“Appointments” by Baker, Julien from Turn Out the Lights

Listen to it here

RILEY and MAYA are sitting at the dining room table. Both look exhausted and sad. It’s clear they’ve just finished a fight. Both are struggling to make any kind of eye contact but can’t seem to look naturally anywhere else. MAYA reaches for RILEY’s hand but RILEY pulls away immediately.

RILEY (mumbling)

I’m sorry.

MAYA (quietly but clearer, more in control)

I know. I am too. I hate when we fight.

RILEY (smiling mirthlessly)

The last couple of months must have been fun then.

MAYA

Were they for you?

RILEY

No. You know that. You know they haven’t been.

MAYA (finally catching RILEY’S eye)

What are we doing then?

RILEY (unevenly maintaining eye contact)

Falling apart.

MAYA (frustrated)

But why?!

MAYA (quieter)

I don’t understand why.

RILEY (sighing, tearful)

Because this is where we always were going to end up.

MAYA

You keep saying that!

RILEY (resigned)

Because it’s true

MAYA

Why can’t we talk abo—

RILEY (interrupting here, voice cracking)

Because there’s no point in us fighting anymore. I’m not what you want. If I ever was, I’m not anymore.

MAYA

That’s not true.

RILEY

Yes it is! It has been for…so long now. I’ve changed and you don’t like the new me. And I get it. I don’t like the new me some days too. A lot of days. But it is who I am now. No matter how mad you get at me, no matter how frustrated, I’m just me.

MAYA

I love you.

RILEY (making stronger eye contact for first time, gently, briefly touching MAYA’s hand)

I know. And I love you. But that’s not enough. I hate it. I hate this. That doesn’t make it any less true.

MAYA

What does that mean?

RILEY

It’s over. We’re…over.

MAYA

And now.

RILEY

I’m going to change into my pajamas, make a cuppa, and curl up on the couch to watch TV.

RILEY starts to leave.

MAYA (very quietly, staring at the floor)

Can I join you?

RILEY (pauses, before turning to the right and reaching out for MAYA)

Yes. Please.

MAYA looks up, smiles sadly, and takes her hand. Together they walk out of the kitchen.