Another Date at Gino’s
by Brian E. Rochlin
LIGHTS UP
ON A COUPLE SITTING DOWN AT A RESTAURANTBobby
I hope you like this place. It’s my favorite Gino’s in the city
Carly
It’s nice. I like the red checkerboard cloth. Very original.
Bobby
Carly, I’m really glad you wanted to come here. It means a lot to me.
Carly
Well, Bobby, I’m glad you asked me.
(He pulls a beautifully wrapped package from behind his chair)
Bobby
Happy Anniversary
Carly
(pause) It’s our first date.
Bobby
Yes, technically.
Carly
Technically? Technically nothing! Have we ever...(pause) I’m sorry. My therapist told me that I challenged men too much, and that was (brackets with fingers) "off-putting." (quick beat) She said men didn’t like that.
Bobby
That’s true.
Carly
(indicating) Want to arm wrestle. Kidding. I’m kidding. (pause) What did you mean by...technically?
Bobby
Well... I... Although it’s true that you and I have never actually made plans "together," today is one year from the day I decided to ask you out.
Carly
I just met you last Friday.
Bobby
True.
Carly
You’re not some sort of freak, are you? I don’t need another freak in my life.
Bobby
I’m feeling a little challenged.
Carly
I’m sorry. It’s a lovely restaurant.
Bobby
I’d noticed you eating a snow cone in December. And I thought, Wow!, that’s a woman I want to take out. So I made a plan. I asked around, got to know you, asked you out, and you said yes. Tonight is the execution of that plan.
Carly
Do you plan everything.
Bobby
I try. (indicating the box) I spent a lot of time planning this.
Carly
Really?! That’s so sweet. (shyly) Can I open it?
Bobby
Please.
(She opens it. It’s a old slice of pizza)
Bobby
Do you like it?
Carly
It’s a slice of pizza
Bobby
Exactly. Pineapple. I wanted to get you something I knew you’d like. And every Tuesday and Thursday you have Pineapple pizza for lunch.
Carly
It’s kind of dry...and crinkley.
Bobby
I’ve been planning it for awhile. I wanted the box to be just so. Didn’t want to leave a First Anniversary present to chance.
Carly
A First Anniversary present. A year. And this is best you can come up with.
Bobby
You do like pizza. I know that.
Carly
And you thought...what? That because I liked pizza, I’d think it was a beautiful and thoughtful anniversary gift. That after a year together this would be good enough.
Bobby
But...
Carly
You know...a year! You could have gotten me some earrings, a nice first edition of my favorite novel, some sexy lingerie, anything, and I mean anything, with diamonds would have worked. There are a thousand thoughtful, relationships gifts. But you got pizza.
Bobby
With Pineapple.
Carly
Don’t you care about my figure. Don’t you know me at all. (she stands up) You are so sleeping on the couch tonight. (she leaves)
Bobby
But...
(He removes an engagement ring from under a slice of Pineapple, and holds it out to her retreating figure)
Hold a Beat and LIGHT FADE OUT.
Draft completed December 5, 2002
© 2002, Brian E. Rochlin
"Another Date at Gino's" IS COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL AND MAY NOT BE DOWNLOADED, TRANSMITTED, PRINTED OR PERFORMED WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF THE AUTHOR
"Another Date at Gino's" debuted December 6, 2002, performed by Knighty, Toni Loppnow.
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