40
SCENE 6:
The school playground, lunch time. CYNTHIA is sitting with
CHARLENE while, as before, JO sits a short distance away,
alone.
CHARLENE: So how come you've missed so much school this
week?
CYNTHIA: (preoccupied) I've been sick.
CHARLENE: What was wrong with you?
CYNTHIA: I just haven't been feeling well.
CHARLENE: Your mum lets you stay home just 'cause you don't
feel well?
CYNTHIA: Uh-huh.
CHARLENE: I wish I had your mum.
CYNTHIA: No you don't.
CHARLENE: Yes I do. Whenever I try to get a day off by
saying "I don't feel well" all my mum does is kiss
my forehead, say, "cool as a cucumber", call me a
hypochondriac and send me packing.
CYNTHIA: My mum'll do just about anything for me now to
avoid and argument, remember how she slapped me a
few weeks ago, and I fainted?
CHARLENE: Yeah.
CYNTHIA: Well, she's been feeling guilty ever since. She
thinks she gave me brain damage or something.
Especially since she found out how badly I've been
doing at school.
CHARLENE: (pause) Do you think she might have?
CYNTHIA: What do you reckon?
CHARLENE: I dunno. What's wrong with you then?
CYNTHIA: Fuck off Charlene.
CHARLENE: Fine. Sorry for breathing. (pause) Hey, do you
think Rick likes me?
CYNTHIA: Tell me something.
