1
SCENE ONE
Lights come up and Linda is standing in front of the mirror straightening her red dress. Her husband, Bernie, enters the room and approaches her from behind.
LINDA
(studying her appearance in the mirror) Should I wear this red dress again?
BERNIE
(putting his hands around her waist) You look beautiful.
LINDA
I don’t know. I just wore it a few weeks ago.
BERNIE
I’m sure he’ll love it.
LINDA
Thanks, darling. (turning to face Bernie) And what gift did you pick out this time? Some flowers? The last girl got perfume, I believe. And my favorite perfume, at that.
BERNIE
(slightly smiling) No, neither. Actually, I picked out a scarf.
LINDA
Oh, why a scarf?
2
BERNIE
Because that’s where I met her. I was in a department store and she was hanging up a new stock of scarves. I casually approached her and she pointed out the one she liked best.
LINDA
I see. You are sneaky, husband. So you went back to get it later when she didn’t see you?
BERNIE
Yes.
LINDA
Is she pretty? (curiously)
BERNIE
Yes, but not as pretty as you.
LINDA
Do you think John will like the way I look?
BERNIE
Yes. If he doesn’t, he’s a fool.
LINDA
I hope so. He is a nice looking man. So, what is her name?
3
BERNIE
Who?
LINDA
The lady from the department store.
BERNIE
Oh yeah. Her name is Carla.
LINDA
Well, I should get going. I don’t want to be late. (She stares into the mirror to study her appearance one last time, then turns to pick up her purse off the dresser)
BERNIE
Um…Linda, can you wait a minute? There’s something I wanna talk to you about before you go.
LINDA
Can’t it wait until tomorrow? You know the rule, we both have to be home by 11.
BERNIE
(fidgeting) I know, but this is kinda important.
LINDA
How important can it be?
4
BERNIE
(beginning to feel exasperated) Important enough. I think John can wait a few extra minutes.
LINDA
(hands on her hips, slightly annoyed) Ok, what is it Bernie?
BERNIE
We’ve been doing this every other Thursday night for about 6 months now. And we’ve never talked about it at all.
LINDA
That’s what we agreed on.
BERNIE
Yes, I know. But some things have been happening to me lately.
LINDA
(turning serious) Oh, no. It’s not the one thing we agreed wouldn’t happen, is it?
BERNIE
No, I haven’t let my feelings get involved.
LINDA
(a sigh of relief) Thank goodness. We vowed to never let a date come between our marriage, Bernie.
5
BERNIE
But as you recall it ruined Janet and Bill’s marriage.
LINDA
(adamantly) But we aren’t them, and their marriage was already on shaky ground when they started this. We’re stronger.
BERNIE
Yes, but I need to know you’re feelings for me haven’t changed at all.
LINDA
Is this what this is about? (putting her hand on Bernie’s cheek) I went into this with my eyes wide open, just like you. I still feel the same as I did the day we got married.
BERNIE
I’m glad. But that’s not what this is entirely about.
LINDA
Bernie, you’re gonna make me really late. Can you get to the point?
BERNIE
I have a confession to make….I’ve been doing something that might upset you.
LINDA
(looking serious) What is it, Bernie? Just spit it out!
6
BERNIE
I…I don’t know how to tell you this. I thought I could, but…
LINDA
(interrupting, sounding very unsure and worried) But what? You haven’t slept with a man have you?
BERNIE
Hell, no. My God, Linda! I can’t believe you would ask me that.
LINDA
Then what? Did you forget to use protection and now you have a disease? Don’t just stand there with your mouth open, Bernie. Just say whatever it is!
BERNIE
I would if you would quit interrupting….
LINDA
(beginning to pace and half talking to herself) Wait! Maybe I shouldn’t know. (trying to shrug off this uneasy feeling) Just take care of whatever it is, Bernie, and leave me out of it.
BERNIE
(aggravated) Just take care of it? Just like that, huh Linda?
LINDA
(in a calmer voice) Yes, Bernie.
7
BERNIE
This involves you too, you know.
LINDA
Well, it didn’t involve me when you got yourself into it, did it? Did you get someone pregnant? Cause if you did, I would never forgive you. You know we’ve never been able to have children.
BERNIE
No, Linda. You’re jumping to crazy conclusions. We’ve had a wonderful life without kids, haven’t we?
LINDA
I suppose. But I remember like it was yesterday when the doctor told me I’d never have a child and that dreadful look in your eyes.
BERNIE
Yes, it did hurt at the time, but I’ve still loved you the same, and we got past it. There’s no need to rehash it. Ok?
LINDA
Ok. Can we end this conversation now? It’s giving me a headache and I’m extremely late now. John might not wait on me much longer.
BERNIE
(giving up) Ok, Linda. You win for now. But it’s important we finish this later.
No comments:
Post a Comment