Tea and Sympathy Read online

  What's this?

  TOM (Hesitates for a moment. Then)

  A costume Mrs. Reynolds made for me. I'm in the play.

  HERB

  You didn't write about it.

  TOM

  I know.

  HERB

  What are you playing?

  (Looks at dress.)

  TOM

  You know The School For Scandal . I'm playing Lady Teazle.

  HERB

  Tom, I want to talk to you. Last time we tried to talk, it didn't work out so well.

  TOM

  What's up?

  HERB

  Tom, I'd like to be your friend. I guess there's something between fathers and sons that keeps them from being friends, but I'd like to try.

  TOM (Embarrassed) Sure, Dad.

  (He sits on the bed.)

  HERB

  Now when you came here, I told you to make friends slowly. I told you to make sure they were the right kind of friends. You're known by the company you keep. Remember I said that?

  TOM

  Yes.

  HERB

  And I told you if you didn't want to go but for sports like football, hockey . . . that was all right with me. But you'd get in with the right kind of fellow if you managed these teams. They're usually pretty good guys. You remember.

  TOM

  Yes.

  HERB

  Didn't you believe me?

  TOM

  Yes, I believed you.

  HERB

  Okay, then let's say you believed me, but you decided to go your own way. That's all right too, only you see what it's led to.

  TOM

  What?

  HERB

  You made friends with people like this Harris guy who got himself fired.

  TOM

  Why is he getting fired?

  HERB

  He's being fired because he was seen in the dunes with you.

  TOM

  Look, I don't --

  HERB

  Naked.

  TOM

  You too?

  HERB

  So you how what I'm talking about?

  TOM

  No, I don't.

  HERB

  You do too know. I heard my sister tell you once. She warned you about a janitor in the building down the street.

  TOM (Incredulous)

  Mr. Harris . . . ?

  HERB

  Yes. He's being fired because he's been doing a lot of suspicious things around apparently, and this finished it. All right, I'll say it plain, Tom. He's a fairy. A homosexual.

  TOM

  Who says so?

  HERB

  Now, Tom --

  TOM

  And seeing us on the beach . . .

  HERB

  Yes.

  TOM

  And what does that make me?

  HERB

  Listen, I know you're all right.

  TOM

  Thanks.

  HERB

  Now wait a minute.

  TOM

  Look, we were just swimming.

  HERB

  All right, all right. So perhaps you didn't know.

  TOM

  What do you mean perhaps?

  HERB

  It's the school's fault for having a guy like that around. But it's your fault for being a damned fool in picking your friends.

  TOM

  So that's what the guys meant.

  HERB

  You're going to get a ribbing for a while, but you're going to be a man about it and you're going to take it and you're going to come through much more careful how you make your friends.

  TOM

  He's kicked out because he was seen with me on the beach, and I'm telling you that nothing, absolutely nothing . . . Look, I'm going to the Dean and tell him that Harris did nothing, that --

  HERB (Stopping him)

  Look, don't be a fool. It's going to be hard enough for you without sticking your neck out, asking for it.

  TOM

  But, Dad!

  HERB

  He's not going to be reappointed next year. Nothing you can say is going to change anyone's mind. You got to think about yourself. Now, first of all, get your hair cut.

  (TOM looks at father, disgusted)

  Look, this isn't easy for me. Stop thinking about yourself, and give me a break.

  (TOM looks up at this appeal)

  I suppose you think it's going to be fun for me to have to live this down back home. It'll get around, and it'll affect me, too. So we've got to see this thing through together. You've got to do your part. Get your hair cut. And then . . . No, the first thing I want you to do is call whoever is putting on this play, and tell them you're not playing this lady whatever her name is.

  TOM

  Why shouldn't I play it? It's the best part in the play, and I was chosen to play it.

  HERB

  I should think you'd have the sense to see why you shouldn't.

  TOM

  Wait a minute. You mean . . . do you mean, you think I'm . . . whatever you call it? Do you, Dad?

  HERB

  I told you "no."

  TOM

  But the fellows are going to think that I'm . . . and Mrs. Reynolds?

  HERB

  Yes. You're going to have to fight their thinking it. Yes.

  (TOM sits on the bed, the full realization of it dawning.)

  RALPH (Sticks his head around the stairs from upstairs, and yells)

  Hey, Grace, who's taking you to the dance Saturday night? Hey, Grace!

  (He disappears again up the stairs.)

  HERB

  What's that all about?

  TOM

  I don't know.

  (LAURA, as the noise comes in, rises and goes to door to stop it, but AL comes into the hall and goes upstairs yelling at the boys and LAURA goes back to her chair.)

  HERB (Looks at his watch)

  Now . . . Do you want me to stay over? If I'm not going to stay over tonight, I've got to catch the six-fifty-four.

  TOM

  Stay over?

  HERB

  Yes, I didn't bring a change of clothes along, but if you want me to stay over . . .

  TOM

  Why should you stay over?

  HERB (Stung a little by this)

  All right. Now come on down to Bill's room and telephone this drama fellow. So I'll know you're making a start of it. And bring the dress.

  TOM

  I'll do it tomorrow.

  HERB

  I'd feel better if you did it tonight. Come on. I'm walking out with Bill. And incidentally, the Dean said if the ribbing goes beyond bounds . . . you know . . . you're to come to him and he'll take some steps. He's not going to do anything now, because these things take care of themselves. They're better ignored . . .

  (They have both stared out of the bedroom, but during the above HERB goes back for the dress. TOM continues out and stands on the stairs looking at the telephone in the hall.)

  HERB (Comes out ole the study. Calls back)

  See you Al. Take good care of my boy here.

  (Starts down stairs. Stops)

  You need any money?

  TOM

  No.

  HERB

  I'm lining you up with a counselor's job at camp this year. If this thing doesn't spoil it.

  (Stops)

  You sure you've got enough money to come home?

  TOM

  Yes, sure. Look Dad, let me call about the play from here.

  (He takes receiver off hook.)

  HERB

  Why not use Bill's phone? He won't mind. Come on.

  (TOM reluctantly puts phone back on hook)

  Look, if you've got any problems, talk them over with Bill -- Mr. Reynolds. He's an old friend, and I think he'd tell you about what I'd tell you in a spot.

  (Goes into master's study)

  Is Bill ready?

  LAURA

  He'll be right down. H
ow does the costume work?

  TOM

  I guess it's all right, only . . .

  HERB

  I'd like Tom to use your phone if he may -- to call whoever's putting on the play. He's giving up the part.

  LAURA

  Giving up the part?

  HERB

  Yes. I've . . . I want him to. He's doing it for me.

  LAURA

  Mr. Lee, it was a great honor for him to be chosen to play the part.

  HERB

  Bill will understand. Bill!

  (He thrusts costume into LAURA'S hand and goes off through alcove)

  Bill, what's the number of the man putting on the play. Tom wants to call him.

  (LAURA looks at TOM who keeps his eyes from her. She makes a move towards him, but he takes a step away.)

  BILL (Off stage)

  Fred Mayberry . . . Three-two-six . . . You ready, Herb?

  HERB (Off stage)

  Yes. You don't mind if Tom uses your phone, do you?

  BILL

  Of course not.

  HERB (Comes in)

  When do you go on your mountain-climbing week-end, Bill?

  BILL (Comes in)

  This week-end's the outing.

  HERB

  Maybe Tom could go with you.

  BILL

  He's on the dance committee, I think. Of course he's welcome if he wants to. Always has been.

  HERB (Holding out phone to TOM)

  Tom.

  (TOM hesitates to cross to phone. As LAURA watches him with concern, he makes a move to escape out the door)

  Three-two-six.

  (TOM slowly and painfully crosses the stage, takes the phone and sits.)

  BILL

  Will you walk along with us as far as the dining hall, Laura?

  LAURA

  I don't think I feel like supper, thanks.

  BILL (Looks from her to TOM)

  What?

  HERB

  I've got to get along if I want to catch my train.

  (TOM dials phone.)

  BILL

  Laura?

  (LAURA shakes her head, tight-lipped.)

  HERB

  Well, then, good-bye, Laura . . . I still like you.

  LAURA

  Still going to the Dean's, Bill?

  BILL

  Yes. I'll be right back after supper. Sure you don't want to walk along with us to the dining hall?

  (LAURA shakes her head.)

  TOM

  Busy.

  HERB (Pats his son's arm)

  Keep trying him. We're in this together. Anything you want?

  (TOM shakes his head "no")

  Just remember, anything you want, let me know.

  (To LAURA)

  See you at reunion time . . . This'll all be blown over by then.

  (He goes.)

  BILL

  Laura, I wish you'd . . . Laura!

  (He is disturbed by her mood. He sees it's hopeless, and goes after HERB, leaving door open.)

  TOM (At phone)

  Hello, Mr. Mayberry . . . This is Tom Lee . . . Yes, I know it's time to go to supper, Mr. Mayberry . . . (Looks around at open door. LAURA shuts it) but I wanted you to know . . . (This comes hard) I wanted you to know I'm not going to be able to play in the play . . . No . . . I . . . well, I just can't.

  (He is about to break. He doesn't trust himself to speak.)

  LAURA (Quickly crosses and takes phone from TOM)

  Give it to me. Hello, Fred . . . Laura. Yes, Tom's father, well, he wants Tom -- he thinks Tom is tired, needs to concentrate on his final exams. You had someone covering the part, didn't you? . . . Yes, of course it's a terrible disappointment to Tom. I'll see you tomorrow.

  (She hangs up. TOM is ashamed and humiliated. Here is the woman he loves, hearing all about him . . . perhaps believing the things . . . LAURA stands above him for a moment, looking at the back of his head with pity. Then he rises and starts for the door without looking at her. RALPH and STEVE come stampeding down the stairway.)

  RALPH (As he goes)

  Okay, you can sit next to him if you want. Not me.