Clear David E. Tolchinsky
He dials. He gets a machine.) CRAWLEY: (on phone) Hi, it’s me. I’ll be home soon. I love you. (He hands the receptionist back the phone, again their hands touch.) CRAWLEY (CONT’D): I’m sorry. I have a girlfriend. RECEPTIONIST: If you’re sorry, she probably shouldn’t be your girlfriend. CRAWLEY: No, I’m not sorry, I’m glad. I just meant I’m sorry I couldn’t take you up on your offer -RECEPTIONIST: Your mouth still says one thing, (definitely looking towards his crotch) your body definitely says another. CRAWLEY: Trust me: I love my girlfriend very much. RECEPTIONIST: I trust you. Does she trust you? CRAWLEY: Why shouldn’t she? RECEPTIONIST: Well I don’t know. You tell me. CRAWLEY: She should trust me. Completely. (This seems to amuse her.) RECEPTIONIST: Tell me her name. CRAWLEY: Cassandra. RECEPTIONIST: Wait -- Does she like predict the future or something? CRAWLEY: It’s her fucking name, OK? RECEPTIONIST: That’s no reason to cuss at me. CRAWLEY: I only cuss when people hit me in the head with a gun and ask me the same questions over and over and yes, she predicted the future once and yes, no one listened. (He starts to leave.) RECEPTIONIST: I can predict the future too: She’s on her way. She’ll be here soon. CRAWLEY: (turning) What. RECEPTIONIST: He told Ms. McCracken to have her come. Because you’re in trouble, more trouble than you even realize. CRAWLEY: I have to call her and tell her I’m not in trouble. RECEPTIONIST: But that’s a lie: You are in trouble, terrible, terrible trouble. Aren’t you? (He looks at her.) CRAWLEY: Yes I am. I am in terrible, terrible trouble. RECEPTIONIST: You should tell her to come right away before it’s too late. CRAWLEY: Yes, I should tell her to come right away before it’s too late. (She hands him the phone. He calls again.) CRAWLEY (CONT’D): It’s me. I’m not in trouble. The person who called you was joking. I’m fine. Just go home. I’ll be there in a little while. (He hangs up.) RECEPTIONIST: You’re a good liar. CRAWLEY: I lie when I have to. RECEPTIONIST: Because of your philandering? CRAWLEY: Because I’m a cop. RECEPTIONIST: That’s not an either or relationship is it? CRAWLEY: Yes. No. I mean she doesn’t need to know the terrible things I’ve had to do. 112 Proscenium Fall 2015