ROBERT ASHTON
Well, uh... What is it, Dad?

EDWIN ASHTON
Uh...just a little talk, Son. You see, you're of an age when you're up against new things.
(sighing)
Oh, damn it! I'll sound like a scoutmaster in a minute. Your mother's worried...about you and women.

ROBERT
What's she worried about?

EDWIN
I'm not saying there's anything in it. Uh... You're a good lad, but one thing can lead to another.

ROBERT
You mean with those two last night?

EDWIN
No, I'm speaking generally. You see, you've reached the age of puber...
(sighing)
Well, you've got a man's feelings now.

ROBERT
If it's those two last night, you don't need to worry. They're just a pair of teasers.

EDWIN
(surprised at his son's language)
Oh?

ROBERT
Yeah. You won't get anywhere with those two.

EDWIN
Oh.

(A disturbing thought takes hold.)

EDWIN
You don't mean you tried...

ROBERT
No. No, we weren't daft or anything...just larking. You know, Dad.

EDWIN
Yeah. Oh, yes, yes. Well, there may be more to this business than you know, Son.

ROBERT
You mean...sex?

EDWIN
Uh... Since you put it like that, yes. You see...

ROBERT
It's all right, Dad. We get lectures at school.

EDWIN
Yes, I suppose you do. We used to get lectures in the army.

(He flashes a look of concern.)

EDWIN
But not at your age.

ROBERT
That was in the olden days, Dad.

EDWIN
Yes. All the same, Robert, if you listen to the voice of experience...

ROBERT
Yes, Dad?

EDWIN
(nervously wiping his mouth)
Uh... Oh!

ROBERT
(reaching into his coat pocket)
Dad...

EDWIN
Yes?

ROBERT
They gave us a book. Here, go on. Have a look.

(Robert hands his father a book entitled Facts About Sex.)

EDWIN: Oh. Thanks.

ROBERT
Now, you read it, Dad. It's very instructive. Give it back to me tomorrow. Tara!

(He leaves.)

(Edwin thumbs through the book and is stunned by what he sees in print.)

 

(from "Brothers in War" by Alexander Baron)