Oleanna: A Play by David Mamet Page A

them.
    CAROL : No.
    JOHN : I think so, though. (
Pause
) I’m sorry that I was distracted.
    CAROL : You don’t have to say that to me.
    JOHN : You paid me the compliment, or the “obeisance”—all right—of coming in here … All right.
Carol
. I find that I am at a
standstill
. I find that I …
    CAROL : … what …
    JOHN : … one moment. In regard to your … to your …
    CAROL : Oh, oh. You’re buying a new house!
    JOHN : No, let’s get on with it.
    CAROL : “get on”? (
Pause
)
    JOHN : I know how … 
believe
me. I know how … potentially
humiliating
these … I have no desire to … I have no desire other than to help you. But: (
He picks up some papers on his desk.
) I won’t even say “but.” I’ll say that as I go back over the …
    CAROL : I’m just, I’m just trying to …
    JOHN : … no, it will not do.
    CAROL : … what? What will …?
    JOHN : No. I see, I see what you, it … (
He gestures to the papers.
) but your work …
    CAROL : I’m just: I sit in class I … (
She holds up her notebook.
) I take notes …
    JOHN (
simultaneously with
“notes”): Yes. I understand. What I am trying to
tell
you is that some, some basic …
    CAROL : … I …
    JOHN : … one moment: some basic missed communi …
    CAROL : I’m doing what I’m told. I bought your book, I read your …
    JOHN : No, I’m sure you …
    CAROL : No, no, no. I’m doing what I’m told. It’s
difficult
for me. It’s
difficult …
    JOHN : … but …
    CAROL : I don’t … lots of the
language …
    JOHN : … please …
    CAROL : The
language
, the “things” that you say …
    JOHN : I’m sorry. No. I don’t think that that’s true.
    CAROL : It
is
true. I …
    JOHN : I think …
    CAROL : It
is
true.
    JOHN : … I …
    CAROL : Why would I …?
    JOHN : I’ll tell you why: you’re an incredibly bright girl.
    CAROL : … I …
    JOHN : You’re an incredibly … you have no problem with the … Who’s kidding who?
    CAROL : … I …
    JOHN : No. No. I’ll tell you why. I’ll tell.… I think you’re
angry
, I …
    CAROL : … why would I …
    JOHN : … wait one moment. I …
    CAROL : It
is
true. I have
problems …
    JOHN : … every …
    CAROL : … I come from a different
social …
    JOHN : … ev …
    CAROL : a different economic …
    JOHN : … Look:
    CAROL : No. I: when I
came
to this school:
    JOHN : Yes. Quite … (
Pause
)
    CAROL : … does that mean nothing …?
    JOHN : … but look: look …
    CAROL : … I …
    JOHN : (
Picks up paper.
) Here: Please: Sit down. (
Pause
) Sit down. (
Reads from her paper.
) “I think that the ideas contained in this work express the author’s feelings in a way that he intended, based on his results.” What can that mean? Do you see? What …
    CAROL : I, the best that I …
    JOHN : I’m saying, that perhaps this course …
    CAROL : No, no, no, you can’t, you can’t … I have to …
    JOHN : … how …
    CAROL : … I have to pass it …
    JOHN : Carol, I:
    CAROL : I
have
to pass this course, I …
    JOHN : Well.
    CAROL : … don’t you …
    JOHN : Either the …
    CAROL : … I …
    JOHN : … either the, I … either the
criteria
for judging progress in the class are …
    CAROL : No, no, no, no, I have to pass it.
    JOHN : Now, look: I’m a human being, I …
    CAROL : I did what you told me. I did, I did everything that, I read your
book
, you told me to buy your book and read it. Everything you
say
I … (
She gestures to her notebook.
) (
The phone rings.
) I do.… Ev …
    JOHN : … look:
    CAROL : … everything I’m told …
    JOHN : Look. Look. I’m not your
father.
(
Pause
)
    CAROL : What?
    JOHN : I’m.
    CAROL : Did I say you were my father?
    JOHN : … no …
    CAROL : Why did you say that …?
    JOHN : I …
    CAROL : … why …?
    JOHN : … in class I … (
He picks up the phone.
) (
Into phone:
) Hello. I can’t talk now. Jerry? Yes?