“Laundrama”

Barry

Middle-aged momma's boy who goes to a laundromat b/c his mom wants him to learn some 'life skills'. He is a successfully furniture salesman who relies on his charm and good looks to sell. He moved out of his parents home in Topeka, KS to teach English in Japan but moved back to Topeka to be with his mother when his father died. 

Sammie

Gregarious, college-aged vegan who is the president of the local Green Peace. She is also a volunteer for the local democratic party. Sammie is from Wisconsin, and has one older brother.

The laundromat is near a university and has the typical, white-hygenic smells.  The scene opens with Barry sorting his laundry as Sammie enters with a mail sack full of laundry.

Sammie: (walks by Barry with sack o' clothes. She looks around for the coin machine but doesn't find it.)   Do you know where the coin machine is?

Barry: (Reluctantly) Actually, it's out of service, I guess. I had to go to the convenience store right over there (points) to get quarters.

S:  The 7-11?

B:  No, The Kum-n-Go. But it doesn't really matter....(pause). Although I did clean out Kum-n-Go's two-bit reserve.

S:  Huh?

B:  Nothing. I might have some extra quarters, if you just have a load or two.

S:  No, I have a ton of stuff...we just back from our march in the parade. You'd be surprised how much a bunch of hippies could sweat! (laughs)

B: In April? You must have been goose stepping! (He doesn't want to continue the conversation, but feels that he needs to clarify his previous comment.) Just kidding...what was your parade?

S:  We were protesting the...well, not exactly protesting. Just a minute, I'm gonna run and get some quarters and then I'll tell ya.

B: Hmmm.  (continues folding clothes) 

Sammie exits. Barry continues folding clothes, eager to be gone before Sammie returns. A few seconds later, Sammie returns.

S: So, what's your hurry?

B:  I've got a call to make.

S:  Wow. Sounds like business. Are you a businessman?

B:  Well, kindof.  You sure ask alot of questions!

S:  I guess that I'm the inquisitive type....anyway, I'll leave you alone.

There is a silence. Barry is intrigued, but feels that he should feign interest in Sammie.

B:   So, you never did tell me what kind of a protest-er-parade you were marching in with your hippie friends. 

S:  Oh, well I'm from Wisconsin, so I am a little more politically active than the average Topekan.  (pause). Ok, alot.  I didn't even think that I would find a Democratic headquarters in Topeka when I moved here to go to school!

B:  Actually, my dad was a democrat his whole life.  After he opened a furniture store, he found that democrats made the best salespeople. I don't know why....maybe they're just more down-to-earth. Anyway, I never cared much about politics.

S:  Hmmm. So, you're not a democrat....are you a good salesperson?

B:  I'm a good talker, I guess....but so are you! 

S:  (Sammie loves to talk, but also doesn't want to be too forward with this stranger). You know, that is really a rare thing these days. People are so afraid that they hardly talk...they would rather zone out to CNN and MTV and fart jokes on... (pause...she coyly drops off) I hate to be unfriendly, but I really need to do my homework.

B:  (laughs) Well, you brought it up!

S:  Brought what up?

B: Fart jokes, I mean politics! Ah, nevermind...

Sammie sits to start homework.  Barry finishes folding clothes and starts to walk out. He glances down at Sammie and smiles.

B: It was nice to talk to you, hippie-chick.

S:  My name is Sammie. I hope you don't think that I'm rude, it's just that I've been out marching all day in our protest, and I have a huge Japanese test tomorrow.

B:  Genki-desuka?

S:  Genki! Wow, you speak Japanese?

B:  Actually, I lived there for almost 10 years. 

S:  Wow. Japan! I might get to go there next summer with my Japanese class. It seems like such a sophisticated culture: the art, the fashion, the food. So futuristic or something.

B: It is seventeen hours ahead!

S: There is also something about Japanese people that seems so, well, civil compared to us Americans. 

B:  Mmmmm.

S: So, how what did you do in Japan? How did you meet your girlfriend? Would you like to come to my Japanese class and talk about your experience?

B:  Wow. (pause). How much time do you have? Because I really need to go call my girlfriend, Michiko. That 17 hour time difference leaves a fairly narrow window of opportunity to reach out and touch someone!

S: Ok. Just one question then: would you like to come to my Japanese class Thursday and talk about your experience?

B: (Barry is torn but likes Sammie's straight forwardness...he has lived in a place for 10 years where people's motives are never direct). Well, just one answer then, yes, and one question for you: Where is your class and what time should I be there? Actually, that's two...ha!

S: Green Hall, room 307. Now ask the other one.

B: Huh? 

S: What time?

B: Oh, what time should I be there?

S: 7 pm...will that work for you?

B: Yes...and good job on the prompting! You could be an English teacher!

S: Really? Thanks, my protest was actually a fundraiser for a Guatemalan orphanage...for textbooks and materials to teach English to the farmer's children. Did you know that bananas and coffee are....

B: (on his way out the door). The perfect breakfast....anyway, see you Thursday!