Bad Timing

Ryan: Hey, you look great.

Stephanie: Aw thank you babe, so do you. I missed you.

Ryan: Missed me? It’s been 12 hours.

Stephanie: I know, but I love you. I always want to be with you. Ryan laughs. An email chimes on his phone. He checks it.

Stephanie: Don’t you miss me all day and want to be with me?

Ryan: Of course I do.

Stephanie: No matter where we are?

Ryan: No matter where we are. They share a smile. Ryan puts his phone down on the table.

Ryan: So, now that we’re both here, can you finally tell me the big news?

(excited, nervous)

Stephanie: Okay, yes, but promise you’ll keep an open mind.

Ryan: I promise.

Stephanie: Well, you know I’ve been looking for teaching jobs everywhere...

Ryan: Right.

Stephanie: I got one...

Ryan: Honey, that’s amazing!

Stephanie: ...in LA.

Ryan: Like, part time, in LA, or...?

Stephanie: This could be great for us. We’ve both been in New York forever. It could be the perfect adventure to start our lives somewhere new!

Ryan: You can’t be serious. Stephanie, I just started my job here. I can’t just pick up and leave New York. And I wouldn’t want to.

Stephanie: Not even for me?

Ryan: That’s not fair to ask of me.

Stephanie: I would do it for you.

Ryan: Well we’re not in that position, are we?

Stephanie: This is a big opportunity for me. I thought you’d be supportive.

Ryan: Of course I’m supportive of your job, but where does that leave us?

Stephanie: What do you mean? We want to be together no matter where we are. You said it yourself.

Stephanie: Even if you don’t want to move, we can still visit each other.

Ryan: I don’t know how that’s going to work.

Stephanie: Why not?

(beat)

Ryan: You know I work long hours. I’m just starting my career. I’ve go to prove myself over there. I barely had time for this dinner. I’m sorry Steph, I’m just not interested in a long-distance relationship. You wouldn’t be happy with it either. That hits Stephanie right in the gut.