Oleanna: A Play by David Mamet

ONE

    JOHN
is talking on the phone
. CAROL
is seated across the desk from him
.
    JOHN (
on phone
): And what about the land. (
Pause
) The land. And what about the land? (
Pause
) What about it? (
Pause
) No. I don’t understand. Well, yes, I’m I’m … no, I’m
sure
it’s signif … I’m sure it’s significant. (
Pause
) Because it’s significant to mmmmmm … did you call Jerry? (
Pause
) Because … no, no, no, no, no. What did they say …? Did you speak to the
real
estate … where
is
she …? Well, well, all right. Where are her notes? Where are the notes we took with her. (
Pause
) I thought you were? No. No, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that, I just thought that I saw you, when we were there … what …? I thought I saw you with a
pencil
. WHY NOW? is what I’m say … well, that’s why I say “call Jerry.” Well, I can’t right now, be … no, I
didn’t
schedule any … Grace: I
didn’t
 … I’m well aware … Look: Look. Did you call Jerry? Will you call Jerry …? Because I can’t now. I’ll be there, I’m sure I’ll be there in fifteen, in twenty. I intend to. No, we aren’t
going
to lose the, we aren’t
going
to lose the house. Look: Look, I’m not minimizing it. The “easement.” Did she say “easement”? (
Pause
) What did she
say; is
it a “term of art,” are we
bound
by it … I’m sorry … (
Pause
) are: we: yes.
Bound
by … Look: (
He checks his watch.
) before the other side
goes home
, all right? “a term of art.” Because: that’s right (
Pause
) The yard for the boy. Well, that’s the whole … Look: I’m going to meet you there … (
He checks his watch.
) Is the realtor there? All right, tell her to show you the basement again. Look at the
this
because … Bee … I’m leaving in, I’m leaving in ten or fifteen … Yes. No, no, I’ll meet you at the new … That’s a good. If he thinks it’s necc … you tell Jerry to meet … All right? We
aren’t
going to lose the deposit. All right? I’m sure it’s going to be … (
Pause
) I hope so. (
Pause
) I love you, too. (
Pause
) I love you, too. As soon as … I will.
   (
He hangs up.
) (
He bends over the desk and makes a note.
) (
He looks up.
) (
To
CAROL :) I’m sorry …
    CAROL : (
Pause
) What is a “term of art”?
    JOHN : (
Pause
) I’m sorry …?
    CAROL : (
Pause
) What is a “term of art”?
    JOHN : Is that what you want to talk about?
    CAROL : … to talk about …?
    JOHN : Let’s take the mysticism out of it, shall we? Carol? (
Pause
) Don’t you think? I’ll tell you: when you have some “thing.” Which must be broached. (
Pause
) Don’t you think …? (
Pause
)
    CAROL : … don’t I think …?
    JOHN : Mmm?
    CAROL : … did I …?
    JOHN : … what?
    CAROL : Did … did I … did I say something wr …
    JOHN : (
Pause
) No. I’m sorry. No. You’re right. I’m very sorry. I’m somewhat rushed. As you see. I’m sorry. You’re right. (
Pause
) What is a “term of art”? It seems to mean a
term
, which has come, through its use, to mean something
more specific
than the words would, to someone
not acquainted
with them … indicate. That, I believe, is what a “term of art,” would mean. (
Pause
)
    CAROL : You don’t know what it means …?
    JOHN : I’m not sure that I know what it means. It’s one of those things, perhaps you’ve had them, that,you look them up, or have someone explain them to you, and you say “aha,” and, you immediately
forget
what …
    CAROL : You don’t do that.
    JOHN : … I …?
    CAROL : You don’t do …
    JOHN : … I don’t, what …?
    CAROL : … for …
    JOHN : … I don’t for …
    CAROL : … no …
    JOHN : … forget things? Everybody does that.
    CAROL : No, they don’t.
    JOHN : They don’t …
    CAROL : No.
    JOHN : (
Pause
) No. Everybody does that.
    CAROL : Why would they do that …?
    JOHN : Because. I don’t know. Because it doesn’t interest