Scene two of my new play which is now titled Almost Yours.
Scene two
We find ourselves now in Jordan’s bedroom. It is oddly sparse for that of a 17-year old. There is a twin size bed up left, and a dresser up right. A desk is center stage. We find Jordan in the company of a friend; this friend sits on the floor in near darkness, never being heard by the audience. Jordan sits at the desk.
Jordan: I met a girl. Just. A girl. She thinks I’m interesting. No, I don’t know why, I don’t even know anything about her. We spent a few minutes trying to outthink each other, then we exchanged screen names and she left. I haven’t talked to her since. Ask her out? Are you serious? I was afraid to ask my grandma for a dollar for candy as a kid! Layla, her name is Layla. Yeah it is, beautiful just like her face. I tell ya though; she just might be smarter than me. I have no clue if I can handle it or not.
There is a brief pause before Jordan jumps up and begins pacing around the room.
Let’s weigh the pros and cons of this, pro: I’ll have a lot of fun. Oh grow up why don’t you? Con: Social interaction is not my forte. Listen to me. I can’t make a science out of this. Human beings don’t conform to predictable patterns and routines. Once you get to know someone you can sort of see how their mind works, but not after a single conversation. Maybe I’m over thinking this. Who am i kidding I am most certainly over thinking this. But I want it; oh Lord do I want it. She is finally a worthy opponent. Did I just say opponent? I meant... I meant opponent. Is the entirety of my life focused on finding an antagonist? Crazy? No I don’t think it is, I sit around all day immersed in index cards and Venn diagrams gaining knowledge, obtaining answers. I’m never challenged, I’m never contradicted. Everything is clear-cut and simple. I don’t get that sort of closure from this girl. She is the only block that has ever crossed my path or my mind. I think I need that. I think. That’s it; I crave adversity, real human conflict. But wait, aren’t these terrible reasons to get involved with someone on such a level? Why should I use this girl to fill some ridiculous need I’ve created for myself? Yes, I know I’m right thank you. But I’d rather be wrong. This conversation is a pointless exercise. No matter what, pros, cons or moral dilemmas I impose on this, I don’t know this girl: and thankfully she doesn’t know me. I probably won’t even talk to her again for a while.
Layla appears on stage at this point and stands right in front of Jordan whose friend has gone offstage by the end of the last speech. The following dialogue is meant to represent an instant messaging conversation, how this effect is achieved can be left to the director’s vision.
Layla: Hey.
Jordan: Hi, is this Layla?
Layla: It is.
Jordan: How are you this eve?
Layla: This eve? What, are we in a Shakespeare play now?
Jordan: I was thinking more of a Dickens story.
Layla: I’m not really a fan of either one.
Jordan: Shame.
Layla: Why is that?
Jordan: Because if you can’t appreciate where the literary world has been you couldn’t possibly be a worthwhile critic of where it is currently at.
Layla: Shakespeare and Dickens aren’t the only important writers of the past you know.
Jordan: Says you.
Layla: Closed-minded then I see.
Jordan: No, just right.
Layla: That was a joke right?
Jordan: No.
Layla: Oh.
There is a pause, as long a pause as the actors feel comfortable taking.
Jordan: So what are you up to?
Layla: Knitting.
Jordan: Knitting and typing?
Layla: I have no problem with a slow pace. How about yourself, what are you doing?
Jordan: Listening to music.
Layla: What sort of music tickles your fancy?
Jordan: The Beatles or anything rooted in folk music, and you?
Layla: Everything really.
Jordan: Oh, come on that’s a cop-out. Do you listen to Yoko Ono or Ravi Shankar?
Layla: No.
Jordan: Then you don’t listen to everything now do you?
Layla: Touché. I love boy bands.
Jordan: Seriously?
Layla: Yes. What?
Jordan: Boy bands started the music scene on the downward spiral it’s currently taking.
Layla: Disagree.
Jordan: I suppose music falls into the category of things we haven’t in common.
Layla: Indeed.
Jordan: Favorite movie?
Layla: Bring It On.
Jordan: Good God, why?
Layla: By looking at those characters I’m reminded that I am an intelligent human being, so far from moronic.
Jordan: Seriously?
Layla: No, cheerleaders fascinate me though.
Jordan: Do tell.
Layla: I can’t imagine getting that excited about anything for real, let alone, pretending.
There is a pause in the chat once again now as both of them ponder the strange turn of this conversation and the implications of that last statement.
Jordan: May I ask you a serious question now?
Layla: You may.
Jordan: What is your family like?
Layla: Only child, no father worth speaking of. A mother whose mind isn’t nearly what it used to be, at least that’s what I’m told. She has been this way as far back as I can remember.
Jordan: What happened?
Layla: If I knew I’d tell you.
Jordan: Who do you live with now?
Layla: My aunt and uncle, decent, intelligent people. If perhaps perpetually surprised by the presence of me in their home.
Jordan: They didn’t fight for custody of you then?
Layla: Well, yes but I lobbied for them to do so for at least a year beforehand.
Jordan: I see. That’s an interesting story if you don’t mind me saying so.
Layla: Say away.
Jordan: Are you alright?
Layla: Fine. What about you, do you have a story?
Jordan: I do, pedestrian as it is. Two parents still more or less happily married. I am the middle child, the only one still in the nest. I’ve never had any huge problems, even by teen standards. I jump wildly between studious and lazy. Nearly flunked the 6th grade you know?
Layla: Why?
Jordan: It wasn’t a challenge worthy of my time.
Layla: You knew that then?
Jordan: No, but I’ll take the lie to my grave, or at least to my master’s degree.
Layla: Clever, or something resembling it anyway.
Jordan: I thought so.
Layla: I’m sure you did.
Jordan: So, best guess how long do you think we can go on feeling each other out before we try a date?
Layla: Is that your way of asking me out then?
Jordan: Depends on what your answer would be.
Layla: Two weeks.
Jordan: What?
Layla: We wait two weeks to decide whether or not we should go on a date.
Jordan: I fail to see the logic.
Layla: This is our second conversation in two days, two weeks gives us at least 14 more. Ample time to find we aren’t meant to be before real emotion gets involved.
Jordan: You’ll forgive me if I find that just a little crazy.
Layla: I will?
Jordan: Yes, for one thing because real emotion is already involved: The emotion being fear.
Layla: I’m not afraid of anything.
Jordan: Except me, liking me I mean. Here’s a question, have you ever had a boyfriend before.
Layla: I have. A few more questions like that and you’ll ruin this.
Jordan: How do you figure?
Layla: Just trust me.
Jordan: Hmm. One more question?
Layla: If you insist.
Jordan: Would you like to go on a date with me?
Layla: (After a moment) Yes.
Jordan: A movie this weekend?
Layla: Too easy. We’ll never find any chemistry in a dark quiet theatre. We’ll walk the mall, talk and see what happens ok?
Jordan: Do I really have a choice?
Layla: What do you think?
Jordan: I think I’m just a little afraid of where this is going.
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