by
Dave Tucker
Copyright 2002 by Dave Tucker
CAST
TIM (30’s)
JOE (30’s)
TIME: The present.
SETTING: a nightclub.
The interior of a bar, a place for dancing. JOE is sitting at a table sipping a bottle of beer. TIM enters from behind carrying a beer and sits next to JOE.
TIM: Hey.
JOE: Hey. Where you been?
TIM: Oh, I was just checking my voicemail.
JOE: Expecting a call?
TIM: You never know. Anything going on?
JOE: No, I got out of the meeting late. I just got here.
TIM: Are you hungry? They have a great steak sandwich here.
JOE: I don’t know – I’m not that hungry yet. I thought maybe we could go over to Harry’s Barbecue. I really like that place.
TIM: Good idea. I don’t think I’ve been there since the last time you were in town.
JOE: Hey, check out the girl over there – the redhead.
TIM: Yeah, she’s nice.
JOE: Why don’t you ask her to dance?
TIM: No man, I’m here to see you. I don’t need to meet any girls.
JOE: I would never stand in the way of your meeting an attractive woman –
TIM: No, that’s okay. (pause) I didn’t get anything in the mail today.
JOE: That happens sometimes.
TIM: I just thought I might.
JOE: Might what?
TIM: Get a card or something.
JOE: From who?
TIM: Don’t you know what today is?
JOE: Thursday.
TIM: No, it’s June 19th.
JOE: So?
TIM: That’s the day Jenny broke up with me.
JOE: Are you still trying to get over that?
TIM: What’s wrong with being sentimental?
JOE: It’s over, man – move on.
TIM: I just miss her.
JOE: I know you do. (pause) That blonde over there looks nice.
TIM: Yeah.
JOE: That vest she’s wearing is pretty crazy. Reminds me of something….. I’m not sure what.
TIM: Isn’t that kind of like the pattern on Grandma’s old sofa?
JOE: Ummm….. yeah, I think you’re right. Now that’s funny.
TIM: Well - can’t ask her out. Couldn’t date a woman that has the same taste as Grandma.
JOE: No kidding. (pause) What about her friend there?
TIM: I don’t think so.
JOE: Why not, she’s cute?
TIM: Then why don’t you go ask her to dance?
JOE: Not me, I’m a married man.
TIM: Then quit bugging me. I can pick my own dates. (pause) So what do you think Jenny’s up to now?
JOE: Let’s not talk about Jenny.
TIM: I just wondered.
JOE: It’s been five years, man, get over it.
TIM: One time …..I thought I saw her at the airport. And I ran after her, but by the time I got to the counter where she was – she was gone.
JOE: It wasn’t her.
TIM: Maybe.
JOE: Look, this is my last night in town. Let’s not ruin it, okay?
TIM: Sorry, I forgot you were going home tomorrow. What time does your flight leave?
JOE: Nine thirty-five.
TIM: You need a ride to the airport?
JOE: No, I’ve got to drop off the rental car there, anyhow.
TIM: That’s pretty nice that your boss lets you expense a rental car.
JOE: Yeah, he’s a good guy. (pause) Hey, check out the long-haired beauty by the bar. She looks like your type.
TIM: No - too many earrings. She looks like she fell headfirst into a tackle box.
JOE: You sure are picky.
TIM: Jenny would never do that.
JOE: Tim.
TIM: Sorry. (pause) So what are you going to be doing this summer?
JOE: The usual. Visit the in-laws probably.
TIM: That’s not so bad. Do you guys still go to that cabin on the river?
JOE: Yeah.
TIM: I really like that place. I wish I could come visit some time.
JOE: We’ve been through this before, man.
TIM: I know.
JOE: So when are you going to start dating again?
TIM: Oh, I don’t know. I tried, but…. Well, you know…
JOE: Tim, you’ve got to move on.
TIM: I know. I just can’t. I try to, but I can’t.
JOE: Didn’t you try counseling?
TIM: Yeah, but I stopped after a while. I got tired of my counselor saying that I needed to - well, you know - the whole thing with Jenny. He kept telling me that I needed to realize that we were moving in different directions.
JOE: What’s wrong with that?
TIM: I couldn’t handle the idea – I couldn’t get over the feeling that life would be better if we were still together.
JOE: You know that’s not true.
TIM: Yeah, in my mind, I know that. In my mind I know that she’s married, with two kids, and living happily ever after in Chicago. But deep in my heart, I just can’t….
JOE: Let it go, Tim.
TIM: I’m trying. I just – oh my god! That brunette over there – she looks just like Jenny.
JOE: What? Well, yeah, I guess she does a little.
TIM: See? Everywhere I look, I see Jenny. Something reminds me of her, or looks like her, or something.
JOE: Maybe you need to get back into counseling.
TIM: I don’t know.
JOE: Tim, you’ve got to get over it. It’s screwed up your whole life.
TIM: Somehow, it’s just seems like maybe-
JOE: You even admit that you’ve got to let this pass. Just forget about it!
TIM: Well -
JOE: I mean, look at us. I haven’t seen you in almost a year, and what are we talking about? Jenny! A girl you haven’t seen in five years – and will probably never see again! You need to get over this, because I’ve had enough of it. Everybody that knows you has had enough, so just grow up, damn it. Get a life! (pause) I’m sorry.
TIM: It’s okay. You’re right.
JOE: I shouldn’t talk to you that way. I’m sorry.
TIM: It’s okay. It’s my fault. I need to move on, but I just haven’t been able to.
JOE: But I shouldn’t…. I mean…..Are you okay?
TIM: Yeah.
JOE: Let’s get out of here. You want to get something to eat?
TIM: (rising to go) No, I’d better go home.
JOE: (standing) I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have lost it like that. You want me to take you home?
TIM: No, I’m okay.
JOE: Are you sure?
TIM: Yeah, I’ll be all right. Look, I’m sorry I messed up your last night in town.
JOE: Don’t worry about it. It’s okay.
TIM: I love you, Joe.
JOE: I love you, too, man.
TIM: Have a good flight back.
JOE: I will.
TIM: And tell Jenny I said “hello.”
JOE: I will.
TIM: Good night.
JOE: ‘Night.
TIM exits. BLACKOUT.