(SON stands at an easel, painting. Enter MOM.)

MOM
It's getting late.

SON
Okay.

MOM
It's time to start thinking about it.

SON
Okay.

MOM
So have you been thinking about it?

SON
Of course.

MOM
What have you been thinking?

SON
What do you think?

MOM
I don't know. I'm asking.

SON
I've been thinking about it all year.

MOM
Okay. Then what?

SON
What are you talking about?

MOM
I mean, what are your plans? College?

SON
Of course I'm going to college.

MOM
Okay. You're going to college. That's good.

SON
You don't think I'm going to college? You think I'm stupid?

MOM
No. I think that's great. Where?

SON
I don't know.

MOM
Have you thought about it?

SON
Of course I've thought about it. You think I'm an idiot?

MOM
No. Which ones are you thinking of?

SON
Plenty of 'em.

MOM
Well, what about applying?

SON
I know you've got to apply, if you're going to college. You think I'm crazy?

MOM
No. But…you graduate in three months. This would be a good time.

SON
You don't think I know that?

MOM
I wasn't sure.

SON
You think I'm some kind of a fool?

MOM
No.

SON
I've been thinking about this for years.

MOM
Good.

(long pause)

So. You need some help?

SON
With what?

MOM
Looking at schools? Filling out applications?

SON
You think I'm too dumb to fill out an application?

MOM
No - you're a very bright child.

SON
I'm eighteen. I'm not a child.

MOM
Of course not.

(long pause)

I could help.

SON
How could you help?

MOM
I could…take you to a campus.

SON
They're all the same.

MOM
I could help with the application.

SON
Those are nothing.

MOM
You've seen them?

SON
Of course I've seen them. You think I'm ignorant?

MOM
No. Where'd you see them? At school?

SON
Of course. The guidance office is full of applications.

MOM
Do they help you with them?

SON
Of course they do. What do you think - they just let you graduate without ever helping you do what you're going to do next?

MOM
No. I'm glad to hear they help. What is that you're drawing?

SON
What do you think it is?

MOM
I'm not sure.

SON
Are you blind?

MOM
Is it a guy with a guitar?

SON
It's Bob Dylan singing "Like a Rolling Stone."

MOM
You're supposed to know, from the picture, what he's singing?

SON
If helps, if you're going to understand the picture. Don't you think you get more out of a painting when you know what they're singing?

MOM
Will that be the title: 'Like a Rolling Stone.'

SON
It doesn't have a title.

MOM
Then how will people know?

SON
His expression.

MOM
You should put it in the title - or people won't know what he's singing.

SON
That's their problem.

(tuning his mother out, he sings)

'How does it feel
To be without a home
Like a complete unknown'

MOM
Don't sing when I'm talking to you.