Act Two, Scene Ten
(Maggie and Matthew in cafe.)
Maggie:
So, I think I got it. Making all the drinks is still a little scary but--
Matthew:
You'll get it. Don't be nervous at all.
Maggie:
First day jitters that's all.
(Thomas enters.)
Maggie:
Shit.
Matthew:
Want me to get this one?
Maggie:
No, no. I got to face it sometime.
(Thomas approaches counter, looks at Maggie, awkward silence.)
Thomas:
Hey.
Maggie:
Hi.
Thomas:
Did I see the other night, with Deborah?
Maggie:
Yeah, girls' night.
Thomas:
Yeah, yeah.
Maggie:
So, you work there?
Thomas:
Yeah.
Maggie:
You like it?
Thomas:
Yeah, it pays the bills. The church, well, you know.
Maggie:
Yeah.
(silence.)
Thomas:
So, you work here now? How do you like it?
Maggie:
First day.
Thomas:
Well, its pretty easy. You'll get the hang of it. I wish I was still here sometimes.
Maggie:
Bet you do.
(silence.)
Get you anything?
Thomas:
Just a cup of coffee and one of those amazing peach pecan muffins.
Maggie:
All right.
(She pours coffee, gets muffin, sets it on the counter. He lays some cash on the counter, takes both in hands, waits.)
Saving up money...for school.
Thomas:
School?
Maggie:
Yeah...in California.
Thomas:
Out of state. Huh?
Maggie:
Yeah. What do you think about that?
Thomas:
(after a moment)
If you need to do that...
Maggie:
Yeah, well. I can't stick around here all my life.
Thomas:
Yeah. Well, good luck.
(He turns and walks down to patio, sits. Ray enters slowly, nods to Thomas, then enters cafe.)
Matthew:
Hi there, Ray. How are you?
(Ray nods at him. He sits at table down center, pulls out paper from coat pocket, unfolds it, stares at it.)
Matthew:
Need coffee?
(Ray nods. Matthew goes behind counter, grabs a cup of coffee, and brings it down to him.)
Matthew:
(handing it to him and sitting across from him.)
So, everything okay?
Ray:
Well...
(pushes paper across to him. Matthew turns it toward him, looks at it.)
Matthew:
I'm...sorry.
Ray:
Thanks.
Matthew:
So, how long do you...
Ray:
have to live? Well, there is a place up north where I can get regular treatments, should give me a few more years.
Matthew:
So, you're going to go.
Ray:
Don't have a choice, if I want to live.
Matthew:
Yeah. Just keep in touch.
Ray:
Of course.
(Thomas gets up and crosses to them, sits.)
Thomas:
So, she works here now?
Matthew:
Yeah. So?
Thomas:
Says she's moving...for school?
Ray:
So, you gonna say something?
Thomas:
What is there to say?
Ray:
So, that's that.
Thomas:
Yeah, I guess so.
Ray:
Really? Really?
Thomas:
Yeah, really.
Ray:
Its just...
(looks at paper.)
Thomas:
What?
Ray:
You only get one chance at this, you know.
Thomas:
At what?
Ray:
Life, is all.
Thomas:
Well, well, well. Since when have you become a philosopher?
Matthew:
Hey, Thomas--
Ray:
(hesitating)
Since this.
(pushes paper towards Thomas, who looks at it. Silence.)
Thomas:
Sorry, man.
Ray:
No worries. So going up north for treatments and living.
Thomas:
Seems like everyone's taking off, then.
(Maggie crosses down to table, sits nearest Matthew.)
Matthew:
Not everyone.
Thomas:
What about you, man? You going to stick around here the rest of your life?
Matthew:
Hopefully, not.
Thomas:
So, what's with you and Deborah?
Matthew:
Nothing. I mean, we're done. She called it off...
Ray:
And, you're okay with that?
Matthew:
I shouldn't be? What else can I do?
Ray:
Sometimes if you want something, you got to fight.
Matthew:
What, are you Shaggy now?
Ray:
Yeah, never give up the fight, that's right. Life is short...
Thomas:
So, Deborah?
Matthew:
She and James are...
Thomas:
Really?
Maggie:
(after a moment)
Its been a few weeks since they got together, all seems well, I guess. But, you know, how James is, classic Leo. Passionate one moment, Fire the next.
Thomas:
I don't quite follow you.
Maggie:
Runs hot and cold that one. I just hope she doesn't end up hurt.
Thomas:
Well, the future is not in our hands.
(He finishes coffee and rises, throwing a couple dollars on table)
I got to get to work.
(Looks at Maggie, then away.)
I'll be seeing you.
(To Matthew.)
Later, man.
(Ray rises.)
Ray:
Well, I got a doctor's appointment...
(rising slowly.)
Matthew:
(rising with him.)
Take care of yourself. You know what Shaggy always says...
Ray:
Yeah, yeah I do.
Matthew:
Right, that. So, don't.
(Thomas and Ray exit, Matthew watches after them.)
(Lights fade.)
No comments:
Post a Comment