The Grapes of Wrath Page #48

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TOM:

(grinning)

I didn't bust out. They lemme out.

Howya, Noah. Howya, Uncle John.

NOAH AND JOHN:

Fine, Tommy. Glad to see you.

GRAMPA:

(to anybody)

I was the same way myself. Put me in

jail and I'd bust right out. Couldn't

hold me!

As Tom chucks the two children under the chin, the rattling

roar of a jalopy causes all to turn to look.

NOAH:

(confidentially)

Bust out?

TOM:

(shaking his head)

Parole.

The roar increases. A home-built TRUCK comes around the corner

of the house. Once a Hudson sedan, the top has been cut in

two and a truck body constructed. It is driven now by Al,

and on the front seat with him are Rosasharn and Connie. The

arrival, as the truck moves into the yard, increases the

excitement, and the scene is a little incoherent with the

talking and shouting and the noise of the jalopy.

AL AND ROSASHARN

Hi, Tom! Howya doin'?

TOM:

(surprised and pleased)

Rosasharn! Hi, Rosasharn! Howya, Al!

GRAMPA:

(wildly)

The jailbird's back! The jailbird's

back!

OMNES:

Hi, Ma! Hi, Connie! Hiya, Grampa!

PA:

(to Tom)

That's Connie Rivers with her. They're

married now.

(Confidentially)

She's due about three-four months.

TOM:

(marveling)

Why, she wasn't no more'n a kid when

I went up.

AL:

(eagerly as he jumps

down)

You bust outa jail, Tom?

TOM:

(patiently)

Naw. They paroled me.

AL:

(let down)

Oh.

ROSASHARN:

Heh'o Tom.

(Proudly)

This is Connie, my husband.

TOM:

(shaking hands)

If this don't beat all!

(Chuckling)

Well, I see you been busy already!

ROSASHARN:

(gasping)

You do not see either!--not yet!

At the whoop of laughter that goes up from all, she turns in

a fine simulation of maidenly mortification, and throws

herself into Connie's arms, hiding her face against his chest.

After a moment of surprise, a slow, happy, fatuous grin begins

to broaden his face. He beams, whereupon their delight

increases, the men roaring and jeering and slapping their

legs, the women making modest efforts to suppress their

amusement.

OMNES:

Lookut his face! Y'see his face?

Lookut Rosasharn! Y'ever see anything

like her face when Tom said it? Look

around, Rosasharn! Let's see it again!

An automobile horn sounds sharply. Their laughter halted as

though cut by a knife, they look off. A TOURING CAR has

stopped in the road by the house, the engine still running.

One man drives, the other talks.

MAN:

Hey, Joad! John Joad!

In the BACKYARD the people are silent, their faces without

expression, as all gaze toward the touring car.

MAN:

Ain't forgot, have you?

JOHN:

We ain't forgot.

MAN:

Comin' through here tomorrow, you

know.

JOHN:

I know. We be out. We be out by sunup.

The touring car's engine is still heard after the men drive

off. The Joads watch the car, their heads turning, their

eyes following, expressionless.

The scene dissolves to the BACKYARD just before dawn. Now

and then a rooster crows. A couple of lanterns light the

scene as the man load the truck. It is nearly done, the body

piled high but flat with boxes, and more tied on running

boards. Al has the hood open and is working on the motor.

Noah, Casy, Uncle John, Connie, Pa, and Tom are at various

tasks. They talk as they work.

TOM:

(to Pa)

How you get all this money?

PA:

Sol' things, chopped cotton--even

Grampa. Got us about two hunnerd

dollars all tol'. Shucked out seventy-

five for this truck, but we still

got nearly a hunnerd and fifty to

set out on. I figger we oughta be

able to make it on that.

TOM:

(dryly)

Easy. After all, they ain't but about

*twelve* of us, is they?

AL:

(proudly closing the

hood)

She'll prob'ly ride like a bull calf--

but she'll ride!

PA:

Reckon we better begin roustin' 'em

out if we aim to get outa here by

daylight. How about it, John? How

you boys comin'?

(He casts a critical

eye over the truck)

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