SCENE: After chasing local blowhard Bubba out of his bar, JOE confronts WILLIAM concerning how easily he dispatched the big man yet can't seem to do anything about his former lover, ANGELA.
WILLIAM
Angela is a completely different matter.
JOE
(Beat)
You’re scared of her, aren’t you?
WILLIAM
What? Don’t be ridiculous she can’t harm me.
JOE
(Confused)
I thought you said she’s been trying to kill you.
WILLIAM
(Salvaging)
Ah, but she hasn’t yet, has she? And she never will.
JOE
If she can’t, then why is she trying?
WILLIAM
Because she doesn’t realize that she can’t. That’s what makes her dangerous.
JOE
I don’t get it, why can’t she kill you?
WILLIAM
The same reason I can’t kill her.
JOE
I’m getting more than a little fed up with your cryptic answers. At least tell me why are you running? It can’t be to get away from her.
WILLIAM
Well, it is in part. But it’s also partly to keep her from catching up with me so that she doesn’t find out.
JOE
What would happen if she found out she couldn’t kill you?
WILLIAM
She’d have to find someone else to do it for her. Which is also what I’ve been doing. Looking for someone…
He stares at Joe.
JOE
(Horrified)
Oh no, you can’t mean me?
WILLIAM
Why not? You’re the first one who’s ever gotten to fully hear my story. You understand my dilemma.
JOE
You can’t ask me to kill someone.
WILLIAM
Oh no? I think you owe me. I solved your problem. The least you could do is help me get out of mine.
JOE
But… I just can’t kill someone and justify it like that.
