malfunctioning fluorescent. The gallery is filled with red cardinals. Cut-outs
of Mrs. Ho were ordered but did not arrive. All are waiting, waiting. MR.
BALDHAWK stands on the side of the plaintiff. WESTWARD HO stands on
the side of the defense. Perhaps THE POSTMAN is his lawyer. He stands
near WESTWARD.)
(The other members of the Ho family are conspicuously absent. SUNNY is at the
hotel. She sits poolside and reads her book so loudly that, perhaps, she can be
heard even here. SUNNY’S MAN FRIEND enters. He scans the room for his
wife. WESTWARD looks at him. SUNNY’S MAN FRIEND avoids either side.)
(MRS. HO appears. She has been through a war. Her eyes are tireder than
before. But her lipstick and headscarf are red like the cardinals. She has not
shone so bright since her husband’s death. MR. BALDHAWK turns to her, then
turns away. He makes no motion for her to join him, but she knows what he
means. She decides to sit in the back. She tries to get SUNNY’S MAN FRIEND
to acknowledge her, but he leaves to find his wife. Without seeing, WESTWARD
knows that his mother is in the courtroom.)
(Oyez oyez. The BAILIFF comes out of a closet with his giant stick and bangs it
thrice on the ground. MRS. HO shudders involuntarily. WESTWARD closes his
eyes. SUNNY loses her place. MR. BALDHAWK chokes lightly.)
END OF PART XV.
