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True Love Lies

Page 2

by Brad Fraser


  ROYCE

  You had a boyfriend?

  KANE

  I he we had a relationship.

  ROYCE

  Relationship?

  MADISON

  Did you live with him?

  KANE

  For two years.

  MADISON

  Wow.

  ROYCE

  And you’re telling us now because?

  KANE

  You asked.

  Long pause.

  We can talk about it if you’re.

  MADISON

  I’m outa here.

  CAROLYN

  You haven’t eaten a thing.

  MADISON

  I said I wasn’t hungry.

  KANE

  Any time you want. We can talk.

  MADISON

  Great. Thanks.

  CAROLYN

  Where are you going?

  MADISON

  Armand’s.

  CAROLYN

  Who’s Armand?

  MADISON

  My friend.

  CAROLYN

  Are you sure you wouldn’t rather?

  MADISON

  What? Talk about the man Dad used to live with?

  KANE

  If you want.

  MADISON

  Later.

  MADISON exits.

  CAROLYN

  We’ve all done things in our pasts that we’re ashamed of.

  KANE

  Young people are supposed to try different things.

  ROYCE

  Like packing fudge.

  KANE

  Stop saying that. I just.

  ROYCE

  What?

  KANE

  It was a first-time thing.

  ROYCE

  It isn’t bad enough having a father who’s artistic and tasteful—but he turns out to be gay too.

  KANE

  One relationship with a man doesn’t make me gay.

  ROYCE

  What does it make you then?

  CAROLYN

  Complicated. Being an adult’s complicated.

  ROYCE

  If you say so.

  KANE

  We always taught you that life was about making choices. That there’s nothing wrong with being different.

  ROYCE

  And now I get why.

  KANE

  Are you angry?

  ROYCE

  No.

  CAROLYN

  Where are you going?

  ROYCE

  To a fag bar to meet a child molester.

  ROYCE exits.

  CAROLYN

  He’s angry.

  KANE

  Should we have lied?

  CAROLYN

  They can always tell.

  KANE

  And they would’ve heard it from someone else. Eventually.

  CAROLYN

  I think we should’ve lied.

  KANE

  I think you’re right.

  A light on DAVID at his desk. He’s reviewing resumés as he speaks on his cellphone earpiece.

  DAVID

  I didn’t tell anyone I was selling my condo. I didn’t want to be talked out of it. The fact that I’ve been gone for nearly five months and you just noticed should be explanation enough. Don’t take it so personally. Yes. I promise Clive. Everything. I’ll email you.

  Lights rise on KANE, outside of the house, smoking and pacing. MADISON enters.

  MADISON

  Dad.

  KANE

  Hey. How’s Armand?

  MADISON

  Controlled by television. Are you smoking?

  He stubs the cigarette out quickly.

  KANE

  No yeah I’m just I’m not starting again.

  MADISON

  Your life.

  KANE

  Do you think less of me?

  MADISON

  For smoking?

  KANE

  For having had a boyfriend.

  MADISON

  You loved him?

  KANE

  I thought I did.

  MADISON

  So are you a straight man who fell in love with a gay guy a gay guy who decided to have a family or a bi guy with a rare sense of commitment?

  KANE

  I’m mostly straight.

  MADISON

  What about the whole born straight or born gay thing?

  KANE

  I don’t think that applies to everyone.

  MADISON

  Where does Mom fit into this picture?

  KANE lights another cigarette.

  KANE

  She we met after the breakup.

  MADISON

  But she always knew.

  KANE

  Of course. It wasn’t a secret.

  MADISON

  When did you see him last?

  KANE

  The day I moved out.

  MADISON

  You don’t wanna talk about this.

  KANE

  It doesn’t matter anymore.

  MADISON

  Then why are you smoking again?

  KANE

  Because I’m scared my children hate me.

  MADISON

  I don’t hate you.

  KANE

  Thanks.

  MADISON

  It was just you know.

  KANE

  I know.

  They embrace.

  MADISON

  Now chuck those cigarettes before Ma gets a whiff of you.

  MADISON exits. A light rises on CAROLYN at the kitchen table working on her laptop. ROYCE enters.

  CAROLYN

  It’s twelve forty-nine.

  ROYCE

  You should be in bed.

  CAROLYN

  I have to finish this payroll.

  ROYCE

  Is Dad asleep?

  CAROLYN

  Yeah. He’s smoking again. Where were you?

  ROYCE

  Sigfreid’s.

  CAROLYN

  Don’t be angry at your father.

  ROYCE

  I’d prefer not to know anything about your sex lives.

  CAROLYN

  It was one short period of his life a long time ago.

  ROYCE

  We checked that guy out on the Net.

  CAROLYN

  Why would he be on the Net?

  ROYCE

  Everyone’s on the Net. He’s done porn.

  CAROLYN

  No. Really?

  ROYCE

  Totally. Daddy Does Dallas and Wide Load in the Rear. I downloaded a few stills if you want to.

  CAROLYN

  No thank you very much. I wish you’d stay away from that stuff.

  ROYCE

  Right. It’s everywhere.

  CAROLYN

  I never would’ve thought—porn.

  ROYCE

  Jeez you act like there’s something wrong with it.

  CAROLYN

  Isn’t there?

  ROYCE

  Only if you’re like really old. He’s had quite a few restaurants too. Some really swish place in New York. Did you know him?

  CAROLYN

  Not really. Your father was in the process of breaking up with him when we me
t.

  ROYCE

  Were you the other woman?

  CAROLYN

  Don’t be ridiculous. Go to bed. Now.

  Lights rise on DAVID in the restaurant. He’s testing fabrics for tablecloths and napkins against the colours of the room, muttering to himself. MADISON enters carrying a newspaper.

  MADISON

  Hi.

  DAVID

  Hello—Madison?

  MADISON

  That’s right.

  DAVID

  What can I do for you?

  MADISON

  I thought all the jobs were taken.

  DAVID

  They are.

  MADISON

  Then why are you still advertising for “waiter bus and bar staff”?

  DAVID

  The ad runs for a pre-set period.

  MADISON

  I think you’re scared to hire me because you were my dad’s boyfriend.

  DAVID

  They told you?

  MADISON

  Sure.

  DAVID

  Then I’m sure you can understand why I can’t give you a job.

  MADISON

  Not really.

  DAVID

  It would be—uncomfortable.

  MADISON

  Because you’re still in love with him?

  DAVID

  No.

  MADISON

  Then what’s the problem?

  DAVID

  You’re parents wouldn’t approve.

  MADISON

  I’m a grown-up.

  DAVID

  It’s a bad idea.

  MADISON

  They speak very highly of you.

  DAVID

  They do?

  MADISON

  Sounds like you were quite the influence.

  DAVID

  That’s one way of putting it.

  MADISON

  How did you meet him?

  DAVID

  We worked at a restaurant. He was my busboy.

  MADISON

  Sounds romantic.

  DAVID

  It was fun.

  MADISON

  They were both delighted when I told them I’d met you.

  DAVID

  No they weren’t.

  MADISON

  It was a long time ago. Everybody’s over whatever happened by now right?

  DAVID

  You’d think so.

  MADISON

  They’d like to see you.

  DAVID

  Yeah right.

  MADISON

  I could probably get them to invite you for dinner.

  DAVID

  But you couldn’t get me to come.

  MADISON

  You could meet my brother. See the whole family together. Then you’ll be able to see there’s no lingering whatevernesses and you can give me a job. Whadaya say?

  DAVID

  No. Now please go away and never bother me again.

  Pause.

  MADISON

  Now I see why he left you.

  DAVID

  Is that what he told you?

  MADISON

  Bye.

  MADISON exits. Lights rise on the kitchen. ROYCE works with his laptop at the table. KANE and CAROLYN are preparing to go out.

  ROYCE

  Did you know we lost thirty percent of the polar ice cap last year?

  CAROLYN

  I’m not surprised.

  KANE

  It’s so disturbing.

  ROYCE

  Polar bears are practically extinct.

  KANE

  Not to mention the suicide rate among the Inuit.

  CAROLYN

  Whose idea of after-dinner conversation is this?

  ROYCE

  I’m doing a report.

  KANE

  I watched a TV show.

  MADISON enters.

  MADISON

  Sorry I’m late.

  CAROLYN

  You’re supposed to call.

  MADISON

  My cell ran outa juice. Who died?

  CAROLYN

  For the opera.

  MADISON

  Ew.

  ROYCE

  Where were you?

  MADISON

  I went back to McMillan’s restaurant.

  KANE

  Why?

  MADISON

  I need a job.

  KANE

  He already turned you down.

  ROYCE

  She was checking him out.

  MADISON

  I was so.

  KANE

  Madison.

  MADISON

  He won’t give me the job because he thinks it would be a problem for you guys.

  CAROLYN

  It would be a problem for us guys.

  MADISON

  Why?

  KANE

  Because we don’t want him back in our lives.

  MADISON

  Why would you think my working for him would bring him back into your lives?

  KANE

  Because he’s David McMillan.

  MADISON

  I thought it might be nice if you guys asked him to dinner. Just to prove that—you know—everything’s cool.

  KANE

  Forget it. You’re not to go back there again. Ever. This subject is closed.

  MADISON

  Dad.

  KANE

  Closed.

  Very long pause.

  ROYCE

  He’s got like a really fat dick.

  KANE

  Goddammit Royce.

  A light rises on DAVID in the restaurant. He is cleaning the bar and talking on his cellphone earpiece.

  DAVID

  I dreamed about him last night. It’s strange. She doesn’t really look like him but some of the things she says. The way she moves. I haven’t dreamed about him in years. It was just short. We were in bed and he curled his back against my body the way he used to and I let my arm fall across his chest. I could feel him breathing. Then I woke up. Boring. Now tell me what’s happening with you.

  Lights rise on KANE and CAROLYN walking to their car.

  CAROLYN

  He practically winked at you.

  KANE

  Stop.

  CAROLYN

  He did. He said I hear David’s back in town and then he all but winked at you. And the way Sylvia was smiling. Creepy.

  KANE

  If Maddy hadn’t.

  CAROLYN

  But she did.

  KANE

  Why did he come back?

  CAROLYN

  I don’t know but everyone in town’s aware of it.

  KANE

  You’re exaggerating.

  CAROLYN

  I know when people are talking about us. We have to do something.

  KANE

  What?

  CAROLYN

  Take Madison’s suggestion to heart and invite him to dinner.

  KANE

  Seriously?

  CAROLYN

  Now that the cat’s out of the bag we have no choice.

  KANE

  Sweetie it’s a very bad idea.

  CAROLYN

  Would you rather wait to bump into him somewhere where we don’t expect it? When we
’re both looking terrible?

  KANE

  Christ no.

  CAROLYN

  It’s just dinner.

  KANE

  Right.

  Lights rise on MADISON working on her laptop at the kitchen table. ROYCE enters and gets something to eat from the fridge.

  ROYCE

  What’re you doing?

  MADISON

  Family research.

  ROYCE

  What for?

  MADISON

  To see if there’s anything else they’re keeping from us.

  ROYCE

  And?

  MADISON

  And they are. You know those paternal grandparents we never met?

  ROYCE

  Died before we were born.

  MADISON

  Wrong. They didn’t die until we were in school.

  ROYCE

  Why didn’t Dad tell us about them?

  MADISON

  They seem to have completely disowned him.

  ROYCE

  Harsh.

  MADISON

  They were stinkin’ rich.

  ROYCE

  No way.

  MADISON

  His dad was big in prescription-drug development. Left his entire fortune to a Christian family-values institution. You should see all the entries about our grandfather.

  ROYCE

  Seriously?

  MADISON

  I bet if Dad hadn’t been a faggot we’d be living like millionaires right now.

  ROYCE

  Damn.

  MADISON

  He musta really loved that guy.

  ROYCE

  To give up your family like that.

  MADISON

  Doesn’t seem like Dad.

  ROYCE

  You ever get the feeling they’re really nothing like we think they are?

  MADISON

  Yeah. Creepy.

  ROYCE

  Yeah.

  Lights rise on DAVID reviewing a menu proof at a restaurant table. KANE and CAROLYN enter.

  KANE

  Hi.

  Short pause.

  DAVID

  Kane.

  CAROLYN

  Hello David.

  DAVID

  Carolyn. Surprising to see you both. And so nicely turned out.

  KANE

  We were at the opera.

  CAROLYN

  Così fan tutte. Boring.

  KANE

  Hate opera.

  CAROLYN

  But a lot of our clients go.

  DAVID

  This is such a surprise.

  KANE

  We’re here to apologize if Madison caused you any inconvenience.

  DAVID

  No problem. I probably would’ve hired her if she hadn’t been your daughter.

  KANE

  We’re grateful you didn’t.

  CAROLYN

  This is a stunning room.

  DAVID

  I’ll take that as a great compliment since I know you guys have one of the most successful interior-design firms in town.

  CAROLYN

  Don’t you love googling?

 

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