ANGEL

FAT

a play by Trista Baldwin

(c) 2016 all rights reserved

Angel Fat 1


ANGEL FAT

(c) Trista Baldwin 2016 all rights reserved


People:

ANGELA DIAZ A woman in her mid 20's, with olive complexion and dark hair.
Her race is ambiguous. Her clothing indicates some financial
struggle, but an ability to dress well within her means.

NATALIE BROOKS A woman near to, or just beyond, 40. White. Well dressed and
well manicured. An actress who works infrequently.
Financially comfortable, thanks to Frank.

FRANK BAUM A man in his mid 40's. Jewish / White. General Counsel to
Diane. In a committed relationship with Natalie.

DIANE WARD A woman in her 50's. White Anglo Saxon. Very wealthy.
President and gatekeeper to Charles Woolf, Chairman of Woolf
Capital hedge fund.

Place:

New York City

Time:

Now


Formatting Note:

/ indicates where overlapping dialogue should begin
Any dialogue in (parenthesis) is meant to be spoken aloud as such.


ANGEL FAT was initially developed at the Lark New Play Development Center in their
roundtable and Studio public reading series. ANGEL FAT was further developed with
The Playwrights Center in PlayLabs. Director for both: Daniella Topol. Special thanks
to dramaturg Kristin Leahy, Seattle Repertory Theater.

Angel Fat 2


Prologue.

NATALIE walks onstage with a script in hand. She is here for an
audition. She reads the following for her audition, until she reaches a
point where she's off book.


NATALIE
I'm sitting on some eggs, feeling a little tired; I've been sitting for a long time.

I feel movement. This is very exciting. I'm suddenly not tired at all. I feel so alive.
It's really nice to be a chicken, with my eggs hatching. I'm warm and fluffy, and my
life has meaning.

When my eggs have all hatched, I see my chicks walking, squeaking, healthy. It feels
really good to watch my baby chickens. They're so yellow and cute. I feel proud.
Watching them peck at the seed on the ground. Listening to their tiny, tiny chirps.
They're so yellow and cute. They're so fragile, and so sturdy. So well put together.
Healthy. Bright eyed. Mine.

The next thing that happens is that they get really hungry. And there's no scratch.
My babies are hungry. So I offer to nurse them. They come at me like little piglets.

It's really nice. Nice and warm. They're pecking and preening me, with their tiny
chirps. I feel good. Useful, and good.

A chick is coming toward me with a tiny, bloody beak. This is not like preening at
all. I see blood on my feathers. I see my bone. It is pulling a bone loose from my
body.

All of my children are eating me alive.

NATALIE squints at the script to see if there is any more to read. A beat.
Natalie looks up into the light. An ambivalent voice is heard:


VOICE
Thank you.


NATALIE smiles awkwardly, and walks off stage.

Angel Fat 3


Scene.

FRANK and DIANE in DIANEs office, Wolff Capital Hedge Fund. DIANE
is doing some work as Frank speaks.

FRANK gives DIANE a large manuscript.

FRANK
Wants to publish it.

DIANE
He's breaching contract?

FRANK
(referring to the manuscript)
He calls it a "memoir."

DIANE
(sarcastic)
Let's hope it's his "memoir" on Skydiving. Where is he now?

FRANK
Morgan Stanley.

DIANE
I thought he was at Barclay.

FRANK
He was. Now hes at Morgan.

DIANE
So things arent going as well as hed hoped.

FRANK
Hes bored, I imagine.

DIANE
Well lets not have him reliving his glory days in print.

FRANK
(taking the manuscript)
We'll scan for it.

DIANE
(shift)
So I spoke with Charles: Cayman is a green light.

Angel Fat 4



FRANK
What are they calling it?

DIANE
Trinity.

FRANK
They want this as an LLC?

DIANE
Right. Can you get the agreement done by four? Charles flies out tonight.

FRANK
Uh-huh.

DIANE
What's next.

FRANK
The beloved Togian Hawk Owl.

DIANE
What's wrong with it?

FRANK
It doesn't like to fly.

DIANE
You're kidding.

FRANK
Charles wants to take said Togian Hawk Owl to the ranch, but it's been reacting
negatively to flying.

DIANE
Can't they slip it a pill? Why are we talking about this?

FRANK
Turns out that the Togian Hawk Owl is not simply an exotic pet. It's an endangered
species.

DIANE
How charming.

Angel Fat 5


FRANK
Just wanted to make you aware.

DIANE
How's he going to transport this endangered owl to the Montana property without
sneaking it on the charter? Is he planning on driving it himself? I hope he loves that
fucking owl.

FRANK
He certainly seems attached to flying with it.

DIANE
Now there's a vision. Does he want us to ship the thing? What does he want on this?

FRANK
We don't have to touch this. His PA has it. We just need to be aware of the liability.

DIANE
I should have coffee.

FRANK
Where's your assistant?

DIANE
Fired.

FRANK
That was quick.

DIANE
She was sleeping with Emerging Markets.

FRANK
She slept with Dan? That was quick.

DIANE
Danny boys wife sniffed it out, got drunk and cried on my shoulder at Ruhlmann's.

FRANK
Messy.

DIANE
I need to hire someone immune to the aphrodisiac of men with money, some
Mormon girl, someone with a chastity belt sewn into her special underpants.

Angel Fat 6


FRANK
You'd hate her.

DIANE
Probably.

FRANK
I'll get you coffee.

DIANE
In a minute. One more thing-

FRANK
Yeah?

DIANE
They picked a girl.

FRANK
A girl?

DIANE
They picked a surrogate.

FRANK
Right. Okay. Which agency?

DIANE
"The Source."

FRANK
California?

DIANE
Florida.

FRANK
The law's more favorable to us in California, but Florida's fine.

DIANE
Alright.

FRANK
Are they keeping this with the agency?

Angel Fat 7


DIANE
They want you to go over everything.

FRANK
Alright.

DIANE
(handing Frank a file)
Look it over. Sharon's anxious. Wants you to vet the girl.

FRANK
I'll look it over.

DIANE
They're flying her in from Jacksonville tomorrow.

FRANK
Sharon wants me to meet her?

DIANE
Go over the contract, in person, get a sense of her, report on it, you know Sharon.
She'll want her hand held all the way.

FRANK
(Blackberry vibrates, he checks it.)
Putnams calling.

DIANE
Forget it.

FRANK
What about your two oclock?

DIANE
Goddamnit.

FRANK
Should I take it?

DIANE
Yes of course you should. And Frank, tell the girl with the hair - tell the temp to hold
lunch for twenty.

FRANK
Migraine?

Angel Fat 8


DIANE
Damn things.

FRANK
Ill get the blinds.

DIANE
Youre the only person I like right now.


FRANK shuts the blinds.

Scene.

NATALIE at home with a script, the TV on to some kind of celebrity
awards ceremony. She reads the script, mouthing the words, and
glances up once in awhile to catch the show.

FRANK walks in.

NATALIE
You're early.

Frank kisses her on the cheek.

FRANK
Charles is in London.

NATALIE
Mr. Wolf is away. So we get to play. Lucky me. Drink?

FRANK
I'll get it.

FRANK gets himself a drink. Sees script in NATALIE's hand.

FRANK
Good script?

NATALIE
Can't tell.

FRANK
You're auditioning a lot.

Angel Fat 9


NATALIE
Agent hasn't given up on me yet. We'll see how long that lasts; I'm not making her
any money.

FRANK
None of you make any money.

NATALIE
Not everyone can run with the Wolves, dear.


FRANK settles in in front of the TV with
his drink and papers. They watch the show for a beat. FRANK
reviews his papers.


NATALIE
When I get to that phase theyll have to get a crane to get me off stage. Do you like
that dress? I'll need something for the Christmas party, won't I. Something that
doesn't make me look like a tomato.
(beat)
Whatcha working on?

FRANK
Nothing big.

NATALIE
I wish there was something I could do about the swelling.

FRANK
Aren't you taking that Vitamin B?

NATALIE
Lot of good it does me.
(Pause; she tries to peek at his papers.)
I know, you can't, you can't. But oh, the shroud of secrecy, so tantalizing

FRANK
If only it were so tantalizing without the shroud....
(NATALIE pretends to peek again.)
Confidentiality agreement. Flavorless.

NATALIE
You going to add some flava?

Angel Fat 10


FRANK
(reading)
Mmm.

NATALIE
Do you see her in that dress? All these bitches have live in trainers. Hot ones, too.
Hot, hot live in trainer. Gimme one of those, bitches. Bitches! You're not yelling at
me for swearing.

FRANK
I'm yelling at you for swearing.

NATALIE
You know I can't talk that way once the baby comes.

FRANK
You know you can't talk that way once the baby comes.

NATALIE
It's already happening. The word "motherfucker" isn't the same. It's kinda sad.
Motherfucker.

FRANK
I hope to be one.

NATALIE
Dirty boy....

HE goes back to work. NATALIE watches him.

NATALIE
When youre done with that, could you rub my feet? Ill suck your cock later.
(A sexy challenge.)
I will. I will. I will
(FRANK cracks a smile but doesn't take the bait. NATALIE enjoys the challenge.
Expresses envy or disgust for various celebrities being featured on TV, trying to
pull him away from his work. )
I cant believe you havent told me to turn this off yet. Its like porn without the good
parts. It isn't fair. I've got a great look for sci-fi, don't you agree? I should at least be
working Syfy. Can't you see the sexy alien inside me?

FRANK
The sexy's there. It's the alien that you suppress so well.

Angel Fat 11


NATALIE
(in a monster-alien voice)
I only come out when you're asleeeeep.

FRANK
(looking at his paper.)
This is crap.

NATALIE
Change it.

FRANK
Uh-huh.

NATALIE
So what's going on with the Wolves, then? Are they really getting a surrogate?
Diane must be losing her mind. The idea of some fat little mommy in the Midwest,
stuffing deep dish pizza into the heir-to-be.

FRANK
She's not fat.

NATALIE
They picked a girl?

FRANK
Apparently.

NATALIE
Who-who-who?

FRANK
She's not fat and she's not from the Midwest.

NATALIE
They didn't go to India, did they? Everyone's getting wombs from India. Remember
that baby born in the earthquake?

FRANK
You told me this one.

NATALIE
This poor kid, born out of the body this Indian woman, in the middle of an
earthquake, her Japanese parents split, then say they don't want her anymore, this
child they made, in a womb they outsourced to India. This poor baby, the world

Angel Fat 12


literally cracking under her feet, not only does she not have parents, she doesn't
have a country. Surrogacy should be outlawed.

FRANK
They didn't go to India.

NATALIE
I suppose they could afford not to.

FRANK
Though I hear they tried to get an Asian.

NATALIE
Oh my God.

FRANK
But I dont think Indians count.

NATALIE
(laughing)
Youre awful!

FRANK
No, darling, I just represent Awful.

NATALIE
Didn't Charles request an Asian maid?

FRANK
Japanese, to be precise.

NATALIE
I hear they're very clean.

FRANK
Why are you watching this show?

NATALIE
Thank god youre finally criticizing me, I was beginning to feel invisible.

FRANK
How can you be invisible, look at those ankles!

NATALIE
(smiling)
Its scary, right?

Angel Fat 13



He takes her foot, massages it.

NATALIE
I think Dianes planning this whole thing just to steal my thunder. Dont you think
its a little weird? How every time we do something, she has to be doing the same
thing only in the super-rich super-weird way of doing it? Like that time we were
planning the trip to St. Johns-

FRANK
The kids not for her, Nat.

NATALIE
I know. It's for the Big People.

FRANK
Do you feel like a little person?

NATALIE
Ha. Look at me.

FRANK
(playfully feigning shock)
You're not little at all!

NATALIE clearly feels satisfied by his response.

NATALIE
Doesnt Mrs. Woolf Capital already have a kid?

FRANK
Not with Mr. Woolf Capital.

NATALIE
But she has one.

FRANK
They want a baby of their own. That must make sense to you, of all people.

NATALIE
I dont have a baby at all.

FRANK
Stay positive, sweetheart.

Angel Fat 14


NATALIE
I don't have a baby from anyone.

FRANK
Yet.


FRANK looks tired. Rubs NATALIEs feet despite it.


NATALIE
Some people are greedy, thats all I mean.

FRANK
Maybe were greedy.

NATALIE
You dont think that.

FRANK
No. I dont think that.

NATALIE is quiet. She takes in the foot
massage.

NATALIE
..That feels good.

FRANK
You should stop auditioning.

NATALIE
No.

FRANK
These auditions just add stress, you don't need that right now.

NATALIE
What if this doesn't work out?

FRANK
Natalie, don't think that way, you can't think that way, you have to be positive.

NATALIE
I'm just being realistic, Frank, I have got to have a life outside of this pregnancy or I
could have no life at all.

Angel Fat 15



FRANK
The life inside of you --our life -- I'm not trying to stress you out, /but I-

NATALIE
You don't have to try.

FRANK
Oh come on.

NATALIE
It is in the interest of this life that you keep me calm.

FRANK
Is that even possible?

NATALIE
Fuck you.

FRANK
Really?

NATALIE
(suddenly hysterical)
Don't you tell me how to fucking stay positive! I know how to fucking stay positive!

FRANK
Clearly.

NATALIE
You're right, I should stop auditioning. I fucking suck anyway! God, I sucked today.
Fuck!

FRANK
Aw, Natalie

NATALIE
I stood up there in front of the super put-together, super gay director, and I sang like
a chubby suburban mommy in cotton cable-knit, and it was awful.

FRANK
I'm sorry.

NATALIE
No, I'm sorry, I'm sorry I suck, I'm sorry I'm a bitch.

Angel Fat 16


FRANK
Me, too.

At this, NATALIE breaks into a laugh.

FRANK
Cmere, bitch.

NATALIE
Oh, you want this?

FRANK
Yeah I want that. Cmere.

They kiss. And kiss. Lights grow bright on the opposite side of
the stage.

Scene


Audition lights.

VOICE
Natalie Brooks.

Still kissing Frank, Natalie looks towards the voice.

She and Frank stop kissing. FRANK smiles at Natalie. Picks up
his papers and exits. As Frank exits, NATALIE smacks him on the
butt.


VOICE
Well, well.

NATALIE
Just getting in the mood.

VOICE
Uh-huh. When you're ready.

NATALIE
Side A?

VOICE
Side A.

Angel Fat 17



NATALIE
(picking up an audition side)
Got it!

NATALIE starts to read the side, to herself. VOICE interrupts.

VOICE
Why don't you just jump right in.

NATALIE
Jump right in, you bet.

Sharp shift. Harsh white light.
NATALIE approaches with aggressive optimism.

NATALIE
This time, I want it. This time, I'm with a man who can make it happen. A man who
holds my hand. Holds my head. Keeps me here. A man to keep. Keep it 'til it's
grown. A family man. This time, I can want it.

And now here it is. Here you are. Little thing. Big little thing. Pushing. Pressing.
Taking your space. Becoming...what you will be.

Inside me, where I wanted you, asked for you, begged for you to be. Becoming what
you will be.

It makes me happy. I tell everyone "Yes, I'm so happy."

I am.

(Looks too happy. It's strange.)

I'm so happy you're here with me.


Lights shift. Natalie looks up

VOICE (VOICES)
Whispering through speakers/offstage, incoherent.

NATALIE
I can give you another take, if you'd like.

VOICE
We've got what we need.

Angel Fat 18



NATALIE
Side B?

VOICE
We're all set.

NATALIE
Thanks! Thank you!


NATALIE's smile stays plastered on as she takes her things, and
exits.

Scene.

ANGELA sits in bare conference room, alone. She is waiting for
someone to come. Checks her phone. Fidgets. Takes out a
magazine. Flips through it. Looks around. Puts it away. Checks
her phone.

FRANK enters. Stops. Blinks. Proceeds.

ANGELA
Hey! The view here is incredible. I guess you must be used to it.

FRANK
You must be Angela.

ANGELA
I must be.

FRANK
We'll just go over some details. Did the agency give you a copy of the contract?

ANGELA
Yeah, I think so.

FRANK
Do you have it?

ANGELA
Do I have -?

FRANK
I have a copy. You can follow along.

Angel Fat 19



FRANK slides a copy of the contract

ANGELA
Thanks for flying me out. I've never been to New York before.

FRANK
You can thank the couple.

ANGELA
Who is the couple, exactly?

FRANK
That's confidential, for now.

ANGELA
Okay.

FRANK
If they choose to proceed further-

ANGELA
It's cool.

Frank glances at her. Pauses.

FRANK
Why don't I take a minute to go over the basics. Let's start with your age.

ANGELA
Twenty-four.

FRANK
It says on your form-

ANGELA
I know, I just had a birthday.

FRANK
Happy birthday.

ANGELA
Thanks! I'm really hung-over.

FRANK
You drink, then.

Angel Fat 20



ANGELA
I can drink on my birthday.

FRANK
Tell me about your previous pregnancies.

ANGELA
I've never been pregnant before.

FRANK looks through the paperwork in front of him, a little
confused.

ANGELA
I want to be pregnant. That's why I'm doing this. I think pregnancy is beautiful.

FRANK
So you've never been pregnant.

ANGELA
No.

FRANK
No abortions?

ANGELA
I've never been pregnant.

FRANK
I see. And how is it that you know you're fertile?

ANGELA
I just know.

FRANK
It was our understanding that a candidates not qualified to be listed with the agency
without having experienced a pregnancy and birth of a child.

ANGELA
But they picked me. Right? That's why they flew me to New York City! This is so
awesome. You have no idea how awesome this place is.

FRANK
First time for a few things, I see.

Angel Fat 21


ANGELA
You sound mad or something.

FRANK
Don't take it personally.

ANGELA
Its a personal meeting, isnt it? Im a person, youre a person.

FRANK
You're a hung-over person.

ANGELA
Yeah I am.
(Beat. He stares at her, nonplussed.)
This day is, like, becoming un-fun.

FRANK
Listen, / we may have

Beat.

ANGELA
What is it that you do, exactly?

FRANK
I'm a lawyer.

ANGELA
For the agency?

FRANK
No, no. I'm General Counsel. For this financial firm.

ANGELA
A financial firm? That's vague.

FRANK
That's all you need to know.

ANGELA
The financial firm wants a baby? Hey, that's new.

FRANK
(smiling a little)
It's a new world.

Angel Fat 22



ANGELA
General Counsel? I don't even know what that is.

FRANK
Chief Legal Counsel. Head counsel, if you will.

ANGELA
Chief Head.
(FRANK suppresses a laugh. She notices.)
Doing paperwork for a surrogate seems like a weird / thing for a Chief Head to do.

FRANK
It's not paperwork, it's a contract.
(beat)
I've done stranger things.

ANGELA
Like what?

FRANK
Nothing as strange as carrying someone else's child in my body.

ANGELA
That's not strange. It's beautiful and amazing.

FRANK
Sorry. I didn't mean to get short.

ANGELA
Are you short? I can't tell with you sitting there, your arms all crossed.

FRANK
No-

ANGELA
You're long, then?

FRANK
I don't even remember being twenty-four.

ANGELA
Long and old.

FRANK
Listen-

Angel Fat 23



ANGELA
I am listening. Your voice is nice. Even when your words aren't really nice, your
voice is. It's interesting.

FRANK
(Taken aback, he tries to stay on track.)
I don't know you, obviously, but from your profile-

ANGELA
Screw the profile, okay? They picked me, didn't they? They picked me because I'm
right for it, because I want it. I'm not in it for the money, I'm not in it for Jesus, I'm
not some suburban mommy machine who's gonna read Bible stories to their fetus
every night.

FRANK
I'm sure the couple I work for will find the right fit. There are a lot of other
candidates.

ANGELA
Theres no one else like me.

FRANK
Theres always someone like you.

ANGELA
Some people can do things that other people can't.

FRANK
Im sure someone else will want to buy what you have to sell.

ANGELA
Obviously this is touching some nerves for you.

Beat. Frank bites his tongue.
Beat. Angela accepts; her mood shifts.

ANGELA
Money is not the main reason I'm doing this.

FRANK
The money is significant. Being pregnant is significant, too.

ANGELA
Carrying a baby has got to be better than being a hostess at Applebees - have you
ever been a hostess at Applebees?

Angel Fat 24



FRANK
Ive never been to Applebees.

ANGELA
Right, you're more of an "Olive Garden" kind of guy.

Frank suppresses a laugh. Beat.

FRANK
Olive Garden. Wow.

ANGELA
I'm right, aren't I?

FRANK
I'm sorry you're a hostess at Applebee's. I'm sure it's a waste of your talents.

ANGELA
I can't tell if you're being sarcastic.

FRANK
I'm not.

Beat.

ANGELA
I really want to do this. I really want to know what it feels like. I don't want to have
a child of my own, I'm sure about that, I dont want to limit myself, I don't even want
to get married. There's just so much to experience in life.

FRANK
There is.

ANGELA
This is something I know that I want to experience.

FRANK
Uh-huh.

ANGELA
Pregnancy is so beautiful.

FRANK
You think so?

Angel Fat 25


ANGELA
The way it makes a woman's body so round. It just gives you these incredible hips,
too. I'm just dying to experience that.

FRANK
Uh-huh.

ANGELA
You sound far away. I mean, from this. The desire for a child. The desire to carry a
child in your body.

FRANK
I am a man.

ANGELA
You do kinda look like one.

FRANK
Listen, Angela-

ANGELA
Yeah?

FRANK
You do not fit the recommended profile, it's true-

ANGELA
But-?

FRANK
But it's my job to execute their wishes. And, apparently, it is their wish to engage
you / as a surrogate-

ANGELA
"Engage me" I like that, it's like Star Trek. Do you like Star Trek? "Engage"-

FRANK
Patrick Stewart.

ANGELA
Patrick Stewart, yeah, I totally wanted him to be my dad. Wouldn't he be a great
dad? You seem like a dad. Are you?

FRANK shuffles his paperwork, unsettled.

Angel Fat 26


FRANK
Take a look at this contract. It's not the contract from the surrogacy agency. This
contract would be between yourself and the couple. If you agree to the terms, the
couple will satisfy the agency's "finders fee" and from this point forward it will be a
direct engagement.

ANGELA
Wow.

FRANK
Wow, what?

ANGELA
I'm, like, signing a contract before I even, like, know who the couple is, even?

FRANK
Confidentiality. If you agree to the terms-

ANGELA
It's cool. So, what do I do now?

FRANK
Go back to your hotel, think things over-

ANGELA
Hotel?

FRANK
I assume? Let me check with Diane.

ANGELA
Who's Diane? Is she-?

FRANK
Sit tight.

She does.

Angel Fat 27



Scene.

DIANE's office. FRANK enters.

DIANE
What do you mean, unstable?

FRANK
She's a kid.

DIANE
She's the perfect age. You know, they call it a geriatric pregnancy after thirty-five.

FRANK
I'm aware.

DIANE
What's the problem?

FRANK
It's a risky choice.

DIANE
Is she cute?

FRANK
I don't / know-

DIANE
I knew Sharon would pick someone cute.

FRANK
If this is what they want, it's what they want. Just: note my reservations.

DIANE
Cover your ass, sure. So what is it with this girl, what is it, she's young, so she wants
to make some money--?

FRANK
She wants to experience pregnancy and childbirth without having a child.

DIANE
Adventurous.

Angel Fat 28



Shift. ANGELA enters.

FRANK
Angela.

DIANE
Angela?

ANGELA
That's right.

DIANE
Diane.

ANGELA
It's so nice to meet you.

DIANE
Sit down, Angela.

FRANK stares for a moment.

DIANE
Why don't you give us a minute, Frank.

FRANK
Sure.

FRANK exits, shutting the door behind him.


DIANE
So you want to be pregnant.

ANGELA
Yeah!

DIANE
Pregnancy is not all sunshine and cleavage, sweetheart.

ANGELA
I'm sure it's not.

DIANE
What if you resent it?

Angel Fat 29



ANGELA
I won't.

DIANE
You might.

ANGELA
Life is to be lived. I don't see things as good or bad, but as experience, you know, as
learning, or as stasis. You're either learning, or you're in stasis.

DIANE
Interesting.

Beat; she watches ANGELA. Angela watches her in
return. This pleases Diane.

DIANE
So what are you?

ANGELA
What am I?

DIANE
Mixed? You look Spanish.

ANGELA
I know a little Spanish.

DIANE
Cuban. Have you been to Cuba?

ANGELA
No.

DIANE
I like Cubans. They're like Brazilians, only more European.

ANGELA
I'm gonna go to Brazil someday. Rio de Janero.

DIANE
Rio's very sexy...
(Beat; Diane gets back to it.)

Angel Fat 30


I've gone down that rode once - pregnancy. The only thing I enjoyed about it was
the sex. Some women cool way down, other women heat way up. I was one that
heated up.

ANGELA
That's so awesome. I would love that.

DIANE
Except my husband couldn't keep up with me. So I was a cat in heat with a belly like
a basketball.

ANGELA
I hope that happens to me.

DIANE
They won't want you to be sexually active.

ANGELA
I can't believe they'd want to limit me like that.

DIANE
This is just one of many, many challenges you would face, if you carry this out.

ANGELA
They couldn't limit me like that.

DIANE
They would be paying you to be "limited." They would be paying you to help them
bring a healthy baby into this world, and into their arms.

ANGELA
But sex is healthy.

DIANE
You're a single woman. What sane couple wants the carrier of their child to risk
STD's?

ANGELA
But I'm / not like -

DIANE
Think this through, Angela.

ANGELA
I will. I am. Totally.

Angel Fat 31


DIANE
You're a sweet girl.

ANGELA
Not really.

DIANE
(looking ANGELA over carefully)
...Good. I don't much care for sweets.


ANGELA meets her stare. Then breaks it. She picks up a photo
on DIANE's desk.

ANGELA
Who's this?

DIANE
That's my husband.

ANGELA
He's handsome.

DIANE
(amused)
Why, thank you.

ANGELA picks up another photo.

ANGELA
Is this your daughter?

DIANE
You don't want children of your own?

ANGELA
God, no. No offense.

DIANE
None taken. Dependency is a terrible state. If you're walking through this life with
dependents around your neck, you're slowly choking. Your life will be nothing but
sorely short of its potential. To rise to your potential you must be free of weight.
Mustn't you?

ANGELA
Yeah...I think I do.

Angel Fat 32


(holding a picture frame)
What about her?

DIANE
My daughter? She's free as a bird.

ANGELA
We could hang out.

DIANE
You could what-?

ANGELA
I mean she looks cool, and, like, my age.

DIANE
Mm. Women in your twenties. The prime of life.

ANGELA
I think you're the one in the prime of life.

DIANE
Do you.

ANGELA
You're beautiful. Respected.

DIANE
That's sweet to say.

ANGELA
Women ripen at your age, that's when we have our power. Look at you.

DIANE
Look at you.
Men look at you all the time. You dont even notice.

ANGELA
Sometimes.

DIANE
Trust me, you don't have any idea.

ANGELA
It's not like I'm unaware.

Angel Fat 33


DIANE
That's the amazing thing. All of us, at your age, are unaware.

ANGELA
You really think that?

DIANE
I know that.

FRANK is hovering near Diane's office. NATALIE enters carrying
a bakery bag, featuring a graphic of baby chicks. She carries the
bag to FRANK.

FRANK
Nat!

NATALIE
Didn't security tell you?

FRANK
Maybe.

FRANK kisses her on the cheek.
NATALIE
I brought you a snack.

FRANK
A 'snack'?

NATALIE
You have to get fat to make me feel better.

In the other room, we see ANGELA and DIANE smiling and
laughing together.

NATALIE
Where's Diane?

FRANK
In a meeting.

NATALIE
I want to say hi.

Angel Fat 34


FRANK
You smell of baked goods.
(flicking a crumb from Natalie's face)
You know she can't stand butter.

Beat. Natalie chews uncomfortably.

NATALIE
Do you like your little treat? It's from the new joint.

FRANK
What new joint?

NATALIE
That bakery around the corner, with the three baby chickens in the window.

FRANK
That doesn't sound sanitary.

NATALIE
They're painted. It's sweet. A sweet place to take Francis.

FRANK
Francis?

FRANK
Francis....I like that.

NATALIE
Frank and Francis...playin' by a tree. Father and daughter and tweet-dee-dee....

FRANK
Your eyes.

NATALIE
Your hair.

FRANK
Our daughter, Francisits sweet. Im afraid its growing on me.

Shift to DIANE's office:


ANGELA
Your office is awesome.

Angel Fat 35


DIANE
I like it.

ANGELA
So what is it you do here?

DIANE
(holding back a laugh)
I'm the President, sweetheart.

ANGELA
So this is your company?

DIANE
It's the Chairman's company. Nothing for you to waste your time thinking about.

ANGELA
...I wonder if I'll have something like this someday.

DIANE
You seem to be willing to take risks. Who knows?

ANGELA
This is going to be really great.

DIANE
Stay a few more days. Buy some new shoes. Those are awful.

ANGELA
They-

DIANE
And really think this over. We'll talk again on Monday and see where things stand
then.

ANGELA
Okay. Cool.

DIANE
Okay.

DIANE walks ANGELA out of her office, and out to where FRANK
and NATALIE sit together.

DIANE
Where's the temp? Good lord. Frank, can you take her back to the hotel? Hi Natalie.

Angel Fat 36




NATALIE
Hi, Diane.

DIANE closes the door to her office.

ANGELA
(to Frank)
She told me to buy some new shoes.

NATALIE
Hi-

FRANK shoots NATALIE a look, shutting down her contact with
Angela.

ANGELA
Hey.


NATALIE
I see Diane still needs a new assistant.
(to ANGELA)
It's hard to find good help.

FRANK
See you for dinner.

NATALIE
I'll walk out with you.

FRANK
Thats okay. Finish your lunch.

NATALIE
See you.


FRANK
See you.

NATALIE is left alone in the office with a paper
bag full of food. She takes a muffin out of the bag
and shoves as much of it in her mouth as possible.
She remembers where she is. Spits it out.

Angel Fat 37



Lights shift.


VOICE
Natalie Brooks.

NATALIE
Yes?

VOICE
When you're ready.

NATALIE
When I'm ready.

VOICE
When you're ready.

NATALIE
When I'm ready.

VOICE
When you're ready.

NATALIE takes an egg out of the brown paper
bag. She puts in in her mouth carefully.

NATALIE gets down on all fours. She crawls
across the floor very, very slowly, with the egg in
her mouth.

As she nears the exit, she turns around, slowly.
Crawls backward, with the egg balanced between
her teeth. A spotlight follows her mouth, holding
the egg. The spotlight follows her off - to black.

Angel Fat 38


Scene.

ANGELA trying on shoes. She has a box of
running shoes, a box of masculine boots, and a box
of high heels. FRANK enters as she tries on the
boots.

FRANK
I don't think that's what Diane had in mind.

ANGELA
I can't pay for any of this.

FRANK
Don't worry about that.

ANGELA
I've never had anyone talk to me like that before.

FRANK
Like what?

ANGELA
I'm not saying I didn't like it.

FRANK
Diane can be very blunt.

ANGELA
She's cool.

FRANK
Yeah?

ANGELA
She's kinda hot, in a way.

FRANK
Huh.

ANGELA
People are hot when they know what they want. Don't you think so?

FRANK
I think those heels are awful.

Angel Fat 39


ANGELA
The tennis are cute. I bet they're cheaper.

FRANK
Yeah. You don't want that.

ANGELA
(seeming suggestive for a moment)
What do I want?

FRANK
What?

ANGELA
What does Diane want me to wear?

FRANK
Well-

ANGELA
For meeting them?

FRANK
Don't get ahead of yourself.

ANGELA
It's super mysterious. I kinda like it.

FRANK
I'm glad you think it's mysterious.

ANGELA
I'll get to find out more, right? Once I sign the contract?

FRANK
If everything proceeds-

ANGELA
I can sign it right now.

FRANK
That's not / the -

ANGELA
So is it a couple of gay guys?

Angel Fat 40


FRANK
(laughing)
No.

ANGELA
One gay guy?

FRANK
No.

ANGELA
Okay, so is it, like, he's rich and ugly, she's empty and beautiful?

FRANK
Not precisely.

ANGELA
Can't you tell me any little thing?

FRANK
He's not ugly.

ANGELA
Good. I'd prefer not to give birth to an ugly baby. Even if I don't have to touch it.

FRANK
And she's rich.

ANGELA
He married her for money?

FRANK
No need to. Plenty on both ends. Together they're the size of a small country.

ANGELA
Theyre famous, then!

FRANK
There are plenty of small countries that you've never heard of.

ANGELA
When I was a kid I though people who shopped at Macys were rich.

Angel Fat 41


FRANK
Yes, well.
(beat)
Then there are people who shop for people like me. And I help them make their
island disappear in the middle of the Pacific.
(ANGELA indicates she doesnt understand.)
...Privacy is very important to them.

ANGELA
I guess I've never thought about privacy.

FRANK
No?

ANGELA
I've never needed it.

FRANK
That's odd.

ANGELA
Is it?

FRANK
Don't you think?

ANGELA
Do you need it? Privacy?

FRANK
Of course.

ANGELA
Why?

They look at each other for a moment. FRANK decides
not to respond.

FRANK
Let's get you something with a bit more class, shall we?

ANGELA tries out some lunges in her tennis shoes. As
FRANK walks off with the boxes, ANGELA runs in place.
Faster. Faster. Faster. She doubles over, laughing.

Angel Fat 42



Scene.

Frank and Natalie's house. Frank is securing an apron around himself. He then
begins to whisk some eggs and milk in a bowl. NATALIE enters.

FRANK
There you are.

NATALIE
Hi honey.

FRANK
You look tired.

NATALIE
Gee, thanks.

FRANK
You should be tired. Come on. Sit. Get your feet up.

NATALIE
You're cooking?

FRANK
I think they call it baking.

NATALIE
I might pass out.

FRANK
The bananas went brown.

NATALIE
How...lovely.

FRANK
Weren't you clawing the walls for banana bread?

NATALIE
Oh my god I wanted it so bad.

FRANK
So you're getting it.

Angel Fat 43


NATALIE
You're a peach.

FRANK
I was hoping you'd think so.

NATALIE
I wish you were my nurse. Those nurses are little Polynesian monsters. They come
at me with these needle bigger than I've ever seen. I really wish you'd come with me
to these appointments.

FRANK
I don't understand why.

NATALIE
This needle was the size of my index finger.

FRANK
I'd just have to sit in the lobby.

NATALIE
But then you could take me for fro yo after.

FRANK
Aww.

NATALIE
Wouldn't you like to take me for fro yo?

FRANK
I would.

NATALIE
Wouldn't you like to watch me cry and eat fro yo?

FRANK
You cried?

NATALIE
I did.

FRANK
Aww, Natalie. I'm sorry this is hard on you.

NATALIE
I feel like an experiment.

Angel Fat 44




FRANK
Don't.

NATALIE
If everything goes well, I'll have to swallow the gallon of orange sugar water.

FRANK
Yummy.

NATALIE
What if I can't swallow?

FRANK
You're very good at swallowing.

NATALIE
Dirty.

FRANK
C'mere.

NATALIE
You c'mere.

FRANK
You c'mere.

NATALIE
I can't move. I'm so enormous.

FRANK
(faux)
My god, you are!

NATALIE
Isn't there a fast forward button for this?

FRANK
Why don't you just try and enjoy it?

NATALIE
Enjoy it?
Why don't YOU!
Jesus.

Angel Fat 45



FRANK
Nat, c'mere.

NATALIE
Telling me to enjoy it. You're unbelievable.

FRANK whisks off, leaving NATALIE to cool down on her own.

NATALIE
(calling off)
It will all be worth it in the end, I know.

FRANK (off)
I know.

NATALIE
I'll turn into one of those park mommies with my stroller and big ugly bag-

FRANK (entering)
Those are called nannies, dear.

NATALIE
Some of them are moms. With big, ugly bags and strollers like pimp Cadillacs.

FRANK
You'll get a pimp ass stroller even bigger than theirs.

NATALIE
And I'll be happy.

FRANK
And you'll be happy.

NATALIE
And then you will, too.

FRANK
(with irritation)
I'm happy right now.

NATALIE
You're making me banana bread.

FRANK
Uh-huh.

Angel Fat 46



NATALIE
I'm going to give you a blow job for sure.



Scene.

DIANE's office. FRANK hands her a contract. DIANE
looks at it.

DIANE
Why not.

FRANK
Signed her life away-

DIANE
She has a great body.

FRANK
Good lord.

DIANE
Don't say you haven't looked at her.

FRANK
I'm not / saying-

DIANE
It's your job to look at her, in this case. Not everyone is built for this kind of thing.

FRANK
I'm sure.

DIANE
If the pelvis isn't wide enough the baby's head can't come through.

FRANK
Right.

DIANE
And hip to waist ratio is important, especially with someone like her.

FRANK
Someone like her?

Angel Fat 47



DIANE
Fertility, Frank. Don't be such a worm.

FRANK
I'm your lawyer, Diane, not a goddamn fertility expert.

DIANE
I know you are, dear.

FRANK
Fucking hell.

DIANE
I'm working you too hard.

FRANK
You need an assistant.

DIANE
I'm hiring one.

FRANK
Good.

DIANE
How's Natalie?

FRANK
(unduly sharp)
What?

DIANE
I said how's Natalie. ....How many weeks is she now?

FRANK
Ah - eleven.

DIANE
Well that's good.

FRANK
I appreciate your interest, but it's not something I want to discuss here.

DIANE
Okay.

Angel Fat 48



FRANK
The revised Trinity agreement is on your desk.

DIANE
Okay.

FRANK
I can walk you through the changes-

DIANE
No, I trust you.

FRANK
... Are they flying in to meet her?

DIANE
Who?

FRANK
Angela.

DIANE
I'm waiting to hear. If they sign her for it, we should have her supervised.

FRANK
She likes you.

DIANE
Does she? ....Good.


Scene.

NATALIE stands in a blank room.

VOICE
Brooks.

NATALIE
(speaking to VOICE)
Natalie. You know this is a lot like going to the doctor.

VOICE
Whenever youre ready.

Angel Fat 49


NATALIE
(reading from a script)
Im asleep. Im on a rollercoaster. In my eyelids, I can see the tracks, curling on an
on. I cant see the end. I wake up, alone in my apartment. Seasick. I want peanut
M&M's. Twenty pounds, not an ounce over. I want banana bread. I want to never
grow out of the size four maternity jeans, the kitchen is green. Why is the kitchen
green? The color of my mother. Why is my mother green? They said this would
bring us closer. All I can think of is every critical thing my mother's ever said. Her
words peck away at me. Am I just like her? I'm losing my face. Ice. Get the ice. I
can't reach the fridge. Is there milk? I don't want to milk anything. I am not to be
milked. Don't think that way, what, you want to lose another one? Hormonal ride to
nowhere...I can't lose another one. I'll die if this leaves me. Don't leave me. The
boat's moving. Make it to the fridge. Milks' good for me. I want a milkshake. Malt.
Oh my god I want a chocolate malt. When's the last time I had that? With Daddy at
that diner. Why can't I be more like daddy? Oh, no.
No. Make it to the bathroom.
No.
Sink. Make it to the sink....

NATALIE throws up into her mouth. Should she swallow? Spit it out?
She exits the room.


Scene.

Cafe.

Sound of rain. ANGELA enters, her hair a bit wet. She
pats it dry and sits, expecting to meet Sharon and
Charles Woolf. DIANE arrives.

DIANE
Angela.

ANGELA
Hey!

DIANE
Your hair's wet.

ANGELA
It's raining.

DIANE
Better invest in an umbrella.

Angel Fat 50


ANGELA
I don't like umbrellas.

DIANE
Uh-huh.
Beat. ANGELA looks around. Are Charles and Sharon
coming?

DIANE's phone rings.

DIANE
Excuse me.
(She answers her phone.)
I can't really hear you, honey. I'm in a meeting. Are you alright, where are you? Why
didnt you take my driver? You should take my driver. Im not telling you what to
do, Im offering a solution - you're the one who called me! You know what: I cant do
this right now. Im in a meeting. Fine. I'll call in twenty.
(She hangs up.)
That was my daughter. If you ever do decide to have a child of your own, may you
be blessed with a son.

ANGELA
No, thanks.

DIANE
You're sure of yourself. My daughter, she's not sure of anything. One day she's
calling me from Paris today, with a French fianc. The next days she's calling from
London with some Scottish heir tucked between her legs. We'll see what happens
tomorrow.

ANGELA
She sounds interesting.

DIANE
She has...interests.

ANGELA
You don't find your daughter interesting?

DIANE
She has interesting taste in handbags.

ANGELA
(laughs)
I like your taste in handbags. That's hot.

Angel Fat 51


DIANE
You like it? Maybe we can get you one of these for Christmas. I got my daughter one
last year - I've never seen her in it. Everything I've given, none of it matters. That's
the problem with children. What you do for them is completely overshadowed by
what you did not do for them. Every moment I was not there is the moment that she
remembers.

ANGELA
I'm sure that's not true.

DIANE
Your mother's passed away. Is that right?

ANGELA
Yeah. Gone underground. One of those flat gravestones, on a sort of hill, next to a
freeway.

DIANE
I'm sorry.

ANGELA
Not me. I'm gonna be burned.

DIANE
Burn while you're alive.

ANGELA
Yeah. Yeah, exactly.

DIANE
See. Right there.
(referring to the look in Angela's eye)
That look, right there. That's what my daughter should have. It's that look that she
needs to take what she has and make something. My daughter, she'll be fine. Fine.
Of course I want her to be fine.

ANGELA
Of course.

DIANE
But with the resources she has? When I was her age - your age - I was fighting
every minute, tearing at life-

ANGELA
What did you want?

Angel Fat 52


DIANE
To get up, to get out, to find a view. If you don't have a view, you can't see, and if you
can't see, you're relying on someone else who can, and if you're relying on someone
else's vision, then someone else is deciding what's possible, and what's not possible.

ANGELA
Someone else has control of your destiny.

DIANE
Most people have no idea that this game of life is a pile of bullshit. You have to get on
top of the pile of bullshit to see what the hell is going on.

ANGELA
God, that's so true.

DIANE
You think you can see what's going on?

ANGELA
Sometimes, I think so.

DIANE
When.

ANGELA
When I'm away from home. Someplace strange to me.

DIANE
Why.

ANGELA
I don't know...being someplace unfamiliar...it's like some kind of sense sharpens, you
know, and I can feel people - when I walk down the streets here? It's like I can see
right into people's heads. I feel their life, coming at me, in these little
secrets. Vanity, loneliness, anger, wife doesn't love them any more, boss just cursed
them out, they just landed a big deal, maybe they want to fuck a fifteen year old,
maybe they just did, maybe they're half dead, can't get it up anymore, can't get wet,
maybe they've been lonely for so long, they can hardly breathe. And I'm just inches
away from them, and I'm looking into their eyes, and it's like...I could just walk right
inside of them and do it. Do the thing they want. Fill what's empty. Drain what's
full.
(staring off)
Dream and reality meet.
(back to DIANE)
That's what it feels like. When I can see.

Angel Fat 53


DIANE
What do you see right now?

ANGELA
When I look at you?

DIANE
Why not?

ANGELA
I just see you.

DIANE
And who am I? You say you can see things. Who am I?

ANGELA
Someone who has everything she wants. Except nothing touches you anymore. You
miss being touched by things. By people. And things.

DIANE
Is that so.


ANGELA
Something like that, I think so.

DIANE
You think you can touch me?

ANGELA
I know I can.

DIANE
You're...bold.

ANGELA
Should I not be bold?

ANGELA moves closer to Diane. DIANE takes ANGELA's
hands. Looks at them for a moment. Looks at Angela's
fingernails. Then into her eyes.

DIANE
No one can tell you what you should be. You're the only one that knows that.

ANGELA

Angel Fat 54


When did you know?

DIANE
It was a long time ago.

ANGELA
Is this what you thought you would become?

DIANE
(taken aback, for just a moment)
I would like to think that I'm not done "becoming." Let's hope we never are.
(beat)
So, what do you think? You want to do this?

ANGELA
Yeah!

DIANE
Alright, then.

ANGELA
But, um - don't they want to meet me first?

DIANE
They'll meet you soon enough. Frank's got your copy of the contract-

ANGELA
I get to know who they are?

DIANE
You may now know who the parents are. And keep it quietly to yourself.

ANGELA
Of course.

DIANE
Good.

ANGELA
Great! Oh my God, this is great.



Scene.

Angel Fat 55


NATALIE at home, pretending to cradle a baby while
standing on one foot.
FRANK walks in, holding an umbrella. Looks at her.


FRANK
... It's raining.

NATALIE
Miserable.

FRANK
It's nice. Light rain. Made me thirsty.

NATALIE
I cant wait to drink again.

FRANK
I'm so thirsty.

NATALIE
Swirling my glass of wine, holding our seven pounds I really hope its not seven
pounds.

FRANK
As long as its healthy.

NATALIE
Healthy, and wealthy and wise. Wont it be amazing when she talks? He talks?
When he stands on the footstool and turns the water on for the first time? For some
reason when Im in the bathroom, I imagine a child, our child, there on their stubby
little tippy toes, reaching to turn the water on. I cant wait to buy one of those
toothbrushes. One of those Winnie the Pooh baby toothbrushes. Then someday a
violin, one of those tiny little violins, oh God, I really want that. Sorry.

FRANK
Dont be sorry.

NATALIE
Yeah.

FRANK
Im thinking piano. Right there by the window. Good for brain development.

NATALIE
(imagining a child learning to play piano, sincere)

Angel Fat 56


Twinkle tinkle, plunk. Awww.
(suddenly)
Do you think I smell weird?

FRANK
What?

NATALIE
A number of diseases can be diagnosed by smell. Including pregnancy. Untreated
diabetics can have breath that smells like rotten apples. And some rats have been
trained to smell schizophrenia. I think it's kind of sweet smelling. I can't remember.

FRANK
What are you talking about?

NATALIE
It's this new script the agent sent me.

FRANK
Send it back.



NATALIE
No, it used to be medical science. I looked it up! Doctors would smell you to
diagnose your disease.

FRANK
Pregnancy is not a disease.

NATALIE
According to my medical records, it is. I keep getting diseased. Ha! I'd like to be
able to say I'd adopt. If this doesn't work out.

FRANK
It will.

NATALIE
I know, but if not...I don't think I can fly to China or Romania and pick up some poor
little baby, I wish I could, I wish I could be one of those women to pick up a child and
smile at it like "I'm your Mommy, everything's okay now," because it doesn't feel
okay to me. When I hold someone else's baby, it smells like someone else. It doesn't
smell like mine. How can you fake that? How can you promise to love someone that
could grow into a person you can't possibly understand? Isn't parenting hard
enough with genetic reference points? When the kids being a real jerk, you can say
"that's just like his uncle Ed" or when they're nose grows in crooked you can croon

Angel Fat 57


and say "aw, it's Grandma JoJo's nose!" and I have the same birthmark as my
mother, on the back of my neck, we have the same birthmark.
I can't fly to China.
I can't adopt some kid from New Orleans.
Those poor little babies can't make me a mother.
I wish they could, I really wish they could make me feel like a mother, but they can't.
Does that make me bad? I feel so bad.

FRANK
You're pregnant, Natalie.

NATALIE
I'm pregnant.

FRANK
You don't need to fly to Romania.

NATALIE
I don't need to fly to Romania.

FRANK
You need to do your prenatal yoga. That pose when I walked in, now that good.

NATALIE
Was it?

NATALIE strikes the pose.

FRANK
(suggestively)
Very, very good.


NATALIE
I like being good for you...


FRANK winks at her. Then picks up his briefcase, and
walks into Angela's hotel room


Scene.

FRANK in the hotel room of ANGELA.

ANGELA

Angel Fat 58


Shopping here is awesome. Of course your boss is picking up the bill so it's extra
awesome, but even with that extra awesomeness it's also kind of ridiculous. Those
"ladies" fur shopping on 5th avenue? With the little dogs and the, like, super
obvious face lifts? Soho is way more fun. Except for those skeletal French women
looking down at me like I'm cat food. With the like three-story billboards and those
skinny model-wanna be's--

FRANK
Most likely actual models.

ANGELA
It's like I'm living inside a television.

FRANK
But you're not. You're only visiting.

ANGELA
Are you being funny?

FRANK
I have your copy of the contract.


ANGELA
I know. "Hand delivered." I would think you have more important business to do.
Hedge Fund business.

FRANK
This is "Hedge Fund business"?

ANGELA
Yeah?

FRANK
Shall we?

ANGELA
Diane tells me your wife is with child.

FRANK
"With child"?

ANGELA
Diane says your wife's pregnant.

FRANK

Angel Fat 59


How lovely you and Diane have gotten to be chums. Could you sit, please?

ANGELA
Why do you keep telling me to sit? I'm not a dog.

FRANK
This needs your attention.

ANGELA
We're not chums.

FRANK
(referring to the contract)
There is one small change to review-

ANGELA
Why don't you just go through the agency?

FRANK
You're not with the agency anymore. You're directly engaged by the couple, as we
discussed previously. Now-



ANGELA
I'm not good with paperwork, okay? I want to stay focused on what's beautiful
about this.

FRANK
Your new clothes?

ANGELA
Are you being an asshole? I really can't tell with you.

FRANK
Well I can tell that you are not ready for this.

ANGELA
No you can't.

FRANK
Sit down.

ANGELA
I don't want to, Frank.

Angel Fat 60


FRANK
This isn't about what you want to do.

ANGELA
Oh, really!

FRANK
You know, you're not ready for any part of this. You are not ready to carry a baby
for nine months in your body, your own much less someone else's. You are not
ready to go through morning sickness, fatigue, breast tenderness / leg cramps

ANGELA
Breast tenderness sounds fun.

FRANK
Breast tenderness is not fun.

ANGELA
Are your breasts tender right now? Is that why you're so crabby?

FRANK
This is not a joke!

ANGELA
I'm just saying, if you have the right attitude-

FRANK
You are not ready for this.

ANGELA
I'm very ready for this.

FRANK
For sobriety? Abstinence? Health food?

ANGELA
You don't / think I eat healthy?

FRANK
For essentially being property for a year of your young life?

ANGELA
I love that you think I'm young.

FRANK
Believe me, you are.

Angel Fat 61



ANGELA
You don't have to be so old.

FRANK
Angela, this is not a personal conversation.

ANGELA
Whatever, I think it's going to be fun. It's already fun. Even with the stick up your
ass.

FRANK
I do not -- (stopping himself)

ANGELA
Diane says that she was horny all the time when she was pregnant and I thought
that was so fascinating and so I looked it up, and it's really quite common, some
women even get their first orgasm of their life when theyre pregnant, can you
imagine? It's because of the increased blood flow to your clit. It's not only that the
clit gets larger, it gets extra sensitive. I found this woman's website with before and
after photos. It's so intense.


FRANK
You need some help understanding what I'm saying.
(Frank rips up the contract)
Do you understand this? You're done here.

ANGELA
Wow.

FRANK
I'll talk to the Wolves in the morning.

ANGELA
You haven't talked to the Wolves about firing me? What about Diane?

FRANK
You're not fired: You're not hired.

ANGELA
I'm sorry you're upset.

FRANK
Upset? It's not a matter of being "upset"!

Angel Fat 62


ANGELA
I'm sorry you don't want me to do this.

FRANK
It's not that I don't want you.

ANGELA
You want me?

FRANK
This isn't a personal question - decision.

ANGELA
Youre just the lawyer. It's not your decision.

FRANK
Angela.

ANGELA
Yes, Frank?

FRANK kisses her aggressively. She responds.
Aggressively.

Scene.

Audition light.

NATALIE crawls towards a chair. She balances an
egg in her mouth. As she nears the chair, the egg
cracks in her mouth. Egg spills down her face
and chest.

She sits on the ground, like child who cannot walk,
with the broken shells in her mouth.


VOICE
(Nonsense/completely garbled)


NATALIE tries to keep what shells she can
balanced between her lips. She might be crying
now. A spotlight that has followed her becomes
smaller and smaller, until even her mouth is in the
dark.

Angel Fat 63



Scene .

Lights up on DIANE's office. She has her hand on her jaw.

FRANK walks in.

Hands her a signed contract.


DIANE
Got her?

FRANK
Got her.

DIANE
Good.

FRANK
The second contract is drawn up, should things proceed well.

FRANK's blackberry vibrates. DIANE winces at the sound.

DIANE
Good god.

FRANK
Where's your medicine?

DIANE
Took it.

FRANK
I'll get the blinds.

DIANE
Would you?

He does. FRANK's berry is vibrating in the dark.

DIANE
Get out. Get it out of here.

FRANK hits his shin on something, winces in pain. Gets
his Berry, finally.

Angel Fat 64



Scene.
Lights reveal FRANK holding his Blackberry under
hospital lights. Shift.
NATALIE appears in a hospital gown She is limp,
and without emotion

NATALIE
De ja vue, huh?

FRANK
Shhh.

NATALIE
Laugh or die, Frankie.

FRANK
I'm sorry, Nat.

NATALIE
It's not you.


FRANK
It's not you, either.

NATALIE
It is me, actually.
(flapping her arms in hospital gown)
It's me.

FRANK
Shhh.
(handing her pills and a cup of water)
Take this.

NATALIE
It's punishment.

FRANK
Let's not talk yet.

NATALIE
My punishment.

FRANK

Angel Fat 65


Nat-

NATALIE
All the times I didn't want it-

FRANK
Please-

NATALIE
What about all the times I did?

FRANK
Please, Nat. I can't.

NATALIE
...Shit, Frank. You look really fucked up.

FRANK
Thanks. So do you.

NATALIE
I'm sorry.

FRANK
Stop.

NATALIE
I'm so sorry.


NATALIE cries. FRANK buries his face in her.

Scene.

DIANE
(on her telephone/intercom, speaking to her assistant)
Are you there?

VOICE OF ASSISTANT
I'm here, Diane.

DIANE
There's no coffee.

VOICE OF ASSISTANT
It's brewing.

Angel Fat 66



DIANE
What do I have?

VOICE OF ASSISTANT
Meeting with Putnam at 8, investor relations 8:30, conference with Re-Insurance at
9.

DIANE
When the coffee's ready, I'll take that with some oatmeal. Walnuts, a few raisins.
And one Splenda.

VOICE OF ASSISTANT
Sure thing.

DIANE
Thanks.

VOICE OF ASSISTANT
Frank's here.

DIANE
Send him in.

FRANK walks in with a signed contract in his hand.

DIANE
You look like shit, Frank.

FRANK
I can always count on you to let me know.

DIANE
Why do you look like shit?

FRANK
Why am I here, Diane?

DIANE
What's with the attitude? I have an assistant, don't I?

FRANK
You do indeed. She seems swell.

DIANE
She's a bit orange.

Angel Fat 67



FRANK
You'll have to let her know.

DIANE
Spray tan can't be good for the girl.

FRANK
Surely not.

DIANE
What bit you today?

FRANK
A big spider.

DIANE
In the shape of?

FRANK
(lying)
We'll call it Johnny Walker Black.

DIANE
Shouldve saved some for me.

FRANK
I should've saved a lot of things.

DIANE
What have you got for me, Frank.

FRANK
On?

DIANE
On compliance and disclosure. Charles has the Attorney General luncheon
tomorrow. He needs your interpretation a.s.a.p.

FRANK
Got it.

DIANE
Where are we at on the baby?

FRANK

Angel Fat 68


Excuse me?

DIANE
The surrogate. Did she take?

FRANK
...I'll get an update when there's legal.

DIANE
Uh-huh.

FRANK
Diane-

DIANE
Yes?

FRANK
I'd like to take a couple of days-

DIANE
Going fishing?

FRANK
Goin' for the big one.

DIANE
As long as I can reach you.

FRANK
Sure thing.

DIANE
Fish someplace nice.

FRANK
Yes, ma'am.

DIANE
Get some sleep. Take your vitamins. And the contract for the girl, Angel -

FRANK
Angela.

DIANE
Angela. Good work.

Angel Fat 69


Scene.


Medical room. NATALIE is taking off her hospital gown, putting
on her own clothes that she takes out of a duffel bag.

VOICE
Brooks.

NATALIE doesn't respond.

VOICE
Natalie Brooks.

NATALIE
(weakly)
I'm sorry, what's the role?

` VOICE
Whispering, sound of many voices talking.
Shes got the perfect look for it.

NATALIE
(looking for it)
Do I have the script?

VOICE
You've got it in the bag.

NATALIE
Oh. Thank you. .... Thank you very much.


NATALIE, disoriented, exits the room in her clothing.

The hospital gown she wore lies on the floor of the room.

ANGELA enters, picks up Natalie's hospital gown and begins to put it on.


VOICE
Diaz.

ANGELA
Yes?

Angel Fat 70


VOICE
Angela Diaz.

ANGELA
Thats my name.

VOICE
The doctor will see you now.

ANGELA
One minute.

VOICE
When youre ready.

ANGELA
One minute.

VOICE
When you're ready.

The hospital gown on, ANGELA looks up at the light, expectantly.


Scene.

NATALIE at home, watching TV, eating fried chicken, and smoking pot.
It's late.

FRANK enters. He takes his time arranging his things. Then goes to sit
next to her. He watches TV in silence.

NATALIE
This chick on "Battlestar" looks just like me. See? Right there.

FRANK
The extra?

NATALIE
Yep. I'm the extra.

FRANK
...Is that dinner?

NATALIE
No, it's dog food.

Angel Fat 71



FRANK
I wonder if you could put down the quills, just for tonight.

NATALIE
Huh?

FRANK
...You look like you're feeling better.

NATALIE
I forgot how much I love pot.

FRANK
Uh-huh.

NATALIE
There's an upside to this whole losing-the-kid-thing! Want a hit?

FRANK
No.

NATALIE `
Aww, Frankie, you look glum.

FRANK
Do I.

NATALIE
Here. Take a thigh. Not too spicy, promise. It's amazing what a little grease will do.

FRANK
I don't want any, Natalie.

NATALIE
....How's the little surrogate doing, is she knocked up yet?

FRANK
Nat.

NATALIE
Maybe we can use her next. Is that sloppy seconds?

FRANK
Please, Natalie.

Angel Fat 72


NATALIE
Please, what?

FRANK
Sometimes I want a nice fleece blanket instead of a hair shirt.

NATALIE
...I'm a hair shirt, am I?

FRANK
I want to be able to be nice. To you.

NATALIE
I can think of lots of ways you can be nice, Frankie.

FRANK
You have chicken on your chin.

NATALIE
White or dark meat?

FRANK
Why don't I make you a bath?

NATALIE
I don't want a bath. Okay? I want my mashed potatoes and gray-vay. They're in
that bag over there. Could you? There's a nice fat bag of it. Cuz I ordered enough
for you, but I guess you ate already.

FRANK
I'm not hungry.

NATALIE
I bet.

FRANK
Maybe we could make an appointment with Dr. Lee this week. I'm taking time off-

NATALIE
You're taking time off? Why?

FRANK
Please.

NATALIE
....Don't worry, I won't stay like this forever.

Angel Fat 73



FRANK
I'm sure that's true.

NATALIE
I'll throw this all up, go to the gym tomorrow, take a pole dancing class, feel like a
real woman again! Not some fucking farm animal.

FRANK
...Do you want to stop trying?

NATALIE
Don't you?

FRANK
It's up to you.

NATALIE
Why?

Silence. NATALIE polishes off the chicken. FRANK is lost.

Scene:

Audition Light. NATALIE holds a script.

NATALIE
(in character; perhaps a Jersey accent)
What was the line from that old song? We got married in a fever, hotter than a
pepper sprout. Ive never wanted an easy ride. He was unpredictable. Volatile.
The word Passionate could apply. My husband distracted me from myself. He gave
me a new life. Financially, emotionally Those were the days, my friend, we
thought theyd never end
(beat)
I never thought it would end in the same middle aged pile of shit that everyone else
lands in. Im screwing the tennis instructor, hes screwing his twenty-year-old
assistant, its all so banal.
(looking up, breaking character)
I love this script by the way.

VOICE
Wonderful.

Angel Fat 74



NATALIE
(smiles; then back to character)
Im not used to being responsible for my own happiness. Now I have to do this shit
on my own. Im not asking for your pity, I know its hard to pity a woman with maid
service and a three-car garage. Im only hoping for a little understanding, in this
seasonal change

Standing here, in that awkward moment between summer and fall. Summer was
so sweet. With its plump, young cheeksIt's such an ache to see the leaves turn,
isn't it? 'Cause then you know. How inevitable winter is . In the sweet peach of
June, January seems a world away.
(shift, Natalie seems to dream it now)
Summer to falljust about boot season. Open toe to steel toe, heat turns on a dime
now, walk the line, keep the balance.

She walks a beautiful tight rope. Perfect.

VOICE
Beautiful.

NATALIE beams

Scene.

ANGELA and FRANK in a hotel room.

FRANK
(referring to the hotel room)
You like it?

ANGELA
It's even better than the last place.

FRANK
Well, you're even more special now.

ANGELA
I feel special, actually.

FRANK
Good. You should.

ANGELA
It's like this special little ache inside me.

Angel Fat 75


FRANK
Huh.

ANGELA
I could feel it take....It's so intense.

FRANK
That's...amazing.

ANGELA
Intense, right?

FRANK
Uh-huh.

ANGELA
You smell good.

FRANK
Do I?

ANGELA
You smell clean.

FRANK
I'm very clean.

ANGELA
I bet you are.

FRANK
Huh.

ANGELA
The air around you has so much energy.

FRANK
Does it?

ANGELA
Maybe it's just me.

FRANK
Maybe.

Angel Fat 76


ANGELA
Maybe it's you around me?

FRANK
Maybe.

ANGELA
Do you want me, Frank?

FRANK
Maybe.

ANGELA
I'm flying back, tomorrow. To my little shanty in sunny Florida.

FRANK
Tomorrow?

ANGELA
I'm here one more night.

FRANK
That's right, you are.

ANGELA
What do you think I should do?

FRANK
What do you want to do?

ANGELA
More.

FRANK
More?

ANGELA
We can. ...Now.

FRANK
Can we?

ANGELA
Can't we?

Angel Fat 77


FRANK
Can we?

ANGELA
I can....

FRANK
You can?

ANGELA
Can you?

ANGELA and FRANK grope towards a bed.

In a space we cannot see, Frank and Angela are having amazing sex.
Truly something to envy.

ANGELA and FRANK roll into a space where they're visible, post-sex.

FRANK
Oh my God.

ANGELA
I knew it would be good.

FRANK
Oh my God.

ANGELA
It's sooo good.
(She makes a small sound of pleasure)
Mmm. Feel this.

ANGELA pulls FRANK's hand between her legs.

FRANK
Oh-

ANGELA
You're running down my leg.
(It tickles.)
Ah! I love that.

FRANK
You do?

Angel Fat 78


ANGELA
Feel...
(HE does. He likes it.)
Make me, again.

FRANK
Make you?

ANGELA
Make me.

FRANK brings her to orgasm with his hand. It's quiet and small:
frightening in its intimacy.


FRANK
Little Flower....

ANGELA
I like that.

FRANK
I think...

ANGELA
You think...?

FRANK
Nevermind.

ANGELA
Don't nevermind.

FRANK
I shouldn't say it.

ANGELA
You can say anything, with me.

Beat.

FRANK
I think you're the only real person I know.

ANGELA
What about the person you married?

Angel Fat 79



FRANK
I married an actress. Everyone's an actress, I'm an actress. Just playing...some idea I
had of life. You. You're not an idea. You are something. You even taste like
something. Something you can't buy. I'm sick of buying things. You make me want
to build something. I used to build stuff, when I was a kid. Little log cabins, you
know, with sticks and glue. Build a log cabin. Stick you in it. Make you sticky. Get
you big with my babies. Watch your milk...drip. I could hunt, if I had to.

ANGELA
You're just drunk.

FRANK
No.

ANGELA
On lust.

FRANK
Maybe... Can I be sad with you?

ANGELA
Sad?

FRANK
I need to feel sad. I cant. Its all justStuckbut youI feel like I can be sad with
you.

FRANK lays his head on ANGELA. She strokes his hair.

Angel Fat 80


Scene.

NATALIE in a spotlight, at home. She is celebrating, alone.
She is trying on something slutty and drinking champagne out of the
bottle.

FRANK enters and NATALIE puts on some music. Classic strip.

NATALIE
(in a deep, seductive voice)
I have something to show you, Frank.

FRANK
What's this?

NATALIE starts a strip tease. It's pretty good.

FRANK
Wow.

NATALIE
Aren't you gonna ask me?

FRANK
How the Club is?

NATALIE
I got it!

FRANK
Wow. You look great.

NATALIE
I got the part!

FRANK
You look amazing, actually.

NATALIE
They noticed! I was up against some girl ten years younger than me, but I got it,
baby. I still got it.

FRANK
Its wonderful. Im happy for you.

Angel Fat 81


NATALIE
Aw, thanks.
They kiss.

NATALIE
Mmm, you taste good. Extra good. Like custard, somehow.

FRANK
That's sweet.

NATALIE
(getting his pun)
Ha-ha.

FRANK
You look like candy. A big swirl of cotton candy.

FRANK feels her up.

NATALIE
Oh, frisky.
(They neck.)
Hmm. Mmm, hmm. Now ask me about the role, ask me about the role.

FRANK
(still trying to neck)
What's the role?

NATALIE
A spoiled housewife - arm candy type - who spends her days trying to stay
attractive. She's awesome.

FRANK feels less "frisky."

FRANK
Awesome?

NATALIE
Isn't that back in? "Awesome!" I think I heard the kid say it.

FRANK
What kid?

NATALIE
Incubator Girl.

Angel Fat 82


FRANK turns away.

NATALIE
She deserves a superhero name. In our Handmaid's Tail, we all have our roles.
I'm Arm Candy, she's Incubator Girrrl!

FRANK
(quietly)
I thought you were feeling better.

NATALIE
I am! I am having fun! I love this role! First read through day after tomorrow, I'll
think I'll be off-book.
(FRANK is scrolling his phone)
Oh no. Distracted already.

FRANK
Four emails from Diane-

NATALIE
Tell her I said hello. I can do that now, since my womb is empty.

FRANK
Nat-

NATALIE
Look, no butter! All better now!

FRANK
Natalie!

NATALIE
FRANK! Look at my face, Frank! I feel good. I do! Look! Look at my ankles. That's
my ankle bone! Sexy is back, Frank. I feel good. I feel light.

FRANK
You look light.

NATALIE
I am. I really am.

FRANK
Alright.

NATALIE
Okay, then!

Angel Fat 83



FRANK's phone vibrates.

FRANK
Agh, I'm sorry Nat, I need to take this.

NATALIE
I know. It's fine. / It's no problemo, baby.

FRANK
This is Frank. Yes, I got it.
NATALIE teases him with a little "strip." He cups his cell phone.
God you look good.
Back to his phone call:
Sure. Gimme thirty.


NATALIE and FRANK neck. NATALIE smells him.
Shift.

NATALIE nuzzles in, an animal, smelling another animal.

NATALIE
What is it?

FRANK
Natalie-

NATALIE
What's wrong?

FRANK
Natalie, stop.

NATALIE
What's-wrong-what's-wrong-what's-wrong.

FRANK pushes her. NATALIE pushes back into him. He
pushes her away harder. She stops. Turns away from
him.

Angel Fat 84


Scene

ANGELA alone in a harsh white light. Examination room.
She looks into the light, towards the Voice (an unseen
nurse or doctor).

VOICE
(as if reading her chart)
Good....good...good.

ANGELA
(to unseen doctor)
God, these appointments.

VOICE
Whispers to someone else; unintelligible.

ANGELA
All this clinical, all these shots and pokes and pregnancy is just not clinical, this
pregnancy is completely not-clinical, all this STERILE, blood tests and needles and
all this stupid white linen, and the nurses in those Disney scrubs? Why are they
wearing Donald Duck scrubs and coming at me rubber gloves on? Why do they have
to make pregnancy so WEIRD. My body is not weird. It's natural. It's electric. I feel
super electric. My skin is so sensitive now the air is electric, and smells, and tastes,
everything is so much more intense, it's WILD, there are bones inside me, I can feel
bones, they respond to my voice. What I eat, drink, breathe, they know me, this
their first experience of the world. This is formative. I had not idea how fucking
formative this would be. I need to run away to the FOREST, stay in some mud hut in
the forest, and just be, I need to just BE. Maternal animal. Mother lion. When they
come at me with all their doctor tools I just want to rip their hands off with my
Mother Lion Teeth.
(beat; she holds herself a little)
It's good to feel maternal....Protective? I just...it's hard to...feel so close to them.
Maybe it would be different if I knew her, if I knew the mother. Maybe it would be
different if we were friends. If the mom would just, just touch me. Look at me. Hug
me? Maybe then it would be easier? Not to feel... so close.

Angel Fat 85


Scene .

ANGELA and FRANK speak on the phone.

ANGELA
I miss you.

FRANK
You, too.

ANGELA
You do?

FRANK
Of course.

ANGELA
You don't have to.

FRANK
...How are you feeling?

ANGELA
Really good.

FRANK
That's great.
(beat)
Getting any sleep?

ANGELA
Like a cat in the sunlight.

FRANK
Sounds nice.

ANGELA
It is.

FRANK
When are you back in New York?

ANGELA
Not for a little while.

Angel Fat 86


FRANK
Hmm.

ANGELA
Isn't it cold there?

FRANK
A little wind chill factor.

ANGELA
You should get away.

FRANK
Yeah?

ANGELA
Seek a bit of warmth.

FRANK
That sounds good.

ANGELA
Doesn't it?

FRANK
Your belly must be getting bigger.

ANGELA
....Do you want to see?

FRANK
I bet you look beautiful.

ANGELA
You should see.

FRANK
I want to make you fat like that. Round like that.

ANGELA
You should

FRANK
Should I?

Angel Fat 87


ANGELA
You should.

FRANK
Angela...

ANGELA
Yes, Frank.

FRANK
Is it weird, that Im jealous? That its someone else thats made you round? Angelic.
Angel fat

ANGELA
Mmmm. I want to play with your cum in my belly button.

FRANK
(under his breath)
Oh God.

ANGELA
Can you come?

FRANK
...Maybe.

ANGELA
You should come.

FRANK
When?

ANGELA
As soon. As. Possible.

FRANK
Okay.

ANGELA
Okay.


FRANK drops to his knees and crawls across the stage to
ANGELA, who fades away as he draws near, and is replaced by
NATALIE.

Angel Fat 88


NATALIE
What are you doing?

FRANK
I dropped a contact.

NATALIE
Aren't they disposable?

FRANK stops. Starts to stand.

NATALIE
We should call the cleaners in, your knees are filthy.

FRANK crawls towards a light, where ANGELA appears, glowing.
FRANK collapses at ANGELA's feet.

At home, NATALIE is putting on a pair of extremely high
stilettos.

VOICE
When you're ready.

NATALIE puts a tube of lipstick tube between her teeth, and
carefully walks a "tightrope". NATALIE tries to keep the lipstick
tube steady as she balances.


In another space, ANGELA and FRANK:

FRANK
I want you.

ANGELA
I know.

FRANK
I need you.

ANGELA
I know.

FRANK
Do you? Do you? Do you?

Angel Fat 89


FRANK is kissing ANGELA, mouth wide open, it starts to look like
hes eating her mouth. Consuming her whole face.

NATALIE , alone, touches her belly. She is well past crying.

NATALIE
Francis is dead.
Francis is dead.
(now, its real)
Francis is dead.



Scene.

FRANK walks into the space that NATALIE inhabits. He's
carrying his briefcase.

DIANE appears at the edge of their space; speaks to Frank.


DIANE
/How was your trip?

NATALIE
How was your trip, anyway? Go okay?

FRANK
Fine.

NATALIE / DIANE
Looks like you got some sun.

FRANK
I might have stepped outside.

NATALIE
You look good.

FRANK
Thank you. So do you.

NATALIE
Thank you. /Listen-

Angel Fat 90


DIANE
Listen-

FRANK
(to Natalie)
It's Diane.

NATALIE
Oh. Of course. Tell Diane I said hello.

DIANE
(to Frank, regarding Natalie)
How's she doing?

FRANK
Fine.

DIANE
Good. Listen. Sharon called. She doesn't want it.

FRANK
What?

NATALIE
(to Frank)
Do you want a drink?

FRANK
It's too late!

DIANE
It's Sharon's call.

NATALIE
I'm having a G-n-T.

FRANK
She can't back out now, they're five months!

DIANE
She's not talking about the twins, she's talking about the girl.

FRANK
The girl?

DIANE

Angel Fat 91


The surrogate. Angel.

FRANK
Angela?

NATALIE
(going to fix Frank a drink)
City of Angels...

DIANE
Sharon doesn't want to meet her. You know Sharon. She's a germaphobe. Likes to
keep everything clean.

FRANK
She's not clean?

DIANE
Emotionally. She wants to keep things clean, emotionally. Separated. "Earth Mother"
in the Third World, "Mommy Dearest" in the First, I don't know.

FRANK
They can't back out now.

DIANE
They're backing out of "face time," that's all. Sharon's afraid that seeing this sweet
little surrogate all puffed up with her children-to-be will just make her feel bad. Like
she's old, with a uterus like a raisin.

FRANK
Jesus.

NATALIE hands FRANK a drink. He takes it.

DIANE
Will she freak?

FRANK
Freak?
(to Natalie, for the drink.)
Thank you.

DIANE
The surrogate. I suppose it's delicate.

FRANK
I suppose it would be.

Angel Fat 92



DIANE
I'll handle it.

FRANK
What?

DIANE
I'll handle the girl.
(winking at Frank)
She likes me.

DIANE out of the picture, Frank turns to Natalie, agitated
from work but trying to shift gears.


FRANK
(to Natalie)
Sorry.

NATALIE
How's Diane?

FRANK
Good.

NATALIE
Good.

FRANK
How are you?

NATALIE
(perfect)
Good.

Scene .


ANGELA is dressed well, waiting to meet Charles and Sharon Woolf at
a nice cafe. She holds a cup in her hand, like she needs to hold
something.

DIANE approaches ANGELA.

Angel Fat 93


DIANE
Decaf, I hope.

ANGELA
Diane!

DIANE
Yes. Just me.

DIANE sits with ANGELA.

ANGELA
I knew it.

DIANE
It's delicate, this whole thing.

ANGELA
I knew it was you.

DIANE
You knew it was me, what.

ANGELA
It's you! I knew it! Don't worry, I've signed all the confidential everything
agreements, I love this, I love that I'm carrying your babies inside me.

DIANE
Oh, no.

ANGELA
I was secretly hoping.

DIANE
No.

ANGELA
It's okay!

DIANE
It is not my egg that is sprouting cells in your womb, Angel. I am not driven to such
distances to propagate my own DNA. My one child is plenty enough to satisfy the
part of my ego that wants to see myself reflected in the eyes of another human
being.

ANGELA looks confused.

Angel Fat 94



DIANE
It's not me.

ANGELA
Oh.

DIANE
You are carrying the offspring of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Woolf. Sharon's egg. Charles'
seed. I'm just the manager.
(Putting her hands in the air.)
Don't shoot the manager.

ANGELA
But. Where is she? Where's Sharon?

DIANE
Sharon's at the townhouse, the ranch, on a boat, on an airplane-

ANGELA
(realizing)
You don't know where she is.

DIANE
I don't need to know. Sharon is a precious vase. Charles likes this vase, so I protect
the vase to protect Charles, to protect Charles' ability to see the market. I don't need
to know where Sharon is. I need to know where Woolf Capital is.

ANGELA
What is Woolf Capital?

DIANE
Woolf Capital is a hedge fund, Angel.

ANGELA
I know that. But what does a hedge fund even do? What do you people really do?

DIANE
You don't need to know what a hedge fund does, or is. Charles needs to know what a
hedge fund is. I need to know Charles. Information is like food, too much makes you
fat. Don't weigh yourself down. Know what you need to know. What you need to
know is the fetal kick-count. You need to know what's going to keep those precious
little babies kicking away in your uterus. Okay? Think of the babies.

ANGELA
I am.

Angel Fat 95



DIANE
These babies will have the world at their fingertips.

ANGELA
And who will they have?

DIANE
You live in Florida. You live in a tiny little dot in Florida. Youve seen what three
miles of Manhattan - the children inside you will see London, Dubai, Brussels,
Singapore, everyplace, all at once, these children will play polo and catch fish off
yachts in the Pacific, Atlantic, these children inside you will know the Red Sea.
These children will buy and sell islands these children will run charities for fucked
up people in Africa. Do you think you would be getting paid what youre getting
paid if Sharon had the strength to see you? Youre being paid not to meet Sharon,
not meeting Sharon is part of your job.

ANGELA
I'm making her a mother.

DIANE
And you're doing an excellent jo, its a job, and you're doing it well. Look at you.
Your skin, your hair, shining, you're weight's perfect, you're doing great.

ANGELA
I'm not sure / I'm

DIANE
You are. You're Cuban. Youre strong.

ANGELA
I'm not Cuban.

DIANE
Tell everyone you're Cuban.

ANGELA
I feel them in me. I didnt think Id feel them in me.

DIANE
You're strong.

ANGELA
I don't know what I am.

Angel Fat 96


DIANE
I look at you and I see myself a thousand years ago. Except not pregnant. Don't cry.

ANGELA
I'm not crying.

DIANE
Never cry. I haven't cried in two thousand years. You know what I do?

ANGELA
What do you do?

DIANE
I get pissed off, and then I do something about it. You see, when you want to cry,
you're feeling sorry for yourself. You're taking it on, taking it in. Don't take it in,
take it out. That's what the boys do. The boys know that anger can be very
productive. God, look at you. What I wouldn't give to have skin like that. Never cry
and stay out of the sun. This is my advice to you. Look, Angel, you can have it all, if
you keep it together. And keep that skin. You can be just like me, only with better
skin. You're tough. I know you are.

ANGELA
...Like you?

DIANE
Me and you, Angel. Me and you.

DIANE squeezes her hand. This makes ANGELA feel a lot better.
They hold hands for a moment.

DIANE
(referring to ANGELA's hand)
Skin like a baby's ass! Love it, Angel. Love this skin.


Scene.
ANGELA finds herself in a waiting room.


VOICE
Please fill out the forms.

ANGELA picks up a clipboard and starts to fill it out
forms. She writes with a pen with a large plastic flower
glued to it.

Angel Fat 97


VOICE
Next, please.
NATALIE enters. NATALIE takes a clipboard. Glances at
Angela. Then fills out a form, talking out loud.

NATALIE
Forms, forms one form or another.

ANGELA
No kidding.

NATALIE
You have really nice hair.

ANGELA
Thanks.

NATALIE
One of my friends, her hair fell out after she gave birth. Not all her hair. Just most of
her hair. Fell right out. Its so brutal, what pregnancies do to our bodies.

ANGELA
How far along are you?

NATALIE
Zero. Negative three. Nada.

ANGELA
Oh. Im sorry.

NATALIE
Im just here to make sure Im all cleaned out up there.

ANGELA
Im sure youll have better luck next time.

NATALIE
Next time? Oh, no. Three strikes Im out.

ANGELA
Sorry.

NATALIE
I was sorry, too. Yep. It sucked three times over. Well, two: two times I got the
suction. Longer it lasts, the more mess it makes, you know. I made them knock me

Angel Fat 98


all the way out this last time. Never liked the sound of vacuum cleaners. I'm just not
meant for it.

ANGELA
That must be hard.

NATALIE
This time, Ive been bleeding too much. Never-ending party in the underpants. Has
that ever happened to you?

ANGELA
No.

NATALIE
Oh. Well theyre going to make sure its done. That Im all cleaned up in there.
Spit-spot. Like Mary Poppins said.

ANGELA
Mary Poppins?


NATALIE
Ah, right. Youre young. Mary Poppins is a show about a nanny is much better at
taking care of kids than the woman who pooped them out. Shit. Sorry. Here you are,
clearly third trimester.

ANGELA
Second trimester. Its twins.

NATALIE
Im sure youll be a wonderful mother.

ANGELA
Im a surrogate.

NATALIE
Oh. .

ANGELA
The sperm and egg people are really rich. They fly me out from Florida to this fancy
doc every few weeks.

NATALIE
You like it? Being a surrogate?

Angel Fat 99


ANGELA
There are worse ways to make money.

NATALIE
You couldnt pay me to get pregnant again. Of course. I throw my babies up into
sinks, so.
(ANGELA looks sorry, NATALIE quickly reassures )
Im fine now, the upshot is my abs will stay tight! My vag wont get all stretched out.
Sorry! Jesus, whats wrong with me, here you are, pregnant for a buck! But its okay,
youre so young, youll bounce back really fast.

ANGELA
Yeah. I know I will.

NATALIE
And, you, know, your breasts look great.

ANGELA
Thank you.

NATALIE
So full.

ANGELA
They feel really good. All super-sensitive. I get all aroused when my nipple like, rubs
against my bra, its crazy.

NATALIE
Wow. My boobs felt like angry rocks. I guess youre meant for it. Some people are
meant for it. Some people arent.
You, though...

VOICE
Angela?

ANGELA
Thats me.

NATALIE
Youre meant for it.

VOICE
Angela Diaz.

NATALIE begins to dance. A slow warm up, to full
shimmy.

Angel Fat 100




ANGELA sees NATALIE, dancing, like a hallucination.

NATALIE
Ann. Gel. Ahhhh....
Who do you think God likes best, Angela? You, or me?
(as she dances offstage)
You, or me? You ,or me? You, or me?

Angel Fat 101



Scene.

NATALIE, rehearsing at home, script in hand, sexy voice.

NATALIE
Youor me?
NATALIE stops reading the script; speaks to Frank, who is in
another room, texting on his phone.

NATALIE
I just love this character, Frank. Nothing gets to her.

Doesn't give a rats ass that her husband is sticking his dick elsewhere, it's almost
like it takes the pressure off, you know, she's just as sick of him as he is sick of her, I
love that, it's like this tightrope of tension, they're sick of each other but they're not
giving up. Why aren't they giving up?
(she wonders for a minute; beat)
I'm trying to decide if she's interested in sex. She's sexy. To be sexy you have to like
sex, right? Or maybe it's like magnets. Sexy could simply be magnetism. Desire is a
pleasure in and of itself. Maybe sex is boring in comparison to projecting desire.
(she wonders for a minute; beat)
Of course she has to have her own desires. That's where the script is, like, wide
open. She's got a game plan, but when is her heart on the line, you know? Frank?
Are you listening to me?

FRANK enters the room, texting.

NATALIE
You're not listening. Fine. No worries. It's actually perfect. Helps me get into the
mindset of the poor, spoiled housewife. Now I just need a bigger allowance.

FRANK looks up from his file.

FRANK
I'm sorry, what?

NATALIE
For the part: Arm candy.
(He looks confused.)

FRANK
Arm candy?

NATALIE
That's the role.

Angel Fat 102



FRANK
Are you talking about the thing you got cast in?

NATALIE
I understand that my contributions here are mainly aesthetic, some "downtown" in
your uptown, something to make it all a little less predictable.

FRANK
Did I do something to upset you?

NATALIE
I'm talking about my character.

FRANK
Your character-?

NATALIE
I'm doing character work.

FRANK
Your part.

NATALIE
My part.
Beat. Natalie drops the script.

NATALIE
Are you happy?

FRANK
Yes. Of course I am.

NATALIE
Will you be happy five years from now? Ten? If youre not a father?

FRANK
Natalie, I-- I don't blame you for any of this.

NATALIE
I just want to know if you can be happy. Like this.

Beat. NATALIE drops the script.

NATALIE
It would suck if we got sad together, Frank. It would really suck if all the life
between us left because we didn't make a life together and we just quietly turned to

Angel Fat 103



other people. It would suck if everything that was funny and happy and full of
history just turned to ash and blew away. It would suck, and it would be the saddest
thing in the world. Wouldnt it?

FRANK looks at her. Her doesn't know where to go.
Scene.


ANGELA stands applying stretch mark lotion to her belly.
She looks messy and a bit tired.

ANGELA picks up the phone and dials.

FRANK's cell vibrates. He looks at it. Doesn't answer.


ANGELA
Hey, you. It's me. Just feeling a little snacky. Hoping you are, too.

DIANE in her office.
DIANE is pacing, drinking water from an aluminum
bottle. She presses a button on her phone.


VOICE OF ASSISTANT
Woolf Capital. Just a moment please.

DIANE peaking into the intercom.

DIANE
Hello?

VOICE OF ASSISTANT
Woolf Capital. She's a in a meeting.

ANGELA
I think I felt a flutter today. Butterfly babies. I am turning into caterpillars.
Caterpillars are very fuzzy, did you know that? I feel very fuzzy. Ready to curl
around your finger. Call me.

ANGELA hangs up.

VOICE OF ASSISTANT
Woolf Capital.

ANGELA dials again.

Angel Fat 104







ANGELA
Look, you don't have to "love me." I just. I just want you to be real with me. Just be
real with me. And don't fucking disappear like this. Fuck you for disappearing like
this, Frank.

ANGELA hangs up.

VOICE OF ASSISTANT
Just a moment please. Woolf Capital.

DIANE
(trying again)
Please tell Frank I am ready for him.

VOICE
Woolf Capital.

DIANE
It's Diane.

VOICE
Yes, Diane.

DIANE
Am I talking?

VOICE
Yes, Diane.

DIANE
Did Charles call?

VOICE
Not since your conference at seven.

DIANE
What about Sharon?

VOICE
I would have put her through.

Angel Fat 105



DIANE
Yes or no.

VOICE
No. Sharon did not call.

DIANE
Thank you. Where is Charles? I don't have his schedule.

VOICE OF ASSISTANT
He's in flight from London now. He'll be calling when he lands in New York.

DIANE
Why don't I have the itinerary? Could you bring me some coffee? Where's Frank?

FRANK is dancing for Angela. It begins as a sort of shiver;
a muscle spasm. Jerking, involuntary.


VOICE OF ASSISTANT
I haven't seen him yet.

DIANE
Get Frank on the phone.

Frank's dance grows, becoming more controlled, more
intentional. He's thrashing, pushing. Thrashing, pulling.


VOICE OF ASSISTANT
I haven't seen him yet - would you like half /decaf, or-?

DIANE
I'd like Frank.

VOICE OF ASSISTANT
Right away, Diane.

FRANK
(on the phone)
This is Frank.

DIANE
Where are you?

FRANK enters DIANE's office.

Angel Fat 106




FRANK
Right here.

DIANE
There you are. What the hell happened to your hair?

FRANK smoothens his hair, with dignity.

FRANK
What's on the table?

DIANE
You tell me.

FRANK
We got a fire?

DIANE
You tell me, pants on fire.

FRANK
...I'm sorry?

DIANE
Compliance.

FRANK
Ah. Yes-

DIANE
What the fuck is going on.

FRANK
Working on it.

DIANE
You've been working on it.

FRANK
Well, Charles--

DIANE
Charles wants to be ahead of the curve on Compliance.

Angel Fat 107



FRANK
Simultaneously, Charles has not addressed / the question of--

DIANE
I think you're taking this personally.

FRANK
Diane, with due respect--

DIANE
I think you're talking a lot of things personally.

FRANK
I don't think I'm taking, Diane. I don't think I'm taking anything. I give. That's what
I do here, I give to you, I give to Charles, I give to Sharon, I give to Capital, I give and
give and give to this piece of shit construct of a life. And you know what, it's not life.

DIANE
What are you doing, Frank.

FRANK
I'm quitting.

DIANE
You're not quitting, Frank.

FRANK takes out a piece of paper and pen, starts writing a letter
of resignation.
DIANE
Well this is entertaining.

FRANK
No, Diane. This is not entertaining. I am not acting, this is not a show, the act ends
now.

FRANK hands DIANE his sloppily written letter of resignation.
DIANE takes it between two fingers. She looks at it.

DIANE starts laughing.

FRANK
This is my letter of resignation, Diane. This is not a joke.

DIANE
Oh yes it is.

Angel Fat 108



FRANK
I'm serious. I need a change.

DIANE
I needed "change" once. Then I realized that I didn't in fact want to move in with
the stud from Puerto Rico / Spanish Harlem / I did not in fact want live in a hut in
Tahiti and clean my own house. Living in the ghetto isn't any more "real" than
where we live, it's just less comfortable.

Beat.

FRANK
I am not you, Diane.

DIANE
What are you?

FRANK
I am someone capable of feeling. I am someone capable of love. What are you?

Beat.

DIANE
"I know you are but what am I."
(Frank looks confused, unstable)
I like you Frank. I don't like very many people.

Beat.

FRANK
That's true. You don't.

Beat.

DIANE
What does your wife think of this?

FRANK
Natalie-?

DIANE
Natalie...she's a good egg, isn't she. She's a real good egg.

FRANK is lost. DIANE smiles.

Angel Fat 109



FRANK
Go home. Have a shave.
Don't take it personally, Frank.

Scene.

NATALIE in her living room, in a nice dress, looking very Upper
West Side.
Frank on the periphery.

NATALIE
The first time I asked my mother where babies came from, she told me that babies
came from storks. Pretty white storks, with long skinny legs. I used to dream of this
white bird.

Later, my mother told me she doesn't remember giving birth to me, but she
remember the doctor giving her some pills to dry up her milk, and a free box of
powdered baby formula. My mother's breasts remained a celestial destination for
weary travelers to rest their heads....

People used to say this. That babies came from storks. People used to say this for a
reason. I understand now.

(closing her eyes)

Dream white bird....dream

NATALIE raises her arms. Sound of birds wings beating in white
light.


NATALIE's arms are raised and she's wearing a
really nice dress. FRANK enters.

FRANK
Hi.

NATALIE
Hi.

FRANK
You're looking dressed up.

NATALIE
Im trying to figure out what to wear on opening night.

Angel Fat 110



FRANK
Oh, yeah?

NATALIE
I get to reserve you for opening. Im going to open.

FRANK
Well. You look ready.

NATALIE
What's that on your breath?

FRANK
Bad boy: I had fries at lunch.

NATALIE
I've been thinking.

FRANK
Yeah?

NATALIE
You like my body, now, don't you?

FRANK
Natalie....

NATALIE
No, I'm thinking... some women are meant to be carriers. Other women are meant to
be carried.

FRANK
Carriers...

NATALIE
Some of these women, they just pop 'em out, and they can't even take care of them.
Some of these women, the babies just keep coming, and coming, and these women
are poor, and these children have no 529, and these women are not cared for, Frank.
They're not beautiful, and they're not cared for.

FRANK
What are you saying?

NATALIE
I'm saying that the women around here, around us, the women in our world, they're
not having babies like that at all.

Angel Fat 111




FRANK
You're leading me somewhere.

NATALIE
I want to talk about this, Frank.

FRANK
Alright, then. Let's go there.

NATALIE
Let's go to the place where I get some help.

FRANK
We've been there.

NATALIE
Not all the way.

FRANK
"All the way"...?

NATALIE
I want to go all the way.

FRANK
You do?

NATALIE
I want to be beautiful, I want to be smart and I want to be cared for. I want to go all
the way.
I dont want us to get sad and turn into married spinsters or divorced assholes, I
dont want us to turn to ash and blow away.

FRANK
Were not blowing away.

NATALIE
Aren't we?

FRANK
Youre here, Im here, we're here.

NATALIE
You wanted a child. I wanted a child. We wanted more than each other. We wanted
something besides ourselves to take care of. I dont want to bring you snacks at

Angel Fat 112



work, I want to pack lunches for a little Frankie or Frances or NathanI want it. Do
you?

FRANK
...I do.

NATALIE
So let's get a surrogate.

FRANK
(trying to process)
A surrogate.

NATALIE
I know I said I would never. Never say never, right?

FRANK
A daughter with your eyes.

NATALIE
Your ears.

FRANK
God I hope not.

NATALIE
We can love our baby, Frank. We can make love like that.

FRANK
....All the way.

NATALIE
All the way.

Angel Fat 113




Scene.

ANGELA in a hospital gown, at a doctor's office.
She is cold, bored, and waiting for the doctor. She checks her
phone.

ANGELA
It's me. I'm in New York. Seeing their special doctor again. At least I'm supposed to
be. I'm alone in this little room with stirrups. If that turns you on don't call me back.
Though...I am naked...underneath this amazingly hot hospital gown...my ass is all
pressed into this crinkly paper...we could make a lot of noise...

NATALIE enters the room. She is doing her shimmy dance.
ANGELA tries to shake the image.

NATALIE
(looking at ANGELA's breasts)
Big goose down pillows. So good for laying down on.

ANGELA
(trying to ignore the vision of NATALIE)
You never pick up the phone anymore, Frank.

NATALIE
It's kind of sad, when I think about it. Or funny. Sad, and funny.

ANGELA
Funny?

NATALIE
None of the wives at the Christmas party have a body. Have you noticed? Men in his
position? Their women, the one they keep for keeps? ... there's no body.

NATALIE laughs, slightly hysterical.

ANGELA
No body?

NATALIE
I suppose youll never know. You'll never be at the Christmas party. Now will you?

ANGELA closes her eyes, trying to close NATALIE, and speaks to
FRANK on the phone.

Angel Fat 114




ANGELA
Frank. Im not good. Please call me. When you're not with your wife. Or doing
whatever hedge funds do. Call me.

FRANK enters on the periphery.

NATALIE
You thoughyoure so well suited for it. A fertile third world resource. Cow in the
right pasture. Full of little white flowers.

FRANK
(to ANGELA)
Little flower.

NATALIE
(turning to FRANK)
Isnt she perfect?

FRANK
(to ANGELA)
God I love you.

NATALIE
Perfect for it.

FRANK pushes aside her gown, pulls her breast out.

FRANK
Look at that.

NATALIE
So full.

FRANK
Don't you want her?

NATALIE
Like I want a nice warm glass of milk.

ANGELA
Milk?

NATALIE and FRANK laugh. FRANK puts his arm around
NATALIE. ANGELA vomits.

Angel Fat 115



Scene .

FRANK and ANGELA in a formal meeting room, with a chair for
DIANE.

FRANK
I'm sorry.

ANGELA
Why say you're sorry? You're just doing what you want-

FRANK
I'm not doing what I want.

ANGELA
Why?

FRANK
The world would collapse if we all did /whatever we wanted-.

ANGELA
I don't want you to be here, I want Diane to be here, I don't want to "meet" with you,
I want to meet with Diane, I want to meet the President, what the hell does she do
here, President, Chief Head, what is it that you people do, could you stop, could you
just stop being here, I really don't want you--

DIANE enters. Looks at ANGELA. Then at FRANK.

DIANE
Well, we're all here. Assuming you have no representation?

ANGELA
Representation?

FRANK
Let's get started.

DIANE
Frank tells me you've come to have an issue with the contract.

ANGELA
I guess-

DIANE
You want to amend the contract?

Angel Fat 116



ANGELA
I don't want the contract.

DIANE
What do you want, Angel.

ANGELA
Angela. It's Angela.

DIANE
What is it you're seeking, Angela?

ANGELA
(laughing weakly)
Um, the exit?

DIANE
There is no exit, sweetheart. You're five months.

ANGELA
No, I mean

DIANE
What do you mean?

ANGELA
It's not like I'm going to claw my way up my vagina and pull them out.

DIANE
Good god.

ANGELA
Obviously, I'm not backing out of -- of --

DIANE
Frank, you can step in any time.

FRANK
What is it that you're asking for?

ANGELA
I--I--

DIANE
You what.

Angel Fat 117



ANGELA
I'm leaving.

FRANK
What are you leaving?

DIANE
Yes, what exactly are you leaving, dear? Where do you plan to go?

ANGELA gets up abruptly. She heads for a window - she has to
see out.

ANGELA
Forty-four floors.

DIANE
Hate to disappoint you but you can't break that glass. Frank-

FRANK
We -- can get you some counseling.

ANGELA
I can't-

FRANK
We'll do everything in our power to make this easier.

DIANE
That's right.

ANGELA
I don't want it.

FRANK
Take a deep breath-

ANGELA
I don't want it!

FRANK
(to ANGELA)
Just breathe-

DIANE
Is this Lamaz? Jesus, Frank.

Angel Fat 118



FRANK
What do you want me to do? Tell us what you want us to do.

ANGELA
I don't want YOU to do anything. I don't want you, I don't want it, I want me.

DIANE
We all want you, Angel.

ANGELA
I want me. I want me.

ANGELA grabs FRANK's hand and places it on her belly.
ANGELA and FRANK forget where they are. Intimate.

ANGELA
You feel me, don't you? Don't you feel me?

FRANK
(quietly)
I feel you.

ANGELA
It's me. ... It's me.

Beat. DIANE's still there. She sighs. It's all so fucking
predictable.

DIANE
And aren't you lovely.


FRANK abruptly exits the room.

Angel Fat 119



Scene.
FRANK confronts a basin of water, shaving lotion and a
razor.

FRANK shaves, just one line, hard, down to his neck. He
stops. Holds the water up to his chin.

FRANK dunks his head in the bowl of water. He holds his
head under until he has to come up for air.

NATALIE enters. She is standing in a cocktail dress that is
undone, with Frank's jacket over one arm, and a towel
over another.

NATALIE
When you're ready.

FRANK
When I'm ready.

NATALIE
When you're ready.

FRANK takes the towel. Dries. Natalie holds out the
jacket.

NATALIE
Got your jacket pressed.

FRANK
You did.

NATALIE
The one I like.
(FRANK is confused)
Opening night.

FRANK
Opening night.

NATALIE
Zip me in?

FRANK
Ah. Yes...

Angel Fat 120



FRANK zips her dress.

NATALIE
Ready?

NATALIE puts FRANK into his jacket. FRANK pulls it tight,
sucks himself in.

FRANK offers his arm to NATALIE, escorts her out.


Scene.

DIANE continues her meeting with ANGELA.


ANGEL
What happens to me now.

DIANE
Why are you asking me? Didnt you want to be independent?

ANGELA
What about them?

DIANE
Frank will be just fine.

ANGELA
I'm not---I'm talking about the babies. What about these children that are growing
inside of me-

DIANE
All you have to do is give provide them a body.

ANGELA
What kind of...what kind of people don't want to know who's carrying their babies.

DIANE
People who don't have to. You know this. Think, Angel.

ANGELA
It's my heartbeat they listen to, mine.

DIANE
You're not thinking. You're feeling.

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ANGELA
You wanted to feel. You wanted me to touch you.

DIANE
I'm touched.

ANGELA
Didn't you feel--?

DIANE
Disappointed?

ANGELA hurts a little. DIANE notices.

ANGELA
Every child deserves--

DIANE
You deserve.

ANGELA
What do I deserve?

DIANE
You deserve to rise to your own expectations.

ANGELA
You said we should never stop "becoming." What are we becoming?

DIANE
(holding her head, just for a moment)
Four more months. Just four months for you to keep it together.

ANGELA
For what? For who?

DIANE
For you. You decided. Take the money. Change your destiny.

ANGELA
To what? What are we becoming?

DIANE
They dont have to know about this. This can be a little hiccup, a little hormonal flux,
if you pull it together.

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ANGELA
I need more space.

DIANE
That's not what you need.

ANGELA
I need to be able to breathe.

DIANE
You need to know where the lines are. You need to know your role. And you need
to learn the lines.

ANGELA
Is that what you did?

DIANE
Let me give you your lines.

ANGELA
They're not my lines.

DIANE
What's mine is yours, Angel.
(drawing a line in chalk)
Let me show you how-

ANGELA
Four more months...

DIANE
Four little lines.
(drawing box around Angela)
Here they are.
(Presenting the space.)
This is where you live.

ANGELA
(seeing the box)
Where I live...

DIANE
And this is what you do.

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ANGELA
What I do...

DIANE
Listen to music. Chopin. Bach.
(hands her an iPod)
Its on your iPod. Eat your colors. Sing. Lullabies, Carly Simon, if you want to watch
something, youve got Baby Einstein.

ANGELA walks slowly inside the lines. Learning to live in
captivity. DIANE watches her.

ANGELA
Can I sing Joni Mitchell instead?

DIANE
You know some Joni Mitchell?

ANGELA
(singing)
They paved paradise, put up a parking lot
Dont it always seem to go, you dont know what you go til its gone
They paved paradise, put up a parking lot.

DIANE
Yeah. Thats alright. You can sing that.

ANGELA
(singing)
Dont it always seem to go, you dont know what you go til its gone
They paved paradise and put up a parking lot

They took all the trees / put 'em in a tree museum
And they charged the people a dollar and a half just to see 'em

DIANE
(speaking over ANGELA, still singing softly)
Do what youre good at doing.
And this is what youre good at.
Voice of an Angel, body like Mary.
Its the perfect role.
Play it out. Play it well. Youll be fine.
Youll be immaculate.
Well be grateful.
Youll feel it.
And youll be grateful, too.

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In the end.

ANGELA
They paved paradise, put up a parking lot


Scene.

Twinkling cocktail music.

NATALIE and FRANK, arms intertwined, enter a holiday
party for the Firm.


FRANK
You look beautiful, you know.

NATALIE
Aww, Frankie. Thanks.

She squeezes his arm. DIANE appears, dressed for a cocktail
party.


DIANE
Natalie.

NATALIE
Hello, Diane.

DIANE
You're looking gorgeous.

NATALIE
Thank you.

DIANE
You're a lucky man.

FRANK
Don't I know it.

DIANE
And you've done nothing to deserve it.

They share a laugh.

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NATALIE
Loving the trainer, by the way.

DIANE
He works you, doesn't he.

NATALIE
Thanks for the recommendation.

DIANE
Anytime. So, when's Frank junior due to arrive?

NATALIE
Anytime.

FRANK
Soon.

DIANE
Thank god you chose someone with experience.

NATALIE
That's right! Smooth sailing.

DIANE
(looking around the room)
Terrific.

NATALIE
We're interviewing nannies.

DIANE
I have some names. Ask my assistant.

NATALIE
Great.

DIANE
(to NATALIE)
Cocktail?

NATALIE
Please.

Angel Fat 126



DIANE
He makes a mean Manhattan.

NATALIE
Perfect.

DIANE
Frank?

FRANK
(looking off stage, in a daze)
Mmm?

DIANE
Pick your poison.

FRANK
Yes....right.
(Beat. Frank looks around for something.)
There was something I tasted...

NATALIE
Oh?

FRANK
Some place warm....was it the rainforest? Rainwater...Isn't it a shame? We can't
drink the rainwater?

NATALIE
One of those Brazilian drinks, he's talking about one of those Brazilian drinks.

FRANK
Wet moss...and those big...open flowers, with those strange leaves...something so
...so...full (of life).
(He strains to remember the taste.)
I thought it would never leave my memory. And now I can't quite....I can't quite...

Beat. DIANE stares at him. NATALIE tries a smile.

NATALIE
You should ask the bartender!

DIANE
He can make anything.

A brief, awkward pause. Music grows.

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NATALIE
He can make anything.

FRANK smiles, weakly.

DIANE feels the first wave of a migraine. She
holds her head. It gets worse.

DIANE
Somebody get the blinds. Would somebody get the blinds? I can't see.
(realizing)
Oh fuck. I can't see.

A dim light reveals ANGELA, inside the box drawn
on the floor. Her belly looks larger, heavier.


DIANE
Hello?
ANGELA looks up at the ceiling, searching for the
VOICE through the speakers.

ANGELA
(whispering)
Hello?

The voice that comes through the speakers is now
Angela's: she answers herself:


ANGELA's VOICE (over the speakers)
Hello.
In another light, FRANK and NATALIE slow dance.
NATALIE holds on tight.

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Epilogue.

ANGELA steps outside of the lines on the floor.
.

ANGELA
I wanted it to be painful, the birth. I wanted to know the truth of it, every detail.
Beautiful, terrible, I wanted to know all of it.

They threatened a C-section: the twins were growing big. Big children, for big
people, in an infinite world....

But I made it.

I didn't do it alone. It's not the mother's body that brings on labor, they don't tell
you that. The baby releases a hormone, then the mother.

We did it together, the babies and me.

When I felt them coming, I pushed for them, and howled for them, until I was
soaking wet.

The nurses held a mirror...I saw them come through me, head first, eyes shut,
mouths open, so surprised at the air....

They felt like mine.

Light appears on NATALIE, at home. She rocks a
small baby.

NATALIE
Shhh. Shhh.

ANGELA
I saw them, the Wolves. They came for their children, and I watched them from
behind the glass.

NATALIE
My baby. Look at / how healthy you are.

ANGELA
They were healthy. The babies were really healthy. I brought them, safe and
healthy. And they brought me. They carried me home, past the city. I flew home on
a night flight. /Big yellow moon in the sky.

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NATALIE
Big yellow moon in the sky. You see that moon, little one? That's your moon, now.
It's all yours, if you want it. Anything you can dream. I dreamed you, didn't I? Now
here you are.

ANGELA
I had you. I left you. And I went home.
Down payment in my pocket, enough to start. Start something.
It rained hard that first night home. Monsoon season. I opened my mouth, and
drank.

Sound of rain. ANGELA looks at the rain with
pleasure.
Light slowly fades on Angela.

NATALIE's light grows.

NATALIE
(to her baby)
I dreamed you...now here you are.
Sweet baby, dream. Sweet, dream.

FRANK enters. Wraps his arms around the both of
him. FRANK looks with love at his child.

NATALIE looks out at the rain coming down
past the window. Her smile fades.



<End of play.>

Angel Fat 130