By Sasha Fagelman, ’24
The local grocery store is empty of customers except for TALIA, and the only employee there, LUCY, the cashier. LUCY is perched on a stool at her check-out station and is reading
quietly. TALIA thumbs through a magazine at a magazine rack before picking up her basket of groceries, composed of alcohol and junk food, and making her way over to LUCY.
TALIA
(monotone)
Morning, Lucy.
LUCY
It’s 12 PM.
TALIA
(putting groceries on converyer belt)
Is it?
LUCY flashes her watch at TALIA.
TALIA (cont’d)
Hm.
LUCY
(scanning the groceries)
Are you like- throwing a party or something?
TALIA
Yeah, I was actually planning to down this vodka with my cat and then dance naked on the table.
LUCY
Am I invited?
TALIA
(beat)
I have coupons.
LUCY
Ok- right, hand them over.
TALIA hands a large stack of coupons to LUCY.
LUCY (cont’d)
You have- a lot here.
TALIA
(slightly annoyed)
I like to clip.
LUCY
You and my grandmother have that in common.
LUCY begins scanning the coupons and rings TALIA up.
TALIA
It’s one of the many riveting activities I do on a daily basis.
LUCY
So, other than rocking out in the nude on your mahogany, any plans today?
TALIA
You say that as if you didn’t set up the date.
LUCY
I was just checking that you remembered, it’s getting dangerously close to when he’s supposed to be picking you up.
TALIA
Remind me why I agreed to this again?
LUCY
To make me happy?
TALIA
That’s not it.
LUCY
Because you desperately crave romance and close proximity to a six-pack?
TALIA
Not it either. Plus, if I want to see washboard abs, all I have to do is look down.
LUCY
Is it because you’re bored?
TALIA
Bingo.
LUCY
Would you like your receipt?
TALIA
Yes.
(beat)
…Please.
LUCY hands the groceries to TALIA and TALIA begins to leave.
LUCY
And Talia?
TALIA
(turns head)
These bags are heavy, talk fast.
LUCY
(playfully)
Don’t give the cat vodka.
TALIA
(loudly while walking away)
I won’t! He’s more of a whiskey guy anyways.
LUCY smiles and goes back to her book as TALIA exits the store.