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This - Melissa James Gibson

Jane is not okay. She's a promising poet without a muse, a single mother without lessons to pass along. Her dating life's in shambles, and her helpful friends are only helping make things more complicated. This bright, witty, un-romantic comedy captures the uncertain steps of a circle of friends backing their way into middle age.

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Angelé Price-Maddah
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We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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2K views71 pages

This - Melissa James Gibson

Jane is not okay. She's a promising poet without a muse, a single mother without lessons to pass along. Her dating life's in shambles, and her helpful friends are only helping make things more complicated. This bright, witty, un-romantic comedy captures the uncertain steps of a circle of friends backing their way into middle age.

Uploaded by

Angelé Price-Maddah
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF or read online on Scribd
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By MELISSA JAMES GIBSON DRAMATISTS PLAY SERVIC INC, (CHARACTERS JANE — Caucasian, chirey-cght MARRELL — Afvcan-Ametican thiny-cight TOM — Cauctsian, ey fortes ALAN — Jewish oy JEAN-PIERRE — French, lat chris [About the Language: Th lin beaks, internal capitalizations and Jack of punctuation in genera ae intended as guidelines to the haraie though poceser, in terms of emphasis, pater, and fhythms they shuld be honoved, bur shoal not feel enslaing “When fine indented, indicates a continuation ofthe previous Tne When tees no indentation, i indiaesa line break. When 3 forwaad ssh C1) appeae within the diiogue, ic indicates ha he ‘neat line dhould begin, cresting an ovelap with che previo ne. THIS Maarellend Tams ling room, afer the diner part ofthe ‘dome pare. ALAN (Wading int he rom) Yes ne TOM JANE MARRELL (Zo Tom.) Sib TOM Jane JANE Nor Jane ‘TOM Come on Jane JANE Jane es tere ides ALAN Come On Jane JANE [ MARRELL (Bs Ale.) Sos Tha sports and games ALAN ALAN & TOM E (he oben) Was are we ying to ge er t0 do 1 did’ know you hated spores TOM JANE ra So we go that stalghtened out I JANE MARRELL, r done want 16 DID YOU WAKE THE BABY ALAN ‘MARRELL ALAN t Fell be fun No but I bet you just di E (1s Alon) Where were you TOM ALAN (To Marl) Keep you voice down (fo Marl) The bathroom (To fine) Yosv Being Closed Minded TOM MARRELL Jane youl ove dis game Keep Your voice down Tom ALAN & JANE JANE Jane hates gees ‘The ules ae over my head : TOM ToM E Bes spor ‘Thee Simple b (fs Marvel siulencouly ith ber) AN keeping my voice dows : MARRELL Did you poe MARRELL (Simaianesly with Tom.) Keep Your Voice Down, i JANE | (To Tom) ean! Yon not TOM | Tell her the rales are simple Alan I ALAN f (To Marl) What ALAN ‘The rules ae segle | MARRELL i id you wake him JANE | "No they Sound simple which means i 7 teVee not ALAN (Fs Tam.) Whe ze the ules Tas in dhe bathroom TOM You leave the room We make up 28017 ‘You come back Yous us quetions to ty eo fguse out the story Simple JANE have wo get home MARRELL (Covered vie) Jean Pier hase even arrived To) (Going at her wach, lowered woe) Ise ate TOM sa quick game MARRELL (CLowrrd vie) He ced He was suck at a fundraiser He promised co male it fora drink ALAN Ean [put on some music JANE {promised Maude babyster MARRELL (Alen, How many ines do Ihave tell you ToM (Ts Alen) She just got the baby down (Jane) So how about it Jane JANE ‘Why dost you do icTom TOM (jane) Lease ALAN ‘All hese funny expressions Jase Goe The Baby Down Te ike the Baby's depressed or ‘or like youve Bally succeded in opprestng he baby Thuee Goc The Baby Down Jest Got The Baby Down MARRELL ‘Do you think there ze too maay toys in this room TOM -Eveyone kes changing the subject Cimon Jane JANE (To Tom) lead sid I chink you shouldbe the one ro pay he me TOM Tenet (Sinan wich Maral Is my game MARRELL (Simudiansuly sith Tom) Wis bis game (Che doorbell rng, Marvel and Tom iromediaely rn tthe bed om daon expecting ain Marl gern aner the rane door On ° the way the doar 0 Tom.) ‘What Happened To The Pease Knock Sign TOM tefl dows MARRELL ‘Why did you spe ic back up TOM T ar ging to but he baby sated crying on my wayro/ she ape (MARRELL (she sues the doo) Jean Pete (The bs el, on both hers) Fm so glad you made ic Did someone le you in downstairs JEAN-PIERRE JRlady with a ca Tm srry T's late MARRELL AR oie bere You're here This my husband Tom This our {ken Alan snd (With nde 0 mach emphasis) ‘This Our Dea Friend Jane JEAN-PUERRE Helo TOM & JANE [Nice toraet you! Hello ALAN ‘Sonodeencouly wih the above) didn get Dea Friend (2 Jen) Ded you orice thar MARRELL (Jeon ioe) Let me ake your coat JANE (Alen) No MARREL (Jean Pior.) What would you ik ro dink ALAN ‘There noching lef MARRELL ‘whic “The wing Thebes gone A just led cha ld bs exited baby formula f Drambuie you keep nent 0 the ‘MARRELL need o make a signa reminder siga I keep renning to throw that out JEAN-PIERRE Theought some wine ALAN vy MARRELL ‘Ae you hungry JEAN-PIERRE, No chank you Tim fine MARRELL Tom could yu, pou Jean-Pere a ghss of wine JEAN-PIERRE ‘Acualy water would be gest ALAN ewe be Pape dete anally A sce Deke SESEMET aa aed RRELL MARRETE pour Jar Tee sd gas of wa les Clone) Fo ee pge Ponuncing ili res with Ri Ero ian IAN gt ie ye wit ebay ght ak Bin aaa, (the fi Ba (ia ie) STs ae pase Rie Mat ALAN (Tom) De you sy Brita or Breta JEAN-PIERRE ‘Youte the poet TOM (Fs Alen doa NE andre es pot te das Andie ManRett . SAN mer Dont be ode 2 JANE Tin an aMAZing tandardiaed tre proctor ‘OM (Gike “ite 71 think ea Brita Morel MARRELL Think if my water thing Tom so I can calle whaeees ALAN ‘Do you chink ie Brea ora Brees MARRELL Leave Jean-Pirealo ALAN Twas hoping ro ge the European perspective JEAN-PIERRE (ete “Rita dated 2 gil name Brita once aceualy MARRELL (Alan Se Las ihe ALAN (Like "Riva You kaew he date gil eamed Bria once TOM We were about to ply a game ALAN (Jean Pere) Was she wel-by dred MARRELL [Not now Tom Jean-Pit just go here TOM (To Mare, repaning the Brite.) 1 donit wink tha fers been changed i about 2 year MARRELL (2) Whar JEAN-PIERRE, Te must be hard so each poetry Easy scully beans impossible MARRELL, Fats nor fanny’ Tom Thats one of your Only Jobs Isitoo mach depend on you to change th TOM Thelive i ep water JEAN-PIERRE . (a fee) Who ae your favorites, JANE, 0) Poets JEAN-PIERRE Ye JANE ‘Oh you know Stevens Rich Oliver Done snd bunch of mach mre obscure people ws raid “ JEAN-PIERRE [wish [had more ime to read for plese MARRELL i lke an open invitation to bacteria ALAN (Fa Merrell fishing «gles of water) | did't know dat (Slight pase) MARRELL Jean-Pere a docor (Wich emphas.) Withour Borers ALAN T always think hat sounds ike he doctor has a messy personal if JEAN-IERRE Thacsfequenty the case accealy TOM Tina cabinctmakerwithour borders ALAN (ng a bees he wine nd pours bil) Bat mean font you Bate tha question JANE ‘Whar question ALAN. ‘The What Do You Do quertion “Why do you need to know whae {do Beeuse you dont ely mean What Do You Do what you rally How Much Money Do You Make and [Do You Make More Money Thaa I Do and (Gould You Psibly Be OF Use To Me AT Consinue On My Pah ‘Of Attempting To Make More Money and relly the ‘Whar Do You De question ijust shortcut the unspoken rank 15 t k pesonal stations 2¢ all ing sytem tha’ ging oni ali ‘har Do You Do Tile you What | Do ee ted sec and {jk of wih an Omni ene Iman THATS What | Do Te eee a Alm ker ep of win ra Pi ene nb Fe ks the eller ID) JEAN-PIERRE, Peas eenPere move overated of the phone In French) Ont, ab , Oe i apply ume Bare denies ns Pa eat La gee os maxes Ta dt 008 (ule ant Ting Sur One Armia eerie Cat bin a gue as ih Oe fons Cs slants danimasx Cts (is evee a dai des fe os on at Da de ile Conn ls Mons Hania a ihe ae band in prom ece we PE Ast pari i Bob ‘find qu t paves Bob ‘Beep ont xy de pre dan ic equ pales Bob pare OF ide een Compe sada One fre ft le Cable de eign ar SPI Sen ts ob a I at tie i de ae prone "ro de es and aces rent conte cei comp Fae glee ds qu ars pat Bob even pe jee 1 called me an hour and aa ago Whats hans no Mar Tis ine very bad Did 700 86 7 Dad you sy they Bred On An Ambulance Yes dey di You sid yes Ty av vas Tis oa ais was #6 85 nd 6 They lobed in he ee and il No Vike Tverd aera pnd band Adou promi me ths wold Eavegos eed to Bob eu nced ko Bob Body wld vente he DP camp Olay a ao eb ea See ei aragns Wee going hve (shu dows bh ne ti oer ot Sey see ‘ aad nest hese te hey wil oo yo tar wall and pecially out pens tay al me ar gout Bob Belo ow i Bae hag pte Els eal ‘Sorry “ MARRELL (Don ory oben it) Please (Sli pasce) ALAN Maybe you should «al them back Thc ofthe pseu sce French word lt ging Fo econ ny eat Man ie ion ent one.) ” a “ ‘ TOM Time forthe game “Time for you to Teve the soom Jone JANE ‘Tom Tad you | don want vo play TOM cba fxmoving ge JANE (Giving in and gabbing ber coat) ffx pulang on tay cont and Tm leaving inter minus "7 i Even if the game’ nt over 1 Promised Maude’ Babysier MARRELL (one) Dose pu on your coat, ToM Jas leave the oom and well make up ox S007 JANE ‘Where sould go cleave the room MARRELL The bedroom I guess / Oh no ‘TOM & MARRELL [Not The Bedroom (Bee) ‘tho seeps Been- inate incremens (Si Lng emits slp-iprised mater engh) Sure shay A baby doce sean you life stops We sil have din- ‘er ptes ToM G19 Marrll) We do MARRELL ‘Wel tis sour se actully bus well probably make chi week thing ALAN GREAT I'm Free For All Forescable Weeks (MARRELL & TOM shih JANE Twat in dhe all TOM & MARRELL. Okay JANE “When do I come back in TOM Wel all you ere lave) MARRELI (To exm Bere) else gee TOM (Tis the French guy) Have you ove played this game Piet JEAN-PIERRE. JesoPiere No TOM & MARRELL, ‘Whar JEAN-PIERRE MARRELL Oh TOM Tees grea game JEAN-PIERRE Gre Are you sue she want wo play TOM [Do people al you anything for shox, JEAN2TERRE ke what ToM P a MARRELL [im ghd to hear chat JEAN-PIERRE lor do you people know eachother MARRELL Ala and Jane and I wen o college togeth ‘And Tom was there too actualy ToM She meant I worked here JEAN-PIERRE ‘Whe TOM ar thecallege ‘mowed te ny MARRELL hate ic wen you make sac joke TOM sno joke MARREL Yeicis [Resome kind of horcicuhurl lish socioeconomic joke ALAN (Ob maa J Hace horiculearal ssh socioeconomic jokes ToM (GB Jean Pere) The good fortune exabarcsss them ALAN You spent more ime in the library eh Tdi Tan TOM 1 was quite happy co beter myselby inhaling thee privileged or bon dioade MARRELL ‘Thae sounds so biter / why do you sound so biter OM Ta not biter Ym graf (15 oan Pere) Though ce ivy Tet my wie MARRELL (Jean Pere) The four of us have known each othe forever ALAN “That sounds bleak Mace MARRELL (Ponting scot he rom) ‘where dd that plank come from ToM “That noe plank Martell That Blick maple MARRELL ‘Why ise here TOM Thm ging 9 we ifr something (Sight pase) MARRELL 7 T gues Fn sor of begging you Tom that pike you bring say move sings youte Going To Use For ‘Something into our hone you Ges seal che dings you Gong To Use For Something chat are already here (tig pase) JEAN-PIERRE. ‘So do we male up a story now ALAN Ys Whack our story TOM What MARRELL (Oh Right Here's the ching TOM There a0 sory JEAN-PIERRE, Though you std we make up a sony MARRELL Thats us what you say TOM ‘Phas wha the perso’ supposed 0 thi Thats pat of be fa MARRELL [Rs confising until you do ic bur i fn We played it one nigh a3 fend’ howe ALAN @) Was eat Deas Fiend’ house MARRELL Cgorng Alen) This was before we ha the baby TOM ‘Thats the game ALAN 1 doce gc TOM “Thee noting not get Thetehe gm ‘Thermo ory MARRELL ‘Thats the poine is fsa ineesing poychologicl ex the player writes ee own ory MARRELL Thi oe fin and funny ALAN Jane could use some fanny fan TOM Janell be JEAN TERRE {2) Bt she thinks we've made up a story TOM Ye ALAN (Locking srough she cupboards) Fee re yo dont have anything ee thats nor wine ro dink ‘MARRELL No ALAN No yout noc ae MARRELL Um lured ne) Lshough you were cttng back ALAN fn lore tne) Wess in the planing ages She Tooke sad MARRELL @) ane [Because ie only been year ALAN a etme indian Jon Per,) So why ae you sting her “e MARRELL {Lovee tones) Tm nosing her up ALAN ‘over sone) Mae, MARREL (Covered ion) Because is been a whole year ers ap a ood sete im Het ete igarete) JEAN-PIERRE Tia cory 1 shoul have aed Yen so used co being in pace where eveyone smokes Tom ‘Wall our infant son i ying to kick nzotine 50 MARRELL Tom Tm sone Jean Pere ould make = ign TOM ‘How many sigs do you chink we should have inthe apartment Masel JEAN PIERRE Tim sory (nec om the deo) JANE (Fram off) Can re bak inside yer TOM (Galing 1 Jone Yor ALAN (Calling 0 Jone) Fi Jane TOM (Cling tJene) No Nai (Ts the people in he room) Di I explain he eles MARRELL & ALAN No TOM she aks a question the ends in a vowel we sy No Ide aks a question tha end in a consonant we sy Yex she ake a question that ends in a Y we xy maybe JEAN-PIERRE, Vowel Yer Conzonans No Y Maybe ALAN (Corstng Jeon Pier) Other way around Vowel No Ganson Yes Y Maybe TOM Fight Tha i “ees hgh te ot dr) axe Xr wna ero ALAN (2) The miperinense one JEAN-PIERRE @) Theat ALAN ‘The neighbor Shes fone of thoee people youl rather elk about than co Estee - Sur she's very desing person because jsc when youve write cen her of shel suddenly tell you your sweater ely ete ALAN She an ei genius MARRELL So wha did you tell her JANE Tamed apd nodded MARRELL You nodied So now Ihave to fed her cat in addition to feeding our baby Tom ‘Uh are you equating ¢ ro responsibies Mare JANE ida sy yes I jue aie and nodded ALAN ‘Well non-comitally done Jane JANE (Cooking a her wach) Thaak you So Tm jus supposed costar asking questions TOM Ubu JANE ‘Are you ging tell ne when MARRELL Just sare TOM Whit Did we ll you tharyou can only ask Yes or No questions ALL (exept JANE) Mjte ave i xe JANE EP try abou woman k aun You an only ak Ys o No questions ALL (ecep JANE b te k JANE E Realy Taxes co axe Sos abou anand x woman ' TOM E Wat ‘ALL (except JANE) F te ane I j (2) Tiss then game JANE, t {that cit Olay do : MARRELL ‘ey know exch other E i jun I | ALL (cpt JANE) | Jane Ye | Slt sing | fieany el JANE i ALL Ceepe JANE) 7 r (rhogh maps ay igi dele) ALL (exept JANE) k Hy , k | JANE JANE ft i uy arte me i il ay aout man f A cept JANE) i | ALL ocr JAN te k / ave q ras eee i Sty | in ALL i Abo 1 aly Yes ALAN (Aadrmoniching) Weee you lieing a the door JANE Jose lucky T guess Would they like wo know exch other ALL (except JANE) Maybe JANE @) Theyre not sue ALL (ecepe JANE) Ne JANE (Oris one of them unawae of the station ALL (exept JANE) Ye JANE Teeth man ALL (exept JANE) Ye JANE ‘So the man doetn know about the woman’ Fedlings ALL (excepe JANE) Ye JANE ‘Am I especially good st this game ALL (except JANE) No JANE, Otay ub isthe man matted ALL (exepe JANE) Yer JANE, All ight Is che woman marred ALL (exept JANE) Ye JANE ean believe yous don hin I'm god at this game Eoeryme, xp Aan, gs that ths elle gueton) ALAN No JANE (Okay so che woman is he ‘mari! um happy ALL (excepe JANE) Maybe JANE ‘Thats confising And she araced to thir other man AL (excep JANE Ye JANE, hay Wel does her spouse know abou his wil atzacion oa tied man ALL (exept JANE) Ye JANE, Does tis bother er spouse a No (excepe JANE) JANE Ise exsoedinarly mare ALL (except JANE) No JANE He counds evolved ALL (exept JANE) Ye JANE Het evolved bus nox marae Tha sem contradicony ALL (excep JANE) Maybe JANE Maybe isdunds ike yourall going xy on this woman I sounds ike she should pay more atzenuon wo her husband instead of Faas ing about this oter guy ALL (exept JANE) Maybe TOM Thee yes oF no questions JANE Sorry sts woman oventy ALL (exept JANE) b Maybe E JANE Tse thicy AL (excepe JANE) Maybe JANE Yeu not giving me yes or no answers Yo not aking any sense Isabeticgpfve ALL (exept JANE) No JANE Teh Frey ALL (cept JANE) Maybe JANE, Stop ee she thigh, ALL (ecepr JANE) Ye ‘Wal a minate ls her husbund alive ALL (exept JANE) No (Sigh pate) I JANE Is thir woman someone we know ALL (exept JANE) Yeu JANE Someone we know very well ALL (exept JANE) Yer JANE Someone in this room ALL (except JANE) Ye JANE Someone called ‘wham called ALL (eet JANE (Sigh pause) JANE, Ts thie supposed tobe Fenny ALAN (Before be undertands it ral quesion,) Maybe (Sig pause Jone ges wp 0 eave) ‘TOM Where ate you going JANE Home -MARRELL Dont go Jane TOM (Ping grab ber arm) No no leas just 2 game Jane! There wis no ory You made cup yourself ej afan gine (CPanceazng the above afer Jee get.) Jane Jae Jane JANE (oh ga er bag ets ur) How Many Times Do Ihave To Tall You Jhne Hates Games, ALAN Yes The nest day The haley ouside of Janes aparomen. She wer the door, Dee the sound of pia pacing the ‘ecko TOM of) So JANE ‘Whar TOM Sonry JANE, Olay SEIT Tom Areyou JANE Seay TOM (Chering) Okay JANE 1 dori fe ike talking Tom TOM lewat supposed co be fan would eer uh intentionally JANE (Casing bm off) Maude’ pricing nd Fim in the mide of something TOM Sony JANE ‘No its good for me co be in the middle of something I usally never ge past the beginning of something thee days 30 you Ienow ToM ‘This is harder than I thought JANE “Apologixing ‘Tom Talking to you JANE {Good because T don want yu to spologe anymore ‘TOM I choughe you were going sy tlk wo me JANE What rOM That you ddat want oll co me anymore JANE Tm jared of Tm Soery In general I fe all Ie head fs st year Tin cranky Tim sorry ToM Did you say that asa joke JANE [No They nccessny bile words Tm Sor Jus ike Please and ‘Thank Your jus like Please and Thanke You Ym Soy gets tld you kaa TOM Did he atch up with you JANE Whe TOM ‘The Doctor Wihous Borders, JANE (2) Jean Pie trl met the subway ‘Tom id you know you were Being / se ip JANE Tew Mactell wanted me so meee im Tom ToM 1 dda know you were being se up Be with someone I wat ing wo ty JANE ‘Why should you know JANE Hed ice he sere nee i TOM i Bens ie my TOM bom He seems French fon JANE oe eis Peach (Storeng to le the door.) I Marelll se her romorrow ToM (Befring 0 what Mendes playing) Vknow this 00g, TOM JANE He not your ope Breen knows hin ™ . JANE Tom What ny ype “What do you think of him TOM JANE Hes aot ike Roy (2) Bach JANE Tom Hes noe lack you mean The doce OM No hace no what T mea JANE (Apologizing) See Tm so cranky tbe anybody’ ype Bonu you deserve to (She ies to lth dor again) JANE, ‘ToM (2) ave se again ‘Were you thinking about me you were ging 7 ANE What TOM Inthe game JANE T doa want total abour the game TOM Tia sory JANE Scop Apoogisng TOM 1 dons know what Yin saying JANE You and Marell ae vied When cheye not making you happy babies make «person Ite ToM i was jealous JAN OF the baby ‘Tom The bordedes dector Bectate he French TOM No JANE Because he's docor ToM No JANE case he doesn have borders TOM Because he as access you JANE Thats so uh sily TOM Twanted o ral you someshing JANE (Chasing she door) Good sight Tom TOM ve wanted co rel you something for along ine Sight pease) JANE done wane you to TOM Why JANE dont know Good nighe Tom Why JANE Because I donc quite know wha yout taking about iy what Ym not quiz talking about 4 JANE, have to go asiga grader ro ceative wating TOM You have invaded my pryehe Jane JANE, Siopit/ Stop tis JANE Sep this"Tom ToM Tim srry about the game / Wale Waie JANE sToP ir TOM [chink our yu Jane You invade perfectly benign thoughts all he time Tih be buying bread eying 19 Sgue out the optimal number of tains and here you wil be with Your hand casping the back. f your neck lot in hough JANE Inyour bread Tor TOM Ta my bead jane ‘There youl be standing with your hand on your hip and your ‘eunehed-up smile and Think sbout how I vane touch you Trtch you Ive ben wneching you foryeats and Tim nor stupid [know im going through something and | know its party adjusting co having a eld and nothing wil be amend [know ies garcly the set of my close-but never 2

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