Mouseturd Flats 2nd Post

MOUSETURD FLATS

ACT ONE

SCENE ONE

She hadn’t always been ‘Nanny’; once she had been young and her mother had named her Ruby. Her father had ignored her and her other sisters, except for Lil, who was his darling. Her brother Arden was her hero, she knew that if he was around then she was safe.

            Ruby always skipped along the dusty lane that led from school to home.  It was one of the happiest times of her day. No one bothered her, or ordered her around. There was just the peace of singing birds, blue sky and the gurgling ditch that ran along side the lane all year long.  Ruby was wearing a worn calico dress that was bought for her at Christmas and so is also a little short since she had grown the past winter. Her school books were tied with a cast off harness strap and they swung in harmony with the song that she is singing. As she rounds the corner, a small group of boys are sitting by the edge of the lane. 

            As she skips by they stand and the boldest, Dub Rogers, speaks out, “Hey there girl, where you going?

           

            Ruby was startled and answered even thought she knew she shouldn’t, “Uh......Um.....home I guess.” Nervous, she keeps walking down the lane.

            “Wait!  Wait! I want to talk to you. Dub and the others follow her and start to hoot and catcall as they fall in behind her. Dub, frustrated by her silence asks, “Are you too good for us is that it? That’s rich, here in Mouseturd Flats! Too dumb? C’mon talk.”

            “Go away! I can’t talk to boys, my Ma’ll slap me!  Go away!” Ruby backed away from the boys, making sure that they didn’t come too close.

            Dub wouldn’t have that, he pressed, “That’s not it, you think you’re too good for us, don’t ya, that’s rich.  You ain’t nothin’ special, ain’t that right boys?”

They answered with a chorus of yeah’s and snorts. They focus on Ruby, their eyes glittering.

            “Stop it! Go away! Ruby shrieks, now afraid of them. She turns away, trying to get away from the boys. 

            The ringleader, Dub Rogers, reaches out to pull Ruby’s braid that is hanging down her back. “Turn around, talk to u.......................

            The large strong hand of Ruby’s older brother, Arden, clamps down on his shoulder and pulls violently backwards, pulling him to the ground. The group of boys scatter.

            “Wh...Wh...Ow...What do you think you’re doing! He jumps up ready to fight, when he sees the large, stern-faced stranger his eyes widen momentarily, then he squints warily.  “What the hell did you do that for, Mister?  I oughta beat the shit right outta ya.

            Arden smiled wolfishly, “You touch my sister again and I’ll break your arm.  You say anything to her, I’ll bust your lip. Get the hell outta here and don’t come back.

            Nervously Dub sputters out a threat. “You’re just like her, you think you’re better’n me don’t ya!  You could try buster, but you’ll get yours.  I’ll.........

            Arden reaches for the front of Dub’s shirt with his left hand and his right hand clenches into a fist and draws back, menacingly. “Get out of here before I hurt you!  Don’t come back.” 

            The ringleader jerks back before the hand can clasp his shirt and he turns and runs to catch up with his companions.  He mutters and looks back darkly as he leaves.

            Arden hurries to Ruby concerned that she might be hurt. “Ruby, are you alright?  Come here, it’ll be okay, I promise.  He won’t hurt you.”

            Ruby had been backing slowly away from the confrontation, eyes wide, tears brimming, visibly shaken.  She relaxes slowly as her brother speaks to her.

            “Oh, Arden. They scared me, you know Ma doesn’t want me talking to boys.”

            “It’s okay sis, they won’t bother you any more. We don’t need to tell Ma, c’mon let’s go on home.” Arden takes the books from Ruby and tucks her hand into his and they start for home. There is a muffled shout from behind them and they both turn to see who is calling to them.  It is Flo and Lil, Ruby’s older sisters. Flo is eldest, Lil is between Ruby and Arden in age, and.  Lil is very self-centered and likes to get the others in trouble with their parents. They hurry to catch up to Ruby and Arden.

            “Yoo Hoo! Is every thing alright?  Shall I call Pa to come and help?  Ruby what did you say to those boys, you know you’re not to talk to them. Ma says so.” Lil makes sure that they know that she saw what happened.

            Arden glances back. He mutters, almost under his breath. “Oh brother, why did she have to come along.

            “Ruby, dear, are you okay?  Here, let me see.” Flo gathers Ruby in her arms and hugs her close.

            “I’m fine, nothin’ happened.  Them boys just didn’t know, is all.” Ruby tries to downplay the incident so that Lil doesn’t make more of it to their mother.

            Arden takes the lead. “You girls come along now, we got chores to do.  Nothin’ happened, it’s just a misunderstanding is all.  C’mon.” He heads off towards home again.  He takes Ruby’s hand in his and he nearly drags her in his haste to start walking and hopefully change the subject.  The other girls follow along, Lil chattering away, telling any who would listen about her day.

Michael D. LeFevre  ã COPYRIGHT 2 July 2000

                                                            (adapted from a one act play of the same title.)