JENNIFER
Gary said that I’m just like you said I’d be. What did you tell them I’d be?
(At this moment, the vacuum goes on in the kitchen. Lori smiles, shrugs her shoulders, and kisses Jennifer again.)
JENNIFER (over the vacuuming sounds)
What did you say to them about me?
LORI (mouthing the words and smiling sheepishly)
I can’t hear you.
JENNIFER (over the vacuum sounds)
Very funny!
(The two sit in silence as the vacuum runs. Lori picks up a book from the coffee table and starts to look at it. The vacuum stops.)
LORI
This is the exhibit you wanted to see?
JENNIFER
Yeah, it was a bunch of Frank Lloyd Wright's sketches. I've been kind of obsessed with him since I was a kid.
LORI
Why?
JENNIFER
My dad was into architecture and one summer we took a road trip to see different examples of Frank Lloyd Wright. My mom was the navigator--
LORI
Your mom?
JENNIFER
I know. Doesn't seem possible now.
LORI
She acts like she can barely find her way to the grocery store.
JENNIFER
Well, this was before she stopped working. My dad wasn't department chair at this point, still a junior professor, so she had to work.
LORI
Doing what?
JENNIFER
She worked as a bank teller.
LORI
A bank teller?
JENNIFER
Yeah.
LORI
Your mom seems so…I don’t know. Not math oriented?
JENNIFER
She's actually really good at math. And a lot tougher than she looks.
LORI
We've spents lots of time with your family--
JENNIFER
Too much probably--
LORI
--and I would never in a thousand years guess that you’re mom worked as a bank teller.
JENNIFER
Well, she did. And that summer when I was in 2nd grade and Stephen was in 4th, my parents rented a mobile home and we drove for three weeks to these different Frank Lloyd Wright buildings. Fallingwater was my favorite.
LORI
Fallingwater?
JENNIFER
It's a house that Wright built in Pennsylvania. Near Pittsburgh. Here, let me see the book.
(Jennifer takes the book from Lori, and she pages through.)
JENNIFER
Not seeing any images of Fallingwater.
LORI
I'm learning all sorts of new things about you here.
JENNIFER
What do you mean?
LORI
It's like this place brings out all your secrets or something.
JENNIFER
I wouldn't really call this a secret. It's just stuff we never talked about. I'm sure there are plenty of things about you that we've never talked about, right?
(Jennifer continues to look through the book. Lori doesn't answer.)
JENNIFER (looking up)
Right?
LORI
Sure.
(Lori smiles and finishes her drink and puts it down. Gary comes back in from the hallway in a new shirt.)
GARY (doing a little twirl)
All clean.
LORI (dove claps)
Lovely!
GARY
I better go check and see if Alex is still speaking to me.
LORI
It's much better in there now, I'm sure.
GARY
Fingers crossed!
(Gary exits into the kitchen. Jennifer puts down the book and sits down next to Lori on the couch.)
JENNIFER
So what did you tell them about me?
LORI
Why do you keep asking?
JENNIFER
Because it's weird being around people who know things about me when I know nothing about them. And I don't know what you told them about me and that makes it--
LORI
I told them you’re a teacher. I told them that you are very sweet and pretty. That we've known each other for a long time but didn't get together until 6 years ago, that you like--
JENNIFER
Why did you tell them that?
LORI
What? That you’re very sweet and pretty?
JENNIFER
Cut it out. You know what I'm talking about.
LORI
Why shouldn’t I tell them?
JENNIFER
My gosh, Lori!
LORI
What's wrong with them knowing?
JENNIFER
I just don't think it’s something that everyone needs to know.
LORI
Look, I was with Alex and Gary alone for a long time. After we realized about the accident, at the dinner we drank a lot, the next morning we had a long car ride back here. We talked about all sorts of things.
JENNIFER
But that stuff is really personal about me.
LORI
And?
JENNIFER
And I don't think you have the right to just tell total strangers about my past.
LORI
What are you so afraid of?
JENNIFER
I'm not afraid of anything. I just don’t feel that—
(Alex and Gary re-enter from the kitchen. Gary carries a number of take out menus, and Alex takes the vacuum back over to the closet and puts it away.)
GARY
So we've got Thai Paradise, Golden Choice Chinese, Neighborhood's Best BBQ, Tip of the Boot Italian, and Cumin Castle. Any of those sound tempting?
ALEX
We've eaten at all of them.
LORI
Jennifer's vegetarian so...
JENNIFER
Whatever is fine. I'm sure I can find--
GARY
Let's eliminate the BBQ.
ALEX
And we had Chinese last night.
LORI
Jennifer cooked Italian this past week.
JENNIFER
But I--
GARY
That leaves us with Thai Paradise or Cumin Castle.
LORI
What's Cumin Castle?
GARY
Indian fusion.
LORI
Fused with what?
ALEX
It's a good question. We haven't quite figured it out yet.
GARY
All we know is that it goes great with red wine.
LORI
Is it spicy?
GARY
Uh...?
ALEX
Yes.
LORI
Jen?
JENNIFER
Anything will be fine.
LORI
Right, but spicy is--
JENNIFER
--fine with me. I'll find something.
ALEX
We can totally go with Thai.
JENNIFER
I LOVE INDIAN FOOD.
(Alex and Gary look at the women who are staring at each other a little too intently. Then they look at each other.)
ALEX
OK then. Cumin Castle it is. Do you want to look at the menu?
LORI (taking the menu)
Sure, we'll take a look.
GARY
And while you're deciding, how about I make some drinks? Alex can choose for me. He knows what I like.
LORI
What do you usually get?
GARY
I get saag with chicken.
LORI
Is that on the menu?
GARY
It's not but they make it for me anyway.
LORI
Alex?
ALEX
Chicken vindaloo.
GARY
Who wants a drink?
LORI
I'll have another round.
ALEX
Same.
GARY
Jennifer?
JENNIFER
Some more water would be great.
GARY
I've got plenty of wine?
JENNIFER
I'm good with the water. Thanks. Can I see the menu?
(Lori hands her the menu and Gary exits.)
ALEX
OK, let me get a piece of paper and pen to take your order. (To Lori) For the lady?
LORI
I'll have the tandoori chicken with an order of naan--
ALEX
Oh, the naan is complimentary.
LORI
Well then. Fancy. How about an order of pakora to start?
ALEX
You got it. What kind of rice?
LORI
Whatever. Surprise me.
ALEX (writing)
One surprise rice. (To Jennifer) And for the other lady?
JENNIFER (still looking at the menu)
Uh...I think I'll have this chick pea dish. (Pointing to the menu)
ALEX
I don't know to say it, but I'll write it down.
JENNIFER
And I'll start with--
LORI
Is that the chick pea dish with the chili symbol next to it? Should you be having--
JENNIFER
It's fine, Lori.
LORI
But you aren't--
JENNIFER (ignoring her)
And I'll have an order of the samosas to start. And make mine a surprise rice too.
ALEX
Two surprise rices. Any sauces?
LORI
They'll probably send some, right?
ALEX
I think so.
(Gary comes in with Lori's drink.)
ALEX
Do they send sauces?
GARY
Yeah, lots of them.
ALEX
What kind of rice?
GARY
Whatever it comes with.
ALEX
OK. Should I have it delivered?
GARY
Why don't I just go pick it up? It's a block away? I dropped the dinner all over the floor. I can go pick up our food.
ALEX (to the women)
This is a first. It'll snow tomorrow.
GARY
Oh, shut up. You make out like I never do anything.
ALEX
Well, that's the first time in 11 years of being together that you've ever offered to pick up the takeout.
GARY
Whatever you say, dear.
ALEX
Gary...?
GARY
He hates it when I say "dear".
ALEX
My grandmother who could barely see or hear towards the end would say that to my grandfather all the time. Just to shut him up. Made him furious. Drives me crazy when I hear it.
GARY
OK, enough with airing our laundry. The girls have already seen and heard way too much and we're barely past the finger foods.
ALEX (deep breath)
So we've got an order of saag with chicken, chicken vindaloo, tandoori chicken, and the chick pea dish I can't say. Then an order of pakora, an order of samosas, and plenty of naan. Then four orders of surprise me rice. Good?
GARY
Double the pakora and samosas and then we're dandy.
ALEX (marking his list)
We're set. I'll place the order.
GARY
And I'll mix you a drink.
(Gary exits to the kitchen and Alex picks up his phone to call in the order.)