The Seamounts

 Estate Of Donald and Millicent Seamount

 TEA, 2 MOTHERS & A CONVERSATION

       Veronica finishes pouring the tea into the flower tipped mug in the sun-filled kitchen that Millicent Seamount would brag "is her favorite room" 

Millicent: I really find it swell to have your son show interest in fetching my daughter. She has been quite despondent these past few weeks. 

Veronica: oh Millicent my son Chris had his fair share of rotten apples, if you will, but your Darlene is definitely a shining fruit. 

Millicent- Ha!! A shining fruit with a fly on top. Do you believe that she asked me if she can go to a rock and roll concert!! I almost dropped my Bible.

Veronica- oh what a pity. But really rock and roll is the last thing you should be worried about. There is a war in Vietnam. My Paul is there now.

Millicent- (rolls her eyes) you mean the drunk? I didn't think he would have the mental capacity to handle such a patriotic duty.

Veronica- I am getting a feeling that you are attacking my family. Was coming for a visit a bad idea?

Millicent- Oh no not your family. Veronica I'm going to be blunt. I do not want my daughter to see your son and I definitely refuse to see them at the spring ball or the prom. There is something about him that I find uncomfortable and I ask for you to respect my trepidition and understand that my Darlene will be going to the dance with Kent Larson.

Veronica- so this random invite for tea and pastries wasn't so random was it? What is it about my son you don't like? And I would choose your words carefully.

Millicent- Veronica I don't know if I like the tone of that question.

Veronica- (lighting a cigarette in frustration) what tone did you expect?  I am not naive. I live in Tacony. I know what people say in the Northeast. Row home after row home filled with pompous husbands that make money using their hands, so to speak, and their wives duty bound to greet them with a stoli at the end of a busy day. (Tears swell) I was a good mother despite what I was faced with. I still make good choices. I couldn't always have my eye on my children.

Millicent- (confusion paints the canvas of her shocked face) Veronica I am fully aware of the problems us women are meant to carry. But for the love of God would you tell me what you're trying to say.

Veronica- Chris was a consequence of my preoccupation with the changing world. My husband just came home from war and I was having a war with myself and my soul. Chris got drunk one night and accidentally killed his friend in a drunk driving accident. And I know that is why you're not fond of him.

Millicent- among other things but Veronica I love my daughter she does deserve the best. This disquisition is confusing me Ronny so....

Veronica- ever since he killed Teddy despite the court ruling it an accident, all the family connections could'nt wipe away the guilt. (lights another cigarette) Michael got a muscle of his that worked at the bar to make the whole thing go away. My son was incapable of feeling anything let alone love...that is until your daughter came into the picture. Oh Millicent you should see... he is my boy again, he is smiling, he is living and your girl gave my son life again.

Millicent- (sharply turns toward her like a evil indictment) Well yea! After he stole the life of another!  Accident or no accident Veronica I don't know what you expect me to say. More importantly how to react. I am fully aware of the rot in your neighborhood but I am a mother as well and I will not let your son take advantage of my daughter. 

Veronica- perish the thought! you are perplexed! I see how they interact. your daughter is intelligent and articulate and they like each other. I am extending myself, mother to mother, let's just see what happens between them. they are teenagers. 

Millicent - exactly. underage teenagers. I am sorry I will not let my daughter be used to stitch up emotional wounds from your son's bad decisions. Hell would freeze over before I let that happen.

(Not known to the audience until a quick pan of the camera do we see Darlene standing in the hallway behind the kitchen overhearing the whole thing. Visibly upset she dashes over into the living room and picks up the phone to call Chris Sinko)

Later that day, in Russo Park, Chris meets up with a crying and jilted Darlene sitting on a park bench.

Darlene- Christopher I am filled with such jubilation that first & foremost you accepted my phone call. My apologies for it's uncouth presentation. The fact that you showed up is all that matters. (Tears start to mildly retreat)

Chris- (in a heroic, cheesy romance-novel way, sits next to her and fondles her cheek) of course "DeeDee"  I would do anything for you. Look at me... what happened? What did Millicent do this time?

Darlene- (emitting a sarcastic, dry chuckle) this time? The more appropriate word or words should be what times and when. Christopher you can't comprehend the rage that I have for her... the resentment that boils inside my veins. Her unjust punitive bullshit is overwhelming. Especially after... (A guilty/shameful look covers her face like a snow mask)

Especially after certain things that I unfortunately witnessed.

Chris- Tell me. You will feel better. 

Darlene- I don't even want to say the words but you're right maybe I will feel better if I just get it out there. I was leaving school late one day last week because of the book report I was working on. As I was crossing the baseball field, I saw my mother having SEX with some guy on top of a very expensive looking car.

Chris- (A look that almost resembled worry came across his face) Wait. Wait. You sure you seen this? Did you see the guy? Who is he? Was he the coach?

Darlene- I...I ..... (her lips shake, tears again returning for a extra cameo) I didn't...I didn't really see nor did I want to see. Damn it Christopher! At this point the identity of the person my mother is sleeping with is not important. The fact that she is doing it is the main issue. I just can't believe this. And my poor father. But what makes all this even more weird, I saw my mother and YOUR MOTHER speaking over tea today. 

Chris- (eyes widen to a certain kind of concern) What! My mother was here? In Bustleton talking to your mother????

Darlene- yes! Your mother was advocating for us to be together and to allow us to go to the dance. My pretentious piece of shit mother of course refused and insisted I go with Kent Larson. I thought maybe she didn't like you because you're 18 and you had to repeat senior year. 

Chris- Kent Larson! Ha! What a fraud. My age ...that could be the reason. A lot of people think that I'm some dud or a vagabond. Im just on my own horse ya know. I aint fishing for gold with Louis and Clark. Im in my own interstate.

Darlene- (with disappointment in her eyes) Yeah. That's probably why. But Christopher, you can't think of any other reason why my mother would not want me to be with you? 

Chris- (guilt and shame fills his belly) No. Nothing I can think of.

Darlene puts her head on his shoulder looking out at the trees, fully aware that she is being embraced by a liar. But she was starting to fall in love with him anyway.

SPRING DANCE

1 Hour till Last Dance

Avalon Beach, Mays Landing Area

EXT 

Sandy bluff by dock, sea grass a soupy wind and a shooting star completes the scene

Kent (with a tone of utter malice and betrayal. He is sloppy drunk holding a bottle of scotch) look bitch I don't think I made myself clear you get on that sand remove your blouse and be the dirty slut you are and let me take you before the tide rushes in. I don't feel like doing laundry when I get home. 

(10 minutes prior when the Spring Dance ended, a parking lot argument that ensued between Darlene, Chris and Kent leaving Chris to run and get his car.

Kent with superhuman strength grabs Darlene and puts him into his 67 Chevrolet. Darlene is hysterical and thrown into the passenger seat.)

Back To Beach

The surf was strong on this night as the screams of Darlene echoed.

Darlene (holding her private area for dear life as Kent drags her to the dock area) I cannot believe you are doing this to me get off of me now someone help help meeeeeeeeee help helppppppppppppp 

(A tame, prime time struggle begins with Darlene momentarily getting away until she is smacked by Kent. She picks up a shell and slams it hard across his face. Before falling from the blow he decks her. He falls knocked out as she drops to the ground to. The lights of a car light up the seagrass. She looks up & realizes (& hopes) it's Chris. Suddenly the world goes Snow White. Complete silence. Darlene fell to the sand after Kent slammed a board from the dock across her back.)

SPRING DANCE

- PUNCH BOWL BANTER

 Yeager/Sinko cousins Kathleen, Anne Marie, Sharon, Barbara and Chris are in attendance

Sharon (putting vodka in the fruity drink via a flask) really Kathleen this issue, it's getting a bit redundant. I'm going to let you in on a little secret I've been having sex with Dennis Salkowski for the past 3 months and it's totally rad. 

Kathleen (already a tad tipsy with a dose of bitterness) Your secrets are boring cousin. Its all the same. You see the guy. You have disgusting and in..nnn..inaa..(drunken slurring) Inappropriate! You are just inappropriate. Sharon what do you want me to say? The crown goes to the Yaeger/Sinko family whore. 

Sharon- What's wrong with you? Is this because the "mob son" hasn't responded to your, I hate to say this, your desperate wails. I mean cuzz, you come off desperate. When you want a man, you gotta you know...advertise your womanhood. (Sharon looks her up and down) Or lack there of...

Kathleen (drops the glass and goes right up to her cousin's face) You vicious, trampy little bitch!. You are just a slut from Tacony who I feel cares more about herself then her best friend and cousin. By the way Michael is Italian. That doesn't mean mafia you little gash. Is Marxism the new rage at the Sinko house? 

Sharon- Look Kath... before I put down my drink and politely slap you right across the face will you tell me what the hell is going on? 

(Anne Marie enters)

AM- Heyyyyyyy! Woooooooo hoooooooo Are my cousin's being polite or are you a caution. I hate to interrupt your petty discussion but have you seen Barbara? 

Sharon (smirking) Maybe... just maybe and wouldn't it be a headline if...if she is with Donald Steele. 

(Both cousins look at each other shocked in some unspoken knowledge that strikes urgent interest)

Kathleen- My God I hope not. Did you hear about what happened with his father? 

AM- Hahahahaha it's all rumors. No one knows anything for sure. You guys are so blank. Its rumors from a bunch of devious, lonely freshman. Jeez you both are light weights. And Shar...your pickled. 

Kathleen- But...but Anne Marie he did those awful....

(She is cut off by AM hugging her with strength and whisper's) 

AM- Kathleen. Drop it. Don't talk about Donald and the allegations. They are just school girl gossip without any merit. Keep it that way for Christ sakes. It's the spring dance everyone is here.

(Sharon looks over at her cousin's & continues to smirk and drinks from her flask in secret)

Night 

EXT Avalon Beach 

(Darlene was slowly coming to. the sounds of the surf we're getting louder. she knew she was at the beach & her head is in so much pain. she begins to gather herself and gets up)

Darlene- CHRISSSSSS! WAS THAT YOU???? HELLOOOO KENT WHERE ARE YOU? WHY KENT!!! CHRIS!!!!

(A figure appears from the sea grass. Darlene is dazed. She cannot see the man's face)

Darlene- Chris is that you is that you I can't see my head I'm bleeding is that you 

(Chris's car suddenly Roars into the nearby parking lot alerting Darlene but making something else more relevant.... who is this shape of a man approaching her? Chris gets out of the car and begins running down the trail screaming Darlene's name. As he gets out one last SOS call for Darlene time collapses and nothing but blackness and the screams of Darlene Seamount begin as the full moon stands guard. 

That night Darlene Viola Seamount was found dead on Avalon Beach, New Jersey. She was going to be 18 years old next week.

It was the last dance.

To be continued....)