DIFFERENCE OF TWO

BY

QUINT MEDIATEAnne Garcia-Romero 1/19/14 3:28 PM

Contact: Quint Mediate283 Dillon Hall719-355-6666bmediate@nd.edu

CHARACTERS

JACK SAWYER, 19, a college student

JENNIFER TULLEY, 22, an acquaintance he knows from class

PROFFESSOR MCCARTHY, 34, their math professor who recently received his Ph.D.*played by the same actor

SIR, 34, Jacks father seen in flashback*played by the same actor

FIONA WALKER, 34, an English professor full of spunk and passion for learning **played by the same actor

LINDA SAWYER, 34, Jacks mother seen in flashback**played by the same actor

SETTING

Late winter during the 1990s. Princeton University and the area surrounding.

SCENE ONE

LIGHTS RISE ON THE INSIDE OF A LOCAL COFFEE HOUSE. THE DESIGN OF THE COFFEE HOUSE IS VERY ORGANIC AND UNCONVENTIONAL, TRYING TO SEPARATE THEMSELVES FROM THE STARBUCKS, CORPORATE MODEL AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. THERE ARE SEVERAL TABLES EACH WITH TWO CHAIRS TO A TABLE. THERE IS ALSO A SOFA MEANT FOR TWO PEOPLE AND TWO COMFY CHAIRS. THE LOCATION IS CLEARLY MEANT FOR COUPLES TO CATCH UP AND TALK. JACK SITS AT A TABLE ALONE WITH HIS BACKPACK, HIS COMPOSITION NOTEBOOK, A PENCIL, AND A CUP OF COFFEE. THERE ARE TWO COUPLES IN THE STORE SIPPING COFFEE AND CHATTING QUIETLY. JENNIFER ENTERS THE COFFEE HOUSE, BUT JACK DOESNT NOTICE HER ENTRANCE. JACK FINISHES A MATH PROBLEM THAT HE HAS JUST BEEN WORKING ON.

Okay, carry the three . . . factor out the four . . . distribute . . . and that just leaves a difference of two. JENNIFER(placing Jack mentally) Thats where Ive seen you Youre the T.A. in McCarthys class this semester, Right? Complex Variables?

JACKYeah, thats me! But my office hours dont normally take place in a coffee shop...

JACK LAUGHS BUT JENNIFER DOESNT FIND THE HUMOR IN HIS JOKE. HE CLOSES HIS NOTEBOOK AND DEVOTES HIS ATTENTION TO JENNIFER.

Anyway Im Jack, and you are . . .?

JENNIFERJennifer, but everyone calls me Jen.

JACKAwesome, nice to meet you Jen. (beat) So, are you enjoying McCarthys class so far?

JENNIFER(trying not to reveal the classs difficulty)Well . . . its . . . um . . . the class is kindof . . . (giving up) Okay its really hard.

JACKDont worry about it. McCarthy can be really intimidating at first, but if you put in the effort that the class requires, he isnt that bad.

WITH THIS NEW INFORMATION REVEALED, JENNIFER SITS DOWN IN THE VACANT CHAIR AT THE SAME TABLE AS JACK. SHE IS NOW INVESTED IN WHATEVER MORE INFORMATION JACK CAN PROVIDE.

JENNIFERReally? Thats so good to hear. At the moment the class seems a little overwhelming, especially McCarthy. (beat). Do you remember on the second day of class when he called that girl out for not having the problem set ready? She started crying and then he dismissed her from class.

JACKWell, she wasnt prepared. What was McCarthy supposed to do?

JENNIFER(shocked by his response) But it was the second day of class! I mean, come on!

JACKMcCarthy was just trying to show his expectations for the future. You have to be prepared EVERY DAY in order to succeed in the class.

JENNIFERYeah I get it, but I just wanted a little grace for her before the semester really got tough. Shes a good friend of mine. Now shes considering dropping and I dont know anyone else in the class.

JACKOh, Im sorry. (beat) But, hey, the class is fairly participatory. It will be easy to meet people and maybe join a study group?

JENNIFER(dismissively) Yeah, I guess. . .

JACK(beat) Wait, this class is a requirement for math majors. How come you dont know anyone in the class? You most know some people in your major?

JENNIFERWell I transferred here after my sophomore year at Duke, so I dont really know very many of the math majors.

JACKOh, yeah, its hard making friends at this school. Youre not the only one.

JENNIFERWhats that supposed to mean.

JACKYoure really boxed in by the things you do here. Major, activities, study habits, likes and dislikes -- people label you the minute they think they have you figured out. And it takes an inordinate amount of time for their perceptions to widen and see you for everything that you really are - good and bad.

JENNIFER(sarcastically) Well you seem like quite the expert on the human psyche. How do you know all of this?

JACKJust . . .(searching for the right word) . . . deduction.

JENNIFEROkay . . . (beat) Well Im late for a meeting so Im gonna refill my coffee and head out. Ill catch you in class tomorrow?

JENNIFER GETS OUT OF THE CHAIR AND BEGINS TO GET READY TO LEAVE. SHE IS REFILLING HER COFFE CONTAINER AS JACK SAYS HIS NEXT LINE.

JACKIll be there. Im the one in the back of the class, working on my other homework.

JENNIFER(laughing)Im pretty sure you just described the entirety of our class.

JACK(taking this matter very seriously) You really should pay attention; the tests are hard if you arent following the material in class. If you need any additional help though, I am available. My office hours and contact information are on the syllabus.

JENNIFER(dismissively) Cool, thanks I gotta run now, take care!

SCENE TWO

LIGHTS RISE ON JENNIFER IN HER DORM ROOM. THERE IS A DESK, A WARDROBE, A FUTON, AS WELL AS OTHER DECORATIONS IN HER ROOM. EVERYTHING ABOUT HER DCOR SUGGESTS SHE PICKED THE GIRLIEST ITEMS THE DEPARTMENT STORE OFFERED.JACK ENTERS AND STANDS APPREHENSIVELY OUTSIDE OF JENNIFERS DOOR. IT IS CLEAR THAT JACK IS NERVOUS TO ENTER THE ROOM, BUT HE KNOCKS ANYWAY. JENNIFERComing!

SHE WALKS TO THE DOOR AND OPENS IT.

JACKJENNIFER(speaking together) Hello . . .(speaking together) Hey . . .

THE TWO OF THEM LAUGH HAVING INTERRUPTED EACH OTHER.

Thank you so much for coming! I am literally going to fail this exam tomorrow. You are a lifesaver . . . not to mention a genius at math.

SHE INVITES JACK IN AND HE HAS A SEAT ON THE FUTON.

JACKNo problem Jen. Im happy to help. I brought some leftover pie if you wanted to eat any of it Maybe as a reward after we study?

JENNIFERAww thats so sweet! What kind?

JACKBanana Cream Pie, my absolute favorite.

JENNIFERMe too! When I was little I didnt really like cake . . .

JACKSo youre mom would make a pie for your birthday? Same with me!

JENNIFERJACKNo way, thats weird, etc. (ad lib)Thats crazy, I thought I was the only one (ad lib)

JACK(beat; count five)Sooooooooo I think the best way to begin is to talk about what you are having trouble with and then go over some practice problems based on the areas in which you are struggling. Have you looked over the review sheet McCarthy sent out?JENNIFERUmmm . . . Well last night was Courtneys birthday, so we all went out to celebrate and the night before that I was going to begin studying but Rachel and I got to talking about the future and after that I just passed out. (beat) Im sorry Jack, thats why I asked for your help.

JACKWhos Courtney and Rachel? I thought you said you didnt know anyone here?

JENNIFEROh no, thats just the people in my classes. Courtney also transferred here, so I met her at orientation, and Rachel and I went to the same high school. She didnt know I transferred until I saw her at a party one day. JACKOh, well its good that you have people who you can be social with . . . (Pause)So I guess we should just work our way through the review then.

JENNIFERYeah, thatd be great.

JACK BEGINS UNLOADING HIS BACKPACK. HE TAKES OUT A PIECE OF PAPER, A PENCIL, A REVIEW SHEET, AND A COUPLE OF NOTEBOOKS.

JACKOkay the first concept on the review sheet is the Riemann Zeta Function. I had a meeting with McCarthy and he said that you are going to have to know the proof of this function extremely well in order to do well on the exam. So I think to start, you should attempt the proof.

JENNIFERUmm . . . okay.

JENNIFER ATTEMPTS TO PROVE THE FUNCTION, BUT SHE STRUGGLES WITH THE COMPUTATION. JENNIFER WRITES DOWN A COUPLE OF LINES OF THE PROOF AND THEN HANDS THE PAPER BACK TO JACK. HE LOOKS OVER IT AND BEGINS COMMENTING ON HER WORK.

JACKOkay, so . . . this isnt totally correct. Um . . . yeah, I dont really know where to start. You copied the problem down correctly! So thats a start.

JENNIFERI am so screwed.

JACKN-n-n-n-n-no , its going to be okay, I promise. How about I complete the problem step by step and show you how its laid out.

JACK BEGINS PROVING THE FUNCTION AT WARP SPEED, WRITING VIGOROUSLY ON THE PAPER. JACK CLEARLY UNDERSTANDS THE PROBLEM, WHEREAS JENNIFER COULD NOT BE MORE CONFUSED. Okay, so you start with the original equation. We know that (X, F, M) is a positively measurable space. By Egorovs Theorem, this expression converges uniformly to the set E-C. Now if you bring this . . . down here . . . and reduce the other half . . . you can plug this expression . . . to the other side. Now if the limit as N approaches infinity equals E we can deduce that F sub N is uniformly integrable.

JACK FINISHES HIS WRITING AND LOOKS UP AT JEN.

Is this making sense?

JENNIFER . . . sort of. Youre going really fast. Maybe if I saw it in a textbook I could better understand it.

JACKYeah, no problem! I think I know what chapter this is in the textbook . . .

JACKS PULLS OUT THE TEXTBOOK FROM HIS BACKPACK AND BEGINS LOOKING FOR THE CHAPTER. AS JACK SEARCHES, JENNIFER NOTICES A COMPOSITION NOTEBOOK AND LOOKS AT IT OUT OF CURIOSITY.

JENNHey Jack, whats this?

JACK(nervously) Oh . . . uh . . . thats nothing. Just a little something I write in my spare time.

HE REACHES FOR THE COMPOSITION NOTEBOOK, BUT JENNIFER SWERVES OUT OF THE WAY TO AVOID HIS ATTEMPT.JENNIFERCome on, Jack, what are you writing? . . . (glancing through the pages) I cant understand this; its all jumbled and confusing.

JACKThats because its just an outline. I wouldnt write an entire novel in a notebook, it wouldnt be practical.

HE TAKES THE NOTEBOOK FROM JENNIFER AND THEN PUTS IT IN HIS BACKPACK. THIS NEW INFORMATION ONLY PIQUES JENNIFERS INTEREST EVEN MORE.

JENNIFERWait, Jack, youre writing a novel? That is so cool, why dont I know about this? Whats it about? Whos the main character? Is it based off of events in your life? Have long have you been working on this?

JACK Woah, enough with the questions! Geez! Yes I like to write, can we move on please?

JENNIFERBut youre a math major. You good at math, no, youre not only good at math... (indicating the textbook) Youre like REEEEEALLY good at math. Youre the T.A. in McCarthys class as a sophomore thats a 400 level class.

JACKYes, I know, but I hate being boxed in as the boy who is good at math. I also enjoy writing, rock climbing, playing piano...

JENNIFER(Imitating Jack out of jealousy) Oh, I just have too many talents I dont know what to do with all of them! (beat. Jack is clearly hurt) Sorry Jack, I didnt mean it like that, its just, you can do so many amazing things and I can barely keep my head above water with my courses.

JACKNo, dont apologize, its fine. (taking a pregnant pause) I just dont know if I want to be the math genius for the rest of my life, ya know? (beat). I want to be an author when I get out of school. I really enjoy writing and stories. I like tracking the lives of imaginary people, seeing what happens to them and experiencing life through them. Stories give you the freedom to explore other worlds lets face it, you cant really experience everything life has to offer by yourself.

JENNIFERSo what other worlds are you exploring in this novel?

JACKI dont know if I want to talk about it.

JENNIFERCome on Jack . . . (beat) Its just you and me.

JACKOkay . . . I am writing about how peoples pasts affect their future. I find it fascinating how people manage to leave their past behind them and reinvent themselves. Like . . . Walt Disney. During his childhood he grew up on a farm. After high school he suddenly decided to pursue animation because he liked drawing cartoons. He was able to break free from his past and pursue what he loved. Eventually, he found success. (beat)In my book, I track the life of James McAlister, an average businessman in the Midwest. He absolutely hates his job. One day he cant take working at the company any longer and leaves.He then pursues something he loves.

JENNIFERThats awesome Jack.

JACK

(Long pause: count five) A couple of months ago I was having this dream. I was returning home after a long semester and I drove up to my house, except, it wasnt my house. The surrounding houses were the same, but my own house was completely different. I went into the front door and I saw my mom. I asked her about the house and why it looked so different. And then she leaned over to me and said in the calmest, simplest tone: your father and I didnt like it, so we decided to change it. That was it, they didnt like it and they decided to change it. How simple of a solution is that? If you dont like something change it! Ever since that moment I think about what she said to me whenever Im struggling with. . .

JENNIFER(skeptically) You think about what the dream version of your mother said to you?

JACKYeah okay, I know its weird, but think about it. You are in charge of your own life! Why should we listen to other peoples perceptions of ourselves? People constantly judge other people, but I will never let somebody else control my decisions. Without free will we are no longer human.

JENNIFER(beat)Youre completely right Jack. If you dont want to go into math, dont do it. Your life shouldnt be ruled by any outside influences. I think you are an amazing person. I havent met anyone with as much conviction as you. I wish I had as much direction in my life. You seem to know what you want out of life and you are not afraid to go out and get it. (Long Pause)If it makes you feel any better,

JENNIFER PUTS HER HAND ON JACKS LEG, CLEARLY FLIRTING

I think you would make an excellent writer.

JACKThanks Jen. (beat).

JACK RECOGNIZES THE NATURE OF THE GESTURE BUT HE IS HESTITANT TO PURSUE ANYTHING.

So, I dont want to prevent you from studying for a third night in a row. How about we get back to that review sheet.

JENNIFER MOVES IN AND GENTLY KISSES JACK. JACK HESITATES AT FIRST, BUT BEGINS TO ENJOY IT AS THE KISSING CONTINUES.

Or ya know . . . (beat) . . . study later?

JENNIFERStudy later.

BOTH OF THE CHARACTERS LAUGH. THE KISSING BECOMES MORE INTENSE AS THE LIGHTS FADE TO BLACKOUT.

SCENE THREE

LIGHTS RISE ON THE INSIDE OF THE COFFEE SHOP. PROFESSOR MCCARTHY SITS ALONE AT A TABLE; THERE IS NOBODY ELSE IN THE SHOP. MCCARTHY HAS SO MANY STACKS OF PAPERS AND BOOKS THAT HE CANNOT FIT ALL OF THEM ON ONE TABLE. HE BRINGS THE ADJACENT TABLE CLOSER TO HIM AS AN OVERFLOW AREA FOR THE REMAINING BOOKS. JACK ENTERS THE COFFEE SHOP CARRYING A BACKPACK AND MCCARTHY LOOKS UP FROM HIS WORK. THEIR MEETING HERE IS CLEARLY A WEEKLY OCCURRENCE. JACK TAKES A SEAT OPPOSITE MCCARTHY.

PROFESSOR MCCARTHYSawyer! How ya doin man?

JACKGood morning professor!

PROFESSOR MCCARTHYJack, how many times do I have to tell you call me Josh. We not even in class.

JACKIm sorry profess I mean . . . Josh.

MCCARTHY LAUGHS RATHER CONDESCENDINGLY AT JACKS MISTAKE.

PROFESSOR MCCARTHY(speaking after laughter) My T.A. can basically teach my entire class by himself, but cant even call me by my own first name.

JACK BEGINS TO OPEN HIS BACKPACK AND HANDS MCCARTHY SOME PAPERS

JACKAnyway, Josh, I finished grading the tests for you last night. The average was a 67 and the standard deviation between the scores was a 7.8. The high score was a 88 and the low score was a 46. You should consider changing the fourth multiple-choice problem because 75 percent of the class missed it. I think it was poorly worded. The second free response problem was a good question. Many students recognized the function of complex numbers when it is applied to thermodynamics, and 50 percent of the class got full credit on the question. If we cross-analyze the test scores with previous years, you might want to add a curve because this years students performed much worse and it is only the first exam. It might be because it is your first year teaching the class, but I dont think the students are working as hard as previous years.

MCCARTHY CANT HELP FROM BEAMING THROGHOUT JACKS EXPLANATION. IT IS CLEAR THAT JACK IS MCCARTHYS CROWNED JEWEL OF ACADEMIA.

PROFESSOR MCCARTHYWonderful Jack, that is excellent work. I will make the necessary changes and think about how I am going to curve this exam.

JACK(blatantly) Whats the new material for week.

PROFESSOR MCCARTHY(caught off guard) Oh, well the next chapter deals with number theory, so we will---

JACKHigher arithmetic, properties of whole numbers, Diophantine geometry I got it should be fun.

PROFESSOR MCCARTHYYeah, so I will see you in class on Tuesday?

JACKYep, I will help out when its necessary. Do you have that book that I asked about?

PROFESSOR MCCARTHYYes, let me . . . oh where did I . . . Oh! Here it is.

MCCARTHY HANDS JACK A MATH TEXTBOOK FROM HIS STACK OF BOOKS FROM THE ADJACENT TABLE.

JACKThanks. The bookstore was gonna charge 200 dollars for this textbook for my numerical analysis class. Im glad you had a copy of it somewhere.

PROFESSOR MCCARTHYYeah, I didnt go through six years of schooling without acquiring some amount of textbooks. (beat). That reminds me, what other classes are you taking this semester?

JACKNumerical Analysis, Differential Geometry, Math Logic II, the T.A. for your class, and I am taking an advanced fiction writing course.

PROFESSOR MCCARTHYFiction writing? Thats interesting. The math nerd attempts the arts. How do you like it so far?

JACKI find it really interesting. It is a good outlet for something different. You know I practically eat, sleep, and breathe math 24/7 so it is a good chance to study something different. The professor is having us try all these different writing exercises and it is cool to see how stories develop.

PROFESSOR MCCARTHYHave you tried writing anything yourself.

JACKWell, um, yeah actually I have. Nothing is written out yet, but I actually just finished an outline of a novel I have been working on.

JACK OPENS HIS BACK AND TAKES OUT THE COMPOSITION NOTEBOOK.

Take a look at it. I have actually been working on it quite a bit. Writing is pretty consuming. Sometimes I dont even know how long I have been working on it.

AS MCCARTHY BEGINS READING IT HIS BROW FURROWS.

PROFRESSOR MCCARTHYWow Jack. You really have a talent for this. It is very methodical, yet compelling. Ya know, I have a cousin that works for Random House. Would you mind if I kept this and showed it to her.

JACKOh my gosh really!? That awesome! Except, I would really like to keep the notebook, but as soon as I have a draft I will pass it on to you.

PROFESSOR MCCARTHYBut I am seeing my cousin for dinner tomorrow. I will show this to her then and Ill give it back to you by class on Tuesday.

JACKOh thats awesome! That would work out perfectly. (beat) Okay, well you can keep the notebook and I will see you on Tuesday. Please let me know what she says.PROFESSOR MCCARTHYWill do! See you then!

JACK ZIPS UP HIS BACKPACK AND EXITS THE COFFEE HOUSE WITH EXUBERANT CONFIDENCE. MCCARTHY SKIMS THE NOTEBOOK AGAIN AND THEN PLACES IT ON THE TABLE. HE STANDS UP AND LOOKS AT THE NOTEBOOK FOR A THIRD TIME. HE WALKS OVER TO THE TRASHCAN AND BEGINS TEARING PAGES FROM JACKS NOTEBOOK. EVENTUALLY HE THROWS THE WHOLE THING IN THE TRASH CAN. HE WALKS BACK OVER TO HIS SPOT IN THE COFFEE HOUSE AND PACKS UP HIS MULTITUDE OF PAPERS AND BOOKS.

AS HE IS PACKING UP HIS BELONGINGS JENNIFER WALKS INTO THE COFFEE SHOP. THE SIGHT OF MCCARTHY SCARES HER. WHEN MCCARTHY IS FINISHED PACKING THEIR EYES MEET AND JENNIFER KNOWS SHE HAS TO SAY SOMETHING.

JENNIFERProfessor McCarthy! Its me Jennifer. Im in your class, Complex Variables, on Tuesday/Thursday.

PROFESSOR MCCARTHYOh yes, Jennifer! I remember you. You sit on the left hand side in the second row. Right?

JENNIFERActually Im on the other side towards the back . . .

JENNIFER LAUGHS AWKWARDLY. THERE IS A PAUSE AS JENNIFER TRIES TO THINK OF SOMETHING.

(incredibly awkwardly) So . . . do ya like coffee?

PROFESSOR MCCARTHYI just meet the T.A. here on Sundays to discuss the upcoming week.

JENNIFEROh, Jack? I love Jack. Hes such a great guy, and a genius too. And did you know hes also a passionate writer? What I really mean to say is he has many talents, not just math.

PROFESSOR MCCARTHY(figuring out how to phrase his response) I think his gifts are more suited for my classroom.Have a good day, Ms. Tulley.

MCCARTHY EXITS THE SHOP AND THROWS AWAY HIS COFFEE CUP INTO THE TRASHCAN. HE MISSES, BUT HE DOESNT NOTICE. JENNIFER BEGRUDGINGLY GOES OVER AND THROWS AWAY HIS COFFEE CUP. SHE NOTICES JACKS RIPPED OUT PAGES AND NOTEBOOK IN THE CAN. SHE FRANTICALLY TAKES THEM OUT OF THE TRASHCAN AS THE LIGHTS FADE.

SCENE FOUR

LIGHTS RISE ON JACK SITTING AT A DESK FACING THE AUDIENCE. IN A SEPARATE POOL OF LIGHT STANDS SIR, JACKS FATHER. THE SCENE APPEARS AS A FRAGMENTATION OF JACKS MEMORY, FLASHING BACK TO HIS EARLY FAMILY LIFE.

SIRJack, how is the workload coming?

JACKIts okay I guess, can I have something to eat?

SIRHave you finished the problem set the professor gave you?

JACKAlmost, I just have a couple of problems left, but Im really hungry and I could use a break.

SIRYou know the rules Jack, all of your advanced tutoring problems must be completed before you eat. That way you can attend to your normal homework after dinner.

JACKPlease sir, Im STARVING! Im a 12 year old growing boy who needs some food. And I dont have that much regular schoolwork to get done tonight, I promise! Just two chapters of reading for English.

Did you practice your two hours of piano yet today?

JACKNot yet, but that is the only other thing I have to get done.

SIRIm sorry, but you have to finish your advanced tutoring problems before dinner. I dont want you to get behind on your daily schedule. Youve already been working on these problems for about 3 hours now, so it shouldnt be that much longer. Plug through those last couple and then you can have some food.

JACK EXHALES KNOWING THAT HE WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO WIN THIS FIGHT NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES HE ASKS.

JACKOkay, sir. Ill hurry up and get these last couple of problems completed.

SIRThats my boy! I will see you downstairs very soon. (beat)I am so proud of you son. You are so much smarter than I ever was at your age.

THE LIGHTS FADE ON SIR, AND JACK RETURNS TO HIS WORK AT THE DESK.

JACKOkay, what do they want me to do here. . . Let me see . . . OH! So they want me to . . . there it is.

JACK BEGINS TO SCRIBBLE ON A PIECE OF PAPER, FIGURING OUT THE LAST COUPLE OF PROBLEMS.

LIGHTS RISE ON THE SAME PART OF THE STAGE REVEALING SIR AGAIN. AS SIR BEGINS SPEAKING, JACK MECHANICALLY CONTINUES TO FINISH THE REMAINING PROBLEMS.

SIRThe moment I first realized Jacks gift was when he was five. We were going through the grocery checkout and he corrected the lady with the proper amount of change. Before he entered school he already knew how to do basic Algebra. By age 10 he was multiplying 3 digit numbers . . . in his head. (beat).I was scared. I had no idea what to do with him. I wanted him to be the best because I knew he could be. All the teachers recommended that I have somebody tutor him before school. Little did I know that college professors would be teaching my middle school child.

JACKs MACHINE-LIKE PRECISION AT HIS DESK IS INTERRUPTED WHEN HE COMPLETES THE FINAL PROBLEM.

JACKSir? I finished!

SIREvery problem?

JACKEvery problem. Can I have something to eat now?

SIRMake it a quick dinner. You dont want the rest of the night to get away from you.

JACK GETS UP AND LEAVES HIS DESK AND SIR EXITS IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION IN SYNCRONIZATION. THE LIGHTS FADE ON AN EMPTY SET.

SCENE FIVE

LIGHTS RISE ON THE INSIDE OF A CLASSROOM. PROFESSOR MCCARTHY STANDS AT A TABLE WITH A LARGE PILE OF BOOKS IN FRONT OF A CHALKBOARD. MCCARTHY IS CLEANING UP HIS NOTES FROM THE LECTURE THAT JUST CONCLUDED WHEN JACK APPROACHES HIM. JACKProfessor, I have a couple of questions regarding the lecture today.

PROFESSOR MCCARTHYQuestions? Did I finally manage to stump the great Jack Sawyer?

JACKNot exactly . . . I wanted to talk to you about how you approached teaching the material today.

PROFESSOR MCCARTHYOh, okay.

JACKYou see, I have been working with some students individually and they are having trouble seeing how the theorems apply to your example problems. Take the last concept you gave for instance.

JACK WALKS OVER TO THE CHALKBOARD, TAKES A PIECE OF CHALK AND BEGINS THE PROOF FOR THE ZETA FUNCTION BY MEMORY.

You showed the class Riemann Zeta Function and then went through the proof. But, lets be real, people could have looked up this proof by themselves. People want to see how this relates to the other concepts we are learning. The students arent getting the application.

AFTER JACK FINISHES THE PROOF, HE MOVES TO ANOTHER SPOT ON THE BOARD TO COMPLETE ANOTHER PROBLEM.

We can use Vitalis Theorem to further explain the Zeta Function. If bring this . . . over here . . . and then. . . get this . . . we can plug that . . . over here . . . and use this . . . to further reduce the expression . . . to . . . this function.

JACK PUTS THE CHALK DOWN AND STEPS BACK FROM THE BOARD. MCCARTHY SCRAMBLES AROUND HIS PILE OF BOOKS TRYING TO LOCATE THE EXACT CONCEPT JACK IS EXPLAINING TO HIM.

PROFESSOR MCCARTHYUm . . . Im not quite sure . . . can I check something . . . So did you just . . . put those two things together . . . and then you got that . . . which is a much simpler version of the original theorem.

JACK(trying to change the topic) Yes thats the jist of it.

PROFESSOR MCCARTHYBut thats not what are in my lesson plans! We can talk about this later.

JACKProfessor, people need to see how things relate to one another. They will just treat each concept as an individual entity. You have to connect the dots for them. Each concept is connected to another one, and you have to show how it all flows. Like other subjects, math has a natural flow. Thats the exciting part about learning it is all about discovering the interrelated nature of our world.

PROFESSOR MCCARTHYJack thats insightful and all, but your musings on life are too idealistic. I have a course outline that I have to follow and right now I have to teach these concepts.

JACKBut your students dont understand the concepts!! When something isnt working you have to make revisions. This is your first year as a professor and I know its hard, but you need to change the way youre teaching. It will only benefit the students.

PROFESSOR MCCARTHYI am perfectly capable of conducting my own classroom, Jack. Why dont you stick to your duties as the teachers assistant and just help my students when they ask for it?

JACKI cant keep doing your job for you professor. I spend hours with these students trying to get them to understand your class. I get phone calls at 2:00 in the morning asking me for help on your assignment due the next day. I came to help one girl on your assignment and she broke down crying because she couldnt wrap her head around the homework. I cant do this anymore. It is too exhausting.

PROFESSOR MCCARTHYLook Jack . . .

JACKNo!! I dont enjoy what I am doing anymore. I cant pretend that I like proving formulas and getting caught up in math theory. Im done. Its not what I want my future to look like. Im sorry professor but I cant be your T.A. anymore.

THERE IS A LONG PAUSE. MCCARTHY SITS DOWN AND LOOKS INTO SPACE. AFTER A DEEP INHALE HE LOOKS BACK AT JACK.

PROFESSOR MCCARTHYDo you know what I really hate? When a see a student, such as yourself, who refuses to acknowledge that he has a gift. You believe education is all about exploring the world around you, but your wrong. My job as your educator is to unlock the potential that I see in you. Jack, you are incredibly smart, and I dont know what I would do without you in this class. I want to encourage you to think about your decision to leave. Dont come to class on Thursday this week. Take the weekend to think things over and then we will talk about it next week.

JACKWith all due respect professor, youre scared. Youre scared of what this class would look like without me as the T.A. Youre scared that this is your first year teaching at this school and the department keeps a close watch on you. Youre scared that the T.A. is doing a better job teaching his peers than the teacher with a Ph.D. Sure Im good at math, what you dont think somebodys told me I have had that gift before? No matter how hard you try to unlock my potential no matter how hard you push me, you cant force a person to live a certain life. I cant pretend that I want to continue studying math. Without passion, education cannot take root. The desire to learn has to come from within. I told you that I am enjoying a fiction writing class. I am going to pursue English. I dont know where it will lead me or what my future will look like, but it is something that interests me and I will enjoy every second of it.

JACK TAKES HIS BACKPACK OFF AND PULLS OUT THE COMPOSITION NOTEBOOK. AS HE SPEAKS HE MAKES SURE THE NOTEBOOK CATCHES MCCARTHYS EYE.

And if this is your idea of unlocking my potential . . .

MCCARTHY EYES WIDEN AS JACK STORMS OUT OF HIS CLASSROOM. HIS LOOK OF DISBELIEF IS STILL ON HIS FACE AS THE LIGHTS FADE.

SCENE SIX

LIGHTS RISE ON THE INSIDE OF A CLASSROOM, ALTHOUGH THERE ARE NO DESKS AND CHAIRS. THE CLASSROOM IS SET UP WITH A GIANT OVAL TABLE WITH AROUND 10 CHAIRS. THE ENGLISH CLASS HAS JUST BEEN DISMISSED BUT JACK REMAINS SITTING AT THE TABLE WHILE FIONA HAS GOTTEN UP FROM HER CHAIR. SHE LOOKS BACK AT JACK AND REALIZES HE IS STILL IN THE CLASS.

FIONAI didnt realize you were still here.

JACKProfessor, would you mind looking over something for me?

FIONAAbsolutely! And Jack, you dont have to call me professor is you dont want to. You can call me Fiona. In my classroom the authority is the text, Im here to moderate the discussion. If you still want to call me professor that fine too; its your choice.

JACKFiona . . . I like that.

FIONAWhat would you like me to look over?

JACKI have been working on a little something on my own time. I dont really know what to think about it but since you are a writer yourself, I thought you might want to take a look at this.

JACK PULLS OUT HIS COMPOSITION NOTEBOOK AND HANDS IT TO FIONA.

Its just a little something that I have thought about through your class. I am trying to find my point of view as a writer, and I think you can shape my ideas.

FIONA(perusing the notebook) Hmmm . . . I think I can take a look at this. Can I give it to you in our next class?

JACKYes you can. If you want to meet sometime during your office hours, I can arrange that as well.

FIONAThat might be a good idea. (beat) Now that I think about it Jack I would like to talk to you about your work in class. You contribute some very interesting ideas in our discussions, but I would love to talk to you about how you can improve your writing style.

JACKWhats wrong with my writing style? Is it bad? Is it not good enough? Whats the matter? I follow all of the guidelines you gave us in the course syllabus. That means I am doing good, right? FIONAJack, you are fine, you doing very well in my class. I just want to adjust your writing and let you develop your creativity so your ideas can be presented with clarity, cohesion, and comprehension.

JACKSo how exactly do I go about that?

FIONAWell Jack, you are very methodical in everything that you do. While this aptitude for logic is clearly your intellectual strength, your linear way of thinking has its hindrances. I want to encourage you to think more creatively. Your class work has been very safe . . . to the point . . . predictable. I want you to take risks in your writing. Ask What if? . . . EXPLORE. The easiest answer is not always the best one.

JACK PROCESSES THE INFORMATION FOR AN EXTENDED MOMENT AND THEN SHIFTS HIS WEIGHT IN THE CHAIR. HE THEN BEGINS SPEAKING.

JACKWell, I must say that is a piece of advice I have never received before ----- Dont search for the predictable answer. I thought my experience in math and sciences could translate to my writing. I carefully think things out, and have a plan for what comes next. Isnt that how a narrative is structured?

FIONAYes and no . . . Having an outline is an important step in the process, but I think you need to experiment with certain things in your story. Surprise yourself. If you have an idea dont think about where it fits in your narrative, just explore it. The structure can come later.

JACKOkay, I think I can try that. I just need to have some sort of structure. That is just how my mind functions.

FIONAI think it is important to discover other ways your brain works. There is more than one approach to every problem.

JACK(beat) I guess your right. Gosh, I am learning so much from you. I have never been able to think this way before.

FIONAWell let me give you an example. I like to think about writing as a river. Theres motion flow- movement. The twists and turns can take anywhere. Sometimes there are moments of rough rapids, and other times theres a tranquil pond. Writing can take you anywhere, you just have to go where the river takes you.

JACKWow, that was beautiful. Thank you . . . Fiona

JACK GETS UP FROM HIS SEAT AND MOVES TOWARDS THE DOOR. FIONA ALSO STANDS AND SMILES AT JACK. JACK RELUCTANTLY TURNS AWAYS FROM FIONA AND WALKS TO THE DOOR. HE TURNS ONE LAST TIME AND SMILES AT FIONA. HE THEN EXITS.

SCENE SEVEN

LIGHTS RISE ON JACK SITTING AT A DESK FACING THE AUDIENCE. IN A SEPARATE POOL OF LIGHT STANDS LINDA SAWYER, JACKS MOTHER. THE SCENE APPEARS AS A FRAGMENTATION OF JACKS MEMORY, FLASHING BACK TO HIS EARLY FAMILY LIFE. THEY NEVER LOOK AT EACH OTHER, AND IT APPEARS AS THOUGH THEY ARE ADDRESSING THEMSELVES OR THE AUDIENCE.

JACKLinda! can I talk to you for a second?

LINDAOf course you can. And Jack, why cant you call me mom like a normal kid?

JACKBut Linda suits you. Calling you by your first name feels more special. Everybody has a Mom, but I get to have a Linda.

LINDA LAUGHS SWEETLY AS SHE BEAMS AT HER EQUALLY SPECIAL CHILD. HER QUESTION BREAKS THE PAUSE AFTER HER LITTLE LAUGHTER.

LINDAWhat did you want to talk about?

JACK(exhales) I want to talk about my studying.

LINDAOkay, what about it?

JACKIts just so hard, Linda I dont think you understand.

LINDAWell, help me to understand, Jack.

JACKI dont think you understand the pressure that I am under. Every day its the same thing over and over again school, work, tutoring, piano I never get time for myself.

LINDADo you not like the things you are doing?

JACKI dont know, maybe . . . I guess I enjoy the work, there is just so much of it ya know? I want something new! Maybe reducing my private tutoring to only twice a week or cutting back on the number of hours spent at the piano.

LINDAWhat would you want to do with all of this new free time?

JACKI dont know, try something different maybe. What if I started playing a sport, or joined an after school club with some friends. There is a book club that the librarian leads on Tuesdays after school.

LINDAIs that what you want Jack, do you want to try something new?

JACKYes, there are so many things to do and I want to try a variety of them.

LINDAIll see what I can do.

JACKThanks Linda.

LINDAOh, and if you do relax your schedule, you better join that book club. I dont want sitting around at home idle hands are the devils play things.

JACKI know mom, I know. Trust me. I am not lazy . . . I just want something new. I think this will be good for me; I really want to try this book club. Ill sign up for it tomorrow

LINDASounds good Jack. (beat). Now why dont you come to the kitchen? I made your favorite banana cream pie!

JACKReally! Thanks Mom!

I even arranged sliced bananas on top in the shape of the pi symbol. Whats that number again 3.14158

JACK(laughing) No mom its 9 . . . 3.14159265358979323846264338327950288419716939937510

JACKS CONTINUES TO RECITE ALL OF THE NUMBERS OF PI. THE LIGHTS FADE AND EVENTUALLY JACK FADES AS HE EXITS THE STAGE, MAKING HIS WAY TO THE KITCHEN.

SCENE EIGHT

LIGHTS RISE ON THE INSIDE OF THE COFFEE HOUSE. PROFESSOR MCCARTHY SITS AT A TABLE. JENNIFER ENTERS THE COFFEE SHOP AND APPROACHES MCCARTHY. IT IS CLEAR THAT THEY PREVIOUSLY ARRANGED A MEETING HERE.

PROFESSOR MCCARTHYGood morning Jennifer.

JENNIFERHello Professor.

PROFESSOR MCCARTHYWhat can I help you with today? Is it something to do with your recent test grade? Troubles with the homework? You dont seem to be doing very well in the class right now. Did you come to me for some extra credit opportunity.

MCCARTHY LAUGHS OFF HIS INSULT TO JENNIFER. HIS LAUGHTER ONLY FUELS JENNIFERS ANGER.

JENNIFERActually I would like to talk about Jack Sawyer.

PROFESSOR MCCARTHYOh.

JENNIFERIm the one who found his notebook in the trash. You ripped it up and threw it away right over there. I took it out of the trash and gave it back to him.

THERE IS A PREGANANT PAUSE AS MCCARTHY PROCESSES THIS INFORMATION.

I want to let you know that there is more to Jack than what he portrays in his day-to-day life. What gave you the right to do that to him?

PROFESSOR MCCARTHYI dont think this is any of your business, Jennifer.

JENNIFERWell I found the notebook, so I think this does concern me.

PROFESSOR MCCARTHYYou dont know what Jack is capable of.

JENNIFERNo professor, YOU dont know what Jack is capable of. We all know that he is exceptional at everything math related, but there is more to Jack than what he publicly shows. Are you going to reduce him to what he shows on the outside? Jack is scared that his love of writing is going to ruin the entire education he has built up to this point. You are only making this harder on him.

PROFESOR MCCARTHYJennifer, even Jack doesnt know how good he is. He is the smartest mathematician I have ever known. I had friends in grad school who couldnt do things that Jack could. If Jack gives up his math education, the math world is losing one of its brightest minds. I could never live with myself if I was the one responsible for losing Jack. I threw his notebook away because I looked at it and I thought it was foolish. Jack is too good at math to be doing anything else.

JENNIFERWhat if this whole writing thing is merely an escape for Jack. He needs something else in his life because math is all he has ever known. He hasnt known a lot of things life offers.

PROFESSOR MCCARTHYWhat do you mean?

JENNIFERNothing, just . . . I care about him okay?

PROFESSOR MCCARTHYOkay . . . so what do you want from me? An apology? Maybe I shouldnt have thrown it away, but I dont regret what I did. Jack needs to be studying math and I will do whatever it takes to make that happen.

JENNIFERHow can you sit there and control a persons life like that. Jack is 19 years old. He has so much to figure out in life, and you cannot provide it. Now is time for Jack to begin living the life that he wants to live.

PROFESSOR MCCARTHYHe will always come back to math. He can try this out for a little bit, but he will come back to where he is comfortable and safe.

JENNIFEREither way, it is his decision not yours.

JENNIFER GETS UP TO LEAVE

And I dont need help with the homework for this week. Im meeting Jack in an hour to go over the lecture. Maybe I will actually learn something.

JENNIFER WALKS OUT OF THE COFFEE HOUSE AS A SNARL APPEARS ON MCCARTHYS FACE. HE REMAINS ALONE IN THE COFFEE HOUSE AS THE LIGHTS FADE.SCENE NINE

LIGHTS RISE ON THE INSIDE OF A HALLWAY. THERE IS DOOR PARALLEL TO THE AUDIENCE BUT NOTHING ELSE INDICATES A HALLWAY. PROFESSOR MCCARTHY WALKS FROM STAGE LEFT READING A HUGE TEXTBOOK CARRRYING A STACK OF PAPER IN ONE HAND. FIONA ENTERS FROM STAGE RIGHT READING A NOVEL AND HOLDING A PURSE. THE TWO COLLIDE AND A HUGE MESS OF PAPERS, BOOKS, AND OTHER MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS GO FLYING. FIONA AND PROFESSOR MCCARTHY CATCH THEIR BALANCE.

FIONAOh my gosh I am so sorry I didnt see where I was going.

PROFESSOR MCCARTHYThats okay, I wasnt either.

THE TWO PROFESSORS BEGIN PICKING UP THE MESS OF BOOKS AND PAPERS. THEY SEPARATE THEM TO THEIR OWN RESPECTIVE SIDES. MCCARTHY FINDS A BOOK AND LOOKS AT THE TITLE.

PROFESSOR MCCARTHYPortrait of the Artist as a Young Man. Huh . . . James Joyce. Youre an English professor here?

FIONAYes, Fiona Walker, head of creative writing in the Department of English. Were reading Joyce as an example of structure for my fiction writing class. And by the looks of this . . .

FIONA PICKS UP A RATHER LARGE TEXT BOOK AND HANDS IT TO MCCARTHY.

I assume you must be in the math department.

PROFESSOR MCCARTHYJoshua McCarthy. You wouldnt happen to know Jack Sawyer, would you, I believe hes in an writing class this semester.

FIONAWhy, yes, actually I would. Hes in that fiction writing class. Jacks a terrific student with a lot of interesting ideas.

PROFESSOR MCCARTHYJack was the T.A. for my complex variables class this semester. He really knows his stuff.

FIONAHe certainly does. (beat). Now you must know Jack pretty well, right? You two must get along great.

PROFESSOR MCCARTHYWell sometimes kids with that that much intelligence can be hard to hold on to.

FIONAOh, well Jack is really taking to writing, he is simply loving my class. I dont think he can get enough of it. (beat).Well, Im late for my office hours. I have a meeting with Jack to discuss some of his work. Its was nice meeting you.

FIONA BEGINS TO LEAVE, BUT MCCARTHY STOPS HER BEFORE SHE IS OUT OF SIGHT.

PROFESSOR MCCARTHYWould you mind saying something. . . If you happen to see Jack. Would you tell him that . . . McCarthy says hi. I havent seen him in a while.

FIONASure thing.

THE TWO TEACHERS SPLIT AND EXIT THE STAGE.

SCENE TEN

LIGHTS RISE ON SIR AND LINDA. THEY ARE PLAINLY DRESSED. LINDA CARRIES A NEWSPAPER AND A STACK OF MAIL. SIR CARRIES HIS BRIEFCASE AND A STACK OF FILES. NOT SEEING THE OTHER PERSON, THE TWO COLLIDE. THE TWO OF THEM CATCH THEIR BALANCE SO AS TO NOT FALL DOWN.

LINDA(laughter) Ha-ha-ha-ha. I am so sorry, I completely lost sight of where I was headed.

SIRIts fine. Help me pick all this up would ya?

THE COUPLE BEGINS PICKING UP THE PAPERS AND MAIL.

LINDAHow was work today? Did your boss like your revisions to that presentation?

SIRYeah, he still wanted me to change a couple of things . . .

SIR PICKS UP A PIECE OF MAIL AND LOOKS AT IT MORE CLOSELY.

Linda, look at this. Its addressed to Jack.

LINDAReally what is it?

SIRI think its his first college acceptance letter!

SIR BEGINS TO OPEN THE PIECE OF MAIL DESPITE LINDAS EFFORTS TO STOP HIM.

LINDADont you think we should wait for--

SIRHe got in!!! To Princeton! Thats one of the tops programs in the country! Theyre always ranked in the top five for math and science programs.

LINDAOh my gosh thats amazing. Did he get any scholarship money?

SIRLet me see, let me see, let me see . . .Oh here it is.(reading) In addition to your acceptance into our college in the Department of Mathematics, the Office of Financial Aid is prepared to offer you a scholarship based on your academic achievements thus far. This scholarship will be renewable for four years covering all tuition and fees. Additionally, the office will supply a monthly stipend to eliminate the cost of room and board. . .

Linda, do you know what this means? Our son can go! All this financial trouble wont matter. Our son has a future!

SIR IS BEAMING AND ALMOST BEGINS TO TEAR UP. THIS IS CLEARLY EVERYTHING HE HAS BEEN DREAMING ABOUT.

LINDAAh, wow this is perfect, but how are we gonna tell Jack?

SIRI dont know? Where is he? He should be home by now?

LINDAWell, he had his book club after school and then he took my car to get some work done at the library. He said he would be back before dinner.

SIRIs he still doing that bookclub? . . . Our son got a full-ride to Princeton! Its time for him to take his studying seriously.

LINDAIm sure hell be fine.

SIROkay, well talk later. I gotta run.

LINDAWhere are you going?

SIRIts Thursday. . .

LINDAOh, right. Softball night. Say hello to the guys for me!

SIRWill do! And Linda?

LINDAYes?

SIRIf you happen to see Jack. Would you tell him that . . . Im so proud of him. I havent said that in a while.

LINDASure thing.

SIR EXITS THE WAY HE CAME AS LINDA GATHERS UP THE REST OF HER THINGS AND WALKS AWAY BACK THE WAY SHE CAME. THE LIGHTS FADE ON AN EMPTY STAGE.

SCENE ELEVEN

LIGHTS RISE ON JENNIFERS DORM ROOM. JENNIFER IS SITTING ON HER FUTON. JEENIFERS DORM ROOM IS STILL ALIVE WITH COLOR AND CHEERFULNESS. JACK KNOCKS ON THE DOOR.

JENNIFERComing!

SHE WALKS OVER TO THE DOOR AND OPENS IT.

Hey there. How my favorite novelist-slash-math prodigy doing?

JACKUgh stop it. (beat) Its good to see you.

JACK AND JENNIFER EMBRACE FOR A MOMENT. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A CONNECTION BETWEEN THE TWO OF THEM.

JENNIFERHow can I help?

JACKI want you to take a second look at my writing.

JACK PULLS OUT HIS COMPOSITION NOTEBOOK AND THE TWO OF THEM WALK OVER TO THE FUTON AND SIT DOWN.

JENNIFEROf course! Anything specific?

JACKWell, my writing professor gave me some things to revise and I now have a new structure.

JENNIFEROh okay.

JACKFirst of all, take a look at the title.

JENNIFERSummation Notation by Jack Sawyer. . . ooooh! Art imitating life now I know you are meant to be writer.

JENNIFER AND JACK PLAYFULLY LAUGH TOGETHER.

JACKYeah I know, but there is also a double meaning in the title. Remember the main character, James? He was this accountant that was really unhappy with where his life was headed. One day he had this revelation that he could no longer handle this lifestyle anymore, so he quits his job and tries something else.

JENNIFERWell yes, I remember that much, but I still dont understand the title.

JACKWell, I decided that James wants to pursue his passion for music. Hes composed music in the past and he wants to get good at it. He finds his life experience in business is able to fuel his artistic inspiration. His Notation is a Summation of all of his prior experiences.

JENNIFERHa! I get it . . . Clever. (beat) What made you decide that James wanted to pursue music.

JACKWell Fiona, my writing professor, has been talking to me about how I can better show this pivotal moment of Jamess decision to leave work. I added a chapter and included a moment where James goes to an orchestra concert. As he is listening to the performance he thinks about himself in a new way. He admires the beauty of what he is listening to and he realizes that he can and will create music despite his difficult past. He finds beauty in the hardships that have brought him to this moment. With this new outlook, James uses the events of his past to springboard himself into a new future. We are all reflections of our past experiences.

JENNIFER

Huh, I think youre right. Every single one of us is a product of what we have been through. Take me for example, I have a hard time finding stability. My family moved around a lot, I switched majors, and I transferred colleges. Youre past sort of becomes your identity.

JACKAnd thats why I am writing this book. I want people to realize that your past will always be with you, but it is not always a bad thing. You can use it to help you inform where you want to go. So you have a hard time finding stability, but think about all the adjustments you have had to make. Youre obviously good at adapting to new situations. Why not move around . . . travel . . . see the country.

JENNIFERAnd what about you Jack?

JACKWhat about me?

JENNIFERYou clearly wrote this as a way to make peace with your past. You dropped your math major. Youre no longer McCarthys T.A. Youre writing novels now. Is your past going to inform your future?

JACKWell, I think my skills as a mathematician could translate to writing. I think, I analyze, and I organize. Having strong math skills does not make me any less creative.

JENNIFERNo, Jack. Im talking about your family life. You told me once that there was a lot of pressure put on you to succeed as a mathematician.

JACKWell, yeah there is but, . . . Never mind.

JENNIFERJack . . . come on.

JENNIFER PLACES A CONSOLING HAND ON JACKS LEG.

JACKFine . . . Yes. This story is a reflection of my life as well. I discovered I wanted something new something different. And thats what I want to explore.

JENNIFERWell, Jack. This is very important for you. (beat). Ya know, I used to think there was a huge difference between the two of us, but really we are two people trying to move forward. I guess thats the only direction you can go. (beat)So Jack, what else is going on in your life? This book seems to be consuming your every minute.

JACKYes, it has been thats for sure. Um . . . Not much honestly. Classes, work, and a lot of writing at the library.

JENNIFERI think you need to go out. Lets go catch a movie tonight. A new movie theatre just opened across campus. We should check it out.

JACKI dont know.

JENNIFEROh come on, when was the last time you did something spontaneous. You need to get out once in a while. Youre feeling good, youre book is in a good place, and you havent been off campus in a long time.

JACKFine, but only if you pay for the popcorn.

JENNIFER Deal, but only because I want to.

JACKThats fine with me.

JACK PUSHES A SMALL LOCK OF HAIR FROM JENNIFERS FACE. THERE IS A PREGNANT PAUSE. JACK AND JENNIFER STARE AT EACH OTHER. NEITHER OF THEM WANTS TO BREAK THIS CONNECTION.

JENNIFEROr, we could just stay here?

JACKMaybe for a little bit longer.

JENNIFERIm not in a rush.

JACKNeither am I.

JACK MOVES IN AND BEGINS TO KISS JENNIFER. THERE IS A PAUSE AS JACK STRUGGLES TO GET HIS WORDS OUT.

Im think Im . . . I . . . I . . . I love you Jen.

JENNIFERI love you too.

JACKYou understand me.

JENNIFERRemember that day when we first met in the coffee shop? I was always intrigued by you. Jack Sawyer. The man of mystery. What was underneath the faade that you carried everyday? I always wanted to know and now I think I do.

THE COUPLES CONTINUE TO KISS ENDEARINGLY. THEY PULL AWAY AND HOLD HANDS AS THE LIGHTS DIM ON THE DORM ROOM.