The Arbor by Ronald Micci

Author:Ronald Micci
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: PublishDrive
Published: 2016-02-09T06:00:00+00:00

SCENE THREE

A coffee shop. Simple table and two chairs. JOAN is already seated, waiting for RICHARD. She looks around nervously, fools with her purse. Takes out a compact and eyes herself in it, perhaps freshens up. RICHARD enters opposite. He hesitates; she sees him, stashes compact. She starts to rise.

RICHARD

Hi.

(gestures)

It’s okay.

(They seat themselves)

This seems strangely awkward.

(He looks around nervously)

I like your hair that way.

JOAN

Thanks. I think I’ve been unduly nasty to you, Richard, and I’d like to apologize.

RICHARD

No apologies necessary. We were both wounded deeply. Whatever we did, we were just protecting ourselves. I guess protecting our emotional turf.

(Several beats)

JOAN

What happened between us, Richard?

RICHARD

I don’t think it’s helpful to go there.

JOAN

Was it the child -- me wanting a baby?

RICHARD

No, it wasn’t that.

JOAN

Then what?

RICHARD

Look, somehow things changed. We are moving through space, I think, the way the earth or the planets do, and our trajectories sometimes change. That’s the only way I can understand it. We can try to reach back, but we’re reaching from a new place. . . Should I order some coffee?

JOAN

Please.

(RICHARD motions imaginary waiter, gestures with two fingers)

RICHARD

I know this whole thing with the arbor was an excuse to reach out to you. I must have seemed desperate and pathetic, inventing an excuse to call you.

JOAN

That’s what we need to discuss. You feel that Elizabeth is a figment of your imagination, but I don’t believe that’s true.

RICHARD

You think you saw her. You think you heard us. You heard me talking to the trees.

JOAN

Yet the trees talked back.

RICHARD

In my imagination. And, I’m beginning to worry, yours.

JOAN

Had you considered that perhaps the girl in the arbor is the real one, and I am not.

RICHARD

Joan, you’re sounding crazy.

JOAN

Her father died when she was young, isn’t that what she said?

RICHARD

Yes, but --

JOAN

My father died when I was young.

RICHARD

You had mentioned that. So okay, I projected that on her. That’s pretty obvious.

JOAN

You’re missing the point.

RICHARD

Look, this is beginning to seem a little bizarre. I had thought about this last summer. Maybe I need to see someone.

JOAN

A psychiatrist?

RICHARD

I hate the idea. They’re quacks. But just someone to talk this over with.

JOAN

That’s why I’m here.

RICHARD

No, I seriously think I may need help.

(Imaginary waiter appears, deposits coffee. RICHARD gestures acknowledgment. He points, they sip their coffee)

JOAN

I think we should get back together. Try again. What’s the worst that could happen?

RICHARD

You know the worst. We’ve both been there. I don’t want to go back there.

JOAN

Come on, Richard. I think we need each other.

RICHARD

Don’t get caught up in this, Joan. Take it from me, it will only hurt more. Pretty soon you’ll be inventing imaginary men. I think we need to move on. I never thought I’d have the strength to say that.

JOAN

There’s something you need to know.

RICHARD

I’m listening.

JOAN

That girl -- Elizabeth. She is putting you in danger.

RICHARD

It’s me who is putting me in danger. But I’m going to stay away from the arbor. I am going to regain my grip on life. I’m determined.

JOAN

You won’t succeed. You can’t fight against her, Richard.

RICHARD

I can try.

JOAN

I want you to move back in with me.

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