MORGAN Everybody, Elena, everybody—and they think if I’d had him in a hospital he would have been fine—this whole crazy thing of a homebirth, they’re thinking, it sounds Greenpeace and hippie and Little House on the Prairie and in the end her baby is dead. That’s what they’re thinking. And if they’re not thinking it’s my fault, then they’re thinking it’s yours. The midwife, after all.

A beat. This hits hard.

ELENA It’s neither of our faults. We took every precaution. Every care. It was a safe and healthy delivery—

MORGAN Until it wasn’t.

Beat.

ELENA Do you think it’s my fault?

Beat.

MORGAN I didn’t say that.

ELENA There was nothing Little House on the Prairie about any of this, Morgan, and you know that. We followed the designated standard of care, I’ve delivered hundreds of babies without incident and this one time—

MORGAN There was incident.

Beat.

ELENA Yes.

MORGAN Say it.

(beat)

“There was incident.” Say it.

(beat)

Just say it!

ELENA “There was incident!”

Morgan, this isn’t easy for me either. I’ve never lost a child before. Never.

MORGAN Well me neither, Elena, I’ve never lost a child either.

(beat)

I would have wanted to see the photos. If it was somebody else’s baby. I would’ve wanted to see. Wouldn’t you?

ELENA I would. I would have too.

She touches MORGAN’S hand.

MORGAN lets her.

MORGAN Where do you think he is?

ELENA They’re preparing him.

MORGAN He should be here. With me. They can’t prepare him for anything I wouldn’t prepare him for better.

ELENA

(gently)

They’re preparing him to be buried.

MORGAN I don’t care.

A coin on his tongue. Coins on his eyes. Snacks for the road.

That’s what I would have done.

I want to see him. When can I see him?

ELENA Let me get you some more casserole.

MORGAN I WANT MY FUCKING SON.

(beat)

I never got to hold him.

I was scared when they said, “Do you want to hold him?”

I was scared of him.

I wish I’d held him.

ELENA I’m sorry.

MORGAN

(turning away, cutting)

It’s not your fault.

Scene Five

In the dilapidated hotel.

DOLORES, sprawled on the pool table.

She tells dead baby jokes to her stomach.

DOLORES What do you call a dead baby in a swimming pool?

(beat)

Bob.

(beat)

What do you call a dead baby on a beach?

(beat)

Sandy.

(beat)

What do you call a limbless dead baby in a pile of leaves?

(beat)

Russel.

(beat)

What’s funnier than a dead baby?

(beat)

A dead baby in a clown costume!

(to her stomach)