days. Now it’s a storeroom for odds-and-ends. It’s also a hang-out for twelve
year-old girls BETH, WENDY, and ROBIN. The big shudders are open to let in
a summer breeze. BETH is eating fudgie cookies. WENDY lies listlessly by the
open window. ROBIN climbs up into the loft.)
ROBIN
Getting a tan, Wendy?WENDY
There’s no sun.ROBIN
I couldn’t come till my grandma left. Were you talking about boys?BETH
Wendy was.ROBIN
BETH
(Affirmative)Umm-hmm.
WENDY
I like boys.BETH
Look what I found. Wendy doesn’t care.(BETH lifts the lid on an old white-painted chest. She starts pulling things out.)
BETH (Continued)
It’s weird--- WENDY
Careful, or my mom will kill me.BETH
Here it is.(She removes a dry box from the trunk.)
BETH (Continued)
See.ROBIN
(Reading)“Zappoletta Forasco. Gyspy Fortunetelleress.” Is it a game?
BETH
I guess---ROBIN
(Reading)“Find out where you’ll be next year.” Next year’s not much.
BETH
It’s something.WENDY
I’ll be where I am, relaxing in the window. But with Dan or MikeROBIN
You and boys.BETH
We should open it.(WENDY’S MOTHER pokes her head up into the loft.)
WENDY’S MOTHER
I thought you’d like some seven-ups.WENDY
(Irritated)Mom.
WENDY’S MOTHER
(Ignoring WENDY)What are you girls up to?
(She sits among them.)
BETH
We’re looking at some old stuff. Is that okay?WENDY’S MOTHER
Sure. There’s---(Seeing the fortunetelleress)
Where did that come from?
BETH
In the chest---WENDY’S MOTHER
I thought it was gone---ROBIN
What is it?WENDY’S MOTHER
Well . . . it’s a game. Like a Ouija board. Like something in an arcade, only smaller. But you girls shouldn’t have it.WENDY
Mom---BETH
Is it old?WENDY’S MOTHER
I just remember it that one summer I spent a lot of time up here. With your mother, Robin. And with Lois Murphy, the girl who drowned in Tonawanda Creek. Well, let me, uh, leave you alone. I know Wendy wants me out.(She puts Zappoletta Forasco under her arm.)
ROBIN
Please, Mrs. Starnes; leave it. There’s nothing to do.WENDY’S MOTHER
No; it’s---BETH
We won’t play with it---WENDY’S MOTHER
(Snapping)Of course, you will!
(Calmer)
I’m taking it with me. Enjoy the breeze; and let me know if you find anything interesting.
(WENDY’S MOTHER goes down the loft with the fortunetelling box. Her
footsteps fade as she makes it down the ladder. ROBIN looks down at her
sandals. WENDY keeps her eyes shut. BETH scans for another cookie.)
BETH
Gee.(Zappoletta Forasco’s box appears and drifts of its own accord to a spot between
some old tools, on a shelf above the girls’ heads.)
END OF PART ONE
