Scene 14 – Jenny and Ben lie on the bed in each others arms fully clothed. A mobile phone begins to ring and Ben sits up and pulls it out of his pocket. As he does so Jenny also sits up and sits behind Ben with her chin resting on his shoulder.
Ben: Hello (pause) hello? (pause) Chris? (pause) Chris is that you? (pause) What's wrong? (pause)
(Ben puts his hand over the mobile and talks to Jenny)
Ben: It's Chris but he sounds pretty upset.
Jenny: The guy were paying to find out whos the baby is?
Ben: Yeah.
(he speaks back into the phone)
Ben: Did you speak to Marrissa? (beat) What did she say? (beat) Slow down man! (beat) She what?
Jenny: What is it?
Ben: You fucking liar! (beat) You can't be telling the truth! (beat) Why didn't you tell me you'd been sleeping with her earlier? (beat) So you knew all the time that the baby was yours?
Jenny: What? The baby is Chris'?
Ben: Is that why you were so intent upon helping her get an abortion? (beat) What the hell were you thinking? (beat) What do you mean? (beat) What do I have to ask Jenny? (beat) Fuck off, I don't believe you! (beat) I don't need to ask her, I trust her. (beat) They hate each other! (beat) Fine, I'll ask her.
(he puts his hand over the mobile again and speaks to Jenny)
Ben: Chris is making up some cock and bull story about you and Marrissa and if you haven't already guessed he's the father.
Jenny: I don't know what to say.
Ben: I know I can't believe he never told us he was sleeping with her.
Jenny: (quietly) Yeah.
Ben: And that he has the balls to accuse you of the same, like you would sleep with your own step mother.
Jenny: (quietly) It wasn't like that.
Ben: (shocked) What? (beat) You mean it's the truth?
Jenny: I was young, I didn't know what it meant. Not till I got older. Why did you think I hate her so much?
(Ben picks back up the mobile and speaks into it)
Ben: I'll call you back.
(he hangs up and throws the mobile onto the bed)
Ben: (to Jenny) Why didn't you tell me?
Jenny: It's hardly something you blurt out is it? It was a long time ago.
(they sit in silence the atmosphere between them almost tangible)
Ben: Jen…
(Another mobile starts to go off and Jenny answers it)
Jenny: Hello. (beat) Dad! (beat) What's wrong? (beat) (shocked) There's something wrong with Marrissa. (beat) Of course I will come back home. (beat) I will start packing right now. (beat) I'll sort it all out father and then I'll be home. (beat) Don't worry I'm sure she will be fine. (beat) It's serious. (beat) Are you sure? (beat) What have the doctors said? (beat) What? (beat) So soon? (beat) An abortion? (beat) Are you sure? (beat) Is that why? (beat) Oh dad I'm so sorry. (beat) Will that have to happen? (beat) Dependant on treatment. What treatment? (beat) Well I'll start packing now. (beat) It will be ok. (beat) See you tomorrow. (beat) Love you too.
(Jenny puts down the mobile.)
Ben: What's wrong?
Jenny: Marrissa is ill. We have to go back there tonight.
Ben: Tonight?
(Jenny starts to take clothes out of her wardrobe and stuff them into her suitcase)
Jenny: Yes tonight. My father needs me.
(Ben grabs hold of her arm and pulls her towards him)
Ben: I need you Jenny.
Jenny: Ben, Marrissa is going insane!
(end of scene)
