Abigail sobs in bed as her mascara runs.
She blares loud breakup-music to soothe herself.
Finally, her neighbor pounds at the wall behind her.
Neighbor
KEEP IT DOWN IN THERE.
Abigail lowers the volume.
But her neighbor still hears her through the wall.
Abigail dabs at her tears.
Neighbor
Then what’s with the waterworks?
Abigail
I had a rough day…
Abigail
I dumped my boyfriend.
She hears her neighbor laugh.
And pounds the wall in frustration.
Abigail
You think that’s funny?
Neighbor
It’s just, usually the person doing the dumping isn’t the one crying…
Abigail
Tell me about it.
Abigail
But…I don’t know if I made the right move.
Abigail does a double take.
Abigail
Wait, do you eavesdrop on us?!
Abigail
But you knew his name!
She pounds the wall again.
Neighbor
Hey, I have a shelf there.
Abigail
Stop eavesdropping!
Neighbor
I don’t! You two fought all the time…
Neighbor
How could I NOT know his name?
Abigail blushes and grows quiet.
Neighbor
For what it’s worth, I think you did the right thing.
Neighbor
He sounded like a terrible human.
Abigail
You didn’t know him.
Neighbor
Any guy that talks to you like that doesn’t deserve you.
Abigail
He had his moments…
Abigail takes a moment to reflect.
Abigail
I guess we stopped being physical towards the end though.
Neighbor
I know. I slept great all December.
Abigail
Ew! Don’t be gross.
But Abigail can’t help but chuckle.
Neighbor
The way I see it, you’re better off without him.
Abigail
The way I see it, you’re a wall.
They both laugh and then sigh in unison.
Abigail
I’m sorry about the noise…
Abigail
I’ll let you sleep.
Neighbor
That’s okay. I couldn’t if I tried.
Abigail
But it’s two in the morning!
Neighbor
I know. I’ve had a rough day too.
Abigail
Rougher than mine?
Neighbor
I don’t know about that, but it was rough.
Abigail leans against the wall.
Abigail
Will you tell me what happened, neighbor?
Frank
It’s Frank. We’re on a first name basis now, right?
Abigail
Yeah, I guess so. I’m Abigail.
Frank
I know, from your fights. But nice to officially meet you.
Frank rests his hand on the wall.
Abigail runs her fingertips along the concrete between them.
Abigail
Nice to sorta meet you, Frank…
Abigail
Now tell me about your awful day.
She presses an ear to the wall.
In the other room, Frank leans in to speak.
Frank
I was on a date with the girl of my dreams…
Abigail
Not the most awful of beginnings.
Frank
Yeah. We were out at dinner and I went to use the bathroom.
Frank
And in a moment of clumsiness…
Frank
I spilled water all over my pants.
Abigail
Like from the sink?
Abigail
That’s not so bad.
Frank
It was on my pants!
Frank
And it looked like I pissed myself.
Abigail tries not to laugh.
Frank
Are you laughing in there?
Abigail
I’m not that immature.
She stifles her laughter.
Frank
Worst day of my life.
Abigail
It’s not the end of the world.
Frank
Tell that to Emily.
Frank
She took one look at me and booked it.
Abigail
Any girl who’d do that doesn’t deserve you.
Frank
Maybe you have a point.
Abigail
So we both had disappointing days.
Frank
Extremely disappointing.
A thought comes to Abigail.
Abigail
Are those the same pants I saw hanging outside on your back patio?
She bursts into laughter.
Frank
I knew I heard laughing!
Frank gives another couple bangs on the wall for good measure.
Abigail
I’m laughing with you, not at you.
Abigail
I’ve spilled on my pants too.
Frank
Not while you were on your dream date.
Frank and Abigail stare up at the ceilings from their respective rooms.
Abigail
I wonder if I’ve ever seen you around the building…
Frank
You definitely have! You don’t remember?
Abigail
What?! No! How did you know it was me?
Frank
You totally check me out in the elevator.
Abigail
Are you leather jacket guy?
Abigail
Or the guy who smells like cinnamon?
Frank
I mean…I do chew cinnamon gum.
Abigail
Aha! I almost asked what brand you chew.
Frank
Could ask a guy his name first…
Abigail
How’d you go this long and not introduce yourself?
Frank
How’d YOU go this long and not introduce YOURSELF?
Frank
I’m not a piece of meat.
Frank
And at least I don’t blast my music.
Abigail
Hey, you blare sports all the time!
They hear a knock from above.
Upstairs Neighbor
SHUT UP.
Upstairs Neighbor
For God’s sake…
There’s an awkward silence.
And then Frank and Abigail burst into laughter.
Frank
I’m glad we talked, Abigail.
Abigail
Even if it was through a wall.
Abigail can feel a palpable tension in the air.
Frank
What if we changed that?
Abigail
I’d like that, Frank.
Abigail
What did you have in mind?
But then there’s a knock at her front door.
Abigail hurries over, grinning ear-to-ear.
And then, the neighbors meet each other in person for the first time.
Frank is tall and muscular, but world weary.
Abigail has a hardened exterior…
But when she smiles, her sweet nature shows.
They stare into each other’s eyes as the moments pass.
Abigail
I DO recognize you! But you’re taller than I remember…
Abigail breathes in deeply.
Abigail
And you still smell like cinnamon.
She offers a shy hand for a shake…
But Frank pulls her in for a hug…
And these two neighbors melt into each other’s arms.
