Dinner, Sex and a Movie(19)

Emma (with regret):

Yes, I think. My poor, precious Pip.



She strokes his face. Jake closes his eyes. He is starting to turn against her.



Jake (making a last bid for her):

You can’t put conditions on love without it blowing up in your face. You love who you love. And that’s me. So deal with it.



Emma (sadly):

I’m sorry Jake. You’re never gonna be Him.



She continues to stroke his face.



Jake (after a minute, sharply):

Then get the fuck off my lap, bitch.



Emma looks at him and is frightened by what she sees.



Emma:

Jesus, you’re serious.



She gets up, followed by Jake. They square off. Emma is scared but has no intention of backing down.



Emma:

Jake, please. This is what it is. I’ll always have feelings for you.



Jake:

Feelings? What’s next, are you going to call me a “friend?” Go ahead! It’ll be the biggest lie of your life, but I want to hear you do it!



Emma:

Jake, please. We don’t have to hate each other.



Jake:

What am I supposed to be, happy?!



Emma:

You did this to yourself! I’ve been honest with you since moment one. You just didn’t want to listen.



Jake:

Maybe you should be honest with yourself sometime! You’d rather call yourself a whore than admit you’ve wanted to be with me since our phone call.



Emma:

You don’t have to hurt me!



Jake:

Why not?! You just used the most pain I’ve ever felt in my life as a reason to dump me! My chest is burning so bad I can’t breathe right now, and look at you! Nothing! Not a tear!



She turns away and starts grabbing up her things from about the room.



Jake:



You can’t even respond to that, you know its true!



Emma doesn’t look at him, just keeps getting ready to leave.



Jake:

That’s why you are alone at age thirty-five, Emma. Your perfect man might come someday, princess – but you are gonna run him off if he dares try to love you!



Emma:

Bastard!



Jake:

Look, she’s mortal!



Emma forces herself to maintain her composure.



Emma:

This is why I don’t get involved with kids!



Jake:

You should have hung up on me then!



Emma:

You shouldn’t have called!



Jake begins to respond but abruptly and strangely loses his will to fight, like a switch has been thrown. He stops himself and finally collapses on the couch with his face in his hands.





Jake (to himself, confused):

But I was meant to call her.



Emma stops in her tracks. It is unclear if she heard what he said. She is angry, but concerned.



Emma:

What?



Jake (after a moment, calmly and resolved):

You’re right. You told me on the train platform. I tried to make this something it isn’t. Now we’re done here.



Jake gets up and goes to his closet. He throws Emma a black sweater and beanie and gets out similar gear for himself.



Emma (looking at the black espionage gear):

Is this necessary?



Jake:

Yes.



Emma:

I don’t believe you.



Jake:

This is the last condition of our agreement.



They dress, Emma in protest.



Emma:

We look ridiculous.



He says nothing.



Emma:

So that’s it. You are just gonna freeze me out from here?



More silence.



Emma:

I’ve never been so many miles away from someone I was standing right next to.



Silence.



Jake:

Let’s get this over with.



End of Act Four.





Act 5: The Night Raid





Scene I:

Bryn Mawr Academy. Outside entrance to the music room.



Jake and Emma enter, sneaking through the bushes. They take position, one on each side of the door, backs to the wall, facing each other.



Jake nods at Emma. Emma nods at Jake. Jake reaches for his key – and pulls his empty pants pocket inside out. He then pats himself down searching for the key while Emma looks on in disapproval.



Jake steps out from the wall and in front of the door. He shrugs, turns, and rings the doorbell. Emma shrieks and jumps into the bushes while Jake waits for someone to answer.



The door opens after a minute and the custodian laughs when he sees Jake.



Brickman:

Well, well, well. Look what the cat dragged in.



Jake:

Hey, Brickman.



Brickman:

Hello Jake. (Nodding at the bushes) Who’s your lady friend?



Emma (emerging from the bushes):

You bastard.



Brickman:

Nice to see you, too.



Emma:

Not you – this jerk.



Brickman (looks at Jake):

She’s got you down. Nice to see you, Ma’am.



Emma:

I’m only thirty…two.



Brickman (smiling):

Yes ma’am. (To Jake) So what brings you here tonight?



Jake reaches in his sock and pulls out a key.