GREG That’s too bad …

KENT I don’t think so. It’s like anything else that you either do or don’t … you like or don’t like … it’s just a fact. You read, I don’t. I play football, you don’t. One isn’t better than the other. Right?

GREG … awwwww … you’re setting me up here.

KENT No, I’m asking you—do you think that’s a better thing? Not “better” but, like, you became a greater person because of it?

GREG I dunno. I think that I enjoy it and it’s also an escape, so there’s that …/ And it’s also a way of improving myself …

KENT Yeah, ok …/ … but has it made you some kind of finer man, though? Are you nicer with people or have you, maybe … would you say girls want to be around you more due to the fact that you read … has it really ever made a difference in your life?/ Yeah?

GREG I think so./ Inside myself, yes. It has.

KENT Huh. I don’t see it, but hey …

GREG It’s just an internal thing then, maybe.

KENT Maybe so. Just seems … selfish to me.

GREG What? How so?

KENT Listen … you’re taking all that shit in and, yeah, maybe you’ll teach it again or you could tell me the theme of some book but think of all the stuff you could’ve been doing otherwise … building churches or volunteering at some … nursing home … (Beat.) Sometimes you gotta just do something, you know? Not talk about it or … like … think it to death. Even if it’s a fucking mistake—and I’ve made plenty of ’em, believe me—you just gotta go for it. You gotta … man up and … whatever. Make a stand.

GREG nods, taking all this in while mounting a rebuttal.

GREG … I’m not getting all defensive here, but it’s weird to hear you telling me about “building churches” or, whatever … when you’re … you know …

KENT What?/ No, go ahead, say it—because I’m not a college guy? Or been arrested?

GREG Nothing./ No, not that … but … anyway … have you ever built one? A church, Kent?

KENT No, not an actual church, but I’ve done a lot of community work with kids and that kinda thing. “Big Brothers” and shit … my coaching thing here. Scouts./ Not in a “showy” way but just me helping out …

GREG … yeah … ok …/ No, that’s true …

KENT And that’s all. (Beat.) You do what you want, man, it’s just my observation … I just think reading is kinda useless.

GREG Huh. Well, really glad you called me down here today!/ You’re such a feel-good guy!!

KENT Ha!/ Don’t listen to me! I just … (Beat.) All I mean is … even if you do something stupid … at least you’re still doing something.

GREG takes all this in, carefully pondering KENT’s simple thesis.

GREG True. (Beat.) Anyway … I might put it to use soon … I think I got a job for next term. A position in a Montessori program …