How are you, fella?

 

 

 

 

BILL (Taking his hand)

 

 

I'm fine, Herb.

 

 

 

 

HERB (Poking his finger into BILL'S chest)

 

 

Great to see you.

 

 

(Looks around to LAURA)

 

 

Oh, uh . . .

 

 

 

 

BILL

 

 

I don't think you've met Laura, Herb. This is Laura. Laura, this is Herb Lee, Tom's father.

 

 

 

 

HERB (Hearty and friendly, meant to put people at their ease)

 

 

Hello, Laura.

 

 

 

 

LAURA

 

 

I've heard so much about you.

 

 

 

 

HERB (After looking at her for a moment)

 

 

I like her, Bill. I like her very much.

 

 

(LAURA blushes, and is a little taken aback by this. To LAURA)

 

 

What I'd like to know is how did you manage to do it?

 

 

(Cuffing BILL)

 

 

I'll bet you make her life miserable . . . You look good, Bill.

 

 

 

 

BILL

 

 

You don't look so bad yourself.

 

 

(He takes in a notch in his belt.)

 

 

HERB

 

 

No, you're in shape. I never had anything to keep in shape, but you . . . You should have seen this boy, Laura.

 

 

 

 

LAURA

 

 

I've seen pictures.

 

 

 

 

HERB

 

 

Only exercise I get these days is bending the elbow.

 

 

 

 

LAURA

 

 

May I get you something? A drink?

 

 

 

 

HERB

 

 

No, thanks. I haven't got much time.

 

 

 

 

BILL

 

 

You drive out from Boston, Herb?

 

 

 

 

HERB

 

 

No, train. You know, Bill, I think that's the same old train you and I used to ride in when we came here.

 

 

 

 

BILL

 

 

Probably is.

 

 

 

 

HERB

 

 

If I don't catch the six-fifty-four, I'll have to stay all night, and I'd rather not.

 

 

 

 

BILL

 

 

We'd be glad to put you up.

 

 

 

 

HERB

 

 

No. You're putting me up in a couple of weeks at the reunion. That's imposing enough.

 

 

(There is an awkward pause. Both men sit down)

 

 

I . . . uh . . . was over at the Dean's this afternoon.

 

 

 

 

BILL

 

 

Oh, he called you?

 

 

 

 

HERB

 

 

Why, no. I was u'p discussing Alumni Fund matters with him . . . and . . . Do you know about it?

 

 

 

 

BILL

 

 

You mean about Tom?

 

 

 

 

HERB

 

 

Yes.

 

 

(Looks at LAURA.)

 

 

 

 

BILL

 

 

Laura knows too.

 

 

(He reaches for her to come to him, and he puts his arm around her waist.)

 

 

 

 

HERB

 

 

Well, after we discussed the Fund, he told me about that.