merf ♡

Coffee Talks

Cut from a longer piece

Coffee Talks

by

Merf

CHARACTERS

SETTING

A modest, family owned coffee shop in the city.

TIME

The present.

ACT I

SCENE 1

(BRIAR is behind the coffee shop’s counter actively spacing out. A bell chimes on the door catching his attention. AUSTER enters)

BRIAR

(Customer service voice.)

Hell- Oh.

(A beat.)

What are you doing here?

AUSTER

Is that really how you greet your dearest childhood friend? I admit it’s been a while, but there’s no need to be so hostile. I’m only here for some coffee.

BRIAR

Last I checked, you couldn’t stand the stuff. It’s always been too bitter for you. For real, why are you here?

AUSTER

(Softly.)

I didn’t think you’d remember-

(He pauses. Then, louder.)

Hmm, I’ve been found out. A shame, really. The reason I'm here is honestly quite embarrassing.

BRIAR

Oh?

AUSTER

…I came to see you. I’ve been thinking about you an awful lot lately, and I was hoping that maybe seeing you would help.

BRIAR

Oh, I see! I’m flattered. Really. So, in other words, you wanted me to remind you how insufferable I am. How overbearing and nosey I can be, how selfish-

AUSTER

(Guiltily.)

Briar-

(Guiltily.)

Look, I’m sorry for all those things I said when we-

BRIAR

-It’s a bit too late for that now.

(A moment of silence passes between them. AUSTER opens his mouth to apologize, but BRIAR interrupts him.)

BRIAR (Continued.)

…Remember Remi?

AUSTER

Remi-?

BRIAR

Remiel Marlow? From my letters..?

(AUSTER doesn’t answer.)

BRIAR (Continued.)

Tch, fucking thought so. Well, we’re dating now, and unlike you he’s actually responsive. Doesn’t feel like I’m talking to a brick wall when I try to reach him. And speaking of him, he’s gonna be here soon. I’d recommend leaving before he gets here.

AUSTER

Briar…

BRIAR

Really, leave. I don’t- I don’t want to see you like this.

(Then, softly.)

I don’t want you to see me like this.

AUSTER

Briar, I’m sorry-

BRIAR

-It’s a little too late for that now, don'tcha think? And what even are you sorry for? You haven’t shown an ounce of remorse- like- ever.

(AUSTER flinches and looks away. BRIAR notices this and looks down at the counter.)

BRIAR (Continued.)

I- Sorry. That’s not- That’s not true. Just feels like it’s been a long time.

AUSTER

No it’s- I haven’t exactly made myself available in quite some time now.

BRIAR

Yeah. You really haven't. It’s been so long since we’ve actually sat down and talked. It’s been like, what? Almost eight years-

AUSTER

-It’s been four. Look,

(He sighs.)

I’m sorry. How about we sit and have a little chat now?

(BRIAR looks at AUSTER, contemplating his answer. AUSTER’s confidence wavers.)

AUSTER (Continued.)

If it’s not too much of an inconvenience, I mean-

BRIAR

…Sure.

(A beat.)

Fine.

AUSTER

If it’s too much of a hassle-

BRIAR

-It’s fine, Auster. It’s about closing time anyway. Just give me a moment, okay?

AUSTER

Oh- Yeah, sure.

(BRIAR flips the shop’s open sign to “closed” and begins sweeping the floor. With neither BRIAR nor AUSTER speaking, the air between them is uncomfortable.)

AUSTER

Do you want any help with-

BRIAR

-No. Knowing you, you’d probably just break something and cause even more problems for me to fix. You can just- How about you keep standing there and ignore me? Should be easy enough for you.

AUSTER

(Offended.)

Briar.

(A beat.)

We both know I’m capable of cleaning. I might need some reminding of where you keep everything, but I haven’t forgotten how to hold and use a broom.

BRIAR

…Right. Sorry.

AUSTER

It's fine. It's whatever.

(BRIAR continues cleaning. After a few moments, he looks at AUSTER.)

BRIAR

(Softly, almost embarrassed.)

Help would actually be kinda nice. If you don’t mind.

AUSTER

I wouldn’t offer if I would only decline. What do you want help with?

BRIAR

The tables? But if you’d rather broom we can-

AUSTER

I don’t mind cleaning the tables.

BRIAR

…You sure..? It's always been your least favorite-

AUSTER

-Yeah. It’ll be just like old times.

(AUSTER looks for a cloth to wash the tables with. They’re in the first place he checks, and he starts to help BRIAR clean.)

BRIAR

With less complaining this time I hope?

AUSTER

Hmm… No promises~!

BRIAR

(Laughs.)

God. You’re insufferable sometimes, you know that?

AUSTER

…Yeah.

(BRIAR hesitates, opens his mouth to speak, but ultimately remains quiet. Another silence passes over them. This one is less hostile than the others, but just as uncomfortable.)

AUSTER

Hey, Briar..?

BRIAR

Hmm?

AUSTER

Do you want to talk about it?

(BRIAR stops sweeping.)

BRIAR

(On edge.)

Talk about what?

AUSTER

You know… About us..? About our breakup-

BRIAR

-Oh so now you want to talk about it-!

AUSTER

Briar-

BRIAR

-No-! You-! Fuck-! Do you know how many times I’ve tried to get us to talk about it? How many times you brushed me off, saying some shit like “we’re fine, what do you mean?” or “what do we even have to talk about?” Do you know how hard I tried to salvage our relationship? How many letters I’ve sent you asking what was wrong—because no matter how many times you said you were fine you’ve never been good at lying to me—that went unanswered? How many nights I spent wondering if you still loved me? If not as a partner, then even just as a friend? I had people telling me to just give up on you constantly, over and over and over, but I held on- I held onto that tiny bit of hope that maybe, just maybe you'd be willing to talk about us while it was still relevant and salvageable.

(BRIAR, on the verge of tears, drops the broom. AUSTER does not approach him.)

AUSTER

Bri, I-

BRIAR

I don’t want to hear it. I've moved on. I'll have a conversation with you, sure, but you're a few years too late for this one.

AUSTER

I'm sorry.

BRIAR

Like your sorry means shit.

(A moment of silence passes between them. If BRIAR has not yet begun to cry, he does so now.)

AUSTER

Is it okay if I touch you?

(BRIAR hesitates before nodding “yes.” AUSTER embraces him. After a moment or two, BRIAR rests his head on his shoulder.)

AUSTER (Continued.)

What can I do to make it up to you?

BRIAR

…You can't.

AUSTER

Then what can I do to try?

BRIAR

…Just stay here?

AUSTER

For as long as you’ll have me.

(Blackout.)