Written by Joe Janes
9/09/09
234 of 365
CAST
Ginny, 30s
Ben, 30s
(Lights up on Ginny and Ben sitting on the sofa. They are in a post-dinner cuddle.)
GINNY
Good dinner, Ben.
BEN
Thanks. I ordered the pizza myself.
GINNY
You’re a good cook.
BEN
Want to watch a movie? I dvr’d “Pretty Woman.”
GINNY
I was thinking maybe we could talk.
BEN
Okay.
GINNY
How do you feel about things?
BEN
I like things. I like things a lot. I think we’ve got a good thing going here.
GINNY
Me, too.
(Pause as Ginny contentedly settles into Ben’s arms.)
GINNY (continuing)
Have you ever slept with a prostitute? (Long, awkward pause) Ben?
BEN
Is it a deal breaker?
GINNY
You have, then. You have slept with a prostitute.
BEN
Well, wait a sec, hear me out. (He collects his thoughts) Yes. I have. But it was a long time ago. And I used protection.
GINNY
Well, I guess that’s okay, then. (Pause) Only once?
(Ben closes his eyes in quiet frustration.)
GINNY (continuing)
Ben?
BEN
There was this period of about five years after college where I was traveling a lot, I didn’t have a girlfriend.
(Ginny looks angry. Silent and angry.)
BEN (continuing)
Ginny?
GINNY
I heard you.
BEN
It was a long time ago. Before we met. Before I even knew my Ginny existed.
(He tries to kiss her; she backs him off with a look.)
GINNY
Seriously?
BEN
Too soon?
GINNY
I don’t know how I feel about this.
BEN
Well, I do. It was a stupid thing for me to do. It was a waste of money. It was risky. I’m lucky not to have got anything I didn’t pay for. And if I knew then that it would endanger any potential relationship with the woman I love-
GINNY
Love?
BEN
Yes?
GINNY
You love me?
BEN
Yes, I love you. Did I not tell you that at some point?
GINNY
Apparently, there are lots of things you haven’t told me, that being the latest.
BEN
Oh. Well, I do. I love you and I don’t want to lose you over this. You mean the world to me.
(She melts a little bit over this.)
GINNY
I love you, too, Ben. I guess what’s in the past is best left in the past.
BEN
I couldn’t agree more.
(They kiss.)
GINNY
Instead of watching a movie-
BEN
Are you thinking what I’m thinking?
GINNY (getting up)
I’ll go put on my fishnets and whip.
BEN (getting up)
I’ll get the handcuffs.
(Blackout)
