A Death in the Family
ACT TWO: SCENE ONE
Set in darkness. HARVEY and SYLVIA enter through the front door. HARVEY turns on the lights. Both are just returning from the funeral, so they should be dressed fairly well. HARVEY helps SYLVIA with her coat, then removes his own. He crosses, falls onto the couch and emits a long, heavy sigh.
SYLVIA
What's wrong?
HARVEY
Nothing.
SYLVIA
You can't lie to me, I know you too well. Something's bothering you.
HARVEY
There's nothing bothering me.
SYLVIA
Is it your father?
HARVEY
No.
SYLVIA
What is it then?
HARVEY
I'm...hung.
SYLVIA
What?
HARVEY
I've got a hangover. I don't feel so hot.
SYLVIA
How did you get a hangover?
HARVEY
How do people usually get hangovers?
SYLVIA
Don't get smart with me.
(PAUSE)
You were drinking last night?
HARVEY
Yeah. Me and Mike.
SYLVIA
You and Mike, hunh? Where did you go?
HARVEY
We stayed right here.
SYLVIA
What did your mother think?
HARVEY
She was asleep. She didn't know.
SYLVIA
Isn't that a little crass?
HARVEY
What is?
SYLVIA
Drinking before your own father's funeral.
HARVEY
He didn't know what we were doing.
SYLVIA
I think it's disrespectful.
HARVEY
What is?
SYLVIA
You heard me...drinking.
HARVEY
You drink.
SYLVIA
Not before my father's funeral.
HARVEY
Your father's still alive.
SYLVIA
Why are you being so obnoxious? I've never seen you act like this before.
HARVEY
(QUIETLY) You make more money than I do.
SYLVIA
What?
HARVEY
Never mind.
SYLVIA
What has gotten into you? You're really being snotty.
HARVEY
Sorry.
SYLVIA
God, you're starting to sound just like your brother...mocking everything anybody says.
HARVEY
I said I was sorry.
SYLVIA
(SMILES) Okay. I forgive you.
HARVEY
How...condescending.
SYLVIA
(IGNORING THE ABOVE) How drunk did you guys get?
HARVEY
Very. What's it to you?
SYLVIA
You don't have to get testy.
HARVEY
Well, I'm not on trial. You're making me feel like I am.
SYLVIA
Sorry.
HARVEY
Just because you make more money than I do doesn't give you the right to question me like I was some kind of a...a miscreant.
SYLVIA
What? I don't think I quite got the first part of that.
HARVEY
You mean the fact that you make more money than I do?
SYLVIA
Now what brought that on?
HARVEY
Michael said that it'd cause problems after we're married.
SYLVIA
How does he know?
HARVEY
Michael knows about things.
SYLVIA
He's wrong this time. We love each other...what else matters?
HARVEY
Money.
SYLVIA
Jesus Christ...
HARVEY
Mike and I talked about it last night and we kinda figured out that a wife's making more money than her husband has a psychological effect on the marriage. Michael says that's bad.
SYLVIA
He did, did he?
HARVEY
He said that love shouldn't appear on the balance sheet.
SYLVIA
Seems it does anyway.
HARVEY
How do you know?
SYLVIA
Because I make more money than you.
HARVEY
Now you're the one who's being snotty.
SYLVIA
I was just fighting back.
HARVEY
That's just it.
SYLVIA
What is?
HARVEY
Fighting. We should be discussing this...not fighting about it.
SYLVIA
We're not fighting about it.
HARVEY
We are too.
SYLVIA
No we're not.
HARVEY
Yes we are...and I don't want to discuss it anymore. Okay?
SYLVIA
Do you always do everything Michael tells you to? Can't you think for yourself?
HARVEY
Michael's smart. He says we should discuss this money problem.
SYLVIA
Screw Michael.
HARVEY
You can't. You're a virgin...remember?
(PAUSE)
And that's another thing.
SYLVIA
What is?
HARVEY
This virgin bullshit.
SYLVIA
Whoa! Just wait a minute there, buster.
HARVEY
No...you wait a minute. It's getting mighty difficult to control these...these urges I've been having lately. Now...what are we going to do about it?
SYLVIA
Why don't you lock yourself in the bathroom with a box of Kleenex?
HARVEY
That's not funny.
SYLVIA
It isn't?
HARVEY
Damnit, I'm serious. Like you said, we love each other...so what else matters.
SYLVIA
Quite a bit.
HARVEY
Like what?
SYLVIA
Like I told you before. Things. Just things.
HARVEY
That's not much of an answer.
SYLVIA
That's the best I can do.
HARVEY
No it's not. What things? As your future husband, I deserve to know.
SYLVIA
Indeed.
HARVEY
Is that all you can say? Indeed? For your information, baby, I'm a virgin too.
SYLVIA
(SMUGLY) I'm aware of that.
HARVEY
Yeah? Well, I don't wanna be one. My chastity is not a result of choice.
SYLVIA
Then go to a whorehouse. I'll loan you the money, since you seem to be obsessed with the fact that I make more of it than you do.
HARVEY
Screw you.
SYLVIA
(Sternly) Don't make me mad at you, Harvey. I mean it. This conversation has gone on far enough.
HARVEY
No it hasn't. I want to know why you're holding out on me.
SYLVIA
Are you talking about money or sex?
HARVEY
Making jokes about it won't change my mind.
SYLVIA
What mind? The way you're acting, I'm beginning to wonder whether or not you have one.
HARVEY
Now look who's starting to sound like my brother.
SYLVIA
Now look who's obsessed with his goddamned genitals.
HARVEY
Only because I haven't had a chance to use them yet.
SYLVIA
And I suppose that's my fault?
HARVEY
Well...it's not mine.
(PAUSE)
Damnit...I guess I could go to a whorehouse, or a singles bar, or something like that. But I don't want to...I think it's kind of a cheap thing to do.
SYLVIA
Jesus Christ...you're serious, aren't you?
HARVEY
Yes.
SYLVIA
(WARMLY) I'm sorry. I really am. I just wish you could understand how I feel.
HARVEY
I guess that's the problem isn't it? I've tried...believe me, I've tried. I've even pretended that I did understand. But, when you get right down to it, I just don't get it. I really thought we had something special.
SYLVIA
We do. Something much more special than you may think.
HARVEY
(CURT) Then why can't we do it?
SYLVIA
It. You know, that word really turns me off. It's so...insensitive. Like "hey baby, wanna go to my place and do it?" Shit.
HARVEY
That's not what I meant.
SYLVIA
Don't apologize.
HARVEY
I'm not. I just want to make sure you know how I feel.
SYLVIA
I do.
HARVEY
How can you? I haven't even told you yet.
SYLVIA
Tell me, then.
HARVEY
(AS HE GUIDES HER TO THE COUCH) Why don't you sit down?
(HE SITS ON THE COUCH, SHE SITS ON THE CHAIR)
Oh for heaven's sake, Syl...you can sit next to me. I promise I won't rape you.
(SHE SITS NEXT TO HIM ON THE COUCH; THEY LOOK INTO EACH OTHER'S EYES, EMBRACE AND KISS PASSIONATELY )
I love you.
SYLVIA
I love you too.
HARVEY
Then...let's go into the bedroom.
(HE TIGHTENS HIS HOLD ON HER; PUTS HIS HAND UNDER HER BLOUSE)
SYLVIA
(PULLING AWAY FROM HIM) Goddamit Harvey! You promised me you wouldn't try anything.
HARVEY
I didn't.
SYLVIA
Not yet.
HARVEY
Don't get so uptight about it. Your oh so precious hymen's still intact. Or did you break it climbing a tree when you were a little girl?
SYLVIA
Yeah, a cherry tree. Right?
HARVEY
You took the words right out of my mouth.
SYLVIA
That's never has been too difficult.
HARVEY
There it is! I knew it, I knew it, I knew it! I knew you'd say something like that sooner or later. Just because you're a college graduate doesn't automatically make you any smarter than me. I'm no dummy, you know. I'm smart too.
SYLVIA
In your own way, yes...you are.
HARVEY
What is that supposed to mean?
SYLVIA
It means I make more money than you do.
HARVEY
Frigid bitch.
SYLVIA
(AS SHE HEADS FOR THE DOOR) That does it. I don't have to take this. I'm leaving.
HARVEY
Yeah? And where are you going?
SYLVIA
Maybe I'll go get laid.
HARVEY
Really? In that case, maybe I'll go with you.
SYLVIA
Screw you, buddy.
(SILENCE; THEY GLARE AT EACH OTHER)
HARVEY
(GOES OVER TO HER; TAKES HER BY THE HAND) Sylvia...don't go...
SYLVIA
On one condition.
HARVEY
All right.
SYLVIA
Just don't ever call me frigid again.
HARVEY
I really didn't mean it anyway.
SYLVIA
You sure?
HARVEY
I'm sure.
SYLVIA
I'm not frigid.
HARVEY
You're just a virgin.
SYLVIA
What a relief.
HARVEY
(WITH A TRACE OF BITTERNESS) And so am I.
SYLVIA
Let it lie for awhile, will you? Christ...is that all you can think about?
(PAUSE)
I wonder where MIke and your mother are. Weren't they coming back here?
HARVEY
No.
SYLVIA
Oh? Where did they go?
HARVEY
Over to Uncle Sherman's house. He didn't think mom should have to cook or do anything today, so he's having a buffet catered for the family.
SYLVIA
So why aren't you over there? Weren't you invited?
HARVEY
We both were.
SYLVIA
Then what are we doing here?
HARVEY
Nothing...thanks to you.
SYLVIA
Oh, is that right? Is that why you brought me over here? To satisfy your goddamned libido?
HARVEY
No...I wanted to have sex with you.
SYLVIA
Jesus...why don't you buy a dictionary so we can communicate with each other?
HARVEY
Why don't you go to hell?
SYLVIA
I'll meet you there, stud.
(PAUSE)
I really though you were different. I guess I was wrong.
(SILENCE)
HARVEY
I just don't want to be a monk, that's all.
SYLVIA
There's more to a relationship than just---
HARVEY
Sex, I know that. But---
SYLVIA
It's not a bad start...right?
HARVEY
Yeah.
(PAUSE)
How'd you know what I was going to say?
SYLVIA
Because I've heard it all before. You men are all alike.
HARVEY
We are?
SYLVIA
(SMUGLY) You are.
HARVEY
Why?
SYLVIA
I think the reason's fairly obvious. Don't you?
HARVEY
No.
SYLVIA
Figures. Tell me, is Michael as slow as you are?
HARVEY
Don't make fun of me, Sylvia.
(PAUSE)
I'll tell you something, though.
SYLVIA
Yes?
HARVEY
(TRIUMPHANTLY) Michael's twice as smart as you are.
SYLVIA
How so?
HARVEY
(GRINS) He makes more money than you do.
SYLVIA
Oh he does, hunh?
HARVEY
Yeah. And I'll tell you another thing. You're starting to sound an awful lot like him.
SYLVIA
In what way?
HARVEY
You're being a real smartass. Making fun of me, calling me stupid...just like Mike does.
SYLVIA
(CONSIDERS IT FOR A MOMENT; THEN SPEAKS TENDERLY) He impressed me as being that type of fellow last night. He's smart and he knows it. People like that are usually very dangerous.
(PAUSE)
I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings. I guess I was just disappointed.
HARVEY
Disappointed?
SYLVIA
Yes...disappointed.
HARVEY
Why?
SYLVIA
I told you...I thought you were different than most guys.
HARVEY
Different?
SYLVIA
Different. Every man I've ever dated only had one thing on his mind, and that was getting laid. You never impressed me as being that way.
(PAUSE)
At least until now.
HARVEY
Oh, c'mon Sylvia. Be fair.
SYLVIA
What do you mean be fair? Look what you just tried to do to me.
HARVEY
I didn't try to do anything to you. I asked you.
SYLVIA
What's the difference?
HARVEY
Quite a bit.
SYLVIA
Not from my experience.
HARVEY
What experience?
SYLVIA
Never mind that. Just answer one question for me.
HARVEY
And what's that?
SYLVIA
Why does sexual intercourse top the list of priorities with most men?
HARVEY
(TAKEN ABACK BY THE QUESTION) Are you serious? You really expect me to answer that question?
SYLVIA
Yes...I do.
HARVEY
But...why?
SYLVIA
(WITH SUDDEN EMOTION) Because I just don't understand. That's why...I don't understand. Why is screwing so goddamned important to you guys? Why is the desire to procreate so much more strong in men than it is in women?
HARVEY (QUIETLY) I don't look at it as just screwing, Sylvia.
SYLVIA
But that's what it always comes down to. You guys just won't admit it. But screwing is the bottom line with relationships.
HARVEY
If that's the way you feel, maybe we'd better just call this whole thing off. Maybe we made a mistake.
(PAUSE)
Maybe I made a mistake.
SYLVIA
(DERISIVELY) How come? Because you don't get enough sex?
HARVEY
No...
SYLVIA
And I thought you were so different. I should've known better. Sex'll screw you every time.
(SILENCE)
HARVEY
Can I as you one question?
SYLVIA
No.
HARVEY
What are you so afraid of?
SYLVIA
I don't know what you mean.
HARVEY Don't play games with me, Sylvia. Why does the thought of making love to me scare you so?
SYLVIA
It doesn't...really.
HARVEY
Bull.
SYLVIA
It doesn't.
HARVEY
Sylvia...that's bullshit.
SYLVIA
Why is it so important to you? You haven't answered that yet.
HARVEY
Because I love you.
SYLVIA
Then why can't you wait?
HARVEY
That doesn't make any sense at all...especially coming from somebody like you. Why should love be confined by a formality like marriage?
SYLVIA
You were talking about sex...not love.
HARVEY
They're one in the same.
SYLVIA
(DISTANT; AS IF RECALLING AN OLD MEMORY) Not always. No...not always.
HARVEY
You still haven't answered my question. Why are you so afraid? Is it because you haven't really made up your mind about me? Am I too stupid? If that's the reason, then I think you should let me know right now. I deserve that much. Do you love me, Sylvia? Do you really love me?
SYLVIA
Yes.
HARVEY
Then...what?
SYLVIA
I can't tell you.
HARVEY
That's a cop-out if I ever heard one.
SYLVIA
Why won't you try to understand?
HARVEY
Why won't you give me a chance to understand? You're the one who said that a lasting relationship is based on trust...not just sex. Why don't you make good on your words?
SYLVIA
Because if I trusted you...I'm afraid you wouldn't trust me.
HARVEY
What?
SYLVIA
Just let it be...please?
HARVEY
No. If I did that, I'd always be wondering just what it is you're hiding from me. It'd be like a curse. I don't think I could live with that.
SYLVIA
What if I told you it wasn't any of your goddamn business.
HARVEY
Well...it's affecting my sex life. That makes it my business. What is it, Sylvia?
SYLVIA
A mistake. A sad and terrible mistake I made when I was very young and very green.
HARVEY
What did you do? Murder your mother?
SYLVIA
No more jokes...okay?
(PAUSE; SHE STARTS TO CRY SOFTLY)
HARVEY
Sylvia...
(HE HOLDS HER; A LONG PAUSE)
SYLVIA
I guess we really have nothing if I can't share everything with you.
HARVEY
Yes...
SYLVIA
(SOMEWHAT ANTICLIMATICALLY) Well...I'm really not a virgin.
HARVEY
Michael was right, then. He said last night that you were probably lying.
SYLVIA
You told your brother?!
HARVEY
Well, he was right.
SYLVIA
Did he also mention that I've been pregnant before?
HARVEY
Don't be silly.
SYLVIA
(SERIOUSLY) I'm not.
(SILENCE)
HARVEY
You're serious, aren't you?
SYLVIA
Yes.
HARVEY
Well, when...what? Where's the baby now? Did you give it up for adoption?
SYLVIA
No.
HARVEY
I don't understand. Where is it, then?
SYLVIA
Nowhere.
HARVEY
What?
SYLVIA
I said I've been pregnant, Harvey. I didn't say anything about having a baby.
HARVEY
Oh, well that explains everything. That doesn't explain anything!
SYLVIA
It does explain everything. Think about it for a minute.
HARVEY
Do you mean you had a---
SYLVIA
Yes.
HARVEY
A miscarriage?
SYLVIA
No.
HARVEY
No?
SYLVIA
No...an abortion.
HARVEY
(AS IF REACTING TO A JOKE) No...
SYLVIA
(SOFTLY) Yes.
HARVEY
You're sorry.
SYLVIA
I was going to have the baby, but I just didn't have the guts to go through with it. I was afraid.
HARVEY
Of what?
SYLVIA
Of everything. Of childbirth. Of raising a child alone. I considered suicide.
HARVEY
But you settled on an abortion.
SYLVIA
I didn't settle on anything. I was too unsettled at the time.
HARVEY
Why didn't you get married? Or did you know who the father was?
SYLVIA
Don't be cruel, Harvey. At least give me that much.
HARVEY
Cruel? You were the one who had the abortion.
SYLVIA
There's worse things in this world than never having been born, you know.
(SILENCE)
HARVEY
This story sounds familiar.
SYLVIA
It does?
HARVEY
Except the ending was different.
SYLVIA
I don't understand. I'm confused.
HARVEY
So am I, Sylvia. So am I.
(SILENCE)
SYLVIA
I'm sorry...I'm really...sorry.
HARVEY
For what? You didn't do anything to me.
SYLVIA
I should've told you.
HARVEY
Michael says we can't change what was. I think he's right.
SYLVIA
Then you're not angry with me?
HARVEY
I don't know.
(HE GOES TO THE BAR AND POURS HIMSELF A DRINK)
SYLVIA
I thought you were hung over.
HARVEY
I am. But I've discovered a sure cure.
SYLVIA
What's that?
HARVEY
Getting drunk again. So who was he? What happened? Exactly.
SYLVIA
What happened? I got screwed. In every sense of the word, I got screwed. I was younger then, you see, and I believed all of those old stories about love and romance...where the prince carries the lovely young maiden off into the sunset. I thought I was that chaste little girl...turned out I was only luggage.
HARVEY
Who was he? What was his name?
SYLVIA
He as a very subtle manipulator. His name doesn't matter...I try to forget it.
HARVEY
I just can't understand how you could let yourself get into such a situation. It's just not like you.
SYLVIA
People do change...you know.
HARVEY
Or so says Montaigne.
SYLVIA
You know about Montaigne?
HARVEY
No...just people.
(PAUSE)
I still don't understand, Sylvia. I just can't see you as being that vulnerable.
SYLVIA
Well I was. There comes a time in all our lives, I think , when we find ourselves weak and without the wisdom to tell us so...when we're too blind to read the warnings on the labels. Consequently, we get poisoned...for a very long time. When I met you, Harvey, I was just barely starting to recover. Your innocence and your compassion made my wounds heal faster than they might've under different circumstances.
HARVEY
That's very...poetic. But what happened?
SYLVIA
You want the whole story, don't you?
HARVEY
Yes.
SYLVIA
But...why?
HARVEY
I just think we should get everything out in the open.
(Silence)
SYLVIA
A long, long time ago, I met a man, a man who I eventually fell in love with...or at least I thought I was in love with him. He was older than me, you see, and I was awed by his worldly ways. I was flattered...seduced, actually...to have such an interesting guy show an interest in me. His interest was all it took to get himself laid...I made love, he got laid.
(PAUSE)
I really thought we'd get married eventually. I wanted to, though I should've known better. He was too smooth, just too self-centered to be completely sincere about anything. And that's what made him so dangerous. I was sucked in by his facade...by all his goddamned lies about how I was the only woman he'd ever really loved. And then I got pregnant. Well, so much for sweet romance. I wanted to have the baby at first...but he had other ideas. He wanted nothing to do with me, or with family life. You know what he said to me after I'd told him I was pregnant?
HARVEY
What?
SYLVIA
He asked me if I was sure he was the father...if he was actually the one who'd knocked me up, as he so aptly put it. I never saw him again after that.
HARVEY
So you decided to have an abortion.
SYLVIA
More or less. Let's just say that I didn't have the courage to have the man's baby. I was too young to be a mother...and I was seething with hatred. A child shouldn't be brought into this world under such circumstances.
HARVEY
So, how did you do it...where did you go?
SYLVIA
Well, I didn't go to some back-alley quack. It was all very antiseptic, very professional. It was done in a clinic.
HARVEY
It all sounds so cruel.
SYLVIA
It was a cruel situation. But then that's the way of the world, I guess.
HARVEY
I guess...then what happened?
SYLVIA
I met you.
HARVEY
That's it?
SYLVIA
That's more than enough, I think. I met you...you were so different, so honest. I found myself in love again...not quite afraid I'd end up getting stung once more.
HARVEY
So you told me you were a...virgin. You were afraid I was going to jump your bones, have my jollies, than run off into the sunset.
SYLVIA
That's part of the reason, yes. I didn't want to get hurt. It was a rotten thing to do, I guess. I should've told you the truth when I first saw that things were getting serious.
(SILENCE)
HARVEY
Doesn't matter.
SYLVIA
It doesn't?
HARVEY
No...what's done is done.
(PAUSE)
What's done is done.
SYLVIA
So where do we go from here?
HARVEY
Don't know. Same place we've been headed to, I suppose.
SYLVIA
What I meant was...well, what about us? What do we do?
HARVEY
I still love you, you know.
SYLVIA
(AS SHE GOES TO HIM) Harvey...you really mean that?
HARVEY
(WITH FRIENDLY SARCASM) Naw...you know I prefer blondes.
SYLVIA
But will I do?
HARVEY
I guess you'd have to.
(SILENCE)
SYLVIA
I love you.
(SHE KISSES HIM)
You're so...real.
HARVEY
(MUSING) Real...
SYLVIA
Yes. Real...a genuine person, instead of an automaton like most people are. You know how to love, how to appreciate the people who are close to you.
HARVEY
Thank you.
(SILENCE)
SYLVIA
So why don't you give me a guided tour of the house?
HARVEY
You've seen the house.
SYLVIA
I haven't seen your bedroom.
HARVEY
You haven't?
(SUDDEN UNDERSTANDING)
Oh! Yes, my bedroom. No, I guess you haven't seen it.
SYLVIA
Will you show it to me?
HARVEY
When?
SYLVIA
How 'bout right now?
HARVEY
(COYLY) Whatever for, Sylvia?
SYLVIA
I'll give you two guesses.
HARVEY
Uh, let's see. You want to see if I have fitted sheets on my bed?
SYLVIA
Nice try...very close, in fact.
(PAUSE)
Do you want to go to bed with me?
HARVEY
You mean have sex?
SYLVIA
(HER FACE REVEALS A CAUSTIC THOUGH, BUT SHE CATCHES HERSELF IN TIME; SHE SMILES INSTEAD) Yeah.
HARVEY
You didn't feel that way a few minutes ago.
(HE POURS HIMSELF ANOTHER DRINK)
SYLVIA
That was a few minutes ago.
HARVEY
What made you change your mind?
SYLVIA
What made you change yours? I've seen that I can trust you now.
HARVEY
Did you ever doubt it?
SYLVIA
I wasn't sure. I am now.
(PAUSE)
So, if you want to show me your bedroom...for an hour or two...well, that's all right with me.
HARVEY
I can't.
SYLVIA
You can't?
HARVEY
Well, you see, I'm a virgin. We'll have to wait 'til after the wedding to finish the tour of the house.
SYLVIA
(GRINNING) Shucks.
(SHE GOES OVER TO THE BAR, TAKES HIM BY THE HAND AND STARTS TO LEAD HIM TOWARD THE BEDROOM)
C'mon lover. Let's go.
HARVEY
Sylvia...no. Not now.
SYLVIA
Why?
HARVEY
Because mom and Mike will be here any minute now. Besides, screwing on the day of your father's funeral isn't part of the ritual yet, is it?
SYLVIA
(ALMOST WISTFULLY) What about making love?
HARVEY
I was only joking.
SYLVIA
Oh.
HARVEY
Really.
SYLVIA
I believe you.
HARVEY
Then don't look so hurt.
SYLVIA
I'm not. But how do you feel about me...now that you know the truth?
HARVEY
I told you.
SYLVIA
Try again.
HARVEY
Try what again?
SYLVIA
Try telling me that you understand.
HARVEY
You mean your abortion?
SYLVIA
Partly.
HARVEY
No I don't resent you. I don't understand...but I don't resent you.
SYLVIA
People make mistakes, you know.
HARVEY
I know.
SYLVIA
Sometimes I think life is nothing but a series of them. But mercy...well, mercy's not the right word, though I can't think of a better one...mercy is a virtue. It's akin to love.
HARVEY
Well, I do love you.
(PAUSE)
Ha...mercy.
SYLVIA
For lack of a better word.
HARVEY
It's a good word.
SYLVIA
Understand, I'm not really asking for mercy.
HARVEY
Nonetheless...
SYLVIA
I just want you to try to understand.
HARVEY
I'll try.
SYLVIA
And to love me.
HARVEY
I do. Always have.
SYLVIA
Then we have nothing to worry about.
HARVEY
No...we don't.
SYLVIA
(TIMIDLY) Have you changed your mind about things?
HARVEY
Yes. Several of them.
SYLVIA
Several of them?
HARVEY
Oh, it's nothing. I was just thinking about some things Mike said last night.
SYLVIA
If you don't want to stay here, we can over to my place. I'll give you an excellent tour of my apartment.
HARVEY
You know I'd like to. I have to stay here, though.
SYLVIA
Why?
HARVEY
There's something Mike and I have to discuss.
SYLVIA
Can't it wait?
HARVEY
No.
SYLVIA
Well...
(SHE SIGHS)
I guess I'll go home.
HARVEY
Now?
SYLVIA
Yes. I'm very tired.
HARVEY
All right.
(SYLVIA PUTS ON HER COAT)
HARVEY
Do you need a ride home?
SYLVIA
Oh, don't bother. I'll take a cab.
HARVEY
All right.
(PAUSE)
Sylvia?
SYLVIA
Yes?
HARVEY
(HALF QUESTION; HALF DECLARATION) Everything will be all right...?
(THEY CROSS TO THE FRONT DOOR)
SYLVIA
Yes...it will.
(THEY KISS)
Goodbye, Harvey.
HARVEY
I'll call you.
SYLVIA
Okay.
(SYLVIA LEAVES. HE GOES TO THE BAR, REFILLS HIS GLASS, THEN SITS ON A STOOL)
HARVEY
Mercy...akin to love.
(PAUSE)
Love...akin to mercy.
(ALMOST SARDONICALLY, MIXED WITH TEARS) God...an abortion.
C U R T A I N