Year of the Comet1992

Margaret Harwood:
[Sir Mason and Richard are discussing the winery's business dealings. Margaret has come in after cleaning up from the last tasting] Everything is cleaned up, Father.

Sir Mason Harwood:
Thank you, Margaret. [Margaret remains where she is, Sir Mason looks up] Yes? Is there something else, my dear?

Margaret Harwood:
Father, please, when will I be able to go on an outing?

Margaret Harwood:
Margaret, we've discussed this...

Margaret Harwood:
[interrupts] Father, wines are my life. I love it! And I am passed up time and time again while Richard gets every opportunity!

Richard Harwood:
The wine business is complex, certaintly not for a silly girl!

Margaret Harwood:
You are a person of very little character!

Richard Harwood:
You know what pains me, Margaret?

Margaret Harwood:
Fat men in high heels?

Richard Harwood:
No! What a bitter, lonely old maid you are going to be!

Sir Mason Harwood:
Enough of this! Both of you! Margaret, I said I would send you out when you are ready, and as I am in charge of this winery, until I feel you are, Richard will continue to represent our interests.

Margaret Harwood:
When?

Sir Mason Harwood:
When you are *ready*, dear!

Margaret Harwood:
So that's your final word, then?

Sir Mason Harwood:
Yes.

Margaret Harwood:
I thought you might say that. Here [puts a letter on the desk] .

Sir Mason Harwood:
What's this?

Margaret Harwood:
My resignation letter.

Richard Harwood:
[Picks up the letter and starts to read it] Well, this *is* good news.

Sir Mason Harwood:
[takes the letter from Richard] When your mother decided to raise you in America, I accepted it. It was a decision I always knew would come to back to haunt me. But this [holds the letter up] , you stop it now. Or I shall, I assure you, become quite upset. [holds the letter out to Margaret, which she does not take back] I don't enjoy making threats very well.

Margaret Harwood:
Neither do I. Goodbye. [turns and walks out]

Sir Mason Harwood:
[throws the letter on the desk] Damn! Truly, truly, Damn!

Richard Harwood:
Father, we should celebrate her leaving!

Sir Mason Harwood:
Celebrate? She knows more about wine than you'll ever know, and she willingly does the work of four!

Richard Harwood:
But Harwood has never been represented by a *woman*!