TODD I mean, after that mixed motherfucker we got in there now …

ERIC He is, bitch! Motherfucker’s white as I am …

TODD Yeah, whatever …

ERIC Fuck you.

TODD Fuck yourself, smart boy.

ERIC laughs this off, then starts to kick at the basketball again. Moving it back and forth, like a soccer player.

Soon TODD is involved, remaining seated but trying to take the ball away from ERIC.

They sit next to each other, grappling with one another in their quest to possess the ball.

Elbows fly and they push and shove as ERIC works to keep the ball from TODD. TODD finally gets control and ERIC lunges at him.

TODD stands up, victorious and ERIC falls over onto his side.

ERIC Fuck!

TODD Yes!

ERIC Bastard!!

TODD Oh yeah!!

ERIC (Standing up.) You wanna go play another couple games before we go back …?

TODD Wish I could …

ERIC Yeah, no … I get it.

TODD I got the kids this morning. Karen is off at some thing she’s got …

ERIC “Thing?”

TODD You know … a “lady” thing. Some gathering … with lunch.

ERIC Ahhh. Like that.

TODD Yep. (Beat.) Faye do that sorta thing? Crap like that? Gather with other ladies …?

ERIC Sure. Sometimes.

TODD Huh.

ERIC A lot of shit with school and … you know … the PTA and stuff like that …

TODD Right.

ERIC Helping kids … she does a bunch of that college prep shit, for those tests they take … remember?

TODD Like SATs and whatever?

ERIC Yeah! Like that …

TODD That’s cool …

ERIC Yep. When she spots someone with a gift or, like, in drama—some very talented boy or girl—she’ll make it her … thing … to get them some kind of scholarship or that type of deal …

TODD Solid. I like that.

ERIC Yeah, she’s amazing … really gets behind them and pushes and … you know … makes a difference in their lives …

TODD I bet.

ERIC Yeah.

TODD Awesome.

ERIC Yep. (Beat.) Faye. (Beat.) She’s a really great person …

TODD Ha!

ERIC What? (Shoving TODD.) WHAT?!

TODD You sound like a mayor … talking about somebody who’s in charge of the “flower show” this year …

ERIC Fuck you, asshole!

TODD You do!

ERIC Dick.

ERIC laughs at this while shoving his friend again. Hard.

TODD “She’s a really great person …”

ERIC Ha! Fuck off …

TODD “She’s just lovely …”

ERIC Motherfucker … you know what I’m saying!

TODD Yeah, I do … I’m kidding …

ERIC Alright, then.

TODD Ha!

ERIC Fucker. (Smiles.) Been with the same woman for twenty some years, so … gimme a fucking break.

TODD Truth.

ERIC Yeah … and … she’s beautiful … Faye is everything to me, we have a very good life together …

TODD But?

ERIC “But” what?

TODD You don’t have a lead-in like that without “but” coming hard and fast ’round the corner …