After the Talk / by Jeffrey Lo

September 26 2018 - After the Talk.jpg

AFTER THE TALK BY JEFFREY LO
(DOWNLOAD PDF HERE)

CASSIDY sitting in his living room couch, stunned.

STEVE enters carrying two glasses and a bottle of wine.

 

STEVE: Need some?

CASSIDY: Yes.

 

STEVE hands CASSIDY a glass to pour but CASSIDY snatches the bottle.

 

STEVE: Hey! I need some too.

 

CASSIDY takes a swig from the bottle then pours wine into STEVE’s glass.

Beat.

CASSIDY takes another swig.

STEVE sits in the armchair next to the couch.

 

CASSIDY: So did that really just happen?

STEVE: I believe it really did.

CASSIDY: And that was our son telling us that?

STEVE: Last I checked, that was our son.

CASSIDY: Ok…

 

Pause.

 

CASSIDY: And he told us –

STEVE: That it was ok if we got a divorce, yes. That is what he said…

CASSIDY: And he assured us –

STEVE: That he knew it wasn’t his fault and he would be ok... 

CASSIDY: And why did he feel the need to sit us down to talk to us about our divorce?

STEVE: He did not disclose that information.

 

CASSIDY nods his head.

Beat.


CASSIDY: And are we getting divorced?

STEVE: I don’t think so, no.

CASSIDY: Ok, good. That’s step one.

STEVE: Yes. We are staying together.

 

STEVE moves next to CASSIDY on the couch and puts his arm around him.

 

CASSIDY: Thank God…

STEVE: So what do we do about him?

CASSIDY: That is the question…

STEVE: Like… Where do you even begin to respond?

CASSIDY: Do we respond?

 

Pause.

 

STEVE: Like maybe we just drop it?

CASSIDY: Yeah… like maybe we don’t mention it again and it never comes up again.

STEVE: But he thinks –

CASSIDY: HE PRESUMED –

STEVE: Right but somewhere in his head, somehow – he thinks we are or should or…

CASSIDY: But if we don’t.

STEVE: Get divorced?

CASSIDY: Right. If we just keep living life… married. Maybe he gets the hint.

STEVE: What hint?

CASSIDY: The hint that we’re still married.

STEVE: … Ok…

CASSIDY: I don’t know. It’s the easiest option.
STEVE: But what if he doesn’t get the hint and lives all his days worries that we’re going to get divorced at any moment.

CASSIDY: He thinks we’re going to get divorced nowand seems VERY fine with it.

STEVE: That’s true…

 

STEVE lets out a sigh.

Silence.

Beat.


CASSIDY: So what do you say?

 

STEVE stands up.

 

CASSIDY: Where are you going?

STEVE: I’m going to file for a divorce.

 

Quick beat.

 

STEVE: Kidding.

CASSIDY: Not even funny.

STEVE: I’m going to get something stronger.

CASSIDY: Ooh, what?

STEVE: Whiskey. Want some?

CASSIDY: Of course.

STEVE: K.

CASSIDY: And what are we going to do about our darling child?

 

Pause.

 

STEVE: Continue to drink.

CASSIDY: I agree.

 

STEVE exits.

 

END OF PLAY.