The Grapes of Wrath Page #50

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PA:

What you mean you ain't goin'? We

*got* to go. We got no place to stay.

GRAMPA:

I ain't talkin' about you, I'm talkin'

about me. And I'm a-stayin'. I give

her a good goin' over all night long--

and I'm a-stayin'.

PA:

But you can't *do* that, Grampa.

This here land is goin' under the

tractor. We *all* got to git out.

GRAMPA:

All but me! I'm a-stayin'.

TOM:

How 'bout Granma?

GRAMPA:

(fiercely)

Take her with you!

MA:

(getting out of the

truck)

But who'd cook for you? How'd you

live?

GRAMPA:

Muley's livin', ain't he? And I'm

*twicet* the man Muley is!

PA:

(on his knee)

Now listen, Grampa. Listen to me,

just a minute.

GRAMPA:

(grimly)

And I ain't gonna listen either. I

tol' you what I'm gonna do.

(Angrily)

And I don't give a hoot in a hollow

if they's oranges and grapes crowdin'

a fella outa bed even, I ain't a-

goin' to California!

(Picking up some dirt)

This here's my country. I b'long

*here*.

(Looking at the dirt)

It ain't no good--

(after a pause)

--but it's mine.

TOM:

(after a silence)

Ma. Pa.

(They move toward the

cabin with him)

Grampa, his eyes hurt and hunted and

frightened and bewildered, scratches

in the dirt.

GRAMPA:

(loudly)

And can't nobody *make* me go, either!

Ain't nobody here *man* enough to

make me! I'm a-stayin'.

All watch him worriedly.

INSIDE THE CABIN:

TOM:

Either we got to tie him up and

*throw* him on the truck, or somepin.

He can't stay here.

PA:

Can't tie him. Either we'll hurt him

or he'll git so mad he'll hurt his

self.

(After thought)

Reckon we could git him *drunk*?

TOM:

Ain't no whisky, is they?

MA:

Wait. There's a half a bottle a

soothin' sirup here.

(In the trash in the

corner)

It put the chillun to sleep.

TOM:

(tasting it)

Don't taste bad.

MA:

(looking in the pot)

And they's some coffee here. I could

fix him a cup...

TOM:

That's right. And douse some in it.

PA:

(watching)

Better give him a good 'un. He's

awful bull-headed.

Ma is already pouring coffee into a can as GRAMPA is seen.

GRAMPA:

(mumbling defiantly)

If Muley can scrabble along, I can

do it too.

(Suddenly sniffing)

I smell spareribs. Somebody been

eatin' spareribs? How come I ain't

got some?

MA:

(from the door)

Got some saved for you, Grampa. Got

'em warmin' now. Here's a cuppa

coffee.

GRAMPA:

(taking the cup)

Awright, but get me some a them

spareribs, too. Get me a whole mess

of 'em. I'm hongry.

He drinks the coffee. Pa and Tom watch him. He notices

nothing. He takes another dram of the coffee.

GRAMPA:

(amiably)

I shore do like spareribs.

He drinks again.

The scene dissolves to the TRUCK. It is just after dawn. Pa,

Tom, and Noah are lifting Grampa into the truck. He mumbles

angrily, but is unconscious of what is happening.

PA:

(fretfully)

Easy, *easy!* You wanta bust his

head wide open? Pull his arms, John.

GRAMPA:

(mumbling)

Ain't a-goin', thas all...

PA:

Put somepin' over him, so he won't

git sun-struck.

(Looking around)

Ever'body set now?

(A chorus of responses)

Awright, Al, letta go!

The engine rattles and roars shakily. Grinning with

excitement, Pa sits down and pats Grampa clumsily.

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