(It is morning, and Sheila is just now returning home from Southport. She is surprised to see David there, and he has been drinking.)

SHEILA ASHTON
Oh...David.

DAVID ASHTON
Hello.

SHEILA
You came.

DAVID
Freda told you, then.

SHEILA
No...might. She said you might come. She said that, uh, you might come yesterday...and you might come on Monday...

DAVID
Don't try that one, Sheila.

SHEILA
...and all the other times when you said you might come, but you haven't.

DAVID
When? When did I ever say that?

SHEILA
David, don't you try that one on me.

DAVID
Where were you last night?

SHEILA
(sighing)
Do you want some breakfast?

DAVID
I asked you where you were last night.

SHEILA
And I asked you if you wanted some breakfast.

DAVID
No.

SHEILA
Out. I was out.

DAVID
Yeah, Southport...with Doris and Freda.

SHEILA
Well, if you already know that, what are you bothering to ask me for? I missed the last train.

DAVID
They didn't.

SHEILA
Oh, didn't they? Well, I'm going to get some breakfast...

DAVID
(furious, as he rushes toward her)
No, you're bloody well not! You're going to tell me where you were last night.

SHEILA
(just as angry)
Southport!

DAVID
Yes! I mean, where did you stay? Where did you sleep?

SHEILA
Oh, now, I don't ask questions like that to you. I just get letters!

DAVID
I've got a right to ask!

SHEILA
Is that what you call it...a right?

DAVID
Who were you with, Sheila?

SHEILA
You would have to ask me a question like that, wouldn't you, David?

DAVID
I said who were you with?

SHEILA
Do you really want to know?

DAVID
I'm bloody well going to know!

SHEILA
All right, then. I met a man, and we spent the night together. Is that what you want me to say? And I'll tell you something else...I don't even know what his name was.

(Enraged, David slaps her face.)

SHEILA
(more sad than hurt)
That's the first sign in years that it would matter to you.

(David turns away, regretting his act of violence.)

DAVID
(softly, with emotion)
I’m sorry.

SHEILA
(crying)
Yes.

DAVID
Why? Why did you do it?

SHEILA
Do what? Want something more from you, David? Want respect? Want love?

DAVID
I did. I do...in my way.

SHEILA
Your way. It's your way that I can't take anymore, David. I can't.

DAVID
Sheila...

(He puts his hand on her shoulder, but she pushes it away.)

SHEILA
No, don't touch me. That's not going to work anymore.

DAVID
Please, Sheila...

(He reaches for her again, but she will have none of it.)

SHEILA
David, please! Don't touch me.

(He looks down, sadly, and then, turning to take his coat, walks toward the door.)

SHEILA
And, if I told you that it wasn't true...? If I told you that I'd spent the night in a waiting room, everything would be all right again for you, wouldn't it?

DAVID
But you didn't...did you?

SHEILA
(staring at him but choosing not to answer his question)
Goodbye, David.

(David slowly walks out the door, leaving Sheila to cry in solitude.)

 

(from "Lend Your Loving Arms" by Geoffrey Lancashire)