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Dan: You all right?

Simone: Yes, thank you. (She glances at the camera.)

Dan: (glancing at the camera, too): We’re, uh, witnesses for something.

Roj: We’re not here because we–

Dan: Because we did anything.

Simone: (a bit pointedly): You’re friends of Vince Anders.

Dan: Yeah. (Pause.) How do you know Vince?

(SIMONE reacts as if he’s asked an inappropriate question. She glances at ROJ before she answers.)

Simone: I don’t, really.

Roj: My son’s (OR: grandson’s) in your class.

Simone: I’ve seen you at school.

Roj: Jason. Londell. I’m Roj Londell.

Simone: Simone Walker.

Roj: Nice to meet you. (ROJ starts to introduce DAN.) Simone, this is–

Simone: (to ROJ): I’ve talked to your lovely wife (OR: daughter-in-law) many times.

Roj: Yeah. Jason...he’s a handful.

Simone: He’s a good boy.

Dan: (after glancing at ROJ): May I ask why you’re here?

Simone: My brother’s missing.

Dan: I’m sorry. (Glances at ROJ.) Really. Cops helping any?

Roj: How long’s he been missing?

Simone: Three days. We’re pretty close. We’re each other’s only family here. We talk every day–in person or on the phone. But I haven’t seen or heard from him since Tuesday the 14^th.

Roj: Maybe he– (He stops, shocked at himself, realizing that what he was going to say was inappropriate and cruel, and tightens his face up like a kid caught in a lie.)

Simone: Maybe he what?

Roj: (glancing at DAN): I was going to say something really stupid. It was, um, it was a really inappropriate...joke.

(SIMONE looks at him incredulously, then at DAN for some explanation.)

Dan: What do the cops say?

Simone: Nothing yet. I suppose they have some leads, because they’ve been talking to people. I called Wednesday to report he was missing, but they said they couldn’t do anything for 48 hours–until Thursday afternoon.  Today. It’s been over 48 hours since I’ve seen him, so they’ve...they finally started looking for him yesterday when he didn’t show up for his class.

Roj: Yeah, he’s a teacher.

Simone: Professor. At Bailey College.

Roj: Yeah, where Vince– (A beat of realization.) –works.

Dan: Do they suspect foul play?

Roj: These are homicide detectives. (He realizes what he just said. To SIMONE): I didn’t mean....(A beat.) Sorry.

(DAN and ROJ exchange a look, perhaps that they are starting to put something together.) 

Simone: (to DAN): Why are you here?

Roj: They want to talk to us. I guess it’s about this–

Dan: We’re not sure what they want. (Almost like he’s reminding ROJ, instead of informing her.) We play poker on Friday nights with Vince. We’re poker friends, basically. We’ve known each other for a few years, you know, playing poker. Actually, Bob–that’s one of the guys in our game–knew Vince from some club they were members of and introduced me to him, then I brought in Roj–

Roj: And I had two friends–Ed and Harold–from work, who wanted to play.

Dan: So we know each other just from playing poker. (Nature calls.) Excuse me. (He exits into restroom.)

Roj: (after a pause): This is going to look weird, but...I gotta go, too. (He exits into restroom. There is a brief pause. Then we hear them whispering, something reprimanding, something frustrated, but we don’t hear what’s being said. There’s a pause, then the FLUSH of a toilet. DAN exits the restroom and sits on the bench. He looks up at the camera. She follows his gaze.)

Dan: (a familiar tone of voice): I think we’re being watched. (She nods.) Have they talked to you yet?

Simone: This is my second time here.

(Pause. Toilet FLUSHES off.)

Dan: (As ROJ enters): Okay. Yeah. Vince has–(he glances at ROJ)–they work together, right?

Simone: Same place, different departments. Paul teaches theater arts and speech.

Roj: God, man. (Gives him a disgusted look; sits beside him and whispers something. DAN, perturbed but very aware of SIMONE looking at him, gets up and exits into the restroom. To SIMONE): He didn’t wash his hands. (He puts a finger to his lips to "mums the word.")

Simone: Can I be frank?

Roj: If you were a man, I suppose. (LAUGHS at his own joke.)

Simone: (sighing): You just did it again.

Roj: What’d I do?

Simone: Do you enjoy saying totally inappropriate things?

(DAN enters and sits, trying to figure out what they’re talking about.)

Roj: Like what?

Simone: Like that remark about my being "frank." About Dan not washing his hands.

Dan: You told her?

(Something about SIMONE strikes ROJ; he stares at her, the wheels turning in his head.)

Simone: I can’t imagine the "joke" you wanted to tell about my missing brother.

Roj: I’m...I’m just honest.

Simone: Honest. That’s honest. Embarrassing people–and yourself.

(ROJ turns to DAN for some male support. Disgusted, DAN gets up and crosses to the other door and exits.)

Roj: We’re supposed to wait in here!

(Long pause. Then something occurs to ROJ.)

Roj: (continued): You called him Dan.

Simone: Isn’t that his name?

Roj: Yeah. But when I started to–

(DAN enters carrying two Styrofoam cups.)

Roj: (continued; for the drink he thinks he’s going to get): Hey, thanks, man.

Dan: (offering a cup to SIMONE): Water? (She takes it.)

Simone: Thank you.

(DAN remains standing, pacing near the door, drinking his water. ROJ gets up and begins to exit out the door.)

Roj: (exiting): Thanks–pal.

(As he exits, MINA enters, and ROJ has to give her the top-to-bottom look before leaving. She hesitates, looking at the others in the room, and heads for the bench. SIMONE doesn’t look at her.)

Mina: Anyone sitting here?

(DAN shakes his head "no." She sits. Long pause, then ROJ enters with a can of Coke, gloating slightly that they only have water by openly enjoying the drink as he passes by them. He sees MINA and sits right next to her. She smiles but tries to make some space for herself. She’s obviously uncomfortable.)

Dan: Give her some room.

Roj: Drink your water.

Mina: (to DAN): I’m fine.

Roj: (not salaciously–but): You sure are.

Simone: Oh, for Heaven’s sake! Leave her alone. Mina, why don’t you sit with me?

Mina: Because I don’t want to.

(That gets the men’s attention: they scrutinize the two women, trying to understand their relationship. SIMONE rubs her temples, as if she has a headache.)

Simone: (to DAN): Mina’s a–friend–of my brother.

Roj: You’re–how old?

Mina: Twenty.

Roj: Isn’t he, like– (He stops upon seeing the look DAN is firing his way.) What?

(VINCE enters suddenly. He looks like he’s had little sleep. He scans the room, sees that he knows everyone.)

Vince: I guess you’re all wondering–(he decides against finishing the tired old line).

Roj: (finishing it for him): –why you called us here today. (Crosses to VINCE and hugs him, while DAN pats him on the back; ad lib. "How are you, man?" ;"I’m fine"; "You okay?")

(SCOTT and ANGELA enter. Everything goes quiet.)

Angela: (to DAN): Mr. Harper, go with Detective Scott. Mr. Londell, you come with me.

(As ANGELA turns away, ROJ can’t help giving a bawdy thumbs up–first to DAN, then to SCOTT, who reacts slightly by moving towards ROJ, but has the presence of mind to stop himself. They exit, leaving MINA, SIMONE and VINCE.)

Vince: (after a pause): Something’s not right here. (The women look at him.) Leaving us together like this isn’t an accident.

Mina: What do you mean?

Vince: You lied.

Mina: Lied?

Vince: To them.

Mina: What–? How do you know what I–?

Vince: I heard the tape. You lied on the tape. About me seeing Paul yesterday morning at the driving range.

Mina: I never said that.

Vince: I heard you, Mina, so–

Mina: Dr. Anders–

Simone: What tape?

Vince: The female detective–Angela–

Mina: Female detective?

Vince: –left her tape recorder in the interrogation room yesterday, and I listened to some of Mina’s interview. She said I saw Paul. But at nine in the morning, I was at Paul’s house, and he wasn’t there.

(MINA is discomposed. SIMONE looks at her.)

Simone: (worried, not surprised): Did you see my brother yesterday? (MINA doesn’t answer. To VINCE, speaking with an edge of disdain for him): What do you think’s going on?

Vince: I’m not sure. They read me my rights yesterday, kept me here for awhile, then let me go–requesting that I come back today. Detective Zulinski called me–

Mina: The female detective?

(VINCE looks at her dismissively.)

Simone: I was here last night, too. I told them about you and Paul.

(VINCE looks at MINA.)

Mina: We’re just friends.

Simone: You are a loose end.

(VINCE begins carefully inspecting the ceiling, walls and under the chairs and bench. The women watch for a moment.)

Simone: What’re you doing?

Vince: Something’s not right. We shouldn’t be in here together.

Simone: What are you looking for?

Vince: Microphones. I think they’re listening to us.

Simone: (appalled; feeling violated, she stands): Listening–? They can’t do that! Can they? We have, we have rights, we have rights to privacy!

Vince: Maybe they can, I don’t know. (An invitation.) Go ask.

Simone: You go ask!

Vince: If you really want to know, go ask.

(SIMONE hesitates, then picks up her purse and exits. MINA looks around the room, becoming very suspicious herself.)

Vince: (approaches her aggressively): The truth. (MINA looks around the room as if considering whether she should speak at all.) I just said that about the microphones to get her to leave. Tell me the truth. What happened yesterday?

Mina: When?

Vince: During your interview. Why did you tell Angela I saw Paul? (She looks away.) You think you saw me yesterday? At the driving range? Talking to Paul?

Mina: You know there’s a camera in here–

Vince: You have to tell them the truth! What are you? A pathological liar?

Mina: Leave me alone!

Vince: You didn’t see me with Paul yesterday! Do you know what you’re doing to me? Go tell them!

Mina: Leave me alone!

Vince: Come on! Get up! (He grabs her by the arm and tries pulling her to her feet, but she wrenches her arm away.) You have tell them the truth! (She doesn’t move. He grabs her by the shoulders, but as he forces her to her feet, SCOTT, who isn’t wearing his coat, and ANGELA come running into the room and pull him off her, throwing him to the floor, face down, as MINA sits frightened on the bench.) I just wanted–! Hey! I won’t–! (SCOTT puts a knee in his back, pulls his handcuffs from his belt and secures VINCE. ANGELA restrains his legs.)

Scott: (yanking him to his feet) : Get up!

Vince: (to MINA): Tell them the truth, Mina! My God! How can you–!

Scott: Shut up! (They exit S.R.)

Angela: Are you okay?

Mina: (relieved): Yeah.

Angela: Sorry about that. He surprised us.

Mina: It’s okay.

Angela: We appreciate your help.

Mina: I can’t believe he–. He’s such a cool teacher and–. It bothers me, you know?

Angela: People aren’t always–real.

Mina: What’s going on?

Angela: I can’t talk about it.

Mina: Did you search his house? To see if Paul’s–you know–locked in a closet or the garage or something?

Angela: I’m sorry, but–

Mina: What could he–?

Angela: We’re looking for Dr. Lebeau right now. We’re following every lead.

Mina: (slightly embarrassed): Mrs. Walker told you about me and Paul?

Angela: Yes.

Mina: What did she say?

Angela: Just that you were–you know–sleeping with him.

Mina: We weren’t really, you know, like, seeing each other regular or anything. We knew that would be a big deal for him.

Angela: When was the last time you were with him?

Mina: (sighs; resigned to telling the truth): Wednesday night. We had dinner.

Angela: Why didn’t you tell me that before?

Mina: (pause): I didn’t want him getting in trouble with the school.

Angela: (off-handedly): So where did you eat Wednesday night?

Mina: His place.

Angela: You also went to Dr. Ander’s that night.

Mina: (uncomfortable): That was earlier–to see his dog.

Angela: Nothing else happened between you and Dr. Anders?

Mina: I told you: no.

Angela: Did you stay overnight at Dr. Lebeau’s?

Mina: No. I left around ten-thirty, eleven. I had to get up at five for work.

Angela: And then he came into your work the next morning, had tea, and ignored you.

Mina: Yeah.

Angela: How did that make you feel?

Mina: It bothered me?

Angela: How much did it bother you?

Mina: I mean, the guy was kissing me, holding me–touching me–a few hours before, then it was like he didn’t even see me.

Angela: Did you tell him how you felt? About ignoring you?

Mina: I should’ve–but I didn’t. I was so blown way, you know. I came up to the table, I smiled at him–I mean, we were–and he looks right through me and says, "Just tea." I remember looking at him, and he looked away–out the window–so I went and got his tea, then–

Angela: Has he ever acted like this before?

Mina: Well, I don’t know, he sometimes goes off into his own world, but I thought it was just because he was thinking about stuff. Like his car breaking down. He’s a very intelligent man. He thinks about things. So I never thought anything about it. But this time, it was like he didn’t know who I was. I thought he just didn’t want to do anything that would make people know we were–you know–seeing each other. So after I brought him his tea, I said, "Are you all right, Paul?" (She becomes emotional, on the verge of tears.) He said, "Young lady, may I drink my tea in peace?" Like I was a total stranger or something.

Angela: When you were with him that night, was he upset about something? Did you get in any kind of argument?

Mina: We just ate, talked about the girls on my bowling team–

Angela: What do you mean?

Mina: Thursday nights. I bowl with three girlfriends. "Lucky Ladies." That’s where they came and got me last night.

Angela: I remember the shirt. Why were you talking about the girls on your team?

Mina: He just–he made me swear not to tell them about us. And we talked about stuff.

Angela: I see. Like what?

Mina: Why did you want to record that stuff? About Vince seeing Paul at the driving range?

Angela: Like I said, we wanted to break through his comfort zone.

Mina: But it wasn’t true. And now he thinks I’m this horrible person trying to–

Angela: It’s an interrogation technique. A bad one.

Mina: That makes me look like a–he called me a psycho-something liar.

Angela: Psychopathic. We had our reasons.

Mina: He thinks I’m lying.

Angela: Well...aren’t you?

Mina: I’m sorry?

(SIMONE quietly enters and stands in the doorway.)

Angela: You said you went over to his house to talk to him about voting. That you’d never voted before. Right?

Mina: I wanted some advice on who–you know–who to vote for.

(ANGELA nods, introspectively, as if calculating something. SIMONE steps into the room and sits on one of the folding chairs. MINA notices her, but ANGELA is lost in her thoughts to seemingly notice. Then, taking out a folded sheet of paper from her coat pocket, she looks up, square at MINA.)

Angela: You’re a registered–what?

Mina: Democrat.

Angela: But you went to a conservative professor to find out who to vote for.

Mina: I didn’t know what he was. Except he taught politics.

Angela: I see. You voted in the last election–

Mina: What do you mean?

Angela –two years ago–is that right?

Mina: I’m sorry?

Angela: Not only did you register right after your 18^th birthday, but you voted that same year. (She opens paper, shows it to her.) I got this from the County Registrar’s office this morning. Is that your signature?

Mina: What is this?

Angela: The sign-in sheet every voter signs before getting a ballot. Is that your signature?

Mina: (resigned): Yeah.

Angela: So you lied. You said you never voted before. (MINA looks at SIMONE. ANGELA puts the paper back in her pocket.) Which means that maybe you lied about why you went to see Dr. Anders. It means– (She doesn’t want to talk in front of SIMONE.) Come with me. (MINA stands. To SIMONE): Wait here.

Simone: I thought you wanted to talk to me about–

Angela: We will.

Simone: I’ve been waiting–

Angela: Thank you. I’m sorry–

Simone: I have students waiting for me.

Angela: They’ll have to wait a little bit longer, I'm sorry. We’re doing out best. Thank you, Mrs. Walker. Get something to drink–there’s coffee and sodas out front. (She motions MINA towards the door; they exit. SIMONE sits for a moment, then gets up to leave. When she reaches the door, DAN stands in the doorway. She backs away as he enters the room.)

Dan: This wasn’t supposed to get complicated. Your brother and that little girl are more than just friends. (SIMONE doesn’t answer. He glances up at the camera. Before he can say anything more, ROJ enters. SIMONE sits on the S.R. folding chair.)

Roj: Didn’t you see me? I was waiting for you. She wants me to wait. You gotta wait?

Dan: Yeah. (He sits on the S.L. folding chair, leaving one between them.)

Roj: So what’d he ask you?

Dan: Just...how I knew Vince, about the game. What’d she ask you?

Roj: She told me not to talk about it.

Dan: I just told you what he asked me.

Roj: She didn’t say nothin’ about not asking you. Didn’t he tell you not to talk to me about your interview?

(DAN looks at him like he can’t believe he’d consider not exchanging information. SIMONE begins laughing; DAN looks at her; she stops. ROJ sees something in their exchange, a familiarity–not fear.)

Roj: (continuing): What’s going on here?

Dan: What’re you talking about?

Roj: (to SIMONE): You called him Dan.

Dan: That’s my name.

Roj: She interrupted me before I could introduce you, and you didn’t tell her your name, but she miraculously knew it. (To SIMONE.) You know each other? (SIMONE hesitates, as if she’s going to deny knowing him, then turns to DAN, who just stares back at her. ROJ backs away and looks at them, sitting together.) Oh, man.