Scene 5
(Lights up on a park, a drastic change from GREG’s basement. There is a park bench, trees, a fountain, shrubbery, etc. All is lit by a street lamp or two, soft and romantic. The bubbling of a fountain and the chattering of insects underscores the scene as it unfolds. GREG and ALICE sit on a picnic blanket next to a basket. GREG opens it up, takes out a bottle of wine and two glasses, along with bread and cheese. He uncorks the wine, wincing at the pain in his hand, and pours a little for both of them as he speaks.)
GREG: Long time since we’ve been here.
ALICE: Our first date. I thought you’d forgotten.
GREG: Never. You were wearing that short black dress… way too formal for the park, and it made sitting difficult, but damn if you didn’t wear it like you were doing it a favor.
ALICE: (Taking a glass of wine from him.) Meanwhile, you were wearing a Star Wars shirt and jeans. (Pause.) You always know how to make a girl feel special.
GREG: Even assholes still have a few tricks up their sleeve.
ALICE: What, no candles?
GREG: Fire hazard. Besides, we’ll make our own ambiance.
ALICE: (Raising her glass.) Let’s toast, okay?
GREG: To what?
ALICE: To us, maybe. To the good old days, and all the new ones left to come.
GREG: To Greg Zipper and Alice Thorne, modern-day legends. (They clink their glasses and drink. Both are quiet for a moment. GREG stares into his glass, reflecting.) Is our life anything like what you thought it would be?
ALICE: (Pause.) Your channel blowing up, all the ad money, the house, the dog, the fancy trips… I never expected any of that. My life has changed so much, and all because of you.
GREG: Well, it’s been my pleasure.
ALICE: I would have been happy without any of it, Greg. All I’ve cared about, since the very beginning, is you. It’s us. That’s all that really matters.
GREG: But… surely you don’t regret me making the channel? Look how far it’s gotten us.
ALICE: How far it’s gotten you. (Pause.) Don’t get me wrong, I’m thankful for all that we have, and even more thankful to have all of it plus you. It’s just… sometimes I miss how we were in the beginning. Grilled cheese on a dorm room hot plate, stealing silverware from the cafe, movie nights on the quad where we’d sneak in rum and Cokes.
GREG: Sounds like you miss college.
ALICE: No, Greg. I miss us. I miss when life was simpler. You used to look at me like I was the only thing in the world that mattered to you. Now, I catch you giving that same look to your computer.
GREG: Don’t try to blame it on the platform again. It gave us everything.
ALICE: I know that. I just wish it hadn’t taken it all, too.
GREG: (He pours himself another glass of wine and reaches for ALICE’s. She gives it to him, and he tops hers off too.) I’m going to be better about making time for you. About making time for us. I promise you, Alice.
ALICE: I’ve never asked for much.
GREG: And you deserve it all. Everything I’ve done, everything I’ve earned us… I’d give you a castle on the beach if I could, a diamond tiara.
ALICE: Let’s start with a ring, huh?
GREG: Does that mean I’m forgiven?
ALICE: You haven’t fully apologized yet.
GREG: You’re right. I’m sorry. (He scoots closer to her, and his tone softens. This is a sincere GREG, the likes of which we haven’t yet witnessed. This is a man afraid of losing what he loves, who only just now realizes how close he’s come to that. Maybe he even takes her hand as he speaks.) I’m sorry for being a class-action jackass. I’m sorry for yelling and cursing at you. None of what happened is what you deserve, and none of it’s your fault. I lost sight of us, is all. I mean, that’s no excuse, but I… Jesus, Alice. I want to do better. Will you let me try again? Will you stay with me, please?
ALICE: (Bantering.) You’d never make it on your own. Of course I’ll stay with you. (They kiss. When they pull apart, ALICE rests her forehead against GREG’s.) You think it will be easier for us from now on?
GREG: That’s what I’m hoping. It’s what I’ve been working toward. After what I filmed earlier, I think I’m finally on the right track. And I promise, I will be less of a dick.
ALICE: That’s what I like to hear.
GREG: I’m going to make it up to you, Alice. I promise. I don’t want you ever questioning whether you’re better off without me, because I’ll do everything in my power to provide for you, make sure you never want to be without me.
ALICE: Greg, I just want you. That’s all that matters to me. If you can promise me that—your full attention, your devotion, your love… everything else is just a bonus.
GREG: And that’s what I like to hear. (He kisses her again, longer and more passionately. This time, when they break apart, both of them are smiling.) You, uh, want to get out of here?
ALICE: I thought you’d never ask. (They gather up the picnic, the wine, and the glasses. Lights fade.)