Excerpt of Elkhorn Slough
(from the middle)
CLAIRE
Are you done?
KELLY
See? See! There’s a scar on my neck! All I wanted to do was get out of there!
CLAIRE
You were worried about the goose.
KELLY
Of course I was worried about the goose. I mean you like wildlife. Right? That’s why you wanted to see her? Fine thing! I’ve killed Mother Goose and what’s going to happen to her little pack of geeslings now? They’re going to be eaten by crocodiles, that’s what, and it’s all my fault! Your fault actually.
CLAIRE
I don’t think there are crocodiles in Elkhorn Slough.
KELLY
Foxes then. Does it matter? You’re supposed to be the environmentalist. Why did you go past the caution tape?
CLAIRE
It was lying on the ground. (Pause) I was purging something. I didn’t know it at the time. I just knew I had to go there. Be there. At that place. (Beat.) I think I wanted to be attacked.
KELLY
Well you weren’t the one who got attacked!
CLAIRE
We both got attacked.
KELLY
Yeah, but you didn’t get hurt. (Indicating her neck.) I HAVE A SCAR!
CLAIRE
(Looking at the scar.) You’re right.
KELLY
What?
CLAIRE
What?
KELLY
What do you mean you were purging something? You aren’t bulimic.
CLAIRE
I was purging an incident.
KELLY
What incident?
CLAIRE
With Seamus.
(…continued…)