Dinner, Sex and a Movie(12)
Emma:
Holy shit.
More silence as they hold each other.
Emma (after a bit):
Why aren’t you getting dressed?
Jake gets off the far side of the bed; Emma grasps at him but misses. Jake pulls his underwear back on.
Emma (sitting up):
I didn’t mean it that way. I meant it was a nice surprise. And I ruined it by thinking out loud.
He pauses.
Emma (resigned):
It’s OK, you are already up. You can go.
Jake walks to the dresser and pulls his jeans on. He reaches in a pocket and holds up the chain with the key on it. He hands it to Emma. Emma takes it, but doesn’t say anything. She looks at him a minute, then abruptly holds the key out for him to take back. He looks confused.
Emma:
You keep it safe for now. We’ll use it another night.
Jake stands there still looking at her.
Emma (explaining):
It’s too late for us to go in there tonight without getting arrested. That’s another one of those bar association no-nos. We’ll go from your place later this week.
Jake gives her an approving, laid back smile then hangs the chain back around his neck. He starts to pull his shirt on.
Emma:
You know, you could just stay here tonight.
Jake looks at her with surprise.
Emma:
We could have another go.
He returns to the bed.
Emma:
Maybe this time I’ll even shut –
Jake cuts her off with a kiss.
End of Act Three.
Interlude
Waiting room, inbound platform, Villanova Train Station. Wednesday, 6:30 AM.
Sounds of pouring rain.
Emma is standing in one corner wearing a trench coat over her best business suit.
She looks mildly unhappy.
A young man wearing a hoodie walks in, holding two cups of coffee in a carrier. He is drenched. He walks over to Emma, and pulls his hood down. It is Jake.
Jake:
Hi.
Emma (smiling affectionately):
Oh my God. You look like a drowned rat.
Jake:
It suits me. You look great.
Emma:
That’s seriously debatable. What are you doing here?
Jake (handing her a cup):
Here.
Emma:
What’s this?
Jake:
Garrett Hill’s finest. Drink it.
She sips.
Emma:
Pumpkin. Thanks.
Jake:
Sure.
Emma:
What are you doing here?
Jake:
I wanted to see you.
Emma (guarded):
Why?
Jake looks at her intently.
Jake (with emphasis):
I wanted to see you. You said you were gonna take the train in from here today. So I showed.
Emma:
You just left my place like seven hours ago.
Jake:
Call it withdrawal. Or whatever you want. I came to say hi.
Emma (girlish):
Hi.
Jake:
Hi.
Emma:
Jerk. You know, I think I need this right now. I got the jitters real bad.
Jake:
You? The fabled Bitch of Bryn Mawr Academy for Boys?
Emma:
This trial is gonna be a nightmare. Judge Barnes hates me.
Jake:
Why?
Emma:
He said my skirt was too short the first time I was in his courtroom.
Jake:
Overruled.
Emma:
He’s the one who says that.
Jake:
Not when it comes to your legs. They should be seen.
Emma:
Not according to him. He’s like 86.
Jake:
Wear pants then.
Emma:
Women aren’t allowed to wear pants in his courtroom. He’s 86.
Jake:
Like I said at the outset, you look great.
Emma:
At least he won’t be able to see my knees knocking.
Jake:
You aren’t scared.
Emma:
I’m gonna lose, and it won’t be my fault. I have the better case.
Jake:
You’ll kick his ass.
Emma:
I’m not allowed to kick his ass. It’s his court.
Jake:
Then appeal. Or whatever it is you’re supposed to do.
Emma:
I don’t do appellate work. I want to win myself. Now.
Jake:
OK, do that then.
Emma (laughs):
You have no idea what you are talking about.
Jake:
Maybe not. But I have faith in you. I know that much.
Emma:
But you don’t even really know me.
Jake:
I’ve known you long enough.
Emma:
You’ve known me for 72 hours.
Jake:
36 of which we’ve spent together. Tomorrow we’ll be at the 96-hour mark.
Emma:
You’ll get that much, anyway. You get points for this little romantic stunt, especially considering you got into my panties on night one.
Jake:
And night two. You’re barely back in them in time for Judge Barnes.
Emma:
Yeah, well I wasn’t in any rush to kick you out. An unexpected fling with a hot, young, drifter, rock star isn’t the worst thing that’s happened to me.
Jake:
Good. I was thinking you could get off the train at Rosemont on the way home. Stay the night at my place.