ACT I
As the lights go up, we see NICK behind the bar with rage on his face. MAX is seated at the bar. Two attractive WOMEN, who where seated at one of the tables, hurriedly gather their coats and rush out the door.
MAX
What I do? I just offered to buy them a drink and they insulted me. Fuck’n lesbo’s. It’s so a decent guy can’t have a conversation with women these days.
NICK
I want you out of my place. I mean it. You are no longer welcome. Get out or I’ll throw you out.
MAX
Relax, you’re overreacting. Look, I’m sorry, I just don’t like it when people are so quick to dismiss me. I’ve got feeling too, ya know. I’ll make a deal with you...let me stay and I’ll keep my mouth shut. You won’t even know I’m here...top me off, will ya?
Nick reaches for the bottle.
NICK
You’re killing my business.
MAX
Don’t worry...one of these days I’ll be gone and then you can grow yourself into the next Kentucky Fried Chicken or something. Lucky Taverns on every corner in the country. Fill the place up with lesbians and insurance salesmen. Make yourself rich.
NICK
I don’t want to be rich. Just to run a good place that I can be proud of. A concept that’s obviously escaped you.
MAX
Why don’t you find yourself a nice girl and get married. Then maybe you won’t be so uptight all the time.
NICK
Yeah, like I could ever bring a nice girl in here with bums like you hanging around...I’ll find a nice girl when I find a nice girl.
MAX
Used to be, when you saw a girl you liked all you had to do was tell her and everything would take care of itself.