Marc wakes up abruptly. He is sweaty and looks violently around the room, rubbing his face and taking comfort in the fact that he is in a “safe” place. As he comes to the realization that he is no longer dreaming, he begins to calm down, and starts looking for Peyton, who is not in the room.
Marc: Peyton? Peyton? (Waits for answer.) Peyton, are you there? (Gets up. Checks bathroom and kitchen.) Dammit, Peyton…(starts getting dressed and heads out the door, onto the street. He walks by a convenience store, and sees Peyton out of the corner of his eye. He runs in.) Peyton. Peyton!
Peyton: (looking for a bottle of soda in the freezer.) What?
Marc: Peyton, I—I have to tell you—
Peyton: Be quiet, I’m thinking.
Marc: About what??
Peyton:(Sarcastically.) About the meaning of life. About which soda I’m going to buy.
Marc: What? What the hell do you need to think about that for, it’s soda!
Peyton: (turns around sharply.) Will you get off my ass? (Turns back to the freezer.) Now, all I have to do is follow my instinct….and move a little to the right…(Circles his hand over a few bottles.)…and…this one. (Picks up a bottle in the back of the freezer.) Now I need to find a computer.
Marc: A...computer?(Peyton starts walking toward the cashier.) Peyton, I have to tell you something, I think it’s very important—
Peyton: Yea, yea. Can it wait a minute?
Marc: (Marc exhales deeply.) Yes…
Cashier: Is there anything else, sir?
Peyton: Oh yea, uh, gimme a pack of condoms.
Marc: What are--?
Cashier: Ribbed, lubricated, her pleasure, flavored, extra sensitive—
Peyton: Her pleasure, please.
Cashier: That’s $5.20.(Peyton gives him the money.) Thank you, have a good day.
Peyton: Thanks. You too. (Starts to walk out the door.)
Marc: Ok Peyton—
Peyton: Ok Marc, go ahead. Tell me what’s so important.
Marc: Alright, it’s this dream I had—
Peyton: I’m ready to listen. I’m all ears, Marc.
Marc: Well last night—
Peyton: Don’t let me interrupt you or anything. I really want to hear what you have to say.
Marc: Well there was—
Peyton: And if I interrupt, or you think I’m not paying as much attention as I should—
Marc: Shut the fuck up already!
Peyton: (Lighting a cigarette.)Well someone’s feisty. (Smiles to himself.)
Marc: God, Peyton.
Peyton: I’m sorry. Go on.
Marc: Alright. Ok. So. Have you ever…I dunno, had a dream—
Peyton: No. I’m not black.
Marc: (Exasperated.) --a dream where you were dying—
Peyton: Oh my god. (Stops short.)
Marc: What? What is it?
Peyton: A computer. Look. (He points to a Starbucks, which has a wireless hot spot and a computer.)
Marc: Are you listening?
Peyton: Yea, I hear ya. (They walk into the Starbucks. Peyton takes a seat in front of the computer screen and Marc stands next to him. Peyton takes the cap off his soda and hands it to Marc.) Hold this.
Marc: What is it?
Peyton: It’s a game. Each cap has a secret code, but only one is worth anything. Now all I have to do is go on the website…(clicks on the screen a few times.)…and enter in the code…gimme that.(Takes the cap from Marc and types it in.)…and see what I win.
Marc: Anything good?
Peyton: Hm. A year’s supply of Coke and a Playstation. And I even get some games too. Not bad, eh?
Marc: I’m not even gonna ask. Anyway, could we please get back to what I was trying to say?
Peyton: Yes. Yes we can. (Turns away from computer to face Marc.) Pull up a chair, mate.(Marc does so.)
Marc: Alright well last night, I had this dream that I was driving down this dark road in the middle of the night. Then it gets fuzzy for a bit…and all of a sudden I’m flying out the windshield because I crashed into someone. And then I woke up.
Peyton: (Sarcastically.) Wow.
Marc. No, you don’t understand. It was the most vivid dream I’ve ever had. It was so real, like I was watching myself in a movie. Did you ever have a dream like that?
Peyton: Nope. Can’t say that I have. (Sees a woman from across the room. She is wearing all black and staring into a cup of coffee.She has long jet black hair.) Excuse me for a second. (He gets up.)
Marc: Where are you going?
Peyton: Wait here. (He walks over to her. She looks up at him and smiles.) Hey there.
Nora: Hey. Who’s that? (motions to Marc.)
Peyton: Ah, that’s Marc. He’s new. Heroin, eh?
Nora: Yup. And you?
Peyton: Broken heart.
Nora: (Laughs.) Ah, that’s a good one. Wouldn’t expect that of you, Peyton. What about him? (Motions to Marc, who has stood up and is making his way to them.)
Peyton: Car accident.
Nora: Oh. Hope he didn’t feel much.
Peyton: He didn’t. (Pause.) Nora…are you…busy tonight?
Nora: (With a smile.) What do you think?
Peyton: I know a good comedy club.
Nora: I heard about that. Here. Have the rest of my coffee. I’ve got work to do.
Peyton: (Taking a sip.) Just the way I like it.
Nora: So, tonight…at 8? Is that good for you? (Gets up.)
Peyton: Perfect. I’ll meet you at the comedy club. I have a feeling we’re on the house. Well, I best be going. Marc’s got a bit of learning to do.
Nora: All right, Peyton. I’ll see you tonight. And Marc. Good luck.(Nora gets up and walks out the door. Peyton and Marc stay behind while Peyton finishes his coffee, then they leave.)
Marc: You got a date.
Peyton: Right-o, mate. I got needs, you know.
Marc: Yea, well, I got needs too.
Peyton: Ha. You couldn’t get a date if you paid someone to go out with you.
Marc: And what makes you so sure?
Peyton: Look at you. You cry. You’re a pussy. Women want a strong, handsome man. Which, my friend, is why they want me.
Marc: I don’t believe it.
Peyton: I’ve got that British charm, what can I say? Oh, we have to stop by the post office.
Marc: What for?
Peyton: A package. Oh, and one more thing.
Marc: Yea?
Peyton: Whatever I tell you to do today, you do it, alright?
Marc: Yea. Sure. Whatever you say. .(They reach the post office and walk inside. Peyton signs for the package at the front desk and hands it to Marc. They then walk out.)