Free Tea and Sympathy by Robert Anderson

watch)
     
     
Laura, I . . .
     
     
     
     
LAURA

(She backs away from him)
     
     
I know, you've got to go. But it's just that, I don't know, we don't touch

any more. It's a silly way of putting it, but you seem to hold yourself

aloof from me. A tension seems to grow between us . . . and then when we

do . . . touch . . . it's a violent thing . . . almost a compulsive thing.
     
     
(BILL is uncomfortable at this accurate description of their relationship.

He sits troubled. She puts her arms around his neck and embraces him,

bending over him)
     
     
You don't feel it? You don't feel yourself holding away from me until

it becomes overpowering? There's no growing together any more . . . no

quiet times, just holding hands, the feeling of closeness, like it was

in Italy. Now it's long separations and then this almost brutal coming

together, and . . . Oh, Bill, you do see, you do see.
     
     
(BILL suddenly straightens up, toughens, and looks at her.

LAURA repulsed, slowly draws her arms from around his shoulders.)
     
     
     
     
BILL
     
     
For God's sake, Laura, what are you talking about?
     
     
(He rises and goes to his desk)
     
     
It can't always be a honeymoon.
     
     
(Upstairs in his room, TOM turns off the phonograph, and leaves the room,

going out into the hall and up the stairs.)
     
     
     
     
LAURA
     
     
Do you think that's what I'm talking about?
     
     
     
     
BILL
     
     
I don't know why you chose a time like this to talk about things like

. . .
     
     
     
     
LAURA
     
     
. . . I don't know why, either. I just wanted to thank you for the book

. . .
     
     
(Moves away and looks in book)
     
     
What did you write in it?
     
     
     
     
BILL

(Starts to mark exam papers)
     
     
Nothing. Why? Should I write in it? I just thought you wanted the book.
     
     
     
     
LAURA
     
     
Of course . . . Are you sure you won't have some tea?
     
     
(She bends over the tea things.)
     
     
     
     
BILL
     
     
Yes.
     
     
     
     
LAURA

(Straightening up, trying another tack at returning to normality)
     
     
Little Joan Harrison is coming over for tea.
     
     
     
     
BILL
     
     
No, she isn't.
     
     
(LAURA looks inquiringly)
     
     
I just saw her father at the gym. I don't think that was a very smart

thing for you to do, Laura.
     
     
     
     
LAURA
     
     
I thought Tom might take her to the dance Saturday. He's on the committee,

and he has no girl to take.
     
     
     
     
BILL
     
     
I understand he's no longer on the committee. You're a hostess,

aren't you?
     
     
     
     
LAURA
     
     
Yes.
     
     
     
     
BILL
     
     
I've got the mountain-climbing business this week-end. Weather man

predicts rain.
     
     
     
     
LAURA

(Almost breaks. Hides her face in her hands. Then recovers)
     
     
That's too bad.
     
     
(After a moment)
     
     
Bill?
     
     
     
     
BILL
     
     
Yes?
     
     
     
     
LAURA
     
     
I think someone should go to the Dean about Tom and the hazing he's

getting.
     
     
     
     
BILL
     
     
What could the Dean do? Announce from chapel, "You've got to stop riding

Tom. You've got to stop calling him Grace?" Is that what you'd like him

to do?
     
     
     
     
LAURA
     
     
No. I suppose not.
     
     
     
     
BILL
     
     
You know we're losing Al next year because of Tom.
     
     
     
     
LAURA
     
     
Oh, you've heard?
     
     
     
     
BILL
     
     
Yes, Hudson tells me he's moving over to his house. He'll probably be

captain of the baseball team. Last time we had a major sport captain

was eight years ago.
     
     
     
     
LAURA
     
     
Yes, I'm sorry.
     
     
     
     
BILL
     
     
However, we'll also be losing Tom.
     
     
     
     
LAURA
     
     
Oh?
     
     
     
     
BILL

(Noting her increased interest)
     
     
Yes. We have no singles in this house, and he'll be rooming alone.
     
     
     
     
LAURA
     
     
I'm sorry to hear that.
     
     
     
     
BILL

(He turns to look at her)
     
     
I knew you would be.
     
     
     
     
LAURA
     
     
Why should my interest in this