Chapter 7: Like old days...well, almost

MJ, they're sitting all the three together at a table. They're laughing

AMY: that's not true!

BRIGHT: what- that's true! You were all over crazy about that. I remember I was there. The last prom you went? You were all pissy and desperate because he didn't get all the hints you were giving him. That was pretty pathetic!

AMY: don't remember. Anyways, I DO remember the last prom YOU were all pissy because Hannah went with this Topher guy!

BRIGHT: totally different.

EPHRAM: I don't think so. You were all into her and you were all pissy each time you thought about them. I remember I was there.

(EPHRAM and AMY laughs.)

BRIGHT: anyways guys. It's good to have you back. Just the three of us, all friends, all happy.

HANNAH: what about me?

BRIGHT: well you're not my friend, but my girlfriend - difference.

EPHRAM: Speaking of, where were you? I haven't seen you a lot actually.

BRIGHT: instead of fleeing the country, she does attend to her courses.

(EPHRAM gave a reproach look at Bright, jokingly)

EPHRAM: funny Bright.

HANNAH: so tell us everything. In your spiritual quest, have you found your chakra?

EPHRAM(laughing): my chakra?

HANNAH: you elope the country to seek the ultimate achievement of your identity quest.

(Everybody's looking at her, not understanding a word she said)

HANNAH: it's like you went for a quest or something, and you found your Guru, Obi Wan Kenobi

BRIGHT (putting his arm on Hannah's shoulder): it's okay honey, we love you anyway. (She hits him and E and A laugh) aoh! You are a very violent person, you know that.

(E and A look at each other, remembering. They don't speak, they don't have to, they know exactly that they think about the same thing. They avoid eye contact after that. H and B notice it.)

BRIGHT (wanting to break the moment): so where's my banana split? I mean, (louder) someone starving over here.

HANNAH(lower): you realise you ate your burger, your chips, my chips, Amy's half burger and Ephram's hot dog. And you're starving!

BRIGHT: if I don't have my dessert, I'm not full. Honey, it's been 3 months, you should know now.

EPHRAM(To Hannah): You know, I'm his friends and sometimes I just don't get him, don't worry.

AMY: tell me about it, I'm his sister and I don't get him all the time.

(They all laugh)

AMY: oh by the way, you know, Gone with the Wind's gonna be the last movie they show before the renovation, which is quite exceptional considering that this was the first movie they showed. It's on Thursday, so guys you wanna come?

EPHRAM: kinda crazy girl in love with a rich older guy? Not my thing but I'm on.

HANNAH: What? The best couple of all time. My favorite movie. I'm on (Pause in which she thinks, disappointed) but I can't, I gotta help Nina for the restaurant with Bright.

BRIGHT: what?

HANNAH: Thursday night, remember?

BRIGHT: dammit, completely forgot. By the way, remind me why am I working like a slave-ass for free?

HANNAH: because it's a subversive way to spend the night with your girlfriend without being beaten by Nina.

BRIGHT: right. (They kiss)

AMY: so it's down the tub for Gone with the Wind.

HANNAH: you know, you can go without us considering the fact that you totally worship the book, the movie, the couple, the-

AMY: I think I got it, thanks Hannah. But you know it's pretty pathetic to go to see a movie like that all alone.

EPHRAM: what about me? The last time I checked I'm still here.

BRIGHT: yeah, you can go just the two of you. And Friday night we could rent "The ring 2".

HANNAH: I already told you no for this film, the girl in the beginning kinda creeps me out, the blonde one.

BRIGHT: they're all blonde. You mean the one who watch the boy die?...

(they keep talking just the two of them and in the meantime E and A look at them.)

EPHRAM: so Thursday night, right?

AMY: I don't know if it's such a good idea, plus you're not really into that kind of movie.

EPHRAM: what? Rhett, Scarlet,Tara? Can't miss it!

AMY: I mean I don't know, it might be all a little weird, don't you think?

EPHRAM: What do you mean?

AMY: I mean (long pause on which she tries to explain but surrender) never mind. Thursday night.

EPHRAM: so see you at 8 o'clock.

Amy: for Gone with the wind? 8. 9. 7:30

(They laugh)

BRIGHT: so it's set. While you guys will be at the cinema, I'll be moving my ass cleaning all the dirt on a bench and scratch the chew gum under the table. I mean great.

AMY: Frankly my dear, I don't give a damn.

(they laugh)

Later, outside of Sal's. Bright has his arm around Hannah

BRIGHT: so that was a good night.

HANNAH: better than if we'd be only the 2 of us, don't you think?

BRIGHT: definitely not!

HANNAH: you! (She hits him and bright kisses her instead. EPHRAM and AMY just stand there, looking at them, a little bit ill at ease. Silence)

EPHRAM: so I guess this is a goodbye. I call you.

AMY: or I call you, I mean-

BRIGHT: why nobody calls me? Anyways guys, you're gonna see each other like tomorrow? It's not a farewell.

EPHRAM (to Amy): Yeah sure.

(Bright and Hannah kiss a last time before the girls leave and Bright and Ephram walk to the car)

EPHRAM: so things are going good between you two.

BRIGHT: yeah, pretty good. I mean she gets me and I kinda get her sometime, which is a good beginning for me. And I kinda feel what you felt when you were Amy last year, you know and I remember how I used to make fun of you, being her bitch and all of that. Well now I'm Hannah's bitch.

EPHRAM(laughing): it's great. You seem happy.

BRIGHT: well I am.

(Suddenly, coming out of nowhere or maybe too absorbed by their conversation, Andy, shocked to see E here, stands right in front of them)

ANDY: Ephram?

EPHRAM: Dad.

ANDY(happy): you're back?

EPHRAM: yeah, seems like it.

ANDY: Since when? where are you staying?

EPHRAM: none of this is your business

BRIGHT: listen, maybe i should leave you two...

EPHRAM: no, it's okay, we're going anyway.

(And they leave, letting Andy on the street by himself, really upset.)

BRIGHT: you okay?

EPHRAM: yeah.

BRIGHT: you don't wanna talk about it I guess.

EPHRAM: not really.

BRIGHT: it's okay, no worry dude. (They walk near a bunch of blonde girls who apparently hitting on Bright.) Did you see these girls, they were totally checking me out! But I totally gave them the "I'm taken" signal.

EPHRAM(laughing): you're nuts, you know that?

BRIGHT: dude, it's an attitude. When a girl hits on me, I give her the "sorry honey, I'm in a serious relationship right now, I'm not even looking" look, you know. Respect for Hannah.

EPHRAM: and what does my look mean?

BRIGHT: "don't even try, I'm gay."

(they laughs as they're walking towards the car)