Play Writing: Fallen Angel
May. 15th, 2011 10:14 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
glampenny(Oh and some names were borrowed from my fav fandom but others are based on real people I know)
ACT I
SCENE I
(Curtain opens to Brad’s living room. There is a couch Left of center with a coffee table in front of it. A dining table is up right and a stereo system up Left next to an end table covered in alcohol bottles. There is a TV down left and an armchair Right of the couch. PENNY is sitting on the couch reading a book, ADAM and KRIS sit at table, books strewn about the table.)
ADAM
Where the hell is Brad? I’m starving and I thought he was going for pizza.
KRIS
Probably just got sidetracked by some girl. Hell, that’s how he brought home Penny. She was astray until Brad coerced her home with treats and alcohol.
PENNY
Hey, I am not a puppy. Plus, he had cookies Kristopher, COOKIES!
ADAM
See, treats. And you love to use the puppy eyes to get your way. Admit it, you love having Brad around your little finger.
PENNY
If I have him oh so wrapped, why does Kris think he’s picking up other girls?
KRIS
Because you’re a tease P, and he wants to know he is wanted for something other than room and board.
PENNY
Hey! I like him just fine. It’s his ego that gets in the way.
(BRAD enters Right through the main door, followed by MICHAEL, who is carrying a duffel bag.)
BRAD
Hey guys!
ADAM
Hey, where’s the pizza?
KRIS
More importantly, who did you bring home instead? Is there something you need to tell us Brad?
BRAD
No Kris. Nothing I need to tell you that you don’t already know. This is Michael. He’s an old friend. He’s just moved back to town, getting ready to go back to school. He’ll be staying with us for a bit.
PENNY
What are you going to study?
MICHAEL
Art. I am an artist.
PENNY
Great, another starving artist.
BRAD
P, play nice.
PENNY
Fine suck all my fun out. So Michael, what kinds of art do you, as they say, create?
MICHAEL
I paint, mostly. I also draw and play around with photography.
BRAD
Penny, if you make one sarcastic remark about that I will punch you.
PENNY
Careful Brad, I may like that. Don’t tempt me with my kinks.
MICHAEL
(To BRAD) She’s kidding right?
BRAD
(To MICHAEL) I wish I could tell you. You can figure that out on your own. (To The group) Okay, so your new roommates are Kris, Adam, and of course Penny.
MICHAEL
Hey everyone. I promise to keep out of your hair as much as possible and find a new place as soon as I can.
BRAD
No need buddy. You stay as long as you need. There is a spare bedroom in the basement that is all yours. Just help pitch in for bills and a little bit for rent, we’ll be golden.
MICHAEL
Thanks man. I’m going to go set my stuff down. (MICHAEL Exits Stage Right.)
ADAM
See Penny, strays.
BRAD
What did I miss?
PENNY
Nothing, not a thing. So how did you say you know him? I mean, I won’t stop you from having another roommate, seeing as you bought the house, but a girl need to know she can trust all of her roommates, especially her all male roommates.
BRAD
He’s cool Penny. (Moves to couch to sit next to PENNY) I knew him from years ago. He left town about a year before you showed up. He has needs to travel and get away every few years. He is a good guy. Give him a few weeks. If you absolutely think that you can’t live with him or he does anything inappropriate, let me know and I’ll help him find somewhere else to go.
PENNY
Thanks Brad. It does mean a lot to me. (She takes his hand in hers.)
KRIS
Do we need to give you guys some space, cause honestly, if this is going down now, I want to see it, to know it’s true.
PENNY
Kris?
KRIS
Yeah
PENNY
Shut up. It ain’t happening. Sure, if you said anything like that to me, I would probably kiss you, but seeing as this is Brad, things get complicated.
BRAD
I am standing right here.
PENNY
Oh I know. (MICHAEL reenters from stage left)
MICHAEL
Did I miss the memo? (Gestures to BRAD and PENNY’s joined hands) Something I need to know dude?
BRAD
No. Is that my shirt?
PENNY
Dude? Seriously?
MICHAEL
Yes, you’re shirt, don’t change the subject. And you sweetie? Yes dude, best word ever and so 90’s it makes me nostalgic.
PENNY
Sweetie? Can kill him now, or maybe just gouge his eyes out?
BRAD
Play NICE Penny. C’mon, let’s go for a walk. Get some coffee.
PENNY
You already know me so well. You all want something?
ADAM
No thanks, it’s getting too late.
KRIS
No thanks dear. I’m going to bed soon.
PENNY
Cool. See you guys in a bit. Michael. (BRAD and PENNY exit. ADAM and KRIS move to the couch and watch as MICHAEL sinks into an armchair Left of the couch)
MICHAEL
So you two want to explain what I did wrong so quickly?
ADAM
You called her sweetie. Bad plan man.
MICHAEL
Why?
KRIS
She’s got this weird thing about people calling her sweetie. Says something about she is not sweet. She also hates being called honey and ma’am. So don’t even go there.
MICHAEL
Gotcha, no sweetie honey, or ma’am.
ADAM
So Brad says you travel. Where do you go?
MICAHEL
Where ever I feel like. Most recently, I went to Canada and to Ireland. Beautiful places. You two should go sometime.
ADAM
We just might.
MICHAEL
So Brad and Penny aren’t dating?
KRIS
Yet. They aren’t dating yet. She’s been living here for about two months now, and we’ve known her for about four months. Those two have been tap dancing around each other from the beginning.
MICHAEL
Why haven’t they, if I might ask?
ADAM
Brad thinks she’s too innocent or something. She’s just started college and grew up slightly sheltered when it comes to things like guys. And Penny it waiting for Brad to make a move because honestly, she doesn’t know how these things really work.
KRIS
Good god, it’s almost eleven. I’m going to hit the hay. It was nice to meet you Michael. Give Penny some time, she’ll warm up to you soon enough.
MICHAEL
Thanks Kris. Are you going to bed too?
ADAM
Yes. See, we like sleep. And if you are starting classes tomorrow you may want some sleep too. Plus if you’re waiting for the couple to return, they may be a bit. Their walks take anywhere from five minutes to… two hours is the record. So far.
MICHAEL
Alright, alright, I get it, going to bed. See you both around. (ADAM and KRIS exit. MICHAEL looks around for a moment, before picking up the book PENNY was reading.) Interesting reading. The Count of Monte Cristo. Strange girl. (BRAD and PENNY reenter holding coffee cups, stopping when they see MICHAEL)
BRAD
Hey man! The others to go to bed?
MICHAEL
Yeah, but I’ll be following here shortly. More like now. See you both in the morning. Have a good night.
PENNY
You as well Michael.
MICHAEL
Call me Mike, please. (PENNY nods and MICHAEL exits stage left)
BRAD
So, what do you really think of Michael?
PENNY
I think he’ll be interesting to live with. But I did promise to give him some time before I truly make up my mind.
BRAD
Thank you for that. C’mon let’s sit on the couch before bed. You need to be up for a bit anyway, girl who just had coffee.
PENNY
Alright weirdo. (They move to the couch and sit down at opposite ends. BRAD pauses and then moves to sit closer to PENNY).
BRAD
You know I like you, right?
PENNY
Y’know, I hadn’t noticed all of the unsubtle staring and leering and innuendos. I never even thought that you reduced my utilities and rent to try and win my favor.
BRAD
Alright, I admit, subtle is not my forte. (Pauses) But you understand why I am hesitant right?
PENNY
No. I honestly don’t. I thought for sure that as soon as I moved in, you’d make your move but here I am, still waiting. Is it my age?
BRAD
No, not really.
PENNY
My… inexperience?
BRAD
No, I actually really like that about you.
PENNY
Then what?
BRAD
I don’t want to lose you as my friend. I truly care for you as my friend and I would rather keep you as my friend than not have you at all.
PENNY
Is that really the way to live your life? Keep me as your friend, never take a risk, and never get to experience a relationship? I mean, I know that I don’t have a lot to go on here, but if you were my friend seeking advice from me about this issue here is what I would say: Go for it. Risk what you have in order to get even more. If you lose in the end, then we can deal from there. Honestly what is the worst that can happen?
BRAD
I can lose you, possibly forever.
PENNY
And the best thing that could happen?
BRAD
I get to keep you, possibly forever.
PENNY
So is the risk worth it? (Instead of answering BRAD leans in and kisses PENNY softly and quickly) I see. Anything else you would like to add before I head off to bed? (BRAD smiles and kisses PENNY passionately as the lights fade.)
SCENE II
(Four weeks later. MICHAEL and KRIS are sitting on the couch. MICHAEL has a sketch pad out and is drawing. KRIS has a text book in his lap and is highlighting. ADAM is sitting in the armchair watching TV.)
KRIS
Who cares whether or not a wire is covered in red or blue? As long as the instructions say what it is supposed to be? I mean honestly, stereo instructions are all hard to read for a reason, with no logic behind wire coverings.
ADAM
It is what you get for being an engineering major.
KRIS
Says the engineering major in the armchair.
ADAM
Hey I passed that class last semester. Not my fault you didn’t want to take it at the same time as me. I would have helped you pass.
KRIS
So what’ll it cost me to have you help me now.
ADAM
Beer, lots and lots of beer. Maybe nachos too.
KRIS
Beer, okay, the nachos though, may be the deal breaker.
ADAM
We’ll Figure something out. Hey, where’s Penny?
MICHAEL
Yeah, haven’t seen the love birds for two days.
ADAM
Well, she’s been working like crazy at the bar. She said she needed to cash. And Brad is being Brad and feels he doesn’t need to always be around.
KRIS
Too true. So Michael. How have things been with you?
MICHAEL
Same as usual. Why do you ask?
KRIS
Well, You haven’t seem as chipper lately. Since you found out about Penny and Brad really.
MICHAEL
Just adjusting. I’ve known Brad for years and he can get… intense. I just worry for Penny.
ADAM
Don’t worry too much about her. She can hold her own and her sharp tongue has been known to castrate men.
MICHAEL
Yes, I know their pain. (PENNY enters, with BRAD behind her. PENNY stalks over to the table with the liquor bottles and gets herself something to drink, ignoring BRAD)
BRAD
Pen, c’mon, I didn’t mean it. I’m sorry baby it won’t happen again. I just lost my temper for a moment.
PENNY
Brad, go away. I don’t even want to look at you at the moment. You should feel thankful to still have your balls attached to your body. I’m going to bed. G’night gentlemen. (PENNY Exits Stage left. BRAD moves to sit in the unoccupied seat on the couch)
KRIS
Okay Brad, what did you do?
BRAD
I don’t want to say.
ADAM
And why not?
BRAD
Because you guys will kill me when you find out, and I like being alive.
MICHAEL
Well we know you lost your temper. Said so yourself. Did you say something offensive?
ADAM
That’s kinda of par for the course with Brad. I don’t think he really could say much to offend Penny like that, unless it involved babies or gays.
KRIS
Let’s cut to the chase. Did you say something Brad?
BRAD
No, I wish I had though.
KRIS
We’re waiting Brad. What did you do to her?
BRAD
God, you guys are like her brothers or something.
ADAM
We’re family. Deal with it and spill damn it.
BRAD
I…I grabbed her wrist. Really hard. May have pushed her at one point too.
MICHAEL
I should kill you and then tell your mother. Why the hell would you do that?
BRAD
We were FIGHTING-
KRIS
That is not an excuse Brad. There is no excuse to hurt a girl.
BRAD
Its not like I planned it. We were fighting about her working so much and she mentioned some guy and I just lost it. I couldn’t stand that her reason for working so much is another guy.
ADAM
Did she say she was leaving you for said other man? Or was she being her usual self and helping out a friend.
BRAD
I don’t want to talk about this right now. I’m going to bed. See you all in the morning.
KRIS
One last question Brad. How many times have you two fought in the past week? I know I’ve heard at least three times.
BRAD
Too many honestly. (BRAD exits Stage left. All three men watch him)
ADAM
Penny needs to break up with him before he hits her.
MICHAEL
He’ll probably destroy whatever friendship they have before giving her up. Intense remember.
ADAM
We’ll just all have to keep an eye on her. And him I guess. More game planning in the morning though. Sleep is imminent. And Kris, Falling asleep reading that book again will kill your back.
KRIS
Fine, fine. Off to bed I go mother.
ADAM
Call me your mother again and I will never again help you out.
KRIS
Alright, alright. To bed I go. Goodnight Michael. Good luck with the sketching.
MICHAEL
Night guys. See you tomorrow. (ADAM and KRIS exit. MICHAEL continues sketching for a moment. PENNY Enters and pauses when she sees him) Hey. Come have a seat. I wanna talk with you for a sec.
PENNY
Sure, (PENNY sits on the couch next to MICHAEL) what would you like to talk about?
MICHAEL
Well, for one I would just like to talk with you more. I mean we’re roommates and we hardly know each other.
PENNY
Brad says you’re good people, so I trust that.
MICHAEL
Yes, but we need to do the whole getting to know you thing without Brad’s involvement. He’s a nice guy and all but we should do this on our own.
PENNY
Alright. So, Brad said you grew up around here?
MICHAEL
Yeah. Moved here when I was ten to live with my grandparents. It was me just me and my brother with them.
PENNY
What happened to your parents, if I may ask?
MICHAEL
My dad was killed in a car accident. My mom died about six months after that from pneumonia. I just had my brother left.
PENNY
I’m really sorry to hear that.
MICHAEL
I know, thank you. I’ve had a lot of time to adjust to the idea. My grandparents were great and raised me well. They let me get a tattoo for my parents even, when I was seventeen.
PENNY
What did you get?
MICHAEL
Angel wings. I’ve always liked to think that they have been my guardian angels since their deaths.
PENNY
That’s really sweet.
MICHAEL
Thanks. How about your family?
PENNY
Got my mom and dad, two brothers. Plus the guys here. This is also my family.
MICHAEL
What happened with Brad tonight? He wasn’t terribly forthcoming with details.
PENNY
Hell if I know. He came by to pick me up and walk us home. I told him I only had to cover one more shift for Simon, my coworker, and he just lost it. Started yelling at me. I tried to walk away but, he grabbed my wrist. He grabbed it so hard. I’ll probably bruise. I got my wrist away from him. We yelled some more. I told him he couldn’t trust me. He called me a slut and pushed me. I slapped him and refused to speak to him on the way back.
MICHAEL
Are you okay? Emotionally? Do I need to kick his ass?
PENNY
Its fine. He apologized profusely. I think he may have been drinking. I really just want to forget this night. I know fights are normal in couples.
MICHAEL
Fights yes, abuse, bruises, no. If he… If he does this again, promise me you’ll break things off with him. He’s a good guy, but he’s also a big guy and I worry he will hurt you, badly.
PENNY
Thanks for your concern. I can hold my own. He won’t like the consequences if he does it again.
MICHAEL
If you ever need back up though, you know you’ve got me and the guys.
PENNY
I do, thank you. So, need a new topic now. What are you sketching?
MICHAEL
The people I live with. You, Adam, Kris, and Brad.
PENNY
You’re really talented. I like these a lot.
MICHAEL
Thanks. So no starving artist?
PENNY
Definitely not. You are going to be rich one day.
MICHAEL
Not according to some professors who say I have no eye for art at all.
PENNY
Idiots. You hardly need college to know you can create beautiful artwork.
MIACHAEL
Thank you, really. You are sincere enough to con a nun.
PENNY
(Laughs) Oh my god you are ridiculous. And Evil. And I think I love it.
MICHAEL
Says the girl who gave evil teasing a new definition.
PENNY
You know you love me for it.
MICHAEL
That I do. (BRAD enters and watches the pair for a moment)
PENNY
So there’s a new coffee shop opening next week. Would you like to go grab a cup? I like this whole getting to know you thing.
MICHAEL
I would really like that. You sure Brad would be okay with that?
PENNY
Why? You’re my roommate, hanging out with me, and Brad’s my boyfriend, not my keeper.
MICHAEL
He’s an idiot to think he could ever control you. Or that he can manipulate you into doing anything.
PENNY
See, you already know me oh so well.
MICHAEL
I know right, baby fox.
PENNY
Baby fox?
MICHAEL
Well I know honey and sweetie are out of the question. And you remind me of a baby fox.
PENNY
Why?
MICHAEL
You look cute and adorable, but you’re cunning and quick witted. Plus you have this awesome reddish brown hair, though it is dyed.
PENNY
I’m not sure which part of that to analyze first. Should I focus on the awesomeness of ‘cunning and quick witted’ or should I focus on the ‘cute and adorable’, or should I be offended that you know my hair is dyed.
MICHAEL
I can see your roots. They’re tiny, but I do see them. But let’s focus on the good bits, yeah?
PENNY
Yeah. Thanks Mike, for everything.
MICHAEL
I haven’t said anything that has been untrue, baby fox. I’ll always be here for you. No matter what you need. I’m you’re guy. (BRAD clears his throat, surprising the pair)
PENNY
What do you want Brad?
BRAD
I would like to talk to you for a bit. I don’t want to let you sleep tonight angry at me.
MICHAEL
You don’t have to.
PENNY
He looks like someone kicked his puppy.
MICHAEL
Okay. Come get me if you need me. I mean it.
PENNY
Thanks Mike. (MICHAEL exits and BRAD moves to stand next to the couch)
BRAD
I see you and Mike are getting along.
PENNY
Your sarcasm needs work. It’s only sarcastic if it’s meant to poke fun at. Like, that comment would have been great if I didn’t actually like him.
BRAD
I don’t want to fight anymore tonight.
PENNY
Then don’t try to fight with me.
BRAD
I do trust you P. I just don’t trust every other guy. I see you for how wonderful you are and I can’t understand how every guy doesn’t want to take you home to mom. I know that you are a good person, willing to do almost anything to help a friend. I just worry that they are taking advantage of that.
PENNY
If you trust me, then trust that I can say no to some guy. I am with you. So trust that I am with you and you alone. Don’t be going around thinking that I am with you and having some fun on the side to do a friend a favor.
BRAD
I wish you could see what I see when I look at you.
PENNY
I just wish you could trust me.
BRAD
I do trust you.
PENNY
No, you don’t or else this wouldn’t be up for discussion. I love you Brad, yet I kind of hate you right now. Trust me or break up with me. Those are your only options. Choose wisely.
BRAD
I trust you. I’ll do better, I promise. I just don’t want to lose you.
PENNY
Then show me, or you will lose me. (BRAD holds out his arms and PENNY reluctantly hugs him as the Lights Fade to black)
SCENE III
(One month later, early in the afternoon. KRIS, ADAM and MICHAEL sit at the table eating lunch. PENNY and BRAD’s voice come from off stage left.)
PENNY
How dare you! No Stay away from me.
BRAD
This conversation is NOT over.
ADAM
This is the third time this week, and its only Tuesday.
KRIS
H-Have you guys seen the bruises?
ADAM
I have. She won’t say anything about that. And I have asked outright.
MICHAEL
She told me she keeps giving him another chance. Hoping he’ll actually follow through on the promise that he’s going to change.
ADAM
He won’t let her go.
PENNY
Don’t touch me again.
BRAD
Well if you would listen to me I would have to resort to such things.
MICHAEL
I’m going to go break up this fight. I can’t sit here knowing that he may be hurting her.
(PENNY Storms out on stage followed closely by BRAD)
PENNY
Leave me alone Brad. I am done talking to you right now.
BRAD
I am NOT done talking to you. We are going to go back into my room and we are going to talk about this. (BRAD grabs PENNY by the wrist to pull her in)
PENNY
Let go of me asshole. I am too mad to even look at you. Let me go. (PENNY slaps BRAD with her free hand. BRAD pauses then slaps PENNY across the face. The men at the table stand and move to intercept them.)
ADAM
Take a walk Brad.
BRAD
Stay out of this. This is between me and Penny.
ADAM
Not anymore. Take a walk or I call the cops. (BRAD exits)
MICHAEL
Are you okay?
PENNY
I need to sit. (Moves to the couch)
KRIS
I’ll get some ice for your cheek. (Exits Stage Left)
MICHAEL
Are you okay? You never answered before.
PENNY
I..I don’t know.
ADAM
What were you two fighting about? (KRIS reenters holding a towel with ice in it. He hands it over to PENNY)
PENNY
Thanks. Does it matter?
ADAM
I guess not.
MICHAEL
Baby fox, talk to us. What do you need?
PENNY
I think I need a new place to live. And sleep.
KRIS
Sleep in our rooms for now. You know you can trust us. Brad won’t try anything if you’re with someone.
PENNY
I know I can trust you and Adam. (Pause as ADAM and KRIS share a look) Well you two are a couple.
KRIS
How did you know?
PENNY
I’m a girl I know things.
MICHAEL
Do you want to press charges? We were all witnesses.
PENNY
No. I really don’t.
ADAM
(Pulls a cell phone out and checks it) I have a new text from Brad. He wants to talk to me.
KRIS
I’ll go with you. Make sure he keeps his hands to himself. Are you sure baby fox? About calling the cops?
PENNY
God, you too with the baby fox?
KRIS
It’s cute. Cops?
PENNY
No, no cops. I’m too embarrassed.
KRIS
Okay. We’ll be here for you if you change your mind. Come one Adam. Let’s go talk to Brad.
ADAM
Let us know if you need anything.
PENNY
I will.
ADAM
Anything. (KRIS and ADAM exit)
MICHAEL
Baby, are you sure you don’t want me to call the cops?
PENNY
Yeah. I wouldn’t be able to live through the embarrassment.
MICHAEL
There is nothing to be embarrassed about. He hurt you. You didn’t ask him to.
PENNY
I stayed with him. I was the one to always give him a second chance. I should have broken things off a long time ago.
MICHAEL
Can I ask why you didn’t?
PENNY
Well, for one, when things are good with us, they are very good. I’m very happy. And two, I love him. How can I just walk away from a man I love?
MICHAEL
Alright, one thing at a time. You say that when things are good they’re really good. What about when things are bad? I think I can safely say when things get bad, they get really bad. (She nods) I know you love him baby fox. I do. I can see it. That is why you want this to work so badly. But you need to think about you, and how to take care of you. Your relationship with Brad is too extreme. Always to one end or the other, never a gray area.
PENNY
So how do I walk away from that? From him?
MICHAEL
It’ll be a struggle, but you need to take care of you first and foremost. I can help with that. The guys can help with that. You and I can start apartment shopping tomorrow, or even tonight. We can see if they guys want to come with as well. I don’t think any of us want to stay with Brad anymore.
PENNY
Okay. I… I’d like that, a lot. To continue living with all of you.
MICHAEL
It can be arranged. Come here. (PENNY shifts and snuggles into MICHAEL) Everything will turn out right in the end.
PENNY
Why couldn’t I have met you first? Brad would never have stood a chance.
MICHAEL
Fate. We were meant to meet when we did, so that I could help you through this. Be here for you when you needed it most.
PENNY
Seriously, I wish it was you and not him. You get me. You joke with me and get my humor. I have never even heard you raise you voice.
MICHAEL
I have my moments, but they are few and far between. We probably should hold off on this conversation for later. When Brad is out of the picture.
PENNY
I don’t need a boyfriend right now.
MICHAEL
I agree. And I don’t really want a relationship right now.
PENNY
Maybe we could be each other’s meantime love. Until we’re ready for something bigger and better.
MICHAEL
I think I could handle that. But the meantime stuff needs to wait. I need to know you’re okay before I do anything with you. But in the meantime before the meantime love, we can do this. Okay?
PENNY
Okay.
MICHAEL
Go grab some stuff and move into my room for the night. We’re not going to find a new apartment until at least tomorrow. You can also stay with the other guys if you’re more comfortable.
PENNY
Thank you Mike.
MICHAEL
Anytime baby fox.
SCENE IV
(One week later, late afternoon. PENNY is sitting on the couch between ADAM and KRIS. ALL of them have books out. KRIS and ADAM have textbooks and PENNY is reading a novel.)
ADAM
What are you reading Penny?
PENNY
Extremely loud and Incredibly close. Mike recommended it.
KRIS
When do you have time for class work?
PENNY
In class. Most of my professors rarely teach in class. All the tests are based off of book work and few lecture notes, which they post online.
KRIS
Must be nice to be a history major.
PENNY
Not many career choices outside of academic settings though, my little engineers.
ADAM
You’ll be fine love. Did you sleep okay last night?
PENNY
Smooshed between you two? Hell yes. Best thermal blanket ever,
KRIS
What would your mother say if she knew?
PENNY
She knows you two are a couple. Maybe be okay with it since you’re gay. Seriously though, she’ll just be happy when we move out. Apparently she never really liked Brad all that much.
ADAM
Wait, you told your mom everything that happened?
PENNY
No. She just never liked that I was living with him. Gut feeling or something.
ADAM
Well we just have to last a couple more days. Then we’ll get our new place. And everything will get better.
PENNY
I know. Thanks guys. (MICHAEL enters and sets down a messenger bag before sitting in the armchair)
MICHAEL
Comfy Baby Fox?
PENNY
You know I am. I’ve got two very hot men on either side of me. To the untrained eye, I am the luckiest girl in the world. But to the knowing observer. I’m out of luck as the hotties next to me bat for the other team.
MICHAEL
(Laughs) You’re crazy. Cute, but crazy. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
PENNY
Damn right. So, when does your friend’s truck arriving tomorrow?
MICHAEL
Noon. He says we can use it as much as we’d like, as long as we gas it up before we return it.
KRIS
I think we can deal with that.
ADAM
This time tomorrow, we’ll be unpacking in our brand new, three bedrooms, two baths apartment. I can NOT wait.
PENNY
How’s Brad been taking it?
ADAM
Do you really want to talk about him right now?
PENNY
No… yes… I don’t know. I still care about him y’know.
ADAM
I do, I understand. He’s been sad, depressed, but he understands he fucked up bad. I know that he’s wanted to talk to you but he wants to do it with you alone.
KRIS
Which will not happen. I’m sorry Baby Fox, I know that you may want to, but he has shown he cannot be trusted. If you want to talk to him or he wants to talk to you, one of us will need to be in the room as well.
PENNY
Okay, okay. I agree. (PENNY stands and moves between the couch and armchair. MICHAEL grabs her around the waist and pulls her into his lap.) Hey!
MICHAEL
(Softly) Hi.
PENNY
Hi.
ADAM
And with that we’ll leave you two alone. C’mon Kris.
KRIS
Awe, ruin all my fun. Fine, you’ll just have to keep me distracted. (ADAM and KRIS stand and exit Stage Left)
MICHAEL
How are you feeling today?
PENNY
Better, thanks.
MICHAEL
Excited to get out of here?
PENNY
Oh, you have no idea. They day we leave this place will be a happy day.
MICHAEL
Really that bad?
PENNY
It’s had its good times, good people. But I want a fresh start with my family.
MICHAEL
You’re my family too. Y-you know I care about you, right?
PENNY
Of course I do. And you know I care about you too.
MICHAEL
Want to move this cuddle-fest to the couch?
PENNY
You sayin’ I’m too heavy?
MICHAEL
I would never. I’m just suggesting that you may watch to stretch out and the couch is free.
PENNY
Silly rabbit. (PENNY moves to kiss MICHAEL when BRAD enters Stage Right and PENNY halts her movement)
BRAD
Don’t you two look comfy.
PENNY
Brad.
MICHAEL
Good to see you too Brad.
BRAD
Don’t let me interrupt. Pen, I didn’t know you could move on so fast.
MICHAEL
Save your breath Brad. No one wants there to be another fight right now.
BRAD
Fine. Since you two are here, you can tell the other two. I’m leaving. Moving out of state.
PENNY
Why?
BRAD
Job offer. Since you all seem determined to get out of here as well, I’ll be renting it out to others.
PENNY
Good to know. Anything else?
BRAD
I need to talk to you, in private.
MICHAEL
That won’t happen. If you want to talk to her, then someone else will be in the room.
BRAD
Is that what you really want?
PENNY
You should talk now or leave. You took away my options in this situation when you turned into an ass.
BRAD
So, if things were different, you’d talk to me?
PENNY
If things were different, we would not even be in this situation. Go away Brad, you’re ruining the moment.
BRAD
Fine. I need to start packing anyway. (BRAD exits Stage Left)
MICHAEL
You okay?
PENNY
Yeah, just wondering if things hadn’t gone pear shape if he would have taken the job still?
MICHAEL
Baby Fox, he’s trying to get to you. Just keep your chin up and get through the rest of today. Tomorrow we’ll start in a new place. Tomorrow will begin a new day.
PENNY
Right. Thank you Mike, for everything. (PENNY leans in and kisses MICHAEL softly.)
MICHAEL
That was nice. Are you sure you want this? Now of all times?
PENNY
Fresh start, new life, new man. Seems appropriate. (Kisses him softly again)
MICHAEL
Sure you don’t want to move this party to the couch?
PENNY
Here in a minute. I just want to stay right here for a bit. I like it here. Right here, right now, with you and no one else.
MICHAEL
I think we can stay for a minute or two. (Lights fade out on them snuggled on the chair)
