The Natural Flights
A Drama in Two Acts
by
Michael Thomas Tower
(Performance time: Approximately 1:45)
© 1998-2004 Michael Thomas Tower
All Rights Reserved
Inquiries regarding performance rights
should be directed to the author
MTTower@aol.com
NF0410b
Synopsis
Anchored in triumph and tragedy, marked with laughter and tears, this is the story of friendship -- about a group of friends who, in the midst of adversity, realize their need of, and value to, each other. They confirm a common bond of extraordinary character as they individually and collectively deal with the assault of personal and societal pressures that many men encounter, or foster themselves, when dealing with homosexuality, bi-sexuality, inter-generational relationships, fear of coming out, and bigotry. These are people who share their love and strength in facing the harsher forces of life.
Characters
Jess -- 33 years old.
Douglas -- 39 years old. Jess's lover.
Vincent -- 57 years old.
Ami -- 20 years old. In love with Vincent. (French pronunciation: ah-MI.)
Bill -- 35 years old. Thin, due to his need for a liver transplant.
Hampton -- 42 years old. Bill's lover.
Catherine -- 58 years old. Jess's mother.
Fletcher -- 37 years old. Jess's brother.
Manny -- 64 years old. Catherine's friend.
Indicated ages are merely suggestions but, in some cases, meaningful in relation to another's age. Douglas is the only one whose age is specifically mentioned. It is significant that Ami appear to be in his late teens or early 20s.
Setting
The time is the present, covering a period from early June to mid September. There are brief flashbacks of a few months or a few years.
The primary set is the San Francisco apartment of Jess and Douglas. They are men of average means and good taste, and the style and furnishing of their second-floor apartment reflect this. It's a homey and comfortable space that friends enjoy.
The script refers to a battery-operated pendulum clock hung on a wall where the time can be seen by the audience. The clock runs in real time; the time is set for each scene. If it can be installed so this change can be made from backstage, that would be preferable; otherwise it will may be changed from the front during scene blackouts.
Secondary Settings
Within Act I (pages 20–22) there is a brief flashback to the deck of a sightseeing boat, defined simply by a small lighted area within the primary set.
Act I – Scene 4 is in a bar, defined by a small lighted area.
Act I – Scene 6 is a small area defined by light, with armchair, representing an area in Vincent's apartment.
Act II – Scene 2 is a small area defined by light, with a table and two chairs, depicting a café.
Act II – Scene 4 is a series of vignettes, moving between various characters, with playing areas defined by light. This scene must be staged in such a manner that some changes can be made to the primary set while this is taking place. In some of these scenes, characters will be using a telephone. No other props or furnishings are required, although chairs or stools could be used in some of the scenes if practical.
Costuming
Bill's need for a liver transplant will have caused a distinct protrusion in the abdominal area, higher than the swelling of pregnancy. It will look very much like a medium-sized watermelon underneath his clothing. Also, Bill always carries a cell phone when he has the abdominal protrusion.
Also for Bill there will need to be women's clothing for the final scene.
Act I - Scene 1
Time: A Sunday night in early June. The clock indicates about 11:20.
On stage: jess, douglas, vincent, ami, catherine, hampton and fletcher.
(At rise, fletcher is standing in the opening of the kitchen door, laughing and talking with people out of view of the audience. douglas is talking on the intercom. jess is tending to his host duties in the living room. hampton, sitting at the dining table, is restless and distracted. catherine, standing at the table, gathers dishes. vincent and ami are in private conversation.)
douglas
(At intercom, looking toward Catherine)
Catherine, Manny's down front with the car.
catherine
I'm not ready to go. What's his damned hurry?
jess
I'm telling you, Mother: That man doesn't like us.
catherine
(To Douglas)
Tell him to come on back up here.
(To Jess)
He's got no problem with you ...
(douglas turns back to the intercom to talk briefly.)
jess
Never wants to get too close to us ...
catherine
You know he's shy.
jess
Nervous as hell around us ...
catherine
He's not used to city people.
jess
Always in a hurry to get away ...
catherine
Crowds bother him.
jess
So -- you've noticed it, too.
catherine
He's from Stockton. Whole different social structure.
jess
The look in his eyes -- same look Dad had, from the time I was nine years old.
catherine
You and your father may have had your problems, but he loved your petits fours.
jess
I asked Manny if he liked petits fours. He wanted to know if it was anything like Crazy Eight.
catherine
He did not.
hampton
What's going on in there?
jess
Fletcher has his little gaggle of lesbians to play with.
fletcher
We're talking.
jess
You're flirting.
fletcher
Am not!
douglas
You do it all the time.
fletcher
Well, have to keep in practice for when I run into some straight chicks. Besides, I drove most of these babes off several minutes ago.
(fletcher picks up a bottle of wine and exits through kitchen door. ami and vincent move to the kitchen door to check on activities then exit into the kitchen.)
jess
Manny's been around enough that he should be getting used to your delightful son and his friends. What does he say about us, anyway?
catherine
Nothing, really ...
douglas
He was more standoffish than usual tonight.
catherine
I don't know what's on his mind. You forget I hardly know the man ...
douglas
(To Jess)
Why don't you sit -- relax for a while?
jess
What I need is an aspirin.
(There is a loud noise off stage. Immediately hampton rushes out hall door. jess runs to follow him. douglas goes to the doorway and looks after them.)
catherine
Good Lord, what happened?
douglas
Something with Bill, I think.
catherine
Wasn't he lying down?
douglas
Just a second ...
(jess enters hall door and goes to douglas. vincent, having heard the noise, enters through kitchen door. fletcher steps in from kitchen.)
(continuing) douglas (continuing)
What happened?
jess
Bill fell against the shower door.
douglas
Thought he was in the bedroom.
jess
Felt sick, tried to get to the toilet. Would you help Hampton with him? I'm going to phone his doctor, get him to the hospital ...
(douglas exits hall door. jess has phone in hand.)
(off stage) bill (off stage)
I'm not going to the damned hospital!
jess
(Calling to Hampton off stage)
Hampton?
(off stage) hampton (off stage)
(Exasperated)
Don't call the hospital.
jess
(To himself, replacing phone)
Stubborn ... stupid ...
catherine
He didn't drink anything, did he?
jess
You know he doesn't drink anymore.
fletcher
He didn't look good when he got here.
vincent
Looked dreadful this morning. He shouldn't have come out tonight.
jess
Said he wouldn't be able to make many more of our get-togethers ... wanted to while he could ...
catherine
Is he really that sick now?
fletcher
I don't know how he gets around like he does.
jess
Too bad Bill's illness did away with the gaudy glitter of Lady Belle in full dress. We may never see the likes of that again.
vincent
You used to bitch about it all the time.
jess
That's before I knew we might lose it.
(ami enters through kitchen door. he moves to vincent and slips his arm around him.)
vincent
He'll keep going till he drops. Can't stand being stuck at home if there's even one bright light flickering somewhere in this wicked, wonderful city.
ami
Hey, why all the gloom at this end of the world?
vincent
Oh, it's Bill. He fell ...
(hampton and douglas enter hall door.)
hampton
Guys, I'm sorry, but I've got to take him home.
douglas
Shouldn't he go to the hospital, Hampton?
(bill appears in the hall doorway.)
bill
I said I'm not going to the damned hospital!
(Although it's apparent that Bill is ill, he manages reasonably well on his own. hampton's constant assistance is not always needed.)
hampton
Obstinance personified. Home it is.
bill
I'll be okay.
(To the others)
By the way, I am now a lady of leisure. Friday was my last day at work.
hampton
Finally got him to go on sick leave.
bill
I am no longer administrative ass-instant to that cyber-satan at Shit Systems Software. I hope the next time he hits his ENTER key, it launches his interactive doorway to Hell. And now, with absolute humility and tons of remorse for even thinking such things, I take it all back.
hampton
He says he's going to be pleasant and agreeable. Even taken a vow of nicety.
catherine
Has he read the rules?
hampton
He's new to the order. Be patient with him.
jess
What brought on this change that won't last till midnight?
bill
I don't want Saint Peter thinking I'm too big a bitch for the soprano section.
catherine
Listen to him, Jess.
jess
I'm not a soprano.
hampton
Come on, let's get you home.
ami
Want me to get your car for you?
(hampton gives his car keys to ami.)
hampton
Oh, thanks, Ami. It's down about half a block ...
(ami gives vincent a quick kiss on the lips, then exits front door.)
bill
Let me say my goodnight to the women.
(hampton and bill exit through kitchen door. jess and vincent move close to talk privately.)
vincent
I still can't believe someone like that actually likes me, Jess.
jess
Ami? It's obvious he does, Vincent. From what I see, it just might be a little more than simply liking.
vincent
No no! How could that be? God, I wouldn't want anything more. He really is very sweet, but I'm sure he's into me for something.
jess
What are the signs of his ulterior motives?
vincent
There are none. Wish there were.
jess
Because ... ?
vincent
It would be a familiar scenario. I have experience with that kind of thing.
jess
Oh, come on now ...
vincent
I've known him ten months, he's lived with me six, and I have no complaint -- except that ... well, I know how my life works.
jess
Insufficient cause to make your case, as Hampton would say. You need evidence.
vincent
And there is none. Never asks for money. Pays his share of rent, utilities.
jess
He's still working, isn't he?
vincent
And makes a decent wage. The smile on that face is worth money when you're selling men's wear at Macy's on Union Square.
jess
I know. Went in last week to say hi and came out with a shirt and two ties I don't need.
vincent
You needed them, love. We both buy groceries, take turns cooking. He treats me to dinner at least once a week. Helps with the housework, fixes leaky faucets and loose hinges, faulty plugs and all kinds of exotic breakage.
jess
And he's turned your backyard into a showplace.
vincent
Fit for a queen of any gender. Has his own car -- jalopy, but he loves it.
jess
His skateboard is worth more than that car.
vincent
He's home every night and seems to need no friends other than mine, which I gladly share.
jess
He really is a sweet guy, Vincent.
vincent
His greatest fault may be that he thinks Bruce Willis is a good actor.
jess
He's young. He'll learn.
vincent
Pleasant to be with, responsible for himself, considerate of me. Dammit, Jess, he's the best lover I've ever had, so I know something's very wrong.
jess
That's the kind of relationship I could be envious of.
vincent
You? -- who has one of the world's truly superior marriages? My dear, you'll never have cause to be envious of me.
jess
One never knows what Mack truck is coming up over the hill on the wrong side of the road.
vincent
Well, it's the cute ones that are the scheming ones, and those such as I can be the vulnerable patsies waiting with hearts open and eyes closed -- until it's very much too late. I don't want that to happen, Jess. Not again.
jess
I think you're worrying about nothing.
vincent
I'd just die if it turned out Ami were really setting me up for something. I keep telling myself I will not let this old faggot get hurt -- not again, not at my age. I swore off all that kind of nonsense years ago.
jess
Stop worrying about it and just accept it as being very good companionship.
vincent
Well, my dear, let me tell you it's a good deal more than "companionship." The boy is superb in other invigorating ways -- ways I'd almost forgotten existed.
jess
Enjoy, Vincent. You deserve it.
vincent
Oh, please, let's not base rewards on what is deserved. I could never redeem all the demerits I earned in my youth, and what wonderful memories those are. I just wish I could get over this feeling that I should bring along crayons and coloring book in case he gets bored.
(hampton and bill enter through kitchen door and head for the front door.)
bill
Jess, we're on our way. Thanks for everything.
hampton
I'll give you a call tomorrow.
bill
I'm sure it must have been a wonderful party. Sorry my entertainment wasn't up to par.
(vincent, jess and douglas have moved to bill and hampton so hugs can be exchanged.)
hampton
Thanks for everything, Jess ... Douglas. Sorry we put a damper on things ...
jess
Don't be silly, Hampton.
(bill and hampton go to front door.)
douglas
I'll go down with them. Be back in a minute.
(bill, hampton and douglas exit front door.)
fletcher
Hey, little bro', you look tired.
jess
Unalterably bedraggled.
fletcher
Are you still in that silly thing at Marines Memorial?
jess
That "silly thing" is by Moliére and it's a classic, you dunce --
fletcher
Too damn funny to be a classic ...
jess
Runs two more weeks, Thursday through Sunday. I'm auditioning all over the place, but I wouldn't mind a rest.
fletcher
How 'bout I move that bunch in there down the street to the corner watering hole. Would that help you out?
jess
Yes! Get them down there, then you come back.
fletcher
Most of them are hanging off the fire escape by their hairy little toes anyway.
(fletcher exits through kitchen door.)
vincent
Oh, I forgot to tell you -- it looks as though I'll be directing one of Shepard's old warhorses at the Magic next season. Definitely want you to audition.
jess
That could be morose for both of us.
(fletcher sticks his head in from the kitchen.)
fletcher
These little dogies are eager to trot, so I'll head'em up and move'em out.
(ami enters through front door, closing the door behind him. fletcher exits.)
vincent
Everything okay downstairs?
ami
Yeah. Douglas will be up in a minute. Where did everybody go?
vincent
Fletcher, bless his straight little dysfunctional soul, served as party wrangler to move the restless beasts down to the corner cocktail lounge so these fine folk could get some rest.
ami
Fletcher's going to the muff mall?
catherine
(Amused)
Ami!
ami
That's what they call it. Man, that could be interesting.
jess
Well, a Monday night should be pretty tame.
(douglas enters front door, leaving the door unlatched, and joins the conversation. Then, unnoticed by the others, manny enters front door and stands near the window, looking down at the street.)
catherine
Did Fletcher tell you that he and Denise broke up?
jess
At least he didn't marry this one.
douglas
Manny said he'd be right up.
manny
I'm over here.
catherine
Oh, sorry, didn't see you come in.
(manny stays at the far end of the living room, his connection to the others tenuous.)
vincent
We should be going, Ami ...
jess
Stick around. Got a lot of coffee to throw out if we don't drink it.
vincent
I thought you wanted some time to yourselves ...
jess
It was the self-invited crowd I didn't need. I'm not sure how that happened ...
douglas
Janice has a very big mouth.
vincent
Which I surmise is an asset in her circle.
jess
You're the ones we wanted here tonight.
catherine
You look tired, Jess ...
douglas
Come on over and join us, Manny.
manny
Don't want to be in the way ...
vincent
Come on. We won't bite ... hard.
(jess distributes cups and pours coffee. manny comes nearer, yet stays back a bit from the group.)
jess
I'm at the point tonight where I don't feel like beating around the bush. So, for starters: Manny, you and Mother have been chumming around for a couple of months, you've been here several times, we've talked, even had a clumsy laugh or two, but seems to me we still come up with the fact that you don't very much like us queer boys, do you?
catherine
Jess!
jess
For two months he's been staring at me when he thinks I'm not looking, doesn't want to look me in the face, avoids us like we have leprosy or something. We don't need this!
manny
I, uh ... didn't know I was doing that. I'm sorry.
jess
Manny, I was picking up on people's raised eyebrows and squinty eyes long before I knew what the contortions were all about. Fact is: We bug you.
manny
No no, it's not that! Guess I'm just not, uh, used to being around ... people like ... you know ...
jess
Believe me, Manny, you've been around gay men.
catherine
Jess, stop it! There is no reason for you to attack him like this!
jess
I don't want the bull shit! This is the one place where we can be ourselves. I feel like it's been violated.
catherine
Oh for God's sake, Jess! Manny isn't coming in here to tear things apart. All he wants is a little friendship --
manny
(Interrupting)
Catherine, it's okay. I probably haven't been very friendly, I guess. Didn't mean to act that way. I'm really sorry. I'll try to be better company.
jess
God! Now you're halfway likeable.
manny
I can be -- if you'll give me another chance.
catherine
You shouldn't have had the party tonight, Jess. You said you weren't feeling well ...
jess
That's not the problem. There's other crap going on. We wanted all of you here tonight to tell you something ...
(To Douglas)
Shall we go ahead with it, Douglas?
douglas
I, uh ... it's up to you.
jess
I'd rather have more support than that.
douglas
I'm with you. Go ahead.
jess
Wanted Bill and Hampton here, and Jess, too ...
vincent
Come on, Jess -- quit beating around the bush.
jess
It's my bush and if I want to beat around it ...
(A beat; then quickly, while courage is there ...)
Douglas and I are splitting up.
(Everybody immediately becomes very still and quiet with questioning faces of disbelief. Suddenly ami erupts.)
ami
Goddammit! Why? You were the ones I thought could do it! Because of you, I honest-to-God thought it could be done! Why are queers like this? Why do we fuck up every goddamned good thing that happens to us?
(Near tears, ami runs off, exiting hall door. vincent goes after him. manny moves away from the group.)
douglas
Sorry, guys. We just didn't know a better way to break it to you.
catherine
I hope this is another one of your very bad jokes, Jess.
jess
He's quit his job, and started packing. Does that sound like a punch line?
catherine
Damn you! Damn you both! You've been together for, what? -- ten years?
douglas
Nine years.
jess
And six months, one week , two days ...
catherine
Well whatever it is, work it out. You've had your little problems before ...
jess
This isn't the same thing.
(vincent enters from hall door.)
catherine
Is he all right?
vincent
He said he's ... scared.
jess
Scared?
vincent
Because if this could happen to you, it could happen to anyone. You two have been the symbol of what can be to him -- to all of us. Dear God, I thought death would be the only thing to tear any of us away.
He told me he loves me, wanted us to have as good a relationship as ... what we thought you two had. But if you can lose it, anyone can. That's what he said.
jess
Oh God, Vincent ...
douglas
Vincent, listen. Let me tell you something that I think you should know. I don't know if this really important, but you need to know --
(ami enters from hall door.)
ami
(Interrupting)
I'm sorry. I didn't mean to act like a baby. Jess ... Douglas ... guys, don't ... please don't do this.
(A pause; no answer -- then, as if in physical agony ...)
I don't want to be here. Can we go, Vincent?
vincent
Yes, I suppose ...
(To the others)
I'll, uh ... talk to you later.
jess
I wish you'd stay, Ami.
ami
I'm feeling really sick to my stomach right now ...
vincent
I guess we better go. I'll call you later.
(As vincent and ami head for the front door, douglas calls to them.)
douglas
Vincent, could you stop by Bill and Hampton's, check on them?
ami
I'll get the car.
(ami exits front door.)
vincent
Are you sure it's got to be this way?
douglas
It's all settled, Vincent.
catherine
Is there something stronger than aspirin around here?
douglas
Probably. Let's check the bathroom.
(douglas takes catherine by the hand and they exit hall door.)
jess
Vincent, you said Ami told you that he loves you ...
vincent
Yes. I'm afraid he did.
jess
And he'd never told you that before tonight?
vincent
I had hoped he was fond of me in some genuine, general, generic way. I truly never wanted to hear those words from him, spoken the way they were.
jess
And what did you tell him?
vincent
That I appreciated his feelings, his nice thoughts ...
jess
Buy you couldn't tell him that you love him?
vincent
Oh good Lord no! I would never do that!
jess
Oh, Vincent ...
vincent
I would never love him! -- not to be in love! I would never let that happen! And I wish to God he hadn't said the words to me!
jess
Why?
vincent
The hurt, my friend -- the horrible fucking hurt. Thirteen years ago when Stefan and I ripped ourselves asunder, I swore that was the last time for me -- the last time being "in love" would ever be a part of this old boy's daily anguish. I swear, every day it was like having impacted molars extracted without Novocain while my balls were clamped in a vice -- all in exchange for those very brief moments of bliss, or the mere illusion of it as it turned out. And then the breakup comes and one realizes that all the pain you suffered was only little pricks compared to what the big prick is going to put you through now. Oh, don't get me wrong -- I still love men in the grand and sweeping sense. I'll feed them and fondle them and bathe them and bed them. But I'll be damned if I fall in love with one of them again. I'm fond of Ami. That's quite enough.
jess
In your very generic way. No wonder he's scared.
vincent
I'm not the one who frightened him.
jess
You better be sure of what you're doing, Vincent.
vincent
I'm quite sure of what I am not doing.
jess
It isn't so hard to tell someone you love him, Vincent.
vincent
It's a very long leap across very deep chasms. I'd lose my footing -- I know I would.
(douglas and catherine enter. vincent lays a quick kiss on Jess's cheek and waves to the others.)
(continuing) vincent (continuing)
'Night, all. Bénir notre amitié..
douglas
(To Jess)
Be back in a second.
(To Vincent)
I'll go down with you.
(they exit front door, closing door behind them.)
catherine
There's more coffee if you want some, Manny.
manny
I'll get it. Thanks. You feeling okay?
catherine
Slight headache. I'll be fine as soon as Douglas's dental pills kick in.
douglas
Thank God for root canals.
(As the conversation continues, manny goes to the pot and takes it around to fill others' cups before pouring his own.)
(continuing) catherine (continuing)
So what's the latest on Bill's situation?
jess
Continuing downhill. Sitting around hoping somebody with a good liver of the right kind has a quick, clean accident that does him in.
catherine
How long will he have to wait?
jess
He's a long way from the top on a very long list. The problem is that he's O-negative, so the chances of a compatible liver coming up are just about zero. But, if they did get one, he could bypass a lot of people on that list who aren't O-negative.
catherine
How long can he afford to wait?
jess
Six months, maybe, if he's lucky.
catherine
Hampton's putting up a very brave front.
jess
That's his Boalt Hall training. I'm afraid he's coming apart inside.
catherine
We all thought they were the most unlikely couple ...
(lights dim; spot (moonlight) comes up downstage and bill [without stomach protrusion] and hampton stroll into the light, drinks in hand. they stop, look into the distance.)
bill
Lived here for years and never took one of these cruises around the bay.
hampton
Best way to see the city -- at night, when it's clear.
bill
It's beautiful.
(A pause, as they sip their drinks.)
(continuing) bill (continuing)
Hampton ... I've been thinking about ... you know, what you asked me the other night ...
hampton
And?
bill
I, uh ...
(A beat)
I've never met a man like you. If I'm not careful, I could probably really, very deeply, fall in love ...
hampton
I was hoping you already had.
bill
I wouldn't want to do that to you.
hampton
What the hell is that supposed to mean?
bill
I'm not marriage material, Hampton. Settling down ... I've tried it -- enough to know that ...
(A beat)
I just don't have what it takes.
hampton
And just what does it take?
bill
I have no idea.
hampton
We've seen a lot of each other these past few months, Bill. I've gotten to know you. I know what I feel for you. I know what I am with you. I think I know what we could be together.
billWe're so damned different it's comical You're a lawyer. I'm an office clerk by day and a drag queen by night.
hampton
Not every night.
bill
That doesn't set well with a lot of men.
hampton
That's a part of who you are. And I love who you are.
(A beat)
Don't you feel anything for me, Bill? This can't possibly be so damned one-sided!
bill
Hampton, I do care about you. A lot. Enough that ... I don't want to be the big mistake of your life.
hampton
I'm not asking you to be my mistake, Bill. I'm asking you to be my lover ... my partner ... my life-mate.
bill
Hunh! Love! ... I used to think that was all two people needed to have a happy and wonderful relationship ...
hampton
No, love isn't everything. But it is the key to whatever else we could have together.
bill
If it were real. If I could only know ...
(It's a tender but inconclusive moment. spot fades. bill and hampton exit, full lights come up and the scene interrupted continues.)
jess
We knew both of them before they met, and we had a good laugh when we heard they were dating. When they moved in together, we gave it a month tops. That was -- what? --
catherine
Six years ago?
jess
Don't think I've ever known a better couple than them.
catherine
I know one couple who had them beat on every count.
jess
Don't, Mother. Don't start. Don't get involved in this!
(fletcher and douglas enter front door, shutting the door.)
catherine
How can I not be involved? I love you both. There are days that, frankly, I like Douglas a lot better than I like you. He's never the bitch you can be.
jess
He doesn't have the teacher I have.
catherine
If you think I'm going to let this happen without some ...
(Looking at Fletcher)
Did you get clued in?
fletcher
I did and if you're getting ready to tie these two idiots to the village rack and flog the shit out of them, just tell me where I can get a cane.
catherine
(To Jess)
See, even the ruling retard of relationships knows a good one when he sees it.
fletcher
Oh come on, Mother.
catherine
Come on what? You've been married twice and cohabited once -- Danielle could find her way into every man's bedroom except yours, Donna could never get over her great love affair with Jack Daniels, and Denise just wanted someone to take care of her overactive appetite, her underactive personality, and her inactive bank account. I hope I live long enough to see you move on to another letter of the alphabet.
jess
Wonder why it is no one ever asks me where I got my testy tongue.
douglas
Catherine, look, Jess and I have been working with this for almost a year. We're doing the thing that's best --
jess
(Interrupting)
You're trying to be logical with her. It's not going to work.
catherine
I want you both to understand that I'm not going to sit idly by and just watch this happen ...
jess
Idle is not one of her speeds.
catherine
I know what you were like before you met Douglas. You were going to Hell in a pink ruffled handbasket, sleeping around since you were in high school ...
fletcher
Junior high actually ...
(Simultaneously ...)
catherine What do you know about it? |
jess Just shut up, Fletcher. |
fletcher
Excuse me!
catherine
Sorry, Douglas, didn't mean to throw our dirty laundry in your face ...
douglas
You are digging deep in the hamper ...
catherine
Douglas, I remember when Jess brought you home that Sunday for dinner. Had nothing to microwave, so you ended up finding things in the kitchen I didn't even know were there and preparing a marvelous meal. Can't imagine you weren't doing just fine before he grabbed on to you. I hope he's been good for you in some way, but I know he doesn't always know the difference between being an anchor and an albatross.
douglas
That's not the case, Catherine. You're way off base ...
catherine
Then I don't understand ...
douglas
Jess has been very good for me.
catherine
So what is the goddamned problem? Get it worked out! This is stupid! Now I'm feeling sick to my stomach ... Come on, Manny. Let's go.
(To Jess and Douglas)
Get it worked out! You hear me?
(manny shakes hands. catherine and manny exit front door, closing the door behind them.)
fletcher
Got to love the woman.
jess
It's entirely optional.
douglas
You weren't at the bar very long, Fletcher.
fletcher
It got dull real quick. None of the babes in there paid any attention to my suave maneuvers.