The Cucumber Issue

CHARACTERS:        CASEY: A man around 25, thin yet muscular, good-looking.

JANE: A female around 25.

[The scene takes place in a small dinning/living-room with an American kitchen. CASEY is lying on the couch in front of the TV, when JANE walks in. The TV’s shouting. JANE drops her bag on the floor and glances at CASEY. He’s wearing shorts. His worn-out t-shirt comes up revealing a little of his abs. JANE smiles shortly.]

TV:                  Do you need a new dishwasher?

            [JANE groans and let out a long sigh.]

JANE: [loud to cover the TV racket.]

                        I’m back.

            [CASEY glances shortly at her, then back at the ads on TV. JANE takes off her coat and shoes. She’s wearing formal clothes. A few minutes drops by.]

CASEY:         Something in the fridge stinks.

            [JANE glares at CASEY in silence. She runs her fingers through her hair. She strolls to the fridge, voluntarily walking in front of the TV. CASEY does not react. JANE bends and opens the fridge. ]

JANE:             I don’t smell anything.

CASEY:         I think it’s the cucumber. It must have frozen and unfrozen. I told you the fridge’s too cold.

JANE:             Thank you, Casey.

            [She rummages through the food, taking out a few bowls, then a cucumber.]

                        The cucumber is fine. It looks fresh.

            [CASEY sighs heavily and turns his looks towards her, exasperated.]

CASEY:         It’s not. Just throw it away…

            [JANE puts the cucumber back into the fridge and closes the door, glaring at CASEY coolly.]

                        What…

JANE:             It’s still good, I’ll eat it tomorrow for lunch.

            [CASEY stands up noisily and joins JANE in front of the fridge. He scratches his belly, pulls the door open and takes the cucumber out.]

CASEY:         Can’t you smell that?

            [JANE glares at him.]

JANE:             I can’t. It’s perfectly fine.

            [CASEY looks both incredulous and annoyed.]

CASEY:         Are you a pig or what?

            [For a split second, they stare at each other. JANE seems on the edge of snapping.]

JANE:             Fine.

            [JANE grabs the cucumber and throw it violently into the waste bin, with a weird laugh.]

                        That’s it.

            [She leaves the kitchen, sits herself on the sofa and stares blankly at the TV.]

CASEY: [nonchalant.]

                        Are you all right, Jane?

JANE:             I’m fine.

            [She does not look at him.]

CASEY:         You’re sure, babe?

            [CASEY scratches his head, and hesitates to come near JANE.]

JANE:             Yes, I am.

            [She does not look at him. He starts walking towards her, when he notices tears on her cheeks. He starts extending a hand, but meets her glaring eyes and changes his mind. A shock and incomprehension mixes on his face and he goes for the door.]

JANE:             Because of you, I threw away good food.

            [She sobs heavily. He scowls and leaves. Silently, JANE dries her tears.]

TV:                 Need to feel refreshed? Have some veggies!