DANTE has
just arrived to see PAUL.
DANTE
Well, I’m
here, Dad. Why did you summon me over to
your office?
PAUL
Dante, we
haven’t had a heart to heart in a while and I thought we should catch up.
DANTE
Dad, when
have we ever had a heart to heart
conversation in my entire life.
PAUL
I want to
know what’s going on with you, son. You
took off for
DANTE
Are you
really spying on your own son? Why am I not surprised?
PAUL
Dante, I know
you have a lot of experience with
women, but you still have a lot to learn.
This girl has come into your life suddenly and you gave her a place to
stay and now it seems like you may have spent a huge chunk of money on
her. How much do you really know about
her?
DANTE
PAUL
And what is
that supposed to me? Me
of all people?
DANTE
You don’t
even know a damn thing about your own girlfriend yet you’re willing to put mine
down so easily.
PAUL
Barbara and I
are very much in love, Dante. For your
information, I’m going to ask her to marry me.
DANTE
Marry you?
PAUL
Yes. You like her, don’t you?
DANTE
Well, yeah,
but how much do you know about her past Dad?
PAUL
Now look
who’s being overprotective. Barbara is
the first woman I’ve cared about since your mother. I don’t want to waste any more time.
DANTE
Then how
about I make you a deal? Something
you’re so fond of doing with me.
PAUL
Speaking of
our latest deal, you’re time is running out, Dante.
DANTE
Ugh, let’s not
even go there today, Dad.
PAUL
I just don’t
want you to think I’ve forgotten.
DANTE
That wasn’t a
deal anyway, it was an ultimatum.
Anyway, here’s my proposal. You
let me do what I want with
PAUL
That’s hardly
a fair deal, son. I’m a lot older and
wiser than you. You don’t know anything
about this
DANTE
Dad, if you
want to keep me in your life, then you’ll accept my deal. And trust me, it’s
for the best for both of us.
PAUL
Fine.
Go ahead and date
DANTE
Deal.
ANGELA has
just arrived and is talking with her brother, DAMIEN, at the bar.
DAMIEN
Where have
you been, sis? We’ve hardly talked for
days.
ANGELA
Oh, I’ve been
swamped at work, and had a lot of my mind.
DAMIEN
Please tell
me you haven’t received any more notes from your secret admirer.
ANGELA
Not today,
thankfully. But I haven’t talked to
Brian since I sort of accused him of being my mystery man.
DAMIEN
Brian? I thought he was the man of your dreams?
ANGELA
He thought I
was accusing him and walked out on our lunch date and we haven’t spoken since.
DAMIEN
Angela, from
everything
ANGELA
I left him a
voice mail trying to apologize but he hasn’t returned my call. I wish I just knew who the hell was writing
me these damn love letters so I could get on with my life.
DAMIEN
I still think
you should let me stay with you until this is resolved.
ANGELA
No, I’ll be
fine. I’m a big girl, Damien. But thanks.
DAMIEN
Okay, but
call me if anything happens. I want to
know what’s going on with you.
ANGELA
I will. And I expect the same from you. Like if you’re having romantic troubles.
DAMIEN
I don’t want
to talk about that, Angela.
ANGELA
Damien, I
know you split with your girlfriend, and I have a sinking feeling in the pit of
my stomach I know who she is.
Caroline
walks up.
CAROLINE
Hey, you
guys.
ANGELA
Hello
Caroline.
DAMIEN
What can I
get for you, Caroline?
CAROLINE
I’ll just
have a club soda for now. Manny is
meeting me here for lunch.
ANGELA
It seems like
the two of you have been seeing a lot of each other since he came back to
CAROLINE
Yes, we
have. You don’t have a problem with
that, do you, Angela?
ANGELA
No, no. Of course not.