CORRINE. Bart’s my father’s attorney. He was always in love with me.

CHRISTOPHER. You fell in love with someone else that quickly?

CORRINE. It doesn’t mean I didn’t love your father. I’ll never love anyone as much, but my father likes Bart, and he thought . . .

CATHY. Did you tell Bart about us?

CORRINE. Not yet. I said he was my father’s attorney. He knows what’s in the will. I’ll tell him as soon as my father passes away. [Smiling.] You’ll love Bart. He’s intelligent, witty, athletic . . . Please, please be happy for me . . . for us. [Looking to the twins.] Carrie, Cory, don’t you want to open your presents?

There’s a flicker of interest, but the twins look to Cathy first. She nods, and they reach for the gifts. Corrine’s eyes widen at how Cathy has stepped into the role she should own. She looks at Christopher. Christopher is staring at her with so much anger and disappointment she has to turn away, and then she gets up quickly.

CORRINE. Well, I have to get back to my father and make a report.

CATHY. You just told us you went off to get married. What report?

CORRINE. Oh, we combined business with pleasure. [Glances at Christopher; her lies aren’t working.] I’ll speak to my mother about the food. I’ll make sure there are things the twins will love to eat, things you’ll all love, even if I have to go out and get them myself.

Corrine goes to kiss Christopher, but he turns his head. Infuriated, she pulls back.

The twins have their new toys in their hands.

CORRINE. See? They’ll be fine. We’ll all be fine.

She goes to the door, looks back at them, and leaves.

Cathy opens her gift and takes out a bottle of perfume. Christopher opens his.

CHRISTOPHER. The latest Merck Manual. This is great for diagnosing illnesses. Just what I need up here.

CATHY. Perfume so I’ll smell good up here. Well?

CHRISTOPHER. We’re going to leave, Cathy, but we’ll need money.

CATHY. And how do we get that, work at the supermarket?

CHRISTOPHER. The key worked last night. I tried it late.

CATHY. What? Why didn’t you tell me?

CHRISTOPHER. I thought we’d wait to see what news Momma brought us.

CATHY. Well, now you have the news.

CHRISTOPHER [nodding]. Every night, we’ll go out and get what we can—money, jewelry. When we have enough, we’ll leave.

Cathy starts to smile but then screams and points toward stage left. Christopher turns to look.

CHRISTOPHER. Oh, it’s only a mouse, and a baby one at that.

CORY [animated]. Where?

Christopher looks at Cathy and then at Carrie, who is interested now, too.

CHRISTOPHER. Well, let’s see if I can trap it with that birdcage we found.

Christopher moves quickly to some old things and plucks out a birdcage. Both Cory and Carrie follow him. Christopher gets on his knees near the rocking horse, nudges it, and then scoops up the little rodent as it starts away. He puts it into the cage and holds it up. Cory squeals with delight. Carrie is fascinated.