Lucky One Day

"Lucky One Day"

What happens when you go from a happy, hard-working couple to multi-millionaires overnight? In "Lucky One Day," we follow Sherman and Kelly through a series of wild windfalls that turn their world upside down. From a sweepstakes win to a multi-million dollar lottery jackpot, their lives change in an instant.

But a year later, the dream has turned into a nightmare. Their new life of luxury in a Chicago high-rise is filled with bitterness and regret. Join us as we explore what happens when the money runs out and the love disappears.

Action and Plot
"Lucky One Day," tells the story of Kelly and Sherman, a couple who unexpectedly become wealthy. The play is divided into three scenes that trace their relationship's dramatic shift over the course of a year.

In the first scene, the couple celebrates a series of incredible windfalls: Sherman gets a promotion at his engineering job, his debut novel is accepted for publication, a movie studio offers to buy the film rights, and he wins $10 million in a sweepstakes. To cap it all off, he wins a $35 million lottery jackpot with a last-minute ticket. Kelly and Sherman are ecstatic, their joy culminating in a wild celebration that ends with them running off to the bedroom.

Scene two takes place one year later in their new high-rise apartment in downtown Chicago. The couple is now estranged and hostile toward one another, constantly bickering and insulting each other. Sherman spends his days playing video games and "day-trading crypto-currencies," which he seems to be losing money on. Kelly, meanwhile, is living a frivolous life of luxury, going to the casino with her sister Connie, and their dates, dressed in designer "cheerleader ensembles". The scene escalates into a heated argument where they insult each other's lifestyle choices and question the foundation of their marriage.

In the final scene, a devastated Sherman reveals that his book and movie deal are on hold due to a plagiarism claim. He confesses to Kelly that he is unhappy with his life and offers her half of the remaining money, stating he wants her to be happy and find someone better than him. Kelly initially refuses the money and professes her love for him, but he transfers $15 million to her account anyway and decides to leave, taking only his laptop and the Rolls Royce. The play concludes with an enraged Kelly destroying Sherman's video game console with a baseball bat, cursing his name, and then declaring her happiness without him.

Themes

• The Corrupting Influence of Wealth: The most prominent theme is how sudden, immense wealth destroys the lives of the main characters. Instead of bringing them happiness, the money makes them miserable, turning their initial love into resentment and hostility. It strips away their purpose, leading Sherman to abandon his passion for writing and his engineering career for video games and day trading. Similarly, Kelly's life becomes one of leisure and superficiality.
• Loss of Identity and Purpose: Both Sherman and Kelly lose their sense of self after winning the lottery. Sherman, a former engineer and aspiring author, becomes a day-trader and video game player. Kelly, once a hard worker, now fills her days with empty pursuits like tennis and gambling. The money frees them from their old lives but leaves them with nothing meaningful to replace them with.
• Failed Dreams and Reality: The play presents a stark contrast between the couple's initial dreams and their eventual reality. In the beginning, they have tangible successes—a promotion, a book deal—but these are eventually revealed to be fragile and fleeting. The lottery win, which seemed like the ultimate dream come true, ultimately unravels their lives.
• The Breakdown of Communication: The couple's relationship deteriorates into a series of sarcastic remarks, crude insults, and misunderstandings. They are unable to connect on a deeper level, and their conversations are filled with thinly veiled accusations and bitterness.

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Lucky One Day, by Rick Regan, 10/27/20

Characters:
Kelly, mid-forties woman
Sherman, husband
Connie, Kellys sister
Pauly, boyfriend of Connie

This is the story of Sherman and Kelly, when they win the lottery
and what they do with their lives after the money comes in.

[SCENE INTERIOR OF AN APARTMENT. KELLY IS HOME FROM WORK,
READING HER PHONE]
(Kelly is in her mid-40s with short black hair. She is
wearing a loose T-shirt and blue jeans)
(Sherman is also mid-40s. He has short dark hair and is
wearing a company polo shirt and tan trousers.)
SHERMAN
(ENTERS)
Hon, good news.
KELLY
Hey, sweetie. I’m glad you are home. Did you see the latest
thing about the President and the Russian hookers?
SHERMAN
No. I didn’t see that. Listen, hon, good news. I got a
promotion today.
KELLY
That’s wonderful, dear.
SHERMAN
Allen made me lead engineer of displays.
KELLY
For the calculators?
SHERMAN
Yeah. How about that?
KELLY
Did you get a raise?
SHERMAN
Yeah. 10%. Starting next month.
KELLY
Sherman, that’s great news. Dear, you know how proud I am of
you. I think you are a great engineer, but I think they are
wasting your talent. Head of calculator displays? That
technology is forty years old by now.
You went from the keypad to displays, which is great, but
Sherman, you can do better than that. I think you could be
doing great things, but they are holding you back.
SHERMAN
Kel, you don’t understand. This is a big step up. This is a
crucial role in quality control. Next step is memory and
processors.
KELLY
Sherman, you are making calculators, fabulous, incredibly
powerful calculators, for people that cant add.
SHERMAN
What did the scientist say when asked, what is six plus nine?
KELLY
Wait for it…
SHERMAN
Somewhere between fourteen and sixteen, but we cant be
absolutely sure.
KELLY
You’ve told me that a thousand times. Sherman, what about
that new software company across town? I bet you could get a
job there, for twice what that company pays you. They are
just taking advantage of how brilliant you are and keeping
all the money in Japan.
SHERMAN
Its not like that. Hokkaido Electrical Products is a global
player. I have lots of opportunities at HELP.
KELLY
Ok. Ok. Whatever you say. Do you want to hear about my day?
SHERMAN
Sure.
KELLY
Well, I have good news too. You remember Tonya, from
Receivables?
SHERMAN
Uh, yeah. Of course. Tanya.
KELLY
Well, she and another woman, MayLyn, she works in Sorting,
are going to join the tennis club so we can play together. On
Wednesday nights.
SHERMAN
Hey, that's great news.
KELLY
Yeah, and, they don't know it but, I get a new member
commission from the club. Its not a lot but a little extra
cash always helps.
SHERMAN
(like a rapper)
Aww yeah! Smackin’ that mon-ey, mon-ey! Kell-y, Kell-y,
riding that pony, made out o money! Silver-Doller-Kelley!
Making that money, stackin that cash!
KELLY
(laughing) Sherman! You're funny. I'm so proud of you. I love
you, hon.
SHERMAN
I love you too, sweetie.
KELLY
Hey, there is some mail for you.
SHERMAN
(picks up the mail)
Hey, one from a publisher. Another rejection, no doubt.
(reading letter)
”Dear Mr. Murphy, we are delighted to accept your book for
publication. Your novel, The Kings of Dog Park Beach, shows
great emotive power and a deep understanding of the human
condition.
We are proud to add your debut novel for next falls
publishing calendar, just in time for the holiday book
season. Congratulations! Roger Toomey, Publisher, South Side
Books”
KELLY
Sherman, that's wonderful! They are going to publish your
book! Oh, Sherman! You're an author!
SHERMAN
Wow! I cant believe it. They are going to publish my book!
First a promotion and now this.
KELLY
Fantastic!
SHERMAN
(continuing with the mail)
Here's one from Lions Den Pictures.
(reading)
“Dear Mr. Murphy, your upcoming novel, The Kings of Dog Park
Beach, has been widely discussed in the industry and wed like
to strike while the iron is hot. At Lions Den Pictures, we
believe in making films that come from the heart and Dogpark
Beach has all the elements of a heartwarming, family film,
which is why we would like to extend and offer to buy the
rights to the story. Find enclosed a check for one hundred
thousand dollars. Please have your representation be in
contact as soon as possible for further negotiations.
Sincerely, Hank Maroon, Executive Producer, Lions Den Films”
KELLY
What?! Sherman, that’s amazing! They are going to make a
movie of your book!
SHERMAN
Wow! I cant believe it. Wait, here’s one from Publishers
Clearinghouse Sweepstakes.
(reading letter)
“Dear Mr. Murphy, we have received your entry for this years
Publishers Clearinghouse Sweepstakes, and we are glad to
inform you that you have won the Grand Prize of ten million
dollars.
We will be coming to your house on the first of November to
film the surprise with our crew and deliver the Big Check.
Please find enclosed the actual winnings, in the amount of
Ten Million US Dollars, payable to Sherman Murphy, Skokie,
Illinois.”
KELLY
Oh my god! Sherman, were rich! Sherman, were rich!
SHERMAN
Break out the Cold Duck! There’s a bottle in the fridge, in
the back. I cant believe it.
KELLY
Oh, Sherman! I'm so happy! Were rich!
SHERMAN
Uh, Kel? There’s one more thing. I bought a lottery ticket
today. You don’t think…
KELLY
You? You bought a lottery ticket? You never buy the lottery.
SHERMAN
I know. I know. I say it all the time, suckers game, but
today I saw this machine and I thought, why not.
KELLY
Well turn on the TV. They are about to do the numbers.
(she goes to the fridge and pulls out a bottle of sparkling
wine, Cold Duck. She gets some tumblers. She gives the bottle
to Sherman)
SHERMAN
(fishes the ticket out of his pocket)
Lets see. How does this work? There are a bunch of numbers on
here. Let me get a pen.
KELLY
Open the wine, open the wine!
SHERMAN
Not yet. Lets see how it comes out.
(watching the woman on TV present the numbers)
Eleven, I’ve got that one. Sixteen, yep. Nine, hmmm.. Here it
is. Nine again, hey, I have two nines. OK. Forty-one, mmmmhmmm. Hey, Kel, so far so good. Keep em coming. Twenty-Two,
oh my god. And the Double Doozie Number…. Thirty-Three… yep,
here it is. That’s all of them.
KELLY
You got them all?
SHERMAN
Yep.
KELLY
Sherman… Sherman…. You won. You won the Double Doozie
Lottery. Sherman! You WON!
SHERMAN
I won. I won. I won! I-won! I-won! I-won! I-won! I-won! Iwon!
KELLY
Thirty-Five Million Dollars! Sherman! Thirty-Five Million! I
cant believe it! Were so rich!
SHERMAN
(opening the wine, it fizzes and splashes everywhere, he
sprays it around like a World Series celebration)
Ah-ha-ha-ha-ha! Kelley! Ah-ha-ha-ha-ha! Oh, Kelly!
(guzzles the wine, splashing it all over his face, then pours
some over Kelly's head, she tilts her head back, drinking
like it is pouring out of a fountain, splashing it all over
her face)
KELLY
Ooooooooohhhhhhhh!!! This is the best day ever! Sherman! Make
love to me now or lose me forever!
SHERMAN
Come, my sweet enchantress! I will ravish you!
(Kelly runs away, Sherman chasing her. They exit to the
bedroom)
(end of scene)
[Scene 2 one year later, interior of new apartment, 45th
floor of downtown Chicago building, huge glass window
overlooking Lake Michigan. Blue sky and clouds below the
window.]
(Sherman sitting in a big leather chair, playing a video game
by himself. He is wearing a Chicago Bulls jersey and shorts,
also wearing flip-flops)
SHERMAN
Aww yeah, come to papa… that’s it, nice and easy…. And...
POW! That’s it! Yeah!
(Kelly enters, she is wearing a UCLA cheerleader outfit, a
powder blue mini-dress with gold/yellow stripes up the sides.
She has long flowing blond hair, probably a wig, and high
heel shoes)
KELLY
Sherman, are you working today or just going to play video
games?
SHERMAN
Hang on. I’m pinned down.
(he wrestles game controller and focuses on the screen)
KELLY
Listen, Connie is on her way over. Were going to the casino
for the afternoon.
SHERMAN
(looking up, abandoning the video game)
Casino? All the way down in Gary? With your sister?
KELLY
No, Rivers, out by O’Hare.
SHERMAN
Well, take an uber. I don’t want you smashing up another
Benz.
KELLY
Hey, don’t forget that you were the one drag racing a
motorcycle with your Rolls. Tell me again how it felt when
the cops impounded your precious car on lower Wacker?
SHERMAN
I just don’t want you two lushes blowing wads of cash,
drinking casino-champagne all day and then trying to drive,
no, weave your way home.
KELLY
What are you really worried about, the car or me?
SHERMAN
I just don’t want to see you get arrested. Or hit a little
kid. They’d clean me out. And why are you dressed up like a
cheerleader? What is that, UCLA?
KELLY
Its the latest fashion in Hollywood. Don’t you pay attention
at all? On the red-carpet, everyone is dressed as a
cheerleader.
SHERMAN
What, is this Halloween?
KELLY
Its the world of high fashion. You know, Galliano, Lacroix,
Vera Wang, they all make couture cheerleader ensembles. And
look at you. Are you a walk-on for the Bulls now?
SHERMAN
I just put on something comfortable. I cant believe you are
going out like that.
(Doorbell rings, then Kelly's sister Connie and her boyfriend
Pauly come in.)
(Connie is dressed as a USC cheerleader, in a tight white
sweater with large USC letters across the chest, and short,
pleated, white skirt, with bands of burgundy and gold around
the hemline. Pauly is in a Blackhawks hockey jersey, cargo
shorts and flip flops.)
CONNIE
Hey, Kel, I love the blue on you. Is that Donatella?
KELLY
Yeah, Versace. And look at you! Who are you wearing?
CONNIE
Stella McCartney, from her ready-to-wear collection. I picked
it up at her studio on Michigan Ave. this morning. Don’t you
love it?
KELLY
Fantastic! And who is this?
CONNIE
This is Pauly. He’s my date. Hee-hee!
PAULY
Your date?
CONNIE
No, we’ve been together for a while. I wanted to see if
Sherman would go with us and make a foursome. Hello Sherman!
SHERMAN
Connie, you are a cheerleader too?
CONNIE
Of course. Its the latest.
SHERMAN
(gets up, shakes hands with Pauly)
Hey, how are ya? I'm Sherman.
PAULY
Yeah. Pauly. Hey, this is some place. What a view! That's a
million-dollar window, right there.
KELLY
Two million. One of the Cubs players had it, but he got
traded so he had to sell in a hurry. We got quite a deal.
CONNY
(mocking him) So, Sherm, you're looking good. Always in good
taste.
SHERMAN
Says the woman dressed like a teenager. I didn't know they
made those sweaters in extra-large. Is that why you need a
tailor, to let the waist way out?
CONNIE
Sherm, you know since you won all that money you have turned
into somebody I don't like. Crude. Crass. That's what you
are.
KELLY
He hasn't worked a day since he quit his job. He just sits
around here playing games.
PAULY
And porn. I bet you watch a lot of porn. I would if I had a
pile of dough.
CONNIE
Pauly, you already watch a ton of porn and you don't have any
money.
PAULY
Purely for research purposes.
CONNIE
Sure, sure.
PAULY
Hey, Kelly, the thong you get with that outfit, is it the
blue or the yellow? I gotta know.
With Connie's they went with the burgundy, which I think is a
nice touch. Go ahead, Connie, flash em your thong.
CONNIE
Hey, Pauly! Leave Kelly alone. The only panties you are going
to be sniffing are mine.
PAULY
You going to sit on my face later?
CONNIE
You can smell what I ate for breakfast.
PAULY
I already know you had a mouthful of sausage so…
CONNIE
Pauly, shut up. Enough of the bone-in, porkchop talk. These
are nice people.
PAULY
I'm just saying Id like a peek under that skirt.
SHERMAN
Hey! Hey! Back off. You just walked in here and start talking
about my wife like that. What's the matter with you?
PAULY
Hey, Sherman, buddy. What's the matter? What's the matter?
You so much of a fag that you don't want to slide that thong
aside? Which is it, blue or yellow, honey?
SHERMAN
Listen, get the fuck out of here! Both of you.
PAULY
What, are you one of those queer rich dudes? You waiting for
the wife to go out for the day and then you ring up the pool
boy? You play chutes-and-ladders, I bet.
KELLY
C'mon Jan, lets get out of here.
CONNIE
What, Sherman, you've got work to do?
KELLY
Honey, I need some money. Can you give me ten-thousand
dollars?
SHERMAN
Take it out of the cookie jar. And, yes, Connie, I do have
work to do. I day-trade crypto-currencies. But you wouldn't
know anything about that.
PAULY
You mean like that BitCoin stuff? You do that?
SHERMAN
I track the market momentum and move between options on
futures contracts.
CONNIE
What does that mean?
KELLY
It means, he found a new way to lose money. Except its not as
much fun as playing Pai-gow Poker at the casino. The Sherman
Murphy Corporation doesn't actually do anything.
SHERMAN
I've been in the money on a bunch of contracts.
KELLY
And losing money on more. Sherman, at this rate you are going
to invest us right back to that horrid little apartment in
Skokie.
SHERMAN
That little apartment was good enough for you when you were
working in Receivables at the steel tubing company.
KELLY
We lived there because we had to. Now we can live where we
deserve to be. Not in Skokie.
SHERMAN
What's the matter with Skokie? My mother lives there.
CONNIE
Sherman, when was the last time you even left this building?
SHERMAN
Who needs to leave? The world can come to me.
PAULY
No, Sherm, what she means is that you should come with us to
the casino. Have a day out.
SHERMAN
What are you doing? Casing the joint? Some of your associates
going to rifle the place when we leave? No way. Go if you
want to but I'm staying here.
CONNIE
Kel, I don't see why you stay with this creep. You should
divorce him and take him to the cleaners.
PAULY
Yeah. She's right. And, uh, I could be single, if you need
company. Or a third wheel, if you roll like that. Heh!
CONNIE
No, I mean it, Kelly. You are my little sister and I know
what's best for you. This lazy bum is going to blow through
your whole stack and put you back in that wet cardboard box
apartment in Skokie, or worse. No. Soak him and protect
yourself. You don't deserve this misery.
SHERMAN
Connie, you get out of bed on the wrong side today? You,
dressed like a cheerleader, are telling my wife to divorce
me? I'm right here, you know. I can hear you.
KELLY
Sherm, I think she's right. I have to look out for myself. I
need to protect my assets.
SHERMAN
Your assets? Yours? That's my money. My book. My movie. My
lottery ticket. Mine. Ill give you enough to keep you in your
kooky outfits but the money is mine. The only assets you
should be worried about is putting on a longer skirt so you
don't catch cold.
CONNIE
See! See! See, Kel. All he cares about is himself. That's all
he's ever cared about. I don't think he's ever loved you. Do
you even do it anymore? I don't see how you could touch him.
PAULY
Yeah, if mister queer-boy here isn't getting the job done,
hey, I'm available.
CONNIE
You are not. You are not available. You're mine.
PAULY
Listen, Jan, I'm keeping my options open. Maybe I should
consider where my talents are best used.
CONNIE
Keep it in your pants, Pauly.
SHERMAN
Is this why you came here today? Huh! To break up my
marriage? To convince Kelly that I'm a bum. Connie, I've had
enough of you. Ever since Kelly and me have been together,
you've been trying to stab me in the back. But it is Kelly
that you are stabbing, not me. If we divorced, there are
plenty of women who want to be with a distinguished and
wealthy older man. But what will happen to her? First it was
the boob job. Then the plastic surgery. Look at her face, it
looks like the snare drum at a KISS concert! The wrecked
cars, the dumb investments. Like giving your brother the
money to start a firewood business. The guy couldn't manage a
Coke machine.
KELLY
You leave Kurt out of this. We do not speak ill of the dead.
SHERMAN
So, don't even think about it. Get that idea out of your
hollow little head.
KELLY
My what?
SHERMAN
If you keep going to the casino, the cookie jar will be as
empty as your noggin. Youve never had any brains. You used to
have a hot little body, but now you have to go to a doctor to
tighten up all the sags and wrinkles. There is nobody who
wants to marry you, no matter how much money you steal from
me.
KELLY
Fuck you, Sherman. I'm calling a lawyer when we get back.
SHERMAN
Back from drinking and gambling at a casino? Yeah, I bet even
the man-hater, women divorce lawyers will want to jump all
over your case. But they will tell you the truth, that you
will get nothing and end up back at the tubing factory
stacking boxes.
CONNIE
Don't listen to him. Hess just jealous and bitter. He's
trying to turn you against your best interests. I bet he'd
even try to poison you, to get rid of you.
SHERMAN
Hell, I'm the one who is going to get poisoned. Shed love to
knock me off, take all the money AND collect on life
insurance. But she's already got a life of ease. Why even
lift a finger, get her French-manicured hands dirty with
poison?
KELLY
Well, it would be a joy to be rid of you. It brightens my
mind to think of a world without Sherman. No handsy-gropes.
No smelly bathroom. Have decent food, not just ribs all the
time.
SHERMAN
Its paleo. Keeps me trim.
KELLY
Ribs and beer? I don't think so.
PAULY
Look, people, hey! Are we going to go get our game on, or
watch these two miserable people be miserable together?
CONNIE
You're right, Pauly. Come on, Kelly. Pauly's got a car
downstairs. We can talk about this on the drive.
(Pauly and Connie exit)
KELLY
I'm leaving, Sherman.
SHERMAN
No, you are not. You are going to stay right here and satisfy
me with a conjugal visit on this sofa.
KELLY
No, I'm going. You cant touch me anymore. You cant hurt me
anymore.
SHERMAN
Hurt you? I could never hurt you.
KELLY
I'm going to get my own place. I will have the lawyers be in
touch. Goodbye, Sherman.
SHERMAN
You'll be back here tonight, drunk and horny, begging for it,
stripping in front of the window. But remember, naughty wives
get punished.
KELLY
Fuck you, Sherman. (exits)
SHERMAN
(alone)
Bitch.
(he takes up the game controller and re-starts a video game.)
That's it… Come to papa… Bang!
(end of scene)
[Scene 3 interior of the high-rise apartment, the next day]
(Sherman enters. He is wearing a grey polo shirt and tan
pants. He goes to the window and stands looking out)
(Kelly enters. She is wearing a pale green polo shirt and
tennis skirt. Her hair is back to being short and dyed
black.)
(Kelly sees him. She sits at a table or counter with a cup of
coffee)
KELLY
You ok, hon?
SHERMAN
Dammit!
KELLY
Sherm, what's the matter?
SHERMAN
I got an email from my publisher this morning. They are
putting the book on hold.
KELLY
Why? Did they say why?
(Sherman goes over and sits by Kelly)
SHERMAN
He said they got a cease-and-desist letter from Troy
Beckham's lawyer. He is saying that I plagiarized from his
book. I never even read his damn book. This is bullshit.
KELLY
Troy, that lived downstairs in Skokie? Oh, honey, I'm sorry.
SHERMAN
On top of that, now the movie deal is on hold because of
this. They “cant proceed” because of the risk of more
lawsuits. Jee-suss, what an ass that guy is!
KELLY
But look, Sherm, you don't need the book and the movie. Wave
got plenty of money. You should write another book. Tell your
publisher you are working on a new one.
SHERMAN
Its not about the money, Kel. Its the recognition, of my
writing. Now I look like an idiot. I'm going to kill that
guy.
KELLY
Sherm, they loved your book. You worked hard on that book.
Didn't you? I mean, its not true, right?
SHERMAN
I might have talked to him about it and swapped a few
stories. He was working on his novel at the same time. Maybe
I put in something he said, by accident. I don't know.
KELLY
Oh, Sherman…
SHERMAN
Kelly, what do you do all day? You are going to go play
tennis now?
KELLY
Well, yes. I have a lesson at one and then we start a
tournament tonight, under the lights. What do you mean, what
do I do all day?
SHERMAN
I mean, what are we doing this for?
KELLY
Doing what?
SHERMAN
This, Kelly. This. You and me. Why are we still together? You
never let me touch you anymore. We haven't had sex in years.
Do you even like me?
KELLY
(very cold)
Sherman, you know why. After the first miscarriage… and then,
having to abort because of fragile-X syndrome, I just don't
want to use my body like that anymore. I know you wanted
children, but I'm broken, Sherm. It doesn't work right
anymore.
SHERMAN
I know. I know. You really tried. And I know it tore your
heart out both times. Mine too. But I was thinking about what
you said, yesterday, about a divorce. I've been really
thinking.
KELLY
Don't do this. Don't do this to me.
SHERMAN
I think maybe you are right. It would be better for you to be
protected from me. You deserve somebody who is kind to you.
Somebody better than me.
KELLY
Sherman, no. I love you.
SHERMAN
Ill give you half. I was thinking, Ill give you half. Right
now. Then, you know, we can go our own ways.
KELLY
Sherman, no.
SHERMAN
Here, look. (shows her his phone) Look, the balance in my
account is about twenty-nine mil. Call it thirty. Cut in
half, you get fifteen. Keep the apartment. Well just keep
that off the table. OK.
KELLY
Sherman, what are you doing? Why?
SHERMAN
OK, there. I just transferred fifteen to your account. That's
yours now. Your free.
KELLY
No, Sherman. You mean you’re free. You are free to leave me
behind, the shrew, the bitter old crone. The nag. That's me,
isn't it? You think I'm just used up and a nag.
SHERMAN
No, no. Oh, Kelly. I love you. That's why I want to do this.
For your own good. I'm no good for you. But you should be
happy. You can find somebody that will make you happy. Maybe
one of those tennis douche-bags. I don't know.
KELLY
But I'm happy with you.
SHERMAN
No, your not. You haven't been happy in years. I don't know
why. I don't know what makes you happy anymore. Because I
don't know what makes me happy. I'm not happy.
KELLY
You're not?
SHERMAN
You know me. I stare at the screen all day, getting wound up
in option trading, like I'm some market wiz, but at the end
of the day I'm just burned out, bitter, and down a couple,
ten-thousand more. I just have to break out of this. I'm
sorry. I'm the one who has to go, not you.
KELLY
Sherman, listen to me. First, I am going to keep the money.
That was very generous. Thank you. Next, you cant take back
what you said about me yesterday. You showed your real
feelings, for once. But I look at you and I know that there
is a kind, gentle man in there. Maybe he's lost or gets
pushed aside by the day to day. But he's in there and I have
faith in you, Sherm.
SHERMAN
I know you mean that, hon. You have been with me through the
ups and downs. But you still have to answer the real question
about life, what is worth doing?
KELLY
How do you, anybody, how does anybody answer that?
SHERMAN
Is playing tennis the best you can do? Is playing video games
the best I can do? Investing? Huh. Its just another video
game. Where I'm the loser again.
KELLY
We can make changes, cant we?
SHERMAN
Its not about changing. Well, it is about changing, but what
I have to change is myself. And let you go so you can make
whatever changes you need. I want to take a trip, go see the
ocean.
KELLY
Sherm, we've got Lake Michigan right out the window, for
Pete's sake.
SHERMAN
Its not the water, Kelly. I want to change my life. I'm
sorry, but the shows over. I'm going to put a bag together
and take off. Ill take the Rolls. You keep the Benz.
(Sherman exits, into a bedroom)
KELLY
(She looks after him, then starts to cry softly)
SHERMAN
(returns with a suitcase, laptop case and a windbreaker)
I love you, hon. Make whatever arrangements you want. Ill
sign the papers.
KELLY
(through tears)
Oh, Sherman, why are you trying to hurt me this way? I'm not
going to file for divorce. Ill just wait until you get back,
until you clear your head or whatever it is that you are
doing. But I don't understand. I don't understand, Sherman.
SHERMAN
Kel, you should be happy. You wont be happy with me. Find
your own happiness. Do that for me.
KELLY
But where are you going?
SHERMAN
I always wanted to see New Orleans. Maybe Ill follow the
river, I don't know.
KELLY
But Sherman, you are my husband. You cant just walk out on
me.
SHERMAN
Yes, I can. Like you wanted to do yesterday but chickenedout. Well, I'm not chickening-out. Good bye, Kelly. Have a
nice life, without me.
(Sherman goes out the door)
KELLY
(crying)
Why are you doing this to me?
(yelling at the door)
Eat shit, you rancid mother-fucker! I hate you! I hope you
drive your goddamn Rolls Royce into the river, and drown! I
can be happy. I can be happy! I can be a hell of a lot
happier - without you. Goodbye, Sherman Murphy. Hello happy!
Fuck you!
(gets up and stomps into the bedroom)
(she storms back out, wielding a souvenir baseball bat)
Fuck you, Sherman!
(she smashes the gaming console with the bat, bashing it
angerly)
(she stops, breathing hard, staring at the smashed plastic
pieces)
Fuck you, Sherman. I never loved you.
(she throws the bat at the smashed device on the floor)
(she exits.)
(end)