"A Long Night"
Characters:
TOM: A tall, thoughtful man in his early thirties who lives alone.
HALEY: A close friend of Tom's, about 30 also. She has a child-like way about her that brings out Tom's protective side.
Tom and Haley have been friends since college and now live a few towns away. Tom has been there for Haley through many ups and downs.
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(A phone rings in a nice living room with a couch, antiques, book shelves. A man picks up.)
TOM: Hello?
HALEY: Tom.
TOM: Haley?
HALEY: It's me.
TOM: Hey! Long time no hear! What's going on?
HALEY: Tom, I just... (she takes a deep breath)
TOM: Honey, what's wrong?
HALEY: I was just... really upset, so, I called.
TOM: I'm here. Talk to me.
HALEY: It's Jacob. He's... I'm so worried right now. He was supposed to come home hours and hours ago- he's traveling, but still, he should have called by now.
TOM: (He sits, with the phone cradled against his shoulder.) Jacob- that's your boyfriend now, right?
HALEY- Yeah, my boyfriend. My... Jacob.
TOM: Got it. Do you want me to come over?
HALEY: No, just talk to me a little, okay? I've got to take my mind off this or I'll go insane.
TOM: I'm sure he's okay, hon. I'm sure he just got delayed somewhere.
HALEY: That's good you're sure, cus I'm not really sure of anything. (she begins to cry, softly) Tom, he's so, so good. You know? If something happened- I can just see him stopping to help someone in trouble and getting hurt, or stabbed, or mugged because he's being a good guy.
TOM: You're letting your emotions run away with you. It's way too early to freak out about that stuff.
HALEY: No, I know, I just... need to hear his voice. You know? I need to know that he's okay.
TOM: He'll call, Haley. You should get off the phone, he might be calling you right now.
HALEY: No, I have call waiting. Don't go right now, please.
TOM: (Gets comfortable) Okay.
HALEY: (Making an effort to sound more upbeat, though her voice cracks) So what's new with you? Anything?
TOM: Well, I got promoted in December. Not sure if I told you.
HALEY: Yeah, to... systems something?
TOM: Systems Analyst.
HALEY: Is it as boring as it sounds?
TOM: (smiles) Pretty much.
HALEY: Do you think I should call the airport?
TOM: You're really freaked out, huh.
HALEY: I've been praying. I actually got down on my knees and prayed.
TOM: Hon, you're getting yourself worked up about this.
HALEY: No, you don't get it. I mean. Sorry, maybe you do. (she lapses into silence for a moment.) Tom. Tom, you know how people who've been married their whole lives, they always say they 'knew' when they met the right one? I've been waiting for that feeling my whole life. I've been in all these relationships where it was supposed to feel like that. You do everything to act like a couple, but deep down, you know you could live without them. And you know they could live without you. It feels like you're just playing a big game of pretend the whole time.
TOM: (carefully) I know what you mean...
HALEY: So then you sort of give up looking for that feeling, you know? And you're going along, living your life, and that's when it happens. You meet someone who you just love to talk to. So you talk again, and again, and after awhile, it just becomes natural that they'll be there at the end of the day. You don't think about the future 'cus you're too busy feeling good, and trying to remember all you want to tell them. And the reason it's so easy is cus they're the other half of your heart, just like that. You've found them, and suddenly you know you can't be okay without them. Ever. Here's this wonderful friend- and you know you need them to be in your life.
TOM: (softly) I know that feeling, Haley.
HALEY: You do? (they pause for a moment, both introspective, and then her voice changes) I didn't even ask, I'm sorry. Did you meet someone, you old rascal? Is there a special lady in your life?
TOM: (his voice hoarse) There's always a special lady in my life.
HALEY: (missing his point, laughs) I don't mean your mom, goof-cake.
TOM: No. Haley, there's something I need to tell you.
HALEY: (curiously) Yeah? Shoot.
TOM: (opens his mouth to speak but freezes there, with the phone pressed tight against his ear. He waits for a signal, for her to prompt him.)
HALEY: (waits, and then says softly, her voice sad:) God, I hope he's okay.
TOM: (Understanding suddenly just how fully her heart is with someone else) I just want to tell you that- your friend? Jacob? He's okay. He'll be there soon, you'll see, Haley. I promise.
HALEY: I hope so.
TOM: He will.
HALEY: How do you know?
TOM: I just know. I'm absolutely positive.
HALEY: I believe you. I do. And I feel better. Thank you, Tom.
TOM: You're welcome, babe. Get some rest now. Jacob will be home soon.
HALEY: Okay. Goodnight, omTay. (she hangs up the phone)
TOM: (He hangs up the phone more slowly, laying the hand piece firmly in the receiver before addressing the empty room) Good night, Haley. I love you.
(He turns off the lamp beside him and sits silently in that empty room long after the light goes out. )