Eva Kasumi
07/13/05
Notes: Written for Columbia Creative Writing class. Original idea was as part of a fanfic, so much of the dialogue will probably show up later in said fanfic in prose format. This scene is probably from the middle or near the end of a play which has not been and likely never will be completely written. It is a stand-alone scene; backstory is given at the beginning of the piece. Much love to the real Rina for not having a problem with me stealing her awesome name.

On Not Giving Up

Act --, Scene –-

(towards the middle or end of the play)

Backstory: Leon, a young psychiatrist, and Rina, a rambunctious young woman, have had several run-ins before. Rina has made no secret of the fact that she is romantically interested in Leon, but Leon has made it very clear that this feeling is not mutual. Leon is, in fact, interested in someone else, but this woman is happily engaged and Leon doesn’t stand a chance with her. Leon does not know that Rina knows this; he is, however, aware of the hopelessness of his infatuation, but he chooses to ignore this detail.

A psychiatrist’s office. It is neat and orderly, with full bookshelves, and a desk on which there is a lamp and a great deal of papers arranged in organized stacks. A young man, LEON, well dressed and serious, sits behind the desk and the chair opposite him is empty; he appears to be waiting for his next patient.

The door opens and a young woman, RINA, walks in as if she owns the place, completely confident in her right to be there. She is dressed in relatively bright clothing, with an air of determination about her. LEON tenses when she enters, looking increasingly irritated.

LEON: (curtly) What do you want?

RINA: (grinning) Doctor, I’m hurt! I’ve got an appointment; I’m here to get help.

LEON: Like hell you are. Get out.

RINA: I paid good money to be here.

LEON: I’ll get you a refund. (shuffles papers, pretending to be busy)

RINA: No. (sits on the desk)

LEON: (offended) Excuse me. Get off the desk.

(RINA settles herself into the chair)

LEON: I told you to get out. I’ll get you your money back if you leave now.

RINA: I don’t want my money back.

LEON: Then I won’t bother, but get the fuck out of my office!

RINA: Hey, I’m just here for a session, like anybody else.

LEON: Oh yeah, sure. Do you realize how desperate this looks? Spending money on a therapy session just for the chance to talk to me?

RINA: Isn’t that the point of a therapy session? To talk to a psychologist?

LEON: (realizing that he can’t get out of this) Fine. (leans back in his chair, tapping his fingers together and glaring at her with barely contained anger) What’s your problem?

RINA: (innocently) Well, there’s this guy I’m interested in, but he just keeps pushing me away.

LEON: I see. Has it occurred to you that maybe this ‘guy’ isn’t interested in you?

RINA: But that’s just it. How can he know he isn’t interested when he hasn’t even given me a chance?

LEON: Maybe he doesn’t need to give you a chance. Maybe he already knows that he’s not interested.

RINA: Oh, but he is. I know he’s interested, he just refuses to admit it to himself.

LEON: That’s awful presumptuous of you.

RINA: (smugly) Not when it’s true.

LEON: Perhaps part of the problem here is your obvious arrogance in the face of the situation. Maybe he’s put off by the fact that your ego is the size of a landfill and half as attractive. Maybe you’re simply deluding yourself. Maybe he even has someone else that he’s interested in! (breaks off abruptly, realizing what he’s said)

RINA: (softly) Maybe he ought to realize when he’s chasing after a lost cause.

LEON: (angry again) And maybe you ought to speak for yourself.

RINA: But see, I’m not on a wild goose chase. I actually stand a chance.

LEON: What the hell makes you think that?

RINA: The fact that I want a chance.

LEON: You don’t always get everything you want, Rina. Sometimes you just have to give up and move on with your life.

RINA: But if the heart gave up, then wouldn’t the body stop living? (stands) Which means this really comes down to a battle of wills. And just for the record: I always win.

RINA gives him a smile that is both flirtatious and bitter with pain, then leans across the desk, grabs him by the collar, and pulls him towards her for a brief kiss. After a moment she releases him, then turns and stalks from the room without another word.

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Comments and critiques welcome.