CHRISTOPHER. Right.

Cory moans. Cathy continues to comfort him.

CHRISTOPHER. I’ll get him a cool compress.

Christopher starts to head for the bathroom. Olivia and Corrine enter the attic. Corrine goes right to Cory.

CATHY. He’s burning up, Momma.

Corrine feels Cory’s forehead and then turns and whispers to Olivia.

CHRISTOPHER. Why are you standing there whispering? Take him to a hospital. He’s seriously ill.

Neither of the women moves. They stare at the squirming child.

CHRISTOPHER. It might be some sort of food poisoning.

Corrine hesitates.

CATHY [shouting]. Stop worrying about the money! He could be dying!

CORRINE. Please stop the dramatics, Cathy, and don’t shout at me.

Carrie starts to cry.

CORRINE. See? You’re making matters worse.

OLIVIA. They’re right, Corrine. You have to take him to the hospital.

CORRINE. I’ll bring my car around to the rear door.

Corrine glares at Christopher and Cathy and hurries out. They all watch Olivia wrap Cory in a blanket.

CHRISTOPHER. Let me carry him down. Please. He’s very frightened.

OLIVIA [considering]. Then you come right back up?

CHRISTOPHER. I will. I promise.

Olivia backs away, and Christopher moves forward quickly to pick up Cory.

CARRIE. Is Cory going to get better?

CATHY [embracing her]. Yes. The doctor will make him better, Carrie.

They follow Christopher to the door. Olivia pauses to be sure they go no farther, and then, when Christopher has gone through with Cory, she goes out and closes and locks the door.

Cathy stares at the closed door, her anger raging. Then she remembers Carrie and turns to her, smiling.

CATHY. Let’s finish the jigsaw puzzle while we wait.

Cathy leads Carrie to the table. Carrie looks back at the door.

CATHY. He’ll be back soon. C’mon. Let’s finish this.

Cathy and Carrie sit.

Christopher returns.

CARRIE [jumping up]. Cory’s back, too?

CHRISTOPHER. No, Carrie. He’s going to see the doctor.

Carrie lowers her head and sits.

CATHY [going to Christopher]. What do you think’s wrong with him? We’ve all been a little sick. Could it just be the flu?

CHRISTOPHER. I’m not sure. It could be something we all ate. Let’s not eat anything that’s here now. Only what we’re given tomorrow.

CATHY. Are you going on a money hunt tonight?

CHRISTOPHER. No. Let’s wait to see how Cory is. But make no mistake about it, we’re leaving this place as soon as we can.

Christopher looks over and sees that Carrie has her head resting on her crossed arms.

CHRISTOPHER. Better get her to bed.

Christopher crosses to a chair and starts reading his Merck Manual.

Cathy gets Carrie into bed and then walks over to Christopher.

CATHY. Do you think she’s next?

CHRISTOPHER [frustrated]. I don’t know. I’m not sure.

He slams his book closed and gets up.

CATHY. What is it?

CHRISTOPHER. Nothing. Everything.

CATHY. I know.

Christopher moves upstage to the window and looks out. Cathy steps up beside him and leans against him, her head against his shoulder.

CATHY. I’m frightened, Christopher. I’m even more frightened than when Grandmother Olivia comes in.