Hesters house. The next morning. Dawns early light.
Monster rummaging around Hesters front room looking for things to steal. He finds the meat, smells it and gobbles at it.
Offstage Hester begins singing.
She sings a version of “Working Womans Song” to herself as she enters the room.
Monster hears her and hides himself.
Hester
I love what we do when we do it we do it
I fall in his arms and he puts me through it.
I take his love with no complaining
He takes my love, even when its raining . . .
Monster grabs her.
Monster
Gimmie all yr money and all yr food or I’ll kill you.
Hester
I dont got much.
Monster
Yve got hiding places. Ha! A gun!
He spies a rusty shotgun above the mantel.
Takes it down.
Monster
Its old. Does it work?
Sometimes. Its very rusty.
Monster
Forget it.
He tosses the gun down.
Monster
Wheres yr money at?
Hester
Monster
Monster
Dont give it up and I’ll kill you.
Hester goes to a drawer, pulls it out, reaches behind it, withdraws money, hands it to him.
As he takes the money from her he sees her scar.
He takes a good long look, then plays it off.
Hester
Monster
Hester
Thats all.
Monster
Monster
Hester
Thats all. On my life thats all.
Monster
Monster
Hester
Yr staring at me.
Monster
No Im not.
I gave you all my money.
Monster
Good.
(Rest)
I said I woulda killed you and I woulda. Just so you know.
Hester
Monster
Monster hurries out the front door.
Hester stands as if rooted to the spot.
Then, breathing a sigh of relief, she hurries to the window to make sure he is on his way.
She then takes off her shoe and takes out the gold coin, holding it triumphantly up to the light.