"Checkout" Scene Five Supermarket Teashop Morning

“Checkout”

Scene Five Supermarket Teashop Morning

Olive and Gwen and Leanne and Mel are at their usual tables. All four have plates of food in front of them.

Mel:
Was Garry disappointed?

Leanne:
No, he was fine about it in the end.

Mel:
Did he take much persuading?

Leanne:
No. Not really. Raised a few objections. At first. But then he said if it would make me happy!

Mel:
You’re so lucky.

Leanne:
Lucky…in what way?

Mel:
Garry. With Garry. He’ll do anything for you.

Leanne:
If you mean does he realise how lucky he is to have me then yes I suppose you’re right. I am lucky…he does realize.

Mel:
So Mark’s gonna be the Best Man. Oh, I can’t wait. I’ve always fancied him.

Leanne: (Wistfully)
Yeah, me too.

Mel:
YOU!

Leanne: (Unconvincingly)
No…not really. I’ve got my Garry, haven’t I?

Mel:
So who have you booked for the entertainment?

Olive:
The Daffodils

Gwen:
I thought they were all dead.

Olive:
The racket they make…might as well be.

Gwen:
Is it the same three ladies?

Olive:
Yes, Petunia is the tall thin one, wears a feather in her hair, plays the violin. Gardenia is the short, fat one, plays the cello and the one with the teeth is Violet and she plays the piano.

Gwen:
Oh, I don’t think I’ve got the stomach to listen to one of their recitals. And if that tall one starts singing…she can’t hold a tune in a bucket!

Olive:
Let them loose on the old Elderflower cordial and they’ll soon work up a sweat. Boccherini’s Minuet becomes quite a virtuoso piece.

Mel:
But will it be finished before the wedding?

Leanne:
I hope so. The building work is nearly finished and then we‘re going to decorate the lounge first. I’ve got some fantastic ideas, bit on the expensive side though.

Mel:
Oh, how lovely. I wish I could afford to start from scratch with my lounge.

Leanne:
Yes, I can understand that.

Mel:
Knowing you, I bet it will look lovely and Garry’s very good with his hands.

Leanne:
You can say that again. My only sadness is…is…oh, forget it.

Mel:
No, come on Leanne, what’s wrong? If something’s upsetting you?

Leanne:
I don’t want to talk about it.

Mel:
Come on, girl, you can tell me. You know you can tell me anything.

Leanne:
Yes, I know, but we all have our cross to bear.

Mel:
Come on, Leanne. Haven’t we been best friends since Juniors?

Leanne:
It’s something I just have to live with but it’s a sadness that never leaves me!

Mel:
So tell me.

Leanne:
I don’t like to burden people.

Mel:
Leanne!

Leanne:
Well it’s just that…that…that I can’t have children!

Mel:
No!

Leanne:
No.

Mel:
Are you sure? These day’s there’s IVF…

Leanne:
IVF! You’ve got to be kidding!

Mel:
But are you absolutely sure?

Leanne:
There’s no mistake. You see…I’m having white walls and a cream sofa and children just don’t go with that.

Mel:
Couldn’t you just change your colour scheme?

Leanne:
No point. I want to be minimalist too!

Mel:
You always did have strong design ideas.

Leanne:
Children come with such a lot of stuff. I couldn’t cope. Besides, I have a vision of what I want our home to be like.

Mel:
What about Garry?

Leanne:
Yes, I’ve said he can live there. But when he comes in from work I shall have a white suit hanging by the front door so that once
he puts that on, he should blend in so well with the walls that I won’t be able to see him.

Mel:
Won’t he mind?

Leanne:
Mind! Mind what?

Mel:
That you expect him to put on a white suit so that you won’t be able to see him.

Leanne:
He’s not going into this marriage with his eyes shut!

Mel:
Just as well, otherwise you’d be bumping into each other all the while.

End of Scene