LAURA, 22. Rational, intelligent. Sweet. Dressed smart, fashionable, conservative. Pretty, but with perhaps a bit too much make-up.

JEFF, 22. Shabby. Forced post-hippie attire. Less wise than Forest Gump, but more intelligent.

(Two twenty-two year olds drinking tea and discussing their future.)

LAURA
Do you take sugar?

JEFF
And milk.

LAURA
Don't have milk. Lemon?

JEFF
Just sugar then.

(She brings the tea. They sit beside each other on the couch.)

LAURA
So what are you gonna do when you finish?

JEFF
I don't know. What are you gonna do?

LAURA
I finished last year.

JEFF
That's right. We started at the same time. It seems like we ought to finish at the same time.

LAURA
You took an extra year.

JEFF
I know. This is a nice apartment.

LAURA
Thanks.

JEFF
Are you working?

LAURA
Yeah. At a high school teaching special ed. Next year I'll be in grad school.

JEFF
Wow.

LAURA
So you don't know what you'll do when you graduate?

JEFF
I'll write more poetry.

LAURA
I love your poems.

JEFF
Thanks.

LAURA
I guess you'll probably look for a job?

JEFF
Probably.

LAURA
What do you want to do?

JEFF
Doesn't matter. I'll write.

LAURA
As long as you're writing.

JEFF
That's the important thing.

(pause)

I wrote a poem for you.

LAURA
Really?

JEFF
Here.

(He gives her the poem. She reads the title aloud.)

LAURA
(reading)
"Us, over water."

JEFF
You don't have to read it now.

LAURA
I want to.

JEFF
Okay.

LAURA
(reading)
We sit, on a bridge
The two of us
Side by side

JEFF
You're gonna read it out loud?

LAURA
Do you mind?

JEFF
I guess it's okay.

LAURA
(reading)
We sit, on a bridge
The two of us
Side by side
With our legs hanging
Over the side
Of the bridge
Above the water -
Each of us
With our legs
Makes a shape -
The letter V upside down -
Together,
We make an M -
With the reflection
Of our legs
In the water
There are
Two diamonds
Side by side -
Or would it be
Two M's on top of each other
Like mountains?
I'm not sure.

LAURA
(a bit nervous)
For me?

JEFF
Yeah.

LAURA
Thank you.

JEFF
It's nothing.

LAURA
It's really nice.

JEFF
You like it?

LAURA
Sure.

JEFF
Waddya think? You're an English major. Waddya think?

LAURA
What do I think?

JEFF
Yeah.

LAURA
About the poem?

JEFF
Sure.

LAURA
I'm shocked. I'm touched.

(He tries to kiss her and she stops him.)

LAURA
Wait a minute.

(She rises.)

JEFF
What's the matter?

LAURA
What're you doing?

JEFF
I thought I'd kiss you.

LAURA
I don't think so.

JEFF
Okay. Just thought…you know…sorry.

LAURA
You never even asked me out on a date or anything.

JEFF
Isn't this a date?

LAURA
I invited you for tea.

JEFF
That's a date.

LAURA
It's not a date. I felt sorry for you.

JEFF
Then kiss me.

LAURA
No!

JEFF
I thought you liked me.

LAURA
I've always liked you, Jeff.

JEFF
Then what's the problem?

LAURA
I didn't like you like that!

end of excerpt