Extract from A Good Sub Story
by Sam South
© Sam South 2006
DAWN, 30, enters the pub. She looks around. Sees Byron who nods at her and then
towards Andrew. She sees Andrew. She watches him.
He is waving the £20 note for attention. He's getting a little angry.
ANDREW (To offstage) Ah, at last. Yes. Um. A glass of merlot,
a pint of Guinness and two chicken sandwiches please.
DAWN Hi.
ANDREW Hello.
DAWN I'm Dawn. Do you need any help?
ANDREW Um.
DAWN And your name is?
ANDREW Andrew. Don't think so, why?
DAWN Merlot with chicken?
ANDREW It's for . . . a change.
DAWN Fair enough . . . sometimes it's important to go with what we like,
rather than what convention dictates.
Byron gets up and moves next to Carole.
He pulls her out of her seat and to the side of the stage.
CAROLE What are you doing - how did you find me?
BYRON Congratulations!
CAROLE For what?
BYRON Your therapist qualification. I'm impressed.
CAROLE How did you know? Byron! Andrew's around somewhere!
Don't start that again!
BYRON I do not want you to tell him I am here. Do you understand?
Pause.
BYRON Carole?
CAROLE Yes, yes. Of course I won't!
BYRON Two years ago you chose Andrew. Did you make the right decision?
CAROLE Byron! Please don't. . .
BYRON Does he give you what you want?
ANDREW Can I get you . . .?
BYRON A child? You don't want children. You told me that!
CAROLE I don't know. He won't discuss it even. What are you doing here!
DAWN A lager and blackcurrant please.
ANDREW Yeuch.
DAWN There are more disgusting things to drink, I promise. I recognise your face.
Ah, of course! You're a local councillor, aren't you? Education cuts.
ANDREW Not my party you'll be pleased to know. You a teacher then?
DAWN Yes, what would you like to learn from me?
BYRON Is he everything you want?
CAROLE Yes.
BYRON And what about what you crave, what you need?
CAROLE Please, Byron -
BYRON Do you love him? Tell me you love him and I shall go.
Pause.
Byron holds her hair in his hands and pulls her head back.
He kisses her and she responds.
BYRON Call me. I've moved.
He hands Carole a card, and exits.
Andrew is staring at Dawn. She grins and snaps her fingers.
DAWN You may speak. What are you waiting for?
ANDREW Oh, I'm fine. Waiting for the sandwiches.
Byron sits back in his seat.
DAWN Look, sign up there, they bring your food to you.
ANDREW Oh yes.
DAWN You're not used to being served are you.
ANDREW Sorry?
DAWN Prefer to do the serving?
She writes her name and number on a piece of paper and hands it to him.
© Sam South 2006