Stage Play / the coffee house

Scene: a small coffee shop. It is brightly colored. A radio is playing in the background.
Time: present. Midday. Weekend.
At rise: veronica is walking through the door of the coffee shop. Her close friend James is sitting at the back of the shop.

 

Veronica
(Pauses inside door, looks down at paper in hand)
Now who..? (Looks around, spots James) is that..? James? Jamie?

James
(Looks up, smiles, waves her over)
Roni! Hi! Come over here!

Veronica
(Sits down as she hugs James)
Jamie! How long has it been? A year?

James
Yeah, I guess. Senior party right?

Veronica
I guess. What have you been up to?

James
The usual. School, work. You?

Veronica
Yeah, same. I sure am glad to be out for summer, how about you?

James
For sure..So, what brings you in here?

Veronica
Actually, I got this anonymous note saying to meet whoever here.

James
(Smiles)
Really? That’s interesting.

 

Veronica
(Gives surprised look)
Why are you smiling like that? Did you send it?

James
(Sarcastic)
No..What makes you think that?

Veronica
James, why would you send an anonymous note? I’m one of your oldest friends. Do you know who really sent it? (Looks around) what about that hot guy over there? Was it him?

James
(Blushing)
No, I did send it.

Veronica
Why didn’t you sign it?

James
(Starts fidgeting in chair)
Ummmmm…so how’s life been? Still going out with Jeremy?

Veronica
You always were good at changing the subject. Jeremiah and I broke up about three months ago. You didn’t know?

James
Three months? Really? He didn’t mention it the last time we talked. I don’t actually see him that much any more. He calls every now and then, but he’s so busy.

Veronica
Odd he didn’t mention it, isn’t he, like, your best friend?

James
Well, he was, but since he’s mister ‘workaholic’ now, I dunno

Veronica
Yeah, that was half the problem with us. (Sighs) so, anyway, any new girls in your life?

 

James
Uh, no. single for now. I talk to this girl online sometimes. She’s nice. But you know how those things go.

Veronica
Yeah, you can never be sure with those things.

James
Yeah. (Long awkward pause) so, do you have email?

Veronica
Yeah, at school. What’s yours? I'd like to stay in touch. We were so close there for awhile

James
(Looks at hands)
Yeah. I know. What happened?

Veronica
You tell me. After the senior party, I never heard from you again. I even called you at school once and you never called me back

James
(Quiet)
Yeah, I guess I was just trying to move on

Veronica
What do you mean, move on?

James
Nothing..Anyway, I never got a message. You should have called again, visited, something.

Veronica
I moved away James. It was long distance to call, an hour drive back home, and I had no money. What was I supposed to do?

James
(Raises voice slightly)
You were home for two weeks at Christmas and a whole week for spring break. You never called or came over.

 

 

Veronica
(Lowers voice, slightly pleading)
Jamie, I didn’t have time. I worked, I had to make money some how. If you wanted to see me that bad, you knew where to find me. You think I just forgot about you? You’re the one who practically dropped off the face of the earth.

James
Never mind. I’m sorry. You’re right.
Veronica
Its okay, don’t worry about it. The first year of college is a weird time. (Long pause) so, what are you planning on doing this summer?

James
Working. Hanging out. Why?

Veronica
Just curious. Why did you want to meet me here anyway?

James
I wanted to see you. I missed you.

Veronica
You could have just called. Why did you leave an anonymous note?

James
I don’t know. (Fiddles with the silverware on the table) I didn’t think you would come if you knew it was me. I mean, i've been a bad friend.

Veronica
Jamie, why would you think that?

James
Just because, roni. We did part under weird circumstances..Uncertain terms.

Veronica
What was so weird and uncertain about it? We were having so much fun at the party. I thought we parted on good terms. Then you never answered my calls, texts, anything. I thought you were mad at me or something.

James
No, more mad at myself. Besides, don’t you remember..?

Veronica
The kiss? It was a kiss James, what’s the big deal?

James
(Grows flushed and slightly agitated)
Just a kiss! It was like a full blown make out session!..I mean..Well..I never..Never mind

Veronica
Did that kiss mean something to you?

James
(More flushed)
No..I mean, I never..No, it didn’t. But you were dating my best friend, so it was weird.

Veronica
Okay, I guess maybe. (Looks at watch) gosh, I should be going (stands up) its been interesting James.

James
Wait! Don’t go!..I mean, what’s the rush?

Veronica
I told hayle I would take her to the mall today. Don’t want to get there too late. Why?

James
I wanted to talk some more. Ten more minutes?

Veronica
Fine Jamie. (Sits back down) what’s on your mind?

James
Well..I wanted..Hows your cousin?

Veronica
She’s fine. She’s 10

James
Good. She was always a good kid. Listen, I wanted to tell you..

Veronica
Tell me what?

James
i..was thinking of moving out of my parents’ house, maybe transferring schools.

Veronica
Cool. Have you found a place yet?

James
No, I think ill need a roommate though. I was thinking of getting a place near Rochester, and they are a bit pricier there.

Veronica
Why Rochester? I mean, aren’t you staying at Saginaw valley?

James
I was thinking of transferring to Oakland. I hear it’s a good school.

Veronica
It is. You should get a place near school. There are some decent places right near by.

James
Really? I might still need a roommate

Veronica
Ill go in with you.

James
(shocked)
Really? That would be great.

Veronica
Yeah, like old times. I could get to know you again.

James
I guess..im not so different you know

Veronica
(smiles)
You know, Jeremiah told me you used to really like me. Is that true?

James
(stiffens)
What? No..i mean, maybe a little..not any more.

Veronica
Oh..i was just sitting here thinking how cute you’ve gotten.

James
Really? I mean, how did Jeremy know I used to like you?

Veronica
I dunno. I mean, you were best friends and all. He told me when we broke up that I should go out with you because you had a mad crush on me.

James
(tentative)
Really..thats funny. Listen, I..

Veronica
What?

James
I..

veronica
spit it out

James
never mind

veronica
no, what is it?

James
Nothing veronica. Don’t you need to go get hayle?

Veronica
She’s a big girl. She can wait a few more minutes. Tell me.

James
Okay..i..dont think we’d make good roommates.

Veronica
Why?

James
We’d be at each others throats all the time.

Veronica
Like when we were kids? Nah.

James
How do you figure?

Veronica
Well, I only picked on you because I liked you.

James
(floored)
You did? I mean, I woulda never guessed.

Veronica
Yeah, why not? You were always a sweet boy.

James
Sweet? Thanks roni.

Veronica
And I thought you were cute. The long messy hair and glasses were quite a combination.

James
You thought I was cute? (fidgeting) I was a dork.

Veronica
No you weren’t. I had the hugest crush on you till like 7th grade.

James
I liked you too.

Veronica
I already knew that.

James
(barely above a whisper)
I still like you.

Veronica
What was that?

James
I still like you veronica

Veronica
Of course you do. Would we be friends if you hated me?

James
No, roni..i..(lowers voice) I love you

Veronica
I cant hear you Jamie.

James
I love you veronica

Veronica
(drops water)
Wha..?

James
I love you. I’ve loved you for years. I thought I could forget about you once I didn’t see you all the time, but..no.

Veronica
Slow down

James
No, i’ve waited long enough. I love you.

Veronica
I heard you. How long?

James
I don’t know. Since I can remember.

Veronica
Since you can remember? James, why did you never tell me?

James
(sighs)
i..i don’t know. You always had someone better. I was just the goofy dork that was fun to hang out with, but not to date.

Veronica
Oh Jamie(reaches across table and touches his hand) goofy, yeah. Dork? Never. And what did it matter that I always had someone? You should have said something.

James
Well, I never had anyone. I though you, of all people, would never want me..i mean, other girls didn’t like me..

Veronica
What do you mean? You could have had plenty of girls.

James
Name one.

Veronica
Jessica, for one. She was mad about you. Betty, Tammy, sam..want me to name more?

James
No, besides, you’re just saying that. Why would any of them have liked me?

Veronica
You were a great guy. You are a great guy. I don’t know why I never really saw that.

James
Yeah well. Little late huh?

Veronica
I’m sorry Jamie.

James
I know. Listen, your cousin is waiting for you. You better go.

Veronica
You’re upset, I cant leave now.

James
No, i'm okay. Go to the mall. Tell hayle that I say hello.

Veronica
James..jamie..do you want to come with me?

James
I told you, I’m fine. I don’t need to tag along

Veronica
You wouldn’t be tagging along. She would love to see you. She’s always had the hugest crush on you.

James
(laughing slightly)
She’s 10. she has a crush on every guy twice her age.

Veronica
(snickering)
I know. They start at 10 and don’t stop.

James
(starts getting up to leave)
Yeah..listen, I should go. Tell hayle hello for me.

Veronica
(grabs his arm)
James, would you like to go to dinner with me tonight?

James
Seriously?

Veronica
Of course. I missed you. And I think I’ve been missing out. I want to know the side of Jamie I’ve never noticed till now.

James
Ok..and I would love to share an apartment with you.

Veronica
We’ll talk about it at dinner. Meet me here at 7, ok?

James
Ok roni, 7. (bends down and kisses her cheek) it’s a date. (walks toward exit, looks back) talk to you later.

Veronica
It’s a date.

 

 

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