Doing Right

ED JACKSON: 45, a businessman with barely moderate success, has a haunted look. A careful dresser, he wears a brown suit to work. 

STACY JACKSON: 33, Ed’s second wife, works as a receptionist, uses heavy make-up. She has pierced ears with a row of earrings in each ear and wears bright clothes. 

EDDY JACKSON: Ed’s son, 19, has a quiet deep gaze. He wears a black tee shirt and black jeans. 

STAN HERNANDEZ: 20, Eddy’s friend. Wears a worn leather jacket. Stan seems always to be moving and talking fast. 

RICHARD JACKSON: 70, Ed’s father, wears a flannel shirt, jeans and a baseball cap. 

SCENE 1 

Men’s locker room: a gym. EDDY and STAN. 

EDDY (Sitting on the locker room bench): Dude, Stan... We gotta talk about your… um, habits recently. 

STAN (Facing the other direction towards an open locker): What do you mean? 

EDDY: It’s just that… recently, you’ve been coming to our Finance classes while you aren’t sober and people have started to notice. I know you’ve been working on dealing with your own issues dude, and I get it. And you know we’re here for you... It’s just... We’re all in the same fraternity and I don’t want our professors to start negatively associating us together. I’ve gotta do well this semester if I want to graduate on time.

STAN: Dude what? How do you think they’d even know? That’s ridiculous. Besides... I’ve got it under control… you know that! It’s just this first week back at school, classes aren’t as serious… we might as well take advantage of that, bro. 

EDDY: Yeah, I guess, but you’ve gotta stop participating in class then dude because some of the stuff you’ve been saying is kinda whack. 

STAN (Laughing): I think I can do that. 

SCENE 2 

An urban family kitchen: rudimentary, clean, a hanging lamp, table with chairs, view from window of a fire-escape. EDDY and STACY. 

STACY: Your Dad said he won’t be done with work until late tonight, so I can make us dinner… What do you think you’d want? 

EDDY (Doing homework at the table): You’re not serious, right? (Swiftly picking up the homework he was doing from the table and shoving it in his backpack). I can manage my own dinner, thanks. 

STACY: Your dad said you like chick—

EDDY (Cutting STACY off): Listen, I’ve got a lot of homework to do because, not that you’d understand, but some people actually want to have a successful and independent future. Cook whatever you want, but I don’t need you to try to take care of me. 

STACY: Eddy, I’m trying to be a good step-mom to you. Please don’t make this hard for the both of us! I know it’s---

EDDY: YOU don’t know ANYTHING about me or my family. (Walks towards exit of the door).  

SCENE 3

ED (Enters the same door EDDY was walking towards): What is going on in here? (Turns to EDDY) I’m trying to get work done upstairs and all I can hear is you yelling at Stacy. 

EDDY: Oh! Of course! You’re getting ‘work’ done? Right... Dad, you haven’t had an app release recently that has even remotely begun trending. Maybe if you spent less time focused on things that aren’t important (looks at STACY) then you wouldn’t have to work so many hours. 

ED: You better choose the rest of your words carefully Eddy. I did not raise you to speak to me this way, you know I’m working as hard as I can to provide for this family. 

EDDY: This family?? I don’t even want to be a part of THIS (motions towards ED and STACY)family. (Storms out of the room, grabbing backpack off table and throwing it over shoulder). 

SCENE 4

STACY (Beginning to cry): I’m sorry E, I’m trying so hard to get closer to him. I really didn’t want to cause any problems. I know you’re stressed and trying hard, I just wanted to take some pressure off of you (Rubs ED’s arm) and it ended up only causing more. I just don’t know the right way to approach this! I can’t do it right. 

ED: Stacy, don’t cry. Eddy is just going through a lot (Hugs STACY) with school and his friends and fraternity. Eventually, I know he will see that this family can work out. You just have to give him time. 
STACY: I’m not trying to replace her, Ed. I just wish he’d see that. All he sees me as is someone whose gold digging and can’t be independent. 

ED: Oh, Stace, I wish this were easier. I don’t even see how he could think you’re here for the money, we have none! I don’t know what to do. 

STACY: Just try to focus on yourself, (Sniffles)I’ll work on my relationship with Eddy. Maybe while you’re gone this weekend at Richards we can work on things. 

ED: This is why I love you (they both hug) 

SCENE 5 

Countryside: a peaceful landscape with vivid colors of fall, front porch in the foreground. ED and RICHARD. 

RICHARD: I mean, son, did you really think Eddy would handle this any better? You’re married to a girl who’s got the same age difference between herself and you and her and your son. 

ED: I don’t know if that’s it though, Dad. I feel like there’s more behind this all than just him being upset by her age. I mean, I know it has to do with the way things ended with his mom. But, I just wish he’d talk to me more. 

RICHARD: Ed, listen to yourself. When you were Eddy’s age, I barely knew where you were 12 hours of the day. You can’t expect Eddy to be so open with you, he’s a teenager who just went to college. On top of that, he’s living at home with his dad and new step-mom. 

ED: I know, I know. The situation isn’t the ideal first year of college, but it’s the only way we could afford for him to attend Parsons. And it’ll be worth it in the end, I want more for him than what I have now. 

RICHARD: Do you really think he can make it as an artist? Maybe you should push him into a more stable career, like I did with you. 

ED: And look how that turned out? I’m unhappy, Dad. I can’t find consistent work, and I’m not finding any happiness in my work. All for what? A stable career? This isn’t what I’d consider stability. Eddy doesn’t know this, but Stacy’s parents pitched in for part of his tuition this year. 

RICHARD: Ed, you know you could’ve---

ED: Listen, we couldn’t make ends meet, and I didn’t want to keep asking you for help because you’ve already done so much. She said it wasn’t a bother, that they’re well off. I just feel even worse watching Eddy mistreat her because he doesn’t even know what he owes her. 

SCENE SIX  

The kitchen. ED and EDDY.

ED: Eddy, we need to talk. 

EDDY: If this is about Stacy, I don’t want to hear it. You know how I feel, dad, and nothing you say can change it. We’re struggling, I know that. I don’t understand how you think that this marriage is a good idea, for you or for this family. 

ED: This FAMILY isn’t just me and you anymore Eddy. And I’m sorry if you’re having a hard time accepting that but I’m not going to just leave Stacy because you’ve got problems that need to be worked out. 

EDDY: Oh? You can’t leave Stacy? You mean how you left mom? 

ED: Eddy. You know that what happened between me and your mom wasn’t that simple. 

EDDY: I know you didn’t try to work things out! I know you could’ve tried harder! 

ED: She cheated on me, Eddy. She took half of what I had, got remarried, and SHE left both of us. I’m sorry that I decided to file the divorce papers, but she ended our relationship when she cheated and you can’t blame me for that.

EDDY (Crying): I don’t understand why we aren’t enough for her! I’m doing everything I can to get good grades, follow my passions, and prove to her that this is the family she wants to be a part of! I just feel like I can’t do anything right! 

ED (Hugging Eddy): Oh, Ed. I know you’re trying hard. You’re making me so proud, and I’m sure she feels the same way. But noting you, nor I, can do will change the way things ended up. She’s with someone else now, and all that we can do is focus on being there for each other. 

EDDY: What does her new family have that we don’t!? I don’t understand what’s so great about them. I just want her back. 

(Sound of front door opens, footsteps can be heard)

STACY (from a distance): Hello? Is anyone home?

EDDY: Great. (Quickly gets up and runs to room, past Stacy, running into her slightly). 

STACY: …Hey, did I interrupt something? 

ED: No… well, yes… but this is your home too and there’s no reason you shouldn’t be able to come and go on your own schedule. But I’ve gotta go Stace, I have a doctor’s appointment in 15 minutes. Eddy’s in his room, he’s been on edge today so just be careful. 

SCENE SEVEN 

EDDY’s room. Light blue walls, athletic awards and posters hang on the walls. Some clothes on the floor, otherwise tidy. EDDY sits on his bed on the phone with STAN (the phone is on speakerphone). Door is open to the rest of the house.

EDDY: Dude it’s seriously so unreal how my Dad is still with her... 

(STACY walks down the hallway, almost passing EDDY’s doorway until she hears him talking on the phone). 

EDDY: I don’t understand what he’s doing. Like… I don’t even want to think about this but is the sex really that good? I can’t think of another reason that… 

(STACY raises her hand to her mouth. Tears form in her eyes). 

STAN: Come on, dude. Don’t you think that’s a little harsh? She’s seemed cool every time I’ve come over. And doesn’t she like cook for you and stuff? That’s nice. And it really can’t be that bad having her around, she’s hot just think of it in the most positive way. 

EDDY: Dude seriously what the fuck. She’s HOT? That’s my dad’s girlfriend. That’s just messed up. 

(STACY runs quickly past the doorway and closes the door to the master bedroom). 

SCENE EIGHT 

Master bedroom of the house (Ed and Stacy’s room). Large bed in center of the room, large windows line the walls. 

(STACY’s cries can be heard from outside the room. EDDY stands on the other side of the door, listening. STACY sits on the floor, back against the bed with her hands buried in her knees. Her makeup has stained her face). 

EDDY (Knocking lightly on the door): Stacy? Can I—

STACY (Crying): Please, Eddy. Just leave me alone. You’ve never want me around anyway, so just push me out like you’ve always done so well.  

EDDY: Stacy! I… I… I don’t know what you heard but it’s not what it sounded like... I didn’t —

STACY: Please! 

(Eddy standing with back against the door, looking down. Slowly walks away. Lights fade). 

SCENE NINE 

EDDY’s bedroom. EDDY sitting on the edge of his bed, holding a framed picture of his mom, dad, and himself. Looks around the room and back at the picture. Falls backwards on bed, exhausted. Reaches into back pocket for phone and dials a number, on speaker the ringing can be heard. 

RICHARD: Hey Eddy! Surprised to see your name pop up on my phone! What’s up kid? 

EDDY: Hey Grandpa… I was wondering if you had a second to talk. It’s totally fine if not, I understand and I can always—

RICHARD: Eddy! Eddy! Tell me what’s going on, I always have time for you! 

EDDY (softly smiling): I was on the phone with Stan earlier today, and I mean you know how me and Stacy don’t always get along… And I really didn’t mean for anything to happen or to upset her like this—

RICHARD: Eddy, get to the point, I’m not going to judge you. What happened? 

EDDY: Well she walked by and I think she heard some of what me and Stan were talking about.

RICHARD: And what were you saying? 

EDDY: Well… 

RICHARD: Alright, Eddy. It’s not important I know what you said, because I can imagine if it’s made her this upset then it wasn’t kind. If we’re honest, kid, I don’t understand what your big issue with her is. She makes your dad happy, and that should be important to you. 

EDDY: He was happy before too, Grandpa. We were—

RICHARD: Eddy, you might think you know more than you actually do. When your parent’s split, you were still pretty young. A lot can happen between two people, and you have to understand that you need to learn to accept how things are now even if you’d rather be back in the past. 

EDDY: I can accept things, grandpa! She’s just not something I want in my life, and I feel bad for being rude but I can’t help but feel like she’s here for the wrong reasons. Why else would she be spending so much time with my dad? He’s so much older than her and she—

RICHARD: Your grandmother and I aren’t much farther apart in age than Stacy and your dad, Eddy. Sometimes love can manifest in funny ways and sneak up on you in the most unexpected people. She’s not your mom, and never will be your mom. I know that, and so does she. But you’ve gotta give her a chance. (Getting angrier in tone) She does more for you than you—

EDDY: What does she possibly do for me? Offer to cook meals? I can make my own dinner. She doesn’t do anything I can’t, or that dad can’t do for me. 

RICHARD (Angry): She’s paying for your college, Eddy! 

(Silence passes for two seconds). 

EDDY (quietly, confused): What? 

RICHARD: Oh... Eddy, hold on. You can’t—

EDDY: What do you mean? 

RICHARD: Eddy, listen. I wasn’t supposed to tell you. You weren’t supposed to know! Your dad, I mean I didn’t even know until recently. 

EDDY: Grandpa, What. Do. You. Mean?

RICHARD: Your tuition is expensive, Eddy. But it was important to your dad that you have all of the opportunities in the world. And when your parents were saving for college, they didn’t account for your mom leaving with half his money right before tuition bills come flooding in. And he was able to make it work, but last semester with your frat dues and the rent increase he was a little short. He didn’t want to tell you and stress you out, we know how competitive your classes are. 

EDDY: So, what then? He found Stacy and got with her for the money? See! I was right. He’s not in love with her, and she’s a fool. 

RICHARD: No, Eddy. He had no intent of asking her for money, and he didn’t even know her parents had the money to help. He was just talking to her about you, as people generally do when they’re in relationships. She isn’t very close with her family anymore, because she doesn’t like how the money made people act. That’s also probably why she didn’t tell your father she came from money until she had to. So she asked her parents for some money to pay for your tuition. 

EDDY: And they just gave it over? Nice gesture, but when you come from money asking daddy to throw a little around isn’t that hard—obviously. 

RICHARD: Jesus, Eddy. Can’t you just be thankful you have so many people that care about you? It wasn’t easy for her to get it either, she hadn’t spoken to her family in a few years and now they’ve made some sort of deal that they have to be in her life. I don’t know where this self-righteous attitude that you’re the only person whose suffered, or whose made sacrifices in their life came from but I don’t like it. Congratulations on having good grades, Eddy, but you need to face the facts and realize without Stacy you wouldn’t even have the opportunity to earn those grades. Call me when you’ve worked it out, she deserves better than this—especially from you. 

(RICHARD ends the phone call. EDDY throws phone backwards on bed, he lets out a deep sigh. EDDY stands up, sets framed photo back on table and walks into hallway. As he exits room into hallway, EDDY’s cellphone begins to ring on bed. He turns around swiftly, and his eyes meet with a photo hanging in the hall of STACY and ED watching movies on the couch, smiling. He pauses to look at the photo, and then runs to pick up phone). 

EDDY: Hey, dad… What’s up? 

ED (On speaker): Hey Eddy, just wanted to call and let you know I won’t be home until late tonight because I have an unexpected meeting I need to take and it’s international so we’re dealing with some time differences. 

EDDY: Oh, okay. Thanks for letting me know. 

ED: Yep, how’s everything at home? 

EDDY: Oh… um… you know. The usual. 

ED: Okay, well, I’ll be home later. Love you. 

EDDY: Okay dad… love you too.

(EDDY hangs up phone, walks out of room and makes it hallway down the hallway. EDDY pauses, and looks back at the same photo from before. Turns around and walks to STACY’s room. From outside, light crying can be heard. EDDY hesitantly knocks on the door again. Almost immediately, STACY swings the door open. Wiped makeup marks from crying stain her face). 

STACY: Eddy, I really don’t want to do this. I know how you feel. I don’t need you to try to make something up because you don’t want your dad to see me upset. Don’t worry, I’ll be fine by the time he comes home and I won’t get you in trouble. You win and I promi—

(EDDY hugs STACY, she stops speaking upon embrace. They hug for three long seconds). 

EDDY: I’m sorry, Stacy. And I don’t even think an apology is enough, and I don’t expect you to forgive me for how rude I’ve been. Grandpa told me. He told me what you did for me. I’m sorry that I’ve treated you so poorly, I just didn’t know. And that’s still such a shitty excuse because nobody deserves what I did to you, or what I’ve said about you. It’s just hard for me—

STACY: Eddy, I know. I know it’s hard for you. My mom died at a young age, and my dad remarried the worst woman I could possibly imagine. But I promise I’m not her, and I’m not here to replace your mom either. 

EDDY: Why didn’t you ever tell me that? 

STACY: You’re kidding, right? I could barely suggest we have chicken for dinner before you stormed out of the room! 

EDDY: Okay, okay. I guess you’re right. 

(They both laugh). 

EDDY: Hey, dad called and he said he’s gonna be out working for a while tonight. Do you wanna watch a movie or something? It’s only 9:30 and I got all my homework done early and the guys are having a bro night at the frat but I think I’d rather stay in tonight. 

STACY (Smiling): I’d love that, Eddy. But first, let me wash my face. (They both laugh). 

EDDY: Why? I like this look for you! (They both laugh). 

STACY: I was going for raccoon—but make it fashion. (They both laugh). 

(STACY turns around and goes to wash her face. Eddy sits down on the bed, looking at his phone). 

EDDY: So, what movies do you like? 

STACY: Hmm… I’m pretty open to anything. How about the new Spiderman movie? 

EDDY: The Marvel series is my favorite shit ever! I’m so down. 

(STACY comes out from the bathroom, leans on the doorway between the bathroom and bedroom facing EDDY. Her face washed and makeup free. Her skin glows but her eyes are dark and showing stress and her lack of sleep). 

STACY (Smiling, in a way that suggests she knew): I think it’s on Netflix, go downstairs to the living room and queue it up, I’ll be down there in a second. 

SCENE 9

Family living room. Big leather, slightly worn out black couch. Throw blankets wadded up in the corners of the couch. Large TV on the wall, mounted on a large glass chest that’s filled with family mementos. Large, decorative analog clock hangs on wall across from TV. TV plays Spiderman movie, EDDY and STACY both asleep on the couch. Clock reads 11:00pm. Sounds of door opening in the distance, and quietly shutting. ED walks into the room, looking around for who is watching TV, confused.

ED (Softly): Hey guys… 

(ED peers over onto couch and sees they’re both asleep. Smiles to himself. Softly lays throw blankets over each of them, and walks upstairs. Lights fade out).