Disclaimer: I do not own anything RENT, all belongs to Jonathan Larson

Early Morning Tension

Roger Davis, Mimi Marquez, and Mark Cohen were sitting around a small table on a cold January morning at the crowded Life Café. All of them were talking and laughing, enjoying each others company. Mark had some green tea with lemon, Mimi had a hot chocolate, and Roger said he wasn't in the mood for anything.

"I can't wait to meet your family tomorrow Mark, it's going to be so much fun!" said Mimi, taking a sip of her chocolate.

"Yeah, your cousin's bat mitzvah should be cool" said Roger grinning.

"Yeah, amazing" said Mark sarcastically. All three of them laughed and continued talking.

The bell rang at the door, signaling someone had just walked in. It was Maureen Johnson, wearing a white winter coat, a blue hat, and a multicolored scarf. Mark and Mimi smiled, but Roger's gaze fell to the table.

"Good morning everyone! How is my Marky today?" she said gleefully. She pinched his cheeks and then took a place at the table. "So, what kind of crazy things will we be doing today? We can't just sit around. I know! Let's go shopping for our trip tomorrow!" Maureen said excitedly. Roger noticed Maureen touched Mark's thigh underneath the table.

"Mo, relax we're only going to be there for a day. It's only a three hour bus ride, not that I'm looking forward to it" said Mark.

"So, where's Joanne today?" asked Roger with his arms folded.

"She's at a meeting, you know, doing boring lawyer stuff" said Maureen.

"She's coming tomorrow, right?" asked Mark.

"Yep, she took of work for the bar mitzvah, it's gonna be a blast!"

"It's bat mitzvah Maureen" said Roger coolly.

"But Mark's always talking about his bar mitzvah" said Maureen.

"Bar mitzvahs are for boys, bat mitzvahs are for girls" said Mimi.

"Sorry, my mistake, I hate it when I look stupid, just one of those moments I suppose" said Maureen smiling.

"Because it's always about how you look isn't it?" mumbled Roger.

"What?" asked Maureen.

"Nothing, come on Mimi I have to go to the loft and get my stuff for the band's sound check. Let's go" said Roger. He grabbed Mimi's hand hastily and led her out of the café.

"Bye guys, I'll see you tomorrow!" said Mimi quickly with a wave as she left.

After they got to the loft, Mimi sensed something was wrong. "Roger, are you ok? You're acting very touchy today"

"No, it's nothing baby, just stress. The band and stuff, you know?" said Roger. He pulled her closer and put his arms around her waist.

"Well, maybe I can relieve some of that tension, hmm?" ask Mimi, smiling naughtily.

Roger smiled back and led her into his bedroom.

After a couple of hours, Roger walked out of his room and saw Mark and Maureen drinking in the living room. They both laughed hysterically, and Maureen was all over Mark.

"Yo..ou kn..oww" Mark stuttered. "Why did we ever break up?"

This was somehow hysterical to Maureen, and she laughed harder at this, causing some of her drink to fall over. "Because darling, I am a LESBIAN! Don't worry; you weren't that bad in bed that you made me this way"

Roger rolled his eyes and walked into the kitchen. He spotted Maureen's leather jacket and picked it up. Inside the pocket there was a piece of paper that said Jennifer-275-5567

"Figures" said Roger. He put it back on the table and walked back into his bedroom. Before opening the door, he heard Maureen say to Mark:

"Listen, can you come over tomorrow and help me pack for my trip, you know I can't do it by myself with all of my stuff"

"Sure, anything for you" he said back. They were looking into each other's eyes when they said this, and then she kissed him

"Thanks pookie" Maureen said after she pulled away from him.

"Slut" muttered Roger as he walked back into his room.