copyright © 2003 Scott McGee

OPEN WIDE

by Scott McGee

(four people sit at a table)

TERRY: Okay, folks, we’ve been here for well over three hours now, and we’re nowhere near making a decision.

JENNY: I’m just throwing ideas out there, Terry.

TERRY: Jenny, I know.

JENNY: Can’t do more than that.

TERRY: I know.

JENNY: Just throwing ‘em out there.

TERRY: Jenny, please. We’re all trying to figure this thing out.

JENNY: Some of us more than others.

BOBBY: What does that mean?

JENNY: Well.

BOBBY: What? (to Terry) What? Am I doing something wrong?

TERRY: You’re not doing anything wrong, Bobby.

BOBBY: So what’s with the look?

JENNY: Oh, he’s not doing anything wrong, he’s just not doing anything.

BOBBY: The hell.

JENNY: Fine. Live in your dreamworld, Bobby, but some of us actually work for a living.

BOBBY: Don’t know what you’re talking about.

JENNY: Sure.

TERRY: Come on, you two, we’ve got to iron this out. Arguing right now is not gonna help us reach our deadline.

BOBBY: Fine with me.

JENNY: Okay, but I’m telling you guys, I’ve only got a limited number of ideas over here. I really don’t know where else we can go.

TERRY: Well, let’s take a look at the marketing aspect of this. How wide are we gonna want to go?

JENNY: Terry, that was my baby from the start and I think we’re still looking at 16 to 17 hundred. Minimum.

BOBBY: Too big.

JENNY: What?

BOBBY: Too big.

JENNY: What are you talking? That’s the way this thing gotta open. No question. It’s gotta be at least that many.

BOBBY: We should start 3 or 4 hundred. Start small.

JENNY: Small?

BOBBY: 3 or 4 hundred.

TERRY: I don’t know, Bobby. I think I’m leaning towards Jenny on this.

BOBBY: Terry…

TERRY: Yeah. I’m thinking we should go big. I don’t think small is what we want.

JENNY: Definitely big.

BOBBY: No way.

TERRY: Well, let’s ask the boss then. Max? What do you think it should be? Should we go big with this one?

MAX: Sometimes!

TERRY: (pause) Yeah, I know. Sometimes we go too wide.

BOBBY: It’s hurt us in the past.

TERRY: That’s true.

JENNY: I know, but... Max, don’t you think that taking risks is a part of what we need more of around here?

MAX: Sometimes.

JENNY: And don’t you think this is one of those times?

MAX: Sometimes. Sometimes!

JENNY: See! I agree with Max, we’ve got to make this go big or we’re gonna miss the big numbers down the line.

MAX: Sometimes!

TERRY: We have missed them a few times lately.

MAX: Sometimes.

BOBBY: Max, are you really sure about this?

MAX: Sometimes!

BOBBY: That’s good enough for me.

TERRY: Me too.

JENNY: Max is always right.

MAX: Sometimes!

JENNY: Oh, Max.

BOBBY: So humble this guy.

TERRY: Well, that decides it. We’re going big. Wow.

BOBBY: Yeah.

JENNY: You know, that’s gonna make the rest of our decisions pretty darn easy.

TERRY: That’s right. I didn’t think about that.

BOBBY: Holy crap. You’re right.

JENNY: Max did it again.

BOBBY: You’re the man, Max.

MAX: Sometimes.

TERRY: All the time, Max!

MAX: SOMETIMES!!!! (stands) Sometimes. Sometimes, I have to pee but I forget and it runs down my leg. Sometimes.

(pause)

TERRY: Indecision.

BOBBY: Indecision will cost you every time.

JENNY: No doubt about that. That’s what I’ve been saying all along.

TERRY: Good point, Max. And on that note, I think we should all take a break. Snacks, smokes, and don’t forget the bathroom. Right, Max? (slaps Max on the back as he’s leaving.)

(everyone talking as they leave. Max does not get up.)(Max sits by himself for a second.)

MAX: Sometimes. The pee runs down my leg. Sometimes. (pause) I feel so all alone. (soft) ... sometimes...

Lights slowly fade Out

 

"Open Wide" IS COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL AND MAY NOT BE DOWNLOADED, TRANSMITTED, PRINTED OR PERFORMED WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF THE AUTHOR

"Open Wide" debuted February 7, 2003 with the following cast:

TERRY: Robert Knight

JENNY: Tory Seiter

BOBBY: Eric Johnson

MAX: Brian Anderson


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