Play

Last night Dave says that he can't go to the play with us because he needs to walk Jenny. As have used this excuse often myself, agree, but reserve small portion of resentment. Tell Libby that it will just be us three. She says it is too bad because she is sure that I am going to Love the play. And the Playwright, who will be going out for drinks with us after. Says the playwright and I very similar. We even look alike. Develop instant and intense dislike for unknown playwrite. The contessa tries to say that her stomach feels Funny. Give her firm look which she turns away from. She puts her hand up to her forhead in dramatic fashion. Libby says she is going up to get her purse and then we can go. Hiss at the Contessa, Don't you dare abandon me. Remind her how helpful Libby was about the Space Conflict. At this, the Contessa sighs angrily and says Fine. Play set in future--costume designer seems to think that we will soon be wearing many unattractive layers (cut off t-shirts over dress shirts, shorts over leggings--both women and men) as well as gaudy costume jewelry (also for both men and women). Dialogue in rhyming couplets which has mesmerizing effect. Begin pleasant thought process involving what it must be like to shop for clothes for a play. Develop elaborate scenario in which have task of running around very large store throwing clothes into grocery cart. Feel sharp jab in ribs from Contessa's elbow. Rest of play spent trying very hard to pay attention to play which appears to be about morticians after the apocalypse (play heavily, though not happily, influenced by television show Six Feet Under). Once realize what play is about, watch with an extremely unpleasant mixture of terror and boredom. At bar afterward, Libby asks, What Did you Think? I think it was Wonderful. There is a pause. Rules of society force me to say, It Really Made Me Think. The Contessa glares at her wineglass and says in a tight voice, Hmm. Libby waves the playwright over. Says in bright voice, We were just saying what a triumph the play is. The playwright laughs in way that is intended to convey modesty but in fact conveys the opposite. Is wearing shiny square toed shoes, jeans that taper at the bottom, and seems to be working on a soul patch. Libby says, Finally you two get to meet. You can talk about writing, and see, you could be twins! Playwright gives me look of pure hatred and avoids me for the rest of the evening. While fully prepared to not like him, do not feel that his dislike of me just at all. Libby becomes very tipsy and Forces the Contessa and me to have two drinks each. Take subway home feeling extremely discouraged.