A dialogue between two acquaintances-strangers

Two girls are sitting on a bench near the sea. It’s half past three. One is drinking beer. They don’t speak, just gaze at the sea. A boy comes towards them from a path which leads to the road. He sits on the bench, close to the two girls and gazes too at the sea.

(Boy)- ‘’Well, she really seems lost (out loud). She doesn’t give a shit about “us”. (ironically, trying to get attention). What do you say? Do you agree?

The girl who is sitting right next to the boy.

-“I feel a bit dizzy (small pause). (Angrily and aloud) If you want you must speak to her. Stop playing it superior. I am sick of both of you. You make me nervous”.

The girl seems to notice the discussion near her. Till then she was deeply thinking about something, not particular, basically nothing specific…. She finishes the beer she has been holding and puts it to the ground near three other empty bottles.

(Addressing to the girl)

-“What did you say?”

-“I quit. I ‘m out of here. See you tomorrow.

The boy seems like a fish out of his bowl. He comes closer. The girl doesn’t pay him attention. She gazes at the sea (not intentionally).

-“You shouldn’t drink so much”.

-“Who cares? I like to drink. Basically I love to drink.”(in a voice of apathy)

-“I care.”

The girl turns her head towards him. Talking with apathy and a tone of understanding….

-“You don’t care. You think you care because you fancy me. But I don’t care. I don’t know if I like you too. I don’t know if I like anybody, anything. What means anyway “I like?”. I only know that at the moment I enjoy drinking…A person doesn’t have a taste. I cannot and I don’t want to taste you. But I like your smell. So maybe I might like you. What do you say?”

-“I know that I like you. I feel nice when I see you. When I am close to you. U?”

-“I don’t know. You smell nice. I don’t care. It really doesn’t matter.”

-‘I don’t believe that. To me it does matter. I want to get to know you better”.

-“You know me …I mean we have been introduced five hours ago and you think you care for me? That’s weird, freaky and unreal with the whole meaning of the word”.

-“I don’t care what you say. Also, that’s a lie. I know you since we have been to this camp from fifth grade. Do you remember?”

-“Which camp…(long pause). I see. You were there. I didn’t realize it then. I didn’t recognize you. I …

(interrupting)-“It doesn’t matter. Anyway… You’re right, I don’t know you. But I would like to….

-“I don’t know. You will never get to know me because I don’t either know myself, but I think we could hang around”.

She looks at her watch. It’s half past five. The boy notices it.

-“What time is it?”

-“It shows half past five…”

-“I loose sense of time when I speak to you.”

-“Time passes otherwise.”

-“It’s funny and ridiculous. I feel…”

(long pause)-“Could you go and grab me a beer?”

-“But everything is closed now.”

-“I meant from the car. We took some before you left. Is it ok?”

-“I think you should stop drinking.”

-“You shouldn’t. Please…(with a smile. Comes closer and kisses him)

(after too much thought)-“Ok…. As you wish..”

Boy leaves. Girl turns her head towards the sea. The morning sun is rising (it’s 6 and something according to the watch). She gazes at the horizon and smiles silently.

Written on summer of 2005 , changes made for it in 2006 for presentation