Nate & Laura & How They Met

Act Two, Scene Three

Exterior: Outside Kiyah's house, same day.

(Laura, in work out clothes, carrying latte, walks hand in hand with Nate, with latte.  They are laughing and enjoying each others company.)

NATE

So, can I call you?

LAURA

Yeah, I'd like that.  My number--

NATE

I have it.

LAURA

How?

NATE

Lucy.

LAURA

Ah.  So, um--

NATE

What are you doing later?

LAURA

Later?

NATE

Like, you want to hang out again or---

LAURA

Yeah, that could be fun.

NATE

Could be?

LAURA

Yeah, could be. I might have some time tomorrow...another day off, two in a row!

NATE

Nice.

LAURA

Yeah, so maybe we can hang out, then, yeah?

NATE

Yeah.

Fade Into:

Interior: Kiyah's living room.

(Kiyah is on phone, pacing.)

KIYAH

Oh my god...no...yeah...yeah.  Okay, what time?...No, no, don't even think about...I'll be there.  Of course, of course....no, don't do that...Luc...love you too, hon.  See you tomorrow.

(Kiyah hangs up, turns and sees Laura and Nate enter, laughing. She freezes emotionally when she sees them, they stop awkwardly, she shakes herself.)

Hey, Laura.  Nate.  Look, that was Lucy, she's got to go talk to the lawyer about Eddie shit tomorrow and wants me to come along for support, you know.  So, sorry to have to do this, but do you think you can cover my shift? I'll make it up to you.

LAURA

Yeah, um, of course.  Anything for Lucy.  So, she's seeing a lawyer?

KIYAH

Custody battles and all the fun.  I hope the creep loses everything, serves him right.

LUCY

Yeah.

NATE

So, I'll have to watch the kids?

KIYAH

You'll have to ask Lucy, but yeah, you will probably have to do your job instead of--

Nate

Instead of...what?

KIYAH

Nothing, nothing. I was just...nothing.

NATE

Okay...?  So, maybe not tomorrow, then, Laura...

LAURA

How about tomorrow night?

KIYAH

Tomorrow night?

NATE

Yeah.  Dinner? My treat.

LAURA

Wow, yeah, that'd be great. What time?

NATE

Can you come to my place around, I don't know, 7? I make the world's best lasagna.

LAURA

Can't wait to be the judge of that!

NATE

So, see you then.

LAURA

Yeah.

(They smile at each other, then turn to look at Kiyah, awkwardly, waiting to see if she will leave the room.  She doesn't, so they share a quick hug.)

NATE

Well, bye.

LAURA

Bye.

(Nate exits front door.)

KIYAH

Wait, what the hell just happened? Were you actually talking to Nate?

LAURA

Yeah...

KIYAH

In my living room? Talking to him?

LAURA

Yeah...

KIYAH

And, did you actually just make a real live date, in my living room, talking to Nate?

LAURA

Yeah.

KIYAH

Wow.  That's an improvement.

LAURA

Yeah, well blame Samantha.

Fade Into:

Interior: Law offices, a desk, two chairs.  Mrs. Beasly and Lucy sit in chairs, Mr. Edward Flinch sits behind desk, an older tired man who has been practicing law for many years, he's seen it all, and just wishes for the end to come.  Through the window of his office, Kiyah can be seen in the lobby waiting.

LUCY

So, what you are saying is that its impossible to gain full custody of my kids---

EDWARD FLINCH

Impossible, no.  Uphill battle, yes.  You will have to prove that he is unfit to parent--

LUCY

He's a violent alcoholic who hasn't held a job in years.

EDWARD FLINCH

You'd be surprised what people can get away with when they put a mind to it.  At best, we can try for 100% custody with supervised visits from the father.

LUCY

I don't know.

MRS. BEASLEY

Hear the man out, Luc.

EDWARD FLINCH

For any other attorney, that'd satisfy.  But, you are dealing with Edward Flinch, I'm no novice, Lucy, I can provide you above what you require.

LUCY

Wow, uh, thank you.

MRS. BEASLEY

Don't worry about the cost, Luc.  We just need to keep you and my grand-babies safe.

LUCY

Um, all right.

EDWARD FLINCH

So, paperwork, timeline, let's talk.

Fade into:

Interior: Lobby of Law Offices

(Lucy and Mrs. Beasley walk out of office.  Lucy is a little stunned.  Kiyah approaches her, hugs her.)

KIYAH

You okay?

LUCY

I don't know.

KIYAH

Need a drink?

LUCY

Yeah, I think so.  Nate can watch the kids tonight, probably, right?

KIYAH

Oh yeah, shouldn't be a problem.

LUCY

I'll just send him a text.

KIYAH

You do that.

MRS. BEASLEY

Thanks for looking after her, Kiyah.  You are a good friend.

KIYAH

I do my best.

MRS. BEASLEY

You are wonderful.

LUCY

Nate just texted me, he said he made plans tonight?

KIYAH

Well.

LUCY

It is technically his time off.

KIYAH

Yeah, but you are his boss. So?

MRS. BEASLEY

I could watch--

KIYAH

So, he has to do what you say, kind of, you know.

LUCY

You wouldn't mind, Mom? Yeah, Kiyah, but I don't want to be that kind of boss.  He's already gone over and above what I asked of him.

MRS. BEASLEY

No, its no problem at all.

KIYAH

No, of course not.

Fade Into:

Interior: Nate2's bedroom

(Samantha is asleep, Nate2 rolls over and kisses her face.)

SAMANTHA

Oh, good morning.

NATE2

Yes, yes it is.

SAMANTHA

You are incorrigible.

NATE2

And, so are you.

(They start to make-out.)

Fade into: Lucy and Kiyah's store, an hour later.

(Laura is putting clothes away on the rack, no customers, she is walking listlessly around store, trying to keep busy, make the time go by.  Samantha bangs on the window, startling Laura, Samantha waves enthusiastically.  Laura signals for her to come in.)

(Enter Samantha.)

LAURA

Geez, Samantha, what's going on? Wait a minute, aren't those the same clothes you wore for your coffee date with Nate...oh my god, you didn't?

SAMANTHA

It was quite the coffee date!

Laura

Well, we are quite the different species, aren't we?

SAMANTHA

How so? Oh, because I go all in and you hesitate like woah.

LAURA

Yeah, something like that.

SAMANTHA

So, Nate...my Nate, is playing with his band tonight at the Palisades.  You want to come with?

LAURA

Uh, I can't.

SAMANTHA

Okay, maybe I'll ask Ashley.  Haven't seen her in awhile? I wonder what's up with that girl.  Eh, maybe busy with school...wait, why can't you?

LAURA

I, um, am having dinner with, um, Nate.

SAMANTHA

Your Nate?

LAURA

Yeah, yeah...my Nate.

SAMANTHA

High five.

LAURA

Really? We're doing that.

SAMANTHA

Just humor me.

(They high five.)

Fade into: Backyard of Lucy's house

(Mrs. Beasley approaches Nate's granny unit.  A young man pops his head over neighbor's gate.)

NATE3

Hey there, Mrs B.  How's Lucy and Eddie and the kids?

MRS. BEASLEY

Lucy and the kids are hanging in there.  Eddie isn't around anymore.

NATE3

Wow,I'm sorry to hear about that.

MRS.BEASLEY

I'm not.

(Nate comes out of his granny unit, with Stephen and Adam.)

ADAM

Grandma!!

MRS.BEASLEY

Hello sweetie!

NATE

Hi, Mrs. Beasley.  Thanks for taking the kids.  I would watch them, but I've got this--

MRS.BEASLEY

Don't mention it, Nate.  You've been amazing.  And, please call me Sondra.

NATE

Oh, okay, Sondra.

NATE3

Whose the new guy, Mrs. B?

(Mrs. Beasley cringes and looks at Nate. She sighs.)

MRS.BEASLEY

Nate, this is Lucy's neighbor, Nate.

NATE3

Your name is Nate too?

NATE

Yeah, that's right.  How funny!  I met another guy yesterday with that name.

NATE3

The Nates are taking over.

NATE

Yeah.

NATE3

Total Nate Domination.

NATE

DomiNATEion!

MRS.BEASLEY

Oh dear.  Let's go, Adam.

(She takes Stephen out of Nate's hands and heads for her car.)

ADAM

Bye Nate, see you later, Mr. Alligator.

NATE

In awhile, Mr. Crocodile!

NATE3

Cute kid.  You are?

NATE

Uh, Lucy's manny, um, nanny, male nanny.

NATE3

Nice!  Lucy's great.

NATE

How long have you lived here?

NATE3

Its my parents' place.  I moved back in after the wife split.  I'm in and out actually.

NATE

Yeah, sorry to hear about the marriage ending.

NATE3

Thank you, but its for the best.

NATE

So, what do you do?

NATE3

Hotel clerk by day, writer by night.

NATE

Awesome.  Written anything lately?

NATE3

It's all up here, man.

(He taps his forehead.)

The trick is getting it out.  But, yeah, I got some projects.

NATE

Awesome.  This is such an art town.  I just moved here and...you wouldn't believe it, but I got cast in this film project, a web-series.

NATE3

Rock on, man!  Who with?

NATE

Its a student project.  Girl named, uh, Ashley and--

NATE3

Ashley?

NATE

Yeah, you know her?

NATE3

I might. Last name?

NATE

You know, its kind of embarrasing but I don't know that. I should, I really should but---

NATE3

Ah, no worries. But, congrats, man. So, what you got going on tonight?

NATE

Um, actually I am sort of seeing this girl.

NATE3

Yeah?

CUTAWAY: Laura locking up the store, walking home

NATE

And, she's coming over for dinner tonight, so I should probably go.

NATE3

Nice, man.  Have fun.

Cutaway: Kiyah's house, Laura comes to the bathroom, Samantha's in the shower.

LAURA

Oh my gosh, Samantha.  You gonna be a long time?

SAMANTHA

I be long time.

LAURA

What?

SAMANTHA

Sorry, bad joke.

LAURA

Can you hurry? I've got to get ready for...tonight.

SAMANTHA

Okay, got it.

LAURA

And, don't use all the hot water.

CUTAWAY: Nate3 and Nate

NATE3

So, you need protection?

NATE

Um, no I'm good. Thanks.

NATE3

Its good to be prepared.

NATE

Yeah, of course.  Not sure if it will go that far but, she wants to take it slow.

NATE3

She's coming over, to your house, for dinner and you don't think she wants to--

NATE

Yeah, I see your point.  But, I'm good, I've got some, thanks.

NATE3

And, hopefully you will too.

NATE

Will what?

NATE3

Get some.

(They both laugh.)

Montage:Laura in the shower, shaving her legs, armpits,Nate cleaning the house, making the dinner, Laura blowdrying her hair, putting on make-up, trying different outfits, with or without samantha's approval, Nate trying different outfits

Fade into: Laura walking down the street near Lucy's house.

(Her cellphone rings and she pulls it out of her purse.)

LAURA

Hello? Mom? What's wrong? Oh my god!

Fade intO: Nate's granny unit, a few minutes later, knock at the door.

(Nate opens the door, Laura stands before him, in a state of shock.)

NATE

Hello there, Laura.

(Laura doesn't say anything.)

Is...something...wrong?

LAURA

(as if coming out of a dream)

Nate? Hi...

NATE

Laura?

LAURA

My dad...my dad's dead.

NATE

Oh my god, come in, come in.

Fade into: Nate's living room, Nate and Laura sitting on the couch together.

NATE

You need anything? Water? Wine? I don't know?

LAURA

I...I...don't know...I need to pack, Mom's buying me a ticket, got to go home for...the service and all that.

NATE

Yeah sure.

(Laura gets up and moves towards the door.)

You have to go now?

LAURA

Yeah, I'm really sorry, Nate.  I don't think I would be much fun is all.

NATE

You don't have to be.

(He crosses to her, in front of her.)

I just...want to be here for you, is all.

LAURA

Yeah?

NATE

Yeah.

(They smile at each other softly.  Nate takes Laura's hands.)

Stay?

(Laura thinks about it for a moment.)

LAURA

I wish...but I feel I have to go.

NATE

Oh, all right.  Do what you have to do.

LAURA

Thanks, Nate.  And, I'm sorry.  I really am.

NATE

Don't be.  Life happens.

(Laura turns towards the door, is about to leave, then turns back to Nate, runs to him, kisses him passionately. She pulls away and smiles at him.)

LAURA

Thank you, Nate.  You are...such a nice change.

NATE

You are welcome.

(They kiss again, this time even more passionately.  Laura breaks away, and starts moving towards the door again.)

LAURA

I'll call you, okay?

NATE

Please do.

Angel

In This Town: Chapter Ten: Teacher: The Subject of Young Girl Fantasy

Chapter Ten: Teacher: The Subject of Young Girl Fantasy

I called Joe when I got into the apartment. He listened quietly to my accounts of my time with Ed in Seattle but said little. I invited him over for dinner but he said he was busy for the weekend. He gave me the weekend off to rest, but said he'd be in touch early next week.

Early Monday afternoon, I made my way over to the college for my modeling gig. I stopped by the theatre department but Joe's class was already in session. So, I headed over to the cafeteria for a cup of coffee before my class started. Sitting down at a table with my coffee steaming before me, I opened a book, one that Ed had recommended last week. I am a confessed book nerd and usually have a stack of books I'm reading at one time. As I had opened the first page, I began reading quietly while sipping my drink. Someone walked up to me, I could feel their nearness, and cleared their throat to get my attention. I looked up and saw Riley, in all his charming geekiness, grinning down at me. I smiled, feeling the butterflies bouncing in my stomach.

“Hi,” he began. “How was your trip?”

“Good,” I replied.

“Successful?”

“Yes, of course,” I replied, smiling mysteriously.

“Good,” he began. “So you still want to watch Inuyasha later?”

I smiled up at him, his boldness, and felt an appreciation for his attention. But, my mind flashed to my phone conversation a few days back with Joe, remembering that he promised to get a hold of me.

“I think I might be busy,” I stated. He looked crestfallen so I added, “But I'll let you know.” He perked up a bit at that and said,

“Great, I'll see you in class.” He waved off and headed towards the art building. I put my book away, picked up my coffee, and made my way in that direction, slowly trailing behind him.

Upon entering the classroom, Ken secured me privately into the corner, on the ruse that he needed to discuss poses for that day when in fact he informed me of an upcoming arrangement he had made with Joe on our behalf. We were to meet tomorrow night at the Motel 6 for the full treatment, as he referred to it. I looked him over and winced inwardly, he must have saved up for this, but outwardly I smiled discreetly and invitingly.

“I'll see you then,” I gave, in my best attempt at an “I can hardly wait, come hither” look. He smiled, then turned off to address the class and begin the day's lesson.

After class, I quickly dressed and made my way over to the theatre department. The day's acting class was letting out and I asked a student if Joe was still in the classroom. The student nodded and I made my way towards the back of the auditorium, opening the door a crack to check if he was alone.

He wasn't.

Joe was talking to a student, a young pretty female student. They were laughing in that knowing way that shows interest. I could see the familiar swagger and flirtatious grin across his face. I stared motionless, not saying anything and not trying to reveal myself. I didn't want to watch yet I couldn't move. Through the muddle of the conversation, I heard the words from Joe's mouth “We'll hook up later” swim upwards towards me. I gulped back my tears. That was it, I clamored out the back, letting the door slam loudly behind me.

Biting back tears, I walked quickly towards my car. What was I thinking? Why was this such a big deal? Its not like I had a hold on Joe's affections and attentions, its not like this hadn't happened before. The first time we were together he was married, for God's sake. It wasn't like we were exclusive, so why did this sting? Why was my stomach tying itself up in knots? Tears welled up in my eyes and I blinked to hold them back.

Blurry eyed,  I hurried to my car. Behind me, I heard: “Anna?”

I turned, hoping against hope to see...and there stood Riley, coming forward.

“You okay?” he asked.

“Yeah,” I lied. “Just tired.”

“Oh,” was all he could say.

“How are you?” I gave.

“All right,” he began. “You left class so quickly.”

“Yeah, I...” I began but then trailed off not wanting to remember and swallowed my words, my tears. “Do you need a ride to work?”

“No, I got the day off,” he began. “Gladly so, got a lot of homework to catch up on.”

“Okay,” I said. Then before I could think it through, I said, “Do you want to watch that movie later?”

He smiled brightly and said, “I would love that.”

Without thinking, I gave him my cell number, the private line I gave to family and close friends, as he punched it into his phone under “Anna Reisling”. (I knew that because I had to spell out my last name three times before he really got it.)

I hurried off to my car and reached home a few minutes before Max headed off for work. I collapsed onto the couch in tears and he came and sat next to me.

“What's up?” he asked.

Sobbing, I managed, “I saw...Joe...”

“Yeah, and?”

“He was flirting with...another...student,” I coughed out sobbing.

“So?” was all Max could say, wonderingly.

“So?”

“Well, its not like you have a “normal” relationship,” Max began slowly. “I mean, he's like your, um, pimp, for what's it worth.”

I swallowed and dried my tears on the couch blanket. He had a point there, I knew, but I couldn't help feeling the pain. I nodded at him, knowingly, but the tears continued to roll down my face.

“When did this all become so complicated?” I asked.

Max looked at me and sighed.

“Maybe its time you take a look at your life and where its going,” he said, pushing my hair back out of my eyes. He was right, of course, he always was. I leaned against him.

“Careful,” he began. “I don't want your mascara running on my work clothes.”

I laughed and looked up at him. He grinned down at me.

“Max, you are more than a room-mate,” I started. “You are my bestest friend.”

“Ah, well I've finally achieved something,” he looked down at me. Then said, “You working tonight?”

“No, tomorrow,” I gulped remembering. “I've got a date with Ken Payne.”

Max looked at me and then rolled his head back against the chair laughing. I had told him all about my meetings with the art teacher.

“Is this a $200 deal?” he asked, still laughing.

“No,” I said. “I think he managed to scrape up a few more bucks.”

“Well, try and have fun,” he said, still laughing. “Enjoy your night off.”

“Yeah, I will,” then I remembered. “I invited Riley over.”

Max looked at me, disapprovingly.

“Oh no, don't start that,” he said at last. “Are you ready for a “normal” one?”

“What do you mean?” I asked, feigning innocently. “It's just a movie.”

“Sure, sure it is,” he stated. “Just be careful with that one.”

He headed off to work and two hours later Riley showed up at my door, movie and pizza in hand, gluten-free just like I asked. I offered to pay half but he shrugged it off. We sat on the couch, eating the pizza and sipping boxed red wine. The movie was quite entertaining. As the credits rolled, I looked over at Riley and noticed for the first time how quite handsome he was. His firm chin line jutted out, then his face sloped up to piercing blue eyes, and soft wavy brown hair. It flashed in my mind, could I actually do this without receiving any money for it?

He smiled down at me and our eyes met. I melted inside. For what seemed like a long time, we stayed like that. I was wondering if he was going to make the first move or if I should. I was used to men more forward or at least who knew what they want, as they had paid for it after all. Finally, he smiled at me, pushed back my hair from my face, stroked my cheek, then leaned down and kissed my lips. I leaned into him and drank in his scent. The next moment we were kissing passionately.

In The Arms of An Angel

Laying in my bed later that night, I experienced an odd feeling of contentment. Next to me, Riley slept soundlessly, every now and then releasing a small snore. Having a man in my bed, who hadn't paid for sex was an unknown factor to me. Laying there motionless, I heard Max enter the apartment and thought I heard two more footsteps following him. I thought I heard a girl's giggle stifled as he headed into his bedroom. This shouldn't have surprised me at all. Max was a young, hot-blooded guy, he was allowed his sexual relations as I was. So what if he had never had a girl over as yet in our living together!

I closed my eyes and feigned sleep, counting the minutes until morning.

Around ten am, Riley stirred next to me. He pressed himself against me, wrapping his arms around me. I turned to look at him and he smiled at me.

“Good morning,” he said. Warmly, I kissed his cheek.

“You want some coffee?”

“That'd be great,” came his reply. I got up and grabbed my bathrobe and padded into the kitchen. As I busied myself with coffee, Max came out of his room. He beamed at me.

“Morning,” he said and I looked him over.

“Good night last night?” I asked.

“Yeah, actually,” he started. “About that--”

He was interrupted as simultaneously a girl came out of his room and Riley came out of mine. They stood awkwardly staring around at us. I moved towards Riley with a cup of coffee and handed to him.

“Max?” I began. “This is Riley.”

“Hello, Riley,” Max said. “I'm Max, Anna's room-mate, that's all.”

He then turned to the girl and put his arm around her.

“Anna, Riley, this is Janet,” he said slowly, then finished with, “My ex, well, not anymore.”

She smiled up at him and he kissed her. So, this was the ex that had brought him down here and taken off, breaking his heart? Well, who was I to judge with all my relationship woes and sexual exploits?

“Nice to meet you,” was all I said. I knew Max and I would have our living room pow-wow later on, after they had left, and both of us would have our warnings to give each other.

After Riley had dressed and I bid him off, saying I'd call later. I padded into my bedroom to check my phone and email messages. There was a missed phone call from Joe. I clicked over to voice-mail and listened.

“Busy last night, sorry I didn't get in touch. Call me when you can.”

I put the phone down and pulled my knees up to my chest. So, that was it. The reality of it hit hard.

I didn't know who I should feel more sorry for, the new student fling or myself. Here I was, reliving it all again.   

Don't Stand So Close To Me