Scampi: When I was a child.
Peter: When was this?
Scampi: Very hilarious.
Peter: I am simply looking for a degree of clarity.
Scampi: A modicum, if you will.
Peter: Could be.
Scampi: Could be.
PAUSE.
Scampi: You like adventure stories.
Peter: Oh?
Scampi: At sea.
Peter: When I was a boy.
Scampi: Yes.
Peter: There was a certain appeal.
Scampi: Are you suggesting that the appeal is gone?
Peter: I am no longer a boy.
Scampi: No debate there.
Peter: I didn’t say there was.
Scampi: And I agree wholeheartedly.
PAUSE.
Scampi: With the whole of my heart.
PETER CAREFULLY PLACES HIS HANDS INTO HIS POCKETS.
Scampi: I like tales of adventure. Myself.
Peter: [sighs] You certainly do.
Scampi: Feats of bravery, clever castaways.
Peter: Uh.
Scampi: I am for it. You know.
Peter: Fairy tales.
Scampi: Adventure.
Peter: What are you driving at? May I ask?
Scampi: Why do we always have to talk about what I’m driving at?
Peter: One wonders.
Scampi: Coffee?
Peter: No, thank you.
Scampi: Really?
Peter: Yes. Really.
Scampi: Fine.
PAUSE.
Scampi: What do you think of harmony?
Peter: Uh, harmoniousness. Or, possibly, two or more individuals producing complementary note combinations.
Scampi: What are you, a dictionary?
Peter: No.
Scampi: Right. I said what do you think about harmony. Not what is it.
Peter: How do these two subjects differ?
Scampi: What you think about something and what it is?
Peter: Yes.
Scampi: Come on.
Peter: I am here.
Scampi: I wonder sometimes.
PETER SHRUGS, IRRITABLY.
Scampi: Oh, very nice.
Peter: What?
Scampi: Nothing.
PAUSE.
Scampi: Have you ever held a baby?
Peter: Yes.
Scampi: That’s all?
Peter: Have I misunderstood the question?
Scampi: I mean, Yes? That’s all?
Peter: I have held a baby.
Scampi: What did you think about it?
Peter: I was very careful.
Scampi: Did this happen only once?
Peter: On each occasion.
Scampi: God.
Peter: You do like to invoke the Judeo-Christian deity.
Scampi: You like to presume.
Peter: I see.
Scampi: Ah, a clearing.
Peter: You call this a clearing?
Scampi: What do you call it? A meadow?
Peter: I might.
Scampi: You might.
Peter: Yes.
Scampi: Well, do you?
Peter: I could.
Scampi: Look, Peter. A meadow!
Peter: This is very nice.
Scampi: Let us rest awhile.
Peter: Where?
Scampi: How about here?
Peter: Hm.
Scampi: Or here?
Peter: Yes. Or perhaps just there.
Scampi: Okay.
PAUSE.
Scampi: I can hear the humble-bees.
Peter: What?
Scampi: Buzz buzz.
Peter: Ah.
Scampi: The clover. The honeyed air.
Peter: Mm.
Scampi: Are you sleeping?
Peter: No.
Scampi: Do you know a story?
Peter: Yes.
Scampi: Tell it!
Peter: Perhaps another time.
Scampi: Why not now?
Peter: Now is not the time.
Scampi: Why not?
Peter: B- – snurfle – vor – – fleece.
Scampi: What? What?
Peter: My voice becomes muffled when my hat is resting on my face.
Scampi: I’ll say.
PAUSE.
Scampi: I like stories.
Peter: You certainly do.
