Half Empty (Original Playwright)

Characters:

Rhys(Lead Male)

Parker (Lead Female)

Fiance

Setting:

A dimly lit bar in a small crowd. The crowd here is mixed, a few older folks with the occasional swarm of early 20's who are looking for a hangout and cheap drink. Our lead male Rhys is seated alone at a corner stool.

( Parker walks up to the bartender ordering a beer when she glances to her right, spotting that familiar stranger)

Parker

Rhys?

(A scruffy faced, red eyed, Rhys looks up disheveled)

Rhys

Parker... Hh-hey, how you doing?

Parker

(Hesitantly sitting next to him)

I'm... I'm fine. How are YOU doing?

She takes note of the four empty glasses next to him

Rhys

Good.

Parker

Good?

Rhys

(With absurd laughter)

On top of the world!

Parker

Right. So how much have you really had to drink[] and don't you dare lie to me.

Rhys

(Continues laughter now with a tone of annoyance)

Well that took a quick turn. What's the matter? You my AA coach now?

Parker

(condescending tone shift as she leans away from him)

Can you answer the question? A responsible guy like you wouldn't be driving home wasted right?

Rhys

Oh me? I wouldn't. God forbid if I was human and made a mistake right?

Rhys

(turning to bartender)

Another Johnnie Walker bud

Parker

Seriously? How can you be so selfish? Did you plan on sitting here drinking the night away? Or did you just plan on killing yourself or someone else off in the process.

Rhys

Ha, no I planned on dying right here actually.

Parker

(With a condescending voice)

Oh Yeah?

Rhys

Yeah. Why not? Couple more walker's, a few pills, shot to the head...

Parker

Oh, Stop it..You’re so full of shit

Rhys

Come on baby, you love watching this train crash. Don't you wanna see the final act?

Parker

I mean it Rhys stop it.

Rhys downs his additional drinks. The liquor stains his chin.

Parker

(grabbing a glass)

Let's go. You need to give me your keys, I'll call a cab, hell I'll walk you. I don't care. All I know is you aren't going to sit here and drink your life away.

Rhys

Now you care about my life? Now you care about if I'm hurt? Or if I'm in pain? Screw you Parker. This is the first time you've spoken to me in two years. Did you even bother to consider how I was doing? Did you wonder how I slept? How I tried to stay sober? You don't get to decide when you want to save me.

Parker

Screw me? I'm sorry, was I supposed to stay unstable, unhappy? Was I supposed to stay up late worrying about my sometimes sober sometimes fucked up boyfriend?

Rhys

Nice, it's my fault right? It's my fault for the shit in my head? You think I like this? You think I...

Parker

We're not doing this here.

Rhys

You think I'm supposed to be perfect. You think...

Parker

Stop assuming you know what I'm thinking or what I’m going through. You have no idea how hard I’ve had to work. I’m different now.

Rhys

Oh right, you're better now? You're happier. Thank God you finally got away from me.

Parker

No, thank God I realized I can do way better than this.

Rhys

Two years and you and you still treat me like a fuck up.

Parker

There you go again. You know what I should have never come over here. Drink away, drive your car, end your life. I'm done saving you. Drown if want.

Parker grabs her beer and begins to stand.

Rhys

Oh yeah? Congrats on the engagement by the way.

Parker

(pausing)

...Excuse me?

Rhys

You really thought I wouldn't find out? Social media's the new CNN you know that.

Parker

Listen to me. I'm finally at a point in my life where I'm content, I'm stable...

Rhys

You're safe.

Parker

I'm happy.

Rhys

You're safe.

Parker

And you're jealous.

Rhys

Jealous?

Parker

(sitting back down)

Yes with the idea of me finding what you lack in someone else.

Rhys

So what? I was never worth it?

Parker

(sniffles)

Don't do this.

Rhys

You answer me this time.

Parker

…. No.

Rhys

Is that the answer?

Parker

No... it's... no... I don't know Rhys please.

Rhys

Was I that much of

a mistake?

Parker puts her head down, tears roll down her cheek.

Rhys

You know what, I'm sorry. I’m completely out of line. I'm pretty drunk... you know emotional... I should go.

Parker

(cracking voice)

How are you getting home?

Rhys

I'll be okay. I'm sorry. If you're happy then... be happy please.

Parker

Please don't do this to yourself. Please I don’t know...I...just...don’t leave like this.

Rhys

No I deserve it. I'm a lot. I can never make up my mind. I can never stay sober. I can never give you the benefit of the doubt.

Rhys

(Wiping her cheek)

I love you and for what its worth hes the better man. You and I both know it.

Parker

(forcing words through tears)

You deserve to be happy too you know... I just... you don’t even know how I feel so please... don’t go.

Rhys

Take care Parker and happy engagement.

Rhys exits the bar keys in hand. Parker watches as he leaves only to see her fiance enter a few minutes later.

FIANCE

(taking note of Rhys glasses)

Hey beautiful, I see you had fun (chuckle)

Parker

(Kisses him)

Hey baby. Yeah.. Sorry wasn't sure what you wanted.

FIANCE

Babe they're already half empty (chuckle)

Parker looks at Rhys drinks then back at her fiance.

Parker

You make me feel so safe.

FIANCE

(noticing dry tear stains)

Yeah? You okay babe?

Parker

Yeah... just happy you got here.