Closets - A Play

Act 1: Scene 5

Holly, Jeremy, Jenny, and Joe sit around a table, seemingly at a restaurant. They are all laughing and enjoying themselves.

Joe: So Jenny had to run to the post office and get the letter out of the postbox before it sent!

Light laughter from the table

Jenny: Where's Harold going tonight, Hol?

Holly: My mom took him to work with her.

Joe: Isn't your mom a domestic engineer?

Jeremy: What the fuck is that?

Joe: It's fancy talk for housewife.

Jenny: "fancy talk"? Joe, where the hell did you come up with that?

Light laughter from the table

Joe: I found it on the internet. But seriously, Holly. I thought your mom didn't have a job.

Holly: I thought so too, but apparently she has one. I don't know.

Joe: Maybe she's a hooker.

Jenny: Joe, would you stop it.

Jeremy: That would mean she took Harold with her to go hook up with a weird bald guy in his 50s.

Holly: That sounds way too specific.

Jenny: It's what he does on the weekends.

Jeremy: (sarcastically) Ha-ha, you guys.

Holly: She probably works at a Wal-mart or something, something to make ends meet.

Joe: That sounds depressing.

Jeremy: Yes, because working in a Wal-mart is so much worse than being a hooker.

Joe: Doesn't pay as well.

Holly: And you would know, how?

Joe: Common sense.

Jenny: (Changing the subject) Anyways, congratulations on the basketball game win, guys.

Holly: 56 to 24, it was awesome.

Joe: (Jokingly arrogant) Well what can I say, I'm amazing.

Jenny: (rolls her eyes and kisses Joe's cheek)

Jeremy: Well, now I feel neglected.

Holly: (copies Jenny's actions on Jeremy)

Jeremy: 'Atta girl

Holly: Speaking of Harold, he got in a huge fight with my dad this afternoon.

Jenny: What happened?

Holly: He didn't tell me everything, but Dad was apparently pissed Harold wouldn't turn on the TV.

Joe: Your dad was upset he didn't turn on the TV?

Holly: That's what I said! But I guess he was mad because Harold refuses to do anything with my dad in the room.

Jeremy: Damn. Harsh.

Jenny: Yeah, that's really intense. Have they been fighting a lot lately?

Holly: No, not really, I guess. They don't interact much, Dad's always at work.

Joe: Holly, your Dad's a teacher, he shouldn't be at work all the time.

Holly: He probably just likes grading papers in the classroom, rather than at home.

Jenny, Joe, and Jeremy can all tell something is up, but don't want to upset Holly. There is an awkward pause.

Jeremy: (puts his arm around Holly) You're probably right.

Jenny: (internally disagrees with what she's about to say) Yeah, that sounds reasonable.

Holly: Thanks, you guys.

Jeremy: Holly, can I talk to you? Outside?

Holly: Yeah? Sure I guess.

Jeremy: We'll be right back, guys.

Jenny: Alrighty.

The lights on the table dim, and Jeremy and Holly are standing under the light on the side of the stage.

Holly: Is everything okay?

Jeremy: Yeah of course, I'm just worried about you.

Holly: Worried about me? What the hell Jeremy, I'm fine.

Jeremy: You sure?

Holly: Of course I'm sure, why would I not be.

Jeremy: You just seem a little distant lately, and I wanted to make sure you were alright, and your voice mail was a tad jolting.

Holly: I was just frustrated at Harold, that's all, everything's okay. I swear.

Jeremy: (unconvinced) Okay, Holly. If you're sure.

Holly: I'm absolutely sure.

They get closer, and it seems they might kiss. Holly pulls away.

Holly: No.

Jeremy: No?

Holly: Not here, not right now, okay?

Jeremy: Did I do something wrong? I thought that was a special moment-

Holly: Just...not right now, okay? Please just trust me, it's not you. There's nothing wrong, ju--just not right now.

Jeremy: Sure, I get it.

Holly: Good.

Jeremy: Yeah

Holly looks at her feet, and Jeremy looks at her. They meet gazes and Holly looks back down. She is obviously conflicted.

Jeremy: Holly, I love you.

Holly stares at him, in shock.

Holly: Um...

Jeremy looks at her, waiting. Holly puts her hands behind her back and crosses her fingers.

Holly: I love you too.

Blackout