Southern Hospitality

(Lights up on Modern-day Texas. It is hot, sticky and difficult inside a rusty pickup truck riding down the road.Inside the truck are two males. Though they are father and son, they were not designed by the same godly hand. The son, Tommy, is a handsome teenager with an impressive build who rides impatiently. The father is Lonny, who drives the truck while desperately trying to suppress his anger. Lonny breaks the icy silence.)

Lonny

Tommy. Tommy. Answer me, dammit. What do you have to say for yourself, huh? Tell me what happened. Now. Answer me, son.

(Tommy is completely silent and unreadable. Lonny talks to God.)

Hey. You up there. It’s Lonny. Well Lionel. But hell, I guess you know that. I know you’re a little busy with protectin’ people and what not, but Pastor say that you always there if I need you. And here’s the thing, I am angry. I just had to pick my son up from jail, Lord. Yeah. Jail. And the thing is, I don’t really even know why. But Tommy won’t talk to me, Lord. He big enough to break into a house for God knows what, no offense, but not big enough to talk to ‘ol Pop!

Tommy

It ain’t that simple, alright?

Lonny

(sarcastically)

It speaks!

Tommy

Yeah I’m speakin’ and I’m tellin’ you that it ain’t that simple.

                                    (Lonny steers the truck to a hard left).

Tommy

You were supposed to take a right. You turned left. What are you doing?

Lonny

Lettin’ Jesus take the wheel.

Tommy

You’re crazy.

Lonny

Oh trust me, boy. You ain’t seen crazy yet.

(Tommy fans himself desperately and swats away mosquitos.)

You hot? I bet. This old thing never had any good A/C. Well, thas alright. You need to sweat.

(Tommy pulls an Ipod out of his pocket. Lonny throws Tommy’s Ipod out of the truck window.)

Tommy

You just threw my Ipod outta the window!

Lonny

Did I?

(Tommy groans loudly. A beat later he tries to pull out his cell phone. Lonny throws it out as well.)

Tommy

Would you stop that?! That was my cell phone! What the hell are you doing?!

Lonny

Tommy, we’re bondin’. Just talk to me and we could go home.

(When Tommy says nothing and pouts, Lonny begins to whistle terribly. It drives Tommy crazy.)

Tommy

Alright, I’ll talk.

Lonny