Scene 3
(Lights up to find Claire in a bar. She has a glass of wine in her hand, and she’s laughing. Sitting opposite her is a handsome younger man, MARK, in his late-20s. His shirt is open at the neck, but it’s clear that he was dressed up when he came in, as if he works in some kind of corporate environment. His tie is on the bar, and his jacket has fallen on the floor. He’s drinking a beer. There are sad Christmas decorations around the bar, indicating that it’s a bit of a dive, and there are Christmas classics playing. A female bartender, CASSIE, is bustling in and out of the scene.)
CLAIRE (with her glass raised)
“Not soon enough” I said to him. “Not soon enough!” (she drinks; it’s her third) I said, “Patrick, not soon enough before you move out of this house. I’ve had it with you and your—
CASSIE
Hey Claire, can you keep it down?
CLAIRE
I wasn’t talking to you, Cassie. I’m talking to my new friend Mark. My very handsome new friend Mark (she leans in with a giggle and her glass almost spilling)
MARK
Whoa! Easy there. I have to keep these pants intact for later in the week. Red wine down the front won’t—
CLAIRE (touching his leg)
Oh, don’t be silly, I would never spill anything on you. Trust me!
MARK (moving her hand and taking the glass out of her other hand)
I trust you, but let’s just set this on the bar here, OK?
CLAIRE
OK!
(Claire is having trouble balancing on her bar stool, but she’s otherwise keeping it together.)
CLAIRE
So I told him, I said “Patrick—“ His name— My husband’s name is Patrick.
CASSIE
He got that. The whole bar got that about 5 minutes ago—
CLAIRE
Can you shut up and get me another glass of wine?
CASSIE
Not if you’re going to talk to me like that.
CLAIRE (making kissie lips)
Oh, Cassie Cassie Cassie. My sweetie Cassie, just one more? Just one more little glass of wine for your old teacher?
MARK
Teacher? You’re a teacher?
CASSIE
Was.
CLAIRE
I was a teacher. A very good teacher I was. History. High school history. But that was a long time ago.
CASSIE
Not that long. I’ve only been out five years.
CLAIRE
You make it sound like it was prison.
CASSIE
Uh?
CLAIRE
You were such a good student back then. How did you end up in here?
CASSIE
Same way you did. By walking through the front door.
CLAIRE
She always was clever that way. Cassie Cassie Cassie. Quick with her tongue.
CASSIE
Yeah, well, I’d rather be quick that way than others. (to Mark) You know what I mean. (she makes a glass tipping motion and nods over to Claire who is back to fawning all over Mark)
CLAIRE (ignoring Cassie, to Mark)
So where are YOU from?
MARK
Uh, not from around here. I’m just in for a conference.
CASSIE
You part of that tech group that’s at the Hilton across the street?
MARK
Yeah, actually. How’d you know?
CASSIE
I had a hunch. A bunch guys that look like you were in here last night. Real rowdy.
CLAIRE
Are you rowdy, Mark? I’d love to see you rowdy. What do you wear to be rowdy?
CASSIE
Oh, brother…
CLAIRE
Don’t you have to get that bottle of wine from somewhere?
(Cassie just looks at her.)
CLAIRE
You finished the bottle on my last glass, and it’s time for refill.
(Cassie looks at Mark who shrugs his shoulders.)
MARK
She’s a paying customer, right?
CASSIE
Yeah, but—
MARK
And the customer’s always right, yeah?
CLAIRE
Ooooh, I knew I liked you! (to Cassie) You heard the man. The customer is always right. Next bottle?
CASSIE
You driving her home?
MARK
Uh…?
CLAIRE
I will be fine to drive in an hour. You know that! I’m always fine.
CASSIE
That’s kind of a lie, and you know it.
CLAIRE
Oh hush, that one time doesn't count. The police chief helped me right out of that little pickle.
CASSIE (to Mark)
That’s because she swallowed his pickle in the back of the squad car and—
CLAIRE (slamming her hand on the bar)
That is enough, Cassie! Stop spreading lies. (collecting herself) Now get me my wine or we might have to talk about how you passed Mr. Smith’s class that year. Funny how so many senior girls go to Disney World with Ds and come back with As after that trip. And Mr. Smith always chaperones.
CASSIE
Whatever. I earned my grade, Claire.
CLAIRE
Just like I paid my ticket.
(The two women glower at each other until Cassie walks off to get the bottle.)
CLAIRE
Now. She’s gone. And I can focus on you.
MARK
Yeah. You can. Sounds like you’re pretty talented.
CLAIRE
Lots of talents, Mark, I have lots of talents. Good teacher. Good listener. Good at lots of things.
MARK
I see that. You get rid of annoying bartenders—
CLAIRE (tapping his nose with her finger)
Only the ones that have too much to say.
MARK
Can you make other things disappear? (Mark lets his hand drop down to his crotch and just stay there.)
(Claire looks down and then looks back up to Mark. He smiles, takes a sip of his beer without looking away, sets it down and rubs his chest with his other hand.)
MARK
I’m away a lot. My girlfriend lives on the West Coast. There’s only so much I can take care of on my own.
(Claire looks at him then looks at her phone on the bar counter.)
CLAIRE
You’re right across the street?
MARK (pointing out the door)
Right across there.
CLAIRE
And you’re all alone? No roommates?
MARK
Big king bed. Me and the sheets. Nothing else.
CLAIRE
Nothing else?
MARK
Nothing. Just me and the sheets.
(Claire reaches down to feel his leg again. This time he lets her.)
CLAIRE
I’d like to see that. You in that big bed with the sheets and nothing else.
MARK
That could definitely be arranged. As long as I get to see how you make things disappear.
CLAIRE
Oh don’t you worry. I’ve got a couple of ways to make things disappear. (she leans in) Ways I think you’ll like. Ways I learned from another young man like yourself. (in his ear) I like them young.
MARK
Well, that’s perfect then, cause I like ‘em broken in. Don’t have to be so careful. (He’s very close to her. The last line makes her shudder.)
(Cassie comes back in with wine bottle.)
CLAIRE
Cassie, just the check.
CASSIE
I thought you wanted another glass?
CLAIRE
Changed my mind. My friend Mark here has a product he thinks I might be interested in.
MARK (draining his beer)
Right.
CLAIRE (hands Cassie her card)
Put his drinks on my tab and run the bill.
(Cassie takes the card and moves away to run the bill.)
CLAIRE
You do know what you’re getting yourself into, don’t you?
MARK
Let's see. Former teacher. Likes to play with young guys. . . . It’s not my first rodeo.
CLAIRE
I can see that, Cowboy. But I bet this’ll be new for you.
MARK
I may look young, but don’t confuse that with inexperience.
CLAIRE
That’s what they always say. I promise. You’re in for a treat.
MARK
So are you, Claire. So are you.
(Cassie throws the check down on the bar. Claire picks up the pen, signs, grabs her card and puts it away. She gets up to go.)
CLAIRE
Ready?
MARK (getting off his stool, picking up his coat and tie)
Actually, uh, let me go first. Make sure my buddies from work aren't in the lobby. (Claire looks at him questioningly.) You know, I uh should be discreet. (She doesn’t change her expression.) Uh, my room number is 523. Here’s my extra key. (He hands her a swipe card. Her expression changes.)
CLAIRE
523. I’ll be there.
MARK
Give me 5 minutes to get up there. And get ready. You know, just me and the sheets.
CLAIRE
Uh huh. (She moves in close.) Well, I want you to leave something on. ‘Tis the season, right? I like to unwrap things. Don’t disappoint me.
MARK
I have just the thing.
CLAIRE
Uh huh?
MARK
I was on the swim team in college. Still like to work out when I travel. Sleek, black, tight—
CLAIRE (knows exactly what he’s talking about)
Put it on.
MARK
You got it.
CLAIRE
And tie the drawstring.
(Mark gives her the thumbs up and leaves quickly. Claire looks back at Cassie who rolls her eyes. Then Claire takes out her cell phone and dials.)
CLAIRE
Patrick?...It’s Claire. . . . I know I’m late. But it’s only 8:30pm . . . I know dinner was at 7:00. Listen, Julia is really having a hard time, so I took her to dinner, and we’re having a glass of wine. . . . Well, she just can’t accept that they’re gone. She’s just so broken up about it. Doesn’t understand why they even wanted to go there in the first place. She’s just a mess. And she and Steve are fighting so I have my hands full at the house. . . . I think we’ll be another hour here. She says she has things she needs to tell me. . . . If I knew I would tell you. That’s why I think I should stay here and talk with her. . . . I wanted to get her out of the house, so we’re at that bar near the hotel. . . . Yeah, well, we used to come here as kids, and she wanted some old times. . . . No. NO! I mean no, it’s not necessary for you to come down. I think it’s actually better that you stay there. She’s really starting to open up, and I think it’s going to be important when we have to tell her about the other stuff. . . . Right. It was hard enough for Steve, but (she looks down at the keycard in her hand). Right. . . . Right. . . . Yes. I know. I will tell her. Just not tonight. . . . OK. Good . . . . Yes. . . . OK. Julia’s back from the restroom, so I’m going to go. I’ll see you later. Yes, I will . . . . (she says to no one) Patrick says hello. . . .She says she can’t wait to see you. Yes. OK. Yes. I will drive safely. Yes. OK. Love you too. See you soon (hangs up). Jesus Christ!
(Claire puts the phone in her purse and leaves the bar. Cassie shakes her head and the lights fade with Mariah Carey singing “Oh Come, All Ye Faithful” plays. End of scene.)