Intimacy

         ONE
You enter the room and make it yours. I don’t know how you do it, but you do. I paid for this house, but I’m nowhere to be found in it. I wonder, sometimes, wonder if you’d even notice if I left. Walked out the door and never came back.

         TWO
How was your day?

         ONE
You always ask me stupid questions like this.

         TWO
How was your day?

         ONE
Ask as if the answer will somehow have changed dramatically since last night.

         TWO
Anything exciting happen?

         ONE
I killed my boss.

         TWO
Well, as long as he deserved it.

         ONE
Why don’t you ever look at me?

         TWO
When’s the funeral?

         ONE
The day before yesterday.

         TWO
That’s nice. Did we send flowers?

         ONE
Why don’t you want me no more?

         TWO
I hope we did.

         ONE
We didn’t.

         TWO
Pity. Did we at least consider it?

         ONE
We did. You told me to go and buy them.

         TWO
I guess that’s why it didn’t happen.

         ONE
I spent the money on a prostitute instead.

         TWO
You’re not really to be trusted with tasks, are you?

         ONE
Her name was Rose. That should count for something.

         TWO
If you want things done properly, you have to do it yourself.

         ONE
Or let Rose do it for you. At least her enthusiasm can be bought.

         TWO
Did you take care of the bills after you so gracefully handled the flowers?

         ONE
I did.

         TWO
I’m surprised.

         ONE
I’m not surprised you are.

         TWO
What are we doing here, really?

         ONE
You’re always surprised when I do something right, aren’t you?

         TWO
A lot of the time.

         ONE
Most of the time.

         TWO
All of the time.

         ONE
Why don’t you leave me?

         TWO
It’s not like you’re giving me reason not to.

         ONE
You don’t love me so why do you stay?

         TWO
The children, the car, the mortgage. You can’t handle any of it, not even when I tell you how to.

         ONE
I do my best.

         TWO
That’s not always good enough.

         ONE
It should count for something.

         TWO
It should.


         ONE
But it doesn’t.

         TWO
It doesn’t, no.

         ONE
Of course it doesn’t.

         TWO
I can’t do everything by myself.

         ONE
You’re doing it pretty well so far.

         TWO
I can’t parent you, too.

         ONE
I’m not a child.

         TWO
You act like a child. You’re lost like a child. You’re inadequate like a child.

         ONE
Glad we got that sorted out.

         TWO
At least they fulfill their duties around the house.

         ONE
They set the table. Let’s not applaud them too soon.

         TWO
When’s the last time you did something? I mean it. When’s the last time you did something for us?

         ONE
When’s the last time you did something for me?

         TWO
Can you pick up the children from school tomorrow?

         ONE
No. Yes. Where are you going?

         TWO
Kensington.

         ONE
Kensington?

         TWO
Sam invited me.

         ONE
Of course he did.

         TWO
I shouldn’t be home too late.

         ONE
Why are you coming back at all?

         TWO
Shouldn’t be.

         ONE
Don’t come back.

         TWO
You think you can handle that?

         ONE
Handle what?

         TWO
Are you listening to any of this?

         ONE
Kensington, Sam, pick up the children.

         TWO
Sometimes, I swear, you’re off in your own world.

         ONE
Can you blame me?

         TWO
Can you?

         ONE
No. What?

         TWO
Handle the children until I get home?

         ONE
Of course. How hard can it be.

         TWO
Good.

         ONE
I’m sure it will be.

         TWO
Better than here, anyway.

         ONE
It’s not like anything’s good here.

         TWO
You see to that.

         BOTH
I don’t know why I keep coming back. I should just leave you.

         TWO
With the children.

         ONE
With the house.

         TWO
The stupid car.

         ONE
And the kids you love.

         TWO
There’s nothing left for me here.

         ONE
Nothing left for me here.