Carol Page #5

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I wonder if you might help me findthis doll for my daughter.

THERESE reads the slip of paper.

THERESE:

Bright Betsy. She cries.

CAROL:

Oh she does?

THERESE:

And wets herself. But we’re out of

stock.

CAROL:

I’ve left it too long.

She begins to rummage through her purse.

THERESE:

We have plenty of other dolls. Allkinds, umm...

THERESE, suddenly tongue-tied, turns toward the doll display,

which CAROL turns to as well.

CAROL:

Right. What was your favorite dollwhen you were four? Do youremember?

THERESE:

Me? I never... Not many, to be

honest.

CAROL raises a cigarette to her lips, begins to light it,

THERESE interrupts.

THERESE (CONT’D)

Sorry. No smoking on the salesfloor.

CAROL:

Oh, of all the - forgive me. (beat)

Shopping makes me nervous.

THERESE:

That’s okay. Working here makes menervous.

CAROL laughs, appreciating THERESE’S commiseration.

CAROL:

You’re very kind.

Their eyes meet for a moment, before CAROL rummages insideher purse again. She produces a billfold, opens it, shows itto THERESE. It’s a photo of RINDY, CAROL’S 4-YEAR-OLDDAUGHTER.

THERESE:

She looks like you. Around themouth. The eyes.

CAROL:

(glancing at THERESE)

You think so?

THERESE looks up, clocks CAROL watching her, looks down. Abit of an awkward moment that CAROL rescues:

CAROL (CONT’D)

So what did you want? When you werethat age?

THERESE:

(no hesitation)

A train set.

CAROL:

Really. That’s a surprise. (beat)

Do you know much about train sets?

THERESE:

I do actually. And there’s a newmodel, just in last week. Hand-

built with hand-painted cars - it’sa limited edition of five thousand,

with the most sophisticatedelectric switching system - it’squite...

THERESE checks her own enthusiasm, noticing CAROL’S eyes onher.

THERESE(CONT’D)

You may have seen it. Over by theelevators? Just there-

THERESE points towards the train set and CAROL turns to look,

mulling it over. THERESE watches her every move.

CAROL:

(turns back to THERESE)

Do you ship?

THERESE:

Special delivery. Or courier.

(beat) You’ll have it in two, threedays. Two days. We’ll even assembleit.

CAROL:

Well. That’s... that. Sold.

They stand there, nodding at each other for a moment.

CAROL (CONT’D)

Shall I pay now?

THERESE:

Oh - yes, of course.

THERESE begins writing out a sales slip, then slides it overto CAROL with a pen, glancing up at her. CAROL snaps out of abrief moment of thought, a distance.

THERESE (CONT’D)

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