ONE BUS TOWN
CAST: MELINDA - 21 - Small town girl
CODY - 25 - Rough and tumble wander
The stage is set with a check out style counter holding a cash register and stocked with assorted small items for sale. Gum, candy, cigarette lighters and the like. A small radio sits on top of the counter. There is a sign attached to the front of the counter announcing that alcoholic beverages may not be consumed on the premises. There is also a small table with two chairs.
SETTING: Small West Texas town. The convenience store bus stop. Present day. Mid afternoon.
(At rise MELINDA stands behind the counter. She leans on her forearms as she reads a People magazine. Music can be heard coming from the radio. CODY sits at the small table sipping from a Coke can. His worn duffel bag is at his feet. He nervously checks his watch, stubs out a cigarette in the ashtray and crumbles up an empty cigarette package.)
MELINDA: (turning down the radio) Want another Coke?
CODY: D'ya think I have time?
MELINDA: I don't know. The bus is usually late, but I've never seen it be this late before.
CODY: Figures. Only one way outta this town and it ain't even on time.
MELINDA: I'm sorry. You got some place special to be? Somebody waitin' on you?
CODY: Maybe. What makes you think I don't?
MELINDA: Nothin'. Just makin' conversation is all.
CODY: Wish I could have a beer.
MELINDA: I know, but the sign says you can't drink it here. You want that Coke or not?
CODY: Sure. Get one for yourself too. My treat.
MELINDA: Oh, no. That's okay.
(Cody walks over to the counter and gives Melinda some money)
CODY: Look. It don't look like you're too awful busy. This ain't exactly a bustlin' metropolis now is it?
MELINDA: Okay. Guess it couldn't hurt.
(She puts the money in the cash drawer and gets two Cokes from behind the counter. She hands Cody one, she keeps one. They sit at the table.
MELINDA: Thanks.
CODY: So. What's to do in this town?
MELINDA: Well. There's a bowlin' alley and a skatin' rink. They're together.
CODY: I bet you skate.
MELINDA: A little.
CODY: You look like a skater. Cheerleader too probably. Right?
MELINDA: Yeah. That's me.
CODY: So... When you're not skatin' what else can you do here?
MELINDA: We've got a movie theater, but it's bein' remodeled right now. I really miss it. I love movies.
CODY: Hey, me too.
MELINDA: Where're you from?
CODY: Houston. This time.
MELINDA: Sounds like you travel a lot.
CODY: All the time I guess.
MELINDA: What do you do for money?
CODY: I prefer not to define myself by my job. I do what ever I can to get by. Somethin' always comes up. Don't worry. I plan to settle down some day, but not yet.
MELINDA: Where're you goin'?
CODY: California. Ever been there?
MELINDA: No. The farthest West I've ever been is Marfa. I went to see the ghost lilghts, but they weren't there that night. I missed 'em. What's in California?