Dramatic Scene

By Mark Koehr

 

(It is a cold autumn morning. 26-year old Jessica and 25-year old Alex are sitting at their usual table in the cafe. Jessica has already finished her black coffee, while Alex is still sipping away at her chamomile tea. The two had been laughing for over a minute straight.)

Jessica:[finally able to compose herself] I can’t believe Jason said that.

Alex: I am more surprised he wasn’t fired on the spot. Robert was unusually forgiving for that outburst.

Jessica: Honestly, Robert has the patience of a saint. I don’t know how he is able to put up with it all. I could never.

Alex: Of course not, “little miss no avocado”.

Jessica: Hey- that was a very-[pausing for a moment] okay I see your point.

(The two start laughing again. Alex grabs Jessica’s hand, and they start calming down).

Alex: Okay, enough about my work. How was your day? Did you ask Camille?

Jessica: [triumphantly] Yes. I did. She is letting me take Friday off. So you can finally take me to that theater I heard so much about.

Alex:[Finishing a sip] Great. so I will pick you up at around noon. That should give us plenty of time.

Jessica: Actually, how about I pick you up?

Alex: Why? Your apartment is on the way to the theater. I will save us–

Jessica: It’s just that.

(Alex squeezes Jessica’s hand)

Alex: Jessie, what’s wrong?

Jessica: My parents are visiting next week.

Alex: Great, I will finally get to meet the infamous Mr. and Mrs. Jefferson I have heard so much about.

(Alex starts laughing again, but she quickly dies down when she realizes Jessica isn’t laughing with her. Jessica starts fidgeting with her empty coffee cup.)

Alex: Jessie, what is the matter? I thought you told them all about me.

Jessica: I did tell them– a lot about you.

Alex: Jessie, be honest with me. What did you tell them?

Jessica:[struggling to meet Alex’s eyes] I told them your name is “Alex.”

(There is a long pause. Jessica braces herself for when Alex puts the pieces together. Once Alex does, she lets go of Jessica’s hand and leans back in her chair.)

Alex: And they think it is short for “Alexander,” right?

(Jessica turns away from Alex. Alex shakes her head.)

Alex: Unbelievable. You have to be kidding me?

Jessica: Alex please understand–

Alex: I understand that you haven’t told your parents you are dating a girl.

Jessica: It is just, I don’t know how they will react.

Alex: From what you have told me about them, they are very accepting of LGBT.

Jessica: Yeah, from afar. But what if they don’t like them….too close to home.

Alex: You will never know if you don’t try.

(A beeping is heard from Alex’s purse. She pulls out her phone and reads the text message.)

Alex: Damn it. Robert needs me back at the lab. We will talk about this later, Jessica.

(Alex grabs her things, and exits the cafe. Leaving behind Jessica, and her unfinished tea. Jessica squeezes her coffee cup until it breaks.)

Jessica: Idiot.

 

Mark’s Bio: 

Mark is a junior. This semester–spring 20–he took Professor Miller’s Intro to Creative Writing class. He wrote this dramatic scene for the course, and Miller selected it for publication as a WHR featured piece.