Dialogue Between "Paperboy" and Evangeline

(Paperboy puts the paper between the Osage tree's roots).

Evangeline: "Thank you."

(Paperboy begins to walk away but turns back around).

Paperboy: "Hey, how come you never really talk to me?"

(Evangeline stares blankly at him and starts walking briskly towards her house.  Paperboy follows).

Paperboy: "Well, I deliver your paper every day and not once have you said anything more than, 'Thank you.' I was just wondering as to why."

Evangeline: "I have nothing to say."

Paperboy: "Of course you do! Everyone has something to say; an opinion to voice; a desire left secret! You've gotta have something!"

(Evangeline stops and gives him a blank stare again).

Evangeline: "No… I don't think I do… I can't… my parents…"

Paperboy: "What about them?"

Evangeline: "They don't like that…"

Paperboy: "Like what?"

Evangeline: "Girls like that… they're… bad."

Paperboy: "Well, what do you think about that? Your parents I mean; telling you that girls like that are bad. How 'bout that?"

Evangeline: "I really don't know… it's all the same to me."

Paperboy: "No! No it's not! There has to be something you think differently about.  Something you don't agree with your parents on!"

Evangeline: "I guess…"

Paperboy: "What is it…? What is it that you want to say? I can see that there's something… something you want to say… say it…"

Evangeline: "Well… I mean…."

Paperboy: "It's ok, you can tell me.  You can talk to me.  Trust me?"

Evangeline's Mother: "Evangeline!! What are you doing outside?! Come back inside this instant!"

Evangeline: (Hurriedly) "I… I have to go!"

Paperboy: "Wait! What were you going to say! What don't you agree with your parents about?!!"

Evangeline: (Running the remainder of the distance to her house, she turns around and yells lightly) "Y… You! It's you!"

(Paperboy begins to say something but stops as he watches her disappear into the darkness of her house.)

Paperboy: (Whispering softly as he walks slowly back towards the road) "Me? What in G-d's name is she talking about…?"

(Paperboy walks past the Osage orange tree, not noticing the boxed newspaper lying between the roots).