Erin returns home to find Kimmy and Tiffany watching a movie.
Nymeria hears her approach and greets her at the door with delight.
Erin quietly closes the door and leans against it.
Erin
Fine — I’ll admit it. The date was beautiful. Romantic. Perfect.
Tiffany looks at Erin’s carnations.
Tiffany
He gave you flowers?
Erin
It’s an inside joke.
Tiffany
I would have thought they’d be roses.
Erin
It’s an INSIDE JOKE.
Kimmy
So, did he kiss you?
Erin sticks out her lower lip.
Tiffany
What? Then did you kiss him?
Erin
None of your beeswax.
Tiffany
You know you have to tell us.
Tiffany
We’re not going to let this go.
Erin
He’s not comfortable dating someone who has a boyfriend.
Tiffany
Speakin’ a which…
Kimmy
Charlie has been calling.
As if on cue, the doorbell rings.
Nymeria launches into a bark-fest.
Tiffany
Come on, Kimmy. Let’s go watch in the other room.
Erin
Don’t leave me alone!
Tiffany
We’ll leave the dog.
Erin
But she doesn’t like Charlie.
Tiffany
I always said that dog had excellent taste.
Kimmy
Don’t worry. We’ll be right next door.
Tiffany
You know. In case you need us.
Erin opens the door to Charlie.
He enters the living room and rounds the dog, giving her a wide berth.
He crosses to the TV, changes the channel to ESPN, and plops down on the sofa.
Charlie
Hey baby. Where were you tonight?
Charlie nods and focusses on the game.
Erin
Charlie, I think we need to have a talk.
Charlie
Didn’t we already do this?
Charlie
Not now, baby. There’s three men on. Bases are loaded.
Charlie
Seriously, babe. Wait for the commercial.
Erin picks up the remote and switches the TV off.
Charlie gapes at it for a moment then frowns at Erin.
Charlie
Babe. Why’d you do that?
Erin
I said, we need to talk.
Charlie crosses his arms and huffs.
Taps his toe impatiently.
Charlie
All right. Fine. What do you want to talk about?
Erin
I think we should break up.
Charlie
You want to break up? Where’s this coming from?
Erin
I’ve been thinking about us a lot lately and I…
Erin
I don’t feel like myself when I’m with you.
Charlie
What the hell does that mean?
Erin
No. It’s more accurate to say I don’t LIKE myself a whole lot when I’m with you.
Charlie
I have no idea what you mean.
Erin
Yes. That’s it. Charlie, you’re a great guy—
Erin
But we just aren’t on the same wavelength.
Charlie
The same wavelength? Seriously?
Erin
You don’t get my jokes…
Erin
We don’t enjoy the same things.
Erin
And the bottom line is…I’m not happy.
Charlie
You’re not happy.
Erin
Right. This isn’t what I want.
Charlie
Our relationship is fine.
Erin
I know. But fine isn’t good enough for me anymore.
Erin
Can you understand that?
Charlie
I just don’t get it. What do you want, exactly?
Erin
I want conversation.
Charlie
We have baseball.
Erin
I’ve never even liked baseball.
Charlie
This shouldn’t be about baseball.
Erin
It’s not. It’s about everything.
Charlie
I think you’re over-reacting.
Charlie
You can’t even tell me why you’re mad.
Erin
It’s time to end it.
Erin walks to the door. Opens it.
Charlie
You’re not serious.
Erin
Please don’t make this harder than it has to be.
Charlie
I know you’ll change your mind tomorrow.
She waves toward the street.
Charlie pauses at the door to send her a puppy dog look.
Charlie
I’ll call you tomorrow, okay, baby?
Erin
Don’t call me again.
Erin
I’m sorry, but it’s over.
Charlie gives her a kiss to her forehead.
Charlie
Ok. I’ll call you.
Erin closes the door on the word.
She turns to see Kimmy and Tiffany hovering, ecstatic.
They rush her with a big hug.
Kimmy
This calls for a celebration.
Tiffany
Where’s the champagne?
Erin laughs along with her friends, basking in a series of toasts and jokes.
But it isn’t long before a sinking feeling nestles in her stomach.
