Someone Named Paula Writes Another Letter to Someone Named Charlie (Variation #2)

SOMEONE NAMED PAULA WRITES ANOTHER LETTER TO SOMEONE NAMED CHARLIE
(Variation #2)

PAULA sits at a desk, paper, etc.

PAULA
Dear Charlie
I'm so glad you liked my joke.
I'm so glad you got to laugh and
I'm so sorry for the confusion.
From now on I will wave at the very very end of my letters.
I promise.
…
I missed your wave.
I may have been out when you sent it.
Could you maybe include it in your next letter?
…
As per the moon it is still there.
As per the whale it is still there.
As per my mom–

She scratches this out.

PAULA (cont'd)
As per my mom–

She scratches this out.

PAULA (cont'd)
As per my mom–

She scratches this out.

PAULA (cont'd)
My mom had this idea about houses.
That they can talk.
That they tell you things.
They tell you things all the time.
They tell you who is coming up the stairs
by creaking the boards in particular ways.
They tell you who's just getting home
with the pattern of clangs and locks.
They tell you when you're not alone.
And when you are…
Sometimes they bring you gifts
like the sound of the ocean
just outside the guest room window…
…

She scratches all of this out.

PAULA (cont'd)
How are you liking the house?

AL enters, wearing the cowboy hat. He sees his daughter, his daughter whom he loves very much. He takes off the cowboy hat and fidgets with the brim.

AL
What're you doing?

PAULA
(!)
I didn't see you there.

AL
I was trying not to scare you…

PAULA
That's okay.
Just…
Writing // a letter.

AL
Oh.
I didn't mean to interrupt.
I can come back.

PAULA
That's okay.
Did you need something?

AL
No. I–
Yes. :|

PAULA
Oh.
Um…
What do you need?

AL
Um…
Yeah I–
Uhh…

AL fidgets with his brim in front of his daughter,averting his eyes from his daughter, his daughter whom he loves, he loves her very much, he loves her, he loves her so very much, he averts his eyes, looking around the room, expecting the ceiling to cave in. Expecting a car to break through. Expects the walls to fold and give way.
…
Nothing happens.

AL (cont'd)
I'm sorry.
I…
Is it okay if…?

PAULA
What is it?

AL
I'm uh–
Paula?

PAULA
What is it?

AL
I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry–

PAULA gets up.
And doesn't know what to do.

AL (cont'd)
I don't want to scare you.

PAULA slowly walks toward her father. Slowly, she embraces him. They hold each other.