Late Night Conversations: Act I

ACT I: I THINK SHE LIKES YOU

SCENE

In Calvin’s car. The vehicle is plain and old, with an aged yellow tinge and hints of rust on the hood. The intermittent sounds of a failing muffler can be faintly heard in the background. Outside is a perfect, cloudless day.
CALVIN is driving the vehicle, eyes fixed on the road ahead of him, one hand on the steering wheel. CADOR is sitting languidly in the passenger seat, with his legs lazily planted on the bonnet in an almost decadent fashion. CLANCY is in the back seat; his head resting on a half-open window as if in deep contemplation. JOHN is sitting next to him, his fingers drumming incessantly on the car door.

Cador (lifting himself from his original position and sitting upright): Bro, she’s got to like you. It’s so fucking obvious.

The muffler suddenly erupts, emitting a cacophony of explosive complaints. The car decelerates as it approaches a red light.

Calvin: I don’t know man… Like I said, I think you guys are seeing too much into things.

Clancy: Look. (Rises from his contemplative state and plants his hands on the shoulders of the driver’s seat, leaning forward.) When I was giving her a lift home yesterday she was asking me about you. She wanted to know about the guy in the blue shirt – the shy guy. She didn’t mention anyone else at the party. She didn’t mention Anton, she didn’t mention John -

John (Suddenly stopping his drumming and casting a glare at Clancy): Thanks dickhead.

Clancy (Sighing deeply): Shut up John. The point is, (sits back down heavily) she only talked about you.

John: I think she likes you too man. If what Clancy said is true, then she singled you out. She probably noticed your clothing because she wanted to rip it off with her teeth. (Erupts into laughter, and is joined by the others.)

Calvin: I still don’t think anything of it. I mean, it wasn’t as if she said ‘I like Calvin’. All she did was notice my shirt. Maybe she liked my shirt.

The muffler splutters again.

Cador: Bro, your car is a piece of shit. Go fix it up or something.

Calvin: What? There’s nothing wrong with it.

John: Dude, it sounds like we’re getting fucking shot at. Your muffler is gone, and your car pretty much looks like shit. In fact, my shit looks better than your car. Get a better one already.

Calvin: Man, my car can’t just change into a V8 or something, just like that. Besides, I can’t afford a new car at the moment.

Clancy (laughing heartily): You should get that muffler fixed up anyhow. If you got a paint job and added some extra perks, you’d be able be able to sell it for a higher price. If you ever decide to sell that is.

Calvin: I guess there’s some parts in this car that I’d rather leave behind, but I don’t think I could ever really part with it. And even if I decide to sell it now, I’m sure someone will buy the car without me needing to upgrade it.

John (rolling his eyes): Whatever man.

The four remain silent for a short while. CALVIN shifts nervously, whilst JOHN scratches his head. CADOR clears his throat.

Cador: Anyway, she added you on Facebook too and –

Calvin: You mean YOU added her on Facebook by hacking into my account.

Cador: Whatever bro, same shit. She accepted. As I was saying, she sent you a private message. A fucking private message.

Clancy: What? Really? Oh man, this is so happening.

John: Yeah, I saw the message too. She said it was a shame that they didn’t get introduced. How romantic. (Winks at the rear-view mirror. Calvin ignores the suggestive gesture.)

Clancy (excitedly): Did you write back?

Calvin: Yeah. She didn’t respond.

John: Dude, she probably just forgot to check her inbox. I have fucking one hundred and eighty nine unread messages on my account. Go figure.

CALVIN clutches the transmission stick and shifts to a higher gear as the light turns green. The car begins to accelerate and the roars of the failing muffler begin to fade away. Outside, ominous clouds begin to gather.

Calvin: I suppose.

Cador (sighing): She fucking likes you bro. Don’t suppose it. Know it. You’re nothing short of a stud. (Chuckles at his own joke)

CALVIN momentarily takes his eyes off the road and gives CADOR a quizzical look.

Clancy: This is so happening.

Cador: I’ll organize something so that you guys can meet again. It’ll be perfect. Another party, next Saturday. I’ll get Catherine to do something and I’ll get Lauren to make sure your girl is there. (Faces CALVIN and twitches his eyebrows suggestively.) I’ll play wingman. Put on your ‘A’ game Calvin. You’re going to score. (laughs)

Clancy and John together: This is so happening.

Lightning can be seen in the distance and a delayed clamorous wave of thunder follows. Rain begins to heavily fall, striking the vehicle with relentless violence. CLANCY quickly shuts his window.

John: Man, what the fuck is up with this weather? It’s supposed to be summer. You know, where the sun is out. (Growls angrily.)

Clancy: Are we almost there yet? We’ve been driving like this for like, an hour.

Cador: Calvin I think you took a wrong turn somewhere. You need to chuck a u-turn.

Calvin: Dude, to be honest, I don’t think I even know where I’m going anymore.

Cador: Bro, seriously. Chuck a u-turn at the next light. (Shuffles around in his seat restlessly, patting himself down) Where the fuck is my phone, I got to give Catherine a call.

CALVIN sighs, his brows furrowed as he listlessly stares at the winding road in front of him, his mind elsewhere. CLANCY rests his head on a closed window and shuts his eyes as if in repose. JOHN resumes his incessant drumming on the car door. CADOR sits back and places his feet on the bonnet; a satisfied look on his face, as he withdraws his phone from his pocket and begins to dial a number.

ACT DROP