A = Anna
tA = Anna thinking/narrating
Y = Yuri
M = Masuru
Ma = Maria
BG: restaurant
tA = Woof, another hard day of work. I can’t wait to get home and off my feet. First thing I’m going to do is take these shoes off. Second thing I’m going to do is go on the Internet and look at cute animal gifs.
tA = …Do I even have a life?
tA = What is life?
BG: theatre outside/street
tA = No, really. What is life? Maybe I’m a doll a child plays with, and the child is God.
tA = But why would child God be – Oof!
Y: Oh, I’m so sorry.
A: It’s fine.
Y: I wasn’t looking where I was pacing.
A: Really, it’s no problem at all.
Y: Are you in a hurry to get somewhere?
A: No, not particularly. I just want to get home.
Y: Oh, it’s just you seem in a hurry.
tA: Why is he still talking?
A: Did you…bump into me on purpose so we could have a conversation?
Y: What? No! No, no. I’m so sorry. I’ll let you go now.
A: Yeah, thanks.
Y: Wait!
tA: Oh, goodness.
Y: It’s just… Do you want to come see my show?
A: What are you talking about?
Y: I have a pamphlet right here. I’ve been giving them out, see? That- that’s why I’ve been walking back and forth. I didn’t think anyone would run into me, but maybe it’s a good thing; now you can hear about the show. You said you’re not in a hurry, right?
A: Listen, I’m sorry, but I really need to get home. Today was a tough day at work.
Y: Ah! It was? I’m so sorry.
A: Yeah, so I really just want to get off my feet, and while standing around talking to you would be fine some other time, it’s not right now.
Y: Do you want to talk about why it was a bad day?
A: Um, not particularly.
tA: I am making it abundantly clear that I want this conversation to end. Is this guy really that clueless, or does he just not care?
Y: Hey, I actually want to get off my feet, too. Come with me.
A: I’d really rather not.
Y: No, really. Follow me. I’ll get you some water.
tA: Water from a stranger?
tA: But…at the mention of a drink, I notice my mouth feels drier than Maria’s sense of humor.
A: Is it…bottled?
Y: Huh? Oh, yeah, sure if you want it to be.
tA: If he’s offering a place to sit…and water…well minus the cat gifs, that’s about all I wanted from being home anyway.
A: Yeah, ok.
Y: Great! Sorry again.
tA: Which thing is he apologizing for?
A: Eh heh, no problem.
Y: Thanks.
A: It’s fine. Can we get moving now? We’re sort of in the middle of the sidewalk.
Y: Oh, yeah. Totally. Follow me.
Scene: theatre lobby
Y: Take a seat. I’ll be right back.
A: Ok.
tA: This couch is surprisingly comfortable. In fact, the whole lobby looks rather comfortable while at the same time elegant.
tA: I really am thirsty. How did I not notice before?
tA: And my feet are even sorer than I thought. Would it be ok if I put my feet on the furniture?
tA: I better not.
Y: Hey, I got you a water bottle and some snacks from the concession stand. Sorry they’re not exactly a good meal, but I figure it’s better than nothing.
A: Um, yeah. Thank you. You didn’t have to get me food at all.
tA: Or water. Or a place to sit. All this for an awkward promo pitch?
Y: So why was work so tough?
A: It doesn’t matter.
Y: Oh, come on. I want to know.
A: You don’t even know my name.
Y: Oh! You’re right. What’s your name? My name is Yuri.
PLAYER CHOICE:
My name is Anna
jump Anna_name
That was my way of saying I didn’t want to go into my life
jump Whatsisittoyou
Label Anna_name:
A: My name is Anna. It’s nice to meet you, Yuri.
Y: Likewise, Anna.
Y: So now that we know each other, do you want to talk about your day?
A: Well, it was tiring, but not in the way you’d expect. Our restaurant gets so few customers, and it’s in bad condition. You’d think I’m getting paid to stand around it’s so dead. But the thing is there are parts to being a waitress people don’t really know about. When I’m not serving tables, I have other things to do such as clean the place or touch up the desserts. That sounds fair, right?
Y: Mhm
A: Except when it comes to managers, the moment you take an unscheduled break, they come and yell at you, dock your pay, whatever they feel like. So I have to keep myself crazy busy just to not get in trouble, whether I’m doing any good or not.
Y: Mm, that does sound tough.
A: Yeah. To be honest, I really don’t like being a waitress.
Y: I don’t think most people would. Why do you stay then? Can you not find another job?
A: I guess not, but it’s also that I’m just attached to the place, you know?
A: My friends work there, and I kind of want the place to succeed. It’s like an underdog that I know won’t win but hope for anyways.
Y: What restaurant do you work at?
A: Sam-Sa-Sushi on Kutuzovsky
Y: I haven’t been there.
A: Not many people have. It’s pretty hidden.
Y: Hidden things are usually great.
A: Yeah, they can be.
A: This is actually nice. Talking, I mean.
Y: It is.
Y: ...
Y: Hey, I have a proposition.
A: What is it?
Y: I’ll go to your restaurant if you come to my show.
A: Heh. Maybe, but I’d need to know what your show is first.
Y: Right! Great! I have a whole spiel.
tA: What have I done?
Y: I welcome you to come to Yuri and His Magnificent Felines.
tA: What?
A: What?
Y: Please don’t interrupt. I’m getting to the explanation.
A: Sorry.
Y: Yuri and His Magnificent Felines is a cat show. Trained cats of all breeds and ages from all over the world perform tricks like you’ve never seen. It’s cute, it’s amazing, it’s –
A: Stop right there.
PLAYER CHOICE:
That sounds like the best thing ever.
jump Im_in
No way. I can’t condone animal exploitation.
jump no_exploitation
Label Whatsisittoyou:
Y: Well, you don’t have to be so rude. I’m just trying to be nice and friendly.
A: I get that, but I had already told you that I don’t feel like talking. By asking again, you disrespected that.
Y: But you get to rest now. You’re not in a hurry home anymore. You have time to talk.
A: If I don’t want to talk, then I don’t have to. You’re being pushy, and that isn’t nice and friendly.
tA: This guy isn’t as great as he thinks he is.
Y: Oh…I’m sorry.
tA: Yeah, you bet.
Y: I should have listened better.
Y: Next time I will.
A: Next time?
Y: I mean, uh, if you come see the show. I’m promoting it, remember? We can talk then – if you want.
A: Well, what is this show about?
tA: His whole face lights up like a Christmas tree at my question, and I fear I have made a mistake.
Y: I’m glad you asked.
Y: Nobody has really listened to me all day, so I’m glad you’re a better listener than I am. You’re going to love this. It’s the best. See, the show is all about cats.
A: I like cats.
Y: Who doesn’t like cats? But please don’t interrupt.
A: Sorry.
Y: It’s ok. What I was saying is it’s all about cats. It’s called Yuri and His Magnificent Felines. Trained cats of all breeds and ages from all over the world perform tricks like you’ve never seen. It’s cute, it’s amazing, it’s –
A: Stop right there.
PLAYER CHOICE:
That sounds like the best thing ever.
jump Im_in
No way. I can’t condone animal exploitation.
jump no_exploitation