Tom, Mr. Harris would like to see you. Do you want to use our study, David? I can go into the living room.

 

 

 

 

HARRIS

 

 

No, thanks. I'll wait for him in his room. Will you ask him to come up?

 

 

(He opens the door and goes in.)

 

 

 

 

LAURA (Is puzzled at his intensity, the urgency in his voice. Comes back in the study)

 

 

Tom, Mr. Harris would like to see you in your room. He's gone along.

 

 

 

 

TOM

 

 

That's funny.

 

 

 

 

LAURA

 

 

Wait a minute . . . take this up with you, try it on in front of your mirror . . . see if you can move in it . . .

 

 

(She hands him skirt of costume)

 

 

When Mr. Harris is through, bring the costume back.

 

 

 

 

TOM (Anxious over what HARRIs wants to see him about)

 

 

Yeah, sure.

 

 

(He starts out, then stops and picks up a cookie. He looks at her lovingly)

 

 

Thanks for tea.

 

 

 

 

LAURA

 

 

You're welcome.

 

 

(TOM goes to the door as HARRIS turns to the desk. He stands in the door a moment and looks at her back, then he turns and shuts the door and heads upstairs. HARRIS has come into TOM's bedroom, and is standing there nervously clenching and unclenching his hands.)

 

 

 

 

TOM (Off stage, presumably in the study he shares with his roommate)

 

 

Mr. Harris?

 

 

(LAURA wanders off into the other part of the house after looking for a moment at the Canada vacation material on the desk.)

 

 

 

 

HARRIS

 

 

I'm in here.

 

 

 

 

TOM (Comes in a little hesitantly)

 

 

Oh. Hello, sir.

 

 

(HARRIS closes the door to the bedroom. TOM regards this action with some nervousness.)

 

 

 

 

HARRIS

 

 

Well?

 

 

 

 

TOM

 

 

(Has dumped some clothes from a chair to his bed. Offers chair to HARRIS)

 

 

Sir?

 

 

 

 

HARRIS

 

 

What did you tell the Dean?

 

 

 

 

TOM

 

 

What do you mean, Mr. Harris?

 

 

 

 

HARRIS

 

 

What did you tell the Dean?

 

 

 

 

TOM

 

 

When? What are you talking about, sir?

 

 

 

 

HARRIS

 

 

Didn't the Dean call you in?

 

 

 

 

TOM

 

 

No. Why should he?

 

 

 

 

HARRIS

 

 

He didn't call you in and ask you about last Saturday afternoon?

 

 

 

 

TOM

 

 

Why should he? I didn't do anything wrong.

 

 

 

 

HARRIS

 

 

About being with me?

 

 

 

 

TOM

 

 

I'm allowed to leave town for the day in the company of a master.

 

 

 

 

HARRIS

 

 

I don't believe you. You must have said something.

 

 

 

 

TOM

 

 

About what?

 

 

 

 

HARRIS

 

 

About you and me going down to the dunes and swimming.

 

 

 

 

TOM

 

 

Why should I tell him about that?

 

 

 

 

HARRIS (Threatening)

 

 

Why didn't you keep your mouth shut?

 

 

 

 

TOM

 

 

About what? What, for God's sake?

 

 

 

 

HARRIS

 

 

I never touched you, did I?

 

 

 

 

TOM

 

 

What do you mean, touch me?

 

 

 

 

HARRIS

 

 

Did you say to the Dean I touched you?

 

 

 

 

TOM (Turning away from HARRIS)

 

 

I don't know what you're talking about.

 

 

 

 

HARRIS

 

 

Here's what I'm talking about. The Dean's had me on the carpet all afternoon. I probably won't be reappointed next year . .