Musicale Barista Girl - dialog 4 - Gambit

The action takes place in the same cafe. Passions are running high. A new character appears.
Characters:
Eloise - the main character, a blonde, but not frivolous, but responsible, witty, and easy-going.
Earl - a wealthy man of a certain age (somewhere in his 50s or 60s - he doesn't like to talk about himself in detail), for whom money comes first and he's not used to being rejected. He dresses very expensively - his watch alone is worth a visit - it sparkles like the sun (it's clearly visible on stage). Women are just beautiful entourage for him.
Lana - a waitress, a girl from next door, with blonde hair and a slightly nervous personality. She's a little jealous of Eloise, who gets the lion's share of the men's attention.
John - a young man in a black suit who's been coming to the caf; for a couple of weeks and constantly teases Lana. He works for Earl, who relegates him to a servant.

SCENE:

[Background music: soft piano, low volume, warm, continuous]

[Sound effect: cafe ambience, door creaks, soft footsteps]

[Stage direction: JOHN slips back into the cafe, sits at the counter. ;LO;SE watches him. Lana is still outside under the oak tree.]

[Eloise (dryly, wiping a cup): ] In situations like this, crawling is better. Less visibility, and the floor stays cleaner.

[John (nervous laugh): ] What are you talking about?

[Eloise (puts down cup, stares): ] Spy games. You move uncertainly, you forgot to put away the telescope, you left your glasses, but you still went after her.

[John (defensive): ] I didn't go after her. I went out for air.

[Eloise (almost smiling): ] Right. For air. Right behind her. Pulse normal?

[John (smugly): ] Yes. I just came back for my cane. Plausible?

[Eloise (squints, purses her lips): ] So that cheap, scruffy stick was yours? I threw it away.

[John (almost from behind her, playfully drawing out words): ] What do you know about antiques?

[Sound effect: back door opens, soft footsteps]

[Stage direction: LANA enters from the yard. Her eyes are slightly red. She doesn't look at John. She heads behind the counter, avoiding everyone. ELOISE notices the traces of tears.]

[Eloise (quietly, to Lana, with concern): ] Lana… are you okay? (Lana nods without words, takes a tray) Here, take this to table eight. (Lana nods, takes a cup, leaves toward the hall.)

[Stage direction: Lana exits to the hall with the tray. John watches her go, guilty.]

[Eloise (turns back to John, voice colder): ] Are you here?

[John (confused): ] Well, yes, my dear! What is it?

[Eloise: ] A bunny with a bowtie.

[John (sarcastically): ] You like the tie? Listen, this is none of your business.

[Eloise (picks up a tall glass of iced latte – deliberately clumsy): ] None of my business? (She “accidentally” tips the glass over the counter straight onto John’s trousers.) Oh, so sorry!

[Sound effect: liquid splashing, glass clinking]

[John (jumps up, shocked): ] Are you crazy?! They're new!

[Eloise (innocently, with a slight smile): ] Really? They don't look it. Washing won't make them cleaner. (Hands him a napkin, barely). An accident. I just wanted to test how fast you lose your temper. Answer – instantly. Like a kettle.

[John (wiping himself, angry): ] You did that on purpose!

[Eloise (calmly): ] Of course. And you make Lana cry on purpose. So we're even. (She leans on the counter.) Will you order something? Or will you keep complaining? Just so you know – my complaint book is in literary English, with pictures. Do you need colored pencils?

[John (tries to smirk, but fails): ] You think you're very witty?

[Eloise: ] No. I think you're very stupid. You joke where you should be giving compliments... to her.

[John (voice rising): ] Who do you…
*Note for actor: He intended to say "Who do you think you are?" but is interrupted.*

[Eloise (interrupts sharply, almost shouting): ] You… (meaningful look)
*Note for actor: "You" is ambiguous – could finish his sentence ("You?"), or be a challenge ("Who are you?"), or a threat.*

[Eloise: ] She is my friend! (Pause, quieter but firm) Remember that. While you sit here and joke, she's crying in the back. I don't care about your feelings. I care that she doesn't get hurt. And you hurt her.

[John (tries to stand his ground, but his voice cracks): ] I… I'll tell you… Yo… (stands up, tense)
*Note for actor: He stutters, trying to say "You" – only gets out "Yo-".*

[Sound effect: knuckles cracking, chairs scraping]


[Eloise (mockingly): ] Your Highness! When you kiss the hem, don't bang your head on the counter, sir. John, you're not as bad as your current suit. Just a fool. (She smiles slightly) Take off your trousers, I'll send them to the dry cleaner. Lana will bring them back later.

[John (confused, looks down at his wet trousers): ] What? Here? Right now?

[Eloise (laughs): ] No, of course not. There is a back room. (She hands him a dry cloth) Dry yourself and sit still.

[Stage direction: The caf; door opens with a flourish. Enter EARL – expensive suit, gold watch, gold chain over tie, ruby pin catching light. Two henchmen behind him. Earl scans the room, sees John, smirks.]

[Earl (loud, walking toward the counter): ] John! So this is where you've been coming all this time. (Notices wet trousers, laughs) Caught in the rain? Or under coffee?

[John (embarrassed, stands): ] Earl… it's not…

[Earl (raises hand, silencing him): ] Quiet. (Turns to Eloise, charming) I apologize for my servant. He sometimes forgets that he is a service dog. So he may bark, but without malice. I'll pay for his… tactlessness. And for the trousers. (Winks) How much?

[Eloise (cold, without a smile): ] Free. That was my… promotion. It's called "Cold Shower for the Clueless."

[Earl (laughs, leans on counter, lowers voice): ] You are a woman with character. I like that. I usually don't meet such women… behind the counter.

[Eloise (doesn't flinch): ] And I usually don't meet such men… behind the counter. Because they sit at a table and place an order. What will you drink?

[Earl (amused): ] How about dinner tonight? I know a great place. Without coffee.

[Eloise: ] I'm at work. And even if I weren't – I don't have dinner with people who call their employees "servants." Or with people who allow them to insult women. (Looks meaningfully at John)

[Earl (laughs, but his eyes narrow): ] Wow. You are brave.

[Eloise: ] It's not bravery – it's disgust. (She turns away, starts cleaning the coffee machine.)


[Lana (whispers, to Eloise, not taking her eyes off Earl): ] Who is that?

[Eloise (dryly): ] Another customer. With a wallet the size of his soul.

[Earl (notices Lana’s gaze, smiles, adjusts his tie so the ruby catches the light): ] And this must be the Lana John told me about. (He looks her up and down, approvingly.) Yes… he was not wrong.

[Lana (blushes, looks down, but clearly flattered): ] Shall I… bring you a menu?

[Earl: ] No need. I know what I want. (He leans slightly toward her, lowering his voice.) Later. (He steps back, toward the center of the stage, raising his voice.) For now… (music starts – piano and bass, playful) …allow me to introduce myself.

[Stage direction: Earl moves to center stage. Caf; lights dim, spotlight on him. His henchmen step aside. John frozen. Eloise watches with disgust. Lana stares, mesmerized.]

[Transition: Earl's song begins – "All the best for me"]
[Outro: music swells, Earl sings.]