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SCENE OPENS - With curtains closed - Lights up on podium only - Open curtains - lights up on set designated Receptionist area. Grace approaches the receptionist.
RECEPTIONIST
Ma'am, are you alright?
GRACE
(Shakes her head)
Yes. it's just that.. (Tears)
JANET
Look, I'm Janet. Come with me to my office and we'll see how we can help. (Shows her to seat. Grace sits. Janet gives her a tissue)
Take, your time. I'd like to help, if I can.
GRACE
(Amid tears)
I don't know why I'm doing this. I'm generally not a crier. It's just...' (Deep breath) I'm trying to get a job and I..I almost failed the typing test, (more tears) and I know they aren't going to hire me.
JANET
Tell you what, let me call someone upstairs in the psychiatry department to talk to you. I'm sure they can help.
GRACE
No, no, I know I must sound like I'm crazy, but it's just that I'm so frustrated. They won't be able to help.
JANET
Please, you really need to speak with someone. If you want, I'll go with you.
GRACE
No. I'll just go on home.
JANET
Just let me have someone meet you and talk with you. Please, promise me you will go.
GRACE
(Rises) No, I'll be alright. The moment of self pity has passed.
JANET
No. Wait. I found someone to see you. (Slow Fade lights down on Janet area, as slow fade Up on Dr. Office as Grace is seated.) Please promise me you'll go talk to them.
DR. JOHNSON
Ms. Stuberg?
GRACE
Yes.
DR. JOHNSON
(Extends hand)
I'm Dr. Johnson, it's nice to meet you. I understand you're going through some difficulties.
GRACE
Oh, I just had a moment of self pity, but it has all passed now.
DR. JOHNSON
Would you like to share it with me?
GRACE
(Hesitates - then more tears.)
DR. JOHNSON
(Hands her tissue - then softly) I'd really like to help you.
GRACE
(Takes a deep, sufferable breath)
Dr. Johnson, it's my life, all of it. I wouldn't know where to begin to try to explain it.
DR. JOHNSON
Do you have a family?
GRACE
Yes. Well, I have children and grandchildren.
DR. JOHNSON
Husband?
GRACE
(Shakes head)
No. No, I'm single.
DR. JOHNSON
How long have you been divorced?
GRACE
Thirty-five years.
DR. JOHNSON
That's a long time to be single. Once was enough, huh?
GRACE
Actually, I've been married and divorced twice.
DR. JOHNSON
That sounds like a good starting place, tell me about your first husband.
GRACE
Ohhh boy. I can sum that up in one word, horrible. It was a real battle ground. Two years of pure living hell. I stayed because I had no place else to go. I was the classic battered wife who bent over backwards to try and make her marriage work. Then came one of the two beatings which made me know I had to leave.
DR. JOHNSON
What happened?
(Lights start a slow fade down on Dr.'s office and up on Spot as Grace continues)
GRACE
He came in one evening and....
(Lights to low on Dr. office)
FIRST STAGE SCENE
RANDALL
I'm gon' take a bath. I'm going to shoot some pool with a couple of guys.
YOUNG GRACE
Then will you drop me by Lori's? Maybe we can go drink a beer or something?
RANDALL
Drop you by Lori's huh? Why? So you can go meet your man?
YOUNG GRACE
Randall, I'm not going out to meet no man.
RANDALL
Well, where you gon' get the money to buy beer? I know I ain't gi'd you none?
YOUNG GRACE
I was going to ask you for a couple of dollars....'
RANDALL
Yeah, like I'm supposed to buy beer for you and your man. (He cuts her off)
YOUNG GRACE
(Turns to walk off)
Forget you. Just forget it.
RANDALL
(Spins her around, slaps her - Sound effect of slap)
YOUNG GRACE
(Surprised)
What the hell you hit me for?
RANDALL
For your smart-ass mouth, for one thing. Telling me to, forget it? That's just like saying fuck it. Your daddy told me I'd have to break you.
(Grace stands shocked, rubbing her face.)
NOTE: We are currently on temporary HIATUS. We will post a new start up date soon. 
