It looks like a possibility of snow when Cliff arrives home from the Wednesday visit to his psychiatrist, who told him, “We’re making some progress, Cliff.”
Sally greets him at the door and asks,
“What did the doctor say?”
“How did you know I saw the doctor?”
“Your secretary told me when I called your office.”
“I told her not to--oh, well, no matter. Just a check up.”
“So what did the doctor say?”
“He said I’ll live.”
“Good. If you’re up to reading your mail I put it on your desk in the den.”
“Thanks.” Cliff goes to the den and returns with a single letter. “I don’t recognize the handwriting but--I’ll be damn--the return label says Matthew Walker, Watertown, Virginia. Why would a guy who never liked me be writing to me now?”
“There’s only one way to find out,” says Sally.
“I’m surprised he remembers my name or even bothered to find out where I live.”
Cliff drops into an easy chair, rips open the envelope, and reads:
Dear Cliff, we sure miss you down here in old Watertown and hope you're well. As you know, I have a son Jack who sells real estate, which he considers as dull as dirt (his words) to get into something more exciting. Lately, he's been doing night duty at the town tv stationproducing commercials for some of the local companies, like old man Taylor's dry cleaning shop. Remember Taylor's? Jack says he's gotten good at it, and now wants to do something bigger. He'd like to come north and work at one of the big-city stations. Then maybe move on to one of the networks. He feels that after maybe six months to a year, he should be able to produce or write for one of the big talk shows, or even a big comedy program. Jack can be awful funny. So will you help the boy get started? I mean, he could begin in Cincinnati and then move on to one of the really large outfits in New York or Chicago. I mean, that's what he tells me. Jack likes to think big, just like Steve used to be. What an operator he was, huh?
Cliff stops reading long enough to decide whether to curse or laugh. He decides to laugh. How can he take this stuff seriously, from a guy who agreed with Captain Jack that Lew and he were a couple of weak sisters who would never do anything worthwhile. And that line about Steve, who they once likened to "a shady riverboat hustler who would steal you blind." He returns to the letter.
Jack says he always respected you and Lew for leaving the farm. Of course, we know you never had much talent for living off the land. Face it, Cliff, you never knew which end of the plow to dig with. And all poor Lew could do was help your ma keep house. Now look at you! I guess that shows what a good college can do. My Jack graduated from the community college. He’s a smart boy who’s going places if he gets a chance. So I hope you’ll help him. I know he won’t embarrass you and Lew. And I hope to get your answer soon. Tell Sally the family sends love, and say hi to Lew.
He signed it, Your loving brother, Matt.
Cliff turns to Sally who’s been watchinghim from across the room. “What an idiot this guy is,” says Cliff. “He actually thinks I can be flattered into helping his son Jack break into big-time television.”
“So what are you going to do?”
“I don’t know. As soon as I get over the shock of this letter, I’ll call Lew.”
"Sounds like a good plan. Dad, may I read the letter?" She takes the letter, scans it quickly, returns it to Cliff, and says, "He really puts you on the spot
“Only if I permit it.”
“I’m sure that you and Uncle Lew will do what’s right.”
“Thanks, Sally. Now don’t you have something to do?”
“Yes, I have to change. Judd and I are going out for dinner and a movie.”
As Sally leaves the room, Cliff picks up the phone and dials Lew’s number in New York. After three rings, a voice says hello.
“Hi, Lew, this is Cliff. Got a minute?”
“Always for you, big brother. What’s up?”
When Cliff tells him about the letter from Matt, he explodes. “What the hell did that side of the old man’s family ever do for us?”
“Nothing” says Cliff, “but damn near kill our mother.”
“Right, and drive Steve out of town.”
“And poison us with enough hate and insecurity to--”
“To make neurotics out of you and me. And rob us of our manhood.”
“Speak for yourself, Lew. I’ve rediscovered manhood in a little blue pill.”
“Does it really work?”
“I hope so.”
“Is it safe?”
“The doctor says it is.”
“Any side effects?”
“Well, I may have to go through life with a perpetual hard on.”
“So you can really--function?”
“Yes, if I ease up on the scotch. I’ll let you know after I put it to the test.”
“That should make Jane happy.”
“I may never know. She’s still in San Francisco, but I’m hoping she’ll join Sally and me for your play when it opens .”
“Want me to call her?”
“No thanks.”
“I’m glad for you, Cliff. One queen in the family is enough.”
“Aren’t you happy?”
“Yes, thanks to Phil.”
“I’m glad.”
“So tell Matt to go to hell.”
“I can do that, but why take it out on young Jack? It seems that he wants to get away from Watertown as much as we did.”
“I doubt that, Cliff, but you make a point. This hate has got to stop somewhere.”
“Maybe it stops with young Jack.”
“Ok, tell Matt that we’ll do what we can to set up some interviews for his kid.”
“Thanks, Lew.”
“I love you, buddy.”
“Love you too.”
Cliff hangs up the phone just as Sally returns to the room in an off-the-shoulder red dress, looking like she just stepped out of Vogue.
“Stunning,” says Cliff. “I’m glad you look like your mother and not your dad.”
“You look ok to me.”
The doorbell rings.
“That’s Judd,” says Sally.
She opens the door and greets Judd. “Come in and say hello to my father.”
“Thanks, Sally. You look fantastic.” He turns to Cliff. “Hello, Mr. Walker.”
Cliff gives Judd Willoughby a quick appraisal: handsome young man, blond, bright eyes, about a head taller than Sally. He shakes his hand. “Call me Cliff.”
“Right, Cliff. Would you mind if some day soon I ask you a few questions about your knowledge of early Virginia? Sally says you’re an expert.”
“I doubt that, but I’ll tell you what I know. Aren’t you the historian?”
“I hope to be,” says Judd.
“Stop by any weekend before Christmas and we’ll talk.”
“Thanks.”
“Now you two better get going and hope you miss the snow. These Cincinnati hills are treacherous when they’re wet.”
“We’ll be careful, Dad.” Sally kisses her father and follows Judd to the door.
“Have a nice evening,” says Cliff.
When he’s alone he writes a quick note to Matt, tells him that he and Lew will do what they can to introduce young Jack to Yankee television. He addresses and seals the envelope, pours himself a scotch, and picks up the phone.
To the voice on the other end he says, “Marie, want to dance?”
End
