Act 2, Scene 9 Summary

Lee has resumed dictating his story to Austin, but the brothers are bickering about the language. Mom returns to find her house a disaster. Austin explains the mess as a celebration of Lee's successful script, adding that, when they finish, the two of them are going to the desert. Mom asks about the toasters. Austin says only that they were part of a contest which Lee has won. When Mom notices the dead plants, Lee assumes his life-long role of screw-up and says he distracted Austin.

Mom then tells the brothers that Picasso is at the museum. Mom refuses to believe Austin when he tells her that Picasso is dead, and she insists the three of them go meet him. Austin reiterates that he is leaving for the desert with Lee. When Mom questions their plans, Lee begins to change his...