DECISION
Should Naira:
a. continue to listen?
b. ignore it and try to get more sleep?
INT – HOTEL ROOM – A.CONTINUE TO LISTEN — EVENING
A sneeky expression comes across Naira’s face as she puts her ear close to the wall. The noises get a louder. Then she is startled by a loud thud which causes her to jump. After a second or two, it is followed by hysterical laughter.
MALE
(laughingly) You clutz!
FEMALE
Help me up.
The male makes straining sounds.
FEMALE
Were you almost there?
MALE
Yeah, but I don’t think it–
FEMALE
Lie back then.
There is a long silence before sounds of the male groaning. Naira moves away from the wall and looks around as if someone may have seen her listening in. She sits on the bed for a moment staring into the distance. She goes to her bag and digs around in it until she finds a bottle of wine. She holds it up and admires it for a few seconds before setting it on the nightstand. She is about to find a cup when she hears what sounds like arguing coming from the room on the other side of the wall. She listens more closely again.
FEMALE
I don’t care!
MALE
It wasn’t like that.
FEMALE
I don’t care. We’re not ever getting back together anyway.
MALE
Well, what was this all about?
FEMALE
Look at it as a pity fuck!
MALE
Funny. I’m not the one who needs pity. I could find another g-
FEMALE
And that’s why we can’t be together.
MALE
Like you never threw it in my face that you could have anybody you want.
FEMALE
Yeah but I never acted on it.
The voices fade in and out as if they are moving around the room. Naira shifts in the bed for a more comfortable position.
MALE
There you go bringing up old shit again
FEMALE
Well old shit is what got us here isn’t it.
MALE
If you feel like that, why did you invite me here?
FEMALE
I already answered that question. Do I really have to spell everything out? Do I?
There’s more arguing followed by silence.
FEMALE
You should just go.
MALE
This is not over.
FEMALE
Yes, it is. I have a headache.
MALE
We still need to finish this conversation.
FEMALE
This conversation is over and we’re over.
MALE
You need to stop saying that. After all I have put into this relationship. There’s no way.
FEMALE
Fuck you.
MALE
No way I’m-
FEMALE
Fuck YOU!! You act like you were the only one who was a part of this. The problem was that it has always been just about you.
MALE
That’s just the way you saw it. You got a dining room and bedroom set out of the deal.
FEMALE
So that’s your definition of “putting into” a relationship? First of all, we paid for those things. Second, I never made you buy me anything.
MALE
And you didn’t turn a single thing down.
FEMALE
Why would I? You weren’t giving me the one thing I actually did ask you for.
MALE
And what was that?
FEMALE
Some fucking attention; you spent more time hanging out with your booty buddies instead of me. You might as well have been screwing one of them.
MALE
Well, when I did want to spend some time with you, you had to go hang with your girlfriend.
FEMALE
Only after days of waiting for you.
They couple continue to argue. Naira receives a phone call from her friend. She waits a while before answering while she is still listening to the argument. When she finally answers, the call drops because of a faded signal.
FEMALE
You’re really pissing me off.
MALE
Likewise
FEMALE
I don’t want you to be here any more.
MALE
I’m not going anywhere. Not now.
FEMALE
I need you to go.
MALE
I don’t think so.
FEMALE
Well, you can stay here then. I’m leaving.
MALE
No you’re not.
There are sounds of a mild scuffle.
MALE
I said you’re not going anywhere.
FEMALE
Leave me alone. Stop!
There is a loud thud against the wall.
FEMALE
Get your hands off me
Sounds of a struggle can be heard.
MALE
You’re not leaving yet.
FEMALE
Leave me… Stop! That hurts! Gonna scream!!
MALE
Calm the fuck down.
The struggle continues and Naira can hear a series of loud and soft thumps. Suddenly there is a muffled scream followed by the sound of a lamp (or something) falling before everything goes silent. Naira listens more intensely as a look of concern washes over her face. She moves closer to the wall, but there are still no other sounds. Suddenly, she loses he balance, falls off the bed and lets out a yelp. She sits on the floor cover her mouth with a slightly alarmed look.
Then there is a knock on the other side of the wall. A few seconds later another knock. Naira slowly gets up and reaches for her phone. Her cell phone signal is completely out. She reaches for the hotel phone and it rings just as she is picking it up. She pauses holding the receiver just above the telephone. She slowly puts it to her ear and can hear breathing. There is a long pause.