Overview
- Female: 1
- Male: 1
Context
Brett and Susan have never met before. They have been chatting online for two years and have established a close online relationship. After Susan failed to show up online for a month, Brett decided to track her down. He knows she is struggling emotionally and is concerned for her. However, Susan is annoyed that he show up at her house unannounced while her husband was out, in case her six year old daughter says something.
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Brett: (cont’d) You sound different than I imagined. (beat) I know this is a little...odd.
Susan: That was pretty stupid Brett.
Brett: Yeah. Probably. I just know the holidays can be tough. For both of us.
Susan: Are you alright?
Brett: Yeah. Yeah, I’m okay.
Susan: Good.
Brett: What about you? You doin’ okay? I’ve been worried about you.
Susan: Yeah. I’m... good.
Brett: I don’t believe you.
Silence.
Susan: I have to get back to the house.
Brett: You just got here. You can’t spare a few minutes.
Susan: (curt) No, I really can’t. (beat) I’m sorry. This doesn’t work.
Brett: I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make it weird.
Susan: No, I’m making it weird now.
Brett: Yeah.
An awkward silence. Brett reaches into his pocket and pulls out a Blackberry. He types a brief text message and tentatively places the phone on the dashboard. Susan looks at the phone and looks at Brett who smiles sheepishly.
Susan: Brett...
Brett shrugs, and turns away. Susan picks up the phone and reads his message. She takes a deep breath before typing a response and, apologetically, places the phone back on the dashboard.
Brett picks up the phone and checks her response. He crumbles slightly. Shaking his head, he rapidly types a response, placing it back on the dash.
Susan retrieves the phone again. She types what is clearly a one word answer, and defiantly places the phone on the dashboard.
Brett :(cont’d) You could have both you know.
Brett picks up the phone off the dash and types again. He holds the phone out toward Susan.
Susan: No Brett!
Brett, crestfallen, places the phone on the dash once more. Susan, exhausted by the charade, snatches it up and reads.
Susan: (cont’d) No you didn’t.
Brett: It’s nothing special, it’s…here.
Brett reaches into the back seat and comes back holding a small, neatly wrapped package.
Brett: (cont’d) Merry Christmas.
Susan: I can’t.
Brett: Sure you can. Go ahead, open it.
She opens the package and pulls out an ornament.
Brett: (cont’d) Just something to hang on the tree. I figured if you were feeling a little down, or lonely... you know, you could look at it and... yeah, I don’t know. You’re the only person I know that I actually felt deserved a gift from me this year.
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