. and all
because I took you swimming down off the dunes on Saturday.
TOM
Why should he have you on the carpet for that?
HARRIS
You can't imagine, I suppose.
TOM
What did you do wrong?
HARRIS
Nothingl Nothing, unless you made it seem like something wrong. Did you?
TOM
I told you I didn't see the Dean.
HARRIS
You will. He'll call for you. Bunch of gossiping old busybodies! Well . . .
(He starts for the door, stops, turns around and softens. He comes back
to the puzzled TOM)
I'm sorry . . . It probably wasn't your fault. It was my fault. I should
have been more . . . discreet . . . Good-bye. Good luck with your music.
(TOM hasn't understood. He doesn't know what to say. He makes a helpless
gesture with his hands. HARRIS goes into the other room on his way out.
Three boys, about seventeen, come in from the downstairs hall door and
start up the stairs. They're carrying books. All are wearing sports
jackets, khaki or flannel trousers, white or saddle rubber-soled shoes.)
AL
I don't believe a word of it.
RALPH
(He is large and a loud-mouthed bully)
I'm telling you the guys saw them down at the dunes.
AL
(He is TOM'S roommate, an athlete)
So what?
RALPH
They were bare-assed.
AL
Shut up, will you? You want Mrs. Reynolds to hear you?
RALPH
Okay. You watch and see. Harris'll get bounced, and I'm gonna lock my
room at night as long as Tom is living in this house.
AL
Oh, dry up!
RALPH
Jeeze, you're his roommate and you're not worried.
HARRIS
(Comes out the door and starts down the stairs)
Hello.
(He goes down stairs and out.)
AL
Sir.
RALPH
Do you believe me now? You aren't safe. Believe me.
STEVE
(He is small, RALPH'S appreciative audience. He comes in the front door)
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