JEAN ASHTON
(awakening her daughter)
Margaret... Margaret, love.

MARGARET PORTER
(rousing herself from sleep)
What time is it?

JEAN
You're all right. No need to rush.

MARGARET
What time did the all-clear go?

JEAN
Soon after four. You dropped off when you came in, and I hadn't the heart to wake you.

MARGARET
I'd better get cracking, hadn't I?

JEAN
You just lie there and drink your tea.

(She hands a cup of tea to Margaret.)

JEAN
I called you ten minutes early on purpose.

MARGARET
Is Robert up yet?

JEAN
Robert can stay in bed all day if he wants to. Breakfast in bed today, I think.

MARGARET
That's right. You spoil him and enjoy yourself.

(She takes a sip of tea and becomes quite serious.)

MARGARET
I won't be back 'til after tea today, Mum.

JEAN
Won't you, dear?
(fighting her emotions)
Something on at the school?

MARGARET
No, I'm going around to Michael's.

JEAN
Oh, I see. Will you be staying for tea?

MARGARET
Yes, I think I will.

(There is an awkward moment of silence.)

MARGARET
Mum...

JEAN
Yes, dear.

MARGARET
I know what I've done has upset you terribly, and I'm sorry. That's why I haven't said anything before about what we plan to do.

JEAN
You and Michael...

MARGARET
You see, Michael asked me some time ago to go and live with him. And I'm going to tell him tonight that I will. It seems the only practical thing to do.

JEAN
Yes, I suppose it does.

MARGARET
You won't be too unhappy about it?

JEAN
I won't be able to be completely happy about it. I'm made the way I am, and we all have things that make us more unhappy than others. I try to be intelligent about it, of course, but when you're brought up in a certain way, you can't entirely ignore your emotions.

MARGARET
I'm sorry.

JEAN
No. No...so long as you're happy.

(She picks up the tea tray and leaves the room.)

 

(from "The Forty-Eight Hour Pass" by John Finch)