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2K views36 pagesProof Script
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Tyler Duncan GabbardCopyright
© © All Rights Reserved
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/ 36
(CHARACTERS
ROBERT, 50s
CATHERINE, 25
CLAIRE, 29
AL, 28
SETTING
The back porch of hous in Chicago.
PROOF
ACT ONE.
Scene 1
Catherine nim caie. Se is ren five exerted.
Wicd dese. Eyes slo. Raber i sanding behind
sete Catering father Rumpled academic. bok
(Cine dcs nt bo he shee Afer moment
ROBERT. Cast sleep
CATHERINE. Jesus, you seared me
ROBERT. Sonn:
CATHERINE, What ae you doing here?
ROBERT, [thought check up on you. Why aeit you in bed?
CATHERINE. Your student ill hee: Hes up in your study
ROBERT. He can le himself ou
CATHERINE. T might ar well wit up til hes done
ROBERT. Hes mot my student anymore. He teaching, now
Bright ki, (Beat.
CATHERINE. Wha dime sie
ROBERT, Ie amos: one
CATHERINE. Hal
ROBERT. After midnight
CATHERINE, So?
ROBERL. Soy (He indicts somehing om the able bobind him: a
le of champagne.) Happy bith
CATHERINE. Dad ROBERT. Do | eve forge?
CATHERINE
ROBERT. Twenty-five. I cant be
CATHERINE, Neither can | Should we have nose
ROBERT. Ik upto you
CATHERINE. Yeu.
ROBERT. You wane me to open ie
CATHERINE, Let me. Last ime you opened bote of cham
pagne out here you broke a window.
ROBERT.
CATHERIN
ROBERT. Twenty-five!
CATHERINE. Ife old
ROBERT. You're kid
CATHERINE. Glane?
ROBERT. Gaaddamn i [org the glasses. Do you want me
CATHERINE, Nah. (She drinks fromthe bate A long pul
Reber watcher ber)
hat was along time ago 1 resent your bringing cup
out lucky you did lose am ee (She pen the
ROBERT. T hope you like it wast sure what to get you
CATHERINE. This is che worse charnpagne [have ever td
ROBERT. [am proud to say {dont know anything about wins
Tate those kind of people who are always eng about “vintages.
CATHERINE. les not even champap
ROBERT. The bot was the cight shape,
CATHERINE. "Great Lakes Vineyards” I did't ko
ROBERT. A gel whe’ drinking ftom the boc shoul com
plain, Doct gual ic I+ an elegant beverage. Sp.
CATHERINE. (Ofiving he bore) Do you—
ROBERT. No, go ahead
CATHERINE: You sure?
ROBERT, Yes. Is your birthday.
CATHERINE
ROBERT, What are you going to do on your bishday?
CATHERINE. Drink thi Have some.
ROBERT. No. I hope youte not spending your bintay alone
CATHERINE. Fm not lon
ROBERT. 1 dor’ coum
CATHERINE, Why noe
ROBERT. I'm your old man, Go
CATHERINE. igh
ROBERT. Your fends arent aking yo
CATHERINE. No.
ROBERT. Why no
CATHERINE. Because in ond
you generally have to have frend
ROBERT. (Diminive Oh —
CATHERINE. Tes fanny how that works,
ROBERT. You have fiends. What sbour tht eate blonde, what
vas her name?
CATHERINE. What
ROBERT, She lives over on Els Avenue
very minute coger
CATHERINE, ‘Cindy Jacobsen?
ROBERT. Cindy Jaccuen!
CATHERINE, That was in thi grade, Dad. Her family moved
to Florida in 1983,
ROBERT. Wht abour Clie?
CATHERINE "Shes not my frend shes my sister, And sh im
New York And I dor like her
ROBERT. I thoughe she was coming in
CATHERINE. Not il tomorow (Beet)
ROBERT. My advice if you find youself awake late a night, ic
CATHERINE, Oh plese
ROBERT. We could do some rgether
CATHERINE. No,
ROBERT, Why noe
CATHERINE. Tear think of anything wort. You sure yo
ROBERT. Yeah, than
CATHERINE. Nor anymo
ROBERT. You knew what prime number was before you could eee eee ee eee
CATHERINE, Well now ve forgone
ROBERT. (Hand) Dont waste your tien, Catherine, (Beat)
CATHERINE. I knew yd sy something like that
ROBERT. realize you've had a diffu time
CATHERINE. Thanks
ROBERT. Thats noc an excuse, Dont be ay
CATHERINE, I haven een hy, ve been taking cre
ROBERT. Kid, I've aren you. You sleep tl non, you ext ju
you dont work, the dthes ile up in the sink. Ifyou go aut isto
buy magazine. You come bak with a tack of magazines this ig
"Ton know ov you sad that cap: And those ae the o
‘ays Some days you dont getup, you dont get out of bed
CATHERINE. Those ar the god days
ROBERT. Bulhi. Those dye are los You tte them away. And
youll never know wha lic you threw aay with them the work,
Because you were mopiag in your bed ae four in the afemoon,
(Bete) You know im ight. (Bet)
CATHERINE. [ve lous few dys
ROBERT, How many
CATHERINE. Oh, I doit know
ROBERT. I bec you do,
CATHERINE, What
ROBERT. 1 ber you coun
CATHERINE. Knock i off
ROBERT. Well do you know or dont you?
CATHERINE. | don!
ROBERT, Of couse you do. How many days have you
CATHERINE. A month. Around «month,
ROBERT. Buc
CATHERINE, Goddam
ROBERT. HOW MANY?
(CATHERINE. Thiry-thee days.
ROBERT, Esc
CATHERINE. I dort lnow
ROBERT. Be prt, for Chrisake,
CATHERINE, {slept till noon today
ROBERT. Callirthirytiee and a quart
i dont
CATHERINE. Yes all ight
ROBERT, You're kidding
CATHERINE. No,
ROBERT. Amazing numbe
CATHERINE. Ice depresing acking number.
ROBERT. Catherine, everyday you sy youve ost wera yea,
itwould be a very incereting fucking numbed
CATHERINE, Thiny-thice and a quarter years snot interesting.
ROBERT. Stop i. You know exactly what I mean
CATHERINE, (Conceding) 1,729 weeks
ROBERT. 1,729. Get number The smalls number expresibe
CATHERINE, —expresble asthe sum of two cubes in ood
ROBERT. Twelve cubed plas one cubed equals 1,729.
CATHERINE. And ten cubed plus nine cubed. Yes, we've got
hank you
ROBERT. You sce? Even
oping and gt ta work, The kind of potential you have —
CATHERINE. Thvest done anything good
ROBERT. You're young. Youve go ime
CATHERINE. 1 do?
ROBERT. Yes
CATHERINE, By che time you were my age you we
ROBERT. By the time I was your age sleady done my best
work. (Beat)
CATHERINE, Wha about afer
ROBERT. Afer what?
CATHERINE. Afr you gorsick
ROBERT. What about ie
CATHERINE. You couldst wok then
ROBERT. No, if anything | was sharper
CATHERINE, (She con ely she kgs) Dad
ROBERT. [vas Hey, it re. The ary hac ashe amazing
thing, No dots.
CATHERINE, You were happy?
ROBERT, Yeah, Tae busy
CATHERINE. Notte sme ching
ROBERT, [dort te the diference. [knew what I waned vo do and | did ie
TET wanted wo work a problem all ay long, I id
TFL wanted to Took for information — secrets, complex and
tancliring mesages — could ind ther all around me: i these
In pile of fallen leaves some neighbor raked roger In box
score in the pape, written inthe seam coming up off cup af
Cale. The whole world was elking 2 me
TF just wanted to clove sy ee, sc quicly on the porch and
lisen forthe messages Idi that
Te was wonder (Bet
CATHERINE. How old were you? When it tarted
ROBERT, Mid-wensis Twenty-three, four (Bot)
Is that whar youre worsed about
CATHERINE. Te thoughe about i
ROBERT. Jus geting a yar older means nothing, Catherine
CATHERINE. es nox just going olde
ROBERT. let me (eat)
CATHERINE. Tve thought about i
ROBERT. Really?
CATHERINE, How could I no
ROBERT, Well if thas why yute worried you're not keeping up
withthe medical leat. There ae all kinds af factors. 1s aot
Simply something you ines. Jus because {went bughoure does
CATHERINE, Dad
ROBERT. Listen to me. Life changes fst in your ealy wentes
and it shakes you up. You fing dove, Tee been a bad werk
Youvehad lousy couple years noone ows hat beter than me.
But youre gonna be oka
CATHERINE, Yah
ROBERT. Yes. 1 promise you. Push youself Dont ead so many
magazine, Sie down and get the machinery going and I sweat
God youll el fine: The simple flce thar we can tal abou shir
togethers «good sign
CATHERINE. A good sign?
ROBERT. Ys!
CATHERINE. How could i be god si
ROBERT, Because! Crary people dont sit around wondering if
0
CATHERINE, They d
ROBERT Of course not. They gor bee things 1 do Takei
from me. A very goo sign that yutecrsay ian inability 0 sk
the question, "Aan Lazy”
CATHERINE. Even if the answers yes?
ROBERT, Crazy people doi ask You se
CATHERINE, Yeu
ROBERT. So ifyou'e asking
CATHERINE, I'm not
ROBERT. But it you were, ie would be avery good sign
CATHERINE. A good ign
ROBERT. A good sign tae you're fine
CATHERINE. Right,
ROBERE: You se Youve use gore hin these dings dou
Now come ony what do you se Lets calli night, You go 8p
get some deep, and then in them
EATHERINE, ‘Wait. No
ROBERT, Whats che mate?
CATHERINE. Ie doesnt wo
ROBERT. Why nor
CATHERINE. Ir docant make sense
ROBERT. Sure it does,
CATHERINE. N
ROBERT. Wheres the problem?
CATHERINE. The problem is you ae cra
ROBERT. Whar diference does chat make?
CATHERINE. You admied — You jst told me chat you ar
ROBERT. So?
CATHERINE, You sid crazy person would never adic dha.
ROBERT, Yeah, but its... ob se.
CATHERINE. So’
ROBERT. les poi
CATHERINE, So how can you adit
ROBERT. Well Because Tm also dead. (Beat) Arent
CATHERINE. You died weck 90
ROBERT. Hear fllte. Quick. The funerals como
CATHERINE. Thars why Claire fying in from New ROBERT. Ye.
CATHERINE. Youre siting ere You'e giving me advic
Irought ene champagne
ROBERT. Yes (Beat)
CATHERINE. Which means
ROBERT, For you"
CATHERINE. Ye.
ROBERT. For you, Catherine, my daughter, who I lve very
much. Ie coulé be 3 bad sgn. (They it eer for momen
Nose af Hal enten, tacneeigi, semi-bip cathe He cares «
backpack and a ack, fled He le the dar go and i bang
Catherine de up with joe)
CATHERINE” What
HAL. Oh, God, sony — Did I wake you
CATHERINE. What
HAL Were you asleep? (Beat Roberti gone.)
CATHERINE, You scared me, for Chrisske, What ate you
doing?
HAL Tm sory I dial reine it had gotten so late 'm done for
the night
CATHERINE, Good
HAL, Deinking alone? (She realizes sei holding the champagne
doe. She par doen gui)
CATHERINE, Yo.
HAL. Champagne, fu
CATHERINE. Yeu
HAL. Celebrating?
(CATHERINE. No.1 js ke champagne
HAL tes ftv
CATHERINE. What
HAL. Festive: (He makes ax aukaand “party” ger)
CATHERINE, Do you want some?
FAL, Sore
CATHERINE, (Gite him th bone) done. You can take the
HAL, Oh, No hanks
CATHERINE, Tae it, im done
HAL, No, Ishouldsit im driving. Beat)
2
al. 1 can et mse ow
CATHERINE. Good
HAL, ‘When should I some backe
CATHERINE. ‘Come bad?
HAL, Yeah, im nowhere ner finshed. Maybe como
CATHERINE, We have a funcel morrow
HAL. God, youte right Im sory. Twas going to attend if thats
all igh,
CATHERINE, Ye.
HAL. Wha about Sunday? Wil you be around?
CATHERINE. Youve had thre days
Al. lve eo get in some more time up there
CATHERINE. How such longer do you neal?
IAL. Another week At least
CATHERINE. ‘Ar you joking?
IAL. No. Do you know bow mach scuff there i?
CATHERINE. A week?
HAL. I know you dont need anybody in your hae eight now.
Took Fspen te last couple dye geting everything sorted out.
Tes mostly notebooks, He dated them all pow that Ive gotten
in onder I done ave to work here 1 could take some suf home
radi, bring it Back.
CATHERINE. No,
HAL. Il be cael
CATHERINE. My father wouldnt want anything moved and I
dont want anything leave this house
HAL, “Then {should work her. Tl sty out ofthe way.
CATHERINE. Youre wasting your time
HAL, Someone nceds ro go through your dads papers
CATHERINE. There nothing up ther. Is garbage,
HAL, ‘There ave hundred and thre notebooks.
CATHERINE, Ive looked a thos. ts ghbers
L,Someone should ead them
CATHERINE, He was enty
HAL. Yes, bathe wrote them,
CATHERINE. He was + gaphomaniac, Harold, Do you know
TIAL. I know: He wrote compulsively. Call me Ha CATHERINE, There's no connection berween the ideas, Theres
no idea. Its lke a monkey sea ypewriter One hundred and tase
hotebooks full of bull
HAL. Lets male sue theyre bulsic
CATHERINE, Tim sue
HAL, Tim prepared to look at every page. Ae you
ATHERINE, No. 'M not cry (Heat)
HAL. Well, Tm gonna be late So
band: Theyle paying as br up on Diversey. Way down the bil,
hey probably ging on sound two, woth. [sid be there
CATHERINE. ‘Gre
HAL. Theyre all in che mith department. Theyte realy good
hey have this ret song, youd like called" — lowercase |
They jus stand thete and dont play anything for dhce minutes.
CATHERINE. “Imaginay Number
HAL, Isa math joke
You sce why theyre way down the bill
CATHERINE! Long div to sce some nex
IAL. God I hate wien people sy that. eis
CATHERINE. ‘So they are nerds
HAL. Oh theyre raging gecks, But thee gocks who, you know,
‘can dees themicves hold down a job at major univers
Some of them have switched fiom glass e contacts. They ply
sports, they ply in a band, they get laid surprisingly often, si
that sense they sore of make you question che whole set of terms
geek nerd, wonk, dwer, Der, pst-eater
(CATHERINE. Youle in this band, ae you?
HL. ‘Okay, yes I play drums, You want co come? I never sings
men to Goa
CATHERINE. No thins
HAL. Allright Look, Catherine, Monday: What do you sy?
CATHERINE. Denit you have job?
HAL Yeuh, [have a ful waching loud chis quarter plus my own
work
CATHERINE, Plus band prac.
AL. I don ave time wo do this but Im going to, If youl let
‘me. (Bear) loved your dad
Ion bine mind ike scan just dow, Head cid
moments He had lucid yea, whole year four years ao
CATHERINE. It wasn'ta yeas le was more like mine months
AL. Aschool year He was aliing students. Twas sled on
tny PhD. I was this lose wo quiting met with your dad and he
me onthe right rack with my research. Low him.
CATHERINE. Sory
HAL. Look. Let me — You're rwenty-fve, right
CATHERINE. How old are your
HAL, Iedocse mater. Listes:
CATHERINE. Fuck you, how od are you?
HAL. Tim ewentysight ll igh? When your dd was younger
than both of ws he made major contributions vo thre elds: ga
theory algebraic geomet. and nonlinear operator theory. Mest of
scr gt out bends around one. He basicly invented the
i ‘whic
nathemaial techniques for studying cational beha
‘Zonomiss have been milking for Nal eversinee, and he gave
the atophyscis plenty ro wor over too. Olay?
CATHERINE. Dork lecture me
HAL. Fm not I'm telling you i came up wid one-tenth ofthe
‘hit your da produced I could write my own ticket any math
CATHERINE. Give me your backpack
HAL Whae
CATHERINE. Give me your backpack
HAL, Why
CATHERINE. 1 wane look inside
AL, Wha?
CATHERINE, Open ic and give iro me
HAL. Oh come on
CATHERINE, Youre nor taking anything out ofthis house
HAL. [woulda do that
CATHERINE. You'te hoping co find something upstairs shat you
‘an publi
HAL. Sure
CATHERINE, Then you cn wste your own ticket,
HAL. Whae No! Irwould be under your dads name, Tt would be
for your dad
CATHERINE. 1 dose belive you. You havea notebook in that HALL What ace you talking about?
CATHERINE. Gwe ico ie
HAL. You're beings lite bit paranoid,
CATHERINE, PARANOID:
HAL, Maybe 3 ut
CATHERINE. Fuck you, HAL. 1 KNOW you have one of m
notebooks,
HL. chink you should calm down and think about what youre
saying
CATHERINE, Im saying your lying 10 me and stealing, my
Family: propery
IAL. And I chink hat sounds paranoid
CATHERINE, Just because Tim paranoid does’ mean ther isnt
something in that backpack
HAL, You ju aiid
CATHERINE
HAL. Didat you say cha
CATHERINE. Yes
HAL. So what would I take
Right (Bee
CATHERINE, Yost
HAL, Thank you
CATHERINE. So you dont nced to come bac
HAL. (Sigh Pleat. Someone should know for sure whether —
(CATHERINE. I LIVED WITH HIM,
[pene my life id hie. [ed him. Talked to im, Tid oli
ten when he talked. Talked to people who were ther
arched hit shlling around like a ghost. A very sly hos
He war filthy [had ro make sute he bathed. My ow
HAL. Tin sovy I should’ haw
CATHERINE. Afiee my mothes dic was jut me here | ried
10 keep him happy no matter what idiotic project he was doing He
‘ned to read al day He hep demanding more and more books. 1
took them out of she ibary by the calond. We fad hundeeds
spaaie Then I elt he wasnt reaing: He belired aliens w
sending hi menages though the dewey decimal numbers onthe
[bray books: He was tying to work out che code
sel there's nothing up there. Didi yo
HAL. What kind of messages :
CATHERINE. “Beautfal mathematics, Answers co everthing
Th most gant prow prec proot, proofs like music.
HAL. Sound: goed
CATHERINE. Plus fasion ps nockknos
svas NUTS, fay?
HAL. He was il. Fewas a ape
CATHERINE, Lae the wi
F notebooks and he
1 otdered im ese of note
thed every one
T dropped out of schoo. in lad hes dead
HAL Tderstand why youl fal thar way
CATHERINE, Fuck you.
TIAL. Youte sight Tear imagine dating with chat, e nus have
bean afl L know you fas
CSTHIERINE. You dont know me. { want ro be alone Id
wt him around:
HAL. (Confied) Hie? I dostt —
CATHERINE. You I dont wane you here
HAL, Why?
CATHERINE, Hes dnd
HAL. But im aot —
CATHERINE, HES dad I dont need any proségé around
HAL. There wil be others
CATHERINE. What? fae
HALL You think fm the only one? People are already working
‘vet is all Someaac gonna read those notebooks
CATHERINE. Til do it
HAL. No, you — f
CATHERINE, Hes my fher, doi
HAL You car
CATHERINE. Why nor
TAAL. You doat have the math, i all jus squiggles on po
Yo wot now the gs om the ok
CATHERINE. leaf jn
TIAL Hin ma ad mis any hough co
CATHERINE, [know mathemati. aco
TIAL If thre were anything wp there ic would be pret Bigh CATHERINE. Tihink I ould weognie
HAL, (Patent) Cat
CATHERINE. WHAT?
HAL. know your dad eaugh you some basic suff bu come on
CATHERINE. You dont think foul do
AL, {im sorry: Tknow tat you couldn (Bec. Caen angry
snatches hs backpack) Hey! Oh come on. Give me aba fhe
ir xerthng bach
gives back, Bot)
CATHERINE. You cin come tomorrow. (Bese. They ave both
HAL. ‘The Univesiey health service is, uh, very good.
My Mom ded 2 couple year ago and T was prety broken w
Also my work wax going chat wel
vent over and ald to
his docor. aw her fir couple months andi realy helped
CATHERINE. Tim fine, (Be)
HAL Also exercises ret Tun along the lake a couple of morn
ings week Is oe roo cold ye. Ifyou wanted vo co
Teould pick you up. We woulda have otal
CATHERINE. No hanks,
HAL All righ
Tm gonna belt forthe show. beter go
CATHERINE, Olay. (Beat)
HL, 1 seriously ke twenty minute up co she lub. Wego 0,
play, wete tele but we buy everyone deaks afterwind to
make up for Youle home by four, four-tity,tops
CATHERINE, Good night 7
HAL. Good nigh. (Hal sre ext. He ha fngoten his ack)
CATHERINE. Wit, your cout
HAL. No, you
Ive to] — (She picks np hi jacket. Asse
fon. Bet. Cathrine picks it py trembling with ge)
CATHERINE, Tim PARANOID?
HAL, Wai
CATHERINE. You think I should go JOGGING:
3
HAL, Juco on.
CATHERINE. Cec out
FAL, Can plese jr
CATHI RINE. Get the fuck out
HAL: Listen come for asia.
CATHERINE! (ng de bo) You soe this
HAL, Let me epi
ERTIIERINE, Now sole it fom ME, you sole it fom my
FATHER — (Fel mrt bot)
HAL Twantfoshow you someting wl you calm down?
CATHERINE. Give bck
HAL, Jst wae 2 ince
CATHERINE: Tm alin he police She pic phe phone and
HAL. Don't. Look, I borrowed the book, al right? I'm sorry, I just
AA up bore {cme dawns and hough Fe
ERIHERINE. (On plone) Halt
HAL Ld it fora reson ;
CATHERINE: Fel, Police?) — Ys 1 ike wo reporea robbery
TAL | noticed something — something your father wrote
CSTHLIUNE 4 ROBBERY ;
FAL Wl you pot the fucking phone down and ten ome
CATHERINE. (On plone) ep To 35724 South —
HAL es out yous See YOU. Ivar writen abou.
Jour name: CATHY. Se
EATHERINE, South (Sh pecs She som 0 be
HAL /Rewds)°A good day Some very good new fo
the phone) CATHERINE, 1 know
HAL. (ods) "U cw gc
hopes wack cans he gnon sd
Tram not deing yt but ther oe
ais. Tiking with students help So does being unde, estoy
reals in vestatrans, ding uses, nowt ie
Mos of ll Cathy The yas she has ls ering ee
almost wot a Ye
keeping me at home, caring for me h sr
ain. Where docs he strength. com
From? Ian never sepay he
"Today is her birthday: She is eweny-
Dated September fourth
CATHERINE. Ie today,
HAL. Youre ight (She the be book.)
T thought you mighe want tose it.I shouldnt have
sneak it ost. Tomorrow Twas ping
svar going to wrap ic
Hippy bitty. (alexi. Caterine is alone Shep
in eh Se ep Esra he op Pom off
CATHERINE. Shi
Fade
Scene 2
The nxt morning, Clie sith arcs, inks ff om
ag ag ond
CLAIRE. Bitter Much
CATHERINE. Thanks.
CLAIRE, Fea b
CATHERIN
CLAIRE. You look a million times beter, Have some coffe
CATHERINE, Ob
CLAIRE. How do you take i
CATHERINE. Black
CLAIRE. Have litle mil. (Sbe pours) Want a banana? 1 2
{ood thing brought food: There was nodhing inthe hows
ERTHERINE, Tve been meaning to go shopping
CLAIRE, Have a bagel
CATHERINE. No. I hate breaks, (Best)
CLAIRE, You didst put on the des
CATHERINE. Dea rely fe kei
CLAIRE. Donic you want ro ry icon? See fi fis?
CATHERINE. Til puri oa lee. Bet
CLAIRE, Ifyou want wo dry your hair
CATHERINE. Nal
CLAIRE. Did you use that conditioner I brought you?
CATHERINE, No, shit I forgo
CLAIRE. Ts ny favorit. You Hove, Kade wane you ro try i
CATHERINE. Til use i next in
CLAIRE. Youll like i Icha jobs
CATHERINE. What i "jojob
CLAIRE, 16 something ch
fe baie die. CATHERINE, Hairs ded
CLAIRE. What
CATHERINE. 1s dead tse, You ant make i “health
GLAIRE. Whatever, is something chats goo for you hi
CATHERINE” Whay x chemi
CLAIRE, Noi opin
CATHERINE. Wellitan be
CLAIRE, I don kaow what
CATHERINE. Havent you ever head of exganic chemistry?
CLAIRE, Ie aks my bas eho, and snl good Thats the
CATHERINE, Thanks, Il ry ic
CLAIRE. Good
the des docs i we can go downtown and exchange
CATHERINE. Oty
CLAIRE. Tilak you to hin
CATHERINE” Gre
CLAIRE, Maybe Sunday before I go tack Do
‘hing
CATHERINE. Like doche2
CLAIRE. Or anything, While Tm her.
CATHERINE. Nab sco, Bout)
CLAIRE. T though wed have some people over tonight. IF youte
fling aay
CATHERINE. Tm fcting oay, Cite,
CLAIRE. You dont have say plane
CATHERINE. No
CLAIRE. [ordre some food. Wine, beer.
CATHERINE. Weare burying Dad this afernoon,
CLAIRE. Tehink ic wl be all ight Anyone whl been tothe
conn I ca ste any old Chicago fret el be ice Ia
CATHERINE. Ye ure
CLAIRE, es bn
lowly way
i and sil be a chemical.
u nced ay
Stel time e would be good 0 relax ina
Mitch sys hi
CATHERINE. Hi, Mic
CLAIRE, Hes rey sorry e cult come.
CATHERINE. Yeah, hes gonna is all she fun
CLAIRE He wanted to see you, He sends his lve old hi
CATHERINE. No si
CLAIRE, Yo We jst decided
CATHERINE. Yikes.
CLAIRE, Yes
CATHERINE. When?
CLAIRE. Januar;
CATHERINE. Hab
CIAIRE: Wiens sing do hugs hing ls ee
(Goat Cry Hal hen a big dinner a or favorite rexaurant for
‘Moar end And you af couse hope youl ein he wedding
EATHERINE, "Yoh. Of course, Cangiculations, Chie, Ii
relly happy for you :
GLARE hanks, me coo, We jus decided ie was ime, His
is gen. I just got promoted
CATHERINE. Huh.
CLAIRE, You will come? ;
CATHERINE, Yeo me Janvary? I mean I dost have to check
mny calendar or anything Sure
CLAIRE, “Thar makes te very happy. Beat) How ate
CATHERINE. Olay
CLAIRE. How are you fing about everything?
CATHERINE. About sverything”?
CLAIRE, About Dad
CATHERINE. Whar about him Hee
CRAIRE. How ae you fling about his death? Ave you al igh
CATHERINE. Ye, lam
CLAIRE, Honest?
CATHERINE, Yeu :
CCRAIRE, I think in some ways was he “ight cme.” I he
tera ight tim
Sa fake what you want to do now ee eee ee ee eee ee eee eee eee ee eee
CATHERINE, No
CLAIRE. Doyo wane say hae?
CATHERINE” Tot kn
CLAIRE. Do you wan go bck wahoo?
CATHERINE’ The heaghe store
CLAIRE. Wi tee so ia swe
CATHERINE” Physica? Gra Escepe my bcm nd of
unheaty, wis threw someting Tel do aaa es
CLAIRE” Come om: Cathrine’
CATHERINE” Whats the point fl hes uestonn? (Bee)
CLAIRE: at ome plese cme hy wie you mth
CATHERINE. Yeh
AIRE. "Thy id they wee “chucking up" on things ee
Seeing how everything was this morning .
CATHERINE. (Nota) That war
CLAIRE, They ld me hy pond wo lt ight and
‘came t0 the house —_ ae
CATHERINE Ya
CLAIRE, Did you al he pic as nigh
CATHERINE. Yah
CLAIRE! Wye
CATHERINE” 1 hough che house was being aed
AIRE: Bac ie
CATHERINE. No'Tcanged my mind Ba)
GIAIRE, yu 311 wba ey ad hn you
CATHERINE. I dda ely wat them o come
CLAIRE. Soy dd you at
CATHERINE” Tas ng opt this guy ou of th ow
CLAIRE. Who!
CATHERINE. One of Dads sadn
CLAIRE. Dad tt ad any dee fr yus
CATHERINE, ‘No. he WAS Dat aden Now ek — eb
CLAIRE. Why wash nthe hous in he i place
CATHERINE! Wallic ncoming ne leak Dd nse
books
CLAIRE. In the middle of she night?
CATHERINE. Irmas lt, [was waiting for him co finish and
night | thoughe he might have been scaling them
CLAIRE. Stealing che notebooks
CATHERINE. YES. So [told him to go
CLAIRE. Was he stealing them?
CATHERINE. Yes. Thats why [ call the police
CLAIRE. Wha this mans ame?
CATHERINE. Hal, Harold, Harold Dobbs.
GLAIRE. The police sid you were the only
CATHERINE. He le before they go here
CLAIRE, With de norebook?
CATHERINE, No, Cite, dnt be spi, here are over a hun
died notebooks. He was oly sealing ONE, buthe was sting
So he could give i BACK ro me, 301 let him go so he could play
with his band onthe northside
CLAIRE, His band
CATHERINE, Hewat late, He wanted me come with him but
was like Yeu ight. (Beat)
CLAIRE. (Gen) Is "Harold Dobbs” your boy
CATHERINE. Not
CLAIRE, Are you sleeping with him?
CATHERINE, What? Enoghht Nol He’ a math gock!
CLAIRE, And het in a bund? A rock band
CATHERINE. Noa marching band. He plays vombone. Yes 2
rock band!
CLAIRE, What isthe name of band?
CATHERINE. How should I kaow?
CLAIRE. “Havold Dobbs didnt rll you the name of his rock
CATHERINE. No, {dons know, Lol in the pap
playing lastnight. They do + song called “Imaginary Number
that docent exist (Be)
CLAIRE” Tim sorry, im just tying to undertand: Is "Havold
Dobbs
CATHERINE, Stop sying “Harold Dobbs
TLAIRE. Is thi. perio
nt EEE EEE ee eee eee eee
CATHERINE, HAROLD DonRS EXISTS.
CLAIRE. Tin sre he does. eae
CATHERINE. Hes mathematician at the Us
Chicago. Cll the ficking math dperinents
CLAIRE. Dott get upset Tm just trying vo understand 1
al pape yout he pie Fwd ech a
Und atte niente
IERINE. Because you made up th “boy
here ALONE. ee
CLAIRE, Harold Dobbs wat here?
CATHERINE. No, he — YES, he was here, b
cATHER yee, but we werent
CLAIRE. You wert drinking with hin?
CATHERINE. Not Ff
CLAIRE, (She bold wp abe ch
op the champagne bate) This was sting
8
Fight here, Who were you di
tak ee, Who wae you dking champagne wih Cater
CLAIRE. ‘The police sid you were ab
lucky they didnt haul you in. See eee
go away: They wanted me to fill out a report eee
CLAIRE. Were you abusive? :
CLAIRE. Did you tell one 7
CATHERINE. Not with thac phrasin
Tv
CLAIRE, Oh my God.
CATHERINE. T might have pushed him lil
GRAIRE, ‘They sid you wer either drank or disturbed
CATHERINE, They waned 9 come in here and SEARCH MY
HOUSE —
CLAIRE, YOU calle! THEM.
CAPHIERINE. Ses but I dint actually WANT chem co come
Si ey did come and then they stare acting Hke they owned
fhe pce = pushing me sound, calling me gil.” smicking 3t
res layghing They were assole.
TEAIRE. ‘hese guy semed perfectly nice. They were off- dun
cn ey took the uouble to come back here at che end oftheir
‘Pifto checkeup on you They were very pole
EXTHERINE, Wel pope ae mice 0 you. (Bost)
CEAIRE. Rade, Would you like wo come ro New York
CATHERINE, Yes {old you, Il come in Janus.
CIAIRE You could come sooner. Wed love to have you. You
oul stay with se be fu
CATHERINE, [dont want
CEAIRE. Mich has become an exellenc cook, I's ike is hobby
cei buynall dese gadgets. Garlic pres. olive oll spayer
Bee Nigh theres something new, Delicious, wonderful mes
The oder day he made vegetian cit
CATHERINE, “Wher she fuck ae you talking about?
CEAIRES Seay with us fora while. We would have 30 much Fun
CATHERINE, Thanks, Im olay here
CEAIRE. Chicago is dead. New York i 30 much more Fun, you
tare believe ie
EREPIERINE. ‘The Yan” ching ically not where my focus sat
Pe RIRE Teh New York would bea rally fu and. safe
Jace for you to
CATHERINE: [dont need 2
Sy fan! Tm perfec fine here
PAIR, You look tied, Think you could use some d
CATHERINE, Downtime?
CEATRE, Kati, plese, Youve had ery hard time
(CATHERINE. Tin PERFECTLY OKAY,
place and dont want to have CLAIRE. think youre upset and exhausted,
CATHERINE, I war FINE ill you gor here
CLAIRE. Yes, bur you —
HAL. (Bom off) Catherine?
CLAIRE. Who is hat (A beat al ener)
HAL. Hey 1 (Catherine andi and points trimphniy erin.)
CATHERINE, HAROLD DOBBS!
HAL. (Confced)
CATHERINE. OKAY I really dont need this, Claire Fim fine
you know, Fm tral fine, and then you swoop in here with these
{questions and "Are you okay" and your seating tone of voice
and “Oh, the poor policemen’ — I think the police can handle
‘hemselves| —and Bagels and Banani and jojoba and “Come to
[New York” and vegeian chil T mean i ely pisses me olf so
just SAVE IT. (eae
CLAIRE. (Smash to Hal) Ym Chait, Catherine’ see
HAL. Ob, hi Hal Nice eo mee you. (Uncomfortable bore)
hope its not ro carly Iwas jase going to ty 0 gee some Work
ddone before the uh-— if if
CLAIRE, Yet
CATHERINE, Sure okay. (al exits A moment
CLAIRE. Thacs Harold Dobbs
CATHERINE, Yes.
CLAIRE, He’ cute
CATHERINE. Diguaed) Eugh
CLAIRE, Heb mathematician?
CATHERINE, I think you owe mean apology, Claire
CLAIRE. We need 10 make some decisions. ft I shouldnt have
teed to stare it hing in the morning. [dont want an argmene
(Beat) Maybe Hal would like «bagel? (Bet. Caherine dos ade
the bine. She vi. fer a moment of inde
Danana and bagel and gos inside}
Fade
Scene 3
ihe mide the bose a partyin progres. Loud mai
Fora noverygod bu ents band Caring
‘he bond. fies mom
th dark st He bas een
o-ap fom playing He bald
CATHERINE. {fc dhat fora funeral ception sis might have
forte a bit out of conto
HEAL. Aw come on, Is great Come on
CATHERINE. Tim okay
HAL. Wee done plyi
CATHERINE. No, thanks
AL. Do you want a bee:
CATHERINE. |
HAL, [brought you one (Bea, She
CASHERINE. Okay: Sheake i npr) How many people a
HAL. 1¢3 down ro about fry
CATHERINE. Fory?
HAL. Jas the hard-ote payers
CATHERINE, My ser Fed
HAL, No, mathematicians. You ster iends
Tine guys wee sally pleased tobe asked 10 part
lfc hours ago.
ipa. The
worshiped your dad
CATHERINE, Tras Chie ides
HAL. Ie was god,
CATHERINE (Concrde,) The performance of “Imaginary
FIAT. Good funeral mean not “good” but —
CATHERINE. No, Yah HAL. Can you belive how many people ame
CATHERINE. Tyas surprace,
HAL. Think he would have ied it (
not my pace
CATHERINE. No, youte sgh
thoughe, (Be)
Everything was beter than 1
HAL. You look grat
CATHE indicts the der.) Clive gave i to me
HAL
CATHERINE. te doesnt eal i
HAL No, Catherine is good. (A moment. Nove from imide
CATHERINE. ‘When do you dink dhol lace
HAL. No way ro know. Mathematicians ate asane. I went to this
Sputetcce in Torneo lat fall. Tm young. ight Tin deg
‘hought I could hang withthe Big boys, Woon Tve rene toes
caused in my lifes Forg-cighessghe how of
ing. drags, papers, lecture
CATHERINE: Drage
HAL. Yea. Amphetamines, mostly. Im
older guys ate rely hook.
urying. dink
nT dont. Some ofthe
CATHERINE. Really
HAL. Yeah, they think they need
CATHERINE. ‘Why
HAL. ‘They thnk mack young mans game. Sped ks
racing makes them fe sha
Peas around ewenty-thre se
You hie ify is ow
CATHERINE
HAL. dunno. Some people say pie,
CATHERINE, Nor ney
HAL. No, youre right. Realy orginal is all young guys,
CATHERINE, ‘Young guys i
HAL. Young people
CATHERINE. Bc icis mea, mostly
HAL. There ae some women
CATHERINE
HAL. Thece 3 woman a San
CATHERINE
Sophie Geomin,
rT
ser at meetings just don’ sink
HAL. Yeah? I've probably
Tye mee e ene
CATHERINE. ‘he was born in Pais in
iy never met he
AL, So Ive defintely
ped in her howe.
CATHERINE, she wae trapped ie
whe French Revolution was going on, the Terror She had
inside for safety an she paced the ime reading in er fathers
Tater she ted ogee areal at
Teters. She wrote
study. The Greeks
Schools didn't allow women. So she wrote
Snotice prime, Like two. Two is prime, doubled pls ne i ve
ERERINE, igh 092.305 ine 24 paso
CAriakRiNe "a biggest one known
CATHERINE. That th biggest on.
Hae wea? Gaus
HAL. Did he ever find out who she
hi the bilan
CATHERINE. Yeh, Later ual fend tld him ch
Phase forthe mysteries of numbers is exces
ut 5
than mento fanriee her with these thomny researches,
suddenly Hise er, then ap,
HAL. Soy. in Tile drut CATHERINE. 1s okay: (Uncomfortable bat) Im sorey shout
ester. [want helpfl. About the wook youre doing Take as
Tongs you need up
HAL. You were fie 1 wat pushy
CATHERINE: Iwas awl
HAL. No, My ining wat ersible Anyway, youte pe
CATHERINE. ‘What
AL. About big junk
CATHERINE, (No) Ye
HAL. [read dough a lo of suff today, jas skrun
fore book [sole
CATHERINE. Oh, God, Im srry abou ha
HAL. No, you wer right
CATHERINE. T shoulda have called the pol
HAL, Teovas my ful
CATHERINE. No,
TAL. The pine that bok — I'm starting to think the only
lucid one, rely: And thetes no math in
CATHERINE, No
HALT mean, hap sing but if dst ia anything in
couple of days
CATHERINE. Back co the drums,
HAL. Yeh
CATHERINE, And your own research
AL, Such atti
CATHERINE, Whats wrong with i
HAL. 105 not excl seing the world on ir
CATHERINE. Oh tome on
HAL. Ie sucks, basicaly.
CATHERINE, Harold
HAL. My papers get tuned down. For the right eons — my
stale ev, The big eas arent here
CATHERINE. Is nor about big ideas. I work. Youve
chip avay a problem,
HAL. Thats not what your dad dd
CATHERINE, I think i was in'a way. Hed ateack a question
fiom the side, from some weil angle sneak up on it grind sway
24 it He was logging. He was just so tnuch fase han anyone ese
32
that fiom the outside it ooked magical
HAL, I dos know
CATHERINE, Tim ust guessing
HAL, Pha he work vas beautiful [ts steamlined: no wasted
roves lke a ninety fvemil-an-hour fastball Te just lg
CATHERINE. Yeh
HAL. And thats whac you can never duplicate. A Tes 1 a
ley. Ata certain point you relies not going to happe
you readjust your expectations enjoy caching
EATHERINE. You might come up with something
AL. Tim ewengy sights remember Oa the downhill lope
CATHERINE. Have you ried speed? Te head it helps.
HAL. (Lag) Yeah (Beat)
CATHERINE. So, Hal
HAL. Yel
CATHERINE, What do you do for sex
AL, Whar
CATHERINE, Ar your conferences.
HAL. Uh, Tah —
CATHERINE, Inn dit why people hold conferences? ive
Room service Txcdeducribe Sx in big hot! beds
AL (Leng, nesou,) Maybe. I dont know.
CATHERINE, So what do youd Allyou guys. (Beutel
HAL, Wel we ae sient
CATHERINE, 0
IAL. So there’ lt of expeimentation
CATHERINE. (Laughs) 1 sce. (Beat Catherine gc 0b
HAL, Hoh
ATHERINE, That was nice
AL, Rely?
CATHERINE. Ye.
HAL, Again?
CATHERINE. Yes. (i
HAL, [away liked you
CATHERINE. You di
HAL. Ever before hnew you. [catch glimpses of you when you ised your dad office a schoo. [wanted talk to you but CATHERINE. Oh, No.1 ought ro ck around until Ch
CATHERINE. Tspaciy when your tse cone HAL Allighe
HAL, Tspecily cen in) A
CATHERINE You came herons, Four eas ago. Remcmbe th
HAL, Sure. ani ele you do as dropping of deh a FAL (ten aback) Olay
y thesis for your di Jou Iwas nervous Ce GN OF
CATHERINE, You looked nervous
HAL, T cant believe you remember that
CATHERINE. Tremember you
rot bocing, (7
AL. Should P
CATHERINE, Ifyou want
Riss) thought you seemed HAL. Do you want me to go
EATHERINE. Do you want
HAL. L mane co tay herewith ou,
gin backpedaling immediatly ~~ (Se dag. Her eli ex
Ne 0s i They Kr
1 nighe was wondesfl
HAL. ow embarastng i ici Tay ls nigh
porch ina be CATHERINE. Its only embarassing fT dont are.
Halter, half dred. He wal wp behind ber uel, She HAL. Uh so See
Soars hon and turn atid ATHERINE, Dont be embarrased. (They his. Af
HAL. How long have you been wp? a
Seve Hal) eve
CATHERINE. Awhile HAL, Whats this
HAL. Did Lovesey? CATHERINE. Is hey
CATHERINE. No. (Best, Morningfierawkisrdness) HAL. Ah
HAL. Is your ster 5 CATHERINE. Tiy ie
CATHERINE. ‘No, She’ fying home ina couple hours, I should HAL, Where oe
probably wake he " CATHERINE, Bottom drawer ofthe desk in ny dad
HAL. Let her deep. She wat doing some prety stiousdenkin AL. Whats in there? oe
with the cheoretil physics ast might : CATHERINE. Theres ne way find ot Prior
CATHERINE. Til make her some cllce when she getup. (Beat) HAL. Now? (Catherine shri Hal lig, wasue fi
HAL. Sunday mornings
ot) Okay. (He bises ber ual them gos inside. Carne
ERTHERINE. Oty er we dnc un
a ‘CATHERINE, Good morning CLAIRE, Pese dont yell plea
CATHERINE. Ae you allgh
CLAIRE, No. (Best. She clutches her head.) Those fucking ph
CATHERINE! Whar happened cee
CLAIRE. Thanks alt fr lesvng meal alone with chem
CATHERINE, “Whete were your Hende
CLAIRE. My stupid friends let — it was only leven o'lock!
CATHERINE. Do you want some coffee!
CLAIRE. In a minute
CLAIRE. Well as iong as ‘sje in He
CATHERINE. Tlove it. ss
CATHERINE. Should I not be? saseeats
m leaving soon. I — eee
CATHERINE. You said. | know
CLAIRE, 1s ike you ro come to New Yor
CATHERINE. Yee January
CLAIRE, 1a ike you to move to New York
CATHERINE. Mon
CLAIRE. Would
You could stay with me and Micch at firs
Then you could ger your own place. Ive alread
for you, really ete places
What would I do in New Yok?
CATHERINE
CLAIRE. Whar ate you
CATHERINE, [live bere
CLAIRE, You could do whatever you wane. You
ould work, you
‘oa go 0 schoo
CATHERINE. I dont know, Cire. This is pre
CLAIRE, salz that
CATHERINE. [now you mean well jst nor sure what {
Thehonest you were ight yesterday. do Feo
Think Ta ike o take some time to igue things u
CLAIRE. You could do thar ia New York.
CATHERINE. And {could do it ere
CLAIRE, Buti would be much eer
an apartment in New York, and
CATHERINE. [dont nad an apartment, stay inthe house
CLAIRE, Were sling the hour. (Bet
CATHERINE. What
CLAIRE, We — I'm sling i
CATHERINE, WHEN?
CLAIRE. Tm oping todo the paperwork this week [know it
CATHERINE, No one was here looking tthe place, wh
selling ic?
CLAIRE. "The Univer. They've wanted the Hock for yar
CATHERINE. [LIVE HERE
CLAIRE. Honey, now that Dads gone it dest make sense ts
in bad shape. I cots.
ERTHERINE, Where am U supposed co live BEE eee eee
CLAIRE. Cameo No
CATER eae
GIAIRE Ibs pel Yo ttre chage. This woul
CHEE Why dang i
CLAIRE Irae
TIN By elgmeoto y
CATHERINE ey te ed err yea
GLAIKE Tow a You no esos aloes a
fe
Cxtiasmne, Dos
EERIE Tow ou dnl nfl abut i. Now
cree
CATHERINE. You eae tl
CLAIRE te
CATHERINE, Da i dad
GIAIRE Noe
EATHERINE, Tis da Now da ek ded ou nse
sen and dee os unt igs WOU LA
cre
ERTHERINE, Whee were Jou five yea gp? You wee
range
CER es ncn
EATERINE HER Le wih bin ALONE
GEAIE Tas woking ourecons tgs La ey bl
re. | paid off the morgage on ths three-bedroom house while
CAMIERINE io doe Yo Gish
CLAIRE tu nul ee ped ha
Catieane
CCEAIE T weld ave done ating — tly hel
Joua milion inet do sng yo wane a
ERTHERINE. Whar sar Bt sent tec oi
GLAIKE Nevill bee Sle
CATHERINE, He dda belong in che nuthou
38
CLAIRE” Maybe. Or maybe some ra <
rou do
CATHERINE. 1 was ight co keep him here
CLAIRE, No.
EXTHERINE, What about is remission? Four years go, He was
healthy for almost yer
CLAIRE: And then he wont sgt dow agi.
CATHERINE. He might have been worse ina hospi
GRAIRE. And he MIGHT have Been BETTER. Dig he ever do
CATHERINE. No.
CLAIRE. NO.
Rand you migh have been beet
CATHERINE Ckeping ber woe wader canal) Bester than
what? -
THAIRE, Living here with him disk do you any good. You sid
that youre
"You ta so much talent
CATHERINE, You think Im ike Da.
CLAIRE. Ishink you have some of hist
‘ney coward «= maby (Beat)
EATHERINE, Chire, in addition o che
for me ia New York, would you by any chance
stand some oFhis ten
you've “scouted
to have devoted
outing out another ype of
GTAIRE. NO. :
CATHERINE, — living fy For your bghouse lle sister
CLAIRE, NO! Absolutely aot Thais not what this x about EEE ee eee
CATHERINE. Dose tome, Clie, im smarter than you (Bere)
CLAIRE. The resources Ive iveniguesl
CATHERINE. Oh ayy GOD,
CLAIRE, — ifyou WANTED to all im saying isthe doctors in
[Now Yori ane the people are the BEST, and they —
CATHERINE. FUCK YOU.
CLAIRE. would be entirely up o you, You woulda’ LIVE any
here, you cin —
CATHERINE. Thate you
CLAIRE. Dont yeh plese, calm down,
CATHERINE, [HATE YOU. — (ffl emer, bolding «note
CLAIRE, What are you [doing here}... (She loks at Catherine.
Fal is mel sper. He tars as Carine)
HAL, ‘How long have you known about thi
CATHERINE. white
HAL. Why did you tell me about?
CATHERINE, I wast ste I waned to. (Bet
HAL. Thank you,
CATHERINE” Youre welcome
CLAIRE. Whats going on
HAL. God, Catherines dank you
CATHERINE. T ehougit youd fice sei
CLAIRE, What sie
Al. It incredible
CLAIRE. What 1
HAL. Ok, uh it ares, A proot
mean it looks lke a proof I mean i is a prot, avery long
proof. I havent read tall ofcourse, or check i {dont xe
ow if [cou check i, bu if its 4 proof of what I thik St
roof ofr. ery. important prot
CLAIRE. Wiha docs pene
HL. It foks like it proves» theorem ... a mathematical theo
- about prime number, something machematicans have eon
‘ying o prove sine... snce there were nathematcans, basicaly
Most people though ic coulda’ be done.
CLAIRE” Wher dl you find ie
HAL. In your fathers desk, Cathy cold me about i
CLAIRE. You know what thie?
CATHERINE, Sure
CLAIRE, Is good?
CATHERINE. Ys
HAL. Ie hove Iie checks ou
CLAIRE. What does its?
HA Udon Know ye jus ad the is
CLAIRE. Buc what does ie mean ;
HAL. Temcans tha during atime when veryone thought your di
weeny by tong he as ding me of the
Stet important mathemati nthe woud Ft chess a me
‘i
CL al
Corain ACT TWO
Seene 1
Robert is clone on the porch He ite quiet enjeying te
Auiet the September afternoon. A nerebook. nearby
tinepemed. He cles bis en apparently dosing. I's ove
ROBERT. Hallo
CATHERINE, Tow did you know [ was hee?
ROBERT, 1 heard you
CATHERINE. thought you were alesp.
ROBERT. On an afternoon lke shit Ne
CATHERINE. Do you need anything
ROBERT. No E
CATHERINE, I'm going tothe sore
ROBERT. Whats for dinner
CATHERINE. What do you wane
ROBERT. Not spaghetti
CATHERINE, Allright
ROBERT. Disgusting scl
CATHERINE Thats
ROBER:
CATHERINE, Whae do you wan?
ROBERT. What do you have» taste
CATHERINE. Nothin
ROBERT. Nothing at ale
CATHERINE
ROBERT, Pasa, oh God dont
ha Las ging to mak
hd a fing. Good thing T spoke up. You make ic
Udon ca. Uh
ought pasta would be es,
ren say the word “pst” Ie
sound 3 hopeless ke surende "Pata would be xy Yes yes
FE woul. Pav. Tt docst MEAN anything. e's just a euphemism
people invented wen they got sick of eating spaghetti
CATHERINE, Da, what do you wane ex
ROBERS, I done ke
CATHERINE. Wel I dost know whac tog
ROBERT. 'l shop
CATHERINE. No.
ROBERT. Pda
CATHERINE. No, Dad rt
ROBERT. {wanted to ake a walk anyway
CATHERINE. Ae you sue?
ROBERT, Ys, What about a walk co the lake? You
CATHERINE. All sight
ROBERT. I would lve to goto the lake Then on the way hom
wel sop atte sor sce what jumps out aus
CATHERINE. Irs warm. Ie would be nice, if yout up fort
ROBERT. Youre dam righe Pa up fori Well work up an
appetite, ive me ten second, et me pt this scuff away and we'e
fut the door
CATHERINE, Tm going to school. (Bese,
ROBERT, When?
CATHERINE. Img
woth
ROBERT. Norewestern
CATHERINE, They were grea about my credits Theyre eaking
Tas sure when to elk co you about i
ROBERT. Norwenter
CATHERINE. Yes
ROBERT. Whats wrong with Chicago?
CATHERINE. You sil each tht, Im soe, .00 weird aking
ROBERT Its a ong drive
CATHERINE, Nor hit long, half an hour.
ROBERT, Sil, owice a day
CATHERINE. Dad Tlie there. (Be)
ROBERT, Youd actually want live in Evanston CATHERINE, Yes. sil be cose 1 can come home wh
You've been well — rally wll — for almost seven mont
ROBERT. This is alls done dea? You
CATHERINE, Ye,
ROBERT, Youre sue
CATHERINE, Yo,
ROBERT. Who pays for ie
CATHERINE, Theyre giving me free ride, Dad. They've bee
ROBERT: On cuition, sure. Wha about fod, book, lthen, us,
CATHERINE. T dont brow 7
ROBERT. You gota pay your own :
dt th fit die, there ty eget ometing
CATHERINE, The money wll be fine Clue gonna fs
ROBERT. When did you alk to Claire EMP
CATHERINE. I don’ know, «couple weeks
ROBERT. You
CATHERINE
_great, she offered to take care of all the expens oe
CATHERINE, It’s not even a long distance pl
ROBERT. es a huge place. Theyte serious up there, [
‘can get buried up ther ora
extent
ROBERT.
EXTHERINE: Te
ROBERT tye oe
CATHERINE Thal ou, KNOW. Lo
CERNE Fi SOW Lok op ow i hie
ROBERT Por Ce, Carn youu hae ied
CATHERINE. Dad. Listen, Ifyou ever. iffor any reason ion
now ican handle the work I don know
“4
TT
ROBERT. 1 WON'T Thats na har Fn sclhing about
CATHERINE. Lean alvays tke 7
ROBERT. No. Stop it [jst — the en
dit you say something before?
CATHERINE. Dad, come on. It cook awhile to se this up, and
tnt cet, uni very cen
ROBERT You just sad yourself Tve been fine
CATHERINE, ‘Yes, but I did know — T hoped, but 1 dia
Fenow, no one knew if chis would lt tld nef co wait wn
a you were feeling okay again
RODEN. "So in co tks this converse
CATHERINE. Take i
bexee
ROBERT, Wel hank you very ml
CATHERINE. Dont shane eI dt. Ls ving with ou
ROBERT All sigh ihets enough, Catherine Leth stay onthe
CATHERINE, This is the subject! There were LIBRARY
BOOKS stacked upc he aig psa, do you remember ha?
You wer ying to decode MESSAGES
ROBERT cig tole oe oo hm ok
wee ar ib doh en sah Hal. He carr a
a as 3 vote of conf
ROR a Dei
FAL hope oa nd i
A athe peed woe
BAL Oh
ROBE fu ema
a Tn gic We nde be
a Me aunen a shu d
ee et ot tom ee
ROBERT. NO!
45 CATHERINE. (ich Ror) Thai
ROBERT. Of dear ous God no
BRILLIANT ie
CATHERINE: (Wh Reber.) Whats it ellod? Give
ROBERT, No! Sony. Wrong answer but thank you for tying
(Fal sand there, ling a bt af them
HAL. Tean come back. 7
ROBERT. Sty (7
CATHERINE
ROBERT. What abou dinner?
CATHERINE
ROBERT What re you dng he, Dob
FAL My mind Tam aly on
ROBERT Dates
HAL. 1 comet you i
ROBERT: Sp St dn Clad yout hes, Do ese dae
thing thw yu, youl bounce ack (To Caerine) Ties
beac Les bck robles tt ethene eo
stent nc loking
CATHERINE. Fine” (Bing) Excuse me
ROBERT. Sorry, I'm rude. Ha
Hold Dobe
CATHERINE. 4
HAL H
ROBERT Ha 2 gd sradene
ak his is my daughter Cather
yo havea drink with us Catherine
Fs doing ls PAD, ver
for him his work coincided with
tment and he go stuck wth me
HAL. No, no, igs been — ve been fry
CATHERINE. How lng have you Sas of C2
HL, Well ve been working oa my thei fo
ROBERT. Hate in our “Infinite
‘completion of his dissecaton,
you like» dink, Hal
HAL, Yes woul
And wh, with all de respect. (Pe
ROBERT. Rell? (ie
AS he approiches
ime approaches iii
“6
rT
HAL. (Cheri) Worst samme of my ie
ROBERT. Congratulations
HAL. Its juss deaf Based on everything we talked about ls
Tang bn pour drink Fal babble)
Pe rote 1 sould ya the quarter started, oti
Sys now orl of do another dat but I fig
should gine
jue get Ht over with, 01
ted fuck tT, T mean Tos
thought Tl je come ver and se if you were home aad —
ROBERT. Dink this
HAL. Thanks, (He drink)
T decided I dont know fi fas done, maybe eis
ROBERT Wrong ITit els done ehere are major estors
AL, Ub
ROBERT Thats olay hats good, well find them and fix chem,
Dont worry. Yocom your way co said caret, youl be teaching
vraang versions of your inno fine
HALe Thankyou
ROBERT, Catherine’ inthe math deparcment
hsp red)
Northwestern,
Hal. (Cacherine .
HALL On who are you working with?
Tin jst tating ths. Undergrad
CATHERINE
ROBERT. Shes stating in thee week?
CATHERINE. A inde more Bes, ae
ROBERT. They have some good people ar Nonhweses
O'Douohue. Kamins
CATHERINE. Ye.
ROBERT. They wll work your as of
CATHERINE. To
ROBERT. Youll have o run precy hart to cach up
CATHERINE, 1 think [can doi
ROBERT, Of curse you cin. (Re,
HAL. You must be ected.
CATHERINE. [am
AL. Fist year af chool can be great
CATHERINE, Yet
HAL. Sure all the new people new places, geting owt ofthe
house
CATHERINE, (Einburraved) Yes HAL. (im
ROBERT. Absolutly, geting the hell ouc of ere, shank God, is
about ine. I'l be gla to ee the back of het
CATHERINE. You wil
ROBERT. Ofcourse, Maybe I want to have the pace to myslf
fora whil, dd that ever occur
children seminal thi parents (To Carine) We cou se
CATHERINE come bac. ibe here every
Sunday cooking up bg as of pasta ts ou through the week
ROBERT. And Il dive vp, su
CATHERINE, “Good, So wll be in couch
ROBERT. Sure Andifyougtstck wth problem, gvemea cl.
CATHERINE. Oly Sime toyou
ROBERT. Fine: Mae suet etme yournumbet (To Hal) Ti
actually looking forward to geting some work doe
HAL. Oh, what are you working ont
ROBERT. Noching. ear)
Nothing athe omen
Which i gd of say.
isis the time of year when yo
dawn to anyching. You want to be outde 1
love Chicag in September. Perfect skis, Sloat on the water
Cabs losing: Warm the san sl hot
with the occasional Blase
d 1 keep you on your ‘oes remind you of winter,
Seudents coming back, booktorts fll, exerybody Busy.
Twas ina bookstore yesterday. Completely Fly students bu
ing books. browsing. Students do shell of «lou of browsing
dont they? Just bring. You se them shuffling around. with
thei backpacks, goofing of, aking up space, Youd eal loitering
except every ance in while they pik up a book and fp the
page: “Browsing” L admire [es an honest way ol an aft
hoon. In the back ofa used bookstore, or going through a crate of
somebody’ old record albums — not loking for anything, jst
looking, what the hell, ouching the od book jacket seeing wha
somebody threw out, esing what they undedined
find something gest, ke an old hile with a pained cover fom
the fonts ofa textbook one of your profesor used when he mas
seadent — hs name is writen ine very carefully Ye, [ke
ie Tle watching the eudemes. Wondering what theyre gonna
by, what theyte gonna ted. What kindof ideas they come up
with whea they sete down and get t0 work
Tim not dung nich right now It dos get hare. a sere
‘ype tha happens eo be tue unfortunately for me —unforanacly
CATHERINE. Maybe youl gr lucky
ROBERT, Maybe wil
Maybe youl pick up where eft off
CATHERINE. Dott hold your breath
ROBERT. Dont underestimate youre
CATHERINE. Anyway. (ew.
ROBERT. Another dink? Cay? Hal?
CATHERINE. No thanks
HAL. Thanks, ell should ge going
ROBERT. Ave you sre?
HAL. Yes
ROBERT Tl call you when fe looked aes. Done hink abou
ical then, Enjoy yourself, se some movies.
HAL. Olay
ROBERT. You can come by ay office in a week, Call ic
HAL. The eleventh
ROBERT Yeu wel. (Bost. He suns 0 Catherine. Grave)
Tram sory. {used t have prety good memory for numbers.
ispoy hy
CATHERINE. Thank you
ROBERT: Yam so ogy I'm embaraed
CATHERINE. Dad, don be spi
ROBERT. I dds gc you anything
CATHERINE, Dow ory abot
ROBERT. Tn aking yo out
CATHERINE. You dof hae
ROBERT: Weate going out! dst wae shop and cook. Lett
goo dinnce Lets eet hell ow oh eighbood. What do
wea sant ts ea Tors go tothe North Sts: Or Chinatown. Or
CATHERINE. Whatever you want
4“ Ee een ee meee
ROBERT. Whuver you want goddamn, Catherine, is you
CATHERINE. Stak
ROBERT, Steaks
CATHERINE. No fis be
ROBERT. Done
CATHERINE” That Chicago bear thats watery wth no fa
sn ou ean ju dink gallons ok >
ROBERT hey pnp the Water ut of ak Michigan an
CATHERINE, 1610 afi
ROBERT. Ives tse fore mys
CATHERINE Then the tsk alle ely Back, an pottocs
and creamed spinach,
ROBERT Lenembers lc Hi lh ik wi do
CATHERINE. apd doser
OBERT, Thar goes without syng Ws your birthday, hoor
CATHERINE. (7 Hal) Were being de. Do you wane ome?
HAL. Oh, no {shou
ROBERT. Why nod Plase ome
CATHERINE” Come on” (A riny moment beswecn Hal and
Gaberie al wes thor)
HAL No, Lash pln Thank you tho
CATHERINE. Thanks Wel. tec jou oat
ROBERT. Isc you onthe deventh al
HAL Gre
CATHERINE. t'm gona change my clothes, Dad. Tbe ready
dum. He opens to bk page He wer) fre
ROBERE. “Sepamber fur
relly cold beer. Really cheap bos
Fade
Scene
rand Hal
HAL. You wrote hie
CATHERINE, Yeu
CLAIRE, You mean Dad dictated it
CATHERINE. Ne, ie my proof. es mine 1 wr
CLAIRE. When? 7 ie
EXTHERINE. strc after 1 quit schoo. finished a few
‘month before Dad ded
CLAIRE. Did hese i
CATHERINE. "No. He didst know Twas working on it Ie
woul hi
HALT dont understand — yon did this by younel?
CATHERINE. Ye. :
CLAIRE, I in Dad’ noeboo H
CATHERINE. Tw onc of is blank books, There were bunch
fof them upaine. (Bear) 5
CHAIRE. (Hal) Tell me exactly where you found this
HAL ln hie rad
CATHERINE. In his dekbeeim be—
CRAIRE. (Te Catherine) Hold on. (To Hal) Where dil you
HAT. nthe bowom drawer ofthe desk in the study, a
CLAIRE. Why war dhe drawer locke?
CATHERINE, Ws ming itr the drawer Lkesp my private things
in Tre
Fal) Was there anything ee in the drawer:
CLAIRE. 1
HAL. No. iesay
CATHERINE, No, thats the only — ct
GLAIRE. Can Ise i (al ies Claire be bok She pages tru
Bee as a (le Catering) The book was in the
fi Beat) Yon EEE eee
told him where to find it. You gave him the key. You
‘wrote this incredible thing and you dn ell anyone?
CATHERINE. I'm cling you both now. Afer {dropped ovt of
school I had nothin
sd, reilly depressed, but
2 certain point I decided Fuck it I dont need ther,
an Ke wong her wl
CLAIRE" Cathrns Tm soy but If nd th ey oe
believe
CATHERINE. Chit wrote The poof
UAIRE, Tin ory 1 —
CATHERINE
CLAIRE, This i Dad andwein
CATHERINE, Is not
CLAIRE, Tooke est kee
CATHERINE. Its my wing
CLAIRE, Tim sony
CATHERINE. Atk Hal, Hes been loking a Dads wing for
weeks. (Clare gine Tel he book He lets atic Beat)
HALT dont know
CATHERINE. Hal, ome on
CLAIRE. Whar desi ok ke
HAL. Ic loke
tok tie
CATHERINE. tc LOOKS tke THAT.
FHL, Okay. ely (Ret He hens bok back.)
CLAIRE. Tei’ — you know wha I thks ay and po
Etotinal thingy s0 maybe we should al on ake eal
CATHERINE” You dont bl
CLAIRE, 1 dot know I rly don ow anything about his
CATHERINE. Nevermind {dont know why lexparte
Bele me abou ANYTHING.
CLAIRE: Could you tll he proof That would show
CATHERINE, You wouldnt understand ie
CLAIRE. Talc otal
CATHERINE.” (Taking she book) We could elk through i
SE Tene wate te tak,
GENIORIOE rosa on) Thi pope
2 a Wi hme iho lo
fisother you know there thing evn
HAs Look, Catherine — eee
CATHERINE. Well go trough che proof together. We
Ahn — if Chir wil pes lm ave my book back =
CERLRE, (Giving bre Bot) A gh al i hough
Frat Thar mighe ake days anit tll woulda show thats
CRERINE, why 9 ee
CATHERINE, J hve writen ad epi! 2 Yu
FEA ed oe Bm jus yang there mo poo ha
ESIHERIE,ofcoupe dis cme He
es tent be Sea Mone t kaow da
HAL, oere sight. Olay. Heres my sugetion [know che
Hear yeaah department, vty sharp, disinterested people who
Hane ther knew hi work Le me take this them.
CATHERINE. WHAT?
hom wee found something, something potentially
ea aca not ure bout the authorship: I sc down with
Tee wc ge through the thing cxeflly —
GAINS Solgue ou acy wha ce got. Ie woul on
A a ta poly and then wed have 2 ot more
ATR Think hat ance sugetion
CATHERINE. You cnt
CLAIRE: Carn EEE ee eee
(CATHERINE, Not You can take ic
HAL, Ti not “taking” ic
CATHERINE, This ts what you waned
HAL Ob come on, ess,
CATHERINE. You dont waste any time, do you? No hesitation,
You cant wait o show then your bilan dicove
HAL. Tn eying eo determine what thi
CATHERINE. Tin telling you what it is
HL. You don't know!
CATHERINE. LWROTE i
HAL. IT'S YOUR FATHER'S HANDWRITING. (Be
Pind) Atleast lok an aul lo ike the wring in te oer
books. Maybe your writing look exactly ke his don't know.
CATHERINE” (Sgt Tt docs look like his,
Aidit show this 0 anyone ee could have. L wanted you to
be the fis 1o see eT didnt now I wanted that unl lst
Ine ME, T eased you.
HAL. iknow
CATHERINE, Wes | wion
AL. No.1
CATHERINE, I should have known she would belive me but
shy done yous
HAL, This isone of his aotebooks. The exact sme kind he used
CATHERINE. Told you. [just used one of his blank books
HAL There arent any exea
inthe say
CATHERINE” The ere whe I ard ing the roa.
apt chem fr him. He used the et up ltr
HAL, And the wing :
CATHERINE, You wine co txt the handweing?
HAL. No. Iedocnt mater He could have dated icc you or
Chae. still doesnt make seme
CATHERINE. Wy noe
HAL. fm a machematcian,
CATHERINE, You
AL. 1 know how had ic woul be o come up with something
like tis. mean is impor, Yul have to be youd have te
beryour dad, scaly Your dad ashe peak a his powers
CATHERINE, 1m a mathematician 100
AL. Not ke your dad
CATHERINE. Oh hes the only one who could have done tie
HAL, The only one t know
CATHERINE, Are you su?
TIAL Your father was the most —
CATHERINE. Jo because ou andthe es of he gc wor
Shipod him dost mean he wrote this proof, Hal
Hew th My generis prod
ike bm He rvulutionized the fd ewie efor he was event
eee iin sorry, Catherine, but you took some classes
CATHERINE. Te would b di ‘you, wouldn't i
And forthe oe gk who Barely finshed chit P
attkng cane doing ame carh, bragging about the conferences
eee WOW playing in an awful band, and whining
Hoe Shag intellectually ps ie at-cwenty-cight, BECAUSE
THEY ARE, (Boor Hal estate shen abraply ext Bes
vere lok dosed)
Catherine is frou and
GIAIRE. Kai
Let go inside
Kasi’ (Catherine o
dat t,he goo to take i fom br. They
‘he Bk aay Dey ssand spare, broahing bard. Afer& momen
Fade BEE eee ame
he net dey The porch i empey Krak
off Noone
porch and loc on the backdoor
HAL, Catherine? (Clie one
HAL. Is Catherine hese? .
CLAIRE Tao ha hi pod ein,
HAL, Could I see her : _
wait until she seems okay to travel ree
CLAIRE. About you? No.
CLAIRE, Neither of us did. ‘i
HAL. in ory thats none your buns
CLAIRE. Bullshit. I have o take care of her K's i
CLAIRE. Your timing was noe great. :
ides
bichander
HAL, te wasn ny timing, it was both of our
CTAIRE. “Whytl you do You know what she ke She's eagle
Fon No es what we both wanted, I did mean ro hurt hee.
CLAIRE, You di
HAL. File o elke to Catherine, ples
CLAIRE. You cx
HAL. Ave you taking her away?
CLAIRE. Yes
HAL. To New York
CLAIRE. Yes
AL. Just going to drag er o New Yo
CLAIRE. IFT ive to
HAL. Dont you think she should have some 3
CLAIRE If shes noc going co speak, what ee ea I
HAL. Le me. Let me ako het
CLAIRE Fas ie op This has nothing todo with you
FAL: {iow ber Shes tougher ha you think, Cla
CLAIRE. hae
TA Se cn handle hes, She cn handle king vo me
maybe it woul help Maybe she ike
ERIRE, "Maybe shed ee Are you ou of your
MEE dont Low het Sh my ser Js you icking mah
ein: You dont thnk You dx know what yout doing You
Sas a ceing thee casropbes and people Ue me
Seid up ingame dean ther up. (Bes
‘Shencds to ge out of Chicago, ut ofthis hou. gv
ind? Youre
at’ ity thatthe del
HAL. Okay Beat Hal dest move)
CLAIRE. I dont mean tobe rude bur I have alo 10 do.
I Theres one more thing, Youte nor going ike i
CLAIRE, Sure, ake the notebook
HAL. (Seoaled) 1 —
CLAIRE, Hold on a seo I gi for you. (She goer imide
reruns with the notebook She gies it al
7 EEE eee ame eee
HAL I shought this would be hander,
CLAIRE, Done wor Fundertand, I very sweet you want
sce Catherine but of cours youl like to sec the otchook too Scene 4
HAL. (uf) Ies— No, ite my esponsibility —asa profesional
yas earlier, Robert rm the
CLAIRE. Relax I dont care Take: What would 1 do with i ne Abt he ae hl ers cri, br tom te
HAL, You sure por ear ire He writes in ate.
CLAIRE. Yer, of course Moment we ear Catherine wit frm
HAL. You wast me with chit
CLAIRE, Yes
TAL. You ast said I dont know what I'm doing ee eae
cat
CLAIRE. T thik youre lil bit ofan idiot bt youre not dis her fh 7
honest Someone needs to Figure out what in there I att die ‘heat you ding out bere
Ie should be done here a Chicagor my father would ike that ROBERT. Working a
When you decide what we've go lee me know what the Fanly CATHERINE. Ite Deceit deg
Should do, ROBERT 1 know. (Catherine ares tb, bai
HAL. Thanks.
CATHERINE. Dont you ned com?
hac sesment for myssl®
ERE pon shank mei by fa the most coment option ROBERT. Dont you think Tan make
henever you want CATHERINE, Arent you cold? oft
HAL, Olay. al erst ext Claire eitees, shen) ROBERT, Of course lam! Fan freeing my 25 0
CLAIRE, Hal CATHERINE. So what ae you doing ot he
HAL, Yo ROBERT, Thinking Weiing
CLAIRE. Can you rll me about i? The pro! jus carious CATHERINE. Youre gonna fee ors dey one the ait,
HAL. Ie would take some time, How much math have you gor arrears tos bar fr the house The ria
(Beat)
inchs werent so old
Ao the eanking eat concen he hse wer ld
CLAIRE. Tm a cuzeney analyst. It helps to be very quick with AN have ener aie hsing but we doa 30
number La | probaly inetd about oneness of here o get any work done
ny fathers abilig Is enough
CATHERINE. Til wn
ROBERT. Tm okay
be CATHERINE. T've been calling, Didn't you hear the phone?
SOWERT. Is nr faut
aOR AERINE® I unt know what wer going on had
ale way down er
ROBERT, can otha eeereureceeert
CRPHERINE, Thad kip cas, (She ring
RGBERE. Wal im er Caetne, but is quesion ofp He ee eee emer eee
CATHERINE. You'e working?
ROBERT. Goddamn am working! say “I” — the machinery
The machinery is working, Catherine, it on fall bse Al the
vlindes are rng, Tm oni. Thats why [came out here, coe
haven ft like hi for year
CATHERINE. You kidding
ROBERT. No
CATHERINE, dost believe
ROBERT. 1 don beleve iether! Buri tue estate about 2
weck ago. woke up, cme downstairs, made cup of collec snd
before T could pour in the miki as ike someone tu
IGHT on in my head
CATHERINE. Realye
ROBERT. Noc the lig, che whole POWER GRID. 1 UT UP
CATHERINE. You're kidding?
ROBERT. No! im bck im back nrouch wit the source — the
o im in contact with iagin Pm SITTING om it
teyscr and In shooting ight up nt the stom op of
itienne wy ca"? 4
ROBERT. Tn noe talking about divin inspiration. 1s noe fa
ting down in my hel ado the pagel ae work
ping tobe ea. But the ra materia is there es ie Ive been