Troy, 25, Actor – Tunde, 25 Youth Worker
It is the day after the night before
Troy and Tunde are sitting on the sofa in Tunde’s flat having a coffee
Scene one
TUNDE: (Showing Justin some diagrams) . . .so they’re all colour coded. This one’s a map of the flat and where everything is, and this one’s the times that I use the bathroom in the morning, and this one’s the menu for . . .
TROY: Jeez Louise Tunde, it’s only an overnight stay
TUNDE: It might turn out longer who knows? I’m just really excited at having you. I’ve been upset
TROY: Why?
TUNDE: Because you’ve been upset! I don’t like to think of you being sad
TROY: I’ll be okay
TUNDE: You will now you’re here. It will be like old times
TROY: Mother thinks that I’m only doing this to get Alex running after me on a white charger
TUNDE: Let’s not talk about Alex
TROY: That’s crazy, I’m not waiting to be rescued, I’m just . . .
TUNDE: . . . upset, I know and I want you to know that I’m here for you
Tunde’s mobile phone rings. He sees that the call is from Mother
TUNDE: Excuse me I’ve got to take this
He steps away from Justin and makes show he’s out of earshot
MOTHER: Tunde it’s Mother don’t speak just listen. Is he there?
TUNDE: Yes
MOTHER: He’s still tender, so show him lots of TLC. You’re going to have to be strong Tunde, do you understand?
TUNDE: Yes
MOTHER: The universe has sent him to spend a night as a test. Nothing more nothing less. So, let’s not have a repeat of the messy business we had before. You must try and keep your emotions in check. Agreed?
TUNDE: Yes
MOTHER: Promise me?
TUNDE: I will
MOTHER: Mother knows best
Mother hangs up. Tunde returns to Justin
TROY: Anyone interesting?
TUNDE: No, just work. What were we saying?
TROY: I was saying who would have predicted all this?
TUNDE: Men will be men. Do you remember that other loser you went out with? What was his name? The one who worked in Waterstones
TROY: Oh, Danny? He moved to America
TUNDE: Good! I never liked him
TROY: We used to stay in touch by Skype but Alex stopped it
TUNDE: Typical Alex. He’s so controlling
TROY: Don’t get lost in that! He felt that I was leading Danny on by making him think that….
TUNDE: Alex needs to realize that it’s not all about him. You’ve got your friends and they’re special to you
TROY: They are, and I want you to know that I really appreciate you doing this for me. I hope it’s not putting you out?
TUNDE: Course not! I love having you here; in fact I’ve missed us spending time together. I don’t feel comfortable going over to his place
TROY: Our place
TUNDE: I’m glad it’s over, he’s . . .
TROY: Who says it’s over? Let’s not get there yet
TUNDE: Let’s not discuss it. I’m sure Mother had enough to say about it
TROY: She did, and she gave me some really good advice
TUNDE: To leave him?
TROY: No, to get to the bottom of what’s happened
TUNDE: Isn’t it obvious?
TROY: Maybe, maybe not
TUNDE: He’s cheated on you there’s nothing to get to the bottom of
TROY: That’s what I thought last night, now I’m not so sure
TUNDE: Oh
PAUSE
TROY: Would it be very rude of me if I went for a bath
TUNDE: Great idea! I’ll run it for you like I used to when we shared a flat at uni. I love having a bath it helps me to figure out ways of valuing myself that work for me
TROY: God yeah bath nights. I was always crying about some guy or other
TUNDE: You’re just sensitive; it’s why I like you. You care about things on a really deep emotional and psychological level
TROY: What I care about right now is having a long soak
TUNDE: (Smiling) coming up
Scene two
Justin is relaxing in a bubble bath. There is soft music playing and Tunde is lighting scented candles
TROY: Mother says it takes two to tango so maybe I’m partly to blame?
TUNDE: Don’t be stupid
TROY: You know what they say ‘if you’re man goes out to eat he’s not happy with the cooking at home!’
TUNDE: Rubbish! Who wouldn’t want a boyfriend like you?
TROY: Maybe there’s something missing for him?
TUNDE: He’s lucky to have you
TROY: (Blowing bubbles at him) and this is why you’re my bestie
TUNDE: Let’s not talk about Alex
TROY: Agreed! I’ve been talking about him all day.
TUNDE: Forget him for one night, and just relax
TROY: And unwind
PAUSE
TROY: Let’s talk about you
TUNDE: What about me?
TROY: Is there still no one special
TUNDE: I tell you everything, I would have told you
TROY: You won’t meet anyone if you don’t go out
TUNDE: I hate clubs
TROY: It doesn’t have to be clubs, this is London, there’s loads to do
TUNDE: Like what?
TROY: You could go to a bar or sauna or try speed dating
TUNDE: I’m not looking for sex
TROY: Who mentioned sex? Join a group and make new friends
TUNDE: You’re my friend
TROY: I know but I’m talking about making new ones
TUNDE: I prefer quality over quantity
TROY: Have it your way but doesn’t it get lonely?
TUNDE: I have my work, and I have our friendship. True friendship is important
TROY: Amen to that
TUNDE: We’ve been through a lot
TROY: The good the bad and the ugly
TUNDE: You’ve been a great friend to me I just want you to know that
TROY: Ditto
TUNDE: Do you want me to scrub your back?
TROY: No I’m okay I should be getting out
TUNDE: If Alex is dumb enough to cheat on you more fool him
TROY: I’m the fool! Played like a fiddle
TUNDE: Don’t say that! Don’t go back to him. You can stay here as long as you like
TROY: You’re sweet
TUNDE: Do you think so?
TROY: You’re going to make someone a really great boyfriend one day
TUNDE: You think?
TROY: Sure, you’re kind and considerate, dependable
TUNDE: I am for those who matter
TROY: What would you be doing now if I wasn’t here?
TUNDE: It’s on my list to rearrange my wardrobe
TROY: How?
TUNDE: You know, switch over the winter and summer clothes?
TROY: You need to get out more
Justin laughs
TUNDE: What’s funny?
TROY: Do you remember the time me and Alex fixed you up with his friend Thomas?
TUNDE: (Making a face) Urgh, what a disaster
TROY: And you got all wheezy, and had to go home because you’d forgotten your inhaler
TUNDE: It was in my bag the whole time. I just didn’t warm to his energy
TROY: I thought he was nice
TUNDE: Too old
TROY: Too old? He’s the same age as Alex. Plus, I thought he had nice manners. Manners maketh the man
PAUSE
TUNDE: Justin
TROY: Yeah
TUNDE: Can I ask you something?
TROY: Course
TUNDE: Now I’ve lost the weight do you think I’m hot?
TROY: Hot?
TUNDE: Yeah, like hot
TROY: I know what hot means but why are you asking?
TUNDE: Never mind, forget it
TROY: It’s just weird saying your friend’s hot
PAUSE
TROY: Do you think I should call Alex?
TUNDE: Why?
TROY: He’ll be worrying about where I am
TUNDE: I thought that was the idea
TROY: He was calling earlier? Looks like he’s stopped trying
TUNDE: Oh, I should have said I switched your phone off
TROY: What?
TUNDE: I wanted you to relax and enjoy your bath without….
TROY: You could have asked me first?
TUNDE: I’m just looking out for you
PAUSE
TROY: (Thoughtfully) I wonder what he’s doing
TUNDE: Who cares? He doesn’t deserve you
PAUSE
TROY: What if we can’t get back to where we were?
TUNDE: Serves him right! That’s what you get for trying to have your cake and eat it
TROY: We’re doing it again
TUNDE: What?
TROY: Discussing Alex
TUNDE: What do you want to do later? Watch a movie or listen to some music?
TROY: I think I’ll turn in early if that’s ok? I didn’t sleep a wink last night. Could you hand me the towel?
Justin gets out of the bath. Tunde wraps him in the towel and starts drying him
TUNDE: An early night sounds good. I think I’ll turn in too
TROY: You’ve been great
TUNDE: You know I always show up for you
TROY: I could sleep for a year
TUNDE: (Still towelling him) I just want to make you happy, make you feel good again. You’re so beautiful, just having you close makes my heart burst
Tunde leans in and kisses Justin.
TROY: What are you doing?
TUNDE: Sorry, I’m sorry I didn’t mean to….. no I did. I want you to know that I’m here for you
TROY: By kissing me on the lips it’s a bit icky
Tunde is hurt
TUNDE: Icky?
TROY: Not icky, I mean it just doesn’t feel right. That’s not how friends should….
TUNDE: Maybe it’s not a friend’s kiss maybe it’s a friend who wants to be more than…..
TROY: Tunde we’ve been over this before. It’s not going to happen
TUNDE: But why?
TROY: Don’t start that up again I can’t deal with that right now
TUNDE: I’m sorry I was just trying to be in the moment and present with my whole self . . .
Tunde runs from the room
TROY: (Shouting after him) Tunde, Tunde!
Troy Blackout
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