The Meeting

A playlet for two people

Scene:  A Café.  Two young women meet by chance after nearly 2 years.  Jane is seated at a table.  Laura has just purchased a cup of coffee from the counter.

Jane:  (looks up)   Laura!

Laura:  Hello Jane.

Jane:  How lovely to see you. You look really well. (Laura sits down)

Jane:  I’ve been so worried wondering how you were getting on.  I heard you were very ill.

Laura:  Yes, it does make you ill when the love of your life walks out on you.

Jane:  All right, I deserved that.  I know I made a play for Stephen.  I didn’t think it would go that far; besides you just let him go.

Laura:  I didn’t have the confidence to fight.  Not then anyway.

Jane:  I don’t know why – the pampered upbringing you’ve had.  You have no idea what my life was like.  The daughter of a single mother, the drinking, the neglect, the men.  I’ve had to fight for everything I’ve got.

Laura:  My childhood wasn’t so good.  I was stifled; I had all the fight taken out of me.  It was “Don’t do that dear:  be careful:  no you can’t:  don’t be rude”.  And Jane, I’m sure you and the rest of the school remember when my father picked me up from the School Prom at 9 o’clock.  I was the laughing stock of the school.

Jane:  (Trying not to laugh)  Er – yes.

Laura:  When I met Stephen it was like some wonderful fairy story, but you couldn’t leave things alone, could you! My whole world collapsed… you know… don’t you… I took an overdose.

Jane:  Yes, of course, it got round. It was touch and go wasn’t it.  But if it’s any comfort to you, Stephen and I broke up after a few weeks.

Laura:  Oh yes, I know.  He came to see me in hospital.  I didn’t want to know at first, but he was persistent.  Then the old magic came back, in fact our relationship was far better than before.  We were married two months ago.

Jane:  I’m glad it turned out well for you – I really am.

Laura:  How is your life Jane?

Jane:  I’m fine.  I’ve got a lovely flat, I earn good money, I can have anything I want.

Laura:  What do you do?

Jane:  This and that.

Laura:  I see.

Jane:  You and Stephen will have to come over one evening – have some dinner.

Laura:  Well – no. I’m glad we bumped into each other.  It’s tied up some loose ends.  I don’t bear any grudges.  I’m far too happy for that.  And I wish you well, but did you really think I would let my husband anywhere near you.

(She smiles and walks away).