Sam I Am and Guy in “House”

[realizing Guy is in a sheet tent on a branch of his treehouse] I love a good sheet tent. [makes his way over there with an illuminated pinwheel and a plate of green eggs and ham] Back when I was a kid, I built one with my mom. Yeah, we'd-

We'd snuggle up tight, and she'd make shadow puppets on the wall.

[still upset] Sounds like an amazing family.

Just like yours.

They're amazing, all right. That's the problem. They're... They're all huge successes, and the only thing I've ever succeeded at... [looks over his shoulder] ... is failure.

[trying to stay positive] At least you're the best at something, right?

[annoyed] You heard how they are with me, all the phony flattery. [looks away again] What they really mean is I'm a disappointment. Always have been.

That's not true.

You don't have to say that.

Guy, I mean it. You never disappointed them. They're just a little sad to see you give up, because they know how great and creative you are, and they hate to see you throw that away. [puts a hand on Guy's shoulder] They love you, Guy. Believe me. You're lucky to have them.

[sighs and pulls away] You don't understand.

[after a brief silence] I do. [sighs, sadly] I know exactly how lucky you are... because... I never had a family.

[jerks his head around, shocked] What did you say?

[guiltily] I made it all up.

But what about the sheet tent story with your mom?

[shaking his head] There was never a sheet tent.

[finally turning around to face Sam] Or the stuffed animals she bought you at the fair, and-and the juice you spilled that you were sorry for, and your imaginary friend, Reggie, who she pretended was real?

[ashamed] I made him up too.

I never told anybody this before but... when I was very little, my mom... [holds back tears] ...left me at an orphanage. It's always just been me. I mean, at least until I met you.

[concerned] Do you remember anything about your parents?

I remember my mom... a little. Just one thing.

What?

It's not important.

Go ahead.

It's silly.

[gently] Sam.

[looking at the green eggs and ham on the plate before him] She made me breakfast.

I bet hers... were really good.

[smiling wistfully] The best. Really green. Super eggy. [picks up one of the eggs with his fork; his face falls] I've been trying to find her all these years, so I could ask why, you know? Why she gave me up.

I'm sure it's a good reason. I just... really want to know. So I keep ordering them, and I keep trying them. [eats the egg on his fork. After he swallows, he holds back his tears again] But they're... never hers.

[softly] Keep trying, Sam.

I will.