Episode 02 - The Day After the Night Before

David and Tommy's dinner with Mark was a disaster. So was Rachel and Anthony's. Tommy can't do much about it. He has to work at the coffee shop. David won't do much about it. He's not talking to his father. And Rachel... well, that would be telling. Based on the play Two and Two Together by Peter Cosmas Sofronas. Written, Directed, and Produced by Peter Cosmas Sofronas. Starring (in order of appearance) Alexander Pirnie as Walter Gettelman, Dan Murray as Tommy Hanson, Rachael Rabinovitz as Hayley Gettelman, Will Dalley as Mark Sharpe, Adam Heroux as David Sharpe, Jenny Fielding as Rachel Hanson. Sound Engineering by Dan Murray. Sound Editing by Peter Cosmas Sofronas. Theme Music by Valerie Forgione. Mark and David's Guitar Playing performed by Matthew Garlin.

Transcript

EPISODE 2: THE DAY AFTER THE NIGHT BEFORE

HOT OFF THE PRESS

COFFEE SHOP AMBIANCE

FRONT DOOR OPENS WITH JINGLING BELLS

WALTER: Look who decides to show up early today.

TOMMY: Walter, I was late one time. You don't have to keep calling attention to it.

WALTER: When that one time is yesterday, I think the commentary is justified.

HAYLEY: Try living with him. You won't ever be late for anything in your life again.

WALTER: Then my job is done.

HAYLEY: How'd you make it in so early anyway? There was an accident on Fifth that has traffic backed up for miles.

TOMMY: I was actually home last night. I only had to come downstairs.

HAYLEY: Uh oh. That can't be good.

WALTER: Does this mean the honeymoon is over?

HAYLEY: Or were you self conscious with David's father staying over?

WALTER: It is possible that their dinner did not go so well.

HAYLEY: Yeah, that's probably what it was.

TOMMY: And here we have Walter and Hayley, Hot Off the Press's resident yentas. Were you two always this nosy? I don't remember all the interest in my personal life when I was just a customer.

HAYLEY: That's 'cause you didn't have one.

TOMMY: Ouch.

HAYLEY: Oh, spare me the mock pain. You know it's true.

TOMMY: I did so have a personal life.

HAYLEY: Nope. Not really.

TOMMY: Walter, back me up here.

WALTER: Well, if truth be told, my granddaughter is once again guilty of exaggeration.

TOMMY: See.

WALTER: You did have a personal life for exactly one week before you started. Before that, not so much.

HAYLEY: I think it comes from all that time you sequestered yourself drawing comics.

TOMMY: I'll be out back.

FOOTSTEPS

SWINGING KITCHEN DOOR

HAYLEY: (Laughing) Walter, I really have to thank you for convincing him to work here. It's much more fun teaming up with you.

WALTER: (Laughing) Yes. He does bring a certain humor to the place. (Beat) Of course, speaking of social lives, who is this Barry person you went out with last night? Is he a friend of Max's?

HAYLEY: Hey, Tommy! Wait up back there.

RUNNING FOOTSTEPS

SWINGING KITCHEN DOOR

OPENING THEME


DAVID'S APARTMENT

LEAD-IN MUSIC

MARK: I still see no reason why Tommy wasn't able to stay over. I mean it's not like you guys sleep in separate apartments when I'm not visiting. Hell, I'm sure there are nights when you're not even sleeping on separate sides of the bed. (No response) How long is this gonna go on? The not talking to me. I can only apologize so many times you know.

DAVID: Do you even listen to yourself when you talk?

MARK: I got you to answer me, didn't I?

DAVID: Dad, I don't think you appreciate how much of a delicate situation we were in last night. I have not seen Rachel since I moved out of the apartment we shared. She hasn't spoken to me or Tommy with any bit of civility in months. Can you at the very least grasp that even under the best of circumstances she wouldn't want to reminisce about you catching us skinny-dipping in the country club swimming pool at four o'clock in the morning.

MARK: Davey, you've got to admit. You got yourself in a lot of crazy situations before you decided to become all uppity and respectable.

DAVID: And that's another thing. How many times have I asked you to please call me David? Dave if you have to. But not Davey. It's not me.

MARK: Your boyfriend doesn't seem to mind being called Tommy.

DAVID: That's his choice.

MARK: Okay. David. See. I said it. David, I wanna ask you a question. A serious question. Just between you and me. It won't leave this room. Tommy won't even know I asked it.

DAVID: Oh, for God's sake, will you ask the question already?

MARK: How much of this bluster is you being mad at your old man and how much of it is seeing Rachel out with a nice, upstanding, well-to-do, white-collar professional, who clearly seems to adore her, and who isn't you?

TRANSITION MUSIC


HOT OFF THE PRESS KITCHEN

COFFEE SHOP AMBIANCE GETS MUFFLED

HAYLEY: Okay, Tommy. So we have two minutes before we'll have to reappear up front, so spill.

TOMMY: Demanding, aren't you?

HAYLEY: Can you honestly say you're not dying to tell me about dinner with the father-in-law?

TOMMY: Hayley, first of all, let's not get ahead of ourselves with the father-in-law terminology. And two, what story have you got for trade?

HAYLEY: Well, there is my date with Barry last night.

TOMMY: Ooo. Something new.

HAYLEY: New-ish, yeah.

TOMMY: Is he permanent rotation or just a layover? So to speak.

HAYLEY: Too soon to tell.

TOMMY: Barry? Now is he the one with the — ?

HAYLEY: — Yep.

TOMMY: And the — ?

HAYLEY: — Yes.

TOMMY: So, is it true that he — ?

HAYLEY: Mmmmmm-hmmmm.

TOMMY: Okay. That was trade-worthy. You'll never guess who we ran into at the restaurant last night.

HAYLEY: Oh, I don't like these games. Can't you just tell me?

TOMMY: I'm savoring the moment.

HAYLEY: Okay. Fine. Rachel.

TOMMY: Good guess, but incomplete. Who was she with?

HAYLEY: Your parents?

TOMMY: Nope. They are talking to her again, but they're not quite ready to be seen in public yet.

HAYLEY: Then I give up.

TOMMY: How about Rachel's boss, who she is clearly dating, and who David clearly can't stand.

HAYLEY: Wow. Mind blown.

TOMMY: Add to the mix David's not-so-appropriate father.

HAYLEY: Okay even after Barry's... specialties... you have me beat. So what happened?

TOMMY: Remember when I said David had a lot of experience with both men and women before he settled down with Rachel?

HAYLEY: I vaguely remember something like that.

TOMMY: Well, I got a lot of detail I would never have expected in a million years.

HAYLEY: Like what?

TOMMY: No. I would get slaughtered if I told you specifics.

HAYLEY: Not even a little detail?

TOMMY: Let's just say it would even make you blush.

HAYLEY: Right in front of Rachel and the new guy?

TOMMY: Mostly before, but I did learn more about my sister's history than I'm comfortable knowing.

HAYLEY: Is that why you were home alone overnight?

TOMMY: David may be mild-mannered, but if you get him pissed... Believe me, his temper becomes worse than mine.

HAYLEY: Yeah. That's something I don't need to see.

TOMMY: I'm gonna have to be very nice and very understanding when I see him next. And if you know what's good for you, so should you.

HAYLEY: So how did it end?

TOMMY: Luckily, the rest of Rachel's law office arrived for their function and the two of them bowed out gracefully. Chances are it'll be the next decade before she ever speaks to either one of us again.

HAYLEY: You're sure about that?

TOMMY: Yeah. I think I know my sister.

HAYLEY: Peek out the window. Tell me who's talking to Walter.

TOMMY: Ha ha. Very funny.

HAYLEY: That's not something I'd joke about.

TOMMY: Let me see.

WALTER (O.S.) (Muffled) While you are waiting for your brother to reappear, what can I get you?

RACHEL (O.S.) (Muffled) I guess an iced coffee.

WALTER (O.S.) (Muffled) One iced coffee coming up

TOMMY: Son of a bitch.

TRANSITION MUSIC


DAVID'S APARTMENT

MARK: So, David, are you gonna answer me or am I gonna have to ask you the question again?

DAVID: Dad. Why would I care who Rachel is dating? I have Tommy in my life and I love him very much.

MARK: I can think of a lot of reasons. And none of them have to do with how you feel about Tommy. All told, how many years of your life did you spend with Rachel?

DAVID: About four and a half.

MARK: That's an awfully long time to be with someone. Especially someone who you planned on marrying someday. Now I get that the end of you and Rachel and the beginning of you and Tommy was a bit, shall we say, complicated, but the truth of the matter is that you're always gonna have that history together. Your mom and me. We were together for thirty two years. We probably should have called it quits after fifteen, but I know I'll still be jealous when she starts to date someone else.

DAVID: Um, Mom's been dating Bill for about six months now.

MARK: See. This is what I'm saying. You can be as happy as I think you and Tommy are, as happy as I think you and Tommy are going to be, but you're still gonna have a hard time seeing her with someone else. Doesn't matter if you like the guy or not. (Brief pause) Wait a minute. Bill who? Not Bill Russo from the country club.

DAVID: No. Not Bill Russo. You've never met the guy.

MARK: Just checking. Bill Russo was scum. But don't tell your mom I said that.

DAVID: Dad, you're tangenting. Reel yourself back in.

MARK: The point is, Rachel is with someone after you and you're having a hell of a time being okay with that. Imagine how she feels with her brother being that someone after her.

TRANSITION MUSIC


HOT OFF THE PRESS

SWINGING KITCHEN DOOR

COFFEE SHOP AMBIANCE

FOOTSTEPS

WALTER: There he is. I told you he was around somewhere. Mr. Tommy, you have visitor. I don't usually encourage social visits on company time, but in this case I think an exception can be made.

HAYLEY: For those of you who are Walter-impaired, he means go talk to your sister.

TOMMY: Hi.

RACHEL: Hi.

TOMMY: Wanna talk out back?

RACHEL: Sure.

WALTER: I will have your iced coffee waiting for you when you're done.

RACHEL: Thank you.

FOOTSTEPS

SWINGING KITCHEN DOOR


HOT OFF THE PRESS KITCHEN

COFFEE SHOP AMBIANCE GETS MUFFLED

TOMMY: After last night, I wasn't expecting to see you so soon. Or ever.

RACHEL: I wasn't planning on coming by, but then I did. I don't know why exactly.

TOMMY: I'm glad you did.

RACHEL: You're working here now?

TOMMY: A few shifts here and there as they need me.

RACHEL: What happened to that long term exclusive contract you were supposed to sign with the comic book publisher?

TOMMY: I decided not to. I need to do my own art. I couldn't spend the next three years of my life working on something that isn't even mine in the end.

RACHEL: That's ambitious.

TOMMY: I actually have you to thank for that decision.

RACHEL: Me?

TOMMY: That night you came over to rip me a new one after what happened with...

RACHEL: You can say it. With David.

TOMMY: Yeah. With David. You yelled at me to stop waiting for Superman to fly in and fix things for me and to fix them myself.

RACHEL: So what's next?

TOMMY: No idea. But at least the mistakes will be mine.

RACHEL: Don't you mean the successes?

TOMMY: One thing at a time. Look. I'm sorry about what happened last night.

RACHEL: I'd be lying if I said I wasn't angry about it, but I'm used to Hurricane Mark. And I know he meant well.

TOMMY: I'm sure your friend didn't know what hit him.

RACHEL: Yeah. About that. Anthony and me. I don't know what to call it.

TOMMY: I'm the last person you need to explain it to. Well, maybe not the absolute last, but you know what I mean.

RACHEL: I enjoy his company.

TOMMY: That's all that matters, right?

RACHEL: I'm not ready for much more.

TOMMY: No one says you have to be.

RACHEL: The two of you look happy.

TOMMY: We don't have to talk about that if you don't want to.

RACHEL: It's okay.

TOMMY: Yeah. All things considered, we are. I just wish things happened differently.

RACHEL: That's the lesson you and I have both learned this year. We can't change the past as much as we wish we could.

TOMMY: Doesn't mean I'm gonna stop apologizing for my part in it.

RACHEL: I do appreciate that. And I hope someday I'll be in a place where you won't have to anymore.

TOMMY: But you're not there yet, are you?

RACHEL: Not yet. And definitely not with him. But I'm not going to step in your way either.

TOMMY: That means a lot.

RACHEL: I'd like to think you'd do the same for me.

TOMMY: Of course.

RACHEL: Oh, I don't know if you heard. The old apartment is no more. Or rather I'm not living there anymore.

TOMMY: I thought you were gonna keep it.

RACHEL: Too many memories. I needed a fresh start. You know what that's like.

TOMMY: Yeah.

RACHEL: You remember my friend, Brin?

TOMMY: I wish I didn't.

RACHEL: Well, she has an in-law apartment she's letting me use.

TOMMY: Interesting. And how is “Sabrina” doing these days?

RACHEL: You know she hates it when you call her that.

TOMMY: Is it my fault she acted like the “teenage bitch?”

RACHEL: We were kids. And you were no better.

TOMMY: Not how I remember it, but okay. How is she?

RACHEL: A handful as always, but fun. She sends her love.

TOMMY: Somehow I doubt that very much.

RACHEL: Anyway, I don't want to get you in trouble with Walter, so I'm going to head out. I will see you later though. I promise.

FOOTSTEPS

SWINGING KITCHEN DOOR

TRANSITION MUSIC


DAVID'S GUEST BEDROOM

GUITAR PLAYING

DAVID (O.S.) Dad?

MARK: In the guest room.

DAVID (O.S.) I've got lunch.

MARK: I'll be out in a minute. Oh, hi.

DAVID: I thought I heard a guitar playing.

MARK: Is this the one I think it is? The one I got you for your thirteenth birthday?

DAVID: Yes.

MARK: You kept it all this time.

GUITAR PLAYING STOPS

DAVID: It's a good guitar.

MARK: You thought you were gonna be the next Stevie Ray Vaughan.

DAVID: I'm quite the far cry from that these days. I only just started playing again.

MARK: Let me guess. 'Cause of Tommy?

DAVID: Sort of. Yes. He has this old beat-up guitar at his place that he never learned to play. He kept it out in case he found the patience to learn. After things went bad for Rachel and me, and before I made it worse, I just picked it up and started playing. I mean I was really rusty, but it still felt like no time had passed. It was one of the first moments I really paid attention to what Tommy means to me.

MARK: You know what I see?

DAVID: I'm afraid to ask.

MARK: When I see you talking about your music and when I see you talking about Tommy, I'm amazed, 'cause I see the old Davey trying to break through. Sorry, the old David. I think up until recently, you've been obsessed with the perfect formula on how you should be happy in your life. And nothing against Rachel. Believe me, I adore the girl, but you spent so much time on a mathematical equation for being happy that you almost forgot how to just be happy. Whatever you and Tommy have got together, I can tell you're starting to remember. It's a great thing to see.

DAVID: I take it back.

MARK: What?

DAVID: Davey. I know old habits die hard. So if you would rather call me Davey, I think I can be okay with that.

MARK: You're sure now. I don't want to be... inappropriate.

DAVID: But if Tommy starts calling me that, I will make him regret it.

MARK: I don't think you need to worry about that. He has too much fun calling you Clark Kent.

DAVID: He told you? Wonderful.

MARK: I think you mean "Super."

TRANSITION MUSIC


ALLEY OUTSIDE HOT OFF THE PRESS

CITY AMBIANCE

DUMPSTER DOOR SLIDING OPEN

TOMMY: I've gotta say, Hayley, this is one experience I didn't have to contend with as a customer.

HAYLEY: And what's that?

TOMMY: Garbage patrol.

THUNK OF A GARBAGE BAG BEING THROWN INTO THE DUMPSTER

HAYLEY: Yeah, we save that glamour for the staff. But once it's done we get to go home.

TOMMY: Oh yeah. Big distance. I go up those stairs and you go inside the back door.

THUNK

HAYLEY: Well, the idea's the important thing.

THUNK

TOMMY: I don't know about you, but my idea of a shower is pretty important right about now.

HAYLEY: Well, last one.

THUNK

TOMMY: And that's time.

DUMPSTER DOOR SLIDES SHUT

TOMMY: I'll catch you tomorrow.

HAYLEY: Say hi to David for me.

TOMMY: I'm not sure if he's ready for company yet tonight, but I will if I do. Say hi to Max or Barry or whoever you see.

HAYLEY: Ha ha.

FOOTSTEPS UP THE STAIRS

BACK DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES

JINGLING KEYS

TOMMY: Yeah. Definitely a shower. I reek.

FRONT DOOR UNLOCKS AND OPENS


TOMMY'S APARTMENT

GUITAR PLAYING

TOMMY: David!

DAVID: Hi.

TOMMY: What are you doing here?

DAVID: I wanted to see you.

TOMMY: Is everything okay? Where's your Dad?

DAVID: Everything's fine. He's still at the apartment.

GUITAR PLAYING STOPS

DAVID: I just really, really, really wanted to see you.

TOMMY: What's going on?

GUITAR BEING PLACED DOWN

DAVID RISING FROM THE COUCH

DAVID: Dad and I talked. About last night. And other stuff. If I acted like a jerk to you, I'm sorry.

TOMMY: It's okay. You were allowed to be under the circumstances.

DAVID: You bring out a side of me that I almost forgot about. One that I didn't even know was still there. But I am glad you'll get a chance to see it.

TOMMY: David, I've got news for you. I've been seeing it all along. From the first moment I teased you about your Clark Kent appearance, I knew there was more to you than you felt comfortable showing. Admittedly I thought it was 'cause you hadn't come out of the closet yet.

DAVID: And you were so surprised when I told you I already had.

TOMMY: Yeah, but you still needed to come out of your shell.

DAVID: And so did you.

TOMMY: It's a work in progress. The both of us. Together.

DAVID: I love you.

TOMMY: I love you.

DAVID PUNCHES TOMMY LIGHTLY ON THE ARM

TOMMY: Ow! What was that for?

DAVID: That was for telling Dad about the nickname.

TOMMY: I had to shut him up somehow.

DAVID: You're just lucky you're cute.

TOMMY: Yeah, well...

DAVID: Although your choice of cologne leaves a lot to be desired.

TOMMY: So sweat and coffee and garbage isn't a good combo?

DAVID: Not particularly. I'll let you hit the shower and we can grab dinner.

TOMMY: Or you can join me and we can grab something else.

DAVID: That's one way to work up an appetite.

TOMMY: Come on.

DAVID: Up, up, and away.

TOMMY: Well, that's a bit suggestive.

DAVID: I didn't mean it like that. I meant, you know, Superman. The Clark reference.

TOMMY: Just get in there.

END MUSIC