249. Incompatible - Leslie

• FADE IN:


• INT. THE ATTIC - NIGHT


• The Attic is a small cafe and bookstore that maintains a slightly exclusive feeling.


• Everybody knows everybody with the exception of the occasional stranger who stumbles into shop.


• This evening, soft light from tea lights and wicker lamps illuminate the space.


• ESHE, the owner, sits perched on the bar, reading a book, her spiky silver hair contrasting with her smooth, chocolate skin.


• ANGIE sits on a love seat in the corner.


• She holds a glass of wine in one hand.


• MARLEN is perched on the the ample arm of the chair.


• ANGIE
• Ok, what exactly are you saying?


• She takes a careful sip of the wine.


• Marlen takes a deep breath.


• MARLEN
• I know we both have feelings for each other, but I can't date you.


• ANGIE
• You won't date me?


• MARLEN
• Ok, won't, fine.


• ANGIE
• Because you happen to be a Christianist hypocrite and I choose to keep a healthy dose of skepticism in my life.


• MARLEN
• That's not fair. Don't lump me in with the religious right just because...


• ANGIE
• Because you won't date me since I choose not to believe in your God? I think that gives me plenty of reason to lump you in with every other theocratic...


• MARLEN
• Please, Angie.


• ANGIE
• We're quite possibly perfect for each other except for this and you're going to let your superstitions get in your way?


• MARLEN
• Not fair.


• ANGIE
• Sorry.


• MARLEN
• You don't sound like it.


• ANGIE
• Look...


• MARLEN
• It's like this...my spiritual journey or whatever you want to call it, is really important to me. And yeah, we're so perfect; but if you don't get where I'm coming from spiritually, if you can tolerate, but not really understand why I choose to worship my God, then there's a huge piece missing. It's not a judgment on your beliefs.


• ANGIE
• Like hell it isn't.


• MARLEN
• I don't know what else to say. Maybe I am a jerk, but I you know I was in the friendship simply for the sake of friendship. I never tried to preach, I've listened, we've discussed...and yeah, I hoped we'd end up together.


• ANGIE
• Then why aren't we?


• MARLEN
• I can't do it. If there's one thing I think a couple should share, it's the direction they're heading spiritually, with or without a deity. And if I believe that an essential part of a relationship is two people involved in prayer and relationship with God, how do I reconcile that in a relationship with you?


• Angie stares at him, her fingers tight around the stem of her glass.


• She pulls it back, as if contemplating tossing it into Marlen's face.


• MARLEN
• Don't.


• She stops, then looking straight into his eyes, slowly and deliberately stands, and tilts the glass into his lap.


• With measured steps, she walks away from him, leaving him to stare after her, the stain of wine spreading down his pant legs.


• FADE TO BLACK.