Buried Child Read Online Free PDF

Tilden's in New Mexico. That's where I was going. I'm going out there to see him. We just stopped off here because it was on the way. (DODGE
turns slowly back to
VINCE.)
    DODGE: Well, you're gonna be disappointed, (VINCE
backs away and joins
SHELLY, DODGE
stares at them.)
    SHELLY: Vince, why don't we spend the night in a motel and come back in the morning? We could have breakfast. A shower. Maybe everything would be different.
    VINCE: Don't be scared. There's nothing to be scared of. He's just old.
    SHELLY: I'm not scared!
    DODGE : You two are not my idea of the perfect couple!
    SHELLY:
(Afterpause.)
Oh really? Why's that?
    VINCE: Shh! Don't aggravate him.
    DODGE: There's something wrong between the two of you. Something not compatible. Like chalk and cheese.
    VINCE: Grandpa, where did Halie go? Maybe we should call her. I don't understand why you're here all by yourself. Isn't anybody looking after you?
    DODGE: What are you talking about? Do you know what you're talking about? Are you just talking for the sake of talking? Lubricating the gums?
    VINCE: I'm just trying to—
    DODGE: Halie is out with her boyfriend. The Right Reverend Dewis. He's not a breeder-man but a man of God. Next best thing, I suppose.
    VINCE: I'm trying to figure out what's going on here!
    DODGE: Good luck.
    VINCE: I expected everything to be different. I mean the same. Like it used to be.
    DODGE: Who are you to expect anything? Who are you supposed to be?
    VINCE: I'm Vince! Your grandson! You've gotta remember me.
    DODGE: Vince. My grandson. That's rich!
    VINCE: Tilden's son.
    DODGE: Tilden's son, Vince. He had
two,
I guess.
    VINCE: TWO? NO look, you haven't seen me for a long time.
    DODGE: When was the last time?
    VINCE: I don't remember exactly. We had a big dinner. A reunion, kind of. Turkey. You made some comment about Dad's fastball. I was a kid, I guess. It was quite a while ago.
    DODGE : You don't remember?
    VINCE: NO. Not really. I mean—we were all sitting at the table. All of us—and you and Bradley were making fun of Dad's fastball. And—
    DODGE : You don't remember. How am I supposed to remember if you don't?
    VINCE: I remember being there. I just don't remember the details.
    SHELLY: Vince, come on. This isn't going to work out. I've got a strong feeling.
    VINCE:
(To
SHELLY.) Just take it easy.
    SHELLY: I'm taking it easy! He doesn't even know who you are!
    VINCE:
(Crossing to
DODGE.) Of course he knows who I am. He's just tired or something. Grandpa, look—I don't know what's happened here, but—
    DODGE: Stay where you are! Keep your distance! (VINCE
stops. Looks back at
SHELLY
then to
DODGE.)
    SHELLY: Vince, this is really making me nervous. I mean he doesn't even want us here. He doesn't even like us.
    DODGE: She's a beautiful girl.
    VINCE: Thanks.
    DODGE: Very “fetching,” as they used to say.
    SHELLY: Oh my God.
    DODGE: (
To
SHELLY.) What's your name, girlie girl?
    SHELLY: Shelly.
    DODGE: Shelly. That's a man's name, isn't it?
    SHELLY: Not in this case.
    DODGE:
(To
VINCE.) She's a smart-ass too.
    SHELLY: Vince! Can we go?
    VINCE: Grandpa, look—look at me for a second. Try to remember my face.
    DODGE: She wants to go. She just got here and she wants to go. Itchy.
    VINCE: This is kind of strange for her. I mean, it's strange enough for me—
    DODGE: She'll get used to it.
(To
SHELLY.) What part of the country do you hail from, girlie?
    SHELLY: Originally?
    DODGE: That's right. Originally. At the very start.
    SHELLY: LA.
    DODGE: LA. Stupid country.
    SHELLY: I can't stand this, Vince! This is really unbelievable!
    DODGE: It's stupid! LA is stupid! So is Florida. All those Sunshine States. They're all stupid! Do you know why they're stupid?
    SHELLY: Illuminate me.
    VINCE: Shelly. Don't!
    DODGE: I'll tell you why. Because they're full of smart-asses! That's why. (SHELLY
turns her back to
DODGE,
crosses to staircase and sits on bottom step. To
VINCE.) NOW she's insulted.
    SHELLY: Vince?
    DODGE: She's insulted! Look at her!