Act 1, Scene 4

Question 1

(1) McCluskey: … Henry McCluskey.

Answer 1

Hi.

Question 2

(2) McCluskey: … interested in placing a child for adoption?

Answer 2

Not interested, just don’t have a damn choice. Did you know abortion was illegal in the state of Texas?

Question 3

(3) McCluskey: That’s a tough position to be in. I’m sorry.

Answer 3

Yeah, we’re all sorry. Let’s just get it over with, okay?

Question 4

(4) McCluskey: Your age, Miss McCorvey?

Answer 4

22.

Question 5

(5) McCluskey: Married or single?

Answer 5

Free as a breeze.

Question 6

(6) McCluskey: Any other children.

Answer 6

2.

Question 7

(7) McCluskey: Living with you?

Answer 7

Adopted out. Well, my mother’s got my first child, Melissa…

Question 8

(8) McCluskey: And the second child?

Answer 8

Nurses never let me see it.

Question 9

(9) McCluskey: Religion?

Answer 9

I was raised Jehovah’s Witness, but… Just put down Jehovah’s Witness ‘cause I don’t want to have to explain Wicca to you.

Question 10

(10) McCluskey: Race of this baby’s father?

Answer 10

Okay, this ain’t my first rodeo, that is nobody’s business.

Question 11

(11) McCluskey: … you understand that most adoptive parents will not consider a mixed-race -

Answer 11

[Stand up.] I don’t understand nothin’. My mother got me to sign my baby Melissa over to her and some goddamn lawyer helped her do it. Then she put a doll in the crib, told me - “That’s your baby, Norma” - thought I’d be too drunk to tell. [Fight back tears.] Well, I didn’t have no damn doll. I love that child - and I can’t go through this shit again! [Is handed handkerchief.] I’m supposed to blow my nose on this?

Question 12

(12) McCluskey: … are looking for a woman who is pregnant and seeking an abortion.

Answer 12

Whoa, hold on -

Question 13

(13) McCluskey: But I don’t really know if -

Answer 13

Did you just say you know someone who’s looking for someone who’s looking for an abortion?

Question 14

(14) McCluskey: I suppose it couldn’t hurt to just talk to them…

Answer 14

Great!