| Scene 2 |
| A night time cafe/upperclass coffeehouse with a bar. It is a very modern place, with young idealists and new age artists scampering about. An open mic is front center stage. Tom and Gabe walk in from stage right, taking their seats just as a darkly clothed, young looking girl finishes her gothic poem... Girl: And the wind swept down from black night, And the raven echoed my doom. For midnight had passed On my forsaken soul... She goes to bar with her friends who clap and tell her how awesome she is. Gabe: I don't understand how you tolerate this place... Tom: I know. But I was coming here long before it was crawling with pretensious college kids, making their poetic statements and what they think are brilliant ideas. I refuse to leave becaue I found it first. And besides, the food is great. Gabe: I can't argue with that I suppose. But look at them. (Doing a comical impression of a random member of the crowd) "Ooh, look at me, my ideas are so radical and new that the rest of the world won't accept me." Lost. Tom: I know. They're more in love with being artistic than they are with art. Gabe: You know what you ought to do? Tom: What? Gabe: Get up there and read something of yours. You know? Right after one of these Edgar Allen Poe wannabe's gets done reading another "Black Midnight Raven" piece of crap, get up there and blow them away. And then when you're done and they're in awe, tell them to stop with the crap. Tom: (laughing) You may have a brilliant idea. Gabe: I know I do. (A waitress comes to take their order) Waitress: What can I get you? Gabe: Just a beer is all for me. Tom: A glass of red wine, please. Gabe: Red wine? That's not your usual. Tom: I know. But you got me out here to live and get my mind off the normal, right? Gabe: Indeed. (Waitress brings them their drinks) Gabe: Thank you. Tom: And you know what? Gabe: What? Tom: I think I have an idea for my next project. Gabe: Really? Tom: Yes, I think so. Gabe: Well? What is it? Tom: Well, its not a novel, more of an essay I suppose. I want to focus on life and death. Gabe: Sounds uplifting. Tom: Seriously. I mean I was just thinking about it because of this place, and these people. All these people ever write about is darkness and self-destructive depression, you know? You'd almost think they'd be better off killing themselves, which they often times threaten to do. Gabe: Yeah, and? Tom: Well why don't they? I mean I'm not neccessarily saying they should, but why do they talk about it so much, yet here they are, every night, still alive? Gabe: You know what it is. They crave attention, pity. Tom: Probably. But still, don't you think it's remotely interesting? People that talk about it all the time never do it, meanwhile the only people who ever do commit scuicide are the last people you'd ever think to do it. What is it they have, or don't have, that would allow them to kill themselves? What makes the difference between a truly scuicidal person and an attention seeker? Gabe: Assuming there is a difference. Tom: There has to be. And it wouldn't just be my writing either. I could gather and collect poems and essays from authors who wrote on the subject of life and death. Get other opinions and perspectives. (Obviously excited) I believe I ahve a subject, my friend! Gabe: Well, its a little morbid, but...well you're the wrtier. Cheers to your new idea! (They toast) I knew you just needed some time out and about. Tom: (asde) I may have something to give the world yet. (A woman takes the open mic stage. She is dressed in red vinyl (or leather) pamts, a black turtle neck and a red scarf worn loosely over her shoulders. She is JUDITH CROSS. Tom's attention immediately focuses on her.) Tom: Wow, who is that? Gabe: Oh, her. That's Judith Cross. Tom: You know her? Gabe: Only by association. She dated a friend of mine once. Tom: And? Gabe: I don't know the details. Stabbed him in the back, betrayed his confidence. That's allI know. Tom: Hm. Judith: (looking directly at Tom as she delivers poem) Only a fool waits to receive. Only a fool depends on faith. Faith in abundance, Its what we need to live. Faith in abundance, Its what we have to die. And the fool keeps on waiting for the world to give. And the fool does not take what the world still has. Thank you. (applause, Judith walks away from mic and towards Gabe and Tom) Gabe: Uh-oh, she's coming over...no way she could recognize me. (Hides face from view) (As she walks past, Tom speaks) Tom: Excuse me, (she stops, Gabe shoots him a glare) I just wanted to say I thought that was great. Judith: Really? Tom: Absolutely, it kind of spoke to me. My name is Thomas, by the way. (they shake hands) Judith: Have we met before? Tom: I don't believe we have. Judith: You look really familiar. I know I've seen you somewhere before. Tom: Well allow me to introduce you to my friend Gabriel. (Gabe shoots him yet another look.) Gabe: Hi. Judith: Hello, nice to meet you. (to Tom) So you really thought it was that good? Tom: It was like a ray of talent penetrating the murky pretension of the atmosphere. Judith: (laughs) Well are you a writer? Tom: Well...I suppose you could say that... Gabe: Oh, good lord, you are such a loser. What Thomas here has neglected to tell you is his last name. Didn't you, Mr. Pinter? Judith: Wait, your name is Thomas Pinter? Tom: Yes, it is. Judith: As in Thomas Pinter "greatest author who ever lived" Thomas Pinter? Tom: Well, I'm the author, yes. (Obviously flattered but modest) Judith: Oh my God...I, I knew I'd seen you somewhere before...I don't know what to say. I love your writing, although I'm sure you hear that all the time, but... Tom: (interrupting) Actually, I usually keep a low profile... Judith: Oh, sorry. I guess I just blew that didn't I? Tom: Oh no, that's alright. Gabe can take credit for that one. Gabe: Sorry, I know how much you like mystery and all.... Tom: Drink your beer. Gabe: Gotcha. (Gabe gets up and goes to bar) Judith: So, you come here often? Tom: Occasionaly, when I'm in the mood to listen to bad poetry and cliche philosophy. Judith: (laughs) So why don't you show them how its done? Tom: Gabe had a similar idea. But like I said, low profile. And look at them, its what they live for. Why take it from them. Judith: You're a good man. (Her full attention is on time. They just look at each other for a while, until interrupted by Gabe) Gabe: Hey, I'm gonna head out. Its getting late and I got to stop in at work tomorrow. Judith: On a Saturday? What's your occupation? Gabe: Communications. No rest for us. (nervous laugh) See you tomorrow, Tom? Tom: (obviously distracted) Oh...um, yeah. Actually, give me a minute and I'll be right with you, I should go home too. (Gabe exits) Judith: Well, before you leave, let me write my number down for you... Tom: I'm one step ahead of you. (hands her a card) It has my phone number, address and everything. Judith: Thank you. Tom: Yeah, sure...um, well I'll see you later then. Goodnight. Judith: Goodnight. (Tom exits) |