The Grapes of Wrath Page #8

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MA:

I was so scared we was goin' away

without you--and we'd never see each

other again.

TOM:

I'd a found you, Ma.

CASY, with great politeness, turns his back to the scene and

keeps well away from it.

TOM now looks around at the dusty furniture piled around the

yard.

TOM:

Muley tol' me what happened, Ma. Are

we goin' to California true?

MA:

We *got* to, Tommy. But that's gonna

be awright. I seen the han'bills,

about how much work they is, an'

high wages, too. But I gotta fin'

out somepin' else first, Tommy.

(Breathlessly)

Did they hurt you, son? Did they

hurt you an' make you mean-mad?

TOM:

(puzzled)

Mad, Ma?

MA:

Sometimes they do.

TOM:

(gently)

No, Ma I was at first--but not no

more.

MA:

(not yet quite

convinced)

Sometimes they do somethin' to you,

Tommy. They hurt you--and you get

mad--and then you get mean--and they

hurt you again--and you get meaner,

and meaner--till you ain't no boy or

no man any more, but just a walkin'

chunk a mean-mad. Did they hurt you

like that, Tommy?

TOM:

(grinning)

No, Ma. You don't have to worry about

that.

MA:

Thank God. I--I don't want no mean

son

(She loves him with

her eyes)

At the DOOR, Pa is staring toward them, his mouth open.

PA:

(almost to himself)

It's Tommy!

(Then shouting inside)

It's Tommy back!

(Heading for Tom)

What'd you do, son--bust out?

INSIDE UNCLE JOHN'S CABIN, all but Granma are staring toward

the door. Then all but Granma scramble to their feet, headed

for the door.

WINFIELD AND RUTHIE

(in an excited chant)

Tom's outa ja-ul! Tom's outa ja-ul!

GRAMPA:

I knowed it! Couldn't keep him in!

Can't keep a Joad in! I knowed it

from the fust!

The children and Grampa scramble out first, followed hurriedly

but less rowdily by Uncle John and Noah. Granma, aware only

that there is some excitement, looks interestedly after them

but decides against any activity.

GRANMA:

(vaguely)

Puh-raise the Lawd for vittory!

(she resumes eating)

In the BACKYARD, the prodigal son, mother and father proudly

beside him, is having his hand wrung by Grampa, who vainly

tries to button various buttons of his shirt, as always. The

two children jump up and down excitedly but are too shy to

force themselves into the reception.

GRAMPA:

(to Pa)

You know what I al'ays said: "Tom'll

come bustin' outa that jail like a

bull through a corral fence." Can't

keep no Joad in jail!

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.

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