Time & Life - Just Like a Man Does

THIS IS REALLY JUST A BOOKMARK THAT I CAN RETURN TO WHEN I WANT TO REVISIT THIS THOUGHT. Unless you love reading transcripts, feel free to keep scrolling. I have nothing of note to say here at the moment. Ruminating.

Do tell: why can't I get this conversation out of my mind?

PEGGY: I keep thinking about that woman.

STAN: Her kid got hurt. She felt guilty.

PEGGY: I know what she felt. I understand the entire psychological situation. She shouldn't have talked to me that way.

STAN: She shouldn't have kids.

PEGGY: That's not for you to say.

STAN: Jesus, I can't even agree with you.

PEGGY: I don't hate kids.

STAN: Look, you got to a certain point in your life and it didn't happen. I understand you're angry about it but you've got a lot of other things.

PEGGY: Don't do that.

STAN: I mean it. You couldn't have done all you've done otherwise.

PEGGY: I guess that's the secret to your spectacular career - the fact that you don't have kids?

STAN: (sarcastically) Not that I know of.

PEGGY: That's funny to you. Because it wouldn't matter if you did; you can walk away.

STAN: I would never do that.

PEGGY: But you may not even know. That's what you said.

STAN: (Pauses. Sighs.)

PEGGY: It's been a long day. (gets up to leave)

STAN: You're right. I didn't mean to judge her.

PEGGY: (angrily) But you did and you don't understand it at all.

STAN: (exasperated) I had a mother! And she wasn't great and I don't know that she wanted me so... I understand something.

PEGGY: But you don't understand your mother!

STAN: (yelling) Well maybe I don't want to!

PEGGY: Maybe she was very young. And followed her heart and got in trouble. And no one should have to make a mistake just like a man does and not be able to move on. She should be able to live the rest of her life just like a man does.

STAN: (pauses, realizing what Peggy is really saying; almost whispering) You're right.

PEGGY: (quietly) I know. (pauses) Maybe you'd do what you thought was the best thing.

- silence -

STAN: (very quietly) What did you do?

PEGGY: I'm...I'm here. And...

STAN: (still quiet) Well.

PEGGY: He's with a family, somewhere. (Long pause) I don't know but it's not because I don't care. I don't know because you're not supposed to know. Or you can't go on with your life.

STAN: (sighs heavily) Sorry, I didn't know that.

PEGGY: (takes a long sip of her cocktail) Well, you don't know lots of things about lots of people. That's the point.

STAN: (stands) No, it's not.

PEGGY: I'm fine. I have work to do. (exits the room)