Excerpt of Apples from the Same Tree (formatted for web viewing.)

 

(From the middle) 

​

(JENNIFER takes a manual typewriter from a box.)

 

JENNIFER

Are we really selling this? They’re coming back in fashion, you know.

 

YVONNE

That’s why we’re selling it. I’m. I’m selling it. She was, after all, my mother.

 

TISHA

What is that?

 

JENNIFER

A typewriter.

 

TISHA

A what?

 

JENNIFER

A typewriter. An analog PC. Like an abacus, but for words.

 

(TISHA has no idea what an abacus is. Then, fascinated, she starts exploring the typewriter.)

 

TISHA

Wow! Like you write on this?!

 

YVONNE

That’s what the letters are for. On the keys . . . ?

 

TISHA

Where’s the plug?

 

JENNIFER

It has no plug.

 

TISHA

Then how do you turn it on?

 

YVONNE

You don’t turn it on. You just type. 

 

(YVONNE finds a paper and demonstrates.)

 

YVONNE (cont.)

Like this.

 

TISHA

OMG! That is so cool! Can I try?

 

YVONNE

Yes. 

​

(TISHA tries it out.)

 

TISHA

Do you just . . . ?

 

YVONNE

Yes, dear.

 

(TISHA haltingly types using a very slow hunt-and-peck.) 

 

TISHA

OMG! The words are appearing right up there on the paper! Look!

 

(JENNIFER looks through the box just brought from the bathroom. Takes out 1950’s brush rollers and picks.)

 

TISHA (cont.)

It’s like a mini printing press! 

​

JENNIFER

Oh my God!

(To Yvonne.)

I almost remember you wearing these. 

 

YVONNE

I never wore those once you were born.

 

JENNIFER

Yes you did! I remember you sleeping in them!

 

YVONNE

Really? I thought I’d gotten a curling iron by then. 

 

(TISHA turns from her hunt-and-peck typing.)

 

TISHA

That’s so dangerous!

 

YVONNE

What’s so dangerous?

 

TISHA

Sleeping with a curling iron. Are you five?

​

 (continued…)