Int. Oliver's apartment. Late afternoon.
JohN
Hey, You want to head over and grab a bite to eat?
OlIVER
Ah, well...I'm not that hungry--
John
What!? Earlier you said you were starving! Come on.
OliVER
No, no, I had a sandwich. Go ahead without me--
JOHN
Didn't you say there was something you wanted to talk about? Come on, we'll talk about it on the way--
OlIVER
Well, actually, my study partner is coming over in just a bit.
JohN
Oh. Ok. Well do you want me to pick anything up for you?
OLIVER
No, it's fine. Thanks, though.
John
By the way, how are things going with Rachel?
Oliver
Well, actually that's one of the things I wanted to talk to you about.
JOHN
What do you mean?
OLIVER
Well--
JoHN
I thought things were going really well between you two--
OlIVER
No, no, They are. It's just--
John
Are you getting the jitters again?
OLIVER
No, no--
JOHN
How many times do I have to tell you? You've just gotta look over some of those little things--
oLIVER
John--
JOHN
Because it's not like this this is the first time you've--
OlIVER
John, Listen!
John
Ok! Ok. Sorry. Listening.
OlIVER
Things are fine with Rachel...We haven't had any problems in awhile, she's great, but...I think, maybe, I might be getting, well--maybe bored with things.
John
What?
Oliver
You know, maybe it's come to the point where I've gotten everything I need out of this relationship--
John
Wait, wait, wait. Hold on, if things are going so well with Rachel, what brought this on?
OlIVER
Well, like I said, maybe I'm just a little bored with things. You know, it's just not exciting like it used to be.
JohN
Oliver, She is so good for you! I mean come on! What other girl have you ever dated that has been this good--this on top of things! She's so solid and down to earth! You get along great--you have so many of the same interests, you like to do the same things--
OlIVER
I know, I know. But maybe it's just time to move on--Don't you ever wonder about who else could be out there for you?
JoHN
All the time. Remember how I'm still single?
OlIVER
But seriously, I just don't know if I'm ready to commit.
JoHN
Well...that's understandable. I can see why you might feel that way--how long has it been now? Since you started dating?
OliVER
Eleven--well, almost a year now.
JohN
Well, no need to rush into things. But you shouldn't rush out of things either. Rachel is a serious catch, man. I would seriously think twice before bailing out of that one.
OlIVER
I know, I know. Here's the thing--remember that girl that was over here last week when you dropped by?
JOHN
Redhead?
OlIVER
Yeah.
JOHN
Real pretty?
OlIVER
Yeah.
JOHN
Yeah, I remember her.
OlIVER
Her name is Shannon, she's my lab partner for Chemistry.
JOHN
Uh-huh.
OlIVER
Well, I've kind of been thinking that I might want to date her.
Pause
JOHN
Ok...wait--what!?
OlIVER
What!?
JoHN
Man, are you stupid!?
OlIVER
What?
John
That's what this is about?
OlIVER
Well--
JOHN
You're going to leave Rachel so you can go chase your lab partner!?
OliVER
I didn't say I was going to leave her--I just said I was thinking about it, and no, that's not what this is about.
JohN
Really?
OliVER
No.
JOHN
Well then what is it about?
OlIVER
I told you, I just think I'm ready for a change--Rachel is great, but I just don't know if she's the only one for me, you know?
JOHN
Ok, fine. So what's so great about this other girl then?
OlIVER
Shannon?
JOHN
Yeah.
OlIVER
Well, she's smart I think. Or at least she's a lot smarter than a lot of the girls I meet. She loves poetry...She's a dancer--
joHN
A dancer?
OlIVER
Yeah, a dancer. Didn't you think she was pretty?
JoHN
Sure, but...
OlIVER
Man, I sure think so...
JoHN
Huh.
OlIVER
And she likes me--or at least I think she likes me, I can't really tell yet. But we've had some really great conversations. I feel like we...connected.
John
Ok...Ok. But listen, you can't run out on Rachel. If you've ever trusted me about anything, trust me about this one--Rachel is good for you. To be honest, she's way out of your league and you'd be smart to hang on to her--she's the kind of girl you want to marry, Oliver. Don't ditch out on her just because you think this other girl is pretty--
OliVER
I'm not, I'm not. But what if this other girl is out of my league and maybe she likes me? I can't pass that up--
A knock at the door
OlIVER
(While walking to get door)
I mean, wouldn't I always wonder? What could have been? I'm not saying that I've made any decisions about things yet--but maybe I'll find a way to test the water, you know? See if she likes me--
Another knock. OLIVER opens the door to reveal RACHEL carrying a picnic basket and blanket in her arms
Rachel
Hey!
OlIVER
Oh, hey! Come in, come in. What are you doing here?
RaCHEL
I wanted to surprise you! Look, I brought your favorite, turkey with avocado--
OlIVER
Oh wow, thanks--
RaCHEL
And there's a few more surprises in the basket--come on, let's go! Oh, hey John!
John
Hi. Where are you headed?
RaCHEL
That's a surprise too. Sorry, I would invite you, but I only packed enough for the two of us--
John
No, no--that's fine. You guys have fun, I've gotta write a paper before I go to work anyway, so--I'll just catch you another time.
RachEL
Ok. See you later!
JohN
Sure. (Aside) Oliver, do NOT bail.
OlIVER
Don't worry...I'll be there.
John
Oliver--
OlIVER
Bye!
He shuts the door.
RACHEL
What was that all about?
OlIVER
Oh...he just really wants to watch the game tomorrow.
RaCHEL
Oh.
Oliver
So...where did you want to go?
RaCHEL
Where do you think?
OlIVER
Ummm...The park?
RACHEL
Pretty good! How'd you guess?
OlIVER
Maybe because that's where we always go for picnics...
RaCHEL
Well, where would you like to go?
OliVER
I don't know...somewhere different?
Rachel
Well, it's not like there's that many options around for good picnic spots--
OLIVER
I know, I know--
RaCHEL
We could always spread out our blanket in the middle of the intersection if you'd like--
OlIVER
No--
RaCHEL
Or there's always the sidewalk if you'd like to stick on the safe side...
OliVER
Ha ha, very funny.
RachEL
Well, grab your jacket! Come on, let's go!
OlIVER
Wait--
RaCHEL
What?
OlIVER
Well, I don't know if I'll have time to go all the way out to the park...
RacheL
What!? Why?
OlIVER
I've got a huge test tomorrow that I really need to study for.
Rachel
That can wait, you've got time for a little picnic--come on!
Oliver
No, seriously. I've really gotta study...I'm sorry. That's really, really nice of you to make us a picnic and everything, but I've got to get this reading done.
RaCHEL
Ok...well, we can just eat it here then. And afterwards I'll help you study!
OlIVER
Well...
Rachel
Come on! I always help you study--we'll just eat our picnic here, study, and then after, you can make it up to me by taking me on a walk. Hm?
OlIVER
That sounds really great, but actually I've got my lab partner coming over in just a few minutes...
Rachel
Oh...ok. Well, couldn't you just call and reschedule it for a little bit later?
No response
RaCHEL
Well, couldn't you? Come on, Oliver! I haven't seen you all week! You've been so busy with school and studying that I hardly even get to talk to you! When was the last time we even did anything together? Besides studying. Sometimes I feel more like your study coach than your girlfriend.
OlIVER
I know, I know. I'm sorry...but listen--
RaCHEL
What?
OliVER
Come here. Sit down.
RaCHEL
What's going on? You haven't been acting like yourself lately...
OliVER
I know. I've been meaning to talk to you about that.
RACHEL
About what?
Silence. He searches for the words
RACHEL
What's going on?
OlIVER
I think...I think maybe we should take things slower--
RaCHEL
What!?
OLIVER
I mean, I don't know that I'm really in a place where I can be in a serious relationship right now--
RACHEL
Slower? How exactly would you like to take things slower? How long have we been dating now?
OlIVER
I know--
RACHEL
And you want to take things Slower? What does that even mean?
OLIVER
I know... I just feel like, maybe we're at a point in our relationship where...maybe... I just want to be fair to you. And I don't know if I can really give you what you want right now--
RACHEL
How is that taking things slower? Oliver, Do you have any idea how patient I have been with you? How slowly we have taken things!? I have not rushed you once, not once in the entire time we have been dating--
OlIVER
I know, you've been so good about things--
Rachel
Wait... are you breaking up with me? Is that what this is?
OlIVER
No, no, I just think that maybe--
RaCHEL
Oliver?
OlIVER
Maybe--
RaCHEL
Maybe what!? Oliver what is going on? This isn't like you...
Long Pause
OlIVER
Rachel...how do I say this...I think, maybe, we should open our relationship up a little bit. Maybe we should see other people...
Silence
Rachel
...why?
OlIVER
Why?
RACHEL
Yeah, why?
Oliver
Well...
RaCHEL
There's something more. Something you're not telling me. I can always tell when you're hiding something.
OlIVER
What makes you think that?
RaCHEL
Well, is there?
OlIVER
Is there what?
RACHEL
Something else.... Is there another girl?
Long pause
Is there?
Pause
OlIVER
No... No. Listen, We need to talk about this, there's a lot I'd like to talk about, but now is not a good time. My partner will be here any minute, and I should probably clean up a bit before she gets here...Ok? Can we talk about this--
RaCHEL
It's her isn't it.
Silence
Isn't it? I knew it...I saw you walking with her on campus...
OLIVER
Who?
RACHEL
Her! Your lab partner! She has red hair...I saw you. I should have known. The way you were talking--the way she looked at you--
OlIVER
No, that's not it at all--
RACHEL
I'm not stupid, Oliver. I know you. I knew you were acting funny.
oLIVER
Look, there's nothing--
RaCHEL
I knew it.
OlIVER
There's nothing going on between us--we have chemistry--
She shoots him a withering look
OLIVER
We have a class together. Chemistry!
There is a knock at the door
RaCHEL
And now you're trying to get me out the door because she'll be here any minute! Ok, well, fine--
OliVER
No! No, Rachel, wait. Listen to me--there is nothing going on between us. I swear. She's coming over here to study. It's not a big deal.
Pause
RACHEL
Yeah? ...Ok. Prove it. She's just your study partner? It's not a big deal. I'm sure then that she'll understand when you miss your study session.
OlIVER
What?
RaCHEL
It's just a study session--if there's really nothing going on between you, then it won't really be a big deal if you don't show up to study.
OLIVER
What! No--
Another knock
RACHEL
But, if she really did mean something to you, then I'm sure you wouldn't dare standing her up...
A long pause
A third knock
oLIVER
This is ridiculous--
RACHEL
Her. or me. You can't have both.
OlIVER
Rachel--
RaCHEL
You decide.
Pause
Oliver hesitates--then goes to get the door.
OLIVER
This is stupid...
He opens the door to find John standing on the porch. There is a long, awkward pause as the gravity of Oliver's decision sinks in...
RACHEL
Ok. If that's how it's going to be...
She goes to leave
JoHN
Is this a bad time?
RaCHEL
You bet it is!
OLIVER
Rachel! Wait!
RaCHEL
Goodbye, Oliver.
OlIVER
Rachel!
She exits
JOHN
Please tell me that was not what it looked like.
OlIVER
Well...
JoHN
Oliver!
OliVER
Well, it definetely makes the decision easier--I don't have to worry about her finding anything out now. It's all on the table.
John
Wow.
OlIVER
What?
John
No...you just lost out. Seriously.
OlIVER
What?
JOHN
That Shannon girl, red hair, right?
OLIVER
Yeah...
John
Drives a Mini cooper?
OLIVER
Yeah--How'd you know?
JoHN
Yep. I just saw her about ten minutes ago. She was making out with some guy in the parking lot.
OlIVER
What!? Are you sure it was her?
JohN
Positive. Same girl you had over last week?
OlIVER
Yeah...
John
Wow. Sorry man. I came back to try to let you know--so you wouldn't do anything rash, but...
OliVER
Yeah. I know. Thanks...
bLACKOUT.