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3-09 TOUGH LOVE Home Next page
Written by: Maggie Friedman
Directed by: Jim Kramer

A) Dressing room, Night 1 - Mr. Dimitri compliments everyone on their performance but Grace.
B) Manning Manor Kitchen, Night 1 – Grace is asked what Mr. Dimitri thought of her performance. Grace replies “Mr. Dimitri isn’t God.”
C) Dressing room, Night 2 – Grace tells Mr. Dimitri that the school newspaper gave EVERYONE good reviews, fishing for a compliment from him. He says he doesn’t pay attention to reviews and leaves. She throws the newspaper in the trash.
D) Stage, Night 2 – After the play Grace confronts Mr. Dimitri about his lack of praise for her. He tells her he doesn’t believe one word she says on stage.
E) Grace’s bedroom – Lily compliments Grace on her good review in the school newspaper. Grace says she doesn’t pay attention to reviews. Lily tells her she’s a really interesting person.
F) Eli’s room – Grace tells Eli that she can’t get someone’s comment out of her head. She asks if they can get high together. They do. Eli promises Grace he will come to her final performance the next night.
G) Play, Night 3 – Eli is a no-show. Grace finds out that he had a girl in his room and lied about it. Grace gives a breakthrough performance, crying real tears. Dimitri watches and smiles.
H) Cast party at Manning Manor, Night 3 - Wine scene in Grace’s kitchen

A. MR. DIMITRI COMPLIMENTS EVERYONE BUT GRACE

(Mr. Dimitri is wearing a slightly unbuttoned teal blue shirt, a rust-colored jacket, and a pale pink corsage, the same kind of corsage he wears each night of the three performances.)

The first night’s performance has ended to a standing ovation. The cast celebrates in the dressing room with a box of doughnuts. Mr. Dimitri calls out “Okay, Act 2. Orlando. Orlando, try not to make entrances in scenes you’re not in. Other than that, great. Same with you, Silvius. Huge leap forward. Celia, excellent.” Cynthia smiles and curtsies. “Thank you!” Mr. Dimitri answers, “You’re welcome.” Grace watches from her seat at a dressing table. Mr. Dimitri browses through the papers attached to his clipboard. “Let’s see who else. Uh, Phoebe. Where’s Phoebe?” Jessie appears from behind a changing curtain. “Oh, right here.” Mr. Dimitri leans his arm on a table. “The picnic scene. What was up with that tree?” Jessie holds up a poofy poodle skirt in her hands. “Well, my costume is…a little big.” She holds it out to Sarah Grasso, standing to her right. Sarah reaches for the skirt and dryly remarks to Jessie, “Oh, riiiight. Blame the costume.” Mr. Dimitri responds with “Well, is there something we can do about that, Sarah?” Sarah shoots back, “Well, you know, it’s not really easy doing costumes plus playing Audrey, ‘specially since I happen to have an ulcer.” A.J. walks by and snarks “Oh, like you have an ulcer.” “Excuse me, it’s been medically diagnosed!” Mr. Dimitri reassures the disgusted Jessie, “She’ll fix the skirt. Just know that your work tonight...” he reaches his hand out, Jessie walks a few steps forward, and Mr. Dimitri puts his hand comfortingly on her shoulder. “…(was) really very good.” Jessie smiles and says “Thank you.” Grace is still watching Mr. Dimitri giving this praise from her dressing table. Katie walks in and talks to Sarah and Jessie.

Mr. Dimitri addresses the entire cast. “Okay, your public awaits.” He raises a finger. “I will see you back here tomorrow night at exactly half hour. Do not be late. Okay?” The cast murmurs “Okay.” “Thank you,” says Mr. Dimitri before stopping Tad who is putting on a dark brown jacket to leave. “Oh Tad! Tad, I’m proud of you. Your work has really grown.” He gives Tad a pat on the shoulder. “Uh, well thank you, Mr. Dimitri.” “You’re welcome.” Tad says “Bye!” then leaves.

Grace sees her chance and walks up to Mr. Dimitri. “Uh, Mr. Dimitri?” He studies his clipboard and just gives a “Mmm hmm?” Grace asks, “Was there anything you wanted to mention to me, or--" Mr. Dimitri looks up at Grace quizzically. “Like what?” “I don’t know, like anything?” She smiles hopefully. Mr. Dimitri says nothing and an awkward silence passes. Grace starts, “Oh God! When she dragged that tree, you know? I mean, a lot of stuff went wrong.” Mr. Dimitri smiles knowingly. “Yeahhh, well things can’t always go according to plan.” Grace tries to think of a response but is interrupted by Zoe, who shouts “Hey Grace!” as she goes to hug her big sister. Lily follows behind with flowers, telling Grace that “that was just wonderful.” Grace smiles but glances quickly at Mr. Dimitri, who has pulled back and started walking out the door. Grace says “Thank you,” smells the bouquet, then asks “Oh! Where’s Eli?”

B. “MR. DIMITRI ISN’T GOD.”

The family is in the kitchen having ice cream that same night. Zoe raves about Grace’s and Jessie’s performances to Rick, who had to miss the play that night because of work. Jessie complains that her dress destroyed the entire set but says Karen probably thought it was part of the show. When Eli hears that Karen was there he says he might go the next night.

Lily remarks to Jessie, “I didn’t get a chance to meet Tad. I had hoped you would introduce me.” Jessie looks down. “Yeah, maybe some other—“ Lily interrupts and starts walking toward Grace, who’s leaning against the kitchen counter. “I also didn’t get a chance to congratulate Mr. Dimitri., you know, Grace.” Grace flashes her eyes up. She walks toward Lily’s proffered bowl of ice cream. “Yeah, you can see him on closing night,” she dismisses.” Lily chatters “He must have been very pleased.” Grace shows a fraction of a polite smile and walks to the dinner table. Lily turns around to face her again. “Was he pleased?” she asks. “I really have no idea,” Grace answers, sitting down. “And I actually don’t care.” She looks down at her ice cream. “I mean, Mr. Dimitri isn’t God, you know.” Eli excuses himself. “I’m going to bed. Goodnight,” he says to Rick and Jessie. Grace continues answering Lily’s question. “I mean, what actually matters is whether I’m pleased with myself.” She looks at Lily uncertainly. Lily looks back proudly. “You’re absolutely right.” Zoe cuts in, “But…what did he say?” Grace slumps slightly and silently plays with her ice cream.