CSS Dialogue Sample 4

SCENE: VAL (age indeterminant) a mysterious and strangely alluring woman who claims to have once been known as Aphrodite and Venus (among other names) has discovered DARAN's attempt to re-ignite his ex-girlfriend Mitzi's passion for him. She confronts Daran on the issue.

VAL
When I said I'd help you, that was not what I had in mind.

DARAN
Yeah? Well, helping you correct your foul ups was not the way I wanted to spend my day, either!

VAL
(Beat)
Touche.

DARAN
So. It's true, then? That's what this has been all about, hasn't it? You screwed things up for Daphne and now Mitzi's destined to suffer because of it?

VAL
(Sarcastic)
Well done, Inspector Clouseau. You've found me out. You've discovered my "terrible secret." The question now, though, is: what do you intend to do about it?

DARAN
What do you think I'm going to do? I'm going to fix it. The way I should have... a year and a half ago.

Daran crosses to the stairs.

VAL
(Firmly)
No.

Daran stops and turns back to face Val.

DARAN
Excuse me? What did you just say?

VAL
(Still firm)
I said, "No."

Daran crosses down to Val.

DARAN
(Wryly)
"No?"

VAL
No. As in, you can't fix it that way.

DARAN
Yeah? Watch me.

Daran turns back toward the stairs.

VAL
It won't work, Daran. Not a year ago...

DARAN
(Correcting)
Year and a half.

VAL
Whatever. Not then. Not now. Not ever.

DARAN
Why?

VAL
Because... she can't love you!

DARAN
You sure could have fooled me, a minute ago.

VAL
Not the way you want her to.

DARAN
(Ire rising)
Oh, really? And why the hell not?

VAL
(Matching him)
Because of what you are.

DARAN
(At his limit)
And just what am I?

©2004 David W. Dietz III