On the Edge of Darkness, Scene 1.a

Jack and Ben sit at a bar. Waitress comes up.

Jill/ Waitress
“What can I get for you gentlemen tonight?”

Jack
“Two of your finest beers, because tonight we celebrate.”

Ben
“What?”

Jack
“You heard me. My ladyfriend is gone, I am now a free man.”

Jill
“Try not to look too bent out of shape over it.”

Ben
“Trust me, he won’t.”

Jack
“Hey, don’t talk about  me like I’m some heartless beast. I have feelings too.”

Ben
“Feelings? The last time I’ve seen you show feeling is when you whined about                         
        Caroline.”

Jack
“Woah! Stop the stabbing Brutus. I bring you out for a drink, and you bust my balls.     
          Some best friend you are. And besides Caroline was Jr. high.”

Ben
“My point exactly.”

Jill
“ Here you go boys, play nice until I get back.“


Jack and Ben drink their beer, and someone runs into Ben from behind, and makes him spill his beer.

Ben
“Shiest”

Jack
“What did you just say”

Ben
“Shiest, it’s german for shit”

Jack
“No way, since when did you speak german?”

Ben
“I just started, I’m trying to get in touch with my roots.”

Jack
“In touch with your roots? What the kind of bullshit is that?”

Ben
“Everybody is doing it.”

Jack
“No everyones not doing it, Check this out.”

Jack leans back and picks a stranger.

Jack
“Hello sir, quick question. What’s your heritage?”

London
“Scotch-Irish?”

Jack
“Do you feel the need to speak Scotch or Irish?”


London
“No, they’re just as bad as Canadians saying things like, aboot, or other things
              that Canadians feel that they need to say.”

Jack
“Exactly! You see Ben, if you start doing this, your letting the corporations take
          over our lives.”

Ben
“What? What are you talking about?”

Jack
“Don’t play stupid. Traitor! I know what your up to. But, that’s besides the point, Let
          us drink, we are free men.”

Jack raises his glass, Ben taps his glass,

Jack
”Solum sursum”

and drinks

Ben
“What the hell was that?”

Jack
“ Latin.”

Ben
“What was all that about roots, and corporations and shit?”

Jack
“I don’t know my roots, I’m a free man.”