Thursday, January 25, 2001

A Conversation From the Bar Scene

Jim: We're having "Movie Night" on Friday. You wanna come over?

Brad: Who's "we"?

Jim: Oh, just a few folks. Me and Jason, Philip and Ian, Mike and Jeff, James and --

Brad: I don't think so.

Jim: What? Why not?

Brad: Listen, it's nothing personal. It's just that all of my friends are pairing off right now and I'm a little sensitive about being single.

Jim: You?

Brad: I know, it's silly. But lately I've really been feeling like a third wheel everywhere I go. I went to a party a couple of weeks ago and Norman was introducing me around the room. It was like, "Ed and Steve, Liz and Charlie, Mike and Michael, Paul and Jason, this is Brad...and nobody."

Jim: Aw, come on. It wouldn't be like that.

Brad: Will there be any single men there besides me?

Jim: Er, probably not.

Brad: Look, maybe you're right. I am being silly. It just seems like everyone is in a couple but me right now and with Valentine's Day coming up, everywhere I look is a reminder of that. I'll come, OK? What are you planning on watching, anyway?

Jim: (pause) I don't want to tell you.

Brad: What are you showing?

Jim: Romeo & Juliet.