Act Four
Scene Two
Six months later
Kate
(Talking to her sister from her apt. in N.Jersey outside NY)
School is hard, but I love it. We visited a newspaper here and spoke to some of the editors. I had a chance to speak to the food editor, since that’s my focus. She actually shares a job with a male editor and they look at the restaurant and food scene from the male/female angle.
Pat
That’s great! And how is Bekka doing in her new school?
Kate
She’s made some new friends and she misses her old ones. So do I.
Pat
Yes, but you’ve got each other to lean on. That’s important.
Kate
Right! You know she’s a night owl and I’m a morning person. Getting her up in the morning is a major chore. Then at night she wants to talk and all I can do is mumble. But she’s a good kid and I am so happy she’s with me. When she visits Mitch, it always takes her a day or two to get back to herself. He’s dating someone now and the last time she was at his place, the woman slept over. Bekka said she knocked on their door to ask Mitch something and when she went in, his girlfriend was holding the blanket under her arms and was obviously naked underneath. She really got upset.
Pat
Bekka only goes there on week-ends once a month. Can’t he keep his pecker in his pocket on that one week-end? God! Men!
Kate
I know. I can’t even think about dating yet. But I did speak to my old boyfriend Harvey in Florida and he invited me for a visit. He’s been divorced 10 years.
Pat
If you want to go over a long week-end, I’ll watch Bekka.
Kate
Thanks. Let me think about it. Harvey was really sweet on the phone. He let me cry on his shoulder a little.
Pat
Good. Just don’t have a pity party if you go down there. Go to have a good time.
Kate
I know. I’ve spent the last six months feeling sorry for myself and that’s over. I’m ready to return to the land of the living.
Pat
Great! Oops, gotta go. I have a customer. Speak to you later. Love ya!
Kate
Love you, too. ‘Bye.
End of Scene Two
ACT FOUR
Scene Three
Middle of Courtroom Procedure
Bill
Your honor, six months ago my client was awarded child support and alimony as part of the divorce agreement. Included in that agreement was the ruling that Mr. Mitchell would also pay the premium on the one remaining insurance policy that the bank did not take as part of Mr. and Mitchell’s business. Mr. Mitchell negotiated with the bank to save this one policy to pay for his youngest daughter’s college education in the event he died before she completed her education. Now he refuses to pay that premium. My client, Mrs. Mitchell, would like to explain why.
Judge
Mrs. Mitchell, remember you are under oath.
Kate
Yes, your honor.
Soon after our divorce, my husband, that is, my ex-husband called to ask me if I would allow him to change the insurance policy from whole life to term, because the premiums on whole life were too high. I agreed so long as the conditions of the first policy were maintained. Then he called back a couple of days later to tell me he wanted to add $10,000 to the policy that would be designated to his new wife. He married right after our divorce was finalized.
I called my lawyer Bill and he advised me to tell Mitch that if he wanted to insure his new wife, he should take out a separate policy for her. I relayed that information to Mitch and he was so angry with my answer that he told me from now on I would have to pay the premium, if I wanted the policy to stay intact. I did so when the first bill came, but I am working only part-time and also in school, so I really don’t have the funds to continue to do this. When I called Bill about making payments for my divorce proceedings and told him what happened, he said he would set up a court date to bring this to you, since he is obliged to pay the premium.
Judge
Mr. Mitchell, the fact that you have a new wife is of no concern of this court. However, the fact that you have violated the agreement so soon after the divorce is of great concern to this court. Do you have anything to say before I make my ruling?
Mitch
Just that I am also strapped for money, what with the bankruptcy, a new wife, a new job. The premiums on two separate policies are too much for me.
Judge
Sorry. The ruling from your divorce still holds. You agreed to the stipulations of the divorce and whatever financial problems you may have because of your new situation are irrelevant. In fact, you could be fined for not paying the premium, but since you are going to have to pay for these court proceedings, I believe that will be fine enough.
You are hereby required to keep the agreement of the divorce for the new policy. I see here that the term policy payment is only $100 per quarter ,as opposed to $300 per quarter for the former whole life policy. Your wife is generous enough to accept the change in policy, so I do not think it is too much to ask that you pay this premium. In addition to the court fees, you are also required to send Mrs. Mitchell a check within ten days for the premium she already paid for you. Is that clear?
Mitch
Yes, your honor. (Looks down at the floor.)
Judge
Case dismissed.
Mitch leaves and Kate & Bill stay to talk over the hearing.
Bill
Congratulations, Kate. If for some reason the check Mitch is supposed to send you does not arrive within 10 days, please call my office.
Kate
Thanks so much, Bill. These last six months have been rough, especially with his remarriage before the ink on our divorce was dry. He wouldn’t even buy Bekka a new dress for the event. He said he could only buy her a blouse. I had to borrow a dressy skirt from a friend. And then he refused to pay this premium. I’m glad I called your office.
Bill
So am I. Don’t be afraid to be strong on matters that you know you are right.
Kate
My older sister has been divorced for a long time. She said she had to grow a full set of nails to get what she had earned in her marriage. Then she told me it was time for me to grow mine.
Bill
That’s an interesting metaphor for strength— a full set of nails. I’ll have to remember that! Take care, Kate.
Kate
I will, and thanks! (Kate leaves with a small smile on her face.)
End of Scene Three
