SCENE III CURTAIN CALL. “Just a Truffle.”

SCENE II

Previously in Scene II.   Ashley glances at Ted’s laptop, her conscience looping furiously.  It would be a violation of his privacy to check his emails, wouldn’t it?  Maybe.  What if she found emails to someone else?  Or a racy ad on Plenty of Fish?  Did she really trust him?  She should just trust him and not invade his mail.  But then again, he DID leave his emails open……maybe he subconsciously wanted her to read them.  Of course he did! It would be wrong for her not to read them because, obviously,  he wanted her to read them.   With shaky hands she opens up Ted’s Inbox.

Ashley scans the recipient lists and recognize names of  his business partners.  There were multiple emails to the animal hospital.  Amazon.  One to his sister about their upcoming reunion.  His sister Cindy was a piece of work.   There were several emails from her.   Nothing suspicious.  Ashley didn’t want to join that reunion trip because she knew it would be a bore.  There is an e-mail from  e-Bay account confirming his bid for a Miniature Doberman Pincer, the dog Ashley always wanted.    Ted had refused because the apartment was too small for a dog.  Ashley clicks the “X” in the top right corner of the window closing it.  She sat back and reflected for a moment. He must have meant to surprise her with the dog.   Maybe he was thinking that she could move in and they’d be one happy family with his cat and her dog.  She was so wrong to mistrust him.

But then she couldn’t resist checking his Sent box, just to be sure.   Ashley started scanning the recipient list.  Many emails to a Carrie from the vets.  Probably about the cats.  Those cats were costing him a fortune.

Scene III

Just then there is knock on the door. It’s Ted’s neighbor, Michael. Distraught, Michael rushes into the apartment and announces that he suspects Taylor may be seeing someone else. Ashley is flattered that Michael is confiding in her. Ashley wonders why Ted’s neighbor’s see her as a fixture….but Ted doesn’t. Michael rummages through Ted’s kitchen cabinets and then sits himself on the sofa with a box of chocolate truffles.

MICHAEL

The truffles were already open. Ted doesn’t care. Want one? (Ashley declines his offer)

Oh God…..I’m so upset.

ASHLEY

Let me make you some Chamomile tea….Michael. That will soothe you.

MICHAEL

(bursts into more tears)

Chamomile. That was Taylor’s favorite. Oh God! Now he’s drinking it with someone else.

ASHLEY

(putting her arm around Michael)

We’re being just a little melodramatic here……he’s not dead and he hasn’t left you….

MICHAEL

Hasn’t left me Yet…..yet! You were going to say Yet….weren’t you? It’s a matter of time.

ASHLEY

It might be nothing. Maybe you’re just projecting.

MICHAEL

Projecting what? What does that mean? I’m the loyal one here. I treat Taylor like a King. I can sense him drifting away. He even smells distant. I ask him constantly every day why he seems so distant and he waives me off…like….Like I’m a nuisance. (he sobs). Taylor is suddenly working out all the time. I told him I loved his little love handles. But no,…now he’s spending 2 hours a day at the gym. Who DOES that?

ASHLEY

Two hours? (Michael nods) Hmmm….that is suspicious.

MICHAEL

That’s what I thought. And I gave him that gym membership. The bastard!

ASHLEY

Men are pigs! (realizing she’s talking to a man) Present company excluded, of course.

MICHAEL

That’s ok girlfriend. Men ARE pigs! How’s your boy?

ASHLEY

He and the bimbo ex are still playing kitty parents. It’s pathetic. (She sarcastically mimics Laurel) ..”And how is Annie Pooh eating?” They act like they have a child together or something. I’ve met ex parents who pay less attention to their human kids than those two pay to their stupid cats.

MICHAEL

But Ted seems like a nice guy. And he’s classy. He has impeccable taste in design, décor and food. I’d date him, if it weren’t for Taylor. Anyway. Do you trust him?

ASHLEY

Hell No.

MICHAEL

Honey…maybe you are projecting. You just have to trust sometimes and don’t sweat the small stuff.

ASHLEY

What?   My guy is obsessed with his ex wife.  You’re the one in the tizzy over your man working out and smelling bad. Who are you to give me advice?

MICHAEL

My advice doesn’t apply to me. (hurt) I should just leave. Do you want me to leave?

ASHLEY

No Michael…stay. Please. Can you keep a secret?

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AAhhhhh!  A SECRET!  And what could that secret possibly be?  If you have a suggestion, send it to our favorite KIWI Theresa Ann at theresa@awordwithyoupress.comand let her work it into next week’s scene.

In the picture we see the editor-in-chief (far right) hogging all the credit for Theresa Ann’s blog in the most trifling–oops!-truffle-ing manner.  Ashely said it, men are pigs, apparently thorn having snout himself.