Bar Wars: The War Within

Chapter One: Planting the seed

(Cheers, 2003, the bar has just opened and is still pretty much empty. Sam and Woody are behind the bar cleaning glasses Norm is already there sitting at his usual stool and Carla has yet to arrive. Rebecca comes in looking tired.)

Rebecca: (hanging up her coat) Hi Sam, hi Woody, Norm.

Sam: Hey Rebecca, you're here early.

Rebecca: (walks over to the bar and leans on it a few seats to the right of Norm) Well yeah, you know (sighs). Just thought I'd come in and get an early start.

Woody: Oh so you're still looking for that job then Ms.... uh- Mrs....

Rebecca: (waving her hand in front of her with a look of mild annoyance) Woody I've been telling you for years now, just call me Rebecca.

Woody: I don't think I could do that. What should I call you?

Rebecca: Woody just call me Ms. Howe.

Woody: Okay Ms. Howe (returns to drying the glass he was previously drying).

Sam: So Rebecca how's everyone taking all this divorce stuff?

Rebecca: (sighing) You mean Matt and Tyler?

(Sam nods but doesn't look up from the glass he's cleaning)

Rebecca: Better than I am it seems. I feel terrible for putting them through all this. I've just felt so guilty lately. You know yesterday I bought Matt a new video game and Tyler "Finding Nemo". It's just hard getting through this.

Sam: Yeah well just remember we're all here for you. You'll get through this, hang in there (he pats her on the shoulder). Speaking of the boys, how's Matt's fast ball coming?

Rebecca: (looking up from the paper she was flipping through) Well Don hasn't been home much and you know I can't help him with that sort of thing.

Sam: Well uh- maybe I could come over and work with him sometime.

Rebecca: (looks directly into his eyes) I'm sure he'd like that (half smile).

Sam: O- (he is interrupted as Carla comes in)

Woody: 'Sup Carla?

Carla: (in an angry tone) Woody what did I tell you about using that stupid rapper talk with me?

Woody: Okay, okay just thought I'd try it out. Jessica came home the other day talking like that, said one of the girls at school told her that was cool. I'll tell ya' if anyone of us kids would've tried that in Hanover...

Cliff:(who's since come in but has been listening quietly to the conversation around him) Ah kids today. What's happened? All this slang terms and rap, what's the world coming to?

Sam: I agree Cliff. I mean when did things get so complicated? I tried to install a D.V.D player the other day. Stupid thing, I couldn't get it to work for the life of me. All those cords and wires...

Norm: I know what you mean Sammy. Vera's been nagging me to get one of those things. I just don't see the point what's the difference?

Cliff: Well Norm, it can be beneficial to invest in some new technology. Studies have show that D.V.Ds last up to 5 time longer that VHS tapes.

Norm: Oh yeah?

Cliff: Yeah, in fact- (the conversation fades into the background and the camera focuses on Carla and Sam who're talking over on the opposite side of the bar).

Sam: So Carla how're things with that new guy of yours, um what's his name...?

Carla: Jack?

Sam: Yeah, yeah that's the one.

Carla: I don't know Sammy everything seems so boring lately. So routine you know? there's no variation, nothing exciting anymore.

Sam: I know what you mean. I've been getting the same feeling around the bar. We could really use something to shake things up around here.

Carla: You can say that again (she grabs her tray and walks over to serve a group of people who have just walked in).(Sam walks over to the other side of the bar to join the conversation)

Norm: Cliff so if you're Mr. Technology around here tell me, what's good out there?

Cliff: Ha! Joke all you want Norm but I just got DSL on my new flat screen computer, fastest thing around.

Woody: Hmm I heard it was Road Runner, that's what Kelly and I have.

Cliff: Ah, a common misconception Woody but contrary to popular belief, DSL is the best high speed internet system, even ask Erin.

Norm: Whoa, whoa whoa! Cliffy, who's Erin?

Cliff: (grinning with that look of superiority) Just a, uh, a friend I've been talking to online... a woman friend.

Sam: (about to go out into the bar but turns around when he hears what Cliff just said) Hey whoa, wait a minute you can meet women on these things?

Rebecca: (looks up from the paper she's been flipping through and rolls her eyes) Sam! Is that seriously all you EVER think about (sighs at Sam's dumbfounded look and turns to speak to Cliff)? Can you even find jobs on the Internet Cliff?

Cliff: Well yeah, sure you can.

Sam: Oh come on Rebecca. I've told you a million times, just work here. Carla could really use the help.

Carla: (from across the room) Hey! Sammy I do all right.

Rebecca: (turning back to Sam) Sam, no. I told you no. I'm just... not cut out to work here.

Sam: Oh honey come on you've been looking for weeks now. If nobody's wanted you by now who will?

Rebecca: Gee thanks, that makes me feel so much better. (Sam sighs) This is really bothering you isn't it? Well I'll tell you what, I'll make you a deal. Okay? If I can't find a job in the entire city of Boston over the internet or in the papers, I'll work here.

Sam: Well okay, that's better.

Rebecca: Good, now can I use your office? All this chatter around here I haven't been able to concentrate one bit.

Sam: Oh yeah sure (turns to Cliff). Now uh- show me how to talk to a woman on this thing...(the scene fades out as Rebecca walks into the office and Sam and Cliff are talking.)