Steve, Denise, and Victor all sitting in a living room,
enjoying each others company. Denise and Victor are
married. They have all been drinking, Denise maybe
more than the others. They are all laughing.
Steve
(Delivering the punch line to a joke or story) -and so I
said “wait a minute, I am from the old country. I am a
distinguished gentleman! (Everyone laughs and
laughs…)
Denise
Oh Steve you are just a riot!
Steve
No, no I just have amazing luck! (They laugh)
Victor
You do. You do have amazing luck…AND your a riot!
(They all laugh some more)
Denise
(As the laughter dies down, wiping the tears from her
eyes) Oh, that was rich. That was rich. I laughed so
hard I nearly had an orgasm. (Beat) But that’s wishful
thinking! (She laughs hard at her own joke, Steve
laughs a little, but uncomfortably. He’s looking at
Victor, who is not laughing)
Victor
(Dead pan) That’s hysterical, Denise. I laughed so
hard I almost remembered why I married you.
Denise
(Delivering another punchline) Well, at least
something is hard around here! Zing! (She laughs
again) Am I right Steve, or am I right?
Steve
I uh- um…
Denise
I mean, c’mon. Y’know?
Victor
Denise-
Denise
Do you know how long it’s been, Steve?
Victor
(Again, dead pan)You’re a she-devil.
Denise
Gimme a guess. Cʼmon gimme a guess.
Victor
You’re mother was right about you-
Steve
I don’t think I should really be-
Denise
WRONG! Guess again.
Victor
You were an accident.
Steve
Listen, why don’t –
Denise
(Making the abrasive sound of a buzzer) AAAAAAA!
Wrong again. You suck at this game Steve. (She goes
to make a punch line again) But at least somebody-
(She tries to throw the joke to Victor, who just looks at
her and smolders) Aww cʼmon honey, that was your
joke.
Victor
Steve, Iʼm really sorry about this. Perhaps weʼve had
a bit too much to drink-
Denise
Whatʼre you doing?
Victor
(To Steve) I think that maybe before things get too out
of hand we shouldDenise
Whatʼre you doing? You donʼt have to apologize for
me-
Victor
Well obviously I do because-
Denise
(Beginning to talk over Victor) No no no no no You
donʼt do that Steve is my friend too (Victor and Denise
begin to yell at each other. For 10 seconds. The
yelling grows and culminates with Denise shouting the
lines) -so that I have to get my own Stimulus Plan!
Steve
Guys! Guys! Guys! This is ridiculous! We are all
adults here! You guys are my best friends, and this is
just too much! I know that we all have problems.
Heck, I’m not perfect. I can’t climax unless I’ve got a
bag on my head and a popsicle in my ass. The point
is, that we’ve got to communicate better. Because if
you’re not talking, then you’re not talking, ok?
Denise
(Nods. Ashamed) Yeah
Victor
(Looking at his wife) Yeah
Steve
Thatʼs great, guys. Thatʼs a great start. See, that
wasnʼt so bad, was it?
Victor
No
Denise
(Looking at her husband) No
Steve
Look at that. You guys are already on your way. Iʼm
really proud of you guys. Itʼs not everyday that two
people can come together like this and really work
through their problems.
Denise
(Moving to Victor) Oh honey, Iʼm so sorry. Itʼs all my
fault.
Victor
No dear, weʼre a team. From here on out, weʼre really
going to . . . Talk.
Denise
Oh, I love you, honey
Victor
Me too.
Steve
(Goes to the couple)You guys are great. Iʼm really
lucky to have friends like you in my life. (Beat) Now, I
donʼt know about you, but Iʼm ready for dessert! (He
goes to exit to the kitchen) So, who wantʼs a
popsicle? (They get the joke. Everyone laughs and
laughs.)
Victor and Denise
(Together) Oh, Steve!
Lights Motherfuckers