Part 2 – Hello/Goodbye

Synopsis. Collins Street. Mary is looking through the window of an upmarket suit and shirt shop.

Inside the shirt shop. Sandra is on her knees, pinning the sleeve of a jacket worn by a customer, Gloria. They face a full length mirror. There is a flirty rapport. We hear the shop door open. Sandra looks up to greet the new customer but on recognition her smile fades. Gloria notices the change, looks at what has affected Sandra. Mary stands at the door – she disengages and pretends to look through some hanging shirts.

Sandra completes her work with Gloria. Distracted, fumbles. Gloria is patient, knowing. Gloria leaves.

Mary approaches Sandra. As they talk they circle like prize fighting cocks sizing up the other.

They fill in the 7 years they have had no contact: benign facts until Mary announces that she has separated from her husband Nick, she has feelings for women. She misses Sandra. Sandra picks a fight. Claims she has “moved on” (we are not so sure) and doesn’t see any point to them being friends. Mary is sorry for the past(?), for marrying Nick(?) for now returning(?). A new customer interrupts. Mary exits.

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Full script. LATE morning. Collins Street, Melbourne CBD. Designer clothes shops, euro-style cafes, haute jewellery and leather goods line the street. Harried businessmen and their lawyers, cackling ladies-who-lunch and window-shopping Japanese tourists walk past.

Mary has her back to us as she is looking through the window of a stylish shirt shop. Beyond the mannequins we see that she is watching Sandra. Sandra is on her knees adjusting a jacket worn by Gloria. This tableau diffuses out of focus and is replaced by Mary’s face reflected in the shop window.

INSIDE the shop. Gloria is looking into a full length mirror, watching Sandra pinning the sleeve length.
GLORIA: Tonight is opening night of the MTC season.
SANDRA: Oh right.
GLORIA: Do you like to go to the theatre?
SANDRA: I’ve never been.
GLORIA: Oh? What do you like to do?
SANDRA: I like to go to restaurants.
GLORIA: Oh yes.
Off screen we hear the shop door open. Sandra looks up to acknowledge the entering customer. Her warm, welcoming smile fades to painful recognition. Sandra tries to hide it but Gloria discretely looks for what has troubled Sandra. Mary stands at the door, smiling tentatively. She disengages and pretends to check out some shirts. Sandra continues to adjust the sleeve while stealing glances of Mary.
SANDRA: (To Gloria) How is that length?
Gloria checks the length of the sleeve in the mirror.
GLORIA: Yes. That’s right. Can it be ready by Thursday?
SANDRA: Yes.
Sandra removes Gloria’s jacket/places it on a coat hanger/they move towards the counter. Gloria finds/hands over her credit card. Sandra fumbles the credit card reader and it hits the counter with a clunk.
SANDRA: Sorry.
Sandra punches in the price.
SANDRA: Credit or savings?
Sandra checks where is Mary?
GLORIA: Credit.
Sandra punches a key.
SANDRA: Oh. Sorry I hit savings. I’ll just cancel…
GLORIA: (Interrupting) Don’t worry. That’s ok too.
Sandra nods, completes the transaction/hands receipt to Gloria.
SANDRA: Thank you.
GLORIA: You have a lovely day.
Gloria lingers, looks towards Mary, looks at Sandra. Sandra politely waits. Gloria smiles then leaves. Sandra makes notes for the tailor/pins the note onto the jacket/steals a glance towards Mary. Mary is distractedly looking through hanging shirts.
SANDRA: Hi Mary.
Mary turns towards Sandra.
MARY: Hi. Pretty shirts.
SANDRA: Yeah.
Sandra hangs the jacket behind the counter. Mary comes closer. Sandra starts tidying strewn clothing. They are circling each other like fighting cocks.
MARY: Is this a busy time?
SANDRA: Yeah.
MARY: Oh Ok. (A beat.) Do you do the alterations yourself?
SANDRA: No. I have a lady.
MARY: Oh.
Off Sandra’s indifference Mary makes a move to leave. Sandra’s voice stops her.
SANDRA: Do you work around here?
Mary stops, edges a little closer.
MARY: No. I, I work in Moorabbin.
SANDRA: How did you find me?
MARY: Your Mum told me. I would’ve called, but I knew you wouldn’t have called me back.
Sandra tilts her head: This is true.
MARY: I called the lab but?
SANDRA: (Shrugs) Funding dried up.
MARY: Oh. I didn’t think I’d end up working at an engineering factory either.
SANDRA: I like working in the city.
MARY: Yeah. I get that. I’m surrounded by factories.
Sandra looks at Mary curiously, wanting to know her intentions.
MARY: I miss you.
Sandra receives the information with doubt.
SANDRA: How does your husband feel about that?
MARY: We’ve separated. (Steps closer.) I’m…
Sandra interrupts her.
SANDRA: Oh well. Shit happens.
MARY: (Retreats) Don’t be a bitch.
SANDRA: (On a roll) So much for the love of your life.
MARY: You haven’t lost your temper. ( To herself perhaps.) This was a bad idea.
SANDRA: Well go. Go! Like you always do.
MARY: I’m really sorry OK? I made a mistake. Are you happy now?
Sandra stands resolute.
A Man enters the shop. He notices the tension.
SANDRA: (To Man, barks.) Can I help you?!
MAN: I’ll come back later.
The Man exits. Mary exits.
SANDRA: Ugh!