(Laughs) A dead language…then Mr. Fancy (taunts Philip) What the hell is a carpo ditum…coppadetam…copoadoodo…(laughs louder) deda -deda -deda (begins to dance) cappa copa dita corpa capa coopa (slams hands down on Phil’s table then sits heavily, out of breath) I got no use for anything dead Mr. Fancy Man (threatening) I am compendated …if that means being paid …money or gold- a deals a deal. Surely I will be compentated. Not like you Mr. Fancy Man. We are different kinda folks… You kill anyone in the war?

Yes I did.

Looks ‘em in the eye or shoot em from a gentleman -like distance?

Both.

Funny thing… you and me traveled close the same road and ended up different. See… you gamble -I don’t. The way I see it you lined up once to many times as the sun come up… you all in gray...a line- them all sparkly blue …and them in a line looking at you across some field. All of you thinking you’re right and just…until the rifles raise and the order come to fire. The folly come …you hear the whistle of rifle ball but you can’t see them. But you can surly see them hit, the blood and the guts a-fly all around you. Its dead quiet -for the fear- then the sounds come to you’re ear, low at first, then the screams and cannon roar damn near knocks you off your feet. And it don’t stop. Then your nose wakes up and the smell of fear, gut and piss hits you and you hear a scream that won’t stop until you get it’s you who are screaming. See I think you were at such a battle Fancy Man and I think when you stopped screaming you found yourself alive when so many lie dead around your feet. And the only way you could puzzle your way out of hell was to think you had Lady Luck on your side and you gamble just waiting for her to collect- and when they call you a cheat you face them straight up and look em in the eye before you kill …Don’t you? (Laughs) See, I never take no such chance not then, not now …my bunch would sneak up in the night and put knifes to their Yankee throats, bleed em-no nonsense about honor or country…just the sure thing …Domino is the sure thing. That’s why I do what I do. I’m paid to kill, not to be killed…I’m the alive thing…your way is like that fancy dead language of yours

Latin

Yeah, Latin. Your way is dead…and dead is dead. Joe (Turns to the bar) Know how I know that?

No sir.

(Leans back and puts his feet up on the table)

Cause I seen a lot o-dead.

(Gets up and moves to the bar, long silence)

Sure could use a whore. (Drinks another shot) Do you believe in ghosts Joe?

I’m not sure.

I don’t… (Angry) I sure as hell don’t. They talk to me out on the trail, when I’m alone. But they is damn-ed liars. Joe, you never heard such pig shit lies. That’s why I don’t believe ‘em … (Quiets) Hey, Mr. Fancy …Do you believe in ghosts?

Philip:

I am inclined to believe in the supernatural…yes.

Joe, does he always talk like that?

Yes…yes he does…he’s well spoken. It’s a treat to us all here to hear him talk …makes us feel good about our selves that he thinks we under stand him.

(Nods and smiles over at Philip) I don’t believe in nothing that ain’t something you can touch or …I don’t need no fancy words to say it …they is pig humping liars …and I tell ‘em…loud cause I ain’t afraid of them. Some men are …I seen it. Mr. Fancy, what you call ‘em, stupid -naturals…that’s it (Laughing) Just stupid -naturals. That’s what they are, not ghosts -nothing but stupid naturals…no sir. No ghosts, no such thing. (Silence) Joe? (Straightens up tips his hat) Mr. Fancy, it’s been a pleasant time talking to you . Maybe in a time we could sit across one another and you can tell me more about that dead language and the people who spoke it. You know…I got a five -dollar piece I been saving (pulls it out of his pocket) I would be willing to lose it to you in a poker game so’s you can talk at me the fine way you do. Hell, maybe those people who spoke that Latin …maybe they were not so different than us. Huh? Good and bad,strong and weak.

Those people, Mr. Domino, were exactly like us. And I make a promise to you. Since it is clear to me that it would be unethical of me to engage you in a game of chance since your personal creed forbid it. We shall play for the entertainment … I will have the five dollar gold piece, you so kindly offer, for that is my personal creed, if the cards turn on this table. But the end of that game will not come to pass until I have told you all I know about those dead people, as you say, who spoke Latin.

You are right Joe, its like listen to a foreign tongue where the ears don’t hear but in here (points to his head) it sounds right as rain. Mr. Fancy what was that thing you said before?

Seize the day- Mr. Domino

What does that mean in plain talk?

Take advantage of each opportunity as it comes.

Yeah- that’s good …that’s Domino. I heaped a lot of manure on you, Mr. Fancy, and you took it square like you got whiskey in your veins stead of blood. I’d be proud now to know your name.

Philip

Were you an officer in the war Philip?

I was a Sergeant. I had to work for a living.

…And take shit from officers- just the way I had to. We are done with that aren’t we Mr. Philip? I think you mean to kill me sir for the insults a laid on you this right… after you tell me that story and take my gold piece. But don’t take it with much pain in your gut. I meant no real insult, it’s just my way of getting the measure of a man and a man you are. I ask you to let it go as honor ‘tween southern men. (Philip takes a long look at him then nods his assent. Domino laughs) Gentlemen, good night…I can’t remember having such a pleasant evening. (Leaves stage)

Oh dear!

Indeed!

Good Ole Joe always leaves one for emergencies.

Takes glass and bottle to a table. He sits down and begins to shuffle cards. Gets angry and slams the deck down, stands back and turns over the chair.

Jeanie: (offstage)

Philip, is that you?

Yes Miss. Jeanie I tripped in the dark. I came in the back...used my key.

Jeanie:

...You all right? I've been worried about you.

Yes ...I'm Fine.

Tell me about your outing tomorrow...I've got news for you too! Gets some sleep...sun will be up soon. You know you don’t sleep well when its light out.

I'll sleep just fine one more drink then to bed.

Jeanie:

You weren't up to any mischief...?

No dear lady ...just had things on my mind.

Good...good night my dear man.

Picks up the chair ...stands and faces the audience

Sweet fifty-two deal me your best babe

I've done my best staying with you

Wheels of fate turn on a single card throw

Aces and eight’s, queen of hearts,or a deuce

The gold towns still flourish but I don't know how long

I've lost all my dreams .Its hard to stay strong

I've watched men die from a miss-dealt hand

Using me the lady knows how to make her demands

Sweet fifty-two deal me your best babe

I've spent most my life dealing for you

I've stood where nothing is fair and nothing is true

But there is always someone with a weakness for you

I've stood a misty morning field in a line was the Blue

Rifle raised knowing it was the Gray that was true

So many good boys died-the same in heavens eyes?

My brothers all,

But not me,

It wasn't me who died.

I knew their names Smythe, Whitler, and Jones

Heroes all now just spirits and bones

Where were you when the powder ball flew?

The losers were many and the winners stood few.

Lady luck or justice, blind just the same

Lost the faith in living when its whim that’s to blame

I've seen men die for a miss dealt hand

The Lady knows how to make her demands

Sweet fifty- two deal me your best babe

Sweet fifty deal me the rest babe

Sweet fifty-two.

Sweet fifty- two..let me rest babe