| Scene 3 |
| It is the same night, Gabe and Tom are on the subway, heading home. Both men stand, hanging onto the hand holds above, although there is no one else in the car and plenty of seats open. The flourescent lights above them flicker. Gabe: I don't believe you. Tom: What? Gabe: I tell you she dated my friend. Stabbed him in the back, I said, betrayed his confidence, I said, and what do you do? You call attention to yourself by speaking to her! And now oyu've given her your number, which means she's going to try and call you... Tom: Probaby not. I'm not that lucky. Gabe: Oh, bull. You're famous. You know that, right? And not just "Oh I've heard of him" famous, you're "cover of Time Magazine, oh my God is that who I think that is?" famous. Walk into any area with single, educated women, mention your name, and you'll have a pocket full of numbers. Tom: Oh what do you know. Gabe: I know people are constantly wanting me to introduce them to you. I know you could have your pic of girlfriends, but instead you remain single for three years, until the one girl you shouldn't get involved with comes trotting along and you're all over her. Tom: Well how do you know if she's still the same person? Maybe she's changed. Besides, how could you not be atrracted to her? She's amazing. Gabe: She doesn't do anything for me. Tom: And another thing is that you can't even give me any specifics on what she did that was so horrible. Gabe: I know she wa a coke addict when Josh was dating her. Tom: Really? Gabe: Yup. Tom: Well maybe she's cleaned up. Gabe: Maybe you're just making excuses. Tom: Maybe I'm getting out and living, like you suggested. Gabe: I told you to get out mor often. Not to hook up with a coke addict tog et your mind off Christine. Tom: (defensively) Christine has nothing to do with this. Gabe: Whatever. You've spent three years waiting for her to come back, then you throw all that away. For what? A blow addict who liked your books? Tom: You make it sound as though Christine is even coming back. Gabe: What? You don't think she is anymore? Tom: It's been three years, Gabe, of course not. Gabe: Well I happen to know that she is. She promised she would, and she is. And how are you going to react when she finds you with Judith? How is that going to mae both of you feel? Tom: Why should either of us care? Gabe: Because you're in love! Or at least that's what you've been telling me for so many years. She made a promise, and you're doubting her. And if she comes back and finds you with the white powdered harlott, you'll lose her. Tom: Are you telling me I should wait for her? Gabe: That's up to you. But if you do decide to move on, for Christ's sake don't pick Judith. Tom: Oh I can handle her. And besides, you think Christine expects me to wait for her like this? Gabe: I know she doesn't expect you to, but I'm sure she's hoping. Tom: Well she shouldn't have left in the first place. She could have stayed right here, with me. Gabe: Oh listen to yourself. You respected her decision to become a missionary, and you still do, or at least you should. You of all people know how much what she does matters. Tom: Yeah but I didn't think it would take so long. You'd think someone could spread the word of God through Indiain in, what, two years, tops? Gabe: (laughs) I know, she is taking her sweet time, isn't she? Only a billion or so people...you'd think she'd have been done ages ago. While they are talking about this, the MUGGER enters and approaches them unnoticed. Mugger: Excuse me, either of you got the time? Tom: Yeah, it's about a quarter to... MUGGER pulls a gun, points it at them. Mugger: Gimme your money, now! Gabe: Ok, ok, here you go man! Stay calm, man. Tom: (Strangely calm) Oh, he won't do it. Mugger: What? What'd you say fucker!? Tom: I said you won't do it, you won't shoot us. Mugger: I don't wanna kill you, you little shit, so hut your fucking mouth and lose your cash. Tom: Sorry, I'm all out. Mugger: Fuck you! Gimme watcha got or I'll blow your goddamn head off! Tom: You don't have the balls! Mugger: (confused, it is clear he does not know what to do) Oh you... Tom: Well are you gonna shoot me or what? Come on, blow my fucking head off! (Tom grabs the barrel of the gun and puts it to his forehead. The Mugger loses his attention on Gabe.) Fucking shoot me!! Do it, I dare you!! (Right as he says this Gabe brings his arm down on the attacker's arm, knocking the gun out of his hand and onto the ground at the height of the tension. The Mugger, stunned and bewildered, panics and runs away offstage. Gabe sits, obviously shaken and breathing hard. Meanwhile Tom stands, not moving.) Gabe: Are you ok? (Tom does not react.) Hey! Tom! Are you ok? Tom: Wha...? Oh, yeah...yeah, I'm fine I guess. Gabe: What in the world were you doing? You could have been killed! How did you know he wouldn't shoot you? Tom: I...I didn't, I just...I don't know. Gabe: (staring at Tom) You are one very blessed man. Very, very blessed. Tom: (picking up gun) I suppose the police will want this. Gabe: Yeah, I'll call the right now. My God Tom, my God, don't ever scare me like that again. |