Anchors Await
© 2003 by Edward J. Thomas, all rights reserved
CHARACTERS
CHERYL
SID
PEGGY
KAREN
RICK
SYNOPSIS
Comedy
2 men, 3 women
When you're in a hurry, did you ever feel like everyone around you was slowing you down?
PEGGY
Oh, wait! I’ve actually got two separate orders here.
CHERYL
Oh, sorry.
PEGGY
What did you already ring up?
CHERYL
Just this bag of chips.
PEGGY
Okay, no problem. We’ll do that order first.
CHERYL
What else goes with it?
PEGGY
Well… This other bag of chips does. And these cakes.
(She pushes all of the snack cakes forward)
Wait… Not these.
(She pulls two of them back)
Well, I guess I don’t need this one…
(Pushes one of them forward again)
Oh, and the two liter.
CHERYL
(Rings it all up)
Okay, that’ll be $14.54.
(PEGGY reaches into her purse and pulls out a $10 bill and four $1 bills)
PEGGY
I think I have exact change, actually.
(She hands CHERYL the bills and starts searching for coins. She finds a quarter and hands it to her. After a moment, she finds another quarter and hands that to her. She then finds two pennies and hands them to her. She digs some more, finds another penny and hands it to her)
Wait a minute… I know there’s another penny in here somewhere…
(She continues searching as RICK’s phone rings)
RICK
(Into phone)
Hello? … Yes, sweetie, I know it’s been more than two minutes, but I’m still at the store… I know we might lose our seats if we don’t leave for the airport right now… Patience, honey, it won’t take much longer. Just going a bit slow in front of me.
(PEGGY finds her last penny)
PEGGY
Here we are!
(Hands it to her)
CHERYL
Okay. And is this it for the other order, then?
PEGGY
Um, well, could I get a hot dog?
CHERYL
Uh, no, the machine is broken.
PEGGY
Oh. Then just this.
(CHERYL rings it up)
RICK
(Into phone)
It looks like it’s starting to pick up, though.
CHERYL
That’ll be $5.60.
PEGGY
Okay.
(She reaches into her purse and pulls out a checkbook. She digs through the purse again and pulls out a pen)
Who should I make this out to?
RICK
(Into phone)
Honey? Are you sure you need to listen to your music on the plane?
(PEGGY slowly writes her check)
Yes, I know it’s important to you…
PEGGY
How much is it, again?
CHERYL
$5.60.
PEGGY
Okay.
(She continues writing)
RICK
(Into phone)
No, don’t say that… You can’t go to the airport without me… I wanted to pick you up so we could drive together… I know, but airport parking… Besides, I have the tickets… You still want to meet me there? But won’t it take just as long to do that as it will to wait for me to pick you up?
(He looks at PEGGY, who has finally handed the check to CHERYL)
CHERYL
I’ll need picture ID.
(PEGGY looks for her driver license)
Could you take it out of the plastic for me, please?
(She does so)
RICK
(Into phone)
It shouldn’t take… too long… Well, it’s not my fault I’m behind all these… these… these anchors!
