The House on the Hill
Nowhere Fast
ACT 3 â€" Scene 3
CONNIE
NESSA
MIRANDA
POLICE OFFICER
EMMALINE
Connie stands at the door, deep in a discussion with a Police Officer. She is obviously in disbelief regarding the discussion.
POLICE OFFICER
I'm sorry ma'am. That's all we know at the moment. We will keep you posted.
The Police Officer hands her a paper and leaves. She closes the door, lost in thought, and sits down.
CONNIE
I can't believe this. Both?
NESSA
(anxious) My mom?
CONNIE
(still lost in thought, half-listening) Oh, ah... he didn't say. (pause) I don't know.
NESSA
Did they find my mom?
CONNIE
He didn't say ... Nessa. (worried) I don't know what happened to your mom.
NESSA
Did something happen to my mom?
CONNIE
Hmm?? Ah, no, ... no, nothing happened. (pause) I don't ... know. Maybe... something happened?
NESSA
I couldn't find her. (starts crying)
CONNIE
Perhaps, she left. Went on a trip ... with ... Paul.
NESSA
Maybe. (shrugs)
CONNIE
What if she never comes back? I wonder what will happen then?
NESSA
(tears streaming down her face) What? What do you mean?
CONNIE
I'm so confused right now. I don't know what I'm saying ... I just can't believe ... all of this.
NESSA/MIRANDA
I know. It's scary. Isn't it? (pause) One minute you have a life you are living and the next... it all changes in the blink of an eye.
Police Officer knocks at the door. Connie answers the door.
CONNIE
Oh ... is there any more news? Can you tell me anything more?
POLICE OFFICER
I'm officer Matthews. I'm with the DEA, may I come in?
CONNIE
Yes, of course. Please do come in. (pause) DEA?
Officer Matthews steps inside.
POLICE OFFICER
Narcotics ma'am. (pause) Oh good, You're both here. I've been looking for you. (turns to Connie, standing at the door) Ma'am, it seems as though it was poisoning. We are still looking for leads but drugs are the main suspect at this point. (smiles) Although, there was a bowl ...
CONNIE
A bowl?
POLICE OFFICER
Heroin was found ... and ah, berries.
CONNIE
Heroin? Berries? (long pause) Do you mean blueberries?
POLICE OFFICER
I see you have a garden out here ma'am.
CONNIE
Yes. I have been working on it all spring and summer. (pause) I grow fruits and vegetables.
POLICE OFFICER
What do you grow specifically, ma'am?
CONNIE
Not heroin ... if that is what you are implying. I'm not understanding what this has to do with anything.
POLICE OFFICER
Ma'am, I'm just asking questions. No worries. I'm a gardener myself... what do you like to grow in your garden? I like to grow corn and pumpkins. My kids love them both. Can't get enough of sweet corn ... all summer. Do you grow corn, ma'am?
CONNIE
No, I don't. I like flowers. I mostly grow flowers. This year, we grew some vegetables ... let's see ... I planted tomatoes, green beans, and carrots.
POLICE OFFICER
We?
CONNIE
Yes, umm.... Nessa, the neighbor girl, and I ... planted the garden together.
POLICE OFFICER
I often have my kids help me too. They are great for weeding! I tell ya. What else did you plant?
CONNIE
Oh, well ... uh... fruits. Berries. Strawberries and blueberries. They are Nessa's favorite.
POLICE OFFICER
Were any fruits here when you moved in? or did you plant all of the plants yourself?
CONNIE
Oh no officer, there wasn't a garden when we moved in a few years ago. This was the first year, I was able to plant a garden. Nessa and I tilled and planned what to plant. We bought the plants from the local greenery. (pause) Except for...
POLICE OFFICER
You didn't plant all of the plants in the garden?
CONNIE
Actually, no. Paul planted the blueberry bushes toward the back. However, Nessa and I planned to do that ourselves ... he did it ... for us. I suppose.
POLICE OFFICER
Okay. Do you happen to know what kind of blueberries they are by any chance? I can only get certain ones to grow in this region. Yours grew well given all the rain we had this season.
CONNIE
Goodness... (looks around, thinking) I don't. Paul... would...
POLICE OFFICER
That's all right ma'am. I can figure it out myself. Does your husband have a drug history?
CONNIE
The other officer asked me this too... no. He never has done drugs ever.
POLICE OFFICER
... that you know of. Correct?
CONNIE
I've only ever seen him drink. That's all I can say.
POLICE OFFICER
Okay. Thank you. If we need anything else, ma'am. I know where you are. (turns toward the other room) You (points) come with me. (officer steps outside the door and waits)
Miranda stands up from the other room offstage, walks toward Connie, stops in front of her with tears streaming down her face.
MIRANDA
He was talking to me about those dumb plants too... something about Bella. I don't even know who that is.
CONNIE
(stares at Miranda, shocked to see her) Miranda? (confused) Bella?
MIRANDA
Yeah, I guess they think Paul gave her berries or something... poisonous anyway, which is ridiculous. He was doing speedballs.
CONNIE
What? (pause) What are you talking about?
MIRANDA
Paul. He was doing drugs. (pause) He didn't feed her anything ... He could never do such a thing. She probably got into my purse ... and got into my stash.
POLICE OFFICER
Ma'am. Come with me, please.
MIRANDA
Connie, I have to go.
CONNIE
(sigh) Goodbye... Miranda.
Miranda walks out and leaves with the Police Officer. Connie sits down in the living room, lost in her thoughts.
CONNIE
Paul? ... Miranda? (long pause, excitedly) NESSA! (She stands up, yells). Emmaline? Where are you?
Steps into view.
EMMALINE
I'm right here, mamma.
CONNIE
Oh, my precious girl! There you are. I've missed you. (gives Emmaline a big hug, kneels) I have someone for you to meet.
EMMALINE
Who Mamma?
CONNIE
A new friend, Emmaline. (pause) A new friend ... for you.
EMMALINE
Really?
Stands up, yells.
CONNIE
Nessa! Where are you?
Nessa steps out of the kitchen.
NESSA
Umm... I'm ... right here.
CONNIE
Nessa! My dear sweet Nessa. There you are, my dear. Come over here! I have someone for you to meet. (she stands behind Emmaline with her hands on both shoulders) Come you're your new friend Emmaline a big hug!
Nessa walks over and happily, hugs Emmaline.
CONNIE
My two girls. You are both so pretty. Best friends forever, I just know it. (smiling) We are all together now.
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