Magnolia
Claudia
Did you ever go out with someone and just lie, question after question? Maybe you are trying to make yourself look cool or better than you are or whatever, smarter, cooler and you just.. Not really lie, but maybe you just don’t say everything.
Jim
That’s a natural thing, You know, two people go out on a date or something. They want to impress people, the other person. Or the are scared they’ll say something that will make the other person not like them.
(Waitress comes in and puts some bread on the table)
Claudia/ Jim
Thank you, Thank you
Claudia
So you’ve done it?
Jim
I don’t go out very often.
Claudia
Why not?
Jim
I never found someone, really, that I’d like to go out with.
Claudia
I bet you say that to all the girls.
Jim
No.
Claudia
Want to make a deal with me?
Jim
Ok.
Claudia
What I just said… people afraid to say things, no guts to say the things that are real or something.
Jim
Yeah.
Claudia
To not do that. To not do that, that maybe we’ve done before.
Jim
Let’s make a deal.
Claudia
Ok. I’ll tell you everything and you tell me everything and maybe we can get through all the piss, shit and lies that kill other people.
Jim
Ohh.. uh. ‘piss and shit”
Claudia
What?
Jim
You really use strong language.
Claudia
I am sorry.
Jim
No, It’s fine.
Claudia
I didn’t mean--- It seems vulgar or something, I know.
Jim
It’s fine.
Claudia
I’m sorry.
Jim
No, it’s nothing. I am sorry.
Claudia
I am gonna run to the bathroom for a minute maybe, just..
Jim
Ok.
Claudia
Ok.
(She comes back from the bathroom and gives a kiss)
Claudia
I wanted to do that.
Jim
Well…
Claudia
That felt good to do—to do what I wanted.
Jim
Yeah.
Claudia
Can I tell you something?
Jim
Yeah, of course.
Claudia
I am really nervous that you are gonna hate me soon. You are going to find stuff out about me and hate me.
Jim
No. Like what? What do you mean?
Claudia
You have so much, so many good things and you seem so together. You are a police officer and you seem so straight and put together without any problems.
Jim
I lost my gun today.
Claudia
What?
Jim
I lost my gun today. I lost my gun today when I left you, and I am the laughingstock of a lot of people. I wanted to tell you. I wanted you to know. It’s on my mind. It makes me look like a fool. And I feel like a fool. You asked that we should say things, say things that we’re thinking and not lie about things. I can tell you that I lost my gun today. I am not a good cop. I’m looked down at, and I know that and I am scared that once you find out, you won’t like me.
Claudia
Jim, that was so great.
Jim
I’m sorry.
Claudia
What you just said.
Jim
I haven’t been on a date since I was married, and that was three years ago. Whatever you want to tell me, whatever you think might scare me won’t. I’ll listen to you. I’ll be a good listener if that’s what you want. And I won’t judge you. I do that sometimes. I won’t. I can listen. And you shouldn’t be scared of scaring me off or whatever you think that I think and on and on. Just say it, whatever it is, and I’ll listen.
Claudia
You don’t know how stupid and crazy I am.
Jim
It’s ok.
Claudia
I got troubles, ok?
Jim
I will take everything at face value. I will listen.
Claudia
I started this, didn’t I? Fuck!
Jim
Whatever it is, just say it. You’ll see.
Claudia
You want to kiss me?
Jim
Yes, I do.
(They kiss)
Claudia
Now that I’ve me you, would you object to never seeing me again?
Jim
What?
Claudia
Just say no.
Jim
I won’t say no, wait Claudia.
Claudia
Just let me go, Jimmy.
Jim
What is it?
Claudia
Please, please.
(She exits) |