Mia scene from As The World Turns, practice script

MIA

What are you doing? You can’t walk!

HENRY

News flash: I can walk. And I’m not pretending otherwise. Not any more.

MIA

You’re going to ruin everything. If Katie comes in and sees you, she’ll kick you to the curb. And you’ll never get a second chance with her...

HENRY

I gave up on that idea a long time ago, baby girl. You’re the one who decided otherwise.

MIA

That’s right. Because I couldn’t stand to see you suffer.

HENRY

I wasn’t suffering! I had adjusted. I was fine.

MIA

Please, you were living in the back of a limo, with a rabbit. Admit it, Henry. You were a zombie. You only came to life when you were with Katie.

HENRY

Okay, okay, it’s all true. But so what? I could do my FDR imitation forever, and it won’t change the fact that Katie’s in love with Mike. So I’m giving up.

MIA

You can’t wimp out now, not when you’re so close! You’re living in her house. She’s cooking your meals and mixing your martinis. And everyday the two of you get a little bit cozier...

HENRY

I don’t get it. Why is this so important to you?

MIA

Because... when I was little and you were taking care of all of us... Dad was God knows where, and Mom always had something else going on that was more interesting than me. They called me "the baby." I hardly even had a name. I was invisible. No one really saw me...except for you. You played cards with me and told me funny stories when I was scared of the dark. You carried me on your back all the way home from the playground when those mean girls pushed me down and I hurt my knee. You fixed things for me, Henry. So let me help you fix your broken heart.

HENRY

Listen to me, pumpkin. I love you for trying. More than I can say. But some things can’t be fixed. So get your stuff together. I’m going to tell Katie the truth.

HENRY (CONT’D)

What fresh hell is this?

MIA

This is your poor little sister, in a sudden, unexplained catatonic state. Her heart beats, but her voice is still. It’s a tragedy--

HENRY

Okay, where are you going with this?

MIA

--And the only thing that can save her is the tender, loving care of her adoring brother Henry, with his devoted ex-wife Katie by his side.

MIA (cont’d)

Hour after hour, hand in hand, the two of them will nurse poor Mia back to health...

HENRY

You can’t be serious.

MIA

If you won’t play the invalid, I will.

HENRY

But it’s ridiculous!

MIA

Then I’ll come up with something else. Face it, Henry. I’m not giving up. And deep down, you don’t want me to.

HENRY

(Giving up)

I’m powerless in the grip of your determination.

MIA

So you’ll stick with the program?

HENRY

Do I have a choice?

MIA

(Leading him back to the

chair) You won’t regret this, Henry.

HENRY

I already do....