Breezeblock Park Act 2 Betty Flashcards
We want y’ to know that you’ve got all our sympathy, Betty
Sympathy, Vera?
Reeny
Tortured – wasn’t I sayin’ Vera? Tortured!
Isn’t it funny – the way things turn out.
Vera and Reeny look at each other.
Reeny
Erm – how d’ y’ mean Bet?
(still smiling)Well, you know, with your John being older than Sandra – I mean, I always imagined, me an’ Syd did, naturally – we thought, with John being older – we always thought that it would be you and Ted who’d be the first couple to be blessed with a grandchild! (Smiling.)It is funny isn’t it, the course – of life.
Where will they be livin’, Betty?
Oh, with us! Like I said to Syd, Timothy is only a student y’ know. He won’t have a lot of money, not for the time being – they couldn’t afford a place of their own, could they? Syd says he’ll put a little cooker in Sandra’s room – they can make it like a little flat up there. An’ the baby can have the front box room.
Reeny
(shaking her head)Don’t y’ think it’ll be a bit draughty for a baby, Betty? After all …
Not when we get the central heating in.I know you’re his great-aunt, an’ I appreciate your concern, Reeny, I’m very grateful, but, I am Wayne’s grandmother. (She pours out the tea.)
(in raptures)Ah – Wayne! What a lovely choice,
It is a nice name isn’t it, Vee?
Vera
(on the stairs)But will Wayne like it at grammar school, Betty?
(on the stairs)It’s not a question of liking it; if Wayne’s got the intelligence to pass the scholarship then he’ll have to go, Vera. (Noticing that the men have gone). Where’ve they gone?
Reeny
I sent them out for a pint.
You didn’t.
Reeny
He was here. Y’ know, Tim.
Well, where’s Sandra?
Reeny
She’s comin’ down on her own, he said.
Well, I don’t know if it’s on – out to the pub again
(Turns and looks at her settee.)Well what do you think, Betty? I mean, re-covered it could look very nice.
It would, Reeny.
Reeny
Well then – it’s up to your Sandra. If she doesn’t mind havin’ cast-offs she can have this suite. It’ll help them get started. If she wants it I’ll see about a van and get it sent round to yours.
Well, you know I never take cast-offs myself, Reeny – but seeing as it is for Sandra …
Reeny
Like I say, it’ll do her for a while. With new covers on she’ll have almost a new suite.
(quietly, sincerely, choosing not to fight)Thanks, Reen. Thanks.
Reeny
That’s all right, Betty love.
(after a pause)I wish – well, y’ know – I wish she had – saved herself. Not because I’m a prude. I’m not! But it does, y’ know, it does make it that bit harder when they start off like this. (Pause.)Still, if they’re as happy as me an’ her father have been …
Vera
Ah, you’ve been very happy, haven’t you, Betty.
I believe we have, Vera, when I look back, I have to say it’s been a very happy life that I’ve had. I think there’s only one regret I’ve got …
Vera
What’s that, Bet?
I think that was the only thing I ever really yearned for, a little place of our own.
Reeny
(to Betty)Will – erm – where will they be gettin’ married Betty?
In church. Why?
Reeny
And will Sandra be dressed in – y’ know?
What?
Reeny
In white?
Of course she will. Oh yes. Nobody bothers about things like that these days. You’ve got to get with it, Reeny. You’re too old-fashioned, Reeny.
Reeny
Whiteness does stand for purity, Betty.
And how many white weddings have you seen at that church?
Reeny
Plenty.
Yes, and you can count on the fingers of one hand the girls who went up that aisle as virgins.
Vera
I did, Betty. I went up the aisle a virgin.
Yes, Vera. And the state your husband gets into every night, it’s a wonder you haven’t remained one.
Sandra enters the kitchen and crosses into the front room, wrapped in a large coat. She is hesitant, almost nervous.
Sandra
Is Tim here?
Now stop worryin’ about him.
Sandra
Where is he?
Reeny
It’s all right. He’s not run away, y’ know. He’s just gone down for a pint with the men.
Sandra
With the men?
With your dad and them.
Sandra
Oh. Right. (She turns, about to go.
Where are y’ going? Sandra …
Sandra
To the pub.
Vera / Reeny
To the pub?
Sandra
Yes.
Why?
Reeny goes to kitchen to make a pot of tea. Sandra remains standing. Long pause.
Vera
It’s not good for y’, y’ know, Sandra – standin’. Why don’t y’ sit down?
It’s not only y’ self y’ve got to think of now, y’ know.
Reeny
A thirty-six-hour labour’s no joke y’ know. I hope for your sake, Sandra, I hope you don’t have a big one.
She will though, look at her. Y’ can see already.
Reeny
Now don’t be daft Sandra, you take that coat off.
Vera and Reeny go to the kitchen and make tea.
(conspiratorially)You leave your coat on, love. I wish I’d had the sense to keep mine on. She might have had central heatin’ put in, but it’s obvious she can’t afford to switch it on.
Sandra
(looking out of the window)Did Tim talk to you?
No, we were upstairs when he was here, love. He stayed with the men.
Sandra
(turning to her)Has me dad told you?
Told me what, love? (Standing back and taking a good look at her.)’Ey, you’re beginnin’ to show already you are. Aren’t you?
Sandra turns away again. Betty smiles affectionately at her back.
(quietly)Sandra. Sand. I know we’ve had our rows in the past, Sandra. But – but let’s forget them now, shall we? Let’s put them behind us. We’re going to be grandmother and mother soon. The little lad will be a bridge between us.
Sandra
(firming moving out of her mother’s grip)I think you should sit down, Mum.
Sit down? Sit down? Can’t y’ see I’m too excited to sit down? I could dance, Sandra. It’s almost as if that little baby is inside me, not you.
Sandra
Please sit down. I’ve got something to tell you.
I’m going to get your dad to turn the upstairs into a little flat for you and Tim. We’ll have a little cooker up there an’ I’ll be able to baby-sit an’ help you out an’ that …
Sandra
(shaking her head)No, Mother. No!
I thought to meself, well, there was one baby, once, who had nowhere to rest. But this little baby of ours – he’ll have a proper home. (Pause.)I realized last night … the real meaning of Christmas.
There is a long pause. Betty looks at Sandra, who is looking out of the window. Very quietly Betty starts singing.
‘Away in a manger
No crib for a bed
The little Lord Jesus …’
Sandra turns to face Betty who continues singing, urging Sandra to join her, moving to her.
Sandra
Mother listen to me.
‘Lay down his sweet head
The stars in – ’
Sandra
(backing away)Will you listen to me?
Betty still singing, walking towards Sandra who is backing away ‘– the bright sky …’
Sandra is backed into the corner. She is up against the Christmas tree. Betty still sings.
Sandra
(in a scream)Mother! (She flings the nearest object, the tinsel tree, across the room.)
.
Betty stops singing, shocked. Vera and Reeny rush in and stop, gaping. Sandra is firm, deliberate
Sandra
We are not coming to live with you an’ me dad! I’m moving into Tim’s flat – today! We’re not even going to get married. We’re going to live together.
Pause.
Right? Did you hear that? Did you hear what I said?
Betty does not answer. Sandra goes up to her. Vera and Reeny dare not move. Sandra shouts at Betty.
Sandra: Did you?
(quietly)Yes. I heard.
Sandra
Good – good. Because you’ve got to know I don’t want any of that. Why should I stay, Mother?
Betty is tight-lipped and not even looking at Sandra.
Sandra
What is there to stay for? If there was some – some point, I could stay. But what do you ever do? All of you, you just sit around all day, not understanding what’s going on, ripping each other to pieces. There’s no meaning, is there? Look at Christmas – what does Christmas mean to you? It’s just more telly, that’s all isn’t it? Three days of telly an’ then back to work. (Pause.)When Tim comes for me I’m going because I don’t want any of that.
(leaning forward angrily, shouting directly into her face)Well what – do you want?
Sandra
(shouting back)I want a good life Mother. I want something that’s got some meaning left in it. I want to sit around and talk about films and – and music. I want a house where we don’t have the telly on all day, where we don’t worry about the furniture. I want books on the shelves. Mother – and – oh – for God’s sake, I want paintings on the wall and red wine on the table and lots of different cheeses. I want – I want—I want …
(venomously, deliberately scornful and vicious)Want – want – want! And what about what I wanted?
Sandra
(quickly)What you wanted, you got! Y’ got it all, Mother – y’ three-piece suites, y’ fridge, y’ plastic pedal bin. What you wanted – you got! (She turns and looks out of the window.)
You begrudge me every bit of pleasure I have ever had – don’t y’? (Pause.)Well, let me tell you – it’s more than pleasure – much more. (To Many’s the time that a trip round the supermarket an’ a new find on the shelves has stopped me goin’ home an’ puttin’ my head in the gas oven. (She stares at Sandra who is looking out of the window. She turns and sits on the settee.)
Sandra
I’m going away with Tim, Mother. Today
Betty stands tight-lipped, staring at the wall.
Reeny
Your mind’s made up then is it Sandra?
Sandra nods.
Reeny
You’re goin’ t’ live tally with him? (Philosophically.)Well, I suppose I should be shocked. It’s just your mum I feel sorry for. (Knowing she has got her at last.)But don’t worry, Betty. I won’t have my sister talked about no matter what sort of cross she has to bear. We’ll stand by you, Betty.
So look, I was going to send this round to your mother’s but – erm – well, do y’ want me to send it round to the flat? It would look nice re-covered. It’s a good suite.
Betty suddenly leaps up, screaming the word.
Betty
Suite? You call this a suite? (She starts to pull the tape off.)Look, look – just look at it. It’s rubbish. I wouldn’t put it in a dog’s kennel. (Putting wildly at the tape.)A suite? This? (Pulling out handfuls of foam rubber.)It’s nothing more than a cheap – (Handfuls of foam.)– stuck together – (Foam.)– shoddy – (Foam.)– second-hand – (Foam.)– stinking shitty load of SHITE! (She has effectively reduced the settee to a wreck.)
Vera sits in the middle of tape and foam rubber. Betty stands glaring, wild.
Best if we keep her occupied. Come on, Betty love.
Betty allows herself to be led through to the kitchen by Reeny and Vera.
During the above, Vera, Reeny and Betty come through from the kitchen, drying their hands, etc. There is now a complete circle of people around Sandra.
Finally she comes to Betty. She looks at her mother. There is a long pause in which the two women look at each other. Slowly, Betty stands aside.
Sandra walks past Betty, through to the kitchen, and out.
They all look at Betty: she sits down. There is an uncomfortable silence.
Betty turns to Reeny. She sees Tim standing there.
Reeny
Do y’ fancy that, Bet?
(to Tim)Are you still here?
Tim
Well …
Y’ better get going hadn’t y’? Y’ don’t know where she’ll be roaming.
