Scene 18 & 19
Scene XVIII
[Jude is sitting in his office, which was actually just recently changed from Father Paul’s office. He still looks somewhat out of place there. He glances at the clock. The couple is late. He spins around in his chair out of boredom, just as the couple walks in. They look somewhat young, but it is obvious that they are tired out by the stresses of marriage. Jude gets up and shakes both of their hands. They sit down in two chairs placed in front of his desk.]
Eleanor
Thank you for meeting with us, Father. This really means a lot.
Jude
Not a problem. It’s my job, after all. Now, what seems to be the problem here?
Mike
Eleanor and I aren’t getting along lately. I don’t think it’s good for the children.
Jude
How exactly are you not getting along?
Mike
We’re fighting all the time. We argue over trivial things. She’s gotten very… stubborn.
Eleanor
I’m no more stubborn than you are!
Mike
You see how she is?
Jude
Please, let’s try not to argue here.
Eleanor
Right, sorry, Father. This is a place of God, after all.
Mike
This was all her idea. I thought we could just go to a regular marriage counselor. One that would tell us if we needed to get a divorce or not.
Eleanor
We don’t need to get a divorce!
Mike
I know we don’t need to, but I want someone who is honest enough to tell us if we did!
Eleanor
But we don’t need one, so why does it matter how “honest” he is with us? He’s just here to try and help us, we don’t need someone to be brutal.
Mike
Well, it’s a good thing you chose the gentler person to try and help us with our obviously gentle problems.
Eleanor
There’s nothing wrong with care and compassion. You could even stand to show some once in a while!
Mike
I need to show more care and compassion? You’re the one that never gets off my back after a hard day at work! All I hear is nagging, nagging, nagging, and even more nagging from you all evening! I don’t want to hear all that crap! I’m the one that’s bringing home the money, and I can’t even relax afterwards!
Eleanor
Would it kill you to once in a while listen to what I have to say? I’m an important member of this relationship too, you know! I’m the one who carried, gave birth to, and who raises our four children! By the way, that counts as a full time job, Mike. I don’t get a break from that! Maybe you should care less about work and more about how much your family needs you!
Mike
I work because I care, Eleanor!
Eleanor
Well, maybe you could actually ACT like you care along with working sometimes!
Mike
Then maybe you should stop acting like I don’t do anything for this family just because I’m not there all the time!
Eleanor
You’re absolutely ridiculous!
Mike
Well, you’re absolutely absurd!
Jude
[Interrupts as the couple glares angrily at one another] Have you tried prayer?
Scene XIX
[Jude is back at Ivy and Sidney’s house. He is sitting on the floor, in the midst of wrapping up various fragile items in newspaper before gently putting them away in boxes with other newspaper wrapped things. Ivy walks in holding a few band aids and taking care not to touch anything with a cut up hand.]
Ivy
I can’t believe I smashed that glass. I guess I get a little worked up.
Jude
[Chuckles] I guess so. You and Sidney both. I hope it wasn’t irreplaceable.
[Ivy kneels down next to him, handing him one of band aids. He instantly understands and takes her hand to help her bandage the small cuts.]
Ivy
No, it’s fine. I don’t even know why we had that thing. It didn’t match any of the other glasses anyway. I found it at a garage sale. Sidney shouldn’t have let me buy it.
Jude
[Raises one eyebrow] He kind of lets you do whatever you want. You are an adult after all.
Ivy
An irresponsible one.
Jude
You seem pretty sure of yourself most of the time. He’s probably just letting you figure out your life for yourself.
Ivy
I’m talking about buying a stupid glass.
Jude
So am I, obviously. Were we supposed to change subject a bit ago?
Ivy
You’re acting priestly. Trying to give me advice indirectly like I don’t know what you’re trying to do.
Jude
What am I trying to do then?
Ivy
Get me to stay.
Jude
You’re a sharp one.
Ivy
You’re rather snarky today.
Jude
I’m trying a different approach. Obviously the caring approach didn’t do anything, so maybe…
Ivy
Maybe telling me that I’m an idiot will work better.
Jude
Yeah.
Ivy
Well, go for it then.
Jude
Go for what?
Ivy
Tell me that I’m an idiot.
Jude
You’re an idiot.
Ivy
Thank you.
Jude
You’re welcome.
Ivy
I’m still going to Seattle though.
Jude
Yeah, I figured as much. Thought it was worth a try though.
[Jude applies one more bandage to Ivy’s hand. She looks at her palm, which is now covered by the many bandages.]
Ivy
Thanks. Maybe now I’ll get back to work.
Jude
And maybe Sidney will chill out and come back soon.
Ivy
Let’s hope so. Maybe we should take a break.
Jude
By cutting ourselves again?
Ivy
Let’s go get some food. I’m hungry. There’s this little bakery café place just down the road a little bit. Maybe Sidney will be back by the time we’re done eating.
Jude
All right.
Next Scene...
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