Abduction of Innocence

"Helen Steves: [the morning after Robert orders Clare to drop out of the school play; he is now going back to Seattle] I wish you didn't have to leave so soon. [She kisses him] Helen Steves: Have a safe trip. Robert Steves: All right. I'll call you later. [Clare emerges from the house and runs after him] Clare Steves: Dad!... I'm sorry about last night. Robert Steves: Well, just make sure it never happens again, okay? Helen Steves: Bob, you *could* be more gracious. Robert Steves: That's what she could've been, too. Clare Steves: You're right, as always - I quit the play, told the director exactly what you told me. I lost some face in the process, but... well, that's one lucky understudy. [Her father nods approvingly] Clare Steves: So when are you coming back? Robert Steves: Late tonight - Well, more likely tomorrow... or maybe the next day, if not the day after that. Clare Steves: [smiles] In other words, you have no idea. That's okay, Dad; I'm used to it. [They hug] Clare Steves: Well, see you whenever I see you. Robert Steves: Maybe we can go to a movie this Sunday, or something. Clare Steves: [half-joking] Gosh, I don't know; is that gonna cut into my SAT-prepping time? Robert Steves: [smiles] That's my girl."

"Helen Steves: [in the kitchen, shortly after Robert has left for Seattle; Helen is working on her laptop computer] ... So did you two patch things up? Clare Steves: I gave in and did as he said, if that's what you mean. Helen Steves: ...Clare, how do I reset the paragraphs on this thing? Clare Steves: You have to click "format." Helen Steves: I knew that. Clare Steves: Mom, my friends are throwing me a belated birthday party tonight... Helen Steves: Clare! Clare Steves: Laura promised, behind my back, that I would come. I can't just not show up, or none of them will ever speak to me again. Helen Steves: No, no - you know how I feel about *deceiving* your father like this. Clare Steves: It's better than all-out defiance, isn't it? I tried passive resistance and that didn't work, so... Can't you talk to him? Helen Steves: Honey, I don't believe that would do any good. You know how he is. I mean, once he makes up his mind about something... [sighs] Helen Steves: ... Look, I know you think he's too strict, but... Clare Steves: You're calling him *strict?* That's like calling the K2 a molehill! All the other kids in my class are being what, and who, they really are... you know, normal teenagers. He makes me feel as if I froze in time at age 10, without even telling me when or where I've gone wrong. Helen Steves: And sometimes you *behave* like you're 10 years old. Clare Steves: Well, I picked the wrong shoulder to cry on, didn't I? [laughs] Clare Steves: He let me have more fun when I *was* 10 than he lets me have now. I'm the only girl at my school who doesn't go to dances or have dates - the Odd Lady Out, as it were. Helen Steves: There are more important things than dates and dances. It means a lot to your father that you get into a good college. Clare Steves: Other girls my age get into fine colleges. They aren't nearly as wealthy, and they don't live like nuns in the meantime. Helen Steves: [laughs] Oh, Clare! It's not that bad! Clare Steves: How would you know? Did your parents raise you the same way? Helen Steves: [grins and shakes her head] ... Touché, Clare. Go on, have fun at the party. Clare Steves: Seriously? Thanks a lot, Mom! Helen Steves: Just see to it that you're home by 11 sharp. And pray to High Heaven your father doesn't get back before you do!"