Radium Girls - Grace Fryer

Kathryn: I know an orchid when I see one, Irene. Purple orchids. Oh, and the smell? Grace, that smell it was like--like...

Flowers?

MacNeil: Girls, girls! The whistle's already gone! Now, I've just received new instructions this day. We're going back to the old way of pointin' the brushes. We was losing too much paint in the cloth.

But-

MacNeil: Yes, Grace? Something you wish to say?

Dr. Von Sochocky told me not to do that. Says it's unsanitary.

MacNeil: It's not for us to be asking questions, it is girls? It's for us to do the work.

Was she at the service?

Kathryn: He was in love with her. Don't ya think so Grace?

I guess he had to be.

Kathryn: And can you imagine? If he loved her and never told her, never could bring himself to say! Because...because she was so beautiful...and...and he was so shy. And now it's too late. He didn't tell her, and he'll never get a chance again.

Poor Amelia.

Irene: And you know why.

'Cause their daughter had died.

Irene: Not a story. Her sister told us. No reason Grace shouldn't know.

Know what? (A beat) What?

(Irene whispers something awful to Grace)

(gasp) Amelia?

Irene: Her father's fit to be tied too--six girls at home and none of 'em ever goin' to a dance again. All because Amelia upped and died from syphilis. Kathryn: Sh!

But Amelia was ever so nice.

MacNeil: That's back to work with you girls.

You gonna do it Kathryn? You gonna take that job?

Kathryn: I will if you do.

Tommy would have a fit.

Kathryn: Just for a few months. Oh come on Grace, it'd be fun! Won't it be fun Irene? Irene? (Irene sits with her head in her hands)

Irene honey? You all right?

Irene: Sure I'm alright. Why wouldn't I be? (Sees Grace staring) What?

(quietly) Your mouth is bleeding.

Tom: She said that?

Oh you know I didn't. And for your information I gotta job. I start at the bank on Monday.

Mrs. Fryer: And what's it pay?

Enough.

Tom: Boy. She's steamed at you.

I don't see what the difference makes. So long as I'm working somewhere. Close yer eyes.

Tom: What for?

I gotta surprise for ya.

Tom: (Hoping for a kiss) You want me to pull the shades?

Not that kinda surprise. Close yer eyes! Now look.

Tom: Wallpaper.

For the baby's room. (A beat) There's gonna be babies eventually Tommy.

Tom: Well, sure. But y'know Grace, most girls--they get married before they decorate the nursery.

Plan ahead for once. Pick one.

Tom: They're both the same.

No they're not. This one has big flowers, and that one has little flowers. So pick one.

Tom: They're both nice.

This one's pretty don't ya think?

Tom: That one, then.

But I want you to like it too.

Tom: If you like it, I like it. Wallpaper is wallpaper.

No it isn't. Ya gotta pick something ya can stand to look at for 20 years.

Tom: Same way you pick women? (A beat) OK, this one. This one hands down.

I like it too. A nice, neutral yellow goes with either a boy or a girl. And until the baby comes, ya can use the room for other things.

Tom: Yeah? Like what?

Like...a painting studio maybe?

Tom: A painting studio maybe? Didn't ya get enough of painting at the radium plant?

Not the kind I wanted to do, Tommy...I just want some time...just a little time to myself. Maybe portraits, in oil. I could paint your picture if ya like.

Tom: Why not? Paint a big picture of me and we'll just hang it in the outhouse. All our friends will come round just to use the can, so's they can look at it. (A beat) Aw Grace. Ya wanna paint pictures. Paint pictures. I ain't gonna stop ya.

You say that now Tommy. But wait until you come home some night, all wore out. So ya come home, all cranky and late besides. Hungry--wantin' yer dinner. And there I am with my easel up in the kitchen, and a drop cloth on the floor, my paints all over the table. And yer dinner nowhere in sight. What would ya say then?

Tom: Better be a picture of me yer paintin'.

I know what ya'd say. Where's my dinner? That's what ya'd say. Where's my dinner?

Tom: Well, sure. But I'd still admire the paintin'. Just want to look at it on a full stomach is all. (Puts his arms around her) So how'd I'd do? Pick the right wallpaper?

I don't know. Maybe I'll go look at stripes.

Tom: Stripes! Polka dots! I don't care! Tell yer ma we ain't waitin'; no more--we'll just run off!

Tommy! We are not runnin' off. We're gonna do it right! A nice church weddin' with flowers and music. And then a week at the seashore. Just us! And after that, we get set up in our own place. You'll see. It'll be worth the wait.

Tom: Yer mouth hurt ya?

Dentist wants to pull another tooth. In the back.

Kathryn: No, the dentist!

Dr. Knef. (Nurse exits)

Kathryn, maybe it was like Irene's doctor said. Maybe it was a blood infection. Kathryn: Go ahead and laugh. You won't laugh so hard six months from now, when it's you in here askin' after Grace.

It's just a toothache Kathryn

Tom: What sore leg?

From my new job at the bank. From standin' all day.

Tom: Oh brother.

Kathryn, these folks. They're awful busy here.

Kathryn: Three surgeries Grace. And they wanted to cut her again. She said no. She knew. What was left of her jaw rotted so bad--I couldn't look at her. Irene was so afraid of being alone--but I left her alone. She died in the middle of the night, and nobody was with her.

I'm sorry. Can we have another form please?

Clerk: Is the girl still sick?

She died.

Flinn: Miss Fryer?

Dr. Flinn, it's awful nice of you to see me.

Flinn: Not at all my dear, not at all.

I told the surgeon I was coming from over here, so he gave me the results of my blood work.

Flinn: Ah. Very good. Now, tell me what else is troubling you.

My feet and back mostly. I've had to wear a back brace for about six months now.

Flinn: I see. And you left the plant when?

Two years now. (a beat) My dentist, Dr. Knef? He says this all has to do with the radium. I know another girl who died from it. Irene Rudolph? From the radium?

Flinn: Oh no, no, no. An unfortunate and rare result of poor dental care. So let that be a lesson to you: Always brush your teeth.

There was something else in the paper, about this--other girls who got sick--

Flinn: Miss Fryer! Don't tell me you pay any attention to the newspapers!

But--then...what is ailing me?

Flinn: Poor diet, Miss Fryer. Poor diet. What you have is a vitamin deficiency.

But Dr. Knef said--

Flinn: You must eat more fresh fruit. And raw meat as well. That will help with the anemia. Raw calves liver, particularly. (Grace reaches for wallet) Oh no no no. I'm a scientist, Miss Fryer......I thank you. Call me anytime. Day or night.

All right Dr. Flinn. Thank you.

Flinn: Happy to help my dear.

Dr. Frederick Flinn PhD. Physiology. Columbia University.

Flinn: The animal studies I conducted reveal no adverse effects from radium. The problem is, as you suspected, is one of personal hygiene.

It's exactly the way you said, Kathryn. Those people will say anything. They'll do anything.

Kathryn: Except the right thing.

Well, we're gonna make 'em Kathryn. We're gonna make sure someone hears about this.

Wiley: And so, ladies and gentlemen. We do not have to accept injustice. We can use our powers as consumers to influence the practice of those who would wish to profit from our patronage. Thank you.

Miss Wiley? I'm Grace Fryer. The health department said you might be able to help me?

Wiley: My goodness, yes. Miss Fryer, I've been meaning to call on you. Please sit down.

Me and my friend Kathryn, we wrote to the company about our troubles, but we never heard back. So we went to see a couple lawyers?

Tom: But they all said it's too late--

Something about the law won't allow it?

Wiley: The statute of limitations. It's two years. Tell me , Miss Fryer, just how far are you willing to go with this?

Ma'am?

Tom: Confidential settlement.

That don't seem right.

Wiley: It isn't right. But that's what they will do. They will try to buy your silence. Is it for sale?

No ma'am.

Wiley: Miss Fryer, if you would be willing to put your own needs aside--for the moment. We can stop that company dead in its tracks.

How?

Wiley: Hit them where it matters most. Their public imagine. When every newspaper in America tells your story. Believe me, Miss Fryer, Arthur Roeder will come to the table with his hat in his hands.

And then I'd get my compensation?

Wiley: (with a nod) I know it's a little frightening.

Yes. But right now I'm more angry than I am scared.

Wiley: Good. You hang onto that anger, Miss Fryer. You're going to need it. Only be sure no one else sees it.

Ma'am?

Sob Sister: What would you do with $250,000?

(walking with a cane) I'd use it to pay my medical bills. And pay down the second mortgage on our house. The one my father took out to pay for my last operation.

Sob Sister & Reporter: Pretty Grace Fryer sits at home...suffering bravely through this entire ordeal.

It hurts to smile. But I try to smile. I know if I don't smile, I'll go crazy. I'd rather just think about how it's gonna be when justice prevails.

Scene 10: (Hospital room with Kathryn. Kathryn dabs her mouth with a handkerchief)

Ya all right?

Kathryn: Bleedin' again.

Maybe we should go. You need yer sleep.

Kathryn: 'Fraid to sleep. Might not wake up.

Look at this mail Kathryn. Miss Wiley said folks would be on our side, and she sure was right--

Kathryn: Grace, what if we don't win?

Course we'll win.

Kathryn: What if we don't? We'll be on the street. And you and Tom, you won't never get married.

Kathryn. All we gotta do is get on the stand. Just think about the look on Mr. Roeder's face when the judge rules for us!

Tom: They didn't have no vanilla, so I got chocolate.

Took you long enough.

Kathryn: Waitin' for me to die.

No one is waitin' for you to die.

Sob Sister: Five thousand dollars sound good to you? We'll have to get our money's worth--a regular series of features--with pictures following the course of your treatment, illness, recovery...or otherwise.

And you print whatever you want.

Sob Sister: Maybe we add some color. Everybody adds color.

Not interested. (turns away in disgust)

Tom: Grace. You'd take it if it came from the company.

Company owes us a lot more than that.

Sob Sister: He's right, you know! You girls could cash in big on this. Anybody can sympathize with the plight of some poor girl, facing certain death, with no hope of fulfillment of motherhood.

(her words are a slap to the face) I'd like you to go now. My friend is tired. She needs her rest.

Scene 14: (Tom and Grace are alone. Grace is looking at dresses) Tom: Grace.

Miss Wiley thinks another interview will do the job. So, I say, what's more? And might as well look good, right?

Tom: What are we doin' here?! I thought the idea was you'd settle your debts, get a better doctor, and we'd get on with things.

Get on with things.

Tom: You're still wearing my ring.

(after a beat) Oh Tommy.

Tom: Grace. There's a house for sale in my brother's neighborhood. Two rooms up, two down--not much, but it's a start. You'll like it. It's already got flowered wallpaper. And best of all, it's only three blocks from the school.

What do we need with a school?

Tom: Plan ahead for once.

Tommy. What do you think is going to happen? After all this is over. D'ya think everything will just go back to the way it was?

Tom: Why wouldn't it?

(after a pause) I gotta see the surgeon again.

Tom: Uh huh.

I got some fluid.

Tom: Ok.

Then he says. There'll be more.

Tom: We'll deal with it when it comes.

And still more. And then more. And still more. Why can't you see that? How can you talk about buying a home and getting married when you know there's nothing--

Tom: Grace, I just want for us to be together now. Right now. I want to come home to you at night. To my wife--my home. I'm too old to be living like this...this in-between life. (Grace takes off her ring and hands it to Tom after a pause) Tom: Grace. Come on.

I shoulda done this a long time ago.

Tom: You just need to get some rest. That's all.

Tommy, please. Don't make me say it.

Tom: You're not getting enough sleep.

Tommy!

Tom: You get some sleep. I'll be back to see you tomorrow. (He exits)

Tommy. Tommy! Don't you do this to me! TOMMY!

Mrs. Fryer: Grace, wake up. It's almost four o' clock.

Ma?

Mrs. Fryer: Mr. Markley will be up here any minute.

Did Miss Wiley come by?

Mrs. Fryer: Miss Wiley?

She was gonna stop by. They took Kathryn back to the hospital last night. (beat) If she dies, it's over.

Mrs. Fryer: Sweetheart, I'll tell ya what. When we get that check and we pay the bank and the doctor and the coal man, there will still be plenty left for you and Tom to help ya get started.

Nothing to start Ma.

Mrs. Fryer: Do something with your hair Grace. (she exits)

(notices basket of mail) Ma! You didn't tell me I had mail. (finds Wiley's note) She was here. Ma! Miss Wiley was here! She left me a note--

Markley: (enters) Miss Fryer. Edward Markley.

Ma said you brought some papers.

Markley: Yes. Terms spelled out. Five thousand dollars to you. I've got a check right here. All we need is your signature.

This is a confidential settlement.

Markley: That's right. Mrs. Fryer: Grace. Mr. Markley is a busy man.

Mr. Markley? What's contributory negligence?

Markley: I'm not sure what you're asking.

That's what you said in court. Contributory negligence. Means it's our fault, don't it?

Mrs. Fryer: Why are you doing this?

Why didn't you tell me Miss Wiley was here? What did she say about Kathryn?

Mrs. Fryer: If you'll just leave the papers, Mr. Markley--

What did she say about Kathryn?

Mrs. Fryer: She said it don't look good.

You didn't answer my question, Mr. Markley. And I'd really like an answer. 'Cause let me tell you: At your factory, they told us what to do, how to do it. I didn't make trouble. I wasn't raised that way. So I did what I was told. How do you get contributory negligence out of that?

Markley: We deeply regret your situation, Miss Fryer. But there is no evidence to tie your condition to any action by the Radium Corporation.

Then why are you givin' me this money?

Markley: This is a very generous offer. And I advise you to take it. Or we will be forced to withdraw it. Permanently.

You're just trying to bully me.