After Dinner

Andrew Bovell

• Publisher: Currency Press
• Year: 2019
• ISBN:
  9781760622428
• Topic: Literatur
• Subtopic: Drama

An acutely observed but tender-hearted account of relationships and behaviour in a suburban pub bistro on a Friday night.

ACT ONE

A suburban pub-bistro. The reserved area for meals, around seven p.m. on a Friday evening. The focus of the room is on two separate tables, each set for three. On each there is a burning candle, plastic covered menus, a small vase with three wilted flowers and an ashtray. Elsewhere is the bar, the dance floor, the dance platform and the toilets.

GORDON sits alone at one of the tables. He has been there for some time. He checks his watch then goes to have a drink. His glass is empty, so he tries to catch the waiter’s attention.

GORDON: Waiter.

The unseen waiter ignores him. GORDON self-consciously lowers his arm and picks up his menu to hide his embarrassment.

DYMPIE enters and surveys the scene as GORDON looks up from his menu and notices her. DYMPIE chooses her table. She walks to it, removes the ashtray and places it down elsewhere. She places a handbag on a seat then sits. Once seated, she blows out the candle and arranges herself for maximum comfort. Satisfied, she now surveys the scene again and notices GORDON watching her. They both look quickly away, back to their menus.

PAULA enters. She wears a bright, colourful dress with a hood attached which she wears over her head. This is in marked contrast to DYMPIE’s more plain attire.

DYMPIE: [speaking across the room while trying not to attract attention to herself] Paula …

GORDON looks at PAULA.

DYMPIE: [motioning for her to approach] Paula …

PAULA: [speaking across the room] Why don’t we sit a little closer tonight.

DYMPIE: No, I’ve got one here.

PAULA: Yes, but I thought we could sit a little closer.

DYMPIE: No, this is fine.

PAULA: But last week I couldn’t see.

DYMPIE: Paula.

PAULA: Last week we couldn’t see.

DYMPIE: Paula … come here.

PAULA approaches the table.

DYMPIE: If you want to say something to me then come here and say it. Don’t stand on the other side of the room and shout at me. Look, you’ve attracted the attention of the entire bistro.

PAULA looks at GORDON who quickly looks back at his menu.
She then sits down checking her view of the dance floor.

PAULA: There’s still plenty of tables closer.

DYMPIE: They don’t serve meals at those tables Paula. You know that.

PAULA: Perhaps if we asked somebody. Perhaps if we told them we can’t see from here.

PAULA swaps seats and checks the view.

DYMPIE: You can go and sit there if you want. Go on. Monika and I will stay here. Who wants to sit that close to the bar anyway? I certainly don’t.

PAULA swaps back to the other chair.

DYMPIE: Stop that. Stop that changing of chairs. Decide where you’re going to sit and stay there.

PAULA thinks about it then goes back to the other chair much to DYMPIE’s increa...