A/N: here's the second scene. Hopefully it amuses people.
Scene 2 (Meeting at the Diner):
Outside a diner, Richard stands awkwardly. He looks a bit nervous and very tired. Eventually a cab pulls up and Jim hops out.]
Jim: Hello, Richard. Have you got the script for this musical you mentioned at that ungodly hour last night?
Richard: Oh, in a way.
Jim: Do I want to know what that means?
Richard: I've got few songs written, plus some fragments of dialogue and a general plotline. I told you that I had an idea for it.
Jim: Yeah, you did. Though I was half-asleep at the time.
Richard: I'm sorry about that. I'm just a bit excited about this.
Jim: Shall we sit down and have a serious conversation, then?
RICHARD NODS AND THE TWO OF THEM ENTER THE DINER. A CHEERFUL, BLONDE WAITRESS SEATS THEM.
Waitress: what can I get you, sir?
Jim: Coffee, please.
Waitress: any milk or sugar?
Jim: no. Just bitter, cruel black coffee.
Richard: I kept him up late.
WAITRESS MISUNDERSTANDS THIS AND LOOKS UNCOMFORTABLE
Waitress: and you?
Richard: Coffee, bacon, and toast.
Waitress: right, boys… I'll be back with all of that in a moment.
SHE LEAVES
Richard: that girl looks a bit like the heroine of my play!
Jim: does she now?
Richard: it's the genericness. She's ordinary in a pretty sort of way. The only serious difference is that this bird is English as you or I, while my invention Janet is American through and through.
Jim: I'm from Australia and you're a New Zealander. The waitress is more English than either of us.
Richard: you know what I meant.
Jim: Fine.
Richard: Do you want to hear more?
Jim: about this musical?
Richard: yes. I've even written a song.
Jim: I didn't know you could write music!
Richard: I can't. I just played the tune on that guitar I have and sang the words. Some of it's on a tape, here.
HE GETS THE TAPE PLAYER OUT OF HIS JACKET POCKET.
Richard: Scared the whassits out of Kimi, all that loud music in our apartment when she got home from work.
JIM IS NOT HAPPY AT THE SIGHT OF THE TAPE PLAYER. IN FACT, HE DECIDES TO DISTRACT RICHARD BY CHANGING THE TOPIC.
Jim: Ah, Kimi. I always forget you have a wife. You just don't seem like the type of bloke who would be married.
Richard: Oh, that's not important. What I'm trying to tell you is that... perhaps I should explain the plot.
Jim: Good idea, Richard. I only know about one character so far.
Richard: and I've only thought of about four. First we've got the innocent, dazed American couple. They're called Brad and Janet.
Jim: sounds fine enough.
Richard: they're the good guys, the heroes. Our antagonist is a villainous transvestite from outer space.
Jim: what.
Richard: a villainous transvestite from outer space.
Jim: right. Now… what does this transvestite do to the Americans?
Richard: he seduces them. Then the girl goes on to seduce the transvestite's muscle-man sex slave.
IT'S AT THIS MOMENT THAT THE WAITRESS REAPPEARS. SHE NEARLY DROPS THE TRAY SHE'S CARRYING.
Jim: Don't worry, ma'am, he's an out of work actor from Guildford. You know how they are.
Waitress: here's the bill, loves - I don't want to be in your way any longer.
SHE FLEES
Richard: if the plot of my musical scares an ordinary waitress it will surely sell. Crazy sells, especially in this astounding day and age.
Jim: If we can get someone sexy to play the transvestite, I suppose it'll work. Maybe we can pull this off at one of those experimental theatres.
Richard: how much money do you think it will earn?
Jim: I don't know, to be honest. Why?
Richard: I'm an out of work actor with a wife and child to support.
Jim: you know, she's got a job.
Richard: this is London. It's expensive here.
Jim: Right. Well, writing a play isn't always the best way of earning money. A show's a gamble - especially one like this, it being so controversial. What are you calling it?
Richard: "They Came From Denton High".
Jim: Right.
Richard: Do you think you can find me a rehearsal space and a cast… or whatever it is we'll need?
Jim: I'll try, Richard. But it's going to be hard work.
Richard: I know, Jim.
PLEASE REVIEW! I really need some feedback on this. Though please don't comment on historical accuracy. To make the story 'work' things have been fictionalized.