Scene 4 - Carol and Bruce

(Scene opens to Bruce and CAROL walking opposite direction from Mary and Amica in previous scene, i.e. right to left, but mostly full-on. Carol is white, about 27, roughly 5'7" tall, with long dark, slightly curly hair, weighing about 125 lbs. She is the head coach for the girls' softball team. As they walk Carol tends to turn her body toward Bruce when she talks to him. It's a bit of a habit.)

Carol: So are you going to to go see her while you're down here?

Bruce: (Shrugs) I dunno.

Carol: You miss her, don't you?

Bruce: Of course I miss her. A little, maybe.

Carol: You and Dianna were great together. But you ran away. Why did you turn your back on her? You did, you know. And don't tell me you didn't. I was there, too, with you once. Back when it mattered between us. Things were running smoothly and, wham, you were gone. And then you did it again with her. You're such a little boy sometimes.

(Bruce starts whistling.)

Carol: No response, huh?

(Bruce keeps whistling.)

Carol: (Continues unaffected) Well, I find it amazing that you would voluntarily opt to disassociate yourself from such a beautiful woman as Dianna. so sensitive. So understanding. Such beautiful, smooth skin. (Pause) Dark and slender. Lovely, caring eyes. (Pause) And a heart of gold. It was insanity for you to leave her, y'know...

Bruce: If you're so in love with her, why didn't you marry her?

Carol: (Stops walking) That's not funny, Bruce. (Pause, then they resume walking) Well, why did you leave her? She was there for you. You weren't there for her. And I know more about it than you think I do.

Bruce: That doesn't exactly surprise me.

Carol: (Almost to herself) So why did you leave her? Maybe she left you. Did she drink? (Pause) No, I couldn't believe that. (Pause. Her eyes light up.) Maybe something sexual?...

Bruce: Hmmm, I think we took a wrong turn somewhere. Sure this is the way to the car?

(Carol starts to speak, but Bruce puts his hand up to her mouth.)

Bruce: Maybe you should channel your assertive leadership skills into something a little more positive than this, Carol Lewis. (Pause) Now what sort of roster should we have for tomorrow's game? What about the starting infield lineup?

Carol: I was thinking Cho at 1st, moving Smith over to 3rd, Born at 2nd with Garcia playing shortstop.

Bruce: K, but I think Mary might be better at first, being left handed and all. And Amy's a decent fielder. Why don't we let let her play second?

(They resume walking.)

Carol: (Looks over at Bruce, glaring, then, kind of to herself) And to think I once wrote you poetry.

Bruce: (Stops, incredulous) Carol, what on earth does that have to do with anything?

Carol: Did I say it had anything to do with anything? I don't recall having said anything I just said had anything to do with anything. Did you hear me say that?

Bruce: No, I guess I didn't.

Carol: You don't even remember my poems, anyway. You don't remember us back then.

Bruce: (Sincerely) Oh, yes I do. It was a special time in my life. And those poems... I can't figure you out sometimes. It's like you're two different people.

Carol: (Stops in here tracks, like she's been pushed) What?! Are you saying I'm crazy??

Bruce: What I thought I said was that your poems were special.

Carol: But then you said I was two people. Like I was schizo or something. You just can't take criticism, that's what I think. (Pause) So you're saying I'm not special?

Bruce: Carol.

Carol: (Continues) So you're saying I'm special? What are you saying, Bruce? (Carol is gazing at Bruce, annoyed. She then looks ahead, off camera. She puts her hands on hips. Carol's next words are spoken to Mary and Amica, who are off camera.

Carol: And where do the two of you think you're going?