ACT ONE

SCENE ONE - POTTING SHED The potting shed which serves as both the workroom and the unofficial meeting spot for the Saturday Morning Garden Club. A projection screen in the center of the background projects an image of a window that shows the mountains that surround Big Stone Gap, Va. A rustic working table surrounded by several chairs sets on stage right. A low bookcase filled with albums is on stage left. An open bag of potting soil, a small trowel, a small plant pot,and a water jug sit atop the bookcase. The top shelf is filled with worn albums, each one labeled with a year.

BARBARA PATTON, carrying a canvas gardening bag and ETTA West holding a piece of paper, enter and place their things on the table. BARBARA goes to the bookcase and looks through the albums, pulling one to turn the pages. ETTA flops into a chair and reads the letter with a troubled sigh.

BARBARA PATTON

I know that sound, Etta West.

(Barbara continues to look through the book, but raises a knowing eyebrow toward Etta.)

ETTA WEST

Every time, it gets grander.

BARBARA PATTON

And we always excel. Look at what we've already done this year -- the recycled bench on the Green Mile, the Christmas decorations and the Festival of Trees at the Museum, all the lamp posts and other things around town.

ETTA WEST

But this is Trail's sixtieth year! It has to be grander than all the rest. Did you see this letter from the Trail producers?

Etta rises, moves toward Barbara and hands her the letter. Placing the album on the bookcase and taking the letter, Barbara reads and smiles.

BARBARA PATTON

Oh, they ARE going all out. Let's see. Before the Trail of Lonesome Pine opening night--a week of events throughout Big Stone. Alumni gathering of all the leads from the play. Oh, I wonder which Jack Hales will return? My favorite was ---

Etta jerks the letter from Barbara and talks over her.

ETTA WEST

Barbara Patton! For heaven's sake! You can't get all hot and bothered over an actor, who may not even come. After all, you're a happily married woman.

BARBARA PATTON

And you're a ---

ETTA WEST

Don't say it.

BARBARA PATTON

Awh, Etta West. You think you know what I was going to say.

ETTA WEST

Listen, old girl. We've known each other since fourth grade. I know all your tells.

BARBARA PATTON

Oh, you do! Well, what am I thinking now, missy?

ETTA WEST

Hmm. You're wondering why we are wasting time and not figuring out what the garden club will do for the sixtieth.

BARBARA PATTON

So, let's get started. First, we have to make it her idea or it won't fly.

They walk to the table and sitdown.

ETTA WEST

The theme is in the letter. "Sixty Years of Trails."

BARBARA PATTON

Creative.

ETTA WEST

Barbara...be nice.

BARBARA PATTON

I'm always nice, old girl.

(Deep sigh as Etta gives her squinty eye)

Ah.. you got me. Next time, it will be your turn to be the 'old girl.'40 years later and we're still trading that title. Let's see. We will do the landscaping as we've always done. June Tolliver Playhouse in front of the stage and at the gate and the house itself.

SCENE 9 -- DUSK ON WOOD AVENUE

The projector screen has changed to a dusky scene of Wood Avenue, looking back from Curklin's toward the mountain. CHEYENNE and DARBY are walking together through the audience and end up standing together on the street, dressed for an evening out.

CHEYENNE CAMPBELL

Darby, I see what's going on with you and Larkin. All the glances, flirty looks. Times you disappear. And now you're telling me you're ditching me to go to Bristol with him tonight!

DARBY PIERPOINT

It's not like that, Cheyenne. He wants me to hear this singer that he thinks could be good at the Trail pre-show.

CHEYENNE CAMPBELL

You're not on the Trail production team.

DARBY PIERPOINT

Larkin wants just one opinion first. Then, if I like the music, he will bring recordings to the whole team.

CHEYENNE CAMPBELL

So,you alone are the judge. The modern day version of taking you to see his etchings.

DARBY PIERPOINT

I've told you it's not like that. Larkin didn't think that Barbara and Etta would like to go to the club in Bristol.

CHEYENNE CAMPBELL

And why's that!

CHEYENNE CAMPBELL

But you are not stupid. A military widow -- still in her prime. Can't tell me you didn't think about that.

DARBY PIERPOINT

Cheyenne Campbell. I do believe you are jealous. Just because you lost Larkin, you ---

CHEYENNE CAMPBELL

---I did not lose Larkin Gibbons and I do not want him.

DARBY PIERPOINT

That's not what he says.

CHEYENNE CAMPBELL

Oh, Darby. You've fallen hard already -- if you believe any of his versions of the truth. You know me better than anyone. You know the real history.

DARBY PIERPOINT

That was before I met Larkin in person. He's not at all like he was with you. He's sincere now.

CHEYENNE CAMPBELL

You have been brainwashed. I left Larkin after he could not quit the other women. Since then, I've tried to reform him -- to talk some sense into him. To get him to grow up for his own sake.

DARBY PIERPOINT

I know all about it.

CHEYENNE CAMPBELL

What! Darby, listen to me. You are hurting. It has barely been a year since Jake was killed in that helicopter training exercise.

DARBY PIERPOINT

Don't talk to me about Jake. You have no idea what it's like. One minute your whole life is perfect. Then, a damn helicopter crash on an Army base in New Mexico destroys all your hopes and your love.

(She turns away from Cheyenne and draws a deep breath)

CHEYENNE CAMPBELL

(Sighs and tries to get Darby to look at her)

Darby. You have every right to build a new life. But I'm telling you, for your own sake, be aware of how Larkin really is. He's not changed much since I went out with him.

DARBY PIERPOINT

I need you to trust that I know what I'm doing.

CHEYENNE CAMPBELL

Darby, if you get this wrong, it will break your heart -- one that is already shattered. And it will tear the club apart.

DARBY PIERPOINT

What do you mean?

CHEYENNE CAMPBELL

Remember Macy Gibbons. It's taken her years to forgive me for breaking her boy's heart and she still barely tolerates me -- but only because she likes my mama.

DARBY PIERPOINT

Well, I don't have to worry about that. Macy loves ME. Now, I'm leaving. I'll see you tomorrow at church.

CHEYENNE CAMPBELL

That's a long drive alone late at night.

DARBY PIERPOINT

Who says I'll be alone.

Darby stomps off stage left. Cheyenne watches her go, then goes off stage right.

END OF ACT I