Dinner, Sex and a Movie(20)
Jake:
I forgot to give you this.
Brickman takes the key as Emma smacks Jake on the back of the head. HARD.
Emma:
Idiot!
Brickman:
She’s sure got you right.
Jake:
Mind if we take a look around one last time?
Brickman:
Knock yourselves out. Night, Jake. Night, Emma.
Brickman turns and walks off, leaving the door open.
Emma:
You may not live through this. Get in there.
Emma pushes Jake inside and follows.
Scene II:
The Music Room, as it was in Act One, except the lights are off.
Emma:
Oh my God.
Jake (disinterested):
What?
Emma:
He called me Emma.
Jake:
And?
Emma:
I didn’t tell him my name.
Jake:
Brickman remembers everyone who ever went through here.
Emma:
I don’t remember him.
Jake doesn’t respond. Emma appears perturbed. She eventually turns to looking about the room.
Emma:
Wow. This place hasn’t changed –
Jake (cutting her off):
Then you can take it from here. I’ve held up my end.
Emma (looking at him):
You’re leaving?
Jake:
Yep.
Emma:
That’s it?
Jake:
That’s it. Brickman’s down the hall if you need him.
He starts for the door.
Emma:
Enjoy your next city. Coward.
Jake (without looking back):
It was nice knowing you.
Jake walks out the door.
Emma looks around, forces a laugh as she walks over to the piano. After a minute she breaks down.
Emma:
Shit!
She collapses on the piano bench, crying.
Emma (gasping for air, composing herself):
Get ahold of yourself, damn it. You only knew him for a week, and you knew he was a disaster.
She loses it again.
Emma:
Now look at who the disaster is. As always. Two hours ago he was begging you not to leave. Now he’s gone. You wouldn’t even tell him you loved him because he doesn’t meet your magic formula. And you flat out killed him in the process. You could see it on his face. He wasn’t dying over her, he was dying over you.
Emma (sobbing):
I didn’t want this! Why can’t anything ever follow script, just once? What’s so bad about me?...I’m good looking, I’m intelligent, I’m successful…but somehow I can’t find an accomplished executive to take care of me?
Emma (chastising herself):
You find them all the time, Emma. And you can’t get along with them and they love their careers more than they love you. Why can’t you just accept someone that loves you in return? Why can’t that ever work?
Emma tries to regain her composure.
Emma:
Stop crying, you pathetic little girl. Now you can finally get rid of that damn number after all these years…(breaking down again) even though it’s the only thing you have left…a stupid, little girl’s dream! And how is that going to help now? It already did – and you passed him up because you were too scared to tell him you loved him!
She is reduced to sobbing, face down in her arms, on the keyboard.
Emma:
Dammit, dammit, dammit!
The lights come on.
Emma startles and pulls herself together. Jake is standing by the outside door, looking repentant.
Jake (softly):
Hey.
Emma stands up and throws the manuscript books on the piano at him. He just stands there.
Emma:
Did you enjoy watching me make a fool of myself?! You win, just like you wanted!
Jake:
I didn’t want this. Right now it looks like we’re both losers. I’ve been standing outside cursing myself since I walked out the door. I couldn’t even cross Route 30. I guess I’m too much of a coward to leave, too.
Emma:
Just go. This doesn’t work. You and me. We need to cut our losses.
Jake (looking her in the eyes):
Yes we do. Starting now.
He stands there.
Jake:
I didn’t have to treat you like that. I get stupid when I get hurt, and everything goes to hell. Fast.
Emma:
I don’t really blame you. I hurt you bad. I didn’t want to. I just have to get it right this time.
Jake:
Yes, you do. I’m not worth crying over. Like you said, I’m damaged goods. Nothing more.
Emma:
Then why are you still here?
Jake:
I went to the realtor’s Wednesday. I renewed my lease.
Emma (surprised, but guarded):
Another month in Bryn Mawr?
Jake:
Twelve, actually.
Emma:
Did you get a job?
Jake:
No. I have a job. I write songs.
Emma:
Why, then?
Jake (looking her in the eye):
You.
Emma starts crying again. He walks over to her. She backs away, into the piano bench.
Jake:
I was meant to call you.
Emma:
Stop it.