MOTHER

Fred, I've told you about that. Rather than tease Tom, you'd better do a little studying yourself.  

DOT

Do you like this color, Mother? (shows her fingernails).  

MOTHER

You shouldn't do your nails in the living room, dear. They should only be done in the privacy of one's boudoir.   

DOT

(simultaneously with her mother's words; she has heard them so often that she knows them by heart) ... in the privacy of one's boudoir.  

MOTHER

Yes. And, Tom, why don't you study in your room?  

TOM

This is where the action is; it's too quiet up there.   

DOT

Mother. You didn't answer me. Do you like this color?  

MOTHER

Very pretty.   

DOT

It's new... a special color for this month: Passion Pink.  

TOM

(imitating the girls in TV commercials) "And my hair color is special this month: Blatant Black."  

DOT

Oh, you’re so funny... Ha, ha, ha...  

MOTHER

By the way, where was all that help I was going to have in the kitchen with the dishes?  

TOM

Uh... I had to do my homework.   

DOT

And my nails.  

FRED

I've been trying to talk to Dad.   

MOTHER

You kids are really great at finding excuses. Homework isn't so urgent when the Rolling Stones are on TV, and nails can stop when there's someone to gossip with on the phone. 

(Slight pause, then TOM pokes MOTHER's back). 

TOM

What about Fred? Why don't you attack him?  

MOTHER

Well... when a son wants to talk to his father, that's important.  

FRED

I thought so, too.  

MOTHER

What did you two talk about?

FRED

Nothing.  

MOTHER

Nothing?  

FRED

He said about ten words. I can’t crash the newspaper barrier.