MID-DIALOGUE SAMPLES:

MIDDLE-AGE MOTHER (TANYA), DAUGHTER (TESS),
OLDER BYSTANDER (BILLY)

TANYA
I at least tried to imbue my kid with a social
conscience, okay?Now can we get through one
vacation where we don’t fight?

TESS sighs and slumps down in her chair.

TESS
Easier to accomplish if I sleep a little.
Wake me up when it’s time to board,‘kay?

TANYA
You do seem awfully tired.

TESS
Totally wiped.

TANYA
Didn’t you sleep last night?

TESS
No… not too well.

TANYA
It’s your cell. You were probably gaming until
all hours. At least you were when I fell asleep.
And  then you probably couldn’t sleep.
Blue light suppresses your melatonin,
which affects your Circadian rhythm.

TESS
Thank you, New England Journal of Medicine.

TANYA
That’s from a Harvard study, actually.

TESS
Okay. Closing eyes now, Dr. Oz.

TESS turns her hat around and pulls it down over as much of her face as SHE can. TANYA pulls out a Mother Jones magazine and begins reading. After a few seconds she peers over the magazine at TESS. She gazes at HER for a few seconds. Then…

TANYA
Are you eating enough?

TESS
Seriously?

TANYA
You’re so thin.

TESS
I eat plenty. Thank you, though, Rachel Ray.

TANYA looks down at her magazine, then up at TESS again.

TANYA
How about Vitamin D? If you’re up all night,
you might not be getting enough sunlight,
so, maybe you need a supplem…

TESS temporarily pulls back her cap to look at her mother.

TESS
Sanjay Gupta! You said you were worried that
I was tired. So why won’t you let me sleep?

TANYA presses HER index finger to HER lips, as if to signify, “Okay,

I’m shushing myself.”

TESS pulls her cap back down and shuts HER eyes.

BILLY
(to Tanya, laughing quietly)
I have two grown daughters. I remember this.

TANYA
(whispering)
Oh, where are they now?

BILLY
My eldest graduated from Stanford Medical,
and she’s now doing her residency in Tucson. Her
younger sister is studying journalism in St. Louis,
where I’m headed today.

TANYA
Oh, how wonderful. Tess is majoring in graphic design.
BILLY gives TANYA a thumbs up.

TANYA 
I’m very proud. So important to support them as
they followtheir own path, and not dilute that with
frivolous concerns,like, you know,
fashion. I would never say a word to her about that.

TESS
Talking about me in the third person doesn’t change the fact
that I’m right here, Tyra Banks.


• • • • • • • •


HUSBAND AND WIFE IN CAR:

MIKE leans over and gives HER a quick kiss on the cheek.

ANNETTE
We could get gas. We’re below half a tank.
And if you want to drive...

MIKE
Nah, it’s okay. 

ANNETTE
You sure?

MIKE
We’re not gonna run out of gas.

ANNETTE
No, are you sure you don’t want to drive?

MIKE
You’re doing great.
After a few seconds:

ANNETTE
What does that mean? You think you should assess
my driving because you’re a man?

MIKE
No, I mean... See, you’re only doing 60 again.

ANNETTE
Mike, stop. Or I’ll pull over and make you drive.

MIKE
When you go 60, it makes other drivers mad.

ANNETTE
Okay. 65. Cruise control. Done.

MIKE
You’re a little close to that truck...

ANNETTE
You think I’m too close? Huh, Mike? Watch this.
SHE floors it and crosses two lanes into the fast lane. 

MIKE
Annette, what the hell are you doing?!!!

ANNETTE
Well, we have to get to Disneyland fast. Or the whole
fucking world will explode and we’ll all DIIIIIIIIE!

MIKE
Annette, calmdown. I’m sorry. Okay?

ANNETTE
No. I’ve had it with your mansplaining and your critiques...

SHE’s driving wildly, weaving back and forth. 

MIKE
Annette, I love you! I’m sorry for my comments, and for
thinking I have to be in control all the time! Please, honey.
Slow down!

SHE slows down. After a few beats.

Could you put your window up, sweetie? It’s kind of
windy in here.

ANNETTE growls.