Act 4, Scene 4: “William Wants a Doll ”

“C really likes his doll,” S tells TRL. S has been going through old boxes and found her Saul and Gusie dolls from her youth. The one with curly blonde string hair has been taken in by E, while C gravitates to the younger bald one, which E promptly denounced as a “bowling ball.”

“That’s nice,” replies TRL, happy that C is enjoying a doll.

The tune from Free To Be You and Me flashes through his head: “A doll, a doll, William wants a doll. A doll for William to love and hold... ” TRL loved that record as a kid, and seeing it on video with his kids has only reinforced that love. Still, was it normal for a little boy to be so into playing with a doll?

“But he started banging it against the wall,” continues S. “I asked him what he was doing. He said he was ‘giving it boo boos.”

TRL laughs, relieved. Sensitive, but not too sensitive. Everything was alright.