| Karen: Maybe I’m just a quitter, Josh. Maybe that’s it. Maybe it’s all my fault. (She stops herself, a change of heart, an epiphany.) I can’t believe I just said that. None of this is my fault. How do you get me saying stuff like that? How do you always do that to me? (She leans in really close to him, grabbing him by both shoulders, and almost whispers:) You fucked this up, Josh! This is all your fault. You fucked up. (Starts to leave SL) Do something, Josh. I don’t care what, just do something. (JOSEPH is left temporarily alone, but MONA arrives SR, holding a glass of punch) Mona: (sitting) Is this seat taken? Joseph: (moving over) No, I was just leaving. (Looks at her) Mrs Joseph’s? Mona: (looking him over) Joseph! Next door Joseph! What a shocker? I’m absolutely enchanted. (Holds out her hand) Joseph: Wow, I haven’t seen you since I was, like, fourteen. How have you been? Mona: I’m holding up, still alive. Joseph: How’s Carl? Mona: (stammering) Ah Carl? Carl is a very nasty story, best told over something stronger than graduation punch. Joseph: What are you doing here? Mona: Umm, well the only truthful reason is that I came to see you. Which I did. It’s a very big day. Joseph: That’s really sweet Ms. Joseph’s, but I didn’t graduate. You heard about Dad, right? Mona: Yes I’m so sorry, that’s too bad, but why didn’t you graduate? Joseph: Well, with dad and all... Mona: Yes, but that was, what,... months ago. Joseph: Yeah, well it was just that-- Mona: Oh, don’t worry about it my boy. A diploma’s not worth the paper it’s written on. Joseph: I suppose. Mona: So what are you gonna do? Joseph: (uncomfortable) Figured I’d do something. Mona: That’s a plan. Something is always good. Joseph: Move out of the house, maybe to town. Work for a few years. You know, make some money. Mona: Do you have a place yet? Joseph: Not yet, I’m still kind of figuring it out. |
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