A FAIR WIND FOR YARROW

As the summer of 1956 approaches, Brooklyn Dodgers fan, Russell, age 16, finds a secret diary belonging to his mother who died when he was a child. Russell has been living with his elderly grandmother and aunt with infrequent visits from his divorced father.

A telephone’s sharp ring breaks the moment. RUSSELL freezes, then races toward the sound as lights fade on IRENE, rise on the apartment. MILDRED is on the telephone)

MILDRED

Yes... yes, just one moment.

(RUSSELL nearly grabs the receiver out of HER hand)

RUSSELL

Hello? Hel– fine, Coach — how’re you? Oh, no, it’s not too late, I---- uh huh. Yeah.....Right. Right, I...I know - it must have been hard. I can understand if...... (Long pause) Really? Really? When? Sure, I can stay late. Yes. Yes, thank you, Coach. You’re welcome. I will. You too. Goodnight. Goodnight, Sir— thank you! (Gingerly replacing the receiver) I... made it....

STELLA

Honey...

RUSSELL

I made the team.

STELLA

Sit down, I'll bring you your egg cream.

RUSSELL

I made the team, Pa - I made the team.

(STELLA goes into the kitchen.)

MILDRED

Russ....I have some wonderful news.

RUSSELL

Forty five guys tried out and they only picked eighteen — I’ll be playing with seniors — I get to wear that royal blue and gold cap and the uniform with the blue pin stripes and —

MILDRED

Russell, you’re going to live with your father.

(STELLA carries a seltzer bottle, a glass and a bottle of Fox’s U-Bet Chocolate Syrup to the dining table where SHE left the quart of milk)

VAN

We don't have to talk about it now. It won't be until September when school starts.

RUSSELL

But I have practice — our games start in two weeks. And I...I want to take dance lessons. In the city. I figured I’d work all summer to pay for them. I’ll take the bus into the city and home —

STELLA

Millie, just like Irene.

\

VAN

No, not just like Irene. Irene danced - that didn’t make her a dancer. Look, Russ, I’m sorry about these plans of yours but — look, you’ve got a bright mind. If you pay attention to your work and the things that will matter in high school and later, you won't have to worry about anything when you graduate.

RUSSELL

I have talent — I move great on the field - I just need lessons, that's all. Please, can’t I stay here?

VAN

Do you want to be coddled and protected like this all your life? You’re not a woman who can have someone else offer to take care of her because she’s so beautiful - you don't grow up and still expect to play and have fun —

RUSSELL

It's not play - I'll work at it. I’m serious, Pa. I'll keep doing it until I'm good and I can get jobs —you’ll see.

VAN

What do you even know about dancing? You’ll go to some school, get up there and make a jackass out of yourself — You don’t know what New York is like.

RUSSELL

Yes, I do.

VAN

Hey, partner - listen - I’ve bought a house — wait until you see —

RUSSELL

I do know about New York — I know about the Cotton Club and Cab Calloway and George Kaufman — Ma wrote —(stops)

VAN

What did she write?

RUSSELL

She ... she wrote me a letter and told me all about it. She's not dead — not really. You....you'd think of her as dead whether she was alive or not.

MILDRED

Russell—I’m surprised at you—apologize—

VAN

I think of your mother as dead because she is dead—

MILDRED

He's tired. He's overexcited. Just go home and we'll talk about it later.

VAN

Get his things ready. I'm taking him out of school. I’ll come by tomorrow at six.

MILDRED

Van, just let us have the summer—

RUSSELL

You can’t do that—you can’t—

VAN

Don’t you tell me what I can’t do — I’m your father - not some — some —

RUSSELL

Pa, please - I can't leave—

VAN

I thought this would be — I thought you’d — (stops) Why are you acting as though I want to kill you?