(Restaurant scene. Nick walks in wearing a shirt and tie, Hailey is sitting at a table dressed stylish but casual. Waiter (Steven) approaches Nick)
Steven: Oh hey Nick, just grabbing some Lunch?
Nick: Actually I’m supposed to meet Hailey here.
Steven: I figured that much, are you two a thing yet?
Nick: Shut up, you know were just friends.
Steven: Whatever you say man. (Looks to tables) Looks like she already came in, go get it tiger.
Nick: (Shakes head, Steven delivers another table) Hey!
Hailey: Oh hey! (stands up to hug Nick, sits back down) Thanks again for meeting me for lunch.
Nick: No problem. I haven’t heard from you in a while. I usually at least get a weekly phone call.
Hailey: That phone line works both ways, you know. Besides, I’ve been really busy these past couple weeks.
Nick: I know, I know. Maybe I’m just so used to answering your phone calls I forgot how to dial you myself.
Hailey: Oh shut up. You know you love listening to my problems. Besides, you’re my best friend, I don’t know what I’d do without you
Nick: You’re too kind. Fine, I guess I’ll call you more often
Hailey: Like it should really be a chore. Besides, don’t you ever want to talk about your life problems?
Nick: Problems? The only problems me and Bruce have are when the Phillies blow a 2 run lead or Trader Joes is out of Kibbles ‘N Beefy Bits.
Hailey: (laugh/scoffs) I’m starting to worry about you Nick. Isn’t it about time you met someone?
Nick: Hey, you’re not seeing anybody either.
(Enter Steven holding bottle of champagne & menus)
Steven: Hey Hailey (Filling up water
Hailey: Hey Steven, how are you?
Steven: I’m doing well. May I interest you two in our finest bottle of champagne?
Nick: Dude, it’s lunch time, really?
Steven: You didn’t even ask the lady!
Hailey: (giggling) No, I’m fine. Thank you though Steven.
Steven: Of course. Our special today is clam chowder, I’ll be back to take your order in a bit (exits).
Hailey: You’re right, I’m not seeing anyone. But I also don’t sit at home every single day watching baseball and hanging out with my dog. It’s good to be social, you know. Having someone in your life might encourage you to actually pick up some hobbies.
Nick: With work, I like having all the relaxation time, and Bruce is all the company I need.
Hailey: (Condescending look) At least try to get out a little more? For me?
Nick: Yeah yeah, we’ll see. Hey, I got an idea. How about I stop by your coffee place tomorrow? I haven’t seen it in a while. How’s business been?
Hailey: (Looking down, not making eye contact) Well like I said, it’s been hectic these past couple weeks, and-
Nick: (Interrupts) So business has been good? Great! I’ll drop in at noon.
Hailey: Actually that’s why I wanted to meet with you today, you see-
Nick: (Interrupts) And I’m glad you did. I don’t know why I didn’t think of this sooner. Hey you still have those blue berry coffee cakes right?
Hailey: (Getting agitated) No, but Nick just-
Nick: You got rid of those? Aw Hailey you knew those were my favor-
Hailey: (Bangs table, yelling) WILL YOU JUST SHUT UP A SECOND! (Pause, then, realizes Steven is standing behind them)
Steven: (embarrassed) I can.. give you guys more time..
Hailey: (quietly and sadly) No, were okay.. I’m actually not getting anything.
Steven: (looks to Nick, who is still frozen, staring at Hailey. Pause, then) Nick?
Nick: (Coming to) Huh? Oh, yeah, I’ll just have a coffee.
(Exit Steven)
Hailey: (Once again looking down) I shut it down.
Nick: What?
Hailey: Hailey’s Café Corner. I shut it down.
Nick: oh my god, Hailey (puts hand on arm- something comforting) I’m so sorry to hear that! What happened?
Hailey: (sad) I was starting to lose money. A lot of it. On top of that, rent increased. I tried so hard to keep it going, but eventually I had to shut it down to avoid going bankrupt. I’ve stocked up on groceries and paid enough rent to get me through the end of the month.
Nick: What about Blair? She could help you out. You two go as far back as we do, don’t you?
Hailey: No way. Don’t get me wrong, she’s great to hang out with and all, just way too self centered. And besides, she’d have to get more money from her dad. I feel bad enough that he’s spoiled that money moocher her whole life already.
Nick: That sounds like Blair to me. Well you need to call your dad.. He could really help you out. Maybe even give you a place to stay.
Hailey: I don’t know.. I haven’t had a real conversation with ever since it happened.
Nick: Still? Hailey, it’s been four years.
Hailey: Trust me, I know. But ever since my mom died, it’s just never been the same. It changed us both. Besides, Max is thirteen now. My dad has a hard enough time affording Max as it is without me coming back into the picture. There’s no way I’m going back home.
Nick: This is terrible. I am so sorry again; I know how much you loved that place. What are you going to do?
Hailey: I have no idea. Will you excuse me a second?
Nick: Yeah, of course. (exit Hailey, enter Steven w/ coffee)
Steven: How’s the date going?
Nick: First of all, it’s not a date, second of all, it’s going terrible.
Steven: What happened?
Nick: She had to shut her business down.
Steven: No shit? That sucks!
Nick: Yeah, she’s not going to have a place to stay by the end of the month.
Steven: Damn dude, what’s she going to do?
Nick: I don’t know, but I have to help her think of something
Steven: You got a plan?
Nick: I might.
Steven: Good luck, that one’s all you man.
Nick: Yeah, we’ll see about that.
(exit Steven enter Hailey)
Hailey: I don’t know what to do Nick, this is killing me.
Nick: There must be some answer. Can’t you get a loan? Keep the place going, maybe make some changes to the place, and get more business.
Hailey: (starting to get upset) It’s too late for that, I could of used that advice weeks ago.
Nick: Well maybe if you would have called me.
Hailey: I’m sorry I was too busy trying to save my business! You’re not helping at all.
Nick: Okay, well I wouldn’t try to worry about it too much.
Hailey: How am I supposed to not worry about it? Nick, I’m broke!
Nick: Look how much you’ve already accomplished, I bet you’ll be on your feet again in no time.
Hailey: (getting heated) It’s not that simple Nick! Don’t you get it? I have no money. None. My time is running out.
Nick: Hailey, it’s going to be okay.
Hailey: It’s going to be okay?? (very heated now- standing up) Just like that it’s all going to be okay. Well I’m glad it’s all just gonna “be okay” to you Nick (finger signs for quotation marks) ‘Cause it’s not all okay with me.
Nick: (stands at some point during her rant) Will you just relax?!?
Hailey: Relax? You don’t get it at all! That shop was everything I had! Even the money from it is gone, I have nothing! I’m going to have to start selling furniture for rent next. Oh god.. (Hailey turns away from nick) I’m gonna end up on the streets…
Nick: You’re not going to live on the streets. (Walking towards Hailey)
Hailey: Yeah Nick? Cause that’s what happens to people who don’t pay rent. I gotta go. (Exit towards outside)
Nick: Hailey! (Following) Don’t leave. I’m trying to tell you it’s going to be alright!
Hailey: (outside now. Spins towards Nick, angrily) Stop saying that! You GET to say that! You have two parents, and they both care about you Nick. You have a place to stay. (More angrily, grabbing at his clothes with her points) You have nice things! You have a shirt, a tie. (holds onto suit, practically shaking nick, leaned in close) You have money, a job-
(Nick grabs Hailey and kisses her)
Hailey: Woah woah woah, what the hell are you doing?
Nick: I don’t… I thought that..
Hailey: Thought that…
Nick: … I was comforting you?
Hailey: I can’t deal with this right now Nick, I got enough to worry about. (exits)
Nick: Hailey, wait! You can stay at my place!
Hailey: I’ll call you (still walking away)
(Nick enters back into restaurant- sits, head in hands)
Steven: (Goes and sits by Nick) So.. That was your plan?
Nick: That was my plan..
Steven: You think she’s gonna call?
Nick: I don’t wanna talk about it right now.
Steven: I don’t blame you. That was rough… Welp, coffees on me today buddy. Have a good one.(Pats shoulder and exits)
Scene
