The Cryptogram by David Mamet Page A

with
“mother”): … I’m alright. I’m alright. (
To self
.) Oh, hell …
    DEL : What did you do?
    DONNY (
offstage
): What?
    DEL : … what did you do …
    DONNY : I broke the pot, I broke the teapot. I’m alright. I broke the teapot. (
Pause
.)
    DEL (
to
JOHN ): Well, there you go.… a human
being
 …
    JOHN : … yes?
    DEL : … cannot conceal himself.
    JOHN : That’s an example?
    DEL : Well, hell, look at it: anything. When it is
disordered
, any, um, “Change,” do you see …?
    JOHN : What is the change?
    DEL : The trip.
    JOHN : She ain’t going.
    DEL : No of course she’s not. But
you
are. And your father is. It’s an upheaval.
    JOHN : It’s a minor one.
    DEL : Who is to say? (
Pause
.)
    JOHN : But did
you
feel that?
    DEL : Did I …?
    JOHN : Yes.
    DEL : Feel what?
    JOHN : Last week.
    DEL : Feel. Last week.
    JOHN : Thoughts on a trip.
    DEL : … Did I …?
    JOHN : When you took
your
trip.
    DONNY (
offstage
): It’s going to be a minute.
    JOHN : … when you took your trip.
    DONNY (
offstage
): … hello …?
    DEL : We’re alright.
    DONNY (
offstage
): The tea is going to be a minute.
    JOHN : We’re alright in here.
    DONNY (
entering
): I’ve put the … why aren’t you asleep.
    DEL : … did I feel “pressure”?
    DONNY : … John …?
    JOHN : Yes.
    DONNY : Why aren’t you asleep?
    DEL : Before my trip. No.
    JOHN : No. Why?
    DEL : Because, and this is important. Because people differ.
    DONNY : What are you doing down here?
    DEL : We’re talking.
    JOHN : … I came down.
    DEL (
to
DONNY ): I’m sorry. Are you alright?
    DONNY : What? I dropped the teapot. What are you
doing
down …
    JOHN : We’re talking.
    DEL : He came down, and I began a conversation.
    DONNY : Alright, if you began it.
    DEL : I did.
    DONNY (
sighs
): We’re going to have tea, and then you go upst … Where are your slippers?
    JOHN : Packed.
    DONNY : They’re packed.
    JOHN : For the trip.
    DONNY : And then you go upstairs and you go to sleep.
    JOHN : I want to wait till my father comes home.
    DONNY : Well, yes, I’m sure you do. But you need your sleep. And if you don’t get it, you’re not going on the trip.
    JOHN : Will he be home soon?
    DONNY : Yes. He will.
    JOHN : Where is he?
    DONNY : I don’t know. Yes, I do, yes. He’s at the Office. And he’ll be home soon.
    JOHN : Why is he working late?
    DONNY : I don’t know. We’ll find out when he comes home, John. Must we do this every night?
    JOHN : I only want …
    DEL : Do you know what?
    JOHN : I didn’t want to upset you, I only …
    DEL : … could I …?
    JOHN : I only …
    DEL (
simultaneous with
“only”): Could I make a suggestion? (
To
JOHN .) Why don’t you busy yourself?
    DONNY : He has to sleep.
    DEL : … but he’s not
going
to sleep. He’s …
    JOHN : That’s right.
    DONNY : … one moment.
    JOHN : … If I had something to
do
 …
    DONNY (
simultaneous with
“do”): No. You’re absolutely right.
    JOHN : … something to do. If I had
that
 …
    DONNY : Alright.
    DEL : Are you packed?
    JOHN : I’m all packed.
    DEL : … well …
    JOHN : I, I My
Father
isn’t packed, his …
    DONNY : No …
    JOHN : … I could pack
his
stuff.
    DONNY : No, no, I’ll tell you what you could do.
    JOHN : What?
    DONNY : Close up the attic.
    JOHN : … close it up?
    DONNY : Neaten it up. Yes.
    JOHN : Is it disturbed?
    DONNY : Mmm.
    JOHN : Why?
    DONNY : … after my “rummaging.”
    JOHN : Alright.
    DONNY : … and …
    JOHN : … alright.
    DONNY : See if you find any things up there.
    JOHN : Things.
    DONNY : … you might need to take.
    JOHN : … things I might need to take up.
    DONNY : Mm.
    JOHN : Or that
he
might need.
    DONNY : That’s right.
    JOHN : … or that you forgot.
    DONNY : Yes.
    JOHN : To pack.
    DONNY : Yes. Would you do that?
    JOHN : Of course.
    DONNY : Thank you, John.
    DEL : Thank you.
    DONNY : And perhaps you’d put on some clothing.
    JOHN : Good.
    DONNY : Very good. Off you go