NYLES
I always knew. What are you doing after work today?

(HARRIET turns and gives him the “What are you on?” look.)

HARRIET
(suspiciously)
Why?

NYLES
Oh, I was just curious…

(HARRIET ignores him.)

No, really, what are you doing?

HARRIET
Nothing to do with you.

NYLES
Oh, come on.

(He playfully elbows her in the side. HARRIET is not amused. She looks at the syringe full of cyanide, holding it up a little, looking thoughtfully at it.)

No, really, I’m interested, I’ll listen. I won’t interrupt.

HARRIET
Okay, let me remember- wait for it- don’t say anything…

(HARRIET feigns thought, NYLES watches intently. HARRIET quickly continues working.)
NYLES
That’s funny, I get it. Well, since you don’t want to tell me what you’re doing, I’ll tell you what I’m doing. I’m going to get dinner and watch a movie.

HARRIET
(incredulously)
With someone?

NYLES
(interpreting this entirely the wrong way)
Well, if you want to come…

HARRIET
God no…

NYLES
You know, I’ve noticed-

HARRIET
(at the end of her rope)
Nyles. Shut up.

NYLES
That’s not very nice.

HARRIET
No. It’s not. Shut up. Or I’m going to stab you with this syringe.

(She fingers the syringe delicately. We don’t know if she’s joking or not.)

NYLES
(A little creeped out)
You wouldn’t. Anyways, you know that pizza place near the hospital? I was thinking-

HARRIET
(struggling to keep under control)
Nyles. Don’t say a word.

NYLES
You should stop joking-

(For a heartbeat, we see HARRIET lunge at NYLES with the syringe. Then the lights go out. Maybe a couple red lights flash for an instant.)

END OF ACT I