SCENE 1: shady Elm bar

henry davis is a small, frumpy high school science teacher. His mousy brown hair is thinning and his goatee is scraggly. his face is pinched and tired. henry davis is the epitome of the run down, used up middle aged white male

Henry sits at a bar stool in a near empty bar at 1:00PM in the afternoon. The bar is empty except for the bartender who is doing his best to ignore him and a curious character in a long beat up leather duffle jacket and a fedora. The curious stranger is wearing dark glasses and clutching a small leather satchel tightly to his chest with one hand while he nurses a beer in his other. The stranger is muttering quietly to himself. The television sitting on an uneven shelf above the bar is tuned to CNN.

Henry gulps down the dregs of the bourbon in his glass and then slams the glass down on the bar. The bartender ignores him and continues to pull glasses from the small bar dishwasher giving them a cursory wipe with a rag that appears to be carrying more than 1 major communicable disease before stacking them neatly.

Henry

Bartender another round please

Seeing that the bartender intends to continue ignoring him, Henry picks up the tumbler and rattles the ice in it.

Henry

Hey, Bartender another bourban and soda please.

The bartender refuses to look up. Instead he spins around on his heels, flips the dirty rag over his shoulder and walks briskly through a beaded curtain door into the back.

Henry

Yeah, fuck you too.

Henry doesn't notice Anne Gold who has walked into the bar.

anne gold is a tall young woman in her ealry thirties. she is athletically slender and has a long aquiline nose. Her eyes are nearly feline in shape and there is a fluid ease in her movements. You might not call her beautiul, but she will still leave you inexplicably breathless.

Anne

It looks like you could use a friend.

Henry is startled. He turns toward the sound of Anne's voice

Anne

Tough day at the office?

Henry

I just want a bourban and soda. Is that too much to ask for - a bourban and soda?

She smiles warmly at Henry

Anne

That doesn't seem like such an unreasonable request. Do you mind if I sit down?

She doesn't wait for a response and pulls out the stool next to Henry and stradles it with her long legs, her tight, professional skirt hikes up to reveal her toned thighs. Henry notices with a silent gulp. The curious stranger in the corner stops muttering to himself long enough and lets his eyes linger on the exposed flesh of Anne's thighs.

Anne

The first peak is free. But, if you boys keep staring I am going to have to charge you each by the minute.

Anne tugs at her skirt with fluid ease covering her thighs. She smiles at Henry. Henry looks away and stares at his warped reflection in the bar mirror. He appears nervous. The curious stranger goes back to muttering to himself. His agitation seems to be increasing.

Anne

Ahh, now don't be embarrassed. I am flattered. Frankly, I can't blame you for taking a peak. Besides your a decent guy.

Henry

What the hell do you know about me?

Anne

Well, for one thing I can tell you're a good guy. You had the decency to look embarassed when I caught you staring at me. For another thing, I know your name is Henry Davis and until this morning you taught science at St. John Morningwood Catholic School.

Henry

How the hell did you...

Anne puts one long index finger against Henry's lips

Anne

Shhhh now. I know a lot of things. Let's say we get you that bourbon and soda.