Issue 6 • Summer 2003 • Featured Writer • Drama
Troy HillAct I, Scene 4
Scene 4.
Todd enters Janice's apartment, which is very sparse -- minimal. They embrace.
JANICE
Hello.
TODD
Hi.
Todd walks passed Janice into the apartment.
TODD
God it's great to be out of there. My parents. I need a cigarette.
He lights one.
JANICE
I thought you quit.
TODD
I did, sort of. You want one?
JANICE
No, I quit, not sort of. How are you?
TODD
Okay, considering the last six hours.
JANICE
Well it's nice to see you too.
TODD
No, it's great to see you, of course. I'm sorry. (Beat) You're place looks great. It's so... sparse. God, our apartment is so cluttered.
JANICE
You don't own things; things own you.
TODD
Yeah.
JANICE
Will you have tea with me?
TODD
I was thinking we should go out for a drink.
JANICE
I don't drink these days. I have some organic teas.
TODD
Oh. Great. Sorry, I forgot. Maybe we can go out later. See some of the old crew.
JANICE
I've made black bread as well -- 100 percent wheat-free.
TODD
Oh, I'm stuffed from dinner.
JANICE
Come sit.
TODD
Thanks.
JANICE
How's your sister?
TODD
They say she's doing okay. I won't see her until tomorrow after my tests. My parents are already on my nerves.
JANICE
They're probably on edge because of Audrey.
TODD
I'm not so sure.
JANICE
I had your mother to tea.
TODD
You did?
JANICE
We didn't just talk about you, if that's what you're thinking. It wasn't all about you. I'll admit, I was afraid it would be. We had a nice chat over tea at the Cincinnatian. It's wonderfully old world, and they have the best scones even if it is a bit bourgie.
TODD
So what did you talk about?
JANICE
My work. Audrey's new house. Their new house in Florida. I gave her a book on Feng Shui to help her decorate.
TODD
That should come in handy. Well it sounds just fascinating.
JANICE
It was actually quite pleasant. (With a chuckle) Although she did assure me on our way out not to worry, that one day you would eventually marry me.
TODD
She what?
JANICE
And I know that's not necessarily true, but...
TODD
(Humorlessly) It's not.
JANICE
What?
TODD
I won't eventually marry you.
JANICE
(Defensively) I know that. Although I do think you may end up living with a woman when you're older.
TODD
I'm already thirty.
JANICE
But my point was going to be that although our conversation wasn't all about you, the last letter I received from you was. There wasn't a single thing about me or your feelings about me anywhere. It was all just...trivia.
TODD
Oh?
JANICE
I'm sorry, but I have to be honest. It bothered me. We've always poured our hearts out to each other on the page.
TODD
Well, I'm sorry. I guess I'm not that good at writing letters.
JANICE
You used to be.
TODD
Hmnn....
JANICE
I'm just not sure what's happening to you. I feel like I'm losing you -- and that's fine -- but I think you're losing your focus. I mean, since when do you love advertising?
TODD
I don't. I never said I loved it. I said I like where I've been working lately because they have an espresso machine in the kitchen. Is this some kind of interrogation?
JANICE
Why are you wasting your talent -- selling things people don't need or really want? It's perverse. You're raping the earth.
TODD
Oh my God. I'm not raping the earth. I have to pay rent. It's just occasional freelance, it's hardly selling out.
JANICE
Are you sure?
TODD
You work for the fucking government.
JANICE
Yes, but I'm not mixing my art with commerce. I keep my work completely separate -- I would never adulterate it.
TODD
I can't believe... Well, who's going to hire you as a performance artist anyway?
JANICE
That's not my concern.
TODD
Look, I'm a visual artist. I have skills -- I was trained to do things -- to make pictures. Plumbers plumb or whatever. I like getting paid to do what I do. I have time to do art on the side.
JANICE
I didn't know it was a hobby.
TODD
It's not.
JANICE
When was the last time you made art?
TODD
I'm working out some ideas.
JANICE
I want to see you fulfill your potential -- your destiny.
TODD
Jesus Janice.
JANICE
How much money do you really need?
TODD
New York is expensive.
JANICE
Well, just don't try to keep up with James.
TODD
Jon. Jonathan.
JANICE
Whatever. You're an artist. He doesn't understand -- he doesn't fully understand you. And I know how you get caught up in other people's lives. You're into that full-time routine.
TODD
No I'm not.
JANICE
You work and then go to dinner or drinks or clubs or whatever it is that people do, especially all those yuppie faggots in New York. Don't get caught up in all that.
TODD
Jonathan is actually very supportive. You don't even know him.
JANICE
I can read you. Look, I'm not against him, really, I just wish you had a project to look forward to, to nourish you. I'm sure it's better than when you were destroying Cincinnati and yourself with J.D., although...I'm sorry. I didn't mean to start off like this. I didn't want to.
TODD
Um, yeah. God, I just wanted to talk about art for a minute. Something. Have an intelligent conversation. My God.
JANICE
I'm sorry. Really.
TODD
No, it's... I mean you're right -- in a way. I haven't been making art. I'm totally unfocused. It's making me crazy. Just give me some slack right now, okay? No, I'm glad you said it.
JANICE
No, no. I'm sorry. Let's start over. It's just that I care about you so much. I apologize. I tried to hold back. I really tried, but I just don't want to see you regret your choices later. I'm sorry. I should just let you be.
TODD
No, I just... I think the water's boiling.
Next Page:
Act I, Scene 5 (page 5 of 22 pages)
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