The Lovers
Two men are sitting on a park bench, one of them has recently fallen in love against his friend's better
judgement. They sit and wait in the sunset which rapidly disappears and drizzle begins to run down their
faces. One of the pair regularly checks his watch. The other regularly shakes his head whenever this is done.
There is an expectation of worry and doubt, though excitement and romance in the air. The friend who is not
on the date is bitter, jealous and resentful; not of the impending romance, but of the impact of damage that
it will have on their friendship and the time and commitment allotted to it. He also loves his friend very much
and can't bear to see him being dragged through the dirt on yet another 'famous' quest for happiness and
the love of his life.
'This is the fourth time!' F1
'Well I don't know why......, maybe she doesn't really like you, you know like 'that'.'F2
'Like what?'F1
'Like 'that'.'F2
'Thanks.'F1
'Well if I really liked someone, you know 'like that' I would make sure that I turned up to meet them on time
every once in a while. But you know, it looks like she can't be bothered to make the effort'F2
'Maybe she's just busy and can't phone. Maybe something terrible has happened or she's run into an old
friend or something.'F1
'Hmmmmm.... yes 'old friend', listen, what do you want to do instead?'F2
' What do you mean 'old friend' you little Iago! And instead of what! Do you just assume that she won't
turn up at all!?'F1
'Well.....,'F2
'What?'F1
'She doesn't seem to have a particularly good record does she.'F2
'Meaning what?'F1
'Well...'F2
'What do you mean 'well'?'F1
'She's not here is she, and she hasn't been for, oh, the last twenty minutes. And Space-man Pete says
she's...'F2
'Yes, I can see that! And Pete's not called 'Space-man' for nothing! You know what I think, I think you're
bitter!'F1
'And.... I can't see her coming can you?'F2
'She's just running late!'F1
'Boo.'G
The girl jumps out from behind the bench and kisses F1 on the cheek.
'Oh, ha ha ha, you scared me.'F1
'Sorry I'm late.'G
'Where did you come from?'F1
'Over there.'G
'Oh, we were just'F1
'Yes, I know I heard. Didn't you think I'd come?'G
'Well yes of course I did..'F1
'But you didn't?'G
'Well...'F2
'Well what?'G
They glare at eachother and raise their voices.
'Well you weren't here were you, and you are always late.'F2
'And that means?'G
'Well, you aren't really enthusiastic about it are you. He's always 20 minutes early.'F2
'Well if he's so enthusiastic about me, why does he always bring you?'G
G=Girlfriend F1=Friend 1, F2=Friend 2
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