In The Beginning of The End, Troy confronted Alex about trust in their relationship. It didn’t go well . . .
Alex, a 32-year-old Teacher
Marlon, a 30-year-old Car Mechanic
It is the morning after the night before
Alex has gone to Clapham Common, knowing that it’s where Marlon goes to Jog.
He hides behind a tree, and watches Marlon run his usual circuit, then steps out as he approaches
ALEX: Marlon
Marlon looks startled to see him. He hesitates, then turns and runs away
ALEX: Marlon!
Alex takes after him
ALEX: Marlon stop!
Marlon stops running. Alex walks towards him then rushes him, knocking him to the ground, and sitting on top of him
MARLON: Get off me
ALEX: Start talking
MARLON: What you on about?
ALEX: Don’t act the fool
MARLON: I said get off me
ALEX: What you been saying to Troy?
MARLON: Who?
ALEX: I swear if you don’t stop . . .
MARLON: What you gonna do beat me?
ALEX: Stop acting crazy
MARLON: (He stops struggling, and smiles) I like you sitting on me, it’s like old times
ALEX: (Grabbing him by the throat) why did you do it?
MARLON: (Pushing his hand away) Man gone crazy for true!
ALEX: What made you say that to him?
MARLON: Is this about that little boi you’re seeing?
Alex raises his fist to strike but Marlon being stronger flips him over and ends up sitting on him
MARLON: I was always stronger than you. You should try going to the gym yourself, instead of sending your boi there to beef up.
ALEX: Tell me why you lied to him?
MARLON: (Leaning in, as if to kiss him) You’re horny when you’re angry. You’re outta of shape, but I still would
ALEX: Get up!
Marlon doesn’t move
ALEX: Why would you do such a stupid thing?
MARLON: Remember how we used to be?
ALEX: That was in another life
MARLON: I remember how you liked the ting, liked it good
ALEX: That was then, this is now
He struggles, eventually Marlon gets off him and tries to help him to his feet. But Alex pushes his hand away
MARLON: Is this what love do, make a man mad?
ALEX: You’ll never know what love is
MARLON: I think I’m glad
ALEX: Stop fucking around and tell me why you lied to Troy?
MARLON: Because I could
ALEX: You twisted fuck!
MARLON: Eh, eh language. It wasn’t like that.
ALEX: What was it like?
MARLON: I said it as a joke
ALEX: Who jokes like that?
MARLON: We were talking about the wedding, and I said it wouldn’t stop me having fuck buddies. And he said like who? So, I said fuck buddies like Alex! It was just a joke but his face, his face was a picture! I knew it burned him
ALEX: And you enjoy hurting people
MARLON: I swear, as god is my witness it was just a joke. But his face . . .
ALEX: If you knew he was hurt why didn’t you tell him the truth?
MARLON: I was in shock
ALEX: Shock?
MARLON: Shocked that I enjoyed having that power over him
ALEX: What has Troy ever done to you?
MARLON: I know, me and you dun from time, and here was this boi still believing that we were doing a ting
ALEX: No, you fool, it’s not because he thought we were still doing a ting
MARLON: Then why him face drop so?
ALEX: It’s about trust, it’s one of his big things. Why am I even trying to explain?
MARLON: Because love turn you fool, It’s why you’re here early marnin
Alex turns and starts walking away
MARLON: Wait up
He follows after Alex
ALEX: (Half speaking to himself) all night he was building up to it, and I didn’t even think about you, why would I? He kept fishing and going round and round, and I’m such a dick I didn’t catch on.
MARLON: What you talking about?
ALEX: You, you fucking idiot you’ve ruined everything
MARLON: Language! I can’t broke up what’s already broken
ALEX: What’s that supposed to mean?
PAUSE
MARLON: It means don’t come running to me crying if your man don’t trust you
ALEX: I’m here because you told him a fucking lie
MARLON: Can we stop with the language?
Alex walks up to him so that he’s in his face
ALEX: I’ll stop with the language when you stop fucking with my relationship
MARLON: For the last time, it was a joke
ALEX: Yeah, we’re both in hysterics
MARLON: What you gonna do?
ALEX: What am I going to do?
MARLON: I’ll talk to him when I next see him in the gym
ALEX: Thank you! At last we’re getting somewhere. What you going to say to him?
MARLON: That it was a joke
ALEX: Could you just expand on that a little bit please
MARLON: That it was a joke, and that we are not fuck buddies, although we were
Alex looks at him and shakes his head
PAUSE
MARLON: You never complained
ALEX: Bye Marlon, carry on with your jogging, or whatever else you do to keep your mind off sex
MARLON: That’s the difference between us
ALEX: What?
MARLON: I’m not uptight about sex. I was never “we can only have sex here” or “at this time”. Or when “Mr Alex has finished his school work”
ALEX: You finished?
MARLON: Man, I ain’t even started
They pass a park bench. Alex, sits down
ALEX: What is wrong with everyone?
MARLON: Maybe it’s not everyone, maybe it’s you
PAUSE
MARLON: I just want you to know that if you ever want to start up again
ALEX: Yes, I’ve got the message. Oh, by the way how is Dwayne the man you’re about to marry?
MARLON: Don’t try that bullshit, Dwayne knows what he’s getting into
ALEX: Course he does, what was it Troy said? Something about not eating at the same table or at the same lunch time or something stupid
MARLON: Some people too clever for dem own good
ALEX: (Standing up) Just promise me you’ll talk to Troy
MARLON: And get you off the hook?
ALEX: To clear up the mess you’ve started
MARLON: I might
ALEX: You will
MARLON: What’s in it for me?
ALEX: Do you never stop?
MARLON: I remember when you didn’t want me to
ALEX: Oh, please
MARLON: What you too nice now?
ALEX: Just drop it Marlon! I’m with Troy
MARLON: If he already thinks you’re messing around doesn’t that cover us?
ALEX: Are you serious?
MARLON: Like a heart attack
PAUSE
ALEX: There is no us, just forget it
MARLON: One last time, it will be like a wedding present
Do you remember this?
He unzips his tracksuit top to reveal his pecs, and washboard stomach
ALEX: Jesus
MARLON: I’m even more chiselled now
ALEX: Are you for real?
PAUSE
ALEX: After all I’ve said?
MARLON: Maybe because of everything you’ve said
ALEX: I don’t get it
MARLON: You over think
ALEX: I’m talking about saving my relationship, and you’re talking about having sex
MARLON: You confuse things, as if everything is linked to everything else
ALEX: It’s called trust Marlon, go and look it up
MARLON: I call it how to complicate tings by pretending we’re doing the right ting
SILENCE
ALEX: And the right thing to you is always doing what you want?
MARLON: I know what I like and how I like it?
ALEX: You haven’t changed one bit
MARLON: It’s my way
ALEX: Even if people get hurt?
MARLON: I’m not responsible for people
ALEX: Shall I unzip now, so we can do it out here in the open?
MARLON: You can come back to mine. Watch me shower, what happens, happens
ALEX: I’m gone! Stay away from me and Troy
MARLON: I thought you wanted me to bail you out
ALEX: I changed my mind. I don’t want anything from you
MARLON: Maybe your boi’s playing you. Making noise about you messing around when maybe it’s him. Have you thought about that? I know dem games, played them myself.
ALEX: Laters
MARLON: Does it really matter who we have sex with as long as we’re honest about it?
ALEX: (Stopping and turning) that’s what he said
MARLON: Who?
ALEX: The guy I want you to stay the fuck away from
Alex continues walking back to his car
MARLON: You know your trouble Alex?
Alex gives him the finger without even turning around
MARLON: You swear too much
Troy Blackout
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