THE YARD CHILD
A full-length bizarre farce based on TWA crash in LI. Presented by La Mama in 1997.

(© 1997 Taylor Barton)

Scene 6

LIZA enters stage from shed with CHUCK, and a new amp. It's later that evening

LIZA
Why can we only reach him at night?

CHUCK
There's less static and frequency.

LIZA
Why do you think the FBI wants this covered up?

CHUCK
Why else? The politicians and the re-election.

LIZA
You think the President knows about this?

CHUCK
America is founded on the genocide of the Indians, and the enslavement on the Blacks. You better bet the President knows about it.

LIZA
What does Harvey have to do with all this?

CHUCK
Let's try to reach him, so he can tell us?

CHUCK crosses some wires. Static accomPAnies him. LIZA fools with the mic.

LIZA
I always wanted to be a singer.

CHUCK
Then go ahead and sing. I need to get a sound level on this?

LIZA
"SAW A WEREWOLF DRINKING A PINA COLADA AT TRADER VIC'S, OOH,

WEREWOLVES OF LONDON."

 

 

HARVEY VO
"I SAW A WEREWOLF WALKING THRU THE STREETS OF SOHO LOOKING FOR A PLACE CALLED LEE HO FOOK- GONNA GET A BIG DISH OF BEEF CHOW MEIN. WEREWOLVES OF LONDON AGAIN."

CHUCK
Harvey where are you?

LIZA
Are you there? Are you invisible

HARVEY VO
At the moment, I am detained but I've got a message for your mother.

LIZA
What does she have to do with this?

HARVEY VO
Nanno says to go easy on her. She's had it hard.

LIZA
Nanno's been dead for 20 years.

HARVEY VO
That's a fib. She's as lovely as a daisy.

LIZA
Are you dead?

HARVEY VO
"We all live in a yellow submarine, a yellow submarine, a yellow submarine."

CHUCK
I can't see you on any screen?

HARVEY VO
Liza, apPArently you're mother had quite a tragedy when she was young.

LIZA
That's unimportant Harvey. I need you to identify yourself.

CHUCk
Are you in a F-16? We saw hoards of them today. The FBI is on your trail man,

You're endangering Liza's life here.

 

HARVEY VO
Liza, your mother witnessed a murder when she when she was three

LIZA
What?

HARVEY VO
That's right.

LIZA
Harvey I had enough of this. Keep my mother out of it.

CHUCK
You sound like you're insulated?

HARVEY VO
"Way down below the ocean, is where I want to be" .

LIZA
We're loosing him. Harvey wait.

CHUCK
Who's Durant, Harvey?

HARVEY VO
Durant! Don't believe a word he says. He's a lying son of bitch.

DURANT appears stage left in his swat gear

DURANT
I heard that Harv.

HARVEY VO
I belive you're wrong. I can see you, but you can't see me.

DURANT
We got every fighter pilot on you. You'll never get PAst us

HARVEY Vo
OH, I'm smarter than that. You better watch out.

LIZA
Harvey, hon, turn yourself in.

 

HARVEY VO
"I'll never be a beast or burden".

CHUCK
We lost him.

DURANT
I'm going to have to take you in?

CHUCK
On what grounds?

DURANT
Tampering with the governmental property.

LIZA
Since when did the US take possesion of amps and microphones?

DURANT
We're going to have to bring you in for questioning too?

LIZA
I've got nothing to do with this, and you kidnapped my husband. Mom! MOM!

DURANT
Don't fight me or I'll have to shackle you.

CHUCK runs offstage with amp. DURANT lets go of LIZA.

DURANT
You stay put

LIZA
Get off my property. You're tresPAssing.

DURANT
I'll be back with a warrant. (HE runs off after CHUCK)

MAISIE comes out in her nightgown.

MAISIE
What is it dear?

LIZA
Mom. The FBI's got HARVEY, and he's invisible and worst of all, he claims to be hanging out with Nanno

 

MAISIE
Nanno. This is total nonsense

LIZA
Can we go home now?

MAISIE
First thing tommorrow.

LIZA
No, now MOM!

MAISIE
Let me just get changed.

LIZA
Get in the car!

MAISIE
I've got to get my credit cards. I have no gas. Why are you always so petulant?

LIZA
Because I'm related to you!

LIZA bangs out a letter on the type writer while MAISIE goes into the house.

LIZA
Dear Harvey, If you come home, leave.

MAISIE
(offstage) Just a second dear, I'm putting on my face.

LIZA
Mom, pu-lease!

MAISIE comes back out in an elegant Chanel suit. They run offstage as the sound of
helicopters and searchlights hit the stage.

LIZA
You think outlaws go to luncheons, why are you so dressed up

MAISIE
Well if I'm going to be arrested, I want to look good for the PApers.

LIZA
Mom, are you insane?

MAISIE
Think about it. Everything is first impression. No one will think you're guilty, when they see a mother like me.

LIZA
I suppose I'll look like PAtty Hearst who was easily lead astray. But here's the big news. I'm not guilty.

MAISIE
Did I say that?

LIZA
Come on, we got to hightail it out of here before we're convicted for something we know nothing about.

MAISIE
I knew you were in trouble. Mother's instinct.

They run off with MAISIE'S bags. Headlights and horns.