It is a cool spring day. CALLIE and LUCY are returning from a matinee movie. They are wearing sweaters and carrying purses and it is obvious LUCY'S FEET are hurting. They are fussing with each other as they walk up to the front door when CALLIE begins rummaging through her purse looking for the door keys as LUCY gets the mail out of the mail box.

LUCY

Why do you wait until we get to the front door, before you start looking for your keys?

CALLIE

I told you before, I'm not opening my purse on the street. Why tempt the devil?

LUCY

I don't think I can take another step.

CALLIE

Why don't you buy shoes that are comfortable? You need to stop being a slave to fashion. You know your feet are too big to be squeezing into those itty bitty shoes.

LUCY

Will you open the door? We go through this every time I forget my keys. (Annoyed) And you need to clean out that purse, no telling what is growing in there.

CALLIE

(Pulls out piece of paper and looks at it for a moment as LUCY is sighing impatiently.) Here's that Cajun chicken recipe. It's too spicy for you Lucy. Probably give you gas.

LUCY

You would give the devil in hell a headache.

CALLIE

(Takes keys out of purse and shakes them in front of LUCY) Here they are. (Unlocks the door) I don't know why you're so impatient.

LUCY

(Entering) This will be the last time I suggest we walk to the movies.

CALLIE

The doctor said you need to exercise.

LUCY

Doctors don't know what I need.

CALLIE

The doctor says you need to walk, keep the blood circulating in your legs.

LUCY

I don't need you doing the doctor's job. Where did I leave the rubbing alcohol? (Looks in the couch cushion and CALLIE finds it under a side table by the couch and takes it to her and then goes and gets the mail and thumbs through it while making sounds because she is reacting to the stack of bills while she is talking with LUCY. LUCY takes a small hand towel that is in a drawer of the coffee table.)

CALLIE

You'd misplace your head if it wasn't attached so tight. (Feels a pain in her chest and looks to see if LUCY notices but LUCY is rubbing her feet.)

LUCY

Why do folks have to talk during a movie?

CALLIE

They act like they are sitting in their living room.

LUCY

I thought you were going to snap the poor child's head off.

CALLIE

I don't need the 411 on other folk's business when I'm trying to watch a movie.

LUCY

Well, at least in this film, you had two lines instead of being in a crowd scene.

CALLIE

Playing a mindless senior in a retirement home being eaten by aliens is not very glamorous.

LUCY

Well, at least you got a line this time.

CALLIE

(Somewhat bitter) And now, back to being just a background person.

LUCY

But you're in the movies. Some people only talk about living their dreams.

CALLIE

I did scream real well, didn't I? I wish they hadn't made me look so old when I'm still as fine as fine can get.

LUCY

(Joking) You know black don't crack.

CALLIE

In Hollywood years, there's not much work for an older black actress. I still believe there is a role of a lifetime waiting for me. I could play a judge, a public official; but all they want me to be is someone's maid, before that it was a prostitute, or a drug addict. (Side remark) I'm so tired of looking at my past.

LUCY

At least, you're living life and not sitting around waiting to put a foot in the grave.

CALLIE

Who would have thought Miss Callie Hastings would have made it to Hollywood?

LUCY

We have walked a long road, haven't we Callie? No matter what has threatened our dreams, we keep pushing away those dark clouds.

CALLIE

Someone is always looking to rain on somebody's parade. (Acting cute) That's why I travel with an umbrella.

CALLIE

You can't stop hoping.

(Sighs) No messages.

CALLIE

Shaundra will call one day. She just needs time. Though I think over fifteen years is a bit much.

LUCY

I'm not giving up on Shaundra. She's still my child. I will call her every week. I want her to know, I haven't given up on her. You have only one mother in this life.

CALLIE

You've always been a good mother to Shaundra. (Feels pain in her head)

LUCY

Callie?

CALLIE

Just one of my migraines.

LUCY

You need to see a doctor.

CALLIE

I just need to rest a bit.

LUCY

Your headaches are too frequent.

CALLIE

I'm fine. (Aside) My journey isn't over.

LUCY

You'll find something else soon. Your agent manages to come through with something.

CALLIE

My little acting parts aren't as important as the work you do with those kids. Reading to them, making up stories for them, attempting to give them a sense of themselves is important. They are the future. Somebody needs to care. Me, I couldn't be bothered or have the patience. Sometimes when I'm on the movie set watching children, they are so disrespectful; some are to grown for their years. The other day at the grocery store, one child's mouth was so full of filth. I wanted to twist his ears, but you know if you say something to these bad ass children, you'll turn up missing. Half of them don't even speak to you with respect. They just look at you like they wish you were dead. Why do they hate older people so much? Don't they think they'll ever get old?

LUCY

Did we? (Pause) Even though the library hasn't been supportive of the reading program I'm running, I will be there for those children.

CALLIE

I don't have your patience.

LUCY

(To herself) What will I do without those kids? The administration doesn't give a damn about the children. All they care is about balancing their checkbook.

CALLIE

(Didn't hear what Lucy said) You should be running that library. You're too accommodating. I wouldn't let them get away with half the shit they do. They expect you to be a door mat and accepting.

LUCY

Nowadays, you have to have a degree just to go to the bathroom.

CALLIE

That piece of paper is no guarantee. It just says you have good bullshit and can be lead like sheep to the slaughter.

LUCY

I am so tired of rules. Rules do nothing but break your back. You find yourself barely able to look them in the eyes. That's how we were brought up - "Don't look white folks in the eyes," "Children should be seen and not heard" and "Work hard and you will have a good living, and living right will get you into Heaven."

CALLIE

All those lies just made us walking fools. Slavery has just taken on a new face if you ask me. Too many black folks acting like they are in that slave / master mentality. Have we come so far, to fall back farther? (Sighs) No matter what you do, what you say, you are still colored to most people.

CALLIE

You're going to bust a blood vessel with all that anger.

CALLIE

I think we need some tea laced good with scotch.

CALLIE

Callie, we haven't even had dinner yet.

CALLIE

(Exiting and being playfully) By the time we feel it, (Teasing) we may not want dinner.

CALLIE

(Pause. Heavy sadness) I have no life without my children.