26

VIVIAN smirks in self-righteous indignation.  ETTA weighs in, taking issue with the last part of AUNTIE MAMA’s rambling tirade.

                         ETTA
       But Dorothy Jean isn't bragging,
       Auntie Mama.  She truly believes she 
       can make a go of it in pictures.

AUNTIE MAMA zaps her with a “you cannot be serious” look.

                      AUNTIE MAMA
       Don't tell me that I've misjudged 
       you, Etta.  I thought you had a good 
       head on your shoulders.

ETTA stares down at the floor, curdled with guilt.

                      AUNTIE MAMA
       Now don't go staring a hole in the 
       floor to fall through.  It's not you 
       I'm angry with.  
                (ETTA looks up, relieved)
       I can bad-mouth Dorothy Jean when 
       she steps out of line all I want to.  
       But I'll tell you one damn thing—I'd 
       blithely foxtrot with the devil until 
       hell freezes over before I'd allow 
       some mealy-mouth bitches from the 
       D-A-R to touch a hair on her head.  
       Hear me when I tell you!

She grabs her handbag and takes a quick peek inside at her trusty DERRINGER PISTOL…

…before turning to VIVIAN and ETTA.

                      AUNTIE MAMA
       Now let's go fetch Dorothy Jean.