Scene 4 – Set 5 (Mike’s Club “HATS”) – Song #16
It's going on 10pm and “Hats” is closed. Remember, as Mike insists, right or wrong, “Hats” is more of a club/café than a straight-up bar. Also, it should be known by the Director, Mike leaves early most nights, having one of the bartenders close up for him. After all, he is a family man. The scene opens with MIKE sitting and talking with BONNIE, STEVE, and TOM. They have finished playing for the evening.
TOM
Not bad. But we could tighten up the blues tune.
STEVE
That was my fault. I couldn’t find the riff until it was too late… and then I didn’t wanna let it go. I’ll get it next time.
TOM
Bonnie, what did you think of the new one Mike wrote? We opened the last set with it?
Tom sings the key line of the chorus.
“Sometimes my baby sings the midnight blues.”
BONNIE
I like it! I really felt for the guy… waking up in the middle of the night to hear his wife crying quietly. Mike, what inspired you to write such a sad song?
TOM
He’s married!
Everyone laughs.
STEVE
Hey. Now that the club is closed, why don’t we try that one again?
MIKE
I have to cash out.
Steve gets up.
STEVE
You will, right after I have a chance to redeem myself. Then Tom and I will go over to the (Pool Hall) and hold a table until you get there to shoot your one game of pool.
Steve says the last line with mockery as if Mike is a baby. Mike responds to Steve only with a sneer. Mike turns to Tom to get his opinion.
MIKE
Tom?
Tom nods in the affirmative and the boys take the stage.
Folks, although we’re finished playing for the evening, we’re going to do a song Steve screwed up earlier.
Mike and Tom turn to Steve and the boys laugh. Mike reintroduces the song as he apparently did previously. Being a quaint environment, Mike believes introducing songs with some background gives the audience insight. In addition, speaking with the audience makes for a more intimate experience.
Again, it’s about a relationship that’s going bad. Life becomes so hectic the good feelings begin to fade away. It gets to the point where the thought of separation becomes less painful than the day to day interaction. This song is called “Sometimes My Baby Sings the Midnight Blues.”
The music to Song #16 – “Sometimes My Baby Sings the Midnight Blues” – begins.
MIKE
Sometimes my baby cries herself to sleep
tears all placed upon her cheeks like the evening dew.
MIKE & STEVE & TOM
Sometimes my baby sings the midnight blues.
MIKE
She leaves me colder than an arctic night.
All I want to do is to make things right, I really do.
MIKE & STEVE & TOM
Sometimes my baby sings the midnight blues.
All day long she acts just fine,
you would think that she was happy to be mine.
The days are so fast. No time to get down.
But at night in bed, I lay in dread to hear that sound.
MIKE
Sometimes my baby falls right to sleep,
but in the night she softly weeps those blues.
MIKE & STEVE & TOM
Sometimes my baby sings the midnight blues.
MIKE
In the dead of night I hear her cry.
I lay in silence wondering why and what to do.
MIKE & STEVE & TOM
Sometimes my baby sings the midnight blues.
Well I don’t know why she feels this way.
I’m thinking of moving out. I just can’t stay.
The days are so fast. No time to get down.
But at night in bed, I lay in dread to hear that sound.
MIKE
Sometimes my baby cries herself to sleep
tears all placed upon her cheeks life the evening dew.
MIKE & STEVE & TOM
Sometimes my baby sings the midnight blues.
(Instrumental)
The song ends. The boys take a token bow, confer, express satisfaction with their performance to one another, and exit the bar's performance stage.
BONNIE
Nice job guys.
STEVE
Thanks Bonnie. Hey Mike, we’re gonna go. Don’t wimp out… again.
MIKE
Don’t worry. I’ll be there.
TOM
Five bucks you don’t show.
MIKE
You’re on!
STEVE motions to Mike.
STEVE
Why don’t you just give Tom the money now?
Everyone laughs.
MIKE
Just warm up the table.
They sneer. Tom and Steve head for the door.
STEVE
'Night Bonnie.
BONNIE
Goodnight guys.
TOM
See you tomorrow Mike.
Shaking his head, Mike sneers at Tom's final jab and begins to clean up.
MIKE
See you in a few minutes Tom.
There are still a couple of patrons finishing their bottle of wine. They will leave shortly. Mike calls Jenny.
Hi Jen.
Pause. Jenny says hi and asks about the business.
Not bad. We had a good seating earlier. In fact, I think we made up for last night. How are the kids?
Pause. Jenny tells him the kids are asleep and asks if he is on his way home.
No. Tom and Steve corralled me into shooting pool over at (Pool Hall). I've stiffed 'em three times in a row, so I’ve got to show tonight or I’m really gonna hear it. I just have to shoot one game to win a bet and save face.
Pause. Jenny explains she is going to be working for several more hours.
Oh really. Well, if you're working late, maybe I'll make it a boys night out.
Pause. Jenny says to have fun and be careful.
Thanks. I won't be real late.
Mike is just about to hang up when a final thought occurs to him.
Hey Jen,… I love you.
After Mike hangs up the phone, Bonnie moves to the bar and begins the conversation she was hoping to have ever since she heard the new song.
BONNIE
How's life?
MIKE
The kids are great and Jenny's fine, thanks.
BONNIE
She's just fine? Are you sure that song wasn’t about you and Jen?
MIKE pauses and he looks hard at Bonnie. He is considering how much to explain.
MIKE
Are you sure you want to hear this?
BONNIE
How long have we been friends?
MIKE
Well, the truth is there’s no time for us any more. I’m not blaming her. She’s a full time mom, she runs the house, and she works all day. Frankly, I don't see how she does it. Still, there’s such tension when we’re together… I find myself staying away… which only makes things worse. I know now how so many relationships falter.
Pause
Anyway, enough crying. I’ve got to cash out and meet the guys.
BONNIE
I was hoping to continue our conversation.
MIKE
Stop in tomorrow.
BONNIE
I’d like to finish now.
MIKE
Sorry Bonnie, but you were witness to the bet I just made.
BONNIE
I’ll give you the five dollars.
MIKE
Are you kidding? If I don’t show, AGAIN, it’ll cost me a lot more than five bucks.
Mike continues as if speaking to himself.
They’ll never let me hear the end of it.
BONNIE
Oh, they’ll get over it. In fact, I’m actually doing you a favor. If you play pool, you’ll spend more than the five dollars,… and you’ll be out late. Finish our conversation and you’ll get home early.
Mike ponders for a moment and nods his head, as if he sees the merit in her rationale.
MIKE
All right.
BONNIE
Let me freshen up while you call the boys. I'll be right back.
Bonnie hesitates for Mike’s concurrence. Mike gives her a hesitant “OK” wave and nod. Bonnie heads to the ladies room. Then Mike informs a server she can go home – that he will close the club.
Mike makes a call to the pool hall where he is to meet the boys. He dares not call them directly for fear of them coming straight back to the club to harass him from stiffing them once again.
MIKE
Hi (First Name). It’s Mike at “HATS.”
Pause
Fine thanks. And you?
Pause
Good. (First Name), do me a favor. I'm supposed to meet Tom and Steve over there in a few minutes, but I've got to cancel.
Pause
Tell them I'm tired and I decided to go home.
Pause
No way! If I call them directly, their only going to bust 'em. I don't need the aggravation. Wait till they start playing before you tell 'em I called. Otherwise they'll run back here and give me an earful.
Pause. The owner is talking to Mike about how he has gotten razzed in a similar situation.
Right. Yep. I know. Hey, thanks (First Name). I owe ya.
Mike hangs up, pauses and, feeling guilty, he picks up the phone to call Jenny. However, Bonnie is on her way back to the bar, so he hangs up the phone. He pauses for a few seconds and then begins to wipe the counter slowly from being deep in thought. Lights go down. Curtain closes. End of Scene 4, ACT II.