Jacey is walking into The Drake Hotel to meet Kim and Kim’s mother, Alice, for brunch.
She is five minutes late.
She repeats a single sentence in her head as she passes through the revolving door:
I’m going to tell her today about Ty.
I’m going to tell her today about Ty.
She approaches the table where Kim and Alice are already sitting.
JACEY
Hi! Sorry I’m late.
KIM
We ordered you a mimosa.
ALICE
I brought brochures. I’m thinking for our winter getaway: Spain!
JACEY
Spain? What does Spain cost?
ALICE
Now don’t even start. Dad and I are going to foot the bill. Per usual.
KIM
She’s not worried about the money.
KIM
After all, she was promoted after the plaid-satin-hipster-panty launch.
KIM
There’s a different reason she doesn’t want to go.
KIM
She’s thinking that Spain is awfully far away from her new boyfriend.
JACEY
Can we talk about this after brunch?
KIM
I know you met him yesterday.
JACEY
How do you know that?
KIM
I KNOW you, all right?
KIM
When you don’t reply to texts for hours, you’re busy.
KIM
And when a girl’s busy on a Saturday night…
KIM
Where’d he take you? The beach?
ALICE
You ARE sporting a tan, young lady.
JACEY
I was outside all day.
KIM
With him? Doing what?
JACEY
Tanning, apparently.
KIM
Here’s what we know so far. His code name is Hercules.
KIM
Every time he contacts her, she gets this silly smile on her face.
ALICE
When do Dad and I get to meet him?
KIM
She said she broke up with him.
JACEY
Yesterday we sort of…didn’t break up.
ALICE
How long have you been together?
ALICE
How long have known him?
JACEY
A few months. Six, give or take.
KIM
Where’d you meet him?
ALICE
You’re right, Kimmy. She’s blushing. Must be Hercules.
ALICE
Maybe this year, the two of you should bring dates on our trip.
JACEY
Hypothetically, if bringing guys we’ve only just begun to date on a winter getaway is actually an option—
JACEY
You could bring Russ.
KIM
I’d be better off finding a date in Barcelona, thank you very much.
ALICE
Oh, no. Not going so well with Russ?
ALICE
A shame. He does quite well for himself.
JACEY
And he’s a good-looking guy.
KIM
He’s a metrosexual for sure. But I prefer rugged.
KIM
Besides, he’s so regimented and has zero sense of humor.
KIM
I need to laugh, you know?
ALICE
And you have your own money, and the power to earn more.
ALICE
No need to rely on a man for that.
KIM
That’s right. From now on, I’m looking for funny and ruggedly handsome.
ALICE
Well, it’s months away. We have time to decide.
ALICE
By then, you could be two boyfriends past this Russ.
KIM
Actually…I called someone yesterday.
KIM
An ex. Do you remember Ty?
ALICE
I can’t keep up. Who’s Ty?
KIM
He looks like a lumberjack. Works in marketing.
ALICE
Oh, right! I liked him.
KIM
I just think lately…I broke it off with him partly because I thought I had feelings for someone else, and it wasn’t fair to him.
KIM
But it never panned out with that other guy.
KIM
Ty and I were both preoccupied with other things at the time.
KIM
I’m thinking I’ll feel him out.
KIM
See if he might be interested in trying again.
ALICE
Do it. He’d be crazy not to give you a second chance.
ALICE
Have you met this guy, Jacey?
JACEY
Yeah, I have. Ty’s a great guy.
KIM
Think about it. When we were dating, you rarely tagged along.
KIM
And when you did and he’d try to talk to you, you wouldn’t engage.
KIM
Let’s face it. You were less than supportive of me reaching out to him again.
JACEY
I think Ty is great. It’s just that—
ALICE
Just think of it! Kim and Ty. Jacey and her Hercules. In Spain.
JACEY
We’re getting ahead of ourselves.
ALICE
What man wouldn’t want to take a chance on a beautiful girl with all expenses paid to Spain?
JACEY
You’re going to invite him on vacation over text?
JACEY
Because you broke up.
JACEY
And you have a boyfriend.
KIM
Probably not for long.
KIM
I’m just putting some feelers out there.
ALICE
Jacey, tell us more about Hercules.
JACEY
I think it’s just about over.
KIM
Not if you saw him yesterday.
JACEY
There’s someone in the way.
KIM
No girl could possibly be more important than you.
JACEY
I think this girl is pretty important, actually.
KIM
I’ll help him see what a catch you are.
KIM
And what a loser this other girl is, compared to you.
JACEY
I’m not sure you could do that.
KIM
Are you kidding? I’m your biggest fan.
KIM
And if this guy doesn’t choose you, he’s probably not worth it anyway.
