(Having spoken, BOB and SUE hang up their phones.)

SUE

Holy shit.

AL

What.

SUE

Oh, just work. Everybody at the office is going crazy. Having nervous breakdowns.

BOB

I work in an office like that.

SUE

They ought to get out more. Relax. Enjoy themselves. Not worry so much.

AL

I used to be that way.

SUE

Really?

AL

That’s why I took up painting. Not because I’m good at it. I’m really not. But because it relaxes me. Makes me see the world in perspective.

SUE

Poetry does the same thing for me. When I read good poetry, it transports me to a place where all that doesn’t matter. To a quiet, peaceful place where I can shut out all the noise.

BOB

Kite flying does the trick for me.

SUE

Yeah?

BOB

See, when that kite is up there, when all your mental and physical energy is concentrated in keeping it up there, making it dive and climb, making it dance, everything else just goes away. It’s just you, and that kite, and the wind. Working together. In harmony.

SUE

That’s beautiful.

BOB

You want to hold it for a minute?

SUE

I’ve got to make a phone call. Maybe later.

BOB

Okay.

          (SUE punches in a number on her phone.

                 AL’s phone beeps.)

AL

You know, I might not even answer that.

BOB

I wouldn’t.

AL

We can’t let telephones rule our lives.

BOB

I agree with you there.

AL

Besides, if I’m on the phone for a long time, the light will change. I’ll lose the effect. It would be a different painting.

BOB

That would be a shame.

            (AL’s phone continues to beep.)

AL

Still...

            (He answers the phone.)

Yes?

SUE

What the hell is the meaning of this, Al?

AL

The meaning of what?

SUE

Why are you saying these things about me?

AL

What things?  Who is this?

SUE

It’s Sue.

AL

I haven’t said anything about you.

SUE

Sure.  I know you all talk behind my back.

AL

And you don’t talk behind mine?

SUE

Listen, I’ve got a problem.  I can’t decide who to fire, you or Bob.

AL

You can’t fire either of us.  Bob is getting promoted.  Bob’s the boss.

SUE

No he’s not.  I am.

AL

You?

SUE

Better believe it.

AL

I can’t believe this. It was bad enough when I thought they were giving it to Bob. But how could they give it to you? I mean, instead of me? You owe your job to me. You got where you are because of me.

SUE

Oh really, Al?

AL

If it weren’t for me, you’d be taking dictation in the secretarial pool!

SUE

LISTEN HERE, AL. I GOT WHERE I AM ON MY OWN POWER. AND I’LL GET WHERE I’M GOING BY STEPPING OVER YOUR DEAD BODY.

AL

DON’T GIVE ME THAT SUPERWOMAN BULLSHIT --

SUE

Thank you, Al, I think I know who I’ll fire now.

                (She hangs up and goes back to her book.)

AL

She hung up on me.

BOB

Who?

AL

This woman at the office. Not that I mind.  I didn’t really feel like talking to her.

SUE

Well, I just got off the phone with a real prick.

BOB

Everybody’s like that on the phone.

AL

Worst invention in the history of mankind.

SUE

We need telephones, though.

AL

What for?  Communication would be a little slower, but a lot more civil.

BOB

Face to face.

SUE

I suppose.  More direct.  More sincere.

AL

Anyway, on a beautiful afternoon like this, who needs them?