that?
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SYLVIA, incredulously: I canât imagine.... Could he be trying to ... Breaks off.
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HYMAN: What.
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SYLVIA: ... Make you think Iâve gone crazy?
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HYMAN: No, you mustnât believe that. I think maybe... you see, he mentioned my so-called reputation with women, and maybe he was just trying to look... I donât know-competitive. How did this start? Was there some reason?
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SYLVIA: I think I made one mistake. He hadnât come near me for likeâI donât remember anymoreâa month maybe; and... I was so young... a man to me was so much stronger that I couldnât imagine I could ... you know, hurt him like that.
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HYMAN: Like what?
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SYLVIA: Well... Small laugh. I was so stupid, Iâm still ashamed of it... I mentioned it to my father-who loved Phillipâand he took him aside and tried to suggest a doctor. I should never have mentioned it, it was a terrible mistake, for a while I thought weâd have to have a divorce ... it was months before he could say good morning, he was so furious. I finally got him to go with me to Rabbi Steiner, but he just sat there like a ... She sighs, shakes her head. âI donât know, I guess you just gradually give up and it closes over you like a grave. But I canât help it, I still pity him; because I know how it tortures him, itâs like a snake eating into his heart.... I mean itâs not as though he doesnât like me, he does, I know it.âOr do you think so?
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HYMAN: He says youâre his whole life.
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She is staring, shaking her head, stunned.
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SYLVIA, with bitter irony: His whole life! Poor Phillip.
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HYMAN : Iâve been talking to a friend of mine at the hospital, a psychiatrist. I want your permission to bring him in; Iâll call you in the morning.
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SYLVIA, instantly: Why must you leave? Iâm nervous now.
Canât you talk to me a few minutes? I have some yeast cake. Iâll make fresh coffee...
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HYMAN: Iâd love to stay but Margaretâll be upset with me.
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SYLVIA: Oh. Well call her! Ask her to come over too.
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HYMAN: No-no...
SYLVIA, a sudden anxiety burst, colored by her feminine disappointment: For Godâs sake, why not!
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HYMAN: She thinks somethingâs going on with us.
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SYLVIA, pleased surprise-and worriedly: Oh!
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HYMAN: Iâll be in touch tomorrow...
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SYLVIA: Couldnât you just be here when he comes. Iâm nervousâpleaseâjust be here when he comes.
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Her anxiety forces him back down on the bed. She takes his hand.
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HYMAN: You donât think heâd do something, do you?
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SYLVIA: Iâve never known him so angry.âAnd I think thereâs also some trouble with Mr. Case. Phillip can hit, you know. Shakes her head. God, everythingâs so mixed up! Pause. She sits there shaking her head, then lifts the newspaper. But I donât understand-they write that the Germans are starting to pick up Jews right off the street and putting them into...
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HYMAN, impatience: Now Sylvia, I told you...
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SYLVIA: But you say they were such nice peopleâhow could they change like this!
HYMAN: This will all pass, Sylvia! German music and literature is some of the greatest in the world; itâs impossible for those people to suddenly change into thugs like this. So you ought to have more confidence, you see?âI mean in general, in life, in people.
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She stares at him, becoming transformed.
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HYMAN: What are you telling me? Just say what youâre thinking right now.
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SYLVIA, struggling: I ... I ...
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HYMAN: Donât be frightened, just say it.
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SYLVIA, she has become terrified: You.
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HYMAN: Me! What about me?
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SYLVIA: How could you believe I forgot we had relations!
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HYMAN, her persistent intensity unnerving him: Now stop that! I was only trying to understand what is happening.
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SYLVIA:
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