Cafe Girl: A Story of Coffee, Sex, Cigarettes, & True Love

Dreams

Act Two, Scene Three


Lights show the end of the day, early evening as the rise on cafe. Matthew is busy closing up shop, putting chairs up on tables, vacuuming (miming with real vacuum but silent, the audience will get the idea, one beat and Deborah enters, knocking on the door. Matthew doesn't hear for a moment, so she knocks louder, yelling his name over the din. Then finally she enters, crosses to him, touches him on the shoulder. He turns, startled.

Deborah:

Hi.

Matthew:

Good to see you!

Deborah:

(entering, looking around)

Closing for the day?

Matthew:

Doesn't it look like it?

Deborah:

Need any help?

Matthew:

No. But thank you. I just need to put this away.

(gestures towards vacuum)

And, then how about a walk?

Deborah:

It looks like snow?

Matthew:

First snows are the best times for walks.

(He smiles, she returns the smile)

Let me just--

(He moves to vacuum, placed where ever the director wants him, makes a show of rolling up cord, and dragging vacuum cleaner up stage to kitchen, exits, Deborah looks around, then Matthew re-enters).

All ready?

Deborah:

Yeah. Its so cozy here.

Matthew:

Yeah, I like it too. Its just a shame that--

Deborah:

What?

Matthew:

Business is slow, is all.

(She nods understandingly)

Ready? I know a great place.

Deborah:

Okay.

(They exit through door, Matthew locks it, lights fade on coffee shop as they slowly cross left across stage.)

Just beginning to snow. Its so beautiful.

(Does a ballet-type spin, stops, embarrassed.)

Sorry.

Matthew:

Why?

Deborah:

I just...

Matthew:

It was beautiful.

(She pulls coat closer to her, sticks hands in pockets, no gloves, pulls up hood.)

Hands cold?

(takes gloves out of his pocket.)

Hear, have mine.

Deborah:

But you need them....

(he pushes them towards her)....

Matthew:

Please, I insist. I'm used to it anyway.

Deborah:

Wait, I have a better idea.

(She hands him one, they put gloves on free hands and hold the bare hands, begin walk.)

Matthew:

Wow. Good plan.

Deborah:

You were telling me, on the phone, about your last girl-friend?

Matthew:

Yeah. Not much more to say. She cheated on me, with the whole town, you know. Girls and guys. So, its just messed up. I had the engagement ring ready and everything.

(He takes a few steps in front of her then turns)

You?

Deborah:

Me?

Matthew:

Your ex?

Deborah:

Oh, he was a real slob, drank too much, smoked too much, never completed anything. Lived with me without paying rent or anything...a big mooch. Lame.

Matthew:

Yeah. Looks like we've both been through the ringer!

(They walk a little.)

Deborah:

Yeah.

(They walk in silence. She pulls out hand, turns away.)

Kind of makes you wonder why you do it.

Matthew:

(He takes her hand in his, looks at her.)

It'll be all right. This time.

Deborah:

How do you know?

Matthew:

( He studies her, shakes his head.)

Because, you're all right, yourself, Debi.

Deborah:

Eh, don't call me that. I like Deborah, or even, Deb.

Matthew:

Well, then you're all right, yourself, Deborah.

(thinks)

What about Rah?

Deborah:

What about what?

Matthew:

DeboRAH!

Deborah:

(laughs)

What should I call you then, Hew? Or?

Matthew:

Just Matt. My mom calls me Matthew when she's mad at me.

(mimics mom)

Matthew William Downey!

(They both laugh.)

Deborah:

Sounds familiar!

(mimics mom)

Deborah Ruth Seller!

(silence.)

Where are we going?

Matthew:

You'll see. But, first a little detour, okay?

Deborah:

Do I have a choice?

(laughs)

Matthew:

Sure, you always have a choice, Deborah.

(Matthew crosses downstage center, where stands statue of a donkey.)

Few years ago, my friends and I randomly discovered this. Don't know who made it or even why its here? But, anyways, we started "feeding" it.

Deborah:

What?

Matthew:

It likes this, five nickels. Only five nickels.

Deborah:

Why "five nickels"?

Matthew:

See, they fit perfectly in his mouth. Look.

(He inserts nickels and gestures to them.)

Deborah:

Yeah, I see. So, five nickels?

Matthew:

Yep, five nickels!

Deborah:

Not quarters, pennies, dimes?

Matthew:

No, five nickels, only five nickels. Mr. Donkey here knows what he likes.

(They both laugh, grab hands, continue walking.)

Matthew:

So, you mentioned you finished school? Congratulations!

Deborah:

Thank you.

Matthew:

So, what's next?

Deborah:

Not sure yet. I mean, maybe more school to get a real degree. Seems like nowadays a bachelors doesn't mean much. A professor told me a bachelors is like a high school diploma these days...so what did I just do with four, no, five years of my life? I don't know. I don't want to live my life doing the 9-5, you know, going to work, coming home, paying the bills, feeding the kids, the house, the car. It all seems so pointless. There must be something more, you know?

Matthew:

Yeah, I know what you mean.

Deborah:

What do you want to do?

Matthew:

I don't know yet.

Deborah:

Work in the coffee shop?

Matthew:

Probably not.

(after a moment)

My parents want me to go into the family business, but I don't know. Thought about being a pilot once.

Deborah:

Really?

Matthew:

Yeah, took some lessons just had to finish the final before I got my initial license.

Deborah:

Can you fly?

Matthew:

Sort of. I'll take you up sometime, anywhere you want to go.

Deborah:

Anywhere? I've always wanted to go to Mexico.

Matthew:

Then, we'll go.

Deborah:

Right on! But seriously, you should just do what you love. That's what everyone says, do what you love.

Matthew:

Yeah, what do you love?

(She looks at him, smiles.)

Deborah:

Dancing, yeah. I love it. Unfortunately, according to my parents, you can't make money at that. But, I don't know, I just...when I dance, I feel free. Guess that's why I love it.

(Silence.)

So, where are we going?

Matthew:

Almost there, just a little climb.

(They walk hand in hand down stage left, there can be a small boulder big enough for them to stand on together to show overlook.)

Matthew:

This is what I wanted to show you.

Deborah:

(staring, transfixed.)

Its so beautiful.

Matthew:

Right?

(They stare together in silence.)

Deborah:

Thank you, for bringing me here.

(She turns to him and he to her. They look into each others eyes for a moment, then slowly, awkwardly lean in, and kiss.)

I think this is the start of a very special relationship.

(They kiss again, lights fade.)

Deborah:

(in blackout)

Once upon a time we all walked on the golden road. It was a fair highway, through the Land of Lost Delight; shadow and sunshine were blessedly mingled, and every turn and dip revealed a fresh charm and a new loveliness to eager hearts and unspoiled eyes.

Cafe Girl: A Story of Coffee, Sex, Cigarettes, & True Love

They Can't Take That Away From Me

Act Two, Scene Two

One pool of light downstage left, Matthew stands inside of it, looking at phone and then at hand, then back at phone. This interchange goes on for a few minutes. Lights up on right stage of stage, opposite to Matthew, Deborah sits in chair, holding phone, expectantly. After a few minutes, her phone rings.

Deborah:

Hello?

(nothing)

Hello? Hello?

(begins to hang up)

Matthew:

Deborah? Can you hear me? Its me, Matt, from the cafe.

Deborah:

Oh, hi.

Matthew:

Hi.

Deborah:

I wasn't sure if you would call.

Matthew:

Well, I did. So--

Deborah:

So---

Matthew:

Um?

Deborah:

How was your Christmas?

Matthew:

Not too shabby, after all. Hung out with the parents, got high with my bro.  Nothing major.  But, it was pretty good after all.

Deborah:

Nice. What'd you get? Anything good?

Matthew:

Oh, you know, some practical gifts and some good stuff too.

Deborah:

Like?

Matthew:

Oh, you know the obligatory new clothes. New sweaters, socks my mom picked out so its all real "cool", and I mean that in quotations. But got some time to work on my bike--

Deborah:

Your bike?

Matthew:

Yeah, my bike. My motorcycle. Oh, I didn't tell you about that.

Deborah:

No.

Matthew:

Oh, yeah. I've ridden motorcycles for years.  Back in high school, I used to do motorcross.

Deborah:

Wow, why'd you stop?

Matthew:

Got injured.  But, I still ride.

Deborah:

I've never ridden one.

Matthew:

Well, we'll have to remedy that.

Deborah:

First coffee, now motorcycles. What am I getting myself into?

Matthew:

You'll see. Do I scare you?

Deborah:

Not really.

Matthew:

Do you want me to?

Deborah:

Wait, let me think about it...no, I don't think so.

Matthew:

Okay, then. Yeah, I'll take you out for a ride sometime, when you get back.

Deborah:

That sounds great. I'd like that. I really would.

Matthew:

So, your Christmas?

Deborah:

Oh, all right. Mom and dad fought but that's nothing new. But, Christmas morning was nice. I mean, the champagne made everyone happy, you know. And, like you, I got some good things and some "practical things", and I mean that in quotations.

Matthew:

Right. When you coming back?

Deborah:

Tomorrow.

Matthew:

Okay, good.

Deborah:

Do I hear a hint of excitement in your tone?

Matthew:

Maybe. And you, you excited?

Deborah:

To see you?

Matthew:

Yeah.

Deborah:

So what if I am?

Matthew:

What if.

Deborah:

You're not, um---

Matthew:

Attached?

Deborah:

Yeah, that.

Matthew:

No, I'm unattached. I mean, I was for awhile but that ended. Badly. You?

Deborah:

Oh, don't get me started on my ex.

Matthew:

Okay, then. I won't.

Deborah:

Thanks.

Matthew:

So, you a student or--

Deborah:

I just graduated so, you know, trying to figure out 'the next step'.

Matthew:

Work?

Deborah:

Right now at a preschool. Its fun, the kids are cute.  Don't know if I want to do it forever.  Parents think I should go into teaching but--

Matthew:

Ah, preschool kids.  You know, you should try kicking them, they bounce.

Deborah:

What?

(laughs. yawns)

Matthew:

Tired?

Deborah:

A little.

Matthew:

Me too.

Deborah:

You opening tomorrow?

Matthew:

No, closing so I can sleep in.

Deborah:

Okay, good.

Matthew:

What?

Deborah:

Um...nothing.

Matthew:

I'll see you, then, soon.

Deborah:

Yes. Um...

Matthew:

What?

Deborah:

I'm just not ready to--

Matthew:

Hang up. Me too.

Deborah:

But, if we do, the sooner we get to sleep, the sooner we wake up, and then, you know.

Matthew:

Yeah, I know. Okay, then. Drive safe, Deborah, and be well.

Deborah:

You too. And, good night. You going to hang up?

Matthew:

I will if you will.

Deborah:

Okay, then.

Matthew:

Okay. Night, night.

(moment)

You still there?

Deborah:

Yeah?

(They laugh.)

(Lights out.)

Cafe Girl: A Story of Coffee, Sex, Cigarettes, & True Love

Life In A Coffee Shop

ACT TWO

(The lights rise on coffee shop, center stage. In the foreground, on stage right, we see the exterior of the coffee shop, a very small porch with a single table and two chairs, a railing for a staircase with a wheelchair ramp beside it. Through that we enter into the coffee shop, divided into two rooms, with a small partition between. On stage right is the main coffee shop room, with four tables with two sets of chairs, at the back of that room, a fire-place and a computer, before the time of wi-fi. On the right side is the counter with the espresso machine and registrar beside it. A tray of large freshly made muffins lays on this, visible to the audience. One table in the foreground, at the back of this room is an entrance to the kitchen. At rise, lights slowly come up on empty coffee shop. Matthew enters from the audience and the light follows him, the song plays, as he makes his entrance into work. He crosses right to front door of coffee shop, unlocks door, then enters. He crosses to kitchen and switches on musak. He begins silently preparing shop for day, taking chairs off tables, setting out muffins, turning on computer. The musak skips, Matthew walks towards kitchen, he jumps, and musak resumes. He walks back to where he was, the musak skips, he walks back towards kitchen, jumps, musak resumes. This goes on a couple more times. One beat.)

Matthew:

(He flips sign to open.)

Everyday the same.

(stops looks out the audience. He heads up to fire-place and begins preparations to start fire. His back is to the audience so he does not hear or see when Deborah enters a beat later.)

Deborah:

(waiting a minute, then)

Hello?

Matthew:

(turning)

Oh, sorry, didn't know you were there? Hi.

Deborah:

You work here?

Matthew:

Doesn't it look like it?

Deborah:

Kind of, yeah.

Matthew:

Can I get you something?

Deborah:

I hear you roast coffee here.

Matthew:

Yeah?

Deborah:

I was thinking of getting a pound of something. Or...

(She follows him left to counter.)

Matthew:

Okay, what do you want?

Deborah:

I don't know. Its for my room-mate. She drinks coffee, I don't. Really.

Matthew:

We'll have to break you of that.

(Their eyes meet, both laugh.)

Deborah:

Really? We'll see about that.

Matthew:

I can be very, convincing.

(They laugh again nervously.)

So, what'll it be?

Deborah:

What's your favorite?

Matthew:

Ah, yes. Well, I like moka java.

Deborah:

I'll have that one.

(He grabs a bag under counter and sets it on table.)

Thank you. I'm Deborah, by the way.

Matthew:

Nice to meet you, Deborah. I'm Matt.

Deborah:

Nice to meet you too.

(Their eyes meet.)

Matthew:

Um, that'll be 12.99, um, you get a free cup of coffee with that, want it?

Deborah:

Well, I don't know.

Matthew:

This could be the start of something new.

Deborah:

You're determined to make me a coffee drinker!

Matthew:

Well, I'm a barista, it's kind of my job!

Deborah:

Is this all you're determined to do?

Matthew:

Maybe, Maybe not.

Deborah:

(after a moment)

I'm going to need it. Heading home for the holidays, right now.

Matthew:

Oh.

(He pours her a cup, in a to go cup and rings up transaction)

Deborah:

So, what are you doing for Christmas?

Matthew:

Well, I have to open here, but then, not much. I'll just be around town. Parents live close by.

Deborah:

Oh, you a townie?

Matthew:

You one of those students?

Deborah:

Maybe I am.

Matthew:

Deborah.

Deborah:

(confused)

Oh, right. Here.

(She hands him a twenty dollar bill and while he gets change, pulls a pen out of her purse)

I'm driving over the pass, do you think it'll snow?

Matthew:

Oh, definitely. Its going to snow buckets tonight.

Deborah:

Do you think I need chains?

Matthew:

Yeah, be good to pick them up. 8 dollars is your change.

(She takes it, in one hand, puts in her pocket, then reaches for his hand again.)

What's this?

Deborah:

(holding out pen)

May I? If you get bored over the holidays, call me. I'll be back in four days.

(writes number on hand.)

Matthew:

Okay, I'll do that.

Deborah:

Talk to you later?

Matthew:

Yeah. Bye for now.

Deborah:

Bye.

(she exits.)

Cafe Girl: A Story of Coffee, Sex, Cigarettes, & True Love

Act One, Scene Seven

(James is in his apartment, frantically looking around, he's got a backpack and he's stuffing it with random articles, clothing, books, food, etc, Deborah enters through front door and stands watching for a minute.)

Deborah:

Hello.

James:

Hi.

(points to kitchen)

There's a note on the counter. We're through. (Deborah crosses to counter, reads note, looks at him)

Deborah:

James, let's sit down and talk.

(motions to couch)

James:

Talk? We've talked enough. We're through. I have to get out of here, Away from you. For my own safety.

Deborah:

Why? What have I done?

James:

(approaching her, backing her onto couch and leaning over her)

If you don't know by now, you're even more clueless than I thought.

(holds fist in her face)

You see this mark? You did this, when I was asleep, had them come in, put a chip in me.

Deborah:

Who? What? Why?

James:

Just like in New Orleans, its happening again...

(grabs head)

The buzzing.  The buzzing. Why are you lying to me? I know the truth now, Deborah. You are one of them.

Deborah:

I'm not. Remember, the cafe. End of the Universe. Its me.

(James moves to coffee table, picks it up and dumps it over, storms downstage, Deborah follows him and stands beside him, he doesn't look at her.)

James, calm down, you are not yourself...I know you.

(There is a knock at the door. Deborah moves to answer. James stops her.)

James:

If you really knew me, you wouldn't have done what you did.

Deborah:

I have to get the door--

(James grabs her arm. Knock again.)

James:

This is the end. All my friends see it, you're crazy---

Deborah:

What friends?

(Another knock, then door opens, Matthew, Shaggy, Ray, and Thomas stand in doorway, holding beer.  Neither James nor Deborah notice them.)

James:

Our friends, Matthew, Shaggy, all of them. They are so done with you.

(He faces audience.)

Deborah:

That can't be.

(She steps in front of him.)

James:

Its true. They are done with you, they don't believe in...fairy tales anymore. End of the Universe is over. Its over. We're over.

(after a moment)

We are through.

(He backs her up, but she trips and falls on the ground.)

Deborah:

James!

James:

YOU HEAR ME! WE'RE THROUGH. I'M DONE, WE'RE DONE.

(He holds up a fist in front of her, as if daring her to stop him, when she does nothing, he grabs a nearby chair, picks it up gets ready to throw it, but M, S, T, & R run over and pull him back.)

WE'RE DONE!

(M,S,T,&R hold James back.)

Deborah:

((quietly) )

Go.

James:

What?

Deborah:

Go, just go, then. You're...sick. You're not...yourself. There is nothing...I can't help you. This isn't working.

(She falls to the ground.)

James:

(breaks away)

Now you see.

Deborah:

You're sick, you know that.

(Matthew steps between Deborah and James, trying to stop him.)

James:

You're sick.

(to Matthew)

She's sick.

Matthew:

James!

Deborah:

(getting up and grabbing his backpack)

Go, just go. Go now, please. GO!!! JUST GO!!!!

(James looks at her, turns, opens door, slams his fist, and leaves, silence.  She sits on the ground, motionless.)

Matthew:

(crossing to her)

Deb?

Deborah:

(sitting on bed)

Matthew? He's gone.

Matthew:

I saw.

Deborah:

I...I...I...did it. I..kicked him out.

Matthew:

I know.

(He helps her stand and walks her over to the bed, sits with her.)

Shaggy:

Where do you think he's gone?

Deborah:

I...don't know.

Shaggy:

We should go after him.  Make sure he's safe.

Deborah:

Yes please, do that.

(Ray crosses to her and hands her a beer.)

Ray:

Here.  Looks like you might need this.

Deborah:

(takes it, but doesn't open it.)

Thanks.

Shaggy:

Come on.

(motions to M, T, R).

Deborah:

Matthew, can you...stay?

Matthew:

Yeah.

(turns to Shaggy)

Call me when you find out--

Deborah:

Guys?

(M,S,T,&R turn toward her.  Silence as she takes them in.)

Just wanted to say...Thank you.

Shaggy:

Yeah, well, you're one of us, right? Come on, guys.

(S,T,&R exit. Matthew crosses down to Deborah.)

Matthew:

How are you?

Deborah:

He said, you told him to leave me. He said you were on his side---

Matthew:

Well, no.  You can see that...I just said you guys should give each other space, that's all.

Deborah:

I did give him space. I did...I tried...

Matthew:

I know, I know.  Not your fault.

Deborah:

Now what?

Matthew:

What can I do?

Deborah:

Just make me feel...just sit here with me, okay?

Matthew:

(after a moment)

Remember...remember the first time we met? At the cafe? It was late, the end of the day, you came in wanting---

Deborah:

Coffee for my room-mate. You sold me moka java, your favorite. And, I said...nice to meet you.

Matthew:

So did I.

Deborah:

Yeah.  Then later I said, something like, I think this is going to be an interesting relationship.

Matthew:

And it was, it is. That was the night of the first snow, right?

Deborah:

Yeah, it was beautiful. All those walks we took.  They were all like that.

Matthew:

I took you to that look out.

Deborah:

Yes.  It was--

Matthew:

Yeah. It still is.

Deborah:

We should go there again sometime.

Matthew:

Yeah.

(silence, motions to her beer.)

May I?

(She hands it to him, he opens it and takes a swig, hands it to her.  She sips, hands it back.)

Deborah:

It's like Shaggy used to always say--

Matthew:

The government is out to get you.

Deborah:

No, no, no, not that.  Please not that. No, the other thing--

Matthew:

Never give up--

Deborah:

the fight.  Yeah, that's right. I never really understood that.  And, how he was always singing "Damn it used to be a gangster" like everywhere we went.

(They both laugh.)

You know, what is his real name anyway?

Matthew:

(laughing)

Oh, that's classified information. (zips mouth.)

Deborah:

So, what now, Matthew?

Matthew:

I don't know.  Maybe we take down the governmen--

(cringes)

Sorry.

Deborah:

You ever finish your pilot's license testing?

Matthew:

Yep, I can fly.

Deborah:

Really? You always said you would take me up.

Matthew:

You were always...busy.

(Silence, they sip beer.)

We can now.  We can go anywhere.  I've always wanted to see so many places, you know, like New Orleans--

Deborah:

No, not New Orleans.  Never New Orleans.

(silence.)

You said you'd take me to Mexico, is that still all right?

Matthew:

Yeah, sure. We can do that.

(Deborah leans against him.)

Deborah:

You know, I love you, right?

Matthew:

You're all right yourself.

Deborah:

You always used to say that, but I get it now. I know what you're really saying.

Matthew:

It's true.

(His phone rings. He stands, pulls it out of pocket, answers.)

Hello?

(listens.)

God, no.

(listens.)

Okay, um, just call me when you find out more.  Thanks.

(hangs up.)

Deborah:

What is it?

Matthew:

(after a moment, sits.)

It was Shaggy.  They found James.  He wasn't himself, you know, he was in the street and a truck hit him, like a semi or something.  Ambulance came and--

(Deborah screams, Matthew grabs her.)

Matthew:

I've got you.  I've got you.

(He strokes her hair as she sobs.) L

Lights fade.  End of Act One.

Falling In Love at a Coffee Shop

Cafe Girl: A Story of Coffee, Sex, Cigarettes, & True Love

Act One, Scene Six

(Thomas and Ray are alone at the table.)

Thomas:

Women!

Ray:

What's that?

Thomas:

James doesn't know how good he's got it, is all.

Ray:

Well, yeah, but what's this about "women"?

Thomas:

My wife...ex-wife...she's a real piece of work.

Ray:

Yeah?

Thomas:

Totally all up in the church, totally brainwashed.

Ray:

I thought you were--

Thomas:

Not anymore, I left...

Ray:

Really? Wow.  Why?

Thomas:

I couldn't take it anymore, couldn't be true to myself...

Ray:

Fair enough.  So, who are you, then?

Thomas:

Not someone who wants to be married...at least...

Ray:

At least?

Thomas:

((under his breath) )

To women!

Ray:

( (leaning in, then breathing out) )

I heard that.  So, you on the other team?

Thomas:

Don't know, not sure...think so.

Ray:

Well, I'm here if you need anything.

(He leans in and takes Thomas' hand.)

Thomas:

Thanks...

(pause, Thomas looks at Ray)

You doing okay? With everything?

Ray:

Still strong enough for...

(leans in and whispers in Thomas' ear, pulls back with a wink.)

Thomas:

((coughing))

They should be back soon.  We should get going.

(He looks upstage, after a moment, turns and kisses Ray, then looks away.)

Lights fade.

Let's Get It On

Cafe Girl: A Story of Coffee, Sex, Cigarettes, & True Love

Don't Speak

Act One, Scene Four

( (Downstage right, at the Bear, Matthew, Maggie, and Deborah sit together.))


Matthew:

So, what happened? You called at like the crack of dawn this morning?

((Deborah is silent, sits staring)

What's going on?

Deborah:

He left, last night late. I don't know where he is.

Maggie:

What? James, who?

Matthew:

What happened?

Deborah:

He was angry. He gets that way, sometimes. But, its getting worse. Sometimes its good, then its not. I never know when...I walk on eggshells, even when its good. Its not like I remember him.

Matthew:

Did you do anything?

Deborah:

I don't know, I don't know. He says the strangest things. Have you ever seen anything with him?

Maggie:

Honestly, yeah, I have. He hasn't been the same for awhile. But, then I thought he's always been a little, different.

Deborah:

He gets really angry at me, for little things....

Matthew:

Has he ever, you know, hurt you?

Deborah:

No, but he's thrown things at me...

Matthew:

Did they hit you?

Deborah:

( (pulling up leg and revealing bruise)

Yeah...

Maggie:

Oh my...

Matthew:

Wow.

Deborah:

What do I do now? What do I do? Its like Madonna sang in Evita, "What do I do for our dreams to survive?" What do I do? Tell me, please, because I don't know anymore.

Maggie:

You keep fighting.

Deborah:

Fighting? For what? There's nothing left of me, in me. What am I fighting for? Really, I don't know. For us? Its in the past, I see that now. You can't reclaim what once was...I wish we could go back to...the golden road, the good times. But, who am I fighting for now? What am I fighting for?

Matthew:

Deborah, I don't know what to say.

Maggie:

For yourself.  You fight for you, the only person that matters.

Deborah:

Yeah, yeah, fight. Never give up.  Whatever.

((Maggie reaches for her hand,takes it, lights fade. Lights fade in again to Matthew, at the Bear, now sitting with James, Shaggy, Ray, and Thomas.))

Shaggy:

((to Ray and Thomas))

Hey guys, how long you in town?

Ray:

Just for a few days. Got to pick up some more, um, supplies.

Thomas:

Supplies?

Ray:

You know, food, water, clothes, camping stuff, and you know, beer.

( (All laugh.))

Shaggy:

How's the wife and kids, Thomas?

Thomas:

Kids are fine.  But wife is...no more.

((looks at Ray. He holds up empty ring finger.))

Its like this.

Shaggy:

Oh shit I am sorry to hear that.

Thomas:

How's school, Shaggy?

Shaggy:

Oh, you know, going all right. One more year to go. Got a full-time job with NASA lined up once I get down. And the girl, of course, she wants to get married, then.

Thomas:

Well, it ain't all what its cracked up to be, marriage, that is.

James:

Hear, hear.

Thomas:

But, it ain't all that bad either, really.

James:

You're working for NASA?

Shaggy:

Yeah, isn't that ironic?

James:

But, don't you know about them? Don't you remember what you used to tell us?

Shaggy:

Oh well, now that I see it from the inside, it really isn't like that--

James:

But, the evidence---

Shaggy:

Is not really that important anymore. If you want to make a difference, you've got to get in the trenches, you know the inside out kinda thing, you got to stop believing in theories in order to fight--

James:

Really?

Shaggy:

In order to find the truth, not just theories, that is.  You can't live your life afraid, running away all the time.  You gotta get in there, and well, fight at some point.

Matthew:

Never give up the fight, right, Shaggy?

James:

I just can't believe it, man.

Shaggy:

How are things with you and Deborah, James?

James:

She is...crazy.

Shaggy:

Well, we all knew that but Deborah was, she was Deborah, you know, sweet.

James:

You don't know her like I do.

Shaggy:

Yeah, but that was always the case---

James:

Its not that, you just don't know.

Shaggy:

Um, okay, man, just calm down.

Matthew:

James, relationships are hard. You guys just need to take space is all---

James:

Space? Right, like that'll happen.

Matthew:

So, where is she...right now?

((James shrugs.))

Matthew:

You don't know, do you? So, proves my point that---

James:

That what? You on her side?

Matthew:

She'd give you space, is all. If you wanted.

James:

You don't know her like I do, is all.

Shaggy:

What has she exactly done? I want to know.

James:

You on her side?

Shaggy:

I'm not on anyone's side, but I just want to know--

James:

She come to you---

Matthew:

Yeah, Maggie and I talked to her--

James:

Listen.  I've tried to have patience with her but she just doesn't listen, you know.  I've tried to help her, to understand.  I swear I've lost so much weight because she can't really cook.  Its better if I just don't eat rather than die of poisoning or something..

Thomas:

Now, hold on--

James:

Even accidentally! I'm telling you, she's not all there.  Not like she was back in the day. She takes meds now, you know, from a psychiatrist. They've messed her up.  She's like one of them now.

Shaggy:

No, she's one of us.

((chants) )

One of us. One of us. One of us. (laughs) Come on, man,don't be crazy, you can't possibly believe that Deborah would do anything to hurt---

James:

((getting up))

You don't know her like I do!

((He exits, silence.))

Thomas:

What just happened? What is going on?

Shaggy:

Something isn't right there, man, not at all.

Matthew:

Yeah, I know, I know.

Shaggy:

Should we do something?

Matthew:

Like what?

Ray:

Have you talked to her?

Matthew:

A little.

Ray:

And?

Matthew:

She doesn't know what to do either. I'm trying to stay neutral, you know, but...I don't know.

Ray:

Why don't we go over there, then? You know, get some beer, play go, like old times?

(Lights fade out.)

Cafe-Girl: The Story of Coffee, Sex, Cigarettes, & True Love

Act Two, Scene Three

( (Down stage left, there is a small "apartment" set up for Matthew, with Maggie and Shaggy, all sit drinking beers. Behind them, in semi-darkness, the platform is set up as James and Deborah's future apartment.))


Matthew:

Yeah, Ray, well, he's still up at the commune, living well, I guess. Thomas goes to see him, which is, interesting. And, Thomas got married, had a kid, divorced. Now, he's with another girl, I think this is the third marriage he's had.

Shaggy:

And, what about James?

Maggie:

He and Deborah, you know, she's back in town. They moved in together, have an apartment over on B Street, got engaged even, as far as I know, its going well.

(Lights up on platform, where James and Deborah's apartment is set up. Downstage left on platform, there is a single bed, upstage of that, living room area,where the counter was, to the right of that is the kitchen, directly behind that, is the door to the bathroom, the front door is down right of kitchen. Lights up on James in kitchen, as the lights come up we hear a crash, as if a dish has been broken, Deborah enters kitchen.)

Deborah:

James? Oh my god!

James:

Why don't you do the dishes? The sink is too full, I can't even find my dish in there.

Deborah:

So get another one out of the cupboard---

James:

That's wasteful, can't you be more practical?

Deborah:

James, please calm down, please. Those aren't just my dishes...

(James punches wall.)

I can't do everything--

(James hits wall again, picks up dish from dishrack)

James:

Look at this, does this look clean to you?

Deborah:

Yeah...

James:

(turns it over)

Look at this spot, Deborah, PAY ATTENTION!

Deborah:

James...

(James throws plate on ground)

((Lights up on down stage left, in Matthew's apartment))


Maggie:

Its kind of cool, really. How they met at "End of the Universe", fell in love, didn't work out, but then found each other again many years later...its so romantic, like a fairy-tale.

((Lights fade out on them and in on James and Deborah, sitting in the living room, having dinner.))


James:

This isn't cooked all the way.

Deborah:

I cooked it for over an hour.

James:

Its not done. What are you trying to poison me? What are you trying to kill me? You're trying to kill me, aren't you?

Deborah:

No, James, of course not.

James:

(leaning over her)

What do I have to do to get you to pay attention?

Deborah:

Who...are...you?

James:

(getting up)

I have to get out of here, for my own safety. Do you hear that buzzing? In the apartment? Its bugged, I know it is. They are listening to us.

Deborah:

What...Who is?

James:

I know its there. I can sense these things on a higher plane than others.

Deborah:

James, you're...paranoid. No one--

James:

You are one of them, aren't you?

Deborah:

No, no, James, I'm not.

(James starts throwing things in a blind rage, picks up coffee table throws it, dishes from dinner shatter)

JAMES!!

James:

(mostly to himself)

Got to get out of here, for my own safety.

(holds head)

The buzzing, its in my head. I knew they got to me years back, in New Orleans, stuck a metal recording device in my head.

Deborah:

New Orleans, what?

James:

A few years back, we lived there, me and the first wife.  And, they found me there, got a hold of me, followed me everywhere, the black helicopters, drugged me, used me for...experiments.  Ahhhhhh!  Got to get out of here!

(heads toward door, Deborah runs and stands in the way)

Get out of my way.

(She shakes her head.)

Deborah:

No, you can't leave. You're not safe---

James:

GET OUT OF MY WAY!

(He pushes her to the ground.)

Bye, Bitch!

(runs off stage right.)

(Black out)

Again and Again