radium girls - scene (mrs. fryer) - theater iii cabaret

first line

(to vent) while crossing from stage right to middle and picking up plates Thirty five dollars a week and she quits the place.

Tom: More to life than money.

(to disprove) while crossing to left and picking up plate That's what ya say when you’re young, Tom. But you’n Grace get to be my age—with a house fulla yer kids underfoot. You’ll thank God for every penny ya put by.

Tom: We got money put by.

(to doubt) How much?

Tom: Enough to get married on.

(to drill) Don't take much to get married on. Do ya have enough to stay married on?

Tom: You let us get married, we’ll find out.

(TOM laughs as GRACE enters)

Grace: Are you still eatin’, Tommy?

Tom: It’s good.

Grace: (takes the place) You're going to get fat.

(to disagree) while taking the plate and placing it back Gotta keep up his strength. He works hard for his money.

Grace: Don't start, Ma.

(to blame) I didn't say nothin’. It’s your father who hit the roof over it.

Grace: He didn't hit the roof.

(to recount) while going to sit You shoulda seen the man’s face, Tom, when he found out Grace wasn't workin’ no more. Most girls would give their eyeteeth for a job like that—good money, easy work, nice-lookin’ fellas around the plant—

Tom: You didn't tell me about them, Grace.

Grace: Wasn't that many of ‘em. Hardly seemed worth the mention.

(to reveal) And she leaves it all behind. For reasons unknown. I’m tired of it up there, she says. Are you tired of the paycheck, I says? Who needs a paycheck, she says. I got me a boyfriend to take me out Saturdays.

Tom: She said that?

Grace: Oh you know I didn't. And for your information I got a job. I start at the bank on Monday.

(to scoff) Oh yeah, the bank! And what's it pay?

Grace: Enough.

(to disbelieve) Enough. Always enough. (to expose) You know what that means, Tom. It don't come close to what it pays up at the radium plant.

Grace: It's office work.

(to mock) Office work! Well, I guess that means you’ll be spendin’ more money on clothes then. (to acknowledge) take Tom’s empty plate and exit stage right