Here's this week's Fiction Friday exercise from the blog at Write Anything. This week's topic was to imagine the curtain was raised and "you're on."  I decided to try my hand at a play.  Here is what I have so far.

Chicago Nights

 

Act One

 

Scene One

 

 

CHICAGO IN JANUARY, 2004, ALONG NORTH DEARBORN (HOUSE OF BLUES, TALL APARTMENTS, RESTAURANTS SEARS TOWER IN BACKGROUND.)  THE STREETS ARE COVERED IN SNOW AND ICE. STAGE IS SET UP TO LOOK LIKE A BUSY STREET. THE NIGHT CLUB, EXCALIBUR IS DIRECTLY IN THE BACKGROUND.  A GROUP OF YOUNG WOMEN DONE UP HEAVILY IN MAKEUP WITH HIGH HEELS, SHORT SKIRTS AND SLACKS, AND LARGE JACKETS WAIT IN A LINE.  ANTHONY WALKS BY.

 

ANTHONY

 

Hey ladies!  You’re looking good tonight! 

 

(walks up to one of the women in line, more conservatively dressed, RACHEL.  He touches her bright blue down jacket and looks her up and down.)

 

RACHEL

 

(looks disgusted and pulls her jacket back) Please don’t touch me.

 

ANTHONY

 

(laughs arrogantly) You don’t know who I am, do you sweetheart?  (grasps for her jacket again.  The line moves forward)

 

RACHEL

 

Of course I do, I’m not stupid.  You dated my friend last summer then suddenly didn’t call her back.

 

ANTHONY

 

That’s not fair.  I sent her an email to break up with her.

 

RACHEL

 

(sarcastically) That’s what I’m looking for in a man – someone too chicken to break up with someone in person.

 

ANTHONY

 

I used to take them out to The Billy Goat Tavern.

 

RACHEL

 

Because that’s the epitome of sensitivity.  Break up with a girl over fat and more fat.  You know, you guys really don’t get it, do you?

 

ANTHONY

 

(Amused) How should we break up with a girl that we’re not into?

 

RACHEL

 

(crosses her arms) I don’t know – with dignity.  (with emphasis) Not over email – or Cheezeborgers.

 

ANTHONY

 

I wouldn’t treat you like that.

 

RACHEL

 

No, of course not. (laughs) I wouldn’t date you.

 

A GIRL WHO HAS BEEN LISTENING TO THE CONVERSATION INTERJECTS

 

GIRL 1

 

(smiling and acting coy) I’d date you, handsome.

 

BOTH ANTHONY AND RACHEL LOOK AT HER.  ANTHONY NODS WITH A LARGE SMILE ON HIS FACE RACHEL SHAKES HER HEAD.

 

RACHEL

 

You’d date this clown?

 

GIRL 1

 

Yeah, of course I would, he’s cute!

 

ANTHONY

 

You see, she’s got taste! (beams)

 

RACHEL

 

Even though he’s a total douche?

 

GIRL 1

 

Single guys are hard to find these days.  He looks like he has a job.  Do you have a job?

 

ANTHONY

 

Yeah, of course I do.  I work at Walgreens.

 

GIRL 1

 

(scoffs and folds her arms over)  Never mind.  I don’t date losers.

 

ANTHONY

 

(in a loud voice that kind of whines) I’m not a--

 

THE LINE MOVES UP AGAIN.  RACHEL HANDS THE BOUNCER TEN DOLLARS.  ANTHONY PUSHES IN BEHIND HER TO THE PROTESTS OF THE YOUNG WOMEN. 

 

Act One

 

Scene 2

 

ANTHONY AND RACHEL ARE INSIDE THE NIGHTCLUB NOW.  IT’S 80’S NIGHT SO MUSIC FROM THE 1980S IS PLAYING.  PEOPLE ARE DANCING, DRINKING, AND LAUGHING.  COURTNEY IS AT THE BAR.  RACHEL WALKS UP TO HER.  ANTHONY FOLLOWS, THEN SEES THAT IT’S HIS EX AND HANGS BACK, CLOSE ENOUGH TO SORT OF HEAR THE CONVERSATION, BUT FAR ENOUGH DOWN THE BAR WHERE COURTNEY DOESN’T SEE HIM.

 

COURTNEY

 

It’s about time you showed up! (sloppily hugs RACHEL.)  I thought you met some guy in the line and ditched me. 

 

RACHEL

 

(pushes away from COURTNEY and takes off her coat.  She’s wearing a rock concert t-shirt).  Nah, I didn’t meat anyone out there.  Just a bunch of lions looking for meat.

 

COURTNEY

 

That’s always good too! (gestures towards the bartender)  What do you want to drink?

 

RACHEL

 

Gin and tonic, like always.

 

COURTNEY

 

(leans over the bar, forgetting she’s wearing a miniskirt.  RACHEL jumps up and stands behind her.)  Gin and tonic please! (sits back down, to RACHEL) So are you ready to get your party on?)

 

RACHEL

 

 You have fun, I’ll watch. 

 

(the BARTENDER slides the drink and takes money COURTNEY gives him.

 

COURTNEY

 

Suit yourself. (COURTNEY dances away into the crowd of people.  When she’s on the other side of the room, ANTHONY approaches RACHEL.)

 

RACHEL

 

You again.  I can’t believe they let you in.

 

ANTHONY

 

I came on a little strong out there.

 

RACHEL

 

You think?

 

ANTHONY

 

I’m sorry. (gestures to the DANCING PEOPLE) Why aren’t you out there?

 

RACHEL

 

I don’t dance.

 

ANTHONY

 

I guess that means I’m about to be turned down by you for the second time tonight.

 

RACHEL

 

I guess you’re right. 

 

ANTHONY

 

So you don’t dance, you don’t date.  What do you do?

 

RACHEL

 

I’m a grad student at University of Chicago.

 

ANTHONY

What do you study?

 

RACHEL

 

(turns towards her drink)  I see, so you think you’re going to play Mr. “I’m interested in what you do” now. 

 

ANTHONY

 

It’s not like that.

 

RACHEL

 

How is it then?

 

ANTHONY

 

I don’t know. You’re just different from everyone else here.

 

RACHEL

 

Yeah, I know.  I don’t wear skimpy clothes and I’m not slutty.  Why me?

 

ANTHONY

 

Maybe I don’t like that type.

 

RACHEL

 

Maybe they just won’t date you. And you think I will. (finishes her drink)

 

ANTHONY

 

Maybe I’m looking for something more.  Please let me buy you another.

 

COURTNEY

 

(waves at RACHEL smiling.  RACHEL waves back.  ANTHONY turns.  COURTNEY’s smile fades.  She makes her way over to the two at the bar. Upset)  What are you doing here?