Aiport Sparrows Act 2 scene iv

Act 2 scene iv

the Blue Canary 

Lights up; LYNDON is on the phone, MARC is sitting at the bar 

Lyndon- I’m not saying that I don’t understand,

I'm just saying that I’m disappointed…
Come on man, I'm not holding it against you

And it was myself alone that saw it… [a pause]
Alright then, Jason, if that's what you want,

You can grab your check Friday afternoon. [hangs up]
Damn it; I should have just fired the asshole.

 

Marc- Well, living here is a catch 22,

And there really isn't much you can do

To improve upon the situation

So long as my brother's still around here. 

Lyndon- That's a certain amount of truth I fear, 

And much as I try to stay above it all,

This all plays out a little close to home.

Marc- That would have been me, had I not gone away. 

Lyndon- I wish there was something that I could say 

To make any of this better for you; 

But, at least there's not much to make it worse,

I mean, aside from the most obvious.

Marc- I would leave today if I could, no lie --

Not that I’m eager for my mom to die,

But this slow descent is hell all its own.

At least Laura's been leaving me alone. 

Lyndon- Yeah, I heard a little bird mention it; 

I don't think that's the smartest thing you've done... 

Marc- I wasn't trying to start anything,

And the example I was trying to bring... 

Lyndon- You're not going to be able to fix this, 

And not it's not your responsibility...

It was an asshole move, if you ask me. 

Marc- I guess it's pretty par for the course then. 

enter PAUL 

Lyndon- While, I'm certain that is her opinion, 

I know you a bit better than that though.

Why don't you put the evasions behind

And tell me what's really bothering you, Marc. 

Marc- Betty's prognosis is edging the dark, 

And when it comes to it, I'll have naught left:

I'll have no reason to stay when she's gone.

And it's not like I've much to return to;

I haven't had the best luck in LA... 

I'm just lonely, Lyndon; what can I say. 

Lyndon- Come on Marc, get Sarah out of your mind;

[to PAUL] Evening Friend, can I some bev’rage find? 

Paul- A Cosmo, my dear, would be quite lovely,

Don’t suppose you're saving this seat for me. 

Marc- It wasn’t being saved for anyone,

Though this isn't the warmest discussion. 

Lyndon- A bit warmer than the street, I'd wager. 

Paul- There is a chill that's naught to do with the air,

Which is not to say that I really care,

But I prefer a little discretion

In the cold stares thrown in my direction. 

Marc- Then you've come to the wrong side of town,

Which is not to say that there's a good part.

I’m Marc; this is Lyndon; you'll be safe here. 

Paul- Oh, that is rather sweet of you, my dear,

But I can take care of myself, I swear. 

Lyndon- As your host, I prefer you be aware 

Of the circumstances you've strolled into;

I'll be happy to call a cab for you. 

Paul- Don't fret o'er me, handsome; I'll be fine, 

But it seems I interrupted something... 

Marc- Nothing particularly int'resting; 

The rambles of someone Fate's detesting. 

Paul- Now that sounds rather int'resting indeed. 

They say talking to a total stranger

Often leads to some different insights; 

And you'll not find any stranger than me. 

Lyndon- I'd argue, but I completely agree. 

Marc- I'm tired of hearing myself say it;

Let’s say an old nightmare killed a new dream

And I am not so happy as I seem. 

Paul- Non sequitors and evasions; how new;

It's no wonder that there's no help for you. 

Lyndon- He spoke affection’s key word to his ex

In front of a girl who'd caught his fancy.

The timing was ill, and she caught no context,

But it sure as hell killed his desired tryst.

Paul- So just give it a few flicks of the wrist. 

Lyndon- I only wish it was so easy for him; 

Unfortunately, fancy's made lust dim. 

Marc- I know that it won't excuse anything,

But just because I do still love Laura

Does not mean I want relations with her:

That romance has been dead a long time now.

It's not like I've had the best luck in love,

But then this other girl did come around,

And found me at my most clumsy of selves,

And still opted to bless my company;

I was oe'rjoyed by the prospect of it.

Now, I understand I hardly knew her,

But I really believe there was something...
She was a brief light to my life in hell

And I hoped she saw that in me as well. 

Paul- So what will you do to rectify it? 

Marc- There's nothing that I can do. Honestly; 

She want's nothing at all to do with me. 

Paul- Oh, honey, you must do better than that, 

Or you'll never win her over again. 

Marc- She made her choice, so end of discussion. 

I refuse to make her life mis'rable

Just because I believe there's something there.

I've been on the wrong side of that before. 

Paul- Would that be the girl who caused the closed door? 

Well, you are in a bit of a pickle. 

Lyndon- And now he's here bemoaning his fate, 

Over words said too soon, and far too late. 

Paul- So, what would you say if she was here now? 

Marc- I really just want a chance to explain; 

And show misconception as a false stain.

If she still wants naught to do with me then,

At least it would be for a fair reason. 

Paul- Perhaps the reason is real already, 

And it's you whom she sees as unsteady. 

Marc- Either way, I'd rather the slate be clear. 

Paul- Well, I wish you the best of luck, my dear; 

As clearly you've not written her off yet. 

Lyndon- For my sake, I wish he'd simply forget; 

He's got enough going on without her

That it seems a great waste to wallow so. 

Paul- There's no accounting for taste, as you know; 

You'll just have to suffer til he lets go. 

Lyndon- If she was but out of mind, or within reach… 

Paul- These are not lessons a person can teach; 

Now, my good man, how much do I owe? 

Lyndon- Leaving us so soon? I just welcomed you. 

Paul- Alas, one and done is all I can do 

Or I'll ne'er manage to find the right bed...

And by your word, there're many a wrong one. 

Lyndon- For such courtesy as you have here done 

By bending yourself to his troubled voice

And thus diverting the flow from my ear; 

I have decided your account is clear. 

Paul- Oh, that's intolerably kind of you. 

Best of luck with the girl: gentles, adieu 

exit PAUL 

Marc- I guess you’re not pretty enough for him. 

Lyndon- Your sob story scares ev'ryone away,

So don't go blaiming me when they'll not stay. 

How 'bout you fill the air with ought than tears

And throw some money into the jutebox? 

Marc- You'd better handle that yourself, my friend,

For my music would but service the same end. 

blackout