Dinner Date

 

About the Author

Dinner Date
By
Peter Nemenoff

CAST:
OLIVIA: A young, intelligent, well-dressed woman waiting for her date.
JASON: A young man, who is less refined, who happens to be Olivia’s date.
CALVIN: A waiter.
TIME: Present
PLACE: A BBQ restaurant somewhere in the USA
Synopsis: A young man meets a strange girl in a new strange restaurant for a first date.

A sparse restaurant.
The place is fairly empty except for a woman sitting a table. She stands out in the environment in a red dress, her hair big, teased, and backcombed, resembling a lion’s mane. Over her shoulders she wears a fur stole. This is OLIVIA.

In front of her is a glass of something white and sparkling
that she twirls and occasionally takes a delicate sip from.

As she sits and waits a young man, obviously in a rush,
bursts through the door and makes his way to the table out
of breath. This is JASON. He is not dressed nearly as nice
as Olivia but still put in some effort.

Before he sits down he begins to apologize.

JASON

Hi, Olivia. Sorry I’m late. The freeway was completely backed up.

OLIVIA

It’s fine.

JASON

You look great.

OLIVIA

Oh thank you.

JASON

I hope I’m not under dressed.

OLIVIA

Oh no. Not at all. You look good tonight.

JASON

Well, thank you.

He sits down.
OLIVIA

Not to be superficial, but that’s why I talked to you that day at the gym. I saw you running
on the treadmill with those calf muscles. How could I resist?

JASON

Thank you…

Olivia peeks under the table.
OLIVIA

Do you do calf raises? Squats?

JASON

No. Just running.

OLIVIA

Well, whatever you’re doing it’s working. They’re so plump and defined like a drumstick.

JASON

Ah…

OLIVIA

I bet they would be a delicious meal for someone higher up on the food chain.

JASON

You mean like a lion?

OLIVIA

Yes. Like a lion.

JASON

Well, let’s hope I’m not chased by a lion anytime soon.

OLIVIA

Lionesses are the ones that do the hunting.

JASON

Right.

OLIVIA

All this talk is making me hungry. Let’s order.

JASON

Oh, I haven’t even had a chance to look at the menu yet.

OLIVIA

It doesn’t matter. Everything here is just so delicious. You can’t go wrong.

She elegantly holds up her hand and a WAITER approaches. He is a thin man with his hair conservatively slicked to one side.

WAITER

Good evening. My name is Calvin. I will be taking care of you this evening.

JASON

Yeah, hi. Good evening.

WAITER

So have we been here before, sir?

JASON

No, this is my first time.

WAITER

(to Olivia)

So have you explained how it works here?

OLIVIA

I haven’t. Shall I?

WAITER

Only if you’d like to.

OLIVIA

I’ll let you.

JASON

(to Olivia)

I’m sorry, have you been here before?

OLIVIA

I have. This is my favorite place. To eat.

JASON

It sounds like you’re practically local. Like a regular.

WAITER

We see a lot of the lady. She has an exceptional appetite.

Olivia raises her eyebrow and licks her upper lip.

JASON

I see. What do you need to explain to me?

WAITER

Well, we’re very particular about how we prepare our food.

JASON

Are you?

WAITER

Everything is fresh, made the same day it is delivered. We freeze nothing and only serve
what we cook that day. So once we are out of a particular dish we are out for the day.

JASON

That sounds economical.

WAITER

Very. We’re extremely proud of our kitchen and our cooker. In fact, we like to give all firsttimers a tour of the kitchen. If the lady approves?

OLIVIA

Oh Jason, you simply must.

JASON

I think I’m okay.

OLIVIA

But I wouldn’t want you to miss out. It could be romantic.

JASON

Oh! That reminds me. I got you something. Here.

He reaches into his inside jacket pocket and pulls out a
single red rose and hands it to her.

OLIVIA

Oh Jason! It’s beautiful! How sweet of you. Thank you!

JASON

It’s the least I could do. Especially since I was so late.

Olivia takes a moment to admire to admire the flower
before seeming to come to a decision.

OLIVIA

You know, I think we’ll hold off on the tour of the kitchen. Just for now.

WAITER

Are you sure?

OLIVIA

Positive.

(to Jason)

Would you care for a drink?

JASON

Sure! What are you having?

OLIVIA

Prosecco.

JASON

A little odd for a BBQ place, but sound delicious. I’ll have what the lady is having.

WAITER

Very well, sir. Will there be anything else? Nothing I can prepare for dinner?

OLIVIA

Not just yet.

WAITER

Not even an appetizer?

OLIVIA

Nothing!

WAITER

As you wish.

The waiter leaves to get Jason’s drink.

JASON

Wait, he didn’t give us any menus.

OLIVIA

It doesn’t matter. I know what’s good here.

JASON

Drumsticks?

OLIVIA

They are my favorite.

JASON

Right. I have to admit I was a little nervous for a minute there.

OLIVIA

Why’sthat?

JASON

For a moment there, the way you were both looking at me, I thought you two were going to eat me.

OLIVIA

Oh that’sridiculous.

JASON

I mean I only just met you. I know it sounds silly, but you never know.

OLIVIA

We wouldn’t both eat you. He is only the waiter, after all.

JASON

Right, right. Anyway, I was thinking after this, since it’ssuch a beautiful night, maybe we
could go play mini golf. Or do something outside.

OLIVIA

That sounds wonderful. I love mini golf. I just have to stop at home real quick and change.
And feed my cat.

JASON

Oh. You have a cat?

OLIVIA

You don’t like cats?

JASON

No, no, it’sjust that I’m more of a dog person. You know?

The waiter returns with Jason’s glass of prosecco.

OLIVIA

You know, I think he will take the tour after all.

JASON

I will?

WAITER

Delighted to hear it!

JASON

I’m really okay.

OLIVIA

But it’s part of the experience. I would feel simply horrible if you missed it.

JASON

Okay, sure, why not. Where do we go?

WAITER

This way, sir.

The waiter gestures back towards the kitchen.
Jason gets up from his seat and starts to follow the waiter.
Olivia remains seated.

JASON

Aren’t you coming?

OLIVIA

Oh, I’ve already taken the tour. But don’t worry, I’ll see you when you return.

Jason looks back to the waiter, then back to Olivia. Neither
offers him much comfort.

JASON

Oh. Okay.

He starts to leave again but before he does he grabs his
drink and chugs it in one swig.

WAITER

Follow me, sir.

With a little guidance from the waiter Jason hesitantly goes
back towards the kitchen.
Olivia watches him as he exits.

OLIVIA

Such a shame. The food here is delicious, but the wait is killer.
She sips her drink.

FADE TO BLACK

Peter Nemenoff is a playwright based out of Denver, CO. He has had his works produced by the Lakeshore Players out of Bear Lake, Minnesota, the Gi60 one-minute Play Festival, and most recently published in the international literary journal, Literature Today.