A typical day in New York

A typical day in New York

Characters: Julie, a woman in a coffee shop in downtown Manhattan; Sam, a young coffee bar server, guests in the coffee shop.

Julie: Can I have a hot cappuccino?

Sam: Please?

Julie: Excuse me.

Sam: I said, please.

Julie: And I said, excuse me.

Sam: Please.

Julie: I do not understand.

Sam: I meant, can you say please.

Julie: I am not sure what you mean, but I think you are very rude.

Sam: Rude, dear lady, do not even get me started. We could have avoided this confrontation if all you had said was please.

Julie: I am not sure where this conversation is going, but first let me clarify that I am not your dear lady. Second, I am not

Sam interrupts, “Stop right there. I just said dear lady as a form of address, not as a form of endearment.”

Julie: Please.

Sam: I am not sure you even know what you are talking about.

Julie raises her voice, “What exactly are you trying to say?”

Silence in the coffee house. All guests stare at Julie and Sam.

Sam (angry voice): I think you are one of the rudest people in New York. I hope someone teaches you civility.

Guests look at each other, and start getting up. Walk towards the counter.

Guest: Hey there, who are you shouting at? Do your job and keep quiet.

Sam: Stay out of this. This is my business.

Guest: Really? Picks up hot coffee container and throws it against the wall.

Sam (shouts): Stop it right there or I am calling the police.

Everyone suddenly is throwing things at each other. Loud crashing noise of glass breaking and people are taking out coffee cakes, pastries from glass cabinet and throw them at each other.

Someone: Call 911 quick. This crowd is getting rowdy.

Julie quietly leaves the coffee shop. Finds police cruisers with flashing lights and screaming sirens approaching the coffee shop she had just left. Pulls out her cell phone and dials.

Julie: Hi mom, how are you?

…

Julie: Oh nothing, another typical day in New York, you know how it is here. You need to stick up for yourself or people will just walk over you.

….