Roger Thanks Maureen

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SCENE: In the BAUER kitchen; MAUREEN reacts to ROGER's knock at the back door.

MAUREEN: Oh, Roger, I'm sorry, but Ed is out.

ROGER: I'm here to see you, actually.

MAUREEN: Me, why?

ROGER: Am I intruding?

MAUREEN: Oh, no, please, come in.

ROGER: Thank you.

MAUREEN: I'm just getting some things ready for dinner.

ROGER: Oh ... make everything from scratch?

MAUREEN: Well, tastes better, better for you.

ROGER: Not too many people bother these days. Where do you find the time?

MAUREEN: I don't know, but I manage. [she laughs]

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ROGER: Hart raves about you.

MAUREEN [smiles]: He does?

ROGER: Yes, he does. All the time. He's told me how kind you've been to him, bringing him dinners, inviting him over.

MAUREEN: Well, I like him very much. He's a very nice young man.

ROGER: He certainly is. He has a very strong sense of family. Roots.He needs stability, and what with one thing and another, I haven't been able to provide much of that recently.

MAUREEN: Well, he knows he's welcome here whenever he likes.

ROGER: I appreciate your kindness to him.

MAUREEN: Thank you. It's nothing, really.

ROGER: Well, it means a lot to me. Look, you've been so decent to him, and that must be very awkward for you, given the history I have with your husband.

MAUREEN: Ed doesn't dislike Hart, you know ?

ROGER: Look, I just wanted you to know how grateful I am to you, that's all. Thank you. [He turns and starts walking towards the door].

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MAUREEN [following him out]: Roger ... ?

ROGER [he turns around]: Uh, huh ...?

MAUREEN: I wanted to tell you that I was really unhappy with what happened with you at the country club on the 4th of July. I thought it was terrible.

ROGER: I don't let those things bother me.

MAUREEN: Well, it bothered me. I just don't want you to get the wrong idea, because I love Ed, and I support him in what he does, it's just ...

ROGER: Of course ...

MAUREEN: ... that whole thing made me very uncomfortable, on top of which I really don't feel that Hart should have to take responsibility for something that happened such a long time ago.

ROGER: I couldn't agree with you more. Thank you.

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[ROGER sees a card on the kitchen counter and picks it up; he smiles and glances at MAUREEN]

ROGER: Oh ... Mary Cassatt...she's one of my favorite artists.

MAUREEN: Mine too.

ROGER: You know ... you could be one of Cassatt's women.

MAUREEN: What?!!

ROGER: Yes, yes ... well, you know they all seem to have that wonderful combination of softness and warmth ... strength. Like you.

MAUREEN: Thank you.

ROGER: You're welcome. Bye.

MAUREEN: Bye.

Comments on these scenes?
ThorpeRenaldi@michaelzaslow.com