FREDA
Oh, it's changing everyone, this war!

TONY
You mean the men are ganging up. And the women are starting to wear trousers.

FREDA
(annoyed)
When didn't the men gang up?

TONY
When did you lot not wear trousers?

FREDA
(pouting)
Hmph.

TONY
Oh, dear. Whatever happened to that sweet little kid who used to have a crush on me?

FREDA
Who?

TONY
You.

FREDA
Me? When did I ever have a crush on you?

TONY
You didn't?

FREDA
Certainly not!

TONY
I hope you realise you just shattered one of my most pleasant illusions.

FREDA
Hmph.

TONY
Well, what's his name then?

FREDA
Whose name?

TONY
The grand passion. Oh, come on. You've got all the symptoms. Uh, Kangaroo Jim, is it?

FREDA
Don't be ridiculous.

TONY
Oh, so we won't be taking the first boat out to Australia when they sound the last all-clear.

FREDA
(angrily)
You think it's very funny, don't you? Little Freda having a crush. Little Freda going out to dances and dating an airman. Well, I'm not little Freda any longer, and if you...
(beginning to cry)
You don't know anything about me, any of you.

(She rushes from the room.)

TONY: Freda...

 

(from "A Time to Be Born" by John Finch)