Breezeblock Park Act 2 Betty

Question 1

We want y’ to know that you’ve got all our sympathy, Betty

Answer 1

Sympathy, Vera?

Question 2

Reeny
Tortured – wasn’t I sayin’ Vera? Tortured!

Answer 2

Isn’t it funny – the way things turn out.
Vera and Reeny look at each other.

Question 3

Reeny
Erm – how d’ y’ mean Bet?

Answer 3

(still smiling)Well, you know, with your John being older than Sandra – I mean, I always imagined, me an’ Syd did, naturally – we thought, with John being older – we always thought that it would be you and Ted who’d be the first couple to be blessed with a grandchild! (Smiling.)It is funny isn’t it, the course – of life.

Question 4

Where will they be livin’, Betty?

Answer 4

Oh, with us! Like I said to Syd, Timothy is only a student y’ know. He won’t have a lot of money, not for the time being – they couldn’t afford a place of their own, could they? Syd says he’ll put a little cooker in Sandra’s room – they can make it like a little flat up there. An’ the baby can have the front box room.

Question 5

Reeny
(shaking her head)Don’t y’ think it’ll be a bit draughty for a baby, Betty? After all …

Answer 5

Not when we get the central heating in.I know you’re his great-aunt, an’ I appreciate your concern, Reeny, I’m very grateful, but, I am Wayne’s grandmother. (She pours out the tea.)

Question 6

(in raptures)Ah – Wayne! What a lovely choice,

Answer 6

It is a nice name isn’t it, Vee?

Question 7

Vera
(on the stairs)But will Wayne like it at grammar school, Betty?

Answer 7

(on the stairs)It’s not a question of liking it; if Wayne’s got the intelligence to pass the scholarship then he’ll have to go, Vera. (Noticing that the men have gone). Where’ve they gone?

Question 8

Reeny
I sent them out for a pint.

Answer 8

You didn’t.

Question 9

Reeny
He was here. Y’ know, Tim.

Answer 9

Well, where’s Sandra?

Question 10

Reeny
She’s comin’ down on her own, he said.

Answer 10

Well, I don’t know if it’s on – out to the pub again

Question 11

(Turns and looks at her settee.)Well what do you think, Betty? I mean, re-covered it could look very nice.

Answer 11

It would, Reeny.

Question 12

Reeny
Well then – it’s up to your Sandra. If she doesn’t mind havin’ cast-offs she can have this suite. It’ll help them get started. If she wants it I’ll see about a van and get it sent round to yours.

Answer 12

Well, you know I never take cast-offs myself, Reeny – but seeing as it is for Sandra …

Question 13

Reeny
Like I say, it’ll do her for a while. With new covers on she’ll have almost a new suite.

Answer 13

(quietly, sincerely, choosing not to fight)Thanks, Reen. Thanks.

Question 14

Reeny
That’s all right, Betty love.

Answer 14

(after a pause)I wish – well, y’ know – I wish she had – saved herself. Not because I’m a prude. I’m not! But it does, y’ know, it does make it that bit harder when they start off like this. (Pause.)Still, if they’re as happy as me an’ her father have been …

Question 15

Vera
Ah, you’ve been very happy, haven’t you, Betty.

Answer 15

I believe we have, Vera, when I look back, I have to say it’s been a very happy life that I’ve had. I think there’s only one regret I’ve got …

Question 16

Vera
What’s that, Bet?

Answer 16

I think that was the only thing I ever really yearned for, a little place of our own.

Question 17

Reeny
(to Betty)Will – erm – where will they be gettin’ married Betty?

Answer 17

In church. Why?

Question 18

Reeny
And will Sandra be dressed in – y’ know?

Answer 18

What?

Question 19

Reeny
In white?

Answer 19

Of course she will. Oh yes. Nobody bothers about things like that these days. You’ve got to get with it, Reeny. You’re too old-fashioned, Reeny.

Question 20

Reeny
Whiteness does stand for purity, Betty.

Answer 20

And how many white weddings have you seen at that church?

Question 21

Reeny
Plenty.

Answer 21

Yes, and you can count on the fingers of one hand the girls who went up that aisle as virgins.

Question 22

Vera
I did, Betty. I went up the aisle a virgin.

Answer 22

Yes, Vera. And the state your husband gets into every night, it’s a wonder you haven’t remained one.
Sandra enters the kitchen and crosses into the front room, wrapped in a large coat. She is hesitant, almost nervous.

Question 23

Sandra
Is Tim here?

Answer 23

Now stop worryin’ about him.

Question 24

Sandra
Where is he?
Reeny
It’s all right. He’s not run away, y’ know. He’s just gone down for a pint with the men.
Sandra
With the men?

Answer 24

With your dad and them.

Question 25

Sandra Oh. Right. (She turns, about to go.

Answer 25

Where are y’ going? Sandra …

Question 26

Sandra To the pub. Vera / Reeny To the pub? Sandra Yes.

Answer 26

Why?

Question 27

Reeny goes to kitchen to make a pot of tea. Sandra remains standing. Long pause. Vera It's not good for y’, y’ know, Sandra – standin’. Why don't y’ sit down?

Answer 27

It's not only y’ self y've got to think of now, y’ know.

Question 28

Reeny A thirty-six-hour labour's no joke y’ know. I hope for your sake, Sandra, I hope you don't have a big one.

Answer 28

She will though, look at her. Y’ can see already.

Question 29

Reeny Now don't be daft Sandra, you take that coat off. Vera and Reeny go to the kitchen and make tea.

Answer 29

(conspiratorially)You leave your coat on, love. I wish I'd had the sense to keep mine on. She might have had central heatin’ put in, but it's obvious she can't afford to switch it on.

Question 30

Sandra (looking out of the window)Did Tim talk to you?

Answer 30

No, we were upstairs when he was here, love. He stayed with the men.

Question 31

Sandra (turning to her)Has me dad told you?

Answer 31

Told me what, love? (Standing back and taking a good look at her.)’Ey, you're beginnin’ to show already you are. Aren't you?

Question 32

Sandra turns away again. Betty smiles affectionately at her back.

Answer 32

(quietly)Sandra. Sand. I know we've had our rows in the past, Sandra. But – but let's forget them now, shall we? Let's put them behind us. We're going to be grandmother and mother soon. The little lad will be a bridge between us.

Question 33

Sandra (firming moving out of her mother's grip)I think you should sit down, Mum.

Answer 33

Sit down? Sit down? Can't y’ see I'm too excited to sit down? I could dance, Sandra. It's almost as if that little baby is inside me, not you.

Question 34

Sandra Please sit down. I've got something to tell you.

Answer 34

I'm going to get your dad to turn the upstairs into a little flat for you and Tim. We'll have a little cooker up there an’ I'll be able to baby-sit an’ help you out an’ that …

Question 35

Sandra (shaking her head)No, Mother. No!

Answer 35

I thought to meself, well, there was one baby, once, who had nowhere to rest. But this little baby of ours – he'll have a proper home. (Pause.)I realized last night … the real meaning of Christmas.

Question 36

There is a long pause. Betty looks at Sandra, who is looking out of the window. Very quietly Betty starts singing.

Answer 36

‘Away in a manger No crib for a bed The little Lord Jesus …’

Question 37

Sandra turns to face Betty who continues singing, urging Sandra to join her, moving to her. Sandra Mother listen to me.

Answer 37

‘Lay down his sweet head The stars in – ’

Question 38

Sandra (backing away)Will you listen to me?

Answer 38

Betty still singing, walking towards Sandra who is backing away ‘– the bright sky …’

Question 38

Sandra is backed into the corner. She is up against the Christmas tree. Betty still sings. Sandra (in a scream)Mother! (She flings the nearest object, the tinsel tree, across the room.) .

Answer 38

Betty stops singing, shocked. Vera and Reeny rush in and stop, gaping. Sandra is firm, deliberate

Question 39

Sandra We are not coming to live with you an’ me dad! I'm moving into Tim's flat – today! We're not even going to get married. We're going to live together. Pause. Right? Did you hear that? Did you hear what I said?

Answer 39

Betty does not answer. Sandra goes up to her. Vera and Reeny dare not move. Sandra shouts at Betty.

Question 40

Sandra: Did you?

Answer 40

(quietly)Yes. I heard.

Question 41

Sandra Good – good. Because you've got to know I don't want any of that. Why should I stay, Mother?

Answer 41

Betty is tight-lipped and not even looking at Sandra.

Question 42

Sandra What is there to stay for? If there was some – some point, I could stay. But what do you ever do? All of you, you just sit around all day, not understanding what's going on, ripping each other to pieces. There's no meaning, is there? Look at Christmas – what does Christmas mean to you? It's just more telly, that's all isn't it? Three days of telly an’ then back to work. (Pause.)When Tim comes for me I'm going because I don't want any of that.

Answer 42

(leaning forward angrily, shouting directly into her face)Well what – do you want?

Question 43

Sandra (shouting back)I want a good life Mother. I want something that's got some meaning left in it. I want to sit around and talk about films and – and music. I want a house where we don't have the telly on all day, where we don't worry about the furniture. I want books on the shelves. Mother – and – oh – for God's sake, I want paintings on the wall and red wine on the table and lots of different cheeses. I want – I want—I want …

Answer 43

(venomously, deliberately scornful and vicious)Want – want – want! And what about what I wanted?

Question 44

Sandra (quickly)What you wanted, you got! Y’ got it all, Mother – y’ three-piece suites, y’ fridge, y’ plastic pedal bin. What you wanted – you got! (She turns and looks out of the window.)

Answer 44

You begrudge me every bit of pleasure I have ever had – don't y’? (Pause.)Well, let me tell you – it's more than pleasure – much more. (To Many's the time that a trip round the supermarket an’ a new find on the shelves has stopped me goin’ home an’ puttin’ my head in the gas oven. (She stares at Sandra who is looking out of the window. She turns and sits on the settee.)

Question 45

Sandra I'm going away with Tim, Mother. Today

Answer 45

Betty stands tight-lipped, staring at the wall.

Question 46

Reeny Your mind's made up then is it Sandra? Sandra nods. Reeny You're goin’ t’ live tally with him? (Philosophically.)Well, I suppose I should be shocked. It's just your mum I feel sorry for. (Knowing she has got her at last.)But don't worry, Betty. I won't have my sister talked about no matter what sort of cross she has to bear. We'll stand by you, Betty. So look, I was going to send this round to your mother's but – erm – well, do y’ want me to send it round to the flat? It would look nice re-covered. It's a good suite.

Answer 46

Betty suddenly leaps up, screaming the word. Betty Suite? You call this a suite? (She starts to pull the tape off.)Look, look – just look at it. It's rubbish. I wouldn't put it in a dog's kennel. (Putting wildly at the tape.)A suite? This? (Pulling out handfuls of foam rubber.)It's nothing more than a cheap – (Handfuls of foam.)– stuck together – (Foam.)– shoddy – (Foam.)– second-hand – (Foam.)– stinking shitty load of SHITE! (She has effectively reduced the settee to a wreck.) Vera sits in the middle of tape and foam rubber. Betty stands glaring, wild.

Question 47

Best if we keep her occupied. Come on, Betty love.

Answer 47

Betty allows herself to be led through to the kitchen by Reeny and Vera.

Question 48

During the above, Vera, Reeny and Betty come through from the kitchen, drying their hands, etc. There is now a complete circle of people around Sandra.

Answer 48

Finally she comes to Betty. She looks at her mother. There is a long pause in which the two women look at each other. Slowly, Betty stands aside. Sandra walks past Betty, through to the kitchen, and out. They all look at Betty: she sits down. There is an uncomfortable silence.

Question 49

Betty turns to Reeny. She sees Tim standing there. Reeny Do y’ fancy that, Bet?

Answer 49

(to Tim)Are you still here?

Question 50

Tim Well …

Answer 50

Y’ better get going hadn't y’? Y’ don't know where she'll be roaming.