scene9

Scene 9

Tom's apartment, there is a long table set horizontaly down center stage. The table has been formally set for dinner. Tom is standing next to the white door. looking at with a gnawing curiosity. He is reaching for the knob when he hears Christine from off stage.

Christine: Do we have enough wine? (Pause) Tommy? (She appears from stage left) Tommy!

Tom: (startled back to reality) What?

Christine: What were you doing?

Tom: Oh, uh...nothing. Just making sure everything is ready.

Christine guides him away from the door.

Christine: So, let me ask again: do you have enough wine?

Tom: Why? Is someone planning on getting into a drunken, sinful stupor for once?

Christine: Sounds like a question you should ask yourself. I was just making sure you were prepared.

Tom: Two bottles, for four of us. I figure that should be enough. Besides, isn't there some recipe in the Bible for turning water to wine?

Christine: You know for a creative writer you have some pretty lame jokes.

Tom: I write them all down, you know.

The doorbell rings and Tom crosses to open, finding Gabe.

Tom: Welcome to Tom's house of fine dining.

Gabe is carrying a bottle of wine, he motions to it.

Gabe: Tom never has enough, you'd almost think he'd rather drink water. What are we having?

Christine: Well Tom is the one cooking, so probably fish sticks and toast.

Tom: Laugh all you want, but I make awesome fish sticks.

Gabe: (nods) He does. (laugh) So, Tom, where do I put the drink?

Tom: Just pop it in the fridge.

Another knock on the door. Tom opens it to find Judith. Gabe goes to kitchen quickly, as if to avoid Judith.

Judith: Hey babe! (She hugs and kisses him with little modesty, assuring everyone in the room can see.)

Tom: Wow, and how are you feeling today?

Judith: Absolutely splendid, as I am whenever I am with you.

Tom: Well, Judith, meet my best friend, Christine. Christine, this is Judith.

They shake hands, there is an air of uncertainty between them.

Christine: Nice to meet you.

Judith: And you as well.

Gabe: Oh, Tom, you wanted me to look at your computer?

Tom: Oh yeah, that's right. It has to have a virus or somrthing. It keeps delaying.

Gabe: We have time now?

Tom: Sure, dinner wont be ready for half an hour or so. Come work cleanse my computer of evil spirits.

Gabe: (following Tom off stage, in a mighty, authorative voice) Out, foul demon!

Judith: So I finally get to meet you. He talks about you alot.

Christine: Oh, no, what does he say?

Judith: Oh nothing bad, from the way he tells it, you're a regular saint. How long were you in India again?

Christine: Three years.

Judith: Wow. I don't think I could do that. You must be sick of indian food by now.

Christine: Oh, it kind of grew on me.

Judith: Well you should've made something for us all tonight! We could've had authentic indian cuisine. I'm sure it would have been more interesting that whatever it is Tom is making. (laughs)

Christine: Nah, whatever he makes his fine with me. There's more to dinner than food, as silly as that sounds.

Judith: Right...So how do you do it?

Chrisinte: Pardon? Do what?

Judith: Preach to people in a land you've never been to before. How do you get tehm to believe you?

Christine: I just tell people what I see as the truth. You can't force anyone to see things the way you do, so you just give them all the options and hope for the best.

Judith: So you don't practice miracles and all that good stuff like you used to?

Christine: Haha, some people claim they can. I just teach.

Judith: Well it might be a good way of winning people over, you know? Give them something they can see and experience, use some kind of divine power to open their eyes, or whatever.

Chrsitine: But that would defeat the idea of faith, to test God like that.

Judith: I see.

Silence.

Judith: So, how long do you think you'll be staying here, with my boyfriend?

Christine: Oh, I honestly don't know. I mean the city is so big and...

Judith: Because I'm sure Tommy wouldn't mind keeping you here as long as you wanted.

Christine: Yeah, he is a great friend.

Judith: Oh yes, that he is, and a great lover as well. But then you know all about that, don't you? I mean how can one forget that the two of you were a couple for quite a while back in the day.

Christine: Yeah...we were...

Judith: I know that look. You're still in love with him. And you know, you might think he still loves you, but he doesn't, alright? He didn't even think you were coming back. He doubted you, the whole time. Why else would he have turned to me? So forget it, he's mine.

Christine: Yes, I love him, and I don't pretend not to. But I'm not going to compete with you. I'll tell him, and he'll have his own choice to make, and neither you nor I can make that decision for him.

Judith: Damn you, you know who he'll pick. You're here to ruin me, that's why you're here! For some reason he thinks he needs you, like you were goddamn bread to a starving man. But...there is a way we could both win...

Christine: What are you talking about?

Judith: (A look of evil in her eye) We cold share him!

Christine: What??

Judith: He's a man, after all, and what does a man love more than a woman? Two women!

Chrstine: This is sick.

Judith: Oh but you're already considering it. Think of it, you and I would get along great together. I could show you things you'd blush to dream about, and you'd still get your man. You'd have him and me, and I think I'm a pretty sweet bonus, don't you? And I know I wouln't mind adding a sexy little virgin like you to my bed...

Christine: That's enough!

Judith: Oh, not a virgin? Well that's ok too, it'll be our little secret.

Christine: Your idea of love is abominable. What Tom and I had was pure, it transcended earthly desires...All your heart craves is lust. Temporary satsfaction is all you offer, empty promises of a happy ending.

Judith: Listen to yourself! Acting as if they was something more than what you see. I'm offering you a chance to be a queen!

Christine: Enough!

Judith seems to recoil in fear, Chrisinte's line is heard by Tom as he emerges from off stage.

Christine: I'll not listen to your offers, I'll not betray love for that!

Tom: What's going on here?

Judith: (screaming wickedly) This lying whore is trying to take you from me, that's what! Sure she may seem perfect, but it how much did it take to get her to leave you? Huh? A couple people she'd never met before. You think she loves you, that you're special to her? She doesn't love you anymore than she loves every other poor sinner and begger in the world. Did she ever call you or write or anything while she was away, did she? Of course she didn't, she just up and abandoned you, and she'll do it again! I swear it. But I'll never leave you Tommy, I'd be with you to the end, the both of us together, through hell I'd stay with you! She just wants to control your life, don't be a fool Tom!

Christine stands peacefully, remaining calm. Thomas looks back and forth between her and Judith, who is fixed in a stance of wild rage, eyes wide with anticipation.

Tom: Judith, I think you should go.

Judith: You can't get rid of me!

Christine: Leave now! You can't fool us anymore. You aren't welcome here any longer.

Judith: I hate you! All of you!

She exits.

Tom: Chris, I...I'm sorry for all that, I...

Christine: I love you.

Tom: What?

Chrsitine: I love you and I want to be with you, forever. Do you love me like that?

Tom: Yes, I do. I didn't think you felt that way anymore...

Chrsitine: Of course I did, and I always will. If I could show you my heart I would hold it out to you and let you examine it, search it, until you were satisfied. Let there be no doubt, I love you.

Tom: I believe you.

Christine: (hugging him) Then nothing else is important.

Gabe emerges from offstage.

Gabe: Hey Tom, I got that virus out, and put in a scanner, so you shouldn't get anything like that again and....Aww, look at you two, a match made in heaven.