Cast of Characters

Angela Day:  A twenty-three year old religiously confused
woman with blond hair. She fears God, but
    isn’t convinced of his existence. She likes
to spend her time in bars, hoping for some
sort of experience that will make the views
she’s supposed to have obvious. She also
craves love, but is not very compatible with
men her age. She realizes that she has a
tendency to scare them off, so she is
trying to accept the fact that she might
end up spending the rest of her life alone.

Seth Martin:  A twenty-six year old man with a history of
    partying and reckless behavior. He loves to
    spend time at bars and flirt with girls he
    meets there. He isn’t much for depth or
    heartfelt conversation. He has a major in
    Business and works as a private contractor,
    still trying to find his foothold in the
    business world. He would much rather spend
    his time in bars than working. The past few
    months, he’s decided that maybe something a
    little more serious wouldn’t be that bad,
    and is sort of testing the waters, hoping to
    find a woman that will make him happy.

Bartender:  A middle-aged man casually listening in on
    Seth and Angela’s conversation. He makes an
    occasional remark, but is generally ignored.

Patrons:   Any number of people filling tables at the
    bar, setting a social environment.
Scene
An unnamed bar in an unnamed city

      Setting
The present.
  

Scene One

Setting:     The scene is set at a bar. ANGELA
is sitting at the bar, sipping from a bottle of water. PATRONS generally are ignoring her, but THE BARTENDER keeps glancing at her. SETH is sitting at a table, also giving ANGELA not-so-subtle looks which she refuses to acknowledge.

At Rise:     SETH rises from his table and
      walks to the bar. He sizes up
      ANGELA for a few seconds before
      sitting down next to her.

     SETH:
    (flirtatiously)
Can I buy you a drink, sweetheart?

    (ANGELA looks at him for a moment before
rolling her eyes)

ANGELA:
Sorry, I can’t. I’m a designated driver for the night.

SETH:
(playfully)
Really? Who are you here with?

(ANGELA surveys the bar)

ANGELA:
That group. By the window.

SETH:
Liar.

     ANGELA:
    (after a moment of hesitation)
Excuse me?

     SETH:
I saw you walk in twenty minutes ago. Alone, unless you brought some imaginary friends that you’re planning on driving home later tonight.

    (there is a long pause)

     ANGELA:
You caught me. I’m actually an FBI agent scoping the place out for a potential takedown in the next couple of days. I’m not allowed to drink while on the job.

     SETH:
Interesting. Can I see a badge?

     ANGELA:
Fine. I’m a recovering alcoholic. Sober for eighty-six days now, which is the longest I’ve ever gone. I’d hate to break that streak after I’ve been doing so good.

     SETH:
    (with a laugh)
What kind of recovering alcoholic hangs out in a bar?

     ANGELA:
A stupid one?

     SETH:
Or a really bad liar. Last chance to tell the truth.

     ANGELA:
    (after a long pause)
Fine. Drinking alcohol is against my religion. Happy now?

    
SETH:
Ah, so you’re a Christian. What, are you worried that God will smite you if you take one sip of alcohol?

     ANGELA:
You know what, I’m actually not sure that God exists.

    (SETH pauses, then laughs out loud before
    hailing down THE BARTENDER)

     SETH:
Yeah, can we have two martinis please?
    (to ANGELA)
This is interesting. A pretty woman who isn’t sure that God exists, but still obeys his teachings? You’re either eccentric or plain stupid. Care to tell me which one?

     ANGELA:
Hm. Neither.

     SETH:
Interesting argument. Please explain.

     THE BARTENDER:
Yeah, this is weird.

     ANGELA:
    (ignoring THE BARTENDER)
Ever heard the phrase ‘I fear God and next to God I mostly fear them that fear him not.’?

     SETH:
Nope, can’t say that I have.

    
ANGELA:
Hm. Well it’s by the ancient Iranian poet Saadi. I don’t suppose you know who that is either?

     SETH:
I’m a contractor, sweetheart. Old Iranian poets aren’t exactly my forte.

     ANGELA:
I don’t have to tell you that my name isn’t ‘sweetheart’, do I?

     THE BARTENDER:
Well you’re certainly not acting like one, that much is obvious.

     SETH:
    (ignoring THE BARTENDER)
You haven’t given me an alternative yet.

     ANGELA:
Introductions first, religious beliefs second?

     SETH:
Nah, I like where we’re headed. Please, continue explaining the seemingly impossible idea that an atheist can fear God.

     ANGELA:
I never said I was an atheist. I don’t know what I believe.

     SETH:
Sure. Just make me the only atheist in the room.

     THE BARTENDER:
You might not be alone. That group of girls by the kitchen don’t seem to have much fear of God.

     SETH:
    (to THE BARTENDER)
We’re having a private conversation. Do you mind?

    (THE BARTENDER, clearly offended, hands SETH
    the drinks he ordered, then retreats to the
    edge of the table. He slowly inches his way
    back as the conversation progresses)

     ANGELA:
Anyway, I don’t know if I believe in God or not. I just think it’s safer for me to live my life right. Just in case.

     SETH:
    (shaking his head)
So you fear the idea of God rather than the actual being?

    (ANGELA shrugs without answering, eyeing the
    drink in front of her)

     SETH:
They don’t come any crazier than that.

     ANGELA:
I just like to live my life on the safe side. There’s no harm in that, is there?

     SETH:
    (after considering her statement)
I guess not. However, if God does exist, and if he is loving and forgiving and all of that, then there’s no harm in taking a drink, is there?

     ANGELA:
I’d rather get brownie points for doing what I’m told.

    (she pushes the drink away and stands up to
    leave)

     SETH:
    (grabbing her wrist)
Wait!
    (a beat)
You’re completely crazy, but also extremely beautiful and interesting to talk to. Can I get your name?

     ANGELA:
I thought you didn’t want to do introductions.

     SETH:
Well I changed my mind. I’m Seth. Seth Martin.

    (SETH holds out his hand, but ANGELA just
    stares at it)

     ANGELA:
Do you spend a lot of time here?

     SETH:
A fair amount.

     ANGELA:
All right. Maybe I’ll see you again sometime.

     SETH:
You’re seriously not even going to tell me your name?

     BARTENDER:
Oh come on, just tell him!

     ANGELA:
Come back tomorrow. Maybe if you’re nicer I’ll tell you then.

     SETH:
I’m started to understand why my father told me never to date a Christian.

     ANGELA:
Hanging out at the same bar doesn’t qualify as a date.

     SETH:
If you ever drink something that I buy you it will.

     ANGELA:
    (after a laugh)
You’re not seriously going to buy me a drink every time, are you?

     SETH:
    (after a pause)
I guess you’ll just have to stick with me to find out.

    (ANGELA smiles and walks away from SETH.
    Before exiting, she looks back at him.
    SETH waves at her, then looks pointedly
    at her untouched drink. After a long pause,
    she returns to the bar and sits down.)

     ANGELA:
Can we try this again?

     SETH:
    (with a huge smile)
Sure. Can I buy you a drink, sweetheart?

    (They freeze. Lights go out. Curtain)