Jimmy Morehouse
Off The Page
Room 105
By Jimmy Morehouse
Characters
DAVID
AMIA
Setting: a hotel room.
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Off The Page
1.
Lights up.
The hotel room is dull, but the conditions are good. The furniture in the room consists of a
double bed (the head of which is far SR), a comfy chair (SL), a chest of drawers topped by a
small television, a kettle and other appliances (US centre), a bedside table with a telephone
and a lamp on it (DS side of the bed), and a small table next to the door (far SL, US side of
the door). There is another door that leads to the bathroom US right. DAVID is sat on the
side of the bed, body facing the audience. He leans forward, resting his chin on his hands,
staring at the floor in front of him. His eyes are slightly red, as if he has been crying.
Suddenly the sound of the bedside phone ringing breaks the silence. DAVID takes a second
to compose himself before picking the phone up.
DAVID. Hello?
Pause as DAVID listens.
Yes, this is room 105.
Pause.
I do know her.
Pause.
Send her up.
He puts the phone down and stares back down to the floor. He pauses there for a second
before getting up and going over to the table next to the door. He runs his hands over a few
things as if checking they are all still there. He then moves to the centre of the room, rubbing
his hands together, looking to see if he’s forgotten anything. He looks at the chest of drawers
then walks over to them, opening the bottom drawer. He closes it again, satisfied with what
he sees. He moves back to the centre of the room, continuing to look around. There is a knock
at the door and DAVID stops and looks to the source of the noise. He pauses for a moment
before composing himself once more and moving briskly towards the door. He opens the door
to AMIA who speaks with a central European accent. Pause, she looks a little surprised.
AMIA. You!
DAVID. (nodding) Come in.
He lets her in before closing the door behind her. He then moves into the middle of the room
between AMIA and the bed, watching her awkwardly with his hands in his pockets. AMIA
stays still, not taking in any of her surroundings, but holding her coat tight around her,
obviously cold. She watches him awkwardly. Pause.
DAVID. It’s not weird. It is what you think.
He points to the table next to the door.
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The money’s on the table.
AMIA briefly looks in the direction of his pointing before putting her bag on the floor and
starting to take off her coat.
DAVID. Would you like me to take your coat for you?
Again AMIA does not acknowledge his comment but looks up with a subtle smile,
maintaining her professionalism. She watches him as she finishes taking off her coat and
drops it casually on the floor; she tries to hide a shiver. DAVID just looks at the coat before
looking up to see AMIA walking seductively towards him. She stops just in front of him
before running her hands down his chest. Pause.
DAVID. So, er . . . how does this work—
He doesn’t have time to finish his sentence before AMIA starts to kiss him passionately.
DAVID is a little taken aback before going along with the situation. AMIA then starts to
move DAVID towards the foot of the bed. As soon as they get there she pushes him down and
she gets on, straddling him. He remains still, looking at her from his laid back position, as
she leans forward to undo the buttons on his shirt. She finishes and moves back upright into
the straddle position. She starts to remove her top, DAVID is now starting to become unsure.
He goes to sit up as she throws her top away.
DAVID. Look, actually, I don’t know if—
AMIA silences him by putting her finger gently on his lips. She then pushes him down and
undoes her bra. She is about to take it off but DAVID grabs her wrist to stop her.
DAVID. Don’t. Please.
Pause. The two look at each other. AMIA looks slightly upset. DAVID looks at her earnestly.
DAVID. I’m sorry. I can’t.
Pause. After a moment AMIA nods and moves off. DAVID swings his legs round to sit on the
side of the bed and AMIA sits on the foot of the bed, trying to reach round and re-attach her
bra strap.
DAVID. Can I help?
AMIA. (snappy) No.
DAVID. (equally snappy) No problem.
AMIA gets up and collects her clothes, including her coat before finally picking up her bag
and taking them over to the foot of the bed. DAVID simply watches her, slightly ashamed.
AMIA resumes her seat at the foot of the bed and starts putting on her clothes again. DAVID
notices his shirt is undone and starts to button it up. He looks at her.
DAVID. Sorry, I didn’t think it would be like this.
Silence.
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Does that happen often?
AMIA. What?
DAVID. Have other men found it hard to . . .
Pause. AMIA looks at him. She turns away.
Well . . . Er . . . That’s embarrassing.
AMIA finishes putting on her clothes, picks up her bag and walks towards the door, far SL.
DAVID. (standing) Wait, where are you going?
AMIA. I have to go.
DAVID. (moving towards her) You can’t go now; you’ve only just got here!
AMIA. (stopping) Mr Harrison—
DAVID. Please don’t call me that, my name’s David.
He has now made his way between AMIA and the door.
AMIA. Mr Harrison, I have to go.
DAVID. Why?
AMIA: This not what I do.
DAVID. What do you mean?
AMIA. I need to see next man—
DAVID. My appointment isn’t over yet.
AMIA. It finish.
DAVID. It doesn’t have to be.
AMIA looks at him with a blank expression, mouth half open as if trying to say something
but can’t.
DAVID. (exaggerating each word) I still have more time.
AMIA. Ne. Nema više – er . . . No more time for, er, like you.
DAVID. Men like me?
AMIA. Er, yes.
DAVID. Am I not the only one?
AMIA. What?
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DAVID. Am I not the only one who couldn’t go through with it?
Pause.
AMIA. I have to go.
DAVID. (calmly) No, you don’t have to go.
Pause.
Just stay for a drink.
Pause.
AMIA. Er—
DAVID. A drink?
He makes the motion as if to suggest he is drinking. AMIA pulls an exasperated face.
DAVID. Stay with me. It’s cold outside and you’re freezing.
Pause. He tentatively takes a step closer. She takes a step back.
DAVID. Please . . . For me?
Pause. AMIA stares at him, DAVID solemnly looks back. Finally AMIA nods and DAVID
smiles. He walks eagerly over to the desk of drawers. AMIA stays put and watches him as he
goes into the bottom drawer and pulls out a big glass bottle half-full of vodka. DAVID looks
up and smiles at AMIA who has not moved, but still watches him quietly. DAVID indicates
towards the comfy chair.
DAVID. (encouragingly) Take a seat.
AMIA looks round to the chair, looks back to DAVID who is now pouring out vodka into
two mugs, then moves slowly towards the chair and sits down. DAVID brings over a halfmug of vodka, gives it to her, and then makes his way to the bed to sit down.
DAVID. I hope you don’t mind the mugs.
AMIA looks over at him, still with a blank look on her face. DAVID lifts his mug up and taps
it to emphasize what he said. AMIA realises and shakes her head. DAVID takes a sip of his
own vodka.
DAVID. Aren’t you going to have any?
AMIA looks at him then looks at her own mug.
AMIA. What is it?
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DAVID. Just vodka, it’s Russian. I couldn’t get hold of any Rakia. That’s quite a popular
drink in central Europe, isn’t it? Rakia?
AMIA finishes taking a sip from her mug and nods.
AMIA. Rakia is good.
Pause. DAVID nods slowly. He ponders his next question. AMIA sips on, waiting and
watching to see what happens next.
DAVID. So, what’s your name?
AMIA. You know my name.
DAVID. No, not your work name, your real name.
Pause.
AMIA. I should not say.
DAVID. Why not?
AMIA. I . . . I no like people know.
DAVID. What harm can it do?
AMIA. Šta?
DAVID. “Šta”?
AMIA. Er, ‘what’.
DAVID. (exaggerating words) What would happen if I knew?
Silence. AMIA looks into her cup for answers, but finds none.
Can I know your real name?
Pause.
AMIA. Amia. That is my name.
Pause. DAVID looks surprised.
DAVID. Amia. Beautiful name.
AMIA. (showing a small smile) Thank you.
Both take another sip of vodka. Pause.
DAVID. So, how long have you lived here in England?
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AMIA. I live here two years.
DAVID. And were you working the same job where you were, or did you find this work here
in England?
AMIA. (defensively) I do not know I should say.
DAVID. Please, I just want to know.
Pause.
AMIA. It was same, (pleading her case) but when I come I try find other work—
DAVID. (calming her) Its ok, I understand. What country do you originally come from?
AMIA. Šta? Er—
DAVID. (emphasizing) What country did you come from?
AMIA. (before taking a sip) Serbia.
DAVID. Did you come over with your parents?
Pause.
AMIA. I no want to say more.
DAVID. Why not?
AMIA. I just do not.
DAVID. Ok.
Silence. DAVID and AMIA sit quietly, sipping at their vodkas. DAVID keeps glancing at
AMIA; she seems aware of this and won’t make eye contact until spoken to. DAVID tries to
change the subject.
DAVID. I hear it might snow this week.
Pause.
I hope it does, we hardly ever get snow. Its cold enough isn’t it.
AMIA doesn’t reply. Louder.
Its cold enough isn’t it?
Pause
(sensitively) You can talk.
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He notices that AMIA has a small smile on her face.
DAVID. What?
AMIA shakes her head as if to change the subject.
What? What are you smiling at?
AMIA looks up at DAVID who is smiling at her. She smiles again then goes to say
something but shakes her head.
AMIA. No—
DAVID. Oh, come on!
They both make eye contact again, smiling at each other. AMIA then talks.
AMIA. You—
DAVID. Me?
AMIA. Er, English people . . . they always talk about . . . Er . . .
She tries again to find the words.
DAVID. The weather?
AMIA. (smiling) Yes!
DAVID. All English people talk about the weather?
AMIA (nodding) Yes!
DAVID. Really?
AMIA. Yes. They do not know – er, what to talk about. It is funny.
DAVID. Oh dear.
They both share a chuckle; DAVID uses this to get her talking again.
I expect it’s colder over here compared to Serbia.
AMIA. Er, a little bit.
DAVID. You do look cold.
AMIA nods.
Do you want to borrow a hoody or a coat?
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AMIA. Er, no, thank you.
DAVID. Ok, well, I’ve got one just in case.
AMIA nods again.
Do you want a top up?
He points to the mug in AMIA’s hand. AMIA looks down and then looks back towards
DAVID.
AMIA. Yes please.
She hands her mug over to DAVID who collects it and heads over to the chest of drawers
where the vodka stands. He tops up the two mugs as AMIA looks round the space a little
more. DAVID brings AMIA back her mug. He hovers next to the padded chair for a moment,
looking at her before walking back to the bed and sitting down. Pause.
DAVID. Can I ask you a question?
AMIA gives him a look.
It’s not about you; it’s about me—well . . . sort of.
Pause. AMIA nods.
What happened with the other men, like me, who couldn’t go through with it?
AMIA pauses, thinking about what to say.
AMIA. Er, there three men, no . . . two men who like you.
There is a pause as DAVID waits for AMIA to continue. AMIA is confused.
What?
DAVID. What happened?
AMIA. Oh, er, they – er . . . One was – er . . .
She tries to explain but can’t find the words. Eventually she just pulls a silly face to
emphasize her point that he was crazy.
DAVID. (smiling) Oh, he was crazy?
DAVID now moves his finger in a circular motion next to his head to show what he means.
AMIA. (pointing and smiling broadly) Ah, yes! He, he was crazy. No – er, offense.
Both smile and DAVID shrugs it off.
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DAVID. And the other?
AMIA. Other man was . . . sad.
DAVID. Sad?
AMIA nods.
Do you think I’m sad?
AMIA. I do not know.
DAVID. I thing you’re sad.
Pause. AMIA says nothing but sips her vodka inconspicuously.
DAVID. Amia?
AMIA. What?
DAVID. What do you think?
AMIA. What did you say?
DAVID. I think you know exactly what I said.
AMIA. Ne – er, no, I hear what you say but—
DAVID. (emphasizing) I’ll repeat: I think you know exactly what I said.
Pause. AMIA looks at DAVID with both confusion and fear in her eyes. DAVID simply
watches her, not trying to be intimidating.
I think—actually, I know you understand me better than you’re letting on.
Pause.
Truth is, I know a lot more about you than you realise, like your real name for instance.
It’s not Amia at all, is it, Jasna.
Pause. AMIA suddenly gets up, picking up her bag and dropping the mug of vodka on the
floor and walks swiftly towards the door. DAVID runs to intercept her.
(running) Jasna, wait!
He slams the door shut just as AMIA tries to open it. As soon as the door closes he
speaks.
Wait!
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AMIA manoeuvres herself away from DAVID and moves to the centre of the room, looking
at him in horrified disbelief. DAVID turns to face her but remains standing in front of the
door.
AMIA. (trembling) Who are you?
DAVID. I’m just a guy who—
AMIA. What do you want?!
Silence. DAVID takes a few steps towards her. She takes a few steps back.
DAVID. I want to give you an opportunity.
Silence. They both look at each other from across the room.
Lights Down.
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