Dirk Benedict credited as playing...
Robert Steves
- 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.
- Robert Steves: [on the phone, at dinner] ... I really can't believe this, Al. When I left, the Canadians said all outstanding issues had been resolved. All of a sudden, they get cold feet?
- [He scoffs; Clare comes in]
- Robert Steves: I know it's a lot of money...
- [Clare greets him with a kiss]
- Robert Steves: ... but it's a good deal for everyone! Yeah - you tell McKenzie to call me at home tonight. Right - any time up till midnight. If I can't do this by phone, I'll have to come back tomorrow.
- [He rings off and turns to his wife]
- Robert Steves: ... I don't know what happened. When I left, everything was done. Now the whole deal's falling apart. I may have to go back to Seattle in the morning.
- [He turns to their daughter]
- Robert Steves: ... Hi, honey. How are you? Anything exciting happen while I was gone?
- Helen Steves: Clare got an "A" in math - and in the rest of her major subjects.
- Robert Steves: That's fantastic! See, didn't I say you could do it?
- Clare Steves: I always get an "A" in everything, don't I? That was your rule - anything below 90% might as well be an "F"... I also got offered the role of "Emily" in OUR TOWN. I didn't even audition; the director just came up to me during lunch and...
- Robert Steves: [sighs, cutting her off] I thought we talked about this.
- Helen Steves: [half-joking] Or at least *you* did.
- Robert Steves: [nods, serious] Bingo.
- Clare Steves: I just felt so lucky to receive this role. It'd be awkward if I had to...
- Robert Steves: [cutting her off again] I thought we all agreed - no extracurricular activities this semester. S.A.T.s are coming up. *That* should be your focus.
- Clare Steves: Did all of us really agree on that? Or did *you* agree on it for all of us?
- [He looks at her dangerously]
- Clare Steves: ... Same difference, huh? Well, YOU haven't needed to explain that *repeatedly* for everyone at school. Heck, most of THEM find time for extracurricular stuff - and even jobs. If they can juggle that kind of load...
- Helen Steves: [to her husband] Honey, the play only lasts a couple of weeks.
- Robert Steves: I'm sure there'll be rehearsals every night - no. Next semester, we'll see; but right now, your top priority should be making a good college.
- Clare Steves: [deflated] Meaning you think I don't care about that at all, just because it isn't all I *do* care about!
- [She excuses herself from the table and storms out of the dining room]
- Robert Steves: [his voice dripping sarcasm] Well... I'm glad I rushed home to be with my family.
- [He excuses himself from the table as well. Helen sighs]