Two actors—Diane, a white woman in her mid- to late sixties, and Erin, a Black woman in her late thirties—stand on a bare stage with two chairs: one comfy, one less so. There’s a music stand in front of the comfier chair and an end table with tea things laid out.


A loud sharp clack from a wood clacker [*] abruptly starts the scene—

 

ERIN


I was so happy when I got your voicemail

 

DIANE


I was so happy you said yes

 

ERIN


I’d been meaning to write but

 

DIANE


so sorry it was such short notice it felt rude but

 

ERIN


not at all!

 

DIANE


don’t want you to think I don’t think of you unless there’s something I need

 

ERIN


I’m so honored really so honored that you’d even think to ask me really I

 

DIANE


it was Ed who I was talking to

 

ERIN


Ed!

 

DIANE


you remember Ed

 

ERIN


love Ed

 

DIANE


of course you remember Ed I was telling Ed about my situation No idea who I should call and Ed said what about Erin and I thought yes Erin Erin would be perfect this is exactly the person for this particular situation I’m in so it was just so
(gestures at the tea)

 

ERIN


no thank you

 

DIANE


did you get the play

 

ERIN


no was I supposed

 

DIANE


oh shit