The Same Ole' California Air (a short play)
(SABRINA and GEORGE.)
SABRINA
There was a dog right. He was walking on the
street. I think it was a he. I couldn't tell, I
was in my car. I was looking at the dog, and I
wondered what it was thinking. Was it lost, looking
for its master? That's when I realized life was
short. Things become immaterial when one realizes
this.
GEORGE
There was a time when I was waiting at a stoplight.
I just exited the freeway and I was waiting. There
was this guy, a homeless guy, and he had a sign.
But it was a different sign. He didn't ask for
something, he just had a message. It said 'Peace be
with you.' I didn't stop or anything, but the sign
struck me. I've always been religious when I was
younger, but as I grew older I began losing my
faith. That homeless man relit a burnt out flame
inside of me. At that moment I felt at peace. Of
course I didn't stop for him, there were too many
drivers behind me.
SABRINA
Some things are strange. My ex-boyfriend called me
up a few months ago and asked me for a date. I told
him I was seeing somebody, and then he told me he
just wanted a cup of coffee. I thought it would be
harmless, but next thing you know we're making out
in front of a Starbucks. That's when he asked me to
sleep with him. I told him I couldn't do that.
Then, he left, and I haven't spoken to him since.
GEORGE
I think the stars know what's best. It's like
they're members of an audience watching the soap
opera called 'Earth.' Of course they get bored now
and then, that's why they twinkle, like they want
the channel changed.
SABRINA
The man told me said nothing no but already happen
today in time some for nothing in a day.
GEORGE
We hate the repetition of life, but we love it. So
we have fun with it.
SABRINA
Have fun with life.
(pause)
Let me see, the last time I had fun was when me and
you made love on top of our hotel roof in Vegas.
It was just us, under the stars, naked but warm, on
a roof, no one, but us...
GEORGE
I remember. Things are so strange.
SABRINA
Life is. Sometimes I sit and wait for things to
happen.
GEORGE
We all love life. We believe in God. I believe in
God. The smog fills the air.
SABRINA
We breathe in short breaths because the air here is
horrible.
GEORGE
Some things are meant to be horrible.
SABRINA
In a day or two, why not say lunch?
GEORGE
Sure...I need something. I don't know what it is.
We all need something. That's why we do the things
we do.
SABRINA
I don't like my job. I think I'm an artist. Why
did I take up marketing? I don't create. I make
things to make things sell better.
GEORGE
We do things to life in a day that changes the
perception of living.
SABRINA
I saw this guy the other day.
GEORGE
Did you like him?
SABRINA
Of course not. I like you. But he reminded me of
you.
GEORGE
Some men have strange things done to them to make
them more virile.
SABRINA
Don't worry. He wouldn't compare.
GEORGE
Thanks.
SABRINA
He was wearing these shoes. Black ones. They were
nice. They seemed to match his pants. For one
moment, I had a fantasy with him. I was taking of
his big shoes, but instead I started letting him
suck my toes. It felt weird putting my foot
somewhere where it has never been before. It was
nice.
(GEORGE looks at her.)
SABRINA
(continuing)
Of course, it wouldn't compare putting my feet in
your mouth.
GEORGE
Thanks.
SABRINA
You're welcome. I'll always love you.
GEORGE
I was watching a football game the other day, and
during half-time I was getting static. I couldn't
understand it, I had cable. I started flipping the
channels. Every station had static except one. And
guess what, it was the home shopping channel.
SABRINA
I remember the last time I maxed out my credit
cards. I went to the Beverly Center and bought
everything that I wanted, even these two pair of
leather gloves that didn't even fit. But it was
just the feeling of buying it, that power to buy.
GEORGE
I'd never buy anything from the home shopping
channel. But I did buy something from the internet.
I wanted to buy a book I couldn't find. I found one
at Amazon.com, it was neat, putting my credit card
number in, and knowing that it was encrypted so no
hacker would ever get access to my number.
SABRINA
I barely finished paying them off last week. Paying
credit bills are not so bad if you use them to buy
the things you really want.
GEORGE
It's getting darker faster. Raining more.
SABRINA
I'm getting tired.
GEORGE
So am I.
SABRINA
Do you want to call it a night?
GEORGE
No.
SABRINA
We still have things and shit to talk about.
GEORGE
The other day, I was walking to the market...
SABRINA
On second thought, I'm going to bed.
GEORGE
So am I. Sorry.
SABRINA
Don't be, I'm tired.
GEORGE
I'm tired myself.
SABRINA
I think that times are strange, but things will
always be the same.
GEORGE
Like the old man said,...
SABRINA
What did he say?
GEORGE
I don't remember.
SABRINA
Kiss me.
GEORGE
Alright.
(GEORGE kisses her.)
