

WALLY: You want to start tomorrow?

DERRICK: No, I'll start next week when I have some free time.

WALLY: Okay, so I'll let you know where you can go and all that.

TAMMI: Write it up now.

DERRICK: No, don't bother. I'm going home. Just wanted to stop by and see what was up for a few.

PAUL: Well it's been fun, but not really.

(Derrick gets up to leave and Wally follows.)

WALLY: Thanks man. I appreciate this.

DERRICK: Yeah, we'll see. Later. (He exits.)

TAMMI: There. Now aren't you glad I'm around?

WALLY: You know it babe.

PAUL: Damn, you're whipped.

WALLY: Huh uh. I'm just into women's rights and all that.

TAMMI: Women's rights?! What the hell is that supposed to mean? I do things 'cause I want to. Don't forget that.

WALLY: Damn babe. Don't get all menopausal on me.

TAMMI: Do you know anything about women?

PAUL: Of course not. He's dating you.

TAMMI: Yeah, he'd learn more if he were dating you. (She begins to exit.)

WALLY: Where are you going?

TAMMI: The bathroom. Is that okay? (She exits.)

PAUL: What's with all the hostility?

WALLY: I don't know. It must be that monthly thing.

PAUL: Yeah, well, she must get it all month long.

(There is a knock at the door. WALLY answers and STEVIE enters.)

STEVIE: Big bad Waldo! How they hangin'? Actually, I don't want to know. Paul! The man, the myth, the legend!

PAUL: Hey hey big man. What brings you to these parts?

STEVIE: Came to see if you got the stuff I asked for.

WALLY: Thought you were coming by tomorrow.

STEVIE: Yeah, well, I got things to do tomorrow.

WALLY: (pulls a bag out of his pocket). Well, here's what I got. It's the best stuff in my collection.

PAUL: It's the only stuff in your collection.

WALLY: It's still the best.

STEVIE: Yeah, that'll do. I'll hit you up with the cash when I get paid. Keep track of what I owe you.

STEVIE: Well, I'm going to go shoot some stick and maybe hook myself up with a nice little honey. Anybody want to come with?

PAUL: I'm set for the night. Gotta be up early tomorrow.

WALLY: Yeah me too. Tammi's here.

STEVIE: Really? Then I had better jet. She don't like me, you know.

WALLY: Sure she does. She just has moods.

STEVIE: Well, tell her I said hey. Later on girls. (He exits.)

PAUL: He'll pay you when he gets paid, huh? What a joke.

TAMMI: Who was that?

WALLY: Stevie came by to get the stuff.

TAMMI: And let me guess, he didn't pay.

PAUL: What gave it away.

WALLY: He said he'll get me the money when he gets paid. And if he doesn't, well, now I got Derrick.

TAMMI: You better hope you have Derrick. Or you'll be broke within a month.

PAUL: If not sooner.

WALLY: Hey, I got it under control. Don't worry.