kashiwrites (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
kashiwrites) wrote2007-12-23 06:24 pm
kashiwrites) wrote2007-12-23 06:24 pm
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PASSAGES - EPISODE 5, ACT 2
Previous: Episode 5, Act 1
II.A) UNIVERSITY HALLWAY. Penny, Ashwin, and Gayatri stand as before. Gayatri folds up the newspaper.
PENNY – Professor Patel, it isn’t what it looks like. It’s quite easy to expl—
GAYATRI – I understand a Political Science student wishing to understand political movements of all kinds. My son studies such things in depth. And I can understand wishing to espouse such a cause.
PENNY – Professor Patel, I really wasn’t –
GAYATRI – But the incitement of violence in a demonstration such as this is highly inappropriate for a person who is supposedly studying in an atmosphere of objectivity. You’ve shown a great deal of promise thus far, Miss Hollister. To say I am disappointed is an understatement.
PENNY – But it was a mistake. Really.
GAYATRI – Precisely my opinion.
Next: Episode 5, Act 3
II.A) UNIVERSITY HALLWAY. Penny, Ashwin, and Gayatri stand as before. Gayatri folds up the newspaper.
PENNY – Professor Patel, it isn’t what it looks like. It’s quite easy to expl—
GAYATRI – I understand a Political Science student wishing to understand political movements of all kinds. My son studies such things in depth. And I can understand wishing to espouse such a cause.
PENNY – Professor Patel, I really wasn’t –
GAYATRI – But the incitement of violence in a demonstration such as this is highly inappropriate for a person who is supposedly studying in an atmosphere of objectivity. You’ve shown a great deal of promise thus far, Miss Hollister. To say I am disappointed is an understatement.
PENNY – But it was a mistake. Really.
GAYATRI – Precisely my opinion.
PENNY – What I’m saying is that it wasn’t me.
GAYATRI – (HOLDS UP THE NEWSPAPER) This is not a picture of you?
PENNY – Well...yes, of course that’s me, but –
GAYATRI – Were you not being arrested by the police in this picture?
PENNY – Well...yes. I mean, I was, but I wasn’t supposed to be.
GAYATRI – (READS THE CAPTION) "Caught in the act, canister in hand." Why would you suppose you shouldn’t be arrested? Unless that’s not really a paint canister either.
PENNY – Oh, it was a paint canister alright, but – (EXASPERATED) Ashwin!
ASHWIN – (HESITANTLY) Mother...Miss Hollister was arrested in error. I witnessed the entire incident.
GAYATRI – You had a reason for being there. Miss Hollister did not. Particularly to engage in this kind of activity.
ASHWIN – But that’s exactly the point, mother. She wasn’t –
GAYATRI – That is enough, Ashwin. I merely wished to express my opinion. I did not intend to stand arguing in the hallway. And I would prefer not to begin the class late.
ASHWIN – I’m sorry, mother.
(GAYATRI SWEEPS THROUGH THE DOOR INTO THE CLASSROOM)
PENNY – Ashwin! I don’t believe this! You practically kidnap Audrey, and you harass the police at the station until they let me go – but when your mother accuses me in the middle of the university you just stand there and hardly say a word of defence! And you tell her you’re sorry you defended me even the little that you did!
ASHWIN – I wasn’t apologizing for defending you.
PENNY – Oh, right.
ASHWIN – I was apologizing for treating her disrespectfully in public.
PENNY – As though she wasn’t disrespecting me, very publicly!
ASHWIN – I know. And I apologize that she did that.
PENNY – Oh, you’re just apologizing for everybody today, aren’t you? Is there anyone else whose sins you’d like to apologize for? Maybe the reporter who took that picture?
ASHWIN – Penny, we can’t discuss this now. The class is about to start.
PENNY – Well, we can bloody well be late for –
ASHWIN – Perhaps you don’t mind being late. I do. So let’s discuss this after class, shall we? (WALKS AWAY FROM HER, INTO THE CLASSROOM)
PENNY – Well, I finally know where your arrogance comes from. (FOLLOWS HIM INTO THE CLASSROOM)
II.B) CHAMBERS DESIGN STUDIO. Blythe leans back in her chair and stares at Dawn, who glares back.
ADRIAN – Did the temperature just drop several degrees in here? This is one of your rioters, I presume, Blythe?
DAWN – One of "your" rioters?
BLYTHE – A turn of phrase; don’t get excited. And of course I didn’t hire the rioters. I’m not entirely stupid.
DAWN – Oh, I don’t know. It could get you a lot of free, sympathetic publicity.
ADRIAN – You see? She makes a good point.
DAWN – Who are you, might I ask?
BLYTHE – He’s my lawyer.
DAWN – Ah. Your brother. I’m Dawn Hollister, by the way.
ADRIAN – Adrian Chambers. Pleased to meet you.
BLYTHE – You are not. And neither of you know me very well if you think I’d resort to hired thugs to create publicity.
DAWN – I don’t know you at all. So why don’t you explain it to me?
BLYTHE – I would never hire such people. They enjoy violence for its own sake and are impossible to control. And they have an irritating habit of trying to blackmail you once they’ve done what you hired them for.
ADRIAN – My god, Blythe. Can you be speaking from experience?
BLYTHE – No. But it only makes sense, so I would rather avoid the trouble. I don’t need publicity that badly. So in answer to your question (TO ADRIAN) and to yours (TO DAWN), no. I did not hire the rioters.
DAWN – (LONG, THOUGHTFUL PAUSE) I think I believe you.
BLYTHE – Thank you.
DAWN – (PULLS UP A CHAIR AND SITS) Which brings me to my reason for coming here.
BLYTHE – Oh? And that is...?
DAWN – I’ve come to apologize for the riot.
BLYTHE – (PAUSE) I beg your pardon?
DAWN – We only intended to stage a quiet demonstration, you know, picketing and signs, and maybe a small delay of your delivery truck. There was going to be some media there, so we thought we could make our point through their reports, without creating a huge mob. It was even in an alley rather than on the street, so we thought it wouldn’t be so public that it would get out of hand.
BLYTHE – Well, you were certainly wrong on that score.
DAWN – Actually, I don’t think we were. Those weren’t just people off the street who got too enthusiastic. They were people who’d heard of our demonstration beforehand, and came specifically to make trouble.
BLYTHE – Semantics. The end result was the same.
DAWN – Yes. And we were at fault for not anticipating it.
ADRIAN – Hence the apology. I’m impressed.
BLYTHE – Adrian, if you have nothing intelligent to say, it’s wisest to keep silent. Alright? So. What was your name again...?
DAWN – Dawn Hollister.
BLYTHE – Alright, Dawn. You’ve made your apology, and I suppose I must accept it. I could tell the spray-painters weren’t with you; the look of panic on your face was a dead giveaway. But perhaps I should remind you that this little fiasco would never have happened if you hadn’t staged your demonstration.
DAWN – (PAUSE) Well, perhaps I could remind you that our demonstration would never have been necessary if you didn’t clothe people with dead animals.
ADRIAN – (AS BLYTHE ANGRILY OPENS HER MOUTH TO REPLY) Excuse me, but unless you want a repeat of the riot, maybe you should change the subject. Or you could hire me to negotiate the argument. I come very cheaply.
BLYTHE – (TAKES A DEEP BREATH TO CALM HERSELF) Alright. We don’t need to get into this. But you’d better leave, Dawn, while we’re both still in one piece. Since you’ve obviously said everything you intended to say.
DAWN – Actually, I haven’t.
BLYTHE – Oh, what more can possibly be said? Really, I have a very busy day planned, and I don’t have time for –
DAWN – I’d like to pay for the damage to the furs.
(VERY LONG PAUSE. ADRIAN BURSTS OUT LAUGHING.)
ADRIAN – Well, I’d say that’s going above and beyond. An apology is one thing, Dawn, but to pay for damage you didn’t even cause –
BLYTHE – Adrian, shut up. I don’t appreciate your sudden elevation to president of her fan club.
ADRIAN – Well, you have to admit, it’s a generous offer.
BLYTHE – It’s a ludicrous offer. This – this – person couldn’t earn enough in her lifetime to pay for those furs if they were permanently damaged.
DAWN – I’m willing to do whatever I can. I can’t just walk away as though I don’t bear any responsibility.
BLYTHE – You know, I would love to tell you that you owe me hundreds of thousands of dollars, and that I am entitled to all your future wages, and your firstborn, and that all your relatives have to be sold as slaves…but I can’t. As it happens, the furs can be cleaned quite easily, because the paint they used is washable. And the cost is covered by the insurance. So you’re off the hook, and it won’t cost either of us anything.
(DAWN ALLOWS HERSELF A SMALL SIGH OF RELIEF)
ADRIAN – I’ll bet that’s a relief, isn’t it?
DAWN – (SMILES FAINTLY) Oh, a bit. I wasn’t looking forward to having to try to pay all that.
BLYTHE – Well, lucky you, you don’t have to. And you’ve done your noble deed for the day, so you can feel very good about yourself.
DAWN – Look, I’ve apologized almost more than I can stomach. Why can’t you at least give me some credit for really meaning it? I’m not some evil person who was out there plotting your downfall. Why can’t you recognize that?
BLYTHE – Why should I? I doubt you’d grant me the same courtesy.
DAWN – What do you mean?
BLYTHE – I doubt you’re willing to grant that I’m not some evil capitalist who’s out to murder all those sweet, furry creatures for her own fun and profit. (DAWN HESITATES) I thought not.
DAWN – The two cases are hardly the same.
BLYTHE – Of course not.
DAWN – I mean – how can they be? Our whole demonstration was against violence – or it was supposed to be. That was our intention. But killing animals just for their fur, to sell your coats, for such a price – the whole enterprise is based on violence and greed, from beginning to end. There’s no possible justification for it.
BLYTHE – Then the discussion is closed, isn’t it?
DAWN – (PAUSE) Are you saying you think it can be justified, on other grounds?
BLYTHE – Are you actually asking? Really?
DAWN – Yes.
BLYTHE – Then yes. I do justify it, on other grounds.
DAWN – Which are...?
BLYTHE – (LOOKS HER OVER, BRIEFLY) If you’re willing to come back in a few days, when I have the current fiasco cleared up, I’ll be willing to show you. I don’t have all the facts at my fingertips just now.
DAWN – (CONSIDERS) Yes...I think I will. I’d really like to hear your reasons.
BLYTHE – Good. Give me a call and we’ll arrange it.
ADRIAN – Now I’m impressed with both of you.
BLYTHE – I don’t need a Greek chorus, Adrian.
DAWN – (STANDS) And now I’ve finished. So I’d better get going or I’ll be late for my first class.
ADRIAN – Let me guess. Environmental Design?
DAWN – Yes. How did you know?
ADRIAN – A friend of ours is in the program. Ryan Vickery.
DAWN – Oh. Yes. I know him. He’s in some of my classes. Well…good-bye. (WALKS TO THE DOOR, BUT TURNS AND LOOKS AT ADRIAN)
ADRIAN – What...?
DAWN – I was just curious...whether you really have no backbone, or if you just enjoy your sister treating you like a five-year-old.
(SHE VANISHES AND ADRIAN BURSTS OUT LAUGHING)
BLYTHE – Really. There’s no end to her nerve, is there? And the clothes she wears! I’d just love to give her some fashion pointers, except I’m afraid I’d get my head bitten off.
ADRIAN – Blythe. (SHE LOOKS AT HIM. HE SMILES NICELY.) Shut up.
II.C) HOSPITAL NURSES’ STATION. Kyle remains frozen, as before, unable to think of a way to handle Connor’s appearance.
JOANNA – Hello, Connor. What brings you here?
CONNOR – I just stopped in at my mother’s office, to say hi, but she wasn’t there. And when I saw you and Kyle here, I decided to say a quick hello before I headed for the studio.
JOANNA – I didn’t know you and Kyle knew each other.
CONNOR – Actually, we were just introduced the other day. Mutual friend.
JOANNA – Well, I’m glad. I know Kyle is relatively new in town, and it’s important to get to know people and feel a part of the community.
CONNOR – I think so, too.
KYLE – Connor. I wonder if I could speak to you privately, for a minute. About Tylor. (EXPLAINS TO JOANNA) The mutual friend. Do you mind?
JOANNA – No, go right ahead. (WATCHES KYLE AND CONNOR LEAVE, AS NELSON WALKS UP TO THE DESK) You know, Kyle is such a nice young man. I’m glad he’s met Connor Hollister. I get the feeling he’s a bit of a loner. It’ll do him good to make a few friends.
NELSON – I know the patients certainly like him. They mention him to me all the time.
JOANNA – Everyone likes him. (SIGNIFICANTLY) Including our daughter.
NELSON – You mean Paige? What – she’s got a crush on him, you’re saying?
JOANNA – Yes. And I’m absolutely mortified. Did you know that she’s already asked him if he’s married?
CUT TO:
HOSPITAL STORAGE CLOSET. Kyle steps into the closet, pulls Connor in behind him, and slams the door shut.
CONNOR – So you want to talk about Tylor? Or was that just an excuse to get me alone –
KYLE – Connor, stop it. Just stop it!
CONNOR – What? Is something wrong?
KYLE – What are you doing here? What are you trying to do to me?
GAYATRI – (HOLDS UP THE NEWSPAPER) This is not a picture of you?
PENNY – Well...yes, of course that’s me, but –
GAYATRI – Were you not being arrested by the police in this picture?
PENNY – Well...yes. I mean, I was, but I wasn’t supposed to be.
GAYATRI – (READS THE CAPTION) "Caught in the act, canister in hand." Why would you suppose you shouldn’t be arrested? Unless that’s not really a paint canister either.
PENNY – Oh, it was a paint canister alright, but – (EXASPERATED) Ashwin!
ASHWIN – (HESITANTLY) Mother...Miss Hollister was arrested in error. I witnessed the entire incident.
GAYATRI – You had a reason for being there. Miss Hollister did not. Particularly to engage in this kind of activity.
ASHWIN – But that’s exactly the point, mother. She wasn’t –
GAYATRI – That is enough, Ashwin. I merely wished to express my opinion. I did not intend to stand arguing in the hallway. And I would prefer not to begin the class late.
ASHWIN – I’m sorry, mother.
(GAYATRI SWEEPS THROUGH THE DOOR INTO THE CLASSROOM)
PENNY – Ashwin! I don’t believe this! You practically kidnap Audrey, and you harass the police at the station until they let me go – but when your mother accuses me in the middle of the university you just stand there and hardly say a word of defence! And you tell her you’re sorry you defended me even the little that you did!
ASHWIN – I wasn’t apologizing for defending you.
PENNY – Oh, right.
ASHWIN – I was apologizing for treating her disrespectfully in public.
PENNY – As though she wasn’t disrespecting me, very publicly!
ASHWIN – I know. And I apologize that she did that.
PENNY – Oh, you’re just apologizing for everybody today, aren’t you? Is there anyone else whose sins you’d like to apologize for? Maybe the reporter who took that picture?
ASHWIN – Penny, we can’t discuss this now. The class is about to start.
PENNY – Well, we can bloody well be late for –
ASHWIN – Perhaps you don’t mind being late. I do. So let’s discuss this after class, shall we? (WALKS AWAY FROM HER, INTO THE CLASSROOM)
PENNY – Well, I finally know where your arrogance comes from. (FOLLOWS HIM INTO THE CLASSROOM)
II.B) CHAMBERS DESIGN STUDIO. Blythe leans back in her chair and stares at Dawn, who glares back.
ADRIAN – Did the temperature just drop several degrees in here? This is one of your rioters, I presume, Blythe?
DAWN – One of "your" rioters?
BLYTHE – A turn of phrase; don’t get excited. And of course I didn’t hire the rioters. I’m not entirely stupid.
DAWN – Oh, I don’t know. It could get you a lot of free, sympathetic publicity.
ADRIAN – You see? She makes a good point.
DAWN – Who are you, might I ask?
BLYTHE – He’s my lawyer.
DAWN – Ah. Your brother. I’m Dawn Hollister, by the way.
ADRIAN – Adrian Chambers. Pleased to meet you.
BLYTHE – You are not. And neither of you know me very well if you think I’d resort to hired thugs to create publicity.
DAWN – I don’t know you at all. So why don’t you explain it to me?
BLYTHE – I would never hire such people. They enjoy violence for its own sake and are impossible to control. And they have an irritating habit of trying to blackmail you once they’ve done what you hired them for.
ADRIAN – My god, Blythe. Can you be speaking from experience?
BLYTHE – No. But it only makes sense, so I would rather avoid the trouble. I don’t need publicity that badly. So in answer to your question (TO ADRIAN) and to yours (TO DAWN), no. I did not hire the rioters.
DAWN – (LONG, THOUGHTFUL PAUSE) I think I believe you.
BLYTHE – Thank you.
DAWN – (PULLS UP A CHAIR AND SITS) Which brings me to my reason for coming here.
BLYTHE – Oh? And that is...?
DAWN – I’ve come to apologize for the riot.
BLYTHE – (PAUSE) I beg your pardon?
DAWN – We only intended to stage a quiet demonstration, you know, picketing and signs, and maybe a small delay of your delivery truck. There was going to be some media there, so we thought we could make our point through their reports, without creating a huge mob. It was even in an alley rather than on the street, so we thought it wouldn’t be so public that it would get out of hand.
BLYTHE – Well, you were certainly wrong on that score.
DAWN – Actually, I don’t think we were. Those weren’t just people off the street who got too enthusiastic. They were people who’d heard of our demonstration beforehand, and came specifically to make trouble.
BLYTHE – Semantics. The end result was the same.
DAWN – Yes. And we were at fault for not anticipating it.
ADRIAN – Hence the apology. I’m impressed.
BLYTHE – Adrian, if you have nothing intelligent to say, it’s wisest to keep silent. Alright? So. What was your name again...?
DAWN – Dawn Hollister.
BLYTHE – Alright, Dawn. You’ve made your apology, and I suppose I must accept it. I could tell the spray-painters weren’t with you; the look of panic on your face was a dead giveaway. But perhaps I should remind you that this little fiasco would never have happened if you hadn’t staged your demonstration.
DAWN – (PAUSE) Well, perhaps I could remind you that our demonstration would never have been necessary if you didn’t clothe people with dead animals.
ADRIAN – (AS BLYTHE ANGRILY OPENS HER MOUTH TO REPLY) Excuse me, but unless you want a repeat of the riot, maybe you should change the subject. Or you could hire me to negotiate the argument. I come very cheaply.
BLYTHE – (TAKES A DEEP BREATH TO CALM HERSELF) Alright. We don’t need to get into this. But you’d better leave, Dawn, while we’re both still in one piece. Since you’ve obviously said everything you intended to say.
DAWN – Actually, I haven’t.
BLYTHE – Oh, what more can possibly be said? Really, I have a very busy day planned, and I don’t have time for –
DAWN – I’d like to pay for the damage to the furs.
(VERY LONG PAUSE. ADRIAN BURSTS OUT LAUGHING.)
ADRIAN – Well, I’d say that’s going above and beyond. An apology is one thing, Dawn, but to pay for damage you didn’t even cause –
BLYTHE – Adrian, shut up. I don’t appreciate your sudden elevation to president of her fan club.
ADRIAN – Well, you have to admit, it’s a generous offer.
BLYTHE – It’s a ludicrous offer. This – this – person couldn’t earn enough in her lifetime to pay for those furs if they were permanently damaged.
DAWN – I’m willing to do whatever I can. I can’t just walk away as though I don’t bear any responsibility.
BLYTHE – You know, I would love to tell you that you owe me hundreds of thousands of dollars, and that I am entitled to all your future wages, and your firstborn, and that all your relatives have to be sold as slaves…but I can’t. As it happens, the furs can be cleaned quite easily, because the paint they used is washable. And the cost is covered by the insurance. So you’re off the hook, and it won’t cost either of us anything.
(DAWN ALLOWS HERSELF A SMALL SIGH OF RELIEF)
ADRIAN – I’ll bet that’s a relief, isn’t it?
DAWN – (SMILES FAINTLY) Oh, a bit. I wasn’t looking forward to having to try to pay all that.
BLYTHE – Well, lucky you, you don’t have to. And you’ve done your noble deed for the day, so you can feel very good about yourself.
DAWN – Look, I’ve apologized almost more than I can stomach. Why can’t you at least give me some credit for really meaning it? I’m not some evil person who was out there plotting your downfall. Why can’t you recognize that?
BLYTHE – Why should I? I doubt you’d grant me the same courtesy.
DAWN – What do you mean?
BLYTHE – I doubt you’re willing to grant that I’m not some evil capitalist who’s out to murder all those sweet, furry creatures for her own fun and profit. (DAWN HESITATES) I thought not.
DAWN – The two cases are hardly the same.
BLYTHE – Of course not.
DAWN – I mean – how can they be? Our whole demonstration was against violence – or it was supposed to be. That was our intention. But killing animals just for their fur, to sell your coats, for such a price – the whole enterprise is based on violence and greed, from beginning to end. There’s no possible justification for it.
BLYTHE – Then the discussion is closed, isn’t it?
DAWN – (PAUSE) Are you saying you think it can be justified, on other grounds?
BLYTHE – Are you actually asking? Really?
DAWN – Yes.
BLYTHE – Then yes. I do justify it, on other grounds.
DAWN – Which are...?
BLYTHE – (LOOKS HER OVER, BRIEFLY) If you’re willing to come back in a few days, when I have the current fiasco cleared up, I’ll be willing to show you. I don’t have all the facts at my fingertips just now.
DAWN – (CONSIDERS) Yes...I think I will. I’d really like to hear your reasons.
BLYTHE – Good. Give me a call and we’ll arrange it.
ADRIAN – Now I’m impressed with both of you.
BLYTHE – I don’t need a Greek chorus, Adrian.
DAWN – (STANDS) And now I’ve finished. So I’d better get going or I’ll be late for my first class.
ADRIAN – Let me guess. Environmental Design?
DAWN – Yes. How did you know?
ADRIAN – A friend of ours is in the program. Ryan Vickery.
DAWN – Oh. Yes. I know him. He’s in some of my classes. Well…good-bye. (WALKS TO THE DOOR, BUT TURNS AND LOOKS AT ADRIAN)
ADRIAN – What...?
DAWN – I was just curious...whether you really have no backbone, or if you just enjoy your sister treating you like a five-year-old.
(SHE VANISHES AND ADRIAN BURSTS OUT LAUGHING)
BLYTHE – Really. There’s no end to her nerve, is there? And the clothes she wears! I’d just love to give her some fashion pointers, except I’m afraid I’d get my head bitten off.
ADRIAN – Blythe. (SHE LOOKS AT HIM. HE SMILES NICELY.) Shut up.
II.C) HOSPITAL NURSES’ STATION. Kyle remains frozen, as before, unable to think of a way to handle Connor’s appearance.
JOANNA – Hello, Connor. What brings you here?
CONNOR – I just stopped in at my mother’s office, to say hi, but she wasn’t there. And when I saw you and Kyle here, I decided to say a quick hello before I headed for the studio.
JOANNA – I didn’t know you and Kyle knew each other.
CONNOR – Actually, we were just introduced the other day. Mutual friend.
JOANNA – Well, I’m glad. I know Kyle is relatively new in town, and it’s important to get to know people and feel a part of the community.
CONNOR – I think so, too.
KYLE – Connor. I wonder if I could speak to you privately, for a minute. About Tylor. (EXPLAINS TO JOANNA) The mutual friend. Do you mind?
JOANNA – No, go right ahead. (WATCHES KYLE AND CONNOR LEAVE, AS NELSON WALKS UP TO THE DESK) You know, Kyle is such a nice young man. I’m glad he’s met Connor Hollister. I get the feeling he’s a bit of a loner. It’ll do him good to make a few friends.
NELSON – I know the patients certainly like him. They mention him to me all the time.
JOANNA – Everyone likes him. (SIGNIFICANTLY) Including our daughter.
NELSON – You mean Paige? What – she’s got a crush on him, you’re saying?
JOANNA – Yes. And I’m absolutely mortified. Did you know that she’s already asked him if he’s married?
CUT TO:
HOSPITAL STORAGE CLOSET. Kyle steps into the closet, pulls Connor in behind him, and slams the door shut.
CONNOR – So you want to talk about Tylor? Or was that just an excuse to get me alone –
KYLE – Connor, stop it. Just stop it!
CONNOR – What? Is something wrong?
KYLE – What are you doing here? What are you trying to do to me?
Next: Episode 5, Act 3