Charlie: Trouble listens to your words attentatively, but before she can ask you anything, the lights dim for the start of the next act.
The curtain opens to reveal a decidedly different room from the first act. It is sterile, spotless and shining. No laundry bags around, no newspapers on the floor or old magazines, no dirty dishes. The women from the first act have once again gathered to play cards, but there's a distinct air of tension that wasn't present before. This becomes particularly apparent when Florence comes in from the kitchen bringing drinks, snacks and napkins, and politely reminding people to use their coasters ("I thought they were big chocolate mints," says Vera). Her finicky ways are getting on nearly everyone's nerves, and the game breaks up, leaving Florence and Olive alone together.
Olive is irritated, and Florence is morose and guilty about irritating Olive. But that just irritates Olive even more -- "Don't pout. If you want to fight, we'll fight. But don't pout. Fighting I win, pouting you win." Florence finally gets so upset with herself that she almost throws a cup against the wall, but stops herself. Olive proceeds to egg her on to do it anyway ... and Florence hurts her arm doing so.
Perhaps in an effort to ease things a bit, Olive proposes that what they need is male companionship. Florence claims she hasn't thought about that in weeks, she's just separated after all, and doesn't know who she'd even call. Olive mentions the two Spanish brothers who live in the building, Manolo and Hay-zoos. Florence finds that name odd, and the fact that you're apparently not supposed to pronounce the J even odder. She's also nervous about the possibility of the news of her dating getting back to Sidney, her children, or her mother-in-law, who lives in Florida. ("This could be the one night she comes to town!")
Olive finally pressures her into agreeing to the date, but only on the condition that they stay in and eat in the apartment, a dinner that she'll cook herself. She finally asks for the spelling of Hay-zoos' name, and is shocked by the discovery. "I'll make something simple. Fish and loaves or something."
The curtain falls, beginning a fifteen minute intermission. As the lights come up, Trouble turns to you and asks, "What are queer rights?"
Robin wrote:"I... you did? He did?" Something didn't add up. "I mean, when I first got to the Project, I thought he liked me. I practically threw myself at him and got nothing." She looked at her menu for half a minute. "Turned out he's just a weasel and ..."
"He probably just had something else on his mind at the time, then. Either that, or prison has changed him more than I realized ..."
"and... nevermind. It was a misunderstanding." She paused for another few seconds. "He's really that good?"
"Very. Has a bit of a mania about doing it in complete darkness, and predictable mommy issues, but yes, quite skilled. Are you ready to order?" says the woman who may well have ruined your appetite forever.
