WILT
Well Duke will probably be dead by next year if we don’t.
JASMINE
(Mildly angry) I don’t wish to sound rude but the Disciples of Aphrodite are operating on a higher scale than you are.
WILT
(Mildly angry) So what? Because you’re on this “Holy Quest” it doesn’t matter who gets stepped on along the way?
(Jasmine stands up.)
JASMINE
(Angrily) It is just selfish to prolong the life of one idiot when the rest of humanity is at stake.
(Wilt stands up.)
WILT
(Angrily) I already know what the Mistress would say! Now why don’t you tell me what you really think for once!
(Jasmine, taken aback by Wilt’s statement, sits back down and crosses her arms.)
JASMINE
(Softly) Just forget it.
(Wilt sits back down and they ignore each other in silence for a moment. Wilt calms down and tries to lighten the mood. Jasmine steadily grows more comfortable as he talks.)
WILT
You know, this reminds me of a fight that Duke and I had back when we were in high school. We both really liked this new girl but we each called dibs at the same time. Duke actually suggested that we take turns dating her.
JASMINE
What’d you say?
WILT
I said no… at first. Then I saw her in a mini skirt. So instead we decided that he’d take her during the week and I’d have her on the weekends. I swear, Duke took this girl out on one date and she broke up with us before Friday!
(Both laugh.)
JASMINE
Wow! Did he at least take her somewhere nice?
WILT
I’m pretty sure that it was dinner at the drive-through and then a lovely tour of the parking lot followed by some light fondling.
(Both laugh again.)
JASMINE
So, if you don’t mind me asking. Why do you follow Duke around all of the time?