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Chapter Three
Lights come up on a small studio apartment with modern furniture, a kitchenette, and a Smart TV on the wall. MARTIN is having a hard conversation
with OLIVIA (25/30).
MARTIN
Olivia... I-I don't know what to say, I mean, I-I... I think, I think it's over... you and me... It's over...
OLIVIA
I've been waiting for that.
MARTIN
What?
OLIVIA
Yeah… since the first day, when we got into this place. I felt that something has gone away.
MARTIN
Olivia, we could solve these things without wounds.
OLIVIA
Right. Tell me, how would we do it without wounds?
MARTIN
Good sense, I think. With good spirit, we can fix it all. Help me make this.
OLIVIA
Lemme see if I figured out this shit... You wanna break up, and you're begging me to help you to be cool. Is that it?
MARTIN
We lost it. You know, it's over.
OLIVIA
Okay, okay... I got it. I got it… after a long time in hell, you come and say: I gotta go, we lost our life and all.
MARTIN
Things aren't as easy as you're saying.
OLIVIA
Gimme a break. What do you want? Aha, I know, I should let you walk all over me and cut me up into little pieces. Isn't that it?
MARTIN
You know, our life became a big mistake.
OLIVIA
(ironically)
Why? Explain to me, 'cause I still don't realize—
MARTIN
If you don't see what's going on here, I don't know what to say.
OLIVIA
I've been trying to keep our life normal, I mean, without losing my head.
MARTIN
Like that time that you left me in the hospital?
OLIVIA
What the fuck are you talking about?
MARTIN
Did you forget?
OLIVIA
I thought we already done with that all.
MARTIN
You had—
OLIVIA
Why are you throwing that shit in my face again?
MARTIN
Because... 'cause—
OLIVIA
You swore to me that you overcame all that—
MARTIN
But I couldn't.
OLIVIA
Man... you're a liar.
MARTIN
I've tried to be happy with you, but I couldn't get it.
OLIVIA
What a waste of a life, huh?
MARTIN
Sorry, Olivia.
OLIVIA
Sorry?
MARTIN
Sorry for all that— I-I don't have anything to say other than what I've already said.
(Silence)
OLIVIA
Are you seeing another woman?
MARTIN
No. No. You know, I'm not that kind of guy. There's no other woman. I just think that our relationship is over.
(beat)
Anyway, I'm looking for something new, something different, another thing, I don't know what it's like, but I know that I've got to go ahead. I
need a new beat.
OLIVIA
You're having a midlife crisis. I think it is so silly.
MARTIN
Olivia, not Paris, but we'll always have the hospital. I think that stuff will never be forgotten. It was the worst thing that happened to us.
OLIVIA
You have been content to play victim, huh? That's perfect for you! You were in the hospital because of a peptic ulcer and... and... and I went to a
girl's party… they were my best friends.
MARTIN
It meant a lot to me. It was your fault, kinda, you know, an unforgivable thing.
OLIVIA
You were fine... I didn't have anything to do.
MARTIN
Sorry... but I can't live with that crap. It's a shame! A wife that goes to a party and leaves her husband in the hospital...
OLIVIA
I got it. I got it. Gimme a break, huh? I've things to do... If it's over, then you can take all your shit and get out of here. Get out of my life.
Get out right now.
MARTIN
Alright, alright… my attorney will call you, you know, we have to make some decisions about Elliot.
OLIVIA
What're you talking about?
(beat)
You already have a lawyer?
MARTIN
You know, things like alimony, child support, you know, divorce stuff.
OLIVIA
Man... Have you been preparing for this shit?
MARTIN
I know, all these things are so hard... but we need to go for them.
OLIVIA
Yeah, yeah. I got it. That's right— I got it… but… but there's a thing that needs to be clear: forget about Elliott.
MARTIN
What the fuck is that?
OLIVIA
Elliott. Forget about him.
MARTIN
It's the law. What do you mean? He's my son! Did you lose your mind? I have my rights, Olivia.
OLIVIA
No, you haven't.
MARTIN
Olivia, we should solve all these issues like normal people.
OLIVIA
My son is my son.
MARTIN
Elliott is my son, too.
OLIVIA
I think not.
MARTIN
What're you talking about?
OLIVIA
Look, man. You will not take my kid.
MARTIN
Of course not. I just want to share custody.
OLIVIA
Never! I won't share my son.
MARTIN
No way... my attorney will call you... he'll handle all of that. If we will get to fight in court for a long time, that's okay for me.
(beat)
But you know that all these things will be hard for Elliot.
(Silence)
OLIVIA
If I say to you that Elliot isn't your son—
MARTIN
What sort of nonsense is that?
OLIVIA
If I would say this nonsense has a lot of sense, huh?
MARTIN
What?
OLIVIA
It's all true.
(Silence. Martin is digesting the news.)
MARTIN
Alright. I got it. Nice shot.
(beat)
What the hell is wrong with you? How could you do something like that?
OLIVIA
It's simple. You aren't the father of my son. If you want, you can do a DNA test.
MARTIN
I don't need that shit. Elliott is my son... I don't care if he was done by me or if he was made for me. He's my son and that's all.
OLIVIA
Do you want to know who's the father?
MARTIN
Olivia, you're sick. I gotta go. I don't wanna know anything. My lawyer will contact you soon.
(Martin is leaving)
OLIVIA
Your friend.
(Martin stops)
MARTIN
What?
OLIVIA
It was one of your friends.
MARTIN
You're crazy.
OLIVIA
Hall. The writer.
MARTIN
Who?
OLIVIA
The guy that writes these poor shows for television.
(The light changes. Later. HALL enters. He addresses Martin as if Olivia is not there. Olivia looks at
both.)
HALL
(To Martin)
I swear to you... I just got to know that years ago.
MARTIN
You're an asshole!
HALL
Sorry, man!
MARTIN
Sorry? Why did you do this shit to me?
HALL
I don't know... I had recently broken up with Natalie... I was feeling alone... Then she — Olivia — got on me... we've had a
talk-and-drink... and, and… it happened.
(The light changes. Some time in the past. Olivia talks to Hall as if Martin isn't there. Martin keeps looking at them both)
OLIVIA
We are both responsible.
HALL
It's not right... Martin is my friend...
OLIVIA
Then you should've avoided it.
HALL
And you?
OLIVIA
I was drunk... I wanted to go to home... but you had held me.
HALL
Oh boy! I don't know what to do.
OLIVIA
Neither do I.
(Silence)
HALL
Well, maybe we can solve everything with an abortion.
OLIVIA
What?
HALL
I don't see another way.
OLIVIA
Never... I'll never throw away my... my baby.
HALL
You know, I cannot accept this child. Natalie and I... we have some problems, and—
OLIVIA
You're a coward... a sonuvabitch coward...
(The light changes. Present time. Martin talks to Hall as if Olivia isn't there.)
MARTIN
You're a sonuvabitch!
(Martin punches Hall, who falls to the ground, but quickly gets up.)
(Martin punches Hall and again he fall.)
(Hall gets up. He goes to Martin. The two grapple and then roll over the floor.)
(Blackout.)
(Lights up on Hall and Olivia. He's sitting down. Olivia stands next to him. She is bandaging his wounds.)
OLIVIA
Where did you think you were? In a western movie?
HALL
Martin is an asshole... he hit me in the face... that sonuvabitch.
OLIVIA
If you had accepted our son... all this crap would be avoided.
HALL
I-I already said it to you...
OLIVIA
I know... it was because of her...
HALL
Olivia... I never would stay with you just because of a child.
OLIVIA
A child? It's your son.
HALL
I know... I know... I didn't want to say that. Sorry!
OLIVIA
That's okay... I don't care…
(Pause. Olivia breathes deeply.)
OLIVIA
I know I'll get into a tough fight with Martin because of Elliott. I know that from now on, my life will be in the courtroom, lawyer, judge and all.
(Blackout.)
(Some time in the past. Lights up on Martin. He's in the audition room.)
(MARGOT enters holding a paper in her hand.)
MARGOT
Hi. I'm Margot.
(Martin offers his hand.)
MARTIN
Martin.
(They shake hands.)
MARGOT
Nice to meet you.
MARTIN
It's my pleasure.
MARGOT
Hall sent me here to an audition.
MARTIN
Yeah. I'm the director… far away from Scorsese, but always Martin.
MARGOT
(smiles)
I'm so excited.
MARTIN
Me too. Have you studied the text?
MARGOT
Yeah... it's very intense.
MARTIN
Okay. Can we do it now? Are you ready?
MARGOT
Hum, hum.
MARTIN
Right. Let's go! Act One, Scene Five. Lady Macbeth enters reading a letter.
(Margot breathes deeply and begins as Lady Macbeth.)
MARGOT (LADY MACBETH)
They met me in the day of success: and I have learned by the perfectest report, they have more in them than mortal knowledge. When I burned in
desire to question them further, they made themselves air, into which they vanished. Whiles I stood rapt in the wonder of it, came missives from the king…
(A woman enters and speaks in Martin's ear. He gets worried and interrupts Margot.)
MARTIN
(to Margot)
Sorry. We have to stop.
MARGOT
What?
MARTIN
I gotta go... my wife's going in labor.
MARGOT
Oh! It's so nice!
MARTIN
Someone will contact you, right?
MARGOT
Okay... good luck!
MARTIN
Thanks!
(Blackout.)
TO BE CONTINUED
The next chapter: The Story of Lomar.
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