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True Love Lies

Page 4

by Brad Fraser


  Kane I’m sorry.

  CAROLYN

  I could’ve made them understand.

  ROYCE

  Understand what?

  CAROLYN

  That Kane’s whole thing with David wasn’t real.

  Pause.

  DAVID

  Real?

  CAROLYN

  Did I say that?

  DAVID

  Yes.

  CAROLYN

  I didn’t mean real—

  DAVID

  Good.

  CAROLYN

  It just wasn’t—you know—like with a man and woman. It was different. That’s what I meant. Different. Isn’t that right?

  KANE

  What?

  CAROLYN

  It was different.

  KANE

  Everything’s different.

  CAROLYN

  Kane wasn’t really gay. Not that that invalidates your relationship in any way. But he has a family now so I guess that proves something right?

  KANE

  Carolyn.

  CAROLYN

  This isn’t coming out the way it’s supposed to.

  MADISON

  Then why don’t you stop?

  Long pause.

  KANE

  Who wants seconds?

  DAVID

  I should go.

  CAROLYN

  I didn’t mean to offend you.

  DAVID

  I’m not offended. I still have work to do tonight.

  KANE

  Okay.

  DAVID

  Thank you so much for dinner.

  CAROLYN

  It’s what we’d do for any old friend.

  Short pause.

  DAVID

  You know Madison is right. If we’re such good old friends there’s absolutely no reason I shouldn’t hire her at the restaurant.

  MADISON

  You serious?

  DAVID

  Show up for training at two tomorrow.

  MADISON

  Thank you.

  DAVID

  You’re welcome. Thanks again for the terrific dinner.

  DAVID exits.

  ROYCE

  What just happened?

  MADISON

  I got the job.

  CAROLYN

  I will not allow it.

  KANE

  It’s a bad idea.

  MADISON laughs and clears the table.

  MADISON

  I got the job. I got the job.

  A light rises on DAVID at the restaurant on his cell.

  DAVID

  How old are you? Perfect. I’m—forty. You like older guys. Good. What’s your name? I’m Ted. Are you alone Jacob? Good. What are you wearing? Great. So tell me what you like Jacob. No. We don’t have to have phone sex. I guess I’m cool to just talk if that’s what you want. Sure.

  Lights rise on CAROLYN, dressed for bed. She’s brushing her hair in the mirror. KANE is changing into his pyjamas as they speak.

  CAROLYN

  Talk her out of it.

  KANE

  You know how that works with her.

  CAROLYN

  Nothing good will come of it.

  KANE

  Well if you hadn’t been so.

  CAROLYN

  What?

  KANE

  Outspoken.

  CAROLYN

  I didn’t mean for that to come out like that. I just—he was the one with all the excitement and glamour.

  KANE

  It wasn’t that exciting or glamorous. You don’t know what it’s like playing second fiddle to someone all the time.

  CAROLYN

  Is that why you married me?

  KANE

  Honey please.

  CAROLYN

  There’s a look in your eye. A place you go sometimes when you think no one’s looking. I know you’re thinking about him. I’ve always known.

  KANE

  You’ve got to let this go.

  CAROLYN

  It’s not something I ever understood. It doesn’t seem like you. To do that. With a man. It just doesn’t seem real.

  KANE

  We made a mistake. Inviting him here. Let’s admit that and get on with it. We don’t have to see him again. Madison might even hate the job.

  KANE kisses CAROLYN.

  CAROLYN

  You’re absolutely right. I’m sorry.

  KANE moves closer to her.

  KANE

  I have an idea for how you can make it up to me.

  Lights rise on DAVID at the restaurant going through the reservation book. MADISON enters in waiter gear.

  MADISON

  You wanted to see me?

  DAVID

  I hear your training’s going quite well.

  MADISON

  Who knew you had to know so much to be a waiter?

  DAVID

  This job hasn’t created a rift at home has it?

  MADISON

  Everyone seems to be getting over it.

  DAVID

  Good. We’re opening tomorrow night and I just—I want you to know that you’ll be judged like any other waiter.

  MADISON

  You mean you’re not going to cut me any slack just because you gave me the job to piss my mother off?

  DAVID

  I wouldn’t have put it quite that way but sure.

  MADISON

  I’m going to be very good.

  DAVID

  You’d better be.

  MADISON

  Just watch.

  MADISON exits. Light rise on the kitchen. KANE, CAROLYN and ROYCE setting food on the dinner table.

  CAROLYN

  Dinner.

  They sit and eat in silence for a longish moment.

  ROYCE

  Sigfreid rimmed me last night.

  KANE

  Son please don’t say rimmed at the dinner table.

  CAROLYN

  Thank you Kane.

  ROYCE

  I thought personal sexual revelations over dinner are what we’re all about.

  KANE

  Royce.

  CAROLYN

  I liked it so much better when you were obsessed with Warmonger.

  ROYCE

  That was before my childhood had been shattered. At least now I understand why I’m so weird.

  CAROLYN

  Somewhere there are a whole bunch of girls just waiting for a boy like you.

  ROYCE

  Never invite me to that party.

  CAROLYN

  You’ve got to stop putting yourself down.

  ROYCE

  I’m just beating everyone else to it.

  KANE

  It won’t always be like this.

  ROYCE

  Right. I’m still the ugly geek they all laugh at.

  CAROLYN

  Who laughs at you?

  ROYCE

  Forget it.

  KANE

  Is it really that bad?

  ROYCE

  No.

  KANE

  If there’s a serious problem you need to tell us.

  ROYCE

  No serious problems. Everything’s fine.

  Pause.

  CAROLYN

  Have some more carrots. I made way too many carrots.

  ROYCE

  No
.

  ROYCE exits. Pause.

  CAROLYN

  Carrots?

  KANE

  No.

  They eat in silence. A light rises on DAVID at the restaurant, eating. MADISON enters.

  MADISON

  Eating alone’s a drag.

  DAVID

  I’m used to it.

  MADISON

  Good night.

  DAVID

  Things look promising but we won’t really know how we’re doing for a few months. Where have all the waiters gone?

  MADISON

  Comfort for last call.

  DAVID

  Not joining them?

  MADISON

  The bar’s fun once in a while but I don’t like to make it a habit.

  DAVID

  You’re too young to be so responsible.

  MADISON

  What do you do when you leave here?

  DAVID

  Meet with Mary think about what needs to be done tomorrow watch the news.

  MADISON

  You don’t go to the bars?

  DAVID

  I used to. Every night for twenty-five years. All over the world. It was wonderful. But these last few years. Over forty and you’re invisible.

  MADISON

  Don’t you even like drive around and pick up men on the street or cruise the parks or bathrooms or whatever?

  DAVID

  That’s not really my scene.

  MADISON

  So you just watch the news?

  DAVID

  You sound disappointed.

  MADISON

  We could go meet the other waiters for a drink.

  DAVID

  I’m bushed.

  MADISON

  You sure?

  DAVID

  Positive. Thanks for asking.

  MADISON

  Good night.

  MADISON clears the table quickly and exits. Lights rise on ROYCE in his bedroom, on his computer. There’s a knock.

  ROYCE

  What?

  KANE enters.

  KANE

  Turn the computer off.

  ROYCE

  Dad I’m.

  KANE

  Off.

  ROYCE turns the computer off.

  You have every right to be confused.

  ROYCE

  I’m not confused. You’re the popular guy who gets to have sex with everyone.

  KANE

  It wasn’t all about sex.

  ROYCE

  Oh right. You loved him.

  KANE

  Does that bother you?

  ROYCE

  Why would I care?

  KANE

  Because I’m not the man you thought I was.

  ROYCE

  I got over that when I was thirteen.

  KANE

  I don’t understand why you’re so cynical. We’ve tried to understand. Helped where we could.

  ROYCE

  I know.

  KANE

  But lately it’s like you have to ridicule everything I say. Fudgepacker this and buttboy that and he rimmed me. It’s getting old.

  ROYCE

  I’m just kidding around.

  KANE

  It’s not funny.

  ROYCE

  I don’t get it okay. I just don’t.

  KANE

  It’s not as simple as they make it sound Royce. Not for everyone. Some people respond to members of the same sex some respond to members of the opposite sex and.

  ROYCE

  Some are bi. I know the score. Jeez Dad.

  KANE

  Even saying bi is a simplification. It’s not about labels it’s about individuals. Does that make any sense?

  ROYCE

  No.

  KANE

  Sometimes people meet and whatever they share goes beyond sexuality.

  ROYCE

  Sounds romantic.

  KANE

  I’m not going to go around acting like I’m ashamed if that’s what you want. Love sex all of that. It’s not so easy. You’ll see someday.

  ROYCE

  Doubtful. Does Mom have any deep dark secrets we don’t know about?

  KANE

  No.

  MADISON enters.

  MADISON

  Party?

  KANE

  I was just heading to bed.

  MADISON

  Everything okay?

  KANE

  Fine. Night.

  KANE exits.

  MADISON

  What’s with him?

  ROYCE

  He’s still worried we hate him.

  MADISON

  Do you?

  ROYCE

  He’s Dad.

  MADISON

  Doesn’t mean it’s easy to get used to.

  ROYCE

  Whatever how was work?

  MADISON flashes ROYCE a wad of bills.

  MADISON

  I’d say pretty fucking good.

  ROYCE

  Nice. Man do I need a job. Or a life. Or a shot to the head or something.

  Pause.

  MADISON

  What’s the baby brother bummed about?

  ROYCE

  Fuck off.

  MADISON

  Royce.

  ROYCE

  I keep having dreams about finding my family hanging in the basement with their throats slit and their intestines pulled through wounds in their bellies. And sometimes when I’m watching TV by myself I start crying and I don’t know why and the show’s not even sad or whatever.

  Pause.

  MADISON

  Are you trying to come out to me?

  ROYCE

  No.

  MADISON

  It’s alright if you are.

  ROYCE

  I’m not. Now get out.

  Lights rise on DAVID restocking the bar, on the cellphone.

  DAVID

  Marcelle I need another two cases of the Zinfandel you sold me last week. Yeah I sold out. If you ate here once in a while you’d know why. Next time you’re in talk to me and we’ll book something for you—on the house. Great. Two cases.

  ROYCE enters.

  Hey.

  ROYCE

  Madison done yet?

  DAVID

  She might be a while.

  ROYCE

  Thought I’d give her a ride home.

  DAVID

  On a Friday night?

  ROYCE

  Yeah.

  DAVID

  That’s tragic.

  ROYCE

  Yeah what’s up with you?

  DAVID

  This is my life.

  Pause.

  Do you want a coffee or something?

  ROYCE

  I’m fine.

  DAVID

  I have to finish restocking the bar.

  ROYCE

  Can I give you a hand?

  DAVID

  Thanks. It’s okay.

  Pause as ROYCE watches DAVID work.

  ROYCE

  Why’d you do that shit on the Net?

  DAVID

  The porn?

  ROYCE

  Yeah.

  DAVID

  I was—proving something.

  ROYCE

  What?

 
DAVID

  That AIDS didn’t have the power to ruin my sex life.

  ROYCE

  Who were you proving it to?

  DAVID

  Myself. Everyone. I don’t know. It was a pretty messed-up time. Honestly I needed the money.

  ROYCE

  They pay you a lot?

  DAVID

  I don’t think your mother would approve of this conversation.

  ROYCE

  That’s why I’m having it with you.

  DAVID

  You’re the computer dude. You’ve seen worse.

  ROYCE

  Oh yeah. Chicks with dicks guys with pies pop on top K-9 brown-eye. Everything.

  DAVID

  I guess finding out about me is nothing compared to—whatever it was you just said.

  ROYCE

  I dunno. Like some stuff makes sense now.

  DAVID

  Such as?

  ROYCE

  He was never like other dads.

  DAVID

  No?

  ROYCE

  Too creative and smart. And he’s into antiques and shit. Fabrics. He loves fabrics. But he’s not femmy. Most guys like that are femmy.

  DAVID

  Is he a good father?

  ROYCE

  In a boring good-father way can I have a job?

  Pause.

  DAVID

  It would be—awkward with Madison here.

  ROYCE

  Why?

  DAVID

  I can’t have outside—family—issues creeping into work.

  ROYCE

  Sure.

  DAVID

  Besides.

  ROYCE

  What?

  DAVID

  You’re too bright. Bright busboys are always a pain in the ass because they know how much their job sucks. Why don’t I go see what’s keeping your sister?

  ROYCE

  Okay great thanks.

  DAVID exits. A light rises on MADISON in the kitchen making pancakes. CAROLYN is at the table drinking coffee and reading the paper.

  MADISON

  Two or four?

  CAROLYN

  Two. Your father will want four and Royce will have six but only eat five. I can’t believe you’re doing this after getting in at three thirty-seven.

  MADISON

  I thought it would be nice.

  CAROLYN

  What do you do after closing?

  MADISON

  Hang out for drinks and talk.

  CAROLYN

  With who?

  MADISON

  The other waiters staff whoever.

  CAROLYN

  David?

  MADISON

  Once in a while.

  CAROLYN

  Dad’s assistant quit.

  KANE enters.

  KANE

  She’s going on some reality show and they need to rehearse for two months.

  MADISON

  Reality’s not what it used to be.

  KANE

  Interested in the position?

  MADISON

 

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