Aitches, Mongolian Beef

This is a short play that I wrote a while ago I thought since I hadn't posted a short story that this would be cool. Enjoy!

H. S. Halsey Mongolian Beef


Wendy: a woman in her late 20’s

Eric: a confident strong well groomed well-built handsome man 38 years old

Charley: a slightly pudgy 28 year old

Bret: a pretty 24 year old

Alex: handsome 30-year-old man.



Setting is a table and two chairs center stage slightly upstage with chopsticks and a Chinese menu. Next to the Table is an empty frame.



At rise is a spotlight on A center stage in front of the table and chairs enough so that we can' see them. A is addressing the audience



WENDY

You're sitting there... (smiles) not you of course but... (frustrated) your sitting and you may realize, I've done this before, I've eaten at this restaurant. Now it wasn't this restaurant but one like it. I've eaten with this person. Not with him or her but once a long time ago you loved or new or slept with someone just. like. them. And it will gnaw at you because you might not even realize it. (amused) isn't life funny sometimes?



(Lights go up there is a table with two chairs WENDY is sitting at the table waiting looking at the menu. It is a Chinese restaurant. Wendy looks Bored. ERIC enters Wendy looks up putting down her menu.)



ERIC

Sorry I'm late (takes off his scarf) traffic and...



WENDY

Oh no. It’s ok, really don’t worry about it.





ERIC

You didn't wait to order did you?



WENDY

Yeah, but Eric don’t think twice about it I wasn’t waiting too long.



ERIC

Oh good (Pause as he looks at the menu) what looks good, Wendy?



WENDY

I was thinking the Peking Duck but it says it’s better to order for two I didn’t know if you liked duck or…



ERIC

(Still looking at menu) Hmm I'm thinking the Mongolian beef with white rice.



WENDY

Oh.. (looks at menu) that sounds good too.



ERIC

Great, two orders of Mongolian beef with white rice... so how was your day? Read The Sun Also Rises for the umpteenth time?



WENDY

Oh nothing too important happened at the gallery I just took a few orders you know pretty busy. Not really enough time to read. How was your day?



ERIC

It’s beautiful



WENDY

What?





ERIC

The painting, it's beautiful don't you think?



WENDY

(brushing off the question) Yes it is



ERIC

You can see the fear and turmoil the artist was questioning grappling with his own sense of mortality



WENDY

mm hmm



ERIC

The use of such defined lines and curves hitting harsh angles and edges... what do you see what do you think (slight pause) I see the beauty and curves hills and valleys of life brought short abruptly almost haphazardly. It is amazing how the artist can comment on futility and the mayfly existence with all share most poignantly

wouldn't you agree?



WENDY

Oh yes certainly.



ERIC

One can see that only time spent with others is time well spent to strengthen relationships is to encourage growth of self.



WENDY

(Now interested) I totally agree, to find ourselves we need to find ourselves in others.





(Lights go down)

Voices in the Dark



ERIC

Would you like a ride home?



WENDY

I would love to go on a third date.



ERIC

I know how much you love the opera.



WENDY

Sure you can move in when your lease is up… It makes perfect sense.



ERIC

What is love but chemicals and synapses in response to stimuli?



WENDY

Happy anniversary!



ERIC

You do so much for me. I thought we agreed no presents.



WENDY

Did you ever think you would be this happy?



ERIC

I have to work late.



WENDY

I really don’t mind if you sleep in your office. No. No of course, that makes sense.



ERIC

I know we don’t spend as much time together as we’d like but who does? No one is entirely happy.



(Lights up WENDY is waiting at the table.)



ERIC

(Eric Enters) Sorry I’m-



WENDY

You are late again.



ERIC

I was just apologizing. You should have brought the Great Gatsby… aren’t you reading that for the hundredth time?



WENDY

If you were sorry you wouldn’t do it.



ERIC

I don’t know why you bother picking up the menu you get the same thing every time.



WENDY

Well I don’t know maybe I will find something different.



ERIC

Not likely.



WENDY

And what does that mean?



ERIC

Just that we have been coming here for two years and you always get the Mongolian beef with white rice. It’s what you order.



WENDY

I was just thinking of getting the general tsao’s chicken.



ERIC

But you won’t.



WENDY

What do you know? (after looking for another moment she throws down her menu)



ERIC

An order of Mongolian Beef with white rice.



WENDY

I wish you wouldn’t belittle me.



ERIC

What are you talking about?



WENDY

Just now you were making fun of me. Saying I was boring.



ERIC

No I was not.



WENDY

Don’t deny it. You’re bored with me. I can’t blame you. The sad thing is I can’t even be mad at you because you’re right I am boring. Just predictable. Even when I find out that you’re cheating on me. What can I do? It’s ok Eric I understand.



ERIC

Wendy just calm down. Are you living out some Fitzgeraldian fantasy? Am I supposed to be some east Hampton somebody?



WENDY

No! Don’t tell me to calm down asshole. You are off having sex with one of your students and I’m sitting here waiting for you to get to dinner. I don’t want to hear about it Eric.


ERIC

You’re being irrational, I’m not sleeping with a student what are you talking about?



WENDY

I read Hemingway Eric… I assume she likes Fitzgerald.



ERIC

Oh shit…



WENDY

Goodbye Eric. (ERIC exits)



Light’s go down spotlight comes up



WENDY

There are only a few important people in your life. These people fade in and out making room for others to take there place and replace. Even then there are a select, just a couple that are really important. People who you know and love and care about and can really, truly hurt you. These people you love. These are people who love you, and people that when they leave take part of you with them. After this happens a couple of times you get used to it. Just another pattern. Each time it happens they take less and less. Eight months or a year maybe two years of your life goes by. The One is gone. You don't know what to do. When it's over you just have to pick up the pieces but sometimes… Usually pieces are missing.



(Lights come back up Wendy is sitting in the restaurant)



CHARLEY

Oh hey…

WENDY

Hey Charley! I haven’t seen you in ages.



CHARLY

Sorry I'm late I got -



WENDY

Yeah traffic can be murder.



CHARLY

(Sitting) You haven't been waiting long have you?



WENDY

No… not too long, I should have brought my book. You look good. Been working out?



CHARLY

Yeah a little, the new building I’m in is right next to a gym. I figured why not you know. (Pause) So… Wendy… What are you reading? (picks up and looks at the menu)



WENDY

For Whom the Bell Tolls for the zillionth time I'm infatuated with Hemingway, I think I've read Old Man and the Sea at least eight times,(hopefully) do you read him at all?



CHARLY

No not really, I'd like to read more but who has the time? So what were you thinking to order?



WENDY

Mongolian beef and white rice.



CHARLY

Sounds good I guess I'll get that also.



WENDY

Great two Mongolian beefs with white rice, so what do you think of the painting? I find it mesmerizing no pressure though.



CHARLY

Oh? What about it do you find… mesmerizing?



WENDY

I love the sense of mortality it brings the idea that we will all soon pass and those who new us and those who knew those who knew us will all be gone in a blink.



CHARLY

Really? I don't find that at all the dark does add a melancholy mood sure, but see the edges (He points up at the two corners of the frame) they are bright as if they are bringing light to the frame and I see hope the curves coming out of angles are growth and life. Oh I don't know I'm not exactly a critic.

WENDY

No that's an interesting perspective.



Lights go down

Voices in the dark



CHARLY

I love going out with you.



WENDY

Oh Charley, you are such a nice guy.


CHARLY

My friends joke that you don’t exist. I never see you. (Laughs)


WENDY

No I’ll go to thanksgiving alone… maybe Christmas…



CHARLY

Do you see us lasting?



WENDY

Maybe this is all a little fast.



CHARLY

I Love you.



WENDY

You are so sweet.



CHARLY

Why don’t you want to move in together?



WENDY

Maybe we are… We are defiantly moving too fast.



CHARLY

I just want to be with you.



WENDY

OK here’s a key.



CHARLY

I Love you.



WENDY

Yeah, me too honey.



Lights come back up with only CHARLY at the table



CHARLY

You’re late.

WENDY

I had to stay late at the art gallery. There is an opening tomorrow.



CHARLY

You are not the only person working there.



WENDY

Calm down I am not that late.



CHARLY

Sure but there is no need to be so nonchalant just marching in here as if nothing is wrong.



WENDY

Calm down we are in a public place.



CHARLY

You come in here and you don’t even apologize.



WENDY

What do you want me to say?



CHARLY

I don’t know just a quick I’m sorry.



WENDY

I just don’t want to come off as being insincere.



CHARLY

Oh! So seaming like a bitch is so much better.



WENDY

Do we have to fight tonight, Charles?


CHARLY

No you are right I’m sorry, honey.


WENDY

It’s just that I’m stressed from work I have been on my feet all day. I’m just tired Eric and I think that I-



CHARLY

Charley.



WENDY

What?



CHARLY

My name… it’s Charley.



WENDY

Of course it is, who said anything else? Now do you want to mix it up or should we just have two of the usual? I really think that-



CHARLY

You’ve been seeing him, haven’t you?



WENDY

Who?



CHARLY

Your ex Eric. You weren’t at the gallery you were with him.



WENDY

I really have no idea what you are-



CHARLY

I stopped by earlier to surprise you. They said you had taken a half-day. I brought you this. (Shoves a ring case onto the table) Goodbye Wendy. (CHARLY EXITS)



Lights go down spot comes up



WENDY

Time goes by, it marches on, it barrels forward. The road may be winding and different but they all lead to the same destination. We share the ride almost exclusively with individuals of our own choosing. Friends, neighbors, relatives, and children we use them to validate ourselves. In them we find our own worth. We think of them and treat them like people we knew before. Sometime we treat them as an idea of who we want to know. Sometimes they fill the whole for people we have left, or those who left on their own. But you can't move and be unmoved. Can't shape and stay the same, each time it is different, unique, and beautiful. But each time there is a sick repetition when they leave they take parts of you but when you leave. Do you ever replenish yourself? Are you able to take from one what another has taken from you?



Lights go down and come back up on restaurant



BRET

I'm so sorry there was traffic (Wendy nods without looking up BRET sits) …and I couldn't find a place to park there is a pause. (WENDY looks up and smiles calmly listening) I... I hope I didn't make you wait too long Wendy.



WENDY

Oh no (holds her book a battered copy of Farwell to Arms) I came prepared.

BRET

Ah ok. Hey, I had to read that for class.



WENDY

Oh? What did you think Seth?



BRET

Bret, Eh, Hemingway's too stuffy for me.



WENDY

(Disappointed) He's not to everyone's taste.



BRET

(Picks up menu) So. What are you getting?



WENDY

C 23 with white rice.



BRET

Oh... yeah, that looks good... I guess you have come here before then?



WENDY

A few times.



BRET

Ha, this where you take all the guys?



WENDY

Oh no... (they smile together) They don't all like Chinese (She smiles wider as he looks confused maintaining eye contact she continues) What do you think of the painting? I have found this piece most interesting, what do you think?



BRET

It's ok, I guess.



WENDY

HA, care to elaborate Chet?


BRET

It’s Bret. But I dunno it just seams like a bunch of swirls and lines the guy doesn't look like he could make up his mind about what he wanted to do so he just drew random shapes.



WENDY

(She smiles) Well I guess that is one voice heard.



BRET

(Recovering) No, don't get me wrong I love the vibrant use of color, the texture, (feeling more comfortable) the smooth nature of canvas and the roughness of the piled paint.



WENDY

You’re lucky you’re cute.



BRET

You think I'm cute?



WENDY

Enough to tell you so(She starts to laugh)



BRET

What's so funny?



WENDY

What's it called when you have that feeling that something has happened before?



BRET

Ummm…



WENDY

Like, I have totally had this conversation before but umm, what's it called? Something French. (BRET shrugs) Does that ever happen to you?



BRET

No.



WENDY

Well I'm sure it will.



Lights go down.



Voices in the dark


BRET

Thanks for inviting me in.


WENDY

I normally never do this.


BRET

You have a really nice place.


WENDY

Never on the first date.


BRET

Would you like to show me around?


WENDY

Let's try not to talk too much.


BRET

I had a great time.


WENDY

I'll call you.



Lights come back up. WENDY is reading at the table. BRET ENTERS.



WENDY

What do you think you are doing?



BRET

I was… didn’t we? I thought you wanted…



WENDY

Oh sweet heart… no… (WENDY goes back to reading BRET exits disheartened)



Lights change again to spotlight



WENDY

Do we seek the same people intentionally? Do we have types and leagues to define ourselves? They limit us as much as those we pursue why? Why if it didn't work with that person once would we repeat the mistake? The answer? (pause) well I like the familiarity. (smiles weakly) You never get the pieces back you never get to have innocence again you get jaded you become ruthless uncaring cruel the grinding repetition gets to you. Until you cant take it. WENDY exits.



Lights change back



ALEX is sitting at the Chinese restaurant table alone looking at the menu. WENDY enters from off stage looking through her bag and pulling out her book she looks up as she gets to the table and is startled when she seesALEX



WENDY

Oh hey... Alex… uh... I didn't (embarrassed as she puts the book away) I didn't expect to see you here.



ALEX

(Looking at his watch) We did say seven right? Oh no I'm too early. I always do this. I'm sorry I really don't mean to come off as too eager... or now I can just look desperate.



WENDY

(still standing) No... no you are fine. It's just I always say seven and… (she sits) well… I usually have time before… most people get stuck in traffic or something.



ALEX

I could always leave and come back in 20 minutes if you'd like.



WENDY

(laughing as she takes her seat) No, no I'm glad you're here. (picks up her menu)



ALEX

Good... Oh have you seen the correspondence memoirs between Hotchner and Hemingway I have a copy if. (WENDY is astonished and takes out her copy that she just put away.) Oh (they laugh together) what a coincidence.(Pause) Have you seen the painting there?



WENDY

I've noticed it yes. It has actually given me some trouble.



ALEX

Isn't it beautiful?



WENDY

I don't know if I like the message.



ALEX

What's the message?



WENDY

You know I'm not all that sure anymore.



ALEX

I guess I can appreciate that. I try not to read to much into abstract art myself, I like to appreciate the beauty of it for what it is not what it could mean.



WENDY

I've actually never thought of it that way before. (They maintain eye contact and share a moment for two or three beats)



ALEX

Well then ummm did you have anything in mind to order?



WENDY

Well I usually get the Mongolian beef and rice.


ALEX

Oh? That's too bad I was thinking the Peking duck but it suggests you have two people.


WENDY

No that sounds great.

ALEX

Really? I would hate for you to break tradition on my account.


WENDY

No really that sounds... Perfect.



Lights switch back again A is in spotlight addressing the audience.

WENDY

Maybe you cant get the pieces back maybe that's ok maybe we are cut each time, like glass, the pieces taken from us until we find someone else cut just so... so that you can fit together... maybe... well I like the idea anyway. (she smiles broadly)



Lights fade to black