Oleanna: A Play Read Online Free PDF Page B

for a moment, and then picks it up.
) (
Into phone
) Hello. (
Pause
) Um … no, I know they do. (
Pause
) I know she does. Tell her that I … can I call you back? … Then tell her that I think it’s going to be fine. (
Pause
) Tell her just, just hold on, I’ll … can I get back to you? … Well … no, no, no, we’re
taking
the house … we’re … no, no, nn … no, she will nnn, it’s not a
question
of refunding the dep … no … it’s not a
question
of the deposit … will you call Jerry? Babe, baby, will you just call Jerry? Tell him, nnn … tell him they, well, they’re to keep the deposit, because the deal, be … because the deal is going to go
through
 … because I know … be … will you please? Just
trust
me. Be … well, I’m dealing with the complaint. Yes. Right
Now
. Which is why I … yes, no, no, it’s really, I can’t
talk
about it now. Call Jerry, and I can’t talk now. Ff … fine. Gg … good-bye. (
Hangs up.
) (
Pause
) I’m sorry we were interrupted.
    CAROL : N O …
    JOHN : I … I was saying:
    CAROL : You said that we should agree to talk about my complaint.
    JOHN : That’s correct.
    CAROL : But we
are
talking about it.
    JOHN : Well, that’s correct too. You see? This is the
gist
of education.
    CAROL : No, no. I mean, we’re talking about it at the Tenure Committee Hearing. (
Pause
)
    JOHN : Yes, but I’m saying: we can talk about it
now
, as easily as …
    CAROL : No. I think that we should stick to the process …
    JOHN : … wait a …
    CAROL : … the “conventional” process. As you said. (
She gets up.
) And you’re right, I’m sorry if I was, um, if I was “discourteous” to you. You’re right.
    JOHN : Wait, wait a …
    CAROL : I really should go.
    JOHN : Now, look, granted. I have an interest. In the status quo. All right? Everyone does. But what I’m saying is that the
committee …
    CAROL : Professor, you’re right. Just don’t impinge on me. We’ll take our differences, and …
    JOHN : You’re going to make a … look, look, look, you’re going to …
    CAROL : I shouldn’t have come here. They told me …
    JOHN : One moment. No. No. There are
norms
, here, and there’s no reason. Look: I’m trying to
save
you …
    CAROL : No one
asked
you to … you’re trying to save
me?
Do me the courtesy to …
    JOHN : I
am
doing you the courtesy. I’m talking
straight
to you. We can settle this
now
. And I want you to sit
down
and …
    CAROL : You must excuse me … (
She starts to leave the room.
)
    JOHN : Sit down, it seems we each have a.… Wait one moment. Wait one moment … just do me the courtesy to … (
He restrains her from leaving.
)
    CAROL : LET ME GO.
    JOHN : I have no desire to
hold
you, I just want to
talk
to you …
    CAROL : LET ME GO. LET ME GO. WOULD SOMEBODY
HELP
ME? WOULD SOMEBODY
HELP
ME PLEASE …?

THREE

    (At rise
, CAROL
and
JOHN
are seated.)
    JOHN : I have asked you here. (
Pause
) I have asked you here against, against my …
    CAROL : I was most surprised you asked me.
    JOHN : … against my better
judgment
, against …
    CAROL : I was most surprised …
    JOHN : … against the … yes. I’m sure.
    CAROL : … If you would like me to leave, I’ll leave. I’ll go right now … (
She rises.
)
    JOHN : Let us begin
correctly
, may we? I feel …
    CAROL : That is what I wished to do. That’s why I came here, but now …
    JOHN : … I feel …
    CAROL : But now perhaps you’d like me to leave …
    JOHN : I don’t want you to leave. I asked you to come …
    CAROL : I didn’t have to come here.
    JOHN : No. (
Pause
) Thank you.
    CAROL : All right. (
Pause
) (
She sits down.
)
    JOHN : Although I feel that it
profits
, it would
profit
you something, to …
    CAROL : … what I …
    JOHN : If you would hear me out, if you would hear me out.
    CAROL : I came here to, the court officers told me not to come.
    JOHN : … the “court” officers