Ned: Alright this has gone on long enough. Brenda I’d like a few minutes alone with Lois.

Brenda: Well.

Lois: Stuff it. I’m busy.

Ned: Yes you are, with me, the artist. I need to speak to my manager. Brenda…

Brenda: Ned don’t order me around. You want me to go?

Lois: Don’t go far.

Brenda: Ok.

Lois: So?

Ned: You went out of your way to set up a very difficult situation for me last night.

Lois: I definitely do not have time to listen to your whining.

Ned: Oh I’m not, and I didn’t last night. But you tested me last night and I passed with flying colors. You took my biggest fear, you made it a reality and you tried to choke me with it. But I rose above it. Not only was I good…I was great.

Lois: So what do you want Nedly? A little gold star for your forehead?

Ned: I want you to give credit where credit is due. I want you to ADMIT that you felt all those old feelings…the thrill of the music, the joy that we found in each other. I want you to admit to the potential of us.

Lois: I will admit to that when hell freezes over.

Ned: Oh…Lois why are you so stubborn?! Can’t you at least give me this much?

Lois: I don’t have to give you anything.

Ned: Do you realize how unprofessional you’re being?

Lois: Excuse me?

Ned: I am coming to you as your artist…ok? Now I did a good job. Now I need your praise, your criticism, your guidance. But you’re letting your personal feelings interfere with the handling of your talent. Now I think I have proven my commitment to this business we have together. Now when is it going to be your turn?

Lois: Alright…you want an admission? I’ll give you an admission. You got to me last night. I felt all the things you said and more.

Ned: I knew it! Lois this is great.

Lois: Wait, wait, wait…you wanted to hear this ok…so just let me finish alright?

Ned: I’m sorry. Go ahead.

Lois: *sigh* All that stuff sneakin’ up on me…see it didn’t make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. What it did was make me fell hollow and sadder than I’ve ever been in my entire life.

Ned: Why?

Lois: Because it reminded me of how false our so called life was. It made me remember that everything I thought I had with you was just a big lie. See that guy up on stage last night…I didn’t know him. Yes…yea he had a ton of talent. He took that audience and he held them in the palm of his hand. He even touched my heart. But umm hey I coulda been listening to Elton John or somebody like that because he was that much of a stranger.

Ned: No you’re wrong. That guy is me. The same guy you fell in love with. It doesn’t matter that you called me by a different name.

Lois: It does matter. It matters to me. Look…you know I’ve answered your questions to the best of my ability and if they’re not satisfactory to you well then I am really sorry. But that’s all I can give you right now. So please, please, please don’t ask me for anymore. If you really want…If you really wanna maintain a professional relationship with me you’re gonna have to step way back give me some room. You gotta stop it with the puppy dog eyes and the personal appeals ok will ya just do you’re job and let me do mine?

Ned doesn’t say anything, but picks up his coat and quietly leaves.