FOUR STRAIGHT WOMEN WATCHING GAY PORN

 

 

 

by

 

 

Robert Barnett

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                    © Robert James Barnett

                                                                                        715 Micheltorena St

                                                                                        Los Angles, CA 90026

                                                                                        (323) 661-5939

                                                                                        corpink@mindspring.com

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

CHARACTERS:

 

BEV                the instigator

HOLLY          the commentator

SHERRY        the easy going one

MARIA          the victim

 

All four WOMEN in the mid-20s to early 30s.  They could be almost any race or ethnic background, through Maria is probably Hispanic.  They all have what are considered “professional” careers.  They are also all single.  Whether they like it or not.  

 

PIZZA DELIVERY, he delivers

 

He’s good-looking, well-built in an casual sort of way.  Boyish charm that he underplays.  Late 20s.   

 

 

 

LOCATION: 

 

SHERRY’s condo, Westside, Los Angeles

 

 

 

TIME: 

 

Evening.  Now.  Yeah.


 AT RISE:                                                       SHERRY’s Westside condo.  Casual, if not inspired, good taste.  Crate & Barrel with Cost Plus touches.  

 

CENTER (with its back to the AUDIENCE) is Sherry’s Entertainment Center.  Actually no more than a standard-sized television and a stackable DVD player with rotation capability. 

 

Facing it – and thus facing the AUDIENCE – is a small over-stuffed sofa with more throw pillows than anyone would ever need.   A coffee table with cans of soda already popped open. 

 

                                                                        BEV is on the phone ordering pizza with HOLLY at her elbow.

 

MARIA is to one side.  Is there something on her mind?

 

SHERRY is OFF-STAGE preparing popcorn to accompany the evening’s entertainment.

 

                                                                        BEV

                        (Into phone)

Yeah.  No, no.  Just one extra large. 

                        (Hand over phone)

Will that be enough? 

                        (Calls off)

Sherry?  If I get two extra large, you want the leftovers?  Maria —?

 

                                                                        MARIA

I’m just going to have one or two slices.  I’m not all that hungry. 

 

                                                                        HOLLY

I haven’t eaten since breakfast —

 

                                                                        BEV

You’ve got the appetite of a horse.  You never show it —!

 

                                                                        HOLLY

I do too —!

 

                                                                        BEV

If Sherry doesn’t want it, I’ll take it home.  I love cold pizza for breakfast!  Yum! 

                        (Into phone)

OK.  Make that two extra large. 

 

                                                                        BEV (Continued)

                        (Hand over phone)

Maria?  What do you want on it?  The pizza?  Anything you don’t eat?  We usually do one with meat – you know, sausage and pepperoni an’ mushrooms and another vegetarian. 

 

                                                                        MARIA

That’s fine.  Whatever you do is fine with me – oh, no onion or anchovy – oh, and light on the green pepper.  I like it but it doesn’t always like me —

 

                                                                        BEV

Got it.  Sherry doesn’t like anchovies and I could care less about green pepper —

                        (Into phone)

OK.  We’ll go with the sausage pepperoni mushroom for one —

 

                                                                        MARIA

                        (Timorously flagging to BEV, half whisper —)

    light on the cheese… could I – do you mind if I —

 

                                                                        BEV

                        (Oblivious)

  the other make it your veggie special, hold the onion, light on green pepper —

                        (Seeing MARIA —)

    wait wait wait

 

                        (BEV stops.  Waits for MARIA.  MARIA suddenly feels

                        on the spot…)

 

                                                                        MARIA

Ah.  I’m – watching my weight…?  So I was thinking – if you don’t mind – could we – or on one of them – maybe not have as much – you know, cheese —?

 

                                                                        BEV

                        (Without a beat, into phone)

Light on cheese on both.  How long?  Great!

                        (Hangs up)

They’re getting ’em out ASAP.  Guess business is slow for a change.   

 

                        (SHERRY comes flying in with a big bowl of popcorn)

 

                                                                        SHERRY

                        (Announcing —)

Popcorn!  Popcorn!  Popcorn!  What’s a movie without popcorn —!

 

                                                                        HOLLY

                        (Cheering her on —)

Yeah —!  Popcorn —!

 

                        (SHERRY, BEV, and HOLLY start gathering around the

                        sofa —)

 

                                                                        BEV

Well, I was in a rush tonight, so I just grabbed what looked good at the video store —

 

                                                                        MARIA

                        (Who has been holding back —)

Ahm, Bev —?

 

                        (The OTHERS look up at her…)

 

                                                                        MARIA (Continued)

I think I should be going. 

 

                                                                        BEV

You just got here!

 

                                                                        MARIA

I know… I really appreciate you inviting me along… it’s just – it’s Friday night and it’s my first Friday night without Richard and I don’t feel much like being around people —

                        (Opening her purse —)

Let me pay for my share of the pizza —

 

                                                                        BEV

That’s why I invited you —

 

                                                                        HOLLY

Maria, we’ve all been in your shoes.  And believe me I know. 

 

                                                                        BEV

— you've certainly put up with my tales of dating disasters —

 

                                                                        MARIA

I'm just going to bring you down.  I thought a real girls' night was just what I needed but I'll just sit here and sulk and feel blue —

                        (Including HOLLY and SHERRY —)

And you're here with your friends and I'd feel self-conscious and not know whether to be myself or not be myself and I'll just end up being a pain in the neck for everybody, including myself — 

 

                                                                        HOLLY

                        (With authority)

Maria. 

 

                        (MARIA looks at her sheepishly)

 

 

 

                                                                        HOLLY (Continued)

I went the whole nine yards.  Wedding ring, walk down the aisle, big reception.  My Larry was quite the salesman.  He had me sold.  Unfortunately he never knew when to stop selling.  And he had buyers all over town.  Shall we say the merchandise was pretty well pawed over by the time he brought it home?  I don't know if it was the marriage or if he had to constantly prove himself – or if it was me —

 

                                                                        SHERRY

— now don't do that to yourself —

 

                                                                        BEV

You know better —

 

                                                                        HOLLY

See what a trap it is to blame ourselves —?  It's the first thing we do…! 

 

                                                                        MARIA

… all I can think about is Richard.  Where is he tonight?  I bet he’s already lined up someone to go out with. 

 

                                                                        BEV

Men replace.  Women mourn.

 

                                                                        MARIA

So I’m mourning. 

 

                                                                        BEV

That’s why I invited you —!  So you don’t have to – or –

                        (With a conspiratorial glance at the other WOMEN)

    you get over it quicker —! 

 

                        (BEV laughs in a snickering way, joined in by the other TWO)

 

                                                                        MARIA

No, really.  I’m – I’m – better off alone tonight.  I’ll only bring the rest of you down.  And that’s no fun. 

 

                                                                        SHERRY

                        (Crossing to MARIA)

Maria…  It’s no fun getting dumped.  We’ve all been there.  We’re all going to get dumped again sometime.

 

                                                                        HOLLY

— Assuming we go out enough times to qualify for “being dumped” as opposed to “no longer returns calls.” 

 

 

 

                                                                        SHERRY

We all have our own ways of coping.  Me I'm living for my stock options and retiring at 45 to some beach town so I can wear funny hats and be considered a character.  I'm going to find myself a nice rich alcoholic who I can kick out when he gets to be too much of a handful.  Every vacation I check out a different beach community.  Next up is Bodega Bay – where Hitchcock shot The Birds?  But in the meantime —

                        (Leads MARIA over to sofa)

…we’re going to show you how we help one another cope. 

                        (Gently sitting MARIA down in the middle of them)

So you’re not going to bring us down or bum us out – all you have to do is sit and watch with us.  And see how you feel. 

 

                                                                        MARIA

                        (Not fully resigned…)

OK…

 

                                                                        HOLLY

Great —! 

 

                                                                        BEV

                        (Assuming role of ringleader/master of ceremonies) 

Tonight for the benefit of my cubicle partner, Maria Santos, and in honor of her being unceremoniously dumped, we offer —

 

                                                                        MARIA

…he did call to tell me —

 

                                                                        BEV

Two days before your Birth-Day

 

                                                                        MARIA

…well, yeah –

 

                                                                        BEV

    after you canceled birthday plans with your family – with your brother in from the

Army – so you could be with Richard.  Because you were sure – sure! – he was planning a big special surprise.  Like maybe popping the question?

 

                                                                        MARIA

Well…

 

                                                                        BEV

Did he or did he not keep telling you he'd been giving the two of you a lot of

thought —?

 

                                                                        MARIA

…in so many words… yes. 

 

                                                                        BEV

Instead you got “don’t think it’s working out we shouldn’t see each other anymore good-bye have a nice life.”  Hmm?

 

                                                                        MARIA

                        (Dodging, trying to shrug it off —)

I guess I shouldn’t have invested so much of myself —

 

                                                                        BEV

Oh, please! 

                        (Lifting TV remote high in the air —)

So in honor of all that, we are offering an evening of carnal and erotic delights –

 

                                                                        MARIA

                        (Feeling suddenly caught —)

You said it was a girls’ movie night.  I thought we’d be watching Pretty Woman

 

                                                                        BEV

It is a girls’ movie night – our girls’ movie night —!  So without much more adieu, the DVDs are fully loaded and operational for quick change in event of boredom or gross-out – all thanks to Sherry’s new DVD player with five-disc carousel –

 

                                                                        SHERRY

Thank you thank you –

 

                                                                        BEV

Ladies, prepare yourselves —!  All hands above decks —

 

                        (The THREE WOMEN lift their hands and show them to

                        one another as if on cue — )

 

                                                                        BEV (Continued)

— no dildos or vibrators handy —

 

                                                                        MARIA

                        (Now truly beside herself —)

What are we watching —!

 

                                                                        BEV

                        (…and with a click of the remote —)

Away we go —!

 

                        (There are muted grunts and groans from the TV)

 

                        (The eyes of all the WOMEN – except for MARIA – are fixed

                        on the screen.  MARIA is – well, MARIA doesn’t know what

                        to think because MARIA is watching something she never

                        thought she would ever see —)

 

                                                                        MARIA

                        (Slowly regaining the power of speech —)

That…  Those – that’s that’s… they’re – those… that – they – those are two guys.

 

                                                                        BEV

                        (Not really listening —)

Yeah.

 

                                                                        MARIA

Doing it.  I mean – one is doing it —…the other’s – getting – done —!

 

                                                                        BEV

Fucked is the word. 

 

                                                                        HOLLY

                        (Points at screen —)

That one's got a nice bod.  Great abs —

 

                                                                        BEV

You think so?  I like the other.  Cute butt. 

                        (Admiring the action —)

Look at 'em go! 

 

                                                                        SHERRY

                        (In the flow —)

The women are so skanky in straight porn —

 

                                                                        HOLLY

    look like they’re all strung out on drugs – or boobs out to here —! 

 

                                                                        SHERRY

                        (…word to the wise —)

What men like…

 

                        (MARIA is speechless.  Her eyes move from conversation

                        to conversation, trying to sort it out —)

 

                                                                        BEV

I hear all the boys in gay porn are like midgets.  So their dicks look bigger.  And they shave themselves down there so they stick out more —!

 

                        (The THREE WOMEN giggle conspiratorially)

 

                                                                        BEV (Continued)

                        (To MARIA)

Watch this! 

 

                       

                                                                        BEV (Continued)

                        (She hits fast forward)

When you hit fast forward makes 'em look like Woody Woodpecker.  Only a different kind of pecker, if you know what I mean. 

 

                                                                        SHERRY

Rotation call.  Keep it moving.  We're on assignment.

 

                                                                        BEV

Right. 

 

                        (BEV flips to another DVD.  Different sounds from the TV. 

                        New look of shock and amazement in MARIA’s eyes)

 

                                                                        HOLLY

I always think it’s so cute when they kiss.  Don’t you?  So romantic. 

 

                                                                        BEV

Yeah.  Before they stuff their dicks in each other’s mouths. 

 

                                                                        MARIA

                        (Shocked – but afraid of showing it —)

Bev —?

 

                                                                        BEV

                        (Misinterpreting her tone of voice)

You want me to fast forward an’ see it —?

 

                                                                        MARIA

NO!  I do not!

 

                                                                        BEV

Oh.  Well, let me know if you do.  We have just about everything here.  No beastiality

                        (To no one and everyone in particular —)

Anyone ever see a beastiality flick —?

 

                        (The GIRLS ad lib agree they haven’t or wouldn’t want to)

 

                                                                        BEV (Continued)

Just checking.

 

                                                                        SHERRY

It’s like snuff movies.  You always hear about them —

 

                                                                        MARIA

                        (Too overwhelmed to follow the conversation —)

You watch those too —?

 

 

                                                                        HOLLY

Are you kidding —?  That’s so sick. 

 

                        (SHERRY takes the remote from BEV, tries another DVD)

 

                        (It’s clear from everyone’s expression that they all find it –

                        well, not to their taste —)

 

                                                                        HOLLY (Continued)

What is that —?

 

                                                                        BEV

                        (Reaching for the empty DVD cases, reads title)

Boy Toys of the Balkans. 

 

                                                                        HOLLY

Send them some Nair.  Anyone use Nair anymore? 

 

                                                                        BEV

That or some electrolysis.  Too much hair —!

 

                                                                        HOLLY

And some gym memberships…!

 

                        (With remote safely back in her hand, BEV makes another

                        selection)

 

                                                                        BEV (Continued)

                        (Announcing triumphantly)

Group action time —!

 

                        (MARIA can’t believe her eyes…)

 

                                                                        BEV (Continued) 

Makes you kinda wonder what they talk about when they huddle in football. 

 

                                                                        SHERRY

They slap each other’s butts enough times. 

 

                                                                        HOLLY

Or why they like to tackle one another so much —!

 

                        (They all laugh at this —…!)

 

                        (But somehow this scene is particularly unnerving to

                        MARIA —)

 

                                                                        MARIA

Ahh – ah – my cousin’s gay – and well – I’m sure —

                                                                        HOLLY

What?  He doesn’t get into gang bangs with the boys? 

 

                                                                        SHERRY

                        (Reining her in —)

Holly —! 

 

                                                                        HOLLY

                        (Not to be corralled so easily —)

Oh, come on —!  I was just —

 

                                                                        SHERRY

Shh

 

                                                                        BEV

                        (Who has been moving on, switching DVDs)

…remember we are on a mission here… so let’s not lose our focus…

 

                        (BEV appears to be looking for something in particular –

                        has she found it?  She stops)

 

                                                                        BEV (Continued)

OK.  Maria! 

                        (MARIA perks up as if being addressed in school)

 

                                                                        BEV (Continued)

Here we have –

                        (Pauses long enough to pick up DVD cover and read its title)

Return of the Rough Riders. 

                        (Reads small print…with bad western accent)

“Our bad bad boys ride into town for some real bad-ass, butt-poundin’ action.  You’ll want to hightail it into Dodge cuz it ain’t no six-guns shootin’ off this time – when our

Rough Riders tangle with Sheriff Hang ‘em High and his posse of Big Beautiful Big-Dicked Brutes.” 

                        (Uses remote to direct MARIA’s attention to the screen)

Maria…?

 

                                                                        MARIA

                        (Not wanting to look…)

Yes…?

 

                                                                        BEV

                        (A little more forceful in directing MARIA’s gaze)

Maria…

 

                                                                        MARIA

                        (Finally looking at screen —)

Yes.

 

                                                                        BEV

We have our gallery of … gay – strike that – happy! desperadoes.  Which one most closely resembles Richard?

 

                                                                        MARIA

My Richard?

 

                                                                        BEV

Your Richard.  Your Richard who dated you for the last ten months.  Exclusively.  Your Richard who kept you waiting at Lord of the Rings after you got there early to buy the tickets.  So you ended up in the second row staring straight up at the screen.  He offered no apologies.  Or paid for his ticket.  And left you with eyestrain and a headache.  The Richard who bought you flowers – at what? Von’s? – and left the not-so-little sticker with the price —  

 

                                                                        MARIA

It was Albertson’s really.

 

                                                                        BEV

It was a super-market.  Where they put the flowers between dental hygiene and produce —!

                        (Back on track —)

The Richard who played Mr. Disappearing Act when his parents were in town,  After you graciously offered to cook them dinner – and he agreed! – only to just disappear! – no call, no nothing, once they arrived. Then he – pops! – back into the picture once they gone.  Explains “Oh, they were just too busy…!” 

 

                                                                        MARIA

    it’s not like we had agreed on what night —

 

                                                                        BEV

You talked menus, Maria, menus.  He was afraid they'd like you!  The Richard who dragged you to more noisy Sports Bars than you knew existed, only to bore everyone to death with the time he kicked the deciding field goal for his high school football team.  

 

                                                                        MARIA

They won their division.

 

                                                                        BEV

In 1989 yeah. 

                        (Back on mission —)

In short, the Richard that treated you like a doormat, napkin, Kleenex, laundry service, ATM, and all around gofer.  And then dumps you.  Tell me – yes or no – when you reach back and lay out your complete relationship history with Richard, do you feel… excuse the expression… that he… fucked you?

 

                        (MARIA thinks long and hard… then —)

 

                                                                        MARIA

Yes. 

 

                                                                        BEV

Good. 

                        (Pointing to screen —)  

Pick a Richard. 

 

                                                                        MARIA

Theeeahh

                        (Points)

That one.  The blond with the grin.  Hair in his face. 

 

                                                                        BEV

OK.  Here we go. 

                        (As she does so…)

We click on our boy… ahh!  Sample scenes…!  Pick the one we want…! 

                        (Again does so…)

And what do we have, Maria? 

 

                                                                        MARIA

He’s… he’s… well… he’s getting – ahm

 

                                                                        BEV

He’s getting fucked by Sheriff Hang ‘em High!  Can you say that, Maria…?

 

                                                                        MARIA

                        (Very softly…)

He’s getting fucked by Sheriff… Hang ‘em High? 

 

                                                                        BEV

Good.  Now.  Maria.  Did Richard – your Richard, our Richard, the Richard –

                        (Pointing to screen —)

That Richard – fuck you over?

 

                                                                        MARIA         

                        (As if she were in a court of law)

Yes, he did. 

 

                                                                        BEV

Does he deserve to get fucked in return?

 

                                                                        MARIA

Yes, he does!

 

                                                                        BEV

                        (Pointing to screen)

Does the punishment fit the crime?

 

                                                                        MARIA

                        (Finally getting the gist of it…)

Yes… it does!

 

                        (BEV hands MARIA the remote)

 

                                                                        BEV

Go to it.  You can speed it up.  You can slow it down.  You can pump up the volume —

                        (Pumps up the volume – We hear “Yeah!  Yeah!  Oh yeah!” 

                        grunting from the screen —)

    or you can take it all the way out.  He is yours to do with as you please.

 

                                                                        BEV (Continued)

                        (Enlisting HOLLY and SHERRY with her eyes —)

The Sisterhood is standing right behind you. 

 

                        (MARIA looks at the remote.  Considers her options)

 

                        (MARIA plays with the stop and start.  Is amused.  Grins. 

                        Enjoys the power)

 

                        (Now tries the volume)

 

                                                                        TV

“Oh, baby baby – yeah!  Ugh!  Ugh!  Yeah!  Take it like a man —!”

 

                        (Maria decides she doesn’t like that so much.  Shuts

                        the volume off)

 

                                                                        MARIA

                        (Almost to herself —)

Fuck you, Richard… fuck YOU, Richard —!  That’s it —! 

                        (Getting into it —)

That’s it —!  That’s it —!  Yeah —! 

                        ((Hits the fast forward again —)

Oh, yeah —!  Yeah —!  Give it to him —!  Give it to him —!  Make him scream —!

 

                        (MARIA’s now standing on the sofa, screaming her head

                        off, hitting the fast forward button over and over — )

 

                                                                        MARIA (Continued)

Oh, yeah!  That’s it!  Go for it!  Fuck him gooooood —!  Fuck him harrrrrd!  Fuck him looooonnnng —!  Fuck him all the way to China —!  Fuck him from here to kingdom come —!  Yeah!  Yeah!  Yeeahhhh!  That’s it —!  That’s it —!  That’s – itttttTTTTT —!!!!

 

                        (With a last gasp, MARIA collapses on the sofa spent)

 

                        (BEV takes the remote away from her.  Snaps off picture)

                                                                        BEV

Better?

 

                                                                        MARIA

                        (Kinda wiped) 

Much. 

 

                                                                        BEV

Feel like running after your Richard?

 

                                                                        MARIA

No.

 

                                                                        BEV

Wish he would come back?

 

                                                                        MARIA

No. 

 

                                                                        BEV

Feel like mourning his loss?

 

                                                                        MARIA

No. 

 

                                                                        BEV

Why not?

 

                                                                        MARIA

                        (The voice of a tiger)

Because he fucked me —!

 

                                                                        BEV

You’re cured.  Time for pizza!

 

                        (Doorbell rings)

 

                                                                        BEV (Continued)

                        (Rather proud of herself —)

Perfect timing —!

 

                                                                        SHERRY

                        (Calls)

Door’s open.  Come on in.

 

                                                                        HOLLY

                        (Collecting money —)

$10 each.  Not you, Maria —

 

                                                                        BEV

We’re treating.  Don’t move.  You’re still in recovery. 

 

                        (By this point, the PIZZA DELIVERY has entered with

                        their two extra large —)

 

(— PIZZA DELIVERY is a thickish, well-built man in his

late 20’s, with a mop of brown hair.  Although he has a

definite spring to his step, he does not ooze book-learning)

 

                                                                        PIZZA DELIVERY

                        (Handing over pizzas to SHERRY, reading off order —)

Two extra large.  One sausage pepperoni mushroom.  Other veggie special no onion light on green pepper.  Both light on cheese.  You also get free cheese twists.  They’re kinda sucky but they’re a promotion item, so everybody gets ‘em —

 

                        (For some reason, MARIA is staring at PIZZA DELIVERY

                        with the most amazed eyes – then looking at the television,

                        back and forth as —)

 

                                                                        PIZZA DELIVERY (Continued)

That’ll come to the grand total of $24.98 with tax —…

 

                        (HOLLY pays him —)

 

                                                                        MARIA

                        (Interrupting —)

You’re —!

 

                                                                        PIZZA DELIVERY

Excuse me?

 

                                                                        MARIA

                        (Finishing her sentence does not seem an option —)

                       

You’re —!

 

                                                                        PIZZA DELIVERY

Did I forget something —?  There were no drinks on the order —

                        (Looks at bill again —)

 

                                                                        MARIA

No —!  You’re —!  You’re —! 

 

                        (MARIA’s trying to make a connection between PIZZA

                        DELIVERY and the television —)

 

(— but PIZZA DELIVERY has no idea what she’s trying to

                        say or ask —)

                        (— he turns to the other THREE WOMEN for help —)

 

                        (—  but they are loathe to intervene as they are ALL afraid

                        where this is leading —)

 

                        (Still MARIA is not to be deterred.  She picks up the remote

                        and is frantically pushing buttons – although her power of

                        speech has not necessarily returned —)

 

                                                                        MARIA (Continued)

No —!  Wait —!  You’re – it’s – I saw you – where’s that – I know it's here —

                        (And she’s found it!)

There —!  The bald one.   

 

                        (The OTHER THREE WOMEN look to the screen… squint…

                        back to PIZZA DELIVERY… back to the screen… back to

                        PIZZA DELIVERY —)

 

                                                                        PIZZA DELIVERY

                        (Realizing they are waiting for an answer)

Oh, yeah.  The dog pile.  That’s me.  On the bottom. 

 

                                                                        MARIA

                        (A moment of true accomplishment)

I was right —!  I recognized you —! 

 

                                                                        PIZZA DELIVERY

                        (A point of clarification)

I shaved my head for that.  I’m an actor see, so I let my hair grow out for acting jobs.  I always shave my head for stuff like that. 

 

                                                                        SHERRY

You do a lot of… stuff like that?

 

                                                                        PIZZA DELIVERY

Pays the bills.  My wife books ‘em.

 

                                                                        BEV, HOLLY

Your wife?

 

                                                                        PIZZA DELIVERY

She’s my agent. 

                        (Points to screen —)

That one paid for our honeymoon. 

 

                                                                        BEV

Welcome to Hollywood.

 

 

                                                                        PIZZA DELIVERY

Hey, you in the Industry? 

 

                                                                        BEV

Depends on which Industry –

                        (Short-circuits that discussion —)

No.  I’m not in the motion picture industry.  Nor – adult entertainment.

 

                                                                        PIZZA DELIVERY

I meant the movie business.  See I go by Hank Hardner for this sort of stuff.  The porno stuff.  But I’m registered with the unions as Clay Harris.  But my real name is Luigi Francosi.  I’m Italian but I don’t look Italian, so my agent said, don’t go with an Italian name cuz they’ll only wanna look at you for Mafia or heavies and I won’t get cast.  So that’s why I’m Clay Harris.  Only like I sometimes do non-union, like independent or student gigs?  Money sucks but I get to practice my craft – an’ I use Lou Francosi.  Hey, I’m an actor.  I like to act!  So some people know me as Lou, others know me as Clay, and still others think I’m Hank —! 

 

                                                                        MARIA

                        (Still trying to sort it all out – pointing at screen)

But – but – but – you’re not gay?  I mean – what’s that? 

 

                                                                        BEV

                        (Dryly) 

He’s an actor, remember?  He likes – acting —

 

                                                                        MARIA

                        (Not to be dismissed —)

Shhh —!  Let him answer —! 

 

                        (PIZZA DELIVERY squints at screen, realizes he needs

                        to come up with an answer)

 

                                                                        PIZZA DELIVERY

                        (Success)

That’s a job.  Yeah, it’s acting but it’s also not acting.  Don’t get me wrong.  There’s a director and a camera and lights and it’s a real set an’ all.  Pays better than the straight stuff.  Better work environment.  A lot of laughs.

                        (Points to another in video)

Now he’s… — what’s it’s called? – he’s studying Chinese medicine.  Acupuncture.  He has really nice hands, so he’ll do really good in that, once he’s finished and licensed by 

the state.

                        (And another —)

And… that one – see him?  He’s pro.  He’s got so many pictures to his name.  All goes up his nose.  Sad.  All he does is work out, do porn, and do drugs.

                        (…and another…)

And that other guy?   He’s just a kid – real pain in the ass to work with – I mean in the professional sense.  Always grabbin’ you, thinkin’ it’s cute, sayin’ we gotta rehearse.  Hate that stuff.

                                                                        MARIA

                        (Still a little behind…)

Your… wife…? 

 

                                                                        PIZZA DELIVERY

Yeah.  She’s my agent.  Handles the contracts, cuts the deal, always on the set —

 

                                                                        MARIA

Is on the set —!

 

                                                                        PIZZA DELIVERY

Oh, yeah.  She does a condom check before each scene.  Oh, an’ in case they ask me to do something I wasn’t contracted for?  They got a cost breakdown for everything.  If she wasn’t there, they’d probably try to sweet talk me into do somethin’ I wouldn’t get paid for.  She carries around a stopwatch.  If a blowjob runs a second over, she makes sure I get paid overtime —!

 

                                                                        BEV

Wonderful!  You two must have a very special relationship.

 

                                                                        PIZZA DELIVERY

She watches my back. 

                        (This with almost testifying fervor)

I am devoted to that woman —!  I would walk across hot coals for that woman —!

                        (More casual)

Why do you think I’m delivering pizza?

 

                                                                        BEV

Now that you ask – why are you delivering pizza?

 

                                                                        PIZZA DELIVERY

Savin’ up for our first house!  Mind you, we already own a condo out in the Valley.  But it’s Van Nuys and well – …it’s not the best area.  Naw… we’re saving for a real house with a real yard in Studio City.  So Melanie – that’s my wife! – so Melanie can have a dog.  She wants a cocker spaniel.  You don’t want to have a dog cooped up inside all day.  That's why we want a yard. 

 

                                                                        BEV

Oh, no.  No, you wouldn’t want to do that.  No, no, no – not to a dear little cocker spaniel you wouldn’t…! 

 

                                                                        PIZZA DELIVERY

                        (Glancing at his watch)

Hey, look, ahh – nice talkin’ to you folks but I got a couple more deliveries and the pizzas get kinda cold kinda fast.  Ah – I got a couple more of my videos – these kinds – and others – like a horror straight-to-video, I play a wolfman come back to life, only he never was dead really.  They’re in the car.  I kinda hand ‘em out like promotions —!  You never know who you gonna meet —  

 

                                                                        BEV

No, that’s all right.  We’ve seen enough. 

                        (Holds up the bag —)

We have the cheese twists —! 

 

                        (PIZZA DELIVERY is not sure what she is referring to —)

 

                                                                        BEV (Continued)

                        (Spelling it out…)

Promotion…?  We already got one promotion, we don’t need two…?

 

                                                                        PIZZA DELIVERY

                        (Realizes it’s a joke —)

Oh, yeah!  Ha! Ha!   Well.  Gotta run.  Enjoy the pizza —!

 

                                                                        BEV

Thanks. 

 

                        (And he bounds out the door as he came in)

 

                        (Pause.  Who knows what to say?)

 

                                                                        BEV (Continued)

Pizza, anyone?

 

                                                                        HOLLY

I think my stomach’s off pizza for the moment.  I feel like I want to purge. 

 

                                                                        BEV

Well, he’s obviously devoted to his wife. 

 

                                                                        HOLLY

I think she’s just using him if you ask me.   

 

                                                                        SHERRY

I find it quite touching.  How many men do you know get fucked for their wives?

 

                                                                        HOLLY

Larry said that’s what happened to him everyday he went to work.  This guy he just does it – well, more publicly.  He doesn’t seem terribly bright.  He’s lucky he has her. 

 

                                                                        MARIA

She’s lucky to have him. 

 

                                                                        HOLLY

They’re lucky to have each other. 

 

 

 

                                                                        MARIA

                        (Looking at TV screen)

I think he's kinda cute.  I'd marry him.

 

                        (The other THREE WOMEN look at her in surprise and

                        a little mystification) 

 

                        (MARIA just looks back.  She's not budging)  

 

                        (She picks up the remote and pushes a couple of buttons)

 

                                                                        PIZZA DELIVERY

                        (From TV)

“Oh, yeah!  That’s good —!  That's soooo – good!"

 

                        (She clicks it off)

 

                                                                        BEV

Anyone got Pretty Woman on DVD? 

 

                        (BLACKOUT)

 

 

 

END