PAUL
Let's try this again.
SAM
Sure thing, asshole.
[PAUL pauses. Isn't sure how to proceed.]
SAM
Sorry, that was a bit much, eh?
I don't think you're too bad, kid. I don't think you're so bad at all.
Stuck up to all hell. But not bad.
[PAUL is still uncomfortable.]
PAUL
Um... well, I've been thinking too.
I think I've kind of had this certain view of my characters...
SAM
[takes out a cigarette.] Oh? [Lights the cigarette.]
PAUL
Yeah, well. Thinking of characters as kinds of objects that I can manipulate.
SAM
Aaahhhhh. So we're you're puppets, are we?
PAUL
Well, in that view... yes. Basically.
But! I don't think that's right.
SAM
Ah, so we AREN'T your puppets then. [drags his cigarette.]
PAUL
No. You're all facets of my psyche. All facets of myself. And objectifying you is essentially a way of objectifying myself.
SAM
[a cigarette smoke cloud in front of him, now dissipating.] Ahh, very good. Now you're not making yourself a puppet anymore either.
PAUL
Can I ask you more about that?
SAM
[incredulous.] I don't know, can you?
PAUL
...
Were you somebody's puppet, Sam?
SAM
...
We're done here.
PAUL
Wait! Hold on!
SAM
[dangling.] Oh, wait, so I'm now your puppet again?
What, you gonna write, "obediently, he sits?"
I can make my own choices, goddammit!
[SAM pushes out the door again.]
[He'll be back, I think.]
SAM
Don't count on it!