GUEST: Natalie Canerday
Natalie frequently appears at Murry’s Dinner Playhouse in Little Rock, Arkansas.
John Hickam is arguing with Elsie about the future of Coalwood.
He asks her if she thinks the union “gives a good damn about that?”
“They’re nothin’ but a bunch of greedy sons of bitches–” says John, but is interrupted by Elsie.
“Shut up. Just shut up!” says Elsie. “Homer once said you love the mine more than your own family. I took up for you ’cause I didn’t wanna believe it. Homer has gotten a lot of help from the people in this town. They’ve helped him build his rockets. They’ve watched him fly ’em. But not you. You never showed up, not even once. I’m not asking you to believe in it, but he’s your son, for God’s sake. And I am asking you to help him.”
She pauses.
“If you don’t, I’ll leave you,” continues Elsie. “I’ll do whatever it takes to get away from here. I’ll live in a tree to get away from you. Don’t think I won’t.”
John tries to process all this.
“Where would you go?” asks John.
“Myrtle Beach,” says Elsie, near tears.