The Dinner

INT – RESTAURANT – EVENING

ZAC is sat at the table, waiting for his blind date to arrive. He checks the time, 7:56pm, and
takes a sip of water. The door opens and a girl walks in, starting to talk with the host. ZAC looks
over at them. The waiter points to ZAC’s table and the girl turns. JAMIE notices him and glares
at him. ZAC sighs, defeated. She has a minute then walks to the table.

JAMIE
Zachary.

ZAC
Jamie.

JAMIE
You’re looking repulsive as always.

ZAC
Aw, shame, I was going for “sickening.”

JAMIE
Ah, funny.

Pause.

ZAC
So, who is the idiot that agreed to meet you here?
 JAMIE
Apparently... you.

It hits him.

ZAC
Oh, Christ

JAMIE
Yup.
(Sighs)
Listen, the reason why I didn’t turn around and leave just now is because I promised Abbey I’d
be out for at least an hour.

ZAC
An hour, that’s how long you have to stay?

She glares again.

ZAC (CONT.)
Okay then, let’s get this over with.

She seats herself.

JAMIE
So, why a blind date? Is it so no one can see how much of an arsehole you are?

ZAC
Wow, yes, that’s exactly why. Well done, gold star for you!
 JAMIE
You’re so immature. How you attracted Abbey is beyond me.

ZAC
Why do you always do that? It's been three months since I left her and you’re still throwing me
shade.

JAMIE
Ooh, I wonder why, maybe because you hurt my best friend.

ZAC
Jame –

JAMIE
I wouldn’t be surprised if you cheated.

WAITER
Hello!

They snap their attention to the waiter who has appeared at the table.

WAITER (CONT.)
Welcome to Bruno’s! I’m Jason and I'll be your waiter for this evening. Have we decided yet?

BOTH
NO.
 WAITER
O-okay, I'll give you more time.

He leaves, tail between his legs.

ZAC
Just so you know, I would NEVER have done that to Abbey; it’s unnecessary and shitty so stop
filling her head with that bullshit.

JAMIE
Are you serious? Zac, you spent two years with her, you were happy and for whatever fucked
up reason, you just up and left her. Why? And don’t give me some shitty excuse.

ZAC
We wanted different things! She wanted kids, marriage, a big house all by thirty. Me? I wanted
to enjoy the now! I didn’t want to think about that yet. I hate that we couldn’t make it work –

JAMIE
Oh my god, I don’t believe this.

ZAC
It’s the truth, Jamie!

JAMIE
And this couldn’t be talked through with her? I know she would’ve understood, instead, you
were a prick –

ZAC
 Look, you can’t be rude to me because I merely spoke my mind. Would you rather me lie to
her?

She quiets, looking pensive.

ZAC (CONT.)
Jamie?

JAMIE
I know. I can’t do that but… Zac, you broke my best friend’s heart. You didn’t hear her sobbing
for weeks straight. You didn’t see her afraid to fall asleep. You didn’t even check to make sure
she was doing okay. Yeah, she’s okay now, but I can’t forget those times.

ZAC shifts uncomfortably in his chair; this is hitting home. He understands now.

JAMIE (CONT.)
Hating you feels so natural to me now, I don’t know how not to.

ZAC
Well, we can always start from scratch.

He holds out his hand over the table.

ZAC (CONT.)
Hi. Zac. Twenty-three. Teacher of English.

She smiles a genuine smile and takes his hand.

JAMIE
Jamie. Twenty-one. Historian in the making.
He grins. They let go slowly.

JAMIE (CONT.)
I’m sorry.

ZAC
It’s okay, Jame.

Pause.

JAMIE
Should we order food then?

ZAC checks the time.

ZAC
We have fifty-four minutes until you can leave so yeah that would be a good idea.

She rolls her eyes, and they pick up the menus, deciding what they want for dinner.

FIN