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ACT 1
SCENE 1
(Brad enters from kitchen with a coffee mug in one hand and manila
files in the other. He hunts for and finds his briefcase as he calls
to the second floor bedroom door which has been left ajar.)
BRAD.
Felicia! Darling I’m running late. Are you out of bed yet?
(Felicia mutters something unintelligible from the bedroom.)
BRAD.
Yes dear, I know. And I promise that I won’t forget. In the
meantime, have you seen my large briefcase? I can’t seem to find it
anywhere down here.
(More mumbling from bedroom.)
BRAD.
That’s right, I completely forgot. Could you —-
(A briefcase flies out of the bedroom down to the floor.)
BRAD
Thank you.
(More mumbling by felicia then she pokes her head just out of the
door.)
BRAD.
I won’t forget tonight, I promise. What are you doing for lunch?
FELICIA.
(Coming out onto the landing.) Mumble-mumble. Ariana.
BRAD.
I thought so. Why don’t you meet me for lunch?
FELICIA.
I don’t think so dear.
BRAD.
Ah, you’re awake.
FELICIA.
Yes, I’m awake. Don’t you look handsome this morning. Have a
luncheon date do you?
BRAD.
I’ve just been turned down by my wife. I have to go.
FELICIA.
What about a goodbye kiss. Don’t forget tonight. Cocktails at six.
I’ve got the entire evening planned.
(Descending the stairs. She plants a big wet one on him.)
Keep that with you during your meeting.
BRAD.
I think you need a cold shower. And I’m leaving before I do.
Good-bye dear. (He exits.)
FELICIA.
(Wrapping her arms around herself.) You devil you. (She turns and
exits into the kitchen.)
(The phone rings.)
FELICIA. (O.S.)
Hello. Well good morning to you too.
FELICIA.
(Entering with coffee and a portable phone.) What time did you get
out of bed?—- Well you had better get a move on.—- We have a date.
Or have you forgotten?—- Of course we have time before lunch. If
you hurry.
SCENE 2
(3:00 PM; same day. Felicia and Ariana enter from bedroom.)
ARIANA.
Luncheon specials, it’s hard to imagine anything more satisfying.
FELICIA.
(Crossing to the sound system.) You are the quirkiest girl. What
would you like to hear? And no “Bolero”.
ARIANA.
Of course not, though there is a time and place for every thing.
FELICIA.
And anything?
ARIANA.
I don’t have a preference right now.
(Felicia crosses to stereo turns it on. “Rhapsody in Blue”)
ARIANA.
Are we still on for dinner Tuesday night?
FELICIA.
Yes. Just one hitch.
ARIANA.
Hitch?
FELICIA.
Bradley is not going out of town and he’s invited some one.
ARIANA.
Now! That might prove interesting.
FELICIA.
A friend from his office.
ARIANA.
How boring. Those people are all so utterly boring. Who is it? Like
anything from the fridge?
FELICIA.
Diet anything.
ARIANA.
Don’t know how you can drink that stuff. (Exits to kitchen.)
FELICIA.
He didn’t say who and I don’t care, so I didn’t ask. One bore is as
boring as another.
ARIANA. (O.S.)
Maybe I’ll just beg off.
FELICIA.
And leave me to suffer alone. Not on your life.
ARIANA.
After all the dinners I’ve had to sit through and all those boring
people. Not to mention those non-alcoholic cocktail parties, with
those boring people and their boring wives….
FELICIA.
(Speaking loud enough to be heard over music.) I can’t hear you. Not
a word. Not a word of what you’re saying, can I hear.
(Phone rings. Felicia answers.)
FELICIA.
Brad, darling.—- Just got in the door. How was lunch?—- Oh, mine
was just finger licken’.—- What? Hold on a sec. (Turns volume
down.) I had the music up too loud as usual. Now, what were you
saying?—- Not again darling. Every time I plan a quiet evening at
home alone, just the two of us, if you get my drift, something comes
along to spoil it.
(Ariana returns with two glasses. Felicia cups receiver.)
FELICIA.
Your brother. (Into phone.) Now that just isn’t fair. I know but
—- Well if you must, you must. No, I’m not angry. Just
disappointed, that’s all. Yes, well, see you tonight. Bye.
ARIANA.
More late meetings?
FELICIA.
Meeting my ass! That bastard, you’ll excuse the expression, brother
of yours, husband of mine has something going. I just know it. He’s
too damned happy for my money.
ARIANA.
So he’s getting a little on the side. I thought all men did that.
FELICIA.
They probably do but who cares if it’s someone else’s husband.
ARIANA.
Soooo; Big bad Bradley won’t be coming home till late. We’ve already
done lunch. What do you say to a little dinner treat. (Heading up
the stairs undressing as she goes.)
FELICIA.
(Changing the disc in the CD player. “Bolero.” Then following Ariana
picking up her things.) A time and place for everything.
ARIANA.
And anything.
(The music fades slowly.)
END SCENE 2
SCENE 3
(That Tuesday evening. Brad and Taylor enter from dining room.)
BRAD.
Care for another drink?
TAYLOR.
Only if you’re having one. (Sotto voce.) With all the things you and
Felicia do together. The skiing, boating, travel. How do you find
the time?
BRAD.
Time?
TAYLOR.
Between work, travel, a home life and?
BRAD.
And?
TAYLOR.
You know. The other one.
BRAD.
Other One?
TAYLOR.
The girl?
BRAD.
Oh, you mean Ruth?
TAYLOR.
Yes. Ruth? That’s her name? So how do you?—-
BRAD.
I manage. It’s not easy. But I manage.
FELICIA. (O.S.)
We’ll be done in a minute.
BRAD.
Soo! What do you think? (Pointing to the cigar in Taylor’s hand.)
TAYLOR.
This is an excellent cigar.
BRAD.
I have a secret supply.
TAYLOR.
Really?
BRAD.
Here you go. (Handing Taylor his drink.)
TAYLOR.
Thank you. If you don’t mind my asking? Just where, do you get
them?
BRAD.
It’s not really a big deal. Do you know Tom Runyan, the actuary?
TAYLOR.
Don’t think I do.
BRAD.
He belongs to some exclusive cigar club or something. If you’re
interested I’ll talk to him.
TAYLOR.
Right now I’m more interested in how you manage the thing with Ruth.
And where on earth did you find her?
BRAD.
One of Ariana’s friends.
TAYLOR.
Are you sure Felicia doesn’t suspect?
BRAD.
She’s too busy with her own social world, doesn’t have a clue.
TAYLOR.
Is Ruth, oh, I don’t know, comfortable with, you know?
BRAD.
I know what?
TAYLOR.
That you’re married.
BRAD.
I guess she is but you see she knows that I love her.
TAYLOR.
You love her? What about Felicia?
BRAD.
I doubt it. I don’t think she even knows the girl exists. Just
kidding.
TAYLOR.
You do love your wife, don’t you?
BRAD.
Of course I do. I just love them both.
TAYLOR.
How can you love two women at the same time?
BRAD.
Are you kidding? I could love five women at the same time if they
would all cooperate.
TAYLOR.
What do you think would happen if she found out?
BRAD.
That’s another reason to keep it to one mistress.
TAYLOR.
Why is that?
BRAD.
You can always confess to falling to temptation once. Fall on the
sword as it were and beg forgiveness, promise never to fail her again
and worm your way out of it. It’s possible that she’ll forgive.
TAYLOR.
And forget?
BRAD.
Felicia? She will never forget. She might forgive one but never a
harem.
FELICIA. (O.S.)
You boys be patient. We’re almost finished in here.
BRAD.
We’re fine. Take your time. (Changing the subject again.) Why
don’t we go out on the terrace? Enjoy the view. The smoke.
Felicia doesn’t like the smell in the apartment. We can finish our
drinks out there.
(As the men exit to terrace’ The women enter.)
FELICIA.
Be a dear and help me clear these hors d’oeuvre trays. Taylor seems
nice. Don’t you think?
ARIANA.
He may prove to be boring in the future but I’d be willing to—-
FELICIA.
You are a barracuda. Do you know that?
ARIANA.
Now don’t you tell me that you wouldn’t go skinny dipping in the Plaza
fountain if he asked you.
FELICIA.
Just help me clear this stuff into the kitchen before they come back
in. And get your mind out of the underwear drawer.
ARIANA.
Easy for you to say, you’ve already got a man of your own.
FELICIA.
I’m just not so sure he’s all mine alone.
ARIANA.
Temper, temper.
(They exit to kitchen as Brad and Taylor enter.)
BRAD.
Let me freshen that for you. Or perhaps a cognac?
TAYLOR.
Cognac sounds good to me. I tell you it’s no wonder you married that
lady. She sure can throw a feast together. And those mushrooms, they
could have been a meal in themselves.
BRAD.
Here you go. How about some music?
(He turns on system and “Bolero” fills the room.)
TAYLOR.
An interesting selection in after dinner music. I would have thought
you’d save that for later,—-
(Ariana enters the room and fakes a swoon.)
TAYLOR.
when every one’s gone home. Now look what you’ve done.
ARIANA.
Don’t change it. I’ll bet Felicia will just go wild.
FELICIA.
(Entering the room as if shot out of a cannon.) Must you play—-
(Sees everyone else and freezes.) that, so loud?
ARIANA.
That’s probably so it can be heard in the bedroom.
FELICIA.
You! Oh, never mind.
(Brad turns the volume down.)
FELICIA.
What an interesting selection, dear.
TAYLOR
That’s what I said.
BRAD.
I didn’t select it. It was already in the machine.—-
(All direct knowing glance toward him and then at one another.)
BRAD.
However it got there, it’s there. So. Does any one have a request?
ARIANA.
This could turn into an interesting evening.
BRAD.
(Turning the music off.) No it won’t little sister. Isn’t it about
time you toddled off home and to bed? Excuse me. Scratch that last
remark.
ARIANA.
Love you too, Bradley. Taylor, going my way? I could use a lift.
BRAD.
(Giving her an affectionate brotherly kiss on the cheek.) Taylor and
I have a few things to kick around. Now be a good little girl and
scoot.
TAYLOR.
Well, the least a gentleman can do is see you down in the elevator and
safely into a cab.
FELICIA.
(Signaling Ariana.) Bradley, you’re the host. It’s your obligation
to see your guests out.
ARIANA.
That’s right, brother mine. Come show your little sister to a cab.
It’ll give us a couple of minutes alone to reminisce.
BRAD.
Very well. Come on kid, let’s go.
(Putting his arm around her in friendly embrace. They exit as Ariana
blows a kiss to Felicia.)
ARIANA.
Nytol.
FELICIA.
Get you another? (Moving close to Taylor and putting her hand around
his hand and his glass.)
TAYLOR.
Not right at the moment, thanks.
FELICIA.
Get you anything else? (Moving closer to him.)
TAYLOR.
Like what?
FELICIA.
Like me. (Kissing him gently on the lips.)
TAYLOR.
That was unexpected. I mean I never thought,—
FELICIA.
That I am very much attracted to you? Have the hots for you?
TAYLOR.
Or anyone. I thought, —-. I’m not sure what I thought.
(Felicia crosses to sound system and starts Bolero again.)
FELICIA.
Don’t think. Do!
TAYLOR.
This is not any thing I was prepared for. Not that I don’t find it
intriguing.
(She embraces him.) )
FELICIA.
But is it necessary to advertise? Brad is probably on his way back
already.
FELICIA.
(Kisses him then quickly moves away.) You want to think about it?
TAYLOR.
You have no idea what’s going on in my mind right now.
FELICIA.
I think a wild guess might hit the mark.
TAYLOR.
Might not.
FELICIA.
Try this on, for size. Brad leaves for three days in Chicago
tomorrow. What’s your favorite breakfast? Tell me and I’ll have it
ready at eight in the morning.
(Brad enters.)
BRAD.
I love that girl but she never knows when it’s time to go home. (Turns
off the music.) Get Taylor another drink, would you dear?
FELICIA.
I’ve already gotten him something.
BRAD.
What do you say ‘T’, is she the hostess with the mostesst?
TAYLOR.
She’s quite something all right.
FELICIA.
Taylor is meeting me for breakfast tomorrow. Aren’t you?
BRAD.
She’s always telling me how the first hours after I’ve gone are when
she misses me the most.
FELICIA.
Now we’ve solved that problem. Haven’t we? Unless I can get anything
else for you boys? (Kissing Brad good night but making eye contact
with Taylor.) No? Then I’m off to bed.
FELICIA.
Call first thing in the morning and we’ll make arrangements. Good
night, dear. Pleasant dreams, Taylor.
(She ascends the stairs.)
END SCENE 3
[end of extract]
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