Scene 24 - Carol Calls Claire

(Scene opens to darkness. We hear a phone ring from the caller's side, then a click.)

(Fade in. We see Mary's mom, Claire, picking up the telephone. She is seated on the bed.)

Claire: Hello?

(Fade in to Carol, who is at the other end of the line. She is wearing a white bathrobe, seated on her bed. Her hair is wet. A towel is draped around her neck.)

Carol: Mrs. Born?

Claire: Yes?

Carol: Hi, this is Carol, Mary's coach from softball. May I speak to Mary please?

Claire: Why, she hasn't gotten home yet. I expect her at nine thirty. I understood that she was going to San Francisco to celebrate the team's win.

Carol: Oh, I see. Perhaps some of the girls made other arrangements. She did ride up with the other coach.

Claire: Bruce.

Carol: Oh, I see. Perhaps some of the girls made other arrangements. She did Yes, that's right. I'm sure what she told you was right. No need to be alarmed. Could you tell her that she left her cleats behind and that I will bring them to practice Tuesday?

Claire: Oh dear. That child would lose her head if it weren't attached. She is that age.

Carol: Yes, I suppose she is. Anyway, I didn't mean to disturb you. Good night, Mrs. Born.

Claire: Good night. (She puts down the phone. She sits there, thoughtful, slightly disturbed, trying to figure out what's going on.)

(Carol, looking thoughful, smug, phone still cradled in her hand. She looks over to body of phone and puts the receiver down in one quick motion. She then picks up her hair brush and begins brushing her hair. She stops her brushing after a few seconds and looks up at camera, guardedly.)

(Fade)