It Looks As If 'Daddy' Has Found Himself A Girlfriend
Time: Later in the day after Mason and Kelly's confrontation. It's also the day of
C.C.'s birthday before the party.
Setting: The atrium of the Capwell home.
Characters: Mason, Ted, Kelly, and Philip
Premise: Mason is keeping close tabs on the gift packages that C.C. is
receiving. He's looking for anything that might be the tape recording. Ted and
Kelly enter the area together and approach Mason who is sitting at the table
examining the unopened gifts.
Ted: (In a playful mood) Anything in there for you?
Mason: Funny.
Kelly: Smaller pile than usual.
Ted: Well it had to happen eventually. People ran out of ideas. I mean, what do you give
to a man who has everything, huh?
Mason: Give him what he'll appreciate. More
Ted: More? Now that's tough to wrap. Like less but-
Kelly: Even tougher to wrap.
Mason: I wonder, (stands up,) am I the only serious member of this family?
Ted: No, but you're working on being the most boring. (In response to
Mason's glare, he backs away from him while humming innocently.)
Kelly: You're in fine spirits today, Ted. You 'must' have a date with
'that' Lockridge girl.
Ted: Kelly! Shame on you! Now you know better
than to mention 'that' name in front of Mason. (He
starts talking in a creepy tone.) His skin crawls, his
stomach churns, and his eyes turn this curious
shade of black.
Mason: Not today, children, nothing is going to bother me today, not
even the misplaced taunting of my misguided siblings. (He picks up
one of the gifts.) You guys see this, from Pamela. She hasn't sent dad
a gift since the divorce.
Ted: Why don't you open it, Mason? We know
you're dying to.
Mason: Why don't you fold it three-ways and-
(The phone rings) answer the phone.
Ted: (Bounces over to pick up the phone receiver.) Hello. (Doorbell rings.) Hey Eden,
how are you? I'm doing just fine. (Philip the butler walks past to answer the door.) Well,
it could be much better. In school-hating it, in love-loving it. (Laughs and then Pause.)
No kidding? You're on your way here? (Pause) No, I won't tell dad. We'll keep it a
secret between us. Okay. All right. Okay. Same to you, kid. Okay. See you at the party.
Bye.
Philip: (Approaches Mason at the gift table.) Another delivery, sir. (Ted returns to
the table.)
Mason: Thank you, Philip. (Takes the packages and examines them. He reads the
attached note out loud.) 'Happy birthday from an acquaintance.' Hmmm.
Ted: I wonder where the birthday boy is?
Philip: He left early.
Mason: An appointment.
Kelly: Yeah, sounds like daddy. He can’t stop working even on his
birthday.
Mason: No, Kelly. I don't this is work, at least not in the sense you're referring to.
Ted: So he's grabbing a couple of hours of relaxation. Good for him.
Mason: Good for both of them.
Kelly: Both?
Mason: I guess you're old enough to know. It looks as if 'daddy' has found himself a
girlfriend.
Ted: Oh, you got to be kidding! Well, who?
Mason: You'll have to ask dad, that.
