CLOSER SCENE FOR CLASS

START

SHOW ME THE SNEER

I see the sneer

BOLL*CKS

It’s two in the morning, you’ll wake the hotel.

f me

Again? We have to be up at six.

How can one man be so endlessly disappointing?

That’s my charm.

I lie in his arms.

So….where are we going?

My treat. My holiday surprise. My rules.

Where are we going?

New York.

You angel. How long’s the flight?

Seven hours.

I can’t fly for seven hours.

The plane will do the flying. I’ll protect you.

I kiss him. I see his face.

Don’t be scared of flying.

I’m not, I’m scared of crashing. Did you remember to pack my passport?

Of course, it’s with my passport.

And where’s that?

In a place where you can’t look. No one sees my passport photo.

Dan strokes my hair.

Hey, when we get on the plane we’ll have been together four years. Happy Anniversary….Buster.

I’m going to take my eyes out.

Brush your teeth as well.

What was in my sandwiches?

Tuna.

What color was my apple?

Green.

It was red.

It was green and it was horrible.

What were your first words to me?

Hallo, Stranger!

What a slut.

Where had I been?

“Clubbing',” then the meat market and then….the buried river.

The what?

You went to the Blackfriar’s Bridge to see where the Fleet river comes out….the swimming pig and all that.

You’ve lost the plot, Granddad.

And you went to that park…with the memorial.

Who did you go there with?

My old dead dad.

He ate an egg sandwich, he had butter on his chin.

How do you remember these things?

Because my head’s not full of specky, egghead rubbish. What was your euphemism?

Reserved. Yours?

Disarming. Were the chairs red or yellow?

No idea.

Trick question, they were orange.

You are a trick question. Damsel.

Knight.

Do you remember a doctor?

No….what doctor?

There was a doctor…he gave you a cigarette

No. I haven’t been on holiday for….ever.

We went to the country.

That doesn’t count, you were making sneaky calls to that….witch we do not mention.

Do you think they’re happy?

Who?

Anna and Larry

Couldn’t give a toss. Come to bed.

I want a fag. How did you manage to give it up?

Deep Inner Strength.

How did you get this?

You know how.

How?

I fell off my bike because I refused to use stabilizers.

Really?

You know how I got it.

Did you do it yourself?

No.

Show me your passport.

No I look ugly.

When are you going to stop stripping?

Soon.

You’re addicted to it.

No I’m not. It paid for this.

Tell me what happened.

Dan, don’t. Nothing happened.

But he came to the club?

Loads of men came to the club. You came to the club. The look on your face.

The look on oyour face. What a face. What a wig. I love your face…I saw this face…this…vision. And then you stepped into the road. It was the moment of my life.

This is the moment of your life.

You were perfect.

I still am.

I know. On the way to the hospital….when you were “lolling”….I kissed your forehead.

You brute!

The cabbie saw me kiss you….he said, “Is she yours?” And I said, “Yes….she’s mine.”
So he came to the club, watched you strip, had a little chat, and that was it?

Yes.

You’re not trusting me. I’m in love with you, you’re safe. If you fucked him, you fucked him, I just want to know.

Why?

Because I want to know everything because….I’m….insane. (Pause) Tell me…..

Nothing happened. You were living with someone else.

What are you justifying?

I’m not justifying anything….I’m just saying.

What are you saying?

I’m not saying anything.

I just want that truth. (Dan gets out of bed and puts his trousers on)

I’m telling you the truth.

You and the truth are known strangers. Did you ever give him a present?

No. Where are you going?

Cigarettes.

Everywhere’s closed.

I’ll go to the terminal, I’ll be back soon. (Dan puts his coat on). When I get back, please tell me the truth.

Why?

Because I’m addicted to it. Because without it we’re animals. Trust me. I love you. (He looks at her). What? (Alice slowly turns to him) (Silence)

I don’t love you anymore.

Look…..I’m sorry….

No, I’ve changed the subject. I don’t love you anymore.

Since when?

Now. Just now. I don’t want to lie and I can’t tell the truth so it’s over.

Alice…..don’t leave me. (Alice gets out of bed and goes to her rucksack, she finds Dan’s passport and hands it to him).

I’ve left…I’ve gone. I don’t love you anymore. Goodbye.

Why don’t you tell me the truth?

So you can hate me? I fucked Larry. Many times. I enjoyed it. I came. I prefer you. Now go.

I knew that, he told me.

You knew?

I needed you to tell me.

Why?

Because he might have been lying, I had to hear it from you.

I would never have told you because I know you’d never forgive me.

I would. I have.

Why did he tell you?

Because he’s a bastard.

(Distraught). How could he?

Because he wanted this to happen.

But why test me?

Because I’m an idiot.

Yeah. I would’ve loved you forever. Now, please go.

Don’t do this Alice, talk to me.

I’m talking—-fuck off.

I’m sorry you misunderstand, I didn’t mean to—-

Yes you did.

I love you.

Where?

Show me. Where is this love? I can’t see it, I can’t touch it, I can’t feel it. I can hear it, I can hear some words but I can’t do anything with your easy words.

Listen to me, please—-

Whatever you say it’s too late.

Please don’t do this.

It’s done. Now go or I’ll call security.

You’re not in a strip club. There is no security. (They look at eachother. Pause. Alice tries to grab the phone. Dan throws her onto the bed. They struggle).

Why’d you fuck him?

I wanted to.

Why?

I desired him.

Why?

You weren’t there.

Why him?

He asked me nicely.

You’re a liar.

So?

WHO ARE YOU?

I’M NO ONE. (I spit in his face)

Dan grabs me by the throat, one hand.

Go on, hit me. That’s what you want. Hit me, you fucker.

Dan hits me. Silence.

Do you have a single original thought in your head?