SCENE 2

Wheeler and Minnie have sex in Wheeler’s bedroom.

WHEELER: You don’t understand! You don’t understand!

MINNIE: Don’t stop, fucker! I’m almost . . .

(They groan, finish. Wheeler collapses.)

You okay, big fella?

WHEELER: No, I’m not. I’m not okay. I’m fifty years old.

MINNIE: You do all right.

WHEELER: I haven’t had that much exercise since about five years ago, when I got chased by a dog. I don’t know if my heart can take it. Or my hip. Or my brain, I’m having sensory overload. It’s like the trip scene from 2001: A Space Odyssey. It’s okay, I know you don’t get the reference, that’s part of your charm. What time is it, we’ve been fucking for hours.

MINNIE: What is it with you and time?

WHEELER: I’m fifty.

(He strokes her, studies her.)

Oh my God, you’re . . . unexpected.

MINNIE: I didn’t expect to fuck the old dude in the Speedo.

WHEELER: You like me?

MINNIE: Sure. You’re a weirdo. I like weirdos.

WHEELER: I didn’t let you stay here cause there was something in it for me. I mean, look, I’m. I’m capable of every kind of bad behavior known to man.

MINNIE: You don’t have to go through a whole thing here—

WHEELER: I haven’t been watching you, I haven’t been scheming, waiting for my moment. I’m as surprised as you are.

MINNIE: I’m not gonna make trouble for you, Dick.

WHEELER: I didn’t think you were.

MINNIE: Then what are you talking about?

WHEELER: You move me.

(Pause.)

MINNIE: I want some ice cream.

(She begins to put on her clothes.)

WHEELER: What’s going on, are you okay?

MINNIE: I just want ice cream.

(She dresses in silence.)

WHEELER: What?

MINNIE: I’m pregnant and I don’t have any money and I don’t have a place to live. So making you feel less guilty about cheating on your girlfriend is not my priority.

WHEELER: I don’t feel guilty.

MINNIE: If you convince yourself this is more than chemical you get to feel like a good guy again. That’s all guys like you care about, telling yourself what a good guy you are.

WHEELER: I like you, Minnie. I’m trying to tell you, I like your way, you, I like you, the way you think and talk. And look and taste. I look at you, I get that ache. Actual heartache.

MINNIE: Wake up, Dick. Life looks kinda sweet here with a pretty girl in your bed. In the moonlight. In Linda Vista. But this is not your wet dream. And I’m not a doll, I’m not a sweet Asian flower.

WHEELER: I don’t think you’re a—

MINNIE: In fact, I’m no prize. I make my way on my own and every relationship I’ve ever had, I’ve set on fire.

WHEELER: We’ve got a lot in common.

MINNIE: You’re not listening to me. I’m making a promise and you need to listen. I promise . . . I’ll hurt you. It’s what I do.