FREDA ASHTON
If there's one thing I hate more than Sunday, it's Saturday afternoon with nothing to do.

JOHN PORTER
Where's Doris?

FREDA
Working. She's on days, and I'm on nights, and never the twain shall meet.

(She looks at John's studies.)

FREDA
Ooh! What did you used to do on a Saturday afternoon when you were footloose and fancy free?

JOHN
Uh, tennis mostly.

FREDA
What? You in your little shorts in the middle of January?

JOHN
Well, what about the pictures?

FREDA
Ah! Well, I did have a chance to go and see Gone With the Wind again with an American soldier. Now, what do you say to that?

JOHN
I don't know. What am I supposed to say?

FREDA
You should've heard what Doris said. It appears that she goes out with American soldiers, said behind your back, means you're well on the way to hell and damnation.

JOHN
Well, it depends who he is, I suppose.

FREDA
Hmm.
(sighing)
Clark Gable's joined up, do you know?

JOHN
(laughing)
Oh, so that's why the Germans have brought their reserves back from Stalingrad.

FREDA
Oh, I think he's gorgeous.

JOHN
He's a bit too old for you, though.

FREDA
Oh, I don't know. I quite like older men actually. Well, some of them.

JOHN
(seriously)
Freda, while I was away... I mean, after they sent the telegram saying I was missing...

FREDA
(apprehensively)
Yes?

JOHN
Ah, it's nothing really. I just wanted...

(Freda's father enters the room, interrupting their conversation.)

 

(from "I Wanted to Be with You" by John Finch)