The Hungry Woman

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of substance use and child death. 

The scene crossfades to Luna, who is filling her tool bag while Medea watches. Medea had asked Luna to collect her tools, but now she asks her to stop. Medea would have respected Luna more, she says, if Luna had actually left, rather than immediately moving in with Savannah. She says that Luna does not have “the courage to be alone” (80). Luna refuses to react. Medea shifts tone, speaking of a dream she had in which they were together, with their land returned to them. Luna shows Medea the kernels of blue corn. The corn will seed, she says. This has meaning for Luna, but Medea refuses to entertain the symbolism. Aztlán is uninhabitable, Luna says, as she finishes packing her bag, but they would never be able to keep Chac-Mool in Phoenix.

Luna leaves. Medea pours and drinks a shot of tequila. The guard enters and deposits small plastic bags of herbs from Mama Sal’s satchel onto the table, then leaves. Medea frantically searches among the bags until she finds the right one, which she tastes with her fingertip.